The lower toxicity of AmB-Cu could result from the changes in the expression of TNF receptors, which coincided with the changes in the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in TNF-induced pathways. This situation might subsequently result in a changes in intracellular signalization and influence the toxicity of tested forms of AmB on renal cells.

Membrane fragments of isolated cells from guinea pig gastric mucosa, enriched to 65% parietal cells, bind with high affinity the opioid peptide ³H-D-Ala²-D-Leu⁵-enkephalin (³H-DADLE). Binding was saturable and reversible. Scatchard analysis revealed a second binding site with low affinity but high capacity. Acid secretion by isolated, enriched parietal cells was determined by means of ¹⁴C-aminopyrine uptake. Basal acid secretion was not influenced by DADLE but that stimulated by histamine was further augmented by the enkephalin analog. This potentiating effect was prevented by the opioid antagonist naloxone. The present data provide for the first time evidence that gastric acid secretion is modulated by an opioid mechanism probably located on the parietal cell.

Pigs seem to be the answer to worldwide organ donor shortage. Porcine skin may also be applied as a dressing for severe burns. Genetic modifications of donor animals enable reduction of immune response, which prolongs xenograft survival as temporary biological dressing and allows achieving resistance against xenograft rejection. The risk posed by porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) cannot be eliminated by breeding animals under specific-pathogen-free conditions and so all recipients of porcine graft will be exposed to PERVs. Therefore our study has been focused on the assessment of PERV DNA and mRNA level in skin samples of transgenic pigs generated for xenotransplantation. Porcine skin fragments were obtained from 3- to 6-month-old non-transgenic and transgenic Polish Landrace pigs. Transgenic pigs were produced by pronuclear DNA microinjection and were developed to express the human α-galactosidase and the human α-1,2-fucosyltransferase gene. The copy numbers of PERV DNA and RNA were evaluated using real-time Q-PCR and QRT-PCR. Comparative analysis of all PERV subtypes revealed that PERV-A is the main subtype of PERVs in analyzed skin samples. There was no significantly different copy number of PERV-A, PERV-B and PERV-C between non-transgenic pigs, pigs with the human α-galactosidase and pigs expressing the human α-1,2-fucosyltransferase gene, except of PERV-C DNA. It brings the conclusion, that transgenesis process exerts no influence on PERVs transinfection. That is another step forward in the development of pig skin xenografts as burn wounds dressing.

Background: Autophagocytosis is a biological process involving the controlled distribution of cell fragments and organelles in order to obtain an additional source of energy. LAMP3 (lysosome-associated membrane protein 3) is a heavily glycosylated integral membrane protein located mainly in the lysosomal membrane. Recent studies have shown that it participates in tumor metastasis and drug resistance. Its main role is contribution to tumor cells proliferation, migration and invasion. The aim of this study was to determine changes in transcriptional activity of LAMP3 at various stages of colorectal cancer. In addition, an attempt was made to select miRNAs potentially regulating LAMP3 expression using bioinformatic databases. Methods: The study was conducted on healthy colon samples and colon cancer samples in four stages. Molecular analysis included the extraction of total RNA, purification of the obtained extracts, expression profile analysis using oligonucleotide microarray technique and in silico determination of miRNAs potentially regulating the LAMP3 expression. Results: The level of LAMP3 expression is higher in colorectal adenocarcinoma cells than in non-cancerous cells and depends on the stage of the disease. Conclusions: LAMP3 may promote cancer progression, metastasis and cause the resistance to treatment.