Distinct therapeutic effects of auraptene and umbelliprenin on TNF-α and IL-17 levels in a murine model of chronic inflammation.

Objective: To compare the anti-arthritic potential of orally administered auraptene (AUR) and umbellliprenin (UMB) in chronic inflammation by exploring the differential effect on regulating TNF-α and IL-17.

Methods & Materials: Sixty male rats were divided into ten groups, and after confirming chronic inflammation, the treatment groups received AUR or UMB orally for 9 days. On day 16, histopathological changes were evaluated.

Morphine treatment restricts response to immunotherapy in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are becoming the standard of care for recurrent and metastatic cancer. Opioids, the primary treatment for cancer-related pain, are immunosuppressive raising concerns about their potential to interfere with the efficacy of ICIs. We hypothesize that exogenous opioids given for analgesia suppress antitumor immunity via T cell-mediated mu opioid receptor 1 (OPRM1) signaling.

TUMOR-INFILTRATING NOCICEPTOR NEURONS PROMOTE IMMUNOSUPPRESSION.

Nociceptor neurons impact tumor immunity. Removing nociceptor neurons reduced myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSCs) tumor infiltration in mouse models of head and neck carcinoma and melanoma. Carcinoma-released small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) attract nociceptive nerves to tumors.

NOCICEPTOR NEURONS CONTROL POLLUTION-MEDIATED NEUTROPHILIC ASTHMA.

The immune and sensory nervous systems, having evolved together, use a shared language of receptors and transmitters to maintain homeostasis by responding to external and internal disruptions. Although beneficial in many cases, neurons can exacerbate inflammation during allergic reactions, such as asthma. Our research modeled asthma aggravated by pollution, exposing mice to ambient PM particles and ovalbumin.

BASOPHILS ACTIVATE PRURICEPTOR-LIKE VAGAL SENSORY NEURONS.

Vagal sensory neurons convey sensations from internal organs along the vagus nerve to the brainstem. Pruriceptors are a subtype of neurons that transmit itch and induce pruritus. Despite extensive research on the molecular mechanisms of itch, studies focusing on pruriceptors in the vagal ganglia still need to be explored.

A modified schedule of multiple aeroallergen ultra-rush immunotherapy in perennial allergic rhinitis: safety, efficacy, and T lymphocyte cell population studies.

Background: This study assessed whether a modified immunotherapy schedule for allergic rhinitis could be safe and efficient. Ultra-rush immunotherapy (URIT) rapidly desensitizes patients to aeroallergens.

Objective: We aimed to develop a modified URIT protocol in 3 days to achieve the target dose while observing whether it could improve this situation and decrease the time to achieve the maintenance dose.

Reference Interval for Non-HDL-Cholesterol, Remnant Cholesterol and Other Lipid Parameters in the Southern Iranian Population; Findings From Bandare Kong and Fasa Cohort Studies.

Background: Growing evidence shows the undisputable role of non-HDL-C and remnant cholesterol (remnant-C) in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment and treatment. However, the reference interval (RI) for these lipid parameters is not readily available. The aim of the present investigation was to determine the age and sex-specific RIs for non-HDL-C and remnant-C as well as other lipid parameters among a healthy population in southern Iran.

Curcumin and Berberine Arrest Maturation and Activation of Dendritic Cells Derived from Lupus Erythematosus Patients.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease recognized by elevated activity of autoimmune cells, loss of tolerance, and decreased regulatory T cells producing inhibitory cytokines. Despite many efforts, the definitive treatment for lupus has not been fully understood. Curcumin (CUR) and berberine (BBR) have significant immunomodulatory roles and anti-inflammatory properties that have been demonstrated in various studies.

Impact of a 50bp insertion/deletion polymorphism of the superoxide dismutase-1 on oxidative stress status and risk of keratoconus.

Keratoconus (KC) is characterized by the predominant primary ectatic disease, affecting the cornea, necessitating corneal transplants in some cases. While some loci associated with KC risk have been identified, the understanding of the disease remains limited. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes play a crucial role in countering the reactive oxygen species and providing protection against oxidative stress (OS).

A Comprehensive Study on Signal Transduction and Therapeutic Role of miR-877 in Human Cancers.

MicroRNAs are a group of short non-coding RNAs (miRNAs), which are epigenetically involved in gene expression and other cellular biological processes and can be considered as potential biomarkers for cancer detection and support for treatment management. This review aims to amass the evidence in order to reach the molecular mechanism and clinical significance of miR-877 in different types of cancer. Dysregulation of miR-877 level in various types of malignancies as bladder cancer, cervical cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, colorectal cancer (CRC), gastric cancer, glioblastoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), hepatocellular carcinoma, laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), oral squamous cell carcinoma, ovarian cancer (OC), pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have reported, significantly increase or decrease in its level, which can be indicated to its function as oncogene or tumor suppressor.

Arsenic trioxide-induced cytotoxicity in A549 cells: The role of necroptosis.

Introduction: Lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers globally. Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is still present as a highly effective drug in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Chemotherapy resistance is one of the major problems in cancer therapy.

Targeting the tumor microenvironment by liposomal Epacadostat in combination with liposomal gp100 vaccine.

Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1) pathway has vital role in cancer immune escape and its upregulation leads to immunosuppressive environment which is associated with poor prognosis and progression in various cancers like melanoma. Previously, we showed the antitumoral efficacy of nanoliposomal form of Epacadostat (Lip-EPA), as an IDO1 inhibitor. Herein, we used Lip-EPA as a combination approach with liposomal gp100 (Lip-gp100) anti-cancer vaccine in melanoma model.

In-vitro cytotoxicity and in-vivo antitumor activity of two platinum complexes with 1,3-dimethyl pentyl glycine ligand against breast cancer.

Platinum (Pt) derivatives are good candidates for discovering new anti-tumor agents. The present research aims to explore the in-vivo and in-vitro anticancer activity of two platinum complexes with 1,3-dimethyl pentyl glycine ligand (DMPG), [Pt(bpy)(13DMPG)]NO and [Pt(dach)(13DMPG)]NO, against breast cancer cells. The present study was conducted to investigate the cytotoxic potential of these compounds (2-400 μM) compared to standard drugs (cisplatin, oxaliplatin, and carboplatin) on SKBR3 cells using the methyl thiazol-tetrazolium (MTT) assay.

Specific Clinical and Immunological Changes Following Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation in COVID-19-induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Patients: A Phase-I Clinical Trial.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a systemic inflammation resulting from immune system overactivity. ARDS is also a fatal complication of COVID-19. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have immune modulatory properties.

Study of frequency and inheritance model of ACE1 I/D and ACE2 rs2285666 polymorphisms in COVID-19 patients with varying severity of lung involvement and its effect on serum cytokines levels.

The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) has been shown to play a role as a receptor for the COVID-19 virus. This virus usually gets into cells and infects them by attaching to their glycoprotein receptors, which are found on the ACE2 receptor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and inheritance of ACE1 I/D and ACE2 rs2285666 polymorphisms in COVID-19 patients with varying severity of lung involvement and its effect on serum cytokines levels of interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 and laboratory parameters.

Curcumin as an effective suppressor of miRNA expression in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Objective: Osteoarthritis is the most common disease in the group of joint diseases, and its incidence is directly related to aging. Given the anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin as an active ingredient of turmeric, we aimed to investigate the effects of this compound in a new curcumin nanomicelle formula named SinaCurcumin on the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in immune responses of patients with osteoarthritis.

Materials And Methods: We divided 30 patients with osteoarthritis into two groups namely, nano curcumin-receiving (15 patients) and placebo-receiving (15 patients) and we studied them for 3 months.

CD73 downregulation by EGFR-targeted liposomal CD73 siRNA potentiates antitumor effect of liposomal doxorubicin in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice.

Blocking CD73 ectonucleotidase has been proposed as a potential therapeutic approach for cancer treatment. The present study aimed to investigate the antitumor effect of a novel EGFR-Targeted liposomal CD73 siRNA formulation in combination therapy with liposomal doxorubicin in the 4T1 mouse model. CD73 siRNA was encapsulated into nanoliposomes by the ethanol injection method.

LncRNA-miRNA network analysis across the Th17 cell line reveals biomarker potency of lncRNA NEAT1 and KCNQ1OT1 in multiple sclerosis.

Differentiation of CD T cells into Th17 cells is an important factor in the onset and progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) and Th17/Treg imbalance. Little is known about the role of lncRNAs in the differentiation of CD cells from Th17 cells. This study aimed to analyse the lncRNA-miRNAs network involved in MS disease and its role in the differentiation of Th17 cells.

Immunological Assessment of Chitosan or Trimethyl Chitosan-Coated PLGA Nanospheres Containing Fusion Antigen as the Novel Vaccine Candidates Against Tuberculosis.

The crucial challenge in tuberculosis (TB) as a chronic infectious disease is to present a novel vaccine candidate that improves current vaccination and provides efficient protection in individuals. The present study aimed to evaluate the immune efficacy of multi-subunit vaccines containing chitosan (CHT)- or trimethyl chitosan (TMC)-coated PLGA nanospheres to stimulate cell-mediated and mucosal responses against Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (Mtb) in an animal model. The surface-modified PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) containing tri-fusion protein from three Mtb antigens were produced by the double emulsion technique.

Improvement of clinical outcome, laboratory findings and inflammatory cytokines levels using plasmapheresis therapy in severe COVID-19 cases.

Introduction: Cytokine storm is one of the consequences of the severe forms of COVID-19 due to excessive immune response. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effect of plasmapheresis and its role on the inflammatory cytokines levels in patients suffering from severe COVID-19.

Methods: In plasmapheresis group, 22 severe cases of COVID-19 receiving three cycles of plasmapheresis with time interval of 24-36 h and 22 COVID-19 patients as the control group were enrolled.

Construction of a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network to determine the key regulators of the Th1/Th2 imbalance in multiple sclerosis.

The exact epigenetic mechanisms that determine the balance of T helper (Th)1 and Th2 cells and autoimmune responses in multiple sclerosis (MS) remain unclear. We aim to clarify these. A combination of bioinformatics analysis and molecular evaluations was utilized to identify master hub genes.

A triple-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effect of curcumin-containing nanomicelles on cellular immune responses subtypes and clinical outcome in COVID-19 patients.

In COVID-19 patients, cytokine storm due to excessive immune responses can cause severe complications. In this study, we investigated the effect of curcumin nanomicelles on clinical outcome and cellular immune responses subtypes changes in COVID-19 patients. A randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled study was done.

Development of a stable and high loaded liposomal formulation of lapatinib with enhanced therapeutic effects for breast cancer in combination with Caelyx®: In vitro and in vivo evaluations.

Lapatinib, a dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has poor water solubility, which results in poor and incomplete absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. To overcome this obstacle, we designed a stable and high-loaded liposomal formulation encapsulating lapatinib and examined its therapeutic efficacy in vitro and in vivo on TUBO and 4T1 cell lines. We also assessed the impact of liposomal lapatinib on the extent of the tumor and spleen-infiltrating lymphocytes and the autophagy and apoptosis gene expression within the tumor site.

Comparison of two routes of administration of a cationic liposome formulation for a prophylactic DC vaccination in a murine melanoma model.

Dendritic cell (DC) vaccination can be achieved via straight loading of vaccine into DCs ex vivo or administration to DCs in vivo. However, there is no certain consensus on which approach is preferable, and each strategy has its advantages and disadvantages, which affect the efficacy and safety of vaccines. It will also be more complicated when a vaccine delivery system is included.

Enhanced antitumor immune response in melanoma tumor model by anti-PD-1 small interference RNA encapsulated in nanoliposomes.

Programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), as an immune checkpoint molecule, attenuates T-cell activity and induces T-cell exhaustion. Although siRNA has a great potential in cancer immunotherapy, its delivery to target cells is the main limitation of using siRNA. This study aimed to prepare a liposomal formulation as a siRNA carrier to silence PD-1 expression in T cells and investigate it's in vivo antitumor efficacy.