Academic literature on the topic 'Viral gene segments'

ABSTRACTThe H2N2/1957 and H3N2/1968 pandemic influenza viruses emerged via the exchange of genomic RNA segments between human and avian viruses. The avian hemagglutinin (HA) allowed the hybrid viruses to escape preexisting immunity in the human population. Both pandemic viruses further received the PB1 gene segment from the avian parent (Y. Kawaoka, S. Krauss, and R. G. Webster, J Virol 63:4603–4608, 1989), but the biological significance of this observation was not understood. To assess whether the avian-origin PB1 segment provided pandemic viruses with some selective advantage, either on its own or via cooperation with the homologous HA segment, we modeled by reverse genetics the reassortment event that led to the emergence of the H3N2/1968 pandemic virus. Using seasonal H2N2 virus A/California/1/66 (Cal) as a surrogate precursor human virus and pandemic virus A/Hong Kong/1/68 (H3N2) (HK) as a source of avian-derived PB1 and HA gene segments, we generated four reassortant recombinant viruses and compared pairs of viruses which differed solely by the origin of PB1. Replacement of the PB1 segment of Cal by PB1 of HK facilitated viral polymerase activity, replication efficiency in human cells, and contact transmission in guinea pigs. A combination of PB1 and HA segments of HK did not enhance replicative fitness of the reassortant virus compared with the single-gene PB1 reassortant. Our data suggest that the avian PB1 segment of the 1968 pandemic virus served to enhance viral growth and transmissibility, likely by enhancing activity of the viral polymerase complex.IMPORTANCEDespite the high impact of influenza pandemics on human health, some mechanisms underlying the emergence of pandemic influenza viruses still are poorly understood. Thus, it was unclear why both H2N2/1957 and H3N2/1968 reassortant pandemic viruses contained, in addition to the avian HA, the PB1 gene segment of the avian parent. Here, we addressed this long-standing question by modeling the emergence of the H3N2/1968 virus from its putative human and avian precursors. We show that the avian PB1 segment increased activity of the viral polymerase and facilitated viral replication. Our results suggest that in addition to the acquisition of antigenically novel HA (i.e., antigenic shift), enhanced viral polymerase activity is required for the emergence of pandemic influenza viruses from their seasonal human precursors.

The genome of Bunyamwera virus (BUN; family Bunyaviridae, genus Orthobunyavirus) comprises three segments of negative-sense, single-stranded RNA. The RNA segments are encapsidated by the viral nucleocapsid (N) protein and form panhandle-like structures through interaction of complementary sequences at their 5′ and 3′ termini. Transcription and replication of a BUN genome analogue (minireplicon), comprising the viral non-coding sequences flanking a reporter gene, requires just the viral RNA polymerase (L protein) and N protein. Here, sequences of Bunyamwera serogroup M segment RNAs were compared and conserved elements within nt 20–33 of the 3′ and 5′ non-coding regions that can affect packaging of minireplicons into virions were identified. RNA-folding models suggest that a conserved sequence within nt 20–33 of the 5′ end of the genome segments maintains conserved structural features necessary for efficient transcription. Competitive packaging experiments using M, L and S segment-derived minireplicons that encode different reporter genes showed variable packaging efficiencies of the three segments. Packaging of a particular segment appeared to be independent of the presence of other segments and, for the S segment, packaging efficiency was unaffected by the inclusion of viral coding sequences in the minireplicon.

We showed previously that 218 and 110 bp N gene segments of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) that were fused to the non-target green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene were able to confer resistance to TSWV via post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS). N gene segments expressed alone did not confer resistance. Apparently, the GFP DNA induced PTGS that targetted N gene segments and the incoming homologous TSWV for degradation, resulting in a resistant phenotype. These observations suggested that multiple resistance could be obtained by replacing the GFP DNA with a viral DNA that induces PTGS. The full-length coat protein (CP) gene of turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) was linked to 218 or 110 bp N gene segments and transformed into Nicotiana benthamiana. A high proportion (4 of 18) of transgenic lines with the 218 bp N gene segment linked to the TuMV CP gene were resistant to both viruses, and resistance was transferred to R2 plants. Nuclear run-on and Northern experiments confirmed that resistance was via PTGS. In contrast, only one of 14 transgenic lines with the TuMV CP linked to a 110 bp N gene segment yielded progeny with multiple resistance. Only a few R1 plants were resistant and resistance was not observed in R2 plants. These results clearly show the applicability of multiple virus resistance through the fusion of viral segments to DNAs that induce PTGS.

Influenza A viruses encode their genomes across eight, negative sense RNA segments. The six largest segments produce mRNA transcripts that do not generally splice; however, the two smallest segments are actively spliced to produce the essential viral proteins NEP and M2. Thus, viral utilization of RNA splicing effectively expands the viral coding capacity without increasing the number of genomic segments. As a first step towards understanding why splicing is not more broadly utilized across genomic segments, we designed and inserted an artificial intron into the normally nonsplicing NA segment. This insertion was tolerated and, although viral mRNAs were incompletely spliced, we observed only minor effects on viral fitness. To take advantage of the unspliced viral RNAs, we encoded a reporter luciferase gene in frame with the viral ORF such that when the intron was not removed the reporter protein would be produced. This approach, which we also show can be applied to the NP encoding segment and in different viral genetic backgrounds, led to high levels of reporter protein expression with minimal effects on the kinetics of viral replication or the ability to cause disease in experimentally infected animals. These data together show that the influenza viral genome is more tolerant of splicing than previously appreciated and this knowledge can be leveraged to develop viral genetic platforms with utility for biotechnology applications.

Group A rotaviruses, members of the family Reoviridae, are a major cause of infantile acute gastroenteritis. The rotavirus genome consists of 11 dsRNA segments. In some cases, an RNA segment is replaced by a rearranged RNA segment, which is derived from its standard counterpart by partial sequence duplication. It has been shown that some rearranged segments are preferentially encapsidated into viral progenies after serial passages in cell culture. Based on this characteristic, a reverse genetics system was used previously to introduce exogenous segment 7 rearrangements into an infectious rotavirus. This study extends this reverse genetics system to RNA segments 5 and 11. Transfection of exogenous rotavirus rearranged RNA segment 5 or 11 into cells infected with a WT helper rotavirus (bovine strain RF) resulted in subsequent gene rearrangements in the viral progeny. Whilst recombinant viruses were rescued with an exogenous rearranged segment 11, the exogenous segment was modified by a secondary rearrangement. The occurrence of spontaneous rearrangements of WT or exogenous segments is a major hindrance to the use of this reverse genetics approach.

We showed previously that transgenic plants with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene fused to segments of the nucleocapsid (N) gene of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) displayed post-transcriptional gene silencing of the GFP and N gene segments and resistance to TSWV. These results suggested that a chimeric transgene composed of viral gene segments might confer multiple virus resistance in transgenic plants. To test this hypothesis and to determine the minimum length of the N gene that could trans-inactivate the challenging TSWV, transgenic plants were developed that contained GFP fused with N gene segments of 24–453 bp. Progeny from these plants were challenged with: (i) a chimeric tobacco mosaic virus containing the GFP gene, (ii) a chimeric tobacco mosaic virus with GFP plus the N gene of TSWV and (iii) TSWV. A number of transgenic plants expressing the transgene with GFP fused to N gene segments from 110 to 453 bp in size were resistant to these viruses. Resistant plants exhibited post-transcriptional gene silencing. In contrast, all transgenic lines with transgenes consisting of GFP fused to N gene segments of 24 or 59 bp were susceptible to TSWV, even though the transgene was post-transcriptionally silenced. Thus, virus resistance and post-transcriptional gene silencing were uncoupled when the N gene segment was 59 bp or less. These results provide evidence that multiple virus resistance is possible through the simple strategy of linking viral gene segments to a silencer DNA such as GFP.

ABSTRACT The genome of the influenza A virus is composed of eight different segments of negative-sense RNA. These eight segments are incorporated into budding virions in an equimolar ratio through a mechanism that is not fully understood. Two different models have been proposed for packaging the viral ribonucleoproteins into newly assembling virus particles: the random-incorporation model and the selective-incorporation model. In the last few years, increasing evidence from many different laboratories that supports the selective-incorporation model has been accumulated. In particular, different groups have shown that some large viral RNA regions within the coding sequences at both the 5′ and 3′ ends of almost every segment are sufficient for packaging foreign RNA sequences. If the packaging regions are crucial for the viability of the virus, we would expect them to be conserved. Using large-scale analysis of influenza A virus sequences, we developed a method of identifying conserved RNA regions whose conservation cannot be explained by population structure or amino acid conservation. Interestingly, the conserved sequences are located within the regions identified as important for efficient packaging. By utilizing influenza virus reverse genetics, we have rescued mutant viruses containing synonymous mutations within these highly conserved regions. Packaging of viral RNAs in these viruses was analyzed by reverse transcription using a universal primer and quantitative PCR for individual segments. Employing this approach, we have identified regions in the polymerase gene segments that, if mutated, result in reductions of more than 90% in the packaging of that particular polymerase viral RNA. Reductions in the level of packaging of a polymerase viral RNA frequently resulted in reductions of other viral RNAs as well, and the results form a pattern of hierarchy of segment interactions. This work provides further evidence for a selective packaging mechanism for influenza A viruses, demonstrating that these highly conserved regions are important for efficient packaging.

ABSTRACT Paramyxoviruses belong to the Paramyxoviridae family of the order Mononegavirales. They have a nonsegmented negative-stranded RNA genome and can cause a number of diseases in humans and animals. We generated a recombinant Newcastle disease virus (NDV) possessing a two-segmented genome. Each genomic segment is flanked by authentic NDV 3′ and 5′ noncoding termini allowing for efficient replication and transcription. A reporter gene encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) was inserted into one segment, and a red fluorescent protein dsRed gene was inserted into the other segment in order to easily detect the replication and transcription of segments in infected cells. The rescued viruses grew well and were stable in embryonated chicken eggs over multiple passages. We were able to detect the expression of both reporter genes in the same cell infected with the virus possessing a segmented genome, and viral particles can contain either one or two types of RNA segments. We also rescued a two-segmented virus expressing GFP and the severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus spike S protein, which is about 200 kDa. The chimeric virus extends the coding capacity of NDV by 30%, suggesting that the two-segmented NDV can be used for development of vaccines or gene therapy vectors carrying long and multiple transgenes.

ABSTRACT Influenza viruses are classified into three types: A, B, and C. The genomes of A- and B-type influenza viruses consist of eight RNA segments, whereas influenza C viruses only have seven RNAs. Both A and B influenza viruses contain two major surface glycoproteins: the hemagglutinin (HA) and the neuraminidase (NA). Influenza C viruses have only one major surface glycoprotein, HEF (hemagglutinin-esterase fusion). By using reverse genetics, we generated two seven-segmented chimeric influenza viruses. Each possesses six RNA segments from influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (PB2, PB1, PA, NP, M, and NS); the seventh RNA segment encodes either the influenza virus C/Johannesburg/1/66 HEF full-length protein or a chimeric protein HEF-Ecto, which consists of the HEF ectodomain and the HA transmembrane and cytoplasmic regions. To facilitate packaging of the heterologous segment, both the HEF and HEF-Ecto coding regions are flanked by HA packaging sequences. When introduced as an eighth segment with the NA packaging sequences, both viruses are able to stably express a green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene, indicating a potential use for these viruses as vaccine vectors to carry foreign antigens. Finally, we show that incorporation of a GFP RNA segment enhances the growth of seven-segmented viruses, indicating that efficient influenza A viral RNA packaging requires the presence of eight RNA segments. These results support a selective mechanism of viral RNA recruitment to the budding site.

ABSTRACT The genome of influenza A viruses comprises eight negative-strand RNA segments. Although all eight segments must be present in cells for efficient viral replication, the mechanism(s) by which these viral RNA (vRNA) segments are incorporated into virions is not fully understood. We recently found that sequences at both ends of the coding regions of the HA, NA, and NS vRNA segments of A/WSN/33 play important roles in the incorporation of these vRNAs into virions. In order to similarly identify the regions of the PB2, PB1, and PA vRNAs of this strain that are critical for their incorporation, we generated a series of mutant vRNAs that possessed the green fluorescent protein gene flanked by portions of the coding and noncoding regions of the respective segments. For all three polymerase segments, deletions at the ends of their coding regions decreased their virion incorporation efficiencies. More importantly, these regions not only affected the incorporation of the segment in which they reside, but were also important for the incorporation of other segments. This effect was most prominent with the PB2 vRNA. These findings suggest a hierarchy among vRNA segments for virion incorporation and may imply intersegment association of vRNAs during virus assembly.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequencing of specific viral gene segments was used to investigate the phylogenetic relationships among the orbiviruses. Sequence comparisons of the bluetongue virus (BTV) RNA3 from different regions of the world (North America, South Africa, India, Indonesian, Malaysia, Australia and the Caribbean region) showed that geographic separation had resulted in significant divergence, consistent with the evolution of distinct viral populations. There were at least 3 topotypes (Gould, 1987); the Australasian, African - American and another topotype represented by BTV 15 isolated in Australia in 1986. The topotypes of BTV had RNA3 nucleotide sequences that differed by approximately 20 per cent. Analysis of BTV-specific gene segments from animal and insect specimens showed that bluetongue viruses had entered northern Australia from South East Asia, possibly by wind-borne vectors. Nucleotide sequence comparisons were used to show the close genetic relationship between BTV 2 (Ona-A strain) from Florida and BTV 12 from Jamaica, and to investigate the reassortment of BTV genome segments in nature. The mutation rates of the BTV RNA2 and RNA3 segments were estimated to be of the order of 10(-4) nucleotide changes/site/year, similar in magnitude to that reported for other RNA viruses.

Non-covalent intermolecular interactions play a large role in determining the properties of a given system, from segmented copolymers to interactions of functionalized polymers with non-viral nucleic acids delivery vehicles. The ability to control the intermolecular interactions of a given system allow for tailoring of that system to yield a desired outcome, whether it is a copolymers mechanical properties or the colloidal stability of a pDNA-delivery vector complex. Each chemical system relies on one or more types of intermolecular interaction such as hydrogen bonding, cooperative À-À stacking, electrostatic interactions, van der waals forces, metal-ligand coordination, or hydrophobic/solvophobic effects. The following research describes the tailoring of specific intermolecular interactions aimed at altering the physical properties of segmented copolymers and non-viral gene delivery vectors.
    Amide containing segmented copolymers relies heavily on hydrogen bonding intermolecular interactions for physical crosslinking to impart the necessary microphase separated morphology responsible for a copolymers physical properties. Amide containing hard segments are composed of various chemical structures from crystalline aramids to amorphous alkyl amides with each structure possessing unique intermolecular interactions. Variations to either of the copolymer segments alters the copolymers physical properties allowing for tuning of a copolymers properties for a particular application. The synthetic strategies, structure-property relationships, and physical properties of amide containing segmented copolymers are thoroughly reported in the literature. Each class of segmented copolymer that contain amide hydrogen bonding groups exhibits a wide range of tunable properties desirable for many applications. The segmented copolymers discussed here include poly(ether-block-amide)s, poly(ether ester amide)s, poly(ester amide)s, poly(oxamide)s, PDMS polyamides, and polyamides containing urethane, urea, or imide groups.
    The structure-property relationships (SPR) of poly(oxamide) segmented copolymers is not well understood with only one report currently found in literature. The effects of oxamide spacing in the hard segment and molecular weight of the soft segments in PDMS poly(oxamide) segmented copolymers demonstrated the changes in physical properties associated with minor structural variations. The optically clear PDMS poly(oxamide) copolymers possessed good mechanical properties after bulk polymerization of ethyl oxalate terminated PDMS oligomers with alkyl diamines or varied length. FTIR spectroscopy experiments revealed an ordered hydrogen bonding carbonyl stretching band for each copolymer and as the spacing between oxamide groups increased, the temperature at which the hard segment order was disrupted decreased. The increased spacing between oxamide groups also led to a decrease in the flow temperature observed with dynamic mechanical analysis. Copolymer tensile properties decrease with increased oxamide spacing as well as the hysteresis. The structure-property investigations of PDMS poly(oxamide) segmented copolymers showed that the shortest oxamide spacing resulted in materials with optimal mechanical properties.
    A new class of non-chain extended segmented copolymers that contained both urea and oxamide hydrogen bonding groups in the hard segment were synthesized. PDMS poly(urea oxamide) (PDMS-UOx) copolymers displayed thermoplastic elastomer behavior with enhanced physical properties compared to PDMS polyurea (PDMS-U) controls. Synthesis of a difunctional oxamic hydrazide terminated PDMS oligomer through a two-step end capping procedure with diethyl oxalate and hydrazine proved highly efficient. Solution polymerization of the oxamic hydrazide PDMS oligomers with HMDI afforded the desired PDMS-UOx segmented copolymer, which yielded optically clear, tough elastomeric films. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed a large temperature insensitive rubbery plateau that extended up to 186 ÚC for PDMS-UOx copolymers and demonstrated increased rubbery plateau ranges of up to 120 ÚC when compared to the respective PDMS-U control. The increase in thermomechanical properties with the presence of oxamide groups in the hard segment was due to the increased hydrogen bonding, which resulted in a higher degree of microphase separation. DMA, SAXS, and AFM confirmed better phase separation of the PDMS-UOx copolymers compared to PDMS-U controls and DSC and WAXD verified the amorphous character of PDMS-UOx. Oxamide incorporation showed a profound effect on the physical properties of PDMS-UOx copolymers compared to the controls and demonstrated promise for potential commercial applications.
    Two novel segmented copolymers based on a poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) that contained two or three oxamide groups in the hard segment were synthesized. Synthesis of non-chain extended PPG poly(trioxamide) (PPG-TriOx) and PPG poly(urea oxamide) (PPG-UOx) segmented copolymers utilized the two-step end-capping procedure with diethyl oxalate and hydrazine then subsequent polymerization with oxalyl chloride or HMDI, respectively. The physical properties of the PPG-TriOx and PPG-UOx copolymers were compared to those of PPG poly(urea) (PPG-U) and poly(oxamide) (PPG-Ox) copolymers. FTIR studies suggested the presence of an ordered hydrogen bonded hard segment for PGG-TriOx and PPG-Ox copolymers with PPG-TriOx possessing a lower energy ordered hydrogen bonding structure. PPG-UOx copolymers exhibited a larger rubbery plateau and higher moduli compared to PPG-U copolymers and also a dramatic increase in the tensile properties with the increased hydrogen bonding. The described copolymers provided a good example of the utility of this new step-growth polymerization chemistry for producing segmented copolymers with strong hydrogen bonding capabilities.
    Non-viral nucleic acid delivery has become a hot field in the past 15 years due to increased safety, compared to viral vectors, and ability to synthetically alter the material properties. Altering a synthetic non-viral delivery vector allows for custom tailoring of a delivery vector for various therapeutic applications depending on the target disease. The types of non-viral delivery vectors are diverse, however the lack of understanding of the endocytic mechanisms, endosomal escape, and nucleic acid trafficking is not well understood. This lack of understanding into these complex processes limits the effective design of non-viral nucleic acid delivery vehicles to take advantage of the cellular machinery, as in the case of viral vectors.
    Mechanisms for cellular internalization of polymer-nucleic acid complexes are important for the future design of nucleic acid delivery vehicles. It is well known that the mammalian cell surface is covered with glycosaminoglycans (GAG) that carry a negative charge. In an effort to probe the effect of GAG charge density on the affinity of cationic poly(glcoamidoamine) (PGAA)-pDNA complexes, quartz crystal microbalance was employed to measure the mass of GAGs that associated with a polyplex monolayer. Affinity of six different GAGs that varied in the charge density were measured for polyplexes formed with poly(galactaramidopentaethylenetetramine) (G4) cationic polymers and pDNA. Results showed that the affinity of GAGs for G4 polyplexes was not completely dependent on the electrostatic interactions indicating that other factors contribute to the GAG-polyplex interactions. The results provided some insight into the interactions of polyplexes with cell surface GAGs and the role they play in cellular internalization.
    Two adamantane terminated polymers were investigated to study the non-covalent inclusion complexation with click cluster non-viral nucleic acid delivery vehicles for passive targeting of the click cluster-pDNA complexes (polyplex). Incorporation of adamantyl terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (Ad-PEG) and poly(2-deoxy-2-methacrylamido glucopyranose) (Ad-pMAG) polymers into the polyplex formulation revealed increased colloidal stability under physiological salt concentrations. Ad-pMAG polyplexes resulted in lower cellular uptake for HeLa cells and not two glioblastoma cell lines indicating the pMAG corona imparts some cell line specificity to the polyplexes. Ad-pMAG provided favorable biological properties when incorporated into the polyplexes as well as increased polyplex physical properties.

Ph. D.

Tese de doutoramento em Engenharia Química, apresentada ao Departamento de Engenharia Química da Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade de Coimbra
A terapia génica tem atraído um grande interesse nas últimas décadas como sendo uma técnica altamente promissora para novos tratamentos de um vasto número de doenças hereditárias e não hereditárias. Contudo, apesar de todos os esforços nesta área, o desenvolvimento de uma entrega segura e efectiva continua a ser o principal desafio para a sua aplicação na clínica. Neste sentido, surgem os vectores não-virais que oferecem algumas vantagens, como por exemplo, a fácil produção, estabilidade, baixa imunogenicidade e toxicidade, e grande capacidade de transportar ácidos nucleicos quando comparados com os vectores virais. Todavia, os actuais sistemas de entrega não-virais continuam muito menos eficientes que os virais. Entre os vectores não-virais, os polímeros catiónicos têm surgido como um grupo promissor para a entrega de genes. O foco desta tese é o desenvolvimento de um novo e mais eficiente vector polimérico não-viral de base poli(ester b-amino) (PbAE) e poli(metacrilato de etilo-2-dimetilamino) (PDMAEMA). Os copolímeros de bloco poli(metacrilato de etilo-2-dimetilamino)-bloco-poli(ester b-amino)-bloco-poli(metacrilato de etilo-2- dimetilamino) (PDMAEMA-b-PbAE-b-PDMAEMA) foram preparados por cicloadição de Huisgen azida-alcino catalizada por cobre (I) (CuAAC). A sua habilidade para condensar e entregar DNA foi avaliada, primeiramente, para os copolímeros de bloco PDMAEMA8000-b-PbAE3000-b-PDMAEMA8000 e PDMAEMA3000-b-PbAE3000- b-PDMAEMA3000 de modo a estudar a influência do peso molecular do segmento PDMAEMA na capacidade de transfecção. A actividade da transfecção in vitro foi avaliada nas linhas celulares HeLa e COS-7 e os poliplexos preparados com o copolímero com segmento de PDMAEMA com menor peso molecular (PDMAEMA3000-b-PbAE3000-b-PDMAEMA3000) revelaram ter uma maior actividade. Além disso, comparando os resultados da transfecção dos poliplexos de base PDMAEMA3000-b-PbAE3000-b-PDMAEMA3000 com dois dos mais utilizados padrões de reagentes de transfecção, a PEI ramificada 25,000 g.mol-1 (bPEI25000) e o TurboFectTM, revelaram uma maior actividade em ambas as linhas celulares utilizadas. Contudo, os resultados mostraram também que ambos os complexos copolímero/DNA induziam alguma citotoxicidade para maiores razões azoto / fosfato (N/P). Foi hipotetizado que talvez se devesse às quantidades residuais de cobre utilizado aquando da preparação dos copolímeros. Para ultrapassar esta questão, os copolímeros de bloco foram preparados através de reacção de adição de Michael (sem a necessidade de uso de catalizadores metálicos). Nesta fase foram preparados 3 copolímeros de bloco diferindo os pesos moleculares do segmento central (PDMAEMA3000-b-PbAE3000-b-PDMAEMA3000, PDMAEMA3000-b- PbAE9000-b-PDMAEMA3000 e PDMAEMA3000-b-PbAE12000-b-PDMAEMA3000). Após a incubação dos complexos copolímero/DNA a viabilidade celular foi também avaliada nas linhas celulares HeLa e COS-7, resultando num dramático aumento da viabilidade celular nas altas razões de carga copolímero/DNA. Além disso, os ensaios de transfecção in vitro revelaram grande actividade de transfecção para todos os copolímeros de bloco testados. A partir destes resultados, concluiu-se que a melhor formulação era para os complexos de base PDMAEMA3000-b-PbAE12000- b-PDMAEMA3000), revelando um aumento na actividade de transfecção entre 40 a 60 vezes superior comparado com os reagentes de transfecção padrão, bPEI25000 e TurboFectTM. Quando comparado com o copolímero de bloco mais promissor preparado através de CuAAC, o copolímero de bloco PDMAEMA3000-b-PbAE12000- b-PDMAEMA3000 revelou um aumento da actividade de transfecção de 5 e 9 vezes superior nas linhas celulares COS-7 e HeLa, respectivamente. Os resultados presentes nesta tese mostram que a combinação do PDMAEMA e PbAE num único material revela características fisico-químicas e biológicas interessantes, fazendo deles promissores materiais para entrega de genes.
Gene therapy has attracted increasing interest over the past few decades as a highly promising therapeutic technique to provide new treatments for a large number of inherited and acquired diseases. However, despite all efforts in this area, the development of a safe and effective delivery of nucleic acids remains a principal challenge to its application in the clinic. In this sense, non-viral vectors have emerged and offer a number of advantages, including facile production, stability, low immunogenicity and toxicity, and higher capacity to carry nucleic acids compared to viral vectors. Nevertheless, current non-viral delivery systems continue far less efficient than viral ones. Among non-viral vectors, cationic polymers have emerged as a promising group for gene delivery. This thesis is focused on the development of a new and more efficient polymeric nonviral vector based on poly(β-amino ester) (PβAE) and poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDMAEMA). The poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate]-blockpoly(β-amino ester)-block-poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDMAEMAb-PβAE-b-PDMAEMA) block copolymers were prepared by copper(I)-catalyzed Huisgen azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). Their ability to condense and deliver DNA was assessed, firstly, for PDMAEMA8000-b-PβAE3000-b-PDMAEMA8000 and PDMAEMA3000-b-PβAE3000-b-PDMAEMA3000 block copolymers in order to study the influence of molecular weight of PDMAEMA segment in transfection capacity. In vitro transfection activity was assessed in HeLa and COS-7 cell lines and showed higher activity for polyplexes based on block copolymer prepared with PDMAEMA segment with lower molecular weight (PDMAEMA3000-bPβAE3000-b-PDMAEMA3000). In addition, comparing PDMAEMA3000-b-PβAE3000- b-PDMAEMA3000-based polyplexes transfection results with two of the most used standard transfection reagents, branched PEI 25,000 g.mol-1 (bPEI25000) and TurboFectTM, revealed higher activity in both cell lines used. However, results also showed that both block copolymer/DNA complexes induced some cytotoxicity for higher nitrogen/phosphate (N/P) ratios. It was hypothesized that could be due to the residual amounts of copper used during copolymers preparation. To overcome this issue, block copolymers were then prepared by Michael addition reaction (without the need of metal catalysts). In this phase, three block copolymers were prepared differing the molecular weights of central segment (PDMAEMA3000-b-PβAE3000- b-PDMAEMA3000, PDMAEMA3000-b-PβAE9000-b-PDMAEMA3000, PDMAEMA3000-bPβAE12000-b-PDMAEMA3000). The cell viability after incubation with copolymer/DNA complexes was also assessed in HeLa and COS-7 cell lines, resulting in a notorious increase of cell viability in high N/P ratios. Moreover, in vitro transfection assays revealed high transfection activities for all block copolymer tested. From these results, it was concluded that PDMAEMA3000-b-PβAE12000-b-PDMAEMA3000/DNA complexes was the best formulation, showing an increase in transfection activity between 40-fold to 60-fold compared with transfection standard reagents, bPEI25000 and TurboFectTM. When compared with the most promising block copolymer synthesized by CuAAC, the PDMAEMA3000-b-PβAE12000-b-PDMAEMA3000 revealed an increase of transfection activity of 5-fold and 9-fold in COS-7 and HeLa cell lines, respectively. The results presented in this thesis demonstrate that the combination of PDMAEMA and PβAE in a single material disclose interesting physicochemical and biological characteristics making it a very promising material suitable for gene delivery.
Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - SFRH/BD/70336/2010

Hantaviruses (genus Hantavirus, family Bunyaviridae) are rodent- and insectivore-borne zoonotic viruses. Several hantaviruses are human pathogens, some with 10-35% mortality, and cause two diseases: hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Eurasia, and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) in the Americas. Hantaviruses are enveloped and have a three-segmented, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA genome. The L gene encodes an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, the M gene encodes two glycoproteins (Gn and Gc), and the S gene encodes a nucleocapsid protein. In addition, the S genes of some hantaviruses have an NSs open reading frame that can act as an interferon antagonist. Similarities between phylogenies have suggested ancient codivergence of the viruses and their hosts to many authors, but increasing evidence for frequent, recent host switching and local adaptation has led to questioning of this model. Infected rodents establish persistent infections with little or no effect on the host. Humans are infected from aerosols of rodent excreta, direct contact of broken skin or mucous membranes with infectious virus, or rodent bite. One hantavirus, Andes virus, is unique in that it is known to be transmitted from person-to-person. HFRS and HCPS, although primarily affecting kidneys and lungs, respectively, share a number of clinical features, such as capillary leakage, TNF-, and thrombocytopenia; notably, hemorrhages and alterations in renal function also occur in HCPS and cardiac and pulmonary involvement are not rare in HFRS. Of the four structural proteins, both in humoral and cellular immunity, the nucleocapsid protein appears to be the principal immunogen. Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses are seen in both HFRS and HCPS and may be important for both protective immunity and pathogenesis. Diagnosis is mainly based on detection of IgM antibodies although viral RNA (vRNA) may be readily, although not invariably, detected in blood, urine and saliva. For sero/genotyping neutralization tests/RNA sequencing are required. Formalin-inactivated vaccines have been widely used in China and Korea but not outside Asia. Hantaviruses are prime examples of emerging and re-emerging infections and, given the limited number of rodents and insectivores thus far studied, it is likely that many new hantaviruses will be detected in the near future.

A branch of Biology which deals with the science of hereditary influences on living organisms is termed as Genetics. There has been a broad study related to hereditary influence on human tissue linking to health and disease conditions. A vital role is played by genetics in the proper functioning, adaptive repair, regeneration and remodelling of hard and soft tissue. A major segment of genes are related to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, being multifactorial in origin is directly or indirectly known to be caused by genetic factors also. A study on human and animals validates the concept that genetics could have influenced periodontal disorders and also plays a key role in the predisposition and progressiveness of the condition. The role played by genetics to damage the inflammatory and immune response system of the host tissues during periodontal conditions has been proved and this section will give a clear insight on the influence of genetics in this condition.