Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 99-126).

Moléculas HLA-DR e co-estimulatórias tem papel central na função imune de leucócitos. Diferentes emulsões lipídicas (EL) podem alterar funções imunes de leucócitos. Para avaliar os efeitos de diferentes EL sobre a expressão de moléculas HLA-DR, CD80 e CD86 presentes na superfície de monócitos/macrófagos (MO/M?) e CD28 e CD152 presentes na superfície de linfócitos T auxiliares (L? CD4) humanos, células mononucleares do sangue periférico de voluntários saudáveis (n=10) foram separadas com uso de Ficoll Hypaque (d=1,007) e incubadas por 48 horas (MO/M?) e 72 horas (L?) em meio RPMI 1640 acrescidas ou não (controle negativo) de diferentes EL comerciais ou misturas experimentais na concentração de 1mg/mL. De acordo com o tipo da emulsão lipídica adicionada ao meio de cultura, as células foram divididas em seis grupos experimentais: a) Controle negativo - células mononucleares cultivadas sem o acréscimo de EL b) TCLn-6 - células mononucleares cultivadas com EL a base de óleo de soja rica em ácidos graxos poliinsaturados tipo n-6 (AGPI n-6), c) TCLn-6/TCLn-3 - células mononucleares cultivadas com mistura experimental contendo 80% da EL a base de óleo de soja e 20% de EL a base de óleo de peixe rica em AGPI tipo n-3, d) TCM/TCLn6 - células mononucleares cultivadas com EL composta por 50% óleo de coco, rico em triglicérides de cadeia média e 50% de óleo de soja, e) TCM/TCLn-3 - células mononucleares cultivadas com mistura experimental contendo 80% de EL composta por 50% óleo de coco e 50% de óleo de soja e 20% de EL a base de óleo de peixe, f) SMOF - células mononucleares cultivadas com a nova EL contendo 30% de óleo de soja, 30% de triglicérides de cadeia média, 25% de óleo de oliva e 15% de óleo de peixe. As células mononucleares foram ativadas pelo uso de 10?g/mL de fitohemaglutinina. A expressão das moléculas de superfície foi analisada por citometria de fluxo. A porcentagem de fluorescência, que indica o número de células expressando as moléculas em estudo e a intensidade de fluorescência, que indica de forma indireta o número de moléculas expressas por células, foram medidas. Os resultados obtidos foram submetidos à teste estatístico Friedman e pós-teste Student-Newman-Keuls, adotando-se nível de significância de p<0,05. Devido às diferenças na expressão basal dos doadores, os resultados de intensidade de fluorescência foram transformados em porcentagem relativa ao controle basal (Basal=100). Nos grupos TCLn-6, TCLn-6/TCLn-3, TCM/TCLn-6, TCM/TCLn-3 e SMOF, a intensidade de fluorescência de moléculas HLA-DR expressas na superfície de monócitos/macrófagos diminuiu (medianas = 87,6; 84,0; 81,0; 85,0 e 80,0 respectivamente) em relação ao controle negativo (CN) (mediana=100,0) p=0,01. Todos os grupos tratados com EL aumentaram o número de linfócitos T auxiliares expressando moléculas CD28 (medianas = 90,9; 90,4; 91,5; 92,6 e 90,1 respectivamente) em relação ao CN (mediana=82,8) p=0,001 e também o número de moléculas CD152 expressas por células na superfície de linfócitos T auxiliares (medianas = 120,6; 108,8; 127,7; 114,6 e 121,3 respectivamente) em relação ao CN (mediana=100,0), p=0,03. Não foram encontradas diferenças estatísticas na expressão de moléculas CD80 e CD86 na superfície de monócitos/macrófagos cultivados com diferentes EL. Ainda não foram encontradas diferenças no número de linfócitos T auxiliares expressando CD152. Finalmente a expressão por células de moléculas CD28 na superfície de linfócitos T auxiliares também não mostrou alteração significante com as diferentes emulsões lipídicas. Conclusão: Emulsões lipídicas parenterais in vitro, diminuem a expressão de moléculas HLA-DR na superfície de monócitos/macrófagos e aumentam a expressão de moléculas CD28 e CD152 na superfície de linfócitos T auxiliares humanos. Estas alterações podem ser um dos mecanismos pelos quais as EL modulam funções de células imunes / HLA-DR and co-stimulatory molecules play a central role on leucocytes immune function. Different lipid emulsions (LE) may change leucocytes immune function. It is of interest to study the effect of different LE on HLA-DR and costimulatory molecules expression. To access the effect of LE on the HLA-DR, CD80 and CD86 expression on monocytes/macrophages (MO/MØ) surface and CD28 and CD152 (CD80/CD86 co-stimulatory molecules receptor) expression on human T helper lymphocytes (LØ CD4) surface we obtained mononuclear cells from peripheral blood of healthy volunteers (n=10) by using ficoll hypaque (d=1.077). The cells were cultured for 48 hours (MOMØ) and 72 hours (LØ CD4) and incubated with RPMI 1640 medium without (negative control) or added with 1mg/mL of commercial or experimental mixtures of five LE. Groups: a) NC - negative control without LE, b) LCTn-6 - n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) rich LE ( soybean oil), c) LCTFO - 80% of LCT and 20% of n-3 PUFA rich LE (FO) (fish oil), d) MCT/LCT - LE containing 50% of medium chain triglycerides and 50% of n-6 PUFA rich LE, e) MCT/LCTFO - 80% of MCT/LCT LE and 20% of FO LE and f) SMOF - a new LE containing 30% of soybean oil, 30% of medium chain triglycerides, 25% of olive oil and 15% of fish oil. Mononuclear cells were activated by using 10?g/mL of phytohemagglutinin. Surface molecules expression was measured by flow cytometry. Percentage and intensity of fluorescence were recorded and the data were submitted to Friedman statistical test and Student-Newman-Keuls post test (p<0,05). Due the differences in basal expression between donors, prior to statistical tests, data from intensity of fluorescence were transformed of percentage relative of basal expression (where basal=100). All LE groups LCT, LCTFO, MCT/LCT, MCT/LCTFO and SMOF decreased HLA-DR intensity of fluorescence on monocytes/macrophages (mean= 87.6, 84.0, 81.0, 85.0, and 80.0 respectively) in relation to negative control (NC) (mean=100.0) cultured without LE (p=0,01). All LE groups increased the percentage of lymphocytes expressing CD28 (means=90.9, 90.4, 91.5, 92.6 and 90.1 respectively) in relation to control (mean=82.8) p=0,001 and CD152 intensity of fluorescence on lymphocytes cultured with all different LE (mean=120,6; 108,8; 127,7; 114,6 and 121,3 respectively) in relation to NC (mean=100,0), p=0,03. No significant differences were found on CD80 and CD86 expression on monocytes/macrophages surface, CD28 intensity of fluorescence and the percentage of lymphocytes expressing CD152 on lymphocytes cultured with the different studied LE. Conclusion: In vitro parenteral LE decreased HLA-DR expression on human monocytes/macrophages surface and increase co-stimulatory molecules receptor expression on human lymphocytes surface. These changes could be one of the mechanisms of LE modulation of immune cells functions

Moléculas HLA-DR e co-estimulatórias tem papel central na função imune de leucócitos. Diferentes emulsões lipídicas (EL) podem alterar funções imunes de leucócitos. Para avaliar os efeitos de diferentes EL sobre a expressão de moléculas HLA-DR, CD80 e CD86 presentes na superfície de monócitos/macrófagos (MO/M?) e CD28 e CD152 presentes na superfície de linfócitos T auxiliares (L? CD4) humanos, células mononucleares do sangue periférico de voluntários saudáveis (n=10) foram separadas com uso de Ficoll Hypaque (d=1,007) e incubadas por 48 horas (MO/M?) e 72 horas (L?) em meio RPMI 1640 acrescidas ou não (controle negativo) de diferentes EL comerciais ou misturas experimentais na concentração de 1mg/mL. De acordo com o tipo da emulsão lipídica adicionada ao meio de cultura, as células foram divididas em seis grupos experimentais: a) Controle negativo - células mononucleares cultivadas sem o acréscimo de EL b) TCLn-6 - células mononucleares cultivadas com EL a base de óleo de soja rica em ácidos graxos poliinsaturados tipo n-6 (AGPI n-6), c) TCLn-6/TCLn-3 - células mononucleares cultivadas com mistura experimental contendo 80% da EL a base de óleo de soja e 20% de EL a base de óleo de peixe rica em AGPI tipo n-3, d) TCM/TCLn6 - células mononucleares cultivadas com EL composta por 50% óleo de coco, rico em triglicérides de cadeia média e 50% de óleo de soja, e) TCM/TCLn-3 - células mononucleares cultivadas com mistura experimental contendo 80% de EL composta por 50% óleo de coco e 50% de óleo de soja e 20% de EL a base de óleo de peixe, f) SMOF - células mononucleares cultivadas com a nova EL contendo 30% de óleo de soja, 30% de triglicérides de cadeia média, 25% de óleo de oliva e 15% de óleo de peixe. As células mononucleares foram ativadas pelo uso de 10?g/mL de fitohemaglutinina. A expressão das moléculas de superfície foi analisada por citometria de fluxo. A porcentagem de fluorescência, que indica o número de células expressando as moléculas em estudo e a intensidade de fluorescência, que indica de forma indireta o número de moléculas expressas por células, foram medidas. Os resultados obtidos foram submetidos à teste estatístico Friedman e pós-teste Student-Newman-Keuls, adotando-se nível de significância de p<0,05. Devido às diferenças na expressão basal dos doadores, os resultados de intensidade de fluorescência foram transformados em porcentagem relativa ao controle basal (Basal=100). Nos grupos TCLn-6, TCLn-6/TCLn-3, TCM/TCLn-6, TCM/TCLn-3 e SMOF, a intensidade de fluorescência de moléculas HLA-DR expressas na superfície de monócitos/macrófagos diminuiu (medianas = 87,6; 84,0; 81,0; 85,0 e 80,0 respectivamente) em relação ao controle negativo (CN) (mediana=100,0) p=0,01. Todos os grupos tratados com EL aumentaram o número de linfócitos T auxiliares expressando moléculas CD28 (medianas = 90,9; 90,4; 91,5; 92,6 e 90,1 respectivamente) em relação ao CN (mediana=82,8) p=0,001 e também o número de moléculas CD152 expressas por células na superfície de linfócitos T auxiliares (medianas = 120,6; 108,8; 127,7; 114,6 e 121,3 respectivamente) em relação ao CN (mediana=100,0), p=0,03. Não foram encontradas diferenças estatísticas na expressão de moléculas CD80 e CD86 na superfície de monócitos/macrófagos cultivados com diferentes EL. Ainda não foram encontradas diferenças no número de linfócitos T auxiliares expressando CD152. Finalmente a expressão por células de moléculas CD28 na superfície de linfócitos T auxiliares também não mostrou alteração significante com as diferentes emulsões lipídicas. Conclusão: Emulsões lipídicas parenterais in vitro, diminuem a expressão de moléculas HLA-DR na superfície de monócitos/macrófagos e aumentam a expressão de moléculas CD28 e CD152 na superfície de linfócitos T auxiliares humanos. Estas alterações podem ser um dos mecanismos pelos quais as EL modulam funções de células imunes / HLA-DR and co-stimulatory molecules play a central role on leucocytes immune function. Different lipid emulsions (LE) may change leucocytes immune function. It is of interest to study the effect of different LE on HLA-DR and costimulatory molecules expression. To access the effect of LE on the HLA-DR, CD80 and CD86 expression on monocytes/macrophages (MO/MØ) surface and CD28 and CD152 (CD80/CD86 co-stimulatory molecules receptor) expression on human T helper lymphocytes (LØ CD4) surface we obtained mononuclear cells from peripheral blood of healthy volunteers (n=10) by using ficoll hypaque (d=1.077). The cells were cultured for 48 hours (MOMØ) and 72 hours (LØ CD4) and incubated with RPMI 1640 medium without (negative control) or added with 1mg/mL of commercial or experimental mixtures of five LE. Groups: a) NC - negative control without LE, b) LCTn-6 - n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) rich LE ( soybean oil), c) LCTFO - 80% of LCT and 20% of n-3 PUFA rich LE (FO) (fish oil), d) MCT/LCT - LE containing 50% of medium chain triglycerides and 50% of n-6 PUFA rich LE, e) MCT/LCTFO - 80% of MCT/LCT LE and 20% of FO LE and f) SMOF - a new LE containing 30% of soybean oil, 30% of medium chain triglycerides, 25% of olive oil and 15% of fish oil. Mononuclear cells were activated by using 10?g/mL of phytohemagglutinin. Surface molecules expression was measured by flow cytometry. Percentage and intensity of fluorescence were recorded and the data were submitted to Friedman statistical test and Student-Newman-Keuls post test (p<0,05). Due the differences in basal expression between donors, prior to statistical tests, data from intensity of fluorescence were transformed of percentage relative of basal expression (where basal=100). All LE groups LCT, LCTFO, MCT/LCT, MCT/LCTFO and SMOF decreased HLA-DR intensity of fluorescence on monocytes/macrophages (mean= 87.6, 84.0, 81.0, 85.0, and 80.0 respectively) in relation to negative control (NC) (mean=100.0) cultured without LE (p=0,01). All LE groups increased the percentage of lymphocytes expressing CD28 (means=90.9, 90.4, 91.5, 92.6 and 90.1 respectively) in relation to control (mean=82.8) p=0,001 and CD152 intensity of fluorescence on lymphocytes cultured with all different LE (mean=120,6; 108,8; 127,7; 114,6 and 121,3 respectively) in relation to NC (mean=100,0), p=0,03. No significant differences were found on CD80 and CD86 expression on monocytes/macrophages surface, CD28 intensity of fluorescence and the percentage of lymphocytes expressing CD152 on lymphocytes cultured with the different studied LE. Conclusion: In vitro parenteral LE decreased HLA-DR expression on human monocytes/macrophages surface and increase co-stimulatory molecules receptor expression on human lymphocytes surface. These changes could be one of the mechanisms of LE modulation of immune cells functions

The increasing incidence of children suffering from allergic diseases could be caused by sensitization of immature immune system during the intrauterine development. Several important scientific papers have demonstrated the ability of cord blood cells to respond by elevated proliferation activity after stimulation by common allergens. Following these findings, present study follows the production of cytokines which play a role in the pro- and anti-allergenic tuning of the immune system. Umbilical cord blood cells were stimulated with polyclonal activators (phytohaemagglutinin) and common allergens (ovalbumin, timothy grass, birch, mite). Subsequently, cytokine production was monitored using selected methods that reflect different stages of cell activation - at the level of mRNA by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR), by flow cytometry detection of the presence of intracellular cytokines in different cell subpopulations and by ELISA measurement of cytokines in CBMC culture supernatants. The results obtained point to a very weak ability of these common allergens (timothy grass, birch, mite, ovalbumin) to stimulate CBMC to produce cytokines observed by all of these methodological procedures. Although we did not observe significant differences in CBMC cytokine production (IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12,...

$\beta\sb2$-Adrenoceptor ($\beta\sb2$-AR) agonists, such as terbutaline, are used as tocolytic agents in the treatment of preterm labor. $\beta$-Adrenoceptor stimulation relaxes myometrium through specific receptors coupled through Gs to adenylyl cyclase (AC) that catalyzes the conversion of ATP to cAMP. The purpose of this study was to compare $\beta$-adrenoceptors and cAMP production in cultured human leukocytes and myometrial cells, and to determine the importance of $\beta$-adrenoceptors and cAMP production in isoproterenol-induced myometrial relaxation. $\sp{125}$I-iodopindolol was used to assess $\beta$-adrenoceptor affinity and number cAMP levels were analyzed before and after stimulation by isoproterenol, AlF$\sb4\sp-$, forskolin, and PGE$\sb1$. Isometric recording was used to examine myometrium contraction and relaxation. $\beta$-adrenoceptors in leukocytes and myometrial cells have similar $\sp{125}$I-iodopindolol binding affinity and B$\rm\sb{MAX}$. Both tissues can be stimulated by isoproterenol, but have reserve adenylyl cyclase activity not stimulated by $\beta$-ARs. Cultured human myometrial cells have higher basal AC activity and lower isoproterenol coupled cAMP production than leukocytes. The rank order of $\beta$-adrenoceptor agonist potencies in leukocytes is: isoproterenol $>$ terbutaline $>$ ritodrine. Myometrial cells could not be stimulated by terbutaline or ritodrine. This indicates that the intrinsic activity of $\beta$-adrenoceptor coupled cAMP production is different in these two tissues. Prolonged exposure to 200 nM terbutaline results in a decrease in both $\beta$-adrenoceptor number and isoproterenol-coupled cAMP production in cultured leukocytes and myometrial cells. Signal transduction factors, such as adenylyl cyclase and the PGE$\sb1$ pathway, are not affected by the down-regulation process. Isoproterenol relaxes term myometrium through $\beta\sb2$-ARs without a change in cAMP production. Cultured leukocytes do not completely reflect the activity of $\beta$-adrenoceptor coupled cAMP production to myometrial cultured cells. In myometrium, the presence of $\beta$-ARs does not guarantee stimulation of cAMP production, and cAMP is not an accurate index of myometrial relaxation at the end of pregnancy. While leukocytes may accurately reflect changes in myometrial $\beta$-adrenoceptors, postreceptor differences suggest that they are not a reasonable indicator of myometrial response to $\beta$-AR stimulation.

The prevalence of allergy is increasing and it is becoming a serious problem not on- ly in medicine, but also in social and economic terms. The most effective way to minimize the development of allergic diseases is preventive measures. In recent years, many studies have attempted to confirm or rebut the hypothesis that early administration of probiotic bacteria to newborns and pregnant women before birth could have preventive effects on the development of allergy. In the Czech Republic, the probiotic strain Escherichia coli O83:K24:H31 (EC O83), being registered with the State Health Institute for Drug Control under the name Colinfant Newborn, has long been used to prevent allergies and paediatri- cians have long been known and used it against various diarrhoea. The aim of this work was to elucidate the effect of EC O83 on CBMC (cord blood mononuclear cells) and to compare the ability of CBMC of healthy mothers (children with a relatively low risk of developing allergic disease) and allergic mothers (children at high risk of developing allergies) to form cytokines in response to EC O83 stimulation. Phytohemagglutinin was used as a positive control, Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 was used as a reference probiotic strain, which is much more known abroad than EC O83. Cytokine production was detected by...