Das Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Beteiligung der nichtmuskulären schweren Myosinketten an der Kontraktion der glatten Muskeln unter physiologischen Bedingungen zu untersuchen. Als Versuchsmodell wurde die Harnblase von neugeborenen Wildtyp und transgenen Mäusen verwendet, bei denen das Gen für die glattmuskelspezifischen schweren Myosinketten durch "Gene Targeting" funktionell eliminiert wurde (Knock-Out). Das Fehlen der Expression der glattmuskelspezifischen schweren Myosinketten wurde durch Elektrophorese und Immunfärbung bestätigt. Im Gegensatz dazu blieb die Expression der nichtmuskulären schweren Myosinketten unverändert. Die mechanische Analyse des glatten Muskels wurde mit intakten Muskelpräparaten aus der Harnblase durchgeführt. Das Muskelpräparat wurde in KCl-Lösung oder mit Phorbolester stimuliert. Die Aktivierung mittels depolarisierender KCl-Lösung führte bei neugeborenen Wildtyp Mäusen zuerst zu einer transienten Kontraktion (Phase 1) mit hoher Kraftentwicklung und maximaler Verkürzungsgeschwindigkeit, und danach zu einer tonischen Kontraktion (Phase 2) mit niedrigerer Kraftentwicklung und maximaler Verkürzungsgeschwindigkeit. Blasenpräparate neugeborener Knock-Out Mäuse dagegen zeigten keine Phase 1, sondern nur eine tonische Kontraktion, die mit Wildtyp Mäusen vergleichbar war. Daher scheint nichtmuskuläres Myosin an der tonischen Kontraktion des glatten Muskels beteiligt zu sein. Durch Stimulierung mit Phorbolester waren ähnliche tonische Muskelkontraktionen der Blasenpräparate sowohl bei Wildtyp als auch bei Knock-Out Mäusen zu beobachten. Vermutlich wird also das nichtmuskuläre Myosin durch Stimulierung mit Phorbolester aktiviert. Intrazelluläre Filamente wurden durch Immunfluoreszenz mit einem spezifischen Antikörper gegen nichtmuskuläre schwere Myosinketten in kultivierten primären glatten Muskelzellen untersucht. Dabei zeigten die Muskelzellen sowohl von Wildtyp als auch von Knock-Out Mäusen intrazelluläre dicke Myosinfilamente, was für die Beteiligung des nichtmuskulären Myosins an der glatten Muskelkontraktion spricht. Entsprechend wurden intrazelluläre Filamente mit einem Antikörper gegen glattmuskelspezifische schwere Myosinketten in kultivierten primären glatten Muskelzellen untersucht. Wie erwartet, konnten nur in glatten Muskelzellen von Wildtyp Mäusen intrazelluläre Filamente nachgewiesen werden, nicht aber in denen von Knock-Out Mäusen. In dieser Arbeit konnte zum ersten Mal gezeigt werden, dass nichtmuskuläres Myosin zumindest an der tonischen Kontraktion glatter Muskelzellen beteiligt sein kann. / The aim of the present study was to investigate the involvement of non-muscle myosin heavy chain in smooth muscle contraction under physiological conditions. As an experimental model urinary bladder from neonatal wild-type mice as well as from neonatal mice with disrupted smooth muscle myosin heavy chain expression was used. This animal model was established through gene targeting technology, resulting in complete elimination of the expression of smooth muscle myosin heavy chains. The lack of expression of smooth muscle myosin heavy chains was confirmed by electrophoresis and immunoblotting. On the other hand, non-muscle myosin heavy chain expression remained normal, as verified by Western blot analysis. The mechanical analysis of smooth muscle was performed with intact urinary bladder preparations, stimulated using prolonged KCl depolarization or with phorbol ester. Prolonged activation by KCl depolarization of intact bladder preparations from wild-type neonatal mice produced an initial transient state (phase 1) of high force generation and maximal shortening velocity, followed by a sustained state (phase 2) with lower force generation and maximal shortening velocity. In contrast, bladder preparations from homozygous knockout neonatal mice did not exhibit phase 1, but phase 2 could be observed, i.e. a similar isometric force and maximal shortening velocity, compared to wild-type phase 2. Thus, non-muscle myosin appears to be recruited in the sustained phase of smooth muscle contraction during prolonged KCl depolarization in the animal model used. Upon stimulation with phorbol ester a similar sustained contraction was observed in both wild-type and knockout smooth muscle preparations. Therefore, non-muscle myosin may also be recruited during phorbol ester stimulation in both wild-type and knockout muscle preparations. The participation of non-muscle myosin in smooth muscle contraction was further supported by the finding of longitudinally arranged intracellular filaments in cultivated smooth muscle cells from both wild-type and knockout mice by immunofluorescence microscopy, using a specific antibody raised against non-muscle myosin heavy chain. In a similar way, smooth muscle myosin heavy chain structures were investigated in cultivated smooth muscle cells. As expected, longitudinally arranged intracellular filamentous structures of smooth muscle myosin were observed in wild-type smooth muscle cells, but not in smooth muscle cells from knockout mice. In conclusion, in neonatal smooth muscle the initial phase of contraction elicited by KCl depolarization is generated by smooth muscle myosin heavy chain recruitment. Upon prolonged KCl depolarization non-muscle myosin is recruited in the sustained phase of contraction, as well as upon stimulation with phorbol ester. Thus, it was possible, for the first time, to verify the involvement of the non-muscle myosin in smooth muscle contraction in vivo. The results of the present study contribute to the understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of smooth muscle contraction.

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2018-08-20T13:36:48Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Lidya Cardozo da Silva - 2018.pdf: 2382834 bytes, checksum: e5a79619d923d442540c5bf0549318bd (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2018-08-20T13:38:04Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Lidya Cardozo da Silva - 2018.pdf: 2382834 bytes, checksum: e5a79619d923d442540c5bf0549318bd (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-20T13:38:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Lidya Cardozo da Silva - 2018.pdf: 2382834 bytes, checksum: e5a79619d923d442540c5bf0549318bd (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-07-20 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Jatropha curcas L. is a euphorbiaceous oilseed plant considered toxic to humans and animals due to the presence of phorbol esters (PEs). Traditionally, the detection of these toxic compounds has been done in J. curcas seeds and derivates via chromatographic separation methods such as HPLC-UV and HPLC-MS. Although efficient, these techniques are laborious and require high time and solvent consumption, thus it would be interesting the development of new analytical methods to determine these compounds with more practicality. Probe electrospray ionization is frequently used in ambient mass spectrometry allowing analysis with minimum sample preparation. However, for complex samples analysis, this technique presents low sensitivity and ionization suppression. In this study, a molecularly imprinted polymer-coated probe electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (MIPCPESI-MS) method was developed for determination of phorbol esters in methanolic extracts of Jatropha curcas leaves with direct extraction form the ionization source. The synthesized molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) proved to be adequate for extraction of the PEs in methanolic extracts of J. curcas leaves with better performance as extraction phase in comparison with the non-imprinted polymer (NIP). The MIPCPESI method allowed detection of phorbol 12,13-diacetate (PDA) and other three PEs metabolite ions from Jatropha leaves with minimal sample preparation, and with higher signal intensities compared to analysis with conventional PESI. For the PDA, calibration curve exhibited linearity with R2 > 0.99, LOD and LOQ in µg.mL-1 range, precision and accuracy values, respectively, between 4.06 to 13.49% and -1.60 to -15.26 %. Finally, MIPCPESI was employed for PDA quantification in methanolic extracts of six different J. curcas leaves genotypes resulting in concentrations ranging from 222.19 ± 23.55 to 528.23 ± 19.72 µg.g-1 for toxic samples. / A Jatropha curcas L. é uma oleaginosa euforbiácea considerada tóxica para humanos e animais devido à presença de ésteres de forbol (PEs). Tradicionalmente, a detecção destes compostos tóxicos tem sido feita em tortas e sementes de J. curcas por meio do uso de técnicas de separação cromatográfica como HPLC-UV e HPLC-MS que apesar de eficientes são laboriosas e requerem alto consumo de tempo e solventes. Dessa forma, seria interessante o desenvolvimento de novas técnicas analíticas para determinação desses compostos com maior praticidade. Probe electrosrpay ionization (PESI) é uma das técnicas de ionização utilizadas na espectrometria de massas ambiente que permite análises rápidas com mínimo preparo de amostras. No entanto, para análise de amostras complexas essa técnica apresenta baixa sensibilidade e supressão iônica. Neste estudo, foi desenvolvido um método de análise por espectrometria de massas por Probe electrospray revestido com polímero molecularmente impresso (MIPCPESI-MS) para determinação de ésteres de forbol em extratos metanólicos de folhas de Jatropha curcas com extração direta da fonte de ionização. O polímero molecularmente impresso (MIP) sintetizado mostrou-se adequado para extração de PEs em extratos metanólicos de folhas de J. curcas tendo melhor desempenho como fase extratora quando comparado ao polímero não molecularmente impresso (NIP). O método MIPCPESI-MS possibilitou a detecção do forbol 12,13-diacetato (PDA) e de outros três íons metabólitos presentes nas folhas de J. curcas com mínimo preparo de amostras e com maior intensidade de sinais quando comparado às análises com PESI convencional. Para o PDA, a curva de calibração apresentou linearidade com R2 > 0.99, LOD e LOQ na faixa de µg.mL-1, valores de precisão entre 4.06 e 13.49 % e exatidão entre -1.60 e -15.26 %. Posteriormente, o método MIPCPESI foi empregado na quantificação de PDA em seis extratos metanólicos de diferentes genótipos de folhas de J. curcas resultando em valores concentrações entre 222.19 ± 23.55 a 528.23 ± 19.72 µg.g-1 nas amostras tóxicas.

No description available.

Tumor-induced immunosuppression can occur by multiple mechanisms, each posing a significant obstacle to immunotherapy. Evidence presented in this dissertation suggests that aberrant cytokine signaling, as a result of altered metabolism of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) cells, confers a selective advantage for tumor survival and growth. Cells from CLL patients with aggressive disease (as indicated by high-risk cytogenetics) were found to exhibit prolongation in Interferon (IFN)-induced STAT3 phosphorylation, and increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in these cells reflected these signaling processes. Changes in the relative balance of phospho-STAT3 and phospho-STAT1 levels, in response to combinations of IL-2 + Toll-like receptor (TLR)-7 agonist + phorbol esters, as well as IFN, were associated with the immunosuppressive and immunogenic states of CLL cells. In addition, immunosuppressive leukemic cells were found to express high levels of proteins with O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modifications, due to increased metabolic activity through the Hexosamine Biosynthetic Pathway (HBP), which caused impaired intracellular signaling responses and affected disease progression. A conclusion of the studies presented here is that the intrinsic immunosuppressive properties of leukemic cells may be overcome by agents such as Resveratrol that target metabolic pathways of these cells.

Tumor-induced immunosuppression can occur by multiple mechanisms, each posing a significant obstacle to immunotherapy. Evidence presented in this dissertation suggests that aberrant cytokine signaling, as a result of altered metabolism of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) cells, confers a selective advantage for tumor survival and growth. Cells from CLL patients with aggressive disease (as indicated by high-risk cytogenetics) were found to exhibit prolongation in Interferon (IFN)-induced STAT3 phosphorylation, and increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in these cells reflected these signaling processes. Changes in the relative balance of phospho-STAT3 and phospho-STAT1 levels, in response to combinations of IL-2 + Toll-like receptor (TLR)-7 agonist + phorbol esters, as well as IFN, were associated with the immunosuppressive and immunogenic states of CLL cells. In addition, immunosuppressive leukemic cells were found to express high levels of proteins with O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modifications, due to increased metabolic activity through the Hexosamine Biosynthetic Pathway (HBP), which caused impaired intracellular signaling responses and affected disease progression. A conclusion of the studies presented here is that the intrinsic immunosuppressive properties of leukemic cells may be overcome by agents such as Resveratrol that target metabolic pathways of these cells.

Els factors de transcripció de la família Snail són fonamentals en la "transició epiteli-mesènquima", procés morfogènic essencial en el desenvolupament embrionari i en els fenòmens metastàsics tumorals.En els mamífers l'activitat d'Snail és modulada per dos mecanismes. (i) En el promotor humà es troben regions definides de resposta a factors repressors, predominants en les cèl·lules epitelials, i elements diferenciats de resposta a inductors de la "transició epiteli-mesènquima". (ii) L'activitat d'Snail és condicionada també per la seva localització subcel·lular, modulada per mecanismes no transcripcionals: la fosforilació d'Snail determina si és o no exclós del nucli. Al citosol no pot actuar com a repressor transcripcional però pot interaccionar amb la xarxa microtubular, que estabilitza i en condiciona el dinamisme. Això coincideix amb l'activació de la GTPasa RhoA i la reorientació dels filaments de vimentina, fets associats a l'adquisició de capacitat migratòria. L'efecte com a repressor transcripcional i la modulació del dinamisme microtubular són possiblement esdeveniments coordinats necessaris per al rol biològic d'Snail en mamífers. / Snail family of transcription factors is fundamental to the "epithelial-mesenchymal transition", morphogenic process essential to embryonic development and metastatic phenomena in tumors.Snail's activity is modulated in two ways in mammals. (i) The human promoter harbors definite regions that respond to repressor factors, which prevail in epithelial cells; and differentiated elements that respond to known inducers of the "epithelial-mesenchymal transition". (ii) Snail's activity is also conditioned by its subcellular localization, mechanism not dependent on its transcriptional control: Snail phosphorylation determines whether Snail is excluded or not from the nucleus. When in the cytosol, Snail is unable to act as a transcriptional repressor, but however binds to the microtubular meshwork, which becomes stabilized and whose dynamism is conditioned as a result. This fact coincides with the activation of the RhoA GTPase and reorientation of vimentin filaments, both phenomena being related to the acquisition of cell motility. The transcriptional repressor and the microtubule dynamics effects are probably two coordinated events necessary to Snail's biological role in mammals.