Regulation of pathogenic gravity by interleukin IL-27 triggered in experimental infection by Plasmodium chabaudi

• Grant number: 22/03909-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2022
• End date: March 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Cellular Immunology
• Principal Investigator: João Santana da Silva
• Grantee: Erasmo Carlos Farias Junior
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 16/23618-8 - Immunological mechanisms of resistance and disease in malaria, AP.TEM

Abstract

The physiological balance provided by the regulation of the immune system is described as a critical point for the maintenance of homeostasis between specialized cells and cytokines. Thus, the function of inflammatory cytokines is well defined, among which the IL-12 family is known for its role in T helper lymphocytes. The IL-12 family consists of heterodimers that form five cytokines described within this large group: IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, and IL-35, of which IL-12 and IL-23 have a proinflammatory profile. In this sense, several research projects in development seek to define the role of each cytokine in various inflammatory diseases, such as tumors, autoimmune, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic diseases. In this context, malaria is a disease caused by a parasite belonging to the genus Plamodium sp. that affects around 216 million people every year, according to the World Health Organization, and it is also a major public health problem for developing countries. The main difficulty for the scientific community is to elucidate the biology of the parasite in order to establish potential pharmacological targets with immunizing capacity. In this project, we intend to evaluate the mechanisms by which the cytokine IL-27 directs the infection by P. chabaudi in addition to verifying dysregulation in the host's immune system, contributing with the results to the understanding and identification of pharmacological targets.(AU)