Immune analysis of cry1Ab-genetically modified potato by in-silico analysis and animal model.

The safety of feeding transgenic potato (Solanum tuberosum), resistant to the potato tuber moth, to Wistar rats was examined from an immunological perspective. The genetically modified potato (GMP) was harbouring cry1Ab and nptII genes as target and selectable marker genes, respectively. In-silico analysis reconfirmed that Cry1Ab and NPTII protein sequences have no significant homology to known toxins or known allergens. The Wistar rats were fed a diet containing 20% GMP or its parental control, non-GMP (NGMP), for 90 days. The consumption of GMP food did not affect the growth rate, food intake, food efficiency, and general health status of the rats. There were no significant differences in the serum concentrations of immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgG, IgM, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and IFN-γ between GMP and NGMP-fed rats. Based on such data, it is concluded that the transgenic potato had no adverse effect on immunity functions of Wistar rats.

The effect of Candida albicans systemic infection on matrix metalloproteinases in breast cancer bearing BALB/c mice.

Breast cancer patients are susceptible to infections such as candidiasis. Due to the importance and the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) in breast cancer progression and its correlation with tumor metastasis, we analyzed the serum level of MMPs -2, -3, -9 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in breast cancer bearing mice in the presence of systemic Candida albicans infection. Female BALB/c mice were divided into 4 groups: group I had tumor + candidiasis; group II, tumor only; group III, candidiasis only and group IV as negative control. Tumor tissue was separated from stock breast cancer bearing mice and transplanted subcutaneously into the groups I and II mice. Two weeks after tumor transplantation, groups I and III were infected with Candida albicans by intravenous injection. One week after systemic infection, the sera of the experimental groups were prepared and analyzed with ELISA for MMP-2, -3, -9 and TIMP-1 levels. The results showed that the levels of MMP-3, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were increased in groups I, II and III, as compared to the control group. However, the level of MMP-2 was decreased in mice infected with Candida albicans and in infected mice bearing tumor. These data suggest that candidiasis may have a positive effect on tumor progression and metastasis.