INTRODUÇÃO: As alterações cromossômicas são a primeira suspeita etiológica em indivíduos com múltiplas anomalias congênitas, atraso de desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor e/ou deficiência cognitiva. Verifica-se que em alguns pacientes esse fenótipo está associado a alterações pigmentares como as manchas cutâneas. Porém, nem sempre o resultado do cariótipo em sangue periférico para esses pacientes revela alterações cromossômicas. Dessa forma, a análise cromossômica de outro tecido, como a cultura e cariotipagem dos fibroblastos da pele, torna-se importante para verificar a ocorrência de mosaicismo oculto que poderia explicar o fenótipo clínico. OBJETIVOS: Padronizar e implantar um protocolo para cultura de fibroblastos de pele humana, oriunda de manchas cutâneas de pacientes com atraso de desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor e/ou malformações. Estabelecer o método de cariotipagem molecular de fibroblastos em tecido epitelial e realizar a correlação com o fenótipo. MÉTODOS: Os pacientes foram provenientes do ambulatório de Genética do Instituto da Criança do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (ICR-HCFMUSP). Foram realizados cariótipos de fibroblastos de pele de 15 pacientes com cariótipo de sangue periférico normal, portadores de manchas cutâneas associadas ao atraso de desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor e/ou malformações. A análise citogenética dos fibroblastos foi feita a partir de biópsia cutânea das manchas, seguida dos seguintes procedimentos: cultura de fibroblastos, processamento, cariotipagem por bandamento G e análise citogenética molecular. RESULTADOS: Dentre os 15 casos estudados, 8 apresentaram isocromosomo de 12p (síndrome de Pallister-Killian), 1 apresentou um mosaicismo sexual atípico e os outros 6 apresentaram resultado normal. CONCLUSÃO: A análise cromossômica de fibroblastos foi imprescindível para o diagnóstico de pacientes com manchas cutâneas associadas à múltiplas anomalias congênitas, atraso de desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor e/ou deficiência cognitiva. A abordagem diagnóstica adequada é fundamental para conduzir o tratamento de forma apropriada e para definir o prognóstico desses pacientes, sendo também imprescindível para a realização do aconselhamento genético / INTRODUCTION: Chromosomal aberrations are the first suspected etiology in individuals with multiple congenital anomalies, developmental delay and/or intellectual disability. This phenotype is sometimes associated with pigmentary skin anomalies. However, in some cases the peripheral blood cells karyotype is normal. Therefore, the cytogenetic analysis of other tissues such as culture and karyotyping of skin fibroblasts is important to verify the occurrence of cryptic mosaicism that may explain the clinical phenotype. OBJECTIVES: To standardize and set a protocol for culture of human skin fibroblasts. To perform molecular karyotyping of fibroblasts and establish the correlation with phenotype. METHODS: Patients were recruited from the outpatient clinic of the Genetics Unit of Instituto da Criança do Hospital das Clínicas d Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (ICR-HCFMUSP). The karyotypes of skin fibroblasts were performed in 15 patients with normal blood karyotype, presenting with pigmentary skin anomalies associated with developmental delay and/or malformations. The cytogenetic analysis of fibroblasts was made from skin biopsy of the spots, followed by fibroblast culture, processing, karyotyping by G-banding analysis and molecular cytogenetics. RESULTS: Among the 15 cases studied, 8 showed isochromosome 12p (Pallister-Killian syndrome), 1 had atypical sexual mosaicism and the other 6 had normal results. CONCLUSION: The cytogenetic analysis of skin fibroblasts is crucial for the diagnosis of patients with pigmentary skin anomalies associated with developmental delay and/or malformations. The proper diagnosis is fundamental for the appropriate treatment, to define prognosis for these patients and essential for the genetic counselling

Os hormônios tireoidianos exercem um reconhecido e potente efeito lipolítico no Tecido Adiposo Branco (TAB); no entanto pouco se conhece acerca dos mecanismos moleculares envolvidos nessas ações. Sabe-se que os principais efetores da ação lipolítica nesse tecido são a lipase hormônio sensível (LHS) e a lipase dos triglicerídeos específica dos adipócitos (ATGL), as quais hidrolisam os triglicérides em ácidos graxos e glicerol. Outros componentes envolvidos na atividade lipolítica são os receptores beta adrenérgicos, que ao reconhecerem os seus ligantes, elevam o conteúdo de AMPc intracelular, com subseqüente aumento da atividade da PKA, e as perilipinas, proteínas que envolvem a gota de gordura, formando uma barreira protetora contra a ação da LHS e ATGL, de modo que precisa ser hidrolisada para que a LHS e ATGL possam exercer seu efeito lipolítico. Considerando a importância do tecido adiposo na homeostase energética e que as ações lipolíticas dos HT têm sido pouco exploradas, é objetivo deste estudo e investigar se os HT interferem com a expressão das mesmas. / Thyroid hormones exert a recognized and potent lipolytic effect in white adipose tissue (TAB), yet little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved in these actions. It is known that the main effectors of the lipolytic action in this tissue is hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and lipase specific adipocyte triglycerides (ATGL), which hydrolyze triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol. Other components involved in the lipolytic activity are the beta adrenergic receptors, which recognize their ligands to elevate intracellular cAMP content, with subsequent increased activity of PKA, and perilipin, proteins involving the fat droplet, forming a protective barrier against the action of HSL and ATGL, so that must be hydrolyzed to the HSL and ATGL lipolytic may exert its effect. Considering the importance of body fat for energy homeostasis and that the lipolytic actions of HT have been little explored, and purpose of this study is to investigate whether HT interfere with the expression of the same.

Gastrópodes terrestres secretam muco pela superfície corporal, quando se locomovem, para proteção do corpo contra injúria mecânica, dessecação ou contato com substâncias nocivas. O muco de moluscos tem sido estudado como fonte de novos compostos naturais com diversas atividades biológicas, entre elas a capacidade de induzir proliferação celular. O presente trabalho propôs o estudo do muco produzido pelas lesmas terrestres Phyllocaulis boraceiensis como agente indutor de proliferação celular e síntese de colágeno em cultura de fibroblastos humanos normais, células endoteliais e no reparo de processos cicatriciais no modelo de ferida cirúrgica da derme de camundongos. Fibroblastos tratados com proteínas do muco de P. boraceiensis em concentrações menores que 0,012 <font face=\"Symbol\">mg/µl apresentaram aumento nas taxas de proliferação avaliadas pelo método colorimétrico do MTT e em citometria de fluxo CSFE, mostrando um efeito dose-dependente. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que fibroblastos humanos normais e células endoteliais tratados com 0,012 g/<font face=\"Symbol\">ml de proteínas do muco, aumentaram significativamente a produção e secreção de elementos da matriz extracelular, como as fibras de colágeno. Houve a redução da produção de radicais livres lipídicos poli-insaturados. O ensaio de cicatrização da derme lesionada de camundongos Balb-c tratados com proteínas do muco de P. boraceiensis na concentração de 0,012 <font face=\"Symbol\">mg/µl induziu o reparo da cicatrização com maior eficácia e em menor tempo quando comparado ao grupo controle e aos tratados com a concentração de 0,18 <font face=\"Symbol\">mg/µl. Esses resultados corroboram a premissa de que o muco de P. boraceiensis, assim como o de outros gastrópodes, apresenta propriedade proliferativa das células envolvidas nos processos de cicatrização. / Mucus of molluscs has been studied as a source of new natural compounds with diverse biological activities, as ability to induce cell proliferation. The aim of this study is the potential use of mucus produced by land slugs Phyllocaulis boraceiensis as a promoter of cell proliferation and collagen synthesis in human fibroblasts, endothelial cells and in repair processes of healing wound skin of mice. Fibroblasts treated with P. boraceiensis mucus at concentrations below 0.012 <font face=\"Symbol\">mg/µl have high rates of proliferation as evaluated by the MTT and CFSE flow cytometer assays, proliferative effect was dose-dependent. Fibroblasts and endothelial cells treated with 0.012 <font face=\"Symbol\">mlowg/µl mucus induced a significant increase in production and secretion of extracellular matrix such as collagen fibers. There was a reduction in polyunsaturated lipid production. Healing assay of lesions in mice treated with mucus at 0.012 <font face=\"Symbol\">mg/µl induce repair of the scar more effectively and in less time when compared to the control group and those treated 0.18 <font face=\"Symbol\">mg/µl. These findings support the premise that the P. boraceiensis mucus demonstrates proliferative properties in cells involved in the healing process.

A homeostase da mama normal depende das interações entre células epiteliais e o estroma a elas associado. Estudos anteriores mostraram que no carcinoma mamário o estroma é constituído por células com diferentes funções. Estes elementos do estroma incluem fibroblastos, os quais modulam o comportamento tumoral, fornecendo fatores de crescimento e componentes de matriz extracelular. Nosso objetivo foi investigar a expressão gênica diferencial entre fibroblastos derivados de tecido mamário neoplásico ou não neoplásico e analisar a influência de células epiteliais normais (MCF10A) no perfil de expressão gênica de fibroblastos obtidos de tecido mamário neoplásico. Culturas primárias de fibroblastos foram estabelecidas e a expressão de vimentina e actina de músculo liso foi positiva. Foi realizada a co-cultura destas células com separação por insertos, o que permite a passagem de fatores solúveis, e o RNA foi extraído. Após a amplificação do RNAm foram sintetizadas sondas de cDNA, as quais foram marcadas com fluorocromos conjugados a deoxinucleotídeo, hibridizadas competitivamente sobre lâminas de vidro contendo 4.608 ORESTES criadas no Instituto Ludwig de Pesquisa sobre o Câncer/FAPESP e os sinais fluorescente gerados foram quantificados. Após a normalização destes dados, os genes diferencialmente expressos, com False Discovery Ratio (FDR) menor que 0,05, foram selecionados para análises posteriores. Encontramos 283 genes diferencialmente expressos em fibroblastos derivados de tecido mamário neoplásico quando comparados àqueles derivados de tecido mamário não-neoplásico. Dentre estes genes, 187 foram quantitativamente regulados negativamente (com variação de expressão de 1,05 a 4,14) contra 96 regulados positivamente (variação de expressão de 1,17 a 7,73). A maioria destas alterações foram relacionadas ao transporte entre membranas, transdução de sinal e biosíntese. Estes resultados podem sugerir uma redução na expressão gênica durante o processo de transformação. Após a co-cultura com células MCF10A, encontramos 566 genes diferencialmente expressos nos fibroblastos derivados de tecido mamário neoplásico, 323 foram regulados negativamente (expressão variando de 1,09 a 10,62) e 243 regulados positivamente (variação de expressão de 1,03 a 16,62). A influência das células MCF10A na expressão gênica destes fibroblastos pôde ser vista através da desregulação da expressão de genes relacionados com a proliferação celular, adesão, apoptose e sobrevivência. / The homeostasis of normal breast depends on interactions between epithelial cells and their associated stroma. Previous studies indicated that in breast cancer carcinoma, tumor associated stromal cells with different functions appear to be emerged. These stromal elements include fibroblasts which modulate tumor behavior providing various growth factors and extracellular matrix components. Our aim was to evaluate the differential gene expression between fibroblasts derived from mammary tissue neoplasic or not and to analyze the influence of normal epithelial cells (MCF10A) on gene expression profile of fibroblasts obtained from neoplasic mammary tissue. Fibroblast primary cultures were established and expression of vimentin and smooth cell actin was positive. Co-culture of these cell types separated by inserts, which allow the passage of soluble factors, was done and total RNA was extracted. After mRNA amplification using a template-switching prime, cDNA probes were synthesized, labeled with fluorochrome conjugated deoxynucleotide, a competitive hybridization was undertaken onto cDNA microarray glass slides in which 4,608 ORESTES (open reading frame expressed sequence tags) from Instituto Ludwig de Pesquisa sobre o Câncer/FAPESP bank were spotted and fluorescent signals were quantified. After normalization, the differentially expressed genes, at a False Discovery Ratio (FDR) less then 0.05, were selected for further analysis. We found 283 differentially expressed genes in fibroblasts obtained from neoplasic mammary tissue when compared with non neoplasic derived fibroblasts. Among these genes, 187 were quantitatively down regulated (fold ranging from 1.05 to 4.14) against 96 up regulated (fold ranging from 1.17 to 7.73). The majority of alterations were related to membrane transport, signaling transduction and biosynthesis. Overall these results could suggest a reduced gene expression along transformation process After coculture with MCF10A cells, we found 566 differentially expressed genes in neoplasic mammary tissue derived fibroblasts, 323 were down regulated (fold ranging from 1.09 to 10.62) and 243 up regulated (fold ranging from 1.03 to 16.62). MCF10A influence in mammary tissue neoplasic derived fibroblasts gene expression could be seen trough the deregulation of expression of some genes possibly related cell proliferation, adhesion, apoptosis and survival.

The sphingolipid, ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P), directly binds and activates Group IVA cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2a) to generate eicosanoids. Due to the role of eicosanoids in wound healing, we choose to use our novel genetic mouse model expressing cPLA2a with an ablated C1P interaction site (KI) to examine the cPLA2a/C1P interaction in wound healing. Wound closure rate was not affected, but wound maturation was dramatically enhanced by loss of the C1P/cPLA2α interaction based on the following findings. Wounds in KI mice displayed: i) increased infiltration of dermal fibroblasts into the wound environment; ii) increased wound tensile strength; and iii) higher Type I/Type III collagen ratios. These findings were recapitulated in vitro as primary dermal fibroblasts (pDFs) from KI mice showed significantly increased collagen deposition and migration velocity compared to WT and KO pDFs. Additionally, the KI showed an altered eicosanoid profile of reduced pro-inflammatory prostaglandins (e.g., PGE2) and increased levels of specific HETE species (e.g., 5-HETE). Elevated 5-HETE levels promoted increased dermal fibroblast migration and collagen deposition. This “gain of function” role for the mutant cPLA2a was also linked to differential cellular localization of cPLA2α and 5-HETE biosynthetic factors. These studies demonstrate regulation of key in vivo biological mechanisms by a defined protein:lipid interaction and provide new insights into cPLA2a function.

Orientador: Fernanda Gonçalves Basso / Resumo: A mucosite é um dos principais efeitos adversos do tratamento oncológico e apresenta influência significativa na morbidade e qualidade de vida dos pacientes submetidos a este tipo de tratamento. A etiopatogenia desta condição vem sendo relacionada não só a toxicidade direta dos quimioterápicos e radiação ionizante, mas também a uma ativação exacerbada da resposta inflamatória dos tecidos. Recentemente, o desenvolvimento e a severidade da mucosite oral também tem sido relacionada a expressão exacerbada de metaloproteinases (MMPs), que resulta na desorganização dos tecidos epitelial e conjuntivo e consequentemente, em atraso do processo de reparo. O manejo da mucosite oral tem sido baseado na utilização de agentes analgésicos tópicos, antibióticos e antifúngicos, bem como na aplicação da laserterapia de baixa intensidade (LBI). A LBI apresenta resultados positivos sobre as lesões de mucosite oral, porém, esta modalidade terapêutica requer a utilização de um equipamento de custo moderado e deve ser feita sob supervisão. Desta forma, novas estratégias preventivas e terapêuticas, que possam atuar na modulação da resposta inflamatória e na expressão de MMPs para diminuir a incidência e a severidade das lesões de mucosite oral e também acelerar o processo de reparo têm sido propostas. Estudos recentes demonstraram a efetividade de compostos naturais, como as antocianinas, na redução da incidência e severidade destas lesões. O objetivo desta pesquisa in vitro foi avaliar comparativam... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Mucositis is the major adverse effect of oncological treatment and presents huge impact on oncological patients' morbidity and quality of life. Etiopathogenesis of oral mucositis has been not only related to a direct toxicity of chemotherapy drugs and radiant therapy, but also to an extended inflammatory reaction. Recently, development and severity of oral mucositis has also been associated to increased expression of metalloproteinases (MMPs), that results in disorganization of epithelial and connective tissues, leading to a delayed tissue healing. Treatment of oral mucositis is based on the application of topic analgesic and antimicrobial compounds, as also low-level lasertherapy (LLLT). LLLT shows positive outcomes on oral mucositis, however, this therapy requires the use of a moderate cost equipament and professional supervision. Therefore, new preventive and therapeutic strategies that can act on the modulation of inflammatory response as well as on MMPs expression could decrease the incidence and severity of oral mucositis, therefore enhancing oral mucosa healing. Recent studies demonstrated the effectiveness of natural compounds, such as antocyanins on the decreased incidence and severity of these lesions. Consequently, the aim of the present in vitro study were to assess the effects of proanthocyanidins (PAs, grape seed extract), naringenin (NA, proanthocyanidins-derived synthetic compound), also denominated flavanones, and LLLT as modulators for synthesis of interleukin-6 and MMPs from gingival fibroblasts. Cells were isolated from the papillary gingival tissue of a young (24 years) and healthy individual by enzymatic digestion, then cultured and submitted to different treatments. The influence of two chemotherapeutic agents (5-fluorouracil - 5-FU and methotrexate - MTX) and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and -8) on the induction of MMP-2 and -9 synthesis and gene expression were ... (Complete abstract electronic access below) / Mestre

Doctor of Philosophy / Benign tumours grow by expanding and displacing the surrounding tissues, while malignant tumours replace and destroy the surrounding tissues by invasion. Although there is extensive literature on mechanisms of tumour invasion and metastasis, with an emphasis on angiogenesis, adhesion, degradation of the extracellular matrix and migration, an important question not clearly addressed by the literature, but nonetheless approached in this thesis, is that of the fate of normal cells during tissue replacement by migrating invasive malignant cells. Earlier work in the laboratory where this PhD candidature was carried out, investigated the effect of osteosarcoma cells on endothelium. In contrast to the expected angiogenic effect of malignant cells for endothelium, it was found that the human osteosarcoma cell line (SAOS-2) induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in contact dependent manner (McEwen et al., 2003). It was suggested that apoptosis of endothelium by malignant tumour cells may facilitate tumour invasion and metastasis (McEwen et al., 2003), and one of the aims of the current study was to extend these findings to include human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) and human umbilical artery smooth muscle cells (HUASMC). The major finding of this thesis was that SAOS-2 induced a reduction in the apparent cell culture density of HGF and HUASMC in a contact-dependent manner. The SW480 colorectal carcinoma cell line did not have any clear effect upon the apparent stromal cell culture density of either HGF or HUASMC, suggesting that the effect under investigation was tumour cell line specific. Surprisingly and in contrast to the similar effect reported for endothelium (Chen et al., 2005; McEwen et al., 2003), the effect of SAOS-2 upon HGF and HUASMC was not due to stromal cell apoptosis. Apoptosis was ruled out as a possible mechanism for the reduced apparent culture density under study, by using widely accepted methods which are dependent upon intermucleosomal fragmentation of DNA, the permeability of plasma membranes to dyes in advanced apoptosis and necrosis, phosphatidylserine translocation as well as inhibitor studies blocking both caspase dependent and independent pathways. While apoptosis was not demonstrated, the possibility emerged that reduced apparent stromal cell culture density reflected fusion events rather than the simple removal of cells as had been earlier reported for HUVEC (McEwen et al., 2003). This idea was supported by reduced SAOS-2 circularity in co-culture. Confocal microscopy of cells pre-labelled with fluorescent dyes further supported this idea, with dual-labelling as evidence of cell fusion. Although occasional homotypic fusion of stromal cells was seen, heterotypic fusion of stromal cells with SAOS-2 was much more prevalent. Time lapse microscopy was performed to further characteristic cell fusion in co-cultures, and revealed multiple transient fusions between SAOS-2 and HGF. To work towards determining the biological relevance of the key observation, two stable SAOS-2 GFP clones were generated for future planned studies using human gingival explants and nude mice. Importantly, the clones were similar to native SAOS-2 with regard to alkaline phosphatise expression and reducing apparent stromal cell culture density. Transient fusions between HGF and SAOS-2, may be a mechanism for cooption of stromal cells into the malignant process, facilitating tumour invasion. Additionally, heterocellular fusion of SAOS-2 with stromal cells may facilitate immune evasion, while it seems likely that despite the absence of an identical activity in SW480 cells, other malignant tumour cells may also express similar activity.

Mitochondrial fatty acid �-oxidation disorders are a group of clinically and biochemically heterogeneous defects mainly associated with intolerance to catabolic stress. The diseases are potentially fatal, but treatable and the prognosis for most diagnosed disorders is generally favourable. Early diagnosis is thus important to prevent morbidity and mortality. This project describes an improved and validated quantitative fibroblast acylcarnitine profile assay for the investigation of suspected fatty acid �-oxidation disorders. Intact cells were incubated with deuterium-labelled hexadecanoate and L-carnitine, and the accumulated acylcarnitines in the medium analysed using electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. This modified procedure is less demanding technically, requires fewer cells and better reflects the in vivo acylcarnitine status than previously published methods. Mitochondrial fatty acid �-oxidation is coupled to the respiratory chain. Functional defects of one pathway may lead to secondary alterations in flux through the other. The diagnostic specificity and the prognostic potential of the in vitro acylcarnitine profile assay were investigated in fibroblasts from 14 normal controls, 38 patients with eight enzyme deficiencies of fatty acid �-oxidation presenting with various phenotypes, and 16 patients with primary respiratory chain defects including both isolated and multiple enzyme complex defects. All fatty acid �-oxidation deficient cell lines revealed disease-specific acylcarnitine profiles related to the sites of defects irrespective of the severity of symptoms or of different mutation. Preliminary studies suggested a correlation between severity of symptoms and higher concentrations of long-chain acylcarnitine species. However, the fibroblast acylcarnitine profiles from some patients with respiratory chain defects were similar to those of controls, whereas others had abnormal profiles resembling those found in fatty acid �-oxidation disorders. In vitro acylcarnitine profiling is useful for the detection of fatty acid �-oxidation deficiencies, and perhaps the prediction of disease severity and prognostic evaluation facilitating decisions of therapeutic intervention and genetic counselling. However, abnormal profiles do not exclusively indicate these disorders, and primary defects of the respiratory chain remain a possibility. Awareness of this diagnostic pitfall will aid in the selection of subsequent confirmatory tests and therapeutic options.

<p>Fibroblasts continuously strive to organize and compact the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM). Recent data suggest that this cellular contractility controls interstitial fluid homeostasis in loose connective tissues (CT). The aim of this thesis was to study the effects of prostaglandins on fibroblast contractility and to investigate whether fibroblasts in the interstitial CT surrounding the human endolymphatic duct (ED) can modulate inner ear fluid pressure and endolymph resorption. </p><p>Paper I shows that prostaglandin E1 (PGE₁) and prostacyclin inhibit fibroblast-mediated collagen matrix compaction <i>in vitro</i> and lower the interstitial fluid pressure <i>in vivo</i> in rat dermis. Paper II demonstrates that the inhibition of collagen matrix compaction by PGE₁ is protein kinase A-dependent. Furthermore, PGE₁ induces a complete but reversible actin depolymerization in human dermal fibroblasts by affecting the phosphorylation state of regulatory actin-binding proteins. Paper III describes that the cells of the interstitial CT encompassing the human ED are organized in a network based on intercellular- and cell-ECM contacts. Paper IV shows that two distinct cell phenotypes populate this interstitial CT: one expressing the lymph endothelial marker podoplanin and the other a fibroblast marker. Furthermore, CT cells isolated from human ED tissues exhibited the same tissue compacting properties <i>in vitro</i> as dermal fibroblasts. </p><p>In conclusion, PGE₁ inhibits fibroblast contractility by interfering with the stability and dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton, which leads to a loss of integrin-mediated adhesion to the ECM. These mechanisms are supposedly involved in edema formation in skin during inflammation and might be involved in the formation of endolymphatic hydrops in the inner ear of patients with Ménière’s disease.</p>

Together with the advancements in animal cloning, the ability to efficiently target specific genes in somatic cells would greatly enhance several areas of research. While it has been possible for quite some time to target specific genes in the germ cells of mice, the advancements in somatic cell gene targeting has been slowed for two main reasons. First, the finite lifespan of somatic cells, due mainly to the inability of the somatic cells to regenerate or maintain their telomeres, poses a major problem given the lengthy selection process needed to identify a targeting event. The second problem is the overall inefficiency of homologous recombination. A double strand break or introduction of foreign DNA into a cell can be processed either through the homologous recombination or non-homologous end joining pathways. Of these two, non-homologous end joining is dominant in somatic cells. A two plasmid recombination system was used to study the effects of the manipulation of several non-homologous end joining and homologous recombination pathway molecules on the rates of homologous recombination in porcine fetal fibroblasts. In addition, the effect of telomerase expression, cell synchrony, and DNA nuclear delivery was examined. Results indicate a strong positive relationship between inactivation of p53, cell synchronization, and efficient DNA nuclear delivery in enhancing the rate of homologous recombination. These findings were then applied to an actual locus in the pig, the α1,3 galactosyltransferase gene. Results from these transfections are compared to published accounts of successful targeting at this locus and possibilities for the differences found are discussed.