Cell Journal (Yakhteh)
Volume:23 Issue: 3, Aug 2021

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the stemness potency in association with BRAF mutation are in dispensable to the progression of melanoma. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been introduced as the regulator of a multitude of oncogenic functions in most of tumors. Therefore identifying and interpreting the expression patterns of these miRNAs is essential. The present study sought to find common miRNAs regulating all three important pathways in melanoma development.

In this experimental study, 18 miRNAs that importantly contribute to EMT and have a role in regulating self-renewal and the BRAF pathway were selected based on current literature and cross-analysis with available databases. Subsequently, their expression patterns were evaluated in 20 melanoma patients, normal tissues, serum from patients and control subjects, and melanospheres. Pattern discovery and integrative regulatory network analysis were used to find the most important miRNAs in melanoma progression.

Among 18 selected miRNAs, miR-205, -141, -203, -15b, and -9 were differentially expressed in tumor samples than normal tissues. Among them, miR-205, -15b, and -9 significantly expressed in serum samples and healthy donors. Attribute Weighting and decision trees (DT) analysis presented evidence that the combination of miR-205, -203, -9, and -15b can regulate self-renewal and EMT process, by affecting CDH1, CCND1, and VEGF expression.

We suggested here that miR-205, -15b, -203, -9 pattern as the key miRNAs linked to melanoma status, the pluripotency, proliferation, and motility of malignant cells. However, further investigations are required to find the mechanisms underlying the combinatory effects of the above mentioned miRNAs.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease associated with vascular damage and multi organ fibrotic changes with unknown pathogenesis. Most SSc patients suffer from defective angiogenesis/vasculogenesis and cardiac conditions leading to high mortality rates. We aimed to investigate the cardiovascular phenotype of SSc by cardiogenic differentiation of SSc induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC).

In this experimental study, we generated iPSC from two diffuse SSc patients, followed by successful differentiation into endothelial cells (ECs) and cardiomyocytes (CMs).

SSc-derived EC (SSc-EC) expressed KDR, a nearly EC marker, similar to healthy control-EC (C1-EC). After sorting and culturing KDR+ cells, the resulting EC expressed CD31, a late endothelial marker, but vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin expression markedly dropped resulting in a functional defect as reflected in tube formation failure of SSc-EC. Interestingly, upregulation of SNAI1 (snail family transcriptional repressor 1) was observed in SSc-EC which might underlie VE-cadherin downregulation. Furthermore, SSc-derived CM (SSc-CM) successfully expressed cardiacspecific markers including ion channels, resulting in normal physiological behavior and responsiveness to cardioactive drugs.

This study provides an insight into impaired angiogenesis observed in SSc patients by evaluating in vitro cardiovascular differentiation of SSc iPSC.

The aim of present study was to isolate and differentiate human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) into odontoblast-like cells.

In this experimental study, human adipose tissues were taken from the buccal fat pad of three individuals (mean age: 24.6 ± 2.1 years). The tissues were transferred to a laboratory in a sterile culture medium, divided into small pieces and digested by collagenase I (2 mg/mL, 60-90 minutes). ASCs were isolated by passing the cell suspension through cell strainers (70 and 40 µm), followed by incubation at 37ºC and 5% CO2 in Dulbecco’s modified eagle medium (DMEM) supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS 5%) and penicillin/streptomycin (P/S). After three passages, the ASCs were harvested. Subsequently, flow cytometry and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to detect expression levels of NANOG and OCT4 to evaluate stemness. Then, a differentiation medium that included high-glucose DMEM supplemented with 10% FBS, dexamethasone (10 nM), sodium β-glycerophosphate (5 mM) and ascorbic acid (100 µM) was added. The cells were cultivated for four weeks, and the odontogenic medium was changed every two days. Cell differentiation was evaluated with Alizarin red staining and expressions of collagen I (COL1A1), dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) and dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP1).

The ASCs were effectively and easily isolated. They were negative for CD45 and positive for the CD105 and CD73 markers. The ASCs expressed OCT4 and NANOG. Differentiated cells highly expressed DSPP, COL1A1 and DMP1. Alizarin red staining revealed a positive reaction for calcium deposition.

ASCs were isolated successfully in high numbers from the buccal fat pad of human volunteers and were differentiated into odontoblast-like cells. These ASCs could be considered a new source of cells for use in regenerative endodontic treatments.

Numerous evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulators in the spermatogenesis process. The aim of this study was to investigate Mir-106b cluster regulates primordial germ cells (PGCs) differentiation from human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

In this experimental study, samples containing male adipose (n: 9 samples- age: 25-40 years) were obtained from cosmetic surgeries performed for the liposuction in Imam Khomeini Hospital. The differentiation of MSCs into PGCs was accomplished by transfection of a lentivector expressing miR-106b. The transfection of miR106b was also confirmed by the detection of a clear green fluorescent protein (GFP) signal in MSCs. MSCs were treated with bone morphogenic factor 4 (BMP4) protein, as a putative inducer of PGCs differentiation, to induce the differentiation of MSCs into PGCs (positive control). After 4 days of transfection, the expression of miR-106b, STELLA, and FRAGILIS genes was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Also, the levels of thymocyte differentiation antigen 1 (Thy1) protein was assessed by the western blot analysis. The cell surface expression of CD90 was also determined by immunocytochemistry method. The cytotoxicity of miR-106b was examined in MSCs after 24, 48, and 72 hours using the MTT assay.

MSCs treated with BMP4 or transfected by miR-106b were successfully differentiated into PGCs. The results of this study also showed that the expression of miR-106b was significantly increased after 48 hours from transfection. Also, we showed STELLA, FARGILIS, as well as the protein expression of Thy1, was significantly higher in MSCs transfected by lentivector expressing miR-106b in comparison with MSCs treated with BMP4 (P≤0.05). MTT assay showed miR-106b was no toxic during 72 hours in 1 µg/ml dose, that this amount could elevated germ cells marker significantly higher than other experimental groups (P≤0.05).

According to this findings, it appears that miR-106b plays an essential role in the differentiation of MSCs into PGCs.

Choroid plexus epithelial cells (CPECs) have the epithelial characteristic, produce cerebrospinal fluid, contribute to the detoxification process in the central nervous system (CNS), and are responsible for the synthesis and release of many nerve growth factors. On the other hand, studies suggest that normobaric hyperoxia (HO) by induction of ischemic tolerance (IT) can protect against brain damage and neurological diseases. We examined the effect of combination therapy of encapsulated CPECs and HO to protect against ischemic brain injury.

In this experimental study, six groups of adult male Wistar rats were randomly organized: sham, room air (RA)+middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), HO+MCAO, RA+MCAO+encapsulated CPECs, HO+MCAO+encapsulated CPECs, RA+MCAO+empty capsules. RA/HO were pretreatment. The CPECs were isolated from the brain of neonatal Wistar rats, cultured, and encapsulated. Then microencapsulated CPECs were transplanted in the neck of the animal immediately after the onset of reperfusion in adult rats that had been exposed to 60 minutes MCAO. After 23 hours of reperfusion, the neurologic deficit score (NDS) was assessed. Next, rats were killed, and brains were isolated for measuring brain infarction volume, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, edema, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) and also, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA).

Our results showed that NDS decreased equally in HO+MCAO, RA+MCAO+encapsulated CPECs, and HO+MCAO+encapsulated CPECs groups. Brain infarction volume decreased up 79%, BBB stability increased, edema decreased, SOD and CAT activities increased, and MDA decreased in the combination group of HO and transplantation of encapsulated CPECs in the ischemic brain as compared with when HO or transplantation of encapsulated CPECs was applied alone.

The combination of HO and transplantation of encapsulated CPECs for stroke in rats was more effective than the other treatments, and it can be taken into account as a promising treatment for ischemic stroke.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common and the second most lethal cancer worldwide. CRC mortality is increasing in Iran. In the current study, we aimed to investigate association between rs11614913 polymorphism of the miR-196-a2 gene and CRC.

In this case-control study, we assessed association of the rs11614913 polymorphism in 194 patients with CRC (case) and 286 healthy individuals (control). The expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm method was used to adjust deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE).

There was no significant difference between genotypic frequencies of rs11614913 polymorphism in the control and case groups. Genotypic frequencies differed in the adjusted and unadjusted deviations from the HWE. Analysis of unadjusted and adjusted independent variables showed that age, sex, alcohol consumption, and drug use were statistically significant.

Our findings showed that rs11614913 polymorphism was not associated with CRC risk. Deviation from HWE affected the results. It is recommended to perform further studies to establish HWE. Ignoring the equilibrium can cause in consistencies in the results of studies.

Astaxanthin (AST) has been introduced as a radical scavenger and an anti-apoptotic factor that acts via regulating the nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and related factors. Here, we intended to examine the effect of AST on granulosa cells (GCs) against oxidative stress by examining NRF2 and downstream phase II antioxidant enzymes.

In this experimental study, we used cultured human primary GCs for the study. First, we performed the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test to evaluate cells viability after treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) and AST. The apoptosis rate and ROS levels were measured by flow cytometry. To determine NRF2 and phase II enzymes expression, we performed real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Finally, we used western blot to measure the protein levels of NRF2 and Kelch-like ECsH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1). Enzyme activity analysis was also performed to detect NRF2 activity.

This study showed that AST suppressed ROS generation (P<0.01) and cell death (P<0.05) in GCs induced by oxidative stress. AST also elevated gene and protein expression and nuclear localization of NRF2 and had an inhibitory effect on the protein levels of KEAP1 (P<0.05). Furthermore, when we used trigonelline (Trig) as a known inhibitor of NRF2, it attenuated the protective effects of AST by decreasing NRF2 activity and gene expression of phase II enzymes (P<0.05).

Our results presented the protective role of AST against oxidative stress in GCs which was mediated through up-regulating the phase II enzymes as a result of NRF2 activation. Our study may help in improving in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes and treatment of infertility.

Insulin induces anti-cancer drugs resistance in tumor cells. However, the mechanism by which insulin induces its drug resistance effects is not clear. In the present study, the expression of miR-221 in insulin-treated MCF-7 cells in response to the anti-cancer drug doxorubicin, was investigated.

In this experimental study, cell viability was evaluated using MTT (3-[4,5 dimethylthiazol-2- yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. The expression level of miR-221 was determined by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Furthermore, the expression of insulin receptor (IR) and cleaved caspase-3 protein was assessed by Western blotting.

The results showed that treatment of the MCF-7 cells with insulin reduced the anti-cancer effects of doxorubicin. Viability of naive and insulin-treated cells following doxorubicin (DOX) treatment was 62.9 ± 5.7% and 79 ± 7.2%, respectively. Furthermore, the expression of miR-221 in insulin-treated cells was significantly increased (2.6 ± 0.37-fold change) as compared with the control group. A significant decrease (26%) in the expression of caspase-3 protein and a significant increase (24%) in IR were observed in insulin-induced drug resistant MCF-7 cells as compared to the naive cells.

Together, the data showed a positive correlation between the expression of miR-221 and IR expression, but a negative correlation with caspase3 expression, in insulin-induced drug resistant MCF-7 breast cancer cells. This could suggest a new mechanism for the role of miR-221 in cancer drugs resistance induced by insulin.

To evaluate the effect of contrast enhanced abdominopelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), using a 3 Tesla scanner, on expression and methylation level of ATM and AKT genes in human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

In this prospective in vivo study, blood samples were obtained from 20 volunteer patients with mean age of 43 ± 8 years (range 32-68 years) before contrast enhanced MRI, 2 hours and 24 hours after contrast enhanced abdominopelvic 3 Tesla MRI. After separation of mononuclear cells from peripheral blood, using Ficoll-Hypaque, we analyzed gene expression changes of ATM and AKT genes 2 hours and 24 hours after MRI using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). We also evaluated methylation percentage of the above mentioned genes in before, 2 hours and 24 hours after MRI, using MethySYBR method.

Fold change analysis, in comparison with the baseline, respectively showed 1.1 ± 0.7 and 0.8 ± 0.5 mean of gene expressions in 2 and 24 hours after MRI for ATM, while the results were 1.4 ± 0.6 and 1.4 ± 1 for AKT (P>0.05). Methylation of the ATM gene promoter were 8.8 ± 1.5%, 9 ± 0.6% and 9 ± 0.8% in before contrast enhanced MRI, 2 and 24 hours after contrast enhanced MRI, respectively (P>0.05). Methylation of AKT gene promoter in before contrast enhanced MRI, 2 hours and 24 hours after contrast enhanced MRI was 5.4 ± 2.5, 5 ± 3.2, 4.9 ± 2.9 respectively (P>0.05).

Contrast enhanced abdominopelvic MRI using 3 Tesla scanner apparently has no negative effect on the expression and promoter methylation level of ATM and AKT genes involved in the repair pathways of genome.

Hemophilia-A is a common genetic abnormality resulted from decreased or lack of factor VIII (FVIII) pro-coagulant protein function caused by mutations in the F8 gene. Majority of molecular studies consider screening of mutations and their relevant impacts on the quality and expression levels of FVIII. Interestingly, some of the functions in FVIII suggest a probable involvement of small non-coding RNAs embedded within the sequence of F8 gene. Therefore, microRNAs which are encoded within the F8 gene might have a role in hemophilia development. In this study, miRNAs production in the F8 gene was investigated by bioinformatics prediction and experimental validation.

In this experimental study, bioinformatics tools have been utilized to seek the novel microRNAs inserted within human F8 gene. The ability to express new microRNAs in F8 locus was studied through reliable bioinformatics databases such as SSCProfiler, RNA fold, miREval, miR-FIND, UCSC genome browser and miRBase. Then, expression and processing of the predicted microRNAs were examined based on bioinformatics methods, in the HEK293 cell lines.

We are unable to confirm existence of the considered mature microRNAs in the transfected cells.

We hope that through changing experimental conditions, designing new primers or altering cell lines as well as the expression of vectors, exogenous and endogenous expressions of the predicted miRNA will be confirmed.

The maternal immune response to paternal antigens is induced at insemination. We believe that pregnancy protective alloantibodies, such as anti-paternal cytotoxic antibody (APCA), may be produced against the paternal antigens in the context of stimulated immunity at insemination and that they increase during pregnancy. APCA is necessary for pregnancy. It is directed towards paternal human leucocyte antigens (HLAs) and has cytotoxic activity against paternal leucocytes. The present study aims to determine whether APCA is produced by the maternal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in contact with the husband’s spermatozoa and to evaluate the relation of APCA production with HLA class I and II expressions by spermatozoa in fertile couples.

This cross-sectional study included 30 fertile couples with at least one child. The maternal PBMCs were co-cultured with the husband’s spermatozoa and the supernatant was assessed for the presence of IgG by ELISA. Cytotoxic activity of the supernatant on the husband’s PBMCs was assessed by the complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) assay.

IgG was produced in all co-cultures, and the mean level of supernatant IgG was 669 ng/ml. The cytotoxic activity of the supernatant was observed in all the supernatant obtained from the co-cultures. The mean percentage of APCA in supernatant was 73.93%.

Based on the results of this study it can be concluded that APCA may be a natural anti-sperm antibody (ASA), which can be produced during exposure to spermatozoa and may have some influence before pregnancy. Further research is required to determine the role of APCA before pregnancy

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is considered a neurodegenerative disease that affects the cognitive function of elderly individuals. In this study, we aimed to analyze the neuroprotective potential of isoquercetin against the in vitro and in vivo models of AD and investigated the possible underlying mechanisms.

The experimental study was performed on PC12 cells treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant parameters, and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured. In an in vivo approach, Wistar rats were used and divided into different groups. We carried out the Morris water test to determine the cognitive function. Biochemical parameters, antioxidant parameters, and pro-inflammatory parameters were examined.

The non-toxic effect on PC12 cells was shown by isoquercetin. Isoquercetin significantly reduced the production of nitrate and ROS, along with the altered levels of antioxidants. Isoquercetin significantly (P<0.001) down-regulated proinflammatory cytokines in PC12 cells treated with LPS. In the in vivo approach, isoquercetintreated groups considerably showed the up-regulation in the latency and transfer latency time, as compared with AD groups. Isoquercetin significantly reduced Aβ-peptide, protein carbonyl, while enhanced the production of brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Isoquercetin significantly (P<0.001) reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators, as compared with AD groups.

Based on the results, we may infer that, through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory systems, isoquercetin prevented neurochemical and neurobehavioral modifications against the model of colchicine-induced AD rats.