Papova viruses are a group of non-enveloped icosahedral viruses which contain a double-stranded circular DNA genome in the supercoiled configuration. There are two subgroups, i.e., the papilloma and the polyoma viruses. The papilloma viruses are generally larger than the polyoma-viruses, having a genome of approximately 5 x 106 daltons compared with 3,3 x 106 daltons, and virions of approximately 55nm diameter as opposed to 41nm. The papilloma viruses generally produce benign epithelial proliferations in the host e.g., the human wart, and attempts to propagate these viruses in cells in culture have been unsuccessful. On the other hand, polyoma viruses can usually be propagated in tissue culture and do not appear to be associated with any widespread pathology in their natural hosts. Although there is no convincing evidence of polyoma viruses causing malignancies in their natural host, nonpermissive cells of other species may be transformed and these viruses therefore have oncogenic potential in particular laboratory animals. Polyoma . viruses infect eukaryotic cells, and investigation thereof should allow further elucidation of eukaryotic gene expression and regulation. Members of the polyoma group which have been extensively studied include polyoma virus itself, which infects mice, simian virus 40, (SV40),which infects rhesus monkey cells, and RKV which infects rabbits. Interest in this polyoma group of viruses has increased ever since 1965 when a new papovavirus strain, JC, was isolated from brain glial cells of a patient with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and was thus the first polyomavirus infection of humans to be discovered. (ZuRhein and Chou, 1965). In 1971, an immunologically distinct polyomavirus, BK, was isolated from the urine of an immunocompromised recipient of a renal allograft (Gardner et al., 1971). Interest in these two viruses in particular has been compounded by their potential oncogenicity in humans, (see section 1.8).

Os papilomavírus humanos (HPVs) oncogênicos são importantes agentes na etiologia do câncer ginecológico e atualmente tem sido relacionados também a algumas lesões cancerizáveis e a alguns tipos de cânceres de boca. Com o objetivo de avaliar a relação entre os HPVs e um tipo de lesão cancerizável de boca que acomete os lábios chamada queilite actínica crônica (QAC), foram avaliados e considerados aptos para a pesquisa 29 pacientes portadores de QAC. A reação em cadeia pela polimerase (PCR) foi utilizada para detectar a presença do HPV em amostras de tecido fresco, provenientes de lábios doentes onde todos os casos apresentaram resultados negativos. A QAC ocorreu em 100% nos indivíduos da raça branca, em 19 homens e 10 mulheres e na idade média de 56,14 anos. Foram avaliados também os aspectos clínicos e histológicos da QAC sendo encontrados 14 casos de atipia epitelial discreta (48,27%), 10 casos de atipia epitelial moderada (34,49%) e 5 casos de atipia epitelial severa (17,24%). Através de análise estatística concluímos que clinicamente a presença de áreas leucoplásicas e o tempo de evolução da lesão superior a 5 anos estão diretamente relacionados aos casos de atipias epiteliais mais graves. O hábito de fumar e de beber parecem contribuir, mas não obtiveram resultados estatisticamente significativos ao aparecimento da QAC. / The oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are important agents in the etiology of gynecological cancer and have been recently related to some premalignant lesions and to some types of mouth cancer. In order to evaluate the relation between HPVs and one type of precancerous lesion that affects the lips called chronic actinic cheilitis (CAC), 29 CAC patients were assessed and considered eligible for the study. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the presence of HPV in fresh tissue samples of affected lips. All results were negative. All CAC patients were Caucasian, 19 males and 10 women, mean age of 56.14 years. The clinical and histological aspects of CAC were also assessed - there were 14 cases of discreet (48.27%), 10 cases of moderate (34.49%) and 5 cases of severe epithelial atypia (17.24%). By statistical analysis we concluded that, clinically, the presence of leukoplastic areas and progression of the lesion for over five years are directly related to more severe epithelial atypia. Smoking and drinking habits seem to contribute to the condition but achieved no statistical significance regarding onset of CAC.

Bacillus subtilis é uma bactéria gram-positiva, não patogênica, formadora de esporos e com um grande conhecimento disponível a cerca de sua genética e fisiologia, comparável apenas à Escherichia coli K12. Recentemente, linhagens geneticamente modificadas de B. subtilis foram utilizadas como veículos vacinais mas, até o momento, não se havia avaliado a indução de respostas imunológicas citotóxicas (linfócitos T CD8+) específicas em camundongos imunizados com esporos ou células vegetativas. No presente trabalho, avaliouse a indução de linfócitos T CD8+ em animais imunizados com linhagens vacinais de B. subtilis. Inicialmente empregou-se como alvo a proteína E7 de vírus papiloma humano tipo 16 (HPV-16) fusionada ou não à proteína gD do vírus herpes simples tipo 1 (HSV-1). Em uma segunda estratégia, empregou-se como alvo a subunidade B da toxina termolábil (LTB) de E. coli enterotoxicogênica (ETEC) co-expressa ou fusionada à proteína GroEL2 de Mycobacterium bovis. As quantidades de E7 e gDE7 expressas pelas linhagens recombinantes de B.subtilis ficaram abaixo do limite de detecção e não foram suficientes para ativação de células T CD8+ específicas. Por outro lado, linhagens de B. subtilis capazes de expressar LTB e GroEL2 promoveram a ativação de linfócitos T CD8+ específicos. De um modo geral, o presente trabalho representa uma contribuição inédita sobre a ativação de respostas imunológicas de base celular em camundongos imunizados com linhagens recombinantes de B. subtilis e os resultados obtidos certamente contribuirão para a geração de veículos vacinais mais efetivos na profilaxia e tratamento de diferentes doenças infecciosas, como infecções virais, ou degenerativas, como o câncer. / Bacillus subtilis is a sporulated, non pathogenic, gram-positive bacterial species with a large amount of information concering its genetics and physiology, comparable only to Escherichia coli K12. Recently, genetically modified B.subtilis strains were successfully employed as vaccine vehicles but there is no information concerning the activation of antigen specific cytotoxic immune responses (T CD8+ lymphocytes) in mice vaccinated with either vegetative cells or spores. In the present report, we evaluated the activation of CD8+ T cell responses in mice immunized with B. subtilis vaccine strains genetically modified in order to express the human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) E7 protein as a target antigen, isolated or genetically fused to the type I herpes simplex vírus (HSV-1) gD protein. In a second approach, we have also tested the B subunit heat labile toxin, produced by enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) strains, coexpressed or genetically fused to the Mycobacterium bovis GroEL2 protein. E7 and gDE7 expression by B.subtilis vaccine strains were bellow the detection limits and did not allow the activation of antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses in vaccinated mice. On the other hand, LTB-specific CD8+ T cell responses were detected in mice immunized with B. subtilis expressing both LTB and GroEL2. Collectively, the present study respresents an important contribution on the activation of cellular immune responses in mice immunized with genetically modified B.subtilis and should direct further analyses aiming the development of more effective vaccine vehicles employed both for preventive and therapeutic treatment of infectious and degenerative diseases, such as virus infections and cancer.

Bacillus subtilis é uma bactéria gram-positiva, não patogênica, formadora de esporos e com um grande conhecimento disponível a cerca de sua genética e fisiologia, comparável apenas à Escherichia coli K12. Recentemente, linhagens geneticamente modificadas de B. subtilis foram utilizadas como veículos vacinais mas, até o momento, não se havia avaliado a indução de respostas imunológicas citotóxicas (linfócitos T CD8+) específicas em camundongos imunizados com esporos ou células vegetativas. No presente trabalho, avaliouse a indução de linfócitos T CD8+ em animais imunizados com linhagens vacinais de B. subtilis. Inicialmente empregou-se como alvo a proteína E7 de vírus papiloma humano tipo 16 (HPV-16) fusionada ou não à proteína gD do vírus herpes simples tipo 1 (HSV-1). Em uma segunda estratégia, empregou-se como alvo a subunidade B da toxina termolábil (LTB) de E. coli enterotoxicogênica (ETEC) co-expressa ou fusionada à proteína GroEL2 de Mycobacterium bovis. As quantidades de E7 e gDE7 expressas pelas linhagens recombinantes de B.subtilis ficaram abaixo do limite de detecção e não foram suficientes para ativação de células T CD8+ específicas. Por outro lado, linhagens de B. subtilis capazes de expressar LTB e GroEL2 promoveram a ativação de linfócitos T CD8+ específicos. De um modo geral, o presente trabalho representa uma contribuição inédita sobre a ativação de respostas imunológicas de base celular em camundongos imunizados com linhagens recombinantes de B. subtilis e os resultados obtidos certamente contribuirão para a geração de veículos vacinais mais efetivos na profilaxia e tratamento de diferentes doenças infecciosas, como infecções virais, ou degenerativas, como o câncer. / Bacillus subtilis is a sporulated, non pathogenic, gram-positive bacterial species with a large amount of information concering its genetics and physiology, comparable only to Escherichia coli K12. Recently, genetically modified B.subtilis strains were successfully employed as vaccine vehicles but there is no information concerning the activation of antigen specific cytotoxic immune responses (T CD8+ lymphocytes) in mice vaccinated with either vegetative cells or spores. In the present report, we evaluated the activation of CD8+ T cell responses in mice immunized with B. subtilis vaccine strains genetically modified in order to express the human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) E7 protein as a target antigen, isolated or genetically fused to the type I herpes simplex vírus (HSV-1) gD protein. In a second approach, we have also tested the B subunit heat labile toxin, produced by enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) strains, coexpressed or genetically fused to the Mycobacterium bovis GroEL2 protein. E7 and gDE7 expression by B.subtilis vaccine strains were bellow the detection limits and did not allow the activation of antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses in vaccinated mice. On the other hand, LTB-specific CD8+ T cell responses were detected in mice immunized with B. subtilis expressing both LTB and GroEL2. Collectively, the present study respresents an important contribution on the activation of cellular immune responses in mice immunized with genetically modified B.subtilis and should direct further analyses aiming the development of more effective vaccine vehicles employed both for preventive and therapeutic treatment of infectious and degenerative diseases, such as virus infections and cancer.

Os papilomavírus humanos (HPVs) oncogênicos são importantes agentes na etiologia do câncer ginecológico e atualmente tem sido relacionados também a algumas lesões cancerizáveis e a alguns tipos de cânceres de boca. Com o objetivo de avaliar a relação entre os HPVs e um tipo de lesão cancerizável de boca que acomete os lábios chamada queilite actínica crônica (QAC), foram avaliados e considerados aptos para a pesquisa 29 pacientes portadores de QAC. A reação em cadeia pela polimerase (PCR) foi utilizada para detectar a presença do HPV em amostras de tecido fresco, provenientes de lábios doentes onde todos os casos apresentaram resultados negativos. A QAC ocorreu em 100% nos indivíduos da raça branca, em 19 homens e 10 mulheres e na idade média de 56,14 anos. Foram avaliados também os aspectos clínicos e histológicos da QAC sendo encontrados 14 casos de atipia epitelial discreta (48,27%), 10 casos de atipia epitelial moderada (34,49%) e 5 casos de atipia epitelial severa (17,24%). Através de análise estatística concluímos que clinicamente a presença de áreas leucoplásicas e o tempo de evolução da lesão superior a 5 anos estão diretamente relacionados aos casos de atipias epiteliais mais graves. O hábito de fumar e de beber parecem contribuir, mas não obtiveram resultados estatisticamente significativos ao aparecimento da QAC. / The oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are important agents in the etiology of gynecological cancer and have been recently related to some premalignant lesions and to some types of mouth cancer. In order to evaluate the relation between HPVs and one type of precancerous lesion that affects the lips called chronic actinic cheilitis (CAC), 29 CAC patients were assessed and considered eligible for the study. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the presence of HPV in fresh tissue samples of affected lips. All results were negative. All CAC patients were Caucasian, 19 males and 10 women, mean age of 56.14 years. The clinical and histological aspects of CAC were also assessed - there were 14 cases of discreet (48.27%), 10 cases of moderate (34.49%) and 5 cases of severe epithelial atypia (17.24%). By statistical analysis we concluded that, clinically, the presence of leukoplastic areas and progression of the lesion for over five years are directly related to more severe epithelial atypia. Smoking and drinking habits seem to contribute to the condition but achieved no statistical significance regarding onset of CAC.

En 2008, le génome d’un nouveau virus a été caractérisé au sein d’un cancer cutané rare survenant préférentiellement chez l’immunodéprimé, le carcinome de Merkel. Ce nouveau virus appartenait à la famille des Polyomaviridae qui comprend des virus dont le caractère cancérigène chez l’animal est avéré depuis plus de 50 ans. Dénommé Polyomavirus de Merkel puisqu’il semblait lié à la survenue du cancer du même nom, il constituait le premier Polyomavirus impliqué de manière consistante dans un cancer humain. Cette implication reposant sur une étude unique limitée à 10 cas, l’objectif de notre travail de thèse était de confirmer le rôle étiologique du Polyomavirus de Merkel dans le carcinome de Merkel.Nous avons montré que le génome du Polyomavirus de Merkel était présent dans les trois quarts des cas de carcinome de Merkel, mais également que le virus infecte la population générale de manière quasi-ubiquitaire et de nombreux tissus en dehors de la peau. Les faits que chez les sujets atteints de carcinome de Merkel, l’ADN viral soit présent à des taux décelables de manière chronique dans différents tissus et que les titres d’anticorps sériques spécifiques du virus soient élevés suggèrent que ces sujets développent une infection chronique active. Celle-ci pourrait faciliter la survenue de mutations et d’intégrations de l’ADN viral qui sont spécifiquement associées aux carcinomes de Merkel. Ces modifications secondaires du génome viral aboutissent à la production d’oncoprotéines virales par les cellules tumorales, mais à l’abolition des capacités réplicatives donc lytiques du virus et constitueraient ainsi le support de la transformation tumorale. / Nucleotidic sequences defining the genome of a new virus, the Merkel Cell Polyomavirus, has been discovered in 2008 in Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare form of cutaneous cancer developing mostly in immunosupressed individuals. Whereas this new virus belongs to the Polyomaviridae family, which includes known oncogenic viruses in animals, it was the first study consistently implicating a Polyomavirus in human cancer. Because scientific arguments were only based on a ten-case-single report, the primary goal of our work was to confirm the role of the Merkel Cell Polyomavirus in Merkel Cell Carcinoma.Our work demonstrated that Merkel Cell Polyomavirus DNA was indeed present in three quarters of Merkel Cell Carcinoma cases, but also that Merkel Cell Polyomavirus was a near ubiquitous virus infecting various tissues among healthy individuals. Nonetheless, viral DNA is chronically detected in various tissues from Merkel Cell Carcinoma cases, which harbour elevated seric titters of specific antibodies. Those facts suggest that Merkel Cell Polyomavirus develop an active and chronic infection that could favour genomic mutation and integration events specifically associated to Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Those modifications, inducing both expression of truncated viral oncoproteins and abolishment of cell lysis mediated by viral replication, may support cell transformation.

O Epstein-Barr vírus (EBV) é a única espécie humana pertencente ao gênero Lymphocryptovirus. A transmissão ocorre através da saliva contaminada e geralmente ainda na infância. Nosso estudo analisou 165 amostras clínicas de pacientes, portadores de HIV, em tratamento com antiretrovirais, atendidos no Sistema Hospitalar do Sistema Penitenciário do Estado de São Paulo. Nosso enfoque foi pesquisar o EBV nas células mononucleares do sangue periférico, através das técnicas de PCR, Nested-PCR e seqüenciamento de nucleotídeos. Os resultados obtidos, indicaram que 11,51% (19) das amostras analisadas, apresentaram-se positivas para o EBV. Essas 19 amostras, foram seqüenciadas com primers específicos para a região da EBNA-1 (Epstein Barr Nuclear Antigen 1). As amostras foram alinhadas com o auxílio do DNASTAR. Ao alinharmos as amostras, encontramos uma troca de base (de G para A) em 7 amostras e essa troca não alterou a conformação da proteína EBNA-1. Na análise filogenética de nossas sequências com as depositadas no GenBank, foi possível observar dois grupos, que representam tipo 1 e o tipo 2 do EBV. 100% das amostras estudadas por nós foram identificadas como pertencentes ao grupo que caracteriza o tipo 2. Sendo assim, as 7 amostras que apresentaram a troca sugerem a origem um novo subtipo. / The Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is the only species to the genus Lymphocriptovirus that infects humans. One of the possible route for its transmission thought by contamined saliva and usually occurs in the childhood. This study analysed 165 clinical samples from HIV infected patients, treated by HARRT, attended in the Hospitalar System in the Penitentiary System from Sao Paulo State. The aim of this study was to search EBV in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by PCR, Nested-PCR and sequencing analysis. The results showed 11,51% of the analysed samples, positive for EBV. This samples, was sequenced with specifics primers from the EBNA-1 (Epstein Barr Nuclear Antigen 1) region. The samples were aligned by DNASTAR program. The aligned sequences showed the base conversion G to A in seven samples. This conversion caused no alteration in the EBNA-1 protein conformation. In the phylogenetic analysis the studied sequences with the sequences from GenBank was possible to observe two groups represented with type 1 and type 2 from EBV. 100% the samples studied was identified with the group characterized by the type 2 to EBV. So the seven samples showed the conversion, suggesting the origin of the one new subtype.

O Epstein-Barr vírus (EBV) é a única espécie humana pertencente ao gênero Lymphocryptovirus. A transmissão ocorre através da saliva contaminada e geralmente ainda na infância. Nosso estudo analisou 165 amostras clínicas de pacientes, portadores de HIV, em tratamento com antiretrovirais, atendidos no Sistema Hospitalar do Sistema Penitenciário do Estado de São Paulo. Nosso enfoque foi pesquisar o EBV nas células mononucleares do sangue periférico, através das técnicas de PCR, Nested-PCR e seqüenciamento de nucleotídeos. Os resultados obtidos, indicaram que 11,51% (19) das amostras analisadas, apresentaram-se positivas para o EBV. Essas 19 amostras, foram seqüenciadas com primers específicos para a região da EBNA-1 (Epstein Barr Nuclear Antigen 1). As amostras foram alinhadas com o auxílio do DNASTAR. Ao alinharmos as amostras, encontramos uma troca de base (de G para A) em 7 amostras e essa troca não alterou a conformação da proteína EBNA-1. Na análise filogenética de nossas sequências com as depositadas no GenBank, foi possível observar dois grupos, que representam tipo 1 e o tipo 2 do EBV. 100% das amostras estudadas por nós foram identificadas como pertencentes ao grupo que caracteriza o tipo 2. Sendo assim, as 7 amostras que apresentaram a troca sugerem a origem um novo subtipo. / The Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is the only species to the genus Lymphocriptovirus that infects humans. One of the possible route for its transmission thought by contamined saliva and usually occurs in the childhood. This study analysed 165 clinical samples from HIV infected patients, treated by HARRT, attended in the Hospitalar System in the Penitentiary System from Sao Paulo State. The aim of this study was to search EBV in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by PCR, Nested-PCR and sequencing analysis. The results showed 11,51% of the analysed samples, positive for EBV. This samples, was sequenced with specifics primers from the EBNA-1 (Epstein Barr Nuclear Antigen 1) region. The samples were aligned by DNASTAR program. The aligned sequences showed the base conversion G to A in seven samples. This conversion caused no alteration in the EBNA-1 protein conformation. In the phylogenetic analysis the studied sequences with the sequences from GenBank was possible to observe two groups represented with type 1 and type 2 from EBV. 100% the samples studied was identified with the group characterized by the type 2 to EBV. So the seven samples showed the conversion, suggesting the origin of the one new subtype.