1.Family communication of genetic risk: What is it and why does it matter?
Acta Medica Philippina 2025;59(8):7-15
Inherited conditions have implications not only for the individual affected but for the entire family. It is in this context that family communication of genetic risk information is important to understand. This paper aims to provide an overview of the construct of family communication of genetic risk and provide implications for healthcare providers. A search of relevant literature was done with electronic databases including PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. The findings from the literature were organized based on the Family Communication of Genetic Risk (FCGR) conceptual framework which highlights the attributes of the family communication of genetic risk process including influential factors, communication strategy, communication occurrence, and outcomes of communication. Healthcare providers need to understand how individuals share genetic risk with their family members so that appropriate support and interventions can be provided to them. This is especially important across countries, including the Philippines, as genetic services and testing move beyond the traditional medical genetics clinic to other medical specialties, a development where we would expect an increase in individuals and family members undergoing genetic evaluation and testing.
Communication ; Family ; Genetic Predisposition To Disease ; Genetic Testing
3.Extracellular vesicles: Roles in oocytes and emerging therapeutic opportunities.
Zhongyu ZHAO ; Yinrui SUN ; Renhao GUO ; Junzhi LIANG ; Wanlin DAI ; Yutao JIANG ; Yafan YU ; Yuexin YU ; Lixia HE ; Da LI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(9):1050-1060
The production of high-quality oocytes requires precisely orchestrated intercellular communication. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived nanoparticles that play a vital role in the transfer of bioactive molecules, which has gained much attention in the field of diagnosis and treatment. Over the past ten years, the participation of EVs in the reproductive processes of oocytes has been broadly studied and has shown great potential for elucidating the intricacies of female reproductive health. This review provides an extensive discussion of the influence of EVs on oocytes, emphasizing their involvement in normal physiology and altered cargo under pathological conditions. In addition, the positive impact of therapeutic EVs on oocyte quality and their role in alleviating ovarian pathological conditions are summarized.
Humans
;
Extracellular Vesicles/physiology*
;
Oocytes/cytology*
;
Female
;
Animals
;
Cell Communication/physiology*
4.Crosstalk and the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Lei-Rong GU ; Hui ZHANG ; Juan CHEN ; Sheng-Tao CHENG
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(2):267-276
Malignant proliferating liver cancer cells possess the ability to detect and respond to various body signals, thereby facilitating tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. One crucial mechanism through which hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells interpret these signals is crosstalk. Within liver cancer tissues, cancer cells engage in communication with hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and immune cells. This interaction plays a pivotal role in regulating the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of HCC cells. Crosstalk occurs in multiple ways, each characterized by distinct functions. Its molecular mechanisms primarily involve regulating immune cell functions through the expression of specific receptors, such as CD24 and CD47, modulating cell functions by secreting cytokines like transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and mediating cell growth and proliferation by activating pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin and Hedgehog. A comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms and interactions within crosstalk is essential for unraveling the pathogenesis of HCC. It also opens up new avenues for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. This article reviews the relationship between crosstalk and the progression of HCC, offering insights and inspiration for future research.
Humans
;
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism*
;
Liver Neoplasms/metabolism*
;
Hepatic Stellate Cells/physiology*
;
Disease Progression
;
Signal Transduction/physiology*
;
Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism*
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Hedgehog Proteins/metabolism*
;
Tumor-Associated Macrophages
;
Platelet-Derived Growth Factor/metabolism*
;
Cell Communication/physiology*
5.Research progress on the role of extracellular vesicles in the repair of skeletal muscle membrane injury.
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(5):956-968
The timely and efficient repair of the plasma membrane in skeletal muscle cells following injury is critical for maintaining cellular function and tissue integrity. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a pivotal role in this process through multi-level mechanisms. This review systematically summarizes the generation, secretion, and multifunctional roles of EVs in the repair of skeletal muscle plasma membrane damage: (1) removing damaged membrane fragments and cellular debris via endocytosis and exocytosis to maintain plasma membrane stability; (2) fusing with the injured plasma membrane to supply essential components for membrane repair and restore membrane integrity; and (3) serving as a vital mediator of intercellular communication, transmitting repair signals, promoting intercellular interactions, and orchestrating multi-level responses to facilitate tissue regeneration and functional recovery. Additionally, this article explores the potential applications of EVs in the treatment of exercise-induced injuries and muscular diseases, aiming to provide theoretical insights and novel strategies for future research and EV-based therapeutic approaches.
Extracellular Vesicles/physiology*
;
Humans
;
Muscle, Skeletal/physiology*
;
Cell Membrane/physiology*
;
Animals
;
Regeneration/physiology*
;
Exocytosis/physiology*
;
Endocytosis/physiology*
;
Cell Communication/physiology*
6.Single-cell transcriptomic analysis reveals immune dysregula-tion and macrophage reprogramming in diabetic foot ulcers.
Chunli HUANG ; Yu JIANG ; Wei JIAO ; Ying SUI ; Chunlei WANG ; Yongtao SU
Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences 2025;54(5):602-610
OBJECTIVES:
To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of macrophage-mediated inflammation and tissue injury in diabetic foot ulcer (DFU).
METHODS:
Skin tissue samples were collected from patients with DFU and with non-DFU. A total of 79 272 high-quality cell transcriptomes were obtained using single-cell RNA sequencing. An unbiased clustering approach was employed to identify cell subpopulations. Seurat functions were used to identify differentially expressed genes between DFU and non-DFU groups, and gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis was used to reveal gene function. Furthermore, cell-cell communication network construction and ligand-receptor interaction analysis were performed to reveal the mechanisms underlying cellular interactions and signaling regulation in the DFU microenvironment from multiple perspectives.
RESULTS:
The results revealed a significant expansion of myeloid cells in DFU tissues, alongside a marked reduction in structural cells such as endothelial cells, epithelial cells, and smooth muscle cells. Major cell types underwent functional reprogramming, characterized by immune activation and impaired tissue remodeling. Specifically, macrophages in DFU skin tissues exhibited a shift toward a pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype, with upregulation of genes associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. Cell communication analysis further demonstrated that M1 macrophages served as both primary signal receivers and influencers in the COMPLEMENT pathway mediated communication network, and as key signal senders and mediators in the secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) pathway mediated communication network, actively shaping the inflammatory microenvironment. Key ligand-receptor interactions driving macrophage signaling were identified, including C3-(ITGAM+ITGB2) and SPP1-CD44.
CONCLUSIONS
This study establishes a comprehensive single-cell atlas of DFU, revealing the role of macrophage-driven cellular networks in chronic inflammation and impaired healing. These findings may offer potential novel therapeutic targets for DFU treatment.
Humans
;
Macrophages/immunology*
;
Diabetic Foot/pathology*
;
Single-Cell Analysis
;
Transcriptome
;
Gene Expression Profiling
;
Inflammation
;
Skin
;
Cell Communication
;
Signal Transduction
;
Cellular Reprogramming
7.Crosstalk between Tumor Cells and Neural Signals in Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Metastasis: Communication Hijacking Based Perspective.
Shuping SONG ; Xinyi WANG ; Siqi ZHOU ; Xuchen CHENG ; Weixuan LIN ; Yongxuan WANG ; Yanqin SUN
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2025;28(2):138-145
Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) represents a category of malignant tumors originating from neuroendocrine cells. Given that NEC cells exhibit characteristics of both neural and endocrine cells, they can hijack neuronal signaling pathways and dynamically regulate the expression of neuronal lineage markers during tumor metastasis, thereby constructing a microenvironment conducive to tumor growth and metastasis. Conversely, alterations in the tumor microenvironment can enhance the interactions between neurons and tumor cells, ultimately synergistically promoting the metastasis of NEC. This review highlights recent advancements in the field of cancer neuroscience, uncovering neuronal lineage markers in NEC that facilitate tumor dissemination through mediating crosstalk, bidirectional communication, and synergistic interactions between tumor cells and the nervous system. Consequently, the latest findings in tumor neuroscience have enriched our understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying tumor metastasis, opening new research avenues for a deeper comprehension of the complex biological processes involved in tumor metastasis, particularly brain metastasis. This review provides a comprehensive review of the crosstalk between tumor cells and neural signaling in the metastasis of NEC.
.
Humans
;
Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction
;
Animals
;
Neoplasm Metastasis
;
Neurons/pathology*
;
Tumor Microenvironment
;
Cell Communication
8.Emerging roles of exosomes in oral diseases progression.
Jiayi WANG ; Junjun JING ; Chenchen ZHOU ; Yi FAN
International Journal of Oral Science 2024;16(1):4-4
Oral diseases, such as periodontitis, salivary gland diseases, and oral cancers, significantly challenge health conditions due to their detrimental effects on patient's digestive functions, pronunciation, and esthetic demands. Delayed diagnosis and non-targeted treatment profoundly influence patients' prognosis and quality of life. The exploration of innovative approaches for early detection and precise treatment represents a promising frontier in oral medicine. Exosomes, which are characterized as nanometer-sized extracellular vesicles, are secreted by virtually all types of cells. As the research continues, the complex roles of these intracellular-derived extracellular vesicles in biological processes have gradually unfolded. Exosomes have attracted attention as valuable diagnostic and therapeutic tools for their ability to transfer abundant biological cargos and their intricate involvement in multiple cellular functions. In this review, we provide an overview of the recent applications of exosomes within the field of oral diseases, focusing on inflammation-related bone diseases and oral squamous cell carcinomas. We characterize the exosome alterations and demonstrate their potential applications as biomarkers for early diagnosis, highlighting their roles as indicators in multiple oral diseases. We also summarize the promising applications of exosomes in targeted therapy and proposed future directions for the use of exosomes in clinical treatment.
Humans
;
Exosomes
;
Quality of Life
;
Extracellular Vesicles
;
Biomarkers
;
Cell Communication
;
Mouth Neoplasms
9.Family communication of genetic risk: What is it and why does it matter?
Acta Medica Philippina 2024;58(Early Access 2024):1-9
Inherited conditions have implications not only for the individual affected but for the entire family. It is in this context that family communication of genetic risk information is important to understand. This paper aims to provide an overview of the construct of family communication of genetic risk and provide implications for healthcare providers. A search of relevant literature was done with electronic databases including PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. The findings from the literature were organized based on the Family Communication of Genetic Risk (FCGR) conceptual framework which highlights the attributes of the family communication of genetic risk process including influential factors, communication strategy, communication occurrence, and outcomes of communication. Healthcare providers need to understand how individuals share genetic risk with their family members so that appropriate support and interventions can be provided to them. This is especially important across countries, including the Philippines, as genetic services and testing move beyond the traditional medical genetics clinic to other medical specialties, a development where we would expect an increase in individuals and family members undergoing genetic evaluation and testing.
communication
;
family
;
genetic predisposition to disease
;
genetic testing
10.Standardizing hazard signage in the Laboratory Research Division of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine:A step towards improved safety compliance
Philippine Journal of Pathology 2024;9(2):53-56
Old signage faced iconography, variable layouts, visual presentations, and contents, as well as degradation issues, undermine the effectiveness of hazard communication in the laboratory. A 2016 project was initiated to standardize all hazard signages at the Laboratory Research Division of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), incorporating standard colors and iconography for better compliance and safety. As part of a broader initiative to enhance biorisk practices within the institute, there are plans for improvement and expansion to non-laboratory areas.
Containment Of Biohazards ; Biosecurity ; Laboratories ; Communication ; Laboratory Personnel


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