The thesis introduces two developed methods to quantify extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from cancer cell lines and healthy human saliva by using capillary zone electrophoresis. In the first chapter, the importance of EVs, as well as the existing EV isolation, characterization, and quantification methods, are described. The general principle of capillary electrophoresis (CE) is explained for a better understanding of these two methods. Chapter II describes the idea and concepts of Extracellular Vesicles quantitative Capillary Electrophoresis (EVqCE). The method evolved from the previous study carried out in our research group for the quantification of viruses. After the isolation of EVs from different cell lines, the characterization and quantification of EVs were performed using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and flow cytometry. EVqCE consists of four steps for EV quantification. In this study, EVqCE was employed to know the concentrations of EVs in unknown samples, followed by calculation of the average mass of the RNA present in EVs. In the next chapter, one of the human body fluids, i.e., saliva, was chosen for the quantification of EVs. Salivary EVqCE was developed in a similar way as EVqCE for cell lines since the general theories and procedures are practically the same. However, human saliva contains an abundant amount of viscous proteins and ribonuclease (RNase), that were the major obstacles for salivary EVs detection and quantification. The method for the isolation of EVs from the saliva was optimized, and the quantification was performed successfully. The average mass of RNA in saliva EVs was also calculated and analyzed. The concentration of saliva EVs in unknown samples were compared with the results from NTA and flow cytometry to validate the salivary EVqCE. In the last chapter, I described the application of EVqCE to study the quality control of EVs. The method calculates the degradation level of EVs samples under different conditions, providing a potential way for real-time monitoring of the EVs status in the body fluid sample.

Mitochondrial mutations and heteroplasmy have been associated with disease states that result from inadequate cellular energy production. As mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes many of the polypeptides involved in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), mtDNA mutations may lower energy production which is required for cell division and sustained ATP synthesis. In order to test the relationship between mtDNA mutations and the rate of cell division, a mammary epithelial cancer cell line, MCF-7, is used as a model. Nine proliferate single cell clones have been isolated from MCF-7. Population doubling times of six single cell clones and the MCF-7 stock have been determined. Clones with distinctly different growth rates were selected for mutational analysis. Growth rates of these clones appeared to be different from each other. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing, three cases of heteroplasmy have been identified in the mitochondrial genes of the MCF-7 stock and four single cell clones (ATPase C9119T, ND6 T14300G, Cytb G15807A). Heteroplasmy present in the Cytb gene is differs between single cell clones. Differences between the growth rates may be indicative of metabolic variations in these single cell clones. The OXPHOS enzymes encoded by the mutated genes were quantified by standard enzymatic assays. The assays demonstrated significant differences in specific activity between the clones, but were not correlated with mitochondrial heteroplasmy. This thesis determines that the differences in specific activity observed between clones is of nuclear origin.

Mitochondrial mutations and heteroplasmy have been associated with disease states that result from inadequate cellular energy production. As mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes many of the polypeptides involved in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), mtDNA mutations may lower energy production which is required for cell division and sustained ATP synthesis. In order to test the relationship between mtDNA mutations and the rate of cell division, a mammary epithelial cancer cell line, MCF-7, is used as a model. Nine proliferate single cell clones have been isolated from MCF-7. Population doubling times of six single cell clones and the MCF-7 stock have been determined. Clones with distinctly different growth rates were selected for mutational analysis. Growth rates of these clones appeared to be different from each other. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing, three cases of heteroplasmy have been identified in the mitochondrial genes of the MCF-7 stock and four single cell clones (ATPase C9119T, ND6 T14300G, Cytb G15807A). Heteroplasmy present in the Cytb gene is differs between single cell clones. Differences between the growth rates may be indicative of metabolic variations in these single cell clones. The OXPHOS enzymes encoded by the mutated genes were quantified by standard enzymatic assays. The assays demonstrated significant differences in specific activity between the clones, but were not correlated with mitochondrial heteroplasmy. This thesis determines that the differences in specific activity observed between clones is of nuclear origin.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The use of toxicity tests to evaluate the quality of streams affected by mixtures such as acid mine drainage (AMD), adds value to assessments whereby site-specific toxicological data may identify toxicants that pose a threat to humans. To successfully evaluate the risk of combined mixtures, an improved understanding of the individual components, their uptake, metabolism, excretion and mode of action is required. This study aimed to identify the extent of AMD toxicity in a dose dependant manner on the MCF-7 cell line. The first study site associated with gold mining was chosen as the Tweelopies Stream situated in the Gauteng province of South Africa. The AMD effluent (un-neutralised) contaminating the Tweelopies Stream had undergone pH-neutralisation using a reactor-bed limestone technology incorporating the use of both calcium carbonate (CaCO3) powder and limestone beds. The second study site, the Kromdraai River, is situated in the eMalahleni region of South Africa where a predominance of coal mining exists. The pH -neutralisation of the AMD (un-neutralised) contaminated Kromdraai River was performed using a caustic soda (NaOH) precipitation technique. This study demonstrated the rapid and effective application of the comet assay as a screening tool for AMD-associated DNA breakages in the human cell line, MCF-7. Moreover, the study analysed parameters of cellular survival, DNA fragmentation and variations in morphologies indicative of cellular death. Collectively, the cyto-genetic aberrations observed in the MCF-7 cells as a result of exposure to gold and coal mining associated AMD, confirms the urgency of incorporating high-throughput screening in ecological toxicity assessment to evaluate cellular damage at genetic levels in low dose exposures where detection might be missed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die gebruik van toksisiteitstoetse om die gehalte van strome te evalueer wat geraak word deur mengsels soos suur mynwater (SM), gee waarde aan spesifieke toksikologiese data van gifstowwe wat 'n bedreiging vir die mens kan identifiseer. Om die risiko van gekombineerde mengsels en hul individuele komponente beter te begrip en suksesvol evalueer, is hul opname, metabolisme, uitskeiding en modus van aksie nodig. Hierdie studie het gepoog om die omvang van SM-toksisiteit in 'n dosis afhanklike wyse op die MCF-7-sellyn te identifiseer. Die eerste studie-area wat gekies is, hou verband met goudmyn-ontginning, en is die Tweelopiesspruit, geleë in die Gauteng-provinsie van Suid-Afrika. Die SM-uitvloeisel (on-geneutraliseerde) wat die Tweelopiesspruit besoedel, het pH-neutralisasie ondergaan met behulp van die integrasie van 'n reaktor-bed kalksorpsietegnologie wat gebruik maak van beide kalsiumkarbonaat (CaCO3) poeier en kalksteenbeddens. Die tweede studie-area, is die Kromdraairivier geleë in die eMalahleni-streek van Suid-Afrika, waar steenkoolontginning die oorheersende aktiwiteit is. Die pH-neutralisasie van die SM (on-geneutraliseerde) in die geval van die Kromdraairivier word met behulp van 'n bytsoda (NaOH) neerslag tegniek, uitgevoer. Hierdie studie het die komeet-toets getoon as 'n vinnige en doeltreffende toepassing vir SM-geassosieerde DNA-breekskade in die menslike sel lyn, MCF-7. Verder het die studie parameters van sellulêre oorlewing, DNA-fragmentasie en variasies in sel morfologieë wat ‘n aanduiding van sellulêre dood is, ontleed. Gesamentlik dui die resultate daarop dat die sitogenetiese afwykings wat in die MCF-7-selle waargeneem is, as 'n gevolg van blootstelling aan goud- en steenkool-geassosieerde SM is. Die studie het verder die dringendheid van die integrasie van hoë-deurset tegnologieë in ekologiese toksisiteitstoetse in selle wat genetiese skade mag ondergaan, na 'n lae dosis blootstelling waar opsporing dalk gemis word, ondersteun.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:31:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-05-31Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:41:52Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 duarte_ra_dr_arafcf.pdf: 4649782 bytes, checksum: 99bc00374a88b89ba36ff755fc732fa3 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / O câncer de mama é a maior causa de morbidade e mortalidade entre as mulheres no mundo. Pesquisas revelam vários fatores prognósticos e preditivos para a identificação de pacientes com alto risco de agressividade, metastases e doença recorrente na condição de combater estas estatísticas. Por esta razão, é evidente a necessidade do desenvolvimento de estratégias de tratamento mais eficazes. Estudos prévios com Pterogyne nitens Tul. (Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae), uma planta nativa do Brasil resultou o isolamento de dois alcalóides guanidínicos. Exibiram atividade seletiva direcionada a DNA deficiente de reparo, sugerindo potencial atividade anticâncer. Objetivo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a citotoxicidade e apoptose induzidas pelos alcalóides pteroginina (PGN) and pteroginidina (PGD) em linhagem de adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) e carcinoma ductal invasivo (ZR-7531). Materiais e Métodos: As duas linhagens celulares foram tratadas pelos alcalóides em várias concentrações (0.25 – 10 mM) em dois tempos, t0 (24h) e t24 (24h seguido por 24h pós-tratamento). O ensaio de citotoxicidade foi determinado pelo teste de MTT; a morte celular (apoptose e necrose) foi analisada usando os métodos Hoechst 33342/iodeto propídio, Kit de Anexina V-FITC e atividade de Caspases 3/7. Resultados: Os tratamentos com os alcalóides demonstraram citotoxicidade concentração-resposta nas linhagens de câncer de mama. Para avaliação da apoptose foi observado um intense efeito concentraçãoresposta em apoptose tardia/necrose e discreto sinal para apoptose precoce em todas concentrações (p<0,01). No ensaio Hoechst/iodeto, observou diferença significante entre os estágios de apoptose precoce e tardia de ambas linhagens. A pteroginina no período t0 e t24, e pteroginidina no período t0 demonstraram possuir intenso efeito concentração... / Breast cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among women worldwide. Research has elucidated several specific prognostic and predictive factors to identify patients at high risk of the aggressive disease, metastasis and recurrence of the disease in order to combat these statistics. For this reason, there is an obvious need to develop more efficacious treatment strategies. Previous studies on Pterogyne nitens Tul. (Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae), a native plant of Brazil, resulted in the isolation of two guanidine alkaloids, exhibited selective activity towards a DNA repair-deficient, suggesting potential anti-cancer activity. Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the citotoxicity and apoptosis induced by alkaloids pterogynine (PGN) and pterogynidine (PGD) in human adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7) and human invasive ductal carcinoma cell line(ZR-7531). Material and Methods: The two cell lines were treated by both alkaloids at several concentrations (0.25 – 10 mM) and two time points, 24h (t0) and 24h followed by 24h pos-treatment (t24). The cytotoxicity assay was determined by MTT assay; the cell death (apoptosis and necrosis) were analyzed using the dye Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide, Annexin V-FITC and Caspase 3/7 activity. Results: The treatments with the alkaloids demonstrated citotoxicity effect concentrationresponse in breast cell lines. Apoptosis evaluation, pterogynine and pterogynidine has an intense effect concentration-response of late apoptosis/necrosis and a discrete signal of early apoptosis in all of the concentrations (p<0.01). Hoechst/iodide assay, it was observe significant difference among the stages of early and late apoptosis in the both cells lines. Pterogynine for the period of t0 and t24, and pterogynidine for the period of t0 demonstrated to possess an intense concentrationresponse... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

This diploma thesis is focused on preparation of liposome by relatively new method called nanofluidisation. This method allows the controlled preparation of small unilamellar liposomes in one step. In my thesis I was dealing with optimalization of liposomes preparation which carry hydrophobic cytostatics using this method. Cytotoxic effect of liposomes carrying hydrophobic cytostatics in vitro on cell lines A549 and MCF-7 was determined. In cytotoxicyty test I compared the effect of hydrophobic cytostatics (paclitaxel and derivates of vitamin E specifically alfa-Tos, alfa-TEA) that were incorporated into liposomes prepared via nanofluidisation method and lipid film hydration method. Moreover, a technology of lyophilisation in the presence of cryoprotectants for preparation of liposomes using the method of nanofluidisation was developed.

Mathematical models, that depict the dynamics of a cancer cell population growing out of the human body (in vitro) in unconstrained microenvironment conditions, are considered in this thesis. Cancer cells in vitro grow and divide much faster than cancer cells in the human body, therefore, the effects of various cancer treatments applied to them can be identified much faster. These cell populations, when not exposed to any cancer treatment, exhibit exponential growth that we refer to as the balanced exponential growth (BEG) state. This observation has led to several effective methods of estimating parameters that thereafter are not required to be determined experimentally. We present derivation of the age-structured model and its theoretical analysis of the existence of the solution. Furthermore, we have obtained the condition for BEG existence using the Perron-Frobenius theorem. A mathematical description of the cell-cycle control is shown for one-compartment and two-compartment populations, where a compartment refers to a cell population consisting of cells that exhibit similar kinetic properties. We have incorporated into our mathematical model the required growing/aging times in each phase of the cell cycle for the biological viability. Moreover, we have derived analytical formulae for vital parameters in cancer research, such as population doubling time, the average cell-cycle age, and the average removal age from all phases, which we argue is the average cell-cycle time of the population. An estimate of the average cell-cycle time is of a particular interest for biologists and clinicians, and for patient survival prognoses as it is considered that short cell-cycle times correlate with poor survival prognoses for patients. Applications of our mathematical model to experimental data have been shown. First, we have derived algebraic expressions to determine the population doubling time from single experimental observation as an alternative to empirically constructed growth curve. This result is applicable to various types of cancer cell lines. One option to extend this model would be to derive the cell cycle time from a single experimental measurement. Second, we have applied our mathematical model to interpret and derive dynamic-depicting parameters of five melanoma cell lines exposed to radiotherapy. The mathematical result suggests there are shortcomings in the experimental methods and provides an insight into the cancer cell population dynamics during post radiotherapy. Finally, a mathematical model depicting a theoretical cancer cell population that comprises two sub-populations with different kinetic properties is presented to describe the transition of a primary culture to a cell line cell population.

O adenocarcinoma ductal pancreático (PDAC, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma), o tipo mais prevalente de câncer do pâncreas, é uma neoplasia extremamente agressiva e com elevado índice de letalidade. Há uma necessidade premente de identificação de vulnerabilidades no PDAC que possam ser exploradas como alvos terapêuticos, e a utilização de modelos pré-clínicos que recapitulem a complexidade biológica e heterogeneidade clínica da doença é um aspecto central para a realização dessa tarefa. Os xenotransplantes de tecido tumoral derivado de pacientes (PDX, patient-derived tumor tissue xenografts), realizados em camundongos imunodeficientes, replicam com grande similaridade as principais características do tumor original e, assim, constituem uma ferramenta valiosa para o teste de drogas e estudos funcionais. Neste trabalho, 17 amostras cirúrgicas de PDAC humano foram implantadas subcutaneamente em camundongos nude atímicos. Sete tumores (41%) foram enxertados com sucesso e têm sido mantidos em sucessivas gerações de animais receptores. O exame histológico de seis desses xenoenxertos identificou características morfológicas compatíveis com os padrões reconhecidos no PDAC humano, assim como uma consistente similaridade de seu status de diferenciação histológica em relação aos perfis verificados nos tumoresoriginais. O cultivo in vitro de células derivadas de um dos xenotumores resultou em uma nova linhagem de câncer de pâncreas, com morfologia e cinética de crescimento comparáveis às de outras linhagens celulares de câncer pancreático. O potencial tumorigênico dessa nova linhagem foi validado in vivo, com uma consistente formação de tumores após inoculação em camundongos nude. A fim de aproveitar esse recurso para a investigação de potenciais alvos terapêuticos no PDAC, um rastreamento de vulnerabilidades moleculares foi realizado por meio de silenciamento gênico em larga-escala com RNA de interferência (RNAi). Uma biblioteca lentiviral de 4492 shRNAs (short hairpin RNAs), alvejando cerca de 350 genes envolvidos na regulação epigenética, foi empregada para a triagem de genes de suscetibilidade nas células derivadas de PDX, e em outras cinco linhagens tumorais pancreáticas (AsPC-1, BxPC-3, Capan-1, MIA PaCa-2 e PANC-1). Inicialmente, foi realizada uma série de experimentos preliminares, visando à amplificação e controle de qualidade da biblioteca de silenciamento, à produção de vetores lentivirais e à padronização das condições experimentais para a transdução e seleção das células-alvo. Apenas três das linhagens avaliadas (AsPC-1, MIA PaCa-2 e PANC-1) mostraram-se permissíveis à transdução pelos vetores lentivirais, e foram assim utilizadas no screening de alvos epigenéticos. A análise dos dados obtidos nesse ensaio está em curso e os resultados serão utilizados para a definição de potenciais alvos candidatos. Em conclusão, recursos valiosos para apoiar a pesquisa sobre o câncer de pâncreas foram desenvolvidos. A coleção de PDXs estabelecida, bem como a linhagem celular recém-derivada, constituem uma fonte permanente e estável de células de PDAC para análises moleculares e estudos funcionais que busquem elucidar aspectos da doença ainda pouco compreendidos. Adicionalmente, os reagentes gerados e a expertise adquirida com os ensaiosrealizados com a biblioteca de shRNAs contra alvos epigenéticos serão de grande utilidade em futuras investigações para identificar genes com funções importantes na manutenção do fenótipo tumoral, e consequentemente com potencial para serem explorados terapeuticamente. / Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most prevalent type of pancreatic cancer, is a highly aggressive and lethal neoplasm. There is a pressing need to identify vulnerabilities in PDAC suited to be exploited as therapeutic targets, and the use of preclinical models recapitulating the biological complexity and clinical heterogeneity of the disease is central to this task. Patient-derived tumor tissue xenografts (PDX), established in immunodeficient mice, replicate with great similarity the main characteristics of the original tumor and thus constitute a valuable tool for drug testing and functional studies. In this work, 17 surgical samples of human PDAC were implanted subcutaneously in athymic nude mice. Seven tumors (41%) were successfully grafted and have been maintained through successive generations of recipient animals. Histological examination of six of these xenografts identified morphological characteristics compatible with the recognized patterns of human PDAC, as well as a consistent similarity of their histological differentiation status in relation to the profiles verified in the original tumors. In vitro culture of cells derived from one of these xenografts resulted in a new pancreatic cancer cell line, with morphology and growth kinetics comparable to those of other pancreatic tumor cells. The tumorigenic potential of this freshly derived cell line was validated in vivo, with a consistent tumor formation following inoculation into nude mice. To take advantage ofthis resource to investigate potential therapeutic targets in PDAC, a screening of molecular vulnerabilities was performed through large-scale gene silencing with RNA interference (RNAi). A lentiviral library containing 4492 short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs), targeting about 350 genes involved in epigenetic regulation, was employed for the search of susceptibility genes in the PDX-derived cells and in other five pancreatic tumor cell lines (AsPC-1, BxPC -3, Capan-1, MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1). Initially, a series of preliminary experiments were carried out aiming at the amplification and quality control of the silencing library, production of lentiviral vectors and adjustment of the experimental conditions for transduction and selection of the target cells. Only three of the cell lines evaluated (AsPC-1, MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1) were permissible for transduction by the lentiviral vectors, and were accordingly used in the screening of epigenetic targets. The analysis of data obtained in this trial is ongoing and the results will be used for definition of potential candidate targets. In conclusion, valuable resources to support research on pancreatic cancer have been developed. The established collection of PDXs as well as the newly derived cell line constitutes a permanent and stable source of PDAC cells for molecular analyzes and functional studies seeking to elucidate aspects of this disease that are still poorly understood. Additionally, both the reagents generated and the expertise gained from the RNAi assay against epigenetic targets will have inordinate usefulness in future investigations to identify genes with major functions in maintaining the malignant phenotype, and consequently with the potential to be exploited therapeutically.

Orientador: Christiane Pienna Soares / Banca: Christiane Pienna Soares / Banca: Haroldo Wilson Moreira / Banca: Ana Marisa Fusco Almedia / Banca: Raquel Alves dos Santos / Banca: Maria Regina Torqueti Toloi / Resumo: O câncer de mama é a maior causa de morbidade e mortalidade entre as mulheres no mundo. Pesquisas revelam vários fatores prognósticos e preditivos para a identificação de pacientes com alto risco de agressividade, metastases e doença recorrente na condição de combater estas estatísticas. Por esta razão, é evidente a necessidade do desenvolvimento de estratégias de tratamento mais eficazes. Estudos prévios com Pterogyne nitens Tul. (Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae), uma planta nativa do Brasil resultou o isolamento de dois alcalóides guanidínicos. Exibiram atividade seletiva direcionada a DNA deficiente de reparo, sugerindo potencial atividade anticâncer. Objetivo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a citotoxicidade e apoptose induzidas pelos alcalóides pteroginina (PGN) and pteroginidina (PGD) em linhagem de adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) e carcinoma ductal invasivo (ZR-7531). Materiais e Métodos: As duas linhagens celulares foram tratadas pelos alcalóides em várias concentrações (0.25 - 10 mM) em dois tempos, t0 (24h) e t24 (24h seguido por 24h pós-tratamento). O ensaio de citotoxicidade foi determinado pelo teste de MTT; a morte celular (apoptose e necrose) foi analisada usando os métodos Hoechst 33342/iodeto propídio, Kit de Anexina V-FITC e atividade de Caspases 3/7. Resultados: Os tratamentos com os alcalóides demonstraram citotoxicidade concentração-resposta nas linhagens de câncer de mama. Para avaliação da apoptose foi observado um intense efeito concentraçãoresposta em apoptose tardia/necrose e discreto sinal para apoptose precoce em todas concentrações (p<0,01). No ensaio Hoechst/iodeto, observou diferença significante entre os estágios de apoptose precoce e tardia de ambas linhagens. A pteroginina no período t0 e t24, e pteroginidina no período t0 demonstraram possuir intenso efeito concentração... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Breast cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among women worldwide. Research has elucidated several specific prognostic and predictive factors to identify patients at high risk of the aggressive disease, metastasis and recurrence of the disease in order to combat these statistics. For this reason, there is an obvious need to develop more efficacious treatment strategies. Previous studies on Pterogyne nitens Tul. (Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae), a native plant of Brazil, resulted in the isolation of two guanidine alkaloids, exhibited selective activity towards a DNA repair-deficient, suggesting potential anti-cancer activity. Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the citotoxicity and apoptosis induced by alkaloids pterogynine (PGN) and pterogynidine (PGD) in human adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7) and human invasive ductal carcinoma cell line(ZR-7531). Material and Methods: The two cell lines were treated by both alkaloids at several concentrations (0.25 - 10 mM) and two time points, 24h (t0) and 24h followed by 24h pos-treatment (t24). The cytotoxicity assay was determined by MTT assay; the cell death (apoptosis and necrosis) were analyzed using the dye Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide, Annexin V-FITC and Caspase 3/7 activity. Results: The treatments with the alkaloids demonstrated citotoxicity effect concentrationresponse in breast cell lines. Apoptosis evaluation, pterogynine and pterogynidine has an intense effect concentration-response of late apoptosis/necrosis and a discrete signal of early apoptosis in all of the concentrations (p<0.01). Hoechst/iodide assay, it was observe significant difference among the stages of early and late apoptosis in the both cells lines. Pterogynine for the period of t0 and t24, and pterogynidine for the period of t0 demonstrated to possess an intense concentrationresponse... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

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