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Experimental murine leishmaniasis and its application for drug discovery and study of host-pathogen interactions
Grekov, Igor ; Lipoldová, Marie (advisor) ; Krulová, Magdaléna (referee) ; Šírová, Milada (referee)
Leishmania spp. have a great clinical significance, being a causative agent of leishmaniasis. Leishmania is transmitted to its vertebrate hosts by phlebotomine sand flies. In vertebrates, the parasites infect professional phagocytes (neutrophils, monocytes and macrophages) and a variety of other cells. Clinical symptoms of leishmaniasis range from lesions, local or disseminated, to mucosal and visceral pathology. Twelve million people are infected with Leishmania and 350 million people are under risk of infection in 88 countries. Yet, no vaccine has been developed and the treatment needs significant improvement. In this regard, animal models of leishmaniasis play a key role in understanding the mechanisms of the disease and in finding ways to treat and prevent it. This thesis summarizes the results of my Ph.D. project devoted to refinement of procedures relevant to Leishmania studies and to the use of the optimized protocols for gene mapping and search for antileishmanial drugs. Large-scale cultivation of infective Leishmania parasites is important in a wide range of experimental setups. We adapted a biphasic SNB-9 medium for the large-scale cultivation of Leishmania and compared it with a common liquid medium. We also modified and optimised detection and quantification of Leishmania with PCR-ELISA by using...
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Proportional and functional characteristics of particular neutrophil subpopulations in umbilical cord and peripheral blood
Miková, Eliška ; Hrdý, Jiří (advisor) ; Krulová, Magdaléna (referee)
Early postnatal period is characterised by generally immature phenotype of the newborn's immune system. The maturation of the immune system including setting appropriate regulatory responses is occurring during this period and encountering pioneering bacteria colonizing neonate plays an important role. In the early days after birth, the immune system of a newborn is very limited, and the adaptive part is mostly represented by antibodies transferred from the mother by cord blood (CB) in the womb and then by colostrum and mother's milk after labour. Therefore, innate immunity plays a key role in defence (against pathogens) in neonates and is largely represented by neutrophils. This study aims to better understand neutrophil biology and phenotype in umbilical CB, compared to neutrophils from peripheral blood (PB) of mothers and healthy non pregnant women (referred to as HC). The assessment of neutrophil phenotype based on surface markers was performed using flow cytometry. Expression of genes linked to antimicrobial function was measured using quantitative PCR. Functional properties of neutrophils, metabolic activity during activation and phagocytosis, and suppressive properties were assessed using the SeaHorse machine and flow cytometry, respectively. Here we confirm the presence of immature CD16low...
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Anterior segment dysgenesis disorders and their molecular genetic cause
Moravíková, Jana ; Lišková, Petra (advisor) ; Krulová, Magdaléna (referee)
Proper eye development depends on expression and mutual regulation of many genes. Anterior segment dysgenesis (ASD) are a highly heterogeneous group of diseases exhibiting all types of Mendelian inheritance, which manifest as combination of congenital abnormalities of the cornea, iris, anterior chamber angle or lens. Screening of genes associated with ASD does not often lead to the identification of the underlying genetic cause implying that there are still novel variants or genes to be discovered. Molecular genetic analysis in 12 probands with ASD using Sanger and whole-exome sequencing were performed. Functional analysis by Exon trapping assay was provided in variants predicted to effect pre-mRNA splicing. Four PAX6 mutations evaluated as pathogenic or likely pathogenic in a heterozygous state were found in four probands c.183C˃G; p.(Tyr61*), c.1032+1G>A, c.1183+1G>T and c.622C>T; p.(Arg208Trp). One proband was found to be a compound heterozygote for c.244A>G; p.(Met82Val) and c.541delG; p.(Glu181Lysfs*26) mutations in FOXE3. In 7 probands, no potentially pathogenic variants were identified. Exon trapping assay confirmed that mutations c.1032+1G>A and c.1183+1G>T have an effect on pre-mRNA splicing of the PAX6 gene. Detailed molecular-genetic analysis in patients with ASD may contribute to...
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The effect of cold stress on the immune system in the presence of infection
Kratochvílová, Anna ; Krulová, Magdaléna (advisor) ; Filipp, Dominik (referee)
Although the relationship between the effects of cold and infection has been studied for a long time, the mechanisms contributing to this phenomenon have not yet been discovered. While short-term exposure to cold triggers a stress response and the production of proinflammatory cytokines, long-term cold exposure induces adaptation and anti- inflammatory shift. The role of cold adaptation in the development and the process of the organism's response to infection remains an unresolved issue. In this diploma thesis, we focused on determining the effect of cold stress or cold adaptation on the immune system of rats which was stimulated by ligands of Toll-like receptors (TLRs). The obtained results showed the importance of γδT lymphocytes and their cytokine production in the process of cold adaptation. To determine how cold adaptation affects the response to infectious agents, we studied changes in the proportion of different immune cell populations in rats treated with the TLR2/6 ligand Pam2CSK4. We determined significant changes in the activation of myeloid cells and B lymphocytes, but also in the population of γδT lymphocytes. Our obtained results suggested the importance of γδT lymphocytes and the protective effect of cold adaptation. Key words: immune system, cold stress, cold adaptation, infection,...
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Role of uncoupling protein UCP2 in immune cells
Fikarová, Natálie ; Krulová, Magdaléna (advisor) ; Bardová, Kristina (referee)
UCP2 is one of four discovered homologues of a well-known uncoupling protein UCP1 implicated in non-shivering thermogenesis. In contrast to UCP1, this particular homologue is ubiquitously expressed in many human tissues, where it performs a broader range of functions including uncoupling and specific transport of ions and metabolites. This work characterises UCP2, focusing on its activity in the cells of innate and adaptive immunity. To conclude, this work summarises the role of UCP2 in several diseases, such as Type 1 diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease and ulcerative colitis. Emphasis is put on the possible utilisation of this protein in the treatment of the above-mentioned diseases. Keywords: immune cells, uncoupling proteins, UCP2
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Interaction of human immune cells with ultrasmall nanoparticles
Javorová, Pavlína ; Hubálek Kalbáčová, Marie (advisor) ; Krulová, Magdaléna (referee)
The application of nanoparticles in the field of theranostics requires knowledge of the specific interaction of nanoparticles with the immune system. One of the first cells with which nanoparticles interact when given to the body are cells of the mononuclear phagocytic system. The aim of this diploma thesis is to prepare an in vitro study that describes the effect of two types of gold and three types of silicon ultra-small nanoparticles on immune cells. Immune cells are presented in the form of primary PBMCs isolated from whole blood , and cells of monocytic cell line THP-1 in the form of monocytes and differentiated macrophages. During the experiments with primary cells, emphasis is placed on maintaining the concept of personalized protein corona. After characterization of the immune cells used, cells are subsequently stimulated with ultra-small nanoparticles and the influence of these nanoparticles on cell metabolism, viability, degree of differentiation and secretion of pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines is monitored. The outcome takes into account further use of the tested nanoparticles in the field of biomedicine. Key words: primary monocytes, cell lines, differentiation, macrophages, cytokines, cytotoxicity
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Natural biomaterials and mesenchymal stem cells in regeneration of spinal cord injury
Kekulová, Kristýna ; Kubinová, Šárka (advisor) ; Krulová, Magdaléna (referee) ; Filová, Elena (referee)
Spinal cord injury is a serious trauma and despite intensive research there is still no effective treatment for patients. The aim of this thesis is to study new possibilities of spinal cord injury therapy in animal models. We have focused on the use of natural materials, stem cells, gene therapy and the possibility of combining these approaches. The effect of extracellular matrix (ECM) based materials prepared by decellularization of porcine spinal cord and porcine urinary bladder on tissue regeneration after acute hemisection of the spinal cord was investigated. Another tested material was a hydrogel based on hyaluronic acid modified with RGD adhesion peptide, which was applied acutely and subacutely into the hemisection lesion. We have shown that both types of biomaterials have positive effect on regeneration of the spinal cord tissue by bridging the lesion and promotion of axonal ingrowth. In addition, ECM hydrogels promote the growth of blood vessels into the lesion site. The combination of hydrogels with mesenchymal stem cells derived from human umbilical cord (hWJ-MSCs) had synergistic effect, but since only a limited number of cells could be incorporated into hydrogels, this effect was not associated with improvement in motor skills. The limitation of ECM hydrogels is their rapid...
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Detection and characterization of macrophages in the tumors of viral and non-viral etiology
Dalewská, Natálie ; Tachezy, Ruth (advisor) ; Krulová, Magdaléna (referee)
Head and neck cancers are etiologically associated with smoking and alcohol consumption. Part of these tumors is induced by HPV and their incidence is increasing in the last decade. Patients with virally induced tumors have better prognosis even though they are usually diagnosed with tumors in advanced stage. One of the possible explanations may be better stimulation of the immune system by viral antigens. Macrophages are cells of the innate immune system which belong to professional phagocytes. They are called TAM upon infiltration to the tumor where they represent heterogeneous group of cells. Two main phenotypes are antitumor M1 and protumor M2 macrophages. TAMs are a major component of tumor microenvironment of many types of tumors, one of them are also head and neck cancers. In my thesis I focused on the immunohistochemical detection of M1 and M2 macrophages in the head and neck tumors of viral and non-viral etiology and at the same time RT-qPCR analyses of gene expression of macrophage-associated and/or immunosuppressive genes IDO1, ARG1, CD163, NOS2 a PTGS2 was performed. My data showed that HPV- negative tumors had higher number of M2 macrophages with typical markers CD163, ARG1 and PTGS2. It is known that patients with these tumors have worse prognosis of the disease. Due to high...
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Effect of gluten-free diet on immune cell subsets in the NOD mouse model of type 1 diabetes
Tejklová, Tereza ; Funda, David (advisor) ; Krulová, Magdaléna (referee)
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease leading to destruction of insulin-secreting pancreatic -cells. Environmental factors e.g. exposures to infections, dietary components play a substantial role in etiopathogenesis of T1D and are responsible for rapid increase of T1D incidence in past decades, preferentially in developed countries. Despite long record of T1D research no causative cure or efficient prevention exists. While gluten displays proinflammatory properties, gluten-free diet (GFD) has been documented by several studies as a strong diabetes- preventive environmental factor in spontaneous animal models of T1D, mostly in NOD mouse. The aim of this thesis is to better characterize effects of GFD on the immune system of NOD mouse. Using flow cytometry, we compared effects of GFD vs standard (STD) Altromin diets on NK cell subsets, Tregs, as well as other regulatory cell subsets and their cytokine profile in prediabetic SPF NOD females that were exposed to the diets since "in utero". A reference diabetes incidence in NOD females in our SPF facility kept on STD and GFD was recorded. Diabetes-preventive capacity of GFD were tested by using the NOD-SCID model of diabetes transfer, in which splenocytes from at-onset NOD females kept on GFD or STD were transferred to NOD-SCID recipients....
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Effect of endogenous factors on mesenchymal stem cells
Černá, Kristýna ; Krulová, Magdaléna (advisor) ; Kubinová, Šárka (referee)
Maintaining of homeostasis is essential for the survival of the organism. Stress disturbs the homeostasis and prepares the organism for mental or physical stress. During the stress situation, the endogenous stress factors are released. Through these factors stress affects tissue regeneration, the immune system and other metabolic processes. Chronic stress impacts many parts of body and mind and has a negative effect on these processes. Acute stress has the opposite effect. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) participate in regenerative processes and modulate the immune system. Therefore, it can be assumed that stress will affect on MSCs. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of stress factors, norepinephrine and corticosterone on the properties and function of MSCs in acute and chronic stress model. In our study, stress factors did not affect the morphology, vitality and differentiation of MSCs. However, the metabolic activity of MSCs was reduced regardless of the duration of their action. The action of stress factors also affected the production of some immunologically relevant molecules and proteins. Unfortunately, the results did not show a clear effect of stress factors on the lymphocyte modulation by MSCs. Key words: mesenchymal stem cells, catecholamines, adrenergic receptors,...
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