Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare but fatal disease with an annual mortality rate of 15% despite current therapies. Uncontrolled proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) results in adverse vascular remodeling contributing to PAH. Understanding the mechanisms of PASMC proliferation may identify new targets for treatment. Chloride currents/channels (ICl) are expressed in PASMCs and their roles in proliferation have been suggested based on their importance in resting membrane potential and cell volume regulation. The present study explored the role of ICl in proliferation in rat and human PASMCs. We found that either nonspecific ICl inhibitors (DIDS or NPPB) or a putative specific blocker of swelling-activated ICl (ICl,swell) reduced proliferation of PASMCs cultured in serum-containing media. Patch-clamp studies showed that proliferating PASMCs had increased baseline ICl and ICl,swell in association with depolarized membrane potentials. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR studies identified expressions of CLC-3, a candidate gene of ICl,swell, and several other CLC genes in proliferating PASMCs. While selective knockdown of CLC-3 with lentiviral shRNA reduced PASMC proliferation, it had no effect on ICl,swell. These findings are consistent with the conclusion that ICl regulate proliferation of PASMCs and suggest that selective ICl inhibition may be useful in treating pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a lethal disease, characterized by functional or structural abnormalities involving distal pulmonary arterioles that result in increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and ultimately right heart failure. Our objective is to establish a conditional transgenic system in mice, to test the hypothesis that lung EC apoptosis at the level of distal pulmonary arterioles is necessary and sufficient to cause a PAH phenotype. In a pilot study, the Fas-Induced Apoptosis (FIA) construct was expressed under the control of endothelial-specific Tie2 promoter in transgenic mice (i.e. EFIA mice). Administration of a small molecule dimerizing agent, AP20187, resulted in lung modest dose-dependent PAH, which was associated with proliferative vascular lesions localized to distal lung arterioles in a small proportion of mice. Due to the low level of transgene expression in preliminary EFIA lines, we re-designed the transgenic vector by incorporating a more robust endothelial promoter (superTie2). The new construct was transfected into HUVEC and BAEC and analyzed by monitoring immunofluorescence (DsRed). Data from the EFIA model suggests that EC apoptosis may be sufficient to induce a PAH phenotype with the characteristic lung vascular lesions. The EFIA model will allow us to better explore the mechanism that links distal lung EC apoptosis with reactive vascular cell proliferation in the pathogenesis of this devastating disease.

A Hipertensão Arterial Pulmonar (HAP) é uma patologia grave e incapacitante, caracterizada por modificações bioquímicas, morfofuncionais e estruturais que gera aumento progressivo da resistência vascular pulmonar (RVP), da pressão arterial pulmonar média (PAPm) e alterações no ventrículo direito (VD) que culminam com a insuficiência cardíaca direita (ICD), seguida de óbito. O efeito do exercício físico aeróbio sobre o estresse oxidativo e sobre o metabolismo do óxido nítrico (NO) e endotelina-1 (ET-1), no tecido pulmonar é desconhecido. Assim, este estudo teve como objetivo verificar a influência de um protocolo de exercício físico sobre o estresse oxidativo pulmonar e o seu papel modulador no metabolismo do NO e da ET-1 em ratos com HAP. Para isso, foram utilizados 28 ratos machos Wistar, divididos em quatro grupos experimentais (5-7 animais): CS (controle sedentário), MS (monocrotalina sedentário), CT (controle treinado) e MT (monocrotalina treinado). Os animais dos grupos CT e MT participaram de duas semanas de pré-treinamento em esteira adaptada para ratos. No final desse período, os animais dos grupos MS e MT receberam dose única (60 mg/Kg) intraperitoneal de monocrotalina (MCT), enquanto que os animais dos grupos CS e CT, receberam salina na mesma dose. Em seguida, os animais dos grupos CT e MT foram submetidos a três semanas de treinamento aeróbio, com frequência de cinco vezes por semana e utilização de 60% do VO2 máximo. Análises ecocardiográficas foram realizadas 24 horas após a última sessão de exercício físico aeróbio. Os parâmetros de tempo de aceleração/tempo de ejeção do fluxo pela artéria pulmonar (TAC/TEJ), volume sistólico (VS), débito cardíaco (DC), excursão sistólica do plano do anel da tricúspede (TAPSE), fração de enchimento (FEC), mudança da área fracional (FAC), índice de performance do miocárdio (IPM) e velocidade de enchimento rápido/lento do ventrículo direito (E/A) foram analisados e, em seguida, os ratos foram mortos por sobrecarga anestésica, confirmada por deslocamento cervical. Seus órgãos (coração, fígado e pulmão) foram coletados para realização posterior das análises. A massa do coração foi utilizada para analisar a hipertrofia cardíaca (HC) e a massa do fígado, para analisar a congestão hepática. O lobo direito do pulmão foi separado para realização das análises bioquímicas e moleculares e, o lobo esquerdo para realização das análises imuno-histoquímicas. A administração de MCT promoveu hipertrofia do VD, redução dos parâmetros TAC/TEJ, DC, VS e TAPSE, sendo que o exercício físico aeróbio acentuou essa redução nas análises do TAC/TEJ e DC. Nos demais parâmetros ecocardiográficos e na congestão hepática, não encontramos diferenças significativas entre os grupos experimentais. Nos resultados bioquímicos encontramos aumento da concentração do radical superóxido (O2.-) nos grupos MCT, principalmente no grupo MT, inalteração da concentração de peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2) e da atividade da enzima NADPH Oxidase (NOX). Em relação às enzimas antioxidantes, encontramos redução da atividade da superóxido dismutase (SOD) nos animais que participaram do protocolo de treinamento físico e inalteração da sua expressão por Western Blot. A catalase (CAT), por sua vez, teve sua atividade reduzida nos animais que receberam MCT e também na sua expressão no grupo MS quando comparado ao CS. Já o grupo MT teve aumento da expressão da CAT quando comparado ao grupo MS.Em relação à atividade da enzima glutationa peroxidase (GPx) houve aumento nos grupos que receberam a MCT, principalmente no grupo MT. Encontramos ainda, redução nos danos oxidativos a proteínas e lipídios nos grupos que receberam MCT. O metabolismo do NO também foi afetado, uma vez que evidenciamos redução da atividade da óxido nítrico sintase (NOS) nos animais que participaram do protocolo de treinamento aeróbio e também naqueles que receberam a MCT. A concentração de nitritos totais e da expressão de enzima óxido nítrico sintase endotelial (eNOS) não apresentaram diferenças significativas entre os diferentes grupos experimentais. Houve aumento na marcação da enzima óxido nítrico sintase induzível (iNOS) e na nitrotirosina em arteríolas pulmonares dos animais que receberam MCT, sendo mais acentuada nos animais do grupo MT. Ainda, não encontramos alterações significativas na expressão do receptor A (ET-A) da ET-1, mas sim, redução da expressão do receptor B (ET-B). Em conclusão, o modelo experimental de HAP induzido por MCT, foi reproduzido nesse estudo e a realização do protocolo de treinamento físico mostrou-se incapaz de atenuar e/ou reverter as alterações no metabolismo do NO e da ET-1, bem como o aumento do estresse oxidativo causados pela droga, no tecido pulmonar. Na verdade, em muitas análises, foram encontrados efeitos prejudiciais do exercício físico, potencializando a progressão e severidade da doença. / Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a serious and disabling condition characterized by biochemical, morphological, functional and structural alterations, which generate a progressive increase in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and in mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), together with changes in right ventricle (RV). This scenario leads to right heart failure, followed by death. The effects of aerobic exercise on oxidative stress, metabolism of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in lung tissue are unknown. This study aimed to verify the influence of a physical exercise protocol on pulmonary oxidative stress and also the modulatory role of exercise in the metabolism of NO and ET-1 in rats with PAH. Then, 28 male Wistar rats were used, divided into four groups (5-7 animals/group): SC (sedentary control), SM (sedentary monocrotaline), TC (trained control), and TM (trained monocrotaline). Animals of TC and TM groups participated in two weeks of pre-training on a treadmill adapted to rats. At the end of this period, the animals of TM and SM groups received a single injection (60 mg/kg, i.p.) of monocrotaline (MCT), whereas animals of SC and TC groups received saline at the same volume. Then, the animals of TC and TM groups underwent three weeks of aerobic training, five times a week, using 60% of maximum VO2. Echocardiographic analysis was performed 24 hours after the last aerobic exercise session. The parameters of acceleration /ejection time of pulmonary artery flow (AT/ET), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), filling fraction (FF), fractional area change (FAC), myocardial performance index (MPI) and fast/slow rate of right ventricular filling (E/A ratio) were analyzed, and then rats were euthanized with anesthetic overload, confirmed by cervical dislocation. Heart, liver and lungs were collected to perform later analysis. Heart mass was used to analyze cardiac hypertrophy (CH), and liver mass to analyze hepatic congestion. The right lobe of lung was separated to biochemical and molecular measurements and the left lobe to perform immunohistochemical analysis. The administration of MCT promoted RV hypertrophy, and reduced AT/ET, CO, SV, and TAPSE. However, aerobic exercised groups had an accentuated reduction in the analysis of the AT/ET and CO. We found no significant differences between the experimental groups in other echocardiographic parameters and liver congestion analysis. Biochemical results showed increased concentrations of superoxide radical (O2.-) in the MCT group, especially in the TM group, with no changes in hydrogen peroxide concentration (H2O2) and NADPH oxidase enzyme activity (NOX). Regarding the antioxidant enzymes, we found reduced activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in animals that underwent physical training protocol, with no changes in expression by Western blot. Catalase (CAT), in turn, reduced its activity in animals that received MCT and in its expression in the SM group, when compared to SC. However, animals in TM group had increased expression of CAT when compared to SM group. Regarding the activity of glutathione peroxidase enzyme (GPx) there was an increase in the groups that received MCT, mainly in the TM group. The groups that received MCT presented reduction in oxidative damage to proteins and lipids. NO metabolism was also affected, once reduction in the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) was observed in animals that participated in the aerobic training protocol and also in those who received MCT. The concentration of total nitrites and the endothelial nitric oxide synthase enzyme (eNOS) expression showed no significant differences between the different experimental groups. There was an increase in the immunohistochemical analysis of the inducible nitric oxide synthase enzyme (iNOS) and nitrotyrosine in pulmonary arterioles of animals that received MCT, being more pronounced in the animals of TM group. Although no significant changes in the A receptor of ET-1 (ET-A) expression were identified, it was detected a decrease in the B receptor of ET-1 (ETB) expression. In conclusion, the experimental model of PAH induced by MCT was reproduced in this study and physical training protocol execution proved to be unable to mitigate and/or reverse changes in the metabolism of NO and ET-1, as well as the increased oxidative stress caused by the drug in lung tissue. In fact, in many analyzes, harmful effects of exercise were found, contributing to progression and severity of the disease.

Submitted by ERIKA ALESSANDRA PELLISON NUNES DA COSTA null (eapellison@uol.com.br) on 2016-06-10T17:43:40Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Erika Corrigida definitiva..pdf: 896537 bytes, checksum: 3c11d0bcea7fce8a55fe750790e0c7c0 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Paula Grisoto (grisotoana@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-06-15T17:37:26Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 costa_eapn_me_bot.pdf: 896537 bytes, checksum: 3c11d0bcea7fce8a55fe750790e0c7c0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-15T17:37:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 costa_eapn_me_bot.pdf: 896537 bytes, checksum: 3c11d0bcea7fce8a55fe750790e0c7c0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-04-29 / A Hipertensão Arterial Pulmonar (HAP) é caracterizada pela elevação sustentada da pressão arterial nos capilares pulmonares, com vasoconstrição e remodelação vascular local. A HAP é definida hemodinamicamente através de valores da pressão arterial pulmonar média em repouso ≥ 25 mmHg, com pressão arterial capilar ≤ 15mmHg e resistência vascular pulmonar > 3 unidades de wood. A HAP é considerada como doença rara, cujos estudos epidemiológicos europeus descrevem a incidência de 1 a 2 casos e prevalência de 15 casos de HAP por milhão de habitantes, com predomínio do sexo feminino, na razão de 1,7: 1,0 e média de idade de 37 anos. Objetivo: Determinar a prevalência de Hipertensão Arterial Pulmonar e o possível impacto clínico em pacientes com a forma crônica indeterminada da Doença de Chagas. Estudo transversal e observacional, onde foram incluídos 99 pacientes com a Forma Crônica Indeterminada da Doença de Chagas e 08 controles com ausência da doença. Houve exclusão de doenças prévias que pudessem ocasionar HP. Três grupos foram formados: G1 (controle), G2 (Chagas) e G3 (Chagas com suspeita de HP), através de critérios clínicos e da realização de ecocardiograma.Os indivíduos foram classificados de acordo com a Classe Funcional(NYHA) modificada para HP e submetidos à Espirometria, Teste de Caminhada de Seis Minutos, Dosagem de Óxido Nítrico (NO) .Predominaram gênero masculino, com idade de 55,62 ± 8,71 anos, Classe Funcional de NYHA :I-II (93,45%) e Espirometrias normais: 88 (82,24%). A dosagem de NO foi estatisticamente significante p<0,05 ao compararmos os indivíduos com Chagas ao Grupo Controle. Pacientes com suspeita de Hipertensão Pulmonar (HP) detectada no ecocardiograma com Pressão Sistólica Artéria Pulmonar (PSAP)>40mmHg, foram submetidos ao Cateterismo Cardíaco Direito e resultou em prevalência de HAP: 1,01% . O indivíduo com HAP tem 48 anos e sexo feminino, compatível com a literatura. A biodisponibilidade elevada dos níveis de NO esteve presente nos pacientes com Chagas com ou sem sintomas de HP. Os dados presentes no estudo reforçam a hipótese de que pacientes com a Forma Crônica Indeterminada da Doença de Chagas sofrem com sobrecarga de volume intravascular associada a processo inflamatório intenso com provável evolução para comprometimento cardíaco. / Pulmonary Arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by sustained elevation of arterial pressure in pulmonary capillaries, with vasoconstriction and local vascular remodeling. PAH is defined hemodynamically by mean values of Pulmonary Arterial Pressure in repose ≥ 25 mmHg, capillary arterial pressure ≤ 15mmHg and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) >240 dynes/sec/cm-5. PAH is considered a rare disease, with European incidence of 1 to 2 cases and prevalence of 15 cases per million inhabitants, with predominance of females, at a 1.7-to-1.0 ratio, and mean age of 37 years. Objective: determine the prevalence of PAH and its clinical impact on patients with the indeterminate chronic form of Chagas Disease. Observational and transversal study of 99 patients with indeterminate chronic form of Chagas Disease (CD) and 08 control individuals without the disease. Patients with previous pathologies that could provoke Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) were excluded. After realization of echocardiographic exams three groups were formed: G1: control, G2: Chagas and G3: Chagas with suspicion of PH. The individuals were classified according to the Functional Class of the New York Heart Association (NYHA), and submitted to Spirometry, Six-Minute Walking Test and Serum Dosing of Nitric Oxide (NO). This was a predominantly male (54.20%), middle-aged (mean 55.62 ± 8.71 years) cohort of NYHA Functional Class I-II (93.45%) and normal Spirometries (82.24%). During echocardiograph, patients that presented Pulmonary Artery Systolic Pressure (PASP)>40mmHg were considered to have suspicion of PH and submitted to right cardiac catheterization, resulting in PAH prevalence of 1.01%. The patient with PAH is female, aged 48 years, and presents studied variables compatible with the literature. Elevated NO bioavailability was present in patients with Chagas with or without PH symptoms. The findings of the present study reinforce the hypothesis that patients with the indeterminate chronic form of CD suffer from an overload of intravascular volume associated with an intense inflammatory process with probable evolution to cardiac impairment.

Orientador: Hugo Hyung Bok Yoo / Resumo: A Hipertensão Arterial Pulmonar (HAP) é caracterizada pela elevação sustentada da pressão arterial nos capilares pulmonares, com vasoconstrição e remodelação vascular local. A HAP é definida hemodinamicamente através de valores da pressão arterial pulmonar média em repouso ≥ 25 mmHg, com pressão arterial capilar ≤ 15mmHg e resistência vascular pulmonar > 3 unidades de wood. A HAP é considerada como doença rara, cujos estudos epidemiológicos europeus descrevem a incidência de 1 a 2 casos e prevalência de 15 casos de HAP por milhão de habitantes, com predomínio do sexo feminino, na razão de 1,7: 1,0 e média de idade de 37 anos. Objetivo: Determinar a prevalência de Hipertensão Arterial Pulmonar e o possível impacto clínico em pacientes com a forma crônica indeterminada da Doença de Chagas. Estudo transversal e observacional, onde foram incluídos 99 pacientes com a Forma Crônica Indeterminada da Doença de Chagas e 08 controles com ausência da doença. Houve exclusão de doenças prévias que pudessem ocasionar HP. Três grupos foram formados: G1 (controle), G2 (Chagas) e G3 (Chagas com suspeita de HP), através de critérios clínicos e da realização de ecocardiograma.Os indivíduos foram classificados de acordo com a Classe Funcional(NYHA) modificada para HP e submetidos à Espirometria, Teste de Caminhada de Seis Minutos, Dosagem de Óxido Nítrico (NO) .Predominaram gênero masculino, com idade de 55,62 ± 8,71 anos, Classe Funcional de NYHA :I-II (93,45%) e Espirometrias normais: 88 (82,2... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Pulmonary Arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by sustained elevation of arterial pressure in pulmonary capillaries, with vasoconstriction and local vascular remodeling. PAH is defined hemodynamically by mean values of Pulmonary Arterial Pressure in repose ≥ 25 mmHg, capillary arterial pressure ≤ 15mmHg and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) >240 dynes/sec/cm-5. PAH is considered a rare disease, with European incidence of 1 to 2 cases and prevalence of 15 cases per million inhabitants, with predominance of females, at a 1.7-to-1.0 ratio, and mean age of 37 years. Objective: determine the prevalence of PAH and its clinical impact on patients with the indeterminate chronic form of Chagas Disease. Observational and transversal study of 99 patients with indeterminate chronic form of Chagas Disease (CD) and 08 control individuals without the disease. Patients with previous pathologies that could provoke Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) were excluded. After realization of echocardiographic exams three groups were formed: G1: control, G2: Chagas and G3: Chagas with suspicion of PH. The individuals were classified according to the Functional Class of the New York Heart Association (NYHA), and submitted to Spirometry, Six-Minute Walking Test and Serum Dosing of Nitric Oxide (NO). This was a predominantly male (54.20%), middle-aged (mean 55.62 ± 8.71 years) cohort of NYHA Functional Class I-II (93.45%) and normal Spirometries (82.24%). During echocardiograph, patients that presente... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

A Hipertensão Arterial Pulmonar (HAP) é uma patologia grave e incapacitante, caracterizada por modificações bioquímicas, morfofuncionais e estruturais que gera aumento progressivo da resistência vascular pulmonar (RVP), da pressão arterial pulmonar média (PAPm) e alterações no ventrículo direito (VD) que culminam com a insuficiência cardíaca direita (ICD), seguida de óbito. O efeito do exercício físico aeróbio sobre o estresse oxidativo e sobre o metabolismo do óxido nítrico (NO) e endotelina-1 (ET-1), no tecido pulmonar é desconhecido. Assim, este estudo teve como objetivo verificar a influência de um protocolo de exercício físico sobre o estresse oxidativo pulmonar e o seu papel modulador no metabolismo do NO e da ET-1 em ratos com HAP. Para isso, foram utilizados 28 ratos machos Wistar, divididos em quatro grupos experimentais (5-7 animais): CS (controle sedentário), MS (monocrotalina sedentário), CT (controle treinado) e MT (monocrotalina treinado). Os animais dos grupos CT e MT participaram de duas semanas de pré-treinamento em esteira adaptada para ratos. No final desse período, os animais dos grupos MS e MT receberam dose única (60 mg/Kg) intraperitoneal de monocrotalina (MCT), enquanto que os animais dos grupos CS e CT, receberam salina na mesma dose. Em seguida, os animais dos grupos CT e MT foram submetidos a três semanas de treinamento aeróbio, com frequência de cinco vezes por semana e utilização de 60% do VO2 máximo. Análises ecocardiográficas foram realizadas 24 horas após a última sessão de exercício físico aeróbio. Os parâmetros de tempo de aceleração/tempo de ejeção do fluxo pela artéria pulmonar (TAC/TEJ), volume sistólico (VS), débito cardíaco (DC), excursão sistólica do plano do anel da tricúspede (TAPSE), fração de enchimento (FEC), mudança da área fracional (FAC), índice de performance do miocárdio (IPM) e velocidade de enchimento rápido/lento do ventrículo direito (E/A) foram analisados e, em seguida, os ratos foram mortos por sobrecarga anestésica, confirmada por deslocamento cervical. Seus órgãos (coração, fígado e pulmão) foram coletados para realização posterior das análises. A massa do coração foi utilizada para analisar a hipertrofia cardíaca (HC) e a massa do fígado, para analisar a congestão hepática. O lobo direito do pulmão foi separado para realização das análises bioquímicas e moleculares e, o lobo esquerdo para realização das análises imuno-histoquímicas. A administração de MCT promoveu hipertrofia do VD, redução dos parâmetros TAC/TEJ, DC, VS e TAPSE, sendo que o exercício físico aeróbio acentuou essa redução nas análises do TAC/TEJ e DC. Nos demais parâmetros ecocardiográficos e na congestão hepática, não encontramos diferenças significativas entre os grupos experimentais. Nos resultados bioquímicos encontramos aumento da concentração do radical superóxido (O2.-) nos grupos MCT, principalmente no grupo MT, inalteração da concentração de peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2) e da atividade da enzima NADPH Oxidase (NOX). Em relação às enzimas antioxidantes, encontramos redução da atividade da superóxido dismutase (SOD) nos animais que participaram do protocolo de treinamento físico e inalteração da sua expressão por Western Blot. A catalase (CAT), por sua vez, teve sua atividade reduzida nos animais que receberam MCT e também na sua expressão no grupo MS quando comparado ao CS. Já o grupo MT teve aumento da expressão da CAT quando comparado ao grupo MS.Em relação à atividade da enzima glutationa peroxidase (GPx) houve aumento nos grupos que receberam a MCT, principalmente no grupo MT. Encontramos ainda, redução nos danos oxidativos a proteínas e lipídios nos grupos que receberam MCT. O metabolismo do NO também foi afetado, uma vez que evidenciamos redução da atividade da óxido nítrico sintase (NOS) nos animais que participaram do protocolo de treinamento aeróbio e também naqueles que receberam a MCT. A concentração de nitritos totais e da expressão de enzima óxido nítrico sintase endotelial (eNOS) não apresentaram diferenças significativas entre os diferentes grupos experimentais. Houve aumento na marcação da enzima óxido nítrico sintase induzível (iNOS) e na nitrotirosina em arteríolas pulmonares dos animais que receberam MCT, sendo mais acentuada nos animais do grupo MT. Ainda, não encontramos alterações significativas na expressão do receptor A (ET-A) da ET-1, mas sim, redução da expressão do receptor B (ET-B). Em conclusão, o modelo experimental de HAP induzido por MCT, foi reproduzido nesse estudo e a realização do protocolo de treinamento físico mostrou-se incapaz de atenuar e/ou reverter as alterações no metabolismo do NO e da ET-1, bem como o aumento do estresse oxidativo causados pela droga, no tecido pulmonar. Na verdade, em muitas análises, foram encontrados efeitos prejudiciais do exercício físico, potencializando a progressão e severidade da doença. / Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a serious and disabling condition characterized by biochemical, morphological, functional and structural alterations, which generate a progressive increase in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and in mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), together with changes in right ventricle (RV). This scenario leads to right heart failure, followed by death. The effects of aerobic exercise on oxidative stress, metabolism of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in lung tissue are unknown. This study aimed to verify the influence of a physical exercise protocol on pulmonary oxidative stress and also the modulatory role of exercise in the metabolism of NO and ET-1 in rats with PAH. Then, 28 male Wistar rats were used, divided into four groups (5-7 animals/group): SC (sedentary control), SM (sedentary monocrotaline), TC (trained control), and TM (trained monocrotaline). Animals of TC and TM groups participated in two weeks of pre-training on a treadmill adapted to rats. At the end of this period, the animals of TM and SM groups received a single injection (60 mg/kg, i.p.) of monocrotaline (MCT), whereas animals of SC and TC groups received saline at the same volume. Then, the animals of TC and TM groups underwent three weeks of aerobic training, five times a week, using 60% of maximum VO2. Echocardiographic analysis was performed 24 hours after the last aerobic exercise session. The parameters of acceleration /ejection time of pulmonary artery flow (AT/ET), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), filling fraction (FF), fractional area change (FAC), myocardial performance index (MPI) and fast/slow rate of right ventricular filling (E/A ratio) were analyzed, and then rats were euthanized with anesthetic overload, confirmed by cervical dislocation. Heart, liver and lungs were collected to perform later analysis. Heart mass was used to analyze cardiac hypertrophy (CH), and liver mass to analyze hepatic congestion. The right lobe of lung was separated to biochemical and molecular measurements and the left lobe to perform immunohistochemical analysis. The administration of MCT promoted RV hypertrophy, and reduced AT/ET, CO, SV, and TAPSE. However, aerobic exercised groups had an accentuated reduction in the analysis of the AT/ET and CO. We found no significant differences between the experimental groups in other echocardiographic parameters and liver congestion analysis. Biochemical results showed increased concentrations of superoxide radical (O2.-) in the MCT group, especially in the TM group, with no changes in hydrogen peroxide concentration (H2O2) and NADPH oxidase enzyme activity (NOX). Regarding the antioxidant enzymes, we found reduced activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in animals that underwent physical training protocol, with no changes in expression by Western blot. Catalase (CAT), in turn, reduced its activity in animals that received MCT and in its expression in the SM group, when compared to SC. However, animals in TM group had increased expression of CAT when compared to SM group. Regarding the activity of glutathione peroxidase enzyme (GPx) there was an increase in the groups that received MCT, mainly in the TM group. The groups that received MCT presented reduction in oxidative damage to proteins and lipids. NO metabolism was also affected, once reduction in the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) was observed in animals that participated in the aerobic training protocol and also in those who received MCT. The concentration of total nitrites and the endothelial nitric oxide synthase enzyme (eNOS) expression showed no significant differences between the different experimental groups. There was an increase in the immunohistochemical analysis of the inducible nitric oxide synthase enzyme (iNOS) and nitrotyrosine in pulmonary arterioles of animals that received MCT, being more pronounced in the animals of TM group. Although no significant changes in the A receptor of ET-1 (ET-A) expression were identified, it was detected a decrease in the B receptor of ET-1 (ETB) expression. In conclusion, the experimental model of PAH induced by MCT was reproduced in this study and physical training protocol execution proved to be unable to mitigate and/or reverse changes in the metabolism of NO and ET-1, as well as the increased oxidative stress caused by the drug in lung tissue. In fact, in many analyzes, harmful effects of exercise were found, contributing to progression and severity of the disease.

1 Univerzita Karlova v Praze 1. lékařská fakulta Některé aspekty patofyziologie plicní arteriální hypertenze a její výskyt v České republice Some aspects of pathophysiology of pulmonary arterial hypertension and its epidemiology in the Czech Republic MUDr. Pavel Jansa Praha 2011 2 Abstract Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a group of diseases characterized by a progressive increase of resistance and pressure in pulmonary vascular bed. In all types of PAH the same four pathological processes are reported: vasoconstriction, inflammation, thrombosis and remodelling. The genetic background is essential for the development of PAH. We aimed to investigate the role of polymorphisms of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) genes in PAH. We studied 142 PAH patients and 189 healthy subjects. We examined 3 polymorphisms of the eNOS gene, including the Glu298Asp polymorphism, 27-base pair (bp) variable numbers of tandem repeats (VNTR) and -786 T/C promoter gene polymorphism. Prevalence of 27-bp VNTR allele A was higher in patients with PAH compared with healthy controls. Patients with PAH associated with connective tissue diseases had higher prevalence of AA genotype compared with other PAH subgroups. The Glu298Asp polymorphism and -786 T/C polymorphism are not associated with PAH. Thrombotic arteriopathy is...

L'hypertension artérielle pulmonaire (HTAP) est caractérisée par un intense remodelage de la microcirculation pulmonaire affectant principalement les artérioles pulmonaires musculaires. Lorsqu'elle survient en l'absence de condition associée, l'HTAP est considérée comme idiopathique (HTAPi). L'HTAP représente une pan-vasculopathie au cours de laquelle chaque type cellulaire (cellules endothéliale, musculaire lisse, fibroblaste) constituant la paroi vasculaire joue un rôle spécifique dans la réponse à l'agression. Les buts de ce travail étaient d'explorer l'implication de différentes voies de signalisation dans l'initiation ou la progression de la maladie. Les différentes études ont été réalisées à partir de cultures de cellules musculaires lisses (CML) d'artère pulmonaire et de cellules endothéliales (CE) pulmonaires obtenues à partir de prélèvements pulmonaires humains obtenus lors de transplantation chez des patients souffrant d'HTAP réfractaire.Des études antérieures avaient souligné le rôle majeur de la sérotonine au cours de l'HTAP idiopathique. Dans une première étude, nous avons étudié le rôle respectif de la sérotonine (5-HT), de son transporteur (5-HTT) ou de ses récepteurs (5-HT1B, 5-HT2A et 5-HT2B) dans le remodelage vasculaire pulmonaire mis en évidence dans l'HTP associée à diverses conditions. Les résultats de cette première étude montraient qu'une surexpression du 5-HTT dans les CML d'artère pulmonaire est une voie physiopathologique commune impliquée dans le remodelage vasculaire pulmonaire observé dans l'HTAP idiopathique, la maladie veino-occlusive et l'HTAP associée à différentes pathologies.Des mécanismes inflammatoires jouent probablement un rôle important dans la physiopathologie du remodelage microvasculaire pulmonaire. En effet, des infiltrats composés de cellules inflammatoires mononucléées (macrophages, lymphocytes T et B et cellules dendritiques) sont fréquemment mis en évidence autour des lésions vasculaires pulmonaires de patients présentant une HTAP idiopathique. Les mécanismes impliqués dans le recrutement de ces cellules mononucléées demeurent mal compris et nous avons étudié le rôle d'une chimiokine, CC chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2). Les résultats de cette seconde étude montraient que CCL2 était surexprimée au cours de l'HTAP idiopathique. La source de cette surexpression semblait provenir des cellules endothéliales pulmonaires. CCL2 agissait non seulement sur le recrutement des monocytes mais également sur les cellules musculaires lisses vasculaires pulmonaires en stimulant leur prolifération et leur migration.Des mutations germinales de gènes codant pour des membres de la famille des récepteurs du TGF tels que BMPR2 (Bone Morphogenic Protein Receptor type 2) sont retrouvées dans près de 70% des cas d'HTAP familiale mais également chez 10 à 30 % des cas d'HTAPi apparemment non familiales. Ces patients sont regroupés sous le terme d'HTAP « héritable » (HTAPh). Nous avons, dans une troisième étude, évalué si la dysfonction des voies de signalisation secondaires aux mutations de BMPR2 pouvait avoir des conséquences sur la voie de l'endothéline 1 (ET-1) qui représente l'une des cibles thérapeutiques de choix au cours de l'HTAP. Les résultats de cette troisième étude montraient que l'ET-1 était surexprimée au cours de l'HTAP avec ou sans mutation de BMPR2. En revanche, une surexpression des récepteurs ET-A dans les CML était mise en évidence au cours de l'HTAPh et était associée à une augmentation de l'effet pro-proliférant de l'ET-1 sur les CML.Ces résultats révèlent que des facteurs vaso-actifs (ET-1, 5-HT) et inflammatoires jouent un rôle déterminant dans la physiopathologie de l'HTAP et pourraient représenter de nouvelles cibles thérapeutiques. / Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by intense pulmonary vascular remodelling affecting mainly the muscular pulmonary arteries and leading to increased pulmonary vascular resistance. When it occurs in the absence of associated conditions, PAH is regarded as idiopathic (iPAH). PAH represents a panvasculopathy in which each cell type constituting the vascular wall (endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, fibroblast) plays a specific role. The aims of this work were to explore the implication of various pathways in the initiation or the progression of the disease. The various studies were carried out using pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC) and pulmonary endothelial cells (PEC) obtained during lung transplantation from patients with refractory PAH.Former studies have emphasized the major role of serotonin (5-HT) in the process of pulmonary vascular remodelling in iPAH. In a first study, we studied the respective role of 5-HT, the 5-HT transporter (5-HTT) and several 5-HT receptors (5-HT1B, 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B) on PASMC proliferation in cells from patients with PH associated with various conditions. The results of this first study showed that 5-HTT overexpression in PASMC is a common pathogenic mechanism in various forms of PH.Inflammatory cytokines may affect pulmonary vascular remodelling in iPAH. Indeed, iPAH frequently reveals inflammatory infiltrates corresponding to macrophages, lymphocytes and dendritic cells in the range of plexiform lesions as well as in other vascular lesions. The mechanisms underlying pulmonary vessel infiltration by monocytes / macrophages are unclear and the role for inflammatory cells in pulmonary vascular remodeling remains to be elucidated. This second study showed that iPAH is associated with an overexpression of CCL2. PEC are a major source of CCL2, which behaves as chemoattractant for circulating inflammatory cells and as growth factor for PASMC.Germline mutations of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptor type 2 (BMPR-2), a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β receptor family, have been reported in nearly 70% of patients with the heritable form of the disease (hPAH), and in 10–30% of patients with sporadic iPAH. In a third study, we evaluated the functional consequences of BMPR-2 mutations on the endothelin 1 (ET-1) pathway which represents one of the therapeutic targets on PAH. The results of this third study showed that iPAH and hPAH were associated with a similar overexpression of ET-1. In contrast, ETA receptor mRNA levels which were increased in PASMC from patients with iPAH and hPAH compared to controls were much higher in hPAH than in iPAH cells. Consequently, the growth promoting effect of ET1 on PASMC was higher in PASMC from patients with iPAH, and was markedly elevated in PASMC from patients with hPAH. No changes in ETB receptor mRNA levels could be detected in PASMC from patients with iPAH or hPAH in comparison with controls.These results reveal that vasoactive factors (ET-1, 5-HT) and inflammatory factors play a determining role in the pathophysiology of PAH and could represent new therapeutic targets.

Rationnel : L’artérite à cellules géantes (ACG) est une vascularite primitive des gros vaisseaux dont le diagnostic repose sur la mise en évidence d’un infiltrat inflammatoire et de cellules géantes à la biopsie d’artère temporale (BAT). On note également un remodelage de la paroi vasculaire lié à une prolifération des cellules musculaires lisses vasculaires (CMLV) pouvant aboutir à une occlusion artérielle. Objectif : Caractériser les auto-anticorps dirigés contre les cellules endothéliales (CE) et les CMLV au cours de l’ACG et préciser le rôle des CMLV dans le remodelage pariétal. Méthodes : La recherche d’auto-anticorps a reposé sur un immunoblot 2D couplé à la spectrométrie de masse. Les protéomes des CMLV d’artère ombilicale, d’artère pulmonaire et d’aorte humaines normales a été comparés par protéomique différentielle (2D-DIGE). Nous avons utilisé la 2D-DIGE et des puces d’expression pan-génomiques pour comparer les CMLV issues de BAT de patients suspects d’ACG (avec un diagnostic final d’ACG ou non), afin d’identifier les mécanismes contribuant à la prolifération des CMLV. Résultats : Chez 15 patients atteints d’ACG, nous avons notamment identifié la lamine, la vinculine et l’annexine A5 comme cible des auto-anticorps anti-CMLV. Les antigènes cibles identifiés sont liés à Grb2, une protéine adaptatrice impliquée dans la prolifération des CMLV. Nous avons mis en évidence des protéomes différents au sein des CMLV humaines normales selon leur origine vasculaire et avons principalement identifié des protéines du cytosquelette et du métabolisme énergétique.A partir des CMLV isolées des BAT et à l’aide d’Ingenuity®, nous avons identifié l’endothéline 1 (ET-1) et la paxilline comme des molécules impliquées dans le remodelage vasculaire. En immunohistochimie et par qPCR, nous avons confirmé l’expression de l’ET-1 et de ses récepteurs ETAR et ETBR au sein des artères temporales de patients atteints d’ACG. Enfin, nous avons inhibé la prolifération des CMLV avec du macitentan, un inhibiteur d’ETAR et en particulier avec son métabolite actif, mais pas avec d’autres inhibiteurs des récepteurs de l’ET-1. Conclusion : Nous avons identifié chez les patients atteints d’ACG des anticorps anti-CMLV dont le rôle pathogéne potentiel reste à définir. Les différences protéiques observées à partir des CMLV humaines normales pourraient correspondre à des phénotypes différents. A partir d’un matériel biologique unique, nous avons pu montrer que la prolifération excessive des CMLV au cours de l’ACG pouvait être inhibée par le macitentan ce qui permet d’envisager un usage thérapeutique de cette molécule. / Background : Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a large vessel vasculitis and its diagnosis usually relies on the identification of an inflammatory infiltrate made of mononuclear cells and giant cells upon temporal artery biopsy. There is also a remodeling process in the arterial wall due to an excessive proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) which can sometimes lead to arterial occlusion. Purpose: Identify auto-antibodies targeting either endothelial cells (EC) and/or VSMC during GCA and better understand the role of VSMC in the remodeling process. Methods : Auto-antibodies were detected by a 2-dimensionnal immunoblot and their target antigens were identified by mass spectrometry. Proteoms of umbilical artery, pulmonary artery and aorta VSMC were compared by 2 dimension differential in gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE). In order to identify mechanisms involved in VSMC proliferation in GCA, we used both 2D-DIGE and pan genomic chips in order to compare VSMC isolated at the time of temporal artery biopsy (TAB) from patients with a final diagnosis of GCA or another diagnosis. Results : In 15 patients with GCA, we identified lamin, vinculin and Annexin A5 as target antigens of anti-VSMC antibodies. Target antigens were linked with Grb2, an adaptator protein involved in VSMC proliferation. Normal VSMC originating from different vascular beds have differ in protein contents with differential expression of cytoskeleton and energy metabolism proteins. We compared VSMC from TAB with Ingenuity software and identified endothelin-1 (ET-1) and paxillin as proteins involved in vessel remodeling. We confirmed by immunohistichemistry and qPCR that ET-1 and its receptor ETAR and ETBR were expressed in temporal arteries from patients with GCA. Last, we reduced VSMC proliferation with Macitentan, an ETAR and ETBR antagonist and significantly inhibited VSMC proliferation with its active metabolite whereas other ET-1 inhibitors had no effect. Conclusion : We identified anti-VSMC auto-antibodies in patients with GCA. Their pathogenic role remains to be determined. Normal VSMC from different vascular locations differ in protein conten which might reflect different phenotypes and different properties. The escessive proliferation of VSMC from patients with GCA was inhibited by Macitentan. This drug might constitute a future therapeutic option.

L’endothélium joue un rôle primordial dans le développement et le maintien des multiples fonctions vasculaires. Il est ainsi largement impliqué dans des situations pathologiques comme les maladies cardio-vasculaires. La description de marqueurs endothéliaux circulants a permis une exploration non invasive de l'endothélium. Notre équipe s’est intéressée principalement aux cellules endothéliales circulantes (CEC), dont le taux reflète la lésion ou l’activation de l’endothélium, et aux progéniteurs endothéliaux circulants (PEC), marqueurs de régénération endothéliale. La découverte en 1997 par Asahara de la présence chez l’adulte de ces PEC, participant à la formation de nouveaux vaisseaux par vasculogenèse, a ouvert de nouvelles perspectives, notamment pour la thérapie cellulaire des pathologies ischémiques. Ce travail a consisté à développer les méthodes d’étude de ces cellules dans plusieurs contextes. Tout d’abord, nous avons exploré l’utilité de ces marqueurs dans la physiopathologie de l’hypertension artérielle pulmonaire (HTAP). Puis nous avons analysé le potentiel de mobilisation des progéniteurs endothéliaux à partir de la paroi vasculaire lors d’une ischémie locale chez des volontaires sains dans le cadre du développement d’un produit de thérapie cellulaire autologue. Une partie de ce projet a été de mettre en place et d’optimiser les techniques d’étude de ces marqueurs. Les CEC ont été quantifiées par immunoséparation magnétique (IMS), technique mise au point en 1992 (Dignat-George 1992) et transférée dans notre laboratoire. La quantification des PEC a été réalisée par cytométrie en flux et par culture cellulaire. En culture, deux types de PEC sont décrits : les PEC précoces, dont l’origine est monocytaire et pour lesquels la culture est déjà standardisée, et les « Endothelial Colony Forming Cells » (ECFC), seules cellules présentant des caractéristiques de cellules endothéliales progénitrices et pouvant être proposées comme produit de thérapie cellulaire. Nous avons optimisé la quantification des ECFC en culture en étudiant l’effet de diverses matrices et de la densité d’ensemencement des cellules mononucléées issues du sang total sur l’obtention de ces cellules et leurs propriétés angiogènes. La dysfonction endothéliale a été décrite comme un élément central dans le développement de l’HTAP dont le diagnostic repose sur la mesure de la pression artérielle pulmonaire par cathétérisme cardiaque droit. En l’absence de marqueur biologique non invasif dans cette maladie, nous avons quantifié les CEC et les progéniteurs circulants dans deux études. Une étude réalisée chez des patients adultes a montré une augmentation spécifique des CEC dans l’HTAP et non dans l’hypertension pulmonaire thromboembolique chronique. Ainsi les CEC semblent être le reflet des lésions endothéliales pulmonaires et non de la sévérité clinique des patients. L’autre étude a montré l’intérêt de la quantification des CEC dans la prise en charge thérapeutique des enfants souffrant d’HTAP secondaire à une cardiopathie congénitale, dont les formes irréversibles présentaient des taux élevés de CEC. Nous avons ainsi défini un nouveau marqueur non invasif à utilité diagnostique et pronostique. Les PEC sont des cellules rares dans le sang circulant, difficiles à expandre, et dont les essais de mobilisation médullaire se sont révélés insuffisants. L’hypothèse récente d’une réserve vasculaire des progéniteurs endothéliaux nous a conduits à étudier l’effet d’un processus d’ischémie locale sur la mobilisation de ces cellules chez des volontaires sains. Deux groupes d'âge ont été inclus afin d'évaluer l'impact du vieillissement sur la méthode de mobilisation étudiée. Malgré un effet de cette ischémie sur la dilatation endothéliale cette méthode n’a pas permis de mobiliser significativement les PEC issus de la paroi endothéliale, quel que soit l'âge des sujets. A l’inverse, l’hypoxie a eu un effet délétère sur les capacités angiogènes des ECFC. / The endothelium plays a key role in the development and the homeostasis of vascular functions. It is also well involved in pathological situations like cardiovascular diseases. Thanks to the description of circulating endothelial markers, non invasive study of the endothelium is now possible. Our group was particularly interested in circulating endothelial cells (CECs), the level of which reflects an endothelial activation or lesion, and to circulating endothelial progenitors cells (EPCs), markers of endothelial repair. EPC description by Asahara in 1997 in adult blood, involved in new blood vessel formation by vasculogenesis, offered new perspectives, specially for cell therapy in ischemic diseases. This work consisted in the development of methods to study these markers in different contexts. First, we explored the interest of these markers in the physiopathology of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Then we evaluated endothelial progenitors mobilization from the vascular wall by a local ischemia process in healthy volunteers, in the perspective of an autologous cell therapy product development. One part of this project was the implementation and optimization of the methods to study CEC and EPC. CEC were quantified by magnetic immunoseparation. This technique was developped in 1992 by F. Dignat-George's group and transferred in our laboratory. EPC were quantified by flow cytometry and cell culture. Two types of EPC are described in culture: the early EPC, which originate from monocyte lineage and which culture is standardized, and the « Endothelial Colony Forming Cells » (ECFC), the only cells presenting endothelial progenitor cell properties and which use as a cell therapy product can be considered. ECFC quantification by culture was optimized by assessment of the impact of diverse matrices and seeding concentrations of mononuclear cells isolated from whole blood, on ECFC commitment and their angiogenic properties. Endothelial dysfunction was described as a central element in the development of PAH, which diagnosis is based on the use of right heart catheterization. Due to the lack of noninvasive marker for this disease, CEC and circulating progenitors were quantified in two studies. One of them realized in adult patients showed a specific increase of CEC in PAH and not in post-embolic PH. CEC would then reflect the presence of specific endothelial lesions and not the clinical state of the patients. The other study demonstrated the interest of CEC quantification in the therapeutic care of children with PAH secondary to congenital heart disease, for whom patients in irreversible state had a higher level of CEC. We then defined a new noninvasive biomarker.that can be used for the diagnosis and prognosis of PAH. EPC are rare events in whole blood, difficult to expand and for which, mobilization protocols revealed insufficient. The recent hypothesis of a vascular reservoir for endothelial progenitor led us to study the effect of a local ischemia procedure on the mobilization of these cells in healthy volunteers. Two age groups were included to assess the impact of aging on this procedure. Despite a significant endothelial dilation with the local ischemia, no EPC were mobilized, whatever the age group. Ischemia even altered ECFC angiogenic properties.