Prospection of new epitopes with vaccine potential in the control of experimental infection by Histoplasma capsulatum

• Grant number: 18/26402-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Effective date (Start): February 01, 2019
• Effective date (End): January 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Pelleschi Taborda
• Grantee: Brenda Kischkel
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 16/08730-6 - Fungal pathogenicity: environmental effects, immune response and vaccine modulation in the Brazilian endemic mycoses paracoccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 20/03532-7 - Investigation of the trained immune response of monocytes and macrophages after exposure to vaccine formulation against systemic mycosis, BE.EP.DD

Abstract

The Histoplasmosis is considered the most common respiratory fungal infection with a worldwide distribution caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. This fungus is considered a primary pathogen, since it infects not only immunocompromised individuals but is also capable of colonizing immunocompetent individuals. When considering AIDS and endemic systemic mycoses as associated conditions, the Histoplasmosis is responsible for 10.1% of the causes of death. The currently available forms of treatment for Histoplasmosis and other fungal systemic infections are drugs such as amphotericin B and itraconazole, often effective in treatment. However, the patients need to undergo long periods of treatment that can interfere in the quality of life due to significant collaterals effects due to the high toxicity of these antifungal drugs and interaction with other drugs. In addition, relapses of the disease are often reported. In this study, we assume that the immune system is essential to ensure good results in the treatment of fungal infections, since in immunosuppressed patients, therapeutic or prophylactic vaccination can stimulate the immune system. Vaccine models have already been developed for Histoplasmosis, Aspergillosis, Candidiasis, Cryptococcosis, Coccidioidomycosis, however, still does not exist a vaccine that demonstrates good efficacy. In this context, our study aims to expand the knowledge and establish new tools for the development of therapeutic vaccines, based on the selection of new epitopes derived from H. capsulatum. Thus, obtaining a more selective product for the fungal cell and more efficient in the combat against infection with reduction of the period of treatment and prevention of relapses of the disease. (AU)

Scientific publications

(4)

(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)

KISCHKEL, BRENDA; DE CASTILHO, PAMELLA F.; DE OLIVEIRA, KELLY M. P.; REZENDE, PAMELA S. T.; BRUSCHI, MARCOS L.; SVIDZINSKI, TEREZINHA I. E.; NEGRI, MELYSSA. Silver nanoparticles stabilized with propolis show reduced toxicity and potential activity against fungal infections. FUTURE MICROBIOLOGY, v. 15, n. 7, p. 521-539, MAY 2020. (18/26402-1)

BONICHE, CAMILA; ROSSI, SUELEN ANDREIA; KISCHKEL, BRENDA; BARBALHO, FILIPE VIEIRA; D'AUREA MOURA, AGATA NOGUEIRA; NOSANCHUK, JOSHUA D.; TRAVASSOS, LUIZ R.; TABORDA, CARLOS PELLESCHI. Immunotherapy against Systemic Fungal Infections Based on Monoclonal Antibodies. JOURNAL OF FUNGI, v. 6, n. 1, MAR 2020. (18/26402-1, 16/08730-6, 17/25780-0)

KISCHKEL, BRENDA; BONICHE-ALFARO, CAMILA; MENEZES, ISABELA DE GODOY; ROSSI, SUELEN ANDREIA; ANGELI, CLAUDIA BLANES; DE ALMEIDA, SANDRO ROGERIO; PALMISANO, GIUSEPPE; LOPES-BEZERRA, LEILA; NOSANCHUK, JOSHUA D.; TABORDA, CARLOS PELLESCHI. Immunoproteomic and Immunopeptidomic Analyses of Histoplasma capsulatum Reveal Promiscuous and Conserved Epitopes Among Fungi With Vaccine Potential. FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY, v. 12, NOV 22 2021. (18/18257-1, 16/08730-6, 14/06863-3, 17/25780-0, 18/26402-1, 18/15549-1)

KISCHKEL, BRENDA; ROSSI, SUELEN A.; SANTOS, JR., SAMUEL R.; NOSANCHUK, JOSHUA D.; TRAVASSOS, LUIZ R.; TABORDA, CARLOS P.. Therapies and Vaccines Based on Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Systemic Fungal Infections. FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY, v. 10, SEP 3 2020. (18/26402-1, 16/08730-6)

Academic Publications

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

KISCHKEL, Brenda. Exploring inflammation pathways in endemic fungal infections and potential novel treatment strategies. 2022. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI) São Paulo.