In order to better understand the effects of social stress on the prefrontal cortex, we investigated gene expression in mice subjected to acute and repeated social encounters of different duration using microarrays. The most important finding was identification of hemoglobin genes (Hbb-b1, Hbb-b2, Hba-a1, Hba-a2, Beta-S) as potential markers of chronic social stress in mice. Expression of these genes was progressively increased in animals subjected to 8 and 13 days of repeated stress and was correlated with altered expression of Mgp (Mglap), Fbln1, 1500015O10Rik (Ecrg4), SLC16A10, and Mndal. Chronic stress increased also expression of Timp1 and Ppbp that are involved in reaction to vascular injury. Acute stress did not affect expression of hemoglobin genes but it altered expression of Fam107a (Drr1) and Agxt2l1 (Etnppl) that have been implicated in psychiatric diseases. The observed up-regulation of genes associated with vascular system and brain injury suggests that stressful social encounters may affect brain function through the stress-induced dysfunction of the vascular system.

Solid tumours comprise various cells, including cancer cells, resident stromal cells, migratory haemopoietic cells and other. These cells regulate tumour growth and metastasis. Macrophages constitute probably the most important element of all interactions within the tumour microenvironment. However, the molecular mechanism, that guides tumour environment, still remains unknown. Exploring the underlying molecular mechanisms that orchestrate these phenomena has been the aim of our study.

We describe the construction and evaluation of DNA microarray for simultaneous detection and identification of five microbial pathogens of maize: Pantoea ananatis, P. agglomerans, Enterobacter cloaceae subsp. dissolvens, Maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) and Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV). Unlike other DNA microarrays described, our microarray comprises probes targeting the whole genomes of the tested pathogens. Control probes are complementary to genomes of closely related microorganisms that are nonpathogenic to maize and against maize and human genome sequences in order to avoid the potential false-positive results. Obtained results indicate that the fluorescence signals from pathogen and control probes are well distinguished in all performed experiments. The microarray’s performance was compared with classical PCR-based pathogen detection method, and the versatility of the assay was tested in silico.

Canine atopic dermatitis (AD) is a genetically-predisposed inflammatory and pruritic allergic skin disease, with clinical features commonly associated with IgE-antibodies to environmental allergens. Th1 and Treg lymphocytes play an important role in AD, regulating immune response i.e. by inhibiting the development of allergic responses of Th2 cells. During early phases of AD Th2 response predominates and is followed by Th1 domination in chronic AD. The aim of this study was to determine the profile of lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in dogs with AD. Twenty dogs with AD (patients of Small Animal Clinic) were included in this study. Diagnosis was made based on Willemse’s and Prélaud’s criteria, confirmed by serological allergy tests and intradermal skin tests. Three healthy dogs were included as controls. PBMC were isolated from blood and analyzed using flow cytometry. The most commonly encountered positive results were against house-dust mites (over 70%), and less frequently against various pollens: grass weed, tree. Percentage of Th1 cells was higher in atopic dogs (12%) compared with controls (6.7%). The Th1/Th2 ratio equaled 3 in AD dogs, whereas 1.3 in controls. The number of Treg lymphocytes was two times higher in atopic dogs. Tc cells population was also elevated in AD dogs vs. controls (19.5% vs. 16.8%). B cells percentage was lower in AD dogs. To summarize, dogs with AD had increased Th1 and Tc subpopulations, and decreased number of Th2 and B cells, indicating that a transition from early humoral to cell-mediated immunity occurred in the examined patients.