Les antipsychotiques sont utilisés en clinique depuis plus de 50 ans pour pallier aux symptômes de la schizophrénie. Malgré une recherche intensive, les mécanismes cellulaires et moléculaires responsables de l’effet clinique de cette médication demeurent encore nébuleux. Ces drogues sont reconnues comme des antagonistes des récepteurs D2 de la dopamine et peuvent moduler la transcription génique dans le striatum. Au cours des recherches qui ont mené à l'écriture de cette thèse, nous avons exploré l’expression de Nur77, un facteur de transcription de la famille des récepteurs nucléaires, afin de caractériser le rôle de la dopamine, la sérotonine, l’adénosine et le glutamate dans la régulation génique contrôlée par les antagonistes D2. En premier lieu, nous avons examiné l’impact de la co-administration d’agents sérotonergiques et adrénergiques sur l’expression de l’ARNm de Nur77 induite par l’halopéridol, un antipsychotique de première génération. Nous avons observé que le 8-OH-DPAT et le MDL11939 préviennent partiellement l’induction de Nur77 dans le striatum. Au contraire, l’idazoxan potentialise l’effet de l’halopéridol sur l’expression de Nur77 alors que le prazosin reste sans effet. Ces résultats démontrent que l’expression striatale de Nur77 induite par l’halopéridol peut être modulée à la baisse avec un agoniste 5-HT1A ou un antagoniste 5-HT2A. Par la suite, nous avons évalué dans divers paradigmes expérimentaux l’effet de l’éticlopride, un antagoniste spécifique D2, afin d’explorer davantage le mécanisme de l’effet transcriptionnel des antagonistes D2. Étonnamment, la suppression de l’isoforme D2L chez la souris D2L KO ne réduit pas la réponse de l’éticlopride dans le striatum. Par contre, une lésion corticale avec l’acide iboténique bloque l’effet de l’éticlopride sur la transcription de Nur77, suggérant un rôle du glutamate. La combinaison d’un antagoniste des récepteurs métabotropes du glutamate de types 5 (mGluR5) et d’un antagoniste des récepteurs de l’adénosine A2A abolit complètement l’augmentation de la transcription de Nur77 induit par l’éticlopride dans le striatum. La modulation directe de l’expression striatale de Nur77 par les récepteurs mGluR5 et A2A a été confirmée dans un modèle de cultures organotypiques de tranches cérébrales. Ces résultats démontrent clairement que la modulation de l’expression génique dans le striatum, à la suite d’un traitement avec un antagoniste D2 pourrait être indépendante d’une interaction directe avec les récepteurs D2 post-synaptiques, et reposerait plutôt sur son interaction avec les récepteurs D2 hétérosynaptiques des afférences corticostriées et l’activation subséquente des récepteurs post-synaptiques du glutamate et de l’adénosine. En résumé, nos résultats suggèrent que l’interaction des antipsychotiques atypiques avec les récepteurs 5-HT2A et 5-HT1A pourrait expliquer la différence dans le patron d’expression génique induit par ces drogues en comparaison avec les antipsychotiques typiques. De plus, nos résultats révèlent un nouveau mécanisme d’action des antagonistes D2 et supportent un rôle primordial du glutamate et de l’adénosine dans les effets des antipsychotiques de première génération. / Antipsychotic drugs have been used to alleviate schizophrenia symptoms for more than 50 years. Despite extensive research, little is known about the molecular and cellular mechanism responsible for their clinical outcome. These drugs are usually recognized as dopamine D2 antagonists and are known to modulate gene expression in the striatum. In the present thesis, we used the expression of Nur77, a transcription factor of the orphan nuclear receptor family, to explore the role of dopamine, serotonin, glutamate and adenosine receptors in the effect of a dopamine D2 antagonist in the striatum. First, we examined the abilities of serotoninergic and adrenergic receptor drugs to modify the pattern of Nur77 mRNA expression induced by haloperidol, a first generation antipsychotic drug. We observed that 8-OH-DPAT and MDL11939 partially prevent haloperidol-induced Nur77 upregulation. On the contrary, idazoxan consistently potentiated haloperidol-induced Nur77 mRNA levels in the striatum whereas prazosin remained without effect. Taken together, these results show the ability of a 5-HT1A agonist or a 5-HT2A antagonist to reduce haloperidol-induced Nur77 striatal expression. Subsequently, we evaluated in different experimental designs the effect of eticlopride, a specific D2 antagonist, to provide additional information on the mechanism by which D2 antagonist controls transcriptional activity in the striatum. Surprisingly, deletion of the D2L receptor isoform did not reduce eticlopride-induced upregulation of Nur77 mRNA levels in the striatum. However, cortical lesions with ibotenic acid strongly reduced eticlopride-induced upregulation of Nur77 mRNA, suggesting a role for glutamate neurotransmission. A combination of a metabotropic glutamate type 5 (mGluR5) antagonist with an antagonist of its synergistic partner adenosine A2A receptor abolished eticlopride-induced upregulation of Nur77 mRNA levels in the striatum. Direct modulation of striatal Nur77 expression by glutamate and adenosine receptors was confirmed using corticostriatal organotypic cultures. Taken together, these results indicate that modulation of gene expression in the striatum, following a D2 antagonist, might not involve a direct interaction of the drug at postsynaptic D2 receptors, but rather relies on its interaction with corticostriatal presynaptic D2 receptors and subsequent activation of postsynaptic glutamate and adenosine receptors in the striatum. In summary, our results suggest that interaction of atypical antipsychotic drugs with 5-HT2A and 5-HT1A receptors participate in the differential pattern of gene expression induced by these drugs when compared with typical antipsychotic drugs. Moreover, our results uncover a new mechanism of action of D2 antagonists and support a prominent role of glutamate and adenosine in the effect of classic antipsychotic drugs.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is characterised by a reduction of dopamine concentration in the striatum due to degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Currently, first line treatment of PD includes the use of dopamine precursors, dopamine agonists and inhibitors of enzymatic degradation of dopamine, in an effort to restore dopamine levels and/or its effects. However, all these therapeutic strategies are only symptomatic and unfortunately do not slow, stop or reverse the progression of PD. From the discovery of adenosine A2A receptor-dopamine D2 receptor heteromers and the antagonistic interaction between these receptors, the basis of a new therapeutic approach towards the treatment of PD emerged. Adenosine A2A receptor antagonists have been shown to decrease the motor symptoms associated with PD, and are also potentially neuroprotective. The possibility thus exists that the administration of an adenosine A2A antagonist may prevent further neurodegeneration. Furthermore, the antagonism of adenosine A1 receptors has the potential of treating cognitive deficits such as those associated with Alzheimer's disease and PD. Therefore, dual antagonism of adenosine A1 and A2A receptors would be of great benefit since this would potentially treat both the motor as well as the cognitive impairment associated with PD. The affinities (Ki-values between 0.6 mM and 38 mM) of a series of 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives were previously illustrated for the adenosine A1, A2A and A3 receptor subtypes by Van Rhee and co-workers (1996). These results prompted this pilot study, which aimed to investigate the potential of the structurally related 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones (dihydropyrimidones) and 2-amino-1,4-dihydropyrimidines as adenosine A1 and A2A antagonists. In this pilot study, a series of 3,4-dihydropyrimidones and 2-amino-1,4-dihydropyrimidines were synthesised and evaluated as adenosine A1 and A2A antagonists. Since several adenosine A2A antagonists also exhibit MAO inhibitory activity, the MAO-inhibitory activity of selected derivatives was also assessed. A modified Biginelli one pot synthesis was used for the preparation of both series of compounds under solvent free conditions. A mixture of a β- diketone, aldehyde and urea/guanidine hydrochloride was heated for an appropriate time to afford the desired compounds in good yields. MAO-B inhibition studies comprised of a fluorometric assay where kynuramine was used as substrate. A radioligand binding protocol described in literature was employed to investigate the binding of the compounds to the adenosine A2A and A1 receptors. The displacement of N-[3H]ethyladenosin-5’-uronamide ([3H]NECA) from rat striatal membranes and 1,3-[3H]-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine ([3H]DPCPX) from rat whole brain membranes, was used in the determination of A2A and A1 affinity, respectively. The results showed that both 3,4-dihydropyrimidones and 2-amino-1,4-dihydropyrimidines had weak adenosine A2A affinity, with the p-fluorophenyl substituted dihydropyrimidone derivative (1h) in series 1, exhibiting the highest affinity for the adenosine A2A receptor (28.7 μM), followed by the p-chlorophenyl dihydropyrimidine derivative (2c) in series 2 (38.59 μM). Both series showed more promising adenosine A1 receptor affinity in the low micromolar range. The p-bromophenyl substituted derivatives in both series showed the best affinity for the adenosine A1 receptor with Ki-values of 7.39 μM (1b) and 7.9 μM (2b). The pmethoxyphenyl dihydropyrimidone (1d) and p-methylpneyl dihydropyrimidine (2e) derivatives also exhibited reasonable affinity for the adenosine A1 receptor with Ki-values of 8.53 μM and 9.67 μM, respectively. Neither the 3,4-dihydropyrimidones nor the 2-amino-1,4- dihydropyrimidines showed MAO-B inhibitory activity. Comparison of the adenosine A2A affinity of the most potent derivative (1h, Ki = 28.7 μM) from this study with that of the previously synthesised dihydropyridine derivatives (Van Rhee et al., 1996, most potent compound had a Ki = 2.74 mM) reveals that an approximate 100- fold increase in binding affinity for A2A receptors occurred. However, KW6002, a known A2A antagonist, that has already reached clinical trials, has a Ki-value of 7.49 nM. The same trend was observed for adenosine A1 affinity, where the most potent compound (1b) of this study exhibited a Ki-value of 7.39 μM compared to 2.75 mM determined for the most potent dihydropyridine derivatives (Van Rhee et al., 1996). N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA), a known adenosine A1 agonist that was used as a reference compound, however had a Kivalue of 10.4 nM. The increase in both adenosine A1 and A2A affinity can most likely be ascribed to the increase in nitrogens in the heterocyclic ring (from a dihydropyridine to a dihydropyrimidine) since similar results were obtained by Gillespie and co-workers in 2009 for a series of pyridine and pyrimidine derivatives. In their case it was found that increasing the number of nitrogens in the heterocyclic ring (from one to two nitrogen atoms for the pyridine and pyrimidine derivatives respectively) increased affinity for the adenosine A2A and adenosine A1 receptor subtypes, while three nitrogen atoms in the ring (triazine derivatives) were associated with decreased affinity. It thus appears that two nitrogen atoms in the ring (pyrimidine) are required for optimum adenosine A1 and A2A receptor affinity. The poor adenosine A2A affinity exhibited by the compounds of this study can probably be attributed to the absence of an aromatic heterocyclic ring. The amino acid, Phe-168 plays a very important role in the binding site of the A2A receptor, where it forms aromatic - - stacking interactions with the heterocyclic aromatic ring systems of known agonists and antagonists. Since the dihydropyrimidine ring in both series of this pilot study was not aromatic, the formation of aromatic - -stacking interactions with Phe-168 is unlikely. In conclusion, the 3,4-dihydropyrimidone and 2-amino-1,4-dihydropyrimidine scaffolds can be used as a lead for the design of novel adenosine A1 and A2A antagonists, although further structural modifications are required before a clinically viable candidate will be available as potential treatment of PD. / MSc (Pharmaceutical Chemistry), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is characterised by a reduction of dopamine concentration in the striatum due to degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Currently, first line treatment of PD includes the use of dopamine precursors, dopamine agonists and inhibitors of enzymatic degradation of dopamine, in an effort to restore dopamine levels and/or its effects. However, all these therapeutic strategies are only symptomatic and unfortunately do not slow, stop or reverse the progression of PD. From the discovery of adenosine A2A receptor-dopamine D2 receptor heteromers and the antagonistic interaction between these receptors, the basis of a new therapeutic approach towards the treatment of PD emerged. Adenosine A2A receptor antagonists have been shown to decrease the motor symptoms associated with PD, and are also potentially neuroprotective. The possibility thus exists that the administration of an adenosine A2A antagonist may prevent further neurodegeneration. Furthermore, the antagonism of adenosine A1 receptors has the potential of treating cognitive deficits such as those associated with Alzheimer's disease and PD. Therefore, dual antagonism of adenosine A1 and A2A receptors would be of great benefit since this would potentially treat both the motor as well as the cognitive impairment associated with PD. The affinities (Ki-values between 0.6 mM and 38 mM) of a series of 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives were previously illustrated for the adenosine A1, A2A and A3 receptor subtypes by Van Rhee and co-workers (1996). These results prompted this pilot study, which aimed to investigate the potential of the structurally related 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones (dihydropyrimidones) and 2-amino-1,4-dihydropyrimidines as adenosine A1 and A2A antagonists. In this pilot study, a series of 3,4-dihydropyrimidones and 2-amino-1,4-dihydropyrimidines were synthesised and evaluated as adenosine A1 and A2A antagonists. Since several adenosine A2A antagonists also exhibit MAO inhibitory activity, the MAO-inhibitory activity of selected derivatives was also assessed. A modified Biginelli one pot synthesis was used for the preparation of both series of compounds under solvent free conditions. A mixture of a β- diketone, aldehyde and urea/guanidine hydrochloride was heated for an appropriate time to afford the desired compounds in good yields. MAO-B inhibition studies comprised of a fluorometric assay where kynuramine was used as substrate. A radioligand binding protocol described in literature was employed to investigate the binding of the compounds to the adenosine A2A and A1 receptors. The displacement of N-[3H]ethyladenosin-5’-uronamide ([3H]NECA) from rat striatal membranes and 1,3-[3H]-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine ([3H]DPCPX) from rat whole brain membranes, was used in the determination of A2A and A1 affinity, respectively. The results showed that both 3,4-dihydropyrimidones and 2-amino-1,4-dihydropyrimidines had weak adenosine A2A affinity, with the p-fluorophenyl substituted dihydropyrimidone derivative (1h) in series 1, exhibiting the highest affinity for the adenosine A2A receptor (28.7 μM), followed by the p-chlorophenyl dihydropyrimidine derivative (2c) in series 2 (38.59 μM). Both series showed more promising adenosine A1 receptor affinity in the low micromolar range. The p-bromophenyl substituted derivatives in both series showed the best affinity for the adenosine A1 receptor with Ki-values of 7.39 μM (1b) and 7.9 μM (2b). The pmethoxyphenyl dihydropyrimidone (1d) and p-methylpneyl dihydropyrimidine (2e) derivatives also exhibited reasonable affinity for the adenosine A1 receptor with Ki-values of 8.53 μM and 9.67 μM, respectively. Neither the 3,4-dihydropyrimidones nor the 2-amino-1,4- dihydropyrimidines showed MAO-B inhibitory activity. Comparison of the adenosine A2A affinity of the most potent derivative (1h, Ki = 28.7 μM) from this study with that of the previously synthesised dihydropyridine derivatives (Van Rhee et al., 1996, most potent compound had a Ki = 2.74 mM) reveals that an approximate 100- fold increase in binding affinity for A2A receptors occurred. However, KW6002, a known A2A antagonist, that has already reached clinical trials, has a Ki-value of 7.49 nM. The same trend was observed for adenosine A1 affinity, where the most potent compound (1b) of this study exhibited a Ki-value of 7.39 μM compared to 2.75 mM determined for the most potent dihydropyridine derivatives (Van Rhee et al., 1996). N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA), a known adenosine A1 agonist that was used as a reference compound, however had a Kivalue of 10.4 nM. The increase in both adenosine A1 and A2A affinity can most likely be ascribed to the increase in nitrogens in the heterocyclic ring (from a dihydropyridine to a dihydropyrimidine) since similar results were obtained by Gillespie and co-workers in 2009 for a series of pyridine and pyrimidine derivatives. In their case it was found that increasing the number of nitrogens in the heterocyclic ring (from one to two nitrogen atoms for the pyridine and pyrimidine derivatives respectively) increased affinity for the adenosine A2A and adenosine A1 receptor subtypes, while three nitrogen atoms in the ring (triazine derivatives) were associated with decreased affinity. It thus appears that two nitrogen atoms in the ring (pyrimidine) are required for optimum adenosine A1 and A2A receptor affinity. The poor adenosine A2A affinity exhibited by the compounds of this study can probably be attributed to the absence of an aromatic heterocyclic ring. The amino acid, Phe-168 plays a very important role in the binding site of the A2A receptor, where it forms aromatic - - stacking interactions with the heterocyclic aromatic ring systems of known agonists and antagonists. Since the dihydropyrimidine ring in both series of this pilot study was not aromatic, the formation of aromatic - -stacking interactions with Phe-168 is unlikely. In conclusion, the 3,4-dihydropyrimidone and 2-amino-1,4-dihydropyrimidine scaffolds can be used as a lead for the design of novel adenosine A1 and A2A antagonists, although further structural modifications are required before a clinically viable candidate will be available as potential treatment of PD. / MSc (Pharmaceutical Chemistry), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Under de senaste decennierna har hantering av leverantörsrelationer blivit en viktig konkurrensfaktor för företag världen över. Denna uppsats kommer delvis att presentera teorin bakom hantering av leverantörsrelationer och integrera den med värdesamskapande vilket är ytterligare en viktig aspekt för företag som önskar att implementera ett vinn-vinn-tänk med sina samarbetspartners. Studien har genomförts på inköpsavdelningen på Valmet i Karlstad med syfte att identifiera vad som är värdeskapande i ett leverantörsförhållande. Den empiriska datan har analyserats för att sedan omvandlas till aktiviteter som kan appliceras i ett tidigt skede av en produkt/projektcykel. Detta leder in på Design to Cost vilket utgör den tredje och sista grunden för litteraturstudien av detta arbete.   Denna studie inleddes med en litteraturstudie, med fokus på de tre huvudämnena; hantering av leverantörsrelationer, värdesamskapande och Design to Cost. Denna studie sammanställdes sedan i ett teoretiskt ramverk som följdes upp med en kvalitativ datainsamling. Semistrukturerade intervjuer användes under två olika delar av studien, först intervjuades anställda på Valmet i Karlstad och därefter företagets leverantörer. Under analysen jämfördes insamlad data med det teoretiska ramverket.   Resultaten visar att värdesamskapande i studiens kontext främst bygger på kommunikation och tillit. Det är också viktigt att veta i vilken fas involveringen av leverantörer bör uppnås. Eftersom det här är en studie som fokuserar på Design to Cost, rekommenderas det att involvera leverantörerna i ett tidigt skede. Som ett resultat ökar antalet möjligheter och samarbetet är mindre begränsat av tekniska designbeslut etc.   De identifierade aktiviteterna från analysen har prioriterats i en matris och en rekommendation har skapats delvis till Valmet, men också till liknande branscher. Eftersom resultatet bygger på empirisk data analyserad ur ett teoretiskt perspektiv, kan det därför motiveras att lösningarna är generella i en viss utsträckning och därmed tillämpbara i andra kontext. Aktiviteterna har delats in i 4 teman; kommunikation, samarbete, informationsdelning och kategorisering. Förslagen på aktiviteter berör bland annat utbildning, uppföljning och återkoppling, intern benchmarking, utvecklingsplaner, tvärfunktionella team, kvalitetssäkring, prognostisering, kostnadsnedbrytning samt kategorisering av leverantörer/kund och produkter. / In recent decades supply relationship management have become a competitive factor for companies worldwide. This master thesis will partly address the theory of supply relationship management and integrate it with value co-creation, which is an additional important aspect for companies wanting to implement a win-win thinking with their collaborative partners. The study have been conducted at the purchasing department at Valmet in Karlstad with the purpose of identifying value creation in a supplier relationship. The empirical data have been analyzed to represent activities that can be applied in an early stage of a product/project cycle. This leads to Design to Cost, which constitutes the third and last foundation for the literature study of this work.   This study started with a literature review, focusing on the three main subjects; supply relationship management, value co-creation and Design to Cost. This review was then concluded by a theoretical framework and followed up with a qualitative data collection. Semi-structured interviews were used in two different parts of the study, first with employees at Valmet in Karlstad and then with their suppliers. During the analysis the data was compared to the established theoretical framework.   The results show that value co-creating in the study's context is based foremost on communication and trust. It is also important to know at what phase the involvement should be accomplished. As this is a study focusing on Design to Cost it is recommended to involve the suppliers at an early stage. As a result more opportunities are given and the cooperation is less restrained by any technical design decisions etc.   The identified activities from the analysis have been prioritized and a recommendation have been created partly to Valmet, but also to similar industries. As the result is based on empirical data analyzed from a theoretical perspective, it can therefore be justified that the solutions are general to a certain extent and thus applicable in other contexts. The activities have been divided into 4 themes; communication, collaboration, information sharing and categorization. For instance, the proposals for activities concern education, follow-ups and feedback, internal benchmarking, development plans, cross-functional teams, quality assurance, forecasts, cost breakdown as well as categorization of supplier/customer and products.

Esse estudo foi realizado para verificar se a exposição a separações repetidas (por diferentes intervalos de tempo) de mães dos seus filhotes no período neonatal poderiam ser classificadas como indutoras de um estado do tipo deprimido em genitoras. Sessenta ratas Wistar prenhes foram divididas em 3 grupos: controle, separação por 10 minutos e separação por 3 horas. As intervenções neonatais foram realizadas nos dias 1-10 pós parto. Após o desmame as genitoras foram submetidas ao teste do nado forçado, ao teste do labirinto em cruz elevado e ao teste do odor de predador. Também foi avaliado o comportamento alimentar e os padrões de reatividade a um sabor doce e a um sabor amargo. Foi medido os níveis de ocitocina no líquido cefaloraquidiano, corticosterona plasmática e atividade hipocampal Na+, K+-ATPase, assim como a atividade das enzimas antioxidantes catalase, glutationa peroxidase, superoxido dismutase, produção de radicais livres, e a produção de óxido nítrico, além dos níveis dos receptores A2A de adenosina e D2 de dopamina no estriado dorsoventral e no hipocampo. Foi observado que somente a separação por 3 h induziu um aumento significativo no tempo de imobilidade no teste do nado forçado, o que é consistente com estudos prévios. A atividade hipocampal da Na+, K+-ATPase se mostrou diminuída no grupo separado por 10 minutos e mais significativamente diminuída nas genitoras submetidas a separação por 3 horas de seus filhotes. Adicionalmente, os níveis de ocitocina no líquido cefaloraquidiano se encontravam aumentados no grupo separado por 10 minutos, o que pode estar relacionado a um aumento no cuidado materno, induzido por esta manipulação dos filhotes, por parte das genitoras, como reportado na literatura. Uma redução nos níveis de óxido nítrico no hipocampo das genitoras separadas por 3 horas foi observado Nessas genitoras também foi verificado um aumento no comportamento de risco, uma diminuição no sentimento prazeroso frente a uma solução doce e aumento na sensibilidade a uma solução aversiva, o que é congruente a um perfil de estado do tipo deprimido. Além disso, nós verificamos uma diminuição na quantidade do receptor de dopamina D2 no estriado das mães submetidas a separação por 3 horas dos filhotes, o que poderia ser relacionado com uma diminuição no prazer (anedonia) que acontece na depressão. Conclui-se que a retirada dos filhotes das mães por longos períodos tornam essas mães mais susceptíveis ao desenvolvimento de características depressivas. / This study was carried out to ascertain whether exposure to repeated separations (different times) of mothers from their pups in the neonatal period could be classified as an induction of a depressive-like state in dams. Sixty Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: control, brief separation and long-term separation. The neonatal interventions were done on postpartum days 1-10. After weaning, the dams were subjected to the forced swimming test, elevated plus maze and predator odor test. It was also evaluated the feeding behavior and the taste reactivity patterns to a sweet and to a bitter solution. It was mesaured cerebral spinal fluid oxytocin, plasma corticosterone, and hippocampal Na+, K+-ATPase activity, as well as the activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, free radicals production, and the production of nitric oxide and the levels of adenosine A2A and dopamine D2 receptors in the dorsoventral striatum and hippocampus. It was observed that only the 3 h separation induced a significant increase in the immobility time of rats in the forced swimming test, which is consistent with previous studies. Hippocampal Na+, K+-ATPase activity was decreased in the brief separated group and more significantly decreased in dams subjected to 3h separation from their pups. Additionally, cerebral spinal fluid oxytocin was increased in dams of the brief separated group, which may be related to the increased handled-induced maternal care, as reported in the literature. A reduction in nitric oxide levels in the hippocampus in dams of the long separated group was also observed. It was also verify an increase in the risk-taking behavior by the 3h separated mothers. The 3h separated mother also demonstrated a diminished feeling of pleasure with a sucrose solution and a increased sensibility to a aversive solution, wich is congruent with a depressive like state profile. Furthermore, we shown a decrease in the dopamine D2 receptor quantity in the striatum of the 3 h separated mothers, wich could be related to a decrease in pleasure feeling (anhedonia) experienced in depression. It is concluded that the withdrawal of pups from their mothers for long periods make the mothers more susceptible to the development of depressive features.

Esse estudo foi realizado para verificar se a exposição a separações repetidas (por diferentes intervalos de tempo) de mães dos seus filhotes no período neonatal poderiam ser classificadas como indutoras de um estado do tipo deprimido em genitoras. Sessenta ratas Wistar prenhes foram divididas em 3 grupos: controle, separação por 10 minutos e separação por 3 horas. As intervenções neonatais foram realizadas nos dias 1-10 pós parto. Após o desmame as genitoras foram submetidas ao teste do nado forçado, ao teste do labirinto em cruz elevado e ao teste do odor de predador. Também foi avaliado o comportamento alimentar e os padrões de reatividade a um sabor doce e a um sabor amargo. Foi medido os níveis de ocitocina no líquido cefaloraquidiano, corticosterona plasmática e atividade hipocampal Na+, K+-ATPase, assim como a atividade das enzimas antioxidantes catalase, glutationa peroxidase, superoxido dismutase, produção de radicais livres, e a produção de óxido nítrico, além dos níveis dos receptores A2A de adenosina e D2 de dopamina no estriado dorsoventral e no hipocampo. Foi observado que somente a separação por 3 h induziu um aumento significativo no tempo de imobilidade no teste do nado forçado, o que é consistente com estudos prévios. A atividade hipocampal da Na+, K+-ATPase se mostrou diminuída no grupo separado por 10 minutos e mais significativamente diminuída nas genitoras submetidas a separação por 3 horas de seus filhotes. Adicionalmente, os níveis de ocitocina no líquido cefaloraquidiano se encontravam aumentados no grupo separado por 10 minutos, o que pode estar relacionado a um aumento no cuidado materno, induzido por esta manipulação dos filhotes, por parte das genitoras, como reportado na literatura. Uma redução nos níveis de óxido nítrico no hipocampo das genitoras separadas por 3 horas foi observado Nessas genitoras também foi verificado um aumento no comportamento de risco, uma diminuição no sentimento prazeroso frente a uma solução doce e aumento na sensibilidade a uma solução aversiva, o que é congruente a um perfil de estado do tipo deprimido. Além disso, nós verificamos uma diminuição na quantidade do receptor de dopamina D2 no estriado das mães submetidas a separação por 3 horas dos filhotes, o que poderia ser relacionado com uma diminuição no prazer (anedonia) que acontece na depressão. Conclui-se que a retirada dos filhotes das mães por longos períodos tornam essas mães mais susceptíveis ao desenvolvimento de características depressivas. / This study was carried out to ascertain whether exposure to repeated separations (different times) of mothers from their pups in the neonatal period could be classified as an induction of a depressive-like state in dams. Sixty Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: control, brief separation and long-term separation. The neonatal interventions were done on postpartum days 1-10. After weaning, the dams were subjected to the forced swimming test, elevated plus maze and predator odor test. It was also evaluated the feeding behavior and the taste reactivity patterns to a sweet and to a bitter solution. It was mesaured cerebral spinal fluid oxytocin, plasma corticosterone, and hippocampal Na+, K+-ATPase activity, as well as the activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, free radicals production, and the production of nitric oxide and the levels of adenosine A2A and dopamine D2 receptors in the dorsoventral striatum and hippocampus. It was observed that only the 3 h separation induced a significant increase in the immobility time of rats in the forced swimming test, which is consistent with previous studies. Hippocampal Na+, K+-ATPase activity was decreased in the brief separated group and more significantly decreased in dams subjected to 3h separation from their pups. Additionally, cerebral spinal fluid oxytocin was increased in dams of the brief separated group, which may be related to the increased handled-induced maternal care, as reported in the literature. A reduction in nitric oxide levels in the hippocampus in dams of the long separated group was also observed. It was also verify an increase in the risk-taking behavior by the 3h separated mothers. The 3h separated mother also demonstrated a diminished feeling of pleasure with a sucrose solution and a increased sensibility to a aversive solution, wich is congruent with a depressive like state profile. Furthermore, we shown a decrease in the dopamine D2 receptor quantity in the striatum of the 3 h separated mothers, wich could be related to a decrease in pleasure feeling (anhedonia) experienced in depression. It is concluded that the withdrawal of pups from their mothers for long periods make the mothers more susceptible to the development of depressive features.

Adenosine is a nucleoside that plays an important role in the regulation of contractility in the heart. Adenosine receptors are G-protein coupled and those implicated in regulation of contractility are presumed to act via modulating the activity of adenylyl cyclase and cAMP content of cardiomyocytes. Adenosine A1 receptors (A1R) reduce the contractile response of the myocardium to β-adrenergic stimulation. This is known as anti adrenergic action. The A2A adenosine receptor (A2AR) has the opposite effect of increasing contractile responsiveness of the myocardium. The A2AR also appears to attenuate the effects of A1R. The effects of these receptors have been primarily studied in the rat heart and with the utilization of cardiomyocyte preparations. With the increasing use of receptor knockout murine models and murine models of various pathological states, it is of importance to comprehensively study the effects of adenosine receptors on regulation of contractility in the murine heart. The following studies examine the adenosinergic regulation of myocardial contractility in isolated murine hearts. In addition, adenosinergic control of contractility is examined in hearts isolated from A2AR knockout animals. Responses to adenosinergic stimulation in murine isolated hearts are found to be comparable to those observed in the rat, with A1R exhibiting an anti adrenergic action and A2AR conversely enhancing contractility. A significant part of the A2AR effect was found to occur via inhibition of the A1R antiadrenergic action. A part of the anti adrenergic action of A1R has previously been shown to be the result of protein phosphatase 2A activation and localization to membranes. Additional experiments in the present study examine the effect of adenosinergic signaling on PP2A in myocardial extracts from wild type and A2AR knockout hearts. A2AR activation was found to decrease the activity of PP2A and enhance localization of the active enzyme to the cytosol; away from its presumed sites of action. In the A2AR knockout the response to A1R activation was enhanced compared with the wild type and basal PP2A activity was reduced. It is concluded that A2AR modulation of PP2A activity may account for the attenuation of the A1R effect by A2AR observed in the contractile studies.

Esse estudo foi realizado para verificar se a exposição a separações repetidas (por diferentes intervalos de tempo) de mães dos seus filhotes no período neonatal poderiam ser classificadas como indutoras de um estado do tipo deprimido em genitoras. Sessenta ratas Wistar prenhes foram divididas em 3 grupos: controle, separação por 10 minutos e separação por 3 horas. As intervenções neonatais foram realizadas nos dias 1-10 pós parto. Após o desmame as genitoras foram submetidas ao teste do nado forçado, ao teste do labirinto em cruz elevado e ao teste do odor de predador. Também foi avaliado o comportamento alimentar e os padrões de reatividade a um sabor doce e a um sabor amargo. Foi medido os níveis de ocitocina no líquido cefaloraquidiano, corticosterona plasmática e atividade hipocampal Na+, K+-ATPase, assim como a atividade das enzimas antioxidantes catalase, glutationa peroxidase, superoxido dismutase, produção de radicais livres, e a produção de óxido nítrico, além dos níveis dos receptores A2A de adenosina e D2 de dopamina no estriado dorsoventral e no hipocampo. Foi observado que somente a separação por 3 h induziu um aumento significativo no tempo de imobilidade no teste do nado forçado, o que é consistente com estudos prévios. A atividade hipocampal da Na+, K+-ATPase se mostrou diminuída no grupo separado por 10 minutos e mais significativamente diminuída nas genitoras submetidas a separação por 3 horas de seus filhotes. Adicionalmente, os níveis de ocitocina no líquido cefaloraquidiano se encontravam aumentados no grupo separado por 10 minutos, o que pode estar relacionado a um aumento no cuidado materno, induzido por esta manipulação dos filhotes, por parte das genitoras, como reportado na literatura. Uma redução nos níveis de óxido nítrico no hipocampo das genitoras separadas por 3 horas foi observado Nessas genitoras também foi verificado um aumento no comportamento de risco, uma diminuição no sentimento prazeroso frente a uma solução doce e aumento na sensibilidade a uma solução aversiva, o que é congruente a um perfil de estado do tipo deprimido. Além disso, nós verificamos uma diminuição na quantidade do receptor de dopamina D2 no estriado das mães submetidas a separação por 3 horas dos filhotes, o que poderia ser relacionado com uma diminuição no prazer (anedonia) que acontece na depressão. Conclui-se que a retirada dos filhotes das mães por longos períodos tornam essas mães mais susceptíveis ao desenvolvimento de características depressivas. / This study was carried out to ascertain whether exposure to repeated separations (different times) of mothers from their pups in the neonatal period could be classified as an induction of a depressive-like state in dams. Sixty Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: control, brief separation and long-term separation. The neonatal interventions were done on postpartum days 1-10. After weaning, the dams were subjected to the forced swimming test, elevated plus maze and predator odor test. It was also evaluated the feeding behavior and the taste reactivity patterns to a sweet and to a bitter solution. It was mesaured cerebral spinal fluid oxytocin, plasma corticosterone, and hippocampal Na+, K+-ATPase activity, as well as the activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, free radicals production, and the production of nitric oxide and the levels of adenosine A2A and dopamine D2 receptors in the dorsoventral striatum and hippocampus. It was observed that only the 3 h separation induced a significant increase in the immobility time of rats in the forced swimming test, which is consistent with previous studies. Hippocampal Na+, K+-ATPase activity was decreased in the brief separated group and more significantly decreased in dams subjected to 3h separation from their pups. Additionally, cerebral spinal fluid oxytocin was increased in dams of the brief separated group, which may be related to the increased handled-induced maternal care, as reported in the literature. A reduction in nitric oxide levels in the hippocampus in dams of the long separated group was also observed. It was also verify an increase in the risk-taking behavior by the 3h separated mothers. The 3h separated mother also demonstrated a diminished feeling of pleasure with a sucrose solution and a increased sensibility to a aversive solution, wich is congruent with a depressive like state profile. Furthermore, we shown a decrease in the dopamine D2 receptor quantity in the striatum of the 3 h separated mothers, wich could be related to a decrease in pleasure feeling (anhedonia) experienced in depression. It is concluded that the withdrawal of pups from their mothers for long periods make the mothers more susceptible to the development of depressive features.

Les ganglions de la base forment un réseau neuronal mettant en jeu une circuiterie complexe et jouant un rôle essentiel dans la régulation des fonctions motrices, dans différentes formes d'apprentissage sensorimoteur, ainsi que dans les processus motivationnels. Cette régulation met en jeu une boucle cortico-striato-thalamo-corticale dans laquelle le striatum tient une position centrale en étant la principale structure d’entrée de ce réseau. Il joue le rôle de filtre en intégrant et traitant l’ensemble des informations qui y parviennent. Ce réseau neuronal complexe peut être altéré par différentes pathologies humaines (maladie de Parkinson, schizophrénie, chorée de Huntington, addiction aux drogues, …) qui résultent d’une perturbation ou d’une lésion au niveau d’une ou plusieurs structures composant le système des ganglions de la base.<p>Le striatum, premier relais du système des ganglions de la base, reçoit deux afférences principales :les voies dopaminergique nigro-striatale et glutamatergique cortico-striatale. En plus de ces deux afférences majeures, l’adénosine, par son action sur ses récepteurs, joue de nombreux rôles de régulation dans ce système. Ainsi, l’activité neuronale des neurones épineux moyens du striatum est modulée par les récepteurs de la dopamine qui sont en étroites interactions avec les récepteurs de l’adénosine. Bien que la signalisation de la dopamine et de l’adénosine ait été l’objet de nombreuses attentions, les mécanismes impliqués dans la régulation, par les récepteurs D2 de la dopamine et A2A de l’adénosine, dans le contrôle du potentiel membranaire et de l’excitabilité intrinsèque des neurones épineux moyens du striatum et leurs conséquences sur cette excitabilité en cas de déplétion en dopamine (mimant la maladie de Parkinson) restent encore très méconnues.<p>Dans ce travail de thèse, nous avons donc tenté d’élucider les mécanismes de régulation des récepteurs D2 et A2A et leurs interactions dans la modulation de la transition du potentiel membranaire et de l’excitabilité intrinsèque des neurones striataux, ainsi que les conséquences d’une déplétion en dopamine sur cette excitabilité neuronale. <p><p>Dans le premier travail de thèse, sur un modèle in vitro de transition du potentiel membranaire et par l’utilisation de peptides compétitifs, nous avons montré que les récepteurs D2 et A2A régulent le plateau de dépolarisation du potentiel membranaire induit par le NMDA via un mécanisme d’interaction protéine-protéine intramembranaire. En effet, l’activation du récepteur D2 supprime la transition entre un potentiel membranaire hyperpolarisé, le « down-state » et un plateau de dépolarisation du potentiel membranaire, le « up-state » par la régulation de l’activité du canal calcique Cav1.3a interagissant avec la protéine d’ancrage Shank. L’activation du récepteur A2A per se n’a pas d’effet, mais il réverse totalement la modulation de la transition du potentiel membranaire par le récepteur D2 selon un mécanisme dans lequel l’hétéromérisation des récepteurs A2A-D2 est strictement nécessaire, démontrant ainsi un intérêt physiologique direct de ces hétéromères. Nos travaux démontrent que la transition du potentiel membranaire et la fréquence de décharge des potentiels d’action des neurones striataux sont étroitement contrôlées par les récepteurs D2 et A2A via des interactions spécifiques protéine-protéine impliquant une hétéromérisation des récepteurs A2A-D2.<p><p>Dans la seconde étude présentée dans cette thèse, nous avons mis en évidence une régulation antagoniste de l’excitabilité intrinsèque des neurones épineux moyens du striatum par les récepteurs D2 et A2A via des mécanismes impliquant la modulation d’une conductance potassique de type A (IA). Par ailleurs, nous avons montré qu’une déplétion en dopamine conduit à une augmentation de l’excitabilité intrinsèque de ces neurones via une diminution d’une conductance IA. Malgré une forte diminution des afférences synaptiques excitatrices déterminées par une diminution de la densité des épines dendritiques et une augmentation du courant minimal nécessaire pour induire un premier EPSP, l’augmentation de l’excitabilité intrinsèque induite par la déplétion en dopamine résulte en un renforcement de la réponse des synapses restantes, permettant aux neurones striataux de répondre à une stimulation en provenance des afférences excitatrices de manière similaire voire même, plus efficace que dans les conditions contrôles. De plus, cette augmentation de l’excitabilité intrinsèque via la régulation d’une conductance IA représente une forme de plasticité homéostatique permettant au neurone de compenser une perturbation de l’activité neuronale ou de la transmission synaptique et donc d’assurer une stabilité de son patron de décharge des potentiels d’action. Ces données montrent la capacité de cette homéostasie à maintenir la fréquence de décharge des neurones striataux dans une gamme fonctionnelle, et ce dans des conditions pathologiques, permettant de stabiliser l’activité neuronale dans un réseau altéré.<p><p><p>En conclusion, l’ensemble de ce travail de thèse a permis de mettre en évidence une interaction fonctionnelle des récepteurs D2 de la dopamine et A2A de l’adénosine dans la régulation du contrôle de l’excitabilité des neurones épineux moyens du striatum. Il a également permis d’établir l’existence d’un mécanisme de plasticité homéostasique intervenant dans ce système neuronal altéré, afin de maintenir une activité électrique fonctionnelle des neurones striataux.<p> / Doctorat en sciences biomédicales / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Les nucléotides et nucléosides sont des molécules essentielles à la vie. Outre leurs fonctions intracellulaires, ils jouent un rôle dans la communication intercellulaire. Les nucléotides et nucléosides sont libérés dans l’espace extracellulaire par différents mécanismes et ensuite rapidement métabolisés par des ecto-nucléotidases. Ils exercent leurs effets paracrines et/ou autocrines en activant des récepteurs présents à la surface membranaire des cellules. Les récepteurs P1, au nombre de quatre (A1, A2A, A2B et A3), sont activés par l’adénosine. Les récepteurs P2X1-7 ont une activité intrinsèque de canal ionique et sont essentiellement activés par l’ATP. Les récepteurs P2Y possèdent sept domaines transmembranaires et sont couplés à des protéines G. A ce jour huit sous-types ont été identifiés :P2Y1,2,4,6,11,12,13,14. Ces récepteurs sont activés par des nucléotides adényliques (ATP et ADP) et/ou uridyliques (UTP, UDP et UDP-glucose). Les récepteurs P1 et P2 modulent l’activité de multiples processus biologiques :système immunitaire (A2A, P2X7, P2Y11,…), agrégation plaquettaire (P2Y1, P2Y12, P2X1), tonus vasculaire, angiogenèse,…<p><p>Notre laboratoire a identifié et caractérisé plusieurs récepteurs P2Y :P2Y4, P2Y6, P2Y11 et P2Y13. Ce dernier est activé par l’ADP et est couplé à une protéine Gi. L’abondance du transcrit P2Y13 murin est caractérisée par l’ordre suivant :rate >> pancréas > foie = cerveau. Afin de déterminer son rôle physiologique, nous avons généré une lignée de souris invalidées pour le récepteur P2Y13. Après avoir validé l’inactivation du gène P2Y13 dans ces souris, nous avons analysé leur phénotype. Les souris P2Y13-/- ne présentent pas d’anomalie évidente :elles sont viables, fertiles et se développent normalement. Etant donné le profil d’expression de ce récepteur, nous avons analysé leur système immunitaire, en particulier les cellules dendritiques (DC). <p>In vivo, l’invalidation du récepteur P2Y13 ne semble pas avoir d’impact sur les réponses inflammatoires (choc septique, infiltration de neutrophiles, test à la formaline) et auto-immunes (uvéorétinite expérimentale). In vitro, nous avons montré que l’ADPβS induit une mobilisation de calcium cytoplasmique dans les DC spléniques et qu’il stimule l’endocytose d’antigènes par celles-ci. L’utilisation de DC transgéniques a permis d’exclure l’implication du récepteur P2Y13 et a montré que ces effets sont médiés par le récepteur P2Y12 qui est également activé par l’ADPβS. Ces observations suggèrent qu’il serait intéressant d’analyser le système immunitaire des souris P2Y12-/-, en particulier les réponses immunes dépendantes des DC. D’autre part, ce travail a débouché sur la mise en évidence d’un effet anti-inflammatoire médié par le récepteur de l’adénosine A2B dans les DC dérivées de la moelle osseuse. Enfin, nous avons récemment mis en évidence un rôle potentiel du récepteur P2Y13 dans le métabolisme des glucides et des lipides. Nous avons observé que les souris P2Y13-/- produisent plus d’insuline en réponse à une injection de glucose que les souris contrôles tandis que leur glycémie ne semble pas altérée. De plus, les souris P2Y13-/- sous régime riche en graisses reproduisent 3 caractéristiques du syndrome métabolique chez l'homme :surpoids, dyslipidémie (augmentation des triglycérides et du non HDL-cholestérol) et hyperinsulinémie.<p><p>Notre travail de thèse débouche donc sur deux conclusions et une perspective :<p>•\ / Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished