Orientador: Maria Heloísa de Souza Lima Blotta / Tese (doutorado) - UniversidadeEstadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-21T04:42:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Amarante_FernandaGambogiBraga_D.pdf: 4196475 bytes, checksum: 56f21492faf4255d8c10af9a3b41018c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: Pacientes com a forma juvenil da paracoccidioidomicose (PCM) apresentam resposta imune celular deprimida, evidenciada por teste de hipersensibilidade do tipo tardio negativo e proliferação linfocitária deficiente a antígenos do fungo e pela produção de citocinas do tipo TH2 como IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 e TGF-?. Além disso, um aspecto comum desta forma da doença é o número elevado de eosinófilos no sangue periférico, que retorna a valores normais após o tratamento antifúngico. O papel dos eosinófilos na PCM nunca foi investigado. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a capacidade funcional de eosinófilos de 15 pacientes com a forma juvenil da PCM. Para tanto eosinófilos isolados do sangue periférico de pacientes (antes e durante o tratamento antifúngico) e de doadores sadios (controles) foram avaliados quanto a: capacidade quimiotática em resposta ao RANTES, eotaxina e IL-5; capacidade de adesão a células endoteliais pulmonares; expressão de receptores de reconhecimento e apresentação de antígenos (CD80, CD86, MHC de classe II, TLR-2 e TLR-4), de moléculas de adesão (CD11a, CD11b, CD49d e CD54), de receptores de IgE (CD23 e FC?RI?), marcadores de ativação (CD69) e do receptor CCR3; atividade fungicida direta contra leveduras de P. brasiliensis e expressão gênica de citocinas, quimiocinas e proteínas de grânulos. Também foi realizada a dosagem dos níveis séricos de constituintes dos grânulos citotóxicos (MBP, EPO, ECP e EDN) e das quimiocinas CCL5, eotaxina, CXCL9, CXCL10 em pacientes antes e durante o tratamento antifúngico e controles. Biópsias de linfonodos e fígados dos pacientes foram analisadas quanto a expressão de RANTES, eotaxina, MBP, IL-25 e IDO. Os resultados mostraram eosinofilia periférica em 86,7% dos casos, altos títulos de anticorpos anti-P.brasiliensis e concentração sérica elevada de proteína C reativa. A resposta quimiotática à eotaxina, a adesão a HLECs e a expressão do RNAm para IL-1 ?, IL-2, IL-4, CCL5 e CXCL8 foi maior nos eosinófilos de pacientes comparados aos controles. Eosinófilos de pacientes, assim como de controles, foram capazes de matar leveduras de P. brasiliensis. Maior frequência de eosinófilos CD69+ e TLR2+ e menor frequência de eosinófilos CD80+, MHC de classe II+, TLR-4+, CD23+ e CD11a+ foi observada em pacientes comparado aos controles. O acompanhamento dos pacientes durante o tratamento antifúngico mostrou a redução número de eosinófilos do sangue periférico, da concentração sérica de proteína C reativa, dos títulos de anticorpos anti-P.brasiliensis, dos níveis séricos de proteínas citotóxicas e quimiocinas, além de aumento da capacidade migratória em resposta à eotaxina. Adicionalmente, eosinófilos de pacientes apresentam redução da expressão de receptores de reconhecimento e apresentação de antígenos, de ativação, de moléculas de adesão, do receptor de IgE CD23 e do receptor CCR3 durante o tratamento antifúngico. Nas lesões causadas pelo fungo em linfonodos e fígado foi detectada marcação positiva para MBP, eotaxina, RANTES, IL-25 e IDO. Em conclusão, o presente trabalho permitiu demonstrar que os eosinófilos dos pacientes com a forma juvenil da PCM encontram-se ativados (alta expressão do CD69) e poderiam estar contribuindo para a intensa resposta inflamatória que caracteriza a fase inicial da forma juvenil da PCM e prejudica a resposta de eliminação do fungo. Após o tratamento antifúngico, observou-se uma diminuição dos parâmetros analisados, exceto a capacidade quimiotática dos eosinófilos que aumentou devido, provavelmente, a redução de inibidores da quimiotaxia como o CXCL9 e CXCL10 / Abstract: Patients with juvenile form of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) have a depressed cellular immune response as shown by negative delayed-type hypersensitivity, suppressed lymphocyte proliferation to P. brasiliensis antigens, and production of TH2 cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and TGF-?. Furthermore, a common feature of this disease is the large number of eosinophils in the peripheral blood that returns to normal values after antifungal treatment. The role of eosinophils in PCM has never been investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the phenotypic and functional characteristics of eosinophils of 15 patients with the juvenile form of PCM. Eosinophils of patients isolated from peripheral blood (before and during the antifungal treatment) and of healthy donors (controls) were evaluated for: chemotactic response to RANTES, eotaxin and IL-5; adhesion to human lung endothelial cells (HLECs); expression of antigen recognition and presentation molecules (CD80, CD86, MHC class II, TLR2 and TLR-4), adhesion molecules (CD11a, CD11b, CD49d and CD54), IgE receptors (CD23 and FC?RI?), activation marker (CD69) and CCR3; direct fungicidal activity against P. brasiliensis yeast cells and gene expression of cytokines, chemokines and protein granules. We also assessed serum levels of granules cytotoxic molecules (MBP, EPO, ECP and EDN) and chemokines (CCL5, eotaxin, CXCL9, CXCL10) in patients before and during the antifungal treatment and controls. Lymph nodes and liver biopsies of patients were stained for RANTES, eotaxin, MBP, IL-25 and IDO. The results showed peripheral eosinophilia in 86.7% of cases, high titers of antibodies to P. brasiliensis and high concentration of C-Reactive Protein. The chemotactic response to eotaxin, adhesion to HLECs and expression of mRNA for IL-1 ?, IL-2, IL-4, CCL5 and CXCL8 was higher in eosinophils of patients than in controls. Eosinophils of patients as well as of controls were able to kill P. brasiliensis yeast cells. A higher frequency of eosinophil CD69+ and TLR2+ and lower frequency of eosinophil CD80+, MHC class-II+, TLR-4+, CD23+ and CD11a+ was found in patients compared to controls. Patient's follow-up showed a reduction in the number of eosinophils in peripheral blood, serum concentration of C-Reactive protein, anti-P. brasiliensis antibodies, serum levels of cytotoxic proteins and chemokines, in addition to increased migration capacity. Moreover, eosinophils of patients exhibited reduced expression CD80, MHC class-II, TLR-4, CD23, CD11a, CD11b, CD23, CD69 and CCR3 during the antifungal treatment. Immunohistochemistry staining showed strong expression of MBP, eotaxin, RANTES, IL-25 and IDO in liver and lymph nodes biopsies from PCM patients. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that eosinophils are strongly activated (high CD69 expression) and could contribute to the intense inflammatory response that characterize the initial phase of juvenile form of PCM response and impairs the elimination of the fungus. After antifungal treatment, there was a decrease of all parameters except the chemotactic ability of eosinophils which increased, probably due to reduction of inhibitors of chemotaxis such as CXCL9 and CXCL10 / Doutorado / Ciencias Biomedicas / Doutor em Ciências Médicas

Cette thèse s’inscrit dans le cadre de la recherche d’agonistes et d’antagonistes de récepteurs de chimiokines d’intérêt thérapeutique chez des champignons et des levures pathogènes pour l’homme ou l’animal. <p><p>Un screening préliminaire réalisé sur 88 souches de microorganismes a permis de sélectionner trois extraits de champignons présentant une activité compétitrice.<p><p>Des champignons Aspergillus ochraceus et Microsporum cookei, nous avons isolé une substance possédant une activité compétitrice sur le récepteur CCR5. Des chromatographies d’exclusion effectuées sur les lyophilisats des milieux conditionnés (CO.4) ont conduit à l’isolement d’une fraction active dont les constituants ont une masse moléculaire comprise entre 30 et 80 kDa. L’étude de ces substances n’a pas été poursuivie plus en détail.<p> <p>Par contre, de l’extrait dichlorométhane (CO.1) du champignon Trichoderma virens, nous avons isolé la gliotoxine [102] qui possède une activité antagoniste sur les récepteurs CCR2b et CCR5. Différents essais de culture de Trichoderma virens et d’Aspergillus fumigatus, connus pour synthétiser cette toxine, ont été entrepris en vue d’améliorer la quantité de gliotoxine produite. Malheureusement, ceux-ci n’ont pas abouti.<p> <p>A partir des faibles quantités de gliotoxine isolées, nous avons synthétisé deux analogues, la déthiogliotoxine [133] et la déhydrogliotoxine [134]. La comparaison des résultats des tests de compétition de ceux-ci sur le récepteur CCR2b démontre l’importance du pont disulfure pour l’observation de cette activité.<p> <p>Nous avons ensuite synthétisé les épidithiopipérazinediones (ETP) reprises ci-dessous, afin d’évaluer l’importance de cet élément structural pour l’activité compétitrice vis-à-vis des récepteurs CCR2b et CCR5.<p><p> \ / Doctorat en sciences, Spécialisation chimie / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Analysis of immune responses in Bartonella bacilliformis carriers are needed to understand acquisition of immunity to Carrion’s disease and may allow identifying biomarkers associated with bacterial infection and disease phases. Serum samples from 144 healthy subjects from 5 villages in the North of Peru collected in 2014 were analyzed. Four villages had a Carrion’s disease outbreak in 2013, and the other is a traditionally endemic area. Thirty cytokines, chemokines and growth factors were determined in sera by fluorescent bead-based quantitative suspension array technology, and analyzed in relation to available data on bacteremia quantified by RT-PCR, and IgM and IgG levels measured by ELISA against B. bacilliformis lysates. The presence of bacteremia was associated with low concentrations of HGF (p = 0.005), IL-15 (p = 0.002), IL-6 (p = 0.05), IP-10 (p = 0.008), MIG (p = 0.03) and MIP-1α (p = 0.03). In multi-marker analysis, the same and further TH1-related and pro-inflammatory biomarkers were inversely associated with infection, whereas angiogenic chemokines and IL-10 were positively associated. Only EGF and eotaxin showed a moderate positive correlation with bacteremia. IgM seropositivity, which reflects a recent acute infection, was associated with lower levels of eotaxin (p = 0.05), IL-6 (p = 0.001), and VEGF (p = 0.03). Only GM-CSF and IL-10 concentrations were positively associated with higher levels of IgM (p = 0.01 and p = 0.007). Additionally, IgG seropositivity and levels were associated with high levels of angiogenic markers VEGF (p = 0.047) and eotaxin (p = 0.006), respectively. Our findings suggest that B. bacilliformis infection causes immunosuppression, led in part by overproduction of IL-10. This immunosuppression probably contributes to the chronicity of asymptomatic infections favoring B. bacilliformis persistence in the host, allowing the subsequent transmission to the vector. In addition, angiogenic markers associated with bacteremia and IgG levels may be related to the induction of endothelial cell proliferation in cutaneous lesions during chronic infections, being possible candidate biomarkers of asymptomatic infections.

Le lymphome folliculaire (FL) est le lymphome B indolent le plus fréquent. Outre des altérations géniques récurrentes, le micro-environnement tumoral, et notamment les cellules stromales lymphoides,joue un rôle majeur dans le développement de ce cancer. Cependant, la caractérisation in-situ des cellules stromales lymphoïdes chez l'homme tout comme les facteurs menant à la polarisation du stroma en un stroma protumoral ont été peu étudiés. Dans cette thèse, nous avons montré, que les cellules stromales présentes dans les ganglions et la moelle osseuse envahis des patients atteints de FL surexpriment fortement la chimiokine CXCL12. Nous avons ensuite tenté de comprendre les mécanismes responsables de cette induction. Alors que les cellules B tumorales induisent une surexpression de la chimiokine CCL2 dans les cellules stromales de façon dépendante de leur synthèse de TNF, elles ne contribuent pas à l'induction de CXCL12. A l'inverse, le principal compartiment TCD4 impliqué dans la croissance tumorale du FL, les cellules T follicular helper (TFH), augmentent l'expression de CXCL12 dans les cellules stromales. Le taux d'IL-4, la principale cytokine produite par les TFH de FL, est d'ailleurs corrélé à celui de CXCL12 au sein de ma niche tumorale du FL. De plus, à l’aide d'un modèle de différenciation en stroma lymphoide, nous avons démontré que l’IL4 induit l’expression de CXCL12 par les cellules stromale in vitro. Cette production est augmentée quand les cellules stromales sont déjà engagées vers la voie de différentiation lymphoide par un traitement TNF/LT qui favorise l'activation de STAT6 par l'IL-4. Nous avons validé ces résultats dans un modèle de formation d'organe lymphoide ectopique chez la souris. Enfin, CXCL12 induit la migration et l'adhésion au stroma des B de FL via l'activation de cascades de signalisations qui peuvent être abrogées par l'utilisation d'un inhibiteur de Btk utilisé en clinique, l'Ibrutinib. Ces résultats sont en faveur de l'intérêt de considérer la boucle IL-4/CXCL12 pour développer de nouvelles stratégies thérapeutiques dans cette pathologie constamment fatale. / Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most frequent indolent B-cell lymphoma. Beside recurrent genetic alterations, tumor microenvironment, including lymphoid stromal cells, has been shown to play a key role in FL development. However, in situ characterization of lymphoid stromal cells is still lacking in humans and there are very few studies focusing on the factors that could lead to stroma polarization in normal and pathological context. In this thesis, we showed first that in FL, lymph node (LN) and bone marrow (BM) infiltrating stromal cells highly express the chemokine CXCL12. We next focused on the mechanisms underlying this upregulation. Interestingly, whereas malignant FL B cells induced overexpression of CCL2 in stromal cells in a TNF-dependent manner, they did not contribute to CXCL12 induction. Conversely, FL-infiltrating follicular helper T cells (FL-TFH), the key FL-supportive T-cell subset could trigger CXCL12 expression in stromal cells. IL-4 is the main FL-TFH-derived cytokine and showed a positive correlation with CXCL12 expression inside FL cell niches. Moreover, based on our in vitro lymphoid stroma differentiation model, we demonstrated that IL-4 promoted CXCL12 expression in stromal cells, together with a phenotype close to that identified in situ within FL cell niche. Such IL4 dependent CXCL12 regulation is more pronounced in stromal cells already committed towards lymphoid stromal cells by a prestimulation by TNF/LT in association with an increased STAT6 activation. These data were validated in a model of ectopic lymphoid organ formation in mice. Finally, CXCL12 induced FL B-cell migration, and adhesion to stromal cells through the activation of a signaling pathway that could be abrogated by the Btk inhibitor Ibrutinib. These data argue for considering IL-4/CXCL12 axis as a potential therapeutic target to disrupt FL protective cell niche in this still fatal malignancy.

La bronchopneumopathie chronique obstructive (BPCO) est une maladie caractérisée par une réaction inflammatoire intense avec une destruction du parenchyme pulmonaire et une perte d’élasticité du poumon conduisant à une obstruction quasi-irréversible des voies aériennes. L’utilisation du tabac est le principal facteur de risque de cette maladie. La fumée de cigarette active les cellules épithéliales et les macrophages résidents en libérant des protéases et des chimiokines. Ces phénomènes sont responsables de l’infiltration de cellules inflammatoires dans le poumon, telles que les neutrophiles, les macrophages et les lymphocytes. Ces cellules libèrent des enzymes protéolytiques capables de dégrader les composants de la matrice extracellulaire. Parmi ces protéases, l’élastase du neutrophile (NE) semble stimuler la sécrétion de cytokines, participant ainsi à une inflammation chronique. De fortes évidences montrent que des infections bactériennes récurrentes contribuent à ce processus inflammatoire et par conséquent à l’aggravation de la BPCO. A partir de ces observations, nous nous sommes intéressés aux événements précoces du développement de la BPCO associés à une infection bactérienne récurrente. Dans un premier temps, nous avons montré que l’association d’un extrait de fumée de cigarette à de faibles doses de LPS est capable d’augmenter de façon synergique la libération des chimiokines par les cellules épithéliales alvéolaires. Ce phénomène implique l’activation des voies de signalisation MAP kinase ERK1/2 et JAK/STAT. Nous avons mis en évidence que l’inhibiteur de la phosphodiestérase 4, le roflumilast N-oxide, empêche la sécrétion de ces cytokines inactivant ainsi les voies JAK/STAT et ERK1/2. Dans un deuxième temps, nous avons démontré que la NE peut conduire à la libération de chimiokines par des cellules épithéliales alvéolaires en activant la voie de signalisation p38 et que le roflumilast N-oxide diminue le taux de ces chimiokines. Une approche in vitro sur un modèle de cellules épithéliales alvéolaires a permis de démontrer l’effet synergique du CSE associé au LPS sur la libération de cytokines et sur l’activation des voies de signalisation. Cet effet pourrait être responsable de la progression et de l’exacerbation de la BPCO. Notre étude montre aussi les effets du roflumilast sur la libération de cytokines induites par la NE ou par le CSE/LPS. Ces résultats mettent en lumière d’autres mécanismes par lesquels le roflumilast N-oxide exerce son effet anti-inflammatoire dans la BPCO. / Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a pathology characterized by an abnormal inflammatory response and associated with a destruction of lung parenchyma and loss of lung elasticity, leading to an airway limitation not fully reversible. Tobacco smoking continues to be a major cause of COPD. Cigarette smoke activates epithelial cells and resident macrophages by releasing proteases and chemokines. This phenomenon is responsible of the migration of inflammatory cells in the lung tissue such as neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes. These cells are able to release proteolytic enzymes leading to the degradation of components of the extracellular matrix. Among these proteases, neutrophil elastase (NE) seems to stimulate the secretion of cytokines involved in chronic inflammation. Strong evidence shows that recurrent bacterial infections contribute to the inflammatory process and consequently to the worsening of COPD. Based on these observations, we studied the early events in the development of COPD associated with recurrent bacterial infection. Initially we showed that the combination of a cigarette smoke extract associated with low doses of LPS is able to synergistically increase the release of chemokines, by alveolar epithelial cells through the activation of MAP kinase signaling pathways ERK1/2 and JAK/STAT. We also demonstrated that the phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, roflumilast N-oxide (RNO) inhibits the secretion of these cytokines, thereby inactivating pathways JAK/STAT and ERK1/2. Moreover, we have demonstrated that neutrophil elastase (NE) can lead to the release of chemokines by alveolar epithelial cells by activating the p38 signaling pathway. Moreover the treatment of the cells with roflumilast N-oxide significantly reduces the production of these chemokines. This in vitro model demonstrates the synergistic effect of CSE associated with LPS on the release of cytokines and activation of signaling pathways. This effect could be responsible for the progression and exacerbation of COPD. Our study also shows the effect of RNO on the release of cytokines induced by NE or by the combination CSE/LPS. These results highlight other mechanisms by which Roflumilast N-oxide exerts its anti-inflammatory effect in COPD

Heart transplantation (HTx) is now an established therapy for end-stage cardiac failure not responding to medical treatment. Recent decades have seen improved outcome following HTx due to more effective and targeted immunosuppressive therapy. However, acute and chronic rejection remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. At the same time, immunosuppressive strategies are associated with significant side effects, including development of tumours. Hence, the induction of immunologic tolerance to alloantigen is considered the “holy grail” of transplant research. T regulatory cells (Tregs) are a subset of T cells that appear to suppresscytotoxic cell and initiate tolerance to foreign tissues. The Tregs suppresscytotoxic cells through specific cytokine pathways and cell-cell contact. In-vivo T reg migration has been a matter of debate in recent years. Treg trafficking is governed by chemokines, which are small secreted proteins, acting via their distinct trans-membrane serpentine receptors. Experimental work has demonstrated an involvement of distinct chemokine pathways in Tregs migration and localization following cardiac transplantation; however, there is paucity of data in humans. I investigated the effects of chemokines on Tregs in heart transplant recipients through a series of observational studies. My study demonstrated that acute rejection following heart transplantation is associated with a significant elevation of peripheral blood Th1 chemokine levels. I hereby further show that peripheral blood Treg counts in stable heart transplant recipients are not affected by immunosuppression but are significantly lower in patients taking statins. I have demonstrated via in-vitro chemotaxis assays a specific pattern of chemotactic response for Tregs and the effector T cells. Using double immunofluorescence staining and immunostaining, I show for the first time that Tregs may migrate to the allograft under the influence of CCL17.

Orientadores: Marcus Alexandre Finzi Corat, Anderson de Oliveira Lobo / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-26T10:38:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Paula_MirianMichelleMachadode_M.pdf: 2407271 bytes, checksum: 8f5ae942d781fb23b3d817baa3c8a868 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: As promessas da utilização de nanotubos de carbono (CNTs) para fins biomédicos se esbarram em algumas dificuldades. Muitos estudos de nanotoxicologia foram realizados analisando propriedades destes materiais em causar injúrias no tecido vivo. Apesar das evidências da citotoxicidade dos CNTs, existe também um grande número de publicações de estudos de biomateriais baseados em CNTs que suportam sua biocompatibilidade. Segundo Lobo et al, 2009 (1), os nanotubos de carbono de parede múltipla (MWCNT) foram suficientes para obter biocompatibilidade. As estruturas de VAMWCNT alinhados revelaram que um ínfimo contato entre as estruturas das células e a nanotopografia é decisivo para garantir a bioatividade e eficiência no crescimento e espalhamento celular sem produzir efeitos citotóxicos. Resultados do nosso grupo mostrou características da adesão celular em substrato contendo VAMWCNT alinhado através da análise de proteínas envolvidas no mecanismo de adesão, assim como, estudo comparativo de preferência de substrato para proliferação e viabilidade celular onde verificou-se um melhoramento de adesão e espalhamento celular de acordo com o substrato de VAMWCNT utilizado, com ou sem tratamento de funcionalização a plasma de oxigênio. No entanto os substratos de VAMWCNT, apesar de atóxico, parecem provocar mudanças no comportamento celular principalmente no primeiro contato e durante o processo de adesão das células ao substrato. Neste estudo verificou-se que os substratos com VAMWCNT-O promoveram respostas pró-inflamatórias comparado ao controle. Os substratos com tratamento a plasma de oxigênio mostraram promover um maior estimulo celular dos macrófagos quanto a expressão de interleucina 6 além disso, verificou uma correlação entre os substratos hidrofílicos em maior produção de citocinas com o aumento de migração celular de células mononucleares da medula óssea in vivo. Mostrando, assim, que estes substratos podem acarretar uma melhora na estimulação do recrutamento celular e que podem favorecer o processo regenerativo de um tecido lesionado. Estes resultados demonstram um potencial do uso deste biomaterial na medicina regenerativa no futuro / Abstract: The promise of the use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for biomedical purposes faces some difficulties. Many studies of nanotechnology has been realized by analyzing the properties of these materials causing tissue injury in vivo. Despite evidence of cytotoxicity of CNTs, there are also a large number of published studies of biomaterials based on CNTs that support the idea of their biocompatibility. According to Lobo et al, 2009 (1), carbon nanotube multi-wall (MWCNT) showed biocompatibility. Vertically aligned VAMWCNT revealed that the contact between the structures of the cells and nanotopography is crucial to ensure bioactivity, cell growing and cell spreading, avoiding cytotoxic effects. Results from our group have showed cell adhesion on substrate containing VAMWCNT, as well as, variability of cell adhesion and spreading according to wet-ability features after oxygen plasma treatment (VAMWCNT-O) and density of the VAMWCNT substrate. However, VAMWCNT-O substrates, although nontoxic, seem to cause changes in cell behavior in the first contact and during the process of cell adhesion to the substrate. To better understand the behavior of cells on the substrates of VAMWCNT-O, in the present study, we analyzed the properties of macrophages to trigger inflammatory response in contact with substrates containing CNTs correlating it with mononuclear bone marrow cells migration. It was found that substrates with carbon nanotubes promoted pro-inflammatory responses compared to the control. The substrates after oxygen plasma treatment showed higher stimulation of macrophages as expression of interleukin 6 and SDF-1. They showed direct correlation with increasing bone marrow cell migration in vitro and in vivo. These substrates leaded to an improvement to cell recruitment and stimulation, which might support the process of regenerating an injured tissue by using them in regenerative medicine / Mestrado / Clinica Medica / Mestra em Clínica Médica

Neste estudo foi analisada a expressão gênica e protéica, uterina e embrionária da quimiocina Ccl25 e de seu receptor Ccr9 nas fases iniciais da implantação embrionária (dias 3,5, 4,5, 5,5 e 7,5 de gestação). Por meio de reações imunohistoquímicas e de citometria de fluxo, foram identificadas as populações celulares envolvidas nesta expressão. Também, foram realizados ensaios de quimiotaxia com o silenciamento da expressão de Ccl25 (ODNs-Antisense) nas células trofoblásticas, para a avaliação das atividades desta quimocina. Nossos resultados sugerem o estabelecimento de uma comunicação embrião (células trofoblásticas) - endométrio (células do sistema immunológico), via Ccl25/Ccr9. Esses achados são relevantes para a compreensão das interações blastocisto/sistema immunológico materno no estabelecimento dos mecanismos imunoreguladores durante a implantação embrionária. / In this study, we analyzed the gene and protein, uterine and embryonic expression of Ccl25 chemokine and its receptor Ccr9 in early stages of embryo implantation (days 3.5, 4.5, 5.5 and 7.5 of gestation). By using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometric assays, cell populations involved in this expression were identified. In addition, chemotaxis assays were also performed after silencing of Ccl25 (ODNs-antisense) in trophoblast cells. . Our results suggest the establishment of an endometrium (immune cells) - embryo (trophoblast cells) dialogue via Ccl25/CCR9. These findings are relevant for understanding the interactions between blastocyst and maternal immune system in the establishment of immunoregulatory mechanisms during implantation.

O linfonodo é um órgão linfoide secundário que apresenta uma arquitetura altamente organizada com diferentes compartimentos para tipos celulares específicos. Dentre as células estruturais que compõem este órgão, as células estromais como células fibroblásticas reticulares (FRCs) e células duplo negativas (DNCs) parecem ter papel importante na modulação da resposta imunológica e na tolerância periférica. As FRCs são caracterizadas pela expressão de podoplanina (gp38, PDPN) e localizam-se principalmente na zona de células T, enquanto as DNCs (gp38-) apresentam fenótipo, localização e função pouco descritos. Embora estas células tenham sido muito estudadas em modelos murinos os estudos sobre FRCs e DNCs humanas são escassos e, portanto nosso estudo deve contribuir para a compreensão da biologia e a função dessas células, podendo favorecer o conhecimento sobre a eficiência e as disfunções da resposta imune no linfonodo. Com esse intuito, isolamos e caracterizamos fenotípica e funcionalmente as FRCs e DNCs de linfonodos de pacientes com câncer, diverticulite e doadores de fígado. Nossos resultados mostraram a integridade e a distribuição celular no linfonodo. As células aderentes derivadas dos linfonodos estudados preecheram todos os critérios internacionais de caracterização de estroma, e, portanto, foram consideradas células estromais. Através da expressão de gp38 identificamos duas subpopulações de celulas estromais: FRCs (gp38+ e CD31-) e DNCs (gp38- e CD31-) e verificamos que as frequências destas células variam entre as amostras, sugerindo que a doença pode interferir na composição celular estromal dos linfonodos. As duas populações celulares foram estimuladas com citocinas inflamatórias como IFN-y ou TNF-alfa + IL-1beta por 24 e 48 horas e avaliadas quanto à expressão gênica e proteica. Em condições homeostáticas, genes relacionados com a indução e controle da proliferação foram diferencialmente expressos nas FRCs e DNCs, este dado foi confirmado in vitro, uma vez que as FRCs apresentaram maior potencial proliferativo em relação às DNCs. O estímulo com IFN-y induziu aumento de expressão nas DNCs e FRCs para citocinas, quimiocinas, moléculas de histocompatibilidade e moléculas envolvidas na regulação da resposta imunológica. Em resposta ao estímulo com TNF-alfa +IL-1beta, observamos aumento na expressão de moléculas comuns ao estímulo com IFN-?, entretanto, também observamos expressão de moléculas de citocinas, quimiocinas inflamatórias e moléculas de histocmpatibilidade especificamente relacionados a este sinal em ambas as populações. Em conjunto, nossos dados sugerem que DNCs e FRCs apresentam diferenças no perfil de resposta segundo os estímulos inflamatórios aos quais estão expostas, aumentando a expressão diferencial de moléculas envolvidas na regulação positiva e negativa da resposta imune / The lymph node is a secondary lymphoid organ that has a highly organized architecture with different compartments for specific cell types. Among the structural cells that comprise this organ, stromal fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) and double negative cells (DNCs) seems to play an important role in modulating the immune response and peripheral tolerance. FRCs are characterized by podoplanin (gp38, PDPN) expression and are located mainly in the T cell zone, while DNCs (gp38-) present phenotype, location and function not well described. Although these cells have been studied in murine models, studies on human FRCs and DNCs are limited and therefore our study should contribute to the understanding of biology and function of these cells and should promote knowledge of efficiency and disorders in the lymph node immune response. For this purpose, we have isolated and characterized phenotypic and functionally lymph nodes derived FRCs and DNCs from patients with cancer, diverticulitis and liver donors. Our results showed lymph node integrity and its cellular distribution. Adherent cells lymph nodes-derived fullfill the international criteria for stroma characterization, and therefore, they have been considered stromal cells. Using gp38 expression we were able to identify two stromal cells subpopulations: FRCs (gp38 + and CD31-) and DNCs (gp38- and CD31-) and found that this cells frequency varies among samples, suggesting that the disease may interfere with lymph nodes stromal cell composition. These two cells populations were stimulated with inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-y or TNF-alfa + IL-1beta for 24 and 48 hours and evaluated for gene and protein expression. In homeostatic conditions, genes involved in the induction and control of proliferation were differentially expressed by FRCs and DNCs, this data has been confirmed in vitro, since the FRCs showed higher proliferative potential compared to DNCs. IFN-y stimulation induced increase DNCs and FRCs expression for cytokines, chemokines, histocompatibility molecules and molecules involved in regulating the immune response.In response to TNF-alfa + IL-1beta stimulation, we observed common molecules expressed by the IFN-? stimulation, however, we also observed expression of cytokines, chemokines and histocompatibility molecules specifically related to this signal in both cells populations. Together, our data suggest that DNCs and FRCs differ in the response profile according to inflammatory stimuli to which they are exposed, increasing the differential expression of molecules involved in the positive and negative regulation of immune response

Background P. gingivalis, a non-motile, rod-shaped, anaerobic, Gram-negative bacterium is one of the principal sources of periodontal disease. It possesses a number of potential virulence factors thought to be important in the disease process including 5 hemagglutinins (Hag). One of these is HagB. It is a well characterized nonfimbrial adhesin expressed on the surface of P. gingivalis. HagB is very pro-inflammatory and induces robust chemokine and cytokine responses in vitro and in vivo. Since the chemokine and cytokine responses seen from single cells grown in tissue culture often are not representative of the chemokine and cytokine profiles seen in clinical samples or biopsy specimens, we devised a co-culture model of keratinocytes, dendritic cells, and T-cells to test the hypothesis that chemokine and cytokine responses from co-cultured cells would be more representative of responses seen in clinical samples from individuals with periodontal disease than single cell models. Methods and materials HagB was prepared by cloning hagb of P. gingivalis (1.4 kb) into the vector pQE31 (QIAGEN Inc., Valencia, CA); expressed in E. coli M15(pREP4)pQE31-TX1; and isolated from E. coli lysates by affinity chromatography using a Ni-charged resin (Profinity IMAC Resin, BioRad, Hercules, CA) and examined by SDS-PAGE. Co-culture models were treated with 10 µg/ml HagB (Test) or 10 µg/ml HagB diluent (Control). At 64 hours the supernatants were collected. Chemokine and cytokine biomarkers GM-CSF, CCL3 (MIP-1α), CCL4 (MIP-1β), CCL5 (RANTES), IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, TNFα, IL-12(p40), and VEGF responses were determined using Milliplex immunoassays. HagB responses were corrected by subtracting the constitutive responses detected in supernatants incubated with HagB diluent. Statistical differences among groups were determined on Log10 transformed biomarker concentration using JMP 10 (version 10.0, SAS, CAR; NC). Results Buffers (e.g. HagB diluent) did not induce a chemokine or cytokine response, however there was a gradual increase in chemokine and cytokine responses from cells at 64 hours. These were subtracted from HagB induced responses. Responses generally fell in 2 groups; in one group containing VEGF, IL-12(p40), IL-6, RANTES and GM-CSF, there were no significant differences among groups (p>0.05). In another group containing IL-1α, IL-8, MIP-1α, MIP-1β and TNF-α, there were significant differences among groups (p< 0.05). Interestingly these resulting responses fell in 2 categories- GM-CSF, IL-12, IL-1α, IL-6 were less than 25pg/ml and IL-8, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, RANTES, TNFα and VEGF were more than 25pg/ml. Some responses were driven by a particular cell type e.g. GM-CSF produced by dendritic cells, RANTES produced by T- cells and VEGF produced by T cells. There were similar responses in HagB-induced IL-8, MIP-1β, MIP-1α and TNFα responses by dendritic cells + keratinocytes and dendritic cells + keratinocytes + T cells. Conclusions Co-culture models can more realistically produce chemokine and cytokine responses to agonists than individual cultures of cells, which is important for predicting and assessing novel therapeutic treatments of periodontal disease.