Endothelial cells play a crucial role in the vascular system, regulating hemostasis, vasodilation, immune responses, and inflammation through intercellular junctions (IJs). However, excessive mechanical loading can lead to endothelial cell damage and endothelial barrier dysfunction. Understanding the dynamic rupture mechanisms of intercellular junc...
In recent years, autophagy, as a crucial intracellular degradation and recycling mechanism, has played a key role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and responding to various stress conditions. Particularly in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells, autophagy activity is essential for coping with common renal injuries such as ischemia, toxic dama...
In pathological conditions, alterations in tissue mechanical properties are one of the prominent features of many diseases, such as cancer. The tumor vascular system plays a critical role in tumor growth, but its structure and function often become abnormal, manifesting as disorganized, tortuous, and leaky blood vessels. Research has shown that the...
Academic Background Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells (VSMCs) in the normal aortic wall regulate vascular contraction and dilation. However, under pathological conditions, VSMCs transition from a contractile phenotype to a synthetic phenotype and actively participate in the remodeling of the aortic wall. Although many in vitro studies have reported the ...
Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States, with liver metastasis being a common occurrence. Before tumor metastasis, the formation of the Pre-Metastatic Niche (PMN) is a critical process. PMN involves the activation of key liver-resident cells, including fibroblast-like stellate cells and mac...
Academic Background Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells (MSCs) are a type of multipotent stem cells widely used in regenerative medicine and cell therapy. However, MSCs undergo progressive aging (senescence) during in vitro culture, leading to a decline in their proliferation and differentiation capabilities, which poses a significant obstacle to their ...
Academic Background Since its introduction in 1970, Conway’s Game of Life (GoL) has been a classic model for studying the behavior of complex systems. As a Cellular Automata (CA) model, GoL simulates the life and death of cells on a two-dimensional grid through simple rules, demonstrating complex behaviors emerging from these rules. Although GoL ha...
Academic Background Scar formation is a common issue following trauma, burns, and other complications, significantly impacting the quality of life for millions of people worldwide. Fibroblasts play a central role in pathological scar formation, making them a common target for developing new therapies to promote healing and reduce scarring. Recent s...
Vaginal wound healing is a critical issue in gynecological surgery, especially following vaginal delivery or pelvic reconstructive surgery. Infection and poor healing of vaginal wounds can lead to severe complications such as chronic pain, infection, and dysfunction. Therefore, accelerating vaginal wound healing has been a focal point of clinical r...
Academic Background Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is an advanced non-invasive imaging technique that provides detailed molecular information about living tissues. CEST MRI works by selectively saturating exchangeable protons of specific metabolites and transferring this saturation to water molecules, ...