Immunogenicity of PE18, PE31, and PPE26 proteins from in humans and mice.

Introduction: The large family of PE and PPE proteins accounts for as much as 10% of the genome of . In this study, we explored the immunogenicity of three proteins from this family, PE18, PE31, and PPE26, in humans and mice.

Methods: The investigation involved analyzing the immunoreactivity of the selected proteins using sera from TB patients, IGRA-positive household contacts, and IGRA-negative BCG vaccinated healthy donors from the TB endemic country Mozambique.

Serological analysis reveals differential antibody responses between TB patients and latently infected individuals from the TB endemic country of Mozambique.

Serological antibody profiling of tuberculosis (TB) patients and household contacts with latent TB infection (LTBI) could identify risk indicators of disease progression, and potentially also serve as an easily accessible diagnostic tool to discriminate between these two stages of () infection. Yet, despite significant efforts over many decades, neither application has yet fully materialised, and this is at least in part due to inconsistent and varying antibody profiles from different TB endemic regions. In this study, we conducted a retrospective exploratory analysis of serum antibodies in a cohort of active TB patients (ATB) and their interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) positive household contacts (LTBI), as well as healthy controls (HC) from Mozambique, a country with a high TB burden from the Sub-Saharan region.

PE/PPE proteins enhance the production of reactive oxygen species and formation of neutrophil extracellular traps.

Introduction: Neutrophil granulocytes predominate in the lungs of patients infected with () in earlier stages of the disease. During infection, neutrophils release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), an antimicrobial mechanism by which a DNA-backbone spiked with antimicrobial components traps the mycobacteria. However, the specific mycobacterial factors driving NET formation remain unclear.

Role of phagocyte extracellular traps during infections and tuberculosis disease processes.

() infections remain one of the most significant causes of mortality worldwide. The current situation shows an emergence of new antibiotic-resistant strains making it difficult to control the tuberculosis (TB) disease. A large part of its success as a pathogen is due to its ability to persist for years or even decades without causing evident clinical manifestations.

Cellular and Molecular Alterations Underlying Abnormal Bone Growth in X-Linked Hypophosphatemia.

X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH), the most common form of hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets, is caused by inactivating mutations of the phosphate-regulating endopeptidase gene (PHEX). XLH is mainly characterized by short stature, bone deformities and rickets, while in hypophosphatemia, normal or low vitamin D levels and low renal phosphate reabsorption are the principal biochemical aspects. The cause of growth impairment in patients with XLH is not completely understood yet, thus making the study of the growth plate (GP) alterations necessary.

Innovative Three-Dimensional Microscopic Analysis of Uremic Growth Plate Discloses Alterations in the Process of Chondrocyte Hypertrophy: Effects of Growth Hormone Treatment.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) alters the morphology and function of the growth plate (GP) of long bones by disturbing chondrocyte maturation. GP chondrocytes were analyzed in growth-retarded young rats with CKD induced by adenine intake (AD), control rats fed ad libitum (C) or pair-fed with the AD group (PF), and CKD rats treated with growth hormone (ADGH). In order to study the alterations in the process of GP maturation, we applied a procedure recently described by our group to obtain high-quality three-dimensional images of whole chondrocytes that can be used to analyze quantitative parameters like cytoplasm density, cell volume, and shape.

A simple method based on confocal microscopy and thick sections recognizes seven subphases in growth plate chondrocytes.

This manuscript reports a novel procedure to imaging growth plate chondrocytes by using confocal microscopy. The method is based on fixed undecalcified bone samples, in-block staining with eosin, epoxy resin embedding and grinding to obtain thick sections. It is simple, inexpensive and provides three-dimensional images of entire chondrocytes inside their native lacunae.