Molecular Biology and Genetics / Moleküler Biyoloji ve Genetik

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/11147/9

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  • Letter
    Citation - WoS: 1
    Citation - Scopus: 1
    Evaluating Ethanol Concentrations Against Staphylococcus Spp: a Proposal for Improving Nosocomial Bacteria Control
    (Elsevier, 2024) Soyer, Ferda; Özdemir, Özgün Öykü; Polat, Bengi; Ekenel, Nil Hazal
    Dear Editor, Nosocomial infections originating from commonly encountered pathogenic bacteria, notably Staphylococcus species, persist as a prominent global public health issue. This phenomenon exerts consequential impacts on both the well-being of patients and the healthcare personnel within hospital environments. Hospital-acquired infections from common bacteria like Staphylococcus remain a global public health concern. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reports prevalence rates of 4.5% in the USA and 7.1% in Europe [1]. An estimated 8.9 million healthcare-associated infections occur annually in European hospitals and long-term care facilities [1]. According to the World Health Organization, although 10% of patients get healthcare-associated infections, at least a 30% reduction can be achieved through adequate infection prevention and control [2]. The efficacy of disinfection methodologies employed in healthcare institutions assumes critical significance in mitigating this threat.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 7
    Citation - Scopus: 6
    Addition of Exogenous Diacylglycerol Enhances Wnt/Β-catenin Signaling Through Stimulation of Macropinocytosis
    (Elsevier, 2023) Azbazdar, Yağmur; Tejeda-Munoz, Nydia; Monka, Julia C.; Dayrit, Alex; Binder, Grace; De Robertis, Edward M.; Özhan, Güneş
    Activation of Wnt signaling triggers macropinocytosis and drives many tumors. We now report that the exogenous addition of the second messenger lipid sn-1,2 DAG to the culture medium rapidly induces macropinocytosis. This is accompanied by potentiation of the effects of added Wnt3a recombinant protein or the glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) inhibitor lithium chloride (LiCl, which mimics Wnt signaling) in luciferase transcriptional reporter assays. In a colorectal carcinoma cell line in which mutation of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) causes constitutive Wnt signaling, DAG addition increased levels of nuclear β-catenin, and this increase was partially inhibited by an inhibitor of macropinocytosis. DAG also expanded multivesicular bodies marked by the tetraspan protein CD63. In an in vivo situation, microinjection of DAG induced Wnt-like twinned body axes when co-injected with small amounts of LiCl into Xenopus embryos. These results suggest that the DAG second messenger plays a role in Wnt-driven cancer progression. © 2023 The Author(s)
  • Article
    Citation - Scopus: 11
    Μdacs Platform: a Hybrid Microfluidic Platform Using Magnetic Levitation Technique and Integrating Magnetic, Gravitational, and Drag Forces for Density-Based Rare Cancer Cell Sorting
    (Elsevier, 2023) Keçili, Seren; Yılmaz, Esra; Özçelik, Özge Solmaz; Anıl İnevi, Müge; Günyüz, Zehra Elif; Yalçın Özuysal, Özden; Özçivici, Engin; Tekin, Hüseyin Cumhur
    Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are crucial indicators of cancer metastasis. However, their rarity in the bloodstream and the heterogeneity of their surface biomarkers present challenges for their isolation. Here, we developed a hybrid microfluidic platform (microfluidic-based density-associated cell sorting (µDACS) platform) that utilizes density as a biophysical marker to sort cancer cells from the population of white blood cells (WBCs). The platform utilizes the magnetic levitation technique on a microfluidic chip to sort cells based on their specific density ranges, operating under a continuous flow condition. By harnessing magnetic, gravitational, and drag forces, the platform efficiently separates cells. This approach involves a microfluidic chip equipped with a microseparator, which directs cells into top and bottom outlets depending on their levitation heights, which are inversely proportional to their densities. Hence, low-density cancer cells are collected from the top outlet, while high-density WBCs are collected from the bottom outlet. We optimized the sorting efficiency by varying the flow rates, and concentrations of the sorting medium's paramagnetic properties using standard densities of polymeric microspheres. To demonstrate the platform's applicability, we performed hybrid microfluidic sorting on MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells and U-937 human monocytes. The results showed efficient sorting of rare cancer cells (≥100 cells/mL) from serum samples, achieving a sorting efficiency of ∼70% at a fast-processing speed of 1 mL h−1. This label-free approach holds promise for rapid and cost-effective CTC sorting, facilitating in-vitro diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. © 2023 The Author(s)
  • Letter
    Citation - WoS: 1
    Citation - Scopus: 2
    C-Met Activation Promotes Extravasation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Into 3d-Cultured Hepatocyte Cells in Lab-On Device
    (Elsevier, 2023) Solmaz, Gülhas; Bağcı, Gülsün; Çömez, Dehan; Topel, Hande; Yılmaz, Yeliz; Bağırsakçı, Ezgi; Güneş, Aysim; Batı Ayaz, Gizem; Tahmaz, İsmail; Bilgen, Müge; Pesen Okvur, Devrim
    Activation of c-Met signaling is associated with an aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, its contribution to organ preference in metastasis remains unclear. In this study, using a Lab on a Chip device, we defined the role of aberrant c-Met activation in regulating the extravasation and homing capacity of HCC cells. Our studies showed that (i) c-Met overexpression and activation direct HCC cells preferentially towards the hepatocytes-enriched microenvironment, and (ii) blockage of c-Met phosphorylation by a small molecule inhibitor attenuated extravasation and homing capacity of HCC cells. These results, thus, demonstrate the role of c-Met signaling in regulating the colonization of HCC cells preferentially in the liver. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 4
    Citation - Scopus: 4
    Protocol for Cell Surface Biotinylation of Magnetic Labeled and Captured Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
    (Elsevier, 2022) Ayaz Güner, Şerife; Acar, Mustafa Burak; Boyvat, Dudu; Güner, Hüseyin; Bozalan, Habibe; Güzel, Melis; Yıldır, Selin Kübra; Altınsoy, Nilay; Fındık, Fatma; Karakükçü, Musa; Özcan, Servet
    Analysis of the surfaceome of a blood cell subset requires cell sorting, followed by surface protein enrichment. Here, we present a protocol combining magnetically activated cell sorting (MACS) and surface biotinylation of the target cell subset from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We describe the steps for isolating target cells and their in-column surface biotinylation, followed by isolation and mass spectrometry analysis of biotinylated proteins. The protocol enables in-column surface biotinylation of specific cell subsets with minimal membrane disruption.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 27
    Citation - Scopus: 27
    Epithelial-Myeloid Exchange of Mhc Class Ii Constrains Immunity and Microbiota Composition
    (Elsevier, 2021) Stephens, W. Zac; Kubinak, Jason L.; Ghazaryan, Arevik; Bauer, Kaylyn M.; Buhrke, Kate; Round, June L.; Ekiz, Hüseyin Atakan
    Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) have long been understood to express high levels of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC class II) molecules but are not considered canonical antigen-presenting cells, and the impact of IEC-MHC class II signaling on gut homeostasis remains enigmatic. As IECs serve as the primary barrier between underlying host immune cells, we reasoned that IEC-intrinsic antigen presentation may play a role in responses toward the microbiota. Mice with an IEC-intrinsic deletion of MHC class II (IECΔMHC class II) are healthy but have fewer microbial-bound IgA, regulatory T cells (Tregs), and immune repertoire selection. This was associated with increased interindividual microbiota variation and altered proportions of two taxa in the ileum where MHC class II on IECs is highest. Intestinal mononuclear phagocytes (MNPs) have similar MHC class II transcription but less surface MHC class II and are capable of acquiring MHC class II from IECs. Thus, epithelial-myeloid interactions mediate development of adaptive responses to microbial antigens within the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Conference Object
    Advantage of Co-Culture Strategy for Targeted Cancer Treatment and in Vitro Studies
    (Elsevier, 2021) Ulu, Gizem Tuğçe; Bayram, Nazende Nur; Dinçer İşoğlu, Sevil; Baran, Yusuf
    Breast cancer tissues include carcinoma cells and stromal cells, and intra-tumoral stroma that consists of different types of cells. For this point, cell-cell interaction and communication have a potential role in cancer progression. Mono-cell culture is used for cancer treatment approaches. However, cell-cell interaction and communication can not be evaluated on mono-culture cells. So, co-culture models provide low-cost screening to determine cell proliferation for drug application before moving forward to in vivo models. Also, determination of cell morphology in co culture system is critical to understand advantages.
  • Conference Object
    Determination of Therapeutic Effects of Multifunctional Micelle-Based Nanocarriers on Breast Cancer Cells
    (Elsevier, 2021) Ulu, Gizem Tuğçe; Bayram, Nazende Nur; Abdulhadi, N.; Gurdap, S.; Isoglu, A.; Isoglu, S. D.; Baran, Yusuf
    Background: Breast cancer is the most common and frequent cause of death in women in all types of cancer. Current treatment protocols do not provide a complete cure and targeting therapy can provide an important avenue for successful treatment of breast cancer. In this study, we aim to determine the therapeutic effects of the drug-conjugated carrier system with the conjugation of peptide sequence and antibody on HER2-positive breast cancer cells.
  • Article
    Citation - Scopus: 1
    A Diaminoethane Motif Bearing Low Molecular Weight Polymer as a New Nucleic Acid Delivery Agent
    (Elsevier, 2021) Zelcak, Aykut; Ünal, Yağmur Ceren; Meşe, Gülistan; Bulmuş, Volga
    Among polymer-based gene delivery systems, poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) stands out as an effective polycation. However, the toxic effects of PEI especially at higher molecular weights limit its usage. Although the effects of PEI's architecture and molecular weight on gene delivery is controversial in literature, low molecular weight PEI appears to be efficient at transfection while having lower toxicity. Herein, as an alternative to low molecular weight, linear PEI, a methacrylate polymer bearing diamimoethane motifs, poly(2-((2-aminoethyl)amino)ethyl methacrylate) (P(AEAEMA)), was evaluated in vitro as a new nucleic acid delivery agent. P(AEAEMA) (8 kDa) showed low toxicity on Skov-3-luc and NIH/3T3 cell lines at polymer concentrations where PEI (8 kDa) was highly toxic. P(AEAEMA) could efficiently form complexes with siRNA at an N/P ratio of 2 as shown by gel electrophoresis. The diameter of P(AEAEMA)-siRNA complexes was found to be significantly lower than PEIsiRNA complexes almost at all tested N/P ratios. P(AEAEMA) could improve the stability of siRNA in serum containing media by protecting the siRNA against serum nucleases. siRNA and pDNA transfection efficiency of P (AEAEMA) on luciferase expressing Skov-3-luc cell line and HEK 293T cell line, respectively was found to be comparable to well-known nucleic acid carrier, PEI. The transfection efficiency of both P(AEAEMA) and PEI was found to be cell-type-dependent. None of the polymers were able to transfect MDA-MB-231 cells with siRNA or pDNA.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 16
    Citation - Scopus: 18
    Connexin 32 Induces Pro-Tumorigenic Features in Mcf10a Normal Breast Cells and Mda-Mb Metastatic Breast Cancer Cells
    (Elsevier, 2020) Yalçın Özuysal, Özden; Adak, Aslı; Ünal, Yağmur Ceren; Yücel, Simge; Vural, Zehra; Turan, Fatma Başak; Meşe, Gülistan
    Connexins (Cx), the basic subunit of gap junctions, play important roles in cell homeostasis, and their abnormal expression and function are associated with human hereditary diseases and cancers. In tumorigenesis, connexins were observed to have both anti-tumorigenic and pro-tumorigenic roles in a context- and stage-dependent manner. Initially, Cx26 and Cx43 were thought to be the only connexins involved in normal breast homeostasis and breast cancer. Later on, association of Cx32 expression with lymph node metastasis of breast cancer and subsequent demonstration of its expression in normal breast tissue suggested that Cx32 contributes to breast tissue homeostasis. Here, we aimed to determine the effects of Cx32 on normal breast cells, MCF10A, and on breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231. Cx32 overexpression had profound effects on MCF10A cells, decreasing cell proliferation by increasing the doubling time of MCF10A. Furthermore, MCF10A cells acquired mesenchymal-like appearance upon Cx32 expression and had increased migration capacity and expression of both E-cadherin and vimentin. In contrast, Cx32 overexpression altered the EMT markers of MDA-MB-231 by increasing the expression of mesenchymal markers, such as slug and vimentin, and decreasing E-cadherin expression without affecting their proliferation and morphology. Our results indicate, for the first time in the literature, that Cx32 has tumor-promoting roles in MCF10A and MDA-MB-231 cells.