Esta tese apresenta resultados da caracterização estrutural de três sistemas de classes diferentes por meio, principalmente, da modelagem de dados de espalhamento de raios X a baixos ângulos (SAXS). No sistema surfactante-surfactante as micelas mistas são formadas por dodecil sulfato de sódio (SDS) e um dos surfactantes da série Tween (Tween 20, 40, 60 e 80). A modelagem adotada impôs vínculos moleculares uma vez que os dados de SAXS estavam em escala absoluta. Isso reduziu a ambiguidade nos valores dos parâmetros ajustáveis e permitiu verificar que os dados de SAXS são satisfatoriamente descritos considerando-se que as micelas são elipsoides de revolução core-shell, podendo ser prolatas ou oblatas dependendo do tipo de Tween empregado. Para o sistema proteína-surfactante, a metodologia experimental utilizada permitiu um estudo estrutural e termodinâmico dos complexos formados por meio do acompanhamento do processo de ligação de SDS às proteínas lisozima e alfa-lactalbumina. A técnica de calorimetria de titulação isotérmica (ITC) forneceu um panorama geral sobre a desnaturação proteica e norteou os experimentos seguintes de SAXS e dicroísmo circular (CD). Por meio da análise dos dados de CD concluiu-se que as proteínas perdem quase totalmente sua estrutura terciária, mas não a secundária (esse estado é conhecido como molten globule). Já a modelagem de SAXS em escala absoluta com imposição de vínculos permitiu concluir que os complexos proteína-surfactante podem ser entendidos micelas decoradas, isto é, a proteína está distribuída sobre a superfície de uma micela de SDS. Esse modelo, aliado à abordagem experimental empregada, permitiu a caracterização sistemática dos complexos durante a desnaturação proteica. Em relação ao sistema lipossomas-(bio)ativos, a análise dos dados de SAXS por meio do Método da Deconvolução Gaussiana usando bicamadas simétricas, para os sistemas Phospholipon 90H curcumina/vitamina D3 e dipalmitoilfosfatidilcolina de soja (DPPC) ácido láurico (LA), e assimétricas, para o caso fosfatidilcolina de ovo (EPC) sumatriptano (SMT), permitiu acompanhar mudanças na estrutura das mesmas ocasionadas pela presença dos (bio)ativos. Verificou-se em todos os casos que a espessura da bicamada se mantém praticamente constante. A flexibilidade membranar aumenta, seja em função da temperatura, para o sistema Phospholipon 90H curcumina/ vitamina D3, seja em função da concentração de (bio)ativos, como nos outros dois casos. Para estes, concluiu-se pela análise dos perfis de contraste de densidade eletrônica que os (bio)ativos interagem preferencialmente com as cabeças polares dos fosfolipídeos que constituem os lipossomas, possivelmente causando defeitos topológicos nessa região e ocasionando o aumento da flexibilidade membranar mencionada antes. LA, diferentemente de SMT, induz uma transição de lipossomas multilamelares para unilamelares, e esse fenômeno é grandemente influenciado pelo pH do meio. / This thesis presents a structural characterization of three systems of different classes through, mainly, the small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) technique. In the surfactant-surfactant system the mixed micelles are composed by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and one of the Tween surfactants (Tween 20, 40, 60 and 80). The adopted modeling imposed molecular constraints since the SAXS data was in absolute scale. This procedure reduced the ambiguity in the values of the adjustable parameters and allowed to verify that SAXS data is satisfactorily described considering that the micelles are core-shell revolution ellipsoids which can be prolate or oblate depending on the type of Tween used in the micelle. For the protein-surfactant system, the applied experimental methodology allowed a structural and thermodynamic study of the complexes formed through monitoring the binding of SDS to the proteins lysozyme and alpha-lactalbumin. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) technique provided an overview of proteic denaturation and guided the following experiments of SAXS and circular dichroism (CD). From CD data analysis it was concluded that the proteins lose almost totally their tertiary structure, but not the secondary one (this state is known as \"molten globule\"). On the other hand, SAXS data modeling in absolute scale with molecular constraints leaded to the conclusion that protein-surfactant complexes can be considered decorated micelles in which the protein is distributed over a SDS micelle surface. This model, combined to the adopted experimental procedure, allowed the systematic characterization of the complexes along the protein denaturation. In the liposome-(bio)actives system, the SAXS data analysis using the Gaussian Deconvolution Method assuming symmetric bilayers, for the systems Phospholipon 90H curcumin /vitamin D3 and soybean dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) lauric acid (LA), and asymmetric bilayers, in the case of egg phosphatidylcholine (EPC) sumatriptan (SMT) system, allowed to follow changes in the lipid bilayer structure induced by the presence of the (bio)actives. It has been found, in all cases, that the bilayer thickness remains approximately. Membrane flexibility increases, depending on the temperature, for the Phospholipon 90H curcumin /vitamin D3 system, or as a function of the (bio)actives concentrations, as in the other two cases. For those, it was concluded, by the analysis of electron density contrast profiles, that the (bio)actives preferentially interact with the polar heads of the phospholipids forming the liposomes, possibly causing topological defects in that region and leading the membrane flexibility increase. LA, unlike SMT, induces a transition from multilamellar to unilamellar liposomes, and this phenomenon is greatly influenced by the pH of the medium.

A capacidade de prever a estrutura nativa de uma proteína é um problema ainda sem solução. A predição da estrutura final ou nativa de uma proteína -, ou seja, partir da estrutura primária (sequência de aminoácidos linear) de um polipeptídeo tentar prever qual será a estrutura terciária (arranjo de hélices alfa, folhas beta e grampos) - tem sido um desafio para diversos pesquisadores desde o século passado. Atualmente existem diversos modelos que se propõem a executar essa tarefa, mas poucos que de fato partem de princípios físicos básicos para realizá-la. A grande maioria baseia-se em estruturas já conhecidas de proteínas com sequenciamento ou função similares para prever a estrutura terciária. Neste trabalho, no entanto, propõe-se o desenvolvimento de um campo de forças coarse-grained para aplicação em simulações de dinâmica molecular a fim de prever a estrutura de proteínas sem que seja necessária a comparação com estruturas já conhecidas. O fator de forma é um importante indicativo da estrutura de uma molécula em solução. Apesar de se tratar de uma grandeza que fornece informações de baixa resolução, ou seja, não fornece pormenores a respeito da posição dos átomos na estrutura da molécula, é uma estimativa inicial do espaço ocupado pela molécula e também da maneira com a qual ela interage com outras moléculas em solução. Isso é decorrente das operações matemáticas necessárias para que o fator de forma seja acessado a partir de dados de experimentos de espalhamento de raios X. Os resultados mostram que o método consegue prever uma estrutura condizente com os dados de espalhamento de raios X das estruturas cristalográficas e com os dados experimentais utilizados. / The prediction of the final structure of a protein (also called native structure) has been addressed by many research groups since the last century. This problem can be understood as how to predict the tertiary structure that a protein molecule assumes after the folding process from just the primary structure (the sequence of amino acids). Nowadays there are several models aiming at solving this problem, but very few of them are based on physical principles. Most of these models are template-based ones that search for similar amino acids sequences or analogous biological functions to predict the native structure. In the present work, however, we propose the development of a force field predict the form factor of proteins that does not entail the knowledge of any other model or template to do so. The form factor is an important aspect of the structure of a molecule in solution. Despite being a low-resolution method of analysis, in the sense that it does not provide details about the exact positions of the atoms inside the molecular structure (because of the mathematical operations needed to retrieve informations from the scattering data), it is an initial estimative of the volume occupied by this molecule and also a good initial path for uncovering how these molecules interact to each other in solution. The results show that the method presented here can predict a structure that agrees with the scattering data of the crystallographic structure and with available experimental data of x-ray scattering of proteins in solution.

Esta tese apresenta resultados da caracterização estrutural de três sistemas de classes diferentes por meio, principalmente, da modelagem de dados de espalhamento de raios X a baixos ângulos (SAXS). No sistema surfactante-surfactante as micelas mistas são formadas por dodecil sulfato de sódio (SDS) e um dos surfactantes da série Tween (Tween 20, 40, 60 e 80). A modelagem adotada impôs vínculos moleculares uma vez que os dados de SAXS estavam em escala absoluta. Isso reduziu a ambiguidade nos valores dos parâmetros ajustáveis e permitiu verificar que os dados de SAXS são satisfatoriamente descritos considerando-se que as micelas são elipsoides de revolução core-shell, podendo ser prolatas ou oblatas dependendo do tipo de Tween empregado. Para o sistema proteína-surfactante, a metodologia experimental utilizada permitiu um estudo estrutural e termodinâmico dos complexos formados por meio do acompanhamento do processo de ligação de SDS às proteínas lisozima e alfa-lactalbumina. A técnica de calorimetria de titulação isotérmica (ITC) forneceu um panorama geral sobre a desnaturação proteica e norteou os experimentos seguintes de SAXS e dicroísmo circular (CD). Por meio da análise dos dados de CD concluiu-se que as proteínas perdem quase totalmente sua estrutura terciária, mas não a secundária (esse estado é conhecido como molten globule). Já a modelagem de SAXS em escala absoluta com imposição de vínculos permitiu concluir que os complexos proteína-surfactante podem ser entendidos micelas decoradas, isto é, a proteína está distribuída sobre a superfície de uma micela de SDS. Esse modelo, aliado à abordagem experimental empregada, permitiu a caracterização sistemática dos complexos durante a desnaturação proteica. Em relação ao sistema lipossomas-(bio)ativos, a análise dos dados de SAXS por meio do Método da Deconvolução Gaussiana usando bicamadas simétricas, para os sistemas Phospholipon 90H curcumina/vitamina D3 e dipalmitoilfosfatidilcolina de soja (DPPC) ácido láurico (LA), e assimétricas, para o caso fosfatidilcolina de ovo (EPC) sumatriptano (SMT), permitiu acompanhar mudanças na estrutura das mesmas ocasionadas pela presença dos (bio)ativos. Verificou-se em todos os casos que a espessura da bicamada se mantém praticamente constante. A flexibilidade membranar aumenta, seja em função da temperatura, para o sistema Phospholipon 90H curcumina/ vitamina D3, seja em função da concentração de (bio)ativos, como nos outros dois casos. Para estes, concluiu-se pela análise dos perfis de contraste de densidade eletrônica que os (bio)ativos interagem preferencialmente com as cabeças polares dos fosfolipídeos que constituem os lipossomas, possivelmente causando defeitos topológicos nessa região e ocasionando o aumento da flexibilidade membranar mencionada antes. LA, diferentemente de SMT, induz uma transição de lipossomas multilamelares para unilamelares, e esse fenômeno é grandemente influenciado pelo pH do meio. / This thesis presents a structural characterization of three systems of different classes through, mainly, the small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) technique. In the surfactant-surfactant system the mixed micelles are composed by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and one of the Tween surfactants (Tween 20, 40, 60 and 80). The adopted modeling imposed molecular constraints since the SAXS data was in absolute scale. This procedure reduced the ambiguity in the values of the adjustable parameters and allowed to verify that SAXS data is satisfactorily described considering that the micelles are core-shell revolution ellipsoids which can be prolate or oblate depending on the type of Tween used in the micelle. For the protein-surfactant system, the applied experimental methodology allowed a structural and thermodynamic study of the complexes formed through monitoring the binding of SDS to the proteins lysozyme and alpha-lactalbumin. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) technique provided an overview of proteic denaturation and guided the following experiments of SAXS and circular dichroism (CD). From CD data analysis it was concluded that the proteins lose almost totally their tertiary structure, but not the secondary one (this state is known as \"molten globule\"). On the other hand, SAXS data modeling in absolute scale with molecular constraints leaded to the conclusion that protein-surfactant complexes can be considered decorated micelles in which the protein is distributed over a SDS micelle surface. This model, combined to the adopted experimental procedure, allowed the systematic characterization of the complexes along the protein denaturation. In the liposome-(bio)actives system, the SAXS data analysis using the Gaussian Deconvolution Method assuming symmetric bilayers, for the systems Phospholipon 90H curcumin /vitamin D3 and soybean dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) lauric acid (LA), and asymmetric bilayers, in the case of egg phosphatidylcholine (EPC) sumatriptan (SMT) system, allowed to follow changes in the lipid bilayer structure induced by the presence of the (bio)actives. It has been found, in all cases, that the bilayer thickness remains approximately. Membrane flexibility increases, depending on the temperature, for the Phospholipon 90H curcumin /vitamin D3 system, or as a function of the (bio)actives concentrations, as in the other two cases. For those, it was concluded, by the analysis of electron density contrast profiles, that the (bio)actives preferentially interact with the polar heads of the phospholipids forming the liposomes, possibly causing topological defects in that region and leading the membrane flexibility increase. LA, unlike SMT, induces a transition from multilamellar to unilamellar liposomes, and this phenomenon is greatly influenced by the pH of the medium.

O objetivo desse projeto foi o de produzir sílica mesoporosa ordenada (SMO) do tipo SBA-15 com fósforos. A incorporação dos fósforos às paredes da sílica foi realizada através de um único processo de síntese. Os métodos experimentais utilizados para caracterização das amostras foram: RBS (Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry) para a análise química, SAXS (Small Angle X Ray Scattering), XRD (X Ray Diffraction) e NAI (Nitrogen Adsorption Isotherms) para a análise estrutural destes materiais, além da fotoluminescência. Para a caraterização morfológica complementar das amostras, foi utilizado o SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). A incorporação de Eu na matriz de sílica preserva a estrutura de poros ordenada. Os resultados de XRD mostraram a formação de óxidos de európio. A partir dos resultados obtidos observaram-se diferentes efeitos da presença e ausência de sobrenadante durante o período de secagem nas amostras preparadas, como por exemplo, alterações de morfologia. As amostras preparadas com sobrenadante apresentaram menor área superficial e volume de poros. Materiais que mantiveram o sobrenadante apresentaram maior conteúdo de Eu e maior intensidade de luminescência. / The aim of this project was to synthesize ordered mesoporous silica (OMS) with phosphorus. The incorporation of phosphorus to the silica walls was performed by means of a one pot synthesis process. The experimental methods used to characterize the samples were: RBS (Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry) for chemical analysis, SAXS (Small Angle X Ray Scattering), XRD (X Ray Diffraction) and NAI (Nitrogen Adsorption Isotherms) for structural analysis, besides fluorescence. SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) was used for complementary morphological characterization of the samples. The Eu incorporation in the silica matrix preserves the ordered mesoporous structure. The XRD results showed the presence of europium oxides. The presence and absence of the liquid solution during the drying process caused the formation of samples with different properties, as, for example, modification in morphology. Samples prepared in the presence of the liquid solutions showed smaller surface area and pore volume. Materials prepared with the liquid solution during the drying process presented larger Eu content and higher photoluminescence intensity.

A análise de proteínas como redes é uma ferramenta poderosa para compreender as suas propriedades e a importância relativa de seus resíduos. Nesta análise, os resíduos que interagem entre si, covalentemente ou não, são chamados conectados. Nesta abordagem, alguns resíduos contribuem mais fortemente para manter as propriedades da rede, sendo chamados de centrais. Diversos trabalhos têm apontado que resíduos centrais da Rede de Estrutura Proteica também são importantes nas propriedades das proteínas, desempenhando papéis na catálise, estabilidade térmica e alosteria. No entanto, existe falta de trabalhos desenhados de forma sistemática para confirmar esta hipótese. Neste sentido, esta tese tem como objetivo avaliar se existe correlação entre a centralidade dos resíduos de uma enzima, a beta-glicosidase de Spodoptera frugiperda, Sfβgli, e a importância destes resíduos na determinação das suas propriedades. Para isso, foram utilizadas duas abordagens (capítulo 1): Na primeira, os resíduos centrais foram diretamente perturbados substituindo-os, através de mutação sítio-dirigida, por alanina. Na segunda, perturbações no resíduo central foram feitas modificando a vizinhança deste resíduo através de mutações que introduziram ou removeram volume de seu entorno. A partir disso, foi avaliado se estas perturbações afetaram as propriedades Sfβgli. De forma geral, foi observado (capítulo 2) que as perturbações nos resíduos centrais por ambas abordagens afetam significativamente a termoestabilidade da proteína, reduzindo a sua Tm em até 15°C e aumentando a velocidade de sua desnaturação térmica em até mais de 20 vezes. Além disso, a atividade catalítica de Sfβgli é reduzida por estas perturbações (capítulo 3), sendo que este efeito e a perda da termoestabilidade parecem resultar da mesma causa, a perturbação do resíduo central. No capítulo 4, a investigação do estado oligomérico da Sfβgli por SAXS revelou que esta ocorre preponderantemente como dímero em citrato-fosfato 100 mM pH 6,0, mas como um grande oligômero, possivelmente um dodecâmero, em fosfato 10 mM pH 6,0. Paralelamente foi demonstrado que Sfβgli passa por uma ativação quando em tampão fosfato 10 mM, convergindo para as propriedades cinéticas de Sfβgli em citrato-fosfato 100 mM. Redes de Estrutura Proteica foram produzidas considerando-se também a interação entre as cadeias polipeptídicas constituintes de oligômeros de Sfβgli (dímeros, tetrâmeros e hexâmeros). Assim, observou-se que cinco resíduos são sempre centrais por betweeness, mesmo considerando diferentes oligomêros da Sfgli. Destes, E187, P188 e N329 desempenham papéis conhecidos na catálise e S247 e N249 foram caracterizados nesta tese. Por fim, no capítulo 5, analisando a centralidade dos resíduos da Rede Estrutural da Sfβgli, observa-se uma preponderante presença de resíduos centrais por CΔLp, closeness e betweeness no topo do beta-barril, demonstrando que esta região é muito próxima dos demais resíduos da proteína. Além disso, uma análise da centralidade dos resíduos de 21 beta-glicosidases GH1 revelou que resíduos centrais por closeness são bastante conservados, sendo encontrados predominantemente no sítio ativo destas enzimas, enquanto que dentre os centrais por betweeness há variabilidade. Portanto os resultados apresentados nesta tese suportam experimentalmente a hipótese de que a centralidade dos resíduos na Rede de Estrutura Proteica é correlacionada com propriedades funcionais das proteínas. / Analysis of protein structures as networks has been shown a powerful tool to understand their properties and to identify important residues. In the network analysis, residues that interact with each other are called connected. Some residues are essential to shorten the connection pathways between distant residues in the protein structure, being called central. Central residues have been proposed to have important roles in catalysis, thermal stability and allostery. In order to experimentally assess the correlation between the residue centrality and its importance in the protein properties, we use two approaches (chapter 1): The first one is to make single mutations at the central residues of a betaglucosidase Sfβgly, changing those residues to alanine. The second one is to perturb a central residue (F251) by changing its environment through single mutations that introduces voids or additional volume. Next, we evaluate how those mutations affect the protein thermostability and function. In general, we have observed (chapter 2) that mutations at central residues reduce the Tm in 2 - 15°C and increase the unfolding rate up to 20 times, suggesting that damages in the central residues make the protein more unstable. Moreover, we have observed (chapter 3) that the perturbation of the central residues reduces Sfβgly catalysis, which seems to arise from the same cause that lead to the loss of thermal stability. Besides that, in chapter 4, the investigation of oligomeric state of Sfgli using SAXS indicated that this protein is mainly a dimer in 100 mM citrate-phosphate pH 6,0, whereas it forms large oligomers, possibly dodecamers, in 10 mM phosphate pH 6,0. In parallel it was shown that Sfβgly undergoes an activation process in 10 mM phosphate and its kinetic parameters converge to those observed for Sfβgly in 100 mM citrate-phosphate. Protein Structural Networks were built considering also that there are links between the polypeptidic chains of the Sfβgly oligomers. We observed 5 residues that are central in all kind of oligomeric structures here analyzed. Three of these residues, E187, P188 and N329, play important roles in the catalysis of this enzyme, and two of them (S247 and N249 are described in this thesis. Lastly, in the chapter 5, we observed that central residues by closeness, betweeness and CΔLp are concentrated at the top of the beta-barrel (C-terminal end of the beta-strands and subsequent loops), suggesting that this region, where the active site is placed, is close, in terms of contacts, to the whole Sfβgly structure. Moreover, we have built the Protein Structural Network of 21 beta-glucosidases of the Glucoside Hydrolases family 1, revealing that the closeness central residues are highly conserved, being located in the active site of these enzymes. On the other hand, betweeness central residues are located in the same sites in the structure of different beta-glucosidases, but they are not always conserved. Shortly, these data experimentally support the hypothesis that the residue centrality in Protein Structural Network is correlated with the protein properties, as catalysis and stability.

Gene transfer represents an important advance in the treatment of both genetic and acquired diseases. Topical gene therapy involves administration of the genetic material onto the surface of skin and mucosal membranes. Cationic gemini surfactants (m-s-m, where m represents the carbon atoms in the alkyl tail and s represents the carbon atoms in the spacer) are a novel category of delivery agents with especially high potential for polynucleotides. This is due to their structural versatility, ability to bind and condense DNA, and relatively low toxicity. <p>The objectives were to design, construct and characterize a cationic, non-viral gemini surfactant-based delivery system for an IFN-ã coding plasmid suitable for cutaneous gene therapy and to evaluate this novel therapeutic approach in a Tsk (tight-skin scleroderma) mouse model to determine its clinical feasibility. <p>The delivery systems were characterized by microscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), circular dichroism (CD) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). <i>In vitro</i> gene expression was evaluated in PAM 212 keratinocyte culture. The extent of topical delivery of the plasmid using nanoparticle and nanoemulsion formulations was evaluated by measuring IFN-ã levels in CD1, IFN-ã-deficient and Tsk mice. The effect of transgene expression on collagen synthesis was evaluated in Tsk animals by real-time PCR.<p>The <i>in vitro</i> plasmidgeminilipid (PGL) system showed heterogeneous particle size (100-200 nm small particles and 300-600 nm aggregates). Electrostatic interactions between the DNA and PGL systems shifted the negative æ-potential of the DNA (-47 mV) to positive values (30-50 mV). At the same time, condensation of the DNA, and formation of Ø DNA was indicated by the increase of the overall negative signal in the CD spectra, due to the flattening of the 290 nm peak and shift of the 260 nm peak into the negative region in a structure-dependent manner. Lipid organization of the DNADOPE system, in the absence of gemini surfactants, shows hexagonal structure, while addition of gemini surfactant at +/- charge ratio of 10 caused lamellar phase organization. For short spacers (n=3-6), additional Pn3m cubic phase also appear to be present. <p><i> In vitro</i> transfection efficiency in the 12-n-12 series was found to be dependent on the length of the spacer between the two positively charged head groups, with the n=3 spacer showing the highest activity. The PGL systems with 12-3-12 and 12-4-12 led to significantly higher transgene expression compared to the other surfactants of the series. The transfection efficiency significantly correlated with the surface area occupied by one molecule (a). The effect of the tail length influenced the transfection efficiency, with longer tails being associated with higher protein expression. The highest <i>in vitro</i> transfection efficiency was recorded with the 18:1-3-18:1 surfactant (1.4±0.3 ng/5x10E4 cells). <p><i>In vivo</i>, high levels of IFN-ã expression were detected in the skin of animals treated with both nanoparticle (359±239 pg/cm2) and nanoemulsion (607±411 pg/cm2) formulations compared to topical naked DNA (136±125 pg/cm2). IFN-ã levels in the skin of animals injected with 5 ìg DNA were 256±130 pg/cm2. IFN-ã levels in the lymph nodes were higher for the nanoparticle formulation (433±456 pg/animal) compared to nanoemulsion (131±136 pg/animal) suggesting different delivery pathway of the two formulations.<p>IFN-ã expression was at high levels in the skin of Tsk mice after 4-day and 20-day treatments (472±171 and 345±276 pg/cm2). Both 4-day and 20-day treatments reduced the procollagen type I á1 mRNA levels for the topical treatment (64 and 70% reduction) and intradermal injection (58 and 72% reduction). Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was upregulated by 50% in both topically treated and injected animals after 20-day treatment. <p>Here, it has been demonstrated that cationic gemini surfactant-based delivery systems are able to transfect epidermal cells <i>in vivo</i>, and the transgene IFN-ã expression is sufficient to cause significant reduction of collagen in an animal model of scleroderma. It has been shown for the first time that topical gene therapy is a feasible approach for the modulation of excessive collagen synthesis in scleroderma-affected skin.

Gene transfer represents an important advance in the treatment of both genetic and acquired diseases. Topical gene therapy involves administration of the genetic material onto the surface of skin and mucosal membranes. Cationic gemini surfactants (m-s-m, where m represents the carbon atoms in the alkyl tail and s represents the carbon atoms in the spacer) are a novel category of delivery agents with especially high potential for polynucleotides. This is due to their structural versatility, ability to bind and condense DNA, and relatively low toxicity. <p>The objectives were to design, construct and characterize a cationic, non-viral gemini surfactant-based delivery system for an IFN-ã coding plasmid suitable for cutaneous gene therapy and to evaluate this novel therapeutic approach in a Tsk (tight-skin scleroderma) mouse model to determine its clinical feasibility. <p>The delivery systems were characterized by microscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), circular dichroism (CD) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). <i>In vitro</i> gene expression was evaluated in PAM 212 keratinocyte culture. The extent of topical delivery of the plasmid using nanoparticle and nanoemulsion formulations was evaluated by measuring IFN-ã levels in CD1, IFN-ã-deficient and Tsk mice. The effect of transgene expression on collagen synthesis was evaluated in Tsk animals by real-time PCR.<p>The <i>in vitro</i> plasmidgeminilipid (PGL) system showed heterogeneous particle size (100-200 nm small particles and 300-600 nm aggregates). Electrostatic interactions between the DNA and PGL systems shifted the negative æ-potential of the DNA (-47 mV) to positive values (30-50 mV). At the same time, condensation of the DNA, and formation of Ø DNA was indicated by the increase of the overall negative signal in the CD spectra, due to the flattening of the 290 nm peak and shift of the 260 nm peak into the negative region in a structure-dependent manner. Lipid organization of the DNADOPE system, in the absence of gemini surfactants, shows hexagonal structure, while addition of gemini surfactant at +/- charge ratio of 10 caused lamellar phase organization. For short spacers (n=3-6), additional Pn3m cubic phase also appear to be present. <p><i> In vitro</i> transfection efficiency in the 12-n-12 series was found to be dependent on the length of the spacer between the two positively charged head groups, with the n=3 spacer showing the highest activity. The PGL systems with 12-3-12 and 12-4-12 led to significantly higher transgene expression compared to the other surfactants of the series. The transfection efficiency significantly correlated with the surface area occupied by one molecule (a). The effect of the tail length influenced the transfection efficiency, with longer tails being associated with higher protein expression. The highest <i>in vitro</i> transfection efficiency was recorded with the 18:1-3-18:1 surfactant (1.4±0.3 ng/5x10E4 cells). <p><i>In vivo</i>, high levels of IFN-ã expression were detected in the skin of animals treated with both nanoparticle (359±239 pg/cm2) and nanoemulsion (607±411 pg/cm2) formulations compared to topical naked DNA (136±125 pg/cm2). IFN-ã levels in the skin of animals injected with 5 ìg DNA were 256±130 pg/cm2. IFN-ã levels in the lymph nodes were higher for the nanoparticle formulation (433±456 pg/animal) compared to nanoemulsion (131±136 pg/animal) suggesting different delivery pathway of the two formulations.<p>IFN-ã expression was at high levels in the skin of Tsk mice after 4-day and 20-day treatments (472±171 and 345±276 pg/cm2). Both 4-day and 20-day treatments reduced the procollagen type I á1 mRNA levels for the topical treatment (64 and 70% reduction) and intradermal injection (58 and 72% reduction). Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was upregulated by 50% in both topically treated and injected animals after 20-day treatment. <p>Here, it has been demonstrated that cationic gemini surfactant-based delivery systems are able to transfect epidermal cells <i>in vivo</i>, and the transgene IFN-ã expression is sufficient to cause significant reduction of collagen in an animal model of scleroderma. It has been shown for the first time that topical gene therapy is a feasible approach for the modulation of excessive collagen synthesis in scleroderma-affected skin.

In the present work, we have undertaken a structural study of PS-b-PEO single crystals to elucidate the influence of the state of the PS block on crystallization from dilute solution and on subsequent thermal annealing at elevated temperature. It is noteworthy that the interest in these systems has been recently renewed in the perspective of using them as a model of grafted amorphous brushes with variable grafting density. Indeed, during crystallization of PEO, the amorphous block, i.e. PS, is rejected from the crystal accumulating on its basal surfaces. Since the crystal thickness formed during isothermal crystallization is a sharply selected value, the grafting density of the resulting PS brush is also well defined. Therefore by varying the crystal thickness one can obtain the PS brushes with grafting density varying in a broad range.In our study, a combination of reciprocal and direct-space techniques such as SAXS/WAXS and AFM was employed. While AFM experiments were performed on isolated single crystals, the SAXS investigation was carried out on oriented mats of single crystals slowly sedimented from the "mother" solution. In this case, the one-dimensional two-phase system model was used for the data interpretation where the thickness of the amorphous (La) and crystalline (Lc) layers are conventionally determined following the correlation fonction and interface distribution fonction approaches.

Ferritic superalloys strengthened by coherent ordered NiAl B2-type precipitates are promising candidates for ultra-supercritical steam-turbine applications, due to their superior resistance to creep, coarsening, oxidation, and steam corrosion as compared to Cr ferritic steels at high temperatures. Combined computational and experimental tools have been employed to investigate the interrelationships among the composition, microstructure, and mechanical behavior, and provide insight into deformation micromechanisms at elevated temperatures. Self and impurity diffusivities in a body-centered-cubic (bcc) iron are calculated using first-principles methods. Calculated self and impurity diffusivities compare favorably with experimental measurements in both ferromagnetic and paramagnetic states of bcc Fe. The calculated impurity diffusivities of W and Mo are larger than the self diffusivity of Fe, mainly owing to the lower activation energies. The microstructural attributes of NiAl-type B2 precipitates are investigated in several designed ferritic superalloys. Ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering in conjunction with transmission electron microscopy is employed to quantify the average size, size distribution, inter-particle spacing, and volume fraction of the primary precipitates. It is observed that as the Al amount increases from 4 to 10 mass%, there is a decrease in the average inter-particle spacing and average particle diameter. An alloy with 6.5 weight percent Al exhibits the optimal creep resistance and an associated maximum Orowan stress at 973 K. The dislocations-particle interaction mode during the secondary creep regime is identified as a combination of Orowan looping and dislocation climb. In-situ neutron diffraction experiments during tensile and creep deformations reveal the intergranular and interphase load-sharing mechanisms during plastic deformation at elevated temperatures. The change of deformation mechanisms from dislocation slip below 773 K to power-law creep above 873 K is well captured by the evolution of the different lattice strains. High-temperature deformation above 873 K is possibly assisted by the relaxation processes, e.g., grain-boundary sliding and/or diffusional flow along grain boundaries and matrixparticle interfaces. The evolution of lattice strains during high-temperature deformation is further verified by crystal-plasticity finite-element simulations. The significant findings in the present work provide the crucial baseline information for further alloy optimization and improvement in high-temperature creep resistance of ferritic superalloys.

Este trabalho consistiu em uma investigação sobre a utilização da sílica mesoporosa ordenada tipo SBA-15 como veículo para a incorporação, proteção, transporte e liberação de substâncias biológicas de interesse imunológico e/ou terapêutico. Estudos preliminares incluíram experimentos para estudar o recobrimento da sílica SBA -15 com o polímero Eudragit® e a estabilidade dessa sílica tanto em meios experimentais (água e solução PBS) quanto em meios corporais rnimetizados. Ambos esses estudos demonstraram que as propriedades da SBA-15 e do Eudragit possibilitariam o prosseguimento do trabalho. Os experimentos iniciais de liberação foram feitos principalmente com albumina bovina (BSA), e demonstraram a capacidade da sílica de incorporar, em sua estrutura, as diversas moléculas utilizadas, bem como a influência do Eudragit sobre a dinâmica de liberação, sobretudo em meio ácido. Também foi explorada a incorporação de compostos à SBA-15 sob pressão, tanto in-situ quanto ex-situ. As intensidades relativas dos picos de difração mostraram ser sensíveis à exerção de pressão sobre a amostra, especialmente no que se referiu à incorporação de insulina. Os experimentos in-si tu durante a incorporação e liberação de insulina ajudaram a elucidar a dinâmica desses fenômenos, através da adaptação do modelo teórico, originalmente utilizado em estudos sobre a síntese da SBA-15. Nesse modelo, parâmetros de ajuste foram monitorados durante o experimento e a partir da sua evolução conclusões puderam ser traçadas. A instrumentação necessária para os experimentos in-situ foi desenvolvida, e fica aqui documentada para referências futuras em experimentos envolvendo soluções expostas ao feixe de raios X, especialmente no equipamento Nanostar, onde o arranjo foi originalmente implementado. Os procedimentos de análise, incluindo o modelo teórico, também ficam à disposição para que estudos futuros possam ser executados. A introdução teórica (Cap. 2), complementada pelos apêndices C e B, fica como resumo da teoria e da técnica para os interessados, que podem ainda consultar a literatura para maiores detalhes. / This work consisted of an investigation on the use of SBA-15-type ordered mesoporous sílica as a vehicle for incorporation, protection, transport and release of biological substances for ímmunologic and/or terapeutic processes. Preliminary studies included experiments regarding the coating ofthe SBA-15 sílica with the Eudragit® polymer and the stability of SBA-15 in experimental media (water and PBS solution) and in simulated body fluids. Both studies demonstrated that the properties o f SBA -15 and Eudragit allowed for continuation o f the work. The initial experiments were performed mainly with bovine serum a1bumin (BSA), and showed the silica\'s capacity of incorporating, in its structure, the various molecules, as well as the influence of Eudragit on the release dynamics. Also, the íncorporation of molecules into SBA-15 under pressure, both in-situ and ex-situ, was explored. The relative intensities of the diffraction peaks were found to be susceptible to the pressure exerted on the sample, especially regarding insulin. In-situ experiments made during the incorporation and release o f insulin helped elucidate the dynamics of those phenomena, through the adaptation of the theoretical model, which was or~ginally desinged to study the synthesis process of the sílica. In this model, fit parameters were monitored during the experiment and from their behavior some conclusions were drawn. The necessary instrumentation for the in-situ experiments was developed, and is documented for future referene in experiments involving the exposure of solutions ro X-rays, especially in the Nanostar, where it was originally designed. The analysis procedures, including the theoretical model, are also available for future studies. The theoretical introduction (Chap. 2), together with appendices B and Ç, is left for those interested in the theory and technique, who are also referred to the literature for further details.