The aim of thesis was to study murine melanoma B16- F10 therapy based on the use of TLR agonists combinedwith activation of phagocytosis. Mechanisms of this therapy were studied on the bases of analysis of tumor infiltrating immune cells and evaluationof thein effect on tumor cells.

The aim of this thesis was to obtain some insights into mechanisms by which the immune system affects melanoma cells after anchoring agonists of phagocytic receptors (laminarin and f-MLF) to their surface. To verify the hypothesis that innate immune system plays a critical role, in vivo experiments were performed on SCID mice. To elucidate the importance of CR3, CD11b-deficient mice were used. In in vitro experiments production of inflammatory cytokines in tumor tissue was examined as well as the release of myeloperoxidase from neutrophil granules after incubation with malignant cells.

This thesis is focused on analysis of immune processes during cancer immunotherapy which is based on synergistic combination of TLR agonists and phagocytosis stimulating ligands anchored into the tumour cell membrane. This immunotherapy was tested in murine melanoma B16-F10 and murine pancreatic adenocarcinoma Panc02 models. The aims of this thesis were to analyse the tumor infiltration, elucidate the role of innate immunity in this immunotherapy, and study the possibility of strengthening immunotherapeutic effect using anti-CD40 and anti-CTLA-4.

O surgimento e a evolução da vida na terra foram possíveis graças ao desenvolvimento de mecanismos temporais precisos capazes de ajustar os processos fisiológicos que ocorriam no interior do organismo com os ciclos ambientais, promovendo assim, ganhos na capacidade adaptativa e reprodutiva dos indivíduos. Neste contexto, luz e temperatura são as duas pistas temporais mais relevantes para resetar o relógio endógeno e, aparentemente, esses dois zeitgebers trabalham juntos para manter os ritmos circadianos. Uma ampla gama de fotorreceptores e fotopigmentos evoluiu no sentido de perceber com alta sensibilidade a informação fótica fornecida pelo ambiente e, recentemente, foi demonstrado que a detecção de temperatura também pode ser exercida pelos fotopigmentos rodopsina e melanopsina, sendo mediada por canais TRP (Shen et al., 2011). Consideramos as células B16-F10 Per1::Luc como um modelo promissor para o estudo de luz e temperatura em relógios periféricos, uma vez que essa linhagem expressa os dois fotopigmentos apontados com função de termorreceptores em Drosophila. Nossos estudos nos permitiram verificar que a luz não atua como um agente sincronizador nessas células, que se mantiveram em livre curso mesmo após um pulso de 10 min de luz azul (650 lux). Por outro lado, um pulso de temperatura de 2,5º C acima da temperatura de manutenção por 1h atuou ajustando a expressão do gene Per1, imprimindo um ritmo circadiano, diferentemente do observado no controle. Com base nessas informações, hipotetizamos que a informação de luz, percebida via melanopsina na retina de mamíferos, levaria a regulação da temperatura circadiana pelo NSQ, e a temperatura corporal, por sua vez, poderia atuar como uma pista interna para a sincronização dos tecidos periféricos, tendo os canais TRP como mediadores. Para responder esta questão, utilizamos camundongos WT e TrpV1 KO submetidos a diferentes protocolos de luz e avaliamos a expressão de genes do relógio Per1, Per2, Clock e Bmal1 e dos canais TrpV1 e TrpA1 em tecidos periféricos. Identificamos que a glândula suprarrenal, fígado e tecido adiposo marrom possuem uma maquinaria do relógio tipicamente ativa e acreditamos que a oscilação dos genes de relógio observada nesses tecidos é expressiva. Interessantemente, vimos também que o TrpV1, além de ser expresso nos tecidos analisados em animais WT, apresenta uma transcrição rítmica no fígado e tecido adiposo marrom de animais em LD, corroborando nossa hipótese de que canais TRP atuam como mediadores da informação de luz aos tecidos periféricos. Dadas as diferenças encontradas entre os animais WT e TrpV1 KO, sugerimos que a presença do canal TRPV1 pode ser essencial, embora seu grau de envolvimento varie de acordo com o tecido. No que diz respeito ao canal TRPA1, encontramos dois resultados que merecem ser destacados. Primeiramente, identificamos no fígado de camundongos TrpV1 KO mantidos em LD uma provável compensação da expressão de TrpA1 na ausência de TrpV1 e, curiosamente, que o tecido adiposo marrom não expressa o canal TrpA1. Considerando os resultados deste trabalho sobre o envolvimento dos canais TRP em resposta à luz e temperatura, acreditamos ter fortalecido nossa hipótese inicial, principalmente após demonstrarmos o papel do canal TRPV1 e que tecidos periféricos são sincronizados por alterações de temperatura. / The life emergence and evolution on Earth were made possible by the development of precise temporal mechanisms able to adjust the physiological processes within an organism with environmental cycles, thus promoting gains in the adaptive and reproductive capacity of the individuals. In this context, light and temperature are the two most relevant time cues to reset the endogenous clock; apparently these two zeitgebers work together to keep the circadian rhythms. A wide variety of photoreceptors and photopigments evolved in order to precisely perceive the photic information provided by the environment, and recently it has been shown that the temperature detection can also be exerted by the photopigments rhodopsin and melanopsin, being mediated by TRP channels (Shen et al., 2011). We have identified B16-F10 Per1::Luc cells as a promising model for the study of light and temperature effects on peripheral clocks, since this cell line expresses both photopigments pointed as thermoreceptors in Drosophila. Our studies allowed us to demonstrate that light does not act as a synchronizing agent on those cells, which remained in free running after a 10 min pulse of blue light (650 lux). On the other hand, a temperature pulse of 2.5º C above the maintenance temperature, for 1h, adjusted Per1 gene expression, imprinting a circadian rhythm, which was not observed in the control. Based on this information, we hypothesized that the light perceived via melanopsin by the mammalian retina would lead to the regulation of the circadian temperature by the SCN, and the body temperature, in turn, could act as an inner cue for the synchronization of the peripheral tissues, having the TRP channels as mediators. To answer this question, we have used WT and TrpV1 KO mice under different light protocols and evaluated the expression of clock genes Per1, Per2, Clock and Bmal1 and TrpV1 and TrpA1 channels in peripheral tissues. We found that the adrenal gland, liver and brown adipose tissue have a typically active clock machinery, and the oscillation of clock genes observed in these tissues is significant. Interestingly, we observed that TrpV1 is expressed in those tissues, and presents a rhythmic transcription in the liver and brown adipose tissue of LD maintained animals, confirming our hypothesis that TRP channels act as mediators of light information to peripheral tissues. In face of the differences between WT and trpV1 KO animals, we suggest that the presence of the TRPV1 channel may be essential, although its degree of involvement may vary according to the tissue. In terms of TRPA1 channel, we found two results that deserve to be highlighted. Firstly, we identified in the liver of TrpV1 KO mice maintained in LD a presumable compensation of TrpA1 expression in the absence of TrpV1 and, interestingly, the brown adipose tissue does not express TrpA1 channel. Considering the findings of this study on the participation of TRP channels in responses to light and temperature, we believe we have strengthened our initial hypothesis, especially after we have demonstrated the role of TRPV1 channel, and that peripheral tissues may be synchronized by temperature changes.

The aim of this thesis was study of replacement of LPS in innate immunity based cancer immunotherapy. Application of poly (I:C) with mixture of mannan-SMCC + R-848.HCl leads to synergy, higher reduction of tumor growth and significant prolongation of survival. The significance and mechanism of action of neutrophils have also been studied within this therapy.

O surgimento e a evolução da vida na terra foram possíveis graças ao desenvolvimento de mecanismos temporais precisos capazes de ajustar os processos fisiológicos que ocorriam no interior do organismo com os ciclos ambientais, promovendo assim, ganhos na capacidade adaptativa e reprodutiva dos indivíduos. Neste contexto, luz e temperatura são as duas pistas temporais mais relevantes para resetar o relógio endógeno e, aparentemente, esses dois zeitgebers trabalham juntos para manter os ritmos circadianos. Uma ampla gama de fotorreceptores e fotopigmentos evoluiu no sentido de perceber com alta sensibilidade a informação fótica fornecida pelo ambiente e, recentemente, foi demonstrado que a detecção de temperatura também pode ser exercida pelos fotopigmentos rodopsina e melanopsina, sendo mediada por canais TRP (Shen et al., 2011). Consideramos as células B16-F10 Per1::Luc como um modelo promissor para o estudo de luz e temperatura em relógios periféricos, uma vez que essa linhagem expressa os dois fotopigmentos apontados com função de termorreceptores em Drosophila. Nossos estudos nos permitiram verificar que a luz não atua como um agente sincronizador nessas células, que se mantiveram em livre curso mesmo após um pulso de 10 min de luz azul (650 lux). Por outro lado, um pulso de temperatura de 2,5º C acima da temperatura de manutenção por 1h atuou ajustando a expressão do gene Per1, imprimindo um ritmo circadiano, diferentemente do observado no controle. Com base nessas informações, hipotetizamos que a informação de luz, percebida via melanopsina na retina de mamíferos, levaria a regulação da temperatura circadiana pelo NSQ, e a temperatura corporal, por sua vez, poderia atuar como uma pista interna para a sincronização dos tecidos periféricos, tendo os canais TRP como mediadores. Para responder esta questão, utilizamos camundongos WT e TrpV1 KO submetidos a diferentes protocolos de luz e avaliamos a expressão de genes do relógio Per1, Per2, Clock e Bmal1 e dos canais TrpV1 e TrpA1 em tecidos periféricos. Identificamos que a glândula suprarrenal, fígado e tecido adiposo marrom possuem uma maquinaria do relógio tipicamente ativa e acreditamos que a oscilação dos genes de relógio observada nesses tecidos é expressiva. Interessantemente, vimos também que o TrpV1, além de ser expresso nos tecidos analisados em animais WT, apresenta uma transcrição rítmica no fígado e tecido adiposo marrom de animais em LD, corroborando nossa hipótese de que canais TRP atuam como mediadores da informação de luz aos tecidos periféricos. Dadas as diferenças encontradas entre os animais WT e TrpV1 KO, sugerimos que a presença do canal TRPV1 pode ser essencial, embora seu grau de envolvimento varie de acordo com o tecido. No que diz respeito ao canal TRPA1, encontramos dois resultados que merecem ser destacados. Primeiramente, identificamos no fígado de camundongos TrpV1 KO mantidos em LD uma provável compensação da expressão de TrpA1 na ausência de TrpV1 e, curiosamente, que o tecido adiposo marrom não expressa o canal TrpA1. Considerando os resultados deste trabalho sobre o envolvimento dos canais TRP em resposta à luz e temperatura, acreditamos ter fortalecido nossa hipótese inicial, principalmente após demonstrarmos o papel do canal TRPV1 e que tecidos periféricos são sincronizados por alterações de temperatura. / The life emergence and evolution on Earth were made possible by the development of precise temporal mechanisms able to adjust the physiological processes within an organism with environmental cycles, thus promoting gains in the adaptive and reproductive capacity of the individuals. In this context, light and temperature are the two most relevant time cues to reset the endogenous clock; apparently these two zeitgebers work together to keep the circadian rhythms. A wide variety of photoreceptors and photopigments evolved in order to precisely perceive the photic information provided by the environment, and recently it has been shown that the temperature detection can also be exerted by the photopigments rhodopsin and melanopsin, being mediated by TRP channels (Shen et al., 2011). We have identified B16-F10 Per1::Luc cells as a promising model for the study of light and temperature effects on peripheral clocks, since this cell line expresses both photopigments pointed as thermoreceptors in Drosophila. Our studies allowed us to demonstrate that light does not act as a synchronizing agent on those cells, which remained in free running after a 10 min pulse of blue light (650 lux). On the other hand, a temperature pulse of 2.5º C above the maintenance temperature, for 1h, adjusted Per1 gene expression, imprinting a circadian rhythm, which was not observed in the control. Based on this information, we hypothesized that the light perceived via melanopsin by the mammalian retina would lead to the regulation of the circadian temperature by the SCN, and the body temperature, in turn, could act as an inner cue for the synchronization of the peripheral tissues, having the TRP channels as mediators. To answer this question, we have used WT and TrpV1 KO mice under different light protocols and evaluated the expression of clock genes Per1, Per2, Clock and Bmal1 and TrpV1 and TrpA1 channels in peripheral tissues. We found that the adrenal gland, liver and brown adipose tissue have a typically active clock machinery, and the oscillation of clock genes observed in these tissues is significant. Interestingly, we observed that TrpV1 is expressed in those tissues, and presents a rhythmic transcription in the liver and brown adipose tissue of LD maintained animals, confirming our hypothesis that TRP channels act as mediators of light information to peripheral tissues. In face of the differences between WT and trpV1 KO animals, we suggest that the presence of the TRPV1 channel may be essential, although its degree of involvement may vary according to the tissue. In terms of TRPA1 channel, we found two results that deserve to be highlighted. Firstly, we identified in the liver of TrpV1 KO mice maintained in LD a presumable compensation of TrpA1 expression in the absence of TrpV1 and, interestingly, the brown adipose tissue does not express TrpA1 channel. Considering the findings of this study on the participation of TRP channels in responses to light and temperature, we believe we have strengthened our initial hypothesis, especially after we have demonstrated the role of TRPV1 channel, and that peripheral tissues may be synchronized by temperature changes.

Melanoma is an aggressive disease with few effective treatment options. Non-toxic, anti-tumor therapies and prophylactic approaches are currently being investigated to identify treatment options that will control and remove late-stage melanoma. The overall goal of this project was to establish an effective delivery method for a plasmid encoding human interleukin (phIL-15) into mouse melanoma cells (B16.F10) using the gene transfer technique electroporation (EP)1. The EP delivery phIL-15 was optimized using an in vitro 3D tumor model. The purpose was to translate these IL-15 delivery conditions into an in vivo mouse melanoma model to study IL-15 signal transduction and stimulate immune cells to destroy tumor antigens as well as promote an anti-tumor immune memory response. The in vitro 3D tumor model and the mouse model demonstrated similar expression patterns when delivering phIL-15 with different EP conditions. Intra-tumoral delivery using 500V/cm 20ms enhanced gene delivery and increased IL-15 protein expression compared to 1300V/cm 100μs. There was also a visible increase in transfection efficacy between tumor cells compared to skin cells when delivering pmIL-12 and phIL-15 plasmid constructs in vivo. The plasmid+EP groups 1300V/cm and 500V/cm stimulated increased expression of cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, INFγ, MIP-1β and TNFα. These EP groups also promoted tumor regression by up-regulating CD8+ T cells and CD4+ T cells which targeted melanoma. Regression and survival studies demonstrated that 73.3% of mice cleared B16.F10 cells when treated with phIL-xi15+1300V/cm and pVax+500V/cm. In addition, 53% of the mice responded to the phIL-15+500V/cm treatment group. Furthermore, 75% of the mice from group phIL-15+500V/cm survived secondary inoculation and tumor challenge. In conclusion, plasmid with encoding gene insert phIL-15 delivered by EP has the potential to act as an anti-tumor therapy because it promotes melanoma regression and enhances mouse survival through innate and adaptive cell-mediated immune responses.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Tyrosinase is an enzyme widely distributed in the biosphere and is found in many species of bacteria, fungi, animals, and plants; it is associated with melanin production. Even though it possesses many beneficial properties such as photoprotection, but overproduction causes undesirable effects such melasma, solar lentigines etc. Therefore, tyrosinase enzyme inhibitors are of far-ranging importance in cosmetics, medicinal products, and food industries. This study is aimed to test anti-tyrosinase activity in 37 plants from 20 families using mushroom tyrosinase inhibition method; each plant was extracted with methanol. The results showed that 17 plant extracts, exerted a considerable level of in vitro tyrosinase inhibition comparable to positive controls of kojic acid in the same solvent systems when evaluated spectrophotometrically. Among plant extracts, those that showed an inhibition rate >50 % at 50 μg/ml and ˃60 % at 200 μg/ml were A. karroo (Hayne.), A. afra Jacq. Ex Willd, C. geifolia (L.), E. racemosa (L.), H. petiolare Hilliard & B.L.Burt, M. quercifolia (L.), M. communis (L.), P. rigida (Wikstr.), P. ecklonii (Benth.), P. ericoides (L.), S. Africanacaerulea (L.), S. Africana-lutea (L.), S. antarcticus (Willd.), S. lucida (L.) F.A.Barkley, S. hamilifolius (L.), S. furcellata R.Br and T riparia which exhibited great anti-tyrosinase activity.

Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) is a 241 amino acids precursor protein, which encodes various neuropeptides including corticotropin (ACTH), a-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (a-MSH), and b-endorphin (b-EP). POMC plays an important role in stress response, metabolism, energy homeostasis and anti-inflammation. Recent studies demonstrated that systemic POMC gene delivery potently suppresses the tumor growth and metastasis of B16-F10 melanoma in vitro and in vivo via inhibition of NF-£eB/COX2 pathway. However, systemic POMC expression also led to elevated urine excretion and water intake in mice. This was attributed to enhanced steroidgenesis as evidence by elevated plasma corticosteroids levels in animals and increased cortisol production in adrenal H295R cells after POMC gene delivery. Since corticosteroids are also potent anti-inflammatory agents, it remains unclear whether the ACTH-mediated cortisol synthesis also contributed to the POMC-induced tumor suppression. To address this issue, we generated a series of adenovirus vectors encoding POMC genes with mutation or deletion in ACTH domain including ACTH (K15A/R17A). Unlike the wild type POMC, gene delivery of ACTH (K15A/R17A) resulted in significantly lower cortisol production, CYP11B1 mRNA level, and glucocorticoid responsive element (GRE)-driven luciferase activities in H295R cells. ACTH (K15A/R17A) gene delivery did not affect the urination and water intake in mice. Above all, ACTH (K15A/R17A) gene delivery remained capable of inhibiting the colonies formation and invasiveness of B16-F10 melanoma cells. In summary, steroidgenesis is not essential to POMC-mediated melanoma suppression. In addition, ACTH (K15A/R17A) gene delivery may provide a better alternative for melanoma control.

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No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Hellen Karine Paes Porto - 2012.pdf: 3126397 bytes, checksum: db30e536f55c8163ffbd3cd680c86ca9 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-24 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / It is well known that metal complexes have been used as therapeutic agents since ancient times. However, with the success of cisplatin development as an antitumor agent in 1960inorganic drugs come to mainstream again. Despite the success of platinum compounds, serious problems are encountered when administering these drugs, such as nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity and acquired resistance. In face of these problems other chemotherapeutic agents, less toxic to the organism and more efficient, become necessary. Several studies have been shown that ruthenium compounds present high selectivity for tumor cells and low systemic toxicity when compared to platinum (II) compounds. The present study evaluate antimor activity of two new ruthenium(II) compounds associated with amino acids, alanine and tryptophan. Ruthenium(II) compound were tested against B16-F10 and Ehrlich tumor cell lines and L-929 basal line using MTT assay, at different concentrations (0.2 - 200 mM) for 48 hours of treatment. Cell cycle analysis and apoptosis induction analyses by flow citometry and comet assay for DNA damage were also performed The IC50 values were estimated as 16.17 mM (RuAla) and 7.75 mM (RuTrp). The compound RuAla proved to be specific for the B16-F10 tumor cell line and showed a significant ability to change cell cycling profiles, arresting cells inG0/G1 phase, and also inducing cell death by apoptosis within 48 hours of treatment. The compound RuTrp showed high cytotoxic potential against Ehrlich tumor, interfering cell cycle kinetics,causing cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase and inducing cell death by apoptosis. Comet assay presented damage to genetic material only when cells were trated with high concentrations of RuTrp. , RuAla and RuTrp presented relevant cytotoxic activities towards tumor lineages tested in vitro. Thus, more specific tests are needed to elucidate the mechanism of action of these promising The ruthenium(II) compounds. / Sabe-se que complexos metálicos têm sido usados como agentes terapêuticos desde a antiguidade. No entanto, o reaparecimento de drogas inorgânicas iniciou-se em 1960 com o desenvolvimento e o sucesso da cisplatina como agente antitumoral. Apesar do sucesso dos compostos de platina, sérios problemas são enfrentados durante a administração dessas drogas, como nefro e neurotoxicidade e resistência. Em vista dos problemas relacionados com o tratamento a base de platina, outros quimioterápicos que sejam menos tóxicos ao organismo e mais eficientes tornam-se necessários. O estudo da atividade antitumoral se destaca com os complexos de rutênio, os quais têm demonstrado alta seletividade para células tumorais e baixa toxicidade sistêmica, quando comparados aos compostos de platina (II). O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar dois novos compostos de Rutênio (II), associados a aminoácidos, Alanina e Triptofano, com potencial antitumoral. No ensaio de citotoxicidade, os dois complexos de Rutênio foram avaliados frente a duas linhagens tumorais (B16-F10, Tumor de Ehrlich) e uma linhagem basal (L-929) através do teste de MTT, em diferentes concentrações dos compostos (0,2 – 200 μM) por 48 horas de tratamento. Foram realizados também análises de ciclo celular, ensaio cometa e teste Anexina V para avaliação do mecanismo de morte. Análise estatística para comparação entre os grupos tratados e controle foi utilizado Anova segundo um único critério e pós-teste Dunnet’s (software GraphPad Prism V4). Os valores de IC50 estimados foram 16,17μM (RuAla) e 7,75μM (RuTrp). O composto RuAla mostrou-se específico para a linhagem B16-F10 e apresentou capacidade de alterar o ciclo celular das células, parando a ciclagem em fase G0/G1, e também demonstrou induzir morte celular por apoptose em 48 horas de tratamento. O composto RuTrp apresentou alto potencial citotóxico frente ao Tumor de Ehrlich, interferiu na cinética do ciclo celular, parando o ciclo celular em fase G0/G1. O RuTrp também induziu morte celular por apoptose, entretanto somente apresentou dano ao material genético em altas concentrações. Todavia, teste mais específicos são necessários para a elucidação do mecanismo de ação desses dois novos composto a base de Rutênio (II) com promissores resultados anti-câncer.