Orientador: José Eduardo Tanus dos Santos / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-21T14:39:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Goncalves_FlaviaMagazoni_D.pdf: 13094273 bytes, checksum: b37b538d1e8c37ba2a2ec5c8c99a5a30 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: A migrânea é uma cefaleia primária comum e altamente incapacitante que atinge cerca de 10% da população mundial, especialmente as mulheres. Apesar dos esforços, a fisiopatologia da migrânea não está completamente elucidada. No entanto, acredita-se que as metaloproteinases da matriz (MMPs) estejam envolvidas no rompimento da barreira-hematoencefálica durante uma crise de migrânea. O objetivo do presente trabalho é avaliar se polimorfismos funcionais nos genes da MMP-2 (C-1306T e C-735T) e da MMP-9 (C-1562T, -90(CA)n e R(279)Q) e haplótipos estão associados com a migrânea e se eles podem modificar os níveis circulantes de MMPs na migrânea. Para avaliar o efeito de polimorfismos da MMP-9, foram estudadas 102 mulheres sem migrânea (grupo controle) e 187 mulheres com migrânea (141 com migrânea sem aura; MSA e 46 com migrânea com aura; MA). As genotipagens para os polimorfismos C-1562T, -90(CA)n e R(279)Q da MMP-9 foram realizadas por PCR-RFLP, PCR convencional seguida de eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida e PCR em Tempo Real, utilizando-se o sistema Taqman® para discriminação de alelo, respectivamente. As concentrações plasmáticas de MMP-9 e TIMP-1 foram determinadas por ELISA. Os genótipos para os polimorfismos da MMP-2 foram determinados por PCR em Tempo Real, utilizando-se o sistema Taqman® para discriminação de alelo em 148 mulheres sem migrânea e em 204 mulheres com migrânea (153 MSA e 51 MA). As concentrações plasmáticas da MMP-2 e do TIMP-2 foram avaliadas, respectivamente, por zimografia e por ELISA. Os haplótipos foram inferidos utilizando o programa PHASE. Este estudo é o primeiro a mostrar que polimorfismos funcionais e haplótipos nos genes da MMP-2 e da MMP-9 podem afetar os níveis circulantes das MMPs em pacientes com migrânea. Enquanto o haplótipo H6 (CLQ) da MMP-9 foi associado aos maiores níveis plasmáticos de MMP-9 nas pacientes com migrânea (359,8±69,53ng/ml versus 195,8±9,70ng/ml para o CLR; 201,5±18,67ng/ml para o CHR e 200,2±17,02ng/ml para o CHQ), as maiores concentrações de MMP-2 foram encontradas nas pacientes com migrânea com aura com o genótipo CC para o polimorfismo C-735T (1,29±0,07U.A. versus 0,96±0,06U.A. para os genótipos CT ou TT) e com o haplótipo H1 (CC) (1,24±0,05U.A. versus 0,94±0,05U.A. para o haplótipo CT) no gene da MMP-2. Apesar de não investigarmos os mecanismos moleculares que explicam esses resultados, podemos sugerir que o aumento dos níveis das MMPs associados a genótipos e haplótipos específicos podem predispor essas pacientes a um aumento da permeabilidade vascular da barreira hematoencefálica, promovendo assim o desenvolvimento de um ambiente neuroinflamatório no sistema nervoso central, contribuindo para uma crise de migrânea / Abstract: Migraine is a common primary headache and highly disabling, affecting approximately 10% of the population worldwide, especially women. Despite the efforts, the pathophysiology of migraine is not completely understood. However, it is believed that the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in the disruption of blood-brain barrier (BBB) during migraine attacks. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether functional polymorphisms in MMP-2 (C-1306T and C-735T) and MMP-9 (C-1562T, -90(CA)n and R(279)Q) genes and haplotypes are associated with migraine and whether they modify circulating MMPs levels in migraine. To evaluate the effect of MMP-9 polymorphisms, we studied 102 healthy women (controls) and 187 women with migraine (141 migraine without aura; MWA, and 46 migraine with aura; MA). Genotypes for C-1562T, -90(CA)n e R(279)Q MMP-9 polymorphisms were determined by PCR-RFLP, by conventional PCR followed by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels and by real time-PCR using Taqman® allele discrimination assays, respectively. The plasma MMP-9 and TIMP-1 concentrations were measured by ELISA. Genotypes for MMP-2 polymorphisms were determined by real time-PCR using Taqman® allele discrimination assays in 148 healthy women without history of migraine and in 204 women with migraine (153 MWA and 51 MA). The plasma concentrations of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were evaluated by gelatin zymography and ELISA, respectively. Haplotypes were inferred using the PHASE program. This is the first study to show that functional MMP-2 and MMP-9 polymorphisms and haplotypes can affect the circulating MMPs levels in patients with migraine. While the MMP-9 H6 (CLQ) haplotyple is associated with high MMP-9 concentrations in patients with migraine (359,8±69,53ng/ml versus 195,8±9,70ng/ml for CLR; 201,5±18,67ng/ml for CHR and 200,2±17,02ng/ml for CHQ) , the highest concentrations of MMP-2 were found in patients with migraine with aura carrying the CC genotype for C-735T polymorphism (1,29±0,07A.U. versus 0,96±0,06A.U. for CT or TT genotypes) and the H1 (CC) haplotype (1,24±0,05A.U. versus 0,94±0,05A.U. for CT haplotype) in the MMP-2 gene. Although we have not investigated the molecular mechanisms explaining these results, we can suggest that an increase of the MMPs levels associated with these genotypes and haplotypes may predispose these patients to increased vascular BBB permeability, thus promoting the development of an inflammatory environment in their central nervous systems, which contributes to migraine attacks / Doutorado / Farmacologia / Doutora em Farmacologia

Abstract Lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of malignancies, which usually have a good prognosis and high cure rates. Lymphomas are sensitive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and many patients can be cured even after a relapse, resulting in a need for effective follow-up. However, the cost-benefit ratio of radiological imaging in predicting the forthcoming relapses is poor. Consequently, there is a need for biological prognostic and predictive markers to distinguish patients at the highest risk of relapse at the time of diagnosis or during follow-up. Despite rapid progress in lymphoma treatments, some patients still die from lymphoma. Thus, more data on the basic biological features of lymphomas are also needed. Gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) have been found to play a role in the progression of solid tumours. TP53 is a tumour suppressor gene, the mutations and protein over-expression of which have been demonstrated to be associated with survival in most cancer types. There is also some evidence that these proteins could have prognostic significance in lymphomas as well. In the present study, the tissue expression, plasma concentrations and clinical value of gelatinases and their tissue inhibitors were evaluated in lymphomas. 249 primary tissue samples from patients with Hodgkin, follicular, or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma were analysed for expression of gelatinases and/or their inhibitors using immunohistochemistry. In follicular lymphoma, p53 protein expression was also investigated. The plasma samples of 126 lymphoma patients and a control group of 44 healthy volunteers were collected and studied by ELISA. TIMP-1 expression correlated with bulky tumour and nodular sclerosis subtype of Hodgkin lymphoma. In follicular lymphoma, p53 over-expression was an independent adverse prognostic factor for survival and a predictor of histological transformation. Plasma MMP-2-TIMP-2 complex appeared to be a potential follow-up marker predicting the risk of relapse in lymphoma patients. Plasma levels of the MMP-2-TIMP-2 complex, proMMP-2, TIMP-2 and proMMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio were at abnormal levels both in patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma and those in remission compared to healthy controls. The clinical significance of these markers needs further studies.

Introdução: O Carcinoma Urotelial de Bexiga (CUB) é o segundo tumor urológico mais prevalente no Brasil. Devido ao elevado custo médico no processo que envolve seu diagnóstico, tratamento e seguimento, o CUB é um dos tipos de tumores mais caros para os sistemas de saúde. Embora existam fatores prognósticos definidos, como o estadiamento patológico, a diferenciação histológica e a presença de invasão angiolinfática (IAL), os mesmos demonstram-se insuficientes para uma acurada definição de comportamento da doença. Com a evolução da pesquisa molecular um grande número de potenciais novos marcadores de agressividade tem surgido. As Metaloproteinases da matriz (MMP) sao proteínas teciduais, pertencentes à família das endoproteinases, que degradam vários componentes da matriz extracelular. A expressão de diversas MMPs, especialmente MMP-2 e MMP-9 (gelatinases), bem como seus ativadores e inibidores, tem sido estudada como potencial marcador de comportamento tumoral em várias neoplasias. Objetivos: Avaliarmos os níveis de expressão dos genes das gelatinases MMP-2 e MMP-9 no CUB, assim como proteínas envolvidas em suas vias de ativação e inibição (MMP-14, IL-8, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, RECK e TGF-! ). Material e Método: Estudamos pela técnica de qRT-PCR a expressão dos 8 genes em amostras de CUB de 40 pacientes submetidos a RTUb, tendo como grupo controle amostras de urotélio sem câncer de 6 pacientes submetidos a prostatectomia aberta por HPB, bem como sua relação com marcadores prognósticos clássicos (estádio, grau e IAL). Resultados: Houve uma superexpressão de MMP-9 na maioria das amostras de CUB, bem como subexpressão de MMP-2, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, MMP-14, IL-8, TGF-! e RECK. Comparando os níveis de expressão dos genes com o estádio patológico, houve uma superexpressão de MMP-9 nos tumores pT1-2, quando comparados com pTa (p=0,026), bem como maior expressão de IL-8 nos tumores pT1 e pT2 (p=0,015 e p=0,048, respectivamente). Embora estatisticamente nao significativa, houve uma superexpressão de MMP-14 nos tumores pT2, quando comparados aos demais (p=0,087). Com relação ao grau histológico, também identificamos superexpressão de MMP-9 nos tumores de alto grau, quando comparados aos de baixo grau (p=0,012), assim como maior expressão de IL-8 nos tumores de alto grau (p=0,003). Conclusão: Houve uma superexpressão de MMP-9 e uma subexpressão de MMP-2, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, MMP-14, RECK, IL-8 e TGF-! no CUB, quando comparado com o grupo controle. Também identificamos uma superexpressão de MMP-9 e IL-8 em tumores pT1-2 quando comparados com pTa e de alto grau quando comparados com baixo grau. A subexpressão dos principais inibidores da MMP-9 (TIMP-1 e RECK) pode explicar sua superexpressão no CUB, assim como a superexpressão de IL-8 nos tumores invasivos e de alto grau pode agir como fator ativador da MMP-9 nestes mesmos tumores / Introduction: Bladder cancer (BC) is the second most common urological tumor in Brazil. Because its high cost on diagnosis, treatment and follow-up, BC is one of the most expensive malignancies for health care providers. Although we have well-known prognostic factors, like pathological stage, histologic grade and lymphovascular invasion, they are insufficient to figure more accurate tumor aggressiveness. Recent molecular biology helped us to discover a huge amount of potential markers. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are tissue endopeptidases that degrade components of extracellular matrix. Expression of several MMP, specially MMP-2 and MMP-9 (gelatinases), and their activators and inhibitors, are investigated as potential behavior markers in many neoplasms. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate expression levels of gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 genes by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in BC, as well as other proteins evolved in the activation and inhibition pathways (MMP-14, IL-8, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, RECK e TGF-b). Material and Method: Present study analyzed tissue expression of 8 genes in BC samples of transutethral resection of 40 patients by qRT-PCR, as well as their relation with current prognostic factors (stage, grade and LVI). The control group was composed of utothelial tissue from 6 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) treated surgically with retropubic prostatectomy. Results: In the tumor samples, MMP-9 presented an overexpression and MMP-2, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, MMP-14, RECK, IL-8, and TGF-b were underexpressed in BC tissue compared to control. Comparing gene level expression to pathologic stage, there was MMP-9 overexpression in pT1-2 tumors compared to pTa (p=0.026), as wall as IL-8 overexpression in pT1 and pT2 tumors (p=0.015 e p=0.048, respectively). Although not statiscally significant, there was MMP-14 overexpression in pT2 tumors in comparison to pTa-1 (p=0.087). About grade, there was MMP-9 overexpression in high-grade tumors compared to low-grade (p=0.012), as well as IL-8 overexpression in high-grade tumors (p=0.003). There was not relation of any gene expression to LVI. Conclusions: We found overexpression of MMP-9 and underexpression of MMP-2, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, MMP-14, RECK, TGF-b and IL-8 in BC compared with the control group. According to the prognostic factors we found increased levels of MMP-9 and IL-8 gene expression in pT1-2 compared to pTa tumors and high-grade compared to low-grade tumors. Underexpression of major MMP-9 inhibitors (TIMP-1 and RECK) could explain MMP-9 overexpression in BC, as well as IL-8 overexpression in high-grade and stage tumors could act as activation factor of MMP-9 in these tumors

INTRODUÇÃO: O câncer de vulva representa entre 3 a 5% dos cânceres do trato genital feminino e aproximadamente 0,6% dos cânceres da mulher. Existem poucos estudos na literatura sobre fatores prognósticos incluindo avaliação molecular, relacionados a esta doença. Este estudo foi realizado para avaliar fatores prognósticos clínicos, epidemiológicos, patológicos e moleculares de pacientes portadores de câncer de vulva submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico. Avaliamos também uma classificação de prognóstico com base na pontuação do risco relativo dos fatores encontrados. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionadas as pacientes portadoras de carcinoma escamocelular de vulva, submetidas a tratamento cirúrgico no Departamento de Cirurgia Pélvica e Serviço de Ginecologia do Hospital Aristides Maltez entre o período de Junho de 1993 e Junho de 2011. Avaliamos as características clínicas, epidemiológicas, de anatomia patológica e molecular, em relação ao prognóstico das pacientes. A avaliação molecular estudou a expressão da proteína p53 e metaloproteinase 2 de matriz por exame de imunohistoquímica pela técnica de arranjo em matriz de amostras teciduais (TMA). Com base no banco de dados realizado através de consulta aos prontuários e com os resultados de anatomia patológica e testes imunohistoquímicos realizamos análise estatística em relação à sobrevida global das pacientes.RESULTADOS: Setenta e cinco pacientes foram elegíveis para o estudo. A análise univariada mostra como fatores relacionados à sobrevida foram a presença de linfonodo suspeito de metástase ao exame clínico (p=0,004), o tamanho maior de 4 centímetros (p=0,001), a presença de linfonodo com metástase (p=0,026), o estadiamento por grupos (p=0,001), a localização mediana (p=0,011), a profundidade de infiltração maior de 2 milímetros (p=0,012), a expressão da MMP 2 em mais de 50% das células (p=0,009). Na análise multivariada os fatores relacionados à sobrevida foram o tamanho maior de 4 centímetros (p=0,014), a profundidade de invasão maior de 2 milímetros (p=0,023) e a expressão de MMP2 em mais de 50% das células (p=0,046). De acordo ao risco relativo dos fatores identificados como relacionados ao prognóstico pela análise multivariada, foi elaborada a contagem de pontos para uma classificação prognóstica. Essa pontuação classifica em três categorias conforme a presença ou ausência dos fatores identificados na análise multivariada e pode corresponder a três expectativas de sobrevida. CONCLUSÕES: Os fatores tamanho maior de 4 centímetros, profundidade de invasão maior de 2 milímetros e expressão em mais de 50% das células tumorais de metaloproteinase 2 parecem estar relacionados a menor taxa de sobrevida global de pacientes portadores de câncer de vulva submetidas a tratamento cirúrgico. Pode ser realizada uma classificação para o prognóstico de acordo com uma contagem de pontos atribuídos ao risco relativo destes fatores / INTRODUCTION: Vulvar cancer accounts for 3-5% of all cancers of the female genital tract and approximately 0.6% of women\'s cancers. There are few studies on prognostic factors including molecular evaluation related to this disease. This study was conducted to evaluate clinical, epidemiological, pathological and molecular prognostic factors of patients with vulvar cancer, undergoing surgical treatment. A classification based on prognostic risk score related to the factors found was also evaluated. METHODS: Patients were selected with squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva who underwent surgical treatment at the Department of Pelvic Surgery and Department of Gynecology, Hospital Aristides Maltez between the period of June 1993 and June 2011. Clinical, epidemiological, and molecular and pathological anatomy characteristics were evaluated in relation to the prognosis of patients. Molecular assessment studied the expression of p53 protein and metalloproteinase 2 by immunohistochemical examination through the technical arrangement on matrix tissue samples (TMA). Based on the database performed on medical records held and the results of pathological anatomy and immunohistochemical tests, the statistical analysis was performed with respect to overall survival of patients. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients were eligible for the study. Univariate analysis shows how factors related to survival were the presence of lymph node metastasis suspected on clinical examination (p = 0.004), the larger size of 4 cm (p = 0.001), presence of lymph node metastasis (p = 0.026), staging groups (p = 0.001), the location median (p = 0.011), the depth of infiltration larger than 2 millimeters (p = 0.012), the expression of MMP 2 in more than 50% of the cells (p = 0.009). In multivariate analysis, factors related to survival were larger size than 4 cm (p = 0.014), depth of invasion greater than 2 mm (p = 0.023) and MMP2 expression in more than 50% of cells (p = 0.046). According to the relative risk of factors identified as related to prognosis by multivariate analysis, a score was developed for a prognostic classification. This score classifies into three categories, according to the presence or absence of the factors identified in the multivariate analysis and may correspond to three survival expectations. CONCLUSIONS: Prognostic factors as the size larger than 4 centimeters, depth of invasion greater than 2 mm and expression in more than 50% of tumor cells of metalloproteinase 2 may be related to lower overall survival rate of patients with cancer of the vulva undergoing surgery. Classification may be performed for the prognostic according to a count point attributed to the relative risk of these factors

Os tumores hipofisários mesmo sendo, em sua maioria, benignos, podem apresentar comportamento invasivo, com extensão para seio cavernoso, seio esfenoidal e clivo. As metaloproteinases de matriz tipo 2 (MMP-2) e 9 (MMP-9) e o inibidor tecidual de metaloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) têm sido estudados em relação ao comportamento invasivo desses tumores, em especial quanto à invasão do seio cavernoso. Esse estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a expressão proteica das MMP-2, MMP-9 e do TIMP-2 nos tumores hipofisários e sua relação com invasão do seio cavernoso e, de maneira inédita, investigar a expressão dessas proteínas em nível plasmático. Adicionalmente, foram avaliadas a expressão dos RNAs mensageiros (RNAm) das MMP-2 e TIMP-2 com intuito de correlacioná-las com a expressão proteica no tecido tumoral, bem como a expressão do marcador de proliferação Ki67. Foram selecionados 77 casos, todos com amostras de tumor emblocado em parafina para análise imuno-histoquímica (IHQ). Destes, foram coletadas amostras de tumor fresco em 29 pacientes e de sangue periférico pré-operatório em outros 29 casos. A expressão proteica plasmática foi detectada de forma semi-quantitativa utilizando um arranjo de anticorpos em membrana comercial. A expressão dos RNAm das MMP-2 e TIMP-2 foi avaliada por reação em cadeia da polimerase quantitativo (qPCR) em tempo real. Do total de casos, 20 pacientes apresentavam tumores com invasão para o seio cavernoso. A expressão proteica tumoral das MMP-2, MMP-9 e TIMP-2 apresentou-se aumentada no grupo invasivo, contudo esta diferença não foi estatisticamente significante em relação ao grupo não- invasivo. A expressão plasmática das MMP-9 e TIMP-2 também não mostrou diferença entre os dois grupos e não se correlacionou com a expressão tumoral. A expressão plasmática da MMP-2 não foi detectada em nenhum caso. Quanto à expressão do RNAm das MMP-2 e TIMP-2, também não houve diferença significante entre os grupos e nem correlação com a expressão proteica tecidual ou plasmática. Foi observada uma diferença significante na dimensão tumoral [3.6 (2.5-5.2) x 2.0 (1.3-2.7); P < 0.001] e no índice do Ki67 [1.05 (0.27-25) x 0.5 (0.2-1.0); P < 0.001] entre os grupos invasivo e não-invasivo respectivamente. Em conclusão, em nossa coorte, não foi encontrada relação entre a expressão tecidual e plasmática das MMP-2, MMP-9 e TIMP-2 e a invasão para o seio cavernoso nos adenomas hipofisários / Pituitary tumors, although mostly benign, may present invasive behavior, with extension to the cavernous sinus, sphenoid sinus and clivus. Type 2 (MMP-2) and type 9 (MMP-9) matrix metalloproteinases and the metalloproteinase tissue inhibitor type 2 (TIMP-2) have been studied in relation to the invasive behavior of these tumors, especially regarding invasion of the cavernous sinus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protein expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 in pituitary tumors and its relation with invasion of the cavernous sinus and, in an unprecedented way, to investigate the expression of these proteins at the plasma level. Additionally, expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) was evaluated in order to correlate with protein expression in tumor tissue, as well as Ki67 proliferation marker expression. A total of 77 cases were selected, all of them with paraffin embedded tumor samples for immunohistochemical analysis (IHC). Of these, fresh tumor samples were collected in 29 patients and preoperative peripheral blood in another 29 cases. Protein plasma expression was detected semi-quantitatively using a commercial membrane antibody array. Expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 mRNAs was evaluated by quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Of the total cases, 20 patients presented tumors invasive to the cavernous sinus. Tumor protein expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 was increased in the invasive group, not reaching, however, statistically significant difference as compared with the non-invasive group. Plasma expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-2 also did not differ between the two groups and did not correlate with tumor expression. Plasma expression of MMP-2 was not detected in any case. Concerning MMP-2 and TIMP-2 mRNA expression, there was also no significant difference between groups and no correlation with tissue or plasma protein expression was observed. A significant difference was observed in tumor size [3.6 (2.5-5.2) x 2.0 (1.3-2.7); P < 0.001] and in the Ki67 index [1.05 (0.27-25) x 0.5 (0.2-1.0); P < 0.001] between the invasive and non-invasive groups respectively. In conclusion, in our cohort, no relationship was found between the tissue and plasma expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 and the invasion of the cavernous sinus in pituitary adenomas

INTRODUÇÃO: O câncer de vulva representa entre 3 a 5% dos cânceres do trato genital feminino e aproximadamente 0,6% dos cânceres da mulher. Existem poucos estudos na literatura sobre fatores prognósticos incluindo avaliação molecular, relacionados a esta doença. Este estudo foi realizado para avaliar fatores prognósticos clínicos, epidemiológicos, patológicos e moleculares de pacientes portadores de câncer de vulva submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico. Avaliamos também uma classificação de prognóstico com base na pontuação do risco relativo dos fatores encontrados. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionadas as pacientes portadoras de carcinoma escamocelular de vulva, submetidas a tratamento cirúrgico no Departamento de Cirurgia Pélvica e Serviço de Ginecologia do Hospital Aristides Maltez entre o período de Junho de 1993 e Junho de 2011. Avaliamos as características clínicas, epidemiológicas, de anatomia patológica e molecular, em relação ao prognóstico das pacientes. A avaliação molecular estudou a expressão da proteína p53 e metaloproteinase 2 de matriz por exame de imunohistoquímica pela técnica de arranjo em matriz de amostras teciduais (TMA). Com base no banco de dados realizado através de consulta aos prontuários e com os resultados de anatomia patológica e testes imunohistoquímicos realizamos análise estatística em relação à sobrevida global das pacientes.RESULTADOS: Setenta e cinco pacientes foram elegíveis para o estudo. A análise univariada mostra como fatores relacionados à sobrevida foram a presença de linfonodo suspeito de metástase ao exame clínico (p=0,004), o tamanho maior de 4 centímetros (p=0,001), a presença de linfonodo com metástase (p=0,026), o estadiamento por grupos (p=0,001), a localização mediana (p=0,011), a profundidade de infiltração maior de 2 milímetros (p=0,012), a expressão da MMP 2 em mais de 50% das células (p=0,009). Na análise multivariada os fatores relacionados à sobrevida foram o tamanho maior de 4 centímetros (p=0,014), a profundidade de invasão maior de 2 milímetros (p=0,023) e a expressão de MMP2 em mais de 50% das células (p=0,046). De acordo ao risco relativo dos fatores identificados como relacionados ao prognóstico pela análise multivariada, foi elaborada a contagem de pontos para uma classificação prognóstica. Essa pontuação classifica em três categorias conforme a presença ou ausência dos fatores identificados na análise multivariada e pode corresponder a três expectativas de sobrevida. CONCLUSÕES: Os fatores tamanho maior de 4 centímetros, profundidade de invasão maior de 2 milímetros e expressão em mais de 50% das células tumorais de metaloproteinase 2 parecem estar relacionados a menor taxa de sobrevida global de pacientes portadores de câncer de vulva submetidas a tratamento cirúrgico. Pode ser realizada uma classificação para o prognóstico de acordo com uma contagem de pontos atribuídos ao risco relativo destes fatores / INTRODUCTION: Vulvar cancer accounts for 3-5% of all cancers of the female genital tract and approximately 0.6% of women\'s cancers. There are few studies on prognostic factors including molecular evaluation related to this disease. This study was conducted to evaluate clinical, epidemiological, pathological and molecular prognostic factors of patients with vulvar cancer, undergoing surgical treatment. A classification based on prognostic risk score related to the factors found was also evaluated. METHODS: Patients were selected with squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva who underwent surgical treatment at the Department of Pelvic Surgery and Department of Gynecology, Hospital Aristides Maltez between the period of June 1993 and June 2011. Clinical, epidemiological, and molecular and pathological anatomy characteristics were evaluated in relation to the prognosis of patients. Molecular assessment studied the expression of p53 protein and metalloproteinase 2 by immunohistochemical examination through the technical arrangement on matrix tissue samples (TMA). Based on the database performed on medical records held and the results of pathological anatomy and immunohistochemical tests, the statistical analysis was performed with respect to overall survival of patients. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients were eligible for the study. Univariate analysis shows how factors related to survival were the presence of lymph node metastasis suspected on clinical examination (p = 0.004), the larger size of 4 cm (p = 0.001), presence of lymph node metastasis (p = 0.026), staging groups (p = 0.001), the location median (p = 0.011), the depth of infiltration larger than 2 millimeters (p = 0.012), the expression of MMP 2 in more than 50% of the cells (p = 0.009). In multivariate analysis, factors related to survival were larger size than 4 cm (p = 0.014), depth of invasion greater than 2 mm (p = 0.023) and MMP2 expression in more than 50% of cells (p = 0.046). According to the relative risk of factors identified as related to prognosis by multivariate analysis, a score was developed for a prognostic classification. This score classifies into three categories, according to the presence or absence of the factors identified in the multivariate analysis and may correspond to three survival expectations. CONCLUSIONS: Prognostic factors as the size larger than 4 centimeters, depth of invasion greater than 2 mm and expression in more than 50% of tumor cells of metalloproteinase 2 may be related to lower overall survival rate of patients with cancer of the vulva undergoing surgery. Classification may be performed for the prognostic according to a count point attributed to the relative risk of these factors

Os tumores hipofisários mesmo sendo, em sua maioria, benignos, podem apresentar comportamento invasivo, com extensão para seio cavernoso, seio esfenoidal e clivo. As metaloproteinases de matriz tipo 2 (MMP-2) e 9 (MMP-9) e o inibidor tecidual de metaloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) têm sido estudados em relação ao comportamento invasivo desses tumores, em especial quanto à invasão do seio cavernoso. Esse estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a expressão proteica das MMP-2, MMP-9 e do TIMP-2 nos tumores hipofisários e sua relação com invasão do seio cavernoso e, de maneira inédita, investigar a expressão dessas proteínas em nível plasmático. Adicionalmente, foram avaliadas a expressão dos RNAs mensageiros (RNAm) das MMP-2 e TIMP-2 com intuito de correlacioná-las com a expressão proteica no tecido tumoral, bem como a expressão do marcador de proliferação Ki67. Foram selecionados 77 casos, todos com amostras de tumor emblocado em parafina para análise imuno-histoquímica (IHQ). Destes, foram coletadas amostras de tumor fresco em 29 pacientes e de sangue periférico pré-operatório em outros 29 casos. A expressão proteica plasmática foi detectada de forma semi-quantitativa utilizando um arranjo de anticorpos em membrana comercial. A expressão dos RNAm das MMP-2 e TIMP-2 foi avaliada por reação em cadeia da polimerase quantitativo (qPCR) em tempo real. Do total de casos, 20 pacientes apresentavam tumores com invasão para o seio cavernoso. A expressão proteica tumoral das MMP-2, MMP-9 e TIMP-2 apresentou-se aumentada no grupo invasivo, contudo esta diferença não foi estatisticamente significante em relação ao grupo não- invasivo. A expressão plasmática das MMP-9 e TIMP-2 também não mostrou diferença entre os dois grupos e não se correlacionou com a expressão tumoral. A expressão plasmática da MMP-2 não foi detectada em nenhum caso. Quanto à expressão do RNAm das MMP-2 e TIMP-2, também não houve diferença significante entre os grupos e nem correlação com a expressão proteica tecidual ou plasmática. Foi observada uma diferença significante na dimensão tumoral [3.6 (2.5-5.2) x 2.0 (1.3-2.7); P < 0.001] e no índice do Ki67 [1.05 (0.27-25) x 0.5 (0.2-1.0); P < 0.001] entre os grupos invasivo e não-invasivo respectivamente. Em conclusão, em nossa coorte, não foi encontrada relação entre a expressão tecidual e plasmática das MMP-2, MMP-9 e TIMP-2 e a invasão para o seio cavernoso nos adenomas hipofisários / Pituitary tumors, although mostly benign, may present invasive behavior, with extension to the cavernous sinus, sphenoid sinus and clivus. Type 2 (MMP-2) and type 9 (MMP-9) matrix metalloproteinases and the metalloproteinase tissue inhibitor type 2 (TIMP-2) have been studied in relation to the invasive behavior of these tumors, especially regarding invasion of the cavernous sinus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protein expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 in pituitary tumors and its relation with invasion of the cavernous sinus and, in an unprecedented way, to investigate the expression of these proteins at the plasma level. Additionally, expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) was evaluated in order to correlate with protein expression in tumor tissue, as well as Ki67 proliferation marker expression. A total of 77 cases were selected, all of them with paraffin embedded tumor samples for immunohistochemical analysis (IHC). Of these, fresh tumor samples were collected in 29 patients and preoperative peripheral blood in another 29 cases. Protein plasma expression was detected semi-quantitatively using a commercial membrane antibody array. Expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 mRNAs was evaluated by quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Of the total cases, 20 patients presented tumors invasive to the cavernous sinus. Tumor protein expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 was increased in the invasive group, not reaching, however, statistically significant difference as compared with the non-invasive group. Plasma expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-2 also did not differ between the two groups and did not correlate with tumor expression. Plasma expression of MMP-2 was not detected in any case. Concerning MMP-2 and TIMP-2 mRNA expression, there was also no significant difference between groups and no correlation with tissue or plasma protein expression was observed. A significant difference was observed in tumor size [3.6 (2.5-5.2) x 2.0 (1.3-2.7); P < 0.001] and in the Ki67 index [1.05 (0.27-25) x 0.5 (0.2-1.0); P < 0.001] between the invasive and non-invasive groups respectively. In conclusion, in our cohort, no relationship was found between the tissue and plasma expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 and the invasion of the cavernous sinus in pituitary adenomas

Abstract Endometrial carcinoma is the most common gynegologic malignancy in developed countries. Due to early symptoms, including abnormal uterine bleeding, endometrial cancer is often diagnosed at an early stage and in that case usually has a good prognosis and high cure rates. However, the nature of the disease is heterogeneous. During the last decades, the improvement in survival rates among endometrial cancer patients has not been significant, suggesting that the traditional clinicopathological factors may be inadequate to identify patients with high-risk disease. Furthermore, aggressive adjuvant treatments can be costly and very toxic. Therefore, better prognostic markers associated with biological aggressiveness of endometrial carcinoma are needed to identify the patients with high-risk disease, and to be able to select the treatment more individually. Gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) have been found to play a role in tumor progression. In the present work, the expression and prognostic value of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were assessed in endometrial carcinoma. The patient material consisted of a total of 266 women diagnosed with primary endometrial carcinoma. The tissue expression of immunoreactive proteins was examined in paraffin-embedded tumor sections by immunohistochemical staining using specific antibodies, and the pretreatment serum levels of the proteins were quantitatively measured by ELISA. Tissue MMP-2 expression associated with a worsened prognosis, whereas tissue TIMP-2 overexpression was an indicator of a favorable outcome. Furthermore, we observed a combination of strong MMP-2 and weak TIMP-2 tissue expression to identify a group of women at high risk of adverse outcome in endometrial carcinoma. Patients with negative MMP-2 immunostaining had the best prognosis, regardless of TIMP-2 staining result. In serum measurements, high preoperative TIMP-1 concentration was a prognostic indicator of unfavorable outcome. These results indicate that tissue MMP-2 and TIMP-2 as well as circulating TIMP-1 may be prognostic markers in endometrial carcinoma. Of these, tissue MMP-2 seems to be the most potent prognostic marker. Studies with larger patient materials are needed to further explore the value of these enzymes in clinical practice in endometrial cancer. / Tiivistelmä Kohdunrungon syöpä on yleisin gynekologinen maligniteetti kehittyneissä maissa. Varhaisten oireiden, kuten poikkeavan verisen vuodon, vuoksi kohdunrungon syöpä havaitaan usein varhaisessa vaiheessa, jolloin sen ennuste on hyvä. Taudin käyttäytyminen voi kuitenkin olla moninaista. Viime vuosikymmenten aikana kohdunrungon syöpään sairastuneiden ennuste ei ole merkittävästi parantunut. Vaikuttaisi siltä, että perinteiset ennustetekijät eivät ole riittävän tarkkoja ennustamaan syövän taudinkulkua. Lisäksi liitännäishoidot voivat olla kalliita, ja niihin voi liittyä vakavia haittavaikutuksia. Uusien biologisten ennustetekijöiden löytäminen olisi tärkeää, jotta aggressiivista syöpätyyppiä sairastavat potilaat pystyttäisiin tunnistamaan entistä paremmin, ja hoito kyettäisiin räätälöimään yksilöllisemmin taudinkuvaa vastaavasti. Gelatinaasien (MMP-2 ja MMP-9) sekä niiden kudosinhibiittoreiden (TIMP-1 ja TIMP-2) on havaittu osallistuvan syövän etenemiseen. Tässä tutkimuksessa tarkasteltiin MMP-2:n ja MMP-9:n sekä niiden kudosinhibiittoreiden TIMP-1:n ja TIMP-2:n ilmentymistä ja ennusteellista merkitystä kohdunrungon syövässä. Aineisto käsitti yhteensä 266 primaariseen kohdunrungon syöpään sairastunutta naista. Määritysmenetelminä käytettiin sekä immunohistokemiallista värjäystä parafiiniin valettujen kudosnäytteiden osalta että ELISA-määrityksiä ennen hoitoa otettujen seeruminäytteiden osalta. Syöpäkudoksen runsas MMP-2 -proteiinin ilmentyminen liittyi epäsuotuisaan ennusteeseen, kun taas kasvainkudoksen voimakas TIMP-2 -proteiinin ilmentyminen oli hyvän ennusteen merkki. Lisäksi kasvainkudoksen voimakkaan MMP-2- ja heikon TIMP-2 -proteiinien ilmentymisen yhdistelmän havaittiin liittyvän suurempaan syövästä johtuvaan kuolleisuuteen. MMP-2 -negatiivisten potilaiden eloonjäämisennuste oli paras, TIMP-2 -värjäystuloksesta riippumatta. Seerumin korkea TIMP-1 -pitoisuus oli merkittävä huonontuneen ennusteen merkki. Tutkimuksen tulokset viittaavat siihen, että kasvainkudoksessa esiintyvät MMP-2- ja TIMP-2 -proteiinit samoin kuin seerumin TIMP-1 -pitoisuus voivat ennustaa kohdunrungon syövän kliinistä käyttäytymistä. Kasvainkudoksessa esiintyvä MMP-2 -proteiini vaikuttaisi olevan merkittävin ennusteellinen tekijä, mutta tulosten varmistamiseksi tarvitaan lisää tutkimuksia suuremmilla potilasaineistoilla.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The negative heath consequences of smoking are widely recognized, but there are still about 20% of the people in United States using tobacco products. Cigarette smoke condensate (CSC), the particulate matter of cigarette smoke, is comprised of thousands of chemicals (e.g., nicotine). Secondary only to bacterial plaque, cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for periodontal disease. Human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) are the main cellular component of periodontal connective tissues. During the development of periodontal disease, collagen degradation occurs. Collagen is the major extracellular matrix component of the gingiva. The major extracellular matrix degrading enzymes produced by the HGFs are the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The MMPs are mainly modulated by the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). In this dissertation, three studies aimed at understanding the effects of tobacco on human gingival fibroblasts and their mechanisms have been conducted: the effects of CSC on HGF-mediated collagen degradation; comparison of the effects of CSC on HGFs with that of nicotine; and the combined effects of CSC and bacteria on HGFs. The cell proliferation of HGFs decreased and cytotoxicity increased in HGFs treated with increasing concentrations of CSC. CSC increased the collagen degrading ability of the HGFs by altering the production and localization of MMPs and TIMPs. Nicotine is one of the major components and the most pharmacologically active agent in tobacco. The percentage of nicotine in the CSC was 2.4%. CSC (100 µg/ml) increased the collagen degrading ability of the HGFs by affecting membrane associated MMP-2, MMP-14, and TIMP-2, but the level of nicotine in the CSC may only play a limited role in this process. Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is an opportunistic pathogen involved in periodontal disease. The combined effects of CSC and P. gingivalis supernatant increased HGF-mediated collagen degradation by destroying the balance between the MMPs and TIMPs at the protein and mRNA levels. This project demonstrated that tobacco (with or without P. gingivalis) increased HGF mediated collagen degradation, as seen in the periodontal disease, through altering the MMPs and TIMPs.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and acute kidney injury (AKI) are major public health problems. It is important to be able to identify those at high risk of adverse outcome, CKD progression and associated cardiovascular disease. The aim of the thesis was to study novel promising biomarkers, their relationship to kidney function, chronic inflammation and/or cardiovascular risk - placental growth factor (PlGF), pregnancy associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE), calcium binding protein S100A12 or extracellular newly identified RAGE binding protein (EN-RAGE), and high mobility group box protein-1 (HMGB-1) in patients with renal diseases including CKD, haemodialysis (HD), AKI patients, and healthy controls for comparison. First study revealed that PlGF is elevated in patients with decreased renal function. Second study demonstrated the association of MMP-2 and PAPP-A with proteinuria in patients with CKD. Moreover, serum MMP-2, MMP-9 and PAPP-A levels significantly differed in patients with various nephropathies. EN-RAGE levels are not elevated in patients with CKD, but are related to inflammatory status. PAPP-A, EN-RAGE and HMGB-1 levels are significantly elevated, but sRAGE and PlGF...