Impact of IL-18 on inflammation

IL-18 is produced by many cell types, such as Kupffer cells, keratinocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and activated T cells stimulated by LPS. It is an important regulator of both innate and acquired immune responses. IL-18 plays a central role in rheumatoid arthritis since the T cells and macrophages that invade the synovial. These finding support a role for IL-18 in inflammation, allergy and immune diseases.     

Impact of substance P on cellular immunity

Much evidence suggests a cross-talking between nerve fibers and the immunity system. The immunomodulation by substance P includes cell activation and proliferation of human cells, with cytokine and chemokine generation and release. Substance P was first isolated by Leeman et al. as an undecapeptide with important neurotransmitter-neuromodulator effects. In addition, substance P was shown to induce and mediate inflammation, angiogenesis, infections, intestinal mucosal immunity and stress. Substance P is able to activate several immune cells, such as CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, mast cells, NK cells and macrophages. In recent studies we have shown that substance P can activate interleukin-8, a CXC chemokine, demonstrating its involvement in immune cell chemoattraction. We believe that substance P is important in understanding the pathophysiology of inflammation.     

Role of flavonoids and vitamins in cancer.

Flavonoids are naturally occurring polyphenolic plant compounds that are capable of inhibiting histamine and cytokine release from several cells. Many studies suggest that flavonoids are anticancer agents with an apoptotic effect on tumor cells. Studies with animal tumour models have found vitamin deficiency to enhance susceptibility to chemical carcinogenesis and large doses of anti-oxidant vitamins and flavonoids to inhibit carcinogenesis. In some studies flavonoids and/or vitamins were found to reduce the predisposition to develop tumours in animals and humans. In conclusion, in this review we describe the role of flavonoids and vitamins in cancer.     

Functional Characterization of Recombinant Bromelain of Ananas comosus Expressed in a Prokaryotic System

Bromelain (BRM) is a defense protein present in the fruit and stem of pineapple (Ananas comosus) and it is grouped as a cysteine protease enzyme with diversified medicinal uses. Based on its therapeutic applications, bromelain has got sufficient attention in pharmaceutical industries. In the present study, the full coding gene of bromelain in pineapple stem (1,093 bp) was amplified by RT-PCR. The PCR product was cloned, sequenced, and characterized. The sequence analysis of the gene revealed the single nucleotide polymorphism and its phylogenetic relatedness. The peptide sequence deduced from the gene showed the amino acid variations, physicochemical properties and secondary and tertiary structural features of the protein. The full BRM gene was transformed to prokaryotic vector pET32b and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 DE3pLysS host cells successfully. The identity of the recombinant bromelain (rBRM) protein was confirmed by Western blot analysis using anti-BRM-rabbit IgG antibody. The activity of recombinant bromelain compared with purified native bromelain was determined by protease assay. The inhibitory effect of rBRM compared with native BRM in the growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains of Streptococcus agalactiae and Escherichia coli O111 was evident from the antibacterial sensitivity test. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing the bactericidal property of rBRM expressed in a prokaryotic system.