Is human cytomegalovirus associated with breast cancer progression?

BACKGROUND: It has been hypothesized that human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) may be associated with breast cancer progression. However, the role of HCMV infection in breast cancer remains controversial. We aimed to assess whether HCMV genes (UL122 and UL83) could be detected in breast carcinomas and reinvestigated their possible association with breast cancer progression. DNA from paraffin-embedded tissues was analyzed by real-time PCR. We investigated 20 fibroadenomas and 27 primary breast carcinomas (stages II, III, and IV). FINDINGS: Two carcinomas were positive for HCMV, one was positive for two TaqMan viral detection probes, and one was positive for a sole TaqMan viral detection probe (UL83), whereas the remainder of the samples was negative. CONCLUSIONS: Samples studied showed no association between HCMV infection and breast cancer progression.

Association of polymorphisms within the transforming growth factor-ß1 gene with diabetic nephropathy and serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations.

AIM: The TGF-ß gene participates in the development of chronic kidney disease. We investigated whether the 869 T > C, 915 G > C and -800 G > A polymorphisms of TGF-ß1 are associated with diabetic nephropathy (DN). METHODS: Polymorphisms were genotyped in 439 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, 233 with diabetic nephropathy (DN+) and 206 without (DN-). The sample was characterized for relevant clinical and biochemical parameters. RESULTS: The 869 T > C (P = 0.016; odds ratio (OR) = 1.818, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.128-2.930) and the 915 G > C polymorphisms (P = 0.008, OR = 4.073, 95% CI = 1.355-12.249) were associated with diabetic nephropathy. The 869 T > C variant was associated with total cholesterol levels: CC + CT genotypes had a mean cholesterol concentration of 5.62 ± 1.40 mmol/L vs a mean concentration of 5.15 ± 1.40 mmol/L for the TT genotype (P = 0.011). Triglycerides were also higher in CC + CT genotypes (2.49 ± 1.56 mmol/L) in comparison with TT homozygotes (2.1 ± 1.22 mmol/L, P = 0.042). Multivariate logistic regression showed that the polymorphisms 869 T > C and 915 G > C were independent predictors for DN (P = 0.049 and 0.046, respectively). CONCLUSION: The 869 T > C and 915 G > C polymorphisms within the TGF-ß1 gene were associated with DN+. Lower cholesterol and triglycerides levels were observed in TT homozygotes for the 869 T > C polymorphism. The TGF-ß1 869 T allele seems to confer protection against DN+.

The role of macrophages and mast cells in lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis in cervical carcinogenesis.

During carcinogenesis it is known that growth factors and cytokines from stromal and inflammatory cells from the microenvironment promote angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. However, the participation of macrophages and mast cells in these processes is not well understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between mast cell and macrophage density with blood and lymphatic vessels in various stages of carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Tissue sections from archival paraffin-embedded samples from cases with cervical intraepithelial neoplasias (CIN) 1, 2, 3, carcinoma in situ, and invasive carcinoma were used. Immunohistochemical staining was done using the following antibodies: anti-LYVE-1; anti-CD31; anti-CD68, and anti-tryptase. Our results showed a significant increase in the number of macrophages in carcinoma in situ, a correlation between lymphatic vessels and macrophages in premalignant lesions CIN 2, and a correlation between mast cells and blood vessels in both CIN 2 and carcinoma in situ. In conclusion, our data underscore the importance of the recruitment of macrophages and mast cells in the development of tumor-associated blood and lymphatic capillaries.

Amebic monocyte locomotion inhibitory factor peptide ameliorates inflammation in CIA mouse model by downregulation of cell adhesion, inflammation/chemotaxis, and matrix metalloproteinases genes.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: Monocyte locomotion inhibitory factor (MLIF), an amebic peptide with antiinflammatory properties, was evaluated in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) to test its effects on the onset and acute inflammatory response of arthritis. MATERIAL: DBA1/J mice at 8-10 weeks of age were divided into four groups (eight mice per group). TREATMENT: The adjuvant group received Freund adjuvant, the CIA group was immunized with collagen II, the MLIF/CIA group received collagen II and MLIF, and the MLIF group received MLIF and Freund adjuvant. METHODS: All groups were evaluated clinically. Seven weeks after the collagen injection, at the peak of the clinical arthritis score, limb specimens were collected and histological studies and gene expression analysis using microarrays were performed. RESULTS: MLIF administered weekly as a preventive scheme delayed and reduced the severity of acute arthritis. MLIF induced gene changes in functional categories including adhesion molecules, matrix metalloproteinases, and inflammatory cytokines. CONCLUSIONS: MLIF could be an interesting new molecule to investigate in the field of rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis research for its potential to prevent inflammation.

DD genotype of angiotensin-converting enzyme in type 2 diabetes mellitus with renal disease in Mexican Mestizos.

AIM: The DD genotype of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) has been suggested as a major contributor of diabetic nephropathy in several populations. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether micro/macroalbuminuria is associated with ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in Mexican Mestizos with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A total of 435 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, of whom 233 had albuminuria, were characterized for the ACE I/D polymorphism by the polymerase chain reaction method. RESULTS: Clinical and biochemical characteristics and frequencies according to DD, ID and II genotypes in patients with and without albuminuria showed no significant differences. However, only females with micro/macroalbuminuria showed higher frequency of a DD genotype than those without albuminuria (27.9%, 21.2% and 10.5%, respectively; P

An anti-inflammatory oligopeptide produced by Entamoeba histolytica down-regulates the expression of pro-inflammatory chemokines.

Axenically grown Entamoeba histolytica produces a pentapeptide (Met-Gln-Cys-Asn-Ser) with anti-inflammatory properties that, among others, inhibits the in vitro and in vivo locomotion of human monocytes, sparing polymorphonuclear leucocytes from this effect [hence the name originally given. Monocyte Locomotion Inhibitory Factor (MLIF)]. A synthetic construct of this peptide displays the same effects as the native material. We now added MLIF to resting and PMA-stimulated cells of a human monocyte cell line and measured the effect upon mRNA and protein expression of pro-inflammatory chemokines (RANTES, IP-10, MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, MCP-1, IL-8, I-309 and lymphotactin) and the shared CC receptor repertoire. The constitutive expression of these chemokines and the CC receptors was unaffected, whereas induced expression of MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, and I-309, and that of the CCR1 receptor--all involved in monocyte chemotaxis--was significantly inhibited by MLIF. This suggests that the inhibition of monocyte functions by MLIF may not only be exerted directly on these cells, but also--and perhaps foremost--through a conglomerate down-regulation of endogenous pro-inflammatory chemokines.