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Temperature is a fundamental environmental force shaping species abundance and distributions through its effects on biochemical reaction rates, metabolism, activity, and reproduction. In light of future climate shifts, mainly driven by temperature increases, how will organisms persist in warmer environments? One molecular mechanism that may play an important role in coping with heat stress is the heat shock response (HSR), which protects against molecular damage. To prevent and repair protein damage specifically, Hsps activate and become up-regulated. However, the functional diversity and relevance of heat shock proteins (Hsps) in extending upper thermal limits in taxonomic groups outside marine and model systems is poorly understood. Ants are a good system to understand the physiological mechanisms for coping with heat stress because they have successfully diversified into thermally stressful environments. To identify and characterize the functional diversity of Hsps in ants, I surveyed Hsp orthologues from published ant genomes to test for signatures of positive selection and to reconstruct their evolutionary history. Within Hymenoptera, ants utilize unique sets of Hsps for the HSR. Stabilizing selection was the prevailing force among Hsp orthologues, suggesting that protein activity is conserved. At the same time, regulatory regions (promoters) governing transcriptional up-regulation diversified: species differ in the number and location of heat shock elements (HSEs). Therefore, Hsp expression patterns may be a target for selection in warm environments. I tested whether Hsp expression corresponded with variation in upper thermal limits in forest ant species within the genus Aphaenogaster. Whole colonies were collected throughout the eastern United States and were lab acclimated. There was a positive relationship between upper thermal limits (Critical Thermal maxima, CTmax) and local temperature extremes. Upper thermal limits were also higher in ant species that lived in open habitats (shrub-oak and long-leaf pine savannah) than species occupying closed habitats (deciduous forest). Ant species with higher CTmax expressed Hsps more slowly, at higher temperatures, and at higher maximum levels than those with low CTmax. Because Hsps sense and repair molecular damage, these results suggest the proteomes of open relative to closed canopy forests are more stable. Although deciduous forest ant species may be buffered from temperature stress, it is likely that temperature interacts with other environmental stressors such as water and nutrient availability that may impact upper thermal limits. I measured the influence of dehydration and nutrition stress on upper thermal limits of forest ants from a single population. Ants that were initially starved were much less thermally tolerant than controls and ants that were initially desiccated. Because ants are likely to experience similar combination of stressors in the wild, upper thermal limits may be severely overestimated in single factor experiments. Therefore, realistic forecasting models need to consider multiple environmental stressors. Overall, adaptive tuning of Hsp expression that reflects better protection and tolerance of protein unfolding may have facilitated ant diversification into warm environments. However, additional stressors and mechanisms may constrain the evolution of upper thermal limits.

Protein folding is the process in which polypeptides in their non-native states attain the unique folds of their native states. Adverse environmental conditions and genetic predisposition challenge the folding process and accelerate the production of proteotoxic misfolded proteins. Misfolded proteins are selectively recognized and removed from the cell by processes of protein quality control (PQC). In PQC molecular chaperones of the Heat shock protein 70 kDa (Hsp70) family play important roles by recognizing and facilitating the removal of misfolded proteins. Hsp70 function is dependent on cofactors that regulate the intrinsic ATPase activity of the chaperone. In this thesis I have used yeast genetic, cell biological and biochemical experiments to gain insight into the regulation of Hsp70 function in PQC by nucleotide-exchange factors (NEFs). Study I shows that the NEF Fes1 is a key factor essential for cytosolic PQC. A reverse genetics approach demonstrated that Fes1 NEF activity is required for the degradation of misfolded proteins associated with Hsp70 by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Specifically, Fes1 association with Hsp70-substrate complexes promotes interaction of the substrate with downstream ubiquitin E3 ligase Ubr1. The consequences of genetic removal of FES1 (fes1Δ) are the failure to degrade misfolded proteins, the accumulation of protein aggregates and constitutive induction of the heat-shock response. Taken the experimental data together, Fes1 targets misfolded proteins for degradation by releasing them from Hsp70. Study II describes an unusual example of alternative splicing of FES1 transcripts that leads to the expression of the two alternative splice isoforms Fes1S and Fes1L. Both isoforms are functional NEFs but localize to different compartments. Fes1S is localized to the cytosol and is required for the efficient degradation of Hsp70-associated misfolded proteins. In contrast, Fes1L is targeted to the nucleus and represents the first identified nuclear NEF in yeast. The identification of distinctly localized Fes1 isoforms have implications for the understanding of the mechanisms underlying nucleo-cytoplasmic PQC. Study III reports on the mechanism that Fes1 employs to regulate Hsp70 function. Specifically Fes1 carries an N-terminal domain (NTD) that is conserved throughout the fungal kingdom. The NTD is flexible, modular and is required for the cellular function of Fes1. Importantly, the NTD forms ATP-sensitive complexes with Hsp70 suggesting that it competes substrates of the chaperone during Fes1-Hsp70 interactions. Study IV reports on methodological development for the efficient assembly of bacterial protein-expression plasmids using yeast homologous recombination cloning and the novel vector pSUMO-YHRC. The findings support the notion that Fes1 plays a key role in determining the fate of Hsp70-associated misfolded substrates and thereby target them for proteasomal degradation. From a broader perspective, the findings provide information essential to develop models that describe how Hsp70 function is regulated by different NEFs to participate in protein folding and degradation. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 3: Manuscript.</p>

A doença de Chagas foi incialmente descrita em 1090 e após mais de 100 anos de investigações sobre essa doença, ainda pouco se sabe sobre os mecanismos ativados no parasita durante sua adesão e invasão à célula hospedeira. Glicoproteínas de massa molecular de 85kDa localizadas na membrana do parasita foram identificadas como principais elementos responsáveis pela interação com o hospedeiro. Essas proteínas também são capazes de se ligar a elementos da matriz extracelular (ECM) da célula hospedeira e esse evento parece ser crucial para modulação da adesão e invasão do parasita e consequente avanço da infecção. Embora diferentes elementos tenham sido identificados no hospedeiro como componentes da via de resposta a adesão ao parasita, as modificações induzidas pela sua ligação ao hospedeiro é ainda pouco conhecida. Modificações pós-traducionais de proteínas, incluindo a fosforilação, têm sido utilizadas por diferentes organismos na transdução de sinais extracelulares. Dessa forma, a identificação de proteínas diferencialmente fosforiladas durante a adesão de tripomastigotas de T. cruzi a ECM, fibronectina e laminina foi o objetivo dessa tese. Tripomastigotas foram incubados com ECM, fibronectina-, laminina- ou BSA- previamente aderidos em placas de cultura de células. Em seguida, os parasitas foram coletados e suas proteínas extraídas e separadas por 2D-PAGE. Os géis de eletroforese foram corados com Pro-Q Diamond (para identifiicação de proteínas fosforiladas) e posteriormente com coomassie colloidal (identificação de proteínas totais). Os spots com diferença significativa na coloração com Pro-Q Diamond (p< 0,05) foram identificados por LC-MS/MS. 54 spots foram diferencialmente fosforilados durante a adesão dos parasitas a ECM, dos quais 39 sofreram um aumento da intensidade de fosforilação e 15 uma redução. Já dos 43 spots diferencialmente fosforilados durante incubação com laminina, 16 aumentaram a fosforilação enquanto 27 sofreram redução da intensidade de fosforilação. Por fim, após incubação com fibronectina, dos 50 spots selecionados, 15 spots sofreram aumento da intensidade de fosforilação e 35 sofreram redução. Após identificação dos spots, as modificações por fosforilação/desfosforilação de proteínas de função desconhecida (hypothetical proteins), proteínas do citoesqueleto, proteínas do choque térmico (HSPs) e proteínas componentes do proteassomo do parasita foram as mais evidentes. A validação por immonoblotting de algumas proteínas identificadas indicou que a desfosforilação de proteínas do citoesqueleto junto com a fosforilação de proteínas do choque térmico são os principais eventos durante a resposta do parasita a adesão a ECM e a seus elementos. Além disso, a desfosforilação de ERK 1/2 observada indicou uma inativação dessa proteína em parasitas aderidos a fibronectina e laminina. Os resultados obtidos nessa tese sugerem uma provável relação entre modificações de proteínas do citoesqueleto e HSPs com a capacidade de internalização dos parasitas na célula hospedeira. / The Chagas disease was firstly described in 1909. After more than 100 years of investigation about this sickness much less is known about the mechanism triggered in the parasite during the adhesion and invasion to the host cell. 85kDa glycoproteins were identified as the major element responsible for the attachment to the host. In addition, these proteins are able to binding to extracellular matrix elements and host cytoskeletal proteins and it event appears to be an essential step in host cell invasion by T. cruzi. Although downstream signal modifications have been studied in host cells upon parasite binding, the molecular changes induced on the parasite by ligand binding are largely unknown. Since post-translational modification of proteins by phosphorylation is one of the most important mechanisms employed by organisms to transduce external signals, identification of proteins modified upon adhesion of T. cruzi trypomastigotes to ECM, laminin and fibronectin of the host cell was pursued. Trypomastigotes (Y strain) were incubated with ECM, laminin-, fibronectin- or BSA-coated surfaces, followed by 2D-PAGE stained with Pro-Q Diamond (phosphorylated protein detection) followed by colloidal coomassie stain (total protein identification). Proteins with significant differences in Pro-Q Diamond stain (p<0.05) were identified by LC-MS/MS. 54 spots were differentially phosphorylated during parasite adhesion to ECM, in which 39 spots have increased their phosphorylation level and 15 have decreased their phosphorylation. From the 43 spots presenting modification to the phosphorylation on incubation with laminin, 16 corresponded to cases of increase of phosphorylation and 27 to cases of dephosphorylation. After incubation with fibronectin: from the 50 spots selected, 15 corresponded to increase of phosphorylation and 35 to dephosphorylation. The results show phosphorylation/dephosphorylation modifications of unknown proteins, parasite cytoskeletal proteins (alpha and beta tubulin and paraflagellar-rod proteins), heat shock proteins and proteasome proteins. The validation by immunoblotting of proteins and their phosphorylation intensities indicates that cytoskeletal protein dephosphorylation in addition to heat shock proteins phosphorylation are the most important event during the trypomastigotes adhesion to the ECM. Looking for downstream signaling, dephosphorylation of ERK1/2 was also shown in trypomastigotes adhered to fibronectin or laminin, suggesting its inactivation. Thereby, those results suggest a possible correlation between cytoskeletal proteins and HSPs modification and the ability of parasite to internalize into host cells

As proteínas de choque térmico (HSP) são expressas em todas as células humanas, sendo superexpressas em condições de estresse celular, tais como hiper ou hipotermia, isquemia, inflamação e reparação. Dentre as várias famílias de HSP, encontram-se a Hsp27 e a Hsp47, cuja superexpressão relaciona-se à inibição da apoptose e à manutenção dos filamentos de actina do citoesqueleto (Hsp27) e à manutenção do sistema de produção de procolágeno e do colágeno (Hsp47). O laser de diodo (LD) tem atualmente amplas aplicações clínicas com vantagens terapêuticas comprovadas, porém os efeitos térmicos que pode acarretar aos tecidos ainda são controversos. Neste trabalho, avaliou-se a influência do LD sobre a expressão imunoistoquímica das Hsp27 e Hsp47 sobre o tecido dentário submetido a gengivoplastia com LD e com bisturi convencional, bem como relacionou-se essa influência com as variações de temperatura provocadas pela irradiação laser. Vinte e quatro ratos adultos foram divididos em dois grupos: grupo 1 12 animais submetidos a gengivoplastia no incisivo central inferior esquerdo utilizando laser de diodo (ZAP soft lase, 810 nm, 0,3 W, densidade de energia de 113,63 J/cm2); grupo 2 12 animais submetidos a gengivoplastia no mesmo local utilizando bisturi convencional. Os animais sofreram eutanásia nos períodos de 0h, 24h, 72h e 120h, sendo os incisivos centrais retirados e descalcificados. Posteriormente foram submetidos a análise imunoistoquímica utilizando anticorpos monoclonais contra Hsp27 e Hsp47. Teste in vitro foi realizado utilizando-se incisivos centrais de ratos extirpados e mantidos resfriados até o momento do teste. Este foi realizado com a instalação de 4 termopares, os quais registraram a variação da temperatura durante gengivoplastia realizada com o LD calibrado com os mesmos parâmetros do teste in vivo. Observou-se haver variação máxima de temperatura entre 1C e 6C, dependendo da região analisada. A expressão da Hsp27 mostrou-se aumentada no grupo irradiado com laser em relação ao bisturi em praticamente todos os períodos experimentais. A Hsp47 também expressou-se mais intensivamente no grupo laser, porém mais tardiamente. A expressão de ambas as proteínas foi mais intensa na região irradiada, porém nas demais regiões medidas não foi possível relacionar as variações imunoistoquímicas com as de temperatura. Concluiu-se que o LD provoca modificações na expressão das Hsp27 e Hsp47, as quais podem estar relacionadas ao aumento da temperatura provocado pelo laser. / Heat shock proteins (HSP) are expressed in all human cells, and are overexpressed under conditions of cellular stress, such as hyper- or hypothermia, ischemia, inflammation and repair. Among the various families of HSP, there are Hsp27 and Hsp47, whose overexpression is related to the inhibition of apoptosis, maintenance of cytoskeletal actin filaments (Hsp27) and maintenance of the procollagen and collagen production system (Hsp47). At present, diode laser (DL) has broad clinical applications with proven therapeutic advantages; however, there is still controversy about the thermal effects it may have on tissues. In this study, the influence of DL on the immunohistochemical expression of Hsp27 and Hsp47 on dental tissue submitted to gingivoplasty with DL and a conventional scalpel was evaluated, as well as how this influence was related to the variations in temperature caused by laser irradiation. Twenty-four adult rats were divided into two groups: Group 1 12 animals submitted to gingivoplasty in the mandibular left central incisor using diode laser (ZAP soft lase, 810 nm, 0.3 W, energy density 113.63 J/cm2); Group 2 12 animals submitted to gingivoplasty in the same site using a conventional scalpel. The animals were euthanized in the periods of 0h, 24h, 72h and 120h, and the central incisors were removed and decalcified. Afterwards they were submitted to immunohistochemical analysis using monoclonal antibodies against Hsp27 and Hsp47. The in vitro test was performed, using the extirpated central incisors of rats, which were kept chilled until the time of the test. This was done by installing 4 thermocouples that recorded the variation in temperature during the gingivoplasty performed with DL calibrated with the same parameters as those of the in vivo test. It was observed that there was a maximum variation in temperature of between 1C and 6C, depending on the region analyzed. Hsp27 expression was shown to be increased in the laser-irradiated group when compared with the group treated by scalpel in practically all the experimental periods. Hsp47 was also more intensely expressed in the laser group, however, much later. The expression of both proteins was more intense in the irradiated region, but in the other regions measured, it was not possible to relate the immunohistochemical variations with those of temperature. It was concluded that DL causes changes in the expression of Hsp27 and Hsp47, which may be related to the temperature increase caused by laser.

Considerando-se que o papel das proteínas de choque térmico (HSPs) na melhoria da resposta regenerativa da musculatura esquelética de camundongos idosos ainda não é bem conhecido, e que o tratamento com O-(3-piperidino-2-hydroxy-1-propyl) nicotinic amidoxime (BGP-15), um indutor de HSPs, atenua a fibrose muscular em animais com Distrofia de Duchenne, a hiperexpressão de HSPs no músculo esquelético através do tratamento com BGP-15 e do uso de camundongos transgênicos que hiperexpressam a proteína de choque térmico 70 kDa induzível (HSP70) poderia melhorar o processo regenerativo muscular por meio da atenuação da fibrose do tecido muscular em regeneração de animais idosos. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar a influência das HSPs na resposta regenerativa muscular em camundongos idosos através da análise dos efeitos do tratamento com o fármaco BGP-15 e da hiperexpressão da HSP70 induzida por transgenia em aspectos estruturais, celulares, moleculares e funcionais. Em 10 dias após a criolesão de músculos tibialis anterior (TA), o tratamento com BGP-15 (15 mg/kg) atenuou a sarcopenia e a redução do tamanho das fibras musculares em regeneração de camundongos idosos, e induziu a recuperação da densidade de área do tecido conjuntivo em músculos não lesados de camundongos idosos, e da expressão de FGF em músculos lesados de camundongos idosos. Além disso, o BGP-15 proporcionou atenuação da queda da força do músculo extensor digitorum longus em regeneração (EDL) após lesão em camundongos jovens. Além do efeito benéfico do BGP-15 em atenuar a sarcopenia, este fármaco (1&#956;M) também atenuou a perda de miotubos C2C12 expostos às citocinas inflamatórias interferon-&#947; e TNF-&#945; Houve prevenção do déficit na diferenciação inicial e tardia de mioblastos oriundos de animais idosos que hiperexpressam HSP70. Em paralelo, verificamos que o silenciamento de HSP70 em mioblastos C2C12 acarreta na redução da expressão do gene MyoD e do miR-326 no início do processo de diferenciação muscular. Portanto, nossos resultados demonstram que a hiperexpressão de HSPs, induzida por BGP-15, melhora a regeneração muscular em camundongos idosos, pois acelera a recuperação do tamanho da fibra muscular em regeneração. Experimentos in vitro sugerem que esse efeito é mediado pela atenuação do déficit na diferenciação de células precursoras miogênicas. Paralelamente, este trabalho demonstra que a HSP70 participa do início da diferenciação muscular por meio de mecanismo envolvendo MyoD e o miR-326. Além do efeito benéfico do indutor de HSPs, BGP-15, sobre a regeneração muscular de animais idosos, este atenuou a sarcopenia e a perda de miotubos expostos ao modelo de atrofia muscular in vitro induzido por interferon-&#947; e TNF-&#945;. Este último efeito é mediado pela redução na expressão de Atrogin-1. / Considering that the role of heat shock proteins (HSPs) on the skeletal muscle regenerative response of aged mice is still not well known, and that the treatment with O- (3-piperidino-2-hydroxy-1-propyl ) nicotinic amidoxime (BGP-15), an HSP inducer, attenuates muscle fibrosis in animals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy; the overexpression of HSPs in skeletal muscle induced by BGP-15 treatment and the use of inducible 70 kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) overexpressing transgenic mice could improve the muscle regenerative process through attenuation of fibrosis of regenerating muscle tissue in old mice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of HSPs on muscle regenerative response in aged mice by analyzing the effects of BGP-15 treatment and HSP70 overexpression induced by transgenesis in structural, cellular, molecular and functional aspects of regenerating muscles from aged mice. At 10 days after cryolesion of the tibialis anterior (TA), BGP-15 treatment (15 mg / kg) attenuated sarcopenia, reduced the cross sectional area of regenerating myofiber from aged mice and recovered the connective tissue density and the expression of FGF in injured muscles from aged mice. Moreover, BGP-15 attenuated the force decrease in extensor digitorum longus (EDL) after injury in young mice. In addition to the beneficial effect of BGP-15 on attenuation of sarcopenia, this drug (1&#956;M) also attenuated the loss of C2C12 myotubes exposed to the inflammatory cytokines interferon-&#947; and TNF-&#945;. There was a prevention of the deficit in the initial and late differentiation of myoblasts from aged animals that overexpress HSP70. In parallel, we observed that the silencing of HSP70 in C2C12 myoblasts reduced the gene expression of MyoD and miR-326 at the beginning of the muscle differentiation process. Therefore, our results suggest that the overexpression of HSPs improves muscle regeneration in aged mice, since it accelerates the size recovery of regenerating myofibers. This effect is mediated by the attenuation of the deficit in the differentiation of myogenic precursor cells. In parallel, we demonstrated that HSP70 participates in the beginning of muscle differentiation probably through a mechanism mediated by MyoD and miR-326. In addition to the beneficial effect of the HSP inducer BGP-15 on muscle regeneration of aged animals, it attenuated sarcopenia and loss of myotubes exposed to interferon-&#947; and TNF-&#945;. This latter effect is mediated by the reduction of Atrogin-1 expression.

Bacteria have developed specialized responses that involve the expression of particular genes present in a given regulon. Sigma factors provide regulatory mechanisms to respond to stress by acting as transcriptional initiation factors. This work focuses on σ32 during oxidative stress in Escherichia coli. The differential response of key heat shock (HS) genes was investigated during HS and oxidative stress using qPCR techniques. While groEL and dnaJ experienced increases in transcriptional response to H2O2 (10 mM), HS (42°C), and paraquat (50 mM) exposure, the abundance of dnaK over the co-chaperones was apparent. It was hypothesized that DnaK undergoes oxidative modification by reactive carbonyls at its Lys-rich C-terminus, accounting for the differential response during oxidative stress. A σ32-mediated β-galactosidase reporter was devised to detect the activity of wild-type DnaK and DnaKV634X modified to lack the Lys-rich C-terminus. Under unstressed conditions and HS, σ32 was bound at the same rate in both strains. When subjected to H2O2, the WT DnaK strain produced significantly higher β-galactosidase than DnaKV634X (one-tailed Student’s t test p=0.000002, α=0.05) and approached the same level of output as the lacZ positive control. The β-galactosidase assay indicates that DnaK undergoes Lys modification in the WT strain, preventing the protein from binding σ32, increasing the activity of σ32, and resulting in higher β-galactosidase activity than the DnaKV634X strain. In the DnaKV634X strain DnaK continues to bind σ32 so that σ32 could not promote the production of β-galactosidase. These findings demonstrate how DnaK is oxidatively modified, hindering the interaction with σ32 in manner distinct from HS.

Apesar do sucesso do transplante na clínica, os importantes efeitos adversos dos imunossupressores, usados para prevenir e tratar a rejeição, apontam para a necessidade de novas terapias imunorreguladoras. A via oral tem sido efetiva na indução de imunorregulação, em diversos modelos experimentais, principalmente de doenças autoimunes. A Hsp60/65 é uma molécula com grande potencial imunoterapêutico, por sua capacidade de induzir respostas imunes pró-inflamatória e imunorreguladora. Testamos se a terapia oral com o probiótico Lactococcus lactis que expressa a Hsp65, combinada à administração de aloantígenos do doador (AloAg-doador), atua sinergicamente na indução de tolerância ao enxerto de pele semialogeneico murino, ou no aumento de sua sobrevida. Testamos diferentes combinações de terapia oral, assim como a influência da utilização de um anti-inflamatório, inibidor seletivo de COX-2 (celecoxibe). O transplante de pele foi realizado 10 dias após a última administração oral dos probióticos e aloantígenos do doador. Não observamos efeitos benéficos na sobrevida do enxerto no grupo de animais que receberam L.lactis que produz Hsp65, sozinho ou em combinação com AloAg-doador e/ou o anti-inflamatório. Em contraste, a terapia oral combinada com o probiótico L.lactis selvagem e AloAg-doador aumentou significativamente a sobrevida do enxerto (p=0,01), em comparação com o grupo não tratado. Nesse grupo que teve maior sobrevida do aloenxerto (L,lactis selvagem e AloAg-doador), também observamos maior quantidade de epitélio preservado (p=0,02) e maior expressão de TGF-beta (p=0,04), no enxerto, em comparação com o grupo sem tratamento. Não observamos diferenças significativas na expressão, in situ, de FOXP3 e IL-17, que foi baixa em todos os grupos experimentais. Concluímos que a Hsp65 não induziu efeito imunorregulador capaz de prolongar a sobrevida do enxerto. No entanto, a manipulação da microbiota com a terapia combinada com o L.lactis selvagem e a exposição a antígenos do doador, previamente, ao transplante, induz mecanismos imunorreguladores capazes de controlar, mesmo que parcialmente, as respostas inflamatórias dirigidas ao aloenxerto de pele, provavelmente, com a participação de TGF-beta / Despite the success of clinical transplantation, the significant side effects induced by immunosupressants used to prevent and treat rejection, indicate the need for novel immunoregulatory therapies. The oral route has been effective in inducing immunoregulation in several experimental models, mostly in pathological autoimmunity. Heat Shock protein 60/65 (Hsp) displays great immunotherapeutic potential due to its capacity to induce both pro-inflammatory and immunregulatory responses. We tested whether oral therapy with the probiotic Lactococcus lactis that expresses Hsp65, in combination with donor alloantigens (Donor-Allo-Ag), acted synergically, inducing immunotolerance or increasing graft survival, in a murine model of semiallogeneic skin transplantation. We tested different oral therapy combinations, as well as the association with a COX-2 selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (celecoxib). Skin transplantation was performed 10 days after the last oral administration of probiotics and Donor-Allo-Ag. We observed no beneficial effect on graft survival in the group that received L.lactis that produce Hsp65, alone or in combination with Donor-Allo-Ag/and/or the anti-inflammatory drug. In contrast, combined oral therapy with wild type L.lactis and Donor-Allo-Ag significantly prolonged graft survival (p=0.01), in comparison to non-treated animals. In this prolonged-survival group (L.lactis and Donor-Allo-Ag), we also found higher extension of preserved epithelium (p=0.02) and higher expression of TGF-beta (p=0.04), within the graft, in comparison to non-treated animals. We found no significant differences in the intragraft expression of FOXP3 and IL-17, which was essentially absent or very low. We conclude that Hsp65 did not induce immunoregulatory effects capable of prolonging graft survival. However, the microbiota manipulation with the combined oral therapy with wild type L.lactis and Donor-Allo-Ag, prior to transplantation, induce immunoregulatory mechanisms capable of partially controlling the inflammatory responses to the graft, most likely involving the participation of TGF-beta

Ng Ho Yuen Andus. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 105-131). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter I --- Title page --- p.i / Chapter II --- Thesis committee --- p.ii / Chapter III --- Acknowledgement --- p.iii / Chapter IV --- Abstract --- p.v / Chapter V --- Abstract (Chinese version) --- p.vii / Chapter V --- Table of contents --- p.ix / Chapter VI --- List of abbreviations --- p.xv / Chapter VII --- List of figures --- p.xviii / General introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 1: --- Literature review --- p.5 / Chapter 1.1. --- Heat shock proteins (HSPs) --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.1. --- Introduction --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.2. --- The various heat shock proteins --- p.8 / Chapter 1.1.2.1. --- HSP100s --- p.8 / Chapter 1.1.2.2. --- HSP90s --- p.9 / Chapter 1.1.2.3. --- HSP70s --- p.12 / Chapter 1.1.2.3.1. --- ATPase reaction cycle of HSP70 and protein folding --- p.13 / Chapter 1.1.2.3.2. --- Protein translocation --- p.14 / Chapter 1.1.2.3.3. --- Selective lysosomal proteolysis --- p.16 / Chapter 1.1.2.4. --- HSP60s --- p.16 / Chapter 1.1.2.5. --- Small HSPs --- p.17 / Chapter 1.1.2.6. --- Ubiquitin --- p.19 / Chapter 1.1.3. --- HSP studies in fish --- p.21 / Chapter 1.1.3.1. --- In vivo works --- p.21 / Chapter 1.1.3.2. --- In vitro works --- p.23 / Chapter 1.2. --- Growth hormone / prolactin family in teleostean fishes --- p.26 / Chapter 1.2.1. --- Introduction --- p.26 / Chapter 1.2.2. --- Growth hormone (GH; somatotropin) --- p.29 / Chapter 1.2.2.1. --- Structure --- p.29 / Chapter 1.2.2.2. --- Actions --- p.29 / Chapter 1.2.2.3. --- Insulin-like Growth Factors (IGFs; somatomedins) --- p.31 / Chapter 1.2.3. --- Prolactin (PRL) --- p.34 / Chapter 1.2.3.1. --- Structure --- p.34 / Chapter 1.2.3.2. --- Actions --- p.35 / Chapter 1.2.4. --- Somatolactin (SL) --- p.37 / Chapter 1.2.4.1. --- Structure --- p.37 / Chapter 1.2.4.2. --- Actions --- p.38 / Chapter 1.2.5. --- Growth hormone receptor (GH-R) and prolactin receptor (PRL-R) --- p.39 / Chapter 1.3. --- Cortisol in teleostean fishes --- p.41 / Chapter 1.4. --- Salinity adaptation in teleosts --- p.44 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Effect of in vitro thermal shock on HSP70 expression in whole blood of Sparus sarba --- p.46 / Chapter 2.1. --- Introduction --- p.47 / Chapter 2.2. --- Materials and methods --- p.49 / Chapter 2.2.1. --- Overall experimental design --- p.49 / Chapter 2.2.2. --- Experimental fish --- p.49 / Chapter 2.2.3. --- Blood sampling and preparation --- p.49 / Chapter 2.2.4. --- Thermal stress regimes --- p.50 / Chapter 2.2.5. --- Protein extraction --- p.51 / Chapter 2.2.6. --- Protein quantification --- p.51 / Chapter 2.2.7. --- Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) --- p.52 / Chapter 2.2.8. --- Protein gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting (Western blotting) --- p.54 / Chapter 2.2.9. --- Statistical analysis --- p.55 / Chapter 2.3. --- Results --- p.56 / Chapter 2.3.1. --- Validation of indirect ELISA --- p.56 / Chapter 2.3.2. --- Effect of in vitro thermal shock on HSP70 expression in whole blood of Sparus sarba --- p.56 / Chapter 2.4. --- Discussion --- p.60 / Chapter 2.5. --- Conclusion --- p.64 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Effects of hormones on HSP70 expression in whole blood of Sparus sarba in vitro --- p.65 / Chapter 3.1. --- Introduction --- p.66 / Chapter 3.2. --- Materials and methods --- p.68 / Chapter 3.2.1. --- Overall experimental design and experimental fish --- p.68 / Chapter 3.2.2. --- Hormone treatments --- p.59 / Chapter 3.2.3. --- "Protein extraction and quantification, indirect ELISA，gel electrophoresis, and immunoblotting (Western blotting)" --- p.70 / Chapter 3.2.4. --- Statistical analysis --- p.70 / Chapter 3.3. --- Results --- p.71 / Chapter 3.3.1. --- Effect of Cortisol on HSP70 levels in whole Blood --- p.71 / Chapter 3.3.2. --- Effect of recombinant bream growth hormone on HSP70 levels in whole blood --- p.71 / Chapter 3.3.3. --- Effect of recombinant bream insulin-like growth factor-I on HSP70 levels in whole blood --- p.71 / Chapter 3.3.4. --- Effect of ovine prolactin on HSP70 levels in whole blood --- p.72 / Chapter 3.4. --- Discussion --- p.81 / Chapter 3.4.1. --- Effect of Cortisol on HSP70 levels in whole Blood --- p.81 / Chapter 3.4.2. --- Effect of recombinant bream growth hormone on HSP70 levels in whole blood --- p.83 / Chapter 3.4.3. --- Effect of recombinant bream insulin-like growth factor-I on HSP70 levels in whole blood --- p.85 / Chapter 3.4.4. --- Effect of ovine prolactin on HSP70 levels in whole blood --- p.86 / Chapter 3.5. --- Conclusion --- p.88 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Effect on HSP70 expression in whole blood of Sparus sarba acclimated to various salinities --- p.89 / Chapter 4.1. --- Introduction --- p.90 / Chapter 4.2. --- Materials and methods --- p.92 / Chapter 4.2.1. --- Overall experimental design and experimental fish --- p.92 / Chapter 4.2.2. --- "Protein extraction and quantification, indirect ELISA, gel electrophoresis, and immunoblotting (Western blotting)" --- p.92 / Chapter 4.2.3. --- Statistical analysis --- p.93 / Chapter 4.3. --- Results --- p.94 / Chapter 4.4. --- Discussion --- p.97 / Chapter 4.5. --- Conclusion --- p.100 / Chapter Chapter 5: --- General discussion and conclusion --- p.101 / References --- p.105

As proteínas de choque térmico (HSP) são expressas em todas as células humanas, sendo superexpressas em condições de estresse celular, tais como hiper ou hipotermia, isquemia, inflamação e reparação. Dentre as várias famílias de HSP, encontram-se a Hsp27 e a Hsp47, cuja superexpressão relaciona-se à inibição da apoptose e à manutenção dos filamentos de actina do citoesqueleto (Hsp27) e à manutenção do sistema de produção de procolágeno e do colágeno (Hsp47). O laser de diodo (LD) tem atualmente amplas aplicações clínicas com vantagens terapêuticas comprovadas, porém os efeitos térmicos que pode acarretar aos tecidos ainda são controversos. Neste trabalho, avaliou-se a influência do LD sobre a expressão imunoistoquímica das Hsp27 e Hsp47 sobre o tecido dentário submetido a gengivoplastia com LD e com bisturi convencional, bem como relacionou-se essa influência com as variações de temperatura provocadas pela irradiação laser. Vinte e quatro ratos adultos foram divididos em dois grupos: grupo 1 12 animais submetidos a gengivoplastia no incisivo central inferior esquerdo utilizando laser de diodo (ZAP soft lase, 810 nm, 0,3 W, densidade de energia de 113,63 J/cm2); grupo 2 12 animais submetidos a gengivoplastia no mesmo local utilizando bisturi convencional. Os animais sofreram eutanásia nos períodos de 0h, 24h, 72h e 120h, sendo os incisivos centrais retirados e descalcificados. Posteriormente foram submetidos a análise imunoistoquímica utilizando anticorpos monoclonais contra Hsp27 e Hsp47. Teste in vitro foi realizado utilizando-se incisivos centrais de ratos extirpados e mantidos resfriados até o momento do teste. Este foi realizado com a instalação de 4 termopares, os quais registraram a variação da temperatura durante gengivoplastia realizada com o LD calibrado com os mesmos parâmetros do teste in vivo. Observou-se haver variação máxima de temperatura entre 1C e 6C, dependendo da região analisada. A expressão da Hsp27 mostrou-se aumentada no grupo irradiado com laser em relação ao bisturi em praticamente todos os períodos experimentais. A Hsp47 também expressou-se mais intensivamente no grupo laser, porém mais tardiamente. A expressão de ambas as proteínas foi mais intensa na região irradiada, porém nas demais regiões medidas não foi possível relacionar as variações imunoistoquímicas com as de temperatura. Concluiu-se que o LD provoca modificações na expressão das Hsp27 e Hsp47, as quais podem estar relacionadas ao aumento da temperatura provocado pelo laser. / Heat shock proteins (HSP) are expressed in all human cells, and are overexpressed under conditions of cellular stress, such as hyper- or hypothermia, ischemia, inflammation and repair. Among the various families of HSP, there are Hsp27 and Hsp47, whose overexpression is related to the inhibition of apoptosis, maintenance of cytoskeletal actin filaments (Hsp27) and maintenance of the procollagen and collagen production system (Hsp47). At present, diode laser (DL) has broad clinical applications with proven therapeutic advantages; however, there is still controversy about the thermal effects it may have on tissues. In this study, the influence of DL on the immunohistochemical expression of Hsp27 and Hsp47 on dental tissue submitted to gingivoplasty with DL and a conventional scalpel was evaluated, as well as how this influence was related to the variations in temperature caused by laser irradiation. Twenty-four adult rats were divided into two groups: Group 1 12 animals submitted to gingivoplasty in the mandibular left central incisor using diode laser (ZAP soft lase, 810 nm, 0.3 W, energy density 113.63 J/cm2); Group 2 12 animals submitted to gingivoplasty in the same site using a conventional scalpel. The animals were euthanized in the periods of 0h, 24h, 72h and 120h, and the central incisors were removed and decalcified. Afterwards they were submitted to immunohistochemical analysis using monoclonal antibodies against Hsp27 and Hsp47. The in vitro test was performed, using the extirpated central incisors of rats, which were kept chilled until the time of the test. This was done by installing 4 thermocouples that recorded the variation in temperature during the gingivoplasty performed with DL calibrated with the same parameters as those of the in vivo test. It was observed that there was a maximum variation in temperature of between 1C and 6C, depending on the region analyzed. Hsp27 expression was shown to be increased in the laser-irradiated group when compared with the group treated by scalpel in practically all the experimental periods. Hsp47 was also more intensely expressed in the laser group, however, much later. The expression of both proteins was more intense in the irradiated region, but in the other regions measured, it was not possible to relate the immunohistochemical variations with those of temperature. It was concluded that DL causes changes in the expression of Hsp27 and Hsp47, which may be related to the temperature increase caused by laser.