| Grant number: | 12/11837-6 |
| Support Opportunities: | Regular Research Grants |
| Start date: | August 01, 2012 |
| End date: | July 31, 2014 |
| Field of knowledge: | Biological Sciences - Immunology - Cellular Immunology |
| Principal Investigator: | Patricia Xander Batista |
| Grantee: | Patricia Xander Batista |
| Host Institution: | Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil |
Abstract
Leishmaniasis belongs to a group of diseases caused by protozoan parasites from Leishmania genus. The diseases can be classified into four main clinical forms: cutaneous, mucocutaneous, diffuse cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. The immune response to leishmaniasis is complex and the result of infection depends both on the genetic composition of different species of Leishmania and the host immunity. It is known that Th1 cells produce IFN-g which contributes to parasite elimination through different mechanisms, including macrophages activation. However, clinical and experimental evidences suggest that activation of B cells leads to exacerbation of visceral leishmaniasis and contributes to susceptibility of cutaneous leishmaniasis. B-1 cells are a subtype of B lymphocytes whose role in the physiology of the immune system as well as in the pathogenesis of various diseases is still poorly understood. These cells have ability to engulf pathogens, to migrate to inflammatory focus and to modulate immune response in several experimental models, such as paracoccidioidomycosis and murine melanoma. In addition, B-1 cells produce large amounts of IL-10 cytokine which plays a key role in immunosuppression in several diseases such as leishmaniasis. However, the importance of these cells in leishmaniasis has not been clarified. This project aims to investigate the role of B-1 lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of experimental leishmaniasis. It will also evaluate the participation of IL-10 produced by B-1 cells in experimental infection and their influence on other immune cells such as macrophages, dendritic cells and NKT cells. This study may contribute to the better understanding of B-1 lymphocytes in the outcome of leishmaniasis thus contributing to the comprehension of parasite-host relationship in this neglected disease. (AU)
| Articles published in Agência FAPESP Newsletter about the research grant: |
| More itemsLess items |
| TITULO |
| Articles published in other media outlets ( ): |
| More itemsLess items |
| VEICULO: TITULO (DATA) |
| VEICULO: TITULO (DATA) |