PDIA3, HSPA5 and viementin, proteins identified by 2-DE in the valvular tissue, are the target antigens of peripheral and heart infiltrating T cells from chronic rheumatic heart disease patients

Rheumatic fever (RF) is a post-infectious autoimmune disease due to sequel of group A streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis. Rheumatic heart disease (RHD), the major manifestation of RF, is characterized by inflammation of heart valves and myocardium. Molecular mimicry between GAS antigens and host proteins has been shown at B and T cell level. However the identification of the autoantigens recognized by B and T cells within the inflammatory microenvironment of heart tissue in patients with RHD is still incompletely elucidated. In the present study, we used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and mass spectrometry to identify valvular tissue proteins target of T cells from chronic RHD patients. We could identify three proteins recognized by heart infiltrating and peripheral T cells as protein disulfide isomerase ER-60 precursor (PDIA3), 78 kD glucose-regulated protein precursor (HSPA5) and vimentin, with coverage of 45%, 43 and 34%, respectively. These proteins were recognized in a proliferation assay by peripheral and heart infiltrating T cells from RHD patients suggesting that they may be involved in the autoimmune reactions that leads to valve damage. We also observed that several other proteins isolated by 2-DE but not identified by mass spectrometry were also recognized by T cells. The identified cardiac proteins are likely relevant antigens involved in T cell-mediated autoimmune responses in RF/RHD that may contribute to the development of RHDFAPESP, CNP

Prevalência do aleitamento materno no Distrito Federal, Brasil Prevalence of breast-feeding in Brasilia, Brazil

O artigo relata os resultados de um inquérito transversal, de base populacional, realizado em Dia Nacional de Vacinação. Um grupo de 3.305 mães, com filhos na faixa etária de 0 a 180 dias, selecionado por amostragem sistemática, foi entrevistado com questionário pré-testado. A prevalência do aleitamento materno exclusivo, na faixa etária de 0-15 dias, foi de 62% (intervalo de confiança de 95%: 58,5-65,3) e de 12,8% (11,0-14,7), na faixa etária de 151-180 dias. A duração mediana do aleitamento materno exclusivo correspondeu a 39,4 dias. O aleitamento predominante manteve-se constante ao longo dos intervalos etários, com uma prevalência média de 33,1% (31,4-34,7), enquanto o parcial variou de 4,5% (3,1-6,4) a 28,4% (25,8-31,0), nas idades mencionadas. Para o aleitamento materno (todas as modalidades), a prevalência foi de 96,8% (95,8-97,7) e 70,9% (67,7-73,9), respectivamente. Em conclusão, a prevalência do aleitamento materno no Distrito Federal é elevada, mas é curto o período em que as crianças são amamentadas exclusivamente ao seio.<br>This article presents the findings of a population-based cross-sectional survey carried out during a mass immunization campaign. A group of 3,305 mothers whose babies were 0 to 180 days old was selected by systematic sampling and interviewed with a pretested questionnaire. The prevalence of exclusive breast-feeding among 0-15 day-old children was 62% (IC 95%: 58.5-65.3) and 12.8% (11.0-14.7), among 151-180 day-old children. The average duration of exclusive breast-feeding was 39.4 days. The prevalence of predominant breast-feeding was invariable along the age intervals showing a mean of 33.1% (31.4-34.7). The prevalence of partial breast-feeding among 0-15 day-old children was 4.5% (3.1-6.4) and 28.4% (25.8-31.0) for the mentioned age groups. For maternal breast-feeding, the overall prevalence varied from 96.8% (95.8-97.7) to 70.9% (67.7-73.9). In conclusion, although the overall prevalence of breast-feeding in Brasilia is relatively high, the period that children are exclusively breast-fed is short