Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 163-183).

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:31:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-12-12Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:01:46Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 graciani_apb_dr_botfm.pdf: 427562 bytes, checksum: b481f2e6f558c5bae2f08ca356c1ed60 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb), agente etiológico da paracoccidioidomicose, é um fungo dimórfico que sobrevive no interior de monócitos/macrófagos humanos não ativados. Estudos anteriores em nosso laboratório têm demonstrado que os monócitos humanos não ativados são incapazes de realizar atividade fungicida, e esse processo está associado com a capacidade do fungo induzir a produção de prostaglandinas (PGs), uma vez que, essas células são capazes de realizar atividade fungicida significativa após o tratamento com indometacina (INDO), um inibidor da produção de ciclooxigenase. No entanto, o processo de pré-ativação com IFN-γ, resulta em um parcial efeito compensatório sobre os efeitos inibidores das PGs, principalmente quando essas células são desafiadas com a cepa de baixa virulência do fungo. Assim, a proposta deste presente estudo foi avaliar se a ativação de monócitos humanos com outras citocinas como TNF-α e GM-CSF resulta em um efeito similar ao observado com IFN-γ. Uma outra questão a ser respondida é se esse processo poderia estar associado com alterações nos níveis de H2O2 e NO, que são moléculas efetoras envolvidas na atividade fungicida contra o P. brasiliensis, bem como nos níveis das citocinas TNF-α, IL-10 e IL-6. Culturas de monócitos do sangue periférico, obtidos de 20 indivíduos normais foram tratadas somente com INDO ou ativados com IFN-γ, TNF-α ou GM-CSF na presença ou ausência de INDO por 18h, e posteriormente desafiados com cepas de alta (Pb18) ou baixa (Pb265) virulência do P. brasiliensis por 4h. Após esse período, as culturas foram avaliadas quanto à atividade fungicida, produção de H2O2 e NO e expressão de mRNA para enzima óxido nítrico sintase (iNOS) por RT-PCR em tempo real. As concentrações de TNF-α, IL-6 e IL-10 nos sobrenadantes das coculturas foram avaliadas por ELISA. Nossos resultados... / Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb), the etiological agent of paracoccidioidomycosis, is a dimorphic fungus that survives within nonactivated human monocytes/macrophages. Previous studies have demonstrated that the lack of fungicidal activity by nonactivated human monocytes is associated to fungus capacity to inducing prostaglandins release, since a significative fungicidal activity was detected after monocytes treatment with indomethacin (INDO), a cyclooxigenase inhibitor. However, cells activation with IFN-γ seems to partially compensating this inhibitory effect, mainly when cells were challenged with low virulent strain of the fungus. Here, we extended our studies, addressing whether monocytes activation with other cytokines such as TNF-α and GM-CSF results in a similar effect to that observed with IFN-γ. Moreover, we asked if this process could be associated with alterations on H2O2 and NO levels, the molecules involved in Pb killing, as well as in the levels of the cytokines TNF-α, IL-10 and IL-6. Peripheral blood monocytes obtained from 18 healthy donors were treated only with INDO or activated with IFN-γ, TNF-α or GM-CSF in presence or absence of INDO for 18h, and further challenged with high (Pb18) or low (Pb265) virulent strain of Pb for 4h. After, cultures were evaluated for fungicidal activity, H2O2 and NO release and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA by real-time RT-PCR. The concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 on supernatants of cocultures were evaluated by ELISA. Our results provided evidence that human monocytes challenged with both strains of P. brasiliensis release prostaglandins that via induction of IL-10 and IL-6 inhibits TNF-α production. This process results in defective cell activation with consequent release of low H2O2 levels and lack of fungicidal activity by cells. However the inhibitory effect of PGs may be... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:29:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-02-24Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:39:55Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 medeiros_ltl_me_botfm.pdf: 283518 bytes, checksum: dbcb08c9c963c43e9e5990d9795fb85f (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Monócitos do sangue periférico de gestantes portadoras de pré-eclâmpsia encontram-se ativados endogenamente e secretam níveis elevados de radicais livres e citocinas inflamatórias. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar se o estado inflamatório de monócitos, observado na pré-eclâmpsia, está associado à polarização da subpopulação de monócitos de perfil M1 no sangue periférico, correlacionando a expressão de receptores de superfície CD64, TLR2, TLR4, CD163 e CD206 com a produção de citocinas. Foram estudadas 90 gestantes, sendo 30 normotensas e 60 portadoras de pré-eclâmpsia, pareadas pela idade gestacional. Monócitos de sangue periférico obtidos de gestantes normais ou com pré-eclâmpsia foram cultivados por 18h na ausência ou presença de lipopolissacáride de Escherichia coli (LPS) ou de peptidoglicano (PG) de bactéria Gram-positiva. A expressão de receptores presentes na superfície da subpopulação de monócitos inflamatórios M1 (TLR2, TLR4 e CD64) e de monócitos supressores M2 (CD163 e CD206) foi detectada por de citometria de fluxo, empregando-se anticorpos monoclonais específicos, marcados com fluorocromos. Os resultados foram expressos como média da intensidade de fluorescência. Além disso, a produção de citocinas pró-inflamatórias associadas a padrão M1 (TNF-, IL-12p70 e IL-23) e anti-inflamatória, associada a perfil M2 (IL-10) foi avaliada no sobrenadante de cultura de monócitos pela técnica de ELISA. Os resultados foram analisados por testes não paramétricos, com nível de significância de 5%. A expressão de CD64 e TLR4 em monócitos, não estimulados, de gestantes com pré-eclâmpsia foi significativamente maior, enquanto a expressão de CD163 e CD206 foi significativamente menor em relação às gestantes normotensas, sugerindo a expressão de um perfil M1 de... / Monocytes from peripheral blood of pregnant women with preeclampsia are endogenously activated and secrete high levels of free radicals and inflammatory cytokines. This work aimed to evaluate whether the inflammatory state of monocytes observed in preeclampsia is associated with the polarization of monocyte to M1 profile in peripheral blood, correlating the expression of surface receptors CD64, TLR2, TLR4, and CD163 and CD206 with cytokine production. We studied 90 pregnant women, 30 normotensive and 60 with preeclampsia, matched for gestational age. Peripheral blood monocytes obtained from normotensive pregnant or preeclamptic pregnant women were cultured for 18h in the absence or presence of Escherichia coli lypopolysacharide (LPS) or peptidoglycan (PG) of Gram-positive bacteria, and the expression of surface receptors on M1 inflammatory monocyte subpopulation (TLR2, TLR4 and CD64) and M2 suppressor monocyte subpopulation (CD163 and CD206) were evaluated by flow cytometry, using specific monoclonal antibodies, labeled with fluorochromes. The values were expressed as the mean fluorescence intensity. Moreover, the production of proinflammatory cytokines associated with M1 profile (TNF-, IL-12p70 and IL-23) and the anti-inflammatory cytokine associated with M2 profile (IL-10) were evaluated in the monocyte supernatant of culture by enzyme immunoassay. Results were analyzed using nonparametric tests with significance level set at 5%. The expression of CD4 and TLR4 on non-stimulated monocytes, from women with preeclampsia was significantly higher, while the expression of CD163 and CD206 was significantly decreased compared with normotensive pregnant women, suggesting the predominance of monocyte M1 profile. Endogenous production of TNF-, IL-12p70 and IL-23 by monocytes was increased, while synthesis of IL-10 was lower in women with... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

A análise da expressão da enzima indoleamina 2,3-dioxigenase (IDO), envolvida na regulação da resposta imune, em vacinas de células dendríticas (DCs) como imunoterapia para tratamento de indivíduos HIV+, pode fornecer informações sobre o perfil dessas células e auxiliar o aperfeiçoamento das técnicas atualmente utilizadas. A avaliação da expressão de IDO, por citometria de fluxo, foi realizada em monócitos e DCs de indivíduos sadios e HIV+. A expressão do RNAm de IDO foi analisada por PCR e a capacidade das DCs em estimular linfoproliferação e apresentar antígenos de HIV a linfócitos autólogos foi avaliada por ensaio de cocultivo. DCs ativadas de indivíduos HIV+ demonstraram expressão mais elevada de IDO tanto em relação às DCs imaturas quanto em relação às DCs dos indivíduos sadios. DCs foram capazes de induzir resposta proliferativa e polifuncional de linfócitos autólogos. Nossos resultados sugerem uma expressão diferencial de IDO entre indivíduos sadios e HIV+, indicando um importante papel da enzima no controle da resposta imune e na patogênese da AIDS. / The evaluation of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) levels, a regulatory enzyme, in the context of DCs vaccines as a therapeutic alternative for the HIV+ patients, can bring information about DCs profiles that can improve current techniques of vaccine production. IDO expression was evaluated by flow cytometry in monocytes and DCs from healthy subjects and HIV+ patients. Expression of IDO mRNA was performed by real-time PCR and the ability in stimulate lymphoproliferation and presenting HIV antigens to autologous lymphocytes was evaluated in coculture assays. Comparison between immature and activated DCs showed an increased IDO expression in activated DCs in patients group. DCs derived from HIV+ patients showed an increased IDO expression when compared to healthy donors. DCs were able to induce lymphofoproliferation and polyfunctional response in autologous lymphocytes. Our results suggest a differential expression of IDO between health subjects and HIV+ patients, indicating an important role of IDO in the control of the immune response and in the HIV pathogenesis.

Orientador: Maria Marluce dos Santos Vilela / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-08T19:21:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tani_SergioMassayuki_M.pdf: 3275240 bytes, checksum: cc4115cf1f3cfbc43979ab57c10fcc10 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Resumo: O sistema complemento apresenta imaturidade funcional em crianças mais jovens, com o sistema imune inato mais ativado em recém-nascidos e lactentes jovens. Infecções crônicas e oportunistas concomitantes, como na Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida (SIDA), causam disfunção na atividade fagocitária de células mononucleares. A atividade fagocitária de monócitos in vitro , por índice fagocitário (porcentagem de células com fagocitose efetuada em uma lâmina) e capacidade fagocitária (número de partículas fagocitadas em 100 células), foi estudada em 58 crianças soro-reversoras, separadas em faixas etárias, para zymosan não incubado, zymosan incubado com soro de doadores normais e do próprio paciente e com hemácias de carneiro incubadas com anticorpos de coelho antieritrócitos de carneiro, respectivamente para os receptores CR1, CR3 e Fc. Foram avaliados parâmetros hematológicos (hemograma completo), sistema T (TCD4+ e TCD8+), sistema B (níveis séricos de imunoglobulinas) e profilaxias com zidovudina e com sulfametoxazol e trimetoprima. Um grupo de crianças infectadas pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana do tipo I (HIV-1) foi utilizado como referência para comparações. A metodologia estatística constou de: análise descritiva com tabelas de freqüências, testes não paramétricos de Mann-Whitney e de Kruskal-Wallis, teste de correlação não linear com o coeficiente de Spearman. O nível de significância adotado foi de p<0,05. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Unicamp. Na comparação do índice fagocitário das crianças soro-reversoras para zymosan incubado com soro normal e do próprio paciente, pelas vias CR1 (CD35) e CR3 (CD11bCD18), foram observados valores menores (p=0,004 e p=0,001, no grupo total e p=0,027 e p=0,021, no grupo de crianças soro-reversoras maiores de 24 meses, respectivamente) em relação ao grupo de referência. Associações negativas: capacidade fagocitária de monócitos com zymosan não incubado, pela via das lectinas, com idade das crianças soro-reversoras (p=0,014); função fagocitária de monócitos para zymosan incubado com soro normal e do paciente, via receptores CR1 (CD35) e CR3 (CD11b CD18), pela ativação da via alternativa com zidovudina (Rs=-0,509; Rs=-0,344; Rs =-0,342; Rs=-0,328). Associações positivas: capacidade fagocitária de monócitos vias CR1 (CD35) e CR3 (CD11b CD18) e idade (p=0,026) e para níveis séricos de IgA (Rs=0,277). Valores de hemoglobina, leucócitos totais e TCD4+ foram menores (p<0,003, p<0,006 e p<0.004, respectivamente), e valores de TCD8+, IgA, IgG e IgM foram maiores (p<0,001) no grupo de referência. Nas crianças soro-reversoras, 55,2% receberam profilaxia com zidovudina e 79,3%, com sulfametoxazol e trimetoprima. O amadurecimento do sistema imune ocorreu com o aumento da idade e a atividade fagocitária de monócitos foi mais estimulada em crianças infectadas pelo HIV-1, na comparação com crianças soro-reversoras / Abstract: The complement system presents functional immaturity in young children and the innate immune system is more activated in newborns and infants. Chronics and opportunists infections, as well as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), cause phagocytic activity¿s disfunction on the mononuclear cells. Monocyte function was evaluated in 58 exposed seroreverter children with an assay blood monocyte phagocytosis for zymosan and sheep red blood cells, mediated by the CR1, CR3 and Fc receptors, respectively. The zymosan assay was conducted with non-incubated zymosan and incubated zymosan with patient serum or serum from a normal blood donor pool. The phagocytic index (percentage of cells having phagocytosis on a slide) and the phagocytic capacity (number of phagocytes particles in a 100 cells counts) were determined. Complete blood count, lymphocyte subsets determination (TCD4+ and TCD8+), immunoglobulin levels (IgA, IgG and IgM) and prophylaxis with zidovudine and sulfametoxazol and trimetoprim were studied. The results were compared with the reference group (HIV-1 infected children). Seroreverter phagocytic index for incubated zymosan by CR1 (CD35) and CR3 (CD11bCD18) showed inferior results when compared to the reference group. Negative associations: phagocytic capacity with not-incubated zymosan, by lectin pathway activation with seroreverter children¿s age; and incubated zymosan on CR1 and CR3 receptors by activation of alternative pathway from complement system with zidovudine. Positive associations: phagocytic capacity by CR1 and CR3 receptors with seroreverter children¿s age and IgA serum levels. Seroreverter children presents higher values of hemoglobin, total leukocytes and TCD4+, and inferior values of TCD8+, IgA, IgG and IgM, when compared to the reference group. The immune system maturation occurred with age increased and the monocytes function was more stimulated in HIV-1 infected children / Mestrado / Pediatria / Mestre em Saude da Criança e do Adolescente

Anti-inflammatory cytokines have an important role in the development of inflammatory reactions. If an acute inflammation turns into chronical it is very often a pathological phenomenon. Chronicle inflammations accompany a whole number of serious diseases with an unclear prognosis, such as some of the autoimmune diseases. Usually, the cause of these diseases is not quite clear and the treatment is mainly symptomatic with an effort to suppress the immunity system. For this purpose we use various immunosuppressant drugs, and biological treatment is used, too. Another possibility is to use bioactive secondary metabolites produced by various microorganisms. In this group there are for example macrolides antibiotics, and a big potential is also seen in the recently discovered polyketides. The objective of this work is to test the newly acquired secondary metabolites that were isolated in the Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Actinomycetes at the Czech Academy of Sciences. Tested were manumycin A, manumycin B, colabomycin E, asukamycin A, asukamycin D, β-rubromycin, deoxynybomycin. As comparative substances were used the macrolides antibiotics clarithromycin and azithromycin dehydrate, all of them commercial pharmaceuticals. These substances were tested on the monocytic line THP-1. Cells were stimulated...

Monocytic cells survive HIV replication and consequent cytopathic effects because of their decreased sensitivity to HIV-induced apoptosis. However, the mechanism underlying this resistance to apoptosis remains poorly understood. I hypothesized that exposure to microbial products, translocated from the gut, may confer anti-apoptotic properties in human monocytic cells through interaction with their corresponding Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Using HIV-Vpr(52-96) peptide as a model apoptosis-inducing agent, I demonstrated that unlike monocyte-derived macrophages, undifferentiated primary human monocytes and pro-monocytic THP-1 cells are highly susceptible to Vpr(52-96)-induced apoptosis. Interestingly, monocytes and THP-1 cells stimulated with TLR-9 agonists, CpG and E.coli DNA, induced almost complete resistance to Vpr(52-96)-induced apoptosis albiet via a TLR-9 independent signaling pathway. Moreover, CpG and E.coli DNA selectively induced the anti- apoptotic Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein-2 (c-IAP-2) and inhibition of the c-IAP-2 gene by either specific siRNAs or synthetic second mitochondrial activator of caspases (Smac) mimetic reversed CpG-induced resistance against Vpr(52-96)-mediated apoptosis. I demonstrated that c-IAP-2 was regulated by the c-Jun N terminal kinase (JNK) and the calcium signaling pathway in particular the calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-II (CaMK-II). Furthermore, inhibition of JNK and the calcium signaling including CaMK-II by either pharmacological inhibitors or their specific siRNAs reversed CpG-induced protection against Vpr(52-96)-mediated apoptosis. I also showed that CpG-induced JNK phosphorylation through activation of calcium signaling pathway.

L'athérosclérose est un processus physiopathologique chronique impliqué dans la majorité des maladies cardio-vasculaires. Le développement des lésions d'athérosclérose est caractérisé par l'accumulation de lipides extra et intracellulaires dans la paroi artérielle à l'origine d'une forte réponse inflammatoire impliquant notamment les macrophages. Les macrophages sont considérés comme des acteurs clés dans le développement des plaques d'athérosclérose. En effet, de par leur capacité à métaboliser le cholestérol (captation, stockage, efflux), à réguler l'inflammation et à phagocyter les cellules apoptotiques, ils exercent des fonctions pro et/ou anti-athèrogènes qui peuvent être modulées à des fins thérapeutiques. Dans cette perspective, nous avons évalué le pouvoir thérapeutique des " macrophages protégés de l'apoptose " sur la progression des lésions d'athérosclérose constituées. Nous avons démontré que l'augmentation de la survie des macrophages permet de ralentir la progression des lésions, de stabiliser les lésions et de diminuer la cholestérolémie. Ces effets athéro-protecteurs sont attribués à l'augmentation des cellules de Kupffer et des monocytes Ly-6Clow en partie par leur capacité à produire de l'apolipoprotéine E. Nous montrons également que les cellules de Kupffer participent à la clairance des lipoprotéines pro-athérogènes. L'augmentation du pool d'apoE ainsi que l'augmentation des cellules de Kupffer permettent de diminuer la cholestérolémie et ainsi de diminuer la progression des lésions. / Atherosclerosis represents a chronic pathophysiological process implicated in the majority of cardiovascular diseases. The development of atherosclerotic lesions is characterized by an accumulation of extra and intracellular lipids in the arterial wall at the origin of a strong inflammatory response involving macrophages.Macrophages are considered key actors in the development of atherosclerotic plaques. Indeed, because of their ability to metabolize cholesterol (capture, storage, efflux), to regulate inflammation and to phagocyte apoptotic cells, they exert pro and/or anti-atherogenic functions that may be modulated therapeutically. In this context, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of macrophages protected against apoptosis, on the progression of established atherosclerotic lesions.We have demonstrated that increased macrophage survival can slow down the progression of established lesions, stabilize lesion and reduce cholesterol levels. These athero-protective effects are attributed to the increase in Kupffer cells and Ly-6Clow monocytes partly due to their ability to produce apolipoprotein E. We also show that Kupffer cells are involved in the clearance of pro-atherogenic lipoproteins. The increase in ApoE pool and in Kupffer cells reduces cholesterol levels and thus lesion progression.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第22737号 / 医博第4655号 / 新制||医||1046(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 伊佐 正, 教授 林 康紀, 教授 髙折 晃史 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg for the degree of Master of Science / The antiinflammatory effects of lnterleukin-4 (IL-4) and the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone were studied in adhered monocytes and the leukaemic cells HL-60 and THP-1, with respect to the expression of interleukin-l.B (IL-l.B), the (signalling) IL-l receptor type I (JL..IRtI), and the (inhibitory) JT_,.l receptor type n (IL-lRtII). (Abbreviation abstract) / AC 2018