R.R. Pinho

Lipid Body Organelles within the Parasite Trypanosoma cruzi: A Role for Intracellular Arachidonic Acid Metabolism.

Most eukaryotic cells contain varying amounts of cytosolic lipidic inclusions termed lipid bodies (LBs) or lipid droplets (LDs). In mammalian cells, such as macrophages, these lipid-rich organelles are formed in response to host-pathogen interaction during infectious diseases and are sites for biosynthesis of arachidonic acid (AA)-derived inflammatory mediators (eicosanoids). Less clear are the functions of LBs in pathogenic lower eukaryotes. In this study, we demonstrated that LBs, visualized by light microscopy with different probes and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), are produced in trypomastigote forms of the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the causal agent of Chagas’ disease, after both host interaction and exogenous AA stimulation. Quantitative TEM revealed that LBs from amastigotes, the intracellular forms of the parasite, growing in vivo have increased size and electron-density compared to LBs from amastigotes living in vitro. AA-stimulated trypomastigotes released high amounts of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and showed PGE2 synthase expression. Raman spectroscopy demonstrated increased unsaturated lipid content and AA incorporation in stimulated parasites. Moreover, both Raman and MALDI mass spectroscopy revealed increased AA content in LBs purified from AA-stimulated parasites compared to LBs from unstimulated group. By using a specific technique for eicosanoid detection, we immunolocalized PGE2 within LBs from AA-stimulated trypomastigotes. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that LBs from the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi are not just lipid storage inclusions but dynamic organelles, able to respond to host interaction and inflammatory events and involved in the AA metabolism. Acting as sources of PGE2, a potent immunomodulatory lipid mediator that inhibits many aspects of innate and adaptive immunity, newly-formed parasite LBs may be implicated with the pathogen survival in its host.

Ionic desorption in poly(methyl methacrylate) induced by fast electrons

Abstract Electron stimulated ion desorption (ESID) studies have been performed in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) using a time-of-flight mass spectrometer and a pulsed electron beam source with pulse duration of 0.18 μs (FWHM) and frequency of 3 kHz. The incident electron energy was 350–1200 eV. Several ionic fragments have been observed, H + being the main ionic species desorbed. Partial ion yields have been determined for the main fragments as a function of the electron energy. They show a maximum at 500–600 eV. Ionic desorption from PMMA is tentatively discussed in terms of the Auger stimulated ion desorption (ASID) mechanism. This is, to our knowledge, the first description of ESID on polymers.

Gas emission from chlorinated polymers induced by synchrotron radiation

Chlorinated polymers, poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), poly(vinylidene chloride) (PVDC), and ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer (E-CTFE) have been irradiated with white light from the Brazilian synchrotron light source (LNLS). The volatile products generated by the interaction of the polymers with the photons were analysed by mass spectrometry and their intensities studied as a function of the photon flux. The results show that HCl, the most intensely emitted gas, may be used as an indication of the sensitivity of the polymers to the radiation. Among the polymers investigated, PVDC was found to be the most sensitive to white light.

Natural Schistosoma mansoni Infection in the Wild Reservoir Nectomys squamipes Leads to Excessive Lipid Droplet Accumulation in Hepatocytes in the Absence of Liver Functional Impairment

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease of a significant public health impact. The water rat Nectomys squamipes is one of the most important non-human hosts in the schistosomiasis mansoni transmission in Brazil, being considered a wild reservoir. Cellular mechanisms that contribute to the physiological adaptation of this rodent to the Schistosoma mansoni parasite are poorly understood. Here we identified, for the first time, that a hepatic steatosis, a condition characterized by excessive lipid accumulation with formation of lipid droplets (LDs) within hepatocytes, occurs in response to the natural S. mansoni infection of N. squamipes, captured in an endemic region. Significant increases of LD area in the hepatic tissue and LD numbers/hepatocyte, detected by quantitative histopathological and ultrastructural analyses, were paralleled by increased serum profile (total cholesterol and triglycerides) in infected compared to uninfected animals. Raman spectroscopy showed high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the liver of both groups. MALDI-TOFF mass spectroscopy revealed an amplified pool of omega-6 PUFA arachidonic acid in the liver of infected animals. Assessment of liver functional activity by the levels of hepatic transaminases (ALT and AST) did not detect any alteration during the natural infection. In summary, this work demonstrates that the natural infection of the wild reservoir N. squamipes with S. mansoni elicits hepatic steatosis in the absence of liver functional harm and that accumulation of lipids, markedly PUFAs, coexists with low occurrence of inflammatory granulomatous processes, suggesting that lipid stores may be acting as a protective mechanism for dealing with the infection.

Irradiação de polímeros com feixe de elétrons: caracterização de íons positivos através da técnica de tempo-de-vôo

With the aim of studying the interaction of fast electrons with solid surfaces we have developed an experimental set-up based on electron stimulated desorption (ESD) coupled to time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry. Poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(vynil chloride) samples have been irradiated by a pulsed electron beam of 1.2 keV and 0.18 µs FWHM. The results show that H+ is the main ionic species to desorb after electron bombardment. In addition, other ionic fragments were also observed and assigned. These results show the potentiality of this technique in the study of ESD of polymers.

Ionic desorption in valence- and core- excited polymers: poly(vinyl chloride) and poly(vinylidene chloride)

Photon stimulated ion desorption (PSID) studies have been performed in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and poly(vinylidene chloride) (PVDC) using synchrotron radiation, covering from valence to core electron (Cl 2p and C 1s) energy ranges. Data acquisition was performed at the TGM beam line from the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Source (LNLS), operating in a multi-bunch mode and using a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS). A new pulsed system developed uses as a trigger for the TOF-MS experiments the pulsed extraction high voltage applied to the sample. Ionic desorption from PVC and PVDC shows strong selectivity in the formation of chlorine ions around the Cl 2p-edge while very similar fragmentation patterns are observed for the other energies studied.

Medidas dos índices de refração de materiais fotossensíveis utilizando o método de Abelès

Positive AZ-1518 photoresist are examples of photosensitive materials widely used in lithographic processes in microelectronics and optic for component relief manufacturing. This photoresist is composed of the photoactive compound (PAC) and the matrix material, which is a thick resin called novolak. When exposed to ultraviolet radiation induced chemical reactions modify their chemical and physical properties. Homogeneous thin films of these photosensitive materials were prepared on glass substrates. This work aims to measure the refractive index of films, exposed and unexposed to ultraviolet radiation, using the Abeles method. From the refractive index changes measurements in photosensitive films would be possible to obtain the fractional rate of decay of photoactive compound (PAC) per unit of intensity. Measurements of this rate provide important indications of microscopic chemical kinetics of photosensitive materials. The results show that the accuracy of the method is sufficient to measure the refractive index changes of these photosensitive materials type.

Estudo da decomposição fotoquímica por exposição à luz UV de fotorresinas positivas

Positive photoresists are widely used in lithographic process in microelectronics and in optics for the fabrication of relief components. With the aim of identifying molecular modifications among positive photoresists unexposed and previously exposed to ultraviolet light the electron stimulated ion desorption technique coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry was employed in the study of the AZ-1518 photoresist. Mass spectra were obtained as a function of the electron beam energy, showing specific changes related to the photochemical decomposition of the photoresist. This reinforces the applicability of the technique to investigate and characterize structural changes in photosensitive materials.