Os peptídeos antimicrobianos são importantes ferramentas do sistema imune inato para controle das infecções e recentemente tem sido investigado seu potencial como estratégia terapêutica nas infecções e sepse. Estes peptídeos apresentam diversas atividades decorrentes de mecanismos de ação antimicrobianas e imuno estimuladoras. A indução de tolerância com a administração de pequenas doses de LPS reduz a mortalidade em modelos animais de sepse, modulando diversos aspectos do sistema imune. Nossa hipótese neste estudo foi que o efeito protetor da tolerância ao LPS está relacionado com a modulação da produção dos peptídeos antimicrobianos na sepse. A tolerância ao LPS foi induzida em camundongos C57bl/6 por injeção de lipopolissacarídeo de E. coli na dose de 1mg/kg por cinco dias. No oitavo dia os animais foram eutanasiados por overdose anestésica ou submetidos ao modelo de ligadura e punção cecal. Após seis horas os animais foram eutanasiados por overdose anestésica e o sangue, baço, intestino e pulmões foram coletados para determinação das concentrações de citocinas e peptídeos antimicrobianos. Nossos resultados mostram que o efeito da tolerância ao LPS sobre a produção de peptídeos antimicrobianos é tecido específica. Sistemicamente (plasma) a tolerância aumenta a concentração plasmática de beta defensina-3 e CRAMP somente em animais submetidos à CLP. No baço ocorre redução de beta defensinas 1 e 7 pela CLP e também pela tolerância. No pulmão há elevação de beta defensinas 1 e 3 pela CLP e esta é revertida pela tolerância. No intestino ocorre redução de defensinas pela tolerância tanto em animais controle quanto em animais submetidos à CLP. Observamos em nosso estudo um padrão invertido entre as concentrações de peptídeos antimicrobianos e citocinas no intestino e baço dos animais, principalmente nos submetidos à CLP. Quanto maior a concentração da citocina no tecido, menor a concentração da defensina em questão. No intestino podemos observar que a tolerância e a CLP aumentam a concentração de IL-6 e IL-10 e diminuem as concentrações de beta defensinas 1 e 7. No baço observamos esse padrão entre beta defensina-7 e IL-6 e entre beta defensina-1 e TNF-alfa. Não foi possível encontrar esse tipo de correlação no pulmão. Concluímos que os efeitos protetores da tolerância ao LPS estão relacionados com uma menor produção de defensinas no baço, pulmão e intestino de animais submetidos à sepse, e com maior concentração de peptídeos antimicrobianos no plasma / Antimicrobial peptides are important tools of the innate immune system to control infections and its potential as a therapeutic strategy in infections and sepsis has recently been investigated. These peptides present both antimicrobial and immuno-stimulatory activities. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) tolerance is a defense mechanism against invading microorganisms also widely distributed in nature. Induction of tolerance with the administration of small doses of LPS reduces mortality in animal models of sepsis, modulating several immune system aspects. Our hypothesis was that the protective effect of LPS tolerance is related to the modulation of antimicrobial peptide production in sepsis. LPS tolerance was induced in C57bl / 6 mice by injection of E. coli LPS at 1mg / kg for five days. On the eighth day the animals were submitted to the sepsis model of cecal ligation and puncture. After six hours the animals were euthanized by anesthetic overdose and blood, spleen, intestine and lungs were collected for the determination of cytokines and antimicrobial peptides concentrations. Our results show that the effect of LPS tolerance on the production of antimicrobial peptides is tissue specific. LPS tolerance increases the plasma concentration of beta-defensin-3 and CRAMP only in animals undergoing CLP. In the spleen, there is reduction of ? defensins 1 and 7 by CLP and also by tolerance. In the lung, there is elevation of beta defensins 1 and 3 by PLC and this is reversed by tolerance. In the intestine, there is reduction of defensins by tolerance in both control and CLP animals. In our study, we observed an inverted pattern between the concentrations of antimicrobial peptides and cytokines in the intestine and spleen of animals, especially those submitted to CLP. The higher the cytokine concentration in the tissue, the lower the concentration of defensin in question. In the gut we can observe that tolerance and CLP increases IL-6 and IL-10 concentration and decreases ? defensins 1 and 7 concentrations. In the spleen, we observed this pattern between ?-defensin-7 and IL-6 and between alpha-defensin-1 and TNF-alpha. It was not possible to find this type of correlation in the lung. We conclude that the protective effects of LPS tolerance are related to a lower production of defensins in the spleen, lung and intestine of animals submitted to sepsis, and with a higher concentration of antimicrobial peptides in plasma

Em artrópodes o sistema imune inato contribui para a adaptação de animais como os escorpiões à diferentes ambientes. Esse sistema é composto por mecanismos capazes de agir contra injúrias e a ação de microrganismos e entre esses mecanismos estão os peptídeos antimicrobianos (PAMs). O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar PAMs presentes na hemolinfa de Tityus serrulatus. Para isso sua hemolinfa foi extraída e separados os hemócitos e plasma, em seguida fracionamos em 3 concentrações de acetonitrila em TFA 0,05% (05, 40 e 80%). Estas frações foram submetidas a uma cromatografia liquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) e os picos foram avaliados quanto a sua ação antimicrobiana e hemolítica. Foram identificadas 16 frações que apresentam atividade antimicrobiana. Uma das frações com atividade antimicrobiana, presente nos hemócitos apresentou similaridade com defensina descrita em carrapatos da espécie Ixodes scapularis. Essa fração possui aproximadamente 3486 Da, não apresenta atividade hemolítica e foi denominada como Serrulina. / In arthropods, its innate immune system contributes to the adaptation of animals like scorpions to different environments. This system consists of mechanisms that act avoiding injuries and against the action of microorganisms, among these mechanisms are antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). The aim of this study was to identify AMPs, present in the hemolymph of Tityus serrulatus. The hemolymph was extracted and then we separated hemocyte and plasma. The samples were fractionated in different concentrations of acetonitrile in TFA 0.05% (05, 40 and 80%). These fractions were subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the peaks obtained were evaluated for its antimicrobial and hemolytic action. We found sixteen fractions with antimicrobial activity. One of the fractions with antimicrobial activity, present in hemocytes, is similar with a defensin described in ticks, Ixodes scapularis. This fraction has about 3486 Da, has no hemolytic activity and was named as Serrulina.

Early innate response of intestinal epithelial cells is the first line defense against enteric pathogens. Toxoplasma gondii infections acquired naturally via the peroral route, encounter intestinal epithelial cells early post-infection. Although the population structure of T. gondii is known to be highly clonal, clinical strains of T. gondii have been classified into three genotypes based on their virulence. In this study we investigated whether human intestinal epithelial cell immune response to T. gondii is virulence dependent. We demonstrated distinct virulence of the three T. gondii genotype strains evaluated in human intestinal epithelial cells by their capacity to replicate and induce host cell cytotoxicity. The early host innate mechanisms such as activation of signaling pathways and induction of innate effectors were likewise differentially elicited by the three T. gondii strains. Low levels of TLR dependent NF-kB activation and a failure to rapidly up-regulate innate cytokine and chemokine genes was observed after virulent Type I strain infection. In contrast, early innate response to the less virulent Type II strain was rapid, efficient and led to high levels of IL-8 and IL-6 secretion, whereas response to Type III parasites was intermediate. Early expression of b-defensin 2 gene was suppressed specifically by virulent Type I strain and its activation prior to infection in intestinal epithelial cells led to decreased parasite viability. These findings provide evidence for T. gondii strain virulence dependent down-modulation of early human intestinal epithelial cell innate responses and highlight the importance of these cells in host defense against this infection.

The vagina is the port of entry for sexually transmitted diseases in women. Its epithelium constitutes the luminal border, thus comprising an important defence barrier. The objective of this work was to investigate the mechanisms of importance in the immune defence of the vaginal epithelium of healthy, fertile women, and possible menstrual cycle changes. Effects of hormonal contraceptive usage on oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression were studied. The contribution of epithelial cell to the immune defence was estimated by assaying their expression of antimicrobial defensins and the epithelial thickness. Vaginal biopsies and serum samples were collected during the follicular and luteal phases in regularly menstruating women (controls) and in users of combined oral contraceptives (COCs), levonorgestrel implants (LNGs), or depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate injections (DMPAs). Fifteen healthy women (aged 20–34 years) were enrolled in each group. Morphometry was performed on vaginal tissue stained with haematoxylin/eosin and by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies against immune cell markers, PR, and ER. Expression of mRNA for human α-defensins HD-5 and HD-6, and human β-defensins (HBD) 1 to 4 were determined by real-time qRT-PCR and in situ hybridization. In controls, the epithelium was 261 ± 16 μm thick and harboured 241 ± 35 leukocytes (CD45+) per mm2. T lymphocytes (CD3+) dominated. Both αβ T cells and γδ T cells were present with an approximate 4-fold dominance of αβ T cells. Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+) were more frequent than T helper cells (CD4:CD8 ratio: 0.7 ± 0.1). Macrophages (CD68+) constituted the second-largest population, followed by Langerhans cells (CD1a+). B cells, natural killer cells, monocytes and granulocytes were generally absent. No differences were found between the follicular and luteal phase. All four β-defensins analysed for were detected in vaginal epithelium and most samples expressed at least two. HBD-2 and HBD-3 were most frequent. HBD-3 and HBD-4 expressing cells were localized in the parabasal and intermediate cell layers. α-defensins were not detected. The epithelium was significantly thicker (333 ± 9 μm) in COC, LNG, and DMPA users than in controls, and commonly showed hyperplasia. In DMPA and LNG users the frequency of intraepithelial leukocytes (CD45+) was increased, explained by increased frequencies of both αβ and γδ T cells. In DMPA users there was also a selective increase in CD8+ T cells. PR expression was significantly reduced in DMPA users compared with controls, COC and LNG users. COC and particularly DMPA users often had undetectable levels of serum E2. In conclusion, both adaptive immunity, i.e. intraepithelial T cells, and innate defence mechanisms, i.e. intraepithelial macrophages and β-defensins, are believed to contribute to the immune defence in the human female lower genital tract. These parameters did not change during the menstrual cycle but hormonal contraceptive usage, especially DMPA, affected the quality of the epithelium. The use of DMPA and LNG was correlated with the accumulation of T cells within the epithelium. The effects of these changes on the risk of contracting infections are yet to be determined.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2004. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-133).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 111-134).

Thesis (Master of Science) -- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 2006. / Embargoed. Vita. Bibliography: 147-160.

Defensinas são peptídeos antimicrobianos produzidos na mucosa intestinal e fazem parte da imunidade inata, agindo sobre vários microrganismos luminais. Deficiência na expressão de defensinas tem sido relatada em doenças inflamatórias intestinais (DII), no entanto a contribuição de cada tipo de defensina, num cenário de polimorfismo genético, mantém alguma controversa. Βeta-defensinas humanas (HBDs) têm atividade antimicrobiana contra uma ampla variedade de fungos, bactérias e vírus e têm também, um papel na ligação entre a imunidade inata e adaptativa atuando como quimiotáticos. O gene DEFB1 (8p23), codificando a beta-defensina humana 1 (HBD-1), é expresso normalmente por células epiteliais de uma série de tecidos, mas sua expressão pode variar entre indivíduos e pode ser modificada durante processo inflamatório. Produção deficiente de defensinas parece contribuir para a patogênese de DII, e uma diminuição na expressão de HBD-1 tem sido relatada na mucosa de pacientes com doença de Crohn (DC) e retocolite ulcerativa (RCU). Nós avaliamos a possível associação de três polimorfismos do gene DEFB1 com a suscetibilidade a DII, RCU e DC, em 149 pacientes, 79 com DC e 70 com RCU; e 200 controles saudáveis do sul do Brasil. No nosso estudo não se observou diferença estatisticamente significativa entre a distribuição das frequências alélicas para DEFB1 SNPs -52G>A. -44C>G e -20G>A entre o total de pacientes com DII e controles. Porém, quando pacientes com DC foram estratificados de acordo com a localização anatômica, o alelo -20G>A foi mais frequente em pacientes com DC colônica do que em controles (65 % VS 44 %, p=0,048). De forma similar, o genótipo A/A foi mais frequente em pacientes com DC colônica do que em controles (36 % VS 16 %), mas neste caso, a diferença não foi estatisticamente significativa (p=0,07). Embora não se achou uma clara e forte associação entre os SNPs 5’-UTR DEFB1 e suscetibilidade/proteção à doença inflamatória intestinal, nossos resultados sugerem possível envolvimento do gene DEFB1 nestas enfermidades, especialmente com a localização colônica da doença de Crohn. Estudos com amostras maiores e populações diversas serão úteis para avaliar a tendência observada no nosso grupo. / Defensins are antimicrobial peptides produced by the intestinal mucosa and are part of the innate immune system, playing a protective role against various intestinal microorganisms. Deficiency in the expression of defensins has been reported in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), however there is some controversy over the contribution of each type of defensine, in a setting of great genetic polymorphism. Beta-defensins (HBDs) have an antimicrobial activity against a great variety of fungi, bacteria and viruses, and also have a role in connecting the innate and the adaptive immunity, acting as a chemostatic agent. Deficient production of defensins appears to contribute to the pathogenesis of IBD, and the lower expression of HBD-1 has been reported on the mucosa of Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) patients. We evaluated a possible association of three polymorphisms of gene DEFB1 with susceptibility to develop IBD, UC and CD in 149 patients, 79 with CD and 70 with UC; and 200 healthy controls from the south of Brazil. The gene DEFB1 (8p23), which codifies human beta-defensin 1 (HBD-1), is constitutivelly expressed by epithelial cells of several tissues, but its expression may vary among different individuals and may be modified by inflammation. In our study we did not find a statistically significant difference between the distribution of the allelic frequencies for DEFB1 SNPs -52G>A, -44C.G and -20G>A between the total number of patients and controls. However, when patients were stratified according to the anatomic location, the allele -20G>A was more frequent in patients with colonic CD than in contros (65% VS 44%, p=0,048). Similarly, the genotype A/A was more frequent in patients with colonic CD than in controls (36% vs 16%), however, in this case, the difference wasn’t statistically significant (p=0,07). Although we did not find a clear and strong association between the 5’-UTR DEFB1 SNP and susceptibility to IBD, our results suggest a possible involvement of the DEFB1 gene and these diseases, particularlly colonic CD. Further studies with larger samples and diverse populations will be usefull to evaluate the trend observed by our group.

Orientador: Daniela Leal Zandim-Barcelos / Banca: Joni Augusto Cirelli / Banca: Flávia Aparecida Chaves Furlaneto Messora / Resumo: Os peptídeos antimicrobianos são componentes da resposta imune inata, que apresentam propriedades imunomodulatórias adjuntas às propriedades antimicrobianas e, portanto, podem ter um papel chave na susceptibilidade ou resistência a doenças na cavidade oral.O propósito deste estudo foi investigar a influência do tabagismo sobre os níveis dos peptídeos antimicrobianos, alfa-defensinas (HNP 1-3) e LL-37, no fluido crevicular gengival de pacientes com periodontite crônica, e avaliar a relação destes peptídeos com saúde e doença periodontal. Um total de 40 pacientes com periodontite crônica, sendo 20 fumantes e 20 não fumantes, e 20 pacientes periodontalmente saudáveis foram incluídos no estudo. Os parâmetros clínicos avaliados foram: profundidade de sondagem, sangramento à sondagem, nível clínico de inserção, Índice de placa visível e Índice de sangramento gengival. Amostras de fluido crevicular gengival foram coletadas com tiras de papel absorvente e o volume mensurado com Periotron. Nos pacientes com periodontite crônica, foram coletadas amostras de sítios sadios e doentes. A quantificação da LL-37 e HNP 1-3 foi realizada pela técnica ELISA sanduíche.Os níveis de LL-37 e HNP 1-3 foram menores tanto nos sítios sadios como nos sítios doentes de pacientes fumantes em comparação com os não fumantes, sendo essas diferenças significativas exceto para os níveis de LL-37 nos sítios sadios (p<0,05). Os sítios doentes dos pacientes fumantes e não fumantes com periodontite crônica mostrar... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Antimicrobial peptides are components of the innate immune response that have immunomodulatory properties adjuncts to the antimicrobial properties and, therefore, may have a key role in susceptibility or resistance to diseases in the oral cavity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of smoking on the levels of antimicrobial peptides, alpha-defensins (HNP 1-3) and LL-37 in the gingival crevicular fluid of patients with chronic periodontitis, and evaluate the relationship of these peptides with health and periodontal disease. A total of 40 patients with chronic periodontitis, 20 smokers and 20 non-smokers, and 20 periodontally healthy patients were included in the study. The clinical parameters evaluated were probing depth, bleeding on probing, clinical attachment level, visible plaque index and gingival bleeding index. Samples of gingival crevicular fluid were collected with absorbent paper strips and the volume measured on Periotron. In patients with chronic periodontitis, samples of healthy and diseased sites were collected. The quantification of LL-37 and HNP 1-3 was carried out by sandwich ELISA tecnique. The levels of LL-37 and HNP 1-3 were lower both in healthy sites such as diseased sites in smokers compared to non-smokers, those with significant differences except for the LL-37 levels in healthy sites (p<0.05). Diseased sites of smokers and non-smokers with chronic periodontitis patients showed higher levels of LL-37 and lower levels of HNP 1-3 th... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Defensinas são peptídeos antimicrobianos produzidos na mucosa intestinal e fazem parte da imunidade inata, agindo sobre vários microrganismos luminais. Deficiência na expressão de defensinas tem sido relatada em doenças inflamatórias intestinais (DII), no entanto a contribuição de cada tipo de defensina, num cenário de polimorfismo genético, mantém alguma controversa. Βeta-defensinas humanas (HBDs) têm atividade antimicrobiana contra uma ampla variedade de fungos, bactérias e vírus e têm também, um papel na ligação entre a imunidade inata e adaptativa atuando como quimiotáticos. O gene DEFB1 (8p23), codificando a beta-defensina humana 1 (HBD-1), é expresso normalmente por células epiteliais de uma série de tecidos, mas sua expressão pode variar entre indivíduos e pode ser modificada durante processo inflamatório. Produção deficiente de defensinas parece contribuir para a patogênese de DII, e uma diminuição na expressão de HBD-1 tem sido relatada na mucosa de pacientes com doença de Crohn (DC) e retocolite ulcerativa (RCU). Nós avaliamos a possível associação de três polimorfismos do gene DEFB1 com a suscetibilidade a DII, RCU e DC, em 149 pacientes, 79 com DC e 70 com RCU; e 200 controles saudáveis do sul do Brasil. No nosso estudo não se observou diferença estatisticamente significativa entre a distribuição das frequências alélicas para DEFB1 SNPs -52G>A. -44C>G e -20G>A entre o total de pacientes com DII e controles. Porém, quando pacientes com DC foram estratificados de acordo com a localização anatômica, o alelo -20G>A foi mais frequente em pacientes com DC colônica do que em controles (65 % VS 44 %, p=0,048). De forma similar, o genótipo A/A foi mais frequente em pacientes com DC colônica do que em controles (36 % VS 16 %), mas neste caso, a diferença não foi estatisticamente significativa (p=0,07). Embora não se achou uma clara e forte associação entre os SNPs 5’-UTR DEFB1 e suscetibilidade/proteção à doença inflamatória intestinal, nossos resultados sugerem possível envolvimento do gene DEFB1 nestas enfermidades, especialmente com a localização colônica da doença de Crohn. Estudos com amostras maiores e populações diversas serão úteis para avaliar a tendência observada no nosso grupo. / Defensins are antimicrobial peptides produced by the intestinal mucosa and are part of the innate immune system, playing a protective role against various intestinal microorganisms. Deficiency in the expression of defensins has been reported in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), however there is some controversy over the contribution of each type of defensine, in a setting of great genetic polymorphism. Beta-defensins (HBDs) have an antimicrobial activity against a great variety of fungi, bacteria and viruses, and also have a role in connecting the innate and the adaptive immunity, acting as a chemostatic agent. Deficient production of defensins appears to contribute to the pathogenesis of IBD, and the lower expression of HBD-1 has been reported on the mucosa of Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) patients. We evaluated a possible association of three polymorphisms of gene DEFB1 with susceptibility to develop IBD, UC and CD in 149 patients, 79 with CD and 70 with UC; and 200 healthy controls from the south of Brazil. The gene DEFB1 (8p23), which codifies human beta-defensin 1 (HBD-1), is constitutivelly expressed by epithelial cells of several tissues, but its expression may vary among different individuals and may be modified by inflammation. In our study we did not find a statistically significant difference between the distribution of the allelic frequencies for DEFB1 SNPs -52G>A, -44C.G and -20G>A between the total number of patients and controls. However, when patients were stratified according to the anatomic location, the allele -20G>A was more frequent in patients with colonic CD than in contros (65% VS 44%, p=0,048). Similarly, the genotype A/A was more frequent in patients with colonic CD than in controls (36% vs 16%), however, in this case, the difference wasn’t statistically significant (p=0,07). Although we did not find a clear and strong association between the 5’-UTR DEFB1 SNP and susceptibility to IBD, our results suggest a possible involvement of the DEFB1 gene and these diseases, particularlly colonic CD. Further studies with larger samples and diverse populations will be usefull to evaluate the trend observed by our group.