Current therapies for chronic inflammatory diseases often abrogate the immune functions required to fight infections. Human cathelicidin host defence peptide (HDP) LL-37 selectively suppresses pathogen-induced inflammation, without compromising resistance to infections. These unique dual abilities of LL-37 make it a promising candidate as an alternative therapeutic for treating chronic inflammatory diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of LL-37 and its derivative peptide IG-19 in cytokine-mediated inflammation. I demonstrated that LL-37 and IG-19 selectively suppressed cytokine IL-32γ-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines, without compromising the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and chemokines in human PBMC and macrophages. However, significant quantitative differences between LL-37 and IG-19-mediated chemokine productions suggested that the mechanisms underlying the activity of these two peptides were different. I showed that both peptides suppressed IL-32γ-mediated phosphorylation of the Src-kinase FYN(Y420), known to enhance inflammation. Contrastingly, phosphorylation of the dual phosphatase MKP-1(S359), a negative regulator of inflammation, was enhanced in response to both peptides. Similarly, both peptides increased the activity of p44/42MAPK, which phosphorylates and stabilizes MKP-1. These results suggested that MKP-1 may be a critical mediator of the immunomodulatory activity of these peptides. Bioinformatic interrogation revealed that direct interacting protein partners of MKP-1 were overrepresented in MAPK and NF-κB signalling pathways. Both peptides enhanced the phosphorylation of p38MAPK. However, contrasting to LL-37, IG-19 did not mediate the phosphorylation of JNK MAPK and IKK-α signaling intermediates involved in inflammation. This was consistent with observations that chemokine production was significantly lower in response to IG-19 compared to LL-37. These results suggested that IG-19 may be a better immunomodulatory therapeutic candidate compared to LL-37. As cytokine-mediated inflammation plays critical roles in the disease pathogenesis of inflammatory arthritis, I examined the effects of exogenous administration of IG-19 in a murine model of collagen-induced arthritis. Administration of IG-19 decreased disease severity, suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-collagen antibodies, and mitigated cartilage destruction in the CIA mice. These results provide a rationale to further develop IG-19 as a therapeutic agent for chronic inflammatory arthritis. The advantage of HDP based therapy is the potential to control inflammation without compromising the patient’s ability to resolve infections. / May 2017

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-10-03T14:21:30Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Muriel Vilela Teodoro Silva - 2016.pdf: 1776615 bytes, checksum: bc5d7dd181834fb9ecdb5584e16756a9 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-10-03T14:21:53Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Muriel Vilela Teodoro Silva - 2016.pdf: 1776615 bytes, checksum: bc5d7dd181834fb9ecdb5584e16756a9 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-03T14:21:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Muriel Vilela Teodoro Silva - 2016.pdf: 1776615 bytes, checksum: bc5d7dd181834fb9ecdb5584e16756a9 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-08-24 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás - FAPEG / IL-32 is a proinflammatory cytokine which has different isoforms. IL-32γ isoform is the most powerful and was detected in lesions of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis. Murine cells respond to IL-32, however mice lack the gene for this cytokine. To understand the role of IL- 32 in Leishmania (L.) amazonensis, we used transgenic mice for human IL-32γ (IL-32γTg). C57BL/6 mice (WT) and C57BL/6 IL-32γTg were infected with L. amazonensis promastigotes in the ear. The lesion development was followed weekly with a digital caliper (measured in mm of injury). After 3, 6 and 9 weeks, the animals were euthanized for tissue parasitism analysis by the limiting dilution technique, in infected ears, draining lymph node and spleen of mice. The draining lymph node cells were incubated (48 h) in the presence or absence of L. amazonensis antigen (Ag) for analysis of cytokines by ELISA. IL-32γTg mice present IL-32 production in spleen, liver, lymph node and ear. IL-32γTg mice have a lower injury than the WT mice during the third week of infection. From the 5th to the 9th week of infection, the two groups had similar lesion development profiles. Interestingly, in the 3rd week of infection, the parasitic load in the lesion of IL-32γTg mice was 100 times greater than that of WT mice. After three weeks, IL-32γTg mice maintained the same parasitic load up to nine weeks. In WT mice, however, the number of parasites increased exponentially during weeks evaluated. The parasite load in the spleen and lymph node was lower in IL-32γTg mice when compared with WT mice. There was no difference in histological sections of the lesions in WT and IL-32γTg mice infected with L. amazonensis. We did not observe differences between WT and IL-32γTg groups on the product -10) by lymph node cells stimulated with Ag, in the 3rd, 6th and 9th week of infection. Our data suggest that IL-32γ favors infection by L. amazonensis in the early stages, allowing the growth of the parasites. However, this cytokine seems to limit the growth and spread of parasites in the later stages of infection. In vitro analyzes show the similar percentage of infected cells and the number of parasites per infected cell in WT macrophages and IL-32γTg after 3 and 48h of infection with L. amazonensis. However, the production of NO by macrophages seems to be lower in IL- 32γTg mouse cells during infection with L. amazonensis. Understanding the mechanisms by which IL-32γ modulates Leishmania amazonensis infection in mice is essential to define the components that control cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by this specie in humans. / A IL-32 é uma citocina pró-inflamatória que apresenta diferentes isoformas. A isoforma IL- 32γ é a mais potente e foi detectada em lesões de pacientes com leishmaniose tegumentar americana. Células murinas respondem à IL-32, no entanto, camundongos não têm o gene para essa citocina. Para entender o papel da IL-32 na infecção por Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis, foram utilizados camundongos transgênicos para a IL-32γ humana (IL-32γTg). Camundongos C57BL/6 (WT) e C57BL/6 IL-32γTg foram infectados com formas promastigotas de L. amazonensis na orelha. O desenvolvimento da lesão foi acompanhado semanalmente com paquímetro digital (medida em mm de lesão). Após 3, 6 e 9 semanas, os animais foram eutanasiados para análise de parasitismo tecidual, pela técnica de diluição limitante, nas orelhas infectadas, no linfonodo drenante e no baço dos camundongos. As células do linfonodo drenante foram incubadas (48 h), na presença ou ausência de antígeno de L. amazonensis (Ag), para análise de citocinas pela técnica de ELISA. Camundongos IL- 32γTg apresentam produção de IL-32 no baço, fígado, linfonodo e orelha. Camundongos IL- 32γTg apresentam uma lesão menor do que a lesão dos camundongos WT, na terceira semana de infecção. Da 5ª até a 9a semana de infecção, os dois grupos apresentaram perfis semelhantes de desenvolvimento da lesão. Curiosamente, na 3ª semana de infecção, a carga parasitária na lesão do camundongo IL-32γTg era 100 vezes maior do que a dos camundongos WT. Após três semanas, os camundongos IL-32γTg mantiveram a mesma carga parasitária até nove semanas. Em camundongos WT, no entanto, o número de parasitos aumentou exponencialmente durante as semanas avaliadas. A carga parasitária do linfonodo e no baço foi menor nos camundongos IL-32γTg, quando comparado com camundongos WT. Não foi observada diferença nos perfis histológicos das lesões nos camundongos WT e IL-32γTg infectados por L. amazonensis. Não foi observada nenhuma diferença entre os grupos WT e IL-32γTg em relação à produção de citocinas (IFNγ, TNFα e IL-10), pelas células dos linfonodos estimuladas com Ag, na 3a, 6a e 9a semana de infecção. Os nossos dados sugerem que a IL-32γ favorece a infecção por L. amazonensis nas fases iniciais, permitindo o crescimento do parasito; no entanto, essa citocina parece limitar o crescimento e a disseminação dos parasitos nas fases mais tardias da infecção. As análises in vitro mostraram porcentagem de células infectadas e número de parasitas por célula infectada semelhantes nos macrófagos dos WT e IL-32γTg com 3 e 48h de infecção por L. amazonensis. Entretanto, a produção de NO por macrófagos parece ser menor nas células de camundongos IL-32γTg durante a infecção por L. amazonensis. Compreender os mecanismos pelos quais a IL-32γ modula a infecção por L. amazonensis nos camundongos é fundamental para a definição dos componentes que controlam a leishmaniose tegumentar causada por esta espécie em seres humanos.

Submitted by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2016-08-17T20:24:56Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Hélio Galdino Júnior - 2013.pdf: 3450540 bytes, checksum: 01adc52cca765449b5eed357351fb5ee (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-08-18T12:50:37Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Hélio Galdino Júnior - 2013.pdf: 3450540 bytes, checksum: 01adc52cca765449b5eed357351fb5ee (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-18T12:50:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Hélio Galdino Júnior - 2013.pdf: 3450540 bytes, checksum: 01adc52cca765449b5eed357351fb5ee (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-07-26 / American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL) is a disease caused by protozoa Leishmania. In Brazil, the most prevalent species is L. (Viannia) braziliensis. Several cytokines and receptors are involved in immunopathogenesis of ATL, however, the role of interleukin 32 (IL-32) was not investigated in this disease. Besides, toll-like receptors (TLR) were poorly evaluated in Leishmania infection, especially when it is caused by L. (V.) braziliensis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate IL-32, TNF and IL-10 expression in ATL lesions; the induction of IL-32 by L. (V.) braziliensis amastigotes in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cultures as well as the involvement of TLR4 in monocyte/macrophage response to L. (V.) brazilienis amastigotes. Biopsies fragments from cutaneous and mucosal lesion and healthy tissues were used to investigate the subgenus of the parasites by PCR-RFLP assay; expression of IL-32, TNF and IL-10 was assayed by immunohistochemistry and expression of IL-32 isoforms     , TNF and IL-10 was analysed by qRT-PCR. The PBMC were cultured with L. (V.) braziliensis amastigotes in the absence or presence of IFN and IL-32 induction was assayed by qRT-PCR; and TNF and IL-10, by ELISA. TLR4 was neutralized by monoclonal antibodies and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used as TLR4 agonist. The expression of TLR4 in monocyte/macrophages was evaluated by flow cytometry. Thirty five patients were evaluated, 23 with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and 12 with mucosal leihsmaniasis (ML). All parasite positive samples contained L. (Viannia) sp. The expression of IL-32 (protein and mRNA) was similar in CL and ML lesions but was higher than in health tissues. Only IL-32 was detected. The proteins TNF and IL-10 were detected in similar levels in CL and ML lesions, but TNF mRNA was present in higher levels in ML (4.069x) than in CL lesions (141 x, p < 0.05). L. (V.) braziliensis amastigotes induced IL-32, TNF and IL-10 in IFN pre-treated PBMC. The production of TNF and IL-10 was TLR4 dependent and treatment of PBMC with LPS further increased the production of TNF induced by amastigotes (p < 0.05). However, LPS did not altere the IL-10 production. Treatment with IFN enhanced the percentage of TLR4+ monocyte/macrophage (p < 0.05), which was decreased following incubation with amastigotes (p = 0.06). The results showed that IL-32 is produced during L. (Viannia) infection and TLR4 mediates L. (V.) braziliensis amastigote-induced TNF and IL-10 production in human PBMC. Moreover, the data suggest that amastigotes can lead to TLR4 internalization what can allow parasite to evade of innate immune response. This study indicates that IL-32 and TLR4 are important players in human infection caused by L. (Viannia), especially L. (V.) braziliensis. Whether TLR4 is also important to IL-32 production by human monocytes/macrophages deserves further investigation. / A leishmaniose Tegumentar Americana (LTA) é uma doença infecto-parasitária, causada, no Brasil, principalmente pela espécie Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. Na imunopatogenia da LTA participam várias citocinas e receptores. A interleucina 32 (IL-32) é uma citocina pro-inflamatória, cuja participação na LTA ainda não foi investigada. O papel dos receptores similares a Toll (TLR) na LTA tem sido pouco investigado, especialmente considerando infecção por L. (V.) braziliensis. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a expressão da IL-32, do TNF e da IL-10 nas lesões de pacientes com LTA, a indução de IL-32 por formas amastigotas de L. (V.) braziliensis em células mononucleares (CMN) humanas, bem como avaliar a participação do TLR4 na infecção de monócitos/macrófagos humanos com formas amastigotas de L. (V.) brazilienis. Fragmentos de lesões cutâneas ou mucosas de pacientes com LTA e tecidos sadios foram obtidos, sendo usados para a determinação do subgênero de Leishmania, usando a PCR-RFLP; para análise de IL-32, TNF e IL-10 por imunoistoquímica; e para análise da expressão das isoformas     da IL-32, do TNF e da IL-10, por qRT-PCR. As CMN foram cultivadas com amastigotas de L. (V.) braziliensis, na ausência ou presença de IFN e a indução de IL-32 foi avaliada por qRT-PCR e TNF e IL-10, por ELISA. Para neutralização de TLR4 foram usados anticorpos monoclonais e lipopolissacarídeo (LPS), como agonista de TLR4. A expressão de TLR4 nos monócitos/macrófagos presentes nas CMN foi avaliada por citometria de fluxo. Foram analisados 35 pacientes sendo 23 leishmaniose cutânea (LC) e 12 com leishmaniose mucosa (LM). Todas as amostras PCR positivas continham parasitos pertencentes ao subgênero Viannia. Nas lesões de pacientes com LC e LM foi detectada uma maior expressão tanto da proteína quanto do mRNA da IL-32 do que nos tecidos controles, porém níveis similares foram encontrados nas duas formas clínicas. Somente a isoforma IL-32 foi detectada. As proteínas TNF e a IL-10 foram detectadas nas lesões, em níveis similares na LC e na LM, porém, o mRNA do TNF estava em níveis mais elevados nas lesões de LM (4.069 vezes) do que nas lesões de LC (141 vezes, p < 0,05). As formas amastigotas de L. (V.) braziliensis indiziram a produção de IL-32 TNF e de IL-10 nas CMN pré-tratadas com IFN. A produção de TNF e IL-10 foi dependente de TLR4 e o tratamento das CMN com LPS aumentou a produção do TNF induzido pelas amastigotas (p < 0,05), mas não alterou a produção da IL-10. A incubação com IFN aumentou significantemente a porcentagem de monócitos/macrófagos TLR4+ (p < 0,05), a qual foi diminuída pelas formas amastigotas (p = 0,06). Os resultados mostram que a IL-32 é produzida durante a infecção humana causada por L. (Viannia) e evidenciam a participação de TLR4 na indução de TNF e IL-10 em CMN humanas por formas amastigotas de L. (V.) braziliensis. Ainda, os dados sugerem que as formas amastigotas causam a internalização dos TLR4, o que pode ser um mecanismo de evasão da resposta imune. Portanto, a IL-32 e o TLR4 parecem importantes componentes na infecção humana causada por L. (Viannia), especialmente L. (V.) braziliensis, podendo contribuir para a imunopatogenia ou para o controle da infecção.

No description available.

L’épidémie causée par le virus du VIH-1 touche actuellement 38,4 millions de personnes dans le monde dont environ 63000 au Canada. Depuis 1996 et la mise en pratique de la thérapie antirétrovirale combinée, l’espérance de vie des personnes vivant avec le VIH a augmenté significativement jusqu’à s’approcher de celle de la population générale. Actuellement, 10% des personnes vivant avec le VIH (PVVIH) dans le monde ont plus de 50 ans et ce chiffre augmente à 50% pour les États-Unis et le Canada. Cette population vieillissante avec le VIH est exposée à un risque plus élevé de développer des comorbidités associées à l’infection chronique. Le développement de meilleures méthodes de gestion des comorbidités est nécessaire afin d’améliorer la qualité de vie des personnes vieillissant avec le VIH. Cela passe notamment par une meilleure connaissance des processus inflammatoires impliqués, la recherche de biomarqueurs et de cibles thérapeutiques. Nous nous sommes intéressés à l’interleukine-32, une cytokine pro-inflammatoire exprimée en de multiples isoformes et dont l’expression est augmentée dans le sang des PVVIH. Nous avons remarqué que les isoformes d’IL-32β et γ diminuaient l’expression du CD96 à la surface des cellules TCD8+. Nous avons déterminé que la perte de son expression était associée avec une diminution de l’expression de CD28 et CD27 et une augmentation de l’expression de CD57. Les cellules TCD8+ exprimant peu de CD96 avaient une diminution de leur capacité de prolifération et les cellules TCD8+ spécifiques au VIH exprimant peu de CD96 répondaient moins efficacement aux peptides du VIH. Nos résultats indiquent que le CD96 est un marqueur des cellules compétentes contre le VIH et que la perte de son expression peut être utilisée comme un marqueur de la dysfonction et de la sénescence des cellules TCD8+. Nous avons ensuite étudié le rôle de l’IL-32 dans le développement des maladies cardiovasculaires via son impact sur les cellules endothéliales de l’artère coronaire. Nous avons pu montrer que les isoformes de l’IL-32 β et γ ont un impact partiel sur la production de cytokines pro-inflammatoires par les cellules endothéliales. Cependant, ces isoformes d’IL-32 augmentent l’expression des molécules d’adhérence et la production des chimiokines par les cellules endothéliales. Nous avons déterminé que ces isoformes induisent la dysfonction cellulaire et contribuent au recrutement des monocytes et à leur transmigration. Nous avons également déterminé que l’expression des isoformes d’IL-32 corrèle avec la rigidité artérielle de la carotide autant chez les personnes vivant avec le VIH que dans la population générale. Ces résultats suggèrent qu’IL-32 pourrait constituer une cible thérapeutique pour atténuer l’inflammation chronique, la sénescence cellulaire et la dysfonction cellulaire associés au développement des maladies cardiovasculaires. Enfin nous nous sommes intéressés à l’utilisation des acides gras à chaine courte dans la réduction de l’inflammation des cellules endothéliales. Nous avons découvert que plusieurs acides gras à chaine courte ont le potentiel de diminuer les signes de dysfonction des cellules endothéliales comme l’expression de leurs molécules d’adhérence et leur sécrétion de cytokines et de chimiokines après stimulation par les isoformes d’IL-32β et γ. / As of 2023, the HIV-1 epidemic is affecting 38,4 million people worldwide and 63000 in Canada. Since 1996, introduction of the combined antiretroviral therapy led to a very impressive increase in the lifespan of PLWH, which approaches the general population. Currently, 10% of PLWH are over the age of 50 years worldwide and this number is increased to 50% in the US and Canada. This aging population of PLWH is exposed to an increased prevalence of comorbidities associated with the chronic infection on top of the normal age-associated co-morbidities. Thus, improving the management of comorbidities is mandatory to improve quality of life of PLWH. This can be achieved by a better understanding of the inflammatory process involved along with the discovery of new biomarkers of disease progression and identifying new therapeutic targets. To this end, we got interested in interleukine-32 (IL-32), a pro-inflammatory cytokine expressed in multiple isoforms and upregulated in the blood of PLWH and is associated with disease progression in PLWH. We discovered that IL-32β and γ decreases the expression of CD96, a transmembrane glycoprotein receptor, at the surface of CD8 T cells. We determined that the loss of CD96 expression was associated with a senescence phenotype translated by the reduction in the expression of CD27 and CD28 and an upregulation in the expression of CD57. CD8+ T cells expressing low CD96 had their proliferative capabilities altered and responded poorly to HIV-1 antigen recall. Our results suggest that CD96 is a biomarker for competent CD8+ T cells in the context of HIV-1 infection and that its decreased expression by IL-32-mediated mechanisms may lead to CD8+ T cell dysfunction and senescence. These mechanisms are likely to contribute to the persistent inflammation and its associated comorbidities in the aging population of PLWH. We then investigated the role of IL-32 in the development of cardiovascular diseases by looking at its impact on coronary artery endothelial cells (CAEC). We observed that IL-32β and γ have a partial impact on CAEC cytokine production. However, theses isoforms increased the expression of adhesion molecules and production of chemokines involved in leukocyte recruitment by the CAEC. In this context, we determined that IL-32β and γ induce the dysfunction of CAEC and lead to monocyte recruitment. We also observed that IL-32 isoforms expression correlates with carotid artery stiffness in both PLWH and in the general population. These results suggest that IL-32 could be considered as a therapeutic target to attenuate inflammation, cellular senescence, and dysfunction of endothelial cells, which are processes linked to the development of cardiovascular diseases. Finally, we got interested in the use of short chains fatty acids (SCFA), a group of gut metabolites that we previously shown to be decreased in PLWH with cardiovascular disease, to reduce the impact of IL-32 isoforms on endothelial cells. We discovered that several SCFA have the potential to diminish the impact of IL-32 on markers of CAEC dysfunction, such on the expression of their adhesion molecule and chemokine secretion after stimulation by IL-32β and γ.

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-10-05T15:16:05Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Iara Barreto Neves Oliveira - 2017.pdf: 2505199 bytes, checksum: 7432c019307e551f15f5fb4cd61ad45c (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-10-05T15:17:21Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Iara Barreto Neves Oliveira - 2017.pdf: 2505199 bytes, checksum: 7432c019307e551f15f5fb4cd61ad45c (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-10-05T15:17:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Iara Barreto Neves Oliveira - 2017.pdf: 2505199 bytes, checksum: 7432c019307e551f15f5fb4cd61ad45c (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-09-29 / Introduction. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a Central Nervous System disease, mediated by the Immune System, whose symptoms occur in episodes of relapses. Interferon-beta (IFN-β) is considered a safe treatment for the reduction of relapses, but its mechanisms of action have not yet been clear. Studies have shown involvement of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and of Interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the immunopathogenesis of MS. The role of IL-32, a proinflammatory cytokine has role on several chronic inflammatory diseases, was not elucidated in MS. The effect of IFN-β on these cytokines and disease severity, as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), has not yet been established. Objective. The objective of the present study was to evaluate TNF-α, IL-10 and IL-32γ concentrations in the peripheral blood and gene expression of patients with IFN-β. Methods. The sample were patients of the Department of Neurology of the Clinics Hospital of the Federal University, and healthy individuals. Blood collection, blood culture with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Toll 4 receptor agonist (TLR4), and PAM3Cys, TLR2 agonist, and the quantification of cytokines by real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed. Mann Whitney tests were used for statistical analysis of unpaired data, Wilcoxon for paired samples and Spearman's correlation test, adopting significance level p <0.05. Results. Of the 30 MS patients, 19 were treated with IFN-β and 11, untreated, with a mean age of 40.52 and 42 years, respectively, and female prevalence. TNF-α did not differ between groups but it was less produced after stimulation with Pam3Cys in treated patients compared to controls and untreated patients. IL- 10 concentrations were higher in cultures with LPS in patients treated compared to healthy controls. The mean EDSS of patients treated with IFN-β and untreated did not differ, and the correlation between and TNF-α and IL-10 concentrations produced in blood cultures and EDSS was not significant in the patients. There was a significant correlation between TNF-α concentrations and disease time in untreated patients in non-stimulated cultures and those with TLR2 agonist stimulus. Gene expression of IL-32γ was higher in IFN-β treated patients compared to controls. The gene expression of cytokines correlated positively and significantly in patients and controls and the IL-10 expression was correlated negative e significantly with the disease time in untreated patients. Conclusions. IFN-β reduced patients' response to Pam3Cys. IL-10 was higher in treated patients relative to controls. The correlations were not conclusive about the possible association between these cytokines and the clinic parameters of the disease. IL-32γ was higher in patients treated with IFN-β than in healthy subjects. / Introdução. A Esclerose Múltipla (EM) é uma doença do Sistema Nervoso Central, mediada pelo Sistema Imune,cujos sintomas ocorremem episódios de surtos.OInterferon-beta (IFN-β) é considerado um tratamento seguro para redução dos surtos, masseus mecanismos de ação ainda não foram bemesclarecidos. Estudos mostraram participaçãodo fator de necrose tumoral alfa (TNF-α) e da Interleucina-10 (IL-10) na imunopatogênese da EM. O papel da IL-32, citocina pró-inflamatória atuante emvárias doenças inflamatórias crônicas, não foi elucidado na EM. O efeito do IFN-β nestas citocinas e na gravidade da doença, medida pela Escala do Estado de Incapacidade Expandida (EDSS), ainda não foi estabelecido. Objetivo.O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar as concentrações de TNF-α, IL- 10 e IL-32γ no sangue periférico de pacientes com EM tratados com IFN-β e não tratados. Métodos.Foram recrutados portadores da doença, no Serviço de Neurologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal,e indivíduos sadios. Foi feita a coleta de sangue, hemoculturas com lipopolissacarídeo (LPS), agonista do receptor do tipo Toll 4 (TLR4), e PAM3Cys, agonista de TLR2, e a quantificação gênica das citocinas por reação em cadeia da polimerase em tempo real. Foram utilizados os testes Mann Whitney, para análise estatísticados dados não pareados, Wilcoxon para as amostras pareadas e o teste de correlação de Spearman, adotando nível de significância p<0,05. Resultados. Dos 30 pacientes com EM, 19 eram tratados com IFN-β e 11, não tratados, com idade média de 40,52 e 42 anos, anos, respectivamente, e prevalência do sexo feminino. As concentrações de IL-10 foram mais elevadasnas culturas dos pacientes tratados com IFN-β estimuladas com LPS comparado aos controles sadios.TNF-α não diferiu entre os grupos, mas foi menos produzido após estimulação com Pam3Cys nos pacientes tratados comparado aos controles e aos pacientes não tratados. O EDSS médio dos pacientes tratados com IFN-β e dos não tratados não diferiu, e a correlação entre e as concentrações de TNFα e IL-10 produzidas nas hemoculturas e o EDSS não foi significante nos pacientes. Houve correlação significante entre as concentrações de TNF-α e o tempo de doença nos pacientes não tratados nas culturas não estimuladas e naquelas com estímulo de agonista de TLR2. A expressão gênica de IL-32γ foi mais elevada nos pacientes tratados com IFN-β comparado aos controles. As expressões gênicas das citocinas se correlacionaram positiva e significantemente nos pacientes e controles e a expressão de IL-10 se correlacionou negativa e significantemente com o tempo de doença nos pacientes não tratados. Conclusões. O IFN-β reduziu a resposta dos pacientes ao Pam3Cys. IL-10 foi mais elevada nos pacientes tratados em relação aos controles. As correlações não foram conclusivas sobre a possível associação entre essas citocinas e os parâmetros clínicos da doença. IL-32γ foi mais elevada nos pacientes tratados com IFN-β em relação às pessoas sadias.