Metástases para a região oral podem ocorrer nos tecidos moles ou nos ossos maxilares. Tumores metastáticos para a cavidade oral são raros, compreendendo aproximadamente 1% das neoplasias encontradas na região oral. Devido à sua raridade, o diagnóstico de uma lesão metastática na região oral é difícil; tanto para o clínico como para o patologista, ao reconhecer que uma lesão é metastática e na determinação do local de origem. Foram revisados 9 casos sendo 5 mulheres e 4 homens com idades entre 57 e 80 anos e realizada uma crítica revisão da literatura. No presente estudo não foi possível determinar a prevalência das metástases para os ossos maxilares ou para os tecidos moles da cavidade oral; Entretanto, nosso estudo mostra que o exame das estruturas orais é absolutamente fundamental no acompanhamento desses pacientes, pois a presença de possíveis massas metastáticas pode indicar uma neoplasia oculta ou mesmo a falha terapêutica. / Metastasis to the oral region may occur in the soft tissue or jaw bone. Metastatic tumors to the oral cavity are rare, comprising about 1% of neoplasms found in the oral region. Because of its rarity, the diagnosis of a metastatic lesion in the oral region is difficult; both for the clinician and for the pathologist to recognize that an injury is metastatic and determination of the place of origin. 9 cases with 5 women and 4 men aged between 57 and 80 years and performed a critical review of the literature were reviewed. In the present study could not determine the prevalence of metastasis to the jaw bones or the soft tissues of the oral cavity; However, our study shows that the examination of oral structures is absolutely essential to monitor these patients, because the presence of possible metastatic masses may indicate a hidden cancer or treatment failure.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da suplementação de Zn (na forma de ZnO nanoparticulado) em dietas para leitões recém-desmamados sobre o desempenho, a ocorrência de diarreia, a digestibilidade dos nutrientes, a excreção de Zn nas fezes, os parâmetros sanguíneos, a histologia do epitélio intestinal, a morfometria de órgãos e a contagem bacteriana no conteúdo intestinal em comparação ao uso de dose farmacológica de Zn (na forma de ZnO). Foram utilizados 192 leitões desmamados aos 21 dias, em um experimento em blocos casualizados, com 6 tratamentos, 8 repetições (blocos) e 4 animais por unidade experimental (baia). Os tratamentos foram: controle negativo - dieta basal com 100 mg de Zn/kg de ração (na forma de ZnO); controle positivo - dieta basal com 2400 mg de Zn/kg de ração (na forma de ZnO), e dieta basal com 12, 24, 48 ou 96 mg de Zn/kg de ração (na forma de ZnO-N). Os leitões foram alimentados com as dietas experimentais, durante os primeiros 21 dias de experimento. Dos 22 aos 35 dias, todos os animais foram alimentados com uma única dieta, com níveis basais de Zn. A ocorrência de diarreia foi registrada diariamente. Amostras de fezes foram coletadas para determinação da digestibilidade dos nutrientes da dieta e quantificação do Zn excretado. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas no 19° dia do experimento para análise dos parâmetros sanguíneos. No 21º dia, um animal de cada baia foi abatido para a realização da morfometria dos órgãos, histologia do epitélio intestinal e contagem bacteriana. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e à regressão polinomial. Contrastes ortogonais foram utilizados para comparar o tratamento controle positivo com cada um dos níveis de Zn (na forma de ZnO-N). Não foram observados efeitos dos níveis de Zn (ZnO-N) sobre o desempenho, a excreção de Zn nas fezes, o hemograma, a morfometria de órgãos, a histologia do epitélio intestinal e a contagem bacteriana no conteúdo intestinal. O aumento dos níveis de Zn (ZnO-N) aumentou linearmente a digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes da dieta. Foi observado efeito quadrático dos níveis de Zn (ZnO-N) sobre a frequência da ocorrência de diarreia entre os dias 1 e 7 e sobre a concentração plasmática de Zn. No período de 1 a 21 dias foi observado um menor consumo diário de ração para os níveis de Zn (ZnO-N) em comparação ao controle positivo. Não foram observados diferenças entre o controle positivo e os níveis de Zn (ZnO-N) para as variáveis de desempenho e a frequência da ocorrência de diarreia durante o período de 21 a 35 dias. Foi observada uma menor excreção de Zn nas fezes, e uma menor concentração plasmática de Zn para os níveis de Zn (ZnO-N) em comparação ao controle positivo. A suplementação de Zn, na forma de ZnO-N, não foi capaz de substituir a dose farmacológica de Zn (ZnO) no controle da diarreia após o desmame. Os níveis de Zn, na forma de ZnO-N, não ocasionaram toxicidade nos animais e propiciaram uma redução na excreção de Zn nas fezes. / The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary Zn (as ZnO nanoparticles) on performance, diarrhea occurrence, nutrient digestibility, Zn excretion in the feces, blood parameters, histology of gut epithelium, organs morphometry and intestinal bacterial count of weanling pigs compared to the use of pharmacological doses of Zn (as ZnO). One hundred and ninety-two 21d-weaned pigs (5.90±0.83 kg BW) were used in a randomized complete block design experiment with 6 treatments, 8 replications per treatment, and 4 animals per experimental unit (pen). The treatments were: negative control (NC): basal diet (based on corn, soybean meal, dried whey and dried plasma) with 100 mg Zn (as ZnO)/kg diet; positive control (PC): basal diet with 2,400 mg Zn(as conventional ZnO, 150nm)/kg diet and basal diet with 12, 24, 48 or 96 mg Zn (as ZnO-N, 70nm)/kg diet. Pigs were fed dietary treatments from 1 to 21 d feeding period followed by a common diet (same diet for all treatments) from 22 to 35 d feeding period. Diarrhea occurrence was recorded daily. Feces samples were collected to determine the digestibility of the diet and to quantify the Zn excreted. Blood samples were collected on the 19th day of the experiment for analysis of blood parameters. On the 21th day one pig per pen was slaughtered for the analyses of organs morphometry, intestinal epithelium histology and bacterial count. ANOVA and polynomial regression analysis (for levels of Zn as ZnO-N) were performed. Orthogonal contrasts were used to compare positive control with each level of Zn (as ZnO-N). No effects of Zn levels (as ZnO-N) were observed on performance, Zn excretion on feces, blood count, organs morphometry, intestinal epithelium histology and intestinal bacterial count. Increased levels of Zn (as ZnO-N) linearly increased the apparent digestibility of nutrients. It was observed a quadratic effect of Zn levels (as ZnO-N) on the frequency of diarrhea occurrence between 1 and 7 d and on the Zn plasma concentration. From 1 to 21 d of experimental period, lower daily feed intake for Zn levels (as ZnO-N) was observed compared to positive control. No differences were observed among the positive control and levels of Zn (as ZnO-N) for performance and diarrhea occurrence during the period 21 to 35 d. Lower Zn excretion in feces and lower Zn plasma concentration were observed for Zn levels (as ZnO-N) compared to the positive control. Zn supplementation, as ZnO-N, could not to replace the pharmacological dose of Zn (ZnO) to control diarrhea after weaning. The levels of Zn, as ZnO-N, did not cause toxicity of weanling pigs and reduced Zn excretion in the feces.

INTRODUÇÃO: A poluição atmosférica é reconhecida como fonte de possíveis agravos à saúde. Estudos tem demonstrado uma clara associação entre aumento da concentração dos poluentes atmosféricos, especialmente o material particulado proveniente de resíduos de exaustão de motores movidos a diesel, com morbidade e mortalidade respiratória e cardíaca na população geral. Até o presente momento, sabe-se que o material particulado possui ações deletérias sobre as vias aéreas superiores e inferiores; contudo, ainda não são completamente conhecidas as ações tóxicas isoladas das diferentes frações do material particulado do diesel. OBJETIVO: O presente estudo teve por finalidade avaliar o grau de toxicidade das frações orgânicas de baixa, média e alta polaridade e da fração inorgânica do material particulado proveniente da emissão de motores movidos a óleo diesel sobre o epitélio mucociliar. MÉTODOS: Para tanto, utilizou-se como modelo experimental a preparação do palato da rã, que possui um epitélio similar ao das vias aéreas de mamíferos. O estudo foi dividido em duas etapas: Fase I - Quarenta palatos foram utilizados com intuito de titular a concentração de material particulado bruto capaz de promover um aumento significante no tempo relativo de transporte mucociliar. Fase II - Uma vez definida a concentração efetiva, cinqüenta palatos foram expostos aos seguintes tratamentos: material particulado bruto do diesel (sem nenhum tipo de tratamento), material particulado do diesel tratado com hexano (solvente que reduz a quantidade dos compostos orgânicos de baixa polaridade), material particulado do diesel tratado metanol (solvente que reduz a quantidade de compostos orgânicos de polaridade intermediária, gerando aumento relativo da concentração de orgânicos de baixa e alta polaridade) e material particulado do diesel tratado ácido nítrico (solvente que reduz a concentração de compostos inorgânicos, gerando aumento relativo da fração orgânica como um todo). Para fins de controle utilizou-se um grupo com ringer-rã. As variáveis analisadas foram: tempo relativo de transporte mucociliar, freqüência de batimento ciliar e análise histológica, na qual foram avaliados o volume proporcional de muco ácido, muco neutro, muco misto, de cílios, vacúolos, dos núcleos celulares e interstício e espessura epitelial. RESULTADOS: Fase I: A concentração de material particulado bruto capaz de promover um aumento significativo no tempo relativo de transporte mucociliar, e também do volume proporcional de muco ácido (p<0,05), correspondeu a 12mg/L. Fase II: Observou-se: a) aumento significativo no tempo relativo de transporte mucociliar e redução significativa do volume proporcional de muco neutro no grupo ácido nítrico; b) maior volume proporcional de muco ácido no grupo metanol (p<0,05); c) ausência de diferenças entre o grupo controle e o grupo hexano, tanto na análise histológica quanto no tempo relativo de transporte mucociliar. CONCLUSÃO: Os dados obtidos sugerem que os compostos orgânicos de baixa polaridade do material particulado proveniente da emissão de motores movidos a óleo diesel desempenham um importante papel na toxicidade aguda ao epitélio ciliado / INTRODUCTION: Air pollution is recognized as a source of potential health problems. Studies have shown a clear association between increasing concentration of atmospheric pollutants, especially particulate matter from waste exhaust of diesel engines, and respiratory and cardiac morbidity and mortality in the general population. To date, it is well known that particulate matter from diesel exhaust has deleterious actions on upper and lower airways; however, the isolated toxic actions of different fractions of the particulate matter are not yet fully understood. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at evaluating the degree of toxicity of the organic fractions of low, intermediate and high polarity and of the inorganic fraction of particulate matter from diesel engines on the ciliated epithelium. METHODS: The experimental model used was the frog palate preparation, which has a similar epithelium to that found in mammalian airways. The study was divided into two phases: Phase I - Forty palates were used in order to titrate the concentration of intact diesel particulate matter able to elicit a significant increase in the relative time of mucociliary transport. Phase II Once defined the optimal concentration, fifty palates were exposed to dilutions with the following treatments: intact diesel particulate material (without any treatment), particulate matter from diesel exhaust treated with hexane (solvent which reduces the amount of organic compounds of low polarity), particulate matter from diesel exhaust treated with methanol (solvent which reduces the amount of organic compounds with intermediate polarity, generating a relative increase in concentration of organic compounds with low and high polarity) and particulate matter from diesel exhaust treated with nitric acid (solvent which removes inorganic compounds, eliciting a relative increase of the organic fraction as a whole). For control purposes, a group of frog-ringer was used. The following variables were analyzed: relative time of mucociliary transport, ciliary beating frequency and histological analysis, which evaluated proportional volume of acid mucus, neutral and mixed mucus, cilia, vacuoles, cell nuclei and interstice, and epithelial thickness. RESULTS: Phase I: The effective concentration of intact diesel particulate matter in eliciting a significant increase in the relative time of mucociliary transport, and a proportional increase of acid mucus volume (p<0.05), corresponded to 12mg/L. Phase II: a) The nitric acid treatment caused a significant increase in the relative time of mucociliary transport, and decrease in the proportional volume of neutral mucus. b) A higher proportional volume of acid mucus was found in the methanol group (p<0.05). c) There were no differences between control and hexane groups regarding histological findings and relative time of mucociliary transport. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that organic compounds of low polarity from diesel engines exhaust particles play an important role in the acute toxicity on the ciliated epithelium

Zheng Tingting. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-124). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.iv / Table of Contents --- p.vi / List of Tables --- p.viii / List of Figures --- p.ix / Abbreviations --- p.xi / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Triamcinolone acetonide(TA) --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Application in ophthalmology --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Mechanism of anti-inflammatory effect --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Side effects of TA --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Toxicity of TA --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2 --- Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3 --- Mechanism of cell death --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Apoptosis --- p.9 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- caspase --- p.11 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3.4 --- Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) --- p.15 / Chapter 1.4 --- Potassium channel (K+）） --- p.15 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Molecular structure of KAtp channel --- p.16 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Regulation of Katp channel --- p.17 / Chapter 1.4.3 --- Pinacidil --- p.18 / Chapter 1.5 --- Calcium channel --- p.20 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- VDCCs and subtypes --- p.21 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Calcium channel blocker --- p.22 / Chapter 1.5.3 --- Verapamil --- p.23 / Chapter 1.6 --- Study objectives --- p.25 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Methodology --- p.37 / Chapter 2.1 --- Cell biology --- p.37 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Materials --- p.37 / Chapter 2.1.1.1 --- Culture related material --- p.37 / Chapter 2.1.1.2 --- Drugs --- p.37 / Chapter 2.1.1.3 --- Cell line and instrument --- p.37 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Preparations --- p.38 / Chapter 2.1.2.1 --- Working medium --- p.38 / Chapter 2.1.2.2 --- Drugs --- p.38 / Chapter 2.1.2.3 --- MTT solution --- p.39 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Cell culture and treatment process --- p.40 / Chapter 2.1.3.1 --- Seed cell --- p.40 / Chapter 2.1.3.2 --- Treatment --- p.40 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- MTT-Cell Proliferation Assay --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2 --- Molecular biology --- p.42 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Materials --- p.42 / Chapter 2.2.1.1 --- "Chemicals, reagents, and kits" --- p.42 / Chapter 2.2.1.2 --- Solutions and Buffers --- p.42 / Chapter 2.2.1.3 --- Primers and Enzymes --- p.43 / Chapter 2.2.1.4 --- Equipment --- p.43 / Chapter 2.2.1.5 --- Software --- p.43 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Reverse transcription 226}0ؤ Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) --- p.44 / Chapter 2.2.2.1 --- Cell collection and RNA Isolation --- p.44 / Chapter 2.2.2.2 --- Reverse Transcription (RT) --- p.45 / Chapter 2.2.2.3 --- PCR Reaction --- p.46 / Chapter 2.3 --- Immunocytochemistry --- p.48 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Materials and instrumentation --- p.49 / Chapter 2.3.1.1 --- Antibodies and Equipment --- p.49 / Chapter 2.3.1.2 --- Chemicals and other useful items --- p.49 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Preparations --- p.50 / Chapter 2.3.2.1 --- Preparation of coverslips --- p.50 / Chapter 2.3.2.2 --- Prepations of solutions --- p.50 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Procedures --- p.51 / Chapter 2.4 --- Expression of results and statistics --- p.52 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Results --- p.57 / Chapter 3.1 --- Effects of TA on RPE cell culture --- p.57 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Cell morphology --- p.57 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- MTT assay --- p.57 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Gene expressions --- p.57 / Chapter 3.2 --- Effects of PIN/VP on TA treated RPE cells --- p.58 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- MTT assay --- p.58 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Gene expression --- p.59 / Chapter 3.2.2.1 --- Expression of housekeeping gene --- p.59 / Chapter 3.2.2.2 --- Expression of apoptosis-related gene --- p.59 / Chapter 3.2.2.3 --- Expression of early-response genes --- p.60 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Immunofluorescence --- p.61 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Discussion --- p.86 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- References --- p.98

Les particules de dioxyde de titane (TiO2) sont utilisées dans de nombreux secteurs industriels du fait de leurs propriétés physiques et chimiques intéressantes. Depuis une dizaine d’années, elles sont également utilisées sous forme nanoparticulaire car la taille nanométrique leur apporte de nouvelles propriétés, recherchées dans certaines applications industrielles. Elles sont par exemple utilisées comme colorant blanc dans le secteur de la cosmétologie, de la pharmacologie et dans les industries agroalimentaires. Dans ces dernières, l’utilisation de ces particules est autorisée car le TiO2 est un composé insoluble et relativement inerte. Le colorant alimentaire E171, autorisé depuis 1966, est ainsi constitué de particules de TiO2, initialement sous forme micrométrique, mais il s’avère que selon les procédés de fabrication, entre 10 et 43 % (selon les études) de ces particules présentent un diamètre inférieur à 100 nm, i.e. sont sous forme nanométrique. Ce n’est pas un nanomatériau du point de vue de la définition européenne, il n’est donc pas soumis à l’obligation d’étiquetage dans les produits alimentaires. Le E171 est présent dans de nombreux aliments sans que son impact sur la santé humaine, après ingestion, n’ait été clairement documenté. De plus en plus d’études s’intéressent à la toxicité des nanoparticules (NPs) après leur ingestion, mais peu d’entre elles ont été menées avec le E171 à proprement parler. Les études in vivo et in vitro publiées à ce jour démontrent que les NPs de TiO2 sont peu toxiques. Leur absorption intestinale et leur translocation vers le système sanguin puis des organes secondaires est faible. Les principaux effets décrits sont une augmentation des espèces réactives de l’oxygène associées à un stress oxydant, l’induction de marqueurs de l’inflammation, et plus récemment l’induction du stress du réticulum endoplasmique. Des effets sont également rapportés sur différents paramètres de la barrière intestinale, i.e. le microbiote, le mucus, les transporteurs membranaires, les jonctions cellulaires et l’immunité intestinale. Chez certaines personnes, cette barrière est compromise, elles sont donc potentiellement plus sensibles aux micros et nanos-particules contenues dans l’alimentation. Leur épithélium intestinal est enflammé, et à long terme, ces personnes peuvent développer des maladies inflammatoires chroniques de l’intestin et dans les cas les plus graves, des cancers.L’objectif de cette thèse est d’étudier la toxicité du colorant alimentaire E171 et d’approfondir les connaissances relatives à l’impact des NPs de TiO2 sur le système gastro-intestinal. Pour cela, nous avons travaillé avec différents modèles cellulaires d’épithélia intestinaux humain, un modèle d’épithélium jointif composé d’entérocytes Caco-2, un modèle d’épithélium sécrétant une couche de mucus, composé de cellules Caco-2 et HT29-MTX et enfin un modèle d’épithélium bordant les plaques de Peyer, composé des cellules Caco-2(C1) et RajiB. Ces modèles cellulaires ont été exposés de façon aigüe (6 h, 24 h et 48 h) ou chronique (21 jours), au colorant E171 ainsi qu’à deux NPs de TiO2 : A12, qui a la même structure cristalline que le E171 et P25, une NP très documentée dans la littérature. Nos résultats montrent que le E171 et les NPs de TiO2 sont modérément toxiques, ils n’engendrent pas de mortalité cellulaire ni de dommages à L’ADN. Néanmoins, ils provoquent une accumulation d’espèces réactives de l’oxygène intracellulaires et modulent certains marqueurs impliqués dans le stress oxydant, le stress du réticulum endoplasmique et l’inflammation. Ils impactent également la sécrétion et la composition de la couche de mucus, l’expression des transporteurs ABC, qui sont des paramètres impliqués dans la fonction de barrière de l’épithélium intestinal, le rendant possiblement plus vulnérable aux agressions extérieures. / Micro-sized titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles are used for years by industrials for their attractive physical and chemical properties. The use of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) is also constantly increasing, because the nanometric size gives new interesting properties to particles which industrials are looking for. In some daily-life products including paints, plastics, paper, medicines and food, micro-sized TiO2 particles are used as a pigment for their opacifying and whitening capacities. The use of TiO2 as a food additive, i.e. E171 in the EU, has been authorized in most countries since the 60ies, without any established acceptable daily intake, because of their low toxicity and intestinal absorption. However, it was recently shown that E171 can contain up to 43% of particles with diameter ranging from 1 to 100 nm, i.e. NPs. Still, E171 is not a nanomaterial as described in the European recommendation of definition because it contains less than 50% of NPs (in number). Food grade TiO2 is present in a wide range of food products while little is known about its toxicological impact to human health. The toxicity of ingested TiO2, either nano- or micro-sized, is increasingly documented, still E171 itself is rarely used in these studies.According to in vivo and in vitro studies, TiO2 particles were proven relatively safe for intestinal cells, no cytotoxicity neither genotoxicity were reported. Nevertheless, particles were often reported to increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) cell content, to impair autophagic processes and modulate gene expression and the content of proteins involved in oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammatory response regulation. Interestingly, their reported impact on intestinal cells suggests alteration of almost all the components of the intestinal barrier function, i.e. microbiota, mucus, cell junctions and transporters. This intestinal barrier function is altered in patients suffering from intestinal bowel diseases, these persons are thus possibly more sensitive to mineral particulate in food.The present study aimed at improving knowledge on the toxicity of food-grade TiO2. To this purpose, the impact of E171 was evaluated on in vitro cell models representative of the human intestinal epithelium, i.e. a model of differentiated Caco-2 enterocytes, a model of mucus-secreting epithelium obtained by coculture of Caco-2 and HT29-MTX mucus-secreting cells and a model of the follicle-associated epithelium, which lines Peyer patches, obtained by coculture of Caco-2(C1) and RajiB cells. These cell models were either acutely exposed for 6 h, 24 h and 48 h or chronically exposed for 21 days to E171. In parallel, they were exposed to two model TiO2-NPs, A12 which has the same crystalline structure as E171 and P25, a well-documented TiO2-NPs. Our results show that E171 and TiO2-NPs induced no overt cell mortality but significant oxidative stress, and that they oxidatively damage DNA. They modulate the expression of genes involved in oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress regulation. They also modulate the expression of genes, as well as the content of proteins from mucus, ABC transporters and inflammatory markers, which are the main players of the intestinal barrier function and presumably increase epithelium sensitivity to xenobiotics. These data suggest that they may be implicated in the development or aggravation of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Muitas doenças genéticas permanecem ainda sem sua causa definida. A dificuldade de estudar algumas dessas doenças remontam a problemática da obtenção de material clinico, sugerindo situações extremas para a coleta, dependendo da patologia. Além disso, é necessário que se obtenha material genético em quantidade adequada para os ensaios e que, de preferência, venha de uma fonte celular que não esteja diretamente exposta a mutações. Nesse trabalho estabelecemos o cultivo inédito das células epiteliais de mucosa oral como modelo celular para o estudo de doenças genéticas. As amostras foram coletadas através da raspagem da mucosa oral de voluntários saudáveis. Após estabelecimento do cultivo, as células foram caracterizadas em relação à sua morfologia através de técnica de colorações, ensaios para analisar a viabilidade celular, microscopia eletrônica de transmissão e varredura, analise da expressão de marcadores por imunocitoquímica e por RT-PCR. Os resultados revelaram a expressão de marcadores como citoquetaratinas 4, 13 e 18, conexinas e marcadores de ciclo celular, como PCNA3 e GAPDH. A expressão de marcadores de pluripotência foi negativa, já que essas células são adultas e totalmente diferenciadas. Com a realização deste trabalho, concluímos que essas células são um bom modelo para o estudo de doenças genéticas e futuras terapias gênicas. / Many genetic diseases are still without their cause defined. The difficulty in studying these diseases back to the problem of obtaining clinical material, suggesting extreme situations for the collection, depending on the pathology. Moreover, it is necessary to obtain genetic material in sufficient quantities for testing and preferably come from a cellular source that is not directly exposed to mutations. This work established for the first time, a protocol for culturing of epithelial cells from oral mucosa as a cellular model for studying genetic diseases. The samples were collected by scraping the oral mucosa of healthy volunteers. After the establishment of cultivation, cells were characterized for their morphology by staining technique, tests to analyze cell viability, transmission electron microscopy and scanning, analysis of expression of markers by immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR. The results revealed the expression of markers such as citoquetaratinas 4, 13 and 18, connexins and cell cycle markers, as PCNA3 and GAPDH. The expression of pluripotency markers were negative, as these cells are adult and fully differentiated. With this work, we conclude that these cells are a good model for studying genetic diseases and future gene therapies.

Le récepteur MerTK est impliqué dans la phagocytose des segments externes des photorécepteurs (SEP) par l'épithélium pigmentaire rétinien (EPR), fonction cruciale pour la survie des photorécepteurs et la vision. Dans la rétine, ces deux tissus sont en contact permanent et la phagocytose ne survient qu'une fois par jour, cette fonction nécessite donc d'être contrôlée précisément. Le pic de phagocytose est lié à l'activation intracellulaire de MerTK via l'intégrine αvβ5. Ce projet a eu pour but d'étudier les mécanismes extracellulaires régulant la fonction de MerTK au cours de cette phagocytose.Nous avons montré que MerTK est clivé à la surface des cellules d'EPR in vivo avant et après le pic de phagocytose. Ceci permettrait d'éviter une phagocytose trop prononcée des SEP.Nous avons démontré le rôle opposé des ligands de MerTK, spécifique à l'EPR. Gas6 semble inhibiteur, il stimule le clivage de MerTK et inhibe la phagocytose in vitro, et son expression in vivo est faible au moment du pic de phagocytose. Au contraire, Protéine S, dont l'expression augmente in vivo au moment du pic, inhibe le clivage de MerTK et stimule la phagocytose in vitro, et pourrait ainsi potentialiser cette fonction.Parmi les protéases étudiées, l'inhibition d'ADAM17 in vitro engendre une diminution du clivage de MerTK corrélée à une augmentation de sa biodisponibilité à la surface cellulaire et de son activité. Cependant, cet effet n'étant pas total, l'implication d'une autre protéase n'est pas exclue.Ainsi, mes travaux de Doctorat permettent de mieux comprendre la régulation complexe de l'activité de MerTK dans la phagocytose rétinienne, essentielle pour le rythme circadien de cette fonction. / The MerTK receptor is involved in the daily phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments (POS) by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), an indispensable process for photoreceptors survival and vision. In the retina, the contact between POS and RPE is permanent, and POS phagocytosis occurs once a day, requiring a precise control of this function. The phagocytic peak is initiated by activation of MerTK via the αvβ5 integrin receptor. This project aimed at studying extracellular mechanisms that control MerTK function during POS phagocytosis. We have shown that MerTK can be cleaved from the RPE cell surface in vivo before and just after the phagocytic peak. This process might avoid an excess of POS phagocytosis. We have also shown the opposite role of MerTK ligands, specific to RPE cells. Gas6 appears to act as an inhibitor as it stimulates MerTK cleavage and inhibits POS phagocytosis in vitro. Moreover, in vivo, Gas6 expression is weak at peak phagocytosis time. In contrast, Protein S, which in vivo expression increases at the time of the phagocytic peak, inhibits MerTK cleavage and stimulates POS phagocytosis in vitro, and thus might potentiate phagocytosis. Among the protease candidates we studied, in vitro inhibition of ADAM17 results in decreased MerTK cleavage associated with the increase of full-length receptors available at cell surface and of MerTK activation. However, as cleavage still occurs in these conditions, we cannot exclude the implication of another protease. Taken together, my PhD data allows us to better understand the complex regulation of MerTK activity during retinal phagocytosis, which is essential for the circadian rhythm of this function.

Antiinflamatórios não-esteroidais (AINEs) são muito utilizados para o alívio da dor. Estudos indicam que 1 em 7 pacientes com doenças inflamatórias crônicas usam AINEs e que 1 em 5 pessoas usam AINEs para dores agudas. Os AINEs inibem a cicloxigenase (COX-1 e COX-2) ou seletivamente a COX-2, e apesar de sua excelente ação antiinflamatória e analgésica, muitos são os efeitos colaterais. Problemas gastrointestinais (GI) são a queixa mais comum para os AINEs convencionais, que também são associados a apoptose de diferentes tipos celulares. Os COX-2 seletivos apresentam menos problemas GI, mas seu uso tem sido questionado pelo risco de trombose e enfarto do miocárdio. Todos os AINEs parecem interferir no processo de cicatrização, embora os resultados dos estudos realizados apresentem-se conflitantes. Uma vez que os AINEs são utilizados por grande número de pessoas, o objetivo do nosso trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos dessa medicação sobre o tecido epitelial e durante o processo de cicatrização. Ratos Wistar foram tratados diariamente com AINEs convencional (diclofenaco, 3mg/Kg) ou um COX-2 seletivo (Celecoxibe, 1mg/Kg) por períodos de 7 e 14 dias. O controle foi feito com animais da mesma idade e peso não submetidos ao tratamento com AINEs. Após 7 dias, em todos os animais, controles e tratados, foram realizadas feridas cirúrgicas (4cm de diâmetro) no dorso depilado, sob anestesia com Tribromoetanol. Foram analisados, histológica e histometricamente, os epitélios da mucosa bucal, e a área de cicatrização (3 e 7 dias pós-cirurgia). Os resultados obtidos foram tabelados para avaliação estatística apropriada. No geral foi possível observar que todos os AINEs provocaram alterações com o seu uso agudo, no entanto para os inibidores seletivos da COX- 2 houve uma tendência à normalização com o uso crônico, não observada com o uso do AINE convencional. Na avaliação da cicatrização foi possível observar que os AINEs convencionais provocaram um pequeno atraso no processo de cicatrização, o que não foi observado com o uso de AINE seletivo para COX-2. Foi possível concluir que é necessário cautela em pacientes que fazem uso de AINEs, por provocarem alterações significativas no epitélio bucal, sendo os convencionais os que apresentam alterações mais significativas principalmente a longo prazo / Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used for pain relief mostly in inflammatory chronic diseases. One in 7 patients with chronic inflammatory diseases uses NSAIDs, 1 in 5 uses NSAIDs for acute pain. NSAIDs may inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) or COX-2 selectively, and despite their excellent anti-inflammatory and analgesic action, there are many side effects related. Gastrointestinal (GI) problems are the most commmon complaint for conventional NSAIDs, wich are also associated with different cell types apoptosis. The COX-2 selective NSAIDs have less GI problems, but may be associated to risks of cardiovascular events. All of NSAIDs seems to interfere with wound healing, although studies results may show conflicting results. Since NSAIDs are used by large numbers of people, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of this medication on the epithelial tissue and during wound healing process. Wistar rats were treated daily with conventional NSAIDs (diclofenac, 3mg/Kg) or selective COX-2 (celecoxib, 1mg/Kg) for a period of 7-14 days. The control group was animals of similar age and weight not treated with NSAIDs. After 7 days in all the animals, control and treated, were made surgical wounds (4cm in diameter) on the shaved back under anesthesia with Tribromoethanol. Oral mucosa and wound healing were histological and histometrically analyzed (3 and 7 days after surgery). The results received appropriated statistical evaluation. It was possible to observe that both NSAIDs lead to changes with acute use, but only selective COX-2 inhibitors tends to get back to normal parameters with long lasting use. Related to wound healing, it was possible to verify that conventional NSAIDs was associated to a slightly delay in wound healing process, which was not observed with selective COX-2 NSAIDs use. It was possible to conclude that caution is needed with the use of NSAIDs. They cause significant changes in oral epithelium and the convenional one causes most signifcant changes with long term use

An estimated 170.38 million elderly adults suffer from some stage of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) worldwide, a vision defect that damages the macula, the central region of the retina required for sharp vision, such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces. Genetic factors strongly modify one's risk for developing AMD, and most of these genetic changes are found in genes of the alternative complement cascade, a component of the immune system. The lack of effective AMD prevention calls for the identification of druggable molecules and pathways. In my research, I use microarrays and RNA sequencing to investigate the events occurring in early AMD, the reasons for macular susceptibility to AMD, and the events triggering aberrant blood vessel growth in late AMD. First, I found that genes associated with endothelial cells tend to be expressed at lower levels in human donors eyes affected by early AMD than in control eyes, concordant with previous studies indicating loss of choriocapillaris in early AMD. Second, I found that molecular signals across regions of the retina, retinal pigment epithelium, and choroid generally mirror the distribution of cell types in these regions. Third, I found that damage to cultured primate chorioretinal endothelial cells by the end product of complement activation, membrane attack complex, produces an environment conducive to choroidal neovascularization, a symptom of late-stage AMD. I propose a model that bridges genetic variants in the complement cascade genes with blood vessel loss in early AMD and the pathological growth of blood vessels in late AMD.

The airway epithelium has many roles in innate immunity including detection of pathogens and transmitting danger signals to other cell types. However, its role as a primary defender against infection is not well recognized. We have investigated methods of augmenting antiviral immunity by application of agents that stimulate viral killing, either in the extracellular space or within the cytoplasm. A recently described property of airway epithelial cells is direct oxidative killing of bacteria through the coordination of Duox and lactoperoxidase enzymes. We have exploited this property by supplementing airway cells with the lactoperoxidase substrate iodide to prevent viral infection. A second method for enhancing antiviral defenses is to supply small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting essential viral genes. We have optimized antiviral siRNAs targeting respiratory syncytial virus by designing them to specifically target positive sense viral RNAs. Finally, we have initiated a project to discover host defense genes that are expressed in either the submucosal glands surface epithelium of human airway. This information will enable a better characterization of the roles for these structures in host defense pathways, and may identify other targets for augmentation of antiviral immunity.