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Objective: Cervical cancer, the most common reproductive system cancer being women, is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for treating various diseases is being studied, but their use in cervical cancer has not been well explored. In this study we study investigated the effect of adipose tissue-derived MSCs on the apoptosis and proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in co-culture with the HeLa cell line. MSCs were isolated from adipose tissue and then co-cultured with PBMCs, and HeLa cells at different time points (24, 48, and 72 hours). Materials and Methods: The effect of MSC cells on proliferation, apoptosis, and gene expression of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-2, and interferon-γ in PBMCs cultured together with HeLa cells was investigated using flow cytometry and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively. Results: Flow cytometry showed that co-culture of PBMCs/MSCs/HeLa significantly increased the proliferation of PBMCs at different time points, with a p-value of 0.0022. In addition, MSCs significantly decreased apoptosis of PBMCs in co-culture with HeLa at 48 h. the p-value was 0.0022. Real-time PCR showed that the expression of TGF-β in PBMCs/MSCs/HeLa co-culture increased after 24 h, with a p-value of 0.006. Conclusion: These data showed that adipose-derived MSCs can stimulate the proliferation and survival of PBMCs and enhance the apoptosis of HeLa cells, indicating their potential as immunomodulatory therapy for cervical cancer cells. However, further research is required to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and optimize therapeutic approaches involving PBMCs and MSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B lymphocytes play a vital role in the human defense against viral infections by producing specific antibodies. They are also critical for the prevention of infectious diseases by vaccination, and their activation influences the efficacy of the vaccination. Since the beginning of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which became the main concern of the world health system, many efforts have been made to treat and prevent the disease. However, for the development of successful therapeutics and vaccines, it is necessary to understand the interplay between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19, and the immune system. The innate immune system provides primary and nonspecific defense against the virus, but within several days after infection, a virus-specific immune response is provided first by antibody-producing B cells, which are converted after the resolution of disease to memory B cells, which provide long-term immunity. Although a failure in B cell activation or B cell dysfunction can cause a severe form of the disease and also lead to vaccination inefficiency, some individuals with B cell immunodeficiency have shown less production of the cytokine IL-6, resulting in a better disease outcome. In this review, we present the latest findings on the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and B lymphocytes during COVID-19 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The critical role of nutrition to prevent neurodegenerative disorders is well documented. Punica granatum fruit is identified as a highly nutritional food for alleviating various ailments. The ameliorating properties of P. granatum peel on memory dysfunction and the possible roles of oxidative stress, acetylcholinesterase (AchE), and nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2)‐heme oxygenase (HO)‐1 pathway in the scopolamine‐treated rats were assessed. The hydroethanolic extract was standardized using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The animal groups were as follows: Control, scopolamine (2 mg/kg), and treatment groups (the extract at doses of 200–800 mg/kg). The behavioral performance was evaluated using the Morris water maze (MWM) and passive avoidance equipment. Various biochemical parameters were then measured. Rats received the extract properly found on the platform location, indicated by a shorter traveling time and distance during 5 days of learning MWM. Moreover, the extract increased the delay and light time, while decreasing dark time and the frequency of entries to the dark in the passive avoidance test. The extract also exerted a significant increase in superoxide dismutase activity and thiol content, while decreasing AchE activity and lipid peroxidation in the brain of scopolamine‐injured rats. Our results demonstrated the neuroprotective effects of P. granatum peel in minimizing scopolamine injury possibly through targeting the Nrf2‐HO‐1 pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substance P (SP) is a neurotransmitter emitted from neurons that plays a role in the pathogenesis of itching conditions including chronic urticarial (CU). The present research aims to investigate the serum level of S.P among CU patients and compare them with healthy subjects and explore how it correlates with the severity of urticaria. The present research was conducted on 87 CU patients who visited the allergy clinic of Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran from October 2017 to June 2018. Besides, 86 healthy subjects were recruited as the control group. Background information of patient was collected including age, sex, duration of the disease and the co-occurrence of angioedema. S.P serum level was measured in two groups by ELISA method. In the patients group, the autologous serum skin test (ASST) was performed along with the urticaria evaluation questionnaire include Urticaria Activity Score 7 (UAS7), Urticaria Control Test (UCT) and Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life (CU-Q2OL). Among the patients, the SP serum level showed to be about two times higher than the healthy subjects (p˂0.001). SP showed to be increased as patients' age grew (p=0.010). In patients with a positive ASST, SP level was higher (p=0.012). No correlation was found between SP and the presence of angioedema among patients. There was no correlation between the SP serum level and the scores obtained from urticaria evaluation questionnaires. SP among CU patients was higher than healthy subjects. SP was also higher among female, older and positive ASST patients. The SP value was not correlated with the severity of urticaria, angioedema. In conclusion, Using SP antagonist drugs could be a potential treatment for chronic urticaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curcuminoids are dietary complexes extracted from the seeds of Curcuma longa L. that contain curcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin and desmethoxycurcumin. Curcuminoids are popular for their pleiotropic therapeutic functions, such as their anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. Nonetheless, their clinical use is associated with poor systemic bioavailability and insolubility. The nano-formulation of curcuminoids eliminates these shortcomings. In the present study, we explored immunoregulatory, proliferative and anti-oxidant effects of nanocurcuminoids on adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs). Flow cytometry analysis and MTT assay were employed to explore the effects of nanocurcuminoids on the apoptosis and proliferation of adipose-derived MSCs (ATMSCs). The anti-oxidant effect of nanocurcuminoids on AT-MSCs also was examined. The immune regulatory effect of nanocurcuminoids was evaluated by the flow cytometric measurement of the T regulatory (Treg) population. The expression of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines was quantified using real-time PCR. Our findings demonstrate that low concentrations of nanocurcuminoids are beneficial for MSC proliferation, protection of MSCs from apoptosis, reducing inflammatory cytokines and SOD activity. A high concentration of nanocurcuminoids increases the population of Tregs and elevates the expression of TGFβ and FOXP3 genes. The beneficial effects of nanocurcuminoids on AT-MSCs were mainly observed at low doses of nanocurcuminoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-factorial autoimmune disease which may be characterized by T lymphocytes dysfunctions. Th17 cells have been identified as new effector cells, which play an important role in the pathogenesis. In recent years, immunomodulatory effect of vitamin D3 has been noticed. In the present experiment, the effect of vitamin D3 on the expression of IL-17, IL- 23, IL-4 and IFN-γ were assessed in activated chromatin-induced mouse model for SLE. Materials and Methods: Five groups of mice were included in this study; Group one received active chromatin +CFA + PBS; Group 2 received vitamin D3 starting 2 weeks before disease induction; Group 3 received vitamin D3 (50 ng/day) starting with the disease establishment; Group 4 received non active chromatin +CFA + PBS; Group 5 received CFA + PBS. On day 56 splenocytes were isolated and gene expression of interleukin IL-17, IL-23, IL-4 and IFN-γ were analyzed by Real-Time PCR method. Proteinuria and serum anti-dsDNA and Th17 levels were measured using commercial kits. Results: The results showed that IL-17, IL-23, and IFN-γ mRNA expression, and IL-17 titers were decreased remarkably and that of IL-4 increased in mice which received vitamin D3 before SLE induction. Administration of vitamin D3 after the establishment of SLE failed to affect the IL-17 or IL- 23 mRNA levels. Lastly, pre-treatment of mice with vitamin D3 decreased the anti-ds DNA antibody titer. Conclusion: Our findings showed that vitamin D3 supplementation in lupus induced mice through modulating the expression rate of some inflammatory cytokines diminished the inflammatory conditions in SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]