Anthropogenic climate warming is predicted to accelerate over the next century, with potentially dramatic consequences for wildlife. It is important to understand as well as possible how different organisms will respond to this stress. This project seeks to gain a better mechanistic understanding of the thermal biology of the Glanville Fritillary butterfly (Melitaea cinxia) at the latitudinal and elevational extremes of its range. Investigation of the temperatures at which adult butterflies took spontaneous flight revealed a significant difference between populations from the elevational extremes, with insects from high elevation taking flight at lower thoracic temperatures than those from low elevation. Contrary to expectation, there was no systematic effect of latitude on takeoff temperature. If these measures represent adaptation to climate, then these effects are not simple and the influences of elevation and latitude are not the same. Investigation of thermal tolerance across all life cycle stages found no difference in larval performance between the populations tested. There was however an effect of treatment. This suggests that in M. cinxia, even populations from different extremes of the range may not differ in their thermal tolerance. The effect of treatment suggests that there is temperature-induced plasticity. The adaptive significance of this has been explored to some extent. Investigation of heat shock protein expression between the latitudinal extremes finds no difference in Hsp21.4 expression when exposed to heat stress, however both Hsp20.4 and Hsp90 were upregulated in response to heat stress. For Hsp20.4, there were significant differences in expression between the populations. Finally, a species distribution model using maximum entropy techniques was conducted for M. cinxia, predicting both the current and future (2100) distributions of the species. The model closely matches the known current distribution, and predicts a clear northward range shift in response to climate change. / text

The type III secretion system (T3SS) of pathogenic Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is involved in virulence. The syringe-like secretion system spans both bacterial membranes and is responsible for the ability of Yersinia to transfer toxic proteins (Yop proteins) into the eukaryotic target cell. The T3SS is believed to have evolved from the flagellum and regulation of the T3SS is a complex event that involves a series of regulatory proteins, whereby two are YscP and YscU. In a regulatory model, called the substrate specificity switch, both proteins act together to ensure proper T3SS structure and function by regulating a stop in YscF needle protein export with a shift to Yop effector secretion. YscU undergoes autoproteolysis at a conserved motif consisting of amino acids Asparagine-Proline-Threonine-Histidine (NPTH). Processing generates a C-terminal 10 kDa peptide, YscUCC. Processing is crucial for proper T3SS regulation and function both in vitro and in vivo. Full-length YscU does not support Yop secretion and after cleavage, YscUCC remains attached to the rest of YscU and acts as a negative block on T3S. Relief of this negative block is suggested to occur through displacement of YscUCC from the rest of YscU. Thorough control of many different cellular processes is brought by the heat shock proteins (HSPs) DnaK and DnaJ. Due to their multiple regulatory functions, mutations in the hsp-genes lead to pleiotropic effects. DnaK and DnaJ are essential for proper flagellum driven motion of bacteria, but more so; they ensure proper Yersinia T3SS function in vivo. Furthermore, DnaJ interacts with YscU and may be directly involved in T3SS regulation. Virulence of Yersinia is regulated on many levels. A previously identified virulence associated protein, VagH, is now characterized as an S-adenosyl-methionine dependent methyltransferase. The targets of the methylation activity of VagH are release factors 1 and 2 (RF1 and RF2), that are important for translation termination. The enzymatic activity of VagH is important for Yop secretion and a vagH mutant up-regulates a T3SS negative regulatory protein, YopD. Furthermore, a vagH mutant is avirulent in a mouse infection model, but is not affected in macrophage intracellular survival. The importance of VagH in vivo makes it a possible target for novel antimicrobial therapy.

No description available.

Oligodendrocyte progenitors are highly sensitive to oxidative insults. Among the factors postulated to contribute to this susceptibility are high levels of intracellular iron and low antioxidant content. During ischemia, the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) is released and may contribute to oxidative stress and oligodendrocyte injury in the hypomyelinating disorder, periventricular leucomalacia (PVL). In this thesis, I investigated the role of iron in DA-induced toxicity in primary cultures of oligodendrocyte progenitors, and assessed the contribution of the antioxidant defenses (glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) and other survival factors (heat shock proteins and the protein kinase Akt) in determining the response of the cells to DA. / Addition of iron to cultures increased DA-induced expression of the stress protein heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and toxicity as assessed by mitochondrial activity, cellular release of lactate dehydrogenase, nuclear condensation and caspase-3 activation. In contrast, an iron chelator reduced these events. Furthermore, DA induced accumulation of superoxide, which was also reduced by the iron chelator. Surprisingly, a mimetic of the superoxide detoxifying enzyme, SOD potentiated DA toxicity, suggesting that generation of hydrogen peroxide via superoxide dismutation may be contributing to toxicity. Both a mimetic of the peroxide-scavenging enzyme, GPx and a GSH analog blocked DA-induced superoxide accumulation, HO-1 expression and caspase-3 activation. In addition, the GPx mimetic blocked caspase-3 activation induced by the combination of DA with iron. In contrast, an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis potentiated DA-induced HO-1 expression and cell death. / Finally, in further examining the cellular defense mechanisms, I found that various heat shock proteins increased in expression levels during oligodendroglial differentiation, however only heat shock protein-90 (HSP-90) was detected in oligodendrocyte progenitors. An HSP-90 inhibitor decreased activated Akt levels, induced caspase-3 activation, increased nuclear condensation, reduced oligodendrocyte progenitor viability, and potentiated DA-induced apoptosis. In addition, an Akt inhibitor alone exacerbated DA toxicity and in combination with the HSP-90 inhibitor caused synergistic potentiation of DA toxicity by enhancing caspase-3 activation. / In conclusion, elevated levels of iron, superoxide, deficient detoxification of peroxides by glutathione peroxidase and inadequate defense by glutathione contribute to the susceptibility of oligodendrocyte progenitors to DA-induced toxicity. On the other hand, HSP-90 alone or in concert with Akt play important roles in oligodendrocyte progenitors survival following an insult that produces oxidative stress.

Įvairios širdies ligos, kurių metu vyksta kardiomiocitų žuvimas, yra viena iš pagrindinių mirtingumo priežasčių visame pasaulyje. Regeneracinė ląstelių terapija, naudojant pirmines raumeninės kilmės ląsteles širdies ligų gydyme, sulaukia vis didesnio dėmesio. Dėl įvairių patologinių procesų, vykstančių pažeistame audinyje, didelė dalis transplantuotų ląstelių žūva. Todėl viskas, kas gali padėti transplantuotiems mioblastams išgyventi ir geriau prigyti, verta nuodugnesnių tyrimų. Šiame darbe buvo tirtas streso baltymo Hsp70 vaidmuo suaugusio triušio raumens kamieninių ląstelių įvairių viduląstelinių sistemų, atsakingų už ląstelių žuvimą ar išgyvenimą, reguliacijoje. Suaugusio triušio raumens kamieninės ląstelės buvo transfekuotos plazmide, turinčia hsp70 geną. Transfekuotų ląstelių padidėjusio atsparumo toksiniams poveikiams veikimo mechanizmai tirti lyginant jas su paprastomis kamieninėmis miogeninėmis ląstelėmis. Gauti rezultatai parodė, kad padidėjusi Hsp70 baltymo raiška apsaugo triušio raumens kamienines ląsteles nuo apoptozinio žuvimo po poveikio cheminėmis medžiagomis (naftazarinu, vandenilio peroksidu ir natrio prusidu) generuojančiomis reaktyvius deguonies darinius (ROS) ir sukeliančiomis oksidacinį stresą. Padidintas Hsp70 baltymo kiekis po poveikio osidacinį stresą indukuojančiomis medžiagomis keičia mitogenais aktyvinamos kinazės ERK 1,2, streso kinazės JNK trumpalaikį/pro-apoptozinį veikimą paprastose pirminėse miogeninėse ląstelėse į ilgalaikį/ani-apoptozinį... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Various heart diseases concomited with the death of cardiomyocytes is one of the major causes of death-rate. Regenerative stem cell therapy of damaged heart applying muscle-derived stem cells attains more and more attention. Patological environment in the damaged heart is major cause of death of newly transplanted muscle-derived stem cells. Therefore, everything increasing survival of transplanted myogenic cells is of research interest. This work has been designed to investigate role of stress protein Hsp70 in the regulation of intracellular systems responsible for the death or survival of primary myogenic cells. Rabbit muscle-derived stem cells were transfected with the plasmid carrying hsp70 gene. Various intracellular mechanisms responsible for the resistance of transfected cells have been investigated and compared with the regular non transfected primary myogenic cells. Our results show that Hsp70 protein protects rabbit muscle-derived stem cells from the toxic effect of compounds (naftazarin, hydrogen peroxide and sodium pruside) generating reactive oxigen species (ROS) and causing oxidative stress. Increased amount of intracellular Hsp70 protein converts transient/proapototic mode of action of ERK1,2 and JNK in regular primary myogenic cells to sustained/antiapoptotic action in transfected cells and significantly decreased total amount of JNK after the treatment with naftazatin. Transfected cells also showed sustained/anti-apoptotic mode of activation of transcription... [to full text]

Spinal cord injuries result in permanent loss of motor function, leaving those affected with long term physical and financial burdens. Strategies for spinal cord injury repair must overcome unique challenges due to scar tissue that seals off the injury site, preventing regeneration. Tissue engineering can address these challenges with scaffolds that serve as cell- and drug-delivery tools, replacing damaged tissue while simultaneously addressing the inhibitory environment on a biochemical level. To advance this approach, the choice of cells, biomaterial matrix, and drug delivery system must be investigated and evaluated. This research seeks to evaluate (1) the behaviour of murine induced pluripotent stem cells in previously characterized 3D fibrin matrices; (2) the 3D fibrin matrix as a platform to support the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells; and (3) the ability of an affinity-based drug delivery system to control the release of emerging spinal cord injury therapeutic, heat shock protein 70 from fibrin scaffolds. / Graduate / 0541 / amy.lynn.montgomery@gmail.com

Heat shock protein (HSP)27 is traditionally described as an intracellular chaperone and signaling molecule, but growing evidence suggests it is released from immune cells where it plays an anti-inflammatory role during atherogenesis. Previously, the O’Brien lab found that overexpression of HSP27 led to augmented HSP27 serum levels in female apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-) mice, attenuated atherogenesis, and inhibited macrophage foam cell formation via physical binding with scavenger receptor (SR)-A. However, the precise mechanism of atheroprotection remained elusive. This thesis sought to ascertain the mechanism(s) by which HSP27 prevents foam cell formation, and determine if SR-A, a key receptor involved in the uptake of lipid into macrophages, plays an important role in HSP27-mediated atheroprotection. Pre-treatment of human macrophages with recombinant HSP27 (rHSP27) inhibited acytelated low density lipoprotein (acLDL) binding and uptake independent from receptor competition effect. Reduction in uptake was associated with attenuation of expression of SR-A mRNA, total protein, and cell surface expression. To explore the signaling mechanism by which HSP27 modulated SR-A expression it was hypothesized that nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), a major regulator of many atherosclerosis gene programs, is altered by extracellular HSP27. Indeed, rHSP27 markedly activated NF-kB signaling in macrophages. Using an inhibitor of NF-kBsignaling there was an attenuation of rHSP27-induced inhibition of SR-A gene and protein expression, as well as lipid uptake, suggesting that SR-A expression is regulated by NF-kB activation. Lastly, to investigate if SR-A is required for HSP27-mediated atheroprotection in vivo, ApoE-/- and ApoE-/-SR-A-/- mice fed a high fat diet were treated with rHSP25, the mouse orthologue of HSP27, or PBS for 3 weeks. While rHSP25 therapy equally reduced serum cholesterol levels in the mouse cohorts, aortic atherogenesis, assessed using en face and sinus cross-sectional analyses, was attenuated in ApoE-/- mice but not ApoE-/-SR-A-/- mice. In conclusion, rHSP27 inhibits foam cell formation by downregulating SR-A expression. This effect may be associated with NF-kB activation. Reductions in atherosclerotic burden by rHSP27 require SR-A, and are independent of changes in serum cholesterol levels, highlighting the importance of macrophage lipid uptake in atherogenesis. Results presented in this thesis demonstrate that SR-A is a major target for HSP27 atheroprotection in the vessel wall, and provide an impetus for further studies that investigate the potential therapeutic value of HSP27.

Os fogachos são a queixa mais comum das mulheres peri- e pós-menopausa e estão fortemente relacionados com a diminuição dos níveis de estrogênio. No entanto, a fisiopatologia deste sintoma vasomotor muito desagradável é ainda desconhecido. Por outro lado, o estradiol (E2) apresenta a capacidade de induzir a expressão de HSP72, um membro da família de 70 kDa das proteínas de choque térmico (HSP70), que são citoprotetoras e cardioprotetoras. Sabe-se que a expressão HSP70 é comprometida em doenças inflamatórias relacionadas com o envelhecimento. Por isso, questionamos se a capacidade do organismo de desencadear uma resposta ao choque térmico (Heat Shock Response) robusta, estaria ainda presente após a retirada, via castração, do E2. Para tanto, foram estudados os efeitos do choque térmico (Heat Shock - HS), através de uma sessão de banho de imersão, em ratas Wistar submetidas a ovariectomia bilateral (OVX), após um período de washout hormonal de 7 dias. Doze horas após o HS, os animais foram mortos e o arco aórtico foi excisado cirurgicamente para análises moleculares. Os resultados foram comparados com os marcadores de estresse oxidativo no plasma (superóxido dismutase, catalase e lipoperoxidação), pois é bem estabelecido que a expressão de HSP70 é sensível a regulação redox. A relação entre a iHSP70 (intracelular) e a eHSP70 (extracelular/plasma), proposto como um índice do estado inflamatório sistêmico, também foi investigada. Os resultados mostraram que a Heat Shock Response continua preservada em animais OVX, como inferido a partir da expressão de HSP70 (até 40% de aumento, p <0,01) nas aortas, o que não foi acompanhado por nenhuma outra alteração em marcadores de estresse oxidativo, parâmetros hematológicos e no controle glicêmico. Desta forma, sugerimos que a avaliação periódica do status de HSP70 (iHSP70 vs eHSP70) pode ser de extrema relevância clínica, pois a diminuição da capacidade de defesa do organismo via Heat Shock Response está no centro do aparecimento de disfunções relacionadas com a menopausa. / Hot flashes, the most common complaint of peri- and postmenopausal women, are tightly related to decrease in estrogen levels. However, the pathophysiology of this very unpleasant vasomotor symptom is greatly unknown. On the other hand, estradiol (E2) has been found to induce the expression of HSP72, a member of the 70 kDa family of heat shock proteins (HSP70), which are cytoprotective and cardioprotective. Since it has been noticed that HSP70 expression is compromised in age-related inflammatory diseases, we argued whether the capacity of triggering a robust heat shock (HS) response would be still present after E2 withdrawal. Hence, we studied the effects of HS treatment (hot tub) in female Wistar rats subjected to bilateral oophorectomy (OVX) after a 7 day washout period. Twelve hours after HS, the animals were killed and aortic arches were surgically excised for molecular analyses. The results were compared with oxidative stress markers in the plasma (superoxide dismutase, catalase and lipoperoxidation) because HSP70 expression is sensitive to redox regulation. Extracellular (plasma) to intracellular HSP70 ratio, an index of systemic inflammatory status, was also investigated. The results showed that HS response was preserved in OVX animals, as inferred from HSP70 expression (up to 40% rise, p<0.01) in the aortas, which was accompanied by no further alterations in oxidative stress, hematological parameters and glycemic control either. As a consequence, periodic evaluation of HSP70 status (iHSP70 vs eHSP70) may be of clinical relevance because decreased HS response capacity is at the center of the onset of menopause-related dysfunctions.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:20:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 5383.pdf: 8938173 bytes, checksum: 7745ba92d6e324eb3bfdfdadb149d797 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-06-14 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / Macrobrachium amazonicum is an endemic species in South America, which has been exploited by artisanal fisheries in northern and northeastern Brazil. The overexploitation of this species has led to the decline of its natural stocks. This scenario affects the riverine communities and the genetic status of populations of this crustacean. In this context, the aquaculture emerges as a sustainable alternative to soften this impact over the natural stocks. A molecular view of adaptations and modifications in response to environmental variables is important for understanding the biology, distribution and capacity of this crustacean to adapt to different conditions and geographic regions, either in its natural habitat or in captivity. Considering these aspects, SNPs markers within fitness-related candidate gene emerge as promising tools for selection and detection of genetic structure in natural populations and to verify their correlation with complex traits of interest in farming. In this study, the aim was to investigate SNPs in the HSC70 (70-kilodalton Heat Shock Cognate) gene under two approaches: (1) the prospection and association of SNPs to growth traits in a captive population of M. amazonicum (CAUNESP); and (2) the SNPs prospection, characterization of the variability and genetic structure of two wild stocks of M. amazonicum (Tocantins and Paracauari rivers, both in Para state). To the firsty study, were carried out an experimental performance of these prawns, undergone to two stocking densities (normal and intensification conditions). Growth traits (total and abdominal length, and total abdominal and hepathopancreas weight) and sex were determined during the harvesting. The SNPs effects on these phenotypic variables were tested in a mixed model conducted by the Proc Mixed of the SAS program. Twelve SNPs were identified. Among them, only two SNPs (C256T and T907C) and two haplotypes (H7 and H10) presented effects of interest. These effects comprised several traits, including density and population class interactions. The most important effects were found in the normal density of the farming and on females. SNPs effects were not detected in high stocking density treatment. xix So, this fact excludes the possibility of using this information to the farming intensification of M. amazonicum. However, these results consist of relevant information for the development of high performing culture lines of M. amazonicum by Marker Assisted Selection. The SNPs effects on females may indicate the involvement of the HSC70 gene in the reproductive development of the species. In the second study, 13 SNPs were characterized in the Tocantins river population and six SNPs in the Paracauari river population. No significant deviation from Hardy Weinberg equilibrium was found. However, linkage disequilibrium was detected among some pairs of SNP loci. Both stocks showed high haplotype diversity. The haplotype diversity was 0.712 and 0.596 for the Tocantins and Paracauari river populations, respectively. These values were significantly different between the populations (P &#8804; &#61472;0.05). AMOVA indicated that almost all variability occurs within the populations and these stocks are not genetically differentiated (FST = -0,00048). Apparently, if based on the diversity and the absence of genetic structure information, the anthropic action has not caused drastic effects on the genetic status of these two populations of M. amazonicum. These results prove that SNP markers within HSC70 gene are useful in establishing strategies for managing breeding programs as well as programs for the conservation of the species focus of this study. / O Macrobrachium amazonicum e uma especie endemica da America da Sul que tem sido muito explorada pela pesca artesanal principalmente nas regioes norte e nordeste brasileira. A superexploracao da especie tem levado a diminuicao dos estoques naturais, afetando as relacoes socioeconomicas de populacoes ribeirinhas e o status genetico deste crustaceo. Nesse contexto, a aquicultura surge como uma alternativa sustentavel para amenizar este impacto nos estoques naturais. Uma visao molecular das adaptacoes e modificacoes em resposta as variaveis ambientais e importante para se entender a biologia, distribuicao e capacidade que este crustaceo possui para se adaptar a diferentes condicoes e regioes geograficas, quer seja em seu habitat natural ou em cativeiro. Um modo de resposta a essas situacoes e a adaptacao atraves de mudancas na composicao genetica de populacoes como resultado da selecao. Considerando estes aspectos, marcadores SNPs (Polimorfismos de Base Unica) localizados em genes candidatos relacionados ao fitness surgem como ferramentas promissoras para deteccao de selecao e estruturacao genetica em populacoes naturais, bem como para verificar a sua correlacao com caracteristicas complexas de interesse na aquicultura. No presente trabalho objetivou-se estudar SNPs no gene da HSC70 (forma constitutiva do gene da Proteina do Choque Termico de 70 kDa) em duas abordagens: (1) a prospeccao e associacao destes SNPs as caracteristicas de crescimento em uma populacao cativa de M. amazonicum (CAUNESP); e (2) a prospeccao de SNPs, caracterizacao da variabilidade e estruturacao genetica de duas populacoes naturais de M. amazonicum (rios Tocantins e Paracauari, ambos no Para). Para o primeiro estudo, desenvolveu-se um experimento de desempenho zootecnico destes camaroes, submetidos a duas densidades de estocagem (condicao normal e de intensificacao). No momento da despesca, mensuraram-se variaveis de crescimento (comprimentos total e abdominal e pesos total, abdominal e do hepatopancreas) e determinou-se o sexo dos individuos. Os efeitos dos SNPs sobre estas variaveis fenotipicas foram testados em modelo xvii linear misto, conduzidos pelo Proc Mixed do programa SAS. Dentre 12 SNPs identificados nesta populacao, houve efeito de interesse para dois SNPs (C256T e T907C) e dois haplotipos (H7 e H10), efeitos estes que compreendem varias caracteristicas de crescimento, incluindo interacoes de densidade e classe populacional. Os efeitos mais importantes foram encontrados na densidade normal de cultivo e nas femeas. O fato de nao terem sido detectados efeitos significativos de SNPs na alta densidade de estocagem neste primeiro estudo exclui a possibilidade de uso desta informacao para a intensificacao do cultivo do M. amazonicum. De qualquer maneira, estes resultados consistem de informacao relevante para aplicacao no desenvolvimento de linhagens com alto potencial de crescimento, atraves da Selecao Assistida por Marcadores. O efeito detectado nas femeas pode ser indicio do envolvimento do gene da HSC70 com o desenvolvimento reprodutivo da especie. Na segunda abordagem feita, detectouse 13 SNPs na populacao do rio Tocantins e seis na populacao do rio Paracauari. Todos os SNPs apresentaram-se sem desvios do equilibrio de Hardy-Weinberg, porem em alguns pares de locos SNPs foi detectado desequilibrio de ligacao. As duas populacoes apresentaram alta diversidade haplotipica. A diversidade de haplotipos para a populacao do rio Tocantins foi 0,712 e para a populacao do rio Paracauari foi 0,596, diferindo significativamente entre as populacoes (P &#8804; &#61472;0,05). A AMOVA indicou que toda a variabilidade esta presente dentro das populacoes, fazendo com que estas duas populacoes nao estejam diferenciadas geneticamente (FST = - 0,00048). Aparentemente, baseando-se somente nas informacoes de diversidade e na ausencia de estrutura genetica, a acao antropica nao tem causado efeitos drasticos no status genetico destas duas populacoes de M. amazonicum. Estes resultados provam que marcadores SNPs localizados no gene da HSC70 sao uteis no estabelecimento de estrategias de manejo em programas de selecao genetica, bem como em programas de conservacao da especie foco deste estudo.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:46:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 4898999 bytes, checksum: a1929863574a39c391ec971fb2ed4731 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-03-20 / The expression of HSP70 and HSP90 was evaluated through immunoistochemistry studies in bovine inoculated with synthetic peptides SBbo23290 and SBm7462 applied simultaneously, in association or in individual presentation. The animals received three applications with 30 days of interval among them and after challenged with the Babesia bovis strain UFV1 - 9th passage. The histopathological studies showed reactivity of the lymphoid organ seven days after the first immunization with germinative centers increased. After the second immunization, it was evident the hyperplasia of the paracortical and medular areas, with subsequent decrease of the reactivity of the germinative centers after this period, suggesting formation of a memory response to the immunogens. The heat shock proteins presented basal expression. HSP70 expressed preferentially in the paracortical area, while HSP90 showed more visible immunomarker in the paracortical and medular areas. Immunoistochemical studies showed a coincidence in the expression of HSP90 and of the peptides SBbo23290 and SBm7462, when were considered the same periods of immunization, suggesting the formation of a complex HSP- peptide. The glucose, lactate, haptoglobin and C-reactive protein levels stayed inside of the values considered physiologic for the bovine species. The basal cellular immunoreaction of HSP70 and HSP90, as well as the maintenance of the normal levels of the biochemical parameters during the whole period of the experiment, suggest that the stress provoked by the synthetic peptides was insufficient to cause damage to the organism. In other hand, the maintainance of the health condition of the animals influenced the immunological response, and the basal levels of the heat shock proteins might have been enough to promote cytoprotection after the challenge. / A expressão de HSP70 e HSP90 foi avaliada por meio de estudos imunoistoquímicos, em bovinos inoculados com peptídeos sintéticos SBbo23290 e SBm7462, aplicados simultaneamente, em associação ou em apresentação individual. Os animais receberam 3 aplicações em intervalos de 30 dias entre si e posteriormente desafiados com cepa de Babesia bovis (UFV1- 9ª passagem). Os estudos histopatológicos mostraram reatividade do órgão linfóide sete dias após a primeira imunização, com centros germinativos aumentados. Após a segunda imunização, ficou evidente a hiperplasia da região paracortical e medular, com subseqüente diminuição da reatividade dos centros germinativos após este período, sugerindo formação de uma resposta de memória aos imunógenos. As proteínas de choque térmico apresentaram expressão basal. A HSP70 expressou, preferencialmente, na região paracortical, enquanto que a HSP90 mostrou imunomarcação mais visível nas regiões paracortical e medular. Estudos imunoistoquímicos mostraram uma coincidência na expressão de HSP90 com os peptídeos SBbo23290 e SBm7462, quando se consideraram os mesmos períodos de imunização, sugerindo a formação de um complexo HSP-peptídeo. Os níveis de glicose, lactato, haptoglobina e proteína C-reativa mantiveram-se dentro dos valores considerados fisiológicos para a espécie bovina. A imunomarcação celular basal de HSP70 e HSP90, bem como a manutenção dos níveis normais das variáveis bioquímicas durante todo o período do experimento, sugerem que o estresse provocado pelos peptídeos sintéticos foi insuficiente para causar dano ao organismo. Em contrapartida, a manutenção do estado de saúde dos animais influenciou a reposta imunológica, e os níveis basais das proteínas de choque térmico podem ter sido suficientes para promover citoproteção após o desafio.