Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 2002. / "August 2002." Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-109).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-109). Also available on the Internet.

Typical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) presents as a complication of infection with Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC). While there are many animal models for infection, few show true signs of HUS. Additionally, these models differ greatly from the clinical presentation that affects small children and elderly populations. Immunohistochemical assays of tissues from a known HUS model may provide insight into molecular changes associated with the condition, particularly as it pertains to clotting factors. In this study, tissue factor (TF) was investigated in the kidneys of non-human primates previously injected with Shiga-Toxin 2 (STX2). The animals’ condition was indicative of HUS through three main clinical signs: thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia and decreased kidney function. Tissue factor antigen in the kidneys varies between animals that exhibited HUS when compared to those that had recovered or treated with anti-STX2 antibody. Overall, tissue factor is strongly detected in the renal tubules of those afflicted with HUS; tissue factor was not strongly expressed in the glomerular epithelial space, as it was in recovered, clinically healthy animals. This suggests a change throughout the time course of disease and recovery. Investigating tissue factor’s role, if any, in the pathology of the disease could lead to new therapeutics. Although many types of treatments have been suggested and tried, the primary clinical procedure is to administer fluids and allow symptoms to subside. With increasing knowledge about HUS through studies like these, we can hope to gain insight into potent therapeutics and therefore, save lives associated with typical HUS.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Virginia, 2008. / Title from title page. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online through Digital Dissertations.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Virginia, 2008. / Title from title page. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online as viewed 8/06/2009 through Digital Dissertations.

Sub-acute/chronic inflammatory diseases are often associated with altered inflammatory response, leading to increased host vulnerability to secondary inflammatory challenges. In the first study, by employing streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in mice, we further investigate mechanisms leading to enhanced polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) response under hyperglycemia. We show that existence of a proinflammatory state associated with broad increases of macrophages in various organs plays a dominant role in promoting PMN response in diabetic mice. Studies of PMN infiltration during zymosan-induced peritonitis reveal that hyperglycemia enhances PMN recruitment through increasing F4/80+ macrophages in the peritoneal cavity. Insulin reversal of hyperglycemia reduces peritoneal macrophage numbers and ameliorates PMN infiltration. Significantly increased macrophages are also observed in the liver, kidneys, and intestines under hyperglycemia, and are attributable to exacerbated nephropathy and colitis when respective inflammatory conditions are induced. We also find that significant monocytosis of inflammatory F4/80+Gr-1+ monocytes from the spleen and macrophage proliferation in situ synergistically contribute to the increased macrophage population under hyperglycemia. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that STZ-induced hyperglycemic/diabetic mice develop a systemic proinflammatory state mediated by broad infiltration of macrophages. In the second study, we focus on the identification of the carrier that binds to and delivers Shiga toxin 2(Stx2) to the target organ causing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). By employing a murine HUS model through co-injection of LPS-Stx2, we show that, adoptive transfer of CD11b+ leukocytes, but not CD11b- leukocytes, RBC, platelets or plasma, isolated from mice with HUS induces HUS in healthy recipients. Interestingly, we find that LPS priming of mice significantly promotes CD11b+ leukocytes binding to Stx2. Compared to CD11b+ leukocytes from mice without LPS priming, CD11b+ leukocytes isolated from mice after LPS priming demonstrate higher frequencies of toxin binding and augmented potency to induce HUS. In sum, our results demonstrate peripheral CD11b+ myeloid leukocytes act as effective Stx2 carriers that deliver toxin to kidneys causing HUS and that LPS-induced inflammation enhances the carrier capacity and aggravates HUS.

No description available.

Thesis (doctoral)--Lund University, 1997. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Virginia, 2007. / Title from title page. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online through Digital Dissertations.

A Síndrome Hemolítica Urêmica (SHU) é a principal doença associada à infecção com linhagens de Escherichia coli produtoras de toxina de Shiga (Stx), doença para qual não há uma vacina ou tratamento específico. A toxina Stx é formada por uma subunidade A enzimaticamente ativa e uma B pentamérica responsável pela ligação da toxina na célula hospedeira. Neste trabalho propomos o uso de Bacillus subtilis, uma bactéria não patogênica e formadora de esporos, como veículo vacinal para a expressão de formas atóxicas da Stx2, sob o controle de um promotor induzível por estresse (PgsiB). Camundongos BALB/c imunizados com células vegetativas ou esporos das linhagens vacinais de B. subtilis, por diferentes vias, induziram baixos níveis de anticorpos anti-Stx em soro (IgG) e fezes (IgA). Avaliamos também o potencial imunogênico da Stx gerada em linhagens recombinates de E. coli, mas os anticorpos gerados não foram capazes de neutralizar a toxina nativa. Os resultados indicam que formas alternativas de expressão e/ou o uso de adjuvantes são necessárias para gerar formulações vacinais eficazes contra a SHU. / The Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) is the main disease associated with infections with Shiga toxin (Stx) - producing Escherichia coli strain and no effective vaccine or treatment exist. The Stx toxin consist of an enzymatically active A subunit and a pentameric B subunit responsible toxin binding to host cells. In this work we propose the use of Bacillus subtilis, a harmless spore form bacteria as a vaccine vehicle for the expression atoxic forms of Stx2, under the control of stress inducible (PgsiB) promoter. BALB/c mice immunized with vegetative cells and spores of the B. subtilis vaccine strain using different immunization routes elicited low specific antibody levels at serum (IgG) or fecal extracts (IgA). We also investigated the immunogenic potencial of StxB purified from recombinant E. coli strain, but the induced anti-StxB antibodies did not neutralize the native toxin. The results indicate that alternative expression system or the incorporation of the adjuvants are required for the generation of vaccine formulation active against HUS.