Orientador: Marcelo Rocha Marques / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T18:41:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Guimaraes_GustavoNarvaes_D.pdf: 3246599 bytes, checksum: 781e1f21b54daff1efa5c67e98bb5e59 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: O hormônio paratireóideo (PTH) é o principal regulador da homeostasia dos íons minerais, cálcio e fosfato, no organismo, exercendo um papel chave no desenvolvimento e homeostase dos tecidos mineralizados. Recentemente nós demonstramos que durante a formação do incisivo de camundongos, a administração intermitente de PTH causou um aumento da taxa de aposição dentinária e resultou em mudanças nas propriedades mecânicas e materiais da dentina formada. Com isso, os estudos apresentados aqui se propuseram a investigar: 1) Os efeitos da exposição transiente (1 ou 24h/ciclo) ou contínua (48h) ao hPTH(1-34) na deposição mineral, na expressão gênica de Fosfatase Alcalina (ALP), Metaloproteinase 2 (MMP2), Biglican (BGN) e Colágeno tipo I (COL1), e na atividade de MMP2 e ALP em odontoblastos MDPC-23; 2) A participação das vias de sinalização dependentes de proteína quinase A (PKA) e proteína quinase C (PKC) na resposta proliferativa e apoptótica de odontoblastos MDPC-23 a diferentes tempos de exposição ao hPTH(1-34) (1, 24 ou 48 horas); 3) O efeito do tratamento do hPTH(1-34) na espessura dos cristais minerais formados durante a odontogênese de incisivos de camundongos. 4) Os efeitos da administração intermitente de hPTH(1-34) na dentinogênese terciária em camundongos. Os resultados mostram que a exposição transiente ao PTH diminuiu a deposição mineral e atividade de ALP. Já as expressões gênicas de ALP, BGN e COL1 estavam aumentadas no grupo 24h/ciclo, enquanto que o grupo Contínuo apresentou um aumento da expressão gênica de BGN e COL1. Também, os níveis de MMP2 secretados estavam aumentados no grupo 1h/ciclo e diminuídos no grupo Contínuo. A exposição ao PTH modula a resposta proliferativa e apoptótica de odontoblastos MDPC-23 de uma maneira dependente do tempo. Além disso, a via PKA atua na resposta a curta exposição ao PTH (1h), mantendo os níveis de proliferação e apoptose das células, enquanto que a via PKC é ativada nos tempos mais longos de exposição (24 e 48hs) levando a um aumento da apoptose e redução da proliferação celular. A administração intermitente de PTH não alterou a espessura dos cristais minerais da dentina de incisivos em formação e nem a quantidade de dentina terciária reacional em molares de camundongos. No entanto, o tratamento com PTH aumentou a concentração de zinco e diminuiu a concentração de cálcio na dentina de molares normais e em molares com indução de dentinogênese terciária. Com isso, pode-se concluir que o hPTH (1-34) modula a mineralização, apoptose e proliferação de odontoblastos MDPC-23 de maneira dependente do tempo, e que as vias de sinalização dependentes de PKA e PKC participam da resposta proliferativa e apoptótica. Além disso, nos modelos utilizados, a administração intermitente de PTH não teve efeito na espessura de cristais da dentina de incisivos, e também não demonstrou ser capaz de aumentar a formação de dentina terciária reacional em molares de camundongos / Abstract: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is the major regulator of the calcium and phosphate ions in and plays a key role in the development and homeostasis of mineralized tissues. Recently we demonstrated that during the formation of the incisor of mice, intermittent PTH administration caused an increase of dentin apposition rate and it was associate to changes in the composition and in the mechanical properties of the formed dentin. Thus, the studies presented here were designed to investigate: 1) The effects of transient exposure (1 or 24h/cycle) or continuous (48h) to hPTH (1-34) in the mineral deposition and in the gene expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), Biglican (BGN) and type I collagen (COL1), and activity of MMP2 and ALP in odontoblast-like cells (MDPC-23); 2) The involvement of signaling pathways dependent of protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC) in the proliferative and apoptotic response of MDPC-23 at different times of exposure to hPTH (1-34) (1, 24 or 48 hours); 3) The effect of the hPTH (1-34) treatment on the thickness of mineral crystals formed during dentinogenesis of the mice incisors. 4) The effects of intermittent hPTH (1-34) administration on the tertiary dentinogenesis in mice molars. The results showed that the transient exposure to PTH decreased the mineral deposition and ALP activity. The gene expressions of ALP, COL1 and BGN were higher in the group treated with PTH for 24h/cycle, while the PTH continuous administration group (48h) showed an increase in gene expression of COL1 and BGN. Also, the levels of secreted MMP2 were increased in 1h/cycle and decreased in the Continuous group (48h). The exposure to PTH modulates apoptotic and proliferative response of MDPC-23 in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, the PKA pathway operates in response to short-term exposure to PTH (1h), maintaining levels of proliferation cell and apoptosis, whereas the PKC pathway is activated in longer exposure times (24 and 48h) leading to an increase apoptosis and decreased cell proliferation. The intermittent PTH administration did not change the thickness of the dentin mineral crystals of the incisors mice, and did not alter the deposition volume of the reactional tertiary dentin in the mice molars. However, treatment with PTH increased the concentration of zinc and decreased calcium concentration in normal dentin of molars with or without induction of tertiary dentinogenesis. Thus, it can be concluded that hPTH (1-34) modulates the mineral deposition, proliferation and apoptosis of the odontoblasts MDPC-23 in a time-dependent manner, and the signaling pathways PKA and PKC dependent participate of that proliferative and apoptotic response. Furthermore, in the models used here, the intermittent administration of PTH did not affect the thickness of the incisor dentinal crystals, and also not shown to be able to enhance the formation of reactional tertiary dentin in molar mice / Doutorado / Histologia e Embriologia / Doutor em Biologia Buco-Dental

Orientadores: Albina Messias De Almeida Milani Altemani, Elizabeth Ferreira Martinez / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-25T03:06:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Montalli_VictorAngeloMartins_D.pdf: 4723030 bytes, checksum: 1764455ec3666d02c7e74ee7c326caed (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: As lesões salivares tumorais compostas por dupla população celular (epitelial e mioepitelial) são consideradas originárias do ducto intercalado e estas lesões são subdivididas em diversas entidades que apresentam sobreposição morfológica, com delimitações entre elas nem sempre nítidas. Entre as neoplasias benignas estão o adenoma pleomórfico (AP) e o adenoma de células basais (ACB). Recentemente foi descrita uma nova entidade tumoral benigna, com composição epitelial e mioepitelial, denominada de lesão do ducto intercalado (LDI). Diante disso, o nosso primeiro objetivo foi analisar os perfis morfológicos e imuno-histoquímicos de LDIs e ACBs classificados em tubulares (ACB-T) e não tubulares (ACB-NT) para verificar se as LDIs e ACB-Ts representam entidades distintas. Ainda, dado o papel crítico da célula mioepitelial na morfogênese das lesões tumorais salivares histogeneticamente relacionadas ao ducto intercalado, nosso segundo objetivo foi avaliar in vitro a influência de fatores do microambiente tumoral (proteínas da matriz extracelular e fatores de crescimento) sobre a morfologia, viabilidade e proliferação de células mioepiteliais advindas de AP. Para a análise morfológica e imuno-histoquímica, foram estudados oito casos de LDIs, nove ACBs-T e 19 ACBs-NT. Todos os ACB-T continham áreas LDI-like, enquanto nos ACB-NT estas eram raras e escassas. As células luminais das LDIs e ACBs-T exibiram positividade para CK7, lisozima, S100 e DOG1. No grupo ACB-NT, poucas células luminais mostraram tal expressão, sendo principalmente positivas para CK14. As células mioepiteliais das LDIs, ACB-T e ACB-NT foram positivas para CK14, calponina, AML e p63, mas essas eram mais numerosas nos ACBs. No estudo in vitro, a morfologia e diferenciação das células mioepiteliais foram avaliadas qualitativamente por imunofluorescência indireta (expressão da vimentina e AML, respectivamente). As células mioepiteliais exibiram morfologia poliédrica em todas as matrizes, independentemente da suplementação do fator de crescimento. AML foi imunoexpressa de forma heterogênea nas células mioepiteliais, porém houve aumento da expressão desta proteína quando acrescentado o TGF- ?1, independentemente do tipo de matriz usada. TGF- ?1 também aumentou significantemente a viabilidade das células mioepiteliais cultivadas na matriz fibronectina. Conclusões: as LDI, ACB-T e ACB-NT formam um continuum de lesões onde as LDIs estão estreitamente relacionadas com o ACB-T, visto que em ambos o imunofenótipo das células luminais e mioepiteliais é semelhante àquele observado nos ductos intercalados. A principal diferença entre LDI e ACB-T é a quantidade de células mioepiteliais, que é maior no último. Além disso, nossos resultados indicam que pelo menos alguns ACBs podem surgir via LDI. Os estudos em cultura de células sugerem que as diferentes matrizes celulares não influenciam a morfologia e diferenciação da célula mioepitelial. Dentre os fatores de crescimento estudados apenas TGF- ?1 associou-se com aumento da expressão de AML (diferenciação celular) e aumentou significantemente a viabilidade celular associado à matriz fibronectina / Abstract: Salivary tumor lesions composed of dual cell population (epithelial and myoepithelial) are considered to originate from the intercalated duct. These lesions are subdivided into several entities that share morphological features. Among the benign tumors are pleomorphic adenomas (PA) and basal cell adenoma (BCA). Recently, a new entity was described that is a benign tumor with epithelial and myoepithelial composition, called intercalated duct lesion (IDL). Our first objective was to analyze the morphological and immunohistochemical profiles of IDLs and BCAs classified into tubular (T-BCA) and non-tubular subtypes (NT-BCA), to determine whether or not IDL and tubular BCA represent distinct entities. Also, given the critical role of myoepithelial cells in the morphogenesis of the salivary tumor lesions histogenetically related to the intercalated duct, our second objective was to evaluate in vitro the influence of tumor microenvironment factors (extracellular matrix proteins and growth factors) on the morphology, viability and proliferation of myoepithelial cells arisen from PA . Eight IDLs, nine tubular BCAs and 19 non-tubular BCAs were studied by immunohistochemical technique. All tubular BCAs contained IDL-like areas, which represented 20-70% of the tumor. In non-tubular BCA, IDL-like areas were occasional and small (<5%). One patient presented IDLs, tubular BCAs and IDL/tubular BCA combined lesions. Luminal ductal cells of IDLs and tubular BCAs exhibited positivity for CK7, lysozyme, S100 and DOG1. In the non-tubular BCA group, few luminal cells exhibited such immunoprofile; they were mainly CK14-positive. Basal/myoepithelial cells of IDLs, tubular BCAs and non-tubular BCAs were positive for CK14, calponin, ?-SMA and p63; they were more numerous in BCA lesions. The in vitro study analyzed morphology and differentiation of myoepithelial cells by vimentin and SMA expressions, respectively, which were qualitatively assessed using indirect immunofluorescence. Myoepithelial cells showed polyhedral morphology in all extra cellular matrixes regardless of the supplementation of growth factors. These cells expressed SMA heterogeneously but when TGF- ?1 was added such expression increased. This modification did not show relationship with the type of extracellular matix. The viability of myoepithelial cells cultured on fibronectin matrix increased significantly with addition of TGF - ?1. Conclusions: IDL, tubular BCA and non-tubular BCA form a continuum of lesions in which IDLs are related closely to tubular BCA. In both, the immunoprofile of luminal and myoepithelial cells recapitulates the normal intercalated duct. The difference between the adenoma-like subset of IDLs and tubular BCA rests mainly on the larger numbers of myoepithelial cells in the latter. Our findings indicate that at least some BCAs can arise via IDLs. The cell culture studies suggest that the different matrixes do not influence the morphology and differentiation of myoepithelial cells. Among the growth factors studied, only TGF - ?1 was associated with an increased expression of SMA (cell differentiation) and a significant increase of the cellular viability associated with the fibronectin matrix / Doutorado / Ciencias Biomedicas / Doutor em Ciências Médicas

Orientadores: Ângela Cristina Malheiros Luzo, Sara Teresinha Olalla Saad / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-23T14:04:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AndreoliRisso_MarilisaFerruda_M.pdf: 14754073 bytes, checksum: 6e3b6aa9d09a03a1f2873ad414c83bdf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: Lesões cartilaginosas raramente curam-se espontaneamente. As atuais opções terapêuticas cirúrgicas e não são limitadas ao alívio dos sintomas, mando a necessidade de futura substituição total de joelho. Terapia baseada em células tronco adultas representa uma alternativa promissora para os procedimentos existentes. As células-tronco mesenquimais (MSC) apresentam alta plasticidade celular e podem ser obtidas de diversas fontes teciduais, opção que exige grande aporte celular expondo a necessidade de criopreservação, processo vantajoso. Contudo, protocolos convencionais estão diretamente associados a possíveis danos e mortalidade celular, sendo desencadeados por formação de cristais de gelo intracelular, toxicidade do crioprotetor adotado e desidratação celular. Este projeto tem como objetivo investigar a interferência da criopreservação com dimetilsufóxido (Me2SO-) (DMSO) na capacidade de MSCs em diferenciação em linhagens mesodermais e arranjo de fibras de colágeno produzidas na diferenciação condrogência. MSCs foram obtidas de tecido adiposo (ADSC). Em quarta passagem foram caracterizadas por citometria de fluxo e diferenciadas em linhagem mesodermais. Diferenciação comprovada por análise morfológica e expressão gênica por de RT-PCR. Genes escolhidos ADIPOQ, FABP4 e PPARG linhagem adipogênica, AGCAN, SOX9, COL1A1 e COL2A1 linhagem condrogênica e OC, OPN e COL1A1 linhagem osteogênica. Diferenciação condrogênica realizada pela técnica de micromassa. Arquitetura das fibras colágenas observada por microscopia de Geração de Segundo Harmônico (SHG) de MSCs e images analisadas pelos algoritmos Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) e Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM). ADSCs criopreservadas em taxa controlada de congelamente com solução criprotetora de soro fetal bovino e 10% de DMSO, mesmos ensaios realizados após descongelamento. Células descongeladas submetidas aos mesmos protocolos de caracterização. Características morfológicas obtidas por SHG expressão gênica das células frescas e criopreservadas analisadas estatisticamente. Amostras de ADSC, fresca e criopreservadas, foram capazes de se diferenciar em linhagens mesodermais. Perfil de expressão gênica da linhagem adipogênica foi semelhante ao esperado para tal processo de diferenciação, em ambas amostras, criopreservadas e frescas, estas últimas com maior expressão (p=ns). Na diferenciação para linhagem osteogênica também houve o perfil de expressão esperado para os genes estudas, sendo mais expresso no grupo criopreservado (p=ns). Apesar do fato da expressão do gene COL2A1 de linhagem condrogênica ter sido maior no grupo criopreservado, quando o perfil de expressão gênica do grupo fresco foi analisado, este mostrou-se mais consistente com o perfil esperado normal. Análise das imagens de SHG demonstraram que a arquitetura das fibras colágenas foi mais organizada (p=ns) e uniforme (p>0,0001) nas amostras frescas. O grupo criopreservado demonstrou maior entropia (p=ns) e contraste (p=0,0167), demonstrando haver maior tendência direcional das fibras de colágeno nas amostras frescas. Os resultados de expressão gênica sugerem que a criopreservação pode interferir de forma positiva na diferenciação osteogênica e negativamente nas linhagens adipogênica e condrogênica. A arquitetura da rede tridimensional de colágeno foi modulada negativamente pelo processo de criopreservação, dados esses confirmados por análise das imagens obtidas por SHG, o que poderia interferir com as propriedades físico/mecânicas características do tecido colagenoso, importante na manutenção da cartilagem articular baseada em terapia celular. O uso das imagens de SHG tornou-se uma importante ferramenta na melhor avaliação das fibras colágenas / Abstract: Cartilage defects rarely heal spontaneously. Current surgical and non-surgical therapeutic interventions are limited to symptom relief and future total knee replacement continues to be necessary. Adult stem cell based therapy could represent a promising alternative to this procedure. Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) have great capacity of differentiation and can easily be obtained from various sources. Cryopreservation offers many advantages for practitioners engaged in cell-based therapies. However, conventional slow freezing, despite using cryoprotectant solution, has always been associated with damage and mortality due to intracellular ice formation, cryoprotectant toxicity, and dehydration. The aim of this work is to investigate whether the Dimethyl Sulfoxide (Me2SO-) (DMSO) cryopreservation process interferes with the MSCs capacity of differentiation to mesodermal lineages and/or with collagen fiber network architecture, produced by chondrogenic cells, comparing fresh and thawed MSCs. MSCs were obtained from adipocyte tissue (ADSCs). At the fourth passage cells were characterized as ADSCs by flow cytometry analysis and differentiation to mesodermic lineages was confirmed by morphology (light optical microscopy) and gene expression analysis (RT-PCR). The following genes were chosen ADIPOQ, FABP4 and PPARG for adipogenic lineage, AGCAN, SOX9, COL2A1 and COL1A1 for chondrogenic and OC, OPN and COL1A1 for osteogenic lineage. Chondrogenic differentiation was carried out by micromass technique. Collagen fibers architecture was observed by Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) microscopy. Images were analyzed by Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and Gray Level Cooccurrence Matrix (GLCM) algorithms. ADSCs were cryopreserved in a controlledrate freezing device with bovine serum fetal and 10% DMSO as cryoprotectant solution. Thawed cells were submitted to the same characterization protocols. SGH morphologic features and gene expression results from thawed and fresh cells were statistically analyzed. Both, thawed and fresh ADSCs were able to differentiate into mesodermal lineages. Gene expression profile of adipogenic lineage was similar to that expected for the differentiation process in both, thawed and fresh cells, with greater expression in fresh ones (p=ns). Osteogenic lineage also demonstrated the expected gene expression profile, being more expressed in the thawed group (p=ns). Despite the fact that COL2A1 gene expression in chondrogenic lineage was greater in the thawed group, when the gene expression profile was analyzed the fresh group was more consistent with the expected normal profile. SHG images results demonstrated that collagen fibers architecture was more organized (p=ns) and uniform (p<0, 0001) in fresh samples. The thawed group showed more entropy (p=ns) and contrast (p=0, 0167) demonstrating that a directional trend in the collagen fibers was only observed in the fresh group. Gene expression results suggested that cryopreservation could interfere in a positive manner with osteogenic differentiation, and negatively on adipogenic and chondrogenic lineages. Collagen network tridimensional architecture was negatively modulated by cryopreservation, confirmed by SHG analysis, which could interfere with the desirable collagen mechanical properties, important for the maintenance of articular cartilage in cell based therapy. SHG analysis has become an important tool for better evaluate collagen fibers / Mestrado / Biologia Estrutural, Celular, Molecular e do Desenvolvimento / Mestre em Fisiopatologia Médica

Um dos grandes problemas da saúde pública no país esta diretamente ligada à dengue, uma vez que aproximadamente 550 mil pessoas são infectadas anualmente, e cerca de 20 mil vêm a óbito. Esta doença é causada pelo vírus da família Flaviviridae, transmitido pela fêmea ao hospedeiro durante o repasto sanguíneo. Este projeto teve como objetivo isolar e caracterizar células indiferenciadas de ovos embrionados e do tubo digestivo de larvas em quarto instar de Aedes aegypti, como fonte de pesquisa na área de biologia celular e estrutural destes vetores. Mediante cultura celular, as células foram isoladas e recultivadas em meio de cultura DMEM-High, e temperatura de 28 &ordm;C. As seguintes análises foram feitas: morfologia celular, ciclo celular, testes de imunofenotipagem pelo método de citometria de fluxo e analise de imunohistoquimica. As células de Aedes aegypti analisadas pela morfologia celular, apresentaram formato globóide, tamanho pequeno e população heterogênica. A análise das fases do ciclo Sub-G1, G0-G1, S e G2-M após cultura primaria de ovos embrionados atingiram (27,5%; 68%; 30,2% e 1,9%, respectivamente). Após 24 horas atingiram (10%; 92,4%; 6,2% e 0,6%, respectivamente). A análise de imunofenotipagem realizada pelo método de citometria de fluxo demonstrou em ovos embrionados, marcações positivas para pluripotencia, assim como baixa expressão para Oct 3/4, e alta expressão para o (Sox2). As células mesenquimais tiveram alta expressão para os marcadores (Stro-1, Vimentina e Nestin). O marcador de morte celular por apoptose (Caspase3), teve alta expressão nas células cultivadas, enquanto que os marcadores endossomicos específicos para células de insetos (Anti GM130 e Anti RAB-5) também foram altamente expressos. Na cultura celular derivada do tubo digestivo de larvas de Aedes aegypti, as analises dos marcadores para pluripotencia tais como Oct 3/4 não demonstrou expressão, entretanto, o marcador Sox2 foi altamente expresso na cultura. Para as células mesenquimais não houve expressão de nenhum marcador utilizado, ou seja, (Stro-1, Vimentina e Nestin). No entanto para o marcador de morte celular por apoptose (Caspase 3) as células em cultura demonstraram alta expressão, enquanto que para os marcadores endossomicos específicos de insetos os mesmos foram altamente marcados. O teste de imunohistoquímica realizado em ovos embrionados no final do período embrionário demonstrou que as células tinham potencial ploriferativo mediante marcação positiva para PCNA. As células pluripotentes foram pouco expressas pelos marcadores Nanog, Oct 3/4, e muito expressas pelo marcador Sox2. As células de origem mesenquimais foram altamente expressas pelos marcadores SSEA-4, Stro-1, Vimentina e Nestin assim como para os marcadores endossomicos específicos para células de insetos, os quais demonstraram alta expressão nas células de embriões de Aedes. Sendo assim, conclui-se que tanto ovos embrionados quanto larvas de quarto instar de Aedes aegypti possuem células indiferenciadas, com grande potencial para estudos com biologia molecular, visando o controle biológico deste vetor / A major problem of public health in the country is directly linked to dengue, as approximately 550 million people are infected annually, and about 20,000 have died. This disease is caused by the virus of the Flaviviridae family, transmitted by the female to the host during blood feeding. This project aimed to isolate and characterize stem cells from fertilized eggs and larvae gut fourth instar Aedes aegypti, as a source of research in cell biology and structural area of these vectors. Upon cell culture, the cells were isolated and recultured in DMEM-high culture temperature and 28 &ordm; C. The following analyzes were performed: cell morphology, cell cycle tests immunophenotyping by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry analysis. The Aedes aegypti cells analyzed by cell morphology showed globular shape, small size and heterogenic population. The analysis of sub-G1 phase of the cycle, G0, G1, S and G2-M after primary culture reached embryonated eggs (27.5%, 68%, 30.2% and 1.9%, respectively). Achieved after 24 hours (10%, 92.4%, 6.2% and 0.6%, respectively). Immunophenotyping analysis by flow cytometry demonstrated in embryonated eggs, positive for pluripotency markers, as well as low expression of Oct 3/4 and high expression for the (Sox2). The mesenchymal cells had high expression for markers (Stro-1, vimentin and Nestin). The marker of cell death by apoptosis (Caspase3) had high expression in cultured cells, whereas the endosomal markers specific for insect cells (GM130 and Anti-Anti RAB 5) were also highly expressed. In cell culture derived from the gut of larvae of Aedes aegypti, the analysis of pluripotency markers such as Oct for 3/4 showed no expression, however, the marker Sox2 was highly expressed in the culture. For mesenchymal cells no expression of any label used, ie (Stro-1, Nestin and vimentin). However marker for cell death by apoptosis (caspase 3) cells in culture showed high expression, whereas for the specific endosomal markers insects they were highly labeled. The immunohistochemistry test on embryonated eggs at the end of the incubation period the cells have demonstrated potential ploriferativo by positive staining for PCNA. Pluripotent cells were slightly expressed by markers Nanog, Oct 3/4, Sox2, and expressed by the marker. The cells of mesenchymal origin were highly expressed by SSEA-4 markers, Stro-1, Nestin and vimentin as well as the specific endosomal markers for insect cells, which showed high expression in cells of Aedes embryos. Therefore, it is concluded that both embryonated eggs as room instar larvae of Aedes aegypti have undifferentiated cells, with great potential for studies of molecular biology, targeting the biological control of this vector

O estabelecimento e perfeito funcionamento da placenta são fatores dependentes da intensa vascularização ocorrida no órgão. Os processos de vasculogênese e angiogênese placentária são modulados por diversos fatores, incluindo o VEGF (fator de crescimento vascular endotelial) e bFGF (fator de crescimento fibroblástico básico). Apesar da importância do VEGF e bFGF durante a vascularização estar estabelecida, vários estudos indicam a participação desses fatores de crescimento como moduladores locais em outras funções fisiológicas, como por exemplo o controle da produção hormonal em tecidos esteroidogênicos. Animais clonados podem apresentar alterações na expressão de determinados genes durante seu desenvolvimento, o que pode alterar a função placentária. Os objetivos deste estudo são determinar a localização tecidual do VEGF, bFGF e seus receptores na placenta bovina e avaliar a influência destes fatores de crescimento sobre a produção de progesterona placentária em bovinos não clonados e clonados. Placentomas de 90, 150 e 210 dias de gestação foram obtidos em abatedouro e placentônios de gestações aos 270 dias provenientes de bovinos clonados e não clonados foram coletados após cesarianas. As amostras foram fixadas em formol tamponado 4%, desidratadas e incluídas em parafina. Cortes foram submetidos a imuno-histoquímica para posterior localização das proteínas do VEGF, bFGF e seus receptores. Sob condições assépticas, as células foram mecanicamente dispersas e cultivadas em placas de 96 cavidades. Os fatores foram adicionados em concentrações de 10 e 50 &#951;g/ml de bFGF e VEGF, respectivamente. Amostras de meio de cultura e as células dos grupos controle, bFGF, VEGF e VEGF mais bFGF foram coletadas 24, 48 e 96 horas após a adição dos fatores. A progesterona foi dosada por radioimunoensaio e o conteúdo protéico pelo método de Lowry. Os dados foram analisados utilizando-se o programa estatístico SAS (Statistical Analysis System), as diferenças estatísticas encontradas foram comparadas pelo teste de variação múltipla de Duncan. O VEGF, bFGF e seus receptores foram localizados em células do epitélio e estroma maternos e fetais e células endoteliais vasculares em bovinos não clonados e clonados. As células placentárias apresentaram diferentes capacidades de síntese de progesterona ao longo da gestação. Aos 90 e 210 dias de gestação o VEGF estimulou a produção de progesterona, enquanto aos 270 dias de gestação o fator inibiu a produção deste hormônio. O bFGF estimulou a produção de progesterona pelas células placentárias aos 90 dias de gestação. A adição dos dois fatores de crescimento conjuntamente determinou um estímulo na produção de progesterona aos 210 dias de gestação. A produção de progesterona pelas células de bovinos clonados foi semelhante àquela observada em células de bovinos não clonados na mesma idade gestacional e os fatores de crescimento não influenciaram essa produção. Conclui-se que o VEGF e bFGF, atuando localmente no tecido placentário, funcionam como moduladores do processo de esteroidogênese, influenciando de maneira tempo-dependente a produção de progesterona deste órgão. / Placental establishment and function are dependent on intense vascularization. Placental vasculogenesis and angiogenesis are modulated by several factors, including VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor). Although the role of VEGF and bFGF during vascularization is already well established, some studies have indicated the participation of these growth factors as local modulators in other physiological functions, such as control of hormonal production in steroidogenic tissues. Cloned animals may exhibit alterations in gene expression during development modifying placental function. The aims of this study are to determine the tissue localization of VEGF, bFGF and their receptors in the bovine placenta and to evaluate the influence of bFGF and VEGF on placental progesterone production in non-cloned and cloned bovines. Placentomes from days 90, 150 and 210 of pregnancy were obtained at local slaughterhouse and placentomes from cloned and non-cloned gestations at 270 days were obtained after cesarean sections. Samples were fixed in 4% buffered formol solution, dehydrated and included in paraffin. Sections were subimitted to immunohistochemistry for subsequent localization of VEGF, bFGF and their receptors proteins. Under aseptic conditions, cells were mechanically dispersed and then cultivated in a 96-well plate. Growth factors were added at concentrations of 10 and 50 &#951;g/ml for bFGF and VEGF, respectively. Samples of culture medium and cells from control, bFGF, VEGF and bFGF plus VEGF groups were collected 24, 48 and 96 hours after growth factor addition. Progesterone concentrations were assessed by radioimmunoassay and protein content was measured by Lowry?s method. Data were analyzed by SAS (Statistical Analysis System) program, significant differences were compared by Duncan?s range multiple test. VEGF, bFGF and their receptors were localized in maternal and fetal epithelial and stromal cells and vascular endothelial cells during pregnancy in non-cloned animals and in cloned bovine placenta at 270 days of pregnancy. Bovine placental cells were able to produce different amounts of progesterone during pregnancy. Growth factors were able to influence progesterone production in placental cells only after 24 hours in culture. At 90 and 210 days of pregnancy VEGF stimulated progesterone production, while at 270 days of pregnancy the growth factor inhibited production of this hormone. bFGF stimulated progesterone production in placental cells from 90 days of pregnancy. Both growth factors together determined an increase in progesterone production in placental cells from 210 days of pregnancy. Progesterone production in placental cells from cloned cattle is similar when compared with non-cloned placental cells at the same gestational age and growth factors did not influence progesterone production in these cells. VEGF and bFGF, acting locally in the placental tissue, are modulators of the steroidogenic process, influencing in a time-dependent manner the progesterone production in this organ.

Os tecidos dentais apresentam-se como fontes abundantes e de fácil obtenção de células-tronco de diferentes tipos, como é o caso das células-tronco derivadas do epitélio dental, papila dental, ligamento periodontal e folículo dental que possuem origem ectomesenquimal oriundas da crista neural, com a exceção do epitélio dental que é oriundo do ectoderma. As células-tronco de polpa dentária humana (CTPD) expressam estavelmente marcadores de células-tronco adultas (CTA), CD105 e CD73 durante as passagens contínuas, e um grupo de antígenos estágios-específicos de superfície celular, SSEA-3, SSEA-4 e fatores de transcrição de células-tronco embrionárias (CTE) TRA1-60, TRA1-81, Oct-4 e Nanog. Além disso, estas células são capazes de se diferenciar in vitro em vários tipos de células e tecidos: cartilagem, osso, tecido neural, músculo liso e esquelético. Em suínos, modelo animal amplamente utilizado para o estudo de várias doenças encontradas em humanos, os dentes caninos possuem crescimento contínuo que pode ser uma característica bastante interessante quando pensamos em células-tronco. Dessa forma, o estudo das células de polpa dentária desse animal merece destaque. Neste trabalho visamos estabelecer o cultivo e a caracterização de células-tronco derivadas da polpa dentária dos dentes caninos dos suínos com crescimento contínuo (PDS) e dos dentes molares visando um estudo comparativo. O cultivo das células-tronco de polpa dentária de canino e molar foi estabelecido e de acordo com os nossos resultados podemos dizer que as células-tronco de polpa dentária de suíno são de fácil obtenção, já que o dente é descartado após o abate do animal e não tem nenhum valor comercial. Até o momento não observamos diferenças relacionados ao crescimento contínuo dos dentes caninos e as células-troncos isoladas possuem características mesenquimais como era esperado. E ainda, os resultados obtidos neste trabalho poderão contribuir para aquisição de uma nova fonte de células-tronco, cuja obtenção em abatedouros poderá ser contínua, aumento assim a quantidade podendo ser utilizada na Terapia Celular. / The dental tissue presents itself as an easy and abundant source to obtain stem cells of different types, such as stem cells derived from dental epithelium, dental papilla, periodontal ligament and dental follicle origin that have originated from ectomesenquimal neural crest, with the exception of dental epithelium that arises from the ectoderm. Stem cells from human dental pulp (TCDC) stably express markers of adult stem cells (CTA), CD105 and CD73 during continuous passages, and a group of stage-specific antigens of cell surface SSEA-3, SSEA-4 and transcription factors of embryonic stem cells (ESC) TRA1-60, TRA1-81, Oct-4 and Nanog. Furthermore, these cells are able to differentiate in vitro into cartilage, bone, neural tissue, skeletal and smooth muscle. In pigs, an animal model widely used for the study of several human diseases, the canine teeth continues to grow and can be a very interesting feature regarding stem cells. Thus, the study of dental pulp cells in this species is worthy consideration. The aim of this work was to establish the cultivation and characterization of stem cells derived from dental pulp from pigs canine teeth with continuous growth (PDS) and the molar teeth, seeking a comparative study. The cultivation of stem cells from canine dental pulp and molar teeth have been established and, according to our results, we can say that stem cells from porcine dental pulp are easy to obtain, since the tooth is discarded when the animal is slaughtered and has no commercial value. So far no differences related to the continued growth of the canine teeth were observed and the isolated stem cells presented mesenchymal characteristics as expected. The results obtained in this study may contribute to the acquisition of a new source of stem cells, which can be obtained continuously in slaughterhouses, thus increasing the amount of samples to be used in cell therapy.

This thesis describes the development of a computer controlled on-line system for fermentation monitoring and control. The entire system consists of a laboratory fermenter, flow injection system (four channels), a newly designed on-line filter, biomass analysis channel, pH and oxygen controllers as well as a spectrophotometer. A new design of gas driven flow injection analysis (FIA) allows a large number of reagents to be handled. The computer-controlled four channel PIA system is well suited for sequential analysis, which is important for fermentation on-line mOnitoring. The system can change the wavelength of the spectrophotometer automatically for each PIA channel, which makes the system powerful and flexible. A high frequency, low energy ultrasonic filter was modified and applied to the system for on-line mammalian cell culture sampling without breaking the sterile barrier. The results show that this novel application of ultrasonic filter technology results in higher efficiency and reliability and a longer life cycle than other types of filter. All the operations of the analytical system are controlled by a Macintosh computer (Quadra 950). The control program was written in LabVIEW which is a graphical programming language and well applicable to fermentation control. The software communicates with detectors, data acquisition, data analysis and presentation. The system can programmatically control up to 50 devices. Mammalian cell batch culture was used as an example of the application of the system. The system consists of a laboratory fermenter with a continuous sample withdrawal filter and an analysis system where glucose, lactate and ammonia, lactate dehydrogenase and biomass were measured. Cell viability was estimated by microscopic assay with trypan blue. pH and Oxygen were also measured. The system response was fast and yields a large number of reliable and precise analytical results which can be of great importance in the monitoring and control of mammalian cell culture conditions.

The inability of the myocardium to regenerate after injury plus the inadequate number of available hearts for transplantation have drawn attention to the creation of functional tissue constructs for implantation within the injured heart. In addition, there is an increasing interest in developing in vitro models to study heart physiology and pathology as well as to evaluate drug efficacy. Formation of these in vitro models and tissue constructs requires highly specific conditions to mimic the normal environment of cells in the body. Firstly, in this study, plasma lithography patterning of elastomeric substrates is exploited for creating microtissues composed of neonatal cardiomyocytes, and investigating their development in different mechanical microenvironments. Immunofluorescence microscopy and force spectroscopy show that the size and shape of the cardiomyocyte clusters, as well as the sarcomere length, fiber alignment, and beating amplitude and frequency of the cardiomyocytes, are regulated by microenvironmental cues. Computational analysis reveals that the mechanical stress at the cluster-substrate interface strongly correlates with the aforementioned characteristics of the cardiomyocytes. Taken together, our results underscore a collective mechanoadaptation scheme in cardiac development. Secondly, a silicone substrate with tunable elasticity is characterized for biological studies. Uniaxial tensile testing and microindentation show that these substrates could cover the biological range of stiffness for normal and pathological conditions. Spectrophotometry demonstrates that the transmittance of these substrates is comparable to those of glass and Sylgard 184. Atomic force microscopy shows that the surface roughness of samples is lower than that of widely-used Sylgard 184. Contact angle measurements before and after exposure to air plasma indicate that these samples are compatible with plasma lithography patterning. Thirdly, a new technique for cell patterning is developed which utilizes selective plasma lithography to modify protein adhesion on the substrate. This approach is based on controlling the conformation of Pluronic F-127 layer adsorbed on the surface by modifying surface wettability. Contact angle measurements show that both PDMS and plastic petri dish are compatible with this technique. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy confirm the adsorption of PF-127 layers with controlled conformation. Fluorescent and bright-field microscopy demonstrate selective adhesion of proteins and attachment of cells merely on plasma-treated areas. Finally, micropillar arrays are employed to determine the effects of two proteins associated with regulation of thin filament length, i.e. Lmod2 and Tmod1, on contractile force generation at the cellular level. Our results demonstrate that the contractile force of single isolated Lmod2-KO cardiomyocytes decreases compared to the wildtype control. Transduction of Lmod2 in the knockout cardiomyocytes restores their contractile force to the level of their WT counterparts, verifying that the observed contractile dysfunction is specific to the loss of Lmod2. Our data demonstrate that overexpression of Tmod1 in cardiomyocytes decreases their contractile force compared to the WT cells and confirm the effects of Lmod2 knockout on contractile force generation.

In pharmaceutical development cell cultures are used as in vitro models to evaluate the function of drug candidates. In such research it is vital to have models that resemble the in vivo environment to get reliable results. In 3D models with hydrogels ECM like scaffolds are supporting the cells in a more in vivo like environment than flat 2D cultures. In this project PEG-peptide based hydrogels with cell binding RGD incorporated on one PEG-peptide type has been evaluated for culturing of HepG2 cells. Structure and viscoelastic properties were evaluated with techniques like circular dichroism spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and rheology. Sterilisation impact was also evaluated for PEG-peptides. For cell culturing, observations in light microscope and evaluation with Live/Dead assay and albumin assay were performed. A few companies were interviewed regarding 3D culturing and interest in mechanically tuneable hydrogels. The HepG2 cells grows and forms spherical clusters in the 3D environment with hydrogels, percentage of RGD seems to not impact cell adhesion, growth or albumin secretion. UV irradiation was the most suitable sterilisation method for gel components. The most rigid gel combination formed had storage modulus of around 230 Pa. Mechanically tuneable hydrogels is interesting for the industry. The PEG-peptide based gels are suitable tor growing cells but too soft to closely resemble the in vivo rigidity of hepatocytes.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide. The principal cause of cervical cancer is infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV-16 is a high-risk virus and it is responsible for a high portion of all HPV-caused cancers. The HPV-16 genome consists of early and late genes. The virus initially infects basal cells of the cervix epithelium and in these cells early genes are expressed, whilst late genes, L1 and L2, are only expressed in the upper cell layers of the epithelium. Proteins encoded by the late genes are highly immunogenic, thus it is speculated that expression of the late genes earlier in the virus life cycle could lead to clearance of the virus due to interference of the immune system.     The aim of this study was to treat reporter cell lines with three different small molecule drugs to see if they had the ability to induce HPV-16 late gene expression. The reporter cell lines used in this study had been previously created by transfecting HeLa-cells with plasmids representing the HPV-16 genome. In these plasmids, L1 is replaced with a CAT reporter gene that encodes the CAT protein, which can be easily quantified using a sandwich ELISA.     Upon treating the reporter cell lines with TPA, a significant induction of late gene expression was detected. Furthermore, treatment with valproic acid showed some induction of late gene expression. In conclusion, TPA and valproic acid was deemed to have potential to act as a candidate drugs for treatment of HPV infections.