Norberto Sanjuan - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Norberto Sanjuan
European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Sep 18, 2019
OBJECTIVES: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) use is an essential strategy for many cardiovascular sur... more OBJECTIVES: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) use is an essential strategy for many cardiovascular surgeries. However, its use and duration have been associated with a higher rate of postoperative complications, such as low cardiac output syndrome due to myocardial oedema and dysfunction. Though Aquaporin water channels have been implicated in myocardial water balance, their specific role in this clinical scenario has not been established.
PubMed, May 1, 1987
Junin virus-induced encephalitis in suckling mouse is a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction, w... more Junin virus-induced encephalitis in suckling mouse is a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction, whose immunopathologic nature has been proven by suppressing the thymus-dependent response. Cyclophosphamide (CY) given at day +6 post-infection (p.i.) has been shown to modulate infection, presumably by TDTH lymphocyte inactivation. To determine critical timing and i.p. drug dose, brain histology and survival were studied in 3-day-old Balb/c mice, inoculated i.c. with Junin virus. Optimal protection was achieved with a non-toxic, 50 mg/kg CY dose at day 6 p.i. (+6): no brain tissue damage was detected in animals killed at day +12, when the necropsied controls exhibited widespread lesions. Other timings (day +3, +4, +5) proved less effective. As regards alternative dosage at day +6, 30 mg was useless, and severe leptomeningitis was evident, whereas 40 mg significantly lowered mortality, and lesions were much milder and less constant. It seems that the 50 mg/kg CY dose must be administered at a critical time p.i. to inactivate sensitized TDTH lymphocytes and to reduce mortality and CNS pathology significantly.
PubMed, Dec 1, 1987
Mammary adenocarcinomas induced by medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in female BALB/c mice were i... more Mammary adenocarcinomas induced by medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in female BALB/c mice were investigated as to their morphology and immunohistochemistry and their content of steroid, prolactin (PRL), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors. Histologically, these tumors were mainly of ductal origin, since hyperplastic alveolar nodules were observed only in 3 cases. No viral particles were encountered in electron microscopic studies. Estrogen and/or progesterone, PRL, and EGF receptors were detected in MPA-induced tumors, as well as in the occasional spontaneous mammary tumors of multiparous females. EGF was detected, by a radioimmunoassay, in the cystic fluid of 12 mammary adenocarcinomas. MPA treatment was found to induce uterine secretory changes, glandular cystic hyperplasia, and eventually deciduomas that stained strongly for desmin and to a lesser degree for vimentin, suggesting a muscular differentiation. Consequently, MPA-induced adenocarcinomas can be considered as ductal tumors that possess estrogen and/or progesterone, PRL, and EGF receptors. Whether MPA induces tumor growth directly via progesterone receptors remains to be investigated.
PubMed, 1998
Telomerase is an enzyme that stabilizes telomere length in transformed cells and tumors. Its role... more Telomerase is an enzyme that stabilizes telomere length in transformed cells and tumors. Its role in tumor development is far from clear. In this paper, a new experimental model to study telomerase activity during tumorigenesis is presented. After infection with Polyoma virus, AKR mice developed thymomas and mammary gland adenocarcinomas. Polyoma antigens were observed by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique on tissue sections, and by Western blot on tumor extracts. The TRAP assay was performed to detect telomerase activity. It was not present in normal mammary gland, but it was positive in mammary gland adenocarcinomas. A different pattern was seen in thymic tissues: normal thymus had higher telomerase activity than thymomas. The incubation of thymoma extracts with normal thymus extracts decreased telomerase activity in the latter. These results demonstrate two different patterns of telomerase activity in tumors induced by Polyoma virus, and suggest the presence of telomerase inhibitory factors in thymomas.
Fems Immunology and Medical Microbiology, May 1, 1996
Mammary infection was induced in lactating mice by intramammary injection of StuphyZococcus aureu... more Mammary infection was induced in lactating mice by intramammary injection of StuphyZococcus aureus. Histopathological analysis revealed infiltration and lesions of varying magnitude that were still apparent 21 days after the challenge. Concomitantly, viable S. uureus was recovered from infected mammary glands. Mice were immunized by the intramammary route with 5 X lo6 colony forming units of a temperature-sensitive mutant of S. aureus and subsequently received a boosting injection seven days later. On day 14 mice were challenged by the intramammary route with the wild-type strain. Intramammary immunization induced a significant increase in milk IgA (P < 0.05), serum IgG (P < 0.05) and serum IgA (P < 0.05) on the day of the challenge, when compared with non-immunized mice. Immunization decreased significantly (P < 0.01) the number of S. aureus colony forming units recovered 96 h after intramammary challenge. In conclusion, the feasibility of immunizing locally with temperature-sensitive S. aureus to induce immunity in the mouse mammary gland was demonstrated. The mouse model of mastitis is proposed as a useful system for screening temperature-sensitive S. aureus strains to be utilized in Ihe development of a vaccine.
Medicina, 2010
The family Polyomaviridae is composed of small, non-enveloped, double-stranded DNA viruses widely... more The family Polyomaviridae is composed of small, non-enveloped, double-stranded DNA viruses widely used to study cell transformation in vitro and tumor induction in vivo. The development of pilomatricomas in mice experimentally infected with polyomavirus led us to detect the viral major capsid protein VP-1 in human pilomatricomas. This tumor, even uncommon, is one of the most frequent benign hair follicle tumors in humans and is composed of proliferating matrix cells that undergo keratinization, and form cystic neoplasms. The detection of VP-1 was performed using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique in paraffin-embedded slides with a specific primary serum. Adjacent slides treated with normal rabbit serum as a primary were employed as internal control. Positive and negative controls were also employed as well as slides of lesions caused by human papillomavirus to rule out any unspecific cross-reactivity. In 4 out of 10 cases polyomavirus VP-1 was clearly detected in nuclei of huma...
European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 2019
OBJECTIVES Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) use is an essential strategy for many cardiovascular surg... more OBJECTIVES Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) use is an essential strategy for many cardiovascular surgeries. However, its use and duration have been associated with a higher rate of postoperative complications, such as low cardiac output syndrome due to myocardial oedema and dysfunction. Though Aquaporin water channels have been implicated in myocardial water balance, their specific role in this clinical scenario has not been established. METHODS In a consecutive study of 17 patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing aortic valve replacement surgery, 2 myocardial biopsies of the left ventricle were taken: 1 before and 1 after CPB use. Sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected. Western blot and immunohistochemistry studies were performed. RESULTS After CPB use, there was a mean increase of ∼62% in Aquaporin 1 protein levels (P = 0.001) and a mean reduction of ∼38% in Aquaporin 4 protein levels (P = 0.030). In immunohistochemistry assays, Aquaporin 1 was found lini...
International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology, 2005
Apoptosis of cytotoxic T lymphocytes by herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) has been reported to ... more Apoptosis of cytotoxic T lymphocytes by herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) has been reported to be a relevant mechanism of viral immune evasion. Galectin-1 (Gal-1), an endogenous lectin involved in T-cell apoptosis, has recently gained considerable attention as a novel mechanism of tumor-immune evasion. Here we investigated whether infection of cells with HSV-1 can modulate the expression of Gal-1. Results show that pro-apoptotic Gal-1, but not Gal-3, is remarkably up-regulated in cell cultures infected with HSV-1. In addition, this protein is secreted to the extracellular milieu, where it contributes to apoptosis of activated T cells in a carbohydrate-dependent manner. Since many viruses have evolved mechanisms to counteract the antiviral response raised by the infected host, our results suggest that HSV-1 may use galectin-1 as a weapon to kill activated T cells and evade specific immune responses.
Journal of Medical Virology, 1988
The adult mouse model had been considered resistant to Junin virus (JV) infection. However, we fo... more The adult mouse model had been considered resistant to Junin virus (JV) infection. However, we found that C3H/HeJ murine strain proved highly susceptible up to 5 months of age to intracerebral inoculation with the prototype XJ JV strain, showing neurological signs and 80-90% mortality within 13 days. Neutralizing antibodies (Nt Ab) were absent, but low immunofluorescent Ab levels (15) were detected as from day f 7. The virus could only be rescued by coculture of brain samples with Vero cells. Histopathological findings were consistent with the suckling mouse model and with a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction. XJ inoculation by extraneural routes failed to cause disease, however, it induced Nt Abs. Ic infection with XJCL3 strain of JV attenuated for man and guinea pig, but not for mouse, induced high Nt Ab levels but not mortality. In either case, mice resisted ic XT challenge. Thus, C3H/HeJ is the first adult mouse model susceptible to JV.
Cellular Microbiology, 2018
Leptospirosis is a global zoonosis caused by pathogenic Leptospira. Neutrophils are key cells aga... more Leptospirosis is a global zoonosis caused by pathogenic Leptospira. Neutrophils are key cells against bacterial pathogens but can also contribute to tissue damage. Since the information regarding the role of human neutrophils in leptospirosis is scant, we comparatively analyzed the human neutrophil's response to saprophytic Leptospira biflexa serovar Patoc (Patoc) and the pathogenic Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni (LIC). Both species triggered neutrophil responses involved in migration, including the up-regulation of CD11b expression, adhesion to collagen and the release of IL-8. In addition, both species increased levels of pro-inflammatory IL-1β and IL-6 associated with the inflammasome and NFκB pathway activation and delayed neutrophil apoptosis. LIC was observed on the neutrophil surface and not phagocytized. In contrast, Patoc generated intracellular ROS associated with its uptake. Neutrophils express the TYRO3, AXL and MER receptor protein tyrosine kinases (TAM), but only LIC, selectively increased the level of AXL. TLR2 but not TLR4-blocking antibodies, abrogated the IL-8 secretion triggered by both Leptospira species. In summary, we demonstrate that Leptospira species trigger a robust neutrophil activation and pro-inflammatory response. These findings may be useful to find new diagnostic markers and therapeutic strategies against leptospirosis.
Medicina, 2000
Both image analysis at light microscopy level and ultrastructural characterization by transmissio... more Both image analysis at light microscopy level and ultrastructural characterization by transmission electron microscopy were employed to evaluate the differentiation stage in young cultured mouse astrocytes after 1-day exposure to dBcAMP, a chemical compound known to induce cell activation. The aim was to validate an experimental model of stimulated astrocytes preserving the properties of recently seeded cells, thus avoiding the overlapping effects of in vitro aging. Differentiated astrocytes, as evidenced by GFAP labeling by streptavidin-peroxidase, doubled their number in treated cultures (45%) versus controls (23%). In addition, a significant increase in process-bearing astrocytes (elongated and remified forms) to the detriment of immature polygonal astrocytes, was recorded. No noticeable changes were found in cell perimeter, but cell area displayed a significant reduction in labeled surface of astrocytes undergoing morphological differentiation. Concomitantly, electron microscopy...
Brucella spp. are pathogenic bacteria that cause brucellosis, an animal disease which can also af... more Brucella spp. are pathogenic bacteria that cause brucellosis, an animal disease which can also affect humans. Although understanding the pathogenesis is important for the health of animals and humans, little is known about virulence factors associated with it. In order for chronic disease to be established, Brucella spp. have developed the ability to survive inside phagocytes by evading cell defenses. It hides inside vacuoles, where it then replicates, indicating that it has an active metabolism. The purpose of this work was to obtain better insight into the intracellular metabolism of Brucella abortus. During a B. abortus genomic sequencing project, a clone coding a putative gene homologous to hemH was identified and sequenced. The amino acid sequence revealed high homology to members of the ferrochelatase family. A knockout mutant displayed auxotrophy for hemin, defective intracellular survival inside J774 and HeLa cells, and lack of virulence in BALB/c mice. This phenotype was ov...
Revista científica ciencias de la salud
Cell death & disease, Oct 27, 2016
Neutrophils have the shortest lifespan among leukocytes and usually die via apoptosis, limiting t... more Neutrophils have the shortest lifespan among leukocytes and usually die via apoptosis, limiting their deleterious potential. However, this tightly regulated cell death program can be modulated by pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), danger-associated molecular pattern (DAMPs), and inflammatory cytokines. We have previously reported that low pH, a hallmark of inflammatory processes and solid tumors, moderately delays neutrophil apoptosis. Here we show that fever-range hyperthermia accelerates the rate of neutrophil apoptosis at neutral pH but markedly increases neutrophil survival induced by low pH. Interestingly, an opposite effect was observed in lymphocytes; hyperthermia plus low pH prevents lymphocyte activation and promotes the death of lymphocytes and lymphoid cell lines. Analysis of the mechanisms through which hyperthermia plus low pH increased neutrophil survival revealed that hyperthermia further decreases cytosolic pH induced by extracellular acidosis. The fact ...
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Basis of Disease, 2016
Staphylococcus aureus protein A enhances osteoclastogenesis via TNFR1 and EGFR signaling.
Cancer Research, 2001
We have developed an experimental model of mammary carcinogenesis in which the administration of ... more We have developed an experimental model of mammary carcinogenesis in which the administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) to female BALB/c mice induces progestin-dependent ductal metastatic mammary tumors with high levels of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR). Through selective transplants in untreated mice, we have obtained progestin-independent variants, still expressing high levels of ER and PR. Primary cultures of the MPA-induced carcinomas C4-HD and C7-HI were set up, and after 3-4 months, several different cell lines were obtained. Four of these, MC4-L1, MC4-L2, MC4-L3, and MC4-L5 were established from C4-HD and a fifth, MC7-L1, from C7-HI. All cells were of epithelial origin, as demonstrated by electron microscopy and by immunocytochemical identification of cytokeratin and cadherin. In vitro MC4-L1, MC4-L3, and MC4-L5 showed a typical epithelial morphology; when transplanted in vivo, they originated metastatic carcinomas with different degrees of differentiation. MC4-L2 and MC7-L1 deviated from the standard epithelial picture; they disclosed a spindle-shaped morphology in vitro and in vivo gave rise to a biphasic spindle cell/tubular carcinoma and an anaplastic carcinoma, respectively; both lines gave rise to metastases. This differential morphology correlated with a higher degree of aggressiveness, as compared with MC4-L1, MC4-L3, and MC4-L5. ERs and PRs were detected by binding, immunocytochemistry, and Western blot. In vitro, MC4-L2 and MC7-L1 were stimulated by MPA (nM to M) and 17-estradiol (nM and 10 nM); no significant stimulation was observed in MC4-L1, MC4-L3, and MC4-L5 under the same experimental conditions. In vivo, MPA significantly stimulated tumor growth in all epithelioid lines but not in MC4-L2 and MC7-L1. A progestin-dependent growth pattern was confirmed for MC4-L1, MC4-L3, and MC4-L5 in successive transplants, whereas MC4-L2 and MC7-L1 behaved as progestin independent. This is the first description of mouse mammary carcinoma cell lines expressing ER and PR. The different in vitro hormone responses as compared with in vivo and the differential effects of 17estradiol in the parental tumors and in cell lines render these lines useful tools for the in vitro and in vivo study of hormone regulation of tumor growth and metastases.
The aim of this study was to determine if tha association of non-steroid antiinflammatory drugs (... more The aim of this study was to determine if tha association of non-steroid antiinflammatory drugs (piroxicam and ibuprofen) with fluconazole, affects the antifungal activity of the azole compound, in an experimental model histoplasmosis in hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Sixty hamsters were intracardially inoculated with 4x10(6) yeasts of Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum. Treatments began one week after the challenge and continued for three weeks. The hamsters were divided in six groups of ten animals each and received the following treatment: 1- fluconazole 8 mg/kg/day; 2- ibuprofen 20 mg/kg/day; 3- piroxicam 20 mg/kg/day; 4- fluconazole+ibuprofen; 5- fluconazole+piroxicam and 6- only received the solvent of these drugs. One week after ending the treatment, all the animals were sacrified and the evaluation of the treatments was based on the results of blood cultures, on the determination of colony forming units per gram of spleen, and the histopathologic studies of the same organ. The animals treated with fluconazole plus ibuprofen or piroxicam showed more colony colony forming units per gram (3.9x10(7) and 3.3x10(7)) when compared with the animals treated with fluconazole alone (0.9x10(7)). The histopathologic results of the hamsters that received fluconazole showed well-organized granulomas with few yeast-like elements inside the macrophages. In contrast, those which received fluconazole associated with antiinflammatory drugs presented lax granulomas containing numerous yeast-like elements. These findings let us to conclude that non-steroids antiinflammatory drugs diminish the antifungal efficacy of fluconazole in this animal model.
Neurological Research, 2015
Post-operative meningitis, caused mainly by Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative rods, is a li... more Post-operative meningitis, caused mainly by Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative rods, is a life-threatening complication after neurosurgery, and its pathogenesis is far from clear. The purpose of this work was to study the experimental infection of human dura-mater fibroblasts and whole human dura by S. aureus. In vitro cultures of human dura-mater fibroblasts and organotypic cultures of small pieces of human dura mater were inoculated with a human-derived S. aureus strain. The pattern of bacterial infection as well as cytokines secretion by the infected fibroblasts was studied. Our results suggest that colonisation of human dura-mater fibroblasts in culture and whole dura-mater tissue by S. aureus includes bacterial growth on the cell surface, fibroblast intracellular invasion by bacteria and a significant synthesis of interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) by the infected cells. This is the first report of human dura-mater fibroblast infection by S. aureus. Hopefully, these results can lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of meningitis caused by this bacterial species and to a more rational therapeutic approach.
European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Sep 18, 2019
OBJECTIVES: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) use is an essential strategy for many cardiovascular sur... more OBJECTIVES: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) use is an essential strategy for many cardiovascular surgeries. However, its use and duration have been associated with a higher rate of postoperative complications, such as low cardiac output syndrome due to myocardial oedema and dysfunction. Though Aquaporin water channels have been implicated in myocardial water balance, their specific role in this clinical scenario has not been established.
PubMed, May 1, 1987
Junin virus-induced encephalitis in suckling mouse is a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction, w... more Junin virus-induced encephalitis in suckling mouse is a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction, whose immunopathologic nature has been proven by suppressing the thymus-dependent response. Cyclophosphamide (CY) given at day +6 post-infection (p.i.) has been shown to modulate infection, presumably by TDTH lymphocyte inactivation. To determine critical timing and i.p. drug dose, brain histology and survival were studied in 3-day-old Balb/c mice, inoculated i.c. with Junin virus. Optimal protection was achieved with a non-toxic, 50 mg/kg CY dose at day 6 p.i. (+6): no brain tissue damage was detected in animals killed at day +12, when the necropsied controls exhibited widespread lesions. Other timings (day +3, +4, +5) proved less effective. As regards alternative dosage at day +6, 30 mg was useless, and severe leptomeningitis was evident, whereas 40 mg significantly lowered mortality, and lesions were much milder and less constant. It seems that the 50 mg/kg CY dose must be administered at a critical time p.i. to inactivate sensitized TDTH lymphocytes and to reduce mortality and CNS pathology significantly.
PubMed, Dec 1, 1987
Mammary adenocarcinomas induced by medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in female BALB/c mice were i... more Mammary adenocarcinomas induced by medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in female BALB/c mice were investigated as to their morphology and immunohistochemistry and their content of steroid, prolactin (PRL), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors. Histologically, these tumors were mainly of ductal origin, since hyperplastic alveolar nodules were observed only in 3 cases. No viral particles were encountered in electron microscopic studies. Estrogen and/or progesterone, PRL, and EGF receptors were detected in MPA-induced tumors, as well as in the occasional spontaneous mammary tumors of multiparous females. EGF was detected, by a radioimmunoassay, in the cystic fluid of 12 mammary adenocarcinomas. MPA treatment was found to induce uterine secretory changes, glandular cystic hyperplasia, and eventually deciduomas that stained strongly for desmin and to a lesser degree for vimentin, suggesting a muscular differentiation. Consequently, MPA-induced adenocarcinomas can be considered as ductal tumors that possess estrogen and/or progesterone, PRL, and EGF receptors. Whether MPA induces tumor growth directly via progesterone receptors remains to be investigated.
PubMed, 1998
Telomerase is an enzyme that stabilizes telomere length in transformed cells and tumors. Its role... more Telomerase is an enzyme that stabilizes telomere length in transformed cells and tumors. Its role in tumor development is far from clear. In this paper, a new experimental model to study telomerase activity during tumorigenesis is presented. After infection with Polyoma virus, AKR mice developed thymomas and mammary gland adenocarcinomas. Polyoma antigens were observed by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique on tissue sections, and by Western blot on tumor extracts. The TRAP assay was performed to detect telomerase activity. It was not present in normal mammary gland, but it was positive in mammary gland adenocarcinomas. A different pattern was seen in thymic tissues: normal thymus had higher telomerase activity than thymomas. The incubation of thymoma extracts with normal thymus extracts decreased telomerase activity in the latter. These results demonstrate two different patterns of telomerase activity in tumors induced by Polyoma virus, and suggest the presence of telomerase inhibitory factors in thymomas.
Fems Immunology and Medical Microbiology, May 1, 1996
Mammary infection was induced in lactating mice by intramammary injection of StuphyZococcus aureu... more Mammary infection was induced in lactating mice by intramammary injection of StuphyZococcus aureus. Histopathological analysis revealed infiltration and lesions of varying magnitude that were still apparent 21 days after the challenge. Concomitantly, viable S. uureus was recovered from infected mammary glands. Mice were immunized by the intramammary route with 5 X lo6 colony forming units of a temperature-sensitive mutant of S. aureus and subsequently received a boosting injection seven days later. On day 14 mice were challenged by the intramammary route with the wild-type strain. Intramammary immunization induced a significant increase in milk IgA (P < 0.05), serum IgG (P < 0.05) and serum IgA (P < 0.05) on the day of the challenge, when compared with non-immunized mice. Immunization decreased significantly (P < 0.01) the number of S. aureus colony forming units recovered 96 h after intramammary challenge. In conclusion, the feasibility of immunizing locally with temperature-sensitive S. aureus to induce immunity in the mouse mammary gland was demonstrated. The mouse model of mastitis is proposed as a useful system for screening temperature-sensitive S. aureus strains to be utilized in Ihe development of a vaccine.
Medicina, 2010
The family Polyomaviridae is composed of small, non-enveloped, double-stranded DNA viruses widely... more The family Polyomaviridae is composed of small, non-enveloped, double-stranded DNA viruses widely used to study cell transformation in vitro and tumor induction in vivo. The development of pilomatricomas in mice experimentally infected with polyomavirus led us to detect the viral major capsid protein VP-1 in human pilomatricomas. This tumor, even uncommon, is one of the most frequent benign hair follicle tumors in humans and is composed of proliferating matrix cells that undergo keratinization, and form cystic neoplasms. The detection of VP-1 was performed using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique in paraffin-embedded slides with a specific primary serum. Adjacent slides treated with normal rabbit serum as a primary were employed as internal control. Positive and negative controls were also employed as well as slides of lesions caused by human papillomavirus to rule out any unspecific cross-reactivity. In 4 out of 10 cases polyomavirus VP-1 was clearly detected in nuclei of huma...
European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 2019
OBJECTIVES Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) use is an essential strategy for many cardiovascular surg... more OBJECTIVES Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) use is an essential strategy for many cardiovascular surgeries. However, its use and duration have been associated with a higher rate of postoperative complications, such as low cardiac output syndrome due to myocardial oedema and dysfunction. Though Aquaporin water channels have been implicated in myocardial water balance, their specific role in this clinical scenario has not been established. METHODS In a consecutive study of 17 patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing aortic valve replacement surgery, 2 myocardial biopsies of the left ventricle were taken: 1 before and 1 after CPB use. Sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected. Western blot and immunohistochemistry studies were performed. RESULTS After CPB use, there was a mean increase of ∼62% in Aquaporin 1 protein levels (P = 0.001) and a mean reduction of ∼38% in Aquaporin 4 protein levels (P = 0.030). In immunohistochemistry assays, Aquaporin 1 was found lini...
International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology, 2005
Apoptosis of cytotoxic T lymphocytes by herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) has been reported to ... more Apoptosis of cytotoxic T lymphocytes by herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) has been reported to be a relevant mechanism of viral immune evasion. Galectin-1 (Gal-1), an endogenous lectin involved in T-cell apoptosis, has recently gained considerable attention as a novel mechanism of tumor-immune evasion. Here we investigated whether infection of cells with HSV-1 can modulate the expression of Gal-1. Results show that pro-apoptotic Gal-1, but not Gal-3, is remarkably up-regulated in cell cultures infected with HSV-1. In addition, this protein is secreted to the extracellular milieu, where it contributes to apoptosis of activated T cells in a carbohydrate-dependent manner. Since many viruses have evolved mechanisms to counteract the antiviral response raised by the infected host, our results suggest that HSV-1 may use galectin-1 as a weapon to kill activated T cells and evade specific immune responses.
Journal of Medical Virology, 1988
The adult mouse model had been considered resistant to Junin virus (JV) infection. However, we fo... more The adult mouse model had been considered resistant to Junin virus (JV) infection. However, we found that C3H/HeJ murine strain proved highly susceptible up to 5 months of age to intracerebral inoculation with the prototype XJ JV strain, showing neurological signs and 80-90% mortality within 13 days. Neutralizing antibodies (Nt Ab) were absent, but low immunofluorescent Ab levels (15) were detected as from day f 7. The virus could only be rescued by coculture of brain samples with Vero cells. Histopathological findings were consistent with the suckling mouse model and with a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction. XJ inoculation by extraneural routes failed to cause disease, however, it induced Nt Abs. Ic infection with XJCL3 strain of JV attenuated for man and guinea pig, but not for mouse, induced high Nt Ab levels but not mortality. In either case, mice resisted ic XT challenge. Thus, C3H/HeJ is the first adult mouse model susceptible to JV.
Cellular Microbiology, 2018
Leptospirosis is a global zoonosis caused by pathogenic Leptospira. Neutrophils are key cells aga... more Leptospirosis is a global zoonosis caused by pathogenic Leptospira. Neutrophils are key cells against bacterial pathogens but can also contribute to tissue damage. Since the information regarding the role of human neutrophils in leptospirosis is scant, we comparatively analyzed the human neutrophil's response to saprophytic Leptospira biflexa serovar Patoc (Patoc) and the pathogenic Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni (LIC). Both species triggered neutrophil responses involved in migration, including the up-regulation of CD11b expression, adhesion to collagen and the release of IL-8. In addition, both species increased levels of pro-inflammatory IL-1β and IL-6 associated with the inflammasome and NFκB pathway activation and delayed neutrophil apoptosis. LIC was observed on the neutrophil surface and not phagocytized. In contrast, Patoc generated intracellular ROS associated with its uptake. Neutrophils express the TYRO3, AXL and MER receptor protein tyrosine kinases (TAM), but only LIC, selectively increased the level of AXL. TLR2 but not TLR4-blocking antibodies, abrogated the IL-8 secretion triggered by both Leptospira species. In summary, we demonstrate that Leptospira species trigger a robust neutrophil activation and pro-inflammatory response. These findings may be useful to find new diagnostic markers and therapeutic strategies against leptospirosis.
Medicina, 2000
Both image analysis at light microscopy level and ultrastructural characterization by transmissio... more Both image analysis at light microscopy level and ultrastructural characterization by transmission electron microscopy were employed to evaluate the differentiation stage in young cultured mouse astrocytes after 1-day exposure to dBcAMP, a chemical compound known to induce cell activation. The aim was to validate an experimental model of stimulated astrocytes preserving the properties of recently seeded cells, thus avoiding the overlapping effects of in vitro aging. Differentiated astrocytes, as evidenced by GFAP labeling by streptavidin-peroxidase, doubled their number in treated cultures (45%) versus controls (23%). In addition, a significant increase in process-bearing astrocytes (elongated and remified forms) to the detriment of immature polygonal astrocytes, was recorded. No noticeable changes were found in cell perimeter, but cell area displayed a significant reduction in labeled surface of astrocytes undergoing morphological differentiation. Concomitantly, electron microscopy...
Brucella spp. are pathogenic bacteria that cause brucellosis, an animal disease which can also af... more Brucella spp. are pathogenic bacteria that cause brucellosis, an animal disease which can also affect humans. Although understanding the pathogenesis is important for the health of animals and humans, little is known about virulence factors associated with it. In order for chronic disease to be established, Brucella spp. have developed the ability to survive inside phagocytes by evading cell defenses. It hides inside vacuoles, where it then replicates, indicating that it has an active metabolism. The purpose of this work was to obtain better insight into the intracellular metabolism of Brucella abortus. During a B. abortus genomic sequencing project, a clone coding a putative gene homologous to hemH was identified and sequenced. The amino acid sequence revealed high homology to members of the ferrochelatase family. A knockout mutant displayed auxotrophy for hemin, defective intracellular survival inside J774 and HeLa cells, and lack of virulence in BALB/c mice. This phenotype was ov...
Revista científica ciencias de la salud
Cell death & disease, Oct 27, 2016
Neutrophils have the shortest lifespan among leukocytes and usually die via apoptosis, limiting t... more Neutrophils have the shortest lifespan among leukocytes and usually die via apoptosis, limiting their deleterious potential. However, this tightly regulated cell death program can be modulated by pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), danger-associated molecular pattern (DAMPs), and inflammatory cytokines. We have previously reported that low pH, a hallmark of inflammatory processes and solid tumors, moderately delays neutrophil apoptosis. Here we show that fever-range hyperthermia accelerates the rate of neutrophil apoptosis at neutral pH but markedly increases neutrophil survival induced by low pH. Interestingly, an opposite effect was observed in lymphocytes; hyperthermia plus low pH prevents lymphocyte activation and promotes the death of lymphocytes and lymphoid cell lines. Analysis of the mechanisms through which hyperthermia plus low pH increased neutrophil survival revealed that hyperthermia further decreases cytosolic pH induced by extracellular acidosis. The fact ...
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Basis of Disease, 2016
Staphylococcus aureus protein A enhances osteoclastogenesis via TNFR1 and EGFR signaling.
Cancer Research, 2001
We have developed an experimental model of mammary carcinogenesis in which the administration of ... more We have developed an experimental model of mammary carcinogenesis in which the administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) to female BALB/c mice induces progestin-dependent ductal metastatic mammary tumors with high levels of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR). Through selective transplants in untreated mice, we have obtained progestin-independent variants, still expressing high levels of ER and PR. Primary cultures of the MPA-induced carcinomas C4-HD and C7-HI were set up, and after 3-4 months, several different cell lines were obtained. Four of these, MC4-L1, MC4-L2, MC4-L3, and MC4-L5 were established from C4-HD and a fifth, MC7-L1, from C7-HI. All cells were of epithelial origin, as demonstrated by electron microscopy and by immunocytochemical identification of cytokeratin and cadherin. In vitro MC4-L1, MC4-L3, and MC4-L5 showed a typical epithelial morphology; when transplanted in vivo, they originated metastatic carcinomas with different degrees of differentiation. MC4-L2 and MC7-L1 deviated from the standard epithelial picture; they disclosed a spindle-shaped morphology in vitro and in vivo gave rise to a biphasic spindle cell/tubular carcinoma and an anaplastic carcinoma, respectively; both lines gave rise to metastases. This differential morphology correlated with a higher degree of aggressiveness, as compared with MC4-L1, MC4-L3, and MC4-L5. ERs and PRs were detected by binding, immunocytochemistry, and Western blot. In vitro, MC4-L2 and MC7-L1 were stimulated by MPA (nM to M) and 17-estradiol (nM and 10 nM); no significant stimulation was observed in MC4-L1, MC4-L3, and MC4-L5 under the same experimental conditions. In vivo, MPA significantly stimulated tumor growth in all epithelioid lines but not in MC4-L2 and MC7-L1. A progestin-dependent growth pattern was confirmed for MC4-L1, MC4-L3, and MC4-L5 in successive transplants, whereas MC4-L2 and MC7-L1 behaved as progestin independent. This is the first description of mouse mammary carcinoma cell lines expressing ER and PR. The different in vitro hormone responses as compared with in vivo and the differential effects of 17estradiol in the parental tumors and in cell lines render these lines useful tools for the in vitro and in vivo study of hormone regulation of tumor growth and metastases.
The aim of this study was to determine if tha association of non-steroid antiinflammatory drugs (... more The aim of this study was to determine if tha association of non-steroid antiinflammatory drugs (piroxicam and ibuprofen) with fluconazole, affects the antifungal activity of the azole compound, in an experimental model histoplasmosis in hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Sixty hamsters were intracardially inoculated with 4x10(6) yeasts of Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum. Treatments began one week after the challenge and continued for three weeks. The hamsters were divided in six groups of ten animals each and received the following treatment: 1- fluconazole 8 mg/kg/day; 2- ibuprofen 20 mg/kg/day; 3- piroxicam 20 mg/kg/day; 4- fluconazole+ibuprofen; 5- fluconazole+piroxicam and 6- only received the solvent of these drugs. One week after ending the treatment, all the animals were sacrified and the evaluation of the treatments was based on the results of blood cultures, on the determination of colony forming units per gram of spleen, and the histopathologic studies of the same organ. The animals treated with fluconazole plus ibuprofen or piroxicam showed more colony colony forming units per gram (3.9x10(7) and 3.3x10(7)) when compared with the animals treated with fluconazole alone (0.9x10(7)). The histopathologic results of the hamsters that received fluconazole showed well-organized granulomas with few yeast-like elements inside the macrophages. In contrast, those which received fluconazole associated with antiinflammatory drugs presented lax granulomas containing numerous yeast-like elements. These findings let us to conclude that non-steroids antiinflammatory drugs diminish the antifungal efficacy of fluconazole in this animal model.
Neurological Research, 2015
Post-operative meningitis, caused mainly by Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative rods, is a li... more Post-operative meningitis, caused mainly by Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative rods, is a life-threatening complication after neurosurgery, and its pathogenesis is far from clear. The purpose of this work was to study the experimental infection of human dura-mater fibroblasts and whole human dura by S. aureus. In vitro cultures of human dura-mater fibroblasts and organotypic cultures of small pieces of human dura mater were inoculated with a human-derived S. aureus strain. The pattern of bacterial infection as well as cytokines secretion by the infected fibroblasts was studied. Our results suggest that colonisation of human dura-mater fibroblasts in culture and whole dura-mater tissue by S. aureus includes bacterial growth on the cell surface, fibroblast intracellular invasion by bacteria and a significant synthesis of interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) by the infected cells. This is the first report of human dura-mater fibroblast infection by S. aureus. Hopefully, these results can lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of meningitis caused by this bacterial species and to a more rational therapeutic approach.