In regions endemic for malaria, natural exposure results in an acquired immunity which protects individuals from severe disease. However, no vaccine against the blood-stage of malaria, against which naturally-acquired immunity is targeted, currently exists that is capable of emulating, or out-performing, natural protection. To rationally direct the next generation of blood-stage malaria vaccine development, a greater understanding of the immunological mechanisms involved in clinical protection is required. To date, the assessment of naturally-acquired and vaccine-induced immunity to the blood-stage of malaria has suffered from a paucity of in vitro immunological assays that are both robust and reproducible, whilst allowing for assessment of anti-parasitic activity induced by antibodies, either alone, or in conjunction with immune cells. Thus this Thesis describes the development of the antibody-dependent respiratory burst (ADRB) assay, for assessment of blood-stage immunity against Plasmodium falciparum, as well as the Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC) – Duffy binding protein (DBP) binding inhibition assay, for assessing antibody mediated immunity to P. vivax. A reproducible and standardised assay of ADRB activity was developed here and applied to studies of immunity in both mice and humans. ADRB activity, which assesses antibodies' ability to activate oxidative burst in neutrophils via Fc receptor (FcR)-dependent pathways, was shown to associate with clinical protection in a cohort from Mali where FcR-independent immunological assays, such as the assay of growth inhibition activity, did not. This work thus elucidates the importance of FcR-dependent immunity to P. falciparum malaria and establishes the ADRB assay as a useful tool for future vaccine development. In addition, the DARC-DBP binding inhibition assay was established and utilised to assess inhibitory activity of antibodies induced in the first Phase I clinical trial of this antigen. Results identify the need for significant improvements in vaccine design, and show the utility of the assay as a tool for assessing future blood-stage vaccine development efforts against this neglected parasite.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:24:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-05-18Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:31:23Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 trindade_bc_me_botfm.pdf: 386096 bytes, checksum: 6ac59f53d4ce6464ee8a4aac318a9483 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / Camundongos selecionados para a máxima (AIRmax) ou mínima (AIRmin) reação inflamatória aguda apresentam desvio de freqüência do gene Slc11a1. Este gene está envolvido no transporte de íons divalentes no compartimento endossomal/lisossomal de macrófagos e neutrófilos, interferindo na sua ativação e suscetibilidade a infecções. Neste estudo, nós investigamos a interação dos alelos Slc11a1 R (Slc11a1rGly169) e S (expressão nula da proteína Slc11a1, Slc11a1sAsp169) com os loci de características quantitativas (QTL) moduladores da inflamação, durante a paracoccidioidomicose (PCM) em linhagens AIRmaxRR, AIRmaxSS, AIRminRR and AIRminSS homozigotas para o gene Slc11a1, produzidas por acasalamentos assistidos por genotipagem. Nós verificamos que o alelo R em homozigose foi responsável por um maior influxo neutrofílico em camundongos com background AIRmax. Observamos ainda, que as linhagens AIRmaxRR e AIRmaxSS foram mais resistentes enquanto a linhagem AIRmin portadora do alelo R foi implicada em uma maior recuperação de UFC de P. brasiliensis. Desta forma, apesar de não observarmos diferença na recuperação de UFC entre as sublinhagens AIRmax, um aumento no influxo de neutrófilos para o pulmão dos animais AIRmaxRR pode ter compensado a influência do alelo Slc11a1 R na multiplicação do fungo. Nós também mostramos que o número de UFC nos pulmões foi relacionado a síntese de IL-4 e IL-10 neste órgão, mas a produção de óxido nítrico foi semelhante em ambas as linhagens mostrando que este metabólito não foi o fator determinante de resistência/suscetibilidade nas linhagens analisadas. Quanto a análise de diferentes citocinas em sobrenadante de cultura de células do baço e no pulmão das linhagens utilizadas, mostramos que o gene modula a síntese de várias citocinas, porém... / Mice selected for the maximum (AIRmax) or minimum (AIRmin) acute inflammatory reaction show disequilibrium of the Slc11a1 gene. This gene is involved in the transport of divalent ions at the endosomal/lysosomal compartment within macrophages and neutrophils, interfering in their activation and susceptibility to infections. In this study, we investigated the interaction of the Slc11a1 R (Slc11a1rGly169) and S (null Slc11a1 protein expression, Slc11a1sAsp169) alleles with the Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) modulated-inflammation during paracoccidioidomycosis in homozygous AIRmaxRR, AIRmaxSS, AIRminRR and AIRminSS lines produced by genotype-assisted breedings. It could be verified that R allele in homozygosis is associated with a more intense neutrophil influx in AIRmax background. The AIRmax lines showed to be more resistant wile AIRmin bearing allele R implicated in a higher recovered P. brasiliensis CFU. Although, the increase of neutrophil influx to the lungs in AIRmaxRR mice can be compensating the influence of Slc11a1 R allele in P. brasilinsis multiplication. We have also observed that the number of CFU in lungs was not related to NO production but instead to modulation of IL-4 and IL-10 synthesis in the lungs. Moreover, we present the effect of Slc11a1 modulating the release of differents cytokines in both supernatant of spleen cells and lungs, but this effect was time-dependent and change in accordance of host genetic background and microenviroment produced by immune response during P. brasiliensis infection. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the lower PMN leukocyte infiltration to the lungs and Slc11a1 R genotype seemed to be a decisive factor in determining the susceptibility profiles in P.brasiliensis infection.

A coleta de hemocomponentes por equipamentos de aférese tem aumentado muito nos últimos anos, sendo considerado um avanço na medicina transfusional, pois possibilita a retirada de um ou mais componentes de um doador único resultando em um hemocomponente padronizado e de alta qualidade. No entanto, os intervalos entre as doações de plaquetaférese em geral são curtos, podendo haver perda de células a cada doação e potencial desregulação do sistema hematopoiético. Pode ocorrer ainda um possível efeito patogênico após passagem das células pelo equipamento de aférese e ativação neutrofílica. Diante disso, há a preocupação se isso acarretaria riscos à saúde do doador em longo prazo. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a perda da expressão de proteínas ancoradas ao glicosilfosfatidilinositol (GPI), presença de clone HPN (hemoglobinúria paroxística noturna) e ativação de neutrófilos em doadores de plaquetaférese de repetição. Métodos: Estudo de caso controle, sendo 44 amostras de doadores de plaquetaférese de repetição e 44 doadores de sangue total controle. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue periférico, marcadas com os anticorpos monoclonais CD157, CD45, CD64, CD10 e FLAER (do inglês, Fluorescent Aerolysin, aerolisina fluorescente) e analisadas por citometria de fluxo. Para análise de ativação de neutrófilos, foram analisadas 17 amostras de doadores de plaquetaférese de repetição e 17 amostras de doadores de sangue total marcadas com CD64. Conclusão: Não foram encontradas alterações significativas na expressão das proteínas ancoradas ao GPI e na expressão de CD64 entre os doadores de plaquetaférese de repetição e os controles. Sugere-se que a doação de plaquetaférese de repetição não altera a expressão de proteínas ancoradas ao GPI, não gera clone HPN tampouco altera a expressão de CD64. Palavras-chave: plaquetaférese, GPI, HPN, ativação de neutrófilos. / The collection of hemocomponents through apheresis equipment has increased much in recent years, which is considered an advance in transfusion medicine because it enables the withdrawal of one or more components from a single donor, resulting in a standardized and high-quality hemocomponent. Nonetheless, the intervals between the plateletpheresis donations are generally short, which can cause loss of cells in each donation and potential dysregulation of the hematopoietic system. What can also happen is a possible pathogenic effect after the transit of the cells through the apheresis equipment and neutrophilic activation. In light of this situation, there is the concern about whether that brings risks to the donor’s health, in the long term. Objective: the objective of this study was to evaluate the loss in the expression of some glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored (GPI-anchored) proteins, the presence of PNH clone and neutrophils activation in repeated plateletpheresis donors. Methods: Case-control study using 44 samples of donors of repeated plateletpheresis and 44 samples of donors of whole-blood donors as controls. Peripheral blood samples were collected into tubes containing EDTA, marked with CD157, CD45, CD64, CD10 and FLAER monoclonal antibodies, and analyzed by flow cytometry. For the analysis of neutrophil activation, 17 samples of repeated plateletpheresis donors and 17 samples of whole-blood donors, both marked with CD64 were analyzed. Conclusion: No alteration in the expression of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins and in the CD64 expression was found. It is suggested that repeated plateletpheresis donation does not alter the expression of GPI-anchored proteins, does not generate PNH clone and neither alters the expression of CD64.

Orientador: Nicola Amanda Conran Zorzetto / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-15T08:53:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Miguel_LedianaIagalo_M.pdf: 1386194 bytes, checksum: b81f5aa45e96b255588df48747c1397c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: A adesão anormal das células brancas e vermelhas ao endotélio, que desencadeia numa diminuição do fluxo de sangue na microcirculação, é um dos principais fatores envolvidos na iniciação da vaso-oclusão em pacientes falciformes (AF). O estado inflamatório crônico, característico nos pacientes com AF, eleva a circulação de citocinas, as quais podem contribuir significativamente para a ativação e adesão das células vermelhas e brancas ao endotélio. O óxido nítrico (NO) e a via de sinalização dependente em NO têm importante efeito inibidor nas propriedades adesivas de leucócitos. Drogas que aumentem a biodisponibilidade de NO ou que atuem na via de sinalização NO-GMPc podem ser benéficas no tratamento de alguns aspectos da AF. Já é de conhecimento que pacientes com AF apresentam níveis elevados de algumas citocinas presentes no plasma, assim sendo, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos in vitro das citocinas nas propriedades adesivas de neutrófilos e células vermelhas de indivíduos controles e pacientes com AF. Adicionalmente, foram determinados os efeitos de BAY 73-6691, um inibidor da enzima hidrolizante de GMPc, fosfodiesterase 9A (PDE9A) e BAY 41-2272, um ativador de guanilato ciclase, na ausência ou presença da estimulação pelas citocinas na adesão dessas células. Os neutrófilos e as células vermelhas de indivíduos controles e pacientes com AF foram isolados de sangue periférico. A adesão das células à fibronectina foi determinada utilizando o ensaio de adesão estático na presença ou ausência das citocinas IL-8 (10-500ng/ml), TNF-alpha (10-100ng/ml) e GM-CSF (0,1-10ng/ml) e/ou na presença/ausência de BAY 73-6691 (60µM), BAY 41-2272 (60nM) ou DMSO como veículo (0.2%v/v). Como previamente demonstrado, os neutrófilos de pacientes com AF (neutrófilos AF) possuem uma maior capacidade de aderir à FN do que os neutrófilos de indivíduos controle (neutrófilos CON). A estimulação das células in vitro com as três citocinas aumentaram significativamente as adesões à FN dos neutrófilos CON e aumentou ainda mais a adesão dos neutrófilos AF. A incubação de ambos os neutrófilos, CON e AF, com BAY 73-6691, mas não BAY 41-2272, reduziu significativamente as propriedades adesivas à FN; esse evento foi acompanhado por uma diminuição da expressão das moléculas de adesão, L-selectina e CD11b (subunidade Mac-1) na superfície de neutrófilos AF. Além do mais, nas concentrações utilizadas, BAY 73-6691, mas não o BAY 41-2272, diminui significativamente a adesão de neutrófilos CON e AF após estimulação com IL-8, TNF-a e GM-CSF. No entanto, esse evento não foi acompanhado por alterações na expressão da moléculas de adesão na superfície de neutrófilos AF quando estimulados com IL-8. As células vermelhas de indivíduos AF também apresentaram uma maior capacidade de se aderir à FN quando comparadas às células de indivíduos controles. No entanto, ao contrário dos neutrófilos, na presença de IL-8 (10-500ng/ml) e TNF-a (0.1-1µg/ml), não houve alteração das propriedades adesivas dessas células tanto de indivíduos controles quanto das células de pacientes com AF. Além disso, BAY 73-6691 e BAY 41-2272, não alteraram a adesão basal tanto das células vermelhas de controles quanto pacientes com AF. Os principais mediadores inflamatórios, utilizados em concentrações fisiologicamente relevantes, foram capazes de aumentar as propriedades adesivas de neutrófilos, mas não das células vermelhas, de indivíduos controles e AF. Portanto, sugerimos que as citocinas inflamatórias circulantes podem desempenhar um papel na indução das propriedades adesivas dos neutrófilos em pacientes falciformes; em contrapartida, outros fatores além do estímulo inflamatório, podem ser mais importante para induzir a adesão das células vermelhas de pacientes AF. Dados sugerem que agentes que aumentam os níveis de GMPc intracelular podem ser úteis para reduzir as propriedades adesivas de neutrófilos AF, mesmo na presença de um estado inflamatório. PDE9A é altamente expressa pelas células hematopoiéticas e a inibição desta enzima, com conseqüente elevação de GMPc, pode representar um alvo terapêutico para drogas que são tecido/célula específicas, necessitando de mais estudos in vivo e in vitro para a terapêutica de AF / Abstract: The adhesion of both red and white cells to the vessel walls of the microcirculation initiates vaso-occlusion in sickle cell disease (SCD). The chronic inflammatory nature of SCD leads to elevation of circulating cytokines in patients, which may contribute significantly to the activation of red and white cells and their consequent adhesion. Nitric oxide (NO) and the NO-dependent signaling pathway have important inhibitory effects on cellular adhesive properties. Drugs that enhance NO bioavailability or NO-cGMP-dependent signaling may hold potential for treatment of various aspects of SCD. It is known that levels of certain cytokines are augmented in the plasma of SCD individuals; therefore, this study aimed to observe the effect of cytokines, on the in vitro adhesive properties of neutrophils (neu) and red blood cells (RBC) from healthy control (CON) and steady-state SCD (SCD) individuals. Furthermore, the effects of BAY 73-6691, an inhibitor of the cGMP-hydrolyzing enzyme, phosphodiesterase 9A (PDE9A) and BAY 41-2272, a guanylate cylase activator, on non-stimulated and cytokine-stimulated cell adhesion were determined. Neutrophils and red blood cells (RBC) were isolated from the peripheral blood of CON and SCD individuals. Cell adhesion to immobilized fibronectin was assessed using static adhesion assays in the presence or absence of the cytokines, IL-8 (10-500ng/ml), TNF-alpha (10-100ng/ml) and GM-CSF (0,1-10ng/ml) and/or in the presence/absence of BAY 73-6691 (10-60µM), BAY 41-2272 (60nM) or DMSO vehicle (0.2%v/v). As previously demonstrated, SCDneu have a greater capacity to adhere to FN than CONneu. Stimulation of cells in vitro with all three cytokines significantly augmented both CONneu adhesion to FN and further increased SCDneu adhesion. The incubation of both CONneu and SCDneu with BAY 73-6691, but not BAY 41-2272, significantly reduced their adhesions to FN; this was accompanied by a decrease in the expressions of the L-selectin and CD11b (Mac-1-subunit) adhesion molecules on the SCAneu surface. Furthermore, BAY 73-6691, but essentially not BAY 41-2272, significantly inhibited CONneu and SCDneu adhesion stimulated by IL-8, TNF-alpha and GM-CSF. However, this was not accompanied by alterations in adhesion molecule presentation on IL-8-stimulated SCAneu. As previously reported, SCD RBC have a greater capacity to adhere to FN, in vitro, compared to CON RBC. However, in contrast to neutrophils, cytokines IL-8 (10-500ng/ml) and TNF-alpha (0.1-1µg/ml) did not alter the capacities of neither CON RBC nor SCD RBC to adhere to FN. Furthermore, BAY 73-6691 and BAY 41-2272 did not affect either basal CON RBC or SCD RBC adhesion. Key SCD inflammatory mediators were found, at physiologically relevant concentrations, to augment the adhesive properties of neutrophils from control and SCD individuals. Circulating inflammatory cytokines may play a role in the induction of leukocyte adhesive properties in SCD; in contrast factors other than inflammatory stimuli may be more important for induction of SCD RBC adhesion. Data suggest that elevation of intracellular cGMP may be an important approach for reducing SCD leukocyte adhesive properties, even in an inflammatory environment. PDE9A is highly expressed in hematopoietic cells and inhibition of this enzyme, with consequent augmentation of cGMP, may represent a tissue/cell-specific therapeutic drug target worthy of further in vitro and in vivo studies as a therapy for SCD / Mestrado / Ciencias Biomedicas / Mestre em Ciências Médicas

La polyarthrite rhumatoïde (PR) est une maladie auto-immune inflammatoire. La PR touche les articulations jusqu'à les détruire. Elle est caractérisée par la présence d’anticorps anti protéines citrullinées (ACPA) mais l’auto-antigène n’est toujours pas connu. Dans cette maladie, l’implication de l’immunité adaptative ne fait donc aucun doute mais le rôle de l’immunité innée reste encore flou. Le système du complément joue un rôle important dans l’immunité innée tout comme les récepteurs de type Toll (TLR) qui sont des récepteurs de celle-ci. C1q, par la reconnaissance des ses ligands, active une des voies du complément, la voie classique. Chez les patients atteints de PR, le complément est activé et un dépôt de C1q est retrouvé dans l’articulation. Le TLR9 reconnaît des ADN dérivés de bactéries ou de virus mais une expression à la surface des cellules pourrait conduire à la reconnaissance d’autres motifs comme les signaux de danger (DAMP). D’ailleurs, nous avons montré récemment qu’il existait un TLR9 exprimé à la surface des polynucléaires neutrophiles (PNN). Enfin, il a été mis en évidence récemment un nouveau mécanisme bactéricide effectué par les PNN : la formation de NET (neutrophil extracellular traps). Mais en dehors de leur rôle bactéricide, les NET ont été montrés comme pathogènes dans certaines maladies comme le lupus. Dans ce travail de thèse, je me suis intéressé à l’implication de ces acteurs, NET, C1q et TLR9 dans la PR. Nous avons montré que C1q est indispensable au développement de l’arthrite dans un modèle animal. De plus, l’expression des récepteurs au C1q par les PNN et les monocytes est corrélée à l’activité de la maladie et à l’inflammation. Nous avons montré que les NET représentent une cible pour les ACPA (ce qui en fait des auto-antigènes potentiels dans la PR) et que ces NET sont immunogènes. L’immunogénicité des NET est modulée par C1q. Enfin, il semblerait que le TLR9 ait moins d’importance dans l’arthrite. Par ce travail, nous avons montré l’importance du rôle joué par l’immunité innée dans la PR et ses modèles. / Rheumatoid artthritis (RA) is the most frequent rheumatic disease. This auto-immune disease causes pain and joint destruction. RA has been characterized by adaptative immunity involvement and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) production. Involvement of innate immunity is less investigated. Complement system, part of innate immunity, is activated in RA. C1q activates classical complement pathway by binding its ligands. C1q is found in joint of RA patients. On the other hand Toll-like-receptor (TLR), innate receptors could play a role in RA upon recognition of pathogen-derived DNA (TLR9). Cell surface expression of TLR9 has been reported as potentially pathological, and we describe that polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) express a cell surface TLR9 wich could recognize damage associated molecular pattern (DAMP). Finally, neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) wich are expelled chromatin fiber and represent a physiological response to bacteria, have been reported as pathological in certain circumstances. We investigated the role of those three innate actors in RA. We have shown that C1q is mandatory to develop experimental arthritis and expression of their receptors on RA patient PMN and monocytes is correlated with disease activity and inflammation. We have also shown that NET are immunogenic and this immunogenicity is partly modulated and mediated by C1q. NET might trigger ACPA production in RA. Finally, it seems that involvement of TLR9 is less important in RA. With those experiments we have shown that the involvement of innate immunity in RA is more important than that has been reported so far.

Ischaemic stroke occurs as a result of a blockage in one of the brain’s arteries, leading to neuronal injury and death. Although stroke is a major cause of death and disability, there is no widely available treatment. Inflammation occurs in the brain and in the periphery following stroke, and both contribute to the ischaemic damage. Leukocytes such as neutrophils are key mediators of brain damage and inflammation, particularly in the presence of systemic inflammatory challenges such as interleukin-1 (IL-1). Tumor necrosis factor-stimulated gene 6 (TSG-6) is a potent inhibitor of neutrophil migration, and also modulates the immune response by dampening expression of cytokines and stabilising the extra-cellular matrix (ECM). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown immunomodulatory actions in many inflammatory conditions, and their benefit has often been attributed to the production of TSG-6. This work aimed to evaluate the potential of TSG-6 and TSG-6-expressing MSCs as therapies in cerebral ischaemia, and to investigate the expression profile of endogenous TSG-6 in response to stroke. Mice were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) followed by reperfusion. We investigated whether IL-1-induced acute brain injury after stroke is reversed by TSG-6, and long-term recovery was evaluated in mice treated with TSG-6 or MSCs. Functional outcomes were assessed, and brains were sectioned and stained for analysis of lesion volume, haemorrhagic transformation, blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption and neutrophil infiltration. The expression profile of TSG-6 was evaluated in mice allowed to recover for 4h, 24h, 3, 5 or 7 days. TSG-6 expression was determined by quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. Treatment with TSG-6 reduced IL-1-induced neutrophil infiltration into the striatum, and led to decreased BBB disruption and haemorrhagic transformation at 24h. Treatment with TSG-6 in the absence of a systemic inflammatory challenge had no significant effect on lesion volume, BBB disruption or haemorrhagic transformation after 7 days reperfusion, however thalamic neutrophil infiltration was significantly reduced. Treatment with human MSCs had no significant effect on behavioural or histological outcomes, however a heightened inflammatory response in MSC-treated mice suggested rejection of the cells by the murine immune system. TSG-6 expression peaked in the ischaemic hemisphere at 5 days post-reperfusion, and was associated with astrocytes in the glial scar surrounding the infarcted tissue. TSG-6 might be a promising therapy for the treatment of stroke in the presence of systemic inflammation. TSG-6-expressing MSCs might provide a broader therapeutic potential, and further work should optimise experimental conditions to prevent rejection of the cells. Expression of TSG-6 within the glial scar suggests a potential role in repair and recovery following ischaemic stroke. Modulating the peripheral immune response remains an attractive and accessible therapeutic target for the treatment of cerebral ischaemia.

Les neutrophiles contribuent à l'inflammation protectrice et pathologique. Ce projet de thèse consiste à déterminer le rôle des neutrophiles dans des modèles d'inflammation systémique graves et potentiellement mortelles, induite par le lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxémie) ou par des complexes immuns antigène-anticorps (anaphylaxie). L'anaphylaxie est une réaction allergique qui peut être IgE- et/ou IgG-dépendante. L’endotoxémie est un modèle pertinent de l'inflammation au cours de maladies graves. Pour étudier les neutrophiles in vivo, nous avons utilisé un nouveau modèle murin de neutropénie inductible. Nous montrons que les neutrophiles et la Myélopéroxidase qu’ils produisent ont un rôle protecteur dans le choc endotoxique, indépendamment de l'environnement microbiologique. A l'inverse, les neutrophiles peuvent contribuer à l'anaphylaxie induite par les IgG chez la souris. Comme les récepteurs pour les IgG (FcγR) murins sont très différents des humains, nous avons développé un modèle de souris knock-in dans lequel les FcγR murins a été remplacé par les FcγR humains, activateurs et inhibiteur. Chez ces souris, nous montrons que des IgG humaines peuvent induire une anaphylaxie: le FcγRIIA a un rôle dominant, via l'activation des neutrophiles, et les médiateurs PAF et histamine. En parallèle, nous développons un modèle murin d’anaphylaxie à un curare, le Rocuronium, utilisé en clinique. Au même temps, dans une étude clinique, les résultats d’analyses des échantillons sanguins des patients suspectés d’avoir subi une anaphylaxie au curare soutien notre hypothèse de travail: que l’activation des neutrophiles par des IgG spécifiques est impliquée dans l'anaphylaxie humaine. / Neutrophils are agents of protective and pathological inflammation. This thesis work aimed to determine the role of neutrophils during severe, potentially fatal models of systemic inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxemia) or by IgG immune complexes (anaphylaxis). Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that may proceed via IgE- or IgG-dependant pathways. Endotoxemia is a model relevant to inflammation during critical illness. To study neutrophils in vivo, we employed a new mouse model of inducible neutropenia. We found, surprisingly, that neutrophils and neutrophil-derived MPO protect against the severity of endotoxic shock, independently of the microbiological environment, suggesting that neutrophils limit inflammation during endotoxemia. Conversely, neutrophils can contribute to IgG-induced anaphylaxis in mice. As mice and human IgG receptors (FcγR) are very different, we developed a novel mouse strain in which targeted insertion of human FcγR into the murine loci recapitulated hFcγR expression. Herein, using these mice, this work demonstrates that anaphylaxis induced by hIgG proceeds within a native context of activating and inhibitory hFcγRs, and that neutrophil activation via FcγRIIA is a dominant pathological pathway, involving the mediators PAF and histamine. Finally, we describe ongoing development of a mouse model of anaphylaxis in response to Rocuronium, a curare-based neuromuscular blocking agent (NMBA). In addition, as part of a collaborative clinical study we analysed blood samples from patients suspected of NMBA-induced anaphylaxis, finding evidence for the activation of a neutrophil- and IgG-dependent axis during human anaphylaxis.

Orientador: Marco Antônio Alvarenga / Resumo: A endometrite persistente pós cobertura (EPPC) é uma das principais causas de infertilidade na égua devido uma inflamação exacerbada uterina pós cobertura/Inseminação Artificial (IA) diminuindo os índices de fertilidade. O uso do meio condicionado por células tronco mesenquimais demonstra grande efetividade na modulação inflamatória, podendo ser uma alternativa no tratamento e EPPC. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar pela primeira vez diferentes concentrações de meio condicionado (MC) por células tronco mesenquimais equinas sobre a cinética espermática equina e capacidade imunomodulatória do MC na inflamação uterina pós IA em éguas resistentes e susceptíveis assim como sua fertilidade. Foram realizados 2 experimentos. No experimento 1 foi avaliado o efeito da adição de diferentes concentrações de MC sobre a cinética e integridade espermática equina. No Experimento 2 foi avaliado in vivo a capacidade moduladora do MC sobre o processo inflamatório endometrial de éguas resistentes e susceptíveis após inseminação artificial. O MC alterou o VCL (P<0,05) porém não alterou o restante dos parâmetros da cinética espermática (P>0,05). A integridade de membrana plasmática do sêmen equino não foi alterada (P<0,05). O MC reduziu a porcentagem de células polimorfonucleares (PMN) em éguas resistentes 6 horas após a inseminação artificial (P<0,05). Nas éguas susceptíveis o MC diminuiu as porcentagens de PMN e fluido intrauterino 6 e 24 horas após IA (p<0,05), com incremento na fertilidade... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Persistent mating-induce endometritis (PMIE) is a major cause of subfertility in the mare due to exacerbated uterine inflammation post breeding, so therapies have been studied to immunomodulate the inflammatory response. The objective of this work was to evaluate different concentrations of conditioned medium (MC) by equine mesenchymal stem cells on equine sperm kinetics and MC immunomodulatory capacity in uterine inflammation after breeding in resistant and susceptible mares as well as their fertility. Two experiments were performed. In experiment 1 the effect of the addition of different MC concentrations on the equine sperm kinetics and integrity was evaluated. In Experiment 2, the modulatory capacity of MC on the endometrial inflammatory process of resistant and susceptible mares after artificial insemination was evaluated, as well as its effect on conception rates. The MC did not significantly alter sperm kinetics and plasma membrane integrity of equine semen. Even in resistant mares MC reduced the percentage of neutrophils 6 hours after artificial insemination (p <0.05), not negatively interfering with fertility. In susceptible mares, MC decreased the percentages of neutrophils and intrauterine fluid 6 and 24 hours after AI (p <0.05). It was concluded that equine MC does not negatively affect the quality of equine semen or its fertility, modulating the inflammatory response after coverage in resistant and susceptible mares. / Mestre

The Gram-negative pathogen bacterium Bordetella pertussis is the infectious agent causing pertussis or whooping cough. The infection is dangerous to infants, often being deadly if untreated. Since whole-cell pertussis vaccines have been replaced by acellular pertussis vaccines, pertussis has become the most prevalent vaccine-preventable disease in developed countries. Therefore, the development of a new generation of pertussis vaccines has become a high priority. Opsonophagocytic assays are one method used to assess the efficacy of new vaccines. The main objective of the thesis is to develop opsonophagocytic killing and uptake assays for the measurement of functional antibody activity against Bordetella pertussis. Neutrophils from mice and humans were isolated by three different methods and used for the assessment of different human and mouse sera in opsonophagocytic killing and uptake assays. Different experimental conditions were tested, including multiplicity of infection and serum dilutions. The opsonophagocytic uptake assay proved to discriminate between naïve and immune sera. Serum from mice vaccinated with the whole-cell pertussis vaccine enhanced opsonophagocytic uptake of B. pertussis cells into neutrophils, while serum from mice immunized with the acellular pertussis vaccine did not....

Charles University Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Analysis University of Porto Faculty of Pharmacy Department of Chemical Sciences Department of Biological Sciences Candidate: Kristína Morgošová Supervisor: assoc. prof. PharmDr. Radim Kučera, Ph.D. Consultants: prof. Maria da Conceição Branco da Silva, Ph.D. prof. Maria Alice dos Santos Silva Gomes Martins, Ph.D. Susana Maria Santos Rocha, Ph.D. Title of diploma thesis: Development and characterization of modified polysulfone hemodialysis membranes by means of immobilized neutrophil elastase inhibitors. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major health and financial burden, mainly because of the costly renal replacement therapy and treatment associated. The last stage, end-stage renal disease, is associated with high morbidity and mortality rate, generally due to cardiovascular complications. Chronic inflammation is frequently present in CKD patients, which is enhanced by the long term intra-dialytic recurrent contact between blood and hemodialysis (HD) membrane and further contributes to development of atherosclerosis. Contact with the artificial material of HD membranes leads to oxidative stress and neutrophil activation with release of neutrophil serine proteases such as human...