Depuis les années 50, les rodenticides anticoagulants sont couramment utilisés pour contrôler les populations de rongeurs commensaux et de prairie. De nombreux empoisonnements de la faune non cible sont répertoriés partout dans le monde. En Europe de l'Ouest notamment, la bromadiolone est utilisée de façon intensive dans les champs. Elle est le seul rodenticide autorisé en France pour contrôler les populations de Campagnol terrestre, Arvicola terrestris Sherman. Ces opérations utilisant des appâts grains de blé enterrés dans le sol sont réalisées à de larges échelles et des dizaines voire des centaines d'empoisonnements secondaires de prédateurs, dont le renard, sont répertoriés chaque année. Cette étude propose d'apporter des éléments de compréhension sur les modalités de son transfert à travers les systèmes biologiques complexes considérés dans leur intégralité.<br />Le premier objectif a été d'évaluer la variabilité environnementale de la persistance de la bromadiolone dans les appâts en conditions naturelles. Cette persistance dans les galeries de traitement est courte (demi-vie de 3 à 6 jours) et faiblement influencée par les conditions environnementales (type de sol et conditions climatiques). Cependant, elle augmente considérablement lors du stockage des appâts dans des réserves (27

It has been postulated that the control of thrombus formation on molecularly engineered surfaces is an important step in developing clinically durable small-diameter vascular prostheses. This has led to designing a membrane-mimetic assembly that contains physiological regulators of blood coagulation, thrombomodulin (TM) and heparin, to provide strategies for generating actively antithrombogenic surfaces. The membrane-mimetic construct contains polymeric phospholipid monolayer on an alkylated polyelectrolyte multilayer supported by planar substrate such as glass or silicone. When incorporated with TM, the model platform exhibited the biological function by catalyzing activation of protein C. Surface TM activity was extensively investigated at physiologic shear rates (50 sec-1 and 500 sec-1). Significantly, reaction rates become saturated at TM surface densities greater than or equal to ~ 800 fmole/cm2 due to due to a transport limitation. Based on the similar membrane-mimetic construct, a functional heparinized surface was designed as an alternative anticoagulant system. Immobilization of heparin onto membrane-mimetic surfaces was achieved through biotin-streptavidin binding specificity. Activity of surface heparin to facilitate thrombin inactivation was investigated at shear rates of 50 and 500 sec-1. Significantly, rate of thrombin decay becomes saturated when the surface coverage of heparin is higher than 4.4 pmole of heparin per cm2. We further investigated the effects of surface bound TM and heparin on tissue factor (TF) -induced thrombin generation in a flow model. Specifically, TF positioned over a 2 x 6 mm2 upstream region as a trigger for thrombin generation and TM and/or heparin positioned over the remaining downstream (34 x 6 mm2) portion of the test film. Compared to TF alone surface, thrombin generation was profoundly reduced in the presence of surface bound TM and/or heparin. Significantly, thrombin production was maximally inhibited more than 85% in the presence of TM and heparin, possibly due to anticoagulant synergism of both anticoagulants. We believe that current membrane-mimetic systems can potentially create actively antithrombogenic surfaces.

O carrapato Riphicephalus (Boophilus) microplus é um ectoparasito hematófago que infesta os rebanhos bovinos de regiões tropicais e subtropicais, causando grandes prejuízos à pecuária. O principal método de controle baseia-se nos acaricidas. No entanto, o uso de vacinas tem sido estudado como um método de controle alternativo. A calreticulina (CRT) é uma proteína multifuncional presente em quase todas as células de animais. A secreção da CRT durante a alimentação pode estar relacionada a modulação da interação parasita hospedeiro. No presente estudo, as CRTs de R. microplus (rBmCRT) e do Haemophisalis longicornis (rHlCRT) foram expressas em Escherichia coli e purificadas por cromatografia. As propriedades imunogênicas e antigênicas da BmCRT e HlCRT foram analisadas por diferentes métodos. In silico, foram comparandos os epítopos das CRTs pelo índice de Jamerson-Wolf, que mostrou 6 regiões com potenciais epítopos antigênicos diferentes entre as CRTs. Enquanto, a análise in silico, da rBmCRT e rHlCRT mostraram 6 regiões que podem interagir com a proteína C1q. In vitro, por Western blot, a rBmCRT, mas não a rHlCRT, foi reconhecida pelo soro de bovino infestado experimentalmente com R. microplus. Em Western blot de extrato de larvas, os soros do coelho imunizado com rBmCRT e bovinos imunizados com rBmCRT ou rHlCRT reconheceram a BmCRT, sugerindo que os anticorpos direcionados às proteínas recombinantes também reconhecem a proteína nativa BmCRT. Também a rBmCRT mostrou um efeito anticoagulante no teste de recalcificação plasmática. In vivo, a rBmCRT e rHlCRT induziram reações de hipersensibilidade cutânea imediata em bovinos imunizados com rBmCRT ou rHlCRT, mas não foi possível detectar alterações na análise histopatológica. Juntos, estes resultados sugerem, que a rBmCRT e rHlCRT são imunogênicas e pode ter funções imunomoduladoras sobre o sistema imune do hospedeiro, mas não suficiente para prevenir o desenvolvimento da imunidade humoral. / The tick Riphicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is a blood-sucking ectoparasite of bovines from tropical and subtropical regions, causing serious damages to the livestock production. The main method of control is based on the acaricides. However, the use of vaccines has been studied as a promising control method. The calretirulin (CRT) is a multifunctional protein present in almost all cells of animals. The secretion of CRT during feeding might be linked to the modulation of the parasite-host interaction. In the present study, recombinant CRTs of R. microplus (rBmCRT) and of Haemaphysalis longicornis (rHlCRT) were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by ion exchange chromatography. The immunogenic and antigenic capacities of BmCRT e HlCRT were analyzed by different methods. In silico, were comparisons of the CRTs epitopes, identified by Jameson-Wolf antigenic index, indicates that there are three different regions between the tick CRTs. While, in silico analysis showed 6 regions in rBmCRT and in rHlCRT that could interact with C1q protein. In vitro, by Western blot, rBmCRT, but not rHlCRT, was recognized by the serum of bovine experimentally infested with R. microplus. In Western blot with extracts of larvae, the sera of a rabbit immunized with rBmCRT and bovines immunized with rBmCRT or rHlCRT recognized BmCRT; this suggests that antibodies directed to recombinant proteins also recognize native BmCRT. Also, the rBmCRT showed an anticoagulant effect in recalcification time. In vivo, the rBmCRT and rHlCRT induced reactions of immediate cutaneous hypersensitivity in bovines immunized with rBmCRT and rHlCRT, but it was not possible to detect alterations in histopathologic test. Together, these results suggest that the rBmCRT and rHlCRT are immunogenic and could have immunomodulatory functions on the immunity system of the host, but not enough to prevent the development of humoral immunity.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:03:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 EduardoHCF.pdf: 473372 bytes, checksum: 2fca55fdea3773bfb6942b7901966772 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-07-07 / Since the first description of sulfated polysaccharides from seaweeds, the biological activities of these compounds have been evaluated under different aspects and experimental procedures. Among the broad biological activities presented by seaweed polysaccharides, anticoagulant action appears as a promising function. In this present study we have obtained sulfated polysaccharides from the green seaweed Codium isthmocladium by proteolytic digestion, followed by separation into five fractions (0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 and 1.2) by sequential acetone precipitation. The chemical analyses have demonstrated that all fractions are composed mainly by sulfated polysaccharides. The anticoagulant activity of these fractions was determined by activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time test (PT) using citrate normal human plasma. None fraction has shown anticoagulant activity by PT test. Furthermore, all of them have shown anticoagulant activity by aPTT test. These results indicated that the molecular targets of these sulfated polysaccharides are mainly in the intrinsic via of the coagulation cascade. Agarose gel electrophoresis in 1,3-diaminopropane acetate buffer, pH 9.0, stained with 0.1% toluidine blue showed the presence of two or three bands in several fractions while the fraction 0.9 showed a single spot. By anion exchange chromatography, the acid polysaccharides from the 0.9 acetone fraction were separated into two new fractions eluted respectively with 2.0 and 3.0 M NaCl. These compounds showed a molecular weight of 6.4 and 7.4 kDa respectively. Chemical analyses and infrared spectroscopy showed that Gal 1 and Gal 2 are sulfated homogalactans and differ one from the other in degree and localization of sulfate groups. aPPT test demonstrated that fractions 2,0 and 3,0M (Gal1 and Gal 2, respectively) have anticoagulant activity. This is the first time that anticoagulant sulfated homogalatans have been isolated from green algae. To prolong the coagulation time to double the baseline value in the aPTT, the required amount of sulfated galactan 1 (6,3mg) was similar to low molecular heparin Clexane?, whereas only 0,7mg of sulfated galactan 2 was needed to obtain the same effect. Sulfated galactan 2 in high doses (250mg) induces platelet aggregation. These results suggest that these galactans from C. isthmocladum have a potential application as an anticoagulant drug / Desde a primeira descri??o de polissacar?deos sulfatados em algas marinhas, as atividades biol?gicas destes compostos foram avaliadas sob diferentes aspectos e procedimentos experimentais. Dentre as diversas atividades biol?gicas apresentadas pelos polissacar?deos de algas marinhas, a a??o do anticoagulante aparece como sendo uma fun??o promissora. Neste presente estudo foram obtidas cinco fra??es de polissacar?deos sulfatados da alga Codium isthmocladium (F0.3, F0.5, F0.7, F0.9 e F1.2) , atrav?s de prote?lise seguida de fracionamento com volumes crescentes de acetona. An?lises qu?micas demonstraram que todas as fra??es s?o compostas por polissacar?deos sulfatados. A atividade anticoagulante destas fra??es cet?nicas foram determinadas por testes de tempo de tromboplastina parcial ativada (aPTT) e tempo de protrombina (PT), utilizando plasma humano normal citratado. Nenhuma fra??o apresentou atividade via teste de PT. No entanto todas as fra??es demonstraram atividade anticoagulante para teste de aPPT. Estes resultados indicam que o(s) seus alvo(s) molecular(es) esta(?o) localizado(s) principalmente na via intr?nseca da cascata de coagula??o. Eletroforese em gel de agarose demonstrou a presen?a de 2 ou 3 bandas em varias fra??es cet?nicas, enquanto a F0.9, somente uma banda. Os polissacar?deos da F 0.9, quando submetidos a cromatografia da troca i?nica, foram separados em duas novas fra??es elu?das com 2,0 e 3,0 M de NaCl. Estes compostos apresentaram um peso molecular de 6.4 e 7.4 kDa respectivamente. Analises qu?micas e espectroscopia de infravermelho das Gal 1 e Gal 2 demonstraram que essas s?o homogalactanas sulfatadas e que diferenciavam uma da outra apenas no grau e localiza??o dos grupamentos sulfato. Teste de aPTT mostrou que as fra??es 2,0 e 3,0 M (Gal 1 e Gal 2, respectivamente) possuem atividade anticoagulante. Esta ? a primeira vez que homogalactanas sulfatadas anticoagulantes s?o extra?das de macroalgas verdes. A massa necess?ria de Gal 1 (6,3mg) para prolongar o tempo normal de coagula??o em duas vezes, via teste de aPTT, foi semelhante a Clexane?, no entanto somente 0,7mg da Gal 2 s?o necess?rios para se obter o mesmo efeito. A Gal 2 em altas doses (250mg) induziu a agrega??o plaquet?ria. Estes resultados sugerem que as galactanas da alga C. isthmocladum tem potencial aplica??o como f?rmacos anticoagulantes

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:03:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LeandroSC_DISSERT_1-68.pdf: 3005513 bytes, checksum: 4d385177273793fb97add8fa79a198b9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-03-08 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / The coast of Rio Grande do Norte has more than 100 species of seaweed, mostly unexplored regarding their pharmacological potential. The sulfated polysaccharides (PS) are by far the more seaweed compounds studied, these present a range of biological properties, such as anticoagulant activity, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and antioxidant properties. In this study, we extract sulfated polysaccharide rich-extracts of eleven algae from the coast of Rio Grande do Norte (Dictyota cervicornis; Dictiopterys delicatula; Dictyota menstruallis; Dictyota mertensis; Sargassum filipendula; Spatoglossum schr?ederi; Gracilaria caudata; Caulerpa cupresoides; Caulerpa prolifera; Caulerpa sertularioides e Codim isthmocladum), and these were evaluated for the potential anticoagulant, antioxidant and antiproliferative. All polysaccharide extracts showed activity for anticoagulant, antioxidant and/or antiproliferative activity, especially D. delicatula and S. filipendula, which showed the most prominent pharmacological potential, thereby being chosen to have their sulfated polysaccharides extracted. By fractionating method were obtained six fractions rich in sulfated polysaccharides to the algae D. delicatula (DD-0,5V, DD-0, 7V, DD-1,0v, DD-1,3v, DD-1,5v and DD-2,0) and five fractions to the alga S. filipendula (SF-0,5V, SF-0,7V, SF-1,0v, SF-1,5v and SF-2,0v). For the anticoagulant assay only the fractions of D. delicatula showed activity, with emphasis on DD-1, 5v that presented the most prominent activity, with APTT ratio similar to clexane? at 0.1 mg/mL. When evaluated the antioxidant potential, all fractions showed potential in all tests (total antioxidant capacity, hydroxyl and superoxide radicals scavenging, ferrous chelation and reducing power), however, the ability to chelate iron ions appears as the main mechanism antioxidant of sulfated polysaccharides from seaweed. In antiproliferative assay, all heterofucanas showed dose-dependent activity for the inhibition of cell proliferation of HeLa, however, with the exception of SF-0,7V, SF- 1,0v and SF-1,5v, all fractions showed antiproliferative activity against MC3T3, a normal cell line. The heterofucana SF-1,5V had its antiproliferative mechanism of action evaluated. This heterofucan induces apoptosis in HeLa cells by a pathway caspase independent, promoting the release of apoptosis Inducing Factor (AIF) in the cytosol, which in turn induces chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation into 50Kb fragments. These results are significant in that they provide a mechanistic framework for further exploring the use of SF-1.5v as a novel chemotherapeutics against human cervical cancer. / O litoral do Rio Grande do Norte apresenta mais de 100 esp?cies de macroalgas marinhas, a maioria delas ainda n?o explorada quanto ao seu potencial farmacol?gico. Os polissacar?deos sulfatados (PS) s?o de longe os compostos de macroalgas marinhas mais estudados, sendo atribu?da a estes uma gama de propriedades biol?gicas, como: atividade anticoagulante, antiinflamat?ria, antitumoral e antioxidante. Neste trabalho, obteve-se extratos ricos em polissacar?deos de onze algas do litoral do Rio Grande do Norte (Dictyota cervicornis; Dictiopterys delicatula; Dictyota menstruallis; Dictyota mertensis; Sargassum filipendula; Spatoglossum schr?ederi; Gracilaria caudata; Caulerpa cupresoides; Caulerpa prolifera; Caulerpa sertularioides e Codium isthmocladum), e estas foram avaliadas quanto ao seu potencial anticoagulante, antioxidante e antiproliferativo frente ? linhagem celular tumoral HeLa. Todos os extratos polissacar?dicos apresentaram atividades anticoagulante, antioxidante e/ou antiproliferativa, com destaque para os das algas D. delicatula e S. filipendula, que apresentaram os maiores ?ndices de potencial farmacol?gico, sendo, portanto, escolhidas para serem submetidos a passos posteriores de purifica??o de seus polissacar?deos sulfatados. Atrav?s do fracionamento com volumes crescentes de acetona foram obtidas seis fra??es ricas em polissacar?deos sulfatados da alga D. delicatula (DD-0,5v, DD-0,7v, DD-1,0v, DD-1,3v, DD-1,5v e DD-2,0v) e cinco fra??es da alga S. filipendula (SF-0,5v, SF- 0,7v, SF-1,0v, SF-1,5v e SF-2,0v). An?lises f?sico-qu?micas mostraram que estas s?o ricas em heterofucanas sulfatadas. Apenas as fra??es da alga D. delicatula apresentaram atividade anticoagulante, com destaque para DD-1,5v que apresentou a atividade mais proeminente com raz?o de APTT semelhante ? clexane?, f?rmaco anticoagulante comercial. Quando avaliadas com rela??o ao potencial antioxidante todas as fra??es apresentaram atividade em todos os testes realizados (Capacidade antioxidante total, sequestro de radicais super?xido e hidroxila, quela??o f?rrica e atividade redutora), entretanto, a capacidade de quela??o de ?ons ferro aparece como o principal mecanismo antioxidante dos polissacar?deos sulfatados dessas macroalgas marinhas. No ensaio antiproliferativo, todas as heterofucanas apresentaram atividades dose-dependente para a inibi??o da prolifera??o celular de HeLa, entretanto, as fra??es SF-0,7v, SF-1,0v e SF-1,5v apresentaram atividade espec?fica para esta linhagem celular, n?o inibindo a prolifera??o da linhagem celular normal MC3T3, sendo a heterofucana SF-1,5v escolhida para ter seu mecanismo de a??o antiproliferativo determinado. SF-1,5v induz a apoptose em c?lulas HeLa principalmente atrav?s de uma via independente da ativa??o das caspases, promovendo a libera??o do Fator Indutor da Apoptose (AIF) no citosol, que por sua vez induz a condensa??o da cromatina e fragmenta??o do DNA em fragmentos de 50Kb. Este trabalho ? o primeiro relato mostrando uma heterofucana cujo principal mecanismo antiproliferativo ? a libera??o de AIF mitocondrial para o citosol, o que torna SF-1,5v um promissor f?rmaco na terapia antitumoral, possibilitando uma alternativa aos quimioter?picos tradicionais.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:03:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TicianaMLA_TESE.pdf: 1476361 bytes, checksum: 7074b01e6eb22db7b4cacc005194c334 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-04-29 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / Proteinases are enzymes distributed widely founded in several organisms and perform many different functions, from maintaining homeostasis to the worsening of some diseases such as cancer, autoimmune diseases and infections. The proteins responsible of controlling the action of these enzymes are the inhibitors, that are classified based on their target proteases and are founded since simple organisms, such as bacteria, to higher organisms, such as larger plants and mammals. Plant proteinase inhibitors act by reducing or inactivating the activity of target proteases, thus, these proteins have been studied as potential tools in the treatment of diseases related to protease activities. In this context, an inhibitor of chymotrypsin from Erythrina velutina, called EvCI was previously purified and it was observed that this protein plays in vitro anticoagulant activity and anti-inflammatory activity in in vivo model. Aiming to reduce the environmental impact caused by the purification EvCI in high amounts and to facilitate the process of obtaining this protein, the recombinant chymotrypsin inhibitor from Eryhrina velutina was produced after cloning and expression in Escherichia coli. The bacteria were grown in LB medium and after induction of the expression this material was subjected to procedures for cell lysis and the product was applied on Nickel-affinity column. The proteins adsorbed were digested by thrombin and applied on Chymotrypsin-Sepharose affinity column, obtaining the purified inhibitor, named recEvCI. After electrophoresis, the recombinant inhibitor showed an approximately molecular mass of 17 kDa, and reduced the chymotrypsin and elastase activities in vitro. The recombinant inhibitor was sequenced and was found similar amino acids residues when compared to other inhibitors deposited in the database, with some modifications. recEvCI showed high stability under pH variations and reducing conditions, maintaining its activity around 80%. This protein increased the blood coagulation time in vitro by acting on the intrinsic pathway and did not show cytotoxicity against strains of mouse 3T3 fibroblasts and RAW 264.7 macrophages. recEvCI showed microbicide activity related to release of nitric oxide and consequently the activation of macrophages, futhermore having proinflammatory effects assessed by increased release of TNF-&#945;. These results indicate that recEvCI can be biotechnologically used as a new tool in the control of coagulation-related diseases as well as can be an activating agent of the immune system in immunosuppressed individuals / Proteinases s?o enzimas amplamente distribu?das em diferentes organismos e que desempenham as mais diversas fun??es, desde a manuten??o da homeostase at? o agravamento de algumas doen?as como c?ncer, doen?as autoimunes e infec??es. As prote?nas respons?veis pelo controle e atua??o destas enzimas s?o os inibidores, que s?o classificados de acordo com suas proteases alvo e s?o encontrados desde organismos mais simples, como bact?rias, aos mais complexos, como plantas de grande porte e mam?feros. Inibidores de proteinases de plantas agem reduzindo ou inativando a atividade de enzimas alvo, dessa forma, estas prote?nas v?m sendo estudadas como poss?veis ferramentas no tratamento de doen?as relacionadas ?s atividades prote?sicas. Neste contexto, um inibidor de quimotripsina de Erythrina velutina, denominado EvCI, foi previamente purificado e foi observado que esta prote?na desempenha atividades anticoagulante in vitro a anti-inflamat?ria em modelo in vivo. Buscando reduzir o impacto ecol?gico causado pela purifica??o de EvCI em grandes quantidades e facilitar o processo de obten??o desta prote?na, o inibidor de quimotripsina recombinante de Erythrina velutina foi produzido ap?s clonagem e express?o em c?lulas de Escherichia coli. As bact?rias foram crescidas em meio LB e ap?s indu??o da express?o este material foi submetido a procedimentos de lise celular e o produto foi aplicado em uma coluna de afinidade de N?quel. As prote?nas ligadas ? coluna foram digeridas por trombina, aplicadas em uma coluna de afinidade de Quimotripsina-Sepharose obtendo-se o inibidor purificado, denominado recEvCI. Ap?s eletroforese, o inibidor recombinante apresentou uma massa molecular de, aproximadamente, 17 kDA e reduziu a atividade de quimotripsina e elastase in vitro. O inibidor recombinante foi sequenciado e foi detectada a presen?a de amino?cidos iguais a outros inibidores depositados em banco de dados, com algumas modifica??es. recEvCI demonstrou alta estabilidade quando submetido a varia??es de pH e sob condi??es redutoras, mantendo sua atividade inibit?ria em torno de 80%. Esta prote?na aumentou o tempo de coagula??o sangu?nea in vitro por atua??o sobre a via intr?nseca e n?o demostrou citotoxicidade contra as linhagens de fibroblasto de camundongo 3T3 e de macr?fagos RAW 264.7. recEvCI apresentou atividade microbicida relacionada ? libera??o de ?xido n?trico e consequente ativa??o de macr?fagos, al?m de possuir efeito pr?-inflamat?rio avaliado pelo aumento da libera??o de TNF-&#945;. Estes resultados indicam que recEvCI pode ser utilizado biotecnologicamente como uma nova ferramenta no controle de doen?as relacionadas ? coagula??o assim como pode vir a ser um agente ativador do sistema imune em indiv?duos imunossuprimidos

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:10:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DayaneLG_DISSERT.pdf: 2239805 bytes, checksum: 7c5ca3d63f1b06cc836a0c3ae876316c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-07-31 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / Seaweeds are organisms known to exhibit a variety of biomolecules with pharmacological properties. The coast of Rio Grande do Norte has over 100 species of seaweeds, most of them not yet explored for their pharmacological potential. Sugars and phenolic compounds are the most studied of these being assigned a range of biological properties, such as anticoagulant , antiinflammatory, antitumor and antioxidant activities. In this work, we obtained methanolic extracts from thirteen seaweeds of the coast of Rio Grande do Norte (Dictyota cervicornis; Dictiopterys delicatula; Dictyota menstruallis; D. mertensis; Sargassum filipendula; Spatoglossum schr?ederi; Acanthophora specifera; Botryocladia occidentalis; Caulerpa cupresoides; C. racemosa; C. prolifera; C. sertularioides e Codium isthmocladum). They were evaluated as anticoagulant and antioxidant drugs, as well as antiproliferative drugs against the tumor cell line HeLa. None of the methanolic extracts showed anticoagulant activity, but when they were evaluated as antioxidant drugs all of extracts showed antioxidant activity in all tests performed (total antioxidant capacity, sequestration of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals, ferric chelation and reductase activity), especially the algae D. mentrualis, D. cilliolata and C. prolifera, who had the greatest potential to donate electrons.In addition, the ability of iron ions chelation appears as the main antioxidant mechanism of the methanolic extracts of these seaweeds mainly for the extract of the C. racemosa seaweed, which reached almost 100% activity. In the MTT assay, all extracts showed inhibitory activity at different levels againts HeLa cells. Moreover, D. cilliolata (MEDC) and D. menstrualis (MEDM) extracts showed specific activity to this cell line, not inhibiting the viability of 3T3 normal cell line, so they were chosen for detailing the antiproliferative mechanism of action. Using flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy and in vitro assays we demonstrated that MEDC and MEDM induced apoptosis in HeLa cells by activation of caspases 3 and 9 and yet, MEDC induces cell cycle arrest in S phase. Together, these results showed that the methanolic extracts of brown seaweed D. menstrualis and D. cilliolata may contain agents with potential use in combatting cells from human uterine adenocarcinoma. This study also points to the need for more in-depth research on phytochemical and biological context to enable the purification of biologically active products of these extracts / Macroalgas marinhas s?o organismos conhecidos por apresentar uma diversidade de biomol?culas com propriedades farmacol?gicas. O litoral do Rio Grande do Norte apresenta mais de 100 esp?cies de macroalgas marinhas, a maioria delas ainda n?o explorada quanto ao seu potencial farmacol?gico. A??cares e compostos fen?licos s?o os compostos de macroalgas marinhas mais estudados, sendo atribu?da a estes uma gama de propriedades biol?gicas, como: atividade anticoagulante, antiinflamat?ria, antitumoral e antioxidante. Neste trabalho, foram obtidos extratos metan?licos de treze algas do litoral do Rio Grande do Norte (Dictyota cervicornis; Dictiopterys delicatula; Dictyota menstruallis; Dictyota mertensis; Sargassum filipendula; Spatoglossum schr?ederi; Acanthophora specifera;Botryocladia occidentalis;Caulerpa cupresoides; C. racemosa; C. prolifera; C. sertularioides e Codium isthmocladum), e esses foram avaliados quanto ao seu potencial anticoagulante, antioxidante e antiproliferativo. Nenhum dos extratos metan?licos apresentaram atividades anticoagulante, por?m quando avaliados com rela??o ao potencial antioxidante todos os extratos apresentaram atividade em quase todos os testes realizados (capacidade antioxidante total, sequestro de radicais super?xido e hidroxila, quela??o f?rrica e atividade redutora). Os extratos apresentaram resultados mais expressivos no teste de quela??o f?rrica, principalmente para o extrato da alga C. racemosa que chegou a quase 100% de atividade. Destaca-se tamb?m a capacidade de doar el?trons dos extratos, em especial, dasalgas D. mentrualis,D. cilliolata e C. prolifera que apresentaram os maiores potenciais. Nosestudos de citotoxidade, todos os extratos apresentaram atividades em diferentes n?veis frente as c?lulas tumorais HeLa, entretanto, os extratos de D. cilliolata (MEDC) e D. menstrualis (MEDM) apresentaram atividade espec?fica para esta linhagem celular, n?o apresentando citotoxidadepara as c?lulas3T3. Estudos com estes dois extratos utilizando t?cnicas de citometria de fluxo, microscopia de fluoresc?ncia e testes in vitro mostraram que MEDC e MEDM induzem a apoptose em c?lulas HeLa atrav?s da ativa??o das caspases 3 e 9 e ainda, MEDC induz a parada do ciclo celular na fase S. Juntos, esses resultados mostraram que os extratos metan?licos de algas marrom D. mentrualis e D. cilliolata podem conter agentes com potencial utiliza??o no combate de c?lulas de adenocarcinoma uterino humano. O presente estudo tamb?m aponta para a necessidade de investiga??es mais aprofundadas no ?mbito fitoqu?mico e biol?gico para se identificar produtos biologicamente ativos presentes nos extratos

O carrapato Riphicephalus (Boophilus) microplus é um ectoparasito hematófago que infesta os rebanhos bovinos de regiões tropicais e subtropicais, causando grandes prejuízos à pecuária. O principal método de controle baseia-se nos acaricidas. No entanto, o uso de vacinas tem sido estudado como um método de controle alternativo. A calreticulina (CRT) é uma proteína multifuncional presente em quase todas as células de animais. A secreção da CRT durante a alimentação pode estar relacionada a modulação da interação parasita hospedeiro. No presente estudo, as CRTs de R. microplus (rBmCRT) e do Haemophisalis longicornis (rHlCRT) foram expressas em Escherichia coli e purificadas por cromatografia. As propriedades imunogênicas e antigênicas da BmCRT e HlCRT foram analisadas por diferentes métodos. In silico, foram comparandos os epítopos das CRTs pelo índice de Jamerson-Wolf, que mostrou 6 regiões com potenciais epítopos antigênicos diferentes entre as CRTs. Enquanto, a análise in silico, da rBmCRT e rHlCRT mostraram 6 regiões que podem interagir com a proteína C1q. In vitro, por Western blot, a rBmCRT, mas não a rHlCRT, foi reconhecida pelo soro de bovino infestado experimentalmente com R. microplus. Em Western blot de extrato de larvas, os soros do coelho imunizado com rBmCRT e bovinos imunizados com rBmCRT ou rHlCRT reconheceram a BmCRT, sugerindo que os anticorpos direcionados às proteínas recombinantes também reconhecem a proteína nativa BmCRT. Também a rBmCRT mostrou um efeito anticoagulante no teste de recalcificação plasmática. In vivo, a rBmCRT e rHlCRT induziram reações de hipersensibilidade cutânea imediata em bovinos imunizados com rBmCRT ou rHlCRT, mas não foi possível detectar alterações na análise histopatológica. Juntos, estes resultados sugerem, que a rBmCRT e rHlCRT são imunogênicas e pode ter funções imunomoduladoras sobre o sistema imune do hospedeiro, mas não suficiente para prevenir o desenvolvimento da imunidade humoral. / The tick Riphicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is a blood-sucking ectoparasite of bovines from tropical and subtropical regions, causing serious damages to the livestock production. The main method of control is based on the acaricides. However, the use of vaccines has been studied as a promising control method. The calretirulin (CRT) is a multifunctional protein present in almost all cells of animals. The secretion of CRT during feeding might be linked to the modulation of the parasite-host interaction. In the present study, recombinant CRTs of R. microplus (rBmCRT) and of Haemaphysalis longicornis (rHlCRT) were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by ion exchange chromatography. The immunogenic and antigenic capacities of BmCRT e HlCRT were analyzed by different methods. In silico, were comparisons of the CRTs epitopes, identified by Jameson-Wolf antigenic index, indicates that there are three different regions between the tick CRTs. While, in silico analysis showed 6 regions in rBmCRT and in rHlCRT that could interact with C1q protein. In vitro, by Western blot, rBmCRT, but not rHlCRT, was recognized by the serum of bovine experimentally infested with R. microplus. In Western blot with extracts of larvae, the sera of a rabbit immunized with rBmCRT and bovines immunized with rBmCRT or rHlCRT recognized BmCRT; this suggests that antibodies directed to recombinant proteins also recognize native BmCRT. Also, the rBmCRT showed an anticoagulant effect in recalcification time. In vivo, the rBmCRT and rHlCRT induced reactions of immediate cutaneous hypersensitivity in bovines immunized with rBmCRT and rHlCRT, but it was not possible to detect alterations in histopathologic test. Together, these results suggest that the rBmCRT and rHlCRT are immunogenic and could have immunomodulatory functions on the immunity system of the host, but not enough to prevent the development of humoral immunity.

O carrapato Riphicephalus (Boophilus) microplus é um ectoparasito hematófago que infesta os rebanhos bovinos de regiões tropicais e subtropicais, causando grandes prejuízos à pecuária. O principal método de controle baseia-se nos acaricidas. No entanto, o uso de vacinas tem sido estudado como um método de controle alternativo. A calreticulina (CRT) é uma proteína multifuncional presente em quase todas as células de animais. A secreção da CRT durante a alimentação pode estar relacionada a modulação da interação parasita hospedeiro. No presente estudo, as CRTs de R. microplus (rBmCRT) e do Haemophisalis longicornis (rHlCRT) foram expressas em Escherichia coli e purificadas por cromatografia. As propriedades imunogênicas e antigênicas da BmCRT e HlCRT foram analisadas por diferentes métodos. In silico, foram comparandos os epítopos das CRTs pelo índice de Jamerson-Wolf, que mostrou 6 regiões com potenciais epítopos antigênicos diferentes entre as CRTs. Enquanto, a análise in silico, da rBmCRT e rHlCRT mostraram 6 regiões que podem interagir com a proteína C1q. In vitro, por Western blot, a rBmCRT, mas não a rHlCRT, foi reconhecida pelo soro de bovino infestado experimentalmente com R. microplus. Em Western blot de extrato de larvas, os soros do coelho imunizado com rBmCRT e bovinos imunizados com rBmCRT ou rHlCRT reconheceram a BmCRT, sugerindo que os anticorpos direcionados às proteínas recombinantes também reconhecem a proteína nativa BmCRT. Também a rBmCRT mostrou um efeito anticoagulante no teste de recalcificação plasmática. In vivo, a rBmCRT e rHlCRT induziram reações de hipersensibilidade cutânea imediata em bovinos imunizados com rBmCRT ou rHlCRT, mas não foi possível detectar alterações na análise histopatológica. Juntos, estes resultados sugerem, que a rBmCRT e rHlCRT são imunogênicas e pode ter funções imunomoduladoras sobre o sistema imune do hospedeiro, mas não suficiente para prevenir o desenvolvimento da imunidade humoral. / The tick Riphicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is a blood-sucking ectoparasite of bovines from tropical and subtropical regions, causing serious damages to the livestock production. The main method of control is based on the acaricides. However, the use of vaccines has been studied as a promising control method. The calretirulin (CRT) is a multifunctional protein present in almost all cells of animals. The secretion of CRT during feeding might be linked to the modulation of the parasite-host interaction. In the present study, recombinant CRTs of R. microplus (rBmCRT) and of Haemaphysalis longicornis (rHlCRT) were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by ion exchange chromatography. The immunogenic and antigenic capacities of BmCRT e HlCRT were analyzed by different methods. In silico, were comparisons of the CRTs epitopes, identified by Jameson-Wolf antigenic index, indicates that there are three different regions between the tick CRTs. While, in silico analysis showed 6 regions in rBmCRT and in rHlCRT that could interact with C1q protein. In vitro, by Western blot, rBmCRT, but not rHlCRT, was recognized by the serum of bovine experimentally infested with R. microplus. In Western blot with extracts of larvae, the sera of a rabbit immunized with rBmCRT and bovines immunized with rBmCRT or rHlCRT recognized BmCRT; this suggests that antibodies directed to recombinant proteins also recognize native BmCRT. Also, the rBmCRT showed an anticoagulant effect in recalcification time. In vivo, the rBmCRT and rHlCRT induced reactions of immediate cutaneous hypersensitivity in bovines immunized with rBmCRT and rHlCRT, but it was not possible to detect alterations in histopathologic test. Together, these results suggest that the rBmCRT and rHlCRT are immunogenic and could have immunomodulatory functions on the immunity system of the host, but not enough to prevent the development of humoral immunity.

Background Many risk factors for stroke are well characterized and might, at least to some extent, be similar for first-ever stroke and for recurrent stroke events. However, previous studies have shown heterogeneous results on predictors and rates of stroke recurrence. Patients who survive spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) often have compelling indications for antithrombotic (AT) treatment (antiplatelet (AP) and/or anticoagulant (AC) treatment), but due to controversy of the decision to treat, a large proportion of these patients are untreated. In the absence of evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), there is need for more high- quality observational data on the clinical impact of, and optimal timing of AT in ICH survivors. The aims of this thesis were to assess time trends in stroke recurrence, to determine the factors associated with an increased risk of stroke recurrence – including socioeconomic factors – and to determine to what extent ICH survivors with and without atrial fibrillation (AF) receive AT treatment and to determine the optimal timing (if any) of such treatment.  Methods The population-based Monitoring Trends and Determinants of Cardiovascular Disease (MONICA) stroke incidence register was used to assess the epidemiology and predictors of stroke recurrence after ischemic stroke (IS) and ICH from 1995 to 2008 in northern Sweden. Riksstroke, the Swedish stroke register, linked with the National Patient Register and the Swedish Dispensed Drug Register, made it possible to identify survivors of first-ever ICH from 2005 to 2012 with and without concomitant AF to investigate to what extent these patients were prescribed AP and AC therapy. The optimal timing of initiating treatment following ICH in patients with AF 2005–2012 was described through separate cumulative incidence functions for severe thrombotic and hemorrhagic events and for the combined endpoint “vascular death or non-fatal stroke”. Riksstroke data on first-ever stroke patients from 2001 to 2012 was linked to the Longitudinal Integration Database for Health Insurance and Labour market studies to add information on education and income to investigate the relationship between socioeconomic status and risk of recurrence. Results Comparison between the cohorts of 1995–1998 and 2004–2008 showed declining risk of stroke recurrence (hazard ratio: 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.52-0.78) in northern Sweden. Significant factors associated with an increased risk of stroke recurrence were age and diabetes. Following ICH, a majority (62%) of recurrent stroke events were ischemic.  The nationwide Riksstroke study confirmed the declining incidence, and it further concluded that low income, primary school as highest attained level of education, and living alone were associated with a higher risk of recurrence beyond the acute phase. The inverse effects of socioeconomic status on risk of recurrence did not differ between men and women and persisted over the study period. Of Swedish ICH-survivors with AF, 8.5% were prescribed AC and 36.6% AP treatment, within 6 months of ICH. In patients with AF, predictors of AC treatment were less severe ICH, younger age, previous anticoagulation, valvular disease and previous IS. High CHA2DS2-VASc scores did not seem to correlate with AC treatment. We observed both an increasing proportion of AC treatment at time of the initial ICH (8.1% in 2006 compared with 14.6% in 2012) and a secular trend of increasing AC use one year after discharge (8.3% in 2006 versus 17.2% in 2011) (p&lt;0.001 assuming linear trends). In patients with high cardiovascular event risk, AC treatment was associated with a reduced risk of vascular death and non-fatal stroke with no significantly increased risk of severe hemorrhage. The benefit appeared to be greatest when treatment was started 7–8 weeks after ICH. For high-risk women, the total risk of vascular death or stroke recurrence within three years was 17.0% when AC treatment was initiated eight weeks after ICH and 28.6% without any antithrombotic treatment (95% CI for difference: 1.4% to 21.8%). For high-risk men, the corresponding risks were 14.3% vs. 23.6% (95% CI for difference: 0.4% to 18.2%). Conclusion Stroke recurrence is declining in Sweden, but it is still common among stroke survivors and has a severe impact on patient morbidity and mortality. Age, diabetes and low socioeconomic status are predictors of stroke recurrence. Regarding ICH survivors with concomitant AF, physicians face the clinical dilemma of balancing the risks of thrombosis and bleeding. In awaiting evidence from RCTs, our results show that AC treatment in ICH survivors with AF was initiated more frequently over the study period, which seems beneficial, particularly in high-risk patients. The optimal timing of anticoagulation following ICH in AF patients seems to be around 7–8 weeks following the hemorrhage.