Esta tese de doutoramento relata estudos sobre a interação de nanotubos de carbono com nanomateriais, biomoléculas e células, com o propósito de obter informações relevantes para o desenvolvimento de biossensores e para o campo da nanotoxicologia. No primeiro estudo, foram produzidos e caracterizados três tipos de eletrodos modificados com filmes multicamadas obtidos através da técnica de automontagem. Estes filmes continham nanotubos de carbono de parede simples (SWNT), ftalocianina tetrasulfonada de níquel (NiTsPc) e o dendrímero poli(amidoamina) de geração 2 (PAMAM G2), e estes polieletrólitos foram organizados nos seguintes sistemas: (PAMAM G2/NiTsPc), (PAMAM G2/SWNT) e (nanocompósito SWNT/PAMAM G2 / NiTsPc). Medidas de voltametria cíclica com a sonda ferrocianeto de potássio revelaram que os três sistemas podem ser aplicados como eletrodos descartáveis por serem instáveis e que os dois sistemas com NiTsPc apresentam um amplo intervalo de potencial para detecção de analitos sem a interferência dos picos redox da Pc. Também foram conduzidos ensaios de citometria de fluxo para avaliação da toxicidade de nanocompósitos contendo nanotubos de carbono e poli(amidoamina) de gerações 2, 4 e 6 em células F C3H, correspondentes a fibroblastos saudáveis de fígado humano. Os resultados mostraram que o contato com os nanomateriais provoca uma queda significativa na viabilidade deste tipo de célula, e apontam para a necessidade de aprofundar a investigação sobre os efeitos biológicos deste nanocompósito para que ele seja aplicado com segurança como um vetor de drogas e material genético. A última parte da tese é dedicada a explorar ferramentas computacionais para elucidar os mecanismos de formação do nanocompósito SWNT/PAMAM G2 e sua interação com modelos de membrana celular. Simulações por dinâmica molecular revelaram que a estabilidade do nanocompósito é mantida por interações entre as paredes apolares dos nanotubos e as cadeias internas não polares do dendrímero. O estudo envolvendo bicamadas lipídicas sugeriu que a presença de espécies aniônicas, como as fosfatidilserinas, é crucial para iniciar a ligação desta nanopartícula à membrana celular. O contato do nanocompósito com a bicamada resultou na extração destrutiva de lipídeos da membrana, um efeito deletério que pode causar danos às células. / This thesis describes the interaction between carbon nanotubes and nanomaterials, biomolecules and cells, to obtain relevant information for the development of biosensors and the progress of the nanotoxicology field. In a first study, we produced and characterized three types of modified electrodes made from layer-by-layer films. These nanostructures had single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT), nickel tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine (NiTsPc) and poly(amidoamine) dendrimer, generation 2 (PAMAM G2). These polyelectrolytes were organized in the following multilayers: (PAMAM G2/NiTsPc), (PAMAM G2/SWNT) and (SWNT/PAMAM G2 nanocomposite / NiTsPc). Cyclic voltammetry measurements with a potassium ferrocyanide probe revealed that the three systems can be used as disposable electrodes for being unstable and that the two systems with NiTsPc exhibit a wide useful potential interval for detection without the interference of the Pc redox peaks. We also performed flow cytometry experiments to evaluate the toxicity of nanocomposites containing carbon nanotubes and poly(amidoamine) generations 2, 4 and 6 in F C3H cells, derived from healthy human liver fibroblasts. The results showed that the contact with these nanomaterials decreases the viability of this type of cell and point to the need to further determine the biological effects of this nanocomposite before it can be safely applied as a vector for drugs and genetic material. The last part of the thesis explores computational tools to unravel the mechanisms behind the formation of the nanocomposite SWNT/PAMAM G2 and its interaction with cell membrane models. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the stability of the nanocomposite is kept mainly by interactions between the apolar nanotube walls and the inner non polar chains of the dendrimer. The study involving lipid bilayers suggested that the presence of anionic species, such as phosphatidylserines, is crucial to trigger the binding of this nanoparticle to the cell membrane. The contact of the nanocomposite with the bilayer resulted in the destructive extraction of lipids from the membrane, an effect that ultimately causes cell damage.

Wang Ya-ping. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 111-120). / CONTENT / ACKNOWLEDGMENT / ABSTRACT / Chapter Chapter 1. --- Introduction / Chapter Chapter 2. --- Review of relevant literature / Chapter 2.1 --- Mammary structure and embryology / Chapter 2.2 --- Pathology of breast cancer / Chapter 2.3 --- Risk factors in breast cancer / Chapter 2.4 --- Prognostic factors in breast cancer / Chapter 2.5 --- Treatment of breast cancer / Chapter 2.6 --- Breast cancer research by flow cytometry / Chapter 2.7 --- c-erbB-2 oncogene research in breast cancer / Chapter 2.8 --- Tables and figures of chapter2 / Chapter Chapter 3. --- Materials and methods / Chapter 3.1 --- Flow cytometry assay of breast cancer tissue / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Sample collection / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Sample preparation for flow cytometric assay / Chapter 3.1.3 --- DNA content assay by flow cytometry / Chapter 3.1.4 --- Solutions for flow cytometric analysis / Chapter 3.2 --- c-erbB-2 and EGF receptor protein detection by immunohistochemical methods / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Preparation of sections / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Methods of staining / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Methods of analysis / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Confirmation of expression of c-erbB-2 protein by immunoblotting method / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Solutions for immunohistochemical and immunoblotting methods / Chapter 3.3 --- Clinical data from 346 breast cancer patients and method of analysis / Chapter 3.4 --- Tables and figures of chapter3 / Chapter Chapter 4. --- Results / Chapter 4.1 --- Results of flow cytometric analysis / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Tumour characteristics of 94 breast cancer patients / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Survival analysis by results of flow cytometry / Chapter 4.2 --- Results of immunohistochemical assay of c-erbB-2 and EGFr / Chapter 4.2.1 --- C-erbB-2 and EGFr expression in breast cancer / Chapter 4.2.2 --- The distribution of c-erbB-2 and EGFr expression in breast cancer / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Analysis of clinical outcome by c-erbB-2 and EGFr expression / Chapter 4.3 --- Clinical data of 346 patients with breast cancer / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Patients' characteristics / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Analysis of clinical data and outcome / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Analysis of clinical outcome according to histopathological characteristics of breast tumour / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Types of operation and clinical outcome / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Postoperative adjuvant therapy and clinical outcome / Chapter 4.3.6 --- Results from statistical analysis by Cox-regression / Chapter 4.4 --- Tables figures of chapter4 / Chapter Chapter 5. --- Discussion and conclusion / Chapter 5.1 --- Flow cytometric analysis of paraffin-embedded breast cancer tissue / Chapter 5.1.1 --- Evaluation of DNA flow cytometric results / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Correlation between tumor DNA aneuploidy or cell subpopulation and clinical outcome / Chapter 5.1.3 --- Correlation between S-phase fraction of breast tumour and clinical outcome / Chapter 5.1.4 --- Observation of high proportion of DNA hypoaneuploidy in this study / Chapter 5.2 --- c-erbB-2 oncogene overexpression in breast cancer / Chapter 5.2.1 --- c-erbB-2 oncoprotein expression in other studies / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Correlation between c-erbB-2 oncoprotein expression status and breast cancer pathogenesis / Chapter 5.3 --- Evaluation of EGFr expression in breast cancer / Chapter 5.4 --- Analysis of clinical data / Chapter 5.4.1 --- Clinical characteristics of patients with breast cancer / Chapter 5.4.2 --- Clinical characteristics of breast cancer and clinical outcome / Chapter 5.4.3 --- Clinical outcome by types of postoperative treatment / Chapter 5.5 --- Prognostic factors / Chapter 5.5.1 --- Our observations in comparison to other studies / Chapter 5.5.2 --- Prognostic factors for clinical application / Chapter 5.6 --- Tables and figures of chapter5 / References:

O projeto tem como objetivo a detecção e caracterização das células epiteliais circulantes de pacientes com carcinoma de mama no estádio III. Analisou-se a presença ou ausência destas células antes da realização de quimioterapia neoadjuvante. Para tanto, utilizou-se o sistema de enriquecimento de amostras de sangue periférico por meio da marcação intracelular imunomagnética direta, empregando-se microbeads conjugados com citoqueratina e posterior separação imunomagnética. A amostra final, com as células alvo detectadas, foi então quantificada por imunocitoquímica ou citometria de fluxo. Resultados: A reação de imunocitoquímica no sangue periférico foi negativa em todos os casos enquanto que na citometria de fluxo foi positiva em 22/23 casos analisados. Conclusão: A detecção e caracterização de células tumorais circulantes em pacientes com câncer de mama podem vir a se constituir em um novo fator prognóstico, porém, são ainda necessárias novas estratégias para melhor detectá-las. / The aim of this study was to detect and characterize carcinoma cells of patients with breast cancer with clinical stage III analyzing the presence or absence before chemotherapy by enrichment of peripheral blood with super paramagnetic microbeads, using direct Immunomagnetic labeling of intracellular 7/8 cytokeratin. For enrichment, magnetically labeled tumor cells are passed over a high-gradient magnetic positive selection column. Cytospin preparations are made after immunomagnetic enrichment and are examined immunocytochemically (ICC) using an anti-cytokeratin and quantified by flow cytometry (CMF). Results: No cytokeratin positive cells were detected in the 32 peripheral blood of patients of breast carcinoma by ICC and cytokeratin positive cells were detected in the 22 of 23 patients by CMF. Conclusion: These methods of detection and characterization breast carcinoma cells will become useful in the diagnosis and prognosis but is necessary optimization of existing methods.

Introdução: as doenças linfoproliferativas de células B maduras correspondem a cerca de 80% das neoplasias linfoides, são caracterizadas pela proliferação clonal de uma célula B precursora em diferentes estágios de diferenciação. A semelhança imunofenotípica a um dado estágio maturativo é relevante para o diagnóstico diferencial através da imunofenotipagem por citometria de fluxo, embora a sobreposição de expressões possa dificultar a identificação correta de cada linfoproliferação. Alguns marcadores são pouco conhecidos nas diferentes linfoproliferações B e há pouca literatura analisando os dados quantitativamente, sendo grande parte qualitativa. Objetivos: este trabalho avalia a expressão quantitativa em intensidade de fluorescência média (IFM) dos anticorpos CD200, CD43, CD52 e CD123 no diagnóstico diferencial das doenças linfoproliferativas B crônicas. Métodos: estudo transversal, com 124 amostras de pacientes em investigação diagnóstica de doenças linfoproliferativas que realizaram imunofenotipagem em um centro de referência em neoplasias hematológicas no período de outubro de 2014 a junho de 2015. Foram analisadas as IFMs de cada marcador nas onze diferentes doenças diagnosticadas. Resultados: as neoplasias dos 124 pacientes analisados foram: 81 leucemias linfocíticas crônicas (LLC), 17 linfomas de zona marginal (LZM), 9 linfomas linfoplasmocíticos (LLPL), 6 linfomas do manto (LM), 2 tricoleucemias (TRL), 2 tricoleucemias variantes (TRLv), 5 linfomas foliculares (LF), 1 linfoma de Burkitt e 1 linfoma difuso de grandes células B (LDGCB). A expressão mediana do CD200 foi de 46,8 (intervalo: 1,5-334). A expressão mediana de CD200 foi maior na TRL (incluindo a TRLv) e na LLC (85 e 61,2, respectivamente). A expressão de IFM do CD200 na TRLv diferiu quando comparado à TRL na sua forma clássica (mediana: 36,1 versus 220,3). A mesma diferença foi observada na expressão do CD123 quando comparada a TRL à TRLv. Verificamos, que casos de LZM demonstraram IFM medianas de CD43 de 7,1 (intervalo: 1,1-106), em comparação a casos de LM e LLC, nos quais as medianas de IFM do CD43 foram 90 e 176, respectivamente. A comparação da intensidade de CD52 entre amostras demostrou diferença estatisticamente significativa entre LLC e LZM com medianas de IFM de 775,5 versus 1297,0 (P=0,04). Conclusões: nossos resultados sugerem que a citometria de fluxo quantitativa desses marcadores pode ser uma ferramenta adicional útil na identificação de alguns tipos de DLPCBs. / Background: lymphoproliferative disorders of mature B cells account for about 80% of the lymphoid malignancies. They are characterized by the clonal proliferation of a B cell precursor at different stages of differentiation. The similarity of a given phenotypical maturation stage is relevant for the differential diagnosis by immunophenotyping, however overlap in cell morphology and immunologic features may difficult the correct identification of each pathology. Some markers are not well known in different B lymphoproliferative neoplasms and there is little literature analyzing the data quantitatively. Objectives: this study evaluated the expression of CD200, CD43, CD52 and CD123 by flow cytometry on B-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders (BCLDs) differential diagnosis. Methods: cross-sectional study, of 124 samples from patients for diagnostic investigation of lymphoproliferative disorders who underwent immunophenotyping in a referral center for hematologic malignancies from October 2014 to June 2015. MFIs were analyzed for each marker in eleven different diagnosed pathologies. Results: the diseases of the 124 patients investigated comprised: 81 chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), 17 marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), 9 lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL), 6 mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), 2 hairy cell leukemia (HCL), 2 hairy cell leukemia variant (HCLv), 5 folicular lymphoma (FL), 1 Burkitt lymphoma (BL) e 1 diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The CD200 median MFI expression was 46,8 (range: 1,5-334). CD200 was higher in HCL (including HCLv) and CLL cells (85 and 61,2 respectively). HCLv difference in CD200 MFI, when compared to classical HCL (median 36,1 versus 220,3). The same difference in CD123 expression was observed when comparing HCL versus HCLv. We found that cases of MZL exhibited CD43 median MFI of 7,1 (range: 1,1-106), in contrast to cases of MCL and CLL, which had median MFIs for CD43 of 90 and 176, respectively. The comparison of CD52 intensity between CLL and MZL samples showed statistically significant difference with a median MFI of 777,5 versus 1297,0 (P=0,04). Conclusion: our results suggest that quantitative flow cytometry of these markers may be a useful additional tool to better identify some types of BCLDs.

Resumo:hgghj / Abstract:hjkhjkhjk / Orientador: Juliana Regina Peiró / Banca:Flávia de Almeida Lucas / Banca:Márcia Marinho / Doutor

A piometra é uma condição mórbida caracterizada pela inflamação do útero com acúmulo de exsudatos, resultante de ações hormonais e geralmente associada à presença de bactérias no lúmen uterino. A anemia é a alteração hematológica mais frequentemente observada em cadelas com piometra e está associada à cronicidade da doença, diminuição da eritropoiese, devido ao efeito toxêmico na medula óssea, diminuição da disponibilidade de ferro ou perda de sangue para o útero. Adicionalmente, o efeito das toxinas bacterianas e os radicais livres gerados pelo metabolismo oxidativo dos neutrófilos podem resultar na modificação da estrutura antigênica da membrana do eritrócito, permitindo a ligação de imunoglobulinas em sua superfície e acelerando a destruição eritrocitária. Essa hipótese pode ser comprovada pela detecção de imunocomplexos na superfície eritrocitária de cadelas com piometra. O diagnóstico de piometra foi estabelecido em 33 cadelas atendidas no Serviço de Obstetrícia/Ginecologia do Hospital Veterinário da Universidade de São Paulo com base na anamnese, exame físico e exames subsidiários (ultrassonografia, hemograma e concentrações séricas de ureia e creatinina). As amostras sanguíneas foram coletadas em dois momentos. A primeira anterior a ovariosalpingohisterectomia (OSH) e a segunda, sete a dez dias após a OSH. A quantificação de hemácias com deposição de imunocomplexos IgG e IgM foi realizada utilizando-se anticorpos anti-IgG e anti-IgM (Bethyl®Laboratories) conjugadas a fluoresceína de isotiocianato (FITC), e a leitura realizada com citômetro de fluxo (FACS Calibur; Becton, Dickinson and Company© 2007 BD), sendo os resultados expressos em percentual de hemácias marcadas. Foram utilizados o Teste de Shapiro-Wilk para a avaliação da distribuição de dados e a comparação entre os grupos controle, pré e pós-OSH foi realizada valendo-se do Teste t ou Teste t pareado e Correlação de Pearson, e do Teste U de Mann-Whitney e Correlação de Spearman, para as variáveis com distribuição normal e não-normal, respectivamente. O valor de alfa estipulado foi de 0,05. Analisando os valores hematológicos de cada um dos cães incluídos no estudo, observa-se que 19 (57,6%) apresentavam anemia normocítica normocrômica não regenerativa no momento pré-OSH e cinco (15,2%) no momento pós-OSH. Em cães do grupo controle foram observadas 0,14 - 0,77% (0,43±0,18%) de hemácias marcadas com anticorpos anti-IgG FITC e 0,29 - 9,58% (0,68±0,29%) para anticorpos anti-IgM FITC. Já nos cães com piometra, foram encontradas 0,14 - 4,19% (0,96±0,86%) de hemácias marcadas com anticorpos anti-IgG FITC e 0,29 - 9,58% (1,37±1,71%) com anticorpos anti-IgM FITC, antecedendo a OSH. No momento pós-OSH observou-se 0,18 - 16,2% (2,77±3,67%) de hemácias marcadas para anticorpos anti-IgG FITC e 0,15 - 19,8% (4,01±4,46%) para anticorpos anti-IgM FITC. O percentual de hemácias marcadas com anticorpos anti-IgG FITC diferiu entre os grupos controle e piometra, pré-OSH (p<0,001) e pós-OSH (p<0,001). Em relação a anticorpos anti-IgM FITC, não foram observadas diferenças entre os grupos controle e pré-OSH (p=0,09), porém, após a OSH houve aumento na marcação de hemácias, quando comparado ao grupo controle (p<0,001). Apenas alguns animais apresentaram mais de 5% de hemácias marcadas, e isto ocorreu, principalmente, no momento pós-OSH. Entretanto, não resultou no agravamento da anemia, indicando que a piometra em cadelas está associada à deposição de imunoglobulinas G ou M na superfície das hemácias, sem, no entanto, promover hemólise ou agravamento da anemia / The pyometra is a morbid condition characterized by inflammation of the uterus with exudates accumulation resulting from hormonal action and usually associated with the presence of bacteria in the uterine lumen. Anemia is the hematologic changes most frequently observed in bitches with pyometra and is associated with chronic disease, diminished erythropoiesis due to toxemic effect on the bone marrow, decreased iron availability or loss of blood to the uterus. Additionally, the effect of bacterial toxins and free radicals generated by neutrophil oxidative metabolism may result in the modification of antigenic structure of the erythrocyte membrane, allowing the binding of immunoglobulins on their surface and accelerating erythrocyte destruction. This hypothesis can be confirmed by detection of immune complexes in the erythrocyte surface dogs with pyometra. The diagnosis of pyometra was established in 33 dogs attended by the Obstetrics Service/Gynecology of Veterinary Hospital of the University of São Paulo based on history, physical examination and additional tests (ultrasound, blood count and serum concentrations of urea and creatinine). Blood samples were collected in two stages. The first prior to ovariohysterectomy (OSH) and the second, seven to ten days after OSH. Quantification of erythrocyte with deposition of IgG and IgM immune complexes was performed using antibodies anti-IgG and anti-IgM (Bethyl® Laboratories) conjugated to fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), and the reading performed with flow cytometry (FACS Calibur; Becton, Dickinson and Company© 2007 BD), and the results expressed as a percentage of red blood cells marked. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to assess the distribution of data and the comparison between the control group, pre- and post-OSH was carried out making use of the t test or paired t test and Pearson correlation, and test U Mann-Whitney and Spearman correlation for the variables with normal and non-normal distribution, respectively. The stipulated alpha value was 0.05. The analysis of the hematological values of each of the dogs enrolled in the study, it was observed that 19 (57.6%) with anemia normocytic normochromic non-regenerative in the pre-OSH moment and 5 (15.2%) in the post-OSH moment. In control group of dogs were observed from 0.14 to 0.77% (0.43± 0.18%) of red blood cells marked with antibodies anti-IgG FITC and 0.29 to 9.58% (0.68± 0.29%) for antibodies anti-IgM FITC. Already in dogs with pyometra were found 0.14 to 4.19% (0.96 ± 0.86%) of red blood cells marked with antibodies anti-IgG FITC and 0.29 to 9.58% (1.37 ± 1.71%) with antibodies anti-IgM FITC, prior to OSH. In the post-OSH time it was observed 0.18 to 16.2% (2.77 ± 3.67%) of red blood cells marked for antibodies anti-IgG FITC and 0.15 to 19.8% (4.01 ± 4.46%) for antibodies anti-IgM FITC. The percentage of red blood cells marked with antibodies anti-IgG FITC differ between groups control and pyometra, pre-OSH (p<0.001) and post-OSH (p<0.001). Regarding the antibodies anti-IgM FITC, no differences were observed between the control and pre-OSH (p=0.09), however, after the OSH was no increase in labeling of red blood cells compared to the control group (p<0.001). Only a few animals have more than 5% of marked red blood cells, and this was mainly in the post-OSH time. However, not result in the worsening of anemia, indicating that pyometra in dogs is related to the deposition of immunoglobulin G or M on the surface of erythrocytes, without, however, promote hemolysis or worsening of anemia

A invasão de eritrócitos por merozoítas de Plasmodium é um processo bastante complexo em que várias proteínas do parasita interagem com receptores presentes na célula hospedeira. É nossa hipótese que o Antígeno 1 de Membrana Apical (AMA-1) e a Proteína 1 da Superfície do Merozoíta (MSP1) estejam envolvidas na adesão ao eritrócito, no momento da invasão. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a capacidade de ligação de proteínas de merozoítas de P. vivax a eritrócitos humanos utilizando um novo ensaio de citometria de fluxo e o clássico ensaio de citoaderência. Para tanto, a ligação das proteínas recombinantes correspondentes à região C-terminal de 19 kDa da MSP1 (PvMSP119), ao ectodomínio (PvAMA-1E) e aos domínios I-II e II de AMA-1 (PvAMA-1DI-II e PvAMA-1DII) foi avaliada por citometria de fluxo utilizando anticorpo fluorescente contra cauda de histidina. A proteína recombinante baseada na região II da Proteína Ligante de Duffy (PvDBP-RII) foi utilizada como controle positivo e a tioredoxina humana como controle negativo. Os dados foram expressos pela média da intensidade de fluorescência (MIF). Os resultados dos ensaios de citometria de fluxo confirmaram a ligação de PvDBP-RII a eritrocitos Duffy A (MIF=1997±405) e Duffy B (MIF= 5760±303). No entanto, não foi possível detectar a ligação de PvMSP119 (MIF=201±47), de PvAMA-1E (MIF=536±99) e dos domínios PvAMA- 1DI-II (MIF=120±12) e PvAMA-1DII (MIF=179±30). Soro policlonal de camundongos BALB/c imunizados com PvDBP-RII foi capaz de inibir a ligação da proteína aos eritrócitos em até 66%. Tais resultados foram confirmados pelo ensaio clássico de citoaderência. Para tanto, células COS-7 foram transfectadas com plasmídeos recombinantes codificando as proteínas PvDBPRII, PvMSP119, PvAMA-1DI-II e PvAMA-1DIII em fusão com GFP. A eficiência de transfecção e a expressão destas proteínas na superfície das células foram confirmadas por citometria de fluxo, utilizando anticorpos policlonais produzidos em camundongos. A ligação foi avaliada pela formação de rosetas entre as células transfectadas e eritrócitos humanos por microscopia de fluorescência. Observamos que as células transfectadas expressando PvDBP-RII foram capazes de se ligar a eritrócitos humanos Duffy A (274±144 rosetas/25 campos) e Duffy B (356±129 rosetas/25 campos). No entanto, não foram visualizadas rosetas nos ensaios realizados com células expressando PvMSP119, PvAMA-1E, PvAMA-1DI-II e PvAMA-1DIII, indicando a ausência de ligação destas proteínas a eritrócitos humanos. Soro de camundongos imunizados com PvDBP-RII foi capaz de inibir a ligação aos eritrócitos em até 99%. Os resultados obtidos nesse trabalho demonstram que fomos capazes de desenvolver um ensaio baseado em citometria de fluxo para avaliação da ligação de proteínas a eritrócitos humanos, cujos resultados foram confirmados pelo ensaio clássico de citoaderência. No entanto, não foi possível detectar a ligação das proteínas PvMSP119 e PvAMA-1 a eritrócitos humanos. / The invasion of erythrocytes is a complex process in which the Merozoite Surface Proteins (MSPs) are responsible for initial adhesion and the P. vivax Duffy Binding Protein (PvDBP) is involved on junction formation. In addition, there are evidences that the Apical Membrane Antigen (AMA-1) plays a fundamental role on invasion; however, the exact mechanism is still being investigated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ability of P. vivax merozoite antigens to bind to human erythrocytes using a new flow cytometry assay and the classical cytoaherence assay. The binding assay was performed by flow cytometry using fluorescent antibody against histidine tag present on recombinant proteins based on 19 kDa C-terminal fragment of MSP1 (PvMSP119), the ectodomain (PvAMA-1E) and domains I-II and II of AMA-1 (PvAMA-1DI-II and PvAMA-1DII). The recombinant protein based on the region II of DBP (PvDBP-RII) was used as positive control and human thioredoxin as negative control. Data were expressed as mean of fluorescent intensity (MFI). The results of flow cytometry assays confirmed the binding of PvDBP-RII to human Duffy A (MFI=1997±405) and Duffy B (MFI= 5760±303) erythrocytes. However, we were not able to detect the binding of PvMSP119 (MFI=201±47), PvAMA-1E (MFI=536±99), PvAMA-1DI-II (MFI=120±12) or PvAMA-1DII (MFI=179±30). Sera from BALB/c mice immunized with PvDBP-RII inhibited binding up to 66%. These results were confirmed by classic cytoadherence assay. COS-7 cells were transfected with plasmids encoding the proteins PvDBP-RII, PvMSP119, PvAMA-1DI-II or PvAMA-1DIII fused to GFP. The transfection efficiency and expression of proteins on cell surface were confirmed by flow cytometry using polyclonal antibodies raised on mice. The binding was evaluated by the number of rosettes formed between transfected cells and human erythrocytes using fluorescent microscope. The cells expressing PvDBP-RII were able to bind Duffy A (274±144 rosettes/25 fields) and Duffy B (356±129 rosettes/25 fields) human erythrocytes. On the other hand, PvMSP119, PvAMA1E, PvAMA-1DI-II and PvAMA-1DIII failed to bind human erythrocytes and specific rosettes were not observed. Sera from immunized mice inhibited binding of PvDBP-RII up to 99%. In conclusion, we developed a binding assay using flow cytometry which can be extremely useful to evaluate the binding of proteins to erythrocytes whose results were confirmed by classic cytoadherence assays, as observed the binding of PvDBP-RII to human erythrocytes. Using both biding assays, we were not able to determine the binding of PvMSP119, nor PvAMA-1 and their domains to human erythrocytes.

Microplastics are particles that are < 5 mm in size and come from a wide range of sources. The global distribution in terrestrial and aquatic environments indicates they are likely to cause harm to living organisms. They are used in a variety of personal care products and kitchen scourers. To advance further studies, different approaches have been developed in recent years. In this research, a comparison of methods and analytical techniques were applied to characterise microplastics in two toothpastes and two facial scrubs. The analysis of microplastics was determined using light microscopy, laser diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. This research reports for the first time, the application of Imaging flow cytometry to characterise microplastics, and was explored to characterise smaller sized particles in each product. The methods developed where validated by characterising particles abraded from kitchen scourers. Two market leading and three chain store brands of kitchen scourers were utilised for the characterisation of microplastics. The application of the different techniques indicated differences in the size, number and morphological characteristics of the particles analysed. The different approaches developed for particle extraction, and the analytical techniques had an apparent influence on the results produced. Currently, there are no universally accepted laboratory protocol and analytical techniques to characterise microplastics. However, this research can serve as a reference point to promote more studies on laboratory methods and analytical techniques to characterise microplastics, with the hope of understanding better these complex particles.

Introdução: A doação de plaquetas por aférese é um método de coleta que vem aumentando em relevância. Sabe-se que esta técnica apresenta inúmeras vantagens em comparação à doação de sangue total. Observamos que há uma preocupação na qualidade dos hemocomponentes enviados ao paciente, no entanto, não se observam muitas pesquisas em busca do cuidado com o doador. Órgãos como o Food and Drug Administration (FDA) já publicaram normas mais restritivas em relação à doação de plaquetas por aférese, pois pesquisas apontaram uma diminuição de algumas células e proteínas do sistema imunológico em doadores de repetição. Objetivos: Analisar doadores de plaquetas de repetição quanto a parâmetros hematimétricos e quantificação de subpopulações linfocitárias comparando-os com um grupo controle composto por doadores de sangue total que não doam há no mínimo um ano ou doando pela primeira vez e, ainda avaliar se a frequência de doações, o tempo de procedimento e o número de plaquetas doadas influenciam na contagem de leucócitos totais e nas subpopulações de linfócitos. Metodologia: Foram analisados 88 indivíduos em um estudo caso-controle, sendo que o grupo controle (CO) incluído foi de doadores de sangue total que haviam doado pela primeira vez ou haviam doado sangue total há mais de um ano. Os casos (CA) incluídos foram os doadores de repetição de plaquetaférese (quatro ou mais doações no último ano). O pareamento foi feito por sexo e idade. As amostras de sangue periférico foram coletadas em tubos contendo EDTA e analisadas em até 6 horas por citometria de fluxo, através da utilização de anticorpos monoclonais anti-CD3, CD4, CD8, HLADR, CD19 e CD56. Resultados: Foram avaliados 44 pares de doadores (caso vs controle). Destes, 81,8% eram homens, a média de idade dos grupos foi de 46 ±13 anos nos casos e 47 ±11 nos controles. Comparando os dois grupos, observou-se diferença estatisticamente significativa (p<0,05) na média de quantificação de leucócitos absolutos CA= 6476,6/μL vs CO=7115,4/μL (p=0,017), na média de linfócitos absolutos CA= 1862,6/μL vs CO= 2239,2/μL (p=0,007) e nos marcadores: CD3+/CD8+ (absoluto) CA= 437/μL vs CO= 597/μL (p=0,01), CD3+/CD4+(%) CA= 47,3/μL vs CO= 42,77/μL (p=0,007). Conclusões: Neste estudo foi possível observar que há uma diminuição em algumas células linfoides dos doadores de repetição em relação aos doadores convencionais, no entanto essa diferença não tem relevância clínica, demonstrando que os intervalos de doações que estes doadores estão sendo submetidos é adequado. A contagem de plaquetas dos doadores de repetição se mantiveram no decorrer do ano, este dado nos auxilia para mantermos um banco de dados de doadores de repetição com uma quantificação de plaquetas adequada, podendo ser convocado sem risco de ser bloqueado por contagem inferior ao preconizado. / Introduction: The donation of platelets by apheresis as a collection method has lately grown in relevance. This technique presents several advantages when compared to total blood donation. We understand there is a concern about the quality of the hemocomponents that are administered to the patients; however, there are not many researches concerned with caring for the donor. Entities such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have published more restricting regulations regarding the donation of platelets by apheresis, since researches indicate a decrease in some cells and proteins present in the immunological systems of repeat donors. Objectives: To analyze repeat donors of platelets with regards to hematimetric parameters and quantification of lymphocyte sub-populations by comparing them with a control group consisting of total blood donors that have not donated blood for the past year at least or that are donating for the first time. Additionally, to evaluate if the frequency of donations, the duration of the procedure, and the donated platelet counts influence in the total leukocyte counts and in the sub-populations of lymphocytes. Methodology: We analyzed 88 individuals in a control case study. The control group (CG) consisted of total blood donors in their first donation or that had donated for the last time more than a year before. The cases (CA) included were the repeat donors by platelet apheresis (four or more donations in the past year). We matched the individuals by gender and age. Peripheral blood samples were collected in tubes containing EDTA and analyzed up until 6 hours later by flow cytometry, through monoclonal antibodies anti-CD3, CD4, CD8, HLADR, CD19, and CD56. Results: 44 pairs of donor were evaluated (case vs control). Among them, 81.8% were men, the average age of the groups was 46 (±13) years in the cases and 47 (±11) in the controls. When comparing the two groups, we observed a statistically significant difference (p<0,05) in the average of the quantification of absolute leukocytes CA= 6476.6/μL vs CG=7115.4/μL (p=0.017), in the average of absolute lymphocytes CA= 1862.6/μL vs CG= 2239.2/μL (p=0.007), and in the markers: CD3+/CD8+ (absolute) CA= 437/μL vs CG= 597/μL (p=0,01), CD3+/CD4+(%) CA= 47.3/μL vs CG= 42.77/μL (p=0.007). Conclusions: We were able to note in this study that there is a significant decrease in some lymphoid cells of repeat donors when compared to conventional donors. This difference, however, is not clinically relevant, which demonstrates that the donation intervals to which the donors are subject are appropriate. Platelet numbers of repeat donors remained the same throughout the year. This piece of data helps us keep a database of repeat donors with an adequate platelet number. These donors can be called for without risking of their being blocked in the screening for a number lower than the recommended.

La réponse immuno-inflammatoire au cours du choc septique associe une importante réponse inflammatoire initiale responsable de l'état de choc et le développement secondaire d'altérations du système immunitaire. Les polynucléaires neutrophiles (PNN) jouent un rôle central dans la réponse immunitaire. Des données récentes de la littérature décrivent également un rôle immunosuppresseur jusqu'alors méconnu pour ces cellules. Nous avons exploré leur possible implication dans la physiopathologie du choc septique.Le but de ce travail était l'exploration des altérations phénotypiques, fonctionnelles et transcriptomiques des PNN lors de la phase immunosuppressive du choc septique. Nos résultats montrent une diminution de la capacité de migration des PNN ainsi qu'une diminution de la production de composés bactéricides (myéloperoxydase, lactoferrine) alors que la réponse aux cytokines et la phagocytose n'apparaissent pas altérées. Le contenu en myéloperoxydase et la présence de PNN immatures CD10dimCD16dim étaient indépendamment associés à une mortalité plus élevée. De manière intéressante, CD177 était le gène le plus différentiellement exprimé entre les patients et les volontaires sains. CD177 et CD10 étaient inversement corrélés. Ainsi, la diminution du chimiotactisme, la perte de myéloperoxydase, la présence de cellules immatures et leurs liens avec la mortalité pourraient contribuer au contexte d'immunosuppression présent chez les patients septiques. Au final, les pistes d'exploration futures convergent vers la population de PNN immatures et le rôle spécifique du CD177 dans les états septiques sévères / Severe septic syndromes deeply impair innate and adaptive immunity and are responsible for sepsis-induced immunosuppression. While neutrophils represent the first line of defense against infection, little is known about their phenotype and functions few days after sepsis, when the immunosuppressive phase is maximal (i.e., between day 3 and 8). The objective of this study was thus to perform a global evaluation of neutrophil alterations in immunosuppressed septic patients based on phenotypic, functional and transcriptomic studies. Our results highlight a markedly altered neutrophil chemotaxis (functional and chemokine receptor expressions), oxidative burst, lactoferrin content and an increased number of circulating immature granulocytes (i.e., CD10dimCD16dim). In contrast, phagocytosis and activation capacities were conserved. It is interesting to note that a diminished myeloperoxidase expression appeared as the best predictor to identify a group of septic shock patients at high risk of death. Similarly, patients with lower proportions of CD10dimCD16dim granulocytes had a significant better survival compared with patients presenting a higher percentage. CD177 mRNA, coding for an activation molecule in chemotaxis but also known to be overexpressed in immature cells, had the highest fold change modulation between patients and controls. Considering the potential dual roles of CD177 neutrophil (i.e., maturation / chemotaxis), its participation in septic shock pathophysiology deserves further investigation. To conclude, circulating neutrophils present with phenotypic, functional and morphological alterations few days after sepsis onset. These dysfunctions may participate in the deleterious role of sepsis-induced immunosuppression. The present results open new perspectives in the mechanisms favoring nosocomial infections after septic shock. They deserve to be further investigated in a larger clinical study and in animal models recapitulating these alterations