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Herein, different polymer libraries were examined to determine the effect polymer structure has on intracellular events. The effect of different polyamine lengths in copolymers on cellular uptake, the effect of modifying end groups of trehalose-containing polymers on transfection efficiency, and the effect of different linker lengths between galactose and a hepatocyte-targeted polymer on transfection efficiency were studied. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that polymers with terbium chelated in their repeat units could potentially be used for Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) studies to monitor pDNA release from the polymer. Much of the work in this dissertation focuses on elucidating the intracellular mechanisms of linear poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) and how it compares to poly(L-tartaramidopentaethylenetetramine) (T4) and poly(galactaramidopentaethylenetetramine) (G4), two poly(glycoamidoamine)s synthesized by our group. The long-term goal of this project is to develop structure-function relationships between polymers and pDNA delivery efficacy that will result in the rational design of safe, efficient vehicles for therapeutic nucleic acid delivery. Many polymers used as DNA delivery vehicles display high cytotoxicity. Often, the polymers with the highest transfection efficiency are the most toxic, as demonstrated herein by PEI and T4 with varying polymer lengths. Therefore, it was of interest to study how polymer structure influences mechanisms of cytotoxicity. To this end, studies on several mechanisms of cytotoxicity, including nuclear envelope permeabilization, were conducted. Longer polymers induced more cytotoxic responses than shorter ones, and it appears that hydroxyl groups in the repeat unit of polymers play a role in polyplex formation. This research has also led us to a potential link between transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity; the polymers with the highest transfection efficiency were also the most toxic, and were also able to induce the most nuclear envelope permeability. It is possible that these polymers' ability to permeabilize the nuclear envelope is what causes their high transfection efficiency and high toxicity. In addition, flow cytometry and confocal microscopy studies revealed that polymer structure plays a role in nuclear trafficking; poly(glycoamidoamine)s G4 and T4 more dependent on intracellular machinery than PEI. This research demonstrates the impact that changes in polymer structure have on intracellular mechanisms. / Ph. D.

Cocoa beans (Theobroma cacao) are a highly concentrated source of dietary flavanols- bioactive compounds associated with the health protective properties of cocoa. Cocoa beans undergo processing steps, such as fermentation, roasting, winnowing, grinding, pressing, etc., to produce a final product with specific desirable sensory attributes. It is well established that these processing steps, specifically fermentation and roasting, result in dramatic degradation of cocoa's native flavanols, but it is possible that these processing steps may generate compounds with novel activities, potentially preserving or enhancing bioactivity. Raw unfermented cocoa beans were processed by way of a partial factorial approach to produce cocoa powders from the same batch of raw beans using various combinations of fermentation [unfermented, cool fermented (maximum 46°C), hot fermented (maximum 60°C))] and roasting [unroasted, cool roasted (120°C), hot roasted (170°C)]. To simulate cocoa fermentation in a highly controlled environment, a pilot-scale fermentation model system was employed to eliminate many external unknowns and ensure that the differences between our cocoa powders were due to our various treatments, rather than unknown factors occurring during fermentation and roasting. Low and high molecular weight fractions (8-10 kDa cutoff) were produced from cocoa powder extracts (CPE) of each treatment to quantify Maillard reaction products (MRP). A HILIC-UPLC MS/MS method was developed to more efficiently and sensitively quantify cocoa flavanols with high degrees of polymerization (DP) produced during processing. Overall, cocoa processing significantly (p<0.05) decreased the total phenolic and total flavanol concentrations of CPEs. Hot roasting had the greatest impact on native flavanol degradation yet produced CPEs with the highest mean degree of polymerization (mDP). All CPEs dose-dependently inhibited α-glucosidase enzyme activity, with cool fermented/cool roasted cocoa powder exhibiting the best inhibition (IC50 of 62.2 µg/mL). Increasing flavanol mDP was correlated with decreasing IC50 values, suggesting that the complex flavanols produced during processing enhance cocoa's bioactivity (or their production is associated with other products that enhance bioactivity). Alternatively, high molecular weight CPE fractions were correlated with increasing IC50 values, suggesting that MRPs interfere with enzyme inhibition or are associated with other products (polyphenols, macronutrients, etc.) that interfere with enzyme inhibition. Overall, the data presented within this work indicate that the components of processed cocoa powders are promising inhibitors of α-glucosidase, despite a significant reduction in native flavanol composition induced by processing, and moreover that fermentation and roasting conditions can positively influence the bioactivity of cocoa despite losses of native flavanols. / Master of Science in Life Sciences / According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity-related chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) are the leading cause of preventable and/or premature death, with 51% of the American population predicted to be obese by 2030. Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) is a highly concentrated source of polyphenols, and these compounds have been shown to interact with and inhibit digestive enzymes responsible for carbohydrate breakdown. By inhibiting the activity of these digestive enzymes, it is possible to slow down carbohydrate absorption after a meal and ultimately reduce large spikes in blood glucose levels, being a promising strategy in the prevention and maintenance of T2D. Cocoa beans undergo processing steps to produce a final product, such as cocoa powder, and it is known that these processing steps reduce the levels of beneficial polyphenols. Yet, how this processing-induced degradation effects the health protective activities of cocoa is still widely unknown and is the focus of this work. Through highly controlled cocoa bean processing, cocoa powders of different processing conditions were produced and used to assess how various processing parameters impacted digestive enzyme activity. Overall, processing steps did reduce levels of native polyphenols. However, these losses did not demonstrate a reduction in enzyme inhibition and certain processing conditions actually enhanced digestive enzyme inhibition. This research shows promise for the potential use of processed cocoa powder as an effective strategy in the prevention and maintenance of T2D and further work must be done to understand the mechanisms behind this relationship.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第25329号 / 農博第2595号 / 新制||農||1105(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院農学研究科応用生命科学専攻 / (主査)教授 渡邊 隆司, 教授 阪井 康能, 教授 飛松 裕基 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Les lymphocytes T Vγ9Vδ2 ont été étudiées depuis les années quatre-vingt pour leurs puissantes propriétés anti-infectieuses, démontrées aussi bien in vitro que dans des modèles animaux et confirmées par de nombreuses observations cliniques.L'implication de ces cellules dans l’immunité anti-infectieuse réside dans leur reconnaissance d’une famille de molécules produites par des pathogènes intracellulaires appelées phosphoantigènes dont l’activateur naturel le plus puissant à ce jour est le HDMAPP : (E)-1-hydroxy-2-méthylbut-2-ényl 4-diphosphate.Après avoir défini et synthétisé un synthon clé, sur lequel nous avons couplé des groupements pyrophosphonate et pyrophosphoramidate, nous avons réalisé des bioisostères de la molécule HDMAPP. Nous avons également synthétisé des isomères géométriques, analogue de position et isomères cis, des dérivés carbonylés, acide et ester. La bioactivité de ces molécules a été testée in vitro et pour les plus actives in vivo. Les résultats obtenus indiquent que l'utilisation de composés bioisostères de HDMAPP peuvent représenter de nouvelles pistes prometteuses pour l'immunothérapie. / Vγ9Vδ2 T lymphocytes have been studied since the early eighties for their potent anti-infectious properties, attested both in vitro and in animal models and supported by many clinical observations. The involvement of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells in anti-infectious immunity lies in their recognition of an original family of molecules produced by intracellular pathogens so-called phosphoantigens and whose most potent natural activator to date is the HDMAPP: (E)-1-hydroxy-2-methylbut -2-enyl diphosphate.Having defined and synthesized a key intermediate on which we have linked pyrophosphonate and pyrophosphoramidate moieties, we have made bioisosters of the molecule HDMAPP. We also synthesized geometric isomers, analogue of position and cis isomers, carbonyl derivatives, acid and ester. The bioactivity of these molecules was tested in vitro and for the most active in vivo. The results indicate that the use of bioisosters compounds of HDMAPP may represent promising new leads for immunotherapy.

Orientador: Rui Seabra Ferreira Júnior / Resumo: Terapias efetivas de lesões na dura-máter representam um enorme desafio à medicina, devido à dificuldade de suturas com êxito e de vedação das meninges, aumentando os índices de mortalidade e morbidade destes pacientes. Biomateriais que possam favorecer a regeneração e impedir o extravasamento de líquido cefalorraquidiano sem produzir efeitos adversos são alvos da indústria farmacêutica. Este estudo avaliou a biocompatibilidade do Biopolimero de Fibrina (BPF) derivado de peçonha de serpente como arcabouço tridimensional para células-tronco mesenquimais (CTMs) em lesões na dura-máter de ratos wistar (Rattus norvegicus). As CTMs foram caracterizadas na quinta passagem por citometria de fluxo (ICAM, CD90, CD34, CD45, CD11b) e diferenciadas em linhagens osteogênica e adipogênica. Foram utilizados 4 grupos (n=20) de ratos Wistar machos adultos. O grupo C (controle) foi submetido à durotomia. Os grupos tratados foram submetidos à durotomia seguido de: Tratamento com Biopolimero de fibrina (BPF); células-tronco mesenquimais (CTMs); e BPF+CTMs, formado pela associação do Biopolimero de fibrina e células-tronco mesenquimais. As CTMs marcadas e associadas ao BPF foram avaliadas por imageamento da fluorescência in vivo. Os animais foram avaliados neurológica e clinicamente quanto à sensibilidade dolorosa, deiscência de pontos, infecção da ferida, consumo de alimento e água e habilidades motoras. Foram realizadas eutanásias dos animais aos 7 e 28 dias após cirurgia e coletado material pa... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Effective therapies to treat dura mater injuries represents a major challenge to medicine due to its lack of sutures with high seal properties upon meninges, increasing the rate of mortality and morbidity among these patients. Biomaterials that promotes regeneration and prevent extravasation of cerebrospinal fluid, without producing adverse effects, are targets of the pharmaceutical industry. The present study aimed to evaluate the biocompatibility of the use on Fibrin Biopolymer (FBP) derived from snake venom as tridimensional scaffold to mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) on rat’s dura mater injury. Mesenchymal stem cells characterization was performed at fifth passage by flow cytometry (ICAM, CD90, CD34, CD45, CD11b) and differentiated into osteogenic and adipogenic lineages. Four groups (n=20) os male Wistar rats were used. Group C (control) animals were submitted to durotomy only. Treatment groups were submitted to durotomy followed by: Fibrin Biopolymer (FBP); mesenchymal stem cells (MSC); and FBP+MSCs, consisting on the association between fibrin biopolymer and mesenchymal stem cells. Marked MSCs associated to FBP were evaluated through in vivo fluorescence imaging. Animals were evaluated neurologically and clinically regarding pain sensitivity, dehiscence of suture, wound infection, feeding e motor capacity parameters. Animals were euthanized at seven and 28 days after surgical procedure, and biological material was collected to histological and proteomic analysis. Protein ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Submitted by Rosivalda Pereira (mrs.pereira@ufma.br) on 2017-09-21T17:41:19Z No. of bitstreams: 1 LuanaAlves.pdf: 1633592 bytes, checksum: 785a3f9aa7f3fc08d80023603f457b39 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-21T17:41:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LuanaAlves.pdf: 1633592 bytes, checksum: 785a3f9aa7f3fc08d80023603f457b39 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-07-13 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico do Maranhão / Bioactive borate glass has presented superior results then bioactive silicate glasses, when compared its conversion rates in apatite and its potential of bioactivity. In this work, new Borate glasses with the basic 60B2O3 - 4P2O5 - 18Na2O – xCaF2 – (18-xCaO), com x = 0, 5 e 10 % wt were synthesized, and investigated the influence of CaF2 addition on bioactivity of samples in vitro, in a period of 28 days in a simulator of the body fluid (SBF). This bioactivity was investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (DRX), Raman Spectroscopy, FTIR and by the measure of pH. DRX measures, prior to immersion, presented wide bands, evidencing the amorphous structure of glasses. The results of density, thermal analysis, XRD, Raman and FTIR show that the addition of CaF2, until 10 % wt, did not cause significant changes in samples network structure. The thermal stability for all samples was calculated from DSC data and all presented values up to 120°C. The results of pH of SBF solution show increase from for 24 hours, which contributes to the dissolution of the outermost layer of the glass and the precipitation of apatite. In XRD data for 60B sample soaked in SBF for 7 days, there was formation of crystalline peaks, at 26° and 32° (2ϴ), in all measures. These peaks correspond to patterns of hydroxyapatite (HA). The XRD spectra in 60B5CaF and 60B10CaF, soaked in SBF for 7 days, presented peaks in 28°(2ϴ) corresponding to fluorapatite (FA), due to the presence of CaF2 in these glasses. Raman and FTIR measurements confirmed what was measured by XRD, showing characteristic peaks of HA and FA for all the samples. Results show that the prepared samples present potential for being used as biomaterials in biomedical applications, such as orthopedics, dentistry and tissue engineering. / Vidros boratos bioativos têm apresentado resultados superiores aos vidros silicatos bioativos, quando comparamos suas taxas de conversão em apatita e seu potencial de bioatividade. Neste trabalho sintetizamos novos vidros boratos com a composição básica 60B2O3 - 4P2O5 - 18Na2O – xCaF2 – (18-xCaO), com x = 0, 5 e 10 % em massa, e investigamos a influência da adição de CaF2 na bioatividade das amostras in vitro, em um período de 28 dias, em um simulador do fluído corporal (SBF). As medidas de DRX, antes da imersão, apresentaram bandas largas, comprovando a estrutura amorfa dos vidros. E verificou-se por meio das análises de Densidade, análise térmica, DRX, Raman e FTIR, que a adição de CaF2 até 10%, em massa, não provocou grandes mudanças estruturais na amostras. Por meio da calorimetria exploratória diferencial, determinamos a estabilidade térmica dos vidros que apresentaram valores acima de 120°C. A bioatividade foi investigada por meio das técnicas de difração de raios-X (DRX), espectroscopia Raman e FTIR, e pela medida do pH da solução SBF. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que, em 24h, houve um aumento no pH da solução SBF, o que contribui para a dissolução da camada mais externa do vidro e sua conversão em apatita. Nos difratogramas (DRX) para as amostras imersas por 7 dias, houve a formação de picos cristalinos, em 26° e 32° (2ϴ), em todas as amostras medidas. Esses picos correspondem aos padrões de hidroxiapatita. A presença de CaF2 na composição das amostras imersas por 7 dias apresentou picos em 28° (2ϴ) correspondendo a fluorapatita. A intensidade destes picos apresentou um aumento em função do tempo de imersão, durante todo período estudado. As medidas de Raman confirmaram os resultados do DRX, apresentando para todas as amostras espectros característicos da hidroxiapatita em 960 cm-1 . As amostras preparadas com CaF2 apresentaram picos em 965 cm-1 , que corresponde a fluorapatita. O FTIR confirmou os resultados apresentados no DRX e Raman, em que todas as amostras apresentaram um pico centrado em 1041 cm-1 para a hidroxiapatita e 1042 cm-1 característico para a fluorapatita. Os resultados demonstram que as amostras preparadas apresentam potencial para serem usados como biomateriais em aplicações biomédicas, como ortopedia, odontologia e engenharia de tecidos.

The purpose of lactation is for nutrient provision and also importantly for protection from various environmental stressors. Milk polar lipids reduce cholesterol, protect against bacterial infection, reduce inflammation and help maintain gut integrity. Dynamic interactions within dietary fat, lipid metabolism, gut permeability and inflammatory cytokines remain unclear in the context of obesity and systemic inflammation. A rat model and three mouse models were developed to test the hypotheses that dietary milk polar lipids may affect lipid metabolism and intestinal integrity and may protect against systemic inflammation in the context of stressful diet, systemic inflammation, and obesity. The milk polar lipids isolates had complex effects on lipid metabolism and associated gene expression in the rat model. There were complex dynamics in lipid metabolism, gut permeability and systemic inflammation at different time points in all mouse models. The milk phospholipids increased gut permeability in genetic and diet-induced obesity and during the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced inflammation. The phospholipids increased the plasma LPS level in genetic obesity and during the LPS stress. The phospholipids reduced liver mass and liver lipids in genetic obesity and during the LPS-induced inflammation. The phospholipids increased the body fat in the diet-induced obesity model. The milk gangliosides did not significantly affect gut permeability, systemic inflammation, and lipid metabolism in all three mouse models. Current estimate by the Centers for Disease Control is that about 1/3 Americans are obese (body mass index, BMI ≥ 30) and 1/3 Americans are overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30). More than 25% of Americans today have a fatty liver which could lead to further health problems. The data from this dissertation shed light on the complicated interrelationships between gut permeability, systemic inflammation, and lipid metabolism in obesity. The results contribute to our understanding of the bioactivities of milk polar lipids and provide scientific evidence for the role of milk polar lipids rich materials in affecting biological functions. The study of the influence of milk polar lipids on gut barrier integrity adds new information on understanding the mechanisms of gut leakiness and recovery. The investigation of the impact of milk polar lipids on lipid metabolism reveals new perspectives for the development of diet-induced obesity.

Cette étude porte sur le développement et la caractérisation d’un biomatériau d’ostéosynthèse bioactif, biorésorbable et présentant une tenue mécanique la plus élevée possible. Il a pour vocation de favoriser la repousse osseuse tout en remplaçant temporairement les fonctions mécaniques de l’os. Le matériau, élaboré à base d’un polyacide lactique et de verre bioactif, doit pouvoir être transformé par injection moulage de manière à obtenir des formes complexes de petites tailles telles que des vis, des ancres ou des plaques d’ostéosynthèse. Le bioverre permet au matériau de se lier facilement à l’os tandis que le polyacide lactique apporte des propriétés mécaniques essentielles pour des applications impliquant des contraintes et l’aptitude à la mise en oeuvre. Des biocomposites à base du bioverre 45S5 existent déjà mais leurs applications sont limitées du fait d’interactions bioverre/polymères partiellement incomprises qui provoquent une stabilité thermique très faible. Un contrôle systématique de la dégradation thermique des matériaux a permis d’établir la matrice polymère, le procédé d’élaboration composite et la granulométrie du bioverre optimaux pour l’obtention d’un composite de référence à base de 45S5. Par la suite, le suivi in vitro de composites élaborés à partir de nouveaux bioverres a permis de mieux comprendre l’influence de la composition des bio-verres ainsi que les interactions polymère/bioverre. Ces essais ont permis d’identifier une nouvelle formulation permettant d’allier bioactivité (formation d’hydroxyapatite au bout de 15 jours dans du SBF) et dégradation in vitro minimisée. Cette formulation a présenté des propriétés thermiques et rhéologiques similaires à celle du polymère permettant une mise en forme de petites pièces par injection moulage bien plus aisée qu’avec le composite 45S5. En outre, au bout de 4 mois d’immersion in vitro dans du PBS, les propriétés mécaniques en traction de ce matériau s’approchent de celles du polymère et sont largement supérieures à celles du composite à base de 45S5. / The elaboration and characterization of a bioresorbable and bioactive biomaterial with mechanical properties as high as possible for osteosynthesis applications is the purpose of this study. This biomaterial must promote bone healing while replacing temporarily its mechanical functions. It is made with a polylactic acid and a bioactive glass and it must be easy to process through plasturgy methods in order to obtain small complex shapes as screws, anchors or osteosynthesis plates. The bioactive glass enhances the bioactivity of the material allowing it to link with the bone and the polylactic acid brings good mechanical properties essential to the applications that imply stress support and process aptitude. Biocomposites elaborated with 45S5 bioactive glass already exist but their applications are limited because of poorly understood bioactive glass/polymer interactions implying a weak thermal stability. A systematic control of the thermal degradation of the materials allows to define the best polymer matrix, composite elaboration process and bioactive glass granulometry to obtain an optimized 45S5 composite which stands for reference composite. Then, the in vitro follow-up of composites made with new bioactive glasses enhances the comprehension of the influence of the composition of the bioac-tive glass as well as the polymer/bioactive glass interactions. Hence, a new optimal formulation was identified. This formulation showed bioactivity (hydroxyapatite formation after 15 days in SBF) and a minimized in vitro degradation. Moreover, it showed thermal and rheological properties similar to neat polymer’s, which allows the thermomanufacturing of small pieces easierly than with the 45S5 composite. Plus, after an in vitro degradation in PBS of 4 months, its tensile properties were close to polymers’ and largely superior to 45S5 composite’s.