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Corral-Ruiz GM, Pérez-Vega MJ, Galán-Salinas A, Mancilla-Herrera I, Barrios-Payán J, Fabila-Castillo L, Hernández-Pando R, Sánchez-Torres LE. Thymic atrophy induced by Plasmodium berghei ANKA and Plasmodium yoelii 17XL infection. Immunol Lett 2023; 264:4-16. [PMID: 37875239 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2023.10.006] [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: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is the anatomical site where T cells undergo a complex process of differentiation, proliferation, selection, and elimination of autorreactive cells which involves molecular signals in different intrathymic environment. However, the immunological functions of the thymus can be compromised upon exposure to different infections, affecting thymocyte populations. In this work, we investigated the impact of malaria parasites on the thymus by using C57BL/6 mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA and Plasmodium yoelii 17XL; these lethal infection models represent the most severe complications, cerebral malaria, and anemia respectively. Data showed a reduction in the thymic weight and cellularity involving different T cell maturation stages, mainly CD4-CD8- and CD4+CD8+ thymocytes, as well as an increased presence of apoptotic cells, leading to significant thymic cortex reduction. Thymus atrophy showed no association with elevated serum cytokines levels, although increased glucocorticoid levels did. The severity of thymic damage in both models reached the same extend although it occurs at different stages of infection, showing that thymic atrophy does not depend on parasitemia level but on the specific host-parasite interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M Corral-Ruiz
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico; Posgrado en Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - M J Pérez-Vega
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico; Posgrado en Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - A Galán-Salinas
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico; Posgrado en Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - I Mancilla-Herrera
- Departamento de Infectología e Inmunología, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - J Barrios-Payán
- Sección de Patología Experimental, Departamento de Patología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - L Fabila-Castillo
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - R Hernández-Pando
- Sección de Patología Experimental, Departamento de Patología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - L E Sánchez-Torres
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico.
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2
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Hahn RC, Hagen F, Mendes RP, Burger E, Nery AF, Siqueira NP, Guevara A, Rodrigues AM, de Camargo ZP. Paracoccidioidomycosis: Current Status and Future Trends. Clin Microbiol Rev 2022; 35:e0023321. [PMID: 36074014 PMCID: PMC9769695 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00233-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), initially reported in 1908 in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, by Adolpho Lutz, is primarily a systemic and neglected tropical mycosis that may affect individuals with certain risk factors around Latin America, especially Brazil. Paracoccidioides brasiliensis sensu stricto, a classical thermodimorphic fungus associated with PCM, was long considered to represent a monotypic taxon. However, advances in molecular taxonomy revealed several cryptic species, including Paracoccidioides americana, P. restrepiensis, P. venezuelensis, and P. lutzii, that show a preference for skin and mucous membranes, lymph nodes, and respiratory organs but can also affect many other organs. The classical diagnosis of PCM benefits from direct microscopy culture-based, biochemical, and immunological assays in a general microbiology laboratory practice providing a generic identification of the agents. However, molecular assays should be employed to identify Paracoccidioides isolates to the species level, data that would be complemented by epidemiological investigations. From a clinical perspective, all probable and confirmed cases should be treated. The choice of treatment and its duration must be considered, along with the affected organs, process severity, history of previous treatment failure, possibility of administering oral medication, associated diseases, pregnancy, and patient compliance with the proposed treatment regimen. Nevertheless, even after appropriate treatment, there may be relapses, which generally occur 5 years after the apparent cure following treatment, and also, the mycosis may be confused with other diseases. This review provides a comprehensive and critical overview of the immunopathology, laboratory diagnosis, clinical aspects, and current treatment of PCM, highlighting current issues in the identification, treatment, and patient follow-up in light of recent Paracoccidioides species taxonomic developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosane Christine Hahn
- Medical Mycology Laboratory/Investigation, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil
- Júlio Muller Hospital, EBSERH, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Ferry Hagen
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rinaldo Poncio Mendes
- Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
- Faculdade de Medicina, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Eva Burger
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Alfenasgrid.411180.d (UNIFAL), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Andreia Ferreira Nery
- Medical Mycology Laboratory/Investigation, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil
- Júlio Muller Hospital, EBSERH, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Nathan Pereira Siqueira
- Medical Mycology Laboratory/Investigation, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Armando Guevara
- Medical Mycology Laboratory/Investigation, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Anderson Messias Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Emerging Fungal Pathogens, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Medicine, Discipline of Infectious Diseases, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Zoilo Pires de Camargo
- Laboratory of Emerging Fungal Pathogens, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Medicine, Discipline of Infectious Diseases, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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3
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Savino W, Durães J, Maldonado-Galdeano C, Perdigon G, Mendes-da-Cruz DA, Cuervo P. Thymus, undernutrition, and infection: Approaching cellular and molecular interactions. Front Nutr 2022; 9:948488. [PMID: 36225882 PMCID: PMC9549110 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.948488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Undernutrition remains a major issue in global health. Low protein-energy consumption, results in stunting, wasting and/or underweight, three deleterious forms of malnutrition that affect roughly 200 million children under the age of five years. Undernutrition compromises the immune system with the generation of various degrees of immunodeficiency, which in turn, renders undernourished individuals more sensitive to acute infections. The severity of various infectious diseases including visceral leishmaniasis (VL), influenza, and tuberculosis is associated with undernutrition. Immunosuppression resulting from protein-energy undernutrition severely impacts primary and secondary lymphoid organs involved in the response to related pathogens. The thymus—a primary lymphoid organ responsible for the generation of T lymphocytes—is particularly compromised by both undernutrition and infectious diseases. In this respect, we will discuss herein various intrathymic cellular and molecular interactions seen in undernutrition alone or in combination with acute infections. Many examples illustrated in studies on humans and experimental animals clearly revealed that protein-related undernutrition causes thymic atrophy, with cortical thymocyte depletion. Moreover, the non-lymphoid microenvironmental compartment of the organ undergoes important changes in thymic epithelial cells, including their secretory products such as hormones and extracellular matrix proteins. Of note, deficiencies in vitamins and trace elements also induce thymic atrophy. Interestingly, among the molecular interactions involved in the control of undernutrition-induced thymic atrophy is a hormonal imbalance with a rise in glucocorticoids and a decrease in leptin serum levels. Undernutrition also yields a negative impact of acute infections upon the thymus, frequently with the intrathymic detection of pathogens or their antigens. For instance, undernourished mice infected with Leishmania infantum (that causes VL) undergo drastic thymic atrophy, with significant reduction in thymocyte numbers, and decreased levels of intrathymic chemokines and cytokines, indicating that both lymphoid and microenvironmental compartments of the organ are affected. Lastly, recent data revealed that some probiotic bacteria or probiotic fermented milks improve the thymus status in a model of malnutrition, thus raising a new field for investigation, namely the thymus-gut connection, indicating that probiotics can be envisioned as a further adjuvant therapy in the control of thymic changes in undernutrition accompanied or not by infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilson Savino
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Wilson Savino, ,
| | - Jonathan Durães
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory on Leishmaniasis Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carolina Maldonado-Galdeano
- Laboratory of Immunology, Reference Center for Lactobacilli Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CERELA-CONICET), San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
- Laboratory of Immunology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, National University of Tucumán, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Perdigon
- Laboratory of Immunology, Reference Center for Lactobacilli Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CERELA-CONICET), San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
- Laboratory of Immunology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, National University of Tucumán, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Daniella Arêas Mendes-da-Cruz
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - Patricia Cuervo
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory on Leishmaniasis Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Patricia Cuervo, ,
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Luo M, Xu L, Qian Z, Sun X. Infection-Associated Thymic Atrophy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:652538. [PMID: 34113341 PMCID: PMC8186317 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.652538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus is a vital organ of the immune system that plays an essential role in thymocyte development and maturation. Thymic atrophy occurs with age (physiological thymic atrophy) or as a result of viral, bacterial, parasitic or fungal infection (pathological thymic atrophy). Thymic atrophy directly results in loss of thymocytes and/or destruction of the thymic architecture, and indirectly leads to a decrease in naïve T cells and limited T cell receptor diversity. Thus, it is important to recognize the causes and mechanisms that induce thymic atrophy. In this review, we highlight current progress in infection-associated pathogenic thymic atrophy and discuss its possible mechanisms. In addition, we discuss whether extracellular vesicles/exosomes could be potential carriers of pathogenic substances to the thymus, and potential drugs for the treatment of thymic atrophy. Having acknowledged that most current research is limited to serological aspects, we look forward to the possibility of extending future work regarding the impact of neural modulation on thymic atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingli Luo
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lingxin Xu
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhengyu Qian
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xi Sun
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, China
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5
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Burger E. Paracoccidioidomycosis Protective Immunity. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7020137. [PMID: 33668671 PMCID: PMC7918802 DOI: 10.3390/jof7020137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Protective immunity against Paracoccidioides consists of a stepwise activation of numerous effector mechanisms that comprise many cellular and soluble components. At the initial phase of non-specific innate immunity, resistance against Paracoccidioides comes from phagocytic polymorphonuclear neutrophils, natural killer (NK) cells and monocytes, supplemented by soluble factors such as cytokines and complement system components. Invariant receptors (Toll-like receptors (TLRs), Dectins) which are present in cells of the immune system, detect patterns present in Paracoccidioides (but not in the host) informing the hosts cells that there is an infection in progress, and that the acquired immunity must be activated. The role of components involved in the innate immunity of paracoccidioidomycosis is herein presented. Humoral immunity, represented by specific antibodies which control the fungi in the blood and body fluids, and its role in paracoccidioidomycosis (which was previously considered controversial) is also discussed. The protective mechanisms (involving various components) of cellular immunity are also discussed, covering topics such as: lysis by activated macrophages and cytotoxic T lymphocytes, the participation of lytic products, and the role of cytokines secreted by T helper lymphocytes in increasing the efficiency of Paracoccidioides, lysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Burger
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil
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6
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Peron G, Oliveira J, Thomaz LDL, Bonfanti AP, Thomé R, Rapôso C, Cardoso Verinaud LM. Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infection increases regulatory T cell counts in female C57BL/6 mice infected via two distinct routes. Immunobiology 2020; 225:151963. [PMID: 32747019 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2020.151963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Studies that show an overview of the peripheral immune response in a model of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb) infection in females are scarce in the literature. We sought to characterize the innate and adaptive immune responses in female C57BL/6 mice infected with Pb through two distinct routes of administration, intranasal and intravenous. In addition to the lung, P. brasiliensis yeast cells were observed in liver and brain tissues of females infected intravenously. To our knowledge, our study is the first to prove the presence of this pathogenic fungus in the cerebral cortex of female mice. During the initial stages of infection, augmented expression of both MHCII and CD86 was observed on the surface of CD11c+ pulmonary antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in intranasally and intravenously infected females. However, CD40 expression was downregulated in these cells. Concomitantly with increasing serum IL-10 levels, we noted that splenic dendritic cells (DCs) from both intravenously- and intranasally-infected female mice had acquired an immature phenotype. Further, increased T regulatory cell counts were observed in female mice infected via both routes, along with an increase in the infiltration of IL-10-producing CD8+ T cells into the lungs. Moreover, we noted that P. brasiliensis infection resulted in enhanced IL-10 production - by CD11c+ APCs in the lung tissue - and induction of Th17 polarization. Taken together, our results suggest that P. brasiliensis could modulates the immune response in female mice by influencing the balance between regulatory T cells (Tregs) and Th17 polarization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Peron
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
| | - Janine Oliveira
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Livia de Lima Thomaz
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Amanda Pires Bonfanti
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Rodolfo Thomé
- Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Catarina Rapôso
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Liana M Cardoso Verinaud
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
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Camacho E, Niño-Vega GA. Paracoccidioides Spp.: Virulence Factors and Immune-Evasion Strategies. Mediators Inflamm 2017; 2017:5313691. [PMID: 28553014 PMCID: PMC5434249 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5313691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Revised: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Paracoccidioides spp. are dimorphic fungal pathogens responsible for one of the most relevant systemic mycoses in Latin America, paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). Their exact ecological niche remains unknown; however, they have been isolated from soil samples and armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus), which have been proposed as animal reservoir for these fungi. Human infection occurs by inhalation of conidia or mycelia fragments and is mostly associated with immunocompetent hosts inhabiting and/or working in endemic rural areas. In this review focusing on the pathogen perspective, we will discuss some of the microbial attributes and molecular mechanisms that enable Paracoccidioides spp. to tolerate, adapt, and ultimately avoid the host immune response, establishing infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Camacho
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunobiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gustavo A. Niño-Vega
- Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, GTO, Mexico
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8
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Alves da Costa T, Di Gangi R, Thomé R, Barreto Felisbino M, Pires Bonfanti A, Lumi Watanabe Ishikawa L, Sartori A, Burger E, Verinaud L. Severe Changes in Thymic Microenvironment in a Chronic Experimental Model of Paracoccidioidomycosis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0164745. [PMID: 27736987 PMCID: PMC5063316 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell maturation takes place within the thymus, a primary lymphoid organ that is commonly targeted during infections. Previous studies showed that acute infection with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb), the causative agent of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), promotes thymic atrophy that is associated with the presence of yeast cells in the organ. However, as human PCM is a chronic infection, it is imperative to investigate the consequences of Pb infection over the thymic structure and function in chronic infection. In this sense, we developed a new experimental model where Pb yeast cells are injected through the intraperitoneal route and mice are evaluated over 120 days of infection. Thymuses were analyzed in chronically infected mice and we found that the thymus underwent extensive morphological alterations and severe infiltration of P. brasiliensis yeast cells. Further analyses showed an altered phenotype and function of thymocytes that are commonly found in peripheral mature T lymphocytes. We also observed activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the thymus. Our data provide new information on the severe changes observed in the thymic microenvironment in a model of PCM that more closely mimics the human infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago Alves da Costa
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosária Di Gangi
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodolfo Thomé
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marina Barreto Felisbino
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Amanda Pires Bonfanti
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Larissa Lumi Watanabe Ishikawa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexandrina Sartori
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eva Burger
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Liana Verinaud
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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