Evaluation of the IL-1 family cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-18, IL-33 and IL-37) in the peripheral circulation of patients with paracoccidioidomycosis: correlation with clinical form and treatment

• Grant number: 13/19152-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2013
• End date: October 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Applied Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Ronei Luciano Mamoni
• Grantee: André Bueno Rocha Moreira Alves
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, can be classified into two main clinical forms: the adult form (AF) which presents a chronic evolution, primarily affecting the lungs, skin, and mucosa and the juvenile form (JF) characterized by the involvement of the mononuclear phagocyte system and that presents a more severe and rapid evolution. Furthermore, individuals living in endemic areas exposed to P. brasiliensis can present PCM-infection (PI), considered the resistance form of PCM. PCM patients can present a wide variation in the clinical and immunological responses. While unifocal AF patients present a preserved cellular immune response with low antibody production and high production of IFN-gamma and IL-17, JF patients and multifocal AF patients are characterized by a depressed cellular immune response with the presence of large numbers of eosinophils, high production of antibodies (IgG4 and IgE)and Th2 cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and TGF-beta. These characteristics show that the immune response of susceptibility or resistance to PCM is largely regulated by a balance between Th1/Th17 and Th2 responses. Recent studies have shown that besides the cytokines classically associated with the differentiation of effector T cells subpopulations (IL-12 for Th1, IL-4 for Th2 cells, and IL-6 and TGF-beta to Th17) cytokines from the IL-1 family can contribute to the differentiation and maintenance of these different populations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the profile of cytokines of the IL-1 family (IL-1 beta, IL-18, IL-33, and IL-37) in the peripheral circulation of patients presenting the AF or the JF of PCM before, during, and after the antifungal treatment. (AU)