| Grant number: | 09/01436-1 |
| Support Opportunities: | Regular Research Grants |
| Start date: | August 01, 2009 |
| End date: | July 31, 2012 |
| Field of knowledge: | Biological Sciences - Immunology - Cellular Immunology |
| Principal Investigator: | Vânia Nieto Brito de Souza |
| Grantee: | Vânia Nieto Brito de Souza |
| Host Institution: | Instituto Lauro de Souza Lima (ILSL). Coordenadoria de Controle de Doenças (CCD). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). Bauru , SP, Brazil |
Abstract
The activation of a cellular immune response is a crucial step in control of intracellular pathogens, including mycobacteria. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in the induction and polarization of immune responses. On the other hand, DCs are instructed by different pathogens and stimuli from the environment, which influence their state of maturation and, consequently, the induction of immune responses. Leprosy, that presents a spectral pattern, is an intriguing model to understand the development of different immune responses against a single pathogen. Studies on the maturation of DCs from leprosy patients and the influence of Mycobacterium leprae on this process are scarce and conflicting. Thus, we propose to investigate in vitro differentiation and maturation of DCs from monocytes obtained from healthy controls and individuals with polar forms of leprosy using standard stimulus and antigens of M. leprae. It will be evaluated markers of differentiation and maturation, production of cytokines and expression of co-stimulatory molecules and receptors involved in the interaction with the bacillus and activation of the immune response. Thus, we intend to add new elements for better understanding of the complex parasite-host relationship that takes place in leprosy. (AU)
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