No description available.

Crohn's Disease (CD) is a debilitating condition characterised by chronic intermittent intestinal inflammation. More than 90 genetic polymorphisms are associated with CD susceptibility, including several in genes of the innate immune system. Here I present a series of experiments designed to enhance our knowledge of the roles of CD-associated polymorphisms in pathogenesis. Many therapeutic regimens are employed in CD treatment, but patients' responses to treatment and disease progression vary widely. There is great interest in studying whether analysis of patients' genotype at CD-associated polymorphisms can be used to predict their disease course, and guide clinical decision-making. To answer these questions, it is essential to be able routinely and cost- effectively to genotype patients at the full range of known CD-associated polymorphisms. The first project presented here describes the design and initial successful testing of a CD-specific genotyping microarray for use in genotype-phenotype studies. The polymorphism most strongly associated with CD susceptibility is in the pattern recognition receptor NOD2; the remaining experiments presented here study the function of NOD2 in primary human monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells (DCs). First, a microarray study is presented which characterises global transcriptional responses to NOD2 stimulation in DCs. NOD2 stimulation is shown to enhance transcriptional changes induced by Toll-Like Receptor 2 stimulation, and NOD2-mediated transcriptional regulation is shown to be lost in DCs expressing CD-associated NOD2 variants. Second, experiments are presented which describe development of a new protocol for proteomic analysis of post-translational protein modifications, and which identify a number of novel candidate targets of NOD2 signalling in DCs. Finally, a project is presented which demonstrates for the first time that NOD2 stimulation induces autophagy in DCs, in an NF-kB and RIPK2-dependent pathway. CD-associated polymorphisms in NOD2 and ATG 16Ll abolish NOD2-mediated autophagy induction, resulting in impaired bacterial handling and antigen presentation.

Neisseria lactamica está envolvida na aquisição da imunidade natural contra Neisseria meningitidis, causadora da doença meningocócica. Vesículas de membrana externa (OMV) de N. lactamica são antígenos potenciais contra N. meningitidis. Analisou-se a cinética de biomassa, de produção de OMV, da fonte de carbono (lactato), e dos metabólitos, para maximizar a produção de OMV. Realizaram-se ensaios em biorreator, em batelada simples, batelada alimentada com lactato, com ou sem pulsos de aminoácidos e extrato de levedura (YE). Utilizou-se o meio de Catlin (MC) como meio mínimo, e analisaram-se efeitos das concentrações do lactato, aminoácidos e YE. Lactato foi consumido e citrato e acetato produzidos. Os melhores resultados obtidos foram no meio com adição de 2 g/L de YE e concentrações dobradas de lactato e 5 aminoácidos constitutivos do MC, em batelada alimentada com pulsos. O lactato apresentou efeito positivo sobre o rendimento de OMV e o YE sobre a biomassa. Os 5 aminoácidos constitutivos do MC foram necessários para obtenção de biomassa e rendimento de OMV. / Neisseria lactamica is involved with the acquisition of natural immunity to Neisseria meningitidis. N. lactamica outer membrane vesicles (OMV) are potential antigens against N. meningitidis, the pathogen of meningococcal disease. The objective of this work was to analyze the kinetics of bacterial growth, OMV production, the carbon source (lactate), and products of metabolism, to improve growing conditions and OMV production. Groups were studied in batch process, fed-batch process with lactate, fed-batch process with pulses of amino acids and YE. MC was considered as minimal medium and it was analyzed the effect of lactate, amino acids and YE. Lactate was consumed and citrate and acetate increased in the medium. The best results were in fed-batch with pulses, in MC with the double concentrations of lactate and amino acids, added with 2 g/L of YE. The lactate had a positive effect over OMV yield and YE had a positive effect over biomass. 5 amino acids of MC were necessary to obtain biomass and OMV yield.

Um papel importante foi atribuído ao receptor toll-like 4 (TLR4) no desenvolvimento da placa aterosclerótica. O TLR4 foi primeiramente descrito como um receptor para bactérias gram-negativas; posteriormente foi demonstrado que sua expressão está aumentada em placas ateroscleróticas e que pacientes que possuem um polimorfismo disfuncional do TLR4 são menos suscetíveis ao desenvolvimento dessa doença. Portanto, o objetivo desse estudo foi o de investigar, em um modelo experimental de aterosclerose, a influência da deleção do TLR4 na formação e morfologia da placa aterosclerótica, no perfil lipídico e em marcadores inflamatórios. Camundongos duplo knockout (DKO), deficientes no receptor de LDL e TLR4, foram gerados cruzando-se camundongos deficientes para o receptor de LDL (LDLrKO) com camundongos deficientes para o TLR4 (TLR4KO). Todos os grupos receberam dieta rica em gordura e colesterol por 12 semanas. As concentrações plasmáticas de colesterol e triglicérides foram medidas por ensaio colorimétrico. Cortes seriados da raiz aórtica foram corados com Oil red O e as áreas de lesão quantificadas por analisador de imagens. O colágeno foi medido por coloração de picrossirius. A formação de nitrotirosina e expressão de CD40L, MMP9 e iNOS nas placas foram feitas por imunohistoquímica. As comparações foram feitas por ANOVA com pós teste de Student Newman-Keuls. Os dados foram expressos como média ± EPM. Camundongos DKO desenvolveram placas menores que camundongos LDLrKO (117.6 ±1.4 vs 198.8 ± 3.3 104m2). Camundongos TLR4KO não formaram placa. As placas dos camundongos DKO apresentaram menor núcleo lipídico que as dos LDLrKO (76.2± 13.2 vs 161.7 ± 2.9 104m2). O colágeno ao redor do núcleo lipídico é maior nos camundongos DKO do que nos LDLrKO (24.9 ± 1.8 vs 16.5 ± 2.5 % da placa). A distribuição do colágeno nos camundongos DKO ocorre principalmente ao redor da placa, de forma mais organizada, enquanto que nos LDLrKO onde sua distribuição é mais difusa. As placas dos camundongos DKO apresentaram menor expressão de CD40L e iNOS do que as dos LDLrKO (13.1 ± 0.7 vs 18.5 ± 2.5 AU e 7.7 ± 0.9 vs 10.2 ± 0.4 AU, respectivamente). A expressão de MMP9 foi menor nas placas dos camundongos DKO do que as dos LDLrKO (2.99 ± 0.3 vs 1.99 ± 0.2 AU). A marcação para nitrotirosina foi maior nos camundongos LDLrKO quando comparada com as dos grupos DKO e TLR4KO (142.89 ± 208.5, 77.16 ± 227.7 e 71.73 ± 95.9 10m2, respectivamente). Todos esses resultados sugerem que o processo inflamatório é menor na ausência do TLR4. As concentrações plasmáticas de colesterol não foram diferentes entre os grupos LDLrKO e DKO mas os camundongos LDLrKO apresentaram concentrações plasmáticas de triglicérides maiores do que os camundongos DKO após a dieta (265.2 ± 27.6 vs 150.5 ± 8.8 mg/dL). O receptor toll-like 4 influencia na estrutura e formação da placa aterosclerótica independentemente dos níveis séricos de colesterol / A crucial role has been suggested for toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in atherosclerotic plaque formation and development. TLR4 was described primarily, as a receptor for gram-negative bacteria lipopolisacharide; later it was showed that its expression is increased in atherosclerotic plaques and patients that carries a TLR4 dysfunctional polymorphism are less susceptible to development of this disease. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate, in an experimental model of atherosclerosis, the influence of TLR4 deletion in atherosclerotic plaque formation and morphology, cholesterol profile and inflammatory markers. Double knockout mice (DKO), deficient in LDL receptor and TLR4, were generated by breeding LDL receptor knockout mice (LDLrKO) with TLR4 knockout mice (TLR4KO). All three experimental groups, LDLrKO, TLR4KO and DKO were fed a high fat-cholesterol diet for 12 weeks. Plasma cholesterol and triacylglicerol concentrations were measured by colorimetric assay. Cross sections of aortic sinus were stained with Oil red O and lesion areas were quantified by an image analyzer. Collagen content was measured by picrossirius staining. We also measured nitrotyrosine formation, CD40L, MMP9 and iNOS expression by immunohistochemistry. Comparisons were made by ANOVA followed by Student-Newman-Keuls post- test. Data are mean ± SEM. DKO mice developed smaller plaques than LDLrKO mice (117.6 ±1.4 vs 198.8 ± 3.3 104m2). TLR4KO mice developed no plaque. Plaques from DKO mice have also a smaller lipid core than the ones from LDLrKO mice (76.2± 13.2 vs 161.7 ± 2.9 104m2). Collagen content around the lipid core is higher in DKO mice compared to LDLrKO mice (24.9 ± 1.8 vs 16.5 ± 2.5 % of the whole plaque). Interestingly, collagen distribution in DKO mice seems to occur mainly on the plaque periphery, in a more organized manner, while in LDLrKO mice it is fuzzier, being present also inside the plaque. Plaques from DKO present lower expression of CD40L and iNOS than LDLrKO mice (13.1 ± 0.7 vs 18.5 ± 2.5 AU and 7.7 ± 0.9 vs 10.2 ± 0.4 AU, respectively). MMP9 expression is lower in DKO mice as compared to LDLrKO mice (2.99 ± 0.3 vs 1.99 ± 0.2 AU). Nitrotyrosine staining was higher in LDLrKO mice as compared to DKO and TLR4KO groups (142. 89 ± 208.5, 77.16 ± 227.7 and 71.73 ± 95.9 10m2, respectively). All together, these findings suggest that inflammatory process is milder in the absence of TLR4. Serum cholesterol were not different between LDLrKO and DKO mice but LDLrKO presented higher triacylglicerol serum levels after 12 weeks on high fat high cholesterol diet as compared to DKO mice (265.2 ± 27.6 vs 150.5 ± 8.8). Toll like receptor 4 influences atherosclerotic plaque formation and structure independently from serum cholesterol levels

背景：纤维化是各种因素导致肾脏慢性损伤的最终病理过程，是决定肾功能转归的关键因素。肌纤维母细胞作为构成肾脏纤维化组织的主要细胞成分，其来源尚不清楚。本研究认为骨髓来源的巨噬细胞向肌纤维母细胞转分化（MMT）可能是肾脏纤维化中肌纤维母细胞的主要来源。我们分别在慢性肾脏病患者的肾活检组织和小鼠单侧输料管梗阻模型（UUO）中验证这一假说。 / 方法：我们用激光共聚焦技术和流式细胞染色的方法检测小鼠UUO肾脏和患者肾活检组织中的MMT细胞(F4/80⁺α-SMA⁺或CD68⁺α-SMA⁺)。为了验证骨髓来源的MMT在肾纤维化中的重要作用，UUO模型分别在以下小鼠进行：1）去除骨髓的C57BL/6J小鼠，给予或不给予绿色荧光蛋白（GFP）标记的骨髓细胞移植；2）GFP⁺骨髓的嵌合体小鼠；3）巨噬细胞敲除或不敲除的lysM-Cre/DTR小鼠；4）GFP⁺Smad3⁺/⁺ 或GFP⁺Smad3⁻/⁻骨髓的嵌合体小鼠。我们用实时定量PCR和Western blot检测小鼠肾组织collagen-I和α-SMA水平。另外，我们观察MMT细胞和PDGFR-β⁺ pericytes, CD45⁺collagen I⁺ fibrocytes的关系。最后，通过观察GFP⁺Smad3⁻/⁻骨髓嵌合体小鼠UUO模型肾纤维化程度和TGF-β1刺激下TGF-β受体II或Smad3敲除的骨髓巨噬细胞MMT的不同进一步探索TGF-β/Smad3通路对MMT的影响。 / 结果：去除骨髓后，肾脏collagen-I沉积和α-SMA⁺肌纤维母细胞生成显著受抑制，骨髓细胞移植可以恢复肾脏纤维化，免疫荧光染色显示嵌合体小鼠中多数（80-90%）肌纤维母细胞来自于骨髓巨噬细胞转分化。同时，在白喉霉素诱导的巨噬细胞敲除小鼠中，50-60%巨噬细胞被去除，伴有纤维化明显减少，并且和MMT细胞显著减少相关。进一步验证巨噬细胞通过MMT直接参与肾脏纤维化过程。患者肾活检组织亦可见不同数目MMT细胞，纤维化活跃组织中MMT细胞可占到肌纤维母细胞总数的80%。另外，我们发现无论在小鼠模型还是患者肾活检组织中，多数MMT细胞表达pericyte（PDGFR-β⁺）和fibrocyte（CD45⁺collagen-I⁺）标记物。Smad3⁻/⁻骨髓嵌合体小鼠肾纤维化程度明显低于Smad3⁺/⁺骨髓嵌合体组，TGF-β1刺激下TGF-β受体II或Smad3敲除的骨髓巨噬细胞MMT明显低于不敲除组，提示TGF-β/Smad3通路在MMT过程中起重要作用。 / 结论：骨髓来源的MMT是肾纤维化组织中肌纤维母细胞的主要来源，TGF-β/Smad3 通路在MMT 过程中起重要作用。 / Background: Fibrosis is the ultimate pathological feature and determinant process for chronic kidney disease (CKD) regardless of the underlying etiology. Myofibroblasts are a key cell type in renal fibrosis by producing excessive collagen matrix. However, the origin of myofibroblasts during renal fibrosis remains largely controversial. This thesis tested the hypothesis that bone marrow (BM)-derived macrophage myofibroblast transition (MMT) may be a key pathway leading to renal fibrosis in patients with CKD and in a mouse model of unilateral ureteral obstructive nephropathy (UUO). / Methods: Renal fibrosis was assessed by expression of fibrotic marker collagen I and α-SMA using real-time PCR and western-blot analysis. MMT was determined in both mouse and human kidneys by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry with α-SMA⁺F4/80⁺ (or CD68⁺). The critical role of BM-derived MMT in renal fibrosis was examined in a mouse model of UUO, with various conditions: 1) BM depletion followed by BM transplantation (BMT) with GFP⁺ BM cells; 2) in GFP⁺ BM chimeric mice; 3) in lysM-Cre/DTR mice with or without inducible macrophage deletion; 4) in GFP⁺Smad3⁺/⁺ or GFP⁺Smad3⁻/⁻ BM chimeric mice. In addition, MMT was also validated in renal biopsy tissues from patients with different forms of CKD. Further more, we also studied the relationship between MMT and PDGFR-β⁺ pericytes or CD45⁺collagen I⁺ fibrocytes in both human and mouse fibrotic kidneys. Finally, mechanisms of MMT was examined in the UUO kidney induced in GFP⁺Smad3⁻/⁻ BM chimeric mice and in BM macrophages lacking TGF-β receptor II or Smad3. / Results: As described in Chapter III, mice with BM deletion were protected from renal fibrosis as demonstrated by blocking α-SMA⁺ myofibroblasts and collagen I accumulation. In contrast, BMT restored renal fibrosis in UUO kidney, demonstrating the critical role for BM cells in renal fibrosis. Importantly, the majority (85-90%) of α-SMA⁺ myofibroblasts were derived from BM macrophages as identified by GFP⁺F4/80⁺α-SMA⁺ revealing BM-macrophages given rise to myofibroblasts via MMT during kidney fibrosis. Similarly, MMT appeared as a major pathway of myofibroblast origin in patients with CKD, accounting for up to 80% of total myofibroblasts in the active stage of tissue fibrosis and fibrocellular crescents. To test the function role of macrophages in renal fibrosis via MMT, macrophages were conditionally deleted from the UUO kidneys in lysM-Cre/DTR mice as shown in Chapter IV, deletion (50-60%) of macrophages resulted in inhibition of MMT and renal fibrosis. Unexpectedly, most MMT cells (80-90%) were shown to co-express the pericyte marker (PDGFR-β⁺) and fibrocyte markers (CD45⁺collagen I⁺) in both human CKD and UUO (Chapter V), suggesting a BM macrophage origin for pericytes and fibrocytes during renal fibrosis. Finally, TGF-β/Smad3 appeared to be a mechanism driven MMT because mice and BM macrophages lacking either Smad3 or TβRII were protected against MMT and progressive renal fibrosis in the UUO kidney and in vitro. / Conclusions: MMT is derived from BM macrophages and regulated by TGF-β/Smad3. MMT is a major pathway of myofibroblast origin during renal fibrosis in both human and animal model of CKD. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Wang, Shuang. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 161-179). / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Chapter ABSTRACT --- p.ii / Chapter DECLARATION --- p.viii / Chapter ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.ix / Chapter TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.xi / Chapter LIST OF ABBREVIATION --- p.xv / Chapter LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES --- p.xvii / Chapter CHAPTER I --- p.1 / INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1. 1 --- Renal fibrosis and myofibroblasts --- p.2 / Chapter 1. 1. 1 --- Pathology of renal fibrosis --- p.2 / Chapter 1. 1. 2 --- The generation and modulation of myofibroblasts. --- p.3 / Chapter 1. 1. 2. 1 --- EMT and EndMT --- p.5 / Chapter 1. 1. 2. 2 --- Pericytes --- p.8 / Chapter 1. 1. 2. 3 --- Fibrocytes --- p.16 / Chapter 1. 2 --- Role of macrophage in fibrogenesis --- p.21 / Chapter 1. 3 --- TGF-β signaling pathway in renal fibrosis --- p.23 / Chapter 1. 3. 1 --- TGF-β superfamily --- p.23 / Chapter 1. 3. 2 --- TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway --- p.24 / Chapter CHAPTER II --- p.29 / MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.29 / Chapter 2. 1 --- Materials --- p.30 / Chapter 2. 1. 1 --- Regents and equipments --- p.30 / Chapter 2. 1. 1. 1 --- Regents and equipment for mouse genotyping --- p.30 / Chapter 2. 1. 1. 2 --- Regents and equipments for real-time PCR --- p.30 / Chapter 2. 1. 1. 3 --- Reagents and equipments for immunohistochemistry staining --- p.31 / Chapter 2. 1. 1. 4 --- Reagents and equipment for flow cytometry --- p.32 / Chapter 2. 1. 2 --- Buffer --- p.32 / Chapter 2. 1. 2. 1 --- Buffers for immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining --- p.32 / Chapter 2. 1. 2. 2 --- Buffers for western blot --- p.35 / Chapter 2. 1. 3 --- Sequences of primers for genotyping and real-time PCR --- p.41 / Chapter 2. 1. 4 --- Antibodies --- p.42 / Chapter 2. 2 --- Methods --- p.44 / Chapter 2. 2. 1 --- Generation of gene modified mice --- p.44 / Chapter 2. 2. 2 --- Bone marrow transplantation --- p.45 / Chapter 2. 2. 3 --- Conditional macrophage deletion --- p.45 / Chapter 2. 2. 4 --- Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mouse model --- p.46 / Chapter 2. 2. 5 --- Histology and immunohistochemistry --- p.46 / Chapter 2. 2. 5. 1 --- Processing paraffin sections --- p.46 / Chapter 2. 2. 5. 2 --- Deparaffinization and hydration --- p.47 / Chapter 2. 2. 5. 3 --- Blocking endogenous peroxidase --- p.47 / Chapter 2. 2. 5. 4 --- Antigen retrieval --- p.48 / Chapter 2. 2. 5. 5 --- Antigen and antibody reaction --- p.48 / Chapter 2. 2. 5. 6 --- Detection of target signals --- p.49 / Chapter 2. 2. 5. 7 --- Quantification of immunohistochemistry staining --- p.49 / Chapter 2. 2. 6 --- Immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy analysis --- p.49 / Chapter 2. 2. 6. 1 --- Processing tissue for immune-fluorescent (IF) staining --- p.49 / Chapter 2. 2. 6. 2 --- Serum blocking --- p.50 / Chapter 2. 2. 6. 3 --- Antigen antibody reaction --- p.50 / Chapter 2. 2. 6. 4 --- Signal detection --- p.51 / Chapter 2. 2. 7 --- Flow cytometry --- p.52 / Chapter 2. 2. 7. 1 --- Preparation of single cell suspension --- p.52 / Chapter 2. 2. 7. 2 --- Cell fixation and permeabilization --- p.53 / Chapter 2. 2. 7. 3 --- Staining --- p.53 / Chapter 2. 2. 7. 4 --- Signal detection and analysis --- p.54 / Chapter 2. 2 .8 --- Real time PCR --- p.55 / Chapter 2. 2. 8. 1 --- Total RNA extraction --- p.55 / Chapter 2. 2. 8. 2 --- Reverse transcription --- p.56 / Chapter 2. 2. 8. 3 --- Real-time PCR --- p.57 / Chapter 2. 2. 8. 4 --- Analysis of real-time PCR --- p.57 / Chapter 2. 2. 9 --- Western blot --- p.58 / Chapter 2. 2. 9. 1 --- Protein extraction from tissue --- p.58 / Chapter 2. 2. 9. 2 --- Protein concentration measurement --- p.59 / Chapter 2. 2. 9. 3 --- SDS-PAGE electrophoresis --- p.59 / Chapter 2. 2. 9. 4 --- Protein transfer --- p.60 / Chapter 2. 2. 9. 5 --- Blocking --- p.61 / Chapter 2. 2. 9. 6 --- Antibodies incubation and signal detection --- p.62 / Chapter 2. 2. 9. 7 --- Stripping --- p.62 / Chapter CHAPTER III --- p.63 / EVIDENCE FOR MMT AS A NEW PATHWAY OF MYOFIBROBLAST ORIGIN IN RENAL FIBROSIS --- p.63 / Chapter 3. 1 --- Introduction --- p.64 / Chapter 3. 2 --- Materials and methods --- p.65 / Chapter 3. 2. 1 --- Human renal biopsy tissues --- p.65 / Chapter 3. 2. 2 --- Experimental design --- p.65 / Chapter 3. 2. 3 --- Bone marrow transplantation and GFP⁺ BM chimeric mice --- p.66 / Chapter 3. 2. 4 --- Immunohistochemistry --- p.66 / Chapter 3. 2. 5 --- Immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy analysis --- p.67 / Chapter 3. 2. 6 --- Real-time PCR --- p.68 / Chapter 3. 2. 7 --- Western blot analysis --- p.68 / Chapter 3. 2. 8 --- Flow cytometry --- p.68 / Chapter 3. 3 --- Results --- p.69 / Chapter 3. 3. 1 --- BM-derived myofibroblasts play a key role in renal fibrosis in a mouse model of UUO --- p.69 / Chapter 3. 3. 1. 1 --- α-SMA⁺ myofibroblasts are derived from BM and determine renal fibrosis in a mouse model of UUO --- p.69 / Chapter 3. 3. 1. 2 --- BM as a major source of collagen production in a mouse model of UUO --- p.73 / Chapter 3. 3. --- 2 Evidence for BM derived macrophage-myofibrobalst transition (MMT) in a mouse model of UUO --- p.77 / Chapter 3. 3. 2. 1 --- Characterization of GFP⁺ BM chimeric mice --- p.77 / Chapter 3. 3. 2. 2 --- Evidence for bone marrow-derived MMT is the major source of myofibroblast origin in the UUO kidney --- p.79 / Chapter 3. 3. 3 --- Evidence for MMT in human fibrotic kidney tissues --- p.84 / Chapter 3. 3. 4 --- M2 macrophage is the predomimant phenotype of macrophages in the fibrotic kidney of UUO mouse model. --- p.88 / Chapter 3. 4 --- Discussion --- p.90 / Chapter 3. 5 --- Conclusion --- p.93 / Chapter CHAPTER IV --- p.94 / Chapter GE --- CONDITIONAL MACROPHA DELETION INHIBITS MMT AND RENAL FIBROSIS --- p.94 / Chapter 4. 1 --- Introduction --- p.95 / Chapter 4. 2 --- Materials and methods --- p.98 / Chapter 4. 2. 1 --- Generation of lysM-Cre/DTR mice --- p.98 / Chapter 4. 2. 2 --- Conditional deletion of macrophage --- p.98 / Chapter 4. 2. 3 --- Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction (UUO) mouse model --- p.98 / Chapter 4. 2. 4 --- Real-time PCR --- p.99 / Chapter 4. 2. 5 --- Western blot analysis --- p.99 / Chapter 4. 2. 6 --- Immunohistochemisty --- p.99 / Chapter 4. 2. 7 --- Immunofluorescence --- p.99 / Chapter 4. 3 --- Results --- p.100 / Chapter 4. 3. 1 --- Characterization of lysM-Cre/DTR mice --- p.100 / Chapter 4. 3. 2 --- Conditional deletion of macrophage in a mouse model of UUO --- p.101 / Chapter 4. 3. 3 --- Conditional deletion of macrophage suppresses α-SMA⁺ myofibroblast accumulation in a mouse model of UUO --- p.104 / Chapter 4. 3. 4 --- Conditional deletion of macrophage inhibits collagen I production in a mouse model of UUO --- p.106 / Chapter 4. 3. 5 --- Conditional deletion of macrophage inhibits renal fibrosis through reducing MMT cells in a mouse model of UUO --- p.108 / Chapter 4. 4 --- Discussion --- p.111 / Chapter 4. 5 --- Conclusion --- p.113 / Chapter CHAPTER V --- p.114 / MMT CELLS SHARE PERICYTE AND FIBROCYTE PHENOTYPES --- p.114 / Chapter 5. 1 --- Introduciton --- p.115 / Chapter 5. 2 --- Materials and methods --- p.116 / Chapter 5. 2. 1 --- Human renal biopsy tissues --- p.116 / Chapter 5. 2. 2 --- Animals and UUO mouse model --- p.116 / Chapter 5. 2. 3 --- Immunofluorescence (IF) --- p.116 / Chapter 5. 2. 4 --- Flow cytometry --- p.117 / Chapter 5. 3 --- Results --- p.119 / Chapter 5. 3. 1 --- Evidence for MMT cells co-expressing pericyte marker in the fibrotic kidney of UUO model --- p.119 / Chapter 5. 3. 2 --- Evidence for MMT cells co-expressing pericyte marker in the fibrotic kidney from patients with chronic kidney diseases --- p.124 / Chapter 5. 3. 3 --- Evidence for MMT cells co-expressing fibrocyte marker in the fibrotic kidney of UUO model --- p.126 / Chapter 5. 3. 4 --- Evidence for MMT cells co-expressing fibrocyte marker in the fibrotic kidney from patients with chronic kidney diseases --- p.129 / Chapter 5. 4 --- Dscussion --- p.131 / Chapter 5. 5 --- Conclusion --- p.133 / Chapter CHAPTER VI --- p.134 / SMAD3 MEDIATES MMT DURING RENAL FIBROSIS --- p.134 / Chapter 6. 1 --- Introduction --- p.135 / Chapter 6. 2 --- Materials and methods --- p.137 / Chapter 6. 2. 1 --- Generation of Smad3⁺/⁺ and Smad3⁻/⁻ BM-Chimeric mice --- p.137 / Chapter 6. 2. 2 --- Generation of TbRII disrupted BM macrophages and Smad3⁻/⁻ BM macrophages --- p.137 / Chapter 6. 2. 3 --- UUO mouse model --- p.138 / Chapter 6. 2. 4 --- Cell culture --- p.138 / Chapter 6. 2. 5 --- Real-time PCR --- p.139 / Chapter 6. 2. 6 --- Western blot analysis --- p.139 / Chapter 6. 2. 7 --- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) --- p.139 / Chapter 6. 2. 8 --- Immunofluorescence (IF) --- p.139 / Chapter 6. 2. 9 --- Flow cytometry --- p.140 / Chapter 6. 3 --- Result --- p.141 / Chapter 6. 3. 1 --- Genotyping of Smad3 WT and Smad3 KO mice --- p.141 / Chapter 6. 3. 2 --- Smad3 knockout inhibits TGF-β1 induced MMT in vitro --- p.142 / Chapter 6. 3. 3 --- Disruption of TbRII inhibits TGF-β1 induced MMT in vitro --- p.145 / Chapter 6. 3. 4 --- Deletion of BM Smad3 inhibits α-SMA expression in the UUO kidney --- p.147 / Chapter 6. 3. 5 --- Deletion of BM Smad3 inhibits collagen-I production in the UUO kidney --- p.149 / Chapter 6. 3. 6 --- Inhibition of MMT is a mechanism by which BM Smad3 deficiency inhibits renal fibrosis in a mouse model of UUO --- p.150 / Chapter 6. 4 --- Discussion --- p.153 / Chapter 6. 5 --- Conclusion --- p.154 / Chapter CHAPTER VII --- p.155 / SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION OF THE MAJOR FINDINGS --- p.155 / Chapter 7. 1 --- Summary and discussion --- p.157 / Chapter 7. 1. 1 --- MMT is a major pathway of myofibroblast origin in renal fibrosis --- p.157 / Chapter 7. 1. 2 --- MMT cells shares both pericyte and fibrocyte phenotypes in renal fibrosis --- p.157 / Chapter 7. 1. 3 --- TGF-β/Smad3 is a key mechanism of MMT in renal fibrosis --- p.158 / Chapter 7. 2 --- Conclusion --- p.160 / Chapter REFERENCES --- p.161

A imunidade inata na interface materno-fetal é um dos mecanismos de proteção essenciais na resposta antiviral, sobretudo, na infecção por HIV-1. Neste trabalho, avaliamos a influência da infecção materna por HIV-1 na expressão de fatores antivirais, nas moléculas do complexo inflamassoma e de retrovírus endógenos (HERV), em células mononucleares (CMN) maternas, células do cordão umbilical (recém-natos, RN), colostro e no tecido placentário. Os resultados mostraram que no vilo das placentas de mães infectadas há um aumento na expressão de mRNA dos fatores antivirais, como IFN tipo I e III, DAMPs damage-associated molecular patterns e HERVs. Entretanto, na análise proteica, essas diferenças não se confirmam, indicando que o sistema imune inato é capaz de reconhecer o vírus, ou ainda, o dano causado pela infecção, mas controla a produção exacerbada da proteína. Sob estímulo de agonista de TLRs Toll-like receptor, em CMNs a expressão de HERVs não se altera entre RNs. Além disto, avaliando os níveis de &#223-quimiocinas, CCL5 e CCL3, e de IFN-&#967 nos sobrenadantes das culturas de CMNs, a ativação por LPS foi capaz de diminuir a produção de CCL3 e CCL5 nas CMNs de mães infectadas por HIV em relação às mães controles, contudo o CL097 promoveu níveis similares às mães do grupo controle. Nos RNs, enquanto os níveis de CCL5 são inferiores aos de adultos, os níveis de CCL3 são semelhantes. Já o ligante TLR7/8 foi capaz de restaurar a secreção de IFN-&#945 no grupo infectado por HIV-1. Além disso, no vilo das placentas das mães infectadas por HIV, há intensa modificação na expressão de mRNA dos fatores analisados, sejam antivirais, como IFN tipo I (IFN-&#945), tipo III (IFN-&#955), fatores relacionados ao dano celular (DAMPs e seus receptores). Entre os DAMPs, um aumento da expressão de S100A9 e HMGB1 e seus receptores RAGE, TLR4 e TLR9 foi observado nos vilos de placentas de mães infectadas por HIV-1, contudo, os níveis séricos de HMGB1 estão diminuídos em mães infectadas e RN expostos. Quanto aos níveis séricos de citocinas, foram observados níveis reduzidos de HMGB1, IL-6 e IL-1&#223 nos RNs expostos, o que evidencia um controle do estado inflamatório na exposição ao HIV-1. Também observamos presença de níveis séricos de HERV-W, livre ou em exossomas, em ambos os grupos analisados. Já no colostro, não encontramos diferenças nas análises de fatores inflamatórios e HERVs indicando que, nesse compartimento, a infecção não altera os padrões de expressão desses alvos. A vigência do estado antiviral e a supressão do ambiente inflamatório podem equilibrar a resposta imune placentária, promovendo a homeostase para o desenvolvimento do feto e de proteção à infecção por HIV-1 nos neonatos. / Innate immunity at the maternal-fetal interface is one of the main protection mechanisms in the antiviral response, especially in HIV-1 infection. In this work, we present the influence of maternal HIV-1 infection on the expression of antiviral factors, inflammasome molecular complex and human endogenous retroviruses (HERV), in maternal mononuclear cells (MNCs), umbilical cord cells (newborns, NB), colostrum and placental tissue. The results show that in infected mothers cells has an increase in mRNA expression of antiviral factors, such as IFN type I and III, DAMPs (damage-associated molecular patterns) and HERVs. However, in protein analysis, these differences are not confirmed, indicating that the immune system is able to detect the virus, or even the damage caused by the infection, but controls the exacerbated protein production. Under stimulation of the TLR (Toll-like receptor) agonist, CMNs do not change among the RNs. In addition, by evaluating the levels of &#223-chemokines, CCL5 and CCL3, and of IFN-&#945 in the supernatants of CMNs cultures, LPS activation was able to decrease the production of CCL3 and CCL5 in CMNs of HIV-infected mothers compared to control mothers, nevertheless CL097 promoted similar levels between HIV-infected mothers and control group. In RNs, while CCL5 levels are lower than in adults, CCL3 levels are similar. TLR7/8 agonist was able to restore IFN- secretion in the HIV-infected group. In contrast, the TLR7/8 agonist was able to restore IFN- secretion in HIV-infected group. In addition, in placental villi, there is intense modification in the mRNA expression of the analyzed factors, whether they are antiviral, such as IFN type I (IFN-&#945), type III (IFN-&#955), related to cell damage (DAMPs and their receptors). Among DAMPs, increased expression of S100A9 and HMGB1 and their receptors RAGE, TLR4 and TLR9 was observed in placental villi of HIV-infected mothers, however, serum HMGB1 levels are decreased in infected-mothers and exposed-newborns. About the cytokines serum levels, reduced levels of HMGB1, IL-6 and IL-1&#223 were observed in the exposed-NBs, which evidences an inflammatory status control in HIV-1 exposure. We also observed the presence of free HERV-W or exosomes levels in serum in both groups analyzed. In colostrum, we did not find differences in inflammatory factors and HERVs analysis indicating that, in this compartment, the infection does not alter the expression patterns of these targets. The effectiveness of antiviral status and suppression of the inflammatory environment can balance the placental immune response, promoting homeostasis for fetal development and protection of HIV-1 infection in neonates.

Bibliography: leaves 82-111. This thesis analyses the molecular composition of the surface components of the Endoparasitoid "Venturia canescens" using serological methods and specific sugar-binding lectins as diagnostic tools. The data reveals that the protective layer consists of at least two parts: a mucin-like glycoprotein and additional components from the wasp calyx fluid and the host hemolymph. The study suggests that the wasp larval cuticle is protected in a similar fashion to the egg chorion, except that the calyx-specific VLPs are probably replaced on the larval cuticle by host hemolymph proteins. The findings suggest that the mechanism of passive immune evasion could emerge during the evolution of the wasp-host interactions. The implication is that structurally conserved components may have similar functions in the parasitic and non parasitic species and could constitute a useful pre-adaptations for an endoparasitoid lifestyle.

This thesis tests the hypothesis that innate immunity may be enhanced immediately following a stressful event. The experiments characterize the acute effects of the fight or flight response on some immunological and endocrine parameters in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Plasma cortisol and catecholamines were elevated within seconds of the initiation of an acute handling stressor consisting of 30 seconds in the air and five, 10 or 20 minutes in a shallow bucket of water. Plasma lysozyme activity increased after stress, however, the increases were not statistically significant unless variation was reduced by serial bleeding of the same individual trout before and after stress. A more "resting" fish was achieved by use of the anesthetic 2-phenoxy-ethanol which was surreptitiously introduced into the tanks before the initial bleed. Individual fish were then revived in freshwater and stressed as before. Enhancement of lysozyme activity was evident although levels of plasma stress hormones in fish that were anesthetized, revived and stressed were less than when fish were similarly stressed without anesthetic. Levels of cortisol and catecholamines increased within seconds of capture and aerial exposure, returned to near pre-stress levels after the fish had been placed in a shallow bucket of water for 30 seconds, then increased again. Evaluation of the influence of acute stress on survival following challenge with the pathogen Vibrio anguillarum yielded equivocal data. Results presented here suggest that enhancement of innate defenses as part of the fight or flight response merits further evaluation. / Graduation date: 1997

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 76-86).

Production traits and disease resistance are believed to be under the control of many genes, i.e. quantitative trait loci (QTL). The objective of the present study was to establish a methodology for identifying DNA markers which are associated with QTL in chickens using an alternative approach to the traditional linkage analysis. A systematic screening approach was designed to search a chicken liver cDNA library for clones which revealed polymorphisms associated with traits. In the first stage of the experiment, a total of 92 cDNA clones were subjected to restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. About 33% and 22% of the clones revealed DNA polymorphisms at MspI and TaqI restriction sites, respectively. Subsequently, DNA polymorphisms which responded to selection were identified by comparing RFLP frequencies in divergently selected strains of chickens. About 60% of the RFLPs responded to selection for egg production traits and/or Marek's disease (MD) resistance. Trait associations of these RFLPs were then studied by selectively genotyping individuals at the extremes of trait distributions, followed by an analysis of individuals in the entire population and statistical evaluation. Finally, RFLP regions of DNA markers were characterized and PCR assays for rapid RFLP screening were developed. DNA markers in two genes were identified and characterized by this methodology. One was a marker in the chicken mitochondrial genome which arose from a nucleotide substitution (T to C) in the NADH subunit IV gene. Statistical analysis for typing random individual samples from the strains showed that this DNA polymorphism was associated with mature body weight and egg specific gravity which is a strong indicator for egg shell thickness. Other analyzed markers were located in the chicken mitochondrial phospho-enolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK-M). Using the cDNA of this gene as a probe, southern blotting revealed a highly polymorphic band pattern. Statistical analy