Cutaneous melanoma is an increasingly common aggressive malignancy. The molecular mechanisms responsible for melanoma’s initiation and progression are still unclear, but new evidence suggests microRNAs (miRNAs) may be involved. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that have been shown to act as either oncogenes or tumour suppressors. These short, ~22 nucleotide long, single stranded RNA molecules regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally, through complementary binding to target messenger RNA (mRNA), and mediate mRNA degradation and translational repression. Our laboratory has previously shown that miRNA expression levels are altered through the different stages of melanoma tumourigenesis and has identified numerous significantly dysregulated miRNAs. miR-205 expression is significantly decreased in both primary and metastatic melanoma. Because of this decrease in miR-205 level with increasing cancer aggressiveness, we originally hypothesized that miR-205 may act as a tumour suppressor in melanoma. Unexpectedly, miR-205 re-expression in metastatic melanoma cells has shown oncogenetic potential. Through functional assays, we determined that miR-205 plays a primary role in promoting cellular migration and invasion, and in repressing adhesion. A gene expression analysis was conducted and the target prediction algorithm TargetScan was utilized to determine potential mRNA targets for miR-205. CADM1, PTPRJ and SHIP2 were three of the targets investigated, because of their known functional role in migration and cellular adhesion. CADM1 and PTPRJ were both verified to be directly targeted by miR-205 in an in vitro melanoma system using a luciferase reporter assay. In summary, we have demonstrated a surprising functional role for miR-205 in melanoma. The re-expression of miR-205 promotes malignant phenotypes and therefore is functioning with oncogenic potential within our metastatic melanoma cell culture system. / Thesis (Master, Pathology & Molecular Medicine) -- Queen's University, 2012-07-09 12:32:35.235

Prostate cancer, one of the most common cancers among men, can be relatively harmless or extremely aggressive. The most widely used biomarker for the disease, the PSA test, is not independently diagnostic or prognostic of prostate cancer. One of the main challenges of prostate cancer research is to find reliable and effective prognostic biomarkers that will predict cancer recurrence following surgery, in order to identify clinically significant prostate cancer and improve management of the disease. In recent years, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as master regulators of cellular processes, and dysregulated miRNAs have been associated with cancer development and progression. The intent of my PhD research program was to uncover novel miRNAs that contribute to prostate cancer pathogenesis in order to assess their potential as predictors of clinical progression. By analyzing a large cohort of primary prostate cancer samples, we have discovered that microRNA-221 (miR-221) is associated with metastasis and biochemical recurrence in prostate cancer, and is downregulated in TMPRSS2:ERG fusion gene- positive tumors. In addition, we have determined that microRNA-182 (miR-182) is overexpressed in prostate cancer and is associated with increased metastasis and clinical progression by targeting a tumors suppressor Forkhead box O1 (FOXO1). Overall, this work introduces novel candidate miRNA genes and downstream targets that are aberrantly expressed in more aggressive prostate cancer, and presents a potentially significant role for miRNAs as prognostic biomarkers that are associated with clinical progression, and perhaps aids in defining how miRNAs might one day serve as anti-cancer therapeutic agents.

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No. of bitstreams: 1 gullo_fp_dr_arafc.pdf: 7327179 bytes, checksum: 0393cbeb07198f30f49ab07572fbb16f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-29 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) / Criptococose é uma importante micose sistêmica que acomete principalmente pacientes imunocomprometidos e é classificada como a infecção fúngica com maior mortalidade entre indivíduos portadores de HIV. Cryptococcus neoformans é uma levedura capsulada e o principal agente etiológico da criptococose; encontra-se dispersa no meio ambiente na forma de basidiósporos, os quais são responsáveis pela infecção em humanos e animais. As principais manifestações clínicas estão associadas à infecção pulmonar e meningite. A terapia se dá basicamente com a administração de anfotericina B (AMB) na terapia de ataque associada ou não a 5-fluocitosina e como manutenção é indicado ao longo do tratamento o fluconazol (FCZ). Apesar de esta terapêutica ser eficiente, é constatado elevado número de casos de reincidência e desenvolvimento de resistência aos azóis, além de problemas de toxicidade. Diante desta problemática, este estudo propõe o desenvolvimento de novas alternativas terapêuticas para o tratamento da criptococose, visando duas abordagens distintas. A primeira, aplicando novo composto antifúngico e a segunda, o estudo de microRNAs (miRNAs) envolvidos na interação da levedura e células de glioblastoma humano (U87-MG), com a finalidade de usá-los como reguladores da infecção, sendo esta uma estratégia recentemente divulgada em uma variedade de doenças. Para tanto, inicialmente moléculas análogas de resveratrol foram avaliadas quanto a atividade antifúngica e o derivado orto,orto-HDZ (HDZ) mostrou forte atividade fungicida contra isolados de C. neoformans, com valores de concentração fungicida mínima (CFM) variando entre 0,97 a 7,81 µg/mL. A associação entre HDZ e FCZ mostrou sinergia com potencialização do efeito do FCZ em até 64 vezes para um isolado clínico resistente. Baixa toxicidade foi observada em ensaios in vitro e in vivo (Galleria mellonella e camundongos), apesar de mostrar alterações em embriões de Zebrafish. Além disso, este estudo mostrou a capacidade da associação HDZ + FCZ em inibir a interação da levedura e células hospedeiras (pneumócitos, macrófagos e glioblastoma) por citometria de fluxo e imunofluorescência. Ensaios in vivo (modelo murino) da atividade antifúngica de HDZ em combinação com FCZ mostrou que após 15 dias de tratamento houve redução significativa das unidades formadoras de colônias (UFC) no fígado, baço, cérebro, pulmões e lavado broncoalveolar, assim como o aumento da sobrevida dos animais em 198 dias e redução da morbidade, a qual foi avaliada por ensaio de comportamento (SHIRPA). Diante da segunda proposta deste trabalho, foram encontrados 10 miRNAs super-expressos na interação de C. neoformans e células U87-MG e foi observado que os miRNAs regulam principalmente vias de sinalização TGF-β, MAP quinase (MAPK) e interação receptor e matriz extracelular (MEC). Tais dados foram cruzados com transcritos que mostraram diferencialmente expressos na interação fungo-célula e as proteínas GTPase-3 e COP-1 foram selecionadas como importantes nesse processo. Tais proteínas estão associadas à via Rho-GTPase a qual é primordial para a ligação da levedura em células hospedeiras e mostrou aumento da expressão na infecção, assim como ligeira redução após o tratamento com HDZ. A indução da apoptose de células de glioblastoma por C. neoformans, foi observada através da técnica TUNEL e da expressão da proteína pró-apoptótica Bak e o tratamento com HDZ foi capaz de reverter esse processo. Nossos resultados indicam HDZ como uma interessante molécula para avançar nos estudos de desenvolvimento de um protótipo antifúngico contra C. neoformans e a inibição da expressão dos miRNAs durante a interação fungo-célula, pode ser interessante para controle da infecção fúngica, pois acreditamos que uma vez inibidos, podem reduzir a invasão da levedura em células hospedeiras, sendo então os miRNAs interessantes novos alvos terapêuticos e que o tratamento com HDZ são promissores para o desenvolvimento de um novo antifúngico. / Cryptococcosis is an important systemic mycosis that mainly affects immunocompromised patients and is classified as the fungal infection with higher mortality among individuals with HIV. Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast and the main etiologic agent of cryptococcosis. This yeast is dispersed into the environment in the form of basidiospores, which are responsible for infection in humans and animals. The main clinical manifestations are associated with pulmonary infection and meningitis. The treatment is basically the administration of amphotericin B (AMB) as therapy consolidation with or without the use of 5-flucytosine and, for the maintenance therapy, fluconazole (FCZ) is indicated. Although this therapy is effective, it is observed high number of cases of relapses, development of resistance to azoles and toxicity problems. In front of these problems, this study proposes the development of new therapies for the treatment of cryptococcosis, targeting two distinct approaches. The first aims a new antifungal compound and the second the study microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in the interaction between yeast and human glioblastoma cells (U87-MG), in order to use them as regulators of infection, since this is a recently disclosed strategy in a variety of diseases. For this purpose, initially, analogs of resveratrol molecule were evaluated for antifungal activity and the derived ortho,ortho-HDZ (HDZ) showed a strong fungicidal activity against isolates of C. neoformans with values of minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) ranging between 0.97 to 7.81 µg/mL. The association between HDZ and FCZ showed synergy with potentiation of the effect of FCZ in up to 64 times for a resistant clinical isolate to FCZ. Low toxicity was observed in in vitro and in vivo assays (Galleria mellonella and mice), despite showing changes in Zebrafish embryos. In vivo assay (murine model) of the antifungal activity of HDZ in combination with FCZ showed that after 15 days of treatment, a significant reduction in colony forming units (CFU) in the liver, spleen, brain, lungs and bronchoalveolar lavage was observed, as well as, increased survival of the animals in 198 days with the reduction of the morbidity, which was evaluated by behavioral assay (SHIRPA). Considering the second purpose of this study, 10 miRNAs were over-expressed during the interaction of C. neoformans and U87-MG cells and it was noted that these miRNAs regulate the signaling pathway of TGF-β, MAP kinase (MAPK) and the receptor and matrix extracellular components (MEC) interaction. These data was cross with transcripts that showed differentially expressed in fungus-cell interaction and the GTPase-3 and COP-1 protein were selected as important in this process. Such proteins are associated to Rho-GT pathway Rho-GTPase which is essential for the yeast adhesion into host cells and showed increased expression in infection, as well as a slight reduction after treatment with HDZ. Induction of apoptosis in glioblastoma cells by C. neoformans was observed by TUNEL technique and the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bak and treatment with HDZ was able to reverse this process. Our results indicate HDZ as an interesting molecule to advance the development of studies of a prototype antifungal against C. neoformans and that the inhibition of expression of miRNAs during fungus-cell interaction, may be interesting to control fungal infection, because we believe that once inhibited, the yeast can reduce invasion of host cells, being the miRNAs interesting new therapeutic targets and the treatment with HDZ is promising for the development of a new antifungal drug. / CNPq: 403586/2012-7 / FCT: 345/13

No description available.

There is currently little known about the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the regulation of microRNA (miRs), a family of short, non-coding RNA that repress gene expression at the post-translational level by binding to the 3’-untranslated region (3’UTR) of target mRNA.This thesis uses the mouse mammary gland (MG) to address this question by investigating whether the extracellular matrix regulates miR expression in mammary epithelial cells (MECs).miR expression profiles were generated using MECs cultured in 2D on collagen Ι and in 3D on laminin-rich basement membrane (LrBM). I identified 88 miRs that are more highly expressed in collagen cultured MECs and 8 miRs that have higher expression in MECs cultured on LrBM including miR-146b, a miR known to reduce metastases to the lung in breast cancer. The culture model used compares not only collagen to LrBM but also a stiff environment to a soft environment; raising the question of whether miR-146b is regulated by MEC interaction with ECM proteins or by cellular tension imposed by the microenvironment. Further investigation into miR-146b expression in MECs showed that its expression also increases in response to prolactin stimulation. Expression of the prolactin receptor and subsequently prolactin signalling is reduced in MECs cultured on collagen, but increases in MECs treated with blebbistatin or Y27632, which release cellular tension. However, neither drug had any affect on expression of miR-146. The ECM adhesion receptor β1-intregrin regulates MEC differentiation via cross-talk with prolactin receptor signalling. By using MECs from β1- itgfx/fx;CreER mice I identified a novel mechanism of miR regulation in which β1-intregrin signalling regulates transcription of miR-146b. This study has shows the importance of ECM in the regulation of miR expression and, whilst further investigations are still required, highlights the importance of ECM culture models in studying miR expression and function.

Medulloblastoma is the most common brain tumor in children and one third of the patients remain incurable. Tumor metastasis is one of the primary reasons for its high mortality rate. Despite evidence of overexpression of PDGFRα and PDGFRβ in metastatic medulloblastoma, their individual roles remain controversial and equivocal. Analysis of their specific signaling pathway in medulloblastoma cells revealed that PDGFRα and PDGFRβ signaling events lead to distinct cellular functions: while PDGFRβ stimulated cell proliferation and invasion, the expression of CD44 to regulate progression via c-Myc and inhibited cell death, PDGFRα displayed the opposite effects. Studies also revealed that c-Myc plays an intermediary role by regulating the downstream molecules in PDGFRβ signal pathway such as CD44 and NFB. NFB activity was found to be down- regulated in the absence of PDGFRβ pathway, with its activity restored by the overexpression of c-Myc. Analysis of medulloblastoma patient tissues without a prior knowledge of their metastatic nature further confirmed that PDGFRβ-CD44 axis regulate medulloblastoma metastasis. Co-inhibition studies performed by simultaneous inhibition of both PDGFRβ and c-Myc either by using siRNAs or by using pharmacological inhibitors demonstrated an enhanced inhibitory effect on medulloblastoma cell proliferation and migration. Using miRNA profiling of Daoy cells lacking either PDGFRβ or c-Myc alone or both, a set of miRNAs regulated by both PDGFRβ and c-Myc in common were identified. Integrative analysis of these miRNAs and their targets revealed that activation of PDGFRβ signaling and overexpression of c-Myc may enhance medulloblastoma progression via modulating the expression of several miRNAs such as miR-1280, -1260 and consequently regulating the expression of oncogenic molecules, such as Jagged 2 and CDC25A, respectively. Specific inhibition of miRNAs, miR-1280 and -1260, and JAG2 demonstrated their vital roles in medulloblastoma cell proliferation and migration. These findings suggest that the PDGFRβ-CD44 is a regulatory axis modulating medulloblastoma progression via c-Myc and targeting PDGFRβ/c-Myc/CD44 may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of metastatic medulloblastoma.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The role of beta cell miR-21 in Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) pathophysiology has been controversial. Here, we sought to define the context of beta cell miR-21 upregulation in T1D and the phenotype of beta cell miR-21 overexpression through target identification. Furthermore, we sought to identify whether circulating extracellular vesicle (EV) beta cell-derived miR-21 may reflect inflammatory stress within the islet during T1D development.. Results suggest that beta cell miR-21 is increased in in-vivo models of T1D and cytokine-treated cells/islets. miR-21 overexpression decreased cell count and viability, and increased cleaved caspase-3 levels, suggesting increased cell death. In silico prediction tools identified the anti-apoptotic mRNA B Cell Lymphoma 2 (BCL2) as a conserved miR-21 target. Consistent with this, miR-21 overexpression decreased BCL2 transcript and protein expression, while miR-21 inhibition increased BCL2 protein levels and reduced cleaved caspase-3 levels following cytokine-treatment. miR-21-mediated cell death was abrogated in 828/33 cells, which constitutively overexpress BCL-2. Luciferase assays suggested a direct interaction between miR-21 and the BCL2 3’untranslated region. With miR-21 overexpression, PRP revealed a shift of BCL-2 message toward monosome-associated fractions, indicating inhibition of BCL2 translation. Finally, overexpression in dispersed human islets confirmed a reduction in BCL2 transcripts and increased cleaved caspase 3 production. Analysis of EVs from human beta cells and islets exposed to cytokines revealed a 3-5-fold increase in miR-21. Nanoparticle tracking analysis showed no changes in EV quantity in response to cytokines, implicating specific changes within EV cargo as responsible for the miR-21 increase. Circulating EVs from diabetic non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice displayed progressive increases in miR-21 that preceded diabetes onset. To validate relevance to human T1D, we assayed serum samples collected from 19 pediatric T1D subjects at the time of diagnosis and 16 healthy controls. Consistent with our NOD data, EV miR-21 was increased 5-fold in T1D samples. In conclusion, in contrast to the pro-survival role reported in other systems, our results demonstrate that miR-21 increases beta cell death via BCL2 transcript degradation and inhibition of BCL2 translation. Furthermore, we propose that EV miR-21 may be a promising marker of developing T1D.

Eine angemessene, regelmäßige sportliche Aktivität wirkt protektiv auf die Erhaltung und Wiederherstellung körperlicher und geistiger Gesundheit. Die Herzinsuffizienz ist nicht zuletzt durch ihre hohe Prävalenz ein internistisches Krankheitsbild von enormer Relevanz im klinischen Alltag. Im Rahmen einer bestehenden Herzinsuffizienz kann es zur pathophysiologischen Ausprägung einer gestörten Endothelfunktion kommen, welche sich in einer verringerten endothelialen Dilatationsfähigkeit ausdrücken kann. Das Ziel dieser Dissertation bestand in der Untersuchung der Auswirkungen eines körperlichen Trainings auf die Funktionsleistung der Endothelzellen von herzinsuffizienten Mäusen. Hierzu wurde in einem operativen Eingriff durch die Ligatur des Ramus interventricularis anterior bei jungen Mäusen ein herzinsuffizientes Tiermodell geschaffen und der sekundärpräventive Effekt eines anschließenden zehnwöchigen Laufbandtrainings eruiert. Als Funktionsmaß der Endothelzellen diente dabei ihre endothelabhängige Dilatationsfähigkeit, welche im Organbad erhoben wurde. Weiterhin lag der Fokus auf der Untersuchung des Einflusses der im Endothel exprimierten microRNA-21 und microRNA-126 im trainierten und untrainierten herzinsuffizienten Aortenendothel. Ihre Expression wurde in den verschiedenen Versuchsgruppen quantitativ mittels Real-Time PCR erfasst. In einem weiteren Ansatz bestand das Ziel, den Einfluss einer Angiotensin II- beziehungsweise Zytokinstimulation - als Modell eines mit der Herzinsuffizienz vergesellschafteten Inflammationsgeschehens - auf diese beiden endothelexprimierten microRNAs zu erforschen.

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No. of bitstreams: 1 stuchi_nmm_dr_sjrp.pdf: 5464428 bytes, checksum: f53c801765e2d85e4f507ebaaebe4625 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-05-31 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Apesar do declínio da incidência, o câncer gástrico ocupa ainda a terceira posição em causa de morte por câncer no mundo, tendo como principal fator de risco a bactéria Helicobacter pylori. Esta bactéria pode levar a uma inflamação persistente através da produção de citocinas pró-inflamatórias e de espécies reativas de oxigênio e nitrogênio, estimulando a proliferação celular bem como outros processos envolvidos na carcinogênese. Ainda envolvidos nestes processos tem sido observada a participação de microRNAs, que exercem papel importante na regulação pós-transcricional, influenciando processos fisiológicos normais da célula bem como aqueles ligados às doenças, como por exemplo o câncer gástrico. Alguns miRNAs podem atuar como oncogenes, genes supressores de tumor e biomarcadores para diversas patologias, podendo alvejar genes relacionados com inflamação e câncer como o gene ANXA1 (Anexina-A1). A Anexina-A1 é uma proteína anti-inflamatória e com ação anti-proliferativa, que se liga à receptores do tipo formil peptídeo como por exemplo FPR1 e FPR2, ambos sabidamente relacionados com a progressão de doenças como o câncer. Desta forma o presente trabalho teve como objetivos avaliar a expressão da proteína Anexina A1 e seus receptores FPR1 e FPR2, bem como avaliar a expressão do RNAm da ANXA1 e de miRNAs que possam modular a expressão desse gene (hsa-mir-27a, hsa-mir-196a e hsa-mir-222) em adenocarcinoma gástrico e correlacionar estes resultados com os aspectos clínico-patológicos. Foram avaliadas 31 amostras de adenocarcinoma gástrico, assim como as regiões metaplásica ou normal adjacentes ao tumor. A quantificação relativa (RQ) do RNAm da ANXA1 e miRNAs foi realizada por PCR quantitativo em tempo real utilizando ensaio TaqMan, e a expressão proteica da AnxA1, FPR1 e FPR2 por imuno-histoquímica e análise densitométrica. Em relação à expressão gênica relativa foram observados o aumento da expressão da ANXA1 nos tumores (RQ=1,374; p<0,001), assim como do miR-196a que apresentou aumento de expressão tanto no tecido metaplásico (RQ= 4,784; p=0,0016) e tumoral (RQ=16,99; p< 0,001) em relação ao tecido normal. O miR-27a não se apresentou diferencialmente expresso nos diferentes tecidos e houve diminuição da expressão do miR-222 (RQ=0,687; p=0,01) no tecido tumoral em relação ao tecido normal. Apenas o miR-196a e a ANXA1 apresentaram correlação significantemente inversa (r= -0,55; p=0,003), e este miRNA foi o único que apresentou associação com o sexo feminino, devido aumento de expressão em mulheres. Quando se comparou a expressão relativa aos parâmetros clínico-patológicos e tumorais não foram encontradas diferenças significativas. Quanto à expressão proteica o FPR2 não apresentou marcação no tecido normal, metaplásico e tumoral. Contudo a AnxA1 e FPR1 apresentaram imunomarcação positiva amplamente distribuída no tecido tumoral e positivamente correlacionados tanto no epitélio (r=0,87; p<0,0001) como estroma (r=0,62; p=0,004). Portanto, nossos resultados sugerem que a ANXA1 é modulada pelo miR-196a em câncer gástrico, e evidenciam que tanto a AnxA1 como o FPR1 também estão envolvidos no processo de carcinogênese gástrica. Tais achados podem abrir possibilidades para futuros estudos sobre novos alvos terapêuticos já que AnxA1 e FPR1 são possíveis alvos farmacológicos, e as terapias baseadas em microRNAs tem sido amplamente pesquisadas. / Gastric cancer still ranks third in cause of cancer death worldwide, despite the decline in its incidence, being Helicobacter pylori the main risk factor for this disease. This bacterium can lead to persistent inflammation via the production of proinflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, stimulating cell proliferation and other processes involved in carcinogenesis. Still involved in this process, it has been observed the participation of miRNAs, which play an important role in post- transcriptional regulation, influencing normal physiological processes of the cell as well as those linked to diseases such as gastric cancer. Some miRNAs can act as oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes and biomarkers for various diseases, can targetting genes linked to inflammation and cancer such as ANXA1 gene (Annexin A1). Annexin A1 is an anti-inflammatory protein with anti-proliferative action that binds to formyl peptide receptors such as, FPR1 and FPR2, both known to be related to the progression of diseases such as cancer. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the expression of Annexin A1, FPR1 and FPR2 receptors, and the expression of mRNA ANXA1 and miRNAs (hsa-mir-27a, hsa-mir-196a and hsa-miR 222) in gastric adenocarcinoma, also correlate these results to the clinicopathological features. 31 adenocarcinoma samples were evaluated, as well as normal or metaplastic region adjacent to the tumor. Relative quantification (RQ) of miRNA and mRNA ANXA1 was evaluated by TaqMan assay and protein expression AnxA1, FPR1 and FPR2 by immunohistochemistry and densitometry analysis. Regarding the relative expression the following results were observed, increased expression in tumors of ANXA1 (RQ = 1.374; p < 0.001) and miR- 196a that showed increased expression it he metaplastic tissue (RQ = 4.784; p = 0.0016) and tumor (RQ = 16.99; p < 0.001) compared to normal tissue. The miR- 27a did not appear differentially expressed in different tissues and there was a decrease of miR -222 expression (RQ = 0.687; p = 0.01) in tumor tissue compared to normal tissue. Only the miR-196a and ANXA1 presented a significant inverse correlation (r = -0.55; p = 0.003), and this miRNA was the only one that showed association to female gender, due to increased expression in women when comparing the relative expression to clinicopathological parameters and tumor features. The FPR2 was not expressed in normal, metaplasic and tumor tissue. However, the AnxA1 and FPR1 were widely distributed positive immunostaining in tumor tissue and positively correlated both in the epithelium (r = 0.87 ; p < 0.0001) and stromal (r = 0.62 ; p = 0.004). Thus, our results suggest that ANXA1 is modulated by miR-196a in gastric cancer, and evidencing that both AnxA1 and FPR1 are also involved in gastric carcinogenesis process. These data open the possibility for future studies on new therapeutic targets since AnxA1 and FPR1 are adjustable pharmacological targets, and microRNAs ` therapies have been widely researched. / FAPESP: 2012/15036-8 / CNPq: 474776/2013-1

Eine angemessene, regelmäßige sportliche Aktivität wirkt protektiv auf die Erhaltung und Wiederherstellung körperlicher und geistiger Gesundheit. Die Herzinsuffizienz ist nicht zuletzt durch ihre hohe Prävalenz ein internistisches Krankheitsbild von enormer Relevanz im klinischen Alltag. Im Rahmen einer bestehenden Herzinsuffizienz kann es zur pathophysiologischen Ausprägung einer gestörten Endothelfunktion kommen, welche sich in einer verringerten endothelialen Dilatationsfähigkeit ausdrücken kann. Das Ziel dieser Dissertation bestand in der Untersuchung der Auswirkungen eines körperlichen Trainings auf die Funktionsleistung der Endothelzellen von herzinsuffizienten Mäusen. Hierzu wurde in einem operativen Eingriff durch die Ligatur des Ramus interventricularis anterior bei jungen Mäusen ein herzinsuffizientes Tiermodell geschaffen und der sekundärpräventive Effekt eines anschließenden zehnwöchigen Laufbandtrainings eruiert. Als Funktionsmaß der Endothelzellen diente dabei ihre endothelabhängige Dilatationsfähigkeit, welche im Organbad erhoben wurde. Weiterhin lag der Fokus auf der Untersuchung des Einflusses der im Endothel exprimierten microRNA-21 und microRNA-126 im trainierten und untrainierten herzinsuffizienten Aortenendothel. Ihre Expression wurde in den verschiedenen Versuchsgruppen quantitativ mittels Real-Time PCR erfasst. In einem weiteren Ansatz bestand das Ziel, den Einfluss einer Angiotensin II- beziehungsweise Zytokinstimulation - als Modell eines mit der Herzinsuffizienz vergesellschafteten Inflammationsgeschehens - auf diese beiden endothelexprimierten microRNAs zu erforschen.