La dent est un tissu vivant, confronté tout au long de la vie à de multiples agressions (caries, traumatismes...) qui peuvent entraîner la nécrose de la pulpe. La mise au point d’une «pulpe équivalente» pourrait constituer une approche thérapeutique innovante comme alternative aux traitements actuels d’endodontie. La pulpe des dents temporaires constitue un réservoir de cellules souches mésenchymateuses (SHED Stem cells from Human Exfoliated Deciduous teeth) aux potentiels de prolifération et de différenciation élevés. L’objectif global de ce travail est de reconstituer un tissu pulpaire fonctionnel en développant une pulpe équivalente (cellules pulpaires mésenchymateuses ensemencées dans une matrice 3D de collagène) pour être greffée à l’intérieur de la chambre pulpaire préalablement évidée afin de conserver la vitalité de la dent. Les objectifs spécifiques ont été : In vitro : 1) d'étudier le potentiel angiogénique des SHED comparés à des fibroblastes dermiques en conditions normoxiques et hypoxiques, 2) de déterminer la durée de pré-conditionnement hypoxique optimale pour stimuler le potentiel angiogénique des SHED, 3) de sélectionner une potentielle cytokine activant la formation de capillaires, 4) d’analyser l’effet de l’hypoxie sur l’expression des marqueurs de surfaces des SHED, et 5) de vérifier que l’hypoxie n’altérait pas le potentiel de minéralisation de ces cellules. In vivo : 1) d’évaluer, dans un modèle pré-clinique d’implantation de pulpes équivalentes en site ectopique chez la souris, l’effet du pré-conditionnement hypoxique sur le potentiel angiogénique des SHED. Ces expériences ont d’abord été conduites avec des cellules pulpaires de souris puis confirmées avec des SHED implantées dans des souris immunodéficientes, et 2) de développer des techniques d’imagerie dynamique pour suivre la néoangiogenèse dans les pulpes équivalentes implantées. Enfin, dans un objectif de transfert vers la clinique dentaire humaine, nous avons étudié l’effet d’un nouveau biomatériau à base de calcium tricalcique sur la réparation tissulaire dans un modèle de blessure pulpaire chez le rat, en comparaison aux matériaux de référence. / The tooth is a living organ, faced throughout life to multiple attacks (caries, trauma ...) which can cause necrosis of the pulp. The development of a" pulp equivalent " could be an innovative therapeutic approach as an alternative to current endodontic treatments. The pulp of deciduous teeth is a reservoir of mesenchymal stem cells (Stem cells SHED from Human Exfoliated Deciduous teeth) with a high potential of proliferation and differentiation. The overall objective of this work was to reconstitute a functional pulp tissue by developing a pulp equivalent (pulp mesenchymal cells seeded in a 3D collagen matrix) to be grafted within the previously hollowed pulp chamber to maintain tooth vitality. The specific objectives were: In vitro: 1) to study the angiogenic potential of SHED compared with dermal fibroblasts in normoxic and hypoxic conditions. 2) to determine the optimal hypoxic preconditioning period to stimulate the angiogenic potential of SHED, 3) to identify a potential cytokine activating the capillary formation, 4) to analyze the effect of hypoxia on the expression of markers surfaces SHED, and 5) to check that hypoxia did not alter the mineralization potential of these cells. In vivo: 1) to evaluate, in a pre-clinical model of pulp equivalent implantation in ectopic site in mice, the effect of either hypoxic or FGF preconditioning on the angiogenic potential of SHED. These experiments were first conducted with mouse pulp cells and further confirmed with SHED implanted in immunodeficient mice, and 2) to develop dynamic imaging techniques to monitor neoangiogenesis within pulp equivalent. Finally, in an objective of transfer to the human dental clinic, we studied the effect of a new biomaterial based on tricalcium on tissue repair in a pulp injury model in rats, compared to gold standard materials.

La dent est un tissu vivant, confronté tout au long de la vie à de multiples agressions (caries, traumatismes...) qui peuvent entraîner la nécrose de la pulpe. La mise au point d’une «pulpe équivalente» pourrait constituer une approche thérapeutique innovante comme alternative aux traitements actuels d’endodontie. La pulpe des dents temporaires constitue un réservoir de cellules souches mésenchymateuses (SHED Stem cells from Human Exfoliated Deciduous teeth) aux potentiels de prolifération et de différenciation élevés. L’objectif global de ce travail est de reconstituer un tissu pulpaire fonctionnel en développant une pulpe équivalente (cellules pulpaires mésenchymateuses ensemencées dans une matrice 3D de collagène) pour être greffée à l’intérieur de la chambre pulpaire préalablement évidée afin de conserver la vitalité de la dent. Les objectifs spécifiques ont été : In vitro : 1) d'étudier le potentiel angiogénique des SHED comparés à des fibroblastes dermiques en conditions normoxiques et hypoxiques, 2) de déterminer la durée de pré-conditionnement hypoxique optimale pour stimuler le potentiel angiogénique des SHED, 3) de sélectionner une potentielle cytokine activant la formation de capillaires, 4) d’analyser l’effet de l’hypoxie sur l’expression des marqueurs de surfaces des SHED, et 5) de vérifier que l’hypoxie n’altérait pas le potentiel de minéralisation de ces cellules. In vivo : 1) d’évaluer, dans un modèle pré-clinique d’implantation de pulpes équivalentes en site ectopique chez la souris, l’effet du pré-conditionnement hypoxique sur le potentiel angiogénique des SHED. Ces expériences ont d’abord été conduites avec des cellules pulpaires de souris puis confirmées avec des SHED implantées dans des souris immunodéficientes, et 2) de développer des techniques d’imagerie dynamique pour suivre la néoangiogenèse dans les pulpes équivalentes implantées. Enfin, dans un objectif de transfert vers la clinique dentaire humaine, nous avons étudié l’effet d’un nouveau biomatériau à base de calcium tricalcique sur la réparation tissulaire dans un modèle de blessure pulpaire chez le rat, en comparaison aux matériaux de référence. / The tooth is a living organ, faced throughout life to multiple attacks (caries, trauma ...) which can cause necrosis of the pulp. The development of a" pulp equivalent " could be an innovative therapeutic approach as an alternative to current endodontic treatments. The pulp of deciduous teeth is a reservoir of mesenchymal stem cells (Stem cells SHED from Human Exfoliated Deciduous teeth) with a high potential of proliferation and differentiation. The overall objective of this work was to reconstitute a functional pulp tissue by developing a pulp equivalent (pulp mesenchymal cells seeded in a 3D collagen matrix) to be grafted within the previously hollowed pulp chamber to maintain tooth vitality. The specific objectives were: In vitro: 1) to study the angiogenic potential of SHED compared with dermal fibroblasts in normoxic and hypoxic conditions. 2) to determine the optimal hypoxic preconditioning period to stimulate the angiogenic potential of SHED, 3) to identify a potential cytokine activating the capillary formation, 4) to analyze the effect of hypoxia on the expression of markers surfaces SHED, and 5) to check that hypoxia did not alter the mineralization potential of these cells. In vivo: 1) to evaluate, in a pre-clinical model of pulp equivalent implantation in ectopic site in mice, the effect of either hypoxic or FGF preconditioning on the angiogenic potential of SHED. These experiments were first conducted with mouse pulp cells and further confirmed with SHED implanted in immunodeficient mice, and 2) to develop dynamic imaging techniques to monitor neoangiogenesis within pulp equivalent. Finally, in an objective of transfer to the human dental clinic, we studied the effect of a new biomaterial based on tricalcium on tissue repair in a pulp injury model in rats, compared to gold standard materials.

L'analyse de la réponse lymphocytaire T représente une exploration de plus en plus importante pour la compréhension de la physiopathologie de maladies et le suivi de protocoles d'immunothérapie. La mise en évidence de la production de cytokines par ces cellules permet d'identifier les sous populations de lymphocytes T (LT) et d'analyser leur fonctionnalité et leur état d'activation. L'Elispot est une technique déjà largement utilisée dans le suivi de la réponse vaccinale pour la détection de cellules sécrétrices de cytokines. Bien que la séroprotection soit le critère reconnu pour déterminer l'efficacité de la vaccination antigrippale, un rôle important de la réponse lymphocytaire T a été démontré dans le contrôle de l'infection. Nos travaux ont permis de mettre en évidence que l'utilisation de vaccins totaux pour le suivi de la réponse lymphocytaire T, par l'introduction de leurs excipients, peut induire un biais dans la détection des cytokines. Le thimérosal, conservateur utilisé dans certains vaccins, provoque in vitro lors de la détection d'interféron (IFN) par Elispot l'apparition de petits spots que nous avons associés a l'activation abortive précoce des LT. Leur taille permet cependant d'éliminer automatiquement du comptage ces spots non spécifiques. Contrairement à l'Elispot dont elle est dérivée, la technique Fluorospot permet l'analyse simultanée de plusieurs cytokines et est donc plus adaptée à la détection des profils de sécrétion et de la fréquence des LT polyfonctionnels, associés à un bon pronostic dans plusieurs pathologies. Nos résultats ont permis la validation technique de ce test pour la détection des couples IFN/interleukine (IL)-10 et IFN/IL-2. Grâce au développement au laboratoire d'une lignée produisant de l'IFN et l'IL-10, nous avons montré que le Fluorospot avait une sensibilité supérieure à la cytométrie intracellulaire pour la détection de l'IFN et de l'IL-10. Il était déjà connu que l'IL-10 était difficilement détectable par cytométrie, renforçant l'intérêt du Fluorospot pour détecter les cellules Tr1. L'utilisation du Fluorospot lors du suivi de la réponse vaccinale antigrippale a également permis de démontrer une équivalence de sensibilité avec l'Elispot. Au cours du suivi de ce protocole anti-grippal, nous avons montré à l'aide du Fluorospot que la réponse LT antigrippale était surtout caractérisée par une forte production d'IL-2 et que la détection isolée d'IFN a une faible sensibilité pour la mesure des réponses LT anti-grippales. Il s'agit de la première utilisation de ce test pour le suivi d'un protocole vaccinal démontrant sa robustesse et sa faisabilité dans un contexte clinique. Nos résultats offrent donc une validation complète de la technique Fluorospot, aussi bien du point de vue technique que clinique, ouvrant des perspectives d'utilisation pour le suivi de futurs protocoles. / The detection of cellular response via its different T cell subpopulations was proved to be crucial to better understand mechanisms of pathologies and monitor protocols of immunotherapy. Unicellular cytokine measurement not only allows the assessment of their inherent role on immunological response, but also the detection of T lymphocytes (LT) secretion profile which gives information on subpopulations involved, their activation state and their functionality. Detection of the cytokine secreting cells frequency is achievable with Elispot. This test is widely used in clinical trials to monitor vaccine response to diseases such as influenza. Although seroprotection is the recognized parameter to assess anti-influenza vaccine efficiency, cellular response has been proved to play an important role in infection control. Our results highlighted that the use of the whole vaccine to monitor T cell response may induce bias in cytokine detection. Indeed, their excipients can be considered as contaminants, like Thimerosal which is used as a preservative in some vaccines. We demonstrated that it induced detection of small spots in interferon (IFN) Elispot. We proved that these spots were associated with in vitro early abortive T cell activation. However, their size enabled us to remove these unspecific spots from bona fide spots.Fluorospot test is suited for multiplex cytokine analysis. Thus it is more adapted than Elispot to detect cytokine secretion profiles and polyfunctional T cells frequency. It is worth noting that polyfunctionnal Tcells are associated with a better clinical outcome in several pathologies. Our results led to technical validation of this test for detection of two cytokines couples, IFN/interleukin (IL)-10 and IFN/IL-2. Fluorospot showed a better sensitivity than intracellular staining cytometry (ICS) in detection of IFN and IL-10 produced by a cell line transfected with the cDNA encoding these cytokines. Moreover, Fluorospot demonstrated a similar sensitivity than Elispot when used to monitor the immunological response to an anti-influenza vaccine. Furthermore, using this technique, we showed that anti-influenza T cell producing IL-2 were the dominant population of T cells. Isolated IFN producing T cells were less sensitive than the detection of IL-2 to detect specific T cell response against influenza. Therefore our results provided a full validation of Fluorospot test, for the technical part as well as for the clinical part. These conclusions open perspectives of using this method to monitor protocols in a near future.

Le Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-[alpha]) est une cytokine pro-inflammatoire qui occupe un rôle central dans la physiopathologie de nombreuses pathologies inflammatoires et particulièrement l'arthrite. La neutralisation de cette cytokine par l'utilisation d'anticorps anti-TNF-[alpha] a montré son efficacité dans la polyarthrite rhumatoïde et est aujourd'hui le traitement de référence pour la prise en charge de cette pathologie. Cependant, un tiers des patients traités par anticorps anti-TNF restent réfractaires ou ne répondent pas à ce traitement. Dans ce contexte, il apparait nécessaire de développer des approches nouvelles ou complémentaires pour renforcer l'arsenal thérapeutique actuellement disponible. L'utilisation d'oligonucléotides triple hélice (TFO) permet de moduler l'expression génique de manière spécifique par interaction avec la double hélice d'ADN. Dans cette étude, nous avons évalué les potentialités anti-inflammatoires d'un TFO anti-TNF-[alpha] in vitro sur les synoviocytes et chondrocytes articulaires et in vivo dans deux modèles d'arthrite expérimentale. Ce TFO interagit avec le promoteur du gène du TNF-[alpha], et son activité inhibitrice a été comparée à celle d'une approche par ARN interférence in vitro. Dans les modèles d'arthrite aigue et chronique, l'injection intra-articulaire préventive de TFO anti-TNF-[alpha] permet une amélioration significative des symptômes arthritiques. Particulièrement, le traitement par le TFO diminue sensiblement l'inflammation synoviale et les lésions ostéocartilagineuses articulaires. Ces résultats sont les premiers à montrer la possibilité d'utiliser un TFO in vivo et offrent d'intéressantes perspectives thérapeutiques / Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-[alpha]), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, plays a key role in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases, including arthritis. Neutralization of this cytokine by anti-TNF-[alpha] antibodies has shown its efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis and is now widely used. Nevertheless, some patients currently treated with anti-TNF-[alpha] remain refractory or become non-responder to these treatments. In this context, there is a need for new or complementary therapeutic strategies. Triplex forming oligonucleotides (TFO) can inhibit gene expression with high sequence-specificity by interacting with the DNA double-strand. In this study, we investigated if an anti-TNF-[alpha] TFO had a therapeutic activity on inflammatory processes in vitro and in vivo, as judged from effects on two rat arthritis models. This TFO interacted with the TNF-[alpha] gene promoter, and its inhibitory activity was verified and compared to that of siRNA in vitro. A local intra-articular preventive injection of TFO in both acute and chronic arthritis models significantly reduced the development of the disease. Furthermore, the TFO efficiently blocked synovitis and cartilage and bone destruction in the joints. The results presented here provide the first evidence that gene targeting by anti-TNF-[alpha] TFO modulates arthritis in vivo, thus providing proof of concept that it could be used as therapeutic tool for TNF-[alpha]-dependent chronic inflammatory disorders

La dent est un tissu vivant, confronté tout au long de la vie à de multiples agressions (caries, traumatismes...) qui peuvent entraîner la nécrose de la pulpe. La mise au point d’une «pulpe équivalente» pourrait constituer une approche thérapeutique innovante comme alternative aux traitements actuels d’endodontie. La pulpe des dents temporaires constitue un réservoir de cellules souches mésenchymateuses (SHED Stem cells from Human Exfoliated Deciduous teeth) aux potentiels de prolifération et de différenciation élevés. L’objectif global de ce travail est de reconstituer un tissu pulpaire fonctionnel en développant une pulpe équivalente (cellules pulpaires mésenchymateuses ensemencées dans une matrice 3D de collagène) pour être greffée à l’intérieur de la chambre pulpaire préalablement évidée afin de conserver la vitalité de la dent. Les objectifs spécifiques ont été : In vitro : 1) d'étudier le potentiel angiogénique des SHED comparés à des fibroblastes dermiques en conditions normoxiques et hypoxiques, 2) de déterminer la durée de pré-conditionnement hypoxique optimale pour stimuler le potentiel angiogénique des SHED, 3) de sélectionner une potentielle cytokine activant la formation de capillaires, 4) d’analyser l’effet de l’hypoxie sur l’expression des marqueurs de surfaces des SHED, et 5) de vérifier que l’hypoxie n’altérait pas le potentiel de minéralisation de ces cellules. In vivo : 1) d’évaluer, dans un modèle pré-clinique d’implantation de pulpes équivalentes en site ectopique chez la souris, l’effet du pré-conditionnement hypoxique sur le potentiel angiogénique des SHED. Ces expériences ont d’abord été conduites avec des cellules pulpaires de souris puis confirmées avec des SHED implantées dans des souris immunodéficientes, et 2) de développer des techniques d’imagerie dynamique pour suivre la néoangiogenèse dans les pulpes équivalentes implantées. Enfin, dans un objectif de transfert vers la clinique dentaire humaine, nous avons étudié l’effet d’un nouveau biomatériau à base de calcium tricalcique sur la réparation tissulaire dans un modèle de blessure pulpaire chez le rat, en comparaison aux matériaux de référence. / The tooth is a living organ, faced throughout life to multiple attacks (caries, trauma ...) which can cause necrosis of the pulp. The development of a" pulp equivalent " could be an innovative therapeutic approach as an alternative to current endodontic treatments. The pulp of deciduous teeth is a reservoir of mesenchymal stem cells (Stem cells SHED from Human Exfoliated Deciduous teeth) with a high potential of proliferation and differentiation. The overall objective of this work was to reconstitute a functional pulp tissue by developing a pulp equivalent (pulp mesenchymal cells seeded in a 3D collagen matrix) to be grafted within the previously hollowed pulp chamber to maintain tooth vitality. The specific objectives were: In vitro: 1) to study the angiogenic potential of SHED compared with dermal fibroblasts in normoxic and hypoxic conditions. 2) to determine the optimal hypoxic preconditioning period to stimulate the angiogenic potential of SHED, 3) to identify a potential cytokine activating the capillary formation, 4) to analyze the effect of hypoxia on the expression of markers surfaces SHED, and 5) to check that hypoxia did not alter the mineralization potential of these cells. In vivo: 1) to evaluate, in a pre-clinical model of pulp equivalent implantation in ectopic site in mice, the effect of either hypoxic or FGF preconditioning on the angiogenic potential of SHED. These experiments were first conducted with mouse pulp cells and further confirmed with SHED implanted in immunodeficient mice, and 2) to develop dynamic imaging techniques to monitor neoangiogenesis within pulp equivalent. Finally, in an objective of transfer to the human dental clinic, we studied the effect of a new biomaterial based on tricalcium on tissue repair in a pulp injury model in rats, compared to gold standard materials.

L’obtention d’un nombre élevé de cellules souches hématopoïétiques (CSH) représente un enjeu majeur pour le développement de protocoles de thérapies cellulaires d’hémopathies ou de tumeurs solides. L’expansion ex vivo de ces cellules met en jeu différents acteurs (cytokiniques, environnementaux) et notamment les basses concentrations d’oxygène (O2), qui reflètent des conditions physiologiques retrouvées au sein de structures spécifiques de la moelle osseuse où résident les CSH et auxquelles notre équipe s’intéresse depuis plusieurs années. Les effets bénéfiques de ces basses concentrations d’O2 sur le maintien des CSH sont actuellement bien établis lors de courtes cultures de cellules de moelle osseuse, de sang placentaire ou mobilisées dans le sang. Nous avons cherché à confirmer et à étendre ces résultats à des cellules peu étudiées, les cellules souches de sang périphérique en situation d’homéostasie (CSSP-H). Ces cellules représentent en effet une source possible de CSH à usage thérapeutique, du fait de leur disponibilité et de leur facilité d’accès. Nos travaux ont permis d’établir et d’optimiser un protocole, rapide et simple, de purification de cellules CD34+ à partir de filtres de leucoréduction (LRF). La quantité et la pureté de ces cellules adaptées à la poursuite de nos travaux, ainsi que leur validation fonctionnelle, nous ont permis de les utiliser comme modèle pour l’étude des effets de cultures de 7 jours très faiblement oxygénées (0,1% d’O2). La détermination de combinaisons cytokiniques assurant le maintien et l’expansion des cellules primitives a révélé un rôle bénéfique de l’IL-3 et du SCF couplé à la TPO. Ces conditions de culture ont permis de révéler, comparativement à des cultures réalisées à 20% d’O2, le rôle majeur des faibles concentrations d’O2 dans le maintien de cellules quiescentes, indifférenciées, ne se divisant pas ou très peu et capables de reconstituer une hématopoïèse, suite à leur injection dans des souris NOG. Les mécanismes moléculaires et métaboliques intervenant dans ces processus restent, cependant, encore à établir. / Obtaining a high number of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is a major challenge for developing cell therapies for blood diseases. Ex vivo expansion of HSCs involves various factors (cytokines, environment), including low oxygen (O2) concentrations, that reflect the physiological conditions found in specific structures of the bone marrow where HSCs reside. Our team is interested with the study of these low O2 levels for several years and their beneficial effects are currently well established during short-term cultures of cells from bone marrow, cord blood or mobilized in the blood. We sought to confirm and extend these results to poorly studied cells: stem cells from steady state peripheral blood (SSPB). Indeed, these cells represent a possible HSCs source devoted to the therapeutic use, because of their availability and their easy access. Our work has led to the establishment and the optimisation of a procedure, rapid and easy to set up, for CD34+ cells purification from leukoreduction filters (LRFs). The cell quantities and purities, adapted to our further work, together with their functional validation, led us to use these cells as a model for 7-days in vitro cultures performed at very low O2 concentration (0.1%). Cytokine combination assays, allowing the maintenance and the expansion of primitive cells, have revealed a beneficial influence of IL-3 or SCF + TPO additions. These cultures have revealed, comparatively to those performed at 20% O2, a major role of the very low O2 concentrations in the maintenance of quiescent and undifferentiated cells, showing an un- or low-cycling status and able to reconstitute hematopoiesis, consecutively to their injection into NOG mice. However, the molecular and metabolic mechanisms involved in these processes remain unknown.

生長滯後是包括炎症性腸病在內的炎症疾病引起的併發症。實驗表明，炎症使肝臟對生長激素(GH)的作用變得不敏感或引起生長激素抵抗。生長激素抵抗會引起胰島素生長因子-1 (IGF-I)的表達下降，並且會啟動一系列的代謝反應。多年來的研究證明炎症因子白介素-6 (IL-6)，腫瘤壞死因子 -α (TNF-α)和白介素-1β(IL-1β)參與肝臟生長激素抵抗的病理過程。然而這些炎症因子調控生長激素通路的具體機理尚不清楚。通過用人肝癌細胞系Huh-7和慢性炎症及急性炎症兩種老鼠模型，我們發現: 1) TNF-α和IL-1β抑制生長激素受體(GHR)的表達; 2) IL-6誘導細胞因子信號轉導抑制因子-3 (SOCS3)的高表達; 3) IL-6-SOCS3途徑對GH-IGF-I信號通路的抑制作用依賴于GHR的表達量，當TNF-α及IL-1β升高而使GHR的表達量下降後，IL-6就不再對GH-IGF-I信號通路有抑制作用。以上結果表明IL-6， TNF-α和IL-1β抑制肝臟生長激素信號通路的機制是不一樣的，這些結果或許對臨床上治療青少年中炎症引起的生長激素抵抗疾病有一定的指導意義。 / 成纖維細胞生長因子(FGF) 通過結合和啟動成纖維細胞生長因子受體(FGFR)而參與許多生理過程。FGF19屬於FGF15/19亞家族，這個亞家族還包括FGF21和FGF23。FGF19調節肝臟中膽汁酸的穩態及蛋白和糖原的合成。FGF19通過與FGFR4及共受體β-klotho結合來啟動信號通路。研究表明，TNF-α通過抑制共受體β-klotho的表達來抑制脂肪細胞中的FGF21信號通路。然而IL-6，TNF-α和IL-1β在調節肝臟FGF19信號通路中的作用尚不清楚。我們的體外細胞和體內動物實驗結果表明，IL-1β通過JNK和NF-κB通路抑制肝臟中β-klotho的表達。IL-6與TNF-α不調節Huh-7細胞中β-klotho的表達。 / 綜上所述，IL-6，TNF-α及IL-1β在肝臟生長激素及FGF19通路中起不同的調節作用。 / Growth failure is a major complication of inflammatory diseases including inflammatory bowel disease. Evidence suggests that during inflammation, the liver becomes resistant to growth hormone (GH) actions, leading to downregulation of the anabolic gene IGF-I and the activation of catabolic processes. Decades of studies demonstrated that pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β are involved in the pathogenesis of hepatic GH resistance. However, the exact mechanisms used by these individual cytokines to regulate GH signaling are not defined. Using Huh-7 human hepatoma cells and mouse models of chronic and acute inflammation, we show that TNF-α and IL-1β but not IL-6 inhibited hepatic GH receptor (GHR) expression, and that IL-6 but not TNF-α and IL-1β stimulated expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS3). TNF-α/IL-1β and IL-6 acted primarily at GHR and SOCS3 respectively to inhibit the GH-IGF-I pathway. While TNF-α/IL-1β exerted a tonic inhibition on hepatic GH signaling, IL-6 activity is dependent on the active GH pathway. IL-6 lost its inhibition on the GH-IGF-I pathway when GHR expression was blocked as the inflammation progressed. These results reveal previously undefined distinct mechanisms used by TNF-α/IL-1β and IL-6 to inhibit the hepatic GH pathway. Our results may provide a new guidance for clinical practice in treating pediatric infammation-induced GH resistance. / Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) play critical roles in many physiological processes by binding to and activating FGF receptor (FGFR) family. FGF19 belongs to FGF15/19 subfamily of FGFs that includes FGF15/19, FGF21 and FGF23. FGF19 has been shown to regulate bile acid homeostasis, and protein and glycogen synthesis in the liver. FGF19 binds FGFR4 and the co-receptor β-klotho to initiate signaling. Studies have shown that proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α can impair FGF21 signaling in adipose cells by repressing the expression of β-klotho. However, little is known about the effects of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β on regulating hepatic FGF19 signaling. In the present study, we found that IL-1β inhibited β-klotho expression both in vitro and in vivo, and this inhibition required JNK and NF-κB pathways. IL-6 and TNF-α did not inhibit β-klotho expression in Huh-7 cells. / Taken together, our results demonstrate that IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β play different roles in regulating the GH and FGF-19 pathways in the liver. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Zhao, Yueshui. / Thesis (Ph.D.) Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 147-182). / Abstracts also in Chinese.

Chow, Yin Sau Joyce. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 127-140). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.I / 摘要 --- p.V / Acknowledgements --- p.VIII / Publications --- p.X / Table of contents --- p.XII / Abbreviations --- p.XV / Chapter Chapter 1: --- General Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Allergic diseases and allergic inflammation --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Allergic diseases and their prevalence --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Immunopathology of allergic inflammation --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- Biology of human eosinophils --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Morphology --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Cell surface receptors and mediators --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Origin and development of eosinophils --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3 --- Eosinophils and allergic inflammation --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Adhesion molecules on eosinophils for emigration --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Eosinophil activation and inflammatory mediators --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Survival of eosinophils in allergic inflammation --- p.18 / Chapter 1.3.4 --- Immunopathological roles of eosinophils in allergic inflammation --- p.18 / Chapter 1.4 --- Intracellular signaling mechanisms --- p.20 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Signal transduction pathways of eosinophils --- p.20 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Inhibitors of signaling molecules --- p.26 / Chapter 1.5 --- Aim of study --- p.29 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Materials and Methods --- p.31 / Chapter 2.1 --- Materials --- p.31 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Human eosinophils --- p.31 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Cell culture --- p.33 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Cell surface and intracellular immunofluorescent staining --- p.36 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Detection of cytokine and chemokine release --- p.39 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- Detection of cell viability and apoptosis --- p.40 / Chapter 2.1.6 --- Protein extraction --- p.40 / Chapter 2.1.7 --- Western blot analysis --- p.40 / Chapter 2.1.8 --- Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) --- p.42 / Chapter 2.2 --- Methods --- p.45 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Purification of human eosinophils --- p.45 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Cell culture --- p.46 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Cell surface and intracellular immunofluorescent staining --- p.47 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Detection of cytokine and chemokine release --- p.48 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Detection of cell viability and apoptoas --- p.49 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Protein extraction --- p.49 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Western blot analysis --- p.50 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- SDS-PAGE --- p.50 / Chapter 2.2.9 --- Statistical analysis --- p.51 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Role of Novel IL-1 Family Cytokine in Allergic Inflammation: IL-33-mediated Eosinophil Activation --- p.52 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2 --- Results --- p.54 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- "Total protein expression of IL-33 receptor, ST2, of human eosinophils" --- p.54 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- "Intracellular protein expression of IL-33 receptor, ST2，in human eosinophils" --- p.55 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- "Extracellular protein expression of IL-33 receptor, ST2, on human eosinophils" --- p.56 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- "Effects of IL-1β IL-18, and IL-33 on survival of human eosinophils" --- p.57 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- "Effects of IL-1β, IL-18, and DL-33 on surface adhesion molecule expression on human eosinophils" --- p.60 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- "Effects of IL-1β, IL-18, and IL-33 on chemokine and cytokine release from human eosinophils" --- p.64 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- "Synergistic effects of IL-1β, IH8, and IL-33 on IL-6 release from human eosinophils" --- p.69 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- "Effects of transcription and translation inhibitors on IL- 1β, IL-18, and IL-33-induced chemokine and cytokine release from human eosinophils" --- p.71 / Chapter 3.2.9 --- "Effects of different inhibitors on lL-1β, IL-18, and IL-33-induced survival enhancement of human eosinophils" --- p.75 / Chapter 3.2.10 --- Effects of different inhibitors on IL-1β and IL-33-mediated surface expression of adhesion molecules on human eosinophils --- p.77 / Chapter 3.2.11 --- "Effects of different inhibitors on IL-33, IL-1β，and IL-18-induced release of CCL2，CXCL8，and IL-6 from human eosinophils" --- p.79 / Chapter 3.2.12 --- "Effects of IL-33, IL-1β and IL-18 on activation of ERK, p38 MAPK, and NF-kB pathways in human eosinophils" --- p.83 / Chapter 3.3 --- Discussion --- p.85 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Co-culture of Eosinophils & Epidermal Keratinocytes Upon IL-33 Stimulation: Implications for Immunopathology of Atopic Dermatitis --- p.95 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.95 / Chapter 4.2 --- Results --- p.98 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Effect of IL-33 on surface expression of CD18 and ICAM-1 upon the interaction of human eosinophils and epidermal keratinocytes --- p.98 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Effect of IL-33 on CCL2 release upon the interaction of human eosinophils and epidermal keratinocytes --- p.98 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Effect of IL-33 on CXCL8 release upon the interaction of human eosinophils and epidermal keratinocytes --- p.101 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Effect of IL-33 on IL-6 release upon the interaction of human eosinophils and epidermal keratinocytes --- p.101 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Source(s) of CCL2 in co-culture of human eosinophils and epidermal keratinocytes upon IL-33 stimulation --- p.104 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Source(s) of CXCL8 in co-culture of human eosinophils and epidermal keratinocytes upon IL-33 stimulation --- p.105 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- Source(s) of IL-6 in co-culture of human eosinophils and epidermal keratinocytes upon BL-33 stimulation --- p.108 / Chapter 4.2.8 --- "Effect of transwell insert on the induction of CCL2，CXCL8, and IL-6 release in co-culture of human eosinophils and epidermal keratinocytes upon IL-33 stimulation" --- p.110 / Chapter 4.3 --- Discussion --- p.113 / Chapter Chapter 5: --- Concluding Remarks and Future Perspectives --- p.120 / Chapter 5.1 --- Concluding Remarks --- p.120 / Chapter 5.2 --- Future Perspectives --- p.123 / Appendix --- p.126 / References --- p.127

Accumulating evidence has indicated that microbial infection could intensify allergic responses. Previous findings demonstrated that eosinophil activation could be elicited by bacterial and viral conserved molecular pattern through TLR. Recently, two cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptors, NLR protein NOD1 and NOD2, have been discovered and the important roles in innate immunity have been elucidated. Eosinophils alone have little responses upon the stimulation with ligands of NOD1 and NOD2. Since airway eosinophils increase in more numbers of asthmatic patients compared to control subjects, we investigated the co-culture system of eosinophils and human bronchial epithelial cells to illustrate the potential immunopathological roles of NOD1 and NOD2 in asthma processes. In the co-culture system, NOD1 ligand gamma-D-Glu-mDAP (iE-DAP) and NOD2 ligand muramyl dipeptide (MDP) could upregulate cell surface expression of CD1 8 and ICAM-1 on eosinophils and ICAM-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) on bronchial epithelial cells, as well as induce chemokines CCL2 and CXCL8 release. These findings therefore imply the direct interaction and activation between the two cells upon NOD1 and NOD2 ligand stimulation. / Allergic diseases are prevalent and their incidences have been increasing worldwide. Eosinophils are the principal effector cells for the late phase response in allergic inflammation. The infiltration of eosinophils together with other inflammatory cells at the local inflammatory sites is the major characteristic in allergic inflammation. However, the detailed innnunopathological responses and mechanisms of the activation of eosinophils in allergic inflammation are not well defined. In the present study, we investigated and attempted to elucidate the mechanisms of eosinophil activation induced by various stimuli, including thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), the novel interleukin (IL)-12 family cytokine IL-27, and ligands of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD) like receptor (NLR) protein NOD1 and NOD2 upon interaction with bronchial epithelial cells. / In conclusion, the above findings demonstrated that eosinophils could be potently activated by diverse stimuli and regulated by multiple intracellular regulatory mechanisms. The elucidation of eosinophil activation may offer new therapeutic stategies and clues for the treatment of allergic diseases. / Recently, the novel IL-12 family member IL-27 was found to regulate immune responses, exerting either stimulation or suppression effects. We found that eosinophils constitutively expressed IL-27 receptor heterodimer, gp130 and WSX-1. IL-27 could prolong eosinophil survival by reducing apoptosis, modulate the expression of adhesion molecules to facilitate eosinophil adhesion and accumulation, and induce the release of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-aalpha IL-1beta and chemokines CCL2, CXCL8 and CXCL1. The stimulatory effects of IL-27 on eosinophils could not be abrogated by IL-25, hematopoietic cytokine granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 ligand lipopolysaccharide (LPS). These findings were different from the effects of IL-27 and LPS on monocytes. Intracellular signaling mechanistic studies showed that IL-27-mediated eosinophil activation was differentially regulated by MAPKs and NF-kappaB. Based on the above results, IL-27 could play crucial roles in allergic diseases by the activation of eosinophils via differential intracellular signaling cascades. However, IL-27 has been shown to suppress allergic diseases in mouse models. According to our findings of its activating effects on human eosinophils, IL-27 may play pleiotropic roles in human allergic responses. / TSLP is a novel IL-7-like cytokine highly expressed by bronchial epithelial cells and skin keratinocytes in allergic diseases. TSLP acts as a master switch for allergic inflammation through the activation of dendritic cells and mast cells for initiating inflammatory Th2 responses. To elucidate the immunological cascades of epithelium/keatinocyte-eosinophil mediated allergic inflammation, we examined the modulating effects of TSLP on human eosinophils. We observed that human eosinophils constitutively expressed TSLP receptor complex comprising TSLP-binding chain TSLPR and IL-7Ralpha chain. TSLP could significantly delay eosinophil apoptosis, up-regulate the cell surface expression of adhesion molecule CD18 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) but down-regulate L-selectin, enhance eosinophil adhesion to fibronectin, and induce the release of inflammatory cytokine 1L-6 and chemokines CXCL8, CXCL1 and CCL2. All these effects were concentration-dependent and TSLP-specific. TSLP regulated the above effects through the activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB signaling pathway, but not signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-5 and STAT-3 which were usually activated in other effector cells upon TSLP stimulation. Collectively, the above findings elucidated the pro-allergic mechanisms of TSLP via the activation of distinct intracellular signaling pathways in eosinophils. / Hu, Shuiqing. / Adviser: Wong Chin Kwok. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 72-04, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 176-216). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Leung, Sze Lee Cecilia. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 144-153). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Abstract in Chinese (摘要） --- p.iii / Acknowledgements --- p.v / Table of Content --- p.vi / Abbreviations --- p.xv / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- Stem cells --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Adult stem cells --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Embryonic stem cells --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Pros and cons of embryonic and adult stem cells --- p.5 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.5 --- Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) --- p.7 / Chapter 1.1.6 --- Characteristics of ESC-derived cardiomyocytes --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2 --- Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Causes and statistics of CVD --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Current treatment for CVD --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Current hurdles of putting hESC-CMs into clinical use --- p.11 / Chapter 1.3 --- Myosin light chain2v --- p.13 / Chapter 1.4 --- Genetic-engineering of hESCs & their cardiac derivatives by lentiviral-mediate gene transfer --- p.14 / Chapter 1.5 --- Cytokines secretion during myocardial infarction --- p.15 / Chapter 1.6 --- Aims of the Project --- p.19 / Chapter 1.7 --- Significance of the Project --- p.19 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- MATERIALS AND METHODS / Chapter 2.1 --- Subcloning --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Amplification of MLC-2v --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Purification of DNA product --- p.21 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Restriction enzyme digestion --- p.21 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Ligation of MLC-2v promoter with DuetO 11 vector --- p.22 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- Transformation of ligation product into competent cells --- p.22 / Chapter 2.1.6 --- PCR confirmation of successful ligation --- p.23 / Chapter 2.1.7 --- Small-scale preparation of bacterial plasmid DNA --- p.23 / Chapter 2.1.8 --- Restriction enzyme digestions to reconfirm positive clones --- p.24 / Chapter 2.1.9 --- DNA sequencing of the cloned plasmid DNA --- p.25 / Chapter 2.1.10 --- Large-scale preparation of target recombinant expression vector --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2 --- Mouse Embryonic Fibroblast (MEF) Culture --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Derivation of MEF --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Mouse embryonic fibroblast cells culture --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Irradiation of mouse embryonic fibroblast --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3 --- HESC culture --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Thawing and Plating hESCs --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Splitting hESCs --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- "Culture maintainence, selection and colony removal" --- p.31 / Chapter a) --- Distinguish differentiated and undifferentiated cells and colonies / Chapter b) --- "Remove differentiated cells by ""Picking to Remove""" / Chapter c) --- "Remove undifferentiated cells by ""Picking to Keep""" / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Freezing hESCs --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Differentiation of hESCs --- p.32 / Chapter 2.3.6 --- "HESC culture on feeder free system, mTeSR TM1" --- p.34 / Chapter a) --- Preparation of mTeSRTMl / Chapter b) --- Preparation of BD MatrigelTM hESC-qualified Matrix aliquots / Chapter c) --- Coating plates with BD MatrigelTM hESC-qualified Matrix / Chapter d) --- Human Embryonic stem cells culture in mTeSRTMl / Chapter 2.4 --- ES Cell Characterization (Chemicon Cat# SCR001) --- p.36 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Alkaline Phosphatase Staining --- p.36 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Immunofluorescence staining --- p.37 / Chapter 2.5 --- MESC culture --- p.38 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Thawing and Plating mESCs --- p.38 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Splitting mESCs --- p.38 / Chapter 2.5.3 --- Differentiation of mESCs --- p.39 / Chapter 2.5.4 --- To study the effects of cytokines on mESC differentiation --- p.40 / Chapter 2.6 --- Lentivirus (LV) Packaging --- p.41 / Chapter 2.6.1 --- Transfection of lentiviral vectors into HEK293FT cells --- p.41 / Chapter 2.6.2 --- LV titering --- p.42 / Chapter 2.7 --- MultipleTransduction --- p.43 / Chapter 2.8 --- Selection of transduced cells by hygromycin --- p.43 / Chapter 2.8.1 --- Determination of hygromycin selection dosage --- p.43 / Chapter 2.8.2 --- Selection of stable clones --- p.44 / Chapter 2.9 --- Isolation of green fluorescent cardiomyocytes derived from differentiated hESCs --- p.45 / Chapter 2.9.1 --- Collagenase digestion of embryoid bodies into single cells --- p.45 / Chapter 2.9.2 --- FACS --- p.46 / Chapter 2.10 --- Gene expression study / Chapter 2.10.1 --- Primer design --- p.46 / Chapter 2.10.2 --- RNA extraction --- p.46 / Chapter 2.10.3 --- DNase Treatment --- p.47 / Chapter 2.10.4 --- Synthesis of Double-stranded cDNA from Total RNA --- p.47 / Chapter 2.10.5 --- Quantitative real-time PCR --- p.48 / Chapter 2.10.6 --- Quantification of mRNA expression --- p.49 / Chapter 2.11 --- Protein Expression study --- p.49 / Chapter 2.11.1 --- Crude protein extraction --- p.49 / Chapter 2.11.2 --- Quantitation of protein samples --- p.50 / Chapter 2.11.3 --- SDS-PAGE --- p.50 / Chapter 2.11.4 --- Western Blot --- p.51 / Chapter 2.11.5 --- Western blot luminal detection --- p.52 / Chapter 2.11.6 --- Quantification of protein expression --- p.52 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- PURIFICATION OF CARDIOMYOCYTES DERIVED FROM DIFFERENTIATED HESCs / Chapter 3.1 --- Subcloning --- p.57 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Linearization of DuetO11 and excision of UBC promoter --- p.58 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- PCR cloning of MLC-2V --- p.59 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Ligation of MLC-2v promoter to linearized DuetO11 --- p.60 / Chapter 3.1.3.1 --- Colony PCR to screen for positive clones --- p.61 / Chapter 3.1.3.2 --- Restriction digestion to confirm the success of ligation --- p.61 / Chapter 3.2 --- Lentivirus (LV) packaging --- p.62 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Transfection --- p.63 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- LV titering --- p.64 / Chapter 3.3 --- HESC culture --- p.66 / Chapter 3.4 --- Multi-transduction of hESCs with LVs --- p.67 / Chapter 3.5 --- Differentiation after transduction --- p.69 / Chapter 3.6 --- Antibiotic selection --- p.71 / Chapter 3.6.1 --- Characterization of hESCs on feeder free system --- p.72 / Chapter 3.6.1.1 --- Alkaline Phosphatase (AP) staining --- p.72 / Chapter 3.6.1.2 --- Immunostaining with pluripotency marker --- p.73 / Chapter 3.6.2 --- Determination of hygromycin dosage by MTT assay --- p.74 / Chapter 3.6.3 --- HESCs after selection in feeder free system --- p.75 / Chapter 3.7 --- Differentiation of hESCs after selection --- p.76 / Chapter 3.8 --- FACS --- p.77 / Chapter 3.9 --- QPCR of cells after FACS --- p.80 / Chapter 3.9.1 --- Gene expression of Nkx2.5 --- p.81 / Chapter 3.9.2 --- Gene expression of c-Tnl --- p.82 / Chapter 3.9.3 --- Gene expression of c-TnT --- p.83 / Chapter 3.9.3 --- Gene expression of MLC-2v --- p.84 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- THE STUDY OF CYTOKINES' EFFECT ON MESC DIFFERENTIATION / Chapter 4.1 --- mESC culture --- p.85 / Chapter 4.2 --- The effect of cytokines on the differentiation of mESCs --- p.86 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Beating curves of mESCs treated with different concentrations of cytokines at differentiation day 2 to 6 before attachment --- p.88 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- qPCR to determine the cytokines' effect on the differentiation of mESCs --- p.94 / Chapter 4.2.2.1 --- The effect of IL-1α on the expression of cardiac specific genes --- p.95 / Chapter 4.2.2.2 --- The effect of IL-1β on the expression of cardiac specific genes --- p.98 / Chapter 4.2.2.3 --- The effect of IL-6 on the expression of cardiac specific genes --- p.101 / Chapter 4.2.2.4 --- The effect of IL-10 on the expression of cardiac specific genes --- p.104 / Chapter 4.2.2.5 --- The effect of IL-18 on the expression of cardiac specific genes --- p.107 / Chapter 4.2.2.6 --- The effect of TNF-α on the expression of cardiac specific genes --- p.110 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Western blot analysis of the cytokines' effect on the differentiation of mESCs --- p.113 / Chapter 4.2.3.1 --- The effect of IL-lα on the abundance of cardiac specific proteins --- p.114 / Chapter 4.2.3.2 --- The effect of IL-1β on the abundance of cardiac specific proteins --- p.116 / Chapter 4.2.3.3 --- The effect of IL-6 on the abundance of cardiac specific proteins --- p.118 / Chapter 4.2.3.4 --- The effect of IL-10 on the abundance of cardiac specific proteins --- p.120 / Chapter 4.2.3.5 --- The effect of IL-18 on the abundance of cardiac specific proteins --- p.122 / Chapter 4.2.3.6 --- The effect of TNF-α on the abundance of cardiac specific proteins --- p.124 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- DISCUSSION / Chapter 5.1 --- Purification of cardiomyocytes derived from differentiated hESCs --- p.127 / Chapter 5.2 --- Study on the effect of cytokines on mESC differentiation --- p.135 / Chapter 5.3 --- Conclusion --- p.142 / REFERENCES --- p.144