Francisella tularensis is a gram-negative, highly virulent, intracellular bacterium which causes the zoonotic disease tularemia. The subspecies tularensis and holarctica are clinically important, and the former is the more virulent. The intracellular lifestyle of F. tularensis is not completely understood, but after uptake in monocytes, the bacterium escapes from the phagosome within hours and replicates massively in the cytosol. The escape is dependent on factors encoded by the Intracellular Growth Locus (igl) operon, located in the Francisella Pathogenicity Island, FPI. The thesis was aimed to clarify and understand the interaction of F. tularensis strains with the endosomal pathway of monocytic cells in general and the roles of the Igl proteins and the global regulator MglA for this interaction in particular. A focus has also been to elucidate the roles of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species for the intracellular host-parasite interaction. We show that mutants in the IglB, IglC, or IglD proteins or their regulator MglA of the live vaccine strain, LVS (subspecies holarctica), all demonstrated reduced replication rates and lowered cytopathogenicity compared to the wild type in a J774 mouse macrophage cell model. Colocalization with LAMP-1 was significantly increased for the IglC, IglD and MglA mutants compared to LVS. This indicated an impaired ability to escape into the cytoplasm, while at the same time they, like LVS, partly prevented fusion with lysosomes. IFN-γ activation of the J774 host cells prior to infection had a bactericidal effect on LVS and all of the mutants, though the cidal effect was significantly more pronounced for the mutants. Following IFN-γ activation, a majority of the mutant-containing phagosomesfused with lysosomeswhile LVS remained localized in the cytosol without significantly increased interactions with the endosomal pathway. Previous studies have revealed that IFN-γ activation of F. tularensis-infected macrophages leads to control of infection but conclusions about the importance of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species on bacterial killing are inconsistent. We found that the growth inhibition resulting from IFN-γ activation could not be attributed to an increased oxidative burst since PMA-induced superoxide production was still inhibited by LVS to the same extent as in non-activated macrophages. On the other hand, reactive nitrogen species may in part have contributed to the cidal effect. To further assess the role of reactive nitrogen species to the killing of F. tularensis, nitric oxide was administrated exogenously to J774 cells infected with LVS. This led to significant killing of intracellular LVS with a concomitant increased phagosomal localization and downregulation of the virulence gene regulator mglA. These effects were reversed by addition of a peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst. A spontaneous avirulent mutant of subspecies tularensis, strain FSC043, was previously demonstrated to provide protective immunity in mice. Here, microscopic analyses of the strain revealed an unusual intracellular localization with a delayed phagosomal escape. This may account for the low virulence, while at the same time FSC043 remains immunogenic and thereby confers protection. The igl operon is intact in strain FCS043 and we hypothesize that a defect in the FPI gene pdpC contributed to the observed phenotype. Altogether, this thesis work demonstrates the importance of the mglA and igl genes for the virulence of F. tularensis and specifically their important roles for a functional phagosomal escape and inhibition of the host cell oxidative burst. Also, addition of exogenous nitric oxide likely leads to formation of peroxynitrite intracellularly, a reactive molecule which confines the bacterium to the phagosome and confers a significant bactericidal effect on intracellular F. tularensis.

Many viruses have evolved mechanisms to antagonize the interferon (IFN) system, targeting all the major components involved in receptor binding and signalling. Although a number of these viral proteins are homologous to cellular proteins involved in IFN downregulation (e.g., viral IFN regulatory factors [vIRFs]), many share little resemblance to known proteins. To determine the IFN-blocking properties of these proteins, functional assays are required. Here, we present a new and rapid functional screening method, based on the 2FTGH cell line, which is able to determine viral gene products that inhibit the IFN-alpha/Jak-Stat signalling pathway. Expression cloning of viral IFN-blocking genes into 2FTGH and consequent selection with IFN-alpha and 6-thioguanine result in the outgrowth of cells that are no longer responsive to IFN-alpha. We also demonstrate that selection occurs if members of the Jak-Stat signalling pathway are lost. To show the utility of our system, we have used a known suppressor of IFN signalling, the human papillomavirus (HPV) E7 gene. Expression of E7 causes the loss of ability of 2FTGH cells to respond to IFN-alpha treatment because of a functional disruption of the signalling pathway. This approach offers a new strategy for identifying novel viral genes or new functions of already described viral genes that have a role in IFN-alpha signalling inhibition.

Submitted by Hiolanda Rêgo (hiolandarego@gmail.com) on 2016-08-18T18:02:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_ICS_Evelin Santos Oliveira.pdf: 2781526 bytes, checksum: f26492951c1ef37ba0aa040dae349a10 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-18T18:02:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_ICS_Evelin Santos Oliveira.pdf: 2781526 bytes, checksum: f26492951c1ef37ba0aa040dae349a10 (MD5) / Introdução. A tuberculose (TB) é uma doença crônica infecto-contagiosa, presente nos principais casos de morbidade-mortalidade nos países em desenvolvimento. Estima-se que 2 bilhões de pessoas no mundo estão infectadas pelo Mycobacterium tuberculosis e cerca de 10% destes tem risco de desenvolver a doença. Desde 1921, a única vacina utilizada contra tuberculose é o Bacilo de Calmette-Guérin (BCG) e mesmo com o uso, a TB ainda é uma das principais causas de morte por agentes patogênicos. A imunidade celular adquirida após vacinação com BCG é mais efetiva contra a infecção disseminada do que contra a doença pulmonar. São poucas as pesquisas que avaliam a resposta a revacinação e geralmente esses estudos são de acompanhamento ou abrange pequeno número de voluntários. A pesquisa de novas vacinas vem sendo comprometida pelas poucas correlações da imunidade protetora, por isso, a avaliação de marcadores que possam correlacionar com a proteção contra a doença pode facilitar a identificação de novos candidatos vacinais contra TB. Objetivo. Neste trabalho, nós avaliamos a produção de citocinas potencializadoras da resposta imune celular, nomeadamente o IFN-g e o TNF, a produção de citocinas modulatórias como a IL-10 e a geração de células TCD8+IFN-g+ como potenciais marcadores imunológicos de proteção contra a TB. Metodologia. Voluntários entre universitários da área de saúde, submetidos ao teste tuberculínico (TST), e que foram previamente vacinados com BCG. Após consentimento informado, voluntarários TST negativos foram divididos em dois grupos: 50 estudantes foram revacinados com BCG e 30 foram controles. Foram coletados vinte mililitros de sangue nos tempo 0, 2 e 12 meses após revacinação. As culturas foram mantidas por 72h com ou sem 10 ug/ml de antígenos do lisado de Mycobacterium tuberculosis a 370C, 5% CO2. Os sobrenadantes foram avaliados para medir os níveis de citocinas usando citometria de fluxo bem como as frequências de células TCD8+IFN-g+. Resultados e discussão. Foram observados aumento dos níveis de IFN-g nos revacinados quando comparados aos controles 2 meses e 1 ano após a intervenção, semelhantes aos resultados encontrados em trabalho anterior do grupo. Não foram observadas diferenças entre o produção de TNF e IL-10 entre os grupos. Indivíduos do mesmo grupo revacinado apresentaram melhor resposta à revacinação, observados através da alta produção de IFN-g e expansão de células TCD8+IFN-g+ um ano pós- BCG, mostrando também, persistência da resposta. Houve pequena correlação entre tamanho da cicatriz e expansão de células TCD8+ produtoras de IFN-g+. Conclusão. A revacinação é capaz modular a resposta imune aumentando a produção de IFN-g. Neste trabalho, ainda identificamos a persistência da resposta através da expansão de células TCD8+ produtora de IFN-g. Sugerimos que novos modelos vacinais sejam desenvolvidos levando em consideração o importante papel das células CD8+IFN-g+, além do conhecimento de que a resposta é diferenciada na população, portanto, é necessário desenvolver uma vacina que possa abranger indivíduos com infecção latente, já sensibilizados anteriormente com cepa vacinal ou micobactérias atípicas ou ainda com alguma suscetibilidade genética.

Influenza is a serious illness worldwide, causing high morbidity and mortality. 10-20% of world population fall ill with influenza each year and 250 000 - 500 000 people die annually. The most efficacious protection to date is vaccination. Current vaccines are efficient only one season because of fast mutation rate of influenza virus. The effort to create an effective vaccine faces lack of potent adjuvant, which can adequately stimulate and modulate immune system to protect organism from virus infection. Moreover, todays vaccines administered parenterally do not induce immune response on mucosal surfaces. Bacillus firmus, a Gram-positive non-pathogenic bacterium, has strong immmune-modulating properties and is able to induce cross-protection when administered with influenza virus antigens. Immunization with Bacillus firmus stimulates production of neutralizing antibodies, but other mechanisms of its action remain to be elucidated. To better understand the mechanisms how is antiviral immunity enhanced by Bacillus firmus (delipidated fraction, DBF), the effect of immunization with DBF only was studied on mouse model. In last decade it has become obvious that intranasal immunization can induce both systemic and mucosal immune response and in case of influenza it can induce cross-protection. Therefore...

Submitted by Hiolanda Rêgo (hiolandarego@gmail.com) on 2015-03-27T12:59:13Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_ICS_Valdirene Leão Carneiro.pdf: 3088242 bytes, checksum: d92ff6e3e631824f84e771bf545f1b7c (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Flávia Ferreira (flaviaccf@yahoo.com.br) on 2015-04-30T12:47:45Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_ICS_Valdirene Leão Carneiro.pdf: 3088242 bytes, checksum: d92ff6e3e631824f84e771bf545f1b7c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-30T12:47:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_ICS_Valdirene Leão Carneiro.pdf: 3088242 bytes, checksum: d92ff6e3e631824f84e771bf545f1b7c (MD5) / INCT-DT / Introdução: A tuberculose (TB) continua sendo um problema significativo para a saúde pública mundial. A maioria dos indivíduos expostos ao Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) persistirão infectados, embora, controlem o crescimento micobacteriano. As citocinas podem ter um papel central no controle, susceptibilidade e formas clínicas da TB, além de poderem ser utilizadas como biomarcadores de diagnóstico e prognóstico desta doença. A meta deste estudo foi investigar a possível associação entre o perfil de resposta na produção de citocinas induzida por antígenos do kit Quantiferon®-TB Gold in tube (QFT-IT) e os padrões genéticos de citocinas na tuberculose latente e ativa. Metodologia: Foram selecionados 181 voluntários divididos em três grupos: 51 indivíduos com TB pulmonar, 70 com TST positivo e 60 com TST negativo. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue para a realização do ensaio QFT-IT, imunofenotipagem dos linfócitos e extração do DNA genômico. As citocinas IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, TNF e TGF-β1 foram analisadas no sobrenadante do QFT-IT por citometria de fluxo e a genotipagem destas citocinas por PCR-SSP. Resultados e discussão: Houve redução significativa no número de linfócitos totais, células B, células T CD4+ e CD8+ (p <0,005, para todas as células) e aumento percentual de células NK, neutrófilos e monócitos (p=0,038, <0,0001 e <0,001, respectivamente) em pacientes com TB, quando comparados a indivíduos TST positivos e TST negativos. A sensibilidade e especificidade para o QFT-IT foram 92,1% e 80,7%, respectivamente. A concordância entre o TST e o QFT-IT foi de 0,72 (Kappa= 0,45, IC 95% 0,31-0,59). O ponto de corte de 0,30 UI/mL para o QFT-IT não altera a sensibilidade e especificidade no diagnóstico da TB ativa, contudo aumenta a sensibilidade do QFT-IT no diagnóstico da TB latente. O grupo TB apresentou maior frequência do alelo A (p=0,024) e do genótipo AA (p=0,027) IFN-γ +874 em relação aos demais grupos do estudo, sendo que nesse grupo células sanguíneas de indivíduos com genótipo AA apresentaram menores valores de IFN-γ quando estimuladas com a PHA. Para o polimorfismo das outras citocinas não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos do estudo. Sob estímulo da PHA foi observada uma menor produção das citocinas IFN-γ, IL-10 e TNF para o grupo TB em relaçao aos demais. Quando comparada a produção de IL-6 sem estímulo e estimulada com antígenos do Mtb, por grupo de estudo, foi observada uma redução dessa citocina (p= 0,001; <0,0001 e <0,0002 para os grupos TB, TST positivo e TST negativo, respectivamente). Conclusões: O QFT-IT tem concordância moderada com o TST e o ponto de corte de 0,30 UI/mL pode melhorar a sensibilidade para o diagnóstico da TB latente sem perda da especificidade. A imunossupressão sistêmica observada nos pacientes com tuberculose pode levar a diminuição na produção de IL-10, TNF e IFN-γ pelas células sanguíneas quando estimuladas com a PHA. Os antígenos do Mtb podem modulam a resposta imune do hospedeiro por inibir a produção de IL-6 contribuindo para a gravidade da tuberculose. Apesar, do alelo A e o genótipo AA de IFN-γ (+874) estarem associados com a tuberculose e a menor produção de IFN-γ, não há interferência deste polimorfismo sobre o resultado do teste QFT-IT.

Au cours d’une infection, les cellules de l’immunité innée sont capables de reconnaître via les Toll-like receptors (TLR) des motifs appelés pathogen-associated molecular patterns. Les cellules natural killer (NK) contribuent au processus inflammatoire en produisant de nombreuses cytokines. Chez la souris, nous avons montré que l’expression du TLR2 et du TLR4 dans les cellules NK spléniques est intracellulaire, comme pour le TLR9. La réponse des NK aux agonistes des TLR2, 4 et 9 nécessite la présence de cytokines accessoires (IL-15 et IL-18), afin d’obtenir une production significative des cytokines pro-inflammatoires IFN- et GM-CSF. En revanche, dans un modèle de sepsis polymicrobial, les NK spléniques de souris présentent une diminution dramatique de leur production d’IFN- et de GM-CSF en réponse aux agonistes des TLR. Cette diminution est sous le contrôle des cellules T régulatrices (Treg) et due au TGF-1. L’analyse des voies de signalisation nous a permis de montrer que la production de GM-CSF est abolie chez les cellules NK de souris déficientes pour STING en réponse au CpG-DNA. Ces résultats mettent en lumière une voie alternative et cytoplasmique pour la détection de l’ADN bactérien dans les cellules NK, différente de la voie classique TLR9-MyD88 dépendante. De plus, nous avons montré un trafic du récepteur TLR2 depuis l’intérieur vers la surface des cellules NK. La migration du TLR2 à la surface des NK nécessite la molécule UNC93B1, précédemment décrite comme transporteur endosomal de TLR.Chez les cellules NK humaines circulantes (sous-populations CD3-CD56bright et CD3-CD56dim), nous avons montré que l’expression des TLR2 et 4 est majoritairement intracellulaire, comme pour le TLR9 et comme chez la souris. La production d’IFN- par les NK de sujets sains en réponse aux agonistes des TLR nécessite également la présence de cytokines accessoires. Nous montrons que cette production est fortement altérée pour les NK des patients admis en soins intensifs et ayant un sepsis ou un syndrome de réponse inflammatoire systémique (SIRS). De même nous avons trouvé des différences entre les patients et les sujets sains dans l’expression du CD69 (marqueur d’activation précoce) et des TLR eux-mêmes. Cette étude indique que les NK des patients sepsis et SIRS deviennent tolérants aux agonistes des TLR en terme de production d’IFN-, de manière similaire à ce qui a été décrit pour d’autres cellules comme les monocytes / As sensors of infection, innate immune cells are able to recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns by receptors such as Toll-like receptors (TLR). NK cells contribute to inflammatory processes by the production of numerous cytokines. In mice, we have shown that the protein expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in naive NK cells from spleen is predominantly intracellular, similarly to TLR9. The responsiveness of purified NK cells to TLR2, 4 or 9 agonists in vitro requires the presence of accessory cytokines (IL-15 and 18) to trigger a significant production of IFN- and GM-CSF. In contrast, NK cells purified from a model of in vivo polymicrobial sepsis, showed a dramatic reduction in their capacity to respond to TLR agonists in terms of IFN- and GM-CSF release due an inhibitory cross talk with Treg cells mediated by TGF-1. Analyzing the signaling pathways involved in cytokine production in response to CpG-DNA, we found that GM-CSF production was abolished in NK cells from STING-deficient mice, revealing that this intracytoplasmic receptor acts as a TLR9/MyD88-independent alternative sensor to bacterial DNA in NK cells. Additionally we show that intracellularly expressed TLR2 traffics to the cell surface of NK cells, by a mechanism involving UNC93B1, a protein previous described as an endosomal TLR carrier.In human peripheral blood NK cells (CD3-CD56bright and CD3-CD56dim subsets), we show that TLR2 and 4 protein expression is primarily intracellular, similar to TLR9, and similar to our findings in murine NK cells. The ex vivo responsiveness of human blood NK cells to TLR2, 4 or 9 agonists also requires accessory cytokines, to promote secretion of IFN-. In intensive care patients diagnosed with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis, IFN- production was significantly decreased. We also discovered modulations in the expression of CD69 (early activation marker) and in that of TLR themselves. This study indicates that NK cells undergo tolerance in response to TLR agonists during SIRS or sepsis, similarly to other cells, such as monocytes.

IL-12, an immunoregulatory cytokine, plays a key role in the development of cell-mediated immune responses. However, very little is known about the regulation and induction of the other members of this family, particularly IL-23 and IL-27. The regulation of these cytokines was studied in the human primary monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) as they play a key role in innate and adaptive immune responses. THP-1 promonocytic cells were employed as a model system to confirm the results obtained with monocytes and MDMs. Two stimuli IFN-γ and LPS were used as both are strong inducers of IL-12 family cytokines. My results show that IFN-γ induced the production of IL-12/23p40 and IL-23p19 mRNA as well as IL-12p40 and IL-23 proteins in primary human monocytes isolated by positive selection. IFN-γ-induced IL-23 and IL-12/23p40 expression was positively regulated by the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), independent of the Janus kinase (Jak)/signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) signaling. In contrast, IL-12 and IL-23 were negatively regulated by the Jak/STAT, phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) and the c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) MAPKs in IFN-γ-stimulated monocytes. LPS significantly stimulated IL-23p19 and IL-12/23p40 mRNA expression as well as IL-12/23p40 and IL-23 protein production in THP-1 cells, while IFN-γ stimulation alone did not affect IL-23 mRNA or protein levels. THP-1 cells were pre-treated with ERK, JNK or p38 MAPK inhibitors and then stimulated with LPS. LPS-induced IL-12p40 and IL-23 proteins were positively regulated by the p38 and JNK MAPKs and PI3K, whereas LPS-induced IL-23p19 mRNA expression was negatively regulated by these kinases. These results were confirmed using siRNA in LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells. My results also show that IFN-γ/LPS-induced IL-23 expression is not regulated through MAPK or PI3K signaling pathways in human MDMs. My results also show for the first time that IFN-γ alone without any second stimulus induced IL-27p28 gene expression and IL-27 protein production in human monocytic cells. I investigated the signalling pathways governing the regulation of IL-27 protein and its subunit IL-27p28 following stimulation with IFN-γ in primary human monocytic cells. IFN-γ-mediated IL-27 protein, but not IL-27p28 gene expression was positively regulated by JNK MAPK and PI3K, independent of JAK/STAT signaling in primary human monocytes. I also investigated the signalling pathways governing the regulation of IL-27 and its α subunit, IL-27p28 following stimulation with IFN-γ alone or IFN-γ-primed LPS-stimulated macrophages (IFN-γ/LPS) and THP-1 cells. A differential regulation of IL-27p28 and IL-27 in response to stimulation by either IFN-γ or IFN-γ/LPS was observed. IFN-γ- and IFN-γ/LPS induced IL-27 expression was positively regulated by the JNK, p38 MAPK and PI3K, independent of Jak/STAT signaling in human MDMs and THP-1 cells. Taken together, my results show that IL-23 induction is differentially regulated by different pathways in response to different stimuli, whereas IL-27 expression is regulated by JNK, p38 MAPK and PI3K regardless in the stimulus in human myeloid cells. These results may provide additional strategies aimed at targeting disease, autoimmune disorders and cancer.

Antigen-specific CD8 T cells provide an important protective role in response to infection by viruses, intracellular bacteria, and parasites. Pathogen-specific CD8 T cells render this protection by undergoing robust expansion in numbers while gaining the ability to produce cytokines and cytolytic machinery. Following expansion and effector differentiation, pathogen-specific CD8 T cells will contract in number while further differentiating into a highly functional population of memory CD8 T cells. These antigen-experienced cells persist in secondary lymphoid organs and the periphery in order to rapidly respond to repeated infection. Creating optimal CD8 T cell responses to infection can be critical for raising sufficient armament to provide protection against invading intracellular pathogens. Although CD8 T cells have protective value, many vaccine strategies tend to focus on creating productive B cell antibody responses to promote immunological protection. Even though antibody responses can be highly protective, coupling optimal CD8 T cell responses with B cell responses could provide higher orders of protection than either one on their own. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the pathways that ultimately guide the magnitude of CD8 T cell responses is required to achieve this potential therapeutic benefit. My studies evaluate the role of receptor signaling events in guiding the expansion of activated CD8 T cells during primary and secondary responses. Specifically, the first portion of my studies dissect the mechanism by which direct IL-12 and Type I IFN stimulation can substantially bolster primary CD8 T cell responses in vivo. Within this context, I demonstrate that direct IL-12 and Type I IFN signaling increases CD8 T cell accumulation during primary expansion by prolonging division without altering survival. IL-12/Type I IFN signaling promoted prolonged division of activated CD8 T cells by maintaining high-affinity IL-2 receptor subunit (CD25) expression and IL-2 signaling. The other portion of my work was dedicated to understanding the expression and role of the inhibitory FcgR (FcgRIIB) during primary and secondary CD8 T cell responses. FcgRIIB expression could be detected as early as the peak of the CD8 T cell response and marked activated CD8 T cells that were highly sensitive to antigen stimulation. Although FcgRIIB did not appear to play a substantial role in regulating the magnitude of primary CD8 T cell responses, it played an important role in inhibiting the expansion and cytotoxicity of memory CD8 T cells during homologous challenge. Collectively, these data highlight potential avenues that could be exploited by future therapies that aim to achieve appropriately sized CD8 T cell responses.

No description available.

After kidney transplantation the recipient's immune system responds to the donor's antigens and the graft rejection occurs. Borderline changes are a frequent diagnosis after kidney transplantation, representing only mild rejection signs. Some patients with borderline changes undergo progression to rejection. The identification of these at- risk patients by biomarkers will allow enhanced treatment and help to prevent the development of rejection. The aim of my work was to verify biomarkers of rejection in patients with borderline changes. Chemokines CXCL9, CXCL10 and CCL17 in urine/serum of 40 patients with subclinical borderline changes at 3 months and in 25 patients with early borderline changes were determined by ELISA. At 3 months, the higher CXCL10 level predicted rejection with AUC=0.749, p=0.024. High levels of CXL10 had also been found in patients with BKV infection. We did not confirm the relationship between rejection and the CXCL9 and CCL17. In the early posttransplant period the levels of CXCL10 and CXCL9 were elevated in all patients and therefore couldn't be used to predict rejection. The alloreactivity was examined using IFN-γ ELISPOT (n=38). No association between the frequency of IFN-γ producing cells after stimulation with donor cells or CMV peptides and the development of...