Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors (NOD-like receptors) are cytosolic signaling receptors of innate immune cells recognizing ligands derived from bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. They can initiate apoptosis and pro-inflammatory cytokines production. Meanwhile, the role of decidual NOD-like receptors in pathogenesis of early miscarriages remains unknown. 

Aim: to study NOD-like receptor (NOD1, NOD2, NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression in decidual tissue from patients with missedand spontaneous abortions compared to progressive pregnancy.

Materials and Methods. NOD1, NOD2, NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4 and pathway protein receptorinteracting-serine/threonine-protein kinase 2 (RIP-2) mRNA expression in decidua from 34 patients with missed abortions (group I), 34 patients with spontaneous abortions (group II) and 57 women with progressive pregnancy admitted for artificial abortion (group III, control group) were analyzed by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at gestational age of 6–10 weeks. Exclusion criteria were as follows: endocrine disorders, severe extragenital diseases, antiphospholipid syndrome, inherited thrombophilia, uterine malformations and fetal chromosomal abnormalities. Samples were collected by uterine abrasion. 

Results. It was found that mRNA expression of NOD2 was significantly higher in decidua from patients with missed and spontaneous abortions, whereas for RIP-2 (related to relevant signaling pathway) – in women with missed abortions. A moderate positive correlation between gestational age and mRNA expression for NOD2 (R = 0.48; p = 0.01) and RIP-2 (R = 0.41; p = 0.007) was observed in subjects with progressive pregnancy. In contrast, women with missed abortions showed a moderate negative correlation between body weight and mRNA expression for NOD2 (R = –0.46; p = 0.03) and RIP-2 (R = –0.51; p = 0.02) whereas spontaneous abortions was associated with moderate negative correlation between RIP-2 mRNA expression and body weight (R= –0.47; p=0.04) as well as body mass index (R= –0.48; p = 0.04) along with moderate positive correlation with age of menarche (R = 0.46; p = 0.04). However, compared with progressive pregnancy no significant differences were found in expression level form NOD1, NLRP1, NLRP3 and NLRC4 mRNA in decidua from patients with missed and spontaneous abortions. 

Conclusion. Elevated NOD2 mRNA expression was observed in decidua from patients with missed and spontaneous abortions compared to progressive pregnancy paralleled with upregulated RIP-2 mRNA expression in missed abortions. Finally, it was found that NOD1, NLRP1, NLRP3 and NLRC4 were not involved in pathogenesis of miscarriages.

Introduction. Establishing the effects of anticancer drugs on the transcriptome is an important procedure in postgenomic pharmacology necessary to comprehensively assess the desired and undesirable effects of candidate drugs.

Aim: to assess the effects of lignan 7-hydroxymatairesinol (7HMR) on breast tumor cells.

Materials and Methods. Chemotranscriptome profiling was carried out in MCF7 cells (breast cancer cell line) after 24-hour incubation with 7HMR. The GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) database contains samples of data from transcriptomic studies allowing to model dose-dependent compound-related effects on gene expression based on the chemograph-derived combinatorial analysis algorithms. As a result, a panel of genes with altered expression is generated, which are analyzed by the functional linkage method using the international nomenclature of Gene Ontology (GO) linked to biological roles of genes/proteins.

Results. Dose-dependent effects of 7HMR on gene transcription (change in transcription by 5 % or more per 1 μmol 7HMR) were established for 3,468 out of 12,700 genes studied. 7HMR significantly reduced the expression of genes involved in maintaining cell proliferation (401 genes including those involved in telomere maintenance), protein synthesis (194 genes) and proteasomal protein degradation (70 genes), energy metabolism in tumor cells (91 genes) and chronic inflammation (148 genes). A decline in the expression of such gene groups retards the processes of proliferation and vital activity along with protecting host body from excessive inflammation. 7HMR contributed to a predominant increase in the transcription of gene groups involved in antitumor activity (more than 100 genes), including the genes involved in maintaining antitumor immunity as well as those mediating the antitumor effects of vitamin D, retinoids, and vitamin C.

Conclusion. The revealed changes in gene transcription enhance 7HMR-related effects on proteome proteins and suggest the prospects for using 7HMR for effective and safe prevention and treatment of nodular mastopathy and breast cancer.