Characterization of the immune response in human paracoccidioidomycosis.
OBJECTIVES
Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis that presents two main clinical forms: the adult form (AF) and the juvenile form (JF); and an asymptomatic form denominated PCM-infection (PI). These forms of PCM are related to the immune response developed after infection, which has been associated with Th1 and Th2 responses. However, some PCM characteristics cannot be explained by this balance. In this study we aimed to complement the characterization of the immune response in PCM, including the newly described T cells subpopulations (Th17, Th9 and Th22).


METHODS
We analyzed the expression of cytokines and transcription factors characteristics of these different subpopulations of CD4(+) T cells in PBMCs from PCM patients and a PI group.


RESULTS
The results showed that the PI group presented a predominant Th1 response; that JF patients were characterized by a mixed Th2/Th9 response; and AF patients were characterized by a predominant Th17/Th22 response, as well as substantial participation of Th1 cells.


CONCLUSIONS
These results contribute to the existing knowledge on the immune responses associated with resistance or susceptibility to the P. brasiliensis infection, and thus could lead to the development of new strategies for patient management.
['de Castro|Lívia Furquim|LF|', 'Ferreira|Maria Carolina|MC|', 'da Silva|Rosiane Maria|RM|', 'Blotta|Maria Heloisa de Souza Lima|MH|', 'Longhi|Larissa Nara Alegrini|LN|', 'Mamoni|Ronei Luciano|RL|']
D000704:Analysis of Variance D016022:Case-Control Studies D015331:Cohort Studies D016207:Cytokines D006801:Humans D010229:Paracoccidioidomycosis D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer D018417:Th1 Cells D058504:Th17 Cells D018418:Th2 Cells
Paracoccidioidomycosis Th1 Th2 Th17 Cytokines Adaptative immune response