International Journal of Molecular Sciences

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Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, "Advances in Molecular and Translational Medicine 2.0", is framed in the context of the most recent discoveries and achievements in biomedical research, which, together with the modern technological and applicative advances in medicine, are evolving towards a revolutionary approach to understanding human diseases and discovering new therapeutic methods. The study of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate complex systems requires an intense interaction between basic and applied research. Translational medicine combines biomedical skills and advancements in basic research with clinical reality. For this Special Issue, original and observational studies, as well as reviews, clinical cases and proof-of concepts in the broad fields of laboratory, clinical and health research, are welcomed.

Dr. Mariarosaria Boccellino
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

molecular pathology
biomarkers
signature transduction
cell signaling
molecular mechanisms
translational research
pathophysiology

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 4478 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficacy of Integrated Risk Score Using Omics-Based Biomarkers for the Prediction of Acute Rejection in Kidney Transplantation: A Randomized Prospective Pilot Study

by Jeong-Hoon Lim, Byung Ha Chung, Sang-Ho Lee, Jong Soo Lee, Yeong Hoon Kim, Man-Hoon Han, Hee-Yeon Jung, Ji-Young Choi, Jang-Hee Cho, Sun-Hee Park, Yong-Lim Kim and Chan-Duck Kim

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5139; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105139 - 9 May 2024

Viewed by 161

Abstract

Acute rejection (AR) is critical for long-term graft survival in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the integrated risk score of omics-based biomarkers in predicting AR in KTRs. This prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter, pilot study enrolled 40 patients who recently underwent high-immunologic-risk kidney transplantation (KT). Five omics biomarkers were measured, namely, blood mRNA (three-gene signature), urinary exosomal miRNA (three-gene signature), urinary mRNA (six-gene signature), and two urinary exosomal proteins (hemopexin and tetraspanin-1) at 2 weeks and every 4 weeks after KT for 1 year. An integrated risk score was generated by summing each biomarker up. The biomarker group was informed about the integrated risk scores and used to adjust immunosuppression, but not the control group. The outcomes were graft function and frequency of graft biopsy. Sixteen patients in the biomarker group and nineteen in the control group completed the study. The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate after KT did not differ between the groups. Graft biopsy was performed in two patients (12.5%) and nine (47.4%) in the biomarker and control groups, respectively, with the proportion being significantly lower in the biomarker group (p = 0.027). One patient (6.3%) in the biomarker group and two (10.5%) in the control group were diagnosed with AR, and the AR incidence did not differ between the groups. The tacrolimus trough level was significantly lower in the biomarker group than in the control group at 1 year after KT (p = 0.006). Integrated omics biomarker monitoring may help prevent unnecessary or high-complication-risk biopsy and enables tailored immunosuppression by predicting the risk of AR in KTRs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Molecular and Translational Medicine 2.0)

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Review

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20 pages, 2391 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Emerging Roles of the Metabolic Regulator G6PD in Human Cancers

by Alfar Ahamed, Rendy Hosea, Shourong Wu and Vivi Kasim

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(24), 17238; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242417238 - 7 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1381

Abstract

Metabolic reprogramming, especially reprogrammed glucose metabolism, is a well-known cancer hallmark related to various characteristics of tumor cells, including proliferation, survival, metastasis, and drug resistance. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is the first and rate-limiting enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), a branch of glycolysis, that converts glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) into 6-phosphogluconolactone (6PGL). Furthermore, PPP produces ribose-5-phosphate (R5P), which provides sugar-phosphate backbones for nucleotide synthesis as well as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), an important cellular reductant. Several studies have shown enhanced G6PD expression and PPP flux in various tumor cells, as well as their correlation with tumor progression through cancer hallmark regulation, especially reprogramming cellular metabolism, sustaining proliferative signaling, resisting cell death, and activating invasion and metastasis. Inhibiting G6PD could suppress tumor cell proliferation, promote cell death, reverse chemoresistance, and inhibit metastasis, suggesting the potential of G6PD as a target for anti-tumor therapeutic strategies. Indeed, while challenges—including side effects—still remain, small-molecule G6PD inhibitors showing potential anti-tumor effect either when used alone or in combination with other anti-tumor drugs have been developed. This review provides an overview of the structural significance of G6PD, its role in and regulation of tumor development and progression, and the strategies explored in relation to G6PD-targeted therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Molecular and Translational Medicine 2.0)

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