Search

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has significantly impacted the world and has driven many researchers into the pathophysiology of COVID-19. In the findings, there is a close association between purinergic signaling and the immune response. Then, this study aimed to evaluate alterations in the purinergic signaling in COVID-19 patients according to range severity. We divided the COVID-19 patients into moderate and severe cases following the guideless of NIH and WHO, together with clinical characteristics. The blood samples were collected to obtain PBMCs and platelets. We analyzed the ectonucleotidase activities through ATP, ADP, AMP, Ado hydrolysis, E-NTPDase1 (CD39), and 5'-NT (CD73) expression by flow cytometry in total leukocytes. The extracellular ATP was measured by bioluminescence, and cytokines were analyzed by flow cytometry. We observed a decrease in ATP hydrolysis and increased AMP hydrolysis in PBMCs for both groups. In severe cases, ATP hydrolysis was raised for the platelets, while ADP and AMP hydrolysis have risen significantly in both groups. Additionally, there was a significant increase in ADP hydrolysis in severe cases compared to moderate cases. In addition, we observed an increase in the ADA activity in platelets of moderate patients. Moderate and severe cases showed increased expression of CD39 and CD73 in total leukocytes. To finalize the purinergic signaling, extracellular ATP was increased in both groups. Furthermore, there was an increase in IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17 in moderate and severe groups. Thus, for the first time, our findings confirm the changes in purinergic signaling and immune response in COVID-19, in addition to making it more evident that the severity range directly impacts these changes. Therefore, the therapeutic potential of the purinergic system must be highlighted and studied as a possible target for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 disease. KEY MESSAGES: COVID-19 patients exhibit alterations in purinergic system and immune response. High levels of extracellular ATP lead to different inflammatory responses. CD39 and CD73 expression were increased in COVID-19 patients. Cytokines IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17 also were altered in these patients. The purinergic system may be a possibility target to SARS-CoV-2 treatments.

Resumo: As práticas Integrativas e complementares têm se incorporado ao sistema de saúde de maneira significativa, na assistência a saúde dos pacientes, especialmente na área da oncologia. O câncer é uma doença devastadora que impacta de maneira negativa na vida do paciente, família e equipe. A utilização das Praticas Integrativas e Complementares (PIC’s) são uma alternativa que complementam os tratamentos convencionais na melhora da qualidade de vida e no cuidado a dimensão espiritual do ser humano. Objetivo: Relatar a experiência de implantação das Terapias Integrativas e Complementares através do Projeto de Extensão Luzes.Métodos: as atividades realizadas são Reiki, Auriculoterapia, massagem laboral, meditação, grupo de oração, música e canto, Bio Energetics Medicine, Contação de histórias, confecção de origamis, avaliação da saúde bucal, construção de Mandalas e pinturas. As PIC’s são desenvolvidas por um grupo de 136 voluntários dentre docentes, discentes e profissionais de diferentes áreas e da comunidade em geral. Desde sua implantação em Agosto de 2018 já atendeu mais de 1700 pessoas. É desenvolvido dentro do Hospital Regional do Oeste de Chapeco SC nos setores de Oncologia, Quimioterapia e Radioterapia. Resultados: as terapias integrativas e complementares são reconhecidas como benéficas pelos pacientes, familiares e profissionais. Consideradas aliadas na melhora da qualidade de vida durante o período de internação e tratamento. Também citada como uma maneira diferenciada de assistência a dimensão espiritual porque propicia a formação de vinculos mais empáticos entre profissionais, pacientes e família. Observa-se também uma maior qualificação no processo de formação profissional dos acadêmicos dos cursos de Enfermagem e Medicina da UFFS.Conclusões: A utilização das praticas integrativas e complementares no ambiente hospitalar foram sem sombra de dúvidas um desafio. Devemos reconhecer que valeu o desafio de implantar as Terapias Integrativas e Complementares que aliadas ao tratamento convencional trouxeram benefícios impares a tríade paciente, família e profissional. Um espaço de pratica das PIC’s possibilita a formação de recursos humanos voltados ao SUS, com uma visão ampliada ao processo saúde-doença e mais competentes e comprometidos com a saúde integral do ser humano.

Introducao: A utilizacao de contraceptivos orais combinados (COC) e bastante difundida, porem alem dos beneficios podem ocorrer efeitos adversos importantes, que precisam ser esclarecidos para as usuarias. Objetivos: identificar o conhecimento de estudantes de uma universidade publica sobre o uso e efeitos beneficos e adversos dos COC. Metodos: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo e quantitativo, em que um questionario com questoes objetivas foi aplicado a 471 estudantes dos cursos de graduacao, e analisados posteriormente atraves de qui-quadrado e Anova. Resultados: O motivo predominante para o uso de COC foi a contracepcao (37,52%). A insatisfacao com o conhecimento sobre o uso de COC foi apontada por 51,75% das estudantes. Foi verificada correlacao positiva (r=0,9970; p < 0,0001) entre as estudantes que receberam orientacao medica satisfatoria e se sentem satisfeitas com o conhecimento sobre o uso de COC. Conclusao : A pesquisa evidenciou que as estudantes manifestaram insatisfacao pessoal sobre os conhecimentos acerca do uso de COC, sinalizando a importância de maior aconselhamento profissional e de elaboracao de estrategias de Educacao em Saude relacionadas a contracepcao.

Systemic arterial hypertension has been associated with the majority deaths from cardiovascular disease, especially among the elderly population, and the imbalance between antioxidant and pro-oxidants has been associated with hypertension. This study analyzed the acute responses of cardiorespiratory and oxidative stress parameters to low intensity aerobic exercise (LIAE) with blood flow restriction (BFR) in hypertensive elderly women. The experimental group consisted of 16 hypertensive women (67.2 ± 3.7 years) who underwent a progressive treadmill test and performed three exercise protocols in random order: high intensity (HIAE), low intensity aerobic exercise (LIAE) and low intensity aerobic exercise with blood flow restriction (LIAE + BFR). Data analysis showed that blood pressure and heart rate augmented from rest to post effort (p

O meduloblastoma é um tumor cerebelar caracterizado como tumor neuroectodérmico primitivo prevalente em crianças, sendo as do sexo masculinos as mais afetadas. Com relação à classificação histológica, existem cinco variações: clássico, desmoplásico, anaplásico, células gigantes e de extensa nodularidade. Muitos estudos relatam que a patogênese do meduloblastoma está relacionada com mutações em fatores de crescimento do SNC, sendo que as principais vias envolvidas são: Sonic Hedgehog, NOTCH, WNT e OTX. Ainda, com respeito à imunologia, pacientes com meduloblastoma apresentaram alta taxa de IFN-y no soro e células TH17 no sangue periférico, e foi observado que o TGF-B tem sido associado à estimulação mitogênica, o que pode estar relacionado à patogênese da doença. A predominância de uma resposta TH1 relacionada à sobrevivência também foi relatada. O desenvolvimento terapêutico para o meduloblastoma, apesar de limitado, é significativo, uma vez que este vem apresentando melhora na sobrevida de seus pacientes. Entretanto, um maior conhecimento dos mecanismos envolvidos na imunopatogênese é necessário para o desenvolvimento de novos fármacos e formas de tratamento.

O gengibre (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) vem sendo utilizado tanto na medicina natural tradicional quanto contemporânea, sendo descritos mais de 115 componentes do gengibre fresco e seco. Dentre esses componentes, os compostos fenólicos, gingerol e o shoagol, têm sido amplamente estudados apresentando diferentes propriedades destas moléculas como efeito antipirético, analgésico, inibidor da angiogênese, atividades imunomoduladoras, entre outras. Esta revisão tem como objetivo apresentar os componentes do gengibre assim como o seu efeito antagônico sobre o lipopolissacarídeo (LPS), propriedade anti- inflamatória e possível via de sinalização envolvida. O efeito do gengibre sobre o LPS consiste na inibição da produção de Interleucina 12 (IL -12), resultando em menor ativação de macrófagos induzidos pelo LPS; diminuição na expressão de moléculas co-estimulatórias e expressão de MHC classe II e diminuição de Interleucina 2 (IL-2), suprimindo a ativação e proliferação de células T CD4+. A propriedade anti-inflamatória do composto está relacionada com a capacidade de modular o linfócito T, de forma a inibir a eosinofilia, reduzir a quantidade de mastócitos, inibir a liberação de IL-4 e reduzir a resposta Th2. Além disso, pode ocorrer inibição da translocação da subunidade p65 para o núcleo e inibição da fosforilação do complexo IkB-?, culminando com a diminuição dos níveis de COX- 2. Através deste estudo, podemos concluir que componentes do gengibre podem atuar antagonicamente sobre o efeito de ativação do LPS em macrófagos, conduzindo um efeito imunomodulador e anti-inflamatório, no qual a possível via de sinalização afetada seja do NFkB com envolvimento das MAPquinases.

Diversos estudos demonstram a importância de aspectos imunológicos na gestação. Durante a gestação ocorre a implantação do embrião no útero materno, onde irá se desenvolver até o final da gravidez. Dentre os aspectos imunes, pode-se citar a importância da modulação dos linfócitos T, das células natural killers (NK) e das diversas citocinas existentes no organismo materno. A tolerância materna ao feto parece ser mediada por hormônios maternos específicos e pela expressão do antígeno leucocitário humano G (HLA-G) característico na gravidez. Outros estudos sugerem que a rejeição fetal e complicações durante a gravidez podem ocorrer devido à presença de antígenos de histocompatibilidade menor (mHAg), adquiridos pela mãe a partir do compartilhamento sanguíneo com o feto, e devido à presença de anticorpos maternos contra o espermatozoide e contra o feto. O objetivo desta revisão foi descrever os aspectos imunológicos que permitem a tolerância materna ao feto na gestação, assim como possíveis causas para a rejeição do embrião e complicações durante a gravidez.

Although a correlation between polymorphisms of NOD-like receptor family-pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) and predisposition to type 1 diabetes (T1D) has been identified, the potential function and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in T1D have not been clarified. The present study shows that non-obese diabetic mice exhibited increased NLRP3, and pro-IL-1β gene expression in pancreatic lymph nodes (PLNs). Similar increases in gene expression of NLRP3, apoptosis associated speck like protein (ASC) and pro-IL-1β were induced by multiple low doses of streptozotocin (STZ) in C57BL/6 mice. In addition, diabetic C57BL/6 mice also exhibited increased IL-1β protein expression in the pancreatic tissue at day 7, which remained elevated until day 15. Diabetic mice also showed increased positive caspase-1 macrophages in the PLNs, which were decreased in NLRP3−/− mice, but not in ASC−/− mice, after STZ treatment. NLRP3- and IL-1R-deficient mice, but not ASC-deficient mice, showed reduced incidence of diabetes, less insulitis, lower hyperglycemia, and normal insulin levels compared to wild-type (WT) diabetic mice. Notably, these mice also displayed a decrease in IL-17-producing CD4 and CD8 T cells (Th17 and Tc17) and IFN-γ-producing CD4 and CD8 T cells (Th1 and Tc1) in the PLNs. Following STZ treatment to induce T1D, NLRP3-deficient mice also exhibited an increase in myeloid-derived suppressor cell and mast cell numbers in the PLNs along with a significant increase in IL-6, IL-10, and IL-4 expression in the pancreatic tissue. Interestingly, diabetic mice revealed increased circulating expression of genes related to mitochondrial DNA, such as cytochrome b and cytochrome c, but not NADH dehydrogenase subunit 6 (NADH). Mitochondrial DNA (mDNA) from diabetic mice, but not from non-diabetic mice, induced significant IL-1β production and caspase-1 activation by WT macrophages, which was reduced in NLRP3−/− macrophages. Finally, mDNA administration in vivo increased Th17/Tc17/Th1/Tc1 cells in the PLNs and precipitated T1D onset, which was abolished in NLRP3−/− mice. Overall, our results demonstrate that mDNA-mediated NLRP3 activation triggers caspase-1- dependent IL-1β production and contributes to pathogenic cellular responses during the development of STZ-induced T1D.

Streptozotocin causes T1D by inducing the translocation of intestinal bacteria into pancreatic lymph nodes and driving the development of pathogenic Th1 and Th17 cells through NOD2 receptor., Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that is triggered by both genetic and environmental factors, resulting in the destruction of pancreatic β cells. The disruption of the intestinal epithelial barrier and consequent escape of microbial products may be one of these environmental triggers. However, the immune receptors that are activated in this context remain elusive. We show here that during streptozotocin (STZ)-induced T1D, the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain containing 2 (NOD2), but not NOD1, participates in the pathogenesis of the disease by inducing T helper 1 (Th1) and Th17 cells in the pancreatic LNs (PLNs) and pancreas. Additionally, STZ-injected wild-type (WT) diabetic mice displayed an altered gut microbiota compared with vehicle-injected WT mice, together with the translocation of bacteria to the PLNs. Interestingly, WT mice treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics (Abx) were fully protected from STZ-induced T1D, which correlated with the abrogation of bacterial translocation to the PLNs. Notably, when Abx-treated STZ-injected WT mice received the NOD2 ligand muramyl dipeptide, both hyperglycemia and the proinflammatory immune response were restored. Our results demonstrate that the recognition of bacterial products by NOD2 inside the PLNs contributes to T1D development, establishing a new putative target for intervention during the early stages of the disease.

Stromal-derived factor (SDF-1) is the principal ligand for CXCR4, a co-receptor with CD4 for T lymphocyte cell line-tropic human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1). A common polymorphism, SDF1-3 0 A, was identified in an evolutionary conserved segment of the 3 0 untranslated region of the SDF-1 gene. Sequence analysis revealed a common variant at position 801, a G ! A transition referred to as SDF1-3 0 A. Because this variant eliminates the Msp I restriction site PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was used for rapid detection of genotypes. We genotyped 62 HIV infected patients and 60 non-HIV blood donors by RFLP analysis. We also assessed syncytia formation through co-culture of MT-2 cells with peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HIV patients. Syncytiuminducing HIV-1 variants have been shown to be clinically significant in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection. In our study, we detected a low frequency of 3 0 A/3 0 A (5%) in the blood donors but this genotype was absent in all HIV patients. We found that 41 (68%) HIV patients including syncytia inducing (SI) and non-syncytia inducing (NSI) groups contained the wild type (wt/wt) genotype for SDF-1. Our data indicate that there is no correlation between SDF-1 alleles and syncytium inducing HIV. q 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of antibodies against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in sheep from Guarapuava, Parana State, Brazil. The seroepidemiological study was carried out in 262 sheep. The samples were analyzed by ELISA and immunodiffusion test using P. brasiliensis gp43 and exoantigen as antigens, respectively. Initially, two sheep were immunized with P. brasiliensis to evaluate whether contact with the fungal cells could induce a humoral immune response against gp43 and exoantigen from P. brasiliensis. Both animals produced antibodies against gp43 and exoantigen, the main antigens used for diagnosis and seroepidemiology of paracoccidioidomycosis. A reactivity of 37% was observed to the P. brasiliensis gp43 antigen by ELISA although no reactivity had been observed by the immunodiffusion test. Sheep under extensive grazing system showed higher frequency of positivity to P. brasiliensis (P ≤ 0.05) than those under intensive and semi-intensive systems. These data suggest that sheep may be a useful epidemiological marker of P. brasiliensis presence in the environment and reinforce that contact with soil is an important risk factor for infection.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the infection of domestic rabbits by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Initially two rabbits were experimentally infected with P. brasiliensis and the humoral immune response was evaluated by ELISA using gp43 as antigen. The two animals showed IgG response against gp43 although no signs of disease were observed. The seroepidemiological study was carried out in 170 rabbits (free range n = 81 and caged n = 89) living in an endemic area for human paracoccidioidomycosis and a positivity of 27% was observed in the ELISA using gp43 as antigen. The free-range rabbits showed a significantly higher positivity (34.6-51.7%) than the caged animals (11.1%). Sentinel rabbits exposed to natural infection with P. brasiliensis were followed up for 6 months and a seroconversion rate of 83.3% was observed. This is the first report of paracoccidioidomycosis in rabbits and suggests that this species can be useful sentinels for P. brasiliensis presence in the environment.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is the etiological agent of paracoccidioidomycosis, a systemic mycosis that affects mainly rural workers in Brazil and other Latin American countries. The participation of domestic and wild animal species in the ecoepidemiology of paracoccidioidomycosis is not well understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate P. brasiliensis infection in dairy goats. The humoral immune response to the gp43 antigen, the main antigen used for paracoccidioidomycosis serodiagnosis and seroepidemiology, was evaluated in two goats immunized with inactivated P. brasiliensis yeast cells. Both animals produced antibodies against the P. brasiliensis gp43 antigen, detected by ELISA, 2 weeks after immunization. A total of 202 goat serum samples were analyzed by ELISA and the immunodiffusion test using P. brasiliensis gp43 and exoantigen as antigens. The seropositivity observed by ELISA was 26.2 % although no reactivity was detected by immunodiffusion. The animals over 18 months of age showed significantly higher positivity (40 %) than animals aged 6-18 months (14.8 %) and 0-6 months (2.6 %). Taking into account that cross-reactivity may occur with other pathogens, the serum samples were also analyzed by ELISA using Histoplasma capsulatum exoantigen as antigen and the positivity observed was 14.3 %. The low correlation (0.267) observed between reactivity to P. brasiliensis gp43 and H. capsulatum exoantigen suggests co-infection rather than cross-reactivity. This is the first report showing serological evidence of P. brasiliensis infection in goats and reinforces that domestic animals are useful epidemiological markers of paracoccidioidomycosis.

The objective of this study was to detect antibodies against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in free-range and caged chickens Gallus domesticus. Initially, the humoral immune response of two chickens immunized with P. brasiliensis was evaluated. Both animals showed the production of antibodies to gp43, the major P. brasiliensis antigen. The seroepidemiological survey was conducted in chickens from the Pantanal region in Mato Grosso do Sul State (free-range n = 40) and from northern region of Parana State (free-range n = 100, caged n = 43). The serum samples were analyzed by indirect ELISA using gp43 as antigen. The positivity observed in free-range chickens from Mato Grosso do Sul (55%) was significantly higher (P = 0.0001) than in free-range chickens from Parana State (16%). In contrast to the free-range chickens, no positivity was observed in the caged chickens (P = 0.003). This is the first report showing serological evidence of P. brasiliensis infection in chickens. The results suggest that free-range chickens are more frequently infected by P. brasiliensis, probably due to the constant contact with soil than caged chickens and could be useful as epidemiological markers of paracoccidioidomycosis.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a malignant myeloproliferative disorder that originates from a pluripotent stem cell expressing the bcr-abl oncogene. It is characterized by an abnormal release of the expanded, malignant stem cell clone from the bone marrow into the circulation. The stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1) gene contains a common polymorphism, termed SDF1-3′A, in an evolutionarily conserved segment of the 3′ untranslated region (UTR). In this work the SDF-1 genotypes of 25 patients (9–82 years old) who had been clinically and hematologically diagnosed with CML were compared with those of 60 healthy donors. In addition, the nature of bcr-abl hybrid mRNA and the association between demographic and hematological parameters were analyzed in cells from 12 CML patients (five women and seven men). All patients underwent blood collection during the chronic phase of disease after they received chemotherapy. b3a2 mRNA was detected in samples from eight of the CML patients and b2a2 mRNA was observed in four cases. An association between basophils and hemoglobin parameters was observed in that hemoglobin levels were higher in b2a2-expressing patients, and mean basophil levels were higher in patients expressing b3a2. Four of the CML patients (16%) were homozygous for 3′A allele. Of the patients who showed the presence of bcr-abl transcripts (N = 12), three presented the wt/wt genotype and nine were SDF1-3′A carriers. Three of the latter were homozygous for this mutation. It is possible that the bcr-abl fusion gene and the SDF1 genotype for 3′A allele have important implications for the pathogenesis of CML. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 21:49–54, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

O SDF-1 (fator derivado do estroma da medula óssea), também conhecido como CXCL12, e seu receptor CXCR4 estão envolvidos no tráfego de células B e progenitores hematopoéticos. A medula óssea produz o SDF-1, o qual possui atividade marcante de quimiotaxia através da ligação com seu receptor CXCR4 acoplado a proteína G, em um complexo que envolve 7 domínios glicoprotéicos transmembrana celular. O SDF-1 não é somente expresso na medula óssea, mas também em outros tecidos, sugerindo outras atividades biológicas, não restritas somente à migração de precursores hematopoéticos. Existe a hipótese que o SDF-1 contribui para o extravasamento de leucócitos mesmo na ausência de inflamação, um processo importante no tráfego dos linfócitos. O sequenciamento da quimiocina SDF, (GenBank: L 36033), revelou um polimorfismo no segmento evolucionário conservado da região 3? não codificadora (3?UTR), (posição 801 G è A) do gene estrutural transcrito. Este alelo variante pode ter funções regulatórias importantes, resultantes do aumento na concentração de SDF. As análises demonstraram que 38,8% (24/62) dos pacientes portadores de linfoma possuem o genótipo heterozigótico 3?A/wt em contraste com 26,1% (11/42) dos pacientes diagnosticados com leucemia linfóide. A porcentagem de portadores do gene 3?A teve variação estatisticamente significante entre os pacientes diagnosticados com linfoma em relação aos pacientes diagnosticados com leucemia linfóide. Essa variação genética deve representar uma função regulatória importante pelo possível aumento de SDF-1 pelo estroma dos linfonodos. Este trabalho sugere que este polimorfismo pode ser um determinante diferencial nos pacientes acometidos com linfomas e leucemias. Têm-se identificado, em uma proporção crescente, moléculas quimioatraentes capazes de permitir a migração in vitro de células linfóides. Um exemplo é a leucemia linfóide crônica, onde as células expressam CXCR4 e podem ser atraídas pelo grandiente da quimiocina SDF-1. Em adição, o CXCR4 é altamente expresso em células de linfoma, bem como em linhagens mielóides. A fim de se avaliar a importância da expressão do receptor CXCR4 no desenvolvimento das células leucêmicas, tráfego celular e tratamento clínico, realizou-se ensaios para a expressão de RNA mensageiro do receptor CXCR4 em sangue periférico de 10 pacientes com LLA, além da comparação com dados clínicos relevantes. Quando utilizou-se primers específicos para o RNA mensageiro do receptor CXCR4, foi detectada uma banda única de 400 pb proveniente do RNA obtido das amostras celulares de sangue periférico de 6 pacientes, os quais sofreram recidiva e foram submetidos à quimioterapia por mais de 3 anos. Além disso, detectou-se o genótipo wt/wt para o SDF-1 nestes mesmos pacientes. Em contraste, o RNA mensageiro específico para CXCR4 não foi encontrado nas células de 4 pacientes, os quais já haviam terminado a quimioterapia. Desses últimos pacientes, observou-se que um era portador do genótipo wt/wt e três eram heterozigotos para o gene SDF1-3?A. Ensaios do RNA mensageiro para o receptor CXCR4 em células de sangue periférico de pacientes portadores de leucemia linfóide aguda juntamente com a genotipagem de SDF-1, podem representar novos marcadores para avaliar a eficácia do tratamento desses pacientes. The chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF1), also known as CXCL12, and its monogamous receptor CXCR4 are involved in trafficking of B cells and hematopoietic progenitors. The predominant chemotactic factor produced by bone marrow stromal cells is SDF-1, which has been shown to mediate its effects by binding to its receptor, CXCR4, a GTP-binding protein (G-protein)-coupled 7-transmembrane glycoprotein. SDF-1 is expressed not only in bone marrow, but also in other tissues suggesting that the biological function of SDF-1 is not limited to homing of haematopoietic stem cells. SDF-1 has been hypothesized to contribute to extravasation of leucocytes in the absence of inflammation, a process important for lymphocyte trafficking. Sequence analysis of the human SDF gene (GenBank accession number L36033) has revealed a common variant, designated SDF-1-3?A, consisting of a G®A transition in an evolutionary conserved segment of the 3? untranslated region (3?-UTR). Because this mutation eliminates an Msp I restriction site, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of PCR-amplified cDNA can be used for rapid identification of genotypes. This segment of the 3?-UTR may be involved in regulating the transcription and/or translation of the SDF-1 gene, and this variant is thought to increase the production of SDF-1. We identified the heterozygous genotype (3?A/wt) in 38,8% (24/62) lymphoma patients and 26,1 % (11/42) in lymphoid patients. The heterozygous genotype in lymphoma patients was greater than that lymphoid leukemias. This work indicates that lymphoma patients are more likely to carry 3'A gene than that in lymphoid leukemia, suggesting that this polymorphism may be a differencial determinant of lymphomas and lymphoid leukemia. An increasing number of chemoattractants capable of supporting the in vitro migration of malignant lymphoblasts has been identified. For example, chronic as well as acute B lymphocytic leukemia cells have been observed to express CXCR4 and to be chemoattracted to SDF-1. In addition, CXCR4 is highly expressed in B lymphoma cell lines, as well as in myeloid cell lines and AML blasts. To evaluate the importance of SDF1/CXCR4 in leukemia cell development and trafficking, we assayed messenger RNA for CXCR4 and SDF-1 genotype in peripheral blood cells from 10 patients with lymphocytic leukemia (LL). We observed CXCR4 expression in cells of six patients, all of whom had experienced relapse and had undergone chemotherapy for over 3 years and all of whom had the SDF-1 wt/wt genotype. In contrast, CXCR4-specific mRNA was absent from the cells of four patients, all of whom had finished chemotherapy. These findings suggest that assays of CXCR4 mRNA expression and SDF-1 genotype in peripheral blood cells from LL patients may be useful for assessing the efficacy of treatment of these patients.

The stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) gene contains a common polymorphism, termed SDF1-3VA, in an evolutionarily conserved segment of the 3V-untranslated region (3V-UTR). We compared SDF-1 genotypes in patients diagnosed with lymphoid leukemias and lymphomas. Since the SDF1-3VA variant deletes the MspI restriction site, PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was used for identification of genotypes. We identified the heterozygous genotype (3VA/wt) in 38.8% (24/62) of lymphoma patients and in 26.2% (11/42) of lymphoid leukemias. The percentage of 3VA carriers was significantly higher in lymphomas (43.5%) than in lymphoid leukemias (26.2%; P < 0.05). Our study indicates that lymphoma patients from Brazil are more likely to carry the 3VA gene than patients with lymphoid leukemias, suggesting that this polymorphism may be a differential determinant of lymphomas and lymphoid leukemia.

Paracoccidioidomicose (PCM) é uma micose sistêmica causada pelo fungo dimórfico Paracoccidioides brasiliensis e Leishmaniose é uma doença parasitária provocada por protozoários do gênero Leishmania. O cão desempenha um papel importante na epidemiologia da Leishmaniose e na sua transmissão a seres humanos. Recentemente foram relatados casos de PCM doença e infecção em cães e outras espécies de animais domésticos. O diagnóstico da Leishmaniose é feito principalmente através de testes sorológicos, porém, reações cruzadas podem ocorrer com outras doenças. Em estudo prévio com cães soropositivos e soronegativos para Leishmaniose observou-se uma alta positividade para antígenos de P. brasiliensis em animais soropositivos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a reatividade cruzada entre antígenos de P. brasiliensis e Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. Ratos Wistar machos foram imunizados via intraperitoneal com exoantígeno de Pb (n=2), com células leveduriformes inativadas de P. brasiliensis (n=2) e com antígeno de L. amazonensis (n=2) e as reatividades dos anticorpos com antígenos de P. brasiliensis e L. amazonensis foram avaliadas por ELISA e Western Blot. Os anticorpos de ratos imunizados com antígenos de P. brasiliensis reagiram com antígeno de L. amazonensis, assim como os imunizados com P. brasiliensis reagiram com antígeno de L. amazonensis. Observou-se que nos ratos imunizados com P. brasiliensis houve o reconhecimento da banda de 63 kDa, que é expressa nas fases promastigota e amastigota de todas as espécies de Leishmania. Os ratos imunizados com L. amazonensis reconheceram uma banda com aspecto difuso no Western Blot com antígeno de P. brasiliensis. Adicionalmente foram avaliadas a reatividades a exoantígeno de P. brasiliensis em amostras de soro de cães de Três Lagoas-MS, soropositivos e soronegativos para Leishmaniose, por meio de Imunodifusão Radial Dupla e ELISA. Os cães soropositivos para Leishmaniose apresentaram alta reatividade com exoantígeno de P. brasiliensis, 85,05% no ELISA e 17,5% na Imunodifusão. Verificou-se também que o tratamento do exoantígeno de Pb com metaperiodato de sódio reduziu significativamente a positividade (P