Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Commonwealth University, 2009. / Prepared for: Dept. of Anatomy and Neurobiology Title from title-page of electronic thesis. Bibliography: leaves 159-182.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Commonwealth University, 2009. / Prepared for: Dept. of Microbiology & Immunology. Title from resource description page. Includes bibliographical references. Unavailable until August 5, 2014.

Thesis (M. Med. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2005. / Supervisor: Marvin L. Hackert. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-03-28Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:23:27Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 nogueira_mnm_dr_arafo.pdf: 1578323 bytes, checksum: 6ef77905acf94bb01ba70858855a37c0 (MD5) / O óleo de Melaleuca alternifolia (TTO) tem propriedades antimicrobianas e somado a isso, sugere-se que apresente características anti-inflamatórias. Este estudo investigou o potencial do TTO e seus componentes (terpinen-4-ol e alfa-terpineol) em modular citocinas e os mecanismos intracelulares participantes desta ação. Células monocíticas (U937) foram diferenciados em macrófagos com 40ng/mL de 12-miristato 13-acetato de forbol. A citotoxicidade dos óleos foi determinada com o ensaio de redução de Metil-tetrazolium (MTT). A habilidade em modular a produção das citocinas após o estímulo com LPS de Porphyromonas gingivalis (agonista de TLR2) e Escherichia coli (agonista de TLR4), foi estabelecida por meio de ensaios ELISA. Os efeitos dos compostos testados, na ativação de vias de sinalização intracelular, foram avaliados por western blot. As concentrações selecionadas pelo MTT foram: 0,015% e 0,004% para o TTO, 0,059% e 0,0073% para o terpinen-4-ol e 0,0064% e 0,0007% para alfa-terpineol. A influência do TTO na produção de citocinas foi mais marcante após estímulo de TLR4, com diminuição de IL-1β, IL-6 e IL-10. O terpinen-4-ol reduziu a produção de INF-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-4, IL-10 e IL-17 após ativação tanto TLR4 quanto TLR2. O alfa-terpienol atua após ativação de TLR2 e 4 inibindo a produção de IL-1β, IL-6 e IL-10. Nenhuma das vias analisadas (NF-kB, ERK, p38 MAP-Kinase) sofreram interferência dos óleos. O TTO tem ação 8 modulatória inibindo produção de citocinas inflamatórias e o terpinen-4-ol é o seu maior componente ativo, entretanto este mecanismo não ocorre via inibição de NF-kB, ERK e p38 MAP-Kinase / The oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (TTO) has antimicrobial properties, coupled with this, it is suggested that it also has antiinflammatory characteristics. This study investigated the potential of TTO and its components (terpinen-4-ol and alpha-terpineol) and cytokines in modulating the intracellular mechanisms that participate in this action. Monocytic cells (U937) were differentiated into macrophages with 40ng/mL 12-myristate 13-acetate phorbol. The olil cytotoxicity was determined with the reduction assay Methyl-tetrazolium (MTT). The ability to modulate cytokine production after stimulation with LPS of Porphyromonasgingivalis (TLR2 agonist) and Escherichia coli (TLR4 agonist), was established by ELISA assays. The effects of the tested compounds, the activation of intracellular signaling pathways were evaluated by western blot. The concentrations selected by the MTT were 0.015% and 0.004% for the TTO, 0.059% and 0.0073% to terpinen-4-ol and 0.0064% and 0.0007% for alpha-terpineol. The influence of TTO in cytokine production was more marked after TLR4 stimulation, with decreased IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10. The terpinen-4-ol reduced the production of INF-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-17 activation after both TLR4 as TLR2. The alpha-terpienol acts upon activation of TLR2 and four inhibiting the production of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10. None of the analyzed pathways (NF-kB, ERK, p38 MAP-Kinase) suffered interference oils. The TTO has modulatory action by 10 inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines and terpinen-4-ol is your greatest asset component however, this mechanism does not occur via inhibition of NF-kB, ERK and p38 MAP-kinase

Orientador: Denise Madalena Palomari Spolidorio / Coorientador: Carlos Rossa Junior / Banca: Flavia Sammartino Mariano Rodrigues / Banca: Juliana Rico Pires / Banca: Raquel Mantuaneli Scarel Caminaga / Banca: Joni Augusto Cirelli / Resumo: O óleo de Melaleuca alternifolia (TTO) tem propriedades antimicrobianas e somado a isso, sugere-se que apresente características anti-inflamatórias. Este estudo investigou o potencial do TTO e seus componentes (terpinen-4-ol e alfa-terpineol) em modular citocinas e os mecanismos intracelulares participantes desta ação. Células monocíticas (U937) foram diferenciados em macrófagos com 40ng/mL de 12-miristato 13-acetato de forbol. A citotoxicidade dos óleos foi determinada com o ensaio de redução de Metil-tetrazolium (MTT). A habilidade em modular a produção das citocinas após o estímulo com LPS de Porphyromonas gingivalis (agonista de TLR2) e Escherichia coli (agonista de TLR4), foi estabelecida por meio de ensaios ELISA. Os efeitos dos compostos testados, na ativação de vias de sinalização intracelular, foram avaliados por western blot. As concentrações selecionadas pelo MTT foram: 0,015% e 0,004% para o TTO, 0,059% e 0,0073% para o terpinen-4-ol e 0,0064% e 0,0007% para alfa-terpineol. A influência do TTO na produção de citocinas foi mais marcante após estímulo de TLR4, com diminuição de IL-1β, IL-6 e IL-10. O terpinen-4-ol reduziu a produção de INF-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-4, IL-10 e IL-17 após ativação tanto TLR4 quanto TLR2. O alfa-terpienol atua após ativação de TLR2 e 4 inibindo a produção de IL-1β, IL-6 e IL-10. Nenhuma das vias analisadas (NF-kB, ERK, p38 MAP-Kinase) sofreram interferência dos óleos. O TTO tem ação 8 modulatória inibindo produção de citocinas inflamatórias e o terpinen-4-ol é o seu maior componente ativo, entretanto este mecanismo não ocorre via inibição de NF-kB, ERK e p38 MAP-Kinase / Abstract: The oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (TTO) has antimicrobial properties, coupled with this, it is suggested that it also has antiinflammatory characteristics. This study investigated the potential of TTO and its components (terpinen-4-ol and alpha-terpineol) and cytokines in modulating the intracellular mechanisms that participate in this action. Monocytic cells (U937) were differentiated into macrophages with 40ng/mL 12-myristate 13-acetate phorbol. The olil cytotoxicity was determined with the reduction assay Methyl-tetrazolium (MTT). The ability to modulate cytokine production after stimulation with LPS of Porphyromonasgingivalis (TLR2 agonist) and Escherichia coli (TLR4 agonist), was established by ELISA assays. The effects of the tested compounds, the activation of intracellular signaling pathways were evaluated by western blot. The concentrations selected by the MTT were 0.015% and 0.004% for the TTO, 0.059% and 0.0073% to terpinen-4-ol and 0.0064% and 0.0007% for alpha-terpineol. The influence of TTO in cytokine production was more marked after TLR4 stimulation, with decreased IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10. The terpinen-4-ol reduced the production of INF-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-17 activation after both TLR4 as TLR2. The alpha-terpienol acts upon activation of TLR2 and four inhibiting the production of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10. None of the analyzed pathways (NF-kB, ERK, p38 MAP-Kinase) suffered interference oils. The TTO has modulatory action by 10 inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines and terpinen-4-ol is your greatest asset component however, this mechanism does not occur via inhibition of NF-kB, ERK and p38 MAP-kinase / Doutor

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Em todo o mundo, sÃo registrados mais de 3 milhÃes de acidentes envolvendo picadas de animais peÃonhentos por ano, das quais 125 a 150 mil culminam em Ãbito. No Brasil, a maioria dos casos ocorre com serpentes dos gÃneros Bothrops e Bothropoides, provocando uma grande variedade de complicaÃÃes locais e sistÃmicas, dentre os quais se destacam efeito mionecrÃtico, coagulaÃÃo intravascular disseminada, citotoxicidade, insuficiÃncia renal aguda e sepse. A serpente Bothropoides insularis à uma espÃcie nativa da Ilha de Queimada Grande, cujo veneno apresenta efeito tÃxico acentuado em diversos modelos experimentais. Entretanto, pouco à conhecido a respeito do efeito dessa peÃonha sobre cÃlulas com funÃÃo de defesa, nem o quanto esse efeito pode influenciar na toxicidade observada in vivo. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo investigar as alteraÃÃes celulares induzidas pelo veneno total da serpente Bothropoides insularis (BinsVT) sobre macrÃfagos murinos da linhagem RAW 264.7. Nesse contexto, foi realizada a determinaÃÃo da atividade proteolÃtica e da produÃÃo de perÃxido de hidrogÃnio in vitro de BinsVT atravÃs de reaÃÃes colorimÃtricas. Os resultados demonstraram alta atividade catalÃtica em ambos os testes, sugerindo que os efeitos biolÃgicos desse veneno podem estar relacionados à presenÃa de enzimas como metaloproteinases (svMPs) e L-aminoÃcido oxidases (LAAOs) em concentraÃÃes relevantes nas condiÃÃes experimentais adotadas. A determinaÃÃo do potencial citotÃxico foi realizada pelo mÃtodo de reduÃÃo do MTT, um teste de avaliaÃÃo da capacidade oxirredutora das cÃlulas, apÃs 2, 6, 12 e 24 horas de incubaÃÃo. Foi observado efeito citotÃxico em altas concentraÃÃes de forma tempo-dependente, com morte celular mais pronunciada nas concentraÃÃes de 200 e 100 Âg/mL apÃs 12 e 24 horas de tratamento. Nas menores concentraÃÃes estudadas, ocorreu um aumento gradativo da viabilidade celular, com valores percentuais em torno de 200% em relaÃÃo ao grupo controle nos grupos tratados por 24 horas. Esse resultado sugere a presenÃa de efeito proliferativo de BinsVT sobre essa linhagem celular. Em seguida, a atividade da enzima lactato desidrogenase (LDH) no sobrenadante de cultivo dos grupos experimentais foi determinado para investigaÃÃo de lise celular induzida por BinsVT. Foi verificado aumento significativo da atividade dessa enzima em todos os grupos testados, sugerindo a coexistÃncia de fraÃÃes com efeito proliferativo e citotÃxico, e a concentraÃÃo e o tempo de exposiÃÃo do veneno determinam qual irà prevalecer. Para avaliaÃÃo morfolÃgica das cÃlulas RAW 264.7 apÃs exposiÃÃo à substÃncia em estudo, os experimentos foram realizados na superfÃcie de lamÃnulas, para coloraÃÃo com May-Grunwald Giemsa. Os grupos experimentais foram analisados por microscopia Ãptica e as caracterÃsticas morfolÃgicas mais representativas foram fotomicrografadas. Foram observadas diversas alteraÃÃes morfolÃgicas, tais como aparecimento de fragmentos celulares e nÃcleos desnudos, cÃlulas vacuolizadas, reduÃÃo do volume celular e aumento de projeÃÃes citoplasmÃticas. Por fim, o mecanismo de morte celular induzida por BinsVT foi avaliado por citometria de fluxo, pela marcaÃÃo com o iodeto de propÃdio (PI) e a anexina V-FITC. A anÃlise revelou a presenÃa de envolvimento necrÃtico e apoptÃtico no efeito citotÃxico da substÃncia, alÃm do aparecimento de cÃlulas marcadas duplamente com PI e anexina-FITC, indicando a ocorrÃncia de apoptose tardia. Em conclusÃo, BinsVT apresenta efeito citotÃxico sobre macrÃfagos RAW 264.7, com aparente envolvimento de necrose e apoptose, alÃm de provÃvel efeito estimulatÃrio sobre essas cÃlulas, de forma concentraÃÃo- e tempo-dependente. Esses efeitos podem estar relacionados Ãs atividades enzimÃticas encontradas in vitro. / Around the world, there are recorded over 3 million accident involving bites of venomous animals per year, of which 125 to 150 thousand culminate in death. In Brazil, most cases occur with snakes from Bothrops and Bothropoides genus, causing several local and systemic complications, such myotoxicity, disseminated intravascular coagulation, cytotoxicity, acute renal failure and sepsis. Bothropoides insularis is a snake from Queimada Grande Island, whose venom shows pronounced toxicity. However, its effect over cells with defense function remains unclear, as well as how these effects can influence the toxicity observed in vivo. The present study aimed to investigate the cellular changes induced by Bothropoides insularis whole venom (BinsVT) over murine macrophage from RAW 264.7 lineage. In this context, colorimetric tests were performed to determine proteolytic activity and the production of hydrogen peroxide in vitro. The results showed high catalytic activity in both tests, suggesting that the biological effects of this venom may be related to the presence of enzymes such metalloproteinases (svMPs) and L-amino acid oxidases (LAAOs) at concentrations relevant in these experimental conditions. The determination of the cytotoxic potential was conducted by MTT reduction assay, a method of assessing redox metabolism, after 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours of incubation. It was observed cytotoxic effect at high concentrations in a time-dependent way, with cell death more evident at 200 and 100 Âg/mL after 12 and 24 hours of treatment. In lower concentrations, there was a gradual increase in cell viability, reaching around 200% of cell viability in groups treated for 24 hours. This result suggests that BinsVT possess proliferative effect over these cells. Then, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was determined in culture supernatants from experimental groups for investigation of cell lysis induced by BinsVT. It was observed a significant increase in enzymatic activity in all groups, suggesting the coexistence of fractions with cytotoxic and proliferative effect and that concentration and exposure time determine its outcomes. For morphological evaluation of RAW 264.7 cells after exposure to BinsVT, the experiments were performed on the surface of coverslips for staining with May-Grunwald Giemsa method. The experimental groups were analyzed by optical microscopy and the most representative morphological characteristics were photographed. Various morphological changes were observed, such as appearance of cellular debris and bare nuclei, vacuolated cells, reduced cell volume and increased cytoplasmic projections. Finally, the mechanism of cell death induced by BinsVT was assessed by flow cytometry, by staining with propidium iodide (PI) and annexin V-FITC. The analysis revealed the presence of apoptosis and necrosis, and the appearance of doubly labeled cells with Annexin-FITC and PI, indicating the occurrence of late apoptosis. In conclusion, BinsVT has a cytotoxic effect on RAW 264.7 cell, which necrotic and apoptotic mechanisms, besides stimulatory effect on these cells in dose-and time-dependent ways. These effects may be related to the enzymatic activities found in vitro.

Master of Science / Department of Biomedical Sciences / Raymond R. R. Rowland / Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRSSV) is one of the most economically important diseases in the global swine industry, costing producers an estimated $660 million annually. PRRSV is genetically diverse with a low replication fidelity, due to it being an RNA virus, resulting in multitudes of isolates being produced. This virus has a tropism for cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. Cluster of Differentiation 163 (CD163) is considered the primary PRRSV receptor located on porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs). CRISPR/Cas9 technology was utilized to knock out CD163 via a frameshift mutation, resulting in pigs of the CD163 Null genotype. Also, a domain of porcine CD163 was deleted and replaced with the insertion of a CD163 homolog of human-like domain and neomycin cassette to serve as a genetic marker. This swap resulted in pigs that possessed a CD163L1 domain 8 mimic of porcine homolog human CD163-like (hCD163L-1) of SRCR domain 8. Previous work has demonstrated that CD163 Null pigs were resistant to one genotype 2 PRRSV isolate. An in vivo study was performed to observe whether hCD163L-1 pigs were also resistant to infection. Various diagnostic tests were performed to determine the presence or absence of PRRSV viremia levels in serum, CD163 receptor surface expression levels on PAMs, IgG antibody levels and haptoglobin (Hp) levels in serum. hCD163L-1 pigs did not support genotype 1 PRRSV replication, but were susceptible to genotype 2 PRRSV infections. In addition, in vitro infection experiments were performed on PAMs and macrophages derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to determine resistance to multiple isolates. hCD163L-1 macrophages showed reduced infection with genotype 2 and no infection with genotype 1 PRRSV during in vitro infections. Null PAMs and PBMCs derived macrophages did not support infection towards any isolate of either PRRSV genotype.

Francisella novicida is a facultative intracellular pathogen capable of growing in macrophages. A spontaneous mutant of F. novicida defective for growth in macrophages was isolated on LB media containing the chromogenic phosphatase substrate 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate (X-p) and designated GB2. Using an in cis complementation strategy, four strains were isolated which are restored for growth in macrophages. A locus isolated from one of these strains complements GB2 for the intracellular growth defect, colony morphology on LB (X-p) media, and virulence in mice. The locus consists of an apparent operon of two genes, designated mglAB, for macrophage growth locus. Both mglA and mglB transposon insertion mutants are defective for intracellular growth and have a phenotype similar to GB2 on LB (X-p) media. Sequencing of mglA cloned from GB2 identified a missense mutation, providing evidence that both mglA and mglB are required for the intramacrophage growth of F. novicida. Preliminary studies have also identified a convergently transcribed gene, tentatively designated mglC, immediately downstream of mglB. mglC null mutants are defective for intracellular growth and show the same phenotype on LB (X-p) agar as GB2. mglB expression in GB2 was confirmed using antiserum against recombinant MglB. Western blot analysis revealed the absence of MglA in an mglB null mutant, indicating MglB may influence MglA levels. Analysis of the regulation of mglA expression during growth in broth culture shows a decrease in expression upon entering late log-early stationary phase. mglA is also expressed during culture in macrophages. Cell fractionation studies revealed several differences in the protein profiles of mgl mutants compared with wild-type F. novicida, most notably the absence of a 70 kDa secreted protein. A candidate clone for the gene encoding this 70 kDa protein has been isolated. The deduced amino acid sequences of mglA and mglB show similarity to the SspA and SspB proteins of Escherichia coli and Haemophilus spp. In E. coli, SspA and/or SspB influence the levels of multiple proteins under conditions of nutritional stress, and SspA can associate with the RNA polymerase holoenzyme. Taken together, these observations suggest that in Francisella MglA and MglB may control the expression of genes whose products contribute to survival and growth within macrophages. Roles for the putative MglC and possibly the 70 kDa secreted protein in this activity are also indicated. Acid phosphatases capable of inhibiting the respiratory burst of neutrophils have been identified in certain intracellular pathogens. The gene encoding AcpA, a respiratory burst-inhibiting acid phosphatase of Francisella , was cloned and sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequence of AcpA showed limited similarity to phospholipase C proteins present in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. An F. novicida acpA null mutant was found to exhibit wild-type growth kinetics in both cell-line and inflammatory mouse macrophages as well as remaining virulent for mice. These data suggest that AcpA is not essential for the intracellular growth or virulence of F. novicida, and that any role it may play in virulence is subtle. / Graduate

No description available.