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1- Department of Biology, Payame Noor University (PNU), Tehran, Iran
2- Department of Biology, Payame Noor University (PNU), Tehran, Iran ,s.farahmand@pnu.ac.ir
3- Department of Microbiology, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord Branch, Shahrekord, Iran
2- Department of Biology, Payame Noor University (PNU), Tehran, Iran ,
3- Department of Microbiology, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord Branch, Shahrekord, Iran
Abstract: (137 Views)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Probiotics, particularly species of Bifidobacterium, have shown potential anticancer properties through mechanisms involving immune modulation, regulation of apoptosis, and production of bioactive metabolites. This study aimed to examine the cytotoxic effects of post-fermentation medium (PFM) and cell extract (CE) derived from Bifidobacterium bifidum on colorectal cancer cells and to evaluate their impact on the expression of cancer-related microRNAs and target genes
Methods: HT-29 colorectal cancer cells were exposed to different concentrations (0–50% v/v) of PFM and CE. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT assay. The expression levels of miR-196a-5p and miR-196b-5p and their target genes (HOXB8, IGF2BP3, and E2F7) were quantified using qRT-PCR.
Results: PFM induced a dose-dependent reduction in HT-29 cell viability, with an IC₅₀ of approximately 35%, while CE displayed minimal cytotoxicity. PFM also upregulated miR-196a-5p and miR-196b-5p, particularly at 35% and 50%, whereas CE had no significant effect. Correspondingly, PFM was associated with significant downregulation of HOXB8 and IGF2BP3 expression. No meaningful changes were observed in E2F7 expression or in CE-treated cells.
Conclusion: B. bifidum-derived PFM demonstrates anticancer activity by reducing cancer cell viability and showing an association with changes in miRNA and target gene expression. However, these findings are correlative and do not establish a causal, miRNA-mediated mechanism. Further functional studies (e.g., using miRNA mimics/inhibitors or gene knockdown) are required to determine whether the observed gene expression changes are directly mediated by miRNA modulation, and in vivo validation is also warranted.
Background and Objective: Probiotics, particularly species of Bifidobacterium, have shown potential anticancer properties through mechanisms involving immune modulation, regulation of apoptosis, and production of bioactive metabolites. This study aimed to examine the cytotoxic effects of post-fermentation medium (PFM) and cell extract (CE) derived from Bifidobacterium bifidum on colorectal cancer cells and to evaluate their impact on the expression of cancer-related microRNAs and target genes
Methods: HT-29 colorectal cancer cells were exposed to different concentrations (0–50% v/v) of PFM and CE. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT assay. The expression levels of miR-196a-5p and miR-196b-5p and their target genes (HOXB8, IGF2BP3, and E2F7) were quantified using qRT-PCR.
Results: PFM induced a dose-dependent reduction in HT-29 cell viability, with an IC₅₀ of approximately 35%, while CE displayed minimal cytotoxicity. PFM also upregulated miR-196a-5p and miR-196b-5p, particularly at 35% and 50%, whereas CE had no significant effect. Correspondingly, PFM was associated with significant downregulation of HOXB8 and IGF2BP3 expression. No meaningful changes were observed in E2F7 expression or in CE-treated cells.
Conclusion: B. bifidum-derived PFM demonstrates anticancer activity by reducing cancer cell viability and showing an association with changes in miRNA and target gene expression. However, these findings are correlative and do not establish a causal, miRNA-mediated mechanism. Further functional studies (e.g., using miRNA mimics/inhibitors or gene knockdown) are required to determine whether the observed gene expression changes are directly mediated by miRNA modulation, and in vivo validation is also warranted.
Keywords: Bifidobacterium bifidum, Colorectal Neoplasms, Fermentation Products, Gene expression regulation, MicroRNAs.
Type of Study: Original Research Article |
Subject:
Molecular Microbiology
Received: 2025/09/13 | Accepted: 2026/05/7
Received: 2025/09/13 | Accepted: 2026/05/7
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Iranian Journal of Medical Microbiology by Farname is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0
