Differentiation, endocytic capacity and antigen-presenting function of dendritic cells isolated from mice subjected to subdiaphragmatic vagotomy

• Grant number: 11/16261-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2012
• End date: July 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Cristina de Oliveira Massoco Salles Gomes
• Grantee: Daniel Sanzio Gimenes da Cruz
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The identification of the cholinergic pathway in the modulation of immune and inflammatory response has been supported by an ever increasing number of studies in recent years, especially in studies where models were of vagotomy or vagus nerve stimulation. Specifically, it has been shown that the CNS is able to be informed about the state of inflammation via afferent neural signals due to vagal innervation in organs and cells of the reticuloendothelial system. In response to this signaling, arch efferent motor exerts an anti-inflammatory effect in the periphery through the release of acetylcholine (ACh) and the action of this neurotransmitter inhibits the production of proinflammatory cytokines by immune cells such as macrophages. Recent evidence of the presence of cholinergic receptors in more specialized cells of the immune system, such as dendritic cells, suggests the participation of the parasympathetic system in the modulation of immune response. A plausible hypothesis is that the anti-inflammatory cholinergic pathway may indirectly alter the function of dendritic cells, as "danger signals" such as the increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-± and IL-1 induces the activation of these cells. Thus, this project aims to assess if extinction of the parasympathetic pathway by subdiaphragmatic vagotomy can affect the generation, differentiation and activation of dendritic cells (DCs) from mice. The DCs will be analyzed for phenotype, endocytic capacity and lymphocytes stimulation, as well as the cytokine IL-12p70 and IL-10.

Academic Publications

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

CRUZ, Daniel Sanzio Gimenes da. Phenotypic and functional characterization of dendritic cells following unilateral cervical vagotomy in C57BL/6 mice. 2013. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD) São Paulo.