LUIZA GUILHERME GUGLIELMI

(Fonte: Lattes)
Índice h a partir de 2011
13
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

Resultados de Busca

Agora exibindo 1 - 10 de 23
  • article 24 Citação(ões) na Scopus
    Anti-Group A Streptococcal Vaccine Epitope STRUCTURE, STABILITY, AND ITS ABILITY TO INTERACT WITH HLA CLASS II MOLECULES
    (2011) GUILHERME, Luiza; ALBA, Martha P.; FERREIRA, Frederico Moraes; OSHIRO, Sandra Emiko; HIGA, Fabio; PATARROYO, Manuel E.; KALIL, Jorge
    Streptococcus pyogenes infections remain a health problem in several countries due to poststreptococcal sequelae. We developed a vaccine epitope (StreptInCor) composed of 55 amino acids residues of the C-terminal portion of the M protein that encompasses both T and B cell protective epitopes. The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) structure of the StreptInCor peptide showed that the structure was composed of two microdomains linked by an 18-residue alpha-helix. A chemical stability study of the StreptInCor folding/unfolding process using far-UV circular dichroism showed that the structure was chemically stable with respect to pH and the concentration of urea. The T cell epitope is located in the first microdomain and encompasses 11 out of the 18 alpha-helix residues, whereas the B cell epitope is in the second microdomain and showed no alpha-helical structure. The prediction of StreptInCor epitope binding to different HLA class II molecules was evaluated based on an analysis of the 55 residues and the theoretical possibilities for the processed peptides to fit into the P1, P4, P6, and P9 pockets in the groove of several HLA class II molecules. We observed 7 potential sites along the amino acid sequence of StreptInCor that were capable of recognizing HLA class II molecules (DRB1*, DRB3*, DRB4*, and DRB5*). StreptInCoroverlapping peptides induced cellular and humoral immune responses of individuals bearing different HLA class II molecules and could be considered as a universal vaccine epitope.
  • article 24 Citação(ões) na Scopus
    Association study between functional polymorphisms in the TNF-alpha gene and obsessive-compulsive disorder
    (2012) CAPPI, Carolina; MUNIZ, Renan Kawano; SAMPAIO, Aline Santos; CORDEIRO, Quirino; BRENTANI, Helena; PALACIOS, Selma A.; MARQUES, Andrea H.; VALLADA, Homero; MIGUEL, Euripedes Constantino; GUILHERME, Luiza; HOUNIE, Ana Gabriela
    Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a prevalent psychiatric disorder of unknown etiology. However, there is some evidence that the immune system may play an important role in its pathogenesis. In the present study, two polymorphisms (rs1800795 and rs361525) in the promoter region of the cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFA) gene were genotyped in 183 OCD patients and in 249 healthy controls. The statistical tests were performed using the PLINK (R) software. We found that the A allele of the TNFA rs361525 polymorphism was significantly associated with OCD subjects, according to the allelic x association test (p=0.007). The presence of genetic markers, such as inflammatory cytokines genes linked to OCD, may represent additional evidence supporting the rote of the immune system in its pathogenesis.
  • article 37 Citação(ões) na Scopus
    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, Luiza
    Infection 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.
  • article 47 Citação(ões) na Scopus
    RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE: MEDIATION BY COMPLEX IMMUNE EVENTS
    (2011) GUILHERME, L.; KOEHLER, K. F.; KALIL, J.
    Rheumatic fever (RF) is an autoimmune disease caused by the Gram-positive bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes following an untreated throat infection in susceptible children. Rheumatic heart disease (RHD), the most serious complication, occurs in 30-45% of RF patients and leads to chronic valvular lesions. Here, we focus on the genes that confer susceptibility for developing this disease. Molecular mimicry mediates the cross-reactions between streptococcal antigens and human proteins. Several autoantigens have been identified, including cardiac myosin epitopes, vimentin, and other intracellular proteins. In heart tissue, antigen-driven oligoclonal T cell expansions probably cause the rheumatic heart lesions. These cells are CD4(+) and produce inflammatory cytokines (TNF alpha and IFN gamma). IL-4(+) cells are found in the myocardium; however, these cells are very scarce in the valve lesions of RHD patients. IL-4 is a Th2-type cytokine and plays a regulatory role in the inflammatory response mediated by Th1 cytokines. Our findings indicate that the Th1/Th2 cytokine balance has a role in healing myocarditis while the low numbers of IL-4-producing cells in the valves probably induced the progressive and permanent valve damage.
  • article 10 Citação(ões) na Scopus
    Sickening or Healing the Heart? The Association of Ficolin-1 and Rheumatic Fever
    (2018) CATARINO, Sandra Jeremias; ANDRADE, Fabiana Antunes; BOLDT, Angelica Beate Winter; GUILHERME, Luiza; MESSIAS-REASON, Iara Jose
    Rheumatic fever (RF) and its subsequent progression to rheumatic heart disease (RHD) are chronic inflammatory disorders prevalent in children and adolescents in underdeveloped countries, and a contributing factor for highmorbidity andmortality rates worldwide. Their primary cause is oropharynx infection by Streptococcus pyogenes, whose acetylated residues are recognized by ficolin-1. This is the onlymembrane-bound, as well as soluble activator molecule of the complement lectin pathway (LP). Although LP genetic polymorphisms are associated with RF, FCN1 gene's role remains unknown. To understand this role, we haplotyped five FCN1 promoter polymorphisms by sequence-specific amplification in 193 patients (138 with RHD and 55, RF only) and 193 controls, measuring ficolin-1 serum concentrations in 78 patients and 86 controls, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Patients presented lower ficolin-1 serum levels (p < 0.0001), but did not differ according to cardiac commitment. Control's genotype distribution was in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Four alleles (rs2989727: c.-1981A, rs10120023: c.-542A, rs10117466: c.-144A, and rs10858293: c. 33T), all associated with increased FCN1 gene expression in whole blood or adipose subcutaneous tissue (p = 0.000001), were also associated with increased protection against the disease. They occur within the *3C2 haplotype, associated with an increased protection against RF (OR = 0.41, p < 0.0001) and with higher ficolin-1 levels in patient serum (p = 0.03). In addition, major alleles of these same polymorphisms comprehend the most primitive *1 haplotype, associated with increased susceptibility to RF (OR = 1.76, p < 0.0001). Nevertheless, instead of having a clear-cut protective role, theminor c.-1981A and c.-144A alleles were also associated with additive susceptibility to valvar stenosis and mitral insufficiency (OR = 3.75, p = 0.009 and OR = 3.37, p = 0.027, respectively). All associations were independent of age, sex or ethnicity. Thus, minor FCN1 promoter variants may play a protective role against RF, by encouraging bacteria elimination as well as increasing gene expression and protein levels. On the other hand, theymay also predispose the patients to RHD symptoms, by probably contributing to chronic inflammation and tissue injury, thus emphasizing the dual importance of ficolin-1 in both conditions.
  • article 32 Citação(ões) na Scopus
    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, Luiza
    Rheumatic 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.
  • article 8 Citação(ões) na Scopus
    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, Oliver
    The 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.
  • conferenceObject
    RESTRICTED AND SKEWED TCR VB REPERTOIRE IN CHROMOSOME 22Q11.2 DELETION
    (2012) ARANTES, J. M.; GRASSI, M. S.; SANTOS, N. M.; GUILHERME, L.; KULIKOWSKI, L. D.; DUTRA, R. L.; WATANABE, L. A.; JACOB, C. M. A.; ZAGO, C. A.; CARNEIRO-SAMPAIO, M.
    Introduction: Chromosome 22q11 deletion is the most common human deletion and is found in the majority of patients with DiGeorge and velo-cardio-facial syndromes. Many patients have a mild to moderate immunodeficiency, and most have cardiac anomaly. Objective: To evaluate TCR repertoire diversity in infants with 22q11.2 deletion identified at FMUSP ward for congenital heart diseases. Methods: TCR Vβ variable chain repertoire was analyzed by the TCRBV CDR3 lenght spectratyping technique, and repertoire diversity was quantified utilizing the complexity score (CS), that represents the sum of the number of peaks for each one of the 24 BV families. 22q11.2 deletion was detected utilizing multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. First case report: A 9-month-old boy was identified in a survey among infants with complex congenital heart anomalies. He was born from non-consanguineous parents, weighing 2845g and presenting microcephaly, micrognathia, ocular hypertelorism and low set left ear, renal involvement, left atrial isomerism and pulmonary atresia. He also had hypocalcemia and hypoplasticthymus. He has lymphopenia=3,800 cells/mm3 (CD3=1,454 cells/mm3, CD4=888cells/mm3, CD8=537cells/mm3), thrombocytopenia=55,000, IgG+=1,285mg/dL, IgM=123mg/dL, IgA=132mg/dL. Results: The patient presented CS=49, in contrast with 2 healthy age-matched male infants with 127 and 135. Four young healthy adults presented CS between 165 and 178. The patient presented mostly olygoclonal distribution and even absence of TCRBV families, while healthy donors exhibited mainly polyclonal non-Gaussian distributions. Conclusions: The evaluation of new cases as well as the follow-up the patients will demonstrate if the repertoire diversity correlates with clinical severity.
  • article 17 Citação(ões) na Scopus
    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, Jorge
    Streptococcus 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.
  • article 12 Citação(ões) na Scopus
    Group A Streptococcus Adsorbed Vaccine: Repeated Intramuscular Dose Toxicity Test in Minipigs
    (2019) POSTOL, Edilberto; SA-ROCHA, Luiz C.; SAMPAIO, Roney O.; DERNARCHI, Lea M. M. F.; ALENCAR, Raquel E.; ABDUCH, Maria C. D.; KALIL, Jorge; GUILHERME, Luiza
    Streptococcus pyogenes infection continues to be a worldwide public health problem causing various diseases in humans and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. We developed a vaccine candidate to prevent S. pyogenes infections, identified as StreptInCor, that presented promising results in mouse models. A certified and independent laboratory conducted two repeated intramuscular dose toxicity tests (28 days, four weekly injections). The first test, composed of four experimental groups treated with 0 (vehicle), 50, 100 or 200 mu g/500 mu L StreptInCor, did not show significant alterations in clinical, hematological, biochemical or anatomopathologica I parameters related to the administration of StreptInCor. In addition to the parameters mentioned above, we evaluated the cardiac function and valves of animals by echocardiography before and after administration of 200 mu g/500 mu L StreptInCor versus placebo. We did not observe any changes related to StreptInCor administration, including changes in cardiac function and valves in animals, after receiving the highest dose of this vaccine candidate. The results obtained in the two repeated intramuscular dose toxicity tests showed that this vaccine formulation did not induce harmful effects to the tissues and organs studied, indicating that the candidate vaccine is well tolerated in minipigs.