Publications by authors named "Mariana Nascimento Viana"

Article Synopsis
  • Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) with lipid droplets are indicators of atherosclerosis, and the role of inflammatory Group IIA-secreted phospholipase As (GIIA sPLAs) in these cells is not well understood.
  • Myotoxin III (MT-III), a GIIA sPLA, was found to significantly increase lipid droplet formation in VSMCs and upregulate receptors that enhance lipid uptake, indicating a crucial role in lipid metabolism.
  • MT-III also triggers changes that make VSMCs act more like macrophages, showing increased phagocytic activity and expressing macrophage markers, suggesting a transition towards foam cell development in atherosclerosis.
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Robust correlation between the severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and cigarette smoking has been clinically demonstrated. Nevertheless, cigarette compounds responsible for this toxic effect and their mechanisms have not been described. Considering that hydroquinone (HQ) is an abundant, pro-oxidative compound of the matter particle phase of cigarette smoke, we investigated whether HQ exposure during the initial phase of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) could aggravate the disease.

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The genesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is complex and dependent on genetic background and exposure to environmental xenobiotic. Indeed, smoking is associated to developing and worsening pre-existing RA. Nevertheless, the mechanisms and cigarette compounds involved in the harmful processes have not been elucidated.

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