Dissertation (Ph.D.)--University of South Florida, 2007. / Title from PDF of title page. Document formatted into pages; contains 168 pages. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--University of South Florida, 2007. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed Sept 22, 2008). Includes bibliographical references (p. 42-45).

Orientador: Ibsen Bellini Coimbra / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-14T21:46:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Mara_CristianeSampaiode_D.pdf: 1385801 bytes, checksum: b23144f0f1856aa53731ad5cb632b9bb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo. O sangue do cordão umbilical contem células tronco mesenquimais (CTM) indiferenciadas que tem potencial condrogênico e podem ser usadas para reparo de lesão articular. Durante o processo de condrogênese, a atuação de fatores de crescimento ainda não está totalmente elucidada. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a formação de condrócitos, matriz cartilaginosa e colágeno tipo II a partir de células do sangue do cordão umbilical humano, expondo-as a quatro diferentes fatores de crescimento: TGF-ß3, IGF-1, BMP-2 e BMP-6 e cultivando-as em micromass e monolayer. Métodos: Sangue do cordão umbilical foi obtido de gestantes a termo. Células mononucleares foram separadas e colocadas em cultura, para expansão, caracterizadas por citometria de fluxo com anticorpos específicos para CTM e induzidas a diferenciação condrogênica, com TGF-ß3, IGF-1, BMP-2 e BMP-6 em micromass e monolayer. O fenótipo das células foi avaliado após 21 dias por RT-PCR e Western Blotting para identificação de Colágeno tipo II, Sox-9 e Agrecano. Resultados: As células expandidas foram caracterizadas como mesenquimais. A expressão do mRNA para colágeno tipo II e agrecano foi expresso a partir do 14º dia, nas células estimuladas com TGF-ß3, IGF-1, BMP-2 e BMP-6. O fator de transcrição SOX-9 foi expresso pelas células estimuladas com TGF-ß3, IGF-1 e BMP-2, o que mostra que estes fatores de crescimento estão associados com a condrogênese de condrócitos articulares, enquanto que a BMP-6 esta associada a condrogênese de condrócitos hipertróficos. No Western Blotting, nós encontramos colágeno tipo II em todos os grupos e a maior expressão foi observada no 14º dia nas células estimuladas com TGF-ß3 em sistema de cultura em micromass. Estes resultados mostram que o TGF-ß3 usado em micromass é o melhor fator de crescimento para promover a diferenciação e proliferação celular das células mesenquimais do sangue do cordão umbilical. Embora mais estudos sejam necessários, este fato nos aproxima de uma alternativa para transplantes autólogos. / Abstract. Umbilical cord blood contains undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with chondrogenic potential that may be used for the repair of joint damage. The role of growth factors during the process of chondrogenesis is still not entirely understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the formation of chondrocytes, cartilaginous matrix and type II collagen from human umbilical cord blood stem cells exposed to four different growth factors, TGF-ß3, IGF-1, BMP-6 and BMP-2, while being cultured as a micromass or a monolayer. Umbilical cord blood was obtained from full-term deliveries, and then mononuclear cells were separated and cultured for expansion. Afterwards, these cells were induced to chondrogenic differentiation in micromass and monolayer cultures supplemented with TGF-ß3, IGF-1, BMP-2 and BMP-6. Cellular phenotype was evaluated after 7, 14 and 21 d by RT-PCR and western blot analysis to identify type II collagen, Sox- 9 and Aggrecan. The expanded cells displayed surface antigens characteristic of mesenchymal progenitor cells and were negative for hematopoietic differentiation antigens. Type II collagen and aggrecan mRNAs were expressed from day 14 in cells stimulated with TGF-ß3, IGF-1, BMP-2 or BMP-6. The Sox-9 transcription factor was expressed in cells stimulated with TGF-ß3, IGF-1 and BMP-2, which demonstrates those are associated with chondrogenesis in joint chondrocytes while BMP-6 is associated with the chondrogenesis of hypertrophic chondrocytes. Type II collagen was demonstrated by western blotting in all groups, and the greatest expression was observed 14 d after cells were stimulated with TGF. The results of this study demonstrate that TGF-ß3 used in micromass culture is the best growth factor for promoting the proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal cells from UCB during chondrogenesis. Although more studies are needed, this approach may provide an alternative to autologous grafting. / Doutorado / Ciencias Basicas / Doutor em Clínica Médica

Orientador: Cláudia Herrera Tambeli / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-25T14:36:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Teixeira_JulianaMaia_D.pdf: 23889164 bytes, checksum: c8f281ea2cb5d4c68fb62ac535731385 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: A osteoartrite (OA) é uma doença degenerativa e progressiva, caracterizada pela degradação da cartilagem que reveste as extremidades ósseas e inflamação da membrana sinovial, causando incapacidade física, inchaço articular e dor. Embora o alívio da dor severa seja o principal objetivo no tratamento agudo, pouco se sabe sobre os mecanismos envolvidos no desenvolvimento da dor na OA. Estudos demonstram a participação do ATP (adenosina 5¿-trifosfato) em processos de hiperalgesia através da ativação dos receptores purinérgicos P2X3, P2X2/3 e P2X7. Portanto, os objetivos deste estudo foram: (1) investigar a participação dos receptores P2X3, P2X2/3 e P2X7 na hiperalgesia articular em modelo de artrite na articulação do joelho de ratos machos e fêmeas em estro e se há diferenças sexuais no efeito induzido pelos antagonistas de receptores P2X3, P2X2/3 e P2X7. (2) testar a hipótese de que a inflamação articular induzida pela carragenina aumenta a expressão do receptor P2X3 nos condrócitos da cartilagem articular da articulação do joelho de ratos. (3) verificar se o mecanismo pelo qual a ativação dos receptores P2X3, P2X2/3 e P2X7 contribui para a hiperalgesia articular depende da liberação prévia de citocinas pró-inflamatórias e da migração de neutrófilos. (4) investigar se a ativação dos receptores P2X3, P2X2/3 e P2X7 induz hiperalgesia na articulação do joelho de ratos dependente da liberação de mediadores inflamatórios. (5) testar a hipótese de que a ativação dos receptores P2X3, P2X2/3 e P2X7 contribui para a hiperalgesia articular induzida pelos mediadores inflamatórios: bradicinina, citocinas pró-inflamatórias, PGE2 e dopamina. Para os objetivos 1, 4 e 5, a hiperalgesia articular foi quantificada através do teste de Incapacitação Articular. Para o objetivo 2, foi utilizado o ensaio de imunofluorescência. Para os objetivos 3 e 4 foram utilizados os ensaios imuno-enzimáticos ELISA e MPO. Os resultados demonstram que a ativação dos receptores P2X3, P2X2/3 e P2X7 pelo ATP endógeno é essencial para o desenvolvimento da hiperalgesia articular induzida pela carragenina na articulação do joelho de ratos machos e fêmeas em estro, que são mais sensíveis do que os machos aos efeitos anti-hiperalgésicos e anti-inflamatórios induzidos pelo antagonista de receptor P2X7. Durante a inflamação articular induzida pela carragenina ocorre um aumento na expressão dos receptores P2X3 nos condrócitos da cartilagem articular. O papel dos receptores P2X3, P2X2/3 e P2X7 na hiperalgesia articular é mediado pela sensibilização indireta dos nociceptores aferentes primários, dependente da liberação prévia de citocinas pró-inflamatórias e da migração de neutrófilos. Além disso, a ativação dos receptores P2X3, P2X2/3 e P2X7 induz hiperalgesia articular dependente da liberação de bradicinina, aminas simpatomiméticas, prostaglandinas e citocinas pró-inflamatórias. Finalmente, a hiperalgesia articular induzida pelos mediadores inflamatórios bradicinina, PGE2 e dopamina depende da ativação de receptores P2X3 e P2X2/3, enquanto que a ativação de receptor P2X7 contribui para a hiperalgesia articular induzida pela bradicinina e dopamina. Concluindo, os resultados apresentados sugerem que os receptores P2X3, P2X2/3 e P2X7 são alvos farmacológicos interessantes para o tratamento das doenças inflamatórias articulares como a osteoartrite. Particularmente em relação ao receptor P2X7, antagonistas seletivos podem ser usados para reduzir a dor e inflamação no joelho, especialmente em mulheres / Abstract: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative and progressive disease, characterized by cartilage breakdown which covers the bone ends and by synovial membrane inflammation, causing disability, joint swelling and pain. The relief of severe pain is the main goal of the acute treatment, but little is known about the mechanisms involved in the development of pain in OA. It has been demonstrated the role of ATP (adenosine 5'-triphosphate) in processes of hyperalgesia through activation of purinergic receptors P2X3, P2X2/3 and P2X7. Therefore, the aims of this study were: (1) to investigate the role of P2X3, P2X2/3 and P2X7 receptors in articular hyperalgesia in the knee joint arthritis model in males and estrus females rats and, if so, whether there are sex differences in the effect induced by the selective P2X3, P2X2/3 and P2X7 receptors antagonists. (2) to test the hypothesis that the carrageenan-induced articular inflammation increases the expression of P2X3 receptor in chondrocytes of articular cartilage of the knee joint. (3) to verify whether the mechanism by which the P2X3, P2X2/3 and P2X7 receptors activation contributes to articular hyperalgesia depends on previous pro-inflammatory cytokines release and neutrophil migration. (4) to investigate whether the P2X3, P2X2/3 and P2X7 receptors activation induces articular hyperalgesia in the rat¿s knee joint which depends on release of inflammatory mediators. (5) to verify whether the activation of P2X3, P2X2/3 and P2X7 receptors contributes to the articular hyperalgesia induced by the inflammatory mediators bradykinin, pro-inflammatory cytokines, PGE2 and dopamine. For the aims 1, 4 and 5, the articular hyperalgesia was quantified by the rat knee joint Incapacitation Test. The immuno?uorescence method was used for the aim 2. For aims 3 and 4, the ELISA and MPO immunoenzymatic assays were used. The results demonstrate that P2X3, P2X2/3 and P2X7 receptors activation by endogenous ATP is essential for the development of carrageenan-induced articular hyperalgesia in the knee joint of male and estrus female rats, which are more sensitive than males to anti-hyperalgesic and anti-inflammatory effects induced by the P2X7 receptor antagonist. During carrageenan-induced joint inflammation occurs an increased of P2X3 receptors expression in chondrocytes of the articular cartilage. The essential role played by P2X3, P2X2/3 and P2X7 receptors in the development of articular hyperalgesia is mediated by an indirect sensitization of the primary afferent nociceptors dependent on the previous pro-inflammatory cytokines release and neutrophil migration. Moreover, the P2X3, P2X2/3 and P2X7 receptors activation induces articular hyperalgesia which depends on bradykinin, sympathomimetic amines, prostaglandins and pro-inflammatory cytokines release. Finally, the articular hyperalgesia induced by inflammatory mediators bradykinin, PGE2 and dopamine depends on the P2X3 and P2X2/3 receptors activation, while the P2X7 receptor activation contributes to the bradykinin- and dopamine-induced articular hyperalgesia. In conclusion, our results suggest that P2X3, P2X2/3 and P2X7 receptors are interesting pharmacological targets for the treatment of inflammatory joint diseases such as osteoarthritis. In particular, selective P2X7 receptor antagonists can be used to reduce inflammation and pain in the knee joint, especially in women / Doutorado / Fisiologia / Doutora em Biologia Funcional e Molecular

La dédifférentiation du chondrocyte peut être provoquée par le stress mécanique ou cytokinique ainsi que la diffusion des facteurs de croissance dans le cartilage. C’est un élément-clé de la dégradation irréversible qui accompagne l’arthrose (ostéoarthritis, OA). Notre but est de rechercher des mécanismes moléculaires susceptibles d’être des cibles thérapeutiques originales contre cette affection. Or, il a été montré récemment que la voie des récepteurs Notch est fortement exprimée dans l’OA humaine. Objectifs: Etudier le rôle de la voie de signalisation Notch /Hes1/Hey1 dans les effets de l’Interleukine-1 β (IL-1β) et du FGF2 sur la dédifférenciation in-vitro des chondrocytes. Méthodes: Des chondrocytes de cartilage articulaire humain ou murin sont mis en culture primaire, puis traités par IL-1β ou FGF2. L’expression de Notch1-R/Hes1/Hey1 est étudiée par immunocytochimie, immunoblot et q-RT-PCR. L’implication de Hes1 dans les effets de l'IL-1β et du FGF2 a été étudiée au moyen d’un siRNA spécifique anti Hes1. Résultats: En normoxie, le marquage de Notch-R1 est localisé à la membrane et dans le cytoplasme des chondrocytes, sans effet des effecteurs. Notch1-R est en revanche nucléaire en hypoxie. L’hypothèse d’un contrôle de la localisation de Notch1-R par la pO2 est confortée par l’inhibition de l’expression de la Préséniline (γ-secrétase) en hypoxie. L’étude des effets des effecteurs sur Hes1 et Hey1 a été réalisée dans les conditions classiques de culture en normoxie. Hes1 est cytoplasmique mais passe dans le noyau sous l’effet de l’IL1β ou de FGF2, suggérant la possibilité d’effets transcriptionnels. Les ARNm de Hes1 sont augmentés d’un facteur de 2,5 avec l’IL-1β et de 7-8 avec le FGF2. Hey1 est insensible à l’IL-1β mais augmente de 4-5 fois sous FGF2. Ces effets sont transcriptionnels directement pour Hes1 (DRB-) et indirectement pour Hey1 (DRB+). Ils passent par la voie NF-κB pour les deux facteurs mais en plus par p38 MAP pour le FGF2. L’induction de Hes1 est insensible au DAPT, inhibiteur de la γ-sécrétase, donc indépendant d’une activation de novo du Notch-R1. L’utilisation d’un siRNA spécifique contre Hes1 montre que l’induction de Hey1 par FGF2 dépend de Hes1 et permet de vérifier l’influence de Hes1 dans la modulation des marqueurs phénotypiques. Hes1 est impliqué dans l’induction par IL-1β de l’expression de MMP13 et ADMTS-5. Hes1 est aussi le médiateur de l’induction par le FGF2 des messagers de la MMP13 (en partie) et de l’isomère Col2A. La protéine Col2A immature est normalement absente du cartilage de souris post-natale, où Col2B est l’isoforme essentielle du collagène de type 2. A l’inverse, le cartilage de souris vieillissante réexprime Col2A, comme cela a été montré dans le cartilage arthrosique chez l’homme. Conclusion: Hes1 est le médiateur des effets d’IL-1β et du FGF2 sur la dédifférentiation in-vitro des chondrocytes (Col2A, MMP13). La voie de Hes1 apparaît donc comme une cible valide pour de nouvelles thérapeutiques contre la dégradation chondrocytaire et donc les maladies dégénératives du cartilage. / Chondrocyte dedifferentiation is a key element of irreversible cartilage degradation induced by mechanical or cytokinic stress, or growth factors, as in degenerative osteoarthritis (OA). Our goal is to search for new therapeutical targets within this process, and Notch signaling has been reported to be strongly expressed during human OA. Objectives: To investigate the involvement of the Notch1/Hes1/Hey1 pathway as mediators of interleukin 1 β (IL-1β) and FGF2 in chondrocytes in vitro. Methods: Mouse or human articular chondrocytes were established in primary culture then challenged with IL-1β or FGF2. Notch-R1, Hes1/Hey1 and chondrogenic target genes expression was monitored by immunocytochemistry, q-rt-PCR, and immunoblotting. Hes1 involvement in IL-1β/FGF2 induced gene expression was investigated with a specific siRNA against Hes1. Results: In normoxia, Notch1-R labeling remained nuclear and stable in intensity in chondrocytes, irrespective of treatment. This suggested steady-state activation of this pathway. In contrast, Notch1-R labeling was located almost exclusively at the membrane or cytoplasm of chondrocytes in hypoxia, irrespective of treatment. Notch-R1 activation may thus be, at least in part, regulated by pO2 as supported by the inhibition of γ-secretase (Presenilin1) expression in hypoxia versus normoxia. In normoxia, addition of IL1β or FGF2 to the cells induced Hes1 translocation to the nucleus, suggesting the possibility of transcriptional effects. This was associated with a transient increase of Hes1 mRNA cyclic expression with mechanistic differences between the two effectors. Hes1 mRNA was increased 2.5-fold by IL-1β and 7-8-fold by FGF2. IL-1β elicited a loss of cyclicity in Hes1 expression while FGF2 conserved the cycles, akin to the effect of serum. These effects were transcriptional and occurred through NF-κB for both effectors but only through the p38 pathway for FGF2. Hey1 expression was not modified by IL-1β, while a 4-5 fold transient increase was observed with FGF2, always posterior to the Hes1 peak. Hey induction by FGF2 was transcriptional and depended on Hes1 expression (DRB). Hes1/ Hey inductions by IL-1β or FGF2 were insensitive to DAPT, a γ-secretase inhibitor, confirming the independence from novel activation of Notch-R. Hes1 expression was silenced by a specific siRNA, showing that the FGF2-induced Hey1 expression is under Hes1 control and ascertaining the role of Hes1 in chondrocyte phenotype modulations. Hes1 mediated IL-1β induction of MMP-13 and ADAMTS-5. Hes1 also mediated FGF2 up-regulation of MMP13 (partly) and Col2A isomer expression. Col2A is normally absent in post-natal mice cartilage, Col2B being the essential isoform of Type 2 collagen. Conversely, aging mice cartilage re-expresses Col2A abundantly as shown for human OA cartilage. Conclusion: Hes1 mediates IL-1β and FGF2 modulations of dedifferentiating chondrocyte phenotype (MMP13, Col2A). Thus the Hes1 pathway appears a valid target for therapeutical research on chondrocytes dedifferentiation, hence degradative cartilage diseases.

Molecular self-assembly provides a simple and efficient route of constructing well-defined nanostructures which may serve as extra cellular matrix (ECM) mimics. This work focuses on two specific octapeptides: FEFEFKFK and FEFKFEFK (F: phenylalanine, E: glutamic acid, K: lysine) with alternating charge distribution. The peptides were shown to self-assemble in solution and form β-sheet rich nanofibres which, above a critical gelation concentration (CGC), entangle to form self-supporting hydrogels. The fibre morphology of the hydrogels was analysed using TEM and Cryo-SEM illustrating the dense fibrillar network of nanometer size fibres. Oscillatory rheology results showed that the hydrogels possesses viscoelastic properties. By varying peptide concentration and type hydrogel stiffness, viscosity, water content, fibre density and other mechanical properties were tailored to control cell interactions and subsequent tissue growth. Bovine chondrocytes were used to assess the biocompatibility of these novel scaffolds over 21 days under 2D and 3D cell culture conditions, particularly looking into cell morphology, proliferation and matrix deposition. 2D culture resulted in cell viability and collagen type I deposition. In 3D culture, the mechanically stable gel was shown to support viability, retention of cell morphology and collagen type II deposition. Subsequently, the scaffold may serve as a template for cartilage repair. In addition, this research also focused on developing novel injectable scaffold design with in situ gelation properties to encapsulate chondrocytes for cell culture applications.

No description available.

Core protein of aggrecan has a significant share on the correct function of articular cartilage. Its lack or structural failure could be the reason for the disfunction of the cartilage. The culture of chondrocytes taken from a pork articular cartilage was used for the study of aggrecan production. The monolayer culture method offers the model system which has enabled us to watch the aggrecan production into growth medium. The aggrecan synthesis was stimulated in the media with addition of L-methionin, L-serin and sodium selenite pentahydrate. Methionin and serin are antecedents of sulphur amino acid of cysteine, whose role is incredibly important for the correct function of core protein. Growth media and chondrocytes were analysed with the help of the automatic amino acids analyzer unit after acid or oxidative hydrolysis. The analyse established the amino acid representation. The main attention was paid to cysteine. The changing concentrations of this amino acid were showing if the antecedents in the addition are used for its production and, therefore, if it is possible to stimulate the production of core protein with these antecedents. The results are discussed in the conclusion of this thesis. The next step should be the detection of the concentration of synthesized aggrecan by the immunological method. Presently this method is very expensive. Therefore, the method of setting the core protein of aggrecan with the help of suitable amino acid was used for the first tests.