Fernando Bandeira Sulczewski

All Publications

• Development and immunobiological evaluation of nanoparticles containing an immunodominant epitope of herpes simplex virus IET NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY Hilario, G. M., Sulczewski, F. B., Liszbinski, R., Mello, L. D., Hagen, G., Fazolo, T., Neto, J., Dallegrave, E., Romao, P., Aguirre, T., Rodrigues Junior, L. C. 2021; 15 (6): 532-544

  View details for DOI 10.1049/nbt2.12043

  View details for Web of Science ID 000636373300001

• Antigen Delivery to DEC205(+) Dendritic Cells Induces Immunological Memory and Protective Therapeutic Effects against HPV-Associated Tumors at Different Anatomical Sites INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES Silva, M. O., Almeida, B. S., Sales, N. S., Diniz, M. O., Aps, L. M., Rodrigues, K. B., Silva, J. R., Moreno, A. R., Porchia, B. M., Sulczewski, F. B., Boscardin, S. B., Ferreira, L. S. 2021; 17 (11): 2944-2956

  Abstract

  The generation of successful anticancer vaccines relies on the ability to induce efficient and long-lasting immune responses to tumor antigens. In this scenario, dendritic cells (DCs) are essential cellular components in the generation of antitumor immune responses. Thus, delivery of tumor antigens to specific DC populations represents a promising approach to enhance the efficiency of antitumor immunotherapies. In the present study, we employed antibody-antigen conjugates targeting a specific DC C-type lectin receptor. For that purpose, we genetically fused the anti-DEC205 monoclonal antibody to the type 16 human papillomavirus (HPV-16) E7 oncoprotein to create a therapeutic vaccine to treat HPV-associated tumors in syngeneic mouse tumor models. The therapeutic efficacy of the αDEC205-E7 mAb was investigated in three distinct anatomical tumor models (subcutaneous, lingual and intravaginal). The immunization regimen comprised two doses of the αDEC205-E7 mAb coadministered with a DC maturation stimulus (Polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid, poly (I:C)) as an adjuvant. The combined immunotherapy produced robust antitumor effects on both the subcutaneous and orthotopic tumor models, stimulating rapid tumor regression and long-term survival. These outcomes were related to the activation of tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells in both systemic compartments and lymphoid tissues. The αDEC205-E7 antibody plus poly (I:C) administration induced long-lasting immunity and controlled tumor relapses. Our results highlight that the delivery of HPV tumor antigens to DCs, particularly via the DEC205 surface receptor, is a promising therapeutic approach, providing new opportunities for the development of alternative immunotherapies for patients with HPV-associated tumors at different anatomical sites.

  View details for DOI 10.7150/ijbs.57038

  View details for Web of Science ID 000678454600003

  View details for PubMedID 34345218

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC8326119

• STAT6 signaling pathway controls germinal center responses promoted after antigen targeting to conventional type 2 dendritic cells 10.1016/j.crimmu.2021.08.001 Sulczewski, F. B., Martino, L. A., Silvia Almeida, B. d., Yamamoto, M. M., Rosa, D. S., Boscardin, S. B. 2021; 2
• Sleep Disturbance during Infection Compromises Tfh Differentiation and Impacts Host Immunity ISCIENCE Fernandes, E., Barbosa, M., Amaral, M., Apostolico, J., Sulczewski, F., Tufik, S., Andersen, M., Boscardin, S., Keller, A., Rosa, D. 2020; 23 (10): 101599

  Abstract

  Although the influence of sleep quality on the immune system is well documented, the mechanisms behind its impact on natural host immunity remain unclear. Meanwhile, it has been suggested that neuroimmune interactions play an important role in this phenomenon. To evaluate the impact of stress-induced sleep disturbance on host immunity, we used a murine model of rapid eye movement sleep deprivation (RSD) integrated with a model of malaria blood-stage infection. We demonstrate that sleep disturbance compromises the differentiation of T follicular helper cells, increasing host susceptibility to the parasite. Chemical inhibition of glucocorticoid (Glcs) synthesis showed that abnormal Glcs production compromised the transcription of Tfh-associated genes resulting in impaired germinal center formation and humoral immune response. Our data demonstrate that RSD-induced abnormal activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis drives host susceptibility to infection. Understanding the impact of sleep quality in natural resistance to infection may provide insights for disease management.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101599

  View details for Web of Science ID 000581985500057

  View details for PubMedID 33205014

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC7648138

• Conventional type 1 dendritic cells induce T(H)1, T(H)1-like follicular helper T cells and regulatory T cells after antigen boost via DEC205 receptor EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY Sulczewski, F., Martino, L., Almeida, B., Zaneti, A., Ferreira, N., da Silva Amorim, K., Yamamoto, M., Apostolico, J., Rosa, D., Boscardin, S. 2020; 50 (12): 1895-1911

  Abstract

  Conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) are specialized in antigen presentation. In the mouse spleen, cDCs are classified in cDC1s and cDC2s, and express DEC205 and DCIR2 endocytic receptors, respectively. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) αDEC205 (αDEC) and αDCIR2 have been fused to different antigens to deliver them to cDC1s or cDC2s. We immunized mice with αDEC and αDCIR2 fused to an antigen using Poly(I:C) as adjuvant. The initial immune response was analyzed from days 3 to 6 after the immunization. We also studied the influence of a booster dose. Our results showed that antigen targeting to cDC1s promoted a pro-inflammatory TH 1 cell response. Antigen targeting to cDC2s induced TFH cells, GCs, and plasma cell differentiation. After boost, antigen targeting to cDC1s improved the TH 1 cell response and induced TH 1-like TFH cells that led to an increase in specific antibody titers and IgG class switch. Additionally, a population of regulatory T cells was also observed. Antigen targeting to cDC2s did not improve the specific antibody response after boost. Our results add new information on the immune response induced after the administration of a booster dose with αDEC and αDCIR2 fusion mAbs. These results may be useful for vaccine design using recombinant mAbs.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/eji.202048694

  View details for Web of Science ID 000553021800001

  View details for PubMedID 32673408

• Dendritic Cell Targeting Using a DNA Vaccine Induces Specific Antibodies and CD4(+) T Cells to the Dengue Virus Envelope Protein Domain III FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY Zaneti, A., Yamamoto, M., Sulczewski, F., Almeida, B., Santos Souza, H., Ferreira, N., Nascimento Fabris Maeda, D., Sales, N., Rosa, D., de Souza Ferreira, L., Boscardin, S. 2019; 10: 59

  Abstract

  Dengue fever has become a global threat, causing millions of infections every year. An effective vaccine against all four serotypes of dengue virus (DENV) has not been developed yet. Among the different vaccination strategies available today, DNA vaccines are safe and practical, but currently induce relatively weak immune responses in humans. In order to improve immunogenicity, antigens may be targeted to dendritic cells (DCs), the main antigen presenting cells and orchestrators of the adaptive immune response, inducing T and B cell activation. It was previously shown that a DNA vaccine encoding a fusion protein comprised of an antigen and a single-chain Fv antibody (scFv) specific for the DC endocytic receptor DEC205 induced strong immune responses to the targeted antigen. In this work, we evaluate this strategy to improve the immunogenicity of dengue virus (DENV) proteins. Plasmids encoding the scFv αDEC205, or an isotype control (scFv ISO), fused to the DENV2 envelope protein domain III (EDIII) were generated, and EDIII specific immune responses were evaluated in immunized mice. BALB/c mice were intramuscularly (i.m.) immunized three times with plasmid DNAs encoding either scDEC-EDIII or scISO-EDIII followed by electroporation. Analyses of the antibody responses indicated that EDIII fusion with scFv targeting the DEC205 receptor significantly enhanced serum anti-EDIII IgG titers that inhibited DENV2 infection. Similarly, mice immunized with the scDEC-EDIII plasmid developed a robust CD4+ T cell response to the targeted antigen, allowing the identification of two linear epitopes recognized by the BALB/c haplotype. Taken together, these results indicate that targeting DENV2 EDIII protein to DCs using a DNA vaccine encoding the scFv αDEC205 improves both antibody and CD4+ T cell responses. This strategy opens perspectives for the use of DNA vaccines that encode antigens targeted to DCs as a strategy to increase immunogenicity.

  View details for DOI 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00059

  View details for Web of Science ID 000457112900001

  View details for PubMedID 30761131

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC6362411

• Nanoparticle vaccines against viral infections ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY Sulczewski, F. B., Liszbinski, R. B., Romao, P. T., Rodrigues Junior, L. 2018; 163 (9): 2313-2325

  Abstract

  Despite numerous efforts, we still do not have prophylactic vaccines for many clinically relevant viruses, such as HIV, hepatitis C virus, Zika virus, and respiratory syncytial virus. Several factors have contributed to the current lack of effective vaccines, including the high rate of viral mutation, low immunogenicity of recombinant viral antigens, instability of viral antigenic proteins administered in vivo, sophisticated mechanisms of viral immune evasion, and inefficient induction of mucosal immunity by vaccine models studied to date. Some of these obstacles could be partially overcome by the use of vaccine adjuvants. Nanoparticles have been intensively investigated as vaccine adjuvants because they possess chemical and structural properties that improve immunogenicity. The use of nanotechnology in the construction of immunization systems has developed into the field of viral nanovaccinology. The purpose of this paper is to review and correlate recent discoveries concerning nanoparticles and specific properties that contribute to the immunogenicity of viral nanoparticle vaccines, bio-nano interaction, design of nanoparticle vaccines for clinically relevant viruses, and future prospects for viral nanoparticle vaccination.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s00705-018-3856-0

  View details for Web of Science ID 000443432000002

  View details for PubMedID 29728911

• Production, characterization and toxicology assay of creatine pegylated nanoliposome with polysorbate 80 for brain delivery ANAIS DA ACADEMIA BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS Borin, D. B., Mezzomo, N. J., Vaucher, R. A., Do Carmo, G., Rodrigues Junior, L. C., Sulczewski, F. B., Schwertz, C. L., Mendes, R. E., Damiani, A. P., De Andrade, V. M., Rech, V. C., Boeck, C. R. 2018; 90 (2): 2317-2329

  Abstract

  Creatine acts intracellularly as energy buffer and storage, demonstrating protective effects in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases. However, its permeability throught blood-brain barrier (BBB) is reduced. The aim of the present study was developing a carrier to facilitate the delivery of creatine to the central nervous system. Creatine nanoliposomes were produced, characterized and assayed in models of toxicity in vitro and in vivo. Particles showed negative zeta potential (-12,5 mV), polydispersity index 0.237 and medium-size of 105 nm, which was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. Toxicity assay in vitro was evaluated with blank liposomes (no drug) or creatine nanoliposomes at concentrations of 0.02 and 0.2 mg/mL, that did not influence the viability of Vero cells. The result. of the comet assay that the nanoliposomes are not genotoxic, togeher with cell viability demonstrated that the nanoliposomes are not toxic. Besides, in vivo assays not demonstrate toxicity in hematological and biochemical markers of young rats. Nevertheless, increase content of creatine in the cerebral cortex tissue after subchronic treatment was observed. Altogether, results indicate increase permeability of creatine to the BBB that could be used as assay for in vivo studies to confirm improved effect than free creatine.

  View details for DOI 10.1590/0001-3765201820170553

  View details for Web of Science ID 000442096300033

  View details for PubMedID 29694498

• CpG Oligodeoxinucleotides and Flagellin Modulate the Immune Response to Antigens Targeted to CD8 alpha(+) and CD8 alpha(-) Conventional Dendritic Cell Subsets FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY Antonialli, R., Sulczewski, F., da Silva Amorim, K., Almeida, B., Ferreira, N., Yamamoto, M., Soares, I., de Souza Ferreira, L., Rosa, D., Boscardin, S. 2017; 8: 1727

  Abstract

  Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen-presenting cells essential for the induction of adaptive immune responses. Their unprecedented ability to present antigens to T cells has made them excellent targets for vaccine development. In the last years, a new technology based on antigen delivery directly to different DC subsets through the use of hybrid monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to DC surface receptors fused to antigens of interest opened new perspectives for the induction of robust immune responses. Normally, the hybrid mAbs are administered with adjuvants that induce DC maturation. In this work, we targeted an antigen to the CD8α+ or the CD8α- DC subsets in the presence of CpG oligodeoxinucleotides (ODN) or bacterial flagellin, using hybrid αDEC205 or αDCIR2 mAbs, respectively. We also accessed the role of toll-like receptors (TLRs) 5 and 9 signaling in the induction of specific humoral and cellular immune responses. Wild-type and TLR5 or TLR9 knockout mice were immunized with two doses of the hybrid αDEC205 or αDCIR2 mAbs, as well as with an isotype control, together with CpG ODN 1826 or flagellin. A chimeric antigen containing the Plasmodium vivax 19 kDa portion of the merozoite surface protein (MSP119) linked to the Pan-allelic DR epitope was fused to each mAb. Specific CD4+ T cell proliferation, cytokine, and antibody production were analyzed. We found that CpG ODN 1826 or flagellin were able to induce CD4+ T cell proliferation, CD4+ T cells producing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and specific antibodies when the antigen was targeted to the CD8α+ DC subset. On the other hand, antigen targeting to CD8α- DC subset promoted specific antibody responses and proliferation, but no detectable pro-inflammatory CD4+ T cell responses. Also, specific antibody responses after antigen targeting to CD8α+ or CD8α- DCs were reduced in the absence of TLR9 or TLR5 signaling, while CD4+ T cell proliferation was mainly affected after antigen targeting to CD8α+ DCs and in the absence of TLR9 signaling. These results extend our understanding of the modulation of specific immune responses induced by antigen targeting to DCs in the presence of different adjuvants. Such knowledge may be useful for the optimization of DC-based vaccines.

  View details for DOI 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01727

  View details for Web of Science ID 000416912900002

  View details for PubMedID 29255470

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5723008

• Dendritic Cells and Their Multiple Roles during Malaria Infection JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH Amorim, K. S., Chagas, D. G., Sulczewski, F. B., Boscardin, S. B. 2016; 2016: 2926436

  Abstract

  Dendritic cells (DCs) play a central role in the initiation of adaptive immune responses, efficiently presenting antigens to T cells. This ability relies on the presence of numerous surface and intracellular receptors capable of sensing microbial components as well as inflammation and on a very efficient machinery for antigen presentation. In this way, DCs sense the presence of a myriad of pathogens, including Plasmodium spp., the causative agent of malaria. Despite many efforts to control this infection, malaria is still responsible for high rates of morbidity and mortality. Different groups have shown that DCs act during Plasmodium infection, and data suggest that the phenotypically distinct DCs subsets are key factors in the regulation of immunity during infection. In this review, we will discuss the importance of DCs for the induction of immunity against the different stages of Plasmodium, the outcomes of DCs activation, and also what is currently known about Plasmodium components that trigger such activation.

  View details for DOI 10.1155/2016/2926436

  View details for Web of Science ID 000373512000001

  View details for PubMedID 27110574

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4823477