Oligodendrocytes (OL)s are the dominant cell type in the white matter and are integral for synaptic transmission essential for proper neuronal communication between brain areas. Previous studies have shown that intravenous administration of the mononuclear fraction of human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) cells in rat models of stroke reduced white matter injury, gray matter injury and behavioral deficits. Yet the mechanisms used by HUCB cells remain unknown in ischemic injury. These studies will investigate both in vitro and in vivo approaches to elucidate this mechanism in OLs. When mature primary OLs were coincubated with HUCB cells, HUCB cells secreted soluble factors that reduced cell death in OLs exposed to OGD. Microarray analysis revealed that HUCB cell treatment induced OL gene changes. These changes included genes involved in cell proliferation, signaling, anti-oxidant activity, and myelination. To extend these findings, the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was used to assess the expression profile of protein products of gene changes observed in vitro. The in vivo data mirrored in vitro data in that metallothionein 3 (Mt3), peroxiredoxin 4 (Prdx4), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (Mog), U2AF homology kinase 1(Uhmk1), and insulin induce gene 1(Insig1) were upregulated in OLs of the white matter tract adjacent to the infarct. Furthermore, double immunofluorescence staining determined that OLs expressed these proteins. Other reports have shown that HUCB cells secrete soluble factors related to cellular protection, including interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8), and interleukin 10 (IL-10). Other factors are known for their proliferative actions, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), BDNF, platelet derived growth factor B (PDGF-B), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF) all of which converge on the Akt survival pathway. Given these findings we hypothesize that Akt activation is integral to HUCB cell mediated OL protection. In models of excitotoxicity, the addition of Akt inhibitor IV blocked HUCB cell mediated protection in OL cultures exposed to 24 hrs OGD. In vivo, HUCB cell treatment increased Akt activation, antioxidant protein expression and decreased caspase 3 cleavage in the external capsule in a time dependent manner. The next series of experiments determine whether the soluble factors secreted by HUCB cells could replace HUCB cells as treatment. LIF expression is increased in HUCB cells as compared to peripheral blood and as previously mentioned, LIF is secreted by HUCB cells. Additionally, LIF rescued OLs from spinal cord and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis injury. Thus LIF was investigated. LIF protected OL subjected to 24 hr OGD, increased antioxidant Prdx4 gene expression and reduced reactive oxygen species production. Additionally the inclusion of Akt inhibitor IV blocked LIF induced OL protection. Similar results were obtained when GCSF was evaluated. All these findings indicate that HUCB cell mediated OL/white matter protection is due to the soluble factors secreted by the mononuclear population of these cells. These soluble factors including LIF activate cellular machinery leading to enhanced cellular survival. Here we found a specific survival pathway activated by soluble factors released from HUCB cells, leading to Akt activation. Akt activation arrests stroke induced apoptosis and reduced the expansion of the infarct, promoting functional recovery from acute ischemic injury.

ABSTRACT A defect implantation process is the major reason for unexplained infertility. Estrogen andprogesterone are steroid hormones preparing the endometrium for implantation. They mediatetheir effect through their receptors: estrogen receptor alpha and beta and progesteronereceptor A and B, respectively. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), which is also important forimplantation, mediates its effect through LIF receptor and the coreceptor, gp130, and is downregulated by suppressors of cytokine signaling 1. The aim of the study was to compare thelevels of the steroid hormone receptors and LIF related factors in the endometrium of twogroups of women with the diagnosis unexplained infertility: one that became pregnant afterassisted reproduction and one that did not become pregnant. Before treatment of thesewomen, endometrial mRNA was collected during the window of implantation in themenstrual cycle. The levels of specific mRNAs were measured with real-time PCR. Womenwho had become pregnant had a significantly higher level of steroid hormone receptors. Thus,these proteins seem to be important for a pregnancy and may be suitable as receptivitymarkers.

No description available.

Two polymorphisms in the promoter region of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF)—rs755622 and rs5844572—exhibit prognostic relevance in inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate a correlation between these MIF promoter polymorphisms and the severity of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced liver fibrosis. Our analysis included two independent patient cohorts with HCV-induced liver fibrosis (504 and 443 patients, respectively). The genotype of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) -173 G/C and the repeat number of the microsatellite polymorphism -794 CATT5–8 were determined in DNA samples and correlated with fibrosis severity. In the first cohort, homozygous carriers of the C allele in the rs755622 had lower fibrosis stages compared to heterozygous carriers or wild types (1.25 vs. 2.0 vs. 2.0; p = 0.03). Additionally, 7 microsatellite repeats were associated with lower fibrosis stages (<F2) (p = 0.04). Comparable tendencies were observed in the second independent cohort, where fibrosis was assessed using transient elastography. However, once cirrhosis had been established, the C/C genotype and higher microsatellite repeats correlated with impaired liver function and a higher prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma. Our study demonstrates that specific MIF polymorphisms are associated with disease severity and complications of HCV-induced fibrosis in a stage- and context-dependent manner.

Axonal degeneration is a major pathological feature of the central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis (MS). This axonal degeneration has major consequences, as functional axonal regeneration in the CNS is largely absent. Cumulative axonal degeneration is the likely cause of the majority of progressive MS-related disability, and therefore, the need for novel neuroprotective therapies for MS exists. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS pathology, also produces axonal injury. In particular, the optic nerve and spinal cord are key sites of neuroinflammation in mouse EAE. By utilizing this model, the short term and long term effects of the putative neuroprotective cytokine, leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), were investigated in the optic nerve and spinal cord utilising a number of outcome measures of axonal dysfunction. These included MRI measures of water diffusivity along (ADC ||) and across (ADC┴) the optic nerves, serum levels of phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain subunit (pNF-H) and histological morphometric measures. LIF treatment reduced EAE grade and pNF-H plasma levels, decreased ADC┴, but had no effect on ADC ||, axon counts or inflammatory infiltration. / In contrast, genetic deletion of LIF and its sister cytokine ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), not only increased EAE grade and pNF-H levels, but also decreased optic nerve ADC|| and optic nerve and spinal cord axon densities. After reviewing current literature, we hypothesize that the target cell for endogenously upregulated LIF in EAE may be the neuron or axon, whereas the target cell for exogenously administered therapeutic LIF may be another cell type, possibly infiltrating macrophages and activated microglial cells. LIF antagonist treatment did not have any affect on EAE grade, pNF-H levels or MRI parameters. This lack of effect may be due to the inability of the LIF antagonist to enter the CNS, supporting the hypothesis that endogenous LIF has a centrally acting mechanism.

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No. of bitstreams: 1 DissRMB.pdf: 1290621 bytes, checksum: 3870f44730785bfd4b123df5cbec0b90 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-31 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / The high blood pressure levels reach about 22% of the world population, increasing the risk factors for coronary disease, heart attack and heart failure. Many studies have tried to understand the causes of hypertension and possible mechanisms to facilitate the treatment of hypertension. The central nervous system seems to play a key role in the development and maintenance of hypertension. Among the various brain areas, we can highlight the role of the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), which is the primary site of visceral afferents. The macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an intracellular inhibitory regulator of the actions of angiotensin II (ANG II) in the ANG II type 1 receptors. The spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and the rats with renovascular hypertension 2 kidney, 1 clip (2K1C) exhibit an increased activity of the renin-angiotensin system, increased sympathetic activity and reduced baroreflex function. We recently demonstrated that MIF overexpression in the NTS of SHRs lowers blood pressure of these animals and improved the function of the baroreflex. Therefore, in this study we tested if increased expression of MIF in the NTS of the 2K1C rats could alter the development of hypertension and improve the baroreflex function in these animals. For this, the left renal artery was partially obstructed in male Holtzman rats (150-180 g) using a silver clip (0.2 mm width) to induce 2K1C hypertension (n = 5-10/group) or sham surgery [normotensive rats (NT); n = 5-11/group] was performed. Three weeks after renal clip placement or sham surgery, rats received AAV2-CBA-MIF microinjections into the NTS to increase MIF expression in the area or AAV2-CBA-eGFP, which promoted the expression of GFP (enhanced green protein), which served as a control vector. Arterial pressure and heart rate were recorded by telemetry and baroreflex tests were performed. At the end of the experiments, the brains were harvested for immunohistochemistry RT-PCR. MIF injections into the NTS attenuated the hypertension in 2K1C rats from 2 weeks after viral transfection until the end of the experiment (4 weeks after viral transfection), (2K1C-MIF: 145 ± 7, vs. 2K1C-eGFP: 176 ± 9 mmHg; p < 0.05). MIF into the NTS also improved the reflex bradycardia (2K1C-MIF slope: -1.4 ± 0.3, vs. 2K1C-eGPF slope: -0.41 ± 0.3 bpm/mmHg; p < 0.05) and reflex tachycardia (2K1C-MIF slope: -4.7 ± 0.6, vs. 2K1C-eGPF slope: -1.7 ± 0.3 bpm/mmHg; p < 0.05). Baseline heart rate was decreased in 2K1C-MIF rats. In contrast to 2K1C rats, MIF overexpressed in the NTS in normotensive rats produced no change in arterial pressure neither baroreflex function. As expected, the transduction of MIF in the NTS increased mRNA levels for MIF at the same site (NT-MIF: 3.80 ± 0.97, vs. NT-eGFP: 1.00 ± 0.16 fold change and 2K1C-MIF: 3.53 ± 0.68, vs. 2K1C-eGFP: 0.88 ± 0.09 fold change; p < 0.05). These results suggest that increased expression of MIF in neurons within NTS attenuates the hypertension and improves baroreflex function in 2K1C rats, possibly through anti-ANG II actions. / Os altos níveis de pressão arterial atingem cerca de 22% da população mundial, aumentando os fatores de risco para doenças coronarianas, infarto e falência cardíaca. Muitos estudos tentam entender as causas da hipertensão e os possíveis mecanismos que facilitem o tratamento da hipertensão. O sistema nervoso central parece ter um papel chave no desenvolvimento e na manutenção da hipertensão. Dentre as diversas áreas encefálicas, podemos destacar o papel do núcleo do trato solitário (NTS), que é o sítio primário das aferências viscerais. O fator inibitório da migração de macrófagos (MIF) é um regulador inibitório intracelular das ações da angiotensina II (ANG II) em receptores do subtipo AT1. Os ratos espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR) bem como os ratos com hipertensão renovascular 2 rins, 1 clipe (2R1C), exibem uma atividade aumentada do sistema renina-angiotensina, do sistema nervoso simpático e uma diminuição da função do barorreflexo. Recentemente demonstramos que a super-expressão de MIF no NTS de SHRs reduziu a pressão arterial destes animais bem como melhorou a função do barorreflexo. Portanto, neste estudo testamos se a expressão aumentada de MIF no NTS de ratos 2R1C poderia altenuar o desenvolvimento da hipertensão e melhorar a função do barorreflexo nestes animais. Para tanto, a artéria renal esquerda foi parcialmente obstruída em ratos Holtzman (150-180 g) utilizando um clipe de prata (0,2 mm de abertura) para induzir a hipertensão 2R1C (n = 5-10/grupo) ou a cirurgia fictícia [ratos normotensos (NT); n = 5-11/grupo] foi realizada. Três semanas após a inserção do clipe renal ou após a cirurgia fictícia, os ratos receberam microinjeções do vetor viral AAV2-CBA-MIF no NTS para aumentar a expressão de MIF na área ou de AAV2-CBA-eGFP, que promoveu a expressão de GFP (proteína fluorescente verde), que serviu como vetor controle. A pressão arterial e a frequência cardíaca foram registradas por telemetria e testes do barorreflexo foram realizados. Ao término dos experimentos, os encéfalos foram colhidos para imunohistoquímica ou RT-PCR. As microinjeções de MIF no NTS atenuaram a hipertensão em ratos 2R1C a partir de 2 semanas após a transfecção viral até o fim dos experimentos (4 semanas após a transfecção), (2R1C-MIF: 145 ± 7, vs. 2R1C-eGFP: 176 ± 9 mmHg; p < 0,05). MIF no NTS também melhorou a bradicardia reflexa (2R1C-MIF slope: -1,4 ± 0,3, vs. 2R1C-eGFP slope: -0,41 ± 0,3 bpm/mmHg; p < 0,05) e taquicardia reflexa (2R1C-MIF slope: -4,7 ± 0,6, vs. 2R1C-eGFP slope: -1,7 ± 0,3 bpm/mmHg; p < 0,05). A frequência cardíaca basal foi diminuída em ratos 2R1C-MIF. Em contraste com os ratos 2R1C, MIF super-expresso no NTS de ratos normotensos não produziu alteração na pressão arterial ou na função do barorreflexo. Como esperado, a transdução de MIF no NTS aumentou os níveis de RNAm para MIF no mesmo local (NT-MIF: 3,80 ± 0,97, vs. NT-eGFP: 1,00 ± 0,16 número de vezes e 2R1C-MIF: 3,53 ± 0,68, vs. 2R1C-eGFP: 0,88 ± 0,09 número de vezes; p < 0,05). Estes resultados sugerem que a expressão aumentada de MIF nos neurônios do NTS atenua a hipertensão, melhora a função do barorreflexo em ratos 2R1C, possivelmente através de uma ação anti-ANG II. / FAPESP: 2013/02607-0

Orientadores: Liliana Aparecida Lucci de Angelo Andrade, Fatima Aparecida Böttcher-Luiz / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T02:59:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Pietro_Luciana_D.pdf: 3492137 bytes, checksum: 723d823e8ddb16925da7aa8f48f22ea1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: A invasão do endométrio pelo trofoblasto extraviloso é fundamental no desenvolvimento do feto e da placenta, processo este controlado por fatores ligados à atividade imunológica e hormonal que, quando alterada, pode resultar em interrupção da gestação e/ou geração das chamadas doenças trofoblásticas gestacionais. Em algumas situações, pode haver evolução para o coriocarcinoma, neoplasia maligna do trofoblasto, em que há evidências da atuação das moléculas ligadas ao processo de fusão celular e inflamação. Porém, os estudos neste tema são incipientes e inconclusivos. Considerando essas informações, o objetivo deste trabalho é estudar de forma comparativa a expressão das citocinas LIF, IL-6 e do ativador de transcrição STAT-3, além da telomerase, em material de aborto, de placenta normal a termo e de coriocarcinoma. Métodos: a expressão destas moléculas foi avaliada pelos métodos: imunoistoquímica (IHQ), imunofluorescência (IF), Western Blotting (WB) e Real-Time PCR (RT-PCR), em amostras de material de aborto, placenta normal a termo e coriocarcinoma (N=12 cada um). Os ensaios de WB e Real-Time PCR empregaram material a fresco de placenta normal a termo e seu cultivo celular e cultura da linhagem BeWo. Resultados: no material de aborto, as reações de IHQs evidenciaram expressão moderada de IL-6 em 58,4% dos casos e intensa de STAT-3 em 33,3%. Na placenta normal, observou-se intensa marcação de IL-6 em 50% e de STAT- 3 em 16,7% dos casos, enquanto que, no coriocarcinoma, houve expressão intensa de IL-6 em 50% e de STAT-3 em 75% dos casos. Por outro lado, as reações para LIF tiveram expressão nula em todos os três grupos. Pelo WB houve expressão proteica de IL-6 apenas no material fresco de placenta normal e ausência de expressão na sua cultura primária e na linhagem BeWo; LIF não foi expresso em todos os grupos estudados. STAT-3 foi detectado no citoplasma em todos os grupos, entretanto, a expressão nuclear da STAT-3 fosforilada (pSTAT-3) não foi observada na IF e nem pelo WB. Na análise gênica pelo RTPCR houve forte expressão de IL-6 e STAT-3 no material fresco de placenta normal e expressão muito fraca na cultura primária de placenta normal e na linhagem BeWo; a expressão de LIF foi muito fraca em todos os grupos. Apenas a linhagem BeWo demonstrou forte expressão gênica da telomerase, contrastando com a completa falta de expressão no material fresco de placenta normal e em sua cultura primária. Conclusão: A intensa expressão IHQ de IL-6 e STAT-3 no coriocarcinoma indica a atuação de ambas na carcinogênese. A expressão proteica de IL-6 no material fresco de placenta normal e sua ausência no material de cultura primária e na linhagem BeWo pode ser ocasionado pelo contato célula-a-célula nas culturas aderentes, inibindo o crescimento celular e, consequentemente, as vias de sinalização. A falta de expressão da pSTAT-3 tanto na IF como por WB demonstra que a via JAK-STAT está sendo desativada. A ausência de expressão de LIF, em todos os métodos estudados, sugere que esta citocina poderia estar sendo inibida por meio de proteínas SOCS3 ou, atuando, de modo indireto, na proliferação celular do coriocarcinoma. O aumento da atividade da telomerase nas células BeWo reforça sua relação com o fenótipo maligno e a aponta como um bom marcador para progressão da doença / Abstract: The invasion of the endometrium by extravillous trophoblast is a fundamental process in the growth of the fetus and placenta. The process is controlled by factors related to the immune and hormonal activity that, when changed, may result in termination of pregnancy and development of so-called gestational trophoblastic diseases. In some cases, changes can result in malignancy, in which some molecules play a role in cell fusion process and inflammation, although studies in this area are inconclusive. Considering this information, the study had the aim of investigating the expression of cytokines LIF, IL-6, STAT- 3 and the function of telomerase to understand their participation in abortion, in normal at term placenta and choriocarcinoma. Methods: The expression of the molecules was assessed by immunohistochemical assay (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), Western Blotting (WB) and Real-Time PCR (RT - PCR) using fixed material from biopsies of abortions, normal at term placentas and choriocarcinoma along with fresh tissue of normal at term placenta and their primary culture and BeWo cell line. Paraffin embedded material used in IHC and IF assays were obtained from the Department of Pathology files. Tests of WB and Real-Time PCR employed fresh material, obtained from cell cultures of normal at term placenta and the BeWo line. Results: IHC reactions to abortion biopsies showed moderate staining for IL-6 in 58.4% of cases and intense for STAT-3 in 33.3 % of cases. In biopsies of normal placenta, there was intense reaction for IL-6 in 50% of cases, intense for STAT-3 in 16.7%; choriocarcinoma showed intense staining for IL- 6 in 50% of cases and also for STAT-3 in 75% of cases. On the other hand, LIF expression was missing in all three groups. WB analyses showed IL-6 protein in fresh material from normal placentas, but no expression in placenta primary cultures and BeWo line. LIF was absent in all groups. Cytoplasmic STAT-3 was observed in all groups, while the nuclear expression of phosphorylated STAT-3 was absent. On gene analyses a strong expression of IL-6 and STAT- 3 was observed from fresh normal placenta, but very weak expression in primary cultures of normal placenta and BeWo cell line. LIF expression was very weak in all groups. In regard to the gene expression of telomerase, it was strong in the BeWo line which contrasted with its complete lack of expression in fresh normal placenta and its primary culture. Conclusion: The high expression of IL-6 and STAT-3 in biopsies of choriocarcinoma indicates the role of both in tumor progression. Regarding protein expression, the presence of IL-6 in the material from fresh normal placenta, and its absence in primary culture and BeWo line may be caused by the cell-to-cell contact cultures by inhibiting cell growth and thus signaling pathways. However, the lack of expression of phosphorylated STAT-3 whether through IF or WB shows that its JAK-STAT pathway is inhibited. Lack of expression of the LIF suggests that it might be involved indirectly in choriocarcinoma cell proliferation or be inhibited by SOCS3 protein. Moreover, the increased telomerase activity of BeWo cells enhances their relation to the malignant phenotype and indicates a good marker for disease progression / Doutorado / Ciencias Biomedicas / Doutora em Ciências Médicas

STAT5A et B sont des facteurs de transcription qui constituent le point de convergence de nombreux signaux extracellulaires. Parmi leurs fonctions biologiques, ils sont connus pour leur rôle dans le développement et la différentiation des cellules hématopoïétiques. Cependant, un taux d’activation et/ou d’expression élevé de ces protéines aboutit à une prolifération incontrôlée des cellules aboutissant ainsi à une leucémogenèse. Ce présent travail vise à caractériser des aptamères ADN (Apta1 et Apta2) sélectionnés préalablement au sein de notre laboratoire contre STAT5B afin de réguler son activité dans le contexte leucémique. Les aptamères ADN sont des oligonucléotides simple brin qui adoptent une structure 3D et interagissent de manière spécifique avec leurs cibles. Contrairement aux anticorps, ils sont peu immunogènes ; ils possèdent alors un potentiel thérapeutique intéressant. La première partie de ce projet se focalise sur l’étude de la capacité d’Apta1 et Apta2 à interagir avec la forme cellulaire et recombinante de STAT5B par pull down et calorimétrie à titrage isotherme. La seconde partie concerne l’évaluation de l’activité d’Apta2 par l’étude de son effet sur la viabilité d’un modèle de leucémie myéloïde chronique et sur sa capacité à perturber la voie de signalisation impliquant STAT5. / STAT5A and B are common transcription factors that constitute a convergent point for many cellular pathways. Among their multiple biological functions, they are well known in promoting immune cell development and differentiation. When some oncogenic mutations occur, STAT5A and B are highly activated leading to uncontrolled proliferation and then to leukemia. Thus, they constitute a prime target to therapeutic intervention. In this work, we characterize new DNA aptamers (Apta1 and Apta2) selected previously by our laboratory against STAT5B. DNA aptamers are single stranded DNA molecules that can adopt 3D structures and recognize specific targets. Unlike antibodies, they fail to induce the immune response: they emerge as potentiel therapeutic molecules. In the first part of this work, the selected aptamers were assessed on their ability to interact with the cellular and recombinant form of STAT5B by using pull down assay and Isothermal Titration Calorimetry. In the second part, we focused on evaluating the effect of Apta2 on chronic myeloid leukemia cell line. For this purpose, cell viability, apoptosis process and JAK-STAT5 signaling pathway were depicted when cells are treated with Apta2.

Evidências epidemiológicas associam diferentes fatores ambientais, tais como poluição e ingestão de alimentos contaminados, com desfechos gestacionais negativos e fertilidade diminuída em humanos. Não há duvidas de que a poluição do ar nos grandes centros urbanos é capaz de provocar desfechos negativos sobre a gestação: baixo peso ao nascer, prematuridade, perda gestacional, entre outros. Entretanto, poucos estudos foram conduzidos para avaliar um possível efeito da exposição à poluição ambiental particulada do ar sobre a saúde reprodutiva feminina. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar se a exposição subcrônica a poluição atmosférica particulada da cidade de São Paulo é capaz de alterar a receptividade uterina à implantação embrionária. Para tanto, foram avaliados 3 grupos de fêmeas de camundongos (n=10), expostas cronicamente desde o período de desmame (PND21) até atingirem a idade reprodutiva (PND60) à duas concentrações de MP2,5 (600?g/m3 ou 1200ug/m3) ou ar filtrado. Diferentes parâmetros relacionados à fertilidade e a receptividade uterina foram avaliados. Nossos achados mostram que a exposição ao material particulado de origem veicular provoca alterações na ciclicidade estral prévia ao acasalamento, bem como um aumento no peso dos ovários. Avaliação da reserva folicular indica que há um aumento na quantidade de folículos médios associado à exposição a menor concentração de MP (p=0,04). A avaliação histopatológica do tecido uterino revelou que há aumentos na fração de volume das glândulas uterinas (600ug/m3; p=0,01); o epitélio glandular (p=0,001) e luminal (p=0,03) estão espessados e o diâmetro médio das glândulas uterinas foi maior nos grupos expostos ao MP (p=0,004). A análise qualitativa da distribuição de pinopódios no epitélio luminal por microscopia eletrônica de varredura e transmissão indica que há uma redução na presença destas estruturas. A avaliação da expressão de LIF por imunomarcação mostrou-se reduzida no epitélio luminal (p<0,001), nas glândulas (p<0,001) e estroma (p=0,004) nas fêmeas expostas ao MP, porém nenhuma diferença foi observada na expressão de MUC-1 (mucina). Entretanto quando avaliadas a expressão gênica de MUC-1 e LIF no tecido uterino e os níveis de IL-1beta e IL-6 no fluído uterino nenhuma diferença foi observada entre os grupos. Com base em nossos achados conclui-se que a exposição à poluição particulada do ar de origem veicular pode estar envolvida no aumento das perdas gestacionais e/ou implantacionais pelo comprometimento da receptividade uterina provavelmente pelo prejuízo do remodelamento uterino necessário a implantação / Epidemiological evidences have shown that environmental factors, such as environmental pollution and ingestion of contaminated food, are associated with negative gestational outcomes and decreased fertility in human. There is no doubt that exposure to air pollution in large urban areas are capable of impairing health (e.g. hypertension) and of aggravating preexisting diseases (e.g asthma). However, the effects of air pollution exposures on female reproductive health are lesser known. Previous experimental studies have shown that low birth weights are reduced and embryonic implantational index are reduced in animals exposed to ambient levels of air pollution. The aim of this study was to evaluate if sub chronic exposures to particulate air pollution before pregnancy and during the initial stages is capable to alter the uterine receptivity of mice. To test this, 3 groups of female mice were continually exposed from 21st to 60th postnatal day to either filtered or two different doses of concentrated ambient particles (MP2,5 - 600ug/m3 or 1200ug/m3) with the aid of a Ambient Particle Concentrator and different parameters associated with fertility and uterine receptivity were evaluated. Or data have shown that exposures to particulate air pollution from vehicular origin are associated to changes in estrous ciclicity, cycles are shorter and the number of days in estrous reduced. Evaluation of the follicular reserve also indicates that animals exposed to MP present an increased number of ovarian medium follicles (p=0.04). Histopathological evaluation of the uterine tissue revealed increases in the volume fraction of uterine glands (p= 0.01) of those animals exposed to 600ug/m3. The luminal (p= 0.03) and glandular epithelium (p= 0,001) are thicker and the uterine glands diameters (p=0,004) were greater in exposed animals. Qualitative analysis by transmission and scanning electron microscopy indicates that there is a reduction in the presence of pinopódios in the luminal epithelium of PM exposed females. The expressions of LIF assessed by immunohistochemistry in those females exposed to PM were reduced in the luminal epithelium (p<0,001), and in the glandular (p<0,001) and stromal compartments as well. However no differences in the expression of MUC-1 were seen. Gene expression of LIF and MUC-1 in the whole endometrium (qPCR) and the expression of IL-6 and IL-1beta in the uterine fluid did not show significant difference between the groups tested. In conclusion, our data have shown that exposures to ambient air particulate pollution can be associated with increased rates of implantational losses due to changes in the uterine receptivity related to factors involved in uterine remodeling for pregnancy

Peripheral nerve trauma is a common cause of considerable functional morbidity, and healthcare expenditure. Particularly in the ~15% of injuries unsuitable for primary repair, standard clinical management results in inadequate sensory restitution in the majority of cases, despite the rigorous application of complex microsurgical techniques. This can largely be explained by the failure of surgical management to adequately address the neurobiological hurdles to optimal regeneration. Most significant of these is the extensive sensory neuronal death that follows injury, and which is accompanied by a reduction in the regenerative potential of axotomised neurons, and in the supportive capacity of the Schwann cell population if nerve repair is delayed. The present study aimed to accurately delineate the timecourse of neuronal death, in order to identify a therapeutic window during which clinically applicable neuroprotective strategies might be adopted. It then proceeded to investigate means to increase the regenerative capacity of chronically axotomised neurons, and to augment the Schwann cells’ ability to promote that regenerative effort. Unilateral sciatic nerve transection in the rat was the model used, initially assessing neuronal death within the L4&amp;5 dorsal root ganglia by a combination of morphology, TdT uptake nick-end labelling (TUNEL), and statistically unbiased estimation of neuronal loss using the stereological optical disector technique. Having identified 2 weeks, and 2 months post-axotomy as the most biologically relevant timepoints to study, the effect upon neuronal death of systemic treatment with acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR 10, or 50mg/kg/day) or N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC 30, or 150mg/kg/day) was determined. A model of secondary nerve repair was then adopted; either 2 or 4 months after unilateral sciatic nerve division, 1cm gap repairs were performed using either reversed isografts, or poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) conduits containing an alginate-fibronectin hydrogel. Six weeks later nerve regeneration and the Schwann cell population were quantified by digital image analysis of frozen section immunohistochemistry. Sensory neuronal death begins within 24 hours of injury, but takes 1 week to translate into significant neuronal loss. The rate of neuronal death peaks 2 weeks after injury, and neuronal loss is essentially complete by 2 months post-axotomy. Nerve repair is incompletely neuroprotective, but the earlier it is performed the greater the benefit. Two clinically safe pharmaceutical agents, ALCAR &amp; NAC, were found to virtually eliminate sensory neuronal death after peripheral nerve transection. ALCAR also enhanced nerve regeneration independently of its neuroprotective role. Plain PHB conduits were found to be technically simple to use, and supported some regeneration, but were not adequate in themselves. Leukaemia inhibitory factor enhanced nerve regeneration, though cultured autologous Schwann cells (SC’s) were somewhat more effective. Both were relatively more efficacious after a 4 month delay in nerve repair. The most profuse regeneration was found with recombinant glial growth factor (rhGGF-2) in repairs performed 2 months after axotomy, with results that were arguably better than were obtained with nerve grafts. A similar conclusion can be drawn from the result found using both rhGGF-2 and SC’s in PHB conduits 4 months after axotomy. In summary, these findings reinforce the significance of sensory neuronal death in peripheral nerve trauma, and the possibility of its` limitation by early nerve repair. Two agents for the adjuvant therapy of such injuries were identified, that can virtually eliminate neuronal death, and enhance regeneration. Elements in the creation of a bioartificial nerve conduit to replace, or surpass autologous nerve graft for secondary nerve repair are presented.