[Will a glaucoma drug revolutionize the treatment of androgenetic alopecia? On drug repurposing, when the side effect becomes a desired therapeutic outcome].

Prostaglandins are hormones found in almost all mammalian tissues. As signaling molecules, they play a key role in the regulation of many physiological processes, including hair growth cycle. The article describes the history of the discovery of prostaglandins, including the work of Professor Ryszard Gryglewski – the discoverer of prostacyclin.

Surface TLR2 and TLR4 expression on mature rat mast cells can be affected by some bacterial components and proinflammatory cytokines.

The aim of our study was to determine whether some bacterial components as well as some proinflammatory cytokines can affect surface mast cell levels. By the use of flow cytometry technique, we documented that freshly isolated mature rat peritoneal mast cells do express surface TLR2 and TLR4 protein, but not CD14 molecules, and respond to stimulation with TLR2 and TLR4 ligands by cysteinyl leukotriene generation. The level of TLR2 protein is modulated by PGN and CCL5 treatment, but not by LPS, LAM, TNF, or IL-6.

[Mast cell Toll-like receptors (TLRs)].

Taking into account the role of mast cells in different physiological and pathological processes, as well as in host defense it seems very important to recognize mast cell receptors and their role in activation of these cells. In the last few years it has been indicated that mast cells can express Toll-like receptors (TLRs), molecules that play an essential role in the activation of innate immune response to microbial pathogens and take part in the development of adaptive immunity, as well. It has been defined that mast cells express TLR2, TLR4, TLR1 and TLR6.

[Role of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) in the pathogenesis and clinical course of chronic hepatitis in children].

Unlabelled: Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) is known to play a key role in processes of cell proliferation and differentiation. It also plays an important role in modulation of the immune response. Various diseases may arise both from excessive and insufficient activity of this cytokine.

Diverse effects of bacterial cell wall components on mast cell degranulation, cysteinyl leukotriene generation and migration.

Nowadays there is more and more evidence that mast cells take part in antibacterial defence. Mast cells have the ability to kill bacteria via phagocytose-dependent or phagocytose-independent ways and express antimicrobial peptides that can directly kill pathogens at their site of entry. What is more, mast cells are capable of processing bacterial antigens for presentation through class I and II MHC molecules.

[The role of mast cells in the development of inflammatory bowel diseases].

The pathomechanism of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), i.e. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is not well understood.