Leishmania parasites invade host macrophages, causing infections that are either limited to skin or spread to internal organs. In this study, 3 species causing cutaneous leishmaniasis, L. major, L. aethiopica and L. tropica, were tested for their ability to interfere with apoptosis in host macrophages in 2 different lines of human monocyte-derived macrophages (cell lines THP-1 and U937) and the results confirmed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). All 3 species induced early apoptosis 48 h after infection (expression of phosphatidyl serine on the outer membrane). There were significant increases in the percentage of apoptotic cells both for U937 and PBMC following infection with each of the 3 species. Early apoptotic events were confirmed by mitochondrial membrane permeabilization detection and caspase activation 48 and 72 h after infection. Moreover, the percentage of infected THP-1 and U937 macrophages increased significantly (up to 100%) following treatment with an apoptosis inducer. Since phosphatidyl serine externalization on apoptosing cells acts as a signal for engulfment by macrophages, induction of apoptosis in the parasitized cells could actively participate in spreading the infection. In summary, parasite-containing apoptotic bodies with intact membranes could be released and phagocytosed by uninfected macrophages.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0031182008004915 | DOI Listing |
Mol Biol Rep
January 2025
Department of Biology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Background: Breast carcinoma stands out as the most widespread invasive cancer and the top contributor to cancer-related mortality in women. Nanoparticles have emerged as promising tools in cancer detection, diagnosis, and prevention. In this study, the antitumor and apoptotic capability of silver nanoparticles synthesized through Scrophularia striata extract (AgNPs-SSE) was investigated toward breast cancer cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHepatol Commun
February 2025
Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Background: Cell therapy demonstrates promising potential as a substitute therapeutic approach for liver cirrhosis. We have developed a strategy to effectively expand murine and human hepatocyte-derived liver progenitor-like cells (HepLPCs) in vitro. The primary objective of the present study was to apply HepLPCs to the treatment of liver cirrhosis and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms responsible for their therapeutic efficacy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIran J Basic Med Sci
January 2025
Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Pudong New Area Zhoupu Hospital (Shanghai Health Medical College Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital Shanghai.
Objectives: Echinacoside (ECH) is an anti-fibrotic phenylethanoid glycoside derived from the plant that protects against cardiac dysfunction by mitigating apoptosis, oxidative stress, and fibrosis. Nevertheless, ECH's precise function and mechanisms in addressing cardiac fibrosis are still not fully understood.
Materials And Methods: In our current investigation, we induced cardiac fibrosis in mice by administering Angiotensin II (Ang II) and subsequently assessed the effects of ECH treatment four weeks post-fibrosis induction.
Diabetol Int
January 2025
Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2, Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 650-0017 Japan.
Unlabelled: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress due to obesity or systemic insulin resistance is an important pathogenic factor that could lead to pancreatic β-cell failure. We have previously reported that CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ) is highly induced by ER stress in pancreatic β cells. Moreover, its accumulation hampers the response of these cells to ER stress by inhibiting the induction of the molecular chaperone 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChemistry
January 2025
Kobe University, Department of Chemical Science & Engineering, 1-1 Rokkodaicho, Nada-ku, 657-8501, Kobe, JAPAN.
Organelle targeting is a useful approach in drug development for cancer therapy. Peptide amphiphiles are good candidates for targeting specific organelles because they can be engineered into a wide range of molecular structures, enabling customization for specific functional needs. We have developed a peptide amphiphile, C16-(EY)3, that can respond to tyrosine kinase activity and undergo phosphorylation inside cancer cells.
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