RAP1GAP Functions as a Tumor Suppressor Gene and Is Regulated by DNA Methylation in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

Inactivation of tumor suppressor genes, such as RAP1GAP, by hypermethylation of their regulatory region can give rise to thyroid tumors. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the RAP1GAP gene and the DNA methylation patterns of its CpG74a, CpG74b, and CpG24 in an Iranian population with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). In this study, 160 individuals who underwent thyroidectomy in the Tehran Erfan Hospital between 2018 and 2020 were selected.

Effects of Vitamin D on Apoptosis and Quality of Sperm in Asthenozoospermia.

Objective: Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is expressed in human spermatozoa. However, the role of vitamin D (VD) in human male reproduction has not yet been clarified. In this study, effects of VD on sperm parameters and its apoptosis in asthenozoospermic and healthy men were evaluated.

The combined effect of overexpression and Shh manipulation on the function of insulin-producing cells derived from adipose-tissue stem cells.

Pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (Pdx1) and Sonic hedgehog (Shh) are the key regulators of beta-cell function. experiments have shown that there is significant cooperation between Pdx1 and Shh with regard to the production and maintenance of insulin-producing cells (IPCs). In this study, the combined effect of overexpression and Shh manipulation on the function of adipose tissue-derived IPCs was determined.

Sonic hedgehog pathway suppression and reactivation accelerates differentiation of rat adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells toward insulin-producing cells.

Background Aims: Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is an intercellular signaling molecule that regulates pancreas development in mammals. Manipulation of Shh signaling pathway can be used as reliable approach to improve the generation of functional insulin-producing cells (IPCs) from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs).

Methods: In the present study, a novel differentiation protocol was used to produce IPCs from adipose tissue-derived MSCs (ATDMSCs) based on sequential inhibition and reactivation of Shh pathway.

Improvement of mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into the endoderm lineage by four step sequential method in biocompatible biomaterial.

Introduction: The goal of the study described here, was to investigate the potential of umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cell (UC-MSCs) into hepatocyte like cells in a sequential 2D and 3D differentiation protocols as alternative therapy.

Methods: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated from the umbilical cord (UC) and CD markers were analyzed by flow cytometry. For hepatic differentiation of UC-MSCs, cells were induced with a sequential 4-step protocol in 3D and 2D culture system.

Sonic hedgehog inhibition induces mouse embryonic stem cells to differentiate toward definitive endoderm.

In the experimental group (shh inhibited group), there were significant decreases in the expression of Oct4, Nanog, Shh, GATA4, Brachyury and Goosecoid, while increases were observed for TAT and Pdx1. The expression of Sox17 did not differ between two control and experimental groups. In experimental group, the amount of GSC positive cells was somehow lower but it seems that there was no difference for Sox17.

Kinetics of gene expression during exposure of mouse stem cells to activin A.

This study aimed to evaluate the pattern of gene expression induced by activin A in mouse Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs). Mouse ES cells cultured in undifferentiated state by leukemia inhibitory factor and feeder layer cells. Following removing these two anti differentiation factors for 5 days and forming Embryoid Bodies (EBs), the cells divided to 8 equal cells per groups.