Erythropoietin Exacerbates Inflammation and Increases the Mortality of Histoplasma capsulatum-Infected Mice

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a key hormone involved in red blood cell formation, but its effects on nonerythroid cells, such as macrophages, have not been described. Macrophages are key cells in controlling histoplasmosis, a fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum (Hc). Considering that little is known about EPO’s role during fungal infections and its capacity to activate macrophages, in this study we investigated the impact of EPO pretreatment on the alveolar immune response during Hc infection. The consequence of EPO pretreatment on fungal infection was determined by evaluating animal survival, fungal burden, activation of bronchoalveolar macrophages, inflammatory mediator release, and lung inflammation. Pretreatment with EPO diminished mononuclear cell numbers, increased the recruitment of F4/80+/CD80+ and F4/80+/CD86+ cells to the bronchoalveolar space, induced higher production of IFN-γ, IL-6, MIP-1α, MCP-1, and LTB4, reduced PGE2 concentration, and did not affect fungal burden. As a consequence, we observed an increase in lung inflammation with extensive tissue damage that might account for augmented mouse mortality after infection. Our results demonstrate for the first time that EPO treatment has a deleterious impact on lung immune responses during fungal infection

Deregulated expression of A1, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and Mcl-1 antiapoptotic proteins and Bid, Bad, and Bax proapoptotic genes in polycythemia vera patients

Apoptosis deregulation might have a role in the pathophysiology of polycythemia vera (PV). This study evaluated Bcl-2 molecule expression in CD34+ cells and leukocytes in 12 PV patients. Gene expression was investigated by real time PCR using SybrGreen Quantitect kit and protein expression was evaluated by western-blotting. JAK2 V617F mutation was detected according to Baxter et al (2005). CD34+ cells from PV patients presented higher levels of A1 and Mcl-1 expression (median: 22.6 and 5.2, respectively) in comparison with controls (0.9 and 0.5, p=0.004 and p=0.020); while Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expression decreased in PV patients (0.18 and 1.19) compared with controls (1.39 and 2.01, p=0.006 and p=0.020). CD34+ cells in PV patients showed an elevated Bid expression (14.4) in comparison with healthy subjects (1.0; p=0.002). Patients' leukocytes showed an A1 augmentation (7.41, p=0.001) and a reduced expression of Bax (0.19; p=0.040) and Bad (0.2; p=0.030). There was no correlation between JAK2 V617F allele burden and molecular expression. PV patients showed alterations in Bcl-2 members' expression, which may interfere with control of apoptotic machinery and contribute to disease pathogenesis.<br>A desregulação da apoptose parece participar da fisiopatologia da policitemia vera (PV). Este estudo avaliou a expressão das moléculas da família Bcl-2 em células hematopoéticas CD34 + e leucócitos de 12 pacientes com PV. Foram realizados: a quantificação da expressão gênica por PCR em tempo real utilizando kit Sybrgreen Quantitect, avaliação da expressão de proteínas por western-blot e detecção da mutação JAK2 V617F segundo Baxter et al. (2005). Células CD34 + dos pacientes com PV apresentaram maior expressão de A1 e Mcl-1 (mediana: 22,6 e 5,2, respectivamente) em comparação com controles (0,9 e 0,5, p = 0,004 e p = 0,020) e expressão de Bcl-2 e Bcl-xL diminuída nestes pacientes (0,18 e 1,19) em relação aos controles (1,39 e 2,01, p = 0,006 e p = 0,020). Células CD34 + dos pacientes com PV mostraram expressão elevada de bid (14,4) em comparação aos controles (1,0; p = 0,002). Leucócitos dos pacientes mostraram aumento de A1 (7,41, p = 0,001) e expressão reduzida do Bax (0,19; p = 0,04) e Bad (0,2; p = 0,030). Não houve correlação entre percentagem de alelos JAK2 V617F mutados e expressão molecular. Pacientes com PV apresentaram alterações na expressão de moléculas Bcl-2 que podem interferir no controle da apoptose e contribuir para a patogênese da doença