Purpose. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of all-trans retinoic acid-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (ATRA-NLCs) on the zymosan-induced expression of the cytokines IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ and the matrix metalloproteinases/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (MMPs/TIMPs) and TLR2 in rabbit corneal fibroblasts (RCFs). Methods. ATRA-NLCs were prepared by emulsification. RCFs were isol...

Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin B (SPE B), a cysteine protease, is an important virulence factor in group A streptococcus (GAS) infection. The inhibition of phagocytic activity by SPE B may help prevent bacteria from being ingested. In this study, we examined the mechanism SPE B uses to enable bacteria to resist opsonophagocytosis. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we found that SPE ...

Anion exchanger 2 (Ae2; gene symbol, Slc4a2) is a plasma membrane Cl-/HCO3- exchanger expressed in the gastrointestinal tract, kidney and bone. We have previously shown that Ae2 is required for the function of osteoclasts, bone resorbing cells of the macrophage lineage, to maintain homeostatic cytoplasmic pH and electroneutrality during acid secretion. Macrophages require endosomal acidificatio...

The effect of liposomes with different degree of oxidation on the zymosan-induced chemiluminescence (CL) of leukocytes was investigated. Non-oxidized liposomes did not influence significantly the CL response of leukocytes. In contrast previously oxidized liposomes increased CL even if liposomes and cells were separated by a dialysis membrane. Based on the observed increase of luminol-activated ...

Gedunin, a natural limonoid from Meliaceae species, has been previously described as an antiinflammatory compound in experimental models of allergic inflammation. Here, we report the antiinflammatory and antinociceptive effects of gedunin in an acute model of articular inflammation induced by zymosan (500 μg/cavity; intra-articular) in C57BL/6 mice. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) pretreatment with gedu...

The roles played by resident macrophages (Mphi) and mast cells (MCs) in polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) accumulation and chemokine production within the mouse peritoneal cavity in response to administration of zymosan (0.2 and 1 mg), LPS (1 mg/kg), and thioglycolate (0.5 ml of a 3% suspension) were investigated. A marked reduction (>95%) in intact MC numbers was obtained by pretreatment with ...

Induction of an experimental inflammation of the air-pouch type with the aid of zymosan (known to activate the alternative pathway of the complement system) was carried out in an attempt to induce a reproducible inflammatory model suitable for quantitative studies. Rats were injected subcutaneously with 8 ml of air on the dorsal surface to make an air-pouch, followed 24h later by 4 ml of 1.6% (...

Neutrophil chemotaxis was evaluated in patients with staphylococcal furunculosis using a modified Boyden chamber assay. Neutrophil chemotactic response to Staphylococcus aureus-derived chemotactic factor was compared with response to Escherichia coli-derived chemotactic factor and zymosan-activated serum. Twenty-one patients with active furunculosis were compared with 29 patients with a history...

Because of low toxic effects of plant-derived drugs, it has become a research focus in disease prevention and treatment, especially those chronic diseases requiring long-term treatment. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of silibinin (SIL) when administered with methotrexate (MTX) in animal model of zymosaninduced arthritis in rats. Male Wistar rats are used for induction an...