O objetivo do presente trabalho foi estudar o efeito de diferentes limitações nutricionais sobre a produção de retamicina por Streptomyces olindensis ICB20. Realizaram-se cultivos contínuos empregando meios limitados em carbono, nitrogênio ou fosfato, variando-se a vazão específica de alimentação entre 0,025 e 0,075 h -1 . A análise dos dados dos cultivos mostrou que a produção de retamicina foi favorecida sob limitação por fosfato, resultando em velocidades específicas de produção (qRTM) da ordem de 9,2 mg/g.h em D=0,075 h -1 ; adicionalmente, qRTM variou linearmente com D, isto é, com a velocidade específica de crescimento, tal relação não foi observada sob limitação por carbono ou nitrogênio. O emprego de meio limitado em nitrogênio resultou nas menores velocidades específicas de produção, com valor máximo de 4,2 mg/g.h em D=0,043 h -1 . Cultivos empregando meio limitado em carbono levaram a valores intermediários de qRTM, variando entre 3,0 e 6,6 mg/g.h. Os maiores valores de fator de conversão glicose a célula (YX/GLC) foram obtidos em cultivos empregando meio limitado em carbono, aproximadamente, 0,40, enquanto que sob limitação por nitrogênio e fosfato, YX/GLC variou ao redor de 0,30. Para estudar o efeito de diferentes concentrações de glicose na alimentação, realizaram-se cultivos contínuos empregando meio limitado em fosfato com concentração de glicose variando entre 10 e 25 g/L. Os resultados mostraram que o emprego de concentrações de glicose superiores a 10 g/L levou a menor produção de retamicina, possivelmente devido à ocorrência de repressão catabólica. Os dados relativos à análise de imagens não indicaram nenhuma relação clara entre as diferentes limitações nutricionais e a morfologia nem entre as dimensões dos objetos e a produção. Entretanto, parece haver relação entre a porcentagem em área de diferentes classes morfológicas e a produção de retamicina, sendo que aparentemente, a produção é inversamente proporcional à porcentagem de clumps. / The aim of the present work was to assay the influence of different nutrient limitation on the production of retamycin by Streptomyces olindensis ICB20. A series of continuous cultures was performed using carbon-limited, phosphate-limited or nitrogen-limited media, varying the dilution rate (D) between 0.025 and 0.075 h -1 . The analysis of the cultures data showed that the production of retamycin was favored under phosphate limitation, resulting in values of specific production rate (qRTM) as high as 9.2 mg/g.h at D=0.075 h -1 , additionally, qRTM varied linearly with D, hence, with the specific growth rate; however such relationship was not observed in carbon-limited neither nitrogen-limited cultures. The use of nitrogen-limited medium led to the lowest production rates, with a maximum value of 4.2 mg/g.h at D=0.043 h -1 . Cultures using carbon-limited medium resulted in intermediary values of qRTM, varying between 3.0 and 6.6 mg/g.h. The highest values of biomass yield (YX/GLC) were obtained in cultures using carbon-limited medium, approximately 0.40, while under nitrogen and phosphate limitation, YX/GLC varied around 0.30. To study the effect of different glucose concentration in the feed medium, continuous cultures using phosphate-limited medium with glucose concentration varying between 10 g/L and 25 g/L were performed. The culture results showed that the use of glucose concentration higher than 10 g/L in the feeding medium led to lower production of retamycin, possibly due to catabolic repression. The data of image analysis showed no clear relation between nutrient limitation and morphology neither between objects dimensions and retamycin production. However, there seems to be a relation between the percentage in area of different morphological classes and retamycin production, apparently the production is inversely proportional to the percentage of clumps.

Techn. Universiẗat, Diss., 2005--München.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi estudar o efeito de diferentes limitações nutricionais sobre a produção de retamicina por Streptomyces olindensis ICB20. Realizaram-se cultivos contínuos empregando meios limitados em carbono, nitrogênio ou fosfato, variando-se a vazão específica de alimentação entre 0,025 e 0,075 h -1 . A análise dos dados dos cultivos mostrou que a produção de retamicina foi favorecida sob limitação por fosfato, resultando em velocidades específicas de produção (qRTM) da ordem de 9,2 mg/g.h em D=0,075 h -1 ; adicionalmente, qRTM variou linearmente com D, isto é, com a velocidade específica de crescimento, tal relação não foi observada sob limitação por carbono ou nitrogênio. O emprego de meio limitado em nitrogênio resultou nas menores velocidades específicas de produção, com valor máximo de 4,2 mg/g.h em D=0,043 h -1 . Cultivos empregando meio limitado em carbono levaram a valores intermediários de qRTM, variando entre 3,0 e 6,6 mg/g.h. Os maiores valores de fator de conversão glicose a célula (YX/GLC) foram obtidos em cultivos empregando meio limitado em carbono, aproximadamente, 0,40, enquanto que sob limitação por nitrogênio e fosfato, YX/GLC variou ao redor de 0,30. Para estudar o efeito de diferentes concentrações de glicose na alimentação, realizaram-se cultivos contínuos empregando meio limitado em fosfato com concentração de glicose variando entre 10 e 25 g/L. Os resultados mostraram que o emprego de concentrações de glicose superiores a 10 g/L levou a menor produção de retamicina, possivelmente devido à ocorrência de repressão catabólica. Os dados relativos à análise de imagens não indicaram nenhuma relação clara entre as diferentes limitações nutricionais e a morfologia nem entre as dimensões dos objetos e a produção. Entretanto, parece haver relação entre a porcentagem em área de diferentes classes morfológicas e a produção de retamicina, sendo que aparentemente, a produção é inversamente proporcional à porcentagem de clumps. / The aim of the present work was to assay the influence of different nutrient limitation on the production of retamycin by Streptomyces olindensis ICB20. A series of continuous cultures was performed using carbon-limited, phosphate-limited or nitrogen-limited media, varying the dilution rate (D) between 0.025 and 0.075 h -1 . The analysis of the cultures data showed that the production of retamycin was favored under phosphate limitation, resulting in values of specific production rate (qRTM) as high as 9.2 mg/g.h at D=0.075 h -1 , additionally, qRTM varied linearly with D, hence, with the specific growth rate; however such relationship was not observed in carbon-limited neither nitrogen-limited cultures. The use of nitrogen-limited medium led to the lowest production rates, with a maximum value of 4.2 mg/g.h at D=0.043 h -1 . Cultures using carbon-limited medium resulted in intermediary values of qRTM, varying between 3.0 and 6.6 mg/g.h. The highest values of biomass yield (YX/GLC) were obtained in cultures using carbon-limited medium, approximately 0.40, while under nitrogen and phosphate limitation, YX/GLC varied around 0.30. To study the effect of different glucose concentration in the feed medium, continuous cultures using phosphate-limited medium with glucose concentration varying between 10 g/L and 25 g/L were performed. The culture results showed that the use of glucose concentration higher than 10 g/L in the feeding medium led to lower production of retamycin, possibly due to catabolic repression. The data of image analysis showed no clear relation between nutrient limitation and morphology neither between objects dimensions and retamycin production. However, there seems to be a relation between the percentage in area of different morphological classes and retamycin production, apparently the production is inversely proportional to the percentage of clumps.

Background: Heart damage from cancer therapy is a significant problem for survivors. Some of the most effective treatments, such as anthracyclines, cause heart toxicity that can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Cardiotoxicity also contributes to the loss of promising cancer drugs in early development and is notoriously difficult to predict. This translational project employs parallel pre-clinical and clinical studies to explore circulating biomarkers and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) during development of anthracycline associated cardiotoxicity with the aim of finding biomarkers to aid clinical decision making and enable forward/back translation. Methods: Pre-clinical work: A rat model of chronic anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy was developed involving 8 weekly intravenous boluses of doxorubicin followed by a 4 week ‘washout’ period. A time course assessment of cardiac function using multiple MRI parameters was performed alongside a panel of circulating biomarkers measured prior to dosing. Clinical work: In parallel following ethical approval, 30 cancer patients receiving standard anthracycline chemotherapy were recruited. Serial CMR scans were performed using standard and new exploratory techniques before, during and after treatment and blood was taken to evaluate a similar panel of cardiotoxicity biomarkers using multiplex ELISA at corresponding time points. Results: Pre-clinical results: Systolic and diastolic function declined progressively, culminating in left ventricular dysfunction (LVEF < 50%) by 12 weeks. Myocardial electron microscopy revealed myofibrillar and mitochondrial damage after one dose and gross histopathological damage after 5 doses. Myocardial contrast enhancement and troponin I increased significantly after eight doses and preceded LV dysfunction. Extensive fibrosis was seen 1 month after drug cessation. Clinical results: LVEF declined progressively in all patients and 7 patients (23%) had persistent LV dysfunction 12 months after therapy. Troponin I elevations were seen towards the end of therapy and peak troponin I corresponded with LVEF decline. None of the other circulating biomarkers correlated strongly with outcome. Lower baseline extracellular volume (ECV) was associated with greater LVEF decline but little change in ECV was seen over time. Baseline dyssynchrony was associated with worse outcome and deteriorated with time alongside LVEF decline. Conclusions: Results suggest that troponin I and cardiac MRI are sensitive translational tools in drug induced cardiotoxicity. However, troponin I is a relatively late marker, peaking after substantial myocardial damage, too late to halt or change reatment. The imaging suggests that fibrosis and inflammation cannot be detected within a year of chemotherapy but baseline ECV and strain analysis may have a role in risk stratification.

Pendant très longtemps, les traitements contre les cancers se sont basés sur la cytotoxicité des chimiothérapies, sur leur capacité à tuer directement les cellules malignes ou à induire leur senescence. Mais cette cytotoxicité accrue et non ciblée a également pour effet de tuer les cellules du système immunitaire du patient. Cependant, il a été montré que la radiothérapie, les anthracyclines ainsi que l’oxaliplatine étaient capables d’induire une apoptose décrite comme étant une mort cellulaire immunogène. De ce fait, les cellules tumorales mourantes agiront comme vaccin thérapeutique.La mort cellulaire immunogène se caractérise par trois grands marqueurs : un stress du réticulum endoplasmique pré-mortem qui va induire la translocation de la calréticuline de la lumière du réticulum endoplasmique vers la surface cellulaire, la libération d’ATP dans le milieu extracellulaire permettant le recrutement des cellules dendritiques et l’activation de l’inflammasome NLRP3 via le récepteur P2RX7, et enfin la libération de la protéine HMGB1 dans le milieu extracellulaire, qui va aller interagir avec TLR4 à la surface des cellules dendritiques pour stimuler leur fonction présentatrice d’antigène. La première partie de ce travail a consisté à comprendre les mécanismes moléculaires précis par lesquels l’ATP est sécrétée activement lors d’une mort cellulaire immunogène. En utilisant une combinaison de techniques impliquant des criblages pharmacologiques, des techniques de monitorage de la localisation intracellulaire de l’ATP entre autres, nous avons montré qu’après un traitement par les inducteurs de la mort immunogène, l’ATP était redistribué des lysosomes aux autolysosomes et que sa sécrétion requiert la protéine lysosomale LAMP1. Nous avons également montré qu’il existait d’autres voies de libération d’ATP telles que la voie de signalisation Rho, et également l’ouverture des hémicanaux pannexine 1 (PANX1). De façon surprenante, nous avons observé une implication de PANX1 dans la translocation de LAMP1 à la surface cellulaire. Ces résultats ont permis de comprendre un peu plus précisément les mécanismes de sécrétion d’ATP dans la mort cellulaire immunogène, mettant en évidence l’importance de l’exocytose lysosomale caspases dépendante et PANX1 dépendante.La seconde partie de ce travail s’est portée sur l’étude d’une autre caractéristique de la mort cellulaire immunogène, à savoir l’exposition de la calréticuline à la surface cellulaire. En partant du constat qu’après un traitement par la mitoxantrone, la calréticuline était relocalisée en périphérie à la fois dans les cellules humaines et les cellules de levure, il a été suggéré que la voie d’exposition de la calréticuline était conservée phylogénétiquement. Nous avons montré que les phéromones pouvaient agir comme inducteurs physiologiques de l’exposition de la calréticuline dans les cellules de levure. Un criblage d’ARN interférant et des analyses de transcriptome nous ont permis de montré que les chimiokines, en particulier CXCL8 chez l’humain (appelé également interleukine-8) et son orthologue Cxcl2 chez la souris étaient impliquées dans la translocation de la calréticuline à la surface cellulaire. En traitant les cellules cancéreuses par la mitoxantrone, nous observons une production de CXCL8 par les cellules cancéreuses humaines in vitro et de Cxcl2 par les cellules cancéreuses murines in vivo. Un « knockdown » des récepteurs pour CXCL8/Cxcl2 réduit de manière significative l’exposition de la calréticuline à la surface cellulaire. Ces résultats ont donc montré l’importance des chimiokines dans la voie d’exposition de la calréticuline.L’ensemble de ce travail a permis de comprendre plus en détails deux des trois grandes caractéristiques de la mort cellulaire immunogène. / Cytotoxic anti-neoplastic agents were considered for a long time to mediate their therapeutic effects via their capacity to directly kill malignant cells. Nevertheless, this high cytotoxicity is non-targeted and will eventually diminish immune cells. During the last years, it has been shown that radiotherapy and some anticancer agents, such as anthracyclines and oxaliplatin, can stimulate actively anti-tumor immune responses. In fact, they can induce an immunogenic type of apoptosis, which we termed immunogenic cell death (ICD). Thereby, dying cells can act as therapeutic vaccine against residual cancer cells that overcame the initial treatment.ICD is characterized by three major hallmarks: a pre-mortem stress of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which triggers the translocation of the ER chaperone protein called calreticulin (CRT) to the cell surface, the secretion of ATP from apoptotic cells, which acts as a signal for the recruitment of dendritic cells and for the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome via its receptor P2RX7, and the release of HMGB1 into the extracellular space, allowing it to interact with TLR4 and thus stimulate the antigen-presenting functions of the DCs.The first part of my work focused on the precise molecular mechanisms by which ATP is actively secreted during ICD. Using a large panel of techniques, including chemical compounds screens and monitoring the subcellular localization of ATP, we showed that following treatment of various tumor cells with ICD inducers, ATP is redistributed from lysosomes to autolysosomes and the lysosomal protein LAMP1 is required for active ATP secretion. We also showed that Rho and pannexin 1 (PANX1) are indispensable for efficient ATP release in response to ICD inducers. Surprisingly, we observed an unexpected link between PANX1 and the exposure of LAMP1 at the cell surface. These results will help to understand the mechanisms necessary for ATP secretion during ICD.In the second part of this work we further studied the surface exposure of CRT during ICD. We observed that mitoxantrone (MTX), which belongs to the group of anthracyclines, can induce a peripheral relocalisation of CRT, both in human cells and yeast cells. In addition, we showed that pheromones can act as a physiological inducer of CRT translocation in yeast. Focused siRNA screening combined with transcriptome analyses revealed that human CXCL8 (also called interleukin-8) and its mouse ortholog Cxcl2 play an essential role in the translocation of CRT to the cell surface. Interestingly, MTX-treated human cancer cells displayed an elevated production of CXCL8 in vitro. These results were confirmed in vivo, with MTX treated murine tumors, which also displayed elevated Cxcl2 levels. The MTX-induced CRT exposure was significantly reduced when we performed a knockdown of CXCL8/Cxcl2 receptors. Altogether, these results showed the importance of chemokine signaling circuitries in immunogenic CRT exposure.This work allows for the detailed understanding of the mechanisms of ICD and might thus be useful for further targeted drug development.

Charles University Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department od Biochemical Sciences Candidate: Bc. Robin Klieber Supervisor: PharmDr. Anna Jirkovská, Ph.D. Title of thesis: The use of RNA interference for the modification of DNA topoisomerase II levels in cancer cells and its influence on the antineoplastic effect of anthracyclines. Topoisomerase II (TOP II) is an enzyme that alters the topological state of the DNA double helix during physiological processes through the formation of transient DNA double strand breaks. Two TOP II isoforms are known: TOP IIα is essential for proper separation of chromosomes in mitotic cells, whereas TOP IIβ is primarily associated with gene transcription. Anthracycline antibiotics (ANT) belong to the group of topoisomerase poisons that stabilize the covalent complex of TOP II and DNA. This prevents the religation of the DNA double strand breaks and thus causes irreversible DNA damage leading to programmed cell death. Although ANTs are frequently administered in various antineoplastic protocols (hematooncological malignancies, hormone-dependent tumors and others), the therapy still possess a high risk of irreversible cardiotoxicity. The mechanism of cardiotoxicity remains unraveled. However, it has been previously discussed that TOP IIβ inhibition could play a...

Antraciclinas estão entre os mais eficazes quimioterápicos contra o cancer. São fármacos glycosídicos compostos pelo carboidrato daunosamina ligado a uma aglicona hidróxi antraquinona, e atuam por intercalação ao DNA, geração de estresse oxidative e envenenamento de topoisomerase II. Apesar de sua utilidade terapêutica, multirresistência e cardiotoxicidade grave são importantes limitações decorrentes do tratamento com antraciclinas, estimulando a descoberta de novos análogos, por exemplo através de glicodiversificação. Este trabalho objetivou explorar azido glicosídeos, a serem combinados com agliconas de antraciclinas para gerar novos glicosídeos. Em uma estratégia semi-sintética, daunorrubicinona e doxorrubicinona protegida foram glicosiladas com doadores 2-azido glucosídicos e -galactosídicos, além de glicais. Uma varredura de metodologias de glicosilação envolveu cloretos, imidatos e tioglicosídeos, sendo os promotores com melhores rendimentos HgO/HgBr2 (4-52%) e TMSOTf (38-41%); para glucais e galactais, catalisadores de Au(I) and Cu(I) forneceram moderados rendimentos (15-46%), mas o sistema mais eficiente foi o organocatalisador de tiouréia e ácido fosfórico (18-95%). A clivagem dos grupos de proteção foi desafiadora, dificultando e atrasando a obtenção dos glicosídeos livres. Mediante desproteção, os glicosídeos obtidos incluíram glucosídeo 49 (13%), 2-azido glucosídeo 51 (34%), 2-desóxi glucosídeo 58 (11%) e 2-desóxi galactosídeo 61 (85%), todos com o esqueleto de daunorrubicina. Em ensaios de proliferação celular, os glicosídeos 61? e 61? foram testados em linhagens de células tumorais humanas HeLa, MDA-MB-231 e MCF-7 e um modelo de células sadias (HDF), com IC50 na faixa de 27.1 a 74.6 ?M para o anômero ?, e superior a 250 ?M para o anômero ?. Estudos preliminares com cardiomiócitos humanos derivados de células-tronco induzidas foram inconclusivos para estabelecer um modelo experimental de toxicidade cardíaca. / Anthracyclines are ranked among the most effective chemotherapeutics against cancer. They are glycoside drugs comprised by the aminosugar daunosamine linked to a hydroxyanthraquinone aglycone, and act by DNA-intercalation, oxidative stress generation and topoisomerase II poisoning. Regardless of their therapeutic value, multidrug resistance and severe cardiotoxicity are important limitations arising from anthracycline treatment, prompting the discovery of novel analogues, for instance through glycodiversification. This work aimed to exploit azido glycosides, to be combined with anthracycline aglycone and generate novel glycosides. In a semi-synthesis approach, both daunorubicinone and protected doxorubicinone were glycosylated with conveniently functionalised 2-azido glucosyl and galactosyl donors, as well as glycals. A screening of glycosylation protocols involved glycosyl chlorides, imidates and thioglycosides with the most successful promoters being HgO/HgBr2 (4-52% yield) and TMSOTf (38-41%); for glucals and galactals, Au(I) and Cu(I) catalysts gave moderate yields (15-46%), but thiourea-phosphoric acid was the most efficient catalyst system (18-95%). Cleavage of protecting groups proved challenging, hampering and delaying the obtention of free glycosides. Upon deprotection, the glycosides obtained included glucoside 49 (13%), 2-azido glucoside 51 (34%), 2-deoxyglucoside 58 (11%), and 2-deoxygalactoside 61 (85%), all with the daunorubicin scaffold. In cell proliferation assays, glycosides 61? and 61? were tested against human cancer cell lines HeLa, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 and a model of healthy cells (HDF), with IC50 in the range of 27.1 to 74.6 ?M for the ? anomer, and higher than 250 ?M for the ? anomer. Preliminary studies with human cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells were inconclusive to establish a cardiac toxicity experimental model.

<p>Breast cancer mortality in Sweden is now in decline, thanks to early detection and the wide use of adjuvant endocrine therapy and chemotherapy. </p><p>While hormone receptor status is predictive of response to endocrine treatment, there is no clinically useful predictive marker of a patient’s response to chemotherapy. Consequently, patients receive chemotherapy with considerable toxicity but minimal benefit. The aim of this thesis was to investigate a number of methods with the potential to predict response to chemotherapy and thus enhance treatment efficacy in breast cancer patients.</p><p>We found that topo IIα, the key target enzyme of topo II inhibitors, is significantly expressed in nonproliferating breast cancer cells. This finding may explain why topo II inhibitors are effective in patients with slow growing tumors and a low proliferation rate.</p><p>Topo IIα gene amplification was suggestive of increased response to anthracyclines in advanced breast cancer, whereas the oncogene HER2 had no predictive value by itself. These findings are in accordance with current knowledge.</p><p>Cyclin A, a marker of cell proliferation, showed good prognostic value but did not predict response to chemotherapy in advanced breast cancer.</p><p>In vitro chemosensitivity testing with FMCA predicted tumor response in patients with advanced breast cancer with a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 53%. Our results are consistent with the results from similar assays, which predict drug resistance with good accuracy while clinical drug sensitivity is less reliably predicted. The use of FMCA and similar assays is not yet recommended outside clinical trials; their main utility is in preclinical testing of new anti-cancer drugs, including targeted therapies.</p><p>The combination of epirubicin, capecitabine, and cisplatin (EXC) demonstrated high clinical response rate (74%) and pathological complete response rate (22%) in locally advanced breast cancer, but with cumbersome toxicity. The fluoropyrimidine biomarkers TS, TP, and DPD did not predict response to the EXC regimen.</p>

Breast cancer mortality in Sweden is now in decline, thanks to early detection and the wide use of adjuvant endocrine therapy and chemotherapy. While hormone receptor status is predictive of response to endocrine treatment, there is no clinically useful predictive marker of a patient’s response to chemotherapy. Consequently, patients receive chemotherapy with considerable toxicity but minimal benefit. The aim of this thesis was to investigate a number of methods with the potential to predict response to chemotherapy and thus enhance treatment efficacy in breast cancer patients. We found that topo IIα, the key target enzyme of topo II inhibitors, is significantly expressed in nonproliferating breast cancer cells. This finding may explain why topo II inhibitors are effective in patients with slow growing tumors and a low proliferation rate. Topo IIα gene amplification was suggestive of increased response to anthracyclines in advanced breast cancer, whereas the oncogene HER2 had no predictive value by itself. These findings are in accordance with current knowledge. Cyclin A, a marker of cell proliferation, showed good prognostic value but did not predict response to chemotherapy in advanced breast cancer. In vitro chemosensitivity testing with FMCA predicted tumor response in patients with advanced breast cancer with a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 53%. Our results are consistent with the results from similar assays, which predict drug resistance with good accuracy while clinical drug sensitivity is less reliably predicted. The use of FMCA and similar assays is not yet recommended outside clinical trials; their main utility is in preclinical testing of new anti-cancer drugs, including targeted therapies. The combination of epirubicin, capecitabine, and cisplatin (EXC) demonstrated high clinical response rate (74%) and pathological complete response rate (22%) in locally advanced breast cancer, but with cumbersome toxicity. The fluoropyrimidine biomarkers TS, TP, and DPD did not predict response to the EXC regimen.

No description available.