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Rodrigues EG, Dobroff AS, Arruda DC, Tada DB, Paschoalin T, Polonelli L. A limitless Brazilian scientist: Professor Travassos and his contribution to cancer biology. Braz J Microbiol 2023; 54:2551-2560. [PMID: 37589929 PMCID: PMC10689629 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-023-01085-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Luiz Rodolpho Travassos, a Brazilian scientist recognized in several areas of research, began his studies in the field of oncology in the late 1970s when he took a sabbatical at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY, USA. At that time, the discovery and characterization of human melanoma glycoprotein antigens yielded important publications. This experience allowed 16 years later, and Dr. Travassos founded UNONEX, significantly contributing with discoveries in the area of oncology and training of researchers. This review will address all the contributions of team of researchers who, together with Dr. Travassos, collaborated with investigations into molecules and processes that lead to the development of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine G Rodrigues
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Andrey S Dobroff
- University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center (UNMCCC), Albuquerque, USA
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico (UNM) School of Medicine, Albuquerque, USA
| | - Denise C Arruda
- Integrated Group of Biotechnology, University of Mogi das Cruzes, UMC, Mogi das Cruzes, SP, Brazil
| | - Dayane B Tada
- Laboratory of Nanomaterials and Nanotoxicology, Institute of Science and Technology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil
| | - Thaysa Paschoalin
- Department of Biophysics, Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Luciano Polonelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Girola N, Resende-Lara PT, Figueiredo CR, Massaoka MH, Azevedo RA, Cunha RLOR, Polonelli L, Travassos LR. Molecular, Biological and Structural Features of V L CDR-1 Rb44 Peptide, Which Targets the Microtubule Network in Melanoma Cells. Front Oncol 2019; 9:25. [PMID: 30740361 PMCID: PMC6355703 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubules are important drug targets in tumor cells, owing to their role in supporting and determining the cell shape, organelle movement and cell division. The complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) of immunoglobulins have been reported to be a source of anti-tumor peptide sequences, independently of the original antibody specificity for a given antigen. We found that, the anti-Lewis B mAb light-chain CDR1 synthetic peptide Rb44, interacted with microtubules and induced depolymerization, with subsequent degradation of actin filaments, leading to depolarization of mitochondrial membrane-potential, increase of ROS, cell cycle arrest at G2/M, cleavage of caspase-9, caspase-3 and PARP, upregulation of Bax and downregulation of Bcl-2, altogether resulting in intrinsic apoptosis of melanoma cells. The in vitro inhibition of angiogenesis was also an Rb44 effect. Peritumoral injection of Rb44L1 delayed growth of subcutaneously grafted melanoma cells in a syngeneic mouse model. L1-CDRs from immunoglobulins and their interactions with tubulin-dimers were explored to interpret effects on microtubule stability. The opening motion of tubulin monomers allowed for efficient L1-CDR docking, impairment of dimer formation and microtubule dissociation. We conclude that Rb44 VL-CDR1 is a novel peptide that acts on melanoma microtubule network causing cell apoptosis in vitro and melanoma growth inhibition in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Girola
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Experimental Oncology Unit, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pedro T Resende-Lara
- Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Laboratory, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, Brazil
| | - Carlos R Figueiredo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Experimental Oncology Unit, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ricardo A Azevedo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Experimental Oncology Unit, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo L O R Cunha
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, Natural and Human Sciences Center, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, Brazil
| | - Luciano Polonelli
- Unit of Biomedical, Biotechnological and Translational Sciences, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Universitá degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Luiz R Travassos
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Experimental Oncology Unit, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Recepta Biopharma, São Paulo, Brazil
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Travassos LR, Taborda CP. Linear Epitopes of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Other Fungal Agents of Human Systemic Mycoses As Vaccine Candidates. Front Immunol 2017; 8:224. [PMID: 28344577 PMCID: PMC5344917 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dimorphic fungi are agents of systemic mycoses associated with significant morbidity and frequent lethality in the Americas. Among the pathogenic species are Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Paracoccidioides lutzii, which predominate in South America; Histoplasma capsulatum, Coccidioides posadasii, and Coccidioides immitis, and the Sporothrix spp. complex are other important pathogens. Associated with dimorphic fungi other important infections are caused by yeast such as Candida spp. and Cryptococcus spp. or mold such as Aspergillus spp., which are also fungal agents of deadly infections. Nowadays, the actual tendency of therapy is the development of a pan-fungal vaccine. This is, however, not easy because of the complexity of eukaryotic cells and the particularities of different species and isolates. Albeit there are several experimental vaccines being studied, we will focus mainly on peptide vaccines or epitopes of T-cell receptors inducing protective fungal responses. These peptides can be carried by antibody inducing β-(1,3)-glucan oligo or polysaccharides, or be mixed with them for administration. The present review discusses the efficacy of linear peptide epitopes in the context of antifungal immunization and vaccine proposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz R Travassos
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Carlos P Taborda
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Medical Mycology IMTSP/LIM53/HCFMUSP, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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