The pathophysiology of preeclampsia involves altered levels of angiogenic factors promoted by hypoxia and autoantibody-mediated mechanisms.

Pre-eclampsia is a syndrome characterized by inadequate placentation, which is due to deficient trophoblastic invasion of the uterine spiral arteries. This deficiency can lead to placental hypoxia, secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, and release of angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors. Hypoxic conditions in the placenta can promote oxidative stress and the production of angiogenic factors that are antagonized by soluble receptors, which are also elevated in this syndrome. In addition to these factors, the development of hypertension in women with pre-eclampsia may be associated with the renin-angiotensin system and endothelial dysfunction. The presence of antiangiotensin II type 1 receptor autoantibodies is relevant in pre-eclampsia because it has been related to the secretion of antiangiogenic factors through cytokine pathways, indicating that autoimmune mechanisms may participate in the pathophysiology of this syndrome.

Mecanismos da toxidez de FGF2 em células malignas dependentes de Ras: bloqueio de divisão celular e estresse proteotóxco / Mechanisms of FGF2 toxicity in Ras-driven malignant cells cell division blockage and proteotoxic stress

FGF2 ( Fibroblast Growth Factor 2) é o membro fundador de uma grande família de fatores de crescimento proteícos. Sua atividade se dá através da ligação e ativação de receptores especificos da membrana (FGFRs) com atividade de tirosina quimase. No organismo adulto, a simalização de FGF2 está envolvida na indução de processos de sobrevivência, proliferação e diferenciação celular; além de cicatrização e angiogênese. Por atuar como um clássico fator de crescimento, a atividade de FGF2 está frequentemente implicada em mecanismos pró-tumorais....

FGF2 is the first member of a large family of peptide growth factors. It binds and activates specific membrane receptors ( FGFRs) belonging to a family of tyrosine kinase receptors (RTK). in adult organisms, FGF2 signaling is involved in the induction of cell surveillance, proliferation and differentation; and also wound healing and angiogenesis. FGF2 is a bona fide growth factor and, as such, it is often implicated in pro-tumor mechanisms...

[Association between presence of anti-Ras and anti-VPH16 E4/E7 antibodies and cervical intraepithelial lesions]. / Asociación entre la presencia de anticuerpos anti-Ras y anti-VPH16 E4/E7 y lesiones intraepiteliales del cérvix.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether serum antibodies anti-E4, E7 and Ras could be used as markers for early cervical lesions associated with HPV (human papillomavirus). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A seroepidemiological case-control study was conducted between March 1999 and April 2000 at the dysplasia clinic of Hospital General Doctor Gea Gonzalez, in Mexico City, to evaluate the presence of antibodies anti-E4, E7, and Ras through a sandwich ELISA. Analysis was done using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Anti-E7 antibodies were associated to women with CIN III lesions, while anti-E4 and Ras antibodies were strongly associated with CIN I-II lesions. The antibody profile of women with different cervical lesion showed that: a) the presence of antibodies against two proteins predicts the presence of CIN I-II lesions, and b) the presence of three antibodies predicts a CIN III lesion. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of serum antibodies against E4, E7 and Ras, together with other diagnostic techniques, could be useful for the timely detection of early uterine cervical lesions associated to HPV in women at risk of developing cancer.

Asociación entre la presencia de anticuerpos anti-Ras y anti-VPH16 E4/E7 y lesiones intraepiteliales del cérvix / Association between anti-Ras and anti-HPV16 E4/E7 antibodies with cervical intraepithelial lesions

OBJETIVO: Determinar si anticuerpos séricos contra E4, E7 y Ras pueden ser utilizados como marcadores de lesiones tempranas del cérvix uterino asociadas al virus del papiloma humano. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Entre marzo de 1999 y abril de 2000 se realizó un estudio sero-epidemiológico de casos y controles en la clínica de displasias del Hospital General Doctor Gea González, en la Ciudad de México, en 116 muestras de suero para evaluar la presencia de anticuerpos anti-E4, E7 y Ras utilizando un ELISA de captura. Se estimaron razones de momios e intervalos de confianza de 95 por ciento RESULTADOS: Anticuerpos anti-E7 se asociaron a mujeres con lesiones NIC III, mientras que anticuerpos anti-E4 y anti-Ras fueron más frecuentes en lesiones NIC I-II. Al evaluar el perfil de anticuerpos que presentaron las mujeres, encontramos que a) anticuerpos contra dos proteínas predicen la existencia de una lesión NIC I-II, y b) la presencia de tres anticuerpos predicen una lesión NIC III. CONCLUSIONES: La detección de anticuerpos séricos contra E4, E7 y Ras en combinación con otras técnicas de diagnóstico, podrían ser de utilidad para detectar oportunamente a mujeres con lesiones tempranas asociadas al Virus del Papiloma Humano y en riesgo de desarrollar cáncer