Orientador: Tereza Cristina Cardoso da Silva / Banca: Roberto Gameiro de Carvalho / Banca: Luiz Eduardo Corrêa Fonseca / Banca: Andrea Fontes Garcia / Banca: Lídia Luciana Ravagnani / Resumo: O Brasil possui um dos maiores rebanhos de bovinos mundialmente. Estes animais estão expostos constantemente a agentes virais causadores de patologias. Dentre estes, o herpesvírus bovino 1 (BHV1) e 5 (BHV5) apresentam grande importância epidemiológica. O BHV1 causa infecções respiratórias e genitais, enquanto que o BHV5 meningoencefalite. As proteínas de membrana presentes nos herpesvírus os tornam capazes de infectar as células do hospedeiro. Com afinidade a distintas células, desenvolvem sua capacidade de infecção, apresentam mecanismos de sobrevivência à morte celular programada e a resposta imunológica. As interações vírus-hospedeiro são fundamentais no entendimento de aspectos relacionados a transmissão viral, capacidade de infecção e progressão da doença. Para este fim, se faz necessário compreender elementos fundamentais, como a modulação da função mitocondrial e a replicação do BHV, bem como os níveis de apoptose nas células do hospedeiro. De igual importância, é indispensável entender o comportamento de genes apoptóticos que estão relacionados à infecção por BHV5 e seus envolvimentos na viabilidade celular. Estes achados contribuem para o entendimento da imunopatogenia do BHV, auxiliam a evitar a disseminação destes agentes e são de grande valia para o desenvolvimento de vacinas / Abstract: Brazil has one of the largest cattle hers worldwide. These animals are constantly exposed to pathological viral agents. Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV1) and BHV5 have great epidemiological importance. BHV1 is causative agent of respiratory and genital infections, while BHV5 causes meningoencephalitis. Herpesvirus membrane proteins allow them to infect the host cells. They present affinity to different types of cells, develop mechanisms to survive programmed cell death, and immune response. Virus-host interactions are essential to understand aspects related to viral transmission, capacity of infection and disease progression. To this end, it is necessary to understand the fundamental elements related to the modulation of mitochondrial function and replication of BHV, as well as apoptosis levels in the host cells. It is crucial to understand the behavior of apoptotic genes related to BHV5 infection and cell viability. These findings contribute to understanding the BHV immunopathogenesis, help to prevent the spread of these agents, and are of great value to the development of vaccines / Doutor

O herpesvirus equino tipo 1 (EHV-1) é um importante patógeno que causa doença respiratória, abortamento e desordens neurológicas em equinos. O presente estudo foi realizado visando estabelecer um modelo murino de infecção pelo EHV-1 para investigar a resposta do hospedeiro frente à infecção viral e as alterações neurológicas causadas por esse agente. Camundongos das linhagens BALB/c, BALB/c nude, C3H/HeJ, C57BL/6, C57BL/6 CD4-/- e C57BL/6 CD8-/- foram inoculados por via intranasal com as estirpes brasileiras A4/72, A9/92 e A3/97 do EHV-1. Neste estudo, associou-se a histopatologia, a imunoistoquímica e o método de transcrição reversa seguida pela PCR quantitativa em tempo real para investigar a relação entre a infecção pelo vírus com o desenvolvimento de lesões e a resposta de citocinas pró-inflamatórias no SNC de camundongos das diferentes linhagens. As estirpes brasileiras A4/72 e A9/92 do EHV-1 causaram infecção aguda e letal nas diferentes linhagens de camundongos isogênicos. Os sinais clínicos e neurológicos, tais como perda de peso, pelos arrepiados, postura arqueada, apatia, descarga nasal e ocular, dispnéia, desidratação e sialorréia apareceram entre o 2º e 3º dpi. Essas manifestações foram acompanhadas pelo aumento da sensibilidade a estímulos externos, convulsões, recumbência e morte. O vírus foi consistentemente isolado do SNC, pulmões, fígado, baço e timo de todos os camundongos com sinais neurológicos. As alterações histopatológicas consistiram de leptomeningite, hemorragia focal, ventriculite, degeneração e necrose neuronal, neuronofagia, inflamação não supurativa, gliose multifocal e infiltração perivascular de células polimorfonucleares e mononucleares. A análise imunoistoquímica demonstrou que as estirpes A4/72 e A9/92 do EHV-1 replicaram-se nos neurônicos do bulbo olfatório, cortex cerebral e no hipocampo. Ao contrário, os camundongos inoculados com a estirpe A3/97 do EHV-1 não apresentaram perda de peso ou quaisquer sinais clínicos ou neurológicos; entretanto, o vírus foi isolado dos pulmões no 3º dpi. As estirpes A4/72 e A9/92 do EHV-1 apresentaram tropismo pelo tecido nervoso com capacidade de neuroinvasão e neurovirulência. A estirpe A3/97 do EHV-1 não foi neurovirulenta, apesar de ter sido reisolada do SNC de camundongos BALB/c nude infectados. Detectou-se aumento da expressão de mRNA para TNF-α, IL-6 e CCL2 no SNC dos camundongos infectados pelo EHV-1 com 2 e 3 dpi; entretanto, não houve expressão de mRNA para IFN-γ. Os camundongos com o fundo genético C57BL/6, que apresentam predominantemente resposta do tipo Th1, mostraram níveis mais altos de expressão de mRNA para TNF-α, IL-6 e CCL2, quando comparados com os BALB/c. A gravidade dos sinais observados em camundongos infectados pode ser correlacionada com o pico destas citocinas pró-inflamatórias (TNF-α e IL-6) e da quimiocina CCL2, que são produzidas logo após a infecção viral por células residentes da glia e/ou infiltrativas no SNC. Esses achados indicam que as diferentes linhagens de camundongos isogênicos são susceptíveis a infecção por estirpes neuropatogênicas do EHV-1 e poderiam servir como modelo para o estudo da patogênese e dos mecanismos que contribuem no desenvolvimento da mieloencefalopatia herpética equina. / Equid herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) is a major pathogen which causes respiratory disease, abortions and neurological disorders in horses. The present study was carried out to establish a murine model of EHV-1 infection and investigate host response against the virus and neurological disorders caused by this pathogen. BALB/c, BALB/c nude, C3H/HeJ, C57BL/6, C57BL/6 CD4-/- and C57BL/6 CD8-/- mice were intranasally inoculated with EHV-1 A4/72, A9/92 and A3/97 Brazilian strains. In this study, we combined histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and a quantitative real-time RT-PCR method to investigate the relationship between virus infection and the development of lesions and cytokine responses in the CNS of different strains of mice. Intranasal inoculation of EHV-1 A4/72 and A9/92 induced acute and lethal meningoencephalitis in mice. Clinical and neurological signs appeared between the 2nd and 3rd dpi and included weight loss, ruffled fur, a hunched posture, crouching in corners, nasal and ocular discharges, dyspnoea, dehydration and increased salivation. These signs were followed by increased reactivity to external stimulation, seizures, recumbency and death. The virus was consistently recovered from the CNS and visceral organs of all mice with neurological symptoms. Histopathological changes consisted of leptomeningitis, focal hemorrhage, ventriculitis, neuronal degeneration and necrosis, neuronophagia, non-suppurative inflammation, multi-focal gliosis and perivascular infiltration of polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells. Immunohistochemical examination demonstrated that EHV-1 strains A4/72 and A9/92 replicated in neurons of the olfactory bulb, cortical regions and hippocampus. In contrast, mice inoculated with the EHV-1 strain A3/97 showed neither weight loss nor apparent clinical or neurological signs of the disease; however, the virus was recovered from their lungs at 3 dpi. While EHV-1 strains A4/72 and A9/92 exhibited a high degree of tropism for the CNS with robust neuroinvasiveness and neurovirulence, the EHV-1 strain A3/97 was not neurovirulent despite being detected in the CNS of infected BALB/c nude mice. Increased mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and CCL2 were detected in the nervous tissue of EHV-1 infected mice at 2 and 3 dpi; however, IFN-γ mRNA was not consistently expressed. Mice with the background C57BL/6, which exhibit predominantly Th1-type responses, showed the highest levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and CCL-2 mRNA in the CNS, when compared to BALB/c mice. The severity of signs observed in infected mice could be correlated with the peak of these proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and the chemokine CCL2, which are produced early after viral infection by both cells infiltrating into the CNS from the periphery and/or glial resident cells. These findings indicate that several inbred mouse strains are susceptible to neuopathogenic EHV-1 strains and should be useful models for studying the pathogenesis and mechanisms contributing to equine herpes myeloencephalopathy in horses.

Submitted by Cássio da Cruz Nogueira (cassionogueirakk@gmail.com) on 2017-09-11T18:30:24Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Tese_CaracterizacaoGenotipicaVirus.pdf: 758796 bytes, checksum: b0da38512afba739aff613a2497d7ba3 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Irvana Coutinho (irvana@ufpa.br) on 2017-09-21T14:23:18Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Tese_CaracterizacaoGenotipicaVirus.pdf: 758796 bytes, checksum: b0da38512afba739aff613a2497d7ba3 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-21T14:23:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Tese_CaracterizacaoGenotipicaVirus.pdf: 758796 bytes, checksum: b0da38512afba739aff613a2497d7ba3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / O vírus Varicela-zoster (VVZ) pode causar varicela durante a infecção primária, estabelecendo posteriormente uma infecção latente. Na ocorrência de reativação do vírus, pode surgir o herpes zoster. A análise da presença de anticorpos IgG e IgM é fundamental para verificar a prevalência deste vírus na Região Metropolitana de Belém. O estudo de polimorfismos nucleotídicos específicos é utilizado para definir os genótipos do VVZ. A análise das ORFs 22, 38 e 54 permitiu identificar os genótipos do VVZ de acordo com a classificação estabelecida na conferência de 25 de julho de 2008 em Whitechapel, Londres/Reino Unido, em que as cepas de VVZ detectadas e caracterizadas por sequenciamento dos SNPs foram agrupadas em classes de 1 a 5. Avaliar a prevalência de anticorpos e descrever os genótipos circulantes foi o objetivo deste estudo. A frequência de anticorpos IgG e IgM nos casos de varicela foi 68,2% e 48,2%, respectivamente. Os casos de herpes zoster apresentaram prevalência de anti- VVZ IgG e IgM de 87,5% e 12,5%, respectivamente. Os genótipos 1 ou 3 e 5 estavam presentes nas 13 amostras sequenciadas, sendo que a cepa Européia (classe 1 ou 3) foi encontrada em amostras de todos os municípios estudados. A identificação das cepas VVZ circulantes é de extrema importância em virtude da associação de determinados genótipos a quadros clínicos mais severos e para avaliar a implantação da vacina no Programa Nacional de Imunização. / Varicella zoster virus (VZV) can cause chickenpox during primary infection, subsequently establishing a latent infection. In case of reactivation of the virus, the herpes zoster may occur. Analysis of the presence of IgG and IgM is critical to determine the prevalence of this virus in the Metropolitan Region of Belém. The study of specific nucleotide polymorphisms is used to define the genotypes of VZV. Analysis of ORFs 22, 38 and 54 identified genotypes of VZV according to the classification established in conference July 25, 2008 in Whitechapel, London / UK, where the strains of VZV detected and characterized by sequencing of SNPs were grouped into classes 1 through 5. To evaluate the prevalence of antibodies and describe the circulating genotypes was the aim of this study. The frequency of IgM and IgG antibodies in cases of chickenpox was 68.2% and 48.2%, respectively. Cases of herpes zoster showed prevalence of anti-VZV IgG and IgM of 87.5% and 12.5%, respectively. The genotypes 1 or 3 and 5 were present in 13 samples sequenced, and the European strain (class 1 or 3) was found in samples from all the cities studied. The identification of strains circulating VZV is extremely important because of the association of specific genotypes with clinical harshest and to assess the implementation of the vaccine in the National Immunization Program.

Natural killer (NK) cells are non-specific killer cells of the innate immune system that eliminate target cells based on discrimination between self and non-self. Activation is carefully regulated through integration of signals received through both activating and inhibitory receptors. During the course of a herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) infection, NK cells can influence host susceptibility to infection with severe infections occurring in individuals with genetic defects in the NK cell response. In response to HSV infection, NK cells are recruited to the inflammatory tissue where ensuing reciprocal interactions with accessory cells and proinflammatory cytokines induce NK cell activation, cytolytic activity, and cytokine production, contributing to innate immune response and ultimately influencing the adaptive immune response. The objective of this study was to elucidate the multiple roles of NK cells during the numerous steps in anti-HSV immune induction. Accordingly, we have demonstrated that NK cells are novel helpers that assist and influence an anti-HSV immune response via the secretion of cytokines that enhance HSV-specific CD8+ T cell effector function and cytokine production. Taken together, data from this study presented the critical importance of NK cells in mounting an essential and efficient anti-HSV immunity. The key findings of our study were: 1. In the absence of NK cells, dendritic cells have decreased capacity to prime HSV-specific T cells. 2. HSV infected NK cells can be directly activated via toll-like receptor (TLR) in a MyD88-dependent mechanism; however, interaction with HSV infected dendritic cells yields optimal NK cell activation and function (CD69 and IFNγ). 3. TRAIL-expressing NK cells eliminate antigen-bearing immature dermal DCs (CD11c+CD8α-DR5+), that migrate to draining lymphoid organs, to facilitate antigen transfer to lymphoid resident CD8α+ DC for T cell cross priming. 4. 'Helpless' CD8+ T cell function, generated in the absence of CD4+ T cells, can be partially restored to wild-type levels by NK cell supplementation. 5. Treatment of NK cells with anti-CD69 antibody results in a heightened NK activated state and augments the adaptive immune response, without increasing NK cell numbers. These findings may contribute to the potential revelation of avenues to manipulate NK cells for anti-viral therapies.

The obligate intracellular bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Herpes Simplex Virus Type-2 (HSV-2) are the leading sexually transmitted pathogens in the world. These infections are usually asymptomatic and clinically mild, but complications can be severe. Reports of dual detection of Chlamydia and HSV within the genital tracts of humans led our laboratory to develop an in vitro Chlamydia/HSV co-infection model. Little is known regarding the specific pathogenesis of Chlamydia and HSV co-infections, but HSV-super-infection of Chlamydia-infected cells caused the chlamydiae to deviate from their normal developmental cycle into a non-replicative state termed persistence, or the chlamydial stress response. Interactions between HSV envelope protein, gD with host cell junction protein, nectin-1, were enough to stimulate the departure from normal chlamydial development. Additional data also suggested that there might be differences between single infection and co-infection outcomes in vivo. Thus, two diverging hypotheses were investigated here: i) that host nectin-1 is required for normal chlamydial development; and ii) that pathogen shedding and/or disease progression in Chlamydia and HSV-2 co-infected animals will differ from that observed in singly-infected animals. Chlamydial infection of nectin-1 knockdown cell lines revealed no inhibition of chlamydial entry, but significant reductions in inclusion size and production of infectious chlamydiae. Additionally, nectin-1 knockout mice shed fewer Chlamydia compared to wild type mice. In other studies, we developed a novel in vivo Chlamydia and HSV-2 intravaginal super-infection model in BALB/c mice. Infection with Chlamydia muridarum, followed up to 9 days later by HSV-2 super-infection, both reduced HSV shedding and protected mice from HSV-induced fatal neurologic disease compared to HSV singly-infected animals. Protection is lost when: i) infected animals are no longer shedding C. muridarum; ii) when mice are inoculated with UV-inactivated C. muridarum; or iii) when viable chlamydiae are eliminated from the genital tract using antibiotics prior to HSV-2 super-infection. Altogether, we have determined that host nectin-1 is required for chlamydial development both in vitro and in vivo, and that chlamydial pre-infection protects mice from subsequent HSV infection. We predict that these observations may lead to novel approaches to prevent human infection by these two common sexually transmitted pathogens.

Le virus Herpes Simplex de type 1 (HSV-1) possède un mode d'infection particulier dit bimodal. Il peut soit se répliquer de manière active lors d'une phase dite lytique soit migrer dans les neurones et rester en latence. Il peut réactiver pour rétablir une infection lytique. Une protéine virale majeure dans la réactivation de HSV-1 est ICP0. C'est une protéine nucléaire à activité E3 ubiquitine ligase, qui possède la particularité d'induire la dégradation par le protéasome de plusieurs protéines centromériques constitutives, ce qui provoque une déstabilisation du centromère interphasique. Mon équipe a découvert une réponse cellulaire à l'instabilité centromérique, induite par la protéine ICP0, et nommée iCDR (pour interphase Centromere Damage Response.). L'objectif général de ma thèse est de déterminer les modifications structurales que subissent les centromères endommagés par ICP0 à l'origine de l'iCDR et probablement de la réactivation. J'ai pu démontrer qu'ICP0 affectait toute la structure protéique étroitement associée aux centromères durant l'interphase. Suite à ces résultats, j'ai pu démontrer, par des analyses de digestion de chromatine à la nucléase microccocale (MNAse), que l'occupation nucléosomique de la chromatine centromérique suite à l'activité d'ICP0 était affectée de façon significative. Une étude in vivo effectuée à partir de tissus nerveux provenant de souris infectées de manière latente, a permis de démontrer une co-localisation entre les génomes HSV-1 latents et les centromères. Cette co-localisation est associée à une répression transcriptionnelle du virus. Les résultats de ma thèse montrent donc que les effets d'ICP0 sur la déstabilisation des centromères sont en relation avec un rôle de ces centromères durant la latence. Ceci suggère fortement une implication de la déstabilisation des centromères dans le processus de réactivation contrôlé par ICP0.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Alberta, 2010. / A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Virology, Medical Microbiology and Immunology. Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on January 10, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 106-125).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, 2007. / "December 2007." Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-11, Section: B, page: 7222. Adviser: Zuber D. Mulla. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 157-169).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 46-53).