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Several studies have suggested that a polymorphism of MICA (MHC class I Chainrelated-A) gene on 6p21 are associated with genetic risk to autoimmune diseases including type I Dibetes mellitus (DMI). Objetive: The aim of this study was to determine the contribucion of MICA gene in DMI risk in mexican population samples. Methods: A total of 119 patients selected from mexican population type 1 diabetes registry and 134 nondiabetic unrelated control subjects were typed for exon 5 polymorphism of MICA in addition to HLA DR-DQ typing. A total of 52 simplex families of type 1 diabetes were also studied. Results: The MICA microsatellite allele consisting of six repetitions of GCT/AGC (A6) was present at a significantly lower frequency in the diabetic patient group (Pc < 0.01; Pc = P value after Bonferroni correction) than in the control population. The MICA microsatellite allele consisting of four repetitions (A4) was present at a higher frequency in diabetic patients (P < 0.05). This deviated distribution was not changed even after controlling for the HLA DRB1-DQB1 haplotype. Transmission/disequilibrium test revealed significant deviation of transmission for alleles at the A6 polymorphism within the MICA gene (P < 0.05). Conclusion: We could assess that the MICA gene might be associated with type 1 diabetes transracially independent of the HLA gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antiproliferative potential of a crude extract from the chayote hybrid H-837-07-GISeM® and its potential for apoptosis induction were assessed in leukaemic cell lines and normal mouse bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs). The extract strongly inhibited the proliferation of the P388, J774, and WEHI-3 cell lines (with an IC50 below 1.3 μg·mL(-1)), reduced cell viability, and induced apoptotic body production, phosphatidylserine translocation, and DNA fragmentation. However, the extract had no effect on BM-MNCs. We postulate that these properties make the extract a good candidate for an anti-tumour agent for clinical use.