Bien que la description qualitative et phénoménologique de la migration cellulaire soient décrites de façon minutieuse dans son approche holistique, des mécanismes de base et connus depuis longtemps n’ont pas encore été explorés quantitativement avec une approche "bottom-up". Un de ces exemples est le comportement migratoire en deux dimensions des lym- phocytes T effecteurs humains. Alors que leur comportement in vivo est déjà connu depuis longtemps et décrit qualitativement, une approche quantitative in vitro offre de nombreuses perspectives. Les interactions des intégrines LFA-1 et VLA-4 avec leurs ligands respectifs ICAM-1 et VCAM-1 ont déjà été étudiées et sont les principales molécules impliquées dans la migration des lymphocytes T effecteurs. Du fait de leur importance dans l’organisation de la mobilité, ces deux protéines sont les principaux objets d’étude de cette thèse. La majorité des travaux précédents ont été réalisés en observant les lymphocytes T dans des tissus vi- vants dont la composition et la densité des molécules d’adhésion ne peuvent ni être déterminées ni contrôlées de façon précise. Nous avons developpés des substrats artifi- ciels permettant d’imiter et de contrôler ces caractéristiques adhésives afin d’examiner et de relier les propriétés physiques des cellules tels que la vitesse ou l’index de mi- gration orientée, avec une réponse cellulaire donnée ainsi que d’associer un type de mouvement avec des interactions intégrines-ligands spécifiques. Pour aller plus loin, nous avons à nouveau analysé la conformation des intégrines puis l’avons modulé pour altérer leur affinité et changer les propriétés précédemment décrites. / The ability of T-lymphocytes to migrate to sites of inflammation towards all different types of tissues based on the interplay between biochemical and mechanical signaling is unique among human cells and underlines the importance of their complex motility apparatus relying on multiple stimuli. A crucial part within the leukocyte adhesion cascade is the firm attachment of the immune cell to the inner wall of the blood vessel and the subsequent migration along its surface until crossing the endothelial cell barrier. These migrational steps are guided not only by the shear stress to which the cell is exposed to by the flow of blood, but also by expression of adhesion molecules, the most important among them are ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 and their integrin counterparts LFA-1 and VLA-4, expressed by the immune cell. These proteins are crucial not only in a mechanically anchoring sense, but they also play a part in an intracellular signaling process leading to a change in migrational direction, overall cell affinity and phenotype. Few is known about how all components shape the movement behaviour on a quantitative level, raising questions about hierarchy, affinity and density of the involved proteins. Besides enhancing the general knowledge of the mechanisms of T-cell migration, the role of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in various diseases makes this study a promising endeavour. The approach taken in this thesis is to dissect and recompose the important adhesion molecules on a laminal flow chamber to link the cell’s response to them to specific movement properties and answer the questions addressed above.

La capacité des cellules à sentir les propriétés physiques de leur environnement est un facteur déterminant de l'homéostasie tissulaire. Ainsi, la rigidité de la matrice extracellulaire (forces exogènes) et les tensions du cytosquelette (forces endogènes) coopèrent de manière fonctionnelle modulant les transformations phénotypiques. Les cellules perçoivent et transmettent des forces en développant des structures d'adhérences appelées adhésions focales. Ces adhésions sont composées de protéines transmembranaires, les intégrines, qui font le lien entre le cytosquelette et la matrice extracellulaire.La partie centrale de mon projet de thèse aborde la question du couplage des intégrines b1 et b3 dans la mécanotransduction. Les données actuelles plaident fortement en faveur d'une relation bidirectionnelle entre l'adhésion intégrine-dépendante et les forces mécaniques générées dans ce processus. Les approches génétiques classiques ont souligné le rôle majeur des intégrines b1 et b3 dans mécanosensibilité cellulaire, sans préciser leur contribution relative. Par exemple, la manière dont la modulation de l'expression de l'intégrine b3 affecte la génération des forces de traction cellulaires et la distribution des adhésions intégrines-dépendantes reste à être explorées. Dans ce travail de thèse nous avons montré que les intégrines b1 ont un rôle essentiel dans la génération de forces cellulaires, que les intégrines b1 sont régulées négativement par les intégrines b3 en affectant la distribution spatiale des intégrines b1 à travers leur capacité à lier à la fois la taline et la kindline. Et enfin, nous avons montré que les intégrines b3 régulent temporellement l'activité contractile de la cellule.J'ai également participé à deux autres études dans le cadre de collaborations avec le Pr. Holmgren et le Dr. Debili, au cours desquelles j'ai utilisé la microscopie à traction de forces comme un outil diagnostique afin d'observer l'effet des forces contractiles dans la formation de la lumen aortique et de la formation des plaquettes sanguines. J'ai ainsi pu confirmer que la protéine amotL2, reliant les fibres contractiles aux VE-cadhérines, est impliquée dans la force intercellulaire nécessaire à la formation de la lumen aortique. Et lors d'une deuxième collaboration, j'ai pu montrer que la contractilité des mégacaryocytes, via leur système actomyosine, est nécessaire pour la formation des proplaquettes. / Cell ability to sense mechanical properties of their microenvironment is crucial for tissue homeostasis which means their capacity to maintain mechanical integrity as they are submitted to external forces.Integrins have been highlighted as mechanotransducers able to form micro-scale structures called focal adhesion sites which mechanically link cells to the extracellular matrix by recruiting various adaptors. Both b1 and b3 integrins have been identified as the principal actors of tensional homeostasis. However as the resulting mechanotransduction processes are intrinsically dynamic, the respective and cooperative roles b1 and b3 integrins need to be addressed over time and space.In the present work, coupling time-resolved traction force microscopy and genetics approaches, we investigated the respective role of b1 and b3 integrins in active force generation at the single cell level. Our findings show that b1 integrins has an essential role in generation of cellular traction forces, b1 integrin-generated force is negatively regulated by b3 integrins which impacts the redistribution of b1 integrin containing adhesion through its ability to bind to talin and kindlin, b3 integrin supports min-scale temporal regulation of cellular contractile activity generated by b1 integrin. Finally, cell mechanical equilibrium relies on the ability of cells to maintain a fixed contractile moment.I also participated in two others studies in the framework of collaborations in which I used the traction force microscopy as a diagnostic tool to observe the effect of contractile forces in the formation of the aortic lumen and the formation of proplatelets. I was able to confirm that the protein amotL2 connecting the contractile fibers to VE-cadherin, is involved in intercellular forces necessary for the formation of the aortic lumen. And in a second collaboration, where I found by using traction force microscopy that the contractility of megakaryocytes via its actomyosin system, is necessary for the formation proplatelets.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / As doenças cardiovasculares representam a principal causa de morte nos países ocidentais. Dentre essas doenças, a aterosclerose é que mais se destaca, sendo caracterizada pelo acúmulo de células musculares lisas vasculares (CMLV). O efeito patológico das CMLV em resposta a diferentes estímulos pode acarretar em disfunções nestas células. É notável que a aterosclerose ocorra principalmente em vasos sinuosos onde ocorre um forte turbilhonamento do fluxo sanguíneo, que pode acarretar em hemólise e, consequentemente, acúmulo de heme livre. Além disso, no processo de aterogênese as moléculas de adesão, principalmente integrinas, são de crucial importância durante a resposta de CMLV. Nesse trabalho nosso objetivo inicial foi avaliar o efeito do heme livre nas funções de CMLV, bem como os mecanismos moleculares por trás desses efeitos. Em uma segunda parte, investigamos o envolvimento da integrina α1ß1 no efeito da Angiotensina II (Ang II) em CMLV. Nós observamos que o heme livre é capaz de induzir a proliferação e migração de CMLV via espécies reativas de oxigênio (ERO) provenientes da NADPHoxidase (NADPHox). Adicionalmente vimos que o heme ativa vias de sinalização redox-sensíveis relacionadas à proliferação celular, como MAPKinases e o fator de transcrição NFκB. Também observamos que há uma ligação entre a NADPHox e o sistema heme oxigenase (HO), uma vez que o heme induz a expressão de HO-1 e o pré-tratamento das CMLV com inibidores de HO levam ao aumento tanto o efeito proliferação quanto a indução de ERO promovidas pelo heme. Além disso, vimos que o efeito contra-regulatório promovido pela HO ocorre devido as metabolites do heme: biliverdina, bilirrubina e monóxido de carbono. Por último, quando bloqueamos tanto a NADPHox quanto o sistema HO o heme não teve efeito algum na proliferação de CMLV. Em um segundo estudo, observamos que o efeito da Ang II sobre a migração de CMLV foi inibido quando as células foram pré-tratadas com o ligante da integrina α1ß1, a desintegrina Obtustatina. A seguir observamos que o efeito da Ang II na ativação de FAK e na colocalização actina-ILK é dependente da integrina α1ß1, que possivelmente ativa PKCα, uma vez que vimos que a produção de ERO induzida por Ang II foi inibida pela Obtustatina. Vimos que a indução da expressão de ILK por Ang II em CMLV é dependente da integrina α1ß1 e também observamos que a Obtustatina inibibiu o desacoplamento de ILK da FAK, uma vez que a Obtustatina bloqueou a fosforilação de FAK induzida por Ang II (processo crucial para o desacoplamento da ILK). Nós também observamos que a Ang II induz, via integrina α1ß1, a fosforilação de AKT e a diminuição da expressão de p21, provavelmente via ILK. Corroborando estes dados, nós mostramos que o pré-tratamento com Obtustatina induziu um estacionamento na fase G0 e diminuição da proliferação de CMLV tratadas com Ang II. Portanto, mostramos nesse trabalho que o heme livre induz a ativação de CML via NADPHox, que é elegantemente contra-regulado pelo sistema HO. Além disso, sugerimos que a integrina α1ß1 pode ser um importante alvo molecular para o desenvolvimento de intervenções mais efetivas para a aterosclerose. / Cardiovascular diseases represent the major mortality reason in western countries. Among these diseases, atherosclerosis is the most prominent one, which is characterized by vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) accumulation. The pathological effect of VSMC in response to different stimuli is able to induce VSMC dysfunctions. Notably, this cardiovascular disease occurs mainly in sinuous vessels with turbulent blood flow, which may lead to hemolysis and consequent free heme accumulation. Furthermore, in atherogenesis the adhesion molecule, mainly integrins, were of crucial importance during the VSMC response. In this work our aim was to elucidate the effect of free heme in VSMC, as well the molecular mechanisms underlying this process. In a second part, we investigated the role of α1ß1 integrin in Angiotensin II (Ang II) effect on VSMC. We observed that free heme is able to induce VSMC proliferation in a Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) derived from NADPHoxidase (NADPHox) dependent manner. Additionally, heme activates proliferation-relationed redox-sensitive signaling routes, such as MAPKinases and the transcription factor NFκB. It was also observed a critical crosstalk between NADPHox and heme oxygenase (HO) system, once heme induces HO-1 expression and VSMC pretreatment with HO inhibitors increased heme proliferative effect and ROS production. Accordingly, we observed that the counter-regulatory effect promoted by HO occurs due heme metabolites: biliverdin, bilirubin and carbon monoxide. Finally, when both NADPHox and HO system were blocked, heme had no effect on VSMC proliferation. In a second part, we observed that the chemotactic effect of Ang II on VSMC was abolished when the cells were pretreated with the α1ß1 integrin ligand, the disintegrin Obtustatin. Then, we observed that the Ang II effect on FAK activation and actin-ILK colocalization is integrin α1ß1 dependent, which possibly activates PKCα, once we observed that the ROS production induced by Ang II was inhibited by Obtustatin. We demonstrated by western blotting that ILK induction by Ang II is dependent of α1ß1 integrin and we also observed that Obtustatin inhibited the uncoupling of ILK to FAK, once Obtustatin blocked the FAK phosphorylation induced by Ang II (crucial process to ILK uncoupling). We also observed that Ang II induced, via α1ß1 integrin, AKT phosphorylation, and p21 expression reducement, probably via ILK. Corroborating these data we demonstrated that the pretreatment with Obt induced G1 phase arrest and diminishment of VSMC proliferation treated with AngII. Thus we showed that free heme induces VSMC activation via NADPHox, which is elegantly counter-regulated by HO-1. Furthermore, we suggest that α1ß1 integrin may be an important target molecule to the development of more effective therapeutic interventions in atherosclerosis.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:21:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2665.pdf: 1669132 bytes, checksum: dfe7f18cc9241784c82420b0409bd47e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-09-21 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / Disintegrins are toxins commonly found in snake venoms whose biological effects occour upon interaction with surface receptors known as integrins. DisBa-01, an RGD disintegrin isolated from a cDNA library made with mRNAs from the venom gland of Bothrops alternatus, bears anti-metastatic, anti-angiogenic and anti-thrombotic activity in nude mice, partially mediated by interaction with integrin _v_3. Studies with Wistar rats also show that protein has angiogenic activity during regeneration after surgery. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of DisBa-01 on adhesion, deadhesion and proliferation of C2C12 myoblasts and evaluate the electrophoretic profile of secreted proteins of DisBa-01-treated cells. Myoblasts (103 cells/well) were incubated with five concentrations of DisBa-01 under different incubation times and adhesion substracts (plastic, collagen type I or fibronectin). The supernatant was collected for 2DE analysis and the cells were quantified. Also, flow cytometry was used to evaluate the expression of integrins (_2, _4, _5, _v, _v_3, _1 and _4). DisBa-01 inhibited adhesion to fibronectin in high concentration (1000nM) and to collagen type I in all tested concentrations, but did not detach cells from collagen or fibronectina matrix nor affected myoblast proliferation. Flow cytometry showed that integrins _v and _1 were present. 2DE analysis points to an increase of secreted proteins, mainly in higher DisBa- 01 concentration (1000nM). In conclusion, C2C12 myoblasts are sensitive to DisBa-01, suggesting this protein initiates a sinalization cascade mediated by integrins, which modifies protein expression and secretion. / Desintegrinas são toxinas frequentemente encontradas em venenos de serpentes e cujos efeitos biológicos ocorrem devido à interação com receptores de superfície conhecidos como integrinas. A DisBa-01, uma desintegrina RGD isolada de mRNAs da glândula venenífera de Bothrops alternatus, possui atividade anti-metastática, anti-angiogênica e anti-trombótica em camundongos atímicos, parcialmente mediada pela interação com a integrina _v_3. Estudos in vivo com ratos Wistar também indicam que esta proteína pode ter atividade pró-angiogênica durante regeneração pós-cirúrgica. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da DisBa-01 na adesão, desadesão e proliferação celular de mioblastos C2C12, além de avaliar o perfil eletroforético das proteínas secretadas por estas células sob condições normais e tratadas. As células (103 células/poço) foram incubadas com diferentes concentrações de DisBa-01 em diferentes tempos e substratos (plástico, colágeno tipo I e fibronectina). O meio de cultura foi recolhido para análise por eletroforese bidimensional (2DE) e as células foram quantificadas. Além disso, foi realizada citometria de fluxo para avaliar a expressão de integrinas (_2, _4, _5, _v, _v_3, _1 e _4). A DisBa-01 inibiu a adesão das células à fibronectina em alta concentração (1000nM), além de inibir a adesão das células ao colágeno em todas as concentrações testadas, mas não promoveu a desadesão de células aderidas a estes dois substratos tampouco afetou significativamente a proliferação de mioblastos. A análise por citometria de fluxo identificou as integrinas _v e _1, corroborando em parte os resultados obtidos. A análise por 2DE do sobrenadante indicou que a DisBa-01 induz a um aumento no número de proteínas secretadas, principalmente na maior concentração testada (1000nM). Em conclusão, os mioblastos C2C12 são sensíveis à DisBa-01, sugerindo que esta proteína inicia uma cascata de sinalização celular mediada por integrinas que modifica a secreção protéica.

Tumour dissemination is a major reason for failure of therapy for many tumour types therefore there is a requirement for novel targets & therapies. The αIIbβ3 and αvβ3 integrins have been demonstrated to have significant involvement at many stages of the tumour dissemination process including, tumour cell adhesion, migration, metastasis and angiogenesis, and thus the β3 integrins are a potential target for therapeutic antagonism with small molecules. Because of the clear interaction between the different integrin types, targeting integrins as a therapeutic strategy requires targeting more than one integrin type. Consequently, the ICT is developing a group of novel new αIIbβ3 and αvβ3 integrin dual antagonists. One of the main challenges is having a relevant, validated experimental model that expresses these integrins. The aim of the work presented here is to develop and validate an in vitro αIIbβ3 and αvβ3 integrin expressing assay of tumour cell invasion. The spheroid invasion assay has the advantage over standard monolayer transwell chamber invasion assays of being a 3-dimensional assay, and thus mimics better the cell-cell interactions and architecture that are present in a tumour compared to the monolayer-based assay. A panel of human cancer cell lines known to express one of the molecular targets of interest, αvβ3 integrin was evaluated for the ability to form spheroids and to invade through collagen matrices. One glioma cell line, U87-MG, demonstrated consistent spheroid formation and invasion and was thus selected for further studies. Optimum conditions were established for use of U87-MG in the invasion assay, and the assay was validated using a known inhibitor of invasion, LiCl and known β3 antagonist, cRGDfV. Subsequently a group of novel small molecule β3 antagonists were evaluated at nontoxic concentrations using the assay. Both LiCl and cRGDfV inhibited spheroid invasion through the gel in a dose-dependent manner, thus validating the assay. Furthermore, when the novel small molecule β3 antagonists were evaluated using the model, a dose and time dependent reduction in U87-MG spheroids invasion in collagen was observed. In further work initial steps were taken to construct a cell line which expresses both αIIbβ3 and αvβ3 integrin to use in the model to assess for dual integrin antagonism. In conclusion, this work has established a validated assay which has been utilised for some compounds to evaluate a group of novel small molecule β3 integrin antagonists with encouraging results.

abstract: Cell adhesion is an important aspect of many biological processes. The atomic force microscope (AFM) has made it possible to quantify the forces involved in cellular adhesion using a technique called single cell force spectroscopy (SCFS). AFM based SCFS offers versatile control over experimental conditions for probing directly the interaction between specific cell types and specific proteins, surfaces, or other cells. Transmembrane integrins are the primary proteins involved in cellular adhesion to the extra cellular matix (ECM). One of the chief integrins involved in the adhesion of leukocyte cells is αMβ2 (Mac-1). The experiments in this dissertation quantify the adhesion of Mac-1 expressing human embryonic kidney (HEK Mac-1), platelets, and neutrophils cells on substrates with different concentrations of fibrinogen and on fibrin gels and multi-layered fibrinogen coated fibrin gels. It was shown that multi-layered fibrinogen reduces the adhesion force of these cells considerably. A novel method was developed as part of this research combining total internal reflection microscopy (TIRFM) with SCFS allowing for optical microscopy of HEK Mac-1 cells interacting with bovine serum albumin (BSA) coated glass after interacting with multi-layered fibrinogen. HEK Mac-1 cells are able to remove fibrinogen molecules from the multi-layered fibrinogen matrix. An analysis methodology for quantifying the kinetic parameters of integrin-ligand interactions from SCFS experiments is proposed, and the kinetic parameters of the Mac-1 fibrinogen bond are quantified. Additional SCFS experiments quantify the adhesion of macrophages and HEK Mac-1 cells on functionalized glass surfaces and normal glass surfaces. Both cell types show highest adhesion on a novel functionalized glass surface that was prepared to induce macrophage fusion. These experiments demonstrate the versatility of AFM based SCFS, and how it can be applied to address many questions in cellular biology offering quantitative insights. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Physics 2016

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / As doenças cardiovasculares representam a principal causa de morte nos países ocidentais. Dentre essas doenças, a aterosclerose é que mais se destaca, sendo caracterizada pelo acúmulo de células musculares lisas vasculares (CMLV). O efeito patológico das CMLV em resposta a diferentes estímulos pode acarretar em disfunções nestas células. É notável que a aterosclerose ocorra principalmente em vasos sinuosos onde ocorre um forte turbilhonamento do fluxo sanguíneo, que pode acarretar em hemólise e, consequentemente, acúmulo de heme livre. Além disso, no processo de aterogênese as moléculas de adesão, principalmente integrinas, são de crucial importância durante a resposta de CMLV. Nesse trabalho nosso objetivo inicial foi avaliar o efeito do heme livre nas funções de CMLV, bem como os mecanismos moleculares por trás desses efeitos. Em uma segunda parte, investigamos o envolvimento da integrina α1ß1 no efeito da Angiotensina II (Ang II) em CMLV. Nós observamos que o heme livre é capaz de induzir a proliferação e migração de CMLV via espécies reativas de oxigênio (ERO) provenientes da NADPHoxidase (NADPHox). Adicionalmente vimos que o heme ativa vias de sinalização redox-sensíveis relacionadas à proliferação celular, como MAPKinases e o fator de transcrição NFκB. Também observamos que há uma ligação entre a NADPHox e o sistema heme oxigenase (HO), uma vez que o heme induz a expressão de HO-1 e o pré-tratamento das CMLV com inibidores de HO levam ao aumento tanto o efeito proliferação quanto a indução de ERO promovidas pelo heme. Além disso, vimos que o efeito contra-regulatório promovido pela HO ocorre devido as metabolites do heme: biliverdina, bilirrubina e monóxido de carbono. Por último, quando bloqueamos tanto a NADPHox quanto o sistema HO o heme não teve efeito algum na proliferação de CMLV. Em um segundo estudo, observamos que o efeito da Ang II sobre a migração de CMLV foi inibido quando as células foram pré-tratadas com o ligante da integrina α1ß1, a desintegrina Obtustatina. A seguir observamos que o efeito da Ang II na ativação de FAK e na colocalização actina-ILK é dependente da integrina α1ß1, que possivelmente ativa PKCα, uma vez que vimos que a produção de ERO induzida por Ang II foi inibida pela Obtustatina. Vimos que a indução da expressão de ILK por Ang II em CMLV é dependente da integrina α1ß1 e também observamos que a Obtustatina inibibiu o desacoplamento de ILK da FAK, uma vez que a Obtustatina bloqueou a fosforilação de FAK induzida por Ang II (processo crucial para o desacoplamento da ILK). Nós também observamos que a Ang II induz, via integrina α1ß1, a fosforilação de AKT e a diminuição da expressão de p21, provavelmente via ILK. Corroborando estes dados, nós mostramos que o pré-tratamento com Obtustatina induziu um estacionamento na fase G0 e diminuição da proliferação de CMLV tratadas com Ang II. Portanto, mostramos nesse trabalho que o heme livre induz a ativação de CML via NADPHox, que é elegantemente contra-regulado pelo sistema HO. Além disso, sugerimos que a integrina α1ß1 pode ser um importante alvo molecular para o desenvolvimento de intervenções mais efetivas para a aterosclerose. / Cardiovascular diseases represent the major mortality reason in western countries. Among these diseases, atherosclerosis is the most prominent one, which is characterized by vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) accumulation. The pathological effect of VSMC in response to different stimuli is able to induce VSMC dysfunctions. Notably, this cardiovascular disease occurs mainly in sinuous vessels with turbulent blood flow, which may lead to hemolysis and consequent free heme accumulation. Furthermore, in atherogenesis the adhesion molecule, mainly integrins, were of crucial importance during the VSMC response. In this work our aim was to elucidate the effect of free heme in VSMC, as well the molecular mechanisms underlying this process. In a second part, we investigated the role of α1ß1 integrin in Angiotensin II (Ang II) effect on VSMC. We observed that free heme is able to induce VSMC proliferation in a Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) derived from NADPHoxidase (NADPHox) dependent manner. Additionally, heme activates proliferation-relationed redox-sensitive signaling routes, such as MAPKinases and the transcription factor NFκB. It was also observed a critical crosstalk between NADPHox and heme oxygenase (HO) system, once heme induces HO-1 expression and VSMC pretreatment with HO inhibitors increased heme proliferative effect and ROS production. Accordingly, we observed that the counter-regulatory effect promoted by HO occurs due heme metabolites: biliverdin, bilirubin and carbon monoxide. Finally, when both NADPHox and HO system were blocked, heme had no effect on VSMC proliferation. In a second part, we observed that the chemotactic effect of Ang II on VSMC was abolished when the cells were pretreated with the α1ß1 integrin ligand, the disintegrin Obtustatin. Then, we observed that the Ang II effect on FAK activation and actin-ILK colocalization is integrin α1ß1 dependent, which possibly activates PKCα, once we observed that the ROS production induced by Ang II was inhibited by Obtustatin. We demonstrated by western blotting that ILK induction by Ang II is dependent of α1ß1 integrin and we also observed that Obtustatin inhibited the uncoupling of ILK to FAK, once Obtustatin blocked the FAK phosphorylation induced by Ang II (crucial process to ILK uncoupling). We also observed that Ang II induced, via α1ß1 integrin, AKT phosphorylation, and p21 expression reducement, probably via ILK. Corroborating these data we demonstrated that the pretreatment with Obt induced G1 phase arrest and diminishment of VSMC proliferation treated with AngII. Thus we showed that free heme induces VSMC activation via NADPHox, which is elegantly counter-regulated by HO-1. Furthermore, we suggest that α1ß1 integrin may be an important target molecule to the development of more effective therapeutic interventions in atherosclerosis.

Diversos estudos, in vivo e in vitro, demonstraram a atividade antitumoral da Crotoxina (CTX), toxina majoritária do veneno de serpente Crotalus durissus terrificus, porém, não foi demonstrada, até o momento, a ação desta toxina sobre eventos envolvidos com a neovascularização, essenciais para o crescimento e sobrevivência do tumor. Assim, neste estudo foi investigado o efeito in vitro da CTX sobre os eventos envolvidos com a angiogênese. A CTX inibiu, principalmente na concentração de 1,2µg/mL, a proliferação, adesão e a morfologia das células endoteliais murinas derivados do hemangioma do timo (t.End.1) sobre as matrizes de laminina, colágeno tipo I e fibronectina, bem como a migração por meio dos modelos de cicatrização (Wound Healing), quimiotaxia (transwell) e a formação de tubos no matrigel 3-D, tanto na presença de meio de cultura como no meio condicionado de célula tumoral. Ainda, a CTX inibiu a distribuição das subunidades v e 2 de integrinas e a polimerização do citoesqueleto de actina, evidenciados em microscopia confocal. Os resultados demonstram, pela primeira vez, que a CTX inibe os principais eventos envolvidos com a angiogênese, podendo contribuir de forma importante para o efeito inibitório da toxina sobre a progressão tumoral. / Several studies, in vivo and in vitro have demonstrated antitumor activity of Crotoxin (CTX), the major toxin of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom. Despite evidence of antitumor action of CTX, was not demonstrated yet the action of this toxin on basic parameters for neovascularization, essential for the growth and survival of the tumor. The formation of new blood vessels is the principal process of angiogenesis and involves adhesion, proliferation and migration of endothelial cells to reach remote targets, assembly of endothelial cells into new capillary tubes. CTX (1.2 µg/mL, for 1 hour incubation), inhibited cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, scratch wound healing and capillary-like tube formation on 3-D matrix of endothelial cells line derived from thymus (t.End.1) evaluated in vitro assay at culture medium or conditioned medium obtained from tumour cells culture. Also, this toxin interfered with the distribution of the integrin subunits 2 and v and with the cytoskeleton rearrangement these cells, evidenced in confocal microscope. Taken together, these results demonstrated for the first time, that CTX inhibits key events involved in the angiogenesis process, and may contribute for inhibitory effect of the toxin on tumor progression.

Plaquetas e células tumorais interagem em uma reação cruzada com proteínas do plasma, via integrina αIIbβ3 e αvβ3, respectivamente. A integrina αvβ3 também encontra-se presente na angiogênese tumoral. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a GST-INS, uma disintegrina recombinante do veneno de Bothrops insularis em eventos da progressão tumoral. Em condições estáticas, GST-INS foi capaz de inibir totalmente a adesão de células HUVECs e SK-MEL-28 às plaquetas em comparação ao controle e ao Aggrastat® (inibidor seletivo da integrina αIIbβ3). Além de inibir a TCIPA (agregação plaquetária induzida por células tumorais) a GST-INS também inibiu a invasão de SK-MEL-28 em substrato de matrigel. Células t.End.1 ou SK-MEL-28 pré-incubadas com GST-INS não formaram túbulos no substrato de matrigel. Análise por microscopia confocal mostrou que GST-INS liga-se a integrina αv presente nas células SK-MEL-28. Nossos resultados sugerem que essa disintegrina pode ser utilizada como potencial ferramenta no estudo e desenvolvimento de antiangiogênicos e antimetastáticos. / Platelets and tumor cells interact in a cross-react with plasma proteins via integrin αIIbβ3 and αvβ3 , respectively.The integrin αvβ3 is also strongly stimulated in tumor angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of GST-INS, a recombinant disintegrin from Bothrops insularis venom on events of tumor progression. Under static conditions, GST-INS was able to completely inhibit the adhesion of endothelial cells (HUVECs) and melanoma cells (SK-MEL-28) to platelets compared to control and Aggrastat® (selective inhibitor of integrin αIIbβ3). In addition, GST-INS inhibit TCIPA (platelet aggregation induced by tumor cells) GST-INS also inhibited SK-MEL-28 on matrigel invasion substrate. t.End.1 cells or SK-MEL-28 pre-incubated with GST-INS were not able to form tubules in matrigel substrate. Analysis by confocal microscopy showed that GST-INS binds to integrin αv present in SK-MEL-28 cells. The results suggest that disintegrin can be used as a potential tool in the study and development of antiangiogenic and antimetastatic.

A conversão da proteína príon celular (PrPc) em sua isoforma anormal PrPsc está associada a uma série de doenças neurodegenerativas, genericamente designadas por doenças priônicas. Embora a literatura tenha enfatizado o estudo do PrPsc e o mecanismo de propagação das doenças de príon, pouco tem sido feito para o entendimento do papel fisiológico do PrPc. Em 1997 nosso grupo descreveu um receptor/ligante para o PrPc utilizando o princípio da hidropaticidade complementar. Neste trabalho isolamos e identificamos este ligante de PrPc como sendo a STI-1 (Stress Inducible Protein-1). In vitro, a STI-1interage com o PrPc de maneira específica, saturável e com alta afinidade (Kd=8x10-8M). Paralelamente, mostramos que o PrPc se liga ao domínio RNIAEIIKDI da laminina (Ln) (Kd=2x10-8M). O bloqueio de PrPc na superfície de neurônios hipocampais de embriões de ratos e camundongos, reduziu a neuritogênese induzida por Ln. Além disso, neurônios provenientes de animais PrP -/- são incapazes de estender neuritos sobre o peptídeo RNIAEIIKDI, sugerindo que o PrPc é o único receptor celular para este domínio da Ln. Estes dados indicam que a interação PrPc-Ln seja relevante nos fenômenos de adesão e diferenciação neuronais. A caracterização das interações PrPc-Ln e PrPc-STI-1 representa contribuições importantes para a elucidação do papel biológico do PrPc. / Conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrPc) to its abnormal isoform PrPsc is associated with some neurodegenerative and fatal diseases called prion diseases. Although the literature has been emphasizing the mechanism of PrPsc conversion and illness propagation, little attention has been given to the PrPc physiological role. In 1997, our group described a PrPc receptor/ligand based on the complementary hydropathy theory. Herein, we identify the PrPc receptor/ligand as STI-1, the Stress Inducible Protein-1. In vitro studies showed that STI-1 is a specific, saturable and high affinity ligand for PrPc (Kd=8x10-8M). In parallel, we demonstrated that PrPc interacts with RNIAEIIKDI domain of laminin (Ln) (Kd=2x10-8M). The blockage of PrPc, both from embryonic rats and mice hippocampal neuros, inhibited Ln-induced neurite outgrowth. In addition, neurons from PrPc null mice are unable to extend neurites on RNIAEIIKDI, suggesting that PrPc is the unique cellular receptor for this Ln domain. These data indicate that PrPc-Ln interaction is relevant for neuronal adhesion and differentiation. The characterization of PrPc-Ln and PrPc-STl-1 interactions represents important contributions for the elucidation of the PrPc physiological role.