Angiotensin II (Ang II) is an important modulator for development of atherosclerosis from early stage foam cell formation to advanced stage plaque rupture. Recently, the importance of locally generated Ang II, especially in macrophages, has become more evident. Generation of Ang II by several enzymes other than ACE and renin has been shown mainly in vitro. Cathepsin G is one these enzymes which is expressed in neutrophils and macrophages. Macrophages are one of the primary and crucial cells in atherosclerotic lesions which become lipid-laden foam cells through lipoprotein uptake. We hypothesized that activation of nuclear factors in foam cells increases Ang II by modulation of the renin angiotensin system (RAS) genes and cathepsin G. We also hypothesized that cathepsin G, through its Ang II generating activity and its other catalytic functions, promotes atherosclerosis. The present study assessed the Ang I and II levels and expression of the RAS genes in THP-1 cells, a human acute monocytic leukemia cell line, and in peritoneal and bone marrow-derived macrophages after exposure to acetylated LDL (ac-LDL). I also evaluated how RAS blockade would affect foam cell formation in THP-1 cells. In parallel, I assessed the role of cathepsin G in Ang II generation and in the progression of atherosclerosis in cathepsin G heterozygous knockout mice on an Apoe-/- background (Ctsg+/-Apoe-/- mice). Ac-LDL treatment increased Ang I and Ang II levels in cell lysates and media from THP-1 cells but not in peritoneal or bone marrow-derived macrophages from wild type C57BL/6 mice. In ac-LDL-treated THP-1 cells, ACE and cathepsin G mRNA levels and activities were elevated. Angiotensinogen mRNA is increased but not the angiotensinogen protein concentration. Renin mRNA level and activity were not altered by ac-LDL treatment. Blocking RAS by an AT1 receptor blocker, ACE inhibitors or a renin inhibitor decreased cholesteryl ester content of THP-1 cells after exposure to ac-LDL. To confirm that the Ang II effect on foam cell formation was not unique to ac-LDL, we treated the THP-1 macrophages with a renin inhibitor or an AT1 receptor inhibitor after exposure to oxidized LDL (ox-LDL). RAS blockade in ox-LDL-treated cells also abolished cholesteryl ester formation. To see how Ang II plays a role in foam cell formation we assessed the effect of RAS inhibitors on SR-A, the principal receptor for mediating ac-LDL entry into the cells and on acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyl transferase (ACAT-1), the enzyme responsible for intracellular cholesterol esterification. RAS blockade in both ac-LDL- and ox-LDL-treated cells decreased SR-A and ACAT-1 protein levels. Cathepsin G partial deficiency on an Apoe-/- background did not change Ang II levels in peritoneal or bone marrow-derived macrophage cell lysates or media. This deficiency also did not affect immunoreactive angiotensin peptide levels in atherosclerotic lesions. After 8 weeks on a high fat diet Ctsg+/-Apoe-/- mice were similar to Ctsg+/+Apoe-/- mice in terms of lesion size and serum cholesterol levels but the Ctsg+/+Apoe-/- mice had more advanced lesions with more collagen and smooth muscle cells and fewer macrophages. Moreover, Ctsg+/+Apoe-/- mice had more apoptotic cells than their Ctsg+/-Apoe-/- littermates. Overall, our findings indicate that Ang II is increased in foam cells and this endogenous Ang II is involved in cholesteryl ester formation, possibly by regulating the levels of ACAT-1 and SR-A. We did not find any role for cathepsin G in generation of Ang II in mice but cathepsin G does, nevertheless, promote the progression of atherosclerotic lesions to a more advanced stage.

Les particules constituent une composante préoccupante de la pollution atmosphérique, notamment la fraction PM2,5 (diamètre aérodynamique inférieur à 2,5 µm) qui est capable de pénétrer dans les poumons jusqu’aux alvéoles pulmonaires. Elle peut être à l’origine de processus d’inflammations entrainant des pathologies respiratoires. Des travaux ont notamment montré que des macrophages alvéolaires exposés à des PM2,5 sécrètent des cytokines inflammatoires. L’identification des composés des PM2,5 responsables des effets observés, n’est pas encore élucidée. La composition en métaux, et en composés organiques ainsi que les caractéristiques physiques des particules sont des facteurs qui ont tous été proposés comme étant impliqués dans l’induction de la réponse inflammatoire. L’objectif de cette thèse est d’étudier in vitro les effets des particules sur la réponse immunitaire de cellules de type macrophage, la lignée cellulaire THP-1. Les paramètres mesurés sont la sécrétion de cytokines inflammatoires et des marqueurs du stress oxydant en vue d’une explication mécanistique des phénomènes observés. Il a été montré que des PM2,5 induisent de façon significative la sécrétion de cytokines IL-1[bêta] et IL-8. Des particules de noir de carbone (fines et ultrafines) dopées en métaux n’induisent pas (ou très peu) de sécrétion de cytokines supérieure à celle induite par des particules non dopées. En revanche, l’effet d’hydrocarbures aromatiques polycycliques (HAP) adsorbés à la surface de particules dépend de la taille de celles-ci. Ainsi, la comparaison des effets des HAP seuls à ceux adsorbés aux particules a montré que les particules ultrafines potentialisent les effets des HAP. La taille apparaît comme le paramètre le plus déterminant dans la modulation de la sécrétion des cytokines. Les particules ultrafines, caractérisées par un fort potentiel oxydant, induisent également un stress oxydant in vitro. Elles génèrent la formation d’un produit de peroxydation lipidique, le HNE qui lui-même est un médiateur du stress oxydant. Cependant, ce composé ne mime pas le stress oxydant induit par les particules ultrafines / Particles are concerning constituent of the atmospheric pollution, in particular the PM2,5 fraction (aerodynamic diameter lower than 2,5 µm) which is capable of penetrating into lungs up to alveoli. It can be the cause of inflammation processes leading to respiratory diseases. Studies have shown that alveolar macrophages exposed to PM2,5 secrete inflammatory cytokines. Identification of PM2,5 compounds responsible for observed effects, is not clarified yet. Factors such as the composition in metals and organic compounds, as well as the physical characteristics of particles have all been proposed as being involved in the induction of the inflammatory response. The aim of this thesis is to study in vitro effects of particles on the immune response of macrophages, specifically of the cell line THP-1. The parameters measured are the secretion of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, in order to give a mechanistic explanation of observed phenomena. It was shown that PM2,5 induce in a significant way the secretion of cytokines IL-1[bêta] and IL-8. Black carbon particles (fine and ultrafine) coated with metals do not (or very slightly induce) a secretion of cytokines superior to that induced by uncoated particles. On the contrary, effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) adsorbed on particles surface depends on its size. Comparison between the effects of PAHs alone and those adsorbed on particles, showed that ultrafine particles potentiate PAH effects. Particle size appears to be the most determining parameter in the modulation of cytokines secretion. Ultrafine particles, characterized by a strong oxidizing potential, also induce an oxidative stress in vitro. They lead to the formation of a lipid peroxidation product, the HNE which is a mediator of the oxidative stress. However, HNE does not mime the oxidative stress induced by ultrafine particles

Studies examining the immune response upon exposure to chitin microparticles in living models have reached drastically differing conclusions, and the reason remains unclear. One notable issue between the experiments is that they have not characterized their chitin preparations for degree of acetylation. They all use different chitin processing methods prior to administration, which could potentially be the source of the variance between studies. Chitin and chitosan preparations specified in the literature and several novel preparations were analyzed for degree acetylation (DA) using High Performance Anion-Exchange Chromatography with Pulsed Amperometric Detection (HPAEC-PAD). It was found that autoclaving and sonication processing steps do not have a significant influence on degree of acetylation. Chitin and chitosan preparations were used to create a dose-response curve of DA compared to cytokine elicitation from THP-1 monocytes, and it was found that the initial response was dominated by TNF (similar to previous studies), though after 12 hours showed a tip toward the start of an IL-1β-dominated Th17 effector response. This study also confirmed that immunostimulatory effects can occur from chitin and chitosan particles at orparticles, which would have long residence times in air, might be implicated in initiating allergic or asthmatic processes.

<p> Mammalian sialidases are hydrolytic enzymes that initiate the removal of terminal a2-3, a2-6 and a2-8 sialic acid residues from various sialylated glycoconjugates. Sialidases are reportedly involved in numerous cellular functions involving proliferation, differentiation, antigenic expression, inflammation and the tumorigenicity of malignant cells. Recently, sialidase has been implicated in various immune signaling pathways, involving immune effector cells, such as activated lymphocytes and macrophages. The human lysosomal sialidase gene encodes a 46 kD glycoprotein which exists in a multienzyme complex with β-galactosidase and PPCA. Neurodegenerative diseases such as Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff are characterized by the progressive storage of glycoproteins and sialylated oligosaccharides in the nervous system. The induction of inflammatory mediators is a critical step in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration that remains largely undefined. As such, an in vitro model of Tay-Sachs disease was used to identify potential mediators involved in disease progression. In addition, we have used the THP-1 monocytic cell line as a model of human macrophages which play a key role in potentiating a variety of immune responses. </p> <p> Translocation of neul from lysosomes to the cell surface and the resulting interaction with signaling molecules suggests neul is involved in the regulation of immune activities. We have investigated the role of sialidase on CD44 expression, an inflammation-associated glycoprotein found on the cell surface. Our data indicate that sialidase interacts with CD44 on the cell surface which may contribute to disease progression in Tay-Sachs disease. We illustrate that overexpression of sialidase stimulates interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion in both human Tay-Sachs neuroglia and THP-1 derived macrophages. Moreover, the sialidase inhibitor 2-deoxy-2, 3-dehydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid (DANA) was found to attenuate IL-6 secretion and sialidase expression in THP-1 derived macrophages. </p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

The system of mononuclear phagocytes includes macrophages that modulate their phenotype based on microenvironmental signals. Their properties vary considerably in a differentiated stage. M1 macrophages, which are classically activated (typically by IFN-γ), are involved in phagocytosis and produce some pro-inflammatory cytokines, that can stimulate other immune cells. A phenotypically different cell population are M2 macrophages, which are alternatively activated by exposure by Th2 cytokines. M2 macrophages produce preferentially anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10, TGF-β and participate in repair and tissue healing. The main aim of this study was to standardize a model of differentiation of THP-1 cells and human monocytes towards the M2 phenotyp using an in vitro model. This is represented in particular by increased expression of CD163 and CD206 molecules. The second aim was to assess the dynamics of expression (and co-expression) of CD163 and CD206 molecules in monocytes of patients after kidney transplantation. Expression of surface markers was determined by flow cytometry. Both THP-1 cells and human monocytes, isolated from buffy coat fraction, were stimulated by IL-4, TNF-α, TGF-β and IL-10. Changes in CD163 and CD206 expression were measured after day 1, day 3 and day 6 of stimulation. The most...

En dehors de son rôle de stockage de l’énergie cellulaire, l’adénosine-triphosphate (ATP) est également une molécule de signalisation extracellulaire qui agit sur deux familles de récepteurs, les récepteurs métabotropiques P2Y et les récepteurs ionotropiques P2X. Dans le système nerveux central, les récepteurs P2X et la signalisation purinergique sont impliqués dans de nombreuses fonctions physiologiques comme la modulation de la transmission synaptique et la communication neurone-glie ainsi que dans diverses pathologies telles que les douleurs chroniques, l’épilepsie ou les maladies neurodégénératives. Enregistrer l’activité des récepteurs P2X in situ reste aujourd’hui encore difficile de par la paucité des outils pharmacologiques et de par les propriétés biophysiques particulières de ces récepteurs canaux. De surcroit, les mécanismes de libération de l’ATP sont encore mal caractérisés et la détection de cette molécule dans l’espace extracellulaire est limitée par la faible résolution spatio-temporelle des techniques disponibles. A ce jour, il n’existe aucune méthode satisfaisante permettant de suivre l’activité des récepteurs P2X ou détecter la libération d’ATP en temps réel. Pour pallier à ces manques, nous avons développé de nouveaux outils fluorescents basés sur la fusion du rapporteur calcique GCaMP6s aux récepteurs P2X.Notre étude montre d’abord que ces biosenseurs P2X-GCaMP6s sont capables de rapporter spécifiquement et dynamiquement, en fluorescence, l’activité des récepteurs P2X dans différentes lignées cellulaires (HEK, astrocytes, macrophages), ainsi que dans des neurones hippocampiques en culture. Dans un deuxième temps, l’outil P2X2-GCaMP6s a été modifié afin de créer un biosenseur de haute affinité pour l’ATP extracellulaire. Deux mutants, dont l’affinité apparente est de l’ordre de la centaine de nanomolaire, ont permis de détecter et de quantifier une libération d’ATP endogène. En combinant l’utilisation de ces biosenseurs avec des approches pharmacologiques et génétiques, nous avons montré que lors d’un choc hypotonique l’activation du canal VRAC LRRC8 contribue à la libération d’ATP par les cellules HEK et par des monocytes humains différenciés en macrophages. Enfin, nous avons montré que la libération d’ATP lors du gonflement des cellules déclenchait le phénomène de régulation du volume cellulaire, permettant aux cellules de retrouver leur volume initial.Ces biosenseurs fluorescents permettent donc de visualiser de façon dynamique l’activité des récepteurs P2X et la libération d’ATP. Ces outils étant compatibles avec des approches in vivo, ils devraient permettre une meilleure caractérisation des mécanismes moléculaires de la communication purinergique. / Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) is an extracellular signaling molecule acting on two major classes of membrane receptors, metabotropic P2Y receptors and ionotropic P2X receptors. In the central nervous system, P2X receptors are involved in diverse functions such as modulation of synaptic transmission or neuron-glia communication and are implicated in different pathologies including chronic pain, epilepsy or neurodegenerative diseases. Recording P2X receptor activity is difficult because of the paucity of pharmacological tools and because P2X receptors are prone to desensitization. In addition, measuring extracellular ATP concentration is challenging since the mechanisms and the source of ATP are still poorly characterized. In addition, classical ATP detecting approaches have clear spatial and temporal limitations. As a consequence, following P2X activity and visualizing or quantifying ATP release in real time remains challenging. To overcome these issues, we developed new fluorescent biosensors based on the fusion of the fluorescent calcium reporter GCaMP6s to P2X receptors.We first determined that fluorescence specifically reports on the activity of the P2X2 channel in different cell line (HEK, astrocytes, macrophages) and in primary culture of hippocampal neurons. We next engineered P2X2 receptor to create high affinity ATP biosensors. We identified two mutants with EC50s for ATP in the 100 nanomolar range that allow for the detection and the quantification of endogenous ATP release evoked by cell swelling. Using pharmacological approaches and knock-out cells, we demonstrated the implication in ATP release of the recently identify volume-regulated anion channel, LRRC8A in HEK cells and differentiated human macrophages. Finally, we provided evidence that the LRRC8-dependant ATP release is necessary for the cellular regulation of volume decrease after swelling.Our results show that these fluorescent ATP biosensors can be used to dynamically track P2X channel activity and can be used in vivo to decipher the molecular mechanisms involved in purinergic signaling.

Charles University in Prague Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology Student: Alžbeta Horvátová Supervisor: prof. PharmDr. Petr Pávek PhD. Title of diploma thesis: Anti-inflammatory effects of ursodeoxycholyl lysophosphatidylethanolamide on THP-1 human macrophages via Toll-like receptor 4 Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) became the most common liver disease in developed countries. It is well-known that the level of protectant phosphatidylcholine (PC) is decreased in NASH. The bile acid-phospholipid conjugate ursodeoxycholyl lysophosphatidylethanolamide (UDCA-LPE) was designed in order to specifically deliver PC to hepatocytes. However, previous studies have proved that UDCA-LPE possesses its proper hepatoprotectant capacity and exhibits anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic properties and also improved steatosis and hyperlipidaemia in various models in vivo. These effects may be mediated secondary through modulation of immune system. Therefore, in order to dissect if UDCA-LPE directly influences immune cells in vitro, release of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-6 and IL-1β in LPS-induced THP-1-derived human macrophages was measured by ELISA. Moreover, effects of UDCA-LPE on MAPK signalling pathways and nuclear translocation of NFκB were...

A diferenciação das células THP-1 em macrófagos, induzida por PMA, é associada ao aumento da expressão de PPAR. A UTR 5` de PPAR regula negativamente sua síntese, porém, o mecanismo molecular envolvido não foi esclarecido. Neste estudo, o estado traducional das células THP-1 diferenciadas por PMA foi investigado em associação à superprodução de PPAR. A presença de uORFs no transcrito de PPAR, contendo códons de iniciação compatíveis com seqüências de Kosak, poderia ser a causa do efeito inibitório da UTR 5`. A incorporação reduzida de L-[U-14C]leucina revelou que a superprodução de PPAR ocorre durante inibição global da tradução, confirmada pela redução dos polissomos. Além disso, desfosforilação de 4E-BP1 foi observada após tratamento com PMA e é associada a inibição da iniciação da tradução e estimulação da tradução dependente de IRES. De fato, a estrutura da UTR 5` de PPAR apresenta características de transcritos que formam IRES. Assim, a produção de PPAR pode ser regulada por IRES e ocorre concomitantemente com a inibição da tradução dependente de cap / The differentiation of THP-1 cells in macrophages, induced by PMA, is associated to overexpression of PPARb. Previous studies have shown that the PPARb 5\' UTR negatively regulates its expression. In our study the translational status of PMA-differentiated THP-1 cells was investigated in association to PPARb overexpression. Putative compatible Kosak initiation codons were identified in the PPARb uORFs and could be involved in the inhibitory effect of 5\' UTR. Decreased incorporation of L-[U-14C]leucine in proteins revealed that the overproduction of PPARb in PMA-differentiated THP-1 cells coincides with a global decrease in the protein synthesis process. Translation impairment was confirmed by polysome profile assay. An intense dephosphorylation of 4E-BP by PMA treatment was observed. Dephosphorylated 4E-BP causes inhibition of eIF4E cap-dependent translation initiation and favors IRES-dependent translation. The PPARb 5\' UTR structure has some characteristics that resemble the one described for IRES. Therefore, the PPARb production may be controlled by IRES

Submitted by Priscila Nascimento (pnascimento@icict.fiocruz.br) on 2012-11-14T11:53:05Z No. of bitstreams: 1 danilo-parmera.pdf: 3155055 bytes, checksum: ac63cd2b7c2719955b83925c310aabbc (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-11-14T11:53:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 danilo-parmera.pdf: 3155055 bytes, checksum: ac63cd2b7c2719955b83925c310aabbc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto de Tecnologia em Imunobiológicos. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. / As culturas de células vêm sendo utilizadas extensivamente no desenvolvimento e na produção de uma variedade de produtos terapêuticos e profiláticos, tornando-se uma ferramenta indispensável para geneticistas, imunologistas, vacinologistas e a indústria farmacêutica. A adoção de sistemas de ensaios celulares in vitrotem sido aplicada como um método alternativo para a substituição ou diminuição do uso de animais nas fases de desenvolvimento, produção e testes de vacinas, demonstrando resultados promissores. Da mesma forma, sistemas computacionais podem ampliar a utilização desta ferramenta para etapas do desenvolvimento de vacinas candidatas na fase pré-clínica. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento de umprotocolo in vitroutilizando culturas de células humanas - a linhagem de monócitos THP-1, para a seleção de um protótipo vacinal - a cepa Pasteur de Mycobacterium bovisBCG expressando o antígeno Sm14 de Schistossoma mansoni(BCG/sm14). Para isso foram empregadas duas metodologias – citometria de fluxo e imunocitoquímica, para a identificação do perfil da expressão das citocinas IL-10, IL-12 e TNF-α. Foram utilizados como controles a cepa Pasteur do M. bovisBCG e a construção da cepa Pasteur do M. bovisBCG contendo o vetor de expressão pAU5 (BCG/pAU5).Após padronização, a multiplicidade de infecção utilizada para os experimentos foi de 10 bacilos para 1 célula THP-1 (10MOI). A expressão daproteína Sm14 foi detectada em todos os protótipos vacinais. Para assegurar queo protótipo BCG/sm14 era capaz de diferenciar a linhagem de monócitos THP-1 em macrófagos, avaliamos a taxa de crescimento celular e foi possível observarque após a infecção estas células apresentavam o índice de proliferação diminuído em 2 logs em relação à célula não infectada. O protótipo vacinal BCG/sm14não mostrou diferenças quanto a capacidade de infecção, a taxa de persistência intracelular e a estabilidade da construção plasmidial. As duas metodologias empregadas mostraram resultados discrepantes em relação ao percentual de citocinas expressas após a infecção com o protótipo vacinal ou os BCG controles, mostrando um maior percentual de células positivas quando avaliados por citometria de fluxo.Contudo, mesmo com esta diferença observamos que o protótipo vacinal BCG/sm14 não alterou o perfil de expressão de IL-10, IL-12 e TNF-α. O fato do plasmídeo pAU5 ser um vetor de expressão citoplasmática, sugere que a proteína Sm14 não foi capaz de estimular a mudança de citocinas em monócitos humanos. Experimentos futuros devem investigar o papel do BCG/sm14em macrófagos maduros, quanto a indução de citocinas pró e anti-inflamatórias, TLR, bem como na indução da resposta imune adaptativa, como a apresentação antigênica, na tentativa de melhor entender a resposta imune a esta vacina candidata. / Cell cultures has been used extensively in the development of a broad range of therapeutic and prophylactic products, and are an important tool for geneticists, immunologists, vaccinologists and the pharmaceuticsindustry. In vitrocell assay has been applied as an alternative method to replace ordiminish the use of animal model in the developmental, production in vaccine test phases, with promising results. Otherwise, computational methods should amplify theuse of cell cultures tools to test candidate vaccines. The mean goal of this work was to develop an in vitro protocol using human cell line – monocytic cell THP-1, to select a vaccine prototype – strain Pasteur Mycobacterium bovisBCG expressing Schistosoma mansoniSm14-antigen (BCG/sm14). Two methodologies were employed – a flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry, to quantify the expression of IL-10, IL-12 e TNF-α. Pasteur M. bovisBCG and the strain Pasteur do M. bovisBCG containing the expression vector pAU5 (BCG/pAU5) were used as controls. Multiplicityof infection (MOI) was determined and showed a better 10 bacilli to 1 cells ratios, regarding the expression of intracellular cytokines. Sm14 protein expressionwas detected in all vaccine prototype before use. To assure that BCG/sm14was able to differentiate monocytic THP1 cell line in mature macrophage, we evaluated the proliferative ration after BCGs infection and all strain showed the ability toinduce monocytic THP1 cells maturation, diminishing in 2.0 logs the cell proliferation. No differences were seen in the uptake, intracellular persistence and plasmidial stability. Interestingly, we observe discrepant results regarding the amount of positivecells expressing cytokines detected by the two methods used, independent of which BCG was tested. The overall results obtained by the cytometric method was high than immunocytochemistry. However, beside these ambiguous results, no alteration in the IL-10, IL-12 and TNF-alfa profile was observed whenBCG/sm14was compared with BCG. These results point to the plamidial BCG construction pAU5 and its intracellular expression, suggesting no modification in the cytokine profile in human monocytic cell lines. Further experiments should be addressedto identify the role of BCG/sm14 in modulate mature macrophage and, the induction ofadaptive immune response, as antigen presentation, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, TLR expression and activation, to better understating the vaccine prototype immune response.

A diferenciação das células THP-1 em macrófagos, induzida por PMA, é associada ao aumento da expressão de PPAR. A UTR 5` de PPAR regula negativamente sua síntese, porém, o mecanismo molecular envolvido não foi esclarecido. Neste estudo, o estado traducional das células THP-1 diferenciadas por PMA foi investigado em associação à superprodução de PPAR. A presença de uORFs no transcrito de PPAR, contendo códons de iniciação compatíveis com seqüências de Kosak, poderia ser a causa do efeito inibitório da UTR 5`. A incorporação reduzida de L-[U-14C]leucina revelou que a superprodução de PPAR ocorre durante inibição global da tradução, confirmada pela redução dos polissomos. Além disso, desfosforilação de 4E-BP1 foi observada após tratamento com PMA e é associada a inibição da iniciação da tradução e estimulação da tradução dependente de IRES. De fato, a estrutura da UTR 5` de PPAR apresenta características de transcritos que formam IRES. Assim, a produção de PPAR pode ser regulada por IRES e ocorre concomitantemente com a inibição da tradução dependente de cap / The differentiation of THP-1 cells in macrophages, induced by PMA, is associated to overexpression of PPARb. Previous studies have shown that the PPARb 5\' UTR negatively regulates its expression. In our study the translational status of PMA-differentiated THP-1 cells was investigated in association to PPARb overexpression. Putative compatible Kosak initiation codons were identified in the PPARb uORFs and could be involved in the inhibitory effect of 5\' UTR. Decreased incorporation of L-[U-14C]leucine in proteins revealed that the overproduction of PPARb in PMA-differentiated THP-1 cells coincides with a global decrease in the protein synthesis process. Translation impairment was confirmed by polysome profile assay. An intense dephosphorylation of 4E-BP by PMA treatment was observed. Dephosphorylated 4E-BP causes inhibition of eIF4E cap-dependent translation initiation and favors IRES-dependent translation. The PPARb 5\' UTR structure has some characteristics that resemble the one described for IRES. Therefore, the PPARb production may be controlled by IRES