Characterization and evaluation of the protective capability of Sporothrix brasiliensis immunogenic peptides

• Grant number: 14/08175-7
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): September 01, 2014
• Effective date (End): November 30, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Cooperation agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal researcher: Sandro Rogerio de Almeida
• Grantee: José Roberto Fogaça de Almeida
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Sporotrichosis is a chronic disease that involves the subcutaneous tissue affecting humans and animals. This mycosis was always assigned to a single pathogen a thermally dimorphic fungus called Sporothrix schenckii. Recently was demonstrated that isolates identified as S. schenckii have a high genetic variability, suggesting a Sporothrix complex. Thus was identified S. brasiliensis, that was the main agent in the first feline and human sporotrichosis outbreak in Rio de Janeiro. Researchs showed that S. brasiliensis is more virulent, causing severe disease forms, than the S. schenckii. We demonstrated that a monoclonal antibody against 70-kDa glycoprotein (gp70), fungus main antigen, be protective toward experimental sporotrichosis by S. schenckii species. But not was observed the presence of this glycoprotein in the wall of S. brasiliensis species. The host immune response plays a key role in the sporotrichosis evolution. Stimulate the immune system by biologic therapies may have great importance in disease control. This study aims to map the immunogenic peptides through the immunoreactive proteins of S. brasiliensis 5110 strain. The immune response evaluation induced by these peptides will be made by prophylactic and therapeutic treatments in experimental sporotrichosis. (AU)