👤 Grazyna Adamek

In mammals, several non-RLR DExD/H-box RNA helicases are involve in sensing of viral nucleic acids and activation of antiviral immune response, however their role in the immune defense of fish is much less known. In this study, the expression profile of non-RLR DExD/H-box RNA helicase genes: ddx1, ddx3, dhx9, ddx21 and dhx36, was studied in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) during infection with two RNA viruses: spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV) and Chum salmon reovirus (CSV). Bioinformatic analysis of the amino acid sequences of the core helicase of DDX1, DDX3, DHX9, DDX21 and DHX36 in zebrafish and common carp revealed presence of all conserved motifs found amongst all other species, with the exception of common carp DHX9 which do not possess motif V. The transcripts of studied DExD/H-box RNA helicases were found in zebrafish ZF4 cell line as well as in all studied organs from zebrafish and common carp. The expression study demonstrated the up-regulation of the expression of selected non-RLR DExD/H-box RNA helicases during viral infections in ZF4 cell line (in vitro study) and in zebrafish and common carp organs (in vivo study). DDX1 was the only DExD/H-box RNA helicase which expression was repetitively up-regulated during in vivo infections with SVCV and CSV in zebrafish and SVCV in common carp. In ZF4 cells and kidney of common carp, viral infection-induced up-regulation of DExD/H-box RNA helicases preceded the up-regulation of type I IFN gene. Our results suggest that studied non-RLR DExD/H-box RNA helicases might be involved in antiviral immune response in fish. Show less

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process during which cancer cells lose epithelial features, cytoskeletal architecture is re-organized, cell shape changes and cells activate genes that help to define mesenchymal phenotype, what leads to an increased cell motility and dissemination of tumor to distant metastatic sites. This review describes different signaling networks between microRNAs and proteins that regulate EMT in tumor growth. Activation of EMT is mediated via series of paracrine signaling molecules. WNT, TGF-b, NOTCH and Shh signaling pathways play crucial roles in activation of EMT-related transcription factors, such as SNAIL, SLUG, ZEB1/2 or TWIST. Recent data provide evidence that crosstalk between microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs and EMT-transcription factors is crucial event in EMT regulation. MicroRNAs affect also level of proteins responsible for cellular contact, adhesion and cytoskeletal proteins, what induces changes of epithelial to mesenchymal phenotype. Understanding of those signaling networks may help to identify novel biomarkers or develop new treatment strategies based on microRNA therapeutics in future. Show less

The aim in this survey was analysis of contribution of exposure to tobacco smoke and selected socioeconomic factors in occurrence of low birth weight. The research was done on the group of 1528 pregnant women. Smoking habit was declared by 18.2% of women and passive exposure to tobacco smoke was stated by 31% of respondents. Significant association between active and passive smoking and socioeconomic status of respondents was observed. Cigarette smoking during pregnancy was the main cause of lower birth weight of newborns. The newborns of actively smoking mothers were lighter of about 332 g according to those ones of mothers who did not smoke and were not exposed to passive smoking, and were lighter than newborns of mothers who were not exposed to passive smoking of about 342 g. Show less

Despite of significant progress in the area of perinatal care, there have been numerous perinatal complications still existing. The health status of mother and newborn is affected by many factors, namely: socio-economical; medical prior to pregnancy and medical through the pregnancy; dietary customs, substance use, including tobacco smoking; health service quality; and risk factors that may occur through fertilization. The active and passive exposure to tobacco smoke in utero have been linked to numerous gestation and delivery complications, including low birth weight, preterm delivery and low Apgar score. In this survey, the awareness of health consequences of active and passive smoking in the population of pregnant women and access to the information of this consequence was assessed. Among of women smoking through their pregnancies, the only 19.7% got the information from their doctors about harmful effect of active and passive smoking, and 16.5% of respondents declared self-awareness on health effects of exposure to the tobacco smoke. Show less