Evaluation of the immunomodulatory potential of Schistosoma mansoni recombinant proteins in inflammatory processes

• Grant number: 21/01306-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2021
• End date: January 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology - Helminthology of Parasites
• Principal Investigator: Fernanda de Freitas Anibal
• Grantee: Fernanda de Freitas Anibal
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Cynthia Aparecida de Castro
• Associated scholarship(s): 21/12047-8 - Development of recombinant proteins with immunomodulatory potential, BP.TT

Abstract

The model for evaluating the activity of Schistosma mansoni recombinant proteins will be the type 2 Diabetes mellitus (DM2) model, one of the diseases classified as metabolic syndrome, commonly associated with obesity and sedentary lifestyle. In addition, due to the change in the action of insulin, DM2 causes severe hyperglycemia to the carrier, which in turn predisposes to pathological complications. Recently, research in the area has linked the development of the disease to the increase in proinflammatory markers, characterizing a low-grade chronic inflammation, mainly in the adipose and hepatic tissue. Thus, molecules that have immunomodulatory activity may have therapeutic activity, in the control of metabolic dysfunction associated with inflammation. Molecules derived from the parasite Schistosoma mansoni, have been suggested as regulators of processes that can modify the functions of immune cells related to adipocytes, decreasing inflammation and improving glucose tolerance. The current targeting leads to protease inhibitors that play an important role during homeostasis and inflammation, such as the protein derived from Schistosoma mansoni SmKI-1, a serine protease inhibitor, whose potential suggests a regulatory role for inflammation. The Sm29 membrane-bound glycoprotein, also derived from S. mansoni, found in the adult worm integument, was able to induce a Th1 cytokine profile in mice, in addition to providing protection against infection, showing that helminth proteins may be an innovative tool for chronic inflammatory conditions. However, the therapeutic potential of these imonumodulatory proteins, in the metabolic control associated with chronic inflammation in DM2, remains to be explored. Thus, the objective of the research will be to analyze the action of different recombinant proteins, derived from S. mansoni, in the inflammatory changes characteristic of DM2. (AU)