A tuberculose é a segunda maior causa de mortes por doença infecciosa no mundo depois do HIV. A pirazinamida, um dos fármacos utilizados no tratamento atual, é um pró-fármaco do ácido pirazinóico que tem ação relevante contra Mycobacterium tuberculosis latentes, possui alta atividade bactericida sendo capaz de eliminar micobactérias intracelulares como nos macrófagos, por exemplo. A observação de que micobactérias resistentes à pirazinamida ainda são suscetíveis aos ésteres do ácido pirazinóico direcionou as pesquisas no desenvolvimento de derivados ésteres como pró-fármaco, com a vantagem de que as esterases presentes nas micobactérias possibilitam a ativação do pró-fármaco. O éster do ácido pirazinóico, pirazinoato de etila, apresenta como vantagem a fácil obtenção por apenas uma etapa de reação. A estruturação de fármacos em nanopartículas poliméricas traz como vantagens a melhora na estabilidade e alta capacidade de carreamento do fármaco. A nanoestruturação de ativos cria a necessidade de métodos capazes de quantificar os componentes presentes. Neste contexto, a eletroforese capilar apresenta-se como uma técnica analítica de baixo custo e tem como vantagem a diminuição do tempo de análise. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver a nanoestruturação do éster pirazinoato de etila e quantificar o mesmo nas nanopartículas pela técnica de eletroforese capilar. O éster do ácido pirazinóico foi caracterizado por ponto de fusão, calorimetria exploratória diferencial, análise elementar, espectroscopia no infravermelho e ressonância magnética nuclear. As nanopartículas obtidas pelo método de nanoprecipitação foram caracterizadas por espalhamento dinâmico de luz, potencial Zeta, pH, calorimetria exploratória diferencial e microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Um método por eletroforese capilar foi desenvolvido e validado de acordo com os guias ANVISA e ICH. O método apresentou boa linearidade (R2>0,99), precisão (DPR< 3%) e exatidão (recuperação de 99% ±0,2). O método desenvolvido foi usado para quantificar o éster contido nas nanopartículas e a eficiência da encapsulação do fármaco foi determinada. / Tuberculosis the second leading cause of deaths from infectious diseases after HIV. Pyrazinamide, one of the drugs available in therapy of tuberculosis, is a prodrug from pirazinoic acid wich is active against latent bacilli, besides the high bacterial activity since it is capable to eliminate within macrophages. Since bacteria which is not susceptible to pyrazinamide is still susceptible to pyrazinoic acid esters, has directed research on developing pirazinoic acid esters derivative as prodrug, with the advantage this is activated for mycobacterial esterases. Pyrazinoic acid ester, ethyl pyrazinoate, it has the advantage to be done in only one reaction step and simply obtaining. Structured drugs in polymeric nanoparticles presenting advantages such as stability improvement and high drug carrying capacity. The drugs nanostructuring makes necessary methods to this quantifying. In this context, capillary electrophoresis represents an analytical technique low cost and the advantage of the shorter analysis. The aim of this work was the nanostructuring of ethyl pyrazinoate ester and quantify this in nanoparticles by capillary electrophoresis. The pyrazinoic ester was characterized by melting point, differential scanning calorimetry, elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. Nanoparticles were prepared by nanoprecipitation method and were characterized by dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, pH, differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopies. A capillary electrophoresis method was developed and validated in accordance with the requirements of ANVISA and ICH guidelines. The method showed good linearity (R2>0,99), precision (RSD < 3%) and accuracy (recovery 99% ±0,2). The method was used to quantify the ester loaded in nanoparticles and the entrapment efficiency was determined.

Despite major advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, there remains a paucity of biomarkers for early detection (poor selectivity and specificity). Legumain [asparaginyl endopeptidase (AEP); EC 3.4.22.34] is a potential cancer biomarker and molecular target for imaging and therapy. Legumain is a lysosomal protease, active at acidic pH (4.0 - 6.5) with a remarkably restricted substrate specificity, uniquely cleaving an asparagine (Asn) at the P1 position, and is overexpressed in various solid tumours. A novel legumain-targeted first generation fluorogenic rhodamine-B based peptide substrate Rho-Pro-Ala-Asn~PEG-AQ (SM9) has been developed for diagnostic application in the early detection of tumours, which exploits the enzyme's proteolytic specificity. The fluorogenic probe SM9 is an efficient FRET substrate, in which an aminoanthraquinone acts as a ‘black hole' quencher of rhodamine fluorescence that is restored on incubation with recombinant (rh)-legumain. Importantly, confocal microscopy studies have revealed localization of SM9 in the lysosomes of PC3 prostate cancer cells. The design principles have been extended to a second generation orthogonally functionalised, legumain-activated dual fluorogenic gadolinium-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent Rho-Pro-Ala-Asn~Lys-[DOTA-(Gd3+)]-PEG-AQ (SM32). Furthermore, towards the development of selective and targeted theranostic (therapeutic and diagnostic) anticancer agents, a novel third generation fluorogenic legumain substrate prodrug Rho-Pro-Ala-Asn~Propyl-Pip-Propyl-AQ (ALS5) that incorporates a cytotoxic, lysosomotropic anthracenedione ALS1, has been designed. Activation of prodrug ALS5 by rh-legumain in vitro directly afforded the cleavage product and active drug ALS1. Confocal microscopy studies have shown that ALS5 and active ALS1 (at 1 μM) were also localized in the lysosomes of PC-3 cells. Furthermore, ALS1 induced morphological changes and apoptosis in PC-3 cells, as measured by fluorescence microscopy, and staining with Annexin V and DAPI using flow cytometry. All novel legumain-activated oligopeptide substrates and intermediate compounds have been fully characterised by high resolution mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. Selected compounds have been further characterised by HPLC. The molecular probes and prodrugs have the potential to be used as diagnostic tools to define the legumain expression in tumour biopsies and provide prognostic information of value in determining patient-focussed treatment options, with extension to therapeutic strategies to improve tumour targeting.

A tuberculose é a segunda maior causa de mortes por doença infecciosa no mundo depois do HIV. A pirazinamida, um dos fármacos utilizados no tratamento atual, é um pró-fármaco do ácido pirazinóico que tem ação relevante contra Mycobacterium tuberculosis latentes, possui alta atividade bactericida sendo capaz de eliminar micobactérias intracelulares como nos macrófagos, por exemplo. A observação de que micobactérias resistentes à pirazinamida ainda são suscetíveis aos ésteres do ácido pirazinóico direcionou as pesquisas no desenvolvimento de derivados ésteres como pró-fármaco, com a vantagem de que as esterases presentes nas micobactérias possibilitam a ativação do pró-fármaco. O éster do ácido pirazinóico, pirazinoato de etila, apresenta como vantagem a fácil obtenção por apenas uma etapa de reação. A estruturação de fármacos em nanopartículas poliméricas traz como vantagens a melhora na estabilidade e alta capacidade de carreamento do fármaco. A nanoestruturação de ativos cria a necessidade de métodos capazes de quantificar os componentes presentes. Neste contexto, a eletroforese capilar apresenta-se como uma técnica analítica de baixo custo e tem como vantagem a diminuição do tempo de análise. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver a nanoestruturação do éster pirazinoato de etila e quantificar o mesmo nas nanopartículas pela técnica de eletroforese capilar. O éster do ácido pirazinóico foi caracterizado por ponto de fusão, calorimetria exploratória diferencial, análise elementar, espectroscopia no infravermelho e ressonância magnética nuclear. As nanopartículas obtidas pelo método de nanoprecipitação foram caracterizadas por espalhamento dinâmico de luz, potencial Zeta, pH, calorimetria exploratória diferencial e microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Um método por eletroforese capilar foi desenvolvido e validado de acordo com os guias ANVISA e ICH. O método apresentou boa linearidade (R2>0,99), precisão (DPR< 3%) e exatidão (recuperação de 99% ±0,2). O método desenvolvido foi usado para quantificar o éster contido nas nanopartículas e a eficiência da encapsulação do fármaco foi determinada. / Tuberculosis the second leading cause of deaths from infectious diseases after HIV. Pyrazinamide, one of the drugs available in therapy of tuberculosis, is a prodrug from pirazinoic acid wich is active against latent bacilli, besides the high bacterial activity since it is capable to eliminate within macrophages. Since bacteria which is not susceptible to pyrazinamide is still susceptible to pyrazinoic acid esters, has directed research on developing pirazinoic acid esters derivative as prodrug, with the advantage this is activated for mycobacterial esterases. Pyrazinoic acid ester, ethyl pyrazinoate, it has the advantage to be done in only one reaction step and simply obtaining. Structured drugs in polymeric nanoparticles presenting advantages such as stability improvement and high drug carrying capacity. The drugs nanostructuring makes necessary methods to this quantifying. In this context, capillary electrophoresis represents an analytical technique low cost and the advantage of the shorter analysis. The aim of this work was the nanostructuring of ethyl pyrazinoate ester and quantify this in nanoparticles by capillary electrophoresis. The pyrazinoic ester was characterized by melting point, differential scanning calorimetry, elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. Nanoparticles were prepared by nanoprecipitation method and were characterized by dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, pH, differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopies. A capillary electrophoresis method was developed and validated in accordance with the requirements of ANVISA and ICH guidelines. The method showed good linearity (R2>0,99), precision (RSD < 3%) and accuracy (recovery 99% ±0,2). The method was used to quantify the ester loaded in nanoparticles and the entrapment efficiency was determined.

Naltrexone (NTX) is a drug used primarily in the management of alcohol dependence and opioid dependence. Based on several drawbacks associated with the oral and injectable intramuscular dosage forms of naltrexone currently available on the market, there is substantial interest in delivering naltrexone transdermally. Although naltrexone does not permeate skin at the rate sufficient to reach therapeutic plasma concentrations in humans, novel flux enhancement methods such as microneedles help address this challenge. Earlier work in humans has demonstrated that the use of microneedles achieves plasma concentrations in the lower end of expected therapeutic values. Further flux enhancement is desired to decrease the patch area while increasing drug transport rates. In the present work, several strategies aiming at in vitro flux maximization were employed including: formulation optimization, naltrexone salt screening, and naltrexone prodrug design. While naltrexone prodrugs did not reveal any improved permeation characteristics formulation optimization through decrease in vehicle microviscosity allowed a 5-fold increase in the percutaneous transport rates, and naltrexone glycolate salt selection provided an additional 1.5-fold enhancement in flux. One of the key observations was a good correlation (R2 = 0.99) between vehicle microviscosity and drug transport rates across the microchannel pathway. This finding alone allowed for formulation optimization and, at the same time, provided a potential explanation for the low permeation of high-concentration naltrexone salts and prodrugs. In vivo studies were carried out in Yucatan minipigs using a “poke and patch” microneedle method to deliver NTX•HCl. These studies demonstrated that initial plasma concentrations spiked to 2.5 ng/ml but rapidly dropped to a plateau of below 1 ng/ml. This pharmacokinetic profile could be explained by the use of a mathematical model which identified the importance of microchannel closure kinetics on drug transport. Also, an estimate of diffusional resistance of the viable tissue associated with percutaneous NTX•HCl delivery through microchannels was obtained. Its relatively large value suggests that the effect of diffusional resistance of the dermis in vivo should not be ignored and must be accounted for in order to obtain a good in vitro-in vivo correlation.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 139-158).

Les nucléosides représentent avec plus de 40 composés approuvés la pierre angulaire des chimiothérapies antivirales. Leur émergence progressive depuis maintenant prés de 50 ans a conduit à des progrès considérables dans la lutte contre de nombreuses infections virales comme les herpès, les hépatites ou le SIDA. Néanmoins, l’apparition de résistances et la toxicité intrinsèque des molécules poussent la recherche à développer de nouveaux analogues nucléosidiques plus actifs et plus surs. Dans cette optique, les réactions organo-métallliques sont des outils efficaces pour la synthèse de nouveaux composés à potentiel thérapeutique. Dans cette thèse, les cycloadditions 1,3 dipolaire de Sharpless catalysées au Cu et au Ru et les réactions de métathèse, croisée ou par fermeture de cycle catalysées au Ru, nous ont ainsi permis de synthétiser efficacement trois nouvelles séries d’analogues nucléosidiques modifiés. Enfin, la synthèse d’une nouvelle série de composés hétérocycliques de type oxazolopyrimidine à chaine β-dicétoacide ciblant l’inhibition de l’intégrase du VIH a été initiée, mettant notamment en jeu des réactions de couplage pallado-catalysées. / Nucleosides represent with more than 40 compounds approved the cornerstone of antiviral chemotherapy. Their gradual emergence from now nearly 50 years has led to considerable progress in the fight against many viral infections such as herpes, hepatitis or AIDS. Nevertheless, the emergence of resistance and the molecule inherent toxicity prompt the research to develop new nucleoside analogues with higher activities and safety. In this context, organometallic reactions are effective tools for the synthesis of new compounds with therapeutic potential. In this thesis, the Sharpless Cu and Ru catalyzed 1,3 dipolar cycloadditions and the Ru catalyzed cross and ring closing metathesis allowed us to synthesize efficiently three new series of modified nucleoside analogues. Finally, the synthesis of a new series of oxazolopyrimidine heterocyclic compounds wearing a β-diketoacid chain and targeting the inhibition of HIV integrase has been initiated, using palladium catalyzed coupling.

A tuberculose afeta mais de um bilhão de pessoas em todo o mundo. Desde a descoberta da rifampicina, em 1965, nenhum outro fármaco importante foi introduzido na terapêutica. A pirazinamida, um dos fármacos disponíveis na terapia da tuberculose, é atualmente considerada um bioprecursor do ácido pirazinóico, porque bactérias resistentes não expressam uma enzima, pirazinamidase, responsável pela conversão da pirazinamida no derivado ácido. Ésteres do ácido pirazinóico apresentam atividade antimicobacteriana, provavelmente por melhor penetração pela parede celular das micobactérias que o derivado ácido. Desta forma, podem ainda atuar em cepas resistentes por serem ativados por esterases. Algumas fluorquinolonas apresentam atividade antimicobacteriana, como o ciprofloxacino, ofloxacino e levofloxacino. O trabalho teve por objetivo obter formas latentes de ácido pirazinóico unindo-o a quinolonas com atividade antimicobacteriana, através de ligação éster, obtendo-se pró-fármacos recíprocos. Um dos compostos sintetizados apresentou atividade in vitro, com concentração inibitória mínima comparável ao ciprofloxacino, um dos fármacos mais ativos. / Tuberculosis affects over than one billion people around the world. Since the discovery of rifampin, in 1965, no one another important drug was introduced in therapeutics. Pyrazinamide, one of the drugs available in therapy of tuberculosis, is nowadays considered a bioprecursor of pyrazinoic acid, because resistant bacterias do not express an enzyme, pyrazinamidase, responsible by the conversion of pyrazinamide to pyrazinoic acid. Pyrazinoic acid esters exhibit antimycobacterial activity probably to better penetration through mycobacterial cell wall than the acid derivative. So, it could act in resistant strains because is activated by esterases. Some fluoroquinolones exhibit antimicobacterial activity, like ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and levofloxacin. This work had as objective to obtain latent forms of pyrazinoic acid linking it to quinolones with antimycobacterial activity, through an ester bond, obtaining mutual prodrugs. One of the synthesized compounds showed activity in vitro, with minnimal inhibitory concentration comparable to ciprofloxacin, one of most active drugs.

De nos jours la tuberculose est une des maladies les plus meurtrières au monde. Un problème majeur est que l’agent pathogène responsable de cette maladie (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) a développé des mécanismes de résistances envers les médicaments actuels. Il devient donc urgent de trouver d’autres cibles pour développer de nouveaux antituberculeux. La biosynthèse des isoprénoïdes pourrait en être une. Les précurseurs biologiques de tous les isoprénoïdes sont l’IPP et le DMAPP qui sont synthétisés selon deux voies. La voie du mévalonate, présente chez l’Homme et la voie du méthylérythritol phosphate (MEP) laquelle est présente chez M. tuberculosis et absente chez l’homme. La fosmidomycine et la fosfoxacine, deux inhibiteurs de la désoxyxylulose phosphate réductoisomérase (DXR), deuxième enzyme de la voie du MEP ne permet pas d’inhiber la croissance de la mycobactérie. Cela est dû à l’absence de pénétration de ces composés polaires au sein de la bactérie. Pour pallier à ces problèmes de biodisponibilité, nous avons synthétisé des prodrogues lipophiles de type cycloSaligényle et arylphosphoramidate d’inhibiteurs de la DXR. Certains composés sont inhibent la croissance d’une mycobactérie non-pathogène, Mycobacterium smegmatis. / Today, tuberculosis is one of most murderous infectious diseases in the world. This disease is caused by the mycobacterium : Mycobacterium tuberculosis which is becoming more and more resistant towards antitubercular drugs. Therefore, it is urgent to find inovative targets for the development of new antitubercular drugs. The biosynthesis of isoprenoids represents such a target. The biological precursors of all isoprenoids are IPP and DMAPP which are synthesized via two pathways the mevalonate pathway, which is present in human and the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway which is present in M. tuberculosis. but absent in human. Fosmidomycin and fosfoxacine, two natural inhibitors of the deoxyxylulose phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR), the second enzyme of MEP pathway, but they do not affect the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis cells, due to a lack of uptake of the polar drugs by the bacteria. To overcome this absence of the mycobacterial cell watll crossing of these compounds, we synthesized lipophilic cycloSaligenyl and arylphosphoramidate prodrugs of DXR inhibitors. Some compounds inhibit the growth of Mycobacterium smegmatis, a non-pathogenic model of mycobacterium.

La tuberculose est l'une des maladies infectieuses les plus meurtrières au monde. Malgré l'existence d'un traitement polychimiothérapeutique efficace, le nombre de cas de tuberculose incurable augmente sensiblement en raison de l'apparition de souches de Mycobacterium tuberculosis résistantes aux traitements de 1ère, 2ème et 3ème intentions actuellement disponibles. Parmi les antibiotiques spécifiques de la tuberculose, nous nous intéressons plus particulièrement, dans le cadre de cette thèse, aux pro-drogues isoniazide et éthionamide. Ces deux médicaments ciblent l'enzyme InhA du Mycobacterium tuberculosis, qui est impliquée dans la synthèse de la paroi bactérienne. Les principales résistances de Mycobacterium tuberculosis à ces pro-drogues résident en un défaut des enzymes responsables de l'activation de ces médicaments à l'intérieur du pathogène. Le but de cette thèse est, dans un premier temps, d'étudier différentes approches originales visant à contourner ces résistances. La première stratégie consiste à concevoir des pro-drogues hybrides d'isoniazide et d'éthionamide qui pourraient être activées indifféremment par KatG et EthA. KatG est la catalase-peroxydase responsable de l'activation de l'isoniazide, et EthA la mono-oxygénase à flavine qui active l'éthionamide. Les chances de bio-activation de ces nouvelles molécules seraient donc supérieures même si l'une des deux enzymes est mutée. La deuxième stratégie examinée consiste à synthétiser des molécules capables d'être activées par l'enzyme KatG mutée qui reste fonctionnelle. Nous avons alors préparé des molécules analogues de l'isoniazide qui pourraient être éventuellement reconnues et activées par une KatG mutée montrant une modification du potentiel d'oxydation ou de la structure protéique. La dernière stratégie étudiée consiste à synthétiser des molécules qui ne nécessitent pas d'être activées par une enzyme pour exercer leur action mais simplement par des agents oxydants endogènes. En se basant sur une molécule décrite dans la littérature par nos collaborateurs brésiliens, le complexe d'isoniazide-fer(II) ((isoniazide)pentacyanoferrate(II) de sodium), nous avons synthétisé différents analogues de ce complexe en faisant varier le ligand et avons évalué par RPE leur capacité à générer des radicaux. Cette étude de relation structure-réactivité a permis de mieux comprendre le mécanisme d'activation de ces complexes en présence de H2O2. La deuxième partie de cette thèse est consacrée au mécanisme d'activation des pro-drogues isoniazide et éthionamide. Même si ces molécules sont utilisées depuis plus de 50 ans dans le traitement de la tuberculose, leur mécanisme d'activation d'un point de vue chimique est très mal décrit. Dans la mycobactérie, ces pro-drogues, une fois activées, forment un adduit avec le cofacteur NAD(H) donnant ainsi l'inhibiteur ultime de l'enzyme InhA. Dans le cas de l'isoniazide, nous avons utilisé le système biomimétique mis en place dans l'équipe pour étudier son mécanisme d'activation d'un point de vue moléculaire. Dans le cas de l'éthionamide, nous avons développé un système chimique biomimétique qui, pour la première fois, a conduit à la formation de l'adduit éthionamide-NAD+ in vitro. Grâce au succès de cette approche et à la caractérisation des intermédiaires et métabolites formés, nous avons pu proposer un mécanisme d'oxydation moléculaire de l'éthionamide entièrement original, s'affranchissant de l'intermédiaire clé acide sulfinique évoqué jusque-là dans la littérature sans aucune preuve expérimentale. / Tuberculosis is one of the leading causes of death in the world among infectious diseases. Despite the existence of efficient multidrug treatment, the number of incurable cases of tuberculosis substantially increases due to the emergence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains resistant to available 1st-, 2nd- and 3rd-lines-treatments. Among the specific drugs currently employed to treat tuberculosis, we particularly focus on pro-drugs (isoniazid and ethionamide) for which resistances mainly result in a default of their activation enzymes inside the pathogen. The aim of this thesis is, firstly, to study various innovative approaches to overcome the resistance. The first strategy consists in designing hybrid pro-drugs, by combination of isoniazid and ethionamide moieties, which could be activated by two different enzymes, KatG and EthA. KatG is the mycobacterial catalase peroxidase enzyme which activates isoniazid, and EthA the flavin monooxygenase responsible of ethionamide activation. Probability of bio-activation of these new molecules would therefore be higher even if one of the two enzymes is mutated. The second strategy discussed herein is the synthesis of molecules able to be activated by mutated KatG enzyme, which remains functional. We synthesized isoniazid derivatives, which might be recognized and activated by a mutated KatG enzyme showing a modification of its oxidation potential or in the protein structure. The last strategy is founded on the development of molecules that do not need to be activated by an enzyme but by a simple chemical oxidation. Based on a molecule described in the literature by our brazilian collaborators, an isoniazid-iron (II) complex (sodium (isoniazid)pentacyanoferrate(II)), we synthesized various analogues of this complex by varying the ligand structure and evaluated by ESR their ability to generate radicals in the presence of H2O2. The structure-reactivity relationship analysis led to better understanding of the molecular activation mechanism of these complexes in the presence of H2O2. The second part of this thesis is dedicated to the activation mechanisms of pro-drugs isoniazid and ethionamide. Even though these molecules have been used for more than 50 years for the treatment of tuberculosis, their activation mechanism on a molecular point of view is poorly described. In the mycobacterium, once activated these pro-drugs form an adduct with the NAD(H) cofactor, leading to the active metabolite. For isoniazid, we used the biomimetic system developed previously by our team to clarify the molecular activation mechanism. For ethionamide, we have developed a biomimetic system which, for the first time, leads to the formation of the ethionamide-NAD+ adduct in vitro. We used this method to study the molecular oxidation mechanism of ethionamide and to characterize intermediates and metabolites. We finally proposed a completely original mechanism, not involving the sulfinic acid intermediate, which has been mentioned in the literature without any experimental evidence.

Les ARN interférents sont de puissants outils thérapeutiques et biologiques pour la mise en silence de l'expression des gènes. Afin d'améliorer leur stabilité enzymatique, leur biodistribution et leur pénétration cellulaire, nous proposons de développer une approche prodrogue d'ARN interférent. Ce manuscrit rapporte la synthèse et l'évaluation de pro-ARN masqués temporairement par des groupements biolabiles susceptibles d'être hydrolysés dans les cellules afin de libérer l'ARN naturel actif. Deux types de modifications sont présentés : des groupes acétalesters enlevés par des carboxyestérases et des groupes alkyldithiométhyles sensibles à un environnement réducteur. Dans une première partie, une nouvelle méthode de synthèse de pro-ARN partiellement modifiés en position 2' par des groupements acétalesters est décrite. Plusieurs groupements variant par leur caractère lipophile ou cationique sont évalués. Des résultats prometteurs d'études physico-chimiques, de stabilité enzymatique, de pénétration cellulaire et d'inhibition de gènes mettent en valeur l'intérêt d'utiliser certains pro-ARN modifiés en tant qu'outils thérapeutiques. Une deuxième partie présente une voie de synthèse originale de pro-ARN modifiés en position 2' par des groupements alkyldithiométyles. Les propriétés physico-chimiques, la stabilité enzymatique et le démasquage de ces pro-ARN sont décrits. Parallèlement, l'étude d'une réaction d'échange thiol-disulfure permettant l'incorporation de liens disulfures intrabrin au sein de duplex d'ARN et de constructions tige-boucles est détaillée dans ce manuscrit. / SiRNA are powerful therapeutic and biological tools for gene silencing. In the aim of improving their stability, their biodistribution and their cellular delivery, we propose to develop a siRNA prodrug-like approach.This manuscript reports the synthesis and the study of pro-RNA temporarily masked by biolabile groups which could be hydrolyzed inside cells in order to release the active unmodified RNA. Two types of modifications are presented: acetalester groups removed by carboxyesterases and alkyldithiomethyl groups cleaved in a reducing environment within cells.In a first part, a new synthesis strategy of partially modified 2'-O-acetalester pro-RNA is described. Several acetalester groups varying in their lipophilicity and their charge are evaluated. Promising results obtained in physical-chemical studies, enzymatic stability and gene inhibition highlight the use of these modified pro-RNA as therapeutic drugs. A second part introduces an original approach for the synthesis of 2'-O-alkyldithiomethyl pro-RNA. The physical-chemical properties, the enzymatic stability and the unmasking of this pro-RNA are described.Moreover, the study of a thiol-disulfide exchange reaction allowing the incorporation of intrastrand disulfide bond into secondary structure duplex and hairpin is reported in this manuscript.