Stability of Neutralizing Antibody of PastoCoAd Vaccine Candidates against a Variant of Concern of SARS-CoV-2 in Animal Models.

Background: Since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there have been mutations caused by new SARS-CoV-2 variants, such as Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron, recognized as the variants of concern (VOC) worldwide. These variants can affect vaccine efficacy, disease control, and treatment effectiveness. The present study aimed to evaluate the levels of total and neutralizing antibodies produced by PastoCoAd vaccine candidates against the VOC strains at different time points.

Inhibition of Mir-21-5p Affects the Expression of LNCRNA X-Inactive Specific Transcript and Induces Apoptosis in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells.

Background: We aimed to investigate miR-21-5p inhibition effect on lncRNA-XIST expression and apoptosis status of MCF-7 cells.

Methods: The MCF-7 cells were cultured and transfected by the anti-miR-21-5p oligonucleotide and expression of miR-21-5p, lncRNA-XIST, apoptosis-associated genes ( and ) and one miR-21-5p-unrelated lncRNA (BC200) was assessed by RT-qPCR. Furthermore, cell viability checked by MTT assay and apoptosis and cell cycle in transfected cells were detected by flow cytometry.

A survey of resistance mutations to reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs) among HIV-1 patients in northeast of Iran.

The use of a combination of three-drug regimen has improved HIV-1 infected patients' life span and quality; however the emergence of drug-resistant strains remains a main problem. Reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs) consist of a main part of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) regimen. The present study aimed to investigate resistant mutations to RTI drugs in both treatment naïve and under treatment HIV patients in Mashhad city, north-eastern Iran.

The investigation of the death-inducing potency of a recombinant Adenovector expressing Mda-7-tlyp-1 on different cancer cell lines.

Aim: The potency of Adenovector expressing Mda7-tLyp1 (Ad-Mda7-tLyp1) for death induction was evaluated on the breast (MCF7), liver (HepG2), and gastric (MKN45) cancer cell lines.

Background: Mda-7 could be a possible complementary to traditional cancer therapy, and tethering to tumor-homing peptides (THPs) might improve its therapeutic efficacy.

Methods: After the preparation of recombinant Ad-Mda7-tLyp1 and Ad-Mda7, the expression of recombinant proteins was analyzed by ELISA.

Heterologous DNA Prime/Protein Boost Immunization Targeting Nef-Tat Fusion Antigen Induces Potent T-cell Activity and Anti-SCR HIV-1 Effects.

Background: Heterologous combinations in vaccine design are an effective approach to promote T cell activity and antiviral effects. The goal of this study was to compare the homologous and heterologous regimens targeting the Nef-Tat fusion antigen to develop a human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) therapeutic vaccine candidate.

Methods: At first, the DNA and protein constructs harboring HIV-1 Nef and the first exon of Tat as linked form (pcDNA- and Nef-Tat protein) were prepared in large scale and high purity.

The Combinatorial Effect of Ad-IL-24 and Ad-HSV-tk/GCV on Tumor Size, Autophagy, and UPR Mechanisms in Multiple Myeloma Mouse Model.

Multiple myeloma is a type of malignant neoplasia whose treatment has changed over the past decade. This study aimed to investigate the effects of combination of Adenovector-carrying interleukin-24 and herpes simplex virus 1 thymidine kinase/ganciclovir on tumor growth, autophagy, and unfolded protein response mechanisms in mouse model of multiple myeloma. Six groups of mice, including Ad-HSV-tk/GCV, Ad-IL-24, Ad-HSV-tk/IL-24, Ad-GFP, and positive and negative controls, were investigated, and each group was injected every 72 h.

Interleukin-24-mediated antitumor effects against human glioblastoma via upregulation of P38 MAPK and endogenous TRAIL-induced apoptosis and LC3-II activation-dependent autophagy.

Background: Melanoma differentiation-associated gene 7 (Mda-7) encodes IL-24, which can induce apoptosis in cancer cells. A novel gene therapy approach to treat deadly brain tumors, recombinant mda-7 adenovirus (Ad/mda-7) efficiently kills glioma cells. In this study, we investigated the factors affecting cell survival and apoptosis and autophagy mechanisms that destroy glioma cells by Ad/IL-24.

Autophagy and unfolded protein response induction: a crosstalk between street rabies virus and the host.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) response mechanism to cellular stress is mediated by the unfolded protein response/ER-associated degradation (UPR/ERAD) pathway. A viral infection can trigger ER stress and engage some transcription factors, depending on the host cell and virus type, activating or inhibiting autophagy. The relationship between ER response and autophagy in rabies has not been investigated yet.

Fiber manipulation and post-assembly nanobody conjugation for adenoviral vector retargeting through SpyTag-SpyCatcher protein ligation.

For adenoviruses (Ads) to be optimally effective in cancer theranostics, they need to be retargeted toward target cells and lose their natural tropism. Typically, this is accomplished by either engineering fiber proteins and/or employing bispecific adapters, capable of bonding Ad fibers and tumor antigen receptors. This study aimed to present a simple and versatile method for generating Ad-based bionanoparticles specific to target cells, using the SpyTag-SpyCatcher system.

Discordant immune response among treatment experienced patients infected with HIV-1: Crosstalk between MiRNAs expression and CD4+ T cells count.

Background: One of the problems with treating HIV-infected patients with ARVs is that the treatment can reduce viral load and does not increase the number of CD4 cells (immunological discordance). There are still challenges to treating HIV-positive patients.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the expression level of 18 miRNAs involved in the proliferation and differentiation of CD4 T cells in a target (discordant immune response) and a control (immune response) group.

Immune-Related Gene Profile in HIV-Infected Patients with Discordant Immune Response.

Background: Background: In spite of many reports on persistent low CD4 T cell counts and change in immune-related gene expression level in patients with HIV infection, there is still uncertainty about significant association between gene expression level and HIV infection in patients with and without discordant immune response (DIR). The aim of this study was to compare the expression level of CD4, CCL5, IFN-γ, STAT1, APOBEC3G, CD45, and ICAM-1 genes in HIV-1-positive patients with and without DIR.

Methods: Methods: In this study, 30 HIV-1-positive patients (15 patients with and 15 patients without DIR [control group]) were included.

Potency, toxicity and protection evaluation of PastoCoAd candidate vaccines: Novel preclinical mix and match rAd5 S, rAd5 RBD-N and SOBERANA dimeric-RBD protein.

Despite substantial efforts, no effective treatment has been discovered for severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Therefore, vaccination to reach herd immunity is the ultimate solution to control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate the potency, toxicity, and protection of candidate PastoCoAd vaccines as novel mix and match of recombinant adenovirus type 5 (rAd5) containing the full-length spike protein (rAd5-S), rAd5 containing the receptor-binding domain of S protein and nucleoprotein (rAd5 RBD-N), and SOBERANA dimeric RBD protein of SARS-CoV-2.

Corrigendum to 'How Iran responded to expanding need for laboratory services for COVID-19?'.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.hlpt.

Overexpression of gene leads to reduction of telomerase activity in MDCK cells and enhances apoptosis.

Background: Telomeres through maintaining chromosomal integrity have key roles in the cell life span. The autophagy is typically a pro-survival process and important for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Conversely, in some conditions, autophagy acts as caspase-independent cell death program.

Expression of mir-221, mir-29a, mir-155 and mir-146a in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell (PBMC) in HIV-1 Infected Patients.

Aims And Objectives: In patients infected by HIV-1, some cellular biomarkers such as microRNAs have an important function in the suppression or progression of the disease. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the expression of mir-221, mir-29a, mir-155, and mir-146a in HIV-1 infected patients.

Methods: The miRNAs of 60 HIV-1 infected patients (sample group) and 20 healthy controls (normal group) were extracted from their peripheral mononuclear cells.

The Relationship Between HIV Antibody Titer, HIV Viral Load, HIV p24 Antigen, and CD4 T-cell Count Among Iranian HIV-positive Patients.

Objective: This study aimed to simultaneously measure and assess the correlation between the available HIV infection parameters including HIV antibody, p24 Antigen, CD4 cell count, and viral load at the different stages of HIV disease among HIV-positive individuals in Iran.

Materials And Methods: Fifty HIV-positive individuals were classified into three stages (1, 2, and 3) according to the HIV disease stages classification, available in Control of Disease and Prevention (CDC) guideline. 10 ml of the venous blood sample was collected to run the tests for HIV antibody and p24 Ag levels, CD4 cell counts, and viral load.

In vitro effect of branched polyethyleneimine (bPEI) on cells infected with human immunodeficiency virus: enhancement of viral replication.

Polyethyleneimine (PEI) is a chemical compound that used is as a carrier in gene therapy/delivery. Some studies have investigated the microbicidal potential and antiviral activity (prophylactic or therapeutic) of PEI and its derivatives. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of branched polyethyleneimine (bPEI) on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication.