Prostate cancer micrometastasis allows cancer cells to vacate their original tumor sites and migrate to distant parts of the body via the bloodstream, lymphatic system, or by direct extension. Cells synthesize and secrete matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that degrade proteins of the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM); thus allowing them to escape into the lymphatic or circulatory systems to invade other tissues. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) induces the migration and invasion of cancer cells and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), specifically MMP-2, and -9 in several malignancies. In this study, we examined the role of MMP-7, a known activator of MMP-2 and MMP-9, in TGF-β signaling in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in prostate cancer cells. Basal expression levels of MMP7 mRNA, protein, and secreted protein were determined using RT-PCR, western blot analysis, and ELISA, respectively. Our data show that MMP7 mRNA and proteins were differentially expressed in several cell line models representing different stages of prostate cancer. TGF-β1 induces MMP-7 gene expression and protein levels 24 and 48 hours after treatment in PC3 cells. Our data also show that TGF-β induces cell migration and invasion in PC3 and E006AA cells; however, the selective knockdown of MMP7 expression using siRNA resulted in a significant decrease in control and TGFβ-induced cell migration and invasion in both PC3 and E006AA cells. MMP-7 knockdown also caused significant reduction in cell proliferation in PC3 cells. Our data suggest that MMP7 is essential for cell migration and invasion in prostate cancer cells indicating that it may be required for TGFβ-induced cancer metastases.

The traffic of T cells, that occur when bone marrow-derived T cell precursors penetrate the thymus, with a phenotype of immature cells, and its subsequent output, as mature cells, depends of the thymic blood vessels that consists mainly of thymic endothelial cells. The expression of ligands and receptors of ECM in thymic endothelial cells, as well as its role in the processes of migration and emigration of the T cells from the thymus remains unclear. Our goal was to evaluated the expression of some of ECM ligands and their respective receptors in the strain of thymic endothelial cells tEnd.1. In addition, we aimed to study the role of the components of the ECM in the tEnd.1 cells and thymocytes interaction. First, it was detected by confocal immunofluorescence the presence of ECM proteins fibronectin and laminin, which were also observed through flow cytometry. The presence of their respective receptors, VLA5 and VLA6, were highlighted by immunoperioxidase and flow cytometry. Assays of adhesion showed that the use of antibodies anti-VLA5 and anti-VLA6 seems to block at least partially, the adhesion of thymocytes to endothelial cells. In addition, the transendothelial migration assay showed less migration in absolute cell number of the thymocytes pre-treated with antibodies anti-receptors of ECM, although this migration was not statistically significant. Finally, when the phenotype of the transmigrated thymocytes was observed, there was not difference in the migration pattern among them. This investigation shows that the thymic endothelial cells are able to express fibronectin and laminin proteins, as well as, their respective receptors VLA5 and VLA6, and suggests that these molecules could participate in the processes of intrathymic lymphocytes migration. / Os precursores das células T sofrem diferenciação e seleção intratímica através das interações com os componentes do microambiente tímico. Este é constituído em sua grande maioria por células epiteliais tímicas (TEC), macrófagos, células dendríticas, fibroblastos e os produtos de secreção dessas células, tais como hormônios, interleucinas e moléculas de matriz extracelular (ECM). O tráfego de células T, que a princípio penetram no timo provenientes da medula óssea, com fenótipo de células imaturas e, a sua posterior saída, como células maduras, depende terminantemente dos vasos sanguíneos que irrigam o órgão. Tais vasos são constituídos principalmente de células endoteliais tímicas. Tendo em vista que a expressão de ligantes e receptores de ECM em células endoteliais tímicas, assim como sua função nos processos de migração e emigração de células T do timo permanece pouco estudada, neste trabalho foi avaliada a expressão de alguns ligantes de ECM e seus respectivos receptores em uma linhagem de células endoteliais tímicas, tEnd.1. Além disso, estudou-se também o papel destes componentes de ECM na interação entre as células tEnd.1 e os timócitos. A princípio, foi detectado por imunofluorescência confocal a presença das proteínas de ECM fibronectina e laminina, que foram também observadas através de citofluorimetria, enquanto a presença de seus respectivos receptores, VLA5 e VLA6, foram evidenciados por imunoperoxidase e citofluorimetria. Ensaios de adesão sugeriram que o uso de anticorpos anti-receptores de ECM, anti-VLA5 e anti-VLA6, inibem pelo menos parcialmente, a adesão de timócitos às células endoteliais tEnd.1. Por fim, ensaios de migração transendotelial demonstraram claramente uma menor migração em números absolutos dos timócitos pré-tratados com anticorpos anti-receptores de ECM, embora essa diminuição não tenha sido estatisticamente significativa. Tomando em conjunto, os dados neste trabalho demonstraram que as células endoteliais tímicas da linhagem tEnd.1 são capazes de expressar tanto ligantes de ECM, como seus respectivos receptores, sugerindo ainda, a participação destas moléculas nos processos de migração de linfócitos intratímicos.

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / O propósito do presente trabalho foi investigar a participação da proliferação celular e da expressão dos componentes da matriz extracelular na cascata de eventos do processo de reparo da fratura óssea, empregando as técnicas histológica, imunohistoquímica e morfométrica, em um modelo experimental padronizado para a indução da lesão na tíbia de ratos a partir do método empregado por Yuehuei e Friedman7. É importante padronizar um modelo de indução da fratura, para posterior investigação da participação das células e dos componentes da matriz extracelular no processo de reparo da fratura, considerando que o tempo de consolidação depende significantemente da natureza e do tipo da lesão produzida. Quarenta (n = 40) ratos Wistar foram submetidos a fratura . Os animais foram avaliados em oito (n = 8) grupos de cinco (n = 5) animais, cada grupo emperimental com 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 144, 192 e 240 horas após a fratura (12h até 10 dias). As fraturas foram classificadas de acordo com o sistema de classificação internacional de fratura de Muller100, AO (Associação para Osteosíntese). Foram encontradas fraturas simples em 86% do total, sendo 68% de fraturas transversas e 18% de fraturas obliquas, 14% do total de fraturas foram complexas, sendo 8% de fraturas irregulares e 6% de fraturas segmentares. Esses resultados demonstram que o aparelho permite padronizar radiológicamente o tipo de fratura, caracterizado pela linha que separa os fragmentos ósseos. Os resultados qualitativos dos componentes da matriz extracelular para TGF-β, VEGF, colágeno I e II, osteopontina, proteoglicanos, fibras do sistema elástico com a coloração de resorcina funcsina de Weigert, e para proliferação celular pelo PCNA, assim como os resultados morfométricos, sugerem que a modulação da expressão dos componentes da matriz extracelular e a proliferação celular durante o processo de reparo da fratura não é homogênea para todos os componentes teciduais, dependendo significantemente das tensões locais geradas pelo tipo da linha de fratura que pode ser determinante no tempo de regeneração do osso e na qualidade da restauração das propriedades biomecânica. Nossos achados podem contribuir para melhor compreensão da reparo de fratura óssea e para novas abordagens terapêuticas que considerem as propriedades biomecânicas do tecido ósseo em reparo nas suas diferentes etapas / The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of cells proliferation and extracellular matrix components expression in the process of bone fracture repair. To do so it used histological techniques, immunohistochemistry and morphometric analysis as well as a standardized experimental model for the induction of injury to the tibia of rats as proposed by Yuehuei and Friedman7. It is important to standardize a model of fracture induction for further investigation of the involvement of cells and extracellular matrix components in the fracture repair process, whereas the healing time depends significantly on the nature and type of lesion produced. Forty (n = 40) Wistar rats were subjected to fracture. The animals were divided into eight (n = 8) groups of five (n = 5). Each subgroup was observed after 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 144, 192 and 240 hours of fracture (12 to 10 days). Immediately afterwards, the fractures were classified according to the system of international classification of fracture by Muller100, AO (Association for Osteosynthesis). Simple fractures were found in 86% of the total, among them, 68% were transverse and 18% were oblique. Complex fractures were found in 14% of the cases, among them 8% were irregular and 6% were segmental. These results demonstrated that the device enables researchers to standardize the type of fracture by X-ray, marked by the line separating the bone fragments. The qualitative results of the cells and extracellular matrix components of TGF-β, VEGF, PCNA, collagen I and II, osteopontin, proteoglycans, elastic fibers system with resorcin funcsin of Weigert, as well as the morphometric results suggest that the repair process of the fracture is not homogeneous for all components. Expression of the extracellular matrix components and cell proliferation modulation significantly depends on the local stresses generated by the type of the fracture. Such type can be decisive in determining time duration for bone regeneration and quality of the biomechanical properties restoration. Our findings may contribute to better understanding of bone fracture repair and for new therapeutic approaches that consider the biomechanical properties of bone tissue in repair in its different stages

Recreating organ-specific microenvironments of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in vitro has been an ongoing challenge in biofabrication. In this study, I present a biofunctional ECM-mimicking protein scaffold with tunable biochemical, mechanical and topographical properties. This scaffold, formed by microfibres, displays three favorable characteristics as a cell culture platform: high-loading of key ECM proteins, single-layered mesh membrane with controllable mesh size, and flexibility for supporting a range of cell culture configurations. Decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) powder was used to fabricate this protein scaffold, as a close replicate of the chemical composition of physiological ECM. The highest dECM concentration in the solidified protein scaffold was 50 wt%, with gelatin consisting the rest. In practice, a high density of dECM-laden nano- to microfibres was directly patterned on a variety of substrates to form a single layer of mesh membrane, using the low-voltage electrospinning patterning (LEP) method. The smallest fibre diameter was measured at 450 nm, the smallest mesh size of the membrane was below 1 μm, and the thickness of the membrane was estimated to be less than 2 μm. This fabrication method demonstrated a good preservation of the key ECM proteins and growth factors, including collagen IV, laminin, fibronectin, VEGF and b-FGF. The integrated fibrous mesh exhibited robust mechanical properties, with tunable fibril Young’s modulus for over two orders of magnitude in the physiological range (depending on the dECM concentration). Combining this mesh membrane with 3D printing, a cell culture device was constructed. Co-culture of human glomerulus endothelial cells and podocytes was performed on this device, to simulate the blood-to-urine interface in vitro. Good cell attachment and viability were demonstrated, and specific cell differentiation and fibronectin secretion were observed. This dECM-laden protein scaffold sees the potential to be incorporated into a glomerulus-on-chip model, to further improve the physiological relevance of in vitro pathological models.

abstract: Mechanical properties (e.g. deformability or stiffness) are critical to a cancer cell's ability to maneuver through and exert forces upon the extracellular matrix, and thus affect its ability to metastasize. §3.1 introduces the experimental method combining atomic force microscope (AFM) based indentation and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). §3.2 presents a method combining AFM and confocal microscopy (AFM stiffness nanotomography), and results on normal and pre-cancerous esophageal cells which indicate that even in the earliest stages, cancer cells exhibit increased deformability. §3.3 presents experimental results on weakly metastatic breast cancer cells that compare well with values obtained from other experimental methods and demonstrates that the mechanical response of cells to sharp and mesoscale probes differ significantly. §3.4 presents experimental results indicating that metastatic breast cancer cells are more deformable than normal counterparts, and demonstrates that indentation measurements with sharp probes are capable of identifying mechanical differences between cytoplasmic, nuclear and nucleolar regions of the cell. §3.5 presents results on weakly metastatic breast cancer cells sensitive and resistant to tamoxifen (an estrogen antagonist), and demonstrate that estrogen has a significant effect on cell stiffness. §3.6 applies stiffness nanotomography to study metastatic breast cancer cells allowed to invade 3D collagen gels, demonstrating the ability to use AFM indentation on heterogeneous samples, and shows that cell stiffness increases during the invasion process for partially and fully embedded metastatic breast cancer cells. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Physics 2014

In vivo, les cellules osseuses évoluent dans un microenvironnement complexe, tridimensionnel et interagissent avec celui-ci à de nombreuses échelles, depuis le nanomètre (tropocollagène) jusqu’à des structures de plusieurs centaines de micromètres (trabécules). Paradoxalement, la majeure partie de nos connaissances sur la physiologie cellulaire est issue d’expériences réalisées sur des cellules cultivées sur du plastique et en deux dimensions. Ces différences ne peuvent qu’avoir une influence sur le comportement des cellules, qui n’entretiennent plus les mêmes relations spatiales entre elles, ainsi qu’avec leur environnement. De plus, si ces dernières années, nombre d’études ont été réalisées sur l’influence de la topographie à des échelles nano et micrométriques, peu d’études ont montré le rôle de la géométrie du substrat à une échelle tissulaire, soit au sein de structures supérieures à 100 µm. Afin d’étudier l’influence de la macroarchitecture du substrat sur le comportement cellulaire, des céramiques en hydroxyapatite à architecture contrôlée ont été ensemencées avec des cellules primaires de calvaria de souris. Une première étude a été entreprise sur des substrats macroarchitecturés, présentant des sillons de différentes géométries : sillons semi-circulaires (Wave), sillons triangulaires à angle de 90° ou à angle de 45°. Plus la géométrie du substrat était refermée (45°>90°>Wave), plus la différenciation ostéoblastique était rapide. Cela s’est traduit par une augmentation des niveaux d’expression génique et protéique d’ostéocalcine et de sclérostine, indiquant la présence d’ostéocytes au sein de l’important tissu déposé par les cellules. De plus, au sein de la géométrie à l’angle le plus fermé (i.e. « 45° »), des structures fibreuses minéralisées, orientées parallèlement au fond du substrat ont été observées. Cette orientation s’est confirmée au niveau cellulaire, avec une orientation similaire des fibres de stress et un étirement des noyaux cellulaires. La géométrie du substrat influence donc le comportement des cellules en modifiant très probablement leur signalisation intracellulaire. Ces investigations ont été poursuivi par le développement d’un modèle d’ostéogénèse 3D sous perfusion au sein du bioréacteur BOSE ElectroForce® 5270 BioDynamic®de la plateforme Equipex IVTV, afin d’explorer les interactions cellulaires-substrat en réponse à des contraintes mécaniques (forces de cisaillement). Le dépôt tissulaire était particulièrement abondant au sein des pores triangulaires à angle de 45°, confirmant les données obtenues sur les substrats macroarchitecturés et laissant penser que ce type de pores est le plus à même de permettre une différenciation ostéoblastique optimale. Les résultats de ces travaux pourront permettre des avancées dans la compréhension de la biologie de l’os, mais également dans la conception d’implants innovants destinés à la réparation de défaux osseux, avec une ostéointégration stimulée via la présence de structures à géométrie fermée, tel que des sillons triangulaires à angles de 45°. / In vivo, cells reside in a complex and three-dimensional microenvironment, with which they interact at multiple scales, from the nanometer (tropocollagen) to structures of several hundred of micrometers (trabeculae). However, most of our knowledge on cell physiology has been obtained from cells grown in Petri dishes, on plastic and in two dimensions. In those conditions, the spatial relationships between cells and their environment can only be deeply modified. Moreover, if the impact of substrate closure at a cellular level is particularly well documented, very few studies have shown its role at a tissue level (i.e. greater than 100 µm), and thus focused mostly on the matrix deposition rather than on the osteoblastic differentiation. In order to study the effects of substrate macroarchitecture on cells, primary mouse calvarial cells were seeded on hydroxyapatite-based bioceramics, made from wax molds by 3D printing. A first study was conducted on macroarchitectured substrates. These bioceramics have three patterns of different degrees of closure: semi-circular grooves (Wave), triangular grooves with 90° angle and triangular grooves with 45° angle. The tighter was the substrate geometry (45°> 90°> Wave), the faster was osteoblastic differentiation. This resulted in increased levels of gene and protein expression of osteocalcin and sclerostin, indicating the presence of osteocytes inside the tissue layed by cells. Moreover, in the tightest geometry (i.e. 45°), mineralized fibrous structures, oriented parallel to the bottom substrate were observed. This orientation was confirmed at the cellular level, with a similar orientation of stress fibers and a stretch of cell nuclei. Thus, the substrate macroarchitecture influences the cellular behavior by, most likely, modifying the intracellular signaling. These investigations were pursued with the development of a 3D model of osteogenesis under perfusion, in the BOSE 5270 ElectroForce® BioDynamic® bioreactor of the IVTV Equipex platform, to explore cell-substrate interactions in response to mechanical stress (shear forces). Tissue deposition was particularly abundant in the triangular pores with 45° angles, confirming our previous observations and suggesting that this geometry was able to promote osteoblast differentiation.Our results could lead to breakthroughs in the understanding of the bone biology but also in the design of innovative implants for the repair of bone defects, with a stimulated osseointegration throught the presence of structures with closed geometries, such as triangular grooves with 45° angles.

The renewal rate of stromal and myofibrillar proteins defines muscle growth, and can affect the quality of meat, by affecting collagen turnover and proteolytic rate. There is a lack of information on changes in the muscle protein remodeling process in response to the recovery weight gain rate observed during \"realimentation\" after undernutrition, which may be altered in older animals. Changes in muscle tissue during the recovery period may be indicated by the differential expression profile of genes after RNA sequencing. The objectives of this study were to evaluate transcriptome changes in the muscle of Nellore cull cows subjected to: 1) recovery weight gain under grazing conditions; and 2) recovery from undernutrition at different weight gain rates. In the first experiment, the animals were divided into two groups and subjected to one of two nutritional managements under grazing conditions: maintenance (maintenance of weight and high body condition score under grazing conditions) and recovery gain (recovery from low body condition score with moderate body weight gain of 0.6 kg/day under grazing conditions). In the second experiment, the animals were divided into three groups and subjected to one of three nutritional managements under feedlot conditions: control (slaughtered at low body condition score), moderate recovery gain (MG; 0.6 kg of daily live weight gain) during the dry season, and high recovery gain (HG; 1.2 kg of daily live weight gain) during the dry season. In both experiments, samples of longissimus dorsi muscle were collected after slaughter and immediately frozen until sequencing analysis could be performed. In the first experiment, genes related to inflammatory response, such as semaphorin 4A (SEMA4A), solute carrier family 11 member 1 (SLC11A1), ficolin-2 (FCN2), and placental growth factor (PGF), were expressed at higher levels during recovery gain. In the second experiment, osteonectin (SPARC) and collagen type IV subunits 1 (COL4A1) were expressed at higher levels in both recovery gain and connective tissue remodeling. For MG, structural myofibrillar proteins such as myosin IE (MYO1E), myosin, heavy chain 11 (MYH11), myogenin (MYOG), and actinin, alpha 4 (ACTN4) were identified. In the HG treatment, the B-cell CLL/lymphoma 9 (BCL9), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARA), diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2), and phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase, catalytic, and beta (PI4KB) genes indicated more deposition of adipose tissue. In summary, we observed that muscular deposition during recovery weight gain involved the regulation of expression of several genes related to the extracellular matrix (ECM), corroborating the inflammatory and -like models observed in mature animals. Moreover, in the HG group, genes related to collagen synthesis and fat deposition were also found, indicating the important contribution of connective tissue during muscle growth. These results are important for understanding tissue development as a whole, and will assist in the progress of scientific knowledge on muscle remodeling during recovery weight gain and its influence on protein structures and intracellular routes. / A taxa de renovação do estroma e proteínas miofibrilares define o crescimento muscular, e pode afetar a qualidade da carne, afetando turnover de colágeno e taxa proteolítica. Há uma falta de informação sobre as mudanças no processo de remodelação de proteína muscular em resposta à taxa de recuperação do ganho de peso, observada durante a \"realimentação\" depois de subnutrição, o que pode ser alterado em animais mais velhos. Alterações no tecido muscular durante o período de recuperação pode ser indicada pelo perfil de expressão diferencial de genes, pela técnica de sequenciamento de RNA. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar as alterações do transcriptoma na musculatura de vacas de descarte Nelore submetidas a: 1) a recuperação do peso em condições de pastejo; e 2) a recuperação da desnutrição em diferentes taxas de ganho de pesos. No primeiro experimento, os animais foram divididos em: grupo de manutenção (manutenção de peso e de alta escore corporal); Recuperação do ganho (recuperação de baixo escore corporal com o ganho de peso corporal moderado em 0,6 kg / dia sob pastejo). No segundo experimento, os animais foram divididos em três grupos em confinamento: Controle (abatidos com baixo escore de condição corporal), ganho moderado (0,6 kg de ganho de peso vivo por dia) durante a estação seca e alta recuperação de ganho (1,2 kg de ganho de peso vivo por dia) durante a estação seca. Nos dois estudos, amostras do Longissimus dorsi foram coletadas após o abate e imediatamente congeladas até à análise de sequenciamento ser realizada. No primeiro experimento, os genes encontrados no tratamento de recuperação do ganho foram relacionados com a resposta inflamatória como: 4A semaphorin (SEMA4A), solute carrier family 11 member 1 (SLC11A1), Ficolin 2 (FCN2) e placental growth factor (PGF). No segundo experimento, o osteonectina (SPARC), colágeno tipo IV subunidades 1 (COL4A1) foram alguns dos genes mais expressos para ambas as taxas de ganho de recuperação de remodelação do tecido conjuntivo. Para ganho moderado, foram identificadas proteínas miofibrilares estruturais como: Myosin IE (MYO1E), Myosin, Heavy Chain 11 (MYH11), (MYOG) and actinin, alpha 4 (ACTN4). No tratamento de alta recuperação de ganho, genes como CLL de célula B / 9 linfoma (BCL9), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARA), Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) and Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase, Catalytic, Beta (PI4KB) indicam maior deposição de tecido adiposo. Em resumo, observou-se que a deposição muscular durante a recuperação do ganho de peso envolve a regulação da expressão de vários genes relacionados com a matriz extracelular (ECM), corroborando com modelos de inflamação e similar a fibrose observada em animais maduros. Além disso, no grupo HG, genes relacionados com a síntese de colágeno e a deposição de gordura, também foram encontrados, indicando contribuição do tecido conjuntivo durante o crescimento muscular. Estes resultados são importantes para a compreensão do desenvolvimento do tecido como um todo, e auxiliam no progresso do conhecimento científico sobre a remodelação muscular durante a recuperação do ganho de peso e sua influência sobre estruturas de proteínas e vias intracelulares.

Lesões na inervação do trato urinário inferior ocasionado por traumatismo raquimedular afetam geralmente o músculo detrusor e o esfíncteres uretrais. Estas alterações acarretam problemas basicamente de incontinência urinária e aumento da pressão intravesical, decorrente deste traumatismo, trazendo consequências para o funcionamento do sistema urinário superior. Quantificar os elementos fibrosos da matriz extracelular e fibras musculares das bexigas neurogênicas hiper-reflexas comparando-as com bexigas normais. Foram utilizadas 6 amostras de bexigas neurogênicas de indivíduos que foram submetidos a cirurgia de reparação por cistoenteroplastia realizados pelo serviço de urologia do Hospital Municipal Souza Aguiar, estas amostras foram fixadas imediatamente em solução tamponada de formalina a 10%. O controle com amostras iguais as do estudo extraída de cadáveres cuja causa morte não relacionava-se ao sistema urogenital macroscópicamente. O material foi submetido as seguintes técnicas histoquímicas: H&E, van Gieson e Resorcina Fucsina resorcina de Weigert com prévia oxidação pela oxona. Imunohistoquímica: anti-elastina. A observação dos cortes corados pelo van Gieson demonstrou uma diminuição significativa do músculo liso de 13% e aumento do colágeno em 72% e as fibras do sistema elástico um aumento de 101%. Conclusão. Nas bexigas neurogênicas hiper-reflexas o músculo detrusor e os elementos fibrosos da matriz foram profundamente modificados. As fibras do sistema elástico foram as mais afetadas. / Lesions on lower urinary tract innervations caused by spinal cord injuries usually affect the detrusor muscle and urethral sphincter. Beside the smooth muscle fibers, the collagen fibers and elastic system fibers, fibrous components of the extracellular matrix of the bladder wall, are strongly related to vesicle bladder compliance. For this reason the aim of this work is to quantify the fibrous elements of the extracellular matrix and muscle fibers of the neurogenic bladder hyperreflexia. Samples of neurogenic bladder were obtained from six men who had previously undergone surgical repair. The control group samples (n=6) were similarly obtained from patients whose deaths were not related to the urogenital system. The samples were stained using the following histochemical techniques: H&E, Van Gieson, Weigert and Sirius Red. Sections stained with Sirius Red were observed under polarization light microscopy to characterize possible different kinds of collagen. Immunohistochemical technique was used to characterize and quantify the elastic system fibers. Quantification analysis was performed by stereological methods. An increase of 72% of the collagen was observed. Nevertheless, the most significant difference observed was the raising of 101% of the elastic system fibers. Contrary the smooth muscle fibers showed a decrease of 13%. In the neurogenic bladder with detrusor hyperreflexia the fibrous elements of the extracellular matrix and smooth muscle fibers were greatly modified. The elastic system fibers seem to be the most affected in this disease.

La Ténascine-C (TNC) est une molécule de la matrice extracellulaire qui est anormalement surexprimée dans entre autres, le cancer du sein. Le but principal de ma thèse était de mieux comprendre les différentes contributions de la TNC, durant l’établissement et progression des cancers mammaires. Mes résultats acquis avec le modèle transgénique NeuNT soutiennent fortement la notion que la TNC exerce des rôles pléiotropiques et cruciaux à la fois à des stades précoces et à des stades ultimes de la progression tumorale mammaire. D'autre part, j’ai développé de nouvelles lignées cellulaires cancéreuses mammaires syngéniques à partir des deux modèles transgéniques. En utilisant des modèles murins et des approches in vitro, mon travail de doctorat a permis de mettre en lumière différentes contributions importantes de la TNC au cours de la carcinogenèse mammaire. Les analyses encore en cours permettront rapidement de mieux cerner les mécanismes moléculaires et cellulaires mis en jeu en aval de la TNC et impliqués dans la progression tumorale mammaire. / The microenvironment, which comprises the extracellular matrix (ECM), plays instrumental roles during tumor formation and progression. Tenascin-C (TNC) is a major ECM component highly expressed in breast cancer, correlating with poor prognosis, tamoxifen resistance and lung metastasis formation. TNC exerts pleiotropic effects by promoting tumor cell survival, proliferation and invasion as well as angiogenesis , inflammation and metastasis. The main goal of my thesis was to try to comprehensively understand the several contributions of TNC during breast cancer establishment and progression to metastatic disease. My analyses revealed that the absence of TNC does not affect breast tumorigenesis in the MMTV-PyMT breast cancer mouse model, confirming a previous study. More interestingly, using the MMTV-NeuNT model, we show that TNC promotes primary tumor initiation and lung metastatic colonization. In the lung, TNC increases of cancer cell survival in intravascular metastases and promotes their progression. Additionally, we established breast cancer cell lines from MMTV-PyMT and MMTV-NeuNT mouse models that grow in vitro and are tumorigenic when re-Implanted in syngeneic, fully immuno-Competent mice. In this work we had shown that TNC participates in tumor initiation and in lung metastasis colonization in an ErbB2-Driven transgenic breast cancer mouse model. The established cell lines are alternative tools useful for in vivo and in vitro studies in breast cancer research.

Diversos estudos, in vivo e in vitro, demonstraram a atividade antitumoral da Crotoxina (CTX), toxina majoritária do veneno de serpente Crotalus durissus terrificus, porém, não foi demonstrada, até o momento, a ação desta toxina sobre eventos envolvidos com a neovascularização, essenciais para o crescimento e sobrevivência do tumor. Assim, neste estudo foi investigado o efeito in vitro da CTX sobre os eventos envolvidos com a angiogênese. A CTX inibiu, principalmente na concentração de 1,2µg/mL, a proliferação, adesão e a morfologia das células endoteliais murinas derivados do hemangioma do timo (t.End.1) sobre as matrizes de laminina, colágeno tipo I e fibronectina, bem como a migração por meio dos modelos de cicatrização (Wound Healing), quimiotaxia (transwell) e a formação de tubos no matrigel 3-D, tanto na presença de meio de cultura como no meio condicionado de célula tumoral. Ainda, a CTX inibiu a distribuição das subunidades v e 2 de integrinas e a polimerização do citoesqueleto de actina, evidenciados em microscopia confocal. Os resultados demonstram, pela primeira vez, que a CTX inibe os principais eventos envolvidos com a angiogênese, podendo contribuir de forma importante para o efeito inibitório da toxina sobre a progressão tumoral. / Several studies, in vivo and in vitro have demonstrated antitumor activity of Crotoxin (CTX), the major toxin of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom. Despite evidence of antitumor action of CTX, was not demonstrated yet the action of this toxin on basic parameters for neovascularization, essential for the growth and survival of the tumor. The formation of new blood vessels is the principal process of angiogenesis and involves adhesion, proliferation and migration of endothelial cells to reach remote targets, assembly of endothelial cells into new capillary tubes. CTX (1.2 µg/mL, for 1 hour incubation), inhibited cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, scratch wound healing and capillary-like tube formation on 3-D matrix of endothelial cells line derived from thymus (t.End.1) evaluated in vitro assay at culture medium or conditioned medium obtained from tumour cells culture. Also, this toxin interfered with the distribution of the integrin subunits 2 and v and with the cytoskeleton rearrangement these cells, evidenced in confocal microscope. Taken together, these results demonstrated for the first time, that CTX inhibits key events involved in the angiogenesis process, and may contribute for inhibitory effect of the toxin on tumor progression.