Lymph nodes (LNs) are dynamic organs responsible for providing a supportive and centralized environment for the generation of immune response. Utilizing a highly organized network of non-hematopoietic stromal cells, the LN serves as the context in which the immune system collects and presents antigen, promotes innate and adaptive immune interaction, and generates protective cell-mediated and humoral immunity. In this way, proper organization and function of the LN environment is a critical component of effective immunity, and understanding its complexity has direct impact on the ability to generate and modulate primary immune response to specific antigens. To this end, the LN architecture, underlying stromal networks, and environmental and cellular responses to influenza vaccination were investigated. Using novel approaches to conduit imaging, details of the collagen network that comprises the LN scaffolding have been integrated into current understandings of LN architecture. The cellular compartment responsible for the maintenance of that scaffolding, fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs), have been studied using an induced diptheria toxin receptor model. By specifically ablating the FRC population in mice, their role in the maintenance of T cell homeostasis has been confirmed in vivo. More surprisingly, a disruption of the FRC network resulted in a loss of B cell follicle structure within LNs, and a reduction in humoral immunity to influenza vaccination. These findings led to the identification of a new subset of FRCs which reside in B cell follicles, and serve as a critical source of the B cell survival factor BAFF. Turning towards the hematopoietic response to influenza vaccination, a highly unexpected lymph node resident dendritic cell (LNDC) response has been identified following vaccine antigen deposition within specialized sites in the LN medulla. Rapid migration of LNDCs into these sites optimizes exposure of the population to viral antigen, and de novo synthesis of a CXCL10 chemokine gradient by activated LNDCs ensures efficient antigen specific \(CD4^+\) T cell response, and protective humoral immunity - independent of migratory dendritic cell status. Altogether, these studies highlight a highly dynamic, responsive LN environment with direct influence on primary immune response - the understanding of which has broad implications in vaccine biology.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2004. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a unique class of solid-state materials, exemplifying the power of combining organic and inorganic chemistries to address the enduring challenge pertaining to designing solid state materials with desired attributes. Notably, a myriad of MOFs were constructed in the last two decades. In particular, the use of well-defined polyatomic clusters as molecular building blocks (MBBs) permitted access to the looked-for geometrical features, incorporated in preselected building units prior to the assembly process, guiding the assembly of a targeted network. Nevertheless, the diverse coordination modes and geometries of rareearth (RE) elements requires the introduction of a sophisticated controlled approach for their use as polynuclear cluster MBBs. Subsequently, our group has introduced the use of 2-fluorobenzoic acid (2-FBA) modulator that consistently allows the in situ control and formation of multi-nuclear RE MBBs. The presented work in this thesis demonstrates the use of elaborate RE MBBs and their successful deployment in reticular chemistry for the construction of particular MOF platforms expressing unique properties in term of gas separations. Accordingly, the RE hexanuclear clusters were used to construct fcu- and fluMOF platforms with controlled pore-aperture sizes. Markedly, the isolated RE-MOFs, REfum-fcu-MOF and RE-bqdc-flu-MOF, showed unprecedented paraffin/isoparaffin molecular sieving. Further tuning of the windows of RE-fcu-MOFs afforded the assembly of a MOF suitable for propylene/propane separation. The exceptional thermal and chemical stability and high adsorption selectivity of some of these MOFs prompted us to explore the fcu-MOF platform for selective removal of H2S/CO2 from CH4 and for sensing of toxic gases, namely H2S and NH3. Additionally, the research presented in this dissertation highlights the topological exploration for the formation of new MOFs: i) highly-connected polyatomic RE-MOFs in combination with tetrahedrally oriented tetracarboxylate ligands afforded the formation MOFs with new underlying topologies, namely kna-, kel- and kem-MOFs; ii) mixed-metal approach (RE plus other elements) was employed to fabricate MOFs containing in situ formed metalo-linker MBBs that are difficult to be pre-assembled by organic synthesis; iii) supermolecular building layer (SBL) approach was extended from the prevalent sql to the less explored double sql layer for the rational design of pillared MOFs.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

O rebanho ovino brasileiro tem se intensificado, o que predispõe à maior incidência de transtornos digestivos, como a úlcera de abomaso. A ranitidina é utilizada na prevenção e tratamento desta afecção, no entanto há pouca informação sobre a indicação parenteral deste fármaco para a espécie ovina. São escassas as informações a respeito das alterações metabólicas concomitantes, assim como do comportamento do sistema digestório. Nesse estudo foram utilizados cinco ovinos, machos, hígidos, providos de cânula ruminal e abomasal em delineamento experimental Quadrado Latino 5 x 5, com arranjo fatorial de tratamentos 2 x 2 + 1. Foram testadas as doses de 1mg/kg e 2mg/kg, administradas por via intravenosa, (IV) a cada 12 (BID) e a cada 8 horas (TID) em relação ao grupo controle, tratado com 1 mL de solução fisiológica por 25 kg, IV, BID. Maiores concentrações de proteína total, cálcio, sódio e hemoglobina, maiores atividades de AST e aumento do pH abomasal por 150 minutos foram observados em todos os animais que receberam o fármaco, independentemente de dose e frequência. No grupo tratado BID houve diminuição do número de leucócitos. Na frequência TID houve aumento das concentrações de creatinina e diminuição do cortisol plasmático. Os tratamentos 1 mg/kg TID e 2 mg/kg BID aumentaram o número de hemácias, diminuíram o intervalo entre as contrações reticulares e as concentrações séricas de pepsinogênio. Não foram observadas alterações na dinâmica dos fluidos, no pH ruminal, nas funções vitais e na amplitude das contrações reticulares. A radiografia contrastada foi útil para a avaliação da motilidade abomasal e intestinal. A ultrassonografia em modo-M revelou-se de grande valia na avaliação da amplitude e duração da curva de contração reticular e do intervalo entre as contrações. / The brazilian sheep production intensified, predisposing to increased incidence of digestive disorders such as abomasal ulcers. Ranitidine is used to prevent and treat this disease, however there is little information about the use of parenteral form of the drug in sheep. Data about the concomitant metabolic changes, as well as the behavior of the digestive system is scant. In this study, we used five healthy male sheep with ruminal and abomasal cannula. A Latin Square experiment 5 x 5 with 2 x 2 + 1factorial arrangement of treatments was run. Four levels of 1mg/kg and 2mg/kg administered intravenously (IV) every 12 (BID) and every 8 hours (TID) was compared to the control group, treated with 1 mL of saline per 25 kg, IV, BID. Higher concentrations of total protein, calcium, sodium and hemoglobin, increased AST activity and increased pH abomasum for 150 min were observed in all animals receiving the drug, regardless of dose and frequency. The BID treatment groups showed decrease the number of leukocytes. Increase of creatinine concentrations and decrease of plasma cortisol were observed in the TID group. Treatments 1 mg/kg TID and 2 mg/kg BID increased the number of red blood cells, decreased the interval between reticular contractions and serum pepsinogen. No changes were observed in fluid dynamics, the ruminal pH, vital functions and amplitude of reticular contractions. Contrast administered through abomasal cannula allowed the evaluation of abomasal and intestinal motility by radiography. The M-mode ultrasonography proved valuable in characterizing reticular contraction by the interval of contractions and a contraction curve correlating amplitude and time and.

Células reticulares fibroblásticas (FRCs, gp38+ e CD31-) e células duplo negativas (DNCs, gp38- e CD31-) são células estromais encontradas em órgãos linfoides secundários, como linfonodos. Enquanto as FRCs têm sido amplamente estudadas, pouco se sabe ainda sobre DNCs. Apesar da função estrutural das FRCs nos linfonodos já estar bem estabelecida, estudos recentes indicam que as FRCs também desempenham um papel fundamental em processos imunológicos, por exemplo, migração celular, ativação e qualidade da resposta imune, além da participação na tolerância periférica. Outra célula estromal em constante estudo são as células-tronco mesenquimais (CTMs), principalmente encontradas na medula óssea. Estas células compartilham similaridades, como por exemplo; são células estromais encontradas em órgãos linfoides, apresentam morfologia e características semelhantes quando cultivadas in vitro e estão envolvidas na resposta imune por mecanismos semelhantes. As CTMs são provenientes de um órgão linfoide primário, cuja função principal não está relacionada à resposta imunológica, entretanto, de acordo com inúmeros trabalhos, estas células possuem capacidade de interferir na ativação de várias células do sistema imunológico. Portanto, nossa hipótese é de que as FRCs e DNCs, que se encontram em um órgão linfoide secundário, cuja função principal remete a resposta imunológica, apresentem também um papel regulador, descrito na literatura como tolerância periférica e contração de uma resposta imunológica já estabelecida. Em nosso estudo mostramos que FRCs e DNCs foram isoladas a partir de linfonodos humanos e devidamente caraterizadas. Evidenciamos que FRCs e DNCs atendem todos os critérios mínimos propostos pela sociedade internacional de terapia celular para serem consideradas células-tronco estromais. Além disso, mostramos que FRCs e DNCs influênciam a proliferação e a expressão de moléculas de homing em linfócitos alogênicos in vitro. Portanto, contribuimos de forma inédita para o entendimento funcional das FRCs e DNCs, visto que estudos em humanos envolvendo estas células são escassos / Fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs, gp38+ e CD31-) and double-negative cells (DNCs, gp38- e CD31-) are stromal cells found in secondary lymphoid organs, such as lymph nodes. While the FRCs has been widely studied, little is known about DNCs. Despite the structural function of FRCs on lymph nodes is well established, recent studies indicate that FRCs also play a key role in immunological processes, for example, cell migration, immune response activation and quality, beyond their involvement in peripheral tolerance. Another stromal cell type in constant study are mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), mainly found in bone marrow. These cells share similarities with FRCs and DNCs, for example; they are estromal cells found in lymphoid organs, they present similar morphology and characteristics when cultured in vitro and they are involved in the immune response by similar mechanisms. MSCs are derived from a primary lymphoid organ which the major function is not related to immune response, but according to numerous studies these cells have the capacity of the interfere on activation of various immune cells. Consequently, our hypothesis is that FRCs and DNCs, usually found in secondary lymphoid organ, display immune regulatory roles, which were described in the literature as peripheral tolerance and immune response contraction. In our study we showed that FRCs and DNCs were isolated from human lymph nodes and adequately characterized. We evidenced that FRCs and DNCs meet all minimum criteria proposed by the International Society of Cell Therapy to be considerate a stromal stem cell. Therefore, we contributed in an unpublished manner to the functional understanding of FRCs and DNCs, since human studies involving these cells are scarce

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2003. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Células reticulares fibroblásticas (FRCs, gp38+ e CD31-) e células duplo negativas (DNCs, gp38- e CD31-) são células estromais encontradas em órgãos linfoides secundários, como linfonodos. Enquanto as FRCs têm sido amplamente estudadas, pouco se sabe ainda sobre DNCs. Apesar da função estrutural das FRCs nos linfonodos já estar bem estabelecida, estudos recentes indicam que as FRCs também desempenham um papel fundamental em processos imunológicos, por exemplo, migração celular, ativação e qualidade da resposta imune, além da participação na tolerância periférica. Outra célula estromal em constante estudo são as células-tronco mesenquimais (CTMs), principalmente encontradas na medula óssea. Estas células compartilham similaridades, como por exemplo; são células estromais encontradas em órgãos linfoides, apresentam morfologia e características semelhantes quando cultivadas in vitro e estão envolvidas na resposta imune por mecanismos semelhantes. As CTMs são provenientes de um órgão linfoide primário, cuja função principal não está relacionada à resposta imunológica, entretanto, de acordo com inúmeros trabalhos, estas células possuem capacidade de interferir na ativação de várias células do sistema imunológico. Portanto, nossa hipótese é de que as FRCs e DNCs, que se encontram em um órgão linfoide secundário, cuja função principal remete a resposta imunológica, apresentem também um papel regulador, descrito na literatura como tolerância periférica e contração de uma resposta imunológica já estabelecida. Em nosso estudo mostramos que FRCs e DNCs foram isoladas a partir de linfonodos humanos e devidamente caraterizadas. Evidenciamos que FRCs e DNCs atendem todos os critérios mínimos propostos pela sociedade internacional de terapia celular para serem consideradas células-tronco estromais. Além disso, mostramos que FRCs e DNCs influênciam a proliferação e a expressão de moléculas de homing em linfócitos alogênicos in vitro. Portanto, contribuimos de forma inédita para o entendimento funcional das FRCs e DNCs, visto que estudos em humanos envolvendo estas células são escassos / Fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs, gp38+ e CD31-) and double-negative cells (DNCs, gp38- e CD31-) are stromal cells found in secondary lymphoid organs, such as lymph nodes. While the FRCs has been widely studied, little is known about DNCs. Despite the structural function of FRCs on lymph nodes is well established, recent studies indicate that FRCs also play a key role in immunological processes, for example, cell migration, immune response activation and quality, beyond their involvement in peripheral tolerance. Another stromal cell type in constant study are mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), mainly found in bone marrow. These cells share similarities with FRCs and DNCs, for example; they are estromal cells found in lymphoid organs, they present similar morphology and characteristics when cultured in vitro and they are involved in the immune response by similar mechanisms. MSCs are derived from a primary lymphoid organ which the major function is not related to immune response, but according to numerous studies these cells have the capacity of the interfere on activation of various immune cells. Consequently, our hypothesis is that FRCs and DNCs, usually found in secondary lymphoid organ, display immune regulatory roles, which were described in the literature as peripheral tolerance and immune response contraction. In our study we showed that FRCs and DNCs were isolated from human lymph nodes and adequately characterized. We evidenced that FRCs and DNCs meet all minimum criteria proposed by the International Society of Cell Therapy to be considerate a stromal stem cell. Therefore, we contributed in an unpublished manner to the functional understanding of FRCs and DNCs, since human studies involving these cells are scarce