Diss. (sammanfattning) Göteborg : Univ., 2009. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph.D. in Molecular Biology) -- University of Colorado Denver, 2008. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 134-149). Free to UCD affiliates. Online version available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations;

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This work has as objective to investigate the production of biosurfactant employing strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa using as source of carbon residual soybean oil from several foods frying. In the first assay the Pseudomonas aeruginosa were used ATCC 9027, isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Landfarming REDUC (PALR) and a Pseudomonas aeruginosa PACL strain, isolated from a lagoon hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. To evaluate the results of the assay a two levels complete factorial experimental design was used, studying as variables the microorganism strain, the concentrations of residual soybean oil (OSR), the concentrations of nitrate of ammonium (AN) and brewery residual yeast (YRB). The experiments were performed in 500-mL Erlenmeyer flasks containing 50 mL of production medium, at 170 rpm and 30±1ºC, for a 48-hour fermentation period. Biosurfactant production has been monitored by measurements of rhamnose concentration (RM), surface tension (TS) and emulsifying activity (IE). The P. aeruginosa PALR, ATCC 9027 and the PALC were capable to reduce the superficial tension of the initial medium of 61± 1dynes/cm for 33,9; 28 e 26 dynes/cm, to produce g/L 0,25; 0,77 e 1,39 of rhamnose, with emulsification index of 60, 100 and 100%, respectively. The results obtained by experimental design proved that isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa PALC presented potential greater to produce biossurfactante, being, therefore, selected for the other experiments carried out in at study. The optimization of OSR, AN, and RBY was accomplished by a central composite design (CCD) and their results analyzed by surface response analysis. The best planned results, was located on the central point, have corresponded to 22 g/L of RSO, 5.625 g/L of AN, and 11.5 g/L of RBY. The greater obtained concentration of rhamnose after 48 hours of fermentation, was 2,3 g/L with emulsifying activity of 100%. Employed the best result obtained in PCC, was determined, using a bioreactor, the best conditions of aeration rate (vvm) and agitation speed (rpm) using a complete factorial experimental design. In the optimized conditions, of 0,5 vvm (KLa of 10,2 h-1) and speed of agitation of 550 rpm, were obtained the superficial tension of 26,0 dyne/cm and synthesis of rhamnose of 3,26 g/L. Under the optimized conditions, the biosurfactant production from a mixture of waste frying soybean oil was compared with non used soybean oil (NUSO) and waste soybean oils used to fry in separate meats (MFSO), salty (SAFSO), and potatoes (POFSO). Finally was made a kinetic study, seeking to determine a model to represent the experimental data of rhamnose production and the nutrients consumption. After recovery and purification of the biosurfactant the rhamnose concentration increased in 80% in the final product, that is, 6,8 g/L. / Este trabalho tem como objetivo investigar a produção de biossurfactante empregando culturas de Pseudomonas aeruginosa utilizando como fonte de carbono óleos de soja residual proveniente da fritura de diversos alimentos. Nos primeiros ensaios foram empregados a Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027, Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolada do Landfarming REDUC (PALR) e a Pseudomonas aeruginosa PALC, isolada de solo de uma lagoa contaminada com hidrocarbonetos. Para selecionar a Pseudomonas e avaliar os resultados dos ensaios foi utilizado um planejamento fatorial a dois níveis, estudando como variáveis a linhagem de microrganismo, as concentrações de óleo de soja residual (OSR), de nitrato de amônio (NA) e de levedura cervejeira residual (LCR). Os experimentos foram realizados em Erlenmeyers de 500 mL de capacidade contendo 50 mL do meio de produção, a 170 rpm e temperatura de 30 ± 1ºC durante 48 h de fermentação. A produção de biossurfactante foi monitorada pelas determinações da tensão superficial (TS), da concentração de raminose (RM) produzida e da atividade emulsificante (IE). As P. aeruginosa PALR, ATCC 9027 e a PALC foram capazes de reduzir a tensão superficial do meio de 62 dina/cm ± 1 para 33,9; 28 e 26 dina/cm, produzir em g/L 0,25; 0,77 e 1,39 de raminose, com índice de emulsão de 60, 100 e 100%, respectivamente. Os resultados obtidos nestes planejamentos experimentais demonstraram que a Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolada PALC apresentou maior potencial para produzir biossurfactante, sendo, portanto, selecionada para os demais experimentos realizados neste estudo. A otimização das concentrações do OSR, NA e da LCR foram obtidas a partir de um planejamento de experimento composto central (PCC) e seus resultados analisados pelas superfícies de resposta. Os melhores resultados do planejamento foram encontrados no ponto central, correspondendo a 22 g/L de OSR, 5,625 g/L de NA e 11,5 g/L de LCR. A maior concentração obtida de raminose após 48 horas de fermentação, foi 2,3 g/L com índice de emulsão de 100%. A partir do melhor resultado obtido no PCC, determinou-se, utilizando um bioreator, as melhores condições de taxa de aeração (vvm) e velocidade de agitação (rpm) empregando um planejamento fatorial completo. Nas condições otimizadas, de 0,5 vvm (KLa de 10,2 h-1) e velocidade de agitação de 550 rpm, foram obtidos a tensão superficial de 26,0 dina/cm e síntese de raminose de 3,26 g/L. A partir das condições otimizadas, a produção de biossurfactante proveniente da mistura de óleo de soja residual foi comparada com óleo de soja in natura (OSN) e óleo de soja residual usado na fritura em separado de carnes (OSRC), salgados (OSRS) e batatas (OSRB). Finalmente foi feito um estudo cinético, visando determinar um modelo que representasse os dados experimentais de produção de raminose e de consumo de nutrientes. Após recuperação e purificação do biossurfactante a concentração de raminose aumentou em 80% no produto final, ou seja, 6,8 g/L. / Doutor em Engenharia Química

Glicoesfingolipídios (GSLs) podem se inserir em regiões específicas das membranas (lipid rafts) quando adicionados em culturas celulares, modulando sua função. Nós avaliamos se GSLs de Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, glucosilceramida (CMH) e glicoinositolfosfoceramida (GIPC) possuem atividade imuno-moduladora. Foram estudados indivíduos com (grupo curado) ou sem histórico de paracoccidioidomicose (grupo controle). CMH elevou a expressão de CD80 e CD86 em monócitos, a linfoproliferação em PBMCs no grupo controle e reduziu a capacidade de DCs em induzir linfoproliferação. No grupo curado, CMH inibiu proliferação em culturas com CMA e gp43, reduziu a produção de IL-10 por DCs e aumentou a produção de IL-12. Já GIPC aumentou a produção de citocinas Th1, elevou a fagocitose de leveduras, reduziu a maturação de DCs e sua capacidade de induzir linfoproliferação. A avaliação de células iNKT não mostrou diferença no número de células, na expansão e produção de citocinas entre os grupos. Em conclusão, GSLs de P. brasiliensis alteram a função de células do sistema imune. / Glycosphingolipids (GSL) may insert into specific membrane regions (lipid rafts) when added to cell culture, modulating its function. We evaluated whether glucosylceramide (CMH) and glycoinositol-phosphoceramide (GIPC), extracted from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, are able to modulate immune cells functions of cured paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) patients (control group) or individuals who never had PCM (cured group). CMH increased CD80 and CD86 expression on monocytes, increased lymph-proliferation on PBMCs and reduced lympho-proliferation in co-cultures with dendritic cells (DCs). In cured groups, CMH decreased gp43 and CMA- induced lymph proliferation, reduced IL-10 and increased IL-12 production by DCs. GIPC increased phagocytic capacity, reduced the maturation levels on DCs and DC capacity to induce lymph-proliferation. iNKT cells were analyzed and there were no differences in iNKT cells number, expansion capacity and cytokines production among the groups. In conclusion, GSL extracted from P. brasiliensis are able to modulate immune cells functions.

A paracoccidioidomicose (PCM) é a infecção fúngica sistêmica de maior prevalência na América Latina, cujo agente etiológico, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, é um fungo com estrutura de parede celular complexa constituída de proteínas, glicoproteínas, polissacarídeos, lipídeos, polipeptídios e melanina que reúnem condições físico-químicas e biológicas para atuarem como antígenos. Anticorpos direcionados contra antígenos presentes na parede de P. brasiliensis podem interferir no curso da doença. Os mecanismos com os quais anticorpos específicos medeiam à proteção contra fungos estão em processo de elucidação por vários grupos de pesquisadores. No entanto, estas moléculas podem ser protetoras, proporcionando o aumento da eficácia de células efetoras do hospedeiro contra o fungo e modular a produção de citocinas, entre outros processos. O tratamento da PCM é relativamente eficiente, porém, é muito longo, por isso alguns pacientes desistem ou não seguem adequadamente o tratamento, resultando em reativação do foco infeccioso. Nesse sentido, avaliamos o efeito da transferência passiva de anticorpos policlonais contra glicolipídios acídicos por meio de protocolos profiláticos e terapêuticos em animais infectados com P. brasiliensis. Nos ensaios in vivo, os resultados mostraram que os animais tratados apresentaram diminuição significante da carga fúngica e de danos nos tecidos dos pulmões. A dosagem de citocinas apontou aumento de IFN-? e IL-12, modulando a resposta imune para o padrão Th1. Ensaios in vitro demonstraram que o tratamento com anticorpos policlonais gerados contra os glicolipídios acídicos foram capazes de aumentar a atividade fagocítica, a produção de óxido nítrico e morte das leveduras de Pb 18, por macrófagos peritoneais J774. O tratamento com anticorpos policlonais contra antígenos de natureza glicolipídica mostrou ser importante ferramenta para a busca da cura da PCM. / Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic fungal infection most prevalent in Latin America, whose etiologic agent, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, is a yeast with a complex cell wall structure consisting of proteins, glycoproteins, polysaccharides, lipids, and melanin polypeptides that gather physical, chemical and biological conditions to serve as antigens. Antibodies against antigens present in the wall of P. brasiliensis can interfere with the course of the disease. The mechanisms by which antibodies mediate protection against fungi are in the process of elucidation by several research groups. However, these molecules may be protective, providing increased efficiency of effector cells of the host against the fungus and modulating the production of cytokines, among other things. Treatment of PCM is relatively efficient, however, it takes long time and some patients drop out before it ends or do not follow the treatment properly resulting in reactivation of infectious focus. Accordingly, we evaluated the effect of passive transfer of antibodies against acidic glycolipids by prophylactic and therapeutic protocols in animals infected with P. brasiliensis. The results of in vivo tests, showed that the treated animals had a significant reduction in fungal load and tissue damage in the lungs. The noted increase in cytokine IFN-? and IL-12 modulated the immune response to Th1. In vitro assays have shown that treatment with polyclonal antibodies generated against the acidic glycolipids were able to increase the phagocytic activity, production of nitric oxide and killing of yeast Pb 18 by peritoneal macrophages. Treatment with antibodies against glycolipids antigens proved to be an important tool to search for the cure of PCM.

Les graines de pin (Pinus halepensis Mill., Pinus pinea L., Pinus pinaster et Pinus canariensis) sont les quatre espèces les plus disponibles dans le bassin méditerranéen. Elles sont très utilisées par les populations Nord-africaines en médecine traditionnelle et en gastronomie où elles agrémentent les plats traditionnels (salades, riz, poissons …etc), car elles sont bien connues pour leur excellent goût salé. Cependant, la composition biochimique, les valeurs nutritionnelles, et les mécanismes d'actions cellulaires et moléculaires via lesquels ces graines exercent leurs effets thérapeutiques restent mal élucidés. Le but de notre travail est d'étudier les propriétés physico-chimiques des graines de quatre espèces de pin et la valeur nutritionnelle et pharmaceutique des fractions lipidiques des graines de Pinus halepensis Mill., en utilisant différentes techniques de séparation et d'analyse telles que (DRX, IRTF, CC, LC/MS, GC, GC/MS et RMN) et en examinant la voie principale impliquée dans le développement du cancer qui est l'angiogenèse via des essais biologiques in vitro sur la prolifération et la migration des cellules endothéliales sur Matrigel et in vivo sur une membrane chorioallantoïdienne (CAM) des œufs de poulet ainsi que leurs toxicités sur des cultures cellulaires (Myélome humain HL60, Adénocarcinome du coulon, humain HCT15, Cellules épithéliales A549 et cellules de mélanomes B16F1). Les résultats de la caractérisation physico-chimiques montrent que les quatre graines sont très riches en métabolites primaires (sucres, protéines, protéines de réserve) et secondaires (Phénols totaux et flavonoïdes) comme elles présentent une importante concentration en oligo-éléments (phosphore, potassium, magnésium, Zinc, fer, cuivre et manganèse). Leurs huiles essentielles sont riches en limonène. Les principaux acides gras insaturés pour les quatre espèces sont l'acide linoléique et l'acide oléique. Les propriétés chimiques et physiques de leurs huiles fixes sont dans la norme de qualité agroalimentaire. Les graines de Pinus halepensis Mill. sont les plus riches en lipides totaux qui atteignent un taux de 36% diversifiés chimiquement avec des lipides apolaires (Lipides neutres) et polaires (Quatre classes de glycolipides et six classes de phospholipides). Ces résultats sont de bons indicateurs de la qualité nutritionnelle des graines de pins et impliquent que les lipides neutres, les glycolipides et les phospholipides des graines de Pinus halepensis Mill. dépourvus de toxicité aux concentrations de 1, 10, 25, 50, 100 et 200µg/ml et ayant une activité cytotoxique à 500 et 1000µg/ml et anti-angiogénique in vitro à des concentrations de 100 et 500µg/ml et in vivo à des concentrations de 1mg /ml et 10 mg/ml peuvent être utilisés dans la prévention des maladies liées à l'angiogenèse et à la lutte contre le cancer. / The pine (Pinus halepensis Mill., Pinus pinea L., Pinus pinaster and Pinus canariensis) seeds are the four most available species in the Mediterranean basin. They are widely used by North African populations in traditional medicine and gastronomy where they adorn the traditional dishes (salads, rice, fish ... etc) because they are well known for their excellent taste salty. However, the biochemical composition, nutritional value, and the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action through which these seeds exert their therapeutic effects remain poorly understood. The aim of our study was to investigate the physicochemical properties of pine seed species and nutritional and pharmaceutical value of lipid fractions of Pinus halepensis Mill. Seeds using different separation and analysis techniques such as (XRD, FTIR, CC, LC/MS, GC, GC/MS and NMR) and examining the main pathway involved in the development of cancer which is angiogenesis through biological tests in vitro on the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells on Matrigel and in vivo on a chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of chicken eggs, thus that their toxicity on healthy cell cultures (human myeloma HL60, Adenocarcinoma of human coulon, HCT15, human epithelial cells, A549 and cells melanoma, B16F1). The results of the physico-chemical characterization showed that four seeds are rich in primary metabolites (sugars, proteins, protein reserves) and secondary (total phenolic and flavonoids) as they have a high concentration of trace elements (phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper and manganese). Their essential oils are rich in limonene. The main unsaturated fatty acids of all species are linoleic acid and oleic acid. The chemical and physical properties of their fixed oils are the in standard food quality. Pinus halepensis Mill. seeds are the richest in total lipids which achieved a rate of 36% chemically diverse with non polar lipids (neutral lipids) and polar lipids (Four classes of glycolipids and six classes of phospholipids). These results are good indicators of the nutritional quality of pine seeds and imply that the neutral lipids, glycolipids and phospholipids of Pinus halepensis Mill. seeds devoid of toxicity at the concentrations of 1, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 200µg/ml and having cytotoxic activity at 500 and 1000µg/ml and anti-angiogenic effect in vitro at the concentrations of 100 and 500 µM and in vivo at the concentrations of 1 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml may be useful in prevention of angiogenesis-related and the fight against cancer diseases.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / CD1d is a cell surface glycolipid that, like Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I and MHC class II molecules, presents antigen. However, instead of peptides, CD1d presents lipids to Natural Killer (NK) T cells, a subset of T cells that express both NK cell markers and the T cell receptor and produces both T helper (Th) 1 and Th2 cytokines. Our lab focuses on the regulation CD1d-mediated antigen presentation. TGF beta is a known regulator of the immune system, such as controlling MHC class II antigen presentation. Further, TGF beta can activate the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38, a known negative regulator of CD1d-mediated antigen presentation. Therefore, we hypothesized that TGF beta would be a negative regulator of CD1d-mediated antigen presentation, and our results showed a decrease in antigen presentation by CD1d in response to TGF beta treatment. However, this inhibition was not through p38 activation, as indicated by the absence of a rescue of CD1d-mediated antigen presentation in, TGF beta-treated, p38 dominant negative-expressing cells. Alternatively, the Smad pathway, the canonical pathway activated by TGF beta, was investigated through a lentivirus shRNA-mediated knockdown of Smad2, Smad3 and Smad4 proteins. Smad2 shRNA-expressing cells showed in an increase in CD1d-mediated antigen presentation, suggesting an inhibitory role for Smad2. In contrast, Smad3 shRNA-expressing cells did not differ from control cells. However, as in the case of Smad2, CD1d+ cells in which Smad4 was knocked down, were substantially better at CD1d-mediated antigen presentation than control cells, suggesting that it also negatively regulates antigen presentation. Overall, these studies demonstrate that the canonical TGF beta/Smad pathway regulates an important part of the host’s innate immune response, vis-à-vis CD1d-mediated antigen presentation.

Cationic steroid antimicrobial agents (CSAs) are a family of bile acid derivatives. These compounds are amphiphilic and mimic endogenous antimicrobial peptides. The antimicrobial activities of CSA-13 have been investigated and due to portent bactericidal activities and low toxicity, a large amount of CSA-13 is demanded for clinic trails and other antimicrobial applications. During our studies, we optimized the synthetic route of CSA-13, so that it can be prepared at the kilogram, even in tons scale. We investigated three routes and one of them is suitable for industry, because only recrystallization is needed in the synthesis. Natural killer T cells (NKT cells) are a kind of lymphocyte that bridge the adaptive immune system with the innate immune system. Once stimulated by glycolipids, NKT cells influence immune responses. To search for better glycolipid ligands, scientists have isolated many natural products to get inspiration. Thrautochysides A-C was isolated from a group of marine protists. These compounds have an interesting structure on their sphingosine lipid chains. We finished the iii synthesis of thraustochyside B, and made substantial progress toward the synthesis of thraustochyside A. Toll like receptors (TLRs) are integral components of the innate immune system. They recognize antigens and induce dendritic cells to give immune responses. TLR1, TLR2 and TLR6 recognize lipopetides, and these TLRs function as heterodimers. TLR1/TLR2 dimer recognition gives inflammatory responses, and TLR2/TLR6 dimer recognition gives immunomodulatory responses. We used modeling of TLRs to find a compound, which can fill the lipid binding pockets of the TLR2 and TLR6 dimer. In our study, we found the peptide chain of the antigen Pam2CSK4 can be replaced by a water soluble polyamine, which confirmed the function of the peptide to increase the water solubility.

NKT cells are an important part of human immune system and recognize a specific set of antigens called glycolipids. Only a handful of "natural" NKT cell antigens are known till date. Although NKT cells play a protective role against pathogenic organisms, imbalances in NKT cell functions are implicated in many diseases including asthma. Allergic asthma, a Th2 driven inflammation of airways, is primarily caused by inhalation of environmental allergens. In the last decade, inhaled allergen Aspergillus fumigatus has been under scrutiny for the presence of NKT cell antigens that might trigger asthma. We successfully isolated, characterized and synthesized a "natural" antigenic glycolipid which activates NKT cells in CD1d dependent manner. When this glycolipid is administered intranasally to mice, WT but not CD1d-/- mice developed airway hyperreactivity (AHR), which is a cardinal feature of asthma. Our results indicate that this glycolipid also triggers the production of key cytokines responsible for development of airway hyperreactivity, namely IL-4 and IL-13. Widespread use of antibiotics has convoluted the problem of antimicrobial resistance. Our research group has developed a novel class of antimicrobial peptide mimics called Ceragennins. These cholic acid based antimicrobial compounds have many desirable properties including low MICs, effectiveness against biofilms, and relatively low manufacturing cost. In order to advance the clinical development of Ceragennins, we developed analytical methods for qualitative and quantitative determination of these compounds in complex biological matrices. These methods were also used for carrying out the stability studies of Ceragenins under varying pH and temperatures

Lectin affinity chromatography has proven to be a powerful method to separate oligosaccharides based on their stereochemical structures. This technique has not been used for the separation of glycolipids since mixtures of these compounds form micelles in aqueous solution. Since N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) is commonly found in glycolipids, three GalNAc-specific lectins were selected to develop a lectin affinity chromatographic method for glycolipids. To circumvent the difficulty of working with micelles, the autoradiographic detection of ¹²⁵l-labeled lectins binding to glycolipids on thin-layer chromatograms was used to study the glycolipid-binding specificity of the lectins from Helix pomatia, Wisteria floribunda and Dolichos biflorus. All three lectins detected the Forssman glycolipid which has a terminal GalNAcα1-3 residue. The Helix pomatia and Wisteria floribunda lectins are also bound to glycolipids with GalNAcβ-linked residues. The interactions of these lectins with glycolipid derived, ³H-labeled oligosaccharides were also analyzed by affinity chromatography on agarose-immobilized lectins. Only the immobilized Helix pomatia lectin was able to specifically bind oligosaccharides with α-linked GalNAc residues. The Helix pomatia lectin was selected to develop an affinity chromatography system for the purification of intact glycolipids having terminal GalNAcα1-3 residues. This technique relies on the ability of the immobilized lectin to bind its oligosaccharide ligands in aqueous solutions of tetrahydrofuran (THF) which inhibits micelle formation and permits the separation of non-specifically bound glycolipids. Forssman glycolipid and a human blood group A-active hexaosylceramide were bound to the Helix pomatia column equilibrated in water/THF (5:95). After applying a step gradient of increasing water content (to 50% water), the specifically bound glycolipids were eluted when GalANc was included in the mobile phase. Using these chromatographic conditions, the Forssman glycolipid from the neutral lipid fraction of sheep erythrocyte stroma and the A-active glycolipids from a total extract of type A human erythrocytes were purified in the Helix pomatia column. The ability to purify human A-active glycolipids from total lipid extracts in a single chromatographic step with the Helix pomatia column was used to isolate A-active glycolipids present in erythrocytes from donors from a rare blood group B(A). The erythrocytes from B(A) subgroup of blood group B individuals, are weakly hemagglutinated by a murine monoclonal anti-A antibody although these erythrocytes should not express blood group A antigens. The Helix pomatia lectin was used to determine the presence and isolate A-active glycolipids from the neutral lipid fraction of erythrocytes from two blood group B(A) donors. However, A-active glycolipids were absent in the glycolipid extracts from erythrocytes from a third B(A) donor and plasma of all three B(A) donors as well as erythrocytes of blood group B and O donors. Based on the fact that only glycolipids and oligosaccharides with GalNAcα1-3 residues specifically bind to the Helix pomatia column, this lectin column was used to isolate the 'terminal products' of the biosynthetic pathway of the human blood group A glycolipids and glycopeptides from the human epidermoid carcinoma cell line A-431. The metabolically active A-431 cells were grown in the presence of ³H-labeled monosaccharide precursors and the Helix pomatia column was used to determine and compare the rate of incorporation of labeled precursors in the A-active glycoconjugates from these cells. / Ph. D.