O interesse pela associação entre os hábitos alimentares e os fatores de crescimento e o câncer de mama foi recentemente elucidado. O risco e prognóstico do câncer de mama estar associado à composição corporal, fatores dietéticos, glicemia, fator de crescimento semelhante à insulina 1 e fator de crescimento vascular endotelial. Nosso objetivo foi identificar se o consumo de carnes vermelhas, leite de vaca e derivados, cereais integrais e refinados, linhaça, soja, chá verde, vegetais e frutas e os níveis séricos de glicose, IGF-1 e VEGF apresentam associação com os fatores prognósticos clínicos e patológicos do câncer de mama. Pacientes com câncer de mama submetidas à quimioterapia responderam a um questionário de freqüência alimentar semiquantitativo, e foram coletados dados antropométricos e sobre o estilo de vida. Amostras de sangue para dosagem de VEGF, IGF-1 e glicose foram coletadas antes do início da administração da quimioterapia. Os fatores prognósticos e dados da patologia foram coletados a partir dos prontuários. 61 pacientes entraram no estudo Foram analisados os dados de 59 pacientes. Houve associação entre glicemia de jejum e a circunferência da cintura (CC) (r2 = 0,16; β = 1,2; IC 95% 0,3-1,2; p = 0,002) e índice de massa corporal (r2 = 0,12; β = 1,295; IC 95% 0,4-2,1; p = 0,005), bem como entre glicemia de jejum e relação cintura-quadril(RCQ) (r2 = 0,07; β = 0,001; IC 95% 0-0,02; p = 0,04). Houve associação do maior tamanho do tumor e maior CC com a ingestão de mais de 226,1g de cereais refinados por dia (p <0,05). Houve associação do maior IMC, RCQ e CC com a ingestão de mais de 140,1 g de carne vermelha por dia (p <0,05).Nós encontramos resultados interessantes relacionados com a composição corporal e os níveis de glicemia de jejum e também com a composição corporal e ingestão de maiores quantidades de carne vermelha. Tumores de maior tamanho e maior CC foram relacionados à ingestão de cereais refinados, chamando a atenção para a necessidade de mais estudos avaliando o consumo deste grupo de alimentos em pacientes com câncer de mama. / Interest in the association of food habits, serum growth factors and breast cancer has been recently raised. Breast cancer risk and prognosis seems to be linked to body composition, dietary factors, serum glucose, insulin-like growth factor 1 and vascular endothelium growth factor. We aimed to identify whether the consumption of red meat, dairy products, whole and refined grains, fruits and vegetables and the levels of blood glucose, IGF-1 and VEGF were associated with prognostic factors in patients with breast cancer. Patients with breast cancer submitted to chemotherapy completed a semiquantitative foodfrequency questionnaire, and anthropometric and lifestyle data were collected. VEGF, IGF-1 and blood glucose were collected before chemotherapy administration. Breast cancer prognostic factors were collected from the pathology archives. 61 patients entered the study. Data were available for 59 patients. There was association between fasting glucose and waist circumference (WC) (r2=0.16; β=1.2; 95%CI 0.3-1.2; p=0.002) and body mass index (r2=0.12; β=1.295; 95%CI 0.4-2.1; p=0.005) as well as between fasting glucose and waist-to-hip ratio (r2=0.07; β=0.001; 95%CI 0-0.02; p=0.04). There was association of larger tumor size and larger WC with the ingestion of more than 226.1 g of processed refined grains per day (p<0.05). There was association of larger BMI, WHR and WC with the ingestion of more than 140.1 g of red meat per day (p<0.05). We have found interesting findings related to body composition and fasting glucose levels as well as body composition and ingestion of higher amounts of red meat. Larger tumor size and larger WC were related to the ingestion of processed refined grains, drawing attention to the need of further studies evaluating this food group in patients with breast cancer.

No description available.

This paper deals with the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF) and its use in tissue engineering of vascular wall. During the work interaction of endothelial cells with the modified fibrin-based biomaterial into which vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A121) has been incorporated was monitored. This modification supported the adhesion and growth of endothelial cells. Vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF-A121 is signal glycoprotein that activates transmembrane receptors on endothelial cells. VEGF-A121 is a key regulator in vasculogenesis, angiogenesis, proliferation, migration and survival of endothelial cells. In this work, this protein was heterologously expressed at a thioredoxin fusion partner in an expression system of E. coli Origami B (DE3). Recombinant VEGF-A121 was additionally coexpressed with bacterial chaperones GroEL/GroES for potential increase of its solubility and biological activity. In the next part of this work thin fibrin network was prepared by catalytic action of thrombin on the polystyrene-bound monolayer of fibrinogen. This network has been further enriched by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A121), which was covalently incorporated in it by enzyme activity of transglutaminase (factor XIIIa). The last...

Un endothélium vasculaire rétinien quiescent est essentiel dans l’approvisionnement et le maintien de l’homéostasie tissulaire afin d’assurer la fonction visuelle. L’hyperglycémie chronique dans le diabète peut mener à des complications reliées à plusieurs changements structuraux et fonctionnels de l’endothélium. Ces changements se manifestent souvent par des vaisseaux instables et hyperperméables, résultant en un tissu rétinien inadéquatement perfusé. Ces altérations sont rencontrées dans la pathophysiologie de l’œdème maculaire diabétique (OMD) qui affecte plus du quart des diabétiques. L’inhibition du facteur de perméabilité vasculaire VEGF-A a révolutionné le traitement de l’OMD, mais est aussi associée à des effets secondaires non négligeables reliés à leur non-spécificité et à une compréhension incomplète des mécanismes régulant la perméabilité vasculaire. Un ciblage spécifique de l’endothélium permettant la récupération de la quiescence et la stabilité physiologique réduisant l’hyperperméabilité pourrait fournir un nouvel outil thérapeutique. La BMP9 (Bone morphogenetic protein 9), qui est mise en circulation par le foie, est connue comme facteur de quiescence et de stabilité vasculaire ainsi que pour son effet sur l’homéostasie du glucose. Ces aspects étant peu documentés dans un contexte diabétique, nous avons évalué les capacités de la BMP9 sur la stabilisation de l’endothélium rétinien et ses effets paracrines/autocrines sur la gluconéogenèse hépatique. Nous avons démontré que la signalisation canonique de la BMP9/Smad1,5,9 via son récepteur spécifique à l’endothélium Alk1, était déficiente dans un modèle murin de diabète, ce qui exacerbe l’hyperperméabilité endothéliale rétinienne. À l’inverse, la surexpression de la BMP9 par un modèle murin de livraison adénovirale récupère la perméabilité physiologique, associée principalement à un renforcement des jonctions interendothéliales en limitant l’action du VEGF. De plus, nous avons trouvé que la BMP9 améliore le contrôle glycémique chez les souris diabétiques par l’inhibition de la gluconéogenèse hépatique, via la voie non-canonique Alk3/FOXO1. Fondamentalement, ce travail met en évidence les mécanismes régissant la perméabilité endothéliale dans un contexte diabétique, fournissant une alternative thérapeutique contre l’OMD. La régulation de la perméabilité rétinienne par la BMP9 s’effectue à plusieurs niveaux, indirectement par le contrôle glycémique, et directement par la solidification jonctionnelle de la barrière endothéliale rétinienne, réhabilitant ainsi la quiescence et la stabilité de l'endothélium physiologique. / A quiescent retinal vascular endothelium is essential for the supply and maintenance of tissue homeostasis to ensure proper visual function. Chronic hyperglycemia in diabetes can lead to multiple complications related to several structural and functional changes in the endothelium, characterized by unstable and hyperpermeable vessels resulting in an inadequately perfused retinal tissue. These alterations are encountered in the pathophysiology of diabetic macular edema (DME), which affects more than a quarter of diabetics. Inhibition of the vascular permeability factor VEGF-A has revolutionized the treatments of DME but is associated with non-negligible side effects related to their non-specific action combined with an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms regulating vascular permeability. Specific endothelial targeting aiming to recover quiescence and reducing hyperpermeability could provide new therapeutic tools for the treatment or prevention of DME. BMP9 (Bone morphogenetic protein 9), which is produced by the liver, is known as a vascular quiescence and stability factor as well as for its effects on glucose homeostasis. Since these aspects are poorly documented in a diabetic context, we investigated BMP9’s capabilities on endothelium stabilization and its paracrine/autocrine effects on hepatic gluconeogenesis. In our studies, we found that the canonical BMP9/Smad1,5,9 signaling, via its physiological Alk1 endothelium-specific receptor, was deficient in a murine model of diabetes, which exacerbates retinal endothelial hyperpermeability. In contrast, adenoviral overexpression of BMP9 recovers physiological permeability, which was primarily associated with the enhancement of interendothelial junctions by limiting the action of VEGF. In addition, we found that BMP9 improves glycemic control in diabetic mice by inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis via the non-canonical ALK3/FOXO1 pathway. Fundamentally, this work highlights new insights of the mechanisms governing endothelial permeability in a diabetic context, providing a therapeutic alternative against DME. Regulation of retinal permeability by BMP9 occurs on several levels, indirectly, through glycemic control, and directly through the junctional solidification of the hyperglycemic retinal endothelial barrier, thus rehabilitating the quiescence and stability of the physiological endothelium.

Gene therapy techniques delivering exogenous angiogenic growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), are currently being investigated as potential treatments for ischemia resulting from a variety of conditions, such as peripheral artery disease (PAD) and chronic wounds. Despite these intense efforts, a viable clinical option to promote therapeutic neovascularization remains elusive. Electroporation is a simple in vivo method to deliver normally impermeable molecules, such as plasmid DNA, to a variety of tissues including skin and muscle. This study investigated intradermal injection of plasmids encoding angiogenic growth factors with electroporation as a novel therapeutic approach to increase perfusion in areas of ischemia. Two common animal models of ischemia were employed: a skin flap model, used to study wound healing, and a hindlimb ischemia model, used to investigate potential therapies for PAD. In the skin flap model, delivery of plasmid VEGF with electroporation significantly increased VEGF expression for 5 days after delivery compared to injection of the plasmid alone. While the increase in VEGF expression was short-term, it significantly increased expression of the downstream angiogenic growth factor endothelial nitric oxide synthase, as well as perfusion and healing in the distal area of the skin flap. To facilitate the translation of electroporation to the clinic, a novel electrode configuration was previously designed for cutaneous delivery of plasmids to a large surface area. The design of the Multielectrode Array allows for delivery to a large surface area without the need to increase the applied voltage. Conditions for plasmid delivery with this electrode were optimized and it was then utilized to deliver plasmid FGF-2 (pFGF) to the hindlimb ischemia model. FGF-2 expression, perfusion, and angiogenesis were assessed. FGF-2 expression was significantly higher for 10 days after treatment with pFGF with electroporation compared to injection of pFGF alone. This increase in FGF-2 expression induced a significant increase in perfusion and angiogenesis in the ischemic limb. The research presented here suggests intradermal injection of plasmids encoding angiogenic factors by electroporation is a novel potential therapeutic approach to increase perfusion to areas of ischemia and promote wound healing.

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No description available.

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome is an autosomal dominant predisposition to cancer in neurological tissues, the kidneys, adrenal glands, pancreas, and liver, including neurological hemangioblastoma (HB), pheochromocytoma (PCC), pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNET), pancreatic and renal cysts, and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). The disease process follows Knudson's two-hit model, requiring spontaneous loss or mutation of a normal VHL tumor suppressor allele to induce expression of the disease. VHL syndrome principally involves dysregulation of oxygen sensing pathways including the Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF)-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A (VEGF-A) and HIF-Erythropoietin (EPO) pathways. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data from our previously published experiments revealed a potentially novel VEGF-A splice variant with excision of the VEGF Receptor-1 (VEGFR-1)/Flt-1 binding domain, rendering this isoform resistant to native down-regulation. Additionally, phenotypic changes were observed in adult VHL mutant mice, specifically very red appearing extremities with prominently visible vasculature. In order to determine the etiology of this phenotype, we observed red blood cell count, Epo gene expression levels, and arterialization of the blood vessels in these experimental mice as compared to littermate controls. Current research into the VEGF-A isoform is ongoing in the lab, and preliminary evidence for the etiology of the apparent chronic erythema phenotype is inconclusive due to lack of experimental replicates due to COVID-19 quarantine orders. / Master of Science / Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome is characterized by cancer development primarily in the brain and spinal cord, kidneys, adrenal glands, pancreas, and liver. VHL syndrome involves mutations which render the VHL gene dysfunctional. Since the VHL gene's normal role is one of preventing cancer development, sensing oxygen levels, and impacting blood vessel development, it follows that the loss of this gene results in tumor development with a rich blood vessel network. One of the downstream effectors of this process is a signaling molecule called Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A (VEGF-A). Our lab found a unique variant of VEGF-A, which may be overactive in the body in the setting of VHL disease. Additionally, we noted that our VHL mutant mice turned very red, and we sought to identify the biological cause of this phenomenon. In order to determine the cause of this redness, we studied red blood cell counts and their regulatory gene (Erythropoietin, EPO), as well as potential blood vessel abnormalities using high-power microscopy.

Hintergrund Die Strahlentherapie ist neben der radikalen Prostatektomie eine Standardtherapie zur Behandlung von Prostatatumoren und führt zu sehr guten Ergebnissen für die lokale Tumorkontrolle und für das Überleben. Allerdings ist, wie bei der Operation auch, dabei das Risiko eines Rezidivs für fortgeschrittene Tumoren im Gegensatz zu Tumoren in früheren Stadien relativ hoch. Daher besteht eine hohe Dringlichkeit zur Verbesserung der Strahlentherapie vor allem bei fortgeschrittenen Tumoren. Ein Ansatz hierfür ist die Kombination der Bestrahlung mit molekularen Therapien. Ziel dabei ist es, bestimmte Zielproteine zu blockieren, um die Strahlensensibilität der Prostatakarzinomzellen zu erhöhen. Ein potentielles Target könnte hierbei die Blockade des VEGF-C/NRP-2/Akt-Signalwegs (VEGF-C – vascular endothelial growth factor C; NRP-2 – Neuropilin 2; Akt – Proteinkinase B) sein. Im Prostatakarzinom sind die Konzentrationen von VEGF-C und NRP-2 im Vergleich zu normalen Prostatazellen erhöht. Aus Untersuchungen ist bekannt, dass beide Proteine eine progressive Wirkung auf die Tumorgenese haben. In Vorarbeiten zeigen Muders et al. (2009) zudem eine Aktivierung von Akt über die VEGF-C/NRP-2-Achse und eine darüber vermittelte Resistenz gegenüber oxidativem Stress durch H2O2. Akt wirkt in verschiedenen Tumorentitäten außerdem protektiv gegenüber Bestrahlung. Es besteht die Annahme, dass dies auch für Prostatakarzinomzellen gilt. Zielstellung Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurde untersucht, ob und über welchen Mechanismus VEGF-C, NRP-2 und Akt die Strahlenresistenz in Prostatakarzinomzelllinien beeinflussen. Methoden Es wurden in vitro- und in vivo-Experimente in den humanen Prostatakarzinomzelllinen PC-3, DU145, LNCaP sowie in PC-3-Xenografts durchgeführt. Der Einfluss von VEGF-C und NRP-2 auf die Strahlenresistenz wurde in vitro nach Herunterregulierung der entsprechenden Gene mittels siRNA beziehungsweise nach Supplementierung mit humanem rekombinanten VEGF-C in Koloniebildungsassays untersucht. Zur Ermittlung des Einflusses von VEGF-C und von NRP-2 auf mögliche Zellüberlebensmechanismen wurden der autophagische Flux nach Blockade der Autophagie mit Bafilomycin A1 mittels Western Blot, die DNA-Doppelstrangbruch-Reparatur mittels Quantifizierung der γH2AX Foci sowie die Zellzyklusverteilung mittels Durchflusszytometrie untersucht. Die Signalweiterleitung von VEGF-C über Akt sowie, als weitere Möglichkeit, die Signalweiterleitung über ERK1/2 wurden nach siRNA-Transfektion mit und ohne Bestrahlung mittels Western Blot geprüft. Weitere Versuche zu Akt erfolgten in vitro und in vivo mit dem PI3K/Akt-Inhibitor Nelfinavir in PC-3-Zellen. Der in vitro Effekt von Nelfinavir auf die Strahlenresistenz wurde dabei mithilfe eines Koloniebildungsassays nach Behandlung der Zellen mit 10 µM Nelfinavir getestet. In vivo wurde die Wirkung von Nelfinavir ohne sowie in Kombination mit Bestrahlung in PC-3-Xenografts in Nacktmäusen untersucht. Für die Bestimmung der Tumorwachstumszeit wurden die Mäuse mit 80 mg Nelfinavir/kg Körpergewicht 30 mal innerhalb von 6 Wochen behandelt. In einem weiteren Versuch wurde die lokale Tumorkontrolle bei gleichzeitiger fraktionierter Bestrahlung mit Gesamtdosen von 30 bis 120 Gy und einer Nachbeobachtungszeit von 180 Tagen bestimmt. Ergebnisse Die Untersuchungen zur Strahlenresistenz über den VEGF-C/NRP-2/Akt-Signalweg haben ergeben, dass in den drei Prostatakarzinomzelllinien PC-3, DU145 und LNCaP VEGF-C signifikant Strahlenresistenz vermittelt. Für NRP-2 hingegen wurde festgestellt, dass es in Abhängigkeit von der Zelllinie entweder zur Strahlenresistenz (DU145) oder zur Strahlensensibilisierung (PC-3) führt. Weiterhin wurde nachgewiesen, dass durch VEGF-C in PC-3 und DU145 weder über Akt noch über ERK1/2 Strahlenresistenz vermittelt wird. Die Versuche zu Strahlenresistenz vermittelnden Mechanismen ergaben, dass VEGF-C in unbestrahlten PC-3-Zellen die Autophagie fördert, NRP-2 jedoch nicht. Unter Bestrahlung war ein Effekt von VEGF-C und NRP-2 auf die Autophagie nicht reproduzierbar nachweisbar. Ein weiterer Versuch hat gezeigt, dass in PC-3 Autophagie keinen Einfluss auf das klonogene Überleben nach Bestrahlung hat. Außerdem wurde festgestellt, dass VEGF-C in PC-3 die DNA-Doppelstrangbruch-Reparatur nicht beeinflusst. Darüber hinaus wurde nachgewiesen, dass eine Verminderung des VEGF-C-Gehalts in PC-3 zum G2/M-Arrest führt. In DU145 konnte jedoch kein Effekt beobachtet werden. In den Untersuchungen zum Einfluss von Akt auf die Strahlenresistenz unabhängig von VEGF-C und NRP-2 wirkte Nelfinavir inhibierend auf die Akt-Phosphorylierung am Ser473 und beeinflusste das klonogene Überleben von PC-3-Zellen minimal. In PC-3-Xenografts führte Nelfinavir zu keiner Tumorwachstumsverzögerung und wirkte in vitro und in vivo nicht strahlensensibilisierend. Schlussfolgerung In den Versuchen konnte gezeigt werden, dass VEGF-C in Prostatakarzinomzellen Strahlenresistenz vermittelt. Diese Erkenntnis könnte als ein Forschungsansatz zur Entwicklung einer kombinierten Therapie aus VEGF-C-Blockade und Bestrahlung dienen. Ein potentieller Mechanismus, über den VEGF-C die Strahlenresistenz vermittelt, ist, in Abhängigkeit von der Zelllinie, die Aufhebung des G2/M-Arrests. NRP-2 wirkt in der Vermittlung von Strahlenresistenz beziehungsweise sensibilität je nach Zelllinie unterschiedlich. Hierzu sollten weitere Untersuchungen bezüglich möglicher Interaktionen innerhalb anderer Signalwege mit strahlensensibilisierendem Einfluss erfolgen. Innerhalb des untersuchten Signalwegs konnte weiterhin festgestellt werden, dass VEGF-C Strahlenresistenz nicht über Akt vermittelt. Die vorliegende Arbeit enthält die erste Studie sowohl zur Untersuchung des Einflusses von Nelfinavir in Kombination mit Bestrahlung auf das Überleben von Prostatakarzinomzellen in vitro als auch auf die Tumorwachstumszeit und die lokale Tumorkontrolle in vivo. Hierin konnte keine strahlensensibilisierende Wirkung von Nelfinavir nachgewiesen werden. Da Nelfinavir in Zellen anderer Tumorentitäten strahlensensibilisierend wirkt und außerdem bekannt ist, dass es in eine Reihe von Signalwegen eingreift, die das Zellüberleben fördern oder hemmen, sollte weiter geklärt werden, ob Tumorzellen mit einem bestimmten genetischen Profil besser auf die Behandlung mit Nelfinavir ansprechen. / Background In addition to radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy is a standard therapy for the treatment of prostate tumours and leads to good results for local tumour control and survival. However, as with the resection, the risk of recurrence for advanced tumours is relatively high compared to tumours in earlier stages. Therefore, there is a high urgency to improve radiotherapy especially for advanced stages. One approach is the combination of irradiation with molecular therapies. The aim is to block certain target proteins to increase the radiosensitivity of the prostate carcinoma cells. A potential target could be the blockade of the VEGF-C/NRP-2/Akt signalling pathway (VEGF-C – vascular endothelial growth factor C; NRP-2 – neuropilin 2; Akt – protein kinase B). In prostate cancer the concentrations of VEGF-C and NRP-2 are increased compared to normal prostate cells. Studies have shown that both proteins have a progressive effect on tumourigenesis. In preliminary work Muders et al. (2009) also showed the activation of Akt via the VEGF-C/NRP-2 axis and a resistance to H2O2 induced oxidative stress. Akt also has a protective effect against irradiation in various tumour entities. It is assumed that this also applies to prostate carcinoma cells. Aim of the study Within the framework of this thesis, it was investigated whether and via which mechanism VEGF-C, NRP-2, and Akt affect the radioresistance in prostate carcinoma cell lines. Methods In vitro and in vivo experiments were performed in the human prostate carcinoma cell lines PC-3, DU145, LNCaP, as well as in PC-3 xenografts. The influence of VEGF-C and NRP-2 on the radioresistance was examined in vitro after knock down of the corresponding genes using siRNA or after supplementation with human recombinant VEGF-C in colony formation assays. In order to determine the influence of VEGF-C and NRP-2 on possible cell survival mechanisms, the autophagic flux was examined after the blockade of autophagy with bafilomycin A1 using western blot, the DNA double strand break repair by quantification of the γH2AX foci, and the cell cycle distribution by flow cytometry. The signal transduction of VEGF-C via Akt as well as, as a further possibility, the signal transduction via ERK1/2 were tested after siRNA transfection with and without irradiation using western blot. Further experiments on Akt were performed in vitro and in vivo with the PI3K/Akt inhibitor nelfinavir in PC-3 cells. The in vitro effect of nelfinavir on radioresistance was tested using a colony formation assay after treatment of the cells with 10 μM nelfinavir. In vivo, the effect of nelfinavir without and in combination with irradiation in PC-3 xenografts was investigated in nude mice. For the determination of the tumour growth time, the mice were treated with 80 mg nelfinavir/kg body weight 30 times within 6 weeks. In a further experiment, the local tumour control was determined with simultaneous fractionated irradiation with total doses of 30 to 120 Gy and a follow-up time of 180 days. Results The investigations on radioresistance via the VEGF-C/NRP-2/Akt signalling pathway showed that in the three prostate carcinoma cell lines PC-3, DU145, and LNCaP VEGF-C significantly mediates radioresistance. For NRP-2 however, it was found that, depending on the cell line, it either leads to radioresistance (DU145) or radiosensitization (PC-3). Further, it was shown that in PC-3 and DU145 VEGF-C does not mediate radioresistance via Akt or ERK1/2. The experiments on radioresistance mediating mechanisms revealed that VEGF-C promotes autophagy in untreated PC-3 cells, but NRP-2 does not. Under irradiation, an effect of VEGF-C and NRP-2 on autophagy could not be detected reproducibly. A further experiment has shown that in PC-3 autophagy has no influence on the clonogenic survival after irradiation. In addition, it was found that VEGF-C does not affect the DNA double strand break repair in PC-3. Furthermore, it was shown that a reduction in the VEGF-C content leads to a G2/M arrest in PC-3. However, no effect could be observed in DU145. In studies regarding the influence of Akt on radioresistance independent of VEGF-C and NRP-2, nelfinavir inhibited Akt phosphorylation at Ser473 and minimally affected the clonogenic survival of PC-3 cells. In PC-3 xenografts, nelfinavir did not lead to any tumour growth delay and did not have a radiosensitizing effect in vitro or in vivo. Conclusion In the experiments, it was shown that VEGF-C mediates radioresistance in prostate cancer cells. This finding could serve as a research approach for the development of a combined therapy of a VEGF-C blockade and irradiation. A potential mechanism by which VEGF-C mediates radioresistance is the reverse of the G2/M arrest, depending on the cell line. NRP-2 acts differently in the mediation of radioresistance or radiosensitivity, depending on the cell line. On this, further investigations should be carried out with regard to possible interactions within other signalling pathways with a radiosensitizing influence. Within the investigated signalling pathway, it was further shown that VEGF-C does not mediate radioresistance via Akt. The present work contains the first study examining the effect of nelfinavir in combination with irradiation on prostate cancer cell survival in vitro as well as on growth time and local tumour control in vivo. Herein no radiosensitizing effects of nelfinavir could be detected. Since nelfinavir radiosensitizes cells of other tumour entities and is also known to interfere with a series of signalling pathways that promote or inhibit cell survival, it should be clarified whether tumour cells with a particular genetic profile are more responsive to treatment with nelfinavir.

Before year 1895, the doctors could only make a probable diagnosis based on what the patient could tell and it was hurt and there was no discernable change to the outside of the body. With X-ray, it was possible to see inside the patient without first cutting it, you can say that the X-ray was the starting point for diagnostic imaging.The further development of X-ray gave CT (Computed Tomography), where X-ray tubes and detectors rotate around the patient while the patient table moves. Besides CT also developed MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), PET (Positron Emission Tomography) and Ultrasound. Common to these methods is that the produced 3D images.In 1990 a completely new approach for diagnostic imaging, OCT (optical coherence tomography), by measuring the phase shift and the intensity of reflected light, it provides real-time and non-destructive measurements (in vivo) a resolution of 1 to 15 microns, much higher than all other standard imaging techniques. You could say that OCT machine can be compared to ultrasound, which uses the reflection of sound waves to interpretation.The first OCT machines were of type TD (Time Domain), these had low resolution and low scanning speed. In 2005 came the SD-OCT, they had higher resolution and scanning speed, SD stands for spectral domain, SD-OCT is sometimes called FD-OCT as Fourier transformed signals and operating in the frequency domain.The development of OCT machines are only in their infancy, resolution, scanning speed and accuracy will increase all the time, this allows new uses and ways to diagnose developed. OCT can be used in such Oncology, MSD (Musculoskeletal disorders), cardiovascular medicine, teeth, nerves, but the largest field is the eye and then the back of the eye called the retina (retina).This thesis is limited to the eye, the purpose is to provide input to those who are likely to purchase an OCT-machine, but also show the measurement data OCT-machines are performing and how to use the OCT-machine more than to see age-related macular degeneration. Another aim is to increase understanding of the physics behind an OCT-machine for ease of understanding the output given.The manufacture/model that have selected for evaluation are Zeiss Cirrus 4000, Topcon 3D OCT-2000 and Heidelberg Spectralis, the reason is that there are only these three on the Swedish market and all are SD-OCT. The way to evaluate OCT-machines is to scan performance and what the various analysis programs can handle. Furthermore, each OCT-machine scans the macula and optic disk on a experimental person/ reference eye, in order to get the output of the precision, or if you want to call it repeatability, which is very important if one wants to follow a solitary disease course.The conclusion of this thesis is to OCT machines are quite similar. When it comes to ease of use when doing scans is the Cirrus is lightened by the use of the extra screen where you always look eye (iris camera), which makes it easy to adjust the sharpness and position of the mouse buttons. Topcon and Heidelberg is not difficult to use but requires more experience of the person making the OCT scans. Most measurement functions in the analysis program is Topcon and Heidelberg and best accuracy/repeatability is Heidelberg, both the macula and RFNL.OCT machine is a good tool to use on the anterior segment, but in the case the precision allows the precision used to monitor RNFL thickness changes in those with glaucoma. / <p>Validerat; 20131029 (global_studentproject_submitter)</p>