The role of eosinophils in P. brasiliensis infection

• Grant number: 08/05552-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2008
• End date: July 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Applied Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Maria Heloisa Souza Lima Blotta
• Grantee: Fernanda Gambogi Braga Amarante
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a deep mycosis caused by the fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis that can be classified in two main clinical forms: the adult form (FA) with chronic evolution, the juvenile form (FJ) characterized by involvement of the mononuclear phagocitic with rapid and severe evolution. Patients with PCM particularly those with the JF of the disease presented high production of cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and TGF-² and low production of IL-2 and IFN-³. In addition, the cellular immune response in these patients is depressed as showed by negative delayed-type hypersensitivity and low lymphoproliferative response to fungal antigens. Additionally, several studies have described the occurrence of a large number of eosinophils in peripheral blood of patients with the JF of PCM which returns to normal after the antifungal treatment. The positive correlation between the number of eosinophils and the production of IL-4, IL-5 and IgG4 and IgE antibodies in severe forms of PCM suggests that these cells may have a role in the the host response to the fungus. In this context the present study aims to investigate the response of eosinophils from healthy donors and patients with the JF of PCM to the stimulation with P. brasiliensis yeast cells (Pb18 and Pb265). Moreover, we also intend to examine lesional tissue of patients with the JF and AF of PCM in order to detect the presence of eosinophils and their products.

Scientific publications

(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)

BRAGA, FERNANDA GAMBOGI; RUAS, LUCIANA PEREIRA; PEREIRA, RICARDO MENDES; LIMA, XINAIDA TALIGARE; ANTUNES, EDSON; MAMONI, RONEI LUCIANO; SOUZA LIMA BLOTTA, MARIA HELOISA. Functional and phenotypic evaluation of eosinophils from patients with the acute form of paracoccidioidomycosis. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, v. 11, n. 5, MAY 2017. (08/05552-3)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

AMARANTE, Fernanda Gambogi Braga. Evaluation of functional capacity of peripheral blood eosinophils of patients with the juvenile form of paracoccidioidomycosis. 2012. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Ciências Médicas Campinas, SP.