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Recently, a mechanism of negative regulation of immune responses by a specialized population of so-called regulatory T cells (Tregs) has become a focus of intense investigation. Through the discovery of transcription factor Foxp3 as a central molecular determinant of Tregs differentiation and function, the complex biology of these cells, including maintenance of immunological tolerance to "self" and regulation of immune responses to pathogens, commensals, and tumors, has become the focus of intense investigation. The ability to control the infection and to delay the progression of the infection to AIDS and/or death is probably regulated by a balance between host factors, such as immunologic response and viral factors. Different rates of disease progression among HIV-1 infected individuals have been observed. In this context, Tregs may play an important role in the immunopathology of HIV-1 infection due to their potent suppressive activity of both T cell activation and effector function. In this review, we present the molecular and immunological aspects of Tregs in the HIV system and the association between Tregs and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Thiothrix nivea is a filamentous sulfur-oxidizing bacterium common in activated sludge and its filament is covered with a polysaccharide layer called sheath. In this study, we found that T. nivea aggregates under acidic conditions. A hexagonal lattice pattern, a typical morphological feature of proteinaceous S-layers, was newly observed on the surface of the sheath by transmission electron microscopy. The pattern and the acid-dependent aggregation were not observed in T. fructosivorans, a relative sheath-forming bacterium of T. nivea. The putative S-layer of T. nivea was detached by washing with unbuffered tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane base (Tris) solution and a protein of 160 kDa was detected by electrophoresis. Based on partial amino acid sequences of the protein, its structural gene was identified. The gene encodes an acidic protein which has a putative secretion signal and a Ca-binding domain. The protein was solubilized with urea followed by dialysis in the presence of calcium. A hexagonal lattice pattern was observed in the aggregates formed during dialysis, revealing that the protein is responsible for S-layer formation. Biosorption ability of copper, zinc, and cadmium onto the T. nivea filament decreased upon pretreatment with Tris, demonstrating that the S-layer was involved in metal adsorption. Moreover, aggregation of Escherichia coli was promoted by acidification in the presence of the S-layer protein, suggesting that the protein is potentially applicable as an acid-driven flocculant for other bacteria.

Paracoccidioidomycosis, caused by the thermodimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, is a human systemic mycosis prevalent in Latin America. Paracoccidioidomycosis affects mainly male rural workers, causing granulomatous lesions in several organs such as the lungs, liver and spleen. The participation of other animal species in the fungus epidemiology is not well understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the infection of free-range domestic pigs by P. brasiliensis. Serum samples from 106 pigs were analyzed by ELISA and the immunodiffusion test, using P. brasiliensis gp43 and exoantigen as antigens, respectively. The overall positivity to gp43 in ELISA was 37.7 %, although no reactivity was observed in the immunodiffusion test and nor was P. brasiliensis detected in tissue samples (spleen, lung, liver and lymph nodes) from slaughtered animals submitted to culture, histopathological examination and PCR analysis. Five pigs seronegative to gp43 were exposed to natural infection by P. brasiliensis, and all animals seroconverted 3 months after exposure. The results suggest that free-range pigs are frequently infected with P. brasiliensis but are resistant to disease development. This is the first report of paracoccidioidomycosis in pigs.

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