Avaliamos a capacidade de indução de migração, invasão e secreção de protease pelo peptídeo derivado da laminina, C16 (KAFDITYVRLKF, cadeia g1) em linhagem celular (CAC2) de carcinoma adenóide cístico humano. Laminina g1 foi imunolocalizada no carcinoma adenóide in vivo e in vitro. Ensaio de ferida, em câmara bipartite e em vídeo microscopia (time-lapse) mostraram que C16 estimula migração em células CAC2. C16 também estimulou invasão em ensaio com câmaras bipartites cobertas com Matrigel. Invasão depende de atividade de protease. Zimografia mostrou que C16 aumentou secreção de MMPs 2 e 9. Diferentes vias de sinalização podem estar relacionadas com os efeitos de C16. Immunoblot revelou que C16 aumentou a fosforilação de AKT e ERK. Para o estudo de possíveis receptores do peptídeo, preparações de membrana foram passadas em colunas de afinidade com C16 acoplado. Banda de 40kDa foi eluída e analisada por espectrometria de massa (LC-MS/MS) que identificou a cadeia a1 do colágeno. O fragmento de colágeno eluído poderia ser parte de um complexo protéico envolvendo C16. Integrinas são receptores de colágeno e candidatas a fazerem parte desse complexo. Células CAC2 expressaram as integrinas av, a5, b3 and b1. Silenciamento dessas integrinas promoveu redução da migração e secreção de protease induzidas por C16. Sugerimos que C16 estimularia migração, invasão e secreção de protease em células de carcinoma adenóide cístico através de integrinas a5b1 e avb3. O sinal gerado por C16 seria transduzido pelas vias AKT e ERK1/2. / We studied induction of migration, invasion and protease activity by laminin-derived peptide C16 (KAFDITYVRLKF, g1 chain) in a cell line (CAC2) from adenoid cystic carcinoma. Laminin g1 was immunolocalized in adenoid cystic carcinoma in vivo and in vitro. C16 increased migratory activity of CAC2 cells, as shown by monolayer wound assay, Transwell migration assay and time-lapse video microscopy. This peptide also stimulated cell invasion in Transwell chambers coated with Matrigel. Invasion depends on protease activity. Zymograms showed that C16 increased secretion of MMPs 2 and 9. Different signaling pathways could be related to C16 regulation in CAC2 cells. Immunoblot showed that C16 increased phosphorylation of both AKT and ERK compared to controls. To study putative receptors of this peptide we used affinity chromatography. Membrane preparations were run through C16-affinity columns. A 40kDa band was eluted and analyzed by mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) identifying a collagen a1 chain. The collagen fragment eluted could be part of a protein complex involving C16. This protein complex may include integrins, which are collagen receptors. CAC2 cells exhibited av, a5, b3 and b1 integrins. siRNA knockdown of these integrins inhibited both C16-induced migration and protease activity. We propose that C16 increases migration, invasion and protease activity of a human salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma cell line through a5b1 and avb3 integrins. The signal generated by C16 is transduced by AKT and ERK1/2 signaling pathways.

Orientadores: Ubirajara Ferreira, Valeria H. A. Cagnon Quitete / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-13T17:35:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Reis_LeonardoOliveira_M.pdf: 4339458 bytes, checksum: 1e103884dabb1194ecfd6161caeed83d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: A destruição do complexo da distroglicana dependente da metaloproteinase da matriz pode ter papel importante no desenvolvimento e progressão do tumor urotelial. O carcinoma urotelial humano é frequente na bexiga e menos comum no trato urinário superior. Não há um modelo experimental animal bem definido e reprodutível de carcinoma urotelial do trato superior. Objetivos: Propor um novo modelo experimental de carcinoma urotelial que resulta de refluxo vesicoureteral em animais submetidos a tratamento com associação entre n-metil-n-nitrosourea e citrato de sódio intravesicais. Caracterizar a imunolocalização dos receptores de ?-distroglicana e metaloproteinase 9 na bexiga urinária, ureter e pelve renal deste modelo, assim como descrever aspectos morfológicos, imunohistoquímicos e proliferativos nestes órgãos. Metodologia: Cinqüenta ratas Fisher 344 foram divididas em dois grupos: Controle - recebeu 0,30ml de solução salina 0,9% intravesical; MNU-citrato - recebeu 0,15ml de MNU e 0,15ml de citrato de sódio intravesical, ambos em semanas alternadas, nas semanas 0, 2, 4 e 6, totalizando quatro doses. Após 15 semanas de tratamento, a bexiga, os ureteres, e as pelves renais foram coletados para análises morfológicas e imunohistoquímicas. Resultados: O grupo MNU-Citrato apresentou imunoreatividade reduzida de ?-DG e aumentada de MMP-9 e Ki-67. O tratamento associado de MNU e citrato de sódio levou ao desenvolvimento de carcinoma urotelial na bexiga e no trato urinário superior de todos os animais. Conclusões: O modelo proposto induziu lesão maligna de diversos graus em 100 % dos animais, sem comprometimento muscular. A imunolocalização da ?-DG foi muito diminuída em contraposição ao aumento da imunolocalização da MMP-9 nos diferentes órgãos estudados neste modelo e os aspectos morfológicos, imunohistoquímicos e proliferativos ao longo do urotélio (bexiga urinária, ureter e pelve renal) foram muito semelhantes, sendo que ocorreu aumento de apoptose e proliferação celular com expressivo predomínio deste último. Palavras chave: Distroglicana; Metaloproteinase de matriz; Carcinoma urotelial; Modelo animal experimental; Trato urinário superior / Abstract: The dystroglican complex destruction is done by matrix metalloproteinase and plays a critical role in the urothelial carcinoma development and progression. The human urothelial carcinoma is frequent on the bladder and less common on the upper urinary tract. There is no reproducible and well described experimental upper urothelial carcinoma model on this issue. Purposes: Describe a novel experimental upper urothelial carcinoma animal model which results in vesicoureteral reflux in animals submitted to associate treatment with the carcinogen n-methyl-n-nitrosourea and sodium citrate intravesically. Characterize the ?-DG and the MMP-9 immunolocalization in the bladder as well as in the upper urinary tract, and describe morphological, immunohistochemistry and proliferative aspects utilizing a novel experimental model. Materials and Methods: Fifty female Fischer 344 rats were divided into two groups: the control group received a 0.30ml dose of 0.9% physiological saline intravesically every other week for a total of 4 doses; the MNU-citrate group received 0.15 ml of MNU and 0.15ml of sodium citrate intravesically every other week for a total of 4 doses. After 15 weeks of treatment, bladder, ureters and renal pelvis were collected for morphological and immunohistochemistry analyses. Results: The MNU-Citrate group showed reduced ?-DG and increased MMP-9 and Ki-67 immunoreactivities. Associated treatment with MNU and sodium citrate was able to lead to both urinary bladder and upper urinary tract tumors in all animals. Conclusions: The proposed model showed cancer in several grades in 100 % of animals, with no muscular invasion. The immunolocalization was decreased for ?-DG and increased for MMP-9 in the analyzed tissues and the morphological, immunohistochemical and proliferative aspects of the urothelium (bladder, ureter e renal pelvis) were similar. Apoptosis and proliferation were increased, being the last one more intense / Mestrado / Cirurgia / Mestre em Cirurgia

A Cardiomiopatia Chagásica Crônica (CCC) é uma cardiopatia dilatada inflamatória caracterizada por remodelamento cardíaco, uma miocardite rica em células T e macrófagos, hipertrofia e fibrose. Essa acomete 30% dos pacientes infectados com Trypanossoma cruzi (T. cruzi). Os pacientes com CCC apresentam uma pior sobrevida e prognóstico quando comparados com pacientes portadores de cardiomiopatia de etiologia não inflamatória, como a cardiomiopatia dilatada idiopática (CDI). No processo de remodelamento cardíaco, ocorre uma reestruturação da matriz extracelular (MEC), mediada em grande parte por proteínas como as enzimas proteolíticas, metaloproteinases da matriz (MMPs) e seus inibidores específicos (TIMPs), sendo que a alteração e/ou atividade de algumas dessas enzimas em particular está relacionado com as doenças cardiovasculares. Dentro deste contexto, a hipótese deste trabalho é a de que o perfil da expressão e atividade das MMPs e de seus inibidores TIMPs na CCC será distinto do encontrado na CDI. Foi avaliado por qRT-PCR a expressão gênica e por \"Western blotting\" a expressão proteica das MMPs: -1, -2, -3, -8, -9, -12-13 e EMMPRIN e dos seguintes inibidores TIMPs: -1, -2, -3, -4 e RECK e atividade da MMP-2 e -9 por zimografia, em amostras de miocárdio (ventrículo esquerdo) de pacientes com CCC, pacientes com CDI e doadores de órgãos, obtidos durante o procedimento de transplante. Embora algumas das alterações da expressão das MMPs, TIMPs, e RECK tenham sido compartilhadas com a CDI, observamos que os pacientes com CCC apresentam o aumento da atividade da MMP-2 e MMP-9 e aumento exclusivo da proteína MMP-9. Analisamos através da razão entre a atividade da MMP-2 e MMP-9 com a expressão proteica dos inibidores TIMPs e RECK, observamos o aumento da atividade da MMP-2 e MMP-9 e a diminuição dos TIMPs: -1, -2, -3 e -4 e TIMPs -1, -2 e -3, respectivamente em pacientes com CCC, ocasionando um desequilíbrio entre sua ativação e inibição o que contribui com o remodelamento do miocárdio. Também foi avaliado a fração de colágeno intersticial por Picrosirius Red, observamos que o aumento de colágeno em pacientes com CCC e CDI, o que indica que o aumento da atividade da MMP-2 e MMP-9 está modulando a síntese, conformação e organização do colágeno, contribuindo com a fibrose em pacientes com CCC. Com objetivo de verificar se estas MMPs e seus inibidores estariam sob-regulação pós-transcricional, realizamos análise in silico e identificamos 8 microRNAs (miR): miR-21, miR-29- 5p, miR-146a-5p, miR-155-5p, miR-188-5p, miR-214-3p, miR-491-5p e miR885-5p e analisamos suas expressões por qRT-PCR, mas não observamos correlação com as MMPs e seus inibidores, sugerindo que estas proteínas não estão sob regulação pós-transcricional pelos miRs analisados. Em conjunto, nossos resultados sugerem que a expressão diferencial de MMPs e seus inibidores TIMPs estudados contribuem com a fibrose, remodelamento do miocárdio e disfunção cardíaca, observado em pacientes com CCC. Desta forma, este trabalho pode ajudar na elucidação dos mecanismos de desenvolvimento da patogênese da doença de Chagas / Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy (CCC) is an inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy characterized by cardiac remodeling, a myocarditis rich in T cells and macrophages, hypertrophy and fibrosis. This affects 30% of patients infected with Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). Patients with CCC have a poorer prognosis and survival when compared with cardiomyopathy patients with non-inflammatory etiology, such as idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC). In cardiac remodeling process, there is a restructuring of the extracellular matrix (ECM), largely mediated by proteins such as proteolytic enzymes, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their specific inhibitors (TIMPs). The alteration and/or activity of some these particular enzymes is associated with cardiovascular disease. Taking this into account, the hypothesis of this study is that the expression profile and activity of MMPs and their TIMPs inhibitors in the CCC will be different from those found in IDC. The gene expression was evaluated by qRT-PCR, the MMP protein expression: -1, -2, -3, -8, -9, -12-13 and EMMPRIN by \"Western blotting\" and the following TIMP inhibitors: -1 , -2, -3, -4 and RECK and MMP-2 and -9 activity by zymography, in myocardial samples (left ventricle) of CCC and IDC patients and organ donors (Control) obtained upon transplantation. Although some of these changes in the expression of MMPs, TIMPs and RECK were shared with the IDC, we observed that patients with CCC have increased MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity and exclusive increase in MMP-9 protein. Through the ratio of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity with protein expression of TIMPs and RECK inhibitors, we found that the increase in MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity and the decrease in TIMP: -1, -2, -3, and -4 and TIMP -1, -2 and -3, respectively, in myocardial samples of CCC patients causes an imbalance in their activation and inhibition, contributing to the myocardium remodeling. The fraction of interstitial collagen as stained by Picrosirius Red, indicates increase in collagen in patients with CCC and IDC, indicating that the increase of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity is modulating the synthesis and conformation of collagen organization, contribute to fibrosis in patients with CCC. Aiming to verify whether these MMPs and their inhibitors would be under post-transcriptional regulation, we performed in silico analysis and it was identified 8 microRNAs (miR): miR-21, miR-29-5p, miR-146a-5p, miR-155-5p , miR-188-5p, miR-214-3p, miR-491-5p and miR885-5p, but no correlation was found with the MMPs and their inhibitors, suggesting that these proteins are not under post-transcriptional regulation by miRs analyzed. Together our results suggest that differential expression of MMPs and their TIMPs inhibitors studied contribute to fibrosis, myocardial remodeling and cardiac dysfunction observed in patients with CCC. Thus, this work may help in elucidating the development of mechanisms of the pathogenesis of Chagas disease

Células-tronco adultas podem ser isoladas de vários tecidos, dentre eles a polpa dentária humana, tecido originado na papila dentária do dente em desenvolvimento. Estas linhagens multipotentes podem ser estudadas sob vários aspectos, como na elucidação da histogênese de tumores. O objetivo deste estudo foi inferir a histogênese do mixoma odontogênico, neoplasia odontogênica benigna, analisando a expressão de proteínas da matriz extracelular (MEC) e de metaloproteinases da matriz (MMPs) em células-tronco adultas de polpa dentária humana. Três linhagens diferentes de células-tronco originadas de polpas dentárias humanas IDPSCs (DL-1, DL-2 e DL4) foram utilizadas. As proteínas analisadas foram as mesmas expressas na neoplasia: vimentina, colágeno tipo I, fibronectina, tenascina, ácido hialurônico e MMPs (MMP-1, MMP-2 e MMP-9). Imunofluorescência e ensaios enzimáticos foram utilizados para analisar a presença de proteínas nas células cultivadas e no meio de cultura condicionado por estas células, respectivamente. Todas as linhagens celulares expressaram a vimentina e nenhuma expressou o ácido hialurônico. A linhagem celular DL-1 expressou todas as outras proteínas da matriz extracelular estudadas, enquanto que na linhagem DL-2 apenas não foi observada a expressão do colágeno tipo I. Fibronectina e tenascina não foram observados na linhagem DL-4. Todas as linhagens expressaram todas as MMPs, sendo que a produção de MMP-2 nas três linhagens foi significantemente maior que a de todas outras MMPs. Baseado nas condições deste estudo, é possível concluir que a expressão de proteínas da MEC e de MMPs em células-tronco de polpa dentária humana apresentaram perfil similar àquela apresentada no mixoma odontogênico, exceto pela ausência de marcação do ácido hialurônico em todas as linhagens. A ausência de secreção de ácido hialurônico pelas IDPSCs poderia indicar que o mixoma odontogênico deriva de uma célula mais diferenciada que as células-tronco. / Adult stem cells can be isolated from different tissues including the human dental pulp, a structure originated from the dental papillae. These cell lineages are of importance in a series of studies, as the analysis of tumors histogenesis. The aim of this study was to infer the histogenesis of odontogenic myxoma, a benign odontogenic neoplasia by analyzing the ECM and MMPs molecules expressed in human dental pulp stem cells. Three different lineages of immature dental pulp stem cells (IDPSCs) (DL-1, DL-2 and DL-4) were used. The proteins searched were those expressed by the tumoral cells: vimentin, type I collagen, fibronectin, tenascin and hialuronic acid (HA) and the matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9). Immunofluorecence and enzymatic assays were used for analyzing the presence of the proteins in the cells and in the culture media conditioned by the cells, respectively. All the lineages expressed vimentin; however none expressed HA. DL-1 lineage expressed all the other ECM proteins, and the expression of type I collagen was not observed in the DL-2 lineage. Fibronectin and tenascin were not observed in the DL-4 lineage. All the lineages expressed all the MMPs. The release of MMP-2 from all cell lineages was significantly higher than those of all other MMPs. Based on the conditions of this study its possible to conclude that the overall expression of MEC proteins and MMPs in the lineages of human dental pulp stem cells were similar to those found in the odontogenic myxoma, except for the absence of hyaluronic acid. The absence of HA secretion by the IDPSCs could indicate that the odontogenic myxoma tumoural cells derive from a cell more differentiated than the stem cells.

As metaloproteinases de matriz (MMP) são enzimas superexpressas em quase todos os tumores humanos, sendo que os subtipos MMP-2 e MMP-9 têm sido associados ao potencial metastático e prognóstico desfavorável em neoplasias malignas como, por exemplo, melanoma metastático e glioma. Compostos capazes de inibir a atividade destas enzimas podem representar potenciais agentes terapêuticos. O composto 4-nerolidilcatecol (4-NC), isolado de plantas do gênero Pothomorphe, apresentou resultados promissores para o tratamento do melanoma e glioma e foi capaz de atuar em várias etapas bioquímicas importantes envolvidas na progressão dessas patologias, inclusive inibindo MMP-2 e MMP-9. No entanto, o mecanismo de ação do 4-NC não está completamente elucidado. O presente estudo envolveu a aplicação de métodos de modelagem molecular e de formalismos do planejamento de novas moléculas auxiliado por computador, CAMD (Computer-Aided Molecular Design) a fim de explorar a interação entre esta molécula e as enzimas MMP-2 e MMP-9, além de planejar novos inibidores para estes alvos. Análise exploratória de dados, que compreende a análise de agrupamentos hierárquicos e de componentes principais. foi desenvolvida para um conjunto de hidroxamatos (N=64) descritos como inibidores de MMP-2 e MMP-9, a fim de identificar as propriedades moleculares que mais influenciavam o processo de discriminação dos compostos. As propriedades termodinâmicas, eletrônicas e estéricas foram importantes para descrever os compostos mais ativos no conjunto de dados da MMP-2. Para a MMP-9, o coeficiente de distribuição (ClogD) em pH 1,5 foi relevante no processo de discriminação do conjunto. A presença de substituintes volumosos na porção R3 parece ser crucial para o conjunto de inibidores investigados. Esta região está envolvida em interações moleculares com a cavidade S1 de ambas as enzimas, mas há um limite de volume a ser considerado para estes substituintes. O formalismo QSAR-4D independente do receptor (IR) foi aplicado ao mesmo conjunto de dados e permitiu estabelecer o mapeamento do farmacóforo, além de explorar diferentes alinhamentos para a obtenção da hipótese de conformação bioativa prevista pelo melhor modelo de QSAR. OS modelos QSAR apresentaram boa capacidade de previsão, auxiliaram na proposição de novos inibidores e estimaram a atividade do 4-NC. Com o melhor modelo QSAR para MMP-9 (N=64), a atividade prevista para o 4-NC foi classificada na faixa dos inibidores com atividade moderada. Entretanto, o melhor modelo QSAR obtido para MMP-2 (N=38) não foi capaz de prever, de forma adequada, a atividade de compostos com arcabouço químico diferente daqueles utilizados na construção dos modelos. Estudos de ancoramento molecular foram desenvolvidos para investigar a orientação do 4-NC no sitio catalítico das duas enzimas e as interações que poderiam ser estabelecidas nestes complexos. Duas conformações favoráveis foram encontradas. Simulações computacionais de dinâmica molecular foram desenvolvidas com os complexos mais promissores selecionados nos estudos de ancoramento, a fim de obter informações mais detalhadas e de maior confiabilidade. sobre suas interações intermoleculares. O 4-NC tende a se orientar no sítio de forma a acomodar sua cadeia lateral no bolso S1 adjacente ao sítio catalítico em ambas as enzimas. Ensaios de zimografia também foram realizados com o objetivo de elucidar possíveis contribuições da cadeia lateral e do núcleo catecólico do 4-NC na atividade inibitória frente às enzimas em estudo. O núcleo catecólico parece ser o responsável por sua atividade, pois o composto 1,2dimetoxibenzeno, que possui as hidroxilas bloqueadas por grupos metil, não foi capaz de exercer atividade inibitória significante frente à MMP-2 e MMP-9. Estudos de voltametria reforçaram a hipótese de que o 4-NC tem a capacidade de quelar os íons zinco presentes no tampão de incubação. / Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) enzymes are overexpressed in almost all human tumors, and MMP-2 and MMP-9 subtypes have been associated with metastatic potential and poor prognosis in malignant tumors, such as metastatic melanoma and glioma. Compounds capable of inhibiting the activity of theses enzymes would be considered as potential therapeutic agents. The 4-nerolidylcatechol compound (4-NC), isolated from plants of genus Pothomorphe, has showed promising results in the treatment of melanoma and glioma, and was able to act in several important biochemical steps involved in the progression of these diseases, as well as inhibiting MMP-2 and MMP-9. However, the 4-NC mechanism of action is not completely understood. This study has involved the application of molecular modeling methods and formalisms of computer-aided molecular design (CAMD) in order to explore the interaction between 4-NC and MMP-2/MMP-9, and to design new inhibitors for these targets. Exploratory data analysis, which comprises hierarchical cluster analysis and principal components analysis, was performed to a set of hydroxamates (N=64). previously reported as MMP-2 and MMP-9 inhibitors, in order lo identify the molecular properties that is most critical for the discrimination process regarding the investigated compounds. The thermodynamic, electronic, and steric properties were: quite important to describe the highly active compounds in the data set of MMP-2, whereas the apparent partition coefficient (ClogD) at pH 1.5 was the property more relevant for MMP-9 data set. The presence of bulky substituents on the R3 moiety seems to be crucial for this set of inhibitors due to the molecular interaction with the S1 subsite of both enzymes. However, there is a limit regarding the substituents volume in this region. Receptor independent (RI) 4D-QSAR analysis was applied lo the same data set and it was possible to establish the pharmacophore mapping, besides to explore different alignments in order to generate the hypothesized bioactive conformation through the best QSAR model. The QSAR models have presented good predictability, assisted in proposing new inhibitors, and estimated the activity of 4-NC. Regarding the best QSAR model for MMP-9 (N=64), the 4-NC predicted activity was classified in the range of the moderate active inhibitors. The best QSAR model obtained for MMP-2 (N=38), however was not able to properly predict the activity for compounds with different chemical scaffold from those used to build up the QSAR model. Molecular docking studies have been developed to investigate the 4-NC binding mode into the catalytic site of the two enzymes and the interactions that could be established in those complexes. The results have shown two favorable conformers regarding the MMP inhibition. Molecular dynamics computational simulation were combined to molecular docking studies in order to obtain more detailed and reliable information regarding the intermolecular interactions of each complex. The 4-NC molecule tends to accommodate the side chain in the S1 pocket adjacent to the catalytic site in both enzymes. Experimental zymography assays were also performed to elucidate the possible contribution of the side chain and the catechol core in the 4-NC inhibitory activity against the MMP-2 and MMP-9 enzymes. The catechol core seems to be responsible for its activity, since the 1,2 dimethoxybenzene compound, which has the hydroxyl blocked by a methyl group, was not able to exert any significant inhibition on enzymes. Voltametric assays confirmed the hypothesis that 4-NC chelates zinc ions present in the incubation buffer.

Abstract Matrix metalloproteinases, MMPs, are a family of enzymes capable of modulating connective tissue components. The expression of several MMPs is increased in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs). They are assumed to have an important role in the development and progression of OSCCs. However, the exact role and mechanism of the regulation of MMPs in malignant transformation are still largely unknown. In this study, tumour-associated trypsin-2 (TAT-2) was detected in OSCC tissue sections, and its role in MMP-2 and -9 regulation in carcinoma cells was evaluated. The TAT-2 gene was transfected into two different OSCC cell lines and one immortalized oral epithelial cell line. In TAT-2-transfected cells, MMP-9 activation increased OSCC cell invasion in chicken chorionallantoic membrane assay. Increased intravasation was prevented by tumour-associated trypsin inhibitor or specific gelatinase-inhibiting CTT-peptide. TAT-2 also converted MMP-1, -8, -13 and -3 into smaller molecular weight forms in vitro. However, TAT-2-transfected OSCC cells showed no conversion. TAT-2 was demonstrated to degrade powerfully type I collagen into small fragments in vitro. The cell surface receptor αvβ6 integrin is strongly up-regulated in OSCCs. By using β6-transfected OSCC cells, it was demonstrated that αvβ6 integrin down-regulates MMP-13 expression. However, this integrin did not regulate other collagenases or TIMP-1. β6-transfected cells invaded more efficiently through the basement membrane matrix, but their migration through type I collagen remained unchanged. MMP-8 expression was detected for the first time in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines and corresponding cultured dermal and tumour fibroblasts. The localization of MMP-8 in HNSCC was determined by immunohistochemical stainings and in situ hybridization. MMP-8 production levels in carcinoma cells were faint and sporadic in HNSCCs sections. Ninety-two primary mobile tongue SCCs were subjected to MMP-8 immunohistochemical staining, and the staining results were compared to survival rates. MMP-8 was associated with improved disease-free survival in females but not in males.

Abstract Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) are a significant source of morbidity and mortality. Classical risk factors for TAAs are hypertension, atherosclerosis, male gender, smoking, age, high body mass index, family history and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In addition, in certain cases of TAAs, i.e., ascending aortic aneurysms (AscAA), genetic factors are highly prominent. Matrix metalloproteinases are in a major role in the destruction of the aortic wall and the imbalance between matrix metalloproteinases, and their inhibitors are involved in the formation of aneurysms. In addition, osteopontin is a potent regulator of matrix metalloproteinases and it is widely expressed in injured arteries. Recently, telomere shortening has been shown to be involved in the development of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). In this aneurysm type, atherosclerosis has a major role. Since atherosclerosis is frequently absent in the case of TAAs, the length of telomeres was measured in the blood samples of TAA patients. The purpose of this thesis was to study the genetic background of TAAs of the ascending aorta and furthermore, the molecular background of this disease. The first study was done with families with TAAs, and dissections and one chromosomal locus (5q13-14) of the studied seven loci showed a significant genetic linkage for TAAs. Two other studies were done exploiting our TAA case-control material. Study II showed elevated levels of osteopontin, matrix metalloproteinase type 2 and 9 in the plasma and tissue samples of TAA patients compared with controls. In the third study, longer blood leukocyte telomeres were found in the DNA samples of TAA patients compared with controls; furthermore, the elevation of telomere lengthening protein telomerase expression was found in the tissue samples of TAA patients. This thesis presents region 5q13-14 as a potential genetic regulator for TAAs in Finnish families. In addition, elevated levels of osteopontin, matrix metalloproteinase type 2 and 9 can be considered as a plasma biomarker for aneurysmal disease. Furthermore, longer blood leukocytes were found to be a significant risk factor for developing TAAs. / Tiivistelmä Rinta-aortan aneurysmat ovat merkittävä sairastumisiin ja kuolemiin johtava tekijä. Perinteisinä riskitekijöinä aneurysmille on pidetty korkeaa verenpainetta, ateroskleroosia, miessukupuolta, tupakointia, ikää, ylipainoa, suvussa esiintyneitä aneurysmatapauksia ja keuhkoahtaumatautia. Näiden lisäksi erityisesti nousevan rinta-aortan alueella esiintyvissä aneurysmissa myös perinnöllisillä tekijöillä on korostunut merkitys. Matriksimetalloproteinaaseilla ja niiden estäjillä on merkittävä rooli, kun aortan seinämää hajotetaan. Tasapainon järkkyminen kyseisten proteiinien keskinäisessä suhteessa voi johtaa aneurysman muodostumiseen. Myös osteopontiinin tiedetään olevan tehokas matriksimetalloproteinaasien säätelijä, ja sitä tuotetaankin yleisesti vahingoittuneessa verisuonessa. Telomeerien lyhentyminen on vastikään yhdistetty vatsa-aortan alueella esiintyviin aneurysmiin, joissa ateroskleroosilla on yleensä merkittävä rooli. Koska ateroskleroosi on vain harvoin nousevan rinta-aortan alueen aneurysmien taustalla, rinta-aortan aneurysmapotilaiden valkosolujen telomeerien suhteelliset pituudet määritettiin. Väitöskirjan ensimmäisessä osatyössä keskityttiin löytämään geneettinen kytkentä rinta-aortan aneurysmien ja jonkin seitsemän tutkitun kromosomialueen välille. Geneettinen kytkentä löydettiin kromosomialueelta 5q13-14. Osatöissä 2 ja 3 hyödynnettiin rinta-aortan aneurysmien potilas- ja verrokkiaineistoja. Osatyö 2 osoitti, että matriksimetalloproteinaasien (2 ja 9) määrät ovat kohonneet rinta-aortan aneurysmapotilaiden näytteissä verrokkeihin verrattuna. Osatyössä 3 telomeerien suhteelliset pituudet veren valkosoluissa olivat pidemmät nousevan rinta-aortan aneurysmapotilaiden näytteissä verrokkihenkilöiden näytteisiin verrattuna. Myös telomeraasin tuotto oli lisääntynyt rinta-aortan aneurysmapotilaiden aorttakudosnäytteissä. Väitöskirjassa esitetään tuloksena kromosomialue 5q13-14 geneettisenä säätelijänä suomalaisissa suvuittain esiintyvissä rinta-aortan aneurysmatapauksissa. Kohonneita matriksimetalloproteinaasien ja osteopontiinin tasoja voidaan lisäksi pitää biomarkkereina rinta-aortan aneurysmien sairastavuudelle. Veren valkosolujen pidemmät telomeerit näyttävät myös olevan yhteydessä rinta-aortan aneurysmien sairastavuuteen.

La maladie d'Alzheimer (MA) est la maladie neurodégénérative la plus répandue à travers le monde et reste actuellement incurable. Le peptide beta amyloïde (Abeta), composant principal des plaques séniles retrouvées dans le cerveau des patients, joue un rôle majeur dans le développement de la MA, d'où l'importance de contrôler sa production et/ou son élimination. Dans cette optique, nous travaillons sur des molécules nommées métalloprotéases matricielles (MMPs). Bien qu'ayant été impliquées à la fois dans de nombreux processus physiologiques et pathologiques dans système nerveux, leur rôle dans la MA reste encore relativement inexplorée. Nous avons utilisé comme modèle d'étude des souris qui développent les symptômes de la MA (déclin cognitif, mort des neurones). Nous montrons que deux MMPs, MMP-2 et MT1-MMP, augmentent leurs niveaux d'expression avec le vieillissement de l'animal et donc avec l'aggravation de la pathologie. Ceci a lieu dans l'hippocampe, une région du cerveau qui est particulièrement sensible car elle est impliquée dans l'apprentissage et la mémoire. Par la suite nous avons utilisé des cellules HEKswe qui produisent beaucoup d'Abeta et miment d'une certaine manière ce qui se passe dans le cerveau de la souris, afin de mieux appréhender la signification des augmentations de ces MMPs. Nous montrons que la surexpression de MT1-MMP dans ces cellules favorise la formation d'Abeta, alors que MMP-2 l'empêche. Ces résultats montrent pour la première fois une dualité fonctionnelle au sein de la famille des MMPs, et plus important, révèlent une nouvelle molécule amyloïdogénique (MT1-MMP) qui pourrait devenir à terme une cible thérapeutique. / We investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinases in the metabolism of beta amyloid peptide (Abeta) and its amyloid precursor protein (APP) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our results in the 5xFAD mouse model of AD indicate a cell-type and age-dependent upregulation of MMP-2 -and MT1-MMP active forms. This is concomitant with the increase of toxic forms of Abeta, but also of cytotoxic C99, a membrane fragment of APP generated by beta-secretase and that gives rise to Abeta after gamma-secretase cleavage. We show in HEK cells overproducing Abeta that while MT1-MMP interacts with APP and boosts C99 and Abeta production, MMP-2 does not interact with APP and degrades Abeta. These results uncover a MMP-specific regulatory crosstalk with amyloid and also MT1-MMP as a new pro-amyloidogenic proteinase. We want now to gain further insight into the mechanisms that support MT1-MMP effects, namely the possible modulation by MT1-MMP of beta- and gamma-secretase activities and/or APP trafficking.

The aim of this work was to investigate the contribution of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to recurrent corneal melting. Twenty three melted corneas from seven patients were separated into three groups: a) patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome, b) those with rheumatoid arthritis and c) those with other corneal melting underlying pathologies. Eleven cadaverous corneas served as controls. The presence of MMP-1, -2, -3, -7, -8, -9, and -13 was detected using indirect enzyme immunohistochemistry. The active forms of MMP-2 and -9 and MMP- 3 and -7 were examined by gelatin and casein zymography, respectively. The concentrations of active MMP-1 and -3 were measured using activity assays. Increased immunostaining intensity for MMP-1, -2, -3, -7, -8 and -9 was shown in the corneal epithelium and the stroma of almost all melted corneas from all three groups compared to the negative or slightly positive staining of the controls. In the endothelium, immunostaining for MMP-2 and MMP-9 was increased in most specimens of groups II and III and group I, respectively. A markedly higher level of active MMP-2 was detected in six, and active MMP-9 in all, pathologic specimens compared to the controls. In contrast to the completely negative controls, the proenzymes of MMP-3 and -7 were detected in almost all melted...

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