Regulatory role of T helper 9/interleukin-9: Transplantation view

T helper 9 (Th9) cells, a subset of CD4+ T helper cells, have emerged as a valuable target for immune cell therapy due to their potential to induce immunomodulation and tolerance. The Th9 cells mainly produce interleukin (IL)-9 and are known for their defensive effects against helminth infections, allergic and autoimmune responses, and tumor suppression. This paper explores the mechanisms involved in the generation and differentiation of Th9 cells, including the cytokines responsible for their polarization and stabilization, the transcription factors necessary for their differentiation, as well as the role of Th9 cells in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, allergic reactions, and cancer immunotherapies. Recent research has shown that the differentiation of Th9 cells is coregulated by the transcription factors transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), IL-4, and PU.1, which are also known to secrete IL-10 and IL-21. Multiple cell types, such as T and B cells, mast cells, and airway epithelial cells, are influenced by IL-9 due to its pleiotropic effects.

Crucial role of corticotropin-releasing hormone, corticotropin-releasing hormone -binding protein, mir-200c, and mir-181a in preterm delivery: A case-control study

Background

Preterm birth before 37th wk of gestation is called premature birth. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and CRH-binding protein (BP) act on various maternal and fetal tissues during pregnancy, such as the myometrium, which regulates the transition from the dormant phase of the uterus to the active phase. Studies have shown that mir-200c and mir-181a interact with CRH and CRH-BP.

Objective

The present study aimed to investigate the expression of mir-200c, mir-181a, CRH, and CRH-BP in women with a history of preterm birth.

Materials and Methods

In this case-control study, the gene expression level of mir-200c, mir-181a, CRH, and CRH-BP in placental tissue samples obtained from 48 women with a history of preterm labor was assessed in the Mojibian hospital of Yazd, Iran, from January to March 2023. Differences between mir-200c, mir-181a CRH, and CRH-BP gene expressions among cases and controls were assessed.

Results

The outcomes indicated that the expression of CRH increased with going on to the regular parturition time (p < 0.001). While outcomes indicated, CRH-BP decreased with going on to the regular parturition time (p < 0.001). In addition, the results showed that the expression of mir-181a increased and mir-200c decreased with approaching the normal delivery time (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the expressions of mir-200c, mir-181a, CRH, and CRH-BP were dissimilar in different weeks of gestation. It could be proposed to use mir-200c, mir-181a, CRH, and CRH-BP as biomarkers to weigh the exact delivery time, which could minimize the side effects of preterm labor for the mother and fetus.

The impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis, Funneliformis mosseae, on rosemary phytoremediation ability under urban traffic

The aim of this study was to investigate the symbiotic relationship between arbuscular mycorrhizae (Funneliformis mosseae) and the ability of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) to mitigate urban traffic pollution. A factorial experiment with three replications and three factors (inoculated/non-inoculated with G. mosseae, traffic volume, and pot type) was conducted in Shiraz, a metropolis in south-central Iran. Inoculation with F. mosseae led to a 33% increase in root weight and a 20% increase in root length under a traffic volume of 4,200 Vehicles/H. Additionally, as traffic volume increased, stem length and dry weight of the entire plant inoculated with the fungus increased by 8.33% and 29.53%, respectively. The presence of fungus in the rosemary plant decreased the accumulation of Cd and increased the accumulation of Pb by 12.82% and 55.82%, respectively under traffic conditions of 4,200 Vehicles/H. The transfer factor (TF) of Cd and Pb in rosemary plant inoculated under these traffic conditions decreased by 25.74% and 25.24%, respectively. These findings indicate that mycorrhiza-inoculated rosemary plants can thrive in Cd- and Pb-contaminated soils, effectively remediating heavy metals, particularly Pb, with a TF >1.

Allergen-specific immunotherapy by recombinant Der P1 allergen-derived peptide-based vaccine in an allergic mouse model

AIM

Increased IgE levels have made house dust mite allergens one of the most frequent causes of allergies worldwide. Treatment reduces the IgE antibodies and types two cytokines, namely interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13. Although existing treatments significantly reduce IgE or IL-4/IL-13, they are very costly. This study aimed to construct a recombinant protein derived from rDer p1 peptides in the form of an immunotherapy approach and to measure the response of IgE and IgG antibodies.

METHODS

The proteins were isolated, purified, and evaluated using the SDS-PAGE and Bradford test and confirmed by using Western blot. To evaluate immunotherapy efficiency, 24 BALB/C mice were sensitized intraperitoneally with house dust mites (HDM) adsorbed to Aluminum hydroxide (Alum) and randomly divided into four groups of six: control sensitized, HDM extract, rDer p1, and DpTTDp vaccine. To immunization, four groups of random mice were each treated with phosphate-buffered saline, 100 μg of rDer p1 protein, DpTTDp, or HDM extract, every 3 days. Direct ELISA determined HDM-specific IgG and IgE subclasses. Data were analyzed in SPSS and Graph pad prism software. Values of p < .05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

After immunization of mice, the rDer P1 and recombinant vaccine like HDM extract increased IgG antibody titer and decreased IgE-dependent reactivity in allergic mice to rDer P1. Also, the levels of inflammatory IL-4 and IL-13 cytokines as allergic stimulants decreased.

CONCLUSION

The use of present available recombinant proteins is considered a viable, cost-effective, and long-term option for providing effective HDM allergy immunotherapy vaccines without side effects.

Transcriptional Regulation of the Colorectal Cancer Stem Cell Markers, Nanog and Oct4, Induced by a Thermodynamic-Based Therapy Approach

Background

Cancer stem cells (CSC), as responsible issues to cancer development and progression, play a crucial role in tumorigenesis, recurrence, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Both hyperthermia and photodynamic therapy (PDT) may be effective for cancer treatment, particularly when combined with other therapeutic approaches. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of hyperthermia combined with PDT on colorectal CSC and the gene expression of the CSC markers, presenting a more effective approach for cancer therapy.

Methods

The study was conducted in the Pasteur institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran in 2018. We evaluated the anticancer role of hyperthermia, Gold nanoparticles coated with curcumin (Cur-GNPs) in PDT and combination of the two approaches on cell viability and the expression of CSC markers, Nanog and Oct4 in colorectal cancer cell line HT-29. The cytotoxicity effect of Cur-GNPs against the cells was assessed in vitro. The cell viability was assessed using MTT assay, and the expression analysis of the CSC genes was evaluated using a q-real-time PCR.

Results

Cell viability was decreased by PDT (P=0.015) and the combination therapy (P=0.006) but not by hyperthermia alone (P=0.4), compared to control. Also, the expression of CSC markers, Nanog and Oct4 was shown to significantly down-regulate in all hyperthermia, PDT and combination groups.

Conclusion

Hyperthermia combined with PDT was indicated to be more efficient in eliminating tumors than hyperthermia or PDT alone.

Toxic effects of polyethylene microplastics on transcriptional changes, biochemical response, and oxidative stress in common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Aquatic ecosystems have become a place for accumulating microplastics (MPs). MPs can directly or indirectly damage organisms. Although studies of the toxicity of MPs, there are insufficient literature reports on the effects of MPs on freshwater aquatic life. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of MPs toxicity on Cyprinus carpio. In this study, biochemical parameters, oxidative biomarkers, and gene expression were assayed in fish exposed to 0, 175, 350, 700, and 1400 μg L^-1 of MPs for 30 days. MPs were detected in the liver and intestine of fish using FTIR-analysis. Mt1, Ces2, and P450 mRNA expression were enhanced in the hepatocytes of fish exposed to MPs, while Mt2 gene expression was significantly decreased. After exposure to MPs, MDA and carbonyl protein levels were higher than those of the reference group. The antioxidant capacity and glycogen contents in the hepatocytes significantly declined. MPs significantly inhibited glutathione reductase (GR), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), and catalase (CAT) activities. However, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities increased. MPs decreased the total protein, globulin levels, and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity in blood. In contrast, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activities increased in treated-fish with MPs. Glucose, creatinine, cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in fish exposed to MPs were significantly higher than that of the reference group. Consequently, MPs exposure could disrupt biochemical homeostasis, oxidative stress and alter the expression of genes involved in detoxification.

A Comprehensive Overview of Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy Types, Recombinant and Natural Extract Allergens in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergies

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) involves administering allergen extracts. It is used to desensitize allergic patients. Herbal allergen extracts that are optimum in efficacy and fewest in side effects are still challenging to produce. To overcome these limitations, oral immunotherapy, epicutaneous immunotherapy, intralymphatic immunotherapy, and artificial recombinant allergen preparations have been evaluated. Recombinant allergens have become more popular with the development of molecular diagnostics and therapeutics. Besides food and drug allergens, pollen, fungal spores, and other allergens have been studied. Based on related clinical studies, this comprehensive overview will present the latest perspectives on AIT methods and available allergenic products, as well as discuss the challenges and opportunities for treating allergic disorders.

Targeting the MALAT1 gene with the CRISPR/Cas9 technique in prostate cancer

Background

The MALAT1 lncRNA acts as an oncogene in Prostate cancer (PC); thus, it can be severe as a cancer biomarker.

Methods

Using bioinformatics datasets including (HTSeq-Counts, GDC, and TCGA) 5501 gene expression profiling specimens were gathered. Then, expression profiles and sample survival of lncRNA were investigated using COX regression analyses, ROC curve analysis. The Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery was used to conduct GO and KEGG studies on the lncRNA-related PCGs. After MALAT1 Knockout via CRISPR/Cas9 technique, the MALAT1 expression was assessed in DU-145 cells. The deletion of the target fragment was examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Also, the expression of apoptosis genes was investigated by qRT-PCR. The viability and cell proliferation were measured using the MTT assay. Cell migration capability was determined using the cell scratch assay. The results of qRT-PCR were assessed by the ΔΔCt method, and finally, statistical analysis was performed in SPSS software.

Results

A maximum of 451 lncRNAs were discovered to reflect different expressions between PC and non-carcinoma tissue samples, with 307 being upregulated and 144 being down-regulated. Thirty-six lncRNAs related to OS were carefully selected, which were then subjected to stepwise multivariate Cox regression analysis, with 2 lncRNAs (MALAT1, HOXB-AS3). MALAT1 is highly expressed in PC cells. MALAT1 Knockout in DU-145 cells increases apoptosis and prevents proliferation and migration, and DU-145 transfected cells were unable to migrate based on the scratch recovery test. Overall, data suggest that MALAT1 overexpression in PC helps metastasis and tumorigenesis. Also, MALAT1 knockout can be considered a therapeutic and diagnostic target in PC.

Conclusion

Targeting MALAT1 by CRISPR/Cas9 technique inhibit the cell proliferation and migration, and in addition induce apoptosis. Thus, MALAT1 can act as a tumor biomarker and therapeutic target.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41021-022-00252-3.

Up-regulation of miR-155 potentiates CD34+ CML stem/progenitor cells to escape from the growth-inhibitory effects of TGF-ß1 and BMP signaling

microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) play key roles in different stages of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) pathogenesis. The present study aimed to demonstrate whether miR-155 enables CD34⁺ CML cells to escape from the growth-inhibitory effects of TGF-β1 and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. Among differentially expressed miRNAs in CD34⁺ CML cells, miR-155 was highly up-regulated. QRT-PCR revealed an inverse correlation between miR-155 and two key members of the TGF-β pathway-TGF-βR2 and SMAD5. Results showed that SMAD5 is not only up-regulated through BMPs treatment, but recombinant TGF-β1 can also induce SMAD5 in CML cells. We also demonstrated that TGF-β1-mediated phosphorylation of SMAD1/5 was abolished by pre-treatment with the blocking TGF-βR2 antibody, suggesting a possible involvement of TGF-βR2. Additionally, overexpression of miR-155 significantly promoted the proliferation rate of CD34⁺ CML cells. Results showed that siRNA-mediated knockdown of SMAD5 had a promoting effect on CD34⁺ CML cell proliferation, suggesting that SMAD5 knock-down recapitulates the proliferative effects of miR-155. Importantly, TGF-β1 and BMP2/4 treatment had inhibitory effects on cell proliferation; however, miR-155 overexpression enabled CD34⁺ CML cells to evade the anti-proliferative effects of TGF-β1 and BMPs. Consistently, down-regulation of miR-155 augmented the promoting effects of TGF-β1 and BMP signaling on inducing apoptosis in CD34⁺ CML stem cells. Our findings demonstrated that targeting of SMAD5 and TGF-βR2 links miR-155 to TGF-β signaling in CML. Overexpression of miR-155 enables CD34⁺ CML cells to evade growth-inhibitory effects of the TGF-β1 and BMP signaling, providing new perspectives for miR-155 as a therapeutic target for CML.

Plasma Levels and Gene Expression of RANK in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

BACKGROUND

The pathobiology of initiation and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not been completely elucidated. It seems that the RANK/RANKL/OPG cytokine system play an etiologic role in pathogenesis of this disease. This study aimed to investigate the plasma content and gene expression of RANK in NAFLD patients as compared to healthy individuals.

METHODS

This case-control work was performed on 63 patients with NAFLD and 25 healthy subjects. The plasma levels of RANK and biochemical parameters were measured using ELISA and colorimetric methods, respectively. Also, RANK mRNA content was evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

RESULTS

RANK plasma contents were shown to be lower in NAFLD patients than in control subjects (1.02 ± 0.75 and 1.41 ± 1 ng/mL, respectively (p = 0.008)). The differences in gene expression of RANK between NAFLD patients and controls were significant (p = 0.001). In the NAFLD patients, RANK was inversely correlated with HDL. Logistic regression showed the association of RANK plasma content with the risk of NAFLD. Moreover, ROC curve analysis showed that RANK has a great ability to differentiate between NAFLD patients and controls.

CONCLUSIONS

This study for the first time showed lower plasma and mRNA levels of RANK in NAFLD patients compared to control individuals. These results recommend a possible association between RANK and pathobiology of NAFLD.

Circulating Levels of Pro-inflammatory Cytokines in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis

BACKGROUND

Pro-inflammatory cytokines are associated with systemic inflammatory responses.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) compared to healthy individuals.

METHODS

This case-control study was conducted on 30 patients with NAFL, 30 patients with NASH, and 30 healthy volunteers. The plasma level of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were determined by ELISA, and biochemical parameters were measured using colorimetric methods.

RESULTS

IL-1β and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in patients with NASH compared with NAFL and control group. However, TNF-α levels had no significant variations in NAFL and NASH patients compared to the control group (p=0.903 and p=0.960, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Results showed that the levels of ALT activity and pro-inflammatory cytokines were higher in patients with NASH compared to control and NAFL subjects; Therefore, steatosis and inflammation develop as a result of excessive pro-inflammatory factors in NASH.

Genetic Variation in Intergenic and Exonic miRNA Sequence and Risk of Multiple Sclerosis in the Isfahan Patients

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), have been documented to perform a key role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disease. Recent studies have shown that single nucleotide polymorphism in the sequence of the miRNA may change their production and expression which can lead to miRNA dysfunction and pathogenicity. Some studies have reported the relationship between miRNA polymorphism and the increased risk of autoimmune disease. This study was conducted to investigate the association between mir155 rs767649, mir196a2 rs11614913 and mir23a rs3745453 polymorphism and the risk of multiple sclerosis in the Iranian MS patients in Isfahan. A population of 80 patients and the same number control were selected. After DNA extraction, genotyping was performed through tetra amplification refractory mutation system-PCR method (T ARMS PCR). The frequencies of TT, TC and CC genotypes of mir23a were 46, 35 and 20% in MS patients and 42, 14 and 24 in healthy subjects respectively. These results showed that individuals carrying the genotypes of rs3745453 TC had a 2.3-fold increased risk of MS (OR=2.3, p=0.048). There was no significant difference between genotypes and allele frequency of mir155 and mir196a2 in patients and healthy controls (p>0.05). Our findings specified that CT heterozygosity in mir23a gene significantly related with risk of MS. Unlike mir155 and mir196a2, mir23a rs3745453 may have contributed to the etiology of MS in Isfahan patients. However, extensive studies are required to gain more reliable and authentic results.