Papers by Isaura Beatriz Borges Silva
Stem Cell Research & Therapy
Genética na Escola
O jogo “Que ervilha sou eu?” permite a mobilização dos conceitos da Genética Mendeliana de modo a... more O jogo “Que ervilha sou eu?” permite a mobilização dos conceitos da Genética Mendeliana de modo ativo e com eficiência. Para jogar, é necessário entender as relações de dominância e recessividade dos alelos, as proporções dos diferentes fenótipos na descendência e a relação entre genótipo e fenótipo.
Stem Cell Research & Therapy
Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is a chronic disease characterized by an autoimmune destruction of... more Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is a chronic disease characterized by an autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing β-pancreatic cells. Although many advances have been achieved in T1D treatment, current therapy strategies are often unable to maintain perfect control of glycemic levels. Several studies are searching for new and improved methodologies for expansion of β-cell cultures in vitro to increase the supply of these cells for pancreatic islets replacement therapy. A promising approach consists of differentiation of stem cells into insulin-producing cells (IPCs) in sufficient number and functional status to be transplanted. Differentiation protocols have been designed using consecutive cytokines or signaling modulator treatments, at specific dosages, to activate or inhibit the main signaling pathways that control the differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into pancreatic β-cells. Here, we provide an overview of the current approaches and achievements in obta...
Arbovirus of the Flaviviridae family represents an issue worldwide, particularly because it can l... more Arbovirus of the Flaviviridae family represents an issue worldwide, particularly because it can lead to serious illness and death in some countries. There is still a great complexity in obtaining effective therapies and specific and sensitive diagnostic tests, due to the high antigenic similarity between them. This similarity may account for antibodies cross reactivity which has positive and negative consequences for the course of infectious diseases. Among dengue virus (DENV) serotype infections, the cross-reactivity can increase virus replication and the risk of a severe disease by a mechanism known as an antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE). The search for serological biomarkers through monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that identify unique viral regions can assist in the differential detection, whereas the development of recombinant antibodies with a neutralizing potential can lead to the establishment of efficacious treatments. The Phage Display methodology emerged as one of the mai...
Biotechnology Research and Innovation, 2018
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) emerge as potential tools for treatment of various diseases. Isolat... more Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) emerge as potential tools for treatment of various diseases. Isolation methods and tissue of origin are important factors that determine the amount of obtained cells and their ability to differentiate. MSCs can be isolated from adipose tissue (ADSCs), bone marrow (BMSCs) or umbilical cord (UC-MSCs), and its characterization must follow the criteria required by the International Society for Cellular Therapy. Osteogenic differentiation capacity of ADSCs can still vary according to the culture medium used, as well as by adding factors that can alter signaling pathways and enhance bone differentiation. In addition, nanotechnology has also been used to increase osteoblastic induction and differentiation. ADSCs enhanced the prospect of treatment in different diseases, and in regenerative medicine, these cells can also be associated with different biomaterials. There is a great progress in studies with ADSCs, mainly because it is easy to access, which makes bioengineering techniques for bone tissue feasible.
Current pharmaceutical design, Jan 4, 2018
In vitro tests allow establishing experimental variables. However, in vitro results cannot be ext... more In vitro tests allow establishing experimental variables. However, in vitro results cannot be extrapolated to in vivo tests. Considering that three-dimensional (3D) culture has been one of the best ways to portray the in vivo system of most cell types, it is possible to carry out assays with a great clinical relevance for the analysis of the screening, action and resistance of antitumor drugs. Thus, the objective of the present study was to compare between 2D and 3D cell culture forms to conclude which is the most suitable model for preclinical in vitro drug testing. We evaluated the proliferation, genetic expression and chemoresistance of prostate tumor cell lines, PC-3, LNCaP and DU145. Prostate tumor cell lines PC-3, LNCaP and DU145 were treated with the antineoplastic drugs paclitaxel and docetaxel and evaluated with cytotoxicity, cell proliferation and gene expression assays in 2D and magnetic 3D bioprinting cultures. Lower cell proliferation rate, more resistance to paclitaxel...
Molecular carcinogenesis, Jan 16, 2017
There is increasing evidence that cancer dissemination and metastasis establishment may not only ... more There is increasing evidence that cancer dissemination and metastasis establishment may not only be due to the movement of tumor cells. Content of extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by tumor cells may also reflect the origin of these cells. Some molecules that constitute these EVs have already been used as targets for detection of specific tumors. However, to the best of our knowledge, EVs from biopsies and plasma have not yet been compared nor thoroughly investigated as triggers of malignant transformation and metastatic niche formation. To evaluate the role of EVs in the cellular microenvironment, we have treated the normal epithelial prostate cell lines, RWPE-1 and PNT-2, with a pool of EVs from biopsies of prostate primary tumors (bEVs), biopsies of benign prostate hyperplasia (hEVs), plasma of prostate cancer (PCa) patients (pEVs) or plasma of healthy individuals (pnEVs). Each of the four pools consisted of isolated EVs from several subjects, of which PCa patients were in di...
Current Gene Therapy, 2016
Gene therapy emerged as a mighty alternative for conventional treatment of multiple diseases. It ... more Gene therapy emerged as a mighty alternative for conventional treatment of multiple diseases. It has been defined as a product "that mediate their effects by transcription and/or translation of transferred genetic material and/or by integrating into the host genome and that are administered as nucleic acids, viruses, or genetically engineered microorganisms. The products may be used to modify cells in vivo or transferred to cells ex vivo prior to administration to the recipient". The first therapeutic gene therapy human trial was conducted in 1990 by Michael R. Blaese, and besides its potential, the technique suffered a major drawback after the tragical death of Jesse Gelsinger, caused by his immune response against the viral vector used in his treatment. To date, gene therapy has regained some popularity and more than 2000 clinical trials are ongoing, most of them related to the treatment or prevention of various types of cancer. Nevertheless, some types of cancer contain a rare population of stem-like cells, capable of differentiation into tumor cells, promoting the re-incidence of tumors. Those cells are generally more resilient to chemotherapy and radiotherapy and are related to tumor initiation, progression, recurrence and metastasis. The human prostate cancer (PCa) is highly heterogeneous and multifactorial, and even the markers are not precise enough to predict the clinical outcome. Furthermore, even though currently therapies can efficiently remove the tumors, the re-incidence rates are high. Gene therapy offers a handful of treatments that can halt oncogenes activation, promote the expression of suppressor genes or target cancer cells directly and induce apoptosis. Besides the risks involved, gene therapy can be of great help in the treatment of cancers and other diseases. This review aims to address the safety and potential of different gene therapy strategies used in the treatment of cancers.
Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases, 2020
Zika virus (ZIKV), an emerging arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) of the Flaviviridae family, is a... more Zika virus (ZIKV), an emerging arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) of the Flaviviridae family, is a current issue worldwide, particularly because of the congenital and neurological syndromes associated with infection by this virus. As the initial clinical symptoms of all diseases caused by this group are very similar, clinical diagnosis is difficult. Furthermore, laboratory diagnostic efforts have failed to identify specific and accurate tests for each virus of the Flaviviridae family due to the cross-reactivity of these viruses in serum samples. This situation has resulted in underreporting of the diseases caused by flaviviruses. However, many companies developed commercial diagnostic tests after the recent ZIKV outbreak. Moreover, health regulatory agencies have approved different commercial tests to extend the monitoring of ZIKV infections. Considering that a specific and sensitive diagnostic method for estimating risk and evaluating ZIKV propagation is still needed, this review aims to provide an update of the main commercially approved serological diagnostics test by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA). Additionally, we present the technologies used for monoclonal antibody production as a tool for the development of diagnostic tests and applications of these antibodies in detecting ZIKV infections worldwide.
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Papers by Isaura Beatriz Borges Silva