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Chemokines are small secreted proteins that regulate the immune system by signaling through chemokine receptors to induce immune cell migration, motility, and infiltration into the tissue. Altered chemokine/receptor expression is associated with numerous inflammatory diseases, and more recently in non-immune cell diseases like cancer. Emerging new studies demonstrate that chemokines can directly modulate the tumor microenvironment (TME) to assist tumorigenesis by regulating proinflammatory signaling, immune cell infiltration,and metastasis. However, the diversity and complexity in the regulation of chemokine expression and how chemokine receptor signaling influences TME needs comprehensive understanding. One mechanistic pathway that has shown promising early results in targeting tumor progression is the non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). These are widely expressed and designated as prime gene regulatory factors in tumors and the immune system. Notably, ncRNAs have been implicated in regulating chromatin stability, translation of cytoplasmic mRNAs, and the functional regulation of membrane-less nuclear bodies, which are significant pathways implicated in tumorigenesis. Tissue-specific patterns of expression of ncRNAs have suggested their role as potential cancer biomarkers, providing a suitable rationale for targeting them clinically. In this review, we discuss the recent findings which demonstrate the role of differential expression of chemokines and ncRNA in modulating TME during tumor progression. We also discuss the communication between tumor and immune effector cells via chemokine/ncRNAs and identify their potential as novel therapeutic targets.

Acute Lung Injury (ALI) and its severe form Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) are the major cause of ICU death worldwide. ALI/ARDS is characterized by severe hypoxemia and inflammation that leads to poor lung compliance. Despite many advances in understanding and management, ALI/ARDS is still causing significant morbidity and mortality. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is a fast-growing topic in lung inflammation and injury. lncRNA is a class of non-coding RNA having a length of more than 200 nucleotides. It has been a center of research for understanding the pathophysiology of various diseases in the past few years. Multiple studies have shown that lncRNAs are abundant in acute lung injury/injuries in mouse models and cell lines. By targeting these long non-coding RNAs, many investigators have demonstrated the alleviation of ALI in various mouse models. Therefore, lncRNAs show great promise as a therapeutic target in ALI. This review provides the current state of knowledge about the relationship between lncRNAs in various biological processes in acute lung injury and its use as a potential therapeutic target.

Illuminating the role of protein on the surface of cyanobacterial derived capped, decapped AgNPs and its biomedical application.

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are gaining importance in the field of medicines due to their high surface area and unique properties than their other forms of selenium. In this study, biogenic selenium nanoparticles (B-SeNPs) were synthesized using cyanobacteria and their bioactivities (antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer and biocompatibility) were determined for comparison with commercially available chemically synthesized selenium nanoparticles (C-SeNPs). Color change of reaction mixture from sky blue to orange-red indicated the synthesis of biogenic SeNPs (B-SeNPs). UV–Vis spectra of the reaction mixture exhibited peak at 266 nm. During optimization, 30 °C of temperature, 24 h of time and 1:2 concentration ratio of sodium selenite and cell extract represented the best condition for SeNPs synthesis. Various functional groups and biochemical compounds present in the aqueous extract of Anabaena variabilis NCCU-441, which may have possibly influenced the reduction process of SeNPs were identified by FT-IR spectrum and GC–MS. The synthesized cyanobacterial SeNPs were orange red in color, spherical in shape, 10.8 nm in size and amorphous in nature. The B-SeNPs showed better anti-oxidant (DPPH, FRAP, SOR and ABTS assays), anti-microbial (antibacterial and antifungal) and anti-cancer activitities along with its biocompatibility in comparison to C-SeNPs suggesting higher probability of their biomedical application.

Biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are of significant interest due to their widespread application. In order to make nontoxic cost-effective AgNPs, several microorganisms have been utilized. In the present study, emphasis was given to Anabaena variabilis–mediated AgNPs synthesis. Optimal conditions for extract preparation were heating of extraction mixture at 100 °C for 5 min, while for AgNPs synthesis, optimal conditions were 1:9 v/v (cell extract: AgNO3 (1 mM)), pH 7.4, and 30 °C reaction temperatures. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized initially by UV-Vis spectrophotometer and the maximum absorbance peak was obtained at 440 nm. XRD technique confirmed their crystalline nature. SEM with EDX showed 66% elemental silver by weight, which signified the purity of AgNPs. DLS study showed nearly monodispersed nature of AgNPs. TEM observation confirmed the synthesis of 11–15 nm spherical NPs. FTIR analysis of synthesized AgNPs showed the functional moieties responsible for their bioactivity. The biomolecules of AgNPs were confirmed by LCMS/MS. Anabaena variabilis–mediated AgNPs showed good antibacterial and antifungal activity. In combination with standard antibiotic (streptomycin) and antifungal agents (amphotericin B, fluconazole), AgNPs showed significant synergistic effect. The blend of antibacterial and antifungal properties, coupled with their intrinsic “green” and facile synthesis, made these biogenic nanoparticles attractive in nanomedicine.

Acute lung injury is a life-threatening medical problem induced by sepsis or endotoxins and may be associated with enhanced Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress). Vitamin-D (Vit-D) possesses an anti-inflammatory effect; however, this specific mechanism on acute lung injury is still unknown. Here we scrutinize the mechanism of Vit-D on Acute lung injury (ALI) models and explored the Vit-D augmented miRNA's role in regulating the ER stress pathway in ALI. Sepsis was induced by CLP, and Endotoxemia was caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We found that Vit-D alleviates pulmonary edema, improves lung histoarchitecture, infiltration of neutrophils, endothelial barrier in mice, and improves ER stress markers Activating Transcription Factor 6 (ATF6) and CHOP (C/EBP Homologous Protein) expression elevated by CLP/LPS induce ALI. Vit-D decreases the nitric oxide production and ATF6 in macrophages induced by LPS. Vit-D augments miR (miR-149-5p) in LPS-induce macrophages, CLP, and LPS-induced ALI models. Vit-D enhanced miRNA-149-5p when overexpressed, inhibited ER-specific ATF6 inflammatory pathway in LPS-stimulated macrophages, and improved histoarchitecture of the lung in LPS/CLP-induced mice models. This vitro and vivo studies demonstrate that Vit-D could improve ALI induced by CLP/LPS. In this regard, miR-149-5p may play a crucial role in vitamin-D inhibiting LPS/CLP induce ALI. The mechanism might be an association of increased miR-149-5p and its regulated gene target ATF6, and downstream CHOP proteins were suppressed. Thus, these findings demonstrate that the anti-inflammatory effect of Vit-D is achieved by augmentation of miRNA-149-5p expression, which may be a key physiologic mediator in the prevention and treatment of ALI.

Sepsis is a clinical syndrome with high mortality and morbidity rates. In sepsis, the abrupt release of cytokines by the innate immune system may cause multiorgan failure, leading to septic shock and associated complications. In the presence of a number of systemic disorders, such as sepsis, infections, diabetes, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) type 5 is defined by concomitant cardiac and renal dysfunctions Thus, our study suggests that certain mRNAs and unexplored pathways may pave a way to unravel critical therapeutic targets in three debilitating and interrelated illnesses, namely, sepsis, SLE, and CRS. Sepsis, SLE, and CRS are closely interrelated complex diseases likely sharing an overlapping pathogenesis caused by erroneous gene network activities. We sought to identify the shared gene networks and the key genes for sepsis, SLE, and CRS by completing an integrative analysis. Initially, 868 DEGs were identified in 16 GSE datasets. Based on degree centrality, 27 hub genes were revealed. The gProfiler webtool was used to perform functional annotations and enriched molecular pathway analyses. Finally, core hub genes (EGR1, MMP9, and CD44) were validated using RT-PCR analysis. Our comprehensive multiplex network approach to hub gene discovery is effective, as evidenced by the findings. This work provides a novel research path for a new research direction in multi-omics biological data analysis.

Driven by the need to biosynthesize alternate biomedical agents to prevent and treat infection, silver nanoparticles have surfaced as a promising avenue. Cyanobacteria-derived nanomaterial synthesis is of substantive interest as it offers an eco-friendly, cost-effective, sustainable, and biocompatible route for further development. In the present study optimal conditions for synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were 1 : 9 v/v [cell extract: AgNO

Silver and silver salts have been utilized from the ancient civilization, but silver nanoparticles have been utilized recently. Physical and chemical methods such as reduction of silver salt solution, thermal decomposition of silver compound, and sonication have been utilized for the synthesis of nanoparticle. These methods are simple and can achieve the complex morphology but limit their application in the area of healthcare because of associated toxicity and biocompatibility problems. In order to overcome this, researchers have proposed biogenic approach as a cleaner, economical, ecofriendly, and sustainable route for nanoparticle synthesis. This process reduces the need of hazardous chemicals and decreases the need of downstream processing, which makes the process more economical and less energy intensive. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can be synthesized by bacteria, cyanobacteria, fungi, and algae. The microbes are having ability to function under variable extremes of temperature, pressure, and pH which makes them more attractive. In particular, silver-based nanomaterials have emerged as a promising potential in biomedical applications and are utilized in cosmetic, biosensor, nanofertilizer, nanopesticides, bioimaging, targeted drug and gene delivery, etc. AgNPs are also used in packaging to prevent damage of food products by pathogens. Due to biocompatibility, biogenic AgNPs are much attractive in the nanomedicine and medical devices.

Due to unique properties of the nanoparticles (NPs) with biocompatibility, their application as drug in drug delievery and diagnostics, the recent scientific branch nanotechnology has emerged as hope in modern medicine . Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have gained tremendous interest due to their potential use as chemotherapeutic and antimicrobial agents. They are included in the category of “generally recognized as safe (GRAS) metal oxide”. There is an urgent need for developing additional sources of ZnO NPs. Therefore, in the present study 30 cyanobacterial extracts were screened for ZnO NPs synthesis .. The color change of the reaction mixture from blue to pale white indicated the synthesis of ZnO NPs. It was further confirmed by UV–Visible spectroscopy that showed the absorption peak at 372 nm. The SEM analysis during screening revealed that Oscillatoria sp. synthesized smallest ZnO NPs (~40 nm) that were further optimized for their higher yield by altering reaction conditions (pH, temperature, reaction time, concentration of extract and metal precursor). Best conditions for ZnO NPs synthesis are (0.02 M zinc nitrate, 10 ml of extract volume, pH 8, at 80 °C for 3 h). The NPs were purified through calcination at 350°C and characterized by UV–Vis, FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDAX, TEM, Zeta potential and DLS analysis. The comparative analysis of purified biogenic ZnO NPs with commercial chemically synthesized ZnO NPs (CS), exhibited their superior nature as antioxidant and anti-bacterial agent against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Synergistic effects of biogenic ZnO NPs and streptomycin additionally favored for their future use as a potential biomedical agent.

Selenium (Se) is a crucial trace element required by all living organisms and its deficiency as well as excess is known to cause many diseases. Se substitutes when consumed in higher concentration cause toxicity. Therefore, research is now being focused to overcome the adverse effects of high Se doses. One possible way is to use them in form of Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs). However, SeNPs synthesized through physical and chemical methods also show toxicity. Biologically synthesized SeNPs due to their lesser toxicity emerged as an alternative. Like plants, bacteria and other organisms, cyanobacterial extracts also have the ability to reduce the metal ions into nanoparticles due to the presence of many reducing biomolecules. The present study envisages screening of 20 cyanobacterial extracts for SeNPs synthesis based on time taken and particle size. The obtained synthesis time was in between two to five days and the range of SeNPs size was in between 11.8 to 60 nm. Synthesized SeNPs were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Further, the anti-oxidant activities of best five cyanobacterial strains (Anabaena variabilis NCCU-441, Arthrospira indica SOSA-4, Gloeocapsa gelatinosa NCCU-430, Oscillatoria sp. NCCU-369, Phormidium sp. NCCU-104) were tested by the DPPH and SOR scavenging assays. The SeNPs synthesized by Arthrospira indica SOSA-4 showed the best anti-oxidant activity with IC50 = 81.67 ± 0.77 μg/ml (SOR) and 73.94 ± 1.53 μg/ml (DPPH).