Effects of purinergic signaling during acute and chronic infections by Plasmodium chabaudi AS.

Author(s)

Érika Machado de Salles

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI)
• Defense date: 2016-10-14

Examining board members

Maria Regina D'Imperio Lima; Marcelo Urbano Ferreira; Denise Morais da Fonseca; Alexandre de Castro Keller; Alessandra Pontillo

• Advisor: Maria Regina D'Imperio Lima

Abstract

Malaria remains a serious healthcare problem in developing countries. The blood stage of infection is responsible for all symptoms associated with malaria. Recently, it has been shown that innate immune receptors are able to detect signals as adenosine triphosphate (ATP). P2X7 receptor detects high levels of extracellular ATP. Evaluating the parasitemia and clinical parameters in C57BL/6 (B6) and P2X7-/- mice, we observed a similarity in both groups to day 7 p.i., but after this period the P2X7-/- mice had difficulty in controlling the parasitemia and restoring the clinical parameters. The inefficient parasite control in acutely and chronically infected P2X7-/- mice was associated with low production of IFNγ. Furthermore, P2X7 receptor increases the expression of T-bet in Th1 cells and controls the Tfh cell number. This study provides a new insight into immunology by showing that the balance between T-bet and Bcl-6 transcriptional factors tunes the cellular and humoral immunity in malaria. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/11053-2 - Effects of purinergic signaling during acute and chronic infection by Plasmodium chabaudi AS
• Grantee: Érika Machado de Salles
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate