Neste trabalho investigamos o efeito de doadores de H2S no prurido agudo mediado por PAR-2 em camundongos. A injeção i.d. do agonista PAR-2 SLIGRL-NH2, induziu prurido que não foi afetado pelo pré-tratamento com o antagonista H1 pirilamina. A coinjeção dos doadores de H2S GYY4137 (lento) ou NaHS (espontâneo) com SLIGRL-NH2 reduziu significativamente o prurido (P<0,05). A glibenclamida (bloqueador de canais KATP) e o SNP (doador de NO), mas não o ODQ (inibidor da sGC), evitaram estes efeitos. O antagonista TRPA1 HC-030031 reduziu significativamente o prurido induzido pelo SLIGRL-NH2 (P<0,05), mas o prurido induzido pelo agonista TPRA1 AITC não foi afetado por NaHS. Ensaios de Western blot mostraram que ambos PAR-2 e TRPA1 são expressos constitutivamente na pele de camundongos. Nossos dados mostram que o prurido secundário à ativação do PAR-2 pode ser reduzido por H2S, atuando via a abertura dos canais KATP e ativação da via NO-GMPc. Ademais, o receptor TRPA1 pode mediar o prurido induzido por SLIGRL-NH2, mas o H2S não interfere nesta via. / In this study we investigated the effect of H2S donors in PAR-2-mediated acute pruritus in mice. The i.d. injection of the PAR-2 agonist SLIGRL-NH2 induced itching that was unaffected by pre-treatment with the H1 antagonist pyrilamine. Co-injection of the H2S donors GYY4137 (slow) or NaHS (spontaneous) with SLIGRL-NH2 significantly reduced pruritis (P <0.05). Glibenclamide (a KATP channel blocker) and SNP (a NO donor), but not ODQ (a sGC inhibitor) prevented these effects. The TRPA1 antagonist HC-030031 significantly reduced SLIGRL-NH2-induced pruritus (P<0.05), but the pruritus induced by the TPRA1 agonist AITC was unaffected by NaHS. Western blot assays showed that both TRPA1 and PAR-2 are constitutively expressed in the mouse skin. Our data show that itching secondary to PAR-2 activation can be reduced by H2S which acts via the opening of KATP channels and activation of the NO-cGMP pathway. Furthermore, TRPA1 receptors may mediate SLIGRL-NH2-induced pruritus, however, H2S does not interfere with this pathway.

O receptor ativado por protease do tipo 1 (PAR1) foi o primeiro membro clonado da família de receptores acoplados à proteína G. Sua ativação tem sido associada ao reparo tecidual e cicatrização óssea. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito da ativação do PAR1 nas atividades osteogênica e cementogênica de células mesenquimais do ligamento periodontal (CMLP). CMLP obtidas de 3 indivíduos foram cultivadas e tratadas com meio clonogênico (MC) ou meio osteogênico (MO) por 2, 7 e 14 dias. Depósitos de cálcio, concentração de cálcio (sobrenadante), atividade de fosfatase alcalina (ALP), proliferação celular, expressão gênica (qPCR) e níveis proteicos (ELISA) de fatores osteogênicos e cementogênicos foram avaliados na presença de trombina, agonista do PAR1 ou antagonista do PAR1. A ativação do PAR1 levou ao aumento da formação de depósitos de cálcio (p<0,05), o que foi associado ao aumento da concentração de cálcio (p<0,05), atividade da ALP (p<0,05) e proliferação celular (p<0,05). Além disso, os ensaios qPCR e ELISA mostraram que a ativação do PAR1 pode aumentar a expressão gênica de Runx2, OPG e CEMP1 (p<0,05) e níveis proteicos de Runx2 e OPG (p<0,05). Em conclusão, nossos resultados demonstram que a ativação de PAR1 aumenta as atividades osteogênica e cementogênica de CMLP. / Protease activated receptor 1 (PAR1) was the first cloned member of the G protein-coupled receptor family. Its activation has been associated to tissue repair and bone healing. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of PAR1 activation on the osteogenic and cementogenic activities of human periodontal ligament stem cells (HPLSC). HPLSC obtained from 3 subjects and treated with a control medium or with an osteogenic medium for 2, 7 and 14 days. Calcium deposits, calcium concentration (supernatant), alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), cell proliferation and gene (qPCR) and protein expression (ELISA assay) of osteogenic and cementogenic factors were assessed in the presence of thrombin, PAR1 specific agonist peptide or PAR1 antagonist peptide. The activation of PAR1 led to increased formation of calcium deposits (p<0.05), which was associated to increased calcium concentration (p<0.05), ALP activity (p<0.05) and cell proliferation (p<0.05). Further, qPCR and ELISA assay showed that activation of PAR1 may increase gene expression of Runx2, OPG and CEMP1 (p<0.05) and protein levels of Runx2 and OPG (p<0.05). In conclusion, our results demonstrate that PAR1 activation increases osteogenic and cementogenic activities of HPLSC.

O receptor ativado por protease do tipo 2 (PAR2) está envolvido na patogênese de doenças inflamatórias crônicas, incluindo a periodontite. O PAR2 pode ser ativado pela gingipaína, produzida pela Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) e proteinase 3 (P3) do neutrófilo. A ativação do PAR2 desempenha um papel relevante nos processos inflamatórios ao induzir a liberação de importantes mediadores pró-inflamatórios associados à destruição periodontal. No presente estudo, o efeito do tratamento periodontal não-cirúrgico na expressão do PAR2 por células do fluido gengival, bem como a sua associação com os níveis de mediadores pró-inflamatórios e proteases ativadoras foram investigados em pacientes com periodontite. Além disso, avaliou-se in vitro o envolvimento da via de sinalização MAPK-p38 na ativação do PAR2 e a influência deste na produção de superóxido (O2-) e na capacidade de fagocitose em neutrófilos do sangue periférico humano infectados pela P. gingivalis. Um aumento significativo (P < 0,05) da expressão do RNAm e proteica do PAR2 por células do fluido gengival foi positivamente associado aos parâmetros clínicos inflamatórios e aos níveis de interleucina (IL)-6, IL-8, fator de necrose tumoral-, metaloproteinases da matriz (MMP)-2, MMP-8, fator de crescimento de hepatócitos e fator de crescimento endotelial vascular, avaliados por Bioplex. Níveis elevados de RNAm da gingipaína e P3, expressão reduzida do RNAm da dentilisina (P < 0,05), bem como redução significativa (P < 0,05) dos níveis de inibidores de protease secretados por leucócitos e elafina (avaliados por ELISA), também foram associados à superexpressão do PAR2. Sítios periodontalmente saudáveis de indivíduos com periodontite crônica apresentaram uma menor expressão do RNAm e proteica do PAR2 (P < 0,05). O tratamento periodontal resultou na diminuição significativa da expressão de PAR2 (P < 0,05), correlacionada com a diminuição da expressão de mediadores inflamatórios (P < 0,05), bem como com suas proteases ativadoras (P < 0,05). Além disso, o uso do antagonista do PAR2 suprimiu significativamente (P < 0,05) a produção de superóxido em neutrófilos do sangue periférico humano, denotando o papel do PAR2 nessa importante função celular. Dessa forma, concluímos que o tratamento periodontal, o qual resulta na diminuição dos níveis de proteases e mediadores pró-inflamatórios, está associado com uma diminuição da expressão do PAR2, portanto, sugerindo que a expressão de PAR2 é influenciada pela presença da infecção periodontal, e não uma característica constitutiva favorecendo a inflamação periodontal. / Protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) is implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases including periodontitis; it can be activated by gingipain, produced by Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), and by neutrophil-protease 3 (P3). PAR2 activation plays a relevant role in inflammatory processes by inducing the release of important inflammatory mediators associated with periodontal breakdown. In the present study, the effect of non-surgical periodontal treatment on PAR2 expression and its association with levels of pro-inflammatory mediators, and activating proteases were investigated in chronic periodontitis patients. Moreover it was evaluated in vitro the role of MAPK-p38 signaling pathway during PAR2 activation and its influence on superoxide production and phagocytosis capacity in peripheral human neutrophils infected with P. gingivalis. A significant mRNA and protein over-expression of PAR2 (P < 0.05) in gingival crevicular fluid cells was positively associated to inflammatory clinical parameters, and to the levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, matrix metalloproteases (MMP)-2, MMP-8, hepatocyte growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor (evaluated by Bioplex). Elevated levels of gingipain and P3 (P < 0.05), and decreased levels of dentilisin mRNA, and protease inhibitors, secretory leucocyte protease inhibitor and elafina (P < 0.05) (evaluated by ELISA), were also associated to PAR2 overexpression. Periodontally healthy sites from chronic periodontitis individuals showed a diminished expression of PAR2 mRNA and PAR2 protein level (P < 0.05). Furthermore, periodontal treatment resulted in decreased PAR2 expression (P < 0.05), correlated with decreased expression of inflammatory mediators (P < 0.05) and activating proteases (P < 0.05). Moreover, PAR2 antagonist reduced significantly superoxide production in human neutrophils (P < 0.05) showing the role of PAR2 on this important cellular function. We concluded that periodontal treatment resulted on decreased levels of proteases, and pro-inflammatory mediators is associated to decreased PAR2 expression, therefore suggesting that PAR2 expression is influenced by the presence of periodontal infection, and not a constitutive characteristic favoring periodontal inflammation.

A hipertensão arterial pulmonar é uma síndrome clínica e hemodinâmica, caracterizada pelo aumento de resistência vascular na microcirculação. A vasoconstrição presente na doença ocorre principalmente devido à disfunção endotelial, induzindo a um estado pró-trombótico onde a participação das plaquetas é inequívoca. A trombina, principal agonista da ativação plaquetária, exerce seus efeitos nas células por meio de receptores ativados por proteases. Através da citometria de fluxo, este trabalho teve por objetivo analisar (1) a expressão do receptor ativado por protease do tipo 1 (PAR-1) na membrana de plaquetas, em seu estado íntegro ou clivado, (2) a atividade, mediante a formação de agregados entre plaquetas e leucócitos e, plaquetas e monócitos após estímulo de receptores ativados por proteases, além (3) da expressão de selectina-P na membrana plaquetária após estimulação. Foram estudados 30 pacientes portadores de hipertensão arterial pulmonar sob tratamento ambulatorial no Instituto do Coração da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. A idade destes pacientes variou de 11 a 78 anos, e a média da pressão sistólica da artéria pulmonar foi de 89+29 mmHg. Em 30% dos pacientes, o número de plaquetas esteve abaixo de 150x103/l, e em 40%, o nível do hematócrito apresentou-se acima de 50%. No presente estudo, não foi observada diferença significante na expressão do PAR-1 íntegro em plaquetas de pacientes comparativamente aos controles (p = 0,2). Em contrapartida, as plaquetas dos pacientes apresentaram menor quantidade de receptor clivado (p = 0,01), sugerindo internalização destes receptores. Com relação à avaliação da atividade de PAR-1 através da formação de agregados entre plaquetas e leucócitos e, plaquetas e monócitos após estimulação por agentes capazes de atuar sobre o receptor de trombina, não foram observadas diferenças entre pacientes e controles, ou seja, em ambos os casos houve a formação de agregados (p = 0,2 e p = 0,4, respectivamente). Em relação aos leucócitos, o SFLLRN, estimulou o receptor independentemente do seu estado, íntegro ou clivado, nos pacientes (p < 0,05), enquanto que nos indivíduos normais, a resposta só foi observada quando o receptor íntegro foi estimulado por trombina (p < 0,05). Tanto nos pacientes estudados, como nos controles, a estimulação do PAR-1 plaquetário, promoveu aumento da expressão de selectina-P na superfície plaquetária (p < 0,0001), embora não houvesse diferença entre os grupos (p = 0,9). Estes resultados demonstram que as plaquetas dos pacientes não são refratárias à liberação de seu conteúdo granular, e encontram-se aptas a responder aos estímulos tanto quanto as plaquetas dos controles. Este estudo reforça a importância da terapia antiplaquetária em pacientes com hipertensão arterial pulmonar. / Pulmonary hypertension is a clinical and hemodynamic syndrome, characterized by the increase of vascular resistance in lungs, generally through various mechanisms, involving vasoconstriction and remodeling of the arterial wall. Endothelial dysfunction in pulmonary arterial hypertension leads to a prothrombotic status, in which platelet participation seems to be unequivocal. Thrombin is the most potent platelet activator and exerts its effects on cells, through protease-activated receptors. Flow cytometry procedure was employed to assess (1) platelet protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1) expression, in both uncleaved and cleaved forms, (2) PAR-1 activity, through platelet-leukocyte and platelet-monocyte aggregates formation in response to the thrombin receptor stimulus, and finally (3) platelet P-selectin expression after stimulus. Thirty patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (age 11 to 78 years) under treatment at the Heart Institute, University of São Paulo were enrolled. The systolic pulmonary arterial pressure was 89+29 mmHg. The platelet count was < 150x103/l in 30% of the patients, and the hematocrit level was > 50% in 40% of the patients. In the present study, there was no relevant difference in the level of intact platelet protease-activated receptor 1 expression in patients and controls (p = 0.2). On the other hand, the expression of cleaved receptors was decreased in patients (p = 0.01) platelets, what suggests internalization. There was no difference on platelet-leukocyte, and platelet-monocyte aggregates in response to the thrombin receptor stimulus between patients and controls, in other words, in both cases there was the aggregates formation (p = 0.2). However, aggregates formation in patients appeared to occur predominately in response to an agent (SFLLRN) capable to stimulate the receptor, independent of its state, intact or cleaved (p < 0.05). Otherwise, in healthy individuals, the response occurred especially when the intact receptor was stimulated by thrombin (p < 0.05). In these patients, similarly to the controls, platelet protease-activated receptor 1 stimulation induced membrane P-selectin expression (p < 0.001), although there was no difference between the groups (p = 0.9). These findings suggest that platelets from patients are not refractory to its granular content secretion and are capable to respond to stimulus as the controls platelets. This study re-enforce the importance of anti platelet therapy in pulmonary arterial hypertension patients.

Alors que la plaquette a un rôle prépondérant dans le maintient de l'hémostase, son implication dans la formation de la thrombose est également incontestée. Il existe à présent des traitements antiplaquettaires mais ceux-ci présentent quelques failles. Le but de ma maîtrise a donc été de caractériser de nouvelles voies d'inhibition de l'activité plaquettaire. Les deux études qui ont été réalisées concernent l'inhibition de récepteurs couplés aux protéines G, soit le récepteur à l'ADP P2Y1 et le récepteur à la thrombine PAR-1. Dans un premier temps, l'étude du récepteur P2Y1 suggère que l'inhibition de celui-ci seul ou en combinaison avec l'inhibition du récepteur P2Y12 présente un potentiel thérapeutique chez des patients coronariens stables. Dans un deuxième temps, l'étude d'un nouvel antiplaquettaire qui est présentement en phase III de son développement clinique, soit le SCH 530348, a été effectuée. Étant un antagoniste du récepteur PAR-1, le SCH 530348 a des effets qui se répercutent à la fois chez la plaquette et les leucocytes qui possèdent eux aussi ce récepteur. Cette deuxième étude suggère que complémentairement à son effet chez la plaquette, cet inhibiteur diminue les marqueurs de l'inflammation systémique. / Platelets have a central role in haemostasis as well as in the pathology of atherothrombotic disease. Antiplatelet therapy is the standard treatment for patients with coronary heart disease. However, the current antiplatelet agents show some disadvantages. The aim of my studies was then to describe the effect of inhibition of platelet activation pathways that are not yet the target of clinically used therapies. The two studies that were performed are regarding the inhibition of two G coupledprotein receptors, which are the ADP P2Y1 receptor and the thrombin PAR-1 receptor. First, the study of P2Y1 receptor revealed that its inhibition alone or in combination with the inhibition of P2Y12 receptor show a therapeutic potential in patients with stable coronary disease. Second, the study of a novel antiplatelet agent, SCH 530348, which is in phase III of its clinical development, has been carried out. SCH 530348, which is a PAR-1 receptor antagonist, can therefore act on platelets as well as on leukocytes which also express this receptor. This second study showed that additionally to its effect on platelet activation inhibition, SCH 530348 also reduces the cell-surface markers of systemic inflammation.

Two areas of particular importance in prostate cancer progression are primary tumour development and metastasis. These processes involve a number of physiological events, the mediators of which are still being discovered and characterised. Serine proteases have been shown to play a major role in cancer invasion and metastasis. The recently discovered phenomenon of their activation of a receptor family known as the protease activated receptors (PARs) has extended their physiological role to that of signaling molecule. Several serine proteases are expressed by malignant prostate cancer cells, including members of the kallikreinrelated peptidase (KLK) serine protease family, and increasingly these are being shown to be associated with prostate cancer progression. KLK4 is highly expressed in the prostate and expression levels increase during prostate cancer progression. Critically, recent studies have implicated KLK4 in processes associated with cancer. For example, the ectopic over-expression of KLK4 in prostate cancer cell lines results in an increased ability of these cells to form colonies, proliferate and migrate. In addition, it has been demonstrated that KLK4 is a potential mediator of cellular interactions between prostate cancer cells and osteoblasts (bone forming cells). The ability of KLK4 to influence cellular behaviour is believed to be through the selective cleavage of specific substrates. Identification of relevant in vivo substrates of KLK4 is critical to understanding the pathophysiological roles of this enzyme. Significantly, recent reports have demonstrated that several members of the KLK family are able to activate PARs. The PARs are relatively new members of the seven transmembrane domain containing G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) family. PARs are activated through proteolytic cleavage of their N-terminus by serine proteases, the resulting nascent N-terminal binds intramolecularly to initiate receptor activation. PARs are involved in a number of patho-physiological processes, including vascular repair and inflammation, and a growing body of evidence suggests roles in cancer. While expression of PAR family members has been documented in several types of cancers, including prostate, the role of these GPCRs in prostate cancer development and progression is yet to be examined. Interestingly, several studies have suggested potential roles in cellular invasion through the induction of cytoskeletal reorganisation and expression of basement membrane-degrading enzymes. Accordingly, this program of research focussed on the activation of the PARs by the prostate cancer associated enzyme KLK4, cellular processing of activated PARs and the expression pattern of receptor and agonist in prostate cancer. For these studies KLK4 was purified from the conditioned media of stably transfected Sf9 insect cells expressing a construct containing the complete human KLK4 coding sequence in frame with a V5 epitope and poly-histidine encoding sequences. The first aspect of this study was the further characterisation of this recombinant zymogen form of KLK4. The recombinant KLK4 zymogen was demonstrated to be activatable by the metalloendopeptidase thermolysin and amino terminal sequencing indicated that thermolysin activated KLK4 had the predicted N-terminus of mature active KLK4 (31IINED). Critically, removal of the pro-region successfully generated a catalytically active enzyme, with comparable activity to a previously published recombinant KLK4 produced from S2 insect cells. The second aspect of this study was the activation of the PARs by KLK4 and the initiation of signal transduction. This study demonstrated that KLK4 can activate PAR-1 and PAR-2 to mobilise intracellular Ca2+, but failed to activate PAR-4. Further, KLK4 activated PAR-1 and PAR-2 over distinct concentration ranges, with KLK4 activation and mobilisation of Ca2+ demonstrating higher efficacy through PAR-2. Thus, the remainder of this study focussed on PAR-2. KLK4 was demonstrated to directly cleave a synthetic peptide that mimicked the PAR-2 Nterminal activation sequence. Further, KLK4 mediated Ca2+ mobilisation through PAR-2 was accompanied by the initiation of the extra-cellular regulated kinase (ERK) cascade. The specificity of intracellular signaling mediated through PAR-2 by KLK4 activation was demonstrated by siRNA mediated protein depletion, with a reduction in PAR-2 protein levels correlating to a reduction in KLK4 mediated Ca2+mobilisation and ERK phosphorylation. The third aspect of this study examined cellular processing of KLK4 activated PAR- 2 in a prostate cancer cell line. PAR-2 was demonstrated to be expressed by five prostate derived cell lines including the prostate cancer cell line PC-3. It was also demonstrated by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy analyses that activation of PC-3 cell surface PAR-2 by KLK4 leads to internalisation of this receptor in a time dependent manner. Critically, in vivo relevance of the interaction between KLK4 and PAR-2 was established by the observation of the co-expression of receptor and agonist in primary prostate cancer and prostate cancer bone lesion samples by immunohistochemical analysis. Based on the results of this study a number of exciting future studies have been proposed, including, delineating differences in KLK4 cellular signaling via PAR-1 and PAR-2 and the role of PAR-1 and PAR-2 activation by KLK4 in prostate cancer cells and bone cells in prostate cancer progression.

No description available.

Neste trabalho investigamos o efeito de doadores de H2S no prurido agudo mediado por PAR-2 em camundongos. A injeção i.d. do agonista PAR-2 SLIGRL-NH2, induziu prurido que não foi afetado pelo pré-tratamento com o antagonista H1 pirilamina. A coinjeção dos doadores de H2S GYY4137 (lento) ou NaHS (espontâneo) com SLIGRL-NH2 reduziu significativamente o prurido (P<0,05). A glibenclamida (bloqueador de canais KATP) e o SNP (doador de NO), mas não o ODQ (inibidor da sGC), evitaram estes efeitos. O antagonista TRPA1 HC-030031 reduziu significativamente o prurido induzido pelo SLIGRL-NH2 (P<0,05), mas o prurido induzido pelo agonista TPRA1 AITC não foi afetado por NaHS. Ensaios de Western blot mostraram que ambos PAR-2 e TRPA1 são expressos constitutivamente na pele de camundongos. Nossos dados mostram que o prurido secundário à ativação do PAR-2 pode ser reduzido por H2S, atuando via a abertura dos canais KATP e ativação da via NO-GMPc. Ademais, o receptor TRPA1 pode mediar o prurido induzido por SLIGRL-NH2, mas o H2S não interfere nesta via. / In this study we investigated the effect of H2S donors in PAR-2-mediated acute pruritus in mice. The i.d. injection of the PAR-2 agonist SLIGRL-NH2 induced itching that was unaffected by pre-treatment with the H1 antagonist pyrilamine. Co-injection of the H2S donors GYY4137 (slow) or NaHS (spontaneous) with SLIGRL-NH2 significantly reduced pruritis (P <0.05). Glibenclamide (a KATP channel blocker) and SNP (a NO donor), but not ODQ (a sGC inhibitor) prevented these effects. The TRPA1 antagonist HC-030031 significantly reduced SLIGRL-NH2-induced pruritus (P<0.05), but the pruritus induced by the TPRA1 agonist AITC was unaffected by NaHS. Western blot assays showed that both TRPA1 and PAR-2 are constitutively expressed in the mouse skin. Our data show that itching secondary to PAR-2 activation can be reduced by H2S which acts via the opening of KATP channels and activation of the NO-cGMP pathway. Furthermore, TRPA1 receptors may mediate SLIGRL-NH2-induced pruritus, however, H2S does not interfere with this pathway.

A hipertensão arterial pulmonar é uma síndrome clínica e hemodinâmica, caracterizada pelo aumento de resistência vascular na microcirculação. A vasoconstrição presente na doença ocorre principalmente devido à disfunção endotelial, induzindo a um estado pró-trombótico onde a participação das plaquetas é inequívoca. A trombina, principal agonista da ativação plaquetária, exerce seus efeitos nas células por meio de receptores ativados por proteases. Através da citometria de fluxo, este trabalho teve por objetivo analisar (1) a expressão do receptor ativado por protease do tipo 1 (PAR-1) na membrana de plaquetas, em seu estado íntegro ou clivado, (2) a atividade, mediante a formação de agregados entre plaquetas e leucócitos e, plaquetas e monócitos após estímulo de receptores ativados por proteases, além (3) da expressão de selectina-P na membrana plaquetária após estimulação. Foram estudados 30 pacientes portadores de hipertensão arterial pulmonar sob tratamento ambulatorial no Instituto do Coração da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. A idade destes pacientes variou de 11 a 78 anos, e a média da pressão sistólica da artéria pulmonar foi de 89+29 mmHg. Em 30% dos pacientes, o número de plaquetas esteve abaixo de 150x103/l, e em 40%, o nível do hematócrito apresentou-se acima de 50%. No presente estudo, não foi observada diferença significante na expressão do PAR-1 íntegro em plaquetas de pacientes comparativamente aos controles (p = 0,2). Em contrapartida, as plaquetas dos pacientes apresentaram menor quantidade de receptor clivado (p = 0,01), sugerindo internalização destes receptores. Com relação à avaliação da atividade de PAR-1 através da formação de agregados entre plaquetas e leucócitos e, plaquetas e monócitos após estimulação por agentes capazes de atuar sobre o receptor de trombina, não foram observadas diferenças entre pacientes e controles, ou seja, em ambos os casos houve a formação de agregados (p = 0,2 e p = 0,4, respectivamente). Em relação aos leucócitos, o SFLLRN, estimulou o receptor independentemente do seu estado, íntegro ou clivado, nos pacientes (p < 0,05), enquanto que nos indivíduos normais, a resposta só foi observada quando o receptor íntegro foi estimulado por trombina (p < 0,05). Tanto nos pacientes estudados, como nos controles, a estimulação do PAR-1 plaquetário, promoveu aumento da expressão de selectina-P na superfície plaquetária (p < 0,0001), embora não houvesse diferença entre os grupos (p = 0,9). Estes resultados demonstram que as plaquetas dos pacientes não são refratárias à liberação de seu conteúdo granular, e encontram-se aptas a responder aos estímulos tanto quanto as plaquetas dos controles. Este estudo reforça a importância da terapia antiplaquetária em pacientes com hipertensão arterial pulmonar. / Pulmonary hypertension is a clinical and hemodynamic syndrome, characterized by the increase of vascular resistance in lungs, generally through various mechanisms, involving vasoconstriction and remodeling of the arterial wall. Endothelial dysfunction in pulmonary arterial hypertension leads to a prothrombotic status, in which platelet participation seems to be unequivocal. Thrombin is the most potent platelet activator and exerts its effects on cells, through protease-activated receptors. Flow cytometry procedure was employed to assess (1) platelet protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1) expression, in both uncleaved and cleaved forms, (2) PAR-1 activity, through platelet-leukocyte and platelet-monocyte aggregates formation in response to the thrombin receptor stimulus, and finally (3) platelet P-selectin expression after stimulus. Thirty patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (age 11 to 78 years) under treatment at the Heart Institute, University of São Paulo were enrolled. The systolic pulmonary arterial pressure was 89+29 mmHg. The platelet count was < 150x103/l in 30% of the patients, and the hematocrit level was > 50% in 40% of the patients. In the present study, there was no relevant difference in the level of intact platelet protease-activated receptor 1 expression in patients and controls (p = 0.2). On the other hand, the expression of cleaved receptors was decreased in patients (p = 0.01) platelets, what suggests internalization. There was no difference on platelet-leukocyte, and platelet-monocyte aggregates in response to the thrombin receptor stimulus between patients and controls, in other words, in both cases there was the aggregates formation (p = 0.2). However, aggregates formation in patients appeared to occur predominately in response to an agent (SFLLRN) capable to stimulate the receptor, independent of its state, intact or cleaved (p < 0.05). Otherwise, in healthy individuals, the response occurred especially when the intact receptor was stimulated by thrombin (p < 0.05). In these patients, similarly to the controls, platelet protease-activated receptor 1 stimulation induced membrane P-selectin expression (p < 0.001), although there was no difference between the groups (p = 0.9). These findings suggest that platelets from patients are not refractory to its granular content secretion and are capable to respond to stimulus as the controls platelets. This study re-enforce the importance of anti platelet therapy in pulmonary arterial hypertension patients.

O receptor ativado por protease do tipo 2 (PAR2) está envolvido na patogênese de doenças inflamatórias crônicas, incluindo a periodontite. O PAR2 pode ser ativado pela gingipaína, produzida pela Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) e proteinase 3 (P3) do neutrófilo. A ativação do PAR2 desempenha um papel relevante nos processos inflamatórios ao induzir a liberação de importantes mediadores pró-inflamatórios associados à destruição periodontal. No presente estudo, o efeito do tratamento periodontal não-cirúrgico na expressão do PAR2 por células do fluido gengival, bem como a sua associação com os níveis de mediadores pró-inflamatórios e proteases ativadoras foram investigados em pacientes com periodontite. Além disso, avaliou-se in vitro o envolvimento da via de sinalização MAPK-p38 na ativação do PAR2 e a influência deste na produção de superóxido (O2-) e na capacidade de fagocitose em neutrófilos do sangue periférico humano infectados pela P. gingivalis. Um aumento significativo (P < 0,05) da expressão do RNAm e proteica do PAR2 por células do fluido gengival foi positivamente associado aos parâmetros clínicos inflamatórios e aos níveis de interleucina (IL)-6, IL-8, fator de necrose tumoral-, metaloproteinases da matriz (MMP)-2, MMP-8, fator de crescimento de hepatócitos e fator de crescimento endotelial vascular, avaliados por Bioplex. Níveis elevados de RNAm da gingipaína e P3, expressão reduzida do RNAm da dentilisina (P < 0,05), bem como redução significativa (P < 0,05) dos níveis de inibidores de protease secretados por leucócitos e elafina (avaliados por ELISA), também foram associados à superexpressão do PAR2. Sítios periodontalmente saudáveis de indivíduos com periodontite crônica apresentaram uma menor expressão do RNAm e proteica do PAR2 (P < 0,05). O tratamento periodontal resultou na diminuição significativa da expressão de PAR2 (P < 0,05), correlacionada com a diminuição da expressão de mediadores inflamatórios (P < 0,05), bem como com suas proteases ativadoras (P < 0,05). Além disso, o uso do antagonista do PAR2 suprimiu significativamente (P < 0,05) a produção de superóxido em neutrófilos do sangue periférico humano, denotando o papel do PAR2 nessa importante função celular. Dessa forma, concluímos que o tratamento periodontal, o qual resulta na diminuição dos níveis de proteases e mediadores pró-inflamatórios, está associado com uma diminuição da expressão do PAR2, portanto, sugerindo que a expressão de PAR2 é influenciada pela presença da infecção periodontal, e não uma característica constitutiva favorecendo a inflamação periodontal. / Protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) is implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases including periodontitis; it can be activated by gingipain, produced by Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), and by neutrophil-protease 3 (P3). PAR2 activation plays a relevant role in inflammatory processes by inducing the release of important inflammatory mediators associated with periodontal breakdown. In the present study, the effect of non-surgical periodontal treatment on PAR2 expression and its association with levels of pro-inflammatory mediators, and activating proteases were investigated in chronic periodontitis patients. Moreover it was evaluated in vitro the role of MAPK-p38 signaling pathway during PAR2 activation and its influence on superoxide production and phagocytosis capacity in peripheral human neutrophils infected with P. gingivalis. A significant mRNA and protein over-expression of PAR2 (P < 0.05) in gingival crevicular fluid cells was positively associated to inflammatory clinical parameters, and to the levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, matrix metalloproteases (MMP)-2, MMP-8, hepatocyte growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor (evaluated by Bioplex). Elevated levels of gingipain and P3 (P < 0.05), and decreased levels of dentilisin mRNA, and protease inhibitors, secretory leucocyte protease inhibitor and elafina (P < 0.05) (evaluated by ELISA), were also associated to PAR2 overexpression. Periodontally healthy sites from chronic periodontitis individuals showed a diminished expression of PAR2 mRNA and PAR2 protein level (P < 0.05). Furthermore, periodontal treatment resulted in decreased PAR2 expression (P < 0.05), correlated with decreased expression of inflammatory mediators (P < 0.05) and activating proteases (P < 0.05). Moreover, PAR2 antagonist reduced significantly superoxide production in human neutrophils (P < 0.05) showing the role of PAR2 on this important cellular function. We concluded that periodontal treatment resulted on decreased levels of proteases, and pro-inflammatory mediators is associated to decreased PAR2 expression, therefore suggesting that PAR2 expression is influenced by the presence of periodontal infection, and not a constitutive characteristic favoring periodontal inflammation.