Adriana Oliveira Costa

Scopus Publications

Mechanistic biomarkers in genotoxicity testing: A systematic mapping review of their integration with apical endpoints
Nathalia Stephanie Oliveira Nascimento, Adriana Oliveira Costa, Bárbara Marra Rebuiti, Carlos Alberto Tagliati
Toxicology Letters, 2026
Pentraxin 3 as a Modulator of miRNAs and Extracellular Vesicles Release in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells
Diogo Gomes da Costa, Fábio Ribeiro Queiroz, Flávia Santiago de Oliveira, Angelo Borges de Melo Neto, Marina Malheiros Araújo Silvestrini, et al.
Biomedicines, 2026
Background/Objectives: Breast cancer is the most prevalent tumor among women worldwide, with the triple-negative (TNBC) being the most aggressive and therapeutically resistant subtype. It is crucial to investigate new therapeutic targets for the treatment of TNBC. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3), an acute-phase protein, has a complex role in tumor progression, with its expression associated with disease severity. We investigated the role of recombinant human PTX3 (rhPTX3) in modulating microRNA (miRNA) expression and extracellular vesicle (EV) release in TNBC MDA-MB-231 cells. Methods: PTX3 gene expression was evaluated by RT-qPCR. The miRNA expression profile was determined by small RNA Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). EV release was analyzed by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), flow cytometry, and protein quantification. Results: rhPTX3 treatment significantly increased PTX3 gene expression in MDA-MB-231 cells. Furthermore, rhPTX3 altered the expression profile of 142 miRNAs, with 112 being upregulated and 30 downregulated. These differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted to have 12,894 potential targets, impacting 29 canonical pathways related to carcinogenesis. Key molecules for cancer progression were inhibited (IL6, IL4, CXCL8, CXCR4, CXCL12; ICAM1, CD44 and BCL2), and pro-apoptotic BAD was activated. While rhPTX3-treatment increased total EV release, it specifically reduced the percentage of the CD44+ EV subpopulation. Conclusions: Our data demonstrates that PTX3 modulates the miRNA expression profile and EV release dynamics, particularly by reducing the CD44+ EV population, which points to a tumor-suppressor role in this TNBC context. Given the limited therapeutic avenues for TNBC, our results suggest that PTX3 and its downstream molecular effects represent promising and previously unexplored potential therapeutic targets.
Metabolic Profile Associated With Encystation in Acanthamoeba
Cecília Cirelli, Isabela Aurora Rodrigues, Jéssica Gardone Vitório, Filipe Fideles Duarte‐Andrade, Gisele André Baptista Canuto, et al.
Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology, 2025
The genus Acanthamoeba includes widespread protozoa that can cause severe infections in humans. Their ability to form resistant cysts within infected tissues complicates treatment, making it essential to understand the encystation process for developing effective therapeutic strategies. This study utilized untargeted metabolomics (GC–MS) to analyze metabolic changes during the encystation of an Acanthamoeba strain in Neff's encystation saline. We conducted metabolite analysis at three stages of differentiation: the trophozoite‐dominant phase (0 h), the pre‐cyst‐dominant phase (24 h), and the cyst‐dominant phase (72 h). The results indicated a global metabolic downregulation during encystation, which is consistent with a state of dormancy. Components of the cyst wall such as cellobiose and lactose accumulated in the final phase. Arbutin and canavanine were annotated for the first time in Acanthamoeba. Encystation also led to changes in pathways related to glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism and biosynthesis of aminoacyl‐tRNA. This study uncovered previously unknown metabolites and metabolic pathways at distinct stages of Acanthamoeba development.
Entamoeba histolytica: Plasma membrane components and virulence factors in the invasive process
Current Topics in Membranes, 2025
A long-term prospecting study on giant viruses in terrestrial and marine Brazilian biomes
Talita B. Machado, Isabella L. M. de Aquino, Bruna L. Azevedo, Mateus S. Serafim, Matheus G. Barcelos, et al.
Virology Journal, 2024
The discovery of mimivirus in 2003 prompted the search for novel giant viruses worldwide. Despite increasing interest, the diversity and distribution of giant viruses is barely known. Here, we present data from a 2012–2022 study aimed at prospecting for amoebal viruses in water, soil, mud, and sewage samples across Brazilian biomes, using Acanthamoeba castellanii for isolation. A total of 881 aliquots from 187 samples covering terrestrial and marine Brazilian biomes were processed. Electron microscopy and PCR were used to identify the obtained isolates. Sixty-seven amoebal viruses were isolated, including mimiviruses, marseilleviruses, pandoraviruses, cedratviruses, and yaraviruses. Viruses were isolated from all tested sample types and almost all biomes. In comparison to other similar studies, our work isolated a substantial number of Marseillevirus and cedratvirus representatives. Taken together, our results used a combination of isolation techniques with microscopy, PCR, and sequencing and put highlight on richness of giant virus present in different terrestrial and marine Brazilian biomes.
Phenotypic and molecular characterization of Prototheca wickerhamii from a Brazilian case of human systemic protothecosis
Luciana Duarte-Silva, Raquel Vilela, Isabela A. Rodrigues, Vanessa C. R. Magalhães, Marcelo V. Caliari, et al.
Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2024
The genus Prototheca (alga) comprises a unique group of achlorophyllic saprotrophic and mammalian pathogen species. Despite its rare occurrence in humans and animals, protothecosis is considered an emerging clinical entity with relevance in immunocompromised patients. In this study, the characterization of spherical structures with endospores recovered from a blood culture in an HIV patient was investigated using phenotypic and molecular methodologies. On 2% Sabouraud dextrose agar, the isolate displayed morphological and biochemical characteristics found on isolates identified as Prototheca wickerhamii. To validate these analyses, molecular phylogeny of the internal transcript space (ITS) partial gene confirmed the identity of the isolate as P. wickerhamii. This is the first case of systemic human protothecosis in Brazil. The present case of human Prototheca and those reported in the medical literature highlight the need for novel methodologies to identify pathogenic algae in the clinical laboratory, improving in this way the diagnosis and treatment of this group of neglected pathogens.
Giant viruses inhibit superinfection by downregulating phagocytosis in Acanthamoeba
Isabella L. M. Aquino, Erik Sousa Reis, Rafaella Oliveira Almeida Mattos Moreira, Nídia Esther Colquehuanca Arias, Matheus Gomes Barcelos, et al.
Journal of Virology, 2024
In the context of the virosphere, viral particles can compete for host cells. In this scenario, some viruses block the entry of exogenous virions upon infecting a cell, a phenomenon known as superinfection inhibition. The molecular mechanisms associated with superinfection inhibition vary depending on the viral species and the host, but generally, blocking superinfection ensures the genetic supremacy of the virus’s progeny that first infects the cell. Giant amoeba-infecting viruses have attracted the scientific community’s attention due to the complexity of their particles and genomes. However, there are no studies on the occurrence of superinfection and its inhibition induced by giant viruses. This study shows that mimivirus, moumouvirus, and megavirus, exhibit different strategies related to the infection of Acanthamoeba . For the first time, we have reported that mimivirus and moumouvirus induce superinfection inhibition in amoebas. Interestingly, megaviruses do not exhibit this ability, allowing continuous entry of exogenous virions into infected amoebas. Our investigation into the mechanisms behind superinfection blockage reveals that mimivirus and moumouvirus inhibit amoebic phagocytosis, leading to significant changes in the morphology and activity of the host cells. In contrast, megavirus-infected amoebas continue incorporating newly formed virions, negatively affecting the available viral progeny. This effect, however, is reversible with chemical inhibition of phagocytosis. This work contributes to the understanding of superinfection and its inhibition in mimivirus, moumouvirus, and megavirus, demonstrating that despite their evolutionary relatedness, these viruses exhibit profound differences in their interactions with their hosts. IMPORTANCE Some viruses block the entry of new virions upon infecting a cell, a phenomenon known as superinfection inhibition. Superinfection inhibition in giant viruses has yet to be studied. This study reveals that even closely related viruses, such as mimivirus, moumouvirus, and megavirus, have different infection strategies for Acanthamoeba . For the first time, we have reported that mimivirus and moumouvirus induce superinfection inhibition in amoebas. In contrast, megaviruses do not exhibit this ability, allowing continuous entry of exogenous virions into infected amoebas. Our investigation shows that mimivirus and moumouvirus inhibit amoebic phagocytosis, causing significant changes in host cell morphology and activity. Megavirus-infected amoebas, however, continue incorporating newly formed viruses, affecting viral progeny. This research enhances our understanding of superinfection inhibition in these viruses, highlighting their differences in host interactions.
Could giant viruses be considered as a biotechnological tool for preventing and controlling Acanthamoeba infections?
Ana Paula Correia Crispim, Mateus Sá Magalhães Serafim, Adriana Oliveira Costa, Jônatas Santos Abrahão
Journal of Applied Microbiology, 2024
Aim The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of mimivirus as a potential therapeutic and prophylactic tool against Acanthamoeba castellanii, the etiological agent of Acanthamoeba keratitis, a progressive corneal infection, that is commonly associated with the use of contact lenses and can lead to blindness if not properly treated. Methods and results Mimivirus particles were tested in different multiplicity of infection, along with commercial multipurpose contact lenses’ solutions, aiming to assess their ability to prevent encystment and excystment of A. castellanii. Solutions were evaluated for their amoebicidal potential and cytotoxicity in MDCK cells, as well as their effectiveness in preventing A. castellanii damage in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Results indicated that mimivirus was able to inhibit the formation of A. castellanii cysts, even in the presence of Neff encystment solution. Mimivirus also showed greater effectiveness in controlling A. castellanii excystment compared to commercial solutions. Additionally, mimivirus solution was more effective in preventing damage caused by A. castellanii, presented greater amoebicidal activity, and were less cytotoxic to MDCK cells than commercial MPS. Conclusions Mimivirus demonstrates a greater ability to inhibit A. castellanii encystment and excystment compared to commercial multipurpose contact lens solutions. Additionally, mimivirus is less toxic to MDCK cells than those commercial solutions. New studies utilizing in vivo models will be crucial for confirming safety and efficacy parameters.
Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) tarentolae versus pathogenic species: comparative evaluation of protease activity, glycoconjugates, resistance to complement and metabolome composition
Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 2024
Guidelines for the purification and characterization of extracellular vesicles of parasites
Carmen Fernandez‐Becerra, Patrícia Xander, Daniel Alfandari, George Dong, Iris Aparici‐Herraiz, et al.
Journal of Extracellular Biology, 2023
Parasites are responsible for the most neglected tropical diseases, affecting over a billion people worldwide (WHO, 2015) and accounting for billions of cases a year and responsible for several millions of deaths. Research on extracellular vesicles (EVs) has increased in recent years and demonstrated that EVs shed by pathogenic parasites interact with host cells playing an important role in the parasite's survival, such as facilitation of infection, immunomodulation, parasite adaptation to the host environment and the transfer of drug resistance factors. Thus, EVs released by parasites mediate parasite‐parasite and parasite‐host intercellular communication. In addition, they are being explored as biomarkers of asymptomatic infections and disease prognosis after drug treatment. However, most current protocols used for the isolation, size determination, quantification and characterization of molecular cargo of EVs lack greater rigor, standardization, and adequate quality controls to certify the enrichment or purity of the ensuing bioproducts. We are now initiating major guidelines based on the evolution of collective knowledge in recent years. The main points covered in this position paper are methods for the isolation and molecular characterization of EVs obtained from parasite‐infected cell cultures, experimental animals, and patients. The guideline also includes a discussion of suggested protocols and functional assays in host cells
Experimental keratitis induced in rat by Acanthamoeba from distinct morphological groups/genotypes: a histological and immunohistochemical evaluation
Norberto de Souza Fernandes, Marcelo Vidigal Caliari, Fabricio Marcos Silva Oliveira, Alexandre Batista Costa Neto, Isabela Aurora Rodrigues, et al.
Parasitology Research, 2023
A history of over 40 years of potentially pathogenic free-living amoeba studies in Brazil – a systematic review
Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 2022
Anti-Acanthamoeba castellanii activity of alkaloid-enriched extracts and lycorine from the Amaryllidaceae species
Maressa Dietrich Rosa, Jean Paulo de Andrade, Adriana Oliveira Costa, Raphael Conti, Jaume Bastida, et al.
Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2022
Distinct immunomodulatory properties of extracellular vesicles released by different strains of Acanthamoeba
Adriana Oliveira Costa, Isabela Aurora Rodrigues Chagas, Armando de Menezes‐Neto, Felipe Dutra Rêgo, Paula Monalisa Nogueira, et al.
Cell Biology International, 2021
Differential expression of Acanthamoeba castellanii proteins during amoebic keratitis in rats
Ana Carolina Carvalho-Silva, Camila H. Coelho, Cecília Cirelli, Frederico Crepaldi, Isabela Aurora Rodrigues-Chagas, et al.
Experimental Parasitology, 2021
Acanthamoeba spp. monoclonal antibody against a CPA2 transporter: a promising molecular tool for acanthamoebiasis diagnosis and encystment study
Michele Martha Weber-Lima, Bianca Prado-Costa, Alessandra Becker-Finco, Adriana Oliveira Costa, Philippe Billilad, et al.
Parasitology, 2020
Acanthamoeba castellanii as an alternative interaction model for the dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum
Lucas V. de Faria, Paulo H. F. do Carmo, Marliete C. da Costa, Nalu T. A. Peres, Isabela A. Rodrigues Chagas, et al.
Mycoses, 2020
Extracellular protease profile of Acanthamoeba after prolonged axenic culture and after interaction with MDCK cells
Cecília Cirelli, Elaine Isabela Soares Mesquita, Isabela Aurora Rodrigues Chagas, Cinthia Furst, Cynara Oliveira Possamai, et al.
Parasitology Research, 2020
Correction to: Acanthamoeba of three morphological groups and distinct genotypes exhibit variable and weakly inter-related physiological properties (Parasitology Research, (2018), 117, 5, (1389-1400), 10.1007/s00436-018-5824-8)
Cynara Oliveira Possamai, Ana Carolina Loss, Adriana Oliveira Costa, Aloisio Falqueto, Cinthia Furst
Parasitology Research, 2018
Acanthamoeba of three morphological groups and distinct genotypes exhibit variable and weakly inter-related physiological properties
Cynara Oliveira Possamai, Ana Carolina Loss, Adriana Oliveira Costa, Aloisio Falqueto, Cinthia Furst
Parasitology Research, 2018
Pathogenic potential of environmental resident fungi from ornithogenic soils of Antarctica
Jordana R.P. de Sousa, Vívian N. Gonçalves, Rodrigo A. de Holanda, Daniel A. Santos, Cinthia F.L.G. Bueloni, et al.
Fungal Biology, 2017
Highlights of the São Paulo ISEV workshop on extracellular vesicles in cross-kingdom communication
Rodrigo P. Soares, Patrícia Xander, Adriana Oliveira Costa, Antonio Marcilla, Armando Menezes‐Neto, et al.
Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, 2017
Morphological and physiological characteristics of a virulent and zoonotic assemblage A Giardia duodenalis canine strain
Camila Henriques Coelho, Ana Carolina Carvalho Silva, Adriana Oliveira Costa, Ana Paula Fernandes
Acta Tropica, 2017
Molecular diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis: evaluation in rat model and application in suspected human cases
Adriana Oliveira Costa, Cinthia Furst, Lucas Oliveira Rocha, Cecília Cirelli, Carolina Neris Cardoso, et al.
Parasitology Research, 2017
Genotyping and descriptive proteomics of a potential zoonotic canine strain of Giardia duodenalis, infective to mice
Camila Henriques Coelho, Adriana Oliveira Costa, Ana Carolina Carvalho Silva, Maíra Mazzoni Pucci, Angela Vieira Serufo, et al.
Plos One, 2016
Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus prevents amoebal encystment-mediating serine proteinase expression and circumvents cell encystment
Paulo Boratto, Jonas Dutra Albarnaz, Gabriel Magno de Freitas Almeida, Lucas Botelho, Alide Caroline Lima Fontes, et al.
Journal of Virology, 2015
Mimivirus fibrils are important for viral attachment to the microbial world by a diverse glycoside interaction repertoire
Rodrigo Araújo Lima Rodrigues, Ludmila Karen dos Santos Silva, Fábio Pio Dornas, Danilo Bretas de Oliveira, Thais Furtado Ferreira Magalhães, et al.
Journal of Virology, 2015
Amoebas as mimivirus bunkers: Increased resistance to UV light, heat and chemical biocides when viruses are carried by amoeba hosts
Paulo V. M. Boratto, Fábio P. Dornas, Kétyllen R. Andrade, Rodrigo Rodrigues, Felipe Peixoto, et al.
Archives of Virology, 2014
Morphological, genotypic, and physiological characterization of Acanthamoeba isolates from keratitis patients and the domestic environment in Vitoria, Espírito Santo, Brazil
Juliana L. Duarte, Cinthia Furst, Débora R. Klisiowicz, Giseli Klassen, Adriana O. Costa
Experimental Parasitology, 2013
Polymerase chain reaction and nested-PCR approaches for detecting Cryptosporidium in water catchments of water treatment plants in Curitiba, State of Paraná, Brazil
Silvia Cristina Osaki, Vanete Thomaz Soccol, Adriana Oliveira Costa, Marcia Benedita Oliveira-Silva, Juliana Tracz Pereira, et al.
Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira De Medicina Tropical, 2013
Physiological, morphological, and immunochemical parameters used for the characterization of clinical and environmental isolates of Acanthamoeba
A. BECKER-FINCO, A. O. COSTA, S. K. SILVA, J. S. RAMADA, C. FURST, et al.
Parasitology, 2013
Production of anti-Cryptosporidium polyclonal antibodies and standardization of direct immunofluorescence for detecting oocysts in water
Silvia Cristina Osaki, Adriana Oliveira Costa, Ludmilla Della Coletta Troiano, Ernesto Renato Kruger, Juliana Tracz Pereira, et al.
Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira De Medicina Tropical, 2011
Characterization of acanthamoeba isolates from dust of a public hospital in curitiba, paraná, Brazil
ADRIANA O. COSTA, EDILENE A. CASTRO, GABRIELA A. FERREIRA, CINTHIA FURST, MARCOS A. CROZETA, et al.
Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology, 2010
An alternative method for DNA extraction and PCR identification of Entamoeba histolytica and E. dispar in fecal samples
E. N. VIANNA, J. O. COSTA, C. K. S. SANTOS, M. C. CURY, E. F. SILVA, et al.
Parasitology, 2009
Effect of vinegar on the viability of Giardia duodenalis cysts
Adriana Oliveira Costa, Vanete Thomaz-Soccol, Rosangela Clara Paulino, Edilene Alcântara de Castro
International Journal of Food Microbiology, 2009
Comparing the efficacy of chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and ozone in the inactivation of cryptosporidium parvum in water from parana state, Southern Brazil
Juliana Tracz Pereira, Adriana Oliveira Costa, Márcia Benedita de Oliveira Silva, Wagner Schuchard, Silvia Cristina Osaki, et al.
Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 2008
Pathogenicity of Entamoeba dispar under xenic and monoxenic cultivation compared to a virulent E. histolytica
Adriana Oliveira Costa, Maria Aparecida Gomes, Orivaldo Alves Rocha, Edward Felix Silva
Revista do Instituto De Medicina Tropical De Sao Paulo, 2006
Molecular characterization of Brazilian human Giardia duodenalis isolates using isoenzyme and random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis
Míriam O. Rocha, Maria A. Gomes, Adriana O. Costa, Cinthia Furst, Edward F. Silva
Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease, 2003
Comparison of xenic and monoxenic Entamoeba dispar cultures using hepatic inoculation in hamster
Adriana O Costa, João C Viana, Dawidson Assis, Orivaldo A Rocha, Edward F Silva
Archives of Medical Research, 2000
Influence of bacteria upon cytopathic effect and erythrophagocytosis of different axenic strains of Entamoeba histolytica.
Maria Aparecida Gomes, Maria Sonia Martins, Adriana Oliveira Costa, Edward Félix Silva
Revista do Instituto De Medicina Tropical De Sao Paulo, 1995
An attempt at reversibility and increase of the virulence of axenic strains of Entamoeba histolytica.
Maria Aparecida Gomes, Adriana Oliveira Costa, Washington Luiz Tafuri, Edward Félix Silva
Revista do Instituto De Medicina Tropical De Sao Paulo, 1993

Adriana Oliveira Costa

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Scopus Publications