Laminin Triggers Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) and Modulates NET Release Induced by Leishmania amazonensis.

Neutrophils are recruited from the blood and transmigrate through the endothelium to reach tissues, where they are prone to respond through different mechanisms, including the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). These responses occur in close contact with proteins from the basement membrane and extracellular matrix, where laminins are abundant. Thus, we investigated the interactions between neutrophils and different laminin (LM) isoforms and analyzed the induction of NETs. We showed that neutrophils stimulated with LM isoforms 111, 211, 332, 411, 421, and 511 released NETs. The same occurred when neutrophils interacted with polymerized LMs 111, 411, and 511. LM-induced NETs were partially inhibited by pretreatment of neutrophils with an anti-α6 integrin antibody. Furthermore, NETs triggered by laminins were dependent on elastase and peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD)-4, enzymes that participate in chromatin decondensation. We also found that LMs 411 and LM 511 potentiated the NET release promoted by promastigotes of the protozoan parasite Leishmania, and that NETs stimulated by LMs alone display leishmanicidal activity. The ability of LM to induce NET release may have potential implications for the course of inflammation or infection.

Phylogenetic relationships of Leishmania species based on trypanosomatid barcode (SSU rDNA) and gGAPDH genes: Taxonomic revision of Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi in South America.

Phylogenetic studies on trypanosomatid barcode using V7V8 SSU rRNA and gGAPDH gene sequences have provided support for redefining some trypanosomatid species and positioning new isolates. The genus Leishmania is a slow evolving monophyletic group and including important human pathogens. The phylogenetic relationships of this genus have been determined by the natural history of its vertebrate hosts, vector specificity, clinical manifestations, geographical distribution and molecular approaches using different markers. Thus, in an attempt to better understand the phylogenetic relationships of Leishmania species, we performed phylogenetic analysis on trypanosomatid barcode using V7V8 SSU rRNA and gGAPDH gene sequences among a large number of Leishmania species and also several Brazilian visceral Leishmania infantum chagasi isolates obtained from dogs and humans. Our phylogenetic analysis strongly suggested that Leishmania hertigi and Leishmania equatoriensis should be taxonomically revised so as to include them in the genus Endotrypanum; and supported ancient divergence of Leishmania enriettii. This, together with recent data in the literature, throws light on the discussion about the evolutionary southern supercontinent hypothesis for the origin of Leishmania ssp. and validates L. infantum chagasi from Brazil, thus clearly differentiating it from L. infantum, for the first time.

Photodamage in a mitochondrial membrane model modulated by the topology of cationic and anionic meso-tetrakis porphyrin free bases.

The photodynamic effects of the cationic TMPyP (meso-tetrakis [N-methyl-4-pyridyl]porphyrin) and the anionic TPPS4 (meso-tetrakis[4-sulfonatophenyl]porphyrin) against PC/CL phosphatidylcholine/cardiolipin (85/15%) membranes were probed to address the influence of phorphyrin binding on lipid damage. Electronic absorption spectroscopy and zeta potential measurements demonstrated that only TMPyP binds to PC/CL large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs). The photodamage after irradiation with visible light was analyzed by dosages of lipid peroxides (LOOH) and thiobarbituric reactive substance and by a contrast phase image of the giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). Damage to LUVs and GUVs promoted by TMPyP and TPPS4 were qualitatively and quantitatively different. The cationic porphyrin promoted damage more extensive and faster. The increase in LOOH was higher in the presence of D2O, and was impaired by sodium azide and sorbic acid. The effect of D2O was higher for TPPS4 as the photosensitizer. The use of DCFH demonstrated that liposomes prevent the photobleaching of TMPyP. The results are consistent with a more stable TMPyP that generates long-lived singlet oxygen preferentially partitioned in the bilayer. Conversely, TPPS4 generates singlet oxygen in the bulk whose lifetime is increased in D2O. Therefore, the affinity of the porphyrin to the membrane modulates the rate, type and degree of lipid damage.

Síndrome de Loeffler / Loeffler Syndrome

Objetivo: relato de caso de um paciente correlacionando os sintomas pulmonares a parasitose intestinaltambém apresentada pelo paciente. Relato de Caso: paciente de 4 anos com quadro clínico pulmonarassociado a parasitose intestinal e eosinofilia importante. Considerações finais: a infestação parasitáriaconstitui a principal causa de Síndrome de Loeffler (pneumonia eosinofilica) e as manifestações clínicas destetipo de pneumonia são inespecíficas, sendo necessário associar anamnese detalhada aos dados clínicos elaboratoriais para o estabelecimento de um diagnóstico correto e precoce

Objective: case of a patient correlating the pulmonary symptoms the intestinal parasatism alsopresented by the patient. Case report: patient of 4 years old with pulmonary clinical associatedthe intestinal parasatism and important eosinofilia. Final considerations: the parasiticinfestation constitutes the main cause of Syndrome of Loeffler (eosinofilica pneumonia) and theclinical manifestations of this type of pneumonia is inespecíficas, being necessary to associateanamnese detailed to the clinical and laboratoriais data for the establishment of a correct andprecocious diagnosis

Prevalência de demência em pacientes com doença de parkinson

A doença de Parkinson caracteriza-se pela redução da influência dopaminérgica nigroestriatal e cortical, com sintomas motores e posteriormente comportamentais e cognitivos, entre eles a demência, que tem sua prevalência aumentada com a idade, sendo uma doença essencialmente de idosos. A finalidade da presente pesquisa é estudar a prevalência de demência em portadores da doença de Parkinson...Parkinson's disease is characterized by reduced nigrostriatal and cortical dopaminergic influence, with motor symptoms and later cognitive and behavioral, including dementia, its prevalence has increased with age, being essentially a disease of the elderly. The purpose of this research is to study the prevalence of dementia in Parkinson's disease ...