Differential regulation of thyroid hormone receptor-mediated function by endocrine disruptors.

It is well known that endocrine disruptors (EDs) act as anti-estrogenic agents and affect the function of reproductive organ. EDs are also thought to affect thyroid hormone (TH) system which is important for biological functions such as growth, development and metabolism. However, it is still not clear how EDs are able to regulate TH receptor (TR)-mediated functions.

Modulation of immune response induced by co-administration of DNA vaccine encoding HBV surface antigen and HCV envelope antigen in BALB/c mice.

Plasmid DNA vaccines encoding the hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface and hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope antigens, respectively, were constructed, and attempt were made to find the possibility of a divalent vaccine against HBV and HCV. The expression of each plasmid in Cos-1 cells was confirmed using immunocytochemistry. To measure the induced immune response by these plasmids in vivo, female BALB/c mice were immunized intramuscularly with 100 microg of either both or just one of the plasmids.

Inhibitory effect of curcumin on nitric oxide production from lipopolysaccharide-activated primary microglia.

Curcumin has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, and anticarcinogenic activities. However, the modulatory effect of curcumin on the functional activation of primary microglial cells, brain mononuclear phagocytes causing the neuronal damage, largely remains unknown. The current study examined whether curcumin influenced NO production in rat primary microglia and investigated its underlying signaling pathways.

Gene transfer into human hepatoma cells by receptor-associated protein/polylysine conjugates.

Receptor-associated protein (RAP) is a ligand for all members of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor families. RAP is internalized into cells via receptor-mediated endocytic trafficking, making it an attractive mechanism for efficient gene delivery. In this study, we have developed a gene delivery system using RAP as a targeting ligand.