[Pulmonary innate immune response in Sars-cov-2 infection] / Respuesta inmunitaria innata pulmonar en la infección por Sars-Cov-2

Introduction: The emerging infection caused by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has become a real challenge for the scientific community. Currently, there is little knowledge about the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and in recent times the participation of the host's own immune response in the progression of the disease has been proposed. Innate pulmonary immunity is the first barrier against different toxins, which can cause tissue damage, with the consequent alteration of respiratory function. However, a loss in the regulation of these inflammatory mechanisms can cause a disruption in the homeostasis of the affected tissue. Objective: To evaluate the role of the pulmonary innate immune response in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. : Results: A global alteration of the pulmonary innate immune response was found in SARS-CoV-2 infection, which would have relevance in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Materials and methods: A systematic review of studies published in scientific search engines was carried out: PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct. The following keywords were used: "COVID-19"; "Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome"; "SARS-CoV-2"; "Innate pulmonary immunity"; "Innate immune response". Conclusion: The global involvement of the innate immune response and consequently of lung tissue homeostasis, in SARS-CoV-2 infection, requires the design of new therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating the altered pro-inflammatory mechanisms in COVID-19.

Introducción: La infección emergente producida por el nuevo coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, se ha constituido en un verdadero desafío para la comunidad científica. Actualmente, es escaso el conocimiento acerca de la patogenia de COVID-19 y en el último tiempo, se ha propuesto la participación de la respuesta inmunitaria propia del huésped, en la progresión de la enfermedad. La inmunidad innata pulmonar se constituye como la primera barrera ante diferentes noxas, que puedan provocar lesión tisular, con la consiguiente alteración de la función respiratoria. Sin embargo, una pérdida en la regulación de estos mecanismos inflamatorios puede provocar una disrupción en la homeostasis del tejido afectado. Objetivo: Evaluar el papel de la respuesta inmune innata pulmonar en la patogenia de COVID-19. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó una revisión sistemática de estudios publicados en buscadores científicos: PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct. Se utilizaron las siguientes palabras claves: "COVID-19"; "Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome"; "SARS-CoV-2"; "Innate pulmonary immunity"; "innate immune response". Resultados: Se encontró una alteración global de la respuesta inmune innata pulmonar en la infección por SARS-CoV-2, que tendría relevancia en la patogenia de COVID-19. Conclusión: La afectación global de la respuesta inmune innata y por consiguiente de la homeostasis tisular pulmonar, en la infección por SARS-CoV-2, requiere el diseño de nuevas estrategias terapéuticas destinadas a la modulación de los mecanismos pro inflamatorios alterados en COVID-19.

Anxiogenic-like effects of Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC. aqueous extract in an elevated plus maze test in mice: a preliminary study.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of orally administered Uncaria tomentosa aqueous extracts (UTE) (Willd. ex Roem. & Schult.) DC. (Rubiaceae) during 7, 15, 30 and 90 days of treatment on the expression of anxiety, as expressed in the elevated plus maze test in male Albino Swiss mice. UTE revealed an anxiogenic effect in relation to the control group at 15 and 30 days, but it was reversed after 90 days of administration, without affecting the locomotor activity or any deleterious effects on the overall performance of the animal, either for its ambulation, or clinical status, and body weight and organ weight/body weight from liver, lung and kidney were unaffected. These biphasic effects are usually indicative of heterogeneity in sites of action due to the presence of many alkaloids (speciophylline, uncarine F and uncarine E) and flavanols (catechin and epigallocatechin) identified and isolated from UTE.

Effects of PDC-109 on bovine sperm functional activity in presence or absence of heparin.

PDC-109, a heparin-binding protein (from the seminal vesicles) that binds to sperm surface phospholipids at ejaculation, may modulate several aspects of sperm activity. The objectives of the present study were to determine: (1) in the presence or absence of heparin, the effects of exogenous PDC-109 on sperm motility (Makler chamber), viability (Hoechst 33258) and membrane functional integrity (hypoosmotic swelling test) of bovine spermatozoa; (2) the role of PDC-109 as a capacitation-inducing factor; and (3) its ability to induce the acrosome reaction (fluorescein staining). After 4-h capacitation in the presence of heparin, the addition of PDC-109 (0.5, 1.5 or 3.0mg/ml) significantly decreased the percentages of motile, progressive, and viable cells; these effects were also detected in the absence of heparin. However, PDC-109 elicited a twofold increase (from 14 to 28%) in the proportion of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa, but only in the presence of heparin. Progesterone (10 microM) or angiotensin II (100 or 1000 nM) stimulated the acrosome reaction after capacitation in the presence of PDC-109 without heparin (from 10 to 17, 23 and 22%, respectively). In conclusion, PDC-109 appears to modulate sperm functional activity, with some effects manifest in the absence of heparin.