The Endogenous Retinoic Acid Receptor Pathway Is Exploited by Mycobacterium tuberculosis during Infection, Both In Vitro and In Vivo.

Retinoic acid (RA) is a fundamental vitamin A metabolite involved in regulating immune responses through the nuclear RA receptor (RAR) and retinoid X receptor. While performing experiments using THP-1 cells as a model for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, we observed that serum-supplemented cultures displayed high levels of baseline RAR activation in the presence of live, but not heat-killed, bacteria, suggesting that M. tuberculosis robustly induces the endogenous RAR pathway.

Recombinant Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Expressing SARS-CoV-2 Chimeric Protein Protects K18-hACE2 Mice against Viral Challenge.

COVID-19 has accounted for more than 6 million deaths worldwide. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), the existing tuberculosis vaccine, is known to induce heterologous effects over other infections due to trained immunity and has been proposed to be a potential strategy against SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this report, we constructed a recombinant BCG (rBCG) expressing domains of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid and spike proteins (termed rBCG-ChD6), recognized as major candidates for vaccine development.

Chitosan/genipin modified electrode for voltammetric determination of interleukin-6 as a biomarker of sepsis.

Ultrasensitive electroanalytical monitoring of interleukin-6 levels in serum samples has emerged as a valuable tool for the early diagnosis of inflammatory diseases. Despite its advantages, there is a lack of strategies for the label-free voltammetric determination of cytokines. Here, a novel chitosan/genipin modified fluorine tin oxide electrode was developed providing an in-situ hydrogel formation (FTO/CSG).

DNA-PKcs restricts spreading and is required for effective antiviral response.

(ZIKV) is a single-strand RNA mosquito-borne flavivirus with significant public health impact. ZIKV infection induces double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs) in human neural progenitor cells that may contribute to severe neuronal manifestations in newborns. The DNA-PK complex plays a critical role in repairing DSBs and in the innate immune response to infection.

An evolutionary recent IFN/IL-6/CEBP axis is linked to monocyte expansion and tuberculosis severity in humans.

Monocyte counts are increased during human tuberculosis (TB) but it has not been determined whether () directly regulates myeloid commitment. We demonstrated that exposure to directs primary human CD34 cells to differentiate into monocytes/macrophages. In vitro myeloid conversion did not require type I or type II IFN signaling.

Microbiota-derived acetate protects against respiratory syncytial virus infection through a GPR43-type 1 interferon response.

Severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in infants <2 years-old. Here we describe that high-fiber diet protects mice from RSV infection. This effect was dependent on intestinal microbiota and production of acetate.

Spatial distribution of intestinal parasitic infections in a Kaingáng indigenous village from Southern Brazil.

The spatial distribution of enteroparasitosis in an indigenous village from Paraná was evaluated to identify areas of risk for these infections. A cross-sectional study (from November 2010 to June 2011) was performed using Three Faecal Test(®) and Kato & Katz method and a questionnaire on housing and hygiene conditions was administered. Local geostatistical analyses were performed to determine the spatial distribution of intestinal parasitic infections.

Genotyping of Trypanosoma cruzi DTUs and Trypanosoma rangeli genetic groups in experimentally infected Rhodnius prolixus by PCR-RFLP.

The specific detection and genetic typing of trypanosomes that infect humans, mammalian reservoirs, and vectors is crucial for diagnosis and epidemiology. We utilized a PCR-RFLP assay that targeted subunit II of cytochrome oxidase and 24Sα-rDNA to simultaneously detect and discriminate six Trypanosoma cruzi discrete typing units (DTUs) and two genetic groups of Trypanosoma rangeli (KP1+/KP1-) in intestinal contents of experimentally infected Rhodnius prolixus. The PCR assays showed that in 23 of 29 (79.

Evolution of infection in mice inoculated by the oral route with different developmental forms of Trypanosoma cruzi I and II.

Oral infection has become the most important transmission mechanism of Chagas disease in Brazil. For this study, the development of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in mice, induced by the oral and intraperitoneal (IP) routes, was compared. Four groups of Swiss mice were used to evaluate the influence of parasite genetics, number of parasites, inoculation volume and developmental stages on the development of the orally induced infection: 1 - blood trypomastigotes (BT) via oral; 2 - BT via IP; 3 - culture metacyclic trypomastigotes (MT) via oral; and 4 - culture MT via IP.