Metastatic cancer cells invade and spread to other locations by disrupting the basement membrane (BM). The membrane plays a major role during the normal development of an organism as well. In order to understand the invasion mechanism it is important to know about the interactions occurring between the proteins of the BM during normal development. This study concentrates on isolating and identifying the major factors associated with collagen IV, a major component of BM, during the third instar larval development of Drosophila. Western blot and mass spectrometry analysis revealed that collagen IV associates with various growth factors, signaling molecules, and proteins that may play a role during the development of Drosophila. Co-localization and knockdown studies performed on a single protein found through mass spectrometry suggested a possible role of this protein in the development of Drosophila. Further analysis of this proteins’ function will provide new insights into its developmental role and its potential role in collagen IV transport.

Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is a key component in maintaining proper glymphatic flow. In recent years, the glymphatic system has been discovered and approached as a major factor in amyloid plaque clearance in Alzheimer's disease. This study examines the depolarization of AQP4 from the astrocytic endfeet and subsequent co-localization with amyloid plaques in the hippocampus and subiculum. Results show a significant pattern of co-localization in advanced Alzheimer's disease, as well as increases in AQP4 in cerebrovascular disease. This pattern shows AQP4 should be approached as a promising therapeutic area in future research.

A terapia fotodinâmica é uma técnica que vem sendo aprimorada para o tratamento de cânceres e infecções e seu efeito terapêutico consiste na geração de espécies reativas de oxigênio que causam danos irreversíveis às células, levando-as a morte. Ela é considerada menos invasiva que outros tratamentos, podendo ser repetida diversas vezes e utilizada em conjunto com outros tratamentos sem o comprometimento do paciente. Um dos focos da terapia fotodinâmica é o tratamento de cânceres de pele melanoma devido a localização superficial das lesões e a elevada taxa de letalidade que a doença ocasiona, esta alta taxa esta relacionada a formação de tumores secundários em outras regiões do corpo que dificulta a cura. Neste trabalho buscou-se entender a interação do fotossensibilizador de segunda geração, Photodithazine, com as células de melanoma murino de linhagem B16F10. Foram analisadas a captação celular e a co-localização intracelular deste fotossensibilizador através da marcação de componentes celulares em microscopia confocal. Ensaios de viabilidade celular foram realizados para obtenção das concentrações menos citotóxicas sem e com luz, utilizando o teste de MTT. Foi realizada a caracterização do tempo de vida médio fluorescência do fotossensibilzador durante a terapia fotodinâmica em microscópio FLIM (fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy). Os resultados indicaram que um maior tempo de incubação no escuro causa maior citotoxicidade para as concentrações acima de 0,1 mg/mL de Photodithazine. Os ensaios de terapia fotodinâmica apresentaram redução de mais de 90% de viabilidade celular para baixas concentrações de Photodithazine®, utilizando fluências acima de 2J/cm2. O tempo de vida médio de fluorescência do Photodithazine livre em solução apresentou tempo de 3,75 ns e quando ligado às células de 4,63 ns, durante a terapia fotodinâmica o tempo de vida médio de fluorescência apresentou alteração de aproximadamente 0,2 ns. Através do cálculo de coeficientes de correlação, foi observado a alta co-localização em mitocôndrias. / Photodynamic therapy is a technique manly applied in the treatment of cancers and infections. The principal compound of this therapy is the reactive oxygen species generated that react and damage various cellular components, causing cell death. Photodynamic therapy is considered minimally invasive and can be repeated several times without compromising the patient. One of the main focuses of photodynamic therapy is threatment of melanoma skin cancer due to it is superficial location of the lesions and also because the disease has a high rate of mortality, caused by the formation of secondary tumors elsewhere in the body that makes it difficult to cure. In this study, murine melanoma cells were studied in monolayer model using Photodithazine, a photosensitizer of second generation. Cellular uptake and intracellular co-localization of the photosensitizer was observed by labeling cellular components that were analyzed by confocal microscopy. Cell viability assays were performed to obtain the cytotoxic concentrations in the dark, using the MTT test. Using the less cytotoxic concentrations, photodynamic therapy trials was performed to obtain the cytotoxic fluences. Finally, the average lifetime fluorescence of photosensitizer was measured to characterize the photodynamic therapy in FLIM (fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy). The results indicated that longer dark incubation cause greater cytotoxicity at the concentrations above 0.1 mg/mL of Photodithazine. Thereby the results of photodynamic therapy experiments observed the decreasing from over 90% cell viability at low concentrations of Photodithazine using fluences above 2 J/cm2. The average fluorescence lifetime of the free Photodithazine solution was 3.75 ns and cell-bound 4.63 ns, during the photodynamic therapy the average lifetime fluorescence changed approximately 0.2 ns. By calculating correlation coefficients, the high colocalization was observed in mitochondria.

Transcription elongation regulator 1 (TCERG1) is a nuclear protein involved in transcriptional elongation and splicing events, suggesting these two activities may be connected. Moreover, TCERG1 was recently identified as a novel interactor and co-repressor of CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein α (C/EBPα) transcriptional activity, suggesting TCERG1 has additional biological roles. Interestingly, TCERG1 also inhibits the growth arrest activity of C/EBPα. Additionally, the original clone found to interact with C/EBPα consisted of only the amino-terminal domain of TCERG1 and functional analysis of this clone indicated that it retained the ability to repress both C/EBPα mediated growth arrest and transcriptional activity. Furthermore, a TCERG1 mutant whose amino-terminal region was deleted was unable to interact with or repress the transcriptional and growth arrest activities of C/EBPα, suggesting the functional domain(s) lie elsewhere. In this study, domains of TCERG1 were examined for the ability to inhibit C/EBPα-mediated growth arrest and the mechanism whereby this effect occurs. By exploiting fluorescent properties of expressed proteins fused with green fluorescent protein, the extent to which each TCERG1 mutant was able to reverse C/EBPα-mediated growth arrest of cultured cells was assessed. Our analyses suggest that the inhibitory activity of TCERG1 lies within the amino-terminal region and may involve WWI and WWII domains within this region. Additionally, laser scanning confocal microscopy (LCSM) was used to visualize the subnuclear localization of fluorescent proteins fused to TCERG1 and C/EBPα. When expressed alone, TCERG1 localized to splicing factor-rich nuclear speckles while C/EBPα was found to reside in discrete punctate foci, both localization patterns being distinct and different from each other. Results from co-localization studies after co-expressing both proteins indicate an alteration in the subnuclear distribution of TCERG1. Furthermore, TCERG1 co-localizes with C/EBPα, suggesting a possible mechanism whereby TCERG1 inhibits the growth arrest and transcriptional activities mediated by C/EBPα.

Transcription elongation regulator 1 (TCERG1) is a nuclear protein involved in transcriptional elongation and splicing events, suggesting these two activities may be connected. Moreover, TCERG1 was recently identified as a novel interactor and co-repressor of CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein α (C/EBPα) transcriptional activity, suggesting TCERG1 has additional biological roles. Interestingly, TCERG1 also inhibits the growth arrest activity of C/EBPα. Additionally, the original clone found to interact with C/EBPα consisted of only the amino-terminal domain of TCERG1 and functional analysis of this clone indicated that it retained the ability to repress both C/EBPα mediated growth arrest and transcriptional activity. Furthermore, a TCERG1 mutant whose amino-terminal region was deleted was unable to interact with or repress the transcriptional and growth arrest activities of C/EBPα, suggesting the functional domain(s) lie elsewhere. In this study, domains of TCERG1 were examined for the ability to inhibit C/EBPα-mediated growth arrest and the mechanism whereby this effect occurs. By exploiting fluorescent properties of expressed proteins fused with green fluorescent protein, the extent to which each TCERG1 mutant was able to reverse C/EBPα-mediated growth arrest of cultured cells was assessed. Our analyses suggest that the inhibitory activity of TCERG1 lies within the amino-terminal region and may involve WWI and WWII domains within this region. Additionally, laser scanning confocal microscopy (LCSM) was used to visualize the subnuclear localization of fluorescent proteins fused to TCERG1 and C/EBPα. When expressed alone, TCERG1 localized to splicing factor-rich nuclear speckles while C/EBPα was found to reside in discrete punctate foci, both localization patterns being distinct and different from each other. Results from co-localization studies after co-expressing both proteins indicate an alteration in the subnuclear distribution of TCERG1. Furthermore, TCERG1 co-localizes with C/EBPα, suggesting a possible mechanism whereby TCERG1 inhibits the growth arrest and transcriptional activities mediated by C/EBPα.

This thesis describes the development of sensitive and high-resolution fluorescence spectroscopic and microscopic techniques and their application to probe biomolecules and their interactions in solution, lipid membrane model systems and in cells. Paper I-IV are largely focused on methodological developments. In paper I, a new fluorescence method based on fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) for detecting single particles was realized, requiring no fluorescent labeling of the particles. The method can yield information both about the diffusion properties of the particles as well as about their volumes. In paper II, a modified fluorescence cross correlation spectroscopy procedure with well characterized instrumental calibration was developed and applied to study cis interactions between an inhibitory receptor and its Major Histocompatibility Complex class I ligand molecule, both within the same cellular membranes. The quantitative analysis brought new insights into the Nature killer cell’s self-regulating of tolerance and aggressiveness for immune responses. Paper III describes a multi-color STED (STimulated Emission Depletion) microscopy procedure, capable of imaging four different targets in the same cells at 40nm optical resolution, which was developed and successfully demonstrated on platelets. In paper IV, a modified co-localization algorithm for fluorescence images analysis was proposed, which is essentially insensitive to resolutions and molecule densities. Further, the performance of this algorithm and of using STED microscopy for co-localization analysis was evaluated using both simulated and experimentally acquired images. Papers V-VII have their main emphasis on the application side. In paper V, transient state imaging was demonstrated on live cells to image intracellular oxygen concentration and successfully differentiated different breast cancer cell lines and the different metabolic pathways they adopted to under different culturing conditions. Paper VI describes a FCS-based study of proton exchange at biological membranes, the size-dependence of the membrane proton collecting antenna effect as well as effects of external buffer solutions on the proton exchange, in a nanodisc lipid membrane model system. These findings provide insights for understanding proton transport at and across membranes of live cells, which has a central biological relevance. In paper VII, STED imaging and co-localization analysis was applied to analyze cell adhesion related protein interactions, which are believed to have an important modulating role for the proliferation, differentiation, survival and motility of the cells. The outcome of efforts taken to develop means for early cancer diagnosis are also presented. It is based on single cells extracted by fine needle aspiration and the use of multi-parameter fluorescence detection and STED imaging to detect protein interactions in the clinical samples. Taken together, detailed studies at a molecular level are critical to understand complex systems such as living organisms. It is the hope that the methodologies developed and applied in this thesis can contribute not only to the development of fundamental science, but also that they can be of benefit to mankind in the field of biomedicine, especially with an ultimate goal of developing novel techniques for cancer diagnosis. / <p>QC 20140609</p>

The sexual differentiation of the spinal nucleus of bulbocavernosus (SNB) and the bulbocavernosus (BC) and levator ani (LA) muscles that the SNB innervates, are masculinized by androgens acting on the BC/LA. The site of androgen receptors (AR) responsible for the masculinization of the neuromuscular system is not known. A potential site of action is satellite cells: proliferation of these cells is androgen-dependent and satellite cells seem to contribute to the size of the LA. Fluorescent immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy were used to co-localize satellite cells and AR within the LA of postnatal day one and three male and female rats. Results indicate that satellite cells express AR and reveal a difference in proportion of satellite cells expressing AR between the LA and control muscle. Interpretations of these findings, including whether the relatively small proportion of AR accounted for by satellite cells is enough to masculinize the SNB system, are discussed.

The sexual differentiation of the spinal nucleus of bulbocavernosus (SNB) and the bulbocavernosus (BC) and levator ani (LA) muscles that the SNB innervates, are masculinized by androgens acting on the BC/LA. The site of androgen receptors (AR) responsible for the masculinization of the neuromuscular system is not known. A potential site of action is satellite cells: proliferation of these cells is androgen-dependent and satellite cells seem to contribute to the size of the LA. Fluorescent immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy were used to co-localize satellite cells and AR within the LA of postnatal day one and three male and female rats. Results indicate that satellite cells express AR and reveal a difference in proportion of satellite cells expressing AR between the LA and control muscle. Interpretations of these findings, including whether the relatively small proportion of AR accounted for by satellite cells is enough to masculinize the SNB system, are discussed.

A terapia fotodinâmica é uma técnica que vem sendo aprimorada para o tratamento de cânceres e infecções e seu efeito terapêutico consiste na geração de espécies reativas de oxigênio que causam danos irreversíveis às células, levando-as a morte. Ela é considerada menos invasiva que outros tratamentos, podendo ser repetida diversas vezes e utilizada em conjunto com outros tratamentos sem o comprometimento do paciente. Um dos focos da terapia fotodinâmica é o tratamento de cânceres de pele melanoma devido a localização superficial das lesões e a elevada taxa de letalidade que a doença ocasiona, esta alta taxa esta relacionada a formação de tumores secundários em outras regiões do corpo que dificulta a cura. Neste trabalho buscou-se entender a interação do fotossensibilizador de segunda geração, Photodithazine, com as células de melanoma murino de linhagem B16F10. Foram analisadas a captação celular e a co-localização intracelular deste fotossensibilizador através da marcação de componentes celulares em microscopia confocal. Ensaios de viabilidade celular foram realizados para obtenção das concentrações menos citotóxicas sem e com luz, utilizando o teste de MTT. Foi realizada a caracterização do tempo de vida médio fluorescência do fotossensibilzador durante a terapia fotodinâmica em microscópio FLIM (fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy). Os resultados indicaram que um maior tempo de incubação no escuro causa maior citotoxicidade para as concentrações acima de 0,1 mg/mL de Photodithazine. Os ensaios de terapia fotodinâmica apresentaram redução de mais de 90% de viabilidade celular para baixas concentrações de Photodithazine&reg;, utilizando fluências acima de 2J/cm2. O tempo de vida médio de fluorescência do Photodithazine livre em solução apresentou tempo de 3,75 ns e quando ligado às células de 4,63 ns, durante a terapia fotodinâmica o tempo de vida médio de fluorescência apresentou alteração de aproximadamente 0,2 ns. Através do cálculo de coeficientes de correlação, foi observado a alta co-localização em mitocôndrias. / Photodynamic therapy is a technique manly applied in the treatment of cancers and infections. The principal compound of this therapy is the reactive oxygen species generated that react and damage various cellular components, causing cell death. Photodynamic therapy is considered minimally invasive and can be repeated several times without compromising the patient. One of the main focuses of photodynamic therapy is threatment of melanoma skin cancer due to it is superficial location of the lesions and also because the disease has a high rate of mortality, caused by the formation of secondary tumors elsewhere in the body that makes it difficult to cure. In this study, murine melanoma cells were studied in monolayer model using Photodithazine, a photosensitizer of second generation. Cellular uptake and intracellular co-localization of the photosensitizer was observed by labeling cellular components that were analyzed by confocal microscopy. Cell viability assays were performed to obtain the cytotoxic concentrations in the dark, using the MTT test. Using the less cytotoxic concentrations, photodynamic therapy trials was performed to obtain the cytotoxic fluences. Finally, the average lifetime fluorescence of photosensitizer was measured to characterize the photodynamic therapy in FLIM (fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy). The results indicated that longer dark incubation cause greater cytotoxicity at the concentrations above 0.1 mg/mL of Photodithazine. Thereby the results of photodynamic therapy experiments observed the decreasing from over 90% cell viability at low concentrations of Photodithazine using fluences above 2 J/cm2. The average fluorescence lifetime of the free Photodithazine solution was 3.75 ns and cell-bound 4.63 ns, during the photodynamic therapy the average lifetime fluorescence changed approximately 0.2 ns. By calculating correlation coefficients, the high colocalization was observed in mitochondria.

Contusion spinal cord injury (SCI) results in devastating life-long debilitation in which there are currently no effective treatments. The primary injury site presents a complex environment marked by subsequent secondary pathophysiological cascades involving excessive reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) production, glutamate-induced excitotoxicity, calcium dysregulation, and delayed neuronal apoptosis. Many of these cascades involve mitochondrial dysfunction, thus a single mitochondrial-centric therapy that targets a variety of these factors could be far reaching in its potential benefits after SCI. As such, this dissertation examines whether transplantation of exogenous mitochondria after SCI can attenuate secondary injury cascades to decrease the spread and severity of the injury. Our first experiment tested the dose-dependent effects of mitochondrial transplantation on the ability to maintain acute overall bioenergetics after SCI. We compared transplantation of mitochondria originating from two different sources-cultured PC12 cells or rat soleus leg muscle. 24 hours after injury, State III oxygen consumption rates were maintained to over 80% of sham levels when 100ug of mitochondria was transplanted, regardless of the origin of the mitochondria. Complex I enzyme activity assays corroborated our findings that the 100ug dosage gave optimal benefits compared to vehicle injection. We also analyzed the rostral-caudal distribution and cell-type colocalization of transplanted transgenically-labeled tGFP mitochondria after SCI. There were greater volumes and rostral-caudal spread of tGFP mitochondria at the 24 hour time point compared to 7 days post injection. tGFP mitochondria had the greatest propensity to colocalize with macrophages and pericytes. Colocalization was evident in endothelial cells, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes, though no such colabeling was present in neurons. Further, colocalization of tGFP was always greater at the 24 hour time compared to 48 hour or 7days post injection time points. These data indicate that there is a cell-type difference in incorporation potential of exogenous mitochondria which changes over time. Finally, we tested the effects of mitochondrial transplantation on long term functional recovery. Animals were injected with either vehicle, 100ug cell-derived mitochondria, or 100ug muscle-derived mitochondria immediately after contusion SCI. Functional analyses including BBB overground locomotor scale and von Frey mechanical sensitivity tests did not show any differences between treatment groups. Likewise, there were no differences in tissue sparing when mitochondria were transplanted compared to vehicle injections, though there were higher neuronal cell counts in tGFP mitochondria injected groups caudal of the injury site. These studies present the potential of mitochondrial transplantation for therapeutic intervention after SCI. While our acute measures do not correspond into long term recovery, we show that at 24 hours transplanted mitochondria do have an effect on bioenergetics and that they are taken into host cells. We believe that further investigation into caveats and technical refinement is necessary at this time to translate the evident acute bioenergetic recovery into long term functional recovery.