京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第19587号 / 医博第4094号 / 新制||医||1014(附属図書館) / 32623 / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 松原 和夫, 教授 妹尾 浩, 教授 浅野 雅秀 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Several studies have reported that administration of cannabinoid receptor agonists in inflammatory/autoimmune and CNS injury models resulted in significant attenuation of clinical disease. The beneficial effects correlated with the observed reduction of inflammatory mediators and peripheral immune cell infiltration into the site of inflammation. Previous studies from our laboratories demonstrated that administration of cannabinoid type 2 receptor agonist attenuated disease score and improved recovery in two murine models of neuroinflammation; spinal cord injury (SCI) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a murine model of multiple sclerosis. The goal of the current investigation was to evaluate the mechanisms through which administration of selective cannabinoid-2 receptor (CB2R) agonists modify inflammatory responses and help to improve function in SCI and EAE. In SCI, an acute neuroinflammatory disorder, administration of CB2R agonist at 1 h and 24 h following contusion injury to the cord resulted in improved recovery of motor function and bladder function (the ability to spontaneously void) compared to control animals. Evaluation of inflammatory mediators at 48h demonstrated a dramatic reduction in the expression of the chemokines CXCL9, 10, 11 and cytokines IL-23 and its receptor in CB2R agonist-treated cords. There was also a reduction in the expression of toll-like receptors (TLR1, TLR4, TLR6, and TLR7), which correlated with a decreased number of immunoreactive microglia. Interestingly, at seven days post injury, CB2R agonist-treated injured cords showed a significant reduction in both hematopoietic and myeloid cell infiltration. In EAE, a chronic neuroinflammatory disorder, our laboratories demonstrated previously that administration of a CB2R agonist led to lower disease scores and improved recovery. In this study, we observed reduced numbers of infiltrating hematopoietic and myeloid cells into the spinal cord and brain of CB2 agonist-treated mice. This reduction was observed at the peak of disease (day 17) and the effect was maintained at the chronic stage of disease (day 30). Evaluation of molecules associated with cell migration showed decreased levels of the adhesion molecule VCAM-1 and matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and 9 at peak of EAE in treated mice. The decrease in VCAM-1 correlates with our previous observation of decreased leukocyte rolling and adhesion to brain microvasculature. However, the reduction in MMP-2/9 expression suggests that CB2R agonists may also affect leukocyte transmigration into the perivascular space and further infiltration into the CNS parenchyma. This process requires both chemokine cues and the gelatinases MMP2/9. Animals deficient in these MMPs show leukocyte accumulation in the perivascular space and are resistant to EAE. There are no reports in the literature on possible CB2R agonist effects on gelatinases in myeloid cells. Although both MMP-2 and -9 are produced by antigen-presenting cells and act on similar substrates, MMP-9 appears to play a crucial role in EAE. Therefore, we decided to examine the effects of CB2 signaling on MMP-9 expression in myeloid cells, focusing on myeloid bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDC). Activation of bone marrow-derived macrophages, dendritic cells, and primary microglia with the cytokine cocktail TNFα, IL-1ß, IL-6, containing PGE2, which mimicked an inflammatory milieu, resulted in expression of high levels of MMP-9. Treatment with CB2R agonists reduced MMP-9 in all three cell types. Since migration of DC to various sites is required for their activation and for the initiation of adaptive immune responses, we evaluated the effects of CB2R agonists on migration. The reduced levels of MMP-9 correlated with reduced migration of DC to the draining lymph nodes in vivo, as well as reduced migration vitro in the matrigel migration assay. The effect on MMP-9 expression was mediated through CB2R, resulting in reduction in cAMP levels, subsequent decrease in ERK activation, and reduced binding of c-Fos and c-Jun to the AP-1 site in the MMP-9 promoter. We postulate that, by dampening production of MMP-9 and subsequent MMP-9-dependent DC migration, cannabinoids contribute to resolve acute inflammation and to reestablish homeostasis. Selective CB2R agonists might be valuable future therapeutic agents for the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions by targeting activated immune cells including DC. / Physiology

Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:49:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-02-24. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-08-11T03:26:30Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 Publico-429a.pdf: 1596515 bytes, checksum: 2107c026687c3e2ecc62f0a5fffa1409 (MD5). Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-08-11T03:26:30Z : No. of bitstreams: 2 Publico-429a.pdf: 1596515 bytes, checksum: 2107c026687c3e2ecc62f0a5fffa1409 (MD5) Publico-429b.pdf: 1614171 bytes, checksum: d98715f7a666adc5ceb185cce978000e (MD5). Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-08-11T03:26:30Z : No. of bitstreams: 3 Publico-429a.pdf: 1596515 bytes, checksum: 2107c026687c3e2ecc62f0a5fffa1409 (MD5) Publico-429b.pdf: 1614171 bytes, checksum: d98715f7a666adc5ceb185cce978000e (MD5) Publico-429c.pdf: 1500700 bytes, checksum: 77791620b06c9404d28496c4f4ca3dc3 (MD5). Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-08-11T03:26:30Z : No. of bitstreams: 4 Publico-429a.pdf: 1596515 bytes, checksum: 2107c026687c3e2ecc62f0a5fffa1409 (MD5) Publico-429b.pdf: 1614171 bytes, checksum: d98715f7a666adc5ceb185cce978000e (MD5) Publico-429c.pdf: 1500700 bytes, checksum: 77791620b06c9404d28496c4f4ca3dc3 (MD5) Publico-429d.pdf: 1826591 bytes, checksum: 70c3dc706cb97372e3f26a7452c01208 (MD5) / O Linfoma de Hodgkin clássico (LHC) é caracterizado pela presença de uma pequena população de células grandes mono ou multinucleadas, denominadas células de Hodgkin-Reed-Sternberg (HRS), circundadas por uma grande massa inflamatória de células não neoplásicas. O vírus Epstein-Barr (EBV) está associado ao Linfoma de Hodgkin em cerca de 50% dos casos. O diagnóstico do LH EBV relacionado é possível por meio da identificação de proteínas virais nas células HRS. Os métodos considerados ideais para essa identificação são as reações de imuno-histoquímica utilizando anticorpos antiproteína latente de membrana (LMP1) e hibridação in situ com uma sonda para o RNA viral (EBER). A LMP-1 é considerada um oncogene clássico. Foi demonstrado que a LMP-1 pode controlar a expressão do gene da metaloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), em linhagem de células C33A. A MMP-9 é um membro da família das endopeptidases que facilita a invasão tumoral e metástases pela degradação do estroma extracelular. Objetivos: avaliar se a expressão da MMP-9 está relacionada ao status do EBV no tumor e se houve impacto na sobrevida livre de eventos (SLE) e sobrevida global (SG) em pacientes com LHC. Casuística e Métodos: foram examinados 97 pacientes com LHC. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a protocolos de tratamentos equivalentes (MOPPABV ou ABVD). O diagnóstico histopatológico foi revisto e o subtipo classificado de acordo com a OMS. Reações de imuno-histoquímica para LMP-1 e MMP-9 e hibridação in situ para EBER foram realizadas. Resultados: A presença do EBV foi identificada em 52,5% dos casos. Houve uma maior prevalência do subtipo histológico celularidade mista em pacientes EBV positivos (P = 0,005). Não houve diferença na positividade do EBV em relação à faixa etária, sexo, estádio da doença ou pela presença de sintomas B. A presença do EBV no LHC não influenciou a SLE (P = 0,38) ou a SG (P = 0,80) com uma mediana de acompanhamento de 71 meses. A expressão da MMP-9 ocorreu em 87,6% dos casos estudados. Não houve diferença de casos positivos e negativos em relação ao status do EBV (P = 0,59). Quando avaliada a intensidade da expressão da MMP-9 nos casos positivos também não observamos correlação com a presença do EBV (P = 0,62). Não houve diferença entre o resultado da MMP-9 e os parâmetros: subtipo histológico, estádio, presença de sintomas B, idade e sexo. Não houve influência da MMP-9 na SLE (P = 0,98) e SG (P = 0,60). Conclusões: Demonstramos que a prevalência do LH relacionado ao EBV na população estudada é de 52,5%, e que a presença do vírus não altera a evolução clínica, SLE e SG de pacientes tratados uniformemente. Concluímos ainda que a MMP-9 é fortemente expressa nas células HRS. Não há correlação entre a expressão de MMP-9 e o status do EBV. Nem a SG nem a SLE foram influenciadas pela expressão dessa enzima. / Clinical and histological features of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) are primarily due to the effects of cytokines, enzymes and chemokines produced by Hodgkin-Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells and their surrounding inflammatory cells in response to signals triggered by etiological factors such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) has been associated with poorer survival in patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas. In EBV-related cancers the expression of viral latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) correlates with an increased MMP-9 expression. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic relevance of MMP-9 expression and EBV status in HRS cells in patients with cHL in Brazil. Material and Methods: We selected 97 patients with cHL. Patients were included if they had: 1) > 18 years, 2) Undergone similar chemotherapy protocols, 3) Paraffin blocks available for review and for EBV and MMP-9 detection and 4) Clinical, epidemiological and laboratorial parameters available. Results: EBV was detected in 52.5% of all cases. MMP-9 expression positivity was found in 87.6% of all cases. There was no correlation between MMP-9 expression and EBV status. Response to treatment and relapse rate were independent of MMP-9 expression and EBV status. When stratified according to chemotherapy protocol used or disease stage, we still did not find any difference. MMP-9 positivity did not influence overall survival and event free survival. Conclusion: MMP-9 are expressed in the majority of HRS cells and did not correlated with EBV status or survival. The consistent MMP-9 expression in HRS cells makes this enzyme a potential target for therapy. / TEDE / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

Balance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) is required for normal wound healing. Chronic inflammation, such as that seen in cardiovascular and periodontal diseases, may upset this balance. The aim of this study was to determine whether initial periodontal therapy would have an effect systemically on the levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1. Twenty-one patients with generalized chronic periodontitis were enrolled in the study. Clinical examinations were conducted and parameters measured. Scaling and root planing was performed and blood analysis done to determine the plasma concentrations of MMP-9 and serum concentrations of TIMP-1. Initial periodontal therapy resulted in improvements in gingival inflammation and plaque levels. No effect on the plasma concentrations of MMP-9 and serum concentrations of TIMP-1 could be found following therapy.

Systemic inflammation is associated with impaired lung function. Inflammation is part of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the local and systemic inflammatory pattern differs. The overall aim was to evaluate systemic inflammatory markers in obstructive lung diseases and more specifically: To determine if CRP is related to respiratory symptoms, asthma, atopy and bronchial responsiveness (paper I), in a population sample from three countries (paper I and II); to evaluate if CRP is related to COPD, lung function and rate of lung function decline (paper II); to investigate the association of serum MMP-9 and TIMP-1 with lung function in a cross-sectional population based study (paper III); and finally, to study possible gender differences in the longitudinal association between CRP and lung function in a prospective population based study (paper IV). In the first study we reported that CRP was related to non-allergic asthma but not allergic asthma, and that CRP was related to respiratory symptoms such as wheeze, nocturnal cough and breathlessness after effort, but not associated with atopy or bronchial responsiveness. In the second study we found that COPD was more common in subjects in the highest CRP quartiles and higher CRP levels were associated with lower FEV1 values in both men and women, but the negative association between CRP and FEV1 was larger in men than women. The FEV1 decline was larger in men with high CRP levels, whereas no such association was found for women. In the third study we reported that lower FEV1 was associated with higher levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1 and their ratio MMP-9/TIMP-1. After stratification for gender this association was significant in men but not women. In the fourth study we found that CRP levels were associated with change in both FEV1 and FVC in men but not women. This association was found for both baseline CRP and change in CRP, confirming a stronger association between systemic inflammation and lung function decline in men than women. In conclusion, systemic inflammation is associated with non-allergic asthma but not allergic asthma. Our findings of a stronger association between the systemic inflammation and lung function impairment in men, but not women, may indicate a gender difference in the mechanisms of lung function decline.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-11-09Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:16:24Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 marangoni_nr_me_araca.pdf: 326349 bytes, checksum: 7dc73435330e73a5c923b91991a9e1f1 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / A leishmaniose visceral canina, causada pelo protozoário Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi, é uma doença de grande ocorrência principalmente na América Latina. A caracterização das lesões sistêmicas associadas à infecção pelo parasita tem sido amplamente estudada, entretanto, poucos autores elucidam a patogenia na forma nervosa. Com o objetivo de compreender melhor os mecanismos envolvidos na inflamação do sistema nervoso central de cães naturalmente infectados por L. chagasi, amostras de liquor e plexo coróide foram colhidas e submetidas à zimografia para a detecção de metaloproteinases (MMPs). Amostras do plexo coróide e liquor de cães sadios foram avaliadas como controle. Os géis de zimograma foram analisados quanto à presença e atividade proteolítica das metaloproteinases -2 e -9. Formas inativas das proteases foram detectadas no plexo coróide, sendo que o Grupo de animais positivos não diferiu do negativo. No liquor foram encontradas formas ativas e inativas das MMPs-2 e -9 e a atividade proteolítica das mesmas diferiu entre os Grupos positivo e negativo. A MMP-2 teve maior detecção nos animais negativos e a MMP-9 nos positivos. O aumento da MMP- 9 no liquor dos cães doentes representa seu possível envolvimento na patogenia das lesões encefálicas ao ocasionarem o rompimento das barreiras hematoencefálica e/ou hematoliquórica, permitindo a passagem de células e proteínas envolvidas no processo inflamatório / Canine visceral leishmaniasis, caused by the protozoan Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi, is a disease with high occurrence in Latin America. The characteristics of the systemic lesions related to the infection have been widely studied, but few studies clarify the disease on a neurological aspect. With the aim of a better understanding of the inflammation mechanisms within the central nervous system of dogs naturally infected by L. chagasi, some samples of cerebrospinal fluid and choroid plexus were collected and submitted to zymography to detect metalloproteinases (MMPs). Samples of choroid plexus and cerebrospinal fluid from healthy dogs were evaluated as control. The zymogram gels were analysed taking into account the presence and the proteolytic activity of metalloproteinase -2 and -9. Inactive forms of the proteases were detected in the choroid plexus, and the group of positive animals did not differ from negative ones. In the cerebrospinal fluid, active and inactive forms of MMP-2 and -9 were found, and their proteolytic activity differed between negative and positive groups. MMP-2 had higher detection in the negative animals and MMP-9 in the positive ones. The increasing of MMP-9 in the cerebrospinal fluid of infected dogs represents its possible involvement in the brain injuries, by causing the disruption of blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier and/or blood-brain-barrier, allowing the passage of cells and proteins involved in inflammation process

Orientador: Sergio Luis Felisbino / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-17T13:08:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Amorim_ElaineManoelaPorto_D.pdf: 2896871 bytes, checksum: d7581f6efdb5920a39d589672ca2a350 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: Diabetes mellitus é uma síndrome clínica heterogênea, causada pela falta de produção de insulina pelas células beta (?) pancreáticas ou pelo defeito nos receptores para insulina nas células-alvo, resultando em uma doença metabólica hiperglicêmica. Estudos têm demonstrado que as disfunções sexuais e reprodutivas incluindo impotência, redução da libido, prejuízo da espermatogênese, infertilidade e diminuição da qualidade espermática são frequentemente associadas com o diabete no homem e em animais de experimentação. Apesar dos efeitos do diabete sobre as funções testiculares e fertilidade de machos estarem bem esclarecidos, o impacto da doença sobre morfogênese e crescimento da próstata ainda não foi completamente descrito. Assim, o presente estudo teve por objetivo analisar os possíveis efeitos do diabete e da reposição com insulina durante o crescimento prostático na puberdade, com especial atenção para a atividade das metaloproteinases de matriz 2 e 9 (MMP-2 e MMP-9), enzimas envolvidas na remodelação dos componentes da matriz extracelular. Para tanto, foram realizadas análises morfológicas, morfométricas, imunoistoquímicas e bioquímicas de zimografia, nos lobos ventral, dorsolateral e anterior da próstata de ratos Wistar, nos quais o diabete foi induzido quimicamente aos 40 dias de idade por estreptozotocina. Nossos resultados mostraram que o diabete experimental prejudicou o crescimento glandular, caracterizado por um menor ganho de peso absoluto dos diferentes lobos da próstata e diminuição da relação parênquima/estroma, principalmente do lobo dorsolateral. O diabete causou diminuição nas concentrações plasmáticas de testosterona, mas não alterou a concentração de diidrotestosterona. As atividades das MMP-2 e MMP-9 foram menores no grupo diabético. O tratamento simultâneo e/ou tardio com insulina exógena além de reverter os parâmetros alterados nos animais diabéticos também foi efetivo em restaurar características histológicas e morfométricas dos lobos prostáticos em padrões semelhantes aos observados nos animais controles. Estes resultados permitem concluir que o diabete prejudica, mas não impede, o crescimento da próstata e causa importantes alterações estromais, evidenciadas pela diminuição da atividade das MMPs -2 e -9, reforçando o papel destas enzimas na próstata. Por outro lado, o tratamento com insulina reverteu os parâmetros alterados sugerindo que as alterações prostáticas causadas pelo diabete na próstata, nesta fase do desenvolvimento pós-natal, são aparentemente reversíveis. / Abstract: The Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous clinical syndrome caused by lack of insulin production by beta cells (?) or the pancreatic defect in insulin receptors on target cells, resulting in hyperglycemic metabolic disease. Studies have shown that the reproductive and sexual dysfunctions including impotence, decreased libido, impaired spermatogenesis and infertility, decreased sperm quality, are often associated with diabetes in humans and experimental animals. Although vast publications have checked the effects of diabetes on testicular function and fertility in males, the impact of disease on growth and morphogenesis of the prostate is still poor understood. Thus, this study aimed to examine the possible effects of diabetes and insulin replacement, during the maturation process prostate, with special attention to the matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP2 and MMP9), enzymes involved in the extracellular matrix components remodeling during development and growth of prostate. For both, analyze morphological, morphometric, immunocytochemical and biochemical zymography were done in the ventral, dorsolateral and anterior prostatic lobes of Wistar rats, which diabetes was chemically induced at 40 days old by streptozotocin. Our results showed that diabetes impaired th prostatic lobe growth, characterized by a low absolute weight gain and reduction in parenchyma/stroma ratio, mainly in the dorsolateral lobe. Diabetes caused a reduction in the testosterone plasma levels, but not in the dihydrotestosterone. The activities of MMP2 and MMP9 were reduced in the prostatic lobes from diabetic animals. Both simultaneous and late insulin treatment maintain and restored, respectively, the age-matched control morphological and morphometrical parameters. These results allow to conclude that diabetes interfere negatively in the prostate growth during puberty with important stromal changes, including reduction in MMP2 and MMP9 activities, reinforcing the role of these enzymes in the normal prostate morphogenesis. On the other hand, even a late insulin replacement can restore the deleterious effects of diabetes in the prostate during puberty. / Doutorado / Biologia Celular / Doutor em Biologia Celular e Estrutural

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第24497号 / 医博第4939号 / 新制||医||1064(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 中島 貴子, 教授 永井 純正, 教授 寺田 智祐 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) are reliant on the peritoneum to provide a semi-permeable barrier to allow for dialysis (solute clearance), salt and water removal (ultrafiltration). PD patients are at risk of developing peritoneal fibrosis and angiogenesis which can lead to a decline in peritoneal membrane function. Specifically, PD patients develop increased solute transport and decreased osmotic conductance leading to ultrafiltration failure. Peritoneal angiogenesis is the leading factor that results in augmented peritoneal membrane solute transport which is associated with worse outcomes – increased risk of mortality and PD technique failure. Transforming growth factor beta (TGFB) is one of the primary cytokines involved in inducing epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and fibrosis. We hypothesize that PD leads to injury of the epithelial lining of the peritoneum – the mesothelial cells. These cells undergo a transition process and transitioned mesothelium are a source for angiogenic and fibrogenic growth factors. Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) 9 is an angiogeneic factor and has been observed to correlate with increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). MMP9 has the ability to cleave and activate membrane bound factors such as E-cadherin and b-catenin respectively. There is substantial evidence that the canonical WNT/b-catenin pathway is active during fibrosis, and angiogenesis in different biological contexts. Thus, we investigated the role of MMP9 and WNT signaling in peritoneal angiogenesis. Limited evidence exists describing the role of noncanonical WNT signaling but some reports suggest that non-canonical WNT signaling inhibits WNT/b-catenin signaling. Non-canonical WNT5A has differential effects based on receptor context and has been shown to block WNT/b-catenin signaling in the presence of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Like Orphan Receptor 2 (Ror2). The overall hypothesis of this PhD thesis is that MMP9 and WNT signaling play a key role in inducing peritoneal angiogenesis and are associated with changes in peritoneal membrane function. We expect WNT5A and Ror2 to protect against peritoneal membrane injury. From the overnight effluent of stable PD patients, we cultured mesothelial cells and assayed these for expression of MMP and WNT related genes. MMP9 and WNT1 gene expression were observed to be strongly correlated with peritoneal membrane solute transport in patients on PD. WNT2 mRNA was also positively correlated with peritoneal solute transport. We overexpressed MMP9 in the mouse peritoneum to demonstrate its role in angiogenesis and confirmed these findings using MMP9 -/- mice. In addition to this, we have shown a novel mechanism by which MMP9 induces angiogenesis by E-cadherin cleavage and b-catenin mediated signaling. The observed cross-talk between MMP9 and b-catenin prompted investigation of the activation of canonical WNT/b-catenin signaling in development of peritoneal membrane injury. In an experimental model of TGFB induced pertioneal injury, we confirmed the activation of WNT/b-catenin signaling. In addition to this we, we blocked the WNT pathway and observed that WNT/b-catenin signaling is required to induce peritoneal angiogenesis. WNT5A mRNA was downregulated during TGFB induced injury suggesting a more protective role. Furthermore, several studies have demonstrated its ability to antagonize the WNT/b-catenin signaling pathway. We demonstrated that WNT5A protected against angiogenesis by blocking the canonical WNT pathway. WNT5A is thought to antagonize the WNT/b-catenin signaling pathway by signaling through receptor Ror2. In cell culture, we overexpressed TGFB and blocked Ror2. This resulted in elevated levels of VEGF and fibronectin suggesting that Ror2 is involved in mediating protection. Therefore, Ror2 possesses the ability to regulate VEGF and may be a potential candidate by which WNT5A mediates its protective effects. In conclusion, our findings identified MMP9 and WNT1 as potential biomarkers of increased peritoneal solute transport in patients that are on PD. We have also found a novel mechanism by which MMP9 interacts with b-catenin to induce peritoneal angiogenesis and have provided a first look at WNT/b-catenin signaling in peritoneal angiogenesis. Lastly, we have shown WNT5A to protect against peritoneal angiogenesis. Taken together, our findings are not only significant to the realm of PD research but hold wide applicability to research in the biomedical sciences. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

A diminuição da biodisponibilidade do óxido nítrico (NO) e o aumento na atividade das metaloproteinases da matriz extracelular (MMPs) são alguns dos principais mecanismos fisiopatogênicos envolvidos nas doenças cardiovasculares (DCV). Foi demonstrado que o NO pode reduzir a expressão e atividade de MMPs em células musculares lisas vasculares, células mesangiais, entre outras. Em outro estudo, foi mostrado que drogas inibidoras da NO sintase (NOS) podem aumentar a expressão de MMPs. Apesar de o NO apresentar-se diminuído e as MMPs aumentadas durante as DCV, não há evidência clara de que os níveis de NO possam modular diretamente a atividade de MMPs no aparelho cardiovascular. Também não se sabe se este possível efeito seria mediado pelo NFB, nem se este possível efeito é dependente da ativação da guanilato ciclase [que promove a formação de GMP cíclico (GMPc)]. Desta maneira, este estudo teve como objetivos: A) investigar os efeitos de drogas ativadoras da via NO-GMP sobre os aumentos da atividade e expressão de MMP-9 em células endoteliais que acontecem sob efeito de phorbol 12-miristato 13-acetato (PMA, droga indutora da expressão de MMP-9); e B) determinar se a inibição de NOS em células endoteliais é acompanhada por aumento da atividade e expressão de MMPs, e C) determinar se estes efeitos são dependentes da ativação de NFB ou da formação de GMPc. Células endoteliais de veia umbilical humana (HUVECs) foram cultivadas em DMEM e tratadas por 24 horas com 10 nmol/L de PMA ou diferentes concentrações de drogas ativadoras da via NO-GMP ou de inibidor da NOS. Meio de cultura condicionado ou lisado celular foram coletados e submentidos aos ensaios de zimografia, ELISA, immunoblotting ou análise da concentração de nitrito. Os tratamentos com detanonoato, SNAP, atorvastatina e nitrito de sódio diminuíram os aumentos da atividade gelatinolítica e expressão de MMP-9 estimulados por PMA sem afetar as concentrações do inibidor tecidual da metaloproteinase da matriz-1 (TIMP-1). Esses efeitos não foram modificados pelos tratamentos com ODQ (inibidor da guanilato ciclase solúvel) ou 8- bromo-cGMP (um análogo de GMPc) ou hemoglobina (um sequestrador de NO). Enquanto o PMA aumentou a concentração de fosfo-NFB p65, os tratamentos com SNAP, atorvastatina ou nitrito não apresentaram influência sobre esse efeito. O tratamento com L-NAME, um inibidor da NOS, não apresentou efeito sobre a atividade gelatinolítica de MMP-9. Em conclusão, foram demonstrados que os efeitos inibitórios de drogas ativadoras da via NO-GMPc sobre a produção estimulada de MMP-9 em células endoteliais são independentes de mecanismos mediados por GMPc e NFB, e a inibição da NOS não altera a atividade de MMP-9. / Impaired nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and imbalanced matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activity have important roles in the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in cardiovascular disease (CVD). It was shown that NO can reduce MMPs expression and activity in vascular smooth muscle cells, mesangial cells, and others. In another study, a NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor has increased MMPs expression. Although NO was decreased and MMPs was increased during CVD, there is clear evidence that NO levels can directly modulate MMPs activity in the cardiovascular system. Also, it is not known whether this effect would be mediated by NFB, nor whether this effect is dependent on guanylate cyclase activity (which promotes the formation of cyclic GMP). Thus, this project aims to study whether A) the effect of NO donors might decrease MMP-9 activity and expression in endothelial cells stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) (a well-known inducer of MMP-9), and B) the effect of NOS inhibitors might increase MMPs activity and expression in endothelial cells, and C) to determine whether those effects are mediated by the NFB activation or cGMP levels. Endothelial cells from human umbilical vein (HUVECs) were grown in modified DMEM and were treated for 24 hours with 10 nmol/L PMA or different concentrations of NO-GMPc pathway stimulating drugs or NOS inhibitor. Conditioned medium or cell lysate were collected after treatments and analyzed by zymography, ELISA, immunoblotting or to determine nitrite concentration. Detanonoate, SNAP, atorvastatin or sodium nitrite treatments attenuated PMA-induced increases in MMP- 9 gelatinolytic activity and expression, but they had no effect on tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) concentrations. These effects were not modified by ODQ (a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor), or 8-bromo-cGMP (cGMP analogue), or hemoglobin (a NO scavenger). While PMA increased phospho-NFB p65 concentration, SNAP, atorvastatin or nitrite had no influence on this effect. The treatment with L-Name, a NOS inhibitor, had no effect on MMP-9 activity. In conclusion, this study shows that the inhibitory effects of NO-GMPc pathway stimulating drugs on MMP-9 production by endothelial cells are independent of cGMP- and NFB-mediated mechanisms, and NOS inhibitor had no effect on MMP-9 levels