Background/Objective: Reperfusion injury is a serious consequence of blood flow reestablishment after myocardial infarction (MI) mediated by reactive oxygen species and neutrophilic cellular damage. Following MI, the left ventricle (LV) undergoes remodeling characterized by progressive wall thinning and cavity dilatation. Heme-Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) dependent decrease in oxidative stress may attenuate injury in part by inhibiting transcription factor NFκB-mediated inflammation. Hypothesis: I hypothesized that upregulation of HO-1 by hemin administration confers acute and chronic cardioprotection against I/R injury in rats and attenuates LV remodeling post-MI. I proposed the HO-1-dependent decrease in oxidative stress attenuates post-ischemic myocardial injury in part by inhibiting NFκB-mediated inflammation. Methods: Six week old male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to sham, vehicle, or hemin-treated groups. Vehicle and hemin were administered intraperitoneally once daily for 3 consecutive days prior to left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery occlusion. Administration resumed 48 hours post-operatively and continued once every 3 days. Infarct size was determined by H&E histological analysis and fibrosis was quantified by Masson’s Trichrome staining. Transthoracic echocardiography was used to assess LV parameters and wall motion. Results: Hemin increased HO-1 expression, decreased infarct size and fibrosis, and attenuated LV remodeling in the short-term (4 days post-infarction). The decrease in infarct size and area of fibrosis in the hemin group was accompanied by a decrease in NFκB activity. No significant difference in infarct size and area of fibrosis between hemin and vehicle-treated groups was observed at 3 months. LV diameter and cardiac function did not differ significantly between the two groups at 3 months despite an attenuation of anterior wall thinning in the hemin group. Conclusion: HO-1 upregulation by hemin administration conferred acute cardioprotection and attenuated LV remodeling, possibly by inhibiting NFκB-mediated inflammation. However, chronic treatment with hemin did not prevent long-term post-infarction LV remodeling. It is possible that cardioprotection afforded by HO-1 upregulation is strong enough to curtail inflammation post-reperfusion and prevent LV remodeling acutely, but is not robust enough to protect the myocardium to the same degree in the long-term. Future research should focus on optimal HO-1 upregulation to attenuate long-term LV remodeling due to reperfusion injury. / Thesis (Master, Physiology) -- Queen's University, 2007-09-25 19:01:33.87

Abstract Previous studies have examined stress-induced heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression primarily in mammalian systems. The present study examines, for the first time in amphibians, the effect of heat shock, sodium arsenite, cadmium chloride, and the proteasomal inhibitor MG132 on HO-1 accumulation in Xenopus laevis A6 kidney epithelial cells. Western blot analysis revealed that exposure of A6 cells to a range of heat shock temperatures (30-35 °C), which induced HSP30 accumulation, did not induce HO-1 accumulation. In contrast, cells treated with sodium arsenite (5-50 μM), cadmium chloride (50-200 μM) or MG132 (5-30 μM) exhibited a dose- and time-dependent accumulation of HO-1. Additionally, immunocytochemical analysis revealed that HO-1 and HSP30 accumulation occurred in a granular pattern primarily in the cytoplasm in cells treated with sodium arsenite, cadmium chloride, or MG132. In cells recovering from sodium arsenite or cadmium chloride treatment, HO-1 and HSP30 accumulation initially increased to a maximum at 12 h and 24 h recovery, respectively, followed by a 50% reduction at 48 h. This initial increase in the relative levels of stress proteins was likely the result of new synthesis as it was inhibited by cycloheximide. In comparison, cells recovering from MG132 treatment displayed reduced but prolonged accumulation of HO-1 and HSP30. Interestingly, cells treated with low concentrations (10 μM) of sodium arsenite or MG132 but not cadmium chloride in combination with a mild 30 °C heat shock had enhanced accumulation of HO-1 and HSP30 accumulation compared to either of the stressors individually. This study has shown for the first time in amphibians that HO-1 accumulation is induced in response to metals and proteasomal inhibitors, suggesting that it may play a role in mediating the cellular stress response in X. laevis.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a maternal disorder of pregnancy, characterized by late-onset hypertension and proteinuria. It affects roughly 5-7% of all pregnancies worldwide and is a leading cause of maternal and fetal/neonatal morbidity and mortality. Cigarette smoking in pregnancy is associated with a 33% reduction in the incidence of PE, and this is dose dependent. It is hypothesized that carbon monoxide (CO), a combustion product in cigarettes, may confer cytoprotective and regulatory properties leading to the decreased incidence of PE. CO is produced endogenously by the enzyme heme oxygenase (HO), and it is thought that the manipulation of the HO/CO system in pregnancy can ameliorate or reduce the pathophysiologic signs of PE. The exposure of pregnant mice to 250 ppm CO led to an increase in each of the maternal uterine blood flow, vascularity of the placenta and vessel diameter, with a shift towards angiogenesis in the placenta tissue proteins Exposure of human placental villous explants to 250ppm CO led to a decreased production and release of the soluble vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor -1 (sFlt-1). This molecule is increased in maternal plasma and placenta tissue of women with PE and it binds with molecules of angiogenesis, limiting their ability to interact with the endothelium. Using an AdsFlt-1 PE-like mouse model, the exposure of mice to 250ppm chronic CO prevented the hypertension, proteinuria and glomerular alterations, supporting the use of CO as a future therapeutic for women with PE. We completed a pilot study to evaluate the exposure of healthy volunteers to two, one hour inhalations of 250ppm CO. We determined the half-life of CO and we provide baseline kinetics data for males and females following CO inhalation. These data are important for future therapeutic studies in order to better establish proper dosing, concentration of CO and method of delivery. The results of this thesis contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiology of PE and provide evidence to support the use of CO as a therapeutic for this disorder. / Thesis (Ph.D, Anatomy & Cell Biology) -- Queen's University, 2014-05-01 14:38:42.584

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed Feb. 7, 2008). Includes bibliographical references (p. 50-57).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2005. / Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center; full text release delayed at author's request until 2008 Aug 15.

The JmjC-histone lysine demethylases (JmjC-KDMs) are epigenetic regulators responsible for the demethylation of methylated lysine residues on the N-terminal histone tails. As Fe²⁺ and 2-oxoglutarate dependent oxygenases (2OG oxygenases), the JmjC-KDMs possess an absolute requirement for molecular oxygen and are related to the cellular oxygen sensing HIF hydroxylases, PHD2 and FIH. Several JmjC-KDMs are known HIF target genes, hence are upregulated in hypoxia. Moreover, a number of JmjC-KDMs have been shown to have differential oxygen dependences, while aberrant histone methylation has been observed in both hypoxic cells and disease states such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. The work described in this thesis aimed to investigate the impact of hypoxia on the JmjC-KDM, KDM4A. In vitro kinetic analyses revealed a K_m^app(O₂) for recombinant KDM4A of 173 ± 23 μM, which is higher than reported values for the 2OG oxygenases C-P4H, mPAHX and even FIH, and approaching those evaluated for the key oxygen sensor PHD2 (230-1746 μM). These results indicate that KDM4A activity is highly sensitive to oxygen availability, and has the biochemical potential to act as an oxygen sensor in the context of epigenetic regulation. Subsequent investigation of the cellular oxygen dependence of KDM4A, and found that the activity of ectopically expressed KDM4A in U2OS cells demonstrates a graded response to oxygen. Importantly, this trend correlates with the in vitro results, providing further evidence that hypoxia may impact upon epigenetic regulation by the JmjC-KDMs. The various factors that may contribute to the hypoxic inhibition of KDM4A were investigated both in vitro and in cells. The results of these studies suggested that altered concentrations of TCA cycle intermediates, comprising reduced levels of the 2OG oxygenase co-substrate 2OG and increased concentrations of the reported inhibitor 2HG, are likely to only minimally affect the activity of KDM4A in hypoxia. Interestingly, the 2OG oxygenase inhibitor IOX1 possessed increased inhibitory potency against KDM4A under conditions of low oxygen, implying that the use of mixed-mode inhibitors against KDM4A may be of therapeutic benefit in hypoxic disease states. This may be of particular pertinence to cardiac hypertrophy (CH), in which KDM4A activity is reported to have pathophysiological consequences. In a collaboration with Dr Tim McKinsey (University of Colorado, Denver), the KDM4 inhibitor CCT1 was tested in a phenotypic screen of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, the results of which further support a role for KDM4A in this disease, and suggest that the use of small-molecule inhibitors of KDM4A may be a viable therapeutic strategy in CH. Finally, the effect of reactive oxygen species, levels of which may be increased in hypoxia, on KDM4A activity was explored. Recombinant KDM4A was found to be acutely sensitive to inhibition by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) when compared to the HIF hydroxylases PHD2 and FIH. These results imply that KDM4A may act as a sensor of oxidative stress at the chromatin level, and further investigation in a more biologically relevant context is proposed. Overall, the work described herein demonstrates that the activity of KDM4A is sensitive to oxygen availability, a phenomenon that is likely to have significant implications for epigenetic regulation in hypoxia and the expression of KDM4A-regulated genes in ischaemic disease states.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / Objective: To evaluate the protective effect of the heme-oxygenase 1 (HO-1)/biliverdin/CO pathway in models of gastropathy in mice, evaluating the role of the soluble guanylate cyclase (GCs) and of the constitutive NOS in this event. Methods: Protocol 1: Mice were pre-treated with hemin (HO-1 inducer; 1,3,10 mg/Kg, i.p.), biliverdin (HO-1 product; 1,3 or 10 mg/Kg., i.p.), DMDC (CO donor; 2.5, 7.5, 12.5 or 10 Âmol/Kg, i.p.) or ZnPP IX (HO-1 antagonist; 0,3, 1 or 3 mg/kg. i.p.), one hour before, gastric damage was induced by ethanol 50% (hemin, biliverdin, DMDC) or 25% (ZnPP IX). In another group, the animals were pre-treated with ODQ (12.5 mg/kg, v.o) or L-NAME (3 mg/Kg, v.o), thirty minutes before of the treatments cited previously. After 1h, the mice were sacrificed and the stomachs removed for evaluation of the gastric lesions (Image J). Protocol 2: Mice were pre-treated with hemin (3 mg/Kg, i.p.), biliverdin (3 mg/Kg., i.p.), DMDC (12,5 Âmol/Kg) or ZnPP IX (3,0 mg/kg), one hour before of the administration of INDO 30 mg/Kg (hemin, biliverdin, DMDC) or 10 mg/Kg (ZnPP IX). In another group, the animals were pre-treated with ODQ (12.5 mg/kg, v.o) or L-NAME (3 mg/Kg, v.o), thirty minutes before of the treatments cited previously. Three hours after, the mice were sacrificed and the stomachs removed for evaluation of the gastric lesions, utilizing a digital paquimetry. In all of the experimental groups, fragments of the gastric mucous were collected for determination of the concentration of MDA, GSH or bilirubin. Another samples of tissue was removed for microscopic analyzes and HO-1 expression by immunohistochemistry. The detection of the TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10 and MPO activity were evaluated only in the INDO gastropathy. Results: Ethanol increased the expression of HO-1 and the levels of bilirrubin in the gastric tissue. Hemin, biliverdin and DMDC reduced gastric damage, MDA levels and GSH consume in ethanol 50%- induced gastropathy. The histological parameters, edema, hemorrhage and loses of epithelial cells, were diminished in the presence of hemin, biliverdin or DMDC. ZnPP IX amplified the ethanol-induced gastric lesion, increased MDA formation and decreased the GSH concentration in gastric mucosa. The histological parameters also were amplified after the handling with ZnPP IX. Bilirubin concentration was elevated during the protection induced by hemin and biliverdin, but not DMDC. INDO increased the HO-1 expression and the bilirrubin levels in the gastric mucosa. Hemin, biliverdin or DMDC reduced the gastric lesion, the MPO activity, and the MDA levels and increased the GSH concentration in the gastropathy INDO- induced. The histological parameters, edema, hemorrhage, loss of epithelial cells and the presence of inflammatory cells, were inhibited by hemin, biliverdin or DMDC. ZnPP IX amplified the effect of the INDO increasing the gastric lesion, the MPO activity, the MDA levels and the GSH consume. The histological parameters also were amplified after the handling with ZnPP IX. Bilirubin was shown elevated during the protection induced by hemin and biliverdin, but not DMDC. Hemin, biliverdin and DMDC diminished the TNF-α and IL-1β concentrations and increased the IL-10. ODQ and L-NAME completely abolished the DMDC protective gastric effect, but not biliverdin in the gastropathy ethanol or INDO- induced. Conclusion: HO-1/biliverdin/CO pathway plays a protective effect against ethanol or INDO-induced gastric damage. In the gastropathy by ethanol, the protection is dependent of the anti-oxidant action by bilirubin and CO. However, in the model of INDO gastropathy, we observe an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory action. The mechanism of gastro protective action of the CO, but not of the biliverdin, is dependent of the CO/ NOS/ GMPc pathway. / Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito protetor da via hemeoxigenase 1 (HO-1)/ biliverdina/ CO em modelos de gastropatia em camundongos e o papel da guanilato ciclase solÃvel (GCs) e da NOS constitutiva neste evento. MÃtodos: Protocolo 1: Camundongos foram prÃ-tratados hemina (indutor da HO-1; 1,3 ou 10mg/Kg, i.p.), biliverdina (produto da HO-1; 1,3 ou 10mg/Kg, i.p.), DMDC (doador de CO; 2,5, 7,5, 12,5 ou 25 μmol/Kg, i.p.) ou ZnPP I(inibidor da HO-1; 0,3, 1,0 ou 3,0 mg/kg. i.p.) uma hora antes da administraÃÃo por gavagem de etanol 50% (hemina, biliverdina, DMDC) ou 25% (ZnPP IX). Em outro grupo, os animais foram prÃ-tratados com ODQ (12,5 mg/kg, v.o) ou L-NAME (3 mg/Kg, v.o), trinta minutos antes dos tratamentos citados anteriormente. Depois de 1h, os camundongos foram sacrificados e os estÃmagos removidos para avaliaÃÃo das lesÃes gÃstricas (Image J). Protocolo 2: Camundongos foram prÃ-tratados hemina (3,0 mg/kg), biliverdina (3,0 mg/kg), DMDC (12,5 μmol/Kg) ou ZnPPIX (3,0 mg/Kg) uma hora antes da administraÃÃo de INDO 30 mg/Kg (hemina, biliverdina, DMDC) ou 10 mg/Kg (ZnPP IX). Em outro grupo os animais foram prÃ-tratados com ODQ (12,5 mg/kg, v.o) ou L-NAME (3 mg/Kg, v.o), trinta minutos antes dos tratamentos citados anteriormente. TrÃs horas depois, os camundongos foram sacrificados e os estÃmagos removidos para avaliaÃÃo das lesÃes gÃstrica, utilizando um paquÃmetro digital. Em todos os grupos experimentais, fragmentos da mucosa gÃstrica foram coletados para determinaÃÃo da concentraÃÃo de MDA, GSH e bilirrubina. Outra amostra de tecido foi retirada para analise microscÃpica e imunohistoquÃmica. A detecÃÃo das citocinas TNF-α, IL-1β e IL-10, bem como a atividade de MPO foram avaliados somente na gastropatia por INDO. Resultados: O etanol aumentou a expressÃo de enzima HO-1 e dos nÃveis de bilirrubina no tecido gÃstrico. Hemina, biliverdina ou DMDC reduziram a lesÃo gÃstrica, os nÃveis de MDA e o consumo de GSH induzido por etanol 50%. Os parÃmetros histolÃgicos, edema, hemorragia e perda de cÃlulas epiteliais, foram diminuÃdos na presenÃa de hemina, biliverdina ou DMDC. ZnPP IX amplificou o efeito do etanol 25%, aumentando a lesÃo gÃstrica, os nÃveis de MDA e o consumo de GSH. Os parÃmetros histolÃgicos tambÃm foram amplificados apÃs o tratamento com ZnPP IX. A concentraÃÃo de bilirrubina se mostrou elevada apenas na gastroproteÃÃo induzida por hemina e biliverdina, mas nÃo pelo DMDC. INDO aumentou a expressÃo da HO-1 e os nÃveis de bilirrubina na mucosa gÃstrica. Hemina, biliverdina ou DMDC reduziram a lesÃo gÃstrica, a atividade de MPO, os nÃveis de MDA e aumentaram a concentraÃÃo de GSH na gastropatia por INDO. Os parÃmetros histolÃgicos, edema, hemorragia, perda de cÃlulas epiteliais e a presenÃa de cÃlulas inflamatÃrias, foram inibidas pela hemina, biliverdina ou DMDC. ZnPP IX amplificou o efeito da INDO aumentando a lesÃo gÃstrica, a atividade de MPO, os nÃveis de MDA e o consumo de GSH. Os parÃmetros histolÃgicos tambÃm foram amplificados apÃs o tratamento com ZnPP IX. Bilirrubina se mostrou elevada apenas na gastroproteÃÃo induzida por hemina e biliverdina, mas nÃo pelo DMDC. Hemina, biliverdina e DMDC diminuÃram as concentraÃÃes de TNF-α e IL-1β e aumentaram a IL-10. ODQ e L-NAME reverteram o efeito protetor do DMDC, mas nÃo da biliverdina, na gastropatia induzida por etanol ou INDO. ConclusÃo: A via HO-1/biliverdina/CO participa do processo de defesa da mucosa gÃstrica contra lesÃes induzidas por etanol ou INDO. Na gastropatia por etanol, a proteÃÃo à dependente da aÃÃo antioxidante da bilirrubina e CO. Entretanto, no modelo de gastropatia por INDO, observamos uma aÃÃo antioxidante e antiinflamatÃria. Evidenciamos ainda que o mecanismo de aÃÃo gastroprotetor do CO, mas nÃo da biliverdina à dependente da via CO/GMPc/NOS.

The main goals in electroanalytical sensing are towards improved sensitivity and selectivity, or specificity, of an analyte. There are several approaches to achieving these goals with the main approach being modification of an electrode surface with synthetic or natural catalysts (enzymes), polymers and also utilisation of nanostructured materials. At present, there is a strong movement towards hybrid sensing which couple different properties of two or more surface modification approaches. In this thesis, a range of these surface modifications were explored for analysis and detection of two main analytes: the amino acid, tryptophan (Trp); and, the neurotransmitter, dopamine (DA). Specifically, this thesis aimed to utilise these methods to enhance the sensitivity and selectivity for Trp over an interferent, the indoleamine, melatonin (Mel); and, DA over the vitamin, ascorbic acid (AA). For Trp detection, immobilisation of an enzyme, Tryptophanase (Trpase) resulted in poor selectivity for the analyte. However, enhanced sensitivity and selectivity was achieved through pH manipulation of the electrolyte medium at a Nafion®-modified electrode surface for both Trp and Mel. At pH 3.0, the Mel and Trp anodic peak potentials were sufficiently resolved allowing for an LOD of 1.60 and 1.62 nM,respectively, and permitting the accurate analysis of Trp in a dietary supplement containing Mel. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) suspended in Nafion® exhibited further increases in the signal responses of these analytes at pH 3.0 and 7.4 with minimal change in the resolution of the anodic peaks. A lower sensitivity was, therefore, observed at the Nafion® and MWCNT modified electrode compared to the Nafion®-modified electrode at pH 3.0 with LODs of 0.59 and 0.80 nM exhibited for Trp and Mel, respectively. Enhanced selectivity for Trp in the presence of Mel can be achieved with MWCNTs in the presence of metallotetrasulphonated phthalocyanines (MTSPcs) particularly at pH 3.0, owing to cation exchange effects. However, the lack of sensitivity towards Trp, and even Mel, at this CoTSPc and MWCNT modified electrode remains a drawback. For DA, detection at the MWCNT and Nafion® surface resulted in improved sensitivity over that of both the bare electrode (613.0 nM) and the Nafion® modified electrode (1045.1 nM) with a calculated LOD of 133.9 nM at this layer. Furthermore, improvements in the selectivity of DA were achieved at the Nafion® and MWCNT modified electrode as exclusion of AA (150 μM) was achieved. At the MWCNT and CoTSPc surface, AA was excluded up to 130 μM with sensitivity for DA extending as low as 14.3 nM, far greater than observed for Trp and Mel. These concentrations are well within physiological concentration ranges and represent the most significant solution yet in terms of AA exclusion and enhanced sensitivity for DA. An examination of the surface layering by impedance spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy indicates that the success of the hybrid sensor utilising CoTSPc and MWCNTs lay in improved dispersion of MWCNTs and improved electron transfer kinetics, facilitated by the net charge of the materials present. This thesis, thus, showed the utility of a judicious selection of synthetic and biological catalysts, polymers and carbon nanomaterials towards a hybrid approach to the electrochemical sensing of Trp, Mel, DA and AA with focus on sensitivity and selectivity of these analytes.

Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of certain cancers by facilitating the antitumor immune response and represents today one of the mainstays of cancer therapy. However, only a subset of patients responds to immunotherapy, which can also lead to serious complications. The tumor microenvironment is composed of multiple and complex cellular and molecular interactions providing to cancer cells not only a supportive framework but promoting also many steps of immunosuppression and tumor progression. To date, the mechanisms that drive the acquisition of these immunosuppressive features are still poorly defined. Tumor-associated macrophages can be highly represented in the tumor microenvironment where they are shaped and become key players in the innate and adaptive immune escape of the tumor cells.Heme oxygenase-1 is the rate-limiting enzyme that catabolizes heme into three major biologically active byproducts which display cytoprotective, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. We hypothesized that tumor-associated macrophages might suppress anti-tumor T-cell response through heme oxygenase-1 induction in the tumor microenvironment and macrophage polarization. We showed that heme oxygenase-1 is highly expressed in tumor-associated macrophages. By using a subcutaneous EG7-OVA lymphoma model on genetically engineered mice with a conditional deletion of heme oxygenase-1 in macrophages, our data show that myeloid-restricted heme oxygenase-1 deficiency improves the effect of a therapeutic antitumor immunization by enhancing tumor-infiltrating antitumor CD8+ T-cell proliferation and cytotoxicity and represses tumor growth. Our data suggest a major role of myeloid heme oxygenase-1 in the differentiation and the phenotypic, functional, transcriptional and epigenetic reprograming of tumor-associated macrophages. Myeloid HO-1 inhibition might be considered as a new myeloid HO-1-mediated immune checkpoint blockade. Targeting myeloid compartment could reprogram the tumor microenvironment and synergize with other cancer therapies. / Doctorat en Sciences médicales (Médecine) / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished