O objetivo foi avaliar a atividade funcional dos polimorfonucleares (PMN) do sangue de bezerros neonatos \"in vitro\" - metabolismo oxidativo induzida por: S. aureus, E. coli e PMA e fagocitose para S. aureus e E. coli, em citômetro de fluxo. Quinze animais avaliados nos tempos: t0 (antes da ingestão de colostro/leite); t1(até 48 hs. p.n); t2 (48 - 96 hs. p.n.); t3 (96 - 144 hs. p.n.); t4 (144-192 hs. p.n.); t5 (192-240 hs.p.n.) receberam quatro litros (grupo 1 - G1), dois litros de colostro ( grupo 2 - G2) e somente leite (grupo 3 - G3). O metabolismo oxidativo basal não diferiu em nenhum dos grupos e idades. Entre os grupos este foi menor em G1 do que em G3 (t3). Induzido pela S. aureus foi maior entre t1 e t3 (grupo 1), entre t2 e t3 (grupo 2) e sem diferenças (grupo 3). Entre os grupos G1 foi maior que G3 (t1). Induzido pela E.coli foi maior entre t1 e t3 (grupo 1), maior em t2 (grupo 2) e sem diferenças (grupo 3). Entre os grupos G1 foi maior que G2 e G3 (t1). O PMA estimulou a explosão respiratória em G1, G2 e G3 entre t0 e t5. Entre os grupos G1 foi menor para do que G2 e G3. A comparação entre metabolismo basal e induzido para G1 foi maior para PMA e S. aureus entre t0 e t5 e para E. coli entre t1 e t5; para G2 foi maior para o PMA entre t0 e t5, para S. aureus entre t0 e t3 e para a E. coli entre t2 e t4; para G3 foi maior para o PMA e S.aureus entre t0 e t5 e para a E. coli entre t3 e t5. A fagocitose induzida pela S. aureus foi maior nos tempos t1, t2 e t4 (grupo1) e o percentual de fagocitose foi maior após t0; para o grupo 2, foi maior em t2 e t3 e o percentual foi maior após t0; para o grupo 3, não diferiram entre os tempos. Entre os grupos G1 foi maior que G2 e G3 (t4) e o percentual foi maior para G1 e G2 (t3) do que G3 e maior para G1 do que G2 (t5). A fagocitose induzida pela E. coli e o percentual de fagocitose não diferiram em nenhum grupo. Entre os grupos G1 foi maior do que G3 (t0) e o percentual foi maior para G1 do que G2 (t2). Conclusão: o colostro não interferiu no metabolismo oxidativo basal e estimulado pelo PMA, a S. aureus estimulou o metabolismo oxidativo e a fagocitose antes e após a ingestão de colostro. A E. coli não induziu o metabolismo oxidativo (G3) e não foi eficiente para estimular a fagocitose. Não ficou esclarecida a influência da idade sobre a atividade dos PMNs. O fornecimento de quatro litros de colostro melhora resposta funcional dos PMNs para as bactérias. / The aim of this study was to evaluate \"in vitro\" functional activities of neonatal calves blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) - respiratory burst and phagocytosis induced by S.aureus, E.coli and PMA, measured by flow cytometry. Fifteen calves were tested at times: t0 (before milk/colostrum ingestion); t1 (until 48 hours post partum); t2 (48-96 hrs p.p.); t3 (96 - 144 hrs. p.p.); t4 (144-192 hrs. p.p.); t5 (192-240 hrs. p.p.) and the groups intakes were 4 liters of colostrum (group 1), 2 liters of colostrum (group 2) and only milk (group 3). The basal respiratory burst did not differ among groups but it was lower in G1 than G3 (t3). The burst induced by S.aureus was higher between t1 and t3 (G1) and t2 and t3 (G2) and showed no difference (G3). The G1 values were higher than G3 (t1). E.coli induced higher values between t1 and t3 (G1), higher on t2 (G2) and showed no difference (G3). Among groups G1 was higher than G2 and G3 (t1). The PMA induced the respiratory burst in G1, G2 and G3 between t0 and t5. Among groups G1 was lower in G2 than G3. The induced basal metabolism was compared and G1 was higher to PMA and S.aureus between t0 and t5 and to E.coli between t1 and t5. The G2 showed higher values to PMA between t0 and t5, to S.aureus between t0 and t3 and E.coli between t2 and t4. The G3 showed higher values in PMA and S.aureus between t0 and t5 and E.coli between t3 and t5. The S.aureus induced phagocytosis was higher on t1, t2 and t4 (G1) and the phagocystosis percentage was higher after t0. G2 groups showed higher values on t2 and t3 and higher percentage after t0. G3 had no difference on times. G1 showed higher values than G2 and G3 (t4) and G1 and G2 (t3) had higher percentage than G3 with G1 higher than G2 (t5). The E.coli induced phagocytosis and its percentage did not differ among groups. G1 was higher than G3 (t0) and G1 showed higher phagocytosis percentage than G2 (t2). Conclusion: the colostrum did not affect either, the basal respiratory burst and the one stimulated by PMA. S. aureus stimulated the respiratory burst and phagocytosis before and after the colostrum intake. E.coli did not induce the respiratory burst (G3) and did not stimulate the phagocytosis. The age influence in PMNs activity was not totally clarified. The intake of 4 litters of colostrum increases the PMNs activity against the species of bacteria studied.

A leptospirose está entre as principais zoonoses causadoras de morbidade e morte em humanos. Neste tipo de infecção, a resposta imune inata e humoral são essenciais para o seu controle. Nós avaliamos a importância de C3 na fagocitose Leptospira interrogans sorovar Kennewicki estirpe Pomona Fromm por macrófagos obtidos de camundongos selvagens e deficientes da proteína C3 do Sistema Complemento. Nossos resultados demonstram que as leptospiras são refratárias à ação dos macrófagos e que a internalização dessas bactérias, só pôde ser melhorada após adição de soro, como fonte de C3b e iC3b. Além disso, nós também investigamos a participação de C3 na produção de anticorpos. Para tanto, nós imunizamos camundongos selvagens e deficientes em C3 com a bactéria. Os camundongos deficientes em C3 produziram baixos níveis de anticorpos em comparação com os camundongos selvagens. É importante destacar que a produção de anticorpos envolve a participação do fragmento C3d(g), reconhecido como importante adjuvante na imunidade humoral. / Leptospirosis is amongst the main bacterial zoonosis that cause morbidity and death in human beings. In this type of infection, the innate and humoral immune response is essential for its control. We evaluated the importance of C3 in the phagocytosis of Leptospira interrogans serovar Kennewicki strain Pomona Fromm by macrophages obtained from wild and deficient mice of the Complement System C3 protein. Our results demonstrate that leptospires are refractory to the action of macrophages and that the internalization of these bacteria could only be improved after addition of serum as the source of C3b and iC3b. In addition, we also investigated the role of C3 in the production of antibodies. To do so, we immunized wild and C3 deficient mice with the bacterium. C3 deficient mice produced low levels of antibodies compared to wild mice. It is important to note that the production of antibodies involves the participation of the fragment C3d (g), recognized as an important adjuvant in humoral immunity.

Os teleósteos submetidos a estresse ocorre aumento dos níveis de glicocorticoides, desencadeando uma reorganização metabólica, que resulta na imunossupressão dos animais, deixando-os mais suscetível a potenciais patógenos. Os antibióticos são comumente utilizados no controle das enfermidades bacterianas, porém, o uso indiscriminado pode provocar a seleção de cepas resistentes. Uma alternativa é a prevenção, através do uso de aditivos dietários imunoestimulantes. Os flavonoides e o ácido ascórbico (AA) são conhecidos por suas atividades anti-inflamatória, antioxidante e antiestresse. Assim, o estudo em questão visou avaliar a sua influência no desempenho; no intestino e nos parâmetros de imunidade inata de trutas arco-íris, em condições ideais e após aplicação de glicocorticoide exógeno (dexametasona). Foram realizados dois experimentos: 1 - grupos controle (GC) e o aditivo (GA), tratados por noventa dias; 2 - grupos controle (GC), aditivo (GA), dexametasona (GD) e aditivo + dexametasona (GAD), por trinta dias. No primeiro experimento o aditivo proporcionou o aumento da altura do epitélio no início do intestino, além da diminuição da densidade de células de muco nos cecos pilóricos, e o aumento no início do intestino. No segundo experimento, o aditivo causou a diminuição da altura do epitélio nos cecos pilóricos e início do intestino. O glicocorticoide exógeno causou perda de peso dos animais e a diminuição da altura do epitélio em todas as porções intestinais. Ainda, resultados positivos foram vistos em relação ao numero de leucócitos, do GAD, assim o aditivo foi diferencial e pareceu compensar as ações do glicocorticoide. Os resultados indicam que o uso de ácido ascórbico e flavonoides apresenta vantagens em situações de estresse. / Teleosts subjected to stress show increase in glucocorticoids levels, this triggers a metabolic reorganization, resulting in the animal immunosuppression, this let animals susceptible to potential pathogens. The antibiotics are commonly used to control bacterial diseases, but their indiscriminate use can lead to selection of resistant pathogenic strains. A viable alternative is to work on prevention, through the use of immunostimulant dietary additives. Flavonoids and ascorbic acid (AA) are known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-stress activity. For this reason, the present study aimed to evaluate their influence in the growth performance; the gut; the innate immunity parameters of rainbow trouts in ideal conditions and after an exogenous glucocorticoid application (dexamethasone). For this, two experiments were performed: 1- groups control (GC) and the additive (GA) for ninety days. 2 - with four groups control (GC), additive (GA), dexamethasone (GD) and additive + dexamethasone (GAD) lasting thirty ninety days. In the first experiment, the additive increased epithelial height at the initial intestine, in addition to decreased mucus cell density of the pyloric caeca, and the increase in the initial intestine. In the second experiment, the additive decreased epithelial height in pyloric caeca and initial intestine. The exogenous glucocorticoid caused animal weight loss, and epithelial height decrease in all intestinal portions. Positive results was observed on GAD leukocytes number, so the additive was differential and seemed to compensate the glucocorticoids actions. The results indicate that the use of ascorbic acid and flavonoids has advantages in stress situations.

Lors d’une infection, les polynucléaires neutrophiles phagocytent l’agent pathogène et le détruisent grâce à la production de formes réactives de l’oxygène (FRO) par la NADPH oxydase. Cette enzyme est constituée de sous-unités membranaires (Nox2, p22phox) et cytosoliques (p67phox, p47phox,p40phox, Rac) qui s’assemblent soit à la membrane plasmique, lors de l’activation des cellules par un stimulus soluble comme le fMLF, soit à la membrane du phagosome, lors de la phagocytose de particules. La régulation de la NADPH oxydase implique divers facteurs comme la signalisation calcique et les lipides, notamment les phospholipides anioniques. En effet, il a été montré que l’activation et la translocation de la petite protéine G Rac peuvent être dépendantes du calcium. D’autre part les sous unités Rac et p47phox peuvent interagir avec les phospholipides anioniques tels que la phosphatidylsérine,grâce à des interactions stéréosélectives et/ou électrostatiques.L’objectif de ce travail est donc d’évaluer le rôle du calcium et de la phosphatidylsérine dans le recrutement de p47phox et/ou Rac lors de l’assemblage de NADPH oxydase. Pour suivre la dynamique des deux protéines, nous avons exprimé ces sous-unités marquées avec des protéines fluorescentes dans des lignées phagocytaires mimant les neutrophiles (HL-60 et PLB-985). Nous avons ainsi pu suivre, par vidéomicroscopie, le déplacement des sous-unités marquées lors d’une stimulation par fMLF ou PMA etdurant la phagocytose de particules opsonisées. Après stimulation par fMLF, Rac1 transloque du cytosol à la membrane plasmique, alors que le mutant constitutivement actif de Rac1 est constamment localisé àla membrane plasmique, indépendamment de la stimulation par fMLF. De plus après stimulation parPMA, le mutant constitutivement actif de Rac2 transloque à la membrane plasmique, suggérant que sa translocation pourrait être possible en absence d’un influx de calcium extracellulaire. Lors de la phagocytose, en masquant la phosphatidylsérine avec le domaine C2 discoïdine de la lactadhérine qui lie spécifiquement ce phospholipide, nous avons pu montrer que la phosphatidylsérine régule la production initiale des FRO en favorisant le recrutement de p47phox et de Rac2 au phagosome. De plus, ces deux sous-unités se détachent du phagosome alors que la production intraphagosomale de FRO continue,suggérant que leur départ n’est pas un signal de terminaison pour l’activité oxydase. Plus précisément,p47phox et Rac2 sont recrutées de manière transitoire, pendant seulement 1 à 3 minutes après la fermeture du phagosome. Ceci est en accord avec le modèle qui propose que p47phox servirait principalement à transporter p67phox au phagosome, et que les deux sous-unités p47phox et Rac2 faciliteraient le positionnement de p67phox dans le complexe membranaire. / During phagocytosis, neutrophils internalize pathogens in a phagosome and kill them through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the NADPH oxidase enzyme. The cytosolic NADPHoxidase subunits (p67phox p47phox, p40phox, Rac2) and the membranous subunits (Nox2, p22phox) assemble either at the plasma membrane after stimulation with soluble agonist, or at the phagosomal membrane during particle phagocytosis. The regulation of this enzyme involves several actors like calciumsignalling and anionic phospholipids. Actually Rac activation and translocation was found to be calciumdependent and, on the other hand, p47phox and Rac can interact with anionic phospholipids such asphosphatidylserine through stereoselective and/or electrostatic interactions.Therefore we wanted to investigate the role of calcium and phosphatidylserine in p47phox and Rac membrane recruitment. To study this dynamic, we expressed the subunits tagged with a fluorescent protein in neutrophil-like cells (HL-60 and PLB-985), and followed them by videomicroscopy duringfMLF or PMA stimulation or during phagocytosis of opsonised particles. After fMLF stimulation, Rac1translocated from the cytosol to the plasma membrane whereas constitutively active form of Rac1 was permanently located at the plasma membrane, independently of fMLF stimulation. In addition, afterPMA treatment, constitutively active form of Rac2 translocated to the plasma membrane, suggesting that its translocation could occur without extracellular calcium entry. By using the specific phosphatidylserine binding discoïdine C2 domain of lactadherin, we could mask this phospholipid and found that phosphatidylserine is involved in NADPH oxidase activity by participating in the phagosomal recruitment of p47phox and Rac2. In addition we show that these two subunits detached from the phagosome while ROS production continued for a longer period, suggesting that their dissociation from the complex is not a termination signal for oxidase activity. More precisely, p47phox and Rac2 were briefly recruited to the phagosomal membrane, for 1 to 3 minutes after the phagosome closure. These results support the model in which p47phox serves as a carrier for p67phox and both p47phox and Rac2 are adapters that correctly position p67phox in the complex.

O Ácido Indol Acético (AIA) é um hormônio, denominado auxina e há uma correlação direta entre o efeito citotóxico do AIA e da atividade da peroxidase nas células animais. Os Neutrófilos apresentam uma alta atividade de peroxidase e o AIA gera uma mudança ultra-estrutural e morte destas células em cultura. Entretanto, estudos in vivo mostram que a administração de AIA em baixas doses não promove um efeito prooxidante em neutrófilos e esta suplementação aumenta o englobamento de partículas de Zymosan por estas células. No presente estudo foram avaliados os efeitos da administração do AIA na capacidade fagocitária e na integridade celular de neutrófilos de ratos, observando os seguintes parâmetros: i) capacidade fagocitária – englobamento e morte de Staphylococcus aureus; ii) integridade celular – integridade da membrana plasmática, fragmentação de DNA e potencial transmembrana mitocondrial e iii) atividade de mieloperoxidase. O tratamento aplicado com AIA não apresentou alteração significante na capacidade de englobamento e morte de S. aureus pelos neutrófilos quando aos controles. A integridade celular e atividade de mieloperoxidase nos neutrófilos não foram alteradas pela suplementação com AIA comparadas aos controles. A administração de AIA em baixas doses não mostrou efeito na morte de S. aureus pelos neutrófilos o mesmo também não alterou a integridade celular e a atividade da mieloperoxidase destas células. / Indole acetic acid is (IAA) a hormone termed auxins and there is a direct correlation between the cytotoxic effect of IAA and the peroxidase activity of the animal cells. Neutrophils present a higher peroxidase activity and the IAA leads to marked ultra structural changes and death on these cells in culture. However studies in vivo show that IAA administration at low doses does not promoting a prooxidant effect on neutrophil and this supplementation to increase of the engulfment of Zymosan particles by these cells. In present study were evaluated the effect of IAA administration in the phagocytic capacity and cellular integrity on rat’s neutrophils from the following parameters: i) phagocytic capacity – engulfment and killing of the Staphylococcus aureus; ii) cellular integrity – plasma membrane integrity, DNA fragmentation and mitochondrial transmembrane potential and iii) myeloperoxidase activity. The IAA treatment imposed did not show another significant alteration in the S. aureus engulfment and killing capacity by neutrophils to compare with controls. The cellular integrity and myeloperoxidase activity in the neutrophils did not have alteration by IAA supplementation to compare with the controls. In conclusion the IAA administration at low doses did not show effective action in S. aureus killing by neutrophils and the same time as did not alter the cellular integrity and myeloperoxidase activity by this cell.

As influências etárias do sistema imune de bezerros são descritas na primeira fase de vida desses animais e a hipótese de também ocorrerem ariações nos principais mecanismos de resposta inata do pulmão pode identificar períodos de maior suscetibilidade às principais doenças respiratórias que acometem os bezerros nesse período. Com a finalidade de minimizar os prejuízos econômicos associados às doenças respiratórias em bezerros, este estudo objetivou avaliar a dinâmica imunológica inata do sistema respiratório de bezerros sadios nos três primeiros meses de vida, no qual nove bezerros sadios foram acompanhados por três meses e submetidos a oito avaliações imunológicas. O material recuperado do lavado broncoalveolar colhido por broncoscopia foi submetido à avaliação funcional dos macrófagos alveolares utilizando as provas de fagocitose (SaPI e E.coli), burst oxidativo, quantificação de imunoglobulinas e expressão de CD14. Os dados foram avaliados pelo teste ANOVA oneway (unstacked) (paramétricos) e pelo teste Mann-Whitney (não paramétricos). Verificaramse alterações funcionais de fagócitos CD14+, que apesar de se manterem constantes em seus valores relativos durante todo o período, apresentou intensidade de fagocitose elevada pontual na terceira semana de vida e um aumento da fagocitose por mononucleares CD14+ aos 45 dias de idade com diminuição da intensidade da fagocitose por essas mesmas células a partir dessa idade. Conclui-se que a partir de 45 dias de vida os animais começam a montar uma resposta imune própria, porém pontual e que até os 90 dias não atingem a estabilidade necessária para atestar a conclusão do processo de maturação da resposta inata local. / The influences of age in calves\' immune system are described in their first phase of life. The hypothesis that variations occur in the main mechanisms of lung innate response can help to identify periods of greater susceptibility to the respiratory diseases that affect calves in the first stage of their life. With the purpose of minimizing the economic losses associated with respiratory disease in calves, this study aimed to evaluate the innate immune dynamics of the respiratory system of healthy calves in the first three months of life. Nine healthy calves were monitored for three months and eight immunologic evaluations were performed. Bronchoalveolar lavage samples were recovered by bronchoscopy. Then, the alveolar macrophages in samples were identified by protein expression of CD14 and undergone functional evaluation of phagocytosis (SAPI and E.coli) and oxidative burst. Immunoglobulin were also quantified in samples. Data was assessed by one-way ANOVA (unstacked) (parametric) and the Mann-Whitney test nonparametric). Functional alterations in phagocytes CD14 + were observed, and although their relative values were kept throughout the period, higher intensity of phagocytosis in the third week and increased phagocytosis by macrophages CD14 + at 45 days of life was observed. Decreased intensity of phagocytosis was observed after this age. It is concluded that from 45 days of life on, calves began to maintain their immune response, but until 90 days of life they did not achieve the stability to conclude the maturation of local innate response.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), one of the major pathogens of mankind, kills approximately 2 million people each year. Mtb induces inflammation at the site of infection, leading to leakage of serum proteins, which in turn, are likely to come in contact with the pathogen, thus modulate the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. We studied some of these proteins such as surfactant protein D (SP-D), complement protein C1q and fibronectin, which are either produced locally or they leak-out from serum during inflammation, for their interaction with M.smegmatis and BCG. These non-pathogenic mycobacteria were used as model for Mtb. In this study, the recombinant form of truncated human surfactant protein D (rhSP-D) and three globular heads of human C1q (ghA, ghB, and ghC) were expressed in E.coli. The interaction of each of these proteins with mycobacteria and human monocytic cell line THP-1, was examined via ELISA. We demonstrated that rhSP-D, C1q, three globular heads of C1q and fibronectin bind with both mycobacteria and THP-1 cells. Moreover, using rhSP-D and globular heads of C1q, the binding of SP-D and C1q was localised to C-terminal globular regions. The direct effect for each of these proteins on mycobacterial growth, their effect on the uptake and intracellular fate of mycobacteria inside THP-1 cells were also investigated. Direct interaction of rhSP-D and C1q inhibited mycobacterial growth, whereas fibronectin interaction with the mycobacteria increased their growth. RhSP-D inhibited the uptake and growth of mycobacteria inside THP-1 cells, whereas C1q and each individual globular heads of C1q enhanced the uptake of mycobacteria by THP-1 cells. However, C1q protein inhibited BCG growth but enhanced M.smegmatis growth inside these cells and the later activity was localised to ghA. Fibronectin increased the uptake and growth of mycobacteria inside THP-1 cells. Examining the gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines produced by THP-1 cells infected with the proteins treated and untreated mycobacteria, along with cytokine neutralization experiments, suggest that the nitric oxide components and cytokines could be responsible for mycobacterial growth control inside THP-1 cells. These novel and interesting functions of SP-D, C1q, and fibronectin on mycobacteria provide an insight into the modulatory function of these proteins on Mtb infection, and, therefore, in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis.

Dehidroepiandrosterona (DHEA) é um hormônio esteroide secretado pelas glândulas adrenais, gônadas e cérebro, que juntamente com sua forma sulfatada (DHEAS) constituem os esteroides mais abundantes da circulação. É um importante precursor para hormônios sexuais e exerce funções diretas sob diversos sistemas do corpo, dentre eles, o sistema imune. A relação entre sistema endócrino e imune já é bem estabelecida, tendo hormônios a capacidade de modular a resposta imune e vice-versa. Dentre os componentes da resposta imune, estão os neutrófilos, importantes células da imunidade inata que reconhecem e eliminam patógenos através de diversos mecanismos efetores como fagocitose, produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs), desgranulação, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Já é descrito que o avanço da idade é acompanhado pela redução dos níveis plasmáticos de DHEA, assim como a redução da atividade efetora de neutrófilo, podendo estes dois mecanismos estarem relacionados com estado de senescência e aumento da suscetibilidade de idosos à infecções. Porém, poucos estudos existem mostrando relação entre DHEA e neutrófilos. Desta forma, o objetivo do nosso trabalho, foi avaliar a influência do hormônio DHEA nas diversas funções efetoras de neutrófilos. Para tanto, neutrófilos humanos isolados do sangue periférico foram submetidos a um pré-tratamento com DHEA e infectado com Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium ou estimulados com LPS. Observamos que o tratamento prévio dos neutrófilos com 0,01 ?M de DHEA é capaz aumentar a fagocitose da S. Typhimurium, assim como aumento da atividade microbicida destas células. Para investigar o mecanismo pelos quais a capacidade microbicida foi aumentada, avaliamos a produção de EROs e formação de NETs. Curiosamente o hormônio não influenciou em nenhum destes processos. Então, por fim, avaliamos o perfil de produção de citocinas in vitro produzidas pelos neutrófilos tratados com DHEA e infectados com S. Typhimurium ou estimulados com LPS (lipopolissacarídeo). Nosso estudo mostrou que os neutrófilos infectados ou estimulados reduzem a produção de quimiocinas como IL-8, MIP-1? e MIP-1?, quando comparados aos neutrófilos sem tratamento. Em adição, neutrófilos tratados com esteroide e estimulados com LPS tiveram a produção de TNF-? reduzida, a produção da IL-4 foi aumentada nos neutrófilos tratados com DHEA e infectados e a relação entre IFN-?/IL-4 foi reduzida. Nossos dados mostram que o DHEA pode estar contribuindo para o controle da infecção por S. Typhimurium, principalmente através da fagocitose e killing intracelular. Apesar dos dados de citocinas mostrarem que o DHEA está direcionando a resposta de neutrófilos para um caráter menos inflamatório, acreditamos que este possa ser um mecanismo protetor ao organismo, a fim de evitar uma resposta inflamatória exacerbada que poderia causar lesões teciduais. Concluímos então, que o DHEA é um importante esteroide com atividades imunorreguladoras que podem estar contribuindo para o controle da infecção por S. Typhimurium, porém mais estudos são necessários para o entendimento dos mecanismos utilizados por este esteroide para modular a resposta de neutrófilos, células tão importantes ao organismo humano. / Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal glands, gonads and brain, which along with its sulfated form (DHEAS) are the most abundant circulating steroid. It is an important precursor to sex hormones and exerts direct roles in several body systems, including the immune system. The relationship between the endocrine and immune system is already well established, with the hormone modulating the immune response and vice versa. Among the components of the immune response, neutrophils are important innate immunity cells that recognize and eliminate pathogens through various effector mechanisms such as phagocytosis, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), degranulation, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). It is reported that advanced age is accompanied by the reduction of plasma levels of DHEA as well as the reduction of the effector activity of neutrophils, these two mechanisms may be related to the state of senescence and increase in susceptibility of the elderly to infections. However, few studies exist showing the relationship between DHEA and neutrophils activity. Thus, the aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of the hormone DHEA in the several effector functions of neutrophils. To that end, human neutrophils isolated from peripheral blood were subjected to a treatment with DHEA and infected with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium or stimulated with LPS (lipopolysaccharide). We observed that the treatment of neutrophils with 0.01 ?M of DHEA can increase phagocytic rates of S. Typhimurium, as well as increase the microbicidal activity of these cells. To investigate the mechanism by which the microbicidal capacity has been increased, we evaluated the production of ROS and formation of NETs. Interestingly the hormone did not influence in any of these processes. Then, we finally evaluated in the cytokine production profile produced by neutrophils treated in vitro with DHEA and infected with S. Typhimurium or stimulated with LPS. Our study showed that pré-treated and infected neutrophils or LPS-stimulated cells reduced the production of chemokines such as IL-8, MIP-1? and MIP-1? compared to untreated neutrophils. In addition, when steroid treated neutrophils were stimulated with LPS, a reduced TNF-? production was observed and the levels of IL-4 was increased in treated neutrophils with DHEA and infected with S. Typhimurium. The ratio of IFN-? / IL-4 was reduced. Our data show that DHEA may be contributing to the control of infection by S. Typhimurium, mainly by phagocytosis and intracellular killing. Although cytokines data show that DHEA is directing the neutrophil response to a less inflammatory response, and we believe that this may be a protective mechanism of the organism in order to avoid an exacerbated inflammatory response that could cause tissue damage to the body. We conclude then, that DHEA is a steroid with important immunoregulatory activities that may be contributing to the control of infection by S. typhimurium, but more studies are needed to understand the mechanisms used by this steroid to modulate neutrophil response, cells so important to the human body.

Le récepteur MerTK est impliqué dans la phagocytose des segments externes des photorécepteurs (SEP) par l'épithélium pigmentaire rétinien (EPR), fonction cruciale pour la survie des photorécepteurs et la vision. Dans la rétine, ces deux tissus sont en contact permanent et la phagocytose ne survient qu'une fois par jour, cette fonction nécessite donc d'être contrôlée précisément. Le pic de phagocytose est lié à l'activation intracellulaire de MerTK via l'intégrine αvβ5. Ce projet a eu pour but d'étudier les mécanismes extracellulaires régulant la fonction de MerTK au cours de cette phagocytose.Nous avons montré que MerTK est clivé à la surface des cellules d'EPR in vivo avant et après le pic de phagocytose. Ceci permettrait d'éviter une phagocytose trop prononcée des SEP.Nous avons démontré le rôle opposé des ligands de MerTK, spécifique à l'EPR. Gas6 semble inhibiteur, il stimule le clivage de MerTK et inhibe la phagocytose in vitro, et son expression in vivo est faible au moment du pic de phagocytose. Au contraire, Protéine S, dont l'expression augmente in vivo au moment du pic, inhibe le clivage de MerTK et stimule la phagocytose in vitro, et pourrait ainsi potentialiser cette fonction.Parmi les protéases étudiées, l'inhibition d'ADAM17 in vitro engendre une diminution du clivage de MerTK corrélée à une augmentation de sa biodisponibilité à la surface cellulaire et de son activité. Cependant, cet effet n'étant pas total, l'implication d'une autre protéase n'est pas exclue.Ainsi, mes travaux de Doctorat permettent de mieux comprendre la régulation complexe de l'activité de MerTK dans la phagocytose rétinienne, essentielle pour le rythme circadien de cette fonction. / The MerTK receptor is involved in the daily phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments (POS) by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), an indispensable process for photoreceptors survival and vision. In the retina, the contact between POS and RPE is permanent, and POS phagocytosis occurs once a day, requiring a precise control of this function. The phagocytic peak is initiated by activation of MerTK via the αvβ5 integrin receptor. This project aimed at studying extracellular mechanisms that control MerTK function during POS phagocytosis. We have shown that MerTK can be cleaved from the RPE cell surface in vivo before and just after the phagocytic peak. This process might avoid an excess of POS phagocytosis. We have also shown the opposite role of MerTK ligands, specific to RPE cells. Gas6 appears to act as an inhibitor as it stimulates MerTK cleavage and inhibits POS phagocytosis in vitro. Moreover, in vivo, Gas6 expression is weak at peak phagocytosis time. In contrast, Protein S, which in vivo expression increases at the time of the phagocytic peak, inhibits MerTK cleavage and stimulates POS phagocytosis in vitro, and thus might potentiate phagocytosis. Among the protease candidates we studied, in vitro inhibition of ADAM17 results in decreased MerTK cleavage associated with the increase of full-length receptors available at cell surface and of MerTK activation. However, as cleavage still occurs in these conditions, we cannot exclude the implication of another protease. Taken together, my PhD data allows us to better understand the complex regulation of MerTK activity during retinal phagocytosis, which is essential for the circadian rhythm of this function.

FundaÃÃo de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Cearà / Os acidentes ofÃdicos de serpentes representam um sÃrio problema de SaÃde PÃblica nos paÃses tropicais, tanto pela freqÃÃncia com que ocorrem e/ou pela morbi-mortalidade que ocasionam. As serpentes do gÃnero Crotalus estÃo representadas no Brasil pela espÃcie Crotalus durissus, a qual se divide em seis subespÃcies. Nosso trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos dos venenos das serpentes Crotalus durissus cascavella originadas do estado do Cearà (Cdcc) e MaranhÃo (Cdcm); Crotalus durissus collilineatus (Cdcol); Crotalus durissus ruruima (Cdru) e suas fraÃÃes, Crotoxina (CTXru) e Fosfolipase A2 (PLA2ru), nos processos biolÃgicos de espraiamento celular, fagocitose, atividade fungicida e alteraÃÃes hematolÃgicas. Camundongos Swiss, machos, foram inoculados por via intraperitonial com os venenos descritos acima, nas doses de 120, 50, 27, 20 (venenos) e 10Âg/Kg (fraÃÃes), respectivamente. Duas horas apÃs inoculaÃÃo foram coletadas amostras de sangue do plexo orbital e o exsudato peritonial. A anÃlise estatÃstica utilizada foi o teste t de Student com significÃncia de 95%. Os animais tratados foram comparados com o grupo controle (inoculados com salina 0,9%). Cdcm e a CTXru causaram as maiores alteraÃÃes no eritrograma. 37,5% dos eritrÃcitos apresentaram morfologia macrocÃtica e microcÃtica; 25,5% hipocrÃmia; 25% com anisocitose e presenÃa de policromasia. Foram observados 16,8% de corpÃsculos de Howell Jolly. A contagem global de leucÃcitos foi reduzida significantemente apÃs administraÃÃo do Cdcc (82,9%), Cdcm (70,1%) e Cdru (83,8%). A celularidade foi alterada depois da inoculaÃÃo de Cdcc, Cdru e CTXru, em todos os tipos de cÃlulas. A contagem global de cÃlulas do peritÃnio aumentou apÃs inoculaÃÃo de Cdcc, Cdcol, Cdru e a CTXru. Em adiÃÃo, o macrÃfago foi à cÃlula predominante na contagem diferencial de cÃlulas peritoniais, contudo, somente a Cdcol apresentou significÃncia estatÃstica para macrÃfago (62,3%). Foi encontrada reduÃÃo significativa do espraiamento celular depois da administraÃÃo de todos os venenos variando de 52,7 a 65,7%. A fagocitose foi estatisticamente reduzida pela Cdcc nos perÃodos de 30, 60, 90 e 120 minutos. Cdru reduziu a fagocitose apenas em 30, 60 e 120 minutos, Cdcm em 30 e 90 minutos e CTXru nos tempos de 60 e 120 minutos. A Cdcol, e a CTXru mostraram significÃncia na atividade fungicida contra C. albicans nos perÃodos de 30, 60, 90 e 120 minutos, mas a Cdcc mostrou resultado similar em 60, 90 e 120 minutos. Conclui-se que o veneno interfere diferentemente na resposta hematolÃgica e funcional. Em adiÃÃo pode-se postular que os macrÃfagos foram responsÃveis por estas alteraÃÃes. Estudos futuros deverÃo ser realizados na perspectiva da identificaÃÃo de provÃvel aÃÃo fungicida de venenos ofÃdicos e suas fraÃÃes / Venomous snake accidents represent a serious public health problem in tropical countries, as much as for their frequency of occurrence and/or morbidity and mortality that they caused. In Brazil, the genus Crotalus comprise only one species, termed Crotalus durissus, which is divided into six subspecies. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects promoted by venoms of Crotalus durissus cascavella, originated from the States of Cearà (Cdcc) and MaranhÃo (Cdcm); C. durissus collilineatus (Cdcol); C. durissus ruruima (Cdru) and its isolated components, such as crotoxin (CTXru) and phospholipase A2 (PLA2ru), in the biological processes of cellular spreading, phagocytosis, hematological alterations and antifungal activity. Male Swiss mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with the venom doses of 120, 50, 27, 20, 10 and 10 Âg/Kg, respectively to the snakes described above. After two hours of inoculation blood samples and exudate were collected from orbital plex and peritoneum, respectively. Statistical evaluation was performed using Student-T test with significance level set at 95%. We compared the treated animals with a control group, where animals were inoculated with saline 0.9%. Cdcm and CTXru caused the most severe alterations in the erythrogram. We noticed that 37.5% of the erythrocytes showed macrocytic and microcytic morphology; 25.5% were hipocromic; 25% showed anisocytosis and the presence of polycromasia. We also found Howell Jolly bodies in 16.8% of the examined erythocytes. The total counting of leukocytes was reduced statistically after administration of Cdcc (82.9%), Cdcm (70.1%) and Cdru (83.8%). Cellularity was altered after the inoculation of Cdcc, Cdru and CTXru for all evaluated cells. We noticed a statistic increase of peritoneum total cells caused by Cdcc, Cdcol, Cdru and CTXru. In addition, macrophage was the most predominant cell after peritoneum differential cell counting. However, only Cdcol showed a statistic increase of macrophages (62.3%). We found significant reduction of cellular spreading after administration of all venoms ranging from 52.7 to 65.7%. Phagocytosis was statistically reduced by Cdcc in the periods of 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes. However, Cdru reduced phagocytosis only at 30, 60 and 90 minutes, Cdcm decreased phagocytosis at 30 and 90 minutes and CTXru in the periods of 60 and 120 minutes. Cdcol and CTXru showed significant fungicide activity against C. albicans in the periods of 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes, but Cdcc showed similar results at 60, 90 and 120 minutes. We conclude that distinct venoms interfered differently in the intensity of each functional and hematological response. In addition, we postulate that macrophages maybe partially responsible for these alterations. Further studies should be evaluated for the use of venoms as fungicides