[Molecular mimic between cardiovascular diseases and microorganism antigens]. / Mimetismo molecular entre enfermedades cardiovasculares y antígenos de microorganismos.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular diseases are the result of genetic and environmental interaction that conditions the integrity of the heart and blood vessels. Risk factors include infections. The inflammatory response against the infectious agent is a trigger of autoimmune cardiovascular diseases due to the similarity between the pathogen proteins and human antigens, since the immune response can present cross-reactivity caused by molecular mimicry. METHODS: We performed a search for pathogens involved in autoimmune heart diseases and autoantigens 9 associated with these diseases in the Pubmed and Google Scholar search engines. Identity between proteins was performed through global alignments using PSI-BLAST. The 3D structures of the proteins were obtained by Uniprot or NCBI and, if not found, the structure was modeled by homology using the Swiss Model server. Epitope prediction was performed through Ellipro and the Immunological Epitope Database (IEDB). In addition, the PYMOL program was used to visualize proteins in 3D and position the epitopes in the structure. RESULTS: A total of ten cardiovascular proteins showed identity (30-88,24%) in their amino acid sequences with antigens from 10 pathogens. Actin proteins and heat shock protein (HSP) families had higher levels of identity with Trypanosoma Cruzi, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Chlamydia trachomatis, 71,47%, 88,24%, and 80,61%, respectively. Other pathogens, such as Streptococcus pyogenes, Bacillus sp, Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense, Helicobacter pylori and Chlamydia pneumoniae, presented a moderate identity with a maximum value of 65,79%. CONCLUSION: Human actin and HSPs share a high degree of conservation with epitopes from various microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi and protozoa, suggesting molecular mimicry and cross-reactivity as a mechanism for the development of atherosclerosis, heart disease rheumatic disease, myocarditis and Chagas heart disease. In vitro and in vivo work is needed to demonstrate the results obtained in the In Silico analysis.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las enfermedades cardiovasculares son el resultado de la interacción genética y ambiental que condiciona la integridad del corazón y los vasos sanguíneos. Los factores de riesgo incluyen infecciones. La respuesta inflamatoria contra el agente infeccioso es un desencadenante de las enfermedades cardiovasculares autoinmunes, debido a la similitud entre las proteínas del patógeno y los antígenos humanos, pues la respuesta inmunitaria puede presentar reactividad cruzada causada por mimetismo molecular. MÉTODOS: Realizamos una búsqueda de patógenos involucrados en enfermedades cardíacas autoinmunes y de autoantígenos asociados a estas enfermedades en los buscadores Pubmed y Google Scholar. La identidad entre proteínas se realizó a través de alineamientos globales utilizando PSI-BLAST. Las estructuras 3D de las proteínas fue obtenida por Uniprot o NCBI y, si no se encontraban, las estructuras se modelaban por homología, utilizando el servidor Swiss Model. La predicción de los epítopes se realizó a través de Ellipro, y la Base de Datos de Epítopos Inmunológicos (IEDB). Además, se utilizó el programa PYMOL para la visualización de proteínas en 3D, y el posicionamiento de los epítopes en la estructura. RESULTADOS: Diez proteínas cardiovasculares mostraron una identidad (30-88,24%) en sus secuencias de aminoácidos con antígenos de diez patógenos. Las proteínas de actina y las familias de proteínas de choque térmico (HSP, por sus siglas en inglés), presentaron niveles de identidad más altos con Trypanosoma Cruzi, Cryptococcus neoformans y Chlamydia trachomatis, 71,47%, 88,24% y 80,61%, respectivamente. Otros patógenos, como Streptococcus pyogenes, Bacillus sp, Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense, Helicobacter pylori y Chlamydia pneumoniae, presentaron identidad moderada con un valor máximo del 65,79%. CONCLUSIÓN: La actina humana y las HSP comparten un alto grado de conservación con epítopos de varios microorganismos, como bacterias, hongos y protozoos; lo que sugiere la imitación molecular y la reactividad cruzada como mecanismos para el desarrollo de la aterosclerosis, la enfermedad cardíaca reumática, la miocarditis y la enfermedad cardíaca de Chagas. Se necesitan trabajos in vitro e in vivo, que demuestren los resultados obtenidos en el análisis In Silico.

[In Silico analysis of molecular mimic between Der p 23 against allergenic sources]. / Análisis in silico del mimetismo molecular entre Der p 23 contra fuentes alergénicas.

OBJECTIVE: To identify through In Silico analysis the possible molecular mimicry between Der p 23 and antigens from allergenic sources. METHODS: Identity was sought between Der p 23 and proteins from the mite families Pyroglyphidae, Acaridae, Chortoglyphidae and Echimyopodidae, through PSI-BLAST and They used PRALINE and EMBOSS for the alignments. Antigens with resolved experimental structure were obtained from Protein Data Bank and those not reported were generated using Swiss Model server and ALPHAFOLD 2. Epitope prediction was carried out with the Ellipro server and Pymol 2.3 was used to visualize the 3D models. RESULTS: The analysis between Pyroglyphidae allergens and Der p 23 showed identity with the endochitinase-like protein of D. pteronyssinus, and the type 2 chitin binding domain of D. farinae, with identities between 85 and 100%, with coverage of 100%, and 75% respectively. The allergens Der f 23 and Der p 23 of D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus had 100% coverage with identities of 85.42% and 79.59%, respectively. Among the allergens of Tyrophagus putrescentiae, binding to chitin, oviduct-specific glycoprotein and Cda4p were included, which had identity values corresponding to 40%, 42.22% and 34.78%, with coverage values that did not exceed the 55%. No results were found for Chortoglyphidae and Echimyopodidae. CONCLUSION: There is molecular mimicry and structural homology between Der P 23 and allergens from allergic sources of the Pyroglyphidae and Acaridae families. Potential epitopes were identified in Der p 23, which could present cross-reactivity with the proteins of the allergenic sources studied, which must be demonstrated in In vitro and In vivo studies. In vitro and in vivo work is needed to demonstrate the results obtained in the In Silico analysis.

OBJETIVO: Identificar, a través de análisis In Silico, el posible mimetismo molecular entre Der p 23 y antígenos de fuentes alergénicas. MÉTODOS: Se buscó identidad entre Der p 23 y proteínas de las familias de ácaros Pyroglyphidae, Acaridae, Chortoglyphidae y Echimyopodidae, a través de PSI-BLAST, y se utilizaron PRALINE y EMBOSS para los alineamientos. Los antígenos con estructura experimental resuelta se obtuvieron de Protein Data Bank, y aquellos no informados, se generaron mediante Swiss Model Server y ALPHAFOLD 2. La predicción de epítopes se realizó con el servidor Ellipro y para la visualización de los modelos en 3D, se utilizó Pymol 2.3. RESULTADOS: El análisis entre alérgenos de Pyroglyphidae y Der p 23, mostró identidad con la proteína parecida a endoquitinasa de D. pteronyssinus, y el dominio de unión a quitina tipo 2 de D. farinae, con identidades entre 85 y 100%, con coberturas de 100% y 75%, respectivamente. Los alérgenos Der f 23 y Der p 23 de D. farinae y D. pteronyssinu,s tuvieron una cobertura del 100% con identidades del 85,42% y 79,59%, respectivamente. Entre los alérgenos de Tyrophagus putrescentiae, se incluyeron la unión a quitina, glicoproteína específica del oviducto y Cda4p, las cuales tuvieron valores de identidad correspondientes al 40%, 42,22% y 34,78%, con valores de cobertura que no superan el 55%. No se encontraron resultados para Chortoglyphidae y Echimyopodidae. CONCLUSIÓN: Existe mimetismo molecular y homología estructural entre Der P 23 y alérgenos de fuentes alérgicas de las familias Pyroglyphidae y Acaridae. Se identificaron potenciales epítopes en Der p 23, los cuales podrían presentar reactividad cruzada con las proteínas de las fuentes alergénicas estudiadas, lo cual debe ser demostrado en estudios In Vitro e In Vivo. Se necesitan trabajos In Vitro e In Vivo que demuestren los resultados obtenidos en el análisis In Silico.

Potential contribution of Helicobacter pylori proteins in the pathogenesis of type 1 gastric neuroendocrine tumor and urticaria. In silico approach.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori has been linked to several diseases such as chronic urticaria, gastritis, and type 1 gastric neuroendocrine tumors (type 1 gNET). Although these diseases seem to have different mechanisms, their relationship with H. pylori suggests a common inflammatory pathway. OBJECTIVE: To identify potential cross-reactive antigens between H. pylori and humans involved in chronic urticaria and type 1 gNET. METHODS: Alignment was carried out among human proteins associated with urticaria (9 proteins), type 1 gNET (32 proteins), and H. pylori proteome. We performed pairwise alignment among the human and H. pylori antigens with PSI-BLAST. Modeling based on homology was done with the Swiss model server and epitope prediction with the Ellipro server. Epitopes were located on a 3D model using PYMOL software. RESULTS: The highest conserved sequence was found between the human HSP 60 antigen and the H. pylori chaperonin GroEL with an identity of 54% and a cover of 92%, followed by the alpha and gamma enolases and two H. pylori phosphopyruvate hydratase, both with an identity and cover of 48% and 96%, respectively. The H/K ATPase (Chain A) showed high identity with two H. pylori proteins (35.21% with both P-type ATPase), but with low cover (only 6%). We observed eight linear and three discontinuous epitopes for human HSP 60 and three lineal and one discontinuous epitope for both alpha-enolase and gamma enolase, high conserved with H. pylori sequences. CONCLUSION: Some type 1 gNET antigens shared potential cross-reactive epitopes with H. pylori proteins, suggesting that molecular mimicry could be a mechanism that explains the relationship between the infection and this disease. Studies evaluating the functional impact of this relationship are needed.

Crescimento populacional e análise isotópica de Diaphanosoma spinolosum e Ceriodaphnia cornuta (Crustacea: Cladocera), alimentadas com diferentes frações de seston natural / Population growth and stable isotope analyses of Diaphanosoma spinolosum and Ceriodaphnia cornuta (Crustacea: Cladocera) fed with different seston size fractions

Para definir o efeito do seston como fonte de alimento para Ceriodaphnia cornuta e Diaphanosoma spinolosum durante a enchente no lago Catalão (Amazônia Central) foram desenvolvidos experimentos "in situ", utilizando a variação natural de δ13C e δ15N como traçadores de alimento. As duas espécies tiveram acesso a três diferentes frações de seston (< 10, < 30 e < 60 µm) sendo mantidas em garrafas plásticas de 1,1 L submersas, durante nove dias. As atividades foram iniciadas com uma população de dez indivíduos em cada frasco, com três frascos por cada fração e quatro intervalos de tempo, para um total de 27 frascos por espécie. A cada três dias, foram coletados três frascos e os organismos foram fixados para contagem e observação de parâmetros populacionais. Os organismos nos últimos três frascos de cada fração foram fixados com formalina e usados para análise de isótopos estáveis de carbono e nitrogênio. As duas espécies cresceram em todas as frações de alimento, sendo melhor seu desempenho populacional na fração < 30 µm. D. spinolosum e C. cornuta apresentaram enriquecimento nos valores de δ13C e δ15N, sendo maior na fração < 10 µm. Estes resultados sugerem que as frações do seston testadas produzem diferentes taxas de crescimento populacional e assinaturas isotópicas nos cladóceros.

In order to define the effect of seston size fraction as a food source for Ceriodaphnia cornuta and Diaphanosoma spinolosum, in situ experiments using natural abundance of δ13C and δ15N were carried out during the rising water period in Catalão Lake. Both species were fed with three different fractions of seston from the lake (< 10, < 30 and < 60 µm) and maintained in submerged 1.1 L plastic bottles for nine days. Ten individuals were put in each flask, maintaining three flasks for each fraction, for a total of 27 flasks per species. Every three days we collected three flasks and fixed the individuals for subsequent counting and observation of demographic population parameters. The organisms in the last three flasks of each fraction were fixed for stable isotope analysis of δ13C and δ15N. Both species grew in all of the food fractions, with the best the performance coming in the < 30 µm fraction. D. spinolosum and C. cornuta showed enrichment in δ13C and δ15N, which was highest in the < 10 µm fraction for both species. These results show that the seston size fractions tested produce different population growth rates and isotopic signatures in cladocerans.

Crescimento populacional e análise isotópica de Diaphanosomaspinolosum e Ceriodaphnia cornuta ( Crustacea: Cladocera ), alimentadas com diferentes frações de seston natural / Population growth and stable isotope analyses of Diaphanosoma spinolosum and Ceriodaphnia cornuta ( Crustacea: Cladocera ) fed with different seston size fractions

Para definir o efeito do seston como fonte de alimento para Ceriodaphnia cornuta eDiaphanosoma spinolosum durante a enchente no lago Catalão (Amazônia Central) foramdesenvolvidos experimentos “in situ”, utilizando a variação natural de δ13C e δ15N comotraçadores de alimento. As duas espécies tiveram acesso a três diferentes frações de seston (< 10,< 30 e < 60 μm) sendo mantidas em garrafas plásticas de 1,1 L submersas, durante nove dias. Asatividades foram iniciadas com uma população de dez indivíduos em cada frasco, com três frascospor cada fração e quatro intervalos de tempo, para um total de 27 frascos por espécie. A cada trêsdias, foram coletados três frascos e os organismos foram fixados para contagem e observação deparâmetros populacionais. Os organismos nos últimos três frascos de cada fração foram fixadoscom formalina e usados para análise de isótopos estáveis de carbono e nitrogênio. As duasespécies cresceram em todas as frações de alimento, sendo melhor seu desempenho populacionalna fração < 30 μm. D. spinolosum e C. cornuta apresentaram enriquecimento nos valores de δ13C eδ15N, sendo maior na fração < 10 μm. Estes resultados sugerem que as frações do seston testadasproduzem diferentes taxas de crescimento populacional e assinaturas isotópicas nos cladóceros.

In order to define the effect of seston size fraction as a food source forCeriodaphnia cornuta and Diaphanosoma spinolosum, in situ experiments using natural abundance ofδ13C and δ15N were carried out during the rising water period in Catalão Lake. Both species werefed with three different fractions of seston from the lake (< 10, < 30 and < 60 μm) andmaintained in submerged 1.1 L plastic bottles for nine days. Ten individuals were put in eachflask, maintaining three flasks for each fraction, for a total of 27 flasks per species. Every threedays we collected three flasks and fixed the individuals for subsequent counting and observationof demographic population parameters. The organisms in the last three flasks of each fractionwere fixed for stable isotope analysis of δ13C and δ15N. Both species grew in all of the foodfractions, with the best the performance coming in the < 30 μm fraction. D. spinolosum andC. cornuta showed enrichment in δ13C and δ15N, which was highest in the < 10 μm fraction forboth species. These results show that the seston size fractions tested produce different populationgrowth rates and isotopic signatures in cladocerans.