The Purinergic Landscape of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the key energy intermediate of cellular metabolic processes and a ubiquitous extracellular messenger. As an extracellular messenger, ATP acts at plasma membrane P2 receptors (P2Rs). The levels of extracellular ATP (eATP) are set by both passive and active release mechanisms and degradation processes.

B regulatory cells associated with changes in biochemical and inflammatory parameters in normal-glycemic individuals, pre-diabetes and T2DM patients.

Aim: To determine the percentages of (CD19 + CD24 + CD38+, CD19 + CD24 + CD27+, CD19 + IL-10+)-Breg cells, IL-17 single and IL-17+/IFN-γ double producers T cells and IFN-γ+ T cells, in normal-glycemic individuals, prediabetes and T2DM patients, and to analyze the association of Breg cells with metabolic parameters of T2DM.

Methods: percentages of Breg cells, IL-17+ and IL-17 + IFN-γ+ T cells, IFN-γ+ T cells and IL-10 were determined by flow cytometry. IL-6 levels were evaluated by ELISA assay.

Circulating miR-146a, miR-34a and miR-375 in type 2 diabetes patients, pre-diabetic and normal-glycaemic individuals in relation to β-cell function, insulin resistance and metabolic parameters.

The pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with a progressive loss of pancreatic β-cell mass. It is known that miR-146a, miR-34a, and miR-375 are involved in β-cell functionality. In this work, we evaluated the levels of these miRNAs in normal-glycaemic individuals, pre-diabetic, and T2D patients in relation to β-cell functionality, insulin resistance, and metabolic parameters.

Frequency of regulatory B cells in adipose tissue and peripheral blood from individuals with overweight, obesity and normal-weight.

Statements Of The Problem: Regulatory B (Breg) cells have a critical role in adipose tissue homeostasis, and although subtypes of Breg cells have been described, their contribution during obesity is unclear. Therefore, the levels of regulatory B cells in adipose tissue and peripheral blood samples drawn from individuals with overweight, obesity, and normal-weight were evaluated.

Methods: The percentages of Breg cells were analyzed by flow cytometry.

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.

The presence of the 1068 G>A variant of P2X7 receptors is associated to an increase in IL-1Ra levels, insulin secretion and pancreatic β-cell function but not with glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients.

It has been reported that an increased function of the P2X purinergic receptor is associated with an increase in both insulin sensitivity and secretion. Accordingly, we explored the possible effect of the 1068 G>A polymorphism of the gene P2RX7 on glucose homeostasis and the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-1Ra in T2D patients. The presence of the 1068 G>A polymorphism in T2D patients (n = 100) and healthy subjects (n = 100) was determined by DNA sequencing, and serum levels of IL-1Ra were measured by ELISA.

Analysis of Th1, Th17 and regulatory T cells in tuberculosis case contacts.

We have hypothesized that individuals infected with Mycobacteriumtuberculosis that exhibit different patterns of immune reactivity in serial interferon (IFN)-γ release assays (IGRA's) correspond to different status within the immune spectrum of latent tuberculosis (TB). Accordingly, we analyzed the possible association between the consistent results (negative or positive) in an IGRA test and relevant immune parameters, mainly the levels of Th1 and Th17 lymphocytes and T regulatory (Treg) cells in the peripheral blood of TB case contacts. We found that individuals with a persistently positive IGRA showed increased levels of Th1 and Th17 lymphocytes upon in vitro stimulation with MTB antigens.