O câncer é um problema de saúde pública mundial, apresentando acréscimo na sua incidência a cada ano. O seu processo de evolução ainda não foi completamente desvendado, dificultando a elaboração de terapias adequadas. Na busca por um melhor prognóstico, pesquisas recentes têm discutido o papel das citocinas inflamatórias, do nicho perivascular e das células-tronco nos mecanismos de desenvolvimento e manutenção dos tumores malignos. Os tumores de glândula salivar representam uma pequena porcentagem das patologias malignas da região de cabeça e pescoço, podendo ocorrer em adultos e em crianças. O diagnóstico dificilmente é precoce e a taxa de sobrevida é extremamente baixa comparada aos demais tumores da região. Assim, este estudo teve como objetivo estudar as células provenientes dos tumores de glândula salivar do tipo adenoide cístico (CAC) e adenocarcinoma NOS (AdNOS) quanto ao seu perfil imunofenotípico, quanto à existência ou não de células-tronco tumorais nessa população, bem como investigar possíveis modificações na ativação de STAT3, Akt e ERK (moléculas envolvidas em vias de sinalização de manutenção do tumor), quando em contato com fatores secretados por células endoteliais. Foram coletados 5 CACs e 4 AdNOS, no Hospital da Universidade de Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI, EUA), durante 2010 e 2012. As células foram isoladas e caracterizadas em citometria de fluxo em P0 e P7, demonstrando um perfil de células CD44+ALDH+Lin- variando de 0,33 a 3,19% e 0,36 a 2,00%, respectivamente, entre 5 linhagens avaliadas. Na avaliação por western blotting, a e-caderina, o Snail e a actina de músculo liso foram ausentes em todos os tipos tumorais, enquanto que a citoqueratina 20 (Ck20) foi presente apenas nos AdNOS. Comparando os tumores com suas metástases, a presença de Ck20, p63 e β-catenina foi semelhante, enquanto que citoqueratina 7, a vimentina e o Bmi-1 foram maiores nas metástases. Tanto os AdNOS quanto CACs apresentaram receptores para IL-6, IL-8 e EGF. Foi observado que mediadores solúveis liberados pelas células endoteliais foram capazes de fosforilar STAT3, Akt e ERK em todas as células salivares estudadas, no entanto, a proteína recombinante humana IL-6, isoladamente, não foi capaz de ativar Akt. Orosferas foram geradas em todos os tipos tumorais, demonstrando o potencial de auto-renovação celular. Um maior número de esferas foi observado nas células metastáticas em relação às primárias. Células CD44+ALDH+, comparadas com CD44-ALDH-, geraram mais esferas, quando plaqueadas em alta densidade (5.000 células). No entanto, o inverso foi encontrado, quando uma única célula foi utilizada para o ensaio (p>0,05). Devido à dificuldade de obtenção e manipulação de células de tumores de glândula salivar, ainda há muito que se investigar mecanisticamente. Considerando a fosforilação de STAT3 na presença de IL-6, semelhante ao verificado em outros tumores, o uso de anticorpos contra IL-6, talvez sejam uma opção no futuro. / Cancer is a public health problem worldwide, with an increase in incidence every year. The process of its evolution is still not completely understood, hindering the development of appropriate therapies. In the search for a better prognosis, recent reports have discussed the role of inflammatory cytokines, perivascular niche and stem cells in the mechanisms of development and maintenance of malignant tumors. The salivary gland tumors represent a small percentage of malignancies of the head and neck and can occur in both adults and children. Early diagnosis is difficult and the survival rate is extremely low compared to other tumors in the same region. Thus, this study aimed to study cells from the adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and adenocarcinoma NOS (AdNOS) tumors of salivary gland regarding its immunophenotypic profile and the existence or absence of tumor stem cells in this population, as well as investigate possible changes in the activation of STAT3, Akt and ERK (molecules involved in signaling pathways of tumor maintenance), when exposed to factors secreted by endothelial cells. ACCs (n=5) and AdNOS (n=4) were collected at the Hospital of the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI, USA), during 2010 to 2012. Cells were isolated and characterized by flow cytometry at P0 and P7, showing a profile of ALDH+CD44+Lin- ranging from 0.33% to 3.19% and 0.36% and 2.00%, respectively, between 5 cell lines evaluated. In the protein profile, e-cadherin, Snail and SMA were absent in all tumor types. Ck20 was present only in AdNOS. Comparing primary tumors and their metastases, the presence of Ck20, and p63 β-catenin was similar, while Ck7, vimentin and Bmi-1 were higher in metastases. Both AdNOS as ACCs had receptors for IL-6, IL-8 and EGF. It was observed that soluble mediators released by endothelial cells were able to activate STAT3, Akt and ERK phosphorylation in all cells studied. However, recombinant human IL-6 alone was not able to activate Akt. Orospheres were generated in all tumor types, indicating the potential for cellular self-renewal. Highest number of spheres was observed in metastatic cells compared to primary. ALDH+CD44+ cells compared to ALDH-CD44- generated more spheres when plated in high density (5,000 cells), however, the opposite was found when one single cell seed was evaluated (p> 0.05). There is doubt if these cell markers would be consider for a stem cell model in salivary tumors. Due to the difficulty of obtaining and manipulating salivary gland tumor cells, there is still much to investigate mechanistically. As the phosphorylation of STAT3, in the presence of IL-6, was similar to that observed in other tumors, the use of antibodies against IL-6, may be an option in the future.

La transfusion sanguine est une thérapeutique indispensable pour laquelle il n’existe pas actuellement de substitut. La transfusion de produits sanguins labiles est dans la grande majorité des cas très bien tolérée mais elle peut être à l’origine d’effets indésirables chez les receveurs (EIR) notamment de type inflammatoire. Ceci dépend de facteurs liés aux produits eux-mêmes et/ou aux receveurs de par leur prédisposition génétique et de leur état clinique. Les concentrés plaquettaires (CP) sont la principale source de manifestations inflammatoires et/ou allergiques. Ceci est notamment dû, en partie, à la capacité des plaquettes à sécréter une multitude de molécules ayant une activité inflammatoire. De plus, les processus de collecte, de préparation et de conservation induisent un stress vis-à-vis des cellules, qui peut activer les plaquettes et donc induire la production de produits inflammatoires dans les CP. Le but de ce travail de thèse a été dans un premier temps d’identifier les molécules les plus impliquées dans les manifestations inflammatoires. Le sCD40L en particulier est identifié comme étant largement impliqué dans les EIR après transfusion de CP, mais pas systématiquement. Aussi, la composante inflammatoire de ces réactions est multifactorielle. De plus, nous avons évalué le potentiel inflammatoire des CP sur l’endothélium vasculaire. Des différences d’activation des cellules endothéliales, dans un modèle in vitro, ont été observées lorsqu’elles sont en présence de surnageants de CP ayant induits un EIR. Ce travail de thèse poursuit l’effort entrepris par notre équipe de recherche, en vue de prédire la survenue d’EIR et de préciser les mécanismes qui influencent la physiopathologie plaquettaire transfusionnelle ; un corollaire de ces travaux est ainsi d’optimiser les processus de production et de conditionnement des CP transfusés afin de réduire ces réactions inflammatoires. / Blood transfusion is an indispensable therapy for which there is currently no substitute. Transfusion of blood products is in the great majority of cases very well tolerated but it can be at the origin of serious adverse reactions (SARs), notably of inflammatory reactions. This depends on the factors related to the products themselves and/or to the recipients, their genetic predisposition and clinical condition. Platelet concentrates (PCs) are the main source of inflammatory and/or allergic manifestations. This is due, in part, to the ability of platelets to secrete a multitude of molecules with inflammatory activity. In addition, the collection, processing and storage conditions induce stress on cells, which can activate platelets and thus induce the production of inflammatory products in PCs. The purpose of this work is to identify the molecules involved in inflammatory manifestations. sCD40L was identified as being involved in SARs after PCs transfusion, but not systematically. Also, the inflammatory component of these reactions is multifactorial. In addition, we evaluated the inflammatory potential of PCs on the vascular endothelium. Differences in endothelial cell activation, in an in vitro model, were observed when they were in the presence of PC supernatants involved in SARs. This thesis work continues the effort undertaken by our research team to predict the occurrence of SARs and to clarify the mechanisms that influence transfusional platelet physiopathology; a corollary of this work is to optimize the production and conditioning process of PCs transfused in order to reduce these inflammatory reactions.

Epithelial ovarian cancer frequently metastasizes to the omentum, a process that requires pro-angiogenic activation of local microvascular endothelial cells (ECs) by tumour-secreted factors. We have previously shown that ovarian cancer cells secrete factors, other than vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), with possible roles in metastatic angiogenesis including the lysosomal proteases cathepsin L (CathL) and cathepsin D (CathD), and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7). However, the mechanisms by which these factors may contribute to omental endothelial angiogenic changes are unknown. Therefore the aims of this thesis were a) to examine disease relevant human omental microvascular endothelial cell (HOMEC) proliferation, migration and angiogenesis tube-formation induced by CathL, CathD and IGFBP7; b) to investigate whether CathL and CathD act via a proteolytic or non-proteolytic mechanism; c) to identify activated downstream intracellular signalling cascades in HOMECs and their activation in proliferation and migration; and finally d) to identify activated cell surface receptors by these factors. CathL, CathD and IGFBP7 significantly induced proliferation and migration in HOMECs, with CathL and CathD acting in a non-proteolytic manner. Proteome-profiler and ELISA data identified increased phosphorylation of the ERK1/2 and AKT (protein kinase B) pathways in HOMECs in response to these factors. CathL induced HOMEC proliferation and migration via the ERK1/2 pathway, whereas, although CathD-induced proliferation was mediated by activation of ERK1/2, its migratory effect was dependent on both ERK1/2 and AKT pathways. Interestingly, CathL induced secretion of galectin-1 (Gal1) from HOMECs which in turn significantly induced HOMEC proliferation via ERK1/2. However, none of the ERK1/2 or AKT pathways was observed to be active in Gal1-induced HOMEC migration. Interestingly, Gal1-induced proliferation and migration were significantly inhibited by L-glucose, suggesting a role for a receptor with extracellular sugar moieties. IGFBP7-induced migration was shown to be mediated via activation of the ERK1/2 pathway only. CathL, Gal1 and IGFBP7 significantly induced angiogenesis tube-formation in HOMECs which was not observed in CathD-treated cells. Receptor tyrosine kinase array revealed activation of Tie-1 and VEGF receptor type 2 (VEGFR2) in CathL and IGFBP7-treated HOMECs respectively. In conclusion, all CathL, CathD, Gal1 and IGFBP7 have the potential to act as proangiogenic factors in the metastasis of ovarian cancer to the omentum. These in vitro data suggest all four factors activate intracellular pathways which are involved in well-known angiogenesis models.

The incidences of obesity and type 2 diabetes and their complications are increasing globally. The presence of elevated circulating free fatty acids has been associated with the initial dysfunction of pancreatic beta cells and microvascular endothelial cells followed later by their demise. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the mechanisms by which demise occurs, and how it may be prevented. Palmitate, a saturated fatty acid, caused cell death in both INS-1 beta cells and HCMec/D3 microvascular cells, whereas the unsaturated fatty acid oleic acid did not cause cell death, and also protected against palmitate-induced toxicity. Etomoxir, the mitochondrial CPT1 inhibitor did not rescue INS-1 or HCMec/D3 cells from palmitate-induced toxicity suggesting that palmitate-induced toxicity does not occur via entry into the mitochondria. Cells were exposed to 2-bromopalmitate, a non-metabolisable fatty acid used to reduce the pool of cytoplasmic CoA, to determine whether palmitate-induced toxicity might be mediated by its ability to be activated. Pre-incubation with 2-bromopalmitate in INS-1 cells significantly prevented palmitate-induced cell death. These data suggest that the activation of palmitate with CoA might mediate cell death. Cell cycle analysis found that neither oleic acid nor palmitate caused an increase or decrease in cell proliferation in both INS-1 and HCMec/D3 cells. The data suggest that the mechanism of oleic acid-induced cytoprotection might not be via a pro-proliferative mechanism. INS-1 cells were imaged using spontaneous Raman microspectroscopy after 24-hour exposure to esterified and non-esterified fatty acids. Uni- and multi-variate analysis and spectral decomposition were carried out using a methodology optimised and validated which is presented in this thesis. The aim was to quantify changes, if any, in lipid disposition: distribution, intensity (as a measure of concentration) and composition after exogenous exposure to these fatty acids. Exposure to 0.125 mM palmitate showed a significant decrease in the percentage of lipid within the cells and a corresponding increase in the intensity of this lipid. This suggests that palmitate, alone, might be shuttled into lipid droplets. This was not observed when the cells were exposed to oleic acid, whereby an increase in the intensity of lipid was observed even though no significant change was observed in the percentage of lipid within the cells. When palmitate and oleic acid were combined, the composition of the lipid droplets changed such that the levels of palmitate decreased and the levels of oleic acid increased. These data suggest that oleic acid does not shuttle palmitate into lipid droplets. These data do not support the hypothesis that oleic acid protects against palmitate-induced cytotoxicity by shuttling palmitate into lipid droplets. The methyl esters of palmitate and oleic acid were employed to determine whether they would affect lipid disposition. No change in lipid distribution or intensity was observed when the cells were exposed to these fatty acids, validating the requirement for the free carboxyl oxygen for the covalent binding to glycerol for the formation of lipid droplets. These data also suggest that INS-1 cells cannot de-esterify esterified fatty acids.

Orientador: Willian Fernando Zambuzzi / Resumo: Mudanças nas forças tensionais do shear-stress estão associadas a um repertório de cascatas de sinalização celular, as quais modulam em conjunto o fenótipo vascular tornando o tecido endotelial susceptível a variações patofisiológica e, portanto, compreensão do repertório molecular neste cenário é necessária. Com este propósito, nós submetemos células endoteliais de veia umbilical humana (HUVEC) a um circuito de diferentes forças tensionais in vitro, considerando os grupos seguintes: 1. condição de fluxo de shear-stress fisiológico (nomeado Normo); 2. fluxo de shear-stress hipertenso (nomeado Hyper), e 3. células do grupo 2 foram retornadas para a condição Normo (nomeado Return). As amostras foram apropriadamente coletadas para seguir em diferentes metodologias. Nossos resultados mostraram um forte envolvimento de c-Src no controle da cascata de mecanotransdução modulando sinalização necessária para o fenótipo de adesão, sobrevivência (PI3K/AKT) e proliferação celulares. Além disso, c-Src parece desenvolver importante papel durante o remodelamento da Matriz Extracelular (MEC), cujo performance de matriz metaloproteinases (MMPs) mostrou mudanças significativas. Além disso, através de análise proteômica, mostramos um forte envolvimento de Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) nas células estressadas de modo Hyper, reduzindo significativamente no grupo Return. Esse resultado levou-nos a investigar o proteassoma 20S como uma alternativa proteolítica intracelular para promover o turnover ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Shear-stress changes are associated with a repertory of signaling cascade, modulating vascular phenotype. As shear stress-related tensional forces might be associated with pathophysiological susceptibility, a more comprehensive molecular map needs to be addressed. Thus, we subjected human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to a circuit of different tensional forces in vitro considering the following three groups: one in a physiological blood flow shear-stress condition (named Normo), another in which these cells followed to a hypertensive blood flow shear-stress (named Hyper), and finally one that these hyper-stressed cells were returned to Normo condition (named Return). The samples were properly collected to allow different methodologies analysis. Our data showed a pivotal involvement of c-Src on driving the mechanotransduction cascade by modulating signaling related with adhesion, survival (PI3K/Akt) and proliferative phenotype. Moreover, c-Src seems to develop important role during Extracellular Matrix (ECM) remodeling, which showed significative changes. Additionally, proteomic analysis showed strong involvement of Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) in the hypertensive-stressed cells; it being significantly decreased in Return phenotype. This result prompted us to investigate 20S proteasome as an intracellular proteolytic alternative to promote the turnover of those proteins. Surprisingly, our data reveled significant over expression of sets of proteasome subunit α-typ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Orientador: Willian Fernando Zambuzzi / Resumo: As células endoteliais (ECs) e células musculares lisas (AoSMCs) são os principais componentes celulares do endotélio. As interações entre estes tipos celulares desempenham funções na homeostase e na estrutura vascular. Como uma interface entre o sangue e a parede do vaso, as ECs ocupam um local único diretamente exposto ao shear stress (SS), a força mecânica de atrito lateral produzido pelo fluxo de sangue na membrana apical da célula endotelial, que pode influenciar o comportamento de ambas ECs e AoSMCs. Geralmente, AoSMCs não sofrem diretamente às forcas de cisalhamento, no entanto, estas são diretamente expostas ao fluxo sanguíneo quando ocorre alguma injúria vascular, como por exemplo em algumas lesões ateroscleróticas ou por técnicas invasivas, como a angioplastia. As forças hemodinâmicas influenciam as propriedades funcionais do endotélio, porém estas não são profundamente compreendidas quanto aos mecanismos bioquímicos de respostas de células endoteliais e de musculatura lisa. Assim, a proposta desta dissertação foi estabelecer um modelo de cultivo in vitro que mimetize as forças tensionais de cisalhamento (shear stress), buscando compreender mecanismos celulares, bioquímicos e epigenéticos. Cultura de células primárias endoteliais e de musculatura lisa humanas foram obtidas da empresa LONZA e mantidas conforme recomendações do fabricante. Estas células foram mantidas rotineiramente em condições convencionais em incubadora de CO2. Para mimetizar o fluxo sanguíneo, esta... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Mestre

Mutant p53 impacts the expression of numerous genes at the level of transcription to mediate oncogenesis. To investigate how mutant p53 impacts transcription, we studied how mutant p53 regulates vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), one of its strongest target genes that we identified through global gene expression profiling in mutant p53 expressing MDA 468 breast cancer cells. VEGFR2, the primary functional VEGF receptor and clinical target of bevacizumab, mediates endothelial cell neovascularization by promoting increased cellular proliferation, migration, and pro-survival signaling. In breast tumors, VEGFR2 is often aberrantly expressed on the breast tumor epithelia,which correlates with worse overall survival. We identify VEGFR2 as a mutant p53 transcriptional target in multiple breast cancer cell lines. Mutant p53 mediated upregulation of VEGFR2 mediates mutant 53 gain of function including increased cellular growth and migration. In humans, breast tumors with TP53 hotspot mutants have elevated VEGFR2 levels compared to tumors with loss of function mutations. The same class of tumors has significantly upregulated HIF1A and VEGFA compared to TP53 wild type tumors, indicating that mutant p53 containing breast tumors express a neoangiogenic gene signature that may intensify VEGFR2 autocrine signaling. A clinical trial suggests that TP53 mutated breast tumors may specifically respond to anti VEGF therapy, while TP53 wild type tumors may not respond. We suggest that mutant p53 containing breast tumors may be distinctively vulnerable to anti VEGF ntherapies. We investigated how mutant p53 impacts transcription of VEGFR2 using multiple techniques including scanning ChIP, micrococcal nuclease PCR, and in vivo DNase I footprinting by ligation mediated PCR. Mutant p53 was found to bind near the VEGFR2 transcriptional start site, causing the promoter to adopt a transcriptionally active conformation. Using SILAC mass spectrometry, we identified subunits of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex as mutant p53 interactors. Importantly, re ChIP and immunodepletion ChIP demonstrate that mutant p53 and SWI/SNF co-occupy the VEGFR2 promoter. Depletion of multiple SWI/SNF subunits reduced VEGFR2 RNA expression, and SWI/SNF is required for maximal mutant p53 promoter occupancy. Using RNA sequencing, we report that approximately half of all mutant p53 gene alteration impacts transcription of VEGFR2 as well as myriad other target genes by promoter remodeling through interaction with the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex. Therefore, not only might mutant p53 expressing tumors be uniquely susceptible to anti VEGF therapies, but restoration of SWI/SNF tumor suppressor function by targeting mutant p53 may have therapeutic potential. Mutant p53 interaction with the SWI/SNF complex may explain how mutant p53 modulates the expression of such a diverse set of genes.

Moléculas de origem vegetal foram há muito testadas como fonte de drogas antineoplásicas com sucesso promissor. Este trabalho trata dos efeitos antiangiogênicos do Metil Jasmonato. Este derivado hidrofóbico do ácido jasmônico foi demonstrado anteriormente como um agente de dano seletivo para a mitocôndria de células neoplásicas. In vitro, o Metil Jasmonato 1-10 mM promoveu a morte celular de células endoteliais humanas de cordão umbilical (HUVEC) e de melanoma murino (B16 -F10), enquanto concentrações micromolares foram inócuas. A inclusão do Metil Jasmonato em liposomos de fosfatidilcolina e em um nanocarreador hidrofílico baseado em açúcar mostrou efeitos diferenciais sobre a citotoxicidade. A interrupção do ciclo celular foi observada em concentrações citotóxicas, enquanto a diminuição na produção de VEGF e algum grau de autofagia foram sugeridos em concentrações micromolares. In vivo, Metil Jasmonato 1-10mM foi francamente tóxico, e reduziu a densidade de vasos em membranas corioalantóicas de embrião de galinha (CAM). Entretanto, concentrações entre 1-10 ?M produziram um efeito complexo. Ocorreu aumento no brotamento capilar, mas os novos vasos apresentaram-se frágeis e menos organizados que os controles correspondentes. Sugere-se que, além da toxicidade direta, a ação do Metil Jasmonato sobre a angiogênese seja relevante para seu efeito antineoplásico. / Molecular plant components have long been tested as sources for antineoplasic drugs with promising success. The present work deals with the anti-angiogenic effects of Methyl Jasmonate. This hydrophobic Jasmonate derivative was previously demonstrated to selectively damage the mitochondria of cancer cells. In vitro, 1-10 mM Methyl Jasmonate induced the cell death of the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and the Murine melanoma cells (B16-F10), while micromolar concentrations were ineffective. Methyl Jasmonate inclusion in phosphatidylcholine liposomes and in an hydrophilic sugar based nanocarrier presented differential effects upon citotoxicity. Cell cycle arrest was observed in citotoxic concentrations, while VEGF withdrawn and some autophagy was suggested in the micromolar range. In vivo, 1-10mM concentrations were explicitly toxic and reduced the vessel density of the Chorioallantoic Membrane of the Chicken Embryo (CAM). However, 1-10 ?M concentrations produced a complex effect. There was increased capillary budding, but the new vessels were leakier and less organized than corresponding controls. It is suggested that not only direct toxicity, but also the drug effects upon angiogenesis are relevant to the antineoplasic effects of Methyl Jasmonate.

A formação de novos vasos sanguíneos é fundamental para o crescimento tumoral e a disseminação metastática, sendo o fator de crescimento endotelial vascular (VEGF) uma das chaves reguladoras deste processo. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a expressão imunohistoquímica de VEGF nos hemangiossarcomas e hemangiomas esplênicos, e rever a prevalência das demais afecções esplênicas através da análise retrospectiva do diagnóstico histopatológico de cães submetidos à esplenectomia. Os resultados foram confrontados com os exames laboratoriais, as manifestações clínicas, a presença de arritmias cardíacas e de hemoperitôneo. Participaram do estudo retrospectivo 109 cães atendidos no Serviço de Cirurgia de Pequenos Animais do Hospital Veterinário da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade de São Paulo, entre os anos de 2002 e 2009. A média de idade foi de 10 anos (± 3), não foi observado predileção sexual. Cães sem raça definida foram os mais acometidos, com peso médio de 22 kg (± 13). Cinqüenta e dois por cento (57/109) dos animais foram esplenectomizados devido a afecções não neoplásicas, enquanto que 48% (52/109), por neoplasias esplênicas. Dentre estes, o diagnóstico mais freqüente foi o hemangiossarcoma, acometendo 28 (54%) animais. Os sintomas mais freqüentes foram disorexia, apatia e emese. Cães com neoplasias malignas apresentaram níveis de hematócrito e hemácias significativamente menores que os acometidos por massas benignas. Do mesmo modo, a presença de hemoperitôneo, secundário à ruptura esplênica, correlacionou-se significativamente com a presença de neoplasia maligna. Arritmias cardíacas não foram fatores preditivos para a diferenciação da esplenomegalia. A avaliação imunohistoquímica da expressão tecidual de VEGF foi realizada em 23 hemangiossarcomas e 7 hemangiomas, revelando-se significativamente maior nas neoplasias malignas. Tal resultado sugere que a expressão deste fator pode estar relacionada à proliferação maligna observada nos hemangiossarcomas. / New blood vessel formation is a fundamental event in the process of tumor growth and metastatic dissemination, being the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) one of the key regulators of this process. The aim of this study was evaluate the VEGF immunohistochemical expression in splenic hemangiosarcomas and hemangiomas, and review the prevalence of canine splenic disorders through retrospective analysis of histological diagnosis after splenectomy. The results were confronted with laboratory findings, clinical signs and presence of cardiac arrhythmia and hemoperitoneum. A hundred nine dogs were included in the retrospective study at Veterinary Hospital of School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, between 2002 and 2009. The average age was 10 year ± 3, without sexual predilection. Mix breeds were the most frequent, and average weigh was 22kg ± 13. Overall, 52% (57/109) of dogs were splenectomized for nonneoplastic disease, although 48% (52/109) were splenectomized for neoplasia. Among these dogs the most common diagnosis was hemangiossarcoma (28 dogs, 54%). Frequently clinical signs included anorexia, lethargy and vomiting. Dogs with malignant neoplasia had significantly lower red blood cells counts and packed cell volume compared with values for dogs with benign masses. Similarly, hemoperitoneum secondary to splenic rupture had a significant correlation with malignant tumor. Cardiac arrhythmia was not useful in differentiating dogs with splenomegaly. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor was made by immunohistochemical analyses in 23 hemangiosarcomas and 7 hemangiomas being significantly higher in malignant tumor. These data suggest that VEGF expression may contribute to malignant proliferation of hemangiossarcoma.

As doenças cardiovasculares ainda são as principais causas de mortalidade e morbidade em todo o mundo. E a aterosclerose é uma das principais precursoras de vários desfechos clínicos como isquemias e infarto do miocárdio. As placas ateroscleróticas se desenvolvem preferencialmente em regiões de bifurcação ou curvatura dos vasos, onde o shear stress (SS) encontra-se diminuído ou perturbado. A expressão de proteínas pró-aterogênicas em regiões de baixo SS e ateroprotetoras em regiões de SS alto foram relatadas na literatura, porém o mecanismo completo carece de elucidação. Este trabalho teve por objetivo integrar proteômica e metabolômica para um melhor entendimento das alterações moleculares que acontecem nas células endoteliais em situações de alto e baixo SS, que podem resultar no desenvolvimento de lesões e placas ateroscleróticas. Para esta finalidade, células endoteliais foram submetidas a alto e baixo SS em sistema cone plate, seguido de análise proteômica e metabolômica por espectrometria de massas. Nossos dados demonstraram que o metabolismo de lipídio e metabolismo de modificações pós-traducionais de proteínas (N-glicosilações) estavam diminuídos em baixo SS. Em relação ao metabolismo de lipídio, foi identificada diminuição na concentração de ácidos graxos e na expressão de enzimas e proteínas transportadoras de lipídios em células sob baixo SS. O receptor de LDL, proteína importante para a homeostase do colesterol, foi identificado em menor concentração na membrana, bem como com alteração no seu perfil de glicosilação em células após baixo SS. As células submetidas a baixo SS e, portanto, aquelas com perfil pró-aterogênico, quando tratadas com estatina para o aumento da expressão de LDLR, aproximaram seu fenótipo ao de células submetidas a alto SS, adquirindo parte de um fenótipo ateroprotetor, com recuperação dos níveis de aminoácidos, lipídios, açúcares e ácidos carboxílicos. Os dados deste trabalho sugerem que o metabolismo de lipídios é um processo importante na manutenção do perfil ateroprotetor de células submetidas a alto SS. Além disso, as evidências demonstraram que estatinas apresentam uma atividade protetora, não apenas sistêmica, com diminuição do LDL circulante, mas também no microambiente vascular, contribuindo para o bom funcionamento das células endoteliais / Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of the mortality and morbidity worldwide. Atherosclerotic plaque development is closely associated to the hemodynamic forces applied to endothelial cells (EC). Among these, shear stress (SS) plays a key role in disease development since changes in flow intensity and direction could stimulate an atheroprone or atheroprotective phenotype. EC under low and/or oscillatory SS (LSS) have upregulation of inflammatory proteins, adhesion and cellular permeability molecules. On the contrary, cells under high/laminar SS (HSS) increase their expression of protective and anti-inflammatory factors. The mechanism behind the SS regulating an atheroprotective phenotype is not completely elucidated. Here we used proteomics and metabolomics to better understand the changes suffered by endothelial cells under LSS and HSS that promote the atheroprone and atheroprotective profile and how these modifications can be connected to atherosclerosis development. Our data showed that lipid metabolism and post translational modification protein metabolism were downregulated in cells under LSS. About lipid metabolism, we found the LDLR, one important protein in cholesterol homeostasis, showed significant alterations both at the quantitative expression level, as well as regarding post-translational modifications. Under LSS, LDLR was seem at lower concentrations and with a different glycosylation profile. Finally, modulating LDLR with atorvastatin led to the recapitulation of an HSS metabolic phenotype in EC under LSS. The phenotype was recovery based on increasing of amino acids, lipids, sugars and carboxylic acids. Altogether, our data suggest lipid metabolism is important in atheroprotective phenotype of endothelial cells under HSS. Statins showed benefits not only systemic, decreasing cholesterol level in blood, but also in vascular environment, contributing for protector phenotype of endothelial cells