Glypican-3 (GPC3) inhibits metastasis development promoting dormancy in breast cancer cells by p38 MAPK pathway activation.

GPC3 is a proteoglycan involved in the control of proliferation and survival, which has been linked to several tumor types. In this respect, we previously demonstrated that normal breast tissues exhibit high levels of GPC3, while its expression is diminished in tumors. However, the role of the GPC3 downregulation in breast cancer progression and its molecular and cellular operational machineries are not fully understood.

Signaling network involved in the GPC3-induced inhibition of breast cancer progression: role of canonical Wnt pathway.

Purpose: We have shown that GPC3 overexpression in breast cancer cells inhibits in vivo tumor progression, by acting as a metastatic suppressor. GPC3-overexpressing cells are less clonogenic, viable and motile, while their homotypic adhesion is increased. We have presented evidences indicating that GPC3 inhibits canonical Wnt and Akt pathways, while non-canonical Wnt and p38MAPK cascades are activated.

Decreased monocytic phagosomal acidification among chronic paracoccidioidomycosis patients.

To determine the ability of monocyte phagosomal acidification in chronic paracoccidioidomycosis, 13 patients were recruited at different times during follow-up and compared with 18 normal controls. Eight patients were studied at diagnosis, six of them also during treatment and five additional patients after ending treatment. Phagosomal acidification of monocytes, triggered by challenge with opsonized zymosan, was evaluated with acridine orange and expressed as percentage of orange-stained intracellular particles, as mean +/- SE.

[Cytokines and psychiatry].

This short review address the concept of cytokine and cytokine families, their relationship with CNS, cytokine effects on nervous system (namely, sickness behavior) and the cellular source of brain cytokines. In addition, it provides selected data on the role of cytokines in mental disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease and AIDS-related dementia.