Histamine promotes angiogenesis through a histamine H1 receptor-PKC-VEGF-mediated pathway in human endothelial cells.

Histamine is a well-known inflammatory mediator, but how histamine induces angiogenesis remains poorly understood. In the present study, we demonstrated a dose-dependent dynamic tube formation in the human endothelial cell line EA.hy926 in the presence of histamine that was completely blocked by histamine H1 receptor (H1R) and protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors.

Neutrophils' Extracellular Trap Mechanisms: From Physiology to Pathology.

Neutrophils are an essential part of the innate immune system and the first line of defense against invading pathogens. They phagocytose, release granular contents, produce reactive oxygen species, and form neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) to fight pathogens. With the characterization of NETs and their components, neutrophils were identified as players of the innate adaptive crosstalk.

Erdosteine reduces cytotoxicity induced by alpha- and beta-amanitin, but not gamma-amanitin, in CA3 hepatocyte cultures.

Amanitin poisoning still has no particular, effective antidote. Erdosteine has been shown to protect numerous tissues, particularly those in the liver. This study investigates the potential therapeutic effects of erdosteine on alpha-, beta- and gamma-amanitin-induced hepatotoxicity in in vitro models.

Neutrophil Extracellular Trap-Driven Occlusive Diseases.

The enlightenment of the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) as a part of the innate immune system shed new insights into the pathologies of various diseases. The initial idea that NETs are a pivotal defense structure was gradually amended due to several deleterious effects in consecutive investigations. NETs formation is now considered a double-edged sword.

Omentin Val/Val genotype increases predisposition to acne vulgaris without changing omentin serum level.

Acne vulgaris is the most frequent and multifactorial inflammatory skin disorder in all races. Obesity is considered to be a risk factor for acne due to its contribution to inflammation. The involvements of inflammatory (leptin and resistin) and anti-inflammatory (adiponectin) adipokines in the pathogenesis of acne were reported.

Erythropoietin stimulates patellar tendon healing in rats.

Background: Erythropoietin (EPO), regulating erythropoiesis, is used to provide protective and regenerative activity in non-haematopoietic tissues. There is insufficient knowledge about the role of EPO activity in tendon healing. Therefore, we investigated the effect of EPO treatment on healing in rat patellar tendons.

Polymorphisms in MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in Turkish patients with prostate cancer.

Aim: Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy and the second most common cause of cancer deaths in the Western male population. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) modulate the remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The imbalance between MMPs and TIMPs may lead to an emergence of pathological processes such as cancer.

Evaluation and comparison of alpha- and beta-amanitin toxicity on MCF-7 cell line.

Background/aim: Alpha- and beta-amanitins are the main toxins of the poisonous Amanita phalloides mushroom. Although there are many studies available concerning alpha-amanitin, there are limited data about beta-amanitin in the literature. Therefore, this study is aimed at comparing the toxic effects of alpha- and beta-amanitin on the MCF-7 cell line.

Association between survivin gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility to colon cancer development in the Turkish population.

Background: Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Apoptosis is a necessary physiological process for cell elimination which is very important both cellular homeostasis and cell proliferation and differantiation. Dysregulation can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and tumor development.

Leptin induces ADAMTS-4, ADAMTS-5, and ADAMTS-9 genes expression by mitogen-activated protein kinases and NF-ĸB signaling pathways in human chondrocytes.

Elucidation of the causes of inflammation has vital importance in the development of new approaches for the treatment of arthritic diseases. The degradation of aggrecan by upregulated disintegrin and metalloproteinase with trombospondin motifs (ADAMTSs) is the key event in the development of both rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Increased levels of leptin in both RA and OA have been demonstrated, thus linking leptin to arthritic diseases, but the mechanism has not been clarified.

Association of omentin Val109Asp polymorphism with coronary artery disease.

Objective: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most important morbidity and mortality disease in the world. It is also one of the leading causes of death in Turkey. Omentin, a recently found adipocytokine, is reported to regulate insulin sensitivity.

Omentin serum levels and omentin gene Val109Asp polymorphism in patients with psoriasis.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of uncertain pathogenesis. Omentin is a new adipokine with anti-inflammatory properties; however, the relationship between psoriasis and omentin has not been fully established yet.

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between psoriasis and omentin serum levels and Val109Asp polymorphism in exon 4 of the omentin gene.

Polymorphisms in the promoters of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 genes in patients with acne vulgaris.

Acne, a chronic inflammatory skin disease, can be seen at any age but it most often occurs in adolescents and young people. Several factors, including increased sebum production, abnormal cornification of the pilosebaceous units, proliferation of Propionibacterium acne, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, are thought to be associated with the pathogenesis of the acne. The remodeling of the ECM is regulated by a balance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors called tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs).

Amanitin and phallotoxin concentration in Amanita phalloides var. alba mushroom.

Although rarely seen, Amanita phalloides var. alba, a variety of A. phalloides type mushrooms, causes mushroom poisoning resulting in death.

Dermal absorption and toxicity of alpha amanitin in mice.

The fungus Amanita phalloides is known to contain two main groups of toxins: amanitins and phallotoxins. The amanitins group effectively blocks the RNA polymerase II enzyme found in eukaryotic cells. As alpha amanitin has a lethal effect on the majority of eukaryotic cells, it can be valuable as an antiparasitic or antifungal drug.

Amatoxin and phallotoxin concentration in Amanita phalloides spores and tissues.

Most of the fatal cases of mushroom poisoning are caused by Amanita phalloides. The amount of toxin in mushroom varies according to climate and environmental conditions. The aim of this study is to measure α-, β-, and γ-amanitin with phalloidin and phallacidin toxin concentrations.

Does MBL2 codon 54 polymorphism play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis?

Background: Psoriasis is a T cell-mediated immune disease in which various cytokines, primarily tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), are complexly involved. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) gene polymorphisms decrease MBL serum levels, thereby increasing the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α.

Objectives: This trial was designed to evaluate the role of the MBL2 codon 54 polymorphism in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Frequent allelic loss of Dkk-1 locus (10q11.2) is related with low distant metastasis and better prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a frequently occurring cancer worldwide. Dickkopf (Dkk)-1 gene is suggested to function as tumor suppressor gene (TSG) in several kinds of malignancies. In this study, we performed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analysis of Dkk-1 and examined the correlation between LOH status and clinicopathological parameters for the first time.

The 3'-untranslated region of ADAMTS1 regulates its mRNA stability.

ADAMTS1 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 1) is an inflammatory-induced gene. We have previously reported that ADAMTS1 was strongly but transiently expressed in the infarcted heart. In this study, we investigated whether a 3'-untranslated region (UTR) affects the mRNA stability of this gene.

ADAMTS9 activation by interleukin 1 beta via NFATc1 in OUMS-27 chondrosarcoma cells and in human chondrocytes.

ADAMTS9 is a member of the disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) genes, with aggrecan-degrading activity. It has also been characterized to be reactive and highly activated ADAMTS by IL-1 beta in both chondrosarcoma cells and human chondrocytes (Demircan et al. Arthritis Rheum 52:1451-1460, 2005).