Therapeutic approaches of cell therapy based on stem cells and terminally differentiated cells: Potential and effectiveness.

Cell-based therapy, as a promising regenerative medicine approach, has been a promising and effective strategy to treat or even cure various kinds of diseases and conditions. Generally, two types of cells are used in cell therapy, the first is the stem cell, and the other is a fully differentiated cell. Initially, all cells in the body are derived from stem cells. Based on the capacity, potency and differentiation potential of stem cells, there are four types: totipotent (produces all somatic cells plus perinatal tissues), pluripotent (produces all somatic cells), multipotent (produces many types of cells), and unipotent (produces a particular type of cells). All non-totipotent stem cells can be used for cell therapy, depending on their potency and/or disease state/conditions. Adult fully differentiated cell is another cell type for cell therapy that is isolated from adult tissues or obtained following the differentiation of stem cells. The cells can then be transplanted back into the patient to replace damaged or malfunctioning cells, promote tissue repair, or enhance the targeted organ's overall function. With increasing science and knowledge in biology and medicine, different types of techniques have been developed to obtain efficient cells to use for therapeutic approaches. In this study, the potential and opportunity of use of all cell types, both stem cells and fully differentiated cells, are reviewed.

Effects of MRI on stemness properties of Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), derived from various tissues, are served as a promising source of cells in clinic and regenerative medicine. Umbilical cord-Wharton's jelly (WJ-MSCs)-derived MSCs exhibit advantages over those from adult tissues, such as no ethical concerns, shorter population doubling time, broad differentiation potential, readily available non-invasive source, prolonged maintenance of stemness properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of MRI (1.5 T, 10 min) on stemness gene expression patterns (OCT-4, SOX-2, NANOG) of WJ-MSCs. Additionally, we assessed cell viability, growth kinetics and apoptosis of WJ-MSCs after MRI treatment. The quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) data showed that transcript levels of SOX-2, NANOG in MRI-treated WJ-MSCs were increased 32- and 213-fold, respectively. MTT assay was performed at 24, 48, and 72 h post-treatment and the viability was not significantly different between the two groups. The doubling time of the MRI group was markedly higher than the control group. In addition, the colony formation ability of WJ-MSCs after MRI treatment significantly increased. Furthermore, no change in apoptosis was seen before or after MRI treatment. Our results suggest that the use of MRI can improve the quality of MSCs and enhance the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell-based therapies.

Effect of pretreatment with intracerebroventricular injection of minocycline on morphine-induced memory impairment in passive avoidance test: Role of P-CREB and c-Fos expression in the dorsal hippocampus and basolateral amygdala regions.

Minocycline as a member of the tetracycline family is a lipophilic broad-spectrum antibiotic, which can display some non-antibiotic properties such as antioxidant, antiapoptosis, neuroprotection and modulation of pharmacological traits of drugs of abuse (ie, reward, sensitization and/or analgesia). Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of minocycline on morphine-induced memory impairment and motor function in male Wistar rats. The behavioural responses were measured by a passive avoidance test for evaluating memory, and in the open field for studying motor function. Furthermore, the expression of Phospho-cAMP response element-binding protein (P-CREB) and c-Fos were assessed using immunohistochemistry in the dorsal hippocampus and basolateral amygdala (BLA). Our results showed that morphine dose-dependently impairs memory consolidation, but not motor function. Maximum effect was achieved with morphine at dose of 5 mg/kg. Pretreatment with ICV injection of minocycline (50 µg/rat) prevented morphine-induced memory impairment, but there was no effect on motor function. The results of immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrated that morphine decreased expression of P-CREB positive cells compared to saline control group in the BLA, but not in the dorsal hippocampus. On the other hand, pretreatment of animals with ICV injection of minocycline increased the expression of P-CREB in both brain areas. Moreover, there was no significant change in the expression of c-Fos positive cells in above-mentioned regions. In summary, our results indicated that pretreatment with ICV injection of minocycline prevented morphine-induced memory impairment and increased P-CREB expression in the dorsal hippocampus and BLA, which may explain its memory improvement property.

Thalidomide attenuates the hyporesponsiveness of isolated atria to chronotropic stimulation in BDL rats: The involvement of TNF-α, IL-6 inhibition, and SOCS1 activation.

OBJECTIVES: Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is a complication of uncured cirrhosis which is associated with hyporesponsiveness of the heart to sympathetic stimulation. The enhancement of portal pressure, nitric oxide (NO) level, pro-inflammatory mediators and down-regulation of Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1 (SOCS1) are involved in this situations. The present study seeks to examine the beneficial effect of thalidomide on cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The male rats were grouped as: Sham/saline, Sham/Thalidomide, Bile Duct Ligation (BDL)/saline and BDL/Thalidomide. BDL model of cirrhosis was used. In the treatment groups, thalidomide (200 mg/kg/day) was administrated by intragastrial gavage for 28 consecutive days, the chronotropic response was assessed in isolated atria by isoproterenol stimulation. Serum levels of NO, IL-6 and TNF-α hepatic level were evaluated. The intrasplenic pulp pressure (ISPP) as the portal pressure and histopathologic assessment were assessed. Real time RT-PCR was used for the evaluation of SOCS1 gene expression. RESULTS: Our results showed that thalidomide administration could significantly increase the atrial chronotropic response in BDL animals. The increased level of portal pressure decreased by thalidomide in BDL animals. Thalidomide could ameliorate the histopathological conditions of BDL rats. Furthermore, the chronic treatment by this drug diminished the elevated levels of NO, TNF-α and IL-6 in BDL animals. On the other hand, hepatic SOCS1 expression was up-regulated by thalidomide treatment in this group. CONCLUSION: Thalidomide improves the chronotropic hyporesponsiveness of isolated atria in BDL. This effect is probably mediated by the inhibiting NO, TNF-α and IL-6 production, reducing portal pressure and increasing the expression of SOCS1.