Application of functional genomics to primate endometrium: insights into biological processes

Endometrium is a dynamic tissue that responds on a cyclic basis to circulating levels of the ovarian-derived steroid hormones, estradiol and progesterone. Functional genomics has enabled a global approach to understanding gene regulation in whole endometrial tissue in the setting of a changing hormonal milieu. The proliferative phase of the cycle, under the influence of estradiol, has a preponderance of genes involved in DNA synthesis and cell cycle regulation. Interestingly, genes encoding ion channels and cell adhesion, as well as angiogenic factors, are also highly regulated in this phase of the cycle. After the LH surge, different gene expression profiles are uniquely observed in the early secretory, mid-secretory (window of implantation), and late secretory phases. The early secretory phase is notable for up-regulation of multiple genes and gene families involved in cellular metabolism, steroid hormone metabolism, as well as some secreted glycoproteins. The mid-secretory phase is characterized by multiple biological processes, including up-regulation of genes encoding secreted glycoproteins, immune response genes with a focus on innate immunity, and genes involved in detoxification mechanisms. In the late secretory phase, as the tissue prepares for desquamation, there is a marked up-regulation of an inflammatory response, along with matrix degrading enzymes, and genes involved in hemostasis, among others. This monograph reviews hormonal regulation of gene expression in this tissue and the molecular events occurring therein throughout the cycle derived from functional genomics analysis. It also highlights challenges encountered in using human endometrial tissue in translational research in this context

Apoptosis induction in Jurkat cells and sCD95 levels in women's sera are related with the risk of developing cervical cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Currently, there is clear evidence that apoptosis plays an important role in the development and progression of tumors. One of the best characterized apoptosis triggering systems is the CD95/Fas/APO-1 pathway; previous reports have demonstrated high levels of soluble CD95 (sCD95) in serum of patients with some types of cancer. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women worldwide. As a first step in an attempt to design a minimally invasive test to predict the risk of developing cervical cancer in patients with precancerous lesions, we used a simple assay based on the capacity of human serum to induce apoptosis in Jurkat cells. We evaluated the relationship between sCD95 levels and the ability to induce apoptosis in Jurkat cells in cervical cancer patients and controls.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Jurkat cells were exposed to serum from 63 women (20 healthy volunteers, 21 with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade I [CIN 1] and 22 with cervical-uterine carcinoma). The apoptotic rate was measured by flow cytometry using Annexin-V-Fluos and Propidium Iodide as markers. Serum levels of sCD95 and soluble CD95 ligand (sCD95L) were measured by ELISA kits.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found that serum from almost all healthy women induced apoptosis in Jurkat cells, while only fifty percent of the sera from women with CIN 1 induced cell death in Jurkat cells. Interestingly, only one serum sample from a patient with cervical-uterine cancer was able to induce apoptosis, the rest of the sera protected Jurkat cells from this killing. We were able to demonstrate that elimination of Jurkat cells was mediated by the CD95/Fas/Apo-1 apoptotic pathway. Furthermore, the serum levels of sCD95 measured by ELISA were significantly higher in women with cervical cancer.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results demonstrate that there is a strong correlation between low levels of sCD95 in serum of normal women and higher apoptosis induction in Jurkat cells. We suggest that an analysis of the apoptotic rate induced by serum in Jurkat cells and the levels of sCD95 in serum could be helpful during the prognosis and treatment of women detected with precancerous lesions or cervical cancer.</p

Developmental anomalies in ide ( Leuciscus idus L.) larvae caused by copper and cadmium

Zarodki jazia inkubowano w 0,1 mg dm3 Cu, Cd lub w czystej wodzie wodociągowej (kontrola). Oba metale znacznie zmniejszyły pęcznienie jaj. Miedź i kadm zmniejszyły tempo rozwoju embrionalnego i tempo wykluwania. U larw bezpośrednio po wykluciu stwierdzono sześć typów wad rozwojowych: skrzywienie kręgosłupa, wygięcie ciała w kształcie litery C, deformację głowy, deformację woreczka żółtkowego, obrzęk serca i skrócenie ciała. W kontroli zaobserwowano tylko pierwsze dwa rodzaje deformacji, natomiast po ekspozycji na Cu i Cd stwierdzono występowanie bardziej skomplikowanych zaburzeń. Miedź wywierała niekorzystny wpływ na zarodki jazia głównie podczas ich rozwoju (pęcznienie ikry i tempo rozwoju), podczas gdy efekty toksyczne powodowane przez kadm były bardziej znaczące po wykluciu – u nowo wyklutych larw. Zaobserwowane podczas doświadczeń deformacje larw mogą być przydatne jako bioindykator zanieczyszczenia wód metalami ciężkimi

Wpływ warunków hodowli na parametry hematologiczne i podatność karpia na eksperymentalny stres manipulacyjny

The effects of rearing conditions on hematology and susceptibility of common carp to experimental manipulation stress. The aim of present study was to compare hematological values in pond-reared and hatchery-reared common carp, and their hematological alterations following experimental manipulation. Two groups of carp: pond, and hatchery-reared juveniles were subjected to experimental manipulation – transfer of each fi sh for three hours to separate, aerated but confi ning aquaria. Blood was sampled and hematological parameters were evaluated (erythrocyte and leukocyte counts, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, metabolic activity of phagocytes), and differential erythrocyte and leukocyte counts were calculated in the smears. Prior to stress, pond fi sh showed higher erythrocyte count and hemoglobin concentration, lower erythrocyte volume, and higher leukocyte count and phagocyte activity comparing to the hatchery fi sh. Reaction of both groups of fi sh to manipulation also differed. Pond fi sh showed erythrocyte swelling, and strong leukopenia (lymphopenia and neutropenia), and a decrease in phagocyte activity, while in hatchery fi sh increase in erythrocyte count and phagocyte activity took place. Rearing conditions signifi cantly affected hematological parameters of fi sh, pond-reared carp showing higher oxygen transport and immunological capacities comparing to the hatchery-reared ones. Pond fi sh showed also higher susceptibility to stress

Sezonowe zmiany parametrów hematologicznych u młodocianych karpi w warunkach laboratoryjnych

Annual changes in hematological parameters of common carp juveniles under laboratory conditions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes of the values of hematological parameters of carp juveniles in annual cycle under stable laboratory conditions. Some parameters showed distinct rhythms of changes, e.g. 2 peaks of hematocrit occurred in II and VIII, of hemoglobin concentration in I and VI, while erythrocyte count showed maximum in II. The largest erythrocytes were observed in VIII, and the smallest in XII. Leukocyte count showed two peaks in XII and III. Maximum lymphocyte frequency occurred in III and minimum in XI, while percentage of neutrophils showed the reverse pattern. Oxidative metabolic activity of phagocytes peaked in III, while minimum occurred in XI–XII and VI–VII. Thrombocyte count was highest in XII, and lowest in VII. The obtained results revealed that the values of hematological parameters in carp considerably changed during the year despite little alterations in environmental factors. Some of these changes, e.g. increase in oxidative activity of phagocytes in spring and increase in hemoglobin level in summer were similar to those that occur in fi sh under natural conditions. Another changes, such as increase in erythrocyte size or decrease in leukocyte count suggest long-term adjustment to the laboratory environment