Interactions between Terpinen-4-ol and Nystatin on biofilm of Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of Terpinen-4-ol associated with nystatin, on single and mixed species biofilms formed by Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis, as well as the effect of terpinen-4-ol on adhesion in oral cells and the enzymatic activity. The minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum fungicide concentrations of terpinen-4-ol and nystatin on Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis were determined using the microdilution broth method, along with their synergistic activity ("checkerboard" method). Single and mixed species biofilms were prepared using the static microtiter plate model and quantified by colony forming units (CFU/mL). The effect of Terpinen-4-ol in adhesion of Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis in coculture with oral keratinocytes (NOK Si) was evaluated, as well as the enzymatic activity by measuring the size of the precipitation zone, after the growth agar to phospholipase, protease and hemolysin. Terpinen-4-ol (4.53 mg mL-1) and nystatin (0.008 mg mL-1) were able to inhibit biofilms growth, and a synergistic antifungal effect was showed with the drug association, reducing the inhibitory concentration of nystatin up to 8 times in single biofilm of Candida albicans, and 2 times in mixed species biofilm. A small decrease in the adhesion of Candida tropicalis in NOK Si cells was showed after treatment with terpinen-4-ol, and nystatin had a greater effect for both species. For enzymatic activity, the drugs showed no action. The effect potentiated by the combination of terpinen-4-ol and nystatin and the reduction of adhesion provide evidence of its potential as an anti-fungal agent.

Resumo O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a atividade antifúngica do Terpinen4-ol associado à nistatina em biofilmes simples e misto, formados por Candida albicans e Candida tropicalis, bem como o efeito do terpinen-4-ol na adesão em células orais e atividade enzimática. As concentrações inibitórias mínimas e as concentrações fungicidas mínimas do terpinen-4-ol e da nistatina em Candida albicans e Candida tropicalis foram determinadas pelo método de microdiluição em caldo, juntamente com a atividade sinérgica (método do tabuleiro de "xadrez"). Biofilmes simples e misto foram preparados usando o modelo de placa de microtitulação estática e quantificados por unidades formadoras de colônias (CFU/mL). O efeito do Terpinen-4-ol na adesão de Candida albicans e Candida tropicalis em co-cultura com queratinócitos orais (NOK Si) foi avaliado, bem como a atividade enzimática, medindo o tamanho da zona de precipitação, após o crescimento em ágar fosfolipase, protease e hemolisina. O terpinen-4-ol (4.53 mg mL-1) e a nistatina (0,008 mg mL-1) conseguiram inibir o crescimento de biofilmes e um efeito antifúngico sinérgico foi demonstrado com a associação de fármaco, reduzindo a concentração inibidora de nistatina até 8 vezes em biofilme simpes de Candida albicans e 2 vezes em biofilme misto. Uma pequena diminuição na adesão de Candida tropicalis em células NOK Si foi mostrada após o tratamento com terpinen-4-ol e a nistatina teve um efeito maior para ambas as espécies. Para a atividade enzimática, as drogas não apresentaram ação. O efeito potencializado pela combinação de terpinen-4-ol e nistatina e a redução de adesão evidenciam seu potencial como agente anti-fúngico.

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound promotes proliferation and migration of HaCaT keratinocytes through the PI3K/AKT and JNK pathways

Although the effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on diverse cell types have been fully studied, the functional role of LIPUS in keratinocytes remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of LIPUS on proliferation and migration of HaCaT cells as well as the regulatory mechanisms associated with signaling pathways. Human HaCaT cells were exposed or not to LIPUS, and cell proliferation and migration were measured by BrdU incorporation assay and Transwell assay, respectively. Expression of proteins associated with proliferation and migration was evaluated by western blot analysis. Expression of key kinases in the PI3K/AKT and JNK pathways was also evaluated by western blot analysis. Effects of LIPUS on the PI3K/AKT and JNK pathways, and whether LIPUS affected HaCaT cells via these two pathways were finally explored. When the parameter of LIPUS (number of cycles) was set at 300, cell viability was the highest after LIPUS stimulation. We then found that the percentage of BrdU positive cells was enhanced by LIPUS, along with up-regulation of cyclinD1, CDK6, CDK4, and VEGF. LIPUS promoted migration, as well as up-regulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Phosphorylation levels of key kinases in the PI3K/AKT and JNK pathways were increased by LIPUS. Inhibition of either PI3K/AKT pathway or JNK pathway attenuated effects of LIPUS on HaCaT cells, and co-inhibition of these two pathways showed augmented effects. LIPUS promoted proliferation and migration of HaCaT cells through activating the PI3K/AKT and JNK pathways.

Human papillomavirus and genome instability: from productive infection to cancer

Infection with high oncogenic risk human papillomavirus types is the etiological factor of cervical cancer and a major cause of other epithelial malignancies, including vulvar, vaginal, anal, penile and head and neck carcinomas. These agents affect epithelial homeostasis through the expression of specific proteins that deregulate important cellular signaling pathways to achieve efficient viral replication. Among the major targets of viral proteins are components of the DNA damage detection and repair machinery. The activation of many of these cellular factors is critical to process viral genome replication intermediates and, consequently, to sustain faithful viral progeny production. In addition to the important role of cellular DNA repair machinery in the infective human papillomavirus cycle, alterations in the expression and activity of many of its components are observed in human papillomavirus-related tumors. Several studies from different laboratories have reported the impact of the expression of human papillomavirus oncogenes, mainly E6 and E7, on proteins in almost all the main cellular DNA repair mechanisms. This has direct consequences on cellular transformation since it causes the accumulation of point mutations, insertions and deletions of short nucleotide stretches, as well as numerical and structural chromosomal alterations characteristic of tumor cells. On the other hand, it is clear that human papillomavirus-transformed cells depend on the preservation of a basal cellular DNA repair activity level to maintain tumor cell viability. In this review, we summarize the data concerning the effect of human papillomavirus infection on DNA repair mechanisms. In addition, we discuss the potential of exploiting human papillomavirus-transformed cell dependency on DNA repair pathways as effective antitumoral therapies.

Cytotoxicity of New Calcium Aluminate Cement (EndoBinder) Containing Different Radiopacifiers

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of a calcium aluminate cement (EndoBinder) containing different radiopacifiers, Bi2O3, ZnO or ZrO2, compared with Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA). According to ISO 10993-12:2012 (E) recommendations, 0.2 g of each cement were applied in transwell inserts and placed in 24-well culture plates containing 1 mL of culture medium (DMEM). After 24 h of incubation, the extracts (DMEM containing components released from the cements) were applied to immortalized odontoblast-like MDPC-23 cells. Cell viability (MTT test), alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), total protein production and cell morphology (Scanning Electron Microscopy - SEM) were evaluated. The volume of 50 µL of extract was used to determine the chemical elements released by the cements using Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). The following groups were established (n=6): NC - negative control (without treatment); EB - EndoBinder without radiopacifier; EBBO - EndoBinder+Bi2O3; EBZnO - EndoBinder+ZnO; EBZrO - EndoBinder+ZrO2 and WMTA - White MTA. Data were subjected to statistical analysis (Kruskal-Wallis test, level of significance=5%). Cells exposed to the different versions of EndoBinder presented small reduction in viability, total protein production and ALP activity, with values similar to the NC and WMTA groups (p>0.05). Different elements (C, O, Na, Al, P, Si, Cl, Bi, K) released by the cements were detected in the extracts. However, the cells had no significant changes in their morphology. EndoBinder and MTA did not affect negatively the metabolism of the odontoblastic-like cells, showing it to be cytocompatible, irrespective of the used radiopacifier.

Resumo Este estudo avaliou a citotoxicidade de um cimento de aluminato de cálcio (EndoBinder) contendo diferentes radiopacificadores, Bi2O3, ZnO ou ZrO2, comparativamente ao trióxido mineral agregado (MTA). Seguindo a norma ISO 10993-12:2012 (E), 0,2 g de cada cimento foi aplicada em insertos transwell, que foram colocados em placas de cultura de 24 wells contendo 1 mL de meio de cultura (DMEM). Após 24 h de incubação, os extratos (DMEM contendo componentes liberados dos cimentos) foram aplicados sobre células pulpares imortalizadas MDPC-23. Viabilidade celular (teste de MTT), atividade da fosfatase alcalina (ALP), produção de proteína total e a morfologia das células (Microscópio Eletrônico de Varredura - MEV) foram avaliadas. Um volume de 50 µL do extrato foi utilizado para determinar, através de Espectroscopia de Energia Dispersiva (EDS), os elementos químicos liberados pelos cimentos. Os seguintes grupos foram estabelecidos (n=6): NC - controle negativo (sem tratamento); EB - EndoBinder sem radiopacificador; EBBO - EndoBinder+Bi2O3; EBZnO - EndoBinder+ZnO; EBZrO - EndoBinder+ZrO2 e WMTA - MTA branco. Os dados foram submetidos à análise estatística (teste de Kruskal-Wallis, nível de significância=5%). Células expostas às diferentes versões de EndoBinder apresentaram pequena redução na viabilidade, produção de proteína total e atividade da ALP, com valores semelhantes aos grupos NC e WMTA (p>0,05). Diversos elementos (C, O, Na, Al, P, Si, Cl, Bi, K) liberados pelos cimentos foram detectados nos extratos. Entretanto, as células não apresentaram alterações significativas em sua morfologia. EndoBinder e MTA, não afetaram negativamente o metabolismo das células odontoblastóides, mostrando-se citocompatíveis, independente do radiopacificador utilizado.

Biological Effects of a Root Conditioning Treatment on Periodontally Affected Teeth - An In Vitro Analysis

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluated the root surfaces modifications resulted by application of different chemicals agents, and their influence on the fibrin network and fibroblasts attachment. From 96 anterior mandibular human extracted incisor teeth, 192 dentin blocks of buccal and lingual surface were obtained and randomly divided into 6 groups: Cont- control group, which received no treatment; Root surface scaling and root planing (Srp); Citric acid-Srp; EDTA-Srp; Tetracycline capsule-Srp; Tetracycline gel-Srp. After dentin treatments the specimens were analyzed as follows: 1) demineralization level and residues of the product by scanning electron microscopy (SEM); 2) adhesion of blood components after 20 min of surface treatment by SEM; 3) fibroblast attachment after 24 h by SEM; 4) cell metabolism after 24 h by MTT assay. Data were analyzed using Fisher Exact, One-way ANOVA test followed by Dunn's test, Tukey test and Dunnett test (α=0.05). Citric acid, EDTA and Tetracycline gel resulted in adequate demineralization with no completely smear layer and smear plug removal on root dentin surface. Tetracycline capsule produced great tetracycline residues with several demineralization areas. Tetracycline gel and EDTA groups presented more fibroblast fixation than other experimental groups. The highest mean blood clot adhesion score was observed in roots treated with tetracycline gel. EDTA and Tetracycline gel surface treatment removed the smear layer over dentin surface and promoted adhesion of fibrin network and fibroblast cells attachment.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar modificações nas superfícies radiculares sofridas pela aplicação de diferentes agentes químicos, e sua influência sobre a rede de fibrina e adesão de fibroblastos. A partir de 96 incisivos inferiores humanos, 192 blocos de dentina das superfícies vestibular e lingual foram obtidos e divididos aleatoriamente em 6 grupos: Cont-grupo controle, não recebeu nenhum tratamento; Raspagem e alisamento radicular (RAR); Ácido cítrico-SRP; EDTA-SRP; Tetraciclina em cápsula-SRP; Tetraciclina gel-SRP. Após o tratamento da dentina as espécimes foram analisadas: 1, nível de desmineralização e resíduos do produto por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV); 2, adesão dos componentes sanguineos após 20 min na tratamento de superfície por SEM; 3, adesão de fibroblastos após 24h por SEM; 4, o metabolismo celular após 24 h por ensaio MTT. Os dados foram analisados por Fisher Exact, teste one-way ANOVA, seguido pelo teste de Dunn, teste de Tukey e teste de Dunnett (α = 0,05). O ácido cítrico, EDTA e gel tetraciclina resultaram na adequada desmineralização sem remoção completa de camada de smear layer e smear plug sobre a superfície da dentina radicular. Cápsula de tetraciclina produziu grandes resíduos de tetraciclina com várias áreas de desmineralização. Os grupos Gel de tetraciclina e EDTA apresentaram maior adesão de fibroblastos do que os demais grupos experimentais. O maior score de adesão de coágulo sanguineo foi observado nas superfícies tratadas com gel de tetraciclina. EDTA e Gel de tetraciclina removeram a camada de smear layer sobre a superfície da dentina e promoveu adesão da rede de fibrina e de fibroblastos.

Percepción parental de la salud psicofísica, estado nutricional y salud bucal, en relación con características sociodemográficas en niños de Bariloche, Argentina: estudio epidemiológico / Parental perception of psychophysical health, nutritional status and oral health in relation to sociodemographic characteristics in children in Bariloche, Argentina: an epidemiological study

Introducción. Existen evidencias de la asociación de determinantes sociales con la salud infantil. Objetivo. Identificar características sociodemográficas asociadas a desigualdades en la salud infantil y evaluar el efecto acumulado sobre la salud de factores de riesgo basados en estas características. Población y métodos. Evaluamos niños de 4-13 años, de Bariloche, entre junio de 2008 y mayo de 2009. Características sociodemográficas consideradas: nivel socioeconómico, educación materna, embarazo adolescente, cobertura médica, inseguridad y hábitos familiares. Valoramos la percepción parental de la salud física y socioemocional, el estado nutricional y la salud bucal en relación con dichas características y con la acumulación de factores de riesgo. Utilizamos encuesta, antropometría y examen bucal. Resultados. Participaron 180 escolares. El nivel educativo materno se asoció con la salud física, socioemocional y bucal del niño. El porcentaje de niños con piezas faltantes o caries fue 77% entre aquellos cuyas madres, como máximo, habían completado el primario, comparado con 13% entre aquellos cuyas madres habían completado estudios terciarios/universitarios. La posibilidad de percepción de salud física y socioemocional no óptima aumentó con cada factor de riesgo 1,8 y 1,4 veces, respectivamente, y la posibilidad de caries o piezas faltantes se duplicó con cada factor de riesgo adicional. El 27,3% de los escolares presentó sobrepeso y el 8,7%, obesidad, y no se encontró asociación con características sociodemográficas. Conclusiones. El bajo nivel socioeconómico familiar y educativo materno se asoció con una mayor prevalencia de resultados de salud desfavorables. Múltiples factores de riesgo tienen un efecto acumulado sobre la percepción parental de la salud física y socioemocional y la salud bucal.

Introduction. There is evidence of an association between social determinants and child health. Objective. To identify sociodemographic characteristics related to child health inequalities and to analize the cumulative effect on health of risk factors based on these characteristics. Population and Methods. We evaluated 4-13 year-old children in Bariloche between June 2008 and May 2009. The following sociodemographic characteristics were taken into account: socioeconomic level, maternal education, adolescent pregnancy, medical coverage, unsafeness, and family habits. We assessed parental perception of physical, and social and emotional health, nutritional status and oral health in relation to these characteristics and the accumulation of risk factors. We used survey, anthropometry and oral examination. Results. One hundred and eighty students participated. The level of maternal education was associated with the child's physical, social and emotional, and oral health. The percentage of children with missing teeth or cavities reached 77% among those whose mothers had, at most, completed primary school, compared to 13% among those whose mothers had completed tertiary school or university. The possibility of perceiving a non-optimal physical, and social and emotional health increased 1.8 and 1.4 times with each risk factor, respectively, and the possibility of having missing teeth or cavities was twice as much with each additional risk factor. Overweight and obesity was observed in 27.3% and 8.7% of students, respectively, and no relationship was found with sociodemographic characteristics. Conclusions. A low family socioeconomic level and a low maternal education level were associated with a higher prevalence of unfavorable health outcomes. Multiple risk factors have an cumulative effect on parental perception of physical, social and emotional, and oral health.

Limites e possibilidades do ensino à distância (EaD) na educação permanente em saúde: revisão integrativa / Limits and possibilities of distance learning in continuing education in health: integrative review

Trata-se de um estudo sobre o uso do ensino a distância (EaD) como uma estratégia de ensino na educação permanente em saúde (EPS), que teve como objetivo identificar e analisar os limites e possibilidades do uso da EaD na EPS. Estudo de revisão integrativa. O resultado aponta que a EaD é uma estratégia inovadora possível e potencial para a EPS, facilitando o desenvolvimento da aprendizagem dentro ou fora da instituição de saúde, porém é evidente a escassez de pesquisas na área. As limitações para a realização dos programas estão relacionadas à variável tempo, preparação para lidar com as tecnologias e importância do tutor como facilitador da aprendizagem. Conclui-se que o uso da EaD tem tido uma importante contribuição para o desenvolvimento dos recursos humanos em saúde, seja no processo de formação e/ou no processo contínuo de conhecimento.

This is a study on the use of distance learning (EaD, in Portuguese) as a teaching strategy in continuing health education (EPS, in Portuguese), which aimed to identify and analyze the limits and posibilities of using EaD in the EPS. Integrative Review Study. The result shows that EaD is an innovative, possible and potential strategy for EPS, facilitating the development of learning within or outside the health institution, although is evident the lack of research in the area. The limitations for the implementation of the programs are related to the time variable, preparation for dealing with the technologies and the importance of the tutor as a facilitator of learning. It concludes that the use of EaD has an important contribution to the development of human resources in health, is in the process of training and/or in the continuous knowledge process.

Propuesta de reformas a los prestadores públicos de servicios médicos en Chile: “fortaleciendo la opción pública” / A reform proposal to strengthen public health care

Currently, there is no discussion on the need to improve and strengthen the institutional health care modality of FONASA (MAI), the health care system used by the public services net and by most of the population, despite the widely known and long lasting problems such as waiting lists, hospital debt with suppliers, lack of specialists and increasing services purchase transference to the private sector, etc. In a dichotomous sectorial context, such as the one of health’s social security in Chile (the state on one side and the market on the other), points of view are polarized and stances tend to seek refuge within themselves. As a consequence, to protect the public solution is commonly associated with protecting the “status quo”, creating an environment that is reluctant to change. The author proposes a solution based on three basic core ideas, which, if proven effective, can strengthen each other if combined properly. These are: network financing management, governance of health care services in MAI and investments and human resources in networked self-managed institutions. The proposal of these core ideas was done introducing a reality testing that minimizes the politic complexity of their implementation.

Relaciones entre profesionales de la salud y usuarios/as desde la perspectiva de género / Relationships between health care professionals and users from a gender perspective

El objetivo de este artículo es analizar las relaciones entre profesionales de la salud y usuarios/as desde la perspectiva de género. A partir del referencial teórico de Pierre Bourdieu, se retoman y analizan críticamente datos de dos investigaciones realizadas en Brasil de la cuales participamos como autores: la primera, realizada en la ciudad de Río de Janeiro y, la segunda, un estudio multicéntrico y de naturaleza etnográfica desarrollado en ocho servicios distribuidos en cuatro estados brasileños, dos de la región Sudeste y dos de la Nordeste. Entre los principales resultados se destaca que las relaciones entre profesionales de la salud y usuarios/as, aunque estén marcadas por opiniones divergentes, están atravesadas por un habitus "generificado". Se concluye, entre otros aspectos, que la construcción de las diversas feminidades y masculinidades y la forma en que se da el ejercicio de estas en los contextos asistenciales de la salud son producto de un proceso que es, al mismo tiempo, socio-histórico y personal.

The objective of this article is to analyze relationships between health professionals and users from a gender perspective. Using Pierre Bourdieu as a theoretical reference, we critically analyze data from two studies carried out in Brazil in which we took part as authors. The first of these studies was based in Rio de Janeiro and the second was a multicenter and ethnographical study carried out in eight health care facilities distributed throughout four Brazilian states, two in the Southeast region and two in the Northeast region. Among the principal results of the present study, we found that although the relationships between health professionals and users demonstrate varied opinions, all are marked by a gendered habitus. We conclude that, among other aspects, the construction of diverse femininities and masculinities and the way in which these are exercised in health care contexts are the product of process that is both socio-historical and personal.

Apoptotic ratios and mitotic abnormalities in 17-Beta-estradiol-transformed human breast epithelial MCF-10F cells / Índices apoptóticos e anormalidades mitóticas em células epiteliais mamárias humanas MCF-10F transformadas pelo 17-Beta-estradiol

Treatment of human breast epithelial cells MCF-10F with 17-β-estradiol has been reported to result in E2-transformed cells which have given rise to highly invasive C5 cells that in turn generate tumors in SCID mice. From these tumors, various cell lines, among which C5-A6-T6 and C5-A8-T8, were obtained. Although different phases of the tumorigenesis process in this model have been studied in molecular biology and image analysis assays, no cytological data on apoptotic ratios and mitotic abnormalities have been established to accompany the various steps leading to 17-β-estradiol-treated MCF-10F cells to tumorigenesis. Here we detected that the apoptotic ratio decreases with the transformation and tumorigenesis progress, except for the tumor cell line C5-A8-T8, probably on account of its more intense proliferation rate and a more rapid culture medium consumption. Increased frequency of mitotic abnormalities contributed by triple- and tetrapolar metaphases, and by lagging chromosomes and chromosome bridges observed at the anaphase found by transformation and tumorigenesis progress. However, no difference was found under these terms when the C5-A6-T6 and C5-A8-T8 tumor cell lines were compared to each other. Present findings are in agreement with the nuclear instability and enrichment of dysregulated genes in the apoptotic process promoted by transformation and tumorigenesis in 17-β-estradiol-treated MCF-10F cells.

O tratamento das células epiteliais mamárias humanas MCF-10F com 17-β-estradiol tem sido relatado como resultando nas células transformadas E2, que deram origem às células C5, altamente invasivas, e que geraram tumores em camundongos SCID. A partir desses tumores foram originadas em cultura células tumorais, dentre as quais C5-A6-T6 e C5-A8-T8. Embora diversas fases do processo tumorigênico neste modelo tenham sido estudadas por ensaios de biologia molecular e análise de imagem, não foram ainda estimados dados citológicos referentes a índices apoptóticos e anomalias mitóticas que acompanhassem os vários passos que levam as células CF-10F tratadas com 17-β-estradiol à tumorigênese. Neste trabalho detectamos que o índice apoptótico decresce com a transformação e o avanço da tumorigênese, exceto na linhagem celular tumoral C5-A8-T8, provavelmente por causa de sua velocidade de proliferação mais intensa, que poderia levá-la a um consumo mais rápido do meio de cultura presente e à morte celular. Um aumento na frequência de anomalias mitóticas contribuídas por metáfases tripolares e tetrapolares e por pontes cromossômicas e cromossomos desgarrados, identificáveis na anáfase, foi observado com a transformação e o progresso da tumorigênese. Contudo não foram detectadas diferenças nesses parâmetros quando se compararam as linhagens tumorais C5-A6-T6 e C5-A8-T8 entre si. Os presentes achados estão de acordo com a instabilidade nuclear e o enriquecimento em desregulação de genes que atuam no processo apoptótico, promovidos pela transformação e tumorigênese nas células MCF-10F tratadas com 17-β-estradiol.

Apoptotic ratios and mitotic abnormalities in 17-β-estradiol-transformed human breast epithelial MCF-10F cells / Índices apoptóticos e anormalidades mitóticas em células epiteliais mamárias humanas MCF-10F transformadas pelo 17-β-estradiol

Treatment of human breast epithelial cells MCF-10F with 17-β-estradiol has been reported to result in E2-transformed cells which have given rise to highly invasive C5 cells that in turn generate tumors in SCID mice. From these tumors, various cell lines, among which C5-A6-T6 and C5-A8-T8, were obtained. Although different phases of the tumorigenesis process in this model have been studied in molecular biology and image analysis assays, no cytological data on apoptotic ratios and mitotic abnormalities have been established to accompany the various steps leading to 17-β-estradiol-treated MCF-10F cells to tumorigenesis. Here we detected that the apoptotic ratio decreases with the transformation and tumorigenesis progress, except for the tumor cell line C5-A8-T8, probably on account of its more intense proliferation rate and a more rapid culture medium consumption. Increased frequency of mitotic abnormalities contributed by triple- and tetrapolar metaphases, and by lagging chromosomes and chromosome bridges observed at the anaphase found by transformation and tumorigenesis progress. However, no difference was found under these terms when the C5-A6-T6 and C5-A8-T8 tumor cell lines were compared to each other. Present findings are in agreement with the nuclear instability and enrichment of dysregulated genes in the apoptotic process promoted by transformation and tumorigenesis in 17-β-estradiol-treated MCF-10F cells.

O tratamento das células epiteliais mamárias humanas MCF-10F com 17-β-estradiol tem sido relatado como resultando nas células transformadas E2, que deram origem às células C5, altamente invasivas, e que geraram tumores em camundongos SCID. A partir desses tumores foram originadas em cultura células tumorais, dentre as quais C5-A6-T6 e C5-A8-T8. Embora diversas fases do processo tumorigênico neste modelo tenham sido estudadas por ensaios de biologia molecular e análise de imagem, não foram ainda estimados dados citológicos referentes a índices apoptóticos e anomalias mitóticas que acompanhassem os vários passos que levam as células CF-10F tratadas com 17-β-estradiol à tumorigênese. Neste trabalho detectamos que o índice apoptótico decresce com a transformação e o avanço da tumorigênese, exceto na linhagem celular tumoral C5-A8-T8, provavelmente por causa de sua velocidade de proliferação mais intensa, que poderia levá-la a um consumo mais rápido do meio de cultura presente e à morte celular. Um aumento na frequência de anomalias mitóticas contribuídas por metáfases tripolares e tetrapolares e por pontes cromossômicas e cromossomos desgarrados, identificáveis na anáfase, foi observado com a transformação e o progresso da tumorigênese. Contudo não foram detectadas diferenças nesses parâmetros quando se compararam as linhagens tumorais C5-A6-T6 e C5-A8-T8 entre si. Os presentes achados estão de acordo com a instabilidade nuclear e o enriquecimento em desregulação de genes que atuam no processo apoptótico, promovidos pela transformação e tumorigênese nas células MCF-10F tratadas com 17-β-estradiol.

Establishment of HTLV-I-infected cell lines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of Brazilian patients

Para investigar a epidemiologia e patogênese da infecção por HTLV-I seguimos coorte de portadores dessa retrovirose no HC-FMUSP desde 1991. Este estudo descreve o estabelecimento de linhagens celulares a partir de células mononucleares periféricas (CMP) de indivíduos infectados. As CMP foram cultivadas com as de doador soronegativo, verificando-se após 90 dias evidência morfológica de transformação celular com detecção de células multinucleadas com núcleos cerebriformes. Demonstrou-se integração do DNA proviral e expressão in vitro de antígenos virais pela PCR e imunofluorescência. As linhagens celulares transformadas foram mantidas por 240 dias, com retirada gradual de IL-2 exógena. A imunofenotipagem por citometria de fluxo revelou ativação celular. O estabelecimento de linhagens celulares infectadas por HTLV-I a partir de CMP ex-vivo é exeqüível e pode ser útil na investigação de alterações fenotípicas linfocitárias e dos mecanismos de proliferação celular induzida por esse retrovírus. Podem ainda ser utilizadas com intuito diagnóstico em reações de imunofluorescência.

Influence of bacterial factors on proliferation of bovine mammary epithelial cells

Effects of bovine mastitis pathogen virulence factors on mammary epithelial cell function are not clearly understood. In this study, the effect of streptococcal lipoteichoic acid (LTA), streptokinase, and Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on proliferation of a primary bovine mammary epithelial cell culture (BTE) and on an established bovine mammary epithelial cell line (MAC-T) was evaluated. Mammary epithelial cells were cultured in the presence of bacterial virulence factors for 48 h at 37 degrees C. BTE cell proliferation was inhibited by streptococcal LTA at 8 and 16 micrograms/ml whereas MAC-T cell proliferation was reduced significantly by concentrations of LTA > or = 2 micrograms/ml. Streptokinase had no effect on proliferation of either MAC-T or BTE cells and LPS inhibited proliferation of BTE but not of MAC-T cells. Effect of LTA and LPS on mammary epithelial cell proliferation could be relevant during the periparturient period when mammary glands are markedly susceptible to new intramammary infection and when mammary epithelial cells undergo extensive proliferation, differentiation and synthesis of milk components.

A mutant cell line partially responsive to both IFN-alpha and IFN-gama

A recessive mutant cell line, B7, which is partially responsive to both interferon (IFN)-(alpha and IFN-gamma is described. B7 was FACS sorted from a cellular pool, which was obtained from the parental cell line 2C4 after several rounds of mutagenesis. The partial responsiveness to IFN was observed both in terms of expression of cell surface markes (CD2, class I and II HLAS) and mRNA expression of IFN-stimulated genes (9-27; 6-16; 2'-5' OAS; GBP and HLA-DRalpha). A genetic cross with the U4 mutant (JAK I -, a member of the Janus family of nonr ceptor tyrosine kinase) did not restore full IFN responsiveness to B7 and JAK1 cDNA transfection into B7 restored the wild phenotype of the cell line, defining B7 as a member of the U4 complementation group. Nevertheless, JAK1 mRNA was not detected in this mutant Transcriptional regulator complexes such as IRF 1/2 (IFN-regulatory factor) and ISGF3gamma (IFN-stimulated gene factor) were constitutively formed in the B7 mutant and co-migrated with the IFN-induce complexes expressed in the parental cell line 2C4. Thus, this cell line seems to be useful for understanding cis-acting elements governing JAK1 mRNA expression.

Citotoxicidad inducida por el tabaco / Cytotoxic and proliferative effect of tobacco

El condensado de humo (CH) a una concentración de 0.40 mg/ml y el uretano a dosis de 5.0 mg/ml disminuyeron la adherencia y la proliferación celulares a porcentajes menores del 30 y 15 por ciento respectivamente, en comparación con las células controles que tuvieron 100 por ciento de adherencia y proliferación. El extracto de tabaco (ET) a una concentración de 16 mg/ml provocó 65 por ciento de inhibición de la proliferación; sin embargo, con 0.79 mg/ml, o dosis menores, los resultados fueron similares a los cultivos celulares testigos y con 0.1 mg/ml se incrementó la proliferación hasta 65 por ciento por arriba de las células testigo. El CH (0.5 mg/ml) dió valores semejantes en la adherencia y proliferación celulares con respecto a los controles. Las células MDCK tratadas con etilen-metanosulfonato y que después fueron expandidas en condiciones habituales, se incubaron con diferentes concentraciones del CH, ET y el uretano, observándose un comportamiento similar al de las celulas MDCK controles. Los cultivos celulares que se incubaron tres días posteriores a su enfrentamiento con el CH (0.05 mg/ml), o con el uretano (2 mg/ml), tuvieron el 50 por ciento de inhibición de la proliferación al compararlos con los cultivos controles. Los datos obtenidos en este trabajo indican que las dosis altas de los productos del tabaco son citotóxicas, reflejándose este hecho en la disminución de la adherencia y proliferación de las células y que las dosis bajas de los PDCT estimulan estos fenómenos celulare

Expresión de integrinas en células mamarias normales y transformadas / Integrin expression in normal and transformed mammary cells

La familia de las integrinas representa una clase de receptores que median la adhesión celular a un sustarto. Este estudio permite mostrar morfológicamente el patrón de expresión de ß1 integrinas en la membrana plasmática de células establecidas del epitelio mamario de ratas normales, como en aquellas transformadas con el oncogen ras. El análisis de las correspondientes micrografías electrónicas obtenidas luego de tratar los tipos celulares indicados con la técnica de inmuno-oro, muestra claramente la distribución y ubicación de estos receptores en la superficie celular y su relación con elementos filamentosos del citoesqueleto