Evaluation of P2X7 influence on caspase-1 activation and GSDMD cleavage in Tfh and Tfr cells in experimental Malária model

• Grant number: 20/04183-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2020
• End date: November 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Cellular Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Maria Regina D'Império Lima
• Grantee: Danilo Chaves da Silva Ramos de Souza
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/20432-8 - Intervention in signaling pathways associated with the recognition of cellular damage to reduce the pathology of severe forms of malaria and tuberculosis, AP.TEM

Abstract

Malaria is a disease that affects nearly 200 millions of people annually. Understanding the immunological mechanisms, such as the role of Tfh and Tfr cells, that orchestrate Plasmodium response and immunity is essential to develop new parasite strategies control. P2X7 is an extracellular ATP receptor expressed in some cells of immune system; in macrophages and neutrophils, P2X7 activation, along with other stimuli, culminates in caspase-1 activation and GSDMD cleavage, which leads to membrane pore formation and release of inflammatory cytokines. It remains uncertain whether in others cells that express P2X7 this process also occurs. This study aims to evaluate the influence of P2X7 on caspase-1 activation and GSDMD cleavage in Tfh and Tfr cells in an experimental malaria model.