Deciphering the interactions between Legionella longbeachae and eukaryotic host cells

• Grant number: 14/50268-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2014
• End date: September 30, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Biology and Physiology of Microorganisms
• Agreement: University of Melbourne
• Principal Investigator: Dario Simões Zamboni
• Grantee: Dario Simões Zamboni
• Principal researcher abroad: Hayley Newton
• Institution abroad: University of Melbourne, Australia
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/08216-2 - CRID - Center for Research in Inflammatory Diseases, AP.CEPID

Abstract

Legionella species are the causative agents of Legionnaires' disease, a potentially fatal infection spread through aerosolized water. The majority of our understanding of Legionella is based on the predominant pathogen L. pneumophila. However, a significant proportion of Legionnaires' disease, particularly in the southern hemisphere, is caused by the poorly understood pathogen L. longbeachae. The collaborative efforts of Dr Zamboni and Dr Newton will utilize their complementary areas of expertise to undertake pioneering studies to investigate the pathogenic strategies of Legionella longbeachae and the host response to L. longbeachae infection. Specifically this will entail two main avenues of investigation: (1) developing and characterizing a mouse model of L. longbeachae infection to deliniate the host signaling pathways important for fighting infection; (2) developing genetic tools to study the unique putative virulence factors of L. longbeachae both in vitro and within the mouse model of infection. These approaches will decipher the important interactions between L. longbeachae and the eukaryotic host during infection. Such fundamental understanding of an infection process is required in order to develop new approaches to diagnostics, therapeutics and prevention of infection. (AU)

Scientific publications

(5)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MASCARENHAS, DANIELLE P. A.; ZAMBONI, DARIO S.. Inflammasome biology taught by Legionella pneumophila. Journal of Leukocyte Biology, v. 101, n. 4, p. 841-849, APR 2017. (14/50268-2, 13/08216-2, 14/04684-4, 14/00794-0)

CUNHA, LARISSA D.; RIBEIRO, JULIANA M.; FERNANDES, TALITA D.; MASSIS, LILIANA M.; KHOO, CHEN AI; MOFFATT, JENNIFER H.; NEWTON, HAYLEY J.; ROY, CRAIG R.; ZAMBONI, DARIO S.. Inhibition of inflammasome activation by Coxiella burnetii type IV secretion system effector IcaA. NATURE COMMUNICATIONS, v. 6, DEC 2015. (14/50268-2, 13/08216-2, 14/04684-4)

FERNANDES, TALITA D.; CUNHA, LARISSA D.; RIBEIRO, JULIANA M.; MASSIS, LILIANA M.; LIMA-JUNIOR, DJALMA S.; NEWTON, HAYLEY J.; ZAMBONI, DARIO S.. Murine Alveolar Macrophages Are Highly Susceptible to Replication of Coxiella burnetii Phase II In Vitro. Infection and Immunity, v. 84, n. 9, p. 2439-2448, SEP 2016. (14/50268-2, 13/08216-2, 14/04684-4)

MASSIS, LILIANA M.; ASSIS-MARQUES, MARIANA A.; CASTANHEIRA, FERNANDA V. S.; CAPOBIANCO, YASMIN J.; BALESTRA, ANDIAMIRA C.; ESCOLL, PEDRO; WOOD, REBECCA E.; MANIN, GRAZIELE Z.; CORREA, VANI M. A.; ALVES-FILHO, JOSE C.; et al. Legionella longbeachae Is Immunologically Silent and Highly Virulent In Vivo. Journal of Infectious Diseases, v. 215, n. 3, p. 440-451, FEB 1 2017. (13/08216-2, 14/04684-4, 10/20600-4, 14/50268-2, 12/09363-6)

ANDRADE, WARRISON A.; ZAMBONI, DARIO S.. Inflammasome-dependent Mechanisms Involved in Sensing and Restriction of Bacterial Replication. CURRENT ISSUES IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, v. 25, p. 99-131, 2018. (14/50268-2, 13/08216-2, 14/04684-4)