Long non-coding RNAs as pathophysiological regulators, therapeutic targets and novel extracellular vesicle biomarkers for the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing disease of the gastrointestinal (GI) system that includes two groups, Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). To cope with these two classes of IBD, the investigation of pathogenic mechanisms and the discovery of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are crucial. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) which are non-coding RNAs with a length of longer than 200 nucleotides have indicated significant association with the pathology of IBD and strong potential to be used as accurate biomarkers in diagnosing and predicting responses to the IBD treatment. In the current review, we aim to investigate the role of lncRNAs in the pathology and development of IBD. We first describe recent advances in research on dysregulated lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of IBD from the perspective of epithelial barrier function, intestinal immunity, mitochondrial function, and intestinal autophagy. Then, we highlight the possible translational role of lncRNAs as therapeutic targets, diagnostic biomarkers, and predictors of therapeutic response in colon tissues and plasma samples. Finally, we discuss the potential of extracellular vesicles and their lncRNA cargo in the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of IBD.

Crocetin Prevents RPE Cells from Oxidative Stress through Protection of Cellular Metabolic Function and Activation of ERK1/2.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause for visual impairment in aging populations with limited established therapeutic interventions available. Oxidative stress plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of AMD, damaging the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which is essential for the function and maintenance of the light-sensing photoreceptors. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of crocetin, one of the main components of Saffron, on an in vitro RPE model of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) induced oxidative stress using ARPE19 cells. The effects of crocetin were assessed using lactate de-hydrogenase (LDH) and ATP assays, as well as immunocytochemistry for cell morphology, junctional integrity, and nuclear morphology. The mechanism of crocetin action was determined via assessment of energy production pathways, including mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis in real-time as well as investigation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation and distribution. Our results show that crocetin pre-treatment protects ARPE19 cells from TBHP-induced LDH release, intracellular ATP depletion, nuclear condensation, and disturbance of junctional integrity and cytoskeleton. The protective effect of crocetin is mediated via the preservation of energy production pathways and activation of ERK1/2 in the first minutes of TBHP exposure to potentiate survival pathways. The combined data suggest that a natural antioxidant, such as crocetin, represents a promising candidate to prevent oxidative stress in RPE cells and might halt or delay disease progression in AMD.

Correction: Karimi, P., et al. Crocetin Prevents RPE Cells from Oxidative Stress through Protection of Cellular Metabolic Function and Activation of ERK1/2. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21, 2949.

The authors wish to make the following correction to Figure 6B of this article [...].

Environmental factors influencing the risk of autism.

Autism is a developmental disability with age of onset in childhood (under 3 years old), which is characterized by definite impairments in social interactions, abnormalities in speech, and stereotyped pattern of behaviors. Due to the progress of autism in recent decades, a wide range of studies have been done to identify the etiological factors of autism. It has been found that genetic and environmental factors are both involved in autism pathogenesis. Hence, in this review article, a set of environmental factors involved in the occurrence of autism has been collected, and finally, some practical recommendations for reduction of the risk of this devastating disease in children are represented.

Polymorphic AAAG repeat length in estrogen-related receptor gamma (ERRγ) and risk of breast cancer in Iranian women.

Estrogen-related receptors (ERRs) alpha, beta, and gamma are orphan nuclear receptors that modulate the estrogen signaling pathway and play roles in the regulation of breast cancer cell growth. To determine the association between breast cancer risk and alleles of the tetranucleotide repeat (AAAG)n in the intron of ERRγ gene, a case-control study of 200 breast cancer patients and 200 controls was performed in Iranian women. Our results demonstrate that women with short AAAG repeat are at higher risk of breast cancer (OR 7). This result suggests a possible involvement of polymorphic AAAG repeat of ERRγ gene in regulating its expression.

An insight into genetics of non-syndromic cleft palate.

Our proband is a 29-year-old man, who is affected with soft cleft palate and hypernasality. A study of about six generations of this family pedigree shows that cleft palate has repeatedly occurred in males, with probably a X-linked recessive pattern of inheritance. Interestingly, the sister of the proband is affected with hypernasality and she has an affected son. This is the first report of X-linked inheritance pattern of cleft palate in Iran.