Modification in the diet can induce beneficial effects against breast cancer

The population tends to consume foods that in addition to their nutritional values can offer some benefits to their health. There are many epidemiological evidences and research studies in animal models suggesting that diet plays an important role in breast cancer prevention or progression. This review summarized some of the relevant researches about nutrition and cancer during the last years, especially in breast cancer. The analysis of probiotics and fermented products containing lactic acid bacteria in cancer prevention and/or treatment was especially discussed. It was observed that a balance of fatty acids similar to those of traditional Mediterranean diet, the consumption of fruits and vegetables, dietary fiber intake, vitamin supplementation are, along with the intake of probiotic products, the most extensively studied by the negative association to breast cancer risk. The consumption of probiotics and fermented products containing lactic acid bacteria was associated to reduce breast cancer risk in some epidemiological studies. The use of animal models showed the modulation of the host?s immune response as one of the important effects associated to the benefices observed with most probiotics. However; future assays in human are very important before the medical community can accept the addition of probiotic or fermented milks containing lactic acid bacteria as supplements for cancer patients.Fil: Aragón, Félix Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Centro de Referencia Para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Perdigon, Gabriela del Valle. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Centro de Referencia Para Lactobacilos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Microbiología; ArgentinaFil: de Moreno, Maria Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Centro de Referencia Para Lactobacilos; Argentin

Probiotics as protective agents against Enterobacteria

Salmonella is one of the major causative agents of foodborne diseases, morbidity and mortality worldwide. Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium(S. typhimurium) produces in mice an infection with similar pathogenesis and clinical manifestations than S. typhiin humans. Probiotics influence the innate and adaptive immunity and the activity of the intestinal microbiota. This knowledge allowed us to propose the use of probiotic bacteria against Salmonella infection. On this topic, the mechanisms mediating this protection are not yet established. We determine the effect of the oral administration of probiotic bacterium L. casei CRL-431 on the biological and immune mechanisms involved in the prevention and treatment of the S. Typhimurium infection, using BALB/c mice. Oral administration of probiotic to healthy mice, induced activation of gut immune cells in a regulated state. The continuous L. casei CRL-431 administration (previous and post-infection) protected mice challenged with S. Typhimurium. The mechanisms involved were: a) The modulation of innate immune response by increased TLR expression on epithelial and immune cells. b) Epithelial cell activation, evidenced by increases in secretion of IL-6 and MCP-1. c) Increased number of macrophages, dendritic cells and IgA (+) cells in lamina propria of the small intestine, and increased secretion of total S-IgA. d)Reduction of inflammation, with reduced TNF-alpha levels and myeloperoxidase activity, less PMN infiltration in lamina propria and regulation by IL-10. e)Increased phagocytic activity in macrophage isolated from Peyer’s patches, spleen and peritoneum, correlated with an increase of IFNgamma. The results showed that L. casei CRL-431 induces biological and immune mechanisms, which confer resistance to S. typhimuriuminfection, showing lesser severity of the infection. The safety of continuous administration of this probiotc strain, allows us to suggest its use as an adjuvant of the mucosal immune system in the prevention, and during Salmonella infection.Fil: Perdigon, Gabriela del Valle. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - CONICET - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia Para Lactobacilos (i); Argentina;Fil: Castillo, Natalia Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - CONICET - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos (i); Argentina;Fil: Maldonado Galdeano, María Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - CONICET - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia Para Lactobacilos (i); Argentina;Fil: de Moreno, Maria Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - CONICET - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia Para Lactobacilos (i); Argentina

Improved response of intestinal epithelial cells against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infection in mice fed with Lactobacillus casei CRL 431.

Lactobacillus casei CRL431 (Lc) protected against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (ST) infection modulating the immune cells in a mouse model. Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) participate in the early response against ST. Our aim was to evaluate IEC response in mice received Lc and infected with ST, and using vitro assays. Lc7d-group received Lc during 7days (d), was challenged with ST and continued Lc administration 10d post-infection (PI). IECs were isolated from these mice and from untreated (UC) and infected (IC) controls. IECs from UC were also challenged with ST or Lc for in vitro tests. IL-6 and MCP-1 increased significantly in the IEC culture supernatants from Lc7d-group compared to UC (before infection) and to IC (24h PI). IC increased the release of IL-6 from IECs, 7 and 10d PI. In vitro, IECs challenged with Lc released higher levels of IL-6 than IECs challenged with ST. These results showed another font of IL-6, necessary for B-cell clonal expansion and specific anti-ST IgA-s production, both increased in mice from Lc7d-group. The participation of cells from innate response, such as macrophages, in Lc stimulation agrees with the results obtained for MCP-1. Instead, ST infection increased neutrophils influx and mieloperoxidase activity in the intestine, which decreased in Lc7d-group. Lc administration induced an earlier response against ST, increased IL-6 release and MCP-1 secretion for macrophage recruitment and limited the influx of neutrophils. Lc stimulates not only the intestinal immune cells, but also IECs, first step of this infection.Fil: Castillo, Natalia Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Maldonado Galdeano, María Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: de Moreno, Maria Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Microbiología. Cátedra de Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Perdigon, Gabriela del Valle. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; Argentina15th International Congress of Mucosal ImmunologyParisFranciaUniversidad de París Descarte

Microorganismos probióticos y sus efectos benéficos en la salud humana. Realidad vs. mito

El intestino humano es el hábitat natural de una población numerosa, diversa y dinámica de microorganismos, denominada microbiota intestinal. Esta comunidad diversa de microorganismos tiene funciones específicas, que son claves en el mantenimiento de una buena salud. Uno de los aspectosrelevantes de la misma es la capacidad para promover el establecimiento y la maduración del sistema inmune. A partir del conocimiento de las funciones de la microbiota, surge la asociación de efectos nocivos y beneficiosos de bacterias vivas con la salud y, casi paralelamente a ello, el concepto de probióticos. Estos últimos puedenformar parte de la microbiota intestinal o también se encuentran disponibles en numerosos alimentos como yogur, conservas, vinos y pan, que ha llevado a numerosos científicos a analizar el efecto probiótico tanto en el huésped sano como en grupos de riesgo. Al presente existe una vasta evidencia científica experimental que demuestra el efecto benéfico de los probióticos, sugiriendo la potencialidad de su empleo en humanos; sin embargo, es necesario continuar con la validación clínica en diferentes patologías concretas que aseguren lainocuidad de los mismos.The human intestine is the natural habitat of a large, diverse and dynamic population of microorganisms, called intestinal microbiota. This diverse community of microorganisms has specific functions, which are keys in the maintenance of good health. One of the relevant aspects of it, is the ability to promote the establishment and maturation of the immune system.From the knowledge of the functions of the microbiota, there arises the association of harmful and beneficial effects of living bacteria with health and almost parallel to it, the concept of probiotics. The latter can be part of the gut microbiota or are also available in many foods such as yogurt, preserves, wines, bread, which has led many scientists to analyze the probiotic effect in both healthy hosts and risk groups. At present there is vast experimental scientific evidence that provesthe beneficial effect of probioticssuggesting the potential of its use in humans. However, it is necessary to continue with clinical validation in different specific pathologies, which ensure the safety of them.Fil: Perdigon, Gabriela del Valle. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Maldonado Galdeano, María Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Cazorla, Silvia Ines. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; Argentin

Probiotic bacteria and their cell walls induce Th1-Type immunity against Salmonella Typhimurium Challenge

Probiotics have been associated with a variety of health benefits. They can act as adjuvant to enhance specific immune response. Bacterial cell wall (CW) molecules are key structures that interact with host receptors promoting probiotic effects. The adjuvant capacity underlying this sub-cellular fraction purified from Lactobacillus casei CRL431 and L. paracasei CNCMI-1518 remains to be characterized. We interrogated the molecular and cellular events after oral feeding with probiotic-derived CW in addition to heat-inactivated Salmonella Typhimurium and their subsequent protective capacity against S. Typhimurium challenge. Intact probiotic bacteria were orally administered for comparison. We find that previous oral feeding with probiotics or their sub-cellular fraction reduce bacterial burden in spleen and liver after Salmonella challenge. Antibody responses after pathogen challenge were negligible, characterized by not major changes in the antibody-mediated phagocytic activity, and in the levels of total and Salmonellaspecific intestinal sIgA and serum IgG, respectively. Conversely, the beneficial effect of probiotic-derived CW after S. Typhimurium challenge were ascribed to a Th1-type cellmediated immunity which was characterized by augmentation of the delayed-type hypersensitivity response. The cell-mediated immunity associated with the oral feeding with probiotic-derived CW was accompanied with a Th1-cell polarizing cytokines, distinguished by increase IFN-g/IL-4 ratio. Similar results were observed with the intact probiotics. Our study identified molecular events associated with the oral administration of sub-cellular structures derived from probiotics and their adjuvant capacity to exert immune modulatory function.Fil: Lemme Dumit, José María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Cazorla, Silvia Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Perdigon, Gabriela del Valle. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Maldonado Galdeano, María Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; Argentin

Oral probiotics supplementation can stimulate the immune system in a stress process

In a bifactorial stress mouse model we studied the effect of probiotic supplementation on biochemical parameter in serum, the intestinal impairment of the villi induced by stress, the systemic immune response and the susceptibility to intestinal infections. Probiotic effect was also evaluated on cells from the innate immunity. Mice were subjected to a stress protocol based on food deprivation and movement restrictions for 11 days. We analyzed the probiotic supplementation effect, as probiotic bacteria suspension or as a fermented milk, on the changes induced by stress: biochemical parameters as glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol in serum, body weight and in the gut we determined the number of goblet cells, the length of the microvilli and bacterial translocation from the intestinal microbiota into deep tissues. Peritoneal and spleen macrophages activity, the immune response to ovalbumin immunization, the protection against Salmonella infection during the stress process in mice receiving probiotic, were also determined. We found that probiotic supplementation in the chronic stress model, improves the gut histological structure, increases phagocytic activity of peritoneal and spleen macrophages, enhance the humoral response to the OVA antigen and protect against Salmonella infection. Conclusion: Probiotic supplementation was able to act on the gut and systemic immunity by improvement of the length and cellularity of the villi, increasing the systemic immune response and protecting against Salmonella infection. The effectiveness on the immune system exerted by probiotic consumption suggests the use of these bacteria as an alternative to minimize the damage induced during stress situation.Fil: Palomar, Martín Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Centro de Referencia Para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Bru Chauve, Elena Magdalena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Centro de Referencia Para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Maldonado Galdeano, María Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Centro de Referencia Para Lactobacilos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Perdigon, Gabriela del Valle. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Centro de Referencia Para Lactobacilos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; Argentin

Stimulation of innate immune cells Induced by probiotics: participation of toll- like receptors

Objective: The present work aimed to study the functionality of macrophages from different locations (peritoneum, spleen and Peyer´s patches) when they were stimulated with probiotics microorganisms: Lactobacillus casei CRL 431 and Lactobacillus paracasei CNCM I-1518 or a Probiotic Fermented Milk (PFM) through Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs), prior challenged with agonists or antagonists of TLRs. Methods: BALB/c mice received in the drinking water, the probiotic bacteria (L. casei CRL 431 and L. paracasei CNCM I-1518) or the PFM. We focused our investigation mainly on the phagocytic activity of macrophages from peritoneum, spleen and Peyer?s patches and cytokine production were evaluated prior challenged with TLR2 and TLR4 agonists or antagonists. The microbicidal activity of macrophages and against an infection with Salmonella typhimurium was also studied. To assess the role of TLR in probiotic stimulation, we evaluated the phagocytic activity, cytokine production and Immunoglobin G (IgG) anti-OVA in C57BL/6 knockout mice to MyD88, TLR2 and TLR4. Results: In BALB/c mice, the best effect in the phagocytosis assay was obtained with the probiotic bacteria L. casei CRL 431, this effect was reinforced with TLR2 agonist. The production of different cytokines (IL-10 and IL-6) was improved with the probiotic treatments and this production was ameliorated with TLRs agonists. The antimicrobial activity was increased with L. casei CRL 431 and L. paracasei CNCM I-1518, TLR2 and TLR4 antagonists had a negative effect on microbicidal activity. The administration of probiotic bacteria or PFM improved the host response against S. typhimurium controlling the infection during the first hours post-infection. In C57BL/6 knockout mice, phagocytic activity was significantly diminished in comparison to wild type mice and the probiotic bacteria or PFM administration was not able to improve this activity. The IL-10 production was increased at a concentration of 108 cells/ml of L. casei CRL 431 in TLR2-/- and TLR4-/-, but not in MyD88-/- mice. The administration of probiotic bacteria or PFM did not play a stimulating effect in the systemic immune response against to OVA antigen in knockout mice. Conclusions: Probiotics modulate the different signaling pathways of innate immune cells through the TLRs. The macrophages activation depends on location of them and that different probiotic strains of Lactobacilli can evoke different intensity of responses. The data suggest that probiotic not only promote a major expression of TLRs but also use these receptors via the innate immune cells as macrophages to stimulate and modulate the immune response.Fil: Maldonado Galdeano, María Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Microbiología; ArgentinaFil: Lemme Dumit, José María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Microbiología; ArgentinaFil: Thieblemont, Nathalie. Inserm; Francia. Center of Excellence; FranciaFil: Carmuega, Esteban. Centro de Estudios Nutricionales Infantiles; ArgentinaFil: Weill, Ricardo. DANONE; ArgentinaFil: Perdigon, Gabriela del Valle. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Microbiología; Argentin

Probiotic lactobacilli as a promising strategy to ameliorate disorders associated with intestinal inflammation induced by a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug

Damage to the small intestine caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) occurs more frequently than in the upper gastrointestinal tract, is more difficult to diagnose and no effective treatments exist. Hence, we investigated whether probiotics can control the onset of this severe condition in a murine model of intestinal inflammation induced by the NSAID, indomethacin. Probiotic supplementation to mice reduce the body weight loss, anemia, shortening of the small intestine, cell infiltration into the intestinal tissue and the loss of Paneth and Goblet cells associated with intestinal inflammation. Furthermore, a high antimicrobial activity in the intestinal fluids of mice fed with probiotics compared to animals on a conventional diet was elicited against several pathogens. Interestingly, probiotics dampened the oxidative stress and several local and systemic markers of an inflammatory process, as well as increased the secretion of IL-10 by regulatory T cells. Even more importantly, probiotics induced important changes in the large intestine microbiota characterized by an increase in anaerobes and lactobacilli, and a significant decrease in total enterobacteria. We conclude that oral probiotic supplementation in NSAID-induced inflammation increases intestinal antimicrobial activity and reinforces the intestinal epithelial barrier in order to avoid pathogens and commensal invasion and maintain intestinal homeostasis.Fil: Martínez Monteros, María José. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Maldonado Galdeano, María Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Balcells, Maria Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Weill, Ricardo. Universidad Isalud; ArgentinaFil: De Paula, Juan Andrés. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Perdigon, Gabriela del Valle. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Cazorla, Silvia Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; Argentin

Bacterias probióticas como suplemento dietario promisorio para la salud

El ecosistema intestinal constituye un microambiente complejo donde las células inmunes e intestinales están en constante interacción con la microbiota normal. La maduración y la modulación del sistema inmune intestinal se encuentran influenciadas por el establecimiento de la microbiota comensal, cuyo equilibrio puede ser afectado (benéficamente o no) por microorganismos que ingresan a través de la alimentación. Entre estos microorganismos se encuentran los probióticos que se caracterizan por conferir un efecto beneficioso en la salud del hospedador. Entre las propiedades atribuidas a estos microorganismos, podemos mencionar la capacidad de reforzar la barrera intestinal y la de mejorar la respuesta inmune. Utilizando modelos experimentales en ratón, se demostró que los microorganismos probióticos y/o las leches fermentadas que los contienen pueden modular el sistema inmune sistémico y de mucosa, proporcionando protección contra bacterias enteropatógenas y actuando como adyuvantes de la respuesta inmune sistémica frente a una vacunación en hospedadores inmunodeprimidos por malnutrición.The intestinal ecosystem is a complex microenvironment where immune and intestinal cells are in constant interaction with the normal microbiota. The maturation and modulation of the intestinal immune system are influenced by the establishment of commensal microbiota, whose balance can be affected by microorganisms that enter through the food. Some of these microorganisms called probiotics, confer a health benefit on the host. Among the properties attributed to these microorganisms, it could be mentioned the ability to reinforce the intestinal barrier and enhance the immune response. Using experimental models performed in mice, it was demonstrated that the probiotic microorganisms and / or fermented milks containing them, could modulate the systemic and mucosal immune system, providing protection against enteropathogenic bacteria and acting as adjuvant of the systemic immune response against a vaccination in immunosuppressed hosts by malnutrition.Fil: Novotny Núñez, Ivanna. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Centro de Referencia Para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Maldonado Galdeano, María Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Centro de Referencia Para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Castillo, Natalia Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Centro de Referencia Para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: de Moreno, Maria Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Centro de Referencia Para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Perdigon, Gabriela del Valle. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Centro de Referencia Para Lactobacilos; Argentin

Elevated Humoral Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2 at High Altitudes Revealed by an Anti-RBD “In-House” ELISA

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a global pandemic with dramatic health and socioeconomic consequences. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) challenges health systems to quickly respond by developing new diagnostic strategies that contribute to identify infected individuals, monitor infections, perform contact-tracing, and limit the spread of the virus. In this brief report, we developed a highly sensitive, specific, and precise “In-House” ELISA to correctly discriminate previously SARS-CoV-2-infected and non-infected individuals and study population seroprevalence. Among 758 individuals evaluated for anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology in the province of Tucumán, Argentina, we found a weak correlation between antibodies elicited against the RBD, the receptor-binding domain of the Spike protein, and the nucleocapsid (N) antigens of this virus. Additionally, we detected mild levels of anti-RBD IgG antibodies in 33.6% of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19, while only 19% showed sufficient antibody titers to be considered as plasma donors. No differences in IgG anti-RBD titers were found between women and men, neither in between different age groups ranging from 18 to 60. Surprisingly, individuals from a high altitude village displayed elevated and longer lasting anti-RBD titers compared to those from a lower altitude city. To our knowledge, this is the first report correlating altitude with increased humoral immune response against SARS-CoV-2 infection.Fil: Tomas Grau, Rodrigo Hernán. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Investigaciones En Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario. - Gobierno de la Provincia de Tucumán. Ministerio de Salud. Sistema Provincial de Salud. Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario; ArgentinaFil: Ploper, Diego. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Investigaciones En Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario. - Gobierno de la Provincia de Tucumán. Ministerio de Salud. Sistema Provincial de Salud. Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario; ArgentinaFil: Avila, Cesar Luis. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Investigaciones En Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario. - Gobierno de la Provincia de Tucumán. Ministerio de Salud. Sistema Provincial de Salud. Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario; ArgentinaFil: Vera Pingitore, Esteban. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Investigaciones En Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario. - Gobierno de la Provincia de Tucumán. Ministerio de Salud. Sistema Provincial de Salud. Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario; ArgentinaFil: Maldonado Galdeano, María Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Chaves, Analia Silvina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Investigaciones En Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario. - Gobierno de la Provincia de Tucumán. Ministerio de Salud. Sistema Provincial de Salud. Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario; ArgentinaFil: Socias, Sergio Benjamin. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Investigaciones En Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario. - Gobierno de la Provincia de Tucumán. Ministerio de Salud. Sistema Provincial de Salud. Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario; ArgentinaFil: Stagnetto, Agustín. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Investigaciones En Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario. - Gobierno de la Provincia de Tucumán. Ministerio de Salud. Sistema Provincial de Salud. Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario; ArgentinaFil: Navarro, Silvia Adriana. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Investigaciones En Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario. - Gobierno de la Provincia de Tucumán. Ministerio de Salud. Sistema Provincial de Salud. Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario; ArgentinaFil: Chahla, Rossana Elena. Gobierno de la Provincia de Tucumán. Ministerio de Salud; ArgentinaFil: Aguilar López, Mónica. Gobierno de la Provincia de Tucuman. Hospital de Dia Presidente Nestor Carlos Kirchner; ArgentinaFil: Llapur, Conrado Juan. Gobierno de la Provincia de Tucumán. Ministerio de Salud; ArgentinaFil: Aznar, Patricia. Gobierno de la Provincia de Tucuman. Hospital de Dia Presidente Nestor Carlos Kirchner; ArgentinaFil: Alcorta, María Elena. Gobierno de la Provincia de Tucuman. Hospital de Dia Presidente Nestor Carlos Kirchner; ArgentinaFil: Costas, Dardo. Gobierno de la Provincia de Tucuman. Hospital de Dia Presidente Nestor Carlos Kirchner; ArgentinaFil: Flores, Isolina. Gobierno de la Provincia de Tucuman. Hospital de Dia Presidente Nestor Carlos Kirchner; ArgentinaFil: Heinze, Dar. University of Boston. School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Apfelbaum, Gabriela. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Mostoslavsky, Raul. Harvard Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Mostoslavsky, Gustavo. Harvard Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Cazorla, Silvia Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Perdigon, Gabriela del Valle. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Chehin, Rosana Nieves. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Investigaciones En Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario. - Gobierno de la Provincia de Tucumán. Ministerio de Salud. Sistema Provincial de Salud. Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Molecular y Celular Aplicada del Bicentenario; Argentin