Biology subjects

Batista-Duharte, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Batista-Duharte, A..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2019

Immunization with recombinant enolase of Sporothrix spp (rSsEno) confers effective protection against sporotrichosis in mice

In recent years, research has focused on the immunoreactive components of the S. schenckii cell wall that can be relevant targets for preventive and therapeutic vaccines against sporotrichosis, an emergent worldwide mycosis. In previous studies, we identified a 47-kDa enolase as an immunodominant antigen in mice vaccinated with purified fungal wall proteins and adjuvants. In this study, the immunolocalization of this immunogen in the cell wall of S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis is shown for the first time. In addition, a recombinant enolase of Sporothrix spp (rSsEno) was studied with the adjuvant Montanide Pet-GelA (PGA) as a vaccine candidate. The rSsEno was produced with high purity. In addition, mice immunized with rSsEno plus PGA showed increased antibody titers against enolase and increased median survival time comparedto nonimmunized or rSsEno-immunized mice. Enolase immunization induced a predominant T-helper-1 (Th1) cytokine pattern in splenic cells after in vitro stimulation with rSsEno. Elevated production of interferon-{gamma} (IFN-{gamma}) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) was observed with other cytokines involved in the innate immune defense, such as TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-4, which are necessary for antibody production. These results suggest that we should continue testing this antigen as a potential vaccine candidate against sporotrichosis.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2019

Adaptive stress response induced by toluene increases Sporothrix schenckii virulence and host immune response

Environmental factors modify the physiology of microorganisms, allowing their survival in extreme conditions. However, the influence of chemical contaminants on fungal virulence has been little studied. Sporotrichosis is an emergent fungal disease caused by Sporothrix schenckii, a soil-inhabiting fungus that has been found in polluted environments. Here, we evaluated the adaptive stress response of S. schenckii induced by toluene, a key soil contaminant. The effect on fungal virulence and host immune response was also assessed. The fungus survived up to 0.10% toluene in liquid medium. Greater production of melanosomes and enhanced activity superoxide dismutase, associated to increased tolerance to H2O2 were observed in toluene-exposed fungi. Intraperitoneal infection of mice with S. schenckii treated with either 0, 0.01 or 0.1% of toluene, resulted in greater fungal burden at day 7 post-infection in spleen and liver in the groups infected with fungus treated with toluene 0.1%. A higher production of Il-1{beta}, TNF-, IL-10 and nitric oxyde by peritoneal macrophages and IFN{gamma}, IL-4 and IL-17 by splenocytes was also observed in that group. Our findings showed that morphological and functional changes induced by toluene leads to increased S. schenckii virulence and antifungal host immune response in our model.

microbiology↗