Introdução: a síndrome antifosfolípide (SAF) primária é uma vasculopatia autoimune mediada por autoanticorpos com trombose como sua principal manifestação clínica. A presença de anticorpos antifosfolípides (aPL), embora relevante para confirmar o diagnóstico, não parece ser suficiente para explicar completamente a fisiopatologia da doença e um segundo gatilho é usualmente necessário. Além das hipóteses de infecções virais e insulto inflamatório como possíveis desencadeantes, parece que os receptores toll like (TLR) e o Interferon (IFN) tipo I são possíveis protagonistas nesse processo, contribuindo para o início da trombose. Recentemente, dois pequenos estudos demonstraram que uma porcentagem relevante de pacientes com SAF primária tem uma regulação positiva de genes IFN em células mononucleares do sangue periférico (CMSP). Entretanto, 20% e 28% dos pacientes nessas duas coortes tiveram anticorpos anti-dsDNA positivos, um autoanticorpo altamente específico do lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES). Objetivo: avaliar se os pacientes com SAF bem caracterizados apresentam assinatura para interferon nas células mononucleares periféricas. Secundariamente foram avaliadas possíveis associações clínico laboratoriais com a assinatura de IFN. Métodos: foram selecionados 53 pacientes do sexo feminino com diagnóstico de SAF primária de acordo com os critérios de Sidney, com idade igual ou maior a 18 anos, selecionados no Ambulatório de SAF da Disciplina de Reumatologia do HCFMUSP, pareados por sexo e idade com 50 controles saudáveis. Um terceiro grupo com 29 paciente com antecedente de trombofilias não imunomediadas também foi incluido. Após a coleta de sangue as CMSPs foram purificadas por metodologia de Ficoll. A expressão gênica das CMSPs foi realizada através do TaqMan® RNA Assay em placas TLDA. Foram pesquisados 41 genes induzidos por IFN (GIIs). Uma análise de componente principal (ACP) foi realizada para determinar quais genes deveriam compor a assinatura de IFN. O teste de z-score foi utilizado para normalizar e calcular a assinatura de IFN para cada paciente. O cutoff da assinatura de IFN foi definido por uma curva ROC, e foi escolhido o ponto que maximizava a sensibilidade e especificidade. Características demográficas, clínicas e laboratoriais foram analisadas buscando por associações com a assinatura de IFN. Resultados: 11 genes estavam superexpressos nos pacientes com SAF em comparação aos controles. Após a análise de ACP foram escolhidos 6 genes que representavam mais de 95% do comportamento da amostra para compor a assinatura de IFN: DNAJA1, IFI27, IFI6, IFIT5, MX1 e TYK2. O cutoff encontrado pela curva ROC foi de 3,9 folds (AUC = 0,706, S = 0,49, E = 0,86, VPP = 0,79, VPN = 0,61). A assinatura de IFN estava presente em 49% dos pacientes com SAF primário vs. 14% dos controles saudáveis e 17% dos controles positivos (p < 0,001). Foi encontrada associação entre a assinatura de IFN e uma ocorrência mais precoce do primeiro evento clínico (p = 0,023), e com ocorrência de eventos obstétricos (em especial pré-eclâmpsia, p = 0,032). Não foi econtrada nenhuma associação entre a assinatura de IFN e número de eventos trombóticos, exames laboratoriais, comorbidades, antecedentes familiares de doenças autoimunes, e escores de risco de retrombose. De todos os tratamentos em uso a única associação encontrada foi entre uma menor assinatura de IFN e o uso de estatinas (p = 0,026). Conclusão: esse estudo indica que pacientes com SAF primária bem caracterizados apresentam uma assinatura de IFN tipo I, não observada em outras trombofilias não imunidade-mediadas ou em controles saudáveis. Também demonstrou-se que essa superexpressão de genes regulados por IFN tipo I está associada a um início mais precoce dos eventos e pré-eclâmpsia. Mais estudos são necessários para determinar se este subgrupo de pacientes se beneficiará de intervenções terapêuticas direcionadas à via de sinalização IFN tipo I / Introduction: primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) is an autoimmune vasculopathy mediated by autoantibodies with thrombosis as its main clinical manifestation. The presence of antiphospholipid antibodies, while relevant to confirm the diagnosis, does not seem to be sufficient to fully explain the pathophysiology and a second trigger is usually needed. Besides the hypotheses of viral infections and inflammatory insult as possible triggers, type I Interferon (IFN) has been pointed as a possible protagonist. Recently, two studies have demonstrated that a relevant percentage of PAPS patients have an up-regulation of IFN genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). However, 20% and 28% of patients in these 2 cohorts, had antidsDNA positive antibodies, a highly specific Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) autoantibody. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of type I IFN signature in PBMC of patients with PAPS without specific SLE autoantibodies and search for it with clinical and laboratorial associations. Methods: 53 PAPS patients (according to Sydney´s criteria) were consecutively selected and age-matched with 50 healthy controls. A third group, with non-immune-mediated thrombophilia patients, was also included. The expression of 41 IFN induced genes was analysed using real time quantitative PCR (TaqMan Low Density Array). A principal component analysis (PCA) was used to determine which genes should compose the IFN signature and z-score was calculated. The IFN signature score cut-off was defined with a ROC curve, as the point that maximized both the specificity and sensitivity. Clinical and laboratorial features were analysed searching for associations with IFN signature. Results: 11 IFN genes were highly expressed in primary APS patients. After PCA, 6 genes remained in the IFN signature: DNAJA1, IFIT5, IFI27, MX1, IFI6, TYK2. The ROC cutoff was 3,9 folds (AUC = 0.706, S = 0.49, E = 0.86, VPP = 0.79, VPN = 0.61). The type I IFN signature was present in 49% of patients with primary APS compared to 14.0% of healthy controls and 17% of non-immune-mediated thrombophilia patients (p < 0.0001). The mean IFN score was significantly higher in PAPS patients (4.0 fold higher, p < 0.0001) than in controls. A higher IFN signature was associated with a younger age at the first APS event (p = 0.023) and with the presence of obstetric events, especially with preeclampsia (p = 0.032). There was no association between IFN signature and number of thrombotic events, laboratory exams, comorbidities, family history of autoimmune diseases, and thrombosis risk scores. Treatment with statins was associated with lower levels of IFN scores (p = 0.026). Conclusion: our result indicates that PAPS patients, without lupus specific antibodies, have an enhanced type I IFN gene signature, not observed in non-immune mediated thrombophilia. We also provide novel data demonstrating that this overexpression of type I IFN-regulated genes is associated with an earlier onset of APS events and preeclampsia. Further studies are necessary to determine if this subgroup of patients will benefit of interventions targeting the type I IFN signalling pathway

A hepatite C é uma doença que leva à inflamação do fígado, sendo causada pelo vírus da hepatite C (VHC). Estima-se que existam 130 a 170 milhões de casos de infecção crônica pelo VHC por todo o mundo. Apesar do VHC ser principalmente hepatotrópico, foi evidenciada a detecção de RNA viral em células mononucleares do sangue periférico (PBMC). Evidências clínicas e experimentais têm demonstrado um importante tropismo do VHC por células do sistema imune, em especial por PBMCs. Apesar deste interessante achado, a importância da infecção do sistema imune na história natural da doença não é totalmente conhecida. É possível observar em alguns estudos que, em pacientes que desenvolvem infecção aguda, observa-se uma vigorosa resposta mediada por células T, específica ao VHC, mediada, por células T CD4+ e T CD8. Esta resposta é detectada na fase inicial da doença, e prolonga-se durante vários anos após a resolução do vírus. Pelo contrário, os pacientes que desenvolvem infecção crônica, apresentam, normalmente, respostas T fracas e / ou de curta duração, bem como defeitos nas funções efetoras de células T específicas. As respostas mediadas por células T com este perfil resultam, normalmente, em um baixo controlo da viremia e na sua persistência. Outra importante questão que permanece incerta até o presente momento é como a infecção das células imunes pelo VHC altera a sua função, principalmente no que concerne às PBMCs. Informações referentes às PBMCs e o VHC são pouco estudadas e referidas na literatura internacional, embora sejam de fundamental importância para a compreensão do seu peso na história natural da infecção. OBJETIVO: Baseado nessas incertezas o presente estudo tentará contribuir para a elucidação da influência do parasitismo por VHC na função de células TCD4+ e TCD8+ em pacientes naïve com indicação de tratamento com IFNpeg+RBV e comparar os dados obtidos antes, durante e pós-tratamento com os valores encontrados dos controles negativos, avaliando a influência do tratamento sobre a função dessas células. Verificar a presença do RNA-VHC nas PBMCs por RT-PCR em Tempo Real. Verificar a influência de fatores do vírus e do hospedeiro, tais como genótipo, carga viral, idade, gênero, raça, polimorfismo IL28B e biópsia hepática sobre as células parasitadas pelo VHC e sua produção de citocinas; Determinar a contagem e a função de linfócitos T CD4+ e CD8+ no sangue periférico desses pacientes; Determinar a influência do parasitismo de linfócitos pelo VHC sobre a função dos linfócitos TCD4+ e TCD8+. METODOLOGIA: Foram estudados 52 pacientes com hepatite C crônica; destes, 17 pacientes foram tratados com IFNalfa+RBV; 10 controles sadios, atendidos no Ambulatório de Hepatites da Divisão de Clínica de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias do HC FMUSP. A contagem de células da subpopulação de linfócitos T CD4+ e CD8+ periféricas foram realizadas por citometria de fluxo FACSCanto II (BD) por meio do software MultiSet(BD). Foi analisada a presença/ausência do RNA-VHC em PBMC por PCR em tempo real no sistema TaqMan, no termociclador Applied Biosystems StepOne(TM). A função dos linfócitos TCD4+ e TCD8+ foram avaliadas através da técnica ELISPOT utilizanso o Kit Human IFN-gamma/IL-4 Dual-Color FluoroSpot. A contagem dos spots foi realizada em um leitor automatizado CTL-ImmunoSpot® S6 FluoroSpot Line. As PBMCs foram fracionadas e depletadas, utilizando-se o Kit Dynabeads FlowComp Human CD4 (Invitrogen Life Technologies) segundo as instruções do fabricante. RESULTADOS: Foram estudados 52 pacientes com hepatite C crônica; destes, 17 pacientes foram tratados com IFNalfa+RBV; 10 controles sadios. O genótipo 1 foi o mais prevalente 61,5%. O RNA do VHC foi detectado nas PBMCS em 88,4% dos pacientes. XVII Nossos resultados mostraram um aumento de células CD4 e CD8 parasitadas pelo VHC antes do tratamento, com valores estatisticamente significantes quando comparadas aos controles normais apenas no caso das CD4. Ocorreu, porém, um nítido prejuízo na produção de interleucinas por estas células parasitadas, particularmente a produção de IFN- y, com valores altamente significantes (0,009). Na semana 12, podemos ver o aumento de células CD4 no pré-tratamento, porém com diminuição na semana 12 e no follow up; entretanto a produção de IL-4 pelas células CD4 aumenta na semana 12 e cai novamente no seguimento; com as células CD8 ocorre leve queda na semana 12 porém uma tentativa de recuperação no follow up; sua produção de IFN-y cai na semana 12 e no follow up para números estatisticamente significantes. É a chamada \"exaustão\" de função destas células já descrita in vitro por alguns autores. Estes dados poderão ser muito úteis nas futuras observações desses pacientes que serão tratados com esquemas de DAAs sem interferon alfa. CONCLUSÃO: Em conclusão, os resultados desta pesquisa confirmam a importante influência do parasitismo das células CD4 e CD8 em suas funções / Hepatitis C is a disease that causes inflammation of the liver, caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is estimated that there are 130 million to 170 million cases of chronic HCV infection worldwide. Although HCV is primarily hepatotropic was evidenced by detection of viral RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Clinical and experimental evidence have demonstrated an important tropism of HCV by immune system cells, in particular by PBMC. Despite this interesting finding, the importance of infection of the immune system in the natural history of the disease is not fully known. It can be observed in some studies in patients who develop acute infection a vigorous response is observed mediated by T cells specific to HCV mediated by CD4 + and CD8. This response is detected at the initial stage of the disease, and extends for years after the resolution of the virus. Conversely, patients who develop chronic infection, are typically in the low T responses and / or short-term as well as defects in the effector functions of specific T cells. The responses mediated by T cells with the profile usually result in a low control of viremia and its persistence. Another important issue that remains unclear to date is how the infection of immune cells by HCV alters its function, especially with regard to the PBMCs. Information relating to the PBMCs and HCV are little studied and reported in the international literature, although they are of fundamental importance for the understanding of its weight in the natural history of infection. OBJECTIVE: Based on these uncertainties the present study attempts to contribute to the elucidation of the influence of parasitism by HCV on CD4 T cell function + and CD8 + in naïve patients with treatment indication with IFNpeg + RBV and compare the data obtained before, during and after treatment with the values found negative controls, assessing the influence of treatment on the function of these cells. Verify the presence of HCV-RNA in PBMC by RT-PCR in real time. Check the influence of virus and host factors such as genotype, viral load, age, gender, race, IL28B polymorphism and liver biopsy on the parasitized cells with HCV and their cytokine production; Determine count and function of lymphocytes T CD4 + and CD8 + peripheral blood of patients; To determine the influence of parasitism lymphocytes HCV on the function of CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocytes. METHODS: We studied 52 patients with chronic hepatitis C; of these, 17 patients were treated with IFNalpha + RBV; 10 healthy controls, treated at the Hepatitis Clinic of the Division of Clinical Infectious and Parasitic Diseases of the FMUSP. The lymphocyte subpopulation of T-cell count CD4 + and CD8 + peripheral been made by FACSCanto II flow cytometer (BD) through the multiset software (BD). the presence / absence of HCV-RNA in PBMC by real-time PCR was analyzed in the TaqMan system, Applied Biosystems thermal cycler StepOne (TM). The role of CD4 + T lymphocytes and CD8 + were assessed by ELISPOT technique utilizanso the Human Kit IFN-gamma / IL-4 Dual-Color FluoroSpot. The counting of the spots was carried out in an automated reader CTL-ImmunoSpot® S6 FluoroSpot Line. And fractionated PBMCs were depleted using Dynabeads kit is the Human CD4 FlowComp (Invitrogen Life Technologies) according to manufacturer\'s instructions. RESULTS: We studied 52 patients with chronic hepatitis C; of these, 17 patients were treated with IFNalpha + RBV; 10 healthy controls. Genotype 1 was the most prevalent 61.5%. The HCV RNA was detected in PBMC in 88.4% of patients. Our results showed an increase of CD4 and CD8 cells parasitized with HCV prior to treatment, with statistically significant amounts compared to controls only if CD4. There was however, a marked impairment in production of interleukins for these parasitized cells, particularly the production of IFN- y, with highly significant values (0.009). At week 12, we can see the increase in CD4 cells before treatment, but with decreased at week 12 and at follow up; However IL-4 production by CD4 cells increased at week 12 and again falls in the following; with the CD8 cells is slightly lower at week 12 but a recovery attempt at follow up; their IFN-y production drops at week 12 and follow up to statistically significant numbers. It is called \"exhaust\" function of these cells in vitro been described by some authors. This data is very useful in future observations of these patients are treated with AADs regimens without interferon alfa. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the results confirm the important influence of the parasitism of CD4 and CD8 cells in their functions

INTRODUÇÃO: A tuberculose é um problema grave de saúde pública, acometendo indivíduos em todas as faixas etárias e em todos os estratos socioeconômicos. Apesar de estarem sob grande risco de adoecimento, as crianças carecem de meios diagnósticos sensíveis e específicos. Neste estudo avaliou-se em crianças a acurácia de um teste baseado na dosagem de interferon-gama liberado por linfócitos após estímulo com antígenos específicos do Mycobacterium tuberculosis (QuantiFERON-TB Gold In Tube® [Cellestis, Carnegie, Austrália] ).MÉTODO: Foram incluídas no estudo 184 crianças não infectadas e 11 crianças com infecção pelo Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Todas as crianças receberam previamente o BCG. Foram excluídas crianças com comprometimento do sistema imunológico. Obteve-se amostra de sangue de cada criança, e o material foi processado conforme as instruções do laboratório fabricante. O desempenho do teste foi avaliado pela construção de uma curva de características operacionais (ROC). RESULTADOS: Do total de 184 crianças sem infecção pela micobatéria, 74 (40,2%) eram do sexo feminino, e 130 (70,6%) tinham menos de quatro anos de idade. A idade média neste grupo foi de 35 meses. Seis (3,2%) crianças apresentaram resultado indeterminado do teste, uma criança (0,5%) apresentou um resultado positivo e 177 (96,2%) apresentaram resultado negativo. No grupo de 11 crianças infectadas, sete (63,0%) eram meninas, e a idade média era de 58,5 meses. Duas (18,0%) crianças neste grupo apresentaram resultado negativo do teste. A curva ROC obtida evidenciou uma área sob a curva de 0,876 (I. C 95% - 0,82 a 0,92; p<0,001), refletindo o desempenho preditivo elevado do teste. A sensibilidade do teste foi de 81,8% (IC 95% - 48,2% a 97,2%) e a especificidade de 98,8% (IC 95% - 96,0 a 99,8%), o valor preditivo positivo foi de 81,8% (IC 95%: 46,3% a 97,4%) e o valor preditivo negativo foi de 98,9% (IC 95%: 96,0% a 99,8%). CONCLUSÕES: Neste estudo o teste mostrou ter uma boa acurácia no diagnóstico da infecção pelo Mycobaterium tuberculosis em crianças previamente vacinadas com o BCG, e sua utilização rotineira pode contribuir para a melhor avaliação de crianças expostas a um doente bacilífero e na tomada de decisões sobre a introdução de quimioprofilaxia ou tratamento. / BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is a major public health problem, affecting people from all ages and diverse socioeconomic incomes. Despite the high risk that children have to develop the disease, accurate methods for diagnosis are not yet available. In this study the accuracy of an interferon-gamma release assay (QuantiFERON-TB Gold In Tube® [Cellestis, Carnegie, Australia]) was evaluated for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in children. METHODS: 195 children were evaluated, 184 children without mycobacterial infection, and 11 children infected by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis. All the children had been previously vaccinated with BCG. Immunocompromised children were excluded from the study. A blood sample was obtained from each child, and it was processed according the manufacturer´s instructions. The performance of the assay was evaluated by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: In the group of 184 noninfected children, 74 (40.2%) were female and 130 (70.6%) were younger than four years old. The mean age in this group was 35 months. Six children (3.2%) had indeterminate test result, one child (0.5%) had a positive test result, and 177 (96.2%) children had negative test results. In the group of 11 infected children, seven (63.0%) were female, and the mean age in this group was 58.5 months. Two children (18.0%) in this group had a negative test result. The ROC curve determined an area under the curve of 0.876 (95% CI 0.82 to 0.92; p< 0.001), disclosing a high positive predictive value for the test. The assay sensibility was 81.8% (95% CI, 48.2% to 97.2%) and the assay specificity was 98.8% (95% CI, 96.0% to 99.8%), the positive predictive value was 81.8% (95% CI: 46.3% to 97.4%) and the negative predictive value was 98.9% (95% CI: 96.0% to 99.8%). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the accuracy of the assay was high for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in children previously vaccinated with BCG. The use of this assay for the routine evaluation of children exposed to the disease may help physicians to decide on whether to start chemoprophylaxis or tuberculosis treatment.

I) Hintergrund Die chronische Hepatitis-C-Infektion stellt global ein wesentliches Gesundheitsproblem dar. Diese Virusinfektion kann bei unbehandelten Patienten zur Leberzirrhose und im weiteren Verlauf bis hin zur Entwicklung eines hepatozellulären Karzinoms führen. Die einzige Behandlungsoption mit der Aussicht auf dauerhafte Viruselimination besteht in modernen Kombinationstherapien, die das Zytokin Interferon alfa enthalten. Wesentliche Merkmale sind – neben inzwischen sehr hohen Ansprechraten – eine Behandlungsdauer zwischen 24 und 48 Wochen, hohe Therapiekosten und ein Nebenwirkungsprofil, das sowohl somatische als auch psychopathologische Symptome umfassen kann. II) Untersuchungsgegenstand und Fragestellungen Sowohl die chronische Virusinfektion an sich als auch die aktuell verfügbaren Therapieverfahren bergen ein erhebliches psychisches Belastungspotential. Hauptgegenstand dieser Dissertation ist die Erfassung der psychologischen Aspekte der Erkrankung und der psychischen und psychopathologischen Nebenwirkungen einer Interferonbehandlung. Wesentliche bearbeitete Fragestellungen sind: - Welchen Belastungsfaktoren sind Hepatitis-C-Patienten bereits ohne aktuelle antivirale Interferontherapie ausgesetzt bzw. welche psychopathologischen Symptome zeigen diese Patienten? - Wie ist der zeitliche Verlauf psychopathologischer Symptome bei Hepatitis-C-Patienten vor, während und nach einer antiviralen Therapie? - Wie wirksam und wie sicher ist eine medikamentöse Behandlung der Interferon-induzierten Depression mit selektiven Serotonin-Wiederaufnahmehemmern (SSRI) unter Fortführung der antiviralen Therapie? III) Patienten und Methoden Studienteilnehmer waren Hepatitis-C-Patienten, die sich ambulant vorstellten bzw. in unsere Ambulanz überwiesen wurden und die jeweiligen Einschlusskriterien erfüllten. Zu den wichtigsten verwendeten psychometrischen Selbstbeurteilungsskalen zählen: HADS (Depressivität, Angst), SCL-90-R (psychopathologische Symptome), SF-36 (Lebensqualität) und FKV (Krankheitsverarbeitung). IV) Wesentliche Forschungsergebnisse Bereits ohne Einfluss des Zytokins Interferon bestehen starke Krankheits-assoziierte psychische bzw. psychosoziale Belastungen der Patienten, die sich in einem erhöhten Depressionsrisiko ausdrücken. Die erhobenen Depressionsscores stehen in signifikantem Zusammenhang mit der Erkrankungsdauer und den individuell bestehenden Optionen und Erfolgsaussichten einer antiviralen Interferontherapie. Prospektive Erfassungen der Auftretenshäufigkeit klinisch relevanter Interferon-assoziierter Depressionen ergeben Raten von ca. 30 %. Diese Größenordnung wurde sowohl in einer eigenen prospektiven Studie als auch im Rahmen einer vorgestellten Übersichtsarbeit bestätigt. Die Umstellung der verwendeten Formulierung des Medikaments von herkömmlichem Interferon alfa auf die pegylierte Variante brachte keine Verbesserung der Verträglichkeit z.B. im Hinblick auf die interferonassoziierte Depression. Ein rechtzeitiges Erkennen der entsprechenden Symptome vorausgesetzt, ist die antidepressive Behandlung der Interferon-assoziierten Depression mit Hilfe von selektiven Serotonin-Reuptake-Inhibitoren auch ohne generelle Prophylaxe sehr effektiv und sicher möglich. V) Diskussion Empfohlen wird ein engmaschiges psychometrisches Monitoring aller Hepatitis-C-Patienten im Therapieverlauf. Ausführliche Aufklärung, enger Arzt-Patienten-Kontakt während der Therapie, sowie die Betreuung durch einen festen Ansprechpartner während der bis zu einem Jahr dauernden Therapie sind wichtige Rahmenbedingungen für eine solche Behandlung. Für die medikamentöse Behandlung der Interferon-induzierten Depression gilt: Bei besonderer Indikation (z.B. Interferon-assoziierte Depression bei früheren Therapieversuchen) sollte eine SSRI-Sekundärprophylaxe in Betracht gezogen werden. Ansonsten ist eine entsprechende SSRI-Intervention beginnend mit dem Einsetzen einer klinisch relevanten Depression ausreichend.

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Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio (fiscina@bahia.fiocruz.br) on 2014-09-18T13:07:03Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Gabriela da Silva Cruz. Avaliação... 2014.pdf: 1237079 bytes, checksum: 7beefa52e21bd18ac4325a1c493249ba (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-09-18T13:07:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Gabriela da Silva Cruz. Avaliação... 2014.pdf: 1237079 bytes, checksum: 7beefa52e21bd18ac4325a1c493249ba (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / O Trypanosoma cruzi é um parasita intracelular e agente causador da doença de Chagas, que afeta milhões de pessoas em todo o mundo. Sabe-se que durante os processos de inflamação, regeneração e fibrose desencadeados pelo T. cruzi no hospedeiro há a participação de diversos mediadores e fatores. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a associação entre polimorfismos de nucleotídeos únicos com as formas clínicas e o grau de fibrose em pacientes com doença de Chagas. Os polimorfismos foram analisados por PCR em tempo real. Foram incluídos no estudo 55 pacientes com diagnóstico de doença de Chagas e classificados de acordo com a forma clínica da doença, sendo que 17 apresentavam a forma indeterminada, 15 a forma cardíaca sem disfunção ventricular e 23 a forma cardíaca com disfunção ventricular. Os genótipos CA dos polimorfismos do gene LGALS3 (rs4644 e rs4652); AG e GG do SOCS3 (rs4969170); CT e TT do IL-28B (rs12979860 e 8099917, respectivamente); AG, AG, CC, AG e AG do CLDN-1 (rs10212165, rs3909582, rs9865082, rs9880018 e rs9848283, respectivamente); e CC do CCL5 (rs2280789) foram estatisticamente mais frequentes em pacientes com a forma cardíaca do que com a forma indeterminada da doença. Com relação ao grau de fibrose, os genótipos CC dos polimorfismos do gene LGALS3 (rs4644 e rs4652); AA do SOCS3 (rs4969170); CC do rs12979860 e TT do rs8099917 do IL-28B; AA do rs10212165, AA, AG e GG do rs3909582, CC e CT do rs9865082, AG e GG do rs9880018 e AA do rs9848283 do gene CLDN1; e CC do CCL5 (rs2280789) foram estatisticamente mais frequentes em indivíduos com fibrose cardíaca <15% quando comparados com o grupo com fibrose ≥15%. Diante do exposto concluimos que os polimorfismos analisados podem ser úteis como futuros biomarcadores para estadiamento e conduta terapêutica em pacientes com doença de Chagas. / Trypanosoma cruzi is an intracellular parasite and the agent that causes Chagas disease, which affects millions of people worldwide. Several factors and mediators are known to actively participate in the inflammation, fibrosis and tissue regeneration, which is triggered by T. cruzi within the host. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms with clinical forms and rate of fibrosis in Chagas disease patients. The polymorphisms were analyzed by real-time PCR. The study consisted of 55 Chagas disease patients that were classified according to the clinical form of the disease, including 17 patients presenting the indeterminate form, 15 patients presenting the cardiac form without ventricular dysfunction and 23 patients presenting the cardiac form with ventricular dysfunction. The genotypes of CA of LGALS3 gene polymorphisms (rs4644 and rs4652); AG and GG of SOCS3 (rs4969170); CT and TT of IL-28B (rs12979860 and 8099917, respectively); AG, AG, CC, AG and AG of CLDN-1 (rs10212165, rs3909582, rs9865082, rs9880018 and rs9848283, respectively); and CC of CCL5 (rs2280789) were significantly more frequent in patients presenting the cardiac form compared to patients presenting the indeterminate form. Regarding the degree of fibrosis, the CC genotype of polymorphisms of the genes LGALS3 (rs4644 and rs4652); AA of SOCS3 (rs4969170); CC of rs12979860 and TT of rs8099917 of the IL-28B; AA of rs10212165 and AA, AG and GG of rs3909582, CC and CT of rs9865082, AG and GG of rs9880018 and AA of rs9848283 of the gene CLDN1; and CC of CCL5 (rs2280789) were statistically more frequent in patients presenting <15% cardiac fibrosis when compared to patients presenting fibrosis ≥15%. Taken together, our results suggest that the polymorphisms analyzed may be useful biomarkers for therapeutic management of patients with Chagas disease.

L'infection par le virus de l'hépatite C implique des processus d'interaction complexe entre l'hôte et le virus. Plusieurs facteurs de l'hôte incluant des polymorphismes génétiques et les réponses immunitaires influent sur l'infection et les réponses au traitement. Aussi, il est important d'identifier en amont les facteurs pour prédire la réponse au traitement. L'objectif de la thèse est d'étudier l'influence de certains polymorphismes génétiques de l'hôte sur la réponse à la bithérapie et sur le statut immunitaire du foie dans l'infection chronique par le VHC. L'étude a porté sur les polymorphismes des gènes de l'interféron lambda 3 et 4, l'interféron gamma, l'interleukine 10, et l'interleukine 17, conjointement à la réponse au traitement avec le peg-IFNα et la RBV et aux réponses immunitaires du foie chez les patients. Nous avons établi une méthode PCR-RFLP simple et fiable pour le typage de deux polymorphismes de l'IFNL3. En utilisant les enzymes de restriction BstUI et BrsDI permet le génotypage de deux variantes de IFNL3 (rs12979860 C/T et rs8099917 T/G, respectivement). Les résultats indiquent que cette méthode PCR-RFLP donne des résultats similaires à ceux des méthodes standard et présente un intérêt pour des analyses de routine en laboratoire clinique car elle est peu coûteuse. Nous avons analysé l'association des polymorphismes avec la réponse au traitement antiviral sur une cohorte de 108 patients infectés par le VHC de génotype 1 traités par la bithérapie. Nous avons ainsi démontré que le génotype de l'IFNL4 TT/TT de ss469415590 et une réponse virologique rapide sont des facteurs prédictifs indépendants pour atteindre un taux de réponse virologique soutenue (OR = 3,93, p = 0,004 et OR = 6,74, p = 0,021). D'autre part, une charge virale initiale haute est associée à l'échec au traitement (OR = 0,34, p = 0,023). Ainsi, ces paramètres sont utiles pour la définition d'un traitement personnalisé. Pour expliquer l'influence de ces polymorphismes dans l'infection chronique par le VHC, nous avons étudié l'association des polymorphismes IFNL3 et 4 avec la réponse immunitaire du foie chez les patients atteints d'une infection chronique par le VHC. En utilisant l'expression de CD107a comme marqueur de l'activité sécrétoires des lymphocytes, nous avons observé une activité de dégranulation des lymphocytes du foie plus importante les patients porteurs des génotypes de IFNL4 favorables en comparaison avec les patients porteurs de l'allèle défavorable. En utilisant des analyses de régression, les taux d'ALT sont en corrélation avec la fréquence des cellules NKT CD107a+ dans le foie. Enfin, chez les patients traités par la bithérapie, une forte activité de dégranulation est observée chez les patients avec les génotypes favorables IFNL3 et 4. Nous suggérons que les polymorphismes des gènes de l'interféron lambda sont associés à l'activité de la dégranulation des lymphocytes intra-hépatiques et contribuent à un mécanisme de clairance du VHC sous la bithérapie. Nous avons également étudié l'impact de plusieurs polymorphismes génétiques sur la gravité de l'hépatite C chronique. Les résultats montrent une association significative observée entre le polymorphisme de l'IFN-γ et la gravité de l'hépatite C chronique. Pour l'analyse de régression logistique, l'allèle T et la présence d'une stéatose sont des facteurs prédictifs indépendants de la sévérité de la maladie hépatique chronique associée au VHC. L'utilisation du génotypage de l'IFN-γ pourrait être utile dans la prise en charge des patients. En conclusion, nous avons montré que les polymorphismes des gènes des IFNL3 et 4 et de l'IFN-γ de l'hôte jouent un rôle important dans l'efficacité du traitement et les réponses immunitaires hépatiques. Ces résultats aident à définir un traitement personnalisé pour le contrôle de l'infection chronique par le VHC, en particulier dans les régions aux ressources limitées où les nouveaux traitements ne sont pas accessibles. / Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a complex interaction process between the host and viral factors. The host immune responses and genetic polymorphisms have been shown to be associated with the outcome of HCV infections and the responses to treatments. Thus, it is very important to identify pre-treament factors to predict treatment outcomes. The overall aim of the thesis study is to investigate the role of host genetic polymorphisms on response to combination therapy and immune response in the liver in chronic HCV infection. The study has focused on polymorphisms in the interferon lambda (IFNL) genes, interferon gamma, interleukin 10, and interleukin 17 in relation to response to therapy with peg-IFNα and Ribavirin (RBV) and liver immune responses in patients with chronic HCV infection.First, we have established a simple and reliable method for genotyping of the IFNL3 polymorphisms. We designed primers and selected restriction enzymes BstUI and BrsDI for genotyping 2 variants rs12979860 C/T and rs8099917 T/G, respectively. The results indicate that this PCR-RFLP method yields to identical data than standard sequencing method and commercial kit. We suggest that PCR-RFLP method could be used routinely in conventionally clinical laboratory for genotyping of IFNL3 polymorphisms. Next, we analysed the association of these variants with response in combination therapy of peg-IFNα and RBV. Among 108 treated patients infected with HCV genotype 1, by using logistic regression model analyses, we showed that patients who had favorable IFNL4 genotype (genotype TT/TT of ss469415590) and presented a rapid virological response (RVR) were independent predictors of achieving sustained virological response rate (OR = 3.93, CI = 1.53 -10.08, p = 0.004 and OR = 6.74, CI = 1.33 - 34.06, p= 0.021), whereas patients with high baseline viral load level were associated with failure to treatment (OR = 0.34, CI = 0.13 - 0.87, p = 0.023). We suggest that patients had favorable IFNL4 genotype and achieved RVR should benefit an individualized treatment of combination therapy of peg-IFNα and RBV. To explain the influence of these polymorphisms in chronic HCV infection, we investigated the association of IFNL4 polymorphisms with immune response in the liver in patients with chronic HCV infection. By using marker CD107a, a marker expressing degranulation activity of cytotoxic lymphocytes, we indicated that degranulation process was found in liver lymphocytes in patients carrying favourable IFNL4 genotypes compared with patients with unfavourable genotypes. By using multiple regression analyses, we demonstrated that ALT levels correlate with frequency of CD107a+ NKT cells in the liver. Finally, in patients treated by peg-IFNα and RBV, high degranulation activity observed in patients with favourable genotypes of IFNL3 and IFNL4 (CC of rs12979860 and TT/TT of ss469415590). We suggest that polymorphisms in the interferon lambda genes associated with intrahepatic lymphocyte degranulation activity and contribute to clearance mechanism of HCV under combination treatment of peg-IFNα and RBV.We investigated the impact of several genetic polymorphisms on the severity of chronic hepatitis C. We showed a significant association observed between polymorphism of IFN-γ and the severity of chronic hepatitis C. By using logistic regression analysis, T allele of IFN-γ and the presence of steatosis are independent predictive factors of severity of HCV-1 - related liver disease. This suggests we can use genetic variant of IFN-γ in classification and management of chronic hepatitis C. In conclusion, we indicated that host genetic polymorphisms play critical roles both in responses to treatment and in the immunopathogenesis of chronic HCV infection. This study can help to reach a closer step to individualized medicine for the control of chronic HCV infection in resource-limited regions when new treatment regimens are not available.

The influence of interferon gamma and specific antibodies on the infection with E. cuniculi in vivo has been studied. Reconstruction of SCID mice with CD4+ T-lymphocytes from BALB/c mice and from mice with defect gene for interferon gamma was used. Effects of the treatment with mouse recombinant interferon gamma and anti-E. cuniculi sera on survival of E. cuniculi infected SCID mice were monitored. The influence of the immunization with E. cuniculi antigen on the survival of E. cuniculi infected mice with defect gene for interferon gamma was examined.

Analisamos a expressão de IL-10, IFN-<font face=\"symbol\">g e, seus receptores pelas células trofoblásticas de camundongos, citocinas anti e pró-inflamatórias. Cones ectoplacentários aos 7,5 dias de gestação foram cultivados por 48 h e em seguida tratados com 100 U/mL IFN-<font face=\"symbol\">g ou 10 <font face=\"symbol\">hg/mL IL-10. Após 6 h e 14 h, as amostras foram processadas para análise da expressão gênica por RT-PCR e protéica por imunohistoquímica, respectivamente. Grupos controle não receberam tratamento. IFN-<font face=\"symbol\">g aumentou a expressão de IL-10R1 mas não a de IL-10 nas células trofoblásticas. IL-10, ao contrário, aumentou a expressão de IFN-<font face=\"symbol\">g, mas diminuiu IFN-<font face=\"symbol\">gR<font face=\"symbol\">a e não alterou IFN-<font face=\"symbol\">gR<font face=\"symbol\">b. Reações imunohistoquímicas confirmaram os resultados de expressão gênica. Isto sugere que o trofoblasto pode participar da imunidade da interface materno-placentária aumentando a expressão de IFN-<font face=\"symbol\">g em situações em que no meio há aumento de citocinas anti-inflamatórias, o que deve ser o reflexo da necessidade e importância desta citocina para o sucesso da gestação. / Key cytokines such as IL-10 and IFN-<font face=\"symbol\">g, essential for immune response regulation, have also been found locally at maternal-placental interface during mouse pregnancy. Particularly, levels of IL-10 characterize an anti-inflammatory environment associated to the inhibition of T helper-1 lymphocytes (Th1) development and the proliferative stimulation of the B lymphocytes (humoral response). On the other hand, increases in IFN-<font face=\"symbol\">g profile prevent T helper-2 lymphocytes (Th2) activation leading to an inflammatory response that favors a Th1 response. The local production of these cytokines by NK uterine cells and T gd lymphocytes are relevant, but not exclusive. Thus, this study analyzed the potential contribution of the trophoblast in the maintenance of Th1/Th2 balance in the maternal-placental interface, represented, respectively by the expression of IL-10 and IFN-<font face=\"symbol\">g cytokines. The expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and its receptor was evaluated in the presence of an inflammatory environment mimetized by IFN-<font face=\"symbol\">g addition to the culture medium. On contrary, the expression of the IFN-<font face=\"symbol\">g (and its receptor) was evaluated in the presence of IL-10 characterizing an anti-inflammatory condition. Mouse trophoblast cells were isolated from implantation sites at gestational day 7.5 and cultured in standard conditions. Gene and protein expression were determined by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. IL-10 and IFN-<font face=\"symbol\">g and their receptors were expressed in cultured trophoblast cells in the absence or presence of IFN-<font face=\"symbol\">g and IL-10, respectively. IFN-<font face=\"symbol\">g treatment increased IL-10R1 expression but do not alter IL-10 expression. On contrary, in the presence of IL-10 the IFN-<font face=\"symbol\">g expression increased significantly while the expression of its receptor decreased. These results suggest that a proinflammatory environment increases trophoblast responsiveness to IL-10 whereas an anti-inflammatory condition seems to reinforce the importance of IFN-<font face=\"symbol\">g expression at the maternal-placental interface, on the initial periods of gestation.

Introdução: a síndrome antifosfolípide (SAF) primária é uma vasculopatia autoimune mediada por autoanticorpos com trombose como sua principal manifestação clínica. A presença de anticorpos antifosfolípides (aPL), embora relevante para confirmar o diagnóstico, não parece ser suficiente para explicar completamente a fisiopatologia da doença e um segundo gatilho é usualmente necessário. Além das hipóteses de infecções virais e insulto inflamatório como possíveis desencadeantes, parece que os receptores toll like (TLR) e o Interferon (IFN) tipo I são possíveis protagonistas nesse processo, contribuindo para o início da trombose. Recentemente, dois pequenos estudos demonstraram que uma porcentagem relevante de pacientes com SAF primária tem uma regulação positiva de genes IFN em células mononucleares do sangue periférico (CMSP). Entretanto, 20% e 28% dos pacientes nessas duas coortes tiveram anticorpos anti-dsDNA positivos, um autoanticorpo altamente específico do lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES). Objetivo: avaliar se os pacientes com SAF bem caracterizados apresentam assinatura para interferon nas células mononucleares periféricas. Secundariamente foram avaliadas possíveis associações clínico laboratoriais com a assinatura de IFN. Métodos: foram selecionados 53 pacientes do sexo feminino com diagnóstico de SAF primária de acordo com os critérios de Sidney, com idade igual ou maior a 18 anos, selecionados no Ambulatório de SAF da Disciplina de Reumatologia do HCFMUSP, pareados por sexo e idade com 50 controles saudáveis. Um terceiro grupo com 29 paciente com antecedente de trombofilias não imunomediadas também foi incluido. Após a coleta de sangue as CMSPs foram purificadas por metodologia de Ficoll. A expressão gênica das CMSPs foi realizada através do TaqMan® RNA Assay em placas TLDA. Foram pesquisados 41 genes induzidos por IFN (GIIs). Uma análise de componente principal (ACP) foi realizada para determinar quais genes deveriam compor a assinatura de IFN. O teste de z-score foi utilizado para normalizar e calcular a assinatura de IFN para cada paciente. O cutoff da assinatura de IFN foi definido por uma curva ROC, e foi escolhido o ponto que maximizava a sensibilidade e especificidade. Características demográficas, clínicas e laboratoriais foram analisadas buscando por associações com a assinatura de IFN. Resultados: 11 genes estavam superexpressos nos pacientes com SAF em comparação aos controles. Após a análise de ACP foram escolhidos 6 genes que representavam mais de 95% do comportamento da amostra para compor a assinatura de IFN: DNAJA1, IFI27, IFI6, IFIT5, MX1 e TYK2. O cutoff encontrado pela curva ROC foi de 3,9 folds (AUC = 0,706, S = 0,49, E = 0,86, VPP = 0,79, VPN = 0,61). A assinatura de IFN estava presente em 49% dos pacientes com SAF primário vs. 14% dos controles saudáveis e 17% dos controles positivos (p < 0,001). Foi encontrada associação entre a assinatura de IFN e uma ocorrência mais precoce do primeiro evento clínico (p = 0,023), e com ocorrência de eventos obstétricos (em especial pré-eclâmpsia, p = 0,032). Não foi econtrada nenhuma associação entre a assinatura de IFN e número de eventos trombóticos, exames laboratoriais, comorbidades, antecedentes familiares de doenças autoimunes, e escores de risco de retrombose. De todos os tratamentos em uso a única associação encontrada foi entre uma menor assinatura de IFN e o uso de estatinas (p = 0,026). Conclusão: esse estudo indica que pacientes com SAF primária bem caracterizados apresentam uma assinatura de IFN tipo I, não observada em outras trombofilias não imunidade-mediadas ou em controles saudáveis. Também demonstrou-se que essa superexpressão de genes regulados por IFN tipo I está associada a um início mais precoce dos eventos e pré-eclâmpsia. Mais estudos são necessários para determinar se este subgrupo de pacientes se beneficiará de intervenções terapêuticas direcionadas à via de sinalização IFN tipo I / Introduction: primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) is an autoimmune vasculopathy mediated by autoantibodies with thrombosis as its main clinical manifestation. The presence of antiphospholipid antibodies, while relevant to confirm the diagnosis, does not seem to be sufficient to fully explain the pathophysiology and a second trigger is usually needed. Besides the hypotheses of viral infections and inflammatory insult as possible triggers, type I Interferon (IFN) has been pointed as a possible protagonist. Recently, two studies have demonstrated that a relevant percentage of PAPS patients have an up-regulation of IFN genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). However, 20% and 28% of patients in these 2 cohorts, had antidsDNA positive antibodies, a highly specific Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) autoantibody. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of type I IFN signature in PBMC of patients with PAPS without specific SLE autoantibodies and search for it with clinical and laboratorial associations. Methods: 53 PAPS patients (according to Sydney´s criteria) were consecutively selected and age-matched with 50 healthy controls. A third group, with non-immune-mediated thrombophilia patients, was also included. The expression of 41 IFN induced genes was analysed using real time quantitative PCR (TaqMan Low Density Array). A principal component analysis (PCA) was used to determine which genes should compose the IFN signature and z-score was calculated. The IFN signature score cut-off was defined with a ROC curve, as the point that maximized both the specificity and sensitivity. Clinical and laboratorial features were analysed searching for associations with IFN signature. Results: 11 IFN genes were highly expressed in primary APS patients. After PCA, 6 genes remained in the IFN signature: DNAJA1, IFIT5, IFI27, MX1, IFI6, TYK2. The ROC cutoff was 3,9 folds (AUC = 0.706, S = 0.49, E = 0.86, VPP = 0.79, VPN = 0.61). The type I IFN signature was present in 49% of patients with primary APS compared to 14.0% of healthy controls and 17% of non-immune-mediated thrombophilia patients (p < 0.0001). The mean IFN score was significantly higher in PAPS patients (4.0 fold higher, p < 0.0001) than in controls. A higher IFN signature was associated with a younger age at the first APS event (p = 0.023) and with the presence of obstetric events, especially with preeclampsia (p = 0.032). There was no association between IFN signature and number of thrombotic events, laboratory exams, comorbidities, family history of autoimmune diseases, and thrombosis risk scores. Treatment with statins was associated with lower levels of IFN scores (p = 0.026). Conclusion: our result indicates that PAPS patients, without lupus specific antibodies, have an enhanced type I IFN gene signature, not observed in non-immune mediated thrombophilia. We also provide novel data demonstrating that this overexpression of type I IFN-regulated genes is associated with an earlier onset of APS events and preeclampsia. Further studies are necessary to determine if this subgroup of patients will benefit of interventions targeting the type I IFN signalling pathway