Role of autophagy in angiogenic potential of vascular pericytes.

The vasculature system is composed of a multiplicity of juxtaposed cells to generate a functional biological barrier between the blood and tissues. On the luminal surface of blood vessels, endothelial cells (ECs) are in close contact with circulating cells while supporting basal lamina and pericytes wrap the abluminal surface. Thus, the reciprocal interaction of pericytes with ECs is a vital element in the physiological activity of the vascular system. Several reports have indicated that the occurrence of pericyte dysfunction under ischemic and degenerative conditions results in varied micro and macro-vascular complications. Emerging evidence points to the fact that autophagy, a conserved self-digestive cell machinery, can regulate the activity of several cells like pericytes in response to various stresses and pathological conditions. Here, we aim to highlight the role of autophagic response in pericyte activity and angiogenesis potential following different pathological conditions.

Physiological and pathological consequences of exosomes at the blood-brain-barrier interface.

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) interface with multicellular structure controls strictly the entry of varied circulating macromolecules from the blood-facing surface into the brain parenchyma. Under several pathological conditions within the central nervous system, the integrity of the BBB interface is disrupted due to the abnormal crosstalk between the cellular constituents and the recruitment of inflammatory cells. Exosomes (Exos) are nano-sized extracellular vesicles with diverse therapeutic outcomes. These particles transfer a plethora of signaling molecules with the potential to modulate target cell behavior in a paracrine manner. Here, in the current review article, the therapeutic properties of Exos and their potential in the alleviation of compromised BBB structure were discussed. Video Abstract.

Exosomes-based therapy of stroke, an emerging approach toward recovery.

Based on clinical observations, stroke is touted as one of the specific pathological conditions, affecting an individual's life worldwide. So far, no effective treatment has been introduced to deal with stroke post-complications. Production and release of several neurotrophic factors by different cells exert positive effects on ischemic areas following stroke. As a correlate, basic and clinical studies have focused on the development and discovery of de novo modalities to introduce these factors timely and in appropriate doses into the affected areas. Exosomes (Exo) are non-sized vesicles released from many cells during pathological and physiological conditions and participate in intercellular communication. These particles transfer several arrays of signaling molecules, like several neurotrophic factors into the acceptor cells and induce specific signaling cascades in the favor of cell bioactivity. This review aimed to highlight the emerging role of exosomes as a therapeutic approach in the regeneration of ischemic areas. Video Abstract.

Application of microneedle patches for drug delivery; doorstep to novel therapies.

In the past decade, microneedle-based drug delivery systems showed promising approaches to become suitable and alternative for hypodermic injections and can control agent delivery without side effects compared to conventional approaches. Despite these advantages, the procedure of microfabrication is facing some difficulties. For instance, drug loading method, stability of drugs, and retention time are subjects of debate. Besides, the application of novel refining fabrication methods, types of materials, and instruments are other issues that need further attention. Herein, we tried to summarize recent achievements in controllable drug delivery systems (microneedle patches) in vitro and in vivo settings. In addition, we discussed the influence of delivered drugs on the cellular mechanism and immunization molecular signaling pathways through the intradermal delivery route. Understanding the putative efficiency of microneedle patches in human medicine can help us develop and design sophisticated therapeutic modalities.

Conditioned medium from amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells could modulate Alzheimer's disease-like changes in human neuroblastoma cell line SY-SY5Y in a paracrine manner.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease is usually diagnosed by significant extracellular deposition of beta-amyloid and intracellular neurofibrillary tangle formation. Here, we investigated the paracrine effect of amniotic fluid-derived mesenchymal stem cells on AD changes in human SH-SY5Y cells. METHODS: SH-SY5Y cells were divided into five groups: Control, 0.1 µg/ml LPS, 10 µg/ml LPS, 0.1 µg/ml LPS + conditioned medium, and 10 µg/ml LPS + conditioned medium. Cells were incubated with 0.1% and 10 µg/ml LPS for 48 h, followed by incubation with the conditioned medium of amniotic fluid-derived mesenchymal stem cells for the next 24 h. Beta-amyloid plaques were monitored by Congo-red staining. Survival and apoptosis were assessed by the MTT assay and flow cytometric analysis of Annexin-V. ELISA was used to measure the levels of neprilysin, angiotensin-converting enzyme, and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9. A PCR array was used to measure the expression of genes involved in neurogenesis. RESULTS: Bright-field imaging showed beta-amyloid plaques in the group treated with 10 µg/ml LPS. We found minimal effects in groups receiving 0.1 µg/ml LPS. The data showed that the reduction in the levels of neprilysin, angiotensin-converting enzyme, and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in the LPS-treated cells was attenuated after incubation with the stem cell secretome (p < 0.05). Amniotic fluid stem cell secretome increased the viability of LPS-treated SH-SY5Y cells (p 0.05) and was associated with a decrease in apoptotic changes (p < 0.05). We found the modulation of several genes involved in neurogenesis in the 10 µg/ml LPS + conditioned medium group compared to cells treated with 10 µg/ml LPS alone. CONCLUSION: Amniotic fluid stem cell secretion reduces AD-like pathologies in the human neuronal lineage.

Intra-tracheal delivery of mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium ameliorates pathological changes by inhibiting apoptosis in asthmatic rats.

BACKGROUND: Asthma, an inflammatory illness of the lungs, remains the most common long-term disease amongst children. This study tried to elaborate the status of apoptosis in asthmatic pulmonary niche after the application of rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-CM)-derived secretome. METHODS AND RESULTS: Here, we randomly allocated male Wistar rats into three groups (n = 8); Control animals were intratracheally given 50 µl vehicle. In control-matched sensitized rats, 50 µl normal saline was used. In the last group, 50 µl MSC-CM was applied. Two-week post-administration, transcription of T-bet, GATA-3, Bax, Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 was measured by gene expression analysis. Pathological injuries were monitored using H&E staining. The BALF level of TNF-α was measured using ELISA assay. In asthmatic rats received MSC-CM, the expression of T-bet was increased while the level of GATA-3 decreased compared to the S group (p < 0.05). Levels of BALF TNF-α were suppressed in asthmatic niche after MSC-CM administration (p < 0.05). Compared to the asthmatic group, MSC-CM had potential to alter the expression of apoptosis-related genes in which the expression of Bax and Caspase 3 was decreased and the expression of pro-survival factor, Bcl-2 increased (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data notified the potency of direct administration of MSC-CM in the alleviation of airway inflammation, presumably by down regulating apoptotic death in pulmonary niche.

Synergies in exosomes and autophagy pathways for cellular homeostasis and metastasis of tumor cells.

BACKGROUND: Eukaryotic cells demonstrate two tightly linked vesicular transport systems, comprising intracellular vesicle transport and extracellular vesicle transport system. Intracellular transport vesicles can translocate biomolecules between compartments inside the cell, for example, proteins from the rough endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus. Whereas, the secreted vesicles so-called extracellular vesicles facilitate the transport of biomolecules, for example, nucleic acids, proteins and lipids between cells. Vesicles can be formed during the process of endocytosis or/and autophagy and not only act as mediators of intra- and inter-cellular communication but also represent pathological conditions of cells or tissues. METHODS: In this review, we searched articles in PubMed, published between 2000 and 2020, with following terms: autophagy, autophagocytosis, transport vesicles, lysosomes, endosomes, exocytosis, exosomes, alone or in different combinations. The biological functions that were selected based on relevancy to our topic include cellular homeostasis and tumorigenesis. RESULTS: The searched literature shows that there is a high degree of synergies between exosome biogenesis and autophagy, which encompass endocytosis and endosomes, lysosomes, exocytosis and exosomes, autophagocytosis, autophagosomes and amphisomes. These transport systems not only maintain cellular homeostasis but also operate synergically against fluctuations in the external and internal environment such as during tumorigenesis and metastasis. Additionally, exosomal and autophagic proteins may serve as cancer diagnosis approaches. CONCLUSION: Exosomal and autophagy pathways play pivotal roles in homeostasis and metastasis of tumor cells. Understanding the crosstalk between endomembrane organelles and vesicular trafficking may expand our insight into cooperative functions of exosomal and autophagy pathways during disease progression and may help to develop effective therapies against lysosomal diseases including cancers and beyond.

Correction to: Interaction of opioid with insulin/IGFs signaling in Alzheimer's disease.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained mistake in the Author Group section. Reza Rahbarghazi's family name was inadvertently spelled as "Rahbarghzi".

High Glucose Content Abrogated the Normal Activity of Heat Shock Protein Signaling Pathway in Human Neuroblastoma Cells.

BACKGROUND: Detrimental effects of high glucose content (HGC) were proved in different tissues such as the central nervous system. It seems that diabetic conditions could also alter the functional behavior of stem cells residing in the context of the nervous system. METHODS: The possible effects of 40 and 70 mmol glucose were examined on HSP70 signaling pathways with a specific focus on protein translation, folding values of human neuroblastoma cell line SHSY-5Y after 72 h. Human neuroblastoma cells were exposed to 5, 40 and 70 mmol glucose doses. The transcription level of genes related to HSP70 signaling was also evaluated by PCR array. RESULTS: The data from PCR array showed high glucose especially 70 mmol could potentially modulate the normal function of protein folding, endoplasmic reticulum derived protein folding and synthesis in neuroblastoma cells (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Data showed that high glucose condition makes neuroblastoma cells prone to biochemical insufficiency by affecting the function of HSP70 signaling pathway and protein synthesis.

Interaction of opioid with insulin/IGFs signaling in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease is associated with biochemical and histopathological changes characterized by molecular abnormalities. Due to the lack of effective treatments for Alzheimer's disease, many attempts have been made to find potential therapies to reduce or even return neuronal loss after disease initiation. Alzheimer's disease is also touted as type III diabetes, showing an association with insulin signaling. The large distribution of the insulin receptor on the cell surface and its regulatory role in the central nervous system suggests that the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease could be ascribed to insulin signaling. The interference of opioids, such as morphine with insulin signaling pathways, is thought to occur via direct crosstalk between the signaling pathways of the insulin receptor and the mu-opioid receptor. In this review article, we discuss the possible crosstalk between the mu-opioid receptor and insulin signaling pathways. The association of these two signaling pathways with Alzheimer's disease is also debated.

Tumor-derived extracellular vesicles: reliable tools for Cancer diagnosis and clinical applications.

BACKGROUND: Studies have recently revealed that almost every type of cells including tumor cells abundantly release small vesicles known as extracellular vesicles (EVs) into the extracellular milieu. EVs carry a repertoire of biological molecules including nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates and transport their cargo between cells in the vicinity as well as distantly located cells and hence act as messengers of intercellular communication. In this review, we aimed to discuss the tumor-derived exosome biology and the pivotal roles of exosomes in cancer diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: In the present review study, the authors studied several articles over the past two decades published on the kinetics of EVs in tumor environment as well as on the application of these vesicles in cancer diagnosis and therapy. RESULTS: A growing body of evidence indicates that nucleic acids such as microRNAs (miRNAs) transferring by EVs participate to create a conducive tumor environment. As EV-associated miRNAs are tissue-specific and present in most biological fluids, they hold great potential for clinical application in cancer early diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response. Furthermore, exosomes can serve as drug delivery vehicles transferring miRNAs as well as therapeutic agents to target cells. These nano-vesicles exhibit ideal properties in comparison with the synthetic carriers that attracted scientist's attention in the field of nanotechnology medicine. Scientists have employed different strategies to build exosomes-based drug delivery system. In general, two methods (direct engineering and indirect engineering) are being utilized to produce artificial exosomes. Para-clinical data have confirmed the beneficial effects of engineering exosomes in cancer therapy. CONCLUSION: Exosomal miRNAs hold great promise for clinical application in early diagnosis and treatment of cancers. In addition, in spite of enthusiastic results obtained by engineered exosomes, however, there is an increasing concern over the use of optimal methods for engineering exosomes and the safety of engineered exosomes in clinical trials is still unclear.

Treatment of human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y with HSP27 siRNA tagged-exosomes decreased differentiation rate into mature neurons.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) participate in the regulation of different cell activities in response to stimuli. By applying different strategies, the modulation of heat shock proteins is at the center of attention. Conventional delivery approaches are not fully encouraged due to cytotoxicity and immunogenicity issues. Exosomes are touted as bio-shuttles for delivery of distinct biomolecules inside the cells. Here, we aimed to HSP27 small interfering RNA (siRNA)-tagged exosomes for the inhibition of Hsp27 in human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y and explored differentiation into neuron-like cells. Exosomes were isolated, characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and CD63 then enriched with siRNA against Hsp27. Neuroblastoma cells were incubated with exosomes carrying siRNA for 48 hr. Exosome uptake was monitored by immunofluorescence assay. The cell viability and proliferation were analyzed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and bromodeoxyuridine/5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation assays. The ability of cells to form colonies was evaluated by clonogenic assay. The cell potential to express NeuN, a mature neuron factor, was studied by flow cytometry analysis. SEM showed the nano-sized particles and a high level of CD63 after enrichment. Immunofluorescence imaging revealed an appropriate transfection rate in cell exposed to Hsp27 siRNA tagged exosomes. The cell viability and proliferation were reduced compared to cells received nude exosomes ( p < 0.05). Clonogenic activity of cells was diminished by the inhibition of Hsp27. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that the inhibition of Hsp27 prohibited NeuN content, showing the maturation of SH-SY5Y cells to mature cells compared to control. These data confirmed that exosomes could be used as appropriate bio-shuttles for the inhibition of Hsp27-aborted cell differentiation toward mature neuron.

Docosahexaenoic acid reversed atherosclerotic changes in human endothelial cells induced by palmitic acid in vitro.

Abnormal activity of atherosclerotic endothelial cells paving luminal surface of blood vessels has been described in many diseases. It has been reported that natural polyunsaturated fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid exert therapeutic effects in atherosclerotic condition. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were treated with 1mM palmitic acid for 48 hours and exposed to 40µM docosahexaenoic acid for the next 24 hours. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to measure the expression of PTX3, iNOS, and eNOS. The level of nitric oxide was detected by Griess reagent. The transcription level of genes participating in coagulation and blood pressure was studied by polymerase chain reaction array. Docosahexaenoic acid improved the survival rate by reducing apoptosis rate (P < .05). Compared with that of the group given palmitic acid, attenuation of proinflammatory status was indicated by reduced interleukin-6 (P < .05) and prostaglandin E2 levels. All genes PTX3, iNOS, and eNOS were down-regulated after being exposed to docosahexaenoic acid. Nitric oxide contents were not changed in cells exposed to docosahexaenoic acid. Polymerase chain reaction array confirmed the reduction of LPA, PDGFß, ITGA2, SERPINE1, and FGA after exposure to docosahexaenoic acid for 24 hours (P < .05). Docosahexaenoic acid had potential to blunt atherosclerotic changes in the modulation of genes controlling blood coagulation, pressure, and platelet function. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: The current experiment showed that docosahexaenoic acid could reverse atherosclerotic changes in human endothelial cells induced by palmitic acid. The increased levels of interleukin-6 and prostaglandin E2 in atherosclerotic cells were returned to near-to-normal status. Gene expression analysis showed a reduced activity of genes participating in atherosclerotic endothelial cells treated by docosahexaenoic acid. The expression of genes related to cell clotting activity was also similar to that of normal cells.

Heat shock protein 70 modulates neural progenitor cells dynamics in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells exposed to high glucose content.

In the current experiment, detrimental effects of high glucose condition were investigated on human neuroblastoma cells. Human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y were exposed to 5, 40, and 70 mM glucose over a period of 72 h. Survival rate and the proliferation of cells were analyzed by MTT and BrdU incorporation assays. Apoptosis was studied by the assays of flow cytometry and PCR array. In order to investigate the trans-differentiation capacity of the cell into mature neurons, we used immunofluorescence imaging to follow NeuN protein level. The transcription level of HSP70 was shown by real-time PCR analysis. MMP-2 and -9 activities were shown by gelatin Zymography. According to data from MTT and BrdU incorporation assay, 70 mM glucose reduced cell viability and proliferation rate as compared to control (5 mM glucose) and cells treated with 40 mM glucose (P < 0.05). Cell exposure to 70 mM glucose had potential to induced apoptosis after 72 h (P < 0.05). Our results also demonstrated the sensitivity of SH-SY5Y cells to detrimental effects of high glucose condition during trans-differentiation into mature neuron-like cells. Real-time PCR analysis confirmed the expression of HSP70 in cells under high content glucose levels, demonstrating the possible cell compensatory response to an insulting condition (pcontrol vs 70 mM group <0.05). Both MMP-2 and -9 activities were reduced in cells being exposed to 70 mM glucose. High glucose condition could abrogate the dynamics of neural progenitor cells. The intracellular level of HSP70 was proportional to cell damage in high glucose condition.

Interaction of charged amino-acid side chains with ions: an optimization strategy for classical force fields.

Many well-established classical biomolecular force fields, fitted on the solvation properties of single ions, do not necessarily describe all the details of ion pairing accurately, especially for complex polyatomic ions. Depending on the target application, it might not be sufficient to reproduce the thermodynamics of ion pairing, but it may also be necessary to correctly capture structural details, such as the coordination mode. In this work, we analyzed how classical force fields can be optimized to yield a realistic description of these different aspects of ion pairing. Given the prominent role of the interactions of negatively charged amino-acid side chains and divalent cations in many biomolecular systems, we chose calcium acetate as a benchmark system to devise a general optimization strategy that we applied to two popular force fields, namely, GROMOS and OPLS-AA. Using experimental association constants and first-principles molecular dynamics simulations as a reference, we found that small modifications of the van der Waals ion-ion interaction parameters allow a systematic improvement of the essential thermodynamic and structural properties of ion pairing.