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Background: Our group previously demonstrated that a DNA plasmid encoding the mycobacterial 65-kDa heat shock protein (DNA-HSP65) displayed prophylactic and therapeutic effect in a mice model for tuberculosis. This protection was attributed to induction of a strong cellular immunity against HSP65. As specific immunity to HSP60 family has been detected in arthritis, multiple sclerosis and diabetes, the vaccination procedure with DNA-HSP65 could induce a cross-reactive immune response that could trigger or worsen these autoimmune diseases.

The aim of this study was to evaluate physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant activity, total phenolic, vitamin C and anthocyanins content of grape juices from cv. Isabel submitted to different UV-C doses. The fruits were harvested, sanitized and inserted into a UV-C radiation chamber, where different doses were applied: 0 kJ/m 2 (0 minutes); 0.68 kJ/m 2 (2 minutes); 2.73 kJ/m 2 (4 minutes); 4.10 kJ/m 2 (6 minutes). The grape juice was extracted at 75±5°C for 1 hour, using an equipment with steam extraction and submitted to evaluations after 0, 30, 60 and 90 days of cold storage. No significant differences were observed in grape juices submitted to radiation doses regarding the antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds. However, the vitamin C content was affected by different UV-C doses, where there was an increase in the values of the treated fruits during storage. RESUMO-O presente trabalho teve como objetivo a caracterização físico-química, bem como a avaliação da atividade antioxidante, teor de fenólicos totais, vitamina C e antocianinas de sucos elaborados a partir de uvas cultivar Isabel submetidas a diferentes doses de radiação UV-C. Os frutos foram colhidos, sanitizados e inseridos em uma câmara de radiação UV-C, onde diferentes doses foram aplicadas: 0 KJ/m 2 (0 minutos); 0,68 KJ/m 2 (2 minutos); 2,73 KJ/m 2 (4 minutos); 4,10 KJ/m 2 (6 minutos). A elaboração dos sucos de uva foi realizada a 75º±5ºC durante 1 hora, usando um equipamento artesanal por arraste de vapor e os mesmos foram analisados após 0, 30, 60 e 90 dias de armazenamento. Os sucos de uva não apresentaram diferenças significativas com relação às doses de radiação para atividade antioxidante e compostos fenólicos. Porém, o teor de vitamina C foi afetado pelas diferentes doses, onde observou-se um aumento dos valores dos frutos tratados ao longo do armazenamento. Termos para indexação: Vitis labrusca, compostos fenólicos, vitamina C, qualidade, irradiação.

Heat-shock proteins (HSPs) are currently one of the most promising targets for the development of immunotherapy against tumours and autoimmune disorders. This protein family has the capacity to activate or modulate the function of different immune system cells. They induce the activation of monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells, and contribute to cross-priming, an important mechanism of presentation of exogenous antigen in the context of MHe class I molecules. These various immunological properties of HSP have encouraged their use in several clinical trials. Nevertheless, an important issue regarding these proteins is whether the high homology among HSPs across different species may trigger the breakdown of immune tolerance and induce autoimmune diseases. We have developed a DNA vaccine codifying the Mycobacterium /eprae Hsp65 (DNAhsp65), which showed to be highly immunogenic and protective against experimental tuberculosis. Here, we address the question of Whether DNAhsp65 immunization could induce pathological autoimmunity in mice. Our results show that DNAhsp65 vaccination induced antibodies that can recognize the human Hsp60 but did not induce harmful effects in 16 different organs analysed by histopathology up to 210 days after vaccination. We also showed that anti-DNA antibodies were not elicited after DNA vaccination. The results are important for the development of both HSP and DNA-based immunomodulatory agents. 1721-727X (2009) Copyright© by DlOLlFE.8.8.s. This publicationand/or article is for individualuse only and may not be further reproducedwithout written permissionfrom the copyrightholder. Unauthorizedreproductionmay result in financial and other penalties 77The dual roles ofheat-shock proteins (HSPs) in the (I). Due to their potential use as immunomodulators in immune system are still a matter of scientific debate a variety of pathological processes, special attention