Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Thesis (M.S.)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2006. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Mary P. Miles. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 63-66).

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-07T17:12:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-11-20. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2016-06-07T17:17:06Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000864446.pdf: 1580524 bytes, checksum: e9eff3bfec1e019d8794dd60771f7642 (MD5) / Introdução: A injeção de corticosteroide (CE) para tratamento de tendinopatias é recurso terapêutico muito utilizado na prática ortopédica; contudo há controvérsias clínicas e experimentais a respeito dos benefícios e complicações desse procedimento. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos histológico, biomecânico, a expressão das metaloproteinases (MMP-1 e MMP-2) e das interleucinas (IL-1 e IL-6) nos tendões calcâneos de coelhos submetidos a injeção de CE. Métodos: Setenta e três coelhos New Zealand foram randomizados e divididos em dois Grupos: Grupo Teste composto por trinta e sete animais submetidos a injeção intratendinosa de CE (0,2 ml de solução com 1,4 mg de betametasona) no tendão calcâneo do membro pélvico direito, e Grupo Controle composto por trinta e seis animais, no qual o mesmo animal possibilitou dois espécimes de tendão calcâneo (direito e esquerdo); o tendão do membro pélvico direito foi submetido a injeção de soro fisiológico (0,2 ml de solução de cloreto de sódio a 0,9 %) e recebeu denominação de Controle Placebo (CP); o tendão calcâneo do membro pélvico esquerdo, sem nenhum procedimento, foi utilizado como Controle Normal (CN). Quarenta e oito horas após o procedimento foi realizada eutanásia e os tendões foram dissecados e retirados em uma extensão de quatro centímetros de suas inserções nos ossos calcâneos. As análises histológicas, de resistência mecânica e as expressões das metaloproteinases e interleucinas foram realizadas por avaliador sem conhecimento dos grupos. Resultados: O Grupo Teste apresentou menor expressão da MMP-2 em relação aos espécimes do Grupo Controle (p= 0,027). No grupo Controle, os espécimes de tendão calcâneo dos membros pélvicos direitos (CP) mostraram maior quantidade de fibras colágenas grossas em relação aos de tendão calcâneo dos membros pélvicos esquerdos (CN) (p= 0,041). Nas comparações entre os grupos nas demais variáveis não... / Introduction: The injection of corticosteroids (CE) for the treatment of tendinopathies is a therapeutic resource often used in orthopedic practice; however, there are clinical and experimental controversies regarding the benefits and complications of such practice. Objective: Is to evaluate the histological, biomechanical effects, and also the expression of metalloproteinases (MMP-1 and MMP-2) and interleukins (IL-1 and IL-6) on Achilles tendons of rabbits treated with CE injections. Methods: Seventy three New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: The Test Group was comprised of thirty seven animals which underwent intratendineous injections of CE (0.2 ml of solution with 1.4 mg of betamethasone) in the Achilles tendon of the right pelvic limb, and the Control Group was comprised of thirty six animals, which provided two specimens of Achilles tendon (right and left); the Achilles tendon of the right pelvic limb underwent injections of saline solution (0.2 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride solution) and was called Placebo Control (CP); the Achilles tendon of the left pelvic limb received no medical procedure and was used as Normal Control (CN). Forty eight hours after the procedure, the animals were euthanized and the tendons were dissected and extracted at an extension of four centimeters (1.6 in) of its insertions in the calcaneus bones. The expressions of metalloproteinases and interleukins, mechanical resistance and histological analysis were all performed by an observer unaware of the groups Results: The Test Group has shown a smaller MMP-2 expression compared to those in Control Group (p= 0.027). In the Control Group, the Achilles tendon of the right pelvic limb (CP) has shown a greater amount of thick collagen fibers in comparison to those in left pelvic limb (CN) (p= 0.041). There were no other significant statistical difference between the groups when comparing other variables. Conclusions: Forty eight hours after the ...

Orientador: Winston Bonetti Yoshida / Coorientador: Alexandre Leme Godoy dos Santos / Banca: Trajano Sardenberg / Banca: Sérgio Swain Muller / Banca: Adriana Lucia Mendes / Banca: Beatriz Funayama Alvarenga Freire / Resumo: Introdução: A injeção de corticosteroide (CE) para tratamento de tendinopatias é recurso terapêutico muito utilizado na prática ortopédica; contudo há controvérsias clínicas e experimentais a respeito dos benefícios e complicações desse procedimento. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos histológico, biomecânico, a expressão das metaloproteinases (MMP-1 e MMP-2) e das interleucinas (IL-1 e IL-6) nos tendões calcâneos de coelhos submetidos a injeção de CE. Métodos: Setenta e três coelhos New Zealand foram randomizados e divididos em dois Grupos: Grupo Teste composto por trinta e sete animais submetidos a injeção intratendinosa de CE (0,2 ml de solução com 1,4 mg de betametasona) no tendão calcâneo do membro pélvico direito, e Grupo Controle composto por trinta e seis animais, no qual o mesmo animal possibilitou dois espécimes de tendão calcâneo (direito e esquerdo); o tendão do membro pélvico direito foi submetido a injeção de soro fisiológico (0,2 ml de solução de cloreto de sódio a 0,9 %) e recebeu denominação de Controle Placebo (CP); o tendão calcâneo do membro pélvico esquerdo, sem nenhum procedimento, foi utilizado como Controle Normal (CN). Quarenta e oito horas após o procedimento foi realizada eutanásia e os tendões foram dissecados e retirados em uma extensão de quatro centímetros de suas inserções nos ossos calcâneos. As análises histológicas, de resistência mecânica e as expressões das metaloproteinases e interleucinas foram realizadas por avaliador sem conhecimento dos grupos. Resultados: O Grupo Teste apresentou menor expressão da MMP-2 em relação aos espécimes do Grupo Controle (p= 0,027). No grupo Controle, os espécimes de tendão calcâneo dos membros pélvicos direitos (CP) mostraram maior quantidade de fibras colágenas grossas em relação aos de tendão calcâneo dos membros pélvicos esquerdos (CN) (p= 0,041). Nas comparações entre os grupos nas demais variáveis não... / Abstract: Introduction: The injection of corticosteroids (CE) for the treatment of tendinopathies is a therapeutic resource often used in orthopedic practice; however, there are clinical and experimental controversies regarding the benefits and complications of such practice. Objective: Is to evaluate the histological, biomechanical effects, and also the expression of metalloproteinases (MMP-1 and MMP-2) and interleukins (IL-1 and IL-6) on Achilles tendons of rabbits treated with CE injections. Methods: Seventy three New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: The Test Group was comprised of thirty seven animals which underwent intratendineous injections of CE (0.2 ml of solution with 1.4 mg of betamethasone) in the Achilles tendon of the right pelvic limb, and the Control Group was comprised of thirty six animals, which provided two specimens of Achilles tendon (right and left); the Achilles tendon of the right pelvic limb underwent injections of saline solution (0.2 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride solution) and was called Placebo Control (CP); the Achilles tendon of the left pelvic limb received no medical procedure and was used as Normal Control (CN). Forty eight hours after the procedure, the animals were euthanized and the tendons were dissected and extracted at an extension of four centimeters (1.6 in) of its insertions in the calcaneus bones. The expressions of metalloproteinases and interleukins, mechanical resistance and histological analysis were all performed by an observer unaware of the groups Results: The Test Group has shown a smaller MMP-2 expression compared to those in Control Group (p= 0.027). In the Control Group, the Achilles tendon of the right pelvic limb (CP) has shown a greater amount of thick collagen fibers in comparison to those in left pelvic limb (CN) (p= 0.041). There were no other significant statistical difference between the groups when comparing other variables. Conclusions: Forty eight hours after the ... / Mestre

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Jà està estabelecido que a liberaÃÃo de produtos da cicloxigenase e aminas simpatomimÃticas, mediadores finais da dor inflamatÃria à precedido pela geraÃÃo, por cÃlulas residentes, de uma cascata de citocinas. Recentemente dados do nosso laboratÃrio demonstraram que no modelo de contorÃÃes abdominais (CA) a ativaÃÃo dessa cascata à dependente tambÃm da presenÃa de cÃlulas residentes como macrÃfagos e mastÃcitos. Dados da literatura apontam algumas citocinas capazes de modular negativamente a funÃÃo dessas cÃlulas: IL-4,. IL-10, IL-13, IL-6, TGF-&#946; e IFN-&#945; . Com base nesses dados, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi estudar uma possÃvel atividade analgÃsica de trÃs citocinas: IL-4, IL-13 e IL-10. Para tanto injetou-se, via ip, IL-4 (1â5ng/animal), IL-13 (0.4-2.5ng/animal) ou IL-10 (0.4-10ng/animal) 30 min antes da administraÃÃo de zymosan (Zym) ou Ãcido acÃtico (AAc) para o teste de CA. IL-4 (2.5 e 5ng/animal), IL-13 (1 e 2.5ng/animal) ou IL-10 (2 e 10ng/animal) foi injetada, ip, 30 min antes do Zym (1 mg/animal; intra-articular) e logo apÃs foi medida a incapacitaÃÃo articular (IA) atà a 4 hora e na 6 hora foi feita a contagem de leucÃcitos no fluido articular. As interleucinas estudadas tambÃm foram administradas (30 min antes) na dose que melhor inibiu as CA no teste da placa quente (PQ) e em camundongos que haviam recebido ou nÃo a naloxona previamente ao estÃmulo (AAc) no teste de CA. IL-4 (5 ng/animal) ou IL-10 (10 ng/animal) foi injetada ip 30 min antes do Zym (ip) e apÃs 15 min os animais foram sacrificados e o exsudato peritoneal foi colhido e posto em cultura para a dosagem de IL-1&#946; e TNF-&#945; no sobrenadante. No presente trabalho ficou demonstrado que as interleucinas-4, 13 e 10 sÃo analgÃsicas tanto no modelo de CA induzidas por AAc (58.7, 89.2, 52% de inibiÃÃo, efeito mÃximo, respectivamente, p<0.05) ou Zym (62.6, 61.7, 74.4% de inibiÃÃo, efeito mÃximo, respectivamente, p<0.05) como tambÃm no modelo de IA induzido por Zym (49.2, 56.6, 69,9% de inibiÃÃo, efeito mÃximo, respectivamente, p<0.05). As citocinas estudadas foram capazes de inibir o influxo de leucÃcitos para a cavidade articular (53.8, 92.1 e 62%, respectivamente - p<0,05). Foi demonstrado que o efeito analgÃsico parece ser de domÃnio perifÃrico visto que nenhuma das citocinas modificou o tempo de reaÃÃo na PQ, teste algesimÃtrico sensÃvel apenas para drogas que exercem efeito central. TambÃm foi demonstrado que a atividade analgÃsica das interleucinas testadas nÃo depende da liberaÃÃo de opiÃides endÃgenos, visto que o prÃ-tratamento com naloxona nÃo foi capaz de reverter a atividade analgÃsica de nenhuma das interleucinas no modelo de CA. Contudo essa atividade analgÃsica parece depender da inibiÃÃo da liberaÃÃo de citocinas por cÃlulas residentes visto que IL-4 e IL-10 foram capazes de diminuir a liberaÃÃo de TNF-&#945; (42 e 41.2% de inibiÃÃo respectivamente - p<0.05) e IL-1&#946; (61.9 e 80.9% de inibiÃÃo respectivamente - p<0,05) por macrÃfagos peritoneais residentes. / The release of cyclo-oxigenase products and sympathomimetics amines, the final mediators of inflammatory pain, is preceded by the generation of cytokines by resident cells. In recent years a number of cytokines such as IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, IL-6, TGF-&#946; e IFN-&#945; have been described to inhibit the production of TNF-&#945;, IL-1&#946;, IL-6 and IL-8 (cytokines regarded as prÃ-inflammatory) and possibly to exert their modulatory effect on macrophages and mast cells. Since it is known the capacity of those cytokines to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the pivotal role of resident cells in the development of inflammatory pain we have decided to test the possibility of IL-4, IL-13 and IL-10 to modulate inflammatory pain. In short, IL-4 (1 â 5ng/animal), IL-13 (0.4 - 2.5ng/animal) or IL-10 (0.4 - 10ng/animal) was given 30 min before acetic acid (AAc) or zymosan (Zym) administration in the writhing model. IL-4 (2.5 e 5 ng/animal), IL-13 (1 e 2.5 ng/animal) or IL-10 (2 e 10 ng/animal) were injected, ip, 30 min before Zym (1 mg/animal; intra-articular) in the rat knee joint incapacitation test up to the 4th hour (the number of leukocytes was determined in the articular exsudate 6 hours later). Doses of those cytokines that exerted maximum effect in the writhing test were also injected 30 min before the hot plate test. These same doses were injected ip before naloxone administration in the AAc-induced writhing model in mice. TNF-&#945; and IL-1&#946; were determined in the supernatant of a macrophage culture which were collected from peritoneal fluid of mice treated with Zym and pre-treated with the cytokines under test. Our results show that interleukins 4, 13 and 10 inhibit writhing response in mice induced by AAc or Zym up to 58.7, 89.2 and 52%, and up to 62.6, 61.7 and 74.4%, respectively (p<0.05). Similar results were observed in the rat knee joint incapacitation test induced by Zym: 49.2, 56.6, 69,9% of inhibition (p<0.05). The same interleukins were able to inhibit Zym-induced leukocyte influx into articular cavity (53.8, 92.1 e 62% of inhibition, respectively - p<0,05). The analgesic activity of IL-4, IL-13 and IL-10 seems to be peripheral, since these cytokines presented no effect in the reaction time of the animals on hot plate test. This antinociceptive effect seems to have no relation with endogen opioid release since naloxone (opioid receptor antagonist) had no effect in reverting the antinociceptive effect of cytokines in the AAc-induced writhing in mice. However, IL-4 and IL-10 inhibit the release of TNF-&#945; (42 e 41.2%, respectively - p<0.05) and of IL-1&#946; (61.9 e 80.9%, respectively - p<0,05) by macrophages stimulated in vivo by Zym, indicating that their antinociceptive activities may be due to the inhibition of those cytokines release by resident cells.

In this report, we analyze trends in interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH), as a function of smoking behaviors and race, using a clinic-based case-control design. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from a multiethnic cohort of 120 PLWH to measure IL-6 in culture supernatant. The data indicated that stimulated PBMC produced significantly higher levels of IL-6 in smokers than nonsmokers. However, as expected, this relationship was substantially modified by race. The distinctive production of IL-6 across different racial groups highlights the need for additional studies and suggests that African American smokers have enhanced production of IL-6 than other groups. Additional analyses indicate that higher IL-6 levels are related to the predicted use of mentholated cigarettes, which are more frequently used by African Americans. These findings warrant further investigation and indicate the critical need for tailored preventive interventions.

Accumulating evidence has indicated that microbial infection could intensify allergic responses. Previous findings demonstrated that eosinophil activation could be elicited by bacterial and viral conserved molecular pattern through TLR. Recently, two cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptors, NLR protein NOD1 and NOD2, have been discovered and the important roles in innate immunity have been elucidated. Eosinophils alone have little responses upon the stimulation with ligands of NOD1 and NOD2. Since airway eosinophils increase in more numbers of asthmatic patients compared to control subjects, we investigated the co-culture system of eosinophils and human bronchial epithelial cells to illustrate the potential immunopathological roles of NOD1 and NOD2 in asthma processes. In the co-culture system, NOD1 ligand gamma-D-Glu-mDAP (iE-DAP) and NOD2 ligand muramyl dipeptide (MDP) could upregulate cell surface expression of CD1 8 and ICAM-1 on eosinophils and ICAM-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) on bronchial epithelial cells, as well as induce chemokines CCL2 and CXCL8 release. These findings therefore imply the direct interaction and activation between the two cells upon NOD1 and NOD2 ligand stimulation. / Allergic diseases are prevalent and their incidences have been increasing worldwide. Eosinophils are the principal effector cells for the late phase response in allergic inflammation. The infiltration of eosinophils together with other inflammatory cells at the local inflammatory sites is the major characteristic in allergic inflammation. However, the detailed innnunopathological responses and mechanisms of the activation of eosinophils in allergic inflammation are not well defined. In the present study, we investigated and attempted to elucidate the mechanisms of eosinophil activation induced by various stimuli, including thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), the novel interleukin (IL)-12 family cytokine IL-27, and ligands of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD) like receptor (NLR) protein NOD1 and NOD2 upon interaction with bronchial epithelial cells. / In conclusion, the above findings demonstrated that eosinophils could be potently activated by diverse stimuli and regulated by multiple intracellular regulatory mechanisms. The elucidation of eosinophil activation may offer new therapeutic stategies and clues for the treatment of allergic diseases. / Recently, the novel IL-12 family member IL-27 was found to regulate immune responses, exerting either stimulation or suppression effects. We found that eosinophils constitutively expressed IL-27 receptor heterodimer, gp130 and WSX-1. IL-27 could prolong eosinophil survival by reducing apoptosis, modulate the expression of adhesion molecules to facilitate eosinophil adhesion and accumulation, and induce the release of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-aalpha IL-1beta and chemokines CCL2, CXCL8 and CXCL1. The stimulatory effects of IL-27 on eosinophils could not be abrogated by IL-25, hematopoietic cytokine granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 ligand lipopolysaccharide (LPS). These findings were different from the effects of IL-27 and LPS on monocytes. Intracellular signaling mechanistic studies showed that IL-27-mediated eosinophil activation was differentially regulated by MAPKs and NF-kappaB. Based on the above results, IL-27 could play crucial roles in allergic diseases by the activation of eosinophils via differential intracellular signaling cascades. However, IL-27 has been shown to suppress allergic diseases in mouse models. According to our findings of its activating effects on human eosinophils, IL-27 may play pleiotropic roles in human allergic responses. / TSLP is a novel IL-7-like cytokine highly expressed by bronchial epithelial cells and skin keratinocytes in allergic diseases. TSLP acts as a master switch for allergic inflammation through the activation of dendritic cells and mast cells for initiating inflammatory Th2 responses. To elucidate the immunological cascades of epithelium/keatinocyte-eosinophil mediated allergic inflammation, we examined the modulating effects of TSLP on human eosinophils. We observed that human eosinophils constitutively expressed TSLP receptor complex comprising TSLP-binding chain TSLPR and IL-7Ralpha chain. TSLP could significantly delay eosinophil apoptosis, up-regulate the cell surface expression of adhesion molecule CD18 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) but down-regulate L-selectin, enhance eosinophil adhesion to fibronectin, and induce the release of inflammatory cytokine 1L-6 and chemokines CXCL8, CXCL1 and CCL2. All these effects were concentration-dependent and TSLP-specific. TSLP regulated the above effects through the activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB signaling pathway, but not signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-5 and STAT-3 which were usually activated in other effector cells upon TSLP stimulation. Collectively, the above findings elucidated the pro-allergic mechanisms of TSLP via the activation of distinct intracellular signaling pathways in eosinophils. / Hu, Shuiqing. / Adviser: Wong Chin Kwok. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 72-04, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 176-216). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Linköpings universitet, 2005. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Experiments were done to determine the effect of recombinant interleukin 2 (rIL-2) on mononuclear cells (MC) of newborns and adults. MC were tested for (1) ability to lyse Daudi cells in a 51Cr release assay, (2) cell surface markers using monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometer analysis, and (3) cell types as determined by differential cell counts. Without rIL-2 adults show greater cytotoxicity than newborns in vitro. Incubation with rIL-2 dramatically increased the cytotoxicity expressed with cord blood and adult MC showing equivalent responses. Differences in cell surface markers between newborns and adults prior to rIL-2 exposure were in agreement with those previously published. This study did not demonstrate changes in phenotypes after exposure to rIL-2. Slight changes in differential cell counts occurred after increased incubation periods and rIL-2 exposure.

Cancer cell invasion and metastasis are hallmarks of cancer. It is becoming apparent that the interaction between cancer cells and the surrounding microenvironment are involved in their ability to invade and metastasise. In general, cancer cells can either migrate individually, in an amoeboid or mesenchymal manner, or collectively. The first aim of this thesis was to analyse the role of NG2 in amoeboid to mesenchymal transition (AMT) and Rho/ROCK signalling. We found that NG2 promotes an amoeboid morphology, and increased invasiveness, in a Rho-dependent manner. Secondly, we analysed the role of the major tumour microenvironment (TME) component, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), on melanoma cell invasiveness. We found the CAF interaction with melanoma cells leads to increased levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8, and this leads to increased invasiveness. Simultaneous blocking of IL-6 and IL-8, using neutralising antibodies, inhibits CAF-dependent invasion. Further analysis of another major component in the melanoma TME, keratinocytes, has highlighted the importance of the tumour cell niche in invasion. Our results indicate that cancer cells have the ability to change morphology, and that the TME plays an important role in melanoma cell invasiveness. Metastatic melanoma treatment has proven...