TLR9 activation dampens the early inflammatory response to paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Impacting host survival

Background: Paracoccidioides brasiliensis causes paracoccidioidomycosis, one of the most prevalent systemic mycosis in Latin America. Thus, understanding the characteristics of the protective immune response to P. brasiliensis is of interest, as it may reveal targets for disease control. The initiation of the immune response relies on the activation of pattern recognition receptors, among which are TLRs. Both TLR2 and TLR4 have been implicated in the recognition of P. brasiliensis and regulation of the immune response. However, the role of TLR9 during the infection by this fungus remains unclear.J.F. Menino was supported by a grant from Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal (SFRH/BD/33446/2008). This work was supported by a grant from FCT (PTDC/BIA-MIC/108309/2008). M. Saraiva is a Ciencia 2007 fellow and M. Sturme is a Ciencia 2008 fellow. We would also like to thank FAPESP (Fundacao para Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo) and CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico) for financial support. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Growth factors and cytokines modulate gene expression of cell-surface proteoglycans in human periodontal ligament cells

Published online in Wiley InterScience, 23 January 2001Cell-surface proteoglycans have been known to be involved in many functions including interactions with components of the extracellular microenvironment, and act as co-receptors which bind and modify the action of various growth factors and cytokines. The purpose of this study was to determine the regulation by growth factors and cytokines on cell-surface proteoglycan gene expression in cultured human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells. Subconfluent, quiescent PDL cells were treated with various concentrations of serum, bFGF, PDGF-BB, TGF-beta1, IL-beta1, and IFN-gamma. RT-PCR technique was used, complemented with Northern blot for syndecan-1, to examine the effects of these agents on the mRNA expression of five cell-surface proteoglycans (syndecan-1, syndecan-2, syndecan-4, glypican and betaglycan). Syndecan-1 mRNA levels increased in response to serum, bFGF and PDGF-BB, but decreased in response to TGF-beta1, IL-1beta and IFN-gamma. In contrast, syndecan-2 mRNA levels were upregulated by TGF-beta1 and IL-1beta stimulation, but remained unchanged with the other agents. Betaglycan gene expression decreased in response to serum, but was upregulated by TGF-beta1 and unchanged by the other stimulants. Additionally, syndecan-4 and glypican were not significantly altered in response to the regulator molecules studied, with the exception that glypican is decreased in response to IFN-gamma. These data demonstrate that the gene expression of the five cell-surface proteoglycans studied is differentially regulated in PDL cells lending support to the notion of distinct functions for these cell-surface proteoglycans.W. Worapamorn, H.R. Haase, H. Li, and P.M. Bartol

Perfil epidemiológico da hanseníase no município de Teresina, no período de 2001-2008 Epidemiologic profile of the leprosy of the city of Teresina, in the period of 2001-2008

FUNDAMENTOS: A hanseníase é uma doença infectocontagiosa que pode levar a incapacidade física e funcional. É um importante problema de saúde pública em algumas regiões, sendo necessário o conhecimento das variações epidemiológicas para subsidiar estratégias de controle da doença. OBJETIVO: Descrever o perfil epidemiológico do município de Teresina de 2001-2008. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados dados de hanseníase de Teresina entre 2001-2008, presentes no banco de dados oficial do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação, da Fundação Municipal de Saúde. RESULTADOS: Os dados revelam um coeficiente de detecção de casos novos com média de 96,21 casos por 100.000 hab. Entre os menores que 15 anos, houve um pico de 40 casos em 100.000 hab. em 2003. O grau de incapacidade II avaliado no momento do diagnóstico variou de 5%-7% e no momento da alta de 2,77%- 0,14%. A prevalência é alta, variando entre 8-11 casos em 10.000 hab. Em relação à forma clínica no final da série há uma predominância das formas I com 30% dos casos e D com 28% dos casos. Quanto à classificação operacional a média é de 62% de casos paucibacilares e 37,86% multibacilares. Entre os casos registrados há uma discreta predominância no sexo feminino no final da série. CONCLUSÃO: A hanseníase é hiperendêmica em Teresina e pode levar à inatividade pessoas em idade produtiva.<br>BACKGROUND: Leprosy is an infectious disease that can lead to functional and physical disability. It is a major public health problem in some regions, requiring knowledge of its epidemiological variations so that strategies for disease control can be subsidized. OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiological profile of the city of Teresina from 2001 to 2008. METHODS: Data on leprosy in the city of Teresina from 2001 to 2008, which were present on the official database of the Information System for Notifiable Diseases of the City Health Foundation, were analyzed. RESULTS: The data show an average detection rate of new cases of 96.21 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Among those younger than 15, there was a peak of 40 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2003. Grade 2 disability evaluated at diagnosis ranged from 5 to 7% and at discharge from 2.77 to 0.14%. Prevalence is high, varying from 8 to 11 cases per 10,000 inhabitants. Regarding clinical form, there is a predominance of forms I with 30% of the cases and D with 28% of the cases at the end of the series; and in relation to operational classification, the average is 62% of paucibacillary cases and 37.86% of multibacillary cases. Among the reported cases, there is a slight predominance of females at the end of the series. CONCLUSION: Leprosy is hyperendemic in Teresina and it can lead people at working age to inactivity