A hiperalgesia inflamatória é o processo pelo qual ocorre a sensibilização dos neurônios nociceptores aferentes primários por mediadores químicos inflamatórios, gerando assim uma diminuição do limiar nociceptivo e como consequência episódios de dor. Entre os principais mediadores envolvidos com a sensibilizacão das fibras nociceptivas periféricas está a prostaglandina E2 (PGE2), que é liberada como um produto final de uma cascata de mediadores inflamatórios. Dentro desta cascata de liberação hierárquica podemos destacar a interleucina -1? (IL)-1?, uma citocina importante na gênese da dor inflamatória, devido à sua capacidade de induzir a produção da enzima cicloxigenase-2 (COX-2), e consequentemente PGE2. O mecanismo de controle da produção da IL-1 ? envolvem dois passos intracelulares: a indução da expressão de uma forma protêica inativa (a pró-IL-1 ?) e a geração da forma biologicamente ativa (IL-1?) a partir da pró-IL-1 ?. Este último passo envolve a ação de uma cisteína-protease ativada em decorrência de um processo inflamatório, conhecida como Caspase-1, a qual cliva a pró-IL-1? em IL1?. Recentemente, nosso grupo demonstrou que a caspase-1 tem um papel importante na gênese da dor inflamatória, sendo crucial para a geração de IL-1? e consequentemente COX2/PGE2. Porém, não são conhecidos os mecanismos de ativação da caspase-1 na hiperalgesia inflamatória. Sabe-se que a ativação da Caspase-1 e clivagem da pro-IL-1? são dependentes de uma plataforma molecular intracelular denominada inflamassoma. Os principais inflamassomas ativadores de caspase-1 são formados pelas proteínas NLRP3, IPAF (NLRC4) e por sua molécula adaptadora ASC. O objetivo desse trabalho então foi avaliar a participação do inflamassoma na gênese da dor inflamatória. Nós identificamos que as moléculas IPAF e ASC, mas não o NLRP3, participa no desenvolvimento da hiperalgesia inflamatória mecânica e térmica induzida pela carragenina. Observou-se que estas moléculas são cruciais para a ativação da Caspase-1 e, consequentemente, para a produção da IL-1? ativa. Estes resultados evidenciam pela primeira vez um papel importante do inflamassoma no desenvolvimento da hiperalgesia inflamatória. / The inflammatory hyperalgesic is the process by which occurs the sensitization of nociceptors primary afferent neurons by inflammatory chemical mediators, that generating a decreased nociceptive threshold and result in episodes of pain. Among the main of nociceptive mediators involved with sensitization of peripheral nociceptive fibers are prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which is released as a final product of a cascade of inflammatory mediators. Within this hierarchical cascade of release can highlight interleukin-1? (IL)-1?, a cytokine important in the genesis of inflammatory pain due to their ability to induce the production of the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and consequently PGE2. The control mechanism production of intracellular IL-1 ? involved two steps: induction of expression of a protein inactive form (pro-IL-1 ?) and the generation of the biologically active form from pro-IL-1 ? (IL-1?). This last step involves the action of a cysteine protease-activated due to an inflammatory process, known as Caspase-1, which cleaves pro-IL-1? to IL-1?. Recently our group has demonstrated that caspase-1 plays an important role in the genesis of inflammatory pain, crucial for the generation of IL-1? and consequently COX2/PGE2. However, there aren\'t known mechanisms of activation of caspase-1 in inflammatory hyperalgesic. It is known that the activation of Caspase-1 cleavage and pro-IL-1? are dependent on an intracellular molecular platform called inflammassome. The main inflammassome activators of caspase-1 proteins are formed by NLRP3, IPAF (NLRC4) and its adapter molecule ASC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inflammassome participation in the genesis of inflammatory pain. We have identified molecules IPAF and ASC, but not NLRP3, is participate in the development of mechanical and thermal inflammatory hyperalgesic induced by carrageenan. It was observed that these molecules are crucial for the activation of Caspase-1 and thus for the production of active IL-1?. These results demonstrate for the first time an important role of the inflammassome in the development of inflammatory hyperalgesic.

A hiperalgesia inflamatória é o processo pelo qual ocorre a sensibilização dos neurônios nociceptores aferentes primários por mediadores químicos inflamatórios, gerando assim uma diminuição do limiar nociceptivo e como consequência episódios de dor. Entre os principais mediadores envolvidos com a sensibilizacão das fibras nociceptivas periféricas está a prostaglandina E2 (PGE2), que é liberada como um produto final de uma cascata de mediadores inflamatórios. Dentro desta cascata de liberação hierárquica podemos destacar a interleucina -1? (IL)-1?, uma citocina importante na gênese da dor inflamatória, devido à sua capacidade de induzir a produção da enzima cicloxigenase-2 (COX-2), e consequentemente PGE2. O mecanismo de controle da produção da IL-1 ? envolvem dois passos intracelulares: a indução da expressão de uma forma protêica inativa (a pró-IL-1 ?) e a geração da forma biologicamente ativa (IL-1?) a partir da pró-IL-1 ?. Este último passo envolve a ação de uma cisteína-protease ativada em decorrência de um processo inflamatório, conhecida como Caspase-1, a qual cliva a pró-IL-1? em IL1?. Recentemente, nosso grupo demonstrou que a caspase-1 tem um papel importante na gênese da dor inflamatória, sendo crucial para a geração de IL-1? e consequentemente COX2/PGE2. Porém, não são conhecidos os mecanismos de ativação da caspase-1 na hiperalgesia inflamatória. Sabe-se que a ativação da Caspase-1 e clivagem da pro-IL-1? são dependentes de uma plataforma molecular intracelular denominada inflamassoma. Os principais inflamassomas ativadores de caspase-1 são formados pelas proteínas NLRP3, IPAF (NLRC4) e por sua molécula adaptadora ASC. O objetivo desse trabalho então foi avaliar a participação do inflamassoma na gênese da dor inflamatória. Nós identificamos que as moléculas IPAF e ASC, mas não o NLRP3, participa no desenvolvimento da hiperalgesia inflamatória mecânica e térmica induzida pela carragenina. Observou-se que estas moléculas são cruciais para a ativação da Caspase-1 e, consequentemente, para a produção da IL-1? ativa. Estes resultados evidenciam pela primeira vez um papel importante do inflamassoma no desenvolvimento da hiperalgesia inflamatória. / The inflammatory hyperalgesic is the process by which occurs the sensitization of nociceptors primary afferent neurons by inflammatory chemical mediators, that generating a decreased nociceptive threshold and result in episodes of pain. Among the main of nociceptive mediators involved with sensitization of peripheral nociceptive fibers are prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which is released as a final product of a cascade of inflammatory mediators. Within this hierarchical cascade of release can highlight interleukin-1? (IL)-1?, a cytokine important in the genesis of inflammatory pain due to their ability to induce the production of the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and consequently PGE2. The control mechanism production of intracellular IL-1 ? involved two steps: induction of expression of a protein inactive form (pro-IL-1 ?) and the generation of the biologically active form from pro-IL-1 ? (IL-1?). This last step involves the action of a cysteine protease-activated due to an inflammatory process, known as Caspase-1, which cleaves pro-IL-1? to IL-1?. Recently our group has demonstrated that caspase-1 plays an important role in the genesis of inflammatory pain, crucial for the generation of IL-1? and consequently COX2/PGE2. However, there aren\'t known mechanisms of activation of caspase-1 in inflammatory hyperalgesic. It is known that the activation of Caspase-1 cleavage and pro-IL-1? are dependent on an intracellular molecular platform called inflammassome. The main inflammassome activators of caspase-1 proteins are formed by NLRP3, IPAF (NLRC4) and its adapter molecule ASC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inflammassome participation in the genesis of inflammatory pain. We have identified molecules IPAF and ASC, but not NLRP3, is participate in the development of mechanical and thermal inflammatory hyperalgesic induced by carrageenan. It was observed that these molecules are crucial for the activation of Caspase-1 and thus for the production of active IL-1?. These results demonstrate for the first time an important role of the inflammassome in the development of inflammatory hyperalgesic.

The inflammasome complex is a multiprotein complex that may play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by secreting the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18, and inducing pyroptosis, as a response to signals through several inflammasome sensors. This study looked at the expression of several inflammasome components in the ileum and colon of patients suffering from IBD. The inflammasome sensors NLRP1, NLRP3, AIM2 and pyrin were upregulated in whole intestinal tissue of IBD patients, particularly in the colon. NLRP6 expression was increased in the colon of Crohn's disease patients, but not ulcerative colitis patients relative to colon of controls, and was reduced in the ileum of Crohn's disease patients compared to control ileum. Expression of caspase-1 and IL-1β, but not IL-18, were also increased in ileum and colon tissue from Crohn's patients. To identify the cell type where inflammasome expression was altered in Crohn’s disease, transcription of inflammasome subunits in intestinal tissue enriched for epithelial cells or lamina propria (LP) cells was analysed. These analyses indicated that LP cells have greater expression of the inflammasome sensors NLRP1, NLRP3, AIM2 and pyrin relative to epithelial cells, both during disease and in control tissue. Moreover, LP cells from Crohn’s patients have higher expression level of NLRP1, AIM2 and pyrin than LP cells from controls. In contrast the inflammasome sensor NLRP6 was more highly expressed by epithelial cells relative to LP cells in general, and NLRP6 expression in LP cells from IBD patients was lower than that observed in LP cells from controls. The observed differential expression of inflammasome components in controls versus IBD intestine and in different cellular fractions of intestinal tissue highlight the importance of understanding the role of the inflammasome in IBD and hints at the possibility of targeting the inflammasome pathway as a future treatment strategy.

L'inflammation joue un rôle clé dans de nombreuses pathologies, telles que les maladies inflammatoires chroniques, les désordres métaboliques et le cancer. L'un de ses médiateurs le plus puissant est l'interleukine-1β (IL-1β), qui est une cytokine pro-inflammatoire participant à tous les stades de l'inflammation et de l'immunité. Son activation est régulée par un complexe multi-protéique nommé inflammasome, dont la caspase-1 active en découlant est responsable du clivage et de la maturation de l'IL-1β. Huit types d'inflammasomes activant et clivant la pro-caspase-1 ont été identifiés et contiennent tous la protéine ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD). Les inflammasomes partagent un signal intracellulaire commun et le mécanisme menant à leur assemblage et leur activation n'est pas totalement élucidé. L'utilisation de la lignée cellulaire humaine monocytaire, THP-1, différenciée en macrophages grâce à un ester de phorbol, le TPA, a permis la mise en place d'un modèle d'étude de modulateurs de l'inflammasome en conditions stériles. Ce modèle a permis l'étude des mécanismes impliqués suite à des signaux issus de l'inflammation chronique, tels que l'ATP et les espèces réactives de l'oxygène (ROS). Ce travail montre qu'il existe une synergie entre ATP et ROS, qui agissent grâce à une boucle d'activation impliquant probablement plusieurs inflammasomes, dont NLRP3. Des donneurs de NO connus (trinitrine et isosorbide dinitrate) ou nouveau (dérivé de purine) ont montré une activité anti-inflammatoire. D'autres composés ont été identifiés comme de potentiels inhibiteurs d'inflammasome (extraits de dattes et dérivé de purine portant un acide lipoïque)

Metal ions released from implantable biomaterials have been associated with adverse biological reactions that can limit implant longevity. Previous studies have shown that, in macrophages, Co2+, Cr3+, and Ni2+ can activate the NLR family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLPR3) inflammasome, which is responsible for interleukin(IL)-1β production through caspase-1. Furthermore, these ions are known to induce oxidative stress, and inflammasome priming is known to involve nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling. However, the mechanisms of inflammasome activation by metal ions remain largely unknown. The objectives of this thesis were to determine if, in macrophages: 1. IL-1β release induced by metal ions is caspase-1-dependent; 2. caspase-1 activation and IL-1β release induced by metal ions are oxidative stress-dependent; and 3. IL-1β release induced by metal ions is NF-κB signaling pathway-dependent. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-primed murine bone-marrow-derived macrophages were exposed to Co2+, Cr3+, or Ni2+, with or without an inhibitor of caspase-1, oxidative stress, or NF-κB. Culture supernatants were analyzed for active caspase-1 (immunoblotting) and/or IL-1β (ELISA). Overall, results showed that while both Cr3+ and Ni2+ may be inducing inflammasome activation, Cr3+ is likely a more potent activator, acting through oxidative stress and the NF-κB signaling pathway. Further elucidation of the activation mechanisms may facilitate the development of therapeutic approaches to modulate the inflammatory response to metal ions, and thereby increase implant longevity.

Embora já tenha sido comprovada a ação adjuvante da SBA-15, pouco se sabe sobre o seu mecanismo molecular que leva a modulação positiva da resposta imunológica. Foi avaliada a ativação do inflamassoma NLRP3, sobre estímulos de SBA-15, em macrófagos de camundongos C57BL/6. Como parâmetro dessa ativação, foi analisada a produção de IL-1β por ELISA. A SBA-15 foi capaz de induzir a produção de IL-1β a níveis semelhantes quando comparado com um agonista de NLRP3 (Nano-SiO2), sugerindo a ativação do inflamassoma. Para avaliar o envolvimento da caspase-1, nos resultados obtidos com a SBA-15, os macrófagos foram estimulados com sílica na presença do inibidor de caspase-1, e como esperado, a produção de IL-1β foi restaurada para o seu nível basal. A ativação do inflamassoma, por estímulos da SBA-15, parece ser parcialmente dependente da fagocitose e da produção das espécies reativas do oxigênio. Além disso, foi visto que a SBA-15 não induz a produção de IL-6, confirmando que essa sílica está envolvida na via do inflamassoma e não em outras vias, como por exemplo, NF-κB. / Although it has already been proven adjuvant action of SBA-15, little is known about its molecular mechanism leading to positive modulation of the immune response. NLRP3 inflammasome activation was evaluated on SBA-15 stimulation in C57BL/6 mice macrophages. As this parameter activation, it analyzed the production of IL-1β by ELISA. The SBA-15 was able to induce the production of IL-1β at levels similar when compared to an agonist of NLRP3 (Nano-SiO2), suggesting the activation of the inflammasome. To assess the involvement of caspase-1, the results obtained with SBA-15, the macrophages were stimulated with silica in the presence of caspase-1 inhibitor, and as expected, IL-1β production was restored to its baseline level. Activation of the inflammasome, by stimuli of SBA-15, appears to be partly dependent on phagocytosis and production of reactive oxygen species. In addition, it was seen that the SBA-15 does not induce IL-6 production, confirming that silica is involved inflammasome the path of and not in other ways, eg, NF-κB.

Dermatofitoses são infecções fúngicas de natureza crônica cujo principal agente etiológico é Trichophyton rubrum. Apesar de sua alta ocorrência mundial, pouco se sabe sobre os mecanismos imunológicos envolvidos nestas infecções. Neste trabalho investigamos a participação de duas classes de receptores de imunidade inata (NLRs e CLRs) na resposta a T.rubrum e avaliamos o perfil proteômico de macrófagos quando estimulados com o fungo. Observamos que T.rubrum foi capaz de induzir a produção de IL-1β dependente do inflamassomo NLRP3 e destacamos o papel da sinalização de IL-1 na modulação da resposta de IL-17. Determinamos os CLRs dectina-1 e dectina-2 como receptores essenciais na produção de citocinas inflamatórias e para o controle da infecção experimental. Curiosamente, a IL-17 e os linfócitos T e B foram dispensáveis para a eliminação do fungo. Também identificamos a proteína CLEC1A como uma novo receptor para fungos, envolvido no reconhecimento de glicolipídeos de T.rubrum. Por fim, a análise proteômica de macrofagos revelou a vimentina e a plastina-2 como duas proteínas potencialmente envolvidas na relação patógeno-hospedeiro. / Dermatophytosis are chronic fungal infections whose main causative agent is Trichophyton rubrum. Despite its high incidence worldwide, the immunological mechanisms underlying these infections remain largely unknown. Here we investigated the involvement of two classes of innate immune receptors (NLRs and CLRs) in the reponse to T.rubrum and performed a proteomic profiling of macrophages upon T.rubrum stimulation. We observed that T.rubrum was able to drive NLRP3 inflammasome-derived IL-1β production and highlighted IL-1 signaling as an important component in the shaping of the IL-17 response. We defined the CLRs dectin-1 and dectin-2 as key receptors for the induction of inflammatory cytokines and for the infection control in the in vivo settings. Curiously, IL-17 cytokines and T and B lymphocytes were dispensable for fungal clearance. In addition, we uncovered CLEC1A as a new receptor in fungal sensing, involved in the recognition of T.rubrum glycolipids. Finally, the proteomic analysis revealed Vimentin and Plastin-2 as two proteins potentially involved in the host-pathogen interaction.

A inibição crônica do óxido nítrico com Nw-nitroargininemethylester (L-NAME), associado à sobrecarga de sal, leva a hipertensão grave, albuminúria, glomeruloesclerose, isquemia glomerular e fibrose intersticial, caracterizando um modelo de doença renal crônica (DRC). Achados anteriores deste laboratório e de outros sugerem que a ativação de pelo menos duas vias da imunidade inata, TLR4/NF-kB e NLRP3/IL-1beta, ocorre em vários modelos experimentais de DRC e que a progressão da lesão renal pode ser atenuada com a inibição destas vias. No presente estudo, investigamos se a ativação da imunidade inata, através da via TLR4/NF-kB ou NLRP3/IL-1beta, está envolvida na patogênese da lesão renal em outro modelo de DRC, o de inibição crônica do NO com sobrecarga de sal. Ratos Munich-Wistar machos adultos receberam sobrecarga de sal (2% Na+ na dieta e 0,5% Na+ na água do bebedouro) e L-NAME (32 mg/Kg/dia) dissolvido na salina do bebedouro (Grupo HS+N) ou tratados com alopurinol (Alo, 36 mg/Kg/dia, v.o), usado como inibidor de NLRP3 (grupo HS+N+Alo) ou tratados com ditiocarbamato de pirrolidina (PDTC, 60 mg/Kg/dia, v.o), um inibidor de NF-kB (Grupo HS+N+PDTC). Após 4 semanas, os ratos HS+N desenvolveram hipertensão arterial, albuminúria e lesão renal, juntamente com inflamação renal, estresse oxidativo e ativação de ambas as vias NLRP3/IL1-beta e TLR4/NF-kB. Alo reduziu o ácido úrico renal e inibiu a via NLRP3/IL-1beta. Esses efeitos foram associados à atenuação da hipertensão arterial, albuminúria e inflamação/fibrose intersticial, mas não à lesão glomerular. O PDTC diminuiu o ácido úrico renal e inibiu as vias NLRP3 e NF-kB, promovendo um efeito antiinflamatório e nefroprotetor mais eficiente que o Alo. As vias NLRP3/IL-1beta e TLR4/NF-kB atuam paralelamente para promover lesão/inflamação renal e devem ser simultaneamente inibidas para obter nefroproteção maior nesse modelo de DRC / Nitric oxide inhibition with Nk-nitroargininemethylester (L-NAME) along with salt overload leads to severe hypertension, albuminuria, glomerulosclerosis, glomerular ischemia and collapse, together with interstitial fibrosis, characterizing a model of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Previous findings of this laboratory and elsewhere suggest that activation of at least two pathways of innate immunity, TLR4/NF-kB and NLRP3 inflammasome/IL-1beta, occurs in several experimental models of CKD, and that progression of renal injury can be slowed with inhibition of these pathways. In the present study, we investigated whether activation of innate immunity, through either the TLR4/NFkB or NLRP3/IL-1beta pathway, is involved in the pathogenesis of renal injury in yet another CKD model, chronic NO inhibition with salt overload. Adult male Munich-Wistar rats receiving L-NAME in drinking water and salt overload (Group HS+N) were treated with Allopurinol (ALLO), used as an NLRP3 inhibitor (Group HS+N+ALLO), or PyrrolidineDithiocarbamate (PDTC) a NF-kB inhibitor (Group HS+N+PDTC). After 4 wks, HS+N rats developed hypertension, albuminuria and renal injury, along with renal inflammation, oxidative stress and activation of both the NLRP3/IL1-beta and TLR4/NF-kB pathways. ALLO lowered renal uric acid and inhibited the NLRP3 pathway. These effects were associated with amelioration of hypertension, albuminuria and interstitial inflammation/fibrosis, but not glomerular injury. PDTC lowered renal uric acid and inhibited both the NLRP3 and NF-kB pathways, promoting a more efficient anti-inflammatory and nephroprotective effect than ALLO. NLRP3/IL-1beta and TLR4/NF-kB act in parallel to promote renal injury/inflammation and must be simultaneously inhibited for best nephroprotection

Le développement de la réponse immunitaire innée de l’hôte au cours des infections respiratoires nécessite la mise en place rapide d'un réseau moléculaire et cellulaire relativement complexe ayant pour but de contrôler la croissance microbienne ainsi que permettre son éradication. Dans certaines circonstances, et malgré l’existence de vaccins et d'antibiotiques efficaces, l’infection par Streptococcus pneumoniae peut aboutir à des pathologies graves telles qu'une pneumonie, une méningite et/ou une septicémie. Ainsi, à l'heure actuelle, les maladies associées au pneumocoque sont encore loin d'être sous contrôle. Dans ce contexte, une meilleure compréhension de la réponse immunitaire innée de l’hôte contre ce pathogène est nécessaire.Mes travaux de thèse ont permis pour la première fois de mettre en évidence la fonctionnalité et la relevance biologique de l’inflammasome NLRP3 au sein des neutrophiles pulmonaires in vivo dans un modèle d’infection respiratoire par S. pneumoniae.Ainsi, de façon inattendue, les neutrophiles jouent un rôle accessoire original à des temps précoces de l’infection via leur capacité à produire de l’IL-1β. Cette synthèse protéique est possible grâce à la combinaison de 2 signaux à la fois dérivés de l’hôte (TNF-α des macrophages alvéolaires) et de la bactérie (toxine). Ces deux signaux permettent l’assemblage et l’activation de l’inflammasome NLRP3 neutrophilique. D’un point de vue translationnel, nous avons été capables de démontrer un mécanisme similaire avec des neutrophiles humains.Cette production d’IL-1β par les neutrophiles participe à l’activation des lymphocytes T γδ producteurs d’IL-17; une cytokine essentielle dans le contrôle de l’infection bactérienne via sa capacité à induire rapidement le recrutement d’une deuxième vague de neutrophiles participant directement à l’élimination et la clairance bactérienne.Sur la base de ces travaux fondamentaux, nous avons émis l’hypothèse qu’une augmentation du pool de cellules innées sécrétrices d’IL-17A pourrait avoir un effet bénéfique sur le contrôle d’une infection respiratoire à pneumocoque. Ainsi via l’administration prophylactique et locale d’IL-7, nous avons été capables d’augmenter la fréquence et le nombre de lymphocytes innés producteurs d’IL-17A résultant en un meilleur contrôle de la charge bactérienne pathogène associée à une augmentation du recrutement neutrophilique. A ce stade, ces résultats encourageants, nous pousse à mieux comprendre les mécanismes moléculaires et cellulaires associés à cet effet dans l’éventualité de proposer à terme une nouvelle approche thérapeutique dans le contrôle des infections respiratoires pulmonaires basée sur la manipulation de la biologie de l’IL-7. / The mounting of an appropriate host innate immune response in the lungs requires the rapid establishment of a complex cellular and molecular networking that allows the containment and clearance of pathogens during respiratory infections. Both neutrophils and γδT cells are central players in the host response during mucosal infections. Using a model of invasive pneumococcal disease, we illustrated a role for Interleukin-17A in controlling neutrophil recruitment, bacterial loads and survival. Following Streptococcus pneumoniae infection, we defined pulmonary γδT cells, especially the lung resident Vγ6Vδ1+ subset, as the primary source of IL-17A in an IL-23/IL- 1β-dependent manner. Using gene-targeted mice, we demonstrated that γδT cells largely contributed to neutrophilia and to the control of the pathology. Furthermore, we now defined a second and unexpected early role for neutrophils as accessory cells in γδT17 cell activation through IL-1β secretion. Neutrophil-derived IL-1β was dependent on NLRP3 inflammasome activity and required alveolar macrophage-secreted TNF-α for priming and bacterial pneumolysin for NLRP3- dependent caspase-1 activation. This report thus brings to light the sequential molecular/cellular events leading to γδT17 cell activation and highlights the existence of a biologically relevant and fully functional NLRP3 inflammasome in pulmonary neutrophils that regulates a key immune axis in the development of protective innate response to respiratory bacterial infection.Based on these observations, we hypothesized that an increase in the pool of IL-17A-producing innate-like T lymphocytes might play a protective role during pneumococcal infection. As recently suggested, we demonstrated that intranasal IL-7/M25 complex administration into naïve mice allowed the expansion of the cellular pool of innate immune cells presenting a Th17-like phenotype in the lungs especially T cells. Moreover, we showed during S. pneumoniae infection that prophylactic IL-7/M25 treatment increased the capacity of Vγ6Vδ1+ T cells to produce IL-17A. Interestingly, this phenotype led to higher neutrophil recruitment and a better control of bacterial burden in the lungs as well as systemic dissemination. Thus, we report a critical role of IL-7 in creating an IL-17-enriched microenvironment which improves the early development of host innate immune response to respiratory bacterial infection. This observation might pave the way to the development of future innovative cytokine/cell-based strategies against Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Orientador: Ronei Luciano Mamoni / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T05:56:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Castro_LiviaFurquimde_M.pdf: 5966667 bytes, checksum: bd25c56ae25a8825069884bedd9ca8ce (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: Diversos estudos demonstram que a resposta inflamatória é de extrema importância para o controle da Paracoccidioidomicose (PCM). Essa resposta inflamatória é iniciada pelo reconhecimento das células fúngicas por receptores expressos por células do sistema imunológico inato. Dentre esses receptores, o NLRP3 foi associado com o reconhecimento de fungos patogênicos em modelos experimentais, atuando em conjunto com o TLR2 e a dectina-1. O NLRP3 atua na formação de um complexo multiproteico denominado inflamassoma, o qual ativa a caspase-1, que é responsável pela produção das formas ativas de duas importantes citocinas inflamatórias: a IL-1? e a IL-18. Esse estudo teve por objetivo investigar o envolvimento do NLRP3 na ativação da resposta inflamatória de macrófagos e células dendríticas humanas (DCs) derivadas de monócitos em resposta ao Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb), além de avaliar a participação do NLRP3 na indução da resposta imunológica adaptativa. Nossos resultados demonstraram que células de lesões de pacientes com PCM (mucosa oral ou linfonodos) apresentam produção de IL-1beta, IL-18 e IL-37 e que macrófagos dessas lesões são positivos para Caspase-1 e NLRP3. Também fomos capazes de demonstrar que o reconhecimento de células leveduriformes por DCs e macrófagos humanos leva à ativação do inflamassoma NLRP3 e consequente produção de IL-1 e IL-18. Esse reconhecimento envolve a participação de receptores de superfície (TLR2 e Dectina-1), sendo que a produção dessas citocinas é dependente da sinalização via dectina-1 e fosforilação da proteína Syk. Além disso, observamos que a ativação do inflamassoma NLRP3, após o reconhecimento do fungo, envolve como principais mecanismos a produção de ROS e o efluxo de K+. Nossos dados também demonstraram que o inflamassoma NLRP3 é essencial para a diferenciação de células Th17 e Th1 e que sua inibição leva à um aumento de células Th2 e Treg. Em conjunto nossos dados indicam que a ativação do NLRP3 desempenha um papel importante, tanto na indução de uma resposta inflamatória inicial, quanto no desenvolvimento de uma resposta adquirida que pode ser associada à resistência à infecção pelo P. brasiliensis / Abstract: Several studies have shown that the inflammatory response is crucial for the control of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). This inflammatory response is initiated by the recognition of fungal yeast cells by receptors expressed by cells of the innate immune system. Among these receptors, NLRP3 was associated with the recognition of pathogenic fungi in experimental models, working in conjunction with TLR2 and dectin-1. The NLRP3 acts forming a multiproteic complex called inflammasome, which activates caspase-1, and the production of the active forms of two important cytokines: IL-1? and IL-18. This study aimed to investigate the involvement of NLRP3 activation in the inflammatory response of macrophages and human dendritic cells (DCs) derived from monocytes, in response to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb), and to evaluate the participation of NLRP3 in the induction of the subsequent adaptive immune response. Our results demonstrated that cells of lesions from PCM patients (oral mucosa and lymph nodes) express IL-1beta, IL-18 and IL-37, and that macrophages in these lesions are positive for caspase-1 and NLRP3. We were also able to demonstrate that the recognition of Pb yeast cells by human macrophages and DCs leads to the NLRP3 inflammasome activation and production of IL-1 and IL-18. This recognition involves the participation of surface receptors (TLR2 and Dectin-1), and the production of these cytokines was dependent on signaling via dectin-1 and phosphorylation of Syk. In addition, we observed that the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, after recognition of the fungus, involves as main mechanisms the ROS production and the K+ efflux. Our data also demonstrate that the NLRP3 inflammasome are essential for the differentiation of Th1 and Th17 cells and its inhibition leads to an increased frequency of Th2 and Treg cells. Taken together our data indicated that activation of NLRP3 present an important role in both the induction of an initial inflammatory response, and in the development of an acquired immune response, which can be associated with the resistance to the P. brasiliensis infection / Mestrado / Ciencias Biomedicas / Mestra em Ciências Médicas