Reproduction de : Thèse doctorat : Médecine. Biochimie et biologie moléculaire : Reims : 2007. / Titre provenant de l'écran-titre. Bibliogr.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-82).

As major effector cells of the innate immune response, macrophages must adeptly migrate from blood to infected tissues. Endothelial transmigration is accomplished by matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-induced degradation of basement membrane and extracellular matrix components. The classical activation of macrophages with LPS and IFN-γ causes enhanced microtubule stabilization and secretion of MMPs. Macrophages upregulate MMP-9 expression and secretion upon immunological challenge, and require its activity for migration during inflammatory response. However, the dynamics of MMP-9 production and intracellular distribution, as well as the mechanisms responsible for its trafficking, are unknown. Using immunofluorescent imaging, we localized intracellular MMP-9 to small Golgi-derived cytoplasmic vesicles that contain calreticulin and PDI, in activated macrophages. Vesicular organelles of MMP-9 aligned along stable subsets of microtubules and colocalized with the anterograde molecular motor protein, kinesin. We demonstrated a functional contribution of stable MTs in the enhanced trafficking of MMP-9 extracellularly, and showed that heterogeneity exists in macrophage cell populations with respect to MMP-9 production.

As major effector cells of the innate immune response, macrophages must adeptly migrate from blood to infected tissues. Endothelial transmigration is accomplished by matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-induced degradation of basement membrane and extracellular matrix components. The classical activation of macrophages with LPS and IFN-γ causes enhanced microtubule stabilization and secretion of MMPs. Macrophages upregulate MMP-9 expression and secretion upon immunological challenge, and require its activity for migration during inflammatory response. However, the dynamics of MMP-9 production and intracellular distribution, as well as the mechanisms responsible for its trafficking, are unknown. Using immunofluorescent imaging, we localized intracellular MMP-9 to small Golgi-derived cytoplasmic vesicles that contain calreticulin and PDI, in activated macrophages. Vesicular organelles of MMP-9 aligned along stable subsets of microtubules and colocalized with the anterograde molecular motor protein, kinesin. We demonstrated a functional contribution of stable MTs in the enhanced trafficking of MMP-9 extracellularly, and showed that heterogeneity exists in macrophage cell populations with respect to MMP-9 production.

Diss. Linköping : Linköpings universitet, 2007.

This study examined the efficacy of continuous nicotinamide (NAM) administration on recovery of function in rats following traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI was induced via controlled cortical impact (CCI) bilaterally in the prefrontal cortex (+1.5, 0.0 relative to bregma) or sham surgeries were performed. Rats were then treated with either NAM (150 mg/kg/day) or vehicle (saline). Rats were tested behaviorally on the bilateral tactile adhesive removal task, locomotor placing task, novel exploratory behavior and the Morris water maze (MWM). Rats were also assessed histologically by looking at lesion size, GFAP expression (as a measure of active astroctyes) and MMP-9 expression (as a measure of inflammatory response) at time points of 24 and 48 hours and 30 days. The behavioral assessments showed significant improvements in the NAM-treated animals on the bilateral tactile adhesive removal, locomotor placing and MWM. The histological assessments showed significant lesion reduction at 30 days in the NAM-treated group. There were no differences between NAM-treated and vehicle groups on either GFAP or MMP-9 expression. These results indicate that NAM treatment after TBI can significantly improve recovery of function in rats.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-12-15Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:03:54Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 elias_gp_dr_araca.pdf: 1560641 bytes, checksum: 3dad8c2298005cfeb8d0a078880f5e66 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a atividade das glândulas salivares, a mineralização dental e a participação da metaloproteinase de matriz (MMP-9) nesta mineralização em filhotes de ratas espontaneamente hipertensas (SHR) tratadas ou não com atenolol. Ratas SHR e normotensas Wistar foram tratadas com atenolol (100mg/Kg/dia, via oral) durante os períodos de prenhez e lactação. Os grupos controle receberam o mesmo volume de água sem atenolol. O fluxo salivar, induzido por nitrato de pilocarpina, a concentração de proteínas (método de Lowry), a atividade da amilase (método cinético a 405 nm), o peso das glândulas salivares (parótidas, submandibulares e sublinguais), a microdureza do esmalte e da dentina de incisivos e molares e a expressão da MMP-9 (imonuperoxidase) no tecido dental foram comparados entre filhotes de ratas SHR e Wistar tratadas ou não com atenolol. Os resultados obtidos foram submetidos ao teste estatístico mais adequado, paramétrico (ANOVA ou test t de Student’s) ou não paramétrico (Kruskal-Wallis), sendo consideradas significativas as diferenças quando p<0,05. Filhotes SHR apresentaram menor fluxo salivar e concentração de proteínas do que filhotes Wistar, mas a atividade da amilase não foi diferente entre os grupos. O peso das glândulas salivares foi semelhante entre filhotes SHR e Wistar... / The objective of the present study was analyzed the salivary activity, the dental mineralization and the role of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) on this mineralization, in pups (30 days) of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) treated, or not treated, with atenolol. Female SHR and normotensive Wistar rats were treated during pregnancy and lactation periods with Atenolol 100mg/Kg/day by oral administration. For the control group, the animals received the same water volume without the drug. The salivary flow rate (stimulated by pilocarpine injection), the protein concentration (Lowry method), salivary amylase activity (kinetic method at 405 nm), the weight of salivary glands (parotid, submandibular and sublingual), the enamel and dentin microhardness of incisors and molars teeth and the matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9, gelatinase B) localization (imunoperoxidase) in dental tissue were compared between SHR and Wistar pups of female rats treated or not with atenolol. The results were analyzed by parametric (ANOVA or Student s tests) or non-parametric (Kruskal-Wallis) tests (p<0,05). The salivary flow rate and salivary protein concentration were reduced in SHR pups. There was no alteration in amylase activity between groups. The salivary glands weight was not different between SHR and Wistar pups either. Decreased enamel and dentin microhardness were observed in incisors and molar teeth of SHR pups. No alterations in MMP-9 positive staining were observed in predentin and odontoblasts of both groups, however the density of stained ameloblasts cells and external enamel surface were higher in incisors teeth of SHR pups. Atenolol-treated SHR and Wistar rats pups showed decrease in submandibular gland weight, in saliva s flow rate and protein concentration, but no alteration in amylase activity. Atenolol increased enamel and dentin microhardness of incisors teeth of SHR and...(Complete abstract, click electronic address below)

Orientador: Gisele Fabrino Machado / Banca: Mary Marcondes / Banca: Antonio Carlos Alessi / Resumo: A leishmaniose visceral canina, causada pelo protozoário Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi, é uma doença de grande ocorrência principalmente na América Latina. A caracterização das lesões sistêmicas associadas à infecção pelo parasita tem sido amplamente estudada, entretanto, poucos autores elucidam a patogenia na forma nervosa. Com o objetivo de compreender melhor os mecanismos envolvidos na inflamação do sistema nervoso central de cães naturalmente infectados por L. chagasi, amostras de liquor e plexo coróide foram colhidas e submetidas à zimografia para a detecção de metaloproteinases (MMPs). Amostras do plexo coróide e liquor de cães sadios foram avaliadas como controle. Os géis de zimograma foram analisados quanto à presença e atividade proteolítica das metaloproteinases -2 e -9. Formas inativas das proteases foram detectadas no plexo coróide, sendo que o Grupo de animais positivos não diferiu do negativo. No liquor foram encontradas formas ativas e inativas das MMPs-2 e -9 e a atividade proteolítica das mesmas diferiu entre os Grupos positivo e negativo. A MMP-2 teve maior detecção nos animais negativos e a MMP-9 nos positivos. O aumento da MMP- 9 no liquor dos cães doentes representa seu possível envolvimento na patogenia das lesões encefálicas ao ocasionarem o rompimento das barreiras hematoencefálica e/ou hematoliquórica, permitindo a passagem de células e proteínas envolvidas no processo inflamatório / Abstract: Canine visceral leishmaniasis, caused by the protozoan Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi, is a disease with high occurrence in Latin America. The characteristics of the systemic lesions related to the infection have been widely studied, but few studies clarify the disease on a neurological aspect. With the aim of a better understanding of the inflammation mechanisms within the central nervous system of dogs naturally infected by L. chagasi, some samples of cerebrospinal fluid and choroid plexus were collected and submitted to zymography to detect metalloproteinases (MMPs). Samples of choroid plexus and cerebrospinal fluid from healthy dogs were evaluated as control. The zymogram gels were analysed taking into account the presence and the proteolytic activity of metalloproteinase -2 and -9. Inactive forms of the proteases were detected in the choroid plexus, and the group of positive animals did not differ from negative ones. In the cerebrospinal fluid, active and inactive forms of MMP-2 and -9 were found, and their proteolytic activity differed between negative and positive groups. MMP-2 had higher detection in the negative animals and MMP-9 in the positive ones. The increasing of MMP-9 in the cerebrospinal fluid of infected dogs represents its possible involvement in the brain injuries, by causing the disruption of blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier and/or blood-brain-barrier, allowing the passage of cells and proteins involved in inflammation process / Mestre

Objective: To determine if cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) plays a role in atherosclerosis, we investigated the effects of systemic CB2 gene deletion on hyperlipidemia-induced atherogenesis in low density lipoprotein receptor-deficient (Ldlr-/-) mice. Methods and results: Ldlr-/- and CB2/Ldlr double knockout (CB2-/-Ldlr-/-) mice were fed an atherogenic diet for 8 and 12 weeks. Morphometric analysis revealed no significant difference between the atherosclerotic lesion area in the proximal aortas of Ldlr-/- and CB2-/-Ldlr-/- mice after 8 or 12 weeks on the atherogenic diet. The macrophage and smooth muscle cell (SMC) content, as revealed by immunohistochemical staining, did not differ significantly between Ldlr-/- and CB2-/-Ldlr-/- lesions after 8 weeks. However, after 12 weeks, CB2-/-Ldlr-/- lesions displayed greater macrophage content (86.6±4.1 versus 75.2±7.5%, P<0.05) and SMC content (11.1±5.1 versus 4.2±2.4%, P<0.05) compared to controls. Lesional apoptosis, as determined by in situ TUNEL analysis, was reduced ∼50% in CB2-/-Ldlr-/- lesions after 12 weeks. CB2-/-Ldlr-/- lesions displayed significantly reduced collagen content and increased elastin fiber fragmentation after 12 weeks, which was associated with an ∼57% increase in matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP) levels. In vitro, CB2-/- macrophages secreted ∼1.8-fold more MMP9 activity than CB2+/+ macrophages. Conclusions: CB2 receptor deficiency affects atherogenesis in Ldlr-null mice by increasing lesional macrophage and SMC content, reducing lesional apoptosis and altering extracellular matrix components, in part, by upregulating MMP9. These results suggest that pharmacological manipulation of CB2 receptors might exert multiple and complex effects on atherogenesis and plaque stability.

Several studies have reported that administration of cannabinoid receptor agonists in inflammatory/autoimmune and CNS injury models resulted in significant attenuation of clinical disease. The beneficial effects correlated with the observed reduction of inflammatory mediators and peripheral immune cell infiltration into the site of inflammation. Previous studies from our laboratories demonstrated that administration of cannabinoid type 2 receptor agonist attenuated disease score and improved recovery in two murine models of neuroinflammation; spinal cord injury (SCI) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a murine model of multiple sclerosis. The goal of the current investigation was to evaluate the mechanisms through which administration of selective cannabinoid-2 receptor (CB2R) agonists modify inflammatory responses and help to improve function in SCI and EAE. In SCI, an acute neuroinflammatory disorder, administration of CB2R agonist at 1 h and 24 h following contusion injury to the cord resulted in improved recovery of motor function and bladder function (the ability to spontaneously void) compared to control animals. Evaluation of inflammatory mediators at 48h demonstrated a dramatic reduction in the expression of the chemokines CXCL9, 10, 11 and cytokines IL-23 and its receptor in CB2R agonist-treated cords. There was also a reduction in the expression of toll-like receptors (TLR1, TLR4, TLR6, and TLR7), which correlated with a decreased number of immunoreactive microglia. Interestingly, at seven days post injury, CB2R agonist-treated injured cords showed a significant reduction in both hematopoietic and myeloid cell infiltration. In EAE, a chronic neuroinflammatory disorder, our laboratories demonstrated previously that administration of a CB2R agonist led to lower disease scores and improved recovery. In this study, we observed reduced numbers of infiltrating hematopoietic and myeloid cells into the spinal cord and brain of CB2 agonist-treated mice. This reduction was observed at the peak of disease (day 17) and the effect was maintained at the chronic stage of disease (day 30). Evaluation of molecules associated with cell migration showed decreased levels of the adhesion molecule VCAM-1 and matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and 9 at peak of EAE in treated mice. The decrease in VCAM-1 correlates with our previous observation of decreased leukocyte rolling and adhesion to brain microvasculature. However, the reduction in MMP-2/9 expression suggests that CB2R agonists may also affect leukocyte transmigration into the perivascular space and further infiltration into the CNS parenchyma. This process requires both chemokine cues and the gelatinases MMP2/9. Animals deficient in these MMPs show leukocyte accumulation in the perivascular space and are resistant to EAE. There are no reports in the literature on possible CB2R agonist effects on gelatinases in myeloid cells. Although both MMP-2 and -9 are produced by antigen-presenting cells and act on similar substrates, MMP-9 appears to play a crucial role in EAE. Therefore, we decided to examine the effects of CB2 signaling on MMP-9 expression in myeloid cells, focusing on myeloid bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDC). Activation of bone marrow-derived macrophages, dendritic cells, and primary microglia with the cytokine cocktail TNFα, IL-1ß, IL-6, containing PGE2, which mimicked an inflammatory milieu, resulted in expression of high levels of MMP-9. Treatment with CB2R agonists reduced MMP-9 in all three cell types. Since migration of DC to various sites is required for their activation and for the initiation of adaptive immune responses, we evaluated the effects of CB2R agonists on migration. The reduced levels of MMP-9 correlated with reduced migration of DC to the draining lymph nodes in vivo, as well as reduced migration vitro in the matrigel migration assay. The effect on MMP-9 expression was mediated through CB2R, resulting in reduction in cAMP levels, subsequent decrease in ERK activation, and reduced binding of c-Fos and c-Jun to the AP-1 site in the MMP-9 promoter. We postulate that, by dampening production of MMP-9 and subsequent MMP-9-dependent DC migration, cannabinoids contribute to resolve acute inflammation and to reestablish homeostasis. Selective CB2R agonists might be valuable future therapeutic agents for the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions by targeting activated immune cells including DC. / Physiology