Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2001. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1991.

No description available.

No presente trabalho verificamos o papel dos Leucotrienos na modulação da resposta imune durante a fase aguda da infecção experimental pelo Trypanosoma cruzi, usando como modelo camundongos deficientes da enzima 5-lipoxigenase (5-LOko). Os nossos dados demonstram que camundongos infectados pelo T. cruzi produzem metabólitos do ácido aracdônico como PGE2, LTB4 e LTC4. Comparados aos animais controles, os animais 5-LOko apresenta parasitemia mais tardia e menor, tem menor parasitismo tissular, menor infiltrado de células inflamatórias no coração e musculatura esquelética e apresenta menor taxa de mortalidade durante a fase aguda, indicando que animais deficientes de leucotrienos são mais resistentes a infecção pelo parasito. Animais 5-LOko está relacionado com a manutenção de números elevados de células F4/80+ e redução de células CD11b+ durante a infecção e menor número de células T ativadas expressando os marcadores CD4+CD69+, CD4+CD25+, CD4+CD44+ e CD8+CD69+, números inalterados de células T regulatórias CD4+CD25+GITR+ e menor produção de anticorpos parasito-específicos do isotipo IgG2a. O controle eficiente de parasitas por animais 5-LOko está associado ao aumento de células Gr-1+ e CD11c+GR-1+, produção aumentada IL-12, IFN-g, e produzirem menos PGE2, IL-10, ao contrario, animais controles, incapazes de controlar parasitas circulantes, produzem mais PGE2 e IL-10 e menos IL-12 e IFN-g. A baixa mortalidade de animais 5-LOko correlaciona com a produção de PGE2 e IL-10, produzir muita IL-12 e menos IFN-g e NO e baixíssima parasitemia. A mortalidade maior de animais controles envolve a produção IFN-g e altos níveis de LTB4, LTC4, NO e ausência de IL-10, IL-1b, PGE2 e números elevados de parasitas circulantes. Ainda macrófagos de animais 5-LOko apresentam maior capacidade de adesão/internalização de tripomastigotas e alta atividade tripanocida por mecanismo independente da geração de NO. Estes dados em conjunto demonstram que mediadores lipídicos produzidos pela enzima 5-lipoxigenase como LTB4 e LTC4 modulam negativamente a capacidade dos camundongos para geração de uma resposta imune capaz de controlar os parasitos durante a fase aguda da infecção pelo T. cruzi. / Accumulating studies have indicated that 5-lipoxigenase (5-LO) converted lipid mediators as leukotrienes acts modulating the host immune response against infectious diseases. The precise role of leukotrienes during the protozoan infection is unknown. In this work we evaluate the role of leukotrienes during the acute phase of Trypanosoma cruzi infection using as model the 5-lypoxigenase deficient mice (5-LOko). Our results show that PGE2, LTB4 and LTC4 are produced during the Trypanosoma cruzi infection. 5-LOko infected mice are more resistant than control mice as judge by the lower parasitemia, decreased number of parasite nest and inflammatory cells in the heart and skeletal muscle and low rate of mortality. The resistance of 5-LOko mice is associated with the increased capacity of spleen cells to produce cytokines as IL-12 and IFN-g; sustained capacity to produce detectable levels of IL-10 and PGEe and low NO serum levels than control mice. In contrast, the wild type mice are extremely susceptible and are unable to control parasites efficiently. The susceptibility is associated with increased levels of IL-10 and PGE2 and low IL-12 and IFN-g production. The high mortality rate in wild type mice is related with high LTB4, LTC4 and NO levels and bias to produce only type 1 cytokines. Also we shown that resistant 5-LOko mice present increased number of spleen cells expressing GR-1+, GR-1+CD11c+, F4/80+ and lower numbers o spleen cells expressing CD4+CD69+, CD4+CD25+, CD4+CD44+, CD8+CD69+ and CD11b+ and low serum levels of parasite-specific IgG2a than wild type mice and do not present alteration in TREG expressing CD4+CD25+GITR+. Importantly, IFN-g and- LPS activated macrophage from 5-LOko mice but not from wild type mice, present high capacity to recognize typomastigotes, internalize them and strong capacity to kill intracellular parasite as NO independent pathway. The results implicate that high levels leukotrienes, NO and pure type 1 cytokines production is associated to susceptibility to parasite. In contrast, leukotrienes deficiency led to an balanced immune response with relative high levels of type 1 cytokines and relative low levels of NO, type 2 cytokines and PGE2 that efficiently control the parasites. Also indicate that 5-lipoxigenase converted lipid mediators contribute negatively to generation of an effective immune response during the acute phase of T. cruzi infection.

Membrane proteins are involved in a number of disease pathologies and thus comprise a large number of drug targets. Determination of the high-resolution three-dimensional structure is essential for rational drug design, but several hurdles need to be overcome, primarily the over-expression and purification of said membrane proteins. Human leukotriene C4 synthase (hLTC4S), an 18 kDa integral membrane protein localized in the outer nuclear membrane of eosinophils and basophils, catalyzes the conjugation of LTA4 and reduced glutathione to produce LTC4. LTC4 and its metabolites LTD4 and LTE4 are the cysteinyl leukotrienes implicated in bronchoconstriction and inflammation pathways. The focus of my project involves optimizing the over-expression and purification of hLTC4S, which was heterologously expressed in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, purified by immobilized affinity chromatography, and finally "polished" with a buffer exchange step to remove excess co-purified lipids. The optimized protocol yielded ~1 mg of ~90% homogenous, pure protein per liter of cell culture. The finalized purified protein can then be used for further investigation of two-dimensional crystals by electron crystallography with the overall goal of structure determination.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Increased bulk of smooth muscle mass around the airways is a typical feature of asthma. Several mediators act in concert or antagonistically to regulate airway smooth muscle (ASM) cell proliferation. This thesis focuses on fibroblast growth factor (FGF)2 and transforming growth factor (TGF)[béta]1 which are known to be sequentially upregulated in the lung following allergic challenge and have recently been shown to synergize together in ASM cell proliferation. Emphasis is put toward the conflicting studies documenting the mitogenic effect of TGF[béta]1 in vitro and to its seemingly potent effect in vivo. Thereafter, different asthma mediators, such as IL-4 and IL-13, are introduced and how their mitogenic potential toward ASM cells could be altered by FGF2 is presented. Finally, how the controversial issue between in vitro and in vivo data regarding the mitogenic effect of leukotrienes could be reconciliated and how it could be related to FGF2 and TGF[béta]1 proliferative synergism is discussed.

Os vasos sanguíneos são formados, entre outros componentes, por células endoteliais as quais fazem parte da microvasculatura óssea e são capazes de regular o desenvolvimento ósseo tendo em vista de que os processos de osteogênese e angiogênese estão interligados. Os leucotrienos (LTs) são mediadores lipídicos envolvidos no recrutamento de leucócitos e na regulação da síntese de citocinas. O tratamento com o leucotrieno B4 (LTB4) induz a angiogênese pela superexpressão do fator de crescimento endotelial vascular (VEGF). Assim, o objetivo do trabalho foi investigar o efeito das células endoteliais reguladas pelo LTB4 na diferenciação osteogênica. Para isso, células endoteliais primárias de aorta foram isoladas e cultivadas por até 4 dias e, quando apropriado, foi realizado o tratamento das mesmas com o LTB4. O meio condicionado das células endoteliais foi armazenado para os experimentos com osteoblastos. Células osteoblásticas foram isoladas da calvária e cultivadas por até 21 dias, avaliando-se, portanto, os efeitos das células endoteliais reguladas ou não pelo LTB4 e a resposta dos estímulos exógenos LTB4, o inibidor da síntese de LTs MK 886 e o antagonista do receptor do LTB4, o U75302. Tais respostas foram observadas na fase de crescimento celular, por meio da viabilidade, proliferação e produção de marcadores osteogênicos e angiogênicos como o RANKL, OPG e o VEGF por meio da redução do MTT, citometria de fluxo e western blotting, respectivamente. A diferenciação foi avaliada por meio dos ensaios de fosfatase alcalina (ALP) e expressão gênica por meio de ensaio enzimático e qRT-PCR e mineralização por Vermelho de alizarina. Resultados mostraram que tanto as células endoteliais, mediadas ou não pelo LTB4, quanto os estímulos exógenos não foram capazes de modular a proliferação dos osteoblastos. Porém, durante a diferenciação, o LTB4 inibiu a atividade da ALP, a expressão gênica do BLT1, ALP, BGLAP (osteocalcina) e OPG (osteoprotegerina) foi aumentada, e os genes RANKL e VEGF tiveram a sua expressão diminuída pelo tratamento com o meio condicionado das células endoteliais, mediadas ou não pelo LTB4 (P<0,05). Além disso, a mineralização dos osteoblastos foi aumentada pelas células endoteliais e diminuída pelas células endoteliais mediadas pelo LTB4 (P<0,05). Assim, podemos concluir que os fatores angiogênicos das células endoteliais, mediadas ou não pelo LTB4, exercem um papel importante na regulação da diferenciação osteogênica e formação óssea contribuindo, portanto, para a compreensão de mecanismos que regulam a patofisiologia de doenças ósseas. / Endothelial cells make blood vessels and are involved in the regulation of tissue metabolism. Endothelial cells from bone microvasculature are capable of regulating bone development in view of the fact that the processes of osteogenesis and angiogenesis are interconnected. Leukotrienes (LTs) are lipid mediators involved in leukocyte recruitment and regulation of cytokine synthesis. It is known that the treatment with LTB4 induces angiogenesis by overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of LTB4-regulated endothelial cells on osteogenic differentiation. For this, primary endothelial cells from aorta were isolated and cultured for up to 4 days and, where appropriate, the treatment with LTB4 was done. The conditioned medium of these cells was stored for osteoblast experiments. Osteoblastic cells were isolated from calvaria and cultured for up to 21 days, assessing the effects of endothelial cells regulated or not by LTB4 and the response of exogenous LTB4 stimuli, the inhibitor of LTs synthesis MK 886 and the antagonist of LTB4 receptor, U75302. Such responses were observed in the cell growth phase through the viability, proliferation and production of osteogenic and angiogenic markers such as RANKL, OPG and VEGF by MTT assay, flow cytometry and western blotting, respectively. The cell differentiation was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gene expression and mineralization assay through ALP enzymatic assay, qRT-PCR and Alizarin Red staining. Results showed that both endothelial cells, mediated or not by LTB4 and exogenous stimuli were not able to modulate the osteoblasts proliferation. However, during the differentiation, LTB4 inhibited ALP activity, the gene expression of BLT1, ALP, BGLAP (osteocalcin) and OPG (osteoprotegerin) was increased, and the RANKL and VEGF genes had their expression decreased by the treatment with the endothelial cells conditioned medium, mediated or not by LTB4 (P <0.05). In addition, the osteoblasts mineralization was increased by endothelial cells conditioned medium (CM-EC) and decreased by LTB4-mediated endothelial cells conditioned medium (CM-EC-LTB4) (P <0.05). Thus, we can conclude that the angiogenic factors of the endothelial cells, mediated or not by LTB4, play an important role in the regulation of osteogenic differentiation and bone formation, thus contributing to the understanding of mechanisms that regulate the pathophysiology of bone diseases.

Leucotrienos (LTs) são mediadores lipídicos derivados do ácido araquidônico. Existem evidências que receptores da imunidade inata interagem com receptores para LTs amplificando funções efetoras de macrófagos. Investigamos se LTs modulam a fagocitose e a atividade microbicida via receptores Manose, Dectina -1 e PTX3 em macrófagos alveolares (AMs) e os mecanismos moleculares envolvidos. Nossos resultados mostram que: 1) AMs sintetizam LTs quando fagocitam C. albicans, Zy e Zy-PTX3; 2) LTs potencializam a fagocitose de C. albicans e Zy, mas não de Zy-PTX3. Este efeito dos LTs depende: do reconhecimento via receptor manose (LTB4) e Dectina-1 (LTD4); da integridade de lipid rafts; da ação em mecanismos de polimerização de actina; do aumento dos níveis de F-actina por inativação da Cofilina-1; da ativação das LIMKs, que regulam Cofilina-1; da ativação de PKC<font face=\"Symbol\">d e PI3K3) LTs aumentam a capacidade de AMs em matar C. albicans por ativação de NADPH oxidase. Em conjunto, mostramos que LTs potencializam programas de sinalização específicos para determinados PRRs. / Leukotrienes (LTs) are lipid mediators derived from arachidonic acid. There is evidence that innate immunity receptors and leukotrienes receptors interact and amplify macrophage effector functions. We investigated if LTs receptors modulate phagocytosis and microbicidal activity mediated by Mannose receptor, Dectin-1 and PTX3 in alveolar macrophages (AMs) and the molecular mechanisms involved. Our results showed that: 1) AMs produce LTs when stimulated with C.albicans, Zy, Zy-PTX3; 2) LTs enhance phagocytosis of C.albicans and Zymosan, but not Zy-PTX3. This is dependent on: recognition via mannose receptor (LTB4) and Dectin-1 (LTD4); integrity of lipid rafts; its action on actin polimerization mechanisms; enhancement of F-actin levels by induction of Cofilin-1 inactivation; activation of LIMKs that regulate Cofilin-1; activation of PKC<font face=\"Symbol\">d and PI3K3) LTs enhance killing of C.albicans by activation of NADPH oxidase. Taken together, our results showed that LTs specifically influence signaling programs of keys PRRs.

La déstabilisation de la plaque d’athérosclérose reste de nos jours un problème majeur, malgré les progrès récents dans sa compréhension. Les neutrophiles sont des acteurs puissants de l’immunité innée capables d’altérer les plaques. Un chimio-attractant majeur des neutrophiles, le leucotriène B4, pourrait être un des contributeurs potentiels de la déstabilisation des plaques en particulier dans l’endotoxémie, elle-même associée aux accidents cardiovasculaires. L’objectif de ce travail a été de définir le rôle du leucotriène B4 dans l’attraction des neutrophiles dans la plaque au cours de l’endotoxémie et de déterminer si les neutrophiles peuvent basculer l’équilibre qui maintient les plaques stables. Nous avons montré que le recrutement des neutrophiles médié par le leucotriène B4 a un impact délétère sur la stabilité des plaques au cours de l’endotoxémie en favorisant l’apoptose et la dégradation de fibres matricielles. En conclusion, cette étude ouvre la voie vers de nouvelles approches thérapeutiques visant à cibler l’axe leucotriène-neutrophiles dans la maladie athérosclérotique. / Atherosclerotic plaque destabilisation remains an important issue, in spite of the recent advances in its comprehension. Neutrophils are powerful innate immune actors capable of altering plaques. In this context, the leukotriene B4, one of the main chemoattractants of neutrophils, has been proposed as a potential contributor to plaque destabilisation. A particular context in which these two actors are closely linked is endotoxemia, itself associated with plaque destabilisation This work was aimed at determining whether leukotriene B4 plays a role in the chemoattraction of neutrophils in plaques during endotoxemia and at assessing whether neutrophils can tip the balance which maintains plaques stable. We have herein evidenced that the recruitment of neutrophils mediated by leukotriene B4 has a deleterious impact upon plaque stability during endotoxemia by promoting apoptosis and degrading matrix fibres. In conclusion, this study paves the way to novel therapeutic approaches aimed at targeting the axis leukotriene-neutrophil in atherosclerotic disease.