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Murine syngeneic tumor models are critical to novel immuno-based therapy development, but the molecular and immunologic features of these models are still not clearly defined. The translational relevance of differences between the models is not fully understood, impeding appropriate preclinical model selection for target validation, and ultimately hindering drug development. Across a panel of commonly used murine syngeneic tumor models, we showed variable responsiveness to immunotherapies. We used array comparative genomic hybridization, whole-exome sequencing, exon microarray analysis, and flow cytometry to extensively characterize these models, which revealed striking differences that may underlie these contrasting response profiles. We identified strong differential gene expression in immune-related pathways and changes in immune cell–specific genes that suggested differences in tumor immune infiltrates between models. Further investigation using flow cytometry showed differences in both the composition and magnitude of the tumor immune infiltrates, identifying models that harbor “inflamed” and “non-inflamed” tumor immune infiltrate phenotypes. We also found that immunosuppressive cell types predominated in syngeneic mouse tumor models that did not respond to immune-checkpoint blockade, whereas cytotoxic effector immune cells were enriched in responsive models. A cytotoxic cell–rich tumor immune infiltrate has been correlated with increased efficacy of immunotherapies in the clinic, and these differences could underlie the varying response profiles to immunotherapy between the syngeneic models. This characterization highlighted the importance of extensive profiling and will enable investigators to select appropriate models to interrogate the activity of immunotherapies as well as combinations with targeted therapies in vivo. Cancer Immunol Res; 5(1); 29–41. ©2016 AACR.

Supplementary Figure S1: Summary of experiments Supplementary Figure S2: Gating strategy Supplementary Figure S3:Profiling by array CGH, whole-exome and targeted sequencing Supplementary Figure S4: Comparison of mutational profiles of murine syngeneic tumor cell lines and TCGA patient tumors Supplementary Figure S5: Differentially-expressed gene-sets in lymph node and spleen Supplementary Table S1: Cell line details Supplementary Table S2: Copy Number Variation Supplementary Table S3: List of 64 genes investigated by targeted sequencing Supplementary Table S4: Fluorescent antibodies used Supplementary Methods: Linear mixed-effect model

Supplementary dataset containing raw data from targeted sequencing, whole exome sequencing, array CGH and transcriptomic analysis

The fruit fly responsible for causing serious damage to the culture (Mangifera indica L. – Anacardiaceae) and socioeconomic damage. Thus, the objective of this work was to report the species of fruit fly, their faunal indices and populational fluctuation in mango trees varieties Sword and "Maranhão" mangos in the Seridó Oriental region of the state of Paraíba. The work was developed in a mango tree orchard with the varieties of Sword and "Maranhão" mango, not technified, in the Várzea Verde community, municipality of Frei Martinho, Paraíba, Brazil. The fruit fly were collected with the aid of McPhail traps. Hydrolyzed protein was used as food bait, 5% diluted in 500 ml solution. The identification of tephritids was held at the Entomology Laboratory of the Federal Rural University of Semi-Arid (UFERSA) in the municipality of Mossoró-RN. The following fauna indexes were calculated (dominance, abundance, frequency and constancy). For monitoring the adult flies were calculated Fly/Trap/Day indices, correlating with climatic conditions, temperature and precipitation. There were 1,364 specimens captured of fruit fly, represented by six species Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart, 1835), A. dissimilis Stone, 1942, A. sororcula Zucchi, 1979, A. zenildae Zucchi, 1979, A. distincta Greene, 1934 e Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824), the largest number of species were from genus Anastrepha. Abiotic factors, temperature, and precipitation influenced negatively on fruit fly of the mango trees in the fruiting period. Las moscas de la fruta son responsables por los daños en el cultivo del mango (Mangifera indica L. - Anacardiaceae) con perjuicios socioeconómicos. Así, el objetivo de este trabajo es informar las especies de moscas de la fruta, sus índices faunísticos y fluctuación poblacional en mango de las variedades Espada y Maranhão, en la región de Seridó Oriental del estado de Paraíba. El trabajo fue desarrolldo em una huerta de mango con las variedades Espada y Maranhão, no tecnificado, em la comunidad Várzea Verde, ciudad de Frei Martinho, Paraíba, Brasil. La moscas de la fruta fueron recogidas com ayuda de trampas McPhail, usando proteína hidrolisada al 5%, como alimento atrayente. Se caucularon losíndices faunísticos (domínio, abundancia, frecuencia y constancia). La flutuación poblacional fue estabelecida através del indice de Mosca/Trampa/Día, correlacionándolo con las variables climáticas, temperatura y lluvia. Fueron capturados 1.364 ejenplares de moscas de la fruta, representado por seis espécies, Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart, 1835), A. dissimilis Stone, 1942, A. sororcula Zucchi, 1979, A. zenildae Zucchi, 1979, A. distincta Greene, 1934 e Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824), siendo el mayor número de especímenes pertenecientes al género Anastrepha. La temperatura y la lluvia influenciaron negativamente en las poblaciones de las moscas de la fruta en el período de fructificación. As moscas-das-frutas são responsáveis por causarem danos à cultura da mangueira (Mangifera indica L. - Anacardiaceae) com prejuízos socioeconômicos. Assim, objetivou-se com esse trabalho relatar as espécies de moscas-das-frutas, seus índices faunísticos e flutuação populacional em mangueiras das variedades Espada e Maranhão, na região Seridó Oriental do estado da Paraíba. O trabalho foi desenvolvido em um pomar de mangueira das variedades Espada e Maranhão, não tecnificado, na comunidade Várzea Verde, município de Frei Martinho, Paraíba, Brasil. As moscas-das-frutas foram coletadas com o auxílio de armadilhas McPhail, utilizado proteína hidrolisada à 5%, como atrativo alimentar. Foram calculados os índices faunísticos (dominância, abundância, frequência e constância). A flutuação populacional foi estabelecida através do índice de Mosca/Armadilha/Dia, correlacionando-a com as variáveis climáticas, temperatura e precipitação pluvial. Foram capturados 1.364 exemplares de moscas-das-frutas, representados por seis espécies, Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart, 1835), A. dissimilis Stone, 1942, A. sororcula Zucchi, 1979, A. zenildae Zucchi, 1979, A. distincta Greene, 1934 e Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824), sendo o maior número de espécimes pertencentes ao gênero Anastrepha. A temperatura e a precipitação pluvial influenciaram negativamente nas populações de moscas-das-frutas no período de frutificação.

Este trabalho objetivou realizar cadastramento fitossociológico das espécies de plantas daninhas na cultura da banana no Vale do Assu, no município de Ipanguaçu-RN. O trabalho foi desenvolvido em uma área cultivada com banana ‘maça’ em área experimental do IFRN, campus Ipanguaçu. Para realização do estudo, selecionou-se uma área com plantas em plena produção com quatro anos de idade, proveniente do plantio via rizomas. Na caracterização da comunidade infestante foi utilizado o método do quadrado inventário (quadro de 0,5 x 0,5 m), lançado aleatoriamente na área em estudo. Em cada quadro amostrado, as plantas foram identificadas, sendo quantificadas as famílias, os gêneros e as espécies. Para a área estudada, pôde-se observar maior predominância de plantas dicotiledôneas. Foram identificadas 12 espécies distribuídas em 12 gêneros e 9 famílias. A maior infestação foi de espécies da família Poaceae (25%).

Murine syngeneic tumor models are critical to novel immuno-based therapy development, but the molecular and immunologic features of these models are still not clearly defined. The translational relevance of differences between the models is not fully understood, impeding appropriate preclinical model selection for target validation, and ultimately hindering drug development. Across a panel of commonly used murine syngeneic tumor models, we showed variable responsiveness to immunotherapies. We used array comparative genomic hybridization, whole-exome sequencing, exon microarray analysis, and flow cytometry to extensively characterize these models, which revealed striking differences that may underlie these contrasting response profiles. We identified strong differential gene expression in immune-related pathways and changes in immune cell–specific genes that suggested differences in tumor immune infiltrates between models. Further investigation using flow cytometry showed differences in both the composition and magnitude of the tumor immune infiltrates, identifying models that harbor “inflamed” and “non-inflamed” tumor immune infiltrate phenotypes. We also found that immunosuppressive cell types predominated in syngeneic mouse tumor models that did not respond to immune-checkpoint blockade, whereas cytotoxic effector immune cells were enriched in responsive models. A cytotoxic cell–rich tumor immune infiltrate has been correlated with increased efficacy of immunotherapies in the clinic, and these differences could underlie the varying response profiles to immunotherapy between the syngeneic models. This characterization highlighted the importance of extensive profiling and will enable investigators to select appropriate models to interrogate the activity of immunotherapies as well as combinations with targeted therapies in vivo. Cancer Immunol Res; 5(1); 29–41. ©2016 AACR.

Adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) are now emerging as a good alternative to bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSC) for cellular therapy. Similarly to BM-MSC, ASCs can be easily isolated as adherent fibroblastoid cell population after processing lipoaspirate samples. Lipoaspiration provides a great number of cells, without extensive manipulation. ASCs express classical mesenchymal markers and only at early passages express CD34. ASCs can differentiate in cells of mesodermal lineages, such as adipocytes, osteocytes and condrocytes. ASCs share with BM-MSC the same ability to inhibit the proliferation of allogeneic, activated immune cells, thus affecting in vivo in animal models the onset and course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerous colitis (UC) and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). On the other hand, the main molecular pathway involved in this effect is still unclear. On the basis of this functional property, ASCs are used in different clinical trials to treat RA, CD, UC and GvHD. However, the most promising field of clinical application is represented by bone defect repair. Despite the ability to regenerate injured tissues and to block the progression of inflammatory disorders, some authors reported that ASCs can also induce, in in vivo animal models, the growth and vascularization of solid and hematological tumors. Conversely, ASCs have been shown to hamper tumor cell proliferation, reduce cell viability and induce necrosis. Thus, more accurate studies, collaborative protocols, high standardization of methods, and safety controls are required to exclude transformation of transplanted ASCs.

It was aimed to study biological and behavior aspects of larvae and adults of Chrysoperla externa in greenhouse, on cotton plants. Recently hatched larvae were released on the upper third of cotton plants, which were previously infested with Aphis gossypii,. After emergence, adults were separated by sex and packed in cylindrical PVC recipients with cotton plant. We evaluated the duration of each larval, pre-pupal and pupal periods, pre-oviposition, oviposition, effective oviposition and post-oviposition periods, male and female logevity, daily and total oviposition capacity. The behavior of pupal stage was also evaluated, which released three larvae of the 3rd instar per cotton plant and they were put on the lower, medium and upper sections. As treatments, it was used naked soil, dried leaves from cotton plant, crushed rock nº 1; and crushed rock nº 1 + dried leaves. Larvae from different instars were released on the upper section of the cotton plants infested with A. gossypii to verify the search timing that marked the period the prey was exposed to the predator. C. externa larvae passed through all the phases of their biological cycle and there was no significant influence on the type of the soil covering used on pupal stage, since all of them were significantly higher on naked soil. There was no significative difference on the prey search by C. externa larvae.Objetivou-se estudar aspectos biológicos e comportamentais de larvas e adultos de Chrysoperla externa em casa-de-vegetação, em plantas de algodão. Larvas recém eclodidas foram liberadas no terço superior de plantas de algodão previamente infestadas com Aphis gossypii, onde permaneceram até a pupação. Após a emergência, adultos foram separados por sexo, acondicionados em recipientes cilíndricos de PVC contendo uma planta de algodoeiro. Avaliaram-se a duração de cada ínstar, dos períodos larval, pré-pupal e pupal, dos períodos de pré-oviposição, oviposição, efetivo de oviposição, pós-oviposição, longevidade de machos e fêmeas, capacidade diária e total de oviposição. O comportamento de pupação foi avaliado liberando-se três larvas de terceiro ínstar por planta de algodão, colocando-as no terço inferior, médio e superior. Os tratamentos foram: solo nu, folhas secas de algodoeiro, brita no 1 e brita no 1 + folhas secas. Para se avaliar o tempo de busca, larvas nos diferentes ínstares, foram liberadas no terço superior de plantas de algodão infestadas com A. gossypii, cronometrando-se o tempo em que a presa ficou exposta ao predador. As larvas de C. externa passaram por todas as fases do seu ciclo biológico e não houve influência significativa do tipo de cobertura do solo utilizada na porcentagem de pupas recuperadas, sendo todas foram significativamente superiores a solo nu. Não houve diferença significativa no tempo de busca da presa pelas larvas de C. externa.

Brazil is the fourth cocoon producer in the world. In São Paulo State there are mulberry some hybrids whose productivity are higher than the commonly cultivated varieties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of mulberry hybrids (Morus spp.) on the cocoon production of silkworm (Bombyx mori L.). The experiment was conducted at the Unidade Regional de Pesquisa de Gália do Instituto de Zootecnia, SP. The caterpillars were fed on leaves of the hybrids IZ-3/2, IZ-13/6, IZ-15/7, IZ-19/13, IZ-56/4, IZ-57/2, IZ- 40, IZ-64, in a rearing hut at 25 oC ± 3 oC and 75% ± 5% relative humidity. 'Korin' was used as standard. The hybrids affected the duration of the larval period and the weight of the caterpillars, prepupaes and the silk glands as well. There was a reduction in the duration of larval development when the caterpillars had been fed with hybrid IZ-56/4 and the 'Korin' variety. Hybrids IZ-57/2, IZ-56/4 and IZ-15/7 presented the highest cocoon production.

Este trabalho objetivou conhecer e comparar a diversidade de formigas em três fragmentos florestais (Cananéia, Ibicatu e Pariquera-Açu) do Estado de São Paulo. As coletas foram realizadas em serapilheira e na camada mineral (0-5 cm de profundidade), na base de Euterpe edulis. As formigas foram coletadas, utilizando-se sonda cilíndrica de alumínio de 10 cm de diâmetro por 5 cm de altura, a qual era introduzida na serapilheira e no solo; depois triadas, montadas e identificadas. Os dados foram submetidos a análise de variância (ANOVA). Com o programa ANAFAU calcularam-se os índices faunísticos, a diversidade pelo método de Shannon- Wiener (H), os índices de eqüitabilidade (E) e similaridade. A riqueza estimada de espécies, o número de espécies singletons e doubletons e a curva de acumulação de espécies foram calculadas pelo programa EstimateS. As formigas também foram separadas em guildas, com base em aspectos biológicos. Pela análise da suficiência amostral em cada fragmento florestal, observou-se que Cananéia e Pariquera-Açu foram mais homogêneos do que Ibicatu. O número de amostras não foi suficiente para caracterizar os ambientes, pois a curva do coletor não se estabilizou. As formigas foram agrupadas em 9 guildas, sendo que 3 foram consideradas novas. Esses resultados fornecem subsídios para o conhecimento taxonômico e ecológico das espécies de formigas que habitam alguns trechos da Mata Atlântica paulista. This research deals with the diversity of ants in three forest fragments (Cananéia, Ibicatu, and Pariquera-Açu) of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The insects were collect by using an aluminium cylindrical device introduced into the litter and the soil layer (0 to 5 cm deep) around the base of Euterpe edulis trees. The ants were then taken to the laboratory, pin-mounted and identified. The data were submitted to the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The faunistic, equitability (E) and similarity indexes, and the diversity by the Shannon-Wiener (H) method, were calculated through the ANAFAU program. The estimated species richness, the number of singleton and doubleton species and the accumulation curve of species were calculated by the EstimateS program. The ants were separated into guilds, based in biological aspects. The analysis of sufficiency sampling of each forest fragment indicated that Cananéia and Pariquera-Açu were more homogeneous than Ibicatu. The number of samplings were not sufficient to caracterize the environments for the collector curve did not stabilized. The ants were grouped into nine guilds, being three of them considered new ones. Broadly speaking, the results provide data for the taxonomic and ecological knowledge of ant species occurring in some parts of the São Paulo State Atlantic Forest.

Os fatores bióticos e abióticos afetam o potencial reprodutivo dos insetos. Portanto, estudou-se o efeito da idade das fêmeas e de fatores ambientais sobre a reprodução de Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Adultos do predador foram criados em gaiolas de PVC, fechadas na parte superior com tecido de malha fina (organza), colocadas sobre plantas de algodão em casa-de-vegetação. A maior produção de ovos por fêmea (87,7 ovos) ocorreu aos 49 dias, e a menor (32,2 ovos), aos 63 dias de idade. O reacasalamento ocorreu após o esgotamento das reservas espermáticas, a partir do 28o dia. A fecundidade de fêmeas de C. externa aumentou com a elevação da umidade relativa do ar. Verificou-se, também, um rápido desenvolvimento embrionário com a elevação da temperatura e com fêmeas longevas. Esses resultados fornecem subsídios para o conhecimento da reprodução de C. externa em algodoeiroThe biotic and abiotic factors affect the reproductive potential of insects. Thus, the effects of female age and environmental factors on reproduction of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) were studied. Adults of the predator were reared in "PVC" cages, closed in the upper portion with a thin mesh, organdie, placed on cotton plants at a greenhouse. The largest production of eggs by female (87.7 eggs) occurred with 49 days and the smallest (32.2 eggs) with 63 days of female age. The remating occurred after the exhaustion of spermatic reservations, starting on 28th day. The fecundity of C. externa females increased with elevation of the relative humidity of air. It was also verified a fast embryonic development with increase of temperature and female age. All these results supply subsidies for knowledge of the reproduction of C. externa in cotton system

Estudou-se a duração e a viabilidade das fases imaturas de Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) alimentadas com o pulgão do algodoeiro, Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera, Aphididae), e com a traça do milho, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). A pesquisa foi conduzida no Laboratório de Entomologia da Embrapa - CNPA, em Campina Grande, Paraíba, em 1998/99 em condições controladas sob temperatura de 25±2ºC, 70±10% UR e fotofase de 12 horas. O desenvolvimento pré-imaginal de C. externa decorreu normalmente: fase larval com três ínstares, pré-pupa e pupa. De acordo com os resultados, pode-se concluir que as larvas de C. externa alimentadas com A. gossypii apresentam uma duração significativamente maior para o primeiro e terceiro ínstares, que às alimentadas com S. cerealella. Entretanto, não há efeito dessas presas na viabilidade das fases desse predador, exceto para a de pré-pupa. C. externa pode ser criado em A. gossypii ou S. cerealella sem risco de perda de viabilidade, embora algumas fases possam ser mais longas.This work was carried out at the Laboratório de Entomologia da Embrapa - CNPA, in Campina Grande, state of Paraíba, Brazil, in 1998/99, to study the duration and viability of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) larvae, fed with Aphis gossypii (Homoptera, Aphididae) and Sitotroga cerealella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), under controlled conditions. The temperature was 25+-2º C, 70+-10% UR and 12-hour photophase. The C. externa pre-imaginal development was normal: larval phase with three instars, pre-pupa and pupa. The results showed that C. externa larvae fed on A. gossypii had a first and third instar longer than the ones fed with S. cerealella. However, no effect was observed in the phases' viability, excepting the pre-pupa. C. externa can feed on both preys without viability loss, although this may enhance some phases' duration.

International audience; The aim of this study was to assess the immune modulatory properties of human mesenchymal stromal cells obtained from bone marrow (BM-MSCs), fat (ASCs) and cord blood (CB-MSCs) in the presence of a novel hydroxyapatite and tricalcium-phosphate (HA/TCP) biomaterial as scaffold for MSC delivery. In resting conditions, a short-term culture with HA/TCP did not modulate the anti-apoptotic and suppressive features of the various MSC types towards T, B and NK cells; in addition, when primed with inflammatory cytokines, MSC maintained or not on HA/TCP similarlyincreased their suppressive capacities. The long-term culture of BM-MSCs with HA/TCP induced an osteoblast-like phenotype with up-regulation of OSTERIX and OSTEOCALCIN, similarly to what obtained with dexamethasone and, to a higher extent, BMP-4 treatment. MSC-derived osteoblasts did not trigger immune cell activation, but were less efficient than undifferentiated MSCs in inhibiting stimulated T and NK cells. Interestingly, their suppressive machinery included not only the activation of IDO, which plays a central role in T-cell inhibition, but also COX-2 that was not significantly involved in immune modulatory effect of human undifferentiated MSCs. COX-2 is significantly involved in bone healing, suggesting that its induction by HA/TCP could also contribute to the therapeutic activity of MSC for bone tissue engineering.

This is the first report of the parasitoid Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson) as a biological control agent of the aphid Aphis gossypii Glover in watermelon crop in Vale do Açu, RN. It was observed that near the harvest, almost all collected aphids were mummified, and after analyzing the emerged parasitoids, the parasitoid L. testaceipes was identified. Therefore, in the future, this species may be included in A. gossypii integrated management programs.

International audience; : Allogeneic stem cell (SC)-based therapy is a promising tool for the treatment of a range of human degenerative and inflammatory diseases. Many reports highlighted the immune modulatory properties of some SC types, such as mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), but a comparative study with SCs of different origin, to assess whether immune regulation is a general SC property, is still lacking. To this aim, we applied highly standardized methods employed for MSC characterization to compare the immunological properties of bone marrow-MSCs, olfactory ectomesenchymal SCs, leptomeningeal SCs, and three different c-Kit-positive SC types, that is, amniotic fluid SCs, cardiac SCs, and lung SCs. We found that all the analyzed human SCs share a common pattern of immunological features, in terms of expression of activation markers ICAM-1, VCAM-1, HLA-ABC, and HLA-DR, modulatory activity toward purified T, B, and NK cells, lower immunogenicity of inflammatory-primed SCs as compared to resting SCs, and indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-activation as molecular inhibitory pathways, with some SC type-related peculiarities. Moreover, the SC types analyzed exert an anti-apoptotic effect toward not-activated immune effector cells (IECs). In addition, we found that the inhibitory behavior is not a constitutive property of SCs, but is acquired as a consequence of IEC activation, as previously described for MSCs. Thus, immune regulation is a general property of SCs and the characterization of this phenomenon may be useful for a proper therapeutic use of SCs.

International audience; Clinical-grade mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are usually expanded from bone marrow (BMMSCs) or adipose tissue (ADSCs) using processes mainly differing in the use of fetal calf serum (FCS) or human platelet lysate (PL). We aimed to compare immune modulatory properties of clinical-grade MSCs using a combination of fully standardized in vitro assays. BMMSCs expanded with FCS (BMMSC-FCS) or PL (BMMSC-PL), and ADSC-PL were analyzed in quantitative phenotypic and functional experiments, including their capacity to inhibit the proliferation of T, B, and NK cells. The molecular mechanisms supporting T-cell inhibition were investigated. These parameters were also evaluated after pre-stimulation of MSCs with inflammatory cytokines. BMMSC-FCS, BMMSC-PL, and ADSC-PL displayed significant differences in expression of immunosuppressive and adhesion molecules. Standardized functional assays revealed that resting MSCs inhibited proliferation of T and NK cells, but not B cells. ADSC-PL were the most potent in inhibiting T-cell growth, a property ascribed to interferon-γ-dependent indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity. MSCs did not stimulate allogeneic T cell proliferation but were efficiently lysed by activated NK cells. The systematic use of quantitative and reproducible validation techniques highlights differences in immunological properties of MSCs produced using various clinical-grade processes. ADSC-PL emerge as a promising candidate for future clinical trials.

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) reside in many organs including lung, as shown by their isolation from fetal lung tissues, bronchial stromal compartment, bronchial-alveolar lavage and transplanted lung tissues. It is still controversial whether lung MSCs can undergo mesenchymal-to-epithelial-transition (MET) and possess immune regulatory properties. To this aim, we isolated, expanded and characterized MSCs from normal adult human lung (lung-hMSCs) and compared with human bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-hMSCs). Our results show that lung-MSCs reside at the perivascular level and do not significantly differ from BM-hMSCs in terms of immunophenotype, stemness gene profile, mesodermal differentiation potential and modulation of T, B and NK cells. However, lung-hMSCs express higher basal level of the stemness-related marker nestin and show, following in vitro treatment with retinoic acid, higher epithelial cell polarization, which is anyway partial when compared to a control epithelial bronchial cell line. Although these results question the real capability of acquiring epithelial functions by MSCs and the feasibility of MSC-based therapeutic approaches to regenerate damaged lung tissues, the characterization of this lung-hMSC population may be useful to study the involvement of stromal cell compartment in lung diseases in which MET plays a role, such as in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult non-hematopoietic stem cells originally isolated from bone marrow (BM) (Prockop, 1997), but they are virtually present and can be isolated from almost every tissue of the body (Da Silva et al., 2006), including peripheral blood (Roufosse et al., 2004). This evidence suggests that MSCs could be part of a mesenchymal-stromal cell system diffused throughout the body. The real in vivo counterpart of culture-expanded MSCs is still unknown; however, different Authors suggested that MSCs are a subgroup of vessel-lining pericytes that may contribute to vessel homeostasis by reacting to tissue damage with regenerative processes, locally modulating the inflammatory reaction, and entering systemic circulation to migrate according to cytokine gradients (Crisan et al., 2008). The International Society of Cellular Therapy (ISCT) stated the following three criteria for the definition of MSCs after in vitro expansion (Dominici et al., 2006): (1) the adherence to plastic under standard tissue culture conditions; (2) the expression of a specific combination of cell surface markers; (3) the capability of multilineage differentiation under appropriate in vitro conditions. These criteria are necessary to overcome the problems due to the absence of MSC-specific cell surface markers, the high heterogeneity in terms of differentiation potential, and the similarities to fibroblasts displayed by isolated and expanded MSCs. Consequently, ISTC suggested to define MSCs as “Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells” instead of “Mesenchymal Stem Cells”. In this Chapter, MSC isolation, expansion and functional characterization will be discussed in details.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a preferência de oviposição da mosca minadora sobre duas espécies de leguminosas: feijão de porco Canavalia ensiformis e feijão caupi Vigna unguiculata (variedade Sempre Verde), e duas espécies de cucurbitáceas: melão Cucumis melo (variedade Vereda) e abóbora Cucurbita maxima (variedade Jacarezinho). Para realização do experimento foram feitos discos foliares, de cada espécie vegetal, com área de 7cm2, sendo estes mantidos sobre umasolução de ágar em placas de petri de 9,5 cm de diâmetro. Em seguida os discos foliares foram misturados e submetidos à infestação pela mosca minadora durante uma hora. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o Inteiramente Casualizado, composto por quatro tratamentos (espécies vegetais) e 12 repetições (discos foliares). A preferência de oviposição da mosca minadora foi mensurada pela quantidade de larvas/disco foliar contabilizada em cada tratamento. As folhas do meloeiro foram as mais preferidas pela mosca minadora para postura dos ovos, seguidas do feijão de porco e feijão caupi.

This is the first report of the parasitoid Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson) as a biological control agent of the aphid Aphis gossypii Glover in watermelon crop in Vale do Açu, RN. It was observed that near the harvest, almost all collected aphids were mummified, and after analyzing the emerged parasitoids, the parasitoid L. testaceipes was identified. Therefore, in the future, this species may be included in A. gossypii integrated management programs. Este é o primeiro relato do parasitoide Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson) como agente de controle biológico do pulgão Aphis gossypii Glover na cultura da melancia, na região do Vale do Açu, Rio Grande do Norte (RN). Observou-se que próximo da colheita quase todos os pulgões coletados encontravam-se mumificados e, na análise dos parasitoides emergidos, constatou-se o parasitismo por L. testaceipes. Essa espécie, portanto, poderá ser incluída em um programa de manejo integrado de A. gossypii futuramente.

The possibility of treating degenerative diseases by stem cell-based approaches is a promising therapeutical option. Among major concerns for the clinical application of stem cells, some derive from the possibility that stem cells may be rejected by the immune system as a consequence of histoincompatibility and that stem cells themselves may interfere with the normal functions of host immune response. Therefore, the immunogenicity and the immunomodulatory properties of stem cells must be carefully addressed. Although these properties are common features of different stem cell types, some peculiarities can be recognized and characterized for their proper clinical use.

This work was carried out at the Laboratório de Entomologia da Embrapa - CNPA, in Campina Grande, state of Paraíba, Brazil, in 1998/99, to study the duration and viability of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) larvae, fed with Aphis gossypii (Homoptera, Aphididae) and Sitotroga cerealella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), under controlled conditions. The temperature was 25+-2º C, 70+-10% UR and 12-hour photophase. The C. externa pre-imaginal development was normal: larval phase with three instars, pre-pupa and pupa. The results showed that C. externa larvae fed on A. gossypii had a first and third instar longer than the ones fed with S. cerealella. However, no effect was observed in the phases' viability, excepting the pre-pupa. C. externa can feed on both preys without viability loss, although this may enhance some phases' duration. Estudou-se a duração e a viabilidade das fases imaturas de Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) alimentadas com o pulgão do algodoeiro, Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera, Aphididae), e com a traça do milho, Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). A pesquisa foi conduzida no Laboratório de Entomologia da Embrapa - CNPA, em Campina Grande, Paraíba, em 1998/99 em condições controladas sob temperatura de 25±2ºC, 70±10% UR e fotofase de 12 horas. O desenvolvimento pré-imaginal de C. externa decorreu normalmente: fase larval com três ínstares, pré-pupa e pupa. De acordo com os resultados, pode-se concluir que as larvas de C. externa alimentadas com A. gossypii apresentam uma duração significativamente maior para o primeiro e terceiro ínstares, que às alimentadas com S. cerealella. Entretanto, não há efeito dessas presas na viabilidade das fases desse predador, exceto para a de pré-pupa. C. externa pode ser criado em A. gossypii ou S. cerealella sem risco de perda de viabilidade, embora algumas fases possam ser mais longas.