Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2006. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xi, 261 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2007. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 103 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Η κυτταροφαγία βακτηρίων από τα πολυμορφοπύρηνα κύτταρα του αίματος του ανθρώπου επιτυγχάνεται με την ενεργοποίηση διαφόρων σηματοδοτικών μονοπατιών. Η σηματοδότηση ξεκινάει με την προσκόλληση των βακτηρίων στην πλασματική μεμβράνη των κυττάρων και καταλήγει στην αναδιοργάνωση του κυτταροσκελετού, στο σημείο επαφής, για τη δημιουργία του φαγοσώματος. Διάφορες μορφές δραστικού οξυγόνου, όπως το Η2Ο2, παράγονται παρουσία βακτηρίων, και δρουν ως σηματοδοτικά μόρια. Στην εργασία αυτή μελετήθηκε η παραγωγή και η συμμετοχή του Η2Ο2 στην κυτταροφαγία E.coli από τα ανθρώπινα πολυμορφοπύρηνα κύτταρα. Για το σκοπό αυτό, χρησιμοποιήθηκε το εξειδικευμένο φθορίζον μόριο, διυδροροδαμίνη (DHR) - που οξειδώνεται από το Η2Ο2 - καθώς και φθορίζοντα βακτήρια E. coli. Πειράματα κυτταρομετρίας ροής έδειξαν ότι τα πολυμορφοπύρηνα παράγουν Η2Ο2 παρουσία E. coli, ενώ παράλληλα δείχτηκε με έμμεσο τρόπο, με ανοσοαποτύπωση, η μετατόπιση της κυτταροπλασματικής υπομονάδας p47 για την συγκρότηση μεμβρανικής NADPH οξειδάσης. Το ένζυμο αυτό παράγει υπεροξεικά ιόντα τα οποία μετατρέπονται, στη συνέχεια, σε Η2Ο2 από τη δεσμουτάση SOD. Ο ενεργός ρόλος του Η2Ο2 στη ρύθμιση της κυτταροφαγίας, επιβεβαιώθηκε με τη χρήση εξειδικευμένων αναστολέων για τα ένζυμα της σύνθεσής του, N-εθυλμαλειμίδιο (N-ethylmaleimide - nem) για τη NADPH οξειδάση και διεθυλδιθειοκαρβαμικό (diethyldithiocarbamate – ddc) για την δεσμουτάση του υπεροξεικού ανιόντος. Οι αναστολείς αυτοί μείωσαν και την παραγωγή του Η2Ο2 και την κυτταροφαγία βακτηρίων σε καλλιέργεια λευκών αιμοσφαιρίων. Ανοσοαποτυπώματα για τις ΜΑΡ κινάσες, p38 και ΕΡΚ1/2, από εκχύλισμα λευκών αιμοσφαιρίων, μετά από καλλιέργεια παρουσία των παραπάνω αναστολέων, έδειξαν ότι κατά την κυτταροφαγία E. coli, μόνο η φωσφορυλίωση της ERK1/2 μειώνεται όταν μειώνεται η παραγωγή Η2Ο2. Είναι γνωστό ότι το Η2Ο2 απενεργοποιεί φωσφατάσες πρωτεϊνικών τυροσινών (PTPs). Από τα αποτελέσματα μπορεί να υποτεθεί ότι το Η2Ο2 που παράγεται κατά την κυτταροφαγία, απενεργοποιεί τις PTPs, ενισχύοντας τη δράση κινασών τη φωσφορυλίωση της ERK1/2 και να ολοκληρωθεί η διαδικασία της κυτταροφαγίας. Αναστολή της παραγωγής του Η2Ο2 αυξάνει τη δράση των PTPs, την αποφωσφορυλίωση της pERK1/2 και τελικά να μειώνει την κυταροφαγία. / Phagocytosis by human polymorphonuclear blood cells, is achieved by the activation of several signaling pathways. Signaling is initiated with the attachment of the bacteria on the plasma membrane of the cells and is completed with the remodeling of actin on that sight leading to the formation of the phagosome. Certain reactive oxygen species, such as Η2Ο2, which are produced in the presence of bacteria, have been referred to act as signaling molecules. In the present work, we investigated the production and participation of Η2Ο2 in the phagocytosis of E. coli by the human polymorphonuclear cells. For this purpose specific fluorescent probe dihydrorhodamine (DHR) - which is oxidised by H2O2 - and fluorescent E. coli were used. Flow cytometry analysis revealed the production of Η2Ο2 by polymorphonuclears, during phagocytosis of E. coli, while in parallel, it was indirectly shown with immunoblotting, the translocation of cytoplasmic p47 subunit for the assembly of the membrane NADPH oxidase. This enzyme produces superoxide ions which are then converted in H2O2 by superoxide dismutase (SOD). The active role of Η2Ο2, in the regulation of phagocytosis, was confirmed with the use of specific enzyme inhibitors of its synthesis, N-ethylmaleimide (nem) for the NADPH oxidase and diethyldithiocarbamate (ddc) for superoxide dismutase. These inhibitors decreased E. coli phagocytosis in polymorphonuclear cells cultures along with the decrease of Η2Ο2 production. Immunoblot analysis of ΜΑΡ kinases p38 and ERK1/2, from crude extracts of cultured white blood cells, in the presence of the above inhibitors, showed that the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was reduced when H2O2 was blocked. On the other hand, p38 phosphorylation was not influenced at all. It is known that the target molecules of Η2Ο2 are a family of protein tyrosin phosphatases (PTPs) which are getting inactivate. From the above data, it may be assumed that Η2Ο2, which is produced by the polymorphonuclear blood cells, during phagocytosis, inactivates these enzymes, in order to promote the activity of kinases enhancing the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, among others, so that phagocytosis to be completed. Thus, when the H2O2 production is inhibited, the activity of the PTPs increases, leading to the dephosphorylation of pERK1/2 and the observed decrease of bacterial uptake.

ABCB10, or ATP binding cassette sub-family B member 10, is a protein localized in the mitochondrial inner membrane. It belongs to the ABC transporter family whose members are proteins that facilitate substrate transport across various biological membranes. It has been found that ABCB10 is required for normal heme biosynthesis during erythroid differentiation and also plays a role in protection against the damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. This protective effect exists both in the erythrocyte development and in the heart recovery after the ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, as an ABC transporter, its transported substrates are not known, neither is the mechanism by which ABCB10 plays a role in protection against ROS damage. In this dissertation an 8-azido-ATP photolabeling system is established to study the ATP binding and hydrolysis properties of ABCB10. Using this approach, it is found that the conserved amino acid residues Gly497 and Lys498 in the Walker A motif of the nucleotide binding domain of ABCB10 are required for ATP binding. On the other hand, Gly602 in the C-loop motif and Glu624 in the end of the Walker B motif are necessary for ATP hydrolysis. In addition, most ABC transporters increase ATP hydrolysis in the presence of their substrates. Therefore, the 8-azido-ATP photolabeling system can be utilized to test potential substrates of ABCB10. Substances related to the heme biosynthesis such as δ-aminolevulinic acid (dALA) and the mitochondrial redox state such as oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and reduced glutathione (GSH) are tested for this purpose. The 8-azido-ATP photolabeling system shows that GSSG stimulates ATP hydrolysis without affecting ATP binding, whereas GSH decreases ATP binding. Further study shows that the nucleotide binding domain of ABCB10 is glutathionylated at the cysteine residue on the position 547 (Cys547), suggesting that GSH may modulate ABCB10 activity via the glutathionylation-regulated ATP binding. This is a first insight into the molecular mechanism by which the mitochondrial redox state, through the regulation by GSH and GSSG, can modulate ABCB10 activity. / 2016-09-01T00:00:00Z

Obesity is associated with dysfunction of adipose tissue due to oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to insulin resistance. Thiosulfate sulfurtransferase (Tst) was previously identified as an adipose-expressed anti-diabetic gene that protects against diet-induced metabolic impairment when upregulated in adipose tissue of mice. TST is a mitochondrial enzyme involved in the metabolism of cyanide, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S). This thesis tested the hypothesis that TST maintains metabolic health in the face of dietary obesity. To do this, I investigated the adipose-tissue phenotypes and metabolic consequences of Tst gene deletion (Tst–/– mice) and of adipose tissue-specific overexpression of human TST (Ad-hTST mice) after exposure to high fat diet (HFD). After 20 weeks of HFD, Tst–/– mice exhibited impaired glucose tolerance despite unchanged adipose tissue inflammatory cell infiltration, protein carbonylation and unfolded protein response activation. However, levels of mRNA encoding mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase 2 and peroxiredoxin 3 were lower in Tst–/– mice on HFD. Unexpectedly, chow-fed Tst-/- mice had lower body weight and fat mass than wild-type controls highlighting a potential effect of Tst on fat accumulation with age. A new mouse model with high expression of human TST genetically targeted to adipose tissue (Ad-hTST) was developed using the LoxP / Cre recombinase expression system, with a parent line expressing Cre under the control of the adiponectin promoter to confer adipose specificity. The Ad-hTST mice were found to gain a similar amount of weight and fat mass to control mice when exposed to 6 weeks of HFD. However, Ad-hTST mice had impaired glucose tolerance with no change in inflammatory cell infiltration, mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes or unfolded protein response genes. Thus, unexpectedly, overexpression of human TST in adipose tissue of mice results in a detrimental metabolic phenotype. In vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that TST protects against ROS accumulation. Paraquat was tested as an inducer of oxidative stress in vivo in wild-type, Tst-/- and Tst+/- mice. At the doses used (25mg/kg and under), mice became unwell and lost weight, with no increase in markers of oxidative stress in adipose or lung. The production of mitochondrial ROS in response to exogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) exposure was increased in primary adipocytes from Tst-/- mice in vitro. However, primary hepatocytes showed reduced mitochondrial ROS production in response to H2O2 exposure. ROS production in hepatocytes was unaffected by pre-incubation with a H2S donor, an inhibitor of H2S-producing enzyme CSE or N-acetyl-cysteine, an antioxidant. TST may therefore influence mitochondrial ROS production differently in cell types such as adipocytes and hepatocytes. Disposal of exogenous H2O2 was unchanged in primary adipocytes from Tst-/- and Ad-hTST mice, and this was not affected by pre-incubation with sodium thiosulfate, a TST substrate. Metabolic changes in response to HFD may be influenced by alteration in TST expression, however the current data suggest it is unlikely to occur through the prevention of excessive local ROS accumulation in adipose tissue. Mice lacking the Tst gene globally and mice with adipose-specific overexpression of the human TST gene have a similarly impaired metabolic response to HFD. The phenotype of adipose-specific human TST-overexpressing mice does not recapitulate the protective metabolic phenotype produced by overexpression of the endogenous mouse Tst gene. In conclusion, TST may influence adipose tissue due to its role in the oxidation of H2S, however, by the current means, it does not appear to substantially impact the response of this tissue to oxidative stress.

Magister Scientiae - MSc (Biotechnology) / The expansion of nanotechnology, resulting in multitudes of consumer and industrial products, causes concern amongst the scientific community regarding the risks associated with the release of nanomaterials into the environment and its subsequent effects on plants. Therefore, the focus of this study was aimed at investigating the effects of MPA-capped CdTe and carbon QDs on legumes plants namely P. vulgaris and G. max. Fluorescent imaging revealed that QDs were translocated from the roots to the aerial parts of the plant and accumulated in the edible parts of P. vulgaris. Subsequent physiological and biochemical tests revealed that both QD types induced oxidative stress as biological markers for stress including lipid peroxidation and cell death were elevated. In addition, carbon QDs displayed lower toxicity in comparison to MPA-CdTe QDs, but still possessed the ability to induce oxidative stress in plant cells. However, the effects were more pronounced in G. max in comparison to P. vulgaris; and more so with MPA-CdTe QDs than carbon QDs. Furthermore, MPA-CdTe and carbon QDs altered the concentrations and translocation of essential macro and microelements that are required for plant growth and development. This may have detrimental effects on crop productivity and yield, with negative implications on food quality and food security. / 2021-08-31

Magister Scientiae - MSc (Biotechnology) / Glycine max (soybean) is an important crop species globally as it is used as a protein-rich food and feed crop and as a source of oils used in the food and biofuel industry. However, the growth and yield of soybean is adversely affected by drought. Exposure of soybean to drought leads to accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell membrane instability. Sterols are membrane components that regulates membrane fluidity and permeability. Besides being major components of the cell membranes, sterols such as lanosterol appear to play a role in the regulation of ROS scavenging and some are precursors to brassinosteroids that act as signaling molecules with hormonal function that regulate growth, development and responses to abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity. In this study, the involvement of plant sterols, also known as phytosterols, in the regulation of soybean responses to drought stress was investigated in Glycine max by determining the effects of drought on the expression of a candidate lanosterol synthase gene (Glyma08g24160) and the content of a subset of phytosterols in soybean. The effects of inhibition of sterol synthesis on ROS production and on superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT) and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) were investigated. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as well as superoxide (O2-) increased in response to drought and sterol synthesis inhibition, however, O2- concentration and sterol contents declined under drought stress and sterol synthesis inhibition.

Espécies de Candida com relevância clínica diferem entre si com relação a aspectos como prevalência clínica, virulência e perfil de resistência a antifúngicos. Formulamos a hipótese de que estas diferenças podem ocorrer devidas em parte à capacidade relativa distinta destas espécies de resistirem ao estresse oxidativo que é imposto por fagócitos durante a patogênese da candidíase. Nesse contexto, poucos são os estudos de resposta ao estresse oxidativo (REO) em espécies que não Candida albicans. Assim, esse trabalho teve por objetivo investigar a REO in vitro em isolados de referência e clínicos de 8 espécies de Candida – C. albicans, C. dubliniensis, C. famata, C. glabrata, C. guilliermondii, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis e C. tropicalis. Para tal, foi avaliado o grau de resistência a oxidantes, a capacidade de adaptação, a indução de enzimas antioxidantes, os níveis de glutationa total, a capacidade antioxidante total e a indução de dano oxidativo a proteínas e lipídios através de metodologias atuais. C. albicans, C. glabrata e C. krusei apresentaram maior resistência ao estresse oxidativo nas condições testadas, C. parapsilosis e C. tropicalis resistência média e C. dubliniensis, C. famata e C. guilliermondii foram mais sensíveis. Todas as espécies demonstraram capacidade adaptativa e indução de enzimas antioxidantes. Os níveis de glutationa total mostraram redução intracelular frente ao estresse oxidativo. A capacidade antioxidante total foi variável entre espécies. Outros testes (efeito de meio condicionado e de moléculas quorum-sensing – tirosol e farnesol - no crescimento, capacidade de proteção cruzada e oxidante total) foram empregados sem sucesso. Ainda, verificamos em isolados de C. albicans a relação entre capacidade de resistirem a oxidantes e produção de fosfolipase e protease. Os resultados indicaram ausência de correlação entre estes fatores. Espécies com sistema antioxidante mais frágil são também as que ocorrem com menor frequência em infecções sistêmicas ou resistem menos ao efeito dos antifúngicos. É interessante investigar se C. albicans, C. glabrata e C. krusei tiram vantagem efetiva de um sistema antioxidante mais potente para causarem candidíase disseminada ou resistirem a drogas. A caracterização detalhada da REO pode proporcionar a descoberta de novos alvos para a ação de antifúngicos no futuro. / Candida species with clinical relevance differ in therms of clinical prevalence, virulence and profile of resistance to antifungal agents. We hypothesized that these differences may be due in part to the relative ability of these species to resist oxidative stress that is imposed by phagocytes in the pathogenesis of candidiasis. In this context, there are few studies of the oxidative stress response (OSR) in different species than C. albicans. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the in vitro OSR considering isolates of eight Candida species – C. albicans, C. dubliniensis, C. famata, C. glabrata, C. guilliermondii, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis. To this purpose, we evaluated the resistance degree to oxidants, the adaptability, the induction of antioxidant enzymes, levels of total glutathione, total antioxidant status and induction of oxidative damage to proteins and lipids by current methodologies. C. albicans, C. glabrata and C. krusei showed greater resistance to oxidative stress in the conditions tested; C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis showed an intermediate resistance and C. dubliniensis, C. famata and C. guilliermondii were more sensitive to oxidative stress. All species showed adaptive capacity and induction of antioxidant enzymes. The levels of total glutathione showed intracellular reduction against oxidative stress. The total antioxidant capacity was variable between species. Other tests (effect of conditioned medium and quorum-sensing molecules - farnesol and tirosol – on growth, ability of cross-protection and total oxidant status) were tested without success. Still, we found in isolates of C. albicans the relationship between ability to resist oxidation and production of phospholipase and protease. The results indicated no correlation between these factors. Species with weaker antioxidant system are also those that occur less frequently in systemic infections or are less resistant to the effect of antifungal agents. It is interesting to investigate if C. albicans, C. glabrata and C. krusei take effective advantage of a more powerful antioxidant system to cause disseminated candidiasis or resist drugs. The detailed characterization of the OSR can provide the discovery of new targets for the action of antifungals in the future.

Antecedentes & Objetivos: A produção de oxidação ocorre naturalmente no organismo via processos fisiológicos, entretanto, frente a situações patológicas verifica-se um desequilíbrio entre a oxidação e a antioxidação, ocasionando estresse oxidativo (EO). Estudos demonstram maiores níveis de EO associados a diversas doenças, incluindo a doença periodontal (DP) e a doença renal crônica (DRC). O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o impacto da DP sobre os níveis de EO em doentes renais crônicos pré-dialíticos. Materiais e Métodos: Dados demográficos, socioeconômicos e de histórico médico de 139 pacientes do Serviço Nefrologia do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) foram obtidos por meio de entrevista e análise de prontuário. Foram realizados exames clínicos periodontais e coleta sanguínea e salivar. Associações entre a condição periodontal e níveis séricos e salivares de marcadores de estresse oxidativo foram avaliadas, através de antioxidação total (FRAP) e sulfidrilas. Também foi avaliada correlação entre os níveis séricos e salivares de antioxidação total. Resultados: Médias de profundidade de sondagem estiveram significativamente associadas a maiores níveis séricos de sulfidrilas (p=0,04), quando ajustados para sexo e atividade física. Não foi observada associação significativa com os outros parâmetros séricos ou salivares de EO. Os níveis salivares de FRAP estiveram significativamente associados aos seus níveis séricos (R²= 0,23, p<0,001). Conclusões: A concentração salivar de FRAP explica aproximadamente 23% dos seus níveis séricos, utilizando modelos ajustados. Pacientes com maiores médias de profundidade de sondagem apresentaram maiores níveis séricos de sulfidrilas. Análises adicionais, avaliando também oxidação e dano proteico, proporcionarão dados para uma melhor compreensão do processo oxidativo nessa mesma amostra. / Background & Aims: The oxidation occurs naturally through physiological activities, but in pathological states an imbalance between oxidation and antioxidation is observed, resulting in oxidative stress (OS). Studies have shown higher levels of OS associated with several diseases, including periodontal disease (PD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of PD on OS levels in chronic pre-dialytic renal patients. Materials & Methods: Demographic, socioeconomic and medical history data of 139 patients from the Department of Nephrology of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) were obtained through interview and medical records. Periodontal clinical examinations and salivary and blood collection were performed. Associations between periodontal status and serum and salivary levels of total antioxidation (FRAP) and sulfhydryl were evaluated, as well as a correlation between serum and salivary levels of total antioxidation. Results: Higher probing depth means were significantly associated with serum sulfhydryl levels (p = 0.04) when adjusted for sex and physical activity. No significant association was observed with other serum or salivary OE markers. The salivary levels of FRAP were significantly associated with serum FRAP levels (R² = 0.23, p <0.001). Conclusion: FRAP salivary levels accounts for approximately 23% of FRAP serum levels using multivariate models. Higher probing depth means were associated with higher serum levels of sulfhydryl. Further analysis evaluating oxidation and protein damage will provide data for a better understanding of the oxidative process in this sample.

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio (fiscina@bahia.fiocruz.br) on 2014-07-21T18:05:28Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Alan Moreira de Araújo, Detecção de espécies... 2013.pdf: 1675349 bytes, checksum: 82f7886b065bdb7c68db0c1fb5d46f67 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-21T18:05:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Alan Moreira de Araújo, Detecção de espécies... 2013.pdf: 1675349 bytes, checksum: 82f7886b065bdb7c68db0c1fb5d46f67 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Leptospirose é uma zoonose que pode levar a graves complicações, como a síndrome de Weil e a síndrome pulmonar hemorrágica, porém os mecanismos patogênicos que levam ao desenvolvimento das formas graves da doença ainda são desconhecidos. Após a penetração no indivíduo, as leptospiras invadem a corrente sanguínea e se disseminam para os órgãos. Dessa forma, a leptospirose apresenta características semelhantes as da sepse, doença que tem o estresse oxidativo como um dos principais responsáveis pelo seu agravamento. Entretanto, pouco se sabe sobre o envolvimento do estresse oxidativo na leptospirose. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar se a produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS) e os níveis do antioxidante glutationa (GSH) estão relacionados com as manifestações clínicas mais graves de pacientes hospitalizados com leptospirose. A produção de ROS e os níveis de GSH foram avaliados nas amostras de sangue de doze pacientes e nove indivíduos saudáveis através dos ensaios de quimioluminescência e de absorbância, respectivamente. Nós observamos que os níveis de ROS estavam aumentados (p=0.0012) e os de GSH diminuídos (p=0.0002) nos pacientes quando comparados com os indivíduos saudáveis. Dentre os pacientes, a diminuição de GSH estava correlacionada com a trombocitopenia (r=0.63) e com elevados níveis de creatinina (r= -0.64), enquanto que a produção de ROS estava fortemente correlacionada com os níveis elevados de potássio sérico (r=0.8). A compreensão da importância biológica de ROS e do GSH na leptospirose faz-se necessária, pois uma investigação mais detalhada pode levar ao desenvolvimento de terapias adjuvantes focadas no estresse oxidativo. / Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that causes severe manifestations such as Weil’s disease and pulmonary hemorrhage syndrome, however the underlying mechanisms that lead to the development of severe forms are not clear. Leptospires penetrate through skin, reach the bloodstream and disseminate to the organs. Thus, leptospirosis and sepsis have similar characteristics. Although there is vast literature demonstrating that oxidative stress play an important role in the severity of sepsis, none is known about it in leptospirosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant reduced glutathione (GSH) levels are related to complications in patients hospitalized with leptospirosis. ROS production and GSH levels were measured in blood samples of twelve patients and nine healthy controls using chemiluminescence and absorbance assays. We found that ROS production was higher (p=0.0012) and GSH levels were lower (p=0.0002) in leptospirosis patients compared with healthy individuals. Among patients, GSH depletion was correlated with thrombocytopenia (r=0.63) and elevated serum creatinine (r= -0.64), while a strong positive correlation was observed between ROS production and elevated serum potassium (r=0.8). Additional investigation of the biological significance of ROS production and GSH levels is warranted as they may guide the development of novel adjuvant therapies for leptospirosis targeting oxidative stress.