(C) 2010 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Heterosexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus

(HIV-1) is the predominant mode of infection worldwide. However, the early steps of transepithelial infection still need to be clarified. Using epithelial cells, originating from the female genital tract, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells as subepithelial target cells, an in vitro dual-chamber model of the female genital tract was developed. Remarkably, an intact layer of some cell types (HEC-1A, CaSki and Ect1) served as a protective barrier against cell-free but not against cell-associated HIV-1 that crossed the epithelial barrier through transmigration.

Furthermore, dysfunctions of the epithelial layers FHPI research buy were assessed by monitoring transepithelial Selonsertib clinical trial electric resistance and transepithelial passage of FluoSpheres(R) and HIV-1 after treatment with nonoxynol-9 (N-9). Most of the functional assays showed dysfunction of the epithelial barrier at lower concentrations compared to a widely used colorimetric toxicity assay (WST-1). Finally, N-9 treatment caused a significant increase in the production of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and macrophage inflammatory protein-3 alpha (MIP-3 alpha) and a decrease of Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor (SLPI) and Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 (MCP-1) in this model. In conclusion, this model is a useful tool to (1) study HIV-1 transmission mechanisms and (2) evaluate epithelial toxicity

of candidate microbicides. (C) 2010 Elsevier BM. All rights reserved.”
“Schlager inbred hypertensive mice (BPH/2J) have been suggested to have high blood pressure (BP) due to an overactive sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Tryptophan synthase The brain nuclei associated with the hypertension are also those involved in the integration of the cardiovascular responses to stress. Therefore, in the present study, we hypothesize that BPH/2J mice likely have a greater response to stress that is associated with greater neuronal activation in the limbic system, hypothalamus and medulla in regions known to regulate sympathetic activity. Male hypertensive BPH/2J and normotensive BPN/3J mice were implanted with telemetry devices and exposed to dirty cage-switch, an acute model of aversive stress. Stress exposure caused a 60% greater pressor response in BPH/2J compared with BPN/3J mice and an increase in activity, by contrast the level of tachycardia was less in BPH/2J mice.