Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal cancers and despite all research efforts the last 50 years, there are still no effective therapy for this terrible disease. Until quite recently most research in the field of pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma (PDAC) was focused on the tumor cells and mechanisms essential for their proliferation and survival. However, the tumor does not only consist of tumor cells, rather a combination of tumor cells and numerous stroma cell types, i.e. the tumor microenvironment. The tumor cells have developed the ability to activate the surrounding cells to produce factors important for the progression of the tumor. Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the major stroma component and as much as 70% of the total PDAC tumor mass consists of these cells. In this thesis I have investigated the mechanisms involved in the cross-talk between tumor cells and CAFs and distinguished the local and systemic effects of this communication. Tumor derived IL-1α was identified as an important factor creating the inflammatory profile seen in CAFs. In PDAC patients, IL-1α was detected in 90% of the tumors and high expression was associated with poor clinical outcome. Moreover, the PDAC tumors had elevated expression levels of many inflammatory factors that were induced in CAFs by the tumor derived IL-1α in vitro. Consequently, this high expression of inflammatory factors in CAFs will attract immune cells including tumor associated macrophages (TAMs), dendritic cells (DCs), and CD8+ T cells. This indicates an immune suppressive role of CAFs, protecting the tumor cells by acting as decoy targets for immune cells homing into the tumor. The inflammatory factors produced in the PDAC microenvironment did not only affect the infiltrating immune cells, but had also systemic effects that included decreased levels of blood DCs in PDAC patients. Furthermore, these myeloid and plasmacytoid DCs were partly activated and had a semi mature phenotype and impaired immunostimulatory function. Low levels of blood DCs were direct associated with poor patient prognosis and the same was seen for low expression of ICOSL by the DCs. The findings presented in this thesis indicate an essential role for the cross-talk between tumor cells and stroma in the production of tumor  promoting factors. Treatment of PDAC patients with drugs that target the IL-1α signaling pathway could prevent the communication between these cells, thus reduce the amount of inflammatory factors both locally and systemically. Altogether, our findings support the idea that neutralization of the IL-1α signaling molecule could be a promising therapy for pancreatic cancer. The findings presented in this thesis indicate an essential role for the cross-talk between tumor cells and stroma in the production of tumor promoting factors. Treatment of PDAC patients with drugs that target the IL-1α signaling pathway could prevent the communication between these cells, thus reduce the amount of inflammatory factors both locally and systemically. Altogether, our findings support the idea that neutralization of the IL-1α signaling molecule could be a promising therapy for pancreatic cancer. / Mindre än 5% av patienterna som drabbas av cancer i bukspottkörteln förväntas överleva i mer än fem år. De typiska symtomen kommer sent och sjukdomen framskrider snabbt. Några av de riskfaktorer som identifierats är tobaksrökning, fetma och typ 2 diabetes. Forskningen har hittills siktat in sig på tumörcellerna och de mekanismer de använder för att överleva och föröka sig. Men en tumör innehåller också normala kroppsceller och vid bukspottkörtelcancer kan så mycket som 70 procent bestå av i sig ofarliga bindvävsceller. Miljön i tumören skapas av samspelet mellan dessa celltyper. De cancerceller som är bäst på att utnyttja omgivningen för sin tillväxt fortlever och för sina egenskaper vidare. En sådan egenskap är att kunna manipulera bindvävsceller till att producera signalsubstanser och tillväxtfaktorer som gynnar tumören. Mekanismerna bakom denna kommunikation har studerats och ett viktigt fynd var att tumörcellerna producerar signalämnet interleukin 1-alpha (IL-1a). Detta protein upptäcktes i 90 procent av de undersökta tumörerna, och var kopplat till dålig prognos hos patienterna. Signalen via IL-1a sätter igång tillverkningen av substanser som behövs för nybildning och tillväxt av blodkärl, i sin tur en förutsättning för att tumören ska leva vidare och växa. Proteinet stimulerar också celldelning i tumören, bidrar till att lura kroppens immunförsvar och underlättar spridning av dottertumörer till andra delar av kroppen. När vi slår ut signaleringen kan tumörcellerna inte längre påverka bindvävscellerna lika effektivt, och således minskar förekomsten av flera faktorer som gynnar tumörtillväxten. IL-1a kan därför vara en lovande kandidat att utforska vidare för framtida som ett läkemedel mot bukspottkörtelcancer.

No description available.

In this work, a new polyurethane (PU) chain extender was developed to incorporate a Glycine-Leucine (Gly-Leu) dipeptide, the cleavage site of several matrix metalloproteinases. PUs were synthesized with either the Gly-Leu-based chain extender (Gly-Leu PU) or a phenylalanine-based chain extender (Phe PU). Both PUs had high molecular weight averages (Mw > 125,000 g/mol) and were phase segregated, semi-crystalline polymers (Tm ~ 42°C) with a low soft segment glass transition temperature (Tg < -50°C). Uniaxial tensile testing of PU films revealed that the polymers could withstand high ultimate tensile strengths (~ 8-13 MPa) and were flexible with breaking strains of ~ 870-910% but the two PUs exhibited a significant difference in mechanical properties. The Phe and Gly-Leu PUs were electrospun into porous scaffolds for degradation and cell-based studies. Fibrous Phe and Gly-Leu PU scaffolds were formed with randomly organized fibers and an average fiber diameter of approximately 3.6 µm. In addition, the Phe PU was electrospun into scaffolds of varying architecture to investigate how fiber alignment affects the orientation response of cardiac cells. To achieve this, the Phe PU was electrospun into aligned and unaligned scaffolds and the physical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the scaffolds were investigated. The degradation of the Phe and Gly-Leu PU scaffolds was investigated in the presence of active MMP-1, active MMP-9, and a buffer solution over 28 days to test MMP-mediated and passive hydrolysis of the PUs. Mass loss and structural assessment suggested that neither PU experienced significant hydrolysis to observe degradation over the course of the experiment. In cell-based studies, Phe and Gly-Leu PU scaffolds successfully supported a high density of viable and adherent mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) out to at least 28 days. Culturing murine embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (mESCDCs) alone and with MEFs on aligned and unaligned Phe PU scaffolds revealed both architectures supported adherent and functionally contractile cells. Importantly, fiber alignment and coculture with MEFs improved the organization and differentiation of mESCDCs suggesting these two parameters are important for developing engineered myocardial constructs using mESCDCs and PU scaffolds.

In this work, a new polyurethane (PU) chain extender was developed to incorporate a Glycine-Leucine (Gly-Leu) dipeptide, the cleavage site of several matrix metalloproteinases. PUs were synthesized with either the Gly-Leu-based chain extender (Gly-Leu PU) or a phenylalanine-based chain extender (Phe PU). Both PUs had high molecular weight averages (Mw > 125,000 g/mol) and were phase segregated, semi-crystalline polymers (Tm ~ 42°C) with a low soft segment glass transition temperature (Tg < -50°C). Uniaxial tensile testing of PU films revealed that the polymers could withstand high ultimate tensile strengths (~ 8-13 MPa) and were flexible with breaking strains of ~ 870-910% but the two PUs exhibited a significant difference in mechanical properties. The Phe and Gly-Leu PUs were electrospun into porous scaffolds for degradation and cell-based studies. Fibrous Phe and Gly-Leu PU scaffolds were formed with randomly organized fibers and an average fiber diameter of approximately 3.6 µm. In addition, the Phe PU was electrospun into scaffolds of varying architecture to investigate how fiber alignment affects the orientation response of cardiac cells. To achieve this, the Phe PU was electrospun into aligned and unaligned scaffolds and the physical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the scaffolds were investigated. The degradation of the Phe and Gly-Leu PU scaffolds was investigated in the presence of active MMP-1, active MMP-9, and a buffer solution over 28 days to test MMP-mediated and passive hydrolysis of the PUs. Mass loss and structural assessment suggested that neither PU experienced significant hydrolysis to observe degradation over the course of the experiment. In cell-based studies, Phe and Gly-Leu PU scaffolds successfully supported a high density of viable and adherent mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) out to at least 28 days. Culturing murine embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (mESCDCs) alone and with MEFs on aligned and unaligned Phe PU scaffolds revealed both architectures supported adherent and functionally contractile cells. Importantly, fiber alignment and coculture with MEFs improved the organization and differentiation of mESCDCs suggesting these two parameters are important for developing engineered myocardial constructs using mESCDCs and PU scaffolds.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oklahoma. / Bibliography: leaves 164-207.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:50:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-04-28 / Introdução: EROs são produzidas durante o metabolismo normal das células, tendo funções fisiológicas importantes como a sinalização celular. Porém, em uma situação que leve o organismo a uma produção exagerada de EROs, temos o chamado estresse oxidativo, que tem ação deletéria às células, podendo levar à apoptose ou à senescência celular . A vitamina C é um dos principais agentes antioxidantes do organismo, atuando em todas as formas de estresse oxidativo. Objetivo: O presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar o efeito da vitamina C em cultura de fibroblastos humanos dérmicos submetida ao estresse oxidativo pelo peróxido de hidrogênio. Método: O método constitui-se no isolamento e cultivo de fibroblastos humanos dérmico em seis grupos: controle, Vitamina C+, Vitamina C -, H2O2, Vitamina C + H2O2, Vitamina C - H2O2. Os fibroblastos foram submetidos ao estresse oxidativo pela suplementação de H2O2 ao meio de cultura por 2 horas. Foram avaliados a proliferação pelo MTT, a senescência celular pela marcação da enzima beta-galoctosidase, a apoptose celular e a liberação de EROs pela citometria de fluxo. Resultados: Os resultados demonstraram que o peróxido de hidrogênio aumentou significantemente a senescência celular e a apoptose nos fibroblastos. A vitamina C diminuiu significantemente a indução da senescência celular somente no estado intracelular. Conclusão: Concluiu-se que a vitamina C não protegeu os fibroblastos humanos dérmicos cultivados contra o estresse oxidativo induzido pelo H2O2 e que a Vitamina C intracelular levou a uma diminuição da indução da senescência celular. / Introduction: ROS are produced during normal cell metabolism, and have physiological functions such as cell signaling. However, in a situation that leads the body to an overproduction of ROS, we have the so called oxidative stress, which has deleterious effects on cells and may lead to apoptosis or cell senescence. Vitamin C is one of the major antioxidants in the body, acting in all forms of oxidative stress. Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of vitamin C in cultured human dermal fibroblasts subjected to oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide. Methods: The method consisted in the isolation and cultivation of human dermal fibroblasts into six groups: control, vitamin C (+), Vitamin C (-), H2O2, Vitamin C (+) H2O2, Vitamin C (-) H2O2. Fibroblasts were submitted to oxidative stress by the addition of H2O2 to the culture medium for 2 hours. The following points were evaluated: cell proliferation by MTT, cell senescence by marking the enzyme beta-galactosidase, cell apoptosis and the release of free radicals by flow cytometry. Results: The results demonstrated that hydrogen peroxide significantly increased senescence and apoptosis in fibroblasts, and that vitamin C only decreased induced cell senescence significantly when intracellular. Conclusion: We concluded that vitamin C did not protect cultured human dermal fibroblasts against oxidative stress induced by H2O2 and that intracellular vitamin C led to a decrease in the induction of cell senescence. / TEDE / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

O objetivo do presente trabalho é analisar os componentes celulares e de fibras do tecido conjuntivo nas hiperplasias inflamatórias (HI), nos fibromas (F) e na fibromatose gengival hereditária (FGH), além de investigar a imunocompetência e efetuar análises moleculares de pacientes com FGH. Para atingir os objetivos foram desenvolvidos 4 artigos, com diferentes metodologias e universos amostrais. No 1º artigo, pretendeu-se estabelecer critérios microscópicos válidos para diferenciar F e HI. Foram avaliadas em microscópio óptico 136 lesões coradas pela Hematoxilina-eosina (HE) e pelo Tricrômico de Masson quanto às características microscópicas. Os resultados mostraram que uma área central de fibras colágenas dispostas de forma enovelada e mais densa, circundada por uma camada de fibras dispostas de forma paralela são características dos F, enquanto a presença de hiperplasia epitelial, infiltrado inflamatório e fibras colágenas organizadas de forma paralela são características das HI. Tais resultados motivaram o 2º artigo, no qual estudamos 18 lesões de F e 13 de HI, que foram preparadas histologicamente e coradas pelo picrosírius red e pelo direct blue para avaliação quantitativa das fibras colágenas e de fibras do sistema elástico, respectivamente, em microscopia a laser confocal. Os resultados confirmaram a disposição estrutural das fibras colágenas observada no 1º artigo, além de apontarem diferenças nas áreas ocupadas pelas fibras colágenas em todas as regiões estudadas. A fim de proceder a uma avaliação dos componentes fibroso e celular das 3 lesões fibrosas, foi desenvolvido o 3º artigo. Espécimes das 3 lesões foram estudados em microscopia ótica, a fim de avaliar suas populações de fibroblastos e de células inflamatórias e os seguintes componentes fibrosos do tecido conjuntivo: fibras colágenas, sistema de fibras elásticas, fibras reticulares e fibras oxitalânicas. Os resultados mostraram disposição e concentração diferente das fibras colágenas nas 3 lesões e uma maior concentração de fibras reticulares na FGH. A análise dos componentes celulares mostrou um maior número de fibroblastos no F e uma maior contagem de células inflamatórias na HI. A partir do encaminhamento de uma família com FGH, optouse por inclui-la no estudo, tendo em vista serem lesões do mesmo grupo. Com isso, foi desenvolvido um 4º estudo, que utilizou uma avaliação morfológica semelhante à dos 2 artigos anteriormente descritos. Dos pacientes com FGH foi obtido sangue periférico para avaliação da proliferação celular de linfócitos através do teste do MTT e para o sequenciamento do gene SOS-1. Os resultados mostraram hiperplasia epitelial na porção externa da gengiva dos pacientes com FGH, maior concentração de fibras colágenas e poucas células inflamatórias. Os 3 pacientes com FGH não mostraram diferenças no seu índice de proliferação de linfócitos em relação aos controles e não apresentaram a mutação descrita no gene SOS-1 de outras famílias com FGH. Pode se concluir que as 3 lesões apresentam estrutura conjuntiva diferente tanto no aspecto quantitativo quanto na disposição estrutural de seus componentes. / The objective of this study was to analyze the cellular and fibrous components of connective tissue in inflammatory hyperplasia (IH), oral fibroma (OF) and hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF), and to investigate the immunocompetence and to perform molecular analysis in HGF patients. To achieve the goals were developed 4 articles, with different methodologies and sample universes. In the 1st article, we intended to establish microscopic criteria to differentiate F and IH. The microscopic characteristics of the lesions (n=136) stained by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson trichrome were evaluated in an optical microscope. The results showed that a central area of wound collagen fibers and arranged in a higher density, surrounded by a layer of parallel fibers are characteristic of F, while the presence of epithelial hyperplasia, inflammatory infiltrate and parallel collagen fibers are characteristics of HI. These results led the 2nd article, which studied 18 F and 13 and IH, histologically prepared and stained by picrosírius red and direct blue for the direct quantitative assessment of collagen fibers and elastic fibers of the system, respectively, in the confocal laser microscope. The results confirmed the structural arrangement of collagen fibers found in Article 1, and indicate differences in the areas of collagen fibers in all regions studied. In order to evaluate the cellular and fibrous components of the 3 fibrous lesions, was developed the 3rd article. Specimens of the 3 lesions were studied in optical microscopy, to assess their populations of fibroblasts and inflammatory cells and the following components of fibrous connective tissue: collagen fibers, elastic fiber system, reticular fibers and oxytalan fibers. The results showed different arrangement and concentration of collagen fibers in the 3 lesions and a higher concentration of reticular fibers in HGF. The analysis of cellular components showed a greater number of fibroblasts in F and a higher count of inflammatory cells in IH. With the identification of a family with HGF, we chose to include it in the study because the lesions belong to the group of benign fibrous lesions. With that, it developed a 4th study, which used a similar morphologic evaluation of the 2 articles described above. Periferic blood was extracted from the HGF patients in order to determine the proliferative capacity of the peripheral lymphocytes, by the MTT test, and in order to sequence the SOS1 gene. The 3 HGF affected patients did not present the described mutation for the SOS1 gene, and the lymphocyte proliferative capacity in HGF patients was similar to those on controls. The results showed epithelial hyperplasia in the outer portion of the gingiva of patients with HGF, greater concentration of collagen fibers and few inflammatory cells. We can conclude that the 3 lesions present a different connective structure, considering both the quantitative aspect and the architectural disposition of their components.

O objetivo do presente trabalho é analisar os componentes celulares e de fibras do tecido conjuntivo nas hiperplasias inflamatórias (HI), nos fibromas (F) e na fibromatose gengival hereditária (FGH), além de investigar a imunocompetência e efetuar análises moleculares de pacientes com FGH. Para atingir os objetivos foram desenvolvidos 4 artigos, com diferentes metodologias e universos amostrais. No 1º artigo, pretendeu-se estabelecer critérios microscópicos válidos para diferenciar F e HI. Foram avaliadas em microscópio óptico 136 lesões coradas pela Hematoxilina-eosina (HE) e pelo Tricrômico de Masson quanto às características microscópicas. Os resultados mostraram que uma área central de fibras colágenas dispostas de forma enovelada e mais densa, circundada por uma camada de fibras dispostas de forma paralela são características dos F, enquanto a presença de hiperplasia epitelial, infiltrado inflamatório e fibras colágenas organizadas de forma paralela são características das HI. Tais resultados motivaram o 2º artigo, no qual estudamos 18 lesões de F e 13 de HI, que foram preparadas histologicamente e coradas pelo picrosírius red e pelo direct blue para avaliação quantitativa das fibras colágenas e de fibras do sistema elástico, respectivamente, em microscopia a laser confocal. Os resultados confirmaram a disposição estrutural das fibras colágenas observada no 1º artigo, além de apontarem diferenças nas áreas ocupadas pelas fibras colágenas em todas as regiões estudadas. A fim de proceder a uma avaliação dos componentes fibroso e celular das 3 lesões fibrosas, foi desenvolvido o 3º artigo. Espécimes das 3 lesões foram estudados em microscopia ótica, a fim de avaliar suas populações de fibroblastos e de células inflamatórias e os seguintes componentes fibrosos do tecido conjuntivo: fibras colágenas, sistema de fibras elásticas, fibras reticulares e fibras oxitalânicas. Os resultados mostraram disposição e concentração diferente das fibras colágenas nas 3 lesões e uma maior concentração de fibras reticulares na FGH. A análise dos componentes celulares mostrou um maior número de fibroblastos no F e uma maior contagem de células inflamatórias na HI. A partir do encaminhamento de uma família com FGH, optouse por inclui-la no estudo, tendo em vista serem lesões do mesmo grupo. Com isso, foi desenvolvido um 4º estudo, que utilizou uma avaliação morfológica semelhante à dos 2 artigos anteriormente descritos. Dos pacientes com FGH foi obtido sangue periférico para avaliação da proliferação celular de linfócitos através do teste do MTT e para o sequenciamento do gene SOS-1. Os resultados mostraram hiperplasia epitelial na porção externa da gengiva dos pacientes com FGH, maior concentração de fibras colágenas e poucas células inflamatórias. Os 3 pacientes com FGH não mostraram diferenças no seu índice de proliferação de linfócitos em relação aos controles e não apresentaram a mutação descrita no gene SOS-1 de outras famílias com FGH. Pode se concluir que as 3 lesões apresentam estrutura conjuntiva diferente tanto no aspecto quantitativo quanto na disposição estrutural de seus componentes. / The objective of this study was to analyze the cellular and fibrous components of connective tissue in inflammatory hyperplasia (IH), oral fibroma (OF) and hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF), and to investigate the immunocompetence and to perform molecular analysis in HGF patients. To achieve the goals were developed 4 articles, with different methodologies and sample universes. In the 1st article, we intended to establish microscopic criteria to differentiate F and IH. The microscopic characteristics of the lesions (n=136) stained by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson trichrome were evaluated in an optical microscope. The results showed that a central area of wound collagen fibers and arranged in a higher density, surrounded by a layer of parallel fibers are characteristic of F, while the presence of epithelial hyperplasia, inflammatory infiltrate and parallel collagen fibers are characteristics of HI. These results led the 2nd article, which studied 18 F and 13 and IH, histologically prepared and stained by picrosírius red and direct blue for the direct quantitative assessment of collagen fibers and elastic fibers of the system, respectively, in the confocal laser microscope. The results confirmed the structural arrangement of collagen fibers found in Article 1, and indicate differences in the areas of collagen fibers in all regions studied. In order to evaluate the cellular and fibrous components of the 3 fibrous lesions, was developed the 3rd article. Specimens of the 3 lesions were studied in optical microscopy, to assess their populations of fibroblasts and inflammatory cells and the following components of fibrous connective tissue: collagen fibers, elastic fiber system, reticular fibers and oxytalan fibers. The results showed different arrangement and concentration of collagen fibers in the 3 lesions and a higher concentration of reticular fibers in HGF. The analysis of cellular components showed a greater number of fibroblasts in F and a higher count of inflammatory cells in IH. With the identification of a family with HGF, we chose to include it in the study because the lesions belong to the group of benign fibrous lesions. With that, it developed a 4th study, which used a similar morphologic evaluation of the 2 articles described above. Periferic blood was extracted from the HGF patients in order to determine the proliferative capacity of the peripheral lymphocytes, by the MTT test, and in order to sequence the SOS1 gene. The 3 HGF affected patients did not present the described mutation for the SOS1 gene, and the lymphocyte proliferative capacity in HGF patients was similar to those on controls. The results showed epithelial hyperplasia in the outer portion of the gingiva of patients with HGF, greater concentration of collagen fibers and few inflammatory cells. We can conclude that the 3 lesions present a different connective structure, considering both the quantitative aspect and the architectural disposition of their components.

Tissue engineering is an emerging interdisciplinary field developing new ways of treatment of patient's tissue defects using artificial substitutes. Skin tissue engineering is developing skin substitutes and wound dressings that would replace current treatment using autologous, allogeneic or xenogenic substitutes. There are high demands on materials which should serve as a scaffolds for dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes. They must be non-cytotoxic and biodegradable with a rate proportional to formation of a new tissue. The materials should support adhesion and proliferation of the cells and even they could release growth factors and antimicrobial substance to enhance healing and new tissue formation. In this master thesis, the cell adhesion and proliferation were evaluated on sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Hcel® NaT), poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL), poly-L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone (PLA/PCL) and cellulose acetate (AC) nanofiber membranes. Primary human dermal fibroblasts and HaCaT cell line keratinocytes were selected for evaluation. The cell adhesion was observed by fluorescent microscopy, the proliferation was determined by metabolic assay (WST-1) and the material cytotoxicity was evaluated in xCELLigence® system. Materials did not show cytotoxic effects on the cells. However, the materials did...

Submitted by TATIANE SAMPAIO BITTENCOURT (dratatisampaio@gmail.com) on 2018-04-11T16:45:24Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação final - Tatiane Sampaio Bittencourt - UNESP.pdf: 2306748 bytes, checksum: 2c8b1dc80443dde5641b966081d8e34f (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Silvana Alvarez null (silvana@ict.unesp.br) on 2018-04-16T15:54:30Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 bittencourt_ts_me_sjc.pdf: 2306748 bytes, checksum: 2c8b1dc80443dde5641b966081d8e34f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-04-16T15:54:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 bittencourt_ts_me_sjc.pdf: 2306748 bytes, checksum: 2c8b1dc80443dde5641b966081d8e34f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-02-16 / O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar in vitro o comportamento biológico celular da N-Acetilcisteína (NAC), diante da estimulação ou não pelo LPS bacteriano. Foram utilizados fibroblastos do ligamento periodontal, que ficaram em contato por 48 horas com as substâncias testadas: NAC, Hidróxido de cálcio p.a. (HC), Lipopolissacarídeo de Escheria Coli (LPS), NAC + LPS e HC + LPS. Para os grupos NAC + LPS, HC + LPS e LPS, as células foram estimuladas com 2µg/mL de LPS por 24 horas, previamente aos tratamentos descritos. Foram realizados os testes biológicos de viabilidade celular (XTT), Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio (ROS), Elisa (para as citocinas IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-1β e TNF-α) e Micronúcleo (MNT). Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente pela análise descritiva e pelos testes ANOVA e Kruskall Wallis, seguido do teste Dunn (p˂0.05) para os testes de XTT, ROS e MNT, e para o teste Elisa foi realizado cálculo das médias e desvio padrão. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que NAC teve um bom comportamento, frente à agressão provocada pelo LPS, quanto à produção de ROS. HC apresentou maior viabilidade celular que NAC, embora NAC não tenha apresentado citotoxicidade. Em relação à expressão das citocinas, NAC foi capaz de reduzir o potencial inflamatório do LPS quando da análise do TNF- α e IL-1β. NAC foi capaz de reduzir a genotoxicidade do LPS, como mostrado pelo teste MNT. Concluiu-se que NAC apresentou um comportamento biológico satisfatório, pela viabilidade celular dos fibroblastos, pela redução da geração de ROS e do potencial inflamatório provocado pelo LPS, e por reduzir a sua genotoxicidade. / The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vitro the action of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) and calcium hydroxide (CH) on biological activity, either without or with LPS stimulation in periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLF) cells. PDLF were placed in contact with NAC, CH, NAC + LPS, LPS and CH + LPS for 48 hours. PDLF were stimulated by bacterial LPS for 24 hours in NAC + LPS, LPS and CH + LPS groups, before the substances described above are applied. The LPS and NAC effect on cell viability was measured using a XTT test. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was evaluated using ROS/superoxide detection kit. Inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-1β and TNF-α) were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assay. Genotoxicity was measured using micronucleus test (MNT). The means and standard deviation for all tests were calculated. Data were analyzed statistically by descriptive analysis, ANOVA and Kruskall Wallis tests, followed by Dunn test (p˂.05). CH was superior to NAC on cellular viability, although NAC was not cytotoxic. The results showed that NAC was able to reduce ROS production of LPS. NAC was able to reduce the inflammatory potential of LPS by decreasing the TNF-α and IL-1β release. NAC was able to reduce the genotoxicity of LPS. It was concluded that NAC showed a satisfactory biological activity, presenting a minimal effect on cell viability of PDLF cells and reducing ROS production and inflammatory potential provoked by LPS, and to decrease its genotoxicity.