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Recent research indicates that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), known for their anti‐inflammatory and anti‐infectious properties, could be a promising alternative for treating inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study examined how MSCs and their derivatives, when cocultured with interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β)‐stimulated Caco‐2 cells, affect the expression of genes related to inflammation, microbes, and apoptosis. In the experiment, Caco‐2 cells were exposed to 10 ng/mL of IL‐1β for 24 h. MSCs were sourced from human bone marrow, adipose tissue (AD‐MSC), and menstrual blood. These MSCs and their conditioned medium (CM) were then cocultured with the IL‐1β‐induced Caco‐2 cells. After 48 h, gene expression levels were analyzed using real‐time PCR, and the data were statistically evaluated using T‐tests, U‐Mann–Whitney, and Tukey's post hoc analyses. The results indicated that IL‐1β at 10 ng/mL was the optimal concentration for inducing Caco‐2 cells with the highest viability and minimal damage. Among the MSCs tested, AD‐MSCs were the most effective in regulating gene expression. Specifically, AD‐MSC treatment significantly reduced the mRNA expression of TNF‐α and IL‐1β, both of which are crucial in sustaining inflammatory responses (p ≤ 0.05). This study concludes that AD‐MSCs have superior effects compared to other MSC sources in modulating genes associated with inflammation, antibacterial effects, and apoptosis in an in vitro model of IBD using Caco‐2 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This trial investigated the efficacy of artichoke (Cynara scolymus) extract (AE) on the growth performance, immunity, antioxidant parameters, and resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila of goldfish (Carassius auratus). For this purpose, a total number of 470 goldfish with initial weight 5.70±0.2 g were fed with four experimental diets including 0 (T0), 100 (T1), 150 (T2), and 200 (T3) mg kg−1 diet AE for 8 weeks. At the end of feeding trial, growth performances, serum immune parameters, and mucus antioxidant enzymes were measured. Fish were challenged with A. hydrophila, and the antioxidant and immunity-related gene expression were investigated. Based on the results, the highest final weight (FW) and weight gain (WG) were attained in T2 and T3 (P<0.05). Immune factors including ACH50, lysozyme, and total immunoglobulin in T2 and T3 showed the highest values (P<0.05). The expression of GR, IL1β, TNFα, HSC70, HSP70, and HSP90β genes in T1, T2, and T3 were higher than the control (P<0.05). The GST expression was significantly enhanced in T2 (P<0.05). The present study demonstrated that the administration of AE, especially at doses of 150 mg kg−1, could improve the growth, immunity, and antioxidant parameters, as well as enhance disease resistance against A. hydrophila in goldfish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) are unable to have their children. Therefore, there is an urgent need for additional treatment alternatives for these patients. Recently, novel treatments based on the exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as the agents responsible for exerting the paracrine effects and consequently biological functions of MSCs are proposed. Besides, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a significant blood byproduct has been therapeutically applied in several male infertility studies. In this study, we compared the effects of PRP and exosome treatment on spermatogenesis restoration in NOA rat models. Exosomes and PRP were isolated from the adipose tissue-derived MSCs (AD-MSCs) collected from conditioned medium and peripheral blood of human volunteers, respectively. Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) induction was done through two doses of busulfan at a 21-day interval. Thirty-five days after NOA induction, intratesticular injection of AD-MSCs-derived exosome (AD-Exo), PRP, and PBS was performed. The control group did not receive any treatment. Two months later, the rats were euthanized for further analysis. Our results revealed that both AD-Exo and PRP treatments improved the size and weight of testis, modulated the expression level of Dazl, Ddx4, Stra8, Pwil1, and Ccna1, and ameliorated the serum level of LDH, SOD, and GR enzymes in NOA rats. Moreover, the AD-Exo group showed improved testosterone, GPx, MAD, and CAT serum levels, sperm motility, and protein levels of DAZL and DDX4. This investigation verified the more efficient effects of AD-Exo treatment in comparison to PRP in ameliorating busulfan-induced NOA rat models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exosomes are small vesicles that carry molecules from one cell to another. They have many features that make them interesting for research, such as their stability, low immunogenicity, size of the nanoscale, toxicity, and selective delivery. Exosomes can also interact with viruses in diverse ways. Emerging research highlights the significant role of exosomes in viral infections, particularly in the context of diseases like COVID-19, HIV, HBV and HCV. Understanding the intricate interplay between exosomes and the human immune system holds great promise for the development of effective antiviral therapies. An important aspect is gaining clarity on how exosomes influence the immune system and enhance viral infectivity through their inherent characteristics. By leveraging the innate properties of exosomes, viruses exploit the machinery involved in exosome biogenesis to set replication, facilitate the spread of infection, and eliminate immune responses. They can either help or hinder viral infection by modulating the immune system. This review summarizes the recent findings on how exosomes mediate viral infection and how they can be used for diagnosis or therapy. This could lead to new clinical applications of exosomes in disease management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite various efficient pharmaceuticals which are already used to manage diabetes, new drugs are needed to preserve and restore the function of pancreatic β-cells (pβCs) including cell-specific gene expression and insulin production and secretion. Newly developed small molecules (SMs) with potential anti-diabetic activity need to be preliminarily tested. Mice insulinoma MIN6 cells can be utilized as an in vitro screening model. These cells have pβC characteristics and can secrete insulin in response to glucose level changes. As well, the β-cell-specific gene expression pattern of these cells is similar to that of mouse pancreatic islet cells. It is possible to use this cell line as a research tool to study the function of pβCs. To date, approximately 60 genes have been identified which are effective in the pβC embryonic development and insulin production and secretion during puberty, including pancreas/duodenum homeobox protein 1 (Pdx1), neuronal differentiation 1 (Neurod1), neurogenin3 (Ngn3), and insulin-1 precursor (Ins1). In this study, a family of new SMs that are structurally similar to glinides was synthesized through 3 different synthetic methods and categorized into 3 categories (C1–C3). Then, these novel SMs were characterized by testing their effects on cell viability, pβC-specific gene expression, and insulin secretion in MIN6 in 4 different concentrations and at 3 time points (24, 48, and 72 h). According to our results, SMs of C1 (1j, 1k, and 1l) and 2 SMs of C3 (1f, 1i), at 200 μM concentration, were able to increase the expression levels of Pdx1, Neurod1, Ngn3, and Ins1 as well as the insulin secretion after 24 h. However, C2 (1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d) did not show significant bioactivity of MIN6 cells. These investigated molecules can provide a tool for exploring pseudo-islet functionality in MIN6 cells or provide a possible basis for future therapeutic interventions for diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Mounting evidence supports the idea that one of the most critical agents in controlling gene expression could be long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Upregulation of lncRNA is observed in the different processes related to pathologies, such as tumor occurrence and development. Among the crescent number of lncRNAs discovered, FLVCR1-AS1 and FBXL19-AS1 have been identified as oncogenes in many cancer progression and prognosis types, including cholangiocarcinoma, gastric cancer, glioma and glioblastoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and osteosarcoma. Therefore, abnormal FBXL19-AS1 and FLVCR1-AS1 expression affect a variety of cellular activities, including metastasis, aggressiveness, and proliferation; (2) Methods: This study was searched via PubMed and Google Scholar databases until May 2022; (3) Results: FLVCR1-AS1 and FBXL19-AS1 participate in tumorigenesis and have an active role in impacting several signaling pathways that regulate cell proliferation, migration, invasion, metastasis, and EMT; (4) Conclusions: Our review focuses on the possible molecular mechanisms in a variety of cancers regulated by FLVCR1-AS1 and FBXL19-AS1. It is not surprising that there has been significant interest in the possibility that these lncRNAs might be used as biomarkers for diagnosis or as a target to improve a broader range of cancers in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]