Descrevemos modelo original de sinovite experimental em coelhos imunizados com colágeno V com escasso processo inflamatório, intenso remodelamento matricial e vasculite. Analise morfológica e bioquímica foi realizada em coelhas Nova Zelândia (N=20) imunizadas com colágeno do tipo V, comparadas com controles. Foi observado o aumento dos colágenos I, III e V, oclusão do lúmen vascular e escasso processo inflamatório. A análise bioquímica confirmou a fibrose com aumento da síntese de colágeno. Nós postulamos que as alterações sinoviais descritas neste modelo foram conseqüência das particularidades do colágeno V, que promove manifestações imunológicas e clínicas semelhantes à esclerodermia / We described an original model of experimental synovitis in rabbits immunized with collagen V with scant cellular infiltration, intense matrix remodeling and vasculitis. Morphological and biochemical analysis were realized in New Zealand female rabbits (N=20) immunization with type V collagen, compared with control rabbits. It was observed increase of collagen I, III and V, vascular lumen occlusion and scant inflammatory process. Biochemical analysis confirmed the fibrosis with increased synthesis of collagen. We postulate that synovial changes described in this model are consequence of collagen V particularities, which promotes immunologic and clinical manifestations similar to scleroderma

Descrevemos modelo original de sinovite experimental em coelhos imunizados com colágeno V com escasso processo inflamatório, intenso remodelamento matricial e vasculite. Analise morfológica e bioquímica foi realizada em coelhas Nova Zelândia (N=20) imunizadas com colágeno do tipo V, comparadas com controles. Foi observado o aumento dos colágenos I, III e V, oclusão do lúmen vascular e escasso processo inflamatório. A análise bioquímica confirmou a fibrose com aumento da síntese de colágeno. Nós postulamos que as alterações sinoviais descritas neste modelo foram conseqüência das particularidades do colágeno V, que promove manifestações imunológicas e clínicas semelhantes à esclerodermia / We described an original model of experimental synovitis in rabbits immunized with collagen V with scant cellular infiltration, intense matrix remodeling and vasculitis. Morphological and biochemical analysis were realized in New Zealand female rabbits (N=20) immunization with type V collagen, compared with control rabbits. It was observed increase of collagen I, III and V, vascular lumen occlusion and scant inflammatory process. Biochemical analysis confirmed the fibrosis with increased synthesis of collagen. We postulate that synovial changes described in this model are consequence of collagen V particularities, which promotes immunologic and clinical manifestations similar to scleroderma

Streptococcus mutans é considerado um agente etiológico primário da cárie dentária e um importante agente etiológico da endocardite infecciosa. O microrganismo pode ser classificado em quatro sorotipos (c, e, f e k), sendo o sorotipo c o mais comumente prevalente na população. S. mutans também pode acessar a corrente sanguínea e colonizar células endoteliais das artérias coronárias, através de sua ligação e posterior invasão. O gene cnm, codificador de uma proteína de ligação ao colágeno encontrado em algumas cepas de S. mutans pode ser relacionado com sua virulência. Objetivos: (1) formação de biofilmes em superfícies tratadas com colagénio e a expressão de genes a formação de biofilme chave spaP e brpA, (2) aderência (30 min e 2 h) , invasão (5h) e persistência (24h) em células endoteliais e (3) desmineralização da dentina. Tanto os experimentos de formação de biofilme dependente de colágeno quanto os de aderência, invasão e persistência em células primárias Human Coronary Artery Endothelial Cells foram realizadas utilizando cepas de S. mutans UA159 (sorotipo c), B14 (sorotipo e), OM50E (sorotipo e), LM7 (sorotipo e), OMZ175 (sorotipo f), NCTC 11060 (sorotipo f) e os isolados clínicos deste estudo 7,1 (sorotipo c), C2A4 (sorotipo e) e 61 (sorotipo k). Mutantes deletérios do gene cnm foram construídas em todas as cepas cnm positivas, exceto para C2A4. Cepas OMZ175 e 61 e seus respectivos mutantes também foram empregados para avaliar a expressão de genes spaP e brpA por PCR em Tempo Real e a desmineralização da dentina através de Tomografia de Coerência Óptica (OCT). Os dados mostraram que o gene cnm é significativo para a formação de biofilme em superfícies tratadas com colágeno e invasão de células endoteliais, mas não apresenta influência na adesão celular. A maior parte das cepas cnm positivas foram capazes de persistir intra-celular 24h. O modelo de cárie experimental não foi capaz de demonstrar a importância do gene cnm na desmineralização da dentina. O gene cnm foi necessário para o desenvolvimento de biofilme de e invasão do microrganismo à células endoteliais, mas não para a adesão às HCAEC. / Streptococcus mutans is considered a primary etiological agent of dental caries and an important etiological agent of infectious endocarditis. It can be classified into four serotypes (c, e, f and k), which serotype c is the most commonly prevalent in the population. The recent breakthrough that the cnm gene, which encodes a collagen binding protein found in some S. mutans strains, has set off new studies on this species, such as biofilm formation and bacteria-cell interactions. Aims: (1) biofilm formation on collagen-treated surfaces and the expression of biofilm formation key genes spaP and brpA; (2) adhesion (30 min and 2h), invasion (5h) and persistence (24h) in endothelial cells and (3) dentin demineralization. Experiments on collagen-dependent biofilm formation, and adhesion, invasion and persistence in HCAEC cells (primary Human Coronary Artery Endothelial Cells) were performed using S. mutans strains UA159 (serotype c), B14 (serotype e), OM50E (serotype e), LM7 (serotype e), OMZ175 (serotype f), NCTC 11060 (serotype f) and the clinical isolates of this study 7.1 (serotype c), C2A4 (serotype e) and 61 (serotype k). Mutants cnm were constructed in all strains presenting the gene, except for C2A4. Strains OMZ175 and 61 and their respective mutants were also employed to evaluate both the expression of spaP and brpA genes by PCR Real Time and the dentin demineralization through Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). One hundred forty four clinical isolates of S. mutans were collected from 47 patients. Our data have shown that the cnm gene is significant for both biofilm formation on collagen-treated surfaces and invasion of endothelial cells, but it has no influence in cell adhesion. In addition, most of the cnm positive strains were able to persist up to 24h intracellularly. Likewise, the model of experimental caries was not able to demonstrate the importance of cnm in dentin demineralization. Thus, gene cnm is required for S. mutans on collagen-dependent biofilm formation and invasion of endothelial cells, but it was not required for adhesion to HCAEC.

Orientadores: Lília Freire Rodrigues de Souza Li, Carlos Eduardo Steiner / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-21T05:55:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Pedroni_MarcusViniciusCosta_M.pdf: 5336681 bytes, checksum: 022385349dc7fcf62951d9f8c466360f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: A Osteogênese Imperfeita (OI) é um distúrbio genético caracterizado por baixa massa e fragilidade óssea, e outras manifestações do tecido conjuntivo, decorrente de defeitos qualitativos ou quantitativos do colágeno tipo I. Está associada a mutações nos genes COL1A1 e COL1A2 que codificam respectivamente as cadeias pro'alfa'1-(I) e pro'alfa'-2(I) formadoras da molécula do colágeno tipo I, e mais raramente mutações nos genes reguladores. A OI manifesta-se através de diferentes fenótipos (I-IV), segundo a classificação de Sillence et al. O objetivo deste trabalho foi a análise molecular dos genes COL1A1 e COL1A2 em famílias brasileiras portadoras de OI, em suas diferentes formas clínicas. Fizemos biópsia da pele de 12 famílias com OI para cultura primária dos fibroblastos. Desta cultura extraímos RNA total, que foi usado como molde para transcrição reversa e reação em cadeia de polimerase (PCR) dos genes e sequenciamento automático direto de cDNA. A expressão gênica foi determinada por Real Time PCR e o padrão e grau de expressão das proteínas do colágeno foram analisados por Imunocitoquímica e Western blot. Identificamos nove mutações missense em heterozigose em nove famílias, e duas mutações com alteração na matriz de leitura em famílias com fenótipos dos tipos I, III ou IV de OI. No gene COL1A1 encontramos quatro mutações já descritas: c.613G>A (p.P205A); c.769G> A (p.G257R); c.859G>A (p.G287S); c.1678G>A (p.G560R). No gene COL1A2 encontramos uma mutação já descrita: c.2314G> A (p.G772S) e quatro novas mutações: c.214G>A (p.G72S); c.775G>A (p.G259S); c.793G> C (p.G265R) e c.3467G>A (p.R1156K). Encontramos hiperexpressão dos transcritos de COL1A1 e COL1A2, porém expressão normal das cadeias 'alfa'1 e 'alfa'2 da proteína do colágeno em todos os pacientes. As cadeias mutada apresentaram padrão desorganizado nas células. Pacientes com OI apresentaram hiperexpressão dos genes de colágeno tipo I sugerindo que estes genes são regulados e que as meia vidas destas proteínas estão reduzidas / Abstract: Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disorder characterized by low bone mass and bone fragility, and other manifestations of connective tissue, due to qualitative or quantitative defects of type I collagen. It is associated with mutations in COL1A1 and COL1A2 genes, that encode respectively the pro'alpha'-1(I) and pro'alpha'-2(I) chains, forming the molecule of type I collagen, and more rarely mutations in regulatory genes. The OI is manifested by various phenotypes (I-IV), according to the classification of Sillence et al. The objective of this study was the molecular analysis of COL1A1 and COL1A2 genes in Brazilian families with OI, in its different clinical forms. We performed skin biopsy from 12 families with OI for primary culture of fibroblasts. From this culture, we made total RNA extract, which was used as template for reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and automated sequencing directly from cDNA. Gene expression was determined by Real Time qPCR and the level of expression of collagen proteins were analyzed by immunocytochemistry and Western Blot. We identified heterozygous mutations in 11 families that have phenotypes of types I, III or IV of OI. In the COL1A1 gene found four previously described mutations: c.613G> A (p.P205A), c.769G> A (p.G257R), c.859G> A (p.G287S), c.1678G> A (p. G560R). In the COL1A2 gene we found one previously described mutation: c.2314G> A (p.G772S) and four new mutations: c.214G> A (p.G72S), c.775G> A (p.G259S), c.793G> C (p.G265R) and c.3467G> A (p.R1156K). We found upregulation of the transcripts of COL1A1 and COL1A2 genes, but a normal expression of 'alpha'1 and 'alpha'2 protein chains in all patients. The mutant chain showed disorganized on the immunocytochemestry. Patients with OI showed upregulation of type I collagen genes, suggesting regulation and decreasing half lives of the proteins / Mestrado / Saude da Criança e do Adolescente / Mestre em Ciências

Les pathologies valvulaires aortiques sont des pathologies plurifactorielles, comportant un déterminisme génétique indiscutable mais peu caractérisé. Ma thèse a pour but d’étudier le rôle du facteur de transcription Krox20 au cours du développement et de la maturation valvulaire à travers l’analyse de modèles murins. Nous avons montré que ce gène est nécessaire au développement et à la maturation de la valve aortique. L’invalidation de Krox20 chez la souris conduit à une hypertrophie des feuillets aortiques dès les stades fœtaux et à des insuffisances aortiques chez l’adulte. Ces anomalies sont associées à des défauts d’organisation de la matrice extracellulaire en partie liée à une régulation directe de l’expression des collagènes de type I et III. 25% des souris déficientes pour Krox20 présentent une bicuspidie de la valve aortique. Nous avons observé une diminution de l’expression de eNos chez ces mutants et pu mettre en évidence une interaction génétique entre Krox20 et eNos. De plus, nous avons identifié une sous population de cellules des crêtes neurales cardiaques impliquées dans l’apparition de la bicuspidie chez les mutants Krox20. Afin d’explorer le rôle de Krox20 dans la calcification de la valve aortique, nous avons étudié les conséquences de la surexpression de ce gène dans un modèle et montré que lcela induisait une activation de gènes pro-fibrotiques et pro-ostéogénique sans conduire à des dépôts calciques. Krox20 est donc un facteur de transcription important pour la valvulogenèse et à l’homéostasie valvulaire chez l’adulte. Mes travaux ont contribué à l’identification de Krox20 comme gène candidat potentiel aux valvulopathies rencontrées chez l’homme. / Long seen as a consequence of aging and mechanical wear of aortic cusps, aortic valve diseases are currently considered multifactorial diseases, with an indisputable genetic determinism but not well characterized. My thesis aims to study the role of the transcription factor Krox20 during development and maturation of the valve through the analysis of mouse models. We have shown that this gene is necessary for the development and maturation of the aortic valve. Indeed, the deletion of Krox20 in the mouse leads to thickened aortic leaflets from the fetal stage and the onset of aortic valve disease in adults. These anomalies are associated with defects in the organization of the extracellular matrix and more particularly to direct regulsation of collagen type I and type III expression. Our analysis showed that 25% Krox20-/- mice have a bicuspid aortic valve. The analysis of this model has allowed us to identify a population of cardiac neural crest cells involved in the occurrence of this phenotype. In addition, we were able to observe a down regulation of eNos in Krox20-/- embryos and show a genetic interaction between Krox20 and eNos. To address the role of Krox20 in the process of calcification of the aortic valve, we have studied the effects of its overexpression. Our preliminary results indicate that this overexpression leads to activation of pro-fibrotic and pro-osteogenic genes, however, this is not sufficient to induce calcification of aortic valve leaflets.Therefore Krox20 is important for valvulogenesis but also for valvular homeostasis in the adult. My work has contributed to the identification of a potential candidate gene involved in human valve diseases.

La Bone Morphogenetic Protein-1 (BMP-1) est une métalloprotéase impliquée dans la maturation et l'activation de nombreuses molécules extracellulaires. Parmi celles-ci, on trouve notamment les collagènes fibrillaires, les protéines les plus abondante chez l'Homme, ainsi que les facteurs de croissance de la superfamille du TGF-ß, des protéines pléiotropes. Au travers de ses fonctions, BMP-1 joue un rôle crucial au cours du développement embryonnaire mais également durant les processus physiologiques et pathologiques de remodelage tissulaire (cicatrisation, fibroses, croissance osseuse, cancers...).Le projet présenté dans ce manuscrit a consisté à étudier plusieurs fonctions importantes de BMP-1 au niveau moléculaire et à caractériser les conséquences de ces activités au niveau de plusieurs types cellulaires.Dans un premier temps, un test quantitatif a été mis au point afin de pouvoir étudier en temps réel l'effet de BMP-1 sur les collagènes fibrillaires ainsi que les mécanismes de sa régulation. Par la suite, de nouveaux substrats de BMP-1 ont été mis en évidence, parmi lesquels des co-récepteurs du TGF-ß (Bétaglycan, CD109) ainsi qu'une protéine matricellulaire (TSP-1). L'étude de ces activités a permis de caractériser les multiples voies par lesquelles BMP-1 est capable de réguler l'activité du facteur de croissance TGF-ß.De plus, nous avons mis en évidence que le clivage de ces différents substrats entraine une modulation importante du phénotype de plusieurs lignées cellulaires (HT1080, HEK-293T) avec des effets au niveau de l'adhésion, la prolifération et la migration cellulaire. En conclusion, ce travail révèle que les activités de BMP-1 s'étendent bien au-delà de ce qui est actuellement décrit / Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP-1) is a metalloprotease known to be involved in the maturation and activation of several important extracellular proteins, including fibrillar collagens and growth factors of the TGF-beta superfamily. As a consequence, it is essential for embryonic development and tissue remodeling and has been clearly involved in lethal diseases such as fibrosis and cancer.This thesis project focused on the major molecular functions of BMP-1 and their implications for the phenotype of several cell types. First, a quantitative and real-time assay was developed to study the effect of BMP-1 and associated regulatory proteins on fibrillar collagens. Then, new BMP-1 substrates, such as TGF-ß co-receptors (Betaglycan and CD109) and matricellular proteins (TSP-1) were characterized in detail. Especially, we evidenced that these activities played a major role in the regulation of the TGF-ß pathway.Furthermore, we shown that these BMP-1 activities induce major phenotype changes (adhesion, proliferation, migration) in several cell lines including HT1080 and HEK-293T. Altogether, this work reveals that BMP-1 substrates extend far beyond what is presently described and open several perspectives for future studies

The development of bio-resorbable implant materials is rapidly going on. Sterilization of those materials is inevitable to assure the hygienic requirements for critical medical devices according to the medical device directive (MDD, 93/42/EG). Biopolymer-containing biomaterials are often highly sensitive towards classical sterilization procedures like steam, ethylene oxide treatment or gamma irradiation. Supercritical CO2 (scCO2) treatment is a promising strategy for the terminal sterilization of sensitive biomaterials at low temperature. In combination with low amounts of additives scCO2 treatment effectively inactivates microorganisms including bacterial spores. We established a scCO2 sterilization procedure under addition of 0.25% water, 0.15% hydrogen peroxide and 0.5% acetic anhydride. The procedure was successfully tested for the inactivation of a wide panel of microorganisms including endospores of different bacterial species, vegetative cells of gram positive and negative bacteria including mycobacteria, fungi including yeast, and bacteriophages. For robust testing of the sterilization effect with regard to later application of implant materials sterilization all microorganisms were embedded in alginate/agarose cylinders that were used as Process Challenge Devices (PCD). These PCD served as surrogate models for bioresorbable 3D scaffolds. Furthermore, the impact of scCO2 sterilization on mechanical properties of polysaccharide-based hydrogels and collagen-based scaffolds was analyzed. The procedure was shown to be less compromising on mechanical and rheological properties compared to established low-temperature sterilization methods like gamma irradiation and ethylene oxide exposure as well as conventional steam sterilization. Cytocompatibility of alginate gels and scaffolds from mineralized collagen was compared after sterilization with ethylene oxide, gamma irradiation, steam sterilization and scCO2 treatment. Human mesenchymal stem cell viability and proliferation were not compromised by scCO2 treatment of these materials and scaffolds. We conclude that scCO2 sterilization under addition of water, hydrogen peroxide and acetic anhydride is a very effective, gentle, non-cytotoxic and thus a promising alternative sterilization method especially for biomaterials.

Polypyrimidine-tract binding protein 1 (PTBP1) is an important cellular regulator of messenger RNAs influencing the alternative splicing profile of a cell as well as its mRNA stability, location and translation. In addition, it is diverted by some viruses to facilitate their replication. Here, we used a novel PTBP1 knockout mouse to analyse the tissue expression pattern of PTBP1 as well as the effect of its complete removal during development. We found evidence of strong PTBP1 expression in embryonic stem cells and throughout embryonic development, especially in the developing brain and spinal cord, the olfactory and auditory systems, the heart, the liver, the kidney, the brown fat and cartilage primordia. This widespread distribution points towards a role of PTBP1 during embryonic development. Homozygous offspring, identified by PCR and immunofluorescence, were able to implant but were arrested or retarded in growth. At day 7.5 of embryonic development (E7.5) the null mutants were about 5x smaller than the control littermates and the gap in body size widened with time. At mid-gestation, all homozygous embryos were resorbed/degraded. No homozygous mice were genotyped at E12 and the age of weaning. Embryos lacking PTBP1 did not display differentiation into the 3 germ layers and cavitation of the epiblast, which are hallmarks of gastrulation. In addition, homozygous mutants displayed malformed ectoplacental cones and yolk sacs, both early supportive structure of the embryo proper. We conclude that PTBP1 is not required for the earliest isovolumetric divisions and differentiation steps of the zygote up to the formation of the blastocyst. However, further post-implantation development requires PTBP1 and stalls in homozygous null animals with a phenotype of dramatically reduced size and aberration in embryonic and extra-embryonic structures.

The development of bio-resorbable implant materials is rapidly going on. Sterilization of those materials is inevitable to assure the hygienic requirements for critical medical devices according to the medical device directive (MDD, 93/42/EG). Biopolymer-containing biomaterials are often highly sensitive towards classical sterilization procedures like steam, ethylene oxide treatment or gamma irradiation. Supercritical CO2 (scCO2) treatment is a promising strategy for the terminal sterilization of sensitive biomaterials at low temperature. In combination with low amounts of additives scCO2 treatment effectively inactivates microorganisms including bacterial spores. We established a scCO2 sterilization procedure under addition of 0.25% water, 0.15% hydrogen peroxide and 0.5% acetic anhydride. The procedure was successfully tested for the inactivation of a wide panel of microorganisms including endospores of different bacterial species, vegetative cells of gram positive and negative bacteria including mycobacteria, fungi including yeast, and bacteriophages. For robust testing of the sterilization effect with regard to later application of implant materials sterilization all microorganisms were embedded in alginate/agarose cylinders that were used as Process Challenge Devices (PCD). These PCD served as surrogate models for bioresorbable 3D scaffolds. Furthermore, the impact of scCO2 sterilization on mechanical properties of polysaccharide-based hydrogels and collagen-based scaffolds was analyzed. The procedure was shown to be less compromising on mechanical and rheological properties compared to established low-temperature sterilization methods like gamma irradiation and ethylene oxide exposure as well as conventional steam sterilization. Cytocompatibility of alginate gels and scaffolds from mineralized collagen was compared after sterilization with ethylene oxide, gamma irradiation, steam sterilization and scCO2 treatment. Human mesenchymal stem cell viability and proliferation were not compromised by scCO2 treatment of these materials and scaffolds. We conclude that scCO2 sterilization under addition of water, hydrogen peroxide and acetic anhydride is a very effective, gentle, non-cytotoxic and thus a promising alternative sterilization method especially for biomaterials.

Polypyrimidine-tract binding protein 1 (PTBP1) is an important cellular regulator of messenger RNAs influencing the alternative splicing profile of a cell as well as its mRNA stability, location and translation. In addition, it is diverted by some viruses to facilitate their replication. Here, we used a novel PTBP1 knockout mouse to analyse the tissue expression pattern of PTBP1 as well as the effect of its complete removal during development. We found evidence of strong PTBP1 expression in embryonic stem cells and throughout embryonic development, especially in the developing brain and spinal cord, the olfactory and auditory systems, the heart, the liver, the kidney, the brown fat and cartilage primordia. This widespread distribution points towards a role of PTBP1 during embryonic development. Homozygous offspring, identified by PCR and immunofluorescence, were able to implant but were arrested or retarded in growth. At day 7.5 of embryonic development (E7.5) the null mutants were about 5x smaller than the control littermates and the gap in body size widened with time. At mid-gestation, all homozygous embryos were resorbed/degraded. No homozygous mice were genotyped at E12 and the age of weaning. Embryos lacking PTBP1 did not display differentiation into the 3 germ layers and cavitation of the epiblast, which are hallmarks of gastrulation. In addition, homozygous mutants displayed malformed ectoplacental cones and yolk sacs, both early supportive structure of the embryo proper. We conclude that PTBP1 is not required for the earliest isovolumetric divisions and differentiation steps of the zygote up to the formation of the blastocyst. However, further post-implantation development requires PTBP1 and stalls in homozygous null animals with a phenotype of dramatically reduced size and aberration in embryonic and extra-embryonic structures.