ABSTRACT. The intestinal microflora affects inflammation and immunity, not only locally at the mucosal level but also systemically, raising the question of whether the microflora affects inflammatory processes that contribute to cancer and its therapy. Prebiotics have also been found to play an antitumor role that is not limited to the gut. We investigated the antitumor roles of the intestinal microbiota using the Lewis lung cancer mouse model. In mice treated with cisplatin combined with ABX (an antibiotic cocktail of vancomycin, ampicillin, and neomycin), which can destroy the host commensal microflora, the tumor size was larger than in mice on a single treatment of cisplatin. Moreover, the survival rate of mice treated with cisplatin combined with ABX was significantly reduced. In contrast, mice treated with cisplatin combined with Lactobacillus bacteria had smaller tumors and an improved survival rate. Further study on gene expression indicated that ABX can partially impair the function of cisplatin by upregulating the expression of VEGFA and downregulating the expression of BAX 5643Commensal microbiota contributes to lung cancer immunity ©FUNPEC-RP www.funpecrp.com.br Genetics and Molecular Research X (X): XXX-XXX (2015) and CDKN1B. The expression of IFN-γ, GZMB, and PRF1 in the CD8 + T cells of these mice was reduced by ABX, indicating an immunoenhancement role of commensal microbiota. Conversely, Lactobacillus co-treatment mice showed an enhanced antitumor response with upregulated IFN-γ, GZMB, and PRF1 expression. We conclude that the commensal microbiota contributes to the anti-lung cancer response and probiotics co-treatment can enhance the antigrowth and proapoptotic effects of cisplatin.
Historical records suggest that horses inhabiting the island of Cheju in Korea are descendants of Mongolian horses introduced in 1276. Other studies, however, suggest that horses may have been present on the island prior to the Mongolian introduction. To determine the origin of the Cheju horses we used a phylogenetic analysis of sequences of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop region, including tRNA Pro and parts of tRNA thr and tRNA Phe sequences (1102-bp excluding the tandem repeat region). Maximum parsimony and neighbor-joining trees were constructed using sequences determined for seven Cheju, four Mongolian, one Przewalskii and two Chinese Yunnan horses, and published sequences for one Swedish and three Thoroughbred horses. Donkey mtDNA was used as an outgroup. We found that the mtDNA D-loop sequence varies considerably within Mongolian, Cheju and Thoroughbred horse breeds, and that Cheju horses clustered with Mongolian horses as well as with horses from other distantly related breeds. On the basis of these findings we propose that horses on Cheju Island are of mixed origin in their maternal lineage, and that horses may have existed and been traded on the island before the Mongolian introduction.
Aim: Henoch‐Schönlein purpura is an IgA‐mediated autoimmune vasculitis of children. It often presents with symptoms including purpuric rash, abdominal pain, renal involvement or arthritis. Abdominal pain is a frequent symptom in children with HSP and raises the suspicion of intussusception or perforation. We sought to evaluate abdominal pain via stool occult blood and image studies. Methods: A retrospective study of 261 patients diagnosed with Henoch‐Schönlein purpura from December 1991 to December 2001 was conducted. Image studies, including abdominal echo, abdominal CT and panendoscopy, were performed for patients who suffered from abdominal pain. Results: Of the 261 patients, 151 (58%) had abdominal pain, and 46 (17.6%) suffered either overt gastrointestinal bleeding or had positive stool occult blood. Seven patients had gross bloody stools. One acute intussusception and one bowel perforation were noted. One patient suffered from hypovolemic shock due to massive gastrointestinal bleeding. When stool occult blood was 3+ or 4+, the incidence of a positive image finding was high. Conclusion: We found that stool occult blood and image studies may be necessary regarding severe gastrointestinal involvement. Ultrasonography is an important tool when intussusception or bowel perforation is suspected. Monitoring the vital signs is important, especially in patients with massive gastrointestinal bleeding.
Foxp3, encoded by the human FOXP3 gene, is a transcription factor that regulates regulatory T-cell (Treg) development and function. Associations have been reported between FOXP3 gene variants and autoimmune endocrinopathy and non-endocrine autoimmune disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the FOXP3 gene on genetic predisposition to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The study cohort comprised 172 SLE patients and 181 controls, who were genotyped for the FOXP3 gene variants. Of five SNPs identified, the FOXP3 -6054 ATT carrier was shown to be associated with renal disorder (odds ratio [OR] 3.26, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.33-8.03, p = 0.0077). Furthermore, lower anti-dsDNA levels were found in patients with the -3279 A carrier (p = 0.0109). To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the association of FOXP3 SNPs with susceptibility to SLE, as well as sub-phenotype susceptibility. Although the exact role of Foxp3 and FOXP3 gene variations in SLE is still not clear, the present data support the importance of variations in the FOXP3 gene region for the etiology of certain manifestations of SLE.
We found that stool occult blood and image studies may be necessary regarding severe gastrointestinal involvement. Ultrasonography is an important tool when intussusception or bowel perforation is suspected. Monitoring the vital signs is important, especially in patients with massive gastrointestinal bleeding.
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