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Gonçalves J, Melro M, Alenquer M, Araújo C, Castro-Neves J, Amaral-Silva D, Ferreira F, Ramalho JS, Charepe N, Serrano F, Pontinha C, Amorim MJ, Soares H. Balance between maternal antiviral response and placental transfer of protection in gestational SARS-CoV-2 infection. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e167140. [PMID: 37490342 PMCID: PMC10544212 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.167140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The intricate interplay between maternal immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and the transfer of protective factors to the fetus remains unclear. By analyzing mother-neonate dyads from second and third trimester SARS-CoV-2 infections, our study shows that neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) are infrequently detected in cord blood. We uncovered that this is due to impaired IgG-NAb placental transfer in symptomatic infection and to the predominance of maternal SARS-CoV-2 NAbs of the IgA and IgM isotypes, which are prevented from crossing the placenta. Crucially, the balance between maternal antiviral response and transplacental transfer of IgG-NAbs appears to hinge on IL-6 and IL-10 produced in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, asymptomatic maternal infection was associated with expansion of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and NK cell frequency. Our findings identify a protective role for IgA/IgM-NAbs in gestational SARS-CoV-2 infection and open the possibility that the maternal immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection might benefit the neonate in 2 ways, first by skewing maternal immune response toward immediate viral clearance, and second by endowing the neonate with protective mechanisms to curtail horizontal viral transmission in the critical postnatal period, via the priming of IgA/IgM-NAbs to be transferred by the breast milk and via NK cell expansion in the neonate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Gonçalves
- Human Immunobiology and Pathogenesis Laboratory, iNOVA4Health, Nova Medical School, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Nova University, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Magda Melro
- Human Immunobiology and Pathogenesis Laboratory, iNOVA4Health, Nova Medical School, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Nova University, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marta Alenquer
- Cell Biology of Viral Infection Lab, Gulbenkian Institute of Science, Oeiras, Portugal
- Católica Biomedical Research Centre, Católica Medical School, Portuguese Catholic University, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Catarina Araújo
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Júlia Castro-Neves
- Human Immunobiology and Pathogenesis Laboratory, iNOVA4Health, Nova Medical School, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Nova University, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Daniela Amaral-Silva
- Human Immunobiology and Pathogenesis Laboratory, iNOVA4Health, Nova Medical School, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Nova University, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Filipe Ferreira
- Cell Biology of Viral Infection Lab, Gulbenkian Institute of Science, Oeiras, Portugal
- Católica Biomedical Research Centre, Católica Medical School, Portuguese Catholic University, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Nádia Charepe
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal
- CHRC, Nova Medical School, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Nova University, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Fátima Serrano
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal
- CHRC, Nova Medical School, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Nova University, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carlos Pontinha
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria João Amorim
- Cell Biology of Viral Infection Lab, Gulbenkian Institute of Science, Oeiras, Portugal
- Católica Biomedical Research Centre, Católica Medical School, Portuguese Catholic University, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Helena Soares
- Human Immunobiology and Pathogenesis Laboratory, iNOVA4Health, Nova Medical School, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Nova University, Lisbon, Portugal
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Investigation on the Inhibitory Effect of Methotrexate on Rheumatoid Synovitis via the TLR4-NF- κB Pathway in a Rat Model. CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING 2022; 2022:3495966. [PMID: 36277597 PMCID: PMC9568366 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3495966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a rheumatoid immune system disease characterized by joint inflammation, resulting in synovial hyperplasia, articular cartilage damage or distortion, and extra-articular involvement. The morbidity is higher and the treatments are not effective in clinical, and also no unified to the pathogenesis of such diseases. The aim of this paper is to establish a rat model of rheumatoid synovitis and observe the inhibitory effect of methotrexate on this disease. A total of 100 SD rats are selected and randomly divided into 5 groups, with 20 rats in each group. The cold and damp factors of rheumatoid arthritis are induced by cold water and the arthritis score is used to verify the model. ELISA is used to measure the protein expression of Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4), Nuclear Factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and inflammation-related factors, and SPSS25.0 is used for statistical analysis. The results show that there is no significant difference in inflammatory scores among the four groups except the control group. However, after 3 months of intervention, the inflammatory scores in the methotrexate groups are significantly lower than those in the model group, and in the methotrexate group, the higher the dose, the lower the inflammatory scores. The experimental results show that the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB from high to low are in the order of model group > low dose > middle dose > high dose > control group, and the expression trend of inflammation-related factors is the same as mentioned above. These results indicate that methotrexate can repair rheumatoid synovitis by inhibiting the inflammatory signaling pathway TLR4-NF-κB.
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Moura RA, Fonseca JE. B Cells on the Stage of Inflammation in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Leading or Supporting Actors in Disease Pathogenesis? Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:851532. [PMID: 35449805 PMCID: PMC9017649 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.851532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a term that collectively refers to a group of chronic childhood arthritides, which together constitute the most common rheumatic condition in children. The International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) criteria define seven categories of JIA: oligoarticular, polyarticular rheumatoid factor (RF) negative (RF-), polyarticular RF positive (RF+), systemic, enthesitis-related arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and undifferentiated arthritis. The ILAR classification includes persistent and extended oligoarthritis as subcategories of oligoarticular JIA, but not as distinct categories. JIA is characterized by a chronic inflammatory process affecting the synovia that begins before the age of 16 and persists at least 6 weeks. If not treated, JIA can cause significant disability and loss of quality of life. Treatment of JIA is adjusted according to the severity of the disease as combinations of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), synthetic and/ or biological disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Although the disease etiology is unknown, disturbances in innate and adaptive immune responses have been implicated in JIA development. B cells may have important roles in JIA pathogenesis through autoantibody production, antigen presentation, cytokine release and/ or T cell activation. The study of B cells has not been extensively explored in JIA, but evidence from the literature suggests that B cells might have indeed a relevant role in JIA pathophysiology. The detection of autoantibodies such as antinuclear antibodies (ANA), RF and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) in JIA patients supports a breakdown in B cell tolerance. Furthermore, alterations in B cell subpopulations have been documented in peripheral blood and synovial fluid from JIA patients. In fact, altered B cell homeostasis, B cell differentiation and B cell hyperactivity have been described in JIA. Of note, B cell depletion therapy with rituximab has been shown to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment in children with JIA, which further supports B cell intervention in disease development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita A Moura
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Eurico Fonseca
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Rheumatology Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte (CHULN), Lisbon Academic Medical Centre, Lisbon, Portugal
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Gonçalves J, Juliano AM, Charepe N, Alenquer M, Athayde D, Ferreira F, Archer M, Amorim MJ, Serrano F, Soares H. Secretory IgA and T cells targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein are transferred to the breastmilk upon mRNA vaccination. Cell Rep Med 2021; 2:100468. [PMID: 34873588 PMCID: PMC8636305 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2021.100468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In view of the scarcity of data to guide decision making, we evaluated how BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 vaccines affect the immune response in lactating women and the protective profile of breastmilk. Compared with controls, lactating women had a higher frequency of circulating RBD memory B cells and higher anti-RBD antibody titers but similar neutralizing capacity. We show that upon vaccination, immune transfer to breastmilk occurs through a combination of anti-spike secretory IgA (SIgA) antibodies and spike-reactive T cells. Although we found that the concentration of anti-spike IgA in breastmilk might not be sufficient to directly neutralize SARS-CoV-2, our data suggest that cumulative transfer of IgA might provide the infant with effective neutralization capacity. Our findings put forward the possibility that breastmilk might convey both immediate (through anti-spike SIgA) and long-lived (via spike-reactive T cells) immune protection to the infant. Further studies are needed to address this possibility and to determine the functional profile of spike T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Gonçalves
- Human Immunobiology and Pathogenesis Group, CEDOC, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- iNOVA4Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - A. Margarida Juliano
- Human Immunobiology and Pathogenesis Group, CEDOC, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- iNOVA4Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nádia Charepe
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal
- CHRC, CEDOC, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marta Alenquer
- Cell Biology of Viral Infection Lab, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Diogo Athayde
- Membrane Protein Crystallography Laboratory, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, ITQB-NOVA, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Filipe Ferreira
- Cell Biology of Viral Infection Lab, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Margarida Archer
- Membrane Protein Crystallography Laboratory, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, ITQB-NOVA, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Maria João Amorim
- Cell Biology of Viral Infection Lab, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Fátima Serrano
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, Lisbon, Portugal
- CHRC, CEDOC, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Helena Soares
- Human Immunobiology and Pathogenesis Group, CEDOC, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- iNOVA4Health, Lisbon, Portugal
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de Alencar DM, Gonçalves J, Vieira A, Cerqueira SA, Sebastião C, Leitão MIPS, Francescato G, Antenori P, Soares H, Petronilho A. Development of Triazoles and Triazolium Salts Based on AZT and Their Anti-Viral Activity against HIV-1. Molecules 2021; 26:6720. [PMID: 34771129 PMCID: PMC8588071 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26216720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We report herein a set of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) derivatives based on triazoles and triazolium salts for HIV-1 infection. The compounds were synthesized via click chemistry with Cu(I) and Ru(II) catalysts. Triazolium salts were synthesized by reaction with methyl iodide or methyl triflate in good yields. The antiviral activity of the compounds was tested using two methodologies: In method one the activity was measured on infected cells; in method two a pre-exposure prophylaxis experimental model was employed. For method one the activity of the compounds was moderate, and in general the triazolium salts showed a decreased activity in relation to their triazole precursors. With method two the antiviral activity was higher. All compounds were able to decrease the infection, with two compounds able to clear almost all the infection, while a lower antiviral activity was noted for the triazolium salts. These results suggest that these drugs could play an important role in the development of pre-exposure prophylaxis therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Machado de Alencar
- ITQB-NOVA—Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avd da Republica, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal; (D.M.d.A.); (A.V.); (M.I.P.S.L.); (G.F.); (P.A.)
| | - Juliana Gonçalves
- Human Immunobiology and Pathogenesis Laboratory, Chronic Diseases Research Center, NOVA Medical School, NOVA University of Lisbon, 1150-082 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.G.); (S.A.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Andreia Vieira
- ITQB-NOVA—Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avd da Republica, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal; (D.M.d.A.); (A.V.); (M.I.P.S.L.); (G.F.); (P.A.)
| | - Sofia A. Cerqueira
- Human Immunobiology and Pathogenesis Laboratory, Chronic Diseases Research Center, NOVA Medical School, NOVA University of Lisbon, 1150-082 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.G.); (S.A.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Cruz Sebastião
- Human Immunobiology and Pathogenesis Laboratory, Chronic Diseases Research Center, NOVA Medical School, NOVA University of Lisbon, 1150-082 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.G.); (S.A.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Maria Inês P. S. Leitão
- ITQB-NOVA—Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avd da Republica, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal; (D.M.d.A.); (A.V.); (M.I.P.S.L.); (G.F.); (P.A.)
| | - Giulia Francescato
- ITQB-NOVA—Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avd da Republica, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal; (D.M.d.A.); (A.V.); (M.I.P.S.L.); (G.F.); (P.A.)
| | - Paola Antenori
- ITQB-NOVA—Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avd da Republica, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal; (D.M.d.A.); (A.V.); (M.I.P.S.L.); (G.F.); (P.A.)
| | - Helena Soares
- Human Immunobiology and Pathogenesis Laboratory, Chronic Diseases Research Center, NOVA Medical School, NOVA University of Lisbon, 1150-082 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.G.); (S.A.C.); (C.S.)
| | - Ana Petronilho
- ITQB-NOVA—Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avd da Republica, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal; (D.M.d.A.); (A.V.); (M.I.P.S.L.); (G.F.); (P.A.)
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