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Changes in placental angiogenesis and their impact on fetal intrauterine growth restriction
Kudějová, Alena ; Švandová, Ivana (advisor) ; Magner, Martin (referee)
Any pathological interference with normal vascular development of placenta may have a critical impact on fetal growth and development. The proliferation and differentiation of several cell types play a very important role in the vascular system of placenta. The main factors taking part in the vascular development of placenta include cell elements (e.g. trofoblast, stromal chorion cells, haemangiogenic progenitors), the extracellular matrix, growth factors and cytokines (e.g. VEGF, PlGF, Ang-1,2 and bFGF). The extrinsic factors may also influence the partial oxygen pressure, nutritients availability, and/or the blood perfusion in placenta. Placental ischaemia leading to the worsening of uteroplacentar perfusion is the most common cause of the intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). The IUGR development is then the result of insufficient prolongation, branching, and dilatation of capillary loops during the formation of terminal villi. Published studies focusing on growth factors in placentas from physiological pregnancies and pregnancies with IUGR do not give clear results. This BSc. Thesis is a review focused on up-to-date-known data concerning changes in placental angiogenesis and their impact on IUGR. Key words: placenta, angiogenesis, IUGR, pregnancy
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Changes in expression of immune-related genes after induction of inflammation in birds
Pojezdná, Anežka ; Vinkler, Michal (advisor) ; Chudíčková, Milada (referee)
Inflammation is one of the most important immunological mechanisms that protect animals from diseases. In my thesis I summarized information on changes in gene expression in tissues in the course of the inflammatory immune response in birds. I tried to describe the main features of the immune response in birds and highlight the differences to other vertebrates, especially mammals. I focused mainly on the surface molecules of various types of immune cells, as well as on signalling by soluble factors called cytokines. Although in general features are the inflammatory reactions in birds and mammals similar, in my thesis I have shown that a large portion of mediators and signalling molecules work very differently in these two vertebrate groups (e. g. the TNF SF-mediated pro-inflammatory signalling) and that substantial variation many be found even between different species of birds. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
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NK cells and their receptors in immune regulation - possible targets for immunomodulation
Svoboda, Jan ; Fišerová, Anna (advisor) ; Pěknicová, Jana (referee) ; Kročová, Zuzana (referee)
(english) Natural Killers - NK cells play an important role in immune surveilance and regulation either by direct cytotoxicity towards infected, transformed or otherwise damaged cells, or by production of cytokines and chemokines. The resulting response of NK cells is given by the sum of stimulating and inhibiting signals, tranduced by a wide array of receptors. Killer Ig-like receptors KIR2DL4 and LILRB1, which recognize self HLA-G molecules in pregnancy, as well as NKR-P1 receptors, which differ in the number of isotypes, are species-dependent and reduced during phylogenesis. NKG2D, reacting to stress-inducible proteins, and adenosine receptors (AR), which supress the inflamatory reaction, remain evolutionary conserved. The aim of this work was to study the involvement of NK cells and their receptors in several immune disorders and in various species, to provide new insights into their function and posisible immune modulation. We have shown here, that the choice of species in the study of NK cell effector functions may be crucial in some cases. The reaction to glycans, using synthetic GlcNAc-terminated glycomimetics GN8P, exerted opposing effects on NK cell function in humans and C57Bl/6 mice. In humans, the glycomimetic decreased cytotoxic activity of high NKR-P1A expressing NK cells, while in...
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Role of endocytosis and endosomal acidification in TRAIL-induced apoptosis
Hradilová, Naďa ; Anděra, Ladislav (advisor) ; Kovář, Jan (referee)
TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand) became known for its ability to selectively eliminate cancer cells. This ligand is a member of the TNF (tumor necrosis factor) ligands family and triggers extrinsic apoptotic pathway by binding of its death receptor 4 or 5 (DR4/5), and subsequent formation of death-inducing signalling complex (DISC). This signalling complex is required for successful transmission of apoptotic signal and activation of proximal caspases. However, regulation of the initial steps leading to activation of caspases is still not fully understood. Endocytosis of a TRAIL- DR4/5-DISC complex can be one of modulators of the initiation of extrinsic apoptotic pathway. Recent studies show controversial data documenting that endocytosis of TRAIL receptosomes can in cell type specific manner either positively or negatively influence TRAIL-induced apoptotic signalling. In this study, we focus on the analysis of a role of endocytosis and acidification of endosomal compartments during TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cell lines. Our results support the view that both clathrin-dependent endocytosis of TRAIL receptosome and endosomal acidification positively affect activation of caspases during the early stages of TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Inhibition of endocytosis or endosomal...
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Opioid receptors and their signaling system in the myocardium
Ladislav, Marek ; Novotný, Jiří (advisor) ; Neckář, Jan (referee)
The main objective of this bachelor thesis is to systematically collect and sort information about opioid receptors and their signaling system in the myocardium. Heart activity is controlled mainly by adrenergic signaling, and this work therefore contains also some data concerning the characteristic and significance of other relevant receptors. For better understanding, general basic information about opioid system, especially about the receptors and their signaling, is also provided. Relatively little is known about opioid receptors in the myocardium even though these receptors may have an important role especially in various pathophysiological conditions. There can be several reasons for this. The possibility of further characterization of opioid receptors in the myocardium is rather difficult due to the relatively small number of these receptors in heart tissue. The situation is somewhat complicated also by some differences in the modulation of cardiac function among different species. The complete molecular mechanism by which opioid receptors act on the myocardium has not yet been fully uncovered. Especially in the case of humans this knowledge can be crucial, because these receptors and their ligands could be used for medical purposes.
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Impact of NKR-P1 polymorphism on Ly49 receptors expression in hybrid mouse strains (C57BL/6 x Balb/c, F10-12)
Holubová, Martina ; Fišerová, Anna (advisor) ; Vomastek, Tomáš (referee)
Impact of NKR-P1 polymorphism on Ly49 receptors expression in hybrid mouse strains (C57BL/6 x Balb/c, F10-12) Abstract Natural killer (NK) cells constitute the subpopulation of large granular lymphocytes which mediate spontaneous immune response against infected, transformed or allogeneic cells and thus represent an important component of the innate immunity. NK cells express a wide repertoir of surface receptors which can be either activating or inhibitory and which mediate NK cell recognition and regulation of cytolytic activity. NKR-P1 and Ly49 receptor families belong to the most important murine NK receptors. Both NKR-P1 and Ly49 families are members of C-type lectin-like superfamily of receptors encoded by natural killer gene complex (NKC) on chromosome 6 and include both activating and inhibitory members. The aim of this diploma thesis was to elucidate the impact of Nkr-p1c gene divergence on Ly49 receptors expression and to find out whether the Ly49 and Nkr-p1 gene clusters (which are localized on opposite ends of NKC) are inherited independently or whether the NKC domain is inherited as a complex. The second research interest was to illustrate the influence of the above mentioned divergence on cytotoxic activity of NK cells and tumor growth. In this study, inbred mouse strains C57BL/6 and Balb/c...
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Clinical importance and mechanisms of action of morphine and methadone
Slušná, Michaela ; Hejnová, Lucie (referee) ; Novotný, Jiří (advisor)
This bachelor thesis deals with gathering the information regarding the clinical importance of opioid drugs, particularly morphine and methadone, and their mechanism of action. Awareness of health professionals and the general public on opioid is inadequate. This evokes unnecessary anxiety of uninformed patients by the treatment of this kind of drugs. This thesis contains information that should know each worker in the health sector. It deals with pharmacodynamics, which is important for understanding the effects of drugs, both biochemical and physiological as well as pharmacokinetics, which describes how the body compensates for the delivered drug. Usage of morphine and methadone is currently irreplaceable. Morphine is a strong analgesic effective control of pain of different origin. Methadone is used for the substitutive treatment of people addicted to opioids. The side effects occurring during the treatment with opioids are acceptable with regard to severe pain, which is attenuated by opioids.
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