Accessing the biotechnological potential of a novel isolated microalga from a semi-arid region of Brazil.

The use of microalgae as a source of food and pharmaceutical ingredients has garnered growing interest in recent years. Despite the rapid growth of the nutraceutical market, knowledge about the potential of bioactive molecules from microalgae remains insufficient. The present study aimed to investigate the biotechnological potential of the green microalga Desmodesmus armatus isolated from a semi-arid region of Brazil. The algal biomass was characterized in terms of gross biochemical composition, exopolysaccharide content, enzymatic inhibition capacity, and antioxidant, antibacterial, and hemolytic activities from solvents of different polarities (water, ethanol, acetone, and hexane). D armatus biomass had 40% of crude protein content, 25.94% of lipids, and 25.03% of carbohydrates. The prebiotic potential of exopolysaccharides from D armatus was demonstrated, which stimulated the growth of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum bacteria strains. Moreover, the enzyme inhibition capacity for the proteases chymotrypsin (34.78%-45.8%) and pepsin (16.64%-27.27%), in addition to α-amylase (24.79%) and lipase (31.05%) was confirmed. The antioxidant potential varied between the different extracts, with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl sequestration values varying between 17.51% and 63.12%, and those of the 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) method between 6.82% and 22.89%. In the antibacterial activity test, only the ethanolic extract showed inhibition against Listeria sp. (at minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] = 256 µg mL-1). This fraction also presented the highest significant levels of hemolysis (31.88%-52.45%). In summary, the data presented in the study suggest the presence of biocompounds with biotechnological and nutraceutical potential in the D armatus biomass. Future studies may evaluate the inclusion of this biomass in foods in order to increase their biological value.

Assembly of a pan-genome from deep sequencing of 910 humans of African descent.

We used a deeply sequenced dataset of 910 individuals, all of African descent, to construct a set of DNA sequences that is present in these individuals but missing from the reference human genome. We aligned 1.19 trillion reads from the 910 individuals to the reference genome (GRCh38), collected all reads that failed to align, and assembled these reads into contiguous sequences (contigs). We then compared all contigs to one another to identify a set of unique sequences representing regions of the African pan-genome missing from the reference genome. Our analysis revealed 296,485,284 bp in 125,715 distinct contigs present in the populations of African descent, demonstrating that the African pan-genome contains ~10% more DNA than the current human reference genome. Although the functional significance of nearly all of this sequence is unknown, 387 of the novel contigs fall within 315 distinct protein-coding genes, and the rest appear to be intergenic.

Author Correction: Assembly of a pan-genome from deep sequencing of 910 humans of African descent.

In the version of this article initially published, the statement "there are no pan-genomes for any other animal or plant species" was incorrect. The statement has been corrected to "there are no reported pan-genomes for any other animal species, to our knowledge." We thank David Edwards for bringing this error to our attention. The error has been corrected in the HTML and PDF versions of the article.

Schistosoma mansoni antigens as modulators of the allergic inflammatory response in asthma.

Epidemiologic evidence has accumulated suggesting that helminth infection or their products protect against the development of autoimmune and allergic diseases. The mechanisms underlying this protection may include regulatory cells and cytokines. Both helminth infection and allergic diseases drive the immune system toward the Th2 type response with high production of IgE. However, while this antibody response is associated with the pathogenesis of allergic diseases, IgE production in regions endemic for parasite diseases, such as schistosomiasis, might be associated with a protection against infection. In individuals chronically exposed to Schistosoma sp infection, regulatory cells and cytokines which may develop to protect the host against harmful parasite antigens may also protect the host against allergic diseases. We have demonstrated that helminthic infections are associated with a poor response to allergy skin-prick tests and with low asthma pathology. This review summarizes the immune response that is associated with the pathology of allergic diseases such as asthma and with the resistance to helminth infections. Moreover, it is discussed how helminth infection, particularly Schistosoma mansoni or their products may influence the development of atopic asthma.

Immunomodulation of the allergic inflammatory response: new developments.

Studies of the molecular mechanisms associated with allergic diseases have lead to a better understanding of the complex processes that underlie their pathogenesis. These mechanisms involve Th2- and Th1-type cells and also some recently described cytokines, such as IL-25 and IL-33. Regulatory mechanisms of allergic inflammation have also been identified. For instance, IL-10, a cytokine produced by many cell types, promotes a decrease in IgE production, and inhibits the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators by mast cells. Recently, a variety of regulatory cells have been discovered, which, either by direct contact or through the production of IL-10 and/or TGF-beta, can inhibit the allergic inflammatory response. IL-10 is produced in high levels by cells of helminth-infected individuals. There is some evidence that such infections protect against the development of allergic diseases. In asthmatic individuals living in endemic areas of schistosomiasis, it has been shown in in vitro studies that there is a modulation of the Th2 response, both by mechanisms involving IL-10, which is produced mainly by monocytes and CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells, and also by the expression of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) in CD4+ T cells. Studies using parasite antigens to induce the modulation of allergic inflammatory response are being conducted by several groups of researchers and represent new perspectives for the treatment of allergic diseases.

Polymorphisms in the sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin-8 (Siglec-8) gene are associated with susceptibility to asthma.

Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin-8 (Siglec-8) promotes the apoptosis of eosinophils and inhibits FcvarepsilonRI-dependent mediator release from mast cells. We investigated the genetic association between sequence variants in Siglec-8 and diagnosis of asthma, total levels of serum IgE (tIgE), and diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) in diverse populations. The effect of sequence variants on Siglec-8 glycan ligand-binding activity was also examined. Significant association with asthma was observed for SNP rs36498 (odds ratios (OR), 0.69, P=8.8 x 10(-5)) among African Americans and for SNP rs10409962 (Ser/Pro) in the Japanese population (OR, 0.69, P=0.019). Supporting this finding, we observed association between SNP rs36498 and current asthma among Brazilian families (P=0.013). Significant association with tIgE was observed for SNP rs6509541 among African Americans (P=0.016), and replicated among the Brazilian families (P=0.02). In contrast, no association was observed with EE in Caucasians. By using a synthetic polymer decorated with 6'-sulfo-sLe(x), a known Siglec-8 glycan ligand, we did not find any differences between the ligand-binding activity of HEK293 cells stably transfected with the rs10409962 risk allele or the WT allele. However, our association results suggest that the Siglec8 gene may be a susceptibility locus for asthma.

Impaired Th2 development and increased mortality during Schistosoma mansoni infection in the absence of CD40/CD154 interaction.

The role of CD40/CD154 interaction during infection has primarily focused on pathogens that drive inflammatory Th1 responses. In this study, we show that CD40/CD154 interaction is a fundamental requirement for Th2 response development to the parasitic helminth Schistosoma mansoni. Compared with infected wild-type mice, greatly reduced levels of Th2-associated cytokines were measured both in vitro and in vivo, and no IgE or IgG1 was detected in infected CD154(-/-) mice. In the absence of an overt Th2 response, no exaggerated Th1 response was mounted by CD154(-/-) mice. Infected CD154(-/-) mice suffered severe morbidity and mortality, even though parasitemias in wild-type and CD154(-/-) mice did not differ significantly. These data indicate that CD40/CD154 interaction is required to allow development of a Th2-dominated immune response to S. mansoni and support the view that failure to develop such a response can have fatal consequences.

Low frequency of positive skin tests in asthmatic patients infected with Schistosoma mansoni exposed to high levels of mite allergens.

Helminthic infections and allergic diseases are highly prevalent in many parts of the world. Although skin reactivity to indoor allergens is decreased in subjects from helminthic endemic areas, the degree of exposure to mite allergens has not yet been investigated in these areas. This study evaluated the association between exposure to dust mites and skin reactivity to mite allergens in subjects with a history of wheezing in the last 12 months selected from a rural endemic area for schistosomiasis (group I, n = 21), and two non-Schistosoma mansoni endemic locale, a rural area (group II, n = 21) and a urban slum area (group III, n = 21). All subjects were evaluated by skin prick tests with mite allergens, and for total and specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) against dust mites, antibodies for S. mansoni, and for intestinal parasites. Dust samples from each subjects' home were quantified for mite allergen and species of the mite identification. Except for S. mansoni infection which was more prevalent in group I than in groups II and III (p < 0.0001), the prevalence of intestinal parasites, and total and specific IgE levels were similar for all groups. Despite the levels of mite allergens and specifically to Der p 1 detected in dust samples of subjects home from all three areas, the frequency of positive skin reactivity to mite antigens was significantly lower (19.0%) in subjects from group I relative to group II (76.2%) and group III (57.1%; p < 0.001). This result suggests that S. mansoni infection could modulate the immediate hypersensitivity skin response to mite allergens in highly exposed subjects.

Schistosoma mansoni infection is associated with a reduced course of asthma.

BACKGROUND: Helminthic infections decrease skin reactivity to indoor allergens, but data on whether they influence asthma severity are lacking. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the course of asthma in patients with and without Schistosoma mansoni infection. METHODS: Asthmatic subjects were enrolled from 3 low-socioeconomic areas: a rural area endemic for schistosomiasis (group 1) in addition to a rural area (group 2) and a slum area (group 3), both of which were not endemic for schistosomiasis. A questionnaire on the basis of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood study was applied in these 3 areas, and from each area, 21 age- and sex-matched asthmatic subjects were selected for a prospective 1-year study. Pulmonary function tests, skin prick tests with indoor allergens, stool examinations, and serum evaluations were performed in these subjects. Every 3 months, the subjects were evaluated for asthma exacerbation through physical examination, and a questionnaire regarding asthma symptoms and use of antiasthma medicine was administered. RESULTS: The prevalence of S mansoni infection was greater in group 1 compared with in groups 2 and 3 (P <.0001), whereas the frequency of other helminth and protozoa infections was similar among the 3 groups. The frequency of positive skin test responses to indoor allergens was less (19.0%) in group 1 subjects relative to those in group 2 (76.2%) and group 3 (57.1%; P <.001). The frequencies of symptoms, use of antiasthma drugs, and pulmonary abnormal findings at physical examination were less in group 1 subjects than in group 2 and 3 subjects (P =.0001). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that S mansoni infection is associated with a milder course of asthma.

Association between mite allergen (Der p 1, Der f 1, Blo t 5) levels and microscopic identification of mites or skin prick test results in asthmatic subjects.

BACKGROUND: Mite allergens have been involved in airway sensitization and allergic diseases. Immunoassays for the identification and quantifiction of house dust mite (HDM) allergens are useful to improve the knowledge of regional mite fauna and the remediation of mite allergens in allergic diseases. The present study analyzed the association between levels of HDM allergen and results of mite identification or skin prick test (SPT) in two different areas of Bahia, Brazil. METHODS: Forty-two asthmatic subjects from a rural area (group I; n = 21) and a slum (group II; n = 21) were evaluated through SPT with HDM allergens and had dust samples collected at their homes for mite identification and allergen measurements. RESULTS: Positive SPT to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae and Blomia tropicalis allergens were observed in 42.9, 38.0 and 42.9% subjects from group I and in 47.6, 19.0 and 33.3% subjects from group II, respectively. D. pteronyssinus and B. tropicalis were identified in approximately 76 and 50% of samples from both groups, respectively. D. farinae was identified in 38.0 and 9.5% of samples from groups I and II, respectively (p < 0.005). Der p 1, Der f 1 and Blo t 5 detection were associated with mite identification (p < 0.05). Association between HDM allergen levels over 2 microg/g of dust and positive SPT occurred only with D. pteronyssinus (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: D. pteronyssinus was the most prevalent mite species in this study followed by B. tropicalis and D. farinae. Immunoassays done to measure mite allergens were associated with mite-species identification. We conclude that these three mite species must be included on panels for the diagnosis of allergic airway diseases in subjects living in such regions.