Antimicrobial peptides in sepsis

• Grant number: 11/20585-8
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - Brazil
• Start date: March 05, 2012
• End date: April 04, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Cellular Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Fabiano Pinheiro da Silva
• Grantee: Fabiano Pinheiro da Silva
• Visiting researcher: Erika da Costa Prando
• Visiting researcher institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Instituto de Biociências (IBB), Brazil
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 09/17731-2 - Markers of infection in critically ill patients, AP.JP

Abstract

Sepsis is the first cause of death in Critical Care Units and a major health problem worldwide. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are key factors in innate immunity. Cathelicidins are a group of AMPs produced in mice (named CRAMP) and humans (named LL-37), with bactericidal properties. In the last years, however, many other functions have been described for these molecules in the immune system. Vitamin D induces potent LL-37 gene expression.Experiments performed by me, Fabiano Pinheiro da Silva, at University of San Diego (UCSD) showed the presence of cathelicidins inside the nucleus, suggesting this molecule can act as a transcription factor.Chromatin immunoprecipitation studies (ChIP) will help me to confirm that hypothesis and identify the exact DNA fragments where cathelicidins can bind. At the same time, we intend to immunoprecipitate vitamin D receptor (VDR) and NF-KB, in order to understand how these molecules interact in healthy individuals and in septic shock. (AU)