Article
Microbiology
Rowena Alves Coelho, Maria Helena Galdino Figueiredo-Carvalho, Fernando Almeida-Silva, Vanessa Brito de Souza Rabello, Gabriela Rodrigues de Souza, Leandro Stefano Sangenito, Luna Sobrino Joffe, Andre Luis Souza dos Santos, Maria Cristina da Silva Lourenco, Marcio L. Rodrigues, Rodrigo Almeida-Paes
Summary: This study discovered substances with antifungal activity against CBM agents from a collection of drugs previously approved for use in human diseases, and benzimidazoles showed the highest selectivity.
Article
Dermatology
Armando Guevara, Andreia Ferreira Nery, Marcia de Souza Carvalho Melhem, Lucas Bonfietti, Anderson Messias Rodrigues, Ferry Hagen, Jamile Ambrosio de Carvalho, Zoilo Pires de Camargo, Bruna Jacomel F. de Souza Lima, Vania Aparecida Vicente, Rosane Christine Hahn
Summary: Chromoblastomycosis primarily affects the poor population in Brazil, especially those involved in agricultural activities, with F. pedrosoi being the main etiological agent. Itraconazole, voriconazole, and terbinafine showed the highest antifungal activity.
Review
Microbiology
Leandro C. D. Breda, Isabela G. Menezes, Larissa N. M. Paulo, Sandro Rogerio de Almeida
Summary: Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a chronic and progressive subcutaneous mycosis caused by different species of fungi from the Herpotrichiellaceae family, often associated with agricultural activities. The economic challenges in treatment, lack of specific therapy, and potential for immunotherapeutic approaches make CBM a complex disease requiring further research and innovative treatment strategies.
Article
Immunology
Clare Logan, Manuraj Singh, Natalya Fox, Gordon Brown, Sreedhar Krishna, Kristiana Gordon, Derek Macallan, Tihana Bicanic
Summary: Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a chronic fungal infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue that is difficult to treat. The lack of standardized therapeutic approach and limited evidence for treatment options contribute to its chronicity. This case study presents a successful treatment of a chronic CBM lesion of the hand using a combination of posaconazole and topical imiquimod, an immune response modifier. The clinical and histopathological improvement of the lesion was demonstrated, suggesting the potential of antifungal therapy with adjunctive immunotherapy for CBM.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Luiz Felipe Domingues Passero, Italo Novais Cavallone, Walter Belda Jr
Summary: Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a neglected human disease caused by pigmented dematiaceous fungi, mainly affecting people working in agriculture in low-income countries. Despite some understanding of resistance and susceptibility in CBM, effective vaccines are still lacking. Limited progress has been made in treatment, with the use of immunomodulators showing promise.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Luisa Dan Favilla, Tatiana Sobianski Herman, Camila da Silva Goersch, Rosangela Vieira de Andrade, Maria Sueli Soares Felipe, Anamelia Lorenzetti Bocca, Larissa Fernandes
Summary: This study successfully generated a novel mutant of the dematiaceous fungal genus Fonsecaea by gene deletion and homologous recombination. The mutant showed differences in nutrient supply, viability, and growth compared to the wild-type and reconstituted strains. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the biology and pathogenicity of chromoblastomycosis causative agents.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Da-Seul Kim, Gwang Yong Hwang, Jun-Kyu Lee, Hye-Lan Lee, Ji-Won Jung, Sae Yeon Hwang, Seung-Woon Baek, Sol Lip Yoon, Yoon Ha, Keung Nyun Kim, Inbo Han, Dong Keun Han, Chang Kyu Lee
Summary: The authors developed a bioactive PLGA composite for bone tissue engineering, which can promote bone and blood vessel formation, as well as improve immune suppression and macrophage polarization, both crucial for bone repair. The composite showed sufficient biocompatibility and bioactivity for spinal fusion in a rat model.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
David Gvaramia, Johann Kern, Yvonne Jakob, Hanna Tritschler, Rolf E. Brenner, Roman Breiter, Julia Kzhyshkowska, Nicole Rotter
Summary: DECM is a common material in tissue engineering, especially in cartilage for its supportive properties. However, efficient remodeling of DECM relies on the host immune response, with macrophages playing a key role, and IL-4 can modulate macrophage response effectively.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART A
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Cody James Hastings, Grace Elizabeth Himmler, Arpeet Patel, Claudia Nogueira Hora Marques
Summary: Bacterial persister cells, a metabolically dormant subpopulation tolerant to antimicrobials, play a role in chronic infections and evade host immunity. This study focused on the ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa persister cells to withstand host innate immunity. The research found that persister cells resist complement-mediated killing and are engulfed at a lower rate. Once engulfed, the cells induce a different macrophage polarization pattern compared to regular vegetative cells. These findings provide further understanding of how persister cells contribute to chronic infections and evade the host immune response.
Review
Immunology
Michelangelo Certo, Chin-Hsien Tsai, Valentina Pucino, Ping-Chih Ho, Claudio Mauro
Summary: The microenvironments of cancerous tissues and tissues affected by chronic inflammatory diseases exhibit different immune states but similar metabolic states. Understanding the metabolic signature allows for therapeutic intervention to reset metabolite availability and correct dysregulated immune states.
NATURE REVIEWS IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Claire C. Munier, Christian Ottmann, Matthew W. D. Perry
Summary: The 14-3-3 proteins play crucial roles in regulating the inflammatory response at genetic, molecular, and cellular levels. They affect key components of the immune response and can lead to clinical syndromes when their recognition processes are disrupted. Abnormal levels of 14-3-3 contribute to undesirable immune responses and chronic inflammatory conditions.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eunyoung Emily Lee, Kyoung-Ho Song, Woochang Hwang, Sin Young Ham, Hyeonju Jeong, Jeong-Han Kim, Hong Sang Oh, Yu Min Kang, Eun Bong Lee, Nam Joong Kim, Bum Sik Chin, Jin Kyun Park
Summary: The study identified three distinct patterns of inflammatory immune response to COVID-19, with hyper-inflammatory immune responses associated with severe disease and worse outcomes. Targeting the hyper-inflammatory response may improve the clinical outcome of COVID-19.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Elisa Petruccioli, Linda Petrone, Teresa Chiacchio, Chiara Farroni, Gilda Cuzzi, Assunta Navarra, Valentina Vanini, Umberto Massafra, Marianna Lo Pizzo, Giuliana Guggino, Nadia Caccamo, Fabrizio Cantini, Fabrizio Palmieri, Delia Goletti
Summary: Patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID), such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), have a higher risk of developing active tuberculosis (TB) compared to the general population. Studying the M. tuberculosis (Mtb) specific T-cell response may help identify immune biomarkers of Mtb burden or clearance in different TB statuses and risk groups.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Ziyue Liu, Yaqin Zhang, Tao Jin, Chengxue Yi, Dickson Kofi Wiredu Ocansey, Fei Mao
Summary: This review discusses the role of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domaincontaining protein 2 (NOD2) in intestinal immune response and microbiota modulation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and explores its clinical potential as a therapeutic target for IBD.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Tyler J. Loftus, Ricardo Ungaro, Marvin Dirain, Philip A. Efron, Monty B. Mazer, Kenneth E. Remy, Richard S. Hotchkiss, Luer Zhong, Rhonda Bacher, Petr Starostik, Lyle L. Moldawer, Scott C. Brakenridge
Summary: Both bacterial sepsis and SARS-CoV-2 patients showed significant immune suppression and inflammation through 21 days, but their immune dyscrasia temporal patterns and clinical outcomes were different. SARS-CoV-2 patients had less severe early inflammation and organ dysfunction, but persistent inflammation and immunosuppression, leading to worse clinical outcomes, especially when followed by secondary bacterial infection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Gabriela Zampieri Campos, Gustavo Augusto Lacorte, Cynthia Jurkiewicz, Christian Hoffmann, Mariza Landgraf, Bernadette Dora Gombossy de Melo Franco, Uelinton Manoel Pinto
Summary: This study evaluated the microbiological characteristics of Canastra cheese production and found that microbial counts during production often met regulatory limits, but a high proportion of non-compliance was observed in cheeses collected after ripening. There is a need for improvement in good manufacturing practices within the Canastra cheese production chain.
Article
Infectious Diseases
G. S. Silva, D. A. Silva, F. Guilhelmelli, M. S. Jeronimo, M. R. D. Cardoso-Miguel, P. H. Burgel, R. J. A. Castro, S. A. M. de Oliveira, I Silva-Pereira, A. L. Bocca, A. H. Tavares
Summary: The study shows that using Zymosan can enhance the immune function of phagocytes against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, contributing to a protective immune response.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Camila Bastos Ribeiro, Fernanda de Oliveira Feitosa de Castro, Gilson Pires Dorneles, Jessica Barletto de Sousa Barros, Jacyelle Medeiros Silva, Camila Tavares, Helio Rocha Carvalho, Luiz Carlos da Cunha, Patricia Nagib, Christian Hoffmann, Alessandra Peres, Pedro Roosevelt Torres Romao, Irmtraut Araci Hoffmann Pfrimer, Simone Goncalves da Fonseca
Summary: Cannabis use contributes to an anti-inflammatory or regulatory profile, while simultaneous use of cannabis and cocaine leads to increased circulating LPS and proinflammatory status.
Article
Immunology
Stephan Alberto Machado de Oliveira, Janayna Nunes Reis, Elisa Catao, Andre Correa Amaral, Ana Camila Oliveira Souza, Alice Melo Ribeiro, Lucia Helena Faccioli, Fabiana Pirani Carneiro, Clara Luna Freitas Marina, Pedro Henrique Burgel, Larissa Fernandes, Aldo Henrique Tavares, Anamelia Lorenzetti Bocca
Summary: The results of the study indicate that CD18(low) mice infected with Pb18 survived with fewer granulomas, lower fungal burden, lower nitrate levels, and high IgG1 levels compared to WT mice. In addition, the in vitro macrophages from CD18(low) mice showed slower internalization of yeast cells and lower fungal burden, suggesting that beta 2 integrins play a crucial role in fungal survival within macrophages.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Luciano Lopes Queiroz, Christian Hoffmann, Gustavo Augusto Lacorte, Bernadette Dora Gombossy de Melo Franco, Svetoslav Dimitrov Todorov
Summary: Boza is a traditional fermented beverage rich in Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) that can produce bacteriocins. This study analyzed a sample of Boza from Belogratchik, Bulgaria, and identified three isolates that produce bacteriocins. The antimicrobial activity of these bacteriocins was observed against various bacteria, and they remained active in different pH conditions. This study highlights the importance of combining genomic analyses and traditional microbiological approaches to understand microbial interactions in fermented foods.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Daniela C. Tardon, Christian Hoffmann, Fernanda C. R. Santos, Nathalia Decaris, Filipe A. Pinheiro, Luciano L. Queiroz, David J. Hurley, Viviani Gomes
Summary: Parturition, the process of giving birth, is crucial for dairy cows and affects their microbial composition. This study found that the microbiota in different maternal niches of cows varied, aligning with their different functional roles. The research concluded that the microorganisms colonizing various mucosal tissues of cows are linked to systemic energy metabolism and impact the health of the mammary gland.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Danielle Galdino de Souza, Debora Silva Santos, Karina Smidt Simon, Jose Athayde Vasconcelos Morais, Luisa Coutinho Coelho, Thyago Jose Arruda Pacheco, Ricardo Bentes Azevedo, Anamelia Lorenzetti Bocca, Cesar Augusto Melo-Silva, Joao Paulo Figueiro Longo
Summary: Diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, can modulate inflammatory responses and cell membrane composition. This study found that the use of lipid nanoemulsion containing fish oil significantly reduced fibrotic progression and inflammation in an experimental model of pulmonary fibrosis.
Article
Immunology
Lucas de Oliveira Las-Casas, Clara Luna Freitas Marina, Raffael Junio Araujo de Castro, Luisa Coutinho Coelho, Sonia Nair Bao, G. Sybren de Hoog, Vania Aparecida Vicente, Larissa Fernandes, Anamelia Lorenzetti Bocca
Summary: This study demonstrated for the first time that different species of Fonsecaea produce extracellular vesicles (EVs) in response to nutritional conditions, and these EVs can modulate the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide by bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). The size, content, and morphology of the EVs were also affected by growth conditions.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Francesca Alessandrini, Renske de Jong, Maria Wimmer, Ann-Marie Maier, Isis Fernandez, Miriam Hils, Jeroen T. Buters, Tilo Biedermann, Ulrich M. Zissler, Christian Hoffmann, Julia Esser-von-Bieren, Carsten B. Schmidt-Weber, Caspar Ohnmacht
Summary: The study shows that the environmental sensor AhR and its downstream target CYP1B1 play an important role in preventing exacerbation of allergic airway inflammation by regulating the expression and signaling in lung epithelial cells. Differential expression and signaling of CYP1 family members via AhR in epithelial cells represent an immunoregulatory layer protecting the lung from exacerbation of allergic airway inflammation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Raffael Junio Araujo de Castro, Marco Tulio Aidar Mariano Rego, Fabiana S. Brandao, Ana Laura Alfonso Perez, Janice Lisboa De Marco, Marcio Jose Pocas-Fonseca, Connie Nichols, J. Andrew Alspaugh, Maria Sueli S. Felipe, Alexandre Alanio, Anamelia Lorenzetti Bocca, Larissa Fernandes
Summary: This research demonstrated that fluorescently tagged Cryptococcus neoformans mutants can be valuable tools for studying the pathogen, improving research efficiency. By studying the mutants, it was found that the engineered fluorescent strains not only exhibit a viable but nonculturable (VBNC) phenotype, but also unveil posttranscriptional mechanisms associated with dormant C. neoformans cells.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Luciano Lopes Queiroz, Gustavo Augusto Lacorte, William Ricardo Isidorio, Mariza Landgraf, Bernadette Dora Gombossy de Melo Franco, Uelinton Manoel Pinto, Christian Hoffmann
Summary: This study analyzed the viral and bacterial metagenomes of Canastra cheese and found a high abundance of naturally occurring phages. The diversity of phages varied greatly across different cheese producers, and specific phage-bacterium interactions may influence the fermentation dynamics and sensorial profile of the cheeses.
Article
Microbiology
Luisa Dan Favilla, Tatiana Sobianski Herman, Camila da Silva Goersch, Rosangela Vieira de Andrade, Maria Sueli Soares Felipe, Anamelia Lorenzetti Bocca, Larissa Fernandes
Summary: This study successfully generated a novel mutant of the dematiaceous fungal genus Fonsecaea by gene deletion and homologous recombination. The mutant showed differences in nutrient supply, viability, and growth compared to the wild-type and reconstituted strains. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the biology and pathogenicity of chromoblastomycosis causative agents.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Andreia Biolchi Mayer, Henrique de Oliveira Amaral, Danilo Gustavo R. de Oliveira, Gabriel Avohay Alves Campos, Priscilla Galante Ribeiro, Solange Cristina Rego Fernandes, Adolfo Carlos Barros de Souza, Raffael Hinio Araijo de Castro, Anamelia Lorenzetti Bocca, Marcia Renata Mortari
Summary: This study synthesized three bioinspired peptides based on fraternine and tested their effects in a Parkinson's disease model. The peptides fra-10 and fra-14 improved motor coordination, but most of the peptides were toxic at the applied doses. All three peptides reduced the intensity of lesion-induced rotations. The peptide fra-24 increased the number of TH+ neurons in the substantia nigra and reduced the concentration of the cytokine TNF-alpha, suggesting it has neuroprotective effects in Parkinson's disease.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Theo Ghelfenstein-Ferreira, Anastasia Saade, Alexandre Alanio, Stephane Bretagne, Raffael Araujo de Castro, Samia Hamane, Elie Azoulay, Swann Bredin, Sarah Delliere
Summary: Although invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is more commonly seen in immunocompromised hosts, patients with severe influenza and COVID-19 can also develop this condition. Proper diagnostic tools for invasive aspergillosis in severe COVID-19 patients need to be defined.
MEDICAL MYCOLOGY CASE REPORTS
(2021)