Coordinator: Profª Prescilla Emy Nagao Ferreira

Description: Sepsis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, affecting one in every 1000 births. Mortality is estimated to be 25% in preterm infants. Its treatment is expensive, since patients require hospitalization in intensive care units, which often requires an extended period. However, there are few studies on sepsis in Brazil. Streptococcus agalactiae is the leading cause of neonatal sepsis that often leads to death or generates complications in the long run. A major limitation in our current understanding of how bacteria interact with endothelial cells is the fact that previous studies have been performed under static conditions. The 3D model created by Dr. Kerrigan (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) is unique and capable of creating the vascular biochemical environment containing the layers of endothelium, smooth muscle, collagen and elastin. The proposal is that we can have a basic understanding of the host's response to S. agalactiae infection in order to develop a next generation therapy that can overcome current clinical interventions for the treatment of neonatal sepsis. It is important to clarify that 3D modeling techniques of infection under dynamic conditions are not implemented in any laboratory in Brazil. The Graduate program in Biosciences (GPB) has been contributing to the establishment and development at UERJ of new technical platforms for the study of obesity, cancer, cardiovascular and inflammatory pharmacology, histology and infectious and parasitic diseases, focusing on the study of processes and mechanisms encompassed by cellular biology. The GPB has stimulated the implementation of cutting-edge techniques in several areas of cellular biology in order to promote the integration of the various research groups. The pili is a virulence factor of S. agalactiae that favors the infectious process and the mechanisms of adhesion and invasion to the host cells. As the endothelium is one of the main targets of sepsis events, this project aims to use a unique three-dimensional model that mimics the vascular system in 3D, which will contribute to the elucidation of mechanisms used by S. agalactiae during the induction of sepsis.  This project will allow the transfer of knowledge and mobility between Brazil (State University of Rio de Janeiro) and Ireland (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland).

For further information visit:  http://www.pgbiologia.uerj.br/capesprint/