Novel delivery of sorafenib by natural killer cell-derived exosomes-enhanced apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer.

We investigated the delivery of sorafenib (SFB) to breast cancer spheroids by natural killer cell-derived exosomes (NK-Exos). SFB-NK-Exos were constructed by electroporation. Their antitumor effects were evaluated by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium, acridine orange/ethidium bromide, 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, annexin/propidium iodide, scratch and migration assay, colony formation, RT-PCR, western blot and lipophagy tests.

Circulating serum miR-1246 and miR-1229 as diagnostic biomarkers in colorectal carcinoma.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Although colonoscopy is considered as the "Gold Standard" technique to detect CRC, its application is invasive and cost incurred. Thus, noninvasive or minimally invasive approaches are of utmost importance.

Monocytes educated by cancer-associated fibroblasts secrete exosomal miR-181a to activate AKT signaling in breast cancer cells.

Background: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), one of the major components of the tumor stroma, contribute to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) through the induction and functional polarization of protumoral macrophages. We have herein investigated the contribution of CAFs to monocyte recruitment and macrophage polarization. We also sought to identify a possible paracrine mechanism by which CAF-educated monocytes affect breast cancer (BC) cell progression.

FGF10 Therapeutic Administration Promotes Mobilization of Injury-Activated Alveolar Progenitors in a Mouse Fibrosis Model.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating interstitial lung disease with dire consequences and in urgent need of improved therapies. Compelling evidence indicates that damage or dysfunction of AT2s is of central importance in the development of IPF. We recently identified a novel AT2 subpopulation characterized by low SFTPC expression but that is enriched for PD-L1 in mice.

Colorectal cancer cell-derived extracellular vesicles transfer miR-221-3p to promote endothelial cell angiogenesis via targeting suppressor of cytokine signaling 3.

Background: Secreted microRNAs (miRNAs) can serve as promising diagnostic markers for colorectal cancer (CRC). Herein, we evaluated the potential clinical significance of a signature of four circulating serum-derived miRNAs in CRC. We also demonstrated that extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing miR-221-3p could facilitate endothelial cell angiogenesis.

Yap1-2 Isoform Is the Primary Mediator in TGF-β1 Induced EMT in Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most aggressive human malignancy and intrinsically resistant to conventional therapies. YAP1, as a key downstream effector of the Hippo pathway, plays an important role in tumorigenesis including PDAC. Alternative mRNA splicing of YAP1 results in at least 8 protein isoforms, which are divided into two subgroups (YAP1-1 and YAP1-2) based on the presence of either a single or double WW domains.

Upregulation of the long noncoding RNAs DSCAM-AS1 and MANCR is a potential diagnostic marker for breast carcinoma.

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common malignancies among women in the world. There is a global attempt to diagnose BC as early as possible. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as novel targets and biomarkers for BC diagnosis and prognosis.

A panel of six-circulating miRNA signature in serum and its potential diagnostic value in colorectal cancer.

Aim: Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers throughout the world. Circulating serum-derived microRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) can be used as non-invasive biomarkers for CRC diagnosis. This study aimed to identify a panel of six serum exosomal miRNAs as novel diagnostic biomarkers for CRC.

Comparative immunomodulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human breast tumor and normal breast adipose tissue.

Objective: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), one of the most important stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment, play a major role in the immunomodulation and development of tumors. In contrast to immunomodulatory effects of bone marrow-derived MSCs, resident MSCs were not well studied in tumor. The aim of this study was to compare the immunomodulatory properties and protein secretion profiles of MSCs isolated from breast tumor (T-MSC) and normal breast adipose tissue (N-MSC).

FGF Signaling Pathway: A Key Regulator of Stem Cell Pluripotency.

Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) isolated from embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced PSC (iPSC) and also post-implantation epiblast-derived stem cells (EpiSCs) are known for their two unique characteristics: the ability to give rise to all somatic lineages and the self-renewal capacity. Numerous intrinsic signaling pathways contribute to the maintenance of the pluripotency state of stem cells by tightly controlling key transcriptional regulators of stemness including sex determining region Y box 2 (Sox-2), octamer-binding transcription factor (Oct)3/4, krueppel-like factor 4 (Klf-4), Nanog, and c-Myc. Signaling by fibroblast growth factor (FGF) is of critical importance in regulating stem cells pluripotency.

Electrospun silk nanofibers improve differentiation potential of human induced pluripotent stem cells to insulin producing cells.

With regard to lifestyle and diet, one of the problems that threaten mankind is diabetes. Given the lack of responsiveness to available drug therapies, the advances made in recent decades in tissue engineering and cell therapy have created a great deal of hope for the treatment of this disease. In this study, silk nanofibrous scaffold (3D) was fabricated by electrospinning and then its biocompatibility and non-toxicity by MTT assay.

In vitro osteogenic differentiation of stem cells with different sources on composite scaffold containing natural bioceramic and polycaprolactone.

Stem cells can be obtained from a variety of sources. To compare the effect of cell source on the osteogenic differentiation potential, buccal fat pad-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BFP-MSCs), bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) and unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSCs) with different accessibility in time and region, were cultured on bioceramic (Bio-Oss) coated electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold (PCL-Bio). After scaffold characterization, stem cells proliferation and osteogenic differentiation were investigated by MTT and Alizarin red staining, alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium content and gene expression assays.

Comparison of the antibacterial effects of a short cationic peptide and 1% silver bioactive glass against extensively drug-resistant bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii, isolated from burn patients.

We have already established that a short cationic peptide (CM11) has high antimicrobial activity against a number of bacterial pathogens. Considering the untreatable problem of burn infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii, this study evaluated and compared antibacterial effects of the CM11 peptide and 1% silver-doped bioactive glass (AgBG) against extensively drug-resistant strains of these bacteria which were isolated from burn patients. Accordingly, the bacteria were isolated from burn patients and their antibiotic resistance patterns and mechanisms were fully determined.

Development of a novel explant culture method for the isolation of mesenchymal stem cells from human breast tumor.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated from various sources, including various types of tumors. However choosing an appropriate isolation method is an important step in obtaining cells with optimal quality and yield in companion with economical considerations. The purpose of this study was to isolate more pure MSCs from human breast tumor tissue by a modified explant culture method.

MicroRNA-100 shuttled by mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes suppresses in vitro angiogenesis through modulating the mTOR/HIF-1α/VEGF signaling axis in breast cancer cells.

Background: Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to be involved in the formation and modulation of tumor stroma and in interacting with tumor cells, partly through their secretome. Exosomes are nano-sized intraluminal multi-vesicular bodies secreted by most types of cells and have been found to mediate intercellular communication through the transfer of genetic information via coding and non-coding RNAs to recipient cells. Since exosomes are considered as protective and enriched sources of shuttle microRNAs (miRNAs), we hypothesized that exosomal transfer of miRNAs from MSCs may affect tumor cell behavior, particularly angiogenesis.

Efficient Expansion of SALL4-Transduced Umbilical Cord Blood Derived CD133+Hematopoietic Stem Cells.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) were characterized by self-renewal and multilineage potential. Umbilical cord blood-derived (UCB) as an alternative source of HSCs is widely used especially in children for stem cells transplant (SCT). The main limitation in using UCB for transplantation especially in adults is low cell dose.

Erythropoietin induces production of hepatocyte growth factor from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in vitro.

Background: Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) plays a pivotal role in hematopoiesis, motility, growth and mobilization of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs). HGF mainly is produced by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). MSCs express erythropoietin (EPO) receptor.

Renal Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Seeded on Nanofibrous Scaffolds Improved by Human Renal Tubular Cell Lines-Conditioned Medium.

Kidney injuries and renal dysfunctions are one of the most important clinical problems, and tissue engineering could be a valuable method for solving it. The objective of this study was to investigate the synergistic effect of renal cell line-conditioned medium and Polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers on renal differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In the current study, after stem cells isolation and characterization, PCL nanofibrous scaffold was fabricated using electrospinning methods and characterized morphologically, mechanically, and for biocompatibility.

Thalidomide is more efficient than sodium butyrate in enhancing GATA-1 and EKLF gene expression in erythroid progenitors derived from HSCs with β-globin gene mutation.

Background: Efficient induction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is considered as an effective therapeutic approach in beta thalassemia. HbF inducer agents can induce the expression of γ-globin gene and produce high levels of HbF via different epigenetic and molecular mechanisms. Thalidomide and sodium butyrate are known as HbF inducer drugs.

Knockdown of microRNA-29a Changes the Expression of Heat Shock Proteins in Breast Carcinoma MCF-7 Cells.

Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer among women. MicroRNAs as noncoding small RNA molecules play pivotal roles in cancer-related biological processes. Increased levels of microRNA-29a in the serum of breast cancer patients have been reported.

An EBV-based plasmid can replicate and maintain in stem cells.

Viral vectors have a wide range of applications in biology, particularly in gene therapy. Based on their integration capacity, viral vectors are classified as either integrating or non-integrating vectors. Although integrating vectors, such as lentivectors, have the ability to direct prolonged expression of exogenous genes, manipulation of the host genome is an inappropriate feature of these gene delivery tools.

Lymphoid lineage differentiation potential of mouse nuclear transfer embryonic stem cells.

Stem cells therapy is considered as an efficient strategy for the treatment of some diseases. Nevertheless, some obstacles such as probability of rejection by the immune system limit applications of this strategy. Therefore, several efforts have been made to overcome this among which using the induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and nuclear transfer embryonic stem cell (nt-ESCs) are the most efficient strategies.

Efficient Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (hiPSC) Derived Hepatocyte-Like Cells on hMSCs Feeder.

Background: The use of stem cells is considered as an appropriate source in cell therapy and tissue engineering. Differentiation of human induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSCs) to Hepatocyte-like Cells (HLCs) on mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) feeders is confronted with several problems that hinder the clinical applications of these differentiated cells for the treatment of liver injuries. Safe appropriate cells for stem cell-based therapies could create new hopes for liver diseases.

DNA Methylation and Histone Acetylation Patterns in Cultured Bovine Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells (BADSCs).

Objective: Many studies have focused on the epigenetic characteristics of donor cells to improve somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). We hypothesized that the epigenetic status and chromatin structure of undifferentiated bovine adipose tissue-derived stem cells (BADSCs) would not remain constant during different passages. The objective of this study was to determine the mRNA expression patterns of DNA methyltransferases (DNMT1, DNMT3a, DNMT3b) and histone deacetyltransferses (HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3) in BADSCs.