Biomédica pelo UNEF Centro Universitário, habilitada em Patologia Clínica pelo Hospital Geral Clériston Andrade (HGCA) e Biologia Molecular pela Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ/Manguinhos). Cursando Inglês no CNA. Possui experiência em Análises Clínicas, no setor público e privado. Atualmente, é mestranda pelo Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia na Universidade Federal da Bahia e realiza pesquisa com terapia fotônica em pacientes com úlceras de perna na Doença Falciforme. Contato: (75)98341-7298. E-mail: liviacruzbiomed@.
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Immunology, Hematology, Biotechnology, Immunology and Microbiology
32
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Assessing the endothelium’s role in COVID-19 severity using the HUVEC model Sanzio Silva Santana, Sètondji Cocou Modeste Alexandre Yahouédéhou, Corynne Stéphanie Ahouéfa Adanho, Jéssica Rebouças Silva, Hayna Malta Santos, et al. Frontiers in Immunology, 2026 Introduction Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been widely associated with intense systemic inflammation, endothelial injury, and a high incidence of thrombotic complications, which together contribute to disease severity and poor clinical outcomes. While endothelial dysfunction, dysregulated cytokine production, and oxidative stress are recognized features of severe COVID-19, the direct impact of circulating factors from infected individuals on endothelial cell behavior remains insufficiently characterized. Here, we examined how serum from patients with severe COVID-19 and from convalescent individuals modulates endothelial activation, inflammatory responses, and oxidative stress using human umbilical vein endothelial cells as an in vitro model. Methods Venous blood samples were collected from individuals with severe COVID-19 (n = 13), convalescent patients (n = 11), and healthy volunteers (n = 7) during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were maintained in culture and exposed to 15% serum from each study group after a period of serum deprivation. The expression of genes associated with endothelial activation, thrombosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR at defined time points. In addition, the endothelial secretory profile was evaluated in cell culture supernatants using multiplex bead-based immunoassays. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA followed by appropriate post hoc tests, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to assess the discriminatory capacity of biomarkers, and multivariate linear regression to identify factors associated with disease severity. Results and discussion We investigated the role of the endothelium in modulating the cytokine storm in severe COVID-19. HUVEC were stimulated with serum from patients with severe COVID-19, convalescent individuals, and healthy volunteers. Stimulation with serum from severe cases induces significant increases in VCAM1, F3, PROCR, IL6, IL12A, NFE2L2, HMOX1, GPX1 , and GSR expression within 60 minutes. Antioxidant genes SOD1 and CAT were upregulated later, after 120 minutes. HUVEC stimulated with severe COVID-19 sera showed increased levels of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, P-selectin, sE-selectin, PECAM-1, tissue factor, thrombomodulin, and a broad range of cytokines and growth factors, such as IL-1α, IL-1Ra, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12(p40), IL-18, IL-27, TNF-α, TGF-α, FGF-2, G-CSF, M-CSF, FLT-3L, fractalkine, eotaxin, MIG, IP-10, MIP-1β, MDC, GROa and PDGF-AB/BB. In contrast, convalescent sera induced fewer markers, specifically IL-12(p40), IL-18, FGF-2, MIP-1β, MDC, GROa, and PDGF-AB/BB, while HV sera induced significant increases in IL-12(p40), IL-27, TNF-α, VEGF, MDC, eotaxin, and GROa. ROC curve analysis revealed that P-selectin and MIP-1β levels clearly distinguish severe cases from HV. When comparing severe and convalescent groups, we observed increases in IL-27, TGF-α, sVCAM-1, IL-1α, and G-CSF levels. Furthermore, Multivariable logistic regression analysis associated disease severity with decreased IL-10 and increased MIP-1β, sICAM-1, and P-selectin. Conclusion These findings suggest that HUVEC serves as a promising biological sensor for detecting inflammatory responses in COVID-19 patients and shows the crucial role of the endothelium in sustaining the cytokine storm that contributes to patient severity and mortality.
Subgingival biofilm microbiome in individuals with asthma and periodontitis: Metagenomic analysis Giselle R. Pinto, Paulo C. Carvalho Filho, Rodrigo D. O. Carvalho, Rogério R. Conceição, Vitor Fortuna, et al. Oral Diseases, 2024 Objective This observational study aimed to explore the metagenomics of subgingival biofilms in individuals with varying degrees of asthma, from severe to none, to elucidate the association between the subgingival microbiome and asthma. Materials and Methods Subgingival biofilm samples were collected from thirty participants at the Asthma Control Program Outpatient Clinic in Bahia (ProAR). These samples were categorized into six groups based on the severity of asthma and the presence or absence of periodontitis. We employed next‐generation sequencing (Illumina MiSeq), targeting the 16S rRNA gene, to characterize the microbial communities present. Our analysis included descriptive statistics and sequencing data, evaluated using multivariate statistical methods such as the Shannon index, principal coordinate analysis, and the Bray–Curtis dissimilarity. Results Our findings indicate a higher prevalence of periodontally detrimental bacterial genera in individuals with severe asthma and periodontitis. Additionally, individuals with asthma, but without periodontitis, exhibited a tendency toward dysbiosis, particularly in cases of severe asthma. Conclusion This research provides new insights into the composition of the subgingival microbiome in individuals with varying severities of asthma and periodontitis. The genera identified in this study underscore the need for further investigations to build upon these findings.
Genetic signatures of AKT1 variants associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes – a multicentric observational study Ingrid Marins de Almeida, Bruna Ramos Tosta, Laiane da Cruz Pena, Hatilla dos Santos Silva, Fabiane S. Reis-Goes, et al. Frontiers in Immunology, 2024 IntroductionThe COVID-19, triggered by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has varied clinical manifestations, ranging from mild cases to severe forms such as fatal pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Disease severity is influenced by an exacerbated immune response, characterized by high pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Inhibition of AKT can potentially suppress pathological inflammation, cytokine storm and platelet activation associated with COVID-19. In this study, we aimed to investigate the rs2494746 and rs1130214 variants in the AKT1 gene associated with severe COVID-19 outcomes.MethodsPeripheral blood samples and sociodemographic data from 508 individuals with COVID-19, measuring plasma cytokine concentrations using ELISA and genotyped the AKT1 variants.ResultsThe rs2494746-C allele was associated with severity, ICU admission, and death from COVID-19. The C allele at rs1130214 was linked to increased TNF and D-dimer levels. Moreover, both variants exhibited an increased cumulative risk of disease severity, ICU admission, and mortality caused by COVID-19. In the predictive analysis, the rs2494746 obtained an accuracy of 71%, suggesting a high probability of the test determining the severity of the disease.DiscussionOur findings contribute to understanding the influence of the AKT1 gene variants on the immunological damage in individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2.
Role of Schwann cells in cutaneous wound healing Walison N. Silva, Caroline Leonel, Pedro H. D. M. Prazeres, Isadora F. G. Sena, Daniel A. P. Guerra, et al. Wound Repair and Regeneration, 2018
