京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第23804号 / 医博第4850号 / 新制||医||1058(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 井上 治久, 教授 林 康紀, 教授 竹内 理 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Type I interferons (IFN) are a potent antiviral cytokine group that are key regulators of the immune response against virus infection. Not only does this group activate antiviral states within target cells, it can modulate the innate immune response. In the studies presented, we investigate the effects of type I IFN on the innate immune system during a mucosal vaginal virus infection, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), a prominent sexually transmitted infection that causes genital herpes and increases risk of human immunodeficiency virus acquisition. It is well known that type I IFN is critical for natural killer (NK) cell activation. These cells contribute to the antiviral response by suppressing virus replication and aiding in the initiation of the adaptive immune response, particularly through the release of IFN-γ. In the work presented, we demonstrate that type I IFN does not act on NK cells directly for their activation, but instead activates NK cell IFN-γ production by inducing inflammatory monocytes to release IL-18, which in turn, signals NK cells to release IFN-γ during a mucosal HSV-2 infection. Rather, direct action of type I IFN on NK cells serves to negatively regulate their IFN-γ response. We also found that type I IFN was critical for suppressing virus-induced innate immunopathology during HSV-2 infection. Overall, our studies further our understanding of type I IFN and the many roles it plays during virus infection, which has become more relevant as specific therapies altering type I IFN are being used in the clinic. Further, we provide a fundamental understanding of type I IFN and its ability to shape the innate immune response to virus infection by suppressing dysregulated and immunopathological functions while promoting beneficial innate immune responses that can help fight the infection. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Type I interferons (IFN) are a group of proteins that are rapidly produced early during infection and is important for combatting virus infections. We show that type I IFN is not just an antiviral molecule, but can modulate the initial immune response to virus infection. As part of the initial immune response, Natural killer (NK) cells are immune cells that respond rapidly to infection and are a key element in controlling the early stages of infection. We found that type I IFN is critical for activating NK cell function by signaling through an intermediary cell, but can also suppress that same function by directly acting on NK cells. We also found that type I IFN is critical for suppressing a dysregulated immune response that causes severe virus-induced vaginal pathology. Overall, our data suggests that type I IFN is a key antiviral molecule that shapes the immune response to virus infection.

Yes / Interferon lambda (IFNλ) is important for epidermal defence against viruses. It is produced by, and acts on, keratinocytes, whereas fibroblasts were previously considered to be unresponsive to this type III IFN. Herein we report findings revealing cell type-specific differences in IFNλ signalling and function in skin resident cells. In dermal fibroblasts, IFNλ induced the expression of MxA, a potent antiviral factor, but not other IFN signature genes as it does in primary keratinocytes. In contrast to its effect on keratinocytes, IFNλ did not phosphorylate STAT1 in fibroblasts, but instead activated MAPKs. Accordingly, inhibition of MAPK activation (p38 and p42/44) blocked the expression of MxA protein in fibroblasts but not in keratinocytes. Functionally, IFNλ inhibited proliferation in keratinocytes but not in fibroblasts. Moreover, IFNλ upregulated the expression of TGFβ1-induced collagens in fibroblasts. Taken together, our findings identify primary human dermal fibroblasts as responder cells to IFNλ. Our study shows cutaneous cell type-specific IFN signalling and suggests that IFNλ, whilst important for epidermal anti-viral competence, may also have a regulatory role in the dermal compartment balancing type I IFN-induced inhibition of tissue repair processes.

O vírus da hepatite C (HCV) é uma importante causa de doença hepática crônica e de complicações associadas, tais como cirrose e hepatocarcinoma (HCC). Fatores virais e do hospedeiro são conhecidos preditores da terapia antiviral. Fatores do hospedeiro preditores da resposta viral sustentada (RVS) foram descobertos por estudos de associação genômica ampla (GWAS), correspondendo a polimorfismos de nucleotídeo único (SNPs) nos genes IFNL3 e IFNL4 (rs8099917, rs12979860 e rs368234815). O objetivo do presente trabalho foi verificar as frequências genotípicas dos SNPs rs8099917, rs12979860 e rs368234815 e avaliar a associação entre estes SNPs e a evolução clínica e a resposta ao tratamento da infecção pelo HCV tendo em conta a ancestralidade genética da população estudada. Neste estudo, foi observada a associação dos três polimorfismos tanto com o desfecho clínico quanto com a resposta ao tratamento com interferon peguilado (PEG-IFN) e ribavirina (RBV). Os polimorfismos rs12979860 e rs368234815 foram associados com aumento da sensibilidade (respectivamente 97,7%, IC 95% 87,2-100, e 93,3%, IC 95% 81,3-98,3) e com um maior valor preditivo de uma resposta positiva ao tratamento. Na análise multivariada ajustada por sexo, idade e ancestralidade genética, o haplótipo G/T/?G foi relacionado com a não-resposta ao tratamento (OR = 21,09, IC 95% 5,33-83,51; p < 0,001) e com uma chance maior de desenvolver infecção crônica (OR = 5,46, IC 95% 2,06-14,46; p=0,001), quando comparado com haplótipo T/C/TT. Estes resultados podem ajudar a ajustar políticas de tratamento para a infecção por HCV em populações com tais características genéticas, assim como nos permitem conhecer o perfil genético da nossa população em relação a esses polimorfismos / Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease and associated complications such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Viral and host factors are known to be predictors for anti-viral therapy. Host factors predictors of sustained viral response (SVR) were discovered by Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS), including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near or on genes IFNL3 and IFNL4 (rs8099917, rs12979860 and rs368234815). The aim of the present work was verify the genotype frequencies of SNPs rs8099917, rs12979860 and rs368234815, and evaluate the association between these SNPs and HCV infection outcome taking into account the genetic ancestry of the population. In this study, there was an association of the three polymorphisms with both clinical outcome and response to treatment with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV). The polymorphisms rs12979860 and rs368234815 showed increased sensitivity (97.7%, 95% CI 87.2-100, and 93.3%, 95% CI 81.3-98.3 respectively) and greater predictive value of a positive response to treatment. In multivariable analysis adjusted by gender, age and genetic ancestry, the haplotype G/T/?G was related to non-response to treatment (OR = 21.09, 95% CI 5.33-83.51; p < 0.001) and to a higher chance to develop chronic infection (OR = 5.46, 95% CI 2.06-14.46; p=0.001) when compared to haplotype T/C/TT. These findings may help to adjust our treatment policies for HCV infection in populations with such genetic characteristics, as well as allowing us to get to know the genetic profile of our population for these polymorphisms

INTRODUÇÃO: Aproximadamente 170 milhões de pessoas são portadores de hepatite C crônica, sendo esta atualmente a principal causa de transplantes hepáticos no mundo. Os pacientes com hepatite crônica C são atualmente tratados com interferon e ribavirina (IFN/RBV). Estudos de associação do genoma associaram à resposta ao tratamento com IFN/RBV a um polimorfismo de nucleotídeo único (SNP) nas proximidades do gene da Interleucina 28B, que codifica a interferona-?. OBJETIVOS: Padronizar nova metodologia de baixo custo e menor tempo de execução para a genotipagem do polimorfismo rs12979860. Investigar a frequência do polimorfismo rs12979860, em uma coorte de pacientes com hepatite crônica C e sua associação com a resposta ao tratamento no Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: A genotipagem foi realizada, por novo método diagnóstico, PCR multiplex CTPP (confronto de dois pares de iniciadores) e validado através de sequenciamento direto e PCR em tempo real. Um estudo retrospectivo foi realizado em 248 portadores de hepatite C crônica, tratados com interferon e ribavirina; 138 portadores de hepatite C crônica, virgens de tratamento e 240 doadores de sangue. Foi analisado o DNA, dados clínicos e demográficos, juntamente com dados sobre a resposta ao tratamento. RESULTADOS: O método de PCR CTPP foi padronizado e mostrou-se mais rápido e de menor custo comparado ao sequenciamento e PCR em tempo real. Pacientes com resposta virológica sustentada (RVS) apresentaram uma frequência de 33/61 (54,1%) para o genótipo C/C, de 21/61 (34,4%) para o genótipo C/T e 7/61 (11,5%) para o genótipo T/T. Pacientes que não tiveram RVS (Não RVS) apresentam uma frequência de 44/185 (23,8%) para o genótipo C/C, de 102/185 (55,1%) para o genótipo C/T e de 39/185 (21,1%) para o genótipo T/T. Os Não RVS estão associados ao genótipo C/T (p=0,002) e ao genótipo T/T (p=0,001) quanto comparados com o grupo de RVS. CONCLUSÕES: Esta dissertação descreve um método inovador, rápido e de baixo custo, o PCR CTPP, que detecta o polimorfismo rs12979860. O ensaio é internamente controlado e não requer a utilização de endonucleases de restrição ou equipamento especial. O polimorfismo rs12979860 é um preditor significativo da resposta ao tratamento com IFN/RBV em pacientes com infecção crônica pelo vírus da hepatite C. A genotipagem deste, em conjunto com os indicadores já existentes, pode identificar prováveis não respondedores ao tratamento / INTRODUCTION: Approximately 170 million people are chronic carriers of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Chronic HCV patients are currently treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin (PEG- IFN/RBV). A genome-wide association with PEG-IFN/RBV treatment response and a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs12979860) has been identified near the interleukin 28B gene that encodes interferon-?-3. AIM: Describe an innovative, fast, and low-cost multiplex polymerase chain reaction with confronting two-pair primers that detects the rs12979860 polymorphism. Investigate the frequency of polymorphism rs12979860, among patients with chronic hepatitis C and association with to response treatment at the Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade de São Paulo. METHODS: Genotyping was performed by new diagnostic method, multiplex PCR CTPP (confronting two-pairprimers) and validated by direct sequencing and real time PCR. Retrospective study was conductedin 248 patients with hepatitis C chronic treated with interferon and ribavirin, 138 patients with chronic hepatitis C treatment-naïve and 240 blood donors. We analyzed DNA, clinical and demographic data, along with data onthe response to treatment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The CTPP method was standardized and proved faster and lower cost compared to sequencing andreal time PCR. Patients with sustained virologic response (SVR) showed a frequency of 33/61 (54.1%) for the genotype C/C of 21/61 (34.4%) for the genotype C/T and 7/61 (11.5%) for genotype T/T. Patients with out sustained virologic response (Non SVR) have a frequency of 44/185 (23.8%) for the genotype C/C,102/185 (55.1%) for the genotype C/T and 39/185 (21.1%) for genotype T/T.The Non SVR are associated with genotype C/T (p = 0.002) and T/T genotype (p= 0.001) as compared with the group of SVR. Today, the IL28B genotyping is recomended by in the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the European Association for the Study of the Liver guidelines. As a result, physicians should consider testing IL28B in patients with hepatitis C; however, the implementation of routine genotyping has been halted in tertiary care hospitals because of the need for molecular biology tools that are expensive and highly complex. The CTPP multiplex assay described here detects in a single reaction the genotypes C/C, C/T, and T/T. This method allows rapid genotyping of the polymorphism rs12979860, which is reproducible in minimally equipped laboratories; it does not require any special equipment and is a relatively low-cost procedure. The PCR-CTPP method can be used for large testing arrays and is also suitable for genotyping a small number of samples

INTRODUÇÃO: Aproximadamente 170 milhões de pessoas são portadores de hepatite C crônica, sendo esta atualmente a principal causa de transplantes hepáticos no mundo. Os pacientes com hepatite crônica C são atualmente tratados com interferon e ribavirina (IFN/RBV). Estudos de associação do genoma associaram à resposta ao tratamento com IFN/RBV a um polimorfismo de nucleotídeo único (SNP) nas proximidades do gene da Interleucina 28B, que codifica a interferona-?. OBJETIVOS: Padronizar nova metodologia de baixo custo e menor tempo de execução para a genotipagem do polimorfismo rs12979860. Investigar a frequência do polimorfismo rs12979860, em uma coorte de pacientes com hepatite crônica C e sua associação com a resposta ao tratamento no Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: A genotipagem foi realizada, por novo método diagnóstico, PCR multiplex CTPP (confronto de dois pares de iniciadores) e validado através de sequenciamento direto e PCR em tempo real. Um estudo retrospectivo foi realizado em 248 portadores de hepatite C crônica, tratados com interferon e ribavirina; 138 portadores de hepatite C crônica, virgens de tratamento e 240 doadores de sangue. Foi analisado o DNA, dados clínicos e demográficos, juntamente com dados sobre a resposta ao tratamento. RESULTADOS: O método de PCR CTPP foi padronizado e mostrou-se mais rápido e de menor custo comparado ao sequenciamento e PCR em tempo real. Pacientes com resposta virológica sustentada (RVS) apresentaram uma frequência de 33/61 (54,1%) para o genótipo C/C, de 21/61 (34,4%) para o genótipo C/T e 7/61 (11,5%) para o genótipo T/T. Pacientes que não tiveram RVS (Não RVS) apresentam uma frequência de 44/185 (23,8%) para o genótipo C/C, de 102/185 (55,1%) para o genótipo C/T e de 39/185 (21,1%) para o genótipo T/T. Os Não RVS estão associados ao genótipo C/T (p=0,002) e ao genótipo T/T (p=0,001) quanto comparados com o grupo de RVS. CONCLUSÕES: Esta dissertação descreve um método inovador, rápido e de baixo custo, o PCR CTPP, que detecta o polimorfismo rs12979860. O ensaio é internamente controlado e não requer a utilização de endonucleases de restrição ou equipamento especial. O polimorfismo rs12979860 é um preditor significativo da resposta ao tratamento com IFN/RBV em pacientes com infecção crônica pelo vírus da hepatite C. A genotipagem deste, em conjunto com os indicadores já existentes, pode identificar prováveis não respondedores ao tratamento / INTRODUCTION: Approximately 170 million people are chronic carriers of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Chronic HCV patients are currently treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin (PEG- IFN/RBV). A genome-wide association with PEG-IFN/RBV treatment response and a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs12979860) has been identified near the interleukin 28B gene that encodes interferon-?-3. AIM: Describe an innovative, fast, and low-cost multiplex polymerase chain reaction with confronting two-pair primers that detects the rs12979860 polymorphism. Investigate the frequency of polymorphism rs12979860, among patients with chronic hepatitis C and association with to response treatment at the Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade de São Paulo. METHODS: Genotyping was performed by new diagnostic method, multiplex PCR CTPP (confronting two-pairprimers) and validated by direct sequencing and real time PCR. Retrospective study was conductedin 248 patients with hepatitis C chronic treated with interferon and ribavirin, 138 patients with chronic hepatitis C treatment-naïve and 240 blood donors. We analyzed DNA, clinical and demographic data, along with data onthe response to treatment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The CTPP method was standardized and proved faster and lower cost compared to sequencing andreal time PCR. Patients with sustained virologic response (SVR) showed a frequency of 33/61 (54.1%) for the genotype C/C of 21/61 (34.4%) for the genotype C/T and 7/61 (11.5%) for genotype T/T. Patients with out sustained virologic response (Non SVR) have a frequency of 44/185 (23.8%) for the genotype C/C,102/185 (55.1%) for the genotype C/T and 39/185 (21.1%) for genotype T/T.The Non SVR are associated with genotype C/T (p = 0.002) and T/T genotype (p= 0.001) as compared with the group of SVR. Today, the IL28B genotyping is recomended by in the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the European Association for the Study of the Liver guidelines. As a result, physicians should consider testing IL28B in patients with hepatitis C; however, the implementation of routine genotyping has been halted in tertiary care hospitals because of the need for molecular biology tools that are expensive and highly complex. The CTPP multiplex assay described here detects in a single reaction the genotypes C/C, C/T, and T/T. This method allows rapid genotyping of the polymorphism rs12979860, which is reproducible in minimally equipped laboratories; it does not require any special equipment and is a relatively low-cost procedure. The PCR-CTPP method can be used for large testing arrays and is also suitable for genotyping a small number of samples

O vírus da hepatite C (HCV) é uma importante causa de doença hepática crônica e de complicações associadas, tais como cirrose e hepatocarcinoma (HCC). Fatores virais e do hospedeiro são conhecidos preditores da terapia antiviral. Fatores do hospedeiro preditores da resposta viral sustentada (RVS) foram descobertos por estudos de associação genômica ampla (GWAS), correspondendo a polimorfismos de nucleotídeo único (SNPs) nos genes IFNL3 e IFNL4 (rs8099917, rs12979860 e rs368234815). O objetivo do presente trabalho foi verificar as frequências genotípicas dos SNPs rs8099917, rs12979860 e rs368234815 e avaliar a associação entre estes SNPs e a evolução clínica e a resposta ao tratamento da infecção pelo HCV tendo em conta a ancestralidade genética da população estudada. Neste estudo, foi observada a associação dos três polimorfismos tanto com o desfecho clínico quanto com a resposta ao tratamento com interferon peguilado (PEG-IFN) e ribavirina (RBV). Os polimorfismos rs12979860 e rs368234815 foram associados com aumento da sensibilidade (respectivamente 97,7%, IC 95% 87,2-100, e 93,3%, IC 95% 81,3-98,3) e com um maior valor preditivo de uma resposta positiva ao tratamento. Na análise multivariada ajustada por sexo, idade e ancestralidade genética, o haplótipo G/T/?G foi relacionado com a não-resposta ao tratamento (OR = 21,09, IC 95% 5,33-83,51; p < 0,001) e com uma chance maior de desenvolver infecção crônica (OR = 5,46, IC 95% 2,06-14,46; p=0,001), quando comparado com haplótipo T/C/TT. Estes resultados podem ajudar a ajustar políticas de tratamento para a infecção por HCV em populações com tais características genéticas, assim como nos permitem conhecer o perfil genético da nossa população em relação a esses polimorfismos / Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease and associated complications such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Viral and host factors are known to be predictors for anti-viral therapy. Host factors predictors of sustained viral response (SVR) were discovered by Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS), including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near or on genes IFNL3 and IFNL4 (rs8099917, rs12979860 and rs368234815). The aim of the present work was verify the genotype frequencies of SNPs rs8099917, rs12979860 and rs368234815, and evaluate the association between these SNPs and HCV infection outcome taking into account the genetic ancestry of the population. In this study, there was an association of the three polymorphisms with both clinical outcome and response to treatment with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV). The polymorphisms rs12979860 and rs368234815 showed increased sensitivity (97.7%, 95% CI 87.2-100, and 93.3%, 95% CI 81.3-98.3 respectively) and greater predictive value of a positive response to treatment. In multivariable analysis adjusted by gender, age and genetic ancestry, the haplotype G/T/?G was related to non-response to treatment (OR = 21.09, 95% CI 5.33-83.51; p < 0.001) and to a higher chance to develop chronic infection (OR = 5.46, 95% CI 2.06-14.46; p=0.001) when compared to haplotype T/C/TT. These findings may help to adjust our treatment policies for HCV infection in populations with such genetic characteristics, as well as allowing us to get to know the genetic profile of our population for these polymorphisms

L’activation des lymphocytes T nécessite un double signal. Le premier est antigénique et permet la reconnaissance d’un peptide spécifique présenté à la surface de cellules présentatrices d’antigène (APC). Le second signal est co-stimulateur et implique l’interaction avec des molécules activatrices exprimées par les APC et la présence de cytokines proinflammatoires. Les cellules dendritiques (DC) sont les uniques APC capables de délivrer ce double signal et d'activer les lymphocytes T naïfs, initiant ainsi les réponses immunes primaires. L’immaturité du système immunitaire du nouveau-né est responsable d’une plus grande susceptibilité aux maladies infectieuses ainsi qu’une faible réponse vaccinale. Des déficiences tant au niveau de l’immunité innée que de l’immunité acquise participe à une faible défense face aux agressions. A la naissance, les DC expriment des niveaux faibles de molécules co stimulatrices et présentent un défaut majeur de synthèse d'IL 12, cytokine cruciale pour l’établissement de réponses de type Th1. Le but de ce travail est d’évaluer la capacité des DC du nouveau-né humain à activer les lymphocytes T CD8+. Dans une première approche, nous avons utilisé un modèle unique d’induction de réponse primaire in vitro qui permet d'étudier l'activation de lymphocytes T CD8+ spécifiques de l’antigène Melan-A, une protéine du soi exprimée par les mélanocytes. Ces lymphocytes existent à des fréquences particulièrement élevées chez les individus sains HLA-A2 et présentent les caractéristiques de lymphocytes T naïfs. Dans ce modèle, nous avons d’abord analysé les capacités immunostimulatrices de différentes populations de DC différenciées in vitro. Nous avons observé que les DC différenciées par la culture de monocytes purifiés en présence d'IL-3 et d’IFN-beta sont capables d’initier une réponse fonctionnelle des lymphocytes T CD8+, analogue à celle induite par les DC différenciées en présence de GM-CSF et d’IL-4. Ce même modèle nous a permis de démontrer que, en dépit de leur défaut de production d’IL 12, les DC du nouveau-né sont capables d'induire efficacement une réponse lymphocytaire T CD8+ cytotoxique. Afin dévaluer la relevance in vivo de nos observations, nous avons étudié le phénotype et la fonction des DC circulantes chez des nouveau-nés infectés par le cytomégalovirus (CMV). L’infection par le CMV au cours de la vie fœtale représente une situation clinique où le nouveau-né développe une réponse mature et fonctionnelle des lymphocytes T CD8+, alors que celle des lymphocytes T CD4+ est déficiente. Ces expériences ont montré que le phénotype, la fonction et la réponse à différents stimuli des APC présentes en périphérie ne sont pas affectés par l’infection congénitale par le CMV. Ces résultats suggèrent que l’observation des DC circulantes des nouveau-nés infectés par le CMV ne permet pas d’analyser l’influence du virus sur la fonction des DC néonatales. Dans ce but, nous avons reproduit un modèle d’infection in vitro de DC par une souche primaire du CMV. L’utilisation de micropuces à ADN nous a permis de comparer l’expression de gènes différentiellement induits par l’infection des DC d’adultes et de nouveau-nés. Nous avons ainsi révélé une proportion importante de gènes différentiellement induits, parmi lesquels celui de l’IFN-beta. Nous avons confirmé ce défaut au niveau protéique et mis en évidence une production d’IL 12 déficiente en réponse à l’infection par CMV. L’ensemble de nos résultats indique que malgré leur immaturité, les DC du nouveau-né sont capables, dans certaines circonstances, d’induire une réponse lymphocytaire T CD8+ cytotoxique. Cependant, le défaut de production de certaines cytokines co-stimulatrices pourrait être impliqué dans la faible réponse des lymphocytes T CD4+ à l’infection par CMV. Ces observations ont d’importantes implications pour la compréhension de l’induction de réponses cytotoxiques au cours d’infections virales et pour l’élaboration de stratégies vaccinales en début de vie.

Submitted by Setor de Tratamento da Informa??o - BC/PUCRS (tede2@pucrs.br) on 2016-10-10T17:44:44Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TES_MARCELO_COMERLATO_SCOTTA_PARCIAL.pdf: 764551 bytes, checksum: c0c80d3ce62b46010267cea06e3e262c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-10T17:44:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TES_MARCELO_COMERLATO_SCOTTA_PARCIAL.pdf: 764551 bytes, checksum: c0c80d3ce62b46010267cea06e3e262c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-08-29 / Funda??o de Amparo ? Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul - FAPERGS / Background/Aim: According to experimental data, interferon type I has a key role in innate immune response against influenza infection. Studies on humans are still scarce and the characterization of interferon response in children may help to identify patients at risk. Our aim is to compare respiratory levels of interferon-? and influenza disease severity in pediatric patients. Methods: Children aged less than five years of age with influenza-like illness seeking pediatric care within the first 72 hours of disease onset were prospectively included. Clinical and demographic data and respiratory secretions through nasal wash were obtained. Influenza infection was confirmed with Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction and respiratory levels of interferon-? were measured by ELISA. Enrolled individuals were followed until the end of disease. Patients whose influenza infection was excluded were used as control group. Results: Twenty four patients with confirmed influenza infection were included, five of them requiring hospitalization. Subtypes A(H3N2) and B were confirmed in ten and fourteen patients, respectively. Seventy-six patients without influenza, 39 of them hospitalized, were included as controls. Age younger than 6 months was significantly more frequent in individuals from both hospitalized groups compared to outpatients (59% vs 23.2%, p<0.01). All other clinical and demographical data were similar among groups. Median levels of interferon-? were significantly higher in outpatients with influenza than both inpatients with influenza and patient without influenza, hospitalized or not (p<0.001). Median in pg/ml (interquartile amplitude) were 263.2 (58.3-634), 0 (0-49), 0 (0-2.6) and 0 (0-19.4) in four groups above, respectively. Conclusion: Lower levels of interferon-? in patients with more severe influenza reinforce experimental evidence about its protective role in influenza infection severity. / Introdu??o/objetivo: Interferon tipo I exerce um papel central na resposta imune inata contra a infec??o por influenza de acordo com dados experimentais. Evid?ncias em humanos ainda s?o incipientes e a caracteriza??o da resposta do interferon pode auxiliar na estratifica??o de risco. Nosso objetivo ? comparar os n?veis de interferon-? em secre??es respirat?rias entre pacientes hospitalizados e ambulatoriais com infec??o por influenza confirmada laboratorialmente. M?todos: Foram inclu?dos prospectivamente pacientes com idade inferior a cinco anos com s?ndrome gripal atendidos no hospital com menos de 72 horas do in?cio do quadro cl?nico. Dados cl?nicos e demogr?ficos, al?m de secre??es respirat?rias atrav?s de lavado nasal foram coletados. A infec??o por influenza foi confirmada por Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction. N?veis respirat?rios de interferon-? foram aferidos por ELISA. Os pacientes inclu?dos, inclusive os n?o hospitalizados, foram seguidos at? o final do quadro cl?nico. Pacientes com infec??o por influenza descartada foram utilizados como grupo controle. Resultados: Vinte e quatro pacientes com infec??o por influenza confirmada foram inclu?dos, cinco destes hospitalizados. Os subtipos A(H3N2) e B foram confirmados em dez e quatorze pacientes, respectivamente. Setenta e seis pacientes sem influenza, 39 desses hospitalizados, foram utilizados como controles. A idade inferior a seis meses foi significativamente mais frequente nos pacientes hospitalizados, com ou sem influenza (59% vs 23.2%, p<0.01). Todas as outras vari?veis cl?nicas e demogr?ficas foram semelhantes entre os grupos. Os n?veis de interferon-? foram significativamente maiores em crian?as com influenza n?o hospitalizadas em compara??o com crian?as hospitalizadas com influenza e com os controles hospitalizados e n?o hospitalizados (p<0.001). A mediana em pg/ml (amplitude interquartil) foi 263.2 (58.3-634), 0 (0-49), 0 (0-2.6) e 0 (0-19.4) nos quatro grupos acima, respectivamente. Conclus?o: Os n?veis mais baixos de interferon-? nos pacientes com quadros mais graves de influenza refor?am evid?ncias experimentais sobre o papel protetor do interferon na infec??o por esse v?rus.

EHV-1 is a double-stranded DNA virus whereas EAV is a positive sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Therefore, genetically, they are very different from one another. However, both these viruses are endotheliotropic and thus, infect and replicates in equine endothelial cells resulting in vasculitis. Vasculitis is central to the pathogenesis of these two viruses. Thus, the main objective of this thesis was to investigate the inflammatory and innate immune responses of EECs that contribute towards the development of vasculitis following infection with EHV-1 and EAV in-vitro. Since proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines produced by endothelial cells play a significant role in the development of vasculitis, we investigated their gene expression as well as secretion. Results from this study showed that the proinflammatory response of EECs induced by EAV is relatively less when compared with the corresponding results from EHV-1 infected EECs. Furthermore, EAV elicits a lower type I interferon response in EECs when compared with EHV-1. Further investigations revealed an active role played by TLR 3 in inducing the proinflammatory response in EHV-1 infected EECs during the first 6 hours of infection but not in EAV infected EECs. Analyzing the whole transcriptome of EHV-1 and EAV infected EECs revealed a complex pattern of gene regulation and cellular pathways related to cellular immune, inflammatory and apoptotic responses. Finally, we investigated host genetic factors associated with EHV-1 induced myeloencephalopathy but found no evidence for a recessive allele influencing the development of EHM following EHV-1 infection for any genetic locus was identified. However, more complex host-pathogen interactions are possible.