Navegando por Autor "Neves, Leandro Xavier"

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Combined proteomic and functional analysis reveals rich sources of protein diversity in skin mucus and venom from the Scorpaena plumieri fish.
(2018) Borges, Marcia Helena; Andrich, Filipe; Lemos, Pedro Henrique; Soares, Thiago G.; Menezes, Thiago Nunes de; Campos, Fabiana Vasconcelos; Neves, Leandro Xavier; Borges, William de Castro; Figueiredo, Suely Gomes de
The biological activities observed upon envenomation by Scorpaena plumieri could be linked to both the venom and the skin mucus. Through a proteomic/functional approach we analyzed protein composition and biological activities of the venom and skin mucus. We identified 885 proteins: 722 in the Venomous Apparatus extracts (SpVAe) and 391 in the Skin Mucus extract (Sp-SMe), with 494 found exclusively in Sp-VAe, being named S. plumieri Venom Proteins (Sp-VP), while 228 were found in both extracts. The majority of the many proteins identified were not directly related to the biological activities reported here. Nevertheless, some were classified as toxins/ potentially interesting molecules: lectins, proteases and protease inhibitors were detected in both extracts, while the pore-forming toxin and hyaluronidase were associated with Sp-VP. Proteolytic and anti-microbial activities were linked to both extracts, while the main toxic activities – cardiovascular, inflammatory, hemolytic and nociceptive – were elicited only by Sp-VAe. Our study provided a clear picture on the composition of the skin mucus and the venom. We also show that the classic effects observed upon envenomation are produced by molecules from the venomous gland. Our results add to the growing catalogue of scorpaeniform fish venoms and their skin mucus proteins. Significance: In this study a large number of proteins – including classical and non-classical toxins – were identified in the venomous apparatus and the skin mucus extracts of the Scorpaena plumieri fish through shotgun proteomic approach. It was shown that the toxic effects observed upon envenomation are elicited by molecules originated from the venomous gland. These results add to the growing catalogue of scorpaeniform fish venoms and their skin mucus proteins – so scarcely explored when compared to the venoms and bioactive components of terrestrial animals. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD009983
Cromatografia de afinidade pelo ácido ε-aminocapróico para purificação e depleção de anticorpos em condições otimizadas para preservação estrutural e funcional.
(2014) Neves, Leandro Xavier; Borges, William de Castro; Andrade, Milton Hércules Guerra de; Borges, William de Castro; Fonseca, Cristina Toscano; Castro, Ieso de Miranda
Imunoglobulinas ou anticorpos são glicoproteínas produzidas pelas células B. Estas moléculas podem ser encontradas ancoradas na membrana plasmática da célula produtora ou em fluidos corporais, como sangue e líquido ascítico, na sua forma secretada. Sua estrutura tridimensional revela uma organização básica correspondente à associação das cadeias polipeptídicas leve e pesada. A capacidade de reconhecimento molecular altamente específico faz dessas moléculas poderosas ferramentas nas ciências biomédicas, sendo úteis nas pesquisas científicas, métodos de diagnóstico e imunoterapias. Anticorpos são obtidos a partir de soro de animais ou culturas celulares após rigorosas etapas de purificação, que se destinam à remoção de contaminantes comuns como vírus, pirogênios e proteínas abundantes. Particularmente, o isolamento de anticorpos utilizando cromatografia de afinidade permite sua purificação e depleção em amostras de plasma, precedendo as análises proteômicas. Embora vários procedimentos para purificação/depleção de anticorpos estejam atualmente disponíveis, algumas limitações como especificidade restrita à determinadas classes e espécies e alto custo, justificam o desenvolvimento de métodos alternativos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi a síntese de matrizes cromatográficas, utilizando ácido ε-aminocapróico (AEAC), para purificação e depleção de anticorpos. Quatro, das cinco, matrizes obtidas exibiram especificidade por anticorpos plasmáticos humanos e IgY da gema do ovo de Gallus gallus. O emprego de condições cromatográficas brandas, especialmente eluição em pH fisiológico e baixa força iônica, permitiu a recuperação de anticorpos funcionais, como revelado por Western blotting. O perfil eletroforético bidimensional, seguido da análise por espectrometria de massas, revelou uma heterogeneidade de isoformas e a purificação dos isotipos humanos IgG1,2,3,4, IgA1, IgD, IgM e IgY de Gallus gallus, com alto grau de pureza. Além disso, a imobilização do ácido ε-aminocapróico em micropartículas magnéticas constitui uma estratégia bem sucedida de depleção plasmática de anticorpos, a partir de pequenos volumes. Por último, a avaliação do desempenho das matrizes sintetizadas revelou a melhor capacidade de retenção da matriz pré-ativada NHS-AEAC (30 mg de anticorpo/g). Concluímos que o acoplamento do ácido ε-aminocapróico em suportes cromatográficos constitui uma alternativa para a purificação e depleção de anticorpos plasmáticos e IgY, revelando-se como uma nova ferramenta de interesse biotecnológico.
Differential expression of proteins in genetically distinct Trypanosoma cruzi samples (TcI and TcII DTUs) isolated from chronic Chagas disease cardiac patients.
(2018) Oliveira, Maykon Tavares de; Rúbio, Karina Taciana Santos; Neves, Leandro Xavier; Toledo, Max Jean de Ornelas; Borges, William de Castro; Lana, Marta de
Background Trypanosoma cruzi, a hemoflagellate protozoan parasite and the etiological agent of Chagas disease (CD), exhibits great genetic and biological diversity. Infected individuals may present clinical manifestations with different levels of severity. Several hypotheses have been proposed to attempt to correlate the diversity of clinical signs and symptoms to the genetic variability of T. cruzi. This work aimed to investigate the differential expression of proteins from two distinct genetic groups of T. cruzi (discrete typing units TcI and TcII), isolated from chronically infected individuals displaying the cardiac form of CD. For this purpose, epimastigote forms of the two isolates were cultured in vitro and the cells recovered for protein extraction. Comparative two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoreses were performed and differentially expressed spots selected for identification by mass spectrometry, followed by database searching and protein categorization. Results The 2D electrophoretic profiles revealed the complex composition of the T. cruzi extracted proteome. Protein spots were distributed along the entire pH and molecular mass ranges attesting for the integrity of the protein preparations. In total, 46 differentially expressed proteins were identified present in 40 distinct spots found in the comparative gel analyses. Of these, 16 displayed upregulation in the gel from TcI-typed parasites and 24 appeared overexpressed in the gel from TcII-typed parasites. Functional characterization of differentially expressed proteins revealed major alterations associated with stress response, lipid and amino acid metabolism in parasites of the TcII isolate, whilst those proteins upregulated in the TcI sample were primarily linked to central metabolic pathways. Conclusions The comparative 2D-gel electrophoresis allowed detection of major differences in protein expression between two T. cruzi isolates, belonging to the TcI and TcII genotypes. Our findings suggest that patients displaying the cardiac form of the disease harbor parasites capable of exhibiting distinct proteomic profiles. This should be of relevance to disease prognosis and treatment.
Dissection of schistosome tissues under LC–MS compatible preservative conditions for quantitative proteomics.
(2023) Neves, Leandro Xavier; Wilson, R. Alan; Brownridge, Philip; Holman, Stephen W.; Harman, Victoria Margaret Elizabeth; Eyers, Claire E.; Beynon, Robert J.; Borges, William de Castro
Schistosomes are blood flukes with specialised tissues and organs, each one playing a pivotal role in perpetuating the parasite life cycle. Herein, we describe a detailed methodology for preserving the proteome of adult Schistosoma mansoni worms during manual dissection for enrichment of tissues associated with the parasite's alimentary tract. We provide step-by-step directions for specimen storage and dissection while in preservative solution, tissue homogenisation, protein extraction and digestion using a methodology fully compatible with downstream quantitative liquid chromatography– mass spectrometry analysis. Our methodology uses label-free and QconCAT-based absolute quantification for detection of S. mansoni oesophageal gland products proposed as vaccine candidates. Through stabilisation of the proteome and minimising sample degradation during dissection our approach has allowed us to access the hidden proteome of target tissues not readily available from total lysates because of their small volume. This protocol can be replicated or adapted to other Schistosoma species lacking quantitative proteomics characterisation of specialised tissues for discovery of proteins with potential diagnostic and therapeutic utility.
Epitope mapping of exposed tegument and alimentary tract proteins identifies putative antigenic targets of the attenuated schistosome vaccine.
(2020) Farias, Leonardo Paiva; Vance, Gillian M.; Coulson, Patricia S.; Souza, Juliana Vitoriano de; Silva Neto, Almiro Pires da; Wangwiwatsin, Arporn; Neves, Leandro Xavier; Borges, William de Castro; McNicholas, Stuart; Wilson, Keith Sanderson; Leite, Luciana Cezar de Cerqueira; Wilson, R. Alan
The radiation-attenuated cercarial vaccine remains the gold standard for the induction of protective immunity against Schistosoma mansoni. Furthermore, the protection can be passively transferred to naïve recipient mice from multiply vaccinated donors, especially IFNgR KO mice. We have used such sera versus day 28 infection serum, to screen peptide arrays and identify likely epitopes that mediate the protection. The arrays encompassed 55 secreted or exposed proteins from the alimentary tract and tegument, the principal interfaces with the host bloodstream. The proteins were printed onto glass slides as overlapping 15mer peptides, reacted with primary and secondary antibodies, and reactive regions detected using an Agilent array scanner. Pep Slide Analyzer software provided a numerical value above background for each peptide from which an aggregate score could be derived for a putative epitope. The reactive regions of 26 proteins were mapped onto crystal structures using the CCP4 molecular graphics, to aid selection of peptides with the greatest accessibility and reactivity, prioritizing vaccine over infection serum. A further eight MEG proteins were mapped to regions conserved between family members. The result is a list of priority peptides from 44 proteins for further investigation in multiepitope vaccine constructs and as targets of monoclonal antibodies.
Exposure of cultured fibroblasts to the peptide PR-11 for the identification of induced proteome alterations and discovery of novel potential ligands.
(2016) Breguez, Gustavo Silveira; Neves, Leandro Xavier; Rúbio, Karina Taciana Santos; Freitas, Lorran Miranda Andrade de; Faria, Gabriela de Oliveira; Isoldi, Mauro César; Borges, William de Castro; Andrade, Milton Hércules Guerra de
The PR-11 peptide corresponds to the N-terminal and active region of the endogenously synthesized PR-39 molecule, of porcine origin. It is known to possess various biological effects including antimicrobial properties, angiogenic and anti-inflammatory activities. Apart from its reported activity as a proteasome inhibitor, a more comprehensive understanding of its function, at the molecular level, is still lacking. In this study, we used a label-free shotgun strategy to evaluate the proteomic alterations caused by exposure of cultured fibroblasts to the peptide PR-11. This approach revealed that more than half of the identified moleculeswere related to signalling, transcription and translation. Proteins directly associated to regulation of angiogenesis and interaction with the hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α (HIF-1α) were significantly altered. In addition, at least three differentially expressed molecules of the NF-κB pathway were detected, suggesting an anti-inflammatory property of PR-11. At last, we demonstrated novel potential ligands of PR-11, through its immobilization for affinity chromatography. Among the elutedmolecules, gC1qR, a known complement receptor, appearedmarkedly enriched. This provided preliminary evidence of a PR-11 ligand possibly involved in the internalization of this peptide. Altogether, our findings contributed to a better understanding of the cellular pathways affected by PR-39 derived molecules.
Microexon gene transcriptional profiles and evolution provide insights into blood processing by the Schistosoma japonicum esophagus.
(2018) Li, Xiao Hong; DeMarco, Ricardo; Neves, Leandro Xavier; James, Sally R.; Newling, Katherine; Ashton, Peter D.; Cao, Jian Ping; Wilson, R. Alan; Borges, William de Castro
Adult schistosomes have a well-developed alimentary tract comprising an oral sucker around the mouth, a short esophagus and a blind ending gut. The esophagus is not simply a muscular tube for conducting blood from the mouth to gut but is divided into compartments, surrounded by anterior and posterior glands, where processing of ingested blood is initiated. Self-cure of rhesus macaques from a Schistosoma japonicum infection appears to operate by blocking the secretory functions of these glands so that the worms cease feeding and slowly starve to death. Here we use subtractive RNASeq to characterise the genes encoding the principal secretory products of S. japonicum esophageal glands, preparatory to evaluating their relevance as targets of the self-cure process.
Proteômica quantitativa baseada em espectrometria de massas para estudo do trato alimentar de Schistosoma mansoni com ênfase na glândula esofagiana e suas secreções.
(2018) Neves, Leandro Xavier; Borges, William de Castro; Wilson, R. Alan; Borges, William de Castro; Palmisano, Giuseppe; Castro, Ieso de Miranda; Cota, Renata Guerra de Sá; Marco, Ricardo de
A esquistossomose é uma doença tropical negligenciada que afeta mais de 240 milhões de pessoas em 78 países. Apesar dos esforços para erradicação da doença, fatores como baixa cobertura dos programas de tratamento quimioterápico, métodos diagnóstico pouco sensíveis e reinfecções em regiões endêmicas, constituem desafios para o controle da transmissão. O desenvolvimento de vacinas contra schistosomas constitui uma ferramenta alternativa de combate à doença, porém, a identificação de antígenos protetores tem sido um grande desafio. Neste sentido, destaca-se o modelo de auto cura da infecção em macaco Rhesus (Macaca mulatta), no qual observa-se eliminação de parasitos após uma resposta humoral direcionada às interfaces do parasito, como tegumento e secreções da glândula esofagiana. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo geral a caracterização proteômica em larga escala de produtos da glândula esofagiana e demais secreções do trato alimentar de S. mansoni para proposição de novos alvos vacinais. Uma abordagem quantitativa avaliou a presença de proteínas de interface em homogenato solúvel de vermes adultos, revelando uma baixa representatividade de moléculas de interesse nessa fração. A partir disso, um método de enriquecimento tecidual foi utilizado para a análise detalhada do esôfago de vermes machos adultos. As análises shotgun quantitativas apontaram 628 grupos de proteínas enriquecidos na região esofagiana, incluindo Microexon genes (MEG), hidrolases, glicosil transferases e proteínas para transporte vesicular. Ademais, essa abordagem permitiu a detecção de proteoformas de MEGs geradas por substituição e/ou deleção de resíduos de aminoácidos. Nove proteínas expressas na glândula esofagiana foram selecionadas para quantificação absoluta por QconCAT. A MEG-12 apresentou a maior concentração entre os alvos quantificados. A estimativa do número de cópias por célula das proteínas secretadas sugere que tais moléculas constituem alvos abundantes neste subproteoma. Por último, a caracterização proteômica do sobrenadante de cultura de S. mansoni resultou na detecção de um repertório expandido de proteínas do trato alimentar, incluindo MEGs esofagianas, reforçando a eventual exposição das secreções nessa interface parasito-hospedeiro. Em conjunto, as abordagens proteômicas de caracterização da região esofagiana e trato alimentar de S. mansoni resultaram na identificação de moléculas com potencial aplicação biotecnológica no desenvolvimento de vacinas, bem como alvos terapêuticos.
Quantitative proteomics of enriched esophageal and gut tissues from the human blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni pinpoints secreted proteins for vaccine development.
(2020) Neves, Leandro Xavier; Wilson, R. Alan; Brownridge, Philip; Harman, Victoria Margaret Elizabeth; Holman, Stephen W.; Beynon, Robert J.; Eyers, Claire E.; DeMarco, Ricardo; Borges, William de Castro
Schistosomes are blood-dwelling helminth parasites that cause schistosomiasis, a debilitating disease resulting in inflammation and, in extreme cases, multiple organ damage. Major challenges to control the transmission persist, and the discovery of protective antigens remains of critical importance for vaccine development. Rhesus macaques can selfcure following schistosome infection, generating antibodies that target proteins from the tegument, gut, and esophagus, the last of which is the least investigated. We developed a dissection technique that permitted increased sensitivity in a comparative proteomics profiling of schistosome esophagus and gut. Proteome analysis of the male schistosome esophagus identified 13 proteins encoded by microexon genes (MEGs), 11 of which were uniquely located in the esophageal glands. Based on this and transcriptome information, a QconCAT was designed for the absolute quantification of selected targets. MEGs 12, 4.2, and 4.1 and venom allergen-like protein 7 were the most abundant, spanning over 245 million to 6 million copies per cell, while aspartyl protease, palmitoyl thioesterase, and galactosyl transferase were present at <1 million copies. Antigenic variation by alternative splicing of MEG proteins was confirmed together with a specialized machinery for protein glycosylation/secretion in the esophagus. Moreover, some gastrodermal secretions were highly enriched in the gut, while others were more uniformly distributed throughout the parasite, potentially indicating lysosomal activity. Collectively, our findings provide a more rational, better-oriented selection of schistosome vaccine candidates in the context of a proven model of protective immunity.
Shotgun proteomics to unravel the complexity of the leishmania infantum exoproteome and the relative abundance of its constituents.
(2014) Braga, Micheline Soares; Neves, Leandro Xavier; Campos, Jonatan Marques; Roatt, Bruno Mendes; Soares, Rodrigo Dian de Oliveira Aguiar; Braga, Samuel Leôncio; Resende, Daniela de Melo; Reis, Alexandre Barbosa; Borges, William de Castro
The exoproteome of some Leishmania species has revealed important insights into host–parasite inter-action, paving the way for the proposal of novel disease-oriented interventions. The focus of the presentinvestigation constituted the molecular profile of the L. infantum exoproteome revealed by a shotgunproteomic approach. Promastigotes under logarithmic phase of growth were obtained and harvestedby centrifugation at different time points. Cell integrity was evaluated through the counting of viableparasites using propidium iodide labeling, followed by flow cytometry analysis. The 6 h culture super-natant, operationally defined here as exoproteome, was then conditioned to in solution digestion andthe resulting peptides submitted to mass spectrometry. A total of 102 proteins were identified and cat-egorized according to their cellular function. Their relative abundance index (emPAI) allowed inferencethat the L. infantum exoproteome is a complex mixture dominated by molecules particularly involved innucleotide metabolism and antioxidant activity. Bioinformatic analyses support that approximately 60%of the identified proteins are secreted, of which, 85% possibly reach the extracellular milieu by means ofnon-classic pathways. At last, sera from naturally infected animals, carriers of differing clinical forms ofCanine Visceral Leishmaniasis (CVL), were used to test the immunogenicity associated to the L. infantumexoproteome. Western blotting experiments revealed that this sub-proteome was useful at discrimi-nating symptomatic animals from those exhibiting other clinical forms of the disease. Collectively, themolecular characterization of the L. infantum exoproteome and the preliminary immunoproteomic assaysopened up new research avenues related to treatment, prognosis and diagnosis of CVL.
The golden mussel proteome and its response to niclosamide : uncovering rational targets for control or elimination.
(2020) Sanson, Ananda Lima; Cosenza Contreras, Miguel de Jesus; Marco, Ricardo De; Neves, Leandro Xavier; Mattei, Bruno; Silva, Gustavo Gonçalves; Magalhães, Paulo Henrique Vieira; Andrade, Milton Hércules Guerra de; Borges, William de Castro
The Asian invasive species Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker, 1857), known as the golden mussel, causes great economic and environmental damage due to its fixative capacity and accelerated proliferation. Molecular studies for the control of larval and adult forms are of great economic, scientific and technological interest. Here, we first report on the compositional analysis of the L. fortunei proteome obtained through shotgun analysis using LC-MS/ MS. Among those 2790 proteins identified, many of them related to secretory processes and membrane receptors. Our second approach consisted in exposing the mollusc to the molluscicide niclosamide to evaluate the induced proteomic alterations. Exposure to niclosamide at 0.25 mg/L for 24 h resulted in a pronounced differential abundance of proteins when compared to those obtained when exposure was reduced to 4 h at 2.3 mg/ L. In total, 342 proteins were found differentially expressed in the responsive individuals as revealed by labelfree quantitative proteomics. Regarding the affected cell processes were: cell division and differentiation, cytoskeletal organization and compartment acidification (upregulated), and energy metabolism (downregulated). Our findings constitute the first inventory of the expressed proteome of the golden mussel and have the potential to contribute with a more rational proposition of molecular targets for control and monitoring of this species. Significance: With the recent availability of transcriptomic and genomic data applied to L. fortunei the timing is right to interrogate its putative gene repertoire using proteomic techniques. These have the potential to validate the existence of the predicted genes, infer their relative abundance and quantify their levels as a response to environmental stressors or various agents. Here we provided an inventory of the golden mussel proteome and evaluated its response to the molluscicide niclosamide. The obtained results open new avenues for intervention aimed at its control or elimination, particularly by targeting the various cellular processes that were uncovered.
The schistosome eesophageal gland : initiator of blood processing.
(2013) Li, Xiao Hong; Borges, William de Castro; Manuel, Sophie J. Parker; Vance, Gillian M.; DeMarco, Ricardo; Neves, Leandro Xavier; Evans, Garet J. O.; Wilson, R. Alan
Background: Although the ultrastructure of the schistosome esophageal gland was described .35 years ago, its role in the processing of ingested blood has never been established. The current study was prompted by our identification of MEG-4.1 expression in the gland and the observation of erythrocyte uncoating in the posterior esophagus. Methodology/Principal Findings: The salient feature of the posterior esophagus, characterized by confocal and electron microscopy, is the enormous increase in membrane surface area provided by the plate-like extensions and basal invaginations of the lining syncytium, with unique crystalloid vesicles releasing their contents between the plates. The feeding process was shown by video microscopy to be divided into two phases, blood first accumulating in the anterior lumen before passing as a bolus to the posterior. There it streamed around a plug of material revealed by confocal microscopy as tethered leucocytes. These were present in far larger numbers than predicted from the volume of the lumen, and in varying states of damage and destruction. Intact erythrocytes were detected in the anterior esophagus but not observed thereafter, implying that their lysis occurred rapidly as they enter the posterior. Two further genes, MEGs 4.2 and 14, were shown to be expressed exclusively in the esophageal gland. Bioinformatics predicted that MEGs 4.1 and 4.2 possessed a common hydrophobic region with a shared motif, while antibodies to SjMEG-4.1 showed it was bound to leucocytes in the esophageal lumen. It was also predicted that MEGs 4.1 and 14 were heavily O-glycosylated and this was confirmed for the former by 2D-electrophoresis and Western blotting. Conclusions/Significance: The esophageal gland and its products play a central role in the processing of ingested blood. The binding of host antibodies in the esophageal lumen shows that some constituents are antibody targets and could provide a new source of vaccine candidates.
Understanding global changes of the liver proteome during murine schistosomiasis using a label-free shotgun approach.
(2016) Campos, Jonatan Marques; Neves, Leandro Xavier; Paiva, Nívia Carolina Nogueira de; Castro, Renata Alves de Oliveira e; Casé, Ana Helena; Carneiro, Cláudia Martins; Andrade, Milton Hércules Guerra de; Borges, William de Castro
Schistosomiasis is an endemic disease affecting over 207million people worldwide caused by helminth parasites of the genus Schistosoma. In Brazil the disease is responsible for the loss of up to 800 lives annually, resulting from the desabilitating effects of this chronic condition. In this study, we infected Balb/c mice with Schistosoma mansoni and analysed global changes in the proteomic profile of soluble liver proteins. Our shotgun analyses revealed predominance of up-regulation of proteins at 5weeks of infection, coincidingwith the onset of egg laying, and a remarkable down-regulation of liver constituents at 7 weeks, when severe tissue damage is installed. Representatives of glycolytic enzymes and stress response (in particular at the endoplasmic reticulum)were among the most differentially expressed molecules found in the infected liver. Collectively, our data contribute over 70 molecules not previously reported to be found at altered levels in murine schistosomiasis to further exploration of their potential as biomarkers of the disease.Moreover, understanding their intricate interaction using bioinformatics approach can potentially bring clarity to unknownmechanisms linked to the establishment of this condition in the vertebrate host. Significance: To our knowledge, this study refers to the first shotgun proteomic analysis to provide an inventory of the global changes in the liver soluble proteome caused by Schistosomamansoni in the Balb/cmodel. It also innovates by yielding data on quantification of the identified molecules as a manner to clarify and give insights into the underlying mechanisms for establishment of Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease with historical prevalence in Brazil.
What’s in SWAP? Abundance of the principal constituents in a soluble extract of Schistosoma mansoni revealed by shotgun proteomics.
(2015) Neves, Leandro Xavier; Sanson, Ananda Lima; Wilson, R. Alan; Borges, William de Castro
Background: The soluble antigen preparation of adult schistosomes (SWAP) has often been used to probe host responses against these blood-dwelling parasites. Despite its long established use there is limited knowledge about its composition. The information we provide here on the molecular composition of SWAP may contribute as a guide for a rational selection of antigenic targets. Methods: Label-free quantitative shotgun proteomics was employed to determine the composition and abundance of SWAP constituents. Briefly, paired adult Schistosoma mansoni worms were sonicated in PBS pH 7.2 and ultracentrifuged for recovery of the soluble supernatant. An aliquot was subjected to trypsin digestion. Resulting peptides were separated under ultra-high performance liquid chromatography and analysed using an orbitrap mass spectrometer. Spectral data were interrogated using SequestHT against an in-house S. mansoni database. Proteins were quantified by recording the mean area under curve obtained for up to three most intense detected peptides. Proteins within the 90th percentile of the total SWAP mass were categorized according to their sub-cellular/tissue location. Results: In this work we expanded significantly the list of known SWAP constituents. Through application of stringent criteria, a total of 633 proteins were quantitatively identified. Only 18 proteins account to 50 % of the total SWAP mass as revealed by their cumulative abundance. Among them, none is predicted as a secreted molecule reinforcing the point that SWAP is dominated by cytosolic and cytoskeletal proteins. In contrast, only 3 % of the mass comprised proteins proposed to function at the host-parasite interfaces (tegument and gut), which could conceivably represent vulnerable targets of a protective immune response. Paradoxically, at least 11 SWAP proteins, comprising ~25 % of its mass, have been tested as vaccine candidates. Conclusions: Our data suggest that use of SWAP to probe host responses has greatest value for diagnostic purposes or assessing intensity of infection. However, the preparation is of limited utility as an antigen source for investigating host responses to proteins expressed at or secreted from worm-host interfaces. The data also pose the question as to why vaccination with SWAP, containing so many proposed vaccine candidates, has no additive or even synergistic effects on the induction of protection.
Whey protein improves HDL/non-HDL ratio and body weight gain in rats subjected to the resistance exercise.
(2012) Teixeira, Kely Raspante; Silva, Marcelo Eustáquio; Neves, Leandro Xavier; Santos, Rinaldo Cardoso dos; Pedrosa, Maria Lúcia; Haraguchi, Fabiano Kenji
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of resistance exercise, such as weight-lifting (WL) on the biochemical parameters of lipid metabolism and cardiovascular disease risk in the rats fed casein (control) or whey protein (WP) diets. Thirty-two male Fisher rats were randomly assigned to sedentary or exercise-trained groups and were fed control or WP diets. The WL program consisted of inducing the animals to perform the sets of jumps with weights attached to the chest. After seven weeks, arteriovenous blood samples were collected for analysis. The WL or WP ingestion were able to improve the lipid profile, reducing the TC and non-HDL cholesterol concentrations, but only WP treatment significantly increased the serum HDL concentrations, thereby also affecting the TC/HDL and HDL/non-HDL ratios. However, WL plus WP was more effective in improving the HDL/non-HDL ratio than the exercise or WP ingestion alone and the body weight gain than exercise without WP ingestion.
Whey protein modifies gene expression related to protein metabolism affecting muscle weight in resistance-exercised rats.
(2014) Haraguchi, Fabiano Kenji; Magalhães, Cíntia Lopes de Brito; Neves, Leandro Xavier; Santos, Rinaldo Cardoso dos; Pedrosa, Maria Lúcia; Silva, Marcelo Eustáquio
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of resistance exercise on the mRNA expression of muscle mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), muscle-specific RING finger-1 (MuRF-1), and muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx) in the presence or absence of whey protein ingestion. We hypothesized that resistance exercise in combination with whey protein ingestion alters the gene expression of proteins related to muscle protein synthesis (mTOR) and/or degradation (MuRF-1 and MAFbx), thus affecting muscle weight gain in rats. Methods: Thirty-two male Fischer rats were randomly assigned to the following four experimental groups (n ¼ 8/group): Control sedentary, control exercised, whey protein sedentary, and whey protein exercised. Exercise consisted of inducing the animals to perform sets of jumps for 8 wk. Body weight gain, muscle weights, food intake, and feeding efficiency were evaluated. Gene expressions were analyzed by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Statistical evaluation was performed using a two-way analysis of variance with a Tukey post hoc test. Results: Whey protein exercised rats exhibited higher body and muscle weight gain compared with control-exercised rats (P ¼ 0.032). The expression of mTOR was reduced by exercise but increased when whey protein was consumed as a dietary protein (P ¼ 0.005). MuRF-1 expression was reduced by exercise (P < 0.001), whereas MAFbx was reduced only by whey protein ingestion (P ¼ 0.008) independent of exercise. Conclusions: A reduction in MAFbx gene transcription induced by whey protein and the interaction between exercise and whey protein ingestion on mTOR gene expression contributed significantly to differences in body and muscle weight gain.
Whey protein precludes lipid and protein oxidation and improves body weight gain in resistance-exercised rats.
(2011) Haraguchi, Fabiano Kenji; Silva, Marcelo Eustáquio; Neves, Leandro Xavier; Santos, Rinaldo Cardoso dos; Pedrosa, Maria Lúcia
Background Resistance exercise such as weight-lifting (WL) increases oxidation products in plasma, but less is known regarding the effect of WL on oxidative damage to tissues. Dietary compounds are known to improve antioxidant defences. Whey protein (WP) is a source of protein in a variety of sport supplements and can enhance physical performance. Aim To evaluate the effect of WL on biomarkers of lipid and protein oxidation, on liver antioxidants and on muscle growth in the absence or presence of WP in rats. Methods Thirty-two male Fisher rats were randomly assigned to sedentary or exercise-trained groups and were fed with control or WP diets. The WL programme consisted of inducing the animals to perform sets of jumps with weights attached to the chest. After 8 weeks, arteriovenous blood samples, abdominal fat, liver and gastrocnemius muscle were collected for analysis. Results WP precludes WL-mediated increases in muscle protein carbonyl content and maintains low levels of TBARS in exercised and sedentary animals. WL reduced liver CAT activity, whereas WP increased hepatic glutathione content. In addition, WL plus WP generated higher body and muscle weight than exercise without WP. Conclusions These data suggest that WP improves antioxidant defences, which contribute to the reduction of lipid and protein oxidation as well as body and muscle weight gain in resistance-exercised rats.