Toxoplasma gondii é um parasito do filo Apicomplexa que infecta uma grande variedade de hospedeiros, incluindo os humanos. O parasito invade a célula hospedeira por penetração ativa, com a participação das proteínas de suas organelas secretoras durante esse processo. Até o momento, somente um número limitado de proteínas secretoras tem sido descoberto, além disso, as moléculas efetoras envolvidas na invasão e sobrevivência do parasito não estão completamente compreendidas. A osteopontina (OPN) é uma glicofosfoproteína adesiva secretada, multifuncional, que contém o domínio arginina-glicina-ácido aspártico (RGD) de ligação à integrina, que está envolvida em uma variedade de eventos fisiológicos e patológicos, incluindo sinalização e sobrevivência celular. Pela primeira vez, nós demonstramos pelas técnicas de imunofluorescência e imunocitoquímica ultraestrutural que há uma intensa marcação para uma proteína OPN-like nos grânulos densos de taquizoítos de T. gondii extracelulares. O western blotting e o RT-PRC confirmaram a expressão de OPN-like nos taquizoítos. Nossos resultados também mostram que após a invasão dos macrófagos, a proteína OPN-like está localizada na membrana do vacúolo parasitóforo. Esses dados sugerem que os grânulos densos secretam uma proteína OPN-like, e nós podemos especular que essa proteína participa durante o processo de interação do parasito com as células hospedeiras. . / Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan parasite infecting a broad host range, including humans. The parasite invades host cell by active penetration with the participation of its secretory organelles proteins during this process. Until now, only a limited number of secretory proteins have been discovered, and the effectors molecules involved in parasite invasion and survival are not well understood. Osteopontin (OPN) is a multifunctional secreted adhesive glycophosphoprotein containing the arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) integrin-binding domain, which is involved in various physiological and pathological events including cell signaling and survival. For the first time we demonstrated by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy approaches that there is an intense labeling for an OPN-like protein in the dense granules of extracellular T. gondii tachyzoites. Western blotting and RTPCR confirmed this protein expression in tachyzoites. Our results also showed that after macrophage invasion the OPN-like protein is localized at the parasitophorous vacuole membrane. These data suggest that dense granules secrete an OPN-like protein, and we can speculate that this protein participates during the parasite interaction process with host cells.

Toxoplasma gondii é um parasito do filo Apicomplexa que infecta uma grande variedade de hospedeiros, incluindo os humanos. O parasito invade a célula hospedeira por penetração ativa, com a participação das proteínas de suas organelas secretoras durante esse processo. Até o momento, somente um número limitado de proteínas secretoras tem sido descoberto, além disso, as moléculas efetoras envolvidas na invasão e sobrevivência do parasito não estão completamente compreendidas. A osteopontina (OPN) é uma glicofosfoproteína adesiva secretada, multifuncional, que contém o domínio arginina-glicina-ácido aspártico (RGD) de ligação à integrina, que está envolvida em uma variedade de eventos fisiológicos e patológicos, incluindo sinalização e sobrevivência celular. Pela primeira vez, nós demonstramos pelas técnicas de imunofluorescência e imunocitoquímica ultraestrutural que há uma intensa marcação para uma proteína OPN-like nos grânulos densos de taquizoítos de T. gondii extracelulares. O western blotting e o RT-PRC confirmaram a expressão de OPN-like nos taquizoítos. Nossos resultados também mostram que após a invasão dos macrófagos, a proteína OPN-like está localizada na membrana do vacúolo parasitóforo. Esses dados sugerem que os grânulos densos secretam uma proteína OPN-like, e nós podemos especular que essa proteína participa durante o processo de interação do parasito com as células hospedeiras. . / Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan parasite infecting a broad host range, including humans. The parasite invades host cell by active penetration with the participation of its secretory organelles proteins during this process. Until now, only a limited number of secretory proteins have been discovered, and the effectors molecules involved in parasite invasion and survival are not well understood. Osteopontin (OPN) is a multifunctional secreted adhesive glycophosphoprotein containing the arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) integrin-binding domain, which is involved in various physiological and pathological events including cell signaling and survival. For the first time we demonstrated by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy approaches that there is an intense labeling for an OPN-like protein in the dense granules of extracellular T. gondii tachyzoites. Western blotting and RTPCR confirmed this protein expression in tachyzoites. Our results also showed that after macrophage invasion the OPN-like protein is localized at the parasitophorous vacuole membrane. These data suggest that dense granules secrete an OPN-like protein, and we can speculate that this protein participates during the parasite interaction process with host cells.

Os bisfosfonatos são drogas capazes de inibir a reabsorção óssea por meio de seu efeito direto sobre as células ósseas, interferindo na dinâmica dos tecidos mineralizados. O alendronato (ALN), um tipo de bisfosfonato nitrogenado, foi utilizado com o objetivo de investigar os seus efeitos sobre os tecidos dentários e periodontais após luxação lateral de molares com as raízes em desenvolvimento. Ratos Wistar com 21 dias de idade tiveram os segundos molares superiores luxados lateralmente. Doses diárias de 2,5 mg / kg de ALN começaram no dia seguinte à luxação; os controles receberam solução salina estéril. As maxilas foram fixadas, descalcificadas e incluídas em parafina ou em resina Spurr 7, 14 e 21 dias pós-luxação. Os cortes foram corados com H & E, incubados por histoquímica TRAP e imuno marcados para osteopontina (OPN), bem como para análise ultraestrutural. Após 21 dias, o ápice dos molares luxados sem ALN estava aberto e desorganizado, coberto por uma camada irregular de cemento celular. Os molares luxados dos animais tratados com ALN apresentaram alguns locais de anquilose, bem como lacunas de reabsorção na superfície do cemento. Os osteoclastos TRAP positivos foram mais numerosos no grupo ALN, apesar de sua aparência latente e sua localização, afastados das trabéculas ósseas, em relação aos controles, achado que foi confirmado com a análise ultraestrutural. A imunomarcação de OPN revelou uma linha grossa imunopositiva na dentina, que deve ter surgido a partir do momento da luxação, enquanto que as amostras tratadas com ALN não apresentaram alterações na dentina. Os resultados indicam que o alendronato inibe algumas alterações na dentina e na formação do cemento, induzidas pelo trauma dental de luxação. / Bisphosphonates are drugs that inhibit bone resorption through its direct effect on bone cells, interfering with the dynamics of mineralized tissues. Alendronate (ALN), a nitrogenated bisphosphonate, was used in order to investigate their effects on dental and periodontal tissues after lateral dislocation of molars with developing roots. Twenty one days old Wistar rats had their second molars laterally l. Daily doses of 2.5 mg / kg ALN started the day following the dislocation, while controls received saline solution. The maxillae were fixed, decalcified and embedded in paraffin or in Spurr resin after 7, 14 and 21 days post-dislocation. The sections were stained with H & E, incubated for TRAP, immunolabeled for osteopontin (OPN), and ultrastructurally analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. After 21 days, the apex of the luxated molar without ALN was open and disorganized, covered by an irregular layer of cellular cementum. The luxated molar from ALN-treated animals showed some areas of ankylosis and resorption lacunae on the cementum surface. TRAP-positive osteoclasts were more numerous in the ALN group, despite their latent appearance compared to controls, a finding that was ultrastructurally confirmed. OPN immunostaining revealed a thick immunopositive line in dentin, which must be resultant from the moment of dislocation, while the samples treated with ALN showed no changes in dentin. The results indicate that alendronate inhibits some changes in dentin and cementum formation induced by dental trauma of lateral luxation.

Les "Small Integrin Binding Ligand N-Linked Glycoproteins" constituent un groupe de protéines matricellulaires fortement impliquées dans la formation et la minéralisation osseuse, et qui inclut la Sialoprotéine Osseuse (BSP) et l’Ostéopontine (OPN). Le phénotype des souris BSP-/- montre qu’elles sont dès la naissance plus petite, avec des os longs plus courts à l’âge adulte. L’analyse de leur développement s’est trouvée compliquée par un trouble comportemental des femelles BSP-/- qui ne forment pas de nid. Les croisements entre les souris-/-, +/+ et +/- ont établi que le phénotype osseux de ces souris est d’origine purement génétique. Le taux circulant d’OPN plus élevé chez ces souris suggère une compensation de l’absence de la BSP par l’OPN. Dans un modèle d’injection de PTH sur la moitié droite de l’os pariétal que nous avons développé, la PTH induit localement une augmentation des paramètres histologiques, microtomographiques et moléculaires de formation osseuse dans les deux génotypes. L’injection in vivo de siARN bloquant l’expression d’OPN ne change pas l’effet anabolique de la PTH chez les souris BSP+/+, mais bloque cet effet chez les souris BSP-/-. Ces résultats suggèrent que l’OPN pourrait remplacer la BSP dans certaines de ses fonctions. Le modèle d’ablation médullaire permet d’analyser sur un temps court la revascularisation du conduit osseux. Trois jours après l’ablation l’os des souris BSP-/- présentait une densité vasculaire plus élevée que les BSP+/+, associée à une expression élevée d’OPN et de VEGF, suggérant l’intervention de l’un ou de ces deux facteurs dans la stimulation de l’angiogenèse. En conclusion, l’absence de BSP affecte l’interaction entre l’ostéogenèse, l’angiogenèse / The Small Integrin Binding Ligand N-Linked Glycoproteins family is involved in bone formation and angiogenesis, and it includes bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteopontin (OPN). Our laboratory has characterized the phenotype of BSP-/- mice, which have a hypomineralised skeleton and are smaller presenting shorter long bone in adulthood. The analysis of their development has been complicated by a behavioral disorder of female BSP-/-, which do not form a nest after parturition. We performed a series of crossfoster breedings, which established that the bone phenotype of BSP-/- is of purely genetic origin. After birth, BSP-/- pups showed higher circulating level of OPN, which suggests a compensation of the lack of BSP by OPN. We developed a model of intermittent injection of PTH over the periosteum of the right mouse hemicalvaria to test the latter hypothesis. PTH induced a local increase of histological microtomographic and molecular bone formation parameters in both genotypes. The Inhibition of this protein by injection of siRNA did not change the anabolic effect of PTH in wild mice, in contrast, this anabolic effect was blocked in BSP-/- mice. These results suggest that OPN could replace BSP in some of its functions. Knowing that OPN is overexpressed in the absence of BSP and is highly angiogenic, we used a model of bone marrow ablation to analyze the revascularization of bone shaft. Three days after ablation BSP-/- femurs showed higher vessel density with higher expression of OPN and VEGF suggesting the involvement of one or both of these factors in the stimulation of angiogenesis. In conclusion, the absence of BSP affects the interplay between osteogenesis, angiogenesis

Ischemic heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. Osteopontin (OPN), a cell-secreted extracellular matrix protein, is suggested to play a cardioprotective role in mouse models of ischemic heart disease. The objective of this study was to examine the role of OPN in modulation of systolic and diastolic functional parameters of the heart following mouse ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. For this, wild-type (WT) and OPN-knockout (KO) mice aged approximately 4 months were subjected to cardiac ischemia for 45 minutes by the ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) followed by reperfusion of LAD by snipping the ligature. Heart function was measured using echocardiography at baseline, 1, 3, 7, 14, and 27 days post-I/R injury. M-mode echocardiographic images were used to calculate % fractional shortening [%FS], % ejection fraction [%EF], end-systolic volume [ESV], and end-diastolic volume [EDV], while pulsed wave Doppler images were used to measure aortic ejection time [AET], isovolumic relaxation time [IVRT], and total systolic time [TST]. Velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (Vcf) was calculated using FS and AET. I/R injury significantly decreased %EF and %FS in both WT and KO groups at all time points (1, 3, 7, 14, and 27 days post-I/R) versus the baseline. However, the decrease in % EF and %FS was significantly greater in KO-I/R group versus WT-I/R at 3, 7, 14 and 27 days post-I/R. I/R-mediated increase in ESV and EDV were significantly greater in KO-MI group versus WT-MI 3 day post-I/R. AET was significantly higher in WT-I/R group 27 days post-I/R versus baseline. However, AET was significantly lower in KO-I/R group 3 and 27 days post-I/R versus WT-I/R. IVRT was significantly higher in KO-I/R group 27 days post-I/R vs baseline. However, IVRT was significantly lower in KO-I/R group 1 day post-I/R vs WT-I/R. TST remained unchanged in WT and KO groups post-I/R versus their respective baseline groups. However, TST was significantly lower in KO-I/R group versus WT-I/R at 3 days post-I/R. Vcf was significantly higher at basal levels in the KO versus WT mice. I/R injury decreased Vcf in both groups versus their baseline at all time-points. These data provide evidence that lack of OPN deteriorates systolic and diastolic functional parameters of the heart following I/R injury, suggesting a cardioprotective role of OPN in myocardial remodeling post-IR.

Remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) associates with left ventricular (LV) dilation, decreased cardiac function and increased mortality. The dynamic synthesis and breakdown of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins play a significant role in myocardial remodeling post-MI. Expression of osteopontin (OPN) increases in the heart post-MI. Evidence has been provided that lack of OPN induces LV dilation which associates with decreased collagen synthesis and deposition. Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases, key players in ECM remodeling process post-MI, increased ECM deposition (fibrosis) and improved LV function in mice lacking OPN after MI. This review summarizes — 1) signaling pathways leading to increased expression of OPN in the heart; 2) the alterations in the structure and function of the heart post-MI in mice lacking OPN; and 3) mechanisms involved in OPN-mediated ECM remodeling post-MI.

Increased osteopontin (OPN) expression in the heart, specifically in myocytes, associates with increased myocyte apoptosis and myocardial dysfunction. Recently, we provided evidence that OPN interacts with CD44 receptor, and induces myocyte apoptosis via the involvement of endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial death pathways. Here we tested the hypothesis that OPN induces oxidative stress in myocytes and the heart via the involvement of mitochondria and NADPH oxidase-4 (NOX-4). Treatment of adult rat ventricular myocytes (ARVMs) with OPN (20 nM) increased oxidative stress as analyzed by protein carbonylation, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels as analyzed by ROS detection kit and dichlorohydrofluorescein diacetate staining. Pretreatment with NAC (antioxidant), apocynin (NOX inhibitor), MnTBAP (superoxide dismutase mimetic), and mitochondrial KATP channel blockers (glibenclamide and 5-hydroxydecanoate) decreased OPN-stimulated ROS production, cytosolic cytochrome c levels, and apoptosis. OPN increased NOX-4 expression, while decreasing SOD-2 expression. OPN decreased mitochondrial membrane potential as measured by JC-1 staining, and induced mitochondrial abnormalities including swelling and reorganization of cristae as observed using transmission electron microscopy. OPN increased expression of BIK, a pro-apoptotic protein involved in reorganization of mitochondrial cristae. Expression of dominant-negative BIK decreased OPN-stimulated apoptosis. In vivo, OPN expression in cardiac myocyte-specific manner associated with increased protein carbonylation, and expression of NOX-4 and BIK. Thus, OPN induces oxidative stress via the involvement of mitochondria and NOX-4. It may affect mitochondrial morphology and integrity, at least in part, via the involvement of BIK.

Increased osteopontin (OPN) expression associates with increased myocyte apoptosis and myocardial dysfunction. The objective of this study was to identify the receptor for OPN and get insight into the mechanism by which OPN induces cardiac myocyte apoptosis. Adult rat ventricular myocytes (ARVMs) and transgenic mice expressing OPN in a myocyte-specific manner were used for in vitro and in vivo studies. Treatment with purified OPN (20 nM) protein or adenoviral-mediated OPN expression induced apoptosis in ARVMs. OPN co-immunoprecipitated with CD44 receptors, not with β1 or β3 integrins. Proximity ligation assay confirmed interaction of OPN with CD44 receptors. Neutralizing anti-CD44 antibodies inhibited OPN-stimulated apoptosis. OPN activated JNKs and increased expression of Bax and levels of cytosolic cytochrome c, suggesting involvement of mitochondrial death pathway. OPN increased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, as evidenced by increased expression of Gadd153 and activation of caspase-12. Inhibition of JNKs using SP600125 or ER stress using salubrinal or caspase-12 inhibitor significantly reduced OPN-stimulated apoptosis. Expression of OPN in adult mouse heart in myocyte-specific manner associated with decreased left ventricular function and increased myocyte apoptosis. In the heart, OPN expression increased JNKs and caspase-12 activities, and expression of Bax and Gadd153. Thus, OPN, acting via CD44 receptors, induces apoptosis in myocytes via the involvement of mitochondrial death pathway and ER stress.

No description available.

Ischemic heart disease represents a leading cause of death worldwide. Ischemia denotes an insufficient supply of oxygenated blood to the heart due to occlusion of the coronary vessels. Timely reperfusion, i.e., restoring blood flow to the ischemic part of the heart, limits ischemic damage. However, reperfusion itself induces injury to the heart. This phenomenon is referred as ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Osteopontin (OPN), also known as cytokine Eta-1, is a cell-secreted extracellular matrix protein. Expression of OPN increases in the heart in response to a variety of pathological conditions. Mice lacking OPN exhibit exaggerated left ventricular dilation in non-reperfused model of myocardial remodeling. Cardioprotective role of OPN has also been demonstrated in a mouse model of repetitive I/R injury for 7 days. The objective of this study was to examine the role of OPN in modulation of systolic and diastolic parameters of the heart following I/R injury in a time-dependent manner. For this study, wild type (WT) and OPN knockout (KO) mice aged ~4 months were subjected to cardiac ischemia by the ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). Following 45 min of ischemia, the LAD was reperfused by snipping the ligature. Heart function was measured using echocardiography at baseline, 3, 7, 14, and 27 days following I/R injury. M-mode echocardiographic images were used to calculate the systolic parameters (% fractional shortening [%FS], % ejection fraction [%EF], and end-systolic volume [ESV]), while pulse wave Doppler images were used to calculate diastolic parameter (aortic ejection time; [AET]). Global cardiac function was evaluated using myocardial performance index (MPI; a Doppler-derived index which combines systolic and diastolic functions). At basal levels, most of the systolic and diastolic parameters remained unchanged between the two groups. I/R injury decreased %FS and EF in both groups vs the baseline values at 3, 7, 14 and 27 days post-I/R. However, the decrease in %FS and EF was significantly greater in KO-I/R vs WT-I/R group. ESV was significantly higher in WT mice 7 days post-I/R, and stayed higher 14 and 27 days post-I/R vs baseline. However, the increase in ESV was significantly greater in KO mice 3 day post-I/R, and remained higher vs WT-I/R during the time course. AET was lower in WT group 14 days post-I/R vs baseline. On the other hand, AET was significantly lower in KO group 3, 7, 14 and 27 days post-I/R vs WT-I/R. MPI was higher in WT group 7 days post-IR vs baseline. MPI decreased significantly in WT group 27 days vs 7 days post-I/R. In KO group, MPI was significantly higher than WT mice at baseline, and remained higher 3 and 27 day post-I/R vs WT-I/R. Thus, lack of OPN decreases systolic and diastolic functional parameters of the heart following I/R injury, suggesting a cardioprotective role of OPN in myocardial remodeling post-IR.