Development of specific DNA methylation patterns is required for normal spermatogenesis. DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) use S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) produced in a pathway requiring 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). This thesis describes: testicular phenotype differences derived from Mthfr-deficiency in different mouse strains; the cellular Mthfr expression pattern during male germ cell development; and finally, changes to the DNA methylation of Mthfr-deficient sperm. Mthfr-deficient BALB/c, but not C57BL/6, mice have reduced neonatal germ cell proliferation but both have abnormal germ cells as adults. Germ cell MTHFR expression differed developmentally in parallel with DNMTs associated with de novo methylation. Sperm from mice with reduced Mthfr levels or dietary folate deficiency had differential DNA methylation at multiple loci, compared to wildtype mice, indicating that maintenance as well as acquisition of methylation can be altered by SAM-reduction. These results highlight the important role of folate in sperm development throughout life.

Interferon regulatory factor-8 (Irf-8), a hematopoietic transcriptional regulator, controls myeloid-cell proliferation and coordinates innate and adaptive host immune responses. Mice from the BXH-2 recombinant inbred strain carry an endogenous R294C mutation in Irf-8. This loss-of-function mutation induces clonal infiltration of undifferentiated Mac-1+/Gr-1 + granulocytic precursors in BXH-2 mice, extramedullary hematopoiesis, and splenomegaly similar to those seen in human chronic myeloid leukemia. It also renders the host permissible to the otherwise avirulent Mycobacterium bovis (BCG), and negatively affects survival or recovery of these mice to other infectious pathogens. Here, we generated a polyc1onal anti-Irf-8 antibody to better characterize the effects of the R294C mutation on Irf-8 protein expression, stability, and inducibility in hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic tissues. We found that mutant Irf-8C294-expressing tissues consistently displayed reduced Irf-8 abundance compared to their wild-type counterparts in both primary splenocytes and following transfection into heterologous cells, presumably due to decreased stability or increased rate of degradation of the mutant isoform. Results also indicate that native Irf-8 is also expressed in the heart, and to a lesser extent, in the kidneys. Since neither of these organs is well-known to be associated with hematopoietic or immune functions, this finding strengthens the possibility that Irf-8 may exert additional regulatory functions in other cellular contexts. Taken together, our study provides a better understanding about the molecular features of the mutant Irf-8 C294 protein and contributes to a growing body of evidence in support of Irf-8 expression in non-hematopoietic tissues.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

A presença da hipertensão arterial pode comprometer a qualidade da reparação óssea, pois a doença é caracterizada por alterações fisiopatológicas vasculares e do metabolismo mineral. Com o objetivo de avaliar a neoformação e o remodelamento ósseo, este trabalho investigou o processo da reparação óssea em ratos geneticamente hipertensos (SHR) e de seus controles Wistar-Kyoto (WKY). Defeitos bicorticais de 2mm de diâmetro no lado direito e de 5mm no lado esquerdo, foram realizados com trefinas na região do ângulo de mandíbula. Os animais, divididos em grupos de cinco indivíduos cada, foram sacrificados após 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60 e 90 dias pós-operatórios; as mandíbulas foram removidas, fixadas em formol a 10%, descalcificadas em ácido fórmico a 20%, incluídas em parafina e as secções histológicas, de 7m de espessura, coradas com hematoxilina e eosina. As imagens foram capturadas com aumento de 40x e a área do defeito mensurada pelo programa de histometria digital Image J versão 1.4. A análise estatística revelou que não houve diferença significante na comparação entre as linhagens WKY e SHR (p = 0,884), independente dos períodos ou lados avaliados; entre períodos, nas linhagens WKY (p = 0,101) e SHR (p = 0,479), independente dos lados avaliados; entre períodos por linhagens no lado direito; e entre linhagens por lados, esquerdo com p = 0,466 e direito com p = 0,689, independente do fator período. Houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre o lado esquerdo e o direito (p < 0,001), independente das linhagens e períodos avaliados; entre os lados por linhagens, WKY e SHR, ambas com p < 0,001; entre períodos por linhagens no lado esquerdo, no qual o grupo WKY de 15 dias apresentou área menor que o grupo WKY de 60 dias e o grupo SHR de 10 dias, e o grupo WKY de 60 dias apresentou área maior que o grupo SHR de 30 dias e SHR de 60 dias. Apesar das alterações encontradas no lado esquerdo, que podem ser atribuídas à remodelação funcional do osso da mandíbula, não houve diferenças significantes na reparação do defeito de 5mm e de 2mm entre ratos espontaneamente hipertensos e de seus controles Wistar-Kyoto. / Arterial hypertension may affect the quality of bone repair because this disease is characterized by physiopathological vascular and bone metabolism changes. With the objective of evaluating the bone neoformation and remodeling, this study investigated the process of bone repair in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and their match controls Wistar-Kyoto (WKY). Through-in-through defects were done with trephine burs in the mandibular angle area, of 2mm diameter on the right side and 5mm diameter on the left side. The animals were divided into groups of five individuals each one and killed after 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60 and 90 postoperative days; the mandibles were removed, fixed in 10% formalin solution, decalcified with 20% formic acid, and embedded in paraffin; the histological sections of 7m thickness were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The images were captured with 40x magnification and the defect area was measured by the image processing program Image J version 1.4. The statistical analysis showed that there is no significant difference in the comparison of WKY and SHR strains (p = 0,884), independent of periods or sides; among periods, in the WKY strain (p = 0,101) and SHR one (p = 0,479), independent of sides; among periods by strains on the right side; and among strains by sides, left side with p = 0,466 and right side with p = 0,689, independent of periods. There is a significant difference between left and right side (p < 0,001), independent of strains and periods; between sides by strains, WKY and SHR, both with p < 0,001; among periods by strains on the left side, which WKY 15 days group showed an area smaller than WKY 60 days and SHR 10 days groups, and WKY 60 days group showed an area bigger than SHR 30 days and SHR 60 days groups. Despite the changes founded on the left side that could be attributed to the functional remodeling of the mandibular bone, there were no differences in the bone repair of 5mm and 2mm diameter defects between spontaneously hypertensive rats and their match controls Wistar-Kyoto.

A presença da hipertensão arterial pode comprometer a qualidade da reparação óssea, pois a doença é caracterizada por alterações fisiopatológicas vasculares e do metabolismo mineral. Com o objetivo de avaliar a neoformação e o remodelamento ósseo, este trabalho investigou o processo da reparação óssea em ratos geneticamente hipertensos (SHR) e de seus controles Wistar-Kyoto (WKY). Defeitos bicorticais de 2mm de diâmetro no lado direito e de 5mm no lado esquerdo, foram realizados com trefinas na região do ângulo de mandíbula. Os animais, divididos em grupos de cinco indivíduos cada, foram sacrificados após 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60 e 90 dias pós-operatórios; as mandíbulas foram removidas, fixadas em formol a 10%, descalcificadas em ácido fórmico a 20%, incluídas em parafina e as secções histológicas, de 7m de espessura, coradas com hematoxilina e eosina. As imagens foram capturadas com aumento de 40x e a área do defeito mensurada pelo programa de histometria digital Image J versão 1.4. A análise estatística revelou que não houve diferença significante na comparação entre as linhagens WKY e SHR (p = 0,884), independente dos períodos ou lados avaliados; entre períodos, nas linhagens WKY (p = 0,101) e SHR (p = 0,479), independente dos lados avaliados; entre períodos por linhagens no lado direito; e entre linhagens por lados, esquerdo com p = 0,466 e direito com p = 0,689, independente do fator período. Houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre o lado esquerdo e o direito (p < 0,001), independente das linhagens e períodos avaliados; entre os lados por linhagens, WKY e SHR, ambas com p < 0,001; entre períodos por linhagens no lado esquerdo, no qual o grupo WKY de 15 dias apresentou área menor que o grupo WKY de 60 dias e o grupo SHR de 10 dias, e o grupo WKY de 60 dias apresentou área maior que o grupo SHR de 30 dias e SHR de 60 dias. Apesar das alterações encontradas no lado esquerdo, que podem ser atribuídas à remodelação funcional do osso da mandíbula, não houve diferenças significantes na reparação do defeito de 5mm e de 2mm entre ratos espontaneamente hipertensos e de seus controles Wistar-Kyoto. / Arterial hypertension may affect the quality of bone repair because this disease is characterized by physiopathological vascular and bone metabolism changes. With the objective of evaluating the bone neoformation and remodeling, this study investigated the process of bone repair in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and their match controls Wistar-Kyoto (WKY). Through-in-through defects were done with trephine burs in the mandibular angle area, of 2mm diameter on the right side and 5mm diameter on the left side. The animals were divided into groups of five individuals each one and killed after 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60 and 90 postoperative days; the mandibles were removed, fixed in 10% formalin solution, decalcified with 20% formic acid, and embedded in paraffin; the histological sections of 7m thickness were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The images were captured with 40x magnification and the defect area was measured by the image processing program Image J version 1.4. The statistical analysis showed that there is no significant difference in the comparison of WKY and SHR strains (p = 0,884), independent of periods or sides; among periods, in the WKY strain (p = 0,101) and SHR one (p = 0,479), independent of sides; among periods by strains on the right side; and among strains by sides, left side with p = 0,466 and right side with p = 0,689, independent of periods. There is a significant difference between left and right side (p < 0,001), independent of strains and periods; between sides by strains, WKY and SHR, both with p < 0,001; among periods by strains on the left side, which WKY 15 days group showed an area smaller than WKY 60 days and SHR 10 days groups, and WKY 60 days group showed an area bigger than SHR 30 days and SHR 60 days groups. Despite the changes founded on the left side that could be attributed to the functional remodeling of the mandibular bone, there were no differences in the bone repair of 5mm and 2mm diameter defects between spontaneously hypertensive rats and their match controls Wistar-Kyoto.

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--University of South Florida, 2008. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Les cellules T invariantes associées aux muqueuse (MAIT) sont des lymphocytes innés caractérisés par l'expression d'un récepteur des cellules T semi-invariant (iTCR) et restreints par la molécule du complexe majeur d'histocompatibilité de classe Ib, MR1. Chez l'homme, les cellules MAIT sont abondantes dans le sang (1 à 10%), l'intestin (3 à 5%) et le foie (20 à 40%) et réagissent contre des métabolites microbiens. En raison de leur rareté dans les souris de laboratoire classiques, les études sur les cellules MAIT murines ont été principalement effectuées sur des souris transgéniques (Tg) pour des TCR MAIT. Cependant, ces cellules MAIT Tg ne récapitulent pas de manière adéquate le phénotype des cellules MAIT humaines. Ici, nous décrivons une souche de souris congénique que nous avons générée qui possède des cellules MAIT qui ressemblent aux cellules MAIT humaines. Nous utilisons cet outil pour étudier les caractéristiques des cellules MAIT murines. L'étude de souches de souris consanguines d'origine sauvage montre que la souche CAST/Ei présente une fréquence des cellules MAIT nettement supérieur à celle retrouvée dans la souche C57BL/6. Un seul locus est impliqué et a été localisé dans la région TCRα. Ceci a permis la génération d'une souche "MAIT" congénique, qui ont été en outre croisé à une souris Tg pour un rapporteur GFP du facteur transcriptionnel RORγt sur la base de données antérieurs montrant que les MAITs humaines expriment ce facteur. Grâce à cet outil, nous montrons que les MAITs murines sont CD4−CD8−/lo, ont un phénotype mémoire effecteurs (CD44+) et coexpriment PLZF et RORγt. Ces MAITs murines sont orientées vers une localisation tissulaire (CCR6+CCR7−) et résident préférentiellement dans les tissus non lymphoïdes périphériques, y compris les poumons, le foie et la peau. Après stimulation du TCR, les MAITs produisent des cytokines TH1/2/17 et sont aussi activées par de antigènes bactériens (par exemple semi-purifié fraction bactérienne ou 5-OP-RU) d'une manière dépendant de MR1. Les MAITs ont une forte expression de récepteurs de cytokines (IL-7R, IL-18Rα, IL-12Rβ) et peuvent ainsi répondre à des cytokines innées. Lors d'une infection expérimentale des voies urinaires, les MAITs migrent vers la vessie et ont une activité protectrice anti-bactérienne. Au total, nos résultats démontrent que les cellules MAIT murines ressemblent étroitement à leurs homologues humains. Ce nouveau modèle murin sera un outil puissant pour faire avancer notre compréhension de la biologie des cellules MAIT en situation normale et pathologique. / Mucosal-associated invariant T cells (MAIT) are innate lymphocytes that express a semi-invariant T cell receptor (iTCR) and are restricted by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) related molecule, MR1. In human, MAIT cells are abundant in the blood (1-10%), gut (3-5%), and liver (20-40%). They react against microbial-derived riboflavin metabolites that are common in bacteria and yeast. Due to the paucity of MAIT cells in classical inbred laboratory mice, studies on mouse MAIT cells were mostly performed in TCR-transgenic (Tg) mice. However, these Tg MAIT cells do not adequately recapitulate the phenotype of human MAIT cells. Herein, we present a recently generated congenic mouse strain harboring MAIT cells that closely resemble human MAIT cells and use this tool to study the characteristics of natural mouse MAIT cell. An analysis of wild-derived inbred mouse strains revealed that CAST/Ei strain has increased frequency of MAIT cells than C57BL/6 mice. This was linked to a locus on the TCRα region. Introduction of such locus into C57BL/6 mice generated a “MAIT” congenic strain, which were further crossed to Rorc(γt)-GfpTG reporter strain based on previous findings of RORγt expression on human MAIT cells. Using this tool, we show that natural mouse MAIT cells are CD4−CD8−/lo, display an effector memory phenotype (CD44+), and coexpress the transcription factors PLZF and RORγt. They exhibit tissue-homing properties (CCR6+CCR7−) and preferentially reside in peripheral non-lymphoid tissues, including lung, liver, and skin. Upon TCR ligation, MAIT cells produce TH1/2/17 type cytokines and react to bacterial-derived antigens (i.e. semi-purified bacterial fraction or 5-OP-RU) in an MR1-dependent manner. They have high expression of cytokine receptors (IL-7R, IL-18Rα, IL-12Rβ) and may respond to the corresponding innate cytokines. During experimental urinary tract infection, MAIT cells migrate to the bladder and display a protective anti-bacterial activity. Altogether, our results demonstrate that mouse MAIT cells resemble their human counterparts more closely than previously recognized and therefore this new mouse model will be a powerful tool for advancing our understanding of MAIT cell biology in health and disease.

Les cellules T invariantes associées aux muqueuse (MAIT) sont des lymphocytes innés caractérisés par l'expression d'un récepteur des cellules T semi-invariant (iTCR) et restreints par la molécule du complexe majeur d'histocompatibilité de classe Ib, MR1. Chez l'homme, les cellules MAIT sont abondantes dans le sang (1 à 10%), l'intestin (3 à 5%) et le foie (20 à 40%) et réagissent contre des métabolites microbiens. En raison de leur rareté dans les souris de laboratoire classiques, les études sur les cellules MAIT murines ont été principalement effectuées sur des souris transgéniques (Tg) pour des TCR MAIT. Cependant, ces cellules MAIT Tg ne récapitulent pas de manière adéquate le phénotype des cellules MAIT humaines. Ici, nous décrivons une souche de souris congénique que nous avons générée qui possède des cellules MAIT qui ressemblent aux cellules MAIT humaines. Nous utilisons cet outil pour étudier les caractéristiques des cellules MAIT murines. L'étude de souches de souris consanguines d'origine sauvage montre que la souche CAST/Ei présente une fréquence des cellules MAIT nettement supérieur à celle retrouvée dans la souche C57BL/6. Un seul locus est impliqué et a été localisé dans la région TCRα. Ceci a permis la génération d'une souche "MAIT" congénique, qui ont été en outre croisé à une souris Tg pour un rapporteur GFP du facteur transcriptionnel RORγt sur la base de données antérieurs montrant que les MAITs humaines expriment ce facteur. Grâce à cet outil, nous montrons que les MAITs murines sont CD4−CD8−/lo, ont un phénotype mémoire effecteurs (CD44+) et coexpriment PLZF et RORγt. Ces MAITs murines sont orientées vers une localisation tissulaire (CCR6+CCR7−) et résident préférentiellement dans les tissus non lymphoïdes périphériques, y compris les poumons, le foie et la peau. Après stimulation du TCR, les MAITs produisent des cytokines TH1/2/17 et sont aussi activées par de antigènes bactériens (par exemple semi-purifié fraction bactérienne ou 5-OP-RU) d'une manière dépendant de MR1. Les MAITs ont une forte expression de récepteurs de cytokines (IL-7R, IL-18Rα, IL-12Rβ) et peuvent ainsi répondre à des cytokines innées. Lors d'une infection expérimentale des voies urinaires, les MAITs migrent vers la vessie et ont une activité protectrice anti-bactérienne. Au total, nos résultats démontrent que les cellules MAIT murines ressemblent étroitement à leurs homologues humains. Ce nouveau modèle murin sera un outil puissant pour faire avancer notre compréhension de la biologie des cellules MAIT en situation normale et pathologique. / Mucosal-associated invariant T cells (MAIT) are innate lymphocytes that express a semi-invariant T cell receptor (iTCR) and are restricted by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) related molecule, MR1. In human, MAIT cells are abundant in the blood (1-10%), gut (3-5%), and liver (20-40%). They react against microbial-derived riboflavin metabolites that are common in bacteria and yeast. Due to the paucity of MAIT cells in classical inbred laboratory mice, studies on mouse MAIT cells were mostly performed in TCR-transgenic (Tg) mice. However, these Tg MAIT cells do not adequately recapitulate the phenotype of human MAIT cells. Herein, we present a recently generated congenic mouse strain harboring MAIT cells that closely resemble human MAIT cells and use this tool to study the characteristics of natural mouse MAIT cell. An analysis of wild-derived inbred mouse strains revealed that CAST/Ei strain has increased frequency of MAIT cells than C57BL/6 mice. This was linked to a locus on the TCRα region. Introduction of such locus into C57BL/6 mice generated a “MAIT” congenic strain, which were further crossed to Rorc(γt)-GfpTG reporter strain based on previous findings of RORγt expression on human MAIT cells. Using this tool, we show that natural mouse MAIT cells are CD4−CD8−/lo, display an effector memory phenotype (CD44+), and coexpress the transcription factors PLZF and RORγt. They exhibit tissue-homing properties (CCR6+CCR7−) and preferentially reside in peripheral non-lymphoid tissues, including lung, liver, and skin. Upon TCR ligation, MAIT cells produce TH1/2/17 type cytokines and react to bacterial-derived antigens (i.e. semi-purified bacterial fraction or 5-OP-RU) in an MR1-dependent manner. They have high expression of cytokine receptors (IL-7R, IL-18Rα, IL-12Rβ) and may respond to the corresponding innate cytokines. During experimental urinary tract infection, MAIT cells migrate to the bladder and display a protective anti-bacterial activity. Altogether, our results demonstrate that mouse MAIT cells resemble their human counterparts more closely than previously recognized and therefore this new mouse model will be a powerful tool for advancing our understanding of MAIT cell biology in health and disease.