Mohammed Al Qahtani

Identification of Unique miRNA Biomarkers in Colorectal Adenoma and Carcinoma Using Microarray: Evaluation of Their Putative Role in Disease Progression

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to be dysregulated and play a key role in cancer progression. The present study aims to identify the miRNAs associated with colorectal adenoma and carcinoma to evaluate their role in tumor progression and metastasis using microarray. In silico analysis of miRNAs was performed on five different microarray data sets that represented the genes and miRNAs expressed in colorectal adenoma and carcinoma. We identified 10 different miRNAs that were common to both colorectal adenoma and carcinoma, namely, miR9, miR96, miR135b, miR137, miR147, miR182, miR183, miR196b, miR224, and miR503. Of these, miR135b and miR147 were significantly downregulated in colorectal adenoma but upregulated in carcinoma. In addition, we studied the gene expression profile associated with colorectal adenocarcinoma and identified three genes, namely, ZBED3, SLC10A3, and FOXQ1, that were significantly downregulated in colorectal adenoma compared to carcinoma. Interestingly, of all the miRNAs and genes associated with colorectal adenocarcinoma, the myoglobin (MB) gene was identified to be under the direct influence of miR135b, showing an inverse relationship between them in adenoma and carcinoma. Most of the identified miRNAs and associated genes are involved in signaling pathways of cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. The present study has identified putative miRNA targets and their associated gene networks which could be used as potential biomarkers of colon adenocarcinoma. Moreover, the association of miR135b and MB gene is very unique and can be considered as a lead candidate for novel cancer therapeutics.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA) gene variation in polycystic ovary syndrome in a Tunisian women population

BackgroundPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by the growth of a number of small cysts on the ovaries which leads to sex hormonal imbalance. Women who are affected by this syndrome suffer from irregular menstrual cycles, decline in their fertility, excessive hair growth, obesity, acne and most importantly cardiac function problems. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a pivotal role in tissue vascularization in general and in the pathogenesis of many diseases. The PCOS was found to be associated with high expression levels of VEGF. In women who undergo assisted reproductive procedures (ART), VEGF was found to be a key mediator of other factors to control ovary angiogenesis. Here, we set out to examine the association of VEGFA gene polymorphism with PCOS and its components in a population of Tunisia women to enhance our understanding of the genetic background leading angiogenesis and vascularization abnormalities in PCOS.MethodsThe association of VEGFA gene with PCOS and its components was examined in a cohort of 268 women from Tunisia involving 118 PCOS patients and 150 controls. VEGFA gene variations were assessed through the analysis of the following SNPs rs699947 (A/C), rs833061 (C/T), rs1570360 (G/A), rs833068 (G/A), rs3025020 (C/T), and rs3025039 (C/T). The linkage disequilibrium between SNPs was assessed using HAPLOVIEW software while combination of SNPs into haplotypes in the population and the reconstruction of the cladogram were carried-out by PHASE and ARLEQUIN programs, respectively. Genetic association and genotype-phenotype correlations were calculated by logistic regression and non-parametric tests (Kruskall-Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests), respectively, using StatView program.ResultsWe observed 10 haplotypes in our studied cohort whereH1 (ACGG), H2 (ACAG), H7 (CTGG) and H8 (CTGA) were the most frequent. We observed the association of the genotype CT of the SNP rs30225039 with PCOS phenotype (P = 0.03; OR 95 % CI = 2.05 [1.07–3.90]) and a trend for correlation of the pair of haplotypes H2/H2 with prolactin levels in plasma (P = 0.077; 193.5 ± 94.3 vs 45.7 ± 7.2). These data are consistent with literature and highlight one more time the role of vascularization in the pathogeny of PCOS.ConclusionsLD pattern in VEGF locus showed a similar LD pattern between the Tunisian population and the CEU. More haplotypes in the Tunisian population than in CEU was observed (22 haplotypes vs 16 haplotypes) suggesting higher recombination rate in Tunisians. The study showed that there was any advantage of using haplotypes compared with SNPs taken alone.

Evaluation of the effect of Nigella sativa extract on human hepatocellular adenocarcinoma cell line (HepG2) in vitro

Background Cancer is a dreadful disease and remains a major cause of mortality world-wide. Plant derived compounds such as vincristine, vinblastine, etoposide, camptothecin etc. are widely used in cancer therapeutics. Nigella sativa (Figure 1) is claimed to have antihypertensive, analgesic, diuretic, anti-bacterial and liver protective effects [1]; however, there are only very few scientific evidence. In the present study, we attempt to explore the anticancer cancer claims of Nigella sativa, on human hepatocellular adenocarcinoma (HepG2) cell line in vitro.

High-density expression profiling of renal cell carcinomas from Saudi Arabia: a preliminary study

Background Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common malignancy of the adult kidney, comprising 3-4% of all human cancers, ranked sixth-leading cause of cancer death and incidences are increasing worldwide [1]. If detected in early stages, it is potentially curable by surgical resection; however, only a fraction of metastatic RCC is responsive to treatment. The molecular events leading to disease onset and progression are not well understood and needs investigations.

Method of delivery of bone marrow stem cells to the articular joint influences their survival during arthroscopy

Background Cartilage poor capacity to regenerate can eventually lead to osteoarthritis. We aim to restore cartilage regeneration by introducing autologus bone marrow MSCs (BMMSCs) into the damaged joint using arthroscopy. The arthroscopic procedure involves variations in temperature either to supraphysiologic or subphysiologic levels following low-flow irrigation or cryotherapy respectively [1,2]. The aim of this study was to assess whether such temperature fluctuations would influence the viability and function of delivered BMMSCs and hence the outcome of the arthroscopic procedure.