Publications by authors named "Patricia R de Souza"

A clear correlation exists between microbiota and the dysregulation of the immune response in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), which comprise Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). These unbalanced reactions also involve humoral responses, with antibodies against Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Thus, here we aimed to quantify IgA and IgG specific to S.

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Article Synopsis
  • Mutations in a gene called NOD2 make mice more likely to get a disease that causes inflammation in their intestines.
  • Mice missing the NOD2 gene had more immune cells and showed stronger inflammation when exposed to certain bacteria, even though they couldn't control it well.
  • The bacteria living in the mice’s guts also played a role, making inflammation worse when NOD2 was not working right, suggesting that both genes and gut bacteria affect how the body fights disease.
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The clinical benefits of short-term therapy with glucocorticoids (GC) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are widely known. However, the effects of this treatment towards the re-establishment of the regulatory network in IBD are not fully explored. We have evaluated the immunological effects of the abbreviated GC therapy in experimental colitis induced by 3% dextran sulphate sodium in C57BL/6 mice.

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The adrenal glands are able to modulate immune responses through neuroimmunoendocrine interactions and cortisol secretion that could suppress exacerbated inflammation such as in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, here we evaluated the role of these glands in experimental colitis induced by 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in C57BL/6 mice subjected to adrenalectomy, with or without glucocorticoid (GC) replacement. Mice succumbed to colitis without adrenals with a higher clinical score and augmented systemic levels of IL-6 and lower LPS.

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Objectives: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are expressed in several immune cells including blood monocytes and resident macrophages, such as microglia in the central nervous system. TLRs recognize pathogen- or damage-associated molecular patterns, leading to the release of inflammatory and toxic molecules, which can contribute to neuroinflammation associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). The aim of this study was to compare the potential of peripheral blood cells from PD patients or healthy subjects to produce cytokines after exposure to TLR agonists, and to investigate TLR2 and TLR4 expression on monocyte subsets.

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Current therapies for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are not totally effective, resulting in persistent and recurrent disease for many patients. Mosquito saliva contains immunomodulatory molecules and therein could represent a novel therapy for IBD. Here, we demonstrated the therapeutic activity of salivary gland extract (SGE) of Aedes aegypti on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis.

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Because of the potential protective role of leukotrienes (LTs) in histoplasmosis and the therapeutic and prophylactic effects of cell-free antigens from Histoplasmacapsulatum (CFAgs), the aim of this study was to develop and characterise biodegradable LTB(4)/CFAgs-loaded microspheres (MS) that could promote cellular activation for future immunisation purposes. LTB(4)/CFAgs-loaded MS that were developed through a double emulsion/extraction process were characterised according to their size, zeta potential, morphology, entrapment efficiency and in vitro release kinetics. We evaluated the uptake of LTB(4)/CFAgs-loaded MS by bone marrow derived-macrophages (BMDM).

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In the last decades, the incidence of histoplasmosis, a pulmonary fungal disease caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, has increased worldwide. In this context, vaccines for the prevention of this infection or therapies are necessary. Cell-free antigens (CFAgs) from H.

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