Publications

@article{nateghi_growth_2025,

title = {Growth of the prefrontal cortical glioblastoma altered cognitive and emotional behaviors via mediating miRNAs and GABA-a receptor signaling pathways in rats},

author = {Sepide Nateghi and Ameneh Rezayof and Fatemeh Kouhkan and Ladan Delphi and Yavar Bagheri Davisaraei and Fatemeh Rostami and Fatemeh Tirgar and Houri Sepehri},

doi = {10.1016/j.brainresbull.2025.111227},

issn = {1873-2747},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-02-01},

journal = {Brain Research Bulletin},

volume = {221},

pages = {111227},

abstract = {The present study investigated the impact of GABAergic signaling and miRNA expression on glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) growth within the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and its associated cognitive and emotional impairments. The implantation of C6 cells into the mPFC induced GBM in this brain region (referred to as the mPFC-GBM) in male Wistar rats via stereotaxic surgery, as confirmed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining. Repeated microinjections of muscimol, a potent GABAA receptor agonist, directly into the mPFC-GBM (1 µg/rat/2.5 μl) following tumor induction decreased tumor volume and weight, resulting in an increased survival rate. Conversely, a higher dose of muscimol (6 µg/rat/2.5 μl) increased tumor size and reduced survival. Behavioral alterations induced by GBM, including anxiety-like responses, exploratory behaviors, locomotor activity, and memory formation, were assessed using anxiety-like behavior task, the hole-board test, and the novel object recognition test. Muscimol treatment dose-dependently affected these behaviors in the animals with the mPFC-GBM, bringing their performance with that of the sham group at the dose of 1 µg/rat/2.5 μl. Changes in specific miRNAs expressions, including miR-208, -290-295, -345, -743 and -802 were associated with the growth of the mPFC-GBM under muscimol treatment. These findings suggest that GBM growth into the mPFC profoundly impacts cognitive and emotional behaviors which can be improved by muscimol treatment. Considering that the expression levels of targeted miRNAs could be influenced by the growth of the mPFC-GBM, both with or without muscimol treatment, these non-coding RNAs might serve as potential biomarkers for GBM.},

keywords = {Animal, Animals, Anxiety, Behavior, Brain Neoplasms, Cell Line, Cognition, Emotions, GABA-A, GABA-A Receptor Agonists, GABAergic signaling, GBM animal model, Glioblastoma, Male, MicroRNAs, Muscimol, Non-coding RNAs, Prefrontal Cortex, Rat(s), Rats, Receptors, Signal Transduction, Tumor, Wistar},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{tirgar_novel_2024,

title = {A novel approach for mucosal and bulbar olfactory ensheathing cell isolation based on the non-adherent subculture technique},

author = {F. Tirgar and Z. Azizi and M. Hadjighassem},

doi = {10.32598/bcn.2022.3579.1},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Basic and Clinical Neuroscience},

volume = {15},

number = {2},

pages = {211–220},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ebrahimpour_reliable_2024,

title = {Reliable differentiation of necrosis and active metabolically contours of glioblastoma multiforme using susceptibility-based imaging},

author = {A. Ebrahimpour and M. Khoobi and N. Riyahi Alam and M. Masoumbeigi and F. Tirgar and T. Ebrahimi},

doi = {10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28355},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-01},

journal = {Helyion},

pages = {10},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ghazvini_investigating_2023,

title = {Investigating facilitatory effects of lithium on methamphetamine-induced spatial memory impairments in rat},

author = {H. Ghazvini and F. Tirgar and M. Khodamoradi and S. M. Seyedhosseini Tamijani and S. Niknamfar and E. Akbari and M. Nekahi and N. Tarjani and H. Ghalehnoei and M. Rouhi Ardeshiri},

doi = {10.32598/bcn.2022.2297.1},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {Basic and Clinical Neuroscience},

volume = {14},

number = {5},

pages = {605–614},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{kamali_effect_2023,

title = {Effect of folate-targeted erlotinib loaded human serum albumin nanoparticles on tumor size and survival rate in a rat model of glioblastoma},

author = {M. Kamali and Webster T.J and A. Amani and M. R. Hadjighassem and M. R. Malekpour and F. Tirgar and M. Khosravani and M. Adabi},

doi = {10.1016/j.lfs.2022.121248},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {Life Sciences},

volume = {313},

pages = {121248},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{tirgar_preclinical_2022,

title = {Preclinical gene therapy in glioblastoma multiforme: using olfactory ensheathing cells containing a suicide gene},

author = {Fatemeh Tirgar and Zahra Azizi and Saereh Hosseindoost and Mahmoudreza Hadjighassem},

doi = {10.1016/j.lfs.2022.121132},

issn = {1879-0631},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-12-01},

journal = {Life Sciences},

volume = {311},

number = {Pt A},

pages = {121132},

abstract = {AIMS: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant type of brain tumor resistant to current treatments. Recently, suicide gene therapy with the Herpex Simplex Virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) gene has been developed with high therapeutic potency, even in clinical trials. The primary challenge to establishing a gene therapy strategy is how to transfer the desired gene into the tumor site. The olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) secreting neurotropic and anti-inflammatory factors have a high migration capacity, making them applicable for gene therapy. We examined our new construct OECs containing the HSV-tk gene for their migration and tumoricidal ability in animal models of GBM. 

MAIN METHODS: Isolated OECs were transduced by the HSV-tk gene (OEC-tks). OEC-tks or PBS were injected ipsilaterally or contralaterally into the tumor-bearing rats, followed by gancyclovir (GCV) or PBS administration. At the end of the treatment, tumor size, apoptosis, and animal survival were assessed. 

KEY FINDINGS: Our findings demonstrated that tumor size was significantly decreased in OEC-tks ipsilateral and contralateral groups, followed by GCV injections. Furthermore, both groups' pro-apoptotic protein and gene expressions were up-regulated, whereas Bcl-2 protein expression was down-regulated. Besides, apoptosis in the OEC-tks ipsilateral/GCV group was higher in the intratumoral region, and this percentage was higher in the OEC-tks contralateral/GCV group in the peritumoral region. Interestingly, our new construct increased animal survival rate and reduced body weight loss. 

SIGNIFICANCE: OECs could serve as a novel carrier for gene therapy, have a high migration capability to the GBM and eventually suppress tumor progression.},

keywords = {Animals, Antiviral Agents, Cancer, Cultured, Ganciclovir, GCV: gancyclovir, Genetic Therapy, Glioblastoma, Glioblastoma multiforme, Olfactory ensheathing cells, Rats, Simplexvirus, Suicide gene therapy, Thymidine Kinase, Thymidine kinase gene, Tumor Cells},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{khodamoradi_role_2022,

title = {Role of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor in methamphetamine-induced social and recognition memory impairment},

author = {Mehdi Khodamoradi and Fatemeh Tirgar and Hamed Ghazvini and Raheleh Rafaiee and Seyedeh Masoumeh Seyedhosseini Tamijani and Narges Karimi and Ali Yadegari and Ali Siahposht Khachaki and Javad Akhtari},

doi = {10.1016/j.neulet.2022.136634},

issn = {1872-7972},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-05-01},

journal = {Neuroscience Letters},

volume = {779},

pages = {136634},

abstract = {Methamphetamine (METH) has been reported to induce social and recognition memory impairment. Evidence suggests that the cannabinoid system has an important modulatory role in cognitive processing and social interaction. Nonetheless, no previous study has investigated the probable role of the cannabinoids system on METH-induced deficits of novel object recognition (NOR) memory and social interaction. Adult male rats were given a neurotoxic METH regimen (four injections of 6 mg/kg, s.c, at 2 h intervals). One week later, they were examined for either NOR or social interaction in different groups. The cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R) antagonist rimonabant (1 or 3 mg/kg, i.p.) improved METH-induced impairment of the acquisition, consolidation, and retrieval, but not reconsolidation, of NOR and also METH-induced impairment of social behavior. Administration of the CB1R agonist WIN 55,212-2 (WIN; 3 or 5 mg/kg, i.p.) did not affect memory deficits or social behavior impairment induced by METH. Our findings may indicate that METH neurotoxicity impairs social and recognition memory. On the other hand, the CB1R antagonist rimonabant, but not the CB1R agonist WIN, prevented these negative effects of METH neurotoxicity. Thus, it seems that the CB1R can be targeted to prevent the adverse effects of METH on cognition and social behavior, at least at experimental levels.},

keywords = {212–2, Animals, Cannabinoid, Cannabinoid CB1 receptor, Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists, Cannabinoids, CB1, Male, Memory Disorders, Methamphetamine, Neurotoxicity Syndromes, Novel object recognition memory, Rats, Receptor, Rimonabant, Social interaction, WIN 55},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ebrahimpour_detection_2022,

title = {Detection of glioblastoma multiforme using quantitative molecular magnetic resonance imaging based on 5-aminolevulinic acid: in vitro and in vivo studies},

author = {A. Ebrahimpour and F. Tirgar and B. Hajipour-Verdom and A. Abbasi and M. Hadjighassem and P. Abdolmaleki and S. Hosseindoost and S. A. H. Javadi and H. Hashemi and A. Rahimi Foroushani and N. Riyahi Alam and M. Khoobi},

doi = {10.1007/s10334-021-00978-1},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-01},

journal = {Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine},

volume = {35},

number = {1},

pages = {3–15},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ebrahimpour_magnetic_2021,

title = {Magnetic metal–organic framework based on zinc and 5-aminolevulinic acid: MR imaging and brain tumor therapy},

author = {A. Ebrahimpour and N. Riahi Alam and P. Abdolmaleki and B. Hajipour-Verdom and F. Tirgar and T. Ebrahimi and M. Khoobi},

doi = {10.1007/s10904-020-01782-5},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials},

volume = {31},

number = {3},

pages = {1208–1216},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ghazvini_ovarian_2021,

title = {Ovarian hormones prevent methamphetamine-induced anxiety-related behaviors and neuronal damage in ovariectomized rats},

author = {H. Ghazvini and F. Tirgar and M. Khodamoradi and Z. Akbarnejad and R. Rafaiee and S. M. Seyedhosseini Tamijani and M. Asadi-Shekaari and Esmaeilpour Kh and V. Sheibani},

doi = {10.1016/j.neulet.2021.135652},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-01-01},

journal = {Neuroscience Letters},

volume = {746},

pages = {135652},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{tirgar_interactive_2018,

title = {Interactive effects of morphine andnicotine on memory function depend on the central amygdala cannabinoid CB1 receptor function in rats},

author = {F. Tirgar and A. Rezayof and S. Alijanpour and N. Yazdanbakhsh},

doi = {10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.11.027},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-01-01},

journal = {Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry},

volume = {82},

pages = {62–68},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{amiri_nmda_2016,

title = {NMDA receptors are involved in the antidepressant-like effects of capsaicin following amphetamine withdrawal in Male mice},

author = {S. Amiri and S. Alijanpour and F. Tirgar and A. Haj-Mirzaian and H. Amini-Khoei and M. Rahimi-Balaei and M. Rastegar and M. Ghaderi and M. Ghazi-Khansari and M. R. Zarrindast},

doi = {10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.05.003},

year  = {2016},

date = {2016-01-01},

journal = {Neuroscience},

volume = {329},

pages = {122–133},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{alijanpour_role_2016,

title = {Role of dorsal hippocampal orexin-1 receptors in memory restoration induced by morphine sensitization phenomenon},

author = {S. Alijanpour and F. Tirgar and M. R. Zarrindast},

doi = {10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.11.023},

year  = {2016},

date = {2016-01-01},

journal = {Neuroscience},

volume = {312},

pages = {215–26},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{tirgar_central_2014,

title = {Central amygdala nicotinic and 5-HT1A receptors mediate the reversal effect of nicotine and MDMA on morphine-induced amnesia},

author = {F. Tirgar and A. Rezayof and M. R. Zarrindast},

doi = {10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.07.014},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-01-01},

journal = {Neuroscience},

volume = {277},

pages = {392–402},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}