Orientador : Humberto de Araujo Rangel / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-17T14:06:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tamashiro_WirlaMariadaSilvaCunha_D.pdf: 4765290 bytes, checksum: f4c7892cd25a1ac49fbd89dc0752501b (MD5) Previous issue date: 1988 / Resumo: O presente trabalho teve três objetivos principais: (i) estudar a resposta imune humoral específica de camundongos F1 (CBA x C57 B1/10) infectados com a cepa Y do T.cruzl, (ii) produzir anticorpos monoclonais anti-T.cruzl, através da tecnologia de hibridomas, utilizando-se para as fusões células de mieloma SP2/0 e células esplênicas de camundongos F1 cronicamente infectados com o parasita, (iii) caracterizar os anticorpos monoclonais obtidos quanto a sua reatividade para os antígenos expressos nos diferentes estágios do T.cruzi ... O resumo, na íntegra, poderá ser visualizado no texto completo da tese digital / Abstract: Not informed. / Doutorado / Imunologia / Doutor em Ciências Biológicas

El cáncer es una de las principales causas de morbilidad y mortalidad en el mundo, y año a año aumentan las cifras de nuevos casos. Es un proceso complejo de proliferación celular no regulada, favorecido por la angiogénesis, que le brinda al tumor oxígeno, nutrientes y la posibilidad de eliminar productos catabólicos, lo que le permite crecer y eventualmente metastizar. Hace aproximadamente ocho décadas, se describió la inhibición de tumores malignos implantados en ratones, concomitantemente infectados con Trypanosoma cruzi y, en humanos, se observó el efecto antitumoral de la inoculación de extractos de este parásito. Sin embargo, no se identificó moléculas parasitarias responsables. Estudios más recientes mostraron el efecto antitumoral de Calreticulina de T.cruzi (TcCRT). Esta proteína es translocada desde el retículo endoplásmico a la zona de emergencia flagelar del parásito, donde inhibe al sistema del complemento, sirve de señal profagocítica, y media efectos antiangiogénicos que protegen al hospedero de agresiones neoplásicas. Calreticulina (CRT) de mamíferos tiene varias funciones intracelulares; como reguladora de la homeostasis del calcio, de la expresión de genes y del plegamiento de proteínas. Aunque, dependiendo del tipo tumoral, su sobreexpresión se ha asociado a mayor capacidad metastásica, su localización superficial, en general, es señal de daño, conduciendo a la fagocitosis de la célula y, en el caso de las células tumorales conduciría, además, a la activación de una respuesta inmune. Este proyecto propone que, al inhibir la angiogénesis, TcCRT recombinante (rTcCRT) genera un microambiente estresante para células tumorales. En respuesta, éstas translocan CRT murina (MmCRT) a la superficie celular. Por otra parte, rTcCRT inoculada podría unirse a la superficie de la células del tumor, generando señales profagocíticas, lo que mediaría una respuesta inmune, resultante en una mayor infiltración linfocitaria en el tejido tumoral, contribuyendo a un menor desarrollo de la neoplasia. Para abordar esta posibilidad se utilizó un modelo in vivo de adenocarcinoma mamario murino resistente a metotrexato (TA3-MTXR). Se obtuvo tejido tumoral de ratones, tratados o no con rTcCRT, se analizó la expresión del mRNA de MmCRT mediante qPCR y, por citometría de flujo, se analizó la cantidad de CRT en superficie y la infiltración linfocitaria. Se detectó una mayor cantidad de CRT en la superficie de las células del tejido tumoral de animales que recibieron rTcCRT, y una mayor infiltración de LTCD4+ y LTCD8+ en los mismos. Por otra parte, el tratamiento con rTcCRT no afectó los niveles de expresión del mRNA de MmCRT en el tejido tumoral. En síntesis, rTcCRT, modula la respuesta inmune, aumentando señales profagocíticas, la infiltración linfocitaria, conduciendo a la inhibición del crecimiento tumoral. / Cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and the number of new cases increases yearly. Cancer is a complex process of unregulated cell proliferation, favored by angiogenesis, which provides tumors with oxygen, nutrients and eliminates accumulation of catabolic products, allowing the tumor to grow and eventually metastasize. Eight decades ago, inhibition of malignant tumors implanted in mice concomitantly infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, was described and, on the other hand, antitumor effects of inoculated parasite extracts was observed in humans. However, it was not possible to identify the responsible parasite molecules. Recent studies showed the antitumor effect of T. cruzi calreticulin (TcCRT). This protein is translocated from the endoplasmic reticulum to the area of flagellum emergence in this parasite. There, it inhibits the complement system, serves as pro phagocytosis signal, and has antiangiogenic properties that protect the host from neoplastic aggressions. Calreticulin (CRT) from mammals has several intracellular functions; as a regulator of calcium homeostasis, gene expression and protein folding. Although, depending on tumor type, its overexpression has been associated with increased metastatic ability, in general, CRT surface location, is a sign of damage, leading to the phagocytosis of the cell by macrophages. In tumor cells, surface CRT would lead also, to activation of an immune response. In this project it is proposed that, by inhibiting angiogenesis, recombinant TcCRT (rTcCRT) generates a stressful microenvironment for tumor cells. In response, they translocate murine CRT (MmCRT) to the cell surface, as a sign of damage, or rTcCRT upon binding surface tumor cells, generates “eat me signals”, thus mediating an immune response, resulting in increased infiltration of lymphocytes in the tumor tissue, contributing to impaired development. To address this possibility, an in vivo murine methotrexate resistant (TA3-MTXR) mammary adenocarcinoma model was used. Tumor tissue was obtained from mice treated or untreated with rTcCRT, to analyze the mRNA expression of MmCRT by qPCR and, by flow cytometry, the expression of CRT surface and infiltrating lymphocytes was analyzed. The results show increased expression of CRT on the surface of tumor cells of animals receiving rTcCRT, and increased CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte infiltration in these treated tumors. Moreover, rTcCRT did not affect the levels of expression of messenger RNA of murine CRT in tumor tissues. In short, rTcCRT modulates the immune response, inducing “eat-me signals”, increased infiltrating lymphocytes, resulting inhibition of tumor growth.

The location of structures within an organism and the chemical nature of these structures can be determined by cytochemical techniques. Further, such techniques may be used to demonstrate the presence of an enzyme or an enzyme system within the cell. This information can assist in the elucidation of metabolic pathways available to an organism. Despite the apparently large potential value of cytochemical information, few investigations of the cytochemistry of trypanosomes have been reported, and there are no reports available of studies upon cultural forms. Nigrelli (1929) utilized vital stains and osmic acid impregnation in studies on cytoplasmic inclusions in Trypanosoma diemyctli, a parasite of the American newt Diemyctylus viridescens. He noted, particularly, the rapid appearance of well-defined “primary” granules in the region of the kinetoplast and the more gradual appearance of “secondary,” or included, granules scattered throughout the cytoplasm with an increase in time, temperature, and dye concentration. Barrow (1954) in further studies on T. diemyctil made use of the enzymes ribonuclease (RNAase) and deoxyribonuclease (DNAase) to demonstrate the distribution of nucleic acids in the cytoplasmic inclusions and in the nucleus. Sen (1930) reported a technique for locating the enzyme urease within a tissue. His method depends on the action of urease contained within the cell upon urea, which is supplied externally in the test, to liberate carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is precipitated as cobalt carbonate. The carbonate is then converted to the sulfide, which may be detected visually as small black dots within the cell. Although Sen described the use of his procedure on both plant and animal tissues, its use has not previously been reported in work upon trypanosomes.

The in vitro cultivation of Trypanosome ranarum has been accomplished in complex nutrient solutions, but growth in chemically defined media has never been attempted. The purpose of the study was to cultivate R. ranarum in “purified” bacterial media ingredients and to determine the basic nutrient requirements of the organism. Preliminary studies were also undertaken to determine the effects of environmental conditions upon the cultural flagellates and in addition, morphological studies were made on liquid forms as well as colonies from solid media.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

The variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) of African trypanosomes plays an essential role in protecting the parasites from host immune factors. These trypanosomes undergo antigenic variation resulting in the expression of a single VSG isoform out of a repertoire of around 2000 genes. The molecular mechanism central to the expression and regulation of the VSG is however not fully understood. Gene expression in trypanosomes is unusual due to the absence of typical RNA polymerase II promoters and the polycistronic transcription of genes. The regulation of gene expression is therefore mainly post-transcriptional. Regulatory sequences, mostly present in the 3´ UTRs, often serve as key elements in the modulation of the levels of individual mRNAs. In T. brucei VSG genes, a 100 % conserved 16mer motif within the 3´ UTR has been shown to modulate the stability of VSG transcripts and hence their expression. As a stability-associated sequence element, the absence of nucleotide substitutions in the motif is however unusual. It was therefore hypothesised that the motif is involved in other essential roles/processes besides stability of the VSG transcripts. In this study, it was demonstrated that the 100 % conservation of the 16mer motif is not essential for cell viability or for the maintenance of functional VSG protein levels. It was further shown that the intact motif in the active VSG 3´ UTR is neither required to promote VSG silencing during switching nor is it needed during differentiation from bloodstream forms to procyclic forms. Crosstalk between the VSG and procyclin genes during differentiation to the insect vector stage is also unaffected in cells with a mutated 16mer motif. Ectopic overexpression of a second VSG however requires the intact motif to trigger silencing and exchange of the active VSG, suggesting a role for the motif in transcriptional VSG switching. The 16mer motif therefore plays a dual role in VSG in situ switching and stability of VSG transcripts. The additional role of the 16mer in the essential process of antigenic variation appears to be the driving force for the 100 % conservation of this RNA motif. A screen aimed at identifying candidate RNA-binding proteins interacting with the 16mer motif, led to the identification of a DExD/H box protein, Hel66. Although the protein did not appear to have a direct link to the 16mer regulation of VSG expression, the DExD/H family of proteins are important players in the process of ribosome biogenesis. This process is relatively understudied in trypanosomes and so this candidate was singled out for detailed characterisation, given that the 16mer story had reached a natural end point. Ribosome biogenesis is a major cellular process in eukaryotes involving ribosomal RNA, ribosomal proteins and several non-ribosomal trans-acting protein factors. The DExD/H box proteins are the most important trans-acting protein factors involved in the biosynthesis of ribosomes. Several DExD/H box proteins have been directly implicated in this process in yeast. In trypanosomes, very few of this family of proteins have been characterised and therefore little is known about the specific roles they play in RNA metabolism. Here, it was shown that Hel66 is involved in rRNA processing during ribosome biogenesis. Hel66 localises to the nucleolus and depleting the protein led to a severe growth defect. Loss of the protein also resulted in a reduced rate of global translation and accumulation of rRNA processing intermediates of both the small and large ribosomal subunits. Hel66 is therefore an essential nucleolar DExD/H protein involved in rRNA processing during ribosome biogenesis. As very few protein factors involved in the processing of rRNAs have been described in trypanosomes, this finding represents an important platform for future investigation of this topic. / Das variable Oberflächen-Glykoprotein (“varaint surface glycoprotein“, VSG) der Afrikanischen Trypanosomen schützt den Parasiten vor Immunfaktoren des Wirtes. Trypanosomen beherrschen die antigene Variation und expremieren nur eine einzige VSG Isoform aus einem Repertoire von ungefähr 2000 Genen. Der molekulare Mechanismus der die Expression dieser VSG Gene reguliert ist nicht komplett bekannt. Die Genexpression ist in Trypanosomen sehr ungewöhnlich. Es gibt keine typischen Promotoren für RNA Polymerase II und Gene werden polycistronisch transkribiert. Daher ist die Regulation der Genexpression hauptsächlich posttranskriptional. Die Expression individueller mRNAs wird durch regulatorische Sequenzen reguliert, die sich häufig in den 3´ UTRs befinden. In den VSG Genen von T. brucei moduliert ein zu 100% konserviertes 16mer Motiv in der 3´ UTR die Stabilität der VSG Transkripte und damit deren Expression. Für eine Sequenz, die die Stabilität der mRNA reguliert, ist das Fehlen von Nukleotid Substitutionen sehr ungewöhnlich. Es wurde deshalb spekuliert, dass das 16mer Motiv neben der Stabilisierung des VSG Transkriptes noch an anderen essentiellen Prozessen beteiligt ist. In dieser Arbeit wurde gezeigt, dass die 100%ige Konservierung des 16mer Motives weder für das Überleben der Zellen, noch für den Erhalt der Expression des VSG Protein in funktioneller Menge notwendig ist. Außerdem wurde gezeigt dass das intakte Motiv in der 3´UTR des aktiven VSGs weder für das „VSG silencing“ während des VSG Austausches („switching“) noch für die Differenzierung von Blutbahnformen zu prozyklischen Formen benötigt wird. Auch die Interaktionen („crosstalk“), die während der Differenzierung zum Insekten Stadium zwischen den VSG und Prozyklin Genen stattfinden, sind in Zellen mit mutiertem 16mer Motiv noch funktionell. Die ektopische Überexpression eines zweiten VSGs benötigt allerdings das intakte Motiv, um das aktive VSG zu inaktivieren und auszutauschen: dies suggeriert eine Rolle des Motivs im transkriptionalen „VSG switching“. Das 16mer Motif spielt daher eine Doppelrolle bei der Regulation der Stabilität der VSG Transkripte und im VSG in situ „switching“. Letzteres, die Rolle im essentiellen Prozess der antigenen Variation, ist dabei offensichtlich die treibende Kraft hinter der 100%igen Konservierung des RNA Motives. Eine Suche nach möglichen RNA bindenden Proteinen, die mit dem 16mer interagieren, führte zur Identifikation des DExD/H box Proteins Hel66. Obwohl das Protein wohl nicht direkt an der Regulation der VSG Expression über das 16mer beteiligt ist, spielen Mitglieder der DexD/H Proteinfamilie eine wichtige Rolle in der Biogenese von Ribosomen. Dieser Prozess ist in Trypanosomen noch nicht komplett verstanden und daher wurde das Protein für eine nähere Analyse ausgewählt, auch weil die 16mer Story ohne weitere Kandidaten zu einem Ende gekommen war. Die Biogenese von Ribosomen ist ein wichtiger zellulärer Prozess in Eukaryoten und benötigt ribosomale RNA, ribosomale Proteine sowie einige nicht-ribosomale, trans-agierende Protein Faktoren. Proteine der DExD/H box Familie sind die wichtigsten trans- agierenden Proteinfaktoren, die an der Biogenese der Ribosomen beteiligt sind. In der Hefe sind mehrere DExD/H box Proteine bekannt, die eine direkte Rolle in diesem Prozess spielen. In Trypanosomen sind erst sehr wenige Proteine aus dieser Familie untersucht worden und es ist daher kaum bekannt, welche spezifische Rollen sie im RNA Metabolismus spielen. In dieser Arbeit wurde gezeigt, dass Hel66 an der rRNA Prozessierung während der Biogenese der Ribosomen beteiligt ist. Hel66 ist im Nukleolus lokalisiert und die Reduktion des Proteins durch RNAi führte zu einem schweren Wachstumsphänotyp. Reduktion von Hel66 führte auch zu einer globalen Reduktion der Translation sowie zur Akkumulation von Synthese- Zwischenstadien der rRNAs sowohl der kleinen und als auch der großen ribosomalen Untereinheit. Hel66 ist daher ein essentielles nukleoläres DExD/H Protein dass an der Prozessierung der rRNA während der Biogenese der Ribosomen beteiligt ist. Da bisher erst wenige Proteine bekannt sind, die in Trypanosomen an diesem Prozess beteiligt sind, sind diese Ergebnisse ein sehr wichtiger Ausgangspunkt für weitere Untersuchungen in der Zukunft.

Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent in Chagas disease, is a parasitic protozoon that can cause cardiac and gastrointestinal dysfunction in most mammals. It is generally considered a disease of poverty endemic to many areas throughout Latin America. Despite increased interest in the USA, the scope of the disease is not known. Research has suggested that canine Chagas disease may be escalating in the USA but that cases may be underestimated. The objectives of this project were to assess the awareness and knowledge about Chagas disease in *dog people*, identify the rate of exposure or infection in North Texas client owned dogs and explore the history of canine Chagas disease throughout the Americas over time. Contributions include (1) survey participants who have some level of professional involvement with dogs are generally aware regarding Chagas disease but struggle to adequately identify the causative vector, (2) a baseline seropositive rate of 2% was identified in North Texas client owned dogs, and (3) a systematic review of the literature resulted in a compilation of all available canine screening efforts across the Americas over time. Further addressing the problem of Chagas disease in dogs, and humans, will require the standardization of diagnostic methods and development of clinically accessible treatment and or prevention options.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, 2007. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 45-05, page: 2360. Adviser: Cynthia L. Chappell.