Many proteins cannot fold into their native state without the assistance of one or more molecular chaperones. Chaperonins are an essential class of chaperones that provide an isolated chamber for proteins to fold. CCT, a group II chaperonin found in eukaryotes assists in the folding of actins, tubulins, and many other cellular proteins. PhLP1 is a member of the phosducin protein family that assists CCT in the folding of Gβ and its subsequent assembly with Gγ. However, previous studies have not addressed the scope of PhLP1 and CCT-mediated Gβγ; assembly. The data presented in Chapter 2 shows that PhLP1 plays a vital role in the assembly of all Gγ subunits that form dimers with Gβ2 and the assembly of Gγ2 with Gβ1-4, without affecting the specificity of the Gβγ interactions. These findings suggest that PhLP1 has a general role for the assembly of all Gβγ combinations. Although the role of PhLP1 as a co-chaperone for Gβγ assembly has been established, other possible functions for PhLP1 either as a co-chaperone or otherwise are yet to be investigated. A known tumor suppressor protein, PDCD5, was found to interact with PhLP1 in a co-immunoprecipitation proteomics screen. The data presented in Chapter 3 show that PDCD5 binds PhLP1 indirectly through a ternary complex with CCT. Our results signify that the apoptotic function of PDCD5 is cytosolic, is phosphorylation dependent, and most likely involves CCT. Moreover, structural analysis suggests that over-expressed PDCD5 blocks β-actin from entering the CCT folding cavity, suggesting a co-chaperone role for PDCD5 in inhibiting or enhancing folding of yet-to-be determined CCT substrates. Compared to PhLP1, the functions of other members of the phosducin family, PhLP2A, PhLP2B, and PhLP3, are poorly understood. They have no role in G-protein signaling, but appear to assist CCT in the folding of actin, tubulin and proteins involved in cell cycle progression. Chapter 4 investigates the possibility of PhLP2 and/or PhLP3 acting as co-chaperones in the folding and assembly of actins and tubulins. In addition, another mediator of cellular signaling, 14-3-3ε, was found to interact with PhLP2A in a phosphorylation dependent manner and relieve the inhibition of β-actin folding caused by PhLP2A over-expression.

A fundamental question in biology is how proteins, which are synthesized by the ribosome as a linear sequence of amino acids, fold into their native functional state. Many proteins require the assistance of molecular chaperones to maneuver through the folding process to protect them from aggregation and to help them reach their native state in the very concentrated protein environment of the cell. This study focuses on the roles of Phosducin-like Protein 1 (PhLP1) and Programmed Cell Death Protein 5 (PDCD5) as molecular co-chaperones of the Cytosolic Chaperonin Complex (CCT).Signaling in retinal photoreceptors is mediated by canonical G protein pathways. Previous in vitro studies have demonstrated that Gβ subunits rely on CCT and its co-chaperone PhLP1 to fold and assemble into Gβγ and RGS-Gβ5 heterodimers. The importance of PhLP1 in the assembly process was first demonstrated in vivo in a retinal rod photoreceptor-specific deletion of PhLP1. To test whether this mechanism applied to other cell types, we prepared a second mouse line that specifically disrupts the PhLP1 gene in cone photoreceptor cells and measured the effects on G-protein expression and cone visual signal transduction. In PhLP1 depleted cones, Gt2 and RGS9-Gβ5 levels were dramatically reduced, resulting a 60-fold decrease in cone sensitivity and a 50-fold increase in cone photoresponse recovery time. These results demonstrate a common mechanism of Gβγ and RGS9-Gβ5 assembly in rods and cones, underlining the significance of PhLP1/CCT-mediated folding in G protein signaling.PDCD5 has been proposed to act as a pro-apoptotic factor and tumor suppressor. However, the mechanisms underlying its apoptotic function are largely unknown. A proteomics search for PhLP1 binding partners revealed a robust interaction between PDCD5 and CCT. PDCD5 formed a complex with CCT and β-tubulin, a key CCT folding substrate, and specifically inhibited β-tubulin folding. Cryo-electron microscopy studies of the PDCD5-CCT complex suggested a possible mechanism of inhibition of β-tubulin folding. PDCD5 binds the apical domain of the CCTβ subunit, projecting above the folding cavity without entering it. Like PDCD5, β-tubulin also interacts with the CCTβ apical domain, but a second site is found at the sensor loop deep within the folding cavity. These orientations of PDCD5 and β-tubulin suggest that PDCD5 sterically interferes with β-tubulin binding to the CCTβ apical domain and inhibits β-tubulin folding. Given the importance of tubulins in cell division and proliferation, PDCD5 might exert its apoptotic function at least in part through inhibition of β-tubulin folding.

No description available.

Das 20S Proteasom ist das Kernelement des Ubiquitin-Proteasom-Systems und baut fehlerhafte, nicht mehr benötigte und oxidierte Proteine ab, wobei drei katalytisch aktive Untereinheiten die Polypeptidkette schneiden. Das proinflammatorische Cytokin IFNg induziert die Expression und Inkorporation der alternativen katalytisch aktiven Immunountereinheiten, was in variablen Isoformen des 20S Proteasoms resultiert. Die zusätzliche Assoziation des 19S Regulators, bzw. des PA28 und des PA200 Aktivators an eine Isoform erweitert das Sortiment an proteasomalen Komplexsubtypen. Der zeitliche Verlauf einer IFNg Stimulation zeigte, dass die Aktivatoren PA28 und PA200 antagonistisch an das 20S Proteasom assoziieren und niedermolekulare Komplexsubtypen bilden, sodass in dieser Studie auch zum ersten Mal eine IFNg abhängige Assoziation des PA200 Monomers an das 20S Proteasom detektiert wurde. Ex vivo Versuche zeigten, dass die Defizienz der Immunountereinheit LMP7 mit der Assoziation des PA28-Aktivators an das 20S-19S Proteasom kompensiert wird, wobei die funktionelle Wirksamkeit aber offen bleibt. In einer monozytären Zelllinie wird ein sehr hochmolekularer, chymotryptisch aktiver Komplex assembliert und massenspektrometrische Analysen detektierten proteasomale Untereinheiten und viele Komponenten der Proteinbiosynthese, was für eine Assoziation des Proteasoms mit dem Polysom spricht. Diese Möglichkeit der kotranslationalen Degradation kann auch die Assoziation des detektieren Chaperonins TriC erklären, wobei dieser Komplex, der ATP abhängig Proteine faltet, möglicherweise auch direkt mit dem Proteasom interagieren könnte, wie elektronenmikroskopische Aufnahmen belegten. Neben den neuen strukturellen Ergebnissen, bestätigte die funktionelle Analyse den Abbau polyubiquitinierter Substrate durch 19S-Regulator assoziierte Komplexsubtypen, doch das 19S-20S-19S Proteasom konnte das Modellsubstrat HA-Ubi-IkBa-flag besser abbauen und deubiquitinieren als das 20S-19S Proteasom. / The 20S proteasome is the core element of the ubiquitin-proteasome-system, which degrades defective, unneeded and oxidized proteins, while three catalytically active subunits hydrolyze the peptide bonds of the polypeptide. The proinflammatory cytokine IFNg induces the expression and incorporation of three alternative, catalytically active immunosubunits resulting in variable isoforms of the 20S proteasome. The additional association of the 19S regulator, or the PA28 and PA200 activator, respectively, expands the range of proteasome complex subtypes. The time course of IFNg stimulation showed that the proteasomal association of PA28 and PA200 occurs antagonistically, forming low molecular weight complex subtypes. Furthermore, this study revealed for the first time an IFNg dependent association of the PA200 monomer to the 20S proteasome. Ex vivo experiments showed that the deficiency of the immunosubunit LMP7 is compensated by the association of the PA28 activator to the 20S-19S proteasome, whereas the functional efficacy remains elusive. In a monocytic cell line, a chymotryptic active complex with a very high molecular weight was detected, and mass spectrometry confirmed proteasomal subunits and components of the protein synthesis machinery, suggesting an association of the proteasome with the polysome. The fact of cotranslational degradation may also explain the association of the chaperonin TriC, an ATP dependent protein folding chaperonin. Electron micrographs could reveal that TriC possibly interacts directly with the proteasome. Next to the new structural results, the functional analysis confirmed the degradation of polyubiquitinated substrates by 19S regulator associated complex subtypes, and in addition to it, the 19S-20S-19S proteasome degraded and deubiquitinated the model substrate HA-Ubi-IkBa-flag better than the 20S-19S proteasome.

A resposta imune dirigida a autoantígenos pode contribuir para a patogênese das doenças autoimunes. Porém, também é discutido o papel imunorregulador da autoimunidade em processos inflamatórios e na rejeição do aloenxerto. Nós pesquisamos os autoanticorpos IgG e IgM reativos a peptídeos da miosina cardíaca (MC) e da proteína de choque térmico 60 (Hsp60) no soro de indivíduos sadios (IS, n=30; 3 momentos com intervalos de 6 meses) e indivíduos transplantados cardíacos (Tx, n=65, > 2 amostras/indivíduo, de diferentes períodos Tx: pré-Tx, T1: < 1 ano, T2: 1 a 5 anos e T3: >5 anos), por ensaio imunoenzimático (ELISA). Todos os sujeitos do estudo tiveram anticorpos IgG ou IgM que reconheceram pelo menos um dos peptídeos avaliados. Os anticorpos IgG de indivíduos Tx reconheceram mais peptídeos do que dos IS, para a MC (12,2 ± 8,5, intervalo: 132 peptídeos versus 5,2 ± 3,0, intervalo: 0-14; p<0,0001), e para a Hsp60 (6,0 ± 4,4, intervalo: 0-18 versus 3,9 ± 3,0, intervalo: 0-12; p=0,0208). A frequência de indivíduos positivos para os anticorpos IgG foi maior no grupo Tx do que nos sadio (p<0,05), com reatividade para a maioria dos peptídeos da MC e da Hsp60. Em contraste, a frequência de indivíduos positivos para os anticorpos IgM foi maior no grupo de IS do que no Tx (p<0,05), principalmente para a reatividade dirigida aos peptídeos da MC. Os indivíduos do grupo Tx reconheceram todos os peptídeos da MC, inclusive alguns não reconhecidos pelos sadios (S2: 19, 21, 22, 25, 27, e 29). A variabilidade temporal da autoimunidade humoral aos peptídeos desses antígenos foi maior no grupo Tx (p<0,001), indicando maior estabilidade do perfil no estado fisiológico. No grupo Tx, a frequência de indivíduos positivos para anticorpos IgG e o número de peptídeos reconhecidos foram maiores nos períodos de pré- Tx e T1 e na rejeição (p<0,05). Em contraste, para os anticorpos IgM, a frequência de indivíduos positivos e número de peptídeos reconhecidos foram maiores nos períodos de T1, T2 e no momento sem rejeição (p<0,05). Em resumo, no estado fisiológico, observamos um predomínio de autoanticorpos dirigidos à MC e à Hsp60 do tipo IgM, enquanto que no período pré-Tx e durante a rejeição o predomínio foi de IgG. Com base nesses resultados, interpretamos que o ambiente inflamatório da doença cardíaca e da rejeição possa induzir uma maior expressão de Hsp60 e exposição da MC - decorrente da necrose de cardiomiócitos - a células do sistema imune. A resposta imune desencadeada, neste contexto, culminaria na mudança do isotipo IgM, predominante no estado fisiológico, para o isotipo IgG, predominante no quadro de inflamação. Em conclusão, identificamos um perfil distinto da autoimunidade humoral dirigida à miosina cardíaca e à Hsp60, no estado fisiológico e no transplante cardíaco. Novos estudos permitirão avaliar a atividade funcional desses autoanticorpos no enxerto e nas células do sistema imune, talvez desempenhando um papel na rejeição ou na manutenção da homeostase, no contexto fisiológico / The immune response directed to self antigens can contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. However, autoimmunity may also have an immunoregulatory role in allograft rejection and in other inflammatory processes. We analyzed IgG and IgM autoantibodies reactive to peptides from the human cardiac myosin (CM) and the heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) in the sera of healthy individuals (HI, n=30, 3 time points with 6 month intervals) and heart transplant individuals (Tx, n=65, >2 samples/individual, from different Tx periods: pre-Tx, T1: <1 year post-Tx, T2: 1 to 5 years and T3: >5 years), by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). All subjects from both groups had IgG or IgM antibodies that recognized at least one of peptides studied. The numbers of peptides recognized by IgG antibodies was higher in the Tx group than in the HI, for CM (12.2 ± 8.5, range: 132 peptides versus 5.2 ± 3.0, range: 014 peptides; p <0.0001) and for Hsp60 (6.0 ± 4.4, range: 0-18 peptides versus 3.9 ± 3.0, range: 012 peptides; p=0.0208). The frequency of individuals displaying IgG antibodies was higher in the Tx group than in HI (p<0.05), for both CM and Hsp60. In contrast, the frequency of individuals with IgM antibodies was higher in HI than in the Tx group (p<0.05), mainly for CM. The Tx individuals recognized all CM peptides, including those not recognized by healthy individuals (S2: 19, 21, 22, 25, 27, e 29). Time variability of humoral autoimmunity directed to peptides of both antigens was higher in the Tx group (p<0,001), indicating a more stable profile in the physiologic state. In the Tx group, the frequency of individuals with IgG autoantibodies and the number of peptides recognized were higher in the pre-Tx and T1 periods and during rejection (p<0.05). In contrast, for IgM antibodies, the frequency of individuals and the number of peptides recognized were higher in the T1, T2 and in the period with no rejection (p<0.05). In summary, IgM autoantibodies directed to CM and Hsp60 were predominant in the physiologic state, in contrast with the predominance of IgG autoantibodies in the pre-Tx period and during rejection. We suggest that the inflammatory environment found in both cardiac diseases and rejection favors the increase of Hsp60 expression and the exposure of cardiac myosin antigens due to cardiomyocyte necrosis. The immune response triggered in this context induces cell activation and isotype switch, from IgM, predominant in the physiologic state, to IgG, more detected in the inflammatory process. In conclusion, we identified a distinct profile of humoral autoimmunity to cardiac myosin and to Hsp60 in the physiologic state and in cardiac transplantation. Further studies will allow us to evaluate the functional activity of these antibodies in the graft and in cells of the immune system; they may have a role in rejection or in the maintenance of homeostasis, in the physiologic context.

The studies in this thesis are mainly focused on the effects that the chaperonin mechanisms have on a bound target protein. Earlier studies have shown that the bacterial chaperonin GroEL plays an active role in unfolding a target protein during the initial binding. Here, the effects of the eukaryotic chaperonin TRiC’s mechanical action on a bound target protein were studied by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements by attaching the fluorophore fluorescein to specific positions in the structure of the target protein, β-actin. Actin is an abundant eukaryotic protein and is dependent on TRiC to reach its native state. It was found that at the initial binding to TRiC, the actin structure is stretched, particularly across the nucleotide-binding site. This finding led to the conclusion that the binding-induced unfolding mechanism is conserved through evolution. Further studies indicated that in a subsequent step of the chaperonin cycle, the actin molecule collapses. This collapse leads to rearrangements of the structure at the nucleotide-binding cleft, which is also narrowed as a consequence. As a comparison to the productive folding of actin in the TRiC chaperonin system, FRET studies were also performed on actin interacting with GroEL. This is a non-productive interaction in terms of guiding actin to its native state. The study presents data indicating that the nucleotide-binding cleft in actin is not rearranged by GroEL in the same way as it is rearranged during the TRiC interaction. Thus, it could be concluded that although the general unfolding mechanism is conserved through the evolution of the chaperonins, an additional and specific binding to distinct parts of the actin molecule has evolved in TRiC. This specific binding leads to a directed unfolding and rearrangement of the nucleotide-binding cleft, which is vital for actin to reach its native state. The differences in the chemical properties of the actin-GroEL and the actin-TRiC complexes were also determined by measurements of fluorescein anisotropies and AEDANS emission shifts for probes attached to positions spread throughout the actin structure. The evolutionary aspects of the chaperonin mechanisms and the target protein binding were further investigated in another study. In this study, the prokaryotic homologue to actin, MreB, was shown to bind to both TRiC and GroEL. MreB was also shown to bind to the co-chaperonin GroES. In a separate study, the interaction between actin and the chaperone prefoldin was investigated. In vivo prefoldin interacts with non-native actin and transfers it to TRiC for subsequent and proper folding. In this homo-FRET study, it was shown that actin binds to prefoldin in a stretched conformation, similar to the initial binding of actin to TRiC. / On the day of the defence date the satus of article I was: In press.

A resposta imune dirigida a autoantígenos pode contribuir para a patogênese das doenças autoimunes. Porém, também é discutido o papel imunorregulador da autoimunidade em processos inflamatórios e na rejeição do aloenxerto. Nós pesquisamos os autoanticorpos IgG e IgM reativos a peptídeos da miosina cardíaca (MC) e da proteína de choque térmico 60 (Hsp60) no soro de indivíduos sadios (IS, n=30; 3 momentos com intervalos de 6 meses) e indivíduos transplantados cardíacos (Tx, n=65, > 2 amostras/indivíduo, de diferentes períodos Tx: pré-Tx, T1: < 1 ano, T2: 1 a 5 anos e T3: >5 anos), por ensaio imunoenzimático (ELISA). Todos os sujeitos do estudo tiveram anticorpos IgG ou IgM que reconheceram pelo menos um dos peptídeos avaliados. Os anticorpos IgG de indivíduos Tx reconheceram mais peptídeos do que dos IS, para a MC (12,2 ± 8,5, intervalo: 132 peptídeos versus 5,2 ± 3,0, intervalo: 0-14; p<0,0001), e para a Hsp60 (6,0 ± 4,4, intervalo: 0-18 versus 3,9 ± 3,0, intervalo: 0-12; p=0,0208). A frequência de indivíduos positivos para os anticorpos IgG foi maior no grupo Tx do que nos sadio (p<0,05), com reatividade para a maioria dos peptídeos da MC e da Hsp60. Em contraste, a frequência de indivíduos positivos para os anticorpos IgM foi maior no grupo de IS do que no Tx (p<0,05), principalmente para a reatividade dirigida aos peptídeos da MC. Os indivíduos do grupo Tx reconheceram todos os peptídeos da MC, inclusive alguns não reconhecidos pelos sadios (S2: 19, 21, 22, 25, 27, e 29). A variabilidade temporal da autoimunidade humoral aos peptídeos desses antígenos foi maior no grupo Tx (p<0,001), indicando maior estabilidade do perfil no estado fisiológico. No grupo Tx, a frequência de indivíduos positivos para anticorpos IgG e o número de peptídeos reconhecidos foram maiores nos períodos de pré- Tx e T1 e na rejeição (p<0,05). Em contraste, para os anticorpos IgM, a frequência de indivíduos positivos e número de peptídeos reconhecidos foram maiores nos períodos de T1, T2 e no momento sem rejeição (p<0,05). Em resumo, no estado fisiológico, observamos um predomínio de autoanticorpos dirigidos à MC e à Hsp60 do tipo IgM, enquanto que no período pré-Tx e durante a rejeição o predomínio foi de IgG. Com base nesses resultados, interpretamos que o ambiente inflamatório da doença cardíaca e da rejeição possa induzir uma maior expressão de Hsp60 e exposição da MC - decorrente da necrose de cardiomiócitos - a células do sistema imune. A resposta imune desencadeada, neste contexto, culminaria na mudança do isotipo IgM, predominante no estado fisiológico, para o isotipo IgG, predominante no quadro de inflamação. Em conclusão, identificamos um perfil distinto da autoimunidade humoral dirigida à miosina cardíaca e à Hsp60, no estado fisiológico e no transplante cardíaco. Novos estudos permitirão avaliar a atividade funcional desses autoanticorpos no enxerto e nas células do sistema imune, talvez desempenhando um papel na rejeição ou na manutenção da homeostase, no contexto fisiológico / The immune response directed to self antigens can contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. However, autoimmunity may also have an immunoregulatory role in allograft rejection and in other inflammatory processes. We analyzed IgG and IgM autoantibodies reactive to peptides from the human cardiac myosin (CM) and the heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) in the sera of healthy individuals (HI, n=30, 3 time points with 6 month intervals) and heart transplant individuals (Tx, n=65, >2 samples/individual, from different Tx periods: pre-Tx, T1: <1 year post-Tx, T2: 1 to 5 years and T3: >5 years), by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). All subjects from both groups had IgG or IgM antibodies that recognized at least one of peptides studied. The numbers of peptides recognized by IgG antibodies was higher in the Tx group than in the HI, for CM (12.2 ± 8.5, range: 132 peptides versus 5.2 ± 3.0, range: 014 peptides; p <0.0001) and for Hsp60 (6.0 ± 4.4, range: 0-18 peptides versus 3.9 ± 3.0, range: 012 peptides; p=0.0208). The frequency of individuals displaying IgG antibodies was higher in the Tx group than in HI (p<0.05), for both CM and Hsp60. In contrast, the frequency of individuals with IgM antibodies was higher in HI than in the Tx group (p<0.05), mainly for CM. The Tx individuals recognized all CM peptides, including those not recognized by healthy individuals (S2: 19, 21, 22, 25, 27, e 29). Time variability of humoral autoimmunity directed to peptides of both antigens was higher in the Tx group (p<0,001), indicating a more stable profile in the physiologic state. In the Tx group, the frequency of individuals with IgG autoantibodies and the number of peptides recognized were higher in the pre-Tx and T1 periods and during rejection (p<0.05). In contrast, for IgM antibodies, the frequency of individuals and the number of peptides recognized were higher in the T1, T2 and in the period with no rejection (p<0.05). In summary, IgM autoantibodies directed to CM and Hsp60 were predominant in the physiologic state, in contrast with the predominance of IgG autoantibodies in the pre-Tx period and during rejection. We suggest that the inflammatory environment found in both cardiac diseases and rejection favors the increase of Hsp60 expression and the exposure of cardiac myosin antigens due to cardiomyocyte necrosis. The immune response triggered in this context induces cell activation and isotype switch, from IgM, predominant in the physiologic state, to IgG, more detected in the inflammatory process. In conclusion, we identified a distinct profile of humoral autoimmunity to cardiac myosin and to Hsp60 in the physiologic state and in cardiac transplantation. Further studies will allow us to evaluate the functional activity of these antibodies in the graft and in cells of the immune system; they may have a role in rejection or in the maintenance of homeostasis, in the physiologic context.

Phosducin-like protein (PhLP) binds G-protein beta gamma subunits and is thought to assist in assembly of the G-protein beta gamma dimer. Phosphorylation of PhLP at serine residues 18-20 by the casein kinase 2 (CK2) appears to play an essential role in this process. PhLP has also been shown to interact with the chaperonin containing TCP-1 (CCT) atop its apical domain, not entering the substrate folding cavity. However, the physiological role of the PhLP-CCT interaction in G-protein beta gamma dimer formation remains unclear. This study addresses the mechanism of G-protein beta gamma assembly by exploring the specific roles of CCT and CK2 phosphorylation of PhLP in the assembly process. Both overexpressed and endogenous Gbeta were shown to co-immunoprecipitate with CCT to a similar extent as PhLP, indicating that CCT may be involved in the folding of Gbeta. In addition, Ggamma overexpression enhanced the binding of PhLP to CCT, suggesting the formation of a ternary PhLP-Gbeta-CCT complex. In contrast, overexpression of PhLP caused the release of G-beta from CCT. This release was blocked by a PhLP S18-20A variant that lacks the S18-20 CK2 phosphorylation site. PhLP S18-20A has been previously shown to negatively affect the G-protein beta gamma dimer formation, suggesting a correlation between PhLP-mediated release of Gbeta from CCT and G protein beta gamma assembly. Experiments investigating the role of Ggamma in this process show that Ggamma does not interact with CCT nor is it the essential factor in the release of Gbeta from CCT. A new model is therefore proposed for the G-protein beta gamma subunits' assembly involving the formation of a PhLP-Gbeta-CCT ternary complex followed by the release of a phosphorylated PhLP-Gbeta complex from CCT. In the PhLP-Gbeta complex, the Ggamma binding face of Gbeta is exposed, allowing for the formation of the G-protein beta gamma dimer.

A paracoccidioidomicose (PCM) é uma doença sistêmica de caráter granulomatoso, causada pelo fungo termodimórfico Paracoccidioides spp. A PCM é endêmica na America Latina e aproximadamente 80% do pacientes vivem no território brasileiro. O tratamento medicamentoso é eficiente, entretanto, é longo e vários pacientes acabam abandonando e recidivas são comuns neste grupo. A utilização de uma vacina terapêutica poderia resultar na redução do tempo de tratamento assim como, recuperar a resposta imune do hospedeiro frente ao fungo. As vacinas de DNA são uma abordagem promissora na imunoterapia e podem ser injetadas por via intramuscular, intradérmica ou via mucosa. As proteínas de choque térmico (HSPs) são proteínas que estão ligadas a homeostase celular e também possuem efeitos imunológicos em diversos casos como doenças infecciosas e autoimunes. No presente trabalho, analisamos o esquema vacinal terapêutico em camundongos BALB/c previamente infectados intratraquealmente com 3x105 leveduras de P. brasiliensis Pb18, 60 dias depois, submetidos a imunização com pcDNA3 contendo sequências codificadoras de PbHSP60 e/ou IL-12 murina e/ou vetor vazio. Foi observada redução significativa no número de unidades formadoras de colônia (UFCs) nos pulmões de camundongos imunizados com PbHSP60. Os grupos que receberam PbHSP60+pcDNA3 vazio ou PbHSP60x2 apresentaram os maiores índices de redução da cargas fúngicas. A inclusão do plasmídeo contendo o inserto de mIL-12, resultou em um efeito deletério. A análise dos cortes histológicos indicou que os animais vacinados apresentavam áreas bem preservadas e com poucos ou nenhum foco de granuloma. Detectamos um perfil de citocinas típico Th1/Th2. Nossos resultados sugerem que a imunização utilizando plasmídeo contendo o inserto HSP60, tem grande potencial vacinal / The paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic granulomatous disease of character, caused by the thermally dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides spp. The PCM is endemic in Latin America and approximately 80% of patients are living in Brazil. The medical treatment is effective, however, is long and many patients end up abandoning and relapses are common in this group.The use of a therapeutic vaccine could result in the reducing time of treatment as well as recover the host immune response against the fungus. DNA vaccines are a promising approach for immunotherapy and can be injected by intramuscular, intradermal, or mucosal route. The heat shock proteins (HSPs) are proteins that are linked to cellular homeostasis and also have immunological effects in many cases as infectious and autoimmune diseases. In the present study, we analyzed the therapeutic vaccine schedule in BALB/c mice previously infected intratracheally with 3x105 yeast of P. brasiliensis strain 18, and 60 days after, undergoing immunization with pcDNA3 containing coding sequences PbHSP60 and / or murine IL-12 and / or empty vector. Significant reduction was observed in the number of colony forming units (CFU) in the lungs of mice immunized with PbHSP60. The groups that received empty pcDNA3 and PbHSP60 or PbHSP60x2 have higher rates of reduced fungal loads. The inclusion of the plasmid containing the insert mIL-12 resulted in a deleterious effect. The analysis of histological sections indicated that vaccinated animals had wellpreserved, with few or no focus of granuloma areas. It was detected a profile typical Th1/Th2 cytokines. Our results suggest that immunization using plasmid containing the insert HSP60 vaccine has great potential

A tolerância operacional (TO) é um raro fenômeno que ocorre em indivíduos transplantados, que permanecem com função estável do aloenxerto, sem rejeição, após a suspensão de drogas imunossupressoras, por pelo menos um ano. A compreensão de mecanismos envolvidos na tolerância operacional poderá contribuir para a elaboração de novas terapias imunorreguladoras, na clínica do transplante. Investigamos se, no estado de tolerância operacional, há um perfil funcional diferencial de resposta imune celular antígeno-específica, dirigida a três grupos de antígenos relevantes no alotransplante: aloantígenos do doador (peptídeos HLA-DR), antígenos de patógenos (peptídeos do CMV - citomegalovírus) e autoantígenos (peptídeos da Hsp60 - Proteína de choque térmico 60, com funções imunológicas, imunorreguladora (REGULA) e pró-inflamatória (INFLAMA). Analisamos a produção de citocinas (por Luminex) e a proliferação de diferentes subpopulações de células T CD4+ (por FACS), com funções, predominantemente, REGULA ou INFLAMA, frente aos três tipos de antígenos, comparativamente entre TO (n=6) e Rejeição Crônica (RC: n=8), indivíduos com função estável do enxerto, usando imunossupressores (EST: n=8) e indivíduos saudáveis (SAU: n=7). Em concordância com nossa hipótese, a resposta celular é modulada, de forma diferencial, na tolerância operacional, ocorrendo um desvio funcional da resposta a peptídeos HLA-DR do doador para um perfil REGULA, enquanto é preservado o perfil INFLAMA na resposta a peptídeos do patógeno (CMV). Apesar das diferenças nas respostas aos peptídeos do CMV entre TO e RC (p=0,02 e p=0,02 para citocinas e subpopulações regula e p=0,008 e p=0,003 para citocinas e subpopulações inflama), houve preservação do perfil INFLAMA na TO, em relação ao estado fisiológico, com indução/aumento das citocinas inflamatórias IL-1B, IL-17, IFNy, MCP-1 e MIP-1B, com algum grau de inibição de citocinas imunorreguladoras, e inibição da proliferação de células Tregs, sugerindo serem importantes mecanismos na preservação da imunocompetência, na tolerância operacional. Na resposta celular a autoantígenos, destacamos o peptídeo N6 que induziu um perfil significativamente diferente na TO (mais REGULA), em relação à RC (mais INFLAMA) (p=0,001 para citocinas regula; p=0,04 para citocinas inflama), principalmente pelo aumento/indução da produção de IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 e IL-13, na TO, sugerindo que o peptídeo N6 possa ter uma contribuição nos mecanismos na TO, favorecendo a produção dessas citocinas com atividade imunorreguladora. Considerando a diferença significativa do perfil funcional de resposta aos aloantígenos do doador entre TO (REGULA) e RC (INFLAMA) (p=0,0007 para citocinas regula e p < 0,0001 para citocinas inflama), principalmente pela inibição das citocinas próinflamatórias, como IL-1B, IL-8, IL-12, IL-17, G-CSF, IFN-y e MCP-1, na TO, concluímos que o desvio REGULA da via indireta de alorreconhecimento dirigida a peptídeos HLA-DR do doador, com inibição dessas citocinas, tenha um papel importante nos mecanismos envolvidos na tolerância operacional. Em conclusão os mecanismos em curso na tolerância operacional, modulam a resposta celular antígeno-específica dirigida a desafios antigênicos no transplante, envolvendo o desvio REGULA da resposta a peptídeos HLA-DR do doador, a participação da autoimunidade imunorreguladora à Hsp60, ao mesmo tempo em que há preservação da resposta inflamatória a patógenos / Operational tolerance (OT) is a rare phenomenon, taking place in transplanted individual who do not reject, following the complete withdrawal of immunosuppressive drugs for at least one year. Understanding the mechanisms involved in operational tolerance will contribute to opening new pathways for the development of novel immunoregulatory therapies, in transplantation. We investigated whether the state of operational tolerance displays a functionally differential profile of the antigen-specific cellular response, directed to three groups of antigens, relevant in the context of allotransplantation: donor alloantigens (HLA-DR peptides), pathogen-derived antigens (cytomegalovirus peptides - CMV) and autoantigens (peptides derived from the Hsp60 - selfantigen displaying immunoregularory (REG) and proinflammatory (INFLAMMA) properties). We determined cytokine production (by Luminex) and the proliferative response of different CD4+ T cell subsets (by FACS), displaying predominantly REG or INFLAMMA activities, in response to the three types of antigens, comparing OT (n=6) with Chronic Rejection (CR: n=8), individual with stable graft function, taking conventional immunosuppression (Sta: n=8), and healthy individuals (HI: n=7). In concordance with our hypothesis, the cellular immune response is differentially modulated in operational tolerance, giving rise to an immunoregulatory deviation in the response to HLA-DR donor peptides, preserving the proinflammatory response to pathogen peptides (CMV). Despite significant differences in the responses to CMV peptides, between OT and CR (p=0.02 and p=0.02 for REG cytokines and CD4+ subsets; p=0.008 and p=0.003 for INFLAMMA cytokines and CD4+ subsets), OT is able to preserve the INFLAMMA response in relation to the physiologic state (HI). This INFLAMMA profile of the response to CMV peptides is maintained by the induction/increase of the proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1B, IL-17, IFN-y, MCP-1 and MIP-1B, some inhibition of REG cytokines and inhibition of Treg proliferation, suggesting that these are important mechanisms in the preservation of immunocompetence to deal with pathogens, in OT. In the cellular response to autoantigens, we highlight the N6 peptide that induced a differential profile in OT (REG profile) compared to CR (INFLAMMA profile) (p=0.001 for REG cytokines; p=0.04 for INFLAMMA cytokines), due to the induction/increase of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 e IL-13, in OT, suggesting that N6 may contribute to the underlying mechanisms in OT, favoring the production of these immunoregulatory cytokines. Taken the marked differences in the response to donor alloantigens, between OT (predominantly REG) and CR (predominantly INFLAMMA) (p=0.0007 for REG cytokines and p < 0.0001 for INFLAMMA cytokines), due to the inhibition of the proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1B, IL-8, IL- 12, IL-17, G-CSF, IFN-y and MCP-1, in OT, we conclude that the immunoregulatory deviation in the indirect pathway of allorecognition, directed to donor HLA-DR peptides, leading to the inhibition of these cytokines, has an important role in the mechanisms of tolerance. In conclusion, the ongoing immunoregulatory mechanisms in operational tolerance, modulate the antigenspecific cellular response to relevant antigenic challenges in allotransplantation, involving a REG deviation in the response to donor HLA-DR peptides, together with the participation of immunoregulatory autoimmunity to Hsp60, while preserving the proinflmammatory response to pathogens