Effects of bromodomain and extra-terminal inhibitor JQ1 and interleukin-6 on breast cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins are recognized acetylated lysine of histone 4 and act as scaffolds to recruit many other proteins to promoters and enhancers of active genes, especially at the super-enhancers of key genes, driving the transcription process and have been identified as potential therapeutic targets in breast cancer. However, the efficacy of BET inhibitors such as JQ1 in breast cancer therapy is impeded by interleukin-6 (IL-6) through an as-yet-defined mechanism. METHODS AND RESULTS: We investigated the interplay between IL-6 and JQ1 in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. The results demonstrate that the efficacy of JQ1 on the inhibition of cell growth and apoptosis was stronger in MDA-MB-231 cells than in MCF-7 cells. Further, MCF-7 cells, but not MDA-MB-231 cells, exhibited increased expression of CXCR4 following IL-6 treatment. JQ1 significantly reduced CXCR4 surface expression in both cell lines and diminished the effects of IL-6 pre-treatment on MCF-7 cells. While IL-6 suppressed the extension of breast cancer stem cells in MCF-7 cells, JQ1 impeded its inhibitory effect. In MCF-7 cells JQ1 increased the number of senescent cells in a time-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Analysis of gene expression indicated that JQ1 and IL-6 synergistically increase SNAIL expression and decrease c-MYC expression in MCF-7 cells. So, the BET proteins are promising, novel therapeutic targets in late-stage breast cancers. BET inhibitors similar to JQ1 show promise as therapeutic candidates for breast cancers, especially when triple-negative breast cancer cells are increased and/or tumor-promoting factors like IL-6 exist in the tumor microenvironment.

Molecular effects of genistein, as a potential anticancer agent, on CXCR-4 and VEGF pathway in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the angiogenic mediators that can be secreted by leukemic cells and plays an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis. Another important agent contributing to the relapse of ALL is C-X-C chemokine receptor type-4 (CXCR-4), expression of this receptor in cancer cells has been related to metastasis. It has been identified that genistein-a soy-derived isoflavonoid-has anti-angiogenesis functions. We aimed to show the effects of this compound on VEGF and CXCR-4 in Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell models. METHODS AND RESULTS: The cytotoxicity of Genistein was measured using the MTS colorimetric assay. After being treated with Genistein, the expression of VEGF in mRNA and protein levels was measured in MOLT-4 and Jurkat cells. We also used flow cytometry assay to determine the expression of CXCR-4 in cell surfaces. We found that Genistein decreased cell viability in two cell models while was more effective on MOLT-4 cells. After Genistein-treatment, surface expression levels of CXCR-4 were decreased, while VEGF secretion and mRNA expression levels were increased in MOLT-4 and Jurkat cells. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that Genistein may not be a reliable choice for the treatment of ALL; however, this different identified pattern can be useful for the recognition of VEGF and CXCR-4 modulators and thus for planning new treatments for leukemia and other VEGF related disorders.

The beneficial role of SIRT1 activator on chemo- and radiosensitization of breast cancer cells in response to IL-6.

Tumor environmental cytokines, such as IL-6, has a major role in the outcome of radiation and chemotherapy. In this study, we hypothesized that IL-6 mediates its effects via SIRT1 as a protein deacetylase and activator of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase pathways. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of the novel dual inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin, NVP-BEZ235, and SIRT1 inhibitor and activator plus radiotherapy in breast cancer cells treated with IL-6. Here, IL-6 untreated/pretreated human breast cancer cells were cultured with single or combination of NVP-BEZ235 and/or SIRT1 activator (SRT1720)/inhibitor (EX-527) under radiotherapy condition. After all treatments, the MTT assay and flow cytometry assay were used to explore cell viability and the ability of our treatments in altering cancer stem cells (CSCs) population or cellular death (apoptosis + necrosis) induction. Simultaneous exposure to NVP-BEZ235 and SRT1720 sensitized breast cancer cells to radiotherapy but elevated CSCs. Treatment with IL-6 for 2 weeks significantly decreased CSCs population. Activation of SIRT1 via SRT1720 in combination with NVP-BEZ235 significantly decreased breast cancer cells viability in IL-6 pretreatment cultures. Inhibition of SIRT1 via EX-527 diminished the beneficial effects of IL-6 pretreatment. The combination of NVP-BEZ235 and SRT1720 as a SIRT1 activation could effectively decrease breast cancer cells population and augments the efficacy of radiotherapy.

Improvement in infected wound healing in type 1 diabetic rat by the synergistic effect of photobiomodulation therapy and conditioned medium.

We investigated the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) and conditioned medium (CM) of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSC) individually and/or in combination on the stereological parameters and the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α), and stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) in a wound model infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in diabetic rats. CM was provided by culturing hBM-MSCs. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) was induced in 72 rats, divided into four groups, harboring 18 rats each: group 1 served as a control group, group 2 received PBMT, group 3 received CM, and group 4 received CM + PBMT. On days 4, 7, and 15, six animals from each group were euthanized and the skin samples were separated for stereology examination and gene expression analysis by real-time polymerase chain reaction. In the CM + PBMT, CM, and PBMT groups, significant decreases were induced in the number of neutrophils (1460 ± 93, 1854 ± 138, 1719 ± 248) and macrophages (539 ± 69, 804 ± 63, 912 ± 41), and significant increases in the number of fibroblasts (1073 ± 116, 836 ± 75, 912 ± 41) and angiogenesis (15 230 ± 516, 13 318 ± 1116, 14 041 ± 867), compared with those of the control group (2690 ± 371, 1139 ± 145, 566 ± 90, 12 585 ± 1219). Interestingly, the findings of the stereological examination in the CM + PBMT group were statistically more significant than those in the other groups. In the PBMT group, in most cases, the expression of bFGF, HIF-1α, and SDF-1α, on day 4 (27.7 ± 0.14, 28.8 ± 0.52, 27.5 ± 0.54) and day 7 (26.8 ± 1.4, 29.6 ± 1.4, 28.3 ± 1.2) were more significant than those in the control (day 4, 19.3 ± 0.42, 25.5 ± 0.08, 22.6 ± 0.04; day 7, 22.3 ± 0.22, 28.3 ± 0.59, 24.3 ± 0.19) and other treatment groups. The application of PBMT + CM induced anti-inflammatory and angiogenic activities, and hastened wound healing process in a T1 DM model of MRSA infected wound.

Targeting the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT pathways by small molecules and natural compounds as a therapeutic approach for breast cancer cells.

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT/mTOR (PI3K/AkT/mTOR) pathway plays a pivotal role in the uncontrolled growth, migration and development of human breast cancer. The elevated expression of TGF-ß1 increases the PI3K/AkT/mTOR activity in human breast cancer tissue and potentially motivates tumor metastasis and resistance to chemotherapy. Here, we investigated whether treatment with PI3K/AkT/mTOR dual inhibitor NVP-BEZ235 alone or in combination with caffeic acid phenyl ester (CAPE) could prevent TGF-ß1 effects on breast cancer cells. MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were exposed to TGF-ß1 for 14 days and then were treated with/without NVP-BEZ235 and/or CAPE. Cell viability, apoptosis, CXCR4 surface expression and mRNA levels of CXCR4 and TWIST-1 were analyzed in all treated groups. We found that treatment of human breast cancer cells with a combination of NVP-BEZ235 and CAPE increased induction of cellular death. Although flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that NVP-BEZ235 alone treatment reduced CXCR4 expression while increasing CXCR4 mRNA level; when NVP-BEZ235 was combined with CAPE, inhibition of CXCR4 surface expression and enhancement of CXCR4 mRNA expression was diminished. In addition, TWIST-1 mRNA expression was down regulated in samples treated with both NVP-BEZ235 and CAPE. These altogether signified that NVP-BEZ235 in combination with CAPE showed improved therapeutic efficacy in breast cancer cells by decreasing apoptotic resistance and reduction of CXCR4 and TWIST-1 expression at mRNA level could be one of mechanism of action.

A review on proteomics analysis to reveal biological pathways and predictive proteins in sulfur mustard exposed patients: roles of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Sulfur mustard (SM) is a mutagenic compound that targets various organs. Although it causes a wide range of abnormalities, cellular and molecular mechanisms of its action are not-well-understood. Oxidation of DNA, proteins, lipids, as well as depletion of cellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), antioxidants and increase of intracellular calcium are the hypothesized mechanisms of its action at the acute phase of injury. In this review, the proteome analysis of SM toxicity has been considered. We selected articles that considered proteomics analysis of SM toxicity with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) followed by mass spectrometry. Our search yielded nine related articles, four original in vitro and five human studies. The results of these studies have revealed a change in expression pattern of various proteins such as haptoglobin, amyloid A1, surfactant proteins, S100 proteins, apolipoprotein, Vit D binding protein, transferrin, alpha 1 antitrypsin, protein disulfide isomerase and antioxidant enzymes in patients who were exposed to SM about 30 years ago. Most of these proteins are up- or down-regulated in response to excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress (OS). There is a tight link between the expression pattern of these proteins with accumulation of leukocytes, inflammatory conditions, antioxidant depletion, mitochondrial deficiency, as well as increased expression or activity of several proteases such as caspases and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Therefore, excessive production of ROS and OS along with chronic inflammatory may be the long-term toxic effects of SM following acute exposure.

Role of oxidative stress and antioxidant therapy in acute and chronic phases of sulfur mustard injuries: a review.

Sulfur mustard (SM) is a chemical compound that preferentially targets ocular, cutaneous and pulmonary tissues. Although pathologic effect of SM has been extensively considered, molecular and cellular mechanism of its toxicity, especially at the chronic phase of injury is not well-understood. Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress (OS) appears to be involved in SM-induced injuries. SM may trigger several molecular and cellular pathways linked to OS and inflammation that can subsequently result in cell death and apoptosis. At the acute phase of injury, SM can enhance ROS production and OS by reducing the activity of antioxidants, depletion of intercellular glutathione (GSH), decreasing the productivity of GSH-dependent antioxidants, mitochondrial deficiency, accumulation of leukocytes and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Overexpression of ROS producing enzymes and down-regulation of antioxidant enzymes are probably the major events by which SM leads to OS at the chronic phase of injury. Therefore, antioxidant therapy with potent antioxidants such as N-acetylcysteine and curcumin may be helpful to mitigate SM-induced OS damages. This review aims to discuss the proposed cellular and molecular mechanisms of acute and delayed SM toxicity, the importance of OS and mechanisms by which SM increases OS either at the acute or chronic phases of injuries along with research on antioxidant therapy as a suitable antidote.

Evaluation of the effects of photobiomodulation on vertebras in two rat models of experimental osteoporosis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) on cancellous bone in rat models of ovariectomized induced osteoporosis (OVX-D) and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP). The experiment comprised of nine groups. A group of healthy rats was used for baseline evaluations. The OVX-D rats were further divided into groups as follows: control rats with osteoporosis, OVX-D rats that received alendronate (1 mg/kg 60 days), OVX-D rats treated with pulsed wave laser (890 nm, 80 Hz, 900 s, 0.0061 W/cm2, 5.5 J/cm2, three times a week, 60 days), and OVX-D rats treated with alendronate + pulsed laser. Dexamethasone was administered to the remaining rats that were split into four groups: control, alendronate-treated rats, laser-treated rats, and GIOP rats treated with alendronate + laser. T12, L1, L2, and L3 vertebrae were subjected to laser. Results of the current study demonstrated that OVX-D and GIOP significantly decreased some stereological parameters, and type 1 collagen gene expression compared to the healthy group. There was a significant increase in osteoclast number in both OVX-D and glucocorticoid administration compared to the healthy group. However, the detrimental effect of the OVX-D procedure on bone was more serious than glucocorticoid administration. Results showed that laser alone had a detrimental effect on trabecular bone volume, and cortical bone volume in groups GIOP and OVX-D compared to those in the healthy group. Alendronate significantly improved total vertebral bone volume, trabecular bone volume, and cortical bone volume, in GIOP and OVX-D groups compared to the laser-treated groups. Furthermore, the alendronate + laser in OVX-D rats and GIOP rats produced significantly increased osteoblast number and type 1 collagen gene expression and caused a significant decrease in osteoclast number compared to the controls.

Evaluation of the effects of pulsed wave LLLT on tibial diaphysis in two rat models of experimental osteoporosis, as examined by stereological and real-time PCR gene expression analyses.

Osteoporosis (OP) and osteoporotic fracture are major public health issues for society; the burden for the affected individual is also high. Previous studies have shown that pulsed wave low-level laser therapy (PW LLLT) has osteogenic effects. This study intended to evaluate the impacts of PW LLLT on the cortical bone of osteoporotic rats' tibias in two experimental models, ovariectomized and dexamethasone-treated. We divided the rats into four ovariectomized induced OP (OVX-d) and four dexamethasone-treated (glucocorticoid-induced OP, GIOP) groups. A healthy (H) group of rats was considered for baseline evaluations. At 14 weeks following ovariectomy, we subdivided the OVX-d rats into the following groups: (i) control which had OP, (ii) OVX-d rats treated with alendronate (1 mg/kg), (iii) OVX-d rats treated with LLLT, and (iv) OVX-d rats treated with alendronate and PW LLLT. The remaining rats received dexamethasone over a 5-week period and were also subdivided into four groups: (i) control rats treated with intramuscular (i.m.) injections of distilled water (vehicle), (ii) rats treated with subcutaneous alendronate injections (1 mg/kg), (iii) laser-treated rats, and (iv) rats simultaneously treated with laser and alendronate. The rats received alendronate for 30 days and underwent PW LLLT (890 nm, 80 Hz, 0.972 J/cm(2)) three times per week during 8 weeks. Then, the right tibias were extracted and underwent a stereological analysis of histological parameters and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A significant increase in cortical bone volume (mm(3)) existed in all study groups compared to the healthy rats. There were significant decreases in trabecular bone volume (mm(3)) in all study groups compared to the group of healthy rats. The control rats with OP and rats from the vehicle group showed significantly increased osteoclast numbers compared to most other groups. Alendronate significantly decreased osteoclast numbers in osteoporotic rats. Concurrent treatments (compounded by PW LLLT and alendronate) produce the same effect on osteoporotic bone.

An evaluation of the effect of pulsed wave low-level laser therapy on the biomechanical properties of the vertebral body in two experimental osteoporosis rat models.

Osteoporosis (OP) increases vertebral fragility as a result of the biomechanical effects of diminished bone structure and composition. This study has aimed to assess the effects of pulsed wave low-level laser therapy (PW LLLT) on cancellous bone strength of an ovariectomized (OVX-d) experimental rat model and a glucocorticoid-induced OP (GIOP) experimental rat model. There were four OVX-d groups and four dexamethasone-treated groups. A group of healthy rats was used for baseline evaluations. The OVX-d rats were further subdivided into the following groups: control rats with OP, OVX-d rats that received alendronate, OVX-d rats treated with PW LLLT, and OVX-d rats treated with alendronate and PW LLLT. The remaining rats received dexamethasone and were divided into four groups: control, alendronate-treated rats, laser-treated rats, and laser-treated rats with concomitant administration of alendronate. PW LLLT (890 nm, 80 Hz, 0.972 J/cm(2)) was performed on the spinal processes of the T12, L1, L2, and L3 vertebras. We extracted the L1 vertebrae and submitted them to a mechanical compression test. Biomechanical test findings showed positive effects of the PW LLLT and alendronate administration on increasing bending stiffness and maximum force of the osteoporotic bones compared to the healthy group. However, laser treatment of OVA-d rats significantly increased stress high load compared to OVA-d control rats. PW LLLT preserved the cancellous (trabecular) bone of vertebra against the detrimental effects of OV-induced OP on bone strength in rats compared to control OV rats.

Impact of Combination Therapy with Chemical Drugs and Megavoltage X-ray Exposure on Breast Cancer Stem Cells' Viability and Proliferation of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 Cell Lines.

BACKGROUND: Breast Cancer (BC) is a serious malignancy among women. However, chemotherapy is an important tool for cancer treatments, but the long-term use of chemotherapy drugs may lead to drug resistance and tumor recurrence. Since Breast Cancer Stem Cells (BCSCs) can be the main factor to induce BC treatment resistance and recurrence, investigation of BCSCs signaling pathways can be an effective modality to enhance cancer treatment efficiency. OBJECTIVE: In this study, the effect of metformin, SB203580, and takinib alone or in combination with radiotherapy on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines was evaluated. METHODS: MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines were treated with metformin, SB203580, and takinib for 24 or 48 hours, followed by X-ray exposure. The MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis were performed to assess cell growth inhibition and cellular death, CXCr4 expression, and BCSCs, respectively. RESULTS: The results showed the combination of takinib/SB203580 with radiotherapy to remarkably reduce the CXCR4 expression and BCSCs levels in the MCF-7 cell line. Also, the concurrent administration of takinib/metformin/radiotherapy significantly reduced BCSCs and CXCR4 metastatic markers in the MDA-MB- 231 cells. Since the MAPK signaling pathway has an important role in inducing drug resistance and cell proliferation, the use of SB203580 as an inhibitor of p38 MAPK can improve breast cancer treatment. Furthermore, metformin and ionizing radiation by suppression of the mTOR signaling pathway can control AMPK activation and cellular proliferation. CONCLUSION: Anti-cancer and cytotoxic effects of metformin can be effective in this strategy. In conclusion, the combination of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs, including SB203580, metformin, and takinib with X-ray exposure can be a new approach to diminish the drug resistance of breast cancer.

Epigenetic disruption of histone deacetylase-2 accelerated apoptotic signaling and retarded malignancy in gastric cells.

Background: The objective of this research was to determine whether HDAC2 function is associated with gastric cancer progression. Methods: HDAC2 was knocked out in EPG85.257 cells using CRISPR/Cas9 and tumorigenesis pathways were evaluated. Results: Cell proliferation, colony formation, wound healing and transwell invasion were inhibited in ΔHDAC2:EPG85.257 cells. Quantitative analyses revealed a significant downregulation of MMP1, p53, Bax, MAPK1, MAPK3, pro-Caspase3, ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2, AKT1/2/3, p-AKT1/2/3, p-NF-κB (p65), Twist, Snail and p-FAK transcripts/proteins, while SIRT1, PTEN, p21 and Caspase3 were upregulated in ΔHDAC2:EPG85.257 cells. Conclusion: These results indicated that HDAC2 enhanced migration, colony formation and transmigration ability. HDAC2 inhibition may improve gastric cancer chemotherapy pathways.

DNA changes are the main causes of cancer. Therefore, finding easy ways to manipulate and correct DNA changes has been the biggest medical concern in cancer treatment. Researchers have introduced CRISPR/Cas9 as the newest technology for gene editing that precisely and easily changes the genome of any cell. In our study, histone deacetylase-2 was disrupted in gastric cancer cells using CRISPR technology. This modification reduced growth kinetics and invasion of cancer cells. On the other hand, cell death (also called apoptosis) was induced. Sensitization of the cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents is noticeable in this research. This study needs to uncover more signaling pathways in vitro and in vivo.

Conditioned media from human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells: potential effect on peripheral blood mononuclear cells in co-culture with HeLa cell line.

The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for the treatment of various diseases is being investigated, however, their use in cervical cancer has not been well-studied. Here, we examined the impact of collected MSC-conditioned medium (CM) on 1 to 5 days on apoptosis, proliferation, and cytokine production of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) when co-cultured alongside the HeLa cell line for 24, 48, and 72 h by CFSE assay, flow cytometry, and real-time PCR, respectively. We found that CMs collected on the third day of MSCs culture significantly increased the proliferation of PBMCs and decreased the proliferation of HeLa cells after 48 h. CMs showed no significant effects on cell death, whereas it significantly increased the apoptosis of HeLa cells. Real-time PCR analysis showed that the presence of CM collected on the third day of MSCs culture caused a significant increase in the gene expression of IL2, IFN-γ, and TGF-ß in PBMCs after 48 h co-culture with HeLa cells. The data mentioned earlier demonstrate that MSC-CM can induce the growth and endurance of PBMCs while concurrently culturing HeLa cells. This observation indicates their promising potential as immunomodulatory therapies for cervical cancer cells. Nevertheless, additional investigation is imperative to comprehensively comprehend the fundamental mechanisms and refine therapeutic strategies involving PBMCs and mesenchymal stem cells.

In silico design of a novel multi-epitope vaccine against HCV infection through immunoinformatics approaches.

Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the causes of liver cancer, which is the world's sixth most prevalent and third most lethal cancer. The current treatments do not prevent reinfection; because they are expensive, their usage is limited to developed nations. Therefore, a prophylactic vaccine is essential to control this virus. Hence, in this study, an immunoinformatics method was applied to design a multi-epitope vaccine against HCV. The best B- and T-cell epitopes from conserved regions of the E2 protein of seven HCV genotypes were joined with the appropriate linkers to design a multi-epitope vaccine. In addition, cholera enterotoxin subunit B (CtxB) was included as an adjuvant in the vaccine construct. This study is the first to present this epitopes-adjuvant combination. The vaccine had acceptable physicochemical characteristics. The vaccine's 3D structure was predicted and validated. The vaccine's binding stability with Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 was confirmed using molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The immune simulation revealed the vaccine's efficacy by increasing the population of B and T cells in response to vaccination. In silico expression in Escherichia coli (E. coli) was also successful.

Chronic treatment with TNF-α, alone and in combination with Takinib, SB203580 and metformin induce cell death in breast cancer.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy, and the largest cause of cancer death among women. The interactions between tumor cells and tumor micro environmental factors have a major impact on tumor progression. One of the critical pro-inflammatory cytokines present in breast cancer tumor microenvironment is TNF-α. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effect of TNF-α (1 week) along with p38 or TAK1 inhibitors as well as metformin on induction of cellular death, cancer stem cell and expression of metastatic marker CXCR4. MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with TNF-α for one week and then were treated with combination of Takinib, SB203580 or Metformin; after all treatments were done, cell proliferation, cellular death, surface expression of CXCR4, CD44 and CD24 were determined. The results showed that treatment with TNF-α alone or in combination with Takinib, SB203580 and metformin elevated induction of cellular death in both cell lines compared to the control group. TNF-α also increased CXCR4 expression in MCF-7 cells, but it reduced its expression in the MDA-MB-231 cells. Also, breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) population decreased in MDA-MB-231 cells treated with TNF-α alone or in combination with SB203580 and metformin. Although, in MCF-7 cells only combination of TNF-α and Takinib reduced BCSCs population in a time dependent manner. Altogether, we showed that TNF-α alone or in combination with other treatments can affect the progression of breast cancer.

Computational design of a multi-epitope vaccine candidate against Langya henipavirus using surface proteins.

In July 2022, Langya henipavirus (LayV) was identified in febrile patients in China. There is currently no approved vaccine against this virus. Therefore, this research aimed to design a multi-epitope vaccine against LayV using reverse vaccinology. The best epitopes were selected from LayV's fusion protein (F) and glycoprotein (G), and a multi-epitope vaccine was designed using these epitopes, adjuvant, and appropriate linkers. The physicochemical properties, antigenicity, allergenicity, toxicity, and solubility of the vaccine were evaluated. The vaccine's secondary and 3D structures were predicted, and molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to assess the vaccine's interaction and stability with toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Immune simulation, codon optimization, and in silico cloning of the vaccine were also performed. The vaccine candidate showed good physicochemical properties, as well as being antigenic, non-allergenic, and non-toxic, with acceptable solubility. Molecular docking and MD simulation revealed that the vaccine and TLR4 have stable interactions. Furthermore, immunological simulation of the vaccine indicated its ability to elicit immune responses against LayV. The vaccine's increased expression was also ensured using codon optimization. This study's findings were encouraging, but in vitro and in vivo tests are needed to confirm the vaccine's protective effect.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

CRISPR/Cas9 as precision and high-throughput genetic engineering tools in gastrointestinal cancer research and therapy.

Gastrointestinal cancer (GI) is one of the most serious and health-threatening diseases worldwide. Many countries have encountered an escalating prevalence of shock. Therefore, there is a pressing need to clarify the molecular pathogenesis of these cancers. The use of high-throughput technologies that allow the precise and simultaneous investigation of thousands of genes, proteins, and metabolites is a critical step in disease diagnosis and cure. Recent innovations have provided easy and reliable methods for genome investigation, including TALENs, ZFNs, and the CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats system). Among these, CRISPR/Cas9 has been revolutionary tool in genetic research. Recent years were prosperous years for CRISPR by the discovery of novel Cas enzymes, the Nobel Prize, and the development of critical clinical trials. This technology utilizes comprehensive information on genes associated with tumor development, provides high-throughput libraries for tumor therapy by developing screening platforms, and generates rapid tools for cancer therapy. This review discusses the various applications of CRISPR/Cas9 in genome editing, with a particular focus on genome manipulation, including infection-related genes, RNAi targets, pooled library screening for identification of unknown driver mutations, and molecular targets for gastrointestinal cancer modeling. Finally, it provides an overview of CRISPR/Cas9 clinical trials, as well as the challenges associated with its use.

Designing a novel multi­epitope vaccine against Ebola virus using reverse vaccinology approach.

Ebola virus (EBOV) is a dangerous zoonotic infectious disease. To date, more than 25 EBOV outbreaks have been documented, the majority of which have occurred in Central Africa. The rVSVG-ZEBOV-GP vaccine (ERVEBO), a live attenuated vaccine, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to combat EBOV. Because of the several drawbacks of live attenuated vaccines, multi-epitope vaccines probably appear to be safer than live attenuated vaccines. In this work, we employed immunoinformatics tools to design a multi-epitope vaccine against EBOV. We collected sequences of VP35, VP24, VP30, VP40, GP, and NP proteins from the NCBI database. T-cell and linear B-cell epitopes from target proteins were identified and tested for antigenicity, toxicity, allergenicity, and conservancy. The selected epitopes were then linked together in the vaccine's primary structure using appropriate linkers, and the 50S ribosomal L7/L12 (Locus RL7 MYCTU) sequence was added as an adjuvant to the vaccine construct's N-terminal. The physicochemical, antigenicity, and allergenicity parameters of the vaccine were all found to be satisfactory. The 3D model of the vaccine was predicted, refined, and validated. The vaccine construct had a stable and strong interaction with toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) based on molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation (MD) analysis. The results of codon optimization and in silico cloning revealed that the proposed vaccine was highly expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli). The findings of this study are promising; however, experimental validations should be carried out to confirm these findings.

Ghrelin induces autophagy and CXCR4 expression via the SIRT1/AMPK axis in lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines.

T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is one of the most frequent malignancies in children, and the CXCR4 receptor plays an important role in the metastasis of this malignancy. Ghrelin is a hormone with various functions including stimulation of the release of growth hormone and autophagy in cancer cells. Moreover, SIRT1 and AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) stimulate expression of proteins involved in autophagy. On the other hand, autophagic cell death can be an alternative target for cancer therapy, in the absence of apoptosis. The relationship between ghrelin and the SIRT1/AMPK axis and the resulting effects on autophagy, apoptosis, proliferation, and expression of CXCR4 and the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a), in Jurkat and Molt-4 human lymphoblastic cell lines was not previously clear. Here we demonstrate that SIRT1 expression is upregulated during the induction of autophagy by ghrelin, an effect that is inhibited by inactivation of SIRT1/AMPK axis. In addition, ghrelin can affect CXCR4 and GHS-R1a expression. In conclusion, this work reveals that ghrelin induces autophagy, invasion, and downregulation of ghrelin receptor expression via the SIRT1/AMPK axis in lymphoblastic cell lines. However, in these cell lines ghrelin-induced autophagy does not lead to cell death due to weak induction of apoptosis.

SRT1720, a potential sensitizer for radiotherapy and cytotoxicity effects of NVB-BEZ235 in metastatic breast cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Chemo-radio therapy (CRT) resistance is a main barrier in treating the triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). The success of conventional treatment may be ameliorated by elevating the responsiveness of the cancer cells to CRT. NVP-BEZ235 as a PI3K/AKT/mTOR dual inhibitor has been shown promising results in treating breast cancer cells. However, potential radiation-sensitizing effect of NVP-BEZ235 in TNBC remained unclear. In addition, SIRT-1 activation state and environmental cytokine were identified as being responsible for cancer cells responses to CRT. Herein, we investigate the role of interleukin 6 (IL-6) as a tumor environmental cytokine and SIRT1 in the effectiveness of NVP-BEZ235 plus radiotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: TNBC cells were pre-treated with/without IL-6 and were exposed to single and combination of SRT1720 (SIRT1 activator)/EX-527 (SIRT1 inhibitor) and/or NVP-BEZ235 and/or gamma radiation. The effect of our treatments on cellular growth was determined by MTT and the cellular death and CSCs percentage were determined by Flow cytometry. Senescence detection kit was used to assay the effect of our treatments on cellular senescence induction. RESULTS: Activation of SIRT1 via SRT1720 increased the efficacy of CRT in TNBC cells, especially when IL-6 exists in tumor microenvironment. Additionally, IL-6 pre-treatment followed by exposure to SRT1720 and NVP-BEZ235 significantly increased sensitivity of the cancer stem cells to radiation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our result shows that combination of NVP-BEZ235 and SRT1720 may effectively improve late stage breast cancer cells therapeutics approach. Activation of SIRT1 and STAT3 in resistance breast cancer cells improves the in-vitro therapeutic efficacy of CRT.