Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of global distribution that affects tropical and temperate areas. Under suitable conditions, Leptospira can survive in water and soil and contribute to human and animal infections. The objective of this study was to describe the presence of pathogenic Leptospira in peri-domestic water samples from rural households in southern Chile. Water samples, including puddles, containers, animal troughs, rivers, canals, and drinking water were collected from 236 households and tested for Leptospira using a PCR assay targeting the lipL32 gene. Evidence of Leptospira presence was detected in all sample types; overall, 13.5% (77/570) samples tested positive. A total of 10/22 (45.5%) open containers, 12/83 (14.5%) animal drinking sources, 9/47 (19.1%) human drinking sources, and 36/306 (19.3%) puddles tested positive. Lower income (OR = 4.35, p = 0.003), increased temperature (OR = 1.23, p < 0.001), and presence of dogs (OR = 15.9, p = 0.022) were positively associated with positive puddles. Increased number of rodent signs was associated with positive puddles in the household (OR = 3.22); however, only in the lower income households. There was no association between PCR positive rodents and puddles at the household level. Results revealed the ubiquity of Leptospira in the household environment and highlight the need to develop formal approaches for systematic monitoring.

Kinin peptides exert multiple biological effects by binding to two types of G protein-coupled receptors known as B 1 (B 1 R) and B 2 receptors. Expression of the B 1 R in human breast cancer was recently reported, but up to now the consequences of its stimulation are unknown. Our aims were (1) to investigate the capacity of B 1 R to trigger cell proliferation in breast cancer cells, (2) to explore some of the downstream events occurring after B 1 R stimulation that may be linked to cell proliferation, and (3) to determine whether human breast tumors express potentially active B 1 R assessed by the binding of a radiolabeled agonist. Breast cancer cells expressed both the mRNA and the immunoreactive protein of B 1 R that once stimulated triggered cell proliferation at nanomolar concentrations of the ligand. Inhibitor studies suggested that the proliferative effects depend on the activity of epidermal growth factor receptor and subsequent ERK1/2 mitogenactivated protein kinases phosphorylation. B 1 R binding sites, were detected in 3/4 fibroadenomas, in 4/4 ductal carcinomas in situ and in 11/13 invasive ductal carcinomas. The B 1 R-epidermal growth factor receptor crosstalk may be a key interaction that maintains tumor growth, and antagonism of B 1 R may be a valuable alternative for the treatment of breast cancer.

The kinin B(1)R may contribute to keratinocyte differentiation and migration by triggering specific tyrosine signalling pathways or by interacting with the ErbB receptor family.

Kinins are key pro-inflammatory peptides that exhibit mitogenic effects in tissue-specific cellular systems. Since the life span of the keratinocyte is regulated by receptors that control proliferation and differentiation, and since both processes are affected during wound healing, we have examined the consequence of kinin B2 receptors (B2R) activation in cultured human keratinocytes. Stimulation of keratinocytes by Lys-bradykinin (LBK) induced a rapid and sustained phosphorylation of 42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) that translocated to the nucleus, and decreased only after 120 min of stimulation. Kinin B1 and B2 receptor (B1R and B2R) antagonists showed that phosphorylation was mainly because of B2R activation. The GF109203X inhibitor almost completely abolished the effect of LBK, suggesting the involvement of protein kinase C in the signal cascade. MAPK phosphorylation was partially dependent on epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation as assessed by the selective inhibitor, AG1478. LBK stimulation did not result in cell proliferation, but produced a rapid c-Fos expression, nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappaB, and a moderated (pro)filaggrin synthesis, indicating that it may modulate cell differentiation. Our results support the view that kinins may affect the life span of human keratinocytes and highlight the importance that kinin peptides may have in the pathogenesis and/or progression of skin diseases.