Released in response to cellular activation, microvesicles are a major vector mechanism for the delivery of protein, nucleic acid and bioactive lipid payloads in local tissues and plasma. Large numbers of microvesicles (including those from neutrophils) are found within inflammatory sites, such as the rheumatoid synovium. Human neutrophil microvesicles promote tissue protection, and in some cases repair, by affecting function and phenotype of other inflammatory cells. Of these, tissue macrophages are central to the recovery of homeostasis after an inflammatory insult. The data herein indicate that microvesicles released by activated neutrophils impede lipopolysaccharide and interferon gamma-induced \M1-like" polarisation of macrophages via phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) exposure, and induce annexin A1-dependent release of transforming growth factor beta (TGFb). Macrophages treated with these vesicles stimulate the production of cartilage matrix from chondrocytes, and are unable to induce an inflammatory phenotype in fi broblasts. The efficacy of these vesicles is reproduced in two in vivo models of acute inflammation, zymosan-induced peritonits and K/BxN serum-transfer arthritis. Finally, the possibility of using both autologous, and cell-line-derived microvesicles as pharmacodynamic tools is explored. Microvesicles generated from neutrophils from patients with rheumatoid arthritis are found to be protective, and can outcompete the pro-inflammatory effects of both platelet microvesicles, and those isolated from synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. By building on the observation that anxA1 on microvesicles stimulates TGFb release in macrophages, a cell line was transfected to release anxA1+ microvesicles, and their e ects compared to those of their wild type counterparts.

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Thesis (PhD (Geneeskundige Immunologie))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Pharmacology / unrestricted

No description available.

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are linear polysaccharides whose disaccharide building blocks consist of an amino sugar and either uronic acid or galactose. They are expressed on virtually all mammalian cells, usually covalently attached to proteins, forming proteoglycans. GAGs are highly negatively charged due to an abundance of sulfate and carboxylic acid groups, and are structurally very diverse, with differences arising from chain length, the type of monomeric units, the linkages between each monomeric unit, the position of sulfate groups, and the degree of sulfation. GAGs are known to interact with a multitude of proteins, impacting diverse physiological and pathological processes. In addition, most of the biological interactions mediated by proteoglycans are believed to be primarily because of the GAG chains present on their surface. Considering the involvement of GAGs in multiple diseases, their use in the development of drugs has been of significant interest in the pharmaceutical field. Heparin, the first GAG-based drug developed in 1935, is still the most widely used anticoagulant in the world. The therapeutic potential of GAGs for the treatment of many other disease states, including cancer, inflammation, infection, wound healing, lung diseases, and Alzheimer’s disease, is being actively studied with many GAGs currently in clinical trials. However, challenges associated with the heterogeneous and complex structure of GAGs, limit their successful development. To combat such issues, our lab has focused on developing Non- Saccharide GAG Mimetics (NSGMs) as structural mimics of GAGs. NSGMs, being synthetic molecules, offer multiple advantages over GAGs. The studies mentioned here describe our efforts in the development of NSGMs as potential therapeutics for cancer, and cystic fibrosis.

<p>A 95-kDa protein was purified from normal human granulocytes. The protein reacted with a monoclonal antibody against CEACAM8. MALDI-Tof and MS/MS analyses revealed the protein to be a CGM6 gene product. Thus, the protein was proved to be identical to CEACAM8. </p><p>An ELISA for CEACAM8 was developed with detection range of 1-64μg/L. Data are presented on the levels of CEACAM8 in the blood of healthy individuals and patients undergoing surgery, as well as in patients with acute infection. The highly elevated levels of CEACAM8 in the blood of these patients were significantly correlated with the surface expression of CEACAM8 on neutrophils and the number of circulating neutrophils, which suggests that CEACAM8 could serve as a biological marker for granulocyte activitiy in vivo. </p><p>The cellular content of CEACAM8 in neutrophils was estimated to be 82.4 ± 8.9 ng/10⁶ cells. Subcellular localisation and mobilisation studies showed that the majority of CEACAM8 is present in the secondary granules of human neutrophils, with a small amount on the plasma membranes. Upon stimulation, CEACAM8 translocated to the plasma membranes from the secondary granules and was also released extracellularly (5.5 ± 0.7% of the total content of CEACAM8).</p><p>In eosinophils, the cellular content of CEACAM8 was estimated to be 73.8 ± 6.0 ng/10⁶ cells. In these cells, CEACAM8 is mainly stored in secretory vesicles. Upon activation, eosinophils released 5.1 ± 1.1% of the total content of CEACAM8. </p><p>Administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to healthy individuals resulted in an increased content of CEACAM8 in neutrophils on day 1, and decreased on day 4. However, the content of CEACAM8 in light membrane fractions was increased on day 4. The translocation of CEACAM8 observed <i>in vivo</i> after G-CSF administration is probably not directly related to this cytokine but to other cytokines such as TNF-a. </p>

A 95-kDa protein was purified from normal human granulocytes. The protein reacted with a monoclonal antibody against CEACAM8. MALDI-Tof and MS/MS analyses revealed the protein to be a CGM6 gene product. Thus, the protein was proved to be identical to CEACAM8. An ELISA for CEACAM8 was developed with detection range of 1-64μg/L. Data are presented on the levels of CEACAM8 in the blood of healthy individuals and patients undergoing surgery, as well as in patients with acute infection. The highly elevated levels of CEACAM8 in the blood of these patients were significantly correlated with the surface expression of CEACAM8 on neutrophils and the number of circulating neutrophils, which suggests that CEACAM8 could serve as a biological marker for granulocyte activitiy in vivo. The cellular content of CEACAM8 in neutrophils was estimated to be 82.4 ± 8.9 ng/106 cells. Subcellular localisation and mobilisation studies showed that the majority of CEACAM8 is present in the secondary granules of human neutrophils, with a small amount on the plasma membranes. Upon stimulation, CEACAM8 translocated to the plasma membranes from the secondary granules and was also released extracellularly (5.5 ± 0.7% of the total content of CEACAM8). In eosinophils, the cellular content of CEACAM8 was estimated to be 73.8 ± 6.0 ng/106 cells. In these cells, CEACAM8 is mainly stored in secretory vesicles. Upon activation, eosinophils released 5.1 ± 1.1% of the total content of CEACAM8. Administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to healthy individuals resulted in an increased content of CEACAM8 in neutrophils on day 1, and decreased on day 4. However, the content of CEACAM8 in light membrane fractions was increased on day 4. The translocation of CEACAM8 observed in vivo after G-CSF administration is probably not directly related to this cytokine but to other cytokines such as TNF-a.

Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) is a uniquely destructive serine protease with the ability to unleash a wave of proteolytic activity by destroying the inhibitors of other proteases. Although this phenomenon forms an important part of the innate immune response to invading pathogens, it is responsible for the collateral host tissue damage observed in chronic conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and in more acute disorders such as the lung injuries associated with COVID-19 infection. Previously, a combinatorially selected activity-based probe revealed an unexpected substrate preference for oxidised methionine, which suggests a link to oxida-tive pathogen clearance by neutrophils. Here we use oxidised model substrates and inhibitors to confirm this observation and to show that neutrophil elastase is specifically selective for the di-oxygenated methionine sulfone rather than the mono-oxygenated methionine sulfoxide. We also posit a critical role for ordered solvent in the mechanism of HNE discrimination between the two oxidised forms methionine residue. Preference for the sulfone form of oxidised methionine is especially significant. While both host and pathogens have the ability to reduce methionine sulfoxide back to methionine, a biological pathway to reduce methionine sulfone is not known. Taken to-gether, these data suggest that the oxidative activity of neutrophils may create rapidly cleaved elas-tase “super substrates” that directly damage tissue, while initiating a cycle of neutrophil oxidation that increases elastase tissue damage and further neutrophil recruitment.

Background e objetivo. A reconstituição celular hematopoiética com o transplante de células tronco hematopoiéticas (TCTH) alogênicas é um método de tratamento estabelecido para uma variedade de doenças hematológicas, oncológicas e imunológicas. Entretanto, TCTH está associado a considerável morbimortalidade devido a fatores como recidiva da doença de base, grau de compatibilidade HLA, tipo de regime de condicionamento e infecções durante o período de neutropenia. Este estudo investigou a associação entre o aloantígenoneutrofílico humano (HNA) e o dia de pega, a ocorrência de DECH aguda e TRM em pacientes que foram submetidos a transplante de células tronco hematopoiéticas alogênico. Tipo de estudo e local. Estudo de coorte prospectivo realizado no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Métodos. Avaliamos 27 pacientes transplantados entre maio de 2013 e abril de 2014 e seus respectivos doadores. A tipagem HNA foi realizada, nas amostras dos doadores, por PCR-SSP e os anticorpos anti-HNA foram detectados nos pacientes utilizando o kit LABSCREEN MULTI (LSMUTR – One Lambda). Resultados. A idade variou entre 1 a 63 anos, com uma média de 20,4 ± 17,5 anos. Dezenove pacientes eram pediátricos (<21 anos) com média de idade de 10,05 ± 6,4 anos e entre os pacientes adultos a média foi 42,2 ± 12,6 anos. Houve um discreto predomínio do sexo masculino 16 (59,3%). As leucemias agudas foram frequentes em 19 (70,4%) dos pacientes, outras doenças oncohematológicas malignas (Linfoma Hodgkin e Linfoma não Hodgkin) estiveram em 3 (11,1%) e as não malignas (síndrome mielodisplásica, osteopetrose, hemoglobinúria paroxicística noturna, aplasia e doença granulomatosa) estiveram em 6 (22,2%) dos casos. A maioria dos pacientes 19 (70,4%), apresentavam a doença há menos de 12 meses na época do transplante e 24 (88,9%) deles foram totalmente compatível com seus doadores quanto ao sistema HLA. O regime de condicionamento mieloablativo foi utilizado em 16 (59,2%) dos pacientes e a profilaxia padrão para DECH (ciclosporina e metotrexate) foi utilizada em 15 (55,5%) dos pacientes. O dia de pega teve uma mediana de 19 e mínimo e máximo de 15 e 30, respectivamente. Quatro pacientes (14,8%) tiveram óbito antes da pega. Aproximadamente 63% (17 pacientes) apresentaram DECH aguda (em todos os estágios) e a taxa de mortalidade (TRM) foi de aproximadamente 44% dos casos (12 pacientes). Os pacientes que receberam TCTH de um doador aparentado tiveram TRM de aproximadamente 41% (7 pacientes) e os que receberam de um doador não aparentado foi de aproximadamente 45% (5 pacientes). A frequência dos antígenos HNA detectados nos doadores foi de 46,4% HNA-1a, 89,3% HNA-1b, 3,6% HNA-1c, 96,4% HNA-3a, 32,1% HNA-3b, 96,4% HNA-4a, 21,4% HNA-4b, 85,7% HNA-5a e 71,4% HNA-5b. A frequência dos anticorpos anti-HNA1a, anti-HNA1b, anti-HNA1c e anti-HNA2 no D0 foram respectivamente 46,4%, 42,9%, 42,9% e 53,6%. A associação entre a tipagem HNA dos doadores e anticorpos anti-HNAdos receptores com dia da pega, DECH aguda e TRM não mostrou correlação estatisticamente significativa. Conclusão. A frequência de HNA encontradanos doadores está de acordo com o descrito pela literatura. Contudo, a frequência dos anticorpos anti-HNAs foi bastante alta na população do estudo, embora a maioria apresentasse doença há menos de 12 meses até o transplante. Apesar de não encontrarmos uma correlação, novos estudos são necessários para melhor avaliar o papel do HNA no desfecho do TCTH. / Background and purpose. Hematopoietic cellular reconstruction with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an established method of treatment for a variety of hematological, oncologic and immunologic diseases. However, HSCT is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality due to recurrence of underlying disease, incomplete HLA compatibility, type of conditioning regimen and infection during the unavoidable period of neutropenia. This study investigates a surrogate cause of morbidity: compatibility of Human Neutrophil Antigens (HNA) between donors and receivers and its association with day of engraftment, incidence of acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) and total rate of mortality (TRM) in patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT. Type of study and location. Prospective cohort study carried out at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Brazil. Methods. We have studied 27 patients who underwent HSCT between May, 2013 and April, 2014, and their respective donors. HNA typing in the donors was performed by PCR-SSP (One Lambda) and anti-HNA antibodies in receivers were detected using the LABSCREEN MULTI kit (LSMUTR-One Lambda). Results. The age ranged from 1 to 63 years, with an average of 20.4 ± 17.5 years. Nineteen were pediatric patients (<21 years) with an average age of 10.05 ± 6.4 years, and among adult patients the average was 42.2 ± 12.6 years. There was a discreet male prevalence, 16 (59,3%). The acute leukemias were frequent in 19 (70,3%) of patients, other malignant onco-hematological diseases (Hodgkin Lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma) in 3 (11,1%) and non-malignant (myelodysplastic syndrome, osteopetrosis, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, aplasia and granulomatous disease) in 6 (22,2%). Nineteen (70,3%) of the patients, had the disease for less than 12 months at the time of the transplant and 24 (88,9%) were fully HLA compatible with their donors. Myeloablative conditioning regimen was used in 16 (59,3%) of the patients and the standard prophylaxis for GVHD (cyclosporine and methotrexate) was used in 15 (55,5%) of the patients. The day of engraftment had a median of 19 and minimum and maximum of 15 and 30, respectively. Four patients (14,8%) died before the engraftment. Approximately 17 patients (63%) showed acute GVHD (in all stages) and the total rate of mortality (TRM) was approximately 44% of the cases (12 patients). Patients who received HSCT from a related donor had TRM of approximately 41% (7 patients) and those who have received an unrelated donor was approximately 45% (5 patients). The frequency of HNA antigens detected in donors was 46,4% HNA-1a, 89,3% HNA-1b, 3,6% HNA-1c, 96,4% HNA-3a, 32,1% HNA-3b, 96,4% HNA-4a, 21,4% HNA-4b, 85,7% HNA-5a and 71,4% HNA-5b. The frequency of antibodies anti-HNA1a, anti-HNA1b, anti-HNA1c and anti-HNA2 at D0 were respectively 46,4%, 42,9%, 42,9% and 53,6%. The association between the HNA donor typing and anti-HNA antibodies of receivers with day of the engraftment, acute GVHD and TRM showed no statistically significant correlation. Conclusion. The HNA frequency found in our donors was close to the described in the literature. The frequency of anti-HNAs antibodies, however, was quite high in our study population; although the majority presented the disease for less than 12 months before the transplant. The association between HNA donor typing and anti-HNA antibodies of patients with day of engraftment, acute GVHD incidence and TRM showed no statistically significant correlation. As the number of cases was small, further studies with higher numbers and with antigen/antibodies assayed in both sides of transplantation pairs, are needed to better assess the role of the HNAs on the outcome of HSCT.

Background e objetivo. A reconstituição celular hematopoiética com o transplante de células tronco hematopoiéticas (TCTH) alogênicas é um método de tratamento estabelecido para uma variedade de doenças hematológicas, oncológicas e imunológicas. Entretanto, TCTH está associado a considerável morbimortalidade devido a fatores como recidiva da doença de base, grau de compatibilidade HLA, tipo de regime de condicionamento e infecções durante o período de neutropenia. Este estudo investigou a associação entre o aloantígenoneutrofílico humano (HNA) e o dia de pega, a ocorrência de DECH aguda e TRM em pacientes que foram submetidos a transplante de células tronco hematopoiéticas alogênico. Tipo de estudo e local. Estudo de coorte prospectivo realizado no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Métodos. Avaliamos 27 pacientes transplantados entre maio de 2013 e abril de 2014 e seus respectivos doadores. A tipagem HNA foi realizada, nas amostras dos doadores, por PCR-SSP e os anticorpos anti-HNA foram detectados nos pacientes utilizando o kit LABSCREEN MULTI (LSMUTR – One Lambda). Resultados. A idade variou entre 1 a 63 anos, com uma média de 20,4 ± 17,5 anos. Dezenove pacientes eram pediátricos (<21 anos) com média de idade de 10,05 ± 6,4 anos e entre os pacientes adultos a média foi 42,2 ± 12,6 anos. Houve um discreto predomínio do sexo masculino 16 (59,3%). As leucemias agudas foram frequentes em 19 (70,4%) dos pacientes, outras doenças oncohematológicas malignas (Linfoma Hodgkin e Linfoma não Hodgkin) estiveram em 3 (11,1%) e as não malignas (síndrome mielodisplásica, osteopetrose, hemoglobinúria paroxicística noturna, aplasia e doença granulomatosa) estiveram em 6 (22,2%) dos casos. A maioria dos pacientes 19 (70,4%), apresentavam a doença há menos de 12 meses na época do transplante e 24 (88,9%) deles foram totalmente compatível com seus doadores quanto ao sistema HLA. O regime de condicionamento mieloablativo foi utilizado em 16 (59,2%) dos pacientes e a profilaxia padrão para DECH (ciclosporina e metotrexate) foi utilizada em 15 (55,5%) dos pacientes. O dia de pega teve uma mediana de 19 e mínimo e máximo de 15 e 30, respectivamente. Quatro pacientes (14,8%) tiveram óbito antes da pega. Aproximadamente 63% (17 pacientes) apresentaram DECH aguda (em todos os estágios) e a taxa de mortalidade (TRM) foi de aproximadamente 44% dos casos (12 pacientes). Os pacientes que receberam TCTH de um doador aparentado tiveram TRM de aproximadamente 41% (7 pacientes) e os que receberam de um doador não aparentado foi de aproximadamente 45% (5 pacientes). A frequência dos antígenos HNA detectados nos doadores foi de 46,4% HNA-1a, 89,3% HNA-1b, 3,6% HNA-1c, 96,4% HNA-3a, 32,1% HNA-3b, 96,4% HNA-4a, 21,4% HNA-4b, 85,7% HNA-5a e 71,4% HNA-5b. A frequência dos anticorpos anti-HNA1a, anti-HNA1b, anti-HNA1c e anti-HNA2 no D0 foram respectivamente 46,4%, 42,9%, 42,9% e 53,6%. A associação entre a tipagem HNA dos doadores e anticorpos anti-HNAdos receptores com dia da pega, DECH aguda e TRM não mostrou correlação estatisticamente significativa. Conclusão. A frequência de HNA encontradanos doadores está de acordo com o descrito pela literatura. Contudo, a frequência dos anticorpos anti-HNAs foi bastante alta na população do estudo, embora a maioria apresentasse doença há menos de 12 meses até o transplante. Apesar de não encontrarmos uma correlação, novos estudos são necessários para melhor avaliar o papel do HNA no desfecho do TCTH. / Background and purpose. Hematopoietic cellular reconstruction with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an established method of treatment for a variety of hematological, oncologic and immunologic diseases. However, HSCT is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality due to recurrence of underlying disease, incomplete HLA compatibility, type of conditioning regimen and infection during the unavoidable period of neutropenia. This study investigates a surrogate cause of morbidity: compatibility of Human Neutrophil Antigens (HNA) between donors and receivers and its association with day of engraftment, incidence of acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) and total rate of mortality (TRM) in patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT. Type of study and location. Prospective cohort study carried out at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Brazil. Methods. We have studied 27 patients who underwent HSCT between May, 2013 and April, 2014, and their respective donors. HNA typing in the donors was performed by PCR-SSP (One Lambda) and anti-HNA antibodies in receivers were detected using the LABSCREEN MULTI kit (LSMUTR-One Lambda). Results. The age ranged from 1 to 63 years, with an average of 20.4 ± 17.5 years. Nineteen were pediatric patients (<21 years) with an average age of 10.05 ± 6.4 years, and among adult patients the average was 42.2 ± 12.6 years. There was a discreet male prevalence, 16 (59,3%). The acute leukemias were frequent in 19 (70,3%) of patients, other malignant onco-hematological diseases (Hodgkin Lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma) in 3 (11,1%) and non-malignant (myelodysplastic syndrome, osteopetrosis, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, aplasia and granulomatous disease) in 6 (22,2%). Nineteen (70,3%) of the patients, had the disease for less than 12 months at the time of the transplant and 24 (88,9%) were fully HLA compatible with their donors. Myeloablative conditioning regimen was used in 16 (59,3%) of the patients and the standard prophylaxis for GVHD (cyclosporine and methotrexate) was used in 15 (55,5%) of the patients. The day of engraftment had a median of 19 and minimum and maximum of 15 and 30, respectively. Four patients (14,8%) died before the engraftment. Approximately 17 patients (63%) showed acute GVHD (in all stages) and the total rate of mortality (TRM) was approximately 44% of the cases (12 patients). Patients who received HSCT from a related donor had TRM of approximately 41% (7 patients) and those who have received an unrelated donor was approximately 45% (5 patients). The frequency of HNA antigens detected in donors was 46,4% HNA-1a, 89,3% HNA-1b, 3,6% HNA-1c, 96,4% HNA-3a, 32,1% HNA-3b, 96,4% HNA-4a, 21,4% HNA-4b, 85,7% HNA-5a and 71,4% HNA-5b. The frequency of antibodies anti-HNA1a, anti-HNA1b, anti-HNA1c and anti-HNA2 at D0 were respectively 46,4%, 42,9%, 42,9% and 53,6%. The association between the HNA donor typing and anti-HNA antibodies of receivers with day of the engraftment, acute GVHD and TRM showed no statistically significant correlation. Conclusion. The HNA frequency found in our donors was close to the described in the literature. The frequency of anti-HNAs antibodies, however, was quite high in our study population; although the majority presented the disease for less than 12 months before the transplant. The association between HNA donor typing and anti-HNA antibodies of patients with day of engraftment, acute GVHD incidence and TRM showed no statistically significant correlation. As the number of cases was small, further studies with higher numbers and with antigen/antibodies assayed in both sides of transplantation pairs, are needed to better assess the role of the HNAs on the outcome of HSCT.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:03:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 NorbertoKVM_DISSERT.pdf: 2522986 bytes, checksum: 6298d49730e0d9c9d5418ad46a9b33f5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-22 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / Studies indicate that several components were isolated from medicinal plants, which have antibacterial, antifungal, antitumor and anti-inflammatory properties. Sepsis is characterized by a systemic inflammation which leads to the production of inflammatory mediators exacerbated by excessive activation of inflammatory cells and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), in which the human neutrophil elastase plays an important role in its pathogenesis. Several epidemiological studies suggest that components of plants, especially legumes, can play a beneficial role in reducing the incidence of different cancers. A chymotrypsin inhibitor of Kunitz (Varela, 2010) was purified from seeds of Erythrina velutina (Mulungu) by fractionation with ammonium sulfate, affinity chromatography on Trypsin-Sepharose, Chymotrypsin-Sepharose and ion exchange chromatography on Resource Q 1 ml (GE Healthcare) in system FPLC / AKTA. The inhibitor, called EvCI, had a molecular mass of 17 kDa determined by SDS-PAGE. The purified protein was able to inhibit human neutrophil elastase (HNE), with an IC50 of 3.12 nM. The EvCI was able to inhibit both pathways of HNE release stimulated by PAF and fMLP (75.6% and 65% respectively). The inhibitor also inhibited leukocyte migration in septic mice about 87% and prolonged the time of coagulation and inhibition factor Xa. EvCI showed neither hemolytic activity nor cytotoxicity. EvCI showed a selective antiproliferative effect to HepG2 cell lines with IC50 of 0.5 micrograms per milliliter. These results suggest EvCI as a molecule antagonist of PAF / fMLP and a potential use in fighting inflammation related disorders, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and cancer / Estudos indicam que v?rios componentes medicinais foram isolados de vegetais, os quais apresentam atividades antibacterianas, antif?ngicas, antitumorais e anti-inflamat?rias. Sepse ? caracterizada por uma inflama??o sist?mica que tem como conseq??ncia a produ??o exarcebada de mediadores inflamat?rios, pela excessiva ativa??o de c?lulas inflamat?rias e coagula??o intravascular disseminada (CIVD), na qual a elastase neutrof?lica humana exerce um papel importante na sua patog?nese. Diversos estudos epidemiol?gicos sugerem que componentes de vegetais, especialmente de leguminosas, podem desempenhar um papel ben?fico na redu??o da incid?ncia de diferentes tipos de c?ncer. Um inibidor de quimotripsina do tipo Kunitz (Varela, 2010) foi purificado de sementes de Erythrina velutina (Mulungu) por fracionamento com sulfato de am?nio, cromatografias de afinidade em Tripsina-Sepharose e Quimotripsina-Sepharose e cromatografia de troca i?nica em Resource Q 1 mL (GE Healthcare), em sistema FPLC/AKTA. O inibidor, denominado EvCI, apresentou uma massa molecular de 17 kDa, determinada por SDS-PAGE. A prote?na purificada foi capaz de inibir a elastase de neutr?filos humanos (ENH), apresentando um IC50 de 3,12 nM. O EvCI foi capaz de inibir ambas as vias de libera??o de ENH estimuladas por PAF e fMLP (75,6% e 65%, respectivamente). O inibidor tamb?m inibiu a migra??o leucocit?ria em camundongos s?pticos em cerca de 87% e prolongou o tempo de coagula??o com inibi??o do fator Xa. EvCI n?o apresentou atividade hemol?tica nem citot?xica. EvCI apresentou um efeito antiproliferativo seletivo para linhagens de c?lulas HepG2 com IC50 de 0,5 &#956;g /mL. Estes resultados sugerem o EvCI como uma mol?cula antagonista dos receptores PAF/fMLP e um potencial emprego no combate a dist?rbios relacionados a inflama??o, coagula??o intravascular disseminada (CIVD) e cancer