Tesi sul tema "Inhibitory factor 1"

In mammals, the external genitalia, urinary tract and anorectal tract are developed from a common embryonic primordium, the urorectum. Cloaca is the hollow space inside the urorectum that connects the hindgut and the urogenital sinus. During the urorectal development, the external genitalia is formed from the outgrowth of genital tubercle (GT) protruding from the urorectum, while the future urinary tract and anorectal tract are formed by the partition of cloaca during cloacal septation. GT outgrowth and cloacal septation are important developmental events for the formation of genitourinary and anorectal system. In human, dysregulation of these developmental events results in congenital anorectal malformations (ARM). Wnt signaling is one of the key signaling pathways that regulates urorectal development. The activity of Wnt signaling is initiated by the binding of Wnt ligands to cell surface receptors, which can be antagonized by secretory Wnt inhibitors. Dickkopf1 (Dkk1) and Wnt inhibitory factor 1 (Wif1) are secretory Wnt inhibitors implicated in urorectal development. However, the functions of other secretory Wnt inhibitors during urorectal developments remain to be elucidated. In this study, expression analyses showed that Dkk1, Dickkopf2 (Dkk2), Dickkopf4 (Dkk4), Secreted Frizzled-related Protein 1 (Sfrp1) and Wif1 were expressed in the developing urorectum. The dynamic, overlapping and restricted expression patterns of these Wnt inhibitors were closely associated with the GT outgrowth and the cloacal septation events, implying that these Wnt inhibitors functioned in a coordinated manner in defining the field of Wnt signaling activities in the developing urorectum. Wif1 knockout mice (〖Wif1〗^(-/-)) was used as the model to investigate the functions of and the interplay between secretory Wnt inhibitors in urorectal development. GT outgrowth and cloacal septation defects were observed in 〖Wif1〗^(-/-) embryos. Most of the 〖Wif1〗^(-/-) embryos displayed varying degrees of GT outgrowth defects, while septation defects were only occasionally observed. This suggested that GT outgrowth and cloacal septation were regulated by Wif1 via different regulatory mechanisms. In the urorectum of 〖Wif1〗^(-/-) embryos, Dkk1 was significantly upregulated in the peri-cloacal mesenchyme. Further expression analysis suggested that Dkk1 was sufficient to rescue cloacal septation defects but not GT outgrowth defects in 〖Wif1〗^(-/-)embryos. In the 〖Wif1〗^(-/-) embryos with severe GT outgrowth defects, the Fgf8-expressing distal urethral epithelium, the signaling center in the urorectum, was absent, suggesting that the GT outgrowth defects could be contributed by the loss of dUE-expressing signals such as Fgf8. This study demonstrated the importance of secretory Wnt inhibitors in the GT outgrowth and cloacal septation and suggested that secretory Wnt inhibitors played partially overlapping roles in urorectal development. A rescue mechanism for cloacal septation performed by Dkk1 upon Wif1 deletion was proposed. Such auto-regulatory mechanism within the Wnt signaling pathway indicated that Wnt inhibitors play essential regulatory roles in the urorectal development and a balanced Wnt signaling activity modulated by Wnt inhibitors is crucial to the development of urorectum.
published_or_final_version
Surgery
Master
Master of Philosophy

Introduction: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease in the Western world. Aim: To determine whether macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) or CC chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18) have a causative role in the development of renal inflammation and fibrosis in DN and are useful biomarkers of disease progression. Methods: Urine and plasma samples were collected from 115 DM and 116 Non-DM at baseline, previously analysed for MCP-1 and CCL18 ELISA by Dr Qureshi. I measured MIF in these samples and collected 107 DM and 114 Non-DM data points (GFR, ACR/UPCR and clinical parameters) at >18 months and >3 years. MIF, MCP-1 and CCL18 urine, plasma and serum analysis was performed in 42 DM and 60 Non-DM at >3 years follow up. Intrinsic renal cells were cultured and stimulated with diabetic conditions. These cytokines and fibronectin were measured in tubuloepithelial cells and podocytes. Results: Baseline plasma CCL18 and MIF predicted a decline in GFR in DM at >18 months but not at >3 years. Cytokine production varies over time with significant correlations at baseline that are not maintained. Cytokines correlate differently with GFR, ACR/UPCR in DM versus Non-DM proteinuric renal diseases. Plasma and serum cytokine levels correlated significantly with no correlation between these and urinary levels. All intrinsic renal cells were able to produce MIF, MCP-1 and CCL18 following stimulation. The interaction of these cytokines and their effects on fibronectin vary in diabetic conditions and following recombinant cytokine stimulation. The diabetic environment appears to orchestrate cytokine signals according to cell type. Conclusion: These results suggest cytokines may play a key role in the pathogenesis and or progression of DN. The clinical study suggests cytokines may predict progression; however, larger studies are needed with samples taken at different time points.

Previous publications from this laboratory demonstrated that administration of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) (125 µg/kg) to young, male Sprague-Dawley rats at 6, 24, and 48 h after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) reduced infract volume, improved sensimotor skills, and alleviated damage to white matter at 72 h after the injury. In vitro studies using cultured oligodendrocytes (OLs) showed that LIF (200 ng/ml) also protects against 24 h of oxygen-glucose deprivation through activation of Akt signaling and upregulation of the antioxidant enzymes peroxiredoxin IV and metallothionein III. Other groups have demonstrated that LIF reduces neurodegeneration in animal models of disease, but the neuroprotective mechanisms of LIF during permanent ischemia have not yet been examined. The overall hypothesis to be tested in this project is whether LIF exerts similar protective mechanisms against neurons during ischemia through increased antioxidant enzyme expression in neurons. In the first set of experiments, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly increased in the ipsilateral hemisphere of LIF-treated rats compared to rats that received PBS treatment at 72 h after MCAO. Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis revealed that SOD3 was upregulated in brain tissue and induced specifically in cortical neurons tissue at this time point. Neurons that expressed high levels of SOD3 at 72 h after MCAO also showed high levels of phosphorylated Akt (Ser473). LIF (200 ng/ml) reduced necrotic and apoptotic cell death against 24 h of OGD as measured by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and caspase-3 activation. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that LIF treatment upregulated SOD3 gene expression in vitro during OGD. Treatment with 10 µM Akt Inhibitor IV and transfection with SOD3 siRNA counteracted the neuroprotective effects of LIF in vitro, showing that upregulation of SOD3 and activation of Akt signaling are necessary for LIF-mediated neuroprotection. Several transcription factors that regulated Akt-inducible genes were previously identified by this lab, including myeloid zinc finger-1 (MZF-1) and specificity protein-1 (Sp1). The goal of the second set of experiments was to determine whether LIF exerted protective actions through MZF-1 and Sp1. According to analysis with Genomatix, MZF-1 and Sp1 have multiple binding sites in the promoter for the rat SOD3 gene. Western blot analysis showed that there was a trend towards increased MZF-1 protein expression in the brains of LIF-treated rats that approached significance. Immunohistochemical analysis and quantitative real-time PCR showed a significant in vitro upregulation in MZF-1 expression among LIF-treated neurons compared to PBS-treated neurons. Sp1 gene expression was not changed by LIF treatment, but there was a trend towards increased protein expression. In addition, there was a significant correlation between Sp1 and MZF-1 among brain samples from LIF-treated rats but not PBS-treated or sham rats at 72 h after MCAO. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that Sp1 and MZF-1 co-localized with neuronal nuclei and SOD3 at 72 h after MCAO. Neurons that were transfected with MZF-1 or Sp1 siRNA following isolation did not show a significant decrease in LDH release after 24 h OGD that was observed among neurons transfected with scrambled siRNA. These data demonstrate that Sp1 and MZF-1 are involved with the neuroprotective signaling of LIF under ischemia. This laboratory has demonstrated that LIF activates transcription of protective genes and increases the activity of transcription factors through modulation of intracellular signaling. However, the upstream signaling mechanisms of LIF during ischemia had not previously been investigated. Previous investigators found that the LIF-specific subunit of the heterodimeric LIF receptor (LIFR) is induced by CNS injury. Western blot analysis was used to determine whether LIFR was induced in the brain and the spleen, which plays a role in the peripheral immune response, after MCAO. According to these results, LIF treatment significantly upregulates LIF in the brain compared to PBS treatment or sham injury at 72 h after MCAO. Genomatix analysis of the LIFR promoter region revealed a binding site for Sp1, which is one of the transcription factors responsible for neuroprotection by LIF. At this same time point, splenic LIFR expression is significantly reduced after MCAO compared to sham injury. LIF treatment did not significantly increase LIFR expression, but did significantly increase spleen size compared to PBS treatment at 72 h after MCAO. Although there was a trend towards increased LIFR expression in the spleen from 24 h to 72 h after MCAO, this increase was not statistically significant. However, there was a significant positive correlation between spleen weight and LIFR expression among rats euthanized 24-72 h after MCAO/sham injury. In addition, there was a significant negative correlation between LIFR expression in the brain and the spleen weight, thus showing that LIFR is upregulated following the splenic response. According to findings from other groups, JAK1 has been shown to associate with the heterodimeric LIF receptor (LIFR/gp130) and directly activate PI3K/Akt signaling. To test whether JAK1 contributes neuroprotection during ischemia, cultured neurons were treated with several concentrations (2.5-50 nM) of GLPG0634, a JAK1-specific inhibitor prior to 24 h of OGD. With the exception of the 2.5 nM concentration, all concentrations of GLPG0634 significantly decreased LDH release compared to DMSO treatment, with the 5 nM concentration having the most potent effect on reducing cytotoxicity. However, the 5 nM concentration had no significant did not significantly reduce LDH release compared to DMSO treatment under 24 h of normoxic conditions. These results indicate that JAK1 activity is primarily detrimental to neurons during ischemia. Although it is possible that LIF signaling activates JAK1, it is unlikely that JAK1 is responsible for LIF-mediated neuroprotection during ischemia. The results of these experiments allowed us to determine several molecular mechanisms for LIF-mediated neuroprotection. LIF, which binds to its heterodimeric receptor, activates Akt signaling during ischemia. The transcription factors Sp1 and MZF-1, which are located downstream of Akt, bind to the promoter of the SOD3 gene. In addition, Sp1 also regulates the LIFR gene. SOD3 upregulation increases total SOD activity, which decreases apoptotic and necrotic cell death during apoptosis. Due to its ability to promote antioxidant expression and survival signaling in multiple neural cell types, LIF shows promise as a novel treatment for permanent focal cerebral ischemia.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and severe asthma are progressive chronic inflammatory diseases of the airways. Both diseases are characterised by airflow limitation and share some pulmonary symptoms. However they have distinct inflammatory cell signatures and differ in response to corticosteroid (CS) treatment. Most asthmatic patients control their disease with CS, with a few showing a relative CS resistance; however COPD patients show little or no improvement with CS and are CS insensitive. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pleiotropic pro-inflammatory mediator whose function is yet to be fully elucidated. MIF has been shown to counter-act the immunosuppressive action of CS. MIF is elevated in chronic diseases such as asthma and atherosclerosis. The role of MIF in COPD has not been investigated and its role in asthma is not fully understood. MIF inhibition attenuated ozone-induced airway inflammation and lung function in vivo but did not affect CS sensitivity. MIF expression did not vary between stable COPD patients and controls. Pro-inflammatory effects of MIF were investigated in THP-1 monocytes and primary cells. There was no clear role for MIF in LPS-induced inflammation. MIF modulated the transactivation functions of CS in THP-1 cells. Finally I took an unbiased approach to generate new hypotheses for MIF function using proteomic and transcriptomic techniques. The RIG-I-like pathway was identified by proteomics as a novel target pathway and was investigated in THP-1 cells and human BAL macrophage samples following viral infection. The role of MIF in airway inflammation remains unclear and results demonstrated here show MIF function does not necessarily translate from mouse to humans. MIF does not seem to have a role in the inflammation of stable disease. The proteomic data suggests that the association between viral infection, MIF and CS in regulating CS sensitivity in COPD and severe asthma should be investigated.

In vertebrates, the urogenital sinus and the hindgut are connected at a hollow region called cloaca. A midline mesenchymal structure known as urorectal septum (urs) descends from the ventral body wall to separate the urogenital sinus from the hindgut before the formation of an anal opening. Subsequent cloaca membrane regression at the ventral midline of the genital tubercle (GT) is crucial for the formation of an anal opening. These two events are important during cloaca septation in urorectal development. Mice with defective Shh or Wnt signaling displayed similar urorectal defects such as GT agenesis, un-partitioned cloaca (persistent cloaca) and proximal urethral opening that are attributable to increased cell apoptosis. Furthermore, Shh and Wnt signal transduction coordinate with each other and regulate cell survival of the developing urorectum. However, the molecular mechanisms by which these two signaling pathways coordinate in urorectal development remain unclear. We previously identified Wnt inhibitory factor1 (Wif1) from Affymetrix array analysis for genes/pathways that is implicated in urorectal development. Wif1 is a secreted protein that binds directly to Wnt ligands preventing Wnts from binding to receptors. This leads to -catenin degradation and thereby inhibits their activities. It is known that Wif1 binds to Wnt3a and Wnt5a with high affinity and deletion of Wnt3a, Wnt5a and -catenin in mice caused GT agenesis, persistent cloaca and proximal hypospadias. Using ETU-induced anorectal malformations model, I found out that Wif1 is ectopically expressed in the un-tubularized and un-septated urorectum. Wif1 is mainly expressed at the fusing endoderm that associates with programmed cell death during cloaca septation. Exogenous addition of Wif1 protein in urorectum culture also caused cloaca membrane disintegration, and proximal urethral opening that may be due to aberrant apoptosis. Shh and Wif1 are differentially expressed at the cloaca endoderm. In normal mice, Shh is highly expressed at the cloaca endoderm except those Wif1-expressing endodermal cells. Blockage of Shh pathway by cyclopamine in urorectum culture induced ectopic expression of Wif1, concomitant with genital tubercle hypoplasia and un-septated cloaca. More importantly, deletion of Shh in mice hastened Wif1 expression at the cloaca membrane endoderm and elicited increased cell death in the Wif1 expressing endoderm. Wif1-/- embryos display urorectal defects including delayed genital outgrowth and proximal hypospadias. Therefore, disruption of spatiotemporal expression of Wif1 could lead to defective Wnt signaling and contributes to abnormal urorectal development in Shh-/- mutant. Current study revealed that Wif1 is involved in urorectal development and is implicated in urorectal defects. It may function as a pro-apoptotic factor to regulate endodermal cell death which is essential for the septation process. Its specific expression is restricted at the midline cloaca endoderm by Shh signaling to inhibit local Wnt--catenin activities during cloaca septation. I proposed novel hypothetical models to explain (1) the significance of the tempo-spatial expression of Wif1; (2) the significance of cell death; and (3) the molecular mechanism that Shh signaling regulates Wnt signaling activities through Wif1 in urorectal development.
published_or_final_version
Surgery
Doctoral
Doctor of Philosophy

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of numerous inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. As such, it is an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of these disorders. . Several data suggest a key role of MIF in the pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). In mice with EAE, an animal model of MS, MIF was found to be upregulated in the affected tissue . Immunoneutralization or genetic depletion of MIF reduced the severity of the disease by impairing the migration of autoreactive T cells to the CNS and downregulating the inflammatory cytokine production and the inhibition of MIF actions by usage of neutralizing anti-MIF antibodies has also proven therapeutically effective. However, more potent and specific inhibitors targeting MIF or its downstream effects are needed for the development of novel pharmaceutical therapies for MIF- associated diseases, such as MS.

La F1F0 ATP-synthase est une machinerie multi-protéique permettant la transduction de l'énergie d'un gradient électrochimique en énergie chimique sous forme d’ATP. Ce complexe protéique est enchâssé dans la membrane interne mitochondriale de par son domaine Fo, lui-même physiquement associé à un secteur catalytique intra-mitochondrial, le domaine F1. Cette enzyme mitochondriale joue un rôle primordial dans le métabolisme énergétique. L'ATP synthase de levure, comme celle du mammifère, sont des enzymes réversibles dont l’activité hydrolytique est régulée par un inhibiteur endogène : IF1. Un deuxième peptide inhibiteur, STF1, a été identifié, uniquement chez la levure. L’inhibition de l’ATP synthase par IF1/STF1 est dépendante du pH, par conséquent ces inhibiteurs sont inactifs dans des conditions physiologiques où la mitochondrie est polarisée, mais sont actifs dans des conditions pathologiques de dépolarisation. Pour autant, l’importance métabolique et physiopathologique d’IF1/STF1 a été remise en question par les modèles levures et murins démontrant que la perte de cet inhibiteur n’a quasiment aucune incidence sur le métabolisme ou la physiologie de ces organismes. Mon travail de thèse a permis d’étudier des mécanismes d’action de cet inhibiteur sur l’ATP synthase associés ou non à des stress énergétiques affectant l’état de polarisation mitochondrial. Mon travail a permis de mettre en évidence un nouveau mécanisme d’action d’IF1/STF1 dans la stabilité et la maintenance du sous-assemblage de l’ATP synthase, le F1 libre (domaine soluble F1 non associé au domaine F0). La présence de ce domaine catalytique déconnecté de la force protomotrice, constitue une réelle menace énergétique. En effet, la toxicité énergétique potentielle du F1 libre est donc soit inhibée par l’action directe d’IF1/STF1, soit prévenue en absence d’IF1/STF1 par l’instabilité et la disparition physique de ce sous-complexe. Mes travaux de thèses ont de plus permis de définir que l’action d’IF1/STF1 était particulièrement cruciale dans des conditions métaboliques dites glyco-oxydatives spécifiquement observées en milieu glycérol. Dans ces conditions, la prolifération cellulaire et la maintenance du potentiel phosphate sont placés sous la co-dépendance de l’ATP synthase et des phosphorylations par le substrat des kinases glycolytiques
F1Fo ATP synthase is a multi-protein machinery that converts the energy of an electrochemical gradient into chemical energy in the form of ATP. This protein complex is anchored in the mitochondrial inner membrane by its Fo sector, which is itself physically associated with an intra-mitochondrial F1 catalytic sector. This mitochondrial enzyme plays a key role in energy metabolism. Yeast and mammalian ATP synthase, are reversible enzymes and this hydrolytic activity is regulated by an endogenous inhibitor: IF1. In yeast, another inhibitor peptide, STF1, has been identified. Inhibition of ATP synthase by IF1/STF1 is pH-dependent, so these inhibitors are inactive under physiological conditions where mitochondrial are polarised, but IF1/STF1 are particularly active under pathological conditions of depolarisation. Intriguingly, the metabolic and pathophysiological importance of IF1/STF1 has been challenged by yeast and mouse models showing that the loss of this inhibitor has almost no detectable impact on the metabolism or physiology of these organisms. My thesis work investigated the mechanisms of action of these inhibitors on ATP synthase, associated or not with energy stresses affecting the mitochondrial polarization state. My work has highlighted a new mechanism of action for IF1 by demonstrating that it controls the stability and maintenance of the ATP synthase sub-assembly, the free F1 (soluble F1 sector not associated with the F0 sector). The presence of this catalytic sector, disconnected from the proton motor force, represents a serious energetic threat. The potential energetic toxicity of free F1 is annihilated through two mechanisms: (i) the direct canonical inhibition of IF1/STF1, or (ii) the instability and physical disappearance of free F1 in absence of IF1/STF1. My thesis work also defined that the action of IF1/STF1 was particularly crucial under mitochondrial depolarization stress conditions in glyco-oxidative metabolism observed in glycerol medium. Under these conditions, the phosphate potential is co-dependent on ATP synthase and substrate phosphorylation of glycolytic kinases, and cell proliferation under depolarisation stress relies on IF1/STF1 activity

Background and Aim. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive, chemoresistant liver malignancy characterised by an abundant desmoplasia. Tumour-stromal interactions promote cancer development and thus could be targets of interventional therapies. Leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), an IL-6 family cytokine, promotes development and progression of various epithelial cancers, however very little is known about its effects in CCA. We aimed to investigate a possible role of LIF and its receptor (LIFR) in the pathogenesis of CCA. Methods. LIF, LIFR and gp130 distributions were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in archived human histological samples derived from surgical resection (n=19). LIF secretion (ELISA) and LIFR expression (Western blotting) were assessed in freshly isolated human primary cholangiocytes (n=8) and established CCA cell lines (n=3). Using the two established CCA cell lines that expressed LIFR, we tested LIF’s effects on: proliferation, viability (both MTS) and apoptosis (caspase 3 and 7 activation) with/without chemotherapeutic agents (cisplatin, gemcitabine, paclitaxel or camptothecin), migration (scratch assay), invasion (Boyden chambers), stem cell-like phenotype (Nanog and Oct4 gene expression by real-time PCR), and expression levels of pro-apoptotic (pBax) and anti-apoptotic (Mcl-1 with/without PI3K inhibition) proteins, and pSTAT3 (Western blotting). Results. LIF and LIFR were more extensive in neoplastic than control bile ducts; LIF was also widespread amongst tumour stromal cells. LIF had minimal effects on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and induction of a stem cell-like phenotype, whilst it significantly counteracted drug-induced apoptosis. Upon LIF stimulation, decreased caspase 3/7 activation was associated with increased Mcl-1 expression attenuated by PI3K inhibition whereas pBax and pSTAT3 remained unchanged. Conclusions. Autocrine and paracrine LIF signalling may promote chemoresistance in CCA by up-regulating Mcl-1. This pro-survival capability may be mediated by a novel STAT3-independent, PI3K-dependent pathway.
Razionale e scopo. Il colangiocarcinoma (CCA) è una neoplasia epatica estremamente aggressiva e chemioresistente, caratterizzata da un’abbondante desmoplasia. Le interazioni stroma-tumore possono promuovere lo sviluppo tumorale e per questo possono risultare dei buoni bersagli per una terapia potenzialmente curativa. Il leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), è una citochina appartenente alla famiglia dell’IL-6 ed è in grado di promuovere lo sviluppo e la progressione di un ampio numero di tumori epiteliali, ma poco si sa della sua funzione e dei suoi effetti nel CCA. Il nostro scopo è quello di studiare il ruolo di LIF e del suo recettore (LIFR) nella patogenesi del CCA. Metodi. La distribuzione di LIF, LIFR e gp130 è stata valutata tramite immunoistochimica su tessuti umani di archivio derivanti da resezioni chirurgiche per CCA (n=19). La secrezione di LIF (ELISA) e l’espressione di LIFR (Western blotting) sono state valutate su colture primarie di colangiociti umani ottenuti da resezioni per CCA (n=8) e su linee stabili di CCA (n=3). Abbiamo quindi testato su due linee stabilizzate di CCA esprimenti LIFR: la proliferazione, la vitalità (entrambi con MTS) e l’apoptosi cellulare (attivazione delle caspasi 3/7) con/senza trattamento con agenti chemioterapici (cis-platino, gemcitabina, paclitaxel o camptotecina), la migrazione (scratch assay), l’invasione (camere di Boyden), l’induzione di un fenotipo simil-staminale (espressione genica di Nanog e Oct4 con real-time PCR) ed infine i livelli di espressione di proteine pro- (pBax) ed anti-apoptotiche (Mcl-1 con/senza inibizione di PI3K) e di pSTAT3 (Western blot). Risultati. LIF e LIFR risultano maggiormente espressi nelle strutture neoplastiche che nei dotti biliari peritumorali; LIF risulta inoltre espressa da gran parte delle cellule dello stroma tumorale. Gli effetti del LIF su proliferazione, migrazione, invasione e induzione di un fenotipo simil-staminale sono minimi, di contro esso protegge le cellule tumorali dall’apoptosi indotta da farmaci. Dopo la stimolazione con LIF, si osserva una riduzione dell’attivazione delle caspasi 3/7 associata ad un aumento dell’espressione di Mcl-1, la quale viene diminuita dall’inibizione della PI3K; l’espressione di pBax e pSTAT3 non risultano invece modulate. Conclusioni. Il segnale di LIF può promuovere, sia per via autocrina che paracrina, la chemioresistenza del CCA aumentando i livelli di espressione di Mcl-1. Queste capacità favorenti la sopravvivenza cellulare sono mediate da una nuova via di segnale STAT3-indipendente e PI3K-dipendente.

La famille de l'il-6 comprend actuellement 6 membres: l'interleukine 6 (il-6), l'interleukine 11 (il-11), l'oncostatine m (osm), le leukemia inhibitory factor (lif), le ciliary neurotrophic factor (cntf) et la cardiotrophine 1 (ct-1). Ces molecules pleiotropes se caracterisent par des activites biologiques et des recepteurs multimeriques proches. En effet, ces cytokines utilisent dans leur recepteur une chaine de transduction commune, une glycoproteine de 130 kda (gp130). Cette sous-unite de transduction peut s'homodimeriser dans le cas de l'il-6 et de l'il-11, ou former un heterocomplexe avec le recepteur au lif (gp190) dans le cas des recepteurs pour le lif, le cntf, l'osm et la ct-1. Pour certaines de ces molecules, l'il-6, l'il-11 et le cntf, une troisieme chaine specifique complete le recepteur. Dans un premier travail, nous montrons que le lif et le cntf se fixent respectivement sur la gp130 et gp190 lorsque ces deux sous-unites sont exprimees independemment. En revanche, lorsque le recepteur trimerique du cntf est present, le lif et le cntf possedent un meme site de reconnaissance dependant de la conformation prise par le complexe trimerique. Une deuxieme etude porte sur le recepteur de la cardiotrophine 1. Nous montrons que cette cytokine utilise les sous-unites gp130 et gp190 associees a une troisieme chaine receptrice pour transmettre le signal de transduction sur des cellules neuronales. Les proteines kinases cytoplasmiques jaks sont activees et relayees par le facteur de transcription stat3 apres stimulation par cette molecule. La ct-1 est une cytokine pleiotrope qui agit sur des lignees hepatocytaires, comme les autres membres de la famille, en activant les proteines de l'inflammation. La ct-1 permet egalement d'une maniere similaire au lif, a l'osm et au cntf, une augmentation de la secretion de l'il-6 dans certains modeles cellulaires

Evidências epidemiológicas associam diferentes fatores ambientais, tais como poluição e ingestão de alimentos contaminados, com desfechos gestacionais negativos e fertilidade diminuída em humanos. Não há duvidas de que a poluição do ar nos grandes centros urbanos é capaz de provocar desfechos negativos sobre a gestação: baixo peso ao nascer, prematuridade, perda gestacional, entre outros. Entretanto, poucos estudos foram conduzidos para avaliar um possível efeito da exposição à poluição ambiental particulada do ar sobre a saúde reprodutiva feminina. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar se a exposição subcrônica a poluição atmosférica particulada da cidade de São Paulo é capaz de alterar a receptividade uterina à implantação embrionária. Para tanto, foram avaliados 3 grupos de fêmeas de camundongos (n=10), expostas cronicamente desde o período de desmame (PND21) até atingirem a idade reprodutiva (PND60) à duas concentrações de MP2,5 (600?g/m3 ou 1200ug/m3) ou ar filtrado. Diferentes parâmetros relacionados à fertilidade e a receptividade uterina foram avaliados. Nossos achados mostram que a exposição ao material particulado de origem veicular provoca alterações na ciclicidade estral prévia ao acasalamento, bem como um aumento no peso dos ovários. Avaliação da reserva folicular indica que há um aumento na quantidade de folículos médios associado à exposição a menor concentração de MP (p=0,04). A avaliação histopatológica do tecido uterino revelou que há aumentos na fração de volume das glândulas uterinas (600ug/m3; p=0,01); o epitélio glandular (p=0,001) e luminal (p=0,03) estão espessados e o diâmetro médio das glândulas uterinas foi maior nos grupos expostos ao MP (p=0,004). A análise qualitativa da distribuição de pinopódios no epitélio luminal por microscopia eletrônica de varredura e transmissão indica que há uma redução na presença destas estruturas. A avaliação da expressão de LIF por imunomarcação mostrou-se reduzida no epitélio luminal (p<0,001), nas glândulas (p<0,001) e estroma (p=0,004) nas fêmeas expostas ao MP, porém nenhuma diferença foi observada na expressão de MUC-1 (mucina). Entretanto quando avaliadas a expressão gênica de MUC-1 e LIF no tecido uterino e os níveis de IL-1beta e IL-6 no fluído uterino nenhuma diferença foi observada entre os grupos. Com base em nossos achados conclui-se que a exposição à poluição particulada do ar de origem veicular pode estar envolvida no aumento das perdas gestacionais e/ou implantacionais pelo comprometimento da receptividade uterina provavelmente pelo prejuízo do remodelamento uterino necessário a implantação
Epidemiological evidences have shown that environmental factors, such as environmental pollution and ingestion of contaminated food, are associated with negative gestational outcomes and decreased fertility in human. There is no doubt that exposure to air pollution in large urban areas are capable of impairing health (e.g. hypertension) and of aggravating preexisting diseases (e.g asthma). However, the effects of air pollution exposures on female reproductive health are lesser known. Previous experimental studies have shown that low birth weights are reduced and embryonic implantational index are reduced in animals exposed to ambient levels of air pollution. The aim of this study was to evaluate if sub chronic exposures to particulate air pollution before pregnancy and during the initial stages is capable to alter the uterine receptivity of mice. To test this, 3 groups of female mice were continually exposed from 21st to 60th postnatal day to either filtered or two different doses of concentrated ambient particles (MP2,5 - 600ug/m3 or 1200ug/m3) with the aid of a Ambient Particle Concentrator and different parameters associated with fertility and uterine receptivity were evaluated. Or data have shown that exposures to particulate air pollution from vehicular origin are associated to changes in estrous ciclicity, cycles are shorter and the number of days in estrous reduced. Evaluation of the follicular reserve also indicates that animals exposed to MP present an increased number of ovarian medium follicles (p=0.04). Histopathological evaluation of the uterine tissue revealed increases in the volume fraction of uterine glands (p= 0.01) of those animals exposed to 600ug/m3. The luminal (p= 0.03) and glandular epithelium (p= 0,001) are thicker and the uterine glands diameters (p=0,004) were greater in exposed animals. Qualitative analysis by transmission and scanning electron microscopy indicates that there is a reduction in the presence of pinopódios in the luminal epithelium of PM exposed females. The expressions of LIF assessed by immunohistochemistry in those females exposed to PM were reduced in the luminal epithelium (p<0,001), and in the glandular (p<0,001) and stromal compartments as well. However no differences in the expression of MUC-1 were seen. Gene expression of LIF and MUC-1 in the whole endometrium (qPCR) and the expression of IL-6 and IL-1beta in the uterine fluid did not show significant difference between the groups tested. In conclusion, our data have shown that exposures to ambient air particulate pollution can be associated with increased rates of implantational losses due to changes in the uterine receptivity related to factors involved in uterine remodeling for pregnancy

The survival of breast cancer patients declines when tumors are invasive and have an increased possibility of metastasizing to distal sites. Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-beta) suppresses breast cancer formation by preventing cell cycle progression in mammary epithelial cells. However, at late stage of mammary carcinogenesis, due to genetic and epigenetic alterations, TGF-beta loses its cytostatic actions, and contributes to tumor invasion by promoting cell proliferation, Actin cytoskeletal reorganization, as well as Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). Despite the key role of TGF-beta1 in tumor suppression as well as tumor progression, the molecular mechanisms underlying the conversion of TGF-beta form an inhibitor of proliferation in mammary breast cancer cells to an inducer of their cell growth and EMT have not been fully elucidated. Thus, acquiring a basic knowledge on the mechanism of TGF-beta regulating its target genes and its contribution to cancer progression may highlight new avenues for cancer therapy development. This prompted us to further investigate and identify TGF-beta-inducible genes that may be involved in TGF-beta biological responses during tumorigenesis.
In this thesis, we identified Talin as a novel TGF-beta1 target gene that acts as an antagonist to inhibit TGF-beta-mediated cell growth arrest and transcriptional activity in mammary cancer cell line, MCF-7. Searching for new partners of activated Smads, we found that TGF-beta1 induces Talin translocation from cytosol to the plasma membrane where Talin physically interacts with the TGF-beta1 signaling components, the Smads and the receptors. Furthermore, we observed that TGF-beta1 stimulation leads to the formation of Actin stress fibers where Talin was detected at the end of these stress fibers. Taken all together, the obtained data show that TGF-beta1 positively induced expression of Talin and suggests a role for Talin, which acts as a negative feedback loop to control TGF-beta biological responses.

The oncofetal protein Migration Stimulating Factor (MSF) is a truncated isoform of human fibronectin which exhibits numerous bioactivities that are pertinent to cancer progression. The MSF protein (70kDa) has potent motogenic activity, with only femtomolar concentrations required to produce half-maximal. The proteolytic degradation of MSF generates the functionally equivalent 43kDa Gel-BD domain and 21kDa IGD peptide. The screening of conditioned medium (CM) for bioactivity revealed two sources of MSF-inhibitory (MSF-I) activity; the spontaneously immortalised human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) and endothelial cells (ENDO 742) specifically when exhibiting a cobblestone phenotype. The CM from the HaCaT keratinocyte line was fractionated by both molecular weight and ionic charge, followed by sequence analysis which identified the inhibitor as Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin (NGAL). Both recombinant and cell-produced NGAL neutralise the motogenic activity of MSF. This novel bioactivity for NGAL is not dependent on its iron transportation capability or direct binding to MSF. HaCaT cells also secrete MSF; the bioactivity of which is masked by the co-expression of NGAL. The relative expression levels of the pro- and anti-motogenic factors, MSF and NGAL, were assessed using an in vitro model for human skin carcinogenesis, the HaCaT –ras clones. The shift in tumorigenic potential from benign to metastatic was characterised by a decrease in NGAL and an increase in MSF expression, indicating their potential role in tumour progression. The protein responsible for the MSF inhibitory activity is cell- type specific; NGAL is not expressed by endothelial cells in vitro. MSF stimulates the generation of sprouting endothelial cells from a cobblestone monolayer and acts a survival factor for spontaneously sprouting cells within a 3D matrix. NGAL does not selectively the target sprouting phenotype of endothelial cells, but induces apoptosis in all endothelial cells. Fractionation of endothelial CM revealed that both sprouting and cobblestone cells express bioactive MSF and a MSF-I. Endothelial MSF-I was located in fractions of MW 70kDa, 40kDa and =25kDa; further investigation is required to identify the protein responsible.

Synthesis of peptides anchored to DNA by intercalating chromophores can incorporate the design principle of the naturally occurring peptide based antibiotics. This work is concerned with the synthesis of DNA anchored cysteinyl peptides designed to be potentially nucleotide sequence specific with possible affinity for the AP-l transcription site. Previous work has shown that anthraquinones and anthrapyrazoles (APZs) substituted with cationic side groups are excellent DNA intercalating agents. In this work a series of APZ analogues has been synthesised which are coupled onto the amino terminus of varying peptide sequences. Three derivatives of APZs were prepared namely 2-, 2,5- and 2,7-substituted. Eight short polypeptides (see below), all varying slightly in sequence but all containing the KCR motif (with one exception where a Cys was replaced with Ser) were combined with the APZ chromophore to give a series of intercalator-peptide molecules. Peptides were synthesised using the Fmoc strategy on a solid phase peptide synthesizer (SPPS). The peptides were then isolated by reversed-phase HPLC using a water: acetonitrile gradient. Characterisation of the peptides was carried out by matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation (MALDI) mass spectrometry and two dimensional nmr (i.e. COSY and NOESy). Anthraquinone linked peptide ligands were also synthesised using similar synthetic routes, and tested for their activity. Coupling of the two components was achieved via activation of the carboxylic acid group using PyBOP or via formation of a reactive aziridinium ion. All intercalator-peptides prepared were examined for their DNA binding properties. The methods included the effect of intercalator-peptides on the thermal denaturation of DNA and the competitive displacement of ethidium by fluorimetry. It was shown that the APZ binds to DNA by intercalation. Peptides prepared were: H2N-A-K-C-R-A-C02H; H2N-A-K-C-R-A-CONH2; H2N-A-K-S-R-A-CONH2; H2N-A-K-C-R-N-A-CONH2; H2N-A-K-C-R-K-A-CONH2; H2N-A-K-C-R-N-R-A-CONH2; H2N-A-K-C-R-K-R-ACONH2; H2N-A-A-K-C-R-A-A-CONH2. The biological activities of the intercalatorpeptides were then investigated using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), making use of cell nuclear extracts rich in AP-l and also c-Jun homodimer recombinant proteins. It was shown that most of the intercalatorpeptides were capable of inhibiting AP-l (fos/jun) heterodimer protein from binding to the AP-l DNA consensus sequence. Importantly, the intercalatorpeptides showed superior activity over the intercalator or peptide moieties alone. The order of binding affinity was intercalator-peptide> intercalator» peptide.

Cancer accounts for nearly one-quarter of deaths in the United States, exceeded only by heart diseases. In 2006, there were 559,888 cancer deaths in the US. Finding effective treatments for cancer is a major challenge among researchers. In solid tumor, hypoxia increases the progression of malignancy and metastasis by promoting angiogenesis. The transcription factor HIF-1 is responsible for the regulation of cellular processes, including glycolysis and angiogenesis. Clinical evidence has determined that expression of HIF-1 is strongly associated with poor patient prognosis. Also, activation of HIF-1 contributes to malignant behavior and therapeutic resistance. In view of these observations, there is a need for anti-cancer treatments that addresses hypoxic related tumors. HIF-1 presents a viable target for inhibition of tumor growth with small molecules. Herein, we describe the design and synthesis of small molecules that inhibit the HIF-1 pathway, as well as mechanistic studies involved in the investigation of the mode of action of these compounds.

FMS is the receptor for macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF or CSF-1) and is essential for the differentiation and survival of most macrophages, microglia and osteoclasts Infiltration of macrophages and high levels of M-CSF in serum are associated with poor prognosis in human breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers. Consequently, inhibitors of FMS have considerable therapeutic potential for the treatment of cancer, as well as macrophage-mediated inflammatory disease and bone disorders caused by excessive osteoclastogenesis . Here I report the identification of four clinically advanced small molecule kinase inhibitors which can also target FMS, as shown by various biochemical and cell-based assays. The inhibitors I identified are imatinib, nilotinib, tandutinib and dasatinib (IC50s = 600, 250, 400 and 0.5 nM, respectively), where the IC50 values refer to inhibition of FMS-dependent cell growth. All of these inhibitors effectively inhibited osteoclastogenesis at concentrations expected to be achieved in patients and nilotinib was a particularly potent inhibitor (IC50 = 50 nM) indicating that nilotinib is a strong candidate for treatment of diseases where osteoclasts are over activated such as osteoporosis and osteolytic bone disease. Dasatinib was found to be a potent inhibitor of tumour associated macrophages derived from ovarian tumour ascites (IC50 = 0.5 nM) which is similar to the concentration required to inhibit FMS and within concentrations considered to be achieved in vivo. Using these FMS inhibitors I have also confirmed that the downregulation of the FMS receptor in response to ligand binding is independent of kinase activity and instead requires a structural change in the receptor. Intriguingly, at least two tyrosine autophosphorylation sites of FMS are still phosphorylated in the presence of some of these inhibitors and therefore in the absence of FMS kinase activity. This implies that other kinases may be involved in FMS activation.

Le cellule dendritiche (DC) sono considerate le principali cellule presentanti l`antigene per la loro straordinaria capacità di modulare sia la risposta innata che quella adattativa. Il riconoscimento dei patogeni da parte dei Toll-like Receptors (TLR) induce la maturazione delle DC e la successiva produzione di citochine necessarie per la regolazione della risposta immunitaria. Tra le citochine prodotte, gli Interferoni di tipo I (IFN) svolgono un ruolo chiave nella regolazione della risposta immunitaria in quanto, oltre a regolare la proliferazione, differenziamento e maturazione di diverse popolazioni leucocitarie, sono in grado di modulare diverse funzioni delle DC agendo in maniera autocrina e paracrina. Sulla base di queste evidenze gli obiettivi principali di questa tesi sono stati la caratterizzazione del profilo di espressione dei vari sottotipi degli IFN di tipo I indotti nelle DC in seguito ad infezione virale o attivazione dei TLR e l’analisi delle modificazioni funzionali e dei cambiamenti nel trascrittoma IFN-mediati durante la maturazione delle DC. I risultati ottenuti dimostrano: - che sia l`infezione delle DC con il virus dell`Influenza di tipo A (Flu) o con il virus Sendai (SV) che la stimolazione del TLR3 e TLR4 con i rispettivi agonisti, l`acido polinosinic-poliacitidilico [poly(I:C)] e il lipopolisaccaride (LPS), inducono un`espressione selettiva dei vari sottotipi degli IFN di tipo I. In particolare, mentre tutti gli IFN di tipo I analizzati vengono indotti in seguito ad infezione virale, l`attivazione del TLR3 e TLR4 promuove soprattutto l`espressione dell` IFN-beta suggerendo la possibilità che questa citochina abbia un ruolo cruciale nel processo di maturazione delle DC; - l’esistenza di uno specifico set di geni, coinvolti nelle risposte immuni anti-virali o anti-batteriche, specificamente indotto dalla produzione di IFN-beta durante la maturazione delle DC indotta dal trattamento con LPS; - che fra i geni IFN-regolati è presente Viperin (virus inhibitory protein, endoplasmic reticulum-associated, interferon-beta inducible), una molecola che possiede un’attività antivirale il cui ruolo non è stato completamente chiarito. La stimolazione del TLR3 e del TLR4 induce alti livelli di espressione di Viperin tramite il pathway intracellulare che coinvolge TRIF, TBK1 e il recettore per il type I IFN (IFNalfa/betaR), mentre l`espressione di Viperin indotta dall`infezione con SV è TLR-independente e coinvolge l`RNA elicasi Retinoic acid-inducible gene (RIG-I). Abbiamo inoltre identificato come fattore trascrizionale chiave per l`induzione di Viperin il complesso IFN-stimulated gene factor (ISGF)-3, la cui azione viene bloccata dal repressore trascrizionale positive regulatory domain I-binding factor 1 (PRDI-BF1, anche chiamato BLIMP1) in grado di competere con ISGF-3 per i siti IFN stimulatory and regulatory element (ISRE) presenti all`interno della regione promotrice del gene Viperin. - il gene codificante per il TLR7 è indotto in maniera IFN-dipendente durante la maturazione delle DC mediata da LPS. Sono stati esaminati i meccanismi responsabili dell`espressione del TLR7 identificando nel fattore trascrizionale IRF-1, i cui siti di legame sono presenti nel promotore del TLR7, il principale attivatore. Inoltre, abbiamo dimostrato che il “priming” con IFN- esogeno delle DC immature, che esprimono solo il TLR8, induce un TLR7 funzionalmente attivo. Infatti, l’utilizzo di un agonista specifico per il TLR7 (3M-001) induce la maturazione delle DC caratterizzata dall`espressione di molecole costimolatorie e dalla produzione di citochine pro-infiammatorie e regolatorie. L’insieme dei nostri dati suggerisce che il rilascio di IFN di tipo I, indotto dalla stimolazione del TLR4, induce nelle DC uno specifico programma trascrizionale in grado di amplificare l`espressione di “sensori” intracellulari per differenti patogeni e rispondere in questo modo correttamente e combinatoriamente sia alle infezioni virali che a quelle batteriche.

The inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins traditionally regulate programmed cell death by binding to and inhibiting caspases. Recent studies have uncovered a variety of alternate cellular roles for several IAP family members. The cellular inhibitor of apoptosis 1 (cIAP1) protein, for instance, regulates different axes of the NF-κB signalling pathway. Given the extensive functions of NF-κB signalling in muscle differentiation and regeneration, I asked if cIAP1 also plays critical roles in skeletal muscle myogenesis. In a primary myoblast cell-culture system, genetic and pharmacological approaches revealed that loss of cIAP1 dramatically increases the fusion of myoblasts into myotubes. NF-κB signalling occurs along a classical and an alternative pathway, both of which are highly active in cIAP1-/- myoblasts. Suppression of the alternative pathway attenuates myotube fusion in wildtype and cIAP1-/- myoblasts. Conversely, constitutive activation of the alternative pathway increases myoblast fusion in wildtype myoblasts. cIAP1-/- mice have greater muscle weight and size than wildtypes, as well as an increased number of muscle stem cells. These results identify cIAP1 as a regulator of myogenesis through its modulation of classical and alternative NF-κB signalling pathways. Loss of the structural protein dystrophin in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy leads to chronic degeneration of skeletal muscle. The muscle pathology is strongly influenced by NF-κB signaling. Given the roles demonstrated for cIAP1 in cell culture and in vivo, I asked whether loss of cIAP1 would influence muscle pathology in the mdx mouse. To address this question, double-mutant mice were bred lacking both cIAP1 and dystrophin (cIAP1-/-;mdx). Histological analyses revealed that double-mutant mice exhibited reduced indications of damage on several measures, as compared to single-mutant (cIAP1+/+;mdx) controls. Unexpectedly, these reductions were seen in the “slow-twitch” soleus muscle but not in the “fast-twitch” extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle. The improvements in pathology of double-mutant solei were associated with reductions in muscle infiltration by CD68-expressing macrophages. Finally, the double-mutant mice exhibited improved endurance and resistance to damage during treadmill-running exercise. Taken together, these results suggest that loss of cIAP1, through its multiple regulatory functions, acts to improve myogenesis and increase muscle resistance to damage.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) lack signal sequences, and are exported through endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-Golgi-independent non-classical routes. FGFs work as modulators of various cellular activities like mitosis, differentiation, survival etc. Among the FGF family, which comprises of 23 different heparin proteins, human FGF-1 (hFGF-1), a potent angiogenic factors are one of the targets in cancer inhibition, as they are involved in blood vessel formation in tissues. There has been intensive research directed at the development of drugs that could effectively inhibit angiogenesis. In this context, the purpose of this study is to fully understand the molecular principles essential to determine probability of inhibition of hFGF-1 signaling transduction by imatinib. Imatinib, a 2-phenyl amino pyrimidine derivative is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor with antineoplastic activity. Imatinib binds to the intracellular pocket located within tyrosine kinases and inhibit the downstream cell proliferation events, but the exact molecular mechanism is still elusive. In this study, expression of hFGF-1 in recombinant E. coli was carried out, and the expressed protein was purified using heparin affinity column chromatography. The structural interactions governing imatinib-hFGF-1 interaction was studied by monitoring its stability, conformation and binding affinity by equilibrium unfolding using steady state fluorescence and proteolytic digestion assay. These data show that imatinib binds to hFGF-1 and enhances its thermal stability and solvent accessibility. In addition, biacore analysis was carried out to determine the binding affinity of imatinib to hFGF-1.

Abstract Gene products that are only expressed in one tissue or cell type are useful models for investigating the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of tissue/cell-specific gene regulation. The regulatory regions of such genes are also practical tools in gene therapy. In this work, prostate-specific and androgen-dependent gene regulation was investigated by using human prostatic acid phosphatase (hPAP) and rat probasin (rPB) as models. In DNase I footprinting, a protected 12 bp region was found in the PB gene between the nucleotides -251 and -240 only with nuclear extracts of prostatic origin. The sequence of this area was GAAAATATGATA. Weak interaction could be detected between the DNA-binding domain of AR and the prostatic transcription factor. The results also suggested that the prostatic regulatory protein makes AR binding to its response element more effective and concomitantly magnifies the effect of androgen. A hPAP construct containing the sequence between the nucleotides -734 and +467 in front of the CAT reporter gene was highly expressed in the prostate of transgenic mice. Five homologues (A-E) for our previously identified prostate-specific GAAAATATGATA DNA-binding site were found in the area where the sites C and E could bind the regulatory protein in EMSA. The prostatic transcription factor complex bound to the GAAAATATGATA site was purified and characterized from a suspension-adapted mass culture of PC-3 prostate cancer cells by using sequence-specific DNA affinity chromatography, mass spectrometry and supershifts. Several potential transcription factors were identified, but only USF2 was confirmed to be part of the transcription factor complex. Two PC-3 cell line variants (anchorage-dependent and suspension-adapted, anchorage-independent variants) were used as a model for advanced, androgen-independent prostate cancer. Genes that were overexpressed in a suspension-adapted PC-3 cell line were further investigated, since they can be considered as putative markers of metastatic activity. The macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1) gene, which was overexpressed in the suspension-adapted PC-3 cell line, was further investigated in order to clarify the mechanism behind aggressive cell growth and androgen-independent gene regulation. In patient specimens, MIC-1 had no or low expression in benign prostatic hyperplasia and normal prostate but high in prostatic cancer and therefore it could be a useful marker for aggressive prostate cancer. Indomethacin increased the expression of MIC-1 in PC-3 cells, and apoptosis was also induced in this cell line but not in saPC-3 cell line suggesting a block in MIC-1 inducible apoptosis pathway.

Abstract Breast carcinoma is a heterogeneous disease with a prognosis that varies from excellent to very poor. Traditional tumour parameters and biological factors that are also predictive for treatment response are used in determining breast carcinoma prognosis and selecting appropriate treatment. Gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 have been shown to associate with tumour progression. Their tissue inhibitors TIMP-1 and -2 are multifunctional molecules that have been suggested as prognostic markers in some previous reports. In the present work, the expression and prognostic value of gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 and their tissue inhibitors TIMP-1 and -2 were assessed in primary breast carcinoma. The material consisted of a total of 416 patients. Tissue expression of TIMP-1 and -2 was analysed in a population of 203 patients using immunohistochemistry. Circulating gelatinases and their inhibitors were studied using ELISA in two different populations of 71 at preoperative state and 213 patients at pre- and postoperative state. High expression of TIMP-1 immunoreactive protein positively correlated with high histological grade of the tumour and associated with aggressive disease course in grade 2–3 subpopulation. High preoperative plasma TIMP-1 was prognostic for relapse in a modern patient series after a median follow-up time of 18 months. TIMP-1 as a continuous variable was prognostic in Cox regression univariate analysis, and was an independent prognostic variable superior to nodal status in multivariate analysis. High preoperative serum TIMP-1 was an independent prognostic variable for poor disease-specific survival, and TIMP-1 was found to maintain its prognostic value when assessed independently with different ELISA analyses, and was not very sensitive for preanalytical conditions. In addition, low circulating preoperative serum MMP-2 was observed to associate with high stage and positive nodal status in breast carcinoma. These results indicate that circulating TIMP-1 may be a potential new marker of worsened prognosis in breast carcinoma, although careful validation of assay platforms and identification of the sources of physiological variation are needed before it can be adopted into clinical decision-making.

Le facteur 4 plaquettaire (PF4/CXCL4) est un tétramère constitué de quatre sous-unités identiques de 7,8 kDa qui est libéré en grande quantité par les plaquettes lors de l’hémostase primaire (ensemble des phénomènes permettant un colmatage initial d’une lésion vasculaire). L’étude de la formation d’un caillot de fibrine en présence de PF4 montre une augmentation de la turbidité finale du caillot : le PF4 modifie le réseau formé. Etant donné que la plupart des acteurs de la fibrinolyse se lie au caillot de fibrine et que le PF4 modifie sa structure, nous avons pensé qu’il serait intéressant de rechercher si le PF4 influençait aussi la fibrinolyse. La lyse d'un caillot est effectuée par la plasmine issue de l'activation du plasminogène par son activateur d’origine tissulaire (t-PA) en présence d’un cofacteur qui n'est autre que la fibrine. Nous avons étudié la lyse de caillots de plasma, obtenus par activation de la cascade de la coagulation, en condition statique et à l'aide d'un modèle de thrombose artérielle (système Chandler loop). Dans les deux cas, une diminution du temps de demi-lyse a été observée en présence de PF4. Cependant, la lyse de caillots préparés par simple ajout de thrombine sur du fibrinogène ne permet pas de retrouver cet effet du PF4. Ceci suggère que l’influence du PF4 sur la structure du caillot n’est pas à l’origine de l’effet sur sa lyse et que le PF4 n’influence pas (ou très peu) l'activation du plasminogène, ainsi que l'activité de la plasmine résultante. Cette hypothèse a été confirmée par l’étude de l’activité amydolytique du t-PA et de la plasmine (quelle soit ajoutée ou générée). En système purifié, les inhibiteurs plasmatiques de la fibrinolyse sont absents. Les deux principaux sont l'inhibiteur de l'activateur du plasminogène de type 1 (PAI-1) et l’α2-antiplasmine (α2-AP). La lyse de caillots préparés à partir de plasma déficient en α2-AP montre une diminution du temps de demi-lyse en présence de PF4 (comme pour le plasma normal), alors qu’avec le plasma dépourvu de PAI-1 le temps de demi-lyse n'est plus influencé. De plus, l’ajout de PAI-1 dans le système purifié entraine une diminution du temps de demi-lyse en présence de PF4. Ceci suggère que le PF4 prévient directement ou indirectement l'inhibition du t-PA par PAI-1. L’étude de la cinétique d'inhibition de l’activité amidolytique du t-PA par le PAI-1, la détermination de la stœchiométrie de cette inhibition, et l’analyse de ces cinétiques par immuno-empreinte montrent que le PF4 est un modulateur de la fibrinolyse qui agit en retardant la formation d'un complexe initial entre le t-PA et le PAI-1. Cette nouvelle fonction du PF4 est cohérente, et vient en complément de celle décrite récemment d’inhibiteur de l'activation du TAFI
Platelet factor 4 (PF4/CXCL4) is a tetramer constituted of four identical 7,8 kDa subunits released in large quantities by platelets during primary heamostasis (allowing initial clogging of a vascular injury). Study of fibrin clot formation in the presence of PF4 shows an increase of the final clot turbidity: PF4 modifies the formed network. Given that most fibrinolysis actors are bound to the fibrin clot and that PF4 modifies its structure we thought it would be interesting to investigate if PF4 also influences fibrinolysis. Clot lysis is performed by plasmin originating from activation of its precursor by tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) with fibrin itself as cofactor of the reaction. We have studied lysis of plasma clots formed by activation of the coagulation cascade in static condition and in a Chandler loop model mimicking arterial thrombosis. Half-times of lysis decreased in the presence of PF4 in both systems. However, PF4 had no longer detectable influence on the half-time of lysis with clots formed by direct addition of thrombin on purified fibrinogen. Observation suggested that the observed decrease of the half-time of lysis induced by PF4 did not originate from its influence on fibrin clot formation and that PF4 had little effect if any on plasminogen activation or plasmin activity. We confirmed this hypothesis by comparing amydolytic activities of t-PA and plasmin (added or generated through plasminogen activation). In purified system, fibrinolysis inhibitors are absent. The two main inhibitors are plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and α2-antiplasmin (α2-AP). Lysis of clots obtained from α2-AP deficient plasma showed a decrease of the half-time of lysis in the presence of PF4 (as in normal plasma), whereas in PAI-1 deficient plasma half-time of lysis was unchanged. Moreover if PAI-1 was added to the purified system, half-time of lysis decreased in the presence of PF4. Observations therefore suggested that PF4 prevented directly or indirectly t-PA inhibition by PAI-1. Kinetics of the amidolytic activity of t-PA inhibition by PAI-1 in the presence or not of PF4, determination of its stoichiometry and Western blot analysis of these inhibition kinetics revealed that PF4 is a fibrinolysis modulator which delays formation of the initial (Michaelis) complex between t-PA and PAI-1. This new feature of PF4 is consistent and complementary with its recently described role as a modulator of TAFI activation

Apurinic/apyrimidinic DNA repair endonuclease-1 (APE1), first recognized as an important DNA excision repair enzyme, is also known as Redox Factor-1 (Ref-1) involved in the activation of many nuclear transcription factors in both redox-dependent and independent manner. It has been well-documented that the overexpression of APE/Ref-1 contributes to the development of chemo-resistance and is associated with tumor progression in many human malignancies [1]. Our previous study in melanoma demonstrated that the development of novel inhibitors targeting the redox regulation domain of APE/Ref-1 is a promising strategy for melanoma treatment. To date, limited successes have been reported in developing novel APE/Ref-1 inhibitors for cancer treatment. Utilizing a structure-based approach, our study identified and characterized small molecular inhibitors of APE/Ref-1. First, N-terminally truncated APE/Ref-1 protein lacking the first 40 amino acid residues (∆40APE-1wt) was cloned into the pGEX-6P1 vector to express the GST-∆40APE-1wtprotein. After cleavage of GST-tag, the concentrated ∆40APE-1wt protein was subjected to protein crystallization study. We have successfully diffracted ∆40APE-1wt crystals and collected data with a resolution of 1.57Å. The crystal structure was further determined by molecular replacement in Molrep using the already available human APE-1 structure (PDB: 5CFG). For the first time, we observed the dimerization of APE/Ref-1 protein formed under oxidative conditions, which may contribute to the redox regulation of APE/Ref-1. Such structural transformation of APE/Ref-1 protein under distinct redox conditions may pave the way for future drug development and optimization. The binding affinity of the candidate compounds with ∆40APE-1wt protein was also determined using Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), and the Ki values were analyzed. One of the potent inhibitors developed by our group by structure-based approach, exhibited promising anti-melanoma activities both in vitro and in vivo. Future studies on the structure-activity association are warranted.

Elevated plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) activity levels, hyperlipemia, hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance and obesity, in particular central obesity, are all related to increased risk for the development of cardiovascular disease.Some risk factors are known to be and shown to be influenced by dietary habits. One aim of this study was to determine the distribution of PAI-1 activity and its linkage to serum lipids, body build, glucose and insulin (including glucose tolerance) among healthy men and women. Another aim was to elucidate the effects of different diet programes on the relationship between PAI-1 activity, serum lipid, glucose and insulin levels. Two cross-sectional studies, involving 260 individuals, the Norsjö study 1986, the mean PAI-1 activity among 30-60 year-old men was 7.9 U/mL and among women 7.8 U/mL. Both men and women with a body mass index over 27 kg/m2 had higher PAI-1 activity, tPA antigen, fasting insulin and insulin responses following an oral glucose tolerance test than persons with body mass index <27. They also had lower HDL-cholesterol. Women with a high waist/hip circumference ratio had a higher mean PAI-1 activity, tPA antigen, triglyceride, blood pressure and insulin response to an oral glucose tolerance test than women with low or normal waist/hip ratio. Men with high waist/hip ratio had higher tPA antigen, glucose and insulin responses to an oral glucose tolerance test than men with low or normal waist/hip ratio. In two dietary studies different low-energy diets (a juice fast or a weight reduction program) were followed. PAI-1 activity was decreased in both cases. In a third dietary study, transition from a high-fat/low-carbohydrate diet to a low-fat/high-carbohydrate diet decreased PAI-1 activity provided that it did not also cause a substantial increase in triglycerides or glucose. In a fourth dietary study the regular diet was supplemented with oat-husk. PAI-1 activity was reduced; a small increase in glucose but not in triglyceride levels was observed. On the basis of these results it is concluded that PAI-1 activity levels are associated with constitutional factors such as body mass index and waist/hip ratio. PAI-1 is elevated in obesity. Nutritional factors are also of importance for the PAI-1 activity levels. PAI-1 activity levels can be reduced by dietary regiments such as low-energy diets or high-fiber diets.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 1993, härtill 6 uppsatser.

digitalisering@umu

The organization of the nervous and immune systems is characterized by obvious differences and striking parallels. Both systems need to relay information across very short and very long distances. The nervous system communicates over both long and short ranges primarily by means of more or less hardwired intercellular connections, consisting of axons, dendrites, and synapses. Longrange communication in the immune system occurs mainly via the ordered and guided migration of immune cells and systemically acting soluble factors such as antibodies, cytokines, and chemokines. Its short-range communication either is mediated by locally acting soluble factors or transpires during direct cell–cell contact across specialized areas called “immunological synapses” (Kirschensteiner et al., 2003). These parallels in intercellular communication are complemented by a complex array of factors that induce cell growth and differentiation: these factors in the immune system are called cytokines; in the nervous system, they are called neurotrophic factors. Neither the cytokines nor the neurotrophic factors appear to be completely exclusive to either system (Neumann et al., 2002). In particular, mounting evidence indicates that some of the most potent members of the neurotrophin family, for example, nerve growth factor (NGF) and brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), act on or are produced by immune cells (Kerschensteiner et al., 1999) There are, however, other neurotrophic factors, for example the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), that can behave similarly (Kermer et al., 2000). These factors may allow the two systems to “cross-talk” and eventually may provide a molecular explanation for the reports that inflammation after central nervous system (CNS) injury has beneficial effects (Moalem et al., 1999). In order to shed some more light on such a cross-talk, therefore, transcription factors modulating mu-opioid receptor (MOPr) expression in neurons and immune cells are here investigated. More precisely, I focused my attention on IGF-I modulation of MOPr in neurons and T-cell receptor induction of MOPr expression in T-lymphocytes. Three different opioid receptors [mu (MOPr), delta (DOPr), and kappa (KOPr)] belonging to the G-protein coupled receptor super-family have been cloned. They are activated by structurallyrelated exogenous opioids or endogenous opioid peptides, and contribute to the regulation of several functions including pain transmission, respiration, cardiac and gastrointestinal functions, and immune response (Zollner and Stein 2007). MOPr is expressed mainly in the central nervous system where it regulates morphine-induced analgesia, tolerance and dependence (Mayer and Hollt 2006). Recently, induction of MOPr expression in different immune cells induced by cytokines has been reported (Kraus et al., 2001; Kraus et al., 2003). The human mu-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) promoter is of the TATA-less type and has clusters of potential binding sites for different transcription factors (Law et al. 2004). Several studies, primarily focused on the upstream region of the OPRM1 promoter, have investigated transcriptional regulation of MOPr expression. Presently, however, it is still not completely clear how positive and negative transcription regulators cooperatively coordinate cellor tissue-specific transcription of the OPRM1 gene, and how specific growth factors influence its expression. IGF-I and its receptors are widely distributed throughout the nervous system during development, and their involvement in neurogenesis has been extensively investigated (Arsenijevic et al. 1998; van Golen and Feldman 2000). As previously mentioned, such neurotrophic factors can be also produced and/or act on immune cells (Kerschenseteiner et al., 2003). Most of the physiologic effects of IGF-I are mediated by the type I IGF surface receptor which, after ligand binding-induced autophosphorylation, associates with specific adaptor proteins and activates different second messengers (Bondy and Cheng 2004). These include: phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase (Vincent and Feldman 2002; Di Toro et al. 2005) and members of the Janus kinase (JAK)/STAT3 signalling pathway (Zong et al. 2000; Yadav et al. 2005). REST plays a complex role in neuronal cells by differentially repressing target gene expression (Lunyak et al. 2004; Coulson 2005; Ballas and Mandel 2005). REST expression decreases during neurogenesis, but has been detected in the adult rat brain (Palm et al. 1998) and is up-regulated in response to global ischemia (Calderone et al. 2003) and induction of epilepsy (Spencer et al. 2006). Thus, the REST concentration seems to influence its function and the expression of neuronal genes, and may have different effects in embryonic and differentiated neurons (Su et al. 2004; Sun et al. 2005). In a previous study, REST was elevated during the early stages of neural induction by IGF-I in neuroblastoma cells. REST may contribute to the down-regulation of genes not yet required by the differentiation program, but its expression decreases after five days of treatment to allow for the acquisition of neural phenotypes. Di Toro et al. proposed a model in which the extent of neurite outgrowth in differentiating neuroblastoma cells was affected by the disappearance of REST (Di Toro et al. 2005). The human mu-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) promoter contains a DNA sequence binding the repressor element 1 silencing transcription factor (REST) that is implicated in transcriptional repression. Therefore, in the fist part of this thesis, I investigated whether insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), which affects various aspects of neuronal induction and maturation, regulates OPRM1 transcription in neuronal cells in the context of the potential influence of REST. A series of OPRM1-luciferase promoter/reporter constructs were transfected into two neuronal cell models, neuroblastoma-derived SH-SY5Y cells and PC12 cells. In the former, endogenous levels of human mu-opioid receptor (hMOPr) mRNA were evaluated by real-time PCR. IGF-I upregulated OPRM1 transcription in: PC12 cells lacking REST, in SH-SY5Y cells transfected with constructs deficient in the REST DNA binding element, or when REST was down-regulated in retinoic acid-differentiated cells. IGF-I activates the signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) signaling pathway and this transcription factor, binding to the STAT1/3 DNA element located in the promoter, increases OPRM1 transcription. T-cell receptor (TCR) recognizes peptide antigens displayed in the context of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and gives rise to a potent as well as branched intracellular signalling that convert naïve T-cells in mature effectors, thus significantly contributing to the genesis of a specific immune response. In the second part of my work I exposed wild type Jurkat CD4+ T-cells to a mixture of CD3 and CD28 antigens in order to fully activate TCR and study whether its signalling influence OPRM1 expression. Results were that TCR engagement determined a significant induction of OPRM1 expression through the activation of transcription factors AP-1, NF-kB and NFAT. Eventually, I investigated MOPr turnover once it has been expressed on T-cells outer membrane. It turned out that DAMGO induced MOPr internalisation and recycling, whereas morphine did not. Overall, from the data collected in this thesis we can conclude that that a reduction in REST is a critical switch enabling IGF-I to up-regulate human MOPr, helping these findings clarify how human MOPr expression is regulated in neuronal cells, and that TCR engagement up-regulates OPRM1 transcription in T-cells. My results that neurotrophic factors a and TCR engagement, as well as it is reported for cytokines, seem to up-regulate OPRM1 in both neurons and immune cells suggest an important role for MOPr as a molecular bridge between neurons and immune cells; therefore, MOPr could play a key role in the cross-talk between immune system and nervous system and in particular in the balance between pro-inflammatory and pro-nociceptive stimuli and analgesic and neuroprotective effects.

Tromboza danas, u većini razvijenih zemalja, predstavlja vodeći uzrok obolevanja i umiranja. Poslednjih godina veoma aktuelna su istraživanja venskog tromboembolizma, obzirom da je incidenca ovog oboljenja 2/1000 osoba godišnje, a njegov razvoj posledica udruženog delovanja više genetskih i stečenih faktora rizika. Što preciznije prepoznavanje i sagledavanje što većeg broja ovih faktora osnovni je cilj u borbi, kako protiv prve epizode venske tromboze, tako i protiv recidiva ove bolesti. Brojni faktori rizika već su prepoznati kao sastavne karike patofiziološkog lanca venskog trombotskog procesa, ali je evidentno da otkrića mnogih od njih tek predstoje. Među najaktulenijim istraživanjima na ovom polju nalazi se i ispitivanje uloge poremećaja fibrinoliznog mehanizma u venskoj tromboembolijskoj bolesti. Iako su već pruženi dokazi da suprimirana fibrinolizna aktivnost povećava rizik od nastanka ovog oboljenja, još uvek postoje brojna otvorena pitanja, koja se pre svega odnose na ulogu pojedinačnih činilaca fibrinoliznog mehanizma u venskoj trombozi, kao i na globalnu ulogu fibrinoliznog mehanizma u različitim tipovima i lokalizacijama venske trombotske bolesti. Pored toga, ispitivanje uticaja pojedinih genskih mutacija na pojadinačne činioce fibrinoliznog mehanizma, njegovu globalnu funkcionalnost i posredno na rizik za nastanak venske tromboze, takođe zaokuplja pažnju stručne javnosti, obzirom na nekonzistentnost rezultata dobijenih studijama koje se bave ovom problematikom. Cilj ovoga istraživanja je ispitivanje kako globalne funkcionalnosti fibrinoliznog mehanizma, tako i njegovih pojedinačnih činilaca, kod bolesnika sa različitim tipovima i lokalizacijama venske tromboze i poređenje ovih parametara sa njihovim vrednostima u zdravoj populaciji. Pored toga, cilj istraživanja je i ispitivanje zastupljenosti 4G/5G PAI-1 polimorfizma kod bolesnika sa venskom trombozom u poređenju sa zdravim osobama. Ispitivanu grupu je sačinjavalo 100 bolesnika koji su doživeli trombozu dubokih vena a kontrolnu grupu je činilo 100 zdravih ispitanika, koji nikada nisu imali trombozni incident. Iz ispitivanja su isključene: osobe sa prethodno dokazanim poremećajem hemostaznog mehanizma, osobe koje uzimaju lekove za koje se zna da mogu imati uticaja na hemostazni mehanizam, osobe koje su imale akutnu bolest u momentu uzorkovanja krvi ili 6 nedelja pre toga, osobe sa malignitetom, trudnice, osobe sa težim duševnim bolestima, bolestima jetre i bubrega, autoimunim bolestima, ispitanici koji su odbili da potpišu pristanak informisanog ispitanika. Kao test za procenu globalne funkcionalnosti fibrinoliznog mehanizma korišteno je euglobulinsko vreme lize koaguluma, dok su od pojedinačnih činilaca određivani: tkivni aktivator plazminogena (t-PA) i trombinom aktivišući fibrinolizni inhibitor (TAFI) - ELISA metodom, kao i inhibitor aktivatora plazminogena-1 (PAI-1) - metodom hromogenog substrata. Genetskim ispitivanjem je utvrđivano prisustvo PAI-1 4G/5G genskog polimorfizma. Prema rezultatima istraživanja kod 56% bolesnika bila je prisutna spontana venska tromboza, dok je 44% njih imalo trombozu provociranu jednim od priznatih faktora rizika. U odnosu na lokalizaciju venskog tromboznog procesa proksimalna venska tromboza bila je prisutna kod 63% bolesnika, izolovana distalna venska tromboza kod 29% bolesnika, a atipično lokalizovana venska tromboza kod 8% bolesnika. Posmatrajući zastupljenost pojedinih faktora rizika uočili smo da je značajno viši procenat osoba sa hipertenzijom bio prisutan u grupi bolesnika sa primarnom trombozom dubokih vena u odnosu na grupu bolesnika sa provociranom trombozom dubokih vena (61% vs.16%; p=0.000). Što se funkcionalnosti fibrinoliznog mehanizma tiče, prema našim rezultatima bolesnici koji su doživeli trombozu dubokih vena imaju značajno duže vreme lize koaguluma, odnosno suprimiranu funkcionalnost fibrinolize u poređenju sa zdravim kontrolama (204.34±51.24 vs. 185.62±42.30; p=0.011), a kada posmatramo podgrupe bolesnika u odnosu na lokalizaciju i vrstu venske tromboze uočavamo da podgrupa bolesnika sa izolovanom distalnom venskom trombozom ima značajno duže euglobulinsko vreme lize koaguluma u odnosu na kontrolnu grupu (218.32±41.12 vs.185.62±42.30: p=0.001), kao i bolesnici koji su imali provociranu vensku trombozu u poređenju sa kontrolama (208.18±48.53 vs. 185.62±42.30; p=0.018). Ispitivanjem pojedinačnih komponenti fibrinoliznog mehanizma došli smo do rezultata da bolesnici koji su doživeli venski trombozni incident imaju značajno više koncentracije TAFI u poređenju sa osobama koje nikada nisu imale vensku trombozu (19.70 ng/ml ± 5.17 vs.17.13 ng/ml ± 4.25; p=0.001). Poređenjem bolesnika sa provociranom trombozom dubokih vena i kontrolnih ispitanika uočili smo da bolesnici iz ove podgrupe imaju značajno više vrednosti plazminogena u poređenju sa zdravim osobama (127.14 % ± 27.73 vs.117.09 % ± 24.49; p= 0.044), kao i značajno više koncentracije t-PA (20.02 ng/ml ± 11.07 vs. 16.78 ng/ml ± 8.08; p=0.042). Što se tiče TAFI, bolesnici sa distalnom trombozom dubokih vena u poređenju sa kontrolama (20.72 ng/ml ± 4.96 vs.17.13 ng/ml ± 4.25; p=0.001), kao i bolesnici sa proksimalnom trombozom dubokih vena u poređenju sa kontrolama (19.37 ng/ml ± 5.33 vs.17.13 ng/ml ± 4.25; p=0.013) imaju značajno više koncentracije TAFI. Koncentracija ovog inhibitora fibrinoliznog procesa značajno je veća i kod bolesnika sa provociranom trombozom dubokih vena u poređenju s zdravim osobama (19.93 ng/ml ± 3.97 vs.17.13 ng/ml ± 4.25; p=0.000), kao i kod bolesnika sa primarnom trombozom dubokih vena u poređenju sa zdravim ispitanicima (19.53 ng/ml ± 5.97 vs.17.13 ng/ml ± 4.25; p=0.023). Što se genetskih analiza tiče, u okviru grupe bolesnika imali smo 25% homozigotnih i 58% heterozigotnih nosilaca mutacije gena za PAI-1, dok 17% bolesnika nije imalo pomenutu gensku mutaciju. U okviru kontrolne grupe pak, bilo je 30% homozigotnih i 56% heterozigotnih nosilaca mutacije a 14% ispitanika nije imalo mutaciju. Nije uočena značajna razlika u zastupljenosti 4G/4G genotipa između bolesnika sa različitim lokalizacijama venskog trombotskog procesa (distalna DVT 29% vs. proksimalna DVT 21% vs. DVT retke lokalizacije 12%; p=0.501), kao ni u zastupljenosti ovoga genotipa kod provocirane i spontane tromboze dubokih vena (27% vs. 23%; p=0.642), niti kod izolovane tromboze dubokih vena u poređenju sa plućnom tromboembolijom (25% vs. 33%; p=0.735). Procena rizika za nastanak venske tromboze u odnosu na postojanje poremećaja globalne funkcionalnosti fibrinoliznog mehanizma, u odnosu na patološke koncentracije pojedinih komponenti fibrinoliznog mehanizma, kao i u odnosu na postojanje 4G/4G mutacije u genu za PAI-1, pokazala je da suprimirana funkcionalnost fibrinoliznog mehanizma trostruko povećava rizik za nastanak tromboze dubokih vena (OR 3.02; CI 1.26-7.22), povišen nivo PAI-1 nema uticaja na rizik od nastanka tromboze dubokih vena, na šta ukazuje OR od 0.86 sa CI 0.59-1.25, povišen nivo t-PA antigena ne utiče na rizik od nastanka tromboze dubokih vena (OR 1.53; CI 0.79-2.94), ali povišena koncentracija TAFI više od dvostruko povećava ovaj rizik (OR 2.25; CI 1.16-4.35). Prema našim rezultatima PAI-1 4G/4G genotip nema uticaja na rizik od nastanaka venske tromboze, što potvrđuje OR koji iznosi 0.57 (0.27-1.20). Na osnovu dobijenih rezultata zaključujemo da bolesnici sa trombozom dubokih vena imaju suprimiranu funkcionalnost fibrinoliznog mehanizma u poređenju sa zdravim osobama, da je nivo t-PA antigena, kao i plazminogena značajno viši kod bolesnika sa provociranom venskom trombozom nego kod zdravih osoba, da nema razlike u koncentraciji PAI-1 između bolesnika sa venskom trombozom i zdravih osoba, ali da bolesnici sa trombozom dubokih vena, bez obzira na njenu lokalizaciju ili vrstu imaju značajno više nivoe TAFI u poređenju sa zdravim ispitanicima. Pored toga možemo zaključiti da ne postoji razlika u zastupljenosti 4G/5G polimorfizma između bolesnika sa venskom trombozom i zdravih ispitanika. Konačno, možemo reći da na osnovu naših rezultata možemo zaključiti da suprimirana funkcionalnost fibrinoliznog mehanizma trostruko povećava rizik od nastanka tromboze dubokih vena, a povišen nivo TAFI-a dvostruko povećava ovaj rizik, dok 4G/5G PAI-1 polimorfizam nema uticaja na rizik za nastanak venskog tromboembolizma.
Thrombosis is nowadays leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Lately, studies dealing with venous thromboembolism are very actual, since incidence of this disease is 2/1000 persons per year and its development is consequence of joint action of many different inherited and acquired risk factors. Precise recognition and understanding as many of those factors as possible represents imperative in fight against the first episode of venous thrombosis, and also against the recurrence of the disease. Numerous risk factors have been already recognized as constituent links of pathophysiological chain of venous thrombotic process, but it is also clear that the discovery of many of them are yet to come. Investigations of the role of fibrinolytic mechanism disorders in venous thrombosis are topical in the field. Although, we have some evidences that suppressed fibrinolytic activity increases the risk of this disease, still there are many open issues, especially those dealing with the role of individual factors of fibrinolytic mechanism in venous thrombosis, and with the role of global fibrinolytic function in different types and localizations of venous thrombotic disease. Further, investigation of the effects of gene mutations on individual fibrinolytic mechanism components, its global functionality and indirectly to the risk of venous thrombosis, also attracts the attention of experts, given the inconsistency of results obtained from studies dealing with this issue. The aim of this study was to evaluate fibrinolytic mechanism global functionality, as well as functionality of its integral individual components in patients with different venous thrombosis types and localizations, and to compare them with those of the healthy persons. In addition, the aim was to evaluate presence of 4G/5G PAI-1 polymorphism in patients with venous thrombosis compared with healthy subjects. The case group consisted of 100 patients with deep vein thrombosis and the control group consisted of 100 healthy subjects who had never had thrombotic incident. Exclusion criteria were: documented haemostatic disease, taking drugs proven to affect fibrinolytic function, acute illness within 6 weeks before blood sampling, malignancy, pregnancy, severe mental illness, kidney or liver diseases, autoimmune diseases, examinee refusal to sign the informed consent. We used euglobulin cloth lysis time test as test for global fibrinolytic mechanism function estimation, and also determined: t-PA and TAFI concentrations using ELISA method and PAI-1 concentrations using chromogenic substrate method. The presence of PAI-1 4G/5G gene polymorphism was determined by genetic testing. According to results 56% of patients had unprovoked and 44% had provoked venous thrombosis. Proximal venous thrombosis was present in 63% of cases, distal venous thrombosis in 29% of cases and atypical venous thrombosis in 8% of them. Significantly higher frequency of hypertension was present in patients with primary deep vein thrombosis than in the group of patients with provoked deep vein thrombosis (61% vs. 16%, p = 0.000). Patients who have experienced deep vein thrombosis had a significantly longer clot lysis time, and suppressed fibrinolysis function compared with healthy controls (204.34 ± 51.24 vs. 185.62 ± 42.30, p = 0.011). Also, this parameter was significantly longer in patients with isolated distal deep vein thrombosis compared with healthy controls (218.32±41.12 vs. 185.62±42.30: p=0.001), such as in patients with provoked venous thrombosis compared with controls (208.18±48.53 vs. 185.62±42.30; p=0.018). Patients with venous thrombosis had significantly higher TAFI concentrations in comparison with healthy volunteers (19.70 ng/ml ± 5.17 vs. 17.13 ng/ml ± 4.25; p=0.001). Patients with provoked venous thrombosis had significantly higher concentrations of plasminogen (127.14 % ± 27.73 vs. 117.09 % ± 24.49; p= 0.044) and t-PA (20.02 ng/ml ± 11.07 vs. 16.78 ng/ml ± 8.08; p=0.042), in comparison with controls. Regarding TAFI, we noticed that patients with isolated distal deep vein thrombosis have higher values of this parameter compered with healthy people (20.72 ng/ml ± 4.96 vs. 17.13 ng/ml ± 4.25; p=0.001), such as patients with proximal deep vein thrombosis (19.37 ng/ml ± 5.33 vs. 17.13 ng/ml ± 4.25; p=0.013). The same was obtained when compared patients with provoked venous thrombosis and controls (19.93 ng/ml ± 3.97 vs. 17.13 ng/ml ± 4.25; p=0.000), and patients with unprovoked venous thrombosis and controls (19.53 ng/ml ± 5.97 vs. 17.13 ng/ml ± 4.25; p=0.023). As far as genetic analysis, in the group of patients we had 25% homozygous and 58% heterozygous carriers of PAI-1 gene mutation, whereas 17% of patients did't have this mutation. In controls, we had 30% homozygous and 56% heterozygous carriers of mutation and 14% of those without mutation. There was no significant difference in the frequency of 4G/4G genotype between patients with different localization of venous thrombotic process (distal DVT 29% vs. proximal DVT 21% vs. rare localization DVT 12%, p = 0.501), as well as the representation of this genotype in provoked and unprovoked deep vein thrombosis (27% vs. 23%, p = 0.642), or in isolated deep vein thrombosis compared to pulmonary thromboembolism (25% vs. 33%, p = 0.735). Finaly, our results show that suppressed fibrinolytic functionality threefold increases risk of venous thrombosis (OR 3.02, CI 1.26-7.22), elevated levels of PAI-1 have no effect on the risk of deep vein thrombosis, as evidenced by OR of 0.86 with CI 0.59-1.25, elevated levels of t-PA antigen do not affect the risk of deep venous thrombosis (OR 1.53; CI 0.79-2.94), but increased concentration of TAFI increases more than twice this risk (OR 2.25; CI 1.16-4.35). PAI-1 4G/4G genotype does not affect venous thrombotic risk (OR 0.57; CI 0.27-1.20). Based on these results, we conclude that patients with deep vein thrombosis have suppressed fibrinolytic mechanism functionality compared to healthy subjects, the levels of t-PA antigen and plasminogen are significantly higher in patients with provoked venous thrombosis than in healthy subjects, there is no difference in PAI-1 concentration in patients with venous thrombosis and healthy persons, but the patients with deep vein thrombosis, regardless of its localisation or the type have a significantly higher level of TAFI as compared with healthy subjects. In addition, we can conclude that there is no difference in the prevalence of 4G/5G polymorphism in patients with venous thrombosis and healthy persons. Finally, we can say that suppressed fibrinolytic mechanism functionality threefold increases risk of deep vein thrombosis, elevated level of TAFI-a double increases this risk, while PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism has no influence on the risk of venous thromboembolism.

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most commonly diagnosed gynaecological cancer, and is responsible for ~370 deaths per year in Australia and 8600 deaths annually in the USA. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) mutations have been identified in ~ 12% of endometrial cancer patients and research confirms it is a valid therapeutic target. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been used in the last few years to treat patients with mutant receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Despite patients showing an initial response to these TKIs, acquired resistance associated with cancer relapse often occurs. Acquired resistance is frequently caused by secondary mutations in the kinase domain that either directly hinder drug binding or stabilise a conformation not conducive to drug binding. In recent years, the Ba/F3 cell line model system has been used to identify mutations causing resistance to these inhibitors and many of these mutations have subsequently been identified in patients treated with these TKIs. We sought to identify FGFR2 kinase domain mutations that confer resistance to the pan-FGFR inhibitor BGJ398. We cultured Ba/F3 cells expressing FGFR2 in high doses of BGJ398 and identified 6 resistant clones harbouring either the FGFR2E566A or FGFR2V565I mutations in the kinase domain. Ba/F3 cells carrying each mutations, together with the FGFR2N550K mutation commonly seen in patients, were used to assess if these mutations were cross-resistant to other FGFR inhibitors (PD173074, ponatinib, AZD4547 and LY2874455). Only LY2874455 inhibited all the resistant FGFR2 mutations. In addition, lentiviral transduction of the endometrial cancer cell line JHUEM2 with the same FGFR2 resistance mutations resulted in heterozygous expression of the resistance alleles confirmed by sequencing cDNA. Transduced JHUEM2 cell lines were tested against the panel of FGFR inhibitors, however, the same level of resistance that was seen in Ba/F3 cells was not always observed in the JHUEM2 cell lines. We also used the myeloma cell line KMS11-R, which harbours a heterozygous FGFR3V565I mutation, and showed these cells conferred resistance to all inhibitors except LY2874455. From these data we propose that tumours harbouring FGFR mutations should be treated with LY2874455, as it effectively inhibits all identified FGFR mutations that cause resistance to other FGFR inhibitors.

Preeclampsia results from incomplete trophoblast invasion of the spiral arteries during early pregnancy. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) are critical factors involved in angiogenesis, invasion and hemostasis at the maternal-fetal interface. Both factors are transcriptionally regulated by hypoxia inducible factor (HIF), a heterodimeric complex consisting of HIF-1[beta] and either HIF-1[alpha] or -2[alpha] whose specificity or redundancy in gene regulation is cell-type specific. This study uses siRNA technology to dissect the mechanisms of hypoxia-mediated regulation of PAI-1 and VEGF expression in first trimester trophoblasts. Immortalized first trimester human extravillous trophoblasts (HTR8/SVneo cells) were maintained in serum-free and serum-containing media for 4h (n=3-4), 8h (n=6), 24h (n=5) and 48h (n=5) under normoxic (21% O2) and hypoxic (1-2% O2) conditions to determine a time of maximum induction of both VEGF and PAI-1. Subsequently, cells were maintained for 48h in the presence or absence of siRNA for HIF-1[alpha], HIF-2[alpha], HIF-1[alpha] + -2[alpha], a non-targeting (NT) sequence or Cyclophilin B (CB). Media were then removed, cells lysed, and Western blotting used to assess HIF-[alpha] knockdown. VEGF and PAI-1 levels in the media were quantified by ELISA and results expressed as pg or ng/[micro]g protein. Results from 3 to 8 independent experiments were analyzed using unpaired t-tests. Under hypoxic conditions treatment of cells with HIF-1[alpha], HIF-2[alpha] or HIF -1[alpha] + -2[alpha] siRNA resulted in >90% HIF-Ñ protein knockdown as determined by Western blotting. 48h of hypoxic treatment caused a statistically significant increase in PAI-1 levels (p<0.01) and VEGF levels (p<0.001) compared to normoxic controls. Under hypoxic conditions, PAI-1 levels were 4.75 [plus-minus] 0.46 ng/[micro]g protein and VEGF levels were 7.27 [plus-minus] 1.08 pg/[micro]g protein. Treatment with siRNA to HIF-1[alpha], HIF-2[alpha] and HIF-1[alpha] + -2[alpha] significantly reduced PAI-1 levels to 3.3 [plus-minus] 0.35 (p<0.02), 3.1 [plus-minus] 0.38 (p<0.03) and 2.4 [plus-minus] 0.19 (p<0.003), respectively. No significant difference in PAI-1 reduction was noted between the three HIF siRNA conditions. Under hypoxic conditions, levels of VEGF in cells treated with siRNA to HIF-1[alpha] (5.79 [plus-minus] 0.55), HIF-2[alpha] (5.50 [plus-minus] 1.24) and HIF-1[alpha] + -2[alpha] (4.24 [plus-minus] 0.93) were reduced compared to the hypoxic control (7.27 [plus-minus] 1.08), yet these effects did not reach statistical significance. However, when compared with the levels observed in cells treated with NT siRNA (9.90 [plus-minus] .98), all HIF siRNA treatments promoted a significant reduction in VEGF expression (p<0.003, p<0.02 and p<0.003 for HIF-1[alpha], HIF-2[alpha] and HIF-1[alpha]+ -2[alpha], respectively). In conclusion, these results indicate that hypoxia-mediated changes in PAI-1 and VEGF expression in trophoblasts are regulated similarly by both HIF-1[alpha] and HIF-2[alpha]. This provides important insight into the molecular mechanisms regulating hemostasis and trophoblast invasion as well as their potential dysfunction in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia

It is well known that Hsp90 chaperone protein contributes in stabilizing oncoproteins over-expressed in malignant cell lines, playing a key role in survival, proliferation, invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis, which represent the hallmark traits of the cancer.1 In the last decade Hsp90 has emerged as a possible therapeutic target and many efforts have been dedicated to the discovery of Hsp90 inhibitors as new potent anticancer agents. TRAP 1 (Tumor Necrosis Factor-Associated Protein ), the mitochondrial isoform of Hsp90, is a component of a mitochondrial pathway selectively up-regulated in tumor cells which antagonizes the proapoptotic activity of cyclophilin D, a mitochondrial permeability transition pore regulator, and is responsible together with Hsp90, for the maintenance of mitochondrial integrity, thus favoring cell survival. Interestingly, novel TRAP1 antagonists cause sudden collapse of mitochondrial function and selective tumor cell death, suggesting that this pathway may represent a novel molecular target to improve anticancer therapy. A number of derivatives from structures of known HSP90 inhibitors, previously synthesized by our research group, has been modified to direct them into mitochondria. The idea for a mitochondrial targeting of TRAP1 inhibitors is based on the assumption of the negative potential on the matrix face of the inner mitochondrial membrane. Thus, for a first synthetic approach we have decided to linking lipophilic cations to the Hsp90 molecule inhibitors, in order to give access to cationic drugs to internalize into the negative organelles: on the basis of literature data we selected different groups as the polyamines, which protonated at physiological pH, have the optimal characteristic to pass through the mitochondria membrane and internalize into the organelle. Alternatively a group of triphenylphosphonium salts derivatives as well as of pyridinium and guanidinium ones were also considered as cationic heads for targeting TRAP1 inhibitors into mitochondria. The preliminary biological results show that some Hsp90 inhibitors proved also of interest as TRAP1 ATPase inhibitors (IC50 0.4micromolar) and that some of these have the capacity to accumulate into mitochondrial compartment. A second synthetic approach, however, has been realized by acting directly on the pharmacophore, i.e. on the structure of resorcinol, making changes on some sites essential for the binding of Hsp90, in order to act, and then selectively inhibit TRAP1. In this case, starting from some biological activity of molecule inhibitors of cytosolic Hsp90, we have made changes to see if the interaction between them and the receptor site of TRAP1 can be improved. Biological assays of this second class of compounds are still in progress.

The human positive regulatory domain I binding factor 1 (PRDI-BF1/PRDM1) promotes differentiation of mature B cells into antibody secreting plasma cells. In contrast ectopic expression of PRDM1 in lymphoma cells can lead to inhibition of proliferation or apoptosis. However, little is currently known about the regulation of PRDM1. The first study presented demonstrates that in lymphoma cells stimulation through the B cell receptor rapidly induces endogenous PRDM1 at the level of transcription. This study provides evidence that the PRDM1 promoter is preloaded and poised for activation in the B cell lines. The transcription factor PU.1 is shown to be required for B cell receptor induced expression of PRDM1 in lymphoma cells and in PU.1 positive myeloma cells. Furthermore, activation is associated with loss of the co-repressor TLE4 from the PU.1 complex. The second study establishes the requirement for PRDM1 in Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) response to Bortezomib. MCL, an aggressive form of B cell lymphoma, has poor disease- free survival rate. The proteasome inhibitor, Bortezomib, is approved for treatment of relapsed and refractory MCL. However, the precise mechanism of action of Bortezomib is not well understood. Bortezomib rapidly induces transcription of PRDM1 along with apoptosis in MCL cell lines and primary MCL tumor samples. Knockdown of PRDM1 inhibits Bortezomib-induced apoptosis, while ectopic expression of PRDM1 alone leads to apoptosis in MCL. MKI67 and PCNA, which are required for proliferation and survival, were identified as novel direct targets of PRDM1 in MCL. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and knockdown studies reveal specific repression of MKI67 and PCNA is mediated by PRDM1 in response to Bortezomib. Furthermore promoter studies demonstrate that PRDM1 functions through a specific site in the proximal promoter region of PCNA and through a distal upstream repression domain on the MKI67 promoter. Together these findings establish PRDM1 as a key mediator of Bortezomib activity in MCL through suppression of proliferation and survival genes. The third study presented demonstrates use of Tandem affinity purification technique followed by mass spectrometry to identify PRDM1 and Reptin52 protein interactions. The observations in this study provide preliminary evidence of novel mechanism of regulation of PRDM1 protein function.

Cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of death worldwide and particularly in the developed World. The search for new therapeutic approaches for improving the functions of the damaged heart is therefore a critical endeavour. Myocardial infarction, which can lead to heart failure, is associated with irreversible loss of functional cardiomyocytes. The loss of cardiomyocytes poses a major difficulty for treating the damaged heart since terminally differentiated cardiomyocytes have very limited regeneration potential. Currently, the only effective treatment for severe heart failure is heart transplantation but this option is limited by the acute shortage of donor hearts. The high incidence of heart diseases and the scarcity donor hearts underline the urgent need to find alternative therapeutic approaches for treating cardiovascular diseases. Pluripotent embryonic stem (ES) cells can differentiate into functional cardiomyocytes. Therefore the engraftment of ES cell-derived functional cardiomyocytes or cardiac progenitor cells into the damaged heart to regenerate healthy myocardial tissues may be used to treat damaged hearts. Stem cell-based therapy therefore holds a great potential as a very attractive alternative to heart transplant for treating heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases. A major obstacle to the realisation of stem cell-based therapy is the lack of donor cells and this in turn is due to the fact that, currently, the molecular mechanisms or the regulatory signal transduction mechanisms that are responsible for mediating ES cell differentiation into cardiomyocytes are not well understood. Overcoming this huge scientific challenge is absolutely necessary before the use of stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes to treat the damaged heart can become a reality. Therefore the aim of this thesis was to investigate the signal transduction pathways that are involved in the differentiation of stem cells into cardiomyocytes. The first objective was the establishment and use of cardiomyocyte differentiation models using H9c2 cells and P19 stem cells to accomplish the specific objectives of the thesis. The specific objectives of the thesis were, the investigation of the roles of (i) nitric oxide (ii) protein kinase C (PKC), (iii) p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) (vi) phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and (vi) nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) signalling pathways in the differentiation of stem cells to cardiomyocytes and, more importantly, to identify where possible any points of convergence and potential cross-talk between pathways that may be critical for differentiation to occur. P19 cells were routinely cultured in alpha minimal essential medium (α-MEM) supplemented with 100 units/ml penicillin /100 μg/ml streptomycin and 10% foetal bovine serum (FBS). P19 cell differentiation was initiated by culturing the cells in microbiological plates in medium containing 0.8 % DMSO to form embryoid bodies (EB). This was followed by transfer of EBs to cell culture grade dishes after four days. H9c2 cells were cultured in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% FBS. Differentiation was initiated by incubating the cells in medium containing 1% FBS. In both models, when drugs were employed, they were added to cells for one hour prior to initiating differentiation. Cell monolayers were monitored daily over a period of 12 or 14 days. H9c2 cells were monitored for morphological changes and P19 cells were monitored for beating cardiomyocytes. Lysates were generated in parallel for western blot analysis of changes in cardiac myosin heavy chain (MHC), ventricular myosin chain light chain 1(MLC-1v) or troponin I (cTnI) using specific monoclonal antibodies. H9c2 cells cultured in 1% serum underwent differentiation as shown by the timedependent formation of myotubes, accompanied by a parallel increase in expression of both MHC and MLC-1v. These changes were however not apparent until 4 to 6 days after growth arrest and increased with time, reaching a peak at day 12 to 14. P19 stem cells cultured in DMSO containing medium differentiated as shown by the timedependent appearance of beating cardiomyocytes and this was accompanied by the expression of cTnI. The differentiation of both P19 stem cells and H9c2 into cardiomyocytes was blocked by the PI3K inhibitor LY294002, PKC inhibitor BIM-I and the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB2035800. However when LY294002, BIM-I or SB2035800 were added after the initiation of DMSO-induced P19 stem cell differentiation, each inhibitor failed to block the cell differentiation into beating cardiomyocytes. The NF-kB activation inhibitor, CAPE, blocked H9c2 cell differentiation into cardiomyocytes. Fast nitric oxide releasing donors (SIN-1 and NOC-5) markedly delayed the onset of differentiation of H9c2 cells into cardiomyocytes while slow nitric oxide releasing donors (SNAP and NOC-18) were less effective in delaying the onset of differentiation or long term differentiation of H9c2 cells into cardiomyocytes. Akt (protein kinase B) is the key downstream target of PI3K. Our cross-talk data also showed that PKC inhibition and p38 MAPK inhibition respectively enhanced and reduced the activation of Akt, as determined by the phosphorylation of Akt at serine residue 473. In conclusion, PKC, PI3K, p38 MAPK and NF-kB are relevant for the differentiation of stem cells into cardiomyocytes. Our data also show that the PKC, PI3K and p38 MAPK signalling pathways are activated as very early events during the differentiation of stem cells into cardiomyocytes. Our data also suggest that PKC may negatively regulate Akt activation while p38 MAPK inhibition inhibits Akt activation. Our fast NO releasing donor data suggest that nitric oxide may negatively regulate H9c2 cell differentiation.