A placenta é um anexo embrionário que tem atraído grande interesse como fonte de células-tronco para medicina regenerativa, devido à plasticidade fenotípica de alguns dentre os vários tipos celulares isolados a partir deste tecido. Apesar de terem a mesma origem, não fazem parte do embrião, portanto o uso da placenta como fonte de células embrionárias não provoca debates éticos. Uma característica que vale a pena mencionar, é que a placenta está envolvida na manutenção da tolerância do feto pelo organismo materno, pois contém células que apresentam propriedades imunomoduladoras. Por fim, o tecido placentário é disponibilizado após o parto e é geralmente descartado. Estas características tornam esse tecido de grande interesse para protocolos de terapia celular, tanto que tem surgido bancos de célulatronco de placenta humana. Alguns trabalhos demonstraram plasticidade de células extraídas da placenta, porém existe ainda a necessidade de se definir melhor a região de coleta e os métodos de extração e isolamento dessas células. Nosso grupo estabeleceu a cultura de células derivadas da região do trofoblasto extraviloso (TEV) de placenta humana a termo, que são as células responsáveis pelos mecanismos de imunotolerância materno-fetal. As células TEV apresentam os marcadores de pluripotencia Oct-4 e Nanog, e, portanto, podem reter mesmo extraídas da placenta a termo, alguma plasticidade celular, caracterizando-as como células-tronco. Entretanto, nossa experiência no cultivo destas células mostrou que existem limitações relacionadas ao tempo de cultivo celular e capacidade de proliferação das TEV, que certamente fornece argumentos sólidos para limitar o seu uso em protocolos de terapia celular em medicina regenerativa. / The placenta is attached embryo that has attracted great interest as a source of stem cells for regenerative medicine due to phenotypic plasticity of some of the various cell types isolated from this tissue. Despite having the same origin, they are not part of the embryo, so the use of placenta as a source of embryonic cells does not provoke ethical debates. A feature worth mentioning is that the placenta is involved in maintaining tolerance of the fetus by the mother, because it contains cells that have immunomodulatory properties. Finally, the placental tissue is present after birth and is usually discarded. These characteristics make this fabric of great interest for cell therapy protocols, which has emerged both banks of stem cells from human placenta. Some studies have demonstrated plasticity of cells extracted from the placenta, but there is still a need to better define the catchment area and the methods of extraction and isolation of these cells. Our group has established a culture of cells derived from the extravillous trophoblast region (TEV) from human placenta at term, which are the cells responsible for the mechanisms of maternalfetal immunotolerance. TEV cells have the pluripotency markers Oct-4 and Nanog, and therefore can retain, even extracted from the placenta at term, some cellular plasticity, characterizing them as stem cells. However, our experience in growing these cells showed that there are limitations related to the time of cell culture and proliferation capacity, which certainly provides strong arguments for limiting their use in cell therapy protocols in regenerative medicine.

As células trofoblásticas provenientes de cones ectoplacentários na fase de pós-implantação expressam as subunidades do complexo NAD(P)H-oxidase de membrana p22-phox, gp91-phox, p47-phox, p40-phox, p67-phox e Rac1 previamente descritas em fagócitos e envolvidas com a atividade fagocitária destas células. Ocorre modulação da expressão das subunidades do complexo enzimático NAD(P)H-oxidase sob o estímulo com PMA, agente capaz de fosforilar a subunidade p47-phox e ativar esta enzima em fagócitos profissionais. Nossos ensaios experimentais indicam que as células trofoblásticas são capazes de gerar espécies reativas de oxigênio dependente da atividade do complexo NAD(P)H-oxidase de membrana de baixa intensidade quando não estimuladas e de forma muito mais intensa quando estimuladas pelo PMA. As características de expressão e atividade do complexo enzimático NAD(P)H-oxidase de membrana encontradas neste estudo sugerem que esta enzima é semelhante a encontrada em outros fagócitos e, desta forma possa talvez estar também envolvida com processos de defesa da interface materno-fetal. / In macrophages and neutrophils, the activation of the phagocytosis is defined by the acquisition of competence for microbicide, tumoricide and cytolytic functions resultant of generation and release of oxygen reactive species, besides the phagocytic process per se. Like these phagocytes, trophoblast cells in many species are also phagocytic. This cellular population involves completely the embryo and exhibits different and specific characteristics along the gestation. In rodents and primates, these cells are strategically positioned between maternal and fetal circulation and exhibit invasive and phagocytic activity, respectively responsible for anchorage of the embryo into the endometrium and uptake of an adequate nutritional supply for the embryo development. In rodents, these activities present a maximum degree during the implantation period, gradually declining, as the placenta develops. In the presence of strange particles at the maternal-placental interface, however, this process can be reactivated and, in this case, may be related to defense\'s mechanisms. Previous studies performed in our laboratory showed the potential of the trophoblast in producing and releasing reactive species of oxygen/nitrogen, in a very similar manner to that observed in macrophages and neutrophils. The production of such molecules is associated to different enzymes, but the localization of hydrogen peroxide on trophoblast cell surface has suggested a NAD(P)H-oxidase activity. NAD(P)H-oxidase is formed by the cytochrome b558 associated to the cellular membrane (subunits p22-phox + gp91-phox), the cytosolic subunits p47-phox, p67-phox and p40phox and, the GTPases Rac1 and Rac2 in an electron generator system that uses NADH or NADPH as substratum. Once activated, the enzymatic complex is responsible for the electron inflow to the molecular oxygen, yields superoxide anion. Thus, based on the literature and results previously obtained by our group, this study analyzed the protein and gene expression of the NAD(P)H-oxidase complex subunits respectively by immunolocalization and Westernblotting and rt-PCR, in the mouse trophoblast stimulated with PMA. Rt-PCR semi-quantitative analyses showed increase expression of the subunits p22-phox, gp91-phox, p47-phox, p67-phox, p40phox and Rac1 in PMA-treated in comparison with non treated ectoplacental cones. The expression of the subunits gp91-phox, p47-phox and p67-phox were confirmed by Western blotting and, like gene expression also increased in the presence of PMA. These subunits were mostly located in the trophoblast giant cell population, associated to the phagocytic process at the maternal-placental interface. Increased expression of such subunits may be related to an increase in the NAD(P)H-oxidase activity. To analyze this possibility and to determine the role played by NAD(P)H-oxidase activity in the reactive oxygen species produced by trophoblast cells, cellular assays were performed using the oxyethidium fluorescence, a product of dihydroethidium oxidation by superoxide anion. Thus, under PMA stimulus and antimycin A that blocks the mitochondrial NAD(P)H-oxidase activity and, apocynin and allopurinol, respectively blocking the membrane NAD(P)H-oxidase and xhantine oxidase and, still, using specific superoxide and hydrogen peroxide scavengers (superoxide dismutase enzyme and catalase) we showed the generation of reactive species of oxygen-NAD(P)H-oxidase dependent by trophoblast cells, mostly when stimulated. These results come to add important information about the potential of the trophoblast in producing reactive species at the maternal-fetal interface and, open a new investigation interest on the NADPH-oxidase regulatory processes and its involvement in defense functions of the embryo in both healthy and pathological processes that can determine the failure of the gestation.

Este estudo analisou a expressão gênica e o conteúdo protéico do fator Cripto 1 (Cr1) na interface materno-placentária ao longo da gestação através de RT-PCR e Western blotting. Nossos resultados mostraram que a proteína Cr1 está presente ao longo do desenvolvimento placentário nos dois compartimentos da interface materno-placentária. Houve aumento progressivo da proteína no compartimento fetal e, na decídua um decréscimo após o dia 13,5 de gestação, mas ainda com valores mais altos do que os da porção fetal da placenta. As avaliações semi-quantitativas de Cr1 por PCR indicaram uma baixa expressão nas fases de pós-implantação e final da gestação nos dois compartimentos estudados, com um aumento significativo nos dias 10,5 e principalmente no dia 13,5 de gestação. A presença de Cr1 na interface materno-placentária indica um papel relevante para este fator, possivelmente no desenvolvimento placentário ou ainda nos muitos processos que se desenvolvem neste sítio e que são essenciais para sua manutenção e sucesso gestacional. / This study analyzed the gene expression and protein content of Cripto 1 (Cr1) at the maternal-placental interface during gestation, through RT-PCR and Western Blotting. Our results showed that the protein Cr1 is present during placental development in both compartments of the maternal-placental interface. The content gradually increased at the fetal compartment, decreased at the decidua after day 13.5 of gestation, but nevertheless, as high values in comparison with those at the fetal compartment. The semi-quantitative evaluations of Cr1 through PCR indicated low expression at the post-implantation and final gestational periods in both compartments, showing a significant increase on day 10.5 and mainly 13.5 of gestation (p<0,05). The presence of Cr1 at the maternal-placental interface indicates a relevant role played by this factor, possibly during placental development or, yet, in the processes developed in this particular site and that are essential for gestational maintenance and success.

Placenta is a transient association of the fetal and maternal tissues, that develops during pregnancy, in most viviparous animals. The evolution of placenta ensured the development of the fetus inside the womb of the mother, providing a protected environment for the development of the fetus, and preventing the loss of progeny due to unfavorable environmental conditions. Because it is strategically poised at the maternal and fetal interface, the placenta is ideally suited to carry out alimentary, respiratory and excretory functions for the developing fetus. In addition, it serves as an immunological barrier preventing the rejection of the fetal semi-allograft, by the maternal immune system. Furthermore, the placenta elaborates a variety of protein, polypeptide and steroid hormones. These include growth factors, growth factor receptors, neuropeptides, opioids, progesterone and estrogen, whose secretion is dependent on the gestational age of the placenta and its differentiation status. The human placenta, adapts itself remarkably to cater to the changing requirements of the developing fetus. For instance, during the first trimester of pregnancy, the placenta is an actively dividing, a highly invasive and a rapidly differentiating organ; while near term, it represents a fully differentiated and a non-invasive unit. Furthermore, the placenta of the first trimester and that at term differ in their hormone profiles, extents of apoptosis, expression of several transcription factors, etc. This dramatic change in the phenotype of the human placenta can be considered to be the outcome of an intrinsically programmed pattern of differentiation, which may be referred to as the functional differentiation of the placenta. It may be hypothesized therefore, that this functional differentiation could be brought about by the differential expression of genes in the first trimester and the term placenta. The objectives of the present study were: 1. To gain an insight into this process of " functional differentiation” by investigating the differential expression of genes in the two developmentally distinct stages during gestation, viz. during the first trimester and at term. 2. To understand the functional relevance of the differentially expressed genes. A general introduction of the human placenta, describing the importance of differential expression in modulating placental function, is discussed in chapter 1. The functions of the human placenta along with a brief description of its development and differentiation are also briefly described. A Differential Display RT-PCR-based (DD RT-PCR) approach, using total RNA from the first-trimester and term placental villi, was employed to display the differentially expressed genes in the first trimester and the term placenta. The display so generated was used to identify a few differentially expressed cDNAs. This study was aimed at understanding the functional significance of the transcripts which were identified from the display, rather than just concentrate on documenting the differences in the gene expression patterns in the first trimester and the term placental tissue. A detailed description of the methodology adopted for performing DD-PCR using placental tissue, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of using differential display PCR, is described in chapter2. The use of DD-PCR for studying differential gene expression in the human placenta was validated by the finding that one of the cDNAs that was differentially expressed in the first trimester placental tissue, is a fragment of β-hCG cDNA. It is well documented that the differential expression of the β-subunit of hCG (human chorionic gondatrophin) during the first eight weeks of gestation is the rate limiting step in the synthesis and secretion of the functional hormone, which comprises the α and the β-subunits. Furthermore, the use of the model system viz., the first trimester and term placental tissue, was also validated for carrying out DD-PCR by ensuring that all placental samples used for DD analysis were free of endometrial contamination. A detailed description of optimization and validation of DD-PCR in human placental tissues is given in chapter 2. Cloning and sequencing of yet another cDNA from the first trimester differential display revealed that it is T-Plastin. T-Plastin is a member of a family of proteins that are involved in actin-bundling. Northern blot analysis and immunohistochemical studies using an antibody generated to a peptide corresponding to human T-Plastin, confirmed its differential expression and localization in the first trimester placenta. Considering the fact that several carcinomas show enhanced expression of T-Plastin, we tested the hypothesis that its differential expression is correlated with the proliferative potential of the first-trimester placenta It was observed that the first-trimester tissue expressed high levels of beta-actin as compared to the term placental tissue. This is in agreement with the up-regulation of beta-actin following mitogenic stimulation/proliferation and during neoplastic transformation or transformation-associated invasive behaviour of cells, two characteristic features shared by the early placenta with cancerous tissues. Based on our studies and available information in the literature, it is proposed that T-Plastin expression in the first trimester placenta is a growth-associated phenomenon which is partially responsible for the tumor-like phenotype of the first trimester tissue. Studies carried out with the partial T-Plastin cDNA clone that was isolated from the first trimester differential display, are presented in chapter 3. Sequencing of yet another cDNA clone identified from the term placental differential display, T-18 revealed that it had no homology to any known sequence in the nucleotide or est databases. The sequence corresponding to this clone was submitted to the GenBank and was assigned an accession number- AF089811. The differential expression of T-18 was confirmed by Northern blot analysis and RT-PCR analysis. Attempts were made to isolate the full-length cDNA corresponding to T-18 from a commercially available library from Clontech. However, repeated trials to identify the clone corresponding to T-18 did not yield any positive results. However, a genome database search revealed that T-18 was a portion of a large contig contained in chromosome 15. Analysis of the annotated gene sequences in and around the region in which T-18 is located in chromosome 15, revealed that there are very few ests reported in this contig and quite a few repeat sequences reported. Interestingly, it was observed that 6 kb downstream of the region in which T-18 is located, there was an est that had homology to a Bcl-2 precursor protein (an evolutionarily conserved, anti-apoptotic protein, capable of conferring protection against death-inducing signals) and the death adaptor protein, CRADD {Caspase and RIP adapter with death domain). Further updating of the ests in the database might probably be of help in the identification of the full-length cDNA corresponding to T-18 and confirm as to whether T-18 is a part of the gene/gene cluster that comprises the afore-mentioned est. An account of the identification and cloning of T-18 from the term placenta and the attempts to isolate the full-length cDNA clone corresponding to T-18 from a term placental cDNA library, is described in chapter 4. In the absence of any information on the identity of T-18, a study to understand the functional significance of T-18 expression was carried out. Since it was not possible to carry out studies pertaining to the temporal expression of T-18 throughout gestation on the human placenta for ethical reasons, alternate animal/organ models were employed to study T-18 expression. Rat placenta and rat Corpus Luteum (CL) were chosen as alternate models for studying T-18 expression as these two organs/tissues underwent dynamic changes in their function throughout pregnancy. For instance, it is well known that CL is the primary source of progesterone for maintaining pregnancy in the rat and that the progesterone secreting capacity of the luteal cells peak on day 16 of gestation and decline thereafter. Interestingly, a common feature among all the tissues that were chosen for investigating the regulation of T-18 expression, is the fact that they underwent apoptosis with increase in gestational age. The expression of T-18, in tissues exhibiting increased incidence of apoptosis suggested that T-18 maybe an apoptosis-associated gene. Using an explant culture model it was demonstrated that placental villi when cultured in vitro underwent spontaneous apoptosis and that the levels of T-18 message increased, under these conditions. Furthermore, this spontaneous induction of apoptosis in explant cultures could be blocked when villi were cultured in the presence of superoxide dismutase, a free radical scavenging enzyme. In addition, the expression of T-18 was shown to be modulated following treatment with SOD, or in response to oxidative stress. These studies clearly indicate a role for T-18 in placental apoptosis and moreover, implicate the usefulness of explant culture to examine the molecular mechanisms involved in placental apoptosis. Furthermore, the expression of the anti- and pro-apoptotic genes, bcl-x and bax respectively, were investigated, in an attempt to elucidate the signalling pathway(s) that led to the activation of an important downstream protease, caspase-3, in placental apoptosis. The present study revealed that induction of apoptosis in the placenta in vitro involved a bcl/bax independent, caspase-3 dependant pathway. The validation of an explant culture model for studying placental apoptosis and data pertaining to the role of T-18, bcl-x, bax and CPP32 in placental apoptosis, in response to oxidative stress, are presented in chapter 5. The last section titled general discussion summarizes the work carried out in this study and proposes a model for the apoptotic mechanism(s) that may be operating in placenta In conclusion, the present study has led to the identification of two developmentally-regulated factors, T-Plastin and T-18 in the first trimester and term placenta, respectively. The differential expression of these genes, in addition to several other molecular players, is proposed to be responsible for the overall functional differentiation of the placenta through the course of gestation.

La diapause embryonnaire se manifeste par un arrêt réversible du développement embryonnaire durant la période de préimplantation et induit un retard de l’implantation. Chez le vison américain, une diapause embryonnaire obligatoire caractérise chaque gestation. Si les mécanismes de contrôle de la diapause embryonnaire obligatoire chez cette espèce sont bien connus, le rôle utérin impliqué dans la réactivation de l’embryon demeure, quant à lui, encore inconnu. Le sujet de ce doctorat a consisté dans un premier temps à explorer l’environnement utérin à la sortie de la diapause embryonnaire afin de caractériser, dans un deuxième temps, les principaux acteurs utérins qui provoquent la réactivation de l’embryon. Nous avons effectué une analyse du transcriptome utérin à l’émergence de la diapause embryonnaire ce qui a permis de construire une librairie de 123 séquences d’ADNc utérines différentiellement exprimées à la réactivation de l’embryon et homologues à des séquences de gènes connues chez d’autres espèces. Ces gènes sont impliqués dans la régulation du métabolisme (25 %), de l’expression génique (21 %), de la transduction de signal (15 %), du cycle cellulaire (15 %), du transport (10 %) et de la structure cellulaire (9 %), reflétant ainsi d’importantes modifications utérines à la réactivation embryonnaire. Nous avons validé l’expression différentielle de dix gènes ainsi identifiés : GDF3 (growth and differentiation 3), ALCAM (activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule), ADIPOR1 (adiponectin receptor 1), HMGN1 (high mobility group N1), TXNL1 (thioredoxin like 1), TGM2 (tissue transglutaminase 2), SPARC (secreted protein acidic rich in cystein), et trois gènes codant pour AZIN1 (antizyme inhibitor 1), ODC1 (ornithine decarboxylase 1) et SAT1 (spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase), des enzymes impliquées dans la biosynthèse des polyamines. Le patron de l’expression spatio-temporel de SPARC et d’HMGN1 illustrent spécifiquement un remodelage tissulaire et de la chromatine au niveau utérin à la sortie de la diapause embryonnaire. Ayant mesuré une augmentation des concentrations utérines en polyamines à la reprise du développement embryonnaire, nous avons émis l’hypothèse que les polyamines seraient impliquées dans les événements menant à la sortie de la diapause. L’inhibition de la biosynthèse des polyamines par un traitement à l’ α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) a provoqué une diminution significative de la proliferation cellulaire dans les embryons à la réactivation, un retard du moment de l’implantation, mais n’a pas affecté le succès de la reproduction. De manière similaire, nous avons induit un état de dormance dans les cellules de trophoblaste de vison en présence DFMO dans le milieu de culture, et constaté que cet état était réversible. En conclusion, cette étude a non seulement ouvert de nouveaux horizons quant à la compréhension du rôle utérin dans les événements menant à la sortie de la diapause embryonnaire, mais a démontré pour la première fois, l’existence de facteurs utérins indispensables à la réactivation de l’embryon: les polyamines. / Embryonic diapause is characterized by a reversible arrest of blastocyst development prior to implantation and delay in implantation. In the American mink, embryonic diapause is a characteristic of each gestation. Although the mechanisms which control obligate embryonic diapause of this species are well known, the role of the uterus involved in blastocyst reactivation remains elusive. The subject of this doctoral research consisted first in exploring the uterine environment at the emergence of embryonic diapause in order to subsequently determine, the main factors in the uterus that provoke reactivation of the embryo. We have undertaken an analysis of the uterine transcriptome at the emergence of embryonic diapause which has enabled us to set up a library of 123 cDNA uterine sequences differentially expressed at blastocyst reactivation, and homologue gene sequences known in other species. Twenty-five percent of these genes are implicated in genetic expression, 15 % in cell signal transduction, 15 % in cell cycle, 10 % in transport and 9 % in cell structure. All of them reflect significant uterine modifications at blastocyst reactivation. We have validated differential expression of ten genes, identified as: GDF3 (growth and differentiation 3), ALCAM (activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule), ADIPOR1 (adiponectin receptor 1), HMGN1 (high mobility group N1), TXNL1 (thioredoxine like 1), TGM2 (tissue transglutaminase 2), SPARC (secreted protein acidic rich in cystein), and three genes encoding for AZIN1 (antizyme inhibitor 1), ODC1 (ornithine decarboxylase 1) and SAT1 (spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase), which are enzymes implicated in polyamine biosynthesis. The spatio-temporal expression patterns of SPARC and HMGN1 illustrate tissue and chromatin remodelling in the uterus at the termination of embryonic diapause. Having measured an increase in concentration of polyamines in the uterus at the resumption of blastocyst development, we have hypothetized that polyamines are implicated in the emergence of blastocysts from diapause. We inhibited polyamine biosynthesis in pregnant mink females during early blastocyst reactivation. The inhibition of polyamine biosynthesis through treatment with α-difluoromehtylornithine (DFMO) provoked a major reduction in cell proliferation in blastocysts at reactivation and a delay in the timing of implantation, but did not affect the success of reproduction. Similarly, we induced a reversible dormant state in cultured mink trophoblast cells traited with DFMO. To conclude, not only are results of this study a breakthrough in the understanding of the role of the uterus in stimulating at the emergence of blastocysts from embryonic diapause, but also, for the very first time, they indicate the existence of uterine factors, the polyamines, that are responsible for blastocysts reactivation.

A placenta é um anexo embrionário que tem atraído grande interesse como fonte de células-tronco para medicina regenerativa, devido à plasticidade fenotípica de alguns dentre os vários tipos celulares isolados a partir deste tecido. Apesar de terem a mesma origem, não fazem parte do embrião, portanto o uso da placenta como fonte de células embrionárias não provoca debates éticos. Uma característica que vale a pena mencionar, é que a placenta está envolvida na manutenção da tolerância do feto pelo organismo materno, pois contém células que apresentam propriedades imunomoduladoras. Por fim, o tecido placentário é disponibilizado após o parto e é geralmente descartado. Estas características tornam esse tecido de grande interesse para protocolos de terapia celular, tanto que tem surgido bancos de célulatronco de placenta humana. Alguns trabalhos demonstraram plasticidade de células extraídas da placenta, porém existe ainda a necessidade de se definir melhor a região de coleta e os métodos de extração e isolamento dessas células. Nosso grupo estabeleceu a cultura de células derivadas da região do trofoblasto extraviloso (TEV) de placenta humana a termo, que são as células responsáveis pelos mecanismos de imunotolerância materno-fetal. As células TEV apresentam os marcadores de pluripotencia Oct-4 e Nanog, e, portanto, podem reter mesmo extraídas da placenta a termo, alguma plasticidade celular, caracterizando-as como células-tronco. Entretanto, nossa experiência no cultivo destas células mostrou que existem limitações relacionadas ao tempo de cultivo celular e capacidade de proliferação das TEV, que certamente fornece argumentos sólidos para limitar o seu uso em protocolos de terapia celular em medicina regenerativa. / The placenta is attached embryo that has attracted great interest as a source of stem cells for regenerative medicine due to phenotypic plasticity of some of the various cell types isolated from this tissue. Despite having the same origin, they are not part of the embryo, so the use of placenta as a source of embryonic cells does not provoke ethical debates. A feature worth mentioning is that the placenta is involved in maintaining tolerance of the fetus by the mother, because it contains cells that have immunomodulatory properties. Finally, the placental tissue is present after birth and is usually discarded. These characteristics make this fabric of great interest for cell therapy protocols, which has emerged both banks of stem cells from human placenta. Some studies have demonstrated plasticity of cells extracted from the placenta, but there is still a need to better define the catchment area and the methods of extraction and isolation of these cells. Our group has established a culture of cells derived from the extravillous trophoblast region (TEV) from human placenta at term, which are the cells responsible for the mechanisms of maternalfetal immunotolerance. TEV cells have the pluripotency markers Oct-4 and Nanog, and therefore can retain, even extracted from the placenta at term, some cellular plasticity, characterizing them as stem cells. However, our experience in growing these cells showed that there are limitations related to the time of cell culture and proliferation capacity, which certainly provides strong arguments for limiting their use in cell therapy protocols in regenerative medicine.

Este estudo analisou a expressão gênica e o conteúdo protéico do fator Cripto 1 (Cr1) na interface materno-placentária ao longo da gestação através de RT-PCR e Western blotting. Nossos resultados mostraram que a proteína Cr1 está presente ao longo do desenvolvimento placentário nos dois compartimentos da interface materno-placentária. Houve aumento progressivo da proteína no compartimento fetal e, na decídua um decréscimo após o dia 13,5 de gestação, mas ainda com valores mais altos do que os da porção fetal da placenta. As avaliações semi-quantitativas de Cr1 por PCR indicaram uma baixa expressão nas fases de pós-implantação e final da gestação nos dois compartimentos estudados, com um aumento significativo nos dias 10,5 e principalmente no dia 13,5 de gestação. A presença de Cr1 na interface materno-placentária indica um papel relevante para este fator, possivelmente no desenvolvimento placentário ou ainda nos muitos processos que se desenvolvem neste sítio e que são essenciais para sua manutenção e sucesso gestacional. / This study analyzed the gene expression and protein content of Cripto 1 (Cr1) at the maternal-placental interface during gestation, through RT-PCR and Western Blotting. Our results showed that the protein Cr1 is present during placental development in both compartments of the maternal-placental interface. The content gradually increased at the fetal compartment, decreased at the decidua after day 13.5 of gestation, but nevertheless, as high values in comparison with those at the fetal compartment. The semi-quantitative evaluations of Cr1 through PCR indicated low expression at the post-implantation and final gestational periods in both compartments, showing a significant increase on day 10.5 and mainly 13.5 of gestation (p<0,05). The presence of Cr1 at the maternal-placental interface indicates a relevant role played by this factor, possibly during placental development or, yet, in the processes developed in this particular site and that are essential for gestational maintenance and success.

Le placenta assure les échanges materno-fœtaux et possède une fonction endocrine autonome. Les hormones placentaire lactogène (hPL) et chorionique gonadotrope (hCG) sont synthétisées par le syncytiotrophoblaste. A ce jour, les mécanismes impliqués dans le contrôle de la sécrétion de ces deux hormones ne sont pas connus. In vitro, l’influx d’ions Ca2+ entraîne une augmentation immédiate et soutenue de la libération d’hPL et d’hCG à partir d’explants de placentas à terme. En outre, l’élévation de la concentration extracellulaire en albumine, principale protéine maternelle circulante en contact direct avec le trophoblaste, stimule de manière immédiate et transitoire la libération d’hPL et d’hCG.<p><p>L’objectif de nos travaux a été de vérifier la spécificité de l’activité sécrétagogue de l’albumine au niveau du placenta, de caractériser les messagers cellulaires potentiellement impliqués dans la libération d’hPL et d’hCG, et de définir l’interaction entre l’albumine et le trophoblaste, en utilisant des explants provenant de placentas humains à terme.<p> <p>Nos travaux démontrent que la riposte sécrétoire à l’albumine (5%, m/v) est largement mimée par d’autres agents colloïdaux (dextran et polygéline). Cette stimulation colloïdale de la libération d’hPL et d’hCG impliquerait une mobilisation de Ca2+ à partir de réserves intracellulaires. L’intervention de 3 messagers cellulaires a été envisagée: les IPs/DAG, l’AMPc, et le GMPc. Le fluorure de sodium, la forskoline, ou le nitroprussiate sodique, activateurs connus de la production respective des IPs, de l’AMPc, et du GMPc, augmentent de manière significative les taux placentaires de chacun de ces messagers, sans toutefois affecter la libération d’hPL ou d’hCG. De plus, l’élévation de la concentration extracellulaire en albumine (5%, m/v) ne modifie pas les taux des IPs, de l’AMPc et du GMPc dans les explants placentaires, tandis qu’elle stimule la sécrétion hormonale. Ces systèmes de signalisation, bien que fonctionnels au niveau du trophoblaste, ne joueraient donc pas un rôle majeur dans la régulation de la libération d’hPL et d’hCG. <p><p>Nos résultats mettent en évidence une internalisation rapide d’albumine marquée, avec de l’125I ou de la fluorescéïne, dans le syncytiotrophoblaste. Une large fraction de cette albumine est recyclée, intacte, vers la circulation maternelle selon un processus sensible à l’abaissement de la température et indépendant du cytosquelette. L’albumine marquée restant dans les explants placentaires est partiellement dégradée. Trois mécanismes ont été envisagés pour expliquer ces mouvements d’entrée et de sortie de l’albumine au sein du placenta humain: l’endocytose médiée par l’albondine via les caveolae, le système des coated pits clathrine-dépendant, et l’endocytose médiée par la mégaline. Par immunohistochimie, nous avons montré que, dans le tissu placentaire, la caveoline-1, protéine caractéristique des caveolae, est localisée uniquement dans l’endothelium des capillaires fœtaux. La clathrine, au niveau des coated pits, et la mégaline se trouvent au contraire dans le syncytiotrophoblaste. La méthyl-b-cyclodextrine et l’hydrochlorure de chlorpromazine, inhibiteurs d’une endocytose dépendant de la clathrine, réduisent significativement l’internalisation placentaire de l’albumine marquée. Par contre, le DIDS ou le NPPB, susceptibles de perturber l’endocytose médiée par la mégaline, n’affectent pas la captation d’albumine marquée par les explants placentaires. L’albumine pénétrerait donc dans le syncytiotrophoblaste principalement par un processus clathrine-dépendant. La mégaline ne jouerait ici qu’un rôle mineur dans l’entrée de la protéine. Un tel processus de recyclage de l’albumine pourrait être similaire à celui décrit pour les immunoglobulines G au niveau du syncytiotrophoblaste.<p><p>Ces mouvement d’entrée et de sortie de l’albumine ne semblent pas associés à la stimulation de la libération d’hPL et d’hCG par l’albumine. Ils pourraient par contre participer significativement, étant donné leur ampleur, à la nutrition fœtale. L’albumine est en effet un transporteur notoire d’ions et d’acides gras, molécules qui pourraient être acheminées au fœtus via le phénomène de recyclage placentaire de l’albumine mis en évidence par ce travail. /<p><p>The human placenta is the site of all maternal-fetal exchanges, and is also an active endocrine organ. Placental lactogen (hPL) and chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) hormones are synthesized by the syncytiotrophoblast. So far, the mechanisms involved in the regulation of both hormones secretion remain elusive. In vitro, calcium inflow causes an immediate and sustained rise in the hPL and hCG releases from human term placenta explants. Moreover, increasing the extracellular concentration of albumin, the major maternal plasma protein in direct contact with the human trophoblast, stimulates the hPL and hCG releases in an immediate and transient way.<p><p>Our study have aimed to check the specificity of this secretory effect of albumin, to investigate the potential cellular messengers involved in the hPL and hCG releases, and to define the interaction between albumin and the throphoblast layer, using human term placenta explants.<p><p>Our results indicate that the triggering effect of albumin (5%, w/v) is largely mimicked by two other colloidal agents (dextran and polygelin). This “colloidal” stimulation of the hPL and hCG releases would involve the mobilization of calcium from intracellular pools. Three cellular messengers have been considered to mediate this process: the IPs/DAG, the cAMP, and the cGMP. Sodium fluoride, forskolin, or sodium nitroprusside, known activators of respectively the IPs, cAMP, and cGMP production, significantly increase the placental content of each of those messengers, without modifying the hPL and hCG releases. In addition, raising the extracellular concentration of albumin does not cause any change in the placental level of IPs, cAMP, and cGMP, while stimulating the hormonal release. These three signaling pathways are thus functional in human term trophoblast but do not appear to significantly modulate the hPL and hCG secretions. <p><p>Our findings show that albumin, labeled with 125I or with fluorescein, is rapidly internalized into the syncytiotrophoblast. Thereafter, the intact protein is largely recycled to the maternal circulation, through a temperature-sensitive and cytoskeleton-independent process. The labeled albumin remaining in placental explants is partially degraded. Three different mechanisms could participate to the albumin entry into the human placenta: the albondin-mediated endocytosis via the caveolae, the clathrin-dependent coated pits system, and the megalin-mediated endocytosis. Using immunohistochemistry, caveolin-1, marker of the caveolae, is localized in the endothelium of the fetal capillaries and not in the syncytiotrophoblast. By contrast, clathrin and megalin are observed only in the syncytiotrophoblast. Methyl-b-cyclodextrin, and chlorpromazine hydrochloride, known inhibitors of the clathrin-dependent endocytotic process, significantly reduce the placental uptake of labeled albumin. On the other hand, DIDS or NPPB, able to perturb the megalin-mediated endocytosis, do not affect the labeled albumin uptake. Thus, albumin seems to be internalized into the syncytiotrophoblast mainly through a clathrin-dependent mechanism. Megalin would only play a minor role in this process. Such movements of albumin in the human placenta may be similar to the recycling process reported for IgG at that site.<p><p>The placental apical recycling of albumin is not associated to the albumin triggering effect on the hPL and hCG releases. This quantitatively significant internalization process may participate to the fetus’ nutrition. Indeed, Albumin carries ions and fatty acid, which could be brought to the fetus via the protein recycling evidenced by our study.<p><p><p> <p> / Doctorat en sciences biomédicales / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

As células trofoblásticas provenientes de cones ectoplacentários na fase de pós-implantação expressam as subunidades do complexo NAD(P)H-oxidase de membrana p22-phox, gp91-phox, p47-phox, p40-phox, p67-phox e Rac1 previamente descritas em fagócitos e envolvidas com a atividade fagocitária destas células. Ocorre modulação da expressão das subunidades do complexo enzimático NAD(P)H-oxidase sob o estímulo com PMA, agente capaz de fosforilar a subunidade p47-phox e ativar esta enzima em fagócitos profissionais. Nossos ensaios experimentais indicam que as células trofoblásticas são capazes de gerar espécies reativas de oxigênio dependente da atividade do complexo NAD(P)H-oxidase de membrana de baixa intensidade quando não estimuladas e de forma muito mais intensa quando estimuladas pelo PMA. As características de expressão e atividade do complexo enzimático NAD(P)H-oxidase de membrana encontradas neste estudo sugerem que esta enzima é semelhante a encontrada em outros fagócitos e, desta forma possa talvez estar também envolvida com processos de defesa da interface materno-fetal. / In macrophages and neutrophils, the activation of the phagocytosis is defined by the acquisition of competence for microbicide, tumoricide and cytolytic functions resultant of generation and release of oxygen reactive species, besides the phagocytic process per se. Like these phagocytes, trophoblast cells in many species are also phagocytic. This cellular population involves completely the embryo and exhibits different and specific characteristics along the gestation. In rodents and primates, these cells are strategically positioned between maternal and fetal circulation and exhibit invasive and phagocytic activity, respectively responsible for anchorage of the embryo into the endometrium and uptake of an adequate nutritional supply for the embryo development. In rodents, these activities present a maximum degree during the implantation period, gradually declining, as the placenta develops. In the presence of strange particles at the maternal-placental interface, however, this process can be reactivated and, in this case, may be related to defense\'s mechanisms. Previous studies performed in our laboratory showed the potential of the trophoblast in producing and releasing reactive species of oxygen/nitrogen, in a very similar manner to that observed in macrophages and neutrophils. The production of such molecules is associated to different enzymes, but the localization of hydrogen peroxide on trophoblast cell surface has suggested a NAD(P)H-oxidase activity. NAD(P)H-oxidase is formed by the cytochrome b558 associated to the cellular membrane (subunits p22-phox + gp91-phox), the cytosolic subunits p47-phox, p67-phox and p40phox and, the GTPases Rac1 and Rac2 in an electron generator system that uses NADH or NADPH as substratum. Once activated, the enzymatic complex is responsible for the electron inflow to the molecular oxygen, yields superoxide anion. Thus, based on the literature and results previously obtained by our group, this study analyzed the protein and gene expression of the NAD(P)H-oxidase complex subunits respectively by immunolocalization and Westernblotting and rt-PCR, in the mouse trophoblast stimulated with PMA. Rt-PCR semi-quantitative analyses showed increase expression of the subunits p22-phox, gp91-phox, p47-phox, p67-phox, p40phox and Rac1 in PMA-treated in comparison with non treated ectoplacental cones. The expression of the subunits gp91-phox, p47-phox and p67-phox were confirmed by Western blotting and, like gene expression also increased in the presence of PMA. These subunits were mostly located in the trophoblast giant cell population, associated to the phagocytic process at the maternal-placental interface. Increased expression of such subunits may be related to an increase in the NAD(P)H-oxidase activity. To analyze this possibility and to determine the role played by NAD(P)H-oxidase activity in the reactive oxygen species produced by trophoblast cells, cellular assays were performed using the oxyethidium fluorescence, a product of dihydroethidium oxidation by superoxide anion. Thus, under PMA stimulus and antimycin A that blocks the mitochondrial NAD(P)H-oxidase activity and, apocynin and allopurinol, respectively blocking the membrane NAD(P)H-oxidase and xhantine oxidase and, still, using specific superoxide and hydrogen peroxide scavengers (superoxide dismutase enzyme and catalase) we showed the generation of reactive species of oxygen-NAD(P)H-oxidase dependent by trophoblast cells, mostly when stimulated. These results come to add important information about the potential of the trophoblast in producing reactive species at the maternal-fetal interface and, open a new investigation interest on the NADPH-oxidase regulatory processes and its involvement in defense functions of the embryo in both healthy and pathological processes that can determine the failure of the gestation.

<div>Rare circulating cells are becoming a subject of interest due to their potential clinical applications to replace invasive procedures. Due their low presence in blood (as low as 1 in 1 ml of blood) various platforms are developed to capture and isolate them. Common limitations of current platforms include the inability to process large volumes of blood without an initial volume reduction step such as centrifugation, reliance on a single antibody for the capture, and the difficulty of releasing and retrieving the captured cells with high purity. A rare cell retrieval platform with high throughput operation and high purity retrieval is needed to capture these rare cells by processing large volumes of blood.</div><div><br></div><div>In this thesis study, we have developed a two-tiered microchip system to capture and retrieve rare cells from blood samples with high purity. The first module of the system is a high throughput microfluidic interface that is used to immunomagnetically isolate targeted rare cells from whole blood, and discard > 99.999% of the unwanted leukocytes. The second module is a microwell array that furthers the purification by magnetically guiding each cell into a separate well concurrently, and allows individual retrieval of each cell. Even though the system we have developed is applicable to many fields pertaining to rare cell capture, here we demonstrate the proof-of-concept using model cell lines that represent circulating fetal trophoblasts. We describe the design, operation as well as the experimental characterization of the system. Our characterization results show that the process can be completed within 145 minutes from the very beginning till the retrieval of a target cell, and can provide efficiencies and purities that are as high as 100%. </div><div><br></div><div>In order to demonstrate a real-world use case for our device, we present preliminary experiments done with blood samples from pregnant women. We show that we are able to retrieve candidate fetal cells under 167 minutes. Future work will be focused on sequencing the candidate fetal cells retrieved from maternal samples to confirm their fetal origin as well as enhancing system performance in maximizing the number of cells captured.</div><div><br></div>