No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Oxidative stress plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of many chronic and acute inflammatory diseases. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are two key mediators that are known to induce cellular and tissue oxidative stress. The generation of ROS and RNS is mediated by innate immune signaling processes. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a major inflammatory signal, is known to be a potent inducer of ROS/RNS. Thus, strategies that may block LPS-mediated generation of free radicals may hold promise in treating various inflammatory disease processes. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying LPS-mediated ROS/RNS production are not fully defined. Interleukin-1 Receptor associated kinase (IRAK-1), an intracellular kinase downstream of Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) has been shown to contribute to the inflammatory cascade associated with LPS-TLR4 signaling pathway. However, its role in ROS production has not been defined. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that IRAK-1 plays an important role in regulating ROS/RNS production. Both in vitro and in vivo studies were conducted to investigate the role of IRAK-1 in modulating free radicals as well as oxidative stress. In vitro studies demonstrate that IRAK-1 is a critical molecule involved in the induction of ROS/RNS. IRAK-1 deletion ablated free radical production following LPS challenge in a variety of cell types including macrophages, fibroblasts and microglia. Mechanistically, we observed that IRAK-1 is required for optimal expression and activity of NADPH oxidase subunits and iNOS. IRAK-1 deletion reduced LPS-triggered p47phox membrane translocation, suppressed NOX-1 expression and protein levels as well as hampered Rac1 activation. On the other hand, IRAK-1 deletion sustained antioxidative enzyme activity and levels in IRAK-1-/- macrophages and fibroblasts. In terms of the in vivo physiological consequences, IRAK-1-/- mice exhibited attenuated lipid peroxidation in vital organs, attenuated histopathological lesions in liver and kidney, and reduced endotoxemia-associated mortality. Taken together, IRAK-1 may, at least in part, serve as an important therapeutic target in the treatment of various inflammatory disease processes. / Ph. D.

Cerium oxide nanoparticles have the unique ability to accept and donate electrons, making them powerful antioxidants. Their redox nature is due to oxygen defects in the lattice structure, which are more abundant at the nanoscale. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are pro-oxidants whose presence is increased during periods of inflammation in the body. ROS damage tissues and cellular function by stripping electrons from proteins, lipids, and DNA. We investigated the ability of nanoceria to quench ROS in vitro and in vivo, and examined the biodistribution and biocompatibility of nanoceria in murine models. Nanoceria was internalized in vitro by macrophages, is non-toxic at the concentrations we investigated, and proteins, mRNA, and oxidative markers of ROS were abated with nanoceria pretreatment in immune stimulated cells as measured by western blot, real time RT PCR, and Greiss assay respectively. In vivo, nanoceria was deposited in the spleen and liver, with trace amounts in the lungs and kidneys as determined by ICP-MS. Using IVIS in vivo imaging, it appeared that nanoceria deposition occurred in lymph tissue. Histology grades show no overt pathology associated with nanoceria deposition, although white blood cell (WBC) counts were generally elevated with nanoceria treatment. Nanoceria suspect particles were seen in lysosomes from kidney samples of IV injected mice in HRTEM images. Lastly, IV nanoceria treatment appears to reduce markers of oxidative stress in mice treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) to induce ROS production. Taken together, our data suggest that nanoceria treatment has the potential to reduce oxidative stress. / Master of Science

A tuberculose (TB) é um grave problema de saúde pública. Somente no ano de 2004, cerca de 9 milhões de pessoas desenvolveram TB ativa e mais de 2 milhões de pessoas morreram da doença. O desenvolvimento de novos modelos experimentais de TB seriam de grande utilidade para para elucidar mecanismos fisiopatológicos da doença e testar esquemas terapêuticos para a prevenção e contenção da doença. Além disso, o desenvolvimento de novas vacinas torna-se indispensável como ferramenta de prevenção e controle da TB. A TB no sistema nervoso central (SNC), assim como em outros tecidos do organismo, promove a ativação de células inflamatórias. No SNC a micróglia desempenha este papel, sendo capaz de produzir ou ser influenciada por mediadores solúveis. Vários mediadores estão envolvidos nos mecanismos moleculares decorrentes da infecção e inflamação causados pela TB, entre eles: NFB, iNOS e VEGF. A ativação do NFB, um fator de transcrição citoplasmático que sob estímulo migra para o núcleo celular, tem íntima relação com a indução da iNOS e de VEGF. A resistência intracelular a patógenos, inclusive ao Mycobacterium tuberculosis, parece estar associada a expressão de iNOS em macrófagos. O óxido nítrico (NO) tem papel importante na comunicação intercelular, estimulando a síntese de mediadores inflamatórios, como as citocinas, e regulando sua própria produção endógena. Estas citocinas por sua vez também podem induzir a atividade do NFB e a expressão da iNOS e VEGF. O VEGF é um potente ativador de permeabilidade vascular e de angiogênese, envolvido na ruptura da barreira hemato-encefálica. Neste estudo, mostramos a caracterização morfológica e imuno-histoquímica de um modelo murino de TB no SNC, com a indução da doença pela inoculação de BCG. Com este modelo experimental obtivemos importantes resultados que podem esclarecer mecanismos envolvidos na fisiopatologia da neuro-TB humana. A indução de meningite e tuberculomas foi possível através da inoculação de 104 cfu de BCG no cerebelo de camundongos, por estereotaxia, e esta indução foi dependente do tempo. A confirmação do diagnóstico foi feita pela detecção de bacilos álcool-ácido resistentes (BAAR), nas lesões tuberculosas. Observamos, ao longo do tempo (1 a 6 dias; 1, 2, 4 e 8 semanas) o recrutamento de diferentes populações gliais (micróglia e astrócitos) no sítio de injeção. Houve aumento de produção e ativação NFB nas lesões tuberculosas, caracterizada pela translocação da molécula do citoplasma para o núcleo celular. Houve expressão de iNOS restrita às lesões tuberculosas, além do aumento de expressão de VEGF nestas lesões. Além disso, camundongos imunizados com a vacina gênica hsp65, contra a TB, não expressam VEGF em suas lesões. Esta vacina parece conferir um efeito protetor em nosso modelo experimental, reduzindo a expressão de VEGF, e consequentemente reduzindo seu efeito angiogênico decorrente do processo inflamatório. O recrutamento glial, e a produção de mediadores solúveis (NFB, iNOS e VEGF) pelo hospedeiro, em resposta à invasão do patógeno no SNC, parecem estar envolvidos na fisiopatologia da neurotuberculose, como demonstrado neste modelo experimental. Nosso modelo permitirá investigar fatores possivelmente responsáveis pelo desenvolvimento e manutenção de lesões tuberculosas no SNC. O objetivo final seria elucidar a fisiopatologia desta grave doença e compreender eventos moleculares envolvidos na produção de lesões. O conhecimento gerado poderá permitir o delineamento de terapias específicas e efetivas. / Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious public health problem; in 2004, 9 million people developed active TB and the disease killed 2 million patients. Development of experimental models and new vaccines are essential both to elucidate physiopathological mechanisms and to control the disease. This infection in the central nervous system (CNS), as in other tissues of the organism, activates inflammatory cells. In CNS, this role is performed by the microglia, which is capable of producing or be influenced by soluble mediators. Several mediators are involved in the molecular mechanisms of the infection and inflammation by mycobacteria , such as NFB, iNOS and VEGF. NFB activation, a cytoplasmic transcriptional factor that migrates to the cellular nucleus under stimuli, is involved with the iNOS and VEGF induction of expression. The intracellular resistance to Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been associated with iNOS expression in macrophage cells. Nitric oxide (NO) is crucial in intercellular communication, modulating the synthesis of mediators of inflammation, such as cytokines, and modulation itself. These cytokines induces NFB activity, and induces iNOS and VEGF expression. VEGF is a potent activator of vascular permeability and of angiogenesis and it is a factor involved in the breakdown of the blood brain-barrier in tuberculous meningitis. In this study, we showed the morphologic and immunohistochemistry characterization of an experimental model of TB in the CNS, with inoculation of BCG in mice. In this model we elicited important outcome that can elucidate mechanisms involved in the physiopathology of human neuron-TB. Induction of meningitis and tuberculomas were possible with stereotaxic inoculation of 104 cfu of BCG in mice cerebellum, in a time-dependent way. Diagnostic was confirmed by detection of alcohol-acid resistant bacilli (BAAR), in tuberculous lesions. We observed, the time-course (1 to 6 days; 1, 2, 4 e 8 weeks) of the recruitment of different glial populations (microglia and astrocytes) in the injection site. There was increased production and activation of NFB in the tuberculous lesions, it was characterized by its nuclear translocation from cytoplasm. There was iNOS expression only in the tuberculous lesions, and expression increased of VEGF in these lesions. Furthermore, mice immunizated with vaccine DNA-hsp65 there was no expression of VEGF in its lesions. This vaccine seems confer a protector effect in our experimental model, reducing the expression of VEGF, and then reducing its angiogenic effect derived from inflammatory process. Glial recruitment, and the soluble mediators production (NFB, iNOS e VEGF) by the host, producing in response to invasion of the pathogen in the CNS, has been involved in the pathophysiology of the neuro-TB, such as demonstrated in this experimental model. Our model will allow investigate possible factors responsible for the development and maintenance of tuberculous lesions in the CNS. The final aim is to elucidate the physiopathology of this serious illness and understand the molecular events involved in the production of the lesions. The knowledge created may permit to pave the way to delineate specific and effective therapies.

No description available.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Aspects of bovine herpesvirus 5 (BoHV-5) pathogenesis and experimental therapies against BoHV-1 and BoHV-5 were investigated in vitro and in inoculated rabbits. In chapter 1, we investigated the role of nitric oxide (NO), a component of innate immunity against pathogens, in the neurological disease by BoHV-5 in rabbits. Spectrophotometry for NO products revealed that NO levels were significantly increased in several regions of the brain of rabbits with neurological disease [F(4, 40)=3.33; P<0.02]. Quantification of NO levels in the brain at different time points after virus inoculation revealed a gradual increase [F(12, 128)=2.82; P<0,003], correlated spatially and temporally with virus dissemination within the brain and preceding the development of neurological signs. Thus, we propose that the overproduction of NO in the brain of BoHV-5-infected rabbits may participate in the pathogenesis of neurological disease. In chapter 2, the activity of three anti-herpetic drugs was tested against BoHV-1, BoHV-2 and BoHV-5 in vitro by plaque reduction assay. Acyclovir was moderately active against the three viruses; Gancyclovir was moderately effective against BoHV-2, and to a lesser extent against BoHV-5, being poorly active against BoHV-1. Foscarnet (PFA) exhibited the most pronounced antiviral activity, being the only drug that, at the concentration of 100 ìg/mL, completely inhibited plaque formation by all three viruses. In chapter 3, we report the activity of PFA in rabbits inoculated with BoHV-1 or BoHV-5. Rabbits inoculated with BoHV-5 and treated with 100 mg/kg of PFA presented mortality rates (11/22 or 50%) statistically lower than non-treated controls (21/22 ou 95.4%) (P<0.0008). A significant reduction in the mean virus titers was observed at day 3 pi, the peak of virus shedding [F(9,108) = 2,23; P<0.03]. Reduction in virus shedding, frequency, severity and duration of ocular signs were also observed in rabbits inoculated with BoHV-1 into the conjunctival sac, comparing to the controls. The prolonged incubation period and the reduction in the duration of the clinical course of the PFA-treated group was significant (P<0.005 and P<0.04, respectively). Therefore, the activity of PFA in vivo against BoHV-1 and BoHV-5 may be exploited in further experimental therapies. In chapter 4, we investigated the effect of the inhibition of the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), associated or not with PFA treatment, on neurological infection by BoHV-5 in rabbits. Groups of BoHV-5-inoculated rabbits were treated with the iNOS inhibitor aminoguanidine (AG); with PFA; with both drugs; or maintained as virus controls. Morbidity and mortality rates were 100% (6/6) in the groups AG and CV, 66.7% (4/6) in the group PFA and 83.3% (5/6) in the group AG+PFA. The incubation period was significantly lower (P<0.05) and the onset of neurological disease occurred earlier and was more severe in the group AG. These results demonstrate that treatment with PFA reduced morbidity and mortality rates associated to BoHV-5 infection, that AG treatment anticipated the development of neurological signs, and that the development of neurolocial disease was delayed in the group treated with both drugs. Taken together, these results contribute to the knowledge of the pathogenesis of BoHV-5 neurological disease and pave the way for other experimental pathogenesis and therapy studies. / Aspectos da patogenia da infecção neurológica pelo herpesvírus bovino 5 (BoHV-5) e terapias experimentais contra o BoHV-1 e BoHV-5 foram estudados in vitro e em coelhos inoculados. O capítulo 1 relata a investigação do papel do óxido nítrico (NO), um componente da imunidade inata contra patógenos, na doença neurológica produzida pelo BoHV-5 em coelhos. Espectrofotometria para os produtos de degradação do NO revelou um aumento significativo nos seus níveis em várias regiões do encéfalo de coelhos infectados (F(4, 40)=3.33; P<0,02). A quantificação do NO no encéfalo nos dias seguintes à inoculação viral revelou um aumento gradativo (F(12, 128)=2.82; P<0,003), correlacionado temporal e espacialmente com a invasão e disseminação viral, e precedendo o desenvolvimento de sinais neurológicos. Sugere-se, assim, que a produção aumentada de NO em resposta à infecção possa participar da patogenia dessa doença neurológica. No capítulo 2, investigou-se a atividade de três fármacos antivirais frente ao BoHV-1, BoHV-2 e BoHV-5 in vitro pelo teste de redução do número de placas. O Aciclovir foi moderadamente ativo frente aos três vírus; o Ganciclovir apresentou atividade moderada frente ao BoHV-2 e, em menor grau, contra o BoHV-5, sendo ineficaz frente ao BoHV-1. O Foscarnet (PFA) apresentou a atividade antiviral mais pronunciada, sendo o único fármaco que, na concentração de 100 μg/mL, inibiu completamente a produção de placas pelos três herpesvírus bovinos. No capítulo 3, investigou-se a atividade do PFA em coelhos inoculados com o BoHV-1 ou BoHV-5. Coelhos inoculados com o BoHV-5 e tratados com 100 mg/kg do PFA apresentaram índices de mortalidade (11/22; 50%) estatisticamente inferiores aos controles não-tratados (21/22; 93,7%) (P<0,0008). Uma redução significativa no título médio de vírus foi observada no dia 3 pi, pico da excreção viral [F(9,108) = 2,23; P<0,03]. Em coelhos inoculados no saco conjuntival com o BoHV-1 e tratados com o PFA, foram observadas reduções na excreção viral, na frequência, severidade comparando-se com o grupo controle. O período de incubação prolongado e a redução na duração do curso clínico no grupo tratado foi significante (P<0,005 e P<0,04, respectivamente). A atividade antiviral do PFA in vivo contra o BoHV-1 e BoHV-5 abre a perspectiva para outras terapias experimentais. No capítulo 4, investigou-se o efeito da inibição da isoforma induzível da enzima óxido nítrico sintase (iNOS), associada ou não ao tratamento com o PFA, na infecção neurológica pelo BoHV-5 em coelhos. Grupos de coelhos inoculados com o BoHV-5 foram tratados com o inibidor da iNOS aminoguanidina (AG); com PFA; com ambos os fármacos; ou não receberam tratamento. Os índices de morbidade e mortalidade foram de 100% (6/6) nos grupos AG e controle; 66,7% (4/6) no grupo PFA e 83,3% (5/6) no grupo AG+PFA. O período de incubação foi significativamente menor (P<0,05) e os sinais neurológicos foram mais precoces e severos nos animais do grupo AG. Portanto, o tratamento com PFA reduziu a morbidade e mortalidade associadas com a infecção pelo BoHV-5; o tratamento com AG resultou no agravamento e na antecipação do quadro neurológico e no grupo tratado com ambos os fármacos observou-se um desenvolvimento mais tardio dos sinais neurológicos. Esses resultados contribuem para o conhecimento da patogenia da doença neurológica pelo BoHV-5 e abrem perspectivas para estudos adicionais de patogenia e terapêutica anti-herpesvírus.

A tuberculose (TB) é um grave problema de saúde pública. Somente no ano de 2004, cerca de 9 milhões de pessoas desenvolveram TB ativa e mais de 2 milhões de pessoas morreram da doença. O desenvolvimento de novos modelos experimentais de TB seriam de grande utilidade para para elucidar mecanismos fisiopatológicos da doença e testar esquemas terapêuticos para a prevenção e contenção da doença. Além disso, o desenvolvimento de novas vacinas torna-se indispensável como ferramenta de prevenção e controle da TB. A TB no sistema nervoso central (SNC), assim como em outros tecidos do organismo, promove a ativação de células inflamatórias. No SNC a micróglia desempenha este papel, sendo capaz de produzir ou ser influenciada por mediadores solúveis. Vários mediadores estão envolvidos nos mecanismos moleculares decorrentes da infecção e inflamação causados pela TB, entre eles: NFB, iNOS e VEGF. A ativação do NFB, um fator de transcrição citoplasmático que sob estímulo migra para o núcleo celular, tem íntima relação com a indução da iNOS e de VEGF. A resistência intracelular a patógenos, inclusive ao Mycobacterium tuberculosis, parece estar associada a expressão de iNOS em macrófagos. O óxido nítrico (NO) tem papel importante na comunicação intercelular, estimulando a síntese de mediadores inflamatórios, como as citocinas, e regulando sua própria produção endógena. Estas citocinas por sua vez também podem induzir a atividade do NFB e a expressão da iNOS e VEGF. O VEGF é um potente ativador de permeabilidade vascular e de angiogênese, envolvido na ruptura da barreira hemato-encefálica. Neste estudo, mostramos a caracterização morfológica e imuno-histoquímica de um modelo murino de TB no SNC, com a indução da doença pela inoculação de BCG. Com este modelo experimental obtivemos importantes resultados que podem esclarecer mecanismos envolvidos na fisiopatologia da neuro-TB humana. A indução de meningite e tuberculomas foi possível através da inoculação de 104 cfu de BCG no cerebelo de camundongos, por estereotaxia, e esta indução foi dependente do tempo. A confirmação do diagnóstico foi feita pela detecção de bacilos álcool-ácido resistentes (BAAR), nas lesões tuberculosas. Observamos, ao longo do tempo (1 a 6 dias; 1, 2, 4 e 8 semanas) o recrutamento de diferentes populações gliais (micróglia e astrócitos) no sítio de injeção. Houve aumento de produção e ativação NFB nas lesões tuberculosas, caracterizada pela translocação da molécula do citoplasma para o núcleo celular. Houve expressão de iNOS restrita às lesões tuberculosas, além do aumento de expressão de VEGF nestas lesões. Além disso, camundongos imunizados com a vacina gênica hsp65, contra a TB, não expressam VEGF em suas lesões. Esta vacina parece conferir um efeito protetor em nosso modelo experimental, reduzindo a expressão de VEGF, e consequentemente reduzindo seu efeito angiogênico decorrente do processo inflamatório. O recrutamento glial, e a produção de mediadores solúveis (NFB, iNOS e VEGF) pelo hospedeiro, em resposta à invasão do patógeno no SNC, parecem estar envolvidos na fisiopatologia da neurotuberculose, como demonstrado neste modelo experimental. Nosso modelo permitirá investigar fatores possivelmente responsáveis pelo desenvolvimento e manutenção de lesões tuberculosas no SNC. O objetivo final seria elucidar a fisiopatologia desta grave doença e compreender eventos moleculares envolvidos na produção de lesões. O conhecimento gerado poderá permitir o delineamento de terapias específicas e efetivas. / Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious public health problem; in 2004, 9 million people developed active TB and the disease killed 2 million patients. Development of experimental models and new vaccines are essential both to elucidate physiopathological mechanisms and to control the disease. This infection in the central nervous system (CNS), as in other tissues of the organism, activates inflammatory cells. In CNS, this role is performed by the microglia, which is capable of producing or be influenced by soluble mediators. Several mediators are involved in the molecular mechanisms of the infection and inflammation by mycobacteria , such as NFB, iNOS and VEGF. NFB activation, a cytoplasmic transcriptional factor that migrates to the cellular nucleus under stimuli, is involved with the iNOS and VEGF induction of expression. The intracellular resistance to Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been associated with iNOS expression in macrophage cells. Nitric oxide (NO) is crucial in intercellular communication, modulating the synthesis of mediators of inflammation, such as cytokines, and modulation itself. These cytokines induces NFB activity, and induces iNOS and VEGF expression. VEGF is a potent activator of vascular permeability and of angiogenesis and it is a factor involved in the breakdown of the blood brain-barrier in tuberculous meningitis. In this study, we showed the morphologic and immunohistochemistry characterization of an experimental model of TB in the CNS, with inoculation of BCG in mice. In this model we elicited important outcome that can elucidate mechanisms involved in the physiopathology of human neuron-TB. Induction of meningitis and tuberculomas were possible with stereotaxic inoculation of 104 cfu of BCG in mice cerebellum, in a time-dependent way. Diagnostic was confirmed by detection of alcohol-acid resistant bacilli (BAAR), in tuberculous lesions. We observed, the time-course (1 to 6 days; 1, 2, 4 e 8 weeks) of the recruitment of different glial populations (microglia and astrocytes) in the injection site. There was increased production and activation of NFB in the tuberculous lesions, it was characterized by its nuclear translocation from cytoplasm. There was iNOS expression only in the tuberculous lesions, and expression increased of VEGF in these lesions. Furthermore, mice immunizated with vaccine DNA-hsp65 there was no expression of VEGF in its lesions. This vaccine seems confer a protector effect in our experimental model, reducing the expression of VEGF, and then reducing its angiogenic effect derived from inflammatory process. Glial recruitment, and the soluble mediators production (NFB, iNOS e VEGF) by the host, producing in response to invasion of the pathogen in the CNS, has been involved in the pathophysiology of the neuro-TB, such as demonstrated in this experimental model. Our model will allow investigate possible factors responsible for the development and maintenance of tuberculous lesions in the CNS. The final aim is to elucidate the physiopathology of this serious illness and understand the molecular events involved in the production of the lesions. The knowledge created may permit to pave the way to delineate specific and effective therapies.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS). As part of this disorder the myelin sheath undergoes degeneration, leading to alterations in the conductivity of axons, and impaired function. The onset of the disease occurs in young adults and clinical pathology is characterised by varying severity. These include i) Relapsing Remitting MS (RR-MS), ii) Secondary Progressive MS (SP-MS) and iii) Primary Progressive MS (PP-MS). MS is more prevalent in women and accounts for more than two thirds of all MS sufferers. MS is considered to be a multifactorial disorder with both genetic and environmental components. The prevalence of MS is dependent on geographical localisation, with lower sunlight exposure linked to higher prevalence. Also, studies show an increased risk in close relatives, or in identical twins, indicating a significant genetic component to the disorder. There are a number of genes that may plausibly be involved in MS pathophysiology. These include myelin-related genes, such as the myelin basic protein (MBP), immune-related genes, such FC receptor and osteopontin, and heat shock proteins such as xb crystallin. These candidate genes have been implicated in a variety of ways but usually through immunological and/or genetic studies. One of the most consistent findings in recent years has been the association of disease with alterations in the specific major histocompatibility complex (MHC) localised to chromosome 6p21.3, and includes MHC I, II, III. Genome wide screens have permitted the identification of loci in the genome, which are associated with MS susceptibility. The number of genes involved in MS is unknown and several case-control association studies have been undertaken to reveal the involvement of potential candidate genes. In general terms, current research is aimed at determining allelic variation of candidate genes. Such genes have been implicated in MS because they reside within susceptible regions of the chromosome associated with MS or they have a plausible potential pathophysiological role in MS. Candidate loci investigated in this study, for association with MS susceptibility, include members of the nitric oxide synthase family of metabolic proteins (inducible NOS, iNOS/NOS2A and neuronal NOS, nNOS), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT), and vitamin D receptor (VDR). The MS population used in all studies consisted of over 100 MS cases and gender, age and ethnicity matched controls. In our study of inducible and neuronal NOS genes, PCR based assays were developed to amplify a region of both promoters that contained known microsatellite variation. Supporting phyisological data suggests that the neuroinflammatory aspects of MS are associated with aberrant NO production, which may be due to aberrant regulation of NOS activity. Specific amplified products were identified by fluorescent capillary electrophoresis and allele frequencies were statistically compared using chi-squared analysis. In the nNOS and iNOS study, no association was identified with allele frequency variation and MS susceptibility (nNOS: ?2=5.63, P=0.962; iNOS: ?2=3.4; P=0.082). Similarly, no differences in allele frequencies were observed for gender or clinical course for both markers (Pvalue greater than 0.05). In short, results from this study indicate that the NOS promoter variations studied do not play a significant role in determining susceptibility to MS in the tested population. The COMT and MTHFR genes are localised at 22q12-13 and 1p36.3 respectively, regions of the genome that have been found to be positively associated with MS susceptibility. In our research, we set out to examine the G158A change in the 4th exon of the COMT gene. This functional mutation leads to an amino acid change (valine to methionine) that is directly associated with changes in the activity of COMT. The MTHFR enzyme plays a role in folate metabolism, and can be implicated in the turnover of homocysteine. Previous investigations have shown that high levels of homocysteine are encountered in MS patients, where it is also linked to demyelination in the CNS. In our study the aim was to examine the C677T variation (alanine to valine amino acid change) in the exon 4 coding region of the MTHFR gene and the G158A variation in the COMT gene. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and gel electrophoresis was used to identify specific alleles for both COMT and MTHFR. However, as with the NOS study, no specific association was identified between MS susceptibility and variation for either of the tested COMT or MTHFR (Pvalue greater than 0.05) variants. In a final genomic investigation of the MS population, three variations in the VDR gene were analysed for association with MS susceptibility and pathology. Using RFLP analysis, three VDR variants were investigated with genotypes detected using the Taq I, Apa I and Fok I restriction enzymes. In contrast to previous genotypic analyses, this study did show a positive association, specifically between the functional variation in exon 9 of the VDR gene and MS (Taq I, 2= 7.22, P= 0.0072). Interestingly, the Apa I variant of VDR was also found to be associated with MS ( 2=4.2, P=0.04). The Taq I and Apa I variants were also found to be in very strong and significant linkage disequilibrium (D'=0.96, Pvalue less than 0.0001) and their associations were more prominent with the progressive forms of MS (SP-MS and PP-MS). In addition to genotypic analysis of a clinical population, additional research was undertaken to identify novel targets for MS susceptibility studies. Global gene expression analysis was undertaken using comparative subtractive fluorescent microarray technology to examine differences in gene activity (expression) in age and sex matched MS plaque tissue and anatomically matched normal white matter (NWM). MS plaques were obtained post mortem from MS sufferers with no drug history in the last two months before death and matched anatomically to healthy white matter from donors with no previous neurological disorders. Target arrays consisted of 5000 cDNAs and analysis was conducted using the Affymetrix 428 scanner. In this way, 139 genes were shown to be differentially regulated in MS plaque tissue compared to NWM. Of these, 69 genes showed a common pattern of expression in the chronic active and acute plaque tissues investigated (Pvalue less than 0.0001, a=0.73); while 70 transcripts were uniquely differentially expressed ( 1.5-fold) in either acute or chronic active lesions. To validate the gene expression profile results, quantitative real time reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR (Q-PCR) analysis was performed. 12 genes were selected because they were shown to be differentially expressed by array analysis in this study, or because of their involvement in MS pathology. These included transferrin (TF), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), glutathione S-transferase pi (GSTP1), crystallin, alpha-B (CRYAB), phosphomannomutase 1 (PMM1), tubulin beta-5 (TBB5), inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 3-kinase B (ITPKB), calpain 1 (CAPNS1), osteopontin (SPP1 or OPN), as well as the signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) and protein inhibitor of activated STAT1 (PIAS1). Both absolute (copy number) and comparative differences in the relative levels of expression in MS lesions and NWM were determined for each gene. The results from this study revealed a significant correlation of real time PCR results with the microarray data, while a significant correlation was also found between comparative and absolute determinations of fold. As with the results of array analysis, a significant difference in gene expression patterning was identified between chronic active and acute plaque pathologies. For example, a up to 50-fold increase in SPP1 and ITPKB levels in acute plaques contrasted with the 5-fold or less increase in chronic active plaques (P less than 0.0.1, unpaired t-Test). Of particular note, gamma-amino butyric acid receptor ?2 (GABG2), integrin ?5 (ITGB5), complement component 4B (C4B), parathyroid hormone receptor 1 (PTHR1) were found up-regulated in MS and glial derived neurotropic factor ?2 (GDNFA2), insulin receptor (INSR), thyroid hormone receptor ZAKI4 (ZAKI4) were found down-regulated in MS. Data also revealed a decreased expression of the immune related genes STAT1 and PIAS1 in acute plaques. In conclusion, this research used both genomic analysis and technologies in gene expression to investigate both known and novel markers of MS pathology and susceptibility. The study developed tools that may be used for further investigation of clinical pathology in MS and have provided interesting initial expression data to further investigate the genes that play a role in MS development and progression.