Butyrate ameliorates allergic airway inflammation by limiting eosinophil trafficking and survival.

Background: Lung eosinophilia is a hallmark of asthma, and eosinophils are believed to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammatory diseases. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate, are produced in high amounts in the gastrointestinal tract by commensal bacteria and can be absorbed into the bloodstream. Although there is recent evidence that SCFAs are beneficial in allergic asthma models, the effect on eosinophils has remained elusive.

DP1 receptor signaling prevents the onset of intrinsic apoptosis in eosinophils and functions as a transcriptional modulator.

Prostaglandin (PG) D is the ligand for the G-protein coupled receptors DP1 (D-type prostanoid receptor 1) and DP2 (also known as chemoattractant receptor homologous molecule, expressed on Th2 cells; CRTH2). Both, DP1 and DP2 are expressed on the cellular surface of eosinophils; although it has become quite clear that PGD induces eosinophil migration mainly via DP2 receptors, the role of DP1 in eosinophil responses has remained elusive. In this study, we addressed how DP1 receptor signaling complements the pro-inflammatory effects of DP2.

Human Placental Hofbauer Cells Maintain an Anti-inflammatory M2 Phenotype despite the Presence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: Hofbauer cells (HBCs) are macrophages of the feto-placental unit. Despite the general view that these cells have an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype, recent studies have claimed that pregnancy pathologies-e.g.

Prostaglandins and Their Receptors in Eosinophil Function and As Therapeutic Targets.

Of the known prostanoid receptors, human eosinophils express the prostaglandin D (PGD) receptors DP1 [also D-type prostanoid (DP)] and DP2 (also chemoattractant receptor homologous molecule, expressed on Th2 cells), the prostaglandin E receptors EP2 and EP4, and the prostacyclin (PGI) receptor IP. Prostanoids can bind to either one or multiple receptors, characteristically have a short half-life , and are quickly degraded into metabolites with altered affinity and specificity for a given receptor subtype. Prostanoid receptors signal mainly through G proteins and naturally activate signal transduction pathways according to the G protein subtype that they preferentially interact with.

Sedentary behavior in obese pregnant women is associated with inflammatory markers and lipid profile but not with glucose metabolism.

Background: Sedentary behavior is an independent risk factor for the metabolic syndrome, but the role of sedentary behavior in the development of gestational diabetes is unclear.

Objectives: This study tested the hypothesis that less sedentary behavior is related to better insulin sensitivity, lipid and cytokine profile in obese pregnant women.

Methods: A longitudinal observational study with 46 overweight and obese pregnant women was conducted.

Lipid Mediators of Allergic Disease: Pathways, Treatments, and Emerging Therapeutic Targets.

Bioactive lipids are critical regulators of inflammation. Over the last 75 years, these diverse compounds have emerged as clinically-relevant mediators of allergic disease pathophysiology. Animal and human studies have demonstrated the importance of lipid mediators in the development of asthma, allergic rhinitis, urticaria, anaphylaxis, atopic dermatitis, and food allergy.

Activated prostaglandin D2 receptors on macrophages enhance neutrophil recruitment into the lung.

Background: Prostaglandin (PG) D2 is an early-phase mediator in inflammation, but its action and the roles of the 2 D-type prostanoid receptors (DPs) DP1 and DP2 (also called chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on T(H)2 cells) in regulating macrophages have not been elucidated to date.

Objective: We investigated the role of PGD2 receptors on primary human macrophages, as well as primary murine lung macrophages, and their ability to influence neutrophil action in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: In vitro studies, including migration, Ca(2+) flux, and cytokine secretion, were conducted with primary human monocyte-derived macrophages and neutrophils and freshly isolated murine alveolar and pulmonary interstitial macrophages.

Cytokines and their association with insulin resistance in obese pregnant women with different levels of physical activity.

Background: Cytokines contribute to insulin resistance in pregnancy, but the role of distinct cytokines is not fully understood.

Objectives: To study whether cytokines produced by tissues other than skeletal muscle are associated with glucose and insulin metabolism activity in overweight and obese women and to study whether these associations can be modified by physical activity.

Methods: A longitudinal study with 44 overweight and obese pregnant women was conducted.

Adhesion of eosinophils to endothelial cells or substrates under flow conditions.

Recruitment of eosinophils into the lung tissue is a critical event in allergic inflammatory reactions. Extravasation of eosinophils from the bloodstream is a highly dynamic multistep process that involves capture, rolling, activation, firm adhesion, and transendothelial and subendothelial migration of the cells. It is assumed that the rate-limiting step in this cascade is the capture and firm adhesion of cells to the endothelium.

Physical activity in overweight and obese pregnant women is associated with higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines and with reduced insulin response through interleukin-6.

OBJECTIVE Previously, we reported the positive association of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with insulin sensitivity in overweight and obese pregnant women. We sought to assess whether these MVPA-induced changes in insulin sensitivity are mediated by changes in interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-1β. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A prospective longitudinal study was conducted in 46 overweight and obese women at risk for gestational diabetes mellitus.