Caution: Reptile pets shuttle grasshopper allergy and asthma into homes.

The numbers of reptiles in homes has at least doubled in the last decade in Europe and the USA. Reptile purchases are increasingly triggered by the attempt to avoid potentially allergenic fur pets like dogs and cats. Consequently, reptiles are today regarded as surrogate pets initiating a closer relationship with the owner than ever previously observed.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptor expression in monocyte-derived macrophages from COPD patients.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is one of the most abundant molecules found in the respiratory tract. Due to its anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatatory properties, it has been proposed as a novel treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The actions of VIP are mediated via three different G-protein-coupled receptors (VPAC1, VPAC2 and PAC1) which are expressed in the respiratory tract and on immunocompetent cells including macrophages.

Toxoplasma gondii Rab5 enhances cholesterol acquisition from host cells.

The role of endocytosis in nutrient uptake by Toxoplasma gondii is unknown. To explore this issue, we characterized an endosomal compartment by identifying a T. gondii Rab5 homologue, a molecular marker for early endosomes in eukaryotic cells.