Endoplasmic reticulum targeting in Ewing’s sarcoma by the alkylphospholipid analog edelfosine

Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is the second most common bone cancer in children and young people. Edelfosine (1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine) is the prototype of a family of synthetic antitumor compounds, collectively known as alkylphospholipid analogs (APLs). We have found that APLs ranked edelfosine>perifosine>erucylphosphocholine>miltefosine for their capacity to promote apoptosis in ES cells. Edelfosine accumulated in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and triggered an ER stress response that eventually led to caspase-dependent apoptosis in ES cells. This apoptotic response involved mitochondrial-mediated processes, with cytochrome c release, caspase-9 activation and generation of reactive oxygen species. Edelfosine-induced apoptosis was also dependent on sustained c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase activation. Oral administration of edelfosine showed a potent in vivo antitumor activity in an ES xenograft animal model. Histochemical staining gave evidence for ER stress response and apoptosis in the ES tumors isolated from edelfosine-treated mice. Edelfosine showed a preferential action on ES tumor cells as compared to non-transformed osteoblasts, and appeared to be well suited for combination therapy regimens. These results demonstrate in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of edelfosine against ES cells that is mediated by caspase activation and ER stress, and provide the proof of concept for a putative edelfosine-and ER stress-mediated approach for ES treatment.

Immunohistochemical study of pig retinal development

PURPOSE: The pig eye is similar to the human eye in terms of anatomy, vasculature, and photoreceptor distribution, and therefore provides an attractive animal model for research into retinal disease. The purpose of this study was to characterize retinal histology in the developing and mature pig retina using antibodies to well established retinal cell markers commonly used in rodents.

METHODS: Eyes were enucleated from fetuses in the 9th week of gestation, 1 week old piglets and 6 months old adult animals. Eyeglobes were fixed and cryosectioned. A panel of antibodies to well established retinal markers was employed for immunohistochemistry. Fluorescently labeled secondary antibodies were used for signal detection, and images were acquired by confocal microscopy. Mouse retina at postnatal day (P) 5 was used as a reference for this study to compare progression of histogenesis. Most of the primary antibodies have previously been used on mouse tissue.

RESULTS: Most of the studied markers were detected in midgestation pig retina, and the majority had a similar distribution in pig as in P5 mouse retina. However, rhodopsin immunolabeling was detected in pig retina at midgestation but not in P5 mouse retina. Contrary to findings in all rodents, horizontal cells were Islet1-positive and cones were calbindin-immunoreactive in pig retina, as has also been shown for the primate retina. Recoverin and rhodopsin immunolabeling revealed an increase in the length of photoreceptor segments in 6 months, compared to 1 week old animals.

CONCLUSIONS: Comparison with the published data on human retina revealed similar marker distribution and histogenesis progression in the pig and human retina, supporting the pig as a valuable animal model for studies on retinal disease and repair. Furthermore, this study provides information about the dynamics of retinal histogenesis in the pig and validates a panel of antibodies that reliably detects developing and mature retinal cell phenotypes in the pig retina.

Inhibition of Rho-kinase protects cerebral barrier from ischaemia-evoked injury through modulations of endothelial cell oxidative stress and tight junctions

Ischaemic strokes evoke blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption and oedema formation through a series of mechanisms involving Rho-kinase activation. Using an animal model of human focal cerebral ischaemia, this study assessed and confirmed the therapeutic potential of Rho-kinase inhibition during the acute phase of stroke by displaying significantly improved functional outcome and reduced cerebral lesion and oedema volumes in fasudil- versus vehicle-treated animals. Analyses of ipsilateral and contralateral brain samples obtained from mice treated with vehicle or fasudil at the onset of reperfusion plus 4 h post-ischaemia or 4 h post-ischaemia alone revealed these benefits to be independent of changes in the activity and expressions of oxidative stress- and tight junction-related parameters. However, closer scrutiny of the same parameters in brain microvascular endothelial cells subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation ± reperfusion revealed marked increases in prooxidant NADPH oxidase enzyme activity, superoxide anion release and in expressions of antioxidant enzyme catalase and tight junction protein claudin-5. Cotreatment of cells with Y-27632 prevented all of these changes and protected in vitro barrier integrity and function. These findings suggest that inhibition of Rho-kinase after acute ischaemic attacks improves cerebral integrity and function through regulation of endothelial cell oxidative stress and reorganization of intercellular junctions. Inhibition of Rho-kinase (ROCK) activity in a mouse model of human ischaemic stroke significantly improved functional outcome while reducing cerebral lesion and oedema volumes compared to vehicle-treated counterparts. Studies conducted with brain microvascular endothelial cells exposed to OGD ± R in the presence of Y-27632 revealed restoration of intercellular junctions and suppression of prooxidant NADPH oxidase activity as important factors in ROCK inhibition-mediated BBB protection.

Metabolic signatures of human Alzheimer's disease (AD): H-1 NMR analysis of the polar metabolome of post-mortem brain tissue

Brain tissue from so-called Alzheimer's disease (AD) mouse models has previously been examined using H-1 NMR-metabolomics, but comparable information concerning human AD is negligible. Since no animal model recapitulates all the features of human AD we undertook the first H-1 NMR-metabolomics investigation of human AD brain tissue. Human post-mortem tissue from 15 AD subjects and 15 age-matched controls was prepared for analysis through a series of lyophilised, milling, extraction and randomisation steps and samples were analysed using H-1 NMR. Using partial least squares discriminant analysis, a model was built using data obtained from brain extracts. Analysis of brain extracts led to the elucidation of 24 metabolites. Significant elevations in brain alanine (15.4 %) and taurine (18.9 %) were observed in AD patients (p ≤ 0.05). Pathway topology analysis implicated either dysregulation of taurine and hypotaurine metabolism or alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism. Furthermore, screening of metabolites for AD biomarkers demonstrated that individual metabolites weakly discriminated cases of AD [receiver operating characteristic (ROC) AUC <0.67; p < 0.05]. However, paired metabolites ratios (e.g. alanine/carnitine) were more powerful discriminating tools (ROC AUC = 0.76; p < 0.01). This study further demonstrates the potential of metabolomics for elucidating the underlying biochemistry and to help identify AD in patients attending the memory clinic

The dynamics of murid gammaherpesvirus 4 within wild, sympatric populations of bank voles and wood mice

Murid gammaherpesvirus 4 (MuHV-4) is widely used as a small animal model for understanding gammaherpesvirus infections in man. However, there have been no epidemiological studies of the virus in wild populations of small mammals. As MuHV-4 both infects cells associated with the respiratory and immune systems and attempts to evade immune control via various molecular mechanisms, infection may reduce immunocompetence with potentially serious fitness consequences for individuals. Here we report a longitudinal study of antibody to MuHV-4 in a mixed assemblage of bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) and wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) in the UK. The study was conducted between April 2001 and March 2004. Seroprevalence was higher in wood mice than bank voles, supporting earlier work that suggested wood mice were the major host even though the virus was originally isolated from a bank vole. Analyses of both the probability of having antibodies and the probability of initial seroconversion indicated no clear seasonal pattern or relationship with host density. Instead, infection risk was most closely associated with individual characteristics, with heavier males having the highest risk. This may reflect individual variation in susceptibility, potentially related to variability in the ability to mount an effective immune response.

Microneedle-mediated delivery of donepezil: Potential for improved treatment options in Alzheimer's disease

Transdermal drug delivery is an attractive route of drug administration, however there are relatively few marketed transdermal products. To increase delivery across the skin, strategies to enhance skin permeability are widely investigated, with microneedles demonstrating particular promise. Hydrogel-forming microneedles are inserted into the skin, and following dissolution of a drug loaded reservoir and movement of the drug through the created channels, the microneedle array is removed intact, and can then be readily and safely discarded. This study presents the formulation and evaluation of an integrated microneedle patch containing the Alzheimer's drug, donepezil hydrochloride. The integrated patch consisted of hydrogel-forming microneedles in combination with a donepezil hydrochloride containing film. Formulation and characterisation of plasticised films, prepared from poly(vinylpyrrolidone) or poly (methyl vinyl ether co-maleic anhydride/acid) (Gantrez(®)) polymers, is presented. Furthermore, in vitro permeation of donepezil hydrochloride across neonatal porcine skin from the patches was investigated, with 854.71 μg ± 122.71 μg donepezil hydrochloride delivered after 24 h, using the optimum patch formulation. Following administration of the patch to an animal model, plasma concentrations of 51.8 ± 17.6 ng/mL were obtained, demonstrating the success of this delivery platform for donepezil hydrochloride.

Studies of epithelial response to streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia

A hiperglicemia é a principal característica da diabetes mellitus (DM), uma das causas de morte que mais cresce em Portugal, e cujas complicações a longo prazo são mais debilitantes e mais sobrecarregam os sistemas de saúde. No entanto, os mecanismos subjacentes à resposta fisiológica de alguns tecidos à hiperglicemia não estão completamente esclarecidos. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar de que forma o tempo de exposição à hiperglicemia afeta dois tecidos epiteliais, o endotélio e as glândulas salivares, que são frequentemente associados a complicações da DM, utilizando um modelo animal. Adicionalmente, procurou-se encontrar novos biomarcadores para avaliar a suscetibilidade a complicações orais em diabéticos, analisando as modificações pós-traducionais (PTMs) da família de proteínas mais representativa na saliva humana: proteínas ricas em prolina (PRPs). A disfunção vascular está na origem de várias complicações da diabetes. Neste sentido, observou-se uma progressiva disfunção endotelial com o aumento do tempo de exposição à hiperglicemia, que resulta do aumento de danos no endotélio e da diminuição da capacidade de mobilização de células progenitoras. Simultaneamente, o aumento observado na atividade da via de ativação do sistema de complemento mediada por lectinas (MBL), sugere um envolvimento do sistema de imunidade inata na patogénese da disfunção vascular. Outra complicação comum da DM é o desenvolvimento de doenças orais, nomeadamente as relacionadas com a redução da secreção salivar. Na análise às glândulas submandibulares, observou-se uma resposta inicial à hiperglicemia com fortes variações na expressão de proteínas, mas a longo prazo, estas variações foram atenuadas, sugerindo um mecanismo de adaptação à hiperglicemia crónica. Adicionalmente, as proteínas relacionadas com a secreção, como as anexinas, apresentaram-se sobre-expressas, enquanto as calicreinas e proteínas metabólicas estavam sub-expressas. Estas variações sugerem que, apesar de uma diminuição da capacidade de regeneração, as células tentam superar a perda de tecido por meio do aumento da secreção, embora sem êxito. O comprometimento funcional das glândulas salivares tem consequências na composição e funções da saliva. Analisando as PTMs das PRPs salivares humanas, observou-se um aumento da frequência de péptidos com ciclização de resíduos N-terminais de glutamina a piroglutamato, o que confere uma resistência à atividade proteolítica que, por sua vez, se encontra aumentada em diabéticos. Assim, a presença de péptidos com N-piroglutamato poderá ser um potencial biomarcador da suscetibilidade a complicações orais em diabéticos.

Impact of exercise training on cancer-induced cardiac dysfunction

Cachexia is a complex syndrome characterized by severe weight loss frequently observed in cancer patients and associated with poor prognosis. Cancer cachexia is also related to modifications in cardiac muscle structure and metabolism leading to cardiac dysfunction. In order to better understand the cardiac remodeling induced by bladder cancer and the impact of exercise training after diagnosis on its regulation, we used an animal model of bladder cancer induced by exposition to N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)-nitrosamine (BBN) in the drinking water. Healthy animals and previously BBN exposed animals were submitted to a training program in a treadmill at a speed of 20m/min, 60 min/day, 5 days/week during 13 weeks. At the end of the protocol, animals exposed to BBN presented a significant decrease of body weight, in comparison with control groups, supporting the presence of cancer cachexia. Morphological analysis of the cardiac muscle sections revealed the presence of fibrosis and a significant decrease of cardiomyocyte’s cross-sectional area, suggesting the occurrence of cardiac dysfunction associated with bladder cancer. These modifications were accompanied by heart metabolic remodeling characterized by a decreased fatty acid oxidation given by diminished levels of ETFDH and of complex II subunit  from the respiratory chain. Exercise training promoted an increment of connexin 43, a protein involved in cardioprotection, and of c-kit, a protein present in cardiac stem cells. These results suggest an improved heart regenerative capacity induced by exercise training. In conclusion, endurance training seems an attractive non-pharmacological therapeutic option for the management of cardiac dysfunction in cancer cachexia.

Interrelation entre déficits métaboliques et neuropathologie associée à la maladie d’Alzheimer chez la souris 3xTg-AD

La maladie d’Alzheimer (MA) est la maladie neurodégénérative qui cause le plus important nombre de cas de démence. On estime que près de 15% des canadiens âgés de plus de 65 ans sont atteints de la MA. Avec le vieillissement de la population, le nombre de cas augmentera de manière substantielle dans les prochaines années. À l’heure actuelle, aucun traitement ne permet de ralentir la progression de la maladie. Pour plus de 99% des cas, ses causes exactes demeurent indéterminées. Toutefois, de nombreux facteurs de risque ont été identifiés. Parmi eux, on retrouve plusieurs facteurs liés au métabolisme énergétique dont l’obésité et le diabète de type 2 (DT2). De manière intéressante, des modifications du métabolisme, telles qu’une résistance à l’insuline centrale et périphérique, sont également observées chez les patients Alzheimer. Afin de mieux comprendre l’interaction entre le DT2 et la MA, nous avons d’abord étudié les altérations métaboliques chez la souris triple transgénique (3xTg-AD), un modèle murin de la MA. Nous avons, en premier lieu, observé une intolérance au glucose qui progresse avec l’âge, qui est plus importante chez les femelles et qui semble liée à l’accumulation du peptide beta-amyloïde (Aβ) humain dans le pancréas. Ensuite, nous avons nourri cette souris avec une diète riche en gras pour vérifier l’impact d’une aggravation des déficits métaboliques sur la pathologie Alzheimer. L’aggravation de l’intolérance au glucose chez les souris 3xTg-AD semblait liée à l’atrophie des îlots de Langerhans et, en conséquence, à une réduction de la production d’insuline en réponse à l’injection de glucose. En plus de l’aggravation des déficits métaboliques, la diète riche en gras a augmenté de manière drastique l’accumulation de la forme soluble du peptide Aβ dans le cortex et a déterioré la mémoire des souris 3xTg-AD. De manière intéressante, l’élévation du peptide Aβ et les troubles de la mémoire ont été rétablis par l’administration d’une seule dose d’insuline. Aussi, nous avons observé une augmentation du peptide Aβ dans le plasma 30 minutes à la suite de l’injection d’insuline, suggérant qu’il est possible que la baisse rapide du peptide soit en partie causée par une élévation de la clairance du peptide au cerveau. Ces résultats renforcent les évidences supportant le potentiel thérapeutique de l’insuline dans le traitement de la MA. Toutefois, les résultats chez les patients mettent en lumière l’inefficacité de l’administration intranasale d’insuline chez les porteurs de l’allèle 4 du gène de l’apolipoprotéine E (APOE4). Afin de comprendre les raisons qui expliquent cette différence de réponse à l’insuline chez les porteurs de l’APOE4, nous avons injecté des souris exprimant l’APOE3 et l’APOE4 humain avec de l’insuline dans le but de vérifier l’effet central et périphérique de l’insuline chez ces animaux. Les souris APOE4 montrent une plus importante élévation de la signalisation de l’insuline au cerveau comparativement aux souris APOE3. Cette plus haute réponse est aussi associée à une élévation plus importante de la phosphorylation de la protéine tau, un marqueur neuropathologique de la MA. En somme, ces résultats suggèrent qu’il existe un cercle vicieux entre la MA et le DT2. L’administration d’insuline a un potentiel thérapeutique intéressant pour la MA, malgré des effets limités chez les patients APOE4 en raison de son impact probable sur la phosphorylation de la protéine tau.

How hydrogen peroxide and CXCL8 modulate neutrophil recruitment "in vivo"

Tese de doutoramento, Ciências Biomédicas (Biologia Celular e Molecular), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Medicina, 2014

Topical bacteriophage therapy of the infected diabetic foot

Tese de doutoramento, Medicina (Medicina Interna), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Medicina, 2014

Kyotorphin derived peptides in the relationship between analgesia and alzheimer’s disease

Tese de doutoramento, Ciências Biomédicas (Bioquímica Médica), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Medicina, 2014

Synaptic dysfunction in early encephalopathies : from genes to function

Tese de doutoramento, Medicina (Neurologia), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Medicina, 2015

Characterization of adenosinergic system in Rett syndrome

Tese de mestrado, Neurociências, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 2015

Patofisiologia de osteonecrose induzida por bisfosfonatos e inibidores de RANK-L

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)