Die idiopathische dilatative Kardiomyopathie ist eine eher seltene Herzerkrankung (Inzidenz 8/100.000 Einwohner pro Jahr), jedoch eine der häufigsten Ursache für die Entstehung einer Herzinsuffizienz bei jüngeren Patienten und geht immer mit Veränderungen sowohl des humoralen als auch des zellulären Immunsystems einher. Die der vorliegenden Arbeit zugrunde liegende ETiCS-Studie untersucht besonders die Rolle von 1-adrenergen Autoantikörpern bei der Ausbildung und Entwicklung einer Herzinsuffizienz sowie deren Einfluss auf den Verlauf der kardialen Pumpfunktion nach einem ersten akuten Myokardinfarkt (FAMI) oder einer ersten Episode einer akuten Myokarditis (AMitis). Nach Studieneinschluss wurden diese beiden klar definierten Patientenkollektive über einen Zeitraum von 12 Monaten beobachtet. Im Fokus der vorliegenden Arbeit stand der Verlauf der mittels MRT erhobenen kardialen Funktionsdaten (LVEF, EDV, ESV, SV, HI und LV-Masse, Baseline und 12 Monats-Follow Up) und ihr Zusammenhang mit Biomarkern der Herzschädigung (CK/CK-MB) sowie der Ausbildung/dem Verlauf von 1-Autoantikörpern. FAMI-Patienten wiesen innerhalb eines Jahres grundsätzlich eine Verbesserung der kardialen Pumpfunktion auf; Patienten mit erstem Hinterwandinfarkt zeigten im Vergleich zu Vorderwandinfarkt-Patienten bei generell besseren Ausgangswerten auch im Verlauf deutlich geringere Funktions- und Volumenänderungen. Patienten mit kleineren Myokardinfarkten (CK Werte <1000 U/l) zeigten, unabhängig von der Lokalisation, eine bessere Erholung der LV-Funktion, als Patienten mit größeren Herzinfarkten (CK Werte >1000 U/l). Bei den im Rahmen dieser Arbeit analysierten Infarktpatienten konnte allerdings kein wesentlicher Einfluss einer Ausbildung oder Gegenwart von herzspezifischen Autoantikörpern auf die Entwicklung der kardialen Pumpfunktion nachgewiesen werden. AMitis-Patienten wiesen innerhalb eines Jahres ebenso grundsätzlich eine Verbesserung der kardialen Pumpfunktion auf; In dieser Patienten-Kohorte scheint die mittel- und langfristige Entwicklung der kardialen Funktionsparameter jedoch stark von der Ausbildung 1-adrenerger Autoantikörper beeinflusst zu sein: Antikörper-negative AMitis-Patienten zeigten zu jedem Beobachtungszeitpunkt deutlich bessere kardiale Funktionsparameter als Antikörper-positiv getestete AMitis-Patienten. Dies bestätigt die initiale Hypothese der ETiCS-Studie und muss durch die abschließende Analyse aller ETiCS-Studienpatienten (erwartet 2019) noch bestätigt werden. Den Nachweis von 1-adrenergen Autoantikörpern in die Routine-Labordiagnostik einzuführen, erscheint aufgrund der Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Arbeit zumindest bei Myokarditispatienten sinnvoll. Bei einem Herzinfarkt sprechen die Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Arbeit jedoch nicht für einen Mehrwert eines routinemäßigen 1-Autoantikörper-Screenings. / Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is a relatively rare heart disease (with an incidence of 8/100.000 inhabitants per year), but is one of the most often causes of heart failure in younger adults and is known to be associated with changes in both the humoral and the cellular immune system. The here presented ETiCS-study addressed the role of 1-adrenoceptor autoantibodies in the development of heart failure and their influence on the course of cardiac function and remodeling after a first acute myocardial infarction (FAMI) or a first event of an acute myocarditis (AMitis). After inclusion into the study, these two well defined patient-cohorts were regularly followed for 12 months. The focus of the present doctoral thesis was to analyze the cardiac MRI functional data (LVEF, EDV, ESV, SV, CI and LV-mass, determined at baseline and after 12 months) and to relate them to biomarkers of cardiac damage (CK / CK-MB) and to the development/presence of 1-adrenoceptor autoantibodies. FAMI-patients within one year of follow-up showed a general improvement in cardiac pump function; however, patients with posterior myocardial infarction in general had a better cardiac performance at baseline and developed less functional and volume changes compared to patients with an anterior myocardial infarction. Patients with smaller myocardial infarctions (CK levels <1000 U/l) had a better recovery of LV function, regardless of the location, than patients with a larger myocardial infarction (CK levels >1000 U/l). In this study-cohort the development or presence of heart-directed autoantibodies (as 1-adrenergic autoantibodies) did not significantly influence the development (recovery or progression of heart failure) of cardiac functional parameters and performance. AMitis-patients within one year of follow-up equally showed a general improvement in cardiac pump function; however, in this cohort the development of cardiac functional parameters appeared to be dependent on the development/presence of 1-adrenoceptor autoantibodies: Antibody-negative AMitis-patients had significantly better functional LV-parameters than antibody-positive AMitis-patients at each follow-up. This finding is in agreement with the initial hypothesis of the ETiCS-study and is still to be confirmed by the final analysis of the data from all patients included into the ETiCS-study. Based on the preliminary data of the present thesis it appears justified to implement a screening for 1-adrenoceptor autoantibodies into routine laboratory diagnostics, at least in myocarditis patients. In acute myocardial infarction, the results of this work do not support an added value of routine autoantibody screening, however.

A fibrose hepática é caracterizada pelo acúmulo de matriz extracelular em resposta à lesão hepática crônica. Importantes causas de lesões hepáticas crônicas são: hepatites virais, doenças metabólicas, doenças auto-imunes e exposição a substâncias químicas, como álcool ou drogas. As células estreladas hepáticas e o TGF-ß1, uma das citocinas responsáveis pela sua ativação, têm sido descritos como os principais envolvidos neste processo. Neste trabalho buscamos avaliar, in vivo, o comportamento do TGF-ß1 no desenvolvimento da fibrose hepática e verificar, in vitro, o efeito da sua diminuição em células estreladas hepáticas ativadas. Inicialmente analisamos a relação dos níveis séricos de TGF-ß1 com a densidade de colágeno no tecido hepático em modelo murino de cirrose por Tetracloreto de Carbono. Observou-se que há uma correlação negativa entre os níveis séricos de TGF-ß1 e a densidade de colágeno no tecido hepático neste modelo. A seguir, buscou-se avaliar os níveis séricos e a expressão tecidual de TGF-ß1 em pacientes com Atresia Biliar no momento do diagnóstico e ao transplante, correlacionando com a densidade de colágeno no tecido hepático e com marcadores séricos da doença (APRI e contagem de plaquetas). Neste estudo verificou-se que os níveis séricos de TGF-ß1 não se relacionam com a densidade de colágeno e tampouco com sua expressão no tecido. Os pacientes no momento do transplante possuíam valores baixos de TGF-ß1, tanto em relação ao grupo diagnóstico como em relação aos controles. Contudo, ao diagnóstico observou-se uma correlação negativa do TGF-ß1 com a contagem de plaquetas. Nos estudos in vitro usou-se a linhagem celular GRX para avaliar o efeito do tratamento de células estreladas hepáticas com Anfotericina B sobre os níveis de TGF-ß1 e sua reversão ao fenótipo quiescente. Verificou-se que a droga foi eficiente, diminuindo a proliferação celular e reduzindo os níveis de expressão de TGF-ß1, com reversão ao fenótipo de lipócito. Na mesma linhagem celular foi avaliado o efeito do silenciamento da expressão de TGF-ß1 com o uso de RNA de interferência. Após transfecção com lipofectamina foi detectada uma redução de 20% da expressão de TGF-ß1 por PCR em tempo real. Através do uso de um gene marcador observou-se que a eficiência de transfecção foi de menos de 10%. Em conjunto, eses achados corroboram a importância do TGF-ß1 no processo de fibrogênese, inclusive na doença hepática infantil. Além disso, a redução dos níveis dessa citocina nos estágios finais da doença indicam que o uso do TGF-ß1 como alvo terapêutico possui uma janela de tempo bem definida para que possa ser efetivo. Neste sentido, a Amfotericina B poderá ser uma alternativa terapêutica para o tratamento da fibrose hepática. Por outro lado, aferramenta de RNAi necessita de métodos de transferência mais eficientes e seguros para futuramente tratar pacientes com doença hepática crônica. / Liver fibrosis is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix in response to chronic liver injury. Important causes of chronic liver injury are viral hepatitis, metabolic diseases, autoimmune diseases, and exposure to chemicals such as alcohol or drugs. Hepatic stellate cells and TGF-ß1, one of the cytokines responsible for their activation, have been described as major players involved in this process. In this study we sought to evaluate, in vivo, the behavior of TGF-ß1 in the development of hepatic fibrosis and verify, in vitro, the effect of its decrease in activated hepatic stellate cells. First we analyzed the relationship between serum TGF-ß1 and collagen density in liver tissue in a rat model of cirrhosis by Carbon Tetrachloride. A negative correlation between serum levels of TGF-ß1 and collagen density in liver tissue was observed. Next, we tried to evaluate the serum levels and tissue expression of TGF-ß1 in patients with biliary atresia at the time of diagnosis and at liver transplantation, correlating with collagen density in liver tissue and serum markers of the disease (APRI and platelet count). It was shown that serum levels of TGF-ß1 do not correlate with collagen density or with TGF-ß1 expression in the tissue. Patients at the time of liver transplantation presented low levels of TGF-ß1 compared both to patients at diagnosis and to controls. However, a negative correlation between TGF-ß1 and platelet count was observed at the time of diagnosis. For in vitro studies, the GRX cell line was used to assess the effect of Amphotericin B on TGF-ß1 levels and their reversion to a quiescent phenotype. The drug was effective, reducing the cell proliferation rate, TGF-ß1 expression and reversion to the lipocyte phenotype. In the same cell line RNA interference for silencing the expression of TGF-ß1 was evaluated. After transfection with lipofectamine a reduction of 20% in TGF-ß1 was detected by real time PCR. Using a marker gene it was observed that the transfection efficiency was less than 10%. Taken together, these findings corroborate the importance of TGF-β1 in the process of fibrogeneses, including in liver disease in children. Moreover, the decrease of this cytokine in end stage liver disease shows that the use of TGF-ß1 as a therapeutic target for fibrosis is time dependent. In this sense, Amphotericin B may be a good option for treating for liver fibrosis. On the other hand, RNAi needs more efficient and safe delivery methods should it be used to treat patients with chronic liver disease in the future.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:50:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-09-30 / Introducao: A busca por uma fonte alternativa de celulas para a Engenharia Tecidual ossea, se deve a morbidade da area doadora e maior dificuldade de expansao in vitro quando da utilizacao de celulas de linhagem osteoblastica, como as celulas da medula ossea. Portanto, a busca de outras fontes celulares para contribuir para esta terapia, se torna fundamental. Objetivo: Avaliar a influencia do fator de crescimento transformante beta1(TGF-ƒÀ1) na diferenciacao celular de fibroblastos dermicos humanos cultivados em esponja de colageno. Metodos: As esponjas de colageno foram cortadas em pecas de 16mm de diametro e 2 mm de espessura sendo distribuidas em quatro grupos denominados de acordo com o meio de cultura: CONTROLE (Padrao); TGF-ƒÀ1 (Padrao acrescido de 10ng/mL de TGF-ƒÀ1); OSTEOG. Padrao acrescido de 0,5ƒÊg/mL de acido ascorbico, 10 mMol/L de ƒÀ-glicerofosfato e 10nMol/L de dexametasona) e OSTEOG.TGF- ƒÀ1(meio osteogenico acrescido de 10ng/mL de TGF-ƒÀ1). As avaliacoes da atividade da fosfatase alcalina (FAL) e quantidade de osteocalcina (OC) foram realizadas no sobrenadante. A interacao das celulas com a esponja de colageno foi avaliada pela exame histologico e a presenca de depositos de calcio fosfato realizada pelo teste de Von Kossa, todas as avaliacoes foram realizadas no segundo, setimo, 14 ‹, 21 ‹, 28 ‹ e 56 ‹dias. Resultados: Atividade da FAL e Quantidade de OC: nao houve diferenca entre os grupos CONTROLE e TGF- ƒÀ1 em nenhuma das avaliacoes e em nenhum dos pontos de avaliacao, no entanto na comparacao com os outros dois grupos, os valores foram significativamente menores, o grupo OSTEOG.TGF- ƒÀ1 obteve valores significativamente. Interacao Celula/Esponja: em todos os grupos as celulas inicialmente estavam na superficie com posterior penetracao para o interior da esponja. Depositos Mineralizados: nao existiu a presenca nos grupos CONTROLE e TGF- ƒÀ1 e nos grupos OSTEOG. e OSTEOG. TGF- ƒÀ1 existiu a presenca de depositos a partir do 14 ‹ dia ate o 56 ‹ dia. Conclusao: O TGF-ƒÀ1 no meio osteogenico, na cultura de fibroblastos dermicos humanos em esponja de colageno, aumentou a atividade da FAL e a quantidade de OC, nao alterando a interacao celula/esponja e a presenca de depositos mineralizados de calcio fosfato na estrutura da esponja de colageno / Introduction: The research of new sources of cells for Tissue Engineering of the human bone, it is necessary because the use of the primary choice for this therapy (bone marrow cell), can result in a morbidity of the donor area and poor expansion in vitro. Therefore, it is important to seek other cellular sources to contribute to this therapy. Objective: To evaluate the influence of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-â1) in the osteogenic differentiation of human dermal fibroblasts cultured in a collagen sponge. Methods: The collagen sponges were cut in 16x2-mm sections and distributed into four groups according to the culture medium: CONTROL (DMEM culture medium); TGF-â1 (DMEM culture medium with 10 ng/ml of TGF-â1); OSTEOG (DMEM culture medium with 0.5 ìg/ml of ascorbic acid, 10 mmol/l of â-glycerophosphate and 10 nmol/L of dexamethasone); and OSTEOG.TGF-â1 (osteogenic medium with 10 ng/ml of TGF-â1). Measurements of the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and the amount of osteocalcin (OC) in the supernatant, as well as measurement of the penetration of cells in the sponge by histology and measurement of calcium phosphate deposits by the Von Kossa test, were performed on days 2, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 56 . Results: ALP activity and OC level: There were no differences between the CONTROL and TGF-â1 groups in any of the measurements between any of the measurement points. However, the measured values were significantly lower than the OSTEOG and OSTEOG.TGF-â1 groups. The OSTEOG.TGF-â1 group achieved significantly higher. Interaction Cell/Sponge: in all groups the cells were at the top of sponge in the beginning and there were a penetration into the sponge up to the end of the experiments. Deposits of Calcium Phosphate: There were no presence of deposits in the CONTROL and TGF-â1 groups. There were evidence of the deposits in the OSTEOG. and OSTEG. TGF-â1 groups from the 14° day up to 56° day. Conclusion: TGF-â1 in osteogenic medium increased the ALP activity and the OC levels but did not influence the interaction cell/sponge and the presence of mineralized deposits of calcium phosphate into the collagen sponge. / TEDE / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

A fibrose hepática é caracterizada pelo acúmulo de matriz extracelular em resposta à lesão hepática crônica. Importantes causas de lesões hepáticas crônicas são: hepatites virais, doenças metabólicas, doenças auto-imunes e exposição a substâncias químicas, como álcool ou drogas. As células estreladas hepáticas e o TGF-ß1, uma das citocinas responsáveis pela sua ativação, têm sido descritos como os principais envolvidos neste processo. Neste trabalho buscamos avaliar, in vivo, o comportamento do TGF-ß1 no desenvolvimento da fibrose hepática e verificar, in vitro, o efeito da sua diminuição em células estreladas hepáticas ativadas. Inicialmente analisamos a relação dos níveis séricos de TGF-ß1 com a densidade de colágeno no tecido hepático em modelo murino de cirrose por Tetracloreto de Carbono. Observou-se que há uma correlação negativa entre os níveis séricos de TGF-ß1 e a densidade de colágeno no tecido hepático neste modelo. A seguir, buscou-se avaliar os níveis séricos e a expressão tecidual de TGF-ß1 em pacientes com Atresia Biliar no momento do diagnóstico e ao transplante, correlacionando com a densidade de colágeno no tecido hepático e com marcadores séricos da doença (APRI e contagem de plaquetas). Neste estudo verificou-se que os níveis séricos de TGF-ß1 não se relacionam com a densidade de colágeno e tampouco com sua expressão no tecido. Os pacientes no momento do transplante possuíam valores baixos de TGF-ß1, tanto em relação ao grupo diagnóstico como em relação aos controles. Contudo, ao diagnóstico observou-se uma correlação negativa do TGF-ß1 com a contagem de plaquetas. Nos estudos in vitro usou-se a linhagem celular GRX para avaliar o efeito do tratamento de células estreladas hepáticas com Anfotericina B sobre os níveis de TGF-ß1 e sua reversão ao fenótipo quiescente. Verificou-se que a droga foi eficiente, diminuindo a proliferação celular e reduzindo os níveis de expressão de TGF-ß1, com reversão ao fenótipo de lipócito. Na mesma linhagem celular foi avaliado o efeito do silenciamento da expressão de TGF-ß1 com o uso de RNA de interferência. Após transfecção com lipofectamina foi detectada uma redução de 20% da expressão de TGF-ß1 por PCR em tempo real. Através do uso de um gene marcador observou-se que a eficiência de transfecção foi de menos de 10%. Em conjunto, eses achados corroboram a importância do TGF-ß1 no processo de fibrogênese, inclusive na doença hepática infantil. Além disso, a redução dos níveis dessa citocina nos estágios finais da doença indicam que o uso do TGF-ß1 como alvo terapêutico possui uma janela de tempo bem definida para que possa ser efetivo. Neste sentido, a Amfotericina B poderá ser uma alternativa terapêutica para o tratamento da fibrose hepática. Por outro lado, aferramenta de RNAi necessita de métodos de transferência mais eficientes e seguros para futuramente tratar pacientes com doença hepática crônica. / Liver fibrosis is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix in response to chronic liver injury. Important causes of chronic liver injury are viral hepatitis, metabolic diseases, autoimmune diseases, and exposure to chemicals such as alcohol or drugs. Hepatic stellate cells and TGF-ß1, one of the cytokines responsible for their activation, have been described as major players involved in this process. In this study we sought to evaluate, in vivo, the behavior of TGF-ß1 in the development of hepatic fibrosis and verify, in vitro, the effect of its decrease in activated hepatic stellate cells. First we analyzed the relationship between serum TGF-ß1 and collagen density in liver tissue in a rat model of cirrhosis by Carbon Tetrachloride. A negative correlation between serum levels of TGF-ß1 and collagen density in liver tissue was observed. Next, we tried to evaluate the serum levels and tissue expression of TGF-ß1 in patients with biliary atresia at the time of diagnosis and at liver transplantation, correlating with collagen density in liver tissue and serum markers of the disease (APRI and platelet count). It was shown that serum levels of TGF-ß1 do not correlate with collagen density or with TGF-ß1 expression in the tissue. Patients at the time of liver transplantation presented low levels of TGF-ß1 compared both to patients at diagnosis and to controls. However, a negative correlation between TGF-ß1 and platelet count was observed at the time of diagnosis. For in vitro studies, the GRX cell line was used to assess the effect of Amphotericin B on TGF-ß1 levels and their reversion to a quiescent phenotype. The drug was effective, reducing the cell proliferation rate, TGF-ß1 expression and reversion to the lipocyte phenotype. In the same cell line RNA interference for silencing the expression of TGF-ß1 was evaluated. After transfection with lipofectamine a reduction of 20% in TGF-ß1 was detected by real time PCR. Using a marker gene it was observed that the transfection efficiency was less than 10%. Taken together, these findings corroborate the importance of TGF-β1 in the process of fibrogeneses, including in liver disease in children. Moreover, the decrease of this cytokine in end stage liver disease shows that the use of TGF-ß1 as a therapeutic target for fibrosis is time dependent. In this sense, Amphotericin B may be a good option for treating for liver fibrosis. On the other hand, RNAi needs more efficient and safe delivery methods should it be used to treat patients with chronic liver disease in the future.

A fibrose hepática é caracterizada pelo acúmulo de matriz extracelular em resposta à lesão hepática crônica. Importantes causas de lesões hepáticas crônicas são: hepatites virais, doenças metabólicas, doenças auto-imunes e exposição a substâncias químicas, como álcool ou drogas. As células estreladas hepáticas e o TGF-ß1, uma das citocinas responsáveis pela sua ativação, têm sido descritos como os principais envolvidos neste processo. Neste trabalho buscamos avaliar, in vivo, o comportamento do TGF-ß1 no desenvolvimento da fibrose hepática e verificar, in vitro, o efeito da sua diminuição em células estreladas hepáticas ativadas. Inicialmente analisamos a relação dos níveis séricos de TGF-ß1 com a densidade de colágeno no tecido hepático em modelo murino de cirrose por Tetracloreto de Carbono. Observou-se que há uma correlação negativa entre os níveis séricos de TGF-ß1 e a densidade de colágeno no tecido hepático neste modelo. A seguir, buscou-se avaliar os níveis séricos e a expressão tecidual de TGF-ß1 em pacientes com Atresia Biliar no momento do diagnóstico e ao transplante, correlacionando com a densidade de colágeno no tecido hepático e com marcadores séricos da doença (APRI e contagem de plaquetas). Neste estudo verificou-se que os níveis séricos de TGF-ß1 não se relacionam com a densidade de colágeno e tampouco com sua expressão no tecido. Os pacientes no momento do transplante possuíam valores baixos de TGF-ß1, tanto em relação ao grupo diagnóstico como em relação aos controles. Contudo, ao diagnóstico observou-se uma correlação negativa do TGF-ß1 com a contagem de plaquetas. Nos estudos in vitro usou-se a linhagem celular GRX para avaliar o efeito do tratamento de células estreladas hepáticas com Anfotericina B sobre os níveis de TGF-ß1 e sua reversão ao fenótipo quiescente. Verificou-se que a droga foi eficiente, diminuindo a proliferação celular e reduzindo os níveis de expressão de TGF-ß1, com reversão ao fenótipo de lipócito. Na mesma linhagem celular foi avaliado o efeito do silenciamento da expressão de TGF-ß1 com o uso de RNA de interferência. Após transfecção com lipofectamina foi detectada uma redução de 20% da expressão de TGF-ß1 por PCR em tempo real. Através do uso de um gene marcador observou-se que a eficiência de transfecção foi de menos de 10%. Em conjunto, eses achados corroboram a importância do TGF-ß1 no processo de fibrogênese, inclusive na doença hepática infantil. Além disso, a redução dos níveis dessa citocina nos estágios finais da doença indicam que o uso do TGF-ß1 como alvo terapêutico possui uma janela de tempo bem definida para que possa ser efetivo. Neste sentido, a Amfotericina B poderá ser uma alternativa terapêutica para o tratamento da fibrose hepática. Por outro lado, aferramenta de RNAi necessita de métodos de transferência mais eficientes e seguros para futuramente tratar pacientes com doença hepática crônica. / Liver fibrosis is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix in response to chronic liver injury. Important causes of chronic liver injury are viral hepatitis, metabolic diseases, autoimmune diseases, and exposure to chemicals such as alcohol or drugs. Hepatic stellate cells and TGF-ß1, one of the cytokines responsible for their activation, have been described as major players involved in this process. In this study we sought to evaluate, in vivo, the behavior of TGF-ß1 in the development of hepatic fibrosis and verify, in vitro, the effect of its decrease in activated hepatic stellate cells. First we analyzed the relationship between serum TGF-ß1 and collagen density in liver tissue in a rat model of cirrhosis by Carbon Tetrachloride. A negative correlation between serum levels of TGF-ß1 and collagen density in liver tissue was observed. Next, we tried to evaluate the serum levels and tissue expression of TGF-ß1 in patients with biliary atresia at the time of diagnosis and at liver transplantation, correlating with collagen density in liver tissue and serum markers of the disease (APRI and platelet count). It was shown that serum levels of TGF-ß1 do not correlate with collagen density or with TGF-ß1 expression in the tissue. Patients at the time of liver transplantation presented low levels of TGF-ß1 compared both to patients at diagnosis and to controls. However, a negative correlation between TGF-ß1 and platelet count was observed at the time of diagnosis. For in vitro studies, the GRX cell line was used to assess the effect of Amphotericin B on TGF-ß1 levels and their reversion to a quiescent phenotype. The drug was effective, reducing the cell proliferation rate, TGF-ß1 expression and reversion to the lipocyte phenotype. In the same cell line RNA interference for silencing the expression of TGF-ß1 was evaluated. After transfection with lipofectamine a reduction of 20% in TGF-ß1 was detected by real time PCR. Using a marker gene it was observed that the transfection efficiency was less than 10%. Taken together, these findings corroborate the importance of TGF-β1 in the process of fibrogeneses, including in liver disease in children. Moreover, the decrease of this cytokine in end stage liver disease shows that the use of TGF-ß1 as a therapeutic target for fibrosis is time dependent. In this sense, Amphotericin B may be a good option for treating for liver fibrosis. On the other hand, RNAi needs more efficient and safe delivery methods should it be used to treat patients with chronic liver disease in the future.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed Sept. 16, 2008). Includes bibliographical references (p. 98-107).

Résumé : LRP-1 est un récepteur d’endocytose qui fut d’abord associé à des propriétés anti-tumorales via l’internalisation et le catabolisme de protéases matricielles. Cependant, malgré ses capacités à limiter le remodelage de la matrice extracellulaire, LRP-1 peut également coordonner la balance adhérence/dé-adhérence des cellules tumorales afin de favoriser l’invasion. LRP-1 fonctionne ainsi en régulant l’organisation du cytosquelette et le renouvellement des structures d’adhérence grâce à l’activation de la voie MEK/ERK et l’inhibition concomitante de la voie MKK7/JNK. Au cours de ce travail, nous avons cherché à déterminer comment LRP-1 peut réguler le protéome membranaire des cellules tumorales. Nos données révèlent que le taux d’intégrine β1 à la surface de carcinome thyroïdien FTC-133 est augmenté en présence de RAP, un antagoniste de LRP-1. Des immunoprécipitations et des analyses par imagerie confocale montrent que LRP-1 et l’intégrine β1 coexistent au sein des mêmes complexes biomoléculaires. Des tests d’endocytose démontrent que LRP-1 constitue un récepteur d’endocytose de l’intégrine β1 dans les FTC 133 car le nombre d’endosomes contenant l’intégrine β1 est diminué de 30% quand l’endocytose dépendante de LRP-1 est inhibée. Par ailleurs, nos données indiquent que LRP-1 est principalement impliqué dans le recyclage de l’intégrine β1 mais pas dans son ciblage au lysosome. Nous avons ainsi identifié une relation moléculaire privilégiée et originale entre LRP-1 et l’intégrine β1 dans le contexte tumoral. Ces travaux nous ont également incités à initier le développement d’un traceur bimodal original (fluorescence/Raman) permettant de suivre l’endocytose dépendante de LRP 1. / LRP-1 is a large multifunctional endocytic receptor first associated to anti-tumor properties by carrying the uptake and catabolism of extracellular matrix-associated proteinases. However, despite its ability to limit extracellular matrix remodeling, LRP-1 may also coordinate the adhesion/deadhesion balance in malignant cells to support invasion. LRP-1 acts so by regulating the cytoskeleton organization and adhesion structure turnover through the activation of MEK/ERK and concomitant inhibition of MKK7/JNK pathway.During this study, we investigated how LRP-1 is able to regulate the cell-surface proteome in malignant cells. Our data revealed that β1-integrin level is significantly increased at the cell surface of FTC-133 thyroid carcinoma upon treatment with RAP, used as LRP-1 antagonist. Immunoprecipitation experiments and confocal analysis highlight that LRP-1 and β1 integrin coexist at the same biomolecular complexes. Biochemical endocytosis assays demonstrate LRP-1 as a mediator of β1-integrin endocytosis in FTC-133 because the number of endosomes-containing β1-integrin decreases by 30% when LRP-1-mediated endocytosis is inhibited. Moreover, our data indicate that LRP-1 is mainly involved in β1-integrin recycling, but not in lysosome targeting.Overall, we identified an original molecular way between LRP-1 and β1-integrin in the tumor context. These works also allowed to initiate the development of an original bimodal molecular tracker (using both fluorescence and Raman) to study LRP-1-mediated endocytosis.

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The survival of breast cancer patients declines when tumors are invasive and have an increased possibility of metastasizing to distal sites. Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-beta) suppresses breast cancer formation by preventing cell cycle progression in mammary epithelial cells. However, at late stage of mammary carcinogenesis, due to genetic and epigenetic alterations, TGF-beta loses its cytostatic actions, and contributes to tumor invasion by promoting cell proliferation, Actin cytoskeletal reorganization, as well as Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). Despite the key role of TGF-beta1 in tumor suppression as well as tumor progression, the molecular mechanisms underlying the conversion of TGF-beta form an inhibitor of proliferation in mammary breast cancer cells to an inducer of their cell growth and EMT have not been fully elucidated. Thus, acquiring a basic knowledge on the mechanism of TGF-beta regulating its target genes and its contribution to cancer progression may highlight new avenues for cancer therapy development. This prompted us to further investigate and identify TGF-beta-inducible genes that may be involved in TGF-beta biological responses during tumorigenesis. / In this thesis, we identified Talin as a novel TGF-beta1 target gene that acts as an antagonist to inhibit TGF-beta-mediated cell growth arrest and transcriptional activity in mammary cancer cell line, MCF-7. Searching for new partners of activated Smads, we found that TGF-beta1 induces Talin translocation from cytosol to the plasma membrane where Talin physically interacts with the TGF-beta1 signaling components, the Smads and the receptors. Furthermore, we observed that TGF-beta1 stimulation leads to the formation of Actin stress fibers where Talin was detected at the end of these stress fibers. Taken all together, the obtained data show that TGF-beta1 positively induced expression of Talin and suggests a role for Talin, which acts as a negative feedback loop to control TGF-beta biological responses.