Comparative study of the infection dynamics of species of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in human macrophages using RNA-Seq

• Grant number: 18/04609-3
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Effective date (Start): April 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): November 30, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Biology and Physiology of Microorganisms
• Principal researcher: Ana Marcia de Sá Guimarães
• Grantee: Alexandre Campos Banari
• Home Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 16/26108-0 - Systems and comparative biology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex: effects of genetic variability on bacterial phenotype, AP.JP

Abstract

Every year Tuberculosis affects millions of people worldwide and is considered the second leading infectious cause in mortality. The disease-causing Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (MTBC) complex is composed of 12 genetically similar bacterial species that have a clonal relationship (except M. canettii) and are differentiated only by the deletion of 2 to 12 Kb regions (RDs) and by nucleotide substitutions. Due to this high genetic identity, these bacteria could be considered ecotypes of the same bacterial species; however, the variable tropism for host species, different virulence profiles and RDs determine the current taxonomy. Among the species of interest in human health are: M. Tuberculosis, M. canettii and M. africanum 1 (L6) and 2 (L5), highly adapted to humans, and M. bovis and M. caprae, with an unrestricted host predilection. M. africanum and M. canettii cause more attenuated forms of human Tuberculosis, compared to M. Tuberculosis, and are geographically restricted to some African regions. M. bovis, and possibly M. caprae, is hardly transmitted between humans, even in cases of pulmonary disease, and does not persist in this population. Genetic determinants of this variable host adaptability and virulence are unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate the dynamics of infection of these microorganisms during infection of human macrophages by sequencing the bacterial transcriptome. We expected to identify differentially expressed bacterial genes during human macrophage infection that may be related to the adaptability and/or virulence of these microorganisms in that host cell. (AU)

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)

DO COUTO, ANAHI CHECHIA; KMETIUK, LOUISE BACH; DELAI, RUANA RENOSTRO; DRULLA BRANDAO, ANA PEROLA; MONTEIRO, CAIRO OLIVEIRA; ANTONIASSI DA SILVA, LUCIANA HELENA; SOARES, CAMILA; BANARI, ALEXANDRE CAMPOS; BACH, RENATO VAN WILPE; PETTAN-BREWER, CHRISTINA; et al. igh SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in persons experiencing homelessness and shelter workers from a day-shelter in Sao Paulo, Brazi. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, v. 15, n. 10, OCT 2021. (20/07251-2, 18/04609-3)