The effects of inflammation on connexin 43 in chronic Chagas disease cardiomyopathy.

Background: Cardiac arrhythmias are the main cause of sudden death due to Chronic Chagasic Cardiomyopathy (CCC). Here we investigated alterations in connexin 43 (Cx43) expression and phosphorylation in cardiomyocytes as well as associations with cardiac arrhythmias in CCC.

Methods: C57Bl/6 mice infected with underwent cardiac evaluations at 6 and 12 months after infection via treadmill testing and EKG.

Preclinical evaluation of single domain antibody efficacy in mitigating local tissue damage induced by Bothrops snake envenomation.

Camelid single-domain antibodies (VHH) represent a promising class of immunobiologicals for therapeutic applications due to their remarkable stability, specificity, and therapeutic potential. To enhance the effectiveness of antivenoms for snakebites, various methods have been explored to address limitations associated with serum therapy, particularly focusing on mitigating local damage and ensuring sustainable production. Our study aimed to characterize the pharmacological profile and neutralization capacity of anti-Phospholipase A (PLA) monomeric VHH (Genbank accessions: KC329718).

A polyvalent RNA vaccine reduces the immune imprinting phenotype in mice and induces neutralizing antibodies against omicron SARS-CoV-2.

Immune imprinting is now evident in COVID-19 vaccinated people. This phenomenon may impair the development of effective neutralizing antibodies against variants of concern (VoCs), mainly Omicron and its subvariants. Consequently, the boost doses with bivalent vaccines have not shown a significant gain of function regarding the neutralization of Omicron.

Tissue response and retention of micro- and nanosized liposomes in infarcted mice myocardium after ultrasound-guided transthoracic injection.

Different carrier systems have been investigated for myocardial delivery of biopharmaceuticals for heart disease. Here, we aimed to evaluate the heart retention and tissue response of liposomes intended for cardiac drug delivery. Liposomes were produced by the lipid thin film hydration method followed by sonication.

Immunomodulation for the Treatment of Chronic Chagas Disease Cardiomyopathy: A New Approach to an Old Enemy.

Chagas disease is a parasitic infection caused by the intracellular protozoan . Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) is the most severe manifestation of the disease, developed by approximately 20-40% of patients and characterized by occurrence of arrhythmias, heart failure and death. Despite having more than 100 years of discovery, Chagas disease remains without an effective treatment, especially for patients with CCC.

Betulinic Acid Derivative BA5, Attenuates Inflammation and Fibrosis in Experimental Chronic Chagas Disease Cardiomyopathy by Inducing IL-10 and M2 Polarization.

Chronic Chagas disease cardiomyopathy (CCC) is a major cause of heart disease in Latin America and treatment for this condition is unsatisfactory. Here we investigated the effects of BA5, an amide semi-synthetic derivative betulinic acid, in a model of CCC. Mice chronically infected with were treated orally with BA5 (10 or 1 mg/Kg), three times per week, for 2 months.