Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-£\) is a potent proinflammatory cytokine, inducing the acute-phase response that leads to physiological changes that serve to eliminate the infecting organisms. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) comprise a family of pattern-recognition receptors that detect conserved molecular products of microorganisms. To evaluate the role of TNF-£\ and TLRs in Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection-induced mortality in thermal injured mice, the wild type (WT), Tnfrsf1a-/-, and TLR4-/- mice were injected the P. aeruginosa in the back at 8 hr after 30% total body surface area burn. At 24 hr after burn, lung tissues of mice were harvested for assays of wet/dry ratio; microvascular dysfunction, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, NF-£eB DNA binding activity; and expression of IL-1£], iNOS, p-JNK, and TLR4. Injection of P. aeruginosa after burn induced a survival rate in Tnfrsf1a-/- 60% TBSA burn=100%, WT 60% TBSA burn=10%, WT 30% TBSA burn +P.A = 60%, Tnfrsf1a-/- 30% TBSA burn+p.A. = 30%. respectively. The high mortality in Tnfrsf1a-/- mice is related to a significant increase of pulmonary microvascular dysfunction; neutrophil infiltration, bacterial counts of blood and lung; and expression of TLR4, IL-1£], and iNOS as compared with WT mice. On the contrary, significant increase of NF-£eB DNA binding activity of lung was observed only in WT mice. When iNOS inhibitor SMT was given immediately after burn to WT and Tnfrsf1a-/- mice, the P. aeruginosa induced increases of pulmonary edema, pulmonary permeability, and lung bacterial counts were decreased significantly in Tnfrsf1a-/- mice, suggesting that TNF-£\ decreases P. aeruginosa-induced mortality in burned mice is through a negative regulation of TLR4 and iNOS.

A imunidade inata é responsável pela resposta inicial aos microrganismos, uma vez que impede, controla ou elimina a infecção. Esse sistema consiste em barreiras epiteliais, proteínas plasmáticas e células circulantes e teciduais. Dentre esses componentes, os macrófagos possuem grande importância, sendo capazes de controlar e eliminar agentes patogênicos através da fagocitose e produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio e nitrogênio. A ativação de PRRs por constituintes oriundos dos patógenos em macrófagos desencadeia eventos da resposta imune inata, ativados por diversas vias de sinalização intracelular. A via das PI3Ks é conhecida por regular várias funções nas células, como a regulação do ciclo celular, migração e produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio e nitrogênio. O NO é um mediador central na imunidade inata que, após estímulos inflamatórios, é produzido em altas quantidades através da iNOS. Macrófagos deficientes em PI3K produzem menos NO e apresentam prejudicado controle da infecção quando infectados por T. cruzi. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi investigar o papel da via PI3K na produção de NO por macrófagos peritoneais estimulados com LPS. Os macrófagos empregados no estudo, WT e PI3K-/-, possuem o mesmo fenótipo. Observamos que macrófagos PI3K-/- possuem uma menor produção de NO e expressam menos iNOS. A reduzida expressão de iNOS, após estímulo com LPS, é também observada quando macrófagos WT são tratados com inibidores seletivos da PI3K e AKT. Além disso, demonstramos que, concomitantemente à menor expressão da iNOS, ocorre deficiência na fosforilação da AKT e diminuição da ativação do fator de transcrição NF-kB, sugerindo que a PI3K participa da ativação do NF-kB. Foi observado ainda que o tratamento com PTX também diminui a expressão da iNOS. No entanto, macrófagos PAFR-/- expostos ao LPS presentam maior expressão da iNOS, enquanto os macrófagos CCR2-/- apresentam menor expressão dessa enzima nessas condições. Para investigar a implicação da via PI3K in vivo foi administrado LPS i.v., como modelo de choque endotoxemico, no qual observamos maior sobrevida em animais PI3K-/- comparado aos animais WT e menores níveis de nitrito no soro. Nossos dados sugerem que a enzima PI3K é crítica para expressão de iNOS e produção de NO pelos macrófagos, possivelmente através da ativação do receptor CCR2, estando envolvida na fisiopatologia do choque induzido por LPS. / Innate immunity is the initial response to microorganisms, since it prevents, controls and eliminates infection. This system consists in epithelial barriers, plasma proteins and circulating and tissue cells. Among these components, macrophages have great importance, being capable of control and eliminate pathogen agents through phagocytosis and production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Activation of PRRs by pathogens constituents in macrophages triggers events of the innate immune response, activated by various intracellular signaling pathways. PI3Ks pathway is known to regulate several functions in the cell, such as regulation of the cell cycle, migration and production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. NO is a central mediator in innate immunity, which after inflammatory stimuli, is produced in high levels by iNOS. PI3K-deficient macrophages produce less NO and exhibit impaired control of infection when infected by T. cruzi. The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of PI3K pathway in NO production by LPS-estimulated peritoneal macrophages. The macrophages used in this study, WT and PI3K- / -, have the same phenotype. We observed that PI3K- / - macrophages have a lower NO production and express less iNOS. The low expression of iNOS after stimulation with LPS was also observed in WT macrophages treated with selective inhibitors of PI3K and AKT. Furthermore, we demonstrate that, along to lower iNOS expression, there is deficiency in AKT phosphorylation and decreased activation of the transcription factor NF-kB, suggesting that PI3K participates of the NF-kB activation. It was also observed that PTX treatment has decreased iNOS expression. However, LPS-exposed PFAR-/- macrophages present greater expression of iNOS, while CCR2-/- macrophage exhibit lower expression of this enzyme under these conditions. To investigate involvement of the PI3K pathway has \"in vivo\",LPS was administered i.v., as an endotoxic model, in which we observed a higher survival in PI3K- / - animals compared to WT animals and lower nitrite levels in serum. Our data suggest that PI3K enzyme is critical to iNOS expression and NO production by macrophages, possibly through activation of the CCR2 receptor, being involved in the LPS-induced shock pathophysiology

A imunidade inata é responsável pela resposta inicial aos microrganismos, uma vez que impede, controla ou elimina a infecção. Esse sistema consiste em barreiras epiteliais, proteínas plasmáticas e células circulantes e teciduais. Dentre esses componentes, os macrófagos possuem grande importância, sendo capazes de controlar e eliminar agentes patogênicos através da fagocitose e produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio e nitrogênio. A ativação de PRRs por constituintes oriundos dos patógenos em macrófagos desencadeia eventos da resposta imune inata, ativados por diversas vias de sinalização intracelular. A via das PI3Ks é conhecida por regular várias funções nas células, como a regulação do ciclo celular, migração e produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio e nitrogênio. O NO é um mediador central na imunidade inata que, após estímulos inflamatórios, é produzido em altas quantidades através da iNOS. Macrófagos deficientes em PI3K produzem menos NO e apresentam prejudicado controle da infecção quando infectados por T. cruzi. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi investigar o papel da via PI3K na produção de NO por macrófagos peritoneais estimulados com LPS. Os macrófagos empregados no estudo, WT e PI3K-/-, possuem o mesmo fenótipo. Observamos que macrófagos PI3K-/- possuem uma menor produção de NO e expressam menos iNOS. A reduzida expressão de iNOS, após estímulo com LPS, é também observada quando macrófagos WT são tratados com inibidores seletivos da PI3K e AKT. Além disso, demonstramos que, concomitantemente à menor expressão da iNOS, ocorre deficiência na fosforilação da AKT e diminuição da ativação do fator de transcrição NF-kB, sugerindo que a PI3K participa da ativação do NF-kB. Foi observado ainda que o tratamento com PTX também diminui a expressão da iNOS. No entanto, macrófagos PAFR-/- expostos ao LPS presentam maior expressão da iNOS, enquanto os macrófagos CCR2-/- apresentam menor expressão dessa enzima nessas condições. Para investigar a implicação da via PI3K in vivo foi administrado LPS i.v., como modelo de choque endotoxemico, no qual observamos maior sobrevida em animais PI3K-/- comparado aos animais WT e menores níveis de nitrito no soro. Nossos dados sugerem que a enzima PI3K é crítica para expressão de iNOS e produção de NO pelos macrófagos, possivelmente através da ativação do receptor CCR2, estando envolvida na fisiopatologia do choque induzido por LPS. / Innate immunity is the initial response to microorganisms, since it prevents, controls and eliminates infection. This system consists in epithelial barriers, plasma proteins and circulating and tissue cells. Among these components, macrophages have great importance, being capable of control and eliminate pathogen agents through phagocytosis and production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Activation of PRRs by pathogens constituents in macrophages triggers events of the innate immune response, activated by various intracellular signaling pathways. PI3Ks pathway is known to regulate several functions in the cell, such as regulation of the cell cycle, migration and production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. NO is a central mediator in innate immunity, which after inflammatory stimuli, is produced in high levels by iNOS. PI3K-deficient macrophages produce less NO and exhibit impaired control of infection when infected by T. cruzi. The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of PI3K pathway in NO production by LPS-estimulated peritoneal macrophages. The macrophages used in this study, WT and PI3K- / -, have the same phenotype. We observed that PI3K- / - macrophages have a lower NO production and express less iNOS. The low expression of iNOS after stimulation with LPS was also observed in WT macrophages treated with selective inhibitors of PI3K and AKT. Furthermore, we demonstrate that, along to lower iNOS expression, there is deficiency in AKT phosphorylation and decreased activation of the transcription factor NF-kB, suggesting that PI3K participates of the NF-kB activation. It was also observed that PTX treatment has decreased iNOS expression. However, LPS-exposed PFAR-/- macrophages present greater expression of iNOS, while CCR2-/- macrophage exhibit lower expression of this enzyme under these conditions. To investigate involvement of the PI3K pathway has \"in vivo\",LPS was administered i.v., as an endotoxic model, in which we observed a higher survival in PI3K- / - animals compared to WT animals and lower nitrite levels in serum. Our data suggest that PI3K enzyme is critical to iNOS expression and NO production by macrophages, possibly through activation of the CCR2 receptor, being involved in the LPS-induced shock pathophysiology

Burn-induced intestinal barrier failure has been proposed to be a potential cause of subsequent multiple organ failure after burn. Studies have shown that the increased iNOS activity is closely related to intestinal and pulmonary damage in rats after burn. Expression of iNOS and MMP-9 is regulated by nuclear factor NF-£eB activation, which is frequently a result of MAPKs pathway activation. This study was to investigate the role of ERKs in intestinal and pulmonary damage induced by burn in rats. In experiments, SD rats underwent 30 ~ 35 % TBSA burn. At various times after burn, intestinal mucosa and pulmonary proteins were assayed for ERKs and p38 phosphorylation by immunoblotting, nuclear extracts were assayed for NF-£eB activation by EMSA, intestinal and pulmonary iNOS, MMP-9 expressions were evaluated by RT-PCR, the FITC-dextran permeability was determined to assess the intestinal barrier function and the pulmonary microvascular dysfunction was quantitated by measuring the extravasation of Evans blue dye. The results show that burn induced ERKs and p38 phosphorylation, the expression of iNOS, and NF-£eB activation in intestinal mucosa and lung, but the expression of MMP-9 was attenuated. Treatment with MEK1/2 inhibitors, PD98059 (10 mg/kg i.p.) or U0126 (5 mg/kg i.p.) immediately after burn, attenuated the phosphorylation of intestinal mucosa and pulmonary ERKs, the activation of NF-£eB, the increase in intestinal permeability, and pulmonary microvascular dysfunction. Interestingly, the expression of iNOS in intestinal mucosa and pulmonary tissues was induced by PD98059 administration, but the expression of MMP-9 in intestinal mucosa was attenuated by PD98059 administration. These results suggest that the tissue damage is regulated by NF-£eB activation and the activation of NF-£eB is primarily mediated by signal pathway of ERKs in burn-injured rats, so the signal transduction pathway may involve ERKs and p38, NF-£eB, iNOS or MMP-9, then causes tissue damage. Further, burn-induced intestinal mucosa and pulmonary ERKs have different degree of activation. The p38 and ERKs phosphorylation showed a two-step activation in intestinal mucosa and pulmonary tissues after burn. Inhibition of intestinal and pulmonary ERKs in vivo afforded significant protection against burn-induced barrier failure. However, the data showed that iNOS may not play a major role in the burn-induced intestinal and pulmonary damage, and MMP-9 may have more affect on tissues damage.

Abstract In this work the extent of apoptosis was studied in a set of 504 benign and malignant breast lesions to elucidate its role in breast tumor development and progression. Also the correlation of apoptosis with estrogen and progesterone receptor positivity, cell proliferation and patients' prognosis was studied. The breast lesions were also analyzed immunohistochemically with antibodies to apoptosis regulating proteins bcl-2 and bax, and caspases 3, 6 and 8. In addition, the immunohistochemical expression of NO• synthesizing enzyme iNOS in relation to apoptosis and angiogenesis was studied. Furthermore, the expression of the antioxidative enzyme MnSOD was studied in relation to apoptosis and cell proliferation. According to the results, the apoptotic index was lowest in benign breast lesions. It was higher in in situ carcinomas, where a gradual increase in the extent of apoptosis from grade I to III in situ carcinoma was seen. The apoptotic index in invasive carcinomas was higher than in in situ carcinomas, and also in invasive carcinomas there was a gradual increase in apoptosis from grade I to III carcinomas. The apoptotic index was highest in recurrent carcinomas. Strong bcl-2 expression was usually found in benign breast lesions but the immunoreactivity decreased in in situ and invasive carcinomas. There was a significant inverse association between bcl-2 immunoreactivity and the extent of apoptosis. Low bcl-2 immunoreactivity also associated with estrogen- or progesterone receptor negativity. In contrast, bax expression did not show any significant association with apoptosis, hormone receptors or the histologic types of tumors. Strong cytoplasmic caspase 3, 6 and 8 immunoreactivity was found in most carcinomas. It was weaker in in situ carcinomas and only weak immunoreactivity could be seen in benign breast lesions. There was a significant association between the extent of apoptosis and caspase immunoreactivity. iNOS expression was found in both tumor and stromal cells. iNOS expression in tumor cells was more frequently found in invasive than in in situ carcinomas. Its expression correlated significantly with a high apoptotic index and high vascularization of the lesion. There was significantly less MnSOD immunoreactivity in invasive breast carcinomas compared to in situ carcinomas or benign hyperplasias. MnSOD immunoreactivity did not associate with the extent of apoptosis, but there was a marginal inverse association between cell proliferation and MnSOD expression. Increased apoptosis was significantly associated with a high cell proliferation, and inversely associated with a positive estrogen status. A high apoptotic index (< 0.50%) was associated with a decreased survival of the patients. The results of this study show that apoptosis plays a decisive role in the development and progression of breast carcinoma. It is influenced not only by apoptosis regulating proteins, such as bcl-2 and caspases, but also by the estrogen receptor status. Apoptosis was also associated with iNOS positivity, the effect of which is mediated through increased NO• production. In line with the suggested role of MnSOD as a tumor suppressor gene, its expression was downregulated in invasive breast carcinoma. In conclusion, the association of apoptosis with patient survival in breast carcinoma may be secondary to its association with tumor cell proliferation and high tumor grade, not necessarily suggesting any causal association between apoptosis and survival.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

No presente estudo, observamos aumentada expressão de iNOS e de proteínas s-nitrosiladas (S-NT) em aorta (AO) e concentração de NO no plasma de ratas diabéticas (DB), que foram corrigidas pelo tratamento com insulina (INS), que foi incapaz de normalizar a glicemia. O tratamento com o inibidor da iNOS L-NIL reduziu a expressão de S-NT e a concentração de NO. A contração induzida por agonistas adrenérgicos (ADRs), mas não por cloreto de potássio, que estava reduzida em anéis de AO sem endotélio de ratas DB, foi corrigida pelos tratamentos com INS e L-NIL. A expressão dos receptores de estrógeno ESR2 e GPER estava aumentada em AO de ratas DB e foi corrigida pelo tratamento com INS. Nossos resultados mostram que o aumento da expressão da iNOS/geração de NO é responsável pela redução da contração mediada por receptor ADR, mas não daquela induzida por despolarização direta da membrana. A INS modula negativamente a expressão da iNOS e dos receptores ESR2 e GPER em aorta de ratas DB, efeito que pode contribuir com a restauração da contração induzida por agonistas ADRs. / In the present study, we observed that in aortas (AO) of diabetic (DB) female rats have an increase in iNOS and S-nitrosilated (S-NT) proteins expression along with higher levels of plasmatic NO. Although insulin (INS) treatment did not normalize blood glucose levels, it corrected protein expression and NO concentrations. The iNOS inhibitor treatment reduced the altered expression of S-NT proteins and NO levels. The reduced adrenergic agonists (ADR)-induced contractions in DB without endothelium were corrected by INS and L-NIL treatments, such treatments did not affect the reduced vasoconstriction response to KCl in DB AO. The increase expression of estrogen receptors GPER and ESR2 found in DB AO was recovered by INS treatment. Our results showed that the increased expression of iNOS/NO generation is responsible for reducing ADR-induced contraction, but not for membrane depolarization-induced contraction. INS negatively modulates protein expression of iNOS, ESR2, and GPER receptors in DB AO; such effect may contribute to restore ADR-induced vascular contraction.

O período neonatal é marcado por uma maior susceptibilidade a diversas infecções, devido a uma dificuldade de gerar respostas pró-inflamatórias e de perfil Th1. As atividades imunorreguladoras do NO vem chamando a atenção nos últimos anos. Assim, decidiu-se avaliar se o NO era capaz de modular a resposta de neonatos, revertendo esse perfil anti-inflamatório e Th2 característico deste período. Células mononucleares de adultos e neonatos foram isoladas e estimuladas com agonistas de TLR, ou PHA na presença do inibidor de NOS, L-NAME, ou do doador de NO, NOC-18. A nível inato, o uso de L-NAME causou uma menor secreção de citocinas inflamatórias, em ambos os grupos, enquanto que o de NOC-18 não modulou essa secreção. O estímulo com PHA, em conjunto com NOC-18, causou um aumento na secreção de IL-4, IL-2, IL-10 e TNF-α pelas células de adultos. Nos neonatos não houve alteração no perfil de citocinas secretadas, mas houve uma maior ativação dos linfócitos T CD4+. Os dados indicam que o NO pode modular de formas diferentes a resposta imune de adultos e neonatos. / Newborns are more susceptible to infections because their difficulties to develop pro-inflammatory, and Th1 bias responses. NO-immunomodulatory properties have been drawing attention in the last few years. Then, we decided to evaluate whether NO is able to modulate newborn immune responses, reversing this anti-inflammatory and Th2 profile, characteristic of this period. Adult and newborn mononuclear cells were isolated and stimulated with TLR agonists, or PHA in the presence of L-NAME, an NOS inhibitor, or NOC-18, an NO donor. In innate responses, L-NAME decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines release in both groups, however, NOC-18 did not modulate this secretion. PHA stimulus with NOC-18 increased IL-4, IL-2, IL-10 and TNF-α release by adult cells. In neonates there were no change in cytokine release, but there were an increase in T CD4+ lymphocyte activation. Data indicates NO is able to modulate adult and newborn immune responses in different ways.

O reconhecimento da flagelina é compartilhado pelo receptor transmembrânico TLR5 e citosólico NAIP5/NLRC4. Entretanto, pouco se sabe sobre os mecanismos efetores individuais induzidos a partir do reconhecimento extra e intracelular da flagelina. Aqui, nós demonstramos que macrófagos estimulados com a flagelina citosólica (FLA-BSDot) induziu a expressão de iNOS, enzima responsável pela produção do óxido nítrico (NO). A expressão de iNOS foi dependente do eixo NAIP5/NLRC4/caspase-1 e independente de IL-1β, IL-18 e MyD88, descartando a via de ativação dos TLRs. Ainda, esta via não requer a ativação do fator de transcrição IRF-1, mas envolve a ativação do NF-kB, assim como a clivagem da enzima PARP-1 (poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1). Por fim, avaliamos a relevância biológica desta via no controle das infecções por L. pneumophila e S. Typhimurium, dados que definem um mecanismo efetor adicional no controle de patógenos. / Recognition of flagellin is shared by transmembranic TLR5 and cytosolic NAIP5/NLRC4. However, little is known about the individual effector mechanisms induced by extra and intracellular flagellin. Here, we have demonstrated that cytosolic flagellin-stimulated macrophages (FLA-BSDot) induced iNOS expression, an enzyme responsible for the production of nitric oxide (NO). iNOS expression was dependent of the NAIP5/NLRC4/caspase-1 axis and independent of IL-1β, IL-18 and MyD88, discarding TLRs signaling pathway. Still, this pathway do not require the activation of IRF-1 transcriptional factor, but involves NF-kB activation as well as the cleavage of the enzyme, PARP-1 (poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1). Finally, we have evaluated the biological relevance of this pathway in the control of the infections by L. pneumophila e S. Typhimurium, which define an additional effector mechanism to the control of pathogens.

No presente estudo, observamos aumentada expressão de iNOS e de proteínas s-nitrosiladas (S-NT) em aorta (AO) e concentração de NO no plasma de ratas diabéticas (DB), que foram corrigidas pelo tratamento com insulina (INS), que foi incapaz de normalizar a glicemia. O tratamento com o inibidor da iNOS L-NIL reduziu a expressão de S-NT e a concentração de NO. A contração induzida por agonistas adrenérgicos (ADRs), mas não por cloreto de potássio, que estava reduzida em anéis de AO sem endotélio de ratas DB, foi corrigida pelos tratamentos com INS e L-NIL. A expressão dos receptores de estrógeno ESR2 e GPER estava aumentada em AO de ratas DB e foi corrigida pelo tratamento com INS. Nossos resultados mostram que o aumento da expressão da iNOS/geração de NO é responsável pela redução da contração mediada por receptor ADR, mas não daquela induzida por despolarização direta da membrana. A INS modula negativamente a expressão da iNOS e dos receptores ESR2 e GPER em aorta de ratas DB, efeito que pode contribuir com a restauração da contração induzida por agonistas ADRs. / In the present study, we observed that in aortas (AO) of diabetic (DB) female rats have an increase in iNOS and S-nitrosilated (S-NT) proteins expression along with higher levels of plasmatic NO. Although insulin (INS) treatment did not normalize blood glucose levels, it corrected protein expression and NO concentrations. The iNOS inhibitor treatment reduced the altered expression of S-NT proteins and NO levels. The reduced adrenergic agonists (ADR)-induced contractions in DB without endothelium were corrected by INS and L-NIL treatments, such treatments did not affect the reduced vasoconstriction response to KCl in DB AO. The increase expression of estrogen receptors GPER and ESR2 found in DB AO was recovered by INS treatment. Our results showed that the increased expression of iNOS/NO generation is responsible for reducing ADR-induced contraction, but not for membrane depolarization-induced contraction. INS negatively modulates protein expression of iNOS, ESR2, and GPER receptors in DB AO; such effect may contribute to restore ADR-induced vascular contraction.