Search results for "receptor"
showing 10 items of 6990 documents
Stenosis coexists with compromised α1-adrenergic contractions in the ascending aorta of a mouse model of Williams-Beuren syndrome
2020
Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is a rare disorder caused by a heterozygous deletion of 26-28 contiguous genes that affects the brain and cardiovascular system. Here, we investigated whether WBS affects aortic structure and function in the complete deletion (CD) mouse model harbouring the most common deletion found in WBS patients. Thoracic aortas from 3-4 months-old male CD mice and wild-type littermates were mounted in wire myographs or were processed for histomorphometrical analysis. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms and oxidative stress levels were assessed. Ascending aortas from young adult CD mice showed moderate (50%) luminal stenosis, whereas endothelial function and oxidative str…
Analysis of colon-infiltrating γδ T cells in chronic inflammatory bowel disease and in colitis-associated cancer
2019
Abstract Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains a global health problem with a significant percentage of patients progressing to chronic inflammation and colitis-associated cancer (CAC). Whether or not γδ T cells contribute to initiation and maintenance of inflammation in IBD and in the development of CAC is not known. We have evaluated the frequency, phenotype, and functions of γδ T cells among tissue-infiltrating lymphocytes in healthy donors and IBD and CAC patients. Results show that Vδ1 T cells are the dominant γδ T-cell population in healthy tissue, whereas Vδ2 T significantly abound in chronic IBD. Vδ2 T cells produce more IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17 than Vδ1 T cells in chronic inflame…
Differential Impact of Ad Libitum or Intermittent High-Fat Diets on Bingeing Ethanol-Mediated Behaviors
2019
Background: Dietary factors have significant effects on the brain, modulating mood, anxiety, motivation and cognition. To date, no attention has been paid to the consequences that the combination of ethanol (EtOH) and a high-fat diet (HFD) have on learning and mood disorders during adolescence. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the biochemical and behavioral consequences of ethanol binge drinking and an HFD consumption in adolescent mice. Methods: Animals received either a standard diet or an HFD (ad libitum vs. binge pattern) in combination with ethanol binge drinking and were evaluated in anxiety and memory. The metabolic profile and gene expression of leptin receptors and clock…
Hyperammonemia alters the mismatch negativity in the auditory evoked potential by altering functional connectivity and neurotransmission
2020
Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is a neuropsychiatric syndrome produced by central nervous system dysfunction subsequent to liver disease. Hyperammonemia and inflammation act synergistically to alter neurotransmission, leading to the cognitive and motor alterations in MHE, which are reproduced in rat models of chronic hyperammonemia. Patients with MHE show altered functional connectivity in different neural networks and a reduced response in the cognitive potential mismatch negativity (MMN), which correlates with attention deficits. The mechanisms by which MMN is altered in MHE remain unknown. The objectives of this work are as follows: To assess if rats with chronic hyperammonemia rep…
CD3ε Expression Defines Functionally Distinct Subsets of Vδ1 T Cells in Patients With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
2018
Human γδ T cells expressing the Vδ1 T cell receptor (TCR) recognize self and microbial antigens and stress-inducible molecules in a major histocompatibility complex -unrestricted manner and are an important source of innate interleukin-17. Vδ1 T cells are expanded in the circulation and intestines of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In the present study, we show that patients with HIV have elevated frequencies, but not absolute numbers, of circulating Vδ1 T cells compared to control subjects. This increase was most striking in the patients with Candida albicans co-infection. Using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, we identify two populations of Vδ1 T cells, …
The Impact of Lactobacillus casei on the Composition of the Cecal Microbiota and Innate Immune System Is Strain Specific
2016
The probiotic function to impact human health is thought to be related to their ability to alter the composition of the gut microbiota and modulate the human innate immune system. The ability to function as a probiotic is believed to be strain specific. Strains of Lactobacillus casei are commonly utilized as probiotics that when consumed alter the composition of the gut microbiota and modulate the host immune response. L. casei strains are known to differ significantly in gene content. The objective of this study was to investigate seven different L. casei strains for their ability to alter the murine gut microbiota and modulate the murine immune system. C57BL/6 mice were fed L. casei strai…
MUC1 deficiency mediates corticosteroid resistance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
2018
Background Lung inflammation in COPD is poorly controlled by inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Strategies to improve ICS efficacy or the search of biomarkers who may select those patients candidates to receive ICS in COPD are needed. Recent data indicate that MUC1 cytoplasmic tail (CT) membrane mucin can mediate corticosteroid efficacy in chronic rhinosinusitis. The objective of this work was to analyze the previously unexplored role of MUC1 on corticosteroid efficacy in COPD in vitro and in vivo models. Methods MUC1-CT expression was measured by real time PCR, western blot, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. The inflammatory mediators IL-8, MMP9, GM-CSF and MIP3α were measured by EL…
Nonacidic Farnesoid X Receptor Modulators.
2017
As a cellular bile acid sensor, farnesoid X receptor (FXR) participates in regulation of bile acid, lipid and glucose homeostasis, and liver protection. Clinical results have validated FXR as therapeutic target in hepatic and metabolic diseases. To date, potent FXR agonists share a negatively ionizable function that might compromise their pharmacokinetic distribution and behavior. Here we report the development and characterization of a high-affinity FXR modulator not comprising an acidic residue.
GABA-containing compound gammapyrone protects against brain impairments in Alzheimer's disease model male rats and prevents mitochondrial dysfunction…
2018
Neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, decreased glucose/energy metabolism, and disrupted neurotransmission are changes that occur early in sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD), manifesting as mild cognitive impairment. Recently, the imbalanced function of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system was identified as a critical factor in AD progression. Thus, maintaining balance among neurotransmitter systems, particularly the GABA system, can be considered a beneficial strategy to slow AD progression. The present study investigated the effects of the compound gammapyrone, a molecule containing three GABA moieties: "free" moiety attached to the position 4 of the 1,4-dihydropyridine (DHP) ring, and…
Sex-based differences after a single bout of exercise on PGC1α isoforms in skeletal muscle: A pilot study
2020
To date, there are limited and incomplete data on possible sex-based differences in fiber-types of skeletal muscle and their response to physical exercise. Adult healthy male and female mice completed a single bout of endurance exercise to examine the sex-based differences of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC1α), heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60), interleukin 6 (IL-6) expression, as well as the Myosin Heavy Chain (MHC) fiber-type distribution in soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles. Our results showed for the first time that in male soleus, a muscle rich of type IIa fibers, endurance exercise activates specifically genes involved in mito…