Heat shock protein (HSP)27 is traditionally described as an intracellular chaperone and signaling molecule, but growing evidence suggests it is released from immune cells where it plays an anti-inflammatory role during atherogenesis. Previously, the O’Brien lab found that overexpression of HSP27 led to augmented HSP27 serum levels in female apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-) mice, attenuated atherogenesis, and inhibited macrophage foam cell formation via physical binding with scavenger receptor (SR)-A. However, the precise mechanism of atheroprotection remained elusive. This thesis sought to ascertain the mechanism(s) by which HSP27 prevents foam cell formation, and determine if SR-A, a key receptor involved in the uptake of lipid into macrophages, plays an important role in HSP27-mediated atheroprotection. Pre-treatment of human macrophages with recombinant HSP27 (rHSP27) inhibited acytelated low density lipoprotein (acLDL) binding and uptake independent from receptor competition effect. Reduction in uptake was associated with attenuation of expression of SR-A mRNA, total protein, and cell surface expression. To explore the signaling mechanism by which HSP27 modulated SR-A expression it was hypothesized that nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), a major regulator of many atherosclerosis gene programs, is altered by extracellular HSP27. Indeed, rHSP27 markedly activated NF-kB signaling in macrophages. Using an inhibitor of NF-kBsignaling there was an attenuation of rHSP27-induced inhibition of SR-A gene and protein expression, as well as lipid uptake, suggesting that SR-A expression is regulated by NF-kB activation. Lastly, to investigate if SR-A is required for HSP27-mediated atheroprotection in vivo, ApoE-/- and ApoE-/-SR-A-/- mice fed a high fat diet were treated with rHSP25, the mouse orthologue of HSP27, or PBS for 3 weeks. While rHSP25 therapy equally reduced serum cholesterol levels in the mouse cohorts, aortic atherogenesis, assessed using en face and sinus cross-sectional analyses, was attenuated in ApoE-/- mice but not ApoE-/-SR-A-/- mice. In conclusion, rHSP27 inhibits foam cell formation by downregulating SR-A expression. This effect may be associated with NF-kB activation. Reductions in atherosclerotic burden by rHSP27 require SR-A, and are independent of changes in serum cholesterol levels, highlighting the importance of macrophage lipid uptake in atherogenesis. Results presented in this thesis demonstrate that SR-A is a major target for HSP27 atheroprotection in the vessel wall, and provide an impetus for further studies that investigate the potential therapeutic value of HSP27.

Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER-2/neu) is a breast tumor antigen (Ag) commonly overexpressed in 30% of breast cancer cases. Both HER-2/neu-targeted DNA-based and transgene modified dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines are potent elements in eliciting HER-2/neu specific antitumor immune responses; however, there has been no side-by-side comparison of these two different immunization methods. We utilized an in vivo murine tumor model expressing the rat neu Ag to compare the immunization efficacy between DC transduced with replication-deficient adenovirus containing neu (AdVneu), to form DCneu, and plasmid DNA (pcDNA) vaccine. DCneu displayed an upregulation of immunologically important molecules and inflammatory cytokines expression such as IL-6 that partially mediated conversion of the regulatory T (Tr) cell suppression. Wildtype FVB/N mice immunized with DCneu induced stronger HER-2/neu-specific humoral and cellular immune responses compared to plasmid DNA immunized mice. Furthermore, mice immunized with DCneu remained completely protected from tumor challenge compared to partial or no protection observed in DNA immunized mice in two tumor animal models. In FVBneuN transgenic mice, which develop spontaneous breast tumors at 4-8 months of age, DCneu significantly delayed tumor onset when immunization conducted in mice at a younger age. Taken together, we demonstrated that a HER-2/neu-gene modified DC vaccine is more potent than a plasmid DNA vaccine in inducing neu specific immune responses resulting in greater protective and preventative effects in the tumor models examined. <p>In another study, we examined the use of a DC-based cancer vaccine involving the phagocytosis of apoptotic tumor cells expressing heat shock protein 70 (HSP70). The dual role of HSP70, as an antigenic peptide chaperone and danger signal, makes it especially important in DC-based vaccination. In this study, we investigated the impacts of apoptotic transgenic MCA/HSP tumor cells expressing HSP70 on DC maturation, T cell stimulation and overall vaccine efficacy. We found that DC with phagocytosis of MCA/HSP in the early phase of apoptosis expressed more peptide-major histocompatibility class (pMHC) I complexes, stimulated stronger cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) responses and induced greater immune protection against MCA tumor cell challenge, compared to mice immunized with DC that phagocytosed MCA/HSP cells in the late phase of apoptosis. Taken together, our data demonstrated that HSP70 expression on apoptotic tumor cells stimulated DC maturation and DC with phagocytosis of apoptotic tumor cells expressing HSP70 in early phase of apoptosis more efficiently induced tumor-specific CTL responses and immunity than DC with phagocytosis of apoptotic tumor cells in late phase of apoptosis. <p>Overall, we have examined variations in designing DC-based cancer vaccines in two completely different model systems. Taken together, our results may have an important impact in designing DC-based antitumor vaccines.

Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER-2/neu) is a breast tumor antigen (Ag) commonly overexpressed in 30% of breast cancer cases. Both HER-2/neu-targeted DNA-based and transgene modified dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines are potent elements in eliciting HER-2/neu specific antitumor immune responses; however, there has been no side-by-side comparison of these two different immunization methods. We utilized an in vivo murine tumor model expressing the rat neu Ag to compare the immunization efficacy between DC transduced with replication-deficient adenovirus containing neu (AdVneu), to form DCneu, and plasmid DNA (pcDNA) vaccine. DCneu displayed an upregulation of immunologically important molecules and inflammatory cytokines expression such as IL-6 that partially mediated conversion of the regulatory T (Tr) cell suppression. Wildtype FVB/N mice immunized with DCneu induced stronger HER-2/neu-specific humoral and cellular immune responses compared to plasmid DNA immunized mice. Furthermore, mice immunized with DCneu remained completely protected from tumor challenge compared to partial or no protection observed in DNA immunized mice in two tumor animal models. In FVBneuN transgenic mice, which develop spontaneous breast tumors at 4-8 months of age, DCneu significantly delayed tumor onset when immunization conducted in mice at a younger age. Taken together, we demonstrated that a HER-2/neu-gene modified DC vaccine is more potent than a plasmid DNA vaccine in inducing neu specific immune responses resulting in greater protective and preventative effects in the tumor models examined. <p>In another study, we examined the use of a DC-based cancer vaccine involving the phagocytosis of apoptotic tumor cells expressing heat shock protein 70 (HSP70). The dual role of HSP70, as an antigenic peptide chaperone and danger signal, makes it especially important in DC-based vaccination. In this study, we investigated the impacts of apoptotic transgenic MCA/HSP tumor cells expressing HSP70 on DC maturation, T cell stimulation and overall vaccine efficacy. We found that DC with phagocytosis of MCA/HSP in the early phase of apoptosis expressed more peptide-major histocompatibility class (pMHC) I complexes, stimulated stronger cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) responses and induced greater immune protection against MCA tumor cell challenge, compared to mice immunized with DC that phagocytosed MCA/HSP cells in the late phase of apoptosis. Taken together, our data demonstrated that HSP70 expression on apoptotic tumor cells stimulated DC maturation and DC with phagocytosis of apoptotic tumor cells expressing HSP70 in early phase of apoptosis more efficiently induced tumor-specific CTL responses and immunity than DC with phagocytosis of apoptotic tumor cells in late phase of apoptosis. <p>Overall, we have examined variations in designing DC-based cancer vaccines in two completely different model systems. Taken together, our results may have an important impact in designing DC-based antitumor vaccines.

Anthropogenic climate warming is predicted to accelerate over the next century, with potentially dramatic consequences for wildlife. It is important to understand as well as possible how different organisms will respond to this stress. This project seeks to gain a better mechanistic understanding of the thermal biology of the Glanville Fritillary butterfly (Melitaea cinxia) at the latitudinal and elevational extremes of its range. Investigation of the temperatures at which adult butterflies took spontaneous flight revealed a significant difference between populations from the elevational extremes, with insects from high elevation taking flight at lower thoracic temperatures than those from low elevation. Contrary to expectation, there was no systematic effect of latitude on takeoff temperature. If these measures represent adaptation to climate, then these effects are not simple and the influences of elevation and latitude are not the same. Investigation of thermal tolerance across all life cycle stages found no difference in larval performance between the populations tested. There was however an effect of treatment. This suggests that in M. cinxia, even populations from different extremes of the range may not differ in their thermal tolerance. The effect of treatment suggests that there is temperature-induced plasticity. The adaptive significance of this has been explored to some extent. Investigation of heat shock protein expression between the latitudinal extremes finds no difference in Hsp21.4 expression when exposed to heat stress, however both Hsp20.4 and Hsp90 were upregulated in response to heat stress. For Hsp20.4, there were significant differences in expression between the populations. Finally, a species distribution model using maximum entropy techniques was conducted for M. cinxia, predicting both the current and future (2100) distributions of the species. The model closely matches the known current distribution, and predicts a clear northward range shift in response to climate change. / text

No description available.

Spinal cord injuries result in permanent loss of motor function, leaving those affected with long term physical and financial burdens. Strategies for spinal cord injury repair must overcome unique challenges due to scar tissue that seals off the injury site, preventing regeneration. Tissue engineering can address these challenges with scaffolds that serve as cell- and drug-delivery tools, replacing damaged tissue while simultaneously addressing the inhibitory environment on a biochemical level. To advance this approach, the choice of cells, biomaterial matrix, and drug delivery system must be investigated and evaluated. This research seeks to evaluate (1) the behaviour of murine induced pluripotent stem cells in previously characterized 3D fibrin matrices; (2) the 3D fibrin matrix as a platform to support the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells; and (3) the ability of an affinity-based drug delivery system to control the release of emerging spinal cord injury therapeutic, heat shock protein 70 from fibrin scaffolds. / Graduate / 0541 / amy.lynn.montgomery@gmail.com

Heat shock protein (HSP)27 is traditionally described as an intracellular chaperone and signaling molecule, but growing evidence suggests it is released from immune cells where it plays an anti-inflammatory role during atherogenesis. Previously, the O’Brien lab found that overexpression of HSP27 led to augmented HSP27 serum levels in female apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-) mice, attenuated atherogenesis, and inhibited macrophage foam cell formation via physical binding with scavenger receptor (SR)-A. However, the precise mechanism of atheroprotection remained elusive. This thesis sought to ascertain the mechanism(s) by which HSP27 prevents foam cell formation, and determine if SR-A, a key receptor involved in the uptake of lipid into macrophages, plays an important role in HSP27-mediated atheroprotection. Pre-treatment of human macrophages with recombinant HSP27 (rHSP27) inhibited acytelated low density lipoprotein (acLDL) binding and uptake independent from receptor competition effect. Reduction in uptake was associated with attenuation of expression of SR-A mRNA, total protein, and cell surface expression. To explore the signaling mechanism by which HSP27 modulated SR-A expression it was hypothesized that nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), a major regulator of many atherosclerosis gene programs, is altered by extracellular HSP27. Indeed, rHSP27 markedly activated NF-kB signaling in macrophages. Using an inhibitor of NF-kBsignaling there was an attenuation of rHSP27-induced inhibition of SR-A gene and protein expression, as well as lipid uptake, suggesting that SR-A expression is regulated by NF-kB activation. Lastly, to investigate if SR-A is required for HSP27-mediated atheroprotection in vivo, ApoE-/- and ApoE-/-SR-A-/- mice fed a high fat diet were treated with rHSP25, the mouse orthologue of HSP27, or PBS for 3 weeks. While rHSP25 therapy equally reduced serum cholesterol levels in the mouse cohorts, aortic atherogenesis, assessed using en face and sinus cross-sectional analyses, was attenuated in ApoE-/- mice but not ApoE-/-SR-A-/- mice. In conclusion, rHSP27 inhibits foam cell formation by downregulating SR-A expression. This effect may be associated with NF-kB activation. Reductions in atherosclerotic burden by rHSP27 require SR-A, and are independent of changes in serum cholesterol levels, highlighting the importance of macrophage lipid uptake in atherogenesis. Results presented in this thesis demonstrate that SR-A is a major target for HSP27 atheroprotection in the vessel wall, and provide an impetus for further studies that investigate the potential therapeutic value of HSP27.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:20:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 5383.pdf: 8938173 bytes, checksum: 7745ba92d6e324eb3bfdfdadb149d797 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-06-14 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / Macrobrachium amazonicum is an endemic species in South America, which has been exploited by artisanal fisheries in northern and northeastern Brazil. The overexploitation of this species has led to the decline of its natural stocks. This scenario affects the riverine communities and the genetic status of populations of this crustacean. In this context, the aquaculture emerges as a sustainable alternative to soften this impact over the natural stocks. A molecular view of adaptations and modifications in response to environmental variables is important for understanding the biology, distribution and capacity of this crustacean to adapt to different conditions and geographic regions, either in its natural habitat or in captivity. Considering these aspects, SNPs markers within fitness-related candidate gene emerge as promising tools for selection and detection of genetic structure in natural populations and to verify their correlation with complex traits of interest in farming. In this study, the aim was to investigate SNPs in the HSC70 (70-kilodalton Heat Shock Cognate) gene under two approaches: (1) the prospection and association of SNPs to growth traits in a captive population of M. amazonicum (CAUNESP); and (2) the SNPs prospection, characterization of the variability and genetic structure of two wild stocks of M. amazonicum (Tocantins and Paracauari rivers, both in Para state). To the firsty study, were carried out an experimental performance of these prawns, undergone to two stocking densities (normal and intensification conditions). Growth traits (total and abdominal length, and total abdominal and hepathopancreas weight) and sex were determined during the harvesting. The SNPs effects on these phenotypic variables were tested in a mixed model conducted by the Proc Mixed of the SAS program. Twelve SNPs were identified. Among them, only two SNPs (C256T and T907C) and two haplotypes (H7 and H10) presented effects of interest. These effects comprised several traits, including density and population class interactions. The most important effects were found in the normal density of the farming and on females. SNPs effects were not detected in high stocking density treatment. xix So, this fact excludes the possibility of using this information to the farming intensification of M. amazonicum. However, these results consist of relevant information for the development of high performing culture lines of M. amazonicum by Marker Assisted Selection. The SNPs effects on females may indicate the involvement of the HSC70 gene in the reproductive development of the species. In the second study, 13 SNPs were characterized in the Tocantins river population and six SNPs in the Paracauari river population. No significant deviation from Hardy Weinberg equilibrium was found. However, linkage disequilibrium was detected among some pairs of SNP loci. Both stocks showed high haplotype diversity. The haplotype diversity was 0.712 and 0.596 for the Tocantins and Paracauari river populations, respectively. These values were significantly different between the populations (P &#8804; &#61472;0.05). AMOVA indicated that almost all variability occurs within the populations and these stocks are not genetically differentiated (FST = -0,00048). Apparently, if based on the diversity and the absence of genetic structure information, the anthropic action has not caused drastic effects on the genetic status of these two populations of M. amazonicum. These results prove that SNP markers within HSC70 gene are useful in establishing strategies for managing breeding programs as well as programs for the conservation of the species focus of this study. / O Macrobrachium amazonicum e uma especie endemica da America da Sul que tem sido muito explorada pela pesca artesanal principalmente nas regioes norte e nordeste brasileira. A superexploracao da especie tem levado a diminuicao dos estoques naturais, afetando as relacoes socioeconomicas de populacoes ribeirinhas e o status genetico deste crustaceo. Nesse contexto, a aquicultura surge como uma alternativa sustentavel para amenizar este impacto nos estoques naturais. Uma visao molecular das adaptacoes e modificacoes em resposta as variaveis ambientais e importante para se entender a biologia, distribuicao e capacidade que este crustaceo possui para se adaptar a diferentes condicoes e regioes geograficas, quer seja em seu habitat natural ou em cativeiro. Um modo de resposta a essas situacoes e a adaptacao atraves de mudancas na composicao genetica de populacoes como resultado da selecao. Considerando estes aspectos, marcadores SNPs (Polimorfismos de Base Unica) localizados em genes candidatos relacionados ao fitness surgem como ferramentas promissoras para deteccao de selecao e estruturacao genetica em populacoes naturais, bem como para verificar a sua correlacao com caracteristicas complexas de interesse na aquicultura. No presente trabalho objetivou-se estudar SNPs no gene da HSC70 (forma constitutiva do gene da Proteina do Choque Termico de 70 kDa) em duas abordagens: (1) a prospeccao e associacao destes SNPs as caracteristicas de crescimento em uma populacao cativa de M. amazonicum (CAUNESP); e (2) a prospeccao de SNPs, caracterizacao da variabilidade e estruturacao genetica de duas populacoes naturais de M. amazonicum (rios Tocantins e Paracauari, ambos no Para). Para o primeiro estudo, desenvolveu-se um experimento de desempenho zootecnico destes camaroes, submetidos a duas densidades de estocagem (condicao normal e de intensificacao). No momento da despesca, mensuraram-se variaveis de crescimento (comprimentos total e abdominal e pesos total, abdominal e do hepatopancreas) e determinou-se o sexo dos individuos. Os efeitos dos SNPs sobre estas variaveis fenotipicas foram testados em modelo xvii linear misto, conduzidos pelo Proc Mixed do programa SAS. Dentre 12 SNPs identificados nesta populacao, houve efeito de interesse para dois SNPs (C256T e T907C) e dois haplotipos (H7 e H10), efeitos estes que compreendem varias caracteristicas de crescimento, incluindo interacoes de densidade e classe populacional. Os efeitos mais importantes foram encontrados na densidade normal de cultivo e nas femeas. O fato de nao terem sido detectados efeitos significativos de SNPs na alta densidade de estocagem neste primeiro estudo exclui a possibilidade de uso desta informacao para a intensificacao do cultivo do M. amazonicum. De qualquer maneira, estes resultados consistem de informacao relevante para aplicacao no desenvolvimento de linhagens com alto potencial de crescimento, atraves da Selecao Assistida por Marcadores. O efeito detectado nas femeas pode ser indicio do envolvimento do gene da HSC70 com o desenvolvimento reprodutivo da especie. Na segunda abordagem feita, detectouse 13 SNPs na populacao do rio Tocantins e seis na populacao do rio Paracauari. Todos os SNPs apresentaram-se sem desvios do equilibrio de Hardy-Weinberg, porem em alguns pares de locos SNPs foi detectado desequilibrio de ligacao. As duas populacoes apresentaram alta diversidade haplotipica. A diversidade de haplotipos para a populacao do rio Tocantins foi 0,712 e para a populacao do rio Paracauari foi 0,596, diferindo significativamente entre as populacoes (P &#8804; &#61472;0,05). A AMOVA indicou que toda a variabilidade esta presente dentro das populacoes, fazendo com que estas duas populacoes nao estejam diferenciadas geneticamente (FST = - 0,00048). Aparentemente, baseando-se somente nas informacoes de diversidade e na ausencia de estrutura genetica, a acao antropica nao tem causado efeitos drasticos no status genetico destas duas populacoes de M. amazonicum. Estes resultados provam que marcadores SNPs localizados no gene da HSC70 sao uteis no estabelecimento de estrategias de manejo em programas de selecao genetica, bem como em programas de conservacao da especie foco deste estudo.

As proteínas de choque térmico (HSPs) são proteínas presentes nas células em condições normais e supra-expressadas em condições de estresse e choque térmico. O laser de diodo tem sido utilizado em diversos tratamentos na odontologia, dentre eles na atenuação de sintomas e na aceleração do reparo de úlceras traumáticas. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar, através de análise imunoistoquímica da expressão das HSPs (Hsp27 e Hsp 47) e da medição de temperatura por intermédio de câmera termográfica, se o laser de diodo modifica, (e quanto modifica) a temperatura local, bem como se há alteração no padrão de expressão das proteínas citadas em três regiões distintas do fragmento analisado. Para este estudo, foram feitos testes in vitro e in vivo. Para os testes in vivo, foram utilizados 56 ratos, nos quais foi induzida úlcera em ventre lingual. Os animais foram divididos em 4 grupos: GL - grupo ulcerado com posterior irradiação com laser (parâmetros: laser diodo, 0,5 W de potência, pulsado (10 Hz), por 40 segundos (método varredura), 80J/cm2 de energia total (área de 0,25cm2) Má, e a energia por ponto?); GN - grupo ulcerado sem nenhum tratamento posterior; CP - grupo controle sem úlcera e irradiado com laser (mesmos parâmetros de GL); e CN - grupo controle sem úlcera e sem nenhum tratamento posterior. O teste in vitro foi destinado à medição da temperatura durante a irradiação laser, quando utilizaram-se línguas de ratos previamente ulceradas e extirpadas, as quais foram irradiadas com os parâmetros para o teste in vivo. Na superfície irradiada, houve aumento médio de temperatura em torno de 6,7C e, na região mais distante dessa superfície, de 2,7C. Na análise semiquantitativa da expressão imunoistoquímica da Hsp27, observou-se padrão de marcação mais intenso em GL comparando-se a GN e aos demais grupos. Na análise quantitativa da Hsp47, houve maior quantidade de células positivas no GL em relação aos demais grupos, principalmente nas regiões mais próximas da superfície irradiada. Concluiu-se que a irradiação laser provocou aumento de temperatura local, bem como desencadeou padrões de intensidade maiores e diferentes da Hsp27 e da Hsp47 em relação aos demais grupos. Isso indica que o tecido irradiado sofreu maior estresse celular, com resposta tecidual de intensa migração e diferenciação celular, bem como de maior síntese colagênica. / Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are proteins present in cells under normal conditions and over-expressed in terms of stress and thermal shock. The laser diode has been used in various treatments in dentistry, to reduce symptoms and accelerate the repair of traumatic ulcers. The aim of this study was to verify, by means of immunohistochemical expression analysis of HSPs (Hsp27 and Hsp 47) and temperature measurement using a thermographic camera, whether diode laser changes the local temperature (and how much the temperature changes), and whether there is a change in expression pattern of the above-mentioned protein in three distinct regions of the analyzed fragment. For this study, some of the tests were conducted in vitro and others in vivo. For the in vivo tests, 56 rats were used, in which ulcers were induced on the ventral surface of the tongue. The animals were divided into 4 groups: GL-group with ulcer and later laser irradiation (diode laser parameters: 0.5 W power, pulsed (10 Hz), for 40 seconds (defocused), 80J/cm2 total power in area (0.25cm2) GN- group with ulcer and without any further processing; CP- control group without ulcer and with laser irradiation (same parameters as in GL); and GN-control group without ulcer and without any further processing. The in vitro tests were conducted to measure temperature during laser irradiation, using the tongues that had previously been ulcerated in rats, and later removed and irradiated with the same parameters as those used for the in vivo test. In the irradiated surface, there was an increase in mean temperature of around 6.7oC, and in the region more distant from this surface, an increase of 2.7 oC. In the semi-quantitative analysis of immunohistochemical expression of Hsp27, greater expression of Hsp27 was shown in GL in comparison with the other groups in general. In quantitative analysis of Hsp47, there was a larger quantity of positive cells in GL, when compared with the other groups, particularly in the regions closest to irradiated surface. It was concluded that the irradiation laser caused local temperature increase, and also set off greater and different patterns of intensity of Hsp27 and Hsp47, in comparison with those of the other groups. This indicates that the irradiated tissue suffered higher cellular stress, with tissue response of intense migration and cell differentiation, as well as increased collagen synthesis.

Hyperthermia is usually used at a sub-lethal level in cancer treatment to potentiate the effects of chemotherapy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of heating rate in achieving synergistic cell killing by chemotherapy and hyperthermia. For this purpose, in vitro cell culture experiments with a uterine cancer cell line (MES-SA) and its multidrug resistant (MDR) variant MES-SA/Dx5 were conducted. The cytotoxicitiy, mode of cell death, induction of thermal tolerance and P-gp mediated MDR following the two different modes of heating were studied. Doxorubicin (DOX) was used as the chemotherapy drug. Indocyanine green (ICG), which absorbs near infrared light at 808nm (ideal for tissue penetration), was chosen for achieving rapid rate hyperthermia. A slow rate hyperthermia was provided by a cell culture incubator. The results show that the potentiating effect of hyperthermia to chemotherapy can be maximized by increasing the rate of heating as evident by the results from the cytotoxicity assay. When delivered at the same thermal dose, a rapid increase in temperature from 37 °C to 43 °C caused more cell membrane damage than gradually heating the cells from 37 °C to 43 °C and thus allowed for more intracellular accumulation of the chemotherapeutic agents. Different modes of cell death are observed by the two hyperthermia delivery methods. The rapid rate laser-ICG hyperthermia @ 43 °C caused cell necrosis whereas the slow rate incubator hyperthermia @ 43 °C induced very mild apoptosis. At 43 °C a positive correlation between thermal tolerance and the length of hyperthermia exposure is identified. This study shows that by increasing the rate of heating, less thermal dose is needed in order to overcome P-gp mediated MDR.