Zinc: Phenotypic characterization of T lymphocytes, regulatory T cells during pregnancy in rats infected with Y strain of Trypanosoma cruzi

• Grant number: 11/10164-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2011
• End date: February 28, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology - Protozoology of Parasites
• Principal Investigator: José Clóvis do Prado Júnior
• Grantee: José Clóvis do Prado Júnior
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Ana Amélia Carraro Abrahão ; Cássia Mariana Bronzon da Costa ; Marina Del Vecchio Filipin ; Rafaela Pravato Colato ; Vânia Brazão Muniz

Abstract

Zinc is an important trace element for the maintenance of immune functions. Promising prior results obtained in our laboratory demonstrated the stimulatory action of zinc in enhancing the immune host's response against Trypanosoma cruzi infection. It is well known that the induction of central memory cells has been associated with protection and a better prognosis in multiple infections. During pregnancy several factors, including the regulatory T cells are involved in the physiological changes responsible for maternal-fetal tolerance, allowing the establishment and maintenance of the fetus. Since the important role of the regulatory T cells in controlling exacerbated inflammation as well as the possible involvement in maintaining immunological memory in various diseases, the aim of this study is to evaluate a possible immunostimulatory effect following the administration of zinc, as well as the phenotypic assessment of lymphocytes T and regulatory T cells during pregnancy in Wistar rats infected with Y strain of Trypanosoma cruzi, using as parameters: splenic and peritoneal cell counts, nitric oxide production, lymphoproliferation of thymocytes and splenocytes (CFSE), concentrations of corticosterone, blood parasitemia. measurement of intracellular cytokines IL-4, IL-10, IFN-³, TNF-±, chemokine MCP-1, evaluation of T lymphocytes CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+ subpopulations, CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg cells by flow cytometry, as well as markers CD11a, CD11b, CD28, CD44, CD45RA CD45RB, CD45RC, CD62L, CD69, CD80, CD86, CD161 , RT1B, for evaluation of apoptosis and necrosis. (AU)