Showing papers by "Vahid Salimi published in 2017"

Sodium butyrate promotes apoptosis in breast cancer cells through reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and mitochondrial impairment

Abstract: 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.

Enhancement of Hepatitis E Virus DNA Vaccine Immunity by Beclin-1- Mediated Autophagy

Abstract: Background: The Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a serious public health problem, with a mortality rate of approximately 20-25% among pregnant women. DNA vaccination was reported to induce humoral and cellular immune responses in murine models; however, a major problem of the strategy is its limited potency. Methods: In this study, we have investigated whether Beclin1, as an autophagy-inducing based plasmid, can serve as an immunostimulatory agent and promote the HEV specific protective immunity of naked DNA vaccine encoding truncated ORF-2 (HEV239). Plasmids encoding HEV239 with or without Beclin1 were used for the BALB/c mice immunization. Results: The results demonstrated a significant increase microtubule-associated protein light chain-3 II (LC3 II) as a marker of autophagy in the HEK293 cell, which were transfected by pVITRO-Beclin1 plasmid. The immunological effects of adding Beclin1 to HEV239 ORF-2 DNA vaccines were associated with the induction of the antigen-specific lymphocyte proliferation and the Th1-type cytokine (gamma-interferon (IFN-γ)), while there were no differences in IL-4 levels between the groups. Examination of humoral immune responses in vaccinated mice represented that immunization with pVITRO-HEV239- Beclin1 notably increased serum level of IgG2a and total IgG against HEV in comparison to the HEV239 plasmid alone. Conclusions: The strong Th1 immune response induced by the Beclin1 suggest that induction of autophagy can be an efficient approach to enhance the immunogenicity of DNA vaccine. This promising procedure could be further exploited as a potential therapeutic vaccine candidate in future studies.

Molecular Epidemiology of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Iranian ≥60 Years Old Hospitalized Patients with Acute Respiratory Symptoms.

Abstract: Background Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is an important cause of acute respiratory infection (ARI) and mortality in ≥60 years old population around the world. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and circulating genotypes of HRSV in Iranian patients ≥ 60 years old. Methods In this cross-sectional molecular epidemiology study, we examined the C-terminal located hypervariable domain of G glycoprotein of HRSV in throat swabs from Tehran, Hormozgan, Boushehr, West Azarbayjan, Ghom and Alborz provinces of Iran which were addressed to national influenza center between October 2013 and March 2015. During these two consecutive years, a total of 225 samples collected from patients older than 60 years were tested using RT hemi-nested PCR and sequencing and the acquired sequences were phylogenetically analyzed. Results Sixteen out of 225 samples (7.1%) yielded a positive result. Among the positive samples, 13 cases (81%) pertained to antigenic group A and the remaining 3 cases (19%) belonged to group B. Three genotypes including GA1, GA2 and BA9 were identified in the first year of survey whereas during the second year, only GA1 and GA2 genotypes were detected. Conclusion Our study indicates that HRSV genotypes from both A and B antigenic groups which were discovered in pediatric population previously, are circulating among Iranian ≥60 years old population.

No genetic association between A118G polymorphism of μ-opioid receptor gene and schizophrenia and bipolar disorders

Abstract: Background: Schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) are chronic and multifactorial psychiatric disorders that might be affected by different genes in combination with environmental factors. There is evidence of association between polymorphisms of μ-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) with these disorders. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic association between OPRM1 A118G SNP in SZ and BD patients in comparison with healthy controls (HCs). Materials and Methods: One single-nucleotide polymorphism in OPRM1 was genotyped using TaqMan real-time PCR assay in 203 SZ and BD patients and 389 HCs. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in genotypic and allelic frequencies of OPRM1 A118G SNP between HCs and SZ/BD patients. Conclusions: To find the underlying genetic factors associated with these complex disorders, further studies need to be conducted using larger sample size, different genetic populations, and different gene variations.