title: Current research on the immune response to experimental sporotrichosis.
abstract: Sporotrichosis is often manifested as a chronic granulomatous infection and the monocytes/macrophages play a central role in the host defense system. Surface components of Sporothrix schenckii have been characterized and suggestions have been made as to their possible role in pathogenicity. Ergosterol peroxide, cell-wall compounds (alkali-insoluble fraction-F1 and lipid extract-LEY), and exoantigen from the yeast form of the fungus have been characterized as virulence factors, activating both innate, by cytotoxins linked to the activation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (H2O2 and NO), and adaptive immune response to produce cytokines Th1 and Th2 profile. In this study, preliminary results have demonstrated that, in systemic sporotrichosis, TLR-4 triggers the innate immune response, activating an oxidative burst. These data represent the first report of the participation of TLR-4 in murine sporotrichosis, in the presence of lipids from the cell wall of S. schenckii. These results taken together may open new perspectives of study leading to an antifungal agent that could be used to benefit the entire population.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Araraquara, Rua Expedicionários do Brasil 1621, Universidade Paulista-UNESP, Júlio Mesquita Filho, Araraquara, SP, Brazil. carlosiz@fcfar.unesp.br
authors.forename: Iracilda Zeppone
authors.initials: IZ
authors.lastname: Carlos
authors.forename: Micheli Fernanda
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Sassá
authors.forename: Diana Bridon
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: da Graça Sgarbi
authors.forename: Marisa Campos Polesi
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Placeres
authors.forename: Danielle Cardoso Geraldo
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Maia
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000276:immunology; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D016897:Respiratory Burst / Q000276:immunology; D013175:Sporothrix / Q000276:immunology*; D013174:Sporotrichosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: C493487:Tlr4 protein, mouse; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide