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Andrade-Silva LE, Vilas-Boas A, Ferreira-Paim K, Andrade-Silva J, Santos DDA, Ferreira TB, Borges AS, Mora DJ, Melhem MDSC, Silva-Vergara ML. Genotyping Analysis of Cryptococcus deuterogattii and Correlation with Virulence Factors and Antifungal Susceptibility by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute and the European Committee on Antifungal Susceptibility Testing Methods. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:889. [PMID: 37754997 PMCID: PMC10532325 DOI: 10.3390/jof9090889] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Data about the relationship between their molecular types, virulence factors, clinical presentation, antifungal susceptibility profile, and outcome are still limited for Cryptococcus deuterogattii. This study aimed to evaluate the molecular and phenotypic characteristics of 24 C. deuterogattii isolates from the southeast region of Brazil. The molecular characterization was performed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The antifungal susceptibility profile was obtained according to CLSI-M27-A3 and EUCAST-EDef 7.1 methods. The virulence factors were evaluated using classic techniques. The isolates were divided into four populations. The molecular analysis suggests recombinant events in most of the groups evaluated. Resistance and susceptibility dose-dependent to fluconazole were evidenced in four isolates (16%) by EUCAST and in four isolates (16%) by CLSI methods. The agreement at ±two dilutions for both methods was 100% for itraconazole, ketoconazole, and voriconazole, 96% for amphotericin B, and 92% for fluconazole. Significant differences in virulence factor expression and antifungal susceptibility to itraconazole and amphotericin B were found. The mixed infection could be suggested by the presence of variable sequence types, differences in virulence factor production, and decreased antifungal susceptibility in two isolates from the same patient. The data presented herein corroborate previous reports about the molecular diversity of C. deuterogattii around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Euripedes Andrade-Silva
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38001-170, MG, Brazil; (A.V.-B.); (K.F.-P.); (J.A.-S.); (T.B.F.); (M.L.S.-V.)
| | - Anderson Vilas-Boas
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38001-170, MG, Brazil; (A.V.-B.); (K.F.-P.); (J.A.-S.); (T.B.F.); (M.L.S.-V.)
| | - Kennio Ferreira-Paim
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38001-170, MG, Brazil; (A.V.-B.); (K.F.-P.); (J.A.-S.); (T.B.F.); (M.L.S.-V.)
| | - Juliana Andrade-Silva
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38001-170, MG, Brazil; (A.V.-B.); (K.F.-P.); (J.A.-S.); (T.B.F.); (M.L.S.-V.)
| | - Daniel de Assis Santos
- Microbiology Department, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, MG, Brazil;
| | - Thatiana Bragine Ferreira
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38001-170, MG, Brazil; (A.V.-B.); (K.F.-P.); (J.A.-S.); (T.B.F.); (M.L.S.-V.)
| | - Aercio Sebastião Borges
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia 38496-017, MG, Brazil
| | - Delio Jose Mora
- Center of Health Sciences, Federal University of Sul da Bahia, Teixeira de Freitas 85866-000, BA, Brazil;
| | | | - Mario Léon Silva-Vergara
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38001-170, MG, Brazil; (A.V.-B.); (K.F.-P.); (J.A.-S.); (T.B.F.); (M.L.S.-V.)
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de Almeida Araújo Santos F, Valadares Junior EC, Goulart LR, Nunes PLF, Mendonça EP, Girão LVC, da Hora AS, Ferreira TB, Bastos LM, Medeiros-Ronchi AA, Fonseca BB. Alternative use of phage display: phage M13 can remain viable in the intestines of poultry without causing damage. AMB Express 2022; 12:64. [PMID: 35650313 PMCID: PMC9160166 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-022-01407-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Phage display (PD) is a tool for developing new molecules to control pathogens. Peptides selected by PD are commonly synthesised and tested, but the use of phage M13 displaying the selected peptides as a direct biding in the intestinal tract has not yet been tested. This study evaluated whether phage M13 can remain viable in the chicken gastrointestinal tract and whether it causes injury or humoral immune response. We inoculated phage M13 or E. coli ER2738 (ECR) infected with M13 into birds at different ages. We found the virus in faeces at 5 or 13 days after inoculation, just when it infected the ECR. The presence of phage M13 or ECR did not result in gut injuries and had no impacts on weight gain and bird health. Furthermore, the levels of IgY were similar in all treatments, which indicates that the virus can be used in chicken until 42 days without being recognised by the immune system. This work provides a scientific basis for the use of PD as a tool in numerous applications to control different pathogens. Phage M13 remains viable in the bird's intestine if inoculated with E. coli ER2738. Bacteriophage M13 does not damage the chicken gut. Phage M13 remains in the gut without leading to a humoral response up to 42 days.
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Vilas-Bôas AM, Andrade-Silva LE, Ferreira-Paim K, Mora DJ, Ferreira TB, Santos DDA, Borges AS, Melhem MDSC, Silva-Vergara ML. High genetic variability of clinical and environmental Cryptococcus gattii isolates from Brazil. Med Mycol 2021; 58:1126-1137. [PMID: 32343345 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myaa019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Among Cryptococcus gattii genotypes, VGII has gained pivotal relevance in epidemiological, clinical and genetic contexts due to its association with several outbreaks in temperate regions and due to the high variability of this genotype. The aim of this study was to compare 25 isolates of C. gattii from the Southeast region of Brazil with previously described isolates from other regions of the country and around the world. Among the 25 isolates, 24 were VGII and one was VGI. All of them were newly identified. Three new allele types (AT) (AT47 for the URA5 locus, AT56 for the LAC1 locus, and AT96 for the IGS1 region) were also described. Compared with other Brazilian isolates, those from the Southeast region presented the greatest haplotype diversity. In general, the regions presented different sequence types (STs), and only nine STs were found in more than one location. GoeBURST analysis showed two large groups among the Brazilian isolates. The largest group consists of 59 STs predominantly from the North and Northeast regions; the other large group includes 57 STs from the Southeast and Midwest regions. In a global context the South American isolates presented the highest genetic diversity (STs = 145, haplotype diversity (Hd) = 0.999 and π = 0.00464), while the African populations showed the lowest genetic diversity (STs = 3, Hd = 0.667 and π = 0.00225). These results confirm that the Brazilian C. gattii VGII population is highly diverse and reinforce the hypothesis of dispersion of this genotype from South America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anderson Mançan Vilas-Bôas
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Euripedes Andrade-Silva
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Kennio Ferreira-Paim
- Department of Microbiology, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Delio José Mora
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Thatiana Bragine Ferreira
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniel de Assis Santos
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Aercio Sebastião Borges
- Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Hospital de Clínicas de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Mario Léon Silva-Vergara
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Dutra VR, Silva LF, Oliveira ANM, Beirigo EF, Arthur VM, Bernardes da Silva R, Ferreira TB, Andrade-Silva L, Silva MV, Fonseca FM, Silva-Vergara ML, Ferreira-Paim K. Fatal Case of Fungemia by Wickerhamomyces anomalus in a Pediatric Patient Diagnosed in a Teaching Hospital from Brazil. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6030147. [PMID: 32854208 PMCID: PMC7558373 DOI: 10.3390/jof6030147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, emerging fungal infections have changed the clinical mycology scenario as a consequence of the advances in medical diagnostics and therapeutic procedures, long hospitalization times, and the growing number of individuals with debilitating chronic diseases and impaired immune systems. This report presents a 19 months old Brazilian female patient who developed a severe fungal sepsis by an uncommon yeast. She was admitted at the intensive care unit with severe pneumonia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and weight-for-age z score of less than −2. She remained more than 30 days in the intensive care unit where she had a femoral venous catheter placement, enteral nutrition, broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, and prophylaxis with fluconazole. Moreover, pericardiocentesis was performed due to cardiac tamponade. She had a previous history of prematurity, cardiac surgery due to patent ductus arteriosus, and a long period of hospital stay. Despite the antifungal prophylaxis, two yeast isolates were recovered from blood and then identified by classical mycological methods and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing as Wickerhamomyces anomalus. Both isolates exhibited susceptibility to amphotericin B, ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, and fluconazole. Her clinical state worsened, presenting anasarca, epistaxis, and hemorrhagic suffusions in the mouth, sclera, oliguria, and bradycardia. Two days after the first positive culture, she presented a gradual reduction of the white blood cells count, with severe leukopenia and neutropenia. She died five days after.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitor Rodrigues Dutra
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38015-050, Brazil; (V.R.D.); (L.F.S.); (E.F.B.); (V.M.A.); (R.B.d.S.); (M.V.S.)
| | - Leonardo Francisco Silva
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38015-050, Brazil; (V.R.D.); (L.F.S.); (E.F.B.); (V.M.A.); (R.B.d.S.); (M.V.S.)
| | | | - Emília Freitas Beirigo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38015-050, Brazil; (V.R.D.); (L.F.S.); (E.F.B.); (V.M.A.); (R.B.d.S.); (M.V.S.)
| | - Vanessa Mello Arthur
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38015-050, Brazil; (V.R.D.); (L.F.S.); (E.F.B.); (V.M.A.); (R.B.d.S.); (M.V.S.)
| | - Raíssa Bernardes da Silva
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38015-050, Brazil; (V.R.D.); (L.F.S.); (E.F.B.); (V.M.A.); (R.B.d.S.); (M.V.S.)
| | - Thatiana Bragine Ferreira
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38025-440, Brazil; (T.B.F.); (L.A.-S.); (M.L.S.-V.)
| | - Leonardo Andrade-Silva
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38025-440, Brazil; (T.B.F.); (L.A.-S.); (M.L.S.-V.)
| | - Marcos Vinícius Silva
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38015-050, Brazil; (V.R.D.); (L.F.S.); (E.F.B.); (V.M.A.); (R.B.d.S.); (M.V.S.)
| | | | - Mario León Silva-Vergara
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38025-440, Brazil; (T.B.F.); (L.A.-S.); (M.L.S.-V.)
| | - Kennio Ferreira-Paim
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38015-050, Brazil; (V.R.D.); (L.F.S.); (E.F.B.); (V.M.A.); (R.B.d.S.); (M.V.S.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38025-440, Brazil; (T.B.F.); (L.A.-S.); (M.L.S.-V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-34-3700-6480
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Silva THS, Araújo CV, Santos KMDC, Alves NDS, Gomes THS, Silva AKFE, Silva NCLDS, Damasceno ECB, de Carvalho AMA, Mendes MGA, Caminha HB, Daboit TC, Ferreira TB, Andrade-Silva LE, Silva-Vergara ML, Ferreira-Paim K, Fonseca FM. Synergic effect of simvastatin in combination with amphotericin B against environmental strains of Cryptococcus neoformans from northeastern Brazil: a prospective experimental study. SAO PAULO MED J 2020; 138:40-46. [PMID: 32321104 PMCID: PMC9673851 DOI: 10.1590/1516-3180.2019.0107.r2.16092019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Statins are used as cholesterol-lowering drugs and may also have direct antimicrobial effects. OBJECTIVE To evaluate synergic interactions between simvastatin and both amphotericin B and fluconazole, against environmental strains of Cryptococcus neoformans isolated from captive birds' droppings. DESIGNAND SETTING Experimental study conducted at Federal University of Piauí, Parnaíba, in collaboration with Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil. METHODS Statin susceptibility tests of Cryptococcus neoformans samples were performed as prescribed in standards. Interactions of simvastatin with amphotericin and fluconazole were evaluated using the checkerboard microdilution method. Presence of these interactions was quantitatively detected through determining the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI). RESULTS Isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans were obtained from 30 of the 206 samples of dry bird excreta (14.5%) that were collected from pet shops and houses. Ten isolates were selected for susceptibility tests. All of them were susceptible to amphotericin and fluconazole. All presented minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) > 128 µg/ml and, thus, were resistant in vitro to simvastatin. An in vitro synergic effect was shown through combined testing of amphotericin B and simvastatin, such that six isolates (60%) presented FICI < 0.500. Two isolates showed considerable reductions in MIC, from 1 µg/ml to 0.250 µg/ml. No synergic effect was observed through combining fluconazole and simvastatin. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that simvastatin should be considered to be a therapeutic alternative, capable of potentiating the action of amphotericin B. However, further studies are necessary to clarify the real effect of simvastatin as an antifungal agent.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Henrique Barros Caminha
- MSc. Doctoral Student, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Parnaíba (PI), Brazil.
| | - Tatiane Caroline Daboit
- PhD. Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Parnaíba (PI), Brazil.
| | - Thatiana Bragine Ferreira
- MSc. Doctoral Student, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba (MG), Brazil.
| | | | - Mario León Silva-Vergara
- PhD. Associate Professor, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba (MG), Brazil.
| | - Kennio Ferreira-Paim
- PhD. Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba (MG), Brazil.
| | - Fernanda Machado Fonseca
- PhD. Associate Professor, Department of Biomedicine, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba (MG), Brazil.
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Andrade-Silva LE, Ferreira-Paim K, Ferreira TB, Vilas-Boas A, Mora DJ, Manzato VM, Fonseca FM, Buosi K, Andrade-Silva J, Prudente BDS, Araujo NE, Sales-Campos H, da Silva MV, Júnior VR, Meyer W, Silva-Vergara ML. Genotypic analysis of clinical and environmental Cryptococcus neoformans isolates from Brazil reveals the presence of VNB isolates and a correlation with biological factors. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0193237. [PMID: 29505557 PMCID: PMC5837091 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [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: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcal infections are mainly caused by members of the Cryptococcus neoformans species complex (molecular types VNI, VNII, VNB, VNIV and the AD hybrid VNIII). PCR of the mating type loci and MLST typing using the ISHAM-MLST consensus scheme were used to evaluate the genetic relationship of 102 (63 clinical and 39 environmental) C. neoformans isolates from Uberaba, Brazil and to correlate the obtained genotypes with clinical, antifungal susceptibility and virulence factor data. All isolates were mating type alpha. MLST identified 12 known and five new sequence types (ST). Fourteen STs were identified within the VNI isolates, with ST93 (57/102, 56%) and ST77 (19/102, 19%) being the most prevalent. From the nine VNII isolates previously identify by URA5-RFLP only four (ST40) were confirmed by MLST. The remaining five grouped within the VNB clade in the phylogenetic analysis corresponding to the sequence type ST504. Other two environmental isolates also grouped within VNB clade with the new sequence type ST527. The four VNII/ST40 isolates were isolated from CSF. The two VNIV sequence types (ST11 and ST160) were isolated from blood cultures. Two of six patients evaluated with more than one isolates had mixed infections. Amongst the VNI isolates 4 populations were identified, which showed differences in their susceptibility profiles, clinical outcome and virulence factors. These results reinforce that ST93 is the most prevalent ST in HIV-infected patients in the Southeastern region of Brazil. The finding of the VNB molecular type amongst environmental Brazilian isolates highlights that this genotype is not restricted to the African continent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Euripedes Andrade-Silva
- Infectious Disease Department, Triangulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, Brazil
- Clinical Pathology Department, Triangulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Kennio Ferreira-Paim
- Infectious Disease Department, Triangulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, Brazil
- Clinical Pathology Department, Triangulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, Brazil
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Marie Bashir Institute for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Sydney Medical School-Westmead Hospital, The University of Sydney, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Anderson Vilas-Boas
- Infectious Disease Department, Triangulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Delio José Mora
- Infectious Disease Department, Triangulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, Brazil
| | | | | | - Kelli Buosi
- Infectious Disease Department, Triangulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Juliana Andrade-Silva
- Infectious Disease Department, Triangulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, Brazil
| | | | - Natalia Evelyn Araujo
- Infectious Disease Department, Triangulo Mineiro Federal University, Uberaba, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Wieland Meyer
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Marie Bashir Institute for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Sydney Medical School-Westmead Hospital, The University of Sydney, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
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Barros PO, Cassano T, Hygino J, Ferreira TB, Centurião N, Kasahara TM, Andrade RM, Linhares UC, Andrade AFB, Vasconcelos CCF, Alvarenga R, Marignier R, Bento CAM. Prediction of disease severity in neuromyelitis optica by the levels of interleukin (IL)-6 produced during remission phase. Clin Exp Immunol 2015; 183:480-9. [PMID: 26472479 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [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: 08/18/2015] [Revised: 10/05/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
T helper type 17 (Th17) cytokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of neuromyelitis optica (NMO). As humanized anti-interleukin (IL)-6R (tocilizumab) immunoglobulin (Ig)G has been used as disease-modifying therapy for NMO, the objective of our study was to investigate the role of endogenous IL-6 on NMO-derived CD4(+) T cell behaviour. High production of IL-6, IL-17 and IL-21 by CD4(+) T-cells was detected in NMO patients. Further, IL-21 and IL-6 levels were related directly to the level of neurological disabilities. The addition of anti-IL-6R IgG not only reduced directly the production of these cytokines, but also almost abolished the ability of activated autologous monocytes in enhancing IL-6, IL-17 and IL-21 release by CD4(+) T cells. In contrast, the production of IL-10 was amplified in those cell cultures. Further, anti-IL-6R monoclonal antibodies (mAb) also potentiated the ability of glucocorticoid in reducing Th17 cytokines. Finally, the in-vivo and in-vitro IL-6 levels were significantly higher among those patients who experienced clinical relapse during 2-year follow-up. In summary, our results suggest a deleterious role of IL-6 in NMO by favouring, at least in part, the expansion of corticoid-resistant Th17 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- P O Barros
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of the State of Rio De Janeiro
| | - T Cassano
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of the State of Rio De Janeiro
| | - J Hygino
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of the State of Rio De Janeiro
| | - T B Ferreira
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of the State of Rio De Janeiro
| | - N Centurião
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of the State of Rio De Janeiro
| | - T M Kasahara
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of the State of Rio De Janeiro
| | - R M Andrade
- Department of General Medicine, Federal University of the State of Rio De Janeiro
| | - U C Linhares
- Postgraduate Program in Neurology, Federal University of the State of Rio De Janeiro
| | - A F B Andrade
- Department of Microbiology of State University of Rio De Janeiro, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
| | - C C F Vasconcelos
- Postgraduate Program in Neurology, Federal University of the State of Rio De Janeiro
| | - R Alvarenga
- Postgraduate Program in Neurology, Federal University of the State of Rio De Janeiro
| | - R Marignier
- Team ONCOFLAM, Lyon's Neuroscience Research Center, Lyon, France
| | - C A M Bento
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of the State of Rio De Janeiro.,Postgraduate Program in Neurology, Federal University of the State of Rio De Janeiro
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Ferreira TB, Carrondo MJT, Alves PM. Effect of ammonia production on intracellular pH: Consequent effect on adenovirus vector production. J Biotechnol 2007; 129:433-8. [PMID: 17313985 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2007.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [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: 10/24/2006] [Revised: 12/28/2006] [Accepted: 01/12/2007] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant adenoviral vectors (AdV) have proven to be highly efficient for the delivery and expression of foreign genes in a broad spectrum of cell types and species both for vaccination and gene therapy in a number of specific applications. In this study, the effect of ammonia production on intracellular pH (pH(i)) and consequently inhibition of AdV production at high cell densities is assessed. Different specific ammonia production rates were obtained for 293 cells adapted to grow in glutamate supplemented medium (non-ammoniagenic medium) as compared with 293 cells growing in glutamine supplemented medium (ammoniagenic medium); pH(i) was observed to be lower during cell growth and AdV production at both high and low CCI in the ammoniagenic medium, where the specific ammonia production rate is higher. In addition, after infection at CCI of 3x10(6)cell/ml, the cell viability decreased significantly in the ammoniagenic medium, attributed to the activation of an acidic pathway of apoptosis. Furthermore, AdV DNA was observed to be degraded at the observed pH(i) in the ammoniagenic medium, decreasing significantly the amount of AdV DNA available for encapsulation. To elucidate the pH(i) effect upon AdV production, 293 cells were infected at a CCI of 1 x 10(6)cell/ml in the non-ammoniagenic medium with a manipulated pH(i) as observed at the time of infection at CCI of 3 x 10(6)cell/ml in the ammoniagenic (pH(i) 7.0) and non-ammoniagenic (pH(i) 7.3) media; AdV volumetric productivities were observed to be lower when the cells were exposed to the lower pH(i). Thus, the importance of controlling all the factors contributing to pH(i) on AdV production, such as ammonia production, has been established.
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Affiliation(s)
- T B Ferreira
- Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado 12, P-2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal
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Abstract
Vaccines are the most effective and inexpensive prophylactic tool in veterinary medicine. Ideally, vaccines should induce a lifelong protective immunity against the target pathogen while not causing clinical or pathological signs of diseases in the vaccinated animals. However, such ideal vaccines are rare in the veterinary field. Many vaccines are either of limited effectiveness or have harmful side effects. In addition, there are still severe diseases with no effective vaccines. A very important criterion for an ideal vaccine in veterinary medicine is low cost; this is especially important in developing countries and even more so for poultry vaccination, where vaccines must sell for a few cents a dose. Traditional approaches include inactivated vaccines, attenuated live vaccines and subunit vaccines. Recently, genetic engineering has been applied to design new, improved vaccines. Adenovirus vectors are highly efficient for gene transfer in a broad spectrum of cell types and species. Moreover, adenoviruses often induce humoral, mucosal and cellular immune responses to antigens encoded by the inserted foreign genes. Thus, adenoviruses have become a vector of choice for delivery and expression of foreign proteins for vaccination. Consequently, the market requirements for adenovirus vaccines are increasing, creating a need for production methodologies of concentrated vectors with warranted purity and efficacy. This review summarizes recent developments and approaches of adenovirus production and purification as the application of these vectors, including successes and failures in clinical applications to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- T B Ferreira
- Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica/Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica IBET/ITQB, Oeiras, Portugal
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Peixoto C, Ferreira TB, Carrondo MJT, Cruz PE, Alves PM. Purification of adenoviral vectors using expanded bed chromatography. J Virol Methods 2005; 132:121-6. [PMID: 16266756 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2005.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 07/12/2005] [Revised: 09/08/2005] [Accepted: 10/03/2005] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The increasing numbers of pre-clinical and clinical trials where recombinant adenoviral vectors are used for gene therapy and vaccination require the development of cost-effective and reproducible large scale purification strategies of the biologically active particles. Alternatives to the traditional laboratory scale CsCl density gradient ultracentrifugation method, such as fixed bed chromatography strategies, have been developed, but the yields of final recovery remain too low due mainly to the capture and concentration steps taking place before and between the chromatographic stages. In this study, a rapid and efficient scale-able purification protocol allowing to obtain concentrated, pure and bioactive adenoviral vectors was developed. This allows efficient levels of binding to the column media and vector purification without centrifugation or filtration steps. Expanded bed chromatography followed by hollow fiber concentration allows the capture of viral particles directly from cellular extracts with high efficiency and vector purification is achieved in less than one working day with a minimal amount of sample handling, thus presenting an improvement over existing processes. The overall process yield reached 32%, representing an eight-fold improvement over results reported previously, while the purity is comparable to that obtained with the CsCl method.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Peixoto
- IBET/ITQB, Apartado 12, P-2780-901 Oeiras, Portugal
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Ferreira TB, Ferreira AL, Carrondo MJT, Alves PM. Effect of refeed strategies and non-ammoniagenic medium on adenovirus production at high cell densities. J Biotechnol 2005; 119:272-80. [PMID: 15885836 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2005.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 11/25/2004] [Revised: 03/21/2005] [Accepted: 03/29/2005] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant adenoviruses became one of the vectors of choice for delivery and expression of foreign proteins for gene therapy and vaccination purposes. Nevertheless, the production of adenovirus is currently limited by the so-called "cell density effect", i.e., a drop in cell specific productivity concomitant with increased cell concentration at infection (CCI). This work describes the characterisation and optimisation of the infection process in order to improve recombinant adenovirus type 5 yields at high cell densities. For that purpose, 293 cells adapted to suspension were grown in 2l bioreactors and infected at different cell concentrations, using different re-feed strategies, while evaluating cell metabolism. The consumption of amino acids is enhanced during infection, although no amino acid limitation was detected for cells infected at concentrations in the range of 2 x 10(6)cell/ml, for which the highest volumetric productivity was obtained in batch mode. Conversely, infecting at cell concentrations in the range of 3 x10(6)cell/ml led to complete depletion of glucose, glutamine and threonine before the optimal harvesting time, a significant decrease in volumetric productivity being observed; the effect of amino acids and glucose addition at infection time on cell specific and volumetric productivity of adenovirus was assessed, no improvement on adenovirus production being achieved. The effect of ammonia, present in high concentrations at 3 x10(6)cell/ml, was evaluated and seem to be detrimental; an 1.8-fold increase on adenovirus volumetric productivity was obtained for infections performed at 3 x10(6)cell/ml when non-ammoniagenic medium was used.
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Affiliation(s)
- T B Ferreira
- Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica/Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica (IBET/ITQB), Apartado 12, P-2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal
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