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Background. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of aerobic-resistance training on the population of cardiac multipotent cells, thickness, and diameter of the ventricular through the C-Kit pathway of male rats during the growth stages. Methods. Overall, 30 male Wistar rats in three age groups of 2 (n = 10), 8 (n = 10), and 96 (n = 10) weeks were accidentally divided into exercise and control groups. Resistance training programs (resistance ladder, 3 days a week) and aerobics (treadmill running, 3 days a week) were performed for 6 weeks. Hematoxylin-Eosin staining was done the heart tissue and histological images were prepared. Afterward, C-Kit gene expression was examined by the real-time polymerase chain reaction method. The statistical method of one-way analysis of variance (P ≥ 0.05) and Tukey’s test were used at a significant level (P ≥ 0.01). Results. The trained neonatal group had higher values in heart weight to body weight index, and the trained neonatal and trained young adult groups had higher values in left ventricular thickness (P ≥ 0.01). The decrease in left ventricular internal diameter in the trained young adult group was significant compared to the control group (P ≥ 0.01). There was a significant increase in C-Kit gene expression in trained young adult and trained old groups (P ≥ 0.01). Conclusion. Aerobic-resistance training can be an effective stimulus for increasing the number of cardiac stem cells and creating structural adaptations of the heart, including increasing thickness and ventricular diameter in neonatal and young adult groups. Practical Implications. Participation in aerobic-resistance training programs leads to the improvement of the cardiac structure and an increase in cardiac stem cells.

Background. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of aerobic)resistance training on the population of cardiac multipotent cells, thickness, and diameter of the ventricular through the C-Kit pathway of male rats during the growth stages. Methods. Overall, 30 male Wistar rats in three age groups of 2 (n = 10), 8 (n = 10), and 96 (n = 10) weeks were accidentally divided into exercise and control groups. Resistance training programs (resistance ladder, 3 days a week) and aerobics (treadmill running, 3 days a week) were performed for 6 weeks. Hematoxylin-Eosin staining was done the heart tissue and histological images were prepared. Afterward, C-Kit gene expression was examined by the real-time polymerase chain reaction method. The statistical method of one-way analysis of variance (P ≥ 0.05) and Tukey’s test were used at a significant level (P ≥ 0.01). Results. The trained neonatal group had higher values in heart weight to body weight index, and the trained neonatal and trained young adult groups had higher values in left ventricular thickness (P ≥ 0.01). The decrease in left ventricular internal diameter in the trained young adult group was significant compared to the control group (P ≥ 0.01). There was a significant increase in C-Kit gene expression in trained young adult and trained old groups (P ≥ 0.01). Conclusion. Aerobic-resistance training can be an effective stimulus for increasing the number of cardiac stem cells and creating structural adaptations of the heart, including increasing thickness and ventricular diameter in neonatal and young adult groups. Practical Implications. Participation in aerobic-resistance training programs leads to the improvement of the cardiac structure and an increase in cardiac stem cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Pulp necrosis in immature teeth disrupts root development and makes the teeth susceptible to fracture. Regenerative endodontics is a relatively new modality of treatment where the necrotic pulp is replaced with newly formed healthy tissue which has normal functionality. Many clinical reports have demonstrated the potential of this strategy to induce root maturation and apical closure. However, clinical outcomes are patient-dependent and unpredictable. Developing predictable protocols can be achieved through the interplay of three basic elements of tissue engineering, namely, scaffolds, stem cells, and signaling molecules. Furthermore, the clinical success of this treatment is influenced by both the method of preparing the inner space of the root and the type of biomaterial utilized in the coronal part. In this review, we discuss recent advances in tissue engineering-based strategies for regeneration of the pulp/dentine complex along with their advantages and limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Pulp necrosis in immature teeth disrupts root development and makes the teeth susceptible to fracture. Regenerative endodontics is a relatively new modality of treatment where the necrotic pulp is replaced with newly formed healthy tissue which has normal functionality. Many clinical reports have demonstrated the potential of this strategy to induce root maturation and apical closure. However, clinical outcomes are patient-dependent and unpredictable. Developing predictable protocols can be achieved through the interplay of three basic elements of tissue engineering, namely, scaffolds, stem cells, and signaling molecules. Furthermore, the clinical success of this treatment is influenced by both the method of preparing the inner space of the root and the type of biomaterial utilized in the coronal part. In this review, we discuss recent advances in tissue engineering-based strategies for regeneration of the pulp/dentine complex along with their advantages and limitations.

Background & Aims: The effort of scientists to control and treat diseases opens new horizons for human society every day. The cloning that has been successful in the case of plants and animals, on the one hand, has fueled enormous challenges and fundamental questions about human cloning, and on the other hand, it has promised to cure many diseases. The goal of cloning therapy is to create stem cells that are similar to the patient's stem cells. The purpose of this will not be the production of a human being, but it is meant to restore life and full health to a person, to be allowed to achieve it. In this context, prominent statements and their opponents and supporters have explained their views. Therapeutic simulation is one of the challenging issues of the contemporary world, but no comprehensive and extensive research has been done on this issue. Cloning, which is another name, comes from the root of clone, which is a Greek word, and its literal meaning is "sprouting and multiplying". Cloning in biological science means "reproduction of a living organism without sexual intercourse" and currently refers to the act of implanting an embryo in the womb that was first produced in a laboratory. The cell is a French word that means that living organisms, despite the differences in shape and characteristics, are all made of small elements called cells, whose structure is almost the same in animals and plants. The meaning of cell in Farsi is "cell" which means a living organism despite the difference in shape and appearance. The process of asexual production of a group of cells, molecules, or living organisms that are all genetically similar is called "simulation" or "cloning". The different uses of this word indicate a common element, which is: the creation and production of a creature similar to the original animal without the involvement of the sexual element. Hence, cloning can be translated into asexual reproduction. Cloning means the steps that are taken to produce several copies of a single gene, and this term is used to mean the physical separation of a single cell and its multiplication in the culture medium to produce a population of those cells. In short, the production of an individual or a group of individuals that are genetically identical to what has been reproduced is called cloning. The most complete form of simulation is somatic cell nuclear transfer through which simulation takes place. By using this technique, the nuclear materials of the human somatic cell or the donor are transferred into an egg that has already been deactivated. Finally, it stimulates the formed egg cell to start its growth and development stages, and as a result, a cloned embryo is obtained. On the other hand, one of the new legal issues is the issue of simulation. This technique is one of the achievements and challenging issues of the contemporary world, but it has also been faced by scholars of jurisprudence, lawyers, and authors of legal texts. Accordingly, this article was conducted with the aim of investigating and analyzing simulation techniques in medical sciences with a legal approach. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study analyzed and described its sayings and ideas with the method of documentary studies. In this method, the simulation process is carried out by splitting the embryo. Explanation that one or more cells are taken from the fertilized embryo and placed in a suitable environment such as the uterus or a laboratory tube. Each of these cells has the ability to turn into a new embryo, the result of which, if placed in a suitable space, is an embryo like the original embryo. This method is the same way that happens in nature, and identical twins or multiple twins are considered to be a manifestation of it. This method has been successfully used on many animals such as sheep, cows, mice and monkeys. Results: The results of the research indicate that the therapeutic simulation of the dual process is carried out by the method of embryo derivation and nuclear transfer, and healthy cells are replaced by defective and unhealthy cells, the purpose of which is the possibility of restoring life and health to a person, on the other hand, techniques Infertility treatment such as in vitro fertilization, sperm injection into the uterus is one of the methods commonly known as assisted reproductive methods. From the point of view of its goals, simulation is classified into two types: human or reproductive (first paragraph) and research or therapeutic (second paragraph). In other words, simulation is done for two purposes: creating a perfect human (human simulation); Creating different organs of the human body (therapeutic simulation). The realization of the second goal is in such a way that every potential cell has the ability to become all the cells of the organs, so the growth can be stopped in the laboratory and only a specific cell, such as the heart, nerve or kidney, etc., can be allowed to grow. gave There are many disagreements and oppositions regarding human cloning due to its negative consequences, but there is no disagreement among scientists regarding therapeutic simulation, and even because of its widespread use and its many and important benefits in medicine, it is welcomed because of the treatment of chronic diseases. Conclusion: In this paper, the simulation technique, which is considered one of the new human achievements, was discussed, and in this regard, the desired approach was expressed from the perspective of the jurists of the Imamiyya school and Iranian law writers. And it is the subject of controversy in the contemporary world, which has entered into the field of writing with the aim of researching, examining, and explaining the jurisprudence and legal ruling of therapeutic simulation technique, and the writer has tried to analyze and describe the material using the library method. The findings of the research indicate that, first, its therapeutic application is to create stem cells that are similar to the patient's stem cells, in this type of simulation, healthy cells are replaced by defective and unhealthy cells; in the continuation of the discussion, we concluded that the simulation phenomenon takes place during the dual process by two methods of embryo derivation and nuclear transfer. In addition, infertility treatment techniques such as in vitro fertilization, sperm injection into the uterus, and other methods are commonly known as assisted reproductive methods. The results of the research show that from the point of view of its goals, simulation is divided into two types of human or reproduction or reproduction (first paragraph) and research or therapeutic (second paragraph) and with the two goals of creating a complete human (human simulation) and creating different organs of the human body (therapeutic simulation) is done that in the legal discussion of this issue, we can pay attention to the following: abortion has a customary meaning and the custom of destroying laboratory embryos is not considered abortion. Also, the analogy of "Mustanbat al-Ala" is not valid in Imami jurisprudence, and the ruling on abortion and the destruction of the fetus outside the womb cannot be considered the same. On the other hand, the similarity of the principle of innocence, if we have doubts about whether something is haram, we rule that it is not haram. The rule of Daraa also stipulates that in case of doubt, punishment cannot be carried out. Therefore, there is no reason to prohibit the destruction of the simulated embryo, and it seems that extracting and using stem cells from it is without problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Asherman's syndrome (AS) is an acquired and refractory disorder in women whose treatments are currently limited and ineffective. Stem cell-based therapies have recently become a new way to treat tissue damage and fibrosis. Cell therapy is now proposed as a new strategy for the reconstruction and management of endometrial disorders such as Asherman syndrome. The present study was performed aimed to review a summary of research showing the key role of cell therapy in the treatment of intrauterine disorders and adhesions. Methods:In this review article, the articles related to the role of stem cells in the prevention and treatment of intrauterine adhesions were searched in databases of ISI, Google scholar, PubMed, Scopus and SID using the keywords of Asherman's syndrome, Intrauterine adhesions, and Stem cell therapy without time limitation. At the end, the input data were qualitatively analyzed.Results: Studies show that stem cell transplants come from a variety of sources, including bone marrow (BMCS), adipose tissue (ASC), amniotic fluid (AFSC), placenta (PSC), and menstrual blood (MenSC) that regenerates the uterine endometrium and restores fertility in Asherman syndrome. Studies have shown that transplantation of BMSCs and MenSCs, not only in animal studies but also in clinical studies, has led to the regeneration and formation of damaged endometrial tissue structure. In preclinical models, Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs), amniotic fluid-derived stem cells (AFSCs) and placenta-derived stem cells (PSCs) have been able to play an effective role in regenerating and strengthening the uterine endometrium by increasing epithelial thickness and reducing collagen secretion and deposition. Conclusion: Use of stem cells can play an important role in the regeneration and formation of endometrial tissue of the uterus and thus has beneficial effects in prevention and treatment of intrauterine adhesions.

Background: One of the most important issues in medical science is the healing of burn wounds. The use of medicinal plants has been common for many years and today cell therapy offers new approaches to the management of skin wound healing. The present study aimed to evaluate the the combination treatment of lotion containing honey, Aloe, and propolis with BM-MSCs in the healing of second-degree burns in animal models. Methods: this experimental study from October 2020 to November 2020, was performed in the animal house of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. 72 rats with an age range of 3-4 months and a weight of about 200-250 gr, after burns were randomly divided into 6 groups of 12 with study periods of 7, 14 and 21 days. The groups were as following: control (no treatment), Positive control (SSD1%), First experimental (Stem cells), Second experimental(lotion), Third experimental(Stem cells and lotion), and Fourth experimental (DMEM). To measure the percentage of healing from the wound surface on days 0, 4, 7, 10, 14, 17, and 21 photos were taken and the wound surface area was calculated by Image J software. After sacrificing rats, tissue samples were taken on days 7, 14 and 21 after burning induction. Samples were prepared for staining H&E and Trichrome Masson’s, as well as RT-PCR examination. The results were analyzed using Graph Pad Prism8 software and Tukey and one-way variance tests. Results: Treatment preference was with the combination therapy group and then with the lotion group. According to macroscopic and microscopic images of H&E and Trichrome Mason, the highest amount of wound coverage and the presence of mature collagen fibers were also observed in the combination therapy group. The results of statistical analysis and scoring also showed increased epithelization, granulation tissue formation, collagen deposition, angiogenesis and fibroblast cell proliferation, and decreased inflammation in the combination therapy group. The combination therapy group also had the highest expression of the TGF-β gene. (P

Cells in all tissues of the body are constantly growing and dividing into new cells. Abnormal proliferation of tissues outside the body leads to cancer. In all tissues of the body, a type of cell, called a stem cell, is found that has the ability to become specialized cells in the same tissue to be able to compensate for damage in tissue disorders. In this paper, based on the existing mathematical model, the optimal control model is very effective for inhibiting this growth in exchange for prescribing a specific drug (doxorubicin) is presented. In order to minimize the number of cancer cells over time, the cancer control strategy has been modeled as a problem from the theory of optimal control during the effect of a specific drug on noncancerous stem cells in this model. To solve this problem and prescribe the optimal dose of the drug, first with the help of the maximum principle of Pontriagin and then the analytical solution of the first-order differential equations, the optimal solution has been determined. In order to provide the optimal dose of the drug to the patient, the proposed solution is simulated numerically. This numerical implementation shows how by applying this amount of drug with a specific dose, how the number of cancer cells decreases over time, they will be. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aerobic exercise, ozone therapy and cell therapy have each been independently proposed as treatments for osteoarthritis. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise with ozone and cell therapy on serum levels of anandamide concentration in osteoarthritis rats. Materials and Methods: Forty-five male rats were randomly divided into 9 groups, including 1 group: healthy control, 2-patient control, 3-exercise, 4-ozone therapy, 5-cell therapy, 6-exercise+ozone therapy, 7-exercise+cell therapy, 8-ozone+cell therapy and 9- ozone+cell therapy+exercise. Cell groups alone and combination cell therapy received 1×10 6 cells/kg, and ozone groups alone and ozone combination therapies received 20μg/ml of ozone in 3 replications before exercise. The training program consisted of running on a treadmill at a speed of 16 meters per minute for 8 weeks. Forty-eight hours after the last exercise session, serum levels of anandamide were measured by Elisa. Results: Findings showed that the serum level of anandamide in the osteoarthritis patient group was significantly reduced compared to the healthy group that exercise and ozone therapy led to a significant increase in the serum anandamide level; but cell therapy could not have a significant effect on increasing serum levels of anandamide. The peak of this increase was seen in ozone+cell therapy and the interaction of all three interventions simultaneously. Conclusion: Although aerobic exercise and ozone therapy each independently have a positive effect on anandamide in people with osteoarthritis, but the interaction of all three interventions simultaneously with ozone+cell therapy is more effective.

Background: One of the most important issues in medical science is the healing of burn wounds. The use of medicinal plants has been common for many years and today cell therapy offers new approaches to the management of skin wound healing. The present study aimed to evaluate the the combination treatment of lotion containing honey, Aloe, and propolis with BM-MSCs in the healing of second-degree burns in animal models. Methods: this experimental study from October 2020 to November 2020, was performed in the animal house of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. 72 rats with an age range of 3-4 months and a weight of about 200-250 gr, after burns were randomly divided into 6 groups of 12 with study periods of 7, 14 and 21 days. The groups were as following: control (no treatment), Positive control (SSD1%), First experimental (Stem cells), Second experimental(lotion), Third experimental(Stem cells and lotion), and Fourth experimental (DMEM). To measure the percentage of healing from the wound surface on days 0, 4, 7, 10, 14, 17, and 21 photos were taken and the wound surface area was calculated by Image J software. After sacrificing rats, tissue samples were taken on days 7, 14 and 21 after burning induction. Samples were prepared for staining H&E and Trichrome Masson's, as well as RT-PCR examination. The results were analyzed using Graph Pad Prism8 software and Tukey and one-way variance tests. Results: Treatment preference was with the combination therapy group and then with the lotion group. According to macroscopic and microscopic images of H&E and Trichrome Mason, the highest amount of wound coverage and the presence of mature collagen fibers were also observed in the combination therapy group. The results of statistical analysis and scoring also showed increased epithelization, granulation tissue formation, collagen deposition, angiogenesis and fibroblast cell proliferation, and decreased inflammation in the combination therapy group. The combination therapy group also had the highest expression of the TGF-β gene. (P<0/05) Conclusion: Due to its epithelialization, anti-inflammatory and angiogenesis properties, the lotion has healing properties in second-degree burn wounds and its simultaneous use with mesenchymal stem cells leads to healing and acceleration of burn wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of endurance training and stem cell injection on FGF2 and MMP13 gene expression in knee tissue of rats with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: The type of study was an experimental one.Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: control - healthy, control - patient, patient - stem cell, patient - training, and patient - training - stem cell. The training program consisted of 30 minutes of running on a treadmill with no slope at 16 m / min for the first week, with 1 m / min added weekly. Rats received MSCs through intracellular injection of 1*106 cells / kg. Expression of FGF2 and MMP13 genes was measured by Real Time PCR. One way ANOVA and if there was a significant difference, Tukey post hoc test were used to determine the difference between groups. All statistical analyzes were performed using SPSS version 16. Results: Data analysis showed that training and stem cell therapy have significantly increased in genes expression of FGF2 and MMP-13 in mice with osteoarthritis (p

Introduction: Alzheimer disease (AD), known to be a leading cause of dementia that causes heavy social and financial burdens worldwide, characterized by progressive loss of neurons and synaptic connectivity after depositions of amyloid-β (Aβ) protein.AD manifests as an impaired ability to comprehend or use words, poor coordination and gait, and impaired executive functions in the realms of planning, ordering and making judgments. Generally, classification of AD includes familial and sporadic AD. Current therapies for AD patients can only alleviate symptoms, but cannot deter the neural degeneration, thus providing no long-term recovery. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have a potential to produce many different cell types in the body. A vast amount of data indicates the potential of stem cell therapy for various neurological diseases. Several studies revealed that neurons and glial cells have successfully been differentiated from various stem cells. Thus, in this article, we review the treatment of Alzheimer disease by various types of stem cells.

Introduction: Osteoarthritis is a common and painful joint disease with unknown etiology. Interleukin 10 (IL-10) and Alfa tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) are considered as the main factors regulating inflammation and pathology of knee osteoarthritis. This study aimed to investigate the effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and aerobic training on inflammatory biomarkers (IL-10, TNF- α) in the heart tissue of osteoarthritis rats. Materials & Methods: This experimental study included 42 male rats that were divided into two groups of osteoarthritis (n=35) and healthy control (n=7). Osteoarthritis was induced in rats by surgery. Subsequently, the rat models of osteoarthritis were randomly divided into five subgroups of seven per group, including control, saline, stem cell, aerobic training, and aerobic training+stem cell. The aerobic training program began with the speed of 15 m/min for 25 min five days a week for eight weeks. Moreover, the speed was increased to 22 m/min for 64 min in the eighth week. Inflammatory biomarkers, including TNF-α and IL-10 cytokines in the heart tissue of rats were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc test. Ethics code:NO.19.33.2018 Findings: The TNF-α concentration was significantly higher in saline and unhealthy control groups, compared to other groups, and IL-10 concentration was significantly lower in saline and unhealthy control groups, compared to other groups (P

Background and Objectives: Selenium is a trace element and its nanoparticle has antimicrobial activity and due to their low toxicity and excellent biological performance, it has many biological applications in tissue engineering. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of selenium nanoparticles on stem cell interaction on rat decellularized sciatic nerve scaffolds. Materials and Methods: In this laboratory study, the effect of selenium nanoparticles on stem cell interaction on rat decellularized sciatic nerve scaffold, scaffolds were prepared using Sondell decellularizaton method and stored in PBS solution containing antibiotics. Biomechanical and histological evaluations of scaffolds were examined using the light microscope. In the next step, adipose stem cells were seeded on the scaffold and the viability of the cells on the scaffold in the presence of selenium nanoparticles were measured by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test. Results: The tensile test showed that after decellularization, extracellular matrix components such as collagen, laminin, and elastin were retained in the scaffold. Also, DNA content was significantly reduced in the scaffold group (p<0.01). The results of MTT test showed that selenium nanoparticles had no toxicity on stem cells cultured on the scaffold. Conclusion: The biocompatibility of scaffolds and the viability of stem cells treated with selenium nanoparticles were not significantly different from the control group. Therefore, it can be evaluated as a reinforcing factor to increase the efficiency of scaffolds for the use in regeneration of the nerve lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Heart failure is one of the most common cardiovascular disorders and is considered a chronic, progressive and debilitating disorder. The medical treatment of this disease is accompanied by many problems. Today, stem cells are being used increasingly to reduce the problems of heart failure treatments. Since pro-inflammatory cytokines play an important role in the prognosis and progression of cardiovascular disease, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of intravenous injection of human amniotic membrane mesenchymal stem cells on the levels of interleukins 4 and 12 in the serum of male rats in the heart failure model. Methods: This is an experimental study that was conducted from October 2018 to May 2019 in the Physiology Research Center of Iran University of Medical Sciences. In this study, 28 male wistar rats (180-200 gr) were randomly divided into four groups: control group, heart failure group, heart failure group that received culture medium and heart failure group that received mesenchymal stem cells by intravenous injection. After 30 days, echocardiography was done and then serum levels of interleukin 4 and 12 were measured in these groups by Elisa test . Results: The results of this study showed that intravenous injection of human amniotic membrane mesenchymal stem cells into male rats with heart failure, improved echocardiographic parameters such as ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) in the cell injection group compared to the heart failure group (P<0.05). Also, the levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-12 were significantly reduced in the cell injection group compared to rats with the heart failure group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Due to the improvement of cardiac parameters and the reduction level of inflammatory cytokines in this study, it seems that human amniotic membrane mesenchymal stem cells play an important role in improving heart failure by reducing the level of inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to accurately predict the cellular response, it is necessary, along with other factors, to consider the effect of the cell spreading on the substrate. Also, the core tensions, due to the cell spreading, play a crucial role in the fate of a stem cell. Therefore, the exact prediction of these tensions is of particular importance. The effect of the strain stiffening of a mesenchymal cell, in a two-dimensional model, was investigated numerically using finite element method, by exerting a time function displacement, to the cytoplasm boundary. Utilizing Schwartz-Christoffel transformation, a model for cell-spreading was proposed that can be used to achieve accurate cellular responses. Three different models are considered. In the first model, the cell is treated as a non-alive material. That is, the mechanical properties remain constant on the substrate. Two other models, the linear and exponential strain-stiffening, are active models. By comparing the results of these models with the experimental results, it was found that the assumption that the cell is inactive departs the response from the exact amount. Therefore, considering the cell’s living nature, in both linear and exponential models, leads to more similarity of the results, both the tension value and the slope of the variations, with the experimental observations. Furthermore, by increasing the amount of the cell spreading, the difference in the amount of the nucleus stress in active models with the inactive model increases, so that the predicted tension by the linear model reaches 2.3 times that predicted by the non-alive model.

Introduction: Central nervous system has the low potential for regeneration of damaged neurons. The lack of suitable treatments for neurodegenerative diseases has placed the huge financial burden on the community. Stem cells have self-renewing capabilities and can differentiate into adult cell types under the appropriate conditions. The chemical properties of some plants affect the growth rate and cell proliferation. Previous studies have shown that Olibanum plant plays a role in the formation of dendritic spines and neuronal regeneration. In the present study, the effect of olibanum on the differentiation of bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) to neuron was investigated. Material and Methods: Bone marrow stem cells were cultured in a Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium, 10% fetal bovine serum, Fibroblast growth factor 2, and Epidermal growth factor (DMEM, FBS, FGF2, and EGF). Olibanum extract 5%, 10%, and 20% were added to culture medium. Then microscopic observations, MTT assay, and immunocytochemistry examination were used to assess morphological, proliferation and differentiation factors. Results: Microscopic observations and viability cell test showed that the 5% Olibanum extract was non-toxic to BMSCs. Immunocytochemistry result denoted that 5% Olibanum extract can increase the differentiation of BMSCs into neuron-like cells. However, when Olibanum extract 10% and 20% were added to the culture medium, such an increase was not seen in treated groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the application of 5% Olibanum extract in cell culture medium was shown to have a suitable effect on BMSCs differentiation into the neuron.

Stem cells are unspecialized cells that are capable of self-renewal and differentiate into a variety of cell types. Indeed, stem cells are able to differentiate into functional specialized cells e.g. myocardiocyte, neurocyte, osteoblast, adipocyte, chondrocyte, etc. Among stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been considered by researchers on account of having differentiation ability into variety of cells with no risk of tumorogenicity and immune system stimulation. The aim of this article is reviewing of stem cell types, their sources, MSCs, their features and characteristics, their potential in regenerative medicine and their clinical application in medicine. Information have been gathered in the present review study in 2017, by referring to the following databases; PubMed, Science Direct, Ovid Databases, Scopus, Wiley and Springer. MSCs have an ability to differentiate into various cells e.g. osteoblast, adipocyte, myocardiocyte, chondrocyte, myoblast, neurocyte, neuroglia cells, myocyte, endothelial cells, isle cells, etc. Also, it seems that MSCs have been preferred in regenerative medicine because of having immunomodulatory properties and ability of secretion of various cytokines and growth factors. Development of human knowledge in the field of producing, proliferation and differentiation of stem cells, bring the hope of using these cells in treatment of neural lesion e.g. spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer, parkinsonism, etc.

Background: Due to the neuroprotective effect of rosemary extract, this study aimed at examining the effect of co-treatment of adipose stem cells transplantation and the extract on memory disability of parkinsonian rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, male parkinsonian rats were prepared by bilateral injection of 6-OHDA. The sham group was injected normal saline into the substantia nigra. The extract+medium group was gavaged with the extract 14 days before until 8 weeks after the injury, and the medium was intravenously injected. The extract+cell group was orally gavaged with the extract and the cells were injected. Morris water maze training was conducted one week before and after the lesion and also a retrieval test was performed 4 and 8 weeks after the lesion. Results: There was no significant difference in distance moved and escape latency at training days, before the injury, between the groups. However, a week after the injury, learning ability in lesioned animals was significantly decreased as compared to the sham group (P

Background and purpose: Follicular fluid (FF) is a rich source of compounds for the development of oocyte. Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) have a same differentiation origin with primordial germ cells, therefore, WJ-MSCs could differentiate into oocyte-like cells (OLCs) in the presence of appropriate factors. The purpose of present study was to isolate WJ-MSCs and then investigate their differentiation capacity to OLCs by FF. Materials and methods: The fragments of Wharton's jelly were cultured in α-MEM supplemented with 10% FBS. WJ-MSC at the 3rd passage were studied for differentiation ability to adipocytes and osteocytes. Furthermore, WJ-MSCs related markers were assessed by flow cytometry. In the same passage, WJ-MSCs were induced to differentiate into oocyte-like cells by adding 10% human FF in α-MEM for 21 days. Results: WJ-MSCs could differentiate into adipocytes and osteocytes. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that WJ-MSCs do not express hematopoietic marker (CD34-CD45) and express MSCs markers (CD73, CD90 and CD105). WJ-MSCs which were under influence of FF differentiated into OLCs and immunocytochemistry analysis showed these cells have positive expression of ZP3, SYCP3 (oocyte’s markers) and VASA (germ cell’s marker). Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that WJ-MSCs could differentiate into OLCs (morphologically) under the influence of FF and also expressed ZP3, VASA, and SYCP3 markers positively. According to the capabilities of WJ-MSCs, these cells seem to be suitable for use in cell therapy projects to improve infertility treatments.

An increase in the average age of the population and physical activities where the musculoskeletal system is involved as well as large number of people suffering from skeletal injuries which impose high costs on the society. Bone grafting is currently a standard clinical approach to treat or replace lost tissues. Autografts are the most common grafts, but they can lead to complications such as pain, infection, scarring and donor site morbidity. The alternative is allografts, but they also carry the risk of carrying infectious agents or immune rejection. Therefore, surgeons and researchers are looking for new therapeutic methods to improve bone tissue repair. The field of tissue engineering and the use of stem cells as an ideal cell source have emerged as a promising approach in recent years. Three main components in the field of tissue engineering include proper scaffolds, cells and growth factors that their combination leads to formation of tissue-engineered constructs, resulting in tissue repair and regeneration. The use of scaffolds with suitable properties could effectively improve the tissue function or even regenerate the damaged tissue. The main idea of tissue engineering is to design and fabricate an appropriate scaffold which can support cell attachment, proliferation, migration and differentiation to relevant tissue. Scaffold gives the tissue its structural and mechanical properties, for instance flexibility and stiffness that is related with the tissue functions. Biomaterials used to fabricate scaffolds can be categorized into natural or synthetic biodegradable or non-biodegradable materials. Polymers are the most widely used materials in tissue engineering. Growth factors are a group of proteins that cause cell proliferation and differentiation. Two main cell sources are specialized cells of desired tissue and stem cells. However, according to the low proliferation and limited accessibility to the cells of desired tissue, stem cells are better suggestion. Combination of mesenchymal stem cells harvested from bone marrow, adipose tissue and cord blood with proper scaffolds and growth factors could be a useful method in treatment of skeletal injuries. In this review paper, we focus on the application of mesenchymal stem cells in the repair of damaged bone, cartilage, meniscus, ligaments, tendons and spine tissue.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the primary cause of death worldwide, and the development of scar tissue in myocardium and also the irreversible destruction of cardiomyocytes are the main factors in their development. There are still limitations in medical treatment of CVD, despite the advances in the field of drug therapy and surgery for CVD. In recent years, research on stem cells has led to potential application of them in in various clinical and pre-clinical trials to treat various cardiovascular diseases given the unique features of stem cells. However, the results of clinical trials have been inconsistent on human samples and have had limited therapeutic effects. To overcome these limitations, the exact diagnosis of disease, identification of stem cells, their method of injection and mechanism of action, as well as patient's individual profile are necessary to predict the response to stem cell therapy, provide the highest quality of treatment and reduce the side effects. In the present study, we have introduced different types of stem cells, their injection methods and mechanisms of action for cell therapy in CVD as well as the challenges posed in this field. Also, solutions for genetic and non-genetic manipulations are suggested to increase the survival and efficiency of stem cells. For this purpose, the articles published between 1992 and 2018 were studied using the following keywords: "stem cell", "cell therapy", "injection", "tissue engineering" and " Gene therapy". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was assumed that the loss of cardiomyocytes is irreversible. The main goal is to develop widely available and clinically applicable treatments for heart diseases. The several studies have showed that the use of stem cells can improve complicacies such as cardiovascular diseases. Stem cells have a potential benefit of the self-renewal and cell differentiation into the cell types that can play an important role in the organogenesis and the embryonic development. In a lifetime, the heart muscle has a population of cardiac stem cells (CSCs) in which a dramatically increase after cardiovascular damages. So far, seven types of CSCs have been discovered with the different molecular phenotype and the cell differentiation potential. In this regard, the proliferation and the differentiation increase of CSCs in the cardiac ischemic areas can be a key factor to improve heart complicacies. Paracrine and/or autocrine factors, the extracellular matrix and the genetic mediators including microRNA can control the function of CSCs. It has clearly been understood that the factors mentioned previously have the ability to improve these complicacies. The differentiation, the survival and the self-renewal of CSCs are largely under the control of factors in the heart microenvironment. Several studies showed that the cytokines and the growth factors play the important role in the proliferation and the migration of CSCs. Taking advantage of these factors together CSCs to repair damaged heart can enhance this method efficiency. This review will discuss the different kinds of CSCs, their molecular phenotype and cardiac regeneration potential in order to improve cardiovascular diseases. It seems that CSCs-based therapy is emerging as a novel approach for myocardial repair over conventional cardiovascular therapies. Therefore, understanding the new aspects on the molecular mechanisms and the signaling pathways involving CSCs is critical for the development of the therapeutic strategies in cardiac patients that would be valuable for researchers in both fields of molecular and clinical cardiology.

ObjectiveMesenchyme Stem cells (MSCs) are one of the widely used sources in tissue engineering and efficacy of cultural environment. In this survey, rat stem cells are used as coculture. Owing to main obstacle of embryo culture in the lab medium, the survival of embryo in lab is low in comparison with that of normal conditions. The purpose of this research is the survey of fertilization and culture of bovine embryos in mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue (ADMCs).ApproachIsolated ADMCs were cultured on 4-well dishes. Three days after cell culture, the bovine immature oocytes were transferred on this mono layer system and the in vitro matured oocytes were fertilized by sperms in another MSCs free environment subsequently. Then in vitro fertilized embryos were co-cultured with the same mono layer of ADMCs for seven days. During oocyte and embryo co-culture, the rates of maturation and cleavage were assessed.AchievementsThis study reveals that co-culture of embryos with mesenchymal stem cells could increase the survival and cleavage of embryos significantly (P

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a kind of the chronic neurodegenerative diseases of central nervous system (CNS) which usually is associated with neurological disability. In this study, human adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (hADSCs) were transplanted into a rat model of multiple sclerosis (MS) and the efficiency of these cells in remyelination process was determined. Methods: Forty adult rats were randomly divided into control, lysolecithin, lysolecithin with medium (vehicle), and lysolecithin with human adipose-derived stromal/stem cells transplantation groups; then, focal demyelination was induced via lysolecithin injection into lateral column of spinal cord. One week after the lysolecithin injection, laminectomy site was re-exposed and for vehicle group, 10 µl of medium and for the transplantation group 10 µl of medium containing 1 × 106 stem cells was transplanted. For the control and lysolecithin groups, just laminectomy site was re-exposed and closed again without intervention. Four weeks after the cell transplantation, immunohistochemistry technique was used for assessment of the presence of stem cells in damaged spinal cord and to assess the extent of demyelination and remyelination, transmission electron microscope was used. Findings: Immunohistochemistry study four weeks after cell transplantation showed that the stem cell transplant existed in the lesion site. In addition, the electron microscope micrographs showed that myelin synthesis increased more in the cell transplantation group compared to the other groups. Conclusion: Human adipose tissue-derived stem cell transplantation may be an appropriate method for cell therapy in neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

A number of different cellular sources of neural stem cells have been identified. These sources include stem cells at the retinal margin, pigmented cells in the ciliary body and iris, non-pigmented cells in the ciliary body and Müller glia within the retina and also embryo and adult neural stem cells (NSCs). In the present review, we discuss the combinations of growth factors that are capable of stimulating the proliferation and making of neurons from stem cells, neural progenitors, non-neural epithelial cells, and postmitotic support cells.

مقدمه: به دلیل افزایش میزان سرطان در جوامع انسانی، دانشمندان روش‌های گوناگونی از قبیل شیمی درمانی و دارو درمانی را جهت مبارزه با سرطان به‌ کار گرفته‌اند، اما این روش‌ها به دلیل عود مکرر و مقاومت دارویی به صورت کامل جوابگو نیست. به همین دلیل، در سال‌های اخیر علاوه بر روش‌های دیگر، سلول درمانی نیز در درمان سرطان مورد توجه قرار گرفته است. از آن جا که در بررسی تأثیر سلول‌های بنیادی بر سلول‌های توموری نتایج متناقضی به دست آمده است، این مطالعه با هدف بررسی میزان تکثیر و بقای رده‌ی سلولی سرطانی 562K در شرایط هم‌کشتی با سلول‌های بنیادی پالپ دندان شیری انجام شد. روش‌ها: سلول‌های بنیادی حاصل از پالپ دندان‌های شیری افتاده، از دانشکده‌ی دندانپزشکی دانشگاه علوم پزشکی اصفهان و سلول‌های 562K از انستیتو پاستور تهیه و کشت داده شد. هم‌کشتی مستقیم سلول‌های بنیادی با 562K در زمان‌های ٤٨ و ٩٦ ساعت با نسبت سلولی ١ به ١٠، ١٠ به ١ و ١ به ١ صورت پذیرفت. لازم به ذکر است تعداد سلول‌های توموری در تمام گروه‌های آزمایشی یکسان انتخاب گردید. بررسی میزان تکثیر و بقای سلول‌های توموری، با روش‌های رنگ آمیزی تریپان بلو و MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] انجام گرفت. یافته‌ها: مقایسه‌ی نتایج MTT در گروه‌های مختلف پس از 48 و 96 ساعت هم‌کشتی، نشان داد که با افزایش دانسیته‌ی سلول‌های بنیادی نسبت به توموری، میانگین تکثیر سلول‌های توموری کاهش یافت. در گروه اول که نسبت سلول‌های بنیادی مشتق از پالپ دندان ١٠ برابر سلول‌های 562K بود، میزان تکثیر سلول‌های سرطانی حداقل (6/0 = Optical density) و در گروه سوم که سلول‌های بنیادی مشتق از پالپ دندان با دانسیته‌ی 1/0 سلول‌های 562K کشت داده شد، حداکثر (6/1 = Optical density) تکثیر سلول‌های توموری به دست آمد (050/0 > P). نتایج شمارش سلولی با رنگ‌آمیزی تریپان بلو، مطابق نتایج پیش‌گفته بود. نتیجه‌گیری: در شرایط هم‌کشتی، افزایش نسبت سلول‌های بنیادی به سلول‌های سرطانی 562K بر روند تکثیر سلول‌های 562K تأثیر بازدارندگی دارد.

Background: Stem cells are applied in the treatment of wide range of diseases and can be separated from different tissues of the body. These cells can treat diseases by cytokine and growth factor secretion and also cell differentiation. Burn wound is a challenging problem of reconstructive surgery and stem cells may help wound healing process. We designed this study to evaluate the beneficial effect of fat derived stem cells for coverage of 3rd degree burn wound. Methods: This study was experimental and has been done in Burn Research Center of Iran University of Medical Sciences during January 2012 to April 2013. Thirty rats randomly divided to three equal groups. Inguinal fat of 10 rats (one group) were used for preparation of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Acellular amnion was used as a scaffold for stem cell transfer. Each of the thirty rats had been exposed to a cm deep 3rd degree burn on back area. 24 hours after surgery, the wound was excised and it had been covered by three methods: conventional dressing in the first group, acellular amnion in the second group and acellular amnion seeded with adipose-derived stem cell in the third group. The rate of wound healing and pathologic characteristics was compared in all three groups. Results: Healing rate and decrease in wounds size was significantly better in acellular amnion seeded with adipose-derived stem cells compared with other two groups at 3rd and 15th days after surgery P

Background: Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are undifferentiated cells with special capabilities on the self-renewing and differentiation. Proliferation of SSCs is a primary requirement for the study of their characteristics and function in vitro. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) on the colonization activity of ovine SSCs in a short-term in-vitro co-culture with sertoli cells. Methods: Both sertoli and spermatogonial cells were isolated from 2-3 months old lamb testes by two-steps enzymatic digestion. Afterward, isolated cells were cultured in four groups with different concentrations of FSH (0, 5, 10 and 15 IU/ml, respectively) for 10 days. Colony assay (number and surface area) was evaluated 4, 7 and 10 days after the beginning of the culture by light microscope. Findings: At the day 4, colony surfaces of groups 1 and 2 were significantly more than groups 3 and 4 (P < 0.05). At the days 7 and 10, colony surfaces of groups 1 and 2 were significantly more than group 4 (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that treated groups with 10 and 15 IU/ml of FSH significantly decreased colony surface of ovine SSCs in comparison with co-culture system.

Background and purpose: Follicular fluid (FF) is a rich source of compounds for the development of oocyte. Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) have a same differentiation origin with primordial germ cells, therefore, WJ-MSCs could differentiate into oocyte-like cells (OLCs) in the presence of appropriate factors. The purpose of present study was to isolate WJ-MSCs and then investigate their differentiation capacity to OLCs by FF. Materials and methods: The fragments of Wharton's jelly were cultured in α-MEM supplemented with 10% FBS. WJ-MSC at the 3rd passage were studied for differentiation ability to adipocytes and osteocytes. Furthermore, WJ-MSCs related markers were assessed by flow cytometry. In the same passage, WJ-MSCs were induced to differentiate into oocyte-like cells by adding 10% human FF in α-MEM for 21 days. Results: WJ-MSCs could differentiate into adipocytes and osteocytes. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that WJ-MSCs do not express hematopoietic marker (CD34-CD45) and express MSCs markers (CD73, CD90 and CD105). WJ-MSCs which were under influence of FF differentiated into OLCs and immunocytochemistry analysis showed these cells have positive expression of ZP3, SYCP3 (oocyte’s markers) and VASA (germ cell's marker). Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that WJ-MSCs could differentiate into OLCs (morphologically) under the influence of FF and also expressed ZP3, VASA, and SYCP3 markers positively. According to the capabilities of WJ-MSCs, these cells seem to be suitable for use in cell therapy projects to improve infertility treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increase in the average age of the population and physical activities where the musculoskeletal system is involved as well as large number of people suffering from skeletal injuries which impose high costs on the society. Bone grafting is currently a standard clinical approach to treat or replace lost tissues. Autografts are the most common grafts, but they can lead to complications such as pain, infection, scarring and donor site morbidity. The alternative is allografts, but they also carry the risk of carrying infectious agents or immune rejection. Therefore, surgeons and researchers are looking for new therapeutic methods to improve bone tissue repair. The field of tissue engineering and the use of stem cells as an ideal cell source have emerged as a promising approach in recent years. Three main components in the field of tissue engineering include proper scaffolds, cells and growth factors that their combination leads to formation of tissue-engineered constructs, resulting in tissue repair and regeneration. The use of scaffolds with suitable properties could effectively improve the tissue function or even regenerate the damaged tissue. The main idea of tissue engineering is to design and fabricate an appropriate scaffold which can support cell attachment, proliferation, migration and differentiation to relevant tissue. Scaffold gives the tissue its structural and mechanical properties, for instance flexibility and stiffness that is related with the tissue functions. Biomaterials used to fabricate scaffolds can be categorized into natural or synthetic biodegradable or non-biodegradable materials. Polymers are the most widely used materials in tissue engineering. Growth factors are a group of proteins that cause cell proliferation and differentiation. Two main cell sources are specialized cells of desired tissue and stem cells. However, according to the low proliferation and limited accessibility to the cells of desired tissue, stem cells are better suggestion. Combination of mesenchymal stem cells harvested from bone marrow, adipose tissue and cord blood with proper scaffolds and growth factors could be a useful method in treatment of skeletal injuries. In this review paper, we focus on the application of mesenchymal stem cells in the repair of damaged bone, cartilage, meniscus, ligaments, tendons and spine tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Chronic non-healing diabetic wounds are a major medical challenge worldwide. Stem cell therapy has been developed as a new approach in the management of such wounds that need to be explored further. In the present study we aimed to evaluate the effects of adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) on gene expression level of some important inflammatory factors involved in wound healing in diabetic animal model. Materials and methods: ADSCs were isolated from adipose tissue of mice and their stemness was identified in terms of specific cell surface markers (CD44, CD90, and CD34) and multi-lineage differentiation potentials. Then 106 stem cells were injected in dermis area around the wounds and the wound tissues were tested for the expression level of IL-8 and IL-10 genes and histopathological analysis at 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 21st days after treatment. Results: Expression level of IL-10 gene at days 3, 14 and 21 increased significantly (P <0.05) in the stem cell treated wound tissues compared to that in non-diabetic and diabetic groups without treatment. The expression of IL-8 gene showed reduction at days 7, 14, and 21 in the same treated tissues. Histopathological examination indicated that administration of stem cells led to skin appendages, lack of inflammation in the wound tissue, granulation tissue appearance, and a stronger overall healing. Conclusion: The present study indicated that stem cells could improve the indicators of wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: For new scientific field to achieve more coherent position, it needs scientometric analysis more than other fields. This study aims to use citation analysis and scientific mapping of Iranian researchers' publications in stem cell indexed in science citation database up to 2015. Methods: This is an applied descriptive study using scientific mapping method. The population of this study is all types of Iranian researchers' publications in stem cell (2317 records) indexed in science citation database up to 2015. The data have been collected by observing the science citation index website and transcribing in to plain text in order to analyze it with HistCite software. Results: The results showed that Soleimani with 232 records (10 percent) achieved the first place in author's ranking. In universities ranking Tehran University of medical sciences was the first, which published 566 records (24.5 percent) in the field of stem cell. This university also achieved high global and local citation score among the universities and institutions in Iran. The scientific publication growth procedure of this field increased up to 2014 but it had a little bit decrease from 2014 to 2015. The type of 1762 records (76 percent) of stem cell publication was article. The scientific map of stem cell based on both global and local citation score had two important clusters. Conclusion: The most important and cited articles on stem cell clusters have focused on the role of this field in treatments and pathogens diagnosis. According to the Tehran University of medical sciences top rank in this field, the scientific cooperation between the scientists and students of this university and the other universities and institutions is improving the scientific level of stem cell in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) is a rich source of stem cells. The aim of this study was the investigation of the therapeutic effects of these cells on cerebral ischemia in rat. METHODS: This study was carried out on 30 male Wistar rats (100-150 g). They were divided into three groups. Firstly, to create a laboratory model of ischemic stroke, right carotid artery of animals was occluded for 30 minutes in two groups of experimental and sham. Then, mononuclear cells of cord blood were isolated and labeled using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and then 2×105 cells were injected into the experimental group via the tail vein seven day after surgery. Rats in sham group didn’t receive any injection. Control group considered as intact animals. The animals were evaluated for 14 days with modified limb placing and corner turn tests. The transplanted HUCB cells were also detected by immunohistochemistry. FINDINGS: Seven days after surgery, there was a significant recovery in the behavioral performance in the experimental group (12.7± 0.26) compared with sham group (10±0.4) and this significant difference continued by the day 14 (15.3±0.31 vs. 11.9±0.53, p

Background and Objective: Neurotrophic factors are diffusible polypeptides that have critical roles in survival, proliferation and differentiation of stem cells. This study was done to assess the role of neurotrophic factors (CNTF‎, BDNF, ‎GDN‎F, ‎NT-‎3‎) expression and proliferation rate of neural stem cells (NSCs) in coculture with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, NSCs and MSCs were isolated from adult Wistar rat. Initially, NSCs was harvested from temporal lobe after mechanical digestion by a sterile flamed Pasteur pipette and enzymatic digestion with trypsin and Dnase. The cell suspension was cultivated in a flask with DMEM/F12 medium supplemented with 10% FBS 100U/ml Penicillin and 100 mg/ml Streptomycin. To obtain MSCs, bone marrow of femur and tibia bones were flashed out and cultured. MSCs and NSCs‎ cocultured by transwell ‎system in DMEM/F12 medium supplemented with 10% FBS 100U/ml Penicillin and 100 mg/ml Streptomycin. Haemocytometer, immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR methods were performed to identify and evaluate cell proliferation, purity levels and neurotrophic factors expression. Results: There ‎is‎ no differences in NTFs profile of ‎neurotrophic‎ factors expression between ‎coculture ‎group‎ ‎and‎ control ‎NSCs, but interactions between MSCs and NSCs significantly promoted NSCs proliferation (P

"n Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Background: Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have noticeable self-renewal ability and can differentiate into several cell lines such as adipocytes, osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and myocytes. Progesterone plays a significant role in the myelination of peripheral nerves. Regarding the role of progesterone on the myelination of peripheral nervous system, we evaluated its effects on the in-vitro expression of P0, S100 and Krox20 mRNA in adipose-derived stem cells."n"nMethods : In this experimental study, rat adipose-derived stem cells were isolated from the inguinal region of the animals and were evaluated by flow cytometry before culture. In preinduction phase, the cells were sequentially treated with various factors such as β-mercaptoethanol and all-trans-retinoic acid, followed by different induction mixtures. The cells were divided into four groups including two control groups (receiving either fibroblast and platelet derived-growth factors, or fibroblast growth factor, platelet derived-growth factor, forskolin and heregulin) and two experimental groups (receiving either fibroblast growth factor, platelet derived-growth factor, forskolin and progesterone, or fibroblast growth factor, platelet derived-growth factor, heregulin and progesterone). Expression of Schwann cell markers, S-100, P0 and Krox20 mRNA, was determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR."n"nResults : ADSCs expressed CD90, CD73, and CD31 but showed lack of CD45, and VEGFR2 expression. After the induction stage, S-100, P0 and Krox20 mRNA were expressed in the progesterone receiving experimental groups, but expression of S-100 and Krox20 mRNA were less than the control group which was receiving forskolin and heregulin (P

It was assumed that the loss of cardiomyocytes is irreversible. The main goal is to develop widely available and clinically applicable treatments for heart diseases. The several studies have showed that the use of stem cells can improve complicacies such as cardiovascular diseases. Stem cells have a potential benefit of the self-renewal and cell differentiation into the cell types that can play an important role in the organogenesis and the embryonic development. In a lifetime, the heart muscle has a population of cardiac stem cells (CSCs) in which a dramatically increase after cardiovascular damages. So far, seven types of CSCs have been discovered with the different molecular phenotype and the cell differentiation potential. In this regard, the proliferation and the differentiation increase of CSCs in the cardiac ischemic areas can be a key factor to improve heart complicacies. Paracrine and/or autocrine factors, the extracellular matrix and the genetic mediators including microRNA can control the function of CSCs. It has clearly been understood that the factors mentioned previously have the ability to improve these complicacies. The differentiation, the survival and the self-renewal of CSCs are largely under the control of factors in the heart microenvironment. Several studies showed that the cytokines and the growth factors play the important role in the proliferation and the migration of CSCs. Taking advantage of these factors together CSCs to repair damaged heart can enhance this method efficiency. This review will discuss the different kinds of CSCs, their molecular phenotype and cardiac regeneration potential in order to improve cardiovascular diseases. It seems that CSCs-based therapy is emerging as a novel approach for myocardial repair over conventional cardiovascular therapies. Therefore, understanding the new aspects on the molecular mechanisms and the signaling pathways involving CSCs is critical for the development of the therapeutic strategies in cardiac patients that would be valuable for researchers in both fields of molecular and clinical cardiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emergence and spread of various diseases in the past century have been associated with many problems for the health care providers. Now a days, with advancement of technology, new methods such as cell therapy, are available, efficient and successful in some clinical areas. To use any cell, it is necessary to identify its source, so herein, we reviewed the literature of a new source of adult stem cells in the bulge of hair follicle. Hair is composed of two parts: root and shaft. Proximal twothirds of the hair root, called hair follicle that is surrounded by two dermal and epidermal sheaths. Epidermal sheath included inner and outer root sheath. Outer root sheath at the junction of the errector pilli muscle and sebaceous glands make the bulge that includes stem cells. In this review we described anatomy of the hair follicle, hair growth cycle, hair follicle bulge, embryonic source of hair follicle, isolation of bulge stem cells using cell surface markers, gene expression and differentiation in bulge stem cells directing differentiation of bulge stem cells in normal skin repair, and practical advantages of bulge stem cells over other stem cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Natural bone is a combination of polymer and biological apatite, therefore, the composite scaffolds made of polymers and bioactive ceramics have found wide applications in bone tissue engineering studies. Among various polymers, the poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and hydroxyapatite (HA) have attracted much attention due to their optimal properties. In this study, using PLLA polymer and hydroxyapatite (which is similar to human bone mineral component) threedimensional composite scaffolds were developed by Electrospinning Method. Then the behavior of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) was investigated on the scaffolds. The aim of this research was to develop an appropriate bioactive and functional scaffold for bone tissue engineering. Materials and methods:In this study mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from the human umbilical cord. The cells were cultured on both PLLA and PLLA/HA (10%) composite polymeric nano scaffolds. Biocompatibility of scaffolds was confirmed by MTT assay. The morphological and cell adhesion characteristics of MSCs on the scaffolds were compared using Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) imaging. Finally, the cells were treated with osteogenic differentiation medium for 21 days in order to investigate their differentiation potential on the scaffolds. The differentiation of the stained cells with Alizarin Red and Von Kossa were studied at 7,14 and 21 days after cultivation. Results: SEM studies showed that the surface properties of both scaffolds were desirable and the cells not only had the ability to attach and proliferate better on the nanocomposite scaffolds, but were also in a natural condition morphologically. The comparison of staining results indicated a higher differentiation rate in composite polymeric nano scaffold. Conclusion: The results showed that the PLLA/HA nano scaffold could be a very good candidate for bone tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a vast class of recently discovered noncoding genes in the human genome, have been implicated in the regulation of several biological processes, including the maintenance of stem cell pluripotency and neurogenesis. New evidences have emerged that some long IncRNAs act as enhancers for their neighboring genes. Oct4, also known as POU5F1 and Oct3/4, functions as a master regulator in maintaining the properties of pluripotency and self-renewal of embryonic stem (ES) cells and embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells. Oct-4 expression must be tightly regulated; too much or too little expression can lead to cell differentiation. Methods: PSORS1C3, an IncRNA, is located upstream of the Oct4 gene. This IncRNA could potentially impact the level of Oct4 expression. Here, we have investigated potential expression of PSORS1C3 on 23 different human pluripotent and cancer cell lines by means of RT-PCR. Results: Our results revealed a noticeable expression of PSORS1C3 both in a well-known pluripotent cell line (NTera2/NT2) and five different cancer cell lines (AGS, 5637, Ht-29, HepG2 and PC3). Conclusion: We detected the expression of PSORS1C3 for the first time in both cancer cell lines and stem cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: In the last decade, several studies have reported the isolation of stem cell population from different dental sources, while their mesenchymal nature is still controversial. The aim of this study was to introduce the isolating methods for stem cells from human dental pulp and to determine their mesenchymal nature before differentiation. Material and methods: One of the best sources for stem cell is dental pulp tissue. Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSCs) would be the most convenient source of stem cells because teeth were easy to retrieve and removed throughout life. Pulp is a specialized connective tissue including blood and lymph vessels, nerves, and the interstitial fluid. DPSCs can be found within the ''cell rich zone'' of pulp. DPSCs have been isolated for the first time in 2000 by Gronthos; these cells exhibited a differentiation potential for odontoblastic, adipogenic and neural cytotypes. Gronthos isolated stem cells in 2 different methods: The enzymatic digestion method and the second was out growth, these cells could be cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. It has also been shown that human DPSCs can be used for complex structures such as pulp or woven bone formation in vivo. Conclusion: DPSCs originate from the cranial neural crest and have neural characteristics such as the expression of neurotrophins. Therefore, DPSCs may represent a promising source in cell therapy for neurological disorders. Characterization of these cells and determination of their potentialities in terms of specificity of regenerative response will form the foundation for development of new clinical treatment modalities, whether involving directed recruitment of the cells and seeding of stem cells at sites of injury for regeneration or use of the stem cells with appropriate scaffolds for tissue engineering solutions. Such approaches will provide an innovative and novel biologically based on new generation of clinical treatments for dental disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are undifferentiated cells with special capabilities on the self-renewing and differentiation. Proliferation of SSCs is a primary requirement for the study of their characteristics and function in vitro. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) on the colonization activity of ovine SSCs in a short-term in-vitro co-culture with sertoli cells. Methods: Both sertoli and spermatogonial cells were isolated from 2-3 months old lamb testes by two-steps enzymatic digestion. Afterward, isolated cells were cultured in four groups with different concentrations of FSH (0, 5, 10 and 15 IU/ml, respectively) for 10 days. Colony assay (number and surface area) was evaluated 4, 7 and 10 days after the beginning of the culture by light microscope. Findings: At the day 4, colony surfaces of groups 1 and 2 were significantly more than groups 3 and 4 (P < 0.05). At the days 7 and 10, colony surfaces of groups 1 and 2 were significantly more than group 4 (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that treated groups with 10 and 15 IU/ml of FSH significantly decreased colony surface of ovine SSCs in comparison with co-culture system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: The exfoliated human deciduous tooth contains multipotent stem cells [Stem Cell from Human Exfoliated Deciduous tooth (SHED)] that identified to be a population of highly proliferative and clonogenic. These cells are capable of differentiating into a variety of cell types including osteoblast/osteocyte, adiopcyte, chondrocyte and neural cell. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differentiation of SHED to osteoblast in standard osteogenic medium and comparing the results with medium which supplemented with glucosamine in form of chitosan. Materials and Methods: Dental pulp cells were isolated from freshly extracted primary teeth, digested with 4 mg/ml collogenase/dispase, and grown in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium with 10 percent fetal bovine serum. The clonogenic potential of cells was performed after 3 weeks of culture. Flowcytometric analysis, performed at day 21 of culture to identify surface markers of mesenchymal stem cells. The cells from 3rd passage were used for osteogenic differentiation in routine osteoinductive medium. Chitosan (10 μg/ml) was added to the culture medium of case group. Alizarin Red Staining and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activity were done to evaluate osteogenic differentiation in the developing adherent layer on the third passage. The results were analyzed using T-test. For the analysis of normal distribution of data, non-parametric Kolmogrov-Smirnov test was used. Results: The colonogenic efficiency was more than 80%. Flowcytometric analysis showed that the expression of mesenchymal stem cell marker CD90, CD105 and CD146 were positive in SHED, while hematopoietic cell marker CD34, CD45 and endothelial cell marker CD31 were negative. Quantitative analysis of Alizarin Red Staining demonstrated that: mineralized nodule formation was higher in the group supplemented with glucosamine (chitosan). Results from Alkaline Phosphatase activity test, on day 21, demonstrated a significantly higher ALP activity in the group supplemented chitosan (P<0.001). Conclusion: Stem cells isolated and cultured from exfoliated deciduous teeth pulp can be differentiated to osteoblast. Addition of chitosan can be beneficial to promote osteogenic differentiation of these cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]