The role of microRNAs in multiple sclerosis.

Despite numerous studies on multiple sclerosis (MS) and understanding many aspects of this disease, researchers still struggle to find proper biomarkers that facilitate diagnosis; prognosis and monitoring of treatment efficacy in MS. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are considered as endogenous, comparatively stable and small non-coding RNAs involved in various biological and pathological signaling pathways. Interestingly, miRNAs have been emerged as a potential biomarker for monitoring novel therapies in MS patients. In this review, we described the miRNAs alteration in the MS patients as well as their altered expression in patients under common MS therapies.

The potential use of mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS). In attempt to identify an appropriate treatment for improving the neurological symptoms and remyelination process, autologous and allogenic transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been introduced as an effective therapeutic strategy in MS. MSCs are a heterogeneous subset of pluripotent non-hematopoietic stromal cells that are isolated from bone marrow, adipose tissue, placenta and other sources. MSCs have considerable therapeutic effects due to their ability in differentiation, migration, immune-modulation and neuroregeneration. To date, numerous experimental and clinical studies demonstrated that MSCs therapy improves the CNS repair and modulates functional neurological symptoms. Here, we provided an overview of the current knowledge about the clinical applications of MSCs in MS. Furthermore, the major challenges and risks of MSCs therapy in MS patients have been elucidated.

Upregulation of klotho and erythropoietin contributes to the neuroprotection induced by curcumin-loaded nanoparticles in experimental model of chronic epilepsy.

Klotho, which is a life extension factor, and erythropoietin (EPO) have been introduced as effective neuroprotective factors in several neurological disorders. The present study is an attempt to examine the potential role of klotho and EPO in therapeutic effect of curcumin-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) in pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced kindling model. In order to induce the kindling model, PTZ was administrated intraperitoneally (i.p.) at dose of 36.5 mg/kg every other day for 20 days. Male NMRI mice received pre-treatment of free curcumin or curcumin-loaded NPs (12.5 mg/kg, i.p.) 10 days before PTZ injection and this was continued until 1 h before each PTZ injection. Immunostaining against NeuN, as a marker of neuronal maturation, and EPO was performed on hippocampal brain sections. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was conducted to assess the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), klotho and EPO in the hippocampus. Immunostaining data indicated that treatment with curcumin-loaded NPs significantly alleviates the neuronal cell death in PTZ receiving animals. Curcumin-loaded NPs effectively upregulated the levels of EPO and klotho in PTZ receiving animals. Furthermore, mRNA level of TNF-α was considerably reduced in animals undergone curcumin-loaded NPs treatment. Overall, the results of this study suggest that downregulation of TNF-α and consequent upregulation of klotho and EPO might contribute to the neuroprotective effect of curcumin-loaded NPs in experimental model of epilepsy.