Dissertation (Ph.D.).--University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at San Antonio, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Dissertation (Ph.D.) --University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at San Antonio, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Orientador: Célia Regina Nogueira / Banca: André Ferreira do Nascimento / Banca: Glaucia Maria Ferreira da Silva Mazeto / Resumo:A causa básica da obesidade é multifatorial e é provavelmente uma combinação entre genética, meio ambiente e fatores psicossociais que determinam o balanço entre a ingestão alimentar e o gasto energético. Estudos clínicos mostram que obesidade está associada à disfunção ventricular, geralmente, diastólica. A relação entre obesidade e o trânsito de Ca2+ intracelular tem sido estudada por técnicas de biologia molecular, as quais tornam possível o entendimento dos mecanismos responsáveis pelas alterações no desempenho do miocárdio. O trânsito de cálcio intracelular é regulado pelo trocador Na+/Ca2+, Canal do tipo L do reticulo sarcoplasmático (SR), canal rianodina (RYR), bomba Ca2 + ATPase do RS (SERCA), fosfolambam (PLB). Os raros estudos que avaliaram as proteínas envolvidas na homeostase intracelular de Ca2+ do miocárdio em modelos experimentais de obesidade apresentaram resultados divergentes. Sabe-se que a administração de T3 pode alterar a expressão gênica e protéica de proteínas relacionadas ao trânsito de cálcio cardíaco. A restrição alimentar é a estratégia mais comum para tratar a obesidade e têm papel central na redução de gordura em indivíduos obesos. Poucos estudos têm analisado os mecanismos moleculares relacionados com o ciclo de Ca2+ do miocárdio no coração de animais submetidos à restrição. Assim, qualquer modificação na expressão dessas proteínas poderia levar a anormalidades da homeostase do Ca2+ e, consequentemente, disfunção contrátil no tecido cardíaco de ratos submetidos à restrição alimentar. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a influência da obesidade e na restrição alimentar em obesos com dieta hiperlípidica rica em ácidos graxos insaturados e administração de diferentes doses de hormônio tireoidiano na expressão gênica e protéica de proteínas... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract:The underlying cause of obesity is multifactorial and is probably a combination of genetic, environmental and psychosocial factors that determine the balance between food intake and energy expenditure. Clinical studies show that obesity is associated with ventricular dysfunction, usually diastolic. The relationship between obesity and transit of intracellular Ca2+ has been studied by molecular biology techniques, which make possible the understanding of the mechanisms responsible for changes in myocardial performance. The transit of intracellular calcium is regulated by Na+ / Ca2+, L channel, sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), channel ryanodine (RYR2), SR Ca2+ pump ATPase (SERCA2), phospholamban (PLB). Few studies that evaluated the proteins involved in intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis of the myocardium in model experimental showed divergent results in obesity. It is known that obesity and administration of T3 may alter the gene and protein expression of the transit of calcium in the heart. Food restriction is the most common strategy for treating obesity and has a central role in fat reduction in obese subjects. Few studies have examined the molecular mechanisms related to myocardial Ca2+ cycle in the heart of restricted animals. So any change in the expression of Ca2+ related genes could lead to abnormal Ca2+ homeostasis and, consequently, contractile dysfunction in heart tissue of rats restricted. The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of obesity and food restriction on administration of different doses of thyroid hormone on gene and protein expression of proteins related to the transit of cardiac calcium. For this, male Wistar rats were randomized and initially divided into two groups: control (C) and obese (OB). Group C received a standard diet and OB animals... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Skeletal muscle is a highly metabolically active tissue, both in the adult and the fetus. Mitochondria are essential in providing energy in the form of ATP from the oxidative metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and amino acids. Mitochondrial function is influenced by the abundance and activity of the complexes comprising the electron transfer system (ETS) and the balance between mitochondrial fusion and fission. Any factors which affect the development of skeletal muscle, and mitochondria in particular, may have an impact not only on neonatal health but also on the metabolic health of the adult offspring. However, the normal developmental profile of skeletal muscle mitochondrial function as the fetus prepares for the increased metabolic challenges associated with extrauterine life, is not well characterised. The hormones, cortisol and triiodothyronine (T3) are known to be crucial in the maturation of several physiological processes during late gestation. Further, their role in regulating adult metabolism is well-documented. However, whether they play a role in regulating fetal mitochondrial function is unknown. Using fetal sheep, the aims of this project were twofold: 1) to determine any changes in skeletal muscle mitochondrial function which occur over the last third of gestation and in the first two days of neonatal life and 2) to determine any regulatory roles of cortisol and T3 in these developmental changes. Mixed fibre-type skeletal muscle was collected from fetuses at 3 time points over late gestation and from newborn lambs. In addition, skeletal muscle samples were taken from fetuses which had been thyroidectomised (TX) and fetuses infused with either T3 or cortisol. Respirometry, enzyme assays, qRT-PCR and western blotting were carried out on the skeletal muscle samples in order to assess mitochondrial parameters. Mitochondrial activity, as measured by carbohydrate- and fat- stimulated ADP-coupled oxygen uptake, increased with age in a thyroid hormone dependent manner, rising predominantly postnatally. Mitochondrial density, abundance of ETS complexes I-IV and ATP-synthase and expression of the adenine nucleotide transferase 1 and mitofusin 2 were all positively influenced by age, with the natural prepartum rise being prevented in the thyroidectomised fetuses. However, T3 infusion alone was insufficient to raise any of these factors prematurely. Cortisol infusion resulted in an increase in some aspects of mitochondrial oxidative capacity in a muscle-specific manner. Overall, the data presented shows that there are developmental changes in skeletal muscle mitochondria during the perinatal period. They also suggest that these changes are regulated by both cortisol and thyroid hormones in preparation for birth, although neither hormone alone was sufficient to induce all the functional changes.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:25:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-03-02Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:53:43Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 marino_j_me_botfm.pdf: 842153 bytes, checksum: fe925662e50d895832365bfa494e4623 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / The underlying cause of obesity is multifactorial and is probably a combination of genetic, environmental and psychosocial factors that determine the balance between food intake and energy expenditure. Clinical studies show that obesity is associated with ventricular dysfunction, usually diastolic. The relationship between obesity and transit of intracellular Ca2+ has been studied by molecular biology techniques, which make possible the understanding of the mechanisms responsible for changes in myocardial performance. The transit of intracellular calcium is regulated by Na+ / Ca2+, L channel, sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), channel ryanodine (RYR2), SR Ca2+ pump ATPase (SERCA2), phospholamban (PLB). Few studies that evaluated the proteins involved in intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis of the myocardium in model experimental showed divergent results in obesity. It is known that obesity and administration of T3 may alter the gene and protein expression of the transit of calcium in the heart. Food restriction is the most common strategy for treating obesity and has a central role in fat reduction in obese subjects. Few studies have examined the molecular mechanisms related to myocardial Ca2+ cycle in the heart of restricted animals. So any change in the expression of Ca2+ related genes could lead to abnormal Ca2+ homeostasis and, consequently, contractile dysfunction in heart tissue of rats restricted. The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of obesity and food restriction on administration of different doses of thyroid hormone on gene and protein expression of proteins related to the transit of cardiac calcium. For this, male Wistar rats were randomized and initially divided into two groups: control (C) and obese (OB). Group C received a standard diet and OB animals... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Amphibian metamorphosis is facilitated solely by thyroid hormones (THs), L-thyroxine (T4) and 3,5,3’-triiodothyronine (T3). TH modulates the remodeling of many different organs and systems in the body of developing tadpoles, including the immune system. Previous research found evidence of T4 action on direct-response genes in outer ring deiodinase-poor premetamorphic tadpole tail fin and liver without the required conversion to T3 described by current TH dogma. The mechanisms of environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may be better understood by expanding our understanding of the transcriptomic effects of both forms of THs and how they relate to estrogen signaling. Furthermore, analysis of TH-modulation of the immune system may enable a greater understanding of the devastating effects of amphibian pathogens such as Ranavirus. Premetamorphic Rana (Lithobates) catesbeiana tadpoles were exposed to physiological concentrations of T4, T3, or 17-beta-estradiol (E2) through water bath immersion. qPCR analysis was performed to assess the response of canonical TH-responsive genes thra, thrb, and thibz to these hormones in the liver and tail fin tissues of bullfrog tadpoles. E2 treatment did not elicit a response in these gene transcripts in either tissue. T3 treatment in the tail fin elicited an overall stronger response than T4, while T4 treatment in the liver recapitulated results consistent with non-genomic mechanisms of T4 signaling for thrb and thibz transcripts. Illumina Hiseq2500 was used to sequence RNA isolated from hormone-treated premetamorphic tadpole liver and tail fin tissues to assess differential transcriptomic responses and identify TH-responsive immune system-associated transcripts. The impact of TH-treatment on the general immune system in the liver and tail fin transcriptomes was also analyzed using RNA-seq data. We found that E2 modulates at least some shared TH pathways in the liver, but none in the tail fin and that the tail fin transcriptome is more affected by T3, while the liver transcriptome is more affected by T4. Additionally, evidence of immune system modulation by both THs was found in both the liver and tail fin transcriptomes. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are an important component of the amphibian immune response. Details regarding the regulation, synthesis, and expression of AMPs remain obscure, although evidence of TH-modulation of specific AMPs has been identified, as well as evidence of increased expression of AMPs throughout metamorphosis. Frog skin is a prolific source of AMPs that may prove useful in the quest for alternative antimicrobial agents in the face of antibiotic resistance. Identification of new AMPs is hindered by the practical limitations of classical protein-based discovery approaches. By using known AMP characteristics and common ¬AMP properties, we developed a high throughput bioinformatics approach predicated on the use of R. catesbeiana genome resources. We mined these resources and identified novel and known AMPs that exhibited verified antimicrobial activity against various bacterial organisms. This thesis sought to elucidate the differential and modulatory effects of both forms of TH on a transcriptomic level and in the context of immunity, and to examine the utility of the bullfrog transcriptome and genomics resources in identifying and characterizing novel bullfrog-derived AMPs and elucidating aspects of AMP expression. / Graduate / 2018-12-08

There is a growing interest in assessing the neurotoxic potential and endocrine disrupting properties of perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs). Several studies have reported in vitro and in vivo effects related to neuronal development, neural cell differentiation, pre- and post- natal development and behaviour. PFC exposure altered hormone levels (e.g. thyroid hormone, estrogen, and testosterone) and the expression of hormone-responsive genes in mammalian and aquatic species. Hormone-mediated events are critical in central nervous system development and function, especially those controlled by thyroid hormones (THs). The studies presented in this thesis are the first to assess the effects of PFCs on primary cultures of neuronal cells in two avian species; the domestic chicken (Gallus domesticus) and herring gull (Larus argentatus). The following TH-responsive genes were examined using real-time RT-PCR: type II iodothyronine 5’-deiodinase (D2), D3, transthyretin (TTR), neurogranin (RC3), octamer motif binding factor (Oct-1), and myelin basic protein (MBP). Several PFCs were shown to alter mRNA expression levels of genes associated with the TH pathway in avian neuronal cells. It was determined that short-chained PFCs (<8 carbons) altered the expression of TH-responsive genes to a greater extent than long-chained PFCs (≥8 carbons). Although several significant changes in mRNA expression were observed in TH-responsive genes following PFC exposure in chicken embryonic neuronal (CEN) cells (Chapter 2), there were fewer changes in herring gull embryonic neuronal (HGEN) cells (Chapter 3). The mRNA levels of D2, D3, TTR, and RC3 were altered following treatment with several short-chained PFCs in CEN cells. Oct-1 and RC3 expression were induced following treatment with several short-chained PFCs in HGEN cells. These studies are the first to report that PFC exposure alters mRNA expression in primary cultures of avian neuronal cells and provide insight into the possible mechanisms of action of PFCs in the avian brain.

Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are a family of synthetic substances used in a wide variety of consumer and industrial applications, including non-stick and stain-resistant products. PFAAs, specifically perfluorinated sulfonates and carboxylates, are chemically stable and virtually non-biodegradable in the environment. In recent years, PFAAs have been detected in tissues and blood of humans and wildlife. Furthermore, PFAAs have a tendency to bioaccumulate and biomagnify in biota. Perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoate are known to be toxic when animals are exposed to environmentally-relevant levels, but scientists and regulators are challenged with determining and predicting their modes of action. There is some evidence to suggest that PFAAs can impact the thyroid hormone (TH) pathway and neurodevelopment. The studies presented in this thesis investigated the developmental effects and potential modes of action of newer PFAAs that are being introduced into the global market place. Egg injection experiments were performed in domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) embryos to assess the in ovo toxicity of perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) and perfluorohexanoate (PFHxA) during development. Real-time RT-PCR was used to measure the transcription of candidate genes in the liver and cerebral hemisphere of day 21-22 embryos. Candidate genes were selected based on their responsiveness to PFAA exposure in an in vitro screening assay conducted previously. In ovo exposure to PFHxS decreased embryo pipping success and overall growth at 38,000 ng/g; several orders of magnitude higher than concentrations reported in wild bird eggs. The expression of TH-responsive genes, including type II and III 5'-deiodinase, neurogranin, and octamer motif binding factor 1, were induced. In addition, PFHxS diminished free thyroxine (T4) levels in plasma. PFHxA had no affect on pipping success, gene expression or T4 levels in chicken embryos at the doses assessed. The transcriptional profiles in the cerebral hemisphere of chicken embryos exposed to 890 and 38,000 ng/g PFHxS were compared to a solvent control using microarray technology. The expression of 78 different genes were significantly altered (fold change > 1.5, p < 0.001) by PFHxS. Functional analysis showed that PFHxS affected genes involved in tissue development and morphology and cellular assembly and organization. Pathway and interactome analysis suggested that gene expression may be affected through integrin receptors and signaling pathways via TH–dependent and –independent modes of action. It is expected that the findings presented in this thesis will be of general relevance and importance to regulatory agencies and of interest to research scientists and risk assessors.

As chickens hatch, there is a rapid change in their physiology and metabolism associated with attaining endothermy. It is thought that thyroid hormones (TH) play a major role in regulating developmental changes at hatching. In birds, TH regulates skeletal muscle growth, which has a direct impact on the chick's ability to thermoregulate via shivering thermogenesis. To better understand the role of TH in the timing of hatching, development of thermogenic capacity, and metabolic rate, we manipulated plasma TH levels in chicken embryos beginning at 85% development (day 17 of a 21 day incubation) with either thyroperoxidase inhibitor methimazole (MMI) or supplemental triiodothyronine (T3). After TH manipulation, we characterized O2 consumption and body temperature in the thermal neutral zone and during gradual cooling. Externally pipped embryos and 1 day post hatch (dph) chicks were cooled from 35 to 15°C. Manipulation of TH altered the timing of hatching, accelerating hatching under hyperthyroid conditions and decelerating hatching with hypothyroid conditions. Cohen's d revealed a large effect size on body temperature (Tb) of EP embryos of hypothyroid animals when compared to euthyroid animals in environmental temperatures of 32°C to 15°C, which was not seen in 1dph animals. Hyperthyroid EP animals were able to maintain metabolic rate over a wider range of ambient temperatures compared to control and hypothyroid animals, but these differences disappeared in 1dph animals. Here, we find that elevating TH levels prior to hatching accelerated hatching and the animal's thermogeneic ability to respond to cooling, but these differences disappear with age.

Thyroid hormone is essential for normal brain development and recognition of this has led to universal screening of newborns for thyroid function to ensure that circulating levels of thyroid hormone are within a range known to be supportive of normal growth and mental development. Environmental chemicals that interfere with thyroid function are known to inhibit normal growth and mental development. Work from our lab and from labs internationally demonstrates in animal systems that some industrial chemicals such as PCBs, PBDEs, and others may interact with the thyroid hormone receptor(s) in ways that are not predicted by changes in serum thyroid hormone levels. Our work demonstrates that the enzyme CYP1A1 must metabolize some individual PCB congeners before they can interact with the thyroid receptor. In animals, this requirement appears to be manifested in part by a strong correlation between CYP1A1 and TH target gene expression. Here we present that this pattern extends to humans by demonstrating a correlation between increased CYP1A1 mRNA and an abundance of thyroid hormone responsive gene mRNA.