Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare malignant tumor originating from thyroid parafollicular C cells. This tumor accounts for 3-4% of thyroid gland neoplasias. MTC may occur sporadically or inherited. The hereditary MTC is part of syndromes of multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) 2A and 2B, familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC). Germline mutations of the RET (REarranged during Transfection) protooncogene cause hereditary form of cancer, whereas somatic mutations can be present in sporadic form of the disease. The RET gene encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase involved in the activation of intracellular signaling pathways leading to proliferation, growth, differentiation, migration and survival. Nowadays, the only possibility of cure for MTC patients consists of total thyroidectomy associated with lymph node dissection. Based on the knowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms of MTC, new drugs have been developed in attempt to control metastatic disease. Of these, the small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) represent one of the most promising agents for MTC treatment and clinical trials have shown encouraging results. Hopefully, the cumulative knowledge about the targets of action of these drugs as well as TKI-associated side effects will help on choosing the best therapeutic approach in order to enhance its benefits.

Introdução: Os inibidores tirosino-quinase (ITQs) constituem uma nova terapia molecular para o carcinoma medular da tireoide (CMT). O vandetanibe, um ITQ que atua contra os receptores VEGFR, EGFR e RET, inibe a transformação e o crescimento do tumor no CMT. No entanto, os ITQs têm importantes efeitos adversos, incluindo o hipotireoidismo. O aumento da expressão da iodotironina desiodase do tipo 3 (D3/DIO3), uma enzima chave na inativação dos hormônios da tireoide, pode ser um possível mecanismo de indução do hipotireoidismo por estas drogas. Objetivo: Investigar os efeitos dos inibidores tirosino-quinase na expressão da D3 em células derivadas do CMT. Métodos: Estudo experimental in vitro, utilizando linhagem de células humanas oriundas de CMT (células TT). As células foram cultivadas em meio específico e tratadas com diferentes doses do ITQ vandetanibe (0,25; 0,5 e 1μM) ou com DMSO. A proliferação celular foi determinada por contagem em câmara de Neubauer. A expressão do mRNA foi avaliada por meio de PCR em tempo real, a expressão proteica por meio de Western Blot e a atividade da D3 foi avaliada por meio da técnica de cromatografia em colunas de Sephadex LH-20. Resultados: A adição do vandetanibe ao meio de cultura causou diminuição do número de células e seu efeito foi tempo e dose dependente, apresentando uma redução máxima (77%) após 6 dias de tratamento na dose de 1μM. Como esperado, o tratamento com vandetanibe inibiu a fosforilação do ERK. Não foram observadas alterações significativas dos níveis de mRNA da DIO3 após 3 (0,02 vs. 0,02 vs. 0,01 vs. 0,01; P = 0,34) ou 6 dias (0,02 vs. 0,02 vs. 0,03 vs. 0,02; P = 0,33) de tratamento. Consequentemente, a expressão proteica da D3 não aumentou nos grupos tratados. No entanto, observou-se um aumento de 2 a 5 vezes na atividade da D3 após 3 dias de tratamento e um aumento de 1,5 a 2,15 vezes em 6 dias de tratamento. Conclusões: O tratamento com vandetanibe não foi associado com níveis aumentados de expressão do mRNA e da proteína da D3 em células derivadas de CMT, embora tenha sido observado um aumento na sua atividade enzimática. / Background: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) constitute a novel molecular therapy for medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Vandetanib, a TKI that acts against the VEGFR, EGFR and RET receptors, inhibits tumor transformation and growth in MTC. However, TKIs have important adverse effects, including hypothyroidism. Increases in the expression of type 3 iodothyronine deiodinase (D3/DIO3), a key enzyme in the inactivation of thyroid hormones, may be a possible mechanism of induction of hypothyroidism by these drugs. Objective: To investigate the effects of vandetanib on D3 expression in MTC-derived cells. Methods: In vitro experimental study using human MTC cell line (TT cells). Cells were cultured in specific medium and treated with different doses of vandetanib (0.25, 0.5 and 1μM) or DMSO. Cell proliferation was determined by counting in Neubauer's chamber. Expression of mRNA was evaluated by real-time PCR, protein expression by Western Blot and D3 activity was evaluated by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Results: The addition of vandetanib to the culture medium caused a time and dose-dependent decrease in the number of cells, with a maximum reduction (77%) after 6 days of treatment at 1μM dose. As expected, vandetanib treatment inhibited ERK phosphorylation. No significant changes in DIO3 mRNA levels were observed after 3 (0.02 vs. 0.02 vs. 0.01 vs. 0.01; P = 0.34) or 6 days (0.02 vs. 0.02 vs. 0.03 vs. 0.02; P = 0.33) of treatment. Accordingly, D3 protein expression did not increase in treated groups. However, we observed a 2 to 5-fold increase in D3 activity after 3 days of treatment and a 1.5 to 2.15-fold increase in 6 days of treatment. Conclusions: Treatment with vandetanib was not associated with increased DIO3 mRNA and D3 protein expression levels in MTC-derived cells, although an increase in enzyme activity has been observed.

Hypertension is a critical public health issue worldwide, and in the United States, it is the leading cause of heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure, contributing to more than 1,100 deaths per day. It is proposed that the renal medulla combats increased blood pressure by releasing a neutral lipid from the lipid droplets of medullary interstitial cells, termed medullipin, which induces diuresis- natriuresis and vasodepression. The renal medulla is enriched with fatty acid lipid ethanolamides including the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA), palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), and oleoylethanolamide (OEA), along with their primary hydrolyzing enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Our lab is investigating the relationship of these lipid ethanolamides and their metabolites to medullipin. We have shown that intramedullary infusion of AEA stimulated diuresis-natriuresis without changing mean arterial pressure (MAP) in an acute surgical model using anesthetized normotensive C57BL/6J mice. The hypothesis that infusion of a FAAH-selective inhibitor, PF-3845, would produce similar responses as exogenous AEA was tested. Intramedullary infusion of PF-3845 stimulated diuresis-natriuresis, decreased MAP, and increased lipid ethanolamide concentrations in kidney tissue in C57BL/6J mice. Since the decrease in MAP observed with PF-3845 was not consistent with the results of exogenous AEA, this study hypothesized that increased PEA concentrations in the renal medulla observed with PF-3845 produced the decrease in MAP. Therefore, the effects of PEA administration into the renal medulla were investigated. Intramedullary infusion of PEA stimulated diuresis and natriuresis without changing MAP in normotensive C57BL/6J mice. However, intramedullary PEA administration to mice made hypertensive using L-NAME, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, was assessed. Intramedullary infusion of PEA stimulated diuresis, but also decreased MAP in L-NAME-induced hypertensive mice. The mechanism of PEA-induced diuresis was evaluated for the contributions of its FAAH-mediated hydrolysis and the CB1 receptor. Intramedullary infusion of PEA stimulated diuresis in FAAH knockout mice and CB1 knockout mice. The possible source of PEA in the renal medulla was investigated using renal medullary interstitial cells cultured from mice. In cultured mouse medullary interstitial cells (MMICs), treatment with PF-3845 increased cytoplasmic lipid droplets detected by Sudan Black B (SBB) staining and increased PEA in the culture medium. Physiologic stimuli that may regulate PEA production and release from MMICs were also evaluated. Increased osmolarity increased NAPE-PLD protein levels, increased SBB stained droplets in MMICs, and increased PEA concentrations in the culture medium. Overall, it is concluded that the PEA-induced diuretic and natriuretic effect is independent of FAAH-mediated hydrolysis and the CB1 receptor, and that PEA can serve as an antihypertensive regulator in the renal medulla that may be regulated by medullary interstitial cells.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Cornell University, January, 2009. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare malignant tumor originating from thyroid parafollicular C cells. This tumor accounts for 3-4% of thyroid gland neoplasias. MTC may occur sporadically or inherited. The hereditary MTC is part of syndromes of multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) 2A and 2B, familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC). Germline mutations of the RET (REarranged during Transfection) protooncogene cause hereditary form of cancer, whereas somatic mutations can be present in sporadic form of the disease. The RET gene encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase involved in the activation of intracellular signaling pathways leading to proliferation, growth, differentiation, migration and survival. Nowadays, the only possibility of cure for MTC patients consists of total thyroidectomy associated with lymph node dissection. Based on the knowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms of MTC, new drugs have been developed in attempt to control metastatic disease. Of these, the small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) represent one of the most promising agents for MTC treatment and clinical trials have shown encouraging results. Hopefully, the cumulative knowledge about the targets of action of these drugs as well as TKI-associated side effects will help on choosing the best therapeutic approach in order to enhance its benefits.

Introdução: Os inibidores tirosino-quinase (ITQs) constituem uma nova terapia molecular para o carcinoma medular da tireoide (CMT). O vandetanibe, um ITQ que atua contra os receptores VEGFR, EGFR e RET, inibe a transformação e o crescimento do tumor no CMT. No entanto, os ITQs têm importantes efeitos adversos, incluindo o hipotireoidismo. O aumento da expressão da iodotironina desiodase do tipo 3 (D3/DIO3), uma enzima chave na inativação dos hormônios da tireoide, pode ser um possível mecanismo de indução do hipotireoidismo por estas drogas. Objetivo: Investigar os efeitos dos inibidores tirosino-quinase na expressão da D3 em células derivadas do CMT. Métodos: Estudo experimental in vitro, utilizando linhagem de células humanas oriundas de CMT (células TT). As células foram cultivadas em meio específico e tratadas com diferentes doses do ITQ vandetanibe (0,25; 0,5 e 1μM) ou com DMSO. A proliferação celular foi determinada por contagem em câmara de Neubauer. A expressão do mRNA foi avaliada por meio de PCR em tempo real, a expressão proteica por meio de Western Blot e a atividade da D3 foi avaliada por meio da técnica de cromatografia em colunas de Sephadex LH-20. Resultados: A adição do vandetanibe ao meio de cultura causou diminuição do número de células e seu efeito foi tempo e dose dependente, apresentando uma redução máxima (77%) após 6 dias de tratamento na dose de 1μM. Como esperado, o tratamento com vandetanibe inibiu a fosforilação do ERK. Não foram observadas alterações significativas dos níveis de mRNA da DIO3 após 3 (0,02 vs. 0,02 vs. 0,01 vs. 0,01; P = 0,34) ou 6 dias (0,02 vs. 0,02 vs. 0,03 vs. 0,02; P = 0,33) de tratamento. Consequentemente, a expressão proteica da D3 não aumentou nos grupos tratados. No entanto, observou-se um aumento de 2 a 5 vezes na atividade da D3 após 3 dias de tratamento e um aumento de 1,5 a 2,15 vezes em 6 dias de tratamento. Conclusões: O tratamento com vandetanibe não foi associado com níveis aumentados de expressão do mRNA e da proteína da D3 em células derivadas de CMT, embora tenha sido observado um aumento na sua atividade enzimática. / Background: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) constitute a novel molecular therapy for medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Vandetanib, a TKI that acts against the VEGFR, EGFR and RET receptors, inhibits tumor transformation and growth in MTC. However, TKIs have important adverse effects, including hypothyroidism. Increases in the expression of type 3 iodothyronine deiodinase (D3/DIO3), a key enzyme in the inactivation of thyroid hormones, may be a possible mechanism of induction of hypothyroidism by these drugs. Objective: To investigate the effects of vandetanib on D3 expression in MTC-derived cells. Methods: In vitro experimental study using human MTC cell line (TT cells). Cells were cultured in specific medium and treated with different doses of vandetanib (0.25, 0.5 and 1μM) or DMSO. Cell proliferation was determined by counting in Neubauer's chamber. Expression of mRNA was evaluated by real-time PCR, protein expression by Western Blot and D3 activity was evaluated by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Results: The addition of vandetanib to the culture medium caused a time and dose-dependent decrease in the number of cells, with a maximum reduction (77%) after 6 days of treatment at 1μM dose. As expected, vandetanib treatment inhibited ERK phosphorylation. No significant changes in DIO3 mRNA levels were observed after 3 (0.02 vs. 0.02 vs. 0.01 vs. 0.01; P = 0.34) or 6 days (0.02 vs. 0.02 vs. 0.03 vs. 0.02; P = 0.33) of treatment. Accordingly, D3 protein expression did not increase in treated groups. However, we observed a 2 to 5-fold increase in D3 activity after 3 days of treatment and a 1.5 to 2.15-fold increase in 6 days of treatment. Conclusions: Treatment with vandetanib was not associated with increased DIO3 mRNA and D3 protein expression levels in MTC-derived cells, although an increase in enzyme activity has been observed.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:31:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-02-27Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:41:56Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 colenci_bpc_dr_botfm.pdf: 920335 bytes, checksum: 5efcb4f17d304fb708911364da3ccb52 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O carcinoma medular de tireóide familiar (CMTF) é uma doença autossômica dominante relacionada a mutações do proto-oncogene RET, que ocorre principalmente nas regiões cisteínas da proteína RET dependentes dos códons 10 e 11. Responde por 5 a 15% dos casos de CMT hereditários. Para caracterizar o CMT de natureza familiar, este deve estar presente em pelo menos 4 indivíduos de uma mesma família. O presente trabalho objetivou o estudo clínico-genético de uma família portadora de carcinoma medular de tireóide. Esta família consiste de 25 indivíduos (13 homens e 2 mulheres) distribuídos em três gerações. Destes, seis apresentam a doença ativa: um homem da 1ª geração e dois homens e três mulheres da 2ª geração. Nenhum membro da 3ª geração desenvolveu a doença até agora. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue periférico de 19 desses indivíduos. Nestas amostras foram realizadas amplificações dos segmentos gênicos de interesse pela técnica da reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e os respectivos seqüenciamentos. Até o momento, detectou-se em dois indivíduos, mutação no códon 10 (cys611tyr). Esta mutação tem uma incidência baixa (1-3%) nos casos de CMTF, mas, no entanto, implica em alto risco de agressividade do tumor. Além disso, detectou-se a presença de 3 polimorfismos (G691S, L769L, S904S), nos éxons 11, 13 e 15. Enquanto que a mutação cys611tyr está relacionada ao desenvolvimento do CMTF, sua relação com os polimorfismos encontrados e o papel desta relação com esses tumores não está esclarecida. A realização do rastreamento genético das mutações no RET deve ser considerada pela sua praticidade, custo-benefício e sensibilidade e especificidade do método. Além disso, a determinação de mutações nos familiares com CMT implicará em indicação cirúrgica preventiva e aconselhamento genético familiar. / Familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC) is an autosomic dominant disorder related to mutations in the RET proto-oncogene. These mutation occur mostly in the extracellular rich cistein domains of the RET protein, related to the codons 10 and 11. The FMTC represents 5-15% of hereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). To characterize MTC of familial origin, at least four members of a family must be affected. The present study focused upon clinical-genetics characteristics of a 25-member family (13 men and 12 women) distributed through three generations. Six of them had MTC: one first generation man, two men and three women from the second generation. Up until now, no member from the third generation has developed the disease. We studied 19 of these individuals for mutations in the RET protooncogene. A cys611tyr mutation was found in two of the kindreds. This mutation has a low incidence (1-3%) in FMTC, but implies in high aggressiveness risk. Moreover, we found the polymorphisms G691S, L769L, S904S in the exons 11, 13 and 15, respectively. While cys611tyr mutation is responsible for cases of FMTC, its relationship to these polymorphisms and the consequences of this interrelation to tumor development is still unknown. The screening for RET proto-oncogene mutations in relatives of MTC patients must be considered for its practicability, low cost, high specificity and sensibility. Besides, the determination of mutations in FMTC patients’ kindred will conduct them to prophylactic surgery and familial counseling.

Introdução: Os inibidores tirosino-quinase (ITQs) constituem uma nova terapia molecular para o carcinoma medular da tireoide (CMT). O vandetanibe, um ITQ que atua contra os receptores VEGFR, EGFR e RET, inibe a transformação e o crescimento do tumor no CMT. No entanto, os ITQs têm importantes efeitos adversos, incluindo o hipotireoidismo. O aumento da expressão da iodotironina desiodase do tipo 3 (D3/DIO3), uma enzima chave na inativação dos hormônios da tireoide, pode ser um possível mecanismo de indução do hipotireoidismo por estas drogas. Objetivo: Investigar os efeitos dos inibidores tirosino-quinase na expressão da D3 em células derivadas do CMT. Métodos: Estudo experimental in vitro, utilizando linhagem de células humanas oriundas de CMT (células TT). As células foram cultivadas em meio específico e tratadas com diferentes doses do ITQ vandetanibe (0,25; 0,5 e 1μM) ou com DMSO. A proliferação celular foi determinada por contagem em câmara de Neubauer. A expressão do mRNA foi avaliada por meio de PCR em tempo real, a expressão proteica por meio de Western Blot e a atividade da D3 foi avaliada por meio da técnica de cromatografia em colunas de Sephadex LH-20. Resultados: A adição do vandetanibe ao meio de cultura causou diminuição do número de células e seu efeito foi tempo e dose dependente, apresentando uma redução máxima (77%) após 6 dias de tratamento na dose de 1μM. Como esperado, o tratamento com vandetanibe inibiu a fosforilação do ERK. Não foram observadas alterações significativas dos níveis de mRNA da DIO3 após 3 (0,02 vs. 0,02 vs. 0,01 vs. 0,01; P = 0,34) ou 6 dias (0,02 vs. 0,02 vs. 0,03 vs. 0,02; P = 0,33) de tratamento. Consequentemente, a expressão proteica da D3 não aumentou nos grupos tratados. No entanto, observou-se um aumento de 2 a 5 vezes na atividade da D3 após 3 dias de tratamento e um aumento de 1,5 a 2,15 vezes em 6 dias de tratamento. Conclusões: O tratamento com vandetanibe não foi associado com níveis aumentados de expressão do mRNA e da proteína da D3 em células derivadas de CMT, embora tenha sido observado um aumento na sua atividade enzimática. / Background: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) constitute a novel molecular therapy for medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Vandetanib, a TKI that acts against the VEGFR, EGFR and RET receptors, inhibits tumor transformation and growth in MTC. However, TKIs have important adverse effects, including hypothyroidism. Increases in the expression of type 3 iodothyronine deiodinase (D3/DIO3), a key enzyme in the inactivation of thyroid hormones, may be a possible mechanism of induction of hypothyroidism by these drugs. Objective: To investigate the effects of vandetanib on D3 expression in MTC-derived cells. Methods: In vitro experimental study using human MTC cell line (TT cells). Cells were cultured in specific medium and treated with different doses of vandetanib (0.25, 0.5 and 1μM) or DMSO. Cell proliferation was determined by counting in Neubauer's chamber. Expression of mRNA was evaluated by real-time PCR, protein expression by Western Blot and D3 activity was evaluated by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Results: The addition of vandetanib to the culture medium caused a time and dose-dependent decrease in the number of cells, with a maximum reduction (77%) after 6 days of treatment at 1μM dose. As expected, vandetanib treatment inhibited ERK phosphorylation. No significant changes in DIO3 mRNA levels were observed after 3 (0.02 vs. 0.02 vs. 0.01 vs. 0.01; P = 0.34) or 6 days (0.02 vs. 0.02 vs. 0.03 vs. 0.02; P = 0.33) of treatment. Accordingly, D3 protein expression did not increase in treated groups. However, we observed a 2 to 5-fold increase in D3 activity after 3 days of treatment and a 1.5 to 2.15-fold increase in 6 days of treatment. Conclusions: Treatment with vandetanib was not associated with increased DIO3 mRNA and D3 protein expression levels in MTC-derived cells, although an increase in enzyme activity has been observed.

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare malignant tumor originating from thyroid parafollicular C cells. This tumor accounts for 3-4% of thyroid gland neoplasias. MTC may occur sporadically or inherited. The hereditary MTC is part of syndromes of multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) 2A and 2B, familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC). Germline mutations of the RET (REarranged during Transfection) protooncogene cause hereditary form of cancer, whereas somatic mutations can be present in sporadic form of the disease. The RET gene encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase involved in the activation of intracellular signaling pathways leading to proliferation, growth, differentiation, migration and survival. Nowadays, the only possibility of cure for MTC patients consists of total thyroidectomy associated with lymph node dissection. Based on the knowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms of MTC, new drugs have been developed in attempt to control metastatic disease. Of these, the small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) represent one of the most promising agents for MTC treatment and clinical trials have shown encouraging results. Hopefully, the cumulative knowledge about the targets of action of these drugs as well as TKI-associated side effects will help on choosing the best therapeutic approach in order to enhance its benefits.

Através do ultra-som, um método de diagnóstico seguro e preciso, podemos estabelecer a relação córtico-medular (RCM) renal avaliando o volume da cortical e da medular acrescentando uma avaliação quantitativa ao método usado nas interpretações ultra-sonográficas, que ainda são de caráter qualitativa (subjetiva) e dependem da habilidade, do equipamento e da experiência do médico veterinário que estará fazendo o exame. Utilizamos 30 animais de diferentes raças, com idades entre 1 e 9 anos, machos e fêmeas, com pesos na faixa de 9 até 40 Kg, provenientes de clínicas veterinárias particulares. Todos passaram por exames clínico e físico, mostrando-se sadios e sem histórico de doença ou problemas renais, o que foi confirmado através de exames laboratoriais. Após as aferições por ultra-som as medidas foram colocadas em fórmulas, que deram os volumes de córtex e medula, seguindo então para uma relação mais precisa córtex/medula. Os resultados mostraram que os valores de RCM vão de 2,26 a 3,33 independentemente do volume renal, sexo, peso e idade, sendo estas variantes de baixa significância com a relação córtico-medular / Through the ultrasound, a insurance and exact diagnostic, we can establish renal corticomedullary correlation (RCM) evaluating the volume of the cortical and medullary adding a quantitative evaluation to the used method in the interpretations ultrasonographics, that still are of qualitative character (subjective) and depend on the ability, the equipment and the experience of the medical veterinarian who will be making the examination. We use 30 animals of different races, with ages between 1 and 9 years, males and females, with weights in the band of 9 up to 40 kg, proceeding from clinical particular veterinarians. All had passed for examinations clinical and physical, revealing healthy and without description of illness or renais problems, what it was confirmed through laboratoriais examinations. After the gaugings for ultrasound the measures had been placed in formulas, which had given to the volumes of cortex and medullary, following then for a more necessary corticomedullary correlation. The results had shown that the values of RCM independently go of 2,26 the 3,33 of the renal volume, sex, weight and age, being these variants of low significance with the corticomedullary correlation.