INTRODUÇÃO: A asma ainda acomete um número crescente de indivíduos, podendo ser muito grave e, algumas vezes, fatal. A despeito da melhor eficiência diagnóstica e eficácia terapêutica, a maioria dos asmáticos graves não obtém controle total dos sintomas com as terapias disponíveis. Alguns estudos sugerem a atuação de inibidores de serinoproteases em diversos processos inflamatórios, entre estes inibidores encontra-se o Boophilus microplus trypsin Inhibitor (BmTI-A). OBJETIVO: Avaliar se o recombinante do inibidor de serinoproteases rBmTI-A modula a hiperresponsividade brônquica à metacolina, inflamação e remodelamento das vias aéreas em um modelo experimental de inflamação pulmonar alérgica crônica. MÉTODOS: Camundongos Balb-c foram divididos em 4 grupos: SAL (salina), OVA (sensibilizados com ovoalbumina), SAL+rBmTI-A (controle tratados com rBmTI-A ) e OVA+rBmTI-A (sensibilizados com ovoalbumina e tratados com rBmTI-A). Nos dias 0 e 14 do protocolo, os animais receberam injeção intraperitoneal (i.p) de salina (0,9% NaCl) (SAL e SAL+rBmTI-A) e ovoalbumina (50 ug/mL) (OVA e OVA+rBmTI-A). Nos dias 22, 24, 26 e 28 foram submetidos à inalação com salina (0,9% NaCl) ou ovoalbumina (10 mg/ml) e foram tratados com rBmTI-A (35,54 pmol em 50 uL de NaCl) ou apenas salina, via instilação nasal, nos dias 22 e 28. No dia 29, foram realizadas as seguintes análises: hiper-responsividade à metacolina e respostas máximas de resistência e elastância do sistema respiratório; quantificação do número total de células, macrófagos, linfócitos e polimorfonucleares no fluido do lavado broncoalveolar (FLBA); determinação da concentração das citocinas IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17A e IFN-y no FLBA por citometria de fluxo (Cytometric Bead Array - CBA); avaliação da expressão de IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, MMP-9 e TIMP-1 nas vias aéreas; análise histopatológica do pulmão para quantificação de eosinófilos, fibras colágenas e elásticas e avaliação da atividade proteolítica de tripsina-like, MMP-1 e MMP9. A significância foi considerada p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: O tratamento com rBmTI-A nos animais sensibilizados reduziu a atividade proteolítica de tripsina no tecido pulmonar; a resposta máxima de Rrs e Ers; o número de polimorfonucleares e a concentração de IL-5, IL-10, IL-13 e IL-17A no FLBA; a expressão de IL-5, IL-13, IL-17, MMP-9 e TIMP-1 nas vias aéreas; o número de eosinófilos e a fração de fibras colágenas e elásticas nas vias aéreas do grupo OVA+rBmTI-A comparado ao grupo OVA (p < 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: O rBmTI-A atenuou a hiper-responsividade brônquica, a inflamação e o remodelamento nesse modelo experimental de inflamação pulmonar alérgica crônica. Embora mais estudos precisem ser realizados, este inibidor pode contribuir como potencial ferramenta terapêutica para o tratamento de asma / INTRODUCTION: Asthma still affects an increasing number of individuals and can be very serious and sometimes fatal. Despite the improved diagnostic efficiency and therapeutic efficacy, most severe asthmatics do not have complete symptom control with available therapies. Some studies suggest the role of serine protease inhibitors in various inflammatory processes, such as Boophilus microplus trypsin inhibitor (BmTIA). AIMS: To evaluate whether rBmTI-A serine protease inhibitor recombinant modulates bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine, airway inflammation and remodeling in an experimental model of chronic allergic lung inflammation. METHODS: Balb/c mice were divided in four groups: SAL (saline), OVA (sensitized with ovalbumin), SAL+rBmTI-A (control treated with rBmTI-A) and OVA+rBmTI-A (sensitized with ovalbumin and treated with rBmTI-A). On days 0 and 14 of the protocol the animals received intraperitoneal injection (i.p) of saline (0.9% NaCl) (SAL and SAL+rBmTI-A) and ovalbumin (50 ug/mL) (OVA and OVA+rBmTI-A). On days 22, 24, 26 and 28 the groups were submitted to inhalations with saline (0.9% NaCl) or ovalbumin (10 mg/ml) and were treated with a rBmTI-A (35.54 pmol in 50 uL of saline or just saline) by nasal instillation, on the days 22 and 28. On day 29, the following analysis were performed: hyperresponsiveness to methacholine and the maximal resistance and elastance responses of the respiratory system were obtained; quantification of the total number of cells, macrophages, lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (FLBA); determination of the cytokines IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17A and IFN-y concentration in FLBA by Cytometric Bead Array (CBA); IL4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression in the airways; histopathological analysis of the lung for quantification of eosinophils, collagen and elastic fibers and evaluation of trypsin-like, MMP-1 and MMP9 proteolytic activity. Significance was considered when p < 0.05. RESULTS: The treatment with rBmTI-A in sensitized animals reduced: the proteolytic activity of trypsinlike in lung tissue, the maximum response of Rrs and Ers, the number of polymorphonuclear cells and the concentration of IL-5, IL-10, IL-13 and IL-17A in FLBA, the expression of IL-5, IL-13, IL-17, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the airways, the number of eosinophils and the fraction of collagen and elastic fibers in the airways of the OVA + rBmTI-A group compared to the OVA group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: rBmTI-A attenuated bronchial hyperresponsiveness, inflammation and remodeling in this experimental model of chronic allergic pulmonary inflammation. Although more studies need to be performed, this inhibitor may contribute as a potential therapeutic tool for the asthma treatment

INTRODUÇÃO: Os corticosteróides são considerados padrão-ouro no tratamento da asma, porém, existem asmáticos graves que não obtém controle dos sintomas, o que suscita a busca por novas terapias. Os inibidores de proteinases têm sido estudados no controle de diversos processos inflamatórios, dentre estes, encontra-se Crataeva tapia Bark Lectin (CrataBL). OBJETIVO: Avaliar se a proteina bifuncional de planta, CrataBL, que tem função lectínica e se liga a carboidratos, modula a hiperresponsividade brônquica à metacolina, inflamação, remodelamento e estresse oxidativo nas vias aéreas e nos septos alveolares de camundongos com inflamação pulmonar alérgica crônica. MÉTODOS: Trinta e dois camundongos machos Balb-c SPF (6-7 semanas, 25-30 g) foram divididos em 4 grupos: C (controle), OVA (sensibilizados - 50 ug de ovalbumina intraperitoneal (i.p) nos dias 0 e 14 e desafiados - 1% de ovalbumina nos dias 22, 24, 26, 28); C+CR (controle tratados com CrataBL - 2 mg/kg/i.p dos dias 22 a 28); OVA+CR (sensibilizados e desafiados com ovalbumina e tratados com CrataBL - 2 mg /kg/i.p dos dias 22 a 28). No dia 29, realizamos: (i) hiperresponsividade à metacolina - resposta máxima de resistência (Rrs) e elastância (Ers) do sistema respiratório; (ii) quantificação do número total de células, macrófagos, linfócitos e células polimorfonucleares no fluido do lavado broncoalveolar (FLBA); (iii) análise histopatológica do pulmão por morfometria para quantificação de eosinófilos, fração de volume de fibras colágenas e elásticas; (iiii) imunohistoquímica para quantificação de células positivas para IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IFN-y, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TGF-beta, iNOS, NF-kB e fração de volume de 8-iso-PGF2alfa nas vias aéreas e nos septos alveolares e ELISA para quantificação da concentração de IL-4, IL-5 e IFN-y. A significância foi considerada quando p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Houve atenuação da resposta máxima de Rrs e Ers no grupo OVA+CR comparado ao grupo OVA (p < 0,05). O tratamento com CrataBL nos animais sensibilizados atenuou o número de células totais, macrófagos, linfócitos e células polimorfonucleares no FLBA, o número de eosinófilos, células positivas para IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IFN-y, iNOS, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TGF-beta, NF-kB e fração de volume de 8-iso-PGF2alfa, fibras colágenas e elásticas tanto nas vias aéreas quanto nos septos alveolares quando comparados ao grupo OVA. O tratamento com CrataBL atenuou os níveis de concentração de IL-4, IL-5 e IFN-y em comparação ao grupo OVA (p < 0,05), a partir do método ELISA. CONCLUSÕES: CrataBL atenuou a hiperresponsividade brônquica, a inflamação, o remodelamento e o estresse oxidativo nesse modelo experimental de inflamação pulmonar alérgica crônica. Contudo, mais estudos são necessários para verificar se este inibidor pode ser uma potencial ferramenta terapêutica para a asma / RATIONALE: Corticosteroids are considered the gold standard in the treatment of asthma, however, there are severe asthmatics who do not get control of symptoms, which raises the search for new therapies. The proteinase inhibitors have been studied in the control of various inflammatory processes, including such inhibitors is Crataeva tapia Bark Lectin (CrataBL). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the proteinase inhibitor CrataBL modulates the bronchial responsiveness to methacholine, inflammation, remodeling and activation of oxidative stress in the airways and alveolar septa of mice with chronic allergic pulmonary inflammation. METHODS: Thirty two SPF Balb-c male mice (6-7 weeks, 25-30 g) were divided into 4 groups: control (C), OVA (sensitized - 50 ug ovalbumin intraperitoneal (i.p) on days 0 and 14 and challenged - 1% ovalbumin on days 22, 24, 26, 28); C+CR (control treated with CrataBL - 2 mg / kg / i.p of 22 to 28); OVA+CR (sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin and treated with CrataBL - 2 mg / kg / i.p from day 22 to 28). On the 29th, we held: (i) hyperresponsiveness to methacholine and maximal responses were obtained resistance (Rrs) and elastance (Ers) of the respiratory system; (ii) quantification of total cells, macrophages, polymorphonuclear cells and lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF); (iii) histopathological analysis of the lungs by morphometry to quantify the eosinophils, volume fraction of collagen and elastic fibers; (iiii) immunohistochemistry for quantification of positive IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IFN-y, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TGF-beta, iNOS, NFk-beta cells and volume fraction of 8-iso-PGF2? in airway and alveolar septa and ELISA for quantification of concentration of IL-4, IL-5 e IFN-y (p < 0.05). RESULTS: There was attenuation of the maximal response Rrs and Ers in the OVA+CR group compared to OVA (p < 0.05). Treatment with CrataBL in sensitized animals attenuated the number of total cells, macrophages, lymphocytes, and polymorphonuclear cells in BALF, the number of eosinophil positive IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IFN-y, iNOS, MMP -9, TIMP-1, TGF-beta, NF-kB cells and volume fraction of 8-iso-PGF2alfa, collagen and elastic fibers in both the airways and alveolar septa compared to OVA group. Treatment with CrataBL attenuated concentration levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-y compared to OVA group (p < 0.05) from the ELISA method.CONCLUSIONS: CrataBL attenuated bronchial hyperresponsiveness, inflammation, remodeling and oxidative stress in this experimental model of chronic allergic pulmonary inflammation. However, more studies are needed to determine if this inhibitor can be a potential therapeutic tool for asthma

Introdução: O enfisema pulmonar é o maior componente da doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC), é caracterizado pelo alargamento, destruição alveolar e inflamação do parênquima e vias aéreas pulmonares. A recente descrição do sistema colinérgico anti-inflamatório, um mecanismo neural que controla a inflamação por inibição de citocinas pró-inflamatórias, sugere uma importante participação deste sistema na fisiopatologia das doenças pulmonares. A acetilcolina (ACh), principal mediador deste sistema, é estocada em vesículas sinápticas pelo transportador vesicular de ACh (VAChT), proteína essencial para sua liberação na fenda sináptica. Objetivos: Avaliar se os efeitos da hipofunção colinérgica, por redução da expressão do VAChT, interferem com as alterações pulmonares em modelo experimental de enfisema pulmonar. Metodologia: Camundongos machos selvagens e mutantes, estes últimos com redução da função colinérgica por modificação genética nos níveis do VAChT, foram submetidos ao protocolo de elastase (PPE instilação nasal) ou salina. No dia 28, foi avaliado a função pulmonar, a inflamação e o remodelamento pulmonar. Por imunohistoquímica, avaliou-se a expressão de macrófago, NF-kB e isoprostano no pulmão. Algumas citocinas pró-inflamatórias foram avaliadas no homogenato pulmonar pelo Bioplex. Resultados: Animais selvagem que receberam elastase tiveram redução de elastância de tecido, aumento da inflamação no LBA e no tecido, aumento de citocinas pró-inflamatórias e IL-10, aumento do remodelamento pulmonar, e da expressão de NF-kB e de isoprostano. A deficiência colinérgica nestes animais submetidos ao mesmo protocolo de elastase amplificou a resposta inflamatória (macrófago e neutrófilo) no pulmão, níveis de MCP-1 e também aumento células positivas para NF-kB e isoprostano na região do eixo broncovascular. Conclusão: A ACh parece ter um papel protetor da inflamação neste modelo de enfisema pulmonar, pelo menos em parte pelo controle do NF-kB e do estresse oxidativo. Estes resultados sugerem ainda que o remodelamento e a função pulmonar no enfisema experimental não dependem totalmente do grau de inflamação pulmonar / Banckground: Pulmonary emphysema is a major component of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is characterized by enlargement, alveolar destruction and inflammation of the airways and lung tissue. The recent description of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory, a neural mechanism that controls inflammation by inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines, suggests an important role of this system in the pathophysiology of lung disease. The main mediator of this system is acetylcholine (ACh), which is stored in synaptic vesicles by vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) protein, which is essential for ACh release into the synaptic cleft. Aim: To evaluate whether the effects of cholinergic hypofunction by reduction on VAChT expression, interferes with pulmonary alterations in an experimental model of pulmonary emphysema. Methods: Male mice wild-type and mutant, the last one with reduced cholinergic function by genetic modification in the levels of VAChT, were submitted to the protocol of elastase (PPE intranasally) or saline. On day 28, pulmonary mechanics, inflammation in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and tissue remodeling were analyzed. By immunohistochemistry, the expression of macrophage, NF-kB and isoprostane in lung was evaluated. Some proinflammatory cytokines were measured in lung homogenate by Bio Plex. Results: Wild-Type animals that received elastase presented a reduction in tissue elastance, an increase in BALF and tissue inflammation as well as in proinflammatory cytokines, IL-10, pulmonary remodeling, and expression of NF-kB and isoprostane. Cholinergic deficient in these animals submitted to the same elastase-induced emphysema protocol amplified the inflammatory response (macrophage and neutrophils) in the lungs, the levels of MCP-1 and the number of positive cells to NF-kB and isoprostane in bronchovascular axis. Conclusions: The ACh seems to have a protective role inflammation in this experimental model of emphysema, at least in part by controlling NF-kB and oxidative stress. These results further suggest that the remodeling and lung function in experimental emphysema does not depend entirely on the degree of lung inflammation

INTRODUÇÃO: O transplante hepático é o único tratamento efetivo para uma variedade de doenças hepáticas irreversíveis. No entanto, o número limitado de doadores pediátricos leva ao uso de enxertos hepáticos de doadores adultos, com necessidade de anastomoses vasculares mais complexas. Essas anastomoses tornam-se complicadas pela diferença no calibre dos vasos entre o doador e o receptor, resultando em alterações do fluxo sanguíneo, estenose da anastomose venosa ou arterial e trombose. Os efeitos para regeneração hepática decorrentes da privação do fluxo sanguíneo pela veia porta ou pela artéria hepática não estão completamente elucidados. Experimentalmente, quando um lobo do fígado não recebe o fluxo venoso portal, é observada atrofia deste segmento e hipertrofia do restante do órgão perfundido. Embora existam vários modelos experimentais para estudo da regeneração hepática, poucos são focados em animais em crescimento. Além disso, os efeitos regenerativos de drogas como o tacrolimus e a insulina precisam ser pesquisados, com o objetivo de encontrar um tratamento ideal para a insuficiência hepática ou um método de estimular a regeneração do fígado após ressecções ou transplantes parciais. O objetivo do presente estudo é descrever modelos de regeneração hepática em ratos em crescimento com: 1) ausência de fluxo hepático arterial e 2) redução do fluxo portal. Adicionalmente, o estudo avalia o efeito pró-regenerativo do tacrolimus e da insulina nesses modelos descritos. MÉTODOS: cento e vinte ratos (entre 50 e 100g de peso) foram divididos em 6 grupos, de acordo com o tipo de intervenção cirúrgica: Grupo 1, incisão abdominal sem intervenção hepática; Grupo 2, hepatectomia a 70%; Grupo 3, hepatectomia a 70% + estenose de veia porta; Grupo 4, hepatectomia a 70% + ligadura da artéria hepática; Grupo 5, hepatectomia a 70% + estenose de veia porta + insulina; Grupo 6, hepatectomia a 70% + estenose de veia porta + tacrolimus. Os animais dos grupos 1 ao 4 foram subdivididos em 5 subgrupos de acordo com o momento da morte: 1, 2, 3, 5 e 10 dias após a intervenção cirúrgica. Os animais dos grupos 5 e 6 foram subdividos em 2 subgrupos de acordo com o momento da morte: 2 e 10 dias após a intervenção cirúrgica. Os lobos hepáticos remanescentes foram submetidos à análise histomorfométrica, imuno-histoquímica e molecular. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se que no grupo com hepatectomia a 70% houve recuperação do peso do fígado no terceiro dia com aumento da atividade mitótica, enquanto que no grupo com estenose portal não se observou esse fenômeno (p < 0,001). A insulina e o tacrolimus promoveram aumento do peso do fígado e do índice mitótico. A atividade mitótica foi considerada aumentada nos animais dos grupos hepatectomia, hepatectomia + ligadura da artéria, insulina e tacrolimus; e esse parâmetro estava reduzido no grupo submetido à hepatectomia + estenose portal (p < 0,001). A expressão de interleucina 6 estava presente em todos os animais, sendo significativamente maior nos grupos hepatectomia, hepatectomia + ligadura da artéria e significativamente menor no grupo hepatectomia + estenose portal. Entretanto, a administração de tacrolimus ou insulina recuperou os níveis teciduais de interleucina 6 no grupo com estenose portal. CONCLUSÕES: No presente estudo foi padronizado um modelo simples e facilmente reprodutível para estudar a regeneração hepática em ratos em crescimento com redução do fluxo arterial ou venoso para o fígado. Foi demonstrado que a administração de insulina ou tacrolimus é capaz de reverter os efeitos deletérios da estenose portal na regeneração hepática. A obstrução do fluxo arterial não afetou a capacidade regenerativa hepática / BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Liver transplantation is an effective treatment for a variety of irreversible liver diseases. However, the limited number of pediatric donor livers leads to the use of adult livers, which usually require more complex vascular anastomoses. These anastomoses are complicated by differences in vessel caliber between donors and recipients, resulting in vascular flow anomalies, stenosis of the venous or arterial anastomosis and thrombosis . The effects of portal vein or hepatic arterial flow privation in hepatic regeneration have not been completely elucidated. Experimentally, when a liver lobe is deprived of portal vein flow, atrophy is observed with hypertrophy of the other perfused parts of the organ, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) is required for normal liver regeneration. Although several experimental models are currently used to study the liver regeneration mechanisms, few studies have focused on the growing animal. In addition, the regenerative effects of drugs (e.g., tacrolimus and insulin) have been experimentally studied, aiming to find an ideal treatment for hepatic failure or a method of stimulating liver regeneration after extensive resection or partial transplants. The aim of the present investigation was to describe the new models of liver regeneration in growing rats with: 1) absence of arterial blood hepatic inflow and 2) reduced portal flow. Additionally, it was studied whether tacrolimus or insulin could have any pro-regenerative effect under such conditions. METHODS/MATERIALS: one hundred and twenty rats (50-100 g body weight) were divided into 6 groups based on the intervention type: Group 1 (sham), abdominal incision without intervention; Group 2, 70% hepatectomy; Group 3, 70% hepatectomy + portal vein stenosis; Group 4, 70% hepatectomy + ligation of the hepatic artery; Group 5, 70% hepatectomy + portal vein stenosis + insulin; and Group 6, 70% hepatectomy + portal vein stenosis + tacrolimus. Animals in groups 1 to 4 were subdivided into 5 groups according to the moment of death: 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 days after surgical intervention. The animals in groups 5 and 6 were subdivided into 2 other groups according to the moment of death: 2 and 10 days after surgical intervention. The remnant liver lobes were harvested for morphological, histological histomorphometric, immunohistochemical and molecular analyses. RESULTS: it was verified that the hepatectomy group regained liver weight on the third day and had increased mitotic activity, and the portal vein stenosis prevented these phenomena, as well as the increased mitotic index (P < 0.001). In addition, insulin and tacrolimus promoted a significant increase of liver weight. Mitotic activity was considerably increased in the hepatectomy, hepatectomy + arterial ligature, insulin and tacrolimus groups and this parameter was reduced by portal vein stenosis. The expression of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene was present in all the animal groups. Tissue levels of IL- 6 were significantly increased by hepatectomy and hepatectomy + hepatic artery ligature; portal vein stenosis prevented this change. However, the administration of tacrolimus or insulin could recuperate the tissue levels of IL-6. CONCLUSION: In the present study a simple and highly reproducible model was standardized to study liver regeneration with portal vein or hepatic artery blood inflow reduction in growing rats. It was demonstrated that insulin or tacrolimus administration may partially reverse the harmful effects of portal vein stenosis. The obstruction of the arterial flow did not affect liver regeneration

Introdução: Asma e rinite alérgicas são doenças inflamatórias crônicas das vias aéreas cuja principal etiopatogenia é a reação de hipersensibilidade ao ácaro da poeira. O único tratamento específico que modifica a história natural da doença é a imunoterapia alérgeno-específica (ITAE). Porém, as reações adversas ainda são uma dificuldade na consolidação da ITAE como forma de tratamento. Um meio de minimizar as reações e maximizar os efeitos terapêuticos é o uso de adjuvantes, entre eles vacinas e lipopolissacárides bacterianos, que objetivam aumentar o desvio da resposta imune de perfil T-helper (TH) 2 para TH1. A vacina de Bordetella pertussis de célula inteira (Pw) mostrou ter um papel protetor em modelos experimentais de asma induzida por ovalbumina. Porém, seu papel na alergia respiratória induzida por ácaros ainda não é conhecido. Nosso objetivo foi avaliar os efeitos da vacina tríplice bacteriana (difteria-tétano-coqueluche - DTPw) em um modelo murino de alergia respiratória crônica induzida pelo ácaro Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Derp). Métodos: O protocolo teve duração de 30 dias. Camundongos BALB/c foram divididos em 6 grupos, os quais foram sensibilizados por via subcutânea com solução salina ou Derp 50mcg, em três injeções. Três grupos foram imunizados com Derp, apenas com o ácaro ou associado as vacinas de difteria-tétano (DT) e DTPw, respectivamente. Os outros três receberam soro fisiológico, com ou sem vacinas DT e DTPw. Os animais, posteriormente, sofreram desafio intranasal com soro fisiológico ou Derp por 7 dias e foram sacrificados 24 horas após o último desafio. Medimos IgE, IgG1 e IgG2a séricas específicas anti-Derp; resistência, elastância e hiperresponsividade das vias aéreas; densidade de leucócitos polimorfonucleares (PMN) e área de muco ácido no epitélio nasal; celularidade no lavado bronco-alveolar (BAL); e remodelamento das vias aéreas inferiores. Resultados: Os animais sensibilizados com Derp produziram altos níveis de imunoglobulinas específicas, apresentaram aumento da densidade de PMN e da área de muco ácido nasal, elevação das células inflamatórias no BAL às custas de macrófagos e remodelamento significativo das vias aéreas. As vacinas levaram à redução dos níveis de IgE específica e o grupo Derp-DTPw apresentou os menores níveis, similares aos grupos salina. A vacina DTPw não alterou os níveis de IgG1 ou IgG2a em relação ao grupo Derp. Não houve diferença entre todos os 6 grupos quanto aos parâmetros ventilatórios e quanto à contagem de eosinófilos no BAL. As vacinas DT e DTPw inibiram o infiltrado PMN nasal e DTPw modulou a produção do muco ácido. Os grupos vacinados tiveram redução da celularidade no BAL e do remodelamento em comparação com os controles, com resultados mais expressivos no grupo Derp-DTPw em relação ao grupo Derp-DT. Conclusões: Neste modelo murino de alergia respiratória crônica induzida por ácaro, a vacina DTPw diminuiu a IgE específica sérica, as células inflamatórias no nariz e no BAL, o muco ácido nasal e o remodelamento das vias respiratórias inferiores. / Background: Asthma and allergic rhinitis are chronic inflammatory diseases of the airways whose primary etiology is hypersensitivity reaction to house dust mite (HDM). The only specific treatment which modifies the natural history of the disease is the allergen specific immunotherapy (ASIT). However, adverse reactions are still a difficulty in consolidating ASIT as a good treatment option. One way to minimize adverse reactions and maximize therapeutic effects is the use of adjuvants, including bacterial lipopolysaccharide and vaccines that aim to shift immune response profile from T helper (TH) 2 to TH1. Bordetella pertussis whole-cell vaccine (Pw) has shown to have a protective role in experimental models of ovalbumin-induced asthma. Nevertheless, its role in respiratory allergy induced by HDM is unknown. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTPw) vaccine in a murine model of respiratory allergy induced by the HDM Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Derp). Methods: The protocol lasted 30 days. BALB/c mice were divided into 6 groups, which were sensitized subcutaneously (s.c.) with saline solution or Derp 50mcg, in three injections. Three groups were submitted to Derp alone or associated with diphtheria-tetanus (DT) vaccine and DTPw, respectively. The other three received saline solution with or without DT and DTPw vaccines. Subsequently mice underwent intranasal challenge with saline or Derp for 7 days and were sacrificed 24h after the last challenge. We measured serum specific IgE, IgG1 and IgG2a anti-Derp, airway resistance, elastance and hyperresponsiveness, density of polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes infiltration in nasal mucosa, acidic nasal mucus content, cellularity in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and lower airways remodeling. Results: HDM sensitized mice produced high levels of specific immunoglobulins, increased density of PMN leukocytes and acidic mucus in nasal mucosa, inflammatory cells in BAL due to macrophages and developed significant airway remodeling. Vaccines have led to a progressive reduction in specific IgE levels and Derp-DTPw group had lower levels, similar to groups sensitized with saline solution. DTPw vaccine did not alter the levels of IgG1 and IgG2a compared to Derp group. There was no difference between all six groups on behalf of ventilatory parameters and eosinophil counts in BAL. Both DT and DTPw vaccines inhibited PMN infiltrate in the nose and DTPw modulated acidic nasal mucus. Vaccinated groups had reductions in BAL cellularity and remodeling compared to controls, and Derp-DTPw group had better results than Derp-DT group. Conclusions: In this murine model of chronic respiratory allergy induced by HDM, DTPw vaccine decreased specific IgE, inflammatory cells in the nose and BAL, acidic nasal mucus and lower airways remodeling

INTRODUÇÃO: O câncer de pulmão é a principal causa de morte por câncer em todo o mundo e muitos pacientes apresentam derrame pleural em um estágio avançado da doença, com alta morbidade e mortalidade. Entretanto, a patogênese do derrame maligno é ainda pouco compreendida e as opções terapêuticas são limitadas. OBJETIVO: 1) Estudar a fisiopatologia do derrame pleural maligno em modelo animal com células de Lewis em diferentes concentrações; 2) Avaliar os efeitos da terapia intrapleural com anti-VEGF e anti-EGFR e a frequência de mutações de EGFR e KRAS neste modelo. MÉTODOS: Foi utilizado modelo de neoplasia pleural com camundongos C57BL/6 e células de Lewis (LLC) dividido em duas etapas: estudo com diferentes concentrações de células LLC (0,1, 0,5 e 1,5x105) e avaliação de terapias-alvo. Após a padronização do modelo, quatro grupos de camundongos receberam tratamento intrapleural com anti-VEGF, anti-EGFR, anti-VEGF+anti-EGFR ou solução fisiológica (não tratados) 3, 7, 10 e 14 dias após a indução da neoplasia pleural com 0,5x105 células LLC. Em vinte animais de cada grupo foi avaliada a curva de sobrevida. 160 animais foram submetidos à eutanásia 7, 10, 14 ou 21 dias após e avaliados peso, mobilidade, volume de líquido pleural, marcadores inflamatórios, imunológicos e bioquímicos no líquido, presença de tumores e alterações histológicas em pleura, pulmão, rim, fígado e baço. Através de imunohistoquimica avaliou-se apoptose, proliferação tumoral, VEGF e EGFR. Analisou-se a expressão gênica do EGFR, VEGF, KRAS e ALK e a frequência de mutações do EGFR e KRAS. Análise estatística: One Way ANOVA, Kaplan-Meier, p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Na etapa de padronização do modelo observamos que a concentração que manteve os parâmetros de neoplasia pleural com maior sobrevida foi de 0,5x105 células LLC. Na segunda etapa do estudo, a carcinomatose pleural foi letal com sobrevida máxima de 25 dias, sem diferença entre os grupos. Redução de peso foi observada em todos os grupos após 21 dias. A mobilidade foi melhor nos grupos que receberam anti-EGFR. O volume de líquido pleural foi maior no grupo não tratado durante todo o estudo. Parâmetros imunológicos e bioquímicos aumentaram temporalmente sendo mais evidentes no grupo sem tratamento. Implantes tumorais na pleura foram mais evidentes no grupo não tratado após 14 dias. A inflamação pulmonar foi mínima em todos os grupos. No grupo não tratado observou-se implantes tumorais no pericárdio e músculo cardíaco após 21 dias, esteatose hepática e renal após 14 dias e hiperplasia de polpa branca do baço no 21º dia. Altos índices de apoptose e menores índices de proliferação tumoral foram observados nos grupos que receberam tratamento com anti-EGFR e anti-VEGF+anti-EGFR. Houve mutação do gene KRAS e superexpressão gênica tumoral do EGFR e do KRAS. CONCLUSÃO: As terapias-alvo reduziram significativamente o derrame pleural, morbidade e parâmetros histológicos, embora sem impacto na sobrevida dos animais neste modelo experimental. Nossos dados indicam que a linhagem tumoral LLC possui um fenótipo tumoral agressivo demonstrado através da mutação do KRAS e superexpressão do EGFR, o que pode estar associado ao pior prognóstico e menor resposta aos inibidores do EGFR / INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer is the leading cause of death by cancer in the world. Many patients have pleural effusion in an advanced stage of the disease, with high morbidity and mortality. However, the pathogenesis of malignant pleural effusion is still poorly understood and the treatment options are limited. OBJECTIVE: 1) To study the pathophysiology of malignant pleural effusion in animal model with Lewis cells in different concentrations; 2) Evaluate the effects of the intrapleural therapy with anti-VEGF and anti-EGFR and the frequency of EGFR and KRAS mutations in this model. METHODS: We used pleural neoplasm experimental model with mice C57BL/6 and Lewis cells (LLC) divided into two steps: study with different concentrations of LLC cells (0.1, 0.5 and 1.5x105) and evaluation of targeted therapies. After the standardization of the model, four groups of mice received intrapleural treatment with anti-VEGF, anti-EGFR, anti-VEGF+anti-EGFR or saline (untreated) 3, 7, 10 and 14 days after induction of pleural neoplasm with injection of 0.5x105 LLC cells. In 20 animals of each group was evaluated the survival curve. 160 animals underwent euthanasia 7, 10, 14 or 21 days after and assessed weight, mobility, volume of pleural fluid, inflammatory, immunological and biochemical markers in the liquid, presence of tumor and histological changes in pleura, lung, kidney, liver and spleen. It was evaluated, through immunohistochemistry, tumor apoptosis and proliferation, VEGF and EGFR. Gene expression of EGFR, VEGF, KRAS and ALK and frequency of mutations of EGFR and KRAS were also evaluated. Statistical analysis: One Way ANOVA, Kaplan-Meier, p < 0.05. RESULTS: In the standardization of the model we observed that the concentration that kept parameters of pleural neoplasm with higher survival rate was 0.5x105 LLC cells. In the second stage, target-therapies, pleural carcinomatosis was lethal with maximum survival of 25 days, with no difference between the groups. Weight decrease was observed in all groups after 21 days. Mobility was better in groups that receiving anti-EGFR. Pleural fluid volume was greater in the untreated group throughout the study. Immunological and biochemical parameters have increased temporarily being most evident in the untreated group. Tumor implants in pleura were more apparent in the untreated group after 14 days. The lung inflammation was minimal in all groups. The untreated group showed tumor implants in the pericardium and heart muscle after 21 days, hepatic and renal steatosis after 14 days and spleen white pulp hyperplasia in 21 day. High rates of apoptosis and smaller tumor proliferation indices were observed in groups that received treatment with anti-VEGF and anti-EGFR+anti-EGFR. We also found gene KRAS mutation and tumoral gene overexpression of EGFR and KRAS. CONCLUSION: Targeted therapies reduced significantly the pleural effusion, morbidity and histological parameters, although without an impact on survival rate in this experimental model. Our data indicate that the tumor lineage LLC has an aggressive tumor phenotype shown by KRAS mutation and overexpression of EGFR, which can be associated with a worse prognosis and a lower response to EGFR inhibitors

INTRODUÇÃO: Este estudo tem como objetivo comparar os achados biomecânicos e anatomopatológicos de um modelo animal inédito de tendinopatia do tendão do calcâneo, induzido por injeções seriadas de baixa dose da enzima colagenase bacteriana, com o modelo mais comumente utilizado na literatura, induzido por injeção única de maior dose da enzima, e com os controles. A hipótese é que a utilização de injeções seriadas resultaria em alterações tendíneas mais progressivas e duradouras, similar à doença nos humanos. MÉTODOS: Quarenta e cinco (N=45) coelhos foram randomizados em três diferentes grupos de estudo (A, B e Controles). Animais do Grupo A (n=18) foram submetidos a três injeções seriadas de baixa dose de colagenase (0,1mg), em ambos os tendões do calcâneo, separadas por intervalo de duas semanas. Animais do Grupo B (n=18) foram injetados com dose única de maior dose (0,3mg). Já no Grupo Controle, animais (n=9) foram injetados bilateralmente com três doses seriadas de solução fisiológica 0,9%. Após a última injeção, foi realizada eutanásia do mesmo número de animais dos Grupos A e B (n=6), com 10 semanas (Subgrupos A1 e B1), 12 semanas (Subgrupos A2 e B2) e 16 semanas (Subgrupos A3 e B3). Todos os animais do Grupo controle foram eutanasiados após 16 semanas. Alterações anatomopatológicas, pelo escore de Bonar, e biomecânicas foram comparadas entre os grupos e dentro de cada grupo, para os diferentes momentos de eutanásia. Valores de p < 0,05 foram considerados estatisticamente significativos. RESULTADOS: Após 16 semanas, o escore anatomopatológico de Bonar foi significativamente maior para ambos os Grupos A (11,8±2,28) e B (5,6±2,51), quando comparados aos controles (2±0,76). Os valores para o grupo A também diferiram do Grupo B (p < 0,001). Para os desfechos biomecânicos, os grupos diferiram quanto à área de secção transversa do tendão (p=0,003), módulo de elasticidade (p=0,024), e tensões no limite da elasticidade (p=0,020) e na resistência máxima (p=0,022), com piores resultados encontrados nos animais do Grupo A. Na semana 12, também houve diferença entre os Grupos A e B para o escore anatomopatológico de Bonar (p=0,028) e para a tensão no limite da elasticidade(p=0,013), novamente com piores resultados no Grupo A. Já na 10a semana, foram os coelhos do Grupo B que demonstraram alterações mais pronunciadas quando comparados aos do Grupo A, com diferença significativa no Escore de Bonar (p=0,033), área de secção transversa do tendão (p=0,038), rigidez (p=0,048), módulo de elasticidade (p=0,024), força, tensão, energia e densidade de energia no limite da elasticidade (p=0,008, p=0,020, p=0,047 e p=0,0015, respectivamente) além de força e tensão no limite da resistência máxima (p=0,004 e p=0,008, respectivamente). A comparação dos desfechos dentro de cada grupo, entre os diferentes subgrupos, apresentou diferenças significativas no escore de Bonar em ambos os grupos A (p=0,012) e B (p < 0,001). Parâmetros biomecânicos não diferiram entre os subgrupos do Grupo A. Já os subgrupos do grupo B apresentaram diferenças na área de secção transversa do tendão (p=0,011), módulo de elasticidade (p=0,024), tensão no limite da elasticidade (p=0,023) e da resistência máxima (p=0,031), assim como na a densidade de energia no limite da elasticidade (p=0,017), com resultados mais pronunciados no subgrupo B1. CONCLUSÃO: O modelo animal de tendinopatia do tendão calcâneo induzida por injeções seriadas de colagenase apresentou alterações anatomopatológicas e biomecânicas mais avançadas na 16a semana, de caráter progressivo e duradouro, similar à doença dos humanos. Tal modelo experimental pode representar uma melhor opção na indução da tendinopatia do tendão do calcâneo, possibilitando a realização de estudos promissores no futuro / INTRODUCTION: This study aims to compare the biomechanical and histological findings of a new animal model of Achilles tendinopathy induced by serial low-dose injections of bacterial collagenase with the most commonly used high-dose single injection and to controls. The hypothesis of the study is that consecutive low-dose injections of collagenase would result in more progressive and long-lasting tendinopathic findings, reproducing better the disease in humans. METHODS: Forty-five (N=45) rabbits were randomly divided into three groups (A, B and Control). Animals in Group A (n=18) underwent three serial low-dose (0,1mg) injections of bacterial type I collagenase in both Achilles tendons, separated by a two-week interval. Animals in Group B (n=18) underwent bilateral single high dose injection (0,3mg) of the same enzyme. In the Control Group, animals (n=9) were injected bilaterally with three consecutive doses of saline solution, separated by a two-week interval. Following the last injection, the same number of rabbits from Groups A and B (n=6) were euthanized after 10 weeks (Subgroups A1 and B1), 12 weeks (Subgroups A2 and B2), and 16 weeks (Subgroups A3 and B3). Animals in the Control Group were all euthanized after 16 weeks. Histological findings, using the Bonar tendinopathy score, and biomechanical properties of the Achilles tendons were compared between the groups and inside each the group, in the different time-points of euthanasia. Findings at 16 weeks were considered primary outcomes. P-values < 0,05 were considered significant. RESULTS: After 16 weeks, the Bonar score was significantly increased for both Groups A (11,8±2,28) and B (5,6±2,51), when compared to controls (2±0,76). Group A has also differed from Group B (p < 0,001). Regarding biomechanical findings, groups differed in cross-sectional area of the Achilles tendon (p=0,003), Young\'s modulus (p=0,024), Yield stress (p=0,020) and ultimate tensile strength (p=0,022), with the worst results in animals from Group A. At 12 weeks, comparison between Groups A and B have shown significant differences for Bonar score (p=0,028) and Yield stress (p=0,013), again with worse results in Group A. Conversely, at 10 weeks, rabbits in Group B showed worse results when compared to Group A, with significant differences in the Bonar score (p=0,033), cross sectional area of the tendon (p=0,038), stiffness (p=0,048), Young\'s modulus (p=0,024), Yield tension (0,008), Yield stress (p=0,020), energy Yield (p=0,047), ultimate tension (p=0,004), ultimate stress (p=0,008) and yield strain energy density (p=0,015). The comparison of outcomes inside each group, in the different time-points of follow-up, demonstrated significant differences in the Bonar score for Group A (p=0,012) and Group B (p < 0,001). Regarding biomechanical properties, Group A showed no differences between the subgroups for any of the parameters evaluated. Subgroups in Group B differed for cross-sectional area of the tendon (p=0,011), Young\'s modulus (p=0,024), Yield stress (p=0,023), ultimate stress (p=0,031) and yield strain energy density (p=0,017), with worst results in the earliest follow-up (Subgroup B1). CONCLUSIONS: The animal model of Achilles tendinopathy induced by consecutive injections of collagenase showed worse histological and biomechanical properties after 16 weeks, demonstrating more progressive and long lasting tendinopathic findings, reproducing better the disease in humans. This novel experimental model can represent a better option to induce Achilles tendinopathy, allowing promising future research on the subject

Leung, Jackie. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 117-131). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / 論文摘要 --- p.iii / Acknowledgement --- p.iv / List of publications --- p.vi / List of Tables --- p.vi / List of Figures --- p.vi / Table of Contents --- p.ix / Chapter Chapter 1: --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1. --- Liver cancer --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1. --- Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2. --- Lung Cancer --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3. --- Pteris semipinnata L --- p.8 / Chapter 1.4. --- Extract of PsL: 5F --- p.10 / Chapter 1.5. --- Animal models in chemotherapy researches --- p.13 / Chapter 1.5.1. --- Model of HCC --- p.13 / Chapter 1.5.2. --- Model of lung cancer --- p.15 / Chapter 1.6. --- Apoptosis: Significance of programmed cell death --- p.17 / Chapter 1.6.1. --- The extrinsic pathway --- p.18 / Chapter 1.6.2. --- The intrinsic pathway --- p.19 / Chapter 1.7. --- Apoptotic molecules related to this study --- p.22 / Chapter 1.7.1. --- Bcl-2 family --- p.22 / Chapter 1.7.1.1. --- Bax --- p.22 / Chapter 1.7.1.2. --- Bcl-2 --- p.23 / Chapter 1.7.2. --- Nuclear factor kappa B --- p.25 / Chapter 1.7.3. --- Inducible nitric oxide synthase --- p.27 / Chapter 1.8. --- Side-effects of chemotherapy --- p.29 / Chapter 1.8.1. --- Chemotherapy and liver dysfunction --- p.30 / Chapter 1.8.2. --- Nephrotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents --- p.31 / Chapter 1.9. --- Aim of study --- p.33 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Materials and Methodology --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1. --- Animals --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1.1. --- HCC model --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1.2. --- Lung cancer model --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2. --- Tumors induction --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.1. --- HCC induction in C3H/HeJ mice --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.2. --- Lung cancer induction in A/J mice --- p.37 / Chapter 2.3. --- 5F preparation --- p.38 / Chapter 2.4. --- 5F treatment --- p.39 / Chapter 2.5. --- Harvest of samples and tissues --- p.41 / Chapter 2.6. --- Tumor assessment --- p.43 / Chapter 2.7. --- Investigation of apoptosis and cell proliferation --- p.44 / Chapter 2.8. --- Immunohistochemistry --- p.47 / Chapter 2.9. --- Biochemical test --- p.51 / Chapter 2.9.1. --- Liver Function Tests (LFT) --- p.52 / Chapter 2.9.1.1. --- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) & Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) --- p.52 / Chapter 2.9.2. --- Renal Function Test (RFT) --- p.53 / Chapter 2.9.2.1. --- Serum creatinine level (CRE) --- p.53 / Chapter 2.9.2.2. --- Blood Urea Nitrogen index (BUN) --- p.54 / Chapter 2.10. --- Statistical analysis --- p.55 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Results --- p.56 / Chapter 3.1. --- Anti-tumor effect of 5F is dose- dependent --- p.56 / Chapter 3.2. --- 5F reduces cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in-vivo --- p.60 / Chapter 3.3. --- Effects of 5F on apoptotic signaling molecules --- p.68 / Chapter 3.3.1. --- 5F up-regulates pro-apoptotic Bax and Bak --- p.68 / Chapter 3.3.2. --- 5F down-regulates anti-apoptotic NF-kappa B and Bcl-2 --- p.76 / Chapter 3.3.3. --- 5F up-regulated iNOS in HCC but not in lung cancer --- p.88 / Chapter 3.3.4. --- Regulation on Erk1/2 was associated with treatment of 5F --- p.93 / Chapter 3.4. --- Side-effect studies of 5F --- p.97 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Discussion --- p.105 / Chapter Chapter 5: --- Conclusion --- p.116 / Bibliography --- p.117

Ng, Sze Ying. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 110-124). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Thesis Committee --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.ii / Contents --- p.iii / Abstract --- p.vii / 論文摘要 --- p.x / Abbreviations --- p.xi / List of Figures --- p.xiii / List of Tables --- p.xvii / Chapter CHAPTER ONE --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs) --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- What are ESCs and the characteristics of ESCs --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1.1 --- Pluripotent markers --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.1.2 --- Germ layers' markers --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Mouse ESCs (mESCs) --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.2.1 --- mESCs co-culture with mitotically inactivated mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) feeder layers --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.2.2 --- Feeder free mESCs --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Promising uses of ESCs and their shortcomings --- p.5 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Characteristics of ESC-derived cardiomyocytes (ESC-CMs) --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2 --- Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Background --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Current treatments --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Potential uses of ESC-CMs for basic science research and therapeutic purposes --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Current hurdles in application of ESC-CMs for clinical uses --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3 --- Cardiac gene markers --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Atrial-specific --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Ventricular-specific --- p.19 / Chapter 1.4 --- Lentiviral vector-mediated gene transfer --- p.27 / Chapter 1.5 --- Cell cycle in ESCs --- p.29 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Cell cycle --- p.29 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Characteristics of cell cycle in ESCs --- p.30 / Chapter 1.6 --- Potassium (K+) channels --- p.31 / Chapter 1.6.1 --- Voltage gated potassium (Kv) channels --- p.32 / Chapter 1.6.2 --- Role of Kv channels in maintenance of membrane potential --- p.32 / Chapter 1.7 --- Objectives and significances --- p.33 / Chapter CHAPTER TWO --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1 --- Mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) culture --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Derivation of MEF --- p.3 5 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- MEF culture --- p.37 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Irradiation of MEF --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2 --- mESC culture and their differentiation --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- mESC culture --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Differentiation of mESCs --- p.39 / Chapter 2.3 --- Subcloning --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Amplification of Irx4 --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Purification of DNA products --- p.41 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Restriction enzyme digestion --- p.42 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Ligation of Irx4 with iDuet101A vector --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Transformation of ligation product into competent cells --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3.6 --- Small scale preparation of bacterial plasmid DNA --- p.44 / Chapter 2.3.7 --- Confirmation of positive clones by restriction enzyme digestion --- p.45 / Chapter 2.3.8 --- DNA sequencing of the cloned plasmid DNA --- p.45 / Chapter 2.3.9 --- Large scale preparation of target recombinant expression vector --- p.45 / Chapter 2.4 --- Lentiviral vector-mediated gene transfer to mESCs --- p.47 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Lentivirus packaging --- p.47 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Lentivirus titering --- p.48 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Multiple transduction to mESCs --- p.48 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- Hygromycin selection on mESCs --- p.49 / Chapter 2.5 --- Selection of stable clone --- p.49 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Monoclonal establishment and clone selection --- p.49 / Chapter 2.6 --- Differentiation of cell lines after selection --- p.50 / Chapter 2.7 --- Gene expression study on control and Irx4-overexpressed mESC lines --- p.50 / Chapter 2.8 --- Analysis of mESCs at different phases of the cell cycle --- p.55 / Chapter 2.8.1 --- Go/Gi and S phase synchronization --- p.55 / Chapter 2.8.2 --- Cell cycle analysis by propidium iodide (PI) staining followed by flow cytometric analysis --- p.55 / Chapter 2.8.3 --- Gene expression study by qPCR of Kv channel isoforms --- p.56 / Chapter 2.8.4 --- Membrane potential measurement by membrane potential-sensitive dye followed by flow cytometry --- p.57 / Chapter 2.9 --- Apoptotic study --- p.58 / Chapter 2.10 --- Determination of pluripotent characteristic of mESCs --- p.59 / Chapter 2.10.1 --- Expression of germ layers' markers by qPCR --- p.59 / Chapter 2.10.2 --- Differentiation by hanging drop method and suspension method --- p.61 / Chapter CHAPTER THREE --- RESULTS --- p.62 / Chapter 3.1 --- mESC culture --- p.62 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Cell colony morphology of feeder free mESCs --- p.62 / Chapter 3.2 --- Subcloning --- p.63 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- PCR cloning of Irx4 --- p.63 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Restriction digestion on iDuet101A --- p.64 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Ligation of Irx4 to iDuet101A backbone --- p.66 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Confirmation of successful ligation --- p.67 / Chapter 3.3 --- Lentivirus packaging --- p.68 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Transfection --- p.68 / Chapter 3.4 --- Multiple transduction of mESCs and hygromycin selection of positively-transduced cells --- p.69 / Chapter 3.5 --- FACS --- p.70 / Chapter 3.6 --- Irx4 and iduet clone selection --- p.71 / Chapter 3.7 --- Characte rization of mESCs after clone selection --- p.74 / Chapter 3.7.1 --- Immunostaining of pluripotent and differentiation markers --- p.74 / Chapter 3.8 --- Differentiation of cell lines after selection --- p.77 / Chapter 3.8.1 --- Size of EBs of the cell lines during differentiation --- p.77 / Chapter 3.9 --- Gene expression study by qPCR --- p.79 / Chapter 3.10 --- Kv channel expression and membrane potential of mESCs at Go/Gi phase and S phases --- p.84 / Chapter 3.10.1 --- Expression of Kv channels subunits at G0/Gi phase and S phase --- p.86 / Chapter 3.10.2 --- Membrane potential at Go/Gi phase and S phase --- p.87 / Chapter 3.11 --- Effects of TEA+ on feeder free mESCs --- p.89 / Chapter 3.11.1 --- Apoptotic study --- p.89 / Chapter 3.11.2 --- Expression of germ layers´ة markers --- p.91 / Chapter 3.11.3 --- Embryo id bodies (EBs) measurement after differentiation --- p.92 / Chapter CHAPTER FOUR --- DISCUSSION --- p.95 / Chapter 4.1 --- Effect of overexpression of Irx4 on the cardiogenic potential of mESCs --- p.95 / Chapter 4.2 --- Role of Kv channels in maintaining the chacteristics of mESCs --- p.99 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Inhibition of Kv channels led to a redistribution of the proportion of cells in different phases of the cell cycle: importance of Kv channels in cell cycle progression in native ESCs --- p.99 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Inhibition of Kv channels led to a loss of pluripotency at molecular and functional levels: importance of Kv channels in the fate determination of mESCs --- p.102 / Chapter 4.3 --- Insights from the present investigation on the future uses of ESCs --- p.105 / Conclusions --- p.108 / References --- p.110

Further studies of Stk31 in spermatogenesis in vivo would allow the identification of the asymmetry machinery of GSCs and the signaling mechanism underlying cell fate determination. Further studies of STK31 in cancer stem cells would allow the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. / In the first part of the experiment, the expression and cellular localization of STK31 were investigated. RT-PCR results showed that STK31 was reactivated in 47 -- 86% of multiple cancers. Immunofluorescent study and GFP tagging experiment showed that STK31 was localized in the cytoplasm and formed aggregated granules that divide asymmetrically during mitosis. Further study by co-staining with E-cadherin demonstrated that the mouse homolog, Stk31, was expressed in the transition state between undifferentiated and differentiated spermatogonia. These data suggest the possible involvement of STK31 in mouse spermatogonia and cancer development. / In the second part of the experiment, the function of Stk31 in mouse spermatogonia was investigated- A GSC culture on an STO feeder layer was established. Studies on growing properties, expression of molecular markers and germ cell transplantation showed that GSC culture maintained spermatogonial stem cell activity. Retinoic acid was then used to induce differentiation of GSC. The differentiation status was confirmed by monitoring the expression of molecular markers. RT-PCR and immunofluorescent study showed that the expression of Stk31 was induced in RA-induced differentiation and Stk31 proteins were asymmetrically distributed during GSC division. Overexpression of Stk31 in GSCs using retroviral transduction induced the differentiation phenotypes. These data indicate the involvement of Stk31 in mouse spermatogonia cell fate determination. / In the third part of the experiment, the function of STK31 in human colon cancer was investigated. A stable STK31 knock-down Caco2 cells were established by stably transfecting two miR RNAi designs with different efficiency into Caco2 cells. Flow cytometry analysis showed that knock-down of STK31 resulted in G1 phase arrest. Cell counts and MTS assays suggested that knock-down of STK31 decreased cell proliferation in confluent cultures. Knock-down of STK31 also enhanced cell attachment to several ECM proteins and decreases cell migration as suggested by attachment assays and migration assays. Moreover, knock-down of STK31 enhanced enterocytic differentiation and inhibited tumorigenicity both in vitro and in vivo as indicated by colony formation assays and xenograft assays. Date obtained from whole genome microarray studies indicate that STK31 regulates these "stemness" properties through altering the expression of key players in various pathways including KIT, SMAD1 and Cyclin D2. These results suggest the involvement of STK31 in colon cancer as a regulator of "sternness". / Spermatogenesis is a complicated process involving mitosis, meiosis and post-meiotic differentiation. Due to the lack of in vitro models, genes that are involved in mammalian spermatogenesis are largely unknown. Spermatogenesis and tumorigenesis share important biological similarities. This co-relation can be signified by a special group of genes called cancer/testis (CT) antigens, which are only expressed in the testes and cancer. Although cancer biology has been extensively studied for decades, promising therapeutic methods are not available for every type of cancer. Recent discovery of cancer stem cells and functional genomics studies have shed light on the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. This thesis describes the expression, cellular localization and function of a novel CT gene, STK31, in spermatogonia and cancer development. / Fok, Kin Lam Ellis. / "December 2009." / Adviser: H.C. Chan. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 72-01, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 143-169). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.