María Eugenia Castaño

Publications (2)2.52 Total impact

• Article: Fetal-maternal HLA-A and -B discordance is associated with placental RNase expression and anti-HIV-1 activity.

  Victoria Inés Bedoya, Fabian Alberto Jaimes, Julio C Delgado, Claudia Rugeles, Xiomara Usuga, Wildeman Zapata, María Eugenia Castaño, Adriano Boasso, Gene Shearer, María Teresa Rugeles
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: The incidence of maternal-to-fetal human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transmission is 25-30% in absence of antiretroviral therapy, and is inversely associated with Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) class-I discordance. Based on our earlier report that mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR) induce a ribonuclease (RNase) that inhibits HIV-1 replication, we proposed that maternal-fetal alloantigen stimulation activates factors that protect the fetus against vertically-transmitted infections. We investigate here whether the degree of mother-infant HLA discordance associates with the ability to produce anti-HIV-1 alloantigen-stimulated factor (ASF), and affects placental RNases. We also determine whether such HLA association is influenced by the mother's HIV-1 status. Paired maternal and cord blood leukocytes were tested for the induction of ASF by MLR, and typed for HLA-A and -B. The placentas were tested for mRNA expression of three RNases. Neonate anti-mother, but not mother anti-neonate MLR generated supernatants with anti-HIV-1 activity, that was associated with HLA class I discordance. This HLA association was not seen in the HIV-infected cohort. HLA class I discordance was also associated with expression of placental RNase 1. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that HLA class I discordance induces expression of RNases in the placenta that contribute to innate host resistance to HIV-1 and other viral infections.
  Current HIV research 07/2008; 6(4):380-7. · 1.98 Impact Factor
• Article: [Presence of circulating cytomegalic cells in HIV negative immunosuppressed individuals following cytomegalovirus infection].

  María Eugenia Castaño, Mauricio Sarmiento, Lázaro Vélez, Juan Carlos González, Francisco Cuéllar, María Teresa Rugeles, Victoria Inés Bedoya
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Immunofluorenscence methods to detect pp65 antigenemia were implemented for identifying the circulating virus-infected cells in individuals known to have cytomegalovirus infection and disease symptoms. Between December-2002 and July-2003, 110 peripheral blood samples were obtained from 46 immunosuppressed patients. pp65 antigenemia and the presence of circulating cells were determined by indirect immunofluorescence using a commercial kit to detect CMV pp65 antigen in peripheral blood leukocytes. Antigenemia was positive when one or more cells was observed with multilobulated, homogenous fluorescent stain in the nucleus. The presence of infected circulating cells (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) was determined when an extended pattern of fluorescent stain was observed throughout the cytoplasm in cells of 35 to 50 microm. Eight antigenemias from 7 patients (15%) were positive. Of these, 4 (57%) were also positive for circulating infected cells and consisted of 3 kidney transplant recipients and 1 liver transplant recipient. The number of positive cells in antigenemia was greater in kidney-transplant recipients than in the rest of immunosupressed patients (457 vs. 1.96, p < 0.005). No association was seen between the presence of infected circulating cells, morbidity, mortality or the development of GVHD (p < 0.001). No correlation was observed between the presence of infected cells, antigenemia and mortality. To substantiate the lack of correlation amongst these factors, prospective studies with larger sample sizes are necessary. These studies will aid in better defining the clinical application in immunosupressed patients.
  Biomédica: revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud 04/2005; 25(1):129-35. · 0.55 Impact Factor