Potential molecular patterns for tuberculosis susceptibility in diabetic patients with poor glycaemic control: a pilot study.

Type 2 diabetes (DM2) is an increasingly prevalent disease that challenges tuberculosis (TB) control strategies worldwide. It is significant that DM2 patients with poor glycemic control (PDM2) are prone to developing tuberculosis. Furthermore, elucidating the molecular mechanisms that govern this susceptibility is imperative to address this problem.

Overexpression of TLR7 and TLR9 Occurs Before Onset Symptoms In First-Degree Relatives of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.

Background: Autoantibodies have a central role in the physiopathology of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). However, the responsible factors that trigger and perpetuate the autoantibodies production are unknown. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been considered as promotors of autoantibodies production to break down the immunotolerance in RA.

Calpain Participates in Cortical Cytoskeleton Modification and DNA Release during Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation.

Introduction: The formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) is a process in which several kinds of enzymes participate generating posttranslational modifications of proteins. NETs have been associated with infectious, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases. Inhibition of several proteases reduces the formation of NETs.

Subclinical inflammation in the preclinical phase of rheumatoid arthritis might contribute to articular joint damage.

The first degree relatives of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have a higher risk of developing RA, which is related to the expression of autoantibodies against citrullinated proteins (ACPA). Remarkably, prior to the onset of RA, cartilage damage is already initiated, whereas ACPA autoantibodies are already expressed. Here we show that both TNF-α and IL-6 are also increased prior to the onset of RA.

Blockade of the dopaminergic neurotransmission with AMPT and reserpine induces a differential expression of genes of the dopaminergic phenotype in substantia nigra.

Dopaminergic neurons have the ability to release Dopamine from their axons as well as from their soma and dendrites. This somatodendritically-released Dopamine induces an autoinhibition of Dopaminergic neurons mediated by D2 autoreceptors, and the stimulation of neighbor GABAergic neurons mediated by D1 receptors (D1r). Here, our results suggest that the somatodendritic release of Dopamine in the substantia nigra (SN) may stimulate GABAergic neurons that project their axons into the hippocampus.

Expression and activity of AIM2-inflammasome in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Introduction: AIM2 inflammasome activation leads to the release of IL-β, which plays an important role in rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis. In this work, we evaluated AIM2 expression and activity in RA patients and healthy controls.

Methods: AIM2 and RANKL expression were evaluated by flow cytometry.

Evaluation of SUMO1 and POU2AF1 in whole blood from rheumatoid arthritis patients and at risk relatives.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by chronic and symmetrical inflammation of synovial tissue with subsequent joint destruction. SUMO1 is an important regulator of apoptosis through non-canonical mechanism in synovial fibroblasts, and POU2AF1 is a known B-cell transcriptional co-activator. The specific objective of this study was to measure the expression of SUMO1 and POU2AF1 on first-degree relatives of patients with RA and also in the preclinical and clinical stages of RA and describe their possible role in RA physiopathology.

AMPA receptors modulate the reorganization of F-actin in Bergmann glia cells through the activation of RhoA.

Alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid glutamate receptors have been shown to modulate the morphology of the lamelar processes of Bergmann glia cells in the molecular layer of the cerebellum. Here we suggest that reorganization of F-actin may underlay the changes in the morphology of the lamelar processes. Using the fluorescent staining of F-actin with Phalloidin and the quantification of RhoA activation through immunoprecipitation or pull-down assays, we show that RhoA is activated after stimulation of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid receptors and leads to the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton of Bergmann fibers.

Analysis of miRNA expression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis during remission and relapse after a 5-year trial of tofacitinib treatment.

The physiopathology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is mediated by proinflammatory cytokines, some of which are regulated by the JAK/STAT pathway. Tofacitinib is a JAK inhibitor, but its role in the regulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) is unknown. There is also no information regarding the role of miRNAs in the clinical relapse/remission of RA.

Improvement in the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis Combining Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Immunodominant Peptides and Serum Host Biomarkers.

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is a public health problem with 10.4 million new cases reported in 2017 (1). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), accurate diagnostic tests based in serum biomarkers to detect new cases of tuberculosis are necessary.

Increased Levels of AIM2 and Circulating Mitochondrial DNA in Type 2 Diabetes.

Background: Chronic inflammation has critical role in Type 2 diabetes (T2D), in which IL-1β contributes in insulin resistance and beta cell dysfunction. The activation of NLRP3 and AIM2 by endogens ligands, such as mtDNA can lead to the release of active form of IL-1β.

Objective: To evaluate AIM2 expression and activation as well as circulating mtDNA levels in T2D patients.

ADAM15 participates in fertilization through a physical interaction with acrogranin.

Mammalian fertilization is completed by direct interaction between sperm and egg. This process is primarily mediated by both adhesion and membrane-fusion proteins found on the gamete surface. ADAM1, 2, and 3 are members of the ADAMs protein family, and have been involved in sperm-egg binding.

Calpain modulates capacitation and acrosome reaction through cleavage of the spectrin cytoskeleton.

Research on fertilization in mammalian species has revealed that Ca(2+) is an important player in biochemical and physiological events enabling the sperm to penetrate the oocyte. Ca(2+) is a signal transducer that particularly mediates capacitation and acrosome reaction (AR). Before becoming fertilization competent, sperm must experience several molecular, biochemical, and physiological changes where Ca(2+) plays a pivotal role.

In spermatozoa, Stat1 is activated during capacitation and the acrosomal reaction.

A role for sperm-specific proteins during the early embryonic development has been suggested by a number of recent studies. However, little is known about the participation of transcription factors in that stage. Here, we show that the signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (Stat1), but not Stat4, was phosphorylated in response to capacitation and the acrosomal reaction (AR).