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Aims: A comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted to explore the efficacy of TGF-β blockade therapies in solid tumors. Patients & methods: Results of overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), time to progression (TTP) and overall response rate (ORR) with their 95% CI were calculated. Also, subgroup analyses were conducted according to the categories of TGF-β blocker alone or combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Results: Overall OS, PFS, TTP and ORR were 10.5 months (95% CI: 7.76–13.25), 2.54 months (95% CI: 1.66–3.43), 4.69 months (95% CI: 3.18–6.21) and 0.83% (95% CI: 0.82–0.85), respectively. Conclusion: Collectively, TGF-β blockade combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy showed more favorable clinical outcomes than monotherapy using TGF-β blockade.

Background: Islet transplantation could be an ideal alternative treatment to insulin therapy for type 1 diabetes Mellitus (T1DM). This clinical and experimental field requires a model that covers problems such as requiring a large number of functional and viable islets, the optimal transplantation site, and the prevention of islet dispersion. Hence, the methods of choice for isolation of functional islets and transplantation are crucial. Methods: The present study has introduced an experimental model that overcomes some critical issues in islet transplantation, including in situ pancreas perfusion by digestive enzymes through common bile duct. In comparison with conventional methods, we inflated the pancreas in Petri dishes with only 1 ml collagenase type XI solution, which was followed by hand-picking isolation or Ficoll gradient separation to purify the islets. Then we used a hydrogel composite in which the islets were embedded and transplanted into the peritoneal cavity of the streptozotocin-induced diabetic C57BL/6 mice. Results: As compared to the yield of the classical methods, in our modified technique, the mean yield of isolation was about 130-200 viable islets/mouse pancreas. In vitro glucose-mediated insulin secretion assay indicated an appropriate response in isolated islets. In addition, data from in vivo experiments revealed that the allograft remarkably maintained blood glucose levels under 400 mg/dl and hydrogel composite prevents the passage of immune cells. Conclusion: In the model presented here, the rapid islet isolation technique and the application of biomimetic hydrogel wrapping of islets could facilitate islet transplantation procedures.

Background Allogeneic islet transplantation could be an ideal alternative therapy for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM). Adipose Tissue-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (AT-MSCs) characterized by immunomodulatory and protective effects may have the potential to improve the outcome of this highly immunogenic transplant. Methods Syngenic AT-MSCs along with allograft islets embedded in hydrogelic composite and transplanted intraperitoneally in Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic C57BL/6 mice. Results In vitro experiments of co-imbedded islets and AT-MSCs in a hydrogel revealed AT-MSCs are able to significantly increase insulin secretion. During a 32 days of post-transplant period, blood glucose monitoring showed a decrease from over 400 mg/dl to less than 150 mg/dl and at the end of 32 days, mice have been dissected and assessed. Graft histopathology demonstrated that hydrogel makes an artificial immune isolation site and AT-MSCs contribute greatly to the reduction of the immune cells infiltration. Analyses of mononuclear cells isolated from Mesenteric Lymph Nodes (MLNs) and spleen showed that AT-MSCs co-transplanted with allograft decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased regulatory cytokines (for both MLNs and spleen) and regulatory T cells (Treg) population (only for MLNs). In addition, real time-PCR assays revealed that transcript levels of IDO, iNOS, and PDX1, significantly increased in allograft islets in the presence of AT-MSCs. Conclusions according to results, this investigation indicates that AT-MSCs can be regarded as promising complementary candidates for engineered-cell therapy using hydrogel composites in islet transplantation.

Regenerative and immunomodulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) might be applied for type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) treatment. Thus, we proposed in vitro assessment of adipose tissue-derived MSCs (AT-MSCs) immunomodulation on autoimmune response along with beta cell protection in streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic C57BL/6 mice model. MSCs were extracted from abdominal adipose tissue of normal mice and cultured to proliferate. Diabetic mice were prepared by administration of multiple low-doses of streptozotocin. Pancreatic islets were isolated from normal mice and splenocytes prepared from normal and diabetic mice. Proliferation, cytokine production, and insulin secretion assays were performed in coculture experiments. AT-MSCs inhibited splenocytes proliferative response to specific (islet lysate) and nonspecific (PHA) triggers in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). Decreased production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-17, and increased secretion of regulatory cytokines such as TGF-β, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13 by stimulated splenocytes were also shown in response to islet lysate or PHA stimulants (P<0.05). Finally, we demonstrated that AT-MSCs could effectively sustain viability as well as insulin secretion potential of pancreatic islets in the presence of reactive splenocytes (P<0.05). In conclusion, it seems that MSCs may provide a new horizon for T1DM cell therapy and islet transplantation in the future.

Autoimmunity shows a concerning growth recently. It seems that role of diet is important for development of autoimmunity. Nutritional elements can affect immune system functions. Oversupply or deficiency of specific metabolites may change performance of immune cells, especially that of T helper lymphocytes. For example, glucose, omega 3 and poly unsaturated fatty acids can induce specific Th subsets which play a critical role in autoimmune diseases. T lymphocytes, mostly T CD4+ (Th cells) not only play a critical role in orchestrating immune responses, but also they have major role in pathogenesis of some autoimmune disease. Hence, we designed a research to find out effects of oleic and palmitic acids on differentiation of Th cells. We added oleic acid, palmitic acids and combination of them on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) culture and cells were harvested for RT-PCR and flow cytometry analysis after seven days. Our results showed that palmitic and oleic acids induce Th1 and Th17 subsets (p-valu