Os fatores bioquímicos de cronicidade de úlceras venosas ainda não estão totalmente esclarecidos, porém, sabe-se que há desequilíbrio entre produção de metaloproteinases de matriz (MMPs) e fatores de inibição tissular de metaloproteinases (TIMPs), metabolismo anormal de colágeno, senescência de fibroblastos e alterações na ação de fatores de crescimentos, tais como fator transformador de crescimento beta (TGF-?). Diante das falhas no processo de reparo tecidual, várias terapias têm sido desenvolvidas com destaque para celulose oxidada regenerada (oxidized regenerated cellulose - ORC)/colágeno e ORC/colágeno/prata cuja função é alterar o microambiente diminuindo MMPs/TIMPs presente no leito da ferida. Nesse estudo, objetivamos avaliar o comportamento in vitro de fibroblastos oriundos de leito de úlcera venosa (VUF) na presença de ORC/colágeno, associada ou não à prata, quanto aspectos morfofuncionais celulares e síntese de MMPs, TIMPs, TGF beta, colágeno tipo I e colágeno tipo III. Após padronização do tempo de exposição e concentração de ORC/colágeno e ORC/colágeno/prata, foi realizada avaliação dos sinalizadores de interação celular utilizando-se imunoensaio Multiplex bead-based nos sobrenadantes da cultura de VUFs e imunofluorescência indireta nas células cultivadas. Como resultado, os estímulos ORC2 (correspondente à 2.8 mg/mL) e 4.2 mg/mL (ORC3+Ag) foram os que apresentaram maior homogeneidade proliferativa. A ORC/colágeno interferiu positivamente na síntese de MMP1, já a presença de prata interferiu negativamente na síntese de MMP2, MMP10, MMP13, TIMP1, TIMP 2 e TIMP3 e positivamente no colágeno tipo III, as sínteses de TGFbeta e colágeno tipo I não sofreram interferência dos estímulos. Tais achados sugerem que a presença de celulose oxidada regenerada pode modular a formação de fibrose no leito da ferida. Quando há presença de prata, nota-se tendência anti-inflamatória sobre a célula com maior síntese de colágeno tipo III / The biochemical factors of chronicity of venous ulcers are not yet fully understood, however, it is known that there is imbalance between producing matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibition factors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), abnormal collagen metabolism, fibroblastic senescence and changes in growth factors action, such as transforming growth factor beta (TGF-?). In the face of failures in the tissue repair process, many therapies have been developed. The use of oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC)/collagen and ORC/collagen/silver, to modify the microenvironment by decreasing MMPs/TIMPs present in the wound bed, has been emphasized. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the in vitro behavior of fibroblasts derived from venous ulcer (venous ulcer fibroblasts - VUF) in the presence of ORC/collagen associated or not to silver with regard to cellular morph functional aspects and synthesis of MMPs, TIMPs, TGFbeta, type I and type III collagen. After standardization of the exposure time and concentration of ORC/collagen and ORC/collagen/silver stimulation, an evaluation of cell interaction signaling was performed by using a bead-based multiplex immunoassay in cells supernatants and indirect immunofluorescence in cultured cells. We demonstrated that the ORC2 (corresponding to 2.8 mg/mL) and 4.2 mg/mL (ORC3+Ag) stimuli had the highest proliferative homogeneity. The ORC/collagen interfered positively in the synthesis of MMP1, since the presence of silver interfered negatively in the synthesis of MMP2, MMP10, MMP13, TIMP1, TIMP2 and TIMP3 and positively in type III collagen, the synthesis of TGFbeta and type I collagen did not suffer interference. Such findings suggest that the presence of regenerated oxidized cellulose may modulate the formation of fibrosis in the wound bed. When silver is associated antiinflammatory tendency is observed on fibroblasts with increased type III collagen synthesis

A obesidade é considerada uma doença crônica e multifatorial, onde eventos como a inflamação de baixa intensidade e as modificações oxidativas estão presentes. A elevada prevalência de obesidade tem impacto direto no desenvolvimento precoce de diabetes mellitus, hipertensão e outros fatores de risco cardiovasculares. Esse perfil tem motivado a identificação de biomarcadores precoces, sendo o monitoramento da lipoproteína de baixa densidade oxidada (LDLox) e lipoproteína de baixa densidade eletronegativa [LDL(-)] potenciais candidatos. Diante do exposto, o objetivo deste estudo foi realizar a análise comparativa e de correlação entre o conteúdo de LDLox e [LDL(-)] em adolescentes. Foram selecionados 137 adolescentes de ambos sexos, com faixa etária de 10 a 19 anos e regularmente em matriculados em escolas públicas da cidade de São Paulo. O peso, altura e circunferência da cintura (CC) foram avaliados. Após jejum (12h-15h) foi coletada uma amostra de sangue e, a partir do plasma, foram realizadas as seguintes análises: glicose, insulina, perfil lipídico, apolipoproteína (AI e B), ácidos graxos não esterificados, tamanho de HDL, atividade da CETP e LDL(-) e LDLox. Os resultados encontrados foram analisados por meio do programa SPSS 15.0, considerando valor de significância de p< 0,05. Os 137 adolescentes foram distribuídos em dois grupos: 71 no Eutrófico (51,82%) e 66 no Obeso (48,18%), segundo a classificação do IMC. 48 (35,04%) dos adolescentes eram do sexo masculino e 89 (64,96%) do sexo feminino, com idade média de 14,2 (2,3) anos. Em relação à CC, observou-se que essa confirmou a classificação feita pelo IMC. Observou-se também uma maior prevalência de hipertensão (65% p = 0,011) e obesidade (64,7% p=0,041) nos antecedentes familiares do grupo Obeso quando comparado ao grupo Eutrófico. Os adolescentes obesos apresentaram maiores valores de triglicerídeos, HDL, APO B, CETP, insulina e LDL(-) e LDLox, quando comparados aos eutróficos. Perfil inverso foi observado para Apo AI. O conteúdo de LDLox e LD(-) variou significativamente em função do IMC. Entretanto, essas partículas de LDLs não se correlacionaram entre si, embora tenham apresentado associação com outros parâmetros cardiometabólicos. Os resultados obtidos confirmam o impacto negativo da obesidade sobre os parâmetros cardiometabólicos de adolescentes e, apesar do conteúdo de LDLox e LDL(-) ter aumentado em função do IMC, essas partículas parecem ser estruturalmente distintas. Essa possibilidade foi reforçada pelas diferentes associações dessas partículas com outros marcadores bioquímicos. / Obesity is considered a chronic and multifactorial disease, where events such as low intensity inflammation and oxidative modifications are present. The high prevalence of obesity has a direct impact on the early development of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors. This profile has motivated the identification of early biomarkers, and monitoring the oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and electronegative low-density lipoprotein [LDL (-)] are potential markers. The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis and correlation between the content of oxLDL and [LDL (-)] in adolescents. We selected 137 adolescents of both sexes, aged 10-19 years, enrolled in public schools in the city of São Paulo. The weight, height, waist circumference (WC) were assessed. After fasting (12-15h) samples of blood were collected and from plasma were performed the following analyzes: glucose, insulin, lipid profile, apolipoprotein (AI and B), NEFA, HDL size, CETP activity and LDL (-) and oxLDL. The results were analyzed by using SPSS 15.0 considering significant value of p <0.05. The 137 adolescents were divided into two groups: 71 Normal Weight (51.82%) and 66 Obese (48.18%), according to BMI classification. 48 (35.04%) of the adolescents were male and 89 (64.96%) females with a mean age of 14.2 (2.3) years. Regarding the CC observed, it confirmed the classification made by BMI. There was a higher prevalence of hypertension (65% p = 0.011) and obesity (64.7% p = 0.041) in the family history group Obese when compared to normal weight. Obese adolescents had higher triglyceride, HDL, APO B, CETP, insulin and LDL (-) and oxLDL, compared to normal weight. Reverse profile was observed for Apo AI. The content of oxLDL and LDL (-) varied significantly according to BMI. However, these LDL particles were not correlated with each other, although they showed cardiometabolic combination with other parameters. The results confirm the negative impact of obesity on cardiometabolic parameters of teenagers and although the content of oxLDL and LDL (-) increased as a function of BMI, these particles appear to be structurally distinct. This possibility was reinforced by different associations of these particles with other biochemical markers.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar se as enzimas secretadas pelo fungo de decomposição parda Gloeophyllum trabeum podem atuar como auxiliares às celulases comerciais na hidrólise de substratos celulósicos oxidados. Para isto foi realizada a oxidação de celulose microcristalina Avicel mediante reação de Fenton (Fe+2, H2O2) e tratamento com CuSO4. O substrato oxidado foi caracterizado e posteriormente foi determinado o efeito desta modificação sobre a eficiência hidrolítica de enzimas comerciais (Celluclast/Novozym) e sobre misturas destas enzimas comerciais suplementadas com extrato enzimático obtido de G. trabeum. As reações realizadas com Avicel indicaram que ambos tratamentos químicos foram efetivos para modificar grupos funcionais presentes na celulose. A caracterização fisicoquímica dos substratos oxidados permitiu concluir que o tratamento Fenton gerou transformações mais intensas na celulose do que o tratamento com CuSO4. O análise dos hidrolisados ácidos das amostras oxidadas por Fenton mediante espectrometria de massas (GC-MS) confirmou que a oxidação ocorre principalmente no C1. As hidrólises enzimáticas utilizando preparações com diferentes cargas das enzimas comerciais apresentaram uma diminuição significativa da conversão de celulose quando as amostras são tratadas com o reagente Fenton. Por outro lado, a celulose oxidada gerada pelo tratamento com CuSO4 ainda é eficientemente hidrolisada pelas enzimas. As duas amostras de celulose Avicel oxidadas também foi hidrolisada utilizando misturas de enzimas comerciais e extratos enzimáticos de G. trabeum. Em todas as condições ensaiadas a suplementação da mistura reacional com extratos enzimáticos do fungo de decomposição parda G. trabeum diminuíram a eficiência de hidrólise enzimática da celulose oxidada. O emprego do dobro de carga enzimática de enzimas comerciais permitiu recuperar os níveis de hidrólise observados na celulose in natura. / The goal of this work was to evaluate whether enzymes produced by the brown-rot fungus Gleophyllum trabeum would be able to act as auxiliary enzymes of commercial cellulases during the enzymatic hydrolysis of oxidized cellulose. To reach this goal an oxidation of microcrystalline-cellulose (Avicel) was performed by two differente reaction systems: Fenton reaction (Fe2+, H2O2) or CuSO4 treatments. The oxidized subtracts were characterized and the effect of cellulose modification on the hydrolytic efficiency of commercial enzymes, supplemented or not with the enzymes recovered from a G. trabeum culture, was determined. The Avicel treatment by the oxidative systems resulted in cellulose structural changes as evidenced by infrared spectroscopy, viscosity measurements and chemical characterization by HPLC and GC/MS chromatography of the monomers recovered after acid hydrolysis. The physicochemical characterization of the oxidized celluloses allowed to conclude that the transformation of the cellulose was more intense when Fenton treatment was used as compared with the CuSO4 treatment. The analysis of the acid hydrolysates by GC-MS indicated that the oxidation by Fenton reaction occurred mainly at the C1 of the cellulose chain, resulting in gluconic acid in the acid hydrolysates. A meaningful decrease of the cellulose conversion was observed when Fetnon-treated samples were submitted to enzymatic hydrolysis using different amounts of commercial enzymes. On the other hand, the CuSO4-oxidized cellulose was still efficiently hydrolyzed by high enzyme dosages. The oxidized Avicel substrates were also hydrolyzed using a mixture of the commercial enzymes with enzymes recovered from G. trabeum cultures. At all tested conditions, the supplementation of the reaction mixture with enzymatic extracts from G. trabeum decreased the enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency. Nevertheless, the normal levels of enzymatic hydrolysis were recovered when the commercial enzymes dosage two-fold increased.

The effects of oxidatively modified low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) on atherogenesis may be partly mediated by alterations in nitric oxide (NO) production by macrophages. A major goal of this study was to identify the lipid components in oxLDL modulating NO production. The effect of a water soluble antioxidants (N-acetylcysteine) and lipid soluble antioxidant (alpha-tocopherol) on NO production in macrophages was also determined. A second goal was to determine if the effects of oxLDL occurred at the transcriptional level. Human LDL was oxidized using an azo-initiator 2,2$\sp\prime$-azobis (2-amidinopropane) HCI (ABAP). OxLDL markedly decreased the production of NO in LPS stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. This inhibition depended on the levels of LOOH formed in oxLDL and was not due to oxLDL cytotoxicity. In contrast, acetylated LDL (AcLDL) and native LDL showed only minor inhibition. Lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) and lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) are the primary products formed during LDL oxidation. 13-Hydroperoxyl octadecadienoic acid (13-HPODE) markedly inhibited NO production, whereas lysoPC showed only slight inhibition. Furthermore, the effects of 13-HPODE and lysoPC did not require their uptake in an AcLDL carrier. Pre-treatment of macrophages with alpha-tocopherol attenuated the inhibition due to oxLDL. Similarly, pre-treatment with N-acetylcysteine attenuated the inhibition caused by oxLDL or 13-HPODE. OxLDL was found to decrease iNOS protein and mRNA levels in RAW264.7 macrophages induced by LPS. The activation of NF-$\kappa$B was slightly suppressed after 45 minutes of treatment. 13-HPODE showed much stronger reduction of iNOS protein levels than lysoPC. These results suggest that oxLDL may inhibit NO production in macrophages at transcriptional level. 13-HPODE is likely to be the most important lipid component in oxLDL for the inhibitory effect. Antioxidants were found to preserve NO production in macrophages treated with either oxLDL or 13-HPODE. The physiological consequences of decreased NO production in macrophages caused by oxLDL are discussed with respect to atherosclerosis.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a potent bioactive lipid component of oxidized low density lipoproteins (oxLDL). High concentrations of LPA have been detected in human atherosclerotic plaques. Our data has shown that LPA highly induces smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration. Cyr61, a matricellular protein, which also accumulates in human atherosclerotic plaques, has been implicated in the injury-induced neointimal formation. Smooth muscle cell migration is a key event in the development of atherosclerosis, and it contributes to the progressive growth of atherosclerotic lesions. Data generated by this study demonstrate that LPA markedly induces Cyr61 expression in mouse aortic smooth muscle cells (MASMC). We hypothesized that LPA-induced matricellular Cyr61 mediates LPA-induced MASMC migration. To date, little is known about the relationship between LPA and Cyr61 in smooth muscle cells; the signaling pathway leading to LPA-induced Cyr61 is unknown. Furthermore, whether Cyr61 contributes to LPA-induced cell migration is unrevealed. Our study demonstrates that LPA, by binding to LPA1 receptor, activates the intracellular signaling pathway leading to the activation of PKCdelta which in turn contributes to the increased expression of Cyr61 in MASMCs. Interestingly, we found that after LPA-induced Cyr61 mRNA has been translated into its protein intracellularly, the de novo synthesized proteins promptly accumulate in the Golgi apparatus and then translocalize to the extracellular matrix. Importantly, our data reveal a novel LPA/Cyr61 pathway in controlling MASMC migration. Understanding the mechanism underlying LPA induction of Cyr61 provides new insight into pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Background: The typical western diet contains foods with modest amounts of lipid oxidation products. Previous work by us and others have demonstrated that mildly oxidized lipids promote a gain in fat mass while highly oxidized lipids decrease fat mass in rodents and triglyceride (TAG) accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. Adipocyte differentiation is regulated by a key nuclear transcription factor known as PPARγ. Objective: To investigate if the alterations in triglyceride accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells pretreated with oxidized soy oil are due to 1) a change in PPARg DNA interactions 2) changes in the expression of SREBP-1c, PPARg, and/or its target genes. Main Methods: Confluent 3T3-L1 cells were pretreated for 24hours with 0.01% soy oil (SO) which was either unheated (unheated SO) or heated for 3, (3h-SO), 6 (6h-SO), or 9hours (9h-SO). The effect of 24hour soy oil exposure was assessed at several time points throughout the differentiation process. Alterations in PPARg DNA interaction was assessed using a PPARγ transcription factor assay kit while alterations in the expression of genes upstream and downstream of PPARγ was determined by RT-PCR. Primary and secondary products of oxidation within the SO were determined by spectrophotometry. Results: The 6hr-SO contained the greatest concentration of peroxides whereas both the 6hr-SO and 9hr-SO contained a significantly higher concentration of conjugated dienes and aldehydes.Nuclear extracts from 3T3-L1 cells pretreated with 6h-SO demonstrated the greatest reduction in PPARγ DNA binding. Compared to the unheated SO and mildly oxidized 3h-SO, cells treated with the 6h-SO had a significant reduction in SREBP-1c, PPARg, LPL, and GLUT4 expression occurring early in the differentiation process. Variations in the gene expression of 6hr-SO pretreated cells persisted within partially differentiated and mature adipocytes. Conclusions: Pre-treatment of preadipocytes with soy oil heated for ³ 6h greatly decreases the activity of PPARγ in the nucleus and adipogenic gene expression . These changes seen in early differentiation seem to correlate the best with the phenotype of reduced triglyceride accumulation seen in mature adipocytes.

名古屋大学博士学位論文 学位の種類 : 博士(医学)(課程) 学位授与年月日:平成3年3月8日 葛谷雅文氏の博士論文として提出された

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has become an increasingly unmet clinical need due to intense military conflicts worldwide. Directly impacted brain cells suffer massive death, with neighboring cells succumbing to progressive neurodegeneration accompanied by inflammatory and other secondary cell death events. Subsequent neurodegenerative events may extend to normal areas beyond the core of injury, thereby exacerbating the central nervous system’s inflammatory response to TBI. Recently CD-36 (cluster of differentiation 36/fatty acid translocase (FAT), a class B scavenger receptor of modified low-density lipoproteins (mLDLs) in macrophages, has been implicated in lipid metabolism, atherosclerosis, oxidative stress, and tissue injury in cerebral ischemia, and in certain neurodegenerative diseases. Accordingly, we proposed that CD-36 has a pivotal role in the neuroinflammatory cascade that further contributes to the pathology of TBI. First, we explored the neuroinflammatory role of CD-36 after acute and chronic stages of TBI. Second, we employed a neuroinflammatory model to test the therapeutic effect of the soluble receptor of advanced end-glycation product (sRAGE); previously shown to abrogate increased CD-36 expression in stroke. Third, we further examined ameliorating TBI related inflammation as a therapeutic pathway by combination of stem cell therapy and sRAGE. At acute stages of TBI, we observed brain co-localization of CD-36, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1) on impacted cortical areas, significant increases of CD-36 and MCP-1 positive cells in the ipsilateral vs. contralateral hemispheres of TBI animals in acute, but no significant increases of Iba-1 expressing cells over time. In early acute stages of TBI immunoblotting showed overexpression of CD-36 in brain cortex when comparing ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres vs. sham. Spleen CD-36 protein expression at acute post-TBI stages showed no significant difference between TBI and sham groups. In addition, immunohistochemistry revealed minimal CD-36 detection on the cortical area of impact on our chronic group. Spleen immunohistochemistry also showed co-localization of CD-36 and MCP-1 in the red pulp of spleen in acute stages of TBI animals when compared to sham. Ongoing ischemic and hyperlipidemic rodent models suggest that infiltrating monocytes/macrophages from the periphery are the major source of CD-36 in the post-ischemic brain. Likewise, CD-36 expressing monocytes in the spleen after TBI may suggest its role in peripheral immune response, which may exacerbates the inflammatory response after TBI. Therefore, CD-36 may play a key role as a pathological link between inflammation and TBI. Our results suggest an intimate involvement of CD-36 mediated inflammation in TBI, providing novel insights into the understanding of disease neuroinflammation and as a potent therapeutic target for TBI treatment. The critical timing (i.e., 24-48 hours) of CD-36 expression (from downregulation to upregulation) may signal the transition of functional effects of this immune response from pro-survival to cell death. This observed dynamic CD-36 expression also suggests the therapeutic window for TBI. The detection of CD-36 expression in brain areas proximal, as well as distal, to the site of impacted injury suggests its role in both acute and progressive evolution of TBI. CD-36 neuroinflammatory role has clinical relevance for treating patients who have suffered any TBI condition at acute and chronic stages.

Apoptosis is a crucial process in multicellular organisms in sculpting them, especially during embryogenesis. In addition, apoptosis is responsible for the clearance of harmful or damaged cells which can otherwise be detrimental to the organism. The Bcl-2 family proteins are key players in the regulation of the intrinsic pathway of the apoptotic machinery. This family consists of three subfamilies with B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) protein itself representing anti-apoptotic members, the Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), and pro-apoptotic BH3-only signaling proteins. The interplay between pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins on the mitochondrial membranes is central to the balance between the life and death decision of whether the membrane should be permeabilized or not. The cytosolic Bax protein can upon cellular stress translocate to the mitochondrial membrane where it can either carry out its action of forming homo-oligomers that cause outer membrane permeabilization or be inhibited there by the anti-apoptotic membrane protein Bcl-2. Upon mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) apoptogenic factors leak out from the intermembrane space (IMS) of the mitochondria, leading to caspase activation and ultimately cell death. A common stress signal initiating apoptosis is an increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS in the mitochondria, who can cause oxidative damage to lipid membranes. This membrane damage presumably influences the lipid landscape and the membrane features and hence the interactions of the Bcl-2 family proteins with each other and the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM). To investigate the significance of membrane oxidation on the behavior of the Bcl-2 family proteins, especially Bax, synthetically produced oxidized phospholipids (OxPls) were incorporated in MOM-mimicking vesicles. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy revealed a major perturbation in membrane organization in the presence of OxPls. These changes in membrane properties increase the affinity of Bax to its target membrane and enable its partial penetration and formation of pores, as fluorescence leakage assays confirmed. However, in the absence of BH3-only proteins these pores are not sufficiently large for the release of apopototic factors such as cytochrome C (CytC). To understand the inhibition of Bax by the full-length Bcl-2 protein, suitable detergent solubilizing conditions were carefully chosen to enable the measurement of their direct binding to each other outside the membrane, by an antimycin A2 fluorescence assay. The observed protein-protein interaction was confirmed by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). An established protocol for the reconstitution of Bcl-2 into stable proteoliposomes now paves the way for structural studies of this key protein, in its membrane environment near physiological conditions; information essential for understanding its function, on a molecular level, and its potential as a cancer drug target.

Macrophage death is likely to contribute to the transformation of fatty streaks into advanced atherosclerotic lesions. Previous work in the laboratory showed that OxLDL promotes cell death in human macrophages by a mechanism involving intracellular peroxide formation. Here we show that glutathione depletion induced by OxLDL occurs independent of peroxyl radical formation. Our data suggest that the depletion of glutathione is the fundamental defect that renders macrophages susceptible to OxLDL-induced cell injury, but alone is not sufficient to kill macrophages. We indicate that increased protein-Sglutathionylation is involved in OxLDL-induced macrophage death. A potentiation of OxLDL toxicity was observed in macrophages transfected with siRNA directed against either glutathione reductase or glutaredoxin. Our data suggests that OxLDL-induced cell injury in human macrophage is mediated by the depletion of GSH, a decreased in the GSH/GSSG ratio and peroxyl radical formation. All three signals are required for OxLDL-induced macrophage death. Our results also show that the glutathione reductase/glutaredoxin system protects macrophages from OxLDL-induced cell death.