Thesis (doctoral)--Lund University, 1998. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Biochemistry / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

The innate immune system is an important mechanism that protects the host from infection. Viral and bacterial infection triggers activation of the transcription factors interferon response factor (IRF) 3 and nuclear factor (NF)-kB. These transcription factors collaborate to induce transcription of type I interferons (IFNs) cytokines and the interleukin (IL)-12 family of cytokines. Type I IFN and the IL-12 family of cytokines play a critical role in establishing innate immune responses as well as initiating and directing adaptive responses. Our study focused on the role of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms in Toll-like (TLR)-dependent and –independent activation of IRF-3 and NF-kB and their subsequent regulation of IFN-beta and the IL-12 family of cytokines. TLR3, TLR4 and retinoic acid-inducible gene 1 (RIG-1)/melanoma differentiation associated gene 5 (MDA-5) activation by double stranded (ds) RNA mimic polyinosine-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and synthetic ds-B-DNA respectively, mediated IFN-beta as well as TNF-alpha and IL-8 synthesis in monocyte-derived DCs. Using the pharmacological inhibitor of conventional PKCs (cPKCs), Gö6976, we demonstrated that this family of kinases was involved in TLR3, TLR4 and RIG-1/ MDA-5 signaling pathways leading to the production of IFN-beta but not of TNF-alpha and IL-8. Further analysis with the use of specific kinase inactive cPKC isoforms and siRNA targeted to PKCalpha, we established that PKCalpha was the isoform involved in the TLR3 signaling pathway. In the case of TLR3, we show that PKCalphaexerts its effect downstream of TRIF and TBK1. Moreover, we show that inactivation of PKCalpha specifically inhibits the activation of IRF-3 and not that of NF-kB. Through biochemical analysis, we assessed the contribution of PKCalpha in the critical events of IRF-3 activation: a) phosphorylation b) homodimerization c) nuclear translocation d) DNA-binding and e) recruitment of creb-binding protein (CBP). We conclude that inhibition of cPKCs severely hinders the association of IRF-3 with CBP. Overall, these data revealed the critical role of cPKCs in TLR-dependent and -independent pathways leading to IFN-beta synthesis. The selective targeting of IRF-3 by cPKCs prompted us to study the possible implications of cPKCs in the transcriptional control of IL-12 family members, some of which are regulated by IRF3. Indeed, recent studies have emerged demonstrating the essential role of IRF-3 in IL-12p35 and IL-27p28 gene expression (1;2). Likewise, we investigated the role of cPKCs in the regulation of LPS- and poly(I:C)-induced expression of IL-12(p40/p35), IL-23(p40/p19) and IL-27(p28/EBI3) in monocyte-derived DCs. Treatment of monocyte-derived DCs with Gö6976 down-regulated LPS- and poly(I:C)-induced IL-12 and IL-27 synthesis while it did not alter IL-23 production. Next, we showed that impaired IL-12 and IL-27 synthesis was due to repressed IL-12p35 and IL-27p28 gene expression downstream of TLR3 and TLR4 whereas IL-23p19 and IL-27EBI3 gene expression were not modified. Reporter gene assays demonstrated that cPKCs are involved in LPS- and poly(I:C)-induced IL-12p35 and IL-27p28 promoter activity. Finally, experiments in bone marrow-derived DCs from IRF-3-/- and wild type mice showed that IL-23 synthesis does not require IRF-3 activation. We conclude that cPKCs through the control of IRF-3 activity are critically involved in the regulation of IL-12 and IL-27 synthesis downstream of TLR3 and TLR4 while they do not participate in IRF-3-independent IL-23 synthesis. On whole, we demonstrated a novel function for cPKCs in the regulation of IRF-3 and IRF-3 dependent gene expression, specifically IFN-beta, IL-12 and IL-27. In light of the important and divergent roles of IFN-beta and IL-12 family of cytokines on the development of T helper (Th) Th1, Th2, Th17-mediated immune responses, cPKCs represent a potential target for therapeutic immunomodulation. This modulation needs to be carefully administered due to the complex interplay of the IL-12 family members in immunity.

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Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / This work shows for the first time the antinociceptive effect of the citronellyl acetate (CAT) and aimed to characterize the profile of effect and identify possible antinociceptive mechanisms of the cat, in models of acute nociception in mice. The CAT was testeed standardized animal models of pain using mice Swiss (24-32g). The CAT was administered at doses of 25, 50, 75, 100 or 200 mg/kg, by gavage. It was used in the tests of abdominal writhings by acetic acid; hot plate; formalin test; mechanic sensitivity; inflamatory hipernociception induced by carrageennan; Nociception test induced by capsaicin, cinnamaldeide, menthol, acid saline, PMA, 8-Br-cAMP, bradykinin or glutamate, as well as in behavioural models (open field and rota rod tests) that allowed to exclude the possibility of a muscle relaxant action or to induce false-positive result in the earlier models. The results showed that the CAT have antinociceptive effect in the visceral nociception model induced by acetic acid (in the 100 or 200 mg/kg doses, with ED50 of 74.42 mg/kg), this effect was verified after 30 minutes of aplication and continued until 240 minutes (200 mg/kg). Pretreatment with CAT showed antinociceptive effect in licking model induced by intraplantar formalin application and in the thermal nociception model (hot plate). CAT showed the decreasing of mechanical sencibility using the von Frey hair. In the antinociceptive mechanism investigation, CAT showed effect related with K+ATP channels, TRPV1, TRPM8, ASIC, glutamatergics receptors, bradykinin receptors, PKA and PKC. IN the investigation of neurotramitters pathways involved in antinociceptive effect of CAT, we can suggest the involvement of serotonergics system (5-HT1A, 5-HT2A/C receptors) and muscarinic, dopaminergic and α2-adrenergics receptors. With the results showed, we can conclude the CAT have antinociceptive effect in mice, and as possible mechanism the modulation of intracellular mediators PKC and/or PKA, relacted with moleculars mechanisms of K+ATP channels, TRPV1, TRPM8, ASIC, glutamatergics receptors, bradykinin receptors, serotonergics system (5-HT1, 5-HT2A/C receptors) and muscarinic, dopaminergic and α2-adrenergics receptors. / Esse trabalho, atà onde se sabe, mostra pela primeira vez o efeito antinociceptivo do acetato de citronelila (CAT) e teve como objetivo caracterizar o perfil do efeito e identificar possÃveis mecanismos antinociceptivos do CAT, em modelos de nocicepÃÃo aguda em camundongos. O CAT foi testado em modelos animais padronizados de dor utilizando camundongos Swiss (24-32g). O CAT foi administrado nas doses de 25, 50, 75, 100 ou 200 mg/kg, por via oral. Foram utilizados os testes de contorÃÃes abdominais induzidas por Ãcido acÃtico; placa quente; teste da formalina; nocicepÃÃo mecÃnica, hipernocicepÃÃo inflamatÃria induzida pela carragenina; teste da nocicepÃÃo induzida por capsaicina, cinamaldeÃdo, mentol, salina Ãcida, PMA, 8-Br-cAMP, bradicinina ou glutamato, bem como em modelos comportamentais (testes do campo aberto e rota Rod) que permitiram excluir a possibilidade de uma atividade relaxante muscular ou induzir resultados falso-positivos nos modelos anteriores. Os resultados mostraram que o CAT possui efeito antinociceptivo no modelo de nocicepÃÃo visceral induzida por Ãcido acÃtico (nas doses de 100 ou 200 mg/kg, com DE50 de 74,42 mg/kg), esse efeito foi verificado apÃs 30 minutos da aplicaÃÃo e persistiu por atà 240 minutos (200 mg/kg). O prÃ-tratamento com o CAT mostrou efeito antinociceptivo no modelo de lambedura induzida pela aplicaÃÃo intraplantar de formalina e no modelo de nocicepÃÃo tÃrmica (placa quente). O CAT mostrou diminuiÃÃo da sensibilidade mecÃnica utilizando o filamento de von Frey. Na investigaÃÃo do mecanismo antinociceptivo, o CAT mostrou efeito relacionado com os canais K+ATP, TRPV1, TRPM8, ASIC, receptores glutamatÃrgicos, receptores de bradicinina, PKA e PKC. Na investigaÃÃo das vias de neurotransmissÃo envolvidas no efeito antinociceptivo do CAT, podemos sugerir o envolvimento dos receptores α2-adrenÃrgicos, sistema serotonÃrgico (receptores 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A/C), receptores muscarÃnicos e dopaminÃrgicos. Com os resultados mostrados, podemos concluir que o CAT possui efeito antinociceptivo em camundongos, e como possÃveis mecanismos a modulaÃÃo de mediadores intracelulares PKA e/ou PKC, relacionados com os mecanismos moleculares dos canais K+ATP, TRPV1, TRPM8, ASIC, receptores glutamatÃrgico, receptores de bradicinina, receptores α2-adrenÃrgico, sistema serotonÃrgico (receptores 5-HT1, 5-HT2A/C), receptores muscarÃnicos e dopaminÃrgicos.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction is a principal player in the development of allograft vasculopathy and allograft failure. The hallmark of endothelial dysfunction is impaired nitric oxide bioavailability. Recent evidence implicates endothelin-1 as an integral component of endothelial dysfunction. Immunosuppressive drugs have also been associated with the development of graft vasculopathy. We speculated that endothelin-1 results in endothelial dysfunction by impairing nitric oxide homeostasis and is a player in hypoxia and reperfusion induced vasomotor injury. In addition, we hypothesized that endothelin-1 antagonism with bosentan will limit hypoxia and reperfusion injury and prevent immunosuppressive drug injury. METHODS: We utilized human saphenous vein endothelial cells to evaluate the effects of endothelin-1, hypoxia and reperfusion on endothelial function, protein kinase modulation and cell survival. We also employed a rodent model of chronic drug therapy to assess the effect of cyclosporine and rapamycin treatment on vasomotor function. We investigated the role of nitric oxide augmentation and bosentan in preventing hypoxia and reperfusion injury and in limiting immunosuppressive drug induced vasomotor dysfunction. RESULTS: Elevated endothelin-1 levels resulted in impaired nitric oxide release and endothelial function. The effects of endothelin-1 as well as hypoxia and reperfusion were mediated by altered protein kinase B and protein kinase C activity resulting in endothelial dysfunction. We revealed that endothelin-1 is a key player in hypoxia and reperfusion induced endothelial injury. The immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine induced vasomotor dysfunction while rapamycin preserved vessel homeostasis. Vasomotor dysfunction was characterized by impaired nitric oxide and endothelin-1 homeostasis. Bosentan limited the deleterious effects of endothelin-1, hypoxic injury, reperfusion injury and cyclosporine induced vasomotor impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that endothelin-1 exposure as well as hypoxia and reperfusion results in endothelial dysfunction by altering specific protein kinase C isoform activities and inhibiting protein kinase B. Cyclosporine induced vasomotor dysfunction was mediated by altered nitric oxide and endothelin-1 homeostasis while rapamycin was endothelial protective. Bosentan proved to be an effective therapy at preventing endothelin-1, hypoxia and reperfusion and cyclosporine induced endothelial dysfunction. Protein kinase C modulation as well as bosentan may prove to be NOVEL therapies to prevent endothelial injury during cardiac transplantation.