Prospects for Manipulation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Tumor Therapy: Anti-Angiogenesis Property on the Spotlight.

The interactions between the tumor microenvironment and the tumor cells confers a condition that accelerate or decelerate the development of tumor. Of these cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the potential to modulate the tumor cells. MSCs have been established with double functions, whereby contribute to a tumorigenic or anti-tumor setting. Clinical studies have indicated the potential of MSCs to be used as tool in treating the human cancer cells. One of the advantageous features of MSCs that make them as a well-suited tool for cancer therapy is the natural tumor-trophic migration potential. A key specification of the tumor development has been stablished to be angiogenesis. As a result, manipulation of angiogenesis has become an attractive approach for cancer therapy. This review article will seek to clarify the anti-angiogenesis strategy in modulating the MSCs to treat the tumor cells.

Dysregulation of microRNAs regulating survivin in CD4+ T cells in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Impaired elimination mechanisms of the autoreactive lymphocytes, like T lymphocytes, via apoptosis may be the cause of continues inflammatory state in multiple sclerosis (MS). BIRC5 gene codify for the survivin, which participates in the modulation of apoptosis and cell survival. The objective of this study was investigation of the role of important confirmed miRNAs, including miR-335, miR-485, miR-542, and miR-708, in the regulation of survivin mRNA in the CD4+ T cells of MS cases. METHODS: In this study, 50 RRMS patients as well as 50 healthy matched controls were recruited. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from whole blood samples and CD4+ T cells were prepared. After that, RNA was extracted, cDNA was synthesized, and the expression levels of miR-335, miR-485, miR-542, and miR-708 were measured using Real-time PCR. Moreover, the mRNA expression of survivin was detected. Serum level of survivin was detected using ELISA. RESULTS: The mRNA of survivin was 2-folds upregulated in the CD4+ T cells from MS patients in comparison to the healthy controls (P = 0.0053). Serum level of survivin was higher in patients than controls. There was statistically significant downregulation of miR-485 (P = 0.001) and miR-708 (P = 0.011) in CD4+ T cells of patients compared with controls. The miR-485 downregulation had statistically significant correlation with the mRNA expression and serum level of survivin. CONCLUSION: miRNAs play a role in the regulation of survivin, and therefore apoptosis of CD4+ T cells, and hence are probably participating in a persistent inflammatory condition in MS patients.

Manipulated Mesenchymal Stem Cells Applications in Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells that have multilinear differentiation and self-renewal abilities. These cells are immune-privileged as they express no or low level of class-II major histocompatibility complex (MHC-II) and other costimulatory molecules. Having neuroprotective and regenerative properties, MSCs can be used to ameliorate several intractable neurodegenerative disorders by affecting both innate and adaptive immune systems. Several manipulations like pretreating MSCs with different conditions or agents, and using molecules derived from MSCs or genetically manipulating them, are the common and practical ways that can be used to strengthen MSCs survival and potency. Improved MSCs can have significantly enhanced impacts on diseases compared to MSCs not manipulated. In this review, we describe some of the most important manipulations that have been exerted on MSCs to improve their therapeutic functions and their applications in ameliorating three prevalent neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease.

Genetic polymorphisms and epigenetic regulation of survivin encoding gene, BIRC5, in multiple sclerosis patients.

BACKGROUND: The persistent the inflammatory condition in multiple sclerosis (MS) may due to the aberrant regulation of the elimination of the pathogenic autoreactive lymphocytes through apoptosis. Survivin, encoded by the BIRC5 gene, has been indicated to be involved in the regulation of apoptosis. This survey intended to investigate the genetic and microRNA mediated regulation of survivin in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) disease. RESULTS: It was observed that the C allele (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.05-1.348, P = 0.022) and CC genotype (OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.06-3.19; P = 0.029) in the rs9904341 polymorphism increased the disease risk. Furthermore, miR-34a was significantly downregulated (Fold change = 0.41, P = 0.001) in the PBMCs from RRMS subjects. Survivin mRNA expression in PBMCs and serum survivin level were increased in RRMS patients in comparison to the controls. Downregulation of miR-34a was negatively correlated with increased survivin level. CONCLUSION: Although the genetic polymorphism of BIRC5 gene was associated with the disease risk, miR-34a was suggested to be involved in the regulation of survivin in the RRMS patients.

Evaluation of skeletal age based on Greulich-Pyle method in Tehran.

Although bone age plays a special role in determining the child's age, there are some variations in skeletal growth of different people. The aim of this study was to compare the bone age with chronological age of children aged 2-18 years old in order to recognize whether Greulich-Pyle (GP) method could be reliable for Iranian children? The standard radiograph of Left hand was taken in 40 healthy subjects, then the bone age was determined according to GP. Mean ±â€¯SD bone ages were delayed 1.12 ±â€¯0.65, 0.82 ±â€¯1.34 and 0.10 ±â€¯0.51 years than the mean chronological ages in 2.99-5.99, 10-13.99 and 14-17.99 age group, respectively; and advanced -0.33 ±â€¯3.12 years in the 6-9.99 age group. In BMI levels <18.5, 18.5-24.9, 25-29.9 and ≥30, Mean ±â€¯SD bone ages in males were delayed 2.25 ±â€¯0.21, 0.14 ±â€¯0.55, 0.87 ±â€¯0.41 and 4.05 ±â€¯0.70 years than the mean chronological ages, respectively. In BMI range of 18.5-24.9 and BMI ≥ 30, Mean ±â€¯SD bone age in females was delayed 0.50 ±â€¯0.49 and 0.45 ±â€¯0.63 years than the mean chronological ages, respectively. For BMI < 18.5, Mean ±â€¯SD bone age in females were advanced -0.40 ±â€¯2.69 years than mean chronological ages. Considering these differences, Iranian boys may have a different pattern of bone growth from GP standards.

Photosensitizers in antibacterial photodynamic therapy: an overview.

Antibacterial Photodynamic therapy (APDT) is a process utilizing light and light sensitive agents (named photosensitizer (PS)) and is usually applied in an oxygen-rich environment. The energy of the photons is absorbed by the photosensitizer and subsequently transferred to surrounding molecules. Consequently, reactive oxygen species and free radicals are formed. These oxidative molecules can damage bacterial macromolecules such as proteins, lipids and nucleic acids and may result in bacterial killing. Unlike antibiotics, APDT as a novel technique does not lead to the selection of mutant resistant strains, hence it has appealed to researchers in this field. The type of PS used in APDT is a major determinant regarding outcome. In this review, various types of PS that are used in antimicrobial Photodynamic therapy will be discussed. PSs are classified based on their chemical structure and origin. Synthetic dyes such as methylene blue and toluidine blue are the most commonly used photosensitizers in Antibacterial Photodynamic therapy (APDT). Other photosensitizers including natural PSs (e.g. curcumin and hypericin) and tetra-pyrrole structures like phthalocyanines and porphyrins have also been studied. Furthermore, nanostructures and their probable contribution to APDT will be discussed.