Breast cancer (BC) metastasis represents the main physiopathology leading to poor prognosis and death. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a pollutant, classified as an endocrine-disrupting chemical compound with estrogenic properties, their exposure in the early stages of neonatal life leads to an increase in the size and weight of breast tumors and induces cellular changes in the tumoral immune microenvironment where cytokines play a key role. Thus, we used female BALB/c mice exposed neonatally to a single dose of BPA. Once mice reached sexual maturity, a mammary tumor was induced, injecting 4T1 cells in situ. After 25 days of injection, we evaluated endocrine alterations, cytokine expression, tissue alterations denoted by macro or micro-metastasis in the lung, and cell infiltration induced by metastasis. We found that BPA neonatal treatment did not show significant endocrine alterations. Noteworthy, BPA led to an augmented rate of metastasis to the lung associated with higher intratumoral expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and VEGF. Our data suggest that cytokines are key players in the induction of BC metastasis and that BPA (an environmental pollutant) should be considered as a risk factor in the clinical history of patients as a possible inductor of BC metastasis.

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals was observed in Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Both species are recognized as primary vectors of arboviruses such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika in an endemic arbovirus region of Iguala and Tomatal, Guerrero, Mexico; where specimens were collected from contaminated artificial aquatic niches. A total of nine heavy metals, including nickel, Cadmium, copper, and lead, were detected in the artificial aquatic niches and at various stages of mosquito development (larvae, pupae, and adults). The findings indicated that nickel and cadmium are the predominant metals in these environments. Furthermore, substantial bioaccumulation of heavy metals was evident in mosquitoes throughout their life cycle, particularly in larvae and pupae, with cadmium as the most prevalent metal. Adult females of Ae. aegypti exhibited higher concentrations of heavy metals than males, suggesting potential implications for reproduction and disease transmission capacity. The investigation underscores the significance of monitoring heavy metals accumulation and pollution in these niches, as it may influence mosquito ecology and potentially enhance their resistance to insecticides and susceptibility to viral infections.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used industrial chemical found in various products, leading to human exposure through dietary and non-dietary sources. It acts as an endocrine disruptor, affecting reproductive processes in vertebrates by binding to estrogen receptors. While its effects on vertebrates have been extensively studied, much less is known about its impact on invertebrates. This study investigates the effects of BPA on the development and immune response of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which are important vectors for arboviral diseases, such as dengue, an emergent viral disease worldwide. Artificial aquatic niches (AAN) were sampled, and BPA concentrations were quantified. Ae. aegypti larvae were exposed to varying BPA concentrations, and their development, fecundity, fertility, and immune response were assessed. Results show delayed development and decreased emergence of mosquitoes exposed to BPA. Females exposed to BPA exhibited reduced oviposition while hatching rates remained unaffected. Furthermore, BPA exposure altered the expression of immune response genes in adult mosquitoes, with differential effects observed between sexes. This suggests that BPA exposure during early developmental stages can modulate the antiviral immune response in adult mosquitoes, possibly through the 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) signaling pathway. Overall, this study highlights the potential impact of BPA on the development and immune function of mosquito vectors, with implications for vector competence and disease transmission.

Background: Helminth infections are associated with cognitive deficits, especially in school-age children. Deworming treatment in heavily infected children improves their short- and long-term memory recall. In mice, intraperitoneal helminth infection with Taenia crassiceps (T. crassiceps) shows sexual dimorphism in terms of the parasite load, immune response, hormone levels, and behavioral changes. We have previously shown poorer short-term memory performance and changes in the concentrations of cytokines and neurotransmitters in the hippocampus, which were replicated in this study. The molecular changes in other brain structures, such as those related to reproduction, are unknown. Methods: Male and female Balb/cAnN mice were chronically infected with T. crassiceps larvae. We determined the peritoneal parasite load and established the presence of cytokines and neurotransmitters in the hippocampus, olfactory bulb, and hypothalamus. Results: The parasite load was higher in female than male infected mice, as expected. In the hippocampus, the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and serotonin increased in males but decreased in females. In contrast, in the olfactory bulb and hypothalamus, the neurotransmitters assessed showed no statistical differences. The cytokine profiles were different in each brain structure. The TNF-α levels in the olfactory bulb and the IL-4 levels in the hippocampus of infected mice were dimorphic; IFN-γ was augmented in both male and female infected animals, although the increase was higher in infected males. Conclusions: The brain responds to peripheral infection with cytokine levels that vary from structure to structure. This could be a partial explanation for the dimorphic behavioral alterations associated with infection, it also demonstrates the synergic interaction between the immune, the endocrine, and the nervous systems.

Toxocara canis is a helminth parasite with importance in public and veterinary health. Although different studies have evaluated the immune response, to date there are no studies where it is analyzed from the point of view of sexual dimorphism. At 7 days of infection, female rats had a higher number of larvae in the liver, while male rats had them in the lungs. The percentages of immune cells were evaluated, and in most cases, no significant differences were observed. Regarding the cytokines production, infection can generate a decrease in Th1 such as IL-1β in both sexes and IL-6 only in females. In the case of Th2, IL-4 increases only in infected males and IL-5 increases in males and decreases in females due to the effect of infection. IL-10 also decreases in both sexes as a consequence of the infection and TGF-β only in females. Finally, the infection generates the production of antibody against the parasite, however, their quantity is lower in females. Thus, this study demonstrates that Toxocara canis infection is dimorphic and affects females more than males. This is due to a polarization of the inadequate immune response, which is reflected as a higher parasite load in this sex.