International Journal of Molecular and Cellular Medicine最新文献

Helicobacter pylori as a common gastrointestinal (GI) pathogen must possess certain virulence characteristics to colonize the stomach, evade host immune responses, and subsequently induce GI diseases. This research aimed to investigate the expression level of two important genes, the sialic acid-binding adherence (SabA) and the blood group antigen-binding adhesion (BabA) in H. pylori strains isolated from adult patients living in the northern part of Iran, and their association with peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and gastric cancer (GC). This cross-sectional study was carried out on adult patients referring to the GI clinic of the hospitals affiliated to Babol University of Medical Sciences, Iran. New cases diagnosed with gastritis, peptic ulcer or gastric cancer were included. Endoscopic-guided gastric biopsies were examined and H. pylori positive colonies were analyzed to determine the expression of babA and sabA genes, utilizing specific primers and the SYBR Green dye. Among 175 patients with mean age of 51.6±15.6 years, 101 (57.7%) of the individuals tested positive for H. pylori infection. Statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between sabA (P=0.003) and babA (P=0.002) gene expression and development of PUD and GC. Smoking (P=0.052), gender (P=0.004) and positive babA gene expression (P=0.009) had the greatest association with occurrence of PUD or GC in H. pylori positive patients.  In summary, the presence of the sabA gene in people infected with H. pylori increased the risk of GC compared to gastritis, while, the presence of the babA gene was significantly increased in gastric ulcer patients. Considering the diversity of H. pylori isolates and the varying results observed in different geographical regions, further comprehensive studies are required to evaluate the function of these genes in H. pylori pathogenesis and their relationship with clinical outcomes.

The present study investigated the suitability of nanocomposite foams of fluorapatite and bioactive glass (FA /BG) in different weight ratios as scaffolds for bone tissue in rat tibia regeneration to determine the optimal composition. FA and BG nano powders with a weight ratio of 25% FA/75% BG (compound 1) and 75% FA/25% BG (compound 2) were used as precursors for gel casting to produce nanocomposite foams. Thirty rats were randomly divided into two equal groups. Disk-shaped samples of each compound were implanted into the tibias of 15 rats. After 15, 30, or 60 days, five rats from each group were sacrificed and subjected to radiological, histopathological, and histomorphometrical examination. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. No foreign body reaction was observed in either group at all intervals, and the bone-biomaterial junction was direct. Overall, the inflammation rate, and the number of blood vessels, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts decreased over time in both groups. However, the number of osteocytes, trabecular bone thickness, and the percentage of new bone formation increased, in contrast to the remaining biomaterial percentage. Most of the changes in the group implanted with compound 2 were significantly more significant and faster than in the other group. Although the composite with the higher percentage of FA was superior to the composite with the higher percentage of BG, considering the results of our previous similar studies, the composite with the same percentage of FA and BG is more favorable to be used as a substitute for bone tissue in the body.

Dysregulation of brain cholesterol homeostasis causes the accumulation of extracellular protein deposits called amyloid plaques in the hippocampus which eventually leads to neuronal death, memory and learning deficits. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of beta amyloid on miRNAs regulating HMGCR and ABCA1 as cholesterol synthesis and homeostasis genes. Primary astrocytes were isolated from C57BL/6J mice, and were treated with 0.5 μM amyloid beta (Aβ). Expression levels of genes and miRNAs were measured by real-time PCR. In comparison to control, Aβ treatment resulted in a significant decrease in miR-96-5p expression as a positive and negative regulator of HMGCR and ABCA1, respectively. There was no significant increase in miR-27a-3p expression as a negative regulator of HMGCR. miR- 106b- 5p and miR-143-3p expressions were also dramatically decreased as ABCA1 negative regulators. Amyloid beta can alter the expression of major genes in the cholesterol homeostasis pathway via their regulatory miRNAs.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a low-grade inflammatory state with increased serum levels of TNF-α. The present study has compared the inflammatory responses to breast cancer cell lines in women with PCOS with healthy women. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from 50 women with PCOS and 50 healthy controls were cultured in the trans-well co-culture system. These cells were stimulated with two distinct breast cancer cell lines. The proliferation of PBMCs, CD3+CD8+T cell percentages, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentration were evaluated after 48 and 72 hours of incubation. TNF-α concentration and the proliferation rate of PBMCs after 48 hours of incubation significantly increased in the PCOS group. However, after 72 hours, TNF-α secretion significantly decreased in the PCOS group. The ability of PBMCs to produce TNF-α decreased gradually in women with PCOS. When the effects of low-grade inflammation and endocrine conditions on the cells decrease, the inability of PBMCs to create an inflammatory response will be altered.

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a lethal inflammatory disease and there has been no effective medication for this progressive disease up to now. Paraquat is commonly used in agricultural settings to control weed growth and is one of the important risk factors for PF. Additionally, emerging evidence has demonstrated Capparis spinosa (C. spinose) fruit extract has anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. We aimed to evaluate whether C. spinose fruit hydroalcoholic extract has a positive effect against Paraquat-induced PF in rats. 30 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, which included: a control group, a Paraquat control group, a C. spinose group with a dose of 20 mg/kg, a C. spinose group with a dose of 30 mg/kg, a C. spinose group with a dose of 50 mg/kg. After 21 days of the treatment, levels of hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde (MDA) in lung tissue were assessed and lung indices and semi-quantitative histopathological changes were determined. The results showed that treatment with C. spinose, led to increased weight gain, whereas reduced lung weight. C. spinose demonstrated a decreasing effect on levels of MDA, and hydroxyproline in lung tissue. Moreover, histopathological data and the number of lung indices indicated the preventive role of C. spinose Paraquat-induced PF in rats.

An individual with a genetic predisposition to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can experience inflammatory responses leading to conditions such as Crohn's disease (CD) or Ulcerative colitis (UC). Currently, stem cell therapies, particularly those utilizing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), are gaining attention due to their immunomodulatory properties, as demonstrated in clinical trials. Consequently, we decided to investigate the effects of mesenchymal stem cells-conditioned medium (MSC-CM) and Abatacept in an experimental model of acute colitis. MSC-CM was extracted from female BALB/C mice and stored for future use. Acute colitis was induced in BALB/C mice through the intrarectal administration of 100 µL of 4% acetic acid. Following this procedure, CM and Abatacept were administered intraperitoneally. Throughout the study, various parameters were monitored, including changes in body weight, bleeding, stool consistency, disease activity index (DAI), mortality rate, as well as the weight and length of the colon. Histopathological analyses were also conducted, along with monitoring changes in the levels of IL-10 and IFN-γ. The data collected are presented as mean ± SD and were analyzed using One-Way ANOVA. According to the results of the study, CM with and without Abatacept significantly reduced weight loss and bleeding as well as improved fecal consistency and DAI. Macroscopic examination of the colon showed that after infusion, colon length was reduced and histopathological analysis showed a decrease in mucosal changes. The secretion of IL-10 was increased while the IFN-γ level was reduced. Research indicates that the immunomodulatory properties of MSC secretion can have positive effects. We propose a combination therapy with MSC, which we believe could lead to improved outcomes in the treatment of acute colitis.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the ability to phagocytize amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and lower inflammation through the activity of microglia. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a protein involved in reducing inflammation through the activity of microglia and the phagocytosis of Aβ plaques by scavenger receptor CD36, in this study, the effect of MSCs therapy on memory function and plaques was investigated. A total of 24 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups:1) the control group, 2) the Aβ-treated group (Alzheimer's disease (AD)), and 3) the MSC-treated group (AD + MSC). After the treatment with Aβ and MSCs, western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques were used to assess protein and gene expression levels, respectively. MSCs improved spatial learning and memory in the AD group (p ≤0.05). The expression levels of PPARγ, lncRNA TUSC7, and CD36 genes were significantly elevated in the group receiving MSCs compared to the AD group (p≤0.0001). Also, the expression level of miR-449a significantly decreased in the AD + MSC group (p≤0.0001). Moreover, western blot analysis revealed that PPARγ and CD36 protein levels were enhanced in the AD + MSC group compared to the AD group (p≤0.0001). MSC treatment led to the positive regulation of the PPARγ gene and its protein expression by ncRNAs, which could have a beneficial impact on CD36 protein levels, and subsequently, reduce the number of plaques in the cell recipient.

Gaucher's disease (GD) is the most frequent lysosomal storage disorder resulting from a deficiency of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GBA) which causes the accumulation of glucocerebroside. More than 500 mutations have been reported on the GBA gene so far. In this study, we aimed to investigate more on the genotype of less known mutations through haplotype analysis to explain their disease-causing inheritance. Eight patients and three carriers from nine different families were enrolled in the study. DNA sequencing of all GBA gene's exons was performed and pathogenicity of the mutations was investigated. Using GBA gene-linked STR markers, allele segregations were determined in some families. A total of six different mutations were determined. Five and three patients were identified to carry mutations in homozygous and compound heterozygote patterns respectively, three participants also were identified as carriers. The most prevalent mutations were c.1448 T>C and RecNcil, however, three less common mutations were identified (i.e., c.1223 C>T, c.1315 A>G, and c.1214 G>C). In conclusion, we evaluated six different mutations in Iranian patients and elucidated the inheritance of the three less-known mutations by linkage analysis.

Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. Acute lymphoid leukaemia, also known as ALL, is regarded as one of the deadliest forms of cancer. Due to the rapid increase in various cancer cases and the development of resistance in cancer cells, it is necessary to identify novel lead molecules with more potent anticancer properties. There is a growing interest in using herbal products/analogs as multi-component agents (as anticancer agents and immunomodulators) for cancer treatment. In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to explore the anticancer and immunomodulatory activity of P19, an analog of parthenin in ALL. P19 was reported to exhibit anticancer efficacy by triggering apoptotic signaling events in human leukaemia HL-60 cells by significant NO production. In contrast to this finding, ROS and NO were not required for P19-mediated apoptosis in Raji cells. The mechanism of action of P19 was observed to be cancer cell lineage dependent. P19 demonstrated very effective anticancer properties against ALL (IC₅₀ 3µM). Molecular investigations revealed that P19 induced mitochondrion mediated apoptosis by Bax localization to mitochondria and enhanced cytosolic calcium in the cytoplasm. Further activation of the caspase 3, caspase 8 and PARP cleavage suggested the involvement of the caspase-mediated apoptosis. Anti-proliferative activity revealed the telomerase inhibition and cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase after P19 treatment. Immunomodulatory effects of the P19 revealed the enhanced INFɣ and NO production in Jurkat and THP cells. Owing to its antiproliferative and immunomodulatory potential against leukemia cells P19 can further be explored as effective therapeutics against leukemia.

One of the important stimulating molecules for the function of T lymphocytes is tumor necrosis factor receptor OX40 (CD134), activated by its cognate ligand OX40L (CD134L, CD252). OX40L interactions have been proposed as a potential therapeutic target for treating infectious and non-infectious diseases. The main purpose of this study was to determine the potency of two novel resins MBI and MEP for the purification of OX40L-IgG fusion protein and the biological activities of this OX40L-IgG fusion protein. The biological activity of the OX40L-IgG purified by these resins compared with protein A sepharose resin. Mice treated with the same doses of the OX40L purified by the three resins showed a significant delay in tumor growth compared to the controls injected with PBS. Mice treated with the OX40L purified by MBI resin showed a significant delay in tumor cell (CT26) growth compared with mice injected with OX40L purified by other resins.