Le développement des senseurs protéiques et des outils optogénétiques au cours des dernières années a donné une place particulière à la microscopie pour l’étude des processus moléculaires in-vivo. L’équipe « Nano-optique et physiologie intégrée » développe des montages optiques originaux pour exploiter ces nouveaux outils chez le petit animal vivant en collaboration avec des neurobiologistes. Nous nous intéressons en particulier à l’organisation cellulaire et à l’activité des réseaux neuronaux impliqués dans la mémorisation associative olfactive de la drosophile. En amont, mon travail de thèse a été de mettre en place un microscope grand champ, basé sur le principe de la microscopie à HiLo, permettant l’acquisition rapide de sections optiques et la reconstruction tridimensionnelle de réseaux neuronaux. Après avoir prouvé la pertinence de l’approche choisie lorsqu’elle est associée aux outils génétiques permettant un marquage sélectif des neurones, le cœur de mon travail fut le développement d’un montage original permettant d’atteindre les objectifs de résolution spatiale et de vitesse. Son originalité se situe dans l’utilisation de la technologie des matrices de micro-miroirs (DLP) pour structurer l’illumination. Ce système de micro-miroirs pilotables peut moduler le faisceau d’une source LED haute puissance à haute cadence. Dans une seconde partie, j’ai caractérisé ce microscope et réalisé de premières expériences in-vivo avec les développements spécifiques nécessaires à ces expériences. En particulier, en utilisant un rapporteur protéique calcique fluorescent, GCamP3, j’ai montré que l’on pouvait suivre, dans des régions ciblées du cerveau, la réponse à des stimulations physiologiques à cadence vidéo. / In the last decades, optogenetic and protein reporter development have given a special place to optical microscopy for in-vivo investigation of biological molecular processes. Our team, “Nano-optics and integrated physiology”, develops optical set-ups to take advantage of these tools on small living animals, in collaboration with neurobiologists. We are particularly interested both in the cellular organization and neural activity involved in the olfactory memory formation in drosophila. Upstream to these investigations, my PhD research aimed at developing a new implementation for wide-field microscopy based on the HiLo concept. The new design took advantage of the micro-mirror array technology (DLP) to structure the illumination. This system can modulate the beam made by a high power LED illumination with high acquisition rates. I characterized this microscope and realized preliminary in-vivo experiments with specific developments made for physiological experiments under the microscope. Thus, I demonstrated both high spatial resolution imaging and a tenfold increase of speed with respect to confocal microscopy. I reached acquisition rates compatible with 3D monitoring of specific neural networks.

Le carcinome basocellulaire (CBC) est un cancer cutané très fréquent représentant un problème de santé publique majeur. Il métastase rarement mais peut devenir très invasif localement s’il n’est pas pris en charge rapidement. Actuellement, le diagnostic de certitude du CBC est obtenu par examen anatomopathologique de coupes fines ; ce qui présente pour inconvénient d’être invasif et de donner une réponse différée. De plus, la chirurgie du CBC ne bénéficie pas d’outil permettant de définir en temps réel la largeur optimale des marges de sécurité ; celles-ci devant être minimales pour éviter les séquelles esthétiques mais suffisantes pour empêcher toute récidive. L’objectif de ces travaux de thèse est d’évaluer l’apport potentiel de la spectroscopie Raman dans la prise en charge du CBC. Cette technologie applicable in vivo grâce au développement de sondes adaptées, permet une exploration tissulaire à un niveau moléculaire relativement rapide. Au total, 32 patients ont été inclus dans cette étude. A partir des spectres enregistrés in vivo, un modèle de discrimination CBC / peau saine a été développé, à partir duquel les marges d’excision latérales ont pu être évaluées. Les marges profondes ont également été étudiées après enregistrement de spectres sur les pièces fraichement excisées. Des marqueurs Raman de discrimination ont été identifiés aux différentes échelles in vivo, ex vivo et in vitro; ils constituent des bio-indicateurs potentiels pour orienter la prise de décision chirurgicale. Enfin, la contribution des fonds spectraux, habituellement écartés des analyses Raman, a été considérée et leur intérêt dans le cadre de ce projet a été discuté. / Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer and a major problem for healthcare services worldwide. BCC rarely metastasizes but can become highly damaging for surrounding tissue in case of late diagnosis. Actually, the gold standard for BCC diagnosis relies on histopathological assessment of thin sections, but it is an invasive method which provides a delayed response. Moreover, it will be helpful during surgery of BCC to assess in real-time the optimal size of the security margins, which has to be small enough to minimize aesthetic sequelae but sufficient to avoid recurrence. The aim of this work is to evaluate the potential contribution of Raman spectroscopy in the management of BCC. This technology can be applied in vivo thanks to the development of appropriate probes and allows a relatively rapid tissue exploration at a molecular level. A total of 32 patients were included in this study. From in vivo recorded spectra, a model of discrimination BCC / healthy skin was implemented, from which the width of excision margins was evaluated. Deep margins were also studied after recording spectra on freshly excised pieces. Discriminant Raman markers were identified at different levels in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro; they are potential bio-indicators to help the surgeon to define ideal excision margins. In addition, the contribution of spectral backgrounds, usually removed from Raman analysis, was considered and their interest in this project was discussed

A radiação solar ultravioleta (RUV) pode induzir efeitos à pele devidos a sua ação direta ou indireta, por meio da geração de radicais livres. Esses efeitos podem provocar diversas lesões na pele humana como o câncer de pele. No Brasil, segundo o Instituto Nacional do Câncer (INCA, 2012), este tipo de câncer corresponde a 25% de todos os tumores diagnosticados. Como medida profilática de proteção da pele contra os efeitos da radiação solar pode-se citar o uso de protetores solares, produtos tópicos adicionados de filtros solares UV sintéticos com propriedades de absorção e reflexão dos raios solares, e como medida preventiva é recomendado o uso de fotoquimioprotetores, produtos tópicos ou de administração oral incorporados de extratos vegetais ou substancias naturais isoladas com atividades antioxidante e/ou sequestradora de radicais livres e atividade anti-inflamatória. Os protetores solares são considerados produtos OTC, em alguns países, e por isso devem ter sua eficácia comprovada por métodos in vitro ou in vivo padronizados. Assim, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo investigar o potencial fotoprotetor e/ou fotoquimioprotetor do extrato etanólico do epicarpo de Garcinia brasiliensis usando métodos in vitro e in vivo, respectivamente. O extrato foi caracterizado quimicamente por medida dos teores de flavonoides, polifenois e lipídios e funcionalmente pela determinação da atividade antioxidante e/ou sequestradora de radicais livres por diferentes métodos in vitro. A citotoxidade e fotoestabilidade do extrato, como também, o potencial fotoprotetor do extrato e das formulações adicionadas deste em diferentes concentrações foram avaliados in vitro por medida da viabilidade celular de cultura de células de fibroblastos (L929). A eficácia fotoprotetora e/ou fotoquimioprotetora da formulação adicionada do extrato foi testada in vivo por medida das quantidades de GSH endógeno e das interleucinas IL-1? e TNF-?, como também, pela medida da atividade da mieloperoxidase, usando os camundongos hairless, como modelo animal. Os teores de flavonoides e polifenois de 3,4 mg EQ/g e 69,84 mg EAG/g, respectivamente, foram menores àqueles de outros extratos vegetais. Os menores teores de flavonoides e polifenois refletiram na menor atividade antioxidante desse extrato que apresentou valores de IC50 de 47,47 ?g/mL e 425,06 ?g/mL para atividade antioxidante determinada pelos métodos de DPPHo e peroxidação lipídica, respectivamente. O teor de lipídio encontrado foi de 45%, isto sugere que esse extrato deve ser armazenado em condições controladas para minimizar a sua instabilidade por meio da oxidação dos lipídios por reações oxidativas. Os estudos de citotoxidade mostraram que o extrato na concentração de 25 ?g/mL diminuiu em 40% a viabilidade das células L929. A citotoxidade do extrato foi maior quando exposto à radiação UVA que à UVB, sugerindo que este extrato pode ser mais fotoinstável à radiação UVA. Nos testes de fotoproteção empregando culturas de células, o extrato na concentração de 100 mg/mL e formulação adicionada de 20% de extrato aumentaram a viabilidade das células L929 expostas à radiação UVB na mesma proporção àquela do protetor solar comercial com FPS 15. Nos testes in vivo, a formulação adicionada de 20% de extrato mostrou eficácia fotoprotetora, protegeu o GSH da depleção, não permitiu o aumento da atividade da mieloperoxidase e das quantidades das citocinas, IL-1? e TNF- ?, na pele exposta à radiação UVB. / The solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) can induce harmfull effects to the skin by direct action or through the generation of free radicals. These effects can cause various skin lesions such as skin cancer. According to the National Institute of Cancer (INCA, 2012) this type of cancer accounts for 25% of all tumors diagnosed in Brazil. In order to protect the skin against the effects of solar radiation it is recommended the use of sunscreens and topical products added to synthetic sunscreens with properties of absorption and reflection of solar rays. Moreover it is increasing the interest in the use of photochemoprotectors including topical or oral products incorporated with plant extracts or natural substances isolated with antioxidant and/or free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory activity. Sunscreens are considered OTC products, in some countries, and therefore must have proven effective for in vitro or in vivo standardized. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the photochemical/photoprotective potential of the ethanolic extract of the Garcinia brasiliensis epicarp using in vitro and in vivo methods, respectively. The extract was chemically characterized by measuring the levels of flavonoids, polyphenols and lipids and functionally by determining the antioxidant activity and/or free radical scavenging using different methods in vitro. The cytotoxicity and photostability of the extract and the photoprotective potential of the extract and formulations added extract with different concentrations of the extract were assessed in vitro by measurement of cell viability using cell culture of fibroblasts (L929). The photochemical/protoprotective effect of the formulation added with the extract was tested in vivo by measuring the amounts of endogenous GSH and interleukins IL-1? and TNF-?, besides by measuring myeloperoxidase activity using hairless mice as an animal model. The determined levels of flavonoids and polyphenols of 3.4 mg EQ/g and 69.84 mg GAE/g, respectively, were considered lower than those observed in other plant extracts. The lower levels of flavonoids and polyphenols reflected in lower antioxidant potential of the extract which showed IC50 values of 47.47 and 425.06 mg/mL for antioxidant activity determined by DPPHo and lipid peroxidation methods, respectively. The lipid content was found to be 45%, which suggests that this extract must be stored under controlled conditions to minimize their instability by oxidation of the lipids by oxidative reactions. Cytotoxicity studies showed that the extract at a concentration of 25 mg/mL decreased in 40% the viability of L929 cells. The cytotoxicity of the extract was higher when exposed to UVA than to UVB, suggesting that this extract might be more photoinstable to UVA radiation. In photoprotection tests employing cell culture the extract (100 mg/mL) and the formulation added with 20% of the extract increased the viability of L929 cells exposed to UVB radiation at the same rate to that observed when it was used a commercial sunscreen with an SPF of 15. In vivo results showed that the formulation added with 20% of the extract showed a photoprotective effect when observed the reduction of GSH depletion in treated mice as such as the reduction of myeloperoxidase activity and amounts of cytokines IL-1? and TNF-? in treated skin exposed to radiation UVB in comparison to the non-treated irradiated control.

O câncer de mama constitui o segundo tipo de câncer mais frequente no mundo e o mais comum entre as mulheres, representando uma das principais causas de morte. O tamoxifeno é um fármaco antiestrogênico utilizado para o tratamento deste tipo de câncer desde 1971 e ainda é o mais utilizado nos casos de tumores mamários que expressam receptores de estrógeno. Apesar de apresentar resultados significativamente positivos, seu efeito antiestrogênico não se restringe apenas ao sítio tumoral causando, com isso, efeitos colaterais graves que podem deixar sequelas. A proposta deste trabalho foi desenvolver sistemas de liberação nanoparticulados à base de PLA e PLA-PEG para veiculação do tamoxifeno, como uma estratégia para o potencial aumento da segurança e da eficácia deste fármaco através de um possível direcionamento passivo ao sítio de ação, devido à permeabilidade vascular aumentada destas regiões tumorais. As nanopartículas foram preparadas pela técnica de nanoprecipitação e apresentaram diâmetro médio inferior a 200 nm para a maioria das formulações. Foram avaliados três estabilizantes, o poloxamer 407, o poloxamer 188 e o polissorbato 80, este último proporcionou maior eficiência de encapsulação, 86,7% e 100%, nas nanopartículas de PLA e PLA-PEG, respectivamente. Quanto à composição das nanopartículas de PLA-PEG, o polímero utilizado inicialmente (PLA(1000)-PEG(750)) apresentou distribuição de tamanho heterogênea, perfil multimodal e alto índice de polidispersividade. Assim, este polímero foi substituído pelo PLA(5000)-PEG(1000), que apresentou distribuição de tamanho uniforme, perfil monomodal e baixo índice de polidispersividade. A caracterização por microscopia eletrônica de varredura comprovou a homogeneidade no tamanho de partícula, mostrando seu formato esférico. As análises de espectrofotometria no infravermelho e calorimetria diferencial exploratória sugeriram que não ocorreu nenhum tipo de interação ou reação entre o fármaco e os demais componentes das formulações. Dois métodos analíticos para a determinação do tamoxifeno foram validados com sucesso por CLAE e espectroscopia UV-vis. O perfil de liberação in vitro do tamoxifeno a partir das nanopartículas de PLA apresentou característica sustentada e alcançou 50% em 180 h, tendo sido totalmente liberado após 288 h. Já as nanopartículas de PLA(5000)-PEG(1000) liberaram apenas 16,9% do fármaco após 216 h. A liberação do fármaco a partir das nanopartículas foi muito mais lenta comparada ao tamoxifeno não encapsulado, evidenciando a vantagem da incorporação do fármaco em nanopartículas compostas por PLA e PLA-PEG. No estudo do perfil de concentração plasmática em ratas Wistar, não foi possível detectar o fármaco e seu principal metabólito pelo método por CLAE desenvolvido, sugerindo que os sistemas nanoparticulados tenham extravasado rapidamente para os órgãos. / Breast cancer is the second most frequent type of cancer in the world and it is the most common among women, representing a major cause of death. Tamoxifen is an antiestrogen drug used in the treatment of this type of cancer since 1971 and it is the most employed drug in the treatment of breast cancer subtypes that expresses estrogen receptors. Despite presenting significantly positive results, its antiestrogen effect is not restricted to the tumour site, causing, as consequence, severe side effects. The purpose of this work was to develop nanostructured drug delivery systems based on PLA and PLA-PEG loaded with tamoxifen, as a strategy to potentially increase the safety and efficacy of this drug through a possible passive accumulation the site of action, due to the enhanced vascular permeability of tumour sites. Nanoparticles were prepared by the nanoprecipitation technique and presented average diameter smaller than 200 nm for the majority of the formulations. Three stabilizing adjuvants were analysed, poloxamer 407, poloxamer 188 and polysorbate 80 and the last one yielded the highest encapsulation efficiency, 86.7% and 100%, for the PLA and PLA-PEG nanoparticles, respectively. Regarding the PLA-PEG nanoparticles composition, the first polymer employed was (PLA(1000)-PEG(750)), which presented heterogeneous particle size distribution, multimodal profile and high polydispersity index. So, it was replaced by PLA(5000)-PEG(1000), which exhibited uniform particle size distribution, monomodal profile and low polydispersity index. The characterization by scanning electron microscopy confirmed the homogeneity of particles size, evidencing their spherical shape. Infrared spectrophotometry and differential scanning calorimetry analysis suggested that any interaction or reaction had occurred between the drug and the other components of the formulations. Two analytical methods for tamoxifen quantification were successfully validated by HPLC and UV-vis spectroscopy. In vitro tamoxifen release profile from PLA nanoparticles presented sustained release and reached 50% in 180 h, being completely released after 288 h, whereas PLA(5000)-PEG(1000) nanoparticles released only 16.9% of tamoxifen after 216 h. Drug release from nanoparticles was much slower compared to the non-encapsulated tamoxifen, showing the advantage of nanoparticles composed of PLA and PLA-PEG. In the plasmatic concentration profile study carried out in Wistar rats, it was not possible to detect tamoxifen or its main metabolite by the HPLC method, suggesting that nanoparticles quickly extravased to organs.

Neste trabalho foi desenvolvida pela primeira vez uma estratégia de purificação com duas etapas, uma cromatografia de troca iônica e uma cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência em fase-reversa (RP-HPLC), para obter um hTSH derivado de CHO (r-hTSH-IPEN), que mostrou-se rápida e prática, permitindo um rendimento de 70% e uma pureza > 99%. Um aumento de ~60% na produtividade de r-hTSH-IPEN foi observado quando condições de cultura celular foram alteradas de 5% de CO2 para ar (0,03% CO2). A qualidade dos produtos obtidos em ambas as condições foi avaliada com relação à estrutura dos N-glicanos, aos isômeros de carga e à atividade biológica em comparação com a única preparação comercial conhecida (Thyrogen®) e com uma preparação de referência de origem hipofisária (p-hTSH) do National Hormone and Pituitary Program (NIDDK, EUA). Os N-glicanos identificados nas preparações recombinantes foram do tipo complexo, apresentando estruturas bi-, tri- e tetra- antenárias, algumas fucosiladas, sendo 86-88% sialiladas com níveis variáveis. As três estruturas mais abundantes foram monosialiladas, representando ~69% de todas as formas identificadas nas três preparações. A principal diferença foi encontrada em termos de antenaridade, com 8-10% mais estruturas bi-antenárias na ausência de CO2 e 7-9% mais estruturas tri-antenárias na presença de CO2. No caso do p-hTSH foram identificadas estruturas do tipo complexo, com alta-manose e híbridas, a maioria delas contendo resíduos terminais de ácido siálico e/ou sulfato. As duas estruturas mais abundantes contem um ou dois resíduos de sulfato, sendo que no primeiro caso ele inesperadamente se liga a uma galactose. A porcentagem de ligação do ácido siálico à galactose nas conformações 2-3 e 2-6 foi de 68 ± 10% e 32 ± 10% respectivamente. Não foram observadas diferenças fundamentais nos isômeros de carga, nas três preparações recombinantes, os perfis da focalização isoelétrica mostrando seis bandas distintas no intervalo de pI de 5,39 a 7,35. Uma distribuição consideravelmente diferente, com várias formas na região ácida, foi observada, no entanto, para duas preparações hipofisárias. Uma bioatividade ligeiramente superior (p <0,02) foi encontrada para o r-hTSH-IPEN obtido na presença de CO2 quando as preparações foram analisadas com boa precisão por um simples bioensaio em dose única; esta atividade, no entanto, não é significativamente diferente da atividade do Thyrogen, as duas preparações sendo 1,6 e 1,8 vezes mais potentes do que a preparação de referência (p-hTSH). Podemos concluir que, pelo menos para o caso dos r-hTSH derivados de CHO, diferentes condições de cultivo não afetam significativamente as estruturas dos N-glicanos, distribuição de isómeros de carga ou atividade biológica. Thyrogen e r-hTSH-IPEN, quando comparados com p-hTSH-NIDDK, apresentaram cerca de 7% de aumento da massa molecular determinada por MALDI-TOF-MS. Esta técnica, que permite uma avaliação exata da massa do heterodímero, apresentou valores de MR de 29611, 29839 e 27829, respectivamente. Diferenças significativas foram encontradas entre o r-hTSH e o p-hTSH pelo que se refere às propriedades hidrofóbicas, avaliadas por RP-HPLC. Também foram observadas diferenças relacionadas à composição de carboidratos, principalmente de ácido siálico e galactose, tendo sido encontrado um menor teor destes resíduos no p-hTSH. / A novel, fast and practical two-step purification strategy, consisting of a classical ion exchange and a reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), for rapidly obtaining CHO-derived hTSH, was set up providing r-hTSH with 70% yield and > 99% purity. A consistent increase of ~60% in the secretion yields of r-hTSH-IPEN was observed by changing cell culture CO2 conditions from 5% CO2 to air environment (0.03% CO2). The overall quality of the products obtained under both conditions was evaluated for what concerns N-glycan structure, charge isomers and biological activity in comparison with a well known recombinant biopharmaceutical (Thyrogen®) and with a pituitary reference preparation (p-hTSH) from National Hormone and Pituitary Program (NIDDK, USA). The N-glycans identified in the recombinant preparations were of the complex type, presenting bi-, tri- and tetra-antennary structures, sometimes fucosylated, 86-88% of the identified structures being sialylated at variable levels. The three most abundant structures were monosialylated glycans, representing ~69% of all identified forms in the three preparations. The main difference was found in terms of antennarity, with 8-10% more bi-antennary structures obtained in the absence of CO2 and 7-9% more tri-antennary structures in its presence. In the case of p-hTSH, complex, high-mannose and hybrid N-glycan structures were identified, most of them containing sialic acid and/or sulphate terminal residues. The two most abundant structures were shown to contain one or two sulphate residues, one of which unexpectedly bound to galactose. The sialic acid-galactose linkage was also determined, having found that 68 ± 10% was in the 2,6 and 32 ± 10% in the 2,3 conformation. No remarkable difference in charge isomers was observed between the three recombinant preparations, the isoelectric focusing profiles showing six distinct bands in the 5.39 - 7.35 pI range. A considerably different distribution, with more forms in the acidic region, was observed, however, for two native pituitary preparations. When analyzed via a simple and precise single-dose bioassay, a slightly higher bioactivity (p<0.02) was found for r-hTSH-IPEN obtained in the presence of CO2. This potency however, was not significantly different from that of Thyrogen, the two preparations being 1.6-1.8-fold more potent than the reference preparation of p-hTSH. We can conclude that, at least for the case of CHO-derived r-hTSH, different production processes do not greatly affect its N-glycan structures, charge isomer distribution or biological activity. Thyrogen and r-hTSH-IPEN, when compared to p-hTSH-NIDDK, presented about a 7% increased relative molecular mass (MR) determined by MALDI-TOF-MS analysis. This technique, allowing accurate heterodimer mass determinations, provided MR values of 29611, 29839 and 27829, respectively. Significant differences in hydrophobic properties, evaluated by RP-HPLC, were found for r-hTSH and p-hTSH. Also differences related to carbohydrate moiety, mainly in the amount of sialic acid and galactose, were found for these preparations, a much lower content of these sugar residues being observed in p-hTSH

A aqüicultura desenvolveu-se rapidamente nos últimos anos, sendo a carcinicultura um dos segmentos mais lucrativos e crescentes, onde a ração representa o custo mais elevado da produção e a maior fonte de poluição das fazendas de camarão. Nesse contexto, verifica-se a busca por rações de qualidade e novos ingredientes. Assim, o presente trabalho objetivou aperfeiçoar o método in vivo de análise da digestibilidade de rações, desenvolvendo sistemas de cultivo (aquários: 14,3L e tanques: 160L), com recirculação de água marinha e filtro biológico, empregando rações comerciais (fase de crescimento) e dietas experimentais com diferentes produtos da soja (farelo de soja, farelo de soja texturIzado e farelo de soja micronizado) e marcador de óxido crômico (teste de digestibilidade) em camarões da espécie Litopenaeus vannamei. Os sistemas e a manutenção aplicada foram eficientes na conservação da estabilidade dos parâmetros abióticos monitorados (compostos nitrogenados, temperatura, salinidade e pH). Os camarões apresentaram maior ganho de peso (P<0,05) com menores coeficientes de variação nos tanques. Não houve diferenças (P>0,05) entre as dietas testadas (aquários), mas a digestibilidade acompanhou o maior processamento da soja (tanques). Os resultados sugerem a maior adequabilidade dos tanques para testes nutricionais. / Aquaculture have developed quickly in the last years, being the shrimp culture the more profitable and increasing sector. Feed comprise the highest variable costs of production and a major pollution source from shrimp farms. Hence is the search for quality feeds and new ingredients. Thus, the present work aimed to improve the in vivo method of feed protein digestibility, developing culture systems (aquariums: 14,3L and tanks: 160L) with seawater recirculation and biological filters. Commercial feeds (growth phase) and experimental diets with different soy products (soybean meal, texturized soybean meal and micronized soybean meal) with chromic oxide as marker (digestibility test) in Litopenaeus vannamei shrimps. Systems and maintenance procedures were efficient in the conservation of abiotic parameters (nitrogen products, temperature, salinity and pH). Shrimps showed higher weight gain (P<0,05) with low variation coefficient in the tanks compared to aquaria. No difference (P>0,05) was observed between the diets tested in the aquaria. But the digestibility was major to higher processed soybean meal (tanks). The results suggest the better adequacy to nutritional tests.

O câncer de mama é a segunda principal causa de morte entre as mulheres nos países em desenvolvimento, devido ao seu alto grau de malignidade. O tratamento baseia-se, principalmente, em terapias hormonais, uma vez que as células deste tipo de tumor expressam, em sua maioria, um elevado número de receptores hormonais, responsáveis pela regulação do crescimento do mesmo. O tamoxifeno é um fármaco da classe dos moduladores seletivos de receptores de estrógeno, que atua através do antagonismo à ativação de tais receptores por este hormônio, reduzindo, assim, a taxa de crescimento celular do tecido tumoral. Embora o tratamento com tamoxifeno seja altamente efetivo, este se relaciona a severos efeitos colaterais dosedependentes. O objetivo central deste trabalho foi desenvolver sistemas micelares de longo tempo de circulação contendo tamoxifeno, preparados à base do fosfolipídeo DSPE-PEG(n), associado ou não ao derivado de vitamina E TPGS, para administração intravenosa, capazes de permitir um acúmulo maior do fármaco no sítio tumoral devido a suas dimensões nanométricas, permitindo, desta forma, a redução da dose e a consequente redução dos efeitos colaterais. A determinação da eficiência de encapsulação e a quantificação do tamoxifeno no estudo de liberação in vitro a partir dos sistemas obtidos foram realizadas por CLAE, utilizando métodos previamente validados. Os melhores resultados foram alcançados com as formulações à base de DSPE-PEG(2000) e TPGS, preparadas pelo método de evaporação do solvente, as quais apresentaram diâmetro médio inferior a 20 nm, baixo índice de polidispersividade e eficiência de encapsulação entre 70 e 95%. A análise por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão evidenciou o formato esférico e comprovou a homogeneidade do tamanho das partículas. Os sistemas foram caracterizados, ainda, por espectrofotometria no infravermelho para avaliação de possíveis interações entre os componentes das formulações. O perfil de liberação in vitro demonstrou que após 168 h, no máximo cerca de 30% do fármaco foi liberado, verificando-se que o aumento na quantidade de TPGS na formulação reduziu a porcentagem de tamoxifeno liberado. A baixa taxa de liberação in vitro sugere que a maior parte do fármaco mantenha-se no interior da estrutura micelar durante o período de permanência no sangue, favorecendo a chegada da nanoestrutura íntegra ao sítio tumoral. No estudo do perfil de concentração plasmática em ratas Wistar, não foi possível detectar o fármaco e seu principal metabólito pelo método por CLAE desenvolvido, sugerindo que os sistemas micelares tenham extravasado rapidamente para os órgãos. / Breast cancer is the second main cause of death among women in development countries due to their high malignance grade. The treatment is mainly based on hormonal therapies, once the cells of the majority of mammary tumors express a high number of hormone receptors, responsible for the tumor growth. Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator drug, acting through the antagonism of the activation of the estrogen receptor, reducing thus the tumor growing rate. Despite the treatment with tamoxifen is highly effective, it is related to severe dose-dependent side effects. The central objective of this work was the development of long time circulation micelles containing tamoxifen, prepared with the phospholipid DSPEPEG(n) and TPGS, a vitamin E derivative, by the method of solvent evaporation, for intravenous administration, able to allow a higher accumulation of the drug at the tumoral site due to their nanometric dimensions, leading to a reduction in the dose and consequently in the side effects. The determination of the encapsulation efficiency and the quantification of tamoxifen in the in vitro release profile study from the micellar systems were carried out by HPLC, using methods previously validated. The best results were achieved with the formulations based on DSPE-PEG(2000) and TPGS, which showed mean particle diameter less than 20 nm, low polydispersity index and encapsulation efficiency ranging from 70 to 95%. The transmition electronic microscopy pointed the spherical shape and proved the homogeneity of particle size. The systems were also characterized by infrared spectrophotometry to identify eventual interactions among the components of the formulations. The in vitro release profile study showed that after 168 h, a maximum of about 30% of tamoxifen was released, evidencing that the increase of the TPGS amount in the formulation reduced the amount of tamoxifen released. The low rate of in vitro release drug suggests that the major part of the drug will remain encapsulated during the period of blood permanence, favoring the arrival of the intact nanostructure at the tumoral site. During the evaluation of the plasmatic concentration profile, conducted with Wistar rats, it was not possible to detect neither the tamoxifen nor its main metabolite, suggesting that the intact micelles may have quickly accumulated in the organs.

Der primäre somatosensorische Kortex (S1) besteht aus sechs Schichten (L1L6).Die koordinierte Aktivität dieser sechs Schichten kortikaler Neurone ist entscheidend für die sensorische Wahrnehmung und die Steuerung willkürlichen Verhaltens. Es ist jedoch noch wenig über die synaptischen Mechanismen bekannt, die die Verarbeitung zwischen den kortikalen Schichten bei sich aktiv verhaltenden Tieren bestimmen. Ich habe einfache und doppelte in vivoGanzzellableitungen im VorderpfotenAreal von S1 in der Maus gemacht, und gezeigt, dass Pyramidalzellen in L2/3 und L5 während einer Bewegung der Vorderpfote Unterschiede in ihren intrinsischen Eigenschaften und der Dynamik ihrer Membranpotenziale zeigen. Doppelableitungen haben gezeigt, dass sensorisch und motorisch ausgelöste synaptische Eingänge zwischen den Zellschichten weitgehend korreliert waren, niederfrequente unterschwellige Potenzialschwankungen und spontane Aktionspotenziale jedoch einen schichtspezifischen Zeitverlauf zeigten. Auf einer längeren Zeitskala beobachteten wir, dass spontane Bewegungen der Vorderpfote eine Dekorrelation unterschwelliger Aktivität zwischen den Schichten auslösten. Des Weiteren zeigten L5Pyramidalzellen durch ihre Aktivität sensorisch ausgelöste und spontane Bewegungen der Vorderpfote stärker an, als L2/3Neurone. Insgesamt deuten meine Daten darauf hin, dass Unterschiede zwischen den Zellschichten beim Timing von Aktionspotenzialen, bei der unterschwelligen Synchronisierung und bei den mittleren Feuerraten sowohl von der Quelle des zu Grunde liegenden synaptischen Eingangs als auch vom resultierenden Verhalten abhängen. Außerdem konnte ich zeigen, dass Neurone im VorderpfotenAreal von S1 auf leichte Kältereizung der Vorderpfote antworten, und dass diese Antwort vom Ionenkanal transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 8 (TRPM8) in primären sensorischen afferenten Neuronen vermittelt wird. / The primary somatosensory cortex (SI) is composed of six layers (L1L6). The coordination of neural activities across six layers of cortical neurons is essential for reliable sensory perception and the control of voluntary behavior. However, the synaptic neural mechanisms governing translaminar cortical processing in behaving animals are still unknown. I made in vivo single and dual whole cell recordings in mouse forepaw SI, my work revealed that L2/3 and L5 pyramidal neurons have distinct intrinsic properties and membrane potential dynamics during forepaw behavior. Dual recordings showed that sensory and movement evoked synaptic inputs were closely correlated across layers, but low frequency subthreshold fluctuations and spontaneous action potentials exhibited a laminar specific temporal profile. At longer time scales, my data showed that spontaneous forepaw movement evoked a decorrelation of subthreshold activity across layers. Furthermore, L5 pyramidal neurons signaled sensory evoked and spontaneous forepaw movements more strangely than L2/3 neurons. Overall, my work suggests that laminar differences in the timing of action potential firing, subthreshold synchrony and mean firing rates are dependent both on the origin of the underlying synaptic input and the behavioral outcome of the event. In addition, I identified that forepaw SI neurons respond to mild cooling stimulation of the forepaw and that this response is mediated by the Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 8 (TRPM8) in primary sensory afferent neurons.

Zusätzlich zu seiner Funktion innerhalb des Gerinnungssystems vermittelt Thrombin inflammatorische Reaktionen. Mastzellen (MZ) sind durch die Freisetzung von proinflammatorischen Mediatoren wie Maus-Mastzell Proteasen (MCPTs mouse mast cell proteases auch als mMCPs bekannt), Zytokinen und Chemokinen. charakterisiert. Da Thrombinrezeptoren, auch als Proteinase-aktivierbare Rezeptoren (PAR) bekannt, von MZ exprimiert werden, wurde untersucht ob eine MZ-Aktivierung über die Thrombin/PAR Interaktion bei einer dermalen Entzündung eine Rolle spielt. Die intrakutane Injektion von Thrombin in die Ohren von C57BL/6 Kit+/+ Mäusen löste eine sofortige kutane Entzündung, einhergehend mit einer starken Ohrschwellung, aus. Im Vergleich dazu war diese Schwellung in MZ-defizienten C57BL/6 KitW-sh/W-sh Mäusen deutlich stärker, was darauf hindeutet, dass MZ anti-inflammatorisch wirken. Die lokale Rekonstitution von C57BL/6 KitW-sh/W-sh Mäusen mit knochenmarksgenerierten MZ normalisierte diesen Effekt. Die quantitative histomorphometrische Untersuchung der MZ bestätigte zusätzlich eine starke Degranulation der MZ nach Thrombininjektion nach. PCR-Analysen der MZ wiesen die Expression aller bekannten Thrombin-Rezeptoren. Die Stimulation mit verschiedenen Konzentrationen von Thrombin oder PAR-agonistischen Peptiden führte zu einer dosis-abhängigen Degranulation der MZ, was nahe legt, dass die Degranulation der MZ für die Limitierung der thrombin-induzierten Entzündung nötig ist. Gestützt wird die Hypothese durch die Tatsache, dass Zellkulturüberstand von degranulierten MZ zu einer Inaktivierung der Thrombinaktivität führt. Des Weiteren führte die Injektion von Thrombin in die Ohren von MCTP4-defizienten Mäusen zu einer deutlich erhöhten Ohrschwellung im Vergleich zur korrespondierenden Wildtyp-Maus. Zusammengenommen zeigen die Ergebnisse, dass die sofortige thrombin-induzierte Entzündungsreaktion durch kutane MZ kontrolliert wird. Dieser Mechanismus wird teilweise durch MCPT4 vermittelt. / In addition to its function in the coagulation system, thrombin mediates inflammatory reactions. Mast cells (MCs) are characterized by releasing inflammatory mediators like mouse mast cell proteases (MCPTs, also designated mMCPs), cytokines, and chemokines, upon activation. Since thrombin-receptors, also known as Proteinase-activated receptors (PAR), are expressed by MCs, it was questioned whether MC activation via the thrombin/PAR axis plays a role in skin inflammation. Intracutaneous injection of thrombin in ears of C57BL/6 Kit+/+ mice induced immediate inflammatory skin reactions associated with a distinct ear swelling. This swelling was more pronounced in MC-deficient C57BL/6 KitW-sh/W-sh mice, indicating that MCs are anti-inflammatory, local reconstitution of C57BL/6 KitW-sh/W-sh mice with C57BL/6 Kit+/+ bone marrow-derived MCs normalized this effect. Additionally thrombin injection resulted in a strong degranulation of MCs assessed by quantitative histomorphometry. PCR analysis of MCs displayed expression of all known thrombin receptors. Stimulation with thrombin or PAR agonistic peptides resulted in a dose-dependent degranulation of MC, suggesting MC degranulation could be necessary for the limitation of thrombin-induced inflammatory responses. Supporting this hypothesis, supernatant from degranulated MCs inactivated thrombin activity. Furthermore, injection of thrombin in ears of C57BL/6 MCPT4-deficient mice, resulted in markedly increased ear swelling compared to the corresponding wild type mice. Together our results suggest that thrombin-induced immediate inflammatory skin reactions are controlled by cutaneous MCs, a mechanism partly mediated via MCPT4.

Das Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war die Evaluierung der Möglichkeit der Bildung von Einschlußverbindungen eines neuen Vitamin D3 Analogon mit nativem [beta]-Cyclodextrin, Dimethyl-[beta]-Cyclodextrin, [beta]-Cyclodextrin-Polymer, Maltosyl-[beta]-Cyclodextrin, Hydroxypropyl-[beta]-Cyclodextrin und Carboxyethyl-[beta]-Cyclodextrin. Die resultierenden Addukte wurden im Hinblick auf Zusammensetzung und Eigenschaften charakterisiert. Weiterhin wurden in vitro und in vivo Untersuchungen durchgeführt, um den Einfluß von [beta]-Cyclodextrinen, vor allem im Hinblick auf Retardierungseffekte, nach Einarbeitung in Salben für die Indikation Psoriasis zu interpretieren. Die Herstellung der festen Kavitate erfolgte in Abhängigkeit vom Cyclodextrin-Typ mittels Knetmethode oder Kopräzipitation. Die Assoziatbildung mit [beta]-Cyclodextrinen in Lösung führte zu einer deutlichen Verbesserung der Löslichkeit des Vitamin D3 Analogon. Zur Ermittlung von Löslichkeitsisothermen wurden von den Systemen Phasenlöslichkeitsdiagramme aufgenommen sowie Komplexstabilitätskonstanten berechnet. Zur Charakterisierung der festen dienten DSC-Untersuchungen. Die Anwesenheit von [beta]-Cyclodextrinen führte zu einer Reduktion der Freisetzungsrate der aktiven Verbindung in vitro, besonders im Falle von nativem [beta]-Cyclodextrin. Auch ein deutlich reduzierter Effekt im Hinblick auf die Epidermishyperplasie von Nacktmäusen ist in vivo demonstrierbar. Die Ergebnisse werden im Rahmen der Fragestellung eines Retardierungseffektes sowie einer besseren Hautverträglichkeit, systemischen Nebenwirkungen und lokaler Effektivität des neuen Vitamin D3 Analogon diskutiert. / The aim of the present work was to study the possibility of forming cavitates of a new Vitamin D3 analogue in native [beta]-cyclodextrin, dimethyl-[beta]-cyclodextrin, [beta]-cyclodextrin-polymer, maltosyl-[beta]-cyclodextrin, hydroxypropyl-[beta]-cyclodextrin and carboxyethyl-[beta]-cyclodextrin and to characterize the resulting adducts as regards their composition and properties. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo studies will be conducted to examine the influence of the [beta]-cyclodextrins in view to retardation effects after incorporation in ointments chosen for the treatment of psoriasis. The solid inclusions are produced with the kneading method or by co-precipitation, depending on the type of cyclodextrin. Phase-solubility diagrams will be drawn and complex stability constants calculated. The formation of associates with the cyclodextrins leads to a substantial improvement of the solubility of the drug. DSC studies are used to characterize the solid associates. The presence of [beta]-cyclodextrins leads to a reduction of the release rate of the active substance in vitro, especially in the case of native [beta]-cyclodextrin. A much reduced effect with regard to epidermal hyperplasia of nude mice is also demonstrable in vivo. The findings are discussed within the framework of the question of retardation and better tolerance as regards skin irritation, systemic side effects and local efficacy of the Vitamin D3 analogue.