La migration cellulaire collective est essentielle aux processus physiologiques, tels que le dé-veloppement et la réparation des tissus, et aux conditions pathogènes, telles que les métas-tases cancéreuses. Les lésions métastatiques sont à l'origine de la majorité de la mortalité liée au cancer, ce qui incite à comprendre les mécanismes moléculaires régissant la migration collective du cancer et à explorer leur potentiel thérapeutique. Dans ce contexte, la kinase MAP4K4 est apparue comme une kinase pro-métastatique, associée à un mauvais pronostic pour les patients et reconnue pour réguler la migration des cellules cancéreuses. Cependant, son rôle dans la migration collective reste flou. Au cours des dernières années, le groupe de recherche du Dr Emery a dévoilé que Misshapen, l'orthologue drosophile de MAP4K4, est un régulateur central de la migration collective des cellules de bordure, soulevant la question de savoir si MAP4K4 coordonnerait la migration collective des cellules cancéreuses. Le but de cette thèse était d’évaluer la fonction de MAP4K4 dans la migration collective des cellules cancéreuses, incluant deux modes de migration différents : en grappe et en feuillets. En utilisant la lignée cellulaire A431, nous démontrons le rôle de MAP4K4 dans la régulation de la dynamique de protrusion, de rétraction et d’adhésion focale, favorisant la migration des grappes grâce à la régulation des forces de traction cellule-substrat. De plus, nous dévoi-lons un nouveau rôle de MAP4K4 dans l’adhésion cellule-cellule, en contrôlant la charge de tension et la stabilité, et en ajustant les contraintes intercellulaires. Notamment, lors de la migration des feuillets, les cellules A431 forment des structures en forme de doigts, avec une hiérarchie leader-suiveur. En caractérisant ces structures migratrices, nous avons identifié des structures d'actomyosine supracellulaires, ouvrant ainsi de nouvelles questions et voies d'investigation pour explorer les mécanismes de communication cellule-cellule. De plus, nous avons montré que MAP4K4 régule la formation des doigts et la densité des câbles supracellu-laires, nuisant à l'émergence de cellules leader et coordonnant la communication cellule-cellule. Dans l’ensemble, ces travaux soulignent le rôle central de MAP4K4 dans la régulation de la migration collective des cellules cancéreuses par l’adhésion focale et la modulation de la jonction cellule-cellule, ayant finalement un impact sur la génération et la transmission de la force cellulaire, coordonnant ainsi le mouvement collectif. En outre, nous discutons du po-tentiel de l’inhibition de MAP4K4 en tant que stratégie de traitement des métastases. / Collective cell migration is essential for both physiological processes, such as development and tissue repair, and pathogenic conditions, such as cancer metastasis. Metastatic lesions drive the majority of cancer-related mortality, urging the understanding of molecular me-chanisms governing collective cancer migration, and exploring their therapeutic potential. In this context, the kinase MAP4K4 has emerged as a pro-metastatic kinase, associated with poor patient prognosis and recognized for regulating cancer cell migration. However, its role in collective migration remains unclear. In the past years, Dr. Emery's research group unveiled that Misshapen, the MAP4K4 Drosophila orthologue, is a central regulator of border cell col-lective migration, raising the question whether MAP4K4 would coordinate the collective mi-gration of cancer cells. The purpose of this thesis was to assess the function of MAP4K4 in carcinoma cell’s collective migration, including two different migration modes : clusters and sheets. Using A431 cell line, we demonstrate MAP4K4’s role in regulating protrusion, retraction and focal adhesion dy-namics, promoting cluster migration through regulating cell-substrate traction forces. Furthermore, we unveil a new role of MAP4K4 at cell-cell adhesions, controlling tension loa-ding and stability, and tunning the intercellular stresses. Notably, during sheet migration, A431 cells form finger-like structures, with a leader-follower hierarchy. Performing the charac-terization of these migrating structures, we identified supracellular actomyosin structures, opening new questions and investigative pathways to explore cell-cell communication me-chanisms. Moreover, we showed that MAP4K4 regulates finger formation and the density of the supracellular cables, impairing the emergence of leader cells and coordinating cell-cell communication. Overall, this work underscores the central role of MAP4K4 in regulating collective cancer cell migration through focal adhesion and cell-cell junction modulation, ultimately impacting cell force generation and transmission, coordinating collective movement. Furthermore, we dis-cuss the potential of MAP4K4 inhibition as a strategy for metastasis therapy.

No description available.

<p dir="ltr">Neutrophils are critical for innate immunity, acting as the body's first line of defense. They are terminally differentiated and are short-lived white blood cells. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), traditionally associated with cell cycle progression are now known to regulate crucial neutrophil functions: CDK2 influences neutrophil migration, CDK4 and 6 regulate neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation, CDK5 controls degranulation, and CDK7 and 9 are pivotal for apoptosis and inflammation resolution.</p><p dir="ltr">Despite extensive studies on CDK2 in cell cycle regulation, its role in neutrophil function remained uncharacterized until recently. Inhibiting CDK2 kinase activity significantly impairs neutrophil migration. Using phosphoproteomic methods, we identified key proteins in multiple cellular pathways affected by CDK2 inhibition, with Cyclin D3 emerging as a binding partner. Direct substrates of CDK2, including RCSD1, CCDC6, LMNB1, and STK10, were found to be essential for neutrophil motility. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying this process. Consequently, targeting CDK2 or its substrates presents potential therapeutic strategies for conditions involving aberrant neutrophil migration or neutrophil-mediated inflammation, offering new avenues for treating neutrophil-dominant inflammatory diseases and advancing our understanding of neutrophil regulation.</p><p dir="ltr">Emergency granulopoiesis, a response to severe inflammation, involves the increased production of neutrophils in hematopoietic tissue. Understanding the body's response to severe inflammation necessitates more precise and less invasive methods to track neutrophil development. To distinguish newly formed neutrophils from existing ones in the occurrence of emergency granulopoiesis, we developed a transgenic zebrafish line expressing a time-dependent GFP-RFP switch fluorescent protein, enabling quantification through simple GFP/RFP ratiometric imaging. This method bypasses the limitations of traditional photo-labeling, which requires strong laser lines and label subsets of existing neutrophils.</p>

Neointimal hyperplasia (NIH) is a cardiovascular disease characterised by increased smooth muscle cell (SMC) inflammation and proliferation. Suppressor of cytokine signalling 3 (SOCS3) limits Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathways involved in vascular remodelling but is limited by its short biological half-life. Therefore, mutation of all 9 Lys residues that are potential sites of ubiquitylation to Arg should produce a mutated SOCS3 resistant to ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation (“Lys-less” SOCS3). This study hypothesise that enhancing SOCS3 stability and limiting JAK/STAT signalling may provide sustained inhibition of the vascular remodelling in NIH. Lentiviral transduction of WT and Lys-less SOCS3 in human saphenous vein (HSVSMCs) was highly efficient after 48 hours (>97%) and was sustained over 2 weeks. Lys-less SOCS3 was resistant to ubiquitylation contrary to WT-transduced HSVECs, and Lys-less SOCS3 was more stable (t1/2=4h) than WT (t1/2<4h) (n=6, P<0.001) in HSVSMCs. In HSVSMCs, both Lys-less SOCS3 and WT inhibited sIL-6Rα/IL-6 mediated STAT3 activation but not extracellular signal regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) by 80±7% (Lys-lessSOCS3/pSTAT3) and 74±6% (WT/pSTAT3) (n=3, P<0.05) and similarly inhibited PDGF-mediated STAT3 activation but not ERK1/2 by 67±17% (Lys-less SOCS3/pSTAT3) and 72±18% (WT/pSTAT3) (n=3, P<0.05). Functionally, Lys-less SOCS3 and WT were equivalent in inhibiting sIL-6Rα/IL-6 and PDGF-induced proliferation, whilst having no effects on PDGF-induced migration in HSVSMCs. Lys-less SOCS3 can be successfully transduced into primary HSVSMCs. It is more stable than WT yet retains its functional ability to ameliorate pro-inflammatory signalling and SMC proliferation, making it an attractive option for developing treatment of NIH. / University of Botswana

[ES] Las poliaminas son metabolitos esenciales para el crecimiento de las células eucariotas y su metabolismo está frecuentemente desregulado en cáncer. Una de las dianas moleculares de las poliaminas es el factor de elongación de la traducción eIF5A, una proteína esencial y conservada evolutivamente. eIF5A es la única proteína conocida que contiene el aminoácido hipusina, que deriva de la poliamina espermidina. En humanos existen dos isoformas, eIF5A1 y eIF5A2. EIF5A2 se encuentra en el cromosoma 3q26, una región frecuentemente amplificada en muchos tumores y que está altamente expresada en varios tipos de cáncer, incluyendo el cáncer de pulmón no microcítico (CPNM). eIF5A2 es esencial para el mantenimiento de la proliferación celular y su inhibición la suprime en algunos tumores. Recientemente se ha correlacionado la sobreexpresión de eIF5A2 con la invasión y como biomarcador de mal pronóstico en algunos cánceres, y se ha observado que eIF5A2 induce la transición epitelio-mesenquimal (EMT) en CPNM. La EMT es un proceso complejo y reversible que induce la diferenciación de las células epiteliales a células mesenquimales migrantes con capacidad de invasión. Numerosos estudios han demostrado que la EMT está relacionada con la progresión del cáncer, metástasis y mal pronóstico en tumores. Por tanto, la determinación de un método eficaz para inhibir la EMT en CPNM podría mejorar significativamente los tratamientos actuales. La naturaleza altamente selectiva de la hipusinación de eIF5A2 y su susceptibilidad a la inhibición farmacológica sugieren que eIF5A2 es una diana terapéutica muy atractiva. Actualmente, se dispone de un análogo de poliamina, GC7, que se utiliza para inhibir la hipusinación y se ha demostrado que frena el crecimiento de células cancerosas. El presente trabajo de tesis doctoral tiene como objetivo caracterizar el papel patológico de eIF5A2 en el desarrollo del CPNM. Para ello, hemos estudiado, mediante modificaciones genéticas por silenciamiento y sobreexpresión, el papel de eIF5A2 en la proliferación, motilidad e invasión celular utilizando líneas celulares de CPNM. Así mismo, se ha estudiado el efecto del inhibidor GC7 en líneas celulares de CPNM y modelos murinos para determinar si previene o revierte la EMT, y reduce la migración y la invasión de células de CPNM. Por último, se ha analizado la correlación entre la expresión de eIF5A2, las variables clínico-patológicas y la supervivencia de los pacientes en una colección de muestras de pacientes con CPNM. Los resultados obtenidos sugieren la existencia de una regulación entre las isoformas eIF5A1 y eIF5A2 para compensar la expresión de ambos homólogos. Además, nuestros datos apuntan a una coordinación temporal y posicional entre las vías de TGFß1 y eIF5A2 para impulsar la traducción de proteínas requerida para el reordenamiento del citoesqueleto y la motilidad de las células cancerosas invasivas. Hemos demostrado con modelos de ratón in vivo, que los tumores generados mediante xenotrasplante de células que sobreexpresan eIF5A2 tienen mayor capacidad invasiva. Finalmente, mostramos la existencia de una correlación positiva entre la expresión de eIF5A2 y el marcador de proliferación Ki67 en tejido de tumores de CPNM, y que la tasa de supervivencia es menor en aquellos pacientes que expresan niveles elevados de eIF5A2. Los resultados obtenidos en este trabajo confirman que eIF5A2 podría ser empleado como un biomarcador de mal pronóstico en CPNM y su inhibición farmacológica podría emplearse como una posible herramienta terapéutica, sola o en combinación con otros fármacos, en aquellos casos en los que eIF5A2 se encuentre sobreexpresado. / [CA] Les poliamines són metabòlits essencials per al creixement de les cèl·lules eucariotes i el seu metabolisme està frequentment desregulat en càncer. Una de les dianes moleculars de les poliamines és el factor d'elongació de la traducció eIF5A, una proteïna essencial i conservada evolutivament. eIF5A és l'única proteïna cel·lular coneguda que conté l'aminoàcid hipusina, que deriva de la poliamina espermidina. En humans hi ha dues isoformes, eIF5A1 i eIF5A2. EIF5A2 es troba al cromosoma 3q26, una regió freqüentment amplificada en molts tumors, i que està altament expressada en diferent tipus de càncer, incloent el càncer de pulmó no microcític (CPNM). eIF5A2 és essencial per al manteniment de la proliferació cel·lular i la seva inhibició la suprimeix en alguns tumors. Recentment s'ha correlacionat la sobreexpressió d'eIF5A2 amb la invasió i com a biomarcador de mal pronòstic a alguns càncers i s'ha observat que eIF5A2 indueix la transicició epiteli-mesenquima (EMT) en CPNM. L'EMT és un procés complex i reversible que indueix la diferenciació de les cèl·lules epitelials a cèl·lules mesenquimals migrants amb capacitat d'invasió. Nombrosos estudis han demostrat que l'EMT està relacionada amb la progressió del càncer, la metàstasi i el mal pronòstic en molts tumors. Per tant, la determinació d'un mètode eficaç per inhibir l'EMT a CPNM podria millorar significativament els règims dels tractaments actuals. La naturalesa altament selectiva de la hipusinació d'eIF5A2 i la susceptibilitat a la inhibició farmacològica fan d'aquesta proteina una diana terapèutica molt atractiva. Actualment, es disposa d'un anàleg de poliamina, anomenat GC7, que s'utilitza per inactivar la reacció d'hipusinació i s'ha demostrat que inhibeix el creixement de cèl·lules canceroses. Aquest treball de tesi doctoral té com a objectiu caracteritzar el paper patològic d'eIF5A2 en el desenvolupament del CPNM. Per això, hem estudiat, mitjançant modificacions genètiques per silenciament i sobreexpressió, el paper d'eIF5A2 en la proliferació, la motilitat i la invasió cel·lular utilitzant línies cel·lulars de càncer de pulmó. Així mateix, s'ha estudiat l'efecte de l'inhibidor GC7 en línies cel·lulars de CPNM i models murins per determinar si augmenta la quimiosensibilitat de les cèl·lules, prevé o reverteix l'EMT i redueix la migració i la invasió de cèl·lules de CPNM. Finalment, s'ha analitzat la correlació entre l'expressió d'eIF5A2, les variables clinicopatològiques i la supervivència dels pacients en una col·lecció de mostres de pacients amb CPNM. Els resultats obtinguts suggereixen que hi ha una regulació entre les isoformes eIF5A1 i eIF5A2 per compensar l'expressió dels dos homòlegs. A més, les nostres dades apunten a una coordinació temporal i posicional entre les vies de TGFß1 i eIF5A2 per impulsar la traducció requerida de proteïnes per als reordenaments del citosquelet i les característiques de motilitat de les cèl·lules canceroses invasives. Hem demostrat amb models de ratolí in vivo que els tumors generats mitjançant xenotrasplantament de cèl·lules que sobreexpressen eIF5A2 tenen més capacitat invasiva. Finalment, mostrem l'existència una correlació positiva entre l'expressió d'eIF5A2 i el marcador de proliferació Ki67 en teixit de tumors de CPNM, i que la taxa de supervivència és menor en aquells pacients que expressaven alts nivells d'eIF5A2. Els resultats obtinguts en aquest treball confirmen que eIF5A2 podria ser emprat com un biomarcador de mal pronòstic a CPNM i la seva inhibició farmacològica podria utilitzar-se com una possible eina terapèutica, sola o en combinació amb altres fàrmacs, en aquells casos en què eIF5A2 es trobe sobreexpressat. / [EN] Polyamines are essential metabolites for eukaryotic cells growth, and their metabolism is frequently deregulated in cancer. One of the molecular targets of polyamines is the translation elongation factor eIF5A, an essential and evolutionarily conserved protein. eIF5A is the only protein known that contains the amino acid hypusine, which is derived from the polyamine spermidine. In humans there are two isoforms, eIF5A1 and eIF5A2. EIF5A2 is located on chromosome 3q26, a region frequently amplified in different types of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). eIF5A2 is essential for the maintenance of cell proliferation and its inhibition suppresses it in many tumors. Recently, eIF5A2 overexpression has been correlated with invasion and as a biomarker of poor prognosis in some cancers, and it has been observed that eIF5A2 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in NSCLC. EMT is a complex and reversible process that induces the differentiation of epithelial cells into migrant mesenchymal cells with invasive capacity. Numerous studies have shown that EMT is related to cancer progression, metastasis, and poor prognosis in many tumors. Therefore, the determination of an effective method to inhibit EMT in NSCLC could significantly improve current treatment regimens. The highly selective nature of eIF5A2 hypusination and its susceptibility to pharmacological inhibition make this process a very attractive therapeutic target. Currently, a polyamine analog, called GC7, is available and is used to inactivate the hypusination reaction and has been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth. The objective of this doctoral thesis is to characterize the pathological role of eIF5A2 in the development of NSCLC. For this, we have studied, through genetic alterations by silencing and overexpression, the role of eIF5A2 in cell proliferation, motility and invasion using lung cancer cell lines. Likewise, the effect of the GC7 inhibitor in NSCLC cell lines and murine models has been studied to determine if it increases the chemosensitivity of cells, prevents or reverses EMT, and reduces migration and invasion of NSCLC cells. Finally, the correlation between the expression of eIF5A2, clinicopathological variables and patient survival has been analyzed in a collection of samples from patients with NSCLC. The results obtained suggest the existence of a regulation between the eIF5A1 and eIF5A2 isoforms to compensate the expression of both homologues. Furthermore, our data point to a temporal and positional coordination between the TGFß1 and eIF5A2 pathways to drive the required translation of proteins for cytoskeletal rearrangements and motility characteristics of invasive cancer cells. We have demonstrated with in vivo mouse models that tumors generated by xenotransplantation of cells that overexpress eIF5A2 have a greater invasive capacity. Finally, we show the existence of a positive correlation between the expression of eIF5A2 and the proliferation marker Ki67 in NSCLC tumor tissue, and that the survival rate is lower in those patients who expressed high levels of eIF5A2. The results obtained in this work confirm that eIF5A2 could be used as a biomarker of poor prognosis in NSCLC and its pharmacological inhibition could be used as a possible therapeutic tool, alone or in combination with other drugs, in those cases in which eIF5A2 is found overexpressed. / Martínez Férriz, A. (2023). Funciones del factor de inicio de la traducción eucariota 5A2 en el cáncer de pulmón [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/193293

Primäre und sekundäre Lymphome des zentralen Nervensystems (ZNS), PCNSL und SCNSL, sind schwer behandelbar und mit einer ungünstigen Prognose assoziiert. Der ZNS-Tropismus dieser Lymphome hängt mit einer Dysregulation von Genen zusammen, die für Immunabwehr, Chemotaxis, Zellmigration und die Blut-Hirn-Schranke (BBB) relevant sind. Zur Untersuchung der molekularen Mechanismen wurde das Eμ-myc-Mausmodell genutzt, um die Faktoren zu analysieren, die zur ZNS-Tropie beitragen, insbesondere jene, die die BBB destabilisieren und die Immunantwort beeinflussen. Eμ-myc-Lymphome wurden in C57BL/6-Mäuse transplantiert und ZNS-positive von ZNS-negativen Lymphomen histologisch unterschieden. RNA-Sequenzierungen identifizierten Signalwege, die mit dem ZNS-Tropismus korreliert sind. Der NF-κB-Signalweg zeigte hierbei besondere Relevanz: Seine Hemmung in ZNS-positiven Lymphomen verringerte die ZNS-Tropie und stabilisierte die BBB durch den Erhalt der Tight-Junction-Proteine. Zudem ergab sich eine Hochregulation von Gfrα-1 in ZNS-positiven Lymphomen, was eine verstärkte Zellmigration zu hirn-konditioniertem Medium bewirkte. Durch die Aktivierung von Astrozyten und GDNF-Hochregulation wurde die BBB zusätzlich destabilisiert. ZNS-trope Lymphome induzierten Immunmodulationen benachbarter Zellen, wie Mikroglia und Astrozyten, und verstärkten den ZNS-Tropismus durch post-seneszente Signaturen. Das Zusammenspiel zwischen Lymphomzellen und Astrozyten, die Aktivierung der GDNF/Gfrα-1/RET-Signalachse und die BBB-Störung gelten als zentrale Mechanismen der ZNS-Tropie bei DLBCL-ähnlichen Lymphomen. Die gezielte Modulation dieser molekularen Pfade könnte die ZNS-Beteiligung bei aggressiven B-Zell-Lymphomen reduzieren. Weitere Untersuchungen könnten therapeutische Ansätze zur Minderung der ZNS-Tropie und Verbesserung der klinischen Ergebnisse bieten. / Primary and secondary CNS lymphomas (PCNSL and SCNSL) are difficult to treat, with a poor prognosis. CNS tropism in these lymphomas involves immune evasion, chemotaxis, cell migration, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. This study aimed to identify factors behind CNS tropism using the Eμ-myc mouse lymphoma model to compare CNS-tropic and non-tropic lymphomas. Methods: Eμ-myc lymphomas were transplanted into immunocompetent mice, classified as CNS (+) or CNS (-) by histology. RNA sequencing identified pathways linked to CNS tropism, focusing on NF-κB, which was suppressed using IκBα∆N in CNS (+) lymphomas in vitro and in vivo. BBB disruption was assessed through astrocyte activation and ZO-1 degradation, while BBB permeability was evaluated with the Evans Blue assay. Lymphoma migration towards GDNF-conditioned medium was tested via Boyden chambers, with GDNF/Gfrα-1/RET pathway involvement assessed by knockdown and RET inhibition. Immune modulation was analyzed by PD-L1 expression in astrocytes and microglia co-cultured with CNS lymphomas. Results: RNA sequencing showed upregulation of NF-κB targets, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and SASP in CNS (+) lymphomas. NF-κB inhibition prevented CNS tropism and preserved BBB integrity by blocking ZO-1 degradation. CNS (+) lymphomas displayed Gfrα-1 upregulation and migration toward brain-conditioned medium. Astrocyte activation and GDNF upregulation by CNS (+) lymphomas further impaired BBB stability. CNS (+) lymphomas induced immune modulation in neighboring astrocytes and microglia, with a post-senescence signature linked to CNS tropism. Interactions between lymphoma cells, astrocytes, the GDNF/Gfrα-1/RET axis, and BBB disruption are key to CNS tropism in DLBCL-like lymphomas. Targeting these pathways may help prevent CNS involvement in aggressive B-cell lymphomas, offering potential therapeutic avenues to improve patient outcomes.

Die Bildung und Aufrechterhaltung von Blutgefäßnetzen ist essenziell für Entwicklung, Gewebewachstum, Homöostase und Regeneration. Gefäßnetze erweitern sich durch ein Gleichgewicht von Endothelzellmigration und -proliferation. Während die Angiogenese gut untersucht ist, ist die Bildung arterieller Gefäße weniger erforscht. Piale Kollateralgefäße, eine seltene Form vaskulärer Redundanz im zentralen Nervensystem, verbinden Hirnarterien und schützen bei Schlaganfällen, indem sie blockierte Arterien ersetzen. Ein besserer pialer Kollateralfluss führt zu besseren Ergebnissen, was die Bedeutung ihrer Bildung und des Umbaus bei Schlaganfällen verdeutlicht. Diese Arbeit untersucht die zellulären Mechanismen, die der Bildung und dem Remodeling pialer Kollateralen zugrunde liegen. Mit Lineage-Tracing und hochauflösender Bildgebung pialer Gefäße von Mäusen wird gezeigt, dass Kollateralen primär aus wandernden, arteriellen Zellen und zu einem geringeren Teil aus Plexus-Zellen entstehen. Ich identifiziere den Mechanismus der Mosaikbesiedlung, bei dem arterielle und plexusstammende Endothelzellen (ECs) in vorkollaterale Kapillaren rekrutiert werden, die sich arteriell umgestalten. Während der embryonalen Entwicklung erfolgt die Kollateralbildung durch Rekrutierung von ECs, während der Umbau nach einem Schlaganfall auf der Proliferation lokaler, arterieller ECs beruht. Ultrastrukturelle Analysen zeigen, dass Kollateral-ECs eine hohe Caveolardichte aufweisen, die nach einem Schlaganfall im Vergleich zu Arterien rasch abnimmt. Die Arbeit beschreibt verschiedene Prozesse, die die Bildung und den Umbau pialer Kollateralen fördern, und hebt die Bedeutung endothelialer Linien hervor. Diese Erkenntnisse betonen die Relevanz arteriellen Wachstums für die Wiederherstellung des Kreislaufs und den Bedarf an verbesserten Kollateraltherapien für Schlaganfälle. / The formation and maintenance of blood vessel networks are crucial for development, tissue growth, homeostasis, and regeneration. Vascular networks expand and remodel through a balance of endothelial cell migration and proliferation. While angiogenesis—the growth of new vessels from existing ones—is well-studied, arterial vessel formation remains less explored. Pial collateral vessels, a rare form of vascular redundancy in the central nervous system, connect cerebral arteries and provide protection during stroke by dilating to replace blocked arteries. Patients with better pial collateral flow show improved outcomes, underscoring the importance of understanding collateral formation and remodeling in stroke. This work investigates the cellular mechanisms underlying pial collateral formation and post-stroke remodeling. Using lineage tracing and high-resolution imaging of mouse pial vasculature, I show that pial collaterals primarily arise from migrating artery-derived cells, with a smaller contribution from plexus-derived cells. I identify a novel mechanism—mosaic colonization—where arterial and plexus endothelial cells (ECs) are recruited into pre-collateral capillaries, coinciding with arterialization. Embryonic collateral formation involves EC recruitment, while post-stroke remodeling relies on proliferation of local artery-derived ECs. Ultrastructural analysis reveals collateral ECs exhibit high caveolar density, which rapidly declines after stroke compared to arterial caveolae. Overall, this thesis delineates distinct processes driving pial collateral formation and remodeling, highlighting the key endothelial lineages. These findings emphasize the importance of arterial growth in restoring circulation and underscore the need for improved collateral therapeutics for stroke.

Fibronectin is an extracellular multidomain glycoprotein that directs and regulates a variety of cell processes such as proliferation, development, haemostasis, embryogenesis, and wound healing. As a major component of blood, fibronectin exists as a soluble disulphide linked dimer, but it can also be incorporated into an insoluble cross-linked fibrillar network to form a major component of the extracellular matrix. Fibronectin is composed of an extended chain of module repeats termed Fn1, Fn2, and Fn3 that bind to a wide range of transmembrane receptors and extracellular matrix components, including collagen. The gelatin binding domain of fibronectin was first isolated as a 45kDa proteolytic fragment and has since been found to be composed of six modules: 6Fn1-1Fn2-2Fn2-7Fn1-8Fn1-9Fn1 (in this notation nFX represents the nth type X module in the native protein). This domain has been reported to bind to both collagen and denatured collagen (gelatin), but with 10-100 times higher affinity to the latter; it can be purified to homogeneity on a gelatin affinity column. In the work presented here, fragments of the gelatin binding domain are expressed in P. pastoris, purified to homogeneity, and investigated at the molecular level. Through a dissection approach, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is used to characterise the recombinantly produced protein, to accumulate more information about the function of the full domain. NMR is used to assess the folding of the protein fragments at atomic resolution. In particular, the secondary structure of 8Fn1-9Fn1 is mapped using inter-strand NOEs, which suggests that the construct takes the fold of a pair of typical Fn1 modules. Gelatin affinity chromatography is used to confirm that both Fn1 and Fn2 modules contribute to gelatin binding, possibly in two clusters (1Fn2-2Fn2 and 8Fn1-9Fn1). The 7Fn1 module may perform a structural role in linking together these two interaction sites, in the same way as suggested for 6Fn1, which is thought to act in a structural manner to enhance the binding of 1Fn2-2Fn2 to gelatin. Three carbohydrate moieties are found on this domain, one on 2Fn2 and two on 8Fn1. Here, by means of expressing different protein length fragments, and by site directed mutagenesis, the role of each sugar chain is investigated independently. The sugar chain on 2Fn2 does not appear to promote binding to collagen, nor does the first sugar chain on 8Fn1 (N-linked to N497), implying another role for these sugars such as protection from proteolysis. However, the presence of at least a single GlcNAc sugar residue on the second sugar chain site on 8Fn1 (N- linked to N511) is essential for full affinity binding to collagen. Direct binding of the 8Fn1-9Fn1 module pair to collagen is assessed with a short collagen peptide and the binding is monitored by NMR. The peptide appears to bind, predominantly to the final strand of 8Fn1, the first β- strand of 9Fn1, and the linker between the two modules, with μM affinity. A model for bound peptide is proposed. The highly conserved amino acid motif Ile-Gly-Asp (IGD) is found on four of the nine N-terminal Fn1 modules of fibronectin. Tetrapeptides containing the IGD were demonstrated to promote the migration of fibroblast cells into a native collagen matrix. Two of these “bioactive” IGD motifs are found within the gelatin binding domain, one on 7Fn1 and one on 9Fn1. In this study, the motif in the 8Fn1-9Fn1 module pair is shown to be located in a tightly constrained loop within 9Fn1. By site directed mutagenesis, the IGD motifs of 7Fn1 and 9Fn1 are subjected to single amino acid substitutions, and their ability to stimulate cell migration assessed in our assay. By NMR, the fold of the IGD mutant proteins is found to be unaffected by the mutation with respect to the wild type, with the exception of small perturbations around the substitution site. While the wild type module is able to stimulate fibroblast migration, the mutant proteins show reduced or negligible bioactivity. The larger fragments show far more potency in stimulating fibroblast migration, with 8Fn1-9Fn1 (one IGD motif) 104 times more potent than the IGD peptide, and the full gelatin binding domain (two IGD motifs) 106 times more potent than the 8Fn1-9Fn1. Potential mechanisms for this enormous enhancement of the IGD potency in different contexts are discussed.

Chlamydien sind obligat intrazelluläre Bakterien, die sich in einem membranumschlossenen Kompartiment namens Inklusion vermehren. Nach Infektion fragmentiert der Golgi-Apparat der Wirtszelle in kleine Membranstapel. Dies verbessert die Aufnahme von Sphingolipiden und ist deshalb für die chlamydiale Vermehrung essentiell. Die infektionsinduzierte Golgi-Fragmentierung geschieht nach Spaltung des Golgi-Matrix-Proteins Golgin-84. In dieser Arbeit konnte, durch den Vergleich mit bekannten Substraten und Inhibitorstudien, die chlamydiale Protease CPAF (Chlamydia protease-like activity factor) als das Enzym identifiziert werden, das diese Spaltung induziert, abhängig von der Anwesenheit zweier Rab-Proteine, Rab6 und Rab11, die den zellulären Vesikeltransport kontrollieren und zur Inklusion rekrutiert werden. Die Fragmentierung des Golgi-Apparates verhinderte dessen Relokalisierung während der Zellpolarisierung nach Einbringen eines migratorischen Stimulus. Sowohl infizierte als auch Golgin-84-depletierte Zellen migrierten langsamer und randomisiert in einem Motilitätsassay. Die Relokalisierung des Golgi-Apparates konnte durch seine Stabilisierung mittels WEHD oder Rab-Depletion wieder gewonnen werden, was die Zellmotilität teilweise wieder herstellte. Darüber hinaus konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Infektion außer der Golgi-Reorientierung die Signaltransduktion durch GTPasen beeinflusst. Die Aktivität von Cdc42 in infizierten Zellen war erhöht und die Interaktionen mit vielen ihrer Effektoren laut quantitativer Massenspektrometrie stark verändert. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit zeigen, dass CPAF die für Chlamydien lebenswichtige Golgin-84 Prozessierung und Fragmentierung des Golgi-Apparates auslöst. Dies verringert die Mobilität der Wirtszelle, vor allem da der Golgi-Apparat während der Polarisierung nicht mehr ausgerichtet werden kann, des Weiteren durch Modulierung der Protein-Protein-Interaktionen von Cdc42. / Chlamydia are obligate intracellular human pathogens that proliferate inside a membrane-bound compartment called the inclusion. In infected cells, the Golgi apparatus is fragmented into small ministacks that are aligned around the inclusion. This facilitates uptake of host cell sphingolipids and is essential for chlamydial development. Infection-induced Golgi fragmentation happens after processing of the Golgi matrix protein golgin-84. This work could, via comparison with well-known substrates and inhibitor studies, identify the chlamydial protease CPAF (Chlamydia protease-like activity factor) as the enzyme accountable for this cleavage. Golgi Fragmentation depended on two Rab proteins, Rab6 and Rab11, which control vesicle transport and are recruited to the Chlamydia inclusion. As a consequence of Golgi fragmentation, cells lost the capacity to reorient the Golgi apparatus during polarization after a migratory stimulus. Both infected and golgin-84 depleted cells with a permanently fragmented Golgi apparatus displayed decelerated and furthermore randomized migration in a motility assay. Relocalization of the Golgi apparatus could be restored via stabilizing WEHD treatment or Rab depletion which partly rescued cell motility. Moreover, it could be shown that migration signaling via small GTPases was influenced by Chlamydia infection. Infected cells exhibited activation of the small polarity GTPase Cdc42. Numerous interactions with downstream effectors were strongly altered in infected cells according to quantitative mass spectrometry. Particularly, the binding of Cdc42 to migration-associated effectors was decreased. The results of this work show that CPAF, by processing of golgin-84, induces Golgi fragmentation which is vitally important for Chlamydia. This disturbs host cell motility because the Golgi apparatus cannot be reoriented during polarization and, additionally, via the modulation of protein-protein-interactions of Cdc42.

Das humorale Immungedächtnis wird von reifen Plasmazellen des Knochenmarks vermittelt, welche bei Immunreaktionen aus aktivierten B-Lymphozyten gebildet werden. Dabei sind im Blut Plasmablasten als unmittelbare Vorläufer der Plasmazellen nachweisbar, die von dort aus in das Knochenmark einwandern. Anhand der durchflusszytometrischen Detektion spezifischer Plasmablasten gelang es hier, das simultane Auftauchen von Wellen neu generierter, migratorischer Plasmablasten und reifer, nicht-migratorischer Plasmazellen im Blut eine Woche nach einer Tetanusimpfung nachzuweisen. Plasmablasten und Plasmazellen lagen stets im Gleichgewicht vor, wodurch auf die stöchiometrische Mobilisierung reifer Plasmazellen des Knochenmarks durch systemisch induzierte Plasmablasten geschlossen wurde. Ein solcher Verdrängungsmechanismus wird hier erstmalig als Anpassungsmechanismus des humoralen Immungedächtnisses dargestellt, der die Aufnahme neuer Spezifitäten in das Gedächtnis unter Wahrung der Stabilität präexistierender Spezifitäten erlaubt. Anders als systemisch induzierte Plasmablasten, weisen Plasmablasten, die im immunologischen Ruhephase zirkulieren, Kennzeichen mukosaler Immunreaktionen auf: sie exprimieren IgA sowie die mukosalen Zellmigrationsrezeptoren alpha4beta7-Integrin und CCR10. Wahrscheinlich wandern sie in mukosale Plasmazelldepots ein und interferieren nicht mit den Plasmazellen des Knochenmarks, sodass die Stabilität des humoralen Gedächtnisses in der Ruhephase gewahrt bleibt. Eine Anpassung des humoralen Gedächtnisses findet somit nur im Rahmen systemischer Immunreaktionen statt. Bei splenektomierten Patienten und unter der B-Zell-Depletionstherapie bei Rheumapatienten bleiben mukosale Plasmablasten im Blut nachweisbar. Dies belegt deren autonome Bildung aus mukosalen, therapie-refraktären B-Zellen. Insgesamt wird hier eine bisher unbeachtete Komplexität menschlicher peripherer Plasmablasten und Plasmazellen und ihren Beziehungen zum humoralen Immungedächtnis dargestellt. / Humoral memory, i.e. persistence of specific antibody titers, is provided by plasma cells in the bone marrow, which are generated from activated B cells during immune responses. At this, immediate plasma cell precursors, the plasmablasts, migrate via the blood to the bone marrow. Using cytometric detection of antigen-specific plasmablasts, synchronous circulation of waves of recently generated, migratory plasmablasts and non migratory plasma cells with a mature phenotype was demonstrated one week after tetanus vaccination. Circulating plasmablast and plasma cell numbers were always in homeostasis, so that the stoichiometric mobilization of old bone marrow plasma cells by recently generated plasmablasts was hypothesized. This plasma cell replacement mechanism is herein described for the first time as an adaption mechanism of the humoral memory that allows incorporation of new antibody specificities while maintaining pre-existing ones. In immunological steady state, very low numbers of plasmablasts are detectable in any donor. These express IgA and receptors for mucosal homing, alpha4beta7 integrin and CCR10, and therefore most likely migrate into mucosal plasma cell depots and do not interfere with plasma cells of the bone marrow, preserving the stability of humoral memory during steady state. Hence, adaption of humoral memory is only possible during systemic immune reactions. Circulating mucosal plasmablasts produced during steady state remain detectable in patients with rheumatoid arthritis during B cell depletion therapy as well as in asplenic patients. Hence, this type of plasmablasts is self-sufficiently generated from mucosal B cells that are refractory to B cell depletion therapy. This work demonstrates a hitherto disregarded complexity of peripheral plasmablast and plasma cell subsets in healthy humans, with implications for the regulation of induction and maintenance of humoral memory.