Neurokinin-1 receptor, a new modulator of lymphangiogenesis in obese-asthma phenotype

Aims Obesity and asthma are widely prevalent and associated disorders. Recent studies of our group revealed that Substance P (SP) is involved in pathophysiology of obese-asthma phenotype in mice through its selective NK1 receptor (NK1-R). Lymphangiogenesis is impaired in asthma and obesity, and SP activates contractile and inflammatory pathways in lymphatics. Our aim was to study whether NK1-R expression was involved in lymphangiogenesis on visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous (SAT) adipose tissues and in the lungs, in obese-allergen sensitized mice. Main methods Diet-induced obese and ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized Balb/c mice were treated with a selective NK1-R antagonist (CJ 12,255, Pfizer Inc., USA) or placebo. Lymphatic structures (LYVE-1 +) and NK1-R expression were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. A semi-quantitative score methodology was used for NK1-R expression. Key findings Obesity and allergen-sensitization together increased the number of LYVE-1 + lymphatics in VAT and decreased it in SAT and lungs. NK1-R was mainly expressed on adipocyte membranes of VAT, blood vessel areas of SAT, and in lung epithelium. Obesity and allergen-sensitization combined increased the expression of NK1-R in VAT, SAT and lungs. NK1-R antagonist treatment reversed the effects observed in lymphangiogenesis in those tissues. Significance The obese-asthma phenotype in mice is accompanied by increased expression of NK1-R on adipose tissues and lung epithelium, reflecting that SP released during inflammation may act directly on these tissues. Blocking NK1-R affects lymphangiogenesis, implying a role of SP, with opposite physiological consequences in VAT, and in SAT and lungs. Our results provide a clue for a novel SP role in the obese-asthma phenotype.

O Comportamento de consumo de Vinho do Porto dos portugueses – recomendações para o aumento da procura interna

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada ao Instituto de Contabilidade e Administração do Porto para a obtenção do grau de Mestre em Marketing Digital, sob orientação de Doutor António Correia de Barros

Heading east this time: critical readings on gender in southeast Asia

This essay intends to discuss some critical readings of fictional and theoretical texts on gender condition in Southeast Asian countries. Nowadays, many texts about women in Southeast Asia apply concepts of power in unusual areas. Traditional forms of gender hegemony have been replaced by other powerful, if somewhat more covert, forms. We will discuss some universal values concerning conventional female roles as well as the strategies used to recognize women in political fields traditionally characterized by male dominance. Female empowerment will mean different things at different times in history, as a result of culture, local geography and individual circumstances. Empowerment needs to be perceived as an individual attitude, but it also has to be facilitated at the macrolevel by society and the State. Gender is very much at the heart of all these dynamics, strongly related to specificities of historical, cultural, ethnic and class situatedness, requiring an interdisciplinary transnational approach.

Neurokinin-1 receptor, a new modulator of lymphangiogenesis in obese-asthma phenotype

Aims: Obesity and asthma are widely prevalent and associated disorders. Recent studies of our group revealed that Substance P (SP) is involved in pathophysiology of obese-asthma phenotype in mice through its selective NK1 receptor (NK1-R). Lymphangiogenesis is impaired in asthma and obesity, and SP activates contractile and inflammatory pathways in lymphatics. Our aim was to study whether NK1-R expression was involved in lymphangiogenesis on visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous (SAT) adipose tissues and in the lungs, in obeseallergen sensitized mice. Main methods: Diet-induced obese and ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized Balb/c mice were treated with a selective NK1-R antagonist (CJ 12,255, Pfizer Inc., USA) or placebo. Lymphatic structures (LYVE-1+) and NK1-R expression were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. A semi-quantitative score methodology was used for NK1-R expression. Key findings: Obesity and allergen-sensitization together increased the number of LYVE-1+ lymphatics in VAT and decreased it in SAT and lungs. NK1-R was mainly expressed on adipocyte membranes of VAT, blood vessel areas of SAT, and in lung epithelium. Obesity and allergen-sensitization combined increased the expression of NK1-R in VAT, SAT and lungs. NK1-R antagonist treatment reversed the effects observed in lymphangiogenesis in those tissues. Significance: The obese-asthma phenotype in mice is accompanied by increased expression of NK1-R on adipose tissues and lung epithelium, reflecting that SP released during inflammation may act directly on these tissues. Blocking NK1-R affects lymphangiogenesis, implying a role of SP, with opposite physiological consequences in VAT, and in SAT and lungs. Our results provide a clue for a novel SP role in the obese-asthma phenotype.