LUIZA GUILHERME GUGLIELMI
Projetos de Pesquisa
Unidades Organizacionais
Instituto do Coração, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina
LIM/19 - Laboratório de Histocompatibilidade e Imunidade Celular, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina - Líder
LIM/19 - Laboratório de Histocompatibilidade e Imunidade Celular, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina - Líder
5 resultados
Resultados de Busca
Agora exibindo 1 - 5 de 5
- StreptInCor: A Candidate Vaccine Epitope against S. pyogenes Infections Induces Protection in Outbred Mice(2013) POSTOL, Edilberto; ALENCAR, Raquel; HIGA, Fabio T.; BARROS, Samar Freschi de; DEMARCHI, Lea M. F.; KALIL, Jorge; GUILHERME, LuizaInfection with Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes) can result in several diseases, particularly in children. S. pyogenes M protein is the major virulence factor, and certain regions of its N-terminus can trigger autoimmune sequelae such as rheumatic fever in susceptible individuals with untreated group A streptococcal pharyngitis. In a previous study, we utilized a large panel of human peripheral blood cells to define the C-terminal protective epitope StreptInCor (medical identity), which does not induce autoimmune reactions. We recently confirmed the results in HLA-transgenic mice. In the present study, we extended the experimental assays to outbred animals (Swiss mice). Herein, we demonstrate high titers of StreptInCor-specific antibodies, as well as appropriate T-cell immune responses. No cross-reaction to cardiac myosin was detected. Additionally, immunized Swiss mice exhibited 87% survival one month after challenge with S. pyogenes. In conclusion, the data presented herein reinforce previous results in humans and animals and further emphasize that StreptInCor could be an effective and safe vaccine for the prevention of S. pyogenes infections.
- Rheumatic heart disease: molecules involved in valve tissue inflammation leading to the autoimmune process and anti-S. pyogenes vaccine(2013) GUILHERME, Luiza; KALIL, JorgeThe major events leading to both rheumatic fever (RE) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) are reviewed. Several genes are involved in the development of RE and RHD. The inflammatory process that results from S. pyogenes infection involves the activation of several molecules such as VCAM and ICAM, which play a role in the migration of leukocytes to the heart, particularly to the valves. Specific chemokines, such as CXCL3/MIP1a as well as CCL1/I-309 and CXCL9/Mig, attractT cells to the myocardium and valves, respectively. The autoimmune reactions are mediated by both the B- and T-cell responses that begin at the periphery, followed by the migration of T cell clones to the heart and the infiltration of heart lesions in RHD patients. These cells recognize streptococcal antigens and humantissue proteins. Molecular mimicry between streptococcal M protein and human proteins has been proposed as the triggering factor leading to autoimmunity in RE and RHD. The production of cytokines from peripheral and heart-infiltrating mononuclear cells suggests that T helper 1 and Th17 cytokines are the mediators of RHD heart lesions. The low numbers of 1154 producing cells in the valvular tissue might contribute to the maintenance and progression of the valve lesions. The identification of a vaccine epitope opens a perspective of development of an effective and safe vaccine to prevent S. pyogenes infections, consequently RE and RHD.
- CXCL9/Mig Mediates T cells Recruitment to Valvular Tissue Lesions of Chronic Rheumatic Heart Disease Patients(2013) FAE, Kellen C.; PALACIOS, Selma A.; NOGUEIRA, Luciana G.; OSHIRO, Sandra E.; DEMARCHI, Lea M. F.; BILATE, Angelina M. B.; POMERANTZEFF, Pablo M. A.; BRANDAO, Carlos; THOMAZ, Petronio G.; REIS, Maxwell dos; SAMPAIO, Roney; TANAKA, Ana C.; CUNHA-NETO, Edecio; KALIL, Jorge; GUILHERME, LuizaRheumatic fever (RF) is an autoimmune disease triggered by Streptococcus pyogenes infection frequently observed in infants from developing countries. Rheumatic heart disease (RHD), the major sequel of RF, leads to chronic inflammation of the myocardium and valvular tissue. T cells are the main population infiltrating cardiac lesions; however, the chemokines that orchestrate their recruitment are not clearly defined. Here, we investigated the expression of chemokines and chemokine receptors in cardiac tissue biopsies obtained from chronic RHD patients. Our results showed that CCL3/MIP1 alpha gene expression was upregulated in myocardium while CCL1/I-309 and CXCL9/Mig were highly expressed in valvular tissue. Auto-reactive T cells that infiltrate valvular lesions presented a memory phenotype (CD4(+)CD45RO(+)) and migrate mainly toward CXCL9/Mig gradient. Collectively, our results show that a diverse milieu of chemokines is expressed in myocardium and valvular tissue lesions and emphasize the role of CXCL9/Mig in mediating T cell recruitment to the site of inflammation in the heart.
- Pilot scale production of the vaccine adjuvant Proteoliposome derived Cochleates (AFCo1) from Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B(2013) ZAYAS, Caridad; GONZALEZ, Domingo; ACEVEDO, Reinaldo; CAMPO, Judith del; LASTRE, Miriam; GONZALEZ, Elizabeth; ROMEU, Belkis; CUELLO, Maribel; BALBOA, Julio; CABRERA, Osmir; GUILHERME, Luisa; PEREZ, OliverThe use of new adjuvants in vaccine formulations is a subject of current research. Only few parenteral adjuvants have been licensed. We have developed a mucosal and parenteral adjuvant known as AFCo1 (Adjuvant Finlay Cochleate 1, derived from proteoliposomes of N. meningitidis B) using a dialysis procedure to produce them on lab scale. The immunogenicity of the AFCo1 produced by dialysis has been already evaluated, but it was necessary to demonstrate the feasibility of a larger-scale manufacturing process. Therefore, we used a crossflow diafiltration system (CFS) that allows easy scale up to obtain large batches in an aseptic environment. The aim of this work was to produce AFCo1 on pilot scale, while conserving the adjuvant properties. The proteoliposomes (raw material) were resuspended in a buffer containing sodium deoxycholate and were transformed into AFCo1 under the action of a calcium forming buffer. The detergent was removed from the protein solution by diafiltration to a constant volume. In this CFS, we used a hollow fiber cartridge from Amicon (polysulfona cartridge of 10 kDa porosity, 1mm channel diameter of fiber and 0.45 m(2) area of filtration), allowing production of a batch of up to 20 L. AFCo1 were successfully produced by tangential filtration to pilot scale. The batch passed preliminary stability tests. Nasal immunization of BALB/c mice, induced specific saliva IgA and serum IgG. The induction of Th1 responses were demonstrated by the induction of IgG2a, IFN gamma and not IL-5. The adjuvant action over Neisseria (self) antigens and with co-administered (heterologous) antigens such as ovalbumin and a synthetic peptide from haemolytic Streptococcus B was also demonstrated.
- A Vaccine against Streptococcus pyogenes The Potential to Prevent Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease(2013) GUILHERME, Luiza; FERREIRA, Frederico Moraes; KOEHLER, Karen Francine; POSTOL, Edilberto; KALIL, JorgeStreptococcus pyogenes causes severe, invasive infections such as the sequelae associated with acute rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease, acute glomerulonephritis, uncomplicated pharyngitis, and pyoderma. Efforts to produce a vaccine against S. pyogenes began several decades ago, and different models have been proposed. We have developed a vaccine candidate peptide, StreptInCor, comprising 55 amino acid residues of the C-terminal portion of the M protein and encompassing both the T- and B-cell protective epitopes. The present article summarizes data from the previous 5 years during which we tested the immunogenicity and safety of StreptInCor in different animal models. We showed that StreptInCor overlapping peptides induced cellular and humoral immune responses of individuals bearing different HLA class II molecules. These results are consistent with peptides that have a universal vaccine epitope. The tridimensional molecular structure of StreptInCor was elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which showed that its structure is composed of two microdomains linked by an 18-residue alpha-helix. Additionally, we comprehensively evaluated the structural stability of the StreptInCor peptide in different physicochemical conditions using circular dichroism. Additional experiments were performed with inbred, outbred, and HLA class II transgenic mice. Analysis of several organs of these mice showed neither deleterious nor autoimmune reactions even after a long period of vaccination, indicating that the StreptInCor candidate peptide could be considered as an immunogenic and safe vaccine.