Expression Analysis of the Long Non-Coding RNA LINC01433 in Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is one of the most fatal human cancers both in males and females. This type of cancer is categorized to different subtypes among them is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). NSCLC accounts for about 80% of all cases. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to influence the pathogenic course of lung cancer. However, the contribution of LINC01433 lncRNA in this type of cancer in Iranian patients is not clear.

PURPOSE

In the current project, we evaluated expression of LINC01433 in 42 NSCLC samples and their paired non-tumoral tissues using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction method. Samples were collected from patients admitted to Labbafinejad Hospital during 2016-2017.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the expression of LINC01433 between tumoral and non-tumoral tissues (expression ratio 0.67, p = 0.42). Expression of this lncRNA was not associated with any of clinical and demographic data including age, gender, smoking history, stage or cancer subtype.

CONCLUSION

Based on the similar expression levels of this lncRNA between tumoral and non-tumoral tissues and lack of association between expression levels and clinical data, this lncRNA is not a possible contributor to lung cancer in Iranian patients. However, expression analysis of this lncRNA in larger sample sizes is needed to verify our results.

Long Non-Cod-ing RNA Signature in Cervical Cancer

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer as a common urogenital cancer among women has caused significant health problems. Efforts have been made to identify its pathogenic process in order to find targeted ther-apies. Long non-cod-ing ribonucleic acids (lncRNAs) have been shown to regulate several cancer-related pathways and genes that contribute to pathogenesis of human malignancies, includ-ing cervical cancer. In the present review, we searched PubMed, Google scholar, Web of Science and Scopus databases for key words "cervical cancer" or "cervical neoplasm" and "long non-cod-ing RNA" or "lncRNA" (up to December 2017).

AIM

To elaborate the role of lncRNAs in cervical cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

LncRNAs affect cervical cancer pathogenesis through numerous mechanisms, such as mak-ing scaffolds for assembly of protein complexes, serv-ing as directors to recruit proteins, function-ing as transcriptional enhancers through chromatin remodeling, serv-ing as decoys to free up proteins from chromatin, or revers-ing the effects of other regulatory non-cod-ing RNAs, such as microRNAs. Pathway-based analysis showed that several lncRNAs modulate PI3K/ Akt/ mTOR, Wnt-β catenin and Notch pathways in the process of cervical cancer pathogenesis. In addition, expression of a handful of lncRNAs has been associated with human papilloma virus infection. Identification of lncRNAs that alter cancer-related signal-ing pathways and subsequent expression analysis of these lncRNAs in patients samples would help to design effective targeted ther-apies. Key words: lncRNA -  cervical cancer - oncogene - tumor suppressor gene.

Down-regulation of TSGA10, AURKC, OIP5 and AKAP4 genes by Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Lactobacillus crispatus SJ-3C-US supernatants in HeLa cell line

BACKGROUND

Cancer testis antigens (CTAs) are considered cancer bio-markers due to their highly specific expression pattern in human malignancies and near absence from normal somatic tissues. Their specific expression has made them potential targets for early dia-gnosis, assessment of patients prognosis and treatment of cancer in recent years. Lactobacilli are a group of probio-tics with anti-cancer, immunomodulatory and other beneficial features. These bacteria have been shown to alter expression of several cancer-related genes.

AIM

We investigated the effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG supernatant (LRS) and Lactobacillus crispatus SJ-3C-US supernatant (LCS) on expression of four CTAs (TSGA10, AURKC, OIP5 and AKAP4) in HeLa cell line after synchronization using MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

LRS and LCS inhibited HeLa cell growth after 24 h as demonstrated by MTT assay. Expressions of all CTAs were down-regulated after treatment with both supernatants.

CONCLUSION

This study showed the role of Lactobacilli in down-regulation of CTAs genes. Such expression change might be involved in the anticancer effects of these Lactobacilli. The underlying mechanisms of these observations are not clear but epigenetic modulatory mechanisms may participate in this process. Future studies are needed to assess functional roles of Lactobacilli in modulation of other cancer-related genes. Key words: probio-tic - cancer testis antigen - bio-marker - HeLa cell line.

Long Non-Cod-ing RNA Signature in Cervical Cancer

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer as a common urogenital cancer among women has caused significant health problems. Efforts have been made to identify its pathogenic process in order to find targeted ther-apies. Long non-cod-ing ribonucleic acids (lncRNAs) have been shown to regulate several cancer-related pathways and genes that contribute to pathogenesis of human malignancies, includ-ing cervical cancer. In the present review, we searched PubMed, Google scholar, Web of Science and Scopus databases for key words "cervical cancer" or "cervical neoplasm" and "long non-cod-ing RNA" or "lncRNA" (up to December 2017).

AIM

To elaborate the role of lncRNAs in cervical cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

LncRNAs affect cervical cancer pathogenesis through numerous mechanisms, such as mak-ing scaffolds for assembly of protein complexes, serv-ing as directors to recruit proteins, function-ing as transcriptional enhancers through chromatin remodeling, serv-ing as decoys to free up proteins from chromatin, or revers-ing the effects of other regulatory non-cod-ing RNAs, such as microRNAs. Pathway-based analysis showed that several lncRNAs modulate PI3K/ Akt/ mTOR, Wnt-β catenin and Notch pathways in the process of cervical cancer pathogenesis. In addition, expression of a handful of lncRNAs has been associated with human papilloma virus infection. Identification of lncRNAs that alter cancer-related signal-ing pathways and subsequent expression analysis of these lncRNAs in patients samples would help to design effective targeted ther-apies. Key words: lncRNA -  cervical cancer - oncogene - tumor suppressor gene.

A bioinformatics approach for identification of miR-100 targets implicated in breast cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous non-coding RNAs with principal roles in regulation of protein expression via translation repression and mRNA degradation. Based on these roles they are implicated in tumourigenesis processes as well. Among them is miR-100 which can exert both tumor suppressor and oncogenic functions in various cancer types. In breast cancer, it has been shown to affect apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition as well as tumor-related signaling pathways. In the present study, we introduce a novel approach for identification of miR-100 target genes which are possibly implicated in breast cancer pathogenesis. We applied 14 online tools for prediction of miR-100 target genes and used gene expression data produced by DNA microarray technology. By combining these two sets of data we proposed a list of miR-100 target genes with possible involvement in breast cancer. Considering the role of miR-100 as a context-dependent chief regulator of the cancer-related signaling pathways and a potential target for therapeutic modalities, identification of its targets would pave the way for designing new approaches for cancer treatment or sensitization of cancer cells to standard treatments.

Hepatitis B virus infection in patients with blood disorders: a concise review in pediatric study

Childhood Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes both medical and public health challenges. Infants who acquire HBV parentally have up to 90% risk of developing chronic HBV infection. It is now estimated that approximately 10% of worldwide cancers are attributable to viral infection, with the vast majority (>85 %) occurring in the developing world. In this distribution, elevated rate and prevalence of HBV marker have been found in patients with malignancies as compared to the general population. By reviewing the web-based search for all Persian and English types of scientific peer review published articles initiated using Iran Medex, MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL and other pertinent references on websites about HBV and HCV blood disorders. The high prevalence of HBV and HCV infective markers was detected in patients with different malignancies. Moreover, identification of high prevalence of HBV infective markers in leukemia patients proposed strong association between hepatitis viral infections and leukemia.

An Iranian family with azoospermia and premature ovarian insufficiency segregating NR5A1 mutation

In brief, we report an Iranian family with a history of both azoospermia and premature ovarian insufficiency with the same heterozygote mutation in the NR5A1 gene that can be transmitted. As far as we know, this is the first observation that a common mutation in NR5A1 can cause these above-mentioned phenotypes in a family.

Rewarded gift for living renal donors

Although the waiting list for renal transplantation is growing from year to year, the participation of unrelated living donors in kidney transplantation remains controversial. Patients want to be transplanted as soon as possible, not years later. Nevertheless, cadaveric organ donation has not been able to meet the requirements for all patients in need. With a continuous shortage of organs, the use of living unrelated donors is likely to decrease patient suffering and waiting list mortality. The excellent short- and long-term results of living unrelated transplantation have stimulated physicians toward a wider use of this donor pool. Therefore, transplants from living donors, whether related or unrelated, may be proposed as a therapeutic option for end-stage renal disease patients. In this article we explain the necessity of compensating altruistic living donors as an incentive. It is concluded that living unrelated renal transplantation programs should be legalized and controlled by international and national transplant societies to prevent illegal trade and to provide better care for donors.