Proteomic approach for the evaluation of pathways related to the control of Leishmania major infection dependent on nitric oxide (NO)

• Grant number: 18/09509-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2018
• End date: November 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Cytology and Cell Biology
• Principal Investigator: Dario Simões Zamboni
• Grantee: Adriene Yumi Ishimoto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/08216-2 - CRID - Center for Research in Inflammatory Diseases, AP.CEPID

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a public health problem in tropical and subtropical regions and is endemic in 98 countries. Its clinical manifestation is determined by the infecting Leishmania species and the host immune response. The major cell type responsible for the elimination of the pathogen in vivo is the macrophage. Among its defense mechanisms is the production of nitric oxide. To identify pathways related to the immune response involving this mechanism, we will use a proteomic approach. We will submit quantified proteins from murine bone marrow derived macrophages, infected or not by Leishmania major, under experimental conditions of increase or deficiency of nitric oxide by mass spectrometry coupled to liquid chromatography, to several statistical tests for the determination of differentially expressed proteins . From this, we will analyze the proteins differentially expressed through tools to calculate the enrichment of pathways and to perform genetic ontology, as well as tools to build networks of protein interaction. This will enable the overall understanding of the biological functions altered in each of the conditions. In this way, we will determine relevant ways so that, in later studies, these can be validated experimentally and can serve as new lines of research.