Subversion of complement pathway by leptospires as possible immune evasion mechanism in the kidney

• Grant number: 21/00539-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: June 01, 2021
• End date: March 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Biology and Physiology of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Angela Silva Barbosa
• Grantee: Cassia Moreira Santos
• Host Institution: Instituto Butantan. Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Spirochetes belonging to the genus Leptospira are bacteria that cause leptospirosis. Highly mobile, pathogenic leptospires penetrate the host through abrasions on the skin or mucous membranes and quickly reach the target organs. Kidneys are considered as an immunoprivileged site in leptospirosis, given the tropism and the persistence of these spirochetes in this organ. A few studies suggest mechanisms that enable leptospires to survive in renal tissue, such as biofilm formation. In addition, proteomic analyzes indicate a decrease in protein and antigen expression during kidney infection in rats, which would facilitate its persistence in the host. Recent studies have used immortalized HK-2 cells from the human proximal renal tubule to evaluate the action of leptospires on the renal tissue as an in vitro model. HK-2 cells produce important complement proteins such as C3, Factor B and Factor H, in addition to molecules belonging to the other pathways of this system such as C1q, C2 and C4. In this study we aim to evaluate whether L. interrogans serovar Copenhageni L1-130, a virulent pathogenic species, regularly maintained in the laboratory as a study model, is capable of subverting the action of the alternative pathway of the complement system, inactivating molecules in the cascade produced locally by these kidney cells. Our hypothesis is that such a mechanism, combined with those mentioned above, may contribute to the survival of these bacteria in the kidneys of hosts. (AU)

Academic Publications

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

SANTOS, Cassia Moreira. Complement system subversion by leptospires as a possible mechanism of renal immune evasion. 2023. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD) São Paulo.