The role of exosomes in the molecular mechanisms of metastasis: Focusing on EMT and cancer stem cells.

Exosomes are cell-derived small membrane-encapsulated vesicles that transfer biomolecules to surrounding cells. Exosomes play fundamental roles in cell-cell communications. They can also aggravate cancer progression and metastasis. Metastasis is a complicated and multi-serial process that is regulated by various mechanisms. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) are important participants in cancer metastasis. Recent studies demonstrate that exosomes are associated with metastasis by modulating the EMT and the function of CSCs. Accumulating evidence shows that exosomes are implicated in regulating tumor cell metastasis by modulating signaling pathways involved in EMT and CSCs. This review aims to discuss the effect of exosomes on signaling pathways associated with EMT and CSCs, as well as possible therapeutic strategies of exosomes in cancer metastasis.

A comprehensive review of anticancer mechanisms of action of Alantolactone.

Cancer is considered as the main challenge of human communities, and it annually imposes a significant economic burden on society. Natural products have been used for treatment of many diseases including inflammation, infections, neurological disorders, atherosclerosis, asthma and cancer for many years. Sesquiterpene lactones (STLs) refers to a group of natural products with different biological activities. A type of STL that has recently attracted much attention is Alantolactone (ALT). In recent years, many studies have investigated the molecular mechanism of this compound affecting cancer cells and results suggest that this compound exerts its anticancer effects by providing free radicals and inhibiting some of the signaling pathways that are effective in progression of cancer cells. The present study is aimed to introduce the latest molecular mechanisms of ALT proposed by researchers in recent years.

Immunoreaction of a recombinant nanobody from camelid single domain antibody fragment with Acinetobacter baumannii.

BACKGROUND: Acinetobacter baumannii, an important nosocominal pathogen, causes various human infections like meningitis, bacteremia and pneumonia. The aim of this study was to produce nanobodies derived from camel heavy chain antibodies (HcAb) against a conserved region of the biofilm associated protein (Bap) of A. baumannii, by phage display technique. METHODS: A camel was immunized with the purified recombinant protein expressed from the conserved region of Bap and polyclonal antibody production was confirmed by ELISA. After RNA extraction from peripheral lymphocytes, cDNA was prepared and a phagemid library was constructed. RESULTS: Phage particles encoding nanobodies were produced by infecting transformed cells with a M13K07 helper phage. A total of six panning rounds were performed to select high affinity clones. Screening of high affinity monoclonal nanobodies was performed using phage-ELISA. A clone with the highest absorption in monoclonal phage-ELISA was selected for soluble expression of the desired nanobody. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report on the expression and production of nanobodies against Bap. Increasing trends of drug resistance have shifted the focus to the role of antibodies in diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. Similarities of the produced VHH to human VH, makes the role of this nanobody promising in immunotherapy.