No description available.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Univ., 2001. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Health Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Medicine, 2014 / Many loci coding for xenobiotic metabolising enzymes, especially those involved in carcinogen metabolism, confer susceptibility to various types of cancers. These genes have been poorly investigated in sub-Saharan African populations, where the genetic variation that exists is relatively unknown. The primary objectives of the study are to determine the frequency variation among 15 loci in sub-Saharan Africans, the level of genetic diversity, and the genetic affinities among sub-Saharan Africans. Secondary, the study aims to evaluate the implication of these variants in disease susceptibility, especially cancer. The study population comprised of 1880 unrelated individuals from 18 sub-Saharan African populations. DNA samples were used to examine genetic variation for phase I metabolism genes CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, and phase II metabolism genes GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1 and NAT2. A single base extension (SBE) method was designed and used to genotype single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP): CYP1A1*2A and *2C; CYP1A2*1C and *1F; CYP2A6*7 and *8; CYP2D6*3A (2549delA) and CYP2D6*4(1846G>A); CYP2E1*5B(PstI) and CYP2E1*5B(RsaI); GSTP1*Ile105Val and *Ala114Val; and NAT2*14A. To investigate the presence of null mutations GSTM1*0 and GSTT1*0 a previously reported multiplex PCR method was used. The distribution of mutations in the sample was interpreted and compared with data from literature respectively. Mutations CYP1A1*2A, CYP1A2*1C, CYP1A2*1F, CYP2A6*7, CYP2D6*4 and GSTP1*Ile105Val mutations was found in most sub-Saharan Africans, while CYP1A1*2C, CYP2A6*8, CYP2D6*3A and GSTP1*Ala114Val mutations were almost non-existent. Both GSTM1*0 and GSTT1*0 mutations were present in all populations, with GSTT1*0 most frequent. The distribution of NAT2*14A confirms previous reports of its exclusive existence in Africans. Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) and Tajima’s D statistic tests showed none of the mutations were under selection. The genetic affinities of sub-Saharans were analysed. Bantu-speakers were closely related with little correlation to their geographic locations. Khoisan-speakers were closely related, genetically most distinct and oldest among populations. Pygmies were similarly distinct from most populations and one of the oldest surviving populations. The data further supports previous reports that the Khwe are descendants of an east African pastoralist group. AMOVA analyses revealed language as a major confounder among sub-Saharans. Haplotypes were inferred to determine their distribution and to understand their significance in populations with respect to their functional relevance. The study has confirmed previous reports of genetic histories of these sub-Saharan African populations. In unravelling the distribution of these mutations, the study has added to the global picture of these mutations. In doing so, the data may add value to the design of future cancer studies and pharmacological studies. The study also highlights the importance of elucidating ancestral relations of populations, more specifically linguistic and anthropological relationships, and to include in the design of future clinical trials in Africa.

La thrombopénie familiale avec prédisposition à la leucémie aiguë myéloïde (FPD/AML) est une pathologie rare caractérisée par une thrombocytopénie. La FPD/AML est causée par des mutations germinales dans le gène codant le facteur de transcription RUNX1. Ces mutations sont de type dominant négatif (DN), associées à un risque plus élevé de développer une leucémie, ou de type haploinsuffisance (HI) induisant une thrombocytopénie seule. Nous avons démontré une diminution presque complète de l’expression du répresseur transcriptionnel ZBTB1 dans les progéniteurs hématopoïétiques des patients porteurs de mutations DN. Le gène ZBTB1 pourrait être une cible directe de RUNX1, et pourrait contribuer à la dérégulation de la lymphopoïèse T conduisant à une prédisposition à la LAL-T.Nous avons identifié dans les cellules lymphocytaires murines le site de fixation de RUNX1 sur un enhanceur localisé à 270 kb en amont du promoteur de Zbtb1, et ce aux stades doubles négatifs pour les marqueurs CD4/CD8. Dans les stades plus matures (CD4+CD48+), cette fixation n’est pas observée. En utilisant des lignées lymphocytaires humaines représentant les différents stades doubles négatifs CD4/CD8 de la différenciation lymphocytaire, nous ne sommes pas arrivés à démontrer cette liaison suggérant qu’elle a lieu à un stade très précis et transitoire difficilement identifiable. Les souris KO Runx1 et KO Zbtb1 montrent un blocage de la lymphopoïèse T dès les stades les plus précoces de la maturation thymique. Nous voulions démontrer que la surexpression de Zbtb1 dans un contexte KO Runx1 aboutirait à un sauvetage du phénotype lymphocytaire. Pour cela, nous avons utilisé un modèle in vitro (culture des progéniteurs hématopoïétiques sur des lobes thymiques) et in vivo reposant sur la greffe de souris irradiées par des progéniteurs hématopoïétiques de souris KO Runx1 surexprimant Zbtb1. Le KO Runx1 incomplet et une quasi-absence de la prise de greffe dans les conditions de KO Runx1 ne nous ont pas permis de valider notre hypothèse. Cependant nous avons pu observer que ZBTB1 régule négativement le compartiment des cellules souches et la prise de greffe.Nous nous sommes aussi intéressés au phénotype mégacaryocytaire des souris KO Zbtb1. De manière intéressante, ces souris montrent in vivo un défaut du cycle cellulaire des mégacaryocytes, tandis que in vitro une diminution drastique de la différenciation mégacaryocytaire est observée suggérant ainsi une compensation du microenvironnement in vivo. De plus, nous avons montré une régulation négative directe de ZBTB1 par RUNX1 dans les mégacaryocytes humains. Dans la deuxième partie de ma thèse nous nous sommes intéressés au mécanisme d’induction de la leucémie chez un patient FPD/AML porteur de mutation de type DN (RUNX1R174Q), nous avons identifié une mutation additionnelle à une fréquence de 1% dans le gène TET2 ayant contribué à l’amplification du clone pré-leucémique. Actuellement nous étudions la coopération entre la mutation de RUNX1R174Q et le shTET2 in vivo en greffant des souris NSG avec des cellules progénitrices humaines CD34+ portant la mutation RUNX1 et le shTET2 qui mime la mutation perte de fonction de TET2P1962T observée chez le patient. Des résultats prometteurs montrent une prise de greffe primaire et secondaire plus importante dans les conditions RUNX1R174Q/shTET2 et shTET2 seul. Les expériences in vitro réalisées en parallèle montrent que la mutation de RUNX1R174Q induit des dommages à l’ADN alors que la diminution de l’expression de TET2 par shARN induit une prolifération augmentée des progéniteurs hématopoïétiques. L’addition des deux mutations pourrait ainsi conduire à l’acquisition de mutations additionnelles et à une transformation leucémique. / Familial platelet disorder with predisposition to acute myeloid leukaemia (FPD/AML) is a rare condition characterized by thrombocytopenia. FPD/AML is caused by germline mutations in the gene coding for the transcription factor RUNX1. These mutations are devided on dominant-negative (DN) mutations associated with a higher risk of developing leukaemia or haploinsufficiency (HI) mutations inducing thrombocytopenia alone.We have demonstrated an almost complete decrease in the expression of the transcriptional repressor ZBTB1 in hematopoietic progenitors of patients with DN-type mutations. ZBTB1 could be a direct target of RUNX1, and could contribute to deregulation of T lymphopoiesis, leading to a predisposition to T-ALL.In murine immature T lymphocytes (CD4-CD8- stages), we demonstrated a fixation of RUNX1 on an enhancer at 270 kb upstream of Zbtb1 promoter. This fixation is no longer observed in the more mature stages (CD4+CD8+). Using human lymphocyte cell lines representing the different CD4-CD8- differentiation stages, we have not been able to demonstrate this binding suggesting that it takes place at a very precise and transitory stage that is difficult to identify.The KO Runx1 and KO Zbtb1 mice show a blockade of T lymphopoiesis in the earliest stages of thymic maturation. We wanted to demonstrate that the overexpression of Zbtb1 in a KO Runx1 context would result at least in a partial rescue of the lymphocyte phenotype. For this we used an in vitro model (culture of hematopoietic progenitors on thymic lobes) and in vivo based on the grafting of irradiated mice with hematopoietic progenitors of KO Runx1 overexpressing Zbtb1. The incomplete KO Runx1 and the almost complete absence of engraftment in the KO Runx1 conditions did not allow us to validate our hypothesis. However, we observed that ZBTB1 negatively regulates the stem cell compartment and the engraftment capacity.We also studied the megakaryocytic phenotype of KO Zbtb1 mice. Interestingly, these mice show, in vivo, a megakaryocyte cell cycle defect; while in vitro a drastic decrease in megakaryocytic differentiation is observed suggesting an in vivo micro-environmental compensation. We also showed a direct negative regulation of ZBTB1 by RUNX1 in human megakaryoycytes.In the second part of my thesis, we investigated the mechanism of induction of leukemia in an FPD/AML patient with a DN-type mutation (RUNX1R174Q). We demonstrated an additional mutation at a frequency of 1% in TET2 gene, which contribute to the amplification of a preleucemic clone.Currently we are studying the cooperation between the RUNX1R174Q mutation and the shTET2 in vivo by grafting NSG mice with human CD34+ progenitor cells carrying RUNX1R174Q mutation and an shTET2, which mimics the loss of function of TET2 observed in the patient. Promising results show greater primary and secondary graft under RUNX1R174Q /shTET2 and shTET2 conditions. The in vitro experiments carried out, show that the mutation of RUNX1R174Q induces DNA damages, whereas the decrease in the expression of TET2 by shRNA induces an increased proliferation of hematopoietic progenitors. The addition of the two mutations could thus lead to the acquisition of additional mutations and to a leukemic transformation.

Research Project (M.B.A.) - Simon Fraser University, 2007. / Theses (Faculty of Business Administration) / Simon Fraser University. Senior supervisor: Dr. Aidan Vining -- Faculty of Business Administration. MBA-MOT Program. Also issued in digital format and available on the World Wide Web.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2001. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph.D. in Clinical Sciences) -- University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, 2005. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 134-149). Free to UCDHSC affiliates. Online version available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations;

Cutaneous melanoma is a cancer of melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in our skin. It is one of the most aggressive human malignancies, constituting only about 2% of all dermatological cancers but being responsible for over 75% of all deaths from skin cancer. It has recently become a major public health problem, as it is now the fifth most common cancer in the United Kingdom after its incidence more than quadrupled in the last three decades. For these reasons, understanding the biological processes that are involved in its development is of great importance for devising novel treatments and for the management of patients in the clinic. The study of the genetic factors that influence melanoma risk can uncover mechanisms that are relevant in the transition from a benign melanocyte to a malignant melanoma. Approximately 10% of all melanoma cases are familial, and about half of these familial cases can be explained by pathogenetic variants in genes such as cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A), cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), breast cancer 2 (BRCA2), BRCA1-associated protein-1 (BAP1) and in the promoter of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). However, about 50% of all familial melanoma cannot be explained by mutations in known genes. In this dissertation, I detail the methodology I followed in an effort to uncover additional high-penetrance melanoma susceptibility genes. I analysed exome and genome sequence data from a total of 184 individuals that belong to 105 melanoma-prone families from the United Kingdom, The Netherlands and Australia that did not have any pathogenetic variants in known susceptibility genes. I applied different gene prioritisation strategies and developed novel software tools in order to devise a list of plausible melanoma susceptibility candidate genes; these analyses suggested that genes regulating telomere function could be influencing melanoma risk. After performing functional experimental analyses, our research team was able to determine that carriers of rare variants in the protection of telomeres (POT1) gene, a member of the shelterin complex that safeguards telomere integrity, are at high risk for developing melanoma. We successfully described the mechanism by which this happens, showing that the variants identified either disrupt POT1 mRNA splicing or abolish the ability of POT1 to bind to telomeres, and lead to increased telomere length in carriers when compared to melanoma cases with wild-type POT1. The main finding of the work described in this dissertation is the identification of telomere dysfunction as an important contributor to the risk of developing melanoma, and possibly other cancers. Our analyses suggest that POT1 is the second most commonly mutated high-penetrance melanoma susceptibility gene reported thus far, and moreover, that rare variants in this gene constitute the first hereditary mechanism for telomere lengthening in humans.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / The infants of smoking mothers (compared to non-smoking mothers) have been shown to have a lower birth mass, a lower brain mass, an increased perinatal mortality rate as well as a predisposition to respiratory abnormalities in later life. Evidence suggests that one of the reasons for the latter is abnormal lung structure due to changes in the connective tissue skeleton. This study evaluated the in vivo effects of maternal nicotine exposure (lmg/kg/day subcutaneously - designated the experimental group), which is equivalent to smoking 32 cigarettes per day, on the connective tissue status of the neonatal (7, 14 and 21 day old) wistar rat lung. The control group received sterile saline as a placebo. The specific aspects investigated were: (1) the morphological changes in lung structure and connective tissue (collagen, elastic tissue and reticulin) distribution by means of light microscopy. (2) the quantities of collagen and Emphysema-like morphological changes are present at all ages. The histochemical appearance of collagen is not affected while reticular fibres appear to be abnormal in structure. On day 7 there appears to be no elastic tissue in the nicotine-exposed lung compared to the control lung. This difference is notelastic tissue in the lung. (3) the ultrastructure of the lung connective tissue skeleton by means of scanning electron microscopy. noticeable on days 14 and 21. Biochemical quantitation indicated that, for the three age groups studied, there was no significant difference in collagen content between experimental and control animals. Elastic tissue was significantly higher in 7 day old experimental lungs than in the control group, contradictory to the results of the histochemical studies. This difference was not significant for 14 and 21 day old lungs Ultrastructural studies of the lung connective tissue skeletons hoed abnormal fibres in the experimental group. Changes included fibre breaks, a beaded appearance of certain fibres and a deficiency in normal fibre arrangement due to the direct or indirect effects of nicotine The effects of nicotine on neonatal rat lung after maternal nicotine exposure is described. The direct mechanisms for these events are still not known but speculation as to this are presented here. Further studies which could explain these mechanisms are also suggested.

O íon fluoreto (F) provém do elemento flúor. Sua absorção é inversamente relacionada ao pH e ocorre rapidamente no estômago e posteriormente no intestino delgado. Após sua absorção, o F é distribuído pelos tecidos através da corrente sanguínea e armazenado nos tecidos calcificados e moles. Sua excreção acontece por via renal. Trata-se de um elemento relevante em termos de Saúde Pública, devido às suas propriedades de prevenir ou reverter lesões cariosas em indivíduos de todas as idades. No entanto, sua ingestão excessiva é capaz de afetar o metabolismo ósseo e desenvolvimento do esmalte dentário. Estudos sugerem que o F pode interferir em vias metabólicas, inibindo a ação de diversas enzimas. Entretanto, a literatura é conflitante em relação aos seus efeitos na homeostasia da glicose, o que poderia, talvez, ser explicado pela diferença genética entre as linhagens utilizadas. Sabe-se que camundongos da linhagem A/J são extremamente sensíveis aos efeitos do F, enquanto que os camundongos da linhagem 129P3/J são altamente resistentes ao tratamento com esse íon. Por este motivo, foi investigado se esses animais que sabidamente apresentam uma expressão proteica diferencial em função do F devido ao seu background genético apresentam também respostas diferentes em parâmetros bioquímicos (glicemia jejum, insulinemia, índice de resistência à insulina [HOMA2-IR] e teste de tolerância à insulina) e imunológicos (TNF-&alpha;). Após aprovação da Comissão de ética, 156 animais (78 da linhagem A/J e 78 da linhagem 129P3/J) foram divididos em 3 grupos para cada linhagem, e tratados por um período de 42 dias com doses de 0, 15 ou 50 ppm de F na água e ração com baixo teor de F. Após o término do tratamento, os camundongos foram eutanasiados para a obtenção de amostras de sangue. Os dados foram analisados por ANOVA a 2 critérios e testes de Tukey e Sidak para comparações individuais (p<0,05). Para a glicemia, os animais A/J que receberam água sem F e com a dose de 15 ppm F tiveram glicemia significativamente mais alta que os animais 129P3/J que receberam o mesmo tratamento. Para as dosagens de insulina no plasma, houve diferença significativa apenas entre os camundongos A/J 0 ppm F e 50 ppm F, sendo mais baixa a insulinemia para os animais tratados. O índice HOMA2-IR mostrou diferença significativa somente entre os animais da linhagem A/J, sendo que o grupo que recebeu água contendo 50 ppm F apresentou valores menores quando comparado para os grupos 0 ppm F e 15 ppm F. Quanto ao TNF-&alpha;, não foi observada diferença significativa entre as linhagens e entre os tratamentos. Entretanto, houve uma tendência para seu aumento nos grupos tratados com água contendo 15 ppm F nas duas linhagens. Para o teste de tolerância à insulina, também não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre as linhagens, nem entre os tratamentos. Levando em consideração os resultados, percebe-se que as diferentes concentrações de F alteram os resultados para os parâmetros analisados, e, as linhagens respondem diferentemente a essas alterações. No entanto, é necessário que se analisem outras variáveis para que esse assunto seja melhor elucidado. / Fluoride (F) comes from the element fluorine. Its absorption is inversely related to the pH and occurs quickly in the stomach and later in the small intestine. After absorption, F is distributed to the tissues through the bloodstream and stored in calcified and soft tissues. Excretion occurs via the kidneys. It is an important element in terms of public health, due to its properties to prevent or reverse caries in individuals of all ages. However, its excessive intake can affect bone metabolism and the development of tooth enamel. Studies suggest that F can interfere with metabolic pathways, by inhibiting the action of several enzymes. However, there is contradiction in the literature regarding its effects on glucose homeostasis, which could possibly be explained by genetic differences between the strains used. A/J mice are extremely sensitive to the effects of F, whereas 129P3/J mice are highly resistant to treatment with this ion. For this reason, it was investigated whether these animals which are known to exhibit differential protein expression upon exposure to F due to their genetic background also exhibit distinct responses in biochemical (fasting glucose, insulin, insulin resistance index [HOMA2-IR] and insulin tolerance test) and immune (TNF-&alpha;) parameters. After approval by the Ethics Committee, 156 animals (78 of A/J strain and 78 of 129P3/J strain) were obtained, divided into 3 groups for each strain and treated for a period of 42 days with 0, 15 or 50 ppm F in the drinking water. They received low-F diet. After treatment, the mice were euthanized and blood samples were obtained. Data were analyzed by 2-way ANOVA and Tukey and Sidak tests for individual comparisons (p<0.05). For blood glucose analysis, A/J mice treated with water containing no F containing 15 ppm F had significantly higher levels of glucose than 129P3/J animals receiving the same treatment. For plasma insulin, there was significant difference only between A/J mice treated with no F and 50 ppm F, with lower values for the treated animals. HOMA2-IR index showed a significant difference only between A/J animals, where the group received water containing 50 ppm F had lower values when compared to those receiving water containing no F or 15 ppm F. Regarding TNF-&alpha;, no significant differences were observed between the strains or among the treatments. However, there was a trend towards an increase in the groups treated with water containing 15 ppm F for both strains. For insulin tolerance test, also no significant differences between the strains or among treatments were observed. The results suggest that the different F concentrations alter the results of the parameters analyzed, and the strains respond differently to these changes. However, it is necessary to analyze other variables in order to better elucidate these findings.