O FERRO E SEU METABOLISMO: PRINCIPAIS ASPECTOS SOBRE SUAS PROPRIEDADES

In this article, we carried out an analysis of the main aspects related to iron metabolism, as the understanding on this subject has been greatly intensified in recent years. The understanding of this subject has been greatly increased in recent years, while a simple harmony between the processes of absorption, metabolization and distribution of this ion are already sufficient to guarantee the supply of such nutrient in our body. The identification of certain genes that encode specific proteins participating in such homeostasis has stimulated the development of several studies on the subject in the current scientific environment. This article details the main enzymes and proteins participating in the iron cycle in the human body, also identifying their applications and uses, and also highlighting the role of this nutrient in the functioning of the bodyNesse artigo realizamos uma análise acerca dos principais aspectos referentes ao metabolismo do ferro, pois o entendimento sobre esse assunto vem sendo bastante intensificado nos últimos anos. O entendimento acerca desse assunto vem sendo bastante incrementado nos últimos anos, ao passo que uma simples harmonia entre os processos de absorção, metabolização e distribuição desse íon já são suficientes para que se possa haver a garantia do estoque de tal nutriente em nosso corpo. A identificação de determinados genes que codificam proteínas específicas participantes de tal homeostase estimulou o desenvolvimento de vários trabalhos sobre o tema no meio científico atual. Esse artigo detalha as principais enzimas e proteínas participantes do ciclo do ferro no corpo humano, identificando, também suas aplicações e utilizações, e ainda destacando o papel de tal nutriente no funcionamento do organismo

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE BRAIN STROKE AND COVID-19: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Objetivo: Revisar a literatura acerca das teorias que buscam explicar a possível relação entre a COVID-19 e o AVC. Método: Realizou-se busca na literatura científica nas seguintes bases de dados: SciELO, Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (BVS), Pubmed e Google Sholar. Os descritores utilizados na pesquisa foram: COVID-19, Stroke, Interrelation e Prognosis. Resultados: Os achados desta pesquisa incluem a relação da COVID-19 com os seus fatores de risco, a ligação do vírus Sars-Cov-2 com a Enzima Conversora de Angiotensina (ECA), e ainda, as respostas inflamatórias desencadeadas pelo vírus em sua clara relação com o desencadeamento do AVC. Conclusão: É evidente a relação entre a presença do COVID-19 no organismo humano e a maior predisposição para se desenvolver o AVC, no entanto, novos estudos são necessários para que seja possível aprofundar o conhecimento neste tema, bem como consolidar as teorias envolvendo seu mecanismo.Objective: To review the literature on the theories that seek to explain the possible relationship between COVID-19 and stroke. Method: The scientific databases were searched in the following databases: SciELO, Virtual Health Library (VHL), Pubmed and Google Sholar. The descriptors used in the research were: COVID-19, Stroke, Interrelation and Prognosis. Results: The findings of this research include the relationship between COVID-19 and its risk factors, the connection of the Sars-Cov-2 virus with the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE), and also, the inflammatory responses triggered by the virus in its clear relationship with the onset of stroke. Conclusion: The relationship between the presence of COVID-19 in the human organism and a greater predisposition to develop stroke is evident, however, further studies are necessary to be able to deepen the knowledge on this topic, as well as to consolidate the theories involving its mechanism

Genetic Vaccination against Experimental Infection with Myotropic Parasite Strains of Trypanosoma cruzi

In earlier studies, we reported that a heterologous prime-boost regimen using recombinant plasmid DNA followed by replication-defective adenovirus vector, both containing Trypanosoma cruzi genes encoding trans-sialidase (TS) and amastigote surface protein (ASP) 2, provided protective immunity against experimental infection with a reticulotropic strain of this human protozoan parasite. Herein, we tested the outcome of genetic vaccination of F1 (CB10XBALB/c) mice challenged with myotropic parasite strains (Brazil and Colombian). Initially, we determined that the coadministration during priming of a DNA plasmid containing the murine IL-12 gene improved the immune response and was essential for protective immunity elicited by the heterologous prime-boost regimen in susceptible male mice against acute lethal infections with these parasites. the prophylactic or therapeutic vaccination of resistant female mice led to a drastic reduction in the number of inflammatory infiltrates in cardiac and skeletal muscles during the chronic phase of infection with either strain. Analysis of the electrocardiographic parameters showed that prophylactic vaccination reduced the frequencies of sinus arrhythmia and atrioventricular block. Our results confirmed that prophylactic vaccination using the TS and ASP-2 genes benefits the host against acute and chronic pathologies caused by T. cruzi and should be further evaluated for the development of a veterinary or human vaccine against Chagas disease.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Ctr Terapia Celular & Mol CTCMol, BR-04044010 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Microbiol Immunol & Parasitol, BR-04044010 São Paulo, BrazilFiocruz MS, Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Lab Biol Celular, BR-21040360 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrazilFiocruz MS, Ctr Pesquisas Goncalo Moniz, BR-40296710 Salvador, BA, BrazilHosp Sao Rafael, BR-41253190 Salvador, BA, BrazilUNIFESP, Inst Saude Soc, Dept Biociencias, BR-11015020 Santos, SP, BrazilFiocruz MS, Ctr Pesquisas Rene Rachou, BR-30190002 Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilUniv Fed Minas Gerais, Inst Ciencias Biol, Dept Bioquim & Imunol, BR-31270901 Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilUniv Massachusetts, Sch Med, Dept Med, Div Infect Dis & Immunol, Worcester, MA 01655 USAUniv Fed Santa Catarina, Dept Microbiol Immunol & Parasitol, BR-88040900 Florianopolis, SC, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Ctr Terapia Celular & Mol CTCMol, BR-04044010 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Microbiol Immunol & Parasitol, BR-04044010 São Paulo, BrazilUNIFESP, Inst Saude Soc, Dept Biociencias, BR-11015020 Santos, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 2009/06820-4FAPESP: 2013/13668/0FAPESP: 2012/22514-3Web of Scienc

Variação Cromossômica em Cactáceas

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/2179460X13189The Cactaceae family has 1500-1800 species grouped into 4 subfamilies. Although the amount of cytogenetic studies have not yet cover a significant part of the family, some chromosomal aspects can be highlighted. Family presents basic number n = 11, with variations in ploidy in all four subfamilies, but in a limited number of genus. The phenomenon is more common in Opuntioideae, which presents pronounced vegetative reproduction. Similarly, other groups, many of polyploid also reproduce asexually. Some taxa may show interspecific variation, with different levels of ploidy. The karyotypes are symmetrical, showing little structural change in chromosomes that are small, in most cases not exceeding 3 micrometers. There are records of interspecific hybrids and even partially fertile intergeneric which denotes a reasonable homology of chromosomes, and in some polyploid high level of bivalent formation was detected.A família Cactaceae possui entre 1500-1800 espécies agrupadas em 4 subfamílias. Embora a quantidade de estudos citogenéticos não cubra ainda parte significativa da família, alguns aspectos cromossômicos podem ser destacados. A família apresenta número básico n = 11, com variações em ploidia em todas as quatro subfamílias, mas em um número limitado de gêneros. O fenômeno é mais comum em Opuntioideae, que apresenta reprodução vegetativa acentuada. Da mesma maneira, em outros grupos, muitos dos poliploides também reproduzem assexuadamente. Alguns táxons podem mostrar variação interespecífica, com diferentes ploidias. Os cariótipos são simétricos, denotando pouca alteração estrutural nos cromossomos que são pequenos, na maioria dos casos não excedendo 3μm. Existem registros de híbridos interespecíficos e mesmo intergenéricos parcialmente férteis o que denota uma razoável homologia dos cromossomos, e em alguns poliploides foi detectado alto nível de formação de bivalentes

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Distribution and proliferation of bone marrow cells in the brain after pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus in mice

P>The distribution of bone marrow cells in brain areas during the acute period after pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) was investigated here. To achieve this, we generated chimeric mice by engrafting bone marrow cells from enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) transgenic mice. GFP+ bone marrow-derived cells were found throughout the brain, predominantly in the hippocampus. As expected, these cells exhibited the characteristics of microglia. the pattern of distribution, proliferation, and differentiation of GFP+ cells changes as a function of intensity and time following SE. This pattern is also a consequence of the inflammatory response, which is followed by the progressive neuronal damage that is characteristic of the pilocarpine model.FAPESBFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)FIOCRUZUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Fisiol, Lab Neurofisiol, São Paulo, BrazilHosp Sao Rafael, Ctr Biotecnol & Terapia Celular, BR-41253190 Salvador, BA, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Fisiol, Lab Neurofisiol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Intramyocardial transplantation of cardiac mesenchymal stem cells reduces myocarditis in a model of chronic Chagas disease cardiomyopathy

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2014-10-08T16:56:49Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Silva D N Intramyocardial....pdf: 1440616 bytes, checksum: 8df954e30732cb7c8f805b3f571d2e66 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2014-10-08T16:57:02Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Silva D N Intramyocardial....pdf: 1440616 bytes, checksum: 8df954e30732cb7c8f805b3f571d2e66 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-08T17:42:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Silva D N Intramyocardial....pdf: 1440616 bytes, checksum: 8df954e30732cb7c8f805b3f571d2e66 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014Hospital São Rafael. Centro de Biotecnologia e Terapia Celular. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Engenharia Tecidual e Imunofarmacologia. Salvador, BA, BrasilHospital São Rafael. Centro de Biotecnologia e Terapia Celular. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Engenharia Tecidual e Imunofarmacologia. Salvador, BA, BrasilHospital São Rafael. Centro de Biotecnologia e Terapia Celular. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Engenharia Tecidual e Imunofarmacologia. Salvador, BA, BrasilHospital São Rafael. Centro de Biotecnologia e Terapia Celular. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Engenharia Tecidual e Imunofarmacologia. Salvador, BA, BrasilHospital São Rafael. Centro de Biotecnologia e Terapia Celular. Salvador, BA, BrasilHospital São Rafael. Centro de Biotecnologia e Terapia Celular. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz. Laboratório de Engenharia Tecidual e Imunofarmacologia. Salvador, BA, BrasilHospital São Rafael. Centro de Biotecnologia e Terapia Celular. Salvador, BA, BrasilINTRODUCTION: New therapeutic options are necessary for patients with chronic Chagas disease, a leading cause of heart failure in Latin American countries. Stem cell therapy focused on improving cardiac function is a promising approach for treating heart disease. Here, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of cardiac mesenchymal stem cells (CMSCs) in a mouse model of chronic Chagas disease. METHODS: CMSCs were isolated from green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic C57BL/6 mouse hearts and tested for adipogenic, osteogenic, chondrogenic, endothelial, and cardiogenic differentiation potentials evaluated by histochemical and immunofluorescence techniques. A lymphoproliferation assay was performed to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of CMSCs. To investigate the therapeutic potential of CMSCs, C57BL/6 mice chronically infected with Trypanosoma cruzi were treated with 106 CMSCs or saline (control) by echocardiography-guided injection into the left ventricle wall. All animals were submitted to cardiac histopathological and immunofluorescence analysis in heart sections from chagasic mice. Analysis by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed in the heart to evaluate the expression of cytokines involved in the inflammatory response. RESULTS: CMSCs demonstrated adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation potentials. Moreover, these cells expressed endothelial cell and cardiomyocyte features upon defined stimulation culture conditions and displayed immunosuppressive activity in vitro. After intramyocardial injection, GFP+ CMSCs were observed in heart sections of chagasic mice one week later; however, no observed GFP+ cells co-expressed troponin T or connexin-43. Histopathological analysis revealed that CMSC-treated mice had a significantly decreased number of inflammatory cells, but no reduction in fibrotic area, two months after treatment. Analysis by qRT-PCR demonstrated that cell therapy significantly decreased tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression and increased transforming growth factor-beta in heart samples. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the CMSCs exert a protective effect in chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy primarily through immunomodulation

Caspase inhibition reduces lymphocyte apoptosis and improves host immune responses to Trypanosoma cruzi infection

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2015-04-22T17:51:30Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Silva E M Caspase inhibition....pdf: 353519 bytes, checksum: 68b3cc8f4df343863de5c4a9370a4777 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2015-04-22T18:34:19Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Silva E M Caspase inhibition....pdf: 353519 bytes, checksum: 68b3cc8f4df343863de5c4a9370a4777 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-22T18:34:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Silva E M Caspase inhibition....pdf: 353519 bytes, checksum: 68b3cc8f4df343863de5c4a9370a4777 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.In experimental Chagas' disease, lymphocytes from mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi show increased apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. Treatment with a pan-caspase blocker peptide inhibited expression of the active form of effector caspase-3 in vitro and rescued both B and T cells from cell death. Injection of the caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp(OMe)-fluoromethyl ketone, but not a control peptide, reduced parasitemia and lymphocyte apoptosis in T. cruzi-infected mice. Moreover, treatment with caspase inhibitor throughout acute infection increased the absolute numbers of B and T cells in the spleen and lymph nodes, without affecting cell infiltrates in the heart. Following treatment, we found increased accumulation of memory/activated CD4 and CD8 T cells, and secretion of IFN-gamma by splenocytes stimulated with T. cruzi antigens. Caspase inhibition in the course of infection reduced the intracellular load of parasites in peritoneal macrophages, and increased the production of TNF-alpha and nitric oxide upon activation in vitro. Our results indicate that inhibition of caspases with a pan-caspase blocker peptide improves protective type-1 immune responses to T. cruzi infection. We suggest that mechanisms of apoptosis are potential therapeutic targets in Chagas' disease