The Journey of Methotrexate and Potential Alternative Pharmacotherapies for Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Background: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory auto-immune disorder chiefly described by synovitis followed by extra-articular manifestations of organ association such as pneumonia in addition to the clinical symptoms that cause long-term joint damage starting from the small joints and gradually progressing to the larger ones. Early diagnosis is considered a major improvement for the most desirable outcomes. Methotrexate (MTX), an antifolate, has been the gold standard therapy in use for over forty years as an anchor drug.

Anopheles stephensi Dual Oxidase Silencing Activates the Thioester-Containing Protein 1 Pathway to Suppress Plasmodium Development.

We characterized the dual oxidase (Duox) gene in the major Indian malaria vector Anopheles stephensi, which regulates the generation of reactive oxygen species. The AsDuox gene encodes for a 1,475-amino-acid transmembrane protein that contains an N-terminal noncytoplasmic heme peroxidase domain, a calcium-binding domain, seven transmembrane domains, and a C-terminal cytoplasmic NADPH domain. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that A.

Identification, characterization and expression analysis of Anopheles stephensi double peroxidase.

Peroxidases catalyze the reduction of peroxides and that, in turn, oxidize various substrates. They have been widely reported to play an important role in mosquito innate immunity against various pathogens. Here, we have characterized double heme peroxidase (AsDBLOX) gene from the Indian malaria vector Anopheles stephensi.

Apolipophorin-III Acts as a Positive Regulator of Development in .

Apolipophorin III (ApoLp-III) is a well-known hemolymph protein having a functional role in lipid transport and immune responses of insects. Here we report the molecular and functional characterization of Apolipophorin-III (AsApoLp-III) gene. This gene consists of 679 nucleotides arranged into two exons of 45 and 540 bp that give an ORF encoding 194 amino acid residues.

Silencing of Anopheles stephensi Heme Peroxidase HPX15 Activates Diverse Immune Pathways to Regulate the Growth of Midgut Bacteria.

Anopheles mosquito midgut harbors a diverse group of endogenous bacteria that grow extensively after the blood feeding and help in food digestion and nutrition in many ways. Although, the growth of endogenous bacteria is regulated by various factors, however, the robust antibacterial immune reactions are generally suppressed in this body compartment by a heme peroxidase HPX15 crosslinked mucins barrier. This barrier is formed on the luminal side of the midgut and blocks the direct interactions and recognition of bacteria or their elicitors by the immune reactive midgut epithelium.

Characterization and expression analysis of gene encoding heme peroxidase HPX15 in major Indian malaria vector Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae).

The interaction of mosquito immune system with Plasmodium is critical in determining the vector competence. Thus, blocking the crucial mosquito molecules that regulate parasite development might be effective in controlling the disease transmission. In this study, we characterized a full-length AsHPX15 gene from the major Indian malaria vector Anopheles stephensi.

Molecular characterization of SOCS gene and its expression analysis on Plasmodium berghei infection in Anopheles culicifacies.

Anopheles culicifacies mosquitoes are able to transmit both falciparum and vivax malaria in India. More than 65% of malaria cases reported annually spread through this vector. Despite the fact that it poses major vectorial burden in India, the molecular basis of its immune role against Plasmodium development has not been explored intensively.