Das Alport-Syndrom ist eine erbliche, progredient verlaufende Nierenerkrankung, bei der es infolge von charakteristischen Veränderungen der glomerulären Basalmembran zu Hämaturie und Proteinurie kommt. Es gelangen Proteine in den Urin, welche die Erkrankung möglicherweise frühzeitig anzeigen können. In diesem Projekt soll der Urin von Wildtyp- und COL4A3-Knockout-Mäusen zum Zeitpunkt von 4,5 und 6 Wochen untersucht werden. Ziel ist es, diagnostische Proteinmarker zu finden, die im Urin von Alport-Mäusen klinisch relevant hochreguliert sind. Zur Erreichung dieses Ziels wird sich proteomischer Verfahren, Western-Blot und histologischer Schnitte bedient.

A poluição atmosférica de grandes centros urbanos é relacionada com o aumento dos índices de mortalidade e morbidade, principalmente em indivíduos com predisposição às doenças cardiovasculares e progressão da aterosclerose. Com o objetivo de verificar o potencial aterogênico da poluição atmosférica da cidade de São Paulo avaliamos o comportamento do estresse oxidativo e produção de auto-anticorpos em modelo murino experimental \"in vivo\". Foram analisados os seguintes parâmetros: quantidade de lipídeo e espessura da placa aterosclerótica por analisador de imagens, oxidação da LDL sérica (TBARS) e tecidual e imunohistoquímica (8-isoprostano), ativação macrofágica (imunohistoquímicaMAC2) e produção de anticorpos anti-LDL oxidada (LDLox) e anti-peptídeo D da apoB-100 (ELISA). Os dados foram estudados na emergência, arco e porção descendente da aorta em 40 camundongos LDLR - / - knockout, machos, 30 dias de idade expostos às câmaras de intoxicação seletiva não filtrada e filtrada para material particulado e gases tóxicos, no período de Maio/Setembro de 2004. Nesse período não houve ultrapassagem dos níveis aceitáveis de poluição. Os animais foram divididos em 4 grupos: Filtrada-Padrão (FP), Filtrada-E.Col.(FEcol), Poluída-Padrão (PP) e Poluída-E.Col.(PEcol). Obtivemos os seguintes resultados: maior aumento dos níveis de colesterol total nos grupos FEcol e PEcol (p<0,05); triglicérides séricos menores no grupo PEcol (p<0,05); aceleração de oxidação LDL sanguínea apenas no grupo PEcol; índices aumentados de anticorpos anti-LDLox e anticorpos anti-peptídeo D nos grupos PP e PEcol em relação aos demais (p<0,05); maior quantidade de gordura na raiz da aorta nos grupos com dieta Ecol (p<0,05) porém com espessura da placa superior apenas no grupo PEcol (p<0,05). A região descendente e o arco (núcleo necrótico e placa aterosclerótica) não apresentaram diferenças na análise de estresse oxidativo. A quantificação de macrófagos na aorta descendente foi maior no grupo FEcol em relação aos animais com dieta padrão (p<0,05). O núcleo necrótico e placa aterosclerótica do arco aórtico apresentaram o mesmo comportamento: FEcol maior que PP e FP (p<0,05). Concluímos que a poluição atmosférica urbana, mesmo em níveis considerados aceitáveis, potencializa a progressão da aterosclerose. / Epidemiologic studies have shown important relationship between atherogenic cardiovascular morbid-mortality and acute or chronic exposure to air pollution. We aim to study the atherogenic potential of São Paulo urban air pollution analyzing the plaque formation and its physiopathology through oxidative stress and auto-antibody production in a murine experimental model in vivo. We quantified the lipid deposit in the atherosclerotic plaque and its thickness by Image Analyzer, LDL oxidation in blood by TBARS and tissue by 8-isoprosthane, production of anti oxLDL and anti peptide D of apoB-100 antibodies by ELISA and macrophage activation through MAC2 staining. We analyzed three regions of the aorta: emergency, arch and descendent in 40 LDLR - / - knockout mice, male, 30 days old exposed to selective intoxication chambers with filters or not for particulate matter and toxic gases, during May to September 2004, when pollution did not overpass standard limits of air quality. Mice were divided in four groups: Filtered-Normal diet (FN), Filtered-enriched cholesterol diet (FEchol), Polluted-Normal diet (PN) and Polluted-enriched cholesterol diet (FEchol). Our results were: the highest amount of total cholesterol levels in FEchol and PEchol groups (p<0,05); the lowest triglycerides in PEchol mice (p<0,05); increment of oxLDL in blood only in PEchol animals; higher anti oxLDL and anti-peptide D antibodies in PN and PEchol than other groups (p<0,05); similar amounts of lipids in atherosclerotic plaque in Echol diet groups, but higher than mice submitted to Normal diet (p<0,05); PEchol mice presented the highest aorta thickness (p<0.05); oxidative stress showed similar results in both aortic regions in all groups; macrophage activation in descent region of the aorta showed that FEchol mice presented higher values than animals submitted to normal diet (p<0,05) and PEchol group reached higher values than PN animals (p<0,05); macrophage activation in the atherosclerotic necrotic core and plaque of the aortic arch showed similar pattern: FEchol higher than normal diet mice (p<0,05). We concluded that urban air pollution, even within standard limits of air quality, is able to potentate atherosclerosis progression.

Nas últimas décadas, diversos estudos têm demonstrado os efeitos nocivos dos ácidos graxos trans à saúde. Consequentemente, diversas agências reguladoras de saúde e sociedades responsáveis pela elaboração de diretrizes nutricionais recomendaram a redução do consumo desses ácidos graxos. Deste modo, a indústria de alimentos vem adequando seus produtos a fim de substituir os ácidos graxos trans por gorduras interesterificadas, porém seus efeitos sobre o desenvolvimento da aterosclerose não foram ainda totalmente elucidados. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito de gorduras interesterificadas contendo principalmente ácido graxo palmítico ou esteárico sobre o desenvolvimento da aterosclerose. Desta forma, camundongos knockout para o receptor de LDL (LDLr-KO) recém-desmamados foram alimentados por 16 semanas com dietas hiperlipídicas (40% do valor calórico total sob forma de gordura) contendo principalmente ácidos graxos poli-insaturados (POLI), trans (TRANS), palmítico (PALM), palmítico interesterificado (PALM INTER), esteárico (ESTEAR) ou esteárico interesterificado (ESTEAR INTER) para determinação de concentrações plasmáticas de colesterol total e triglicérides; perfil de lipoproteínas; conteúdo de lípides (Oil Red O) e colágeno (Picrosirius Red) e infiltrado de macrófagos (imuno-histoquímica) na área de lesão aterosclerótica; expressão e conteúdo proteico de citocinas na aorta; dosagem das citocinas secretadas por macrófagos de peritônio estimulados ou não com lipopolissacarídeo (LPS); efluxo celular de colesterol mediado pela apo-AI e HDL2. Os resultados mostraram que os animais que consumiram a gordura interesterificada contendo ácido palmítico (PALM INTER) desenvolveram importante lesão aterosclerótica em comparação aos grupos PALM, ESTEAR, ESTEAR INTER e POLI, resultados confirmados pelo conteúdo de colágeno na lesão. Apesar do processo de interesterificação não ter alterado as concentrações plasmáticas de lípides, conforme verificado entre os grupos PALM vs PALM INTER e ESTEAR vs ESTEAR INTER, o acúmulo de colesterol na partícula de LDL foi similar entre os grupos PALM INTER e TRANS. Além desse efeito sobre o perfil de lipoproteínas, macrófagos do peritônio de camundongos que consumiram PALM INTER secretaram significativamente mais IL-1beta, IL-6 e MCP-1 em comparação aos demais grupos. Esse efeito pró-inflamatório foi confirmado na aorta, onde se observou maior expressão de TNF-alfa e IL-1beta para o grupo PALM INTER em comparação a PALM. Tal insulto inflamatório foi similar ao provocado por TRANS. Esses efeitos deletérios do PALM INTER podem ser parcialmente atribuídos ao acúmulo de colesterol nos macrófagos, promovido pelo prejuízo no efluxo de colesterol mediado pela apo-AI e HDL2, bem como aumento da expressão de receptores envolvidos na captação de LDL modificada (Olr-1) e diminuição daqueles envolvidos na remoção intracelular de colesterol (Abca1 e Nr1h3) na parede arterial. Como conclusão, as gorduras interesterificadas contendo ácido palmítico favorecem o acúmulo de colesterol nas partículas de LDL e em macrófagos, ativando o processo inflamatório, o que conjuntamente contribuiu para maior desenvolvimento de lesão aterosclerótica / In recent decades, several studies have shown harmful effects of trans fatty acids on human health. Consequently, simultaneous actions from Health Agencies and Societies responsible for the elaboration of Nutritional Guidelines recommended the reduction in the intake of trans fatty acids. Thus, the food industry is adapting their products to replace these fatty acids by substituting them for interesterified fats, however, the effects of the latter on atherosclerotic lesion development are unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of interesterified fats containing palmitic or stearic fatty acids on atherosclerosis development. For this purpose, weaning male LDL-c receptor knockout (LDLr-KO) mice were fed a high fat diet (40% of total daily energy intake from fat) enriched in polyunsaturated (PUFA), TRANS, palmitic (PALM), palmitic interesterified (PALM INTER), stearic (STEAR) or stearic interesterified (STEAR INTER) fat for 16 weeks to determine several parameters: total cholesterol and triglycerides plasma concentrations; lipoprotein profile; lipid (Oil Red O) and collagen (Picrosirius Red) contents, as well as macrophage infiltration (immunohistochemistry) in the atherosclerotic lesion; cytokine transcription and protein content in the aorta; cytokines secreted from peritoneal macrophages stimulated or not with lipopolysaccharide (LPS); apo-AI and HDL2-mediated cellular cholesterol efflux. The results showed that mice fed PALM INTER presented greater atherosclerotic lesion as compared to PALM, STEAR, STEAR INTER and PUFA, which was confirmed by the collagen content in the aortic lesions. Although the interesterification process did not modify the plasma lipid concentration, as verified by the comparisons PALM vs PALM INTER and STEAR vs STEAR INTER, the cholesterol accumulation in LDL particle was similar in PALM INTER and TRANS. Peritoneal macrophages from PALM INTER-fed mice secreted significantly more IL-1beta, IL-6 and MCP-1 as compared to all other groups. This pro-inflammatory effect was confirmed in the aorta, in which PALM INTER presented higher TNF-alfa and IL-1beta expressions as compared to PALM. This inflammatory insult was similar to that elicited by TRANS. All these deleterious effects of PALM INTER can be partially attributed to macrophage cholesterol accumulation, due to impaired apo-AI and HDL2-mediated cholesterol efflux, as well as to higher expression of receptors involved in modified LDL uptake (Olr-1), together with a reduction in those involved in cholesterol removal (Abca1 e Nr1h3) in the arterial wall. In conclusion, interesterified fats containing palmitic acid promotes cholesterol accumulation in LDL particles and in macrophages, activating the inflammatory process, which contributed to atherosclerosis development

Introdução: as gorduras interesterificadas, ricas em ácidos graxos saturados, vêm sendo utilizadas pela indústria alimentícia em substituição aos ácidos graxos trans. Os principais ácidos graxos saturados empregados no processo de interesterificação são o palmítico e o esteárico, os quais podem, respectivamente, apresentar efeitos deletérios ou serem neutros, do ponto de vista cardiovascular e metabólico. A quantidade de ácido esteárico na dieta é menor em comparação ao palmítico, e não está elucidada a implicação de seu alto consumo. O propósito deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito das gorduras interesterificadas contendo ácido palmítico ou ácido esteárico sobre as principais vias de sinalização envolvidas no metabolismo do tecido hepático e adiposo. Métodos: camundongos machos LDLr-KO foram alimentados durante 16 semanas com dieta hiperlipídica (40% de energia em forma de gordura) contendo maior concentração de poli-insaturados (POLI), palmítico (PALM), palmítico interesterificado (PALM INTER), esteárico (ESTEAR) ou esteárico interesterificado (ESTEAR INTER). Determinaram-se a composição corporal, conteúdo de gordura no fígado, concentração plasmática de colesterol, triglicérides, glicose e insulina. A expressão de genes envolvidos no metabolismo lipídico e vias inflamatórias no tecido adiposo visceral e hepático foi determinada por RT-qPCR. Além disso, a síntese de proteínas e proteínas fosforiladas foi medida por Imunnoblotting. O infiltrado de células inflamatórias no tecido hepático e histologia do tecido adiposo, bem como o conteúdo de colágeno do fígado, foram determinados por coloração com eosina e hematoxilina e Sirius Red, respectivamente. Resultados: o processo de interesterificação não alterou parâmetros bioquímicos plasmáticos e as quantidades de CT e TG no tecido hepático. No entanto, ambas as gorduras interesterificadas induziram maior conteúdo de colágeno no fígado e fosforilação de JNK. Adicionalmente, o grupo ESTEAR INTER desenvolveu NASH, associada a maior infiltrado de neutrófilos. Por outro lado, PALM INTER induziu maior expansão do tecido adiposo, juntamente com hipertrofia de adipócitos, condições associadas à ativação da via de sinalização \"upstream\" do NFkB, observada para a fosforilação de IKK, o que contribuiu para maior teor de TNFalfa. Conclusão: as gorduras interesterificadas enriquecidas com ácido palmítico induziram fibrose hepática, bem como a expansão do tecido adiposo, com hipertrofia dos adipócitos; e as gorduras contendo ácido esteárico induziram NASH em camundongos LDLr-KO / Background: interesterified fats, rich in saturated fatty acids, have been used by the food industry as a substitute for trans fatty acids. The main saturated fatty acids used in the interesterification process are palmitic and stearic, which may, respectively, have deleterious effects or be cardiovascular and metabolic neutral. Objetive: to evaluate the effect of interesterified fats containing palmitic or stearic acids on signaling pathways involved in the hepatic and adipose tissue lipid metabolism. Methods: Weaning male LDLr-KO mice were fed a high-fat diet (40% energy as fat) containing polyunsaturated (PUFA), palmitic (PALM), palmitic interesterified (PALM INTER), stearic (STEAR) or stearic interesterified (STEAR INTER) fats for 16 weeks. Body composition, liver fat content, total plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose and insulin concentrations were determined. Gene expression involved in lipid metabolism and inflammation process in liver and white adipose tissue was determined by quantitative RT-PCR. Furthermore, amount of proteins and activated proteins were measured by Western blot. Hepatic and adipose tissue inflammatory cells infiltration as well as liver collagen content were determined by eosin and hematoxylin and Sirius Red staining, respectively. Results: Interesterified process did not alter plasma biochemical parameters and amounts of TC and TG in hepatic tissue. However, both interesterified fats brought on a higher liver collagen content and JNK phosphorylation. Additionally, STEAR INTER group developed NASH associated with a higher neutrophil infiltration. On the other hand, PALM INTER induced a higher adipose tissue expansion together with the enlargement of adipocytes, conditions associated with the activation of upstream NFkB signaling pathway as observed for IKK phosphorylation, contributing to higher TNFalpha protein content. Conclusions: Interesterified fats containing stearic acid induced NASH and enriched with palmitic acid trigger on steatosis with fibrosis as well as hypertrophy and inflammatory signaling activation in the adipose tissue in LDLr-KO mice

A fertilização in vitro tem sido associada com um aumento na incidência das hipospádias, e alguns hormônios esteróides usados em seus protocolos têm sido implicados neste processo. Para testar essas hipóteses em um modelo animal, descrevemos neste trabalho as alterações morfológicas ocorridas no tubérculo genital de camundongos, expostos à progesterona durante a vida intrauterina. Foi administrado acetato de medroxiprogesterona por via subcutânea no período pré-natal em animais normais e animais desprovidos de receptores androgênicos (Tfm). A progesterona induziu a formação de hipospádia nos animais do sexo masculino, virilização nos do sexo feminino e não causou alterações nos animais Tfm / In vitro fertilization (IVF) has been associated with an increase incidence of hypospadias. IVF protocols require the maternal use of progesterone which may be a factor in causing hypospadias. To test these hypotheses in an animal model, we describe the effects of maternal progesterone exposure on genital development in mice. Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) was administered by subcutaneous injection during the pre-natal period to wild type mice and animals knockout to androgen receptors (Tfm mice). Progesterone caused hypospadias in male mice fetuses, a virilizing effect in the female mice genitalia and didn't have any effect in Tfm animals

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Light and ultraestructural changes of central and peripheral nervous system lesions in mice KO for connexin-32 and submitted to the ethidium bromide gliotoxic demyelinating model are described. Their KO condition was tested with PCR and a negative connexin-32 labelling was performed by immunofluorescence. The experimental animals were C57BL/6 normal mice and C57BL/6 KO for connexin-32. For all groups the animals were maintained in cages of 5 individuals within a temperature controlled room and had ration and filtered water ad libitum. A single local injection of either 0,1% ethidium bromide in normal saline (5 μl in the brainstem and 1 μl in the sciatic nerve) or normal saline was performed as described for Wistar rats. The injected mice were observed daily until euthanasia was performed at 24, 48 hours and 3, 7, 15, 21 and 30 days after injection. The mice were perfused through the heart with either neutral 10% formalin or 2,5% glutaraldehyde. Histochemical, immunohistochemical, immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopic methods were used to analyze the development of the lesions after differentiated processing. Hematoxylin- eosine, luxol fast blue and toluidine blue methods and immunolabelling with anti-GFAP, anti-CNPase, anti-S100 protein and anti-OSP, anti Cx32 and anti Cx43 antibodies were used. Within the CNS the lesions showed an acute degenerative phase with disappearance of glial cells, and myelin sheaths were withdrawn by a scant number of macrophages. In KO mice some granulocytes were detected within the lesions in tight contact with decaying myelin sheaths. Remyelination was carried out by oligodendrocytes since no Schwann cells were seen during the regenerating process of KO mice. Occasional remyelinating Scwann cells were seen in normal mice. For the sciatic nerves, Schwann cells initially showed signs of intoxication and rejected their sheaths; after seven days, some thin newly formed myelin sheaths with uneven compaction and redundant loops (tomacula) were conspicuous. Mast cells degranulated or not were seen in all BE- induced lesions and after saline injection. It is concluded that the repair of the CNS demyelinated lesions differs from the observed in normal and immunosupressed rats because Schwann cells remyelination was absent; the absence of connexin-32 may have caused that absence. The regeneration of lost myelin sheaths within the PNS followed the pattern already reported for this model in other species. It is suggested that the absence of connexin-32 determined the different repair of the myelin sheaths within the CNS whereas for the PNS, the normal pattern of tissue response might be due to the early age of the injected mice. / São descritas as alterações de microscopia de luz e ultra-estruturais induzidas pelo brometo de etídio no sistema nervoso central e periférico de camundongos KO para conexina 32. O genótipo KO foi testado por PCR e confirmado por imunofluorescência negativa para conexina 32. Os animais dos experimentos foram camundongos C57BL-6 normais (controles) e KO para conexina 32. Todos os camundongos foram mantidos em gaiolas de 5 indivíduos em sala climatizada e receberam ração e água à vontade. Uma única injeção de BE 0,1% em salina 0,9% ou de salina 0,9% (5 μl na cisterna basal e 1μl no nervo ciático) foi realizada como descrita em ratos Wistar. Os camundongos eram observados diariamente até ser realizada a eutanásia às 24 e 48 h, 3, 7, 15, 21 e 30 dias após a injeção. Os camundongos foram perfundidos através do coração; um grupo com glutaraldeído 2,5% visando o processamento para microscopia eletrônica; um outro grupo com solução salina com EDTA e posterior fixação em metacarn para inclusão em parafina. As amostras incluídas em parafina foram analisadas através dos métodos de hematoxilina e eosina, luxol fast blue e azul de toluidina. Foram realizadas imunoistoquímica e imunofluorescência visando a marcação de GFAP, CNPase, OSP, S100, e Cx43 e Cx32, respectivamente. As lesões do SNC eram discretas e tiveram uma fase ativa com desaparecimento das células gliais; os debris celulares e de mielina foram retirados por um reduzido número de fagócitos. Nos camundongos KO foram vistos granulócitos em estreito contato com bainhas de mielina em degradação. A remielinização dos axônios desmielinizados foi realizada exclusivamente por oligodendrócitos nos camundongos KO; nos camundongos normais, ocasionais células de Schwann podiam ser encontradas remielinizando axônios do SNC. No nervo ciático, as células de Schwann intoxicadas rejeitaram seus internodos de mielina; após sete dias, finas bainhas reparadas eram encontradas, com compactação irregular da mielina e alças redundantes (tomacula). Mastócitos, desgranulados ou não, eram vistos nas lesões do BE e após a injeção de solução salina. Conclui-se que o reparo das lesões do SNC difere do observado em ratos normais e imunossuprimidos devido à ausência de remielinização por células de Schwann; a falta de expressão da Cx 32 e o tamanho reduzido das lesões podem ter contribuído para essa ausência. A regeneração das bainhas perdidas no SNP obedeceu ao padrão descrito para esse modelo em outras espécies. Sugere-se que a ausência da Cx 32 não afetou o reparo do SNP devido à idade precoce dos animais.

Le récepteur opioïde mu est responsable des propriétés analgésiques et addictives puissantes de la morphine et de l’héroïne, mais son mode d’action à l’échelle des circuits neuronaux est mal connu et a été peu étudié par des approches génétiques. Le récepteur mu est largement exprimé dans le système nerveux, essentiellement dans des neurones GABAergiques. Le premier objectif de mon projet a été d’inactiver le gène codant pour le récepteur mu dans les neurones GABAergiques du cerveau antérieur et d’en étudier les conséquences comportementales. Notre étude montre que ces récepteurs ne sont pas impliqués dans l’analgésie et la dépendance physique à la morphine, mais qu’ils sont essentiels à l’effet hyperlocomoteur de l’héroïne. De plus, nos résultats indiquent que ces récepteurs limitent la motivation à consommer de l’héroïne et du chocolat, révélant un rôle entièrement nouveau pour cette population particulière de récepteurs (Manuscrit 1 : Mu opioid receptors in GABAergic forebrain neurons are necessary for heroin hyperlocomotion and reduce motivation for heroin and palatable food). Aussi, cette population de récepteurs mu n’est pas responsable du syndrome autistique décrit chez les souris knockout totales (Manuscrit 2 : Mu opioid receptors in GABAergic forebrain neurons are not involved in autistic-like symptoms). Enfin, nous avons développé un nouveau modèle transgénique visant l’inactivation génétique du récepteur mu dans les neurones glutamatergiques, mais qui n’a pas abouti à un knockout conditionnel détectable. Nous avons aussi initié la création d’une lignée transgénique Cre pour l’inactivation de gènes d’intérêt dans l’amygdale étendue, qui permettra notamment d’étudier le rôle du récepteur mu dans ce microcircuit. / Mu opioid receptors mediate the strong analgesic and addictive properties of morphine and heroin;however mu receptor function at circuit levels is not well understood and has been poorly studied by genetic approaches. These receptors are widely expressed throughout the nervous system, essentially in GABAergic neurons. The first aim of my project was to genetically inactivate the mu receptor gene in GABAergic forebrain neurons and study the behavioral consequences. Our study shows that these mu receptors are not implicated in morphine-induced analgesia and physical dependence, but are essential for locomotor effects of heroin. Moreover, our data show that these receptors inhibit motivation to consume heroin and chocolate, revealing an entirely new role for this particular population of mu receptors (Manuscript 1: Mu opioid receptors in GABAergic forebrain neurons are necessary for heroin hyperlocomotion and reduce motivation for heroin and palatable food). Also, mu receptors expressed in forebrain GABAergic neurons are not responsible for the autistic syndrome described in total mu receptor knockout mice (Manuscript 2: Mu opioid receptors in GABAergic forebrain neurons are not involved in autistic-like symptoms). Finally, we developed a new transgenic model targeting the mu receptor gene in glutamatergic neurons, but receptor deletion was not detectable in conditional mice. We also initiated the creation of a transgenic Cre driver line to knockout genes of interest in the extended amygdala, and this tool will enable us to study mu receptor function within this microcircuit.

Les facteurs spectroscopiques nous renseignent sur l'occupation des couches nucléaires et peuvent être extraits par des réactions directes comme le transfert à basse énergie et le knockout aux énergies intermédiaires. L’étude récente de noyaux radioactifs de la couche sd ayant une large différence d'énergie de séparation, DeltaS=Sp-Sn~20 MeV, montre que les sections efficaces d’arrachage d’un nucléon très lié sont considérablement réduites par rapport aux prédictions théoriques. Cette tendance n’est pas observée pour des noyaux moins exotiques, jusqu’à DeltaS~12 MeV, par réaction de transfert (d,p).Pour comprendre l'origine de cette réduction, nous avons réalisé deux expériences complémentaires sur un noyau présentant une large différence d’énergie de séparation l’14O : (i) le knockout d'un nucléon au NSCL, 14O (53 MeV/n) et 16C (75 MeV/n), sur une cible de 9Be; (ii) le transfert d'un nucléon avec le faisceau d’14O à 18 MeV/n de SPIRAL, 14O(d,t)13O et 14O(d,3He)13N, étudié avec le dispositif MUST2. L'analyse des données présentée en détails dans ce manuscrit conduit à des facteurs spectroscopiques incompatibles entre ces deux expériences lorsqu'un neutron fortement lié est enlevé ou transféré de l'14O. Dans le cas du knockout, la section efficace mesurée est fortement réduite par rapport aux prédictions basées sur un modèle eikonal et le modèle en couches. La distribution en moment parallèle de l’13O mesurée après l’arrachage d’un neutron présente par ailleurs une forme qui n’est pas reproduite par le modèle eikonal. Dans le cas du transfert, une telle réduction n'est pas observée et le rapport entre expérience et théorie est compatible avec ce qui est obtenu pour les noyaux stables. Ces résultats suscitent de nouveaux développements théoriques pour la modélisation du mécanisme de réaction dans ces cas extrêmes où le nucléon enlevé est fortement lié. / The distribution of spectroscopic strength in nuclei can be extracted from direct-reaction cross section measurements, as one-nucleon knockout at intermediate energy or transfer at low energy. The study of deeply-bound nucleon removal from several sd-shell nuclei having a large difference of proton-neutron separation energies, DeltaS=Sp-Sn~20 MeV, exhibits experimental cross sections about four times smaller than theoretical predictions from state-of-the-art calculations. This trend is not observed from (d,p) transfer reactions with nuclei having smaller separation energy asymmetry, DeltaS~12 MeV.To investigate the origin of this reduction, we have performed two complementary experiments for the 14O case having a large energy asymmetry: (i) one-nucleon knockout from 14O (53 MeV/n) and 16C (75 MeV/n) on a 9Be target at the NSCL; (ii) one-nucleon transfer reaction using SPIRAL beam, 14O(d,t)13O and 14O(d,3He)13N at 18 MeV/n, and the MUST2 array. The analysis of the data presented in this document leads to a discrepancy between the spectroscopic factors extracted from these two experiment when a deeply-bound neutron is removed from 14O. In the neutron knockout from 14O, the cross section is strongly reduced compared to predictions based on an eikonal model and shell model spectroscopic factors. Moreover, several deviations from the eikonal prediction are observed on the shape of the parallel momentum distribution of the ejectile 13O. For the transfer 14O(d,t)13O, such a reduction is not observed and results are in agreement with stable nuclei values. These results call for new theoretical developments concerning the description of the reaction mechanism when a deeply-bound nucleon is removed from a nucleus.

Atherosklerose ist eine verbreitete Krankheit deren Pathogenese unzureichend erforscht ist. Bekannt ist jedoch, dass externe und interne Faktoren eine Rolle spielen. Die zugrunde liegenden Prozesse müssen genauer untersucht werden, um neue Therapieansätze zu entwickeln. Als Allroundtalent könnte Serotonin (5-HT) ein Kandidat sein, der eine entscheidende Rolle bei der atherosklerotischen Pathogenese spielt. Ob und wie dieses Hormon die Bildung atherosklerotischer Plaques, Makrophageninvasion, Verkalkung und Fibrose beeinflusst, war Gegenstand dieser Studie. Die vorliegende Studie ist die erste ihrer Art, die den neuartigen Ansatz von transgenen Doppel-Knockout-Mäusen verwendet, denen das Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) fehlt und, die das Schlüsselenzym für die periphere 5-HT-Synthese, Tryptophanhydroxylase 1 (Tph1), oder den primären 5-HT-Transporter (SERT) nicht bilden. Physiologie, Stoffwechselparameter und atherogene Prozesse wurden in ApoE/Tph1-/- und ApoE/Sert-/- Tieren mithilfe eines breiten Methodenspektrums untersucht und resultierten in einem umfassenden Überblick über die Wirkungsweisen von 5-HT auf Atherosklerose. Die 5-HT-Rezeptorverteilung ist unterschiedlich in Gefäßen von verschiedenen Mauslinien und in denen von Tieren mit Tph1-Defizienz, die in diesen Linien erzeugt wurden. Ferner weisen ApoE/Tph1-/- und ApoE/Sert-/- verschiedene Phänotypen auf: Tph1-Defizienz führt zu verminderter Zunahme des Körpergewichts, niedrigerem Plasmacholesterin und Leberparametern und erhöhtem Lebergewicht. Sert-Defizienz bedingt erhöhten Blutzucker, Plasmacholesterin und die Ausbildung größerer Plaques, sowie vermehrte Kollagenakkumulation. Die Langzeitgabe einer Western-Diät zeigte, dass Tph1-Defizienz schützende Wirkung auf den Lipidstoffwechsel hat, ein klarer Effekt auf die Atherogenese konnte nicht ermittelt werden. Zusammenfassend hebt diese Studie die komplexen Beziehungen vieler Faktoren während der Krankheit hervor. 5-HT spielt bei vielen dieser Faktoren eine Rolle, scheint jedoch nur eine schwache aber protektive Wirkung auf Atherogenese selbst zu haben. / Atherosclerosis is a common disease and its pathogenesis is only poorly understood. It’s known that external and internal factors play a role, but the exact processes need to be investigated more intensively to develop novel therapy approaches. As an all-round talent, serotonin (5-HT) might be a promising candidate to play a crucial role in atherosclerosis. If and how 5-HT affects atherosclerotic plaque formation, macrophage invasion, calcification and fibrosis was focus of this study. This study is the first of its kind using the novel approach of transgenic double knockout mice lacking the apolipoprotein E (ApoE, atherosclerosis model) and either the key enzyme in peripheral 5-HT synthesis, tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (Tph1) or the major 5-HT transporter, SERT. Physiology, metabolic parameters and atherogenic processes in ApoE/Tph1-/- and ApoE/Sert-/- animals were examined using a broad spectrum of methods and resulted in an extensive overview of how 5-HT might influence the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Most striking results of this study: 5-HT receptor distribution is altered in vessels of different background strains, and also in Tph1 deficient animals generated in these strains. Further, the examination of ApoE/Tph1-/- and ApoE/Sert-/- mice elucidated that both double knockouts exhibit different phenotypes: While Tph1 deficiency resulted in decreased bodyweight, plasma cholesterol and liver parameters and increased liver weight, Sert deficiency caused increases in blood glucose, plasma cholesterol, plaque size and collagen in plaques. Long term Western Diet application confirmed that Tph1 deficiency decreases weight gain and has protective effects on lipid metabolism, but a clear effect on atherogenesis could not be reported. Concluding, this study highlights the complex relationship between many factors acting on atherosclerotic pathogenesis. 5-HT plays a role in many of those factors, but seems to have only minor but protective effects on atherogenesis itself.

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