Static magnetic fields aggravate the effects of ionizing radiation on cell cycle progression in bone marrow stem cells.

In order to evaluate the influence of static magnetic fields (SMF) on the progression of cell cycle as a monitor of presumptive genotoxicity of these fields, the effects of a 15 mT SMF on cell cycle progression in rat bone marrow stem cells (BMSC) were examined. The cells were divided into two groups. One group encountered SMF alone for 5h continuously but the other group exposed with X ray before treatment with SMF.

Up-regulation of CatSper genes family by selenium.

Background: CatSper1-4 are a unique family of sperm cation channels, which are exclusively expressed in the testis and play an important role in sperm motility and male fertility. Despite their vital role in male fertility, almost nothing is known about the factors regulating their expression. Here, we investigated the effects of selenium (Se) on the expression of CatSper genes and sperm parameters in aging versus young male mice.

Differential effects of Nucleostemin suppression on cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in the bladder cancer cell lines 5637 and SW1710.

Objectives: The Nucleostemin (NS) gene encodes a nucleolar protein enriched in adult and embryonic stem cells. NS is thought to regulate cancer cell proliferation, but the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. In this study, we have investigated the role of NS in bladder cancer.

Absence of PIWIL2 (HILI) expression in human bladder cancer cell lines and tissues.

Background: PIWIL2, a member of Argonaute family of proteins, is exclusively expressed in testis and functions in development and maintenance of germline stem cells. Recently, ectopic expression of PIWIL2 has been reported in a variety of human and mouse tumors. To investigate a potential involvement of PIWIL2 in human bladder cancer, we examined its expression in several human bladder cancer cell lines, normal uroepithelial cell cultures, and some bladder tissues.

Phosphorylation of histone H3 by protein kinase C signaling plays a critical role in the regulation of the developmentally important TBX2 gene.

The mechanism(s) regulating the expression of the TBX2 gene, a key regulator of development, is poorly understood and thus limits an understanding of its function(s). Here we demonstrate that 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induces TBX2 expression in normal human fibroblasts in a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent and MAPK-independent manner. Our data further reveal that TPA activates transcription of TBX2 through activating MSK1, which leads to an increase in phosphorylated histone H3 and the recruitment of Sp1 to the TBX2 gene.

Expression of survivin and its spliced variants in bladder tumors as a potential prognostic marker.

Introduction: Survivin, a novel inhibitor of apoptosis, is re-expressed in a vast majority of human cancers and is widely considered as a diagnostic marker of cancers. Survivin protein regulates both cell division and apoptosis. There are at least 5 spliced variants of the gene with different subcellular localization and anti-apoptotic property.

Differential gene expression and alternative splicing of survivin following mouse sciatic nerve injury.

Study Design: In vivo studies using an axotomy model in adult male Naval Medical Research Institute mice.

Objective: Survivin, a unique member of the inhibitor of the apoptosis (IAP) protein family, is expressed during embryonal development, but is undetectable in terminally differentiated cells and tissues. Owing to the vital role of survivin in cellular proliferation and apoptotic cell death, and also to the necessity of treatment of the nervous system injuries, we have monitored survivin gene expression as well as its alternative splicing changes at different time points within injured mouse sciatic nerves.

Formation of embryoid bodies from mouse embryonic stem cells cultured on silicon-coated surfaces.

Embryoid bodies (EBs) are primitive embryonic structures derived from differentiating embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Many techniques have been used to obtain EBs. Improving the technique of EB formation can help in achieving better results in ESCs differentiation into neurons, myocardiocytes, haemopoeitic cells, and others.

Efficiency of adult mouse spermatogonial stem cell colony formation under several culture conditions.

The aim of this study was to compare the in vitro effects of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, stem cell factor, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, and co-culture with Sertoli cells on the efficiency of adult mouse spermatogonial stem cells colony formation. For these purpose, both Sertoli and spermatogonial cells were isolated from adult mouse testes. The identity of the cells was confirmed through analysis of alkaline phosphatase activity, immunocytochemistry against OCT-4, c-kit, and vimentin, and also by transplantation of these cells in the recipient testes.

Differential expression of survivin and its splice variants, survivin-DeltaEx3 and survivin-2B, in bladder cancer.

Background: Survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP), has been regarded as a valuable tumor marker for diagnosis and prognosis of bladder cancer. Recently, three splice variants of the gene with different anti-apoptotic activities have been reported. However, there is no data on the expression and potential causative roles of these transcripts in bladder cancer.

Analysis of apoptosis and expression of genes related to apoptosis in cultures of follicles derived from vitrified and non-vitrified ovaries.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of apoptosis after in vitro culture of isolated follicles derived from vitrified and non-vitrified ovaries. Mouse ovaries were vitrified and their pre-antral follicles were mechanically isolated and cultured for 10 days. Growth and survival rates of the follicles were assessed during the culture period and the ultrastructure of the follicles was studied.

OCT4 spliced variants are differentially expressed in human pluripotent and nonpluripotent cells.

OCT4 is a master regulator of self-renewal in embryonic stem cells and can potentially encode two spliced variants, designated OCT4A and OCT4B. We have examined the expression pattern of these OCT4 isoforms in various human pluripotent and nonpluripotent cells. Our data revealed that whereas OCT4A expression is restricted to embryonic stem (ES) and embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells, OCT4B can be detected in various nonpluripotent cell types.

CatSper genes expression, semen characteristics and histology of testes in the contusive spinal cord-injured mice model.

Study Design: Experimental study.

Objective: A recently characterized CatSper genes, encodes for unique Ca(2+) channels in the testes, where they play essential roles in sperm motility. The aim of this research is to evaluate potential changes in the expression of CatSper genes, sperm parameters and testis histology following spinal cord injury (SCI).

Overexpression of BMI1, a polycomb group repressor protein, in bladder tumors: a preliminary report.

Introduction: A Polycomb group repressor protein named BMI1 represses the genes that induce cellular senescence and cell death, and it can contribute to cancer when improperly expressed. We aimed to evaluate expression of BMI1 gene in bladder tumors.

Materials And Methods: Tissue specimens containing bladder tumor were evaluated and compared with intact tissues from tumor margins and normal bladders.

Gene expression alterations of neurotrophins, their receptors and prohormone convertases in a rat model of spinal cord contusion.

We have used a semi-quantitative RT-PCR approach to investigate the alterations in the expression of the main regulators of neuronal survival and death, neurotrophins (NTs), NT receptors, and prohormone convertases (PC), in a rat model of spinal cord contusion. Our results revealed that the expression of the members of NT family (Nerve-Growth Factor (NGF), Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), and Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3)) is significantly declined in the injured spinal cord, as early as 6h after the induction of the contusion. The expression was recovered afterward to that of the control levels.

Cardiac differentiation of P19CL6 cells by oxytocin.

Background: It has been reported that P19 embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells differentiate into beating cardiomyocytes under the action of oxytocin (OT). It has been suggested that dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) acts via the oxytocin/oxytocin receptor pathway because an oxytocin receptor antagonist not only blocks oxytocin-induced cardiomyocyte differentiation, but also blocks DMSO-induced differentiation. In this study, the differentiation ability of OT was tested using P19CL6 cells.

Characterization and genetic manipulation of human umbilical cord vein mesenchymal stem cells: potential application in cell-based gene therapy.

Stem cells are defined by two main characteristics: self-renewal capacity and commitment to multi-lineage differentiation. The cells have a great therapeutic potential in repopulating damaged tissues as well as being genetically manipulated and used in cell-based gene therapy. Umbilical cord vein is a readily available and inexpensive source of stem cells that are capable of generating various cell types.

Characterizing endothelial cells derived from the murine embryonic stem cell line CCE.

Embryonic stem cells (ESC) are defined by two main properties of self-renewal and their multipotency to differentiate into virtually all cell types of the body, including endothelial cells. ESCs have been widely regarded as an unlimited source of cells in regeneration medicine and also an ideal in vitro model to investigate complex developmental processes. Here, we report a simple and efficient in vitro model to derive a nearly pure population of endothelial cells from a murine ESC line.

The morphological changes of adult mouse testes after 60Co gamma-Radiation.

Background: Cytotoxic therapy can lead to prolonged azoospermia or even sterility. In the present study, we investigated the morphological changes of mouse testes after gamma-Radiation.

Methods: After anaesthetizing of NMRI mice, testes and their surrounding tissues were irradiated using a cobalt therapy machine.

Knocking-down the expression of nucleostemin significantly decreases rate of proliferation of rat bone marrow stromal stem cells in an apparently p53-independent manner.

Objectives: Nucleostemin (NS) is a recently identified GTP-binding protein, predominantly expressed in embryonic and adult stem cells but not in terminally differentiated cells. NS is expressed in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, and its expression ceases upon induction of neural differentiation. The major aim of this study was to determine whether down-regulation of NS expression acts as a promoter, or otherwise as a by-product of differentiation and senescence processes.

Assessment of morphological and functional changes in the mouse testis and epididymal sperms following busulfan treatment.

Background: Busulfan, a cytotoxic drug, which is currently used as a chemotherapeutic agent, has many side effects on different body organs. In this research, the effects of busulfan on sperm parameters and microstructure of mouse testis were investigated.

Methods: Busulfan was injected intrapretoneally at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg/kg and testes were removed after 4, 6 and 8 weeks, weighed and processed for light microscopic examination.

UV-mediated regulation of the anti-senescence factor Tbx2.

Several lines of evidence have implicated members of the developmentally important T-box gene family in cell cycle regulation and in cancer. Importantly, the highly related T-box factors Tbx2 and Tbx3 can suppress senescence through repressing the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p19(ARF) and p21(WAF1/CIP1/SDII). Furthermore, Tbx2 is up-regulated in several cancers, including melanomas where it was shown to function as an anti-senescence factor, suggesting that this may be one of the mechanisms by which T-box proteins contribute to the oncogenic process.

Morphologic, ultrastructural, and biochemical identification of apoptosis in vitrified-warmed mouse ovarian tissue.

Objective: To evaluate the incidence of apoptosis after vitrification warming of mouse ovaries.

Design: Experimental study.

Setting: University-based research laboratory.

Comparison of gene expression profiles in erythroid-like cells derived from mouse embryonic stem cells differentiated in simple and co-culture systems.

The feeder layer and the presence of specific growth factors are thought to induce the differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in culture. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of erythropoietin (EPO) on the differentiation of ESCs into erythroid colonies in simple and co-culture systems. Embryoid bodies were dissociated and replated in semisolid medium in simple culture or in a co-culture system with bone-marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), both in the presence or absence of EPO.

Evaluating expression and potential diagnostic and prognostic values of survivin in bladder tumors: a preliminary report.

Introduction: Survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP), has been reported to be capable of regulating both cellular proliferation and apoptotic cell death. Survivin expression has been described during embryonic development and in adult cancerous tissues, with greatly reduced expression in adult normal differentiated tissues, particularly if their proliferation index is low. In the present study, the expression and potential diagnostic and prognostic value of survivin in bladder tumors was evaluated.