Paracoccidioides lutzii: new challenges in developing a therapeutic vaccine. Phase 1: an experimental murine model

• Grant number: 12/08760-1
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): August 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): March 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Pelleschi Taborda
• Grantee: Diego Conrado Pereira Rossi
• Home Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 15/12909-9 - Paracoccidioides lutzii: development of therapeutic vaccine from specific antigens for use in a vaccine combined with the P10 peptide from P. brarasiliensis., BE.EP.DR

Abstract

The dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is the etiological agent of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). The immunodominant antigen of P. brasiliensis is a glycoprotein gp43, which is recognized by almost 100% of the sera from patients with PCM, making it an important tool for diagnosis. The peptide P10 is one of the epitopes of gp43, and studies have shown that it can act as a vaccine against PCM in mice. Recently, a comparative analysis of polymorphisms shared between atypical isolates of P. brasiliensis, suggested a creation of a new species within the genus, Paracoccioides lutzii, which is endemic in Brazil's Center-West region. The fact that, isolated P. lutzii belong to distinct phylogenetic groups suggests that, the approaches for identification of the fungus, serologic diagnosis and vaccine development based solely on gp43 and its immunoprotective epitope P10 may not be effective for all isolates. Moreover, it was demonstrated in isolates of P. lutzii, the region corresponding to the P10 of P. brasiliensis, has an important mutation in the core of the peptide that virtually abolishes the protective ability (Personal communication, Dr Maria Sueli Felipe , University of Brasilia (UNB). In this context, this project aims to expand the studies to characterize the infectious process caused by P. lutzii and identify different targets for use in the development of a therapeutic vaccine.

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)

MUNOZ, JULIAN E.; ROSSI, DIEGO C. P.; ISHIDA, KELLY; SPADARI, CRISTINA C.; MELHEM, MARCIA S. C.; GARCIA, DANIEL M.; CAIRES, ANTONIO C. F.; TABORDA, CARLOS P.; RODRIGUES, ELAINE G. Antifungal Activity of the Biphosphinic Cyclopalladate C7a against Candida albicans Yeast Forms In Vitro and In Vivo. FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY, v. 8, MAY 3 2017. Web of Science Citations: 5.

Academic Publications

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

ROSSI, Diego Conrado Pereira. Paracoccidioides lutzii and other fungi of medical importance: development of therapeutic vaccine and alternative treatment with synthetic compounds in the control of systemic mycoses.. 2017. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas São Paulo.