The overall aim of this thesis is to improve knowledge about the prevention of infectious and bleeding complications in patients with hematological malignancies, primarily in those with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and myelodysplatic syndrome (MDS). Hypogammaglobulinemia, impaired production of immunoglobulins (Ig), is an established risk factor for infection, but the impact of IgG pure subclass deficiency (IgG subclass deficiency with adequate production of IgG, IgA, and IgM) has been debated. In a retrospective single institution study, we concluded that pure IgG subclass deficiency in CLL patients is rare and is not associated with an increased risk of infection. Hence, routine analysis of IgG subclasses in patients with CLL is not warranted. There is no consensus on recommending vaccination against Streptococcus pneumoniae to CLL patients mainly because comparative studies are lacking. In our randomized trial, the efficacy of a conjugated pneumococcal vaccine on immune response was superior or equal to a polysaccharide vaccine for all pneumococcal serotypes common for the two vaccines. A conjugate pneumococcal vaccine should therefore be included in vaccination programs for patients with CLL. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a well-established invasive method to identify the cause of pulmonary infiltrates in immunocompromised patients. In a retrospective trial, we have studied the diagnostic yield of BAL in patients with hematological malignancies. We concluded that BAL is highly useful in either verifying or excluding some of the important respiratory tract infections affecting these patients, particularly invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) and Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP). However, standardized procedures for BAL sampling should be continually revised to avoid unnecessary microbiological tests. Thrombocytopenia, an adverse prognostic factor in patients with MDS, can be aggravated by azacitidine, first-line treatment for high-risk MDS. Eltrombopag, a thrombopoietin-receptor agonist (TPO-R), alleviates thrombocytopenia in patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). In a phase I clinical trial, we concluded that the combination of eltrombopag and azacitidine in high-risk MDS patients with thrombocytopenia is feasible and well tolerated in doses up to 200 mg eltrombopag daily.

A Sindrome do Desconforto Respiratório Agudo (SDRA) apresenta alta taxa de mortalidade em UTI. Sua principal característica é alteração da permeabilidade da membrana alvéolo capilar, com liberação de agentes inflamatórios, disfunção de surfactantes e da aeração pulmonar, queda da complacência e dos níveis de oxigenação. Frequentemente evolui com necessidade de suporte ventilatório. Vários modelos experimentais foram propostos na tentativa de reproduzir as mesmas característica da SDRA encontradas em pacientes, porém com pouco sucesso. Tem sido difícil reproduzir modelos estáveis, e por períodos prolongados. Assim, o nosso objetivo foi validar um novo modelo de SDRA, submetido a um período de observação e estabilização de 40 horas de ventilação mecânica protetora, testando a reprodutibilidade das principais características da apresentação clínica da SDRA. Realizamos o estudo em suínos, divididos em 3 grupos : SHAM (não submetido a Lesão), LESÃO (submetido a lavagem total pulmonar e ventilação lesiva por 3 horas) e VMP40 (submetido a Lesão e 40hs de ventilação protetora segundo a estratégia ARDSNET). Observamos que os níveis de PaO2 e complacência tiveram queda significativa após a lesão mantendo esta queda ao final de 40 horas. Os níveis de citocinas IL1, IL8 e IL6 tiveram um aumento significativa logo após a lesão, mantendo aumento significativo de IL1 e IL8 nas 40 horas de observação. Os níveis de polimorfonuclear no bal também tiveram um aumento significante, mantido nas 40 horas. Uma significativa alteração da permeabilidade alveolo-capilar foi demonstrada pelo aumento de proteínas no lavado broncoalveolar, aumento da água extravascular pulmonar, e aumento da relação peso seco/úmido que foram persistentes após 40hs da estratégia protetora ARDSnet. A lesão histológica foi evindenciada pela presença de todos os componentes clássicos: membrana hialina, hemorragia alveolar, infiltrado inflamatório e edema alveolar, também mantidos por 40hs. Conclusão: O modelo desenvolvido apresentou características clínicas e fisiopatológicas similares a pacientes com SDRA grave, mantidas por um período de 40 horas de ventilação protetora, mostrando assim que este modelo pode ser utilizado para estudos de SDRA e estratégias de ventilação mecânica protetora por período prolongado / The Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) has high mortality in the ICU. Its main features comprise the disruption of the alveolo-capillary membrane with permeability alterations, release of inflammatory agents, and physiological dysfunctions like surfactant function degradation, loss of compliance and reduced PaO2 levels demanding ventilatory support. Several experimental models were developed in an attempt to simulate the same characteristics of ARDS in patients, but could not reproduce the complex, florid characteristics or the persistent damage for long periods. This study aimed to validate a new ARDS model in our laboratory, submited to an stabilization/observation period of 40 hours period of protective mechanical ventilation (according to the protective ARDSnet strategy), during which we tested the persistence of the main physiopathological characteristics of ARDS. We conducted the study in pigs divided into 3 groups : SHAM (not injured), INJURY (total lung lavage and injurious mechanical ventilation for 3hs) and MVP40 (injury protective mechanical ventilation for aditional 40hs-ARDSNET strategy). Respiratory-system compliance and PaO2 significantly decreased after injury, with a persistent drop till the end of 40hs. The levels of IL1, IL6 and IL8 cytokines presented a significant increase immediately after injury, with persistent levels of IL1 and IL8 after 40hs. Polymorphonuclear cells in the BAL were also increased after injury, with persistent levels after 40 hours. Gross alterations in the alveolo-capillary permeability were demonstrated by increased levels of proteins in the bronchoalveolar lavage, increased extravascular lung water and an increased wet/dry lung-weight ratio that remained elevated after 40hs of protective strategy. Histological injury was confirmed by visualization of hyaline membranes, frequent alveolar hemorrhage, alveolar edema and massive inflammatory infiltration. Conclusion: The proposed model reproduced the clinical and phisiopathological alterations found in patients with ARDS. The alterations persisted for at least 40hs of protective ventilation strategy. Thus, this model can be used for long term studies of ARDS and protective ventilation strategies

Pacientes com comprometimento pleural por neoplasias malignas freqüentemente apresentam derrame pleural recidivante. Nestes casos, a sínfise das membranas pleurais (pleurodese) com a finalidade de evitar o acúmulo de líquido no espaço pleural deve ser considerada. O talco é o agente mais utilizado indicado para essa finalidade. Entretanto, seu uso terapêutico continua controverso devido aos efeitos deletérios que podem advir de sua utilização. O mais grave entre todos é a insuficiência respiratória aguda, que pode evoluir para a síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo (SDRA). Essa complicação pode estar relacionada com a composição, com o tamanho das partículas de talco e com a resposta inflamatória desencadeada pelas mesmas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos pulmonares e sistêmicos em resposta à injeção intrapleural (IIP) de talco de partículas pequenas (TP) e de partículas de tamanhos diversos (TM). Cem coelhos foram submetidos à IIP com talco. Metade dos animais foi injetada com TP (diâmetro médio= 6,41 mm) e outra metade com TM (diâmetro médio= 21,15 mm), que é o talco usado na prática clínica. Quinze coelhos compuseram o grupo controle. Foram avaliados a celularidade, os níveis de desidrogenase lática (DHL), proteína C reativa (PCR), interleucina-8 (IL-8) e fator de crescimento endotelial vascular (VEGF) no sangue e no lavado broncoalveolar (LBA) às 6, 24, 48, 72 e 96 horas após a IIP. Realizou-se também a quantificação de partículas de talco e a análise histológica dos pulmões. Utilizamos o teste t e Anova na análise estatística, considerando p< 0,05 como significância estatística. A maioria dos parâmetros avaliados apresentou níveis mais elevados no sangue e no LBA dos animais injetados com TP ou TM quando comparados ao grupo controle, sugerindo uma resposta sistêmica e pulmonar à IIP de talco. Com relação aos grupos de talco, os níveis de PCR e de IL-8 apresentaram-se mais elevados no sangue e no LBA dos animais injetados com TP. Partículas de talco foram observadas em todas as lâminas examinadas, sem diferenças significativas entre os grupos. Os pulmões dos animais injetados com TP apresentaram infiltrado linfomononuclear mais exuberante que no grupo TM. A resposta inflamatória pulmonar antecedeu (24 h) a resposta sistêmica (48 h), sugerindo que o pulmão é o principal órgão da resposta sistêmica aguda. Estes achados estudo nos permitem concluir que o talco calibrado com partículas maiores deva ser utilizado na prática clínica, objetivando uma pleurodese mais segura. / Talc has been the pleurodesis agent of choice for the local treatment of recurrent pleural diseases. However, serious concerns exist about its safety. The acute respiratory failure is considered its most serious complication. The physiopathologic mechanisms involved are still unclear. It has been attributed to the systemic dissemination of small talc particles, to the composition of talc and to the inflammatory response. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the systemic and pulmonary response following intrapleural instillation of small particles talc (ST) and mixed particles talc (MT). One hundred rabbits received intrapleural instillation of talc as follows: fifty rabbits were instilled with ST (mean diameter=6,41 microns), and 50 rabbits with MT (mean diameter= 21,15 microns). As control (without talc instillation) were used 15 animals. We studied the pulmonary and systemic inflammatory response (total cell count and differential, levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LD), C-reactive protein (PCR), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Histologic analysis of both lungs and quantitation of talc particles were done at 6, 24, 48, 72 and 96h. ST group showed higher pulmonary and systemic inflammatory response than did the MT group. PCR and IL-8 concentrations were higher in serum and BAL of ST group than the MT group. Many talc particles were observed in the pulmonary tissue of both talc groups, but without statistical significance. We also observed a predominance of cellular infiltrates (lymphomononuclear cells) in the lungs of ST group. The pulmonary inflammatory response (increased IL-8 in BAL) was earlier (24h) than the systemic inflammatory response (48 h). These observations suggest that the main organ in the systemic inflammatory acute response is lung. So, we recommend the clinical use of mixed talc without small particles to induce safety pleurodesis.

Os modelos experimentais têm sido utilizados para o estudo dos mecanismos fisiopatológicos envolvidos no desenvolvimento da Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica (DPOC). O modelo que melhor mimetiza a doença em humanos é o que utiliza a exposição à fumaça de cigarro. No entanto, a utilização deste modelo experimental requer um longo tempo de exposição (6 meses) e a lesão do parênquima obtida é considerada leve. O desequilíbrio protease/anti-protease é considerado um importante mecanismo fisiopatológico envolvido no desenvolvimento da DPOC. Desta forma, neste estudo propomos o desenvolvimento de um modelo experimental no qual associamos a instilação de elastase previamente ao início da exposição ao fumo na tentativa de obter um maior grau de lesão tecidual em um menor espaço de tempo. Para tanto, camundongos C57Bl/6 foram divididos em quatro grupos: Controle, Elastase, Fumo, Fumo/Elastase 1 dose e Fumo/Elastase 2 doses e analisados após dois meses de exposição. Os animais do grupo Fumo/Elastase 1 dose e 2 doses foram submetidos à instilação intranasal de elastase pancreática de porco (0,33UI) e expostos a fumaça de cigarro por dois meses. O grupo controle recebeu o mesmo tratamento com solução fisiológica (NaCl 0.9%). A exposição ao fumo foi feita por 30min, 2 vezes/dia, 5 dias da semana. Após dois meses, os animais foram sacrificados e observamos aumento de LM no grupo Fumo/Elastase 1 dose e 2 doses comparado aos grupos Controle e Fumo; aumento de células positivas para MAC-2 no parênquima (Fumo/Elastase 2 doses) e vias aéreas (Fumo/Elastase 1 dose e 2 doses), MMP-12 no parênquima pulmonar (Fumo/Elastase 2 doses), GP91 no parênquima (Fumo/Elastase 1 dose e 2 doses) e vias aéreas (Fumo e Fumo/Elastase 1 dose) e aumento de proporção de fibras elásticas no parênquima pulmonar do grupo Fumo/Elastase 1 dose e do grupo Fumo, caracterizando presença de enfisema pulmonar. A instilação de elastase pancreática de porco juntamente com a exposição à fumaça de cigarro aumentou a susceptibilidade ao desenvolvimento do enfisema / Experimental models have been used to study the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the development of COPD. Cigarette Smoke exposure (CS) is considered the best model to mimetize the disease in humans. However, the CS requires a long exposure time (6 months) and the parenchymal destruction obtained is considered mild. The protease / anti - protease imbalance is considered an important pathophysiological mechanism involved in the development of COPD. Thus, in this study we propose the development of an experimental model in which we associate instillation of elastase before the start of exposure to smoke, trying to increase the parenchymal destruction degree in a shorter time. For that, C57BL / 6 mice were divided into four groups: Control, Elastase, Smoke and Smoke/Elastase 1 dose and Smoke/Elastase 2 doses and analyzed in two months after the CS exposition. The Smoke/Elastase 1 dose and 2 doses animals group received an intranasal instillation of porcine pancreatic elastase (0.33 IU) and exposed to cigarette smoke for two months. The control group received the same treatment with saline (NaCl 0.9 %). Animals were exposed to CS for 30min, 2 times / day, 5 days a week. After two months, we observed increased mean linear intercept (LM) and positive cells for MAC-2, MMP-12 and GP91 in the airways and lung parenchyma and increase of elastic fibers in the lung parenchyma characterizing the presence of pulmonary emphysema. The instillation of porcine pancreatic elastase along the exposure to cigarette smoke increased susceptibility to the development of emphysema

A Sindrome do Desconforto Respiratório Agudo (SDRA) apresenta alta taxa de mortalidade em UTI. Sua principal característica é alteração da permeabilidade da membrana alvéolo capilar, com liberação de agentes inflamatórios, disfunção de surfactantes e da aeração pulmonar, queda da complacência e dos níveis de oxigenação. Frequentemente evolui com necessidade de suporte ventilatório. Vários modelos experimentais foram propostos na tentativa de reproduzir as mesmas característica da SDRA encontradas em pacientes, porém com pouco sucesso. Tem sido difícil reproduzir modelos estáveis, e por períodos prolongados. Assim, o nosso objetivo foi validar um novo modelo de SDRA, submetido a um período de observação e estabilização de 40 horas de ventilação mecânica protetora, testando a reprodutibilidade das principais características da apresentação clínica da SDRA. Realizamos o estudo em suínos, divididos em 3 grupos : SHAM (não submetido a Lesão), LESÃO (submetido a lavagem total pulmonar e ventilação lesiva por 3 horas) e VMP40 (submetido a Lesão e 40hs de ventilação protetora segundo a estratégia ARDSNET). Observamos que os níveis de PaO2 e complacência tiveram queda significativa após a lesão mantendo esta queda ao final de 40 horas. Os níveis de citocinas IL1, IL8 e IL6 tiveram um aumento significativa logo após a lesão, mantendo aumento significativo de IL1 e IL8 nas 40 horas de observação. Os níveis de polimorfonuclear no bal também tiveram um aumento significante, mantido nas 40 horas. Uma significativa alteração da permeabilidade alveolo-capilar foi demonstrada pelo aumento de proteínas no lavado broncoalveolar, aumento da água extravascular pulmonar, e aumento da relação peso seco/úmido que foram persistentes após 40hs da estratégia protetora ARDSnet. A lesão histológica foi evindenciada pela presença de todos os componentes clássicos: membrana hialina, hemorragia alveolar, infiltrado inflamatório e edema alveolar, também mantidos por 40hs. Conclusão: O modelo desenvolvido apresentou características clínicas e fisiopatológicas similares a pacientes com SDRA grave, mantidas por um período de 40 horas de ventilação protetora, mostrando assim que este modelo pode ser utilizado para estudos de SDRA e estratégias de ventilação mecânica protetora por período prolongado / The Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) has high mortality in the ICU. Its main features comprise the disruption of the alveolo-capillary membrane with permeability alterations, release of inflammatory agents, and physiological dysfunctions like surfactant function degradation, loss of compliance and reduced PaO2 levels demanding ventilatory support. Several experimental models were developed in an attempt to simulate the same characteristics of ARDS in patients, but could not reproduce the complex, florid characteristics or the persistent damage for long periods. This study aimed to validate a new ARDS model in our laboratory, submited to an stabilization/observation period of 40 hours period of protective mechanical ventilation (according to the protective ARDSnet strategy), during which we tested the persistence of the main physiopathological characteristics of ARDS. We conducted the study in pigs divided into 3 groups : SHAM (not injured), INJURY (total lung lavage and injurious mechanical ventilation for 3hs) and MVP40 (injury protective mechanical ventilation for aditional 40hs-ARDSNET strategy). Respiratory-system compliance and PaO2 significantly decreased after injury, with a persistent drop till the end of 40hs. The levels of IL1, IL6 and IL8 cytokines presented a significant increase immediately after injury, with persistent levels of IL1 and IL8 after 40hs. Polymorphonuclear cells in the BAL were also increased after injury, with persistent levels after 40 hours. Gross alterations in the alveolo-capillary permeability were demonstrated by increased levels of proteins in the bronchoalveolar lavage, increased extravascular lung water and an increased wet/dry lung-weight ratio that remained elevated after 40hs of protective strategy. Histological injury was confirmed by visualization of hyaline membranes, frequent alveolar hemorrhage, alveolar edema and massive inflammatory infiltration. Conclusion: The proposed model reproduced the clinical and phisiopathological alterations found in patients with ARDS. The alterations persisted for at least 40hs of protective ventilation strategy. Thus, this model can be used for long term studies of ARDS and protective ventilation strategies

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by a non-fully reversible airflow limitation and a chronic inflammatory response accompanied by the development of emphysema. The β2-adrenoceptor agonists and anticholinergic agents are widely used in patients with COPD due to their bronchodilator properties. Today, many studies in vitro and in vivo in experimental animal models have shown that these bronchodilators also exert anti-inflammatory effects, but their protective roles against lung inflammation and the development of emphysema in patients with COPD remain to be determined. The imbalance between the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their specific tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) is considered to play a key role in the pathogenesis of COPD, especially in the development of pulmonary emphysema. The modulation of inflammatory responses and emphysema via the inhibition of the MMPs activity induced by the use of synthetic inhibitors of MMPs suggests that MMPs may be therapeutic targets for COPD patients. However, very few studies have demonstrated the regulation exerted by β2-adrenoceptor agonists and anticholinergic agents on the activity of MMPs. The combination of β2-adrenoceptor agonists with anticholinergic agents has been found to exert an additive and even synergistic bronchodilator effect, but nothing is known about their combination on the inflammatory pathogenesis and the development of emphysema. Thus, a better knowledge of the activities of β2-adrenoceptor agonists and anticholinergic agents on controlling pulmonary inflammation and emphysema in COPD could provide a new therapeutic approach in this area. The first goal of the present work was to investigate the effects of formoterol, a β2-adrenoceptor agonist and/or ipratropium bromide, an anticholinergic agent, on acute pulmonary inflammation induced by cadmium inhalation in rats. In addition, we examined whether the expected anti-inflammatory effects of formoterol and/or of ipratropium bromide were associated with a modulation of the gelatinase A (MMP-2), gelatinase B (MMP-9) and macrophage metalloelastase (MMP-12) activity. Compared with the data observed in rats exposed to a single dose of cadmium, the pre-administration of formoterol or ipratropium bromide inhibited the cadmium-induced increase in airway resistance. Formoterol significantly reduced the total cell, neutrophil and macrophage counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), whereas, ipratropium bromide only reduced the neutrophil number. Both bronchodilators administrated alone attenuated significantly the lung lesions associated with parenchyma inflammatory cell influx and congestion observed in cadmium-group. The increased MMP-9 activity was significantly attenuated. A reduction of pulmonary edema was also detected by measuring the lung wet-to-dry weight ratio. However, no additive or synergistic effect was obtained when formoterol was administrated in combination with ipratropium bromide. In conclusion, formoterol and ipratropium bromide partially protect the lungs against inflammation by reducing the neutrophilic infiltration. This protective effect may be related to the reduction of MMP-9 activity which plays an important role in the acute inflammation. Up to now, the impact of a long-term administration of bronchodilators aiming to control the chronic inflammation and the development of emphysema in experimental animal models and in patients with COPD has been poorly investigated. In this context, it was rational to investigate whether the protective role of formoterol and ipratropium bromide identified in acute conditions persists in a rat model of subacute neutrophilic pulmonary inflammation with an enlargement of airspaces. In the second part of this study, we also intended to determine whether these anti-inflammatory effects are related to the modulation of imbalance between MMPs and TIMPs. Though ipratropium induced no effect on the subacute pulmonary inflammation and the airspace enlargement induced by repeated cadmium inhalations during 5 weeks in rats, formoterol elicited marked anti-inflammatory effects on the increase of total cell and neutrophil counts as well as the activity of MMP-9 mainly expressed in alveolar macrophages and epithelial cells. This drug also prevented the inflammatory infiltration in alveoli and in interstitial tissue and significantly inhibited the airspace enlargement as demonstrated by the significant decrease in the mean linear intercept (Lm). The combination of both bronchodilators at inefficient concentrations induced synergistic inhibitory effects on the total cell and neutrophil counts and on the cadmium-induced increased Lm associated with a reduction of MMP-9 activity in BALF. These data suggest that formoterol alone or combined with ipratropium could protect lungs against subacute pulmonary inflammation and the airspace enlargement by inhibiting neutrophilic infiltration via the reduction of MMP-9 activity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report which reveals the anti-inflammatory effects of β2-adrenoceptor agonists and anticholinergic agents in an animal model which mimics the main features of COPD. The data obtained in this work contribute to identify new therapeutic targets in COPD for drugs currently used in clinical practice./ La broncho-pneumopathie chronique obstructive (BPCO) est caractérisée essentiellement par une limitation du débit aérien qui n'est pas entièrement réversible et une inflammation chronique pulmonaire accompagnée dun développement demphysème. Les agonistes β2-adrénergiques et les anticholinergiques sont largement utilisés chez les patients atteints de BPCO en raison de leurs propriétés bronchodilatatrices. Aujourdhui, de nombreuses études expérimentales in vitro et in vivo, utilisant des modèles animaux, ont montré que ces bronchodilatateurs exerçaient également des effets anti-inflammatoires. Leur rôle protecteur contre linflammation pulmonaire et le développement d'emphysème chez des patients souffrant de BPCO reste à déterminer. Le déséquilibre entre les métalloprotéinases de la matrice (MMPs) et leurs inhibiteurs tissulaires (TIMPs) est considéré comme un mécanisme clé dans lévolution de la maladie et surtout dans le développement d'emphysème pulmonaire. La modulation des réactions inflammatoires et de lemphysème obtenue grâce à la réduction de lactivité des MMPs induite par des inhibiteurs synthétiques suggère que les MMPs pourraient être des cibles thérapeutiques importantes dans le traitement de la BPCO. Mais jusquà ce jour, très peu détudes ont été consacrées à la régulation de lactivité des MMPs par les agonistes β2-adrénergiques et les anticholinergiques. Lassociation dun agoniste β2-adrénergique avec un anticholinergique donne lieu à une amplification des effets bronchodilatateurs, mais il nest pas certain que leur combinaison débouche sur des effets additifs ou synergiques sur le plan dun meilleur contrôle de la réaction inflammatoire. Ainsi, une meilleure connaissance des activités des agonistes β2-adrénergiques et des anticholinergiques visant au contrôle de l'inflammation pulmonaire et de l'emphysème dans la BPCO pourrait fournir une nouvelle approche thérapeutique dans ce domaine. Lobjectif de la première partie de ce travail était donc d'étudier les effets du formotérol, un agoniste β2-adrénergique et / ou du bromure d'ipratropium, un anticholinergique, sur l'inflammation pulmonaire aiguë provoquée par linhalation de cadmium chez le rat. En outre, nous voulions aussi vérifier si ces effets anti-inflammatoires étaient associés à une modulation de lactivité de la gélatinase A (MMP-2), de la gélatinase B (MMP-9) et de la métallo-élastase du macrophage (MMP-12). Par rapport aux effets observés chez des rats exposés à une dose de cadmium, ladministration préventive de formotérol ou de bromure dipratropium a atténué laugmentation de la résistance des voies aériennes. Le formotérol a induit une diminution significative du nombre de cellules totales, des neutrophiles et des macrophages dans le liquide de lavage broncho-alvéolaire (BALF). Par contre, le bromure dipratropium na entraîné quune diminution du nombre de neutrophiles. Les lésions pulmonaires caractérisées par de la congestion et une réaction inflammatoire du parenchyme ont été significativement inhibées par ces deux bronchodilatateurs administrés séparément. Lélévation remarquable de lactivité de MMP-9 dans le BALF a été significativement atténuée par le prétraitement au formotérol ou au bromure dipratropium. Il en est de même pour ldème pulmonaire évalué par le biais du rapport entre le poids humide et le poids sec du parenchyme. Lorsque les deux principes actifs ont été combinés et administrés préventivement à laction du cadmium, aucun effet synergique ou additif na été constaté. En conclusion, le formotérol et le bromure dipratropium préviennent partiellement linflammation pulmonaire aiguë en réduisant linfiltration neutrophilique du parenchyme pulmonaire faisant suite à une exposition aiguë au cadmium. Cet effet protecteur pourrait être lié à une réduction de lactivité de MMP-9 qui joue un rôle pro-inflammatoire important dans linflammation aiguë. Jusquici, les effets potentiels des bronchodilatateurs contre linflammation chronique et lévolution de lemphysème pulmonaire chez des animaux et chez les patients atteints de BPCO restent mal connus. Il nous restait donc à vérifier si les effets protecteurs du formotérol et du bromure dipratropium révélés par nos premières études au cours desquelles les rats ont été exposés de manière aiguë au cadmium persistent dans un modèle dinflammation pulmonaire subaiguë accompagnée dun élargissement des espaces aériens. Nous voulions également déterminer si ces effets étaient liés à la modulation du déséquilibre entre les MMP-2/9/12 et les TIMP-1/2. Bien que le bromure dipratropium nait aucun effet sur linflammation subaiguë pulmonaire et lélargissement des espaces aériens induits par des inhalations répétées de cadmium chez le rat, le prétraitement par du formotérol a, quant à lui, inhibé significativement laugmentation du nombre de cellules totales et des neutrophiles ainsi que de lactivité de MMP-9 exprimée principalement dans les macrophages et les cellules épithéliales alvéolaires. En outre, une atténuation importante des lésions pulmonaires caractérisées par un élargissement des espaces aériens les plus distaux et une infiltration de cellules inflammatoires dans les alvéoles et le tissu ont été observées. La combinaison des deux bronchodilatateurs, à des concentrations pourtant inefficaces, a provoqué un effet synergique sur la plupart des paramètres étudiés, en particulier sur linfiltration par les neutrophiles et lactivité de MMP-9 dans le BALF. Ce travail suggère que le formotérol, seul ou combiné avec le bromure dipratropium, pourrait protéger partiellement les poumons contre linflammation pulmonaire et lélargissement des espaces aériens en réduisant l'infiltration neutrophilique éventuellement via l'inhibition de lactivité de MMP-9. A notre connaissance, il sagit du premier rapport montrant les effets anti-inflammatoires des agonistes β2-adrénergiques et des anticholinergiques dans un modèle animal mimant les principales caractéristiques physiopathologiques de la BPCO. Les données obtenues dans ce travail pourraient contribuer à identifier de nouvelles cibles thérapeutiques pour cette maladie.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 2010.

Os modelos experimentais têm sido utilizados para o estudo dos mecanismos fisiopatológicos envolvidos no desenvolvimento da Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica (DPOC). O modelo que melhor mimetiza a doença em humanos é o que utiliza a exposição à fumaça de cigarro. No entanto, a utilização deste modelo experimental requer um longo tempo de exposição (6 meses) e a lesão do parênquima obtida é considerada leve. O desequilíbrio protease/anti-protease é considerado um importante mecanismo fisiopatológico envolvido no desenvolvimento da DPOC. Desta forma, neste estudo propomos o desenvolvimento de um modelo experimental no qual associamos a instilação de elastase previamente ao início da exposição ao fumo na tentativa de obter um maior grau de lesão tecidual em um menor espaço de tempo. Para tanto, camundongos C57Bl/6 foram divididos em quatro grupos: Controle, Elastase, Fumo, Fumo/Elastase 1 dose e Fumo/Elastase 2 doses e analisados após dois meses de exposição. Os animais do grupo Fumo/Elastase 1 dose e 2 doses foram submetidos à instilação intranasal de elastase pancreática de porco (0,33UI) e expostos a fumaça de cigarro por dois meses. O grupo controle recebeu o mesmo tratamento com solução fisiológica (NaCl 0.9%). A exposição ao fumo foi feita por 30min, 2 vezes/dia, 5 dias da semana. Após dois meses, os animais foram sacrificados e observamos aumento de LM no grupo Fumo/Elastase 1 dose e 2 doses comparado aos grupos Controle e Fumo; aumento de células positivas para MAC-2 no parênquima (Fumo/Elastase 2 doses) e vias aéreas (Fumo/Elastase 1 dose e 2 doses), MMP-12 no parênquima pulmonar (Fumo/Elastase 2 doses), GP91 no parênquima (Fumo/Elastase 1 dose e 2 doses) e vias aéreas (Fumo e Fumo/Elastase 1 dose) e aumento de proporção de fibras elásticas no parênquima pulmonar do grupo Fumo/Elastase 1 dose e do grupo Fumo, caracterizando presença de enfisema pulmonar. A instilação de elastase pancreática de porco juntamente com a exposição à fumaça de cigarro aumentou a susceptibilidade ao desenvolvimento do enfisema / Experimental models have been used to study the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the development of COPD. Cigarette Smoke exposure (CS) is considered the best model to mimetize the disease in humans. However, the CS requires a long exposure time (6 months) and the parenchymal destruction obtained is considered mild. The protease / anti - protease imbalance is considered an important pathophysiological mechanism involved in the development of COPD. Thus, in this study we propose the development of an experimental model in which we associate instillation of elastase before the start of exposure to smoke, trying to increase the parenchymal destruction degree in a shorter time. For that, C57BL / 6 mice were divided into four groups: Control, Elastase, Smoke and Smoke/Elastase 1 dose and Smoke/Elastase 2 doses and analyzed in two months after the CS exposition. The Smoke/Elastase 1 dose and 2 doses animals group received an intranasal instillation of porcine pancreatic elastase (0.33 IU) and exposed to cigarette smoke for two months. The control group received the same treatment with saline (NaCl 0.9 %). Animals were exposed to CS for 30min, 2 times / day, 5 days a week. After two months, we observed increased mean linear intercept (LM) and positive cells for MAC-2, MMP-12 and GP91 in the airways and lung parenchyma and increase of elastic fibers in the lung parenchyma characterizing the presence of pulmonary emphysema. The instillation of porcine pancreatic elastase along the exposure to cigarette smoke increased susceptibility to the development of emphysema

Pacientes com comprometimento pleural por neoplasias malignas freqüentemente apresentam derrame pleural recidivante. Nestes casos, a sínfise das membranas pleurais (pleurodese) com a finalidade de evitar o acúmulo de líquido no espaço pleural deve ser considerada. O talco é o agente mais utilizado indicado para essa finalidade. Entretanto, seu uso terapêutico continua controverso devido aos efeitos deletérios que podem advir de sua utilização. O mais grave entre todos é a insuficiência respiratória aguda, que pode evoluir para a síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo (SDRA). Essa complicação pode estar relacionada com a composição, com o tamanho das partículas de talco e com a resposta inflamatória desencadeada pelas mesmas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos pulmonares e sistêmicos em resposta à injeção intrapleural (IIP) de talco de partículas pequenas (TP) e de partículas de tamanhos diversos (TM). Cem coelhos foram submetidos à IIP com talco. Metade dos animais foi injetada com TP (diâmetro médio= 6,41 mm) e outra metade com TM (diâmetro médio= 21,15 mm), que é o talco usado na prática clínica. Quinze coelhos compuseram o grupo controle. Foram avaliados a celularidade, os níveis de desidrogenase lática (DHL), proteína C reativa (PCR), interleucina-8 (IL-8) e fator de crescimento endotelial vascular (VEGF) no sangue e no lavado broncoalveolar (LBA) às 6, 24, 48, 72 e 96 horas após a IIP. Realizou-se também a quantificação de partículas de talco e a análise histológica dos pulmões. Utilizamos o teste t e Anova na análise estatística, considerando p< 0,05 como significância estatística. A maioria dos parâmetros avaliados apresentou níveis mais elevados no sangue e no LBA dos animais injetados com TP ou TM quando comparados ao grupo controle, sugerindo uma resposta sistêmica e pulmonar à IIP de talco. Com relação aos grupos de talco, os níveis de PCR e de IL-8 apresentaram-se mais elevados no sangue e no LBA dos animais injetados com TP. Partículas de talco foram observadas em todas as lâminas examinadas, sem diferenças significativas entre os grupos. Os pulmões dos animais injetados com TP apresentaram infiltrado linfomononuclear mais exuberante que no grupo TM. A resposta inflamatória pulmonar antecedeu (24 h) a resposta sistêmica (48 h), sugerindo que o pulmão é o principal órgão da resposta sistêmica aguda. Estes achados estudo nos permitem concluir que o talco calibrado com partículas maiores deva ser utilizado na prática clínica, objetivando uma pleurodese mais segura. / Talc has been the pleurodesis agent of choice for the local treatment of recurrent pleural diseases. However, serious concerns exist about its safety. The acute respiratory failure is considered its most serious complication. The physiopathologic mechanisms involved are still unclear. It has been attributed to the systemic dissemination of small talc particles, to the composition of talc and to the inflammatory response. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the systemic and pulmonary response following intrapleural instillation of small particles talc (ST) and mixed particles talc (MT). One hundred rabbits received intrapleural instillation of talc as follows: fifty rabbits were instilled with ST (mean diameter=6,41 microns), and 50 rabbits with MT (mean diameter= 21,15 microns). As control (without talc instillation) were used 15 animals. We studied the pulmonary and systemic inflammatory response (total cell count and differential, levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LD), C-reactive protein (PCR), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Histologic analysis of both lungs and quantitation of talc particles were done at 6, 24, 48, 72 and 96h. ST group showed higher pulmonary and systemic inflammatory response than did the MT group. PCR and IL-8 concentrations were higher in serum and BAL of ST group than the MT group. Many talc particles were observed in the pulmonary tissue of both talc groups, but without statistical significance. We also observed a predominance of cellular infiltrates (lymphomononuclear cells) in the lungs of ST group. The pulmonary inflammatory response (increased IL-8 in BAL) was earlier (24h) than the systemic inflammatory response (48 h). These observations suggest that the main organ in the systemic inflammatory acute response is lung. So, we recommend the clinical use of mixed talc without small particles to induce safety pleurodesis.

Le développement d’une nouvelle sonde dite « activity-based probe » pour réaliser la détection de formes actives de protéases appartenant à la famille des protéases à zinc de la matrice (MMP) a été réalisé dans ce travail, en partant d’un inhibiteur phosphinique puissant des MMP dans lequel a été introduit un groupement photoactivable de type diazérine. Ce composé se révèle un inhibiteur puissant de plusieurs MMP avec des affinités nanomolaires. Ce composé incubé avec différentes MMP est par ailleurs capables de modifier de façon covalente un grand nombre de MMP au niveau de leur site actif, avec des rendements de modification variant de plus de 50% à 11%, selon la nature des MMP. En ayant choisi comme moyen de détection la radioactivité, nous démontrons qu’avec cette nouvelle sonde qu’il est possible de détecter des formes actives de MMP avec des sensibilités de l’ordre de la femtomole dans des systèmes modèles de protéomes complexes. Appliquée à l’analyse de lavages broncho alvéolaires de souris traitées par voie pulmonaire avec des nanoparticules pour induire une réponse inflammatoire, cette nouvelle sonde permet de mettre en évidence la présence de formes actives du domaine catalytique de la MMP-12, une métalloprotéase à zinc exprimée par les macrophages, mais pas dans les animaux contrôles. En revanche l’analyse de carotides humaines de patients souffrant d’athérosclérose ne nous pas conduit avec cette sonde à la détection de formes actives de MMP. Malgré ce résultat, il est à noter que la détection de forme active de MMP dans un fluide pathologique est une première dans ce domaine. Cette sonde étant validée pour sa capacité à détecter des formes actives de MMP, elle permettra dans l’avenir de tester d’autres fluides pathologiques d’origine humaine ou bien des extraits de tissu comme des tumeurs pour lesquels les MMP pourraient être des marqueurs de ces pathologies. / A new activity-based probe able to covalently modify the active site of proteases belonging to the matrix metalloprotease family (MMPs) has been developed in this thesis project. The probe was shown to behave as potent inhibitor of several MMPs, with nanomolar Ki values. This probe was also able to modify specifically only the free active site of MMPs, with particular high yields of cross-linking varying from 50 % to 11 %, depending of the MMPs tested. Using radioactivity as means of detection, this probe was able to detect active form of MMPs with a threshold of 1 femtomole. Applied to the study of bronchoalvelolar fluids (BAL) from mice exposed to nanoparticles by a lung aspiration protocol, this probe revealed the presence of the catalytic domain of MMP-12 under its active form, but not in control animals. When used to detect active form of MMPs from extracts obtained from human arteries of patient suffering from atherosclerosis, the probe was not able to detect such MMP active forms. Despite this negative result, the detection of active form of MMP in pathological fluid like BAL has never been reported before this work. Having validated this novel MMP activity-based probe, it will be possible to use it now for detecting MMPs from other pathological fluids or tissues extracts in which MMPs can be good markers of the pathology.