Neurogenesis continues postnatally in two major neural stem cell (NSC) niches: The subventricular zone (SVZ) and dentate gurus of the hippocampus. SVZ NSCs self-renew and produce transit amplifying progenitor cells that, in turn, divide and give rise to neuroblasts. These neuroblasts migrate to the olfactory bulbs, via the rostral migratory stream (RMS), where they terminally differentiate into mature neurons. The postnatal SVZ (pSVZ) is more gliogenic than its adult counterpart (aSVZ), contributing to robust postnatal astrocytogenesis and oligodendrogenesis in the surrounding brain parenchyma. Studies examining Galectin-3 (Gal-3) in the aSVZ showed it has functions in regulating neuroblast migration, microglial activation, oligodendrocytic differentiation, and angiogenesis. However, the role of Gal-3 in pSVZ lineage progression is unknown. This thesis aims to unravel the roles of Gal-3 in regulating pSVZ lineage progression, fate choices, and NSC activation. In doing so, the thesis tackles the molecular pathways possibly involved in mediating the effects of Gal-3. I found through co-immunoprecipitation that Gal-3 was bound to β-catenin and both proteins were co-expressed in the aSVZ. In addition, expression of Gal-3 and Wnt/β-catenin signalling were downregulated as SVZ cells progressed through the lineage and became migratory. I hypothesised that Gal-3 may regulate lineage progression through regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling. To explore this hypothesis, Gal-3 overexpression, knockdown or control plasmids were co-electroporated with a Wnt/β-catenin reporter into the SVZ of postnatal day two mice. I found lineage progression was not altered by Gal-3 overexpression. Surprisingly, contrary to evidence described in the cancer literature, Gal-3 overexpression reduced Wnt/β-catenin signalling. This was accompanied by an acute reduction in proliferation. Also, more cells expressed p27/Kip1 in the SVZ, and more cells migrated into the RMS, suggesting increased cell cycle exit. However, NSC proliferation and clonal neurosphere forming capacity were not altered by Gal-3 overexpression, indicating that NSC activation was not influenced by Gal-3. While olfactory neuronogenesis was not altered by Gal-3 overexpression, striatal astrocytogenesis was increased while oligodendrogenesis was dampened. Further experiments revealed phosphorylation of Smad proteins 1/5/8 was increased in vivo and in vitro after Gal-3 overexpression. These findings indicate that Gal-3 positively regulated BMP signalling in the SVZ, possibly contributing to Gal-3's pro-gliogenic effects. Taken together, this thesis supports a model whereby a subpopulation of Gal-3-responsive pSVZ cells reacted to Gal-3 overexpression by acutely exiting the cell cycle, and possibly through the same mechanisms, switched from oligodendrocytic to astrocytic fate. These cellular responses might have been brought about, at least partially, by acute suppression of Wnt/β-catenin and activation of BMP signalling. These novel findings emphasise the regulatory actions of Gal-3 on pSVZ lineage progression through Wnt/β- catenin and BMP signalling.

Orientadores: Paulo Pinto Joazeiro, Luiz Carlos Alves / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T05:21:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Silva_MonicaMariaMoreira_D.pdf: 3522039 bytes, checksum: c8adbfe076ccc79eaa19efeb2f0d8fe7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: Em camundongos, a sínfise púbica (SP) é metabolicamente ativa durante a prenhez. As adaptações orquestradas por hormônios e a sobrecarga mecânica imposta na sínfise, que gradualmente dá lugar ao ligamento interpúbico (Lip) e ao seu "relaxamento" no final da prenhez permitem a passagem da prole pelo canal do parto. Tais modificações oferecem oportunidade para estudo de remodelação de tecidos semelhantes às que ocorrem nas disfunções e distopias do assoalho pélvico feminino. Estudaram-se características morfológicas, imunohistoquímica das proteínas Galectina-3(GAL3) e CartilageOligomericProtein Matrix (COMP) e o comportamento biomecânico, na SP de camundongos fêmeas adultas jovens, durante a primeira prenhez e após o parto por meio de técnicas histológicas convencionais, imunohistoquímica, microscopia de luz, eletrônica de transmissão e varredura. Nas análises da organização fibrilar utilizou-se transformada rápida de Fourier (FFT) e do comportamento biomecânico ensaio destrutivo de tração uniaxial em máquina de testes universal com velocidade constante e força progressiva nas SP/Lip de camundongos C57BL6 grupos: (NP-controle), 12, 15 e 19 dias (d) após a verificação do plug vaginal e no 30, 50 e 100dias após o parto (dpp). No ensaio de tração uniaxial, a força máxima necessária para o início da ruptura do tecido diminuiu no decorrer da prenhez, sendo o menor valor medido no dia do parto, aumentou a partir deste dia, e no 10dpp retornou a valores próximos aosdos animais NP. A energia total de ruptura (ETR) diminuiu no 12d e a partir de 15d aumentou até o 5dpp, no 10dpp, diminuiu porém se manteve menor que o NP. Na Imunolocalização das proteínas COMP e GAL3 foram detectadas em todos os grupos, com variações no tipo celular e na localização. A morfologia bicorne do útero de camundongos e o peso do útero com os filhotes alteram os estímulos mecânicos nos tecidos interpúbicos e contribuem para sua remodelação. No 3dpp, quando os estímulos mecânicos foram abruptamente retirados no parto, observaram-se organelas compostas por microtúbulos semelhante a cílio solitário não móvel, citado como organela mecanosensorial. O comportamento biomecânico dos tecidos interpúbicos durante a prenhez e após o parto foi coerente com a histoarquitetura destes e a imunolocalização das proteínas COMP e GAL-3, à medida que o comportamento biomecânico dos tecidos se modifica são indicativos que essas proteínas estão envolvidas no remodelamento de transições de elementos ósseos e ligamentares e fibrocatilaginosas durante a prenhez e após o parto. Este remodelamento que proporciona afastamento de ossos púbicos e a rápida recuperação que se inicia pós-parto, oferece suporte ao canal de parto de animais que possuem útero bicorne a exemplo do camundongo, morcego e cobaia / Abstract: In mice, the pubic symphysis (PS) is metabolically active during pregnancy. Adaptations orchestrated by hormones and mechanical overload that the symphysis goes through during this period, which gradually gives place to an interpubic ligament (IpL) and the relaxation at the end of pregnancy, allows the passage of offspring through the birth canal. Such changes provide an opportunity to study remodeling of tissues such as those that occur in disorders and dystopias of the female pelvic floor. We studied morphological, immunohistochemical analysis of galectin-3 (GAL3) and Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein (COMP) proteins and the biomechanical behavior in young adult females PS mice during first pregnancy and postpartum (dpp) through conventional histological techniques, immunohistochemistry and light,transmition and scanning electron microscopies. In analyzes of fibrillar organization we used fast Fourier transform and the biomechanical behavior destructive tensile testing in a universal testing machine with constant speed and progressive force in the PS/IpL C57BL6 mice groups: (NP-control), 12, 15 and 19 days (d) after checking the vaginal plug and 3th, 5th and 10thpp. In tensile testing the maximum force required to initiate the rupture of the tissue decreased in the course of pregnancy, with the lowest value measured at day of birth, increasing from this day on and at the 10dpp returned to the NP individual¿s value.The total rupture energy (TRE) decreasesat d12 and increased from d15 until 5dpp, decreasing at the 10dpp but remained lower than the NP. Immunolocalization of COMP and GAL3 proteins were detected in all groups, with variations in cell type and location. The bicornuate uterus morphology of the mice and the weight of the uterus with cubs alter the mechanical stimuli in interpubic tissues, contribute to its remodeling. In 3dpp when mechanical stimuli were abruptly removed at birth. It was observed organelles consisting of microtubules that were similar to a solitary cilium quoted as mechanosensory organelle.The biomechanical behavior of interpubic tissues during pregnancy and after delivery was consistent with the histoarchitecture and immunolocalization of COMP and GAL-3 protein, as the biomechanical behavior of the tissue changes are indicative that these proteins are involved in the remodeling of transitions bony and ligamentous elements and fibrocartilaginous during pregnancy and after childbirth. This remodeling that provides removal of pubic bones and a quick postpartum recovery, offers birth canal support of animals that have bicornuate uterus such as the mouse, guinea pig and bat / Doutorado / Biologia Tecidual / Doutora em Biologia Celular e Estrutural

Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the world, and the number of people with the disease increases each year. The therapy of the disease currently stands on four pillars; surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. Through the past few years, immunotherapy has become the fastest developing treatment modality. However, despite its unprecedented efficacy in some patients, the majority of patients still does not respond to the therapy. Therefore, there is a need to investigate the mechanisms that make immunotherapy inefficient. Cell-based cancer immunotherapy is the treatment modality which uses live ex vivo-produced tumor-targeting immune cells to treat cancer. One of the mechanisms that may compromise its therapeutic efficacy is the expression of inhibitory molecules on the surface of the produced immune cells. Tim-3 is the inhibitory molecule which attracts attention in recent years. Tim-3 expression in the tumor cells and the tumor-infiltrating immune cells is often associated with worse prognosis and more aggressive forms of the disease. However, its role in the in vitro or ex vivo-produced immune cells is difficult to predict. In this work, an in vitro study model which is based on in vitro-produced antigen-specific CD8+ T cells with high expression of Tim-3 has been...

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Giant axonal neuropathy (GAN) is a rare genetic disease that causes progressive damage to the nervous system. Neurons in GAN patients develop an abnormal organization of cytoskeletal proteins called intermediate filaments (IFs), which normally provide strength and support for the overall cell structure. The irregular IF structure in GAN patient neurons leads to a progressive loss of motor skills in children and subsequent death in adolescence. GAN is caused by reduced levels of the gigaxonin (Giga) protein. Giga functions to control the degradation of other cellular proteins, and the loss of Giga in GAN cells results in significantly elevated levels of the galectin-1 (Gal-1) protein. Gal-1 stabilizes the active form of the Ras signaling protein, which functions as a molecular switch to regulate the phosphorylation and subsequent organization of IFs. The connection between these pathways led us to propose that Giga regulates IF phosphorylation and structure by modulating Ras signaling through the degradation of Gal-1. Using GAN patient cells, we demonstrated that restoring Giga reduced Gal-1 protein levels, decreased IF phosphorylation, and reestablished normal IF organization. Similar effects of reduced IF phosphorylation and improved IF structure were also obtained in GAN cells by directly decreasing the protein levels of either Gal-1, or downstream Ras signaling proteins. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the loss of Giga induces Gal-1 mediated activation of Ras signaling, thereby leading to the increased IF phosphorylation and abnormal IF structure observed in GAN cells. Identification of aberrant Ras signaling is significant because it is the first to specify a mechanism by which the loss of Giga leads to the development of GAN and provides targets for novel drug therapies for the treatment of this currently immedicable genetic disease.

No description available.

Anormalidades miocárdicas destacam-se entre as manifestações cardiovasculares da doença renal policística autossômica dominante (DRPAD). Para investigar a patogênese dessas manifestações, analisamos o fenótipo cardíaco em camundongos com diferentes perfis de deficiência de Pkd1. Avaliamos o modelo Pkd1cond/cond:Nestincre (CI), com cistos renais e hipertensão, na idade de 20-24 semanas, e heterozigotos para mutação nula em Pkd1 (Pkd1+/-; HT) entre 10-13 semanas, representando um modelo não cístico de haploinsuficiência gênica. Animais Pkd1cond/cond (não cístico; NC) e Pkd1+/+ (selvagem, SV) foram usados como controles. Análises ecocardiográficas de camundongos CI e HT revelaram diminuição da fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo, indicando disfunção sistólica. A relação E/A e o tempo de desaceleração foram consistentes com disfunção diastólica em animais CI. Ecocardiografia por speckle-tracking mostrou redução na deformidade cardíaca (strain) nos modelos CI e HT. Os corações de ambos os grupos apresentaram índices de apoptose maiores e fibrose discreta. Neste cenário, investigamos galectina-3 (Gal-3) como modificador potencial do fenótipo cardíaco na DRPAD. Duplos-mutantes Pkd1cond/cond:Nestincre;Lgals3-/- (CIG-) e Pkd1+/- ;Lgals3-/- (HTG-) cursaram com melhora da função sistólica e de strain comparados a CIs e HTs, não diferindo de NCs e SVs. Animais HTG- apresentaram melhora parcial da função diastólica. Apoptose e fibrose cardíaca mostraram-se reduzidas em CIG-s e HTG-s, alcançando valores similares a NCs e SVs. Análises de western blot revelaram expressão de Gal-3 maior em corações CIs que NCs, porém o mesmo não ocorreu entre HTs e SVs. Os duplos-mutantes não apresentaram diferença na ureia sérica quando comparados a CIs e HTs, assim como nas frações de excreção de Na+, Cl- e K+. Por fim, empregamos um modelo renal cístico grave, homozigoto para um alelo que impede a clivagem da policistina-1 no sítio GPS (Pkd1V/V; VV), e mostramos que a ausência de galectina-3 aumentou a sobrevida em animais Pkd1V/V;Lgals3-/- (VVG-). Nossos resultados demonstram disfunção e alterações de deformidade miocárdica em diferentes modelos de deficiência de Pkd1, à semelhança da DRPAD humana, e revelam que knockout de Gal-3 resgata significativamente este fenótipo / Myocardial abnormalities stand out among ADPKD cardiovascular manifestations. To elucidate their pathogenesis, we analyzed the cardiac phenotype in distinct models of Pkd1-deficiency. We evaluated Pkd1cond/cond:Nestincre (CY) cystic, hypertensive mice at 20-24 weeks of age, and Pkd1+/- (HT) noncystic mice at 10-13 weeks, a model of gene haploinsufficiency. Pkd1cond/cond (noncystic; NC) and Pkd1+/+ (wild type, WT) animals were used as controls. Echocardiographic analyses in CY and HT mice revealed decreased left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF), indicating systolic dysfunction, as well as E/A ratios and deceleration times consistent with diastolic dysfunction in CY animals. Speckle-tracking echocardiography showed reduced cardiac deformability in both models. CY and HT hearts presented higher apoptotic rates and mild fibrosis. In this scenario, we investigated galectin-3 (Gal-3) as a potential modifier of the ADPKD cardiac phenotype. Double mutants Pkd1cond/cond:Nestincre;Lgals3-/- (CYG-) and Pkd1+/-;Lgals3-/- (HTG-) displayed improved systolic and deformability parameters compared to single mutants, while such values did not differ from NCs and WTs. HTG-s presented a partial improvement in diastolic function. CYG- and HTG- hearts showed decreased apoptosis and fibrosis, reaching NC and WT baselines. Western blot analyses revealed higher Gal-3 expression in CY than NC hearts but no difference between HT and WT mice. CYG- and HTG- animals showed no difference in BUN and in the fractional excretion of Na+, Cl- and K+ compared to CYs and HTs. We also employed a more severe renal cystic model, homozygous for an allele that hinders polycystin-1 cleavage at the GPS site (Pkd1V/V; VV), and showed that Pkd1V/V;Lgals3-/- mice present longer survival than VVs. Our findings demonstrate myocardial dysfunction and abnormal deformability in different Pkd1-deficient models, reproducing human ADPKD, and reveals that Gal-3 knockout significantly rescues this phenotype

INTRODUÇÃO: Os carcinomas papilífero e folicular são neoplasias malignas primárias da glândula tireóide. Em conjunto, recebem o nome de carcinoma bem diferenciado. Determinar o risco individual da ocorrência de metástase nesses casos auxilia na seleção da terapêutica que é atualmente baseada na classificação de acordo com fatores prognósticos, aos quais pode ser associada a pesquisa de marcadores biológicos. Dentre eles, destaca-se a galectina-3, cujas funções exercidas nos compartimentos celulares foram descritas em uma variedade de neoplasias. Entretanto, seu papel no carcinoma tireóideo permanece controverso. Com o intuito de investigar se a galectina-3 pode auxiliar na predição do risco individual da ocorrência de metástase e se está associada aos critérios de malignidade do carcinoma bem diferenciado, a presente pesquisa objetivou verificar as seguintes hipóteses: 1) se há diferença da imunoexpressão da galectina-3 nos compartimentos do tireócito maligno entre os doentes com e sem metástase e se é possível predizer o risco de metástase em função da quantificação digital desse marcador; 2) se há diferença da imunoexpressão da galectina-3 entre o tecido tireóideo maligno e o não neoplásico; conforme a presença de invasão tecidual; e conforme a sobrevivência; 3) se há indício do envolvimento da galectina-3 com apoptose, indução da proliferação celular e angiogênese. MÉTODO: Trata-se de estudo retrospectivo de caso-controle que envolveu 109 doentes operados por carcinoma bem diferenciado da tireóide e seguidos por mais de cinco anos, distribuídos em dois grupos equivalentes: com e sem metástase. Foram feitos coleta de dados clínicos, avaliação anátomo-patológica e análise imunohistoquímica digital dos biomarcadores galectina-3, Ki-67, caspase-3 e CD-34. RESULTADOS: 1) A média do índice de positividade nucleolar da galectina-3 foi maior no grupo de doentes com metástase linfática cervical (1,78 ± 0,41 nucléolos/CGA contra 0,35 ± 0,13, p=0,004). A expressão nucleolar da galectina-3 apresentou especificidade de 75% para identificação da ocorrência de metástase e foi fator independente associado à ocorrência metástase linfática (p=0,01). A equação logística obtida permitiu calcular o risco individual de desenvolvimento de metástase linfática cervical que é próximo a 100% quando a galectina-3 está imunoexpressa em quatro ou mais nucléolos por campo microscópico de grande aumento. 2) não houve expressão da galectina-3 no tireócito não neoplásico; o índice de expressão citoplasmático foi fator independente associado à presença de invasão linfática (p=0,013) e a média desse índice foi maior nos casos com extensão extratireóidea (52,7 ± 3,9 uo/µm2 contra 41,0 ± 4,0, p=0,037); não houve associação dos índices de imunoexpressão da galectina-3 e sobrevivência; 3) no grupo de doentes com metástase, a expressão nucleoplasmática da galectina-3 correlacionou-se de forma positiva com o índice de positividade do Ki-67 e, nos dois grupos, a expressão citoplasmática com o índice de expressão da caspase-3. CONCLUSÕES: Foi possível predizer o risco individual da ocorrência de metástase linfática cervical em função da quantificação digital da imunoexpressão nucleolar da galectina-3. O presente estudo sugere que alta expressão citoplasmática está associada com algumas características de invasão local. Houve indícios do envolvimento da galectina-3 com indução da proliferação celular e apoptose no grupo de doentes com metástase. / INTRODUCTON: Papillary and follicular carcinomas are primary malignant neoplasias of the thyroid gland and are classified as well-differentiated carcinoma. In these cases, determination of individual risk of metastasis allows offering an adequate treatment. Nowadays therapy is chosen based on classification according to prognostic factors and biomarkers can be associated with them. Galectin-3 is one of these markers and has been thoroughly studied. A wide range of functions that it carries out in the subcellular compartments have been described in several neoplasms. However, its role in thyroid carcinomas remains controversial. In order to investigate if galectin-3 can be used to predict the individual risk of metastasis and if this marker is associated with malignant criteria of well-differentiated carcinoma, this study was proposed to verify the following hypotheses: 1) if galectin-3 immunostaining in subcellular compartments of the malignant thyrocyte is different when comparing patients with and without metastasis and if it is possible to predict the individual risk of metastasis based on digital quantification of the galectin-3 immunostaining; 2) if galectin-3 immunoexpression is different from malignant and benign thyroid tissue; according to tissue invasion and survival; 3) if there are indications that galectin-3 plays a role in apoptosis and cell proliferation or angiogenesis induction. METHODS: It was performed a retrospective case-control study involving 109 patients treated for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma and followed up for more than five years. They were divided into two equivalent groups: with and without metastasis. The search of clinical data, morphological evaluation and digital immunohistochemical analysis with galectin-3, Ki-67, caspase-3 and CD-34 antibodies were done. RESULTS: 1) the average of the nucleolar galectin-3 positive index was higher in lymph node metastasis group (1.78 ± 0.41 nucleoli/HPF versus 0.35 ± 0.13, P=.004). Nucleolar staining was an independent factor associated with lymph node metastasis (P=.01) and its specificity to identify metastasis was 75%. The logistic model allowed predicting the individual risk of cervical lymph node metastasis. It was almost 100% for carcinomas displaying more than four galectin-3 immunostained nucleoli by microscopic high power field. 2) There was no galectin-3 immunostaining in non-neoplasic thyrocyte; the cytoplasmic galectin-3 expression index was an independent factor associated with lymphatic invasion (P=.013) and these index average was higher in cases with extrathyroidal extension (52.7 ± 3.9 uo/µm2 versus 41.0 ± 4.0, P=.037); there was no association of galectin-3 immunostaining indexes with survival; 3) in the metastasis group, there was positive correlation between nucleoplasmic staining of galectin-3 and Ki-67 positive index; there was positive correlation between cytoplasmic staining of galectin-3 and caspase-3 positive index in both groups. CONCLUSION: It was possible to predict the individual risk of cervical lymph node metastasis based on digital quantification of the nucleolar galectin-3 immunostaining. This study suggests that there is association of high cytoplasmic expression with local tissue invasion. In the metastasis group there were indications that galectin-3 plays a role in cell proliferation and apoptosis induction.

Neste estudo, investigamos o envolvimento de galectina-3 na fisiologia e no câncer de tiróide usando vários modelos biológicos e metodologias. Observamos que o gene LGALS3 apresenta um SNP no códon 98, mas não observamos correlação entre os genótipos deste SNP e fenótipo de câncer de tiróide. Na linhagem de tiróide de rato PCCl3, mostramos que a indução da expressão do oncogene RET/PTC promove o aumento da expressão de galectina-3, no entanto, a expressão de galectina-3, por si só, não confere vantagem de proliferação à célula. Por outro lado, na linhagem de carcinoma papilífero de tiróide TPC-1, a galectina-3 contribui para a sobrevivência da célula tumoral e progressão do ciclo celular, aumentando a expressão de c-Myc, diminuindo a expressão de p21 e caspase-3, e favorecendo a ativação de importantes vias envolvidas no controle do ciclo celular. Além disto, em modelos in vivo e in vitro, a galectina-3 interferiu na função e diferenciação da célula folicular tiroidiana, exercendo um papel indireto na regulação da expressão da tireoglobulina e atividade de TTF-1. / In this study, we investigate the involvement of galectin-3 in thyroid physiology and cancer using several biological models and methodologies. We observed that LGALS3 gene presents a SNP in codon 98, but no correlation between the genotype and the phenotype of benign or malignant thyroid tumor was observed. In the rat thyroid cell line PCCl3, we showed that the conditional induction of RET/PTC oncogene expression promotes the increase of galectin-3 expression, however, galectin-3 expression itself did not confer a proliferative advantage to cell. On the other hand, in papillary thyroid carcinoma cell line TPC-1 the galectin-3 contributes to tumor cell survival and cell cycle progression, increasing c-Myc expression, decreasing p21 and caspase-3 expression and cooperating to activation of important signaling pathways which are involved in the cell cycle control. In addition, in vitro and in vivo models the galectin-3 interferes in the differentiation and function of thyroid follicular cell, playing an indirect role in the regulation of thyroglobulin expression and TTF-1 activity.

Introdução: O exercício físico pode reverter o prejuízo funcional causado pela insuficiência cardíaca (IC). No entanto, os mecanismos implicados na melhora funcional e o efeito do exercício em outros biomarcadores de gravidade, incluindo microRNAs e marcadores de inflamação, são apenas parcialmente compreendidos.Objetivos: Avaliar o efeito do exercício nos níveis séricos da adiponectina, interleucina-6 (IL-6), fator de necrose tumoral alfa (TNF-alfa), galectina-3, microRNAs miR-423-5p, -221 e -155 em pacientes com IC. Analisar a associação entre estes biomarcadores e a melhora da capacidade funcional após 12 semanas de exercício em pacientes com IC. Métodos: Foram incluídos pacientes com IC, FEVE <= 40%, terapia clínica otimizada e randomizados em três grupos: exercício intervalado, exercício contínuo ou controle. Foi realizado teste de esforço cardiopulmonar (TECP) e dosados os níveis séricos de adiponectina, IL-6, TNF-alfa, galectina-3, microRNAs miR-423-5p, -221 e -155 antes e após a intervenção, com duração de 12 semanas. Resultados: Quarenta pacientes, 49±7 anos, 53% homens, FEVE 30±6%, 25% com cardiopatia isquêmica foram incluídos na análise (intervalado-12, continuo-14, controle-14). O exercício, especialmente intervalado, aumentou o tempo de tolerância ao esforço no TECP em relação ao grupo controle (intervalado - 13 ± 3 min vs contínuo - 12 ± 3 min vs controle - 11±2 min, p = 0,034), mas não teve efeito no VO2 pico. Ambas modalidades de exercício, intervalado e contínuo, tiveram efeito neutro em todos os biomarcadores séricos dosados, incluindo os microRNAs. Os parâmetros basais associados com mudança na capacidade funcional foram o tempo de tolerância ao esforço no TECP e o nível sérico de IL-6. Na análise multivariada, somente o nível sérico de IL-6 (após conversão logarítmica) foi significativamente associado com mudança no VO2 pico com o exercício [Coeficiente beta =-0,35 ± 0,11, p = 0,005]. Conclusões: Doze semanas de exercício aeróbico, tanto intervalado como contínuo, tiveram efeito neutro em biomarcadores de inflamação e fibrose e nos níveis circulantes dos microRNAs miR-423-5p, -221 e -155 em acientes com IC. Além disso, níveis séricos elevados de IL-6 foram independente associados a ausência de resposta ao treinamento físico / Background: Exercise training can revert the functional impairment caused by heart failure (HF). Nevertheless, the mechanisms underlying the improvement in functional capacity and the effect of the exercise on other biomarkers of severity, including microRNAs and inflammatory biomarkers, are only partially understood. Aims: To evaluate the effect of exercise on serum levels of adiponectin, interleucina-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis fator-alpha (TNF-alpha), galectina-3, microRNAs miR-423-5p, -221 and -155 in patients with HF. To assess the association between these biomarkers and improvement in functional capacity after 12 weeks of exercise in patients with HF. Methods: We included patients with HF, LVEF <= 40%, under optimized clinical therapy, and randomized into three groups: interval exercise, continuous exercise and control. We performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and determined the serum levels of adiponectin, IL-6, TNF-alpha, galectina-3, microRNAs miR-423-5p, -221 and -155 before and after the intervention, which lasted 12 weeks. Results: Forty patients, 49±7 years old, 53% men, LVEF 30 ± 6%, 25% with ischemic cardiomyopathy were included in the analysis (interval-12, continuous-14, control-14). The exercise, particularly the interval training, increased the CPET exercise time, when compared with the control group (interval - 13 ± 3 min vs continuous - 12 ± 3 min vs control - 11±2 min, p = 0.034), but had no effect on peak VO2. Both modalities of exercise, interval and continuous, had neutral effect on all analyzed serum biomarkers, including the microRNAs. Baseline parameters associated with change in functional capacity with exercise were CPET exercise time and IL-6 serum level. In multivariate analysis, only IL-6 serum level (log-transformed) was significantly associated with modification in peak VO2 with exercise [? coefficient =-0.35 ± 0.11, p = 0.005]. Conclusions: Twelve weeks of aerobic exercise, both interval and continuous, had neutral effect on the serum biomarkers of inflammation and fibrosis and the circulant microRNAs miR-423-5p, -221 e -155 in patients with HF. Besides, increased IL-6 serum levels at baseline were independently associated with lack of response to exercise training

A exocitose de grânulos secretórios é o principal mecanismo efetor de células TCD8+. No entanto, pouco se sabe sobre a composição dos grânulos líticos dessas células. Resultados prévios do nosso grupo identificaram algumas dezenas de novas proteínas desses grânulos. Dentre elas foi identificada Gal-1. A literatura relata que Gal-1 age por via exógena através de sua secreção por via não convencional. Dados iniciais do nosso grupo apontam um novo cenário para esta proteína no qual ela está presente em grânulos citotóxicos. Através das técnicas de microscopia eletrônica e confocal e de ensaios de citotoxicidade, nossos resultados sugerem que Gal-1 participa do papel citotóxico das CTLs modulando a via dos receptores de morte FAS-FASL. Nós também mostramos que Gal-1 interfere com o tempo de contato entre APCs e linfócitos TCD8+, com a ativação dessas células e com o controle da proliferação dos linfócitos. Nossos resultados apontam um novo cenário para Gal-1, no qual ela está presente em grânulos líticos das CTLs e está relacionada a resposta efetora dessas células. / Exocytosis of secretory granules is the main effector mechanism of CD8+ T cells. In particular, little is known about CTLs lytic granules composition. Previous results from our group identified a few dozens of new proteins associated with these granules. Among them, we identified galectin-1. Literature reports the extracellular action of Gal-1. Initial data from our group suggested a new scenario for this protein, since Gal-1 was found inside cytotoxic granules. Here, we show by transmission electron and confocal laser scanning microscopy and cytotoxicity assays that Gal-1 has a role on CTL killing probably mediating the FAS-FASL pathway. We also show that Gal-1 is regulates the time of contact between APCs and TCD8+ lymphocytes, the activation of APCs and the proliferation of CD8 T cells. Taken together, our findings suggest a new scenario, in which Gal-1 is present in CTL granules and participates in cytotoxic effector response.