Constitutive Activation of the Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Receptor (TSHR) by Mutating Ile691 in the Cytoplasmic Tail Segment

/inositol phosphate (IP) pathways, which stimulate thyroid hormone production and thyroid proliferation./IP signaling pathway./IP cascade

Extragonadal Effects of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone on Osteoporosis and Cardiovascular Disease in Women during Menopausal Transition

The risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease increases significantly in postmenopausal women. Until recently, the underlying mechanisms have been primarily attributed to estrogen decline following menopause. However, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels rise sharply during menopausal transition and are maintained at elevated levels for many years. FSH receptor has been detected in various extragonadal sites, including osteoclasts and endothelial cells. Recent advances suggest FSH may contribute to postmenopausal osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Here, we review the key actions through which FSH contributes to the risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease in women as they transition through menopause. Advancing our understanding of the precise mechanisms through which FSH promotes osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease may provide new opportunities for improving health-span for postmenopausal women

PGE2 Induces IL-6 in Orbital Fibroblasts through EP2 Receptors and Increased Gene Promoter Activity: Implications to Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy

BACKGROUND: IL-6 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Graves' disease and its orbital component, thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). Orbital tissues become inflamed in TAO, a process in which prostanoids have been implicated. Orbital fibroblasts both generate and respond to PGE(2), underlying the inflammatory phenotype of these cells. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using cultured orbital and dermal fibroblasts, we characterized the effects of PGE(2) on IL-6 expression. We found that the prostanoid provokes substantially greater cytokine synthesis in orbital fibroblasts, effects that are mediated through cell-surface EP(2) receptors and increased steady-state IL-6 mRNA levels. The pre-translational up-regulation of IL-6 results from increased gene promoter activity and can be reproduced with the PKA agonist, Sp-cAMP and blocked by interrupting the PKA pathway. PGE(2)-induced production of cAMP in orbital fibroblasts was far greater than that in dermal fibroblasts, resulting from higher levels of adenylate cyclase. PGE(2) provokes CREB phosphorylation, increases the pCREB/CREB ratio, and initiates nuclear localization of the pCREB/CREB binding protein/p300 complex (CBP) preferentially in orbital fibroblasts. Transfection with siRNAs targeting either CREB or CBP blunts the induction of IL-6 gene expression. PGE(2) promotes the binding of pCREB to its target DNA sequence which is substantially greater in orbital fibroblasts. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: These results identify the mechanism underlying the exaggerated induction of IL-6 in orbital fibroblasts and tie together two proinflammatory pathways involved in the pathogenesis of TAO. Moreover, they might therefore define an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of TAO

Wstepne badania nad fauna komarow [Culcinae] Lodzi i okolic

Species composition of mosquitoes (Diptera, Culicinae) was investigated in 2000 year. The mosquitoes were caugh from april till october, twice a month, at 6 stations. Seven specics from genus Aedes were found: A. beclemishevi, A. ciprinus, A. cantans, A. flavescens, A. communis A. punctor, and A. vexans. A. cantans was most numerous (32,4). From genus Culex only one soecies was found (Culex pipiens). Furthermoce, Mansonia richardii and Culiseta annulata were caugh. The agresiveness toward men showed by mosquitoes was highest in august

Occurrence of prostaglandins and other eicosanoids in parasites and their role in host-parasite interaction

Prostaglandins have been already pretty well rccognized as metabolic regulators in vertebebrata tissues mainly in mammals. Less reports concerned the occurrence of prostaglandins in invertebrates. In the present review we summarise literature data about the presence of prostaglandins and other eicosanoids in various groups of parasites and their possible role in hostparasite interaction. Prostaglandins have also been found in very primitive organisms as bacteria, varions plants and protozoa. We summarise that prostaglandins seem to be a very ancient group, going back to the roots of evolution. They are as universal in cell physiology as DNA in genetics. In host-parasiter eicosanoids also parasitic origin, play an important role as a modulators of hosts immune responsiveness

WYSTĘPOWANIE PROSTAGLANDYN I INNYCH EIKOZANOIDÓW U PASOŻYTÓW I ICH ROLA W UKŁADZIE ŻYWICIEL-PASOŻYT

Prostaglandins have been already pretty well rccognized as metabolic regulators in vertebebrata tissues mainly in mammals. Less reports concerned the occurrence of prostaglandins in invertebrates. In the present review we summarise literature data about the presence of prostaglandins and other eicosanoids in various groups of parasites and their possible role in hostparasite interaction. Prostaglandins have also been found in very primitive organisms as bacteria, varions plants and protozoa. We summarise that prostaglandins seem to be a very ancient group, going back to the roots of evolution. They are as universal in cell physiology as DNA in genetics. In host-parasiter eicosanoids also parasitic origin, play an important role as a modulators of hosts immune responsiveness

Wplyw intensywnosci inwazji wlosni Trichinella na proces fagocytozy Candida albicans przez makrofagi myszy

Experiments were carried out on male Balb/c mice, weighing 20 g. The Candida cells (Candida albicans L 45) were killed by heat-treatment and obsonized with mouse serum. Macrophages were obtained from the peritoneal cavity. Phagocytosis was executed by incubation 0,2 ml of suspension of macrophages with 0,2 ml of Candida suspension. Microscopic slides with cell smear were preparated. The phagocytic index and the percentage of phagocytizing macrophages were calculeted. It was found that infection with Trichinella spiralis or Trichinella pseudospiralis caused a significant reduction in the phagocytic capacity and the percentage of phagocytizing macrophages. This reduction depended on the intensity of invasion

Wplyw inhibitorow syntezy prostaglandyn oraz prostaglandyn na rozwoj zarodkowy Ascaris suum

The development of Ascaris suum eggs in the culture containing prostaglandins (PGA, PGB, PGE and PGF) or inhibitors of their synthesis (indomethacin and acetylsalicylic acid) was studied. Exposure of eggs to indomethacin (0.2 and 0.5%) or acetylosalicylic acid (1 %) delayed the development. 0.5% acetylsalicylic acid didn't exert any effect. The development was also delayed by PGB, PGE, PGF and higher concentration of PGA. But lower concentration of PGA accelerated embryonic development