Efeito da fração polissacarídica do cogumelo Agaricus brasiliensis sobre a produção de citocinas e de fatores angiogênicos no microambiente tumoral

A ATF (fração ácido-tratada) é uma fração polissacarídica extraída do cogumelo Agaricus brasiliensis rica em (1→6)-β-D-glucana, à qual se atribui ação imunoestimulante. No presente trabalho, avaliamos o efeito da ATF sobre a produção de citocinas, a expressão de mRNA de fatores angiogênicos e a infiltração de leucócitos no microambiente do tumor de Ehrlich, subcutaneamente implantado em camundongos BALB/c. O tratamento consistiu de 3 aplicações de ATF (0,5 mg/0,1mL) no sítio de implantação tumoral, seguido de sacrifício dos animais aos 7 ou 14 dias após a implantação do tumor. A massa tumoral foi removida para a obtenção das células infiltradas no tumor de Ehrlich e para análise do número de células secretoras de citocinas (ELISPOT). Foi realizada a análise dos fatores pró-angiogênicos pela técnica de PCR em tempo real e a presença in situ de células imunocompetentes, foi analisada através de microscopia confocal. Aos 7 dias observou-se maior número de células secretoras de IL-4 e IFN-γ no grupo Ehr/ATF e aos 14 dias a capacidade de produção de IL-10 mostrou-se aumentada no grupo Ehr, fenômeno revertido pelo tratamento com a ATF, que induziu aumento no número de células produtoras de IFN- γ. Esses achados são compatíveis com a observação de que os animais tratados com a ATF apresentaram marcação mais intensa para as células CD8+ e Mac-3+. Em relação aos fatores angiogênicos, observamos que aos 7 dias, o tratamento inibiu a produção de FGF-2 no microambiente tumoral. Assim, concluímos que a ATF, através da indução da produção de IFN-γ, foi capaz de reverter parcialmente a produção de IL-10 induzida pelas células tumorais, estabelecendo um microambiente menos favorável ao desenvolvimento do tumor.The acid treated fraction (ATF) is a polysaccharidic (1-6)-β-D-glucan-rich fraction obtained from A. brasiliensis, with putative immunostimulatory activity. The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of ATF on cytokine production and expression of mRNA of angiogenic factors in the microenvironment of subcutaneous Ehrlich tumor mass. BALB/c mice were subcutaneously inoculated with Ehrlich tumor cells (day zero), followed by in situ administration of sterile salt solution (group Ehr) or with 0,5 mg/0,1mL of ATF (group Ehr/ATF) on day 3, 4 and 5. These animals were sacrificed on the 7th or 14th day for evaluations. Tumor tissue was removed to obtain infiltrated cells and for analyze the number of cytokine producing cells (ELISPOT). The pro-angiogenic factor were analyzed by real time PCR and phenotype of infiltrated immunocompetent cells was analyzed by confocal microscopy. On the 7th day, increased number of IL-4 and IFN-γ- producing cells was observed in the Ehr/ATF group. On the 14th day Ehr group showed increased number of IL-10-producing cells, whereas this occurrence was avoided by treatment with ATF (Her/ATF). Treatment also increased the number of IFN-γ producing cells in that time. These data are in accordance with the stronger labeling of tumor tissue for CD8 and Mac-3. Concerning to angiogenic factor, on the 7th day, the treatment decreased the FGF-2 mRNA expression by tumor tissue. In summary, our data allow us to conclude that ATF was able to partially reverse the production of IL-10 induced by tumor cells, through the induction of higher levels of IFN-γ-producing cells, perhaps establishing a more efficient immunoresponsiveness against tumor.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Serum soluble mediator profiles and networks during acute infection with distinct DENV serotypes

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico - CNPq. Funding was also obtained from Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas (FAPEAM/PPP-CNPq, EDITAL N. 016/2014), Ministerio da Saude do Brasil (Chamada Publica no 01/2012, Convenio # 776823/2012) and INCT para Febres Hemorragicas Virais (INCT-FHV - 573739/2008-0).Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilU.S. Food and Drug Administration. Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. Office of Blood Research and Review. Silver Spring, MD, United States.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilUniversidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Microbiologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil / Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Faculdade de Medicina. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Vírus Respiratórios e Sarampo. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrazilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilFundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado. Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Carlos Borborema. Manaus, AM, Brazil / Universidade Federal do Amazonas. Escola de Enfermagem de Manaus. Manaus, AM, BrazilFundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado. Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Carlos Borborema. Manaus, AM, Brazil / Universidade Federal do Amazonas. Escola de Enfermagem de Manaus. Manaus, AM, BrazilFundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado. Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Carlos Borborema. Manaus, AM, BrazilFundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado. Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Carlos Borborema. Manaus, AM, BrazilUniversidade Federal do Amazonas. Escola de Enfermagem de Manaus. Manaus, AM, BrazilFundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado. Instituto de Pesquisa Clínica Carlos Borborema. Manaus, AM, Brazil / Universidade Federal do Amazonas. Escola de Enfermagem de Manaus. Manaus, AM, Brazil / Fundação Hospitalar de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Amazonas. Diretoria de Ensino e Pesquisa. Manaus, AM, BrazilUniversidade Federal de Uberlândia. Rede Multidisciplinar de Pesquisa, Ciência e Tecnologia. Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares. Patos de Minas, MG, BrazilUniversidade Federal de Uberlândia. Rede Multidisciplinar de Pesquisa, Ciência e Tecnologia. Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares. Patos de Minas, MG, BrazilMinistério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilMinistério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.A panoramic analysis of chemokines, pro-inflammatory/regulatory cytokines, and growth factors was performed in serum samples from patients with acute DENV infection (n=317) by a high-throughput microbeads array. Most soluble mediators analyzed were increased in DENV patients regardless of the DENV serotype. The substantial increase (>= 10-fold) of CXCL10, IL-6, and IFN-gamma, and decreased levels of PDGF (= 3-9-fold) were selectively observed in DENV2 as compared to DENV1 and DENV4. Heatmap and biomarker signatures further illustrated the massive release of soluble mediators observed in DENV patients, confirming the marked increase of several soluble mediators in DENV2. Integrative correlation matrices and networks showed that DENV infection exhibited higher connectivity among soluble mediators. Of note, DENV2 displayed a more complex network, with higher connectivity involving a higher number of soluble mediators. The timeline kinetics (Day 0-1, D2, D3, D4-6) analysis additionally demonstrated differences among DENV serotypes. While DENV1 triggers a progressive increase of soluble mediators towards D3 and with a decline at D4-6, DENV2 and DENV4 develop with a progressive increase towards D4-6 with an early plateau observed in DENV4. Overall, our results provided a comprehensive overview of the immune response elicited by DENV infection, revealing that infection with distinct DENV serotypes causes distinct profiles, rhythms, and dynamic network connectivity of soluble mediators. Altogether, these findings may provide novel insights to understand the pathogenesis of acute infection with distinct DENV serotypes

Serotype-associated immune response and network immunoclusters in children and adults during acute Dengue virus infection

Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. Office of Blood Research and Review. Silver Spring, MD, USA.U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. Office of Blood Research and Review. Silver Spring, MD, USA.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Microbiologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil / Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Faculdade de Medicina. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Vírus Respiratórios e Sarampo. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado. Manaus, AM, Brazil / Universidade Federal do Amazonas. Manaus, AM, Brazil.Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado. Manaus, AM, Brazil.Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado. Manaus, AM, Brazil.Universidade Federal do Amazonas. Manaus, AM, Brazil.Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado. Manaus, AM, Brazil / Universidade Federal do Amazonas. Manaus, AM, Brazil / Fundação Hospitalar de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Amazonas. Manaus, AM, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. Rede Multidisciplinar de Pesquisa, Ciência e Tecnologia. Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares. Campus Patos de Minas, MG, Brazil / Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica. Laboratório de Tecnologias Urbanas e Rurais. Campus Patos de Minas, MG, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. Rede Multidisciplinar de Pesquisa, Ciência e Tecnologia. Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares. Campus Patos de Minas, MG, Brazil / Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica. Laboratório de Tecnologias Urbanas e Rurais. Campus Patos de Minas, MG, Brazil.Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. Rede Multidisciplinar de Pesquisa, Ciência e Tecnologia. Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares. Campus Patos de Minas, MG, Brazil / Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica. Laboratório de Tecnologias Urbanas e Rurais. Campus Patos de Minas, MG, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil / Universidade do Estado do Pará. Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde. Departamento de Patologia. Belém, PA, Brazil.Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado. Manaus, AM, Brazil / Universidade Federal do Amazonas. Manaus, AM, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.The present study was designed as an exploratory investigation to characterize the overall profile of chemokines, growth factors, and pro-inflammatory/regulatory cytokines during acute DENV infection according to DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-4 serotypes and age: children: 3x), except PDGF in which no fold change was observed. Moreover, despite the age ranges, DENV-1 and DENV-4 presented increased levels of VEGF, IL-6, and TNF-α in serum but decreased levels of PDGF, while DENV-2 exhibited increased levels of CXCL8, CCL4, and IL-12. Noteworthy was that DENV-2 showed increased levels of IL-12, IL-15, IL-17, IL-4, IL-9, and IL-13, and maintained an unaltered levels of PDGF at younger ages (<1–10 yo and 11–20 yo), whereas in older ages (21–40 yo and 41–75 yo), the results showed increased levels of CCL2, IL-6, and TNF-α, but lower levels of PDGF. In general, DENV infection at younger age groups exhibited more complex network immunoclusters as compared to older age groups. Multivariate analysis revealed a clustering of DENV cases according to age for a set of soluble mediators especially in subjects infected with DENV-2 serotype. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that the profile of circulating soluble mediators differs substantially in acute DENV according to age and DENV serotypes suggesting the participation of serotype-associated immune response, which may represent a potential target for development of therapeutics and could be used to assist medical directive for precise clinical management of severe cases

Polysaccharide-rich fraction of Agaricus brasiliensis enhances the candidacidal activity of murine macrophages

A polysaccharide-rich fraction (ATF) of medicinal mushroom Agaricus brasiliensis was evaluated on the candidacidal activity, H2O2 and nitric oxide (NO) production, and expression of mannose receptors by murine peritoneal macrophages. Mice received three intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of ATF and after 48 h their peritoneal resident macrophages were assayed against Candida albicans yeast forms. The treatment increased fungicidal activity and it was associated with higher levels of H2O2, whereas NO production was not affected. We also found that the treatment enhances mannose receptor expression by peritoneal macrophages, which are involved in the attachment and phagocytosis of non-opsonized microorganisms. Treatment of animals with ATF was able to enhance the clearance of C. albicans during the first 6 h after the experimental i.p. infection. Our results suggest that this extract can increase host resistance against some infectious agents through the stimulation of microbicidal activity of macrophages

Brazilian Flora 2020: Leveraging the power of a collaborative scientific network

International audienceThe shortage of reliable primary taxonomic data limits the description of biological taxa and the understanding of biodiversity patterns and processes, complicating biogeographical, ecological, and evolutionary studies. This deficit creates a significant taxonomic impediment to biodiversity research and conservation planning. The taxonomic impediment and the biodiversity crisis are widely recognized, highlighting the urgent need for reliable taxonomic data. Over the past decade, numerous countries worldwide have devoted considerable effort to Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), which called for the preparation of a working list of all known plant species by 2010 and an online world Flora by 2020. Brazil is a megadiverse country, home to more of the world's known plant species than any other country. Despite that, Flora Brasiliensis, concluded in 1906, was the last comprehensive treatment of the Brazilian flora. The lack of accurate estimates of the number of species of algae, fungi, and plants occurring in Brazil contributes to the prevailing taxonomic impediment and delays progress towards the GSPC targets. Over the past 12 years, a legion of taxonomists motivated to meet Target 1 of the GSPC, worked together to gather and integrate knowledge on the algal, plant, and fungal diversity of Brazil. Overall, a team of about 980 taxonomists joined efforts in a highly collaborative project that used cybertaxonomy to prepare an updated Flora of Brazil, showing the power of scientific collaboration to reach ambitious goals. This paper presents an overview of the Brazilian Flora 2020 and provides taxonomic and spatial updates on the algae, fungi, and plants found in one of the world's most biodiverse countries. We further identify collection gaps and summarize future goals that extend beyond 2020. Our results show that Brazil is home to 46,975 native species of algae, fungi, and plants, of which 19,669 are endemic to the country. The data compiled to date suggests that the Atlantic Rainforest might be the most diverse Brazilian domain for all plant groups except gymnosperms, which are most diverse in the Amazon. However, scientific knowledge of Brazilian diversity is still unequally distributed, with the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado being the most intensively sampled and studied biomes in the country. In times of “scientific reductionism”, with botanical and mycological sciences suffering pervasive depreciation in recent decades, the first online Flora of Brazil 2020 significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of taxonomic data available for algae, fungi, and plants from Brazil. This project also made all the information freely available online, providing a firm foundation for future research and for the management, conservation, and sustainable use of the Brazilian funga and flora