title: Characterization of the immune response in human paracoccidioidomycosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lívia Furquim
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: de Castro
authors.forename: Maria Carolina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Rosiane Maria
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Maria Heloisa de Souza Lima
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Blotta
authors.forename: Larissa Nara Alegrini
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Longhi
authors.forename: Ronei Luciano
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Mamoni
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D010229:Paracoccidioidomycosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines
keywords: Adaptative immune response; Cytokines; Paracoccidioidomycosis; Th1; Th17; Th2