Pedro L. Oliveira

TL;DR: It is demonstrated that heme, but not its analogs/precursors, induced tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) secretion by macrophages dependently on MyD88, TLR4, and CD14, and these findings support the concept that the broad ligand specificity ofTLR4 and the different activation profiles might in part reside in its ability to recognize different ligands in different binding sites.

TL;DR: The first genome sequence of a nondipteran insect vector of an important human parasitic disease is described, which provides critical information on the physiology and evolution of this important vector species and should be instrumental for the development of innovative disease control methods.

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors review mechanisms by which heme can exert biological damage, together with a wide spectrum of adaptations developed by blood-feeding insects and ticks to counteract its deleterious effects.

TL;DR: A role for hemin as a proinflammatory agent able to induce polymorphonuclear neutrophil activation in situations of clinical relevance, such as hemolysis or hemoglobinemia is suggested.

TL;DR: It is proposed that a controlled decrease in ROS levels in the midgut of Aedes aegypti is an adaptation to compensate for the ingestion of heme, a pro-oxidant molecule released in large amounts upon hemoglobin degradation, which would represent a burden to the insect.