leaf extract enhances host resistance to infection in mice by regulating host immune response and disrupting the activity of parasite superoxide dismutase enzyme.

African trypanosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease, is caused by diverse species of the protozoan parasite belonging to the genus . Although anti-trypanosomal medications exist, the increase in drug resistance and persistent antigenic variation has necessitated the development of newer and more efficacious therapeutic agents which are selectively toxic to the parasite. In this study, we assessed the trypanocidal efficacy of leaf extract (-extract) .

Navigating the Blood-Brain Barrier: Challenges and Therapeutic Strategies in Breast Cancer Brain Metastases.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women, with metastatic BC being responsible for the highest number of deaths. A frequent site for BC metastasis is the brain. Brain metastasis derived from BC involves the cooperation of multiple genetic, epigenetic, angiogenic, and tumor-stroma interactions.

Comparison of Fixation Methods for the Detection of Claudin 1 and E-Cadherin in Breast Cancer Cell Lines by Immunofluorescence.

The tight junction membrane protein claudin 1 and the adherens junction protein E-cadherin play critical roles in cell-cell communication and in cell signaling. As a result, their protein levels and distribution in cancer have been a focus of cancer researchers in recent years. The loss of sensitivity to contact inhibition and the establishment of invasive properties in cancer are thought to be a result of the mislocalization of these membrane proteins to the cytoplasm.

The Breast Tumor Microenvironment: A Key Player in Metastatic Spread.

The tumor microenvironment plays a pivotal role in the tumorigenesis, progression, and metastatic spread of many cancers including breast. There is now increasing evidence to support the observations that a bidirectional interplay between breast cancer cells and stromal cells exists within the tumor and the tumor microenvironment both at the primary tumor site and at the metastatic site. This interaction occurs through direct cell to cell contact, or by the release of autocrine or paracrine factors which can activate pro-tumor signaling pathways and modulate tumor behavior.

Generation of prolactin-inducible protein (Pip) knockout mice by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene engineering.

Prolactin-inducible protein (PIP) is a multifunctional glycoprotein that is highly expressed and found in the secretions of apocrine glands such as salivary, lacrimal, and sweat glands including the mammary glands. PIP has been implicated in various diseases, including breast cancer, gross cystic disease of the breast, keratoconus of the eye, and the autoimmune Sjögren's syndrome. Here we have generated a knockout (KO) mouse using the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/CRSPR-associated (Cas)9 system.

The Prolactin Inducible Protein Modulates Antitumor Immune Responses and Metastasis in a Mouse Model of Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

The prolactin inducible protein (PIP) is expressed to varying degrees in more than 90% of breast cancers (BCs). Although high levels of PIP expression in BC has been shown to correlate with better prognosis and patient response to chemotherapy, some studies suggest that PIP may also play a role in metastasis. Here, we investigated the role of PIP in BC using the well-established 4T1 and E0771 mouse BC cell lines.

The Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase Is a Key Metabolic Enzyme and Critical Virulence Factor of .

There is currently no effective vaccine against leishmaniasis because of the lack of sufficient knowledge about the Ags that stimulate host-protective and long-lasting T cell-mediated immunity. We previously identified phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK, a gluconeogenic enzyme) as an immunodominant Ag that is expressed by both the insect (promastigote) and mammalian (amastigote) stages of the parasite. In this study, we investigated the role of PEPCK in metabolism, virulence, and immunopathogenicity of We show that targeted loss of PEPCK results in impaired proliferation of in axenic culture and bone marrow-derived macrophages.

Semaphorin 3E Promotes Susceptibility to Infection in Mice by Suppressing CD4 Th1 Cell Response.

Protective immunity to cutaneous leishmaniasis is mediated by IFN-γ-secreting CD4 Th1 cells. IFN-γ binds to its receptor on -infected macrophages, resulting in their activation, production of NO, and subsequent destruction of parasites. This study investigated the role of Semaphorin 3E (Sema3E) in host immunity to infection in mice.

Isolation and Preparation of Bone Marrow-Derived Immune Cells for Metabolic Analysis.

The isolation of immune cells from the bone marrow is important for obtaining sufficient numbers for downstream analysis. Immune cells derived from the bone marrow may be subjected to metabolic assays for analysis or used to test the effect of infectious agents on immune cells. Here, we describe a process for the isolation of macrophages, dendritic cells, and neutrophils from mice.

Immunity: Advancing Immunotherapy and Vaccine Development.

Parasitic diseases still constitute a major global health problem affecting billions of people around the world. These diseases are capable of becoming chronic and result in high morbidity and mortality. Worldwide, millions of people die each year from parasitic diseases, with the bulk of those deaths resulting from parasitic protozoan infections.

The prolactin inducible protein/gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 deficient mice develop anomalies in lymphoid organs.

The Prolactin Inducible Protein (PIP) is a 15 kDa protein secreted by normal apocrine glands, including salivary, lacrimal and sweat glands. PIP levels are normally low in the mammary glands of healthy individuals, but high levels have been observed in pathological conditions of the breast such as benign breast cystic disease and breast cancer. While the function of PIP is not well elucidated, accumulating evidence strongly point to a role in both innate and adaptive immunity.

Regulation of Immunity in Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer affects millions of women worldwide, leading to many deaths and significant economic burden. Although there are numerous treatment options available, the huge potentials of immunotherapy in the management of localized and metastatic breast cancer is currently being explored. However, there are significant gaps in understanding the complex interactions between the immune system and breast cancer.