Anti-Pterobothrium heteracanthum (Trypanorhyncha: Pterobothriidae) IgG in human serum samples.

Some fish parasites can cause a variety of symptoms in humans, including allergies. This was a cross-sectional study based on interviews, serum analysis by ELISA for anti-Pterobothrium heteracanthum IgG and a statistical evaluation. Four individuals were seroreactive (6.

Allergenic response induced by Pterobothrium crassicolle (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) extracts in murine model.

The aim of this study was to determine the allergenic activity of components present in crude extracts of Pterobothrium crassicolle plerocerci (CPE) and blastocysts (CBE) obtained from Micropogonias furnieri in a murine model. Two groups of seven animals each received 50 µg of CPE or CBE on days 1, 35 and 120. Serum samples were tested by ELISA and Immunoblotting.

Tarin-Loaded Nanoliposomes Activate Apoptosis and Autophagy and Inhibit the Migration of Human Mammary Adenocarcinoma Cells.

Background: Tarin, a lectin purified from , promotes in vitro and in vivo immunomodulatory effects allied to promising anticancer and antimetastatic effects against human adenocarcinoma mammary cells. This makes this 47 kDa-protein a natural candidate against human breast cancer, a leading cause of death among women. Tarin encapsulated in pegylated nanoliposomes displays increased effectiveness in controlling the proliferation of a mammary adenocarcinoma lineage comprising MDA-MB-231 cells.

Do Fetal Microchimeric Cells Influence Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis?

We investigated the presence and influence of fetal microchimerism in the cardiac tissue of mated female mice submitted to experimental autoimmune myocarditis. Nulliparous BALB/c females and BALB/c females mated with either BALB/c males (syngeneic mating) or C57BL/6 males (allogeneic mating) were immunized with cardiac myosin peptide MyHC-α or kept as non-immunized controls. Immunization occurred 6-8 weeks after delivery and mice were assessed after 21 days.

Sensitization with Eustrongylides sp. (Nematoda: Dioctophymatidae) antigens induce production of specific IgG and IgE in murine model.

Fish consumption plays an important role in human diet. Hoplias malabaricus, commonly known as traíra, is a freshwater fish widely appreciated in several Brazilian states and frequently infected by Eustrongylides sp. fourth-instar larvae (L4).

Taro Lectin Can Act as a Cytokine-Mimetic Compound, Stimulating Myeloid and T Lymphocyte Lineages and Protecting Progenitors in Murine Bone Marrow.

Taro () corm is traditionally consumed as a medicinal plant to stimulate immune responses and restore a health status. Tarin, a taro lectin, is considered responsible for the immunomodulatory effects of taro. In the present study, in order to investigate the effects of tarin on bone marrow hematopoietic population, murine cells were stimulated with tarin combined with a highly enriched conditioned medium containing either IL-3 or GM-CSF.

Short-Term Betanin Intake Reduces Oxidative Stress in Wistar Rats.

Oxidative stress is a common condition described in risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Betanin, a bioactive pigment from red beetroot demonstrates anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term intake of betanin against oxidative stress in a rodent model, a common condition described in several risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Circulation of spotted fever group rickettsiae among dogs seropositive for Leishmania spp. in an urban area of Brazil.

Introduction: Dogs play an epidemiological role in several vector-borne diseases that affect human and animal health worldwide. We aimed to identify rickettsial circulation among dogs with canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) from a region endemic for both diseases.

Methods: CVL-seropositive dogs were screened for spotted fever group rickettsiae using an indirect immunofluorescence assay.

Liposomal Taro Lectin Nanocapsules Control Human Glioblastoma and Mammary Adenocarcinoma Cell Proliferation.

The search for natural anticancer agents and nanocarrier uses are a part of the current strategies to overcome the side effects caused by chemotherapeutics. Liposomal nanocapsules loaded with purified tarin, a potential immunomodulatory and antitumoral lectin found in taro corms, were produced. Liposomes were composed by 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphoethanolamine, cholesterylhemisuccinate, and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine--[folate(polyethylene glycol)-2000 prepared by thin-film hydration.

Tarin stimulates granulocyte growth in bone marrow cell cultures and minimizes immunosuppression by cyclo-phosphamide in mice.

Chemotherapeutic drugs, such as cyclophosphamide, cause severe immunosuppression and patients become susceptible to infections. Based on this, the immunomodulatory potential of tarin, a lectin from Colocasia esculenta, was evaluated in bone marrow cell cultures and in cyclophosphamide-immunosuppressed mice. Tarin promoted maintenance of hematopoietic progenitors and repopulation of Gr1 cells in vitro which was supported by in vivo results.

Tarin, a Potential Immunomodulator and COX-Inhibitor Lectin Found in Taro ().

Taro () corm is a rustic staple food, rich in small starch granules, fibers, and bioactive phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, alkaloids, sterols, tannins, phytates, micronutrients, and proteins, including tarin, a GNA-related lectin. Tarin exhibits recognized biocide activities against viruses and insects, has antitumoral properties and is an immunomodulator molecule candidate. It has been isolated in highly purified form (>90%) from taro corms through low-cost and single-step affinity chromatography.

Seroreactivity to spp. in the perinatal period.

Background: This study had sought to assess the seroreactivity to the fish nematode spp. in a puerperal population, as well as to ascertain whether a correlation exists between maternal and cord blood levels.

Methods: Blood samples were obtained from puerperal women and cord blood to measure specific anti- antigen IgG and IgE by ELISA.

Principal component analysis of factors for sensitization to spp. in postpartum women.

Introduction: Immunoreactivity to spp. is believed to be associated with frequency of fish intake. The objective of this study was to evaluate, using principal component analysis, the main factors potentially involved in reactivity to these nematodes in postpartum women.

Association between immunoreactivity to Anisakis spp. antigens and high-risk pregnancy.

Numerous factors contribute to perinatal risk, many of which remain undefined. This study sought to determine the frequency of fish intake in postpartum women, and to establish a relationship between the rates of immunoreactivity for antigens from Anisakis spp. and high-risk pregnancy.

Interaction of Mycobacterium leprae with the HaCaT human keratinocyte cell line: new frontiers in the cellular immunology of leprosy.

Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae affecting the skin and peripheral nerves. Despite M. leprae invasion of the skin and keratinocytes importance in innate immunity, the interaction of these cells in vitro during M.

Structural analysis and binding properties of isoforms of tarin, the GNA-related lectin from Colocasia esculenta.

The lectins, a class of proteins that occur widely in animals, plants, fungi, lichens and microorganisms, are known for their ability to specifically bind to carbohydrates. Plant lectins can be classified into 12 families including the Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA)-related lectin superfamily, which is widespread among monocotyledonous plants and binds specifically to mannose, a behavior that confers remarkable anti-tumor, anti-viral and insecticidal properties on these proteins. The present study characterized a mitogenic lectin from this family, called tarin, which was purified from the crude extract from taro (Colocasia esculenta).

Purification and characterization of the lectin from taro (Colocasia esculenta) and its effect on mouse splenocyte proliferation in vitro and in vivo.

Lectins are proteins found in a wide range of organisms, with the ability to bind reversibly to specific carbohydrates. They can display important biological activities, such as the activation of the cell cycle in lymphocytes. Storage proteins with lectin activity have been reported in tuberous plant species, such as Colocasia esculenta, popularly known as taro.

Cross-sectional study of serum reactivity to Anisakis simplex in healthy adults in Niterói, Brazil.

Although the incidence of anisakiasis is rising worldwide, its frequency is still unknown in Brazil. The aim of this study was to verify immunoreactivity to Anisakis simplex antigens in healthy adults and determine its possible relationship with frequency of fish consumption and allergy symptoms. A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out with 67 volunteers recruited from a military facility in Niterói, Brazil.

A technique for the intra-gastric administration of live larvae of Anisakis simplex in mice.

To understand the mechanisms of infection and to attempt to simulate human infection by the Anisakidae family, many in vivo experimental approaches have been developed. The aim was to develop and present a technique for the induction of an oral infection through the use of an intra-gastric gavage of live Anisakis simplex in mice. A commercial pediatric gastric tube (No.

A new 2S albumin from Jatropha curcas L. seeds and assessment of its allergenic properties.

Significant effort has been made world-wide to boost biofuels with the expectation of a positive contribution to renewable fuel and greenhouse gas reduction. Jatropha curcas L. has proved to be an opportunistic crop in tropical areas, particularly in unfavorable environments.

B1 cells contribution to susceptibility in experimental paracoccidioidomycosis: immunoglobulin isotypes and repertoire determination.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is the most prevalent systemic mycosis in Latin America. The experimental murine model has been used to approach the disease, with susceptible and resistant mice strains that reproduce most of the main human immunological features. Since the hypergammaglobulinemia observed in susceptible mice and humans might have an influence on B1 cells, we investigated its role during the experimental infection with Paracoccidiodes brasiliensis.

Increased apoptosis during the early phase of experimental paracoccidioidomycosis as a phenotypic marker of resistance.

Paracoccidiodomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis that presents a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations caused by Paracoccidiodes brasiliensis. The experimental murine model has been used to approach the disease with susceptible and resistant mouse strains that reproduce most of the main human immunological features. We investigated whether the pattern of apoptosis of peritoneal cells from two polar strains of mice after infection with P.

Frequency of natural regulatory CD4+CD25+ T lymphocytes determines the outcome of tolerance across fully mismatched MHC barrier through linked recognition of self and allogeneic stimuli.

We show in this study that long-term tolerance to allogeneic skin grafts can be established in the absence of immunosuppression by the combination of the following elements: 1) augmenting the frequency of regulatory CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells (Treg) and 2) presentation of the allogeneic stimuli through linked recognition of allo- and self-epitopes on semiallogeneic F(1) APCs. BALB/c spleen cells enriched for CD4(+)CD25(+) T lymphocytes were transferred either to BALB/c nu/nu mice or to BALB/c nu/nu previously injected with F(1)(BALB/c x B6.Ba) spleen cells, or else grafted with F(1)(BALB/c x B6.