Effects of sleep fragmentation on Th1/Th2 paradigm on a murine model of leishmaniasis immune activation

• Grant number: 17/13999-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: September 01, 2017
• End date: August 14, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Monica Levy Andersen
• Grantee: Rachel Gimenes Rodrigues Albuquerque
• Supervisor: Cord Sunderkoetter
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Munster, Germany
• Associated to the scholarship: 14/27329-5 - Analysis of sleep pattern and cytokine secretion in leprosy patients, BP.DD

Abstract

The first experiments that demonstrated the importance of the balance between T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 2 (Th2) were conducted in experimental models of murine leishmaniasis. After the inoculation of a higher number of Leishmania major parasites, some mice strains proved to be resistant, as observed in C57BL/6 strain, and others develop lesions and even systemic disease, as in BALB/c strain. Most of studies indicate that there is a genetic background that drives to interleukin-12 and interferon-³ production and then to a Th1 response (resistance), or interleukin-4 secretion and consequently Th2 response (susceptibility). In addition to genetics, other aspects, such as dietary and senescence are considered important. One factor that exhibits a bidirectional relationship with the immune system is sleep. Although the role of sleep on the murine model of leishmaniasis is unknown, a wide range of studies describe the importance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the regulation of sleep wake-cycle, alterations on sleep pattern during infections and the negative impact of sleep deprivation on immune cells. Considering that a consolidated sleep is fundamental to guarantee the immune system well-function and homeostasis, this study seeks to evaluate the effects of sleep fragmentation in Th1/Th2 paradigm using a murine model of leishmaniasis. We expect to clarify which parameters are affected by a fragmented sleep after immunological challenge, such as infections and active immunizations processes. (AU)