Identification of Dormancy-Associated MicroRNAs for the Design of Osteosarcoma-Targeted Dendritic Polyglycerol Nanopolyplexes.

The presence of dormant, microscopic cancerous lesions poses a major obstacle for the treatment of metastatic and recurrent cancers. While it is well-established that microRNAs play a major role in tumorigenesis, their involvement in tumor dormancy has yet to be fully elucidated. We established and comprehensively characterized pairs of dormant and fast-growing human osteosarcoma models.

Neuro-Epigenetic Indications of Acute Stress Response in Humans: The Case of MicroRNA-29c.

Stress research has progressively become more integrative in nature, seeking to unfold crucial relations between the different phenotypic levels of stress manifestations. This study sought to unravel stress-induced variations in expression of human microRNAs sampled in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and further assess their relationship with neuronal and psychological indices. We obtained blood samples from 49 healthy male participants before and three hours after performing a social stress task, while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Promotes Neurogenesis and Ameliorates Autism Related Behaviors in BTBR Mice.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by social communication deficits, cognitive rigidity, and repetitive stereotyped behaviors. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have a paracrine regenerative effect, and were speculated to be a potential therapy for ASD. The BTBR inbred mouse strain is a commonly used model of ASD as it demonstrates robust behavioral deficits consistent with the diagnostic criteria for ASD.

MiR-192 directly binds and regulates Dicer1 expression in neuroblastoma.

Neuroblastoma (NB) arises from the embryonic neural crest and is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children under 5 years of age. Reduced expression of Dicer1 has recently been shown to be in correlation with poor prognosis in NB patients. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms that could lead to the down-regulation of Dicer1 in neuroblastoma.

Automated long-term tracking and social behavioural phenotyping of animal colonies within a semi-natural environment.

Social behaviour has a key role in animal survival across species, ranging from insects to primates and humans. However, the biological mechanisms driving natural interactions between multiple animals, over long-term periods, are poorly studied and remain elusive. Rigorous and objective quantification of behavioural parameters within a group poses a major challenge as it requires simultaneous monitoring of the positions of several individuals and comprehensive consideration of many complex factors.

Involvement of IGF-1R regulation by miR-515-5p modifies breast cancer risk among BRCA1 carriers.

Several lines of evidence indicate that sequence alterations within microRNA (miRNA)-binding sites can modify the binding to its target gene resulting in altered expression patterns. We hypothesized that a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located in the miR-515-5p binding site of igf-1r gene may alter IGF-1R regulation, with consequent effects on breast cancer risk in BRCA1 mutation carriers. Computational prediction revealed that the rs28674628 SNP in the igf-1r 3' UTR is located within a predicted binding site for miR-515-5p.

MicroRNAs in the growth plate are responsive to nutritional cues: association between miR-140 and SIRT1.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to be involved in a variety of functions, including skeletal development and longitudinal growth. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of miRNAs in food-restriction-induced growth attenuation and nutrition-induced catch-up growth in the epiphyseal growth plate (EGP). Prepubertal rats were fed ad libitum or were subjected to 40% food restriction for 10 days followed by a renewal of the regular food supply.

Insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) translocates to nucleus and autoregulates IGF-IR gene expression in breast cancer cells.

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system plays an important role in mammary gland biology as well as in the etiology of breast cancer. The IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR), which mediates the biological actions of IGF-I and IGF-II, has emerged in recent years as a promising therapeutic target. The IGF and estrogen signaling pathways act in a synergistic manner in breast epithelial cells.

Regulation of cancer aggressive features in melanoma cells by microRNAs.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs with regulatory roles, which are involved in a broad spectrum of physiological and pathological processes, including cancer. A common strategy for identification of miRNAs involved in cell transformation is to compare malignant cells to normal cells. Here we focus on identification of miRNAs that regulate the aggressive phenotype of melanoma cells.

Species-specific microRNA roles elucidated following astrocyte activation.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that play a central role in regulation of gene expression by binding to target genes. Many miRNAs were associated with the function of the central nervous system (CNS) in health and disease. Astrocytes are the CNS most abundant glia cells, providing support by maintaining homeostasis and by regulating neuronal signaling, survival and synaptic plasticity.