Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-02-24Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:17:33Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 moco_np_me_botfm.pdf: 454787 bytes, checksum: e1174a4016333b9ca192548a5638a090 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Acute chorioamnionitis is a response to microbial infection of the amniotic fluid. The innate immune system constitutes the host’s first line of defense against pathogens and, in this regard, Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are important regulators of such nonspecific response. However, the expression of these receptors in chorioamniotic membranes in pregnancies complicated by chorioamnionitis has not been well established. Objective:The purpose of this study was to examine the localization of TLR-1, TLR-2, TLR-4 and TLR-6 in fetal membranes and determine whether histologic chorioamnionitis is associated with changes in gene expression of these receptors. One hundred and fifteen chorioamniotic membranes were included in the study. They were collected at the Obstetrics Service of the Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University, UNESP, from pregnant women with preterm delivery or term delivery with or without labor. Both groups were stratified on the basis of the presence of histologic chorioamnionitis. Fragments of the chorioamniotic membranes were sent for histopathologic analysis in order to confirm histologic chorioamnionitis. Other membranes fragments measuring 1cm2 were placed into RNA later and submitted to total RNA extraction. After RNA extraction, the samples with concentration between 0.02 and 0.2 g/L of RNA were submitted to cDNA collection for later use in quantifying the expression of TLR-1, TLR-2, TLR-4 and TLR-6 by the real-time PCR technique using the TaqMan® Gene Expression Assays System. All membranes analyzed expressed TLR-1 and TLR-4, whereas 99.1% expressed TLR-2 and 77.4% expressed TLR-6. TLR-1 and TLR-2 expression were statistically higher in the membranes of preterm pregnancies in the presence of chorioamnionitis as compared with preterm membranes in the absence of the inflammatory infiltrate. Among the membranes of term pregnancies, there was... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-01-28Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:50:02Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 almeidajr_op_me_araiq.pdf: 464542 bytes, checksum: cd4d79303894163a1d9272d7c7a86590 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A infecção produzida pelo HIV leva à debilidade do sistema imune e confere ao indivíduo infectado maior vulnerabilidade às infecções oportunistas. Neste aspecto a tuberculose e o HIV estão intimamente relacionados, uma vez que a infecção pelo vírus contribui significativamente para o aumento na incidência da tuberculose. Por outro lado, a co-infecção do HIV com outros patógenos é um importante fator exógeno que influencia a gravidade e a taxa de progressão da doença em indivíduos soro-positivos. O sistema imune pode reconhecer padrões moleculares associados à patógenos (PAMPs) através dos receptores toll-like, sendo que esta sinalização resulta na ativação de fatores de transcrição fundamentais para as respostas imune e inflamatória. A indução do HIV como conseqüência da ativação imunológica produzida por ligantes microbianos tem sido implicada como o mecanismo responsável pela elevada expressão viral observada em indivíduos co-infectados. Polimorfismos nos genes tlr, bem como nos vários componentes de seus caminhos de sinalização, têm grande importância na resposta imunológica do hospedeiro frente a vários patógenos. Neste estudo foi avaliado se a do hospedeiro infecção pelo Mycobacterium tuberculosis tem influência na replicação do HIV e na imunidade celular relacionada aos polimorfismos nos genes tlr2 e 4. Foram analisados 37 pacientes de ambos os sexos com média de idade de 41 anos. Os pacientes foram divididos em 2 grupos: grupo A (17 indivíduos portadores de HIV) e grupo B ( 20 indivíduos portadores de HIV co-infectados com M. tuberculosis); o grupo B foi subdividido em pacientes com histórico de infecção pregressa pelo M. tuberculosis (12 indivíduos designados por B’) e aqueles que apresentavam manifestações clínicas da tuberculose durante as coletas (8 indivíduos designados por B’’)... / The infection caused by the HIV virus lead to debility of the immune system and confers to the infected individual a greater vulnerability to opportunist infections. In this aspect the tuberculosis and the HIV are closely related, once that the infection by the virus significantly contribute for the increase of tuberculosis incidence. The co-infection with others pathogens is an important exogenous factor that influence the severity and the rate of progression of the disease at serum-positive patients. The Immune System can recognize pathogens associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) through the toll-like receptors, this signalization results in the activation of fundamental transcriptional factors to the immune and anti-inflammatory responses. The induction of HIV like a consequence of immunological activation produced by microbial ligands has been implicated as the responsible mechanism of the elevated viral expression observed at co-infected individuals. Polymorphisms at the tlr genes, as well as at various components of its signaling pathways, has a great importance on the immunological response of the host front various pathogens. In this study was evaluated the influence of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis at the replication of HIV and at cellular immunity related to polymorphisms at the genes tlr2 and 4. Thirty seven patients, from both sex and with age ratio of 41 years old, were analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups: group A (17 individuals HIV positive) and group B (20 coinfected HIV – M. tuberculosis individuals); the group B was divided into patients with historic of infection by M. tuberculosis (12 individuals designated by B’) and those that was manifesting the symptoms of tuberculosis during the reaps (8 individuals designated by B’’). The immunological profile was evaluated by the quantitative determination of phenotypes CD3+/CD4+ and CD3+/CD8+ of lymphocytes ...(Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Orientador: Juliana Regina Peiró / Coorientador: Sérgio Ribeiro Aoki / Banca:Lina Maria Wehrle Gomide / Banca: Flávia Lombardi Lopes / Banca:José Paes de Oliveira Filho / Banca:Glenda Nicioli da Silva / Resumo: A resposta imune inata é a principal responsável pela defesa do hospedeiro contra endotoxinas de bactérias Gram-negativas. Tal resposta se dá através dos receptores Toll-like-4 e -2, seja pela via MyD88-dependente, TRIF-dependente ou ambas. Entretanto, uma resposta exagerada pode resultar em muitos danos para o organismo e levar até mesmo ao choque séptico. Uma das formas de controle desta resposta se dá através da tolerância à endotoxina (TE). Por isso o presentes estudo tem por objetivo investigar a indução diferencial dos receptores TLR-4 e 2, suas vias de sinalização MyD88 e TRIF-dependentes e avaliar outros possíveis genes relacionados a estas vias após indução da TE. Foi coletado sangue total de cavalos saudáveis (n=6), o qual foram estimulados com diferentes doses (0, 1 ou 10ng de LSP/mL) LPS de E.coli no momento 0 e 4 horas após o primeiro estímulo e 4 horas após o segundo estímulo. O "pool" (n=6) de RNA das amostras, coletado 0, 2, 4 e 8 horas, foi utilizado para a transcrição do cDNA. A hibridização do cDNA marcado com Cy-3 foi realizada em uma lâmina 4x44 contendo sequências específicas da espécie equina. Foi identificado durante a TE, nas diferentes doses de LPS, um aumento de transcritos dos receptores TLR-4 e -2, TNFAIP3 e IL-10 e uma diminuição de outros transcritos de genes importantes, tais como: MyD88, IL1-B, TNF-a, TRAM2, o que caracteriza e esclarece, de certa forma, as alterações na sinalização do TLR nas condições de tolerância à endotoxina. / Abstract: The innate immune response is the main responsible for the host's defense against endotoxins from Gram-negative bacteria. Such response occurs via Toll-like-4 and -2 receptors, MyD88-dependent pathway, TRIF-dependent pathway or both. However, an exaggerated reponse can induce many damages to the organism, including septic shock. One way to control this exacerbated response is through endotoxin tolerance (ET). The goals of the present study were to investigate TLR-4 and 2 receptors, their signaling through MyD88 e TRIF-dependent pathways and evaluate other possible genes related to this ways after ET induction. Blood samples were collected from healthy horses (n=6) which were stimulated with different doses (0, 1 or 10ng of LSP/mL) of LPS from E.coli, for 0 and 4 hours after the first stimulus and 4 hours after second stimulus. The pool (n=6) of RNA, extracted from the samples collected at 0, 2, 4 e 8 hours, was used for the transcription of the cDNA. The hybridization of the cDNA marked with Cy-3 was done in one slide 4x44 containing specific sequences from the equine species. We identified during the ET, on the different doses of LPS, an increase of transcripts for the receptors TLR-4 and -2, TNFAIP3 and Il-10 and a reduction of transcripts of other important genes, such as: MyD88, IL1-B, TNF-a, TRAM2, what characterizes and enlightens the changes in TLR signaling during endotoxin tolerance. / Doutor

Orientador: Paulo Inácio da Costa / Banca: Clarice Queico Fujimura Leite / Banca: Cleni Mara Marzocchi Machado / Resumo: A infecção produzida pelo HIV leva à debilidade do sistema imune e confere ao indivíduo infectado maior vulnerabilidade às infecções oportunistas. Neste aspecto a tuberculose e o HIV estão intimamente relacionados, uma vez que a infecção pelo vírus contribui significativamente para o aumento na incidência da tuberculose. Por outro lado, a co-infecção do HIV com outros patógenos é um importante fator exógeno que influencia a gravidade e a taxa de progressão da doença em indivíduos soro-positivos. O sistema imune pode reconhecer padrões moleculares associados à patógenos (PAMPs) através dos receptores toll-like, sendo que esta sinalização resulta na ativação de fatores de transcrição fundamentais para as respostas imune e inflamatória. A indução do HIV como conseqüência da ativação imunológica produzida por ligantes microbianos tem sido implicada como o mecanismo responsável pela elevada expressão viral observada em indivíduos co-infectados. Polimorfismos nos genes tlr, bem como nos vários componentes de seus caminhos de sinalização, têm grande importância na resposta imunológica do hospedeiro frente a vários patógenos. Neste estudo foi avaliado se a do hospedeiro infecção pelo Mycobacterium tuberculosis tem influência na replicação do HIV e na imunidade celular relacionada aos polimorfismos nos genes tlr2 e 4. Foram analisados 37 pacientes de ambos os sexos com média de idade de 41 anos. Os pacientes foram divididos em 2 grupos: grupo A (17 indivíduos portadores de HIV) e grupo B ( 20 indivíduos portadores de HIV co-infectados com M. tuberculosis); o grupo B foi subdividido em pacientes com histórico de infecção pregressa pelo M. tuberculosis (12 indivíduos designados por B') e aqueles que apresentavam manifestações clínicas da tuberculose durante as coletas (8 indivíduos designados por B'')...(Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The infection caused by the HIV virus lead to debility of the immune system and confers to the infected individual a greater vulnerability to opportunist infections. In this aspect the tuberculosis and the HIV are closely related, once that the infection by the virus significantly contribute for the increase of tuberculosis incidence. The co-infection with others pathogens is an important exogenous factor that influence the severity and the rate of progression of the disease at serum-positive patients. The Immune System can recognize pathogens associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) through the toll-like receptors, this signalization results in the activation of fundamental transcriptional factors to the immune and anti-inflammatory responses. The induction of HIV like a consequence of immunological activation produced by microbial ligands has been implicated as the responsible mechanism of the elevated viral expression observed at co-infected individuals. Polymorphisms at the tlr genes, as well as at various components of its signaling pathways, has a great importance on the immunological response of the host front various pathogens. In this study was evaluated the influence of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis at the replication of HIV and at cellular immunity related to polymorphisms at the genes tlr2 and 4. Thirty seven patients, from both sex and with age ratio of 41 years old, were analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups: group A (17 individuals HIV positive) and group B (20 coinfected HIV - M. tuberculosis individuals); the group B was divided into patients with historic of infection by M. tuberculosis (12 individuals designated by B') and those that was manifesting the symptoms of tuberculosis during the reaps (8 individuals designated by B''). The immunological profile was evaluated by the quantitative determination of phenotypes CD3+/CD4+ and CD3+/CD8+ of lymphocytes ...(Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Submitted by Isaac Francisco de Souza Dias (isaac.souzadias@ufpe.br) on 2015-05-19T16:34:38Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) DISSERTAÇÃO Carolina da Rocha Simões.pdf: 2694652 bytes, checksum: 6446d4fa347e53fe42ce7e769f745124 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-19T16:34:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) DISSERTAÇÃO Carolina da Rocha Simões.pdf: 2694652 bytes, checksum: 6446d4fa347e53fe42ce7e769f745124 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-20 / CAPES / O aumento da informação proveniente do sequenciamento de alta performance (NGS), e de projetos como o 1000 genomas e HapMap, permitiram a descoberta de milhões de variações. Entretanto, o maior desafio é a identificação da relação entre o genótipo e o fenótipo, proporcionando informações que possam ajudar a definir os polimorfismos que podem ou não causar doenças. Ferramentas computacionais tem auxiliado na predição das modificações estruturais geradas pelos polimorfismos, e as consequentes alterações funcionais sofridas pelas proteínas. Os receptores Toll Like (TLR) são proteínas do sistema imunológico que estão envolvidas na regulação da inflamação e em alguns casos no desenvolvimento do câncer. O objetivo deste projeto foi analisar, através de ferramentas in silico, os polimorfismos de base única nos genes das TLRs, buscando por polimorfismos que possam estar relacionados com a predisposição ao câncer e com alterações da via de sinalização das TLRs. Foram encontrados 37 genes que estão envolvidos na via de sinalização e podem ser utilizados como marcadores genéticos (biomarcadores) para o diagnóstico e predição das alterações na expressão dos genes relacionados à esta via. Estes genes, se regulados, podem ser utilizados como inibidores. Em relação aos polimorfismos foram coletados no banco de dados dbSNP/NCBI 5.839 SNPs entre os 10 genes das TLRs. Destes, 1.017 variações foram classificadas como missense e analisadas para avaliar as consequências estruturais pela troca dos aminoácidos. Para isso quatro ferramentas preditoras (SIFT, Polyphen, MutationAssessor e SDM) foram utilizadas gerando informações sobre as modificações e associando-as com possíveis danos nas proteínas. Dos polimorfismos analisados 223 foram classificados como danosos baseados na troca de aminoácido e podem causar uma desregulação funcional na proteína. Entre eles está o rs5743708 (TLR2), rs3775291, (TLR3) e rs11466653 (TLR10) que já foi estudado in vitro e tiveram associação com câncer colorectal (TLR2 e 3) e carcinoma da tireóide (TLR10). A predição prévia, in silico, das alterações funcionais pode auxiliar na interpretação das variações gênicas, neste caso associadas com o câncer, e também na caracterização precisa dos fatores que levam a estas alterações, contribuindo no diagnóstico, na prevenção e em melhores respostas aos tratamentos oferecidos.

Orientadores: Raquel Franco Leal, Maria Lourdes Setsuko Ayrizono / Dissertação (Mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-20T16:08:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Paiva_NielceMariade_M.pdf: 3729371 bytes, checksum: 4077b1681124ea203fae5904b5fd8254 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: A retocolectomia total com anastomose do reservatório ileal (RI) ao canal anal é a cirurgia de escolha para doentes com retocolite ulcerativa inespecífica (RCUI) refratária ao tratamento clínico e para a polipose adenomatosa familiar (PAF). Entretanto, a ileíte primária do reservatório é uma das complicações mais comuns após a cirurgia do RI em pacientes com RCUI, sendo rara na PAF; e somente ocorre após o fechamento da ileostomia de proteção. Neste sentido, há necessidade de estudos que avaliem a forma como as bactérias, por meio de receptores específicos, possam participar no processo inflamatório do RI. Desta forma, foi analisada a expressão dos Toll-like receptors (TLR) em mucosa do RI endoscópica e histologicamente normal em pacientes operados por RCUI e PAF, a fim de se detectar alguma anormalidade nesta via em indivíduos assintomáticos, que poderia contribuir com processo inflamatório no RI. Casuística e Método: Doze pacientes (seis com RCUI e seis com PAF) submetidos à retocolectomia total e confecção do RI em "J", foram estudados após a reconstrução do trânsito intestinal. Foram obtidas biópsias da mucosa do RI por meio de endoscopia do mesmo. O grupo controle foi constituído por seis doentes com íleo-colonoscopia normal. As biópsias foram congeladas em nitrogênio líquido e as expressões de TLR-2, TLR-4 (receptores de reconhecimento de antígenos bacterianos) e p- JNK (fator de sinalização nuclear) foram avaliadas por meio de imunoblot de extrato protéico total. A ausência de ileíte do RI foi determinada por parâmetros clínicos, histológicos e endoscópicos, de acordo com o Índice de Atividade da Ileíte do RI (PDAI). Os pacientes não estavam em uso de medicações. O presente estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa Local e os participantes assinaram o termo de consentimento informado. Utilizou-se análise de variância (ANOVA), seguida por análise de significância (Teste de Tukey-Kramer) para a análise estatística. Nível de significância adotado foi p<0,05. Resultados: Houve maior expressão de TLR-4 em mucosa de RI de doentes operados por RCUI, quando comparada aos grupos Controle e PAF (p<0,05). Não houve diferença estatística das expressões de TLR-2 e p-JNK entre os diferentes grupos (p>0.05). Conclusão: Pacientes com RCUI apresentaram maior expressão de TLR4 na mucosa do RI, mesmo sem evidência clínica, endoscópica e histológica de inflamação no RI. Estes achados podem explicar a tendência de ativação de vias intracelulares deflagradas por antígenos bacterianos em pacientes com RCUI, o que pode contribuir com a produção de mediadores pró-inflamatórios, sendo coadjuvante do processo inflamatório inicial na mucosa do RI / Abstract: Introduction: Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the preferred surgical procedure for patients with refractory ulcerative colitis (UC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). However, pouchitis is the most common complication after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) in UC patients, being rare in FAP; and only occurs after ileostomy closure. Therefore, it is important to get more information about the role of the ileal pouch microbiota and mucosa susceptibility to inflammation. Therefore, we evaluated Toll-like receptors (TLRs) expression in normal endoscopic and histological mucosa of the ileal pouch in patients with UC and FAP, in order to find any abnormality in this pathway in asymptomatic patients, which may contribute to pouchitis. Patients and Method: Twelve patients (six with UC and six with FAP) who underwent to total rectocolectomy and "J" pouch reconstruction, were studied. Biopsies were obtained from the mucosa of the pouch by endoscopy. Normal ileum biopsies were obtained from six patients submitted to ileocolonoscopy with no abnormalities. The specimens were snap-frozen and the expressions of TLR2, TLR4 (bacterial recognition receptors) and JNK (nuclear signalization factor) were determined by immunoblot protein extract. The absence of pouchitis was assessed by clinical, histological and endoscopic parameters, according to the Pouchitis Disease Activity Index (PDAI). The patients were not under any medication. The committee approved the study and informed consent was signed by all participants. The ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer Tests were applied for statistical analysis. The level of significance was p<0.05. Results: Patients with UC had significantly higher protein levels of TLR4 than controls and FAP (p<0.05). The expressions of TLR2 and JNK were similar in the groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Patients with UC had higher levels of TLR4, even in the absence of clinical, endoscopic and histological pouchitis. These findings may explain a tendency towards the up-regulation of intracellular pathways activated by bacterial antigens in UC patients, which could contribute to the production of proinflammatory mediators, being coadjuvant of the inflammatory process in the ileal pouch mucosa / Mestrado / Fisiopatologia Cirúrgica / Mestre em Ciências

The induction of an innate immune response upon infection is dependent on the detection of the invading organism and the generation of a signalling cascade leading to the production of inflammatory mediators. Toll-like receptors are expressed on multiple cell types and induce the activation of a complex network of signalling pathways containing numerous branches with multiple interactions and cross-talk between the different branches. The TLR system is integral to the generation of a protective immune response and as such is an important target for pathogen-associated modulation. Many bacterial and viral pathogens employ strategies for interrupting or modulating TLR signalling to evade the host immune response. The obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen, F. tularensis, successfully invades and replicates within immune and epithelial cells. However, despite significant research the exact mechanisms used by this pathogen to successfully evade the host immune response remain elusive. To establish the exact signalling events that occur within a host upon infection with F. tularensis, the activation of specific signalling proteins was characterised using in vitro and in vivo models. The MAPKs, ERK and p38, were identified as critical in generating the host response. Furthermore, the temporal regulation of these signalling proteins was found to be bi-phasic with an early transient activation of both ERK and p38 followed by a sustained activation of ERK and a suppression of p38 activation at later time points. The role of ERK was investigated further using a specific inhibitor (PD0325901). Although there was no decrease in bacterial burdens in vitro and no increase in survival in mice treated with PD0325901, the inhibition of ERK activation reduced the secretion of TNF and IL-6 and reduced systemic bacterial proliferation in vivo. The induction of immune signalling cascades requires the activation of one or more receptors. The contribution of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 to the immune response to F. tularensis infection was examined using KO cell lines and specific antagonists. TLR2 was confirmed as a receptor for F. tularensis and was observed to play a role in the translational regulation of TNF. A role for TLR4 was also identified and further characterisation identified a potential priming relationship with TLR9. Sub-stimulation of 13 TLR4 by LPS enhanced the response induced by a subsequent stimulation of TLR9 by purified F. tularensis DNA. Overall, this study has provided evidence that, during infection, F. tularensis interacts with innate immune signalling pathways. By simultaneously suppressing p38 activation and prolonging ERK activation F. tularensis is able to regulate cytokine secretion and the induction of host-cell death mechanisms. Furthermore, this work has demonstrated that the activation of TLR9 by F. tularensis genomic DNA can be primed by a prior sub-stimulation of TLR4, although more research is required to fully understand the contribution of this interaction to the pathogenesis of F. tularensis.

No description available.

Das duktale Adenokarzinom des Pankreas stellt weiterhin trotz aller medizinischen Entwicklungen eine Herausforderung in der Diagnostik und Therapie bei einer nahezu identischen Inzidenz und Mortalität dar. Auch die Genese der Erkrankung ist bis zum heutigen Tag nicht geklärt. Als eine mögliche Ursache wird das inflammatorische Mikromilieu diskutiert, bzgl. dessen Entstehung und Aufrechterhaltung ebenfalls noch Unklarheiten bestehen. Als möglicher Trigger hierfür kommen die endosomalen Toll like-Rezeptoren 7 und 8 in Frage, die sowohl in ihrer Immunfunktion virale RNA-Bestandteile, so genannte pathogen-associated molecular patterns, als auch damage-associated molecular patterns, d.h. RNA-Fragmente von geschädigten oder sterbenden Zellen erkennen können. Durch ihre Stimulation kommt es zu einer Immunantwort. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurde die Auswirkung der Stimulation von TLR 7 und TLR 8 exprimierenden PANC-1-Zellen bzgl. des Wachstumsverhaltens und der Chemosensibilität auf 5-FU untersucht. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass mit einem spezifischen TLR7 und TLR8-Agonisten (R848) das Wachstum signifikant im Vergleich zu unbehandelten Zellen gesteigert werden konnte. Das dieser Effekt abhängig von der Expression von TLR7 und TLR8 war, konnte dadurch bewiesen werden, dass PANC-1 Zellen ohne die Expression von TLR7 oder TLR8 sowie mittels siRNA-Knockdown für TLR7 oder TLR8 behandelte TLR7- oder TLR8-exprimierende PANC1-Zellen kein gesteigertes Wachstum zeigten. Die Chemosensibilität auf 5-FU in einer LD50-Dosierung war bei den stimulierten Zellen im Vergleich zu den unstimulierten Zellen signifikant reduziert. Auf molekularer Ebene war ein Trend hinsichtlich eines Anstiegs Apoptose-inhibierender, Wachstums-fördernder und Inflammation-aufrechterhaltender Faktoren (IL-6, NF-kB, COX-2) zu erkennen. Zusammenfassend konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Stimulation von Toll like-Rezeptoren 7 und 8 exprimierenden Pankreaskarzinomzellen mit einem weiteren Tumorwachstum sowie einer reduzierten Chemosensibilität sowie daraus resultierenden schlechten Therapieansprechen vergesellschaftet sein können. / Ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas continues to present a challenge in diagnosis and therapy with an almost identical incidence and mortality despite all medical developments. The genesis of the disease has also not been clarified to this day. The inflammatory microenvironment is discussed as a possible cause, but there are still uncertainties regarding its development and maintenance. A possible trigger for this are the endosomal toll-like receptors 7 and 8, which in their immune function recognize viral RNA components, so-called pathogen-associated molecular patterns, and damage-associated molecular patterns, ie RNA fragments of damaged or dying cells. Their stimulation creates an immune response. Within the scope of this work, the effect of the stimulation of TLR 7 and TLR 8 expressing PANC-1 cells with regard to growth behavior and chemosensitivity to 5-FU was investigated. That this effect was dependent on the expression of TLR7 and TLR8 could be proven by the fact that PANC-1 cells without the expression of TLR7 or TLR8 as well as TLR7- or TLR8-expressing PANC-1 cells by means of siRNA knockdown for TLR7 or TLR8 did not showed increased growth. The chemosensitivity to 5-FU in an LD50 dose was significantly reduced in the stimulated PANC-1 cells compared to the unstimulated cells. At the molecular level, there was a trend towards an increase in apoptosis-inhibiting, growth-promoting and inflammation-maintaining factors (IL-6, NF-kB, COX-2). In summary, it could be shown that the stimulation of toll-like receptors 7 and 8 expressing pancreatic carcinoma cells can be associated with further tumor growth and reduced chemosensitivity and the resulting poor therapeutic response.

The Immune system exerts its response against invading pathogens via a cumulative, sequential cooperation of immune cells coordinated by their secreted products. Immune cells, such as macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs), express toll-like receptors (TLRs) to sense the presence of pathogens through pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). The interaction of PAMPs with TLRs elicits a cytosolic signaling cascade that enhances the expression of genes to stimulate inflammation. Interleukin 1 receptor-associated kinase 2 (IRAK2) is a component of the TLR signaling pathway. IRAK2 transduces the TLR signal via a direct interaction with TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) and subsequent enhancement of its ubiquitination. During my PhD thesis, I determined that a 55-amino acid long stretch at the C-terminal end of IRAK2 is important for TLR signaling. Overexpression of C-terminal truncated IRAK2 (IRAK2Δ55) in the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 led to impaired CD40 expression after TLR4 stimulation by Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). I observed attenuated competency of IRAK2Δ55 in restoring a full TLR signaling response i.e. IL-6 secretion, NO production and CD40 expression in IRAK2-deficient RAW cells generated via CRISPR-Cas9 approach. Additionally, diminished TLR4 induced activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and extracellular signal related kinase (ERK) was observed with IRAK2Δ55 reconstituted RAW cells as compared to cell reconstituted with wildtype IRAK2. IRAK2Δ55 reconstituted RAW cells also exhibited reduced TLR4-induced cell death and phosphorylation of receptor interacting protein kinase 3 (RIP3). Co-immunoprecipitation experiments in HEK 293T cells showed that IRAK2Δ55 was still able to bind to TRAF6 alike IRAK2 but failed to induce ubiquitination of TRAF6. In conclusion, the results suggest that the IRAK2 TRAF6 interaction is not sufficient to sustain full TLR signaling. An C-terminus-dependent unknown molecular mechanism is also involved. Through my PhD work, I also analyzed a B cell lineage-specific HECTD1 knock-out mice. HECTD1 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase for various substrate proteins, such as heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), adenomatous polyposis coli and phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase type 1 γ. Hsp90 regulates a variety of signaling molecules in NF-κB activation pathways which are essential for an optimal B cell response. HECTD1-deficient pro-B cells developed normally into mature B cells. However, TLR4 stimulated HECTD1-deficient B cells displayed reduced immunoglobulin (Ig) production in in vitro cultures. In addition, mice with HECTD1-deficient B cells showed a diminished Ig response after nitrophenylacetyl-keyhole limpet hemocyanin immunization. Thus, HECTD1 is necessary for efficient Ig secretion. / Auf das Eindringen von Pathogenen in den Körper antwortet das Immunsystem mit einer kumulativen, sequenziellen und wechselseitigen Zusammenarbeit zwischen Immunzellen, ihren Oberflächenrezeptoren sowie den von ihnen sezernierten Mediatoren. Immunzellen, wie Makrophagen und dendritische Zellen (DZ), sind dabei in der Lage mittels Toll-like Rezeptoren (TLRs) das Vorhandensein von Pathogenen über Pathogen-assoziierte molekulare Muster (pathogen-associated molecular patterns, PAMPs) zu detektieren. Die Bindung von PAMPs an TLRs führt über intrazelluläre Signalkaskaden zu einer verstärkten Expression pro-inflammatorischer Gene und damit zur Initiierung einer Immunreaktion. Die Interleukin 1 Rezeptor-assoziierte Kinase 2 (IRAK2) ist einer Komponente der TLR Signalkaskade. IRAK2 bindet direkt an den TNF-Rezeptor-assozierten Faktor 6 (TRAF6), welcher daraufhin verstärkt ubiquitiniert wird. In meiner Promotionsarbeit habe ich einen 55 Aminosäure langen Abschnitt im C-Terminus von IRAK2 identifiziert, der für die Signalleitung von TLRs essentiell ist. Die Überexpression von mutierten IRAK2, dem dieser C-terminale Bereich fehlt (IRAK2∆55), in der murinen Macrophagen Zelllinie RAW 264.7 führte zu einer verminderten Expression von CD40 nach Stimulation des TLR4 durch Lipopolysaccharid (LPS). Wurden IRAK2-defiziente RAW Zellen mit dem mutierten IRAK2∆55 Gen rekonstituiert, zeigten diese Zellen verglichen mit Zellen, die mit dem wildtypischen Gen rekonstituiert wurden, eine verminderte Aktivierung des nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) und der extracellular signal related kinase (ERK) nach Stimulation des TLR4. Ebenso waren die Expression von CD40, die Sekretion von IL-6 und NO gestört. In IRAK2-defizienten und IRAK2∆55 RAW Zellen war eine Reduktion des durch TLR4 induzierten Zelltodes sowie der TLR4-induzierten Phosphorylierung der Rezeptor-interagierenden Proteinkinase 3 (RIP3) zu beobachten. Ko-Immunpräzipitationsexperimente mit HEK 293T Zellen zeigten, dass IRAK2∆55 genauso wie intaktes IRAK2 zwar in der Lage ist, TRAF6 zu binden, aber nicht dessen Ubiquitinylierung zu induzieren. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit zeigen, dass die Interaktion von IRAK2 mit TRAF6 für ein optimales TLR-Signal nicht ausreichend ist und deshalb ein bisher unbekannter Mechanismus an der Signalweiterleitung beteiligt sein muss. Dieser Mechanismus ist vom C-terminalen Ende von IRAK2 abhängig. In einem zweiten Teil meiner Doktorarbeit analysierte ich B-Zellen von Mäusen, in denen HECTD1-spezifisch in der B-Zellentwicklungslinie deletiert wurde. HECTD1 ist eine E3 Ubiquitin-Ligase für zahlreiche Substratproteine, wie bspw. dem Hitzeschock-Protein (heat-shock-protein, HSP90), dem adenomatösen Polyposis coli Protein oder der Phosphatidylinositol Phosphatkinase Typ 1 γ. HSP90 reguliert eine Vielzahl an Signalmolekülen im NF-κB Signalweg, die für eine optimale B-Zell-Antwort wesentlich sind. HECTD1-defiziente pro-B-Zellen entwickelten sich normal zu reifen B-Zellen. Die Stimulation des TLR4 auf HECTD1-defizienten B-Zellen führte in vitro zu einer im Vergleich zu wildtypischen B-Zellen reduzierten Immunglobulin-Sekretion. Eine reduzierte Immunglobulin-Antwort konnte auch in B-Zell-spezifischen hectd1-/- Mäusen beobachtet werden, wenn diese zuvor mit Schlitzschnecken-Hämocyanin (Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin, NP-KLH) immunisiert wurden. Die reduzierte Produktion von Antikörpern durch HECTD1-defiziente B-Zellen zeigt, dass dieses Protein für diese zentrale Aufgabe von B-Zellen notwendig ist.