The novel association between the ST2/IL-33 system and IBD seems to identify that variations in this axis might regulate the inflammatory process in these diseases.

During an infection, one of the principal challenges for the host is to detect the pathogen and activate a rapid defensive response. The Toll-like family of receptors (TLRs), among other pattern recognition receptors (PRR), performs this detection process in vertebrate and invertebrate organisms. These type I transmembrane receptors identify microbial conserved structures or pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Recognition of microbial components by TLRs initiates signaling transduction pathways that induce gene expression. These gene products regulate innate immune responses and further develop an antigen-specific acquired immunity. TLR signaling pathways are regulated by intracellular adaptor molecules, such as MyD88, TIRAP/Mal, between others that provide specificity of individual TLR-mediated signaling pathways. TLRmediated activation of innate immunity is involved not only in host defense against pathogens but also in immune disorders. The involvement of TLR-mediated pathways in auto-immune and inflammatory diseases is described in this review article.

Subclinical primary Pneumocystis infection is the most common pulmonary infection in early infancy, making it important to determine whether it damages the lung. Pneumocystis peaks at 2 to 5 months of age, when respiratory morbidity coincidently increases. We have documented that Pneumocystis increases mucus production in infant lungs, and animal models reveal lung lesions that warrant characterization. Herein, immunocompetent rats infected at birth with Pneumocystis by cohabitation, to resemble community-acquired infection, underwent lung assessments at 45, 60, and 75 days of age. Lungs fixed by vascular perfusion to prevent collapse during necropsy were used for morphometry evaluations of mucus production, airway epithelial thickening, perivascular and peribronchiolar inflammation, and structural airway remodeling. Changes in these histologic features indicate lung disease. Selected immune markers were assessed in parallel using fresh-frozen lung tissue from sibling rats of the same cages. Sequential activation of NF-κB and an increased Gata3/T-bet mRNA level ratio, consistent with a type 2 helper T-cell-type inflammatory response, and subacute fibrosis were recognized. Therefore, documenting subclinical Pneumocystis infection induces lung disease in the immunocompetent host. Taken together with the peak age of primary Pneumocystis infection, results warrant investigating the clinical impact of this often subclinical infection on the severity of respiratory diseases in early infancy. This model can also be used to assess the effects of airway insults, including coinfections by recognized respiratory pathogens.

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Background. Subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) require an adequate glycemic control to avoid diabetic complications. Currently, saliva biomarkers are used as a diagnostic tool and can be indicative of the degree of progression and control of various diseases. Several studies indicate that α-2-macroglobulin levels are elevated in diabetic patients. Methods. 120 subjects with DM2 were enrolled and classified into two groups according to their glycemic control (percentage of glycated hemoglobin-A1c (HbA1c), <7% adequate glycemic control group; >7% inadequate glycemic control group). The relationship between α-2-macroglobulin levels from saliva samples and HbA1c was subsequently evaluated. Results. We found a positive correlation between α-2-macroglobulin and HbA1c (r = 0.778 and P < 0.0001). Area under the receivers operating characteristic (ROC) curve of α-2-macroglobulin indicated a positive discrimination threshold of α-2-macroglobulin (AUC = 0.903, CI 95%: 0.847–0.959, P < 0.0001) to diagnose glycemic control. Conclusions. Our data strongly suggest that the level of saliva α-2-macroglobulin is an indicator for the degree of glycemic control in diabetic patients and represents a promising alternative method to evaluate this parameter.