Neural tube defects (NTD) result from the failure of the neural tube to close properly very early in gestation. A child born with an NTD may experience an early death or life-long disability. In the 1990s, the critical role of folic acid in the prevention of NTDs was confirmed and as a strategy to increase blood folate concentrations of women of childbearing age, folic acid fortification programs were mandated in Canada and the US. However, this change impacted the entire population not just women of childbearing age and not everyone may benefit from the increased folate intake. The objective of this research was to investigate the impact of higher intakes of folates on the mortality rates of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in adult populations. To address the impact in children with ALL, a comparison of the mortality rates between the pre- and post-fortification time periods in Ontario was performed using data from the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario. A second comparison between the mortality rates in these children in non-folic acid fortifying countries and the US was also completed. These analyses suggest that folic acid fortification is not negatively impacting mortality. With respect to CRC, one systematic review and two meta-analyses were conducted investigating folate intake and the risk of CRC or adenoma recurrence. The first analysis, in observational studies, compared high versus low folate intake and the risk of CRC. The second examined folate intake within the various polymorphisms of the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase enzyme. The final study examined the impact of supplementation of 1 milligram or more per day of folic acid and the risk of colorectal adenoma recurrence in those adults with a history of colorectal adenomas. The findings from the completed observational studies suggest that there is an associated risk reduction in colorectal cancer from the intake of higher levels of folates. The investigations into the impact of the folic acid fortification program suggest that the program is not associated with having a negative impact on mortality of children with ALL or on the risk of colorectal cancer.

The aim of this thesis was to study the biomarker homocysteine and other novel potential vascular risk factors for dementia. In an out-patient based study of a cohort of 926 consecutive subjects referred to our Memory Unit during 1996―2000, serum-folate was lower and total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) and serum methyl malonate were higher in subjects being prescribed with B12. In the subgroup diagnosed with dementia and with a positive family history of dementia, tHcy was higher than in the subgroup diagnosed as non-demented. It is necessary to supplement subjects with vitamin B12 deficiency with B12, but our results indicate that it is not sufficient with B12 alone because this gives rise to intracellular folate deficiency. We also found indications of a genetic component in dementia because tHcy was higher in the group with a positive family history of dementia. These findings prompted further studies of homocysteine metabolism. The frequency of mutations in the gene for folate receptor-α (FOLR-1), and the fibrinolytic pattern in dementia and non-dementia were studied in the two cohorts DGM (n=300) and AS (n=389). The DGM cohort is a consecutive series of subjects attending our Memory Care Unit for investigation of suspected cognitive problems or dementia between 2003 - 2007. The AS (= active seniors) cohort comprises retired, apparently healthy subjects from central Sweden, actively participating in study circles. A rare haplotype in the FOLR-1, with mutations in two nearby loci, was discovered, possibly associated with lower serum-folate and higher tHcy concentrations and was more frequent in the DGM group. The transport of folate to the CSF was studied in the DGM-cohort. Dementia with a vascular component was associated with a lower CSF to serum folate ratio indicative of reduced transport of folate to the CSF and further to the brain. The vascular endothelial derived fibrinolytic markers tPA, tPA/PAI-1-complex, and vWF were not only higher in vascular dementia (VaD) but also in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) when compared to the AS group. The impaired fibrinolytic activity in both vascular dementia and in AD is a novel finding, signifying a vascular component in the development of dementia. In conclusion we found that both hereditary and nutritional background factors were linked to dementia and furthermore that a dysregulated fibrinolysis was linked to both VaD and AD.

Plasmid DNA (pVAX1-NH36) was encapsulated in nanoparticles of poly-dL-lactic-coglycolic ( PLGA) functionalized with polyethylene glycol ( PEG) and folic acid (PLGA-PEG-FA) without losing integrity. PLGA-PEG-FA nanoparticles loaded with pVAX1-NH36 (pDNA-NPs) were prepared by using a double emulsification-solvent evaporation technique. PLGA-PEG-FA synthesis was verified by FT-IR and spectrophotometry methods. pVAX1-NH36 was replicated in Escherichia coli (E. coli) cell cultures. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis confirmed pDNA-NPs size with an average diameter of 177-229 nm, depending on pVAX1-NH36 loading and zeta potentials were below 24 mV for all preparations. In vitro release studies confirmed a multiphase release profile for the duration of more than 30-days. Plasmid release kinetics were analyzed with a release model that considered simultaneous contributions of initial burst and degradation-relaxation of nanoparticles. Fitting of release model against experimental data presented excellent correlation. This mathematical analysis presents a novel approach to describe and predict the release of plasmid DNA from biodegradable nanoparticles.

Cancer remains one of the most dreaded diseases due to inevitable suffering and possible fatality. Only cardiac disease has caused more deaths than cancer. Present day cancer treatment involves radiation, surgery or chemotherapy. In chemotherapy, an anti-tumoral drug is used to treat the tumor either by killing or stalling the growth of the tumor cells. In certain types of cancer, for e.g. metastatic breast cancer, the first line of therapy is often chemotherapy. But the inability of current clinically approved drugs to selectively target tumor cells, ultimately results in side effects. To reduce these side effects, prodrug therapies have been developed. A prodrug is defined as a drug molecule inactivated by a temporary cap or carrier, subsequently removed by an external intra or extracellular stimulus. Several prodrug strategies such as ADEPT (Antibody–Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy) have been tested in clinical trials but have thus far met with limited success. In the wake of these limitations, development of photo-activatable prodrugs may be particularly desirable for minimizing the adverse side effects associated with current cancer chemotherapeutics. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a light dependent tumor treatment modality that has existed for many years. PDT involves a photosensitizer which is administered to the patient and later activated using the light of wavelengths between 650-800 nm. The activated photosensitizer creates singlet oxygen, which acts as cytotoxic agent to the tumor cells. But this approach has several drawbacks including slow uptake of the photosensitizer by the tumor cells and the dependence on molecular oxygen that is not always present at even moderate levels in the tumor tissues. To address these limitations of PDT, we developed a new prodrug concept called ‘Photocaged Permeability’ in our first project, and demonstrated drug delivery using this approach. The basis of this concept is that, by attaching a hydrophilic molecule to the drug via a photosensitive linker, the permeability of the drug could be restrained. But the drug could be released at the site of the tumor after irradiating with UV light. To achieve this goal, we designed and synthesized a photosensitive drug conjugate that was comprised of doxorubicin attached to a negatively charged, cell impermeable molecule, EDANS (5-((2-Aminoethyl) amino) naphthalein-1-sulfonic acid) via a photosensitive nitroveratryl linker. Later, we performed MTT (cell viability) assays using esophageal adenocarcinoma (JH-EsoAd1) cells to determine the efficiency of our drug conjugate to induce cell death. As expected our drug conjugate was able to induce cell death, but only in presence of light. But in the dark, the cells remained unaffected. Also, we did several control studies to substantiate the fact that the cell death was actually due to drug release but not due to light or other entities. Further, we performed FACS (Fluorescence Assisted Cell Sorting) and confocal assays to show that in dark, the drug conjugate did not permeate cells. But upon irradiation with UV light, the drug was released from the conjugate, permeated the cells and induced cell death. A weakness of the above mentioned approach is that the drug is “decaged” or photo-released from the conjugates only under UV light; which cannot be translated to physiological conditions. This is because the UV light cannot penetrate deeper than 5 mm into the human skin. As a result, tumor cells that are deeply embedded in the human body cannot be treated using these approaches. To address this problem, Near Infrared (NIR) light could be used as it penetrates deeper than UV. Recently, several groups have reported using Upconverting Nanoparticles (UCNP) for the purpose of drug activation. The basis of this phenomenon is that the incidence of NIR light on these particles initiates multi-photon processes, eventually emitting UV/VIS wavelengths. The advantage of the NIR is that it deeply penetrates into the human skin. In our latest project, we have designed a drug conjugate that would be attached to UCNPs. We envision that after grafting the drug conjugate onto the nanoparticles and irradiating it with NIR drug release will occur as a result of upconversion. The above two systems describes novel methodologies for controlled release of the drug. To further improve the efficacy of the drug action, we designed new photosensitive systems based on the concept of targeted drug delivery. Targeted drug delivery is a treatment methodology in which the modified chemotherapeutic drug with higher tumor affinity could be concentrated in the tumor tissues. In certain cases, the receptors of tumor cells are targeted for the purpose of therapy. Receptors are cell surface proteins that are expressed on their plasma membrane. A select few of them such as Folic Acid Receptor (FAR) and PSMA (Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen) are overexpressed in malignant cells. In our new designs, we attached folic acid and urea based (DUPA) ligand, which were previously reported to bind to FAR and PSMA receptors respectively. Cell studies are currently underway to determine the specificity of these drug conjugates in targeting tumor cells. Once we demonstrate the above drug delivery strategies in vitro and later in vivo, we will have established novel drug delivery systems that could potentially be applied towards chemotherapeutic treatment.

Among the most prevalent and devastating types of human birth defects are those affecting the mouth and face, such as orofacial clefts. Children with malformed orofacial structures undergo multiple surgeries throughout their lifetime and struggle with facial disfigurements, speech, hearing, and eating problems. Therefore, facilitating new research in cranio- and orofacial development is paramount to prevention and treatment of these types of birth defects in humans. Xenopus laevis has emerged as a new tool for dissecting the mechanisms governing facial development. Thus, molecular analyses accompanied by quantitative assessment of morphological changes during orofacial development of this species could be very powerful for understanding how these defects arise. In this dissertation, I present such a study. I first establish a quantitative protocol to describe size and shape changes in facial morphology of wild-type Xenopus embryos. I then utilize this method on embryos in which retinoic acid signaling or folate metabolism have been disrupted to correlate morphological changes with their underlying mechanisms. Finally, I demonstrate the utility of Xenopus as a system for chemical genomics to uncover other regulators of orofacial development.

Nos últimos anos a incidência do câncer tem crescido significativamente mundialmente, porém, as técnicas atualmente empregadas para a detecção da doença não são individualmente conclusivas, além de serem extremamente invasivas e não permitirem seu diagnóstico precoce, o que justifica o desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias alternativas para a detecção do câncer. Células cancerígenas possuem receptores específicos de alta afinidade com folato e por serem altamente replicativas, são extremamente dependentes do suprimento de folato reduzido. Os alfa-receptores de folato (FR α) são proteínas com propriedades bioquímicas específicas as quais podem ser exploradas pela estratégia de marcação para detecção e tratamento do câncer (biomarcadores). Com raras exceções, são induzidos seletivamente em tecidos cancerígenos e raramente expressos em células normais, mostrando-se, assim, altamente seletivos e específicos. Sendo assim, neste projeto objetivou-se a expressão e a purificação dos FR α, além da sua imobilização em microssistema para estudos subsequentes em biossensores. Foram promovidos testes de expressão da proteína heteróloga (rFR α) em E. coli em diferentes linhagens, temperaturas e tempos de indução da expressão sendo observada a expressão da proteína recombinante de forma insolúvel. Paralelamente foram promovidos testes de expressão da proteína rFR α em P. pastoris, os quais não se mostraram eficientes, uma vez que não foi possível a detecção da proteína em estudo. Como alternativa, uma nova construção, em fusão com a proteína Trigger fator (TF) de E. coli, uma chaperona molecular de alta solubilidade, foi testada. Através de análises por SDS-PAGE, Western Blot, OFFGEL e espectrometria de massas, foi possível comprovar a produção da proteína recombinante TFFRα. Ainda, a proteína foi imobilizada em lipossomos, o que proporcionou o desenvolvimento de um padrão analítico que poderá ser utilizado em estudos subsequentes com biossensores de FR α. Este estudo será útil para o desenvolvimento de drogas visando a inativação desta proteína, como os anti-folatos, que são hoje os agentes anti-neoplásicos mais investigados, e possibilitará a caracterização bioanalítica da proteína FR α recombinante (rFR α) bem como o desenvolvimento de novos biossensores. / In recent years the incidence of cancer has grown significantly globally. Even though, the techniques currently employed for the detection of cancer are not individually conclusive due to the subjectivity of the analysis, inherently invasive, and are unable to provide early diagnosis. Therefore, the development of new technologies for cancer detection and prognostic are justified. Cancer cells have specific receptors with high affinity towards folate and are highly replicative. Alpha folate receptor (FR α) are extracellular proteins with specific biochemical properties since, with rare exceptions, are induced selectively in cancerous tissues and rarely expressed in normal cells, being highly sensitive and specific. In this work we produced FR α heterologously and we immobilized it on a microsystem mimicking a cancer cell that will become an analytical standard for studies with biosensors. Firstly, we produced rFR α in different E. coli strains, exploring variation of temperature and induction times, in which we observed the expression of insoluble protein. We also tried the expression in P. pastoris system, which was not efficient as well. Alternatively, we cloned FOLR1 gene in a special vector that enables the expression of FR α fusioned with the Trigger fator from E. coli, a highly soluble molecular chaperone. Using SDS-PAGE, Western Blot, OFFGEL and mass espectrometry we observed the production of soluble TFFR α. The recombinant protein was immobilized in liposomes, producing an analytical standard for studies with FR α-based biosensors. Our findings open research possibility in drug development, like anti-folates, besides the development of new biosensors.

Introdução: Frutas, legumes e verduras (FLV) contêm vários nutrientes com efeitos favoráveis para a saúde humana. Dentre estes, o folato é um dos nutrientes chaves envolvido na manutenção da saúde, com um potencial papel na redução das concentrações plasmáticas de homocisteína (hcy), reconhecido marcador de doença cardiovascular. Objetivos: Investigar o consumo de FLV, segundo características sóciodemográficas, antropométricas e de estilo de vida e relacionar o consumo de FLV e de folato com os níveis sanguíneos de hcy em adolescentes. Métodos: Este estudo utilizou dados de adolescentes de ambos os sexos, faixa etária de 12 a 19 anos, obtidos no Inquérito de Saúde ISA - Capital, realizado periodicamente no Município de São Paulo. O consumo de FLV foi estimado no estudo realizado em 2003, cuja amostra foi de 812 participantes. Para avaliação das relações entre FLV, folato e hcy, foram utilizados dados coletados no segundo ISA-Capital, entre os anos de 2008-2010 com amostra de 183 adolescentes. O consumo de FLV e de equivalentes de folato dietético (DFE), bem como o consumo de folato natural e ácido fólico, foram estimados por um recordatório de 24h. A análise bioquímica das concentrações plasmáticas de hcy foi realizada pelo método de cromatografia líquida. O ponto de corte de hcy plasmática utilizado foi de <8 mol/L para indivíduos com menos de 15 anos e <12 mol/L para indivíduos entre 15 e 19 anos. A concentração média de hcy plasmática foi descrita de acordo com os tercis de consumo de FLV, segundo as características sócio-demográficas, antropométricas e de estilo de vida. Todas as análises estatísticas foram realizadas no STATA® versão 10.0 considerando o nível de significância 5 por cento . Resultados: No primeiro estudo (2003) 20 por cento dos adolescentes não consumiram FLV no dia relatado e 6,5 por cento apresentaram consumo adequado. Renda, escolaridade do chefe da família e tabagismo influenciaram este consumo. Já no segundo estudo (2008-2010), 56 por cento não consumiram FLV e somente 4,9 por cento atingiram as recomendações. A prevalência de hiperhomocisteinemia na população estudada foi de 9,2 por cento . Adolescentes de 12 a 15 anos apresentaram menores valores de hcy (6,9mol/L) em comparação com os de 16 a 19 anos (8,4mol/L). Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas nos níveis plasmáticos de hcy analisados por tercis de consumo de FLV segundo características sócio-demográficas, de estilo de vida e antropométricas. Os alimentos que mais contribuíram com o consumo de DFE foram: pães (38,4 por cento ), seguidos pelo feijão (11,7 por cento ) e massas (10,1 por cento ). Para folato natural os alimentos de maior contribuição foram: feijão (30,3 por cento ), FLV (14,9 por cento ) e pães (14,6 por cento ); e, para o ácido fólico, se destacaram pães (53,3 por cento ), massas (14,6) e biscoitos (9,8 por cento ). Conclusão: O consumo de FLV por adolescentes está muito abaixo das recomendações nas duas amostras estudadas e não influenciou as concentrações plasmáticas de hcy / Background: Fruits and vegetables (FV) contains multiple nutrients with beneficial effects for human health. Among these, folate is one of the key nutrients involved in maintaining health, with a potential role in reducing plasma concentrations of homocysteine (hcy), recognized marker of cardiovascular disease. Objectives: To investigate the FV intake, according to socio-demographic, anthropometric and lifestyle characteristics and to relate the FV and folate intake with blood levels of hcy in adolescents. Methods: This study used data from adolescents of both sexes, aged 12 to 19, enrolled in the Health Survey ISA - Capital, periodically held in São Paulo. The FV intake was estimated in the study conducted in 2003, comprising 812 participants. To assess the relationship between FV, folate and hcy, we used data collected in the ISA Capital, conducted between the years 2008-2010 with a sample of 183 adolescents. The FV intake and dietary folate equivalents (DFE), as well as natural folate and folic acid intake, were estimated by a 24-hour recall. Biochemical analysis of plasma hcy was performed by liquid chromatography. The cutoff point for plasma hcy was <8 mmol/L for individuals younger than 15 years and <12 mmol/L for individuals aged between 15 and 19 years. The average concentration of plasma hcy was described into tertiles of FV intake, according to the socio-demographic, anthropometric and lifestyle characteristics. All statistical analyzes were performed in STATA ® version 10.0 with 5 per cent of significance level. Results: In the first study (2003) 20 per cent of adolescents not consumed FV on day evaluated and only 6.5 per cent had adequate intake. Per capita household income, head of familys level and smoking habit influenced this consumption. In the second study (2008-2010), 56 per cent not consumed FV and only 4.9 per cent met the recommendations. The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia was 9.2 per cent . Adolescents aged 12 to 15 years had lower levels of hcy (6.9 mmol/L) compared with 16 to 19 years (8.4 mmol/L). No significant differences were found in plasma levels of hcy into tertiles of FV intake according to socio-demographic, lifestyle and anthropometric characteristics. Foods that most contributed to DFE intake were bread (38.4 per cent ), followed by beans (11.7 per cent ) and pasta (10.1 per cent ). For natural folate, the foods that most contributed were: beans (30.3 per cent ), FV (14.9 per cent ) and breads (14.6 per cent ), and for folic acid, breads (53.3 per cent ), pasta (14.6) and biscuits (9.8 per cent ). Conclusion: FV intake by adolescents is below the recommendations and not influenced plasma concentrations of hcy

Les folates et la vitamine B12 sont essentiels au bon déroulement du développement cérébral. Ils agissent comme donneurs de méthyles dans le cycle des monocarbones où ils influencent les mécanismes épigénétiques. Les carences en folate et vitamine B12 sont fréquentes chez la femme enceinte et constituent un facteur de risque pour diverses pathologies neurologiques et les défauts développementaux ; ainsi de nombreux pays recommandent une supplémentation périconceptionnelle en acide folique. Une carence gestationnelle chez le rat est associée à un retard de croissance, à un défaut de sutures cérébrales, et à une atrophie de couches cérébrales qui s’accompagnent de troubles à long terme. Let-7a, miR-34a et miR-124a sont des microRNAs régulés par méthylation qui participent au développement cérébral. Leur expression est augmentée en condition de carence. L’expression de leurs cibles, respectivement Trim71, Dll1/Notch et Stat3, est réduite dans le cerveau d’embryons carencés, de même que l’expression et l’activité des récepteurs au glutamate AMPAR1/2 et NMDAR1/2, acteurs de la plasticité synaptique, à 21 jours post-natals. Une supplémentation périnatale en folate (3 mg/kg/j) normalise l’expression des microARN et de leurs cibles, et réduit les défauts structuraux et fonctionnels. Leur répression par siRNA améliore le phénotype de progéniteurs hippocampiques déplétés en B9, et stimule la croissance neuritique. Ces résultats soulignent le rôle potentiel de let-7a, miR-34a, miR-124a et de leurs voies de signalisation dans les anomalies développementales associées à une carence, et montre l’intérêt d’une supplémentation périnatale en folate chez les femmes à risque / Folate and vitamin B12 are essential for proper cerebral development. They act as methyl donors in the one-carbon metabolism and influence epigenetic mechanisms. Low dietary intakes of folate and vitamin B12 are frequent in pregnant women, and deficiency constitutes a risk factor for various neurological and developmental disorders. In several countries, public health policies recommend periconceptional supplementation with folic acid. Gestational deficiency in rats was associated with growth retardation, brain suture defects and atrophy of cerebral layers with long-term brain disabilities. The microRNA let-7a, miR-34a and miR-124a are regulated by methylation and required for brain development. Their expression was augmented in deficiency condition. Protein levels of their targets Trim 71, Dll1/Notch and Stat3, respectively, were decreased in the brains of deprived fetuses, as well as glutamate receptors AMPAR1/2 and NMDAR1/2 in 21d-old rats. Perinatal folate supplementation (3 mg/kg/d) restored the levels of microRNA and their downstream targets, with reduction of structural and functional defects. Silencing by siRNA improved the phenotype of deprived cells, and neurite outgrowth. The data outline the potential role of let-7a, miR-34a, miR-124a and their signaling pathways in developmental defects related to methyl donor deficiency, and support the likely usefulness of perinatal folate supplementation in at risk women

Nos últimos anos a incidência do câncer tem crescido significativamente mundialmente, porém, as técnicas atualmente empregadas para a detecção da doença não são individualmente conclusivas, além de serem extremamente invasivas e não permitirem seu diagnóstico precoce, o que justifica o desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias alternativas para a detecção do câncer. Células cancerígenas possuem receptores específicos de alta afinidade com folato e por serem altamente replicativas, são extremamente dependentes do suprimento de folato reduzido. Os alfa-receptores de folato (FR &alpha;) são proteínas com propriedades bioquímicas específicas as quais podem ser exploradas pela estratégia de marcação para detecção e tratamento do câncer (biomarcadores). Com raras exceções, são induzidos seletivamente em tecidos cancerígenos e raramente expressos em células normais, mostrando-se, assim, altamente seletivos e específicos. Sendo assim, neste projeto objetivou-se a expressão e a purificação dos FR &alpha;, além da sua imobilização em microssistema para estudos subsequentes em biossensores. Foram promovidos testes de expressão da proteína heteróloga (rFR &alpha;) em E. coli em diferentes linhagens, temperaturas e tempos de indução da expressão sendo observada a expressão da proteína recombinante de forma insolúvel. Paralelamente foram promovidos testes de expressão da proteína rFR &alpha; em P. pastoris, os quais não se mostraram eficientes, uma vez que não foi possível a detecção da proteína em estudo. Como alternativa, uma nova construção, em fusão com a proteína Trigger fator (TF) de E. coli, uma chaperona molecular de alta solubilidade, foi testada. Através de análises por SDS-PAGE, Western Blot, OFFGEL e espectrometria de massas, foi possível comprovar a produção da proteína recombinante TFFR&alpha;. Ainda, a proteína foi imobilizada em lipossomos, o que proporcionou o desenvolvimento de um padrão analítico que poderá ser utilizado em estudos subsequentes com biossensores de FR &alpha;. Este estudo será útil para o desenvolvimento de drogas visando a inativação desta proteína, como os anti-folatos, que são hoje os agentes anti-neoplásicos mais investigados, e possibilitará a caracterização bioanalítica da proteína FR &alpha; recombinante (rFR &alpha;) bem como o desenvolvimento de novos biossensores. / In recent years the incidence of cancer has grown significantly globally. Even though, the techniques currently employed for the detection of cancer are not individually conclusive due to the subjectivity of the analysis, inherently invasive, and are unable to provide early diagnosis. Therefore, the development of new technologies for cancer detection and prognostic are justified. Cancer cells have specific receptors with high affinity towards folate and are highly replicative. Alpha folate receptor (FR &alpha;) are extracellular proteins with specific biochemical properties since, with rare exceptions, are induced selectively in cancerous tissues and rarely expressed in normal cells, being highly sensitive and specific. In this work we produced FR &alpha; heterologously and we immobilized it on a microsystem mimicking a cancer cell that will become an analytical standard for studies with biosensors. Firstly, we produced rFR &alpha; in different E. coli strains, exploring variation of temperature and induction times, in which we observed the expression of insoluble protein. We also tried the expression in P. pastoris system, which was not efficient as well. Alternatively, we cloned FOLR1 gene in a special vector that enables the expression of FR &alpha; fusioned with the Trigger fator from E. coli, a highly soluble molecular chaperone. Using SDS-PAGE, Western Blot, OFFGEL and mass espectrometry we observed the production of soluble TFFR &alpha;. The recombinant protein was immobilized in liposomes, producing an analytical standard for studies with FR &alpha;-based biosensors. Our findings open research possibility in drug development, like anti-folates, besides the development of new biosensors.

O aborto espontâneo recorrente (AER) é caracterizado pela ocorrência de três ou mais abortos consecutivos e acomete 2-4% das mulheres em idade fértil. A etiologia está associada a vários fatores de risco, tais como anomalias uterinas, aberrações cromossômicas, autoimunidade, trombofilias, elevação na concentração de homocisteína (tHcy), porém cerca de 40% dos casos permanece sem causa definida. O metabolismo de unidades de carbono desempenha papel fundamental na disponibilidade de folato na célula, sendo essencial para o desenvolvimento placentário e fetal. Deficiência de vitaminas que regulam este metabolismo, como o ácido fólico, e polimorfismos em genes que codificam enzimas relacionadas ao metabolismo de folato (MTHFR, RFC1, GCP2 e MTHFD1) podem levar à redução das concentrações desta vitamina e ao aumento das concentrações de tHcy. Objetivo foi avaliar a associação entre polimorfismos em genes relacionados ao metabolismo do folato (RFC1, GCP2, MTHFR e MTHFD1) e o risco de se ter AER, bem como avaliar a associação entre estes polimorfismos e as alterações nas concetranções de folato, cobalamina e homocisteína. Foram constituídos três grupos: AER primário: 117 mulheres com AER e nenhum feto viável; AER secundário: 139 mulheres com AER e pelo menos um feto viável; e Controle: 264 mulheres sem história de aborto espontâneo. Nenhuma das mulheres estava grávida no momento da coleta do sangue. Amostras de sangue foram obtidas para dosagens bioquímicas (folato, Cbl, tHcy, entre outras), imunológicas e extração de DNA genômico. As genotipagens foram feitas por PCR-RFLP ou PCR em tempo real. As concentrações séricas de folato e Cbl foram maiores no AER primário e secundário (p<0,05). A distribuição dos genótipos de todos os polimorfismos foi semelhante nos três grupos. O aumento nas concentrações de folato sérico (OR: 1,05, 95% IC: 1,03 - 1,07, p<0,001), Cbl (OR: 1,00, 95% IC: 1,00 - 1,00, p= 0,016), tHcy (OR: 1,03, 95% IC: 0,97 - 1,11, p= 0,033) e T4 (OR: 1,02, 95% IC: 1,00 - 1,03, p= 0,006) e a presença de FAN reagente (1:160) (OR: 2,90, 95% IC: 1,25 - 6,75, p= 0,013) foram considerados fatores de risco para aborto primário. Para o aborto secundário, foram considerados fatores de risco o aumento nas concentrações de folato sérico (OR: 1,04, 95% IC: 1,02 - 1,05, p<0,001), Cbl (OR: 1,00, 95% IC: 1,00 - 1,00, p= 0,019) e tHcy (OR: 1,05, 95% IC: 1,00 - 1,09, p= 0,039), maiores idades (OR: 1,02, 95% IC: 0,98 - 1,06, p= 0,031), hábito de fumar (OR: 2,54, 95% IC: 1,41 - 4,60, p= 0,002) e ter maior IMC (OR:1,42, 95% IC: 1,07 - 1,88, p= 0,015). Os polimorfismos estudados não foram associados ao maior risco de se ter AER, quando analisados isoladamente, e também não foram associados a alterações nas concentrações séricas de folato, Cbl e tHcy, com exceção do genótipo MTHFR 677TT, cujas portadoras apresentaram maior concentração de tHcy, quando comparadas com as portadoras de genótipos 677CC e 677CT nos três grupos. As variáveis concentrações de folato, Cbl, tHcy e T4 e presença de FAN reagente foram associadas ao maior risco de se ter aborto primário. As variáveis idade, IMC, tabagismo, concentrações de folato, Cbl e tHcy foram associadas ao maior risco de aborto secundário. / The recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is characterized by the occurrence of three or more consecutive miscarriages and affects 2-4% of women of childbearing age. The etiology is associated with several risk factors such as uterine abnormalities, chromosomal aberrations, autoimmunity, thrombophilia, increased concentration of homocysteine (tHcy). About 40% of cases remains unknown cause. The units of carbon metabolism plays an essential role in the availability of the cell folate, is essential for the placental and fetal development. A deficiency of the vitamins that regulate this metabolism, like folic acid, and polymorphisms in genes encoding enzymes related to folate metabolism (MTHFR, RFC1, and GCP2 MTHFD1) may lead to decreased concentrations of this vitamin and increased concentrations of tHcy. Objective was to evaluate the association between polymorphisms in genes related to folate metabolism (RFC1, GCP2, MTHFD1 and MTHFR) and the risk of having AER, and to evaluate the association between these polymorphisms and changes in concetranções folate, cobalamin, and homocysteine. Three groups were divided: AER primary: 117 women with RSA and no viable fetus, AER secondary: 139 women with RSA and at least one viable fetus and Control: 264 women with no history of miscarriage. None of the women was pregnant at time of blood collection. Blood samples were taken for biochemical (folate, Cbl, tHcy, etc.), immunological and genomic DNA extraction. The genotyping were carried out by PCR-RFLP or real time PCR. Serum concentrations of folate and Cbl were higher in groups 1 and 2 (p <0.05). The distribution of genotypes of MTHFR c.677C> T, MTHFR c.1298A> C, MTHFD1 c.1958G> A, RFC1 c.80G>GCP2 A and c.1561C> T was similar among the three groups. The increased concentrations of serum folate (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.03 - 1.07, p <0.001), Cbl (OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.00, p = 0.016), tHcy (OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.97 to 1.11, p = 0.033) and T4 (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.03, p = 0.006) and the presence of ANA (1:160) (OR: 2.90, 95% CI: 1.25 - 6.75, p = 0.013) were considered risk factors primary for abortion. For secondary abortion, were considered risk factors increased the concentrations of serum folate (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02 - 1.05, p <0.001), cobalamin (OR: 1.00, 95 % CI: 1.00 to 1.00, p = 0.019) and tHcy (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.09, p = 0.039), higher age (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.98 to 1.06, p = 0.031), cigarette smoking (OR: 2.54, 95% CI: 1.41 to 4.60, p = 0.002) and had a higher BMI (OR : 1,42,95% CI: 1.07 to 1.88, p = 0.015). The studied polymorphisms were not associated with increased risk of having RSA when analyzed separately, and were not associated with changes in serum folate, Cbl and tHcy, with the exception of the MTHFR 677TT genotype, whose patients had a higher concentration of total tHcy compared with those with 677CC and 677CT genotypes in the three groups. The variable concentrations of folate, Cbl, tHcy, and T4, presence of ANA and have been associated with increased risk for miscarriage primary. The variables age, BMI, smoking, concentrations of folate, Cbl and tHcy were associated with increased risk of secondary miscarriage.