Small molecules are important not only for treating human diseases but also for studying disease-related biological processes. This dissertation focuses on the effects of small molecules on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells. Here, I describe the discovery of two small-molecule tool compounds and their applications for interrogating the biological processes related to two distinct diseases in the human pancreas. First, BRD4770 was identified as a histone methyltransferase inhibitor through a target-based biochemical approach, and was used as a probe to study the function of methyltransferases in cancer cells. Second, BRD7552 was discovered as an inducer of Pdx1 using a cell-based phenotypic screening approach, and was used to induce the expression of Pdx1, a master regulatory transcription factor required for \(\beta\)-cell transdifferentiation. This compound is particularly interesting for the study of type-1 diabetes (T1D). The histone methyltransferase G9a catalyzes methylation of lysine 9 on histone H3, a modification linked to aberrant silencing of tumor-suppressor genes. The second chapter describes the collaborative effort leading to the identification of BRD4770 as a probe to study the function of G9a in human pancreatic cancer cells. BRD4770 induces cellular senescence and inhibits both anchorage-dependent and -independent proliferation in PANC-1 cell line, presumably mediated through ATM-pathway activation. Chapter three describes the study of a natural product gossypol, which significantly enhances the BRD4770 cytotoxicity in p53-mutant cells through autophagic cell death. The up-regulation of BNIP3 might be responsible for the synergistic cell death, suggesting that G9a inhibition may help overcome drug resistance in certain cancer cells. Ectopic overexpression of Pdx1, Ngn3, and MafA can reprogram pancreatic exocrine cells to insulin-producing cells in mice, which sheds light on a new avenue for treating T1D. The fourth chapter focuses on a gene expression-based assay using quantitative real-time PCR technique to screen >60,000 compounds for induction of one or more of these three transcription factors. A novel compound BRD7552 which up-regulated Pdx1 mRNA and protein levels in PANC-1 cells was identified. BRD7552 induces changes of the epigenetic markers within the Pdx1 promoter region consistent with transcriptional activation. Furthermore, BRD7552 partially complements Pdx1 in cell culture, enhancing the expression of insulin induced by the introduction of the three genes in PANC-1 cells. In summary, the central theme of my dissertation is to identify novel bioactive small molecules using different screening approaches, as well as to explore their effects in pancreatic ductal cells. / Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Atherosclerotic disease is characterized by the formation of lipid-ladden plaques in artery walls. During later stages of disease, these plaques become calcified by mechanisms involving the trans-differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) to osteoblast-like cells. Although vascular calcification was thought to be a passive mechanism, evidence shows that this process is heavily modulated by various cell signaling mechanisms, including CB2 endocannabinoid receptors. Previous studies have shown that known CB2 antagonists accelerate VSMCs trans-differentiation to an osteoblast-like phenotype, indicating that this receptor serves an anti-calcification signal. The goal of this investigation is to determine if a series of 11-[2-arylmethylene)hydrazono]-PBD derivatives with established CB2 binding affinity function as CB2 antagonists or agonists in a cell culture model of VSMC osteoblastic trans-differentiation. MOVAS cells were grown in standard media or osteogenic media (to induce trans-differentiation) supplemented with and without the various PBD derivatives. Following the treatment period, the extent of osteoblast-like activity was evaluated by alizarin red staining for calcium deposition. To quantify the staining present, the dye was extracted using cetylpyridinium chloride hydrate solution and then analyzed via UV-Vis spectroscopy at 570 nm. The ability of the derivatives to modulation of osteoblastic transdifferentiation of MOVAS cells was further evaluated by performing Western blot analysis for expression of Runx2, an essential transactivator of osteoblast differentiation. Results of this work determined that some of the PBD derivatives increased the calcification compared to the control, indicating that they likely act as CB2 receptor antagonists, while others decreased calcification compared to the control, indicating that they likely act as CB2 receptor agonists. Not only do these results characterize the interactions of these compounds with CB2 receptors, they demonstrate that these PBD derivatives have biological activity. These results also further implicate CB2 receptors as a regulator of VSMC cell calcification, which could lead to novel drug therapies for the treatment of atherosclerotic plaques.

O endotélio reveste a parede vascular e possui função essencial na manutenção da homeostase. A célula endotelial é capaz de perceber estímulos extracelulares, como fatores químicos e mecânicos, transmitir a informação para dentro da célula e regular sua função e fenótipo. Neste sentido, investigamos os mecanismos moleculares associados as células endoteliais em dois contextos importantes de intervenções vasculares 1) nos stents farmacológicos, onde a rapamicina exerce funções antiproliferativas e pró-trombogênicas, e 2) na revascularização cardíaca por ponte de safena, onde o alto estiramento mecânico exerce grande impacto no remodelamento vascular e no fenótipo da célula endotelial. A rapamicina pertence à classe de drogas limus, bastante utilizadas nos stents farmacológicos usados no procedimento de desobstrução vascular. Além de sua função antiproliferativa, exploramos os efeitos deletérios associados a pró-trombogênese. Os dados demonstraram que a rapamicina ativa o receptor de TGF independentemente de seu ligante TGFbeta, promovendo aumento na expressão da PAI-1 (pró-trombogênica), alteração no fenótipo endotelial (Transição endotélio-mesenquimal - EndMT) e na formação de fibras de estresse. Os efeitos observados são dependentes da ativação de Smad2 e independentes da via clássica antiproliferativa por mTOR. Experimentos in vivo mostraram que o tratamento com inibidor do receptor de TGF diminui os efeitos pró-trombogênicos e a expressão de PAI-1 induzidos pela rapamicina em artérias carótidas de camundongos. A ponte de safena é um procedimento bastante utilizado na cirurgia de revascularização cardíaca e a arterialização do segmento venoso submetido ao estresse hemodinâmico arterial resulta em remodelamento vascular, que influencia o sucesso do procedimento. Nossos dados demonstram que a célula endotelial humana de veia safena humana (hSVEC), susceptível as modificações do tipo EndMT induzido quimicamente (estímulo pró-fibrótico e pró-inflamatório), não expressou o mesmo comportamento em resposta ao aumento de estiramento mecânico que ocorre durante a arterialização venosa. Entretanto, detectamos uma pronunciada redução dos filamentos de actina, modulação no padrão de ativação da cofilina e na proporção de actina glomerular (G-actina) entre citoplasma e núcleo, com redução da biodisponibilidade de NO. De modo interessante, demonstramos que a redução no filamento de actina é específica para a célula endotelial venosa, não sendo observado em células endoteliais de origem arterial de aorta e coronária. Em conjunto, os dados mostram que 1) efeitos pró-trombogênicos associados a rapamicina são mediados por ativação do receptor de TGF independente do seu ligante e da atividade antiproliferativa da droga e 2) a adaptação da célula endotelial venosa ao estiramento mecânico envolve modulação da síntese/degradação de filamentos de actina e redução na biodisponibilidade de NO. Estes novos elementos sobre o mecanismo de transdução de estímulos químicos e físicos pelo endotélio poderão ser explorados terapeuticamente para modular a plasticidade endotelial em disfunções cardiovasculares / Endothelium is the inner layer in vascular wall and displays an essential role in the maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis. Endothelial cell senses the extracellular stimuli, such as chemical and mechanical factors, transduce and process these signals to regulate cell function and phenotype. Here, we investigated molecular underpinning of the endothelial cells under two important scenarios: 1) in drug-eluting stents, where rapamycin exerts antiproliferative and undesirable prothrombogenic functions, and 2) in vein graft bypass surgery, where increased stretch modulates vascular remodeling and endothelial cell phenotype. Rapamycin belongs to the class of limus drugs and is widely used in drug eluting stents (DES) to vascular restenosis. In addition to its antiproliferative function, we explore the deleterious effects associated with prothrombogenesis. Our data demonstrated that rapamycin activates TGF receptor independent of its ligand TGFbeta, in concert with promotion of PAI-1 expression (prothrombogenic), changes in endothelial phenotype (Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition - EndMT) and stress fibers induction. These effects are Smad2 dependent and independent of the classical antiproliferative mTOR pathway of rapamycin. Our in vivo experiments showed that TGF receptor inhibitor treatment decreases prothrombogenic effects and PAI-1 expression induced by rapamycin in mice carotid arteries. Saphenous vein is widely used in coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) and the vein arterialization remodeling in response to the increased stress influences graft patency. Our data demonstrated that human saphenous vein endothelial cell (hSVEC) is susceptible to chemically induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) by pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory stimuli. On the other hand, physical stimulus associated with high stretch failed to induce EndMT. However, we detected a pronounced decrease of actin filaments, modulation of the cofilin activation, changes in the proportion of glomerular actin (G-actin) between cytoplasm and nucleus, and reduction of NO bioavailability. Interestingly, the reduction of actin fibers by high stretch is specific to venous endothelial cell since arterial endothelial cells from aorta, and coronary artery failed to display the response. Altogether, our data show that 1) the thrombogenic effects of rapamycin are mediated by TGF receptor activation independent of its ligand and independent of the antiproliferative pathway of the drug, and 2) the adaptation of venous endothelial cell to mechanical stretch involves synthesis/degradation of actin filaments and reduced NO bioavailability. These new elements on signal transduction of endothelial cells in response to chemical and physical stimuli may be therapeutically explored to modulate endothelial plasticity in cardiovascular disorders

O endotélio reveste a parede vascular e possui função essencial na manutenção da homeostase. A célula endotelial é capaz de perceber estímulos extracelulares, como fatores químicos e mecânicos, transmitir a informação para dentro da célula e regular sua função e fenótipo. Neste sentido, investigamos os mecanismos moleculares associados as células endoteliais em dois contextos importantes de intervenções vasculares 1) nos stents farmacológicos, onde a rapamicina exerce funções antiproliferativas e pró-trombogênicas, e 2) na revascularização cardíaca por ponte de safena, onde o alto estiramento mecânico exerce grande impacto no remodelamento vascular e no fenótipo da célula endotelial. A rapamicina pertence à classe de drogas limus, bastante utilizadas nos stents farmacológicos usados no procedimento de desobstrução vascular. Além de sua função antiproliferativa, exploramos os efeitos deletérios associados a pró-trombogênese. Os dados demonstraram que a rapamicina ativa o receptor de TGF independentemente de seu ligante TGFbeta, promovendo aumento na expressão da PAI-1 (pró-trombogênica), alteração no fenótipo endotelial (Transição endotélio-mesenquimal - EndMT) e na formação de fibras de estresse. Os efeitos observados são dependentes da ativação de Smad2 e independentes da via clássica antiproliferativa por mTOR. Experimentos in vivo mostraram que o tratamento com inibidor do receptor de TGF diminui os efeitos pró-trombogênicos e a expressão de PAI-1 induzidos pela rapamicina em artérias carótidas de camundongos. A ponte de safena é um procedimento bastante utilizado na cirurgia de revascularização cardíaca e a arterialização do segmento venoso submetido ao estresse hemodinâmico arterial resulta em remodelamento vascular, que influencia o sucesso do procedimento. Nossos dados demonstram que a célula endotelial humana de veia safena humana (hSVEC), susceptível as modificações do tipo EndMT induzido quimicamente (estímulo pró-fibrótico e pró-inflamatório), não expressou o mesmo comportamento em resposta ao aumento de estiramento mecânico que ocorre durante a arterialização venosa. Entretanto, detectamos uma pronunciada redução dos filamentos de actina, modulação no padrão de ativação da cofilina e na proporção de actina glomerular (G-actina) entre citoplasma e núcleo, com redução da biodisponibilidade de NO. De modo interessante, demonstramos que a redução no filamento de actina é específica para a célula endotelial venosa, não sendo observado em células endoteliais de origem arterial de aorta e coronária. Em conjunto, os dados mostram que 1) efeitos pró-trombogênicos associados a rapamicina são mediados por ativação do receptor de TGF independente do seu ligante e da atividade antiproliferativa da droga e 2) a adaptação da célula endotelial venosa ao estiramento mecânico envolve modulação da síntese/degradação de filamentos de actina e redução na biodisponibilidade de NO. Estes novos elementos sobre o mecanismo de transdução de estímulos químicos e físicos pelo endotélio poderão ser explorados terapeuticamente para modular a plasticidade endotelial em disfunções cardiovasculares / Endothelium is the inner layer in vascular wall and displays an essential role in the maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis. Endothelial cell senses the extracellular stimuli, such as chemical and mechanical factors, transduce and process these signals to regulate cell function and phenotype. Here, we investigated molecular underpinning of the endothelial cells under two important scenarios: 1) in drug-eluting stents, where rapamycin exerts antiproliferative and undesirable prothrombogenic functions, and 2) in vein graft bypass surgery, where increased stretch modulates vascular remodeling and endothelial cell phenotype. Rapamycin belongs to the class of limus drugs and is widely used in drug eluting stents (DES) to vascular restenosis. In addition to its antiproliferative function, we explore the deleterious effects associated with prothrombogenesis. Our data demonstrated that rapamycin activates TGF receptor independent of its ligand TGFbeta, in concert with promotion of PAI-1 expression (prothrombogenic), changes in endothelial phenotype (Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition - EndMT) and stress fibers induction. These effects are Smad2 dependent and independent of the classical antiproliferative mTOR pathway of rapamycin. Our in vivo experiments showed that TGF receptor inhibitor treatment decreases prothrombogenic effects and PAI-1 expression induced by rapamycin in mice carotid arteries. Saphenous vein is widely used in coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) and the vein arterialization remodeling in response to the increased stress influences graft patency. Our data demonstrated that human saphenous vein endothelial cell (hSVEC) is susceptible to chemically induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) by pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory stimuli. On the other hand, physical stimulus associated with high stretch failed to induce EndMT. However, we detected a pronounced decrease of actin filaments, modulation of the cofilin activation, changes in the proportion of glomerular actin (G-actin) between cytoplasm and nucleus, and reduction of NO bioavailability. Interestingly, the reduction of actin fibers by high stretch is specific to venous endothelial cell since arterial endothelial cells from aorta, and coronary artery failed to display the response. Altogether, our data show that 1) the thrombogenic effects of rapamycin are mediated by TGF receptor activation independent of its ligand and independent of the antiproliferative pathway of the drug, and 2) the adaptation of venous endothelial cell to mechanical stretch involves synthesis/degradation of actin filaments and reduced NO bioavailability. These new elements on signal transduction of endothelial cells in response to chemical and physical stimuli may be therapeutically explored to modulate endothelial plasticity in cardiovascular disorders

Orientador: Fabio Papes / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T14:16:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tolentino_FelipeThadeu_M.pdf: 9244448 bytes, checksum: deea9f7963e05d8a997d9b5a554f9708 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: O Sistema Sensorial Olfativo de mamíferos é composto por vários subsistemas na cavidade nasal. Dentre estes, destacam-se o sistema olfativo principal e o sistema olfativo acessório ou vomeronasal. O primeiro realiza a detecção geral de odores e parece participar também da detecção de algumas substâncias que levam a respostas comportamentais instintivas (feromônios), enquanto o último é especializado na detecção desta classe de semioquímicos. A detecção dos estímulos sensoriais olfativos resulta em informações importantes que dependem de vias complexas para sua interpretação e para a geração de respostas apropriadas por parte do sistema nervoso central. Existem vários pontos ainda desconhecidos sobre o funcionamento do sistema olfativo, tanto no que diz respeito aos mecanismos moleculares subjacentes à escolha dos receptores a serem expressos por um dado neurônio sensorial ¿ sendo que cada neurônio olfativo expressa apenas um receptor dentro de uma grande família multi-gênica ¿ quanto em relação ao processamento da informação sensorial em centros cerebrais superiores. Neurônios sensoriais olfativos cultivados eficientemente in vitro seriam extremamente úteis, pois poderiam ser utilizados como ferramenta para o estudo destes problemas, como a investigação da atividade das células sensoriais olfativas, possibilitando, por exemplo, uma melhor compreensão dos mecanismos genéticos e moleculares por trás da expressão dos receptores olfativos e de suas propriedades de detecção. Neste trabalho foram desenvolvidas ferramentas baseadas em vetores retrovirais com o objetivo de induzir a diferenciação celular de neurônios olfativos in vitro, utilizando uma combinação de fatores de transcrição, por meio de transdução viral em células-alvo (fibroblastos murinos). Os retrovírus produzidos foram testados e algumas combinações de fatores de transcrição foram preliminarmente testadas, sendo capazes de induzir mudanças moleculares em fibroblastos acompanhadas da expressão de marcadores de neurônios sensoriais olfativos / Abstract: The mammalian Olfactory System enables the vast majority of animal species to identify the presence and quality of food, predators, competitors, conspecifics and potential mates in the environment. Olfactory stimuli detected by sensory neurons are interpreted by brain processing pathways to generate appropriate behavioral and endocrine responses. Despite its central importance in mammalian physiology, several aspects about the biology of this sensory system remain uncharacterized. For example, it is known that each olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) in the nasal cavity expresses only one gene out of a large multi-gene family coding for receptors involved in odorant and pheromone detection. However, the molecular mechanisms behind this process of olfactory receptor gene choice are not fully understood. The study of this and many other aspects of olfaction has been made difficult by the lack of appropriate in vitro cellular models. An efficient way to obtain cultured OSNs would thus be extremely useful, enabling researchers to investigate the sensory neuron¿s activity in a controllable environment, avoiding obstacles imposed by the cellular heterogeneity found in sensory organs in vivo. In this study, we aimed at obtaining OSNs directly differentiated from mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) using the forced expression of specific transcription factors via retroviral vectors. We therefore developed tools based on retroviral vectors with the objective of differentiating olfactory sensory neurons in vitro, using viral transduction in target cells (murine fibroblasts) with combinations of select transcription factors. Retroviruses were tested and some combinations of transcription factors were tested on a preliminary basis, which were capable of inducing molecular alterations on fibroblasts followed by the expression of olfactory sensory neuron markers / Mestrado / Genetica Animal e Evolução / Mestre em Genética e Biologia Molecular