Design of antisense oligonucleotides against twist1 gene and evaluation of their anti-invasive effects in prostate cancer cell lines

Introduction: Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers and the second major cause of mortality in men. Different researches have shown that the overexpression of a gene called twist1 leads to initiation of metastasis process in this cancer. TWIST1 protein triggers this process through stimulating the transition pathway of cells from epithelial to mesenchymal tissue.Materials and Methods: In this study, four oligonucleotides of antisense RNA have been designed for twist1 gene, and its anti-metastatic effect was examined in two cell lines PC3 and LNCaP. The antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) were designed as single strands with a length of 20 nucleotides and chosen from ASOs suggested by Soligo program. The ASOs were synthesized in phosphorothioated form. MTT assay was used for evaluating the ASOs cytotoxicity effect on PC3 and LNCaP cell lines. The cell lines were transfected with 500 nmol of antisense oligonucleotides using cationic polymer turbofect and incubated for 48 hours, and then, their invasive ability were measured by CytoSelect™ Cell Invasion Assay Kit.Results: The anti-invasive effect of ASOs in LNCaP and PC3 had a significant difference. This effect was more significant in LNCaP cell line as compared to PC3. The most anti- invasive effect was observed in LNCaP cell line (50%).Conclusion: According to the results, Antisense oligonucleotides were effective in decreasing the invasion ability of two cell lines PC3 and LNCaP and therfore can be considered as a good candidate for preventing the prostate cancer metastasis.

Targeting enteroviral 2A protease by a 16-mer synthetic peptide: Inhibition of 2Apro-induced apoptosis in a stable Tet-on HeLa cell line

AbstractEnteroviridae such as coxsackievirus are important infectious agents causing viral heart diseases. Viral protease 2A (2Apro) initiates the virus life cycle, and is an excellent target for developing antiviral drugs. Here, to evaluate the validity of the 2Apro as a proper therapeutic target, and based on the existing information and molecular dynamics, a 16-mer peptide was designed to specifically target the active site of protease 2Apro in order to block the activity of CVB3 2Apro. We showed that the peptide could compete with endogenous substrate in a concentration-dependent manner. Further, we established a HeLa cell line that expressed 2Apro. Expression of 2Apro resulted in significant morphological alteration and eventual cell death. Western blot and viability assay showed that the 16-mer peptide (200 μg/ml) could significantly block 2Apro activity and its cytotoxic effect. Future modification of the 16-mer peptide can improve its affinity for 2Apro and therefore develop effective antiviral drug

15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-Prostaglandin J2 Protects PC12 cells from LPS-Induced Cell Death Through Nrf2 pathway in PPAR-γ Dependent Manner

Introduction:The inflammatory response requires a coordinated integration of various signaling pathway including cyclooxygenase (COX).COX catalyzes the formation of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid. Among prostaglandins, 15-Deoxy-D12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2),an endogenous ligand of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ),has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory actions.In this study,we investigated whether 15d-PGJ2 as a PPAR-γ ligand could exert neuroprotective effects in rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells in PPAR-γ dependent manner. Methods: In our experiment, using PC12 cells, the levels of NF-κB, Nrf2, γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS), hemeoxygenase (HO-1) and apoptosis factors were determined using Western blot in different groups. Also cell viability was determined by the conventional MTT (3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) reduction assay and two staining involved Hoechst staining and Acridine Ordange/Ethidiume Bromide staining respectively. Results: Our results show that NS-398, a selective COX-2 inhibitor and 15d-PGJ2, a natural potent ligand of PPAR-γ, were neuroprotective through modulation of at least three different, but related pathways and molecules, including NF-κB and Nrf2 signaling pathway. Our data showed that 15d-PGJ2 and NS-398 induced Nrf2 signaling pathway and its downstream factors such as HO-1 and γ-GCS, while 15d-PGJ2 and NS-398 decreased NF-κB level. Interestingly, the observed protective effects were mediated through PPAR-γ-dependent mechanisms, as they reversed by GW9662, an irreversible antagonist of PPAR-γ receptor. Discussion: Thus we conclude that 15d-PGJ2 as well as NS-398 exert anti cell death effect in a PPAR-γ dependent mechanisms

Myricetin protects hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons and improves learning and memory impairments in rats with Alzheimer's disease

There is currently no treatment for effectively slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease, so early prevention is very important. Numerous studies have shown that flavonoids can improve memory impairment. The present study investigated the effects of myricetin, a member of the flavonoids, on intracerebroventricular streptozotocin induced neuronal loss and memory impairment in rat models of Alzheimer's disease. Myricetin at 5 or 10 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected into rats over 21 days. Control rats were treated with 10 mL/kg saline. Behavioral test (the shuttle box test) was performed on day 22 to examine learning and memory in rats. Immediately after that, hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe the morphological change in hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons. Myricetin greatly increased the number of hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons and improved learning and memory impairments in rats with Alzheimer's disease. These findings suggest that myricetin is beneficial for treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Changes in mitochondrial function in patients with neuromyelitis optica; correlations with motor and cognitive disabilities.

BackgroundNeuromyelitis Optica (NMO) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease that mainly affects optic nerves and spinal cord. Besides, loss of motor and cognitive function has been reported as important symptoms of disease.ObjectiveHere we investigated the mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic alterations in NMO patients and evaluate their correlation with disease progress, disability and cognitive impairment.MethodsThe individuals (12 controls and 12 NMO) were assessed for disease severity by expanded disease status scale (EDSS), cognitive function via symbol digit modalities test (SDMT) and fine motor disability by 9-hole peg test (9-HPT). We have measured Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), SIRT3, mitochondrial complex I, complex IV, aconitase and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (α-KGD) activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Furthermore, SIRT1, pyruvate, lactate and cytochrome c (Cyt c) were determined in plasma.ResultsOur results exhibited increased 9-HPT time in NMO patients. 9-HPT results correlated with EDSS; and SDMT negatively correlated with disease duration and number of attacks in patients. Investigation of PBMCs of NMO patients exhibited a decrease of mitochondrial complex I and IV activity that was significant for complex IV. Besides, complex I activity was negatively correlated with 9-HPT time in NMO group. In the plasma samples, a correlation between pyruvate to lactate ratio and EDSS in NMO patients was found and a negative correlation between Cyt c concentration and SDMT was detected.ConclusionOur data support the hypothesis that mitochondrial dysfunction occurred in the CNS and the peripheral blood may contribute to disease progress, disability level and the cognitive impairment in NMO patients

APPLE PECTIN (AP) INDUCED APOPTOSIS VIA NITRIC OXIDE (NO) IN HUMAN PROSTATE CANCER CELLS DU145

Objective: Apoptosis or programmed cell death is a physiological process in which cells die. Many cancer chemical drugs induce apoptosis to omit cancer cells. Since prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men, it is important to develop some natural ways to stop it. Plant derivatives are capable of inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. Pectin, a carbohydrate-rich compound of plant cells, is one of these derivatives which show apoptotic effects on cancer cells. Here, we studied the effect of apple pectin (AP) to induce apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells.Methods: The cellular viability was investigated with MTT, cell cycle analysis and AO/EB double staining. The amount of NO release was determined and apoptosis was studied through western blotting of the proteins which takes part in the cell death pathway.Results: The results indicated that AP strongly suppressed Du145 cells proliferation. It also caused significant increase of NO release compared with control group. Treatment by different concentrations of AP led to the enhancement of active caspase-3 levels and Bax/Bcl2 Ratio.Conclusion: These finding suggest that AP has the potential to induce apoptosis in prostate cancer cells (DU145) through increasing the release of NO which may be related to the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.Â

Vitamin D3 mediates spatial memory improvement through nitric oxide mechanism in demyelinated hippocampus of rat

Studies have revealed beneficial role of vitamin D3 in neuro-cognitive function. There is also supporting evidence on the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the neuro-protective action. However, its over production could contribute to brain disorders. In this study, demyelination was induced by ethidium bromide (EB) injection into the right side of the hippocampus area of male rats. Vitamin D3 was administered to rats for 7 and 28 days prior to behavioral experiments using Morris water maze (MWM). Travelled distance, time spent to reach the platform, and time spent in target zone, were considered for learning and spatial memory evaluation. Nitrite oxide (NO2-) concentration was measured as an indicator for nitric oxide production. The time spent to reach the platform and the travelled distance were decreased significantly by 28 days of vitamin D3 administration (compared to 7 days experiment). Time spent in target quadrant was significantly lowered by administered vitamin on day 28. Therefore, considering a number of studies that have shown the effect of vitamin D3 on cognition, these findings could support their potential effect. Besides, nitric oxide concentration significantly differed in 28 days of vitamin D3 treated group compared with the groups treated with EB or 7 days of vitamin D3