Os benefícios à saúde relacionados ao consumo moderado de vinho incluem diferentes mecanismos, nos quais estão envolvidos tanto etanol quanto compostos fenólicos que são constituintes do mesmo. Com o objetivo de avaliar variações glicêmicas, ponderais e o depósito de triglicérides, colesterol e glicogênio hepáticos com uso regular de vinho tinto em camundongo ApoE Knockout, foram utilizados 60 camundongos machos adultos ApoE Knockout de peso médio de 30 gramas, distribuídos em três grupos de 20 animais: grupo vinho, grupo etanol e grupo água, os quais receberam 50 mL de vinho e 50 mL água, 6mL de etanol e 94mL de água e somente água respectivamente por quatro meses. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: variações glicêmicas, ponderais, acúmulo de triglicerídeos, colesterol e glicogênio hepáticos. O grupo vinho teve em relação a sua massa corporal uma área sob a curva maior que a dos outros dois grupos, mas com um percentual pequeno de aumento. A concentração do triglicerídeo hepático foi maior no grupo vinho 57% em relação ao grupo etanol, que foi 31,6% menor que o controle (p<0,01%). A concentração do colesterol hepático foi menor no grupo vinho (23,6%), assim como no grupo etanol (24,5%), (p<0,05%). A concentração do glicogênio hepático foi maior no grupo vinho (16%), porém não alcançando significado estatístico. A glicemia em jejum no dia da eutanásia foi maior no grupo etanol em relação aos demais grupos, porém não demonstrou diferença estatisticamente significante. Na análise histológica não foi observada diferença significativa entre os grupos, embora o peso médio em gramas nas gorduras, retroperitoneal e subcutâneas tenha sido aproximadamente duas vezes maior no grupo vinho. Concluiu-se que neste estudo o uso regular e crônico de vinho tinto aumentou triglicerídeo hepático, porém o álcool diminui o colesterol hepático. O aumento do triglicerídeo pode ser devido ao alto valor calórico do vinho ou alguma propriedade lipogênica desconhecida que levou ao aumento importante das gorduras retroperitoneais e subcutâneas em camundongos ApoE Knockout. / The benefits to health related to regular consume of red wine includes different mechanisms in which are involved both ethanol and fenolics compounds of the wine. With the objective to evaluate glycemia, lipid profile and weight variations with regular use of red wine by ApoE Knockout mices, sixty adults ApoE Knockout mices weighing around 30g were distributed into 3 groups of 20 animals each: 1.Wine that received 50mL of wine plus 50mL of water, 2. Ethanol and Water groups, 6mL of ethanol plus 94mL of water and just water respectively for 4 months. We evaluate glycemia, weight variations and liver glycogen, triglycerides and cholesterol. The wine group had in relation to its mass body an area under the curve larger than the other two groups, but with a small percentage of increase. The concentration of liver triglycerides was higher in the wine 57% compared to ethanol group, which was 31.6% lower than the control (p<0.01%). The concentration of liver cholesterol was lower in wine (23.6%) and in ethanol group (24.5%) (p<0.05%). The liver glycogen concentration was higher in the wine (16%), although not reaching statistical significance. The fasting glicemia on the day of euthanasia was higher in the ethanol group compared to other groups, but not statistically significant difference. In histological analysis was not significantly different between groups, although the average weight in grams fat, retroperitoneal and subcutaneous was approximately two times higher in the wine group. It was concluded that in this study the regular and chronic use of red wine increased liver triglyceride, however alcohol decreases liver cholesterol. The increase of the triglyceride may be due to the high caloric value of wine or some lipogenic unknown property that led to an important increase in retroperitoneal and subcutaneous fat tissue in ApoE Knockout mice.

Os benefícios à saúde relacionados ao consumo moderado de vinho incluem diferentes mecanismos, nos quais estão envolvidos tanto etanol quanto compostos fenólicos que são constituintes do mesmo. Com o objetivo de avaliar variações glicêmicas, ponderais e o depósito de triglicérides, colesterol e glicogênio hepáticos com uso regular de vinho tinto em camundongo ApoE Knockout, foram utilizados 60 camundongos machos adultos ApoE Knockout de peso médio de 30 gramas, distribuídos em três grupos de 20 animais: grupo vinho, grupo etanol e grupo água, os quais receberam 50 mL de vinho e 50 mL água, 6mL de etanol e 94mL de água e somente água respectivamente por quatro meses. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: variações glicêmicas, ponderais, acúmulo de triglicerídeos, colesterol e glicogênio hepáticos. O grupo vinho teve em relação a sua massa corporal uma área sob a curva maior que a dos outros dois grupos, mas com um percentual pequeno de aumento. A concentração do triglicerídeo hepático foi maior no grupo vinho 57% em relação ao grupo etanol, que foi 31,6% menor que o controle (p<0,01%). A concentração do colesterol hepático foi menor no grupo vinho (23,6%), assim como no grupo etanol (24,5%), (p<0,05%). A concentração do glicogênio hepático foi maior no grupo vinho (16%), porém não alcançando significado estatístico. A glicemia em jejum no dia da eutanásia foi maior no grupo etanol em relação aos demais grupos, porém não demonstrou diferença estatisticamente significante. Na análise histológica não foi observada diferença significativa entre os grupos, embora o peso médio em gramas nas gorduras, retroperitoneal e subcutâneas tenha sido aproximadamente duas vezes maior no grupo vinho. Concluiu-se que neste estudo o uso regular e crônico de vinho tinto aumentou triglicerídeo hepático, porém o álcool diminui o colesterol hepático. O aumento do triglicerídeo pode ser devido ao alto valor calórico do vinho ou alguma propriedade lipogênica desconhecida que levou ao aumento importante das gorduras retroperitoneais e subcutâneas em camundongos ApoE Knockout. / The benefits to health related to regular consume of red wine includes different mechanisms in which are involved both ethanol and fenolics compounds of the wine. With the objective to evaluate glycemia, lipid profile and weight variations with regular use of red wine by ApoE Knockout mices, sixty adults ApoE Knockout mices weighing around 30g were distributed into 3 groups of 20 animals each: 1.Wine that received 50mL of wine plus 50mL of water, 2. Ethanol and Water groups, 6mL of ethanol plus 94mL of water and just water respectively for 4 months. We evaluate glycemia, weight variations and liver glycogen, triglycerides and cholesterol. The wine group had in relation to its mass body an area under the curve larger than the other two groups, but with a small percentage of increase. The concentration of liver triglycerides was higher in the wine 57% compared to ethanol group, which was 31.6% lower than the control (p<0.01%). The concentration of liver cholesterol was lower in wine (23.6%) and in ethanol group (24.5%) (p<0.05%). The liver glycogen concentration was higher in the wine (16%), although not reaching statistical significance. The fasting glicemia on the day of euthanasia was higher in the ethanol group compared to other groups, but not statistically significant difference. In histological analysis was not significantly different between groups, although the average weight in grams fat, retroperitoneal and subcutaneous was approximately two times higher in the wine group. It was concluded that in this study the regular and chronic use of red wine increased liver triglyceride, however alcohol decreases liver cholesterol. The increase of the triglyceride may be due to the high caloric value of wine or some lipogenic unknown property that led to an important increase in retroperitoneal and subcutaneous fat tissue in ApoE Knockout mice.

O conhecimento de que o exercício é benéfico na doença aterosclerótica é baseado principalmente em estudos epidemiológicos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar se o treinamento físico preventivo ou terapêutico altera a evolução da placa aterosclerótica. Camundongos LDLr-/- com 16 semanas de vida foram separados em dois programas: preventivo e terapêutico. Animais do programa preventivo receberam dieta normal ou aterogênica por 14 semanas. O treinamento físico foi iniciado concomitantemente ao início da dieta. Animais do programa terapêutico receberam dieta normal ou aterogênica por 28 semanas. O treinamento físico foi iniciado após 14 semanas do início da dieta, com placas bem estabelecidas. O treinamento físico aeróbico moderado foi realizado em esteira rolante, por 60 min, 5 dias/sem, durante 14 semanas. Massa corporal, pressão arterial caudal e freqüência cardíaca foram registradas. Lipoproteínas plasmáticas foram separadas por FPLC e colesterol total foi dosado por métodos enzimáticos. Foram quantificados tamanho, conteúdo de gordura e de colágeno da placa por coloração de oil-red O e picro-sirius. Citocinas TNF-, IL-6 foram medidas por Elisa. MMP-9 plasmática foi medida por zimografia. Marcadores inflamatórios teciduais, MMP-9, CD40/CD40L e nitrotirosina, foram medidos na placa por imunohistoquímica. O treinamento físico não modificou o tamanho da placa, mas tornou a placa mais estável por aumentar o conteúdo de colágeno. O treinamento físico diminuiu o conteúdo de gordura da placa, os fatores de risco e o CD40 somente no programa preventivo. Nenhuma alteração foi notada nos marcadores inflamatórios circulantes e na expressão de MMP-9 e formação de nitrotirosina na placa aterosclerótica. / The knowledge that exercise exerts beneficial effects on atherosclerotic disease is mainly based on epidemiological studies. Our aim was to investigate the effect of preventive and therapeutic exercise programs on atherosclerotic plaque formation and development. Sixteen-week-old LDLr-/- mice were randomly divided into preventive and therapeutic programs. Preventive programs mice received normal or atherogenic diet for 14 weeks. Exercise training started at the same time of dieting. Therapeutic programs mice received normal or atherogenic diet for 28 weeks. Exercise training started after 14 weeks of dieting when atherosclerosis plaques were already established. Moderate intensity aerobic exercise training was performed on a motor treadmill for 60 min, 5 days/wk, during 14 weeks. Body mass, caudal blood pressure and heart rate were registered. Plasma lipoproteins were separated by FPLC and total cholesterol was determined by enzymatic methods. Cross sections of aortic root were stained with oil-red O for plaque size and fat content. Aorta longitudinal sections were stained with picro-sirius for collagen content. TNF- and IL-6 cytokines were measured by Elisa. Plasmatic MMP-9 was determined by zimography. Inflammatory tissue markers, MMP-9, CD40/CD40L and nitrotirosine, were measured by immunohistochemistry. We concluded that exercise training did not modify plaque size, but turned it into a more stable one by increasing its collagen content. Exercise training reduced plaque fat content, risk factors and plaque CD40 expression only in the preventive program. No difference in systemic inflammatory markers, and in plaque MMP-9 expression and nitrotirosine formation was noted.

Orientadores: Marta Helena Krieger, Regina Celia Spadari-Bratfisch / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-08T07:50:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Garcia_JoseAntonioDias_D.pdf: 1987747 bytes, checksum: 1ec8d731703522ccf42a42dafd7b13a7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: Recentemente demonstrou-se que S-nitroso-N-acetilcisteína (SNAC) atenua o desenvolvimento da placa de aterosclerose na aorta em cerca de 55% de camundongos deficientes do receptor de lipoproteína de baixa densidade (LDLr-/-). O presente estudo teve como objetivo: i) verificar se a deleção do gene do receptor de LDL pode alterar o perfil hemodinâmico e a resposta inotrópica do coração a agentes adrenérgicos; ii) determinar a capacidade do SNAC na prevenção das alterações estruturais e funcionais do miocárdio e; iii) verificar o efeito do SNAC na pressão arterial de camundongos hipercolesterolêmicos. Camundongos machos C57BL6 (Wild Type = WT) e camundongos LDLr-/- (S) foram alimentados com dieta comercial por 15 dias. Em relação aos camundongos WT, os camundongos S apresentaram aumento de 11% na pressão arterial, diminuição de 62% na contratilidade do átrio esquerdo, e aumento na expressão do CD40L e redução na expressão de NOSe no tecido ventricular esquerdo. Camundongos LDLr-/- alimentados com dieta enriquecida em 1,25% de colesterol, 20% de gordura e 0,5% de ácido cólico por 15dias (Chol) apresentaram hipertrofia ventricular esquerda (HVE) comparados aos camundongos S, a qual foi caracterizada por: a) aumento de 1,25 vezes na razão entre o peso ventricular esquerdo (mg) e o peso corporal (g) (4,17±0,09 vs 3,34±0,07 mg/g, respectivamente; p< 0,05); b) aumento do diâmetro dos cardiomiócitos (25±0,6 vs 19±0,7 µm, p<0.05); c) aumento na expressão das isoformas das NOS (óxido nítrico sintases) e hiperexpressão do CD40L; d) aumento do depósito de colágeno; e) sem alterações na performance contrátil do átrio esquerdo e na responsividade à noradrenalina. A administração do SNAC aos camundongos Chol (chol+SNAC) (0,51 µmol/kg/dia, i.p.), preveniu o aumento na razão do peso ventricular esquerdo (mg) e o peso corporal (g) (3.38±0.23 mg/g), no diâmetro dos cardiomiócitos (20±0.7 µm), no deposito de colágeno, na expressão das isoformas da NOS e a hiperexpressão do CD40L. O SNAC não apresentou efeito no aumento da pressão arterial e nem sobre a hipocontratilidade, mas recuperou a responsividade para noradrenalina. Em conclusão, o presente estudo demonstrou que camundongos com deleção do gene do receptor LDL apresentaram hipertensão e marcada redução contrátil. Essas características podem estar relacionados com o estresse oxidativo resultante do processo inflamatório e da hipoexpressão da NOSe. A dieta hiperlipídica promoveu hipertrofia ventricular esquerda (HVE), devida ao aumento nos processos inflamatório e oxidativo. O SNAC impediu o desenvolvimento da HVE por mecanismos que envolveram efeito antiinflamatório (detectado pela diminuição na expressão do CD40L), a hiperexpressão das NOS, a redução das alterações estruturais ventriculares induzidas pela hipercolesterolemia de maneira independente da hipertensão. No presente estudo, a necessidade de quantificar as análises histológicas exigiu a validação de um software interativo para analisar imagens de amostras teciduais. O software foi projetado para permitir que o usuário altere os tipos de coloração vermelha, verde e azul (RGB) para uma cor padrão que possa ser usada para segmentar a imagem e calcular a fração da área de interesse. Os resultados obtidos com a contagem manual e com a contagem feita com o uso do software foram similares, indicando que são métodos alternativos confiáveis para análises quantitativas de cortes histológicos. Entretanto, o software permite processar as imagens de maneira eficiente e confiável, além de reproduzir o corte tecidual em um menor tempo, e pode ser executado com o microscópio e o computador padrão / Abstract: Recently, it has been that S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine (SNAC) attenuate in 55% the plaque development in low-density lipoprotein-receptor-deficient (LDLr-/-) mice fed a hypercholesterolemic diet for 15 days. The present study was designed to verify whether deletion of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene may affect the hemodynamic profile and adrenergic inotropic cardiac responses and, particularly, to identify the ability of SNAC to prevent the myocardial alterations and hypertension in hypercholesterolemic mice. C57BL6 wild-type (WT) and LDLr-/- male mice (S) were fed a commercial diet for 15 days. Control mice (S) showed 11 % blood pressure increase, 62% left atrial contractility decrease, CD40L overexpression and eNOS underexpression in comparison to WT. LDLr-/- mice which were fed for 15 days with 1,25% cholesterol, 20% of fat and 0.5% of colic acid enriched diet (Chol), showed significant left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) versus S, which was characterized by: a) 1.25-fold increase in the LV weight (mg)/body weight (g) ratio (4.17±0.09 vs. 3.34±0.07 mg/g, respectively; p<0.05); b) increased cardiomyocyte diameter (25±0.6 vs. 19±0.7 µm, p<0.05); c) enhanced expression of the constitutive and inducible NOS isoforms and CD40L;d) increased collagen deposit; e) no alteration in the atrial contractile performance or responsiveness to norepinephrine. Administration of SNAC to Chol mice ( Chol +SNAC) (0.51 µmol/kg/day, for 15day, i.p.) prevented increases in the left ventricular weight/body weight ratio (3.38±0.23 mg/g), cardiomyocyte diameter (20±0.7 µm), collagen deposit, NOS isoforms and CD40L overexpression, but had no effect on increased blood pressure or atrial basal hypocontractility, although it recovered responsiveness to norepinephrine. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that the deletion of the LDL receptor gene in mice determined hypertension and a marked left atrial contractile deficit. These findings may be related to oxidative stress, resulting from inflammation and eNOS underexpression. High-cholesterol diet promoted LVH in LDLr-/- mice associated with enhanced inflammatory and oxidant processes. SNAC prevented LVH by processes that involved decreased CD40L expression and NOS overexpression effects attenuating the ventricular structural alterations induced by hypercholesterolemia independent of hypertension. Histological quantization demanded the development of interactive software for image analysis of tissue samples. The software was designed to allow a user-oriented change of a chosen red, green and blue (RGB) staining in a standardized color that can be used to segment the image and calculate the fractional area of interest. Thus the method allows efficient, reliable and reproducible processing of tissue sections that is less time-consuming than conventional methods and can be performed with standard microscope and computer / Doutorado / Fisiologia / Doutor em Biologia Funcional e Molecular

Orientador: Sergio Roberto Peres Line / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-10T16:39:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 EspiritoSanto_AlexandreRibeirodo_D.pdf: 9422040 bytes, checksum: 9034465ff462c933a4d9d5ab9721b610 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: O esmalte envolve a porção coronária dos dentes e constitui a estrutura mais mineralizada do corpo vertebrado. Seu desenvolvimento tem início com secreção, processamento proteolítico e auto-agregação de uma complexa mistura de proteínas. O estabelecimento de uma matriz orgânica ordenada parece ser fundamental para a formação adequada da fase mineral do esmalte. Microscopia de luz polarizada mostra que a matriz orgânica do esmalte secretório (MOES) apresenta-se fortemente birrefringente em cortes não corados de 5 µm de espessura. Esta propriedade reflete alto grau de organização em nível molecular com possível relevância funcional. Alterações no brilho de birrefringência da MOES podem indicar desordens moleculares e estar associadas a alterações na formação da fase mineral. Atraso no processo de fixação da MOES pode levar a uma rápida perda de sua birrefringência, comprometendo o seu estudo por meio de microscopia de luz polarizada. No presente trabalho, analisaram-se os efeitos do nocauteamento dos genes Amelx e Mmp20 (experimento 1), dos bisfosfonatos (experimento 2) e de inibidores de serina proteinases e metaloproteinases (experimento 3) sobre a birrefringência da MOES. O experimento 1 mostrou quecamundongos fêmeas Amelx+/- apresentam redução significativa no brilho debirrefringência quando comparados aos animais Amelx+/+ do mesmo gênero (p=0,0029). A MOES dos camundongos fêmeas Amelx-/- não exibiu birrefringência. Os camundongos Mmp20-/- mostraram uma expressiva diminuição nos valores de retardo ótico em comparação aos camundongos Mmp20+/+ e Mmp20+/- (p=0,0000). Os animais Mmp20+/+ e Mmp20+/- apresentaram birrefringência semelhante (p=1,0000). O experimento 2 mostrou que ratos tratados com alendronato de sódio não apresentam alterações morfológicas na MOES, mas exibem diminuiçãoexpressiva no brilho de birrefringência quando comparados a ratos controles (p<0,01). Interessantemente, os ratos tratados com etidronato dissódico apresentaram alterações morfológicas severas na MOES, mas mostraram brilho de birrefringência na matriz secretada semelhante ao dos ratos controles (p>0,05). O experimento 3 mostrou que a fenantrolina (inibidora de metaloproteinases, como a Mmp20) e o fenilmetilsulfonil fluoreto (inibidor de serina proteinases, como a Klk- 4) preservam a birrefringência da MOES ex vivo. Os resultados aqui apresentados sugerem que: 1) a birrefringência da MOES depende da organização supramolecular das amelogeninas e é influenciada pela atividade proteolítica da Mmp20; 2) o alendronato de sódio pode induzir alterações quantitativas na organização supramolecular da MOES; 3) o etidronato dissódico não altera a ordem molecular da matriz orgânica do esmalte secretada e pode induzir defeitos no esmalte maduro através de interferência direta sobre a atividade secretora dos ameloblastos; 4) a rápida perda de birrefringência da MOES em amostras não imediatamente fixadas é resultante da atividade de proteinases do esmalte. Palavras-chave: Esmalte dentário, Birrefringência, Bisfosfonatos, Fenantrolina, Fenilmetilsulfonil fluoreto / Abstract: Enamel covers dental crown and is the most mineralized structure in the vertebrate body. Its development begins with the secretion, processing and selfassembly of a complex mixture of proteins. The establishment of an ordered organic matrix seems to be a crucial step for the proper formation of enamel mineral phase. Polarizing microscopy shows that the secretory-stage enamel organic matrix (SEOM) is strongly birefringent in non-stained 5 µm-thick sections. This property indicates high level of molecular organization, which may be physiologically important. Changes in SEOM birefringence brightness may reflect molecular disorders and may be associated with alterations in the forming enamel mineral phase. Delay in fixation of SEOM may lead to rapid loss of birefringence, impairing analysis of that tissue with polarized light microscopy. In the present work, we analyzed the effects of Amelx and Mmp20 knocking out (experiment 1), bisphosphonates (experiment 2) and metallo and serine proteinases¿ inhibitors (experiment 3) on SEOM birefringence. Experiment 1 showed that Amelx+/- female mice exhibit a significant reduction in the birefringence brightness when compared to Amelx+/+ female animals. (p=0.0029). The SEOM from Amelx-/- female mice did not show birefringence. Mmp20-/- mice presented an expressive reduction in the optical retardation values in comparison to Mmp20+/+ and Mmp20+/- animals (p=0.0000). Mmp20+/+ and Mmp20+/- mice presented similar birefringence (p=1.0000). Experiment 2 showed that rats treated with sodium alendronate do not present morphological alterations in the SEOM, but exhibit significant decrease in the birefringence brightness when compared to control rats (p<0.01). Interestingly, bisodic etidronate rats showed severe morphological alterations in the SEOM, but exhibited SEOM birefringence brightness similar to that observed in control rats (p>0.05). Experiment 3 evidenced that 1,10-phenanthroline (metalloproteinase inhibitor) and phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride (serine proteinase inhibitor) preserve SEOM birefringence brightness ex vivo. The results presented here support the following conclusions: 1) SEOM birefringence results from amelogenin supramolecular organization and is influenced by proteolytic activity of Mmp20; 2) sodium alendronate can induce quantitative changes in the supramolecular organization of the SEOM; 3) bisodic etidronate does not disturb molecular order of the secreted enamel organic matrix and may induce changes in mature enamel by affecting directly secretory activity of ameloblasts; 4) rapid loss of birefringence in no immediately fixed SEOM is caused by the activity of enamel proteinases. Key Words: Dental enamel, Birefringence, Bisphosphonates, Phenanthroline, Phenylmethylsulphonyl Fluoride / Doutorado / Histologia e Embriologia / Doutor em Biologia Buco-Dental

A paracoccidioidomicose (PCM) é uma doença granulomatosa sistêmica, causada por Paracoccidioides spp., (P. brasiliensis e P. lutzii), geograficamente, limita-se a América Latina com as áreas endêmicas estendendo-se desde o México até a Argentina, constituindo uma das micoses sistêmicas de maior incidência na região, afetando principalmente trabalhadores rurais. O maior número de pacientes com PCM tem sido reportado principalmente no Brasil, Colômbia e Venezuela. A incidência real desta micose encontra-se subestimada no Brasil e pouco se conhece em relação a nova espécie descrita - P. lutzii. A maioria dos estudos em P. lutzii foram focados em genética, especiação e na geração de novos antígenos para melhorar a especificidade e sensibilidade dos testes sorológicos. Atualmente, as preparações antigênicas tradicionais, preparadas a partir de isolados de P. brasiliensis, são ineficientes. Raros são os trabalhos focados na biologia de P. lutzii e nos fatores de virulência que podem ser comparados com P. brasiliensis nos modelos experimentais. A nossa proposta de estudo foi avaliar alguns aspectos in vitro e in vivo relacionados com a patogenicidade e destacamos: a fagocitose e a morte intracelular de P. lutzii por macrófagos, peritoneais, de camundongos Knockouts (KO) e selvagens para PRRs (TLR2, TLR4 e Dectina) e ativadores intracelulares (MyD88 e NALP3). Paralelamente a este estudo, animais foram infectados com leveduras de P. lutzii e comparados com os modelos de infecção já estabelecidos com leveduras (Pb18) e conídios (ATCCPb60855) de P. brasiliensis. Nossos dados indicam que similar ao que ocorre com P. brasiliensis a fagocitose de P. lutzii depende de TLR2, TLR4 e Dectina- 1, resultados semelhantes também foram observadas na expressão de moléculas envolvidas na co-estimulação e a apresentação de antígenos (MHC II, CD80 e CD86). Contudo, a morte intracelular de leveduras de P. lutzii é claramente dependente de TLR4, e a produção de citocinas IL-6, MIP-2, IFN- e IL-12p40 são importantes para o controle das leveduras pelos macrófagos. No modelo experimental de P. lutzii, camundongos machos C57BL/6 (6-7 semanas) foram infectados intratraquealmente como 1x106 leveduras viáveis do isolado de P. lutzii Pb01. Encontramos duas fases da doença, a primeira de 0 hora até 2 a 4 semanas pós-infecção, e a segunda de 4 até 12 semanas. As leveduras parecem ser contidas na primeira semana de infecção e posteriormente não encontramos leveduras nos macerados de pulmão, diferente do modelo de BALB/c infetado com conídios de ATCC-Pb60855 no qual as UFC são recuperadas até a semana 16 pós-infeção. Como relação aos níveis de citocinas, encontramos que na lavagem broncoalveolar e macerado de pulmão um perfil misto Th1/Th2 porém, marcado por citocinas próinflamatórias no primeiro período e citocinas regulatórias tipo Th2 no segundo período (IL-12p70, IL-23, IL-10); similar ao descrito nos modelos de P. brasiliensis infectados tanto com conídios como com leveduras. No entanto, no primeiro período da doença, em camundongos C57BL/6, parece ter uma carga inflamatória maior que reflete nas citocinas que mantém seus níveis até o período crônico: TNF-alfa, MIP-2 e GM-CSF está última, regulada positivamente tanto em experimentos in vitro como in vivo. Também observamos que a partir das 48horas pós-infecção encontramos níveis aumentados de IL-12p70 até o período crônico onde junto com a IL-23 parecem ser as responsáveis pela diminuição da infecção no período tárdio. Esta é a primeira vez que se descreve um modelo experimental com P. lutzii (isolado Pb01) indicando o perfil imunopatológico com pequenas diferenças comparados ao P. brasiliensis porém, de importância na patogenicidade da doença auxiliando a compreender as diferentes formas da doença no modelo experimental / Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic granulomatous disease caused by Paracoccidioides spp. (P. brasiliensis and P. lutzii), geographically, is limited to Latin America with endemic areas from Mexico to Argentina, as one of the systemic mycoses with the highest incidence in the region, mainly affecting rural workers. The largest number of patients with PCM has been mainly reported in Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela. The true incidence of this mycosis is underestimated in Brazil and little is known about the new species described - P. lutzii. Most studies in P. lutzii were focused on genetics, speciation and the generation of new antigens to improve the specificity and sensitivity of serological tests. Currently, traditional antigenic preparations, prepared with isolates of P. brasiliensis, are inefficient. There are few studies focused on P. lutzii biology and virulence factors that can be compared with P. brasiliensis in experimental models. Our study aimed to evaluate some in vitro and in vivo aspects related to pathogenicity: phagocytosis and intracellular killing of P. lutzii by peritoneal macrophages from knockouts (KO) for PRRs (TLR2, TLR4 and Dectin) and intracellular activators (MyD88 and NALP3). In addition, animals were infected with P. lutzii yeast and compared with the well-established models of infection with yeast cells (Pb18) and conidia (ATCC Pb60855) from P. brasiliensis. Our data indicate that similarly to what happens with the phagocytosis of P. brasiliensis, P. lutzii phagocytosis is dependent on TLR2, TLR4 and Dectin-1. Other molecules, involved in co-stimulation and presentation of antigens such as MHC II, CD80 and CD86 were also shown to participate in the P. lutzii-host interaction. However, intracellular killing of P. lutzii yeast cells was clearly dependent on TLR4, and the production of cytokines as IL-6, MIP-2, IFN- and IL-12p40 were important for the control of the yeast by macrophages. In the experimental model of P. lutzii, male C57BL/6 mice (6-7 weeks) were infected intratracheally with 1x106 viable yeasts of the isolate Pb01like. We found two phases of the disease, the first from the inoculation to 2 or 4 weeks after infection and the second from 4 to 12 weeks. Yeast appear to be contained within the first week of infection and subsequently are also absent from macerated lung, differently from the model of BALB/c mice infected with ATCC Pb60855 conidia in which CFUs were detected up to week 16 post-infection. We found a mixed Th1/Th2 pattern (IL-12p70, IL-23, IL-10) in bronchoalveolar lavage and lung, with the predominance of proinflammatory cytokines in the first phase and predominance of regulatory Th2 cytokines in the second phase, reproducing findings of P. brasiliensis infection models produced with both conidia and yeast. However, in the first period of the disease in C57BL/6 mice there was a higher inflammatory burden, reflected by the high cytokine levels (TNF-alpha, MIP-2 and GM-CSF), the latter in particular because it was positively regulated both in vitro and vivo), that persisted through the chronic period. We also observed that starting from 48 hours postinfection to the chronic period there were increased levels of IL-12p70, which together with IL-23 appeared to be responsible for the reduction of infection in the late period. This is the first time that an experimental model with P. lutzii (Pb01) is described, showing an immunological profile with only slight differences compared to the P. brasiliensis model. The present study details important aspects of the pathogenesis of the disease due to different species of Paracoccidioides and helps to understand the different forms of presentation in experimental models

Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are a major cause of Parkinson’s disease (PD), which is why modelling PD by replicating effects in animal models attracts great interest. However, the exact mechanisms of pathogenesis are still unclear. While a gain-of-function hypothesis generally receives consensus, there is evidence supporting an alternative loss-of-function explanation. Yet, neither overexpression of the human wild-type LRRK2 protein or its pathogenic variants, nor Lrrk2 knockout recapitulates key aspects of human PD in rodent models. Furthermore, there is conflicting evidence from morpholino knockdown studies in zebrafish regarding the extent of zygotic developmental abnormalities. Because reliable null mutants may be useful to infer gene function, and because the zebrafish is a more tractable laboratory vertebrate system than rodents to study disease mechanisms in vivo, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein-9 nuclease (Cas9) genomic editing was used to delete the ~60-kbp-long zebrafish lrrk2 locus containing the entire open reading frame. Constitutive removal of both the maternal and the zygotic lrrk2 function (mzLrrk2 individuals) causes a pleomorphic phenotype in the larval brain at 5 days post-fertilisation (dpf), including increased cell death, delayed myelination, and reduced and morphologically abnormal microglia/leukocytes. However, the phenotype is transient, spontaneously attenuating or resolving by 10 dpf, and the mutants are viable and fertile as adults. These observations are mirrored by whole-larva transcriptome data, revealing a more than eighteen-fold drop in the number of differentially expressed genes in mzLrrk2 larvae from 5 to 10 dpf. Additionally, analysis of spontaneous swimming activity shows hypokinesia as a predictor of Lrrk2 protein deficiency in larvae, but not in adult fish. Because the catecholaminergic (CA) neurons are the main clinically relevant target of PD in humans, the CA system of larvae and adult fish was analysed on both cellular and metabolic level. Despite an initial developmental delay at 5 dpf, the CA system is structurally intact at 10 dpf and later on in adult fish aged 6 and 11 months. However, monoamine oxidase (Mao)-dependent degradation of biogenic amines, including dopamine, is increased in older fish, possibly suggesting impaired synaptic transmission or a leading cause of cell damage in the long term. Furthermore, decreased mitosis rate in the larval brain was found, in the anterior portion only at 5 dpf, strongly and throughout the whole organ at 10 dpf. Conceivably, lrrk2 may have a more general role in the control of cell proliferation during early development and a more specialised one in the adult stage, possibly conditional, for example upon brain damage. Because the zebrafish can regenerate lost neurons, it represents a unique opportunity to elucidate the endogenous processes that may counteract neurodegeneration in a predisposing genetic background. To this aim, the regenerative potential of the adult telencephalon upon stab injury was tested in mzLrrk2 fish. Indeed, neuronal proliferation was reduced, suggesting that a complete understanding of Lrrk2 biology may not be fully appreciated without recreating challenging scenarios. To summarise, the present results demonstrate that loss of lrrk2 has an early effect on zebrafish brain development that is later often compensated. Nonetheless, perturbed aminergic catabolism, and specifically increased Mao-dependent aminergic degradation, is reported for the first time in a LRRK2 knockout model. Furthermore, a link between Lrrk2 and the control of basal cell proliferation in the brain, which may become critical under challenging circumstances such as brain injury, is proposed. Future directions should aim at exploring which brain cell types are specifically affected by the mzLrrk2 hypoproliferative phenotype and the resulting consequences on a circuitry level, particularly in very old fish (i.e., over 2 years of age).

Die vorliegende Arbeit befasst sich dem Glykosaminoglykan (GAG) Hyaluronan (HA) und dessen Einfluss auf die Entwicklung des malignen Melanoms (MM). Das in der extrazellulären Matrix (ECM) reichlich vorkommende HA wird schon seit dem späten 20. Jahrhundert genauerer im Zusammenhang mit der Tumorentwicklung untersucht. Gegensätzliche Eigenschaften von HA, die zum einen Tumore fördern und zum anderen ihnen entgegenwirken, wurden seither veröffentlicht. Allgemeiner Konsens ist, dass das HA-Molekulargewicht über die verschiedenen Effekte von HA entscheidet. Momentan ist jedoch nicht ausreichend belegt, wie HA auf das Tumorwachstum einwirkt und welche HA-Größen dies speziell begünstigen. Diese Untersuchung basiert auf einem in vivo Knockout von der Hyaluronan Synthase 2 (Has2) in der Maus, der die Produktion von hoch-molekulargewichtigen HA (HMW-HA) weitestgehend einschränkte. Das Wachstum vom experimentellem MM wurde in Abwesenheit der meisten HMW-HA untersucht. Diese Arbeit versuchte den Beweis zu erbringen, dass das lokale Wachstum und die Metastasenbildung der MM-Zellen abhängig von der vorhandenen HMW-HA in der Nähe des Tumors ist. Der Has2-knockout in der Mauslinie C57BL6 wurde verifiziert und nach einem veränderten Phänotyp der Mäuse untersucht. Obwohl nahezu dreiviertel der absoluten HA Menge durch den Knockout fehlte, zeigten die Mäuse keinen offensichtlichen Veränderungen. Erst eine Messung der Haut-Permeabilität deutete auf eine womöglich verstärkte Ausbildung der Stratum corneum hin. Eine direkte Auswirkung vom fehlendem HA auf das Tumorwachstum und der Metastasierungsrate konnte nicht ausreichend belegt werden. Das verwendete Mausmodell sowie die Wahl des experimentellen Tumors werden in dieser Arbeit kritisch diskutiert. Parallel durchgeführte in vitro Versuche mit teilweise artifiziellen 3D Matrizen, die unterschiedliche Mengen von HA enthielten, zeigten einen stärkeren Einfluss von niedermolekulare HA (LMW-HA) auf die Proliferation und Invasion von MM Zellen. Diese Beobachtungen stimmen mit dem derzeitigen Konsens überein, dass LMW-HA aktivierende Signaltransduktion auslöst und HMW-HA eher homöostatisch wirkt.:TABLE OF CONTENT Zusammenfassung Summary Table of content List of figures List of tables Abbreviations 1 Introduction 1.1 Structures of the skin 1.2 The malignant melanoma 1.3 The tumor microenvironment (TME) 1.4 Hyaluronan 1.4.1 HA Structure 1.4.2 HA anabolism 1.4.3 HA catabolism 1.4.4 HA binding proteins 1.4.5 HA cell surface receptors 1.5 Hyaluronan in malignant melanoma 1.6 Aim of the thesis 2 Methods 2.1 Murine malignant melanoma cell lines 2.2 Inducible Has2-knockout mice 2.2.1 The Cre/loxP System 2.2.2 Genetical modification for the Has2-knockout 2.2.3 4-Hydroxytamoxifen induction of knockout 2.2.4 Experimental tumor model in mouse 2.2.5 Intravenous tumor injection 2.3 Primary Has2-knockout fibroblasts for in vitro experiments 2.3.1 Isolation of primary fibroblast from mouse skin tissue 2.3.2 Induction of Has2-ko fibroblasts 2.4 Molecular analysis 2.4.1 PCR analysis of genome DNA 2.4.2 Quantification of gene expression 2.4.3 Microarray analysis 2.4.4 Quantification of Has2 protein levels 2.4.5 Quantification of HA 2.4.6 HA size analysis by agarose gel electrophoresis 2.5 Physical analysis of the skin 2.5.1 Skin elasticity measurement 2.5.2 Skin permeability measurement 2.5.3 Skin hydration and TEWL measurement 2.6 Histological analysis 2.6.1 Cryo-fixed samples 2.6.2 Immunofluorescence staining 2.6.3 FFPE samples 2.6.4 HA staining 2.6.5 Histochemical images 2.7 Physiological analysis of MM cell proliferation with BrdU-Assay 2.8 Statistical analysis 3 Materials 3.1 Mouse lines 3.2 Cell lines 3.3 Buffer and solution recipes 3.4 Chemicals 3.5 Molecular-biological reagents and enzymes 3.6 Primers 3.7 Antibodies 3.8 Kits 3.9 Devices and tools 3.10 Disposables 3.11 Software 4 Results 4.1 The Has2-knockout mouse model 4.1.1 Has2-knockout characterization 4.1.2 Incomplete Has2 deletion 4.1.3 Effects of the HA knockdown 4.1.4 Has2-knockout efficiency in other organs 4.1.5 Effects of Has2-knockout on gene expression 4.2 In vitro Has2-knockout and effect on MM cells 4.2.1 In vitro Has2- and HA-knockdown 4.2.2 Has2-ko fibroblast conditioned media decreased MM proliferation 4.2.3 MM conditioned media influenced fibroblast’s HA secretion 4.2.4 The transition towards in vivo tumor experiments 4.3 In vivo Tumor experiments 4.3.1 HA threshold, correlation, and exclusions 4.3.2 Effects of HA knockdown on primary tumor volume and weight 4.3.3 Tumor histology and HA localization 4.3.4 HA fragments in tumors, healthy-, and tumor-related-skin samples 4.3.5 Metastasis formation 5 Discussion 5.1 HA knockdown 5.2 HA knockdown phenotype 5.2.1 Skin stiffness 5.2.2 Skin water homeostasis 5.3 Paracrine interactions between MM and fibroblasts 5.4 HA thresholding 5.5 Tumor readouts 5.6 In vitro ECM models 5.7 Metastasis 5.8 Alternative tumor models with stronger stromal interaction 5.9 The presented results considering current HA-Tumor research 6 Conclusion 7 Literature Danksagung Lebenslauf Akademischer Werdegang Stipendium und Auszeichnung Publikation und Posterpräsentation Publikationen Vorträge und Posterpräsentationen Eigenständigkeitserklärung / The present work addresses the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) hyaluronan (HA) and its influence on the development of malignant melanoma (MM). HA, which is abundant in the extracellular matrix (ECM), has been studied closely in relation to tumor development since the late 20th century. Opposing properties of HA, on the one hand promoting tumors and the other hand counteracting them, have since been published. The general consensus is that HA molecular weight determines the various effects of HA. However, there is insufficient evidence on how HA affects tumor growth and which HA sizes specifically promote it. This study is based on an in vivo knockout of hyaluronan synthase 2 (Has2) in mice, which largely restricted the production of high molecular weight HA (HMW-HA). Growth from experimental MM was examined in the absence of most HMW-HA. This work sought to provide evidence that local growth and metastasis of MM cells is dependent on the presence of HMW-HA in the vicinity of the tumor. Has2 knockout in the mouse line C57BL6 was verified and examined for an altered phenotype of the mice. Although nearly three-quarters of the absolute HA amount was absent due to the knockout, the mice showed no obvious change. Only a measurement of skin permeability indicated a possible increased barrier function of the stratum corneum. A direct effect of the lack of HA on tumor growth and metastasis rate could not be sufficiently demonstrated. The applied mouse model and the choice of experimental tumor are critically discussed in this work. Parallel in vitro experiments with partially artificial 3D matrices containing different amounts of HA showed a stronger influence of low molecular weight HA (LMW-HA) on proliferation and invasion of MM cells. These observations are consistent with the emerging consensus that LMW-HA triggers activating signal transduction and HMW-HA is more homeostatic.:TABLE OF CONTENT Zusammenfassung Summary Table of content List of figures List of tables Abbreviations 1 Introduction 1.1 Structures of the skin 1.2 The malignant melanoma 1.3 The tumor microenvironment (TME) 1.4 Hyaluronan 1.4.1 HA Structure 1.4.2 HA anabolism 1.4.3 HA catabolism 1.4.4 HA binding proteins 1.4.5 HA cell surface receptors 1.5 Hyaluronan in malignant melanoma 1.6 Aim of the thesis 2 Methods 2.1 Murine malignant melanoma cell lines 2.2 Inducible Has2-knockout mice 2.2.1 The Cre/loxP System 2.2.2 Genetical modification for the Has2-knockout 2.2.3 4-Hydroxytamoxifen induction of knockout 2.2.4 Experimental tumor model in mouse 2.2.5 Intravenous tumor injection 2.3 Primary Has2-knockout fibroblasts for in vitro experiments 2.3.1 Isolation of primary fibroblast from mouse skin tissue 2.3.2 Induction of Has2-ko fibroblasts 2.4 Molecular analysis 2.4.1 PCR analysis of genome DNA 2.4.2 Quantification of gene expression 2.4.3 Microarray analysis 2.4.4 Quantification of Has2 protein levels 2.4.5 Quantification of HA 2.4.6 HA size analysis by agarose gel electrophoresis 2.5 Physical analysis of the skin 2.5.1 Skin elasticity measurement 2.5.2 Skin permeability measurement 2.5.3 Skin hydration and TEWL measurement 2.6 Histological analysis 2.6.1 Cryo-fixed samples 2.6.2 Immunofluorescence staining 2.6.3 FFPE samples 2.6.4 HA staining 2.6.5 Histochemical images 2.7 Physiological analysis of MM cell proliferation with BrdU-Assay 2.8 Statistical analysis 3 Materials 3.1 Mouse lines 3.2 Cell lines 3.3 Buffer and solution recipes 3.4 Chemicals 3.5 Molecular-biological reagents and enzymes 3.6 Primers 3.7 Antibodies 3.8 Kits 3.9 Devices and tools 3.10 Disposables 3.11 Software 4 Results 4.1 The Has2-knockout mouse model 4.1.1 Has2-knockout characterization 4.1.2 Incomplete Has2 deletion 4.1.3 Effects of the HA knockdown 4.1.4 Has2-knockout efficiency in other organs 4.1.5 Effects of Has2-knockout on gene expression 4.2 In vitro Has2-knockout and effect on MM cells 4.2.1 In vitro Has2- and HA-knockdown 4.2.2 Has2-ko fibroblast conditioned media decreased MM proliferation 4.2.3 MM conditioned media influenced fibroblast’s HA secretion 4.2.4 The transition towards in vivo tumor experiments 4.3 In vivo Tumor experiments 4.3.1 HA threshold, correlation, and exclusions 4.3.2 Effects of HA knockdown on primary tumor volume and weight 4.3.3 Tumor histology and HA localization 4.3.4 HA fragments in tumors, healthy-, and tumor-related-skin samples 4.3.5 Metastasis formation 5 Discussion 5.1 HA knockdown 5.2 HA knockdown phenotype 5.2.1 Skin stiffness 5.2.2 Skin water homeostasis 5.3 Paracrine interactions between MM and fibroblasts 5.4 HA thresholding 5.5 Tumor readouts 5.6 In vitro ECM models 5.7 Metastasis 5.8 Alternative tumor models with stronger stromal interaction 5.9 The presented results considering current HA-Tumor research 6 Conclusion 7 Literature Danksagung Lebenslauf Akademischer Werdegang Stipendium und Auszeichnung Publikation und Posterpräsentation Publikationen Vorträge und Posterpräsentationen Eigenständigkeitserklärung

La structure nucléaire en couches évolue en allant vers des régions de plus en plus exotiques de la carte des noyaux, et par conséquent, les nombres magiques conventionnels (8, 20, 28, 50, 82, 126) peuvent disparaître loin de la stabilité, tandis que de nouveaux nombres magiques peuvent apparaître. Le noyau de ⁷⁸Ni, avec 28 protons et 50 neutrons, est un des noyaux supposés doublement magiques les plus exotiques et est donc d'un grand intérêt. L'évolution de la fermeture de couche à Z = 28 en allant vers N = 50 peut être étudiée en sondant le caractère de particule individuelle des niveaux dans la chaîne isotopique de cuivre, ayant un proton de plus que le nickel. Ce travail porte sur le ⁷⁹Cu, à N = 50. Afin d'effectuer la première spectroscopie gamma en ligne des noyaux autour du ⁷⁸Ni, une expérience a été réalisée à la Radioactive Ion Beam Factory du RIKEN, au Japon. Le noyau de ⁷⁹Cu était produit par la réaction de knockout (p,2p) à partir d'un faisceau de ⁸⁰Zn envoyé sur le dispositif MINOS, une cible d'hydrogène liquide couplée à une TPC servant à reconstruire la trajectoire des protons. L'émission de rayons gamma subséquente était détectée en vol par le scintillateur segmenté DALI2. Les spectromètres BigRIPS et ZeroDegree permettaient, respectivement, une identification sans ambiguïté des noyaux entrants et sortants.Une procédure d'analyse basée sur des coïncidences gamma-gamma a permis de construire le premier schéma de niveau du ⁷⁹Cu, avec des états jusqu'à 4.6 MeV, et les résultats ont été comparés à des calculs de modèle en couches Monte Carlo. Les conclusions montrent que le noyau de ⁷⁹Cu est bien décrit en termes d'un proton de valence en dehors d'un cœur fermé de ⁷⁸Ni, ce qui implique le caractère magique de ce dernier. / The nuclear shell structure is evolving when going into more and more exotic regions of the chart of isotopes and consequently, the conventional magic numbers (8, 20, 28, 50, 82, 126) may disappear far from stability, while some new magic numbers can appear. The ⁷⁸Ni nucleus, with its 28 protons and 50 neutrons, is one of the most exotic supposedly doubly-magic nuclei, making it of great interest. The evolution of the Z = 28 gap towards N = 50 can be studied by probing the single-particle character of the states in the copper isotopic chain, having one proton more than nickel. This work focuses on Cu, at N = 50.In the aim of performing the first in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy of nuclei in the close vicinity of ⁷⁸Ni, an experiment was carried out at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory of RIKEN, in Japan. The ⁷⁹Cu nucleus was produced through the (p,2p) knockout reaction from a ⁸⁰Zn beam sent on the MINOS device, a liquid-hydrogen target coupled to a TPC used for proton tracking. The subsequent gamma-decay was detected in-beam with the DALI2 scintillator array. The BigRIPS and ZeroDegree spectrometers allowed an unambiguous identification of the incoming and outgoing nuclei, respectively.An analysis procedure based on gamma-gamma coincidences permitted to build the first level scheme of ⁷⁹Cu, with levels up to 4.6 MeV, and the results were compared to Monte-Carlo shell-model calculations for interpretation. The conclusions show that the ⁷⁹Cu nucleus is well described in terms of a valence proton outside a closed ⁷⁸Ni core, implying the magic character of the latter.

Die Familie der G-Protein-gekoppelten Rezeptoren (GPCRs) bildet die größte Gruppe von Membranrezeptoren im menschlichen Organismus. Für viele GPCRs sind bisher die physiologischen Funktionen nicht bekannt. Das biologische Verständnis der Funktionen im menschlichen Organismus dieser sogenannten „orphan“ GPCRs (oGPCRs) hat, aufgrund möglicher kausaler Beteiligung an der Pathogenese von Erkrankungen sowie deren therapeutische Beeinflussbarkeit, hohe medizinische Relevanz. Die GPCRs der P2Y12-ähnliche Rezeptorgruppe besitzen eine große physiologische Bedeutung bei der Thrombozytenaggregation und der Induktion der Migration von immunokompetenten Zellen in Schädigungsgebiete. Der ADP-Rezeptor P2Y12 kann durch verschiedene pharmakologische Wirkstoffe beeinflusst werden, was bereits klinisch-therapeutisch genutzt wird. Diese Gruppe von GPCRs enthält jedoch auch Mitglieder, deren Funktionen völlig unbekannt sind. Einer dieser oGPCRs ist der GPR34. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, mittels verschiedener in-vitro-Methoden und anhand eines GPR34-defizienten Mausstamms die physiologische Relevanz dieses P2Y12-ähnlichen Rezeptors zu analysieren. Dazu wurde ein GPR34-Knockout-Mausmodell etabliert. Die GPR34-Defizienz hatte keinen wesentlichen Einfluss auf die Entwicklung, Morphologie, das Wachstum oder die Fertilität bei Mäusen. Die Ergebnisse aus Immunisierungs– und Infektionsstudien zeigten jedoch, dass dieser evolutionär hoch konservierte Rezeptor eine wichtige Funktion in der Feinkontrolle der zellulären Immunabwehr ausübt. Neben einer verstärkten Antwort im Delayed-type Hypersensitivity (DTH)-Test war die Abwehr einer Cryptococcus-Infektion in diesem GPR34-defizienten Tiermodell beeinträchtigt. Signifikant erhöhte Zytokinspiegel nach Antigen- bzw. Pathogenexposition deuteten auf eine gestörte Immunregulation in GPR34-defizienten Mäusen hin. Weiterführende Untersuchungen sollten sich der Identifizierung des endogenen Agonisten und der Funktion des GPR34 bei der Koordinierung der zellulären Immunreaktion widmen.