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Cell viability is defined as the number of healthy cells in a sample and proliferation of cells is a vital indicator for understanding the mechanisms in action of certain genes, proteins and pathways involved cell survival or death after exposing to toxic agents. Generally, methods used to determine viability are also common for the detection of cell proliferation. Cell cytotoxicity and proliferation assays are generally used for drug screening to detect whether the test molecules have effects on cell proliferation or display direct cytotoxic effects. Regardless of the type of cell-based assay being used, it is important to know how many viable cells are remaining at the end of the experiment. There are a variety of assay methods based on various cell functions such as enzyme activity, cell membrane permeability, cell adherence, ATP production, co-enzyme production, and nucleotide uptake activity. These methods could be basically classified into different categories: (I) dye exclusion methods such as trypan blue dye exclusion assay, (II) methods based on metabolic activity, (III) ATP assay, (IV) sulforhodamine B assay, (V) protease viability marker assay, (VI) clonogenic cell survival assay, (VII) DNA synthesis cell proliferation assays and (V) raman micro-spectroscopy. In order to choose the optimal viability assay, the cell type, applied culture conditions, and the specific questions being asked should be considered in detail. This particular review aims to provide an overview of common cell proliferation and cytotoxicity assays together with their own advantages and disadvantages, their methodologies, comparisons and intended purposes.

As much as the cellular viability is important for the living organisms, the elimination of unnecessary or damaged cells has the opposite necessity for the maintenance of homeostasis in tissues, organs and the whole organism. Apoptosis, a type of cell death mechanism, is controlled by the interactions between several molecules and responsible for the elimination of unwanted cells from the body. Apoptosis can be triggered by intrinsically or extrinsically through death signals from the outside of the cell. Any abnormality in apoptosis process can cause various types of diseases from cancer to auto-immune diseases. Different gene families such as caspases, inhibitor of apoptosis proteins, B cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2 family of genes, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor gene superfamily, or p53 gene are involved and/or collaborate in the process of apoptosis. In this review, we discuss the basic features of apoptosis and have focused on the gene families playing critical roles, activation/inactivation mechanisms, upstream/downstream effectors, and signaling pathways in apoptosis on the basis of cancer studies. In addition, novel apoptotic players such as miRNAs and sphingolipid family members in various kind of cancer are discussed.

Background In this study, we aimed to determine synergistic apoptotic and cytotoxic effects of methylstat and bortezomib on U266 and ARH77 multiple myeloma (MM) cells. Methods Cytotoxic effects of the drugs were demonstrated by MTT cell proliferation assay while apoptotic effects were examined by loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) by JC-1 MMP detection kit, changes in caspase-3 enzyme activity and Annexin-V apoptosis assay by flow cytometry. Expression levels of apoptotic and antiapoptotic genes were examined by qRT-PCR. Results Our results showed that combination of methylstat and bortezomib have synergistic antiproliferative effect on MM cells as compared to either agent alone. These results were also confirmed by showing synergistic apoptotic effects determined by increased loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and increased caspase-3 enzyme activity and relocation of phosphotidyleserine on the cell membrane by Annexin-V/PI double staining. Combination of bortezomib with methylstat arrested cells at the S phase of the cell cycle. Methylstat treatment caused upregulation of FASLG, NGFR, TNF, TNFRS10B and TNFRS1B apoptotic genes and downregulation of AKT1, AVEN, BAG1 BCL2L2 and RELA antiapoptotic genes in a dose and time dependent manner. Conclusion In conclusion, our data suggested that bortezomib in combination with methylstat decreased cell proliferation and induced apoptosis significantly in U266 and ARH77 cells. When supported with in vivo analyses, methylstat might be considered as a potential new agent for the treatment of MM.

Multiple myeloma is of great concern since existing therapies are unable to cure this clinical condition. Alternative therapeutic approaches are mandatory, and the use of plant extracts is considered interesting. Punica granatum and its derived products were suggested as potential anticancer agents due to the presence of bioactive compounds. Thus, polypenolic-rich extracts of the non-edible parts of P. granatum were investigated for their antiproliferative and apoptotic effects on U266 multiple myeloma cells. We demonstrated that there were dose-dependent decreases in the proliferation of U266 cells in response to P. granatum extracts. Also, exposure to the extracts triggered apoptosis with significant increases in loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in U266 cells exposed to the leaves and stem extracts, while the flower extract resulted in slight increases in loss of MMP. These results were confirmed by Annexin-V analysis. These results documented the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of P. granatum extracts on human U266 multiple myeloma cells via disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential and increasing cell cycle arrest. The data suggest that the extracts can be envisaged in cancer chemoprevention and call for further exploration into the potential application of these plant parts.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) gene transfer applications on inhibition and/or repair of orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption (OIIRR). Materials and methods: Thirty Wistar rats were divided into four groups as untreated group (negative control), treated with orthodontic appliance group (positive control), MSCs injection group, and OPG transfected MSCs [gene therapy (GT) group]. About 100g of orthodontic force was applied to upper first molar teeth of rats for 14 days. MSCs and transfected MSC injections were performed at 1st, 6th, and 11th days to the MSC and GT group rats. At the end of experiment, upper first molar teeth were prepared for genetical, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fluorescent microscopy, and haematoxylin eosin-tartrate resistant acid phosphatase staining histological analyses. Number of total cells, number of osteoclastic cells, number of resorption lacunae, resorption area ratio, SEM resorption ratio, OPG, RANKL, Cox-2 gene expression levels at the periodontal ligament (PDL) were calculated. Paired t -test, Kruskal–Wallis, and chi-square tests were performed. Results: Transferred MSCs showed marked fluorescence in PDL. The results revealed that number of osteoclastic cells, resorption lacunae, resorption area ratio, RANKL, and Cox-2 were reduced after single MSC injections significantly ( P < 0.05). GT group showed the lowest number of osteoclastic cells ( P < 0.01), number of resorption lacunae, resorption area ratio, and highest OPG expression ( P < 0.001). Conclusions: Taken together all these results, MSCs and GT showed marked inhibition and/or repair effects on OIIRR during orthodontic treatment on rats.

Tumors progress in a specific area, which supports its development, spreading or shrinking in time with the presence of different factors that effect the fate of the cancer cells. This specialized site is called "tumor microenvironment" and has a composition of heterogenous materials. The immune cells are also residents of this stromal, cancerous, and inflammatory environment, and their types, densities, or functional differences are one of the key factors that mediate the fate of a tumor. T cells as a vital part of the immune system also are a component of tumor microenvironment, and their roles have been elucidated in many studies. In this review, we focused on the immune system components by focusing on T cells and detailed T helper cell subsets in tumor microenvironment and how their behaviors affect either the tumor or the patient's outcome.