Cells exposed to DNA damaging agents activate a network of mechanisms called DNA damage response, including telomere length regulation. Telomeres are specialized structures that protect chromosome ends from degrading and being fused together. Mouse-knockout experiments revealed that cell lines deficient of DNA-PKcs or Ku70/80 resulted in high amount of telomere end-to-end fusion. Numerous other studies have shown a functional interplay between DNA damage response and telomere maintenance. The aim of this project is to examine this interplay further by investigating mechanisms of DNA damage response, using cell lines from X-linked homozygous recessive form of Dyskeratosis Congenita (DC) patients, which have dysfunctional telomere maintenance. DC is a multi-system disorder characterised by abnormalities of the bone marrow, immune deficiency and a predisposition to cancer. In this work we have shown that cells with defective DKC1 (the gene implicated in the X- linked homozygous recessive form of DC) exhibit a defective DNA damage response by examining two types of cells: fibroblast and lymphoblastoid cell lines. By using various biomarkers (H2AX, TIF assay etc) we analysed the DNA damage response by exposing DC cell lines to ionizing radiation. Our results demonstrated that DC cell lines have an abnormal DNA damage response and as a result show radiosensitivity. We have also knocked down the DKC1 gene in normal cell lines using siRNA oligonucleotides and demonstrated that this knock-down causes radiosensitivity. Therefore our results conclusively show an abnormal DNA damage response in cells derived from DC patients. Finally we used TA-65, a novel telomerase activator derived from the plant Astragalus membranaceus and showed radioprotective effects of this compound in normal lymphoblastoid cell lines. Taken together our results potentiate further the link between telomere maintenance and DNA damage response.

Telomeres are physical ends of chromosomes consisting of (TTAGGG)n DNA sequence and a specialized set of proteins that protect chromosomal ends from degradation and from eliciting DNA damage response. These specialized set of proteins, known as shelterin, directly bind to telomeric DNA. In addition, some DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair proteins such as, DNA-PKcs and KU70/80, play active roles in telomere maintenance. Mouse knock-out experiments have revealed that deletion of either DNA-PKcs or Ku70/80 resulted in elevated levels of telomeric fusion, indicative of dysfunctional telomeres. Artemis protein is involved in DNA DSB repair through non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and it is phosphorylated by DNAPKcs. Human cells defective in Artemis have been identified and shown to be radiosensitive and patients with an Artemis defective gene suffer from radiosensitive severe-combined immune deficiency syndrome (RS-SCID). Mouse cells defective in Artemis have elevated levels of telomeric fusion. We have demonstrated in this thesis that Artemis defective human cell lines show a mild telomeric dysfunction phenotype detectable at the cytological level. The nature of telomere dysfunction phenotype appears to be similar to that observed in DNAPKcs defective cells as exemplified by the presence of IR induced chromatid telomeric fusions. We have also shown that (a) DNA damage occurring within the telomeric DNA is difficult to repair or irreparable in older cells and that (b) Artemis defective older cells show higher proportion of DNA damage at telomeres than their normal counterparts. Finally, we have demonstrated that inhibition of DNA-PKcs causes (a) an increase in telomeric fusions in Artemis defective cell lines relative to both normal cell lines after inhibition and Artemis cell lines before inhibition and (b)elevated levels of DNA damage at telomeres following exposure of cells to radiation relative to both irradiated normal cells exposed to a DNA-PKcs inhibitor and irradiated Artemis defective cells but not exposed to the DNA-PKcs inhibitor. These results suggest that the effects of Artemis and DNA-PKcs on telomeres are cumulative. We have also performed (a) experiments to examine telomere function in Artemis defective cell lines after knocking down DNA-PKcs levels by RNAi and b) preliminary experiments to knock-down Artemis in DNA-PKcs defective cells. Taken together, our results suggest that the Artemis defect causes mild telomere dysfunction phenotype in human cells.

La chromatine est le support de l'information génétique tout le long du cycle cellulaire. Elle est soumise à des modifications diverses et rigoureusement coordonnées par les complexes CDK-Cyclines, sous le contrôle de mécanismes de surveillance. En mitose, la kinase Aurora est un acteur clé qui contrôle la ségrégation correcte des chromosomes. Aurora participe à la bi-orientation des centromères, à la condensation des chromosomes et à la cytocinèse. Le dysfonctionnement de cette kinase conduit alors à une instabilité chromosomique et à l'aneuploïdie, un phénotype observé dans la majorité des cancers solides. Les travaux réalisés au cours de cette thèse démontrent un nouveau rôle pour cette kinase dans la dispersion et la disjonction des télomères en mitose chez la levure S. Pombe. La dispersion des télomères s'accompagne en métaphase de la dissociation aux télomères des protéines Swi6/HP1 et cohésine Rad21. Tandis que la disjonction a lieu en anaphase après la phosphorylation de la sous-unité de condensine Cnd2. L'inhibition d'Aurora induit la formation de ponts chromosomiques anaphasiques qui révèle des défauts de séparation des télomères. La délétion d'une protéine spécifique aux télomères, Ccq1, protège la cellule de la formation de ces ponts chromosomiques en favorisant le chargement de la condensine en anaphase malgré l'inhibition d'Aurora. / Chromatin is the support of the genetic information throughout the cell cycle. It is subject to various modifications that occur with precise coordination. This coordination is led by CDK-cyclins under the control of cell cycle checkpoints. In mitosis, correct chromosome segregation is ensured by Aurora kinases. Aurora participates to centromere bi-orientation, chromosome condensation and cytokinesis. A dysfunction in the activity of this kinase leads to chromosomal instability and aneuploidy, phenotypes frequently observed in cancer. The results obtained during this thesis reveal a new function for fission yeast Aurora kinase during mitosis in telomere dispersion and disjunction. Telomere dispersion is triggered in metaphase by the dissociation of Swi6/HP1 and cohesion Rad21 from telomeres. Then, during anaphase, the phosphorylation of the condensin subunit Cnd2 is required for telomere disjunction. Aurora inhibition leads to anaphase chromosome bridges with unseparated telomeres. Deletion of a specific telomeric protein, Ccq1, prevents the formation of anaphase chromosome bridges by favoring condensin loading despite Aurora inhibition.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(生命科学) / 甲第24946号 / 生博第508号 / 新制||生||68(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院生命科学研究科高次生命科学専攻 / (主査)教授 松田 道行, 教授 松本 智裕, 教授 原田 浩 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy in Life Sciences / Kyoto University / DGAM

Telômeros são estruturas localizadas nas extremidades dos cromossomos associadas a um conjunto de proteínas, o complexo shelterin, as quais são responsáveis pela proteção e preservação do material genético. O complexo shelterin é formado por seis proteínas denominadas TRF1, TRF2, RAP1, TIN2, TPP1 e POT1. O comprimento dos telômeros (CT) diminui progressivamente a cada divisão celular e evidências recentes sugerem que o estilo de vida pode acarretar em um encurtamento dos telômeros. Nos indivíduos com obesidade, o excesso de tecido adiposo exerce um papel fundamental ao induzir um estado inflamatório crônico e sistêmico, capaz de gerar o encurtamento do CT. Neste contexto, a cirurgia bariátrica é uma das modalidades de tratamento mais eficaz na melhora do controle metabólico da obesidade. Assim, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o comprimento dos telômeros e a expressão dos genes POT1, TRF1 e TRF2 em mulheres com obesidade antes e após seis meses da cirurgia bariátrica e em mulheres eutróficas. A amostra foi composta por 48 indivíduos do sexo feminino com obesidade submetidas à derivação gástrica em Y de Roux (DGYR) e 16 mulheres eutróficas. Tratou-se de um estudo longitudinal prospectivo no qual foram coletadas medidas antropométricas de peso e altura para cálculo do índice de massa corporal (IMC), circunferência abdominal (CA), composição corporal [massa livre de gordura (MLG) e massa gorda (MG)], ingestão alimentar e coleta de sangue para avaliação bioquímica, análise do CT (DNA) e expressão gênica (RNA). As mulheres com obesidade foram avaliadas antes e após seis meses do procedimento cirúrgico e as eutróficas em um único momento. Como principal resultado, observou-se, após seis meses do procedimento cirúrgico, redução do peso, IMC, CA, MLG, MG, assim como dos parâmetros bioquímicos. Ainda, verificou-se um menor CT entre as pacientes com obesidade quando comparada as mulheres eutróficas e um aumento no CT após a cirurgia quando comparado ao período pré-operatório, entretanto, permaneceu significante menor em relação ao grupo controle. Adicionalmente, observou-se que as modificações das concentrações de triglicérides influenciaram o comprimento dos telômeros, mesmo quando ajustado por idade. Com relação à expressão gênica, observou-se maior expressão dos genes POT1, TRF1 e TRF2 em mulheres eutróficas quando comparadas as pacientes com obesidade antes da DGYR; e aumento da expressão do gene TRF1 após o procedimento cirúrgico. Conclui-se que o CT de mulheres com obesidade é significante menor em relação às mulheres eutróficas. A intervenção cirúrgica mostrou ser eficaz na melhora da composição corporal, dos indicadores bioquímicos e capaz de aumentar o comprimento dos telômeros. Nossos resultados também demonstraram expressão aumentada de POT1, TRF1 e TRF2 em mulheres eutróficas e aumento na expressão de TRF1 após a cirurgia / Telomeres are structures located at the ends of chromosomes associated with proteins, the shelterin complex, which are responsible for the protection and preservation of the genetic material. The shelterin complex is formed by six proteins: TRF1, TRF2, RAP1, TIN2, TPP1 and POT1. The telomere length (TL) progressively decreases with each cell division and recent evidence suggests that lifestyle can lead to telomere shortening. In individuals with obesity, excess adipose tissue plays a key role in inducing a chronic and systemic inflammatory state, which can cause TL shortening. In this context, bariatric surgery is one of the most effective treatment modalities in improving the metabolic control of obesity. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the telomere length and expression of the POT1, TRF1 and TRF2 genes in obese women before and after six months of bariatric surgery and in eutrophic women. The sample consisted of 48 obese female subjects submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and 16 eutrophic women. This was a prospective longitudinal study in which anthropometric measures of body weight and height (BMI), abdominal circumference (AC), body composition [fat free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) were collected], food intake and blood collection for biochemical evaluation, TL analysis (DNA) and gene expression (RNA). Women with obesity were evaluated before and after six months of the surgical procedure and the eutrophic ones in a single moment. As a main result, was observed reduction of the weight, BMI, AC, FFM, FM, as well as the biochemical parameters after six months of the surgical procedure. Also, there was a lower TL among obese patients when compared to eutrophic women and a higher TL after surgery when compared to the preoperative period. However, even with a sixmonth stretch of the RYGB, patients with obesity remained with the TL lower than the control group. In addition, changes in triglyceride concentrations influenced telomere length, even when adjusted for age. Regarding the gene expression evaluated, the expression of POT1, TRF1 and TRF2 genes was higher in eutrophic women when compared to patients with obesity before RYGB; and increased expression of the TRF1 gene after the surgical procedure. It is concluded that the TL of obese women is less significant in relation to eutrophic women. The surgical intervention showed to be effective in the improvement of the body composition, the biochemical indicators and able to increase the telomere length. Our results also demonstrated increased expression of POT1, TRF1 and TRF2 in eutrophic women and increased expression of TRF1 after surgery

Telômeros são estruturas localizadas nas extremidades dos cromossomos associadas a um conjunto de proteínas, o complexo shelterin, as quais são responsáveis pela proteção e preservação do material genético. O complexo shelterin é formado por seis proteínas denominadas TRF1, TRF2, RAP1, TIN2, TPP1 e POT1. O comprimento dos telômeros (CT) diminui progressivamente a cada divisão celular e evidências recentes sugerem que o estilo de vida pode acarretar em um encurtamento dos telômeros. Nos indivíduos com obesidade, o excesso de tecido adiposo exerce um papel fundamental ao induzir um estado inflamatório crônico e sistêmico, capaz de gerar o encurtamento do CT. Neste contexto, a cirurgia bariátrica é uma das modalidades de tratamento mais eficaz na melhora do controle metabólico da obesidade. Assim, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o comprimento dos telômeros e a expressão dos genes POT1, TRF1 e TRF2 em mulheres com obesidade antes e após seis meses da cirurgia bariátrica e em mulheres eutróficas. A amostra foi composta por 48 indivíduos do sexo feminino com obesidade submetidas à derivação gástrica em Y de Roux (DGYR) e 16 mulheres eutróficas. Tratou-se de um estudo longitudinal prospectivo no qual foram coletadas medidas antropométricas de peso e altura para cálculo do índice de massa corporal (IMC), circunferência abdominal (CA), composição corporal [massa livre de gordura (MLG) e massa gorda (MG)], ingestão alimentar e coleta de sangue para avaliação bioquímica, análise do CT (DNA) e expressão gênica (RNA). As mulheres com obesidade foram avaliadas antes e após seis meses do procedimento cirúrgico e as eutróficas em um único momento. Como principal resultado, observou-se, após seis meses do procedimento cirúrgico, redução do peso, IMC, CA, MLG, MG, assim como dos parâmetros bioquímicos. Ainda, verificou-se um menor CT entre as pacientes com obesidade quando comparada as mulheres eutróficas e um aumento no CT após a cirurgia quando comparado ao período pré-operatório, entretanto, permaneceu significante menor em relação ao grupo controle. Adicionalmente, observou-se que as modificações das concentrações de triglicérides influenciaram o comprimento dos telômeros, mesmo quando ajustado por idade. Com relação à expressão gênica, observou-se maior expressão dos genes POT1, TRF1 e TRF2 em mulheres eutróficas quando comparadas as pacientes com obesidade antes da DGYR; e aumento da expressão do gene TRF1 após o procedimento cirúrgico. Conclui-se que o CT de mulheres com obesidade é significante menor em relação às mulheres eutróficas. A intervenção cirúrgica mostrou ser eficaz na melhora da composição corporal, dos indicadores bioquímicos e capaz de aumentar o comprimento dos telômeros. Nossos resultados também demonstraram expressão aumentada de POT1, TRF1 e TRF2 em mulheres eutróficas e aumento na expressão de TRF1 após a cirurgia / Telomeres are structures located at the ends of chromosomes associated with proteins, the shelterin complex, which are responsible for the protection and preservation of the genetic material. The shelterin complex is formed by six proteins: TRF1, TRF2, RAP1, TIN2, TPP1 and POT1. The telomere length (TL) progressively decreases with each cell division and recent evidence suggests that lifestyle can lead to telomere shortening. In individuals with obesity, excess adipose tissue plays a key role in inducing a chronic and systemic inflammatory state, which can cause TL shortening. In this context, bariatric surgery is one of the most effective treatment modalities in improving the metabolic control of obesity. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the telomere length and expression of the POT1, TRF1 and TRF2 genes in obese women before and after six months of bariatric surgery and in eutrophic women. The sample consisted of 48 obese female subjects submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and 16 eutrophic women. This was a prospective longitudinal study in which anthropometric measures of body weight and height (BMI), abdominal circumference (AC), body composition [fat free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) were collected], food intake and blood collection for biochemical evaluation, TL analysis (DNA) and gene expression (RNA). Women with obesity were evaluated before and after six months of the surgical procedure and the eutrophic ones in a single moment. As a main result, was observed reduction of the weight, BMI, AC, FFM, FM, as well as the biochemical parameters after six months of the surgical procedure. Also, there was a lower TL among obese patients when compared to eutrophic women and a higher TL after surgery when compared to the preoperative period. However, even with a sixmonth stretch of the RYGB, patients with obesity remained with the TL lower than the control group. In addition, changes in triglyceride concentrations influenced telomere length, even when adjusted for age. Regarding the gene expression evaluated, the expression of POT1, TRF1 and TRF2 genes was higher in eutrophic women when compared to patients with obesity before RYGB; and increased expression of the TRF1 gene after the surgical procedure. It is concluded that the TL of obese women is less significant in relation to eutrophic women. The surgical intervention showed to be effective in the improvement of the body composition, the biochemical indicators and able to increase the telomere length. Our results also demonstrated increased expression of POT1, TRF1 and TRF2 in eutrophic women and increased expression of TRF1 after surgery

Rtel1 est une hélicase qui a été identifiée comme un facteur essentiel pour maintenir les télomères longs et le génome stable chez la souris. Chez l'homme, des mutations germinales dans RTEL1 ont été trouvées chez les patients atteints du syndrome de Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson (HHS), une forme grave de la dyskératose congénitale. Cependant, le mécanisme selon lequel cette protéine agit dans les cellules humaines reste en grande partie inconnu. Pour étudier la fonction de RTEL1 sur le métabolisme des télomères nous avons réduit l'expression de RTEL1 par ARN interférent dans plusieurs lignées de cellules humaines et analysé la longueur des télomères par quantitative-FISH. Nos résultats montrent que la dérégulation de RTEL1 induit un raccourcissement des télomères uniquement dans les cellules avec de très longs télomères et surexprimant la télomérase. Nous démontrons également que l'absence de RTEL1 provoque une altération du complexe de shelterin au télomères: l'augmentation des niveaux de TRF2 et la diminution de POT1. La surexpression de la portion OB fold de POT1 peut restaurer le raccourcissement des télomères causé par le knockdown de RTEL1. Ceci indique que RTEL1 peut jouer un rôle important dans la stabilité du 3' sortant et l'accessibilité de la télomérase. Nous constatons également un impact de RTEL1 sur le métabolisme de l'ARN non codant télomérique TERRA. En effet, la diminution de RTEL1 réduit la quantité totale de TERRA présente dans le noyau et en particulier de TERRA associé aux télomères. Nous constatons que ce nombre réduit de TERRA est causé par sa dégradation, donc nous proposons que RTEL1 a un rôle dans la stabilisation de TERRA aux télomères. / Rtel1, regulator of telomere elongation helicase 1, was discovered as an essential factor for telomere length maintenance and genomic stability in mice. In humans, germline mutations in RTEL1 have been found in patients with Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson syndrome (HHS), a severe form of dyskeratosis congenita. However, the precise mechanism of action of the protein in human cells remains largely unknown. To investigate the function of RTEL1 in human telomere metabolism we used a knockdown approach by specific siRNAs and quantitative-FISH to measure telomere length after depletion of RTEL1 in different cancer cell lines. Our results show that down-regulation of RTEL1 induces shortening of telomeres only in cells with very long telomeres and high telomerase activity. We also demonstrate that upon depletion of RTEL1 there is a different stochiometry of shelterin proteins at telomeres: increased levels of TRF2 and decreased levels of POT1. Importantly, the overexpression of the POT1 OB fold can rescue the shortening of telomeres caused by the knockdown of RTEL1 indicating that RTEL1 may play an important role in the stability of the overhang and in its accessibility to telomerase. We also find an affect of RTEL1 on Telomeric non-coding RNA (TERRA) metabolism. Indeed, depletion of RTEL1 in human cell lines reduces the total amount of TERRA present in the nucleus and in particular of telomere-associated TERRA. Moreover, we find that this reduced number of UUAGGG repeats is caused by TERRA degradation, therefore we propose that RTEL1 has a role in stabilizing TERRA at telomeres.

In this thesis, we investigated T cell homeostasis and DNA damage repair machineries in HIV infection. We found that the frequencies of CD4T cells were low, which is associated with cell apoptosis in HIV patients compared to healthy subjects. Importantly, these events were closely correlated to the increase in T cell exhaustion, senescence, DNA damage, and telomere attrition. Mechanistically, while the DNA damage sensors Mer11, Rad50, and NBS1 (MRN) complexes remained intact, the ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase and its downstream checkpoint kinase 2 (CHK2) were significantly inhibited during HIV infection. Additionally, telomeric repeat-binding factor 2 (TRF2) that functions to protect telomeres from unwanted DNA damage was also suppressed by HIV infection. These findings revealed an important mechanism by which telomeres undergo DNA damage that remained unrepaired due to ATM deficiency and TRF2 deprotection - a process that could promote T cell apoptosis, senescence, and cellular dysfunction in HIV infection.

Nos indivíduos com obesidade, o excesso de tecido adiposo, exerce um papel fundamental induzindo um estado inflamatório crônico e sistêmico. A obesidade mimetiza processos celulares semelhantes aos do envelhecimento tais como a deterioração de tecidos e órgãos e diminuição na capacidade de reparo dos danos induzidos ao DNA. Nesse contexto, as citocinas pró-inflamatórias induzem atritos ao DNA que impactam, principalmente nas regiões mais susceptíveis dos cromossomos, os telômeros. Os telômeros, presentes nas extremidades dos cromossomos, estão associados a um complexo proteico denominado complexo shelterin. O complexo shelterin é formado por 6 proteínas (TRF1, TRF2, TIN2, POT1, TPP1 e RAP1), que junto com proteínas acessórias como a disquerina (DKC1), participam da regulação do comprimento dos telômeros e protegem os cromossomos dede atividades indesejadas de erosão enzimática, recombinação não-homóloga e fusão das terminações cromossômicas. Nos últimos anos, foram estabelecidas relações positivas entre condições patológicas clinicamente diferentes, como as moduladas por inflamação, e o comprimento dos telômeros. Recentemente, nosso grupo demonstrou telômeros encurtados em indivíduos portadores de obesidade mórbida. Assim o objetivo do presente trabalho foi explorar fatores adicionais associados ao metabolismo telomérico, como a expressão gênica das proteínas do complexo shelterin e citocinas pró-inflamatórias, as quais podem contribuir para o encurtamento acelerado de telômeros. Utilizamos amostras de células mononucleares de sangue periférico (PBMC) de indivíduos adultos saudáveis (n = 27) e indivíduos adultos portadores de obesidade (n = 39). Quantificamos a expressão gênica por transcrição reversa e PCR quantitativa (RT-qPCR) de todos os genes do complexo shelterin, DKC1, IL-1β e TNF-α. Nossos resultados demonstram um perfil de expressão gênica alterado quando comparada a expressão gênica das proteínas analisadas nos dois grupos estudados, controles e portadores de obesidade. Os indivíduos portadores de obesidade mostraram um perfil significativamente elevado dos genes TRF1, POT1, RAP1 e DKC1 (P < 0,05). Não observamos correlação de expressão gênica entre os diferentes genes e o comprimento dos telômeros nos grupos estudados, mas sim com a DKC1 na obesidade. Entretanto, quando analisamos as associações entre os genes de complexo shelterin observamos mudanças significativas nas associações intra-grupo dependentes da condição de obesidade. Nossos resultados salientam a complexa e intrincada rede de fatores associados e desregulados durante o processo fisiopatológico da obesidade. Estudos adicionais serão necessários acrescentando novos fatores para tentar dissecar a regulação coordenada do comprimento dos telômeros na homeostase e no processo patológico da obesidade. / In individuals with obesity, the excess of adipose tissue plays a key role in inducing a chronic and systemic inflammatory state. Like aging, obesity mimics cellular processes such as deterioration of tissues and organs and decreased ability to repair age-dependent DNA damages. In this context, the proinflammatory cytokines induce DNA damage that impact, especially in the most susceptible regions of the chromosomes, the telomeres. The telomeres, present at the ends of the chromosomes, are associated with a protein complex called the shelterin complex. The shelterin complex consists of 6 proteins (TRF1, TRF2, TIN2, POT1, TPP1 and RAP1), which together with accessory proteins such as dyskerin (DKC1), participate in telomere’s length regulation and protect chromosomes from undesired erosion, enzymatic activities, non-homologous recombination and fusion of chromosomal terminations. In recent years, positive relationships have been established between clinically different pathological conditions, such as those modulated by inflammation, and telomeres’ length. Recently, our group demonstrated shortened telomeres in individuals with morbid obesity. Thus, the aim of the present study was to explore additional factors associated with telomeres’ metabolism, such as gene expression of the shelterin complex components and proinflammatory cytokines, which may contribute to the accelerated shortening of the telomeres. We used peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) samples from healthy adults (n = 27) and adults with obesity (n = 39). We quantified gene expression by reverse transcription and quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) of all shelterin complex genes, DKC1, IL-1β and TNF-α. Our results demonstrate an altered gene expression profile when compared to the gene expression of the proteins analyzed in the two studied groups, controls and individuals with obesity. Individuals with obesity showed a significantly elevated profile of TRF1, POT1, RAP1 and DKC1 (P < 0.05) genes. We did not observe correlation of gene expression between the different shelterin genes and the length of telomeres in the studied groups, but with DKC1 in obesity. However, when we analyzed the associations between the shelterin complex genes we observed significant changes in the intra-group associations dependent on the obesity condition. Our results highlight the complex and intricate network of associated and deregulated factors during the pathophysiological process of obesity. Further studies are needed together with the inclusion of additional factors to try to dissect the coordinated regulation of telomeres’ length in homeostasis and in the pathological process of obesity.

Nos indivíduos com obesidade, o excesso de tecido adiposo, exerce um papel fundamental induzindo um estado inflamatório crônico e sistêmico. A obesidade mimetiza processos celulares semelhantes aos do envelhecimento tais como a deterioração de tecidos e órgãos e diminuição na capacidade de reparo dos danos induzidos ao DNA. Nesse contexto, as citocinas pró-inflamatórias induzem atritos ao DNA que impactam, principalmente nas regiões mais susceptíveis dos cromossomos, os telômeros. Os telômeros, presentes nas extremidades dos cromossomos, estão associados a um complexo proteico denominado complexo shelterin. O complexo shelterin é formado por 6 proteínas (TRF1, TRF2, TIN2, POT1, TPP1 e RAP1), que junto com proteínas acessórias como a disquerina (DKC1), participam da regulação do comprimento dos telômeros e protegem os cromossomos dede atividades indesejadas de erosão enzimática, recombinação não-homóloga e fusão das terminações cromossômicas. Nos últimos anos, foram estabelecidas relações positivas entre condições patológicas clinicamente diferentes, como as moduladas por inflamação, e o comprimento dos telômeros. Recentemente, nosso grupo demonstrou telômeros encurtados em indivíduos portadores de obesidade mórbida. Assim o objetivo do presente trabalho foi explorar fatores adicionais associados ao metabolismo telomérico, como a expressão gênica das proteínas do complexo shelterin e citocinas pró-inflamatórias, as quais podem contribuir para o encurtamento acelerado de telômeros. Utilizamos amostras de células mononucleares de sangue periférico (PBMC) de indivíduos adultos saudáveis (n = 27) e indivíduos adultos portadores de obesidade (n = 39). Quantificamos a expressão gênica por transcrição reversa e PCR quantitativa (RT-qPCR) de todos os genes do complexo shelterin, DKC1, IL-1β e TNF-α. Nossos resultados demonstram um perfil de expressão gênica alterado quando comparada a expressão gênica das proteínas analisadas nos dois grupos estudados, controles e portadores de obesidade. Os indivíduos portadores de obesidade mostraram um perfil significativamente elevado dos genes TRF1, POT1, RAP1 e DKC1 (P < 0,05). Não observamos correlação de expressão gênica entre os diferentes genes e o comprimento dos telômeros nos grupos estudados, mas sim com a DKC1 na obesidade. Entretanto, quando analisamos as associações entre os genes de complexo shelterin observamos mudanças significativas nas associações intra-grupo dependentes da condição de obesidade. Nossos resultados salientam a complexa e intrincada rede de fatores associados e desregulados durante o processo fisiopatológico da obesidade. Estudos adicionais serão necessários acrescentando novos fatores para tentar dissecar a regulação coordenada do comprimento dos telômeros na homeostase e no processo patológico da obesidade. / In individuals with obesity, the excess of adipose tissue plays a key role in inducing a chronic and systemic inflammatory state. Like aging, obesity mimics cellular processes such as deterioration of tissues and organs and decreased ability to repair age-dependent DNA damages. In this context, the proinflammatory cytokines induce DNA damage that impact, especially in the most susceptible regions of the chromosomes, the telomeres. The telomeres, present at the ends of the chromosomes, are associated with a protein complex called the shelterin complex. The shelterin complex consists of 6 proteins (TRF1, TRF2, TIN2, POT1, TPP1 and RAP1), which together with accessory proteins such as dyskerin (DKC1), participate in telomere’s length regulation and protect chromosomes from undesired erosion, enzymatic activities, non-homologous recombination and fusion of chromosomal terminations. In recent years, positive relationships have been established between clinically different pathological conditions, such as those modulated by inflammation, and telomeres’ length. Recently, our group demonstrated shortened telomeres in individuals with morbid obesity. Thus, the aim of the present study was to explore additional factors associated with telomeres’ metabolism, such as gene expression of the shelterin complex components and proinflammatory cytokines, which may contribute to the accelerated shortening of the telomeres. We used peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) samples from healthy adults (n = 27) and adults with obesity (n = 39). We quantified gene expression by reverse transcription and quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) of all shelterin complex genes, DKC1, IL-1β and TNF-α. Our results demonstrate an altered gene expression profile when compared to the gene expression of the proteins analyzed in the two studied groups, controls and individuals with obesity. Individuals with obesity showed a significantly elevated profile of TRF1, POT1, RAP1 and DKC1 (P < 0.05) genes. We did not observe correlation of gene expression between the different shelterin genes and the length of telomeres in the studied groups, but with DKC1 in obesity. However, when we analyzed the associations between the shelterin complex genes we observed significant changes in the intra-group associations dependent on the obesity condition. Our results highlight the complex and intricate network of associated and deregulated factors during the pathophysiological process of obesity. Further studies are needed together with the inclusion of additional factors to try to dissect the coordinated regulation of telomeres’ length in homeostasis and in the pathological process of obesity.