Publications by authors named "Alexandre F Fernandes"

Purpose: This study aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of IL-8 production by several oxysterols in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells.

Methods: A human cell line from RPE (ARPE-19) was used to test the role of cholesterol and several oxysterols (25-OH, 7-KC and 7β-OH) in the expression and secretion of IL-8. Expression of IL-8 was assessed by real-time PCR, while IL-8 secretion was evaluated by ELISA.

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Oxidative stress and inflammation are implicated in the pathogenesis of many age-related diseases. We have demonstrated previously that oxidative inactivation of the proteasome is a molecular link between oxidative stress and overexpression of interleukin (IL)-8. Here, we elucidated a novel signaling cascade that leads to up-regulation of IL-8 in response to proteasome inactivation.

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NF-kappaB is a family of important transcription factors involved in many cellular functions, such as cell survival, proliferation, and stress responses. Many studies indicate that NF-kappaB is a stress-sensitive transcription factor and its activation is regulated by reactive oxygen species. In previous studies, we and others demonstrated that this transcription factor can be activated by transient oxidative stress.

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Oxidative stress and inflammation are implicated in the pathogenesis of many age-related diseases. Stress-induced overproduction of inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-8 (IL-8), is one of the early events of inflammation. The objective of this study was to elucidate mechanistic links between oxidative stress and overproduction of IL-8 in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells.

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Purpose: Dysfunction of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP) is associated with several age-related degenerative diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of oxidative stress on the UPP in cultured human retina pigment epithelial cells.

Methods: To mimic physiological oxidative stress, ARPE-19 cells were exposed to continuously generated H2O(2) or A2E-mediated photooxidation.

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Purpose: Calpain-mediated C-terminal cleavage of alpha A-crystallins occurs during aging and cataractogenesis. The objective of the present study was to explore the role of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP) in degrading C-terminal truncated alpha A-crystallins.

Methods: Recombinant wild-type (wt) alpha A-crystallin and C-terminal truncated alpha A(1-168)-, alpha A(1-163)-, and alpha A(1-162)-crystallins were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity.

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As in many other types of cells, retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells have an active ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP). However, the function of the UPP in RPE remains to be elucidated. The objective of this study is to determine the role of the UPP in controlling the levels and activities of transcription factors hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) and NF-kappaB.

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Synopsis of recent research by authors named "Alexandre F Fernandes"

  • - Alexandre F Fernandes' recent research focuses on the intricate relationship between oxidative stress, inflammation, and the regulation of interleukin-8 (IL-8) production in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, highlighting several biochemical pathways involved in these processes.
  • - His studies reveal the role of the proteasome and its inactivation as significant contributors to the upregulation of IL-8 in response to oxidative stress, demonstrating potential mechanistic links applicable to age-related degenerative diseases.
  • - Fernandes' work encompasses the exploration of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway's role in RPE cells, revealing its involvement in managing signaling pathways and the degradation of proteins affected by oxidative damage.*

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