Glória Bomfim

Publications (2)6.76 Total impact

• Article: Cellular analysis of cutaneous leishmaniasis lymphadenopathy: insights into the early phases of human disease.

  Glória Bomfim, Bruno B Andrade, Silvane Santos, Jorge Clarêncio, Manoel Barral-Netto, Aldina Barral
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  ABSTRACT: Lymphadenopathy is an early clinical sign in cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), caused by Viannia parasites, and may help to understand the initial host response to these species of Leishmania. We report on characteristics of cells obtained from lymph nodes from cutaneous leishmaniasis patients with lymphadenopathy without ulceration (early phase, N = 21) or lymphadenopathy and ulceration (late phase, N = 29). Early-phase patients exhibited a higher proportion of neutrophils, eosinophils, and CD8+ T cells. Conversely, CD19+ B lymphocytes and plasma cells were more frequently observed in late-phase patients. The signal for IL-10 was significantly higher in late-phase patients; signals for IFN-gamma or IL-4 were similar in both groups. These data reinforce observations of an initial mixed Th1-Th2 profile as well as the early role of the CD8 T cell in cutaneous leishmaniasis. Additionally, there is a chronologic relationship between ulcer development and B-cell increase. IL-10 also increases at a late stage and may be important in limiting tissue damage.
  The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene 12/2007; 77(5):854-9. · 2.59 Impact Factor
• Article: Characterization of the T-cell receptor Vbeta repertoire in the human immune response against Leishmania parasites.

  Jorge Clarêncio, Camila I de Oliveira, Glória Bomfim, Margarida M Pompeu, Maria Jania Teixeira, Theolis C Barbosa, Sebastião Souza-Neto, Edgar M Carvalho, Cláudia Brodskyn, Aldina Barral, Manoel Barral-Netto
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  ABSTRACT: In order to explore a possible presence of hyperreactive T-cell clones in human cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), we have investigated, by flow cytometry, the expression of Vbeta chains of T-cell receptors (TCRs) in the following types of cells: (i) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from CL patients, which were then compared to those from normal volunteers; (ii) unstimulated and soluble Leishmania antigen-stimulated draining lymph node cells from CL patients; (iii) PBMCs from volunteers before versus after Leishmania immunization; and (iv) PBMCs from healthy volunteers that were primed in vitro with live Leishmania parasites. Our results show a modulation in the TCR Vbeta repertoire during CL and after antigen stimulation of patients' cells. Vaccination, however, leads to a broad expansion of different Vbeta TCRs. We also observed an association between TCR Vbeta12 expression, T-cell activation, and gamma interferon production upon in vitro priming with Leishmania. Collectively, these results both indicate that infection with live parasites or exposure to parasite antigen can modulate the TCR Vbeta repertoire and suggest that TCR Vbeta12 may be implicated in the response to Leishmania.
  Infection and Immunity 09/2006; 74(8):4757-65. · 4.16 Impact Factor