Iranian Biomedical Journal
Year:2012 | Volume:16 | Issue:4|Papers Count:9

Background: The most important virulence factor which plays a central role in Candida albicans pathogenesis is the ability of this yeast to alternate between unicellular yeast and filamentous hyphal forms. Efg1 protein is thought to be the main positive regulating transcription factor, which is responsible for regulating hyphal-specific gene expression under most conditions. ALS3 is one of the Efg1-associated genes encoding a multi-functional adhesive polypeptide, which mediates adherence to diverse host substrates. In this study, the EFG1 gene was knocked down by using synthetic siRNA in C. albicans and the regulation in ALS3 as one of the Efg1-dependent genes was investigated.Method: The 19-nucleotide siRNA was designed based on cDNA sequence of EFG1 gene in C. albicans. Transfection was performed using modified- plyethylen glycol/LiAc method. To quantify the level of EFG1 and the hyphal-specific ALS3 gene expression, the cognate EFG1 and ALS3 mRNA were measured in C. albicans by quantitative real-time RT-PCR.Results: Fluorescent microscopy pictures indicated that transfection was performed successfully. Also, according to relative expression software tool, expression of EFG1 gene was decreased significantly with 500 nM siRNA as well as 1 mM siRNA (P<0.05). However, more significant downregulations were observed in the expression of ALS3 in both concentrations of 500 nM and 1 mM siRNA (P<0.05).Conclusion: In conclusion, we demonstrated the down-regulation of ALS3 gene as a consequent of applying EFG1-specific siRNA in C. albicans. This may lead us to design anti-fungal-specific agents in order to face with C.

Background: Attempts for early detection of gastric cancer have recently focused on host's genetic susceptibility factors and gene-environment interactions. We have, herein, studied the association of MTHFR C677T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and its interaction with Helicobacter pylori infection, smoking, age and gender on the risk of gastric cancer among an Iranian population.Methods: Gastric cancer patients (n=450) and cancer-free controls (n=780) were studied for serum H. pylori-specific IgG antibodies by ELISA and MTHFR C677T polymorphism (SNP) by PCR-RFLP. Demographic and life style data were collected through patient interviews. Unconditional logistic regression model estimated odds ratio (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI).Results: The interactions of MTHFR genotype with H. pylori infection (P=0.03), age (P=0.049) and gender (P=0.007) were statistically significant. Accordingly, MTHFR C677T carriers who were also positive for H. pylori infection exhibited 80% (OR=1.8, 95% CI=1.0-2.9) significant excess risk of non-cardia gastric cancer. Furthermore, subjects over the age of 50 or female subjects carrying MTHFR C677T SNP showed 40 (OR=1.4, 95% CI=1.0-2.0) and 100 (OR=2.0, 95% CI=1.2-3.2) percent increased risk of gastric cancer, respectively.Conclusion: MTHFR C677T SNP seems to increase the risk of gastric cancer and the effect is significantly inflated by interactions with H. pylori infection, age and gender.

Background: Recently, botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT)-derived recombinant proteins have been suggested as potential botulism vaccines. Here, with concentrating on BoNT type E (BoNT/E), we studied two of these binding domain-based recombinant proteins: a multivalent chimer protein, which is composed of BoNT serotypes A, B and E binding subdomains, and a monovalent recombinant protein, which contains 93 amino acid residues from recombinant C-terminal heavy chain of BoNT/E (rBoNT/E-HCC). Both proteins have an identical region (48 aa) that contains one of the most important BoNT/E epitopes (YLTHMRD sequence).Methods: The recombinant protein efficiency in antibody production, their structural differences, and their BoNT/E-epitope location were compared by using ELISA, circular dichroism, computational modeling, and hydrophobicity predictions.Results: Immunological studies indicated that the antibody yield against rBoNT/E-HCC was higher than chimer protein. Cross ELISA confirmed that the antibodies against the chimer protein recognized rBoNT/E-HCC more efficiently. However, both antibody groups (anti-chimer and anti-rBoNT/E-HCC antibodies) were able to recognize other proteins. Structural studies with circular dichroism showed that chimer proteins have slightly more secondary structures than rBoNT/E-HCC.Conclusion: The immunological results suggested that the above-mentioned identical region in rBoNT/E-HCC is more exposed. Circular dichroism, computational protein modeling and hydrophobicity predictions indicated a more exposed location for the identical region in rBoNT/E-HCC than the chimer protein, which is strongly in agreement with immunological results.

Background: The aim of this study was to fabricate the poly caprolactone (PCL) aligned nanofiber scaffold and to evaluate the survival, adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of rat hair follicle stem cells (HFSC) in the graft material using electrospun PCL nanofiber scaffold for tissue engineering applications.Methods: The bulge region of rat whisker was isolated and cultured in DMEM: nutrient mixture F-12 supplemented with epidermal growth factor. The morphological and biological features of cultured bulge cells were observed by light microscopy using immunocytochemistry methods. Electrospinning was used for production of PCL nanofiber scaffolds. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), 3-(4, 5-di-methylthiazol- 2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and histology analysis were used to investigate the cell morphology, viability, attachment and infiltration of the HFSC on the PCL nanofiber scaffolds.Results: The results of the MTT assay showed cell viability and cell proliferation of the HFSC on PCL nanofiber scaffolds. SEM microscopy images indicated that HFSC are attached, proliferated and spread on PCL nanofiber scaffolds. Also, immunocytochemical analysis showed cell infiltration and cell differentiation on the scaffolds.Conclusion: The results of this study reveal that PCL nanofiber scaffolds are suitable for cell culture, proliferation, differentiation and attachment. Furthermore, HFSC are attached and proliferated on PCL nanofiber scaffolds.

Background: Central renin angiotensin system has an important role on the cerebral microcirculation and metabolism. Our previous work showed that inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity prior to induction of ischemia protected the brain from severe ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injuries. This study evaluated the impacts of post-ischemic inhibition of ACE, enalapril, on brain infarction in normotensive rats.Methods: Rats were anesthetized with chloral hydrate (400 mg/kg). Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by 60-min intraluminal occlusion of right middle cerebral artery (MCA). Intraperitoneal injection of enalapril (0.03 or 0.1 mg/kg) was done after MCA reopening (reperfusion). Neurological deficit score (NDS) was evaluated after 24 h and the animals randomly assigned for the assessments of infarction, absolute brain water content (ABWC) and index of brain edema.Results: Severe impaired motor functions (NDS=2.78±0.28), massive infarction (cortex=214±19 mm3, striatum=86±5 mm3) and edema (ABWC=83.1±0.46%) were observed in non-treated ischemic rats. Nonhypotensive dose of enalapril (0.03 mg/kg) significantly reduced NDS (1.5±0.22), infarction (cortex=102±16 mm3, striatum=38±5 mm3) and edema (ABWC=80.9±0.81%). Enalapril at dose of 0.1 mg/kg significantly lowered arterial pressure could not improve NDS (2.0±0.45) and reduce infarction (cortex=166±26 mm3, striatum=71±11 mm3).Conclusion: Post-ischemic ACE inhibition in the normotensive rats without affecting arterial pressure protects the brain from reperfusion injuries; however, this beneficial action is masked by hypotension.

Background: Heat shock proteins (HSP) are highly conserved molecules with many immunological functions. They are highly immunogenic with important role in cancer immunotherapy and in vaccine development against infectious diseases. As adjuvant, HSP can augment the immunogenicity of weak antigens and can stimulate antigen presenting cells. Although vaccines have been successful for many infectious diseases, progress in leishmaniasis has not been achieved. In this report, the protective effect of HSP-enriched soluble leishmania antigen (SLA) was determined.Methods: BALB/c mice were immunized 3× with HSP-enriched SLA and SLA alone and 10 days after final boost. They were infected with 106 stationary phase promastigote of Leishmania major and immunological responses were followed until nine weeks.Results: No significant differences were observed in lymphocyte proliferation, footpad swelling, parasite burden, nitric oxide or IL-12 cytokine between HSP-enriched or SLA groups. Although the levels of IFN-g, IL-4, TGF-b, IgG1 and IgG2b were increased in both groups, IFN-g was significantly higher in SLA group and IgG2a in HSP-enriched SLA.Conclusion: These results indicate that HSP direct the immune system towards Th2 pattern and does not have protective role in L. major infection.

Background: The aim of this study was to understand any association between differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) and Ile3434Thr XRCC7 gene polymorphism (GenBank accession number: rs7830743). DTC is the most prevalent thyroid neoplasm, which includes papillary and follicular cell carcinoma. XRCC7 gene encodes a protein that functions in non-homologous end joining DNA repair pathway. Non-synonymous polymorphisms in this gene may alter DNA repair capacity of the cell and change the risk of developing cancers.Methods: DTC patients (n=173) and cancer free individuals (n=204) were enrolled in a case-control study. The Ile3434Thr polymorphic alleles were discriminated by using amplification refractory mutation system-PCR method. The frequencies of this single nucleotide polymorphism in case and control groups were compared. Also, risk ratio for developing DTC in dichotomized genotypes was estimated by multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results: Dichotomized genotypes into those with and without the 3434Thr allele showed that this allele was associated with DTC (OR [odd ratio]: 1.89, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.29-2.79, P<0.001). Also, TC genotype was significantly associated with increased risk of DTC (OR: 2.42, 95% CI=1.55-3.81, P=0.0001) in individuals carrying this genotype.Conclusion: Allele 3434Thr in XRCC7 gene might be associated with differentiated thyroid cancer risk. Further studies with larger samples are needed to verify these initial findings.

Background: Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 1 (AOA1) shows early onset with autosomal recessive inheritance and is caused by a mutation in the aprataxin (APTX) gene encoding for the APTX protein.Methods: In this study, a 7-year-old girl born of a first-cousin consanguineous marriage was described with early-onset progressive ataxia and AOA, with increased cholesterol concentration and decreased albumin concentration in serum. PCR and direct DNA sequencing was performed after DNA extraction.Results: Sequencing analysis revealed a novel homozygous deletion in c.643 and A>T single nucleotide polymorphism in c.641 in exon 6 of the APTX gene [ENST00000379825].Conclusion: It seems that this region of exon 6 is probably a hot spot; however, no deletions have been reported in exon 6 yet.

zerumbone is a cytotoxic compound isolated from the herbal plant, Zingiber zerumbet Smith, which exhibits antitumor activity [1-2], anti-inflammatory effects and possesses anti-proliferative potentials in a variety of cell lines [3-4].DNA fragmentation indicates an early event of apoptosis leading to cell death due to the absence of new cellular proteins synthesizing for cell survival. Previous studies indicated that the cleavage of doublestranded DNA in apoptotic DNA degradation occurs via the activation of endogenous Ca2+/Mg2+-dependent endonuclease that specifically cleaves between nucleosomes to produce DNA fragments that are multiples of ~180 base pairs [5].