Mast cell hyperactivity underpins the development of oxygen-induced retinopathy.

Mast cells are classically thought to play an important role in protection against helminth infections and in the induction of allergic diseases; however, recent studies indicate that these cells also contribute to neovascularization, which is critical for tissue remodeling, chronic inflammation, and carcinogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that mast cells are essential for sprouting angiogenesis in a murine model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). Although mouse strains lacking mast cells did not exhibit retinal neovascularization following hypoxia, these mice developed OIR following infusion of mast cells or after injection of mast cell tryptase (MCT).

Skin pH Is the Master Switch of Kallikrein 5-Mediated Skin Barrier Destruction in a Murine Atopic Dermatitis Model.

Elevated skin surface pH has been reported in patients with atopic dermatitis. In this study, we explored the role of skin pH in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis using the NC/Tnd murine atopic dermatitis model. Alkalinization of the skin of asymptomatic NC/Tnd mice housed in specific pathogen-free conditions induced kallikrein 5 and activated protease-activated receptor 2, resulting in thymic stromal lymphopoietin secretion and a cutaneous T-helper 2 allergic response.

A point mutation in the extracellular domain of KIT promotes tumorigenesis of mast cells via ligand-independent auto-dimerization.

Mutations in the juxtamembrane and tyrosine kinase domains of the KIT receptor have been implicated in several cancers and are known to promote tumorigenesis. However, the pathophysiological manifestations of mutations in the extracellular domain remain unknown. In this study, we examined the impact of a mutation in the extracellular domain of KIT on mast cell tumorigenesis.

Ultra-pure soft water ameliorates atopic skin disease by preventing metallic soap deposition in NC/Tnd mice and reduces skin dryness in humans.

Mineral ions in tap water react with fatty acids in soap, leading to the formation of insoluble precipitate (metallic soap) on skin during washing. We hypothesised that metallic soap might negatively alter skin conditions. Application of metallic soap onto the skin of NC/Tnd mice with allergic dermatitis further induced inflammation with elevation of plasma immunoglobulin E and proinflammatory cytokine expression.

Oral administration of fermented probiotics improves the condition of feces in adult horses.

The effects of probiotics on horses are still controversial. The present study was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover study designed to evaluate the ability of probiotics to improve intestinal conditions in adult horses. Fermented probiotics were administered to 10 healthy adult geldings for 28 days.

Nuclear factor-ĸB plays a critical role in both intrinsic and acquired resistance against endocrine therapy in human breast cancer cells.

Since more than 75% of breast cancers overexpress estrogen receptors (ER), endocrine therapy targeting ER has significantly improved the survival rate. Nonetheless, breast cancer still afflicts women worldwide and the major problem behind it is resistance to endocrine therapy. We have previously shown the involvement of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in neoplastic proliferation of human breast cancer cells; however, the association with the transformation of ER-positive cells remains unclear.

A molecular targeting against nuclear factor-κB, as a chemotherapeutic approach for human malignant mesothelioma.

Chronic inflammation due to the absorption of asbestos is an important cause of mesothelioma. Although the increased prevalence of mesothelioma is a serious problem, the development of effective chemotherapeutic agents remains incomplete. As the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway contributes to malignant transformation of various types of cells, we explored NF-κB activity in three different pathological types of malignant mesothelioma cells, and evaluated the therapeutic potential of a recently reported NF-κB inhibitor, IMD-0354.

Production of stem cell factor in canine mast cell tumors.

Mast cell tumor (MCT) is the most common cutaneous tumor in dogs. We recently revealed that production of stem cell factor (SCF) contributes to the proliferation of neoplastic mast cells in an autocrine/paracrine manner. The aim of the present study was to determine the contribution of the mechanism in clinical MCTs.

Topical application of ketoprofen improves gait disturbance in rat models of acute inflammation.

Arthritis is a disabling health problem and commonly develops in the late stages of life; the condition is typically accompanied by chronic pain. For the assessment of pain severity and therapeutic effects of analgesic drugs, we recently developed a gait analysis system, which provides an index of pain severity based on walking stride disturbance. Using this system, we evaluated the therapeutic effect of topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in rat models of acute inflammation.

Increased expression of the antiapoptotic protein MCL1 in canine mast cell tumors.

Myeloid cell leukemia sequence 1 (MCL1) is a potent antiapoptotic protein that plays a critical role in cell survival and drug resistance in various cancers. However, to the best of our knowledge, the role of MCL1 in mast cell tumors (MCTs) has not been investigated in dogs. Here, we detected increased MCL1 expression in MCT cell lines, regardless of the presence of a c-kit mutation.