Fibroblasts are abundant mesenchymal cells present in all tissues in a quiescent state, which contribute to wound healing when activated. Cytokine transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) stimulates fibroblast-myofibroblast differentiation, which induces extracellular matrix secretion, tissue contraction and promotes cancer cell migration. Hence, chronic activity of stromal myofibroblasts correlates with a poor prognosis for cancer and organ fibrosis patients. Therefore, modulating myofibroblast activity may reduce the severity of these diseases. Previous research suggests blockade of transmembrane integrin receptors expressed by fibroblasts prevents TGF-β1- induced differentiation, indicating integrins are attractive therapeutic targets. However, fibroblasts derived from different organs exhibit heterogeneity, although their integrin expression and integrin-regulated differentiation has not been directly compared. The aim of my research was 1) to understand and compare how integrins regulate TGF-β1-induced activation of fibroblasts derived from normal skin, lung and breast tissue; 2) to examine the global gene expression of TGF-β1-treated lung fibroblasts; 3) to identify novel therapeutic targets that modulate TGF-β1-induced activation of lung fibroblasts using a drug library. qPCR showed skin, lung and breast fibroblasts differentially expressed TGF-β1- induced activation markers, including ACTA2, FN1, TIMP3, CTGF and SERPINE1, in addition to integrin genes for α1, α4, α11 and β3. Small-molecule inhibitors of αv integrins only reduced the invasion of TGF-β1-exposed skin fibroblasts, but not lung or breast fibroblasts. siRNA against α11, β3 and β5 decreased TGF-β1-induced collagen contraction and activation marker expression in skin and lung fibroblasts, while α1 siRNA prevented collagen contraction by breast fibroblasts only. RNA sequencing of TGF-β1-treated lung fibroblasts revealed pro-inflammatory and profibrotic pathways were significantly enriched, while screening TGF-β1-treated lung fibroblasts with a FDA-approved drug library identified 46 hits that significantly reduced α-smooth muscle actin and fibronectin expression. Overall, genes are differentially expressed in TGF-β1-treated skin, lung and breast fibroblasts, while different integrins in each fibroblast appear to regulate invasion, TGF-β1-induced collagen contraction and gene expression. RNA sequencing revealed TGF-β1 promotes the expression of a pro-tumour signature in lung fibroblasts and several novel therapeutic targets that modulate the activation of lung fibroblasts have been identified. Understanding these integrin-dependent and independent mechanisms will facilitate the generation of myofibroblast-targeted treatments for cancer and organ fibrosis.

Orientador: José Buratini Junior / Banca: José Antonio Visitin / Banca: Guilherme de Paula Nogueira / Banca: Fernanda da Cruz Landim e Alvarenga / Banca: Sony Dimas Bicudo / Resumo: Durante o desenvolvimento ovariano fetal, a formação folicular inicial é decisiva para a fertilidade da fêmea, pois define sua reserva gametogênica. Tem sido proposto que a progesterona e o estradiol desempenham papel regulatório na foliculogênese pré-antral, de forma que sua produção reduzida em ovários fetais bovinos antecede o surgimento de folículos primordiais e primários. Recentemente, os FGFs 10 e 18 foram reportados em folículos ovarianos bovinos como redutores dos níveis de esteróides, o que parece envolver a inibição da expressão de enzimas necessárias à esteroidogênese. Em adição, a expressão do FGF10 foi observada durante o desenvolvimento ovariano fetal bovino, e esteve positivamente associada ao aumento no número de folículos primários. O presente estudo investigou primeiramente o padrão de expressão do RNAm das enzimas esteroidogênicas (StAR, CYP11A1, 3β-HSD, CYP17A1, CYP19A1 e 17β-HSD) em ovários de fetos bovinos em idades gestacionais específicas (60, 75, 90, 120, 150 e 210 dias). Todos os genes investigados se mostraram expressos e regulados ao longo da gestação. Os níveis de RNAm da CYP19A1 diminuíram dos 60 para os 90 dias, sugerindo envolvimento desta enzima com a produção decrescente de estradiol observada previamente durante este período gestacional. A expressão das demais enzimas foi elevada ao longo da gestação, coincidente com o aumento da competência esteroidogênica descrito preliminarmente durante o desenvolvimento folicular inicial. Em adição, foi investigada a participação dos FGFs 10 e 18 na esteroidogênese ovariana fetal bovina. A expressão do FGF18 e de seus receptores (FGFR2C, FGFR3C e FGFR4) foi detectada em ovários fetais bovinos ao longo da gestação (60, 75, 90, 120, 150 e 210 dias). A abundância de RNAm do FGF18 aumentou... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: During fetal ovarian development, early follicular formation is essential to female fertility, when the gametogenic reserve is defined. It has been proposed that progesterone and estradiol play regulatory role on preantral folliculogenesis, once its reduced production in bovine fetal ovaries precedes primordial and primary follicle assembly. Recentlly, FGFs 10 and 18 were reported in bovine ovarian follicles as reducers of steroids levels, and this seems to involve the inhibition of enzymes necessary to steroidogenesis. In addition, FGF10 expression was observed during bovine fetal ovary development, and it was positively associated with the elevation on primary follicles number. The present study first investigated the mRNA expression patterns for steroidogenic enzymes (StAR, CYP11A1, HSD3B1, CYP17A1, CYP19A1 and HSD17B1) in bovine fetal ovaries at specific gestational ages (60, 75, 90, 120, 150 e 210 days). Expression of all investigated genes was detected and regulated through gestation. Messenger RNA levels of CYP19A1 decreased from days 60 to 90 of gestation, suggesting involvement of this enzyme on decrescent estradiol production previously observed during this gestational period. The expression of other enzymes was elevated during gestational period, which was coincident with the enhance of steroidogenic competence previously described during early follicular development. In addition, the participation of FGFs 10 and 18 on steroidogenesis in bovine fetal ovaries was investigated. The expression of FGF18 and its receptors (FGFR2C, FGFR3C and FGFR4) was detected in bovine fetal ovaries through gestation (60, 75, 90, 120, 150 e 210 days). The mRNA abundance of FGF18 enhanced between 90 and 120 days and decreased at 210 days. The expression of FGFR2C and FGFR4 did not vary during... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

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Addendum pasted inside the back end-paper. / x, 179 leaves : / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / This thesis presents a hypothesis that there are abnormalities of N-glycosylation in classical galactosaemia and that these abnormalities could contribute to the long-term complications. The aim of the thesis is to characterise and model N-glycosylation in skin fibroblasts from patients with galactosaemia. The study identifies a disturbance in the synthesis and processing of dolichol-linked oligosaccharides. It is anticipated that the serum glycoproteins in untreated galactosaemia may contain N-glycans that are partly absent or truncated. / Thesis (M.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Paediatrics, 1997

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-93).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 96-101).

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 136-153). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S.)--Worcester Polytechnic Institute. / Keywords: factor; FGF-23; phosphatonin; microarray; expression; phosphate; time; gene; RT-PCR; growth; fibroblast. Includes bibliographical references (p. 127-136).

published_or_final_version / Medical Sciences / Master / Master of Medical Sciences