A hipótese do estudo é a de que a Angiotensina II (AngII) é capaz de desencadear processos inflamatórios iniciais que compõem parte dos mecanismos envolvidos na lesão vascular ou no seu progresso. Os objetivos foram avaliar a expressão de marcadores iniciais de inflamação em resposta à ação da AngII e por qual receptor (AT1 ou AT2) esta levaria à expressão destes marcadores inflamatórios. O estudo foi realizado em camundongos machos C57Bl/6J submetidos ao tratamento com doses subpressoras de AngII, bloqueadores dos receptores AT1 e AT2 e uma combinação destes. Os tempos de tratamento foram determinados através de uma curva de tempo-resposta feita com injeções de AngII. Após definição da curva temporal foram preparados 6 grupos de animais: controle, tratados AngII, Losartan, AngII+Losartan, PD123319 e AngII+PD123319. Foram feitas avaliações dos marcadores inflamatórios nos corações por imunohistoquímica para citocinas IL-1<font face=\"Symbol\">b e IL-6, TNF<font face=\"Symbol\">a, TGF-<font face=\"Symbol\">b e MCP-1, a molécula de adesão ICAM-1, e foram quantificados a IL-6 e o TNF-<font face=\"Symbol\">a séricos pela técnica ELISA. / The study hypothesis is that the angiotensin II (Ang II) is capable of triggering inflammatory processes that comprise the initial part of the mechanisms involved in vascular injury or in progress. The objectives were to evaluate the expression of early markers of inflammation in response to the action of Ang II and which receptor (AT1 and AT2) this would lead to the expression of these inflammatory markers. The study was conducted in male C57Bl/6J mice undergoing treatment with subpressor doses of AngII, blockers of AT1 and AT2 receptors and a combination thereof. Treatment times were determined using a time-response curve performed with injections of AngII. After definition of time curve were prepared six animal groups: control, treated Ang II, losartan, Ang II + losartan, PD123319 and Ang II + PD123319. Evaluations were made in the hearts of inflammatory markers by immunohistochemistry for IL-1<font face=\"Symbol\">b and IL-6, TNF<font face=\"Symbol\">a, TGF-<font face=\"Symbol\">b and MCP-1, the adhesion TNF-<font face=\"Symbol\">a serum by ELISA.

D-Frutose-1,6-difosfato (F1,6BP), um intermediário altamente energético da via glicolítica, é descrito na literatura como portador de diversas atividades farmacológicas, contudo seu mecanismo de ação ainda não fora esclarecido. Dessa forma, a possível atividade anti-inflamatória da F1,6BP sobre diferentes modelos de inflamação e sua via de ação em camundongos foram averiguadas com enfoque na inibição da produção de citocinas e na elevação dos níveis endógenos de adenosina. A hipernocicepção mecânica foi avaliada por método eletrônico de pressão crescente em patas de camundongos, o ensaio cinéticocolorimétrico de mieloperoxidase (MPO) foi utilizado na avaliação da migração leucocitária para o tecido subcutâneo plantar, e a performance motora dos animais foi determinada pelo teste rota-rod. A quantificação de citocinas foi realizada por ELISA, enquanto a quantificação de adenosina foi obtida em cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) após validação laboratorial da metodologia segundo normas protocoladas pela ANVISA. O pré-tratamento de camundongos com F1,6BP reduziu a hipernocicepção induzida por injeção intraplantar de carragenina (45%), TNF-a (40%), IL-1B (46%), KC (33%), prostaglandina E2 (41%) e dopamina (55%). O tratamento com F1,6BP, no entanto, não alterou a produção de citocinas induzidas por carragenina (TNF-a, IL-1B e KC) e nem interferiu com a migração leucocitária para a região desafiada. Por outro lado, o efeito antinociceptivo da F1,6BP foi prevenido por tratamento sistêmico e local com antagonista de receptores A1 de adenosina (DPCPX) e o tratamento com adenosina apresentou efeitos similares os do tratamento com F1,6BP, sugerindo que o efeito da F1,6BP é mediado pela ação periférica da adenosina sobre receptores A1. Endossando isso, foi constatado por meio de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência um aumento na concentração plasmática de adenosina em camundongos após administração de F1,6BP. Por conseguinte, a via de ação da F1,6BP parece ser dependente da produção de adenosina, mas não da modulação na produção de citocinas hipernociceptivas. A adenosina atua, então, perifericamente em receptores A1 inibindo a hipernocicepção, e a evidência farmacológica de que ela medeia a atividade da F1,6BP através dessa ação sobre receptores A1 foi corroborada por resultados in vivo que demonstram aumento dos níveis de adenosina decorrente da administração de F1,6BP. Em vista disso, esses resultados insinuam um possível potencial terapêutico da F1,6BP em reduzir a dor inflamatória. / D-Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (F1,6BP), a high-energy glycolytic pathway intermediate, is reported to have a many pharmacologically effect, but its underlying mechanism of action in inflammation is incompletely understood. In this study, the aim was to examine the function of F1,6BP on cytokines and adenosine. Then, the possible F1,6BP anti-inflammatory activities in different models of inflammation and its mechanism of action in mice were addressed focusing inhibition of cytokine production or adenosine production enhancement. Mechanical hypernociception (decrease in the nociceptive threshold of animals) was evaluated by the electronic pressure meter test in mice, the myeloperoxidase (MPO) kineticcolorimetric assay was used to evaluate the leukocyte migration to the subcutaneous plantar tissue of mice hind paw, and mice motor performance were evaluated on the rota-rod test. The cytokines levels were measured by ELISA. Adenosine levels were determined by high performance liquid chromatography and this experimental procedure was validated according to ANVISA for this purpose. The pretreatment of mice with F1,6BP reduced the hypernociception induced by intraplantar injection of carrageenan (45%), TNF (40%), IL-1 (46%), KC (33%), prostaglandin E2 (41%) and dopamine (55%). However, FBP treatment did not alter carrageenin-induced cytokines (TNF-, IL-1 and KC) production or the leukocyte migration to the subcutaneous plantar tissue of mice hind paw. On the other hand, the antinociceptive effect of F1,6BP was prevented by systemic and local treatment with an adenosine A1 receptor antagonist (DPCPX) and adenosine treatment presented similar effect of F1,6BP, suggesting that F1,6BP effect is mediated by peripheral adenosine acting on A1 receptors. In agreement, the present work determined by high performance liquid chromatography that D-Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate administration increased the adenosine endogenous levels in the mice plasma. Therefore, F1,6BP mechanism of action seems dependent on adenosine production but not on modulation of hypernociceptive cytokine production. In turn, adenosine acts peripherally on A1 receptor inhibiting hypernociception. The pharmacological evidence that adenosine through activation of adenosine A1 receptor mediates the antinociceptive action of F1,6BP was supported by the finding that in vivo administration of F1,6BP increases the levels of adenosine in the blood samples. Thus, suggesting the treatment with F1,6BP as a possible therapeutic approach to reduce inflammatory pain.

Lectinas consistem de um vasto grupo de proteínas de origem não-imunológica e de caráter não enzimático, que reconhecem carboidratos de modo específico e não-covalente. Além disso, essas proteínas participam de vários eventos fisiológicos e patológicos, com embriogenese, resposta imunológica, apoptose, diferenciação celular e câncer. Recentemente, foi purificada da peçonha da serpente Bothrops atrox uma lectina do tipo-C, ligante de lactose, com propriedades bioquímicas e funcionais semelhantes à de outras lectinas de serpentes do gênero, denominada Galatrox. O presente projeto teve como objetivos a investigação do envolvimento da Galatrox no processo inflamatório agudo através de experimentos in vivo e in vitro e a produção de anticorpos policlonais anti-Galatrox. A lectina isolada foi obtida através de dois processos cromatográficos, apresentando um valor final de recuperação protéica de 0,3% (mg) em relação ao conteúdo protéico da peçonha bruta. De modo interessante, a Galatrox conjugada ao fluorocromo FITC (8µg/mL) foi capaz de ligar-se a superfície de neutrófilos (91,47%±0,5650). Além disso, está proteína reconheceu a laminina imobilizada, e não a fibronectina, uma glicoproteína da matriz extracelular que contém sequencias de poli-N-acetillactosamina. Avaliando seu potencial inflamatório, Galatrox mostrou-se capaz de induzir a migração de neutrófilos humanos in vitro de forma dose-dependente, tendo máxima atividade quimiotática na concentração de 32µg/mL (41,57±3,42 neutrófilos por campo). Apesar da Galatrox induzir um discreto nível de burst oxidativo em neutrófilos humanos não primados, ela apresentou um efeito três vezes maior quando essas células foram primadas com fMLP. Esta lectina quando injetada na cavidade peritoneal de camundongos Balb/C provocou migração leucocitária, sendo que na dose (50g/cavidade) e no tempo (4 horas) ótimos ocorreu um influxo celular de 2,05x106±0,101 leucócitos/mL. Ainda, esse infiltrado celular mostrou-se, basicamentre, composto por neutrófilos. Avaliando o perfil de mediadores da resposta inflamatória nesse ensaio in vivo, nos lavados peritoneais foi indicada a liberação máxima de IL-1 e IL-6 após 4 horas de tratamento, mas não foram detectadas a presença de TNF- e óxido nitrico em qualquer tempo de resposta. Células de baços murinos tratados com Galatrox produziram as citocinas pró-inflamatórias TNF- e IFN- e não produziram IL-10 ou NO. A produção de anticorpos policlonais foi realizada por imunização de camundongos e purificação cromatografia de afinidade em colunas com Galatrox imobilizada. A monitoração por ELISA e Western blot comprovaram a produção de anticorpos da classe IgG anti-Galatrox reconhecedores da lectina em sua forma nativa e desnaturada além de suas formas monoméricas e diméricas. Em todos os ensaios biológicos que a Galatrox foi testada na presença da lactose (carboidrato ligante da Galatrox, 20 mM) ocorreram inibições significativas das atividades dessa lectina, indicando que o seu domínio de reconhecimento de carboidrato participa das funções dessa molécula. Com base nos resultados obtidos é possível sugerir que a Galatrox participe da resposta imune inata por mediar eventos biológicos da resposta inflamatória aguda. No entanto, a lectina mostrou-se como um moderado agente pró-inflamatória, quando relacionada à peçonha bruta tendo em vista a fisiopatologia inflamatória do envenenamento. O anticorpo anti-Galatrox poderá ser usado como uma importante ferramenta estudos moleculares e funcionais dessa lectina de serpente. / Lectins are proteins with no enzymatic activity and are able to bind specifically and non-covalently (reversible manner) to carbohydrates. In addition, these proteins are involved in several physiological and pathological events, as embryogenesis, immune response, cancer, and others. Galatrox, a lactose-binding protein, was purified from Bothrops atrox snake venom and partially characterized concerning its biochemical and functional properties. The present work aimed to investigate the involvement of Galatrox in the inflammatory process. In addition, was carry out the production of a polyclonal antibody against Galatrox. This lectin was purified by one chromatographic step with yield around 0.3% (w/w) of total protein from Bothrops atrox crude venom. Interestingly, Galatrox-FITC (8g/mL) binds on human neutrophil surface (91.47% ± 0.5650). Also, this lectin recognized laminin, but not fibronectin, a glycoprotein of the extracellular matrix that contains poly-N-acetyllactosamine sequences. Galatrox was able to induce human neutrophils migration in vitro in a dose-dependent manner, with maximum chemotactic activity at 32g/mL (41.57 ± 3.42 neutrophils per well). Galatrox is more efficient to induce oxidative burst on fMLP primed neutrophils rather than non-primed neutrophils. When injected into mouse peritoneal cavity, Galatrox induced dose and time-dependent leukocyte migration, with optimal effect at 50g/animal after 4 hours of the injection (2.05x106±0.101 leukocytes/mL). Galatrox also induced release of IL-1 and IL-6 up to 12 hours after injection in the peritoneal cavity. However, TNF- and NO were not detected. The treatment of splenocytes with Galatrox in vitro promotes the production of INF- and TNF-. The biological activities of Galatrox were inhibited by lactose (specific sugar, 20 mM), indicating that its recognition carbohydrate domain participates of its functions. The production of polyclonal antibody anti-Galatrox was performed by immunization of mice and purified by affinity chromatography using immobilized Galatrox resin. Gamma-globulins against Galatrox were able to recognize this lectin under native and reduced conditions, using ELISA and Western-blot, respectively. The antibody anti-Galatrox can be use as important tool to further molecular and functional characterization of this snake venom lectin. These results suggest that Galatrox is immunogenic and may participate in the acute inflammatory process, acting as a pro-inflammatory agent through its lectin property.

Submitted by isabela.moljf@hotmail.com (isabela.moljf@hotmail.com) on 2017-04-26T14:09:15Z No. of bitstreams: 1 lucianomazzoccoli.pdf: 1325202 bytes, checksum: 7054f92647dc1e9d86442d0be8eec899 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-05-12T15:47:04Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 lucianomazzoccoli.pdf: 1325202 bytes, checksum: 7054f92647dc1e9d86442d0be8eec899 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-12T15:47:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 lucianomazzoccoli.pdf: 1325202 bytes, checksum: 7054f92647dc1e9d86442d0be8eec899 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-04-29 / A talidomida é utilizada no tratamento de diversas doenças incluindo o eritema nodoso leproso (ENL), uma complicação inflamatória da Hanseníase. Contudo, apresenta atividade teratogênica severa e novos análogos podem ser usados no tratamento da doença sem apresentar este efeito colateral. Uma série de compostos diamínicos contendo duas subunidades ftalimídicas abertas foram escolhidos como análogos da talidomida. Nossos resultados mostram que compostos contendo dois grupos ftalimídicos podem ser facilmente obtidos em elevada quantidade através da condensação de anidrido ftálico ou anidrido 3-nitroftálico com diferentes diaminas comercialmente disponíveis. O efeito destes compostos na produção de TNF-α, IL-12, IL-10 e NO, e na expressão de CD80 e CD86 em células J774A.1 estimuladas com LPS/IFN-γ foi investigado. O nível de mRNA para TNF-α, IL-12, IL-10 e iNOS em J774A.1 foi analisado por RT-PCR em tempo real. Células do sangue periférico humano (PBMC) foram usadas para avaliar a produção de TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ , CXCL9 e CXCL10. A produção de citocinas foi avaliada por ELISA, a produção de NO pelo método de Griess, e a expressão de CD80, CD86, CXCL9 e CXCL10 por citometria de fluxo. As células J774A.1 foram incubadas com diferentes concentrações dos compostos (entre 1 a 880 μM) e após 1h foram estimuladas com LPS (1 μg/ml) e IFN-γ (0,4 ng/ml) por 18h. PBMC humano foi incubado de forma similar e estimulado com LPS (2 μg/ml). Três compostos inibiram de forma elevada a produção de TNF-α , IL-12 e NO, conquanto que aumentaram a produção de IL-10. Além disto, inibiram a expressão de CD80, mas não de CD86. Os resultados analisados por RT-PCR em tempo real indicaram que esses compostos atuaram em eventos pós-transcricionais. Os compostos N, N'-Di-(2-carboxi-benzoil)-1,3-propanodiamina, N, N'-Di-(2-carboxi-3-nitro-benzoil)-1,2-etilenodiamina e N, N'-Di-(2-carboxi-3-nitro-benzoil)-1,6-hexanodiamina inibiram mais a produção de TNF-α do que a talidomida (IC50 de 55 μM, 5 μM, 6,1 μM e 220 μM, respectivamente) e também tiveram efeito inibitório na produção de IFN-γ, IL-6, CXCL9 e CXCL10. Os compostos não tiveram efeito na viabilidade celular avaliada por azul de Trypan e por MTT. Este trabalho mostra a síntese e caracterização de novos análogos da talidomida, obtidos em bom rendimento utilizando metodologia simples. Nossos resultados sugerem que a potencial atividade anti-inflamatória e imunorregulatória destes compostos diamínicos apresentam potencial aplicação no tratamento de ENL e outras doenças. / Thalidomide is used to treat various diseases including erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), an inflammatory complication of leprosy. However, it has severe teratogenic activity and novel thalidomide analogues might be used to treat the disease without this severe side effect. A series of diamine compounds containing two hydrolyzed phthalimido structures were chosen as analogues of thalidomide. Our results show that compounds bearing two phthalimido units could easily be obtained in high yield by condensation of phthalic or 3-nitrophthalic anhydride with the different diamines comercially available. The effects of these compounds on production of TNF-γ, IL-12, IL-10 and NO, and on expression of CD80 and CD86 in LPS/IFN-γ stimulated J774A.1 cells were investigated. The level of TNF-, IL-12, IL-10 and iNOS mRNA in J774A.1 was analyzed by real time RT-PCR. Human peripheral blood (PBMC) was used to evaluate TNF-γ, IFN-α, CXCL9 and CXCL10 production. Cytokine production was evaluated by ELISA, NO production by the Griess assay, and CD80, CD86, CXCL9 and CXCL10 expression by cytometry. J774A.1 cells were incubated with different concentrations of the compounds (between 1 and 880 μM) and after 1h stimulated with LPS (1 μg/ml) and IFN-γ (0,4 ng/ml) for 18h. Human PBMC were similarly incubated with the compounds and stimulated by LPS (2 μg/ml). Three compounds greatly inhibited TNF-α, IL-12 and NO production while enhancing IL-10. In addition, CD80 expression was inhibited, but not CD86. The result analyzed by real time RT-PCR indicates that these compounds act in the blocking of post-transcriptional events. The compounds N, N'-Di-(2-carboxy-benzoyl)-1,3-propanediamine, N, N'-Di-(2-carboxy-3-nitro-benzoyl)-1,2-ethylenediamine e N, N'-Di-(2-carboxy-3-nitro-benzoyl)-1,6-hexanediamine inhibited TNF-α production by PBMC greater then thalidomide (IC50 de 55 μM, 5 μM, 6.1 μM and 220 μM, respectively) and also had a inhibitory effect on IFN-γ , IL-6, CXCL9 and CXCL10 production. The compounds had no effect on cell viability, evaluated by Trypan blue exclusion and MTT assay. This work describes the synthesis and characterization novel thalidomide analogues, prepared in good yields using simple methodology. Our results suggest that the potential anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity of these diamine compounds is potentially applicable in treating ENL and other diseases.

Abstract Ischemic heart disease is one of the leading cause of death in the Western world. There is convincing evidence that stem cell therapy improves cardiac function and reduces the scar formation following an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The mechanisms involved in the recovery remain partly unknown. Direct injection of stem cells into myocardium is a widely used transplantation technique though there are few details available about the behavior of cells after transplantation. A cardiac explant culture model simulating tissue stress was developed in this study to examine in detail the properties of the stem cells after their transplantation. The migration range in myocardium and the number of adherent stem cells increased with time. In vitro and in vivo studies revealed that after their administration, the stem cells became localized in the slit-like spaces, such as in the capillaries. Even though the study outcomes regarding the impact of stem cell therapy in recovery after AMI have been largely promising, the results of the clinical studies have proved to be more controversial. If one wishes to evaluate the true contribution of the stem cell therapy to the recovery, it is essential to devise a reliable study method for cell targeting. Here, iron labeled stem cells in combination with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used. The MRI data corresponded to the histological results. Thus, it is concluded that MRI is a feasible method for monitoring the effectiveness of cell targeting. Stem cell treatment was shown to increase cardiac function at three weeks after AMI. If there was a high number of stem cells in cardiac tissue after transplantation, this predicted a greater improvement in cardiac function. Improper stem cell injection may lead to leakage of the stem cells out of the myocardium, leading to unreproducible study results. Inflammation modulating factors secreted by the stem cells are considered as key mechanisms in the recovery after AMI. There were differences in the cytokine levels between the stem cell treated and control groups in a clinical and in vivo animal study i.e. stem cell therapy exerted a balancing effect on the inflammatory process, a crucial component in the optimal recovery after AMI. The present study reveals many properties of stem cells, importance of cell targeting and the influence of stem cell therapy on cytokine levels after AMI. / Tiivistelmä Iskeeminen sydänsairaus on yksi yleisimmistä kuolinsyistä länsimaissa. Tutkimusten mukaan kantasoluterapia parantaa sydämen toimintakykyä ja pienentää akuutin sydäninfarktin jälkeen sydämeen muodostuvan arpikudoksen määrää. Paranemiseen liittyvät mekanismit ovat edelleen osittain tuntemattomia. Kantasolujen ruiskutus suoraan sydämeen on paljon käytetty menetelmä, vaikka solujen käyttäytymistä ei tunneta tarkkaan.Tutkimuksessa kehitetyn kudoksen stressitilaa simuloivan sydänkudoksen kasvatusmenetelmän avulla tutkittiin siirrettyjen kantasolujen toimintaa yksityiskohtaisesti. Kantasolujen vaeltaman matkan sydänkudoksessa ja kiinnittyneiden kantasolujen lukumäärä havaittiin kasvavan ajan kuluessa. In vitro ja in vivo tutkimuksissa havaittiin kantasolujen sijaitsevan ruiskutuksen jälkeen rakomaisissa paikoissa kuten pienissä verisuonissa. Vaikka tutkimustulokset kantasoluterapian hyödyistä paranemisen suhteen ovat pääosin lupaavia, kliinisten tutkimusten tulokset ovat ristiriitaisia. Todellisen kantasoluhoidon vaikutuksen arvioimiseksi tarvitaan luotettava menetelmä varmistamaan kantasolujen hakeutuminen vaurioalueelle. Tässä tutkimuksessa rautaleimattujen kantasolujen paikantamisessa käytetty magneettikuvantaminen vastasi histologisia löydöksiä. Magneettikuvantaminen todettiin käyttökelpoiseksi menetelmäksi solujen paikallistamisessa. Kantasoluhoidon osoitettiin parantavan sydämen toimintakykyä kolme viikkoa akuutin sydäninfarktin jälkeen. Suuri kantasolumäärä sydänkudoksessa siirron jälkeen ennusti parempaa toipumista. Puutteellisesti suoritettu kantasoluruiskutus voi johtaa kantasolujen vuotamiseen pois sydänkudoksesta aiheuttaen vaihtelevuutta tutkimustuloksiin. Kantasolujen erittämiä tulehdusta sääteleviä tekijöitä pidetään tärkeimpänä mekanismina paranemisprosessissa. Tutkimus osoitti eroavaisuuksia kantasoluhoidetun ja kontrolliryhmän välillä. Kliinisessä ja koe-eläintutkimuksessa kantasolusiirrolla todettiin tulehdusreaktiota tasapainottava vaikutus, mikä on tärkeää optimaalisen sydänlihaskudoksen paranemisen kannalta akuutin sydäninfarktin jälkeen. Tutkimus toi esiin monia kantasolujen ominaisuuksia, solujen paikantamisen tärkeyden ja kantasoluhoidon vaikutuksen sytokiinipitoisuuksiin akuutin sydäninfarktin jälkeen.

Head and neck cancer is the fifth most common cancer worldwide with an estimated annual global incidence of over 500 000 cases. These malignant tumours develop in the mucosal linings of the upper respiratory tract or in the salivary glands. The most common sites are in the oral cavity and larynx. Treatment modalities comprising surgery and chemoradiotherapy have improved significantly during the last 20 years, but not the long-term survival of patients. The aim of this thesis was to study the different factors affecting tumour growth in head and neck cancer that may have clinical implications in the future. Factors involving apoptosis, cell cycle activity, inflammation, and enzyme activity were of special interest. The results of the thesis indicate that patients with malignant salivary gland tumours having the lowest level of actively replicating cells have the best prognosis. The largest amount of replicating cells in tongue cancer specimens was found in the peripheral areas of tumour nests. Metallothionein, a protein that can hinder apoptosis, was found in excess in the same areas, whereas apoptosis activity was considerably lower. Taken together, these results indicate that the most aggressive cancer cells are found in the peripheral areas of tumours where apoptosis may be hindered. The expression of the death receptor Fas was higher in tongue cancer specimens than in normal mucosa. The expression of this receptor was studied further in two cell lines established from oral cancers. When a low dose of cisplatin was added to cell cultures, the Fas expression was enhanced in both cell lines and, furthermore, the Fas-induced apoptosis was increased in one of the cell lines. The results show that a common chemotherapeutic drug given in a low, less toxic dose may enhance receptor-mediated apoptosis of cancer cells. Malignant solid tumours are often distinguished by an increased proteolytic activity resulting in invasive growth, neo-angiogenesis, and metastases. This activity is conducted by enzymes that are secreted from tumour cells, or from normal cells in the tumour microenvironment. The regulation of enzyme secretion may be mediated by cytokines, small signalling molecules also present in cancer tissue. The results of this thesis show that two cytokines can synergistically induce enzyme secretion (matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -9) from oral cancer cells. Cytokine tumour necrosis factor-alpha and hepatocyte growth factor added alone to cell cultures strongly stimulated secretion of these enzymes. Thus, the tested cytokines, which are commonly secreted by fibroblasts and immune cells, may promote tumour growth. This thesis has contributed to an increased understanding of factors affecting tumour growth in head and neck cancer. The upcoming cancer therapies will be based on the increasing knowledge of these and other aberrant cellular mechanisms that may vary between different cancer forms.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous virus of the herpes type that infects a high percentage of some populations. One of the most researched genes expressed by HCMV with close homology to human chemokine receptors is the US28 G protein-coupled receptor. Study design: This study was initiated to elucidate the intracellular signalling pathways of an inflammatory factor (IL-6) and an angiogenic factor (STAT3) triggered by the viral US28 oncogene and the presence of US28 in the HCMV viral particle. These pathways were observed by introducing the US28 gene into two human cell lines by infection with a HCMV strain that expresses the US28 gene (wild type), and two HCMV strains where the US28 gene was deleted (ÄUS28 and ÄUS28/UL33). Special attention was directed at the expression of IL-6 after promotion of the US28 gene and subsequent phosphorolation of STAT3. A new US28 antibody was validated and a method developed in an attempt to determine US28 on the viral particle. The following techniques were applied: Cell culture work, two mammalian cell lines were used, HFF’s and U373 MG. Virus stock titre determination to determine the multiplicity of infection. Protein quantitation to determine very small quantities of protein for Western blot analysis. ELISA for the quantitative determination of IL-6. Western blotting for phospho- STAT3 determination and validation of the US28 antibody. Immunocytochemistry was used for back titrations of virally infected cells. Immunofluorescence assay and use of confocal microscopic techniques was used for the location of the US28 gene in the virion and for tSTAT3 translocation to the nucleus. Conclusion: A clear increase in IL-6 secretion (495% ± 1%) was seen, and this was after only an hour in HCMV WT infected cells. From the increase in IL-6 secretion a subsequent increase in STAT3 phosphorylation was detected in the same samples. A clear link has been established between IL-6 and STAT3. A method to determine whether US28 was present in the HCMV viral particle was designed and preliminary results obtained. The results were inclusive. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Pharmacology / unrestricted

La Broncho-Pneumopathie Chronique Obstructive (BPCO) est une maladie pulmonaire inflammatoire consécutive à l'exposition chronique à la pollution atmosphérique et surtout au tabagisme dans environ 90% des cas. Cette maladie se caractérise par une obstruction des bronches due à une hypersécrétion de mucus, une hypertrophie des muscles lisses, ainsi qu’une destruction de la paroi des alvéoles respiratoires amenant le patient à l’emphysème. Le stress induit par la fumée de cigarette provoque une activation de la barrière épithéliale pulmonaire associée à une altération de la réponse immunitaire responsable d’une susceptibilité accrue aux infections pulmonaires. De ce fait, les patients atteints de cette maladie développent des exacerbations principalement liées à ces infections bactériennes en particulier à Non-Typable Haemophilus influenza (NTHi) et Streptoccocus pneumoniae (Sp).La cytokine IL-22 est un acteur très important des défenses antibactériennes et du maintien de la barrière épithéliale. Cette cytokine appartient à la grande famille de l’IL-10, et à la sous-famille des cytokines IL-20 composée de l’IL-19, l’IL-20 et l’IL-24. L’IL-22 se lie au récepteur formé par les sous-unités IL-10Rb et IL-22Ra, tandis que les cytokines IL-19, IL-20 et IL-24 utilisent deux récepteurs associant l’IL-20Rb avec l’IL-20Ra ou l’IL-22Ra. Il a été démontré que les cytokines de la famille IL-20 (IL-19, IL-20, IL-24) agissent sur la clairance bactérienne au cours d’une infection cutanée par Staphylococcus aureus (Myles et al., 2013), en inhibant la production des cytokines IL-17 et IL-22. De plus, des précédents travaux au laboratoire, ont montré un défaut de l’expression des cytokines IL-17 et IL-22 qui participaient à la susceptibilité à l’infection chez les souris atteintes de BPCO (Pichavant et al., 2015). Enfin, nos données actuelles montrent que l'exposition à la fumée de cigarette augmente l'expression des cytokines de la famille IL-20 et que l'inhibition de cette voie permet de bloquer le développement d'épisodes d'exacerbation chez des souris BPCO.L'objectif de cette thèse est de préciser le rôle des cytokines IL-20 dans la réponse à l'infection bactérienne (Sp, NTHi) tant dans un contexte physiologique qu'au cours d’un contexte mimant la BPCO. Pour cela, nous nous focaliserons sur le rôle de l’épithélium pulmonaire tant dans la production que dans la fonction de ces cytokines en contexte infectieux.Pour répondre à ces questions, nous avons analysé l’expression des cytokines IL-20 par l’épithélium pulmonaire in vitro et ex vivo dans un modèle murin mimant l’exacerbation de la BPCO ainsi que dans des biopsies pulmonaires de patients fumeurs atteints ou non de BPCO. Dans un second temps nous avons évalué la modulation par un anticorps bloquant le récepteur des cytokines IL-20 (anti-IL-20Rb) au cours de la réponse anti-infectieuse de l'épithélium dans nos modèles in vivo (souris infectées par Sp) et in vitro (cellules épithéliales de trachées murines). Nous avons en parallèle évalué l'implication des cytokines IL-20 dans la réparation épithéliale.L’ensemble des résultats acquis au cours de la thèse nous a permis de démontrer l'implication des cytokines IL-20 et de préciser leur rôle sur l’épithélium pulmonaire au cours de l'infection bactérienne ainsi que dans la pathologie de la BPCO. De plus, les résultats obtenus avec l’anticorps neutralisant anti-IL-20Rb dans ces contextes d’infections et de BPCO, font de celui-ci une potentielle piste thérapeutique pour le traitement des lésions dues à l’infection. / Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an inflammatory lung disease due to chronic exposure to air pollution and especially to cigarette smoke exposure in approximately 90% of the cases. This disease is characterized by obstruction of the bronchi due to hypersecretion of mucus, hypertrophy of the smooth muscles, and destruction of the alveolar wall leading the patient to emphysema. The stress induced by cigarette smoke exposure causes activation of resident cells including pulmonary epithelial cells and an alteration of the immune system responsible for an increased susceptibility to pulmonary infections. As a result, patients with this disease develop exacerbations especially du to Non-Typable Haemophilus influenza (NTHi) and Streptoccocus pneumoniae (Sp).The IL-22 cytokine plays a key role in antibacterial defenses and maintenance of the epithelial barrier. This cytokine belongs to the large IL-10 family, and to the IL-20 cytokine subfamily also including IL-19, IL-20 and IL-24. IL-22 binds to the receptor formed by the IL-10Rb and IL-22Ra subunits, while the IL-19, IL-20 and IL-24 cytokines binds to IL-20Rb associated with either IL-20Ra or IL-22Ra subunits. IL-20 cytokines (IL-19, IL-20, IL-24) have been shown to impair bacterial clearance during cutaneous infection with Staphylococcus aureus (Myles et al., 2013), by inhibiting the production of IL-17 and IL-22 cytokines. In addition, previous work in the laboratory showed a defect in the expression of IL-17 and IL-22 cytokines contributing to the susceptibility to infection in COPD mice (Pichavant et al., 2015). In fact, our current data show that exposure to cigarette smoke increases cytokine expression of the IL-20 family and that inhibition of this pathway blocks the development of exacerbation episodes in COPD mice.The aim of this thesis is to clarify the role of IL-20 cytokines in the response to bacterial infections (Sp, NTHi) both in a physiological context and in a context mimicking COPD. To do so, we will focus on the role of pulmonary epithelium both in the production and function of these cytokines in infectious context.To answer these questions, we analyzed the expression of IL-20 cytokines by pulmonary epithelium in vitro and ex vivo in a mouse model mimicking the COPD exacerbation as well as in pulmonary biopsies of smokers and non-smokers patients and of COPD patients. In a second step we evaluated the modulation by an IL-20 receptor blocking antibody (anti-IL-20Rb) of the anti-infectious response in our in vitro (murine tracheal epithelial cells) and in vivo models (Sp-infected mice). In parallel, we evaluated the involvement of IL-20 cytokines in the epithelial repair.All the results acquired during the thesis allowed us to demonstrate the expression of IL-20 cytokines and to demonstrate their role on the pulmonary epithelium during bacterial infection as well as in COPD. In addition, the results obtained with the anti-IL-20Rb neutralizing antibody in these contexts of infections and COPD, suggests a potential therapeutic application for respiratory infection.

No description available.

T lymphocytes are essential components of the immune system and as such are continually regulated by a variety of factors. Every step of their development, survival and function is tightly monitored to ensure their ability to recognize most foreign agents and mount adaptive immune responses during pathogenic infections, while remaining tolerant to self-antigens. Among the many factors that participate in the regulation of T cell development and function are the cytokines. Cytokines that signal through the common gamma (γс) chain and the Janus kinase 3 (Jak3) include IL-2, -4, -7, -9, -15, and -21 and have been implicated in the regulation of every stage in the life of a T cell. Therefore, it is not surprising that mutations in the γс chain or Jak3 lead to a SCID condition in humans and mice. Specifically, Jak3-deficient mice are characterized by a reduction in thymic cellularity and dysregulated T cell homeostasis. They have an expansion of memory-like CD4+ mature T cells and an almost complete absence of mature CD8+ T cells. By investigating the TCR repertoire of CD4+ T cells in the thymus and spleen of Jak3-/- mice, I deduced that the CD4+ T cell activation and expansion is TCR-specific and takes place in the periphery of the mice. After crossing Jak3-deficient mice to Bcl-2 transgenic mice I showed that the developmental block observed in Jak3-/- mice could not be rescued by the anti-apoptotic factor, despite the fact that its expression did increase, slightly, the total numbers of developing thymocytes. The enforced expression of Bcl-2 was also not sufficient to revert the dysregulation of T cell homeostasis in Jak3-/- mice. Finally, in order to further understand the role played by γс cytokines during T cell function, I investigated the ability of mature Jak3-/- CD8+ T cells to become activated and differentiate into effector cells in response to a viral infection. My results indicate that CD8+ T cells are activated and proliferate in response to a viral infection, but their survival, as well as their ability to proliferate and differentiate into effector cells are greatly impaired, resulting in the inability of Jak3-deficient mice to mount a protective response.