During angiogenesis, new vessels emerge from existing endothelial lined vessels to promote the degradation of the vascular basement membrane and remodel the extracellular matrix (ECM), followed by endothelial cell migration, and proliferation and the new generation of matrix components. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) participate in the disruption, tumor neovascularization, and subsequent metastasis while tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) downregulate the activity of these MMPs. Then, the angiogenic response can be directly or indirectly mediated by MMPs through the modulation of the balance between pro-and anti-angiogenic factors. This review analyzes recent knowledge on MMPs and their participation in angiogenesis.

No abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential anti-inflammatory effect of protein hydrolysate and peptide fractions from Salvia hispanica L. seeds. Protein isolate was obtained using defatted flour of mucilage-free seeds. Hydrolysis process was conducted by enzymatic digestion. The hydrolysate was fractionated using ultrafiltration membranes to obtain the peptide fractions (<1, 1-3, 3-5, 5-10, and >10 kDa). Protein derivatives were evaluated by in vitro activation of murine peritoneal macrophages. The antiinflammatory activity was determined as NO production, H 2 O 2 release and pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10) production. All the peptides exerted an antiinflammatory activity, but peptide fraction between 1-3 kDa showed the highest anti-inflammatory effect. This fraction was evaluated on in vivo murine models of TPA-induced ear edema and DNFB-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity, exhibiting inhibitory effects. Hence, the results demonstrated that protein derivatives from S. hispanica L. seeds have in vitro and in vivo antiinflammatory effects.

No abstract

The present study aimed to examine the immunomodulatory properties of the methanolic (MeOH) extract from Pouteria. campechiana leaves in peritoneal macrophages of Balb/c mice. Peritoneal macrophages isolated from mice and Vero cells were treated with the MeOH extract from leaves. Cell viability of the macrophages and Vero cells were evaluated by the 3-(4,5dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide method. The phagocytic activity, as nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) production were evaluated on peritoneal macrophages. Results showed that the MeOH extract from leaves was able to stimulate the phagocytic activity and increase NO, H 2 O 2 and cytokines production. The viability assays do not show cytotoxic effect on cell viability and cause a significative proliferative effect in the macrophages of a concentration-dependent manner. These results conclude that the MeOH extract from P. campechiana leaves possessed a stronger immunostimulatory effect in a concentration-dependent manner without affect the cell viability.