Leishmania infantum and Leishmania braziliensis : differences and similarities to evade the innate immune system

Visceral leishmaniasis is a severe form of the disease, caused by Leishmania infantum in the New World. Patients present an anergic immune response that favors parasite establishment and spreading through tissues like bone marrow and liver. On the other hand, Leishmania braziliensis causes localized cutaneous lesions, which can be self-healing in some individuals. Interactions between host and parasite are essential to understand disease pathogenesis and progression. In this context, dendritic cells (DCs) act as essential bridges that connect innate and adaptive immune responses. In this way, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of these two Leishmania species, in some aspects of human DCs’ biology for better understanding of the evasion mechanisms of Leishmania from host innate immune response. To do so, DCs were obtained from monocytes from whole peripheral blood of healthy volunteer donors and from those infected with L. infantum or L. braziliensis for 24 h. We observed similar rates of infection (around 40%) as well as parasite burden for both Leishmania species. Concerning surface molecules, we observed that both parasites induced CD86 expres-sion when DCs were infected for 24 h. On the other hand, we detected a lower surface expression of CD209 in the presence of both L. braziliensis and L. infantum, but only the last one promoted the survival of DCs after 24 h. Therefore, DCs infected by both Leishmania species showed a higher expression of CD86 and a decrease of CD209 expression, suggesting that both enter DCs through CD209 molecule. However, only L. infantum had the ability to inhibit DC apoptotic death, as an evasion mechanism that enables its spreading to organs like bone marrow and liver. Lastly, L. braziliensis was more silent parasite, once it did not inhibit DC apoptosis in our in vitro model

ATLANTIC EPIPHYTES: a data set of vascular and non-vascular epiphyte plants and lichens from the Atlantic Forest

Epiphytes are hyper-diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non-vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer-reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non-vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non-vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events. © 2019 The Authors. Ecology © 2019 The Ecological Society of Americ

Transforming Growth Factor Beta Receptor 3 Haplotypes in Sickle Cell Disease Are Associated with Lipid Profile and Clinical Manifestations

Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) present both chronic and acute inflammatory events. The TGF-β pathway is known to play a role in immune response, angiogenesis, inflammation, hematopoiesis, vascular inflammation, and cell proliferation. Polymorphisms in the transforming growth factor-beta receptor 3 (TGFBR3) gene have been linked to several inflammatory diseases. This study investigated associations between two TGFBR3 haplotypes and classical laboratory parameters, as well as clinical manifestations, in SCD. We found that individuals with the GG haplotype presented higher levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, non-HDL cholesterol, total proteins, and globulin than individuals with non-GG haplotypes. In addition, the GG haplotype was associated with a previous history of pneumonia. Individuals with the CGG haplotype presented increased plateletcrit, TC, LDL-C levels, and non-HDL cholesterol. The CCG haplotype was also associated with a previous history of pneumonia. Our findings suggest that individuals with the GG and CGG haplotypes of TGFBR3 present important alterations in lipid profile

Associations between TGF-β1 Levels and Markers of Hemolysis, Inflammation, and Tissue Remodeling in Pediatric Sickle Cell Patients

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a cytokine with important involvement in biological processes related to the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease (SCD), including endothelial and vascular dysfunction, inflammation, and hematopoietic homeostasis. This study is aimed at investigating associations between levels of TGF-β1 and classical laboratory biomarkers and inflammatory mediators, as well as the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteases-1 (TIMP-1) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), in pediatric patients (n=123) with SCD in steady state: 84 with sickle cell anemia (HbSS) and 39 with hemoglobin SC disease (HbSC). A healthy control (HC) group of 59 individuals was also included. Hematological and biochemical analyses were carried out using electronic methods. TGF-β1, TIMP-1, and MMP-9 plasma quantifications were performed by ELISA. TGF-β1 plasma levels were higher in HbSS individuals than in HbSC and HC. In individuals with HbSS, TGF-β1 levels were positively correlated with red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets, and TIMP-1. In addition, HbSS individuals with TGF-β1 levels above the median (≥72.29 ng/mL) also presented increased monocyte counts and decreased albumin levels. In patients with HbSC, TGF-β1 levels were positively correlated with leukocytes, eosinophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and platelets, as well as levels of TIMP-1, VLDL-C, triglycerides, heme, and AST. Additionally, HbSC individuals with TGF-β1 levels above the median (≥47.80 ng/mL) presented increased leukocyte and platelet counts, as well as increased levels of triglycerides, VLDL-C, MMP-9, and TIMP-1, and decreased HDL-C. Our findings suggest that TGF-β1 may play important roles in vascular remodeling, vasculopathy, angiogenesis, and inflammation in pediatric patients with SCD

Hemoglobin Variant Profiles among Brazilian Quilombola Communities

<p>Brazilian Quilombolas are communities composed of African-derived populations that have their territories guaranteed by the Brazilian Constitution. The present study investigated the hemoglobin (Hb) variants among these population groups. This study was conducted in a total of 2843 individuals of Brazilian Quilombola communities of the Bahia, Pará, and Piauí states. All the participants had their Hb profiles evaluated. The Hb S (<i>HBB</i>: c.20A>T) variant was described in all the studied localities. However, the individuals in Bahia State had the highest frequency of the Hb C (<i>HBB</i>: c.19G>A) variant; individuals from Piauí State had a higher frequency of the Hb D-Punjab (<i>HBB</i>: c.364G>C) variant compared to the other states, and individuals from Pará State only carried the Hb S variant. The present study revealed a specific distribution of Hb variants that could represent different waves of African influence in these Brazilian populations.</p

Serum haptoglobin and hemopexin levels are depleted in pediatric sickle cell disease patients

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2018-09-27T12:08:03Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Santiago RP Serum haptoglobin and hemopexin....pdf: 558545 bytes, checksum: 573c37ecedf17c3ca8fb53b59dabb35a (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2018-09-27T12:26:56Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Santiago RP Serum haptoglobin and hemopexin....pdf: 558545 bytes, checksum: 573c37ecedf17c3ca8fb53b59dabb35a (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-27T12:26:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Santiago RP Serum haptoglobin and hemopexin....pdf: 558545 bytes, checksum: 573c37ecedf17c3ca8fb53b59dabb35a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018FAPESB SUS0034/2013 and 8133/2014 and by NIH R01 HL114567.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade Federal da Bahia. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade Federal da Bahia. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade Federal da Bahia. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade Federal da Bahia. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade Federal da Bahia. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade Federal da Bahia. Salvador, BA, BrasilUniversidade Federal da Bahia. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação de Hematologia e Hemoterapia da Bahia. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade Salvador. Laureate University. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação de Hematologia e Hemoterapia da Bahia. Salvador, BA, BrasilUniversity of Minnesota. Department of Medicine. Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation. Minneapolis, MN, USAUniversity of Minnesota. Department of Medicine. Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation. Minneapolis, MN, USAFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade Federal da Bahia. Salvador, BA, Brasi

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with coronavirus disease in children a multi-centered study in Belem, Para, Brazil

Fundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, Brazil / Metropolitan University Center of the Amazon. Department of child health. Belém, PA, Brazil.Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.Fundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, Brazil.Fundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, BrazilFundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, BrazilFundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, BrazilFundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, BrazilFundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, BrazilFundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, BrazilFundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, BrazilFundação Hospital das Clínicas Gaspar Viana’s Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, Brazil.Pró-Infantil’s Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, Brazil.Pronto Socorro Municipal Mário Pinotti’s Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, Brazil.Pronto Socorro Municipal Mário Pinotti’s Hospital. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Belém, PA, Brazil.Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Department of Pediatrics. Division of Pediatric Intensive Care. Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil / Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.We described the characteristics of 11 children with pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome-temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2. The main clinical indications for hospital admission were vasogenic toxic shock (n = 2), Kawasaki disease (n = 4), and Kawasaki disease shock syndrome (n = 5). The echocardiography findings were abnormal in 63% of cases. All patients had 2 or more organ dysfunctions, and the mortality rate was 18%

Hydroxyurea alters circulating monocyte subsets and dampens its inflammatory potential in sickle cell anemia patients

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2019-11-14T12:12:13Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Guarda, C.C. Hydroxyuera....pdf: 3656637 bytes, checksum: 14aab9fd62e1f2949b605d6f5956c6e4 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2019-11-14T12:49:49Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Guarda, C.C. Hydroxyuera....pdf: 3656637 bytes, checksum: 14aab9fd62e1f2949b605d6f5956c6e4 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2019-11-14T12:49:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Guarda, C.C. Hydroxyuera....pdf: 3656637 bytes, checksum: 14aab9fd62e1f2949b605d6f5956c6e4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2019-01-15Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Investigação em Genética e Hematologia Translacional. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Universidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Inflamação e Biomarcadores. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Multinational Organization Network Sponsoring Translational and Epidemiological Research Initiative. Salvador, BA, Brazil / Faculdade de Tecnologia e Ciências. Curso de Medicina. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Investigação em Genética e Hematologia Translacional. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Investigação em Genética e Hematologia Translacional. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Investigação em Genética e Hematologia Translacional. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Investigação em Genética e Hematologia Translacional. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Investigação em Genética e Hematologia Translacional. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Investigação em Genética e Hematologia Translacional. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Investigação em Genética e Hematologia Translacional. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Fundação de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Estado da Bahia. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Inflamação e Biomarcadores. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Multinational Organization Network Sponsoring Translational and Epidemiological Research Initiative. Salvador, BA, Brazil / Faculdade de Tecnologia e Ciências. Curso de Medicina. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Universidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Inflamação e Biomarcadores. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Multinational Organization Network Sponsoring Translational and Epidemiological Research Initiative. Salvador, BA, Brazil / Faculdade de Tecnologia e Ciências. Curso de Medicina. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Universidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Inflamação e Biomarcadores. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Multinational Organization Network Sponsoring Translational and Epidemiological Research Initiative. Salvador, BA, Brazil / Faculdade de Tecnologia e Ciências. Curso de Medicina. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade Salvador. Laureate Universities. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Investigação em Genética e Hematologia Translacional. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a hemolytic disease in which vaso-occlusion is an important pathophysiological mechanism. The treatment is based on hydroxyurea (HU), which decreases leukocyte counts and increases fetal hemoglobin synthesis. Different cell types are thought to contribute to vaso-occlusion. Nevertheless, the role of monocytes subsets remains unclear. We investigated frequencies of monocytes subsets in blood and their response to HU therapy, testing their ability to express pro-inflammatory molecules and tissue factor (TF). We identified major changes in monocyte subsets, with classical monocytes (CD14++CD16-) appearing highly frequent in who were not taking HU, whereas those with patrolling phenotype (CD14dimCD16+) were enriched in individuals undergoing therapy. Additionally, HU decreased the production of TNF-α, IL1-β, IL-6, IL-8 as well as TF by the LPS-activated monocytes. Likewise, frequency of TF-expressing monocytes is increased in patients with previous vaso-occlusion. Moreover, activated monocytes expressing TF produced several pro-inflammatory cytokines simultaneously. Such polyfunctional capacity was dramatically dampened by HU therapy. The frequency of classical monocytes subset was positively correlated with percentage cytokine producing cells upon LPS stimulation. These findings suggest that classical monocytes are the subset responsible for multiple pro-inflammatory cytokine production and possibly drive inflammation and vaso-occlusion in SCA which is damped by HU

Inflammatory mediators in sickle cell anaemia highlight the difference between steady state and crisis in paediatric patients

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2018-03-05T18:20:27Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Carvalho MO Inflammatory mediators in sickle cell anaemia....pdf: 359247 bytes, checksum: 3d5d5c8ad54afcaf7e7136d6f5d24c61 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2018-03-05T18:57:42Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Carvalho MO Inflammatory mediators in sickle cell anaemia....pdf: 359247 bytes, checksum: 3d5d5c8ad54afcaf7e7136d6f5d24c61 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2018-03-05T18:57:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Carvalho MO Inflammatory mediators in sickle cell anaemia....pdf: 359247 bytes, checksum: 3d5d5c8ad54afcaf7e7136d6f5d24c61 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017Instituto Gonc alo Moniz- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IGM-FIOCRUZ) and the Hospital da Crianc a das Obras Sociais Irmã Dulce (HCOSID) approved this study, with protocol number 0016.0.225.000-09.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Hospital Universitdrio Professor Edgard Santos. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Fundação de Hematologia e Hemoterapia da Bahia. Salvador, BA, BrasilUniversidade Estadual da Bahia. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilHospital Universitdrio Professor Edgard Santos. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Fundação de Hematologia e Hemoterapia da Bahia. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação de Hematologia e Hemoterapia da Bahia. Salvador, BA, BrasilUniversidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Farmacia. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Farmacia. Salvador, BA, Brasi