RESUMO
Many bacterial polysaccharide vaccines, including the typhoid Vi polysaccharide (ViPS) and tetravalent meningococcal polysaccharide conjugate (MCV4) vaccines, do not incorporate adjuvants and are not highly immunogenic, particularly in infants. I found that endotoxin, a TLR4 ligand in ViPS, contributes to the immunogenicity of typhoid vaccines. Because endotoxin is pyrogenic, and its levels are highly variable in vaccines, I developed monophosphoryl lipid A, a nontoxic TLR4 ligand-based adjuvant named Turbo. Admixing Turbo with ViPS and MCV4 vaccines improved their immunogenicity across all ages and eliminated booster requirement. To understand the characteristics of this adjuvanticity, I compared Turbo with alum. Unlike alum, which polarizes the response toward the IgG1 isotype, Turbo promoted Ab class switching to all IgG isotypes with affinity maturation; the magnitude of this IgG response is durable and accompanied by the presence of long-lived plasma cells in the mouse bone marrow. In striking contrast with the pathways employed by alum, Turbo adjuvanticity is independent of NLPR3, pyroptotic cell death effector Gasdermin D, and canonical and noncanonical inflammasome activation mediated by Caspase-1 and Caspase-11, respectively. Turbo adjuvanticity is primarily dependent on the MyD88 axis and is lost in mice deficient in costimulatory molecules CD86 and CD40, indicating that Turbo adjuvanticity includes activation of these pathways. Because Turbo formulations containing either monophosphoryl lipid A or TLR2 ligands, Pam2CysSerLys4, and Pam3CysSerLys4 help generate Ab response of all IgG isotypes, as an adjuvant Turbo can improve the immunogenicity of glycoconjugate vaccines against a wide range of bacterial pathogens whose elimination requires appropriate IgG isotypes.
Assuntos
Adjuvantes Imunológicos , Lipídeo A , Animais , Camundongos , Adjuvantes Imunológicos/administração & dosagem , Lipídeo A/análogos & derivados , Lipídeo A/imunologia , Polissacarídeos Bacterianos/imunologia , Imunoglobulina G/imunologia , Imunoglobulina G/sangue , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Adjuvantes de Vacinas , Vacinas Meningocócicas/imunologia , Receptor 4 Toll-Like/metabolismo , Receptor 4 Toll-Like/imunologia , Vacinas Tíficas-Paratíficas/imunologia , Vacinas Tíficas-Paratíficas/administração & dosagem , Anticorpos Antibacterianos/imunologia , Anticorpos Antibacterianos/sangue , Feminino , Ligantes , Glicoconjugados/imunologia , Humanos , Vacinas Conjugadas/imunologia , Compostos de Alúmen/administração & dosagem , Camundongos KnockoutRESUMO
Systemic candidiasis remains a significant public health concern worldwide, with high mortality rates despite available antifungal drugs. Drug-resistant strains add to the urgency for alternative therapies. In this context, vaccination has reemerged as a prominent immune-based strategy. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), nanosized lipid bilayer particles, carry a diverse array of native fungal antigens, including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and glycans. Previous studies from our laboratory demonstrated that Candida albicans EVs triggered the innate immune response, activating bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) and potentially acting as a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity. Vaccination with C. albicans EVs induced the production of specific antibodies, modulated cytokine production, and provided protection in immunosuppressed mice infected with lethal C. albicans inoculum. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying EV-induced immune activation, our study investigated pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) involved in EVs-phagocyte engagement. EVs from wild-type and mutant C. albicans strains with truncated mannoproteins were compared for their ability to stimulate BMDCs. Our findings revealed that EV decoration with O- and N-linked mannans and the presence of ß-1,3-glucans and chitin oligomers may modulate the activation of specific PRRs, in particular Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and dectin-1. The protective effect of vaccination with wild-type EVs was found to be dependent on TLR4. These results suggest that fungal EVs can be harnessed in vaccine formulations to selectively activate PRRs in phagocytes, offering potential avenues for combating or preventing candidiasis.IMPORTANCESystemic candidiasis is a serious global health concern with high mortality rates and growing drug resistance. Vaccination offers a promising solution. A unique approach involves using tiny lipid-coated particles called extracellular vesicles (EVs), which carry various fungal components. Previous studies found that Candida albicans EVs activate the immune response and may bridge the gap between innate and adaptive immunity. To understand this better, we investigated how these EVs activate immune cells. We demonstrated that specific components on EV surfaces, such as mannans and glucans, interact with receptors on immune cells, including Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and dectin-1. Moreover, vaccinating with these EVs led to strong immune responses and full protection in mice infected with Candida. This work shows how harnessing fungal EVs might lead to effective vaccines against candidiasis.
Assuntos
Candida albicans , Candidíase , Células Dendríticas , Vesículas Extracelulares , Vacinas Fúngicas , Receptores de Reconhecimento de Padrão , Receptor 4 Toll-Like , Animais , Candida albicans/imunologia , Vesículas Extracelulares/imunologia , Receptor 4 Toll-Like/imunologia , Receptor 4 Toll-Like/metabolismo , Camundongos , Candidíase/imunologia , Candidíase/prevenção & controle , Candidíase/microbiologia , Vacinas Fúngicas/imunologia , Vacinas Fúngicas/administração & dosagem , Células Dendríticas/imunologia , Receptores de Reconhecimento de Padrão/imunologia , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Feminino , Imunidade Inata , Modelos Animais de DoençasRESUMO
Background: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic endemic fungal disease prevalent in Latin America. Previous studies revealed that host immunity against PCM is tightly regulated by several suppressive mechanisms mediated by tolerogenic plasmacytoid dendritic cells, the enzyme 2,3 indoleamine dioxygenase (IDO-1), regulatory T-cells (Tregs), and through the recruitment and activation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). We have recently shown that Dectin-1, TLR2, and TLR4 signaling influence the IDO-1-mediated suppression caused by MDSCs. However, the contribution of these receptors in the production of important immunosuppressive molecules used by MDSCs has not yet been explored in pulmonary PCM. Methods: We evaluated the expression of PD-L1, IL-10, as well as nitrotyrosine by MDSCs after anti-Dectin-1, anti-TLR2, and anti-TLR4 antibody treatment followed by P. brasiliensis yeasts challenge in vitro. We also investigated the influence of PD-L1, IL-10, and nitrotyrosine in the suppressive activity of lung-infiltrating MDSCs of C57BL/6-WT, Dectin-1KO, TLR2KO, and TLR4KO mice after in vivo fungal infection. The suppressive activity of MDSCs was evaluated in cocultures of isolated MDSCs with activated T-cells. Results: A reduced expression of IL-10 and nitrotyrosine was observed after in vitro anti-Dectin-1 treatment of MDSCs challenged with fungal cells. This finding was further confirmed in vitro and in vivo by using Dectin-1KO mice. Furthermore, MDSCs derived from Dectin-1KO mice showed a significantly reduced immunosuppressive activity on the proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. Blocking of TLR2 and TLR4 by mAbs and using MDSCs from TLR2KO and TLR4KO mice also reduced the production of suppressive molecules induced by fungal challenge. In vitro, MDSCs from TLR4KO mice presented a reduced suppressive capacity over the proliferation of CD4+ T-cells. Conclusion: We showed that the pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) Dectin-1, TLR2, and TLR4 contribute to the suppressive activity of MDSCs by inducing the expression of several immunosuppressive molecules such as PD-L1, IL-10, and nitrotyrosine. This is the first demonstration of a complex network of PRRs signaling in the induction of several suppressive molecules by MDSCs and its contribution to the immunosuppressive mechanisms that control immunity and severity of pulmonary PCM.
Assuntos
Antígeno B7-H1 , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Interleucina-10 , Lectinas Tipo C , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Células Supressoras Mieloides , Paracoccidioidomicose , Receptor 2 Toll-Like , Receptor 4 Toll-Like , Animais , Camundongos , Interleucina-10/metabolismo , Receptor 2 Toll-Like/metabolismo , Receptor 2 Toll-Like/genética , Receptor 2 Toll-Like/imunologia , Células Supressoras Mieloides/imunologia , Células Supressoras Mieloides/metabolismo , Receptor 4 Toll-Like/metabolismo , Receptor 4 Toll-Like/genética , Receptor 4 Toll-Like/imunologia , Lectinas Tipo C/metabolismo , Lectinas Tipo C/genética , Antígeno B7-H1/metabolismo , Antígeno B7-H1/genética , Paracoccidioidomicose/imunologia , Paracoccidioides/imunologia , Tirosina/análogos & derivados , Tirosina/metabolismo , Linfócitos T Reguladores/imunologia , Pulmão/imunologia , Pulmão/microbiologia , Transdução de Sinais , Masculino , Indolamina-Pirrol 2,3,-Dioxigenase/metabolismo , Indolamina-Pirrol 2,3,-Dioxigenase/genética , Camundongos KnockoutRESUMO
Leishmania donovani is a protozoan parasite that causes visceral leishmaniasis, provoking liver and spleen tissue destruction that is lethal unless treated. The parasite replicates in macrophages and modulates host microbicidal responses. We have previously reported that neutrophil elastase (NE) is required to sustain L. donovani intracellular growth in macrophages through the induction of interferon beta (IFN-ß). Here, we show that the gene expression of IFN-ß by infected macrophages was reduced by half when TLR4 was blocked by pre-treatment with neutralizing antibodies or in macrophages from tlr2-/- mice, while the levels in macrophages from myd88-/- mice were comparable to those from wild-type C57BL/6 mice. The neutralization of TLR4 in tlr2-/- macrophages completely abolished induction of IFN-ß gene expression upon parasite infection, indicating an additive role for both TLRs. Induction of type I interferon (IFN-I), OASL2, SOD1, and IL10 gene expression by L. donovani was completely abolished in macrophages from NE knock-out mice (ela2-/-) or from protein kinase R (PKR) knock-out mice (pkr-/-), and in C57BL/6 macrophages infected with transgenic L. donovani expressing the inhibitor of serine peptidase 2 (ISP2). Parasite intracellular growth was impaired in pkr-/- macrophages but was fully restored by the addition of exogenous IFN-ß, and parasite burdens were reduced in the spleen of pkr-/- mice at 7 days, as compared to the 129Sv/Ev background mice. Furthermore, parasites were unable to grow in macrophages lacking TLR3, which correlated with lack of IFN-I gene expression. Thus, L. donovani engages innate responses in infected macrophages via TLR2, TLR4, and TLR3, via downstream PKR, to induce the expression of pro-survival genes in the host cell, and guarantee parasite intracellular development.
Assuntos
Interferon-alfa/metabolismo , Interferon beta/metabolismo , Leishmania donovani/imunologia , Leishmaniose Visceral/imunologia , Macrófagos Peritoneais/imunologia , Transdução de Sinais/genética , Receptor 2 Toll-Like/metabolismo , Receptor 3 Toll-Like/metabolismo , Receptor 4 Toll-Like/metabolismo , eIF-2 Quinase/metabolismo , Animais , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/imunologia , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/farmacologia , Feminino , Expressão Gênica , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/imunologia , Técnicas de Inativação de Genes , Interferon-alfa/genética , Interferon beta/genética , Leishmaniose Visceral/parasitologia , Elastase de Leucócito/antagonistas & inibidores , Elastase de Leucócito/genética , Elastase de Leucócito/metabolismo , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Knockout , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Transdução de Sinais/imunologia , Sulfonamidas/farmacologia , Receptor 2 Toll-Like/genética , Receptor 3 Toll-Like/genética , Receptor 4 Toll-Like/antagonistas & inibidores , Receptor 4 Toll-Like/imunologia , eIF-2 Quinase/genéticaRESUMO
Due to their phylogenetic proximity to humans, nonhuman primates (NHPs) are considered an adequate choice for a basic and preclinical model of sepsis. Gram-negative bacteria are the primary causative of sepsis. During infection, bacteria continuously release the potent toxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the bloodstream, which triggers an uncontrolled systemic inflammatory response leading to death. Our previous research has demonstrated in vitro and in vivo using a mouse model of septic shock that Fh15, a recombinant variant of the Fasciola hepatica fatty acid binding protein, acts as an antagonist of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) suppressing the LPS-induced proinflammatory cytokine storm. The present communication is a proof-of concept study aimed to demonstrate that a low-dose of Fh15 suppresses the cytokine storm and other inflammatory markers during the early phase of sepsis induced in rhesus macaques by intravenous (i.v.) infusion with lethal doses of live Escherichia coli. Fh15 was administered as an isotonic infusion 30 min prior to the bacterial infusion. Among the novel findings reported in this communication, Fh15 (i) significantly prevented bacteremia, suppressed LPS levels in plasma, and the production of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin, which are key signatures of inflammation and bacterial infection, respectively; (ii) reduced the production of proinflammatory cytokines; and (iii) increased innate immune cell populations in blood, which suggests a role in promoting a prolonged steady state in rhesus macaques even in the presence of inflammatory stimuli. This report is the first to demonstrate that a F. hepatica-derived molecule possesses potential as an anti-inflammatory drug against sepsis in an NHP model. IMPORTANCE Sepsis caused by Gram-negative bacteria affects 1.7 million adults annually in the United States and is one of the most important causes of death at intensive care units. Although the effective use of antibiotics has resulted in improved prognosis of sepsis, the pathological and deathly effects have been attributed to the persistent inflammatory cascade. There is a present need to develop anti-inflammatory agents that can suppress or neutralize the inflammatory responses and prevent the lethal consequences of sepsis. We demonstrated here that a small molecule of 14.5 kDa can suppress the bacteremia, endotoxemia, and many other inflammatory markers in an acute Gram-negative sepsis rhesus macaque model. These results reinforce the notion that Fh15 constitutes an excellent candidate for drug development against sepsis.
Assuntos
Anti-Inflamatórios/administração & dosagem , Bacteriemia/tratamento farmacológico , Fasciola hepatica/metabolismo , Proteínas de Ligação a Ácido Graxo/administração & dosagem , Bactérias Gram-Negativas/fisiologia , Proteínas de Helminto/administração & dosagem , Animais , Anti-Inflamatórios/metabolismo , Bacteriemia/genética , Bacteriemia/imunologia , Bacteriemia/microbiologia , Citocinas/genética , Citocinas/imunologia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Fasciola hepatica/química , Fasciola hepatica/genética , Proteínas de Ligação a Ácido Graxo/genética , Proteínas de Ligação a Ácido Graxo/metabolismo , Bactérias Gram-Negativas/classificação , Bactérias Gram-Negativas/genética , Proteínas de Helminto/genética , Proteínas de Helminto/metabolismo , Humanos , Macaca mulatta , Masculino , Proteínas Recombinantes/administração & dosagem , Proteínas Recombinantes/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes/metabolismo , Receptor 4 Toll-Like/antagonistas & inibidores , Receptor 4 Toll-Like/genética , Receptor 4 Toll-Like/imunologiaRESUMO
Human cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania braziliensis is characterized by a pronounced inflammatory response associated with ulcer development. Monocytes/macrophages, the main cells harboring parasites, are largely responsible for parasite control. Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling leads to the transcription of inflammatory mediators, such as IL-1ß and TNF during innate immune response. TLR antagonists have been used in the treatment of inflammatory disease. The neutralization of these receptors may attenuate an exacerbated inflammatory response. We evaluated the ability of TLR2 and TLR4 antagonists to modulate host immune response in L. braziliensis-infected monocytes and cells from CL patient skin lesions. Following TLR2 and TLR4 neutralization, decreased numbers of infected cells and internalized parasites were detected in CL patient monocytes. In addition, reductions in oxidative burst, IL-1ß, TNF and CXCL9 production were observed. TNF production by cells from CL lesions also decreased after TLR2 and TLR4 neutralization. The attenuation of host inflammatory response after neutralizing these receptors suggests the potential of TLR antagonists as immunomodulators in association with antimonial therapy in human cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Assuntos
Leishmaniose Cutânea/imunologia , Receptor 2 Toll-Like/antagonistas & inibidores , Receptor 4 Toll-Like/antagonistas & inibidores , Adolescente , Adulto , Células Cultivadas , Feminino , Humanos , Inflamação/imunologia , Leucócitos Mononucleares/imunologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Carga Parasitária , Receptor 2 Toll-Like/imunologia , Receptor 4 Toll-Like/imunologia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Monocyte recruitment and activation of macrophages are essential for homeostasis but are also related to the development and progression of cardiometabolic diseases. The management of inflammation with dietary components has been widely investigated. Two components that may influence inflammation are unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid (OA; 18:1cis-9) and antioxidant compounds like anthocyanins. Molecular and metabolic effects of such bioactive compounds are usually investigated in isolation, whereas they may be present in combination in foods or the diet. Considering this, we aimed to analyze the effects of OA and the anthocyanin keracyanin (AC) alone and in combination on toll-like receptor-mediated inflammatory responses in monocytes and macrophages. For this, THP-1-derived macrophages and monocytes were exposed to 3 treatments: OA, AC, or the combination (OAAC) and then stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. Inflammation-related gene expression and protein concentrations of IL-1ß, TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, and IL-10 were assessed. Also, NFκBp65, IκBα, and PPAR-γ protein expression were determined. OA, AC, and OAAC decreased pNFκBp65, PPARγ, IκBα, TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, and MCP-1 and increased IL-10. MCP-1 protein expression was lower with OAAC than with either OA and AC alone. Compared to control, OAAC decreased mRNA for TLR4, IκKα, IκBα, NFκB1, MCP-1, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß more than OA or AC did alone. Also, IL-10 mRNA was increased by OAAC compared with control, OA, and AC. In summary, OA and AC have anti-inflammatory effects individually but their combination (OAAC) exerts a greater effect.
Assuntos
Antocianinas/farmacologia , Anti-Inflamatórios/farmacologia , Inflamação/imunologia , Macrófagos/efeitos dos fármacos , Monócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , NF-kappa B/imunologia , Ácido Oleico/farmacologia , Linhagem Celular , Sinergismo Farmacológico , Humanos , Inflamação/tratamento farmacológico , Inflamação/genética , Interleucina-1beta/genética , Interleucina-1beta/imunologia , Macrófagos/imunologia , Monócitos/imunologia , Inibidor de NF-kappaB alfa/genética , Inibidor de NF-kappaB alfa/imunologia , NF-kappa B/genética , PPAR gama/genética , PPAR gama/imunologia , Receptor 4 Toll-Like/genética , Receptor 4 Toll-Like/imunologia , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/genética , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/imunologiaRESUMO
Glioblastoma (GB) is the most common and aggressive form of primary brain tumor, in which the presence of an inflammatory environment, composed mainly by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), is related to its progression and development of chemoresistance. Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) are key components of the innate immune system and their expression in both tumor and immune-associated cells may impact the cell communication in the tumor microenvironment (TME), further modeling cancer growth and response to therapy. Here, we investigated the participation of TLR4-mediated signaling as a mechanism of induced-immune escape in GB. Initially, bioinformatics analysis of public datasets revealed that TLR4 expression is lower in GB tumors when compared to astrocytomas (AST), and in a subset of TAMs. Further, we confirmed that TLR4 expression is downregulated in chemoresistant GB, as well as in macrophages co-cultured with GB cells. Additionally, TLR4 function is impaired in those cells even following stimulation with LPS, an agonist of TLR4. Finally, experiments performed in a cohort of clinical primary and metastatic brain tumors indicated that the immunostaining of TLR4 and CD45 are inversely proportional, and confirmed the low TLR4 expression in GBs. Interestingly, the cytoplasmic/nuclear pattern of TLR4 staining in cancer tissues suggests additional roles of this receptor in carcinogenesis. Overall, our data suggest the downregulation of TLR4 expression and activity as a strategy for GB-associated immune escape. Additional studies are necessary to better understand TLR4 signaling in TME in order to improve the benefits of immunotherapy based on TLR signaling.
Assuntos
Neoplasias Encefálicas/imunologia , Regulação para Baixo/imunologia , Glioblastoma/imunologia , Glioblastoma/metabolismo , Evasão da Resposta Imune/imunologia , Receptor 4 Toll-Like/imunologia , Macrófagos Associados a Tumor/imunologia , Idoso , Animais , Neoplasias Encefálicas/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Proliferação de Células/fisiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Transdução de Sinais/imunologia , Receptor 4 Toll-Like/metabolismo , Microambiente Tumoral/imunologia , Macrófagos Associados a Tumor/metabolismoRESUMO
The genus Echinococcus of cestode parasites includes important pathogens of humans and livestock animals. Transcriptomic and genomic studies on E. granulosus and E. multilocularis uncovered striking expansion of monodomain Kunitz proteins. This expansion is accompanied by the specialization of some family members away from the ancestral protease inhibition function to fulfill cation channel blockade functions. Since cation channels are involved in immune processes, we tested the effects on macrophage physiology of two E. granulosus Kunitz-type inhibitors of voltage-activated cation channels (Kv) that are close paralogs. Both inhibitors, EgKU-1 and EgKU-4, inhibited production of the Th1/Th17 cytokine subunit IL-12/23p40 by macrophages stimulated with the TLR4 agonist LPS. In addition, EgKU-4 but not EgKU-1 inhibited production of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6. These activities were not displayed by EgKU-3, a family member that is a protease inhibitor without known activity on cation channels. EgKU-4 potently inhibited macrophage proliferation in response to M-CSF, whereas EgKU-1 displayed similar activity but with much lower potency, similar to EgKU-3. We discuss structural differences, including a heavily cationic C-terminal extension present in EgKU-4 but not in EgKU-1, that may explain the differential activities of the two close paralogs.
Assuntos
Echinococcus granulosus/química , Proteínas de Helminto/farmacologia , Interleucina-12/antagonistas & inibidores , Interleucina-6/antagonistas & inibidores , Macrófagos/efeitos dos fármacos , Proteínas Secretadas Inibidoras de Proteinases/farmacologia , Animais , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Proteínas de Helminto/isolamento & purificação , Interleucina-10/genética , Interleucina-10/imunologia , Interleucina-12/genética , Interleucina-12/imunologia , Interleucina-6/genética , Interleucina-6/imunologia , Canal de Potássio Kv1.3/genética , Canal de Potássio Kv1.3/imunologia , Lipopolissacarídeos/farmacologia , Ativação de Macrófagos/efeitos dos fármacos , Fator Estimulador de Colônias de Macrófagos/farmacologia , Macrófagos/citologia , Macrófagos/imunologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Cultura Primária de Células , Proteínas Secretadas Inibidoras de Proteinases/isolamento & purificação , Receptor 4 Toll-Like/genética , Receptor 4 Toll-Like/imunologiaRESUMO
Numerous researchers have described the potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) for the treatment of various infectious and inflammatory diseases. However, contrary to what has been reported, the transplantation of BM-MSCs in a mouse model of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis-induced pulmonary fibrosis exacerbated the inflammatory process and fibrosis, worsening the course of the infection. The aim of this work was to determine whether P. brasiliensis exerts an immunomodulatory effect on BM-MSCs. The results indicate that P. brasiliensis can activate BM-MSCs through a mechanism dependent on TLR2, TLR4 and Dectin-1. In addition, it was found that these fungal cells can adhere and internalize within BM-MSCs. Nonetheless, this process did not affect the survival of the fungus and on the contrary, triggered the expression of inflammatory mediators such as IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α, and TGF-ß. The present findings correlate with the loss of a fungicidal effect and poor control of the fungus, evidenced by the count of the colony-forming units. Previously reported in vivo results are thus confirmed, showing that P. brasiliensis induces an inflammatory profile in BM-MSCs when producing pro-inflammatory molecules that amplify such response. Numerous researchers have described the potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) for the treatment of various infectious and inflammatory diseases. However, contrary to what has been reported, the transplantation of BM-MSCs in a mouse model of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis-induced pulmonary fibrosis exacerbated the inflammatory process and fibrosis, worsening the course of the infection. The aim of this work was to determine whether P. brasiliensis exerts an immunomodulatory effect on BM-MSCs. The results indicate that P. brasiliensis can activate BM-MSCs through a mechanism dependent on TLR2, TLR4 and Dectin-1. In addition, it was found that these fungal cells can adhere and internalize within BM-MSCs. Nonetheless, this process did not affect the survival of the fungus and on the contrary, triggered the expression of inflammatory mediators such as IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α, and TGF-ß. The present findings correlate with the loss of a fungicidal effect and poor control of the fungus, evidenced by the count of the colony-forming units. Previously reported in vivo results are thus confirmed, showing that P. brasiliensis induces an inflammatory profile in BM-MSCs when producing pro-inflammatory molecules that amplify such response.