Thesis (MAppSc)--University of South Australia, 1997

Bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis (BIPF) is a disease caused by the chemotherapeutic bleomycin in which normal lung tissue is replaced with fibrous tissue that is unable to fulfill the normal functions of oxygen exchange in the lung. The development of this disease is dictated, in part, by a set of genes governing susceptibility. Knowledge of such genetic modifiers offers novel therapeutic targets and improved understanding of the pathways involved in the disease process. Our method integrates different data types to identify genes that have a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) disrupting a transcription factor binding site that modifies the outcome of BIPF. Our current approach examines over 7 million SNPs, phenotypes from 11 inbred mice strains, mRNA expression data, linkage data, and over 600 transcription factor binding sites from the TRANSFAC database. Each gene is scored with respect to each data type and then integrated using a weighted multiplicative model. Our integrative method produces a list of potential genetic modifiers that will be validated using allelic imbalance tests, existing knockout mice if available, siRNA or antibodies. By investigating these genes, we have identified several that are related to known genetic modifiers or others that make biological sense such as H2-Q2, an antigen presentation gene, and Runx1, a transcription factor known to interact with the known BIPF genetic modifiers Smad3 and Cdkn1a.

abstract: Cellular redox phenomena are essential for the life of organisms. Described here is a summary of the synthesis of a number of redox-cycling therapeutic agents. The work centers on the synthesis of antitumor antibiotic bleomycin congeners. In addition, the synthesis of pyridinol analogues of alpha-tocopherol is also described. The bleomycins (BLMs) are a group of glycopeptide antibiotics that have been used clinically to treat several types of cancers. The antitumor activity of BLM is thought to be related to its degradation of DNA, and possibly RNA. Previous studies have indicated that the methylvalerate subunit of bleomycin plays an important role in facilitating DNA cleavage by bleomycin and deglycobleomycin. A series of methylvalerate analogues have been synthesized and incorporated into deglycobleomycin congeners by the use of solid-phase synthesis. All of the deglycobleomycin analogues were found to effect the relaxation of plasmid DNA. Those analogues having aromatic C4-substituents exhibited cleavage efficiency comparable to that of deglycoBLM A5. Some, but not all, of the deglycoBLM analogues were also capable of mediating sequence-selective DNA cleavage. The second project focused on the synthesis of bicyclic pyridinol analogues of alpha-tocopherol. Bicyclic pyridinol antioxidants have recently been reported to suppress the autoxidation of methyl linoleate more effectively than alpha-tocopherol. However, the complexity of the synthetic routes has hampered their further development as therapeutic agents. Described herein is a concise synthesis of two bicyclic pridinol antioxidants and a facile approach to their derivatives with simple alkyl chains attached to the antioxidant core. These analogues were shown to retain biological activity and exhibit tocopherol-like behaviour. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Chemistry 2011

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abstract: Healthy mitochondria are essential for cell survival. Described herein is the synthesis of a family of novel aminoquinone antioxidants designed to alleviate oxidative stress and prevent the impairment of cellular function. In addition, a library of bleomycin disaccharide analogues has also been synthesized to better probe the tumor targeting properties of bleomycin. The first study involves the synthesis of a benzoquinone natural product and analogues that closely resemble the redox core of the natural product geldanamycin. The synthesized 5-amino-3-tridecyl-1,4-benzoquinone antioxidants were tested for their ability to protect Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) lymphocytes from induced oxidative stress. Some of the analogues synthesized conferred cytoprotection in a dose-dependent manner in FRDA lymphocytes at micromolar concentrations. The biological assays suggest that the modification of the 2-hydroxyl and N-(3-carboxypropyl) groups in the natural product can improve its antioxidant activity and significantly enhance its ability to protect mitochondrial function under conditions of oxidative stress. The second project focused on the synthesis of a library of bleomycin disaccharide-dye conjugates and monitored their cellular uptake by fluorescence microscopy. The studies reveal that the position of the carbamoyl group plays an important role in modulating the cellular uptake of the disaccharide. It also led to the discovery of novel disaccharides with improved tumor selectivity. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Chemistry 2013

Les cellules dendritiques, puissantes cellules présentatrices d'antigène, jouent un rôle-clé dans l'initiation et la régulation des réponses immunitaires et inflammatoires (Lipscomb et al., 2002). Elles sont présentes à l'état de cellules immatures dans la plupart des muqueuses, disséminées dans le tissu interstitiel et les épithéliums. Elles sont chargées de capter les antigènes exogènes, de les apprêter et de migrer vers les organes lymphoïdes pour les présenter aux lymphocytes T spécifiques. Au cours de cette migration, elles acquièrent les caractéristiques des cellules dendritiques matures présentes dans les organes lymphoïdes (expression forte des molécules HLA de classe II et des molécules de costimulation CD40, CD80, CD83, CD86). Les cellules dendritiques sont présentes dans le poumon normal (Vermaelen et al., 2005). Elles sont impliquées dans la physiopathologie de différentes maladies pulmonaires et jouent un rôle pathogénique essentiel dans certaines d'entre elles comme l'histiocytose langerhansienne ou l'asthme (Tazi et al ., 2000; Lambrecht et Hammad, 2003). Leur rôle au cours des processus fibrosants n'a cependant jamais été évalué. En effet, contrairement à d'autres cellules présentatrices d'antigènes que sont les macrophages, dont le rôle dans la réaction fibrosante est clairement établi (Agostini et al ., 1997), le rôle des cellules dendritiques au cours des processus de réparation alvéolaire n'a pas été étudié. Notre travail visait à étudier in vivo le rôle des cellules dendritiques au cours de la fibrose pulmonaire sur un modèle animal par induction d’une fibrose à la bléomycine chez la souris. Les premières étapes du projet ont consisté à caratériser par cytométrie en flux la présence de cellules dendritiques dans le poumon des animaux 3, 7 et 14 jours après instillation intratrachéale de bléomycine. L'étude s'est poursuivie par une caractérisation du phénotype de surface des cellules dendritiques en cherchant à préciser leur état d’activation et de maturation. L'étape suivante a consisté à rechercher par RT-QPCR les principales chimiokines responsables du recrutement des cellules dendritiques. Les résultats montrent une augmentation du nombre des cellules dendritiques CD11c+ / CMH II+ infiltrant le poumon dès J7, avec une sous-population de cellules activées exprimant fortement les molécules CMH II. Ces résultats sont corroborés par une augmentation de la population cellulaire totale du broyat de poumon dès J3, ainsi que par une augmentation de la cellularité totale et du nombre de cellules inflammatoires dans les lavages bronchoalvéolaires (LBA) à J7 et J14. L'étude a été complétée par une caractérisation plus approfondie du phénotype de surface des cellules dendritiques en cherchant à préciser leur état d’activation/maturation. [...] / Dendritic cells (DCs), potent antigen-presenting cells, play a key role in the initiation and regulation of immune and inflammatory responses (Lipscomb et al., 2002). Immature DCs are present in the most of mucous membranes, disseminated in the interstitial tissue and the epithelia. They are able to deal with exogenous antigens, to process them and to migrate to lymphoid organs and to present them to T lymphocytes. During their migration, they have the characteristics of mature DCs in lymphoid organs (higher expression of MHC class-II molecules and costimulation-molecules (CD40, CD80, CD83, CD86). Dendritic cells are present in the normal lung (Vermarlen et al., 2005). They are implicated in the pathophysiology of different pulmonary diseases and play a crucial pathogenic role in some of them like Langerhan’s cell Histiocytosis or asthma (Tazi et al., 2000; Lambrecht et Hammad, 2003). However, their role in the fibrosing process has never been studied. In fact, the role of macrophages (other antigen presenting cells (APCs)) in fibrosing reaction has been clearly established (Agostini et al., 1997), but DCs function during the alveolar healing process has not been studied. The purpose of this thesis is to study the in vivo role of DCs in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. The first step of this project is to demonstrate by flow cytometry the presence of DCs in the lung of these animals 3, 7 and 14 days after intratracheal bleomycin instillation. We continued our research with the surface phenotypic characterization of DCs identifying their activation state and maturation. The next step consists to search the main chemokines which are responsive for dendritic cells recruitment by RT-qPCR. Our results show an increase of CD11c+ / MHC class II+ DCs number infiltrating the lung after D7, with an activated cell subpopulation which strongly express MHC class II molecules. The results are corroborated by an increase of the total cell population in the lung homogenate after D3 and by an increase of the total cellularity and inflammatory cells number in broncho-alveolar lavages (BAL) at D7 and at D14. This study was completed by the surface phenotypic characterization of DCs identifying their activation state and maturation. [...]

Introdução: as verrugas ungueais são consideradas o tumor benigno que mais acomete o complexo ungueal, sendo causadas pelo papiloma vírus humano. A maioria das alternativas terapêuticas é considerada ineficaz, com altas taxas de recidiva, além do potencial risco de distrofia ungueal. A bleomicina é a opção de tratamento que apresenta bom perfil de segurança e altas taxas de cura. A eletroquimioterapia é uma técnica que combina a eletroporação com a prévia administração de uma droga citotóxica de baixa permeabilidade, aumentando assim a penetração da droga no interior das células, o que amplia a eficácia do tratamento. A bleomicina é o agente quimioterápico mais utilizado na eletroquimioterapia, por ser um excelente exemplo de droga citotóxica não permeável à membrana celular (hidrofílica). Objetivos: avaliar a eficácia da eletroquimioterapia com bleomicina intralesional no tratamento das verrugas ungueais, comparando este método, com o uso isolado da bleomicina intralesional, além de descrever os efeitos adversos relacionados com o emprego das duas técnicas. Metodologia: Ensaio clínico randomizado duplo-cego e controlado. Incluíramse 44 pacientes de ambos gêneros, com idade variando entre 18 e 60 anos, e diagnóstico clínico e histológico de verruga ungueal de quirodáctilos. O estudo foi submetido e aceito pelo comitê de ética, e todos os pacientes assinaram o Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido. Vinte e dois pacientes foram tratados apenas com bleomicina intralesional e 21 com eletroquimioterapia associada à bleomicina intralesional. Após uma única aplicação, os pacientes foram acompanhados por 180 dias. A comparação da cura entre os grupos foi avaliada pelo teste exato de Fisher para tabelas 2 x 2. O software utilizado foi o XLSTAT 2018. Resultados: dos 44 pacientes que participaram da pesquisa, um paciente do grupo da bleomicina intralesional isolada deixou o estudo antes da realização da técnica. A maioria das lesões se localizava na região periungueal (77,3%), enquanto que, os 22,7% das lesões restantes se localizaram na região subungueal. A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 37 anos para o grupo da eletroquimioterapia associada à bleomicina, e de 36 anos para o grupo da bleomicina. A maioria dos pacientes foi do gênero feminino (68%). Dos 22 pacientes finalizados para o grupo da bleomicina 11 (50,0%) apresentaram cura, enquanto que, dos 21 pacientes finalizados do grupo da eletroquimioterapia associada à bleomicina, 18 pacientes (85,7%) apresentaram cura. Foi observada associação significativa entre os pacientes com ou sem cura e os tratamentos do grupo bleomicina e do grupo eletroquimioterapia associada à bleomicina (teste exato de Fisher; p = 0,022). Nenhum dos pacientes, tanto do grupo da bleomicina, quanto do grupo da eletroquimioterapia associada à bleomicina, apresentou efeitos colaterais sistêmicos. Notou-se que os efeitos colaterais como a necrose hemorrágica e dor moderada ocorreram em maior proporção para os participantes do grupo da eletroquimioterapia associada à bleomicina, com quase 70% do total de 21 pacientes observados. Independentemente da técnica empregada, todos os participantes consideraram os efeitos adversos toleráveis. Conclusão: o uso intralesional da bleomicina associada à eletroporação (eletroquimioterapia), no tratamento das verrugas ungueais (periungueais e subungueais), apresentou cura estatisticamente superior quando comparada ao uso isolado da bleomicina intralesional. Os efeitos colaterais foram mais frequentes no grupo da eletroquimioterapia associada à bleomicina, em relação ao grupo de monoterapia com a bleomicina / Introduction: ungual warts are considered a benign tumor most commonly affecting the nail complex and caused by the human papillomavirus. Most therapeutic options are considered ineffective, with high relapse rates and a potential risk of ungual dystrophy. Bleomycin is a therapeutic option showing good safety profile, and high cure rates. Electrochemotherapy is a technique combining electroporation with the previous injection of a low permeability cytotoxic drug, which increases drug penetration into the cells, and therefore,enhances treatment efficacy. Bleomycin is the most commonly used chemotherapeutic agent in electrochemotherapy because it is an excellent example of cell-membrane non-permeable cytotoxic drug (hydrophilic). Objectives: evaluate the efficacy of electrochemotherapy plus intralesional bleomycin in the treatment of ungual warts in comparison with intralesional bleomycin alone, as well as describe the adverse effects of both techniques. Methodology: the research was a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial. Forty-four 18-60-year-old female and male patients clinically and histologically diagnosed with ungual wart on fingers were included. The study was submitted to and accepted by the Ethics Committee, and all patients signed the Informed Consent Form. Twenty-two patients were treated with intralesional bleomycin alone and 21 with electrochemotherapy associated with intralesional bleomycin. After a single application, patients were followed for 180 days. Cure rate between groups was evaluated by using the Fisher\'s exact test for tables 2 x 2. The software used was XLSTAT 2018. Results: of the 44 included patients, 22 were randomized to the bleomycin group and 21 to the electrochemotherapy plus bleomycin group. One patient of the bleomycin group did not complete the study. Most lesions were located in the periungual region (77.3%), while the remaining 22.7% of lesions were located in the subungual region. Patient\'s mean age was 37 years for the electrochemotherapy plus bleomycin group and 36 years for the bleomycin group. Most patients were females (68%). Of 22 patients in the bleomycin group completing the study, 11 (50%) achieved the cure, while 18 (85.7%) of 21 patients completing the study in the electrochemotherapy plus bleomycin group showed cure. A significant association of patients with or without cure with the treatments received in the bleomycin group and the electrochemotherapy plus bleomycin group (Fisher\'s exact test; p = 0.022). None of the patients in either group had systemic side effects. Local side effects such as hemorrhagic necrosis and moderate pain were observed to occur in a higher proportion for electrochemotherapy plus bleomycin group, with almost 70% of total (21) patients. Regardless the technique used, all participants considered the adverse effects tolerable. Conclusion: the intralesional use of bleomycin associated with electroporation (electrochemotherapy) for the treatment of ungual warts (both periungual and subungual) showed high cure rate when compared with intralesional bleomycin alone. Side effects were more frequently seen in the electrochemotherapy plus bleomycin group than in the bleomycin monotherapy group

La manipulation des membranes des cellules en suspension ou dans des tissus au moyen d’impulsions électriques constitue un sujet de recherche majeur au cœur du bio-électromagnétisme. A ce jour les impulsions de quelques microsecondes voire millisecondes ont été principalement étudiées. Elles n’affectent que la membrane plasmique des cellules. Les impulsions nanosecondes de fort niveau de champ (de l’ordre de quelques MV/m) ouvrent la voie vers la manipulation des organelles intra-cellulaires. En outre, elles constituent un nouvel outil pour l’étude des mécanismes de la perméabilisation. Les travaux de cette thèse ont été principalement consacrés aux effets des impulsions de 10 ns sur la membrane plasmique. Des protocoles expérimentaux permettant d’appliquer de façon reproductible et contrôlée les impulsions sur des objets vivants ont été définis. Des moyens de mesure (D-dot et B-dot) adaptés aux hautes tensions et hautes fréquences ont été développés et mis en œuvre, permettant un contrôle en temps réel des impulsions délivrées.Différentes approches ont permis de mettre en évidence la perméabilisation des cellules par des impulsions de 10 ns. Ces techniques regroupent notamment le suivi de bio-impédance dans les tissus et l’internalisation de molécules cytotoxiques non perméantes dans des cellules en suspension et in vivo sur des tumeurs. Les expériences conduites ont permis de mettre en évidence la plus grande efficacité des basses fréquences de répétition dans la perméabilisation d’un tissu végétal (la pomme de terre). De plus l’influence de la conductivité du milieu extracellulaire sur le niveau de perméabilisation a été investiguée. Ces expériences ont permis de mettre en évidence l’importance de la dynamique d’établissement et de relaxation de la différence de potentiel transmembranaire dans l’efficacité de la perméabilisation.Enfin un microscope CARS (Coherent Anti-stokes Raman Scattering) plein-champ a été développé. Sa conception a été pensée en vue de l’étude des effets des impulsions ultra-courtes sur le vivant à l’échelle moléculaire. A ce jour il permet d’obtenir des images de cellules en CARS en 3 ns. / New devices for the controlled application of nanosecond electrical pulses and the detection of their effects on cells. New findings and hypotheses on the parameters controlling the electropermeabilization of biological cells.Abstract:Manipulation of the membranes of cells in suspension or in tissues with electrical pulses is a major research topic in bio-electromagnetism. Until recently the effects of pulses of a few microseconds or milliseconds have mainly been studied. Such pulses only affect the cell plasma membrane. Pulses of a few nanoseconds with high field strength (of the order of a few MV /m) might lead to intracellular organelles manipulation. In addition, they represent a new tool to study the mechanisms of permeabilization.This thesis was mainly devoted to the effects of pulses of 10 ns on the plasma membrane. Experimental protocols to apply controlled and reproducible pulses on living objects have been defined. Measurement means (D-dot and B-dot) adapted to high voltages and high frequencies have been developed and implemented thus allowing for accurate and real-time monitoring of the pulses applied on the biological samples.Different approaches have been used to highlight the permeabilization of biological cells by pulses of 10 ns. The techniques used include the monitoring of bio-impedance in tissues and the internalization of non-permeant cytotoxic molecules in cells in suspension and in vivo in tumors. The conducted experiments allowed to demonstrate the high efficiency of low repetition rates in permeabilizing potato tissue. The influence of the conductivity of the extracellular medium on the efficiency of the permeabilization was also investigated. These experiments highlighted the important role played by the dynamic of the establishment and relaxation of the transmembrane potential difference.Finally a wide-field CARS microscope (Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering) was developed. It has been designed to study the effects of ultra-short pulses on biological cells at the molecular level. It already enables to obtain images of cells in 3 ns.