O lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES) é uma doença autoimune e a suscetibilidade às infecções está associada as suas anormalidades imunológicas e a sua terapia imunossupressora e citotóxica. Dentre as alterações que predispõem às infecções no LES estão anormalidades moleculares e funcionais dos neutrófilos: clearance e fagocitose ineficientes de imunocomplexos (IC) e bactérias, neutropenia, defeitos na quimiotaxia, redução do burst oxidativo e redução da expressão de receptores para IgG (Fc?R) e para complemento (CR). Além disso, os polimorfismos genéticos dos Fc?R têm sido associados com as disfunções imunes do LES. Os Fc?R são importantes mediadores das funções efetoras do neutrófilo e atuam em sinergismo com os CR (CR1 e CR3). O polimorfismo dos genes Fc?RIIA e Fc?RIIIB determina a expressão de variantes alélicas com diferenças funcionais, as quais podem influenciar as respostas biológicas e a suscetibilidade e o prognóstico das doenças infecciosas. Em particular, o alótipo Fc?RIIa-R131, tem menor afinidade para a IgG2, o que resulta em prejuízo na fagocitose mediada por esta imunoglobulina. A IgG2 é essencial contra bactérias encapsuladas e os pneumococos são responsáveis por 6-18% das infecções bacterianas no LES. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a influência dos polimorfismos genéticos dos Fc?R na fagocitose e desgranulação dos neutrófilos, associados ao polimorfismo do CR3, e à ocorrência de infecções bacterianas no LES. Os genótipos foram determinados por reações da polimerase em cadeia para os polimorfismos das variantes alélicas; a fagocitose e desgranulação foram estimuladas por IC contendo IgG (IC-IgG) e por IC-IgG e complemento (IC-IgG/SHN); a fagocitose de IC por neutrófilos e a expressão dos Fc?R e CR3 foram avaliadas por citometria de fluxo; e a desgranulação dos neutrófilos estimulada por IC foi medida pela liberação de elastase e lisozima. Os resultados mostraram: maior frequência para o genótipo R-131 no LES; associação do genótipo HNA-4a negativo para o CR3 com a suscetibilidade para o LES e associação do HNA-4a positivo com proteção; fagocitose menor em neutrófilos de pacientes com LES com genótipo HR-131 comparados aos neutrófilos do grupo controle com genótipo R-131 (IC-IgG e IC-IgG/SHN); no polimorfismo do Fc?RIIIb, a fagocitose e a lisozima foram menores em neutrófilos de pacientes com LES com genótipo HNA-1b e maior para HNA-1a/1b comparados aos controles com os respectivos genótipos (IC-IgG/SHN); a ocorrência de infecções foi mais frequentemente associada à presença do alelo R-131 e HNA-1b; nenhuma diferença foi observada para o polimorfismo HNA-4a do CR3, bem como para e elastase. Este estudo contribui para o entendimento das anormalidades nas funções dos neutrófilos no LES e para a identificação de indivíduos, cujo polimorfismo dos Fc?R e CR3 possa conferir suscetibilidade ou proteção às infecções. / Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease in which disease-related and genetic factors and immunosuppressive and cytotoxic therapies all contribute to an increased susceptibility to infections. Factors predisposing to infection include defects in chemotaxis, abnormalities in neutrophil phagocytic activity, decreased immune complex (IC) and bacteria clearance, neutropenia, reduced oxidative burst, abnormalities in the expression of Fc?R (Fc?R) and complement (CR) receptors. Recent data have provided evidence that genetic polymorphism of Fc?R is associated with immune abnormalities and risk to development of SLE. Fc?R can mediate neutrophil effector functions and play a synergistic action with CR. Fc?RIIa and Fc?RIIIb display functionally relevant genetic polymorphisms, which allelic variants can influence the biological responses and the susceptibility to and course of infectious diseases. In particular, the presence of the Fc?RIIa-R131 allotype results in lower affinity binding to IgG2, a subclass of IgG specific for encapsulated bacteria. Since pneumococci accounts for 6-18% of all bacterial infections in SLE, the R131 allele can be relevant as a risk factor for infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the Fc?R polymorphisms on the phagocytosis and degranulation of neutrophils, associated with CR3 polymorphism, and bacterial infections in SLE. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reactions for the polymorphisms of the allelic variants; the phagocytosis and the degranulation were stimulated with IC-containing IgG (IC-IgG) and IC-IgG and complement (IC-IgG/NHS); the phagocytosis of IC by neutrophils and expression of Fc?R and CR3 were evaluated by flow cytometry, and degranulation of neutrophils stimulated with IC was measured by the release of lysozyme and elastase. The results showed a higher frequency for the genotype R-131 in SLE and association of genotype HNA-4a negative for the CR3 with susceptibility to SLE and association of HNA-4a with protection; the phagocytosis was lower in neutrophils from patients with SLE with HR-131 genotype than those in neutrophils from control group with genotype R-131 (IC-IgG and IC-IgG/NHS); in the Fc?RIIIb polymorphism, the phagocytosis and lysozyme were lower in neutrophils from patients with SLE with genotype HNA-1b and higher for HNA-1a/1b than those controls with the respective genotypes (IC-IgG/NHS); the occurrence of infections was more frequently associated with the presence of the allele R-131 and HNA-1b; no difference was observed for polymorphism HNA-4a of the CR3, neither for elastase. This study can contribute for the understanding of neutrophil abnormalities in SLE and identifying genetic markers that would predict patients Who are at high risk for infections.

Os efeitos da MT-I, uma fosfolipase A2 isolada do veneno de Bothrops asper (VBa), foram avaliados em mastócitos (MC) em cultura, quanto à: i) desgranulação e liberação de prostaglandina E2 (PGE2); ii) papel da atividade catalítica na desgranulação; iii) papel da PLD, PLC, cPLA2, iPLA2, PI3K, MAPK, PKC, PTK, ERK1/2, Junk, Gαi, Gαq e do cálcio na desgranulação; iv) expressão gênica de citocinas Th1 e Th2, e v) alterações ultraestruturais em MC. Os resultados mostraram que a MT-I, em concentrações não citotóxicas, causou a desgranulação de MC. Este efeito foi parcialmente dependente da atividade catalítica e dependente da cPLA2, PLC, PLD e PI3K, mas não da iPLA2, ERK1/2, p38MAPK, PKC, MEK, Junk, Gαi e Gαq. O cálcio intra e extracelular (CRAC e LTCC) estão envolvidos neste efeito da MT-I. Ainda, a MT-I induziu a síntese e liberação da PGE2, expressão de genes de citocinas Th1 e Th2, aumento do número de vesículas citoplasmáticas e de endocitose dependente de clatrina. O VBa também causou a desgranulação de MC sugerindo que a MT-I é relevante para este efeito. / The effects of Myotoxin-I (MT-I), a phospholipase A2 (PLA2) from Bothrops asper venom (BaV) in cultured mast cells (MC) were evaluated focusing: i) degranulation and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release; ii) role of PLA2 catalytic activity in degranulation; iii) role of PLD and PLC, cPLA2 and iPLA2, PI3K, MAPK, PKC, PTK, ERK1/2, Junk, Gαi and Gαq protein and calcium in degranulation; iv) gene expression of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, and v) MC ultrastructural alterations. Results showed that MT-I, at non-cytotoxic concentrations, caused MC degranulation. This effect was partially dependent on its catalytic activity and dependent on cPLA2, PLC, PLD and PI3K, but not iPLA2, ERK1/2, p38MAPK, PKC, MEK, Junk, Gαi nor Gαq. Both intra and extracellular calcium (CRAC and LTCC) are involved in MT-I-induced degranulation. Furthermore, MT-I induced synthesis and release of PGE2, gene expression of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, increased numbers of cytoplasmic vesicles and clathrin-dependent endocytosis. BaV also caused MC degranulation suggesting that MT-I is relevant for this effect.

<p>Nitric oxide (NO) is expressed in inflammatory tissues. However, NO effects are controversial in inflammation; NO is described as acting in a dose dependent manner and possess both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties. </p><p>The present thesis explored the role of NO in relation to white blood cell (WBC) and protein system activation by foreign surfaces in simulated extracorporeal circulation (SECC) using human whole blood from volunteer donors. Three doses of NO, 40 ppm, 80 ppm and 500 ppm, were administered and an array of markers of WBC and protein activation were studied. Neutrophil degranulation was detected with myeloperoxidase (MPO), human neutrophil lipocalin (HNL) and lactoferrin (LF); eosinophil degranulation with eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil peroxidase (EPO); and basophil degranulation with histamine. Furthermore, whole blood and WBC capacity to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) were studied and cytokine release was measured with IL-1 and IL-10. Complement activation was measured with C3a and C5b-9 complex and contact system activation with FXIIa-C1INH, FXIIa-AT, FXIa-C1INH and FXIa-AT.</p><p>NO increased neutrophil degranulation at all dose levels and 80 ppm NO increased basophil degranulation; whereas, NO exerted no effect on eosinophil degranulation, WBC subset counts, cytokine release or capacity to produce ROS. In addition, while increasing both specific and azurophil degranulation with 40 ppm, 80 ppm and 500 ppm, NO reversed the classical degranulation hierarchy with 500 ppm and azurophil degranulation became predominant. Furthermore, NO effect was greater with 500 ppm than with 80 ppm, indicating a dose response effect. The lack of iNOS mRNA expression in WBC and lack of L-NAME effect on degranulation and nitrite/nitrate production, together with absent increase in nitrite/nitrate in controls, excluded autocrine or paracrine regulation of degranulation. FXIIa-AT and FXIa-AT complexes increased and became predominant during early recirculation, whereas FXIIa-C1INH and FXIa-C1INH complexes were predominant at baseline but remained unaltered, suggesting contact system inhibition predominantly via AT. C3a and C5b-C9 increased. NO had no effect on either contact or complement system activation; however, 500 ppm NO shortened active clotting time.</p><p>In conclusion, the present data suggest that NO has a direct effect on neutrophil and basophil degranulation. Recognition of NO as an enhancer of degranulation may give access to new therapeutic tools for local and systemic inflammatory therapies; whereas, the identification of increased AT mediated inhibition of FXIIa and unchanged C1INH complexes presents new possibilities for therapeutic intervention in conditions such as hereditary angioedema and heart surgery.</p>

Nitric oxide (NO) is expressed in inflammatory tissues. However, NO effects are controversial in inflammation; NO is described as acting in a dose dependent manner and possess both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties. The present thesis explored the role of NO in relation to white blood cell (WBC) and protein system activation by foreign surfaces in simulated extracorporeal circulation (SECC) using human whole blood from volunteer donors. Three doses of NO, 40 ppm, 80 ppm and 500 ppm, were administered and an array of markers of WBC and protein activation were studied. Neutrophil degranulation was detected with myeloperoxidase (MPO), human neutrophil lipocalin (HNL) and lactoferrin (LF); eosinophil degranulation with eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and eosinophil peroxidase (EPO); and basophil degranulation with histamine. Furthermore, whole blood and WBC capacity to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) were studied and cytokine release was measured with IL-1 and IL-10. Complement activation was measured with C3a and C5b-9 complex and contact system activation with FXIIa-C1INH, FXIIa-AT, FXIa-C1INH and FXIa-AT. NO increased neutrophil degranulation at all dose levels and 80 ppm NO increased basophil degranulation; whereas, NO exerted no effect on eosinophil degranulation, WBC subset counts, cytokine release or capacity to produce ROS. In addition, while increasing both specific and azurophil degranulation with 40 ppm, 80 ppm and 500 ppm, NO reversed the classical degranulation hierarchy with 500 ppm and azurophil degranulation became predominant. Furthermore, NO effect was greater with 500 ppm than with 80 ppm, indicating a dose response effect. The lack of iNOS mRNA expression in WBC and lack of L-NAME effect on degranulation and nitrite/nitrate production, together with absent increase in nitrite/nitrate in controls, excluded autocrine or paracrine regulation of degranulation. FXIIa-AT and FXIa-AT complexes increased and became predominant during early recirculation, whereas FXIIa-C1INH and FXIa-C1INH complexes were predominant at baseline but remained unaltered, suggesting contact system inhibition predominantly via AT. C3a and C5b-C9 increased. NO had no effect on either contact or complement system activation; however, 500 ppm NO shortened active clotting time. In conclusion, the present data suggest that NO has a direct effect on neutrophil and basophil degranulation. Recognition of NO as an enhancer of degranulation may give access to new therapeutic tools for local and systemic inflammatory therapies; whereas, the identification of increased AT mediated inhibition of FXIIa and unchanged C1INH complexes presents new possibilities for therapeutic intervention in conditions such as hereditary angioedema and heart surgery.

Bei Schweinen lassen sich im Anfangsteil des Dickdarms hohe Konzentrationen an Histamin nachweisen. Zum einen wird viel exogenes Histamin in der Ingesta durch Bakterien gebildet. Zum anderen befindet sich im proximalen Kolon viel endogenes Histamin, welches in verschiedenen Populationen von Mastzellen gespeichert ist. Beide Histaminquellen stellen eine potenzielle Gefahr für die Gesundheit des Tieres dar. Sollte Histamin in den vorhandenen Mengen in die Blutzirkulation übertreten, müsste mit dem Tod des Tieres gerechnet werden. Da unter normalen Bedingungen bei Schweinen keine pathophysiologischen Reaktionen auf die hohen Histaminkonzentrationen im Darm beobachtet werden können, muss auf eine effektive Darmbarriere geschlossen werden. Weil weder diese Barriere bisher untersucht wurde, noch bekannt war, welche Wirkung Histamin in diesem Darmteil des Schweins besitzt, sollte in dieser Arbeit Wirkung, Permeation und Katabolismus von Histamin an isolierten Epithelien des proximalen Kolons mit Hilfe der Ussing-Kammer-Technik untersucht werden. Die Zugabe von Histamin zur serosalen Seite der Epithelien führte zu einem schnellen Anstieg des Kurzschlussstroms. Im Gegensatz zu zahlreichen anderen Untersuchungen an Darmepithelien, in denen eine H1-vermittelte Wirkung von Histamin gefunden wurde, wurde die Wirkung am proximalen Kolon des Schweins über H2-Rezeptoren vermittelt. Die Änderung des Kurzschlussstroms nach Histaminzugabe resultierte aus einer Chloridsekretion. Eine Chloridsekretion scheint somit eine generelle Wirkung von Histamin auf Darmepithelien zu sein, unabhängig von der Art des Wirkungs-vermittelnden Rezeptortyps. Histamin wurde aus den Epithelpräparationen spontan und nach Stimulation von Mastzellen freigesetzt. Obwohl nach Mastzellstimulation eine hohe Histaminfreisetzung beobachtet werden konnte, war dieses Histamin nicht an der sich aus der Stimulation ergebenen elektrophysiologischen Reaktion des Epithels beteiligt. In Fluxstudien mit radiaktiv markiertem Histamin wurde eine konzentrationsabhängige Histaminpermeation über das Epithel festgestellt. Diese Permeation ist von mukosal nach serosal scheinbar parazellulär lokalisiert. Dagegen scheint bei der Permeation von serosal nach mukosal ein transzellulärer Anteil vorhanden zu sein, da eine aktive Sekretion von Histamin in das Darmlumen festgestellt werden konnte. Während der Permeation von Histamin über das Epithel wurde in Abhängigkeit von der vorgegebenen Konzentration zwischen 80% und 100% des permeirenden Histamins verstoffwechselt. Somit besteht eine effektive Darmbarriere gegenüber exogenem Histamin, die sich aus einer geringen Permeation und einer hohen intraepithelialen Verstoffwechselung von Histamin zusammensetzt. Beide für den Abbau von Histamin in Frage kommenden Enzyme, Diaminoxidase (DAO) und Histamin-N-Methyltransferase (HNMT), sind am Katabolismus von Histamin beteiligt. Während in der Literatur die DAO als das „bedeutendste Enzym des Histaminkatabolismus am Darm“ angegeben wird, ist am proximalen Kolon des Schweins die HNMT wichtiger für den Histaminabbau. Beide Enzyme bewerkstelligen sowohl den Abbau von endogen freigesetztem Histamin als auch von transepithelial permeierendem Histamin. Somit hätte eine Hemmung dieser Enzyme, die durch eine Vielzahl von Stoffen, darunter gebräuchliche Arzneimittel, hervorgerufen werden kann, dramatische Konsequenzen. In diesem Fall würde der Körper in hohen Maßen sowohl von endogenem als auch von exogenem Histamin aus dem Darm belastet werden. / In the oral part of pig large intestine, high amounts of luminal histamine can be found due to bacterial production. Further more, histamine is abundantly present in the intestinal wall, where it is stored in different populations of mast cells. Both sources of histamine, exogenous and endogenous, are very dangerous for the body, because histamine is able to elicit systemic effects when it is spilt over in the systemic circulation. Under normal conditions no pathophysiological reactions can be observed in pigs due to the high amounts of histamine in the gut. Therefore, it must be concluded that there is a very effective barrier against luminal histamine. However, neither the barrier function has been characterized yet, nor is there any data available on the action of histamine in this part of the porcine gut. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect, permeation and catabolism of histamine in isolated epithelia of the proximal colon by using the Ussing chamber technique. Addition of histamine to the serosal side induced a rapid rise in short-circuit current. In contrast to many studies investigating the action of histamine in other gut epithelia, in the pig proximal colon histamine acts via H2 receptors. Histamine induced a chloride secretion, which seems to be a common mechanism of gut epithelia, independent from histamine receptor type involved. Endogenous histamine was liberated spontaneously from the epithelia in small amounts. High amounts of histamine were found after a mast cell stimulation. However, this histamine did not participate in a concurrent electrophysiological reaction of the epithelia. In flux studies with radioactively labeled histamine, a transepithelial permeation of histamine was observed in a dose dependent manner. This permeation was located on the paracellular pathway in the mucosal-to-serosal direction. In the serosal-to-mucosal direction a, at least in part, transcellular pathway must be concluded from the observed histamine secretion into the gut lumen. Among 80% and 100% of histamine was catabolised dose-dependently during permeation. Therefore, the very effective gut barrier against histamine is based on a low paracellular permeation and a high intraepithelial catabolism of histamine. The histamine-degrading enzymes, diamine oxidase (DAO) and histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT), took both part in the catabolism of histamine. While in literature DAO is called “the bottleneck of histamine degradation in the gut”, HNMT seems to be more significant in pig proximal colon. DAO and HNMT are important for the catabolism of exogenous and endogenous histamine. Therefore, inhibition of these enzymes, which is possible by numerous drugs, would have dramatic consequences. In that case, high amounts of histamine would be able to reach the systemic circulation.

O lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES) é uma doença autoimune e a suscetibilidade às infecções está associada as suas anormalidades imunológicas e a sua terapia imunossupressora e citotóxica. Dentre as alterações que predispõem às infecções no LES estão anormalidades moleculares e funcionais dos neutrófilos: clearance e fagocitose ineficientes de imunocomplexos (IC) e bactérias, neutropenia, defeitos na quimiotaxia, redução do burst oxidativo e redução da expressão de receptores para IgG (Fc?R) e para complemento (CR). Além disso, os polimorfismos genéticos dos Fc?R têm sido associados com as disfunções imunes do LES. Os Fc?R são importantes mediadores das funções efetoras do neutrófilo e atuam em sinergismo com os CR (CR1 e CR3). O polimorfismo dos genes Fc?RIIA e Fc?RIIIB determina a expressão de variantes alélicas com diferenças funcionais, as quais podem influenciar as respostas biológicas e a suscetibilidade e o prognóstico das doenças infecciosas. Em particular, o alótipo Fc?RIIa-R131, tem menor afinidade para a IgG2, o que resulta em prejuízo na fagocitose mediada por esta imunoglobulina. A IgG2 é essencial contra bactérias encapsuladas e os pneumococos são responsáveis por 6-18% das infecções bacterianas no LES. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a influência dos polimorfismos genéticos dos Fc?R na fagocitose e desgranulação dos neutrófilos, associados ao polimorfismo do CR3, e à ocorrência de infecções bacterianas no LES. Os genótipos foram determinados por reações da polimerase em cadeia para os polimorfismos das variantes alélicas; a fagocitose e desgranulação foram estimuladas por IC contendo IgG (IC-IgG) e por IC-IgG e complemento (IC-IgG/SHN); a fagocitose de IC por neutrófilos e a expressão dos Fc?R e CR3 foram avaliadas por citometria de fluxo; e a desgranulação dos neutrófilos estimulada por IC foi medida pela liberação de elastase e lisozima. Os resultados mostraram: maior frequência para o genótipo R-131 no LES; associação do genótipo HNA-4a negativo para o CR3 com a suscetibilidade para o LES e associação do HNA-4a positivo com proteção; fagocitose menor em neutrófilos de pacientes com LES com genótipo HR-131 comparados aos neutrófilos do grupo controle com genótipo R-131 (IC-IgG e IC-IgG/SHN); no polimorfismo do Fc?RIIIb, a fagocitose e a lisozima foram menores em neutrófilos de pacientes com LES com genótipo HNA-1b e maior para HNA-1a/1b comparados aos controles com os respectivos genótipos (IC-IgG/SHN); a ocorrência de infecções foi mais frequentemente associada à presença do alelo R-131 e HNA-1b; nenhuma diferença foi observada para o polimorfismo HNA-4a do CR3, bem como para e elastase. Este estudo contribui para o entendimento das anormalidades nas funções dos neutrófilos no LES e para a identificação de indivíduos, cujo polimorfismo dos Fc?R e CR3 possa conferir suscetibilidade ou proteção às infecções. / Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease in which disease-related and genetic factors and immunosuppressive and cytotoxic therapies all contribute to an increased susceptibility to infections. Factors predisposing to infection include defects in chemotaxis, abnormalities in neutrophil phagocytic activity, decreased immune complex (IC) and bacteria clearance, neutropenia, reduced oxidative burst, abnormalities in the expression of Fc?R (Fc?R) and complement (CR) receptors. Recent data have provided evidence that genetic polymorphism of Fc?R is associated with immune abnormalities and risk to development of SLE. Fc?R can mediate neutrophil effector functions and play a synergistic action with CR. Fc?RIIa and Fc?RIIIb display functionally relevant genetic polymorphisms, which allelic variants can influence the biological responses and the susceptibility to and course of infectious diseases. In particular, the presence of the Fc?RIIa-R131 allotype results in lower affinity binding to IgG2, a subclass of IgG specific for encapsulated bacteria. Since pneumococci accounts for 6-18% of all bacterial infections in SLE, the R131 allele can be relevant as a risk factor for infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the Fc?R polymorphisms on the phagocytosis and degranulation of neutrophils, associated with CR3 polymorphism, and bacterial infections in SLE. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reactions for the polymorphisms of the allelic variants; the phagocytosis and the degranulation were stimulated with IC-containing IgG (IC-IgG) and IC-IgG and complement (IC-IgG/NHS); the phagocytosis of IC by neutrophils and expression of Fc?R and CR3 were evaluated by flow cytometry, and degranulation of neutrophils stimulated with IC was measured by the release of lysozyme and elastase. The results showed a higher frequency for the genotype R-131 in SLE and association of genotype HNA-4a negative for the CR3 with susceptibility to SLE and association of HNA-4a with protection; the phagocytosis was lower in neutrophils from patients with SLE with HR-131 genotype than those in neutrophils from control group with genotype R-131 (IC-IgG and IC-IgG/NHS); in the Fc?RIIIb polymorphism, the phagocytosis and lysozyme were lower in neutrophils from patients with SLE with genotype HNA-1b and higher for HNA-1a/1b than those controls with the respective genotypes (IC-IgG/NHS); the occurrence of infections was more frequently associated with the presence of the allele R-131 and HNA-1b; no difference was observed for polymorphism HNA-4a of the CR3, neither for elastase. This study can contribute for the understanding of neutrophil abnormalities in SLE and identifying genetic markers that would predict patients Who are at high risk for infections.

Os efeitos da MT-I, uma fosfolipase A2 isolada do veneno de Bothrops asper (VBa), foram avaliados em mastócitos (MC) em cultura, quanto à: i) desgranulação e liberação de prostaglandina E2 (PGE2); ii) papel da atividade catalítica na desgranulação; iii) papel da PLD, PLC, cPLA2, iPLA2, PI3K, MAPK, PKC, PTK, ERK1/2, Junk, G&alpha;i, G&alpha;q e do cálcio na desgranulação; iv) expressão gênica de citocinas Th1 e Th2, e v) alterações ultraestruturais em MC. Os resultados mostraram que a MT-I, em concentrações não citotóxicas, causou a desgranulação de MC. Este efeito foi parcialmente dependente da atividade catalítica e dependente da cPLA2, PLC, PLD e PI3K, mas não da iPLA2, ERK1/2, p38MAPK, PKC, MEK, Junk, G&alpha;i e G&alpha;q. O cálcio intra e extracelular (CRAC e LTCC) estão envolvidos neste efeito da MT-I. Ainda, a MT-I induziu a síntese e liberação da PGE2, expressão de genes de citocinas Th1 e Th2, aumento do número de vesículas citoplasmáticas e de endocitose dependente de clatrina. O VBa também causou a desgranulação de MC sugerindo que a MT-I é relevante para este efeito. / The effects of Myotoxin-I (MT-I), a phospholipase A2 (PLA2) from Bothrops asper venom (BaV) in cultured mast cells (MC) were evaluated focusing: i) degranulation and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release; ii) role of PLA2 catalytic activity in degranulation; iii) role of PLD and PLC, cPLA2 and iPLA2, PI3K, MAPK, PKC, PTK, ERK1/2, Junk, G&alpha;i and G&alpha;q protein and calcium in degranulation; iv) gene expression of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, and v) MC ultrastructural alterations. Results showed that MT-I, at non-cytotoxic concentrations, caused MC degranulation. This effect was partially dependent on its catalytic activity and dependent on cPLA2, PLC, PLD and PI3K, but not iPLA2, ERK1/2, p38MAPK, PKC, MEK, Junk, G&alpha;i nor G&alpha;q. Both intra and extracellular calcium (CRAC and LTCC) are involved in MT-I-induced degranulation. Furthermore, MT-I induced synthesis and release of PGE2, gene expression of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, increased numbers of cytoplasmic vesicles and clathrin-dependent endocytosis. BaV also caused MC degranulation suggesting that MT-I is relevant for this effect.

Bei Schweinen lassen sich im Anfangsteil des Dickdarms hohe Konzentrationen an Histamin nachweisen. Zum einen wird viel exogenes Histamin in der Ingesta durch Bakterien gebildet. Zum anderen befindet sich im proximalen Kolon viel endogenes Histamin, welches in verschiedenen Populationen von Mastzellen gespeichert ist. Beide Histaminquellen stellen eine potenzielle Gefahr für die Gesundheit des Tieres dar. Sollte Histamin in den vorhandenen Mengen in die Blutzirkulation übertreten, müsste mit dem Tod des Tieres gerechnet werden. Da unter normalen Bedingungen bei Schweinen keine pathophysiologischen Reaktionen auf die hohen Histaminkonzentrationen im Darm beobachtet werden können, muss auf eine effektive Darmbarriere geschlossen werden. Weil weder diese Barriere bisher untersucht wurde, noch bekannt war, welche Wirkung Histamin in diesem Darmteil des Schweins besitzt, sollte in dieser Arbeit Wirkung, Permeation und Katabolismus von Histamin an isolierten Epithelien des proximalen Kolons mit Hilfe der Ussing-Kammer-Technik untersucht werden. Die Zugabe von Histamin zur serosalen Seite der Epithelien führte zu einem schnellen Anstieg des Kurzschlussstroms. Im Gegensatz zu zahlreichen anderen Untersuchungen an Darmepithelien, in denen eine H1-vermittelte Wirkung von Histamin gefunden wurde, wurde die Wirkung am proximalen Kolon des Schweins über H2-Rezeptoren vermittelt. Die Änderung des Kurzschlussstroms nach Histaminzugabe resultierte aus einer Chloridsekretion. Eine Chloridsekretion scheint somit eine generelle Wirkung von Histamin auf Darmepithelien zu sein, unabhängig von der Art des Wirkungs-vermittelnden Rezeptortyps. Histamin wurde aus den Epithelpräparationen spontan und nach Stimulation von Mastzellen freigesetzt. Obwohl nach Mastzellstimulation eine hohe Histaminfreisetzung beobachtet werden konnte, war dieses Histamin nicht an der sich aus der Stimulation ergebenen elektrophysiologischen Reaktion des Epithels beteiligt. In Fluxstudien mit radiaktiv markiertem Histamin wurde eine konzentrationsabhängige Histaminpermeation über das Epithel festgestellt. Diese Permeation ist von mukosal nach serosal scheinbar parazellulär lokalisiert. Dagegen scheint bei der Permeation von serosal nach mukosal ein transzellulärer Anteil vorhanden zu sein, da eine aktive Sekretion von Histamin in das Darmlumen festgestellt werden konnte. Während der Permeation von Histamin über das Epithel wurde in Abhängigkeit von der vorgegebenen Konzentration zwischen 80% und 100% des permeirenden Histamins verstoffwechselt. Somit besteht eine effektive Darmbarriere gegenüber exogenem Histamin, die sich aus einer geringen Permeation und einer hohen intraepithelialen Verstoffwechselung von Histamin zusammensetzt. Beide für den Abbau von Histamin in Frage kommenden Enzyme, Diaminoxidase (DAO) und Histamin-N-Methyltransferase (HNMT), sind am Katabolismus von Histamin beteiligt. Während in der Literatur die DAO als das „bedeutendste Enzym des Histaminkatabolismus am Darm“ angegeben wird, ist am proximalen Kolon des Schweins die HNMT wichtiger für den Histaminabbau. Beide Enzyme bewerkstelligen sowohl den Abbau von endogen freigesetztem Histamin als auch von transepithelial permeierendem Histamin. Somit hätte eine Hemmung dieser Enzyme, die durch eine Vielzahl von Stoffen, darunter gebräuchliche Arzneimittel, hervorgerufen werden kann, dramatische Konsequenzen. In diesem Fall würde der Körper in hohen Maßen sowohl von endogenem als auch von exogenem Histamin aus dem Darm belastet werden. / In the oral part of pig large intestine, high amounts of luminal histamine can be found due to bacterial production. Further more, histamine is abundantly present in the intestinal wall, where it is stored in different populations of mast cells. Both sources of histamine, exogenous and endogenous, are very dangerous for the body, because histamine is able to elicit systemic effects when it is spilt over in the systemic circulation. Under normal conditions no pathophysiological reactions can be observed in pigs due to the high amounts of histamine in the gut. Therefore, it must be concluded that there is a very effective barrier against luminal histamine. However, neither the barrier function has been characterized yet, nor is there any data available on the action of histamine in this part of the porcine gut. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect, permeation and catabolism of histamine in isolated epithelia of the proximal colon by using the Ussing chamber technique. Addition of histamine to the serosal side induced a rapid rise in short-circuit current. In contrast to many studies investigating the action of histamine in other gut epithelia, in the pig proximal colon histamine acts via H2 receptors. Histamine induced a chloride secretion, which seems to be a common mechanism of gut epithelia, independent from histamine receptor type involved. Endogenous histamine was liberated spontaneously from the epithelia in small amounts. High amounts of histamine were found after a mast cell stimulation. However, this histamine did not participate in a concurrent electrophysiological reaction of the epithelia. In flux studies with radioactively labeled histamine, a transepithelial permeation of histamine was observed in a dose dependent manner. This permeation was located on the paracellular pathway in the mucosal-to-serosal direction. In the serosal-to-mucosal direction a, at least in part, transcellular pathway must be concluded from the observed histamine secretion into the gut lumen. Among 80% and 100% of histamine was catabolised dose-dependently during permeation. Therefore, the very effective gut barrier against histamine is based on a low paracellular permeation and a high intraepithelial catabolism of histamine. The histamine-degrading enzymes, diamine oxidase (DAO) and histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT), took both part in the catabolism of histamine. While in literature DAO is called “the bottleneck of histamine degradation in the gut”, HNMT seems to be more significant in pig proximal colon. DAO and HNMT are important for the catabolism of exogenous and endogenous histamine. Therefore, inhibition of these enzymes, which is possible by numerous drugs, would have dramatic consequences. In that case, high amounts of histamine would be able to reach the systemic circulation.

<p>Akrilamid je toksična hemijska supstanca koja ima vrlo &scaron;iroku primenu u hemijskoj industriji, a 2002. godine otkriveno je njegovo prisustvo u namirnicima bogatim skrobom koje se pripremaju na visokim temperaturama. U poslednjh desetak godina primećen je veliki porast gastrointestinalnih tegoba u ljudskoj populaciji. Cilj istraživanja bio je ispitati patohistolo&scaron;ke promene u tkivu želuca pacova soja Wistar izazvanih peroralnim aplikovanjem akrilamida i na taj način povući paralelu sa mogućim gastrointestinalnim tegobama nastalim kao posledica konzumiranja hrane bogate akrilamidom. U istraživanju je ispitivano 6 grupa od po 5 eksperimentalnih životinja (pacovi soja Wistar). Dve kontrolne grupe kojima je peroralno aplikovana destilovana voda i koje su žrtvovane posle 24h i 72h; dve eksperimentalne kojima je peroralno aplikovan akrilamid u dnevnoj dozi od 25 mg/kg i koje su žrtvovane posle 24h i 72h; dve eksperimentalne grupe kojima je peroralno aplikovan akrilamid u dnevnoj dozi od 50 mg/kg i koje su žrtvovane posle 24h i 72h. Na histolo&scaron;kom materijalu tkiva želuca primenjena je kvalitativna histolo&scaron;ka analiza pod svetlosnim mikroskopom, semikvantitativna procena tipa mucina u epitelnim ćelijama sluznice želuca, prisustvo limfocita i granulocita u sluznici želuca, stereolo&scaron;ka merenja pojedinih kompartmana zida želuca, linearna merenja broja i veličine ganglijskih ćelija u Maissner-ovom i Auerbach-ovom nervnom pleksusu, kao i broj mastocita u lamini propriji sluznice i podsluznici želuca. Dobijene vrednosti merenih parametara su potom statistički obrađene. Nastale promene na tkivu želuca pacova soja Wistar se ogledaju u vidu blagog direktnog o&scaron;tećenja povr&scaron;nog epitela sa propratnom blagom inflamatornom reakcijom i blagom degranulacijom mastocita. U Maissner-ovom i Auerbach-ovom nervnom pleksusu su smanjene volumenske gustine nervnih vlakana i ganglijskih ćelija, kao i broj i veličina ganglijskih ćelija. Direktno toksično delovanje na epitel dovodi do posledične obnove epitela, te je potvrđeno prisustvo nezrelijih oblika mukoproduktivnih ćelija koje sadrže kisele, AB pozitivne mucine. Ispitani inflamatorni i degenerativni parametri pokazuju pozitivnu korelaciju u odnosu na dozu i/ili dužinu ekspozicije akrilamidu. Primena akrilamida peroralno pokazala je da postoje patohistolo&scaron;ke promene na tkivu želuca u vidu direktnog toksičnog o&scaron;tećenja epitela, inflamatorne reakcije i o&scaron;tećenja nervnih pleksusa. Poznavanjem mehanizma delovanja ove toksične materije moguće je primeniti adekvatnu prevenciju u ishrani i izvr&scaron;iti odgovarajući izbor terapijskih metoda.</p> / <p>Acrylamide is a toxic chemical substance with wide implementation in chemical industry. In 2002 it was discovered the presence of acrylamide in foods rich in starch which are prepared at high temperatures. In the last ten years there is a large increase in gastrointestinal illnesses in human population. The aim of this study was to investigate the histopathological changes in the gastric tissue in Wistar rats induced with injection of oral acrylamide and thus draw a parallel with possible gastrointestinal problems arising as a result of the consumption of foods rich in acrylamide. The research was carried out 6 groups of 5 experimental animals (Wistar rats). Two control groups that are orally concomitant application of distilled water and which were sacrificed after 24h and 72h; two experimental groups which are orally administrated acrylamide in a daily dose of 25 mg / kg and that were sacrificed after 24h and 72h; two experimental groups which were orally administrated acrylamide in a daily dose of 50 mg / kg and that were sacrificed after 24h and 72h. On histological gastric tissue material is applied qualitative histological analysis by light microscopy, semi-quantitative assessment of the type of mucin in epithelial cells of the stomach lining, the presence of lymphocytes and granulocytes in gastric mucosa, stereological measurements of individual compartments of the stomach wall, linear measuring the number and size of ganglion cells in the Maissner and Auerbach&#39;s nerve plexus, and the number of mast cells in the lamina propria of the mucosa and in the submucosis of the stomach. Obtained values of measured parameters were statistically processed. Histological changes in the stomach tissue of Wistar rats are seen as a direct slight damage of the surface epithelium, with accompanynig mild inflammatory reaction and the degranulation of mast cells. The Meissner&#39;s and Auerbach&#39;s nerve plexus decreased volume density of nerve fibers and ganglion cells, as well as the number and size of the ganglion cells. Directly toxic effect on epithelium leads to the result of the reconstruction of the epithelium, which is confirmed by the presence of immature form of mucoproductive cells which contain acid, AB positive mucins. Examined inflammatory and degenerative parameters show a positive correlation with respect to dose and / or a time of exposition to acrylamide. Acrylamide oral application revealed that there are histologic changes in the stomach tissue in the form of a direct toxic damage to the epithelium, inflammatory reaction and damage to the nerve plexus. Knowing the mechanism of action of these toxic substances allows to apply adequate prevention in nutrition and make an appropriate choice of therapeutic methods.</p>

Malgré plusieurs chimiothérapies suivies d’une transplantation et d’une immunothérapie, 40% des patients avec un neuroblastome (NB) à haut risque subissent une progression de la maladie ou une rechute. L’échec de ces traitements est attribué à la présence de cellules initiatrices de tumeur (TIC) qui expriment le marqueur CD133 et qui sont souvent résistantes aux agents chimiothérapeutiques. Les cellules Natural Killer (NK), qui possèdent un effet anti-tumoral, peuvent être utilisées dans le cadre du développement de nouvelles approches immuno-thérapeutiques. Nous posons l’hypothèse que les cellules NK activées éliminent efficacement les TIC et contribuent à la réduction des risques de rechute. De plus, il est possible d’augmenter l’effet anti-tumoral des cellules NK contre le NB. L’activité cytotoxique des cellules NK est augmentée par des cellules dendritiques plasmacytoïdes (pDC) activées. A la suite de la stimulation de leurs récepteurs Toll-like les pDC produisent de grandes quantités d'interféron-alpha (IFN-α). Nous avons étudié les propriétés lytiques des cellules NK contre des lignées cellulaires de NB à la suite de leur activation par l’IFN-α ou des pDC activées. Nos résultats révèlent une augmentation de l’activité cytolytique des cellules NK contre ces lignées en réponse à une stimulation par les pDC activées. De plus, les cellules de NB CD133+ ou celles résistantes à l’immunothérapie dirigée contre le GD2 sont sensibles à la lyse médiée par les cellules NK stimulées par les pDC. Nous avons examiné les mécanismes cellulaires impliqués dans la lyse des cellules de NB. Nous montrons que cette cytotoxicité est médiée en partie par TRAIL induisant l'apoptose et en partie par la libération des granules cytotoxiques. Ainsi, ces résultats permettent de proposer une nouvelle approche immuno-thérapeutique complémentaire au traitement par l’anticorps anti-GD2 pour les patients atteints de NB à haut risque. / Despite aggressive treatment by chemotherapy followed by transplantation and treatment with anti-tumor cell disialoganglioside (GD2) monoclonal antibody, IL-2, GM-CSF and retinoic acid, 40% of patients with high-risk neuroblastoma (NB) still undergo disease progression or relapse. Furthermore, tumor-initiating cells (TIC) expressing the CD133 marker are present in NB tumors and are more resistant to chemotherapy. To evaluate a new immunotherapeutic approach, we took advantage of the anti-tumor effect of Natural Killer (NK) cells. We hypothesized that activated NK cells would be a potent therapeutic strategy to eliminate TIC and reduce relapse of NB. We aimed to establish the best strategy to increase the NK cell mediated cytotoxicity against NB. NK cell cytotoxic activity is increased by cytokines, chemokines and activated plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) which produce high amounts of interferon-alpha (IFN-α) upon Toll-like receptor stimulation. We investigated NK-cell lytic properties against NB cell lines following activation by IFN-α or activated pDC. Our results reveal an increased cytolytic activity of NK cells against NB cell lines after stimulation by activated pDC, CD133+ (TIC) as well as anti-GD2 resistant NB cells are sensitive to NK cell mediated cytotoxicity following stimulation by activated pDC. We also examined the cellular mechanisms involved in NK cell-mediated lysis of NB cell lines. The increased cytotoxicity is partially mediated by TRAIL induced apoptosis and as well as by the release of cytolytic granules. In conclusion, we propose a new immunotherapeutic approach that can be used in combination with the anti-GD2 therapy for the treatment of high-risk NB patients.