Browsing by Author "Henriques, A"
Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- CD4 CD86 expression on experimental allergic murine modelPublication . Pereira, C; Paiva, A; Machado, D; Henriques, A; Abrantes, M; Laranjo, M; Tavares, B; Loureiro, G; Chieira, C; Botelho, F; Baganha, MF
- Functional characterization of peripheral blood dendritic cells and monocytes in systemic lupus erythematosusPublication . Henriques, A; Inês, L; Carvalheiro, T; Couto, M; Andrade, A; Pedreiro, S; Laranjeiro, P; Morgado, JM; Pais, ML; Pereira da Silva, JA; Paiva, AWith the purpose of contributing to a better knowledge of the APCs functional activity in SLE, we evaluated the distribution and functional ability to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-12) of peripheral blood (PB) monocytes and DC (tDC), particularly myeloid (mDC) and CD14(-/low)CD16(+) DC subpopulations comparing them with those obtained from healthy individuals. The study was performed in 34 SLE patients with diverse disease activity scores (SLEDAI) and 13 healthy age- and sex-matched controls (NC). Our results show an overall decrease in absolute number and relative frequency of tDC in SLE patients with active disease when compared to those with inactive disease and NC, although this decrease did not seem to have an effect on the distribution of PB DC subsets. The monocytes number in SLE patients was similar to those found in NC, whereas a higher frequency of monocytes producing cytokines as well as the amount of each cytokine per cell found without stimulation was particularly observed in those patients with active disease. After stimulation, we observed a higher frequency of IL-12-producing monocytes in active SLE patients. On the other hand, we found among DCs higher frequencies of cytokine-producing CD14(-/low)CD16(+) DCs and a higher amount of cytokines produced per cell, particularly in active disease. These findings support an increased production of inflammatory cytokines by APCs in active SLE, mostly associated with alterations in CD14(-/low)CD16(+) DC subset homeostasis that might contribute to explain the dynamic role of these cells in disease pathogenesis
- Molecular and cytogenetic characterization of expanded B-cell clones from multiclonal versus monoclonal B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders.Publication . Henriques, A; Rodriguez-Caballero, A; Criado, I; Langerak, AW; Nieto, WG; Lecrevisse, Q; Gonzáles, M; Cortesão, E; Paiva, A; Almeida, J; Orfão, AChronic antigen-stimulation has been recurrently involved in the earlier stages of monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and other B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders. Among these individuals, expansion of ≥2 B-cell clones has been frequently reported; potentially, such coexisting clones have a greater probability of interaction with common immunological determinants. Here, we comparatively analyzed the B-cell receptor repertoire and the molecular profile, as well as the phenotypic, cytogenetic and hematological features of 228 chronic lymphocytic leukemia-like and non-chronic lymphocytic leukemia-like clones between multiclonal (n=85 clones from 41 cases) versus monoclonal (n=143 clones) monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and other B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders. The B-cell receptor of B-cell clones from multiclonal cases showed a slightly higher degree of HCDR3 homology than B-cell clones from monoclonal cases, in association with unique hematological (e.g. lower B-lymphocyte counts) and cytogenetic (e.g. lower frequency of cytogenetically altered clones) features usually related to earlier stages of the disease. Moreover, a subgroup of coexisting B-cell clones from individual multiclonal cases which were found to be phylogenetically related, showed unique molecular and cytogenetic features: they more frequently shared IGHV3 gene usage, shorter HCDR3 sequences with a greater proportion of IGHV mutations and del(13q14.3), than other unrelated B-cell clones. These results would support the antigen-driven nature of such multiclonal B-cell expansions, with potential involvement of multiple antigens/epitopes.
- Th17 cells in systemic lupus erythematosus share functional features with Th17 cells from normal bone marrow and peripheral tissuesPublication . Henriques, A; Inês, L; Pais, ML; Pereira da Silva, JA; Paiva, AAThis study was designed to investigate the functional heterogeneity of human Th17 and how their plasticity shapes the nature of immune cell responses to inflammation and autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We evaluated functional Th17 cell subsets based on the profile of cytokine production in peripheral blood (PB), bone marrow aspirates (BM) and lymph node biopsies (LN) from healthy individuals (n = 35) and PB from SLE patients (n = 34). Data were analysed by an automated method for merging and calculation of flow cytometric data, allowing us to identify eight Th17 subpopulations. Normal BM presented lower frequencies of Th17 (p = 0.006 and p = 0.05) and lower amount of IL-17 per cell (p = 0.03 and p = 0.02), compared to normal PB and LN biopsies. In the latter tissues were found increased proportions of Th17 producing TNF-α or TNF-α/IL-2 or IFN-γ/TNF-α/IL-2, while in BM, Th17 producing other cytokines than IL-17 was clearly decreased. In SLE patients, the frequency of Th17 was higher than in control, but the levels of IL-17 per cell were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). Among the eight generated subpopulations, despite the great functional heterogeneity of Th17 in SLE, a significant low proportion of Th17 producing TNF-α was found in inactive SLE, while active SLE showed a high proportion producing only IL-17. Our findings support the idea that the functional heterogeneity of Th17 cells could depend on the cytokine microenvironment, which is distinct in normal BM as well as in active SLE, probably due to a Th1/Th2 imbalance previously reported by our group.