ABSTRACT
Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging flavivirus rapidly spreading throughout the tropical Americas. Aedes mosquitoes is the principal way of transmission of the virus to humans. ZIKV can be spread by transplacental, perinatal, and body fluids. ZIKV infection is often asymptomatic and those with symptoms present minor illness after 3 to 12 days of incubation, characterized by a mild and self-limiting disease with low-grade fever, conjunctivitis, widespread pruritic maculopapular rash, arthralgia and myalgia. ZIKV has been linked to a number of central and peripheral nervous system injuries such as Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), transverse myelitis (TM), meningoencephalitis, ophthalmological manifestations, and other neurological complications. Nevertheless, mechanisms of host-pathogen neuro-immune interactions remain incompletely elucidated. This review provides a critical discussion about the possible mechanisms underlying the development of autoimmune neurological conditions associated with Zika virus infection.
ABSTRACT
Chemokines have been described as essential mediators in leukocytes migration to inflammatory sites and to secondary lymphoid organs. Mig and IP-10 are two CXC chemokines that recruit mononuclear cells in vivo and inhibit angiogenesis. In addition to their chemotactic roles, Mig and IP-10 have also an important role in the adaptative immune response. In this study, we asked whether a food-grade bacterium, Lactococcus lactis, is able to produce a fusion protein comprising Mig and IP-10 (Mig::IP-10). The activity of the recombinant Mig::IP-10 produced by the genetically engineered L. lactis (LL-Mig::IP-10) was confirmed in a murine spleen cells chemotaxis assay. Moreover, the adjuvant properties of LL-Mig::IP-10 strain were evaluated in mice by the co-expression of a model antigen, the human papillomavirus type 16 E7 protein. Our data show that LL-Mig::IP-10 can produce a genetic fusion of Mig::IP-10 biologically active. This recombinant strain represents a potential candidate for the development of new strategies for mucosal vaccination.
Subject(s)
Adjuvants, Immunologic , Chemokines, CXC/biosynthesis , Chemokines, CXC/pharmacology , Immunity, Mucosal/immunology , Lactococcus lactis/metabolism , Administration, Intranasal , Animals , Antibody Formation/immunology , Chemotaxis, Leukocyte/drug effects , DNA, Bacterial/genetics , Escherichia coli/genetics , Female , Immunoglobulin A/biosynthesis , Immunoglobulin G/biosynthesis , Lactococcus lactis/genetics , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Plasmids/genetics , Protein EngineeringABSTRACT
The antimicrobial effect of 5 naphthoquinones was tested against the phytopathogenic bacteria Erwinia carotovora. Disk diffusion tests and determination of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) indicate that the compound naphthazarin (NTZ) has the best antibacterial activity among the naphthoquinones tested. Studies on the mode of action indicate the effect of NTZ was bactericidal at 10 microg/mL. When cultivation was done in the presence of sodium ascorbate, the restoration of E. carotovora growth was observed with 3 microg/mL NTZ, but not when a 10 microg/mL dose was used. The incubation of NTZ with bacterial suspension of E. carotovora resulted in important changes in the absorption spectra of this naphthoquinone, indicating that a redox reaction takes place. These results may suggest that NTZ induces an increase of reactive oxygen species that are toxic to the cell. The compound NTZ was also effective in preventing E. carotovora growth on potato tubers, inhibiting the soft rot development at a concentration of 2 mg/mL.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Naphthoquinones/pharmacology , Pectobacterium carotovorum/drug effects , Plant Diseases/microbiology , Solanum tuberosum/microbiology , Microbial Sensitivity Tests/methodsABSTRACT
Presentamos una visión de cómo la concepción de la artritis psoriásica (APs) al unísono ha cambiado con el desarrollo de los conocimientos. Se consolidó tanto el carácter entesopático de la APs que en la estratificación sindromática de la enfermedad se obvia la seronegatividad. Se incrementa la clínica de la APs como es la causalidad del RS3PE en el 21 por ciento, la sacroilitis y la enfermedad intestinal inflamatoria en alto porcentaje (71 y 100 por ciento respectivamente) en psoriasis y APs no axial. Disponemos de medicamentos y tratamientos biológicos que mejoran la calidad de vida de nuestros pacientes, sensibilizándonos a emplearlos tempranamente como en AR