CD11b+^{+}Ly6C++^{++}Ly6G−^{-} cells with suppressive activity towards T cells accumulate in lungs of influenza A virus-infected mice

Influenza A virus (IAV) infection causes an acute respiratory disease characterized by a strong inflammatory immune response and severe immunopathology. Proinflammatory mechanisms are well described in the murine IAV infection model, but less is known about the mechanisms leading to the resolution of inflammation. Here, we analyzed the contribution of CD11b$^{+}$Ly6C$^{++}$Ly6G$^{-}$ cells to this process. An accumulation of CD11b$^{+}$Ly6C$^{++}$Ly6G$^{-}$ cells within the lungs was observed during the course of IAV infection. Phenotypic characterization of these CD11b$^{+}$Ly6C$^{++}$Ly6G$^{-}$ cells by flow cytometry and RNA-Seq revealed an activated phenotype showing both pro- and anti-inflammatory features, including the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) by a fraction of cells in an IFN-γ-dependent manner. Moreover, CD11b$^{+}$Ly6C$^{++}$Ly6G$^{-}$ cells isolated from lungs of IAV-infected animals displayed suppressive activity when tested in vitro, and iNOS inhibitors could abrogate this suppressive activity. Collectively, our data suggest that during IAV infection, CD11b$^{+}$Ly6C$^{++}$Ly6G$^{-}$ cells acquire immunoregulatory function, which might contribute to the prevention of pathology during this life-threatening disease

Síntese de pigmentos cerâmicos por precipitação química Synthesis of ceramic pigments by chemical precipitation

Os pigmentos cerâmicos são substâncias capazes de desenvolver cor em sólido inorgânico (cerâmica ou vidro) quando nele dispersar mantendo-se insolúvel no mesmo, sem reação química com o mesmo, nas elevadas temperaturas de processamento. Óxidos de cobre dão origem a pigmentos verdes que se decompõem em temperaturas relativamente baixas (em torno de 900 ºC) enquanto adição de outros íons em sua composição poderá melhorar a sua estabilidade térmica e facilitar a sua utilização em revestimentos cerâmicos queimados em altas temperaturas. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo sintetizar, pelo método da precipitação (ou co-precipitação) química, pós de óxidos de cobre e de manganês, tanto puros quanto misturados destinados ao uso em esmaltes decorativos de matriz vítrea. Para tal fim, pó de frita de vidro foi produzido pela fusão de feldspato do Seridó (divisa entre Paraíba e Rio Grande do Norte). Massas selecionadas, 5 a 10% em peso, de pigmentos foram misturadas com o referido pó de frita e a barbotina resultante foi aplicada sobre a superfície de placas de alumina densa, seguindo-se secagem e queima em escolhidas temperaturas. As cores dos recobrimentos obtidos foram avaliadas por medidas colorimétricas usando o sistema CIEL*a*b* e os resultados variaram em função da composição e teor de pigmentos, bem como da temperatura de queima. Constatou-se que os pigmentos de óxidos puros de cobre e de manganês deram tonalidades mais claras do que aquelas fornecidas pelo pigmento misto de cobre e de manganês.<br>Ceramic pigments are substances that develop color in inorganic solids (ceramic or glass) into which are capable of dispersing themselves at high processing temperatures without dissolution or chemical reaction. Copper oxides give rise to green pigments that undergo thermal decomposition at relatively low temperatures (about 900 ºC) and the addition of other ions in its composition may improve its stability and applicability to ceramic tiles fired at higher temperatures. The present work had the objective of synthesizing by chemical precipitation (or co-precipitation) pure and mixed oxides of copper and manganese for decorating ceramic tiles. For that purpose, 5 to 10wt.% of the ceramic pigment has been mixed to glass frit powder made by using feldspar from Seridó (the border region between Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte, Brazilian States). The resultant slip was applied on the surface of dense alumina plates and fired at different temperatures. The colors of the coating have been evaluated by using a colorimeter and the result varied with the pigment composition and firing temperature. It was found that coating with pure pigments gave a lighter shade while the coating containing mixed oxides of copper and manganese acquired a darker color

ZIKV-specific NS1 epitopes as serological markers of acute zika virus infection

Differentiate ZIKV from other cocirculating flaviviruses for accurate diagnosis remains a challenge. We investigated antibody responses in 51 acute ZIKV-infected adult patients from Campinas, Brazil, including 7 pregnant women who later delivered during the study. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, levels of antibody response were measured and specific epitopes identified. Several antibody-binding hot spots were identified in ZIKV immunogenic antigens, including membrane, envelope (E) and nonstructural protein 1 (NS1). Interestingly, specific epitopes (2 from E and 2 from NS1) strongly recognized by ZIKV-infected patients' antibodies were identified and were not cross-recognized by dengue virus (DENV)-infected patients' antibodies. Corresponding DENV peptides were not strongly recognized by ZIKV-infected patients' antibodies. Notably, ZIKV-infected pregnant women had specific epitope recognition for ZIKV NS1 (amino acid residues 17-34), which could be a potential serological marker for early ZIKV detection.This study identified 6 linear ZIKV-specific epitopes for early detection of ZIKV infections. We observed differential epitope recognition between ZIKV-infected and DENV-infected patients. This information will be useful for developing diagnostic methods that differentiate between closely related flaviviruses2202203212CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESPnão tem2016/00194-8; 2013/25807-4This work is supported by the Biomedical Research Council (BMRC) core research grants to the Singapore Immunology Network and the Zika Virus Consortium Fund, led by BMRC A*Star (project number 15/1/82/27/001); Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore; Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (grant numbers 2016/00194-8 and 2013/25807-4 fellowship to J. A. L.); and the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (research fellowships to G. P. M. and F. T. M. C.