Diversos estudos epidemiológicos mostram que nutrientes e outros compostos bioativos presentes nos alimentos (CBA) apresentam atividade quimiopreventiva contra o câncer. Assim, destaca-se o estudo dos isoprenóides devido a sua ação promissora tanto na prevenção quanto na terapia do câncer. Todavia, apesar dessas evidências, pouco se sabe a respeito da ação dessas substâncias nos processos de proliferação celular e apoptose in vivo. Assim, 141 ratos Wistar foram tratados durante duas semanas consecutivas com farnesol (grupo FR, 25 mg/100 g de peso corporal) ou óleo de milho (grupo OM; controle, 0,25 mL/100 g de peso corporal) e sacrificados em diferentes momentos após a hepatectomia parcial (HP; 0 h, 30 min, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 18 h e 24 h). Os parâmetros hepáticos analisados foram a proliferação celular (núcleos marcados para PCNA/mm2), apoptose (corpúsculos apoptóticos [CA\'s] por mm2) e expressão de p65, ciclina D1 (\"western blot\") e HMG-CoA redutase (\"dot-blot\"). Os animais tratados com o isoprenóide, assim como o grupo controle, apresentaram reduzida taxa de proliferação celular até 8h após a cirurgia. No entanto, a partir desse momento, o grupo FR passou a apresentar taxa de proliferação celular inferior ao grupo OM, diferença esta que atingiu significância estatística (p<0,05) 24h após a HP. Com relação a apoptose, animais tratados com FR apresentaram maior número de CA\'s (p<0,05) do que o grupo OM 30 min após a HP. Já em relação à ação do FR em âmbito molecular, houve uma redução de 40% e 50% na expressão de p65 e ciclina D1 30min e 24h após a HP, respectivamente, embora essas diferenças não tenham atingido significância estatística (p>0,05). Além disso, animais tratados com o isoprenóide apresentaram maior (p<0,05) expressão do gene que codifica para HMG-CoA redutase 2 h e 12 h após a cirurgia. Assim, tanto a inibição da proliferação celular quanto a indução de apoptose podem ser reflexo das alterações da expressão hepática dos genes para HMG-CoA redutase, p65 e ciclina D1 por parte do isoprenóide. / Epidemiological data have shown that nutrients and others bioactive compounds in food have chemopreventive activities against cancer. Among these compounds, isoprenoids are suggested either as a chemopreventive or chemotherapy agents. However, despite these evidences, studies focused on the isoprenoids activities on cell proliferation and apoptosis in vivo are rare. Thus, the effect of the 15-carbon isoprenoid farnesol on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy was evaluated. Wistar rats were treated for two consecutive weeks with farnesol (FR group, 25 mg/100 g body weight) or corn oil (OM group, control, 0,25 mL/100 g body weight) and killed at different time points after partial hepatectomy (HP; 0 h, 30 min, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 18 h and 24 h). Still, hepatic cell proliferation (PCNA lebeled nuclei), apoptosis (quantification of apoptotic bodies), p65 and cyclin D1 protein expression (western blot) and HMG-CoA reductase mRNA expression (dot blot) were also evaluated. Comparing to OM group, farnesol treatment significantly inhibited (p<0,05) hepatic cell proliferation 24 h after HP. Regarding apoptosis, also compared to controls, farnesol treated rats presented more (p<0,05) apoptotic bodies at 30 min. Besides, there were a suggestion of a higher number of apoptotic bodies 2 and 12 hours after HP in FR group comparing to OM group. According to western blot analysis, comparing to controls, this 15-carbon isoprenoid reduced 40% and 50% p65 and cyclin D1 hepatic protein expression, 30 min and 24 h after partial hepatectomy, respectively, although the differences did not also reach the statistical significance. Furthermore, farnesol treated rats had higher (p<0,05) HMG-CoA reductase mRNA levels than controls 2 h and 12 h after the surgery. Theses data suggest that the alterations on p65, cyclin D1 and HMG¬-CoA reductase gene expression observed in FR group might be associated with the inhibition of cell proliferation and the induction of apoptosis by farnesol.

Plusieurs molécules nouvelles ont été obtenues à partir du Gossypol, extrait des graines de cotonnier. Dans la première partie, de nouvelles bases de Schiff du gossypol et de la gossypolone ont été synthétisées, les énantiomères du gossypol et leurs bases de Schiff sont optiquement stables, tandis que, les énantiomères de la gossypolone ne sont pas stables à température ambiante, mais il est possible de les observer vers 0°C. La cytotoxicité de ces bases de Schiff a été évaluée principalement sur des cellules KB, la méthylimine et l'éthylimine de la gossypolone sont les plus toxiques (IC50= 0.8 et 1.2 µM). La toxicité du gossypol et de la gossypolone augmente quand les tests sont effectués en absence de sérum et elle diminue en présence de catalase ou de mannitol dans le milieu de culture. L'énantiomère (-)-gossypol est plus toxique que le (+)-gossypol, ceci est aussi valable pour les bases de Schiff des énantiomères du gossypol. Dans la deuxième partie, une nouvelle classe de dérivés du gossypol et de la gossypolone, les dithianes et les dithiolanes, a été développée. Les dithianes/dithiolanes du gossypol et de la gossypolone ont été synthétisés par action de dithiols en présence d'éthérate de trifluoroborate. La même réaction effectuée avec les monothiols, conduit à des mélanges complexes. L'action du propanedithiol ou de l'ethanedithiol sur le tetraméthyle ou l'hexaméthyle éthers du gossypol ne conduit pas aux dithianes ou dithiolanes attendus mais à de nouveaux dérivés cycliques. La toxicité de ces nouveaux thio-dérivés sur les cellules KB est assez modeste, mais sous l'action de NO ou d'un sel de nitrosonium, ces dérivés se transforment en dérivés plus toxiques dans le cas du gossypol ou régénèrent la molécule de départ dans le cas de la gossypolone. Nous formulons l'hypothèse que dithianes et dithiolanes du gossypol et de la gossypolone pourraient être des modèles de prodrogues ciblées sur les cellules exprimant de fortes concentrations d'oxyde nitrique.

Das 1817 erstmals schriftlich erwähnte Selen galt lange Zeit nur als toxisch und sogar als procancerogen, bis es 1957 von Schwarz und Foltz als essentielles Spurenelement erkannt wurde, dessen biologische Funktionen in Säugern durch Selenoproteine vermittelt werden. Die Familie der Glutathionperoxidasen nimmt hierbei eine wichtige Stellung ein. Für diese sind konkrete Funktionen und die dazugehörigen molekularen Mechanismen, welche über die von ihnen katalysierte Hydroperoxidreduktion und damit verbundene antioxidative Kapazität hinausgehen, bislang nur unzureichend beschrieben worden. <br><br> Die Funktion der gastrointestinalen Glutathionperoxidase (GI-GPx) wird als Barriere gegen eine Hydroperoxidabsorption im Gastrointestinaltrakt definiert. Neuen Erkenntnissen zufolge wird die GI-GPx aber auch in verschiedenen Tumoren verstärkt exprimiert, was weitere, bis dato unbekannte, Funktionen dieses Enzymes wahrscheinlich macht.<br> Um mögliche neue Funktionen der GI-GPx, vor allem während der Cancerogenese, abzuleiten, wurde hier die transkriptionale Regulation der GI-GPx detaillierter untersucht. Die Sequenzanalyse des humanen GI-GPx-Promotors ergab das Vorhandensein von zwei möglichen "antioxidant response elements" (ARE), bei welchen es sich um Erkennungssequenzen des Transkriptionsfaktors Nrf2 handelt. Die meisten der bekannten Nrf2-Zielgene gehören in die Gruppe der Phase-II-Enzyme und verfügen über antioxidative und/oder detoxifizierende Eigenschaften. Sowohl auf Promotorebene als auch auf mRNA- und Proteinebene konnte die Expression der GI-GPx durch typische, in der Nahrung enthaltene, Nrf2-Aktivatoren wie z.B. Sulforaphan oder Curcumin induziert werden. Eine direkte Beteiligung von Nrf2 wurde durch Cotransfektion von Nrf2 selbst bzw. von Keap1, das Nrf2 im Cytoplasma festhält, demonstriert. Somit konnte die GI-GPx eindeutig als Nrf2-Zielgen identifiziert werden. Ob sich die GI-GPx in die Gruppe der antiinflammatorischen und anticancerogenen Phase-II-Enzyme einordnen lässt, bleibt noch zu untersuchen. <br><br> Die Phospholipidhydroperoxid Glutathionperoxidase (PHGPx) nimmt aufgrund ihres breiten Substratspektrums, ihrer hohen Lipophilie und ihrer Fähigkeit, Thiole zu modifizieren, eine Sonderstellung innerhalb der Familie der Glutathionperoxidasen ein. Mit Hilfe eines PHGPx-überexprimierenden Zellmodells wurden deshalb Beeinflussungen des zellulären Redoxstatus und daraus resultierende Veränderungen in der Aktivität redoxsensitiver Transkriptionsfaktorsysteme und in der Expression atheroskleroserelevanter Adhäsionsmoleküle untersucht. Als Transkriptionsfaktoren wurden NF-kB und Nrf2 ausgewählt. Die Bindung von NF-kB an sein entsprechendes responsives Element in der DNA erfordert das Vorhandensein freier Thiole, wohingegen Nrf2 durch Thiolmodifikation von Keap1 freigesetzt wird und in den Kern transloziert. Eine erhöhte Aktivität der PHGPx resultierte in einer Erhöhung des Verhältnisses von GSH zu GSSG, andererseits aber in einer verminderten Markierbarkeit freier Proteinthiole. PHGPx-Überexpression reduzierte die IL-1-induzierte NF-kB-Aktivität, die sich in einer verminderten NF-kB-DNA-Bindefähigkeit und Transaktivierungsaktivität ausdrückte. Auch war die Proliferationsrate der Zellen vermindert. Die Expression des NF-kB-regulierten vaskulären Zelladhäsionsmoleküls, VCAM-1, war ebenfalls deutlich verringert. Umgekehrt war in PHGPx-überexprimierenden Zellen eine erhöhte Nrf2-Aktivität und Expression der Nrf2-abhängigen Hämoxygenase-1 zu verzeichnen. Letzte kann für die meisten der beobachteten Effekte verantwortlich gemacht werden.<br><br> Die hier dargestellten Ergebnisse verdeutlichen, dass eine Modifizierung von Proteinthiolen als wichtige Determinante für die Regulation der Expression und Funktion von Glutathionperoxidasen angesehen werden kann. Entgegen früheren Vermutungen, welche oxidative Vorgänge generell mit pathologischen Veränderungen assoziierten, scheint ein moderater oxidativer Stress, bedingt durch eine transiente Thiolmodifikation, durchaus günstige Auswirkungen zu haben, da, wie hier dargelegt, verschiedene, miteinander interagierende, cytoprotektive Mechanismen ausgelöst werden. Hieran wird deutlich, dass sich "antioxidative Wirkung" oder "oxidativer Stress" keineswegs nur auf "gute" oder "schlechte" Vorgänge beschränken lassen, sondern im Zusammenhang mit den beeinflussten (patho)physiologischen Prozessen und dem Ausmaß der "Störung" des physiologischen Redoxgleichgewichtes betrachtet werden müssen. / Selenium was discovered in 1817 by the Swedish chemist Berzelius and was for a long time considered as being toxic and even procarcinogenic. In 1957, however, Schwarz and Foltz realized that selenium is an essential trace element which elicits its biological functions in mammals as a structural component of selenoproteins among which the family of glutathione peroxidases plays a dominant role. Glutathione peroxidases reduce hydroperoxides to the corresponding alcohols and contribute to the antioxidative capacity of a cell. However, other functions of glutathione peroxidases and the according molecular mechanisms have hardly been described.>br><br> The gastrointestinal glutathione peroxidase (GI-GPx) is believed to build a barrier against the absorption of foodborne hydroperoxides. In addition, GI-GPx expression is increased in different tumors. This indicates further, still unknown, functions of this enzyme.<br> In order to elucidate new possible functions of GI-GPx, especially during carcinogenesis, the transcriptional regulation of GI-GPx was analyzed in more detail. An analysis of the GI-GPx promoter sequence revealed the presence of two putative "antioxidant response elements" (ARE) which are recognition sites for the transcription factor Nrf2. Most of the known Nrf2 target genes either belong to the group of phase-II detoxification enzymes or possess antioxidative and/or detoxifying properties. On promoter level as well as on mRNA- and protein level the expression of GI-GPx was induced by typical Nrf2-activating compounds such as sulforaphane or curcumin that are contained in the diet. A direct involvement of Nrf2 was demonstrated by cotransfection of Nrf2 itself or by cotransfection of Keap1 which retains Nrf2 in the cytosol. Thus, the GI-GPx gene was unequivocally identified as a new target for Nrf2. Whether GI-GPx also belongs in the category of antiinflammatory and anticarcinogenic enzymes remains to be elucidated.<br><br> The phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) is exceptional among the glutathione peroxidases because of its broad range of substrates, its high lipophilicity, and its ability to modify protein thiols. With PHGPx-overexpressing cells, the influence of PHGPx on the cellular redox state and on resulting changes in the activity of redox-sensitive transcription factors and on the expression of proatherogenic adhesion molecules was analyzed. For this, the redox-sensitive transcription factors NF-kB and Nrf2 were chosen. NF-kB requires free thiols for being able to bind to its responsive element within the DNA, whereas Nrf2 is released from Keap1 and translocates to the nucleus upon a modification of protein thiols. PHGPx-overexpression resulted in an increase in the ratio of GSH to GSSG, in a reduced amount of intracellular protein thiols, and in a diminished proliferation rate. Furthermore, PHGPx-overexpressing cells displayed a reduced IL-1-dependent NF-kB activity as was assessed by a reduced NF-kB DNA-binding ability and activity of a NF-kB-driven reporter gene. In addition, the expression of the NF-kB-dependent vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) was also inhibited by overexpression of PHGPx. On the other hand, PHGPx-overexpressing cells displayed an increased activity of Nrf2 that was accompanied by an increased expression of the Nrf2-dependent heme oxygenase-1. Heme oxygenase-1 most likely is responsible for most of the aforementioned effects.<br><br> The data presented here show that a modification of protein thiols can be regarded as an important determinant for the regulation and for the functions of glutathione peroxidases. In contrast to the previous assumption that oxidative processes are always linked to pathologic changes, a moderate oxidative stress seems to have beneficial effects, because it triggers different cytoprotective mechanisms. It can be concluded that the terms "antioxidative effect" or "oxidative stress" cannot simply be restricted to "good" or "bad" processes, but need to be seen in context with the modulated (patho)physiological processes and the degree of "disturbance" of the physiologic redox balance.

Esse trabalho teve como objetivo estudar os efeitos do glutamato sobre a síntese de melatonina, avaliando a participação dos diferentes tipos de receptores e uma possível interação entre pinealócitos e astrócitos; além de avaliar o papel do fator de transcrição NF-<font face=\"symbol\">kB nos efeitos modulatórios do glutamato. Para tanto, glândulas pineais de ratos foram mantidas em cultura e estimuladas com diferentes concentrações de glutamato e também com diversos agonistas glutamatérgicos. Culturas de pinealócitos isolados e co-culturas de pinealócitos e astrócitos também foram usadas. A melatonina foi quantificada em HPLC com detecção eletroquímica. Para caracterização dos receptores de glutamato foi feita uma análise de RT-PCR, e a ativação do NF-<font face=\"symbol\">kB foi avaliada por ensaio de gel de retardo. Os resultados mostram que o glutamato exerce um efeito inibitório sobre a síntese de melatonina através de uma ação sobre os receptores metabotrópicos dos grupos I e II e ionotrópico do tipo AMPA e que as ações do glutamato são mediadas pela ativação do NF-<font face=\"symbol\">kB dos astrócitos. / The aim of this work was to study the effects of glutamate on melatonin synthesis, investigating the glutamate receptors involved and a possible interaction between the two predominant cell types of the pineal gland, pinealocytes and astrocytes; moreover, it was investigated the involvement of the transcription factor NF-<font face=\"symbol\">kB on the glutamate effects. To accomplish this, pineal glands were kept in culture and stimulated with glutamate or glutamate agonists. Isolated pinealocytes or in association with astrocytes in culture were also stimulated with glutamate. Melatonin was quantified by HPLC with electrochemical detection. Glutamate receptors were characterized by RT-PCR and NF-<font face=\"symbol\">kB activation was evaluated by gel shift assay. The data showed that glutamate has an inhibitory effect on melatonin synthesis that is mediated by groups I and II glutamate metabotropic receptors and AMPA receptor and that this effect involves the activation of astrocytic NF-<font face=\"symbol\">kB.

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.

Diversos estudos epidemiológicos mostram que nutrientes e outros compostos bioativos presentes nos alimentos (CBA) apresentam atividade quimiopreventiva contra o câncer. Assim, destaca-se o estudo dos isoprenóides devido a sua ação promissora tanto na prevenção quanto na terapia do câncer. Todavia, apesar dessas evidências, pouco se sabe a respeito da ação dessas substâncias nos processos de proliferação celular e apoptose in vivo. Assim, 141 ratos Wistar foram tratados durante duas semanas consecutivas com farnesol (grupo FR, 25 mg/100 g de peso corporal) ou óleo de milho (grupo OM; controle, 0,25 mL/100 g de peso corporal) e sacrificados em diferentes momentos após a hepatectomia parcial (HP; 0 h, 30 min, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 18 h e 24 h). Os parâmetros hepáticos analisados foram a proliferação celular (núcleos marcados para PCNA/mm2), apoptose (corpúsculos apoptóticos [CA\'s] por mm2) e expressão de p65, ciclina D1 (\"western blot\") e HMG-CoA redutase (\"dot-blot\"). Os animais tratados com o isoprenóide, assim como o grupo controle, apresentaram reduzida taxa de proliferação celular até 8h após a cirurgia. No entanto, a partir desse momento, o grupo FR passou a apresentar taxa de proliferação celular inferior ao grupo OM, diferença esta que atingiu significância estatística (p<0,05) 24h após a HP. Com relação a apoptose, animais tratados com FR apresentaram maior número de CA\'s (p<0,05) do que o grupo OM 30 min após a HP. Já em relação à ação do FR em âmbito molecular, houve uma redução de 40% e 50% na expressão de p65 e ciclina D1 30min e 24h após a HP, respectivamente, embora essas diferenças não tenham atingido significância estatística (p>0,05). Além disso, animais tratados com o isoprenóide apresentaram maior (p<0,05) expressão do gene que codifica para HMG-CoA redutase 2 h e 12 h após a cirurgia. Assim, tanto a inibição da proliferação celular quanto a indução de apoptose podem ser reflexo das alterações da expressão hepática dos genes para HMG-CoA redutase, p65 e ciclina D1 por parte do isoprenóide. / Epidemiological data have shown that nutrients and others bioactive compounds in food have chemopreventive activities against cancer. Among these compounds, isoprenoids are suggested either as a chemopreventive or chemotherapy agents. However, despite these evidences, studies focused on the isoprenoids activities on cell proliferation and apoptosis in vivo are rare. Thus, the effect of the 15-carbon isoprenoid farnesol on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy was evaluated. Wistar rats were treated for two consecutive weeks with farnesol (FR group, 25 mg/100 g body weight) or corn oil (OM group, control, 0,25 mL/100 g body weight) and killed at different time points after partial hepatectomy (HP; 0 h, 30 min, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 18 h and 24 h). Still, hepatic cell proliferation (PCNA lebeled nuclei), apoptosis (quantification of apoptotic bodies), p65 and cyclin D1 protein expression (western blot) and HMG-CoA reductase mRNA expression (dot blot) were also evaluated. Comparing to OM group, farnesol treatment significantly inhibited (p<0,05) hepatic cell proliferation 24 h after HP. Regarding apoptosis, also compared to controls, farnesol treated rats presented more (p<0,05) apoptotic bodies at 30 min. Besides, there were a suggestion of a higher number of apoptotic bodies 2 and 12 hours after HP in FR group comparing to OM group. According to western blot analysis, comparing to controls, this 15-carbon isoprenoid reduced 40% and 50% p65 and cyclin D1 hepatic protein expression, 30 min and 24 h after partial hepatectomy, respectively, although the differences did not also reach the statistical significance. Furthermore, farnesol treated rats had higher (p<0,05) HMG-CoA reductase mRNA levels than controls 2 h and 12 h after the surgery. Theses data suggest that the alterations on p65, cyclin D1 and HMG¬-CoA reductase gene expression observed in FR group might be associated with the inhibition of cell proliferation and the induction of apoptosis by farnesol.

Em estudos anteriores desenvolvidos por este grupo de pesquisa uma expressão mais elevada de alvos transcricionais e componentes da via NF-kB, bem como altos níveis de NOTCH1, foi identificada em células-tronco hematopoéticas (CTH) CD34+ de sangue de cordão umbilical (SCU) quando comparadas às CTH CD34+ de medula óssea (MO). Este grupo verificou ainda, por comparação das células CD34+ com as CD133+ (mais primitivas) que diversos fatores de transcrição (FT) envolvidos com o potencial de hemangioblasto, com a autorenovação das CTH, e com a diferenciação linfóide; como: RUNX1/AML1, GATA3, USF1, TAL1/SCL, HOXA9 e HOXB4 apresentaram-se mais expressos em células mais primitivas. A potencial participação das vias Notch e NF-kB na regulação destes FT tem importância conceitual e prática no entendimento da biologia das CTH, e dos processos envolvidos na diferenciação destas células. Com isto em vista, este projeto teve como objetivo, estudar o papel da via NF-kB e da via Notch na regulação destes FT. Para isso, um modelo experimental in vitro, de diferenciação de CTH CD34+ em linfócitos T, foi utilizado e a influência de fatores agonistas e inibidores farmacológicos destas vias, foram avaliados por citometria de fluxo e PCR em tempo real. Nossos resultados evidenciam o papel da via Notch na regulação transcricional de HOXB4 e GATA3 em células-tronco hematopoéticas CD34+ humanas, o que foi confirmado com base na expressão dos alvos diretos de Notch (HEY1 e HES1). Notamos ainda, que a expressão dos transcritos HES1, GATA3 e HOXB4 é prejudicada pela síntese protéica das CTH, uma vez que quando empregamos o prétratamento com a droga CHX há aumento da transcrição dos mesmos. Também podemos inferir que a ação do TNF- é positiva sobre esses transcritos, já que quando o utilizamos há elevação do nível de expressão desses transcritos, com exceção a HES1. Em relação ao cocultivo das CTH com as células estromais de camundongos, verificamos que apenas a linhagem OP9-DL1 detém a capacidade de promover a diferenciação celular T, e isso foi comprovado pelo surgimento de células comprometidas com a linhagem linfocítica T, através da presença dos marcadores de superfície específico CD7+ e CD1a+. Esses resultados auxiliarão na compreensão dos mecanismos moleculares de regulação transcricional envolvidos não apenas na diferenciação de linfócitos T, mas também na manutenção de um estado mais primitivo das CTH. Este conhecimento pode vir a contribuir com o desenvolvimento ou otimização de protocolos laboratoriais visando à expansão de CTH ou geração de células T para usos terapêuticos. / In previous studies by this research group a higher expression of transcriptional targets and components via NF-kB, as well as high levels of NOTCH1, was identified in hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) CD34 + cells from umbilical cord blood (UCB) compared to CD34 + hematopoietic stem cells from bone marrow (BM). This group also found, by comparing the CD34 + cells with CD133 + (more primitive) that several transcription factors (TF) involved in the potential of hemangioblast, with self-renewal of hematopoietic stem cells and to differentiated lymphocytic; as Runx1 / AML1, GATA3, USF1, TAL1/SCL, HOXB4 and HOXA9 were more expressed in more primitive cells. The potential involvement of Notch signaling pathways and NF-kB in the regulation of FT has conceptual and practical importance in understanding the biology of HSC, and the processes involved in differentiation of these cells. With this in mind, this project aimed to study the role of NF-kB pathway and Notch signaling in the regulation of FT. For this, an experimental model in vitro differentiation of CD34 + hematopoietic stem cells into T lymphocytes, was used and the influence of pharmacological agonists and inhibitors of these pathways were evaluated by flow cytometry and real-time PCR. Our results highlight the role of Notch signaling in the transcriptional regulation of GATA3 and HOXB4 in hematopoietic stem cells CD34 + human, which was confirmed based on the expression of direct targets of Notch (HES1 and HEY1). We also note that the expression of transcripts HES1, GATA3 and HOXB4 protein synthesis is hampered by the HSC, since when we use the pre-treatment with the drug there CHX increased transcription thereof. We can also infer that the action of TNF- is positive about these transcripts, since when we use it for raising the level of expression of these transcripts, except the HES1. In relation to the HSC coculture with stromal cells of mice, we found that only the line-DL1 Op9 has the ability to promote T cell differentiation, and this was evidenced by the appearance of cells committed to the T lymphocyte lineage, through the presence of specific surface markers CD7 + and CD1a +. These results will help understand the molecular mechanisms of transcriptional regulation involved not only in the differentiation of T lymphocytes, but also in maintaining a more primitive state of HSC. This knowledge may contribute to the development or optimization of laboratory protocols aimed at the expansion of HSC or generation of T cells for therapeutic use.

Eines der prävalentesten humanen Pathogene ist das Magenbakterium Helicobacter pylori, welches ca. die Hälfte der Weltbevölkerung infiziert. Die Persistenz geht mit einer chronischen Gastritis einher, welche bis zu Magenkrebs fortschreiten kann. H.pylori bedient sich diverser Mechanismen um sich der Erkennung des Immunsystems zu entziehen und somit eine chronische Infektion zu ermöglichen. Erhöhte Expression des Immunzellinhibitors PD-L1 wurde in Magenepithelzellen gefunden, welche mit diesem Gram-negativen Erreger infiziert wurden. In dieser Arbeit wurde die Regulation auf in vitro Ebene untersucht, wobei zwei unterschiedliche Mechanismen identifiziert wurden. Ursächlich für die frühe PD-L1-Induktion ist die ADP-heptose/ALPK1 Signalkaskade. Der bakterielle Metabolit ADP-heptose, welcher für die Bildung von LPS benötigt wird, wurde als PAMP identifiziert, welcher durch das Sekretionssystems cagT4SS in die infizierte transportiert und anschließend von der Host Kinase ALPK1 erkannt wird. Gegensätzlich hierzu, wurde festgestellt, dass die zweite PD-L1-Hochregulation auf der metabolischen Reprogrammierung des Wirts beruht. Ein Merkmal von H. pylori ist dessen Bedarf an Cholesterin, welches es aus dem Medium oder aus membranösen Lipidregionen des Wirts extrahiert wird. Es konnte bewiesen werden, dass dieser Sterol-Abbauprozess zu einer erhöhten Stoffwechselaktivität führt, die spezifisch mit einer Zunahme der Glykolyse verbunden ist und mit einer Expressionsverschiebung des ersten Glykolyseenzyms Hexokinase von der Isoform 1 zu 2 einhergeht. Knockdown und Knockout- Experimente wiesen auf einen Zusammenhang mit der Regulation des Immunzellinhibitoren PD-L1 hin. / One of the most prevalent bacteria is the gastric bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which infects half of the world’s population. Persistence is accompanied with chronic gastritis which can progress towards gastric cancer. Several strategies are used by H.pylori to evade the immune system, enabling chronic infection. Heightened expression of the immune cell inhibitor PD-L1 was found in gastric epithelial cells, infected with this Gram-negative pathogen. Within this thesis, upregulation was studied in in vitro models, revealing two distinct mechanism. Causative for early PD-L1 induction is the ADP heptose/ALPK1 signaling axis. The bacterial metabolite ADP heptose, which is needed for LPS synthesis, was identified as PAMP, which is transported through the secretion system cagT4SS into the infected cell and is recognized by the host kinase ALPK1. In contrast, late upregulation of PD-L1 was found to be linked to metabolic reprogramming upon infection. Characteristic to H.pylori is its need of cholesterol, which it has to extract from the surrounding medium or lipid-rich regions within the host membrane. It could be shown that this sterol extraction process is accompanied with an increased metabolic activity which is linked with enhanced glycolysis and an expression shift of the glycolytic enzyme hexokinase isoform 1 to 2. Knockdown and knockout experiments showed a link between HK2 and regulation of the immune checkpoint PD-L1.

Many companies strive to make data-driven decisions. To achieve this, they need to explore new tools for Business Intelligence. The aim of this study was to examine the performance and usability of aspect-based sentiment analysis as a tool for Business Intelligence in E-commerce. The study was conducted in collaboration with Ellos Group AB which supplied anonymous customer feedback data. The implementation consists of two parts, aspect extraction and sentiment classification. The f irst part, aspect extraction, was implemented using dependency parsing and various aspect grouping techniques. The second part, sentiment classification, was implemented using the language model KB-BERT, a Swedish version of the BERT model. The method for aspect extraction achieved a satisfactory precision of 79,5% but only a recall of 27,2%. Moreover, the result for sentiment classification was unsatisfactory with an accuracy of 68,2%. Although the results underperform expectations, we conclude that aspect-based sentiment analysis in general is a great tool for Business Intelligence. Both as a means of generating customer insights from previously unused data and to increase productivity. However, it should only be used as a supportive tool and not to replace existing processes for decision-making. / Många företag strävar efter att fatta datadrivna beslut. För att åstadkomma detta behöver de utforska nya metoder för Business Intelligence. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka prestandan och användbarheten av aspektbaserad sentimentanalys som ett verktyg för Business Intelligence inom e-handeln. Studien genomfördes i samarbete med Ellos Group AB som tillhandahöll data bestående av anonym kundfeedback. Implementationen består av två delar, aspektextraktion och sentimentklassificering. Aspektextraktion implementerades med hjälp av dependensparsning och olika aspektgrupperingstekniker. Sentimentklassificering implementerades med hjälp av språkmodellen KB-BERT, en svensk version av BERT. Metoden för aspektextraktion uppnådde en tillfredsställande precision på 79,5% men endast en recall på 27,2%. Resultatet för sentimentklassificering var otillfredsställande med en accuracy på 68,2%. Även om resultaten underpresterar förväntningarna drar vi slutsatsen att aspektbaserad sentimentanalys i allmänhet är ett bra verktyg för Business Intelligence. Både som ett sätt att generera kundinsikter från tidigare oanvända data och som ett sätt att öka produktiviteten. Det bör dock endast användas som ett stödjande verktyg och inte ersätta befintliga processer för beslutsfattande.

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