ANNA CLAUDIA CALVIELLI CASTELLO BRANCO
Projetos de Pesquisa
Unidades Organizacionais
LIM/56 - Laboratório de Investigação em Dermatologia e Imunodeficiências, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina
6 resultados
Resultados de Busca
Agora exibindo 1 - 6 de 6
- Low CCL2 and CXCL8 Production and High Prevalence of Allergies in Children with Microcephaly Due to Congenital Zika Syndrome(2023) BEZERRA, Wallace Pitanga; SALMERON, Amanda Costa Ayres; BRANCO, Anna Claudia Calvielli Castelo; MORAIS, Ingryd Camara; SALES, Valeria Soraya de Farias; MACHADO, Paula Renata Lima; SOUTO, Janeusa Trindade; ARAUJO, Joselio Maria Galvao de; GUEDES, Paulo Marcos da Matta; SATO, Maria Notomi; NASCIMENTO, Manuela Sales LimaCongenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) is associated with an increased risk of microcephaly in affected children. This study investigated the peripheral dysregulation of immune mediators in children with microcephaly due to CZS. Gene expression quantified by qPCR in whole blood samples showed an increase in IFN gamma and IL-13 transcripts in children affected with microcephaly compared to the control group. The microcephaly group exhibited significantly decreased CCL2 and CXCL8 levels in serum, quantified by CBA assay. An allergic profile questionnaire revealed a high prevalence of allergies in the microcephaly group. In accordance, elevated serum IgE level measured by the Proquantum Immunoassay was observed in children affected with microcephaly compared to the control group. Altogether, these findings show a persistent systemic inflammation in children with microcephaly due to CZS and suggest a possible impairment in leukocyte migration caused by low production of CCL2 and CXCL8, in addition to high levels of IgE associated with high prevalence of allergies. The dysregulation of inflammatory genes and chemokines underscores the importance of understanding the immunological characteristics of CZS. Further investigation into the long-term consequences of systemic inflammation in these children is crucial for developing appropriate therapeutic strategies and tailored vaccination protocols.
- Outlining the skin-homing and circulating CLA+NK cells in patients with severe atopic dermatitis(2024) LIMA, Josenilson Feitosa de; TEIXEIRA, Franciane Mouradian Emidio; RAMOS, Yasmim alefe Leuzzi; CARVALHO, Gabriel Costa de; BRANCO, Anna Claudia Calvielli Castelo; PEREIRA, Naiura Vieira; SOTTO, Mirian Nacagami; AOKI, Valeria; SATO, Maria Notomi; ORFALI, Raquel LeaoAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a complex, multifactorial skin disease, characterized by pruritus and predominant Th2 inflammation. Innate immune cells may play a role in AD development and are composed of granulocytes, macrophages, innate-like T cells, and innate lymphoid cells. This study investigates the phenotypic and functional profile of circulating CLA(+) natural killer (NK) cells and its role in the skin-homing to NK cells infiltrated in adults' skin with AD. We selected 44 AD patients and 27 non-AD volunteers for the study. The results showed increased frequencies of both CLA(+)CD56(bright) and CLA(+)CD56(dim) NK cell populations in the peripheral blood, mainly in severe AD patients. Upon SEB stimulation, we observed an augmented percentage of CLA(+)CD56(dim) NK cells expressing CD107a, IFN-gamma, IL-10, and TNF, reinforcing the role of staphylococcal enterotoxins in AD pathogenesis. Additionally, we demonstrated increased dermal expression of both NK cell markers NCAM-1/CD56 and pan-granzyme, corroborating the skin-homing, mostly in severe AD. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the potential role of NK cells in the chronification of the inflammatory process in AD skin, as well as their possible relationship with staphylococcal enterotoxins, and as practicable therapeutic targets.
- Enhanced immunogenicity and protective efficacy in mice following a Zika DNA vaccine designed by modulation of membrane-anchoring regions and its association to adjuvants(2024) TEIXEIRA, Franciane Mouradian Emidio; OLIVEIRA, Luana de Mendonca; BRANCO, Anna Claudia Calvielli Castelo; ALBERCA, Ricardo Wesley; SOUSA, Emanuella Sarmento Alho de; LEITE, Bruno Henrique de Sousa; ADAN, Wenny Camilla dos Santos; DUARTE, Alberto Jose da Silva; LINS, Roberto Dias; SATO, Maria Notomi; VIANA, Isabelle Freire TabosaZika virus (ZIKV) is a re-emerging pathogen with high morbidity associated to congenital infection. Despite the scientific advances since the last outbreak in the Americas, there are no approved specific treatment or vaccines. As the development of an effective prophylactic approach remains unaddressed, DNA vaccines surge as a powerful and attractive candidate due to the efficacy of sequence optimization in achieving strong immune response. In this study, we developed four DNA vaccine constructs encoding the ZIKV prM/M (pre-membrane/membrane) and E (envelope) proteins in conjunction with molecular adjuvants. The DNA vaccine candidate (called ZK_Delta STP), where the entire membrane-anchoring regions were completely removed, was far more immunogenic compared to their counterparts. Furthermore, inclusion of the tPA-SP leader sequence led to high expression and secretion of the target vaccine antigens, therefore contributing to adequate B cell stimulation. The ZK_Delta STP vaccine induced high cellular and humoral response in C57BL/6 adult mice, which included high neutralizing antibody titers and the generation of germinal center B cells. Administration of ZK-Delta STP incorporating aluminum hydroxide (Alum) adjuvant led to sustained neutralizing response. In consistency with the high and long-term protective response, ZK_Delta STP+Alum protected adult mice upon viral challenge. Collectively, the ZK_Delta STP+Alum vaccine formulation advances the understanding of the requirements for a successful and protective vaccine against flaviviruses and is worthy of further translational studies.
- Upregulation of PD-1 Expression and High sPD-L1 Levels Associated with COVID-19 Severity(2022) BESERRA, Danielle Rosa; ALBERCA, Ricardo Wesley; BRANCO, Anna Claudia Calvielli Castelo; OLIVEIRA, Luana de Mendonca; ANDRADE, Milena Mary de Souza; GOZZI-SILVA, Sarah Cristina; TEIXEIRA, Franciane Mouradian Emidio; YENDO, Tatiana Mina; DUARTE, Alberto Jose da Silva; SATO, Maria NotomiCOVID-19 has several mechanisms that can lead to lymphocyte depletion/exhaustion. The checkpoint inhibitor molecule programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) and its programmed death-ligand 1 (PDL-1) play an important role in inhibiting cellular activity as well as the depletion of these cells. In this study, we evaluated PD-1 expression in TCD4+, TCD8+, and CD19+ lymphocytes from SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. A decreased frequency of total lymphocytes and an increased PD-1 expression in TCD4+ and CD19+ lymphocytes were verified in severe/critical COVID-19 patients. In addition, we found a decreased frequency of total monocytes with an increased PD-1 expression on CD14+ monocytes in severe/critical patients in association with the time of infection. Moreover, we observed an increase in sPD-L1 circulant levels associated with the severity of the disease. Overall, these data indicate an important role of the PD-1/PDL-1 axis in COVID-19 and may provide a severity-associated biomarker and therapeutic target during SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Enhanced immunogenicity and protective efficacy in mice following a Zika DNA vaccine designed by modulation of membrane-anchoring regions and its association to adjuvants (vol 15, 1307546, 2024)(2024) TEIXEIRA, Franciane Mouradian Emidio; OLIVEIRA, Luana de Mendonca; BRANCO, Anna Claudia Calvielli Castelo; ALBERCA, Ricardo Wesley; SOUSA, Emanuella Sarmento Alho de; LEITE, Bruno Henrique de Sousa; ADAN, Wenny Camilla dos Santos; DUARTE, Alberto Jose da Silva; LINS, Roberto Dias; SATO, Maria Notomi; VIANA, Isabelle Freire Tabosa
- Obesity Induces an Impaired Placental Antiviral Immune Response in Pregnant Women Infected with Zika Virus(2023) BRANCO, Anna Claudia Calvielli Castelo; OLIVEIRA, Emily Araujo De; PEREIRA, Natalli Zanete; ALBERCA, Ricardo Wesley; DUARTE-NETO, Amaro Nunes; SILVA, Luiz Fernando Ferraz Da; LUIZ, Fernanda Guedes; PEREIRA, Naiura Vieira; SOTTO, Mirian Nacagami; DEJANI, Naiara Naiana; RONDO, Patricia Helen Carvalho; AVVAD-PORTARI, Elyzabeth; VASCONCELOS, Zilton Farias Meira De; DUARTE, Alberto Jose da Silva; AZAMOR, Tamiris; SATO, Maria NotomiObesity is increasing in incidence worldwide, especially in women, which can affect the outcome of pregnancy. During this period, viral infections represent a risk to the mother, the placental unit, and the fetus. The Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in Brazil has been the cause of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS), with devastating consequences such as microcephaly in newborns. Herein, we analyzed the impact of maternal overweight/obesity on the antiviral factors' expression in the placental tissue of Zika-infected mothers. We accessed placentas from women with and without obesity from 34 public health units (Sao Paulo) and from Zika-infected mothers with and without obesity from the Clinical Cohort Study of ZIKV pregnant women (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). We first verified that obesity, without infection, did not alter the constitutive transcriptional expression of antiviral factors or IFN type I/III expression. Interestingly, obesity, when associated with ZIKV infection, showed a decreased transcriptional expression of RIG-I and IFIH1 (MDA-5 protein precursor gene). At the protein level, we also verified a decreased RIG-I and IRF-3 expression in the decidual placenta from the Zika-infected obese group, regardless of microcephaly. This finding shows, for the first time, that obesity associated with ZIKV infection leads to an impaired type I IFN downstream signaling pathway in the maternal-fetal interface.