Evaluation of macrophages polarization of in cocultures with Schwann cells infected by Mycobacterium leprae

• Grant number: 16/16073-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: November 01, 2016
• End date: October 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Cellular Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Vânia Nieto Brito de Souza
• Grantee: Bruna Beatriz de Oliveira Gimenez
• Host Institution: Instituto Lauro de Souza Lima (ILSL). Coordenadoria de Controle de Doenças (CCD). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The infection by Mycobacterium leprae stimulates a process of dedifferentiation and proliferation of Schwann cells (SC) which may contribute to the spread of the bacillus. SC infected with the bacillus produce mediators capable of interfering with macrophage function increasing their survival and promoting their migration. Macrophages are effector cells of the immune response that promote the elimination of pathogens, however, in leprosy they are colonized by M. leprae. Macrophages may present a functional polarization in which M1 exhibits pro-inflammatory and microbicide profile while M2 acts on tissue repair and presents anti-inflammatory activity. Although different functional programs had been observed in macrophages from patients with polar forms of leprosy the influence of SC in this process is not known. In this study we aim to evaluate whether SC infected with M. leprae can interfere with the macrophages' polarization. Therefore, primary cultures of murine SC will be experimentally infected with viable M. leprae and then co-cultured with macrophages. Macrophages will be evaluated for the expression of specific markers of M1 and M2 subpopulations and for the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Besides, the expression of M1 and M2 markers will be evaluated in inflammatory infiltrates present in sciatic and plantar nerves from mice inoculated with M. leprae. (AU)

Academic Publications

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

GIMENEZ, Bruna Beatriz de Oliveira. Evaluation of macrophage polarization in cultures with Schwann cells infected with Mycobacterium leprae.. 2018. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Medicina. Botucatu Botucatu.