No / We have previously shown that the ubiquitously expressed lysosomal cysteine protease, cathepsin L (CTSL), is essential for skin and hair follicle homeostasis. Here we examine the effect of CTSL deficiency on hair follicle development and cycling in ctsl-/- mice by light and electron microscopy, Ki67/terminal dUTP nick-end labeling, and trichohyalin immunofluorescence. Hair follicle morphogenesis in ctsl-/- mice was associated with several abnormalities. Defective terminal differentiation of keratinocytes occurred during the formation of the hair canal, resulting in disruption of hair shaft outgrowth. Both proliferation and apoptosis levels in keratinocytes and melanocytes were higher in ctsl-/- than in ctsl+/+ hair follicles. The development of the hair follicle pigmentary unit was disrupted by vacuolation of differentiating melanocytes. Hair cycling was also abnormal in ctsl-/- mice. Final stages of hair follicle morphogenesis and the induction of hair follicle cycling were retarded. Thereafter, these follicles exhibited a truncated resting phase (telogen) and a premature entry into the first growth phase. Further abnormalities of telogen development included the defective anchoring of club hairs in the skin, which resulted in their abnormal shedding. Melanocyte vacuolation was again apparent during the hair cycle-associated reconstruction of the hair pigmentary unit. A hallmark of these ctsl-/- mice was the severe disruption in the exiting of hair shafts to the skin surface. This was mostly because of a failure of the inner root sheath (keratinocyte layer next to the hair shaft) to fully desquamate. These changes resulted in a massive dilation of the hair canal and the abnormal routing of sebaceous gland products to the skin surface. In summary, this study suggests novel roles for cathepsin proteases in skin, hair, and pigment biology. Principal target tissues that may contain protein substrate(s) for this cysteine protease include the developing hair cone, inner root sheath, anchoring apparatus of the telogen club, and organelles of lysosomal origin (eg, melanosomes).

No description available.

No description available.

In the present study, muscle growth and flesh quality have been investigated from both commercially farmed Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) (Aga marine AS, Norway)and halibut obtained from small-scale trials at Mørkvedbukta Research Station (Bodø University College, Norway). Morphometric techniques have been utilized to investigate fast muscle growth in halibut ranging from circa 2 g to 100 kg, and it was established that fast muscle fibre recruitment ceases when the fish attain approximately 81 and 177 cm, in the case of males and females, respectively. Different muscle fibre types were distinguished using histochemical (myosin ATPase and succinic dehydrogenase) and immunohistochemical (S-58, an antibody against slow muscle myosin) staining techniques. Females recruit twice as many fast muscle fibres compared to males, which allows them to reach a larger final size. Furthermore, the seasonal growth patterns during a one year production cycle in commercial farmed halibut revealed a winter depression in growth leading to loss of biomass, which was attributed to the maturation of males. Commercial farmed fish of equal size (~1.5 kg) showed sexual dimorphism of fast muscle fibre number, caused by a significantly higher rate of fast muscle fibre recruitment in females. During the winter season fast muscle fibres shrunk significantly, especially in male fish, as a consequence of loss of appetite, low water temperatures and sexual maturation. None of the female fish matured during the trial. Flesh quality of halibut deteriorated during winter and spring, since it had a softer appearance and significantly lower myotomal protein content, particularly in males. Cathepsin activity was measured using spectroscopy and showed a strong negative correlation to protein content, displaying a seasonal variation. The proteolytic depletion of fast muscle proteins affected the water holding capacity of the muscle (determined by centrifugation), which showed concomitant changes with the increase in cathepsin activity and drop in protein content. Despite the soft appearance, the firmness (shear force) of the flesh increased during the winter. The hydroxylysyl pyridinoline cross-link content of the collagen matrix, determined by HPLC, showed a strong correlation to the fillet texture. The increased firmness during the winter, a period of little (female) or negative growth (males), was probably due to an increased cross-linking of the collagen compartment. Partial sequences of IGF-I and IGF-II were cloned from fast muscle of Atlantic halibut, and their relative gene expression levels were determined along with those of cathepsin B, cathepsin D and IGF-IRa in male halibut using qPCR during a fasting and refeeding trial. Transcript levels of cathepsin B and to some extent cathepsin D were significantly higher during fasting than refeeding, suggesting an increased enzyme production during periods of food deprivation. A temporary increase in IGF-I transcripts was observed after 7 days refeeding suggesting that this growth factor is involved in muscle growth control. Both IGF- IRa and IGF-II were down-regulated during refeeding.

Trematode peptidases are important molecules responsible for biocatalysis in many basal biological processes and are crucial in host-parasite interactions. Therefore, these enzymes are intensively studied in order to characterize their biological functions and to use them as potential diagnostic or therapeutic targets. Lately, investigation of transcriptome and secretome revealed, that adult Fascioloides magna (giant liver fluke) expresses and secretes a variety of peptidases. Thus, this thesis focuses on three newly identified enzymes: cathepsin L (FmCL), cathepsin B (FmCB) and cathepsin D (FmCD). In other trematode species, these cathepsins are being linked mainly with the digestion of host blood. We applied quantitative PCR (qPCR) to investigate relative expression levels of the three enzymes among three developmental stages - egg, miracidium and adult. It was revealed that all cathepsins have the highest expression in adult flukes in comparison to eggs and miracidia. We also localized the place of transcription of FmCL, FmCB and FmCD in adult fluke using RNA in situ hybridization. All of the peptidases were detected in gastrodermis, and in addition, they were localized in the reproductive system. The latter surprising finding is suggesting that these enzymes might have multiple functions in adult F....

A catepsina L é uma cisteína proteinase da família da papaína (clã CA, família C1), sendo esta família a mais conhecida entre as cisteína proteinase. A catepsina L, como outras proteinases da família C1, é sintetizada como uma pró-enzima inativa que é ativada através da remoção do pró-peptídeo. Os pró-peptídeos das catepsinas da subfamília catepsina L apresentam um motivo consenso, denominado motivo ERFNIN. A catepsina L corresponde a principal proteinase digestiva em Tenebrio molitor. No nosso laboratório 3 pró-catepsinas L (pCALs) foram clonadas e seqüenciadas a partir de uma biblioteca de cDNA de intestino médio de larvas de T. molitor: pCAL1 (CAL lisossomal), pCAL2 e pCAL3 (enzimas digestivas). Estas proteinases apresentam o motivo ERFNIN e os resíduos envolvidos na catálise: Cys25, His169, e Asn175 com Gln19 (numeração da papaína). Neste trabalho descrevemos a clonagem em vetores de expressão e a expressão em bactérias das sequências codificadoras de pCAL1, pCAL2 e pCAL3. As pró-catepsinas L recombinantes foram purificadas por cromatografia de afinidade e a incubação em pH ácido resultou na formação das enzimas maduras CAL1, CAL2 e CAL3 com atividade sobre o substrato Z-FR-MCA. O anticorpo policlonal anti-pCAL2 foi produzido em coelho e reconheceu pCAL2 e CAL2 em immunoblots. Experimentos de immunoblots com diferentes tecidos de T. molitor mostraram que o anticorpo policlonal anti-pCAL3 reconheceu pCAL3 e CAL3 nos dois terços anteriores do intestino médio de larvas de T. molitor. Estudos de imunocitolocalização indicam que a catepsina L 3 ocorre em vesículas no intestino médio anterior e em microvilosidades no intestino médio posterior. Para os experimentos de cristalização, nós expressamos pCAL1, pCAL2 e pCAL3 como mutantes Cys25→Ser inativos. pCAL3Cys26Ser foi cristalizada por difusão de vapor (gota sentada) contra 0,1-1,6M de dihidrogênio fosfato de amônio. Os cristais são monoclínicos com grupo espacial C2 e parâmetros de célula: a=57,634 Å, b=89,322 Å, c=70,076 Å, α=γ=90°, β=92,502° e uma molécula na unidade assimétrica. A e strutura foi determinada por substituição molecular usando a estrutura de Fasciola hepatica (42% de identidade) como modelo. O modelo foi refinado a 2,1 Å com fator R final de 16,19% (Rfree=20,5%). pCAL2Cys25Ser foi cristalizada por difusão de vapor (gota sentada) contra acetato de sódio 0,2M, cacodilato de sódio 0,1M pH6,6-6,7 e 20% de PEG 8000. Os cristais são triclínicos com grupo espacial P1 e parâmetros de célula: a=51,669 Å, b=52,37 Å, c=59,716 Å, α= 91,278°, γ=109,586°, β=91,547° e duas moléculas na unidade assimétrica. A estrutura foi determinada por substituição molecular usando a estrutura da pCAL3 (44% de identidade) como modelo. O modelo foi refinado a 2,0 Å com fator R final de 17,61% (Rfree=22,48%). A estrutura terciária da pró-catepsinas L digestivas é muito similar as estruturas de cisteína proteinases da família da papaína / Cathepsin L is a cysteine proteinase of the papain family (clan CA, family C1), which is the most known among the cysteine proteinases. Cathepsin L, like other proteinases of family C1, is synthesized as an inactive proenzyme that is activated by propeptide removal. The propeptide of cathepsin L-like subfamily contain a highly conserved motif, the so called ERFNIN motif. Cathepsin L corresponds to the major digestive proteinase in Tenebrio molitor. In our laboratory, 3 procathepsins L (pCALs) were cloned and sequenced from a cDNA library prepared from T. molitor larval midguts: pCAL1 (lysosomal CAL), pCAL2 and pCAL3 (digestive enzymes). These proteinases have ERFNIN motif and 3 residues directly involved in catalysis: Cys25, His169, Asn175 with Gln19 (papain numbering). In this work we report the cloning into the expression vector and bacterial expression of the sequences coding pCAL1, pCAL2 and pCAL3. The recombinant procathepsins L were purified by affinity chromatography and activation of these enzymes occurs under acidic conditions. The cathepsins L (CAL1, CAL2 and CAL3) were able to hydrolyse Z-FR-MCA. The polyclonal antibody anti-pCAL2 was produced in rabbit and recognized pCAL2 and CAL2 on immunoblots. Immunoblot analyses of different T. molitor larval tissues demonstrated that the polyclonal antibody anti-pCAL3 recognised pCAL3 and CAL3 in the anterior two-thirds of midgut tissue of T. molitor larvae. Immunolocalization studies indicate that cathepsin L 3 occurs in vesicles in the anterior midgut and microvilli in posterior midgut. To crystallographic studies we expressed pCAL1, pCAL2 and pCAL3 as inactive Cys25→Ser mutants. pCAL3Cys26Ser was crystallized by vapor diffusion in sitting drops against 0.1-1.6 M mono-ammonium dihydrogen phosphate. The crystals are monoclinic, belonging to space group C2, with cell parameters: a = 57.634 Å, b = 89.322 Å, c = 70.076 Å, α = γ =90°, β = 92.502° and contain one molecule in the asymmetric unit. The structure was determined by molecular replacement using the structure of Fasciola hepatica procathepsin L (42.5% identity) as a model. The model was refined at 2.1 Å resolution with an R factor of 16.19% (Rfree = 20.5%). pCAL2Cys25Ser was crystallized by vapor diffusion in sitting drops against 0.2M sodium acetate, 0.1M sodium cacodylate pH 6.6-6.7 and 20% polyethylene glycol 8,000. The crystals are triclinic, belonging to space group P1, with cell parameters: a = 51.669 Å, b = 52.37 Å, c = 59.716 Å, α = 91.278° γ = 109.586°, β = 91.547° and contain two molecules in the asymmetric unit. The structure was determined by molecular replacement using the structure of procathepsin L 3 (44 % identity) as a model. The model was refined at 2.0 Å resolution with an R factor of 17.61% (Rfree = 22.48%). The tertiary structure ofdigestive procathepsins L is very similar to papain-like cysteine proteinases structures

Apesar de Culex quinquefasciatus ser um eficiente vetor de doenças tais como a filariose linfática, febre do Nilo Ocidental e outras várias neuroviroses, poucas pesquisas sobre sua fisiologia têm sido conduzidas. Como em todos os animais ovíparos, o desenvolvimento embrionário dos mosquitos depende da degradação dos nutrientes armazenados no ovo, sendo a catepsina B uma protease que tem sido identificada e caracterizada em vários insetos como envolvida nesta função. Neste trabalho identificamos, por espectrometria de massas, duas catepsinas B de Culex quinquefasciatus, parcialmente purificadas por autoproteólise de extrato total de ovos. Segundo a anotação de suas sequências no banco de dados específico para vetores, o VectorBase, elas são enzimas parálogas e suas sequências apresentam 77% de homologia. Denominadas neste trabalho como CatB1 e CatB2, ambas são expressas simultaneamente no corpo gorduroso de todas as fêmeas vitelogênicas de nossa colônia e sua atividade pode ser detectada nos ovários vitelogênicos, sugerindo sua origem materna. A transcrição de ambas as enzimas se inicia após o repasto sanguíneo (ARS), alcançando o pico de expressão às 36 h ARS, de forma bastante semelhante à da vitelogenina. / Despite Culex quinquefasciatus be an efficient vector of diseases such as lymphatic filariasis, West Nile fever and other various neurotrophic viruses, little research on its physiology have been conducted. As in all oviparous animals, embryonic development of mosquitoes depends on the degradation of the nutrients stored in the egg. Cathepsin B is a protease that has been identified and characterized in a number of insects as involved in this function. In this work we have identified, by mass spectrometry, two cathepsins B of Culex quinquefasciatus, partially purified by self-proteolysis of total egg extract. According to the annotation of their sequences in the specific vector database, the VectorBase, they are paralogue enzymes and their sequences have 77% homology. Named in this work as CatB1 and CatB2, both are expressed simultaneously in the fat body of all vitellogenic females of our colony and its activity can be detected in vitellogenic ovaries, suggesting a maternal origin. The transcription of both enzymes starts post blood meal (PBM), reaching their peak of expression at 36 h PBM, quite similar to vitellogenin.

O biofilme bacteriano é o agente etiológico primário no desenvolvimento da resposta inflamatória observada na doença periodontal. Os receptores do tipo NOD (NLRs) são proteínas citosólicas que reconhecem componentes microbianos presentes no citoplasma liberados por bactérias invasoras. Sabendo que bactérias periodontopatogênicas têm a capacidade de invadir e colonizar diversas células do tecido periodontal, o presente projeto tem o objetivo de estudar a participação dos receptores do tipo NOD (NOD1 e NOD2) no reconhecimento das bactérias Porphyromonas gingivalis, na modulação da resposta imune e no processo de reabsorção óssea. Camundongos isogênicos machos da linhagem C57BL/6 (WT) e camundongos deficientes para o receptor NOD1 (NOD1-/-) e receptor NOD2 (NOD2-/-) foram infectados com Phorphyromonas gingivalis utilizando um modelo experimental de doença periodontal. O grau de reabsorção óssea foi avaliado por análise morfométrica macroscópica e histológica da maxila, além da quantificação do número de osteoclastos na crista óssea alveolar. O grau de inflamação local foi realizado por contagem do número total de bactérias orais, quantificação de neutrófilos no tecido gengival (MPO) e avaliação dos mediadores inflamatórios por ELISA. Foi também avaliada a expressão de marcadores osteogênicos e osteoclastogênicos no tecido gengival pela técnica de qPCR. Animais NOD1-/- e NOD2-/- apresentaram menor delta de reabsorção óssea quando comparados aos animais WT. Animais NOD2-/- infectados apresentaram debilitado controle bacteriano quando comparados aos animais WT infectados. Animais NOD1-/- e NOD2-/- infectados apresentaram baixa expressão de Cxcl1 e MPO quando comparados aos animais WT infectados. Além disso, foi observado que animais NOD2-/- infectados apresentaram reduzida produção de TNF-α e elevada produção de IL-10 quando comparados aos animais WT infectados. Não foi detectado diferença estatística na expressão de fatores osteogênicos, Runx2 e osteocalcina, entre animais WT, NOD1-/- e NOD2-/- infectados. Embora não houve diferença no número de células TRAP positivas presentes na crista óssea alveolar entre os grupos no tempo avaliado, animais WT infectados apresentaram elevada expressão gênica de RANKL/OPG quando comparados aos animais NOD2-/- infectados. Além disso, a expressão de marcadores de atividades dos osteoclastos, catepsina k e matrix metaloproteinase-9, foi significantemente baixa nos animais NOD1-/- e NOD2-/- infectados quando comparados aos animais WT infectados. Esses resultados permitem sugerir que independente das variáveis observadas, verificamos que a ausência dos dois receptores impede a rápida progressão da reabsorção óssea alveolar observada na periodontite, portanto os receptores NOD1 e NOD2 contribuem para progressão da reabsorção óssea no modelo experimental de periodontite. / The bacterial biofilm has been identified as an etiological agent in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. The NOD-like receptors (NLRs) are cytoplasmic proteins that sense microbial by products released by invasive bacteria. Since periodontopathogenic bacteria are able to invade and colonize some periodontal tissue cells, the purpose of this study is to determine the role of NOD1 and NOD2 receptors in the recognition of invasive periodontopathogenic bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, modulating the immune response and bone resorption. Isogenic strain C57BL/6 males (WT), NOD1 (NOD1-/-) and NOD2 (NOD2-/-) knockout mice were infected with Porphyromonas gingivalis in an experimental model of periodontal disease. Alveolar bone resorption was evaluated by macroscopic and histological morphometric analysis, quantification of osteoclasts numbers in bone crest alveolar. Imune inflammatory response was evaluated by, bacterial load, neutrophils quantification and inflammatory mediators levels by ELISA. We also evaluated the osteogenic and osteoclastogenic markers expression in gingival tissue by Real time PCR techniques. NOD1-/- and NOD2-/- animals showed lower bone resorption when compared to WT animals. NOD2-/- infected animals expressed higher bacterial load compared to WT infected ones. NOD1-/- and NOD2-/- infected animals presented lower Cxcl1 and MPO levels compared to WT infected animals. In addition, NOD2-/- infected animals presented lower level of TNF-α and higher level of IL-10 when compared to WT infected animals. There was no significant difference in the osteogenic factors expression, Runx2 and osteocalcin, when compared NOD1-/- and NOD2-/- infected animals to WT infected ones. Although there was no difference in TRAP-positive cells number evaluated in the alveolar bone crest among the studied groups, WT infected animals showed elevated ratio RANKL/OPG when compared to NOD2-/- infected animals. Moreover, the expression of osteoclasts activity markers, cathepsin k and matrix metalloproteinase-9, was significantly lower in NOD1-/- and NOD2-/- infected animals compared to WT infected ones. These results suggest that NOD1 and NOD2 receptors contribute to progression of bone resorption in experimental model of periodontitis, since the lack of NOD like receptors impair the bone resorption.

A citocina IL-33 apresenta papel dual e está envolvida com a resolução ou progressão de inúmeras doenças, além disso, acredita-se que a via IL-33/ST2 esteja envolvida no equilíbrio entre a atividade de osteoclastos e osteoblastos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o papel do receptor ST2 no desenvolvimento e progressão de lesões periapicais experimentalmente induzidas em camundongos. Lesões periapicais foram induzidas em primeiros molares inferiores de camundongos WT e ST2 knockout (KO). Decorridos 7 e 14 dias, as amostras de mandíbula foram submetidas às análises: determinação da área de lesão periapical em cortes histológicos e do volume por microtomografia computadorizada (&mu;CT); contagem de osteoclastos submetidos ao ensaio de histoenzimologia (TRAP); expressão gênica de marcadores osteogênicos e osteoclastogênicos por q-PCR; quantificação de neutrófilos por ensaio de mieloperoxidases. Os linfonodos foram submetidos à análise da expressão dos fatores transcricionais T-bet, GATA-3, RORc e Foxp-3 por q-PCR. Análise estatística utilizada foi One-way ANOVA, seguido de pós-teste de Bonferroni. Aos 14 dias, observou-se maior extensão da lesão periapical em animais WT que em ST2KO (p<0,05). O tamanho da lesão nos animais ST2KO permaneceu igual em função do tempo. Foi observada maior quantidade de neutrófilos na lesão do grupo WT aos 7 dias, em comparação aos animais ST2KO (p<0,05). Na expressão de T-bet, GATA-3, RORc e Foxp-3 não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significantes. O número de osteoclastos contados nos animais ST2KO foi maior que o observado em WT aos 7dias e aos 14 dias (p<0,05). A expressão de Runx2 foi maior no grupo lesão dos animais ST2KO quando comparado a seu respectivo controle. Os outros marcadores relacionados com a formação óssea não apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significantes. Dentre os marcadores relacionados com a reabsorção óssea, a catepsina K e o MMP-9 apresentaram maior expressão aos 14 dias, na lesão dos animais WT quando comparada à expressão na lesão dos animais ST2KO (p<0,05). Com base nos resultados obtidos no presente estudo, pode-se concluir que na ausência do receptor ST2 as lesões periapicais são menos extensas e embora em maior quantidade, os osteoclastos são menos ativos. Nossos resultados sugerem um importante papel da via IL-33/ST2 na ativação dos osteoclastos e desenvolvimento da lesão periapical. / The IL -33 cytokine presents a dual role and is involved either in the resolution and progression of many diseases. Furthermore, it is believed that this pathway is involved between osteoclast and osteoblast activity balance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of ST2 receptor in the development and progression of experimentally induced periapical lesions in mice. Periapical lesions were induced in first molars of WT and ST2 knockout (KO) mice. After 7 and 14 days, jaw samples were subjected to various analysis: determination of periapical lesions area by histology and volume by computed microtomography (&mu;CT); osteoclasts number by TRAP histoenzymology; osteogenic and osteoclastogenic markers expression by q-PCR; neutrophil quantification by myeloperoxidase activity. The expression of transcription factors T-bet, GATA-3, RORC and Foxp-3 in lymph nodes were analysed by q-PCR. Statistical analysis was done by One-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post-test. It was observed a greater extent in periapical lesions of WT compared to ST2KO animals at 14 days (p<0.05). There is no progression in the lesion of ST2KO mice with the time. A larger number of neutrophils in WT group was observed, compared to ST2KO mice evaluated at 7 days (p<0.05). The expression of T-bet, GATA-3, RORc and Foxp-3 were not statistically significant different among the groups. The number of osteoclasts in lesions of ST2KO animals were greater than the observed in WT, at 7 and 14 days (p<0.05). Although, other osteogenic markers showed no statistically significant difference, Runx2 expression in ST2KO was higher in lesion side compared to control side at 14 days. The markers related to bone resorption, cathepsin K and MMP-9, were significantly abrogated in the lesion side of ST2KO mice, at 14 days (p<0.05). Based on the results, it can be concluded that although larger amounts of osteoclast were counted in ST2KO, the lesion was less extensive and osteoclasts less active. It all suggests that the IL-33/ST2 pathway play an important role in osteoclasts activation and periapical lesion development.

O biofilme bacteriano é o agente etiológico primário no desenvolvimento da resposta inflamatória observada na doença periodontal. Os receptores do tipo NOD (NLRs) são proteínas citosólicas que reconhecem componentes microbianos presentes no citoplasma liberados por bactérias invasoras. Sabendo que bactérias periodontopatogênicas têm a capacidade de invadir e colonizar diversas células do tecido periodontal, o presente projeto tem o objetivo de estudar a participação dos receptores do tipo NOD (NOD1 e NOD2) no reconhecimento das bactérias Porphyromonas gingivalis, na modulação da resposta imune e no processo de reabsorção óssea. Camundongos isogênicos machos da linhagem C57BL/6 (WT) e camundongos deficientes para o receptor NOD1 (NOD1-/-) e receptor NOD2 (NOD2-/-) foram infectados com Phorphyromonas gingivalis utilizando um modelo experimental de doença periodontal. O grau de reabsorção óssea foi avaliado por análise morfométrica macroscópica e histológica da maxila, além da quantificação do número de osteoclastos na crista óssea alveolar. O grau de inflamação local foi realizado por contagem do número total de bactérias orais, quantificação de neutrófilos no tecido gengival (MPO) e avaliação dos mediadores inflamatórios por ELISA. Foi também avaliada a expressão de marcadores osteogênicos e osteoclastogênicos no tecido gengival pela técnica de qPCR. Animais NOD1-/- e NOD2-/- apresentaram menor delta de reabsorção óssea quando comparados aos animais WT. Animais NOD2-/- infectados apresentaram debilitado controle bacteriano quando comparados aos animais WT infectados. Animais NOD1-/- e NOD2-/- infectados apresentaram baixa expressão de Cxcl1 e MPO quando comparados aos animais WT infectados. Além disso, foi observado que animais NOD2-/- infectados apresentaram reduzida produção de TNF-&alpha; e elevada produção de IL-10 quando comparados aos animais WT infectados. Não foi detectado diferença estatística na expressão de fatores osteogênicos, Runx2 e osteocalcina, entre animais WT, NOD1-/- e NOD2-/- infectados. Embora não houve diferença no número de células TRAP positivas presentes na crista óssea alveolar entre os grupos no tempo avaliado, animais WT infectados apresentaram elevada expressão gênica de RANKL/OPG quando comparados aos animais NOD2-/- infectados. Além disso, a expressão de marcadores de atividades dos osteoclastos, catepsina k e matrix metaloproteinase-9, foi significantemente baixa nos animais NOD1-/- e NOD2-/- infectados quando comparados aos animais WT infectados. Esses resultados permitem sugerir que independente das variáveis observadas, verificamos que a ausência dos dois receptores impede a rápida progressão da reabsorção óssea alveolar observada na periodontite, portanto os receptores NOD1 e NOD2 contribuem para progressão da reabsorção óssea no modelo experimental de periodontite. / The bacterial biofilm has been identified as an etiological agent in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. The NOD-like receptors (NLRs) are cytoplasmic proteins that sense microbial by products released by invasive bacteria. Since periodontopathogenic bacteria are able to invade and colonize some periodontal tissue cells, the purpose of this study is to determine the role of NOD1 and NOD2 receptors in the recognition of invasive periodontopathogenic bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, modulating the immune response and bone resorption. Isogenic strain C57BL/6 males (WT), NOD1 (NOD1-/-) and NOD2 (NOD2-/-) knockout mice were infected with Porphyromonas gingivalis in an experimental model of periodontal disease. Alveolar bone resorption was evaluated by macroscopic and histological morphometric analysis, quantification of osteoclasts numbers in bone crest alveolar. Imune inflammatory response was evaluated by, bacterial load, neutrophils quantification and inflammatory mediators levels by ELISA. We also evaluated the osteogenic and osteoclastogenic markers expression in gingival tissue by Real time PCR techniques. NOD1-/- and NOD2-/- animals showed lower bone resorption when compared to WT animals. NOD2-/- infected animals expressed higher bacterial load compared to WT infected ones. NOD1-/- and NOD2-/- infected animals presented lower Cxcl1 and MPO levels compared to WT infected animals. In addition, NOD2-/- infected animals presented lower level of TNF-&alpha; and higher level of IL-10 when compared to WT infected animals. There was no significant difference in the osteogenic factors expression, Runx2 and osteocalcin, when compared NOD1-/- and NOD2-/- infected animals to WT infected ones. Although there was no difference in TRAP-positive cells number evaluated in the alveolar bone crest among the studied groups, WT infected animals showed elevated ratio RANKL/OPG when compared to NOD2-/- infected animals. Moreover, the expression of osteoclasts activity markers, cathepsin k and matrix metalloproteinase-9, was significantly lower in NOD1-/- and NOD2-/- infected animals compared to WT infected ones. These results suggest that NOD1 and NOD2 receptors contribute to progression of bone resorption in experimental model of periodontitis, since the lack of NOD like receptors impair the bone resorption.