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Genetic, ecological, and environmental variation within and among populations of hosts and pathogens can influence local susceptibility of hosts and transmission rates of pathogens. These complex interactions can lead to geographic variation in the prevalence of pathogens. The interaction between leprosy and nine-banded armadillos in the southeastern U.S. provides an opportunity to examine the genetic, ecological, and environmental factors contributing to the variation in pathogen prevalence on a large geographic scale. Using genotypic data for loci associated with the immune response to leprosy and for anonymous loci, we have assessed the population structure of armadillo populations across the southern U.S. Additional statistical tests were used to assess any significant differences between functional and anonymous loci that indicate selection. Our results suggest that local adaptation does not influence the geographic distribution of leprosy in armadillo populations and that very little genetic variation can be attributed to differences among host populations.

Since the late 1990s, common carp and koi production enterprises around the world have suffered enormous losses due to a viral disease caused by cyprinid herpesvirus-3 (CyHV-3). Genetic variation in resistance to CyHV-3 infection was observed in different common carp strains, indicating that disease resistance can be improved by selective breeding. Marker-assisted selection is a breeding strategy that can accelerate genetic gain; however, this approach requires genetic markers and a genetic linkage map. To develop molecular tools for breeding CyHV-3-resistant aquaculture stock, several candidate genes for antiviral innate immune response from common carp were isolated, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. SNP markers for common carp immune response genes were developed for testing their linkage to disease resistance and for generating a genetic linkage map. Common carp immune response genes were isolated using degenerate primers developed from conserved peptide regions among other fish species for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. The amplified products were cloned and sequenced. Gene-specific primers were designed based on the isolated carp gene sequences to amplify gene fragments from genomic DNA of three carp strains and koi. The amplified products were cloned and sequenced to identify SNPs. For the genes that are duplicated, locus-specific primers were used for PCR amplification. SNPs were identified in several genes, including TLR2, TLR3a, TLR3b, TLR4a, TLR4b, TLR7a, TLR7b, TLR9, TLR21, TLR22, MyD88a, MyD88b, TRAF6a, TRAF6b, type I IFN, IL-1β, IL10a and IL10b. Putative SNPs were genotyped in a SNP discovery panel consisting of different common carp strains and koi to evaluate their allele frequencies and in a full-sib family to validate their segregation patterns using the SNaPshot method. Validated SNPs were used to genotype a mapping family. Twenty-three SNPs (19 exonic and 4 intronic SNPs) were informative in a mapping family. Among these genes, polymorphisms in IL10a suggested a possible association with resistant and susceptible phenotypes of CyHV-3-challenged fish. These SNPs will be analyzed with a set of approximately 300 microsatellites to generate a second-generation genetic map and to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting resistance to CyHV-3. Among the common carp genes that were isolated and sequenced, TLR9 is known for its ability to detect viral DNA and requires adaptor molecules MyD88 and TRAF6 for signal transduction. Therefore TLR9, MyD88 and TRAF6 may be important candidate genes for mediating host antiviral response to CyHV-3. To elucidate possible functions of these genes, full-length cDNAs of common carp TLR9, MyD88 and TRAF6 were isolated and tissue-specific mRNA expression was determined. cDNA sequences of MyD88 and TRAF6 revealed that these genes are duplicated. These findings were the first report of MyD88 and TRAF6 duplications in a vertebrate. Protein domain characterization demonstrated that structural characteristics of these genes are conserved and resemble those of other vertebrates, indicating that common carp TLR9, MyD88 and TRAF6 genes may have identical functions with their mammalian orthologs. The mRNA expression of TLR9, MyD88a and b, and TRAF6a and b varied among tissues. Differential expression of the MyD88 and TRAF6 paralogous transcripts were observed in muscle tissues, suggesting that one paralog has evolved and attained a non-immune function. This genomic information will facilitate further research to better understand the ligand specificity of TLR9 and the role of TLR9, MyD88 and TRAF6 in the common carp immune response. / Ph. D.

A resposta imune desencadeada em pacientes com leishmaniose tegumentar Americana (LTA) é predominantemente celular. Assim, o estudo dos mecanismos imunológicos responsáveis pela formação, progressão e cura desta infecção é de grande importância, considerando a deformação que ela pode causar em indivíduos infectados. Este estudo investigou a expressão de mRNA de IFN-?, IL-10, IL-27, TNF-?, TGF-? e IL-6 em 40 biopsias de parafina (FFPE) fixadas em formalina de pacientes com diagnóstico clínico e laboratorial para LTA. Um grupo de 10 biópsias FFPE coletadas de pacientes com diagnóstico clínico de leishmaniose mucosa (LM) foi utilizado para o controle da evolução da infecção. Inicialmente, foi padronizado a extração de RNA, a síntese de cDNA e a escolha do gene endógeno em 9 biopsias frescas e 8 FFPE. Após essas padronizações, as moléculas de RNA de fragmentos de biopsias parafinadas, foram extraídas com kit específico, tratadas com DNase, quantificadas por fluorimetria e sintetizadas para cDNA. A expressão relativa de cada citocina foi determinada (em duplicata) por PCR em tempo real. As reações foram normalizadas frente ao padrão de expressão do gene endógeno GAPDH, que foi previamente padronizado. O padrão de expressão de cada gene alvo foram determinados segundo a fórmula do \"CT comparativo\" (2-??CT), na qual calcula-se quantas vezes mais ocorre a expressão do gene alvo em relação a indivíduos normais. Também incluído nesse estudo 5 amostras de biopsia de pele de indivíduos normais (grupo IV). Os resultados foram expressos em média de quantificação relativa, a análise estatística foi realizada utilizando foi determinada por Teste t não pareado e teste F para comparação de variâncias, onde três grupos de pacientes foram formados. Grupo I, 35 pacientes com LTA, cuja expressão relativa de IFN-? foi inferior a 100. Grupo II, 5 pacientes com LTA cuja expressão relativa de IFN-? foi superior a 100. Grupo III, 10 pacientes com leishmaniose mucosa. Os níveis de expressão para IFN-? foram 33,34; 214,1 e 129,6 vezes maiores para os Grupos I, II e III, respectivamente do que as amostras do controle normal. Para o TNF-? foram 11,22; 2,37 e 4,59 vezes superiores ao normal nos Grupos I, II e III, respectivamente. Para IL-10 foram 5,14; 11,54 e 2,51 vezes superiores aos valores normais nos Grupos I, II e III, respectivamente. Para IL-27 foram 15,81; 85,29 e 17,29 vezes superiores ao normal nos Grupos I, II e III, respectivamente. Para o TGF-? foram 5,38; 4,33 e 4,72 vezes superiores ao normal nos Grupos I, II e III, respectivamente. Para a IL-6 foram 5,92; 5,69 e 2,09 vezes superiores aos valores normais nos Grupos I, II e III, respectivamente. Estes resultados foram semelhantes a resultados de estudos que analisam a expressão de citocinas já sintetizadas. No geral, os resultados de expressão gênica das citocinas estudadas sugerem que a exacerbação da resposta imune do perfil Th1 (IFN-?) poderia levar ao surgimento de lesões mais graves nos pacientes dos Grupos II e III. Os níveis elevados de mRNA de IL-10, observado nos pacientes do Grupo II podem promover baixa ativação macrofágica, colaborando com a replicação do parasita e assim culminar com a progressão da doença. A expressão de mRNA de IL-27 não interferiu na expressão de mRNA de IFN-? nas células dos pacientes com leishmaiose tegumentar ou leishmaniose mucocutânea. Em conclusão, estes resultados podem sugerir que os pacientes do Grupo II podem desenvolver formas mais graves de LTA quando comparados aos do Grupo I. / The immune response triggered in patients with American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is predominantly cellular. Thus, the study of the immunological mechanisms responsible for the formation, progression and cure of this infection is of great importance, considering the deformation that it can cause in infected individuals. This study investigated the expression of IFN-?, IL-10, IL-27, TNF-?, TGF-? and IL-6 mRNA in 40 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded paraffin biopsies (FFPE) from patients with clinical and laboratory diagnosis for LTA. A group of 10 FFPE biopsies collected from patients with clinical diagnosis of mucosal leishmaniasis (MCL) was used to control the evolution of the infection. Initially, RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis and the choice of the endogenous gene were standardized in 9 fresh biopsies and 8 FFPE. After these standardizations, the RNA molecules of fragments of paraffin-shaped biopsies were extracted with a specific kit, treated with DNase, quantified by fluorimetry and synthesized for cDNA. The relative expression of each cytokine was determined (in duplicate) by real-time PCR. Reactions were normalized against the expression pattern of the endogenous GAPDH gene, which was previously standardized. The expression pattern results for each target gene were determined by the \"comparative CT\" (2-??CT) formula, in which it is calculated how many times more the expression of the target gene occurs in relation to normal individuals. Also included in this study 5 skin biopsy samples from normal subjects (group IV). The results were expressed as mean relative quantification, statistical analysis was performed using was determined by unpaired t test and F test for comparison of variances, where three groups of patients were formed. Group I, 35 patients with ACL, whose relative expression of IFN-? was less than 100. Group II, 5 patients with ACL whose relative expression of IFN-? was greater than 100. Group III, 10 patients with mucosal leishmaniasis. The expression levels for IFN-? were 33,34; 214,1 and 129,6 times higher for Groups I, II and III, respectively than the samples from the normal control. For TNF-? were 11,22; 2,37 and 4,59 times higher than normal in Groups I, II and III, respectively. For IL-10 were 5,14; 11,54 and 2,51 times higher than the normal values in Groups I, II and III, respectively. For IL-27, 15,81; 85,29 and 17,29 times higher than normal in Groups I, II and III, respectively. For TGF-? were 5,38; 4,33 and 4,72 times higher than normal in Groups I, II and III, respectively. For IL-6 were 5,92; 5,69 and 2,09 times higher than the normal values in Groups I, II and III, respectively. These results were similar to the results of studies that analyze the expression of cytokines already synthesized. In general, the gene expression results of the cytokines studied suggest that the exacerbation of the Th1 profile (IFN-?) immune response could lead to more serious lesions in patients in Groups II and III. Elevated levels of IL-10 mRNA observed in Group II patients may promote low macrophage activation, assisting in the replication of the parasite and thus culminating in the progression of the disease. Expression of IL-27 mRNA did not interfere in the expression of IFN-? mRNA in the cells of patients with tegumentary leishmaiosis or mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. In conclusion, these results may suggest that patients in Group II may develop more severe forms of ACL when compared to those in Group I.

A resposta imune desencadeada em pacientes com leishmaniose tegumentar Americana (LTA) é predominantemente celular. Assim, o estudo dos mecanismos imunológicos responsáveis pela formação, progressão e cura desta infecção é de grande importância, considerando a deformação que ela pode causar em indivíduos infectados. Este estudo investigou a expressão de mRNA de IFN-?, IL-10, IL-27, TNF-?, TGF-? e IL-6 em 40 biopsias de parafina (FFPE) fixadas em formalina de pacientes com diagnóstico clínico e laboratorial para LTA. Um grupo de 10 biópsias FFPE coletadas de pacientes com diagnóstico clínico de leishmaniose mucosa (LM) foi utilizado para o controle da evolução da infecção. Inicialmente, foi padronizado a extração de RNA, a síntese de cDNA e a escolha do gene endógeno em 9 biopsias frescas e 8 FFPE. Após essas padronizações, as moléculas de RNA de fragmentos de biopsias parafinadas, foram extraídas com kit específico, tratadas com DNase, quantificadas por fluorimetria e sintetizadas para cDNA. A expressão relativa de cada citocina foi determinada (em duplicata) por PCR em tempo real. As reações foram normalizadas frente ao padrão de expressão do gene endógeno GAPDH, que foi previamente padronizado. O padrão de expressão de cada gene alvo foram determinados segundo a fórmula do \"CT comparativo\" (2-??CT), na qual calcula-se quantas vezes mais ocorre a expressão do gene alvo em relação a indivíduos normais. Também incluído nesse estudo 5 amostras de biopsia de pele de indivíduos normais (grupo IV). Os resultados foram expressos em média de quantificação relativa, a análise estatística foi realizada utilizando foi determinada por Teste t não pareado e teste F para comparação de variâncias, onde três grupos de pacientes foram formados. Grupo I, 35 pacientes com LTA, cuja expressão relativa de IFN-? foi inferior a 100. Grupo II, 5 pacientes com LTA cuja expressão relativa de IFN-? foi superior a 100. Grupo III, 10 pacientes com leishmaniose mucosa. Os níveis de expressão para IFN-? foram 33,34; 214,1 e 129,6 vezes maiores para os Grupos I, II e III, respectivamente do que as amostras do controle normal. Para o TNF-? foram 11,22; 2,37 e 4,59 vezes superiores ao normal nos Grupos I, II e III, respectivamente. Para IL-10 foram 5,14; 11,54 e 2,51 vezes superiores aos valores normais nos Grupos I, II e III, respectivamente. Para IL-27 foram 15,81; 85,29 e 17,29 vezes superiores ao normal nos Grupos I, II e III, respectivamente. Para o TGF-? foram 5,38; 4,33 e 4,72 vezes superiores ao normal nos Grupos I, II e III, respectivamente. Para a IL-6 foram 5,92; 5,69 e 2,09 vezes superiores aos valores normais nos Grupos I, II e III, respectivamente. Estes resultados foram semelhantes a resultados de estudos que analisam a expressão de citocinas já sintetizadas. No geral, os resultados de expressão gênica das citocinas estudadas sugerem que a exacerbação da resposta imune do perfil Th1 (IFN-?) poderia levar ao surgimento de lesões mais graves nos pacientes dos Grupos II e III. Os níveis elevados de mRNA de IL-10, observado nos pacientes do Grupo II podem promover baixa ativação macrofágica, colaborando com a replicação do parasita e assim culminar com a progressão da doença. A expressão de mRNA de IL-27 não interferiu na expressão de mRNA de IFN-? nas células dos pacientes com leishmaiose tegumentar ou leishmaniose mucocutânea. Em conclusão, estes resultados podem sugerir que os pacientes do Grupo II podem desenvolver formas mais graves de LTA quando comparados aos do Grupo I. / The immune response triggered in patients with American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is predominantly cellular. Thus, the study of the immunological mechanisms responsible for the formation, progression and cure of this infection is of great importance, considering the deformation that it can cause in infected individuals. This study investigated the expression of IFN-?, IL-10, IL-27, TNF-?, TGF-? and IL-6 mRNA in 40 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded paraffin biopsies (FFPE) from patients with clinical and laboratory diagnosis for LTA. A group of 10 FFPE biopsies collected from patients with clinical diagnosis of mucosal leishmaniasis (MCL) was used to control the evolution of the infection. Initially, RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis and the choice of the endogenous gene were standardized in 9 fresh biopsies and 8 FFPE. After these standardizations, the RNA molecules of fragments of paraffin-shaped biopsies were extracted with a specific kit, treated with DNase, quantified by fluorimetry and synthesized for cDNA. The relative expression of each cytokine was determined (in duplicate) by real-time PCR. Reactions were normalized against the expression pattern of the endogenous GAPDH gene, which was previously standardized. The expression pattern results for each target gene were determined by the \"comparative CT\" (2-??CT) formula, in which it is calculated how many times more the expression of the target gene occurs in relation to normal individuals. Also included in this study 5 skin biopsy samples from normal subjects (group IV). The results were expressed as mean relative quantification, statistical analysis was performed using was determined by unpaired t test and F test for comparison of variances, where three groups of patients were formed. Group I, 35 patients with ACL, whose relative expression of IFN-? was less than 100. Group II, 5 patients with ACL whose relative expression of IFN-? was greater than 100. Group III, 10 patients with mucosal leishmaniasis. The expression levels for IFN-? were 33,34; 214,1 and 129,6 times higher for Groups I, II and III, respectively than the samples from the normal control. For TNF-? were 11,22; 2,37 and 4,59 times higher than normal in Groups I, II and III, respectively. For IL-10 were 5,14; 11,54 and 2,51 times higher than the normal values in Groups I, II and III, respectively. For IL-27, 15,81; 85,29 and 17,29 times higher than normal in Groups I, II and III, respectively. For TGF-? were 5,38; 4,33 and 4,72 times higher than normal in Groups I, II and III, respectively. For IL-6 were 5,92; 5,69 and 2,09 times higher than the normal values in Groups I, II and III, respectively. These results were similar to the results of studies that analyze the expression of cytokines already synthesized. In general, the gene expression results of the cytokines studied suggest that the exacerbation of the Th1 profile (IFN-?) immune response could lead to more serious lesions in patients in Groups II and III. Elevated levels of IL-10 mRNA observed in Group II patients may promote low macrophage activation, assisting in the replication of the parasite and thus culminating in the progression of the disease. Expression of IL-27 mRNA did not interfere in the expression of IFN-? mRNA in the cells of patients with tegumentary leishmaiosis or mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. In conclusion, these results may suggest that patients in Group II may develop more severe forms of ACL when compared to those in Group I.