O Transtorno Depressivo Maior (TDM) é uma condição psiquiátrica que afeta 4,4% da população mundial, exibindo um substancial sofrimento pessoal, incapacidade e custos sociais, e estima-se que ele será a principal causa de incapacidade no mundo em 2030. O surgimento de novas ferramentas e modelos de pesquisa envolvendo o TDM irá auxiliar no entendimento desta doença. Deste modo, o objetivo deste trabalho foi gerar uma coleção de células-tronco pluripotentes induzidas humanas (hiPSCs) de um grupo de indivíduos com TDM. Foram coletadas amostras de células mononucleares (MNCs) de 66 indivíduos afetados, e geradas 6 linhagens de hiPSCs. Através de diversos testes de caracterização, a pluripotência destas células foi confirmada. Além disto, também foi padronizada a diferenciação destas hiPSCs em neurônios serotonérgicos. Neurônios derivados dessas hiPSCs poderão constituir material de estudo para outros grupos de pesquisa interessados no estudo da TDM, e ser utilizados em testes futuros para prever resposta a medicamentos. / Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a psychiatric condition that affects 4.4% of the world\'s population, exhibiting substantial personal suffering, disability and social costs, and is estimated to be the leading cause of disability in the world by 2030. Emergence of new tools and research models involving TDM will aid in the understanding of this disease. Thus, the objective of this work was to generate a collection of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) from a group of individuals with MDD. Samples of mononuclear cells (MNCs) of 66 affected individuals were collected, and 6 lines of hiPSCs were generated. Through several characterization tests, the pluripotency of these cells was confirmed. In addition, the differentiation of these hiPSCs into serotonergic neurons was also standardized. Neurons derived from these hiPSCs could constitute study material for other research groups interested in the study of MDD, and be used in future tests to predict drug response.

We have studied the effect of interferon α (IFN-α) on MHC class II expression by human buccal epithelial cells (BEC), and mRNA expression by BEC and mucosal-associated mononuclear cells (MAMC). In 6 experiments, freshly collected BEC were suspended at a concentration of 1.0 x 105/ml in RPMI 1640 and incubated in the presence of 0-10000 IU/ml of human lymphoblastoid IFN-α (HuIFN-α). Zero and six hour samples were analyzed by single color flow cytometry using FITC-labeled murine IgG1 monoclonal antibody to HLA-DR. Preparations were also analyzed for expression of cytokine transcripts (IL-2 IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IFN-γ, GM-CSF) by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Increasing concentrations of IFN-α resulted in proportionate increases in the percentage of HLA-DR + BEC (r = 0.7897, p = 0.0627) and in the percentage of HLA-DR + staining at higher intensities (101 to 102 log fluorescence intensity) (LFI) (r = 0.40l0, p = 0.0424). The percentage of HLA-DR + BEC rose from a mean of 1.5% with no IFN-α to 7% with 10000 IU/ml IFN-α (p < 0.05). The percentage of HLA-DR + BEC staining at 101 to 102 LFI rose from a mean of 8.3% with no added IFN-α to 19.2% with 10000 IU/ml IFN-α (p <0.05). Unstimulated BEC constitutively expressed IL-8 and GM-CSF. IFN-α stimulated preparations also expressed IFN-γ, possibly due to the presence of MAMC, which comprised 2-9% of the total cell population. These data indicated that HuIFN-α upregulates MHC class II expression by human BEC, possibly by enhancing IFN-γ production by MAMC present in the culture preparations.

No description available.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Duane L. Davis / Intestinal absorption of colostral leukocytes (CL), peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and porcine umbilical cord matrix stem cells (PUC) was analyzed in neonatal pigs. Maternal CL have previously been demonstrated in pigs, and maternal PBMC have been observed in calves to enter neonatal circulation after ingestion. PUC are primitive stem cells that are easily isolated from Wharton's jelly of the porcine umbilical cord. These cells do not have an immunogenic effect on the host upon initial transplantation. The general characteristics of PUC may allow them to serve as a delivery system to the neonate. Cellular migration through the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum was assessed using confocal microscopy. In vitro experiments utilized an organ explant culture system to determine the trafficking of labeled cells. Small-intestine tissue was collected from stillborn and sacrificed neonates. All three cell types (CL, PBMC, and PUC) were detected below the luminal surface, after 72 h of culture with media, and regardless of whether explants were from stillborns or live-born pigs. In vivo trafficking was assessed using neonatal pigs that were fed PBMC isolated from their mother or PUC from an unrelated pig. The effect of prior exposure to 25% acellular colostrum (AC) in medium was evaluated for both cell types. Piglets were euthanized 8 h or 24 h post feeding and sections of the small intestine collected. Both PBMC and PUC were found in all intestinal samples. Exposure to AC had no detected effect on the ability of either cell type to attach and migrate into the tissue. Labeled PUC were detected on the surface of the epithelium and in the lamina propria 8 h post treatment. PBMC were observed on the surface of the epithelium, in the lamina propria, and superficial submucosa 8 h following ingestion. In neonates sacrificed 24 h post treatment, both PUC and PBMC were observed on the surface of the epithelium, in the lamina propria, superficial submucosa, and deep submucosa of the small intestine. PUC and PBMC were noted at the apex, intermediate between the apex and the base, or at the base of the villus.

The increasing incidence of children suffering from allergic diseases could be caused by sensitization of immature immune system during the intrauterine development. Several important scientific papers have demonstrated the ability of cord blood cells to respond by elevated proliferation activity after stimulation by common allergens. Following these findings, present study follows the production of cytokines which play a role in the pro- and anti-allergenic tuning of the immune system. Umbilical cord blood cells were stimulated with polyclonal activators (phytohaemagglutinin) and common allergens (ovalbumin, timothy grass, birch, mite). Subsequently, cytokine production was monitored using selected methods that reflect different stages of cell activation - at the level of mRNA by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR), by flow cytometry detection of the presence of intracellular cytokines in different cell subpopulations and by ELISA measurement of cytokines in CBMC culture supernatants. The results obtained point to a very weak ability of these common allergens (timothy grass, birch, mite, ovalbumin) to stimulate CBMC to produce cytokines observed by all of these methodological procedures. Although we did not observe significant differences in CBMC cytokine production (IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12,...

O enfisema pulmonar define-se como a destruição das paredes alveolares e consequente dispneia progressiva. Este trabalho objetivou a adequação de um modelo de transplante celular in vivo de BMMC em camundongos com enfisema pulmonar. O enfisema foi induzido por instilação nasal de elastase (4 UI por animal). O diâmetro alveolar médio para os grupos não tratados e tratados com elastase apresentou diferença estatisticamente significativa, e mudanças no padrão de expressão de metaloproteinases envolvidas no processo inflamatório foram detectadas, indicando que a instilação de uma dose de elastase promove lesão semelhante ao enfisema pulmonar. Infundiu-se 0,4ml de BMMC (7x106 céls./ml) nestes animais. No grupo tratado com células, detectou-se mudanças morfométricas e no padrão de expressão de metaloproteinases, indicando melhora na evolução da lesão pulmonar 21 dias após a infusão. Foram ainda avaliadas duas e três doses do pool de BMMC, porém os resultados das análises mostraram que não há diferenças entre estre grupos e os grupos controle. / Pulmonary emphysema is defined as the destruction of the alveolar walls and consequent progressive dyspnea. This study aimed the adequacy of a model of BMMC transplantation in vivo in mice with pulmonary emphysema. Emphysema was induced by nasal instillation of elastase (4 IU per animal). The mean linear intercept for the groups untreated and treated with elastase showed a statistically significant difference, and changes in the pattern of expression of metalloproteinases involved in inflammation were detected, indicating that the instillation of a dose of elastase promotes lung damage similar to emphysema. 0.4 ml of BMMC (7x106 céls. / ml) was infused in these animals. In the group treated with cells there were detected and morphometric changes in the pattern of expression of metalloproteinases, indicating an improvement in the evolution of lung injury 21 days after infusion. Were also evaluated two and three doses of the pool BMMC, but the results of the analysis showed no differences between experimental and the control groups.

A Imunodeficiência de Variável Comum (ICV) é caracterizada por baixos níveis de imunoglobulinas com susceptibilidade a. Analisamos a distribuição de linfócitos, apoptose espontânea e a expressão gênica de receptores de morte, ligantes, adaptadores, moléculas reguladoras, inibidoras e anti-apotóticas em células CD4+ e CD8+ de 19 pacientes ICV e 19 controles. Pacientes com ICV apresentam diminuição na frequência de linfócitos TCD4+ e CD4+CD45RA+ e menor relação CD4/CD8 que indivíduos saudáveis. O grupo de pacientes mostrou maior frequência de apoptose espontânea em linfócitos totais e CD4+. Células CD4+ dos indivíduos afetados apresentaram menor expressão gênica de TRAIL-R, BCL-2, FLIPL e FADD; células CD8+ apresentaram diminuição da expressão gênica de TRAIL, FADD, BCL-2, BCL -xL e um aumento de FLIPs. Os resultados sugerem um desequilíbrio nos mecanismos que controlam a apoptose de linfócitos nestes pacientes, o que pode ajudar a elucidar as alterações observadas no compartimento de células T dos pacientes com ICV. / Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) is is characterized by low immunoglobulins levels with susceptibility to infections. We have analyzed T cell distribution and spontaneous apoptosis in peripheral blood of CVID, as well as gene expression of several molecules involved in apoptosis, including death receptors, ligands, adapters, regulatory and anti-apototic molecules in CD4+ and CD8+ cells of 19 CVID patients and 19 healthy subjects. CVID subjects present decreased frequency of TCD4+ and CD4+ CD45RA+ cells and lower CD4/CD8 ratio than healthy controls. CVID group also presented higher frequency of spontaneous apoptosis in lymphocytes and CD4+ cells. CD4+ showed lower expression of TRAIL-R, BCL-2, FLIPL and FADD; CD8+ cells presented lower expression of TRAIL, FADD, BCL-2, BCL-xL and a augment of FLIP. Results suggest an imbalance in mechanisms controlling cell death of those patients lymphocytes, which might help to elucidate the changes observed in T cell compartment of CVID patients.

Neste trabalho avaliamos a formação de oxigênio singlete in vitro em fagócitos, (células mononucleares e neutrófilos) isolados de sangue periférico humano, e eosinófilos, de lavado bronco alveolar de camundongos balb/c, ativados por estímulo partículado: zimosan opsonizado contendo o 9,10difenilantraceno (DPA) adsorvido como sonda captadora de 1O2. Por este método, a formação do 1O2 pode ser verificada pela formação do 9,10-difenilantraceno endoperóxido (DPAO2), que é detectado por HPLC. Observamos, que os fagócitos formam 1O2 e que esta formação parece ocorrer de forma diferenciada para os dois tipos celulares (neutrófilos e células mononucleares). Visando ampliar os estudos anteriores sobre o papel da melatonina (MLT) no processo inflamatório, foi testado seu efeito em fagócitos e a relação na produção de 1O2 destas células. Observamos que MLT inibe a formação de 1O2 totalmente no caso de neutrófilos e parcialmente no caso de células mononucleares e eosinófilos. Paralelamente, foi desenvolvida a síntese de um novo captador químico de 1O2, o éster 9,10-antracenil-3-bispropionato de etila (ABPE), cuja finalidade principal é o acúmulo no interior da célula, depois de sofrer hidrólise enzimática. Esta sonda, terá facil acesso ao interior das células em sua forma ester. Este novo captador de 1O2 foi testado em células mononucleares e neutrófilos estimulados de formas diferentes: via receptor independente e dependente. Os resultados demonstraram produção equivalente de 1O2 nestes fagócitos. / In this study, we evaluated the singlet oxygen (1O2) formation in vitro from phagocytes (neutrophils and mononuclear cells) isolated from human blood cells and eosinophils isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of mice balb/c activated, by opsonized zymosan. To determine whether singlet oxygen is produced by phagocytes, zymosan particles were coated with a specific chemical trap for 1O2, 9,10-diphenylanthracene (DPA). The production of 1O2 was followed using HPLC, to measure its product, 9,10-diphenylanthracene endoperoxide (DPAO2). We also noticed that the 1O2 production occurs at different levels of for two cell types, neutrophils and mononuclear cells. In order to broaden previous studies on the role of melatonin (MLT) in inflammatory processes, its effect was tested in phagocytes was tested in relation to 1O2 formation by these cells. We observed that MLT inhibits the 1O2 formation totallymt neutrophils and partiallym mononuclear cells and eosinophils. At the some time, it was also developed the synthesis of a new probe for 1O2, the 9,10-anthracene-bis-3-ethyl-propionate (ABEP), with the purpose to accumulate inside the cells, after its enzymatic hydrolysis. This probe presents easy acess to the inferior of the cells in its ester form. This new probe for trapping 1O2 was tested in mononuclear cells and neutrophils stimulated in two ways: via independent and dependent receptor. The results showed equivalent production of 1O2 for both cell types.

Propriedades biológicas de ácidos graxos poli-insaturados ômega-3 (AGPIs ômega-3), particularmente dos ácidos eicosapentaenoico (EPA) e docosahexanoico (DHA), sugerem seu benefício clínica em condições inflamatórias. A incorporação leucocitária de AGPIs ômega-3 é importante para que suas propriedades anti-inflamatórias ocorram. Comparado com administração por via digestiva, a infusão parenteral de emulsões lipídicas (EL) contendo AGPIs ômega-3 tem incorporação celular precoce. Experimentalmente, em ratos saudáveis, o pico de incorporação celular de AGPIs ômega-3 ocorreu 72 horas após a infusão parenteral de ELs contendo óleo de peixe como fonte de EPA e DHA. Em ratos a incorporação celular de AGPIs ômega-3 administrados por via parenteral foi mais rápida quando infundidos em conjunto com triglicérides de cadeia média (TCM) do que associados a AGPIs. Uma EL parenteral contendo quantidades elevadas de TCM (50%) em sua formulação tornou-se recentemente disponível para a prática clínica e poderia ser útil para facilitar a incorporação celular de AGPIs ômega-3. Nosso trabalho avaliou experimentalmente as modificações de incorporação leucocitária de AGPIs ômega-3 após infusão parenteral de nova EL contendo óleo de peixe e alto teor de TCM (grupo TCM / TCL / OP). Estudamos estas modificações em células mononucleares e polimorfonucleares após 48 e 72 horas de infusão e em comparação com EL experimental contendo a mesma quantidade de AGPIs ômega-3 e menor de TCM (grupo TCL / OP). Os resultados demonstraram que, após 48 h de infusão, o grupo OP apresentou menos ômega-6 do que o grupo TCM, enquanto as quantidades de ômega 3 eram similares tanto em células mono, quanto em polimorfonucleares. Após 72h, todos os grupos apresentaram diminuição no conteúdo de AGPIs ômega-6 e ômega-3. A razão entre ômega-6 / ômega-3 foi similar entre os grupos no tempo 48h e melhor no grupo OP no tempo 72h. Nossos resultados indicam que a presença de TCM na EL parenteral contendo OP parece não influenciar a dinâmica de incorporação leucocitária de AGPIs / Biological properties of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFA), particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), suggest its clinical benefit under inflammatory conditions. The leukocyte incorporation of omega-3PUFAs is important for its anti-inflammatory properties to occur. Compared with digestive administration, parenteral infusion of lipid emulsions (LE) containing omega-3 PUFAs has early cellular uptake. Experimentally, in healthy rats, the peak cellular uptake of omega-3 PUFAs occurred 72 hours after parenteral infusion of fish oil lipid emulsion (FOLE) as the source of EPA and DHA. In rats, the cellular uptake of parenterally administered omega-3 PUFAs was faster when infused together with medium chain triglycerides (MCT). A parenteral LE containing high amounts of MCT (50%) in its formulation become available for clinical practice and could be useful to facilitate the cellular uptake of omega-3 PUFAs. Our work experimentally evaluated the leukocyte incorporation modifications of omega-3 PUFAs after parenteral infusion of new FOLE and high MCT content (MCT / LCT / FO group). We studied these changes in mononuclear and polymorphonuclear leuckocytes after 48 and 72 hours of infusion and compared with experimental LE containing the same amount of omega-3 and lower MCT-PUFAs (LCT / FO group). The results showed that, after 48 h of infusion, the FO group had less omega-6 than the MCT group, whereas the omega 3 amounts were similar in both mono- and polymorphonuclear cells. After 72 h, all groups had a decrease in the content of PUFAs omega-6 and omega-3. The ratio of omega-6 / omega-3 was similar between the groups at time 48h and better in the FO group at time 72h. Our results indicate that the presence of MCT in FOLE does not seem to influence the leukocyte incorporation dynamics of omega-3 PUFAs

O carcinoma epidermoide é a neoplasia maligna mais comum em boca e está entre as principais causas de morbidade e mortalidade em todo o mundo, devido a seu comportamento agressivo, evoluindo à metástase loco regional e a distância. O microambiente tumoral contém numerosos tipos celulares e muita atenção tem sido dada na literatura científica sobre a participação das células inflamatórias no desenvolvimento e progressão do câncer, pois as células neoplásicas são capazes de subverter a resposta imune. Os linfócitos T são o componente central na imunidade antitumoral, através da produção de citocinas por células e morte celular. Pouco se sabe sobre como substratos derivados de células neoplásicas influenciam as células no microambiente tumoral. Assim, o presente estudo propôs analisar a influência do meio condicionado derivado de células de carcinoma epidermoide de língua (SCC4 e MC SCC9) sobre linfoblastos (CEM) e células mononucleares do sangue periférico (PBMC-A e PBMC-B) para compreender melhor seu papel na imunidade anti-tumoral, imunoedição e evasão imune. Após estimulação com meio condicionado, os linfoblastos e as PBMCs foram submetidas ao ensaio de viabilidade celular, de citometria de fluxo e RT-qPCR para analisar a expressão de genes de apoptose e citocinas. O meio condicionado também foi coletado e avaliado por ELISA para verificar as citocinas secretadas pelas SCCs, bem como pela CEM e PBMC. Ambos meios condicionados foram capazes de reduzir a viabilidade da CEM e das PBMCs. A expressão de BCL2 e BAK não foi afetada na CEM, enquanto que MC SCC4 aumentou a expressão de BAK na PBMC-B. Os MCs das SCCs apresentaram expressão reduzida de IL-1?, IL-10 e INF-?. A IL-6 e IL-8 são expressas em níveis um pouco maiores pela SCC4 e superexpressas pela SCC9. A linhagem CEM não apresentou expressão de RNAm de IL-6, enquanto que a PBMC-B apresentou redução da expressão de IL-6 quando cultivada com ambos meios, sendo significativa com o meio MC SCC9. A expressão de RNAm de IL-8 reduziu na CEM e aumentou na PBMC-B com ambos os meios. A diferenciação para células CD4+ aumentou com ambos os MCs nas duas linhagens, reduzindo células CD34+. O MC SCC4 não alterou o número de linfócitos T CD4+/FOXP3+ da CEM e PBMC-B. O MC SCC9 induziu aumento da população CD4+/CD8+ na PBMC-B e amos os MCs induziram aumento da população CD8+/FOXP3+ da PBMC-B. Os resultados sugerem que os produtos derivados de carcinoma epidermoide de língua podem variar nas linhagens celulares, reduzindo a viabilidade, alterando a expressão de citocinas e aumentando as células CD4+ nas duas linhagens e aumentando o perfil CD8+/FOXP3+ e CD4+/CD8+ nas PBMCs. / Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant neoplasm of the oral cavity, featuring as one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality due to its aggressive behavior, locoregional and distant metastases. Attention has been given to the tumor microenvironment and the role of the inflammatory cells may develop in the progression of cancer, because neoplastic cells are capable of subverting the immune response. T cells play is a central actor in the antitumor immunity because of their cytokine production by living and dying cells. Little is known about how the products derived from neoplastic cells interact with the cells in the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze the influence of a conditioned medium (CM) derived from tongue squamous carcinoma cells (SCC4 and SCC9) on lymphoblasts (CEM) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC-A e PBMC-B), in order to better understand its role in the antitumor immunity, immunoediting and immune evasion. Lymphoblast and PBMCs were stimulated by the conditioned medium and then submitted to a cell viability assay, flow cytometry and RT-qPCR in order to analyze the expression of apoptotic and cytokine-related genes. To verify which cytokines were secreted by SCCs as well as by CEM and PBMCs, the conditioned medium was also collected and evaluated by ELISA. Both types of conditioned medium reduced CEM and PBMC viability. For CEM, BCL2 and BAK expression remained unaffected, wherea s for PBMC-B there was an increase in the expression of BAK using the CM-SCC4. CMs showed reduced expression of IL-1?, IL-10 and INF-?. IL-6 and IL-8 are expressed a bit higher levels by SCC4 and high expressed by SCC9.CEM showed no IL-6 mRNA expression. PBMC-B reduced the expression of IL-6 when cultivated with both types of CM, with a significant reduction with the CM- SCC9. For both types of medium, IL-8 mRNA was reduced in CEM and increased in PBMC-B. The differentiation towards CD4+ cells was increased with both MCs in the two cell lines. CM-SCC4 did not altered the number of CD4+/FOXP3 cells of CEM and PBMC-B. CM-SCC9 increased the population of CD4+/CD8+ cells of PBMC-B and both types of CM increased the population of CD8+/FOXP3+ of PBMC-B. Collectively, our results suggest that the products derived from tongue squamous cell carcinoma may vary between the cell lines and reduce the viability, change cytokine expression and increase CD4+ cells and also increase the population of CD8+/FOXP3+ and CD4+/CD8+ in PBMCs.