University of Alcalá

About: University of Alcalá is a education organization based out in Alcalá de Henares, Spain. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Receptor. The organization has 10795 authors who have published 20718 publications receiving 410089 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Alcala & University of Alcala de Henares.

Involvement of PPARγ in the antitumoral action of cannabinoids on hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract: Cannabinoids exert antiproliferative effects in a wide range of tumoral cells, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. In this study, we examined whether the PPARγ-activated pathway contributed to the antitumor effect of two cannabinoids, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and JWH-015, against HepG2 and HUH-7 HCC cells. Both cannabinoids increased the activity and intracellular level of PPARγ mRNA and protein, which was abolished by the PPARγ inhibitor GW9662. Moreover, genetic ablation with small interfering RNA (siRNA), as well as pharmacological inhibition of PPARγ decreased the cannabinoid-induced cell death and apoptosis. Likewise, GW9662 totally blocked the antitumoral action of cannabinoids in xenograft-induced HCC tumors in mice. In addition, PPARγ knockdown with siRNA caused accumulation of the autophagy markers LC3-II and p62, suggesting that PPARγ is necessary for the autophagy flux promoted by cannabinoids. Interestingly, downregulation of the endoplasmic reticulum stress-related protein tribbles homolog 3 (TRIB3) markedly reduced PPARγ expression and induced p62 accumulation, which was counteracted by overexpression of PPARγ in TRIB3-knocked down cells. Taken together, we demonstrate for the first time that the antiproliferative action of the cannabinoids THC and JWH-015 on HCC, in vitro and in vivo, are modulated by upregulation of PPARγ-dependent pathways.

Molecularly imprinted polymers for selective piezoelectric sensing of small molecules

Abstract: Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are attracting great interest in research to develop biomimetic sensors, as they are advantageous over biological molecules, such as natural receptors and enzymes, because of their high stability, low cost and ease of preparation. In this article, we present and discuss the evolution in the use of MIPs as selective materials in piezoelectric (PZ) sensors for small molecules, over the past 10 years. We point out the analytical features and the practical potential of MIP-PZ sensors, which combine the synergetic advantages of selectivity provided by MIPs with the sensitivity given by PZ sensing. With insight into the different types of sensing, we summarize PZ transduction and integration strategies, describe reported applications of MIP-PZ methods, and show the real possibilities for routine work in the near future.