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Investigación

Viral Infection and Immunity

Líneas de investigación

Content with Investigacion Inmunobiología .

The Immunobiology group has been working for years on the following lines of research:
1) The mechanisms of haematopoietic cell generation throughout ontogeny and the influence that the first haematopoietic cells exert on the innate and adaptive immune system present in the adults. We have identified and characterised a new population of B lymphocytes called B1-Rel (B220lo), which produce high levels of natural IgG/IgA antibodies. We sought to understand their role in the immune response in animal models of infection, analysing their impact on immune cell populations and on the production of soluble mediators (cytokines and immunoglobulins). In this regard, we have evaluated the generation of embryonic megakaryocytes (and their differentiation niches), their functionality and that of platelets, and their influence on haematopoietic development. For lymphoid populations, we have carried out extensive characterisation by flow cytometry and single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) methodology. To carry out these cellomic studies, we have designed complex panels for use in multiparametric phenotypic analysis, and single cell cytometry and RNAseq omics technologies on purified cell populations.


In parallel, we are interested in understanding local immune responses in respiratory infections at times of particular susceptibility due to the fragility of the immune system (childhood and old age), both in mouse animal models, which allow their manipulation, and in humans. 

2) Mouse models studied during neonatal life, in which we evaluated the effect of antibiotic (AB) treatment and addressed the role of TLR receptors in innate, pseudo-innate and adaptive immune cell populations. In these models, we observed that AB administration was able to modulate B-lymphoid populations, as well as their ability to secrete proinflammatory cytokines in culture and their differentiation into plasma cells, with differentiated immunoglobulin repertoires. Furthermore. These effects were mediated through the Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR2).

3) Mouse models with accelerated senescence (SAMP8) and senescent animals (over 20 months of age) to map lymphoid populations and soluble mediators of the immune response (immunoglobulins and cytokines). In these models, the B lymphoid populations (B1Rel and marginal zone B lymphocytes) are observed to be altered, accompanied by an increase in IgG1 with great restriction of their VDJ repertoires.


4) Role of the B1Rel population in animal models of local or systemic infection. We analysed the response to Streptoccoccus pneumoniae (SPN) locally in the lung and systemically in the spleen, as well as the role of TLR4 in these responses.

5) In humans, we are studying immune responses in children with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) viral primo-infection. In this case we studied the immune response that occurs locally in the nasal mucosa (by analysis of nasal washings, NW) in a cohort of infected children versus healthy controls, stratified by age. We found that lymphomyeloid cells accumulate in these nasal washings in patients with diverse lymphocyte populations, as well as cytokines and immunoglobulins.

6) Analysis and characterisation of extracellular vesicles produced during respiratory infection both in lung supernatants from models of SPN infection and in LN in the case of children with RSV infection.

7) In parallel, we carry out studies of the genetic rearrangements of immunoglobulins and their use in the generation of chimeric receptors for possible use in immunotherapy.

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Publicaciones destacadas

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Where are we with monoclonal antibodies for multidrug-resistant infections?

Where are we with monoclonal antibodies for multidrug-resistant infections? McConnell MJ. Drug Discov Today. 2019 May;24(5):1132-1138. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2019.03.002.

PUBMED

Peptidoglycan recycling contributes to intrinsic resistance to fosfomycin in Acinetobacter baumannii

Peptidoglycan recycling contributes to intrinsic resistance to fosfomycin in Acinetobacter baumannii. Gil-Marqués ML, Moreno-Martínez P, Costas C, Pachón J, Blázquez J, McConnell MJ. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2018 Nov 1;73(11):2960-2968. doi: 10.1093/jac/dky289.

PUBMED

Immunization with lipopolysaccharide-free outer membrane complexes protects against Acinetobacter baumannii infection

Immunization with lipopolysaccharide-free outer membrane complexes protects against Acinetobacter baumannii infection. Pulido MR, García-Quintanilla M, Pachón J, McConnell MJ. Vaccine. 2018 Jul 5;36(29):4153-4156. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.05.113.

PUBMED

Phenotypic changes associated with Colistin resistance due to Lipopolysaccharide loss in Acinetobacter baumannii

Phenotypic changes associated with Colistin resistance due to Lipopolysaccharide loss in Acinetobacter baumannii. Carretero-Ledesma M, García-Quintanilla M, Martín-Peña R, Pulido MR, Pachón J, McConnell MJ. Virulence. 2018 Dec 31;9(1):930-942. doi: 10.1080/21505594.2018.1460187.

PUBMED

Curso de Gestión de Calidad y Buenas Prácticas de Laboratorio. Ed. 3

Grammatico JP, Cuevas L (Edits.) y Grupo de expertos de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud OPS/OMS. Curso de Gestión de Calidad y Buenas Prácticas de Laboratorio. Ed. 3. OPS/OMS;. Washington, D.C., 2016. Disponible en: “http://iris.paho.org/xmlui/handle/123456789/31168”. ISBN: 978-92-75-11906-8

Gestión de la Calidad para laboratorios de ensayo. 1ª ed.

Grammatico JP, Cuevas L (Edits.). Gestión de la Calidad para laboratorios de ensayo. 1ª ed. Conicet-Madri+d; Buenos Aires, 2011. Disponible en: “http://www.madrimasd.org/Laboratorios/Documentos/Red-Laboratorios/documentos/Gest_Calidad_Ensayo.pdf”. ISBN: 978-950-692-095-1

Curso de Gestión de Calidad y Buenas Prácticas de Laboratorio.

Grupo de expertos de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud OPS/OMS. Curso de Gestión de Calidad y Buenas Prácticas de Laboratorio. OPS; Documentos Técnicos THR/HT 2009/001. Washington, D.C., 2009. ISBN: 978-92-75-32977-1

Guía Latinoamericana para la implementación de Código de Ética en los laboratorios de salud.

Grupo de expertos de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS/OMS). Guía Latinoamericana para la implementación de Código de Ética en los laboratorios de salud. Organización Panamericana de la Salud. Documentos Técnicos. Políticas y Regulación. THS/EV-2007/001; 2007. ISBN: 92-7-532702-5

Antiretroviral Therapy with Ritonavir-Boosted Atazanavir- and Lopinavir-Containing Regimens Correlates with Diminished HIV-1 Neutralization.

Yuste E, Gil H, García F and Sánchez-Merino V. Vaccines. 2024. 12:1176

PUBMED DOI

Identification of HIV-1 circulating BF1 recombinant form (CRF75_BF1) of Brazilian origin that also circulates in Southwestern Europe

Bacqué J, Delgado E, Gil H, Ibarra S, Benito S, García-Arata I, Moreno-Lorenzo M, Sáez de Arana E, Gómez-González C, Sánchez M, Montero V and Thomson MM. Front Microbiol. 2023. 14: 1301374

PUBMED DOI

Factors associated with HIV-1 resistance to integrase strand transfer inhibitors in Spain: Implications for dolutegravir-containing regimens.

Gil H, Delgado E, Benito S, Moreno-Lorenzo M, Thomson MM and Spanish Group for the study of antirretroviral drug Resistance. Front Microbiol. 2022. 13:1051096

PUBMED DOI

Transmission clusters, predominantly associated with men who have sex with men, play a main role in the propagation of HIV-1 in Northern Spain (2013-2018).

Gil H, Delgado E, Benito S, Georgalis L, Montero V, Sánchez M, Cañada-García JE, García-Bodas E, Diaz A, Thomson MM and Spanish group of the study of new HIV diagnoses. Front Microbiol. 2022. 13:782609

PUBMED DOI

Accuracy of molecular drug susceptibility testing amongst tuberculosis patients in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan.

Gil H, Margaryan H, Azamat I, Ziba B, Bayram H, Nazirov P, Gomez D, Singh J, Zayniddin S, Parpieva N and Achar J. Trop. Med. Int. Health. 2021. 26:421-427.

PUBMED DOI

High-Resolution Melting Assay to Detect the Mutations That Cause the Y132F and G458S Substitutions at the ERG11 Gene Involved in Azole Resistance in Candida parapsilosis

Nuria Trevijano-Contador, Elena López-Peralta, Jorge López-López, Alejandra Roldán, Cristina de Armentia, Óscar Zaragoza. Mycoses 2024 Nov;67(11):e13811

PUBMED DOI

Broad Protection against Invasive Fungal Disease from a Nanobody Targeting the Active Site of Fungal β-1,3-Glucanosyltransferases

Redrado-Hernández S, Macías-León J, Castro-López J, Belén Sanz A, Dolader E, Arias M, González-Ramírez AM, Sánchez-Navarro D, Petryk Y, Farkaš V, Vincke C, Muyldermans S, García-Barbazán I, Del Agua C, Zaragoza O, Arroyo J, Pardo J, Gálvez EM, Hurtado-Guerrero R. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2024 Aug 19;63(34):e202405823.

PUBMED DOI

Diagnósitico microbiológico y control de la legionelosis

Pelaz Antolín, C., et al., En Procedimientos en Microbiología Clínica, E.C.y.R. Cantón, Editor. 2005, SEIMC. p. 1-72.

PUBMED

Persistence of chlorine‐sensitive Legionella pneumophila in hyperchlorinated installations

García MT, Baladrón B, Gil V, Tarancon ML, Vilasau A, Ibañez A, Elola C, Pelaz C. J Appl Microbiol. 2008;105(3):837-47.

PUBMED DOI

Legionella-Biofilms-Amebas, un problema industrial, de sanidad ambiental y de salud pública

Juana María González-Rubio, Celia Játiva, Almudena Cascajero, Fernando González-Camacho. Infoplagas, nº 112, agosto 2023 pags: 20-24. (Artículo de divulgación).

DOI

Programa de Legionelosis. En Echevarría Mayo JE y Oteo Iglesias J (Editores). Programas de Vigilancia Microbiológica pags: 74-80. Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Madrid: Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 2021.

Bellido B y Pelaez C: Programa de Legionelosis. En Echevarría Mayo JE y Oteo Iglesias J (Editores). Programas de Vigilancia Microbiológica pags: 74-80. Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Madrid: Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 2021.

Fulminant septic shock due to community-acquired pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila SG1 Olda OLDA ST1. Case report

de Miguel-Balsa E, Jaimez Navarro E, Cascajero A, González-Camacho F, González-Rubio JM. J Infect Public Health 2024; 17:1047-9.

PUBMED DOI

Content with Investigacion Inmunobiología .

List of staff

Información adicional

The researchers of the Viral Infection and Immunity Unit (UIVI) are part of the CIBER de Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC) as an independent group (https://www.ciberinfec.es/grupos/grupo-de-investigacion?id=27501).  The UIVI studies the immunopathology of clinically relevant infections in humans, such as chronic viral hepatitis (Hepatitis B, C and D), HIV, and SARS-CoV-2, and their impact on the clinical evolution of infected patients. We also analyse the evolution of the patient after controlling viral replication or after eliminating the virus spontaneously or by antiviral treatment.

The group focuses mainly on translational research in which collaborating clinical groups also participate. On the one hand, ‘omics’ techniques such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, epigenetics and metagenomics are used, which, depending on the type of study, are targeted or not. On the other hand, specific laboratory assays designed in-house, such as PCR, RT-PCR, immunoassays for virus titration and neutralisation, production of monoclonal antibodies, among others, are carried out. With the molecular data obtained from patient samples, we perform bioinformatics/statistical analyses, analysing their association with the clinical condition of the patients and their subsequent evolution. 

Content with Investigacion Inmunobiología .