The type 2 inflammatory response favors recognition of tumor antigens by IgE in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Several studies describe an inverse statistical relationship between the presence of an allergy and development of cancer. However, the immunological mechanism involved in the relationship between these two degenerative diseases has not been explored. AIMS: The main objective of this study was to explore the possibility that the lymphocyte T helper (Th) 2 response, a characteristic of allergy, induces recognition of tumor antigens. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with a clinical diagnosis of breast ductal carcinoma were included. Histopathological markers related to proliferation of tumor cells were determined (Her-2-neu, Ki-67, estrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor). IHC was performed using IgE antibodies purified from an allergy patient and from each biopsy donor patient. Serum concentrations of cytokines representative of Th1 and Th2 inflammatory responses were determined. A total of 14 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of breast ductal carcinoma were included. IHC performed on biopsies showed a weak response when using purified IgE antibodies from an allergy patient; however, IHC using the IgE of each patient as the primary antibody showed an intense and highly specific signal. Serum concentrations of cytokines of the Th2 response, that is, IL-4 (130.5 pg/mL (116-135 pg/mL)), IL-5 (202 pg/mL (191-213 pg/mL)), and IL-13 (105.5 pg/mL (98-117 pg/mL)), were significantly higher than those of the Th1 response, that is, IL-6 (86 pg/mL (79-90 pg/mL)) and INF-γ (93 pg/mL (79-99 pg/mL)). CONCLUSION: Purified IgE antibodies specifically recognize tumor cells in breast ductal carcinoma.

Autoantibody Diversity Is Augmented in Women with Breast Cancer and Is Related to the Stage of the Disease.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent malignant neoplasia and leading cause of cancer mortality for women. A timely diagnosis of BC is crucial to ensure the best chances of survival. Among the various screening tools for BC, antibodies directed towards self-antigens or tumor-associated antigens (autoantibodies) have emerged as an alternative to image-based screening modalities. However, little attention has been paid to the global diversity of autoantibodies. This work aimed to analyze the diversity of autoantibodies reactive to antigens expressed by the BC cell line T47D in the sera of Mexican women with BC, benign breast pathology (BBP), or without breast pathology (WBP). We found that the diversity of antibodies in the sera was higher in the BC and BBP groups than in the WBP group. Likewise, the diversity changed with the progression of BC. Our results show and measure the complexity of the antibody response in breast health and disease.

La participación ciudadana en las actividades mineras en Colombia / Citizen Participation in Mining Activities in Colombia

Resumen Por medio del presente artículo de investigación se pretende analizar desarrollo jurídico y democrático que ha representado, en los últimos años, para Colombia un mecanismo de participación ciudadana, como lo es la consulta popular, en las actividades mineras a través de las cuales se permite la exploración y explotación de los recursos naturales yacentes en el subsuelo. La investigación se desarrolló a partir del Método Cualitativo, aplicándose los métodos tradicionales de interpretación, que permitieron el análisis a los pronunciamientos realizados por la Corte Constitucional.

Abstract The purpose of this research article is to analyze the legal and democratic development that has represented, in recent years, for Colombia a mechanism of citizen participation, such as the popular consultation, in mining activities through which the exploration and exploitation of natural resources lying in the subsoil is allowed. The research was developed based on the Qualitative Method, by applying the traditional methods of interpretation, which allowed the analysis of the pronouncements made by the Constitutional Court.

Entamoeba histolytica Trophozoites Interact with the c-Met Receptor at the Surface of Liver Origin Cells through the Gal/GalNAc Amoebic Lectin.

Amoebiasis in humans is caused by the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica, which cytotoxic activity has been demonstrated on a wide variety of target cells. The process involves the adherence of the parasite to the cell, and such adherence is mediated by an amoebic surface lectin, known as Gal/GalNAc lectin. It is composed of heavy, intermediate, and light subunits. The carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) has been identified within a cysteine-rich region in the lectin heavy subunit and has an amino acid sequence identity to the receptor-binding domain of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Recombinant CRD has been previously shown to compete with HGF for binding to the c-Met receptor IgG fusion protein. In the present study, we searched for evidence of interaction between the Gal/GalNAc lectin at the surface of trophozoites with the c-Met receptor expressed at the surface of HepG2 in coculture assays. Immunoprecipitation of the coculture lysate indicated interaction of the c-Met with a 60 kDa peptide recognized by antiamoebic lectin antibody. Colocalization of both molecules was detected by fluorescence confocal microscopy. Incubation of HepG2 cells with HGF before coculture with trophozoites prevents the cytotoxic effect caused by the parasites but not their adherence to the cells. Our results point to Gal/GalNAc lectin as a ligand of the c-Met receptor at the surface of HepG2 cells.

A Potential Alternative against Neurodegenerative Diseases: Phytodrugs.

Neurodegenerative diseases (ND) primarily affect the neurons in the human brain secondary to oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. ND are more common and have a disproportionate impact on countries with longer life expectancies and represent the fourth highest source of overall disease burden in the high-income countries. A large majority of the medicinal plant compounds, such as polyphenols, alkaloids, and terpenes, have therapeutic properties. Polyphenols are the most common active compounds in herbs and vegetables consumed by man. The biological bioactivity of polyphenols against neurodegeneration is mainly due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiamyloidogenic effects. Multiple scientific studies support the use of herbal medicine in the treatment of ND; however, relevant aspects are still pending to explore such as metabolic analysis, pharmacokinetics, and brain bioavailability.