DC-SIGN (dendritic cell-specific ICAM-3 grabbing non-integrin) and Langerin are homologous C-type lectins expressed as cell-surface receptors on different populations of dendritic cells (DCs). DC-SIGN interacts with glycan structures on HIV-1, facilitating virus survival, transmission and infection, whereas Langerin, which is characteristic of Langerhans cells (LCs), promotes HIV-1 uptake and d...

Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) perform several physiological and metabolic functions at the barrier. IECs also play an important role in defining overall immune mucosal region. Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) on cell surface other cellular compartments enable them to sense presence of microbes microbial products intestinal lumen. are thus crossroads mediating a bidirectional interactio...

BACKGROUND Gut peptides are known to influence hormone release and growth of endocrine tumours of the pancreas. Although information on somatostatin receptors has been provided recently, little is known on the receptor status of other gastrointestinal hormones in such tumours. AIMS To analyse the spectrum of gut hormone receptors on endocrine tumours of pancreas. SUBJECTS Four types of endo...

The human large intestine can harbor two morphologically similar amoebae; the invasive Entamoeba histolytica and the non-invasive Entamoeba dispar. Whereas E. histolytica can produce intestinal and extra-intestinal lesions, E. dispar is present in non-symptomatic carriers. Although biochemical, genetic and proteomic studies have identified clear differences between these Entamoebae, it has beco...

Mannose 6-phosphate receptor proteins mediate transport of lysosomal enzymes to lysosomes in eukaryotes. Two receptors designated as MPR 300 and MPR 46 based on their apparent molecular mass have been well studied from human and bovine liver. In humans, it has been shown that the receptors are present in different concentrations in different tissues. In the present study, MPR 300 and MPR 46 wer...

In cells specialized for secretory granule exocytosis, lysosomal hydrolases may enter the regulated secretory pathway. Using mouse pancreatic islets and the INS-1 b -cell line as models, we have compared the itineraries of procathepsins L and B, two closely related members of the papain superfamily known to exhibit low and high affinity for mannose-6-phosphate receptors (MPRs), respectively. In...

Recognition of conserved bacterial products by innate immune receptors leads to inflammatory responses that control pathogen spread but that can also result in pathology. Intestinal epithelial cells are exposed to bacterial products and therefore must prevent signaling through innate immune receptors to avoid pathology. However, enteric pathogens are able to stimulate intestinal inflammation. W...

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) are incretins secreted in response to oral glucose ingestion by intestinal L and K cells, respectively. The molecular mechanisms responsible for intestinal cell glucose sensing are unknown but could be related to those described for beta-cells, brain and hepatoportal sensors. We determined the role of GLUT2, ...

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are key contributors to tumor development, accelerated invasion and metastasis, induction of immunosuppression. Targeted delivery immunomodulatory agents promote polarization TAMs may alleviate the immunosuppressive microenvironment. Calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CCN), which exhibit excellent biocompatibility, pH sensitivity, easy surface modification, hav...