Nesfatin-1 expression and blood plasma concentration in female dogs suffering from cystic endometrial hyperplasia and pyometra and its possible interaction with phoenixin-14.

Background: Nesfatin-1 is a neuropeptide that regulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and may play a role in uterus function. It is co-expressed with other peptides, such as phoenixin, which can influence sex hormone secretion. Our previous research has confirmed that phoenixin-14 is involved in the development of cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) and pyometra in dogs.

Expression and localization of the neuropeptide phoenixin-14 and its receptor GRP173 in the canine reproductive organs and periovarian adipose tissue.

Phoenixin-14 (PNX-14) is a regulatory neuropeptide encoded by the SMIM20 gene, which has been implicated in the reproductive cycle by modulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Recently, we showed that PNX-14 is downregulated in bitches with cystic endometrial hyperplasia and pyometra. The objective of this study was to determine the expression of Smim20, PNX-14, and its putative receptor GRP173 in the canine ovary (both healthy and those with ovarian cysts), periovarian adipose tissue (PAT) and in the endometrium during the oestrous cycle.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) as a Retinal Regulator of Heme Oxygenases -1, and -2 (HO's) Expression.

Carbon monoxide (CO) has been proposed as a chemical light signal and neural system modulator via heme oxygenases -1 and -2 (HO-1 and HO-2). Many papers have proven the CO-HO circuit to be important for such physiological pathways as the molecular biological clock and the GnRH axis, but also in such pathological occurrences as ischemic injuries, or inflammation as a regenerative and neuroprotective factor. In this in vivo experiment, we used three groups of pigs: control-housed in natural conditions without any procedures; without CO-adapted and kept in constant darkness, infused with blank plasma; and with CO-adapted and kept in constant darkness infused with CO-enriched plasma.

Canine cystic endometrial hyperplasia and pyometra may downregulate neuropeptide phoenixin and GPR173 receptor expression.

The most common uterine diseases affecting bitches are cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) and pyometra. The neuropeptide phoenixin (PNX) and its receptor (GPR173) are potential key factors involved in the proliferative and inflammatory regulation of the reproductive system in females. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of PNX and GPR173 by qPCR, western blot and immunofluorescence assays in the endometrium of bitches suffering from CEH or pyometra compared to clinically healthy females.

Role of Methylation in () Transcription in the Context of the Presence or Absence of Light Signals: Natural and Chemical-Studies on the Pig Model.

It has been proposed that carbon monoxide (CO) is a chemical light carrier that is transferred by the humoral pathway from the retina to the brain. Here, we aimed to study how deeply CO is involved in regulating the expression of gene (), one of the genes maintaining the intrinsic biological clock. In our in vivo experiment, we studied whether CO may be a chemical signal and is also equivalent to natural light in three groups of pigs: Normal: housed in natural conditions without any procedures, Control: adapted and kept in constant darkness, infused with blank plasma, and CO treated: adapted and kept in constant darkness infused with CO-enriched plasma.

Expression of Transforming Growth Factor Beta Isoforms in Canine Endometrium with Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia-Pyometra Complex.

Cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) and pyometra are the most frequently diagnosed uterine diseases affecting bitches of different ages. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) has been classified in females as a potential regulator of many endometrial changes during the estrous cycle or may be involved in pathological disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of TGF-β1, -β2 and -β3 in the endometrium of bitches suffering from CEH or a CEH-pyometra complex compared to clinically healthy females (control group; CG).

Expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1α and antioxidant enzymes: Superoxide dismutases-1 and -2 in ischemic porcine endometrium.

The aim of this study was to determine how 60-min ischemia changes the expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and superoxide dismutases (SOD)-1 and -2 in selected regions of porcine uterine horns. The results showed that 60-min ischemia of the porcine uterus conducted at the mid-secretory estrous phase caused decreased HIF-1α and increased SOD-2 gene expression. Higher expression of SOD-2 suggests that this enzyme may play an important role in the suppression of HIF-1α accumulation in an ischemic endometrium.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin alters steroid secretion but does not affect cell viability and the incidence of apoptosis in porcine luteinised granulosa cells.

The compound 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a by-product of human industrial activity, was found to affect ovarian steroidogenesis in animals, but the mechanism of its action is still unclear. The aims of the study were to examine the effect of TCDD on (1) progesterone (P4) and oestradiol (E2) production by granulosa cells isolated from medium (3-6 mm) and preovulatory (≥ 8 mm) porcine follicles, (2) the viability of the cells, and (3) the incidence of apoptosis. Porcine granulosa cells were cultured (48 h) with or without TCDD (100 pM, 100 nM).

Absence of FcγRIII results in increased proinflammatory response in FcγRIII-KO cardiac recipients.

Background: Alloantibody can contribute significantly to rejection of heart transplants by activation of complement and interactions with a variety of effector cells, including macrophages and monocytes through activating FcγRI, FcγRIII, FcγRIV, the inhibitory FcγRIIB and complement receptors. These receptors link cellular and humoral immunity by bridging the antibody specificity to effector cells. Activating FcγRs are also involved in serum amyloid P component (SAP)-mediated clearance of apoptotic bodies.

Pattern of expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in the ovine choroid plexus during long and short photoperiods.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) plays an important role in maintaining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) homeostasis and the function of the choroid plexuses (CPs). The objective of the study was to determine the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A), tyrosine kinase receptors Flt-1 and KDR and KDR co-receptor neuropilin 1 (NRP-1) in ovine CPs during different photoperiods. CPs were collected from the lateral brain ventricles from ovariectomized, estradiol-treated ewes during long day (LD; 16L:8D, n = 5) and short day (SD; 8L:16D, n = 5) photoperiods.

The expression of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in reproductive and neuroendocrine tissues during the estrous cycle in the pig.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) has been recognized as a mediator of xenobiotic-induced toxicity. In addition, it was demonstrated that the AhR is able to influence the regulation of reproductive processes in females. The aim of this study was to examine AhR mRNA (real-time PCR) and protein (Western-blot) expression in ovarian follicles and stroma, corpora lutea (CL), oviducts, endometrium, myometrium as well as in medial basal hypothalami (MBH), and anterior (AP) and posterior (PP) pituitaries harvested during the follicular (days 17-19) and luteal (days 8-10) phase of the porcine estrous cycle.

Kidney-derived mesenchymal stromal cells modulate dendritic cell function to suppress alloimmune responses and delay allograft rejection.

Background: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells with immunoregulatory capacity that are present in most adult organs. We previously demonstrated that co-culture of C57BL/6 kidney-derived MSCs (KSCs) in syngeneic bone marrow-derived dendritic cell (DC) culture induced a DC phenotype (KSC-DC) with reduced major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II/increased CD80 expression and ability to suppress T-cell responses.

Methods: To study their effects on allogeneic DCs, C57BL/6 KSCs were added to incipient BALB/c DC culture, with surface expression of MHC class II/CD80 measured by fluorescence-activated cell sorting.

Mechanisms involved in antibody- and complement-mediated allograft rejection.

Antibody-mediated rejection has become critical clinically because this form of rejection is usually unresponsive to conventional anti-rejection therapy, and therefore, it has been recognized as a major cause of allograft loss. Our group developed experimental animal models of vascularized organ transplantation to study pathogenesis of antibody- and complement-mediated endothelial cell injury leading to graft rejection. In this review, we discuss mechanisms of antibody-mediated graft rejection resulting from activation of complement by C1q- and MBL (mannose-binding lectin)-dependent pathways and interactions with a variety of effector cells, including macrophages and monocytes through Fcgamma receptors and complement receptors.

Local effect of progesterone infusion into the porcine ovarian artery on androgen and estrogen secretion during the middle luteal phase.

The present study was undertaken to elucidate whether an increased, but physiological, amount of progesterone (P(4)) supplied to the porcine corpus luteum (CL) affects luteal secretion of androgens and estrogens in freely moving gilts. On day 9 of the estrous cycle, the jugular veins as well as both ovarian arteries and both ovarian veins of gilts were cannulated. Progesterone was infused into the right ovarian arteries of experimental gilts (n=5) on days 10, 11 and 12 of the estrous cycle at a rate adequate to physiological retrograde transfer found during the middle luteal phase of the cycle.

The interaction between ischemia-reperfusion and immune responses in the kidney.

Kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) engages both the innate and adaptive immune responses. Cellular mediators of immunity, such as dendritic cells, neutrophils, macrophages, natural killer T, T, and B cells, contribute to the pathogenesis of renal injury after IRI. Postischemic kidneys express increased levels of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells and toll-like receptors on tubular epithelial cells.

The effect of unilateral progesterone infusion into the ovarian artery during the middle luteal phase on progesterone secretion in gilts.

The aim of the study was to determine, in an experiment performed on conscious gilts, whether an increased amount of progesterone (P4) supplied to the porcine corpus luteum (CL), maintained within a physiological systemic concentration would influence its own secretion. On day 9 of the estrous cycle the jugular veins as well as both ovarian arteries and both ovarian veins were cannulated. In the experimental gilts (n=5), P4 was infused into the right ovarian arteries on days 10, 11 and 12 of the estrous cycle at a rate adequate for physiological retrograde transfer found during the middle luteal phase.

In vivo platelet-endothelial cell interactions in response to major histocompatibility complex alloantibody.

Platelets recruit leukocytes and mediate interactions between leukocytes and endothelial cells. Most studies examining this important platelet immune function have focused on the development of atherosclerosis, but similar mechanisms may contribute to acute and chronic vascular lesions in transplants. Platelets have been described as markers of transplant rejection, but little investigation has critically examined a role for platelets in transplant vasculopathy and, in particular, alloantibody-mediated transplant rejection.

The involvement of FcR mechanisms in antibody-mediated rejection.

Background: Antibody-mediated rejection is characterized by macrophage margination against vascular endothelium. The potential interactions triggered by antibodies between endothelial cells (EC) and macrophages have not been examined thoroughly in transplants. We used in vivo and in vitro models of antibody-mediated rejection.

New concepts of complement in allorecognition and graft rejection.

In transplantation, activation of complement has largely been equated to antibody-mediated rejection, but complement is also important in recognition of apoptotic and necrotic cells as well as in modifying antigen presentation to T cells and B cells. As a part of the innate immune system, complement is one of the first responses to injury, and it can determine the direction and magnitude of the subsequent responses. Consequently, the effects of complement in allorecognition and graft rejection are increased when organs are procured from cadaver donors because these organs sustain a series of stresses from brain death, prolonged life support, ischemia and finally reperfusion that initiate proinflammatory processes and tissue injury.

Antibody to human leukocyte antigen triggers endothelial exocytosis.

Although antibodies to HLA play a role in the pathogenesis of diseases processes such as rejection of transplanted organs, the precise mechanisms by which antibodies cause tissue injury are not completely understood. We hypothesized that antibodies to host tissues cause inflammation in part by activating endothelial exocytosis of granules that contain prothrombotic mediators such as von Willebrand Factor (VWF) and proinflammatory mediators such as P-selectin. To test this hypothesis, we treated human endothelial cells with murine monoclonal antibody W6/32 to HLA class I and then measured exocytosis by the release of VWF and the externalization of P-selectin.

Retrograde transfer of testosterone to the porcine ovary in follicular and luteal phase of the estrous cycle in vivo.

This study was designed to determine the efficiency and rate of testosterone (T) retrograde transfer during the follicular and luteal phase of the estrous cycle in gilts (n=27). The efficiency and the rate of the retrograde transfer of T from the ovarian effluent into blood supplying the ovary were determined for the first time under in vivo conditions. Ovarian arterial blood concentration of T was higher than that in systemic blood during both, the follicular phase (p<0.

Antibody and complement mediated injury in transplants following sensitization by allogeneic blood transfusion.

Background: Many patients on the waiting list for transplants are sensitized from previous blood transfusions, pregnancy, or transplants. We investigated the role of complement in acute and chronic pathology in hearts transplanted to sensitized rats.

Methods: Blood was transfused from allogeneic PVG.

Retrograde and local destination transfer of uterine prostaglandin E2 in early pregnant sow and its physiological consequences.

The local destination transfer of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) from the uterine lymph to arterial blood supplying the ovary and its retrograde transfer to arterial blood supplying the uterine horn and the effect of additional delivery of PGE2 into the ovary on the secretion of steroid hormones was studied in early pregnant gilts. The injection of PGE2 under the perimetrium caused an increase (P<0.001) in PGE2 concentration in both uterine venous effluent and ovarian and uterine arterial blood.