Tumor necrosis factor α, and agonist and antagonists of cannabinoid receptor type 1 and type 2 alter the immunophenotype of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth

OBJECTIVE

To verify the involvement of the endocannabinoid system in the immunomodulatory profile of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth, in the presence or absence of TNF-α, and agonist and antagonists of CB1 and CB2.

METHODS

Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth were cultured in the presence or absence of an agonist, anandamide, and two antagonists, AM251 and SR144528, of CB1 and CB2 receptors, with or without TNF-α stimulation. For analysis of immunomodulation, surface molecules linked to immunomodulation, namely human leukocyte antigen-DR isotype (HLA-DR), and programmed death ligands 1 (PD-L1) and 2 (PD-L2) were measured using flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The inhibition of endocannabinoid receptors together with the proinflammatory effect of TNF-α resulted in increased HLA-DR expression in stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth, as well as, in these cells acquiring an anti-inflammatory profile by enhancing the expression of PD-L1 and PD-L2.

CONCLUSION

Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth respond to the endocannabinoid system and TNF-α by altering key immune response molecules. Inhibition of endocannabinoid receptors and TNF-α led to an increase in HLA-DR, PD-L1, and PD-L2 levels in stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth. This study shows the interaction between mesenchymal stromal cells and the immune and endocannabinoid systems.

Abstract PO-086: Covid-19 in the city of Teofilo Otoni-Minas Gerais: Current panorama and future perspectives

The Covid-19 pandemic presents itself as one of the greatest health challenges on a global scale. Brazil has the highest number of cases and deaths in Latin America, given these underestimates. Teófilo Otoni is the pole municipality of the northeast macroregion of Minas Gerais (MG) and its health network is a reference for 448,438 inhabitants. The study aims to assess the current panorama of Covid-19 in the city of Teófilo Otoni, its future perspective, and the impacts on mortality. For the preparation of this study, data were collected on Covid-19 in Teófilo Otoni according to official bulletins issued daily by the Health Department of the State of Minas Gerais. A descriptive analysis of the data was carried out via a map with spatialization of the cases, and, for the numerical simulation of the evolution of the cases, the epidemiologic mathematical model S.I.R (Susceptible, Infected and Recovered) was used, combining the Code Blocks software combined with Matlab. The northeastern macroregion has high levels of illiteracy, many rural residents, and the presence of indigenous communities in situations of social vulnerability. Thus, in this region are found about 54% of the municipalities classified among the 100 worst Municipal Human Development Indexes in MG. Although a reference, Teófilo Otoni, until April 12, had only 7 beds of intensive care units (ICU) for Covid-19.The first confirmed case of the disease in the city occurred on April 22 and the municipality followed the recommendations of the Ministry of Health, launched on April 6, to adopt the Selective Social Distancing, since there were not more than 50% of the ICU beds occupied, thus helping the Expanded Social Distancing that was being carried out. However, the cases increased, and on May 22 the city decreed the closure of nonessential trade, intensifying the distance measures. Until June 8, Teófilo Otoni had 372 confirmed cases and 10 deaths from Covid-19, which is worthy of the simulations of the research project “Covid-19/UFVJM Bulletin,” since 298 and 535 infected were expected in the first week of this month, considering the contact rate close to reality (70%). However, by another analysis, the numbers are high, since the expectation for the first week of June, with horizontal isolation, was between 5 and 6 cases. In addition, it is imperative to highlight that deaths in the region tend to increase, since, on June 7, the two main hospitals in the city had 100% of their beds occupied. It appears that Teófilo Otoni is in a situation of public calamity, since the health network is not prepared to receive all patients referred with Covid-19 and who require ICU, which corresponds to about 3% (13,453) of cases. This reinforces the need to analyze epidemiologic data, expand the region's hospital network, and improve mitigation measures, as the forecasts can supplement public policies to contain the progress of the disease.

Citation Format: Laryssa Reis Coelho, Gustavo da Mata Oliveira Rezende, Virgílio Barroso de Aguiar, Vânia Soares Oliveira e Almeida Pinto, Rafael Genaro, Rafael Alvarenga Almeida, Fábio Silva de Souza, Caio César de Souza Alves, Leonel de Oliveira Pinheiro, Fernanda Arueira de Siqueira Santos, Alexandre Augusto de Assis Dutra, Ana Cândida Araújo e Silva, Rogério Fernandes Macedo. Covid-19 in the city of Teofilo Otoni-Minas Gerais: Current panorama and future perspectives [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Meeting: COVID-19 and Cancer; 2020 Jul 20-22. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2020;26(18_Suppl):Abstract nr PO-086.

Ferulic acid supresses Th2 immune response and prevents remodeling in ovalbumin-induced pulmonary allergy associated with inhibition of epithelial-derived cytokines

Asthma is characterized by intermittent airway obstruction and chronic inflammation, orchestrated primarily by Th2 cytokines. There is a strong rationale for developing new asthma therapies, since current treatment protocols present side effects and may not be effective in cases of difficult-to-control asthma. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of ferulic acid, a phenolic acid commonly present in plants, in the ovalbumin-induced pulmonary allergy murine model.

METHODS

BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin, and treatments were provided by gavage. Six groups of mice (n = 6) were studied, labeled as: control, pulmonary allergy, dexamethasone, and 3 receiving ferulic acid (at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg). Lung tissue, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum were collected for analysis.

RESULTS

Ferulic acid treatment inhibited an established allergic Th2-response by decreasing the key features of pulmonary allergy, including lung and airway inflammation, eosinophil infiltration, mucus production and serum levels of OVA-specific IgE. These results were associated with lower levels of CCL20, CCL11 and CCL5 chemokines and IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, TSLP, IL-25 and IL-33 cytokines in lung tissue homogenate.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study it was demonstrated for the first time that ferulic acid treatment is able to suppress one of the main features of the airway remodeling, indicated by reduction of mucus production, besides the Th2 pathogenic response on ovalbumin-induced pulmonary allergy. Taken together, results shows that the immunopathological mechanism underlying these effects is linked to a reduction of the epithelial-derived chemokines and cytokines, suggesting that ferulic acid may be useful as a potential therapeutic agent for asthma.

Effects of aqueous extract of Echinodorus grandiflorus on the immune response in ovalbumin-induced pulmonary allergy

BACKGROUND

Asthma is a disease characterized by intermittent obstruction of the airways and chronic inflammation that affects approximately 300 million people worldwide. The immune response in asthma is predominantly T(H)2, with high levels of total and allergen-specific IgE and bronchial eosinophilia. Asthma treatment is aimed at controlling the disease, and the drugs used currently have systemic adverse effects and generally are not effective in difficult-to-control cases.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Echinodorus grandiflorus, a plant used in folk medicine for its diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties, in a model of pulmonary allergy.

METHODS

BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally sensitized and nasally challenged with ovalbumin. Aqueous extract and dexamethasone treatments (0.1 mL/d per mouse) were initiated on day 32 and concluded on day 40. Eight hours after the last challenge evaluations, of serum, bronchoalveolar lavage, and lung tissue were performed.

RESULTS

Oral treatment with the extract markedly reduced the number of total cells and eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage. The eosinophil peroxidase activity in lung tissue, the levels of ovalbumin-specific IgE in serum, the levels of CCL11, and the gene expression of interleukin 4 and interleukin 13 in lung tissue were also lower after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the aqueous extract of E grandiflorus is able to modulate allergic pulmonary inflammation and may be useful as a potential therapeutic agent for asthma.

Anti-mycobacterial treatment reduces high plasma levels of CXC-chemokines detected in active tuberculosis by cytometric bead array

Chemokines recruit and activate leukocytes, assisting granuloma formation. Herein, we evaluated plasma chemokines in patients with active tuberculosis (ATB) and after completing treatment (TTB) and compared them to BCG-vaccinated healthy controls (HC). Levels of chemokines were measured by cytometric bead array. Levels of CXCL8, CXCL9 and CXCL10 were higher in ATB patients compared to HC, but they decreased in TTB. Levels of CCL2 and CCL5 in ATB patients were similar to those observed in HC. Thus, the high levels of CXC-chemokines detected during ATB, which can modulate the trafficking of immune cells from the periphery to the site of infection, were reversed by anti-mycobacterial treatment.

Thalidomide Analogs from Diamines: Synthesis and Evaluation as Inhibitors of TNF-.ALPHA. Production

Fourteen thalidomide analogs bearing two phthalimido units were prepared in high yields (83-94%) by condensation of different diamines with phthalic or 3-nitrophthalic anhydride. An in vitro investigation of the compounds as inhibitors of the TNF-alpha production was performed. The inhibition was higher for compounds bearing amino and nitro groups and was modulated by increasing the size of the spacers between the phthalimide groups.