Non-visual arrestins (arrestin-2 and arrestin-3) play critical roles in the desensitization and internalization of many G protein-coupled receptors. In vitro experiments have shown that both non-visual arrestins bind with high and approximately comparable affinities to activated, phosphorylated forms of receptors. They also exhibit high affinity binding, again of comparable magnitude, to clathr...

The glucocorticoid dexamethasone suppresses antigen-induced degranulation, cytokine production, and intermediate signaling events in RBL-2H3 mast cells, although the exact mechanisms are uncertain. By microarray analysis, we discovered that expression of the inhibitory adaptor protein, downstream of tyrosine kinase (Dok)-1, was up-regulated 4-fold in dexamethasone-treated RBL-2H3 cells. The up-...

We have previously described a microarray platform combining live basophils with protein arrays suitable for high-throughput detection of sensitisation against allergens. During optimisation of this technique, we observed severe losses of adhering cells during the washing steps, particularly after activation. In order to preserve cell binding, we tested the cell adhesion characteristics of diff...

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced in various cells and affect many biologic processes. In this study, we examined the effects of 2-methyl-1,4-naphtoquinone (menadione; vitamin K3) on signal transduction in mast cells. Several lines of evidence suggest that H2O2 affects the antigen-induced responses in mast cells but its mechanism is not clearly understood. Unlike H2O2, menadione produc...

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a frequent form of cancer with a poor prognosis, and environmental factors significantly contribute to the risk. Despite knowledge that a Western-style diet is a risk factor in the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and subsequent progression to HCC, diet-induced signaling changes are not well understood. Understanding molecular mechanisms alter...

BACKGROUND Treatment of hemorrhoid disease is one of the most challenging fields in general surgery in which different methods are used to treat this condition. In this study, we compared the manometric and clinical results of three treatment methods for hemorrhoids. METHODS A total of 150 patients with symptomatic grades II or III internal hemorrhoids were randomly assigned to three groups. Gr...

Bone marrow-derived mast cells as well as dendritic cells, macrophages and B lymphocytes express major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules. In mast cells, the majority of MHC class II molecules reside in intracellular cell type-specific compartments, secretory granules. To understand the molecular basis for the localisation of MHC class II molecules in secretory granules, MHC cl...