The adipokine vaspin (serpinA12) is mainly expressed in white adipose tissue and exhibits various beneficial effects on obesity-related processes. Kallikrein 7 is the only known target protease of vaspin and is inhibited by the classical serpin inhibitory mechanism involving a cleavage of the reactive center loop between P1 (M378) and P1′ (E379). Here, we present the X-ray structure of vaspin, cleaved between M378 and E379. We provide a comprehensive analysis of differences between the uncleaved and cleaved forms in the shutter, breach, and hinge regions with relation to common molecular features underlying the serpin inhibitory mode. Furthermore, we point out differences towards other serpins and provide novel data underlining the remarkable stability of vaspin. We speculate that the previously reported FKGx1Wx2x3 motif in the breach region may play a decisive role in determining the reactive center loop configuration in the native vaspin state and might contribute to the high thermostability of vaspin. Thus, this structure may provide a basis for future mutational studies.

While genome‐wide association studies as well as candidate gene studies have revealed a great deal of insight into the contribution of genetics to obesity development and susceptibility, advances in adipose tissue research have substantially changed the understanding of adipose tissue function. Its perception has changed from passive lipid storage tissue to active endocrine organ regulating and modulating whole‐body energy homeostasis and metabolism and inflammatory and immune responses by secreting a multitude of bioactive molecules, termed adipokines. The expression of human vaspin (serpinA12) is positively correlated to body mass index and insulin sensitivity and increases glucose tolerance in vivo, suggesting a compensatory role in response to diminished insulin signaling in obesity. Recently, considerable insight has been gained into vaspin structure, function, and specific target tissue‐dependent effects, and several lines of evidence suggest vaspin as a promising candidate for drug development for the treatment of obesity‐related insulin resistance and inflammation. These will be summarized in this review with a focus on molecular mechanisms and pathways.

No description available.

O sistema nervoso central é o mais complexo de todos os sistemas de órgãos dos vertebrados. Células progenitoras neurais ao se diferenciarem em neurônios e outros tipos celulares, desenvolvem um padrão altamente organizado de conexões, criando uma rede neuronal que forma o cérebro e o restante do sistema nervoso. Para que se possa gerar os diferentes tipos de neurônios e glias deste sistema, as células embrionárias proliferam-se e diferenciam-se através de processos altamente controlados. Este estudo visou avaliar a importância do receptor B2BkR durante o desenvolvimento encefálico do camundongo. Como modelo estudo, foram utilizados animais knockout (B2BkR-/-) para o gene do receptor B2BKR como modelo para avaliação do padrão de expressão de proteínas marcadoras neurais e dos sistemas purinérgicos e de cininas durante o desenvolvimento encefálico de camundongos B2BkR-/-. Há evidências que mostram que o sistema nervoso de mamíferos contém todos os componentes do sistema calicreína-cininas e que as cininas podem atuar como neuromediadores. Os transcritos do receptor B2BkR foram encontrados em células localizadas em regiões neurogênicas a partir do dia 9.5 do desenvolvimento, esta expressão ampliou-se para toda a extensão do sistema nervoso a partir do dia 12,5 do desenvolvimento. A deleção do gene que codificado para o receptor B2BkR levou a um aumento na expressão relativa do receptor B1BkR. No animal knockout foi também observado um aumento nos níveis de expressão dos cininogênios 1 e 2, sugerindo a ativação de mecanismos compensatórios devido a falta do gene codificado para o receptor B2BkR. De acordo com resultados obtidos com modelos de diferenciação in vitro, também os padrões de expressão de marcadores neurais foram alterados ao longo do desenvolvimento de animais knockout, nos quais houve a diminuição da expressão dos marcadores β3-tubulina e MAP2, confirmando o papel do receptor B2BkR na neurogênese. O marcador glial GFAP teve sua expressão relativa significativamente aumentada nos animais knockout B2BkR-/-, confirmando que a inibição deste receptor favorece a gliogênese. A deleção do receptor B2BkR alterou o perfil de expressão dos receptores purinérgicos do subtipo P2X. Os subtipos P2X2 e P2X3 apresentaram níveis de expressão maiores nos animais selvagens. As subunidades P2X4, P2X5, P2X6 e P2X7 apresentam uma expressão maior nos animais B2BkR-/-. Efeitos semelhantes a estes já haviam sido observados na expressão gênica durante a diferenciação d e neuroesferas do telencéfalo de ratos tratados com antagonistas do B2BkR. No entanto, este trabalho é o primeiro a demonstrar os efeitos da delação do B2BkR sob a expressão do receptor B1BkR; de marcadores neurais e gliais; dos cininogênios 1 e 2; e receptores purinérgicos do suptipo P2X in vivo. Deste modo, estes resultados servem como incentivo para estudos adicionais visando elucidar a participação do receptor B2BkR e do sistema calicrína-cininas na determinação de fenótipos neurais utilizando modelos in vivo, bem como os mecanismos envolvidos e o papel do receptor B2BkR na terapia de doenças neurodegenerativas. / The central nervous system (CNS) is the most complex one of all vertebrate organs. Neural stem and progenitor cells differentiate into neurons and other neural cell types such as glia, originating a highly coordinated network characterizing the brain and the remaining nervous system in strictly controlled processes. It is known that the mammalian nervous system expresses all components of the kallikrein-kinin system, and several functions in the brain have been attributed to bradykinin including neurotransmission, neuroprotection and also lately neurogenesis. The present work aimed at studying the importance of the kinin-B2 receptor (B2BKR) during mouse brain development. A B2BKR knock-out model was used for characterizing changes in the expression patterns of neural marker protein and of the purinergic and kininergic systems. Transcripts of B2BkR-coding sequences were detected in neurogenic regions from embryonic day 9.5 (E9.5) on. Expression of the receptor augmented to the whole extension of the CNS beginning from E12.5. Deletion of the B2BKR-coding gene resulted in increased B1BkR gene expression together with augmented kininogen-1 and -2 expression levels. In agreement with results obtained with in vitro models, expression patterns of neural marker proteins also suffered alterations during neural development of B2BKR(-/-) mice when compared to wild-type animals. Reduction of neuronal protein β3-tubulina e MAP2 expression was observed in B2BKR(-/-) mice, while at the same time glial GFAP expression was enhanced, indicating that activation of the B2BKR promotes neurogenesis, while its inhibition favors gliogenesis. Deletion of the B2BkR-coding gene also lets to changes in expression patterns of purinergic P2X receptors. P2X2 and P2X3 subunits were higher expressed in wild-type animals, while P2X4, P2X5, P2X6 e P2X7 subunits revealed increased expression patterns in B2BkR-/- animals. These results are in line with previous ones of our group obtained in differentiating neurospheres from embryonic rat telencephalons. In summary, the present work is the first to demonstrate the effects of B2BKR deletion on expression patterns of neural marker proteins, the B1BKR and several purinergic receptor subunits. Additional studies will be incentivized for elucidation of functions and underlying mechanism of B2BKR actions in vivo, with applications in cell therapy of neurodegenerative diseases.

Evidências sobre a presença do sistema renina-angiotensina (SRA) na medula óssea e a possível participação da enzima conversora de angiotensina-I (ECA) na regulação hematopoética tem despertado o interesse da comunidade científica. Como a ECA também é um componente chave do sistema calicreína-cininas (SCC), é possível que elementos deste sistema, possam estar envolvidos no controle hematopoético. Assim, avaliamos a participação da ECA na regulação hematopoética de animais não modificados (WT) e nocautes dos receptores B1 de cininas (KOB1). Para isso, utilizamos técnicas de cultura de células de medula óssea, a saber: os ensaios clonogênicos em soft-ágar para granulócitos e macrófagos (CFU-GM) e o sistema de cultura líquida de longa duração (CLLD). Os resultados mostraram a presença da ECA em células das CLLD e indicaram a participação da enzima na proliferação de progenitores hematopoéticos possivelmente através do controle dos níveis de AcSDKP, pois o tratamento com o tetrapeptídeo e com captopril, reduziu significativamente o número CFU-GM in vitro e in vivo. Quando adicionado às CLLD, o AcSDKP foi capaz de aumentar significativamente a expressão do mRNA da ECA, sugerindo que seus níveis possam controlar a expressão gênica desta enzima. Em relação aos animais KOB1, os resultados mostraram maior atividade da ECA, acompanhado de aumento não significativo da expressão gênica e protéica da enzima. O tratamento das CLLD de animais WT com agonistas de receptores de cininas, não alterou a expressão gênica e a atividade da ECA. Assim, nossos dados sugerem que a ECA participa da regulação hematopoética neste modelo. No entanto, novos estudos serão necessários para a elucidação dos mecanismos envolvidos na expressão e/ou controle da atividade da ECA pelos receptores de cininas. / Evidences on the presence of the renin angiotensin system in the bone marrow and the possible participation of the angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) in the hematopoietic regulation have aroused interest of the scientific community. As the ACE also is a common element of the kallikrein-kinin system (KKS), it is possible that elements of KKS, can be involved in the hematopoietic control. Thus, we evaluated the participation of the ACE on the hematopoietic regulation of wild-type (WT) and kinin receptor B1 knockout mice (KOB1). For this, we use techniques of bone marrow cell culture, to know the clonogenic assays for granulocyte-macrophage (GM-CFU) and the long term bone marrow cultures (LTBMC). The results shown the presence of the ACE in cells from LTBMC and its possible participation on hematopoietic proliferation through the control of AcSDKP levels, therefore the treatment with AcSDKP and captopril, decreased significantly the GM-CFU number in vitro and in vivo. When added to the LTBMC, the AcSDKP increase significantly the expression of ACE mRNA, suggesting that its levels could control the gene expression of this enzyme. In relation to KOB1 mice, the results shown increase of the ACE activity and not significant increase of the gene and protein expression of the enzyme. The treatment of the LTBMC of WT mice with kinins receptors agonists, did not modify the gene expression and the ACE activity. Thus, our data suggesting that ACE participate of the hematopoietic regulation in this model. However, new studies will be necessary to understand the involved mechanisms in the expression and/or control of ACE activity by kinins receptors.

Two areas of particular importance in prostate cancer progression are primary tumour development and metastasis. These processes involve a number of physiological events, the mediators of which are still being discovered and characterised. Serine proteases have been shown to play a major role in cancer invasion and metastasis. The recently discovered phenomenon of their activation of a receptor family known as the protease activated receptors (PARs) has extended their physiological role to that of signaling molecule. Several serine proteases are expressed by malignant prostate cancer cells, including members of the kallikreinrelated peptidase (KLK) serine protease family, and increasingly these are being shown to be associated with prostate cancer progression. KLK4 is highly expressed in the prostate and expression levels increase during prostate cancer progression. Critically, recent studies have implicated KLK4 in processes associated with cancer. For example, the ectopic over-expression of KLK4 in prostate cancer cell lines results in an increased ability of these cells to form colonies, proliferate and migrate. In addition, it has been demonstrated that KLK4 is a potential mediator of cellular interactions between prostate cancer cells and osteoblasts (bone forming cells). The ability of KLK4 to influence cellular behaviour is believed to be through the selective cleavage of specific substrates. Identification of relevant in vivo substrates of KLK4 is critical to understanding the pathophysiological roles of this enzyme. Significantly, recent reports have demonstrated that several members of the KLK family are able to activate PARs. The PARs are relatively new members of the seven transmembrane domain containing G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) family. PARs are activated through proteolytic cleavage of their N-terminus by serine proteases, the resulting nascent N-terminal binds intramolecularly to initiate receptor activation. PARs are involved in a number of patho-physiological processes, including vascular repair and inflammation, and a growing body of evidence suggests roles in cancer. While expression of PAR family members has been documented in several types of cancers, including prostate, the role of these GPCRs in prostate cancer development and progression is yet to be examined. Interestingly, several studies have suggested potential roles in cellular invasion through the induction of cytoskeletal reorganisation and expression of basement membrane-degrading enzymes. Accordingly, this program of research focussed on the activation of the PARs by the prostate cancer associated enzyme KLK4, cellular processing of activated PARs and the expression pattern of receptor and agonist in prostate cancer. For these studies KLK4 was purified from the conditioned media of stably transfected Sf9 insect cells expressing a construct containing the complete human KLK4 coding sequence in frame with a V5 epitope and poly-histidine encoding sequences. The first aspect of this study was the further characterisation of this recombinant zymogen form of KLK4. The recombinant KLK4 zymogen was demonstrated to be activatable by the metalloendopeptidase thermolysin and amino terminal sequencing indicated that thermolysin activated KLK4 had the predicted N-terminus of mature active KLK4 (31IINED). Critically, removal of the pro-region successfully generated a catalytically active enzyme, with comparable activity to a previously published recombinant KLK4 produced from S2 insect cells. The second aspect of this study was the activation of the PARs by KLK4 and the initiation of signal transduction. This study demonstrated that KLK4 can activate PAR-1 and PAR-2 to mobilise intracellular Ca2+, but failed to activate PAR-4. Further, KLK4 activated PAR-1 and PAR-2 over distinct concentration ranges, with KLK4 activation and mobilisation of Ca2+ demonstrating higher efficacy through PAR-2. Thus, the remainder of this study focussed on PAR-2. KLK4 was demonstrated to directly cleave a synthetic peptide that mimicked the PAR-2 Nterminal activation sequence. Further, KLK4 mediated Ca2+ mobilisation through PAR-2 was accompanied by the initiation of the extra-cellular regulated kinase (ERK) cascade. The specificity of intracellular signaling mediated through PAR-2 by KLK4 activation was demonstrated by siRNA mediated protein depletion, with a reduction in PAR-2 protein levels correlating to a reduction in KLK4 mediated Ca2+mobilisation and ERK phosphorylation. The third aspect of this study examined cellular processing of KLK4 activated PAR- 2 in a prostate cancer cell line. PAR-2 was demonstrated to be expressed by five prostate derived cell lines including the prostate cancer cell line PC-3. It was also demonstrated by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy analyses that activation of PC-3 cell surface PAR-2 by KLK4 leads to internalisation of this receptor in a time dependent manner. Critically, in vivo relevance of the interaction between KLK4 and PAR-2 was established by the observation of the co-expression of receptor and agonist in primary prostate cancer and prostate cancer bone lesion samples by immunohistochemical analysis. Based on the results of this study a number of exciting future studies have been proposed, including, delineating differences in KLK4 cellular signaling via PAR-1 and PAR-2 and the role of PAR-1 and PAR-2 activation by KLK4 in prostate cancer cells and bone cells in prostate cancer progression.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:50:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-06-28. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-08-11T03:25:41Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 Publico-091.pdf: 651136 bytes, checksum: 35401eae81afb55be34c6f47a332e47e (MD5) / Objetivo: Estudar o efeito da obesidade na regulação do sistema calicreína-cininas por meio da expressão dos receptores B1 e B2 de cininas em humanos e camundongos, e as alterações na síntese e funcionalidade dos receptores em tecidos murinos. Métodos: Foram coletados tecido adiposo branco humano e diferentes tecidos de camundongo. Desses tecidos foi extraído o RNA e analisada a expressão dos receptores de cinina por meio da reação em cadeia da polimerase em tempo real. Tecidos como estômago e aorta de camundongos ob/ob e selvagens foram utilizados para extração de proteínas e estudos fisiológicos. Por Western Blotting estudou-se a quantidade de receptor produzida nos animais. O fundus de estômago e aorta abdominal foram utilizados para se obter registros de contrações isométricas para determinação da potência e eficácia dos agonistas em camundongos obesos e magros. Foram aplicadas doses crescentes cumulativas dos agonistas peptídicos dos receptores B1 e B2, bradicinina e des-Arg9-bradicinina. Resultados: Nos experimentos de PCR em tempo real, a expressão gênica dos receptores B1 e B2 de cininas foi mostrada alterada em alguns tecidos dos animais deficientes na produção do hormônio leptina em relação ao controle. Nos tecidos: adiposo branco, aorta, fígado, hipotálamo e estômago, a expressão do receptor B1 apresentou-se aumentada, porém em tecido cardíaco e tecido adiposo marrom, essa estava diminuída. O receptor B2 teve expressão diminuída em tecido adiposo branco e hipotálamo. Nos demais tecidos estudados não houve alteração da expressão do receptor B2. Em humanos, esses receptores apresentaram-se alterados em indivíduos obesos. O estudo foi realizado em tecido adiposo humano de duas regiões de depósito diferentes, visceral e subcutâneo. Foi observada diferença na expressão do mesmo tecido, porém de regiões distintas. Nos tecidos dos camundongos obesos a resposta aos agonistas dos receptores B1 e B2, bradicinina e des-Arg9-bradicinina, respectivamente, foi mostrada diminuida. Em fundus de estômago foi observada diminuição significativa na resposta ao agonista BK em animais obesos e tratados com dieta hiperlipídica. Tais efeitos podem ser devido às conseqüências do aumento excessivo de peso, como inflamação crônica apresentada nesses animais, ou mesmo devido a diabetes tipo II, a qual consiste em uma patologia diretamente relacionada à obesidade, sugerida neste trabalho como fator capaz de alterar a ação do sistema calicreína-cininas em determinados tecidos. Conclusão: Análises de expressão gênica mostraram que a obesidade afeta os receptores de cinina em diversos tecidos de camundongo, assim como em humanos. Análises fisiológicas funcionais mostraram diminuição na resposta ao agonista de B1 em animais obesos. Os dados deste trabalho sugerem que a obesidade afeta a modulação do sistema calicreína-cininas em modelo murino e humano. Dessa forma, uma possível interação entre obesidade e sistema calicreína-cininas poderia estar envolvida nesta patologia, assim como ser um fator para desenvolvimento a sindrome metabólica. / Objectives: To study the effect of obesity on the kallikrein-kinin system through the expression of receptors B1 and B2 on humans and mice, and alterations in the synthesis and functionality of the receptor in murine tissues. Methods: white human adipose tissue and different kinds of mice tissues were collected. RNA was extracted and the kinin receptors expression analyzed through a real-time polymerase chain reaction. Tissues and organs such as stomach and aorta were used for protein extraction and physiological studies. By Western Blotting, receptor quantitation was studied. Stomach fungus and abdominal aorta were used to register isometric contractions to determine the potency and effectiveness of the agonists on obese and control mice. Increasing accumulating doses of bradykinin and des-Arg9-bradykinin, B2 and B1 receptors agonists respectively, were applied. Results: In the real-time PCR experiments, the gene expression of the B1 and B2 receptors were altered in some tissues of the animals deficient for leptin, when compared to the control. In the white adipose tissue, aorta, liver, hypothalamus and stomach, the B1 receptor expression was increased, but in cardiac tissues and brown adipose tissue, it was decreased. The expression of B2 receptor was decreased in white adipose tissue and hypothalamus. In the other studied tissues, no changes was detected in the B2 receptor expression. In humans, these receptors were altered in obese individuals. The study was performed in human adipose tissue from two different regions of depots, visceral and subcutaneous. There was a tendency of different expression in the same tissue, but from different areas. In tissues from obese mice the response to the B2 and B1 agonists, bradykinin and des-Arg9-bradykinin, respectively, had a decreasing tendency. A significant decrease was observed in stomach fundus in response to the BK agonist. Such effects can be due to the increased weight and its consequences, such as chronic inflammation or diabetes type II, which is a pathology directly related to obesity. Conclusion: expression and functional analysis show that obesity affects kinin receptors in many different mouse tissues as well as in humans. / TEDE / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

O sistema nervoso central é o mais complexo de todos os sistemas de órgãos dos vertebrados. Células progenitoras neurais ao se diferenciarem em neurônios e outros tipos celulares, desenvolvem um padrão altamente organizado de conexões, criando uma rede neuronal que forma o cérebro e o restante do sistema nervoso. Para que se possa gerar os diferentes tipos de neurônios e glias deste sistema, as células embrionárias proliferam-se e diferenciam-se através de processos altamente controlados. Este estudo visou avaliar a importância do receptor B2BkR durante o desenvolvimento encefálico do camundongo. Como modelo estudo, foram utilizados animais knockout (B2BkR-/-) para o gene do receptor B2BKR como modelo para avaliação do padrão de expressão de proteínas marcadoras neurais e dos sistemas purinérgicos e de cininas durante o desenvolvimento encefálico de camundongos B2BkR-/-. Há evidências que mostram que o sistema nervoso de mamíferos contém todos os componentes do sistema calicreína-cininas e que as cininas podem atuar como neuromediadores. Os transcritos do receptor B2BkR foram encontrados em células localizadas em regiões neurogênicas a partir do dia 9.5 do desenvolvimento, esta expressão ampliou-se para toda a extensão do sistema nervoso a partir do dia 12,5 do desenvolvimento. A deleção do gene que codificado para o receptor B2BkR levou a um aumento na expressão relativa do receptor B1BkR. No animal knockout foi também observado um aumento nos níveis de expressão dos cininogênios 1 e 2, sugerindo a ativação de mecanismos compensatórios devido a falta do gene codificado para o receptor B2BkR. De acordo com resultados obtidos com modelos de diferenciação in vitro, também os padrões de expressão de marcadores neurais foram alterados ao longo do desenvolvimento de animais knockout, nos quais houve a diminuição da expressão dos marcadores β3-tubulina e MAP2, confirmando o papel do receptor B2BkR na neurogênese. O marcador glial GFAP teve sua expressão relativa significativamente aumentada nos animais knockout B2BkR-/-, confirmando que a inibição deste receptor favorece a gliogênese. A deleção do receptor B2BkR alterou o perfil de expressão dos receptores purinérgicos do subtipo P2X. Os subtipos P2X2 e P2X3 apresentaram níveis de expressão maiores nos animais selvagens. As subunidades P2X4, P2X5, P2X6 e P2X7 apresentam uma expressão maior nos animais B2BkR-/-. Efeitos semelhantes a estes já haviam sido observados na expressão gênica durante a diferenciação d e neuroesferas do telencéfalo de ratos tratados com antagonistas do B2BkR. No entanto, este trabalho é o primeiro a demonstrar os efeitos da delação do B2BkR sob a expressão do receptor B1BkR; de marcadores neurais e gliais; dos cininogênios 1 e 2; e receptores purinérgicos do suptipo P2X in vivo. Deste modo, estes resultados servem como incentivo para estudos adicionais visando elucidar a participação do receptor B2BkR e do sistema calicrína-cininas na determinação de fenótipos neurais utilizando modelos in vivo, bem como os mecanismos envolvidos e o papel do receptor B2BkR na terapia de doenças neurodegenerativas. / The central nervous system (CNS) is the most complex one of all vertebrate organs. Neural stem and progenitor cells differentiate into neurons and other neural cell types such as glia, originating a highly coordinated network characterizing the brain and the remaining nervous system in strictly controlled processes. It is known that the mammalian nervous system expresses all components of the kallikrein-kinin system, and several functions in the brain have been attributed to bradykinin including neurotransmission, neuroprotection and also lately neurogenesis. The present work aimed at studying the importance of the kinin-B2 receptor (B2BKR) during mouse brain development. A B2BKR knock-out model was used for characterizing changes in the expression patterns of neural marker protein and of the purinergic and kininergic systems. Transcripts of B2BkR-coding sequences were detected in neurogenic regions from embryonic day 9.5 (E9.5) on. Expression of the receptor augmented to the whole extension of the CNS beginning from E12.5. Deletion of the B2BKR-coding gene resulted in increased B1BkR gene expression together with augmented kininogen-1 and -2 expression levels. In agreement with results obtained with in vitro models, expression patterns of neural marker proteins also suffered alterations during neural development of B2BKR(-/-) mice when compared to wild-type animals. Reduction of neuronal protein β3-tubulina e MAP2 expression was observed in B2BKR(-/-) mice, while at the same time glial GFAP expression was enhanced, indicating that activation of the B2BKR promotes neurogenesis, while its inhibition favors gliogenesis. Deletion of the B2BkR-coding gene also lets to changes in expression patterns of purinergic P2X receptors. P2X2 and P2X3 subunits were higher expressed in wild-type animals, while P2X4, P2X5, P2X6 e P2X7 subunits revealed increased expression patterns in B2BkR-/- animals. These results are in line with previous ones of our group obtained in differentiating neurospheres from embryonic rat telencephalons. In summary, the present work is the first to demonstrate the effects of B2BKR deletion on expression patterns of neural marker proteins, the B1BKR and several purinergic receptor subunits. Additional studies will be incentivized for elucidation of functions and underlying mechanism of B2BKR actions in vivo, with applications in cell therapy of neurodegenerative diseases.

Evidências sobre a presença do sistema renina-angiotensina (SRA) na medula óssea e a possível participação da enzima conversora de angiotensina-I (ECA) na regulação hematopoética tem despertado o interesse da comunidade científica. Como a ECA também é um componente chave do sistema calicreína-cininas (SCC), é possível que elementos deste sistema, possam estar envolvidos no controle hematopoético. Assim, avaliamos a participação da ECA na regulação hematopoética de animais não modificados (WT) e nocautes dos receptores B1 de cininas (KOB1). Para isso, utilizamos técnicas de cultura de células de medula óssea, a saber: os ensaios clonogênicos em soft-ágar para granulócitos e macrófagos (CFU-GM) e o sistema de cultura líquida de longa duração (CLLD). Os resultados mostraram a presença da ECA em células das CLLD e indicaram a participação da enzima na proliferação de progenitores hematopoéticos possivelmente através do controle dos níveis de AcSDKP, pois o tratamento com o tetrapeptídeo e com captopril, reduziu significativamente o número CFU-GM in vitro e in vivo. Quando adicionado às CLLD, o AcSDKP foi capaz de aumentar significativamente a expressão do mRNA da ECA, sugerindo que seus níveis possam controlar a expressão gênica desta enzima. Em relação aos animais KOB1, os resultados mostraram maior atividade da ECA, acompanhado de aumento não significativo da expressão gênica e protéica da enzima. O tratamento das CLLD de animais WT com agonistas de receptores de cininas, não alterou a expressão gênica e a atividade da ECA. Assim, nossos dados sugerem que a ECA participa da regulação hematopoética neste modelo. No entanto, novos estudos serão necessários para a elucidação dos mecanismos envolvidos na expressão e/ou controle da atividade da ECA pelos receptores de cininas. / Evidences on the presence of the renin angiotensin system in the bone marrow and the possible participation of the angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) in the hematopoietic regulation have aroused interest of the scientific community. As the ACE also is a common element of the kallikrein-kinin system (KKS), it is possible that elements of KKS, can be involved in the hematopoietic control. Thus, we evaluated the participation of the ACE on the hematopoietic regulation of wild-type (WT) and kinin receptor B1 knockout mice (KOB1). For this, we use techniques of bone marrow cell culture, to know the clonogenic assays for granulocyte-macrophage (GM-CFU) and the long term bone marrow cultures (LTBMC). The results shown the presence of the ACE in cells from LTBMC and its possible participation on hematopoietic proliferation through the control of AcSDKP levels, therefore the treatment with AcSDKP and captopril, decreased significantly the GM-CFU number in vitro and in vivo. When added to the LTBMC, the AcSDKP increase significantly the expression of ACE mRNA, suggesting that its levels could control the gene expression of this enzyme. In relation to KOB1 mice, the results shown increase of the ACE activity and not significant increase of the gene and protein expression of the enzyme. The treatment of the LTBMC of WT mice with kinins receptors agonists, did not modify the gene expression and the ACE activity. Thus, our data suggesting that ACE participate of the hematopoietic regulation in this model. However, new studies will be necessary to understand the involved mechanisms in the expression and/or control of ACE activity by kinins receptors.

Beatmungsbedingte Lungenschäden in der Therapie des akuten Atemnotsyndroms (ARDS) sind aufgrund der inhomogenen Vorschädigung der Lunge praktisch unvermeidbar. Die unphysiologische mechanische Belastung der Lunge führt über Volutrauma, Atelektotrauma und Biotrauma nicht selten zur Exazerbation des Syndroms und trägt zur hohen Mortalität des ARDS bei. Pharmakologische Interventionsmöglichkeiten sind Gegenstand der aktuellen Forschung. Diesbezüglich vielversprechend ist die zentrale Komponente des Kinin-Kallikrein-Systems, namentlich Bradykinin, das über seinen B2-Rezeptor anti-apoptotische Signalwege aktivieren kann und somit zellprotektive Wirkung besitzt. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde untersucht, in welcher Weise zyklische mechanische Dehnung die Konzentration einzelner Komponenten des Kinin-Kallikrein-Systems in isolierten alveolären Epithelzellen (Typ II) der Ratte beeinflusst. Dafür wurden die alveolären Typ-II-Zellen auf speziellen BioFlex®-Membranen kultiviert und für 24 Stunden zyklisch mit hoher Dehnungsamplitude gedehnt. Anschließend wurden mit etablierten Analysemethoden in Zellüberständen bzw. Zelllysaten die Konzentrationen von Kininogen 1, Bradykinin und vom B2-Rezeptor gemessen, sowie die Aktivität des Enzyms Kallikrein und des Bradykinin-Abbaus bestimmt - jeweils im Vergleich mit Überständen bzw. Lysaten ungedehnter AT-II-Zellkulturen. Es zeigte sich dehnungs-bedingt eine Zunahme der Bradykinin-Produktion durch Kininogen und Kallikrein und eine stark gesteigerte Bradykinin-abbauende Aktivität, sodass sich der Bradykininspiegel insgesamt verringerte. Die Konzentration des B2-Rezeptors blieb unverändert. Detailliertes Wissen über den Einfluss zyklischer mechanischer Dehnung auf die Einzelkomponenten des Kinin-Kallikrein-Systems ist eine Grundvoraussetzung, um die zellprotektive Wirkung von Bradykinin im Sinne einer pharmakologischen Interventionsmöglichkeit bei ARDS nutzbar machen zu können.:Inhaltsverzeichnis………………………………………………………………………3 1. Einleitung ..................................................................................7 1.1. Zyklische Dehnung der Lunge als physiologischer Stimulus ..........7 1.2. Zyklische Dehnung der Lunge als pathologischer Stimulus ..........8 1.2.1. Beatmungsbedingte Lungenschäden ..................................9 1.2.1.1. Pathomechanismen ..........................................................9 A) Barotrauma und Volutrauma ..................................................9 B) Atelektotrauma .........................................................................10 C) Biotrauma und Mechanotransduktion 11 D) Sauerstofftrauma .................................................................11 1.2.2. Das akute Atemnotsyndrom (ARDS)...................................12 1.2.2.1. Definition/Diagnosekriterien des ARDS................................12 1.2.2.2. Ätiologie und Inzidenz des ARDS .................................13 1.2.2.3. Verlauf des ARDS .........................................................13 1.2.2.4. Therapie des ARDS .........................................................15 1.3. Das Kinin-Kallikrein-System des Menschen .................................17 1.3.1. Komponenten .................................................................18 A) Kallikrein .................................................................................18 B) Kininogen .................................................................................19 C) Bradykinin .........................................................................19 D) Bradykinin-Rezeptoren .........................................................20 1.4. Das Kinin-Kallikrein-System der Ratte .................................22 2. Fragestellungen und Ziele der Studie .........................................23 3. Material und Methoden .........................................................25 3.1. Materialien .........................................................................25 Tabelle 1: Reagenzien und Chemikalien .........................................25 Tabelle 2: Lösungen, Puffer und Kulturmedien .................................27 Tabelle 3: Assays .........................................................................28 Tabelle 4: Geräte und Arbeitsmittel .................................................29 Tabelle 5: Computer-Software .........................................................31 3.2. Methoden .................................................................................31 3.2.1. Zellkultur .........................................................................31 3.2.1.1. Isolierung der AT-II-Zellen aus der Ratte .........................31 3.2.1.2. Kultivierung der AT-II-Zellen .........................................33 3.2.2. Dehnungsexperiment .................................................34 3.2.3. Gewinnung von Analysematerial .................................36 3.2.4. Auswertung der Experimente .........................................37 3.2.4.1. Bestimmung des Proteingehaltes .................................37 3.2.4.2. Bestimmung der Kininogen-Konzentration .........................38 3.2.4.3. Bestimmung der Kallikrein-Aktivität mittels Fluoreszenzspektroskopie .................................................................39 3.2.4.4. Bestimmung der Bradykinin-Konzentration .................40 3.2.4.5. Bestimmung der Bradykinin-abbauenden Aktivität .........42 3.2.4.6. Konzentrationsbestimmung des Bradykinin-Rezeptors 2......44 3.2.5. Statistik .........................................................................45 4. Ergebnisse .........................................................................46 4.1. Beeinflussung des Kinin-Kallikrein-Systems .........................46 4.1.1. Kininogen .........................................................................46 4.1.2. Kallikrein .........................................................................48 4.1.3. Bradykinin-Konzentration .................................................50 4.1.4. Bradykinin-Abbau .........................................................51 4.1.5. Bradykinin-Rezeptor 2 .................................................54 4.2. Zusammenfassung der Ergebnisse .........................................55 5. Diskussion .........................................................................56 5.1. Diskussion der Methoden .........................................................56 5.1.1. Dehnexperiment .........................................................56 5.1.2. Zellkultur .........................................................................59 5.2. Diskussion der Ergebnisse .........................................................59 5.2.1. Die Beeinflussung der Bradykinin-Konzentration durch zyklische mechanische Dehnung ..................................................................59 5.2.2. Die Beeinflussung der Bradykinin-bildenden Komponenten durch zyklische mechanische Dehnung ....................................................61 5.2.3. Die Beeinflussung des Bradykinin-Abbaus durch zyklische mechanische Dehnung ....................................................................65 5.2.4. Die Beeinflussung des Bradykinin-Rezeptors 2 durch zyklische mechanische Dehnung .....................................................................69 5.2.5. Bedeutung der dehnungsinduzierten Aktivierung des Kinin-Kallikrein-Systems .............................................................72 5.3. Schlussbetrachtungen und Ausblick .............................................75 6. Zusammenfassung .....................................................................78 7. Literaturverzeichnis .....................................................................81 8. Abbildungs- und Tabellenverzeichnis .............................................96 9. Abkürzungsverzeichnis .............................................................98 10. Erklärung über die eigenständige Abfassung der Arbeit ...........101 11. Curriculum vitae ...................................................................102 12. Danksagung ...........................................................................103