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Folle AM, Lagos Magallanes S, Fló M, Alvez-Rosado R, Carrión F, Vallejo C, Watson D, Julve J, González-Sapienza G, Pristch O, González-Techera A, Ferreira AM. Modulatory actions of Echinococcus granulosus antigen B on macrophage inflammatory activation. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1362765. [PMID: 38562963 PMCID: PMC10982386 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1362765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Cestodes use own lipid-binding proteins to capture and transport hydrophobic ligands, including lipids that they cannot synthesise as fatty acids and cholesterol. In E. granulosus s.l., one of these lipoproteins is antigen B (EgAgB), codified by a multigenic and polymorphic family that gives rise to five gene products (EgAgB8/1-5 subunits) assembled as a 230 kDa macromolecule. EgAgB has a diagnostic value for cystic echinococcosis, but its putative role in the immunobiology of this infection is still poorly understood. Accumulating research suggests that EgAgB has immunomodulatory properties, but previous studies employed denatured antigen preparations that might exert different effects than the native form, thereby limiting data interpretation. This work analysed the modulatory actions on macrophages of native EgAgB (nEgAgB) and the recombinant form of EgAg8/1, which is the most abundant subunit in the larva and was expressed in insect S2 cells (rEgAgB8/1). Both EgAgB preparations were purified to homogeneity by immunoaffinity chromatography using a novel nanobody anti-EgAgB8/1. nEgAgB and rEgAgB8/1 exhibited differences in size and lipid composition. The rEgAgB8/1 generates mildly larger lipoproteins with a less diverse lipid composition than nEgAgB. Assays using human and murine macrophages showed that both nEgAgB and rEgAgB8/1 interfered with in vitro LPS-driven macrophage activation, decreasing cytokine (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12p40, IFN-β) secretion and ·NO generation. Furthermore, nEgAgB and rEgAgB8/1 modulated in vivo LPS-induced cytokine production (IL-6, IL-10) and activation of large (measured as MHC-II level) and small (measured as CD86 and CD40 levels) macrophages in the peritoneum, although rEgAgB8/1 effects were less robust. Overall, this work reinforced the notion that EgAgB is an immunomodulatory component of E. granulosus s.l. Although nEgAgB lipid's effects cannot be ruled out, our data suggest that the EgAgB8/1 subunit contributes to EgAgB´s ability to regulate the inflammatory activation of macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maite Folle
- Unidad de Inmunología, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Área Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Sofía Lagos Magallanes
- Unidad de Inmunología, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Área Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Martín Fló
- Unidad de Biofísica de Proteínas, Institut Pasteur, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Romina Alvez-Rosado
- Unidad de Inmunología, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Área Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Federico Carrión
- Unidad de Biofísica de Proteínas, Institut Pasteur, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Cecilia Vallejo
- Unidad de Inmunología, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Área Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - David Watson
- Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Josep Julve
- Research group of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Institut de Recerca SANT PAU, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas asociadas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gualberto González-Sapienza
- Unidad de Inmunología, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Área Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Otto Pristch
- Unidad de Biofísica de Proteínas, Institut Pasteur, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Andrés González-Techera
- Unidad de Inmunología, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Área Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ana María Ferreira
- Unidad de Inmunología, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Área Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Abreu C, Ortega C, Olivero-Deibe N, Carrión F, Gaete-Argel A, Valiente-Echeverría F, Soto-Rifo R, Milan Bonotto R, Marcello A, Pantano S. Customizably designed multibodies neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in a variant-insensitive manner. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1226880. [PMID: 37638023 PMCID: PMC10447908 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1226880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic evolves constantly, requiring adaptable solutions to combat emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. To address this, we created a pentameric scaffold based on a mammalian protein, which can be customized with up to 10 protein binding modules. This molecular scaffold spans roughly 20 nm and can simultaneously neutralize SARS-CoV-2 Spike proteins from one or multiple viral particles. Using only two different modules targeting the Spike's RBD domain, this construct outcompetes human antibodies from vaccinated individuals' serum and blocks in vitro cell attachment and pseudotyped virus entry. Additionally, the multibodies inhibit viral replication at low picomolar concentrations, regardless of the variant. This customizable multibody can be easily produced in procaryote systems, providing a new avenue for therapeutic development and detection devices, and contributing to preparedness against rapidly evolving pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Aracelly Gaete-Argel
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Virology, Virology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fernando Valiente-Echeverría
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Virology, Virology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ricardo Soto-Rifo
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Virology, Virology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rafaela Milan Bonotto
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Marcello
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
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3
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Carrión F, Rammauro F, Olivero‐Deibe N, Fló M, Portela MM, Lima A, Durán R, Pritsch O, Bianchi S. Soluble SARS-CoV-2 RBD and human ACE2 peptidase domain produced in Drosophila S2 cells show functions evoking virus-cell interface. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4721. [PMID: 37405395 PMCID: PMC10382795 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
The interaction between the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 and the peptidase domain of the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) allows the first specific contact at the virus-cell interface making it the main target of neutralizing antibodies. Here, we show a unique and cost-effective protocol using Drosophila S2 cells to produce both RBD and soluble human ACE2 peptidase domain (shACE2) as thermostable proteins, purified via Strep-tag with yields >40 mg L-1 in a laboratory scale. Furthermore, we demonstrate its binding with KD values in the lower nanomolar range (independently of Strep-tag removal) and its capability to be blocked by serum antibodies in a competition ELISA with Strep-Tactin-HRP as a proof-of-concept. In addition, we assess the capacity of RBD to bind native dimeric ACE2 overexpressed in human cells and its antigen properties with specific serum antibodies. Finally, for completeness, we analyzed RBD microheterogeneity associated with glycosylation and negative charges, with negligible effect on binding either with antibodies or shACE2. Our system represents an accessible and reliable tool for designing in-house surrogate virus neutralization tests (sVNTs), enabling the rapid characterization of neutralizing humoral responses elicited against vaccines or infection, especially in the absence of facilities to conduct virus neutralization tests. Moreover, our biophysical and biochemical characterization of RBD and shACE2 produced in S2 cells lays the groundwork for adapting to different variants of concern (VOCs) to study humoral responses elicited against different VOCs and vaccine formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Carrión
- Laboratorio de InmunovirologíaInstitut Pasteur de MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
| | - Florencia Rammauro
- Laboratorio de InmunovirologíaInstitut Pasteur de MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
- Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de InmunobiologíaUniversidad de la RepúblicaMontevideoUruguay
| | | | - Martín Fló
- Laboratorio de InmunovirologíaInstitut Pasteur de MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
- Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de InmunobiologíaUniversidad de la RepúblicaMontevideoUruguay
| | - María Magdalena Portela
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Proteómica Analíticas, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo & Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente EstableMontevideoUruguay
- Facultad de CienciasUniversidad de la RepúblicaMontevideoUruguay
| | - Analía Lima
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Proteómica Analíticas, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo & Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente EstableMontevideoUruguay
| | - Rosario Durán
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Proteómica Analíticas, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo & Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente EstableMontevideoUruguay
| | - Otto Pritsch
- Laboratorio de InmunovirologíaInstitut Pasteur de MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
- Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de InmunobiologíaUniversidad de la RepúblicaMontevideoUruguay
| | - Sergio Bianchi
- Departamento de Fisiopatología, Laboratorio de Biomarcadores Moleculares, Hospital de ClínicasUniversidad de la RepúblicaMontevideoUruguay
- Laboratorio de Genómica FuncionalInstitut Pasteur de MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
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Margenat M, Betancour G, Irving V, Costábile A, García-Cedrés T, Portela MM, Carrión F, Herrera FE, Villarino A. Characteristics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis PtpA interaction and activity on the alpha subunit of human mitochondrial trifunctional protein, a key enzyme of lipid metabolism. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1095060. [PMID: 37424790 PMCID: PMC10325834 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1095060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
During Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection, the virulence factor PtpA belonging to the protein tyrosine phosphatase family is delivered into the cytosol of the macrophage. PtpA interacts with numerous eukaryotic proteins modulating phagosome maturation, innate immune response, apoptosis, and potentially host-lipid metabolism, as previously reported by our group. In vitro, the human trifunctional protein enzyme (hTFP) is a bona fide PtpA substrate, a key enzyme of mitochondrial β-oxidation of long-chain fatty acids, containing two alpha and two beta subunits arranged in a tetramer structure. Interestingly, it has been described that the alpha subunit of hTFP (ECHA, hTFPα) is no longer detected in mitochondria during macrophage infection with the virulent Mtb H37Rv. To better understand if PtpA could be the bacterial factor responsible for this effect, in the present work, we studied in-depth the PtpA activity and interaction with hTFPα. With this aim, we performed docking and in vitro dephosphorylation assays defining the P-Tyr-271 as the potential target of mycobacterial PtpA, a residue located in the helix-10 of hTFPα, previously described as relevant for its mitochondrial membrane localization and activity. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Tyr-271 is absent in TFPα of bacteria and is present in more complex eukaryotic organisms. These results suggest that this residue is a specific PtpA target, and its phosphorylation state is a way of regulating its subcellular localization. We also showed that phosphorylation of Tyr-271 can be catalyzed by Jak kinase. In addition, we found by molecular dynamics that PtpA and hTFPα form a stable protein complex through the PtpA active site, and we determined the dissociation equilibrium constant. Finally, a detailed study of PtpA interaction with ubiquitin, a reported PtpA activator, showed that additional factors are required to explain a ubiquitin-mediated activation of PtpA. Altogether, our results provide further evidence supporting that PtpA could be the bacterial factor that dephosphorylates hTFPα during infection, potentially affecting its mitochondrial localization or β-oxidation activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Margenat
- Instituto de Biología, Sección Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias-Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Gabriela Betancour
- Instituto de Biología, Sección Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias-Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Vivian Irving
- Instituto de Biología, Sección Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias-Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Alicia Costábile
- Instituto de Biología, Sección Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias-Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Tania García-Cedrés
- Instituto de Biología, Sección Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias-Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María Magdalena Portela
- Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias-Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Proteómica Analíticas, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo and Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Federico Carrión
- Laboratorio de Inmunovirología, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Fernando E. Herrera
- Departamento de Física, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas-Universidad Nacional del Litoral – CONICET, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Andrea Villarino
- Instituto de Biología, Sección Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias-Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Lima S, Blanco J, Olivieri F, Imelio JA, Nieves M, Carrión F, Alvarez B, Buschiazzo A, Marti MA, Trajtenberg F. An allosteric switch ensures efficient unidirectional information transmission by the histidine kinase DesK from Bacillus subtilis. Sci Signal 2023; 16:eabo7588. [PMID: 36693130 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abo7588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Phosphorylation carries chemical information in biological systems. In two-component systems (TCSs), the sensor histidine kinase and the response regulator are connected through phosphoryl transfer reactions that may be uni- or bidirectional. Directionality enables the construction of complex regulatory networks that optimize signal propagation and ensure the forward flow of information. We combined x-ray crystallography, hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) simulations, and systems-integrative kinetic modeling approaches to study phosphoryl flow through the Bacillus subtilis thermosensing TCS DesK-DesR. The allosteric regulation of the histidine kinase DesK was critical to avoid back transfer of phosphoryl groups and futile phosphorylation-dephosphorylation cycles by isolating phosphatase, autokinase, and phosphotransferase activities. Interactions between the kinase's ATP-binding domain and the regulator's receiver domain placed the regulator in two distinct positions in the phosphotransferase and phosphatase complexes, thereby determining whether a key glutamine residue in DesK was properly situated to assist in the dephosphorylation reaction. Moreover, an energetically unfavorable phosphotransferase conformation when DesK was not phosphorylated minimized reverse phosphoryl transfer. DesR dimerization and a dissociative phosphoryl transfer reaction also enforced the direction of phosphoryl flow. Shorter or longer distances between the phosphoryl acceptor and donor residues shifted the phosphoryl transfer equilibrium by modulating the stabilizing effect of the Mg2+ cofactor. These mechanisms control the directionality of signal transmission and show how structure-encoded allostery stores and transmits information in signaling systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofía Lima
- Laboratory of Molecular and Structural Microbiology, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Juan Blanco
- Departamento de Química Biológica e IQUIBICEN-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Federico Olivieri
- Departamento de Química Biológica e IQUIBICEN-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan A Imelio
- Laboratory of Molecular and Structural Microbiology, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Marcos Nieves
- Laboratory of Molecular and Structural Microbiology, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Federico Carrión
- Laboratorio de Inmunovirología, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Beatriz Alvarez
- Laboratorio de Enzimología, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Alejandro Buschiazzo
- Laboratory of Molecular and Structural Microbiology, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Département de Microbiologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Marcelo A Marti
- Departamento de Química Biológica e IQUIBICEN-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Felipe Trajtenberg
- Laboratory of Molecular and Structural Microbiology, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Rammauro F, Carrión F, Olivero-Deibe N, Fló M, Ferreira A, Pritsch O, Bianchi S. Humoral immune response characterization of heterologous prime-boost vaccination with CoronaVac and BNT162b2. Vaccine 2022; 40:5189-5196. [PMID: 35907676 PMCID: PMC9352561 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Background Vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has proven to be a successful strategy for prevent severe infections. CoronaVac and BNT162b2 are the most used vaccines worldwide, but their use in heterologous vaccination schedules is still subjected to evaluation. Methods Fifty healthy individuals who received heterologous prime-boost vaccination with CoronaVac and BNT162b2 were enrolled in a post-vaccination serological follow-up longitudinal prospective study. We evaluated specific serum anti-receptor binding domain (RBD) IgG antibody levels, and their capacity to block RBD-ACE2 interaction with a surrogate neutralization assay. In 20 participants, we assessed antibody binding kinetics by surface plasmon resonance, and Fc-mediated functions by ADCC and ADCP reporter assays. Results Our baseline seronegative cohort, displayed seroconversion after two doses of CoronaVac and an important decrease in serum anti-RBD IgG antibodies levels 80 days post-second dose. These levels increased significantly early after the third dose with BNT162b2, but 73 days after the booster we found a new fall. Immunoglobulin functionalities showed a similar behavior. Conclusions The heterologous prime-boost vaccination with CoronaVac and BNT162b2 generated an impressive increase in serum anti-RBD specific antibody levels followed by a drop. Nevertheless, these titers remained well above those found in individuals only vaccinated with CoronaVac in the same elapsed time. Serum IgG levels showed high correlation with antibody binding analysis, their capacity to block RBD-ACE2 interaction, and Fc-effectors mechanisms. Our work sheds light on the humoral immune response to heterologous vaccination with CoronaVac and BNT162b2, to define a post-vaccination correlate of protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection and to discuss the scheduling of future vaccine boosters in general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florencia Rammauro
- Departamento de Inmunobiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay; Laboratorio de Inmunovirología, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Federico Carrión
- Laboratorio de Inmunovirología, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Martín Fló
- Departamento de Inmunobiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay; Laboratorio de Inmunovirología, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ana Ferreira
- Unidad de Inmunología, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay; Área Inmunología, Departamento de Biociencias, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Otto Pritsch
- Departamento de Inmunobiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay; Laboratorio de Inmunovirología, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Sergio Bianchi
- Laboratorio de Biomarcadores Moleculares, Departamento de Fisiopatología, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay; Laboratorio de Genómica Funcional, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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7
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Fló M, Carrión F, Olivero-Deibe N, Bianchi S, Portela M, Rammauro F, Alvarez B, Pritsch O. Kinetics of Bovine leukemia virus aspartic protease reveals its dimerization and conformational change. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271671. [PMID: 35867649 PMCID: PMC9307154 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The retropepsin (PR) of the Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) plays, as in other retroviruses, a crucial role in the transition from the non-infective viral particle to the infective virion by processing the polyprotein Gag. PR is expressed as an immature precursor associated with Gag, after an occasional −1 ribosomal frameshifting event. Self-hydrolysis of PR at specific N- and C-terminal sites releases the monomer that dimerizes giving rise to the active protease. We designed a strategy to express BLV PR in E. coli as a fusion protein with maltose binding protein, with a six-histidine tag at its N-terminal end, and bearing a tobacco etch virus protease hydrolysis site. This allowed us to obtain soluble and mature recombinant PR in relatively good yields, with exactly the same amino acid composition as the native protein. As PR presents relative promiscuity for the hydrolysis sites we designed four fluorogenic peptide substrates based on Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) in order to characterize the activity of the recombinant enzyme. These substrates opened the way to perform kinetic studies, allowing us to characterize the dimer-monomer equilibrium. Furthermore, we obtained kinetic evidence for the existence of a conformational change that enables the interaction with the substrate. These results constitute a starting point for the elucidation of the kinetic properties of BLV-PR, and may be relevant not only to improve the chemical warfare against this virus but also to better understand other viral PRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martín Fló
- Laboratorio de Inmunovirología, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Inmunobiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- * E-mail: (OP); (MF)
| | - Federico Carrión
- Laboratorio de Inmunovirología, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Sergio Bianchi
- Laboratorio de Inmunovirología, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Laboratorio de Biomarcadores Moleculares, Departamento de Fisiopatología, Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Madelón Portela
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Proteómica Analíticas, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Facultad de Ciencias, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Florencia Rammauro
- Laboratorio de Inmunovirología, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Inmunobiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Beatriz Alvarez
- Laboratorio de Enzimología, Instituto de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Otto Pritsch
- Laboratorio de Inmunovirología, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Inmunobiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- * E-mail: (OP); (MF)
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8
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Rizza JD, Ortega C, Carrión F, Fló M, Correa A. Production, purification and characterization of a double-tagged TEV protease. Protein Expr Purif 2021; 191:106021. [PMID: 34798273 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2021.106021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Many recombinant proteins are products of great value in biomedical and industrial fields. The use of solubility and affinity tags are commonly used to increase yields and facilitate the purification process. However, it is of paramount importance in several applications to remove the fusion tag from the final product. In this regard, the Tobacco Etch Virus protease (TEV) is one of the most widely used for tag removal. The presence in the TEV of the same tag to be removed facilitates the separation of TEV and the tag from the cleaved recombinant protein in a single purification step. We generated a double-tagged (StrepTagII and HisTag) TEV variant with reported mutations that improve the activity, the expression yield in E.coli, and that decrease the auto-proteolysis. This TEV can be easily purified by two consecutive affinity chromatography steps with high yields and purity. The cleavage reaction can be done to almost completeness in as fast as 15 min at room temperature and the removal of the protease and tags is performed in a single purification step, independent of the previous presence of a StrepTagII or a HisTag on the target.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudia Ortega
- Recombinant Protein Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Martín Fló
- Immunovirology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Uruguay; Departamento de Inmunobiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.
| | - Agustín Correa
- Recombinant Protein Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Uruguay.
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9
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Medeiros A, Benítez D, Korn RS, Ferreira VC, Barrera E, Carrión F, Pritsch O, Pantano S, Kunick C, de Oliveira CI, Orban OCF, Comini MA. Mechanistic and biological characterisation of novel N5-substituted paullones targeting the biosynthesis of trypanothione in Leishmania. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2020; 35:1345-1358. [PMID: 32588679 PMCID: PMC7717452 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2020.1780227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanothione synthetase (TryS) produces N1,N8-bis(glutathionyl)spermidine (or trypanothione) at the expense of ATP. Trypanothione is a metabolite unique and essential for survival and drug-resistance of trypanosomatid parasites. In this study, we report the mechanistic and biological characterisation of optimised N5-substituted paullone analogues with anti-TryS activity. Several of the new derivatives retained submicromolar IC50 against leishmanial TryS. The binding mode to TryS of the most potent paullones has been revealed by means of kinetic, biophysical and molecular modelling approaches. A subset of analogues showed an improved potency (EC50 0.5–10 µM) and selectivity (20–35) against the clinically relevant stage of Leishmania braziliensis (mucocutaneous leishmaniasis) and L. infantum (visceral leishmaniasis). For a selected derivative, the mode of action involved intracellular depletion of trypanothione. Our findings shed light on the molecular interaction of TryS with rationally designed inhibitors and disclose a new set of compounds with on-target activity against different Leishmania species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Medeiros
- Laboratory Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Diego Benítez
- Laboratory Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ricarda S Korn
- Institut für Medizinische und Pharmazeutische Chemie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | - Exequiel Barrera
- Biomolecular Simulations Group, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Federico Carrión
- Protein Biophysics Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Otto Pritsch
- Protein Biophysics Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Departamento de Inmunobiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Sergio Pantano
- Biomolecular Simulations Group, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Conrad Kunick
- Institut für Medizinische und Pharmazeutische Chemie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | - Oliver C F Orban
- Institut für Medizinische und Pharmazeutische Chemie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Marcelo A Comini
- Laboratory Redox Biology of Trypanosomes, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
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10
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García MF, Gallazzi F, Junqueira MDS, Fernández M, Camacho X, Mororó JDS, Faria D, Carneiro CDG, Couto M, Carrión F, Pritsch O, Chammas R, Quinn T, Cabral P, Cerecetto H. Synthesis of hydrophilic HYNIC-[1,2,4,5]tetrazine conjugates and their use in antibody pretargeting with99mTc. Org Biomol Chem 2018; 16:5275-5285. [DOI: 10.1039/c8ob01255e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Pretargeted imaging is shown to be an attractive strategy to overcome disadvantages associated with traditional radioimmunoconjugates.
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11
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Kalichuk V, Renodon-Cornière A, Béhar G, Carrión F, Obal G, Maillasson M, Mouratou B, Préat V, Pecorari F. A novel, smaller scaffold for Affitins: Showcase with binders specific for EpCAM. Biotechnol Bioeng 2017; 115:290-299. [DOI: 10.1002/bit.26463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Revised: 09/17/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Kalichuk
- CRCINA, Inserm, CNRS, Université d'Angers; Université de Nantes; Nantes France
- Université Catholique de Louvain; Louvain Drug Research Institute; Advanced Drug Delivery and Biomaterials; Brussels Belgium
| | | | - Ghislaine Béhar
- CRCINA, Inserm, CNRS, Université d'Angers; Université de Nantes; Nantes France
| | - Federico Carrión
- Institut Pasteur de Montevideo; Protein Biophysics Unit; Montevideo Uruguay
| | - Gonzalo Obal
- Institut Pasteur de Montevideo; Protein Biophysics Unit; Montevideo Uruguay
| | - Mike Maillasson
- CRCINA, Inserm, CNRS, Université d'Angers; Université de Nantes; Nantes France
- Impact, CRCINA, Inserm, CNRS; Université d'Angers; Université de Nantes; Nantes France
| | - Barbara Mouratou
- CRCINA, Inserm, CNRS, Université d'Angers; Université de Nantes; Nantes France
| | - Véronique Préat
- Université Catholique de Louvain; Louvain Drug Research Institute; Advanced Drug Delivery and Biomaterials; Brussels Belgium
| | - Frédéric Pecorari
- CRCINA, Inserm, CNRS, Université d'Angers; Université de Nantes; Nantes France
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12
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Obal G, Trajtenberg F, Carrión F, Tomé L, Larrieux N, Zhang X, Pritsch O, Buschiazzo A. Conformational plasticity of a native retroviral capsid revealed by x-ray crystallography. Science 2015; 349:95-8. [DOI: 10.1126/science.aaa5182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Retroviruses depend on self-assembly of their capsid proteins (core particle) to yield infectious mature virions. Despite the essential role of the retroviral core, its high polymorphism has hindered high-resolution structural analyses. Here, we report the x-ray structure of the native capsid (CA) protein from bovine leukemia virus. CA is organized as hexamers that deviate substantially from sixfold symmetry, yet adjust to make two-dimensional pseudohexagonal arrays that mimic mature retroviral cores. Intra- and interhexameric quasi-equivalent contacts are uncovered, with flexible trimeric lateral contacts among hexamers, yet preserving very similar dimeric interfaces making the lattice. The conformation of each capsid subunit in the hexamer is therefore dictated by long-range interactions, revealing how the hexamers can also assemble into closed core particles, a relevant feature of retrovirus biology.
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13
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Morero NR, Botti H, Nitta KR, Carrión F, Obal G, Picardeau M, Buschiazzo A. HemR is an OmpR/PhoB-like response regulator from Leptospira, which simultaneously effects transcriptional activation and repression of key haem metabolism genes. Mol Microbiol 2014; 94:340-52. [PMID: 25145397 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Several Leptospira species cause leptospirosis, the most extended zoonosis worldwide. In bacteria, two-component systems constitute key signalling pathways, some of which are involved in pathogenesis. The physiological roles of two-component systems in Leptospira are largely unknown, despite identifying several dozens within their genomes. Biochemical confirmation of an operative phosphorelaying two-component system has been obtained so far only for the Hklep/Rrlep pair. It is known that hklep/rrlep knockout strains of Leptospira biflexa result in haem auxotrophy, although their de novo biosynthesis machinery remains fully functional. Haem is essential for Leptospira, but information about Hklep/Rrlep effector function(s) and target(s) is still lacking. We are now reporting a thorough molecular characterization of this system, which we rename HemK/HemR. The DNA HemR-binding motif was determined, and found within the genomes of saprophyte and pathogenic Leptospira. In this way, putative HemR-regulated genes were pinpointed, including haem catabolism-related (hmuO - haem oxygenase) and biosynthesis-related (the hemA/C/D/B/L/E/N/G operon). Specific HemR binding to these two promoters was quantified, and a dual function was observed in vivo, inversely repressing the hmuO, while activating the hemA operon transcription. The crystal structure of HemR receiver domain was determined, leading to a mechanistic model for its dual regulatory role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia R Morero
- Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Unit of Protein Crystallography, 2020 Mataojo, 11400, Montevideo, Uruguay
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14
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Moratorio G, Fischer S, Bianchi S, Tomé L, Rama G, Obal G, Carrión F, Pritsch O, Cristina J. A detailed molecular analysis of complete bovine leukemia virus genomes isolated from B-cell lymphosarcomas. Vet Res 2013; 44:19. [PMID: 23506507 PMCID: PMC3618307 DOI: 10.1186/1297-9716-44-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2012] [Accepted: 01/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
It is widely accepted that the majority of cancers result from multiple cellular events leading to malignancy after a prolonged period of clinical latency, and that the immune system plays a critical role in the control of cancer progression. Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is an oncogenic member of the Retroviridae family. Complete genomic sequences of BLV strains isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from cattle have been previously reported. However, a detailed characterization of the complete genome of BLV strains directly isolated from bovine tumors is much needed in order to contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms of leukemogenesis induced by BLV in cattle. In this study, we performed a molecular characterization of BLV complete genomes from bovine B-cell lymphosarcoma isolates. A nucleotide substitution was found in the glucocorticoid response element (GRE) site of the 5' long terminal repeat (5'LTR) of the BLV isolates. All amino acid substitutions in Tax previously found to be related to stimulate high transcriptional activity of 5'LTR were not found in these studies. Amino acid substitutions were found in the nucleocapsid, gp51 and G4 proteins. Premature stop-codons in R3 were observed. Few mutations or amino acid substitutions may be needed to allow BLV provirus to achieve silencing. Substitutions that favor suppression of viral expression in malignant B cells might be a strategy to circumvent effective immune attack.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Moratorio
- Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Centro de Investigaciones Nucleares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay.
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15
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Tabares-da Rosa S, Rossotti M, Carleiza C, Carrión F, Pritsch O, Ahn KC, Last JA, Hammock BD, González-Sapienza G. Competitive selection from single domain antibody libraries allows isolation of high-affinity antihapten antibodies that are not favored in the llama immune response. Anal Chem 2011; 83:7213-20. [PMID: 21827167 DOI: 10.1021/ac201824z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) found in camelids lack a light chain, and their antigen-binding site sits completely in the heavy-chain variable domain (VHH). Their simplicity, thermostability, and ease in expression have made VHHs highly attractive. Although this has been successfully exploited for macromolecular antigens, their application to the detection of small molecules is still limited to a very few reports, mostly describing low-affinity VHHs. Using triclocarban (TCC) as a model hapten, we found that conventional antibodies, IgG1 fraction, reacted with free TCC with a higher relative affinity (IC(50) 51.0 ng/mL) than did the sdAbs (IgG2 and IgG3, 497 and 370 ng/mL, respectively). A VHH library was prepared, and by elution of phage with limiting concentrations of TCC and competitive selection of binders, we were able to isolate high-affinity clones, K(D) 0.98-1.37 nM (SPR), which allowed development of a competitive assay for TCC with an IC(50) = 3.5 ng/mL (11 nM). This represents a 100-fold improvement with regard to the performance of the sdAb serum fraction, and it is 100-fold better than the IC(50) attained with other antihapten VHHs reported thus far. Despite the modest overall antihapten sdAbs response in llamas, a small subpopulation of high-affinity VHHs is generated that can be isolated by careful design of the selection process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Tabares-da Rosa
- Cátedra de Inmunología, Facultad de Química, Instituto de Higiene, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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16
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Marín-Blazquez AA, Candel MF, Parra PA, Méndez M, Ródenas J, Rojas MJ, Carrión F, Madrigal M. Morgagni hernia: repair with a mesh using laparoscopic surgery. Hernia 2003; 8:70-2. [PMID: 14634839 DOI: 10.1007/s10029-003-0145-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2002] [Accepted: 04/14/2003] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to present two patients diagnosed with diaphragmatic Morgagni hernia and treated by repairing the hernia defect with a mesh by laparoscopic surgery. We describe the placement of a double-layer mesh anchored with helicoidal staples to repair the hernia defect using laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic surgery allows repair of these defects whilst avoiding the disadvantages of a major laparotomy or a thoracotomy. The existence of double-layer meshes that can be placed in contact with the abdominal viscera allows the defect to be closed safely and without tension.
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17
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Carrión F, Fernandez M, Iruretagoyena M, Coelho Andrade LE, Odete-Hilário M, Figueroa F. Selective depletion of Vbeta2+CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood from rheumatic heart disease patients. J Autoimmun 2003; 20:183-90. [PMID: 12657531 DOI: 10.1016/s0896-8411(03)00002-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and its chronic valvular sequelae are the delayed consequence of a pharyngeal infection with group A Streptococcus (GAS). Several GAS proteins have been shown to be superantigens, raising the possibility that the expansion or deletion of T cells expressing specific Vbeta regions might play a role in the pathogenesis of ARF or chronic rheumatic heart disease (RHD). We therefore analyzed by four-color flow cytometry, the Vbeta repertoire on CD3, CD4 and CD8 T cells from four ARF patients, 10 RHD patients and also nine healthy controls. A selective depletion of Vbeta2+ T cells was found only in the CD8 subset of chronic RHD patients. This is of interest since a number of GAS superantigens exert their effects on Vbeta2+ cells and because only CD8+ T cells from ARF and RHD patients undergo anergy in response to GAS superantigens. Our results suggests that an ongoing immune process is present in RHD patients and that CD8+ T cells may have an important immunoregulatory role in the pathogenesis of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Carrión
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Avda. San Carlos de Apoquindo 2200, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
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18
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Figueroa F, González M, Carrión F, Lobos C, Turner F, Lasagna N, Valdés F. Restriction in the usage of variable beta regions in T-cells infiltrating valvular tissue from rheumatic heart disease patients. J Autoimmun 2002; 19:233-40. [PMID: 12473244 DOI: 10.1006/jaut.2002.0620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) is a delayed consequence of a pharyngeal infection with group A streptococcus (GAS), usually ascribed to a cross-reactive immune response to the host's cardiac tissues. Several GAS proteins have been reported to be superantigens, also raising the possibility that T cells in RHD could be driven by superantigens. We therefore analysed the variable beta (V beta) repertoire of T cells infiltrating heart valves from chronic RHD patients undergoing elective valvular surgery. We analysed 15 valve specimens from patients with longstanding quiescent RHD and control valves from four non-rheumatic individuals. Total RNA was extracted from fresh valve tissue and employed to amplify 22 V beta genes by RT-PCR. In valvular tissue, a restricted number of only 2 to 9 V beta regions were detected as opposed to the findings in control valves. In 8 RHD valves, the expression of V beta1, 2, 3, 5.1, 7, 8, 9 or 14 was marked. These V beta regions have been related to GAS superantigens. Our results evidence the presence of a restricted set of T lymphocytes in valvular tissue from a majority of patients with chronic RHD and suggest that valvular sequelae in these patients might be related to a local antigen or superantigen driven inflammatory process that persists even many years after the initial triggering event.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Figueroa
- Laboratory of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile.
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19
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Figueroa FE, Fernández MS, Valdés P, Wilson C, Lanas F, Carrión F, Berríos X, Valdés F. Prospective comparison of clinical and echocardiographic diagnosis of rheumatic carditis: long term follow up of patients with subclinical disease. Heart 2001; 85:407-10. [PMID: 11250966 PMCID: PMC1729708 DOI: 10.1136/heart.85.4.407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency of occurrence and long term evolution of subclinical carditis in patients with acute rheumatic fever. DESIGN Valvar incompetence was detected by clinical examination and Doppler echocardiographic imaging during the acute and quiescent phases of rheumatic fever. Patients were followed prospectively and submitted to repeat examinations at one and five years after the acute attack. Persistence of acute mitral and aortic lesions detected solely by echocardiography (subclinical disease) was compared with that of disease detected by clinical examination as well (thereby fulfilling the latest 1992 Jones criteria for rheumatic carditis). SETTING Three general hospitals with a university affiliation in Chile. PATIENTS 35 consecutive patients fulfilling the revised Jones criteria for rheumatic fever. Clinical and echocardiographic examination was repeated in 32 patients after one year and in 17 after five years. Ten patients had subclinical carditis on admission, six of whom were followed for five years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Auscultatory and echocardiographic evidence of mitral or aortic regurgitation during the acute attack or at follow up. RESULTS Mitral or aortic regurgitation was detected by Doppler echocardiographic imaging in 25/35 rheumatic fever patients as opposed to 5/35 by clinical examination (p = 0.03). Doppler echocardiography revealed acute valvar lesions in 10 of 20 rheumatic fever patients who had no auscultatory evidence of rheumatic carditis (subclinical carditis). Three of these subclinical lesions and three of the clinical or auscultatory lesions detected on admission were still present after five years of follow up, emphasising that subclinical lesions are not necessarily transient. CONCLUSIONS Doppler echocardiographic imaging improves the detection of rheumatic carditis. Subclinical valve lesions, detected only by Doppler imaging, can persist. Echocardiographic findings should be accepted as a major criterion for the diagnosis of rheumatic fever.
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Affiliation(s)
- F E Figueroa
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Avenida San Carlos de Apoquindo 2200, Santiago de Chile, Chile.
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20
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Carrión F, Figueroa FE, Rodríguez C. [Current clinical immunology: a genetic and molecular perspective]. Rev Med Chil 2000; 128:650-8. [PMID: 11016066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
During the last few decades, basic scientists and clinicians have gained a deeper insight of the cellular and molecular physiology of the immune system. The widespread application of molecular biology and genetic techniques has advanced our understanding of states of health and disease, bringing forth renewed hopes concerning the advent of a more "specific" therapeutic era of clinical immunology. The precise structural and genetic characterization of molecular complexes such as B and T-cell receptors, the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC), cytokines, chemokines, cellular receptors and co-receptors has produced a wealth of information open to both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. We herein review several recent advances in the molecular and genetic characterization of immune deficiency states, autoimmunity and the induction of antigen specific immune unresponsiveness or tolerance, together with the therapeutic implications of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Carrión
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile.
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21
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Reyes E, Prieto A, Carrión F, García-Suarez J, Esquivel F, Guillén C, Alvarez-Mon M. Altered pattern of cytokine production by peripheral blood CD2+ cells from B chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients. Am J Hematol 1998; 57:93-100. [PMID: 9462539 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1096-8652(199802)57:2<93::aid-ajh1>3.0.co;2-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
To determine if activation-induced cytokine production is altered in CD2+ lymphocytes from B-CLL patients, cytokine levels were determined by ELISA in supernatants of PHA-stimulated cultures of CD2+ cells from 33 B-CLL patients and 22 healthy controls. The production of Interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF-alpha) by mitogen-activated CD2+ lymphocytes from B-CLL patients was higher than that found in healthy controls, while no differences were found in TNF-beta production. IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha levels determined at 72 h in PHA-stimulated CD2+ cell cultures from B-CLL patients statistically correlated with the percentages of CD3+CD45RO+ and CD3-CD56+ lymphocytes, respectively. Although there were differences in the production kinetics of interleukins (ILs) 2 and 4 between B-CLL patients and the healthy controls, no differences were found at the time when the levels of both interleukins peak. The production of both IFN-gamma and IL-4 by PHA-stimulated CD2+ lymphocytes from non-smouldering B-CLL patients was significantly higher than that from smouldering B-CLL patients while no significant differences were found in the production of IL-2, TNF-alpha, and TNF-beta between the two B-CLL patient groups. These data suggest that functional alterations in the production of cytokines by CD2+ cells from B-CLL patients could help to explain the expansion of leukemic cells in B-CLL patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Reyes
- Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
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22
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Figueroa F, Carrión F, Martínez ME, Rivero S, Mamani I, González G. [Effects of bromocriptine in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis]. Rev Med Chil 1998; 126:33-41. [PMID: 9629752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroendocrine factors play an important role in the expression of autoimmune diseases. Prolactin (PRL) can induce T-cell proliferation and macrophage activation. Elevated PRL levels have been described in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). AIM AND METHODS We studied immunological and clinical effects of PRL suppression in 9 RA patients with active disease, treated for 3 months with bromocriptine (BRC), an inhibitor of PRL secretion. RESULTS BRC induced a significant depression of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells response to antigen (p = 0.008) and mitogen (p = 0.008) which was significantly correlated with improvements in the HAQ disability index (r = 0.68; p = 0.04) and grip strength (r = 0.7; p = 0.02). Also, the in-vitro production of IL-2, nitric oxide and poliamines--that are critical for the proliferative response of lymphoid cells--decreased significantly. The group experienced significant improvement of grip strength (p = 0.028) and the HAQ disability index (p = 0.025), whereas 4 individuals achieved clinical improvement according to the American College of Rheumatology preliminary definition. We conclude that BRC treatment induces a significant depression of in-vitro immune function in RA patients and that these changes are related to parameters of disease activity. The effects of BRC on immune function and disease activity in RA patients warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Figueroa
- Facultad de Medicina Universidad de los Andes, Las Condes, Santiago de Chile.
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Figueroa FE, Carrión F, Martínez ME, Rivero S, Mamani I. Bromocriptine induces immunological changes related to disease parameters in rheumatoid arthritis. Br J Rheumatol 1997; 36:1022-3. [PMID: 9376979 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/36.9.1022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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24
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Esquivel F, Carrión F, Jaen P, Martinez-Martin B, Hernandez M, Alvarez-Mon M. Defective functional behaviour peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with recurrent herpes simplex virus infection. Immunol Lett 1997. [DOI: 10.1016/s0165-2478(97)85499-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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25
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Martínez-Martin B, Pérez-Blas M, Prieto A, Esquivel F, Hernández M, Carrión F, Carballido J, Alvárez-Mon M. Apoptosis and growing profile induced by different mitogenic signals in PBMC from prostate cancer. Immunol Lett 1997. [DOI: 10.1016/s0165-2478(97)86832-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Pascual JM, Carrión F, Sánchez C, Sánchez B, González C. [Nutritional changes in patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]. Med Clin (Barc) 1996; 107:486-9. [PMID: 9045013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objective of the study has been to evaluate the nutritional status and anthropometric values, of outpatients with stable and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and their correlation with pulmonary data. PATIENTS AND METHODS During a six months period, 45 patients with advanced COPD and severe obstruction, respiratory forced volume in the first second (FEV1) < 50% of the theoretical range, were prospectively studied. Forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1, FEV1%, PaO2 and PaCO2, body mass index (BMI), triceps (PCT), biceps (PCB), subscapular (PSE) and abdominal (PA) skinfold thickness, arm muscle circumference (PMB), arm muscle area (MAMA), arm fat area (MAFA), fat/muscle index MAMA/MAFA, % of total fat body and visceral protein (hemoglobin, albumin and transferrin) were assessed. RESULTS 24 patients (53%) had evident nutritional alterations (overweight or malnutrition). More than the 65% of patients had low values of PCT, muscle/fat index and MAFA. Several nutritional parameters had relationship with pulmonary function test, but the BMI better explained the variability of FEV1% (FEV1% + 26.8 = 0.9* BMI, R2 = 0.22). CONCLUSIONS The BMI is the nutritional value that better predicts the FEV1% in outpatients will stable and severe COPD. These patients present alterations in anthropometric parameters and an anomalous distribution of body fat, that suggests the possibility of carrying out intervention nutritional studies that allow to improve their pulmonary function.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Pascual
- Unidad de Endocrinología, Hospital de Sagunto, Valencia
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27
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Abstract
Until recently Corynebacterium sp. had been considered an infrequent cause of infection in humans. In the last few years, however, it has proven its ability to produce severe pulmonary and extrapulmonary infections, generally in immunodeficient hosts. We present a rare case of an immunocompetent man 68 years-old who developed community-acquired pneumonia and left pleural empyema, with Corynebacterium sp. isolated in pleural liquid. Response to thoracic drainage and antibiotic therapy (imipenem and clindamycin) was good.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Carrión
- Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital de Sagunto, Valencia
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Carrión F, Perpiñá M, Martínez M, Siles M, Garrigues V, Ramos V, Ponce J. Derrame pleural de larga evolución como forma de presentación de una amiloidosis sistémica primaria. Arch Bronconeumol 1993. [DOI: 10.1016/s0300-2896(15)31186-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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29
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Figueroa F, Carrión F, González G, Rivero S, Arteaga E, Mamani I. [Pharmacological modification of prolactinemia. Effects on cellular immune function in normal subjects]. Rev Med Chil 1993; 121:975-81. [PMID: 8191163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Prolactin markedly influences cellular and humoral immunity in animals, but there is little information on its role in men. The aim of this work was to study the immune effects of pharmacological modification of prolactin levels in 5 healthy individuals. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferative response to mitogens and antigens, interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, soluble and membrane IL-2 receptor expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and serum soluble IL-2 receptors were successively measured during normoprolactinemia, during bromocriptine induced hypoprolactinemia and during metoclopramide induced hyperprolactinemia. There was a significant increase in cellular proliferation during hypoprolactinemia when compared with hyperprolactinemia. No concomitant changes in soluble or membrane receptor expression or IL-2 production were observed. It is concluded that lymphocyte proliferative response to mitogens is dependent on prolactin levels in man and that this effects is not mediated by IL-2 or its receptors. These results may be potentially relevant in clinic since changes in serum prolactin have been described in different autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Figueroa
- Departamento de Immunología Clínica, Escuela de Medicina, P Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago de Chile
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31
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Figueroa F, Berríos X, Gutiérrez M, Carrión F, Goycolea JP, Riedel I, Jacobelli S. Anticardiolipin antibodies in acute rheumatic fever. J Rheumatol 1992; 19:1175-80. [PMID: 1365552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Recent reports describe the association of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) with chorea or severe heart valve lesions in systemic lupus erythematosus, lupus-like disease, or the primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. We conducted a case series and a case-control investigation of patients with rheumatic fever with Sydenham chorea or other manifestations of rheumatic fever for anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) during the acute attack and disease remission. Eighty percent of patients were positive for aCL during the rheumatic fever attack vs 40% when inactive (p = 0.035); IgG and IgM aCL increased significantly with disease activity. Individuals with or without Sydenham chorea were equally positive for aCL (76 and 83%, respectively). A significant association was found between IgM aCL and carditis: All patients with valvulitis had IgM aCL (100%) vs 37% of patients without valvular involvement (p = 0.02). aPL may play a role in the pathogenesis of some clinical manifestations of acute rheumatic fever.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Figueroa
- Departamento de Inmunología Clínica y Reumatología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago
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González de Pijem L, Cintrón CJ, Carrión F, Aguiló F. Incidence of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in Puerto Rico: the University Pediatric Hospital experience. P R Health Sci J 1986; 5:119-22. [PMID: 3562771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The incidence of newly-diagnosed Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in a pediatric population has been found to increase with colder seasons in countries at latitudes where a marked weather change presumably triggers a higher prevalence of viral infections (especially respiratory), that may induce an insulitis which could be etiologically related with IDDM. In order to assess whether the opposite is true for a country with rather uniform climate, like Puerto Rico, we have studied the seasonal pattern of newly diagnosed IDDM seen at our institution during a 10 year period (1973-1982). Also, recent reports on a higher mortality from diabetes in Puerto Rico going from 16.6 in 1977 to 31.0 in 1983, prompted us to look at a possible secular trend of increasing incidence of IDDM. There were a total of 269 new cases of IDDM or 27 cases/year, with standard deviation (SD) of +/- 5.3, range 18 to 33, and no secular trend at all. Sex distribution was quite variable, having male:female (m/f) ratios from 1:2 to 3:1, and an over-all m/f of 13.3/13.6. Incidence of IDDM per month of year went from a low of 1.7 for April and November to a high of 3.0 for March and 2.9 for September, 2.8 for October, with a mean of 2.24 +/- 0.48 cases/month. Again, no significant seasonal differences were noted. Mean incidence for our "cold" months (November to April was 2.25/month; for our "hot" season (May to October) was 2.3/month; for our "rainy" season (July to December) 2.3 and for our "dry" season (January to April) 2.3/month. Thus, it appears that there are no such seasonal trends of IDDM In Puerto Rico.
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