O tecido ósseo tem sido amplamente estudado devido às suas inúmeras funções e capacidade de auto-regeneração. Entretanto, muitas vezes a reparação óssea completa pode ser prejudicada quando as fraturas ósseas são graves. Muitas pesquisas visando a regeneração do tecido ósseo estão sendo realizadas tanto nas abordagens que envolvem a utilização de enxertos, quanto na aplicação de terapia celular. O objetivo deste trabalho foi obter e caracterizar uma linhagem celular proveniente do tecido ósseo de fetos caninos. Para isso, foi realizado método de dissociação enzimática do osso fetal canino para obtenção da cultura celular, estabelecendo assim o cultivo das células OSTBN6. Além disso, foram realizados técnicas do teste de viabilidade e proliferação celular por MTT, de imunofenotipagem das células, expressão gênica, diferenciação celular em linhagens adipogênica, osteogênica e condrogênica, e análise do potencial tumorigênico das células derivadas de tecido ósseo fetal canino. Sendo assim, a população isolada de células derivadas de tecido ósseo fetal canino isolada apresentou duas morfologias distintas: formato fibroblastóide e formato triangular. Essas células são viáveis e possuem ótima taxa de proliferação, como indicou o ensaio de MTT. As células foram positivas para pluripotência e para células de origem mesenquimal, e foram negativas para marcadores de células de origem hematopoiéticas. As OSTBN6 foram capazes de se diferenciar em linhagem adipogênica, osteogênica e condrogênica, característica de células mesenquimais. Por fim, foi realizado o teste do potencial tumorigênico em camundongos nude, não havendo formação de tumores. Desse modo, concluimos que a célula proveniente do tecido ósseo fetal canino constitui uma fonte segura para utilização na medicina regenerativa e terapia celular / Bone tissue has been widely studied due to its numerous functions and capacity for self-regeneration. However, often the complete bone repair may be impaired when bone fractures are severe. Many research aiming to regenerate the bone tissue are being conducted in both approaches involving the use of grafts, as the application of stem cell therapy. The objective of this study was to obtain and characterize a cell line derived from the canine fetuses bone. To do so, it was carried out an enzymatic dissociation method for obtaining canine fetal bone cell culture, thus establishing OSTBN6 cells culture. In addition, there were carried out technical viability and cell proliferation by MTT test, immunophenotyping of cells, gene expression, cellular differentiation in adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages, and analysis of tumorigenic potential of cells derived from canine fetal bone. Thus, the population of cells derived from isolated canine fetal bone tissue showed two distinct morphologies: fibroblastoid shape and triangular shape. These cells are viable and have optimal rate of proliferation, as indicated by the MTT assay. Cells were positive for pluripotency and as mesenchymal cells and were negative for hematopoietic origin cell markers. The OSTBN6 were able to differentiate into adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic lineage, characteristic of mesenchymal cells. Finally, it was performed the tumorigenic potential test in nude mice, with no tumor formation. Thus, it was concluded that the cell derived from canine fetal bone is a reliable source for use in regenerative medicine and cell therapy

Malformações fetais são importantes causas de óbito fetal e mortalidade infantil. A medicina regenerativa apresenta-se como a terceira modalidade terapêutica fetal. Células obtidas do líquido amniótico mostram-se como opção preferencial em terapia celular por sua alta taxa de proliferação in vitro, habilidade de autorrenovação e potencial multilinhagem. Para uso clínico, é recomendável a exclusão de material animal não humano do meio de cultura dessas células, prevenindo reações imunes, transmissão de príons, bactérias e vírus. O soro fetal bovino é componente usual do meio de cultura dessas células. Sua substituição por soro humano previne essas possíveis consequências. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar células obtidas do líquido amniótico, em meio de cultura suplementado por soro fetal bovino ou humano e compará-las. Foram avaliadas seu isolamento e cultivo, padrão de crescimento, morfologia, imunofenótipo, capacidade de diferenciação osteogênica e condrogênica, e caracterizou-se a expressão dos genes OCT-4, NANOG e SOX2. Foram analisadas amostras provenientes de cinco gestantes, obtidas por amniocentese de segundo trimestre, indicadas por idade materna avançada. As células do líquido amniótico, após centrifugação, foram colocadas em frasco de cultura com meio -MEM suplementado com 20% de soro fetal bovino (grupo B) ou soro humano (grupo H). Ao atingirem 70% de confluência, foram tripsinizadas e expandidas. Após a terceira passagem celular foram separadas alíquotas do grupo B e H para avaliação de seu potencial de expansão, por meio da construção de curvas de crescimento celular para diferentes inóculos iniciais (1.000, 5.000, 10.000 e 15.000 células). Sua morfologia foi avaliada por microscopia ótica através da coloração de Leishman e por microscopia eletrônica. A análise do imunofenótipo das células dos dois grupos foi realizada por citometria de fluxo, analisando-se os marcadores de superfície: CD14, CD29, CD31, CD34, CD44, CD45, CD90, CD105, CD106, CD117 e CD133. A diferenciação osteogênica foi realizada pelo acréscimo ao meio de cultura de fosfato-2-ascorbato e -glicerofosfato, comprovada pela produção de cálcio pelas células, coradas pela Alizarina e visualização da Fosfatase Alcalina nas células. A diferenciação condrogênica foi realizada pelo acréscimo ao meio de cultura de dexametasona e TGF-1, comprovada pela análise histológica após coloração pela hematoxilina-eosina. Avaliou-se a expressão gênica dos transcritos OCT-4, NANOG e SOX2, por RT-PCR das células dos dois grupos (B e H), comparadas aos controles celulares MRC-5 e NTERA-2 cl.D1. Observou-se alta taxa de expansão, sem diferença significativa entre os grupos (p=0,715), mesmo considerando-se a evolução dia-a-dia (p=0,681) e a alta viabilidade celular, com média de 94% nos dois grupos (p=0,686). A análise morfológica das células dos dois grupos revelou aspecto mesenquimal típico, com crescimento celular em cultura também típico dessa linhagem. Ao microscópio eletrônico, observou-se maior número de vacúolos lipídicos naquelas células do grupo H. A imunofenotipagem demonstrou marcação positiva para linhagem mesenquimal e negativa para outras linhagens. Ocorreu diferenciação osteogênica e condrogênica e expressão dos transcritos OCT-4, NANOG e SOX2. Não houve diferença significativa nos aspectos estudados, entre os grupos B e H. Concluiu-se que essas células, isoladas do líquido amniótico, apresentam característica de fácil isolamento, alta taxa de proliferação, aspecto morfológico e imunofenótipo mesenquimal, capacidade de diferenciação osteogênica e condrogênica, expressando os transcritos OCT-4, NANOG e SOX2, associados à pluripotência celular, tanto em meio suplementado por soro fetal bovino como por soro humano. / Fetal malformations are a significant cause of fetal death and infant mortality. Regenerative medicine is presented as a third therapeutic method. Cells obtained from the amniotic fluid are seen to be an option of choice for cell therapy because of their high rate of in vitro proliferation, power of selfrenewal and multi-lineage potential. For clinical use the exclusion of nonhuman animal material from the culture medium of these cells is to be recommended, thus precluding immune reactions and the transmission of prions, bacteria and viruses. Bovine fetal serum is a normal component of the culture medium of these cells. Its replacement by human serum precludes those possible consequences. The objective of this present study was investigation into the cells obtained from the amniotic fluid, in a culture medium supplemented with bovine fetal or human serum, and compare them. Their isolation and culture, growth rate, morphology, immune phenotype and osteogenic and chondrogenic capacity were assessed and the expression of the OCT-4, NANOG and SOX2 genes was characterized. Samples taken from five pregnant women by amniocentesis during the second trimester, recommended by virtue of advanced maternal age, were analyzed. The cells of the amniotic fluid, after centrifugation, were placed in a culture flask with an -MEM medium supplemented with 20% of bovine fetal serum (group B) or human serum (group H). After attaining 70% confluence they were trypsinized and expanded. After the third cellular passage they were separated into quotas of groups B and H for assessment of their expansion potential, by means of the construction of cellular growth curves for the different initial inocula (1,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 15,000 cells). Their morphology was assessed by optical microscopy by means of Leishman´s staining and electron microscopy. The analysis of the immune phenotype of the cells of the two groups was undertaken by flow cytometry, the surface markers CD14, CD29, CD31, CD34, CD44, CD45, CD90, CD105, CD106, CD117 and CD133 being analyzed. The osteogenic differentiation was undertaken by the addition of ascorbate-2-phosphate-2 and - glycerophosphate to the culture medium and proved by the production of calcium by the cells, stained with Alizarin, and visualization of the Alkaline Phosphatase in the cells. The chondrogenic differentiation was brought about by the addition of dexamethasone and TGF-1 to the culture medium and demonstrated by histological analysis after staining with hematoxilineeosine. The genic expression of the OCT-4, NANOG and SOX2 transcripts was compared with the control cells MRC-5 and NTERA-2 cl.D1 by the RTPCR of the cells of the two groups (B and H). A high expansion rate was observed, with no significant difference between the groups (p=0.715), even when the day-to-day progress (p=0.681) was taken into consideration, and high cell viability, with an average of 94% in the two groups (p=0.686). The morphological analysis of the cells of the two groups presented a typical mesenchymal aspect, with cell growth in the culture also typical of this line. Under the electron microscope, a greater number of lipid vacuoles were observed in the cells of the H group. The immune phenotyping presented a positive marking for the mesenchymal line but a negative one for the others. Osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation occurred as also did expression of the transcripts OCT-4, NANOG and SOX2. There was no significant difference, as regards the aspects studied, between groups B and H. It is concluded that these cells isolated from the amniotic fluid were characterized by ease of isolation, a high rate of proliferation, mesenchymal morphological aspect and immune phenotype, capacity for osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation, expressing the transcripts OCT-4, NANOG and SOX2, both in the medium supplemented with bovine fetal serum and in that with human serum.

Células-tronco mesenquimais derivadas de medula óssea (CTMs-MO) e de tecido adiposo (CTMs-TA) são uma ferramenta atrativa para a reparação do tecido ósseo baseada na terapia celular. No presente estudo, foi investigado o potencial osteogênico e adipogênico de CTMs-MO e CTMs-TA, assim como o efeito da intercomunicação entre osteoblastos e adipócitos na expressão do fenótipo celular. CTMs-MO e CTMs-TA de ratos foram cultivadas em meios de crescimento, osteogênico e adipogênico para avaliar a diferenciação osteoblástica e adipocítica. Adicionalmente, osteoblastos e adipócitos foram cocultivados de forma indireta para investigar o efeito dos adipócitos sobre os osteoblastos e vice versa. CTMs-MO e CTMs-TA apresentaram potencial tanto osteogênico quanto adipogênico em condições não indutoras de diferenciação. No entanto, quando expostas ao meio osteogênico, as CTMs-MO exibiram maior expressão gênica de RUNX2, fosfatase alcalina e osteocalcina, expressão proteíca de RUNX2 e maior formação de matriz extracelular mineralizada comparadas às CTMs-TA. Por outro lado, em condições adipogênicas, as CTMs-TA apresentaram maior expressão gênica de PPARγ, proteína adipocítica 2 e resistina, expressão proteíca de PPARγ e maior formação de acúmulo lipídico comparadas às CTMs-MO. A presença de adipócitos em coculturas indiretas inibiu a expressão do fenótipo osteoblástico, enquanto os osteoblastos não apresentaram um efeito marcante sobre a expressão do fenótipo adipocítico. Em conclusão, o presente estudo mostrou que as CTMs-MO são mais osteogênicas enquanto as CTMs-TA são mais adipogênicas. Adicionalmente, foi observado que a intercomunicação entre osteoblastos e adipócitos pode afetar negativamente o reparo ósseo. Assim, postulamos que o maior potencial osteogênico das CTMs-MO as tornam a escolha mais adequada para a indução do reparo ósseo baseado na terapia celular. / Mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow (BM-MSCs) and adipose tissue (AT-MSCs) are attractive tools for cell-based therapies to repair bone tissue. In the present study, we investigated the osteogenic and adipogenic potential of BM-MSCs and AT-MSCs as well as the effect of crosstalk between osteoblasts and adipocytes on cell phenotype expression. Rat BM-MSCs and AT-MSCs were cultured either in growth, osteogenic or adipogenic medium to evaluate osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation. Also, osteoblasts and adipocytes were indirectly cocultured to investigate the effect of adipocytes on osteoblast differentiation and vice versa. BM-MSCs and AT-MSCs exhibit osteogenic and adipogenic potential under non-differentiation-inducing conditions. However, when exposed to osteogenic medium, BM-MSCs exhibited higher gene expression of RUNX2, alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin, RUNX2 protein expression and more extracellular matrix mineralization compared with AT-MSCs. Conversely, under adipogenic conditions, AT-MSCs displayed higher gene expression of PPARγ, fatty acid binding protein 4 and resistin, PPARγ protein expression and more lipid accumulation compared with BM-MSCs. The presence of adipocytes as indirect coculture repressed the expression of osteoblast phenotype while osteoblasts did not exert remarkable effect on adipocyte phenotype expression. In conclusion, the present study showed that BM-MSCs are more osteogenic while AT-MSCs are more adipogenic. Also, we observed that the crosstalk between osteoblasts and adipocytes may negatively impact bone repair. Thus, we postulate that the higher osteogenic potential of BM-MSCs makes them the first choice for inducing bone repair in cell-based therapies.

Colorectal cancer (CRC), with an estimated 1.2 million new cases annually, is the third leading cause of cancer incidence and death worldwide. Generally, the majority of CRC patients are diagnosed at the advanced stages with poor prognosis and unfavorable response to multiple therapeutic drugs. In spite of increasing knowledge of the molecular mechanism for the tumorigenesis in CRC patients, the translation from basic science into clinical therapy has been limited for quite a long time. In order to develop novel treatment strategies against CRC, intensive and extensive attempts have been made in the past decades. / The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a multi-step process characterized by the loss of cell polarity, decreased cell-cell adhesion as well as enhanced migration and invasion capacity. It is well documented that EMT is essential for a variety of cellular biological events ranging from embryogenesis to tumor progression. The field of lncRNA is developing rapidly and currently it is one of the most intensively studied fields in the biomedical sciences. Emerging evidence indicates that the majority of human genome encodes thousands of non-protein-coding RNA transcripts, nevertheless, the function of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in orchestrating EMT progression remains elusive. Historically, the lncRNA H19 was the first identified imprinted non-coding RNA transcript in human, and the H19/IGF2 locus acted as an ideal paradigm for the investigation of genomic imprinting genes. In recent years, the expression profiling and functional characterization of the H19 gene in a variety of human diseases has been extensively studied. / In our studies, H19 was characterized as a novel regulator of EMT in colon cancer. We first observed significant mesenchymal characteristics in the methotrexate-resistant HT-29 cells. Interestingly, significant upregulation of H19 was observed in mesenchymal-like MTX resistant HT-29 cells. We subsequently demonstrated that after treatment of TGF-β1, one of the most widely used EMT inducers, H19 presented dramatic increase during the EMT progression. To further investigate the functional role of H19 in EMT, we generated the stable cell lines overexpressing H19 in colon cancer cells using retroviral infection. Stable overexpression of H19 significantly promoted EMT progression in two epithelial colon cancer cell lines HT-29 and HCT-116. However, overexpression of H19 did not affect cell proliferation as well as cell cycle progression. Further proteomics studies screened out that ectopic expression of H19 upregulated the protein level of Vimentin, a vital biomarker for mesenchymal cells. By using the bioinformatics study in combination with luciferase reporter assays, we demonstrated that H19 potentiated the expression of several core marker genes essential for mesenchymal cells by serving as a competing endogenous RNA(ceRNA), which builds up the missing link between the regulatory miRNA network and EMT progression. According to the results from xenograft tumor model and soft agar assay, stable expression of H19 reinforced the in vitro and in vivo tumor growth. Moreover, the investigation of clinical specimens verified that H19 RNA level was significantly increased in colon cancer tissues compared with corresponding adjacent normal tissues. Taken together, the above observations imply that the lncRNA H19, by acting as a competing endogenous RNA, is an important regulator which tightly modulated the expression of multiple important genes involved in EMT and it could probably serve as a novel therapeutic target against colon cancer. / 大腸癌每年有一百二十萬新增個案，是世界第三大癌症殺手。通常情況下，大部分大腸癌病人發現時已經處於晚期，該時期的癌症病人對多種臨床治療藥物已無法治愈。盡管關於大腸癌發病的分子生物學機制已經不斷完善，但如何從基礎研究轉化為臨床治療手段在很長一段時間內不可實現。為了進一步研究新的抗擊大腸癌治療手段，廣泛且深入的研究已經不斷開展。 / 上皮間充質轉化是一個多步驟的過程，該過程的典型特徵為失去細胞的極性，細胞間粘連減弱以及細胞爬行遷移能力的不斷加強。目前科學家已經知道上皮間充質轉化對於從胚胎發育到腫瘤發展都起著重要的作用。近年來，長非編碼RNA的研究不斷快速發展，已然成為醫學研究中最激烈的領域之一。眾多證據表明人體基因組編碼數以千計不編碼蛋白質的RNA轉錄體。然而，這些RNA轉錄體在上皮間充質轉化中的功能依然所知甚少。長非編碼RNA H19是人體內第一個被鑒別出來參與到基因印記的非編碼RNA。資料表明H19/IGF2位點是一個非常理想的研究基因印記的位點。近年來，H19在眾多癌症中的表達以及功能學研究已不斷湧現，同時也不斷取得令人鼓舞的研究成果。 / 在我們的研究中，H19被鑒定為大腸癌裏上皮間充質轉化過程中一個重要的參與者。通過研究甲氨蝶呤耐藥大腸癌HT-29細胞株，我們發現該HT-29耐藥細胞株有著顯著的間充質細胞特性。有趣的是，H19在該細胞株中有著顯著升高。我們隨後用經典的上皮間充質轉化誘導劑TGF-β1處理兩株大腸癌細胞，處理後H19亦有著顯著升高。為了進一步研究H19在上皮間充質轉化，通過使用逆轉錄病毒，我們建立H19的穩定表達細胞株。穩定表達H19顯著地促進了HT-29以及SW620大腸癌細胞株的上皮間充質轉化。然後，高水平表達(過表達)H19並不影響細胞的生長以及細胞周期的進程。進一步的蛋白質組學研究表明，過表達H19能促進間充質細胞一個重要標記基因Vimentin的表達。通過生物信息學以及熒光素酶報告基因實驗，我們證明了H19通過其競爭內源性RNA的作用，能夠促進間充質細胞所需的幾個重要基因的表達。該發現建立起了miRNA網絡以及上皮間充質轉化進程的交流網絡。通過異位移植以及軟瓊脂實驗，我們發現過表達H19能夠促進腫瘤細胞的生長。而在臨床大腸癌病人組織中，我們更發現H19在大腸癌病人組織中高表達。綜上所述，我們的結果證明H19這一長非編碼RNA，能夠通過其競爭內源性RNA的作用機制，從而調控上皮間充質轉化過程中的關鍵基因。同時H19亦有可能成為治療大腸癌的臨床新靶點。 / Liang, Weicheng. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2014. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-124). / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on 24, October, 2016). / Liang, Weicheng.

L’invasion cellulaire est un phénomène clé du développement tumoral au cours duquel les cellules réalisent une transition épithélio-mésenchymateuse (TEM) caractérisée par des changements d’expression de gènes clés dans la régulation de l’adhérence et de la morphologie cellulaire. L’expression de ces gènes est sous le contrôle de voies de signalisation, qui lors du processus de tumorigenèse sont dérégulées. La dérégulation de ces voies est multifactorielle et peut-être initiée par une activation de récepteurs présents à la membrane plasmique.Dans ce contexte, nous avons mis en évidence que les flotillines sont d’importants régulateurs de l’activation de ces récepteurs et des voies de signalisation en aval qui conduisent à l’induction de la TEM. Les flotillines 1 et 2 sont des protéines ubiquitaires très conservées. Le niveau d’expression des flotillines est accru dans de nombreux cancers invasifs et ceci est un facteur de mauvais pronostic. En condition physiologique, non surexprimées, les flotillines sont majoritairement à la membrane plasmique. Surexprimées les flotillines induisent la formation d’endolysosomes ayant une faible activité de dégradation, dans lesquels elles sont retrouvées.Mes travaux montrent que l’augmentation de l’expression des flotillines dans des cellules normales mammaires est suffisante pour induire le processus de TEM, processus clé de l’invasion tumorale. De plus nous montrons que la surexpression des flotillines génère une voie de trafic vésiculaire que nous nommons UFIT (Upregulated flotillin Induced Trafficking pathway) et qui affecte le trafic de plusieurs récepteurs membranaires connus pour participer à l’activation des voies oncogéniques inductrices de la TEM. Dans le cas particulier d’un de ces récepteurs, AXL, cible thérapeutique dans les cancers du sein, nous montrons que la surexpression des flotillines régule son endocytose et l’adresse dans les endosomes de signalisation riches en flotillines tout en le protégeant de la dégradation. Ces travaux apportent donc des explications nouvelles quant au rôle des flotillines dans le processus d’invasion cellulaire conduisant à la formation des métastases. / Tumor cell invasion and consecutive metastasis formation are the main cause of death in cancer patients. One crucial process of tumor cell invasion is the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), a reversible process during which polarized epithelial cells convert into motile mesenchymal cells. This process is characterized by gene expression changes involved, in particular, in the perturbation of cell adhesion, polarity and cytoskeletal structures.Flotillin 1 and 2 are two ubiquitous and highly conserved membrane proteins that assemble in large oligomers, known to participate in membrane protein clustering and endocytosis. Flotillins are upregulated in many invasive cancers and are considered as markers of poor prognosis. At physiological expression level, flotillins are mainly located at the plasma membrane. The cellular distribution of upregulated flotillins is dramatically modified with a strong enrichment in vesicular compartments that we characterized as non-degradative-endolysosomes.During my PhD project, we identified that flotillins are key EMT inducer. We upregulated flotillins in normal mammary cells and demonstrated that it is sufficient to promote EMT. Using several global comparative analyses (transcriptomic, phosphokinase arrays), we showed that flotillin upregulation activates key oncogenic signaling pathways and plasma membrane receptors. We identified that flotillin overexpression induces a trafficking pathway that we named UFIT-pathway (Upregulated flotillin Induced Trafficking pathway), which promotes the endocytosis of several cargos, amongst them membrane receptors involved in the activation of oncogenic pathways.Our results suggest that the UFIT pathway generates flotillin-positive endolysosomes acting as as “signalosome compartments” involved in the activation of signaling pathways stimulating EMT and cellular invasion.

Um novo método de modificação da superfície de nanopartículas de hidroxiapatita (HAP) por reação com cloreto de lauroíla foi desenvolvido, gerando a nanopartícula funcionalizada por laurato (HAP-CL). A superfície modificada da HAP foi confirmada por infravermelho, termogravimetria, ressonância magnética nuclear e análise elementar. Provamos por testes mecânicos a capacidade de criar compósitos com alto teor de HAP-CL em matrizes poliméricas de poli(L-acido láctico) (PLLA) e poli(succinato de isosorbídeo-b-L-lactídeo) (PLLA-co-PIS) sem perda significativa de propriedades mecânicas. Diferentes quantidades de HAP-CL, HAP enxertado com PLLA (PLLA-g-HAP) e HAP puro foram dispersadas em soluções de PLLA para formar fibras eletrofiadas. Para comparar a dispersão destas nanopartículas nas fibras e a sua morfologia, análise de microscopia eletrônica de varredura e de transmissão foram empregadas. A HAP-CL exibiu melhor dispersão na matriz polimérica do que o PLLA-g-HAP e HAP, e permitiu a produção de fibras com grande quantidade de HAP-CL (até 30% massa da fase mineral em relação à massa do polímero(mm/mp)), tanto para o PLLA como para o PLLA-co-PIS. Células tronco mesenquimais derivadas de polpa de dente foram cultivadas em fibras de PLLA com alto teor de HAP-CL, resultando em um aumento significativo da atividade de fosfatase alcalina (ALP), nos dias 14 e 21 (p <0,001) quando comparados com conteúdos mais baixos de HAP-CL, assim como um melhor processo de mineralização apresentado pelos teste de vermelho de alizarina depois de 21 dias (p <0,001). As células cultivadas nas fibras de PLLA-co-PIS contendo 30% de HAP-CL (mm/mp) apresentaram maior atividade de ALP após 21 dias (p <0,05), e melhor processo de mineralização, depois de 14 e 21 dias (p <0,05) do que as fibras de PLLA com 30% de HAP-CL (mm/mp). PLLA e PLLA-co-PIS, ambos contendo 30% de HAP-CL (mm/mp) induziram uma maior expressão de osteocalcina e osteopontina, dois marcadores de diferenciação osteoblástica, quando comparados ao PLLA e PLLA-co-PIS (controle). Finalmente, em experimentos in vivo, as fibras de PLLA-co-PIS contendo 30% de HAP-CL (mm/mp) apresentaram um desempenho superior no processo de neoformação óssea do que as fibras de PLLA com o mesmo conteúdo de nanopartículas. Em conclusão, os nossos resultados in vitro demonstraram que os suportes construídos de compósitos de PLLA-co-PIS contendo 30% de HAP-CL (mm/mp) se mostraram superiores tanto na adesão e proliferação quanto na diferenciação de células mesenquimais de polpa de dente em osteoblastos. Além disso, experimentos in vivo confirmaram estes resultados, demonstrando que estes nanocompósitos são excelentes modelos para implantes destinados a regeneração óssea. / A new method of surface modification of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HAP) by reaction with lauroyl chloride was developed, producing the laurate functionalized nanoparticle (HAP-CL). The surface modified HAP was confirmed by infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance and elemental analysis. We proved by mechanical tests the ability to create composites with high HAP-CL content in poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(isosorbide succinate-b-L-lactide) (PLLA-co-PIS) polymeric matrixes without significant loss of mechanical properties. Different amounts of HAP-CL, HAP grafted with PLLA (PLLA-g-HAP) and HAP were dispersed in pure PLLA solutions to form nanofibers. To compare the dispersion of these nanoparticles in the fibers and their morphology, scanning and transmission electron microscopies were employed. HAP-CL showed better dispersion in the polymer matrix than the PLLA-g-HAP and HAP, and allowed fiber production with large amounts of HAP-CL (up to 30% mineral to polymer weight (wm/wp)) for both PLLA and PLLA-co-PIS. Mesenchymal stem cells derived from dental pulp were cultured in PLLA fibers with high levels of HAP-CL, resulting in a significant increase in alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), on days 14 and 21 (p <0.001) as compared to those with lower content HAP-CL, as well as a better mineralization process shown by alizarin red test after 21 days (p <0.001). Cells grown in PLLA-co-PIS fibers containing 30% of HAP-CL showed higher ALP activity after 21 days (p <0.05) and a better mineralization process, after 14 and 21 days (p <0.05 ) than fibers of PLLA with 30% HAP-CL. PLLA and PLLA-co-PIS, both containing 30% of HAP-CL (wm/wp) induced a higher expression of osteocalcin and osteopontin, two osteoblast differentiation markers when compared with PLLA and PLLA-co-PIS (control). Finally, in the in vivo experiments, the PLLA-co-PIS fibers containing 30% HAP-CL (wm/wp) outperformed the process of bone formation than PLLA fibers with the same content of nanoparticles. In conclusion, our in vitro results demonstrated that scaffolds from composites of PLLA-co-PIS containing 30% HAP-CL (wm/wp) were superior both in adhesion and in the differentiation and proliferation of dental pulp stem cells in osteoblasts. Furthermore, in vivo experiments confirmed these results, demonstrating that these nanocomposites are excellent models for implants for bone regeneration

上皮間充質轉化（EMT），作為重要的生理和病理事件，廣泛的參與胚胎發育、組織纖維化病變及腫瘤轉移的過程。這一顯著的細胞表型變化包括上皮細胞失去緊密連接和極性，上皮細胞呈現纖維細胞形態以及增強的細胞移動性。囊性纖維變性跨膜電導調節器（CFTR）是一種廣泛表達於上皮細胞的氯離子和碳酸根離子通道。研究證實，CFTR 的蛋白轉運與上皮連接的形成和功能有關，同時 CFTR 的表達受到 EMT 誘導因子 HIF-1 和 TGF-β 的反向調節。另外，CFTR 的表達和功能被證實參與 EMT 相關信號分子 Wnt 和 NF-κB活性的調節。基於上述發現，本研究旨在闡述 CFTR 與 EMT 的相關性。 / CFTR 參與的腎上皮 EMT 以及後續的腎纖維化首先被關注。實驗表明，在腎上皮細胞（MDCK）中，小 RNA 介導的 CFTR 基因敲降或抑製劑引起的CFTR 通道功能缺陷均引起間充質細胞特徵的出現，包括纖維狀細胞形態、細胞連接分子 E-cadherin, ZO-1 和 Occludin 表達下調和間充質細胞標誌分子 Vimentin 和 N-cadherin 上調、上皮細胞跨膜電阻減低以及細胞遷徙能力的增強。有趣的是，在單側尿道結紮的腎纖維化模型中，CFTR 表達被顯著下調。同時，動物實驗證實一個最常見的 CFTR 分子突變（deltaF508 -/-）增加了單側尿道結紮導致的腎纖維化的程度。另外，在缺氧引起的 EMT 過程中CFTR 的表達顯著下調；同時，腎纖維化模型中，HIF-1 和 CFTR 的表達呈現負相關。結果提示，生理及病理的條件下，氧氣的調節可能作為 CFTR 下調及其後續事件的誘因。進一步實驗發現，CFTR 功能抑製或基因突變可以引起Wnt 的富集和 β-catenin 的細胞核轉移。基於以上的實驗結果，在腎纖維化的過程中，CFTR 參與了缺氧引起的 EMT 過程，並通過激活 Wnt/β-catenin 信號調節相關的下游因子。 / 第二部分集中探究了 CFTR 在癌細胞EMT 及腫瘤轉移中的作用及機制。實驗證實，在 TGF-β 誘導的腫瘤細胞 EMT 過程中，CFTR 表達被抑制。TGF-β 可能作為病理狀態下的調節因子，引起腫瘤細胞中 CFTR 表達下調及EMT。抑制 CFTR 通道功能或敲降其蛋白表達導致明顯的間充質細胞特徵，這一變化在不同來源的腫瘤細胞系中呈均一性。相對地，過表達 CFTR 引起細胞遷移和侵潤能力地顯著下降。在體實驗顯示，CFTR 表達與腫瘤的轉移能力呈現負相關。進一步機制研究證明，CFTR 通過調節多重的通路參與 EMT的過程。首先，uPA 的表達和活性受到 CFTR 的反向調節，並且這一調節作用是由激活的 NF-κB 介導的。其次，抑制 CFTR 通道功能引起 β-catenin 的細胞核轉移。 / 綜上所述，研究發現 CFTR 通過調節多重信號參與腎上皮及腫瘤細胞的 EMT。同時，研究顯示 CFTR 的表達和功能與腎纖維化及腫瘤轉移有關。此研究對相關疾病的診斷和預後具有潛在的提示作用。 / Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is an intricate process by which epithelial cells lose their epithelial characteristics and acquire a mesenchymal-like phenotype. It is essential for numerous physiological and pathological processes, such as embryonic development, tissue fibrosis and cancer metastasis. The dramatic phenotype changes of EMT include loss of tight junctions and polarity, acquisition of a fibroblastic morphology and increased motility. The cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) is known as an anion channel and extensively expressed in a variety of epithelial cells. Interestingly, the apical membrane expression of CFTR is reported to be required for the normal organization and function of epithelial junctions. Moreover, EMT inducers, such as HIF-1 and TGF-β, are known to suppress the expression of CFTR in epithelial cells. In addition, CFTR has been reported to be associated with expression and/or activity of Wnt and NF- κB, key factors known to be involved in EMT. Thus, we hypothesized that CFTR might play an important role in EMT. / In the first part of the study, the involvement of CFTR in EMT of kidney epithelial cells and renal fibrosis was investigated. Our experiments revealed that suppression of CFTR by either inhibitor or knockdown induced EMT in Madin- Darby canine kidney epithelial cells (MDCK). This was accompanied by the appearance of fibroblastic morphology, with reduced expression of epithelial junction proteins E-cadherin, ZO-1 and occludin and accumulated expression of the mensenchymal markers vimentin and N-cadherin, as well as reduced transepithelial resistance (TER) and enhanced migratory ability. Interestingly, the expression of CFTR was found significantly down-regulated in unilateral urethral obstruction (UUO) kidney. In addition, CFTR mutant (deltaF508 -/-), the most common mutation found in CF patients, increased the risk of renal fibrosis in UUO model. Our results showed that the expression of CFTR down-regulated in hypoxia induced-EMT in MDCK, and the expression of hypoxia-sensitive transcription factor, HIF-1, is inversely correlated with CFTR in UUO kidney. Accumulation of Wnt and translocation of β-catenin were also observed in CFTR inhibitors-treated MDCK and deltaF508 -/- UUO mice. Taken together, these findings suggest that CFTR may be involved in mediating hypoxia-induced EMT by influencing the Wnt/β-catenin signaling contributing to renal fibrosis. / In the second part of the study, the role of CFTR in EMT during cancer metastasis and the underlying mechanisms were investigated. Recent studies have demonstrated that cancer cells may reinstitute properties of developmental EMT including enhanced migration and invasion. On the other hand, the reverse process, known as mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET), has been implicated in forming a secondary metastatic tumor. Using various tissue-derived cancer cell lines including human colorectal cancer cell line LIM1863, human lung carcinoma cell line A549, and human breast cancer cell lines MCF7 and MDA-MB-231, we report that induction of EMT by TGF-β sharply reduces CFTR expression in various tissue derived cancer cell lines, while overexpression of CFTR can reverse the TGF-β- induced EMT phenyotype. Interfering with CFTR function either by its specific inhibitor or lentiviral miRNA-mediated knockdown mimicks TGF-β-induced EMT and enhances cell migration and invasion. Ectopic overexpression of CFTR in a highly metastatic cancer cell lines downregulates EMT markers and suppresses cell invasion and migration in vitro, as well as the ability of the cells to metastasize to the lung in vivo. The EMT-suppressing effect of CFTR is found to be associated with its ability to alter NF-κB targeting urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and the nuclear translocation of β-catenin. Taken together, the present study has demonstrated a previously undefined role of CFTR as an EMT suppressor in cancer. / In summary, our findings have demonstrated a regulatory role of CFTR in EMT in both normal kidney epithelial cell line and various cancer cell lines. We conclude that CFTR plays important roles in renal fibrosis and cancer progression/metastasis by modulating EMT process through multiple pathways. The insights afforded by these studies will provide critical new information about the function of CFTR as a suppressor of EMT, which may have potential application in diagnosis and prognosis of fibrosis and cancer. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Zhang, Jieting. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 136-150). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese. / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Concept and features of EMT --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Roles of EMT in development and diseases --- p.10 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- The Regulators of EMT --- p.13 / Chapter 1.2 --- Structure and function of CFTR --- p.18 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- General structure and channel functions of CFTR --- p.18 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Gene mutations and CF --- p.18 / Chapter 1.3 --- Potential role of CFTR in EMT --- p.20 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- CFTR in formation of cell-cell junction and membrane polarity --- p.20 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- CFTR and EMT inducers --- p.21 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- CFTR and EMT related pathways and factors --- p.22 / Chapter 1.4 --- Hypothesis and aim of the study --- p.22 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- CFTR involves in hypoxia induced EMT in renal fibrosis --- p.24 / Chapter 2.1 --- Abstract --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2 --- Introduction --- p.25 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Knockdown of CFTR induces EMT in MDCK --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Inhibition of CFTR channel function induces EMT in MDCK --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- CFTR is downregulated during the process of renal fibrosis --- p.36 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- CFTR defect increases the risk of renal fibrosis --- p.39 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Hypoxia/HIF-1α rather than TGF-β as the inducer of CFTR repression during EMT and renal fibrosis --- p.44 / Chapter 2.3.6 --- CFTR as a negative regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in renal epithelium --- p.51 / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion --- p.57 / Chapter 2.5 --- Conclusion --- p.61 / Chapter 2.6 --- Materials and Methods --- p.61 / Chapter 2.6.1 --- Cell culture and treatments --- p.61 / Chapter 2.6.2 --- Plasmids and transient transfection --- p.62 / Chapter 2.6.3 --- Western blot analysis --- p.62 / Chapter 2.6.4 --- Measurement of trans epithelial electric resistance --- p.64 / Chapter 2.6.5 --- Wound-healing migration assay --- p.64 / Chapter 2.6.6 --- Animals and Obstructive model --- p.64 / Chapter 2.6.7 --- HE and Masson's trichrome stain --- p.65 / Chapter 2.6.8 --- Immunofluorescent and immunohistochemistry staining --- p.65 / Chapter 2.6.9 --- Statistical analysis --- p.66 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- CFTR down-regulation mediates EMT during cancer metastasis --- p.67 / Chapter 3.1 --- Abstract --- p.67 / Chapter 3.2 --- Introduction --- p.67 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.73 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Repression of CFTR during TGF-β induced EMT in cancer cells --- p.73 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Hypoxia does not have significant effect on CFTR expression --- p.78 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Repression of CFTR channel function induces EMT in cancer cells --- p.81 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Knockdown/overexpression of CFTR induces/inhibits EMT and malignant phenotypes --- p.84 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- CFTR inhibits lung metastasis in vivo --- p.94 / Chapter 3.3.6 --- Anti-metastatic effect of CFTR involves NF-κB targeting uPA --- p.104 / Chapter 3.3.7 --- Correlation between CFTR and β-catenin --- p.112 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.116 / Chapter 3.5 --- Conclusion --- p.122 / Chapter 3.6 --- Materials and methods --- p.122 / Chapter 3.6.1 --- Cell culture and treatments --- p.122 / Chapter 3.6.2 --- Lentiviral production and transduction --- p.123 / Chapter 3.6.3 --- Plasmids and stable transfection --- p.124 / Chapter 3.6.4 --- RT-PCR analysis --- p.124 / Chapter 3.6.5 --- Western blot analysis --- p.126 / Chapter 3.6.6 --- Immunofluorescence staining --- p.126 / Chapter 3.6.7 --- Cell growth assay --- p.127 / Chapter 3.6.8 --- Migration assay --- p.127 / Chapter 3.6.9 --- Invasion assay --- p.128 / Chapter 3.6.10 --- In vivo tumor growth assay --- p.128 / Chapter 3.6.11 --- In vivo metastasis assay --- p.128 / Chapter 3.6.12 --- Human EMT PCR array --- p.129 / Chapter 3.6.13 --- uPA activity assay --- p.129 / Chapter 3.6.14 --- Statistical analysis --- p.129 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- General discussion --- p.130 / Chapter 4.1 --- Normal function of CFTR in epithelial polarity and barrier function --- p.130 / Chapter 4.2 --- Down-regulation of CFTR is associated with EMT-related diseases --- p.131 / Chapter 4.3 --- CFTR functions as a central mediator of different EMT signals --- p.132 / Chapter 4.4 --- Future directions --- p.134 / Chapter 4.5 --- Conclusion --- p.135 / References --- p.136 / Declaration --- p.151

Submitted by Sandro Camargo (sandro.camargo@unipampa.edu.br) on 2015-05-07T22:56:27Z No. of bitstreams: 1 126110041.pdf: 1662239 bytes, checksum: 4c1751ff15692d571713c45fca07289c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-07T22:56:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 126110041.pdf: 1662239 bytes, checksum: 4c1751ff15692d571713c45fca07289c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-24 / Células tronco são células indiferenciadas e multipotentes, capazes de se diferenciar nos mais diversos tipos celulares. São definidas por duas características principais, a autorrenovação e o potencial de diferenciação. Devido ao seu potencial de diferenciação, facilidade de isolamento e expansão em cultura, as células tronco mesenquimais (Mesenchymal Stem Cell – MSCs) são largamente utilizadas em testes para o tratamento de inúmeras doenças, como doenças cardíacas, mieloma e osteoartrite. O corticosteroide dexametasona é amplamente utilizado como indutor de diferenciação óssea em células tronco e está envolvido no aumento da atividade da enzima fosfatase alcalina (ALP). Há quatro genes que codificam a ALP: ALPL, ALPP, ALPPL2 e ALPI. A ALPL é um dos principais marcadores de diferenciação óssea promovida pelo tratamento com dexametasona, esse gene possui três diferentes variantes que são geradas por splicing alternativo. Porém, até hoje não se tem conhecimento de qual dessas variantes atua na deposição de matriz óssea. O objetivo do trabalho foi analisar, por PCR quantitativo (qPCR), a atividade das variantes de ALPL durante a diferenciação de MSCs tratadas com dexametasona. Os primers das três variantes do gene ALPL foram desenhados pelo nosso grupo de pesquisa. Para o experimento, aproximadamente 3x10 4 células por mL foram semeadas em placa de cultura. Para o tratamento utilizou-se dexametasona 10 -7 M, tendo como período de tratamento 0, 3 e 7 dias. Os resultados da qPCR mostraram que os primers desenhados possuem uma eficiência superior a 90% e R 2 = 1, sendo os primers da variante 2 mais eficiente que os primers da variante 1, e os primers de ambas as variantes mais eficientes que os primers de ALP atualmente utilizados. Os primers da ALPL/v3 não apresentaram amplificação. Nossa análise estatística indica que a diferença de expressão entre as células tratadas e os controles se mostrou relevante, apontando para um grande aumento de ALPL/v1 nas células tratadas. A expressão de ALPL/v2, apesar de significativa entre os controles e tratados, é baixa quando comparada à ALPL/v1. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho indicam que a dexametasona, além de aumentar a atividade do promotor de ALPL, também dá preferência ao splicing alternativo que origina o mRNA da variante 1 do gene. / Stem cells are undifferentiated and pluripotent cells that are able to differentiate into several cell types. Stem cells are distinguished from other cell types by two important characteristics: self-renewal and differentiation potential. Due to their differentiation potential and easiness for isolate and growth in vitro, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used in trials for the treatment of numerous diseases such as heart disease, myeloma and osteoarthritis. The corticosteroid dexamethasone is broadly used to induce bone differentiation in stem cells and is involved in the increased activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALPL). There are four genes coding ALP: ALPL, ALPP, ALPPL2 and ALPI. The ALPL is one of the main markers for bone differentiation stimulated by dexamethasone. This gene has three different variants which are generated by alternative splicing. However, to date it is not known which of these variants act in the bone matrix deposition. In this context, the aim of this work was to analyze the activity of ALPL variants during the differentiation of MSCs treated with dexamethasone. Primers for the three ALPL variants were designed by our group. For the experiment, approximately 3x10 4 cells per ml were seeded in culture plate. For treatment, we used 10 -7 M dexamethasone for 0, 3 and 7 days. The qPCR results showed that the primers designed had an amplification efficiency higher than 90% and R 2 = 1; variant 2 (V2) primers was more efficient than the variant 1 (V1) primers and primers of both variants are more efficient than the currently used ALP primers. The primers of ALPL/v3 showed no amplification. Our statistical data showed that the differences in expression between treated and control cells were significant, indicating an expressive increase of ALPL/v1 in treated cells. The expression of ALPL/v2, although significant between controls and treated cells, was low when compared to ALPL/v1. The results of this study indicate that dexamethasone, besides increasing the activity of the ALPL promoter, gives preference to alternative splicing that originates the variant1 mRNA.

Malformações fetais são importantes causas de óbito fetal e mortalidade infantil. A medicina regenerativa apresenta-se como a terceira modalidade terapêutica fetal. Células obtidas do líquido amniótico mostram-se como opção preferencial em terapia celular por sua alta taxa de proliferação in vitro, habilidade de autorrenovação e potencial multilinhagem. Para uso clínico, é recomendável a exclusão de material animal não humano do meio de cultura dessas células, prevenindo reações imunes, transmissão de príons, bactérias e vírus. O soro fetal bovino é componente usual do meio de cultura dessas células. Sua substituição por soro humano previne essas possíveis consequências. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar células obtidas do líquido amniótico, em meio de cultura suplementado por soro fetal bovino ou humano e compará-las. Foram avaliadas seu isolamento e cultivo, padrão de crescimento, morfologia, imunofenótipo, capacidade de diferenciação osteogênica e condrogênica, e caracterizou-se a expressão dos genes OCT-4, NANOG e SOX2. Foram analisadas amostras provenientes de cinco gestantes, obtidas por amniocentese de segundo trimestre, indicadas por idade materna avançada. As células do líquido amniótico, após centrifugação, foram colocadas em frasco de cultura com meio -MEM suplementado com 20% de soro fetal bovino (grupo B) ou soro humano (grupo H). Ao atingirem 70% de confluência, foram tripsinizadas e expandidas. Após a terceira passagem celular foram separadas alíquotas do grupo B e H para avaliação de seu potencial de expansão, por meio da construção de curvas de crescimento celular para diferentes inóculos iniciais (1.000, 5.000, 10.000 e 15.000 células). Sua morfologia foi avaliada por microscopia ótica através da coloração de Leishman e por microscopia eletrônica. A análise do imunofenótipo das células dos dois grupos foi realizada por citometria de fluxo, analisando-se os marcadores de superfície: CD14, CD29, CD31, CD34, CD44, CD45, CD90, CD105, CD106, CD117 e CD133. A diferenciação osteogênica foi realizada pelo acréscimo ao meio de cultura de fosfato-2-ascorbato e -glicerofosfato, comprovada pela produção de cálcio pelas células, coradas pela Alizarina e visualização da Fosfatase Alcalina nas células. A diferenciação condrogênica foi realizada pelo acréscimo ao meio de cultura de dexametasona e TGF-1, comprovada pela análise histológica após coloração pela hematoxilina-eosina. Avaliou-se a expressão gênica dos transcritos OCT-4, NANOG e SOX2, por RT-PCR das células dos dois grupos (B e H), comparadas aos controles celulares MRC-5 e NTERA-2 cl.D1. Observou-se alta taxa de expansão, sem diferença significativa entre os grupos (p=0,715), mesmo considerando-se a evolução dia-a-dia (p=0,681) e a alta viabilidade celular, com média de 94% nos dois grupos (p=0,686). A análise morfológica das células dos dois grupos revelou aspecto mesenquimal típico, com crescimento celular em cultura também típico dessa linhagem. Ao microscópio eletrônico, observou-se maior número de vacúolos lipídicos naquelas células do grupo H. A imunofenotipagem demonstrou marcação positiva para linhagem mesenquimal e negativa para outras linhagens. Ocorreu diferenciação osteogênica e condrogênica e expressão dos transcritos OCT-4, NANOG e SOX2. Não houve diferença significativa nos aspectos estudados, entre os grupos B e H. Concluiu-se que essas células, isoladas do líquido amniótico, apresentam característica de fácil isolamento, alta taxa de proliferação, aspecto morfológico e imunofenótipo mesenquimal, capacidade de diferenciação osteogênica e condrogênica, expressando os transcritos OCT-4, NANOG e SOX2, associados à pluripotência celular, tanto em meio suplementado por soro fetal bovino como por soro humano. / Fetal malformations are a significant cause of fetal death and infant mortality. Regenerative medicine is presented as a third therapeutic method. Cells obtained from the amniotic fluid are seen to be an option of choice for cell therapy because of their high rate of in vitro proliferation, power of selfrenewal and multi-lineage potential. For clinical use the exclusion of nonhuman animal material from the culture medium of these cells is to be recommended, thus precluding immune reactions and the transmission of prions, bacteria and viruses. Bovine fetal serum is a normal component of the culture medium of these cells. Its replacement by human serum precludes those possible consequences. The objective of this present study was investigation into the cells obtained from the amniotic fluid, in a culture medium supplemented with bovine fetal or human serum, and compare them. Their isolation and culture, growth rate, morphology, immune phenotype and osteogenic and chondrogenic capacity were assessed and the expression of the OCT-4, NANOG and SOX2 genes was characterized. Samples taken from five pregnant women by amniocentesis during the second trimester, recommended by virtue of advanced maternal age, were analyzed. The cells of the amniotic fluid, after centrifugation, were placed in a culture flask with an -MEM medium supplemented with 20% of bovine fetal serum (group B) or human serum (group H). After attaining 70% confluence they were trypsinized and expanded. After the third cellular passage they were separated into quotas of groups B and H for assessment of their expansion potential, by means of the construction of cellular growth curves for the different initial inocula (1,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 15,000 cells). Their morphology was assessed by optical microscopy by means of Leishman´s staining and electron microscopy. The analysis of the immune phenotype of the cells of the two groups was undertaken by flow cytometry, the surface markers CD14, CD29, CD31, CD34, CD44, CD45, CD90, CD105, CD106, CD117 and CD133 being analyzed. The osteogenic differentiation was undertaken by the addition of ascorbate-2-phosphate-2 and - glycerophosphate to the culture medium and proved by the production of calcium by the cells, stained with Alizarin, and visualization of the Alkaline Phosphatase in the cells. The chondrogenic differentiation was brought about by the addition of dexamethasone and TGF-1 to the culture medium and demonstrated by histological analysis after staining with hematoxilineeosine. The genic expression of the OCT-4, NANOG and SOX2 transcripts was compared with the control cells MRC-5 and NTERA-2 cl.D1 by the RTPCR of the cells of the two groups (B and H). A high expansion rate was observed, with no significant difference between the groups (p=0.715), even when the day-to-day progress (p=0.681) was taken into consideration, and high cell viability, with an average of 94% in the two groups (p=0.686). The morphological analysis of the cells of the two groups presented a typical mesenchymal aspect, with cell growth in the culture also typical of this line. Under the electron microscope, a greater number of lipid vacuoles were observed in the cells of the H group. The immune phenotyping presented a positive marking for the mesenchymal line but a negative one for the others. Osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation occurred as also did expression of the transcripts OCT-4, NANOG and SOX2. There was no significant difference, as regards the aspects studied, between groups B and H. It is concluded that these cells isolated from the amniotic fluid were characterized by ease of isolation, a high rate of proliferation, mesenchymal morphological aspect and immune phenotype, capacity for osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation, expressing the transcripts OCT-4, NANOG and SOX2, both in the medium supplemented with bovine fetal serum and in that with human serum.

Submitted by Natalie Mendes (nataliermendes@gmail.com) on 2015-07-24T01:11:42Z No. of bitstreams: 1 marcus_vinicius_pinheiro_mendonca_tese.pdf: 8890182 bytes, checksum: 8c3486b869dff02251529c805a28b23c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-24T01:11:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 marcus_vinicius_pinheiro_mendonca_tese.pdf: 8890182 bytes, checksum: 8c3486b869dff02251529c805a28b23c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-10-10 / Despite the advancement in the care of patients with spinal cord injury, currently there is no specific treatment for neurological lesion. Therapy with mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow (BMMC) has shown to be a safe and promising technique in various medical fields. The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety of autologous BMMC transplantation for the treatment of chronic spinal cord injury of traumatic origin.Fourteen paraplegic patients (classified as A in ASIA scale) with at least 6-month thoracic or thoracolumbar spinal cord injurywere selected. They underwent aspiration of bone marrow tissue from the iliac crest with further expansion and in vitro characterization; by means of microsurgical procedure, the BMMC suspension was introduced at the level of the spinal cord injury. A 6-month clinical follow-up was performed after surgery, including functional and imaging tests. There was a change in ASIA scale in 7 patients, increased bladder capacity in 5 patients and appearance of the SSEP waveform in one patient. Throughout the observation period, no major complications were observed. The present protocol proved to be safe and, due to significant improvements in neurological symptoms in many patients, also a potentially promising therapeutic method for patients with spinal cord injury. / A despeito do avan?o na assist?ncia do paciente com trauma raquimedular, atualmente n?o h? tratamento espec?fico para a les?o neurol?gica. A terapia com c?lulas-tronco mesenquimais da medula ?ssea (CMMO) tem-se mostrado uma t?cnica segura e promissora em diversas ?reas m?dicas. O objetivo deste estudo ? avaliar a seguran?a do transplante aut?logo de CMMO para o tratamento de les?o medular cr?nica de origem traum?tica. Foram selecionados 14 pacientes parapl?gicos (classificados como A na escala ASIA) com les?o medular tor?cica ou t?raco-lombar h? mais de 6 meses. Eles foram inicialmente submetidos ? aspira??o de tecido da medula ?ssea da crista il?aca, com posterior expans?o e caracteriza??o in vitro de CMMO e, por meio de procedimento microcir?rgico, introduziu-se a suspens?o de CMMO na medula espinhal no n?vel da les?o. Os pacientes foram acompanhados clinicamente, com realiza??o de exames funcionais e de imagem por um per?odo de 6 meses ap?s o procedimento cir?rgico. Houve mudan?a na escala ASIA em 7 pacientes, aumento da capacidade vesical em 5 pacientes e aparecimento de onda ao SSEP em 1 paciente. Durante todo o tempo de observa??o, n?o foram identificadas complica??es potencialmente graves. O presente protocolo se mostrou seguro e, ainda, devido a melhoras significativas no quadro neurol?gico em boa parte dos pacientes, um m?todo terap?utico potencialmente promissor para pacientes com trauma raquimedular.