O peptídeo liberador da gastrina (GRP), homólogo mamífero da bombesina (BN), é um neuropeptídeo com múltiplas ações biológicas, incluindo um importante papel na regulação da resposta imunológica e inflamatória. Está presente em altas concentrações no líquido sinovial de pacientes com artrite reumatóide (AR), paralelamente com os níveis de interleucina-6 (IL-6) e fator de necrose tumoral (TNF). RC-3095 é um antagonista sintético do receptor da BN/GRP que demonstrou modular a liberação de citocinas pró-inflamatórias (TNF e IL-1 ) e diminuir o infiltrado inflamatório em modelos experimentais de sepse. Este estudo avaliou os efeitos do RC-3095 nos parâmetros clínicos, histopatológicos e de mediadores inflamatórios na artrite induzida por adjuvante completo de Freund (CFA) em ratos. A artrite foi induzida por uma injeção de CFA junto a superfície subplantar da pata esquerda de ratos machos de Wistar. Os animais foram divididos 4 grupos: grupo controle, controle injetado com veículo, grupo placebo (administrado salina subcutaneamente 50ml/kg, uma vez ao dia por 8 dias após estabelecimento do modelo), grupo tratado (0.3 mg/kg de RC-3095 subcutaneamente, uma vez ao dia por 8 dias após a indução). A avaliação clínica foi acompanhada diariamente, de acordo com um escore do edema para as patas posteriores. O peptídeo liberador da gastrina (GRP), homólogo mamífero da bombesina (BN), é um neuropeptídeo com múltiplas ações biológicas, incluindo um importante papel na regulação da resposta imunológica e inflamatória. Está presente em altas concentrações no líquido sinovial de pacientes com artrite reumatóide (AR), paralelamente com os níveis de interleucina-6 (IL-6) e fator de necrose tumoral (TNF). RC-3095 é um antagonista sintético do receptor da BN/GRP que demonstrou modular a liberação de citocinas pró-inflamatórias (TNF e IL-1 ) e diminuir o infiltrado inflamatório em modelos experimentais de sepse. Este estudo avaliou os efeitos do RC-3095 nos parâmetros clínicos, histopatológicos e de mediadores inflamatórios na artrite induzida por adjuvante completo de Freund (CFA) em ratos. A artrite foi induzida por uma injeção de CFA junto a superfície subplantar da pata esquerda de ratos machos de Wistar. Os animais foram divididos 4 grupos: grupo controle, controle injetado com veículo, grupo placebo (administrado salina subcutaneamente 50ml/kg, uma vez ao dia por 8 dias após estabelecimento do modelo), grupo tratado (0.3 mg/kg de RC-3095 subcutaneamente, uma vez ao dia por 8 dias após a indução). A avaliação clínica foi acompanhada diariamente, de acordo com um escore do edema para as patas posteriores. / Background: Recently, targeting of neuropeptides has been suggested to have potential therapeutic effects in RA. The gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) is the homologous mammalian of the bombesin (BN), and its receptor signaling is involved in several functions, including cancer growth, immune cell regulation and inflammatory conditions, and has been found in RA synovial fluid in concentrations that correlate with IL-6 and TNF. RC-3095 is the antagonist of the GRP receptor, and has been demonstrated to modulate the release of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF and IL-1 ) by activated macrophages, leading to decreased inflammatory infiltration. Objective: To determine the effects of RC-3095 in clinical and histopathologic parameters and inflammatory mediators on complete Freund´s adjuvant-induced arthritis. Methods: The arthritis was induced by injection of complete Freund´s adjuvant (CFA) into the left hind footpad in males of Wistar rats. The animals were divided into control, vehicle injected control, placebo group (saline subcutaneously 50ml/kg, once daily for 8 days after modeling), treatment group (0.3 mg/kg of RC-3095 subcutaneously, once daily for 8 days after induction). Clinical evaluation was accomplished daily, through scoring of the paw edema. The animals were sacrificed 15 days after induction for collection of hind foot joints for histology. We used a histological scoring system which was previously described, and interferon (INF)-g, Interleukin (IL)-1 , tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-6 and interleukin (IL)-10 were measured by ELISA. Statistical analyses were compared by Student t-test to determine the difference between placebo and treatment groups for histological scores, and cytokines levels were compared using Mann-Whitney test (p<0.05). Results: There was significant inhibition of joint histological findings in the RC-3095 treated group, including synovial inflammatory infiltration(p<0,001), synovial hyperplasia (p=0.004), extension of pannus (p<0.001), synovial fibrosis (p<0.001), angiogenesis (p=0.033), cartilage (p 0.001) and bone erosion (p<0.001). IFN-g (p<0.001), IL-1 (p<0.001), TNF (p=0.003), IL-6 (p=0.048) and IL-10 (p=0.015) serum levels were significantly lower in the treated group. Paw swelling and subcutaneous inflammation, evaluated clinically, were not different between CFAinduced groups. Conclusions: RC-3095 was able to improve experimental arthritis, attenuate joint damage and decrease serum levels of IFN-g, IL-1 , TNF, IL-6 and IL-10. These data indicate that interference with GRP pathway is a potential new strategy for the treatment of RA that needs further investigational studies.

Introdução: Os neuropeptídeos regulam uma variedade de aspectos da função nervosa e neuroendócrina, atuando através da ativação de receptores específicos da membrana celular. No sistemana nervoso central (SNC) os receptores do pepetídeo liberador de gastrina (GRPR) são amplamente expressos, e numerosos efeitos centrais têm sido descritos com a sua ativação, incluindo efeitos sobre a saciedade, regulação do ritmo circadiano, termorregulação, modulação do stress, resposta ao medo, ansiedade e memória. Pesquisas mostram que o bloqueio farmacológico do GRPR em modelos animais leva ao aparecimento de deficits na interação social, padrões restritivos de comportamento e estereotipias motoras, sintomas semelhantes ao comportamento autista em humanos, sugerindo a possibilidade de que o complexo GRP/GRPR possa ter um papel na patogênese do transtorno do espectro autista (TEA). Recentemente, dois estudos não controlados com administração do peptídeo liberador de gastrina (GRP) a 13 crianças com autismo sugeriram que ele é seguro e que possa melhorar alguns sintomas do transtorno, principalmente interação social e sintomas associados à irritabilidade. Objetivos: Comparar a eficácia, segurança, tolerabilidade do GRP em relação ao placebo em sintomas do TEA. Metodologia: Ensaio clínico crossover, randomizado, duplo-cego, controlado por placebo, com uso de GRP 160 picomol/kg por 4 dias consecutivos, em 10 crianças com autismo. Os desfechos foram medidos através da escala Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC). Resultados: Todos os participantes eram do sexo masculino, com idade entre 4 e 9 anos. Houve uma redução nos escores da escala ABC e suas subescalas após o uso de GRP e de placebo. Apesar dessa redução ser mais proeminente com o GRP, principalmente nas subescalas Irritabilidade, Comportamento estereotipado e Hiperatividade, não houve diferença estatística entre os resultados (p 0,334). Após uma semana da infusão, 5 crianças apresentavam melhora maior que 25% no escore total da escala ABC com uso de GRP e 2 com uso de placebo, não apresentando diferença estatística (p 0,375). Não houve efeitos adversos, alterações dos sinais vitais ou variações laboratoriais associados ao uso de GRP em nenhum paciente. Conclusões: Os resultados deste estudo, apesar do tamanho reduzido da amostra, reforçam os dados anteriores sobre a segurança do GRP no uso a curto prazo. Apesar de ter ocorrido redução dos escores da escala ABC após uso de GRP, não houve diferença estatística em relação ao placebo. Devido ao desenho crossover e tamanho pequeno da amostra do estudo atual, não foi possível esclarecer a real eficácia do GRP na redução dos sintomas do TEA na infância. Existe a necessidade de novas pesquisas com outros delineamentos e tamanho amostral maior para confirmar a eficácia e segurança do GRP em crianças com autismo. / Introduction: The neuropeptides regulate a variety of aspects of the nervous and neuroendocrine function, acting through activation of specific receptors of the cellular membrane. In system central nervous (CNS) the gastrin-releasing peptide recptors (GRPR) are widely expressed, and numerous central effects have been reported with their activation, including effects on satiety, regulating the circadian rhythm, thermoregulation, stress modulation, response to fear, anxiety and memory. Research has shown that pharmacological blockade of GRPR in animal models leads to the deficits in social interaction, restrictive patterns of behavior and motor stereotypies, autistic symptoms similar to human behavior, suggesting the possibility that the complex GRP/GRPR may have a role in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Recently, two studies are not controlled with the administration of gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) to 13 children with autism suggest that it is safe and can improve some symptoms of the disorder, especially social interaction and symptoms associated with irritability. Objectives: To compare the efficacy, safety, tolerability GRP compared to placebo in ASD symptoms. Methodology: crossover clinical trial, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, using GRP 160 picomol/kg for 4 consecutive days in 10 children with autism. Outcomes were measured by the Aberrant Behavior Checklist scale (ABC). Results: All participants were male, aged between 4 and 9 years. There was a reduction in the scores of the ABC range and its subscales after use GRP and placebo. Despite this reduction be more prominent with the GRP, particularly in subscales Irritability, Stereotypic behavior and Hyperactivity and noncompliance, there was no statistical difference between the results (p 0.334). After a week of infusion, 5 children showed improvement greater than 25% in the total score of the ABC scale in GRP use and 2 with placebo use, however there was no statistical difference (p 0.375). No adverse effects, changes in vital signs or laboratory abnormalities associated with use of GRP in any patient. Conclusions: The results of this study, despite the small sample size, reinforce previous data on the safety of the GRP in the short-term use. Although there was a reduction in ABC scale scores after use of GRP, there was no statistical difference from placebo. Due to the small sample size and design of the current study, it was not possible to clarify the real effectiveness of GRP in reducing the symptoms of ASD in childhood. There is a need for further research with other designs and larger sample size to confirm the efficacy and safety of GRP in children with autism.

Os tumores hipofisários representam cerca de 10% a 15% das neoplasias intracranianas. Embora a etiopatogenia ainda não seja plenamente caracterizada, muitos mecanismos moleculares envolvidos na tumorigênese hipofisária já foram desvendados. Utilizandose da metodologia de arranjos de cDNA contendo aproximadamente 20.000 genes, nosso grupo recentemente comparou a expressão de duas condições distintas: um pool de quatro adenomas hipofisários clinicamente não funcionantes e a metástase de um carcinoma hipofisário não funcionante. Vários genes mostraram-se diferencialmente expressos, entre eles, CRABP1 (cellular retinoic acid binding protein 1), CRABP2 (cellular retinoic acid binding protein 2), GRP (gastrin-releasing peptide) e RERG (RAS-like, estrogen-regulated, growth inhibitor). Este estudo visou avaliar a expressão desses quatro genes em uma série de 59 adenomas hipofisários (30 adenomas clinicamente não funcionantes, 13 somatotrofinomas, 8 corticotrofinomas e 8 prolactinomas), comparando cada grupo tumoral com um conjunto de tecidos hipofisários normais. Enquanto os prolactinomas demonstraram expressão reduzida do RNAm dos genes CRABP1 e CRABP2 quando comparados ao grupo de tecidos normais, os somatotrofinomas apresentaram expressão reduzida apenas do RNAm de CRABP2. Os adenomas clinicamente não funcionantes, por sua vez, demonstraram menor expressão do RNAm de GRP e maior expressão do RNAm de RERG quando comparados ao grupo de hipófises normais. Portanto, observou-se que tanto o gene CRABP1 quanto os genes CRABP2, GRP e RERG apresentaram diferenças na expressão do transcrito entre os grupos de adenomas de hipófise, contudo, seu papel na tumorigênese hipofisária permanece a ser investigado. / Pituitary tumors account for approximately 10%-15% of the intracranial neoplasms. Although the pathogenesis is not fully characterized, many molecular mechanisms involved in pituitary tumorigenesis have been unraveled. Using the methodology of cDNA microarray containing approximately 20000 genes, our group recently compared the expression of two distinct conditions: a pool of four clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas and a spinal cord metastasis of a nonfunctioning pituitary carcinoma. Several genes were shown to be differentially expressed, among them, CRABP1 (cellular retinoic acid binding protein 1), CRABP2 (cellular retinoic acid binding protein 2), GRP (gastrin-releasing peptide) and RERG (RAS-like, estrogen-regulated, growth inhibitor). This study aimed to evaluate the expression of these four genes in a series of 59 pituitary adenomas (30 nonfunctioning, 13 GH-secreting, 8 ACTH-secreting and 8 PRL-secreting adenomas), comparing each tumor group with a set of normal pituitary tissues. While PRL-secreting adenomas showed lower expression of CRABP1 and CRABP2 mRNA when compared with normal tissues, GH-secreting adenomas had only lower expression of CRABP2 mRNA. Clinically nonfunctioning adenomas showed lower expression of GRP mRNA and higher expression of RERG mRNA when compared with the normal pituitary glands. Therefore, it was observed that not only the CRABP1 gene but also the CRABP2, GRP and RERG genes showed differences in transcript expression between the groups of pituitary adenomas. However, their role in pituitary tumorigenesis remains to be investigated.

Introdução: Os neuropeptídeos regulam uma variedade de aspectos da função nervosa e neuroendócrina, atuando através da ativação de receptores específicos da membrana celular. No sistemana nervoso central (SNC) os receptores do pepetídeo liberador de gastrina (GRPR) são amplamente expressos, e numerosos efeitos centrais têm sido descritos com a sua ativação, incluindo efeitos sobre a saciedade, regulação do ritmo circadiano, termorregulação, modulação do stress, resposta ao medo, ansiedade e memória. Pesquisas mostram que o bloqueio farmacológico do GRPR em modelos animais leva ao aparecimento de deficits na interação social, padrões restritivos de comportamento e estereotipias motoras, sintomas semelhantes ao comportamento autista em humanos, sugerindo a possibilidade de que o complexo GRP/GRPR possa ter um papel na patogênese do transtorno do espectro autista (TEA). Recentemente, dois estudos não controlados com administração do peptídeo liberador de gastrina (GRP) a 13 crianças com autismo sugeriram que ele é seguro e que possa melhorar alguns sintomas do transtorno, principalmente interação social e sintomas associados à irritabilidade. Objetivos: Comparar a eficácia, segurança, tolerabilidade do GRP em relação ao placebo em sintomas do TEA. Metodologia: Ensaio clínico crossover, randomizado, duplo-cego, controlado por placebo, com uso de GRP 160 picomol/kg por 4 dias consecutivos, em 10 crianças com autismo. Os desfechos foram medidos através da escala Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC). Resultados: Todos os participantes eram do sexo masculino, com idade entre 4 e 9 anos. Houve uma redução nos escores da escala ABC e suas subescalas após o uso de GRP e de placebo. Apesar dessa redução ser mais proeminente com o GRP, principalmente nas subescalas Irritabilidade, Comportamento estereotipado e Hiperatividade, não houve diferença estatística entre os resultados (p 0,334). Após uma semana da infusão, 5 crianças apresentavam melhora maior que 25% no escore total da escala ABC com uso de GRP e 2 com uso de placebo, não apresentando diferença estatística (p 0,375). Não houve efeitos adversos, alterações dos sinais vitais ou variações laboratoriais associados ao uso de GRP em nenhum paciente. Conclusões: Os resultados deste estudo, apesar do tamanho reduzido da amostra, reforçam os dados anteriores sobre a segurança do GRP no uso a curto prazo. Apesar de ter ocorrido redução dos escores da escala ABC após uso de GRP, não houve diferença estatística em relação ao placebo. Devido ao desenho crossover e tamanho pequeno da amostra do estudo atual, não foi possível esclarecer a real eficácia do GRP na redução dos sintomas do TEA na infância. Existe a necessidade de novas pesquisas com outros delineamentos e tamanho amostral maior para confirmar a eficácia e segurança do GRP em crianças com autismo. / Introduction: The neuropeptides regulate a variety of aspects of the nervous and neuroendocrine function, acting through activation of specific receptors of the cellular membrane. In system central nervous (CNS) the gastrin-releasing peptide recptors (GRPR) are widely expressed, and numerous central effects have been reported with their activation, including effects on satiety, regulating the circadian rhythm, thermoregulation, stress modulation, response to fear, anxiety and memory. Research has shown that pharmacological blockade of GRPR in animal models leads to the deficits in social interaction, restrictive patterns of behavior and motor stereotypies, autistic symptoms similar to human behavior, suggesting the possibility that the complex GRP/GRPR may have a role in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Recently, two studies are not controlled with the administration of gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) to 13 children with autism suggest that it is safe and can improve some symptoms of the disorder, especially social interaction and symptoms associated with irritability. Objectives: To compare the efficacy, safety, tolerability GRP compared to placebo in ASD symptoms. Methodology: crossover clinical trial, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, using GRP 160 picomol/kg for 4 consecutive days in 10 children with autism. Outcomes were measured by the Aberrant Behavior Checklist scale (ABC). Results: All participants were male, aged between 4 and 9 years. There was a reduction in the scores of the ABC range and its subscales after use GRP and placebo. Despite this reduction be more prominent with the GRP, particularly in subscales Irritability, Stereotypic behavior and Hyperactivity and noncompliance, there was no statistical difference between the results (p 0.334). After a week of infusion, 5 children showed improvement greater than 25% in the total score of the ABC scale in GRP use and 2 with placebo use, however there was no statistical difference (p 0.375). No adverse effects, changes in vital signs or laboratory abnormalities associated with use of GRP in any patient. Conclusions: The results of this study, despite the small sample size, reinforce previous data on the safety of the GRP in the short-term use. Although there was a reduction in ABC scale scores after use of GRP, there was no statistical difference from placebo. Due to the small sample size and design of the current study, it was not possible to clarify the real effectiveness of GRP in reducing the symptoms of ASD in childhood. There is a need for further research with other designs and larger sample size to confirm the efficacy and safety of GRP in children with autism.

O peptídeo liberador da gastrina (GRP), homólogo mamífero da bombesina (BN), é um neuropeptídeo com múltiplas ações biológicas, incluindo um importante papel na regulação da resposta imunológica e inflamatória. Está presente em altas concentrações no líquido sinovial de pacientes com artrite reumatóide (AR), paralelamente com os níveis de interleucina-6 (IL-6) e fator de necrose tumoral (TNF). RC-3095 é um antagonista sintético do receptor da BN/GRP que demonstrou modular a liberação de citocinas pró-inflamatórias (TNF e IL-1 ) e diminuir o infiltrado inflamatório em modelos experimentais de sepse. Este estudo avaliou os efeitos do RC-3095 nos parâmetros clínicos, histopatológicos e de mediadores inflamatórios na artrite induzida por adjuvante completo de Freund (CFA) em ratos. A artrite foi induzida por uma injeção de CFA junto a superfície subplantar da pata esquerda de ratos machos de Wistar. Os animais foram divididos 4 grupos: grupo controle, controle injetado com veículo, grupo placebo (administrado salina subcutaneamente 50ml/kg, uma vez ao dia por 8 dias após estabelecimento do modelo), grupo tratado (0.3 mg/kg de RC-3095 subcutaneamente, uma vez ao dia por 8 dias após a indução). A avaliação clínica foi acompanhada diariamente, de acordo com um escore do edema para as patas posteriores. O peptídeo liberador da gastrina (GRP), homólogo mamífero da bombesina (BN), é um neuropeptídeo com múltiplas ações biológicas, incluindo um importante papel na regulação da resposta imunológica e inflamatória. Está presente em altas concentrações no líquido sinovial de pacientes com artrite reumatóide (AR), paralelamente com os níveis de interleucina-6 (IL-6) e fator de necrose tumoral (TNF). RC-3095 é um antagonista sintético do receptor da BN/GRP que demonstrou modular a liberação de citocinas pró-inflamatórias (TNF e IL-1 ) e diminuir o infiltrado inflamatório em modelos experimentais de sepse. Este estudo avaliou os efeitos do RC-3095 nos parâmetros clínicos, histopatológicos e de mediadores inflamatórios na artrite induzida por adjuvante completo de Freund (CFA) em ratos. A artrite foi induzida por uma injeção de CFA junto a superfície subplantar da pata esquerda de ratos machos de Wistar. Os animais foram divididos 4 grupos: grupo controle, controle injetado com veículo, grupo placebo (administrado salina subcutaneamente 50ml/kg, uma vez ao dia por 8 dias após estabelecimento do modelo), grupo tratado (0.3 mg/kg de RC-3095 subcutaneamente, uma vez ao dia por 8 dias após a indução). A avaliação clínica foi acompanhada diariamente, de acordo com um escore do edema para as patas posteriores. / Background: Recently, targeting of neuropeptides has been suggested to have potential therapeutic effects in RA. The gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) is the homologous mammalian of the bombesin (BN), and its receptor signaling is involved in several functions, including cancer growth, immune cell regulation and inflammatory conditions, and has been found in RA synovial fluid in concentrations that correlate with IL-6 and TNF. RC-3095 is the antagonist of the GRP receptor, and has been demonstrated to modulate the release of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF and IL-1 ) by activated macrophages, leading to decreased inflammatory infiltration. Objective: To determine the effects of RC-3095 in clinical and histopathologic parameters and inflammatory mediators on complete Freund´s adjuvant-induced arthritis. Methods: The arthritis was induced by injection of complete Freund´s adjuvant (CFA) into the left hind footpad in males of Wistar rats. The animals were divided into control, vehicle injected control, placebo group (saline subcutaneously 50ml/kg, once daily for 8 days after modeling), treatment group (0.3 mg/kg of RC-3095 subcutaneously, once daily for 8 days after induction). Clinical evaluation was accomplished daily, through scoring of the paw edema. The animals were sacrificed 15 days after induction for collection of hind foot joints for histology. We used a histological scoring system which was previously described, and interferon (INF)-g, Interleukin (IL)-1 , tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-6 and interleukin (IL)-10 were measured by ELISA. Statistical analyses were compared by Student t-test to determine the difference between placebo and treatment groups for histological scores, and cytokines levels were compared using Mann-Whitney test (p<0.05). Results: There was significant inhibition of joint histological findings in the RC-3095 treated group, including synovial inflammatory infiltration(p<0,001), synovial hyperplasia (p=0.004), extension of pannus (p<0.001), synovial fibrosis (p<0.001), angiogenesis (p=0.033), cartilage (p 0.001) and bone erosion (p<0.001). IFN-g (p<0.001), IL-1 (p<0.001), TNF (p=0.003), IL-6 (p=0.048) and IL-10 (p=0.015) serum levels were significantly lower in the treated group. Paw swelling and subcutaneous inflammation, evaluated clinically, were not different between CFAinduced groups. Conclusions: RC-3095 was able to improve experimental arthritis, attenuate joint damage and decrease serum levels of IFN-g, IL-1 , TNF, IL-6 and IL-10. These data indicate that interference with GRP pathway is a potential new strategy for the treatment of RA that needs further investigational studies.

Abstract The heart adapts to hemodynamic overload with cardiac hypertrophy. Initially the increase in heart mass normalizes wall stress and permits normal cardiac function. In the long term pathological growth is associated with increased heart size, loss of functional myocytes and fibrotic replacement, heart dilatation and cardiac dysfunction, which can ultimately lead to heart failure. Vasoactive peptides participate in the regulation of cardiac contractility in an auto/paracrine way, but the peptidergic signaling pathways are largely unknown. The present study aimed to characterize the signaling mechanisms mediating the positive inotropic effect of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and the effects of prolactin releasing peptide (PrRP) on cardiac contractility in the isolated perfused rat heart preparation. The study demonstrated that mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) have opposing roles in the regulation of cardiac contractility stimulated by ET-1. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) mediated positive inotropic response to ET-1 was found to be counterbalanced by p38-MAPK. In addition, the effect of ET-1 was partly dependent on enhanced NADPH oxidase reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which activated the ERK1/2 pathway. In contrast, β-adrenergic inotropic effect was limited by stimulation of ROS production via negating phospholamban phosphorylation. The positive inotropic effect of ET-1 was counterbalanced by guanylyl cyclase (GC)-cGMP-protein kinase G (PKG) pathway and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). PrRP was found to exert a direct positive inotropic effect which was independent of cAMP and was suppressed by concurrent activation of protein kinase Cα (PKCα) and protein phosphatase 1 (PP1), and dephosphorylation of phospholamban. In conclusion, in the present study signaling pathways in the acute regulation of cardiac contractility stimulated by ET-1 were characterized. The results suggest that the positive inotropic effect of ET-1 is mediated by ROS and ERK1/2 while p38-MAPK counterbalances the effect of ET-1. In addition, GC-cGMP-PKG pathway and nNOS modulate the response to ET-1. The study also established the previously unknown cardiac effects of PrRP. The findings provide a better understanding of molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of cardiac contractility, and may indicate potential targets for novel therapeutic interventions. / Tiivistelmä Sydänlihaksen lisääntynyt mekaaninen kuormitus esimerkiksi verenpainetaudin tai sydäninfarktin yhteydessä voi johtaa sydämen kammion seinämän paksuuntumiseen eli hypertrofiaan. Hypertrofia auttaa sydäntä sopeutumaan lisääntyneeseen työmäärään, mutta se on myös sydän- ja verisuonitautitapahtumien riskitekijä. Pitkään jatkuva kuormitus johtaa usein sydämen pumppausvoiman heikkenemiseen ja sydämen vajaatoimintaan. Sydän tuottaa useita paikallisesti vaikuttavia vasoaktiivisia tekijöitä, jotka osallistuvat sydämen supistuvuuden säätelyyn. Väitöskirjatutkimuksessa tutkittiin signaalinvälitysjärjestelmiä, jotka osallistuvat endoteliini-1:n (ET-1) sydämen supistusvoimaa lisäävän eli positiivisen inotrooppisen vaikutuksen muodostumiseen sekä selvitettiin prolaktiinia vapauttavan peptidin (PrRP) vaikutuksia sydämen supistusvoimaan käyttämällä koemallina eristettyä, perfusoitua rotan sydäntä. Väitöskirjatyön tutkimustulokset osoittivat, että mitogeeni-aktivoituvat proteiinikinaasit (MAPK) ERK1/2 ja p38-MAPK osallistuvat ET-1:n inotrooppisen vaikutuksen säätelyyn. ERK1/2 välitti, ja p38-MAPK rajoitti ET-1:n lisäämää supistusvoiman kasvua. NADPH-oksidaasin tuottamat reaktiiviset happiradikaalit välittivät sydämessä ET-1:n inotrooppista vaikutusta ja ERK1/2 fosforylaatiota. Toisaalta NADPH-oksidaasin tuottamat happiradikaalit rajoittivat β-adrenergisen agonistin inotrooppista vaikutusta. Guanylaattisyklaasi (GC)-cGMP-proteiinikinaasi G (PKG) -järjestelmä ja neuronaalinen typpioksidisyntaasi (nNOS) vaimensivat ET-1:n lisäämää sydämen supistusvoiman kasvua. PrRP lisäsi sydämen inotropiaa syklisestä AMP:stä riippumattomalla tavalla, mutta vasteen säätelyyn havaittiin osallistuvan proteiinikinaasi C ja proteiinifosfataasi 1. Väitöskirjatutkimuksessa saatiin uutta tietoa solunsisäisistä viestinvälitysjärjestelmistä, jotka osallistuvat sydämen supistusvoimaan säätelyyn. Havaintojen perusteella ET-1:n positiivisen inotrooppisen vaikutuksen muodostumista välittävät reaktiiviset happiradikaalit ja ERK1/2, kun taas p38-MAPK rajoittaa vastetta. Lisäksi GC-cGMP-PKG -järjestelmä ja nNOS osallistuvat ET-1:n vaikutusten säätelyyn. Tutkimuksessa havaittiin myös, että PrRP vaikuttaa sydämen supistuvuuteen. Solutason mekanismien yksityiskohtien tunteminen voi mahdollistaa tulevaisuudessa sydän- ja verisuonisairauksien, kuten sydämen hypertrofian ja vajaatoiminnan, hoitomenetelmien tehostumisen ja mahdollisesti uudentyyppisten hoitomenetelmien kehittämisen.

Anorexigenic neuropeptides have the potential to decrease food intake and ameliorate obesity and its complications such as high blood glucose or high blood pressure. However, they are not able to cross the blood-brain barrier after peripheral application. Recently, we have designed and synthesized lipidized analogs of prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP), which resulted in stabilization of the molecule and allowed us to apply the peptide to the periphery to achieve its central biological effect, as it was demonstrated by increased neuronal activity shown by c-Fos in particular hypothalamus nuclei. The aim of this study was to choose the effective dose in acute food intake experiments and then to characterize the subchronic effect of palmitoylated PrRP analogs in mouse and rat models of obesity and diabetes. Several animal models were used: diet-induced obese (DIO) mice (C57Bl/6J), DIO Sprague-Dawley rats, and two rat models with leptin receptor-deficiency: Zucker diabetic (ZDF) rats and spontaneously hypertensive (SHROB) rats. Consumption of a high-fat diet in DIO mice and rats increased their body weight and blood pressure. Two-week intraperitoneal treatment with palmitoylated PrRP31 lowered the food intake, body weight, and returned the blood pressure to normal levels. This treatment also improved...

La maladie cardiaque ischémique, la plus commune des maladies qui affectent le cœur, est encore aujourd’hui une importante cause de décès dans les pays industrialisés. Une réponse cardio-métabolique inflammatoire à un changement aigu initié par une modification du métabolisme énergétique du cœur ischémique est accentuée après que l’apport en oxygène ait été rétabli. Parmi les altérations délétères dans le myocarde qui en résultent, sont inclus l’accumulation d’acides gras non estérifiés (AGNE) ainsi que leur oxydation au détriment de l’utilisation du glucose, ce qui amplifie la génération d’espèces réactives de l’oxygène (ROS). Les tissus en périphérie du cœur tel que le tissu adipeux peuvent affecter l’étendue des blessures au myocarde par la relâche en circulation de substances bioactives comme les AGNE et l’adiponectine. Le CD36 est le principal facilitateur de l’entrée d’AGNE dans le cœur et les adipocytes et constitue une importante cible métabolique spécialement lors d’un stress d’ischémie-reperfusion (I/R). Il a été rapporté précédemment par notre groupe qu’un ligand synthétique et sélectif envers le CD36 exerce un effet protecteur puissant sur le système vasculaire. Cependant, aucune étude in vivo n’a rapporté d’effet cardioprotecteur de ligands sélectifs envers le CD36. Ainsi, ce projet visait à évaluer le rôle et possiblement l’effet cardioprotecteur de ligands sélectifs du récepteur CD36 sur la blessure au myocarde en I/R. Des souris CD36+/+ et CD36-/- ont été traitées quotidiennement avec le EP 80317, le CP-3(iv) ou le véhicule pendant 14 jours avant de subir la ligature temporaire de l’artère coronaire antérieure descendante gauche (LAD). Notre première étude a montré que le EP 80317 exerce un effet cardioprotecteur puissant tel que montré par la réduction de la surface des lésions et l’amélioration de la fonction cardiaque in vivo suivant la blessure au myocarde en I/R. De plus, le EP 80317 a réduit l’internalisation totale d’AGNE dans le myocarde, mesurée in vivo par l’imagerie métabolique cardiaque, en accord avec la diminution du niveau circulant d’AGNE. Une réduction de la lipolyse révélée par une perfusion de radiotraceur de palmitate et une augmentation du niveau d’expression de gènes adipogéniques et anti-lipolytiques appuient davantage l’effet du EP 80317 dans la prévention de la mobilisation délétère d’acides gras du tissu adipeux. Notre deuxième étude a investigué le mécanisme cardioprotecteur d’une nouvelle génération de ligands dotés d’une plus grande affinité de liaison envers le CD36. Cette étude a montré que le CP-3(iv) est aussi pourvu d’un puissant effet cardioprotecteur comme le montre la réduction de la taille de l’infarctus et l’amélioration de la fonction cardiaque post-I/R du myocarde qui est fonction d’une signalisation métabolique et anti-oxydante de l’adiponectine. En effet, l’augmentation des principales voies de signalisation régulant la sécrétion de l’adiponectine et des gènes antioxydants a été démontrée dans le tissu adipeux suivant l’I/R du myocarde et un traitement avec le CP-3(iv). L’activation de la protéine kinase B ou Akt dans le myocarde avec la diminution de la génération de ROS et de la signalisation de mort cellulaire appuient davantage le rôle cardioprotecteur du CP-3(iv) dans l’I/R du myocarde. En conclusion, le travail présenté dans cette thèse soutient qu’une signalisation du CD36 par le EP 80317 et le CP-3(iv) pourrait s’avérer être une nouvelle approche thérapeutique dans le traitement de la maladie cardiaque ischémique. Ces ligands synthétiques sélectifs envers le CD36 provoquent un effet salutaire sur le myocarde ischémique par le biais d’une amélioration du profil métabolique dans les premières heures de la reperfusion. Le EP 80317 réduit le niveau délétère d’AGNE et leur internalisation dans le cœur en situation d’excès, tandis que le CP-3(iv) augmente le niveau bénéfique d’adiponectine et son effet cardioprotecteur. / Ischaemic heart disease, the most common cause of heart disease, is still today a leading cause of mortality in industrialized countries. An inflammatory cardiometabolic response to acute changes elicited by energetic substrate shift in the ischemic heart is amplified once the oxygen supply is reinstated. Resulting deleterious alterations include increased myocardial accumulation of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and their oxidation at the expense of glucose, thus enhancing reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Peripheral tissues such as the adipose tissue can affect the extent of myocardial injury by releasing bioactive substances such as adiponectin and NEFA into the circulation. CD36 is the main facilitator of the entry of NEFA in the heart or adipocytes and constitutes an important metabolic target especially during an ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) stress. It was previously reported by our group that a selective synthetic ligand of CD36 exerts potent protective effects on the vasculature. However, no study has reported the in vivo cardioprotective effects of selective CD36 ligands. Thus, this project aimed to evaluate the role and possibly cardioprotective effects of selective CD36 receptor ligands on myocardial I/R injury. CD36+/+ and CD36-/- mice were pretreated with EP 80317, CP-3(iv) or vehicle for 14 days prior to undergoing a transient occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. Our first study showed that EP 80317 exerted potent cardioprotective effects as shown by reduced lesion area and ameliorated cardiac function following in vivo myocardial I/R injury. Furthermore, EP 80317 reduced total myocardial NEFA uptake, as assessed by in vivo metabolic cardiac imaging, in agreement with reduced levels of circulating NEFA. Reduced lipolysis revealed by palmitate radiotracer infusion and increased expression levels of adipogenic and anti-lipolytic genes further support an effect of EP 80317 in preventing deleterious fatty acid mobilization from adipose tissue. Our second study investigated the cardioprotective mechanisms of a new generation of ligands with increased affinity towards CD36. This study showed that CP-3(iv) is also endowed of potent cardioprotective effects as shown by reduced infarct area and improved myocardial function following myocardial I/R injury which is mediated by an adiponectin metabolic and anti-oxidative signaling pathway. Indeed, main signaling pathways regulating adiponectin secretion and antioxidative genes were shown to be increased in adipose tissue following myocardial I/R and CP-3(iv) treatment. Myocardial protein kinase B or Akt activation along with reduced ROS generation and cell death signaling further support a cardioprotective role of CP-3(iv) in MI/R. In conclusion, work from this thesis support that CD36 signaling by EP 80317 and CP-3(iv) may constitute a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of ischemic heart disease. These synthetic CD36 selective ligands provoke salutary effects on ischaemic myocardium by means of an ameliorated metabolic profile in the first hours of reperfusion. EP 80317 reduces deleterious NEFA levels and their uptake into the heart in time of excess, while CP-3(iv) increases beneficial adiponectin level and its cardioprotective effects.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

BDNF/TrkB são descritos em diversas neoplasias onde iniciam sinais mitogênicos, facilitam o crescimento tumoral, previnem apoptose e regulam angiogênese e metástase. Outros fatores de crescimento também são importantes para tumorigênese, como GRP/GRPR e EGF/EGFR. O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi investigar o papel de BDNF/TrkB em câncer colorretal avaliando possíveis interações com GRPR e EGFR. Verificamos que BDNF e seu receptor, TrkB, estão presentes em amostras de pacientes com câncer colorretal esporádico, e os níveis de BDNF encontram-se mais elevados no tecido neoplásico que no tecido adjacente ao tumor. O tratamento com RC- 3095, um antagonista de GRPR, na linhagem celular de câncer colorretal humana, HT-29, causa diminuição nos níveis de NGF secretados pelas células e aumento de BDNF em relação ao controle não tratado. RC-3095 inibe a proliferação e viabilidade celular das linhagens HT-29 (EGFR positiva) e SW-620 (EGFR negativa), embora apenas em HT-29 ocorra um aumento significativo na expressão de mRNA de BDNF. Por isso, um anticorpo monoclonal anti-EGFR, cetuximabe, foi combinado a RC-3095, nas células HT-29, sendo capaz de prevenir tal aumento, sugerindo que este efeito seja mediado por EGFR. Os tratamentos com um inibidor de Trks, K252a (1000 nM) ou com cetuximabe (10 nM) também inibem a proliferação celular. Entretanto, a combinação de BDNF a cetuximabe previne este efeito, enquanto que a combinação de doses não efetivas de K252a (10 nM) à cetuximabe (1 nM) inibe a proliferação celular de HT- 29. Além disso, cetuximabe também causa aumento na expressão de mRNA de TrkB e BDNF, após 600 minutos de tratamento. Nossos resultados sugerem que a inibição da proliferação celular in vitro ou do crescimento tumoral in vivo devem acontecer através do bloqueio combinado entre GRPR e TrkB em células de câncer colorretal EGFR positivas, e que BDNF também esteja envolvido em mecanismos de resistência a fármacos. Por isso, o bloqueio de BDNF / TrkB pode emergir como potencial alvo antitumoral. / BDNF / TrkB are described in various cancers where they participate in tumor growth, apoptosis, angiogenesis and metastasis. Furthermore, other growth factors are also important to tumorigenesis as GRP/GRPR and EGF/EGFR. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of BDNF/TrkB in colorectal cancer evaluating the interactions with GRPR and EGFR. We found that BDNF and its receptor, TrkB, are present in samples from patients diagnosed with sporadic colorectal cancer, and BDNF levels were higher in tumor tissue compared to adjacent tumor tissue. Treatment with RC-3095, GRPR antagonist, in human colorectal cancer cell line, HT-29 caused a decrease in NGF levels secreted by cells, and generated increase of BDNF when compared to untreated control. RC-3095 inhibited the proliferation and cell viability in HT-29 (EGFR positive) and SW-620 (EGFR negative), but only HT-29 cells showed a significant increase in BDNF mRNA expression. Therefore, a monoclonal anti-EGFR antibody, cetuximab was combined with RC-3095 in HT-29 cells, and was able to prevent such an increase, suggesting that this effect is mediated by EGFR. The treatment with a Trk inhibitor, K252a (1000 nM) or cetuximab (10 nM), inhibited cell proliferation. However, the combination of BDNF with cetuximab prevented this effect, whereas the combination of ineffective doses of K252a (10 nM) with cetuximab (1 nM) still inhibited cell proliferation of HT-29. Furthermore, cetuximab also caused an increase in BDNF and TrkB mRNA expression, 600 minutes after treatment. In summary, our results suggest that inhibition of cell proliferation in vitro or tumor growth in vivo must occur between the combination of GRPR and TrkB in EGFR positive colorectal cancer cells, and that BDNF is also involved in drug resistance mechanisms. Therefore, blockage of BDNF / TrkB may emerge as potential antitumor target.