Multimodal tumor suppression by METTL3 gene knockdown in melanoma and colon cancer cells.

METTL3, an m6A methyltransferase, is integral to the regulation of messenger RNA (mRNA) biogenesis, degradation, and translation through the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification. Alterations in m6A homeostasis have been implicated in the development, progression, invasion, and metastasis of certain cancers. The present research aims to examine the consequences of METTL3 knockdown using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) on the proliferation and invasive capabilities of human colorectal and melanoma cancer cell lines.

The expression of anti-aging protein Klotho is increased during neural differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Klotho, as an antiaging protein, is involved in the maintenance and differentiation of neuronal or glial cells and, therefore, has been noticed as a potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative disorders. Expression of Klotho has been examined in different cells and organs, however, our information about the developmental pattern of this protein during differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into neuron-like cells is limited. In this study, we conducted neural differentiation of mouse bone marrow-derived-MSCs and monitored the expression of Klotho together with selected neuron-specific genes at messenger RNA (mRNA) on days 7 and 14 of differentiation using quantitative real-time PCR.

A novel role for aspirin in enhancing the reprogramming function of miR-302/367 cluster and breast tumor suppression.

Recent studies have provided evidence for tumor suppressive function of the embryonic stem cell-specific miR-302/367 cluster through induction of a reprogramming process. Aspirin has been found to induce reprogramming factors of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition in breast cancer cells. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether overexpression of miR-302/367 cluster and aspirin treatment cooperate in the induction of reprogramming and tumor suppression in breast cancer cells.

Directed differentiation of human adipose tissue-derived stem cells to dopaminergic neurons in low-serum and serum-free conditions.

Directing the fate of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to dopaminergic neurons has great importance in both biomedical studies and cell therapy of Parkinson's disease. We recently generated dopamine-secreting cells from human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hADSCs) by exposing the cells to a growth factor cocktail composed of SHH, bFGF, FGF8 and BDNF in low-serum condition. In the current study, we induced the cells by the same dopaminergic inducing cocktail in serum-free B27-supplemented Neurobasal medium.

Suppressive effect of exogenous miR-16 and miR-34a on tumorigenesis of breast cancer cells.

Recent investigations have shown tumor-suppressive roles for miR-16 and miR-34a. They also share some features in regard to targeting cancer cell signaling pathways which they control. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to further scrutinize whether exogenous induction of mature miR-34a and miR-16 can collaborate in breast tumor suppression.

Priming with oxytocin and relaxin improves cardiac differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells.

Previous studies have identified the heart as a source and a target tissue for oxytocin and relaxin hormones. These hormones play important roles in the regulation of cardiovascular function and repair of ischemic heart injury. In the current study, we examined the impact of oxytocin and relaxin on the development of cardiomyocytes from mesenchymal stem cells.

Vitamin C counteracts miR-302/367-induced reprogramming of human breast cancer cells and restores their invasive and proliferative capacity.

Epigenetic reprogramming by embryonic stem cell-specific miR-302/367 cluster has shown some tumor suppressive effects in cancer cells of different tissues such as skin, colon, and cervix. Vitamin C has been known as a reprogramming enhancer of human and mouse somatic cells. In this study, first we aimed to investigate whether exogenous induction of miR-302/367 in breast cancer cells shows the same tumor suppressive effects previously observed in other cancer cells lines, and whether vitamin C can enhance reprogramming of breast cancer cells and also improve the tumor suppressive function of miR-302/367 cluster.

Generation of Dopamine-Secreting Cells from Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells In Vitro.

Several studies have demonstrated the differentiation of human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hADSCs) to neuronal and glial phenotypes, but directing the fate of these cells toward dopaminergic neurons has not been frequently reported. The aim of this study was to investigate dopaminergic specification of hADSCs in vitro. ADSCs were isolated from subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue and were characterized.

Impact of early subcultures on stemness, migration and angiogenic potential of adipose tissue-derived stem cells and their resistance to in vitro ischemic condition.

Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are capable of multipotential differentiation and express several angiogenic, anti-apoptotic and immunomodulatory markers. These features make adipose tissue as a promising source of stem cells for regenerative medicine. However, for efficient translational use, culture-induced changes in the gene expression profile and resistance of the ADSCs to ischemic environment should be taken into consideration.

Multimodal tumor suppression by miR-302 cluster in melanoma and colon cancer.

The miR-302 family is one of the main groups of microRNAs, which are highly expressed in embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Previous reports have indicated that miR-302 can reduce the proliferation rate of some cancer cells while compromising on their oncogenic potential at the same time without having the same effect on normal somatic cells. In this study we aimed to further investigate the role of the miR-302 cluster in multiple cancer signaling pathways using A-375 melanoma and HT-29 colorectal cancer cells.

Study of the chlorpyrifos neurotoxicity using neural differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells.

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is the most commonly used organophosphorus insecticide which causes neurodevelopmental toxicity. So far, animals have been used as ideal models for neurotoxicity studies, but working with animals is very expensive, laborious, and ethically challenging. This has encouraged researchers to seek alternatives.

The expression of NPPA splice variants during mouse cardiac development.

Natriuretic peptide precursor-A (NPPA) is an early and specific marker for functional myocardium of the embryonic heart. NPPA gene encodes for a precursor of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). So far, three alternatively spliced variants have been reported for NPPA in human.

Atrial and ventricular specification of ADSCs is stimulated by different doses of BMP4.

To investigate the effect of BMP4 on cardiomyocyte differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs), mouse ADSCs were treated with different concentrations of BMP4 in media containing fetal bovine serum (FBS) or Knockout™ Serum Replacement (KoSR). 3 weeks after cardiac induction, differentiated ADSCs expressed some cardiac-specific genes and proteins. BMP4 treatment upregulated the expression of cardiac transcription factors.

Upregulation of pluripotency markers in adipose tissue-derived stem cells by miR-302 and leukemia inhibitory factor.

The expression pattern of pluripotency markers in adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) is a subject of controversy. Moreover, there is no data about the signaling molecules that regulate these markers in ADSCs. In the present study, we studied the roles of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and miR-302 in this regard.

Oxytocin improves proliferation and neural differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells.

The neurohypophyseal hormone oxytocin plays a role in stimulation of neurogenesis in the adult brain. However, the exact role of oxytocin in neural development is still not well understood. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of oxytocin on neural differentiation of mouse adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs).

Neural differentiation of mouse embryonic and mesenchymal stem cells in a simple medium containing synthetic serum replacement.

Neural differentiation of embryonic and adult stem cells has been reported previously. Several studies have used different proportions of serum or a cocktail of growth and differentiation factors for this purpose. In the present study, we examined neural differentiation of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells in KoSR-containing media.

Downregulation of miR-34a in breast tumors is not associated with either p53 mutations or promoter hypermethylation while it correlates with metastasis.

MicroRNA-34 family has anti-proliferative and apoptotic roles. Recent studies have shown that p53 upregulates miR-34 family leading to direct repression of several key oncogenes. Inactivation of miR-34a has been reported in multiple types of malignancies including breast cancer.

Adipose tissue-derived stem cell response to the differently processed 316L stainless steel substrates.

Stainless steel (SS) is one of the most applicable materials in fabrication of cardiac implants. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of atomic structure of polycrystalline stainless steel on the response of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs). Samples are prepared from differently processed extruded rod and rolled sheet of 316L SS having different crystallographic structure.

Electron microscopic study of mouse embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.

Differentiation of embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived embryoid bodies (EBs) is a heterogeneous process. ESCs can differentiate in vitro into different cell types including beating cardiomyocytes. The main aim of the present study was to develop an improved preparation method for scanning electron microscopic study of ESC-derived cardiac bundles and to investigate the fine structural characteristics of mouse ESCs-derived cardiomyocytes using electron microscopy.

Isolation, identification and multipotential differentiation of mouse adipose tissue-derived stem cells.

Bone marrow and adipose tissue have provided two suitable sources of mesenchymal stem cells. Although previous studies have confirmed close similarities between bone marrow-derived stem cells (BM-MSCs) and adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs), the molecular phenotype of ADSCs is still poorly identified. In the present study, mouse ADSCs were isolated from the inguinal fat pad of 12-14 weeks old mice.

Cell based-gene delivery approaches for the treatment of spinal cord injury and neurodegenerative disorders.

Cell based-gene delivery has provided an important therapeutic strategy for different disorders in the recent years. This strategy is based on the transplantation of genetically modified cells to express specific genes and to target the delivery of therapeutic factors, especially for the treatment of cancers and neurological, immunological, cardiovascular and heamatopoietic disorders. Although, preliminary reports are encouraging, and experimental studies indicate functionally and structurally improvements in the animal models of different disorders, universal application of this strategy for human diseases requires more evidence.