Inflammation is a complicated biological and pathophysiological cascade of responses to infections and injuries, and inflammatory mechanisms are closely related to many diseases. The magnitude, the ...complicated network of pro- and anti-inflammatory factors, and the direction of the inflammatory response can impact on the development and progression of various disorders. The currently available treatment strategies often target the symptoms and not the causes of inflammatory disease and may often be ineffective. Since the onset and termination of inflammation are crucial to prevent tissue damage, a range of mechanisms has evolved in nature to regulate the process including negative and positive feedback loops. In this regard, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as key gene regulators to control inflammation, and it is speculated that they are fine-tune signaling regulators to allow for proper resolution and prevent uncontrolled progress of inflammatory reactions. In this review, we discuss recent findings related to significant roles of miRNAs in immune regulation, especially the potential utility of these molecules as novel anti-inflammatory agents to treat inflammatory diseases. Furthermore, we discuss the possibilities of using miRNAs as drugs in the form of miRNA mimics or miRNA antagonists.
Summary
The pleiotropic role of vitamin D has been explored over the past decades and there is compelling evidence for an epidemiological association between poor vitamin D status and a variety of ...diseases. While the potential anti‐viral effect of vitamin D has recently been described, the underlying mechanisms by which vitamin D deficiency could contribute to viral disease development remain poorly understood. The possible interactions between viral infections and vitamin D appear to be more complex than previously thought. Recent findings indicate a complex interplay between viral infections and vitamin D, including the induction of anti‐viral state, functional immunoregulatory features, interaction with cellular and viral factors, induction of autophagy and apoptosis, and genetic and epigenetic alterations. While crosstalk between vitamin D and intracellular signalling pathways may provide an essential modulatory effect on viral gene transcription, the immunomodulatory effect of vitamin D on viral infections appears to be transient. The interplay between viral infections and vitamin D remains an intriguing concept, and the global imprint that vitamin D can have on the immune signature in the context of viral infections is an area of growing interest.
•The ferrocene group decorated nano-organo SiO2–Al2O3 as a novel adsorbent.•The application of nano-adsorbent was studied to remove methyl orange.•It effectively removes 85% methyl orange from ...contaminated water under 25min.•The novel nano-adsorbent was very stable and easily separated from the purified water.
In this study, the application of a functional ferrocene (ferrocenecarboxaldehyde) firmly heterogenized over a modified nano-size SiO2–Al2O3 mixed-oxides was reported as a novel adsorbent for the removal of methyl orange from aqueous solution. SiO2–Al2O3 mixed-oxides was functionalized with 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (3-APTES) group and ferrocenecarboxaldehyde covalently linked on this organo-functionalized SiO2–Al2O3 mixed-oxides support. The synthesized materials were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, UV–vis, CHN elemental analysis, BET, TGA, ICP-MS, TEM, and XPS. The contact time to obtain equilibrium for maximum adsorption was 50min. XPS of Fe ions evidenced that most of the active sites of the nano-adsorbent is in the form of Fe3+ ions at the surface. The heterogeneous Fe3+ ions were found to be effective adsorbent for the removal of dyes from solution. The adsorption of methyl orange ions has been studied in terms of pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetics, and the Freundlich, Langmuir, and Langmuir–Freundlich isotherm models have also been applied to the equilibrium adsorption data. The adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic in nature and followed pseudo-second-order kinetic model.
Summary
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in the pediatric population worldwide. The immunopathology of RSV infection varies ...considerably and severe disease occurs only in a minority of the population. There are many factors (host, viral, and environmental) that contribute to the complicated disease phenotype. In this regard, host factors are decisive for pulmonary susceptibility to RSV infection. Host genetic diversity certainly affects the balance between control of viral replication and tissue damage during RSV infection, consequently impacting on diseases outcome. In this review, we discuss the role of host genetic variation in disease caused by RSV aiming to highlight genetic risk factors for one of the most common diseases in early childhood. Our findings clearly indicate that the response of each individual to infection is influenced by genetic diversity mainly linked to the regulation of host immune responses. Future genetic association and functional studies using more powerful and consistently reproducible approaches will likely be able to confirm, refine, and expand our developing concept of RSV disease pathogenesis.
Sodium butyrate (NaBu) is a short-chain fatty acid which serves as a histon deacetylase inhibitor and has received considerable interest as a possible regulator of cancer cell death. The regulatory ...effect of NaBu on cancer cell growth or death has yet to be illustrated in many cancers including breast cancer. This study is aimed to elucidate the possible effect of NaBu on regulation of breast cancer growth and apoptosis.
The cytotoxic effect of NaBu on the growth of breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468) and normal breast cells (MCF-10A) was determined using MTT assay. Annexin-V-FITC staining and PI staining were performed to detect apoptosis and cell cycle distribution using Flow cytometry, the level of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), Reactive oxygen species (ROS)formation and caspase activity were determined accordingly.
Based on our data, NaBu induced a dose and time-dependent cell toxicity in breast cancer cells which was related to the cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis. The impact of NaBu on MCF-10A cell toxicity, cell cycle distribution and apoptosis was inconsiderable. NaBu-elicited apoptosis was accompanied by the elevated level of ROS, increased caspase activity and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468 cells and with no effect on the above mentioned factors in MCF-10A cells.
Our study provided insight in to the role of NaBu on the regulation of breast cancer cell growth and lighten up the pro-apoptotic activity of NaBu.
Evidence supports a role of host genetic diversity in the clinical course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Variation in the cannabinoid CB2 receptor gene (
CNR2
) could affect the regulatory ...action of endocannabinoids on the immune system, resulting in an increased risk of various inflammatory diseases. The present study investigated the relationship between the
CNR2
-Q63R variant and COVID-19 severity. A total of 200 Iranian COVID-19 patients were enrolled in the study and genotyped using a TaqMan assay. The co-dominant, dominant, recessive, over-dominant, and additive inheritance models were analyzed using SNPStats software.
In silico
molecular docking was also performed to simulate the effects of the Q63R variation on CB2 binding with a ligand and with the G-protein. A significant difference in the Q63R allele and genotype distribution was found between expired and discharged COVID-19 patients in co-dominant, recessive, and additive inheritance models. The molecular docking results showed that the predicted structure of mutant CB2 (63R type) could not bind to the G-protein in the correct position. The data indicated that the Q63R variation in the
CNR2
gene may affect the severity of COVID-19. Identification of genes related to susceptibility and severity of COVID-19 may lead to specific targets for drug repurposing or development.
Graphic abstract
Whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV2 is important to find useful information about the viral lineages, variants of interests and variants of concern. As there are not enough data about the ...circulating SARS-CoV2 variants in Iran, we sequenced 54 SARS-CoV2 genomes during the 5 waves of pandemic in Iran.
After viral RNA extraction from clinical samples collected during the COVID-19 pandemic, next generation sequencing was performed using the Nextseq platform. The sequencing data were analyzed and compared with reference sequences.
During the 1st wave, V and L clades were detected. The second wave was recognized by G, GH and GR clades. Circulating clades during the 3rd wave were GH and GR. In the fourth wave GRY (alpha variant), GK (delta variant) and one GH clade (beta variant) were detected. All viruses in the fifth wave were in clade GK (delta variant). There were different mutations in all parts of the genomes but Spike-D614G, NSP12-P323L, N-R203K and N-G204R were the most frequent mutants in these studied viruses.
These findings display the significance of SARS-CoV2 monitoring to help on time detection of possible variants for pandemic control and vaccination plans.
The seroprevalence of antibodies against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) was evaluated 17 years following a mass vaccination campaign in individuals aged 2 to 22 years who had received routine ...immunization but were not eligible for an extended immunization program. The seroprevalence rates of antibodies for measles, mumps, and rubella were determined to be 76.2%, 89.3%, and 76.9%, respectively. Younger age groups exhibited higher seropositivity rates for measles and mumps, whereas the 7- to 11-year-old group demonstrated the highest seropositivity rate for rubella. A reduction in antibody status was observed from younger to older age groups, particularly those aged 17-22. The study unveiled suboptimal antibody levels for measles and rubella, highlighting the necessity for further investigation and potential adjustments to future vaccination strategies. Moreover, the decline in antibody status post-vaccination can accumulate in seronegative individuals over time, elevating the risk of outbreaks.
Cancer, as a mysterious and complex disease, has a multi-stage molecular process that uses the cellular molecular machine and multiple signaling pathways to its advantage. Cannabinoids, as ...terpenophenolic compounds and their derivatives, showed influences on immune system responses, inflammation, and cell growth that have sparked a growing interest in exploring their effects on cancer cell fate, as well. A large body of evidence in experimental models indicating the involvement of cannabinoids and their related receptors in cancer cell growth, development, and fate. In accordance, the present study provided insights regarding the strengths and limits of cannabinoids and their receptors in critical steps of tumorigenesis and its underlying molecular pathways such as; cancer cell proliferation, type of cell death pathway, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis and, immune system response. Based on the results of the present study and due to the contribution of cannabinoids in various cancer cell growth control processes, these compounds cancer can be considered worthwhile in finding new alternatives for cancer therapy.
Display omitted
•Cannabinoids execute critical roles in multiple steps of tumorigenesis.•Cannabinoids trigger apoptosis, autophagy and mitophagy in cancer cells.•Cannabinoids attenuate angiogenesis; thus regulate tumor invasion.•Cannabinoids and their receptors can be effective therapeutic targets in cancer pathogenesis.
PDF
