京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第19746号 / 工博第4201号 / 新制||工||1648(附属図書館) / 32782 / 京都大学大学院工学研究科高分子化学専攻 / (主査)教授 田畑 泰彦, 教授 秋吉 一成, 教授 木村 俊作 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DGAM

A formulação de vacinas efetivas frequentemente requer a adição de adjuvantes capazes de otimizar as respostas imunes humoral e celular. Com o objetivo principal de contribuir para o desenvolvimento de novos adjuvantes, este trabalho foi desenvolvido buscando aprofundar o conhecimento do mecanismo de ação imunoadjuvante de preparações de saponinas de Quillaja brasiliensis e suas formulações em complexos imunoestimulantes do tipo ISCOM. Como a toxicidade das saponinas é um fator crítico para seu uso em preparações vacinais, inicialmente foram realizados ensaios visando comparar a toxicidade in vitro e in vivo de saponinas extraídas de Quillaja brasiliensis com saponinas de ação imunoestimulante reconhecidas, extraídas de Quillaja saponaria (Quil A). O potencial imunoadjuvante das saponinas solúveis de Q. brasiliensis foi avaliado utilizando preparações com dois antígenos: ovalbumina (OVA) e vírus da diarreia viral bovina (BVDV). Numa etapa seguinte, a atividade imunoadjuvante de ISCOMs preparados com saponinas de Q. brasiliensis foram avaliadas em duas vias de administração. O potencial imunomodulador dessas saponinas foi verificado em experimentos de recrutamento celular in vivo e expressão de genes relacionados ao sistema imune. Os resultados mostraram que saponinas de Q. brasiliensis são menos tóxicas que as de Quil A e apresentam atividade adjuvante similar, caracterizada por um perfil Th1/Th2 balanceado. Q. brasiliensis promoveu uma forte resposta imune celular do tipo Th1 caracterizada por uma robusta reação de hipersensibilidade celular tardia (DTH) e pela produção de IFN- e IL-2. A resposta imune induzida pelos ISCOMs produzidos a partir de saponinas de Q. brasiliensis foram superiores às respostas induzidas pelas saponinas solúveis. Os testes in vivo mostraram que as saponinas de Q. brasiliensis promovem um ambiente imunocompetente no local da inoculação e nos linfonodos drenantes. Esse ambiente foi caracterizado pelo intenso influxo celular (neutrófilos, células NK, células dendríticas, linfócitos T e B), além da expressão diferencial de genes relacionados à ativação do sistema imune. Em suma, os resultados mostraram que saponinas de Q. brasiliensis são seguras e seus potencial adjuvante foi equivalente a saponinas com ação imunoadjuvante conhecida de Q. saponaria. / Effective vaccine formulations frequently require addition of adjuvants able to optimize the cellular and humoral immune responses. With the goal to contribute to the development of new classes of adjuvants, this work was developed in order to achieve deep knowledge on the imunoadjuvant mode of action for Quillaja brasiliensis saponins incorporated into immunostimulant complex (ISCOM). The toxicity of saponins is a critical factor for its usage as vaccine preparations. At first, in vivo and in vivo citoxicity assays were carried out to compare to the effects between saponins extracted from Quillaja brasiliensis and the immunostimulant saponins already known from Quillaja saponaria (Quil A). Imunoadjuvant potential of soluble saponins from Q. brasilienis was evaluated using preparations of two antigens: ovoalbumin (OVA) and bovine viral diarrhea (BVD). As a next step, imunoadjuvant activity of ISCOMS prepared with Q. brasiliensis saponins was evaluated using two routes of administration. The immunomodulatory potential of these saponins was tested during in vivo cell recruitment assays and gene expression related to immune system. Our results demonstrated that Q. brasilienis saponins are less toxic than those from Quil A and presenting similar adjuvant activity, characterized by a Th1/Th2 balance profile. Q.brasiliensis induced a strong Th1 cell-mediated immune responses indicated by a robust delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) as well as IFN-у and IL-2 production. The immune response induced by ISCOMs from Q. brasiliensis saponins was higher than the one induced by soluble saponins. In vivo experiments indicated that saponins from Q. brasiliensis generate an immunocompetent environment at the injection site and draining lymph nodes. This environment was characterized by an intense cell influx (neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, B and T cells) as well as differential gene expression related to immune system activation. In essence, the results showed that saponins from are safe and their adjuvant potential was equivalent to saponins with imunoadjuvant activity of Q. saponaria.

A formulação de vacinas efetivas frequentemente requer a adição de adjuvantes capazes de otimizar as respostas imunes humoral e celular. Com o objetivo principal de contribuir para o desenvolvimento de novos adjuvantes, este trabalho foi desenvolvido buscando aprofundar o conhecimento do mecanismo de ação imunoadjuvante de preparações de saponinas de Quillaja brasiliensis e suas formulações em complexos imunoestimulantes do tipo ISCOM. Como a toxicidade das saponinas é um fator crítico para seu uso em preparações vacinais, inicialmente foram realizados ensaios visando comparar a toxicidade in vitro e in vivo de saponinas extraídas de Quillaja brasiliensis com saponinas de ação imunoestimulante reconhecidas, extraídas de Quillaja saponaria (Quil A). O potencial imunoadjuvante das saponinas solúveis de Q. brasiliensis foi avaliado utilizando preparações com dois antígenos: ovalbumina (OVA) e vírus da diarreia viral bovina (BVDV). Numa etapa seguinte, a atividade imunoadjuvante de ISCOMs preparados com saponinas de Q. brasiliensis foram avaliadas em duas vias de administração. O potencial imunomodulador dessas saponinas foi verificado em experimentos de recrutamento celular in vivo e expressão de genes relacionados ao sistema imune. Os resultados mostraram que saponinas de Q. brasiliensis são menos tóxicas que as de Quil A e apresentam atividade adjuvante similar, caracterizada por um perfil Th1/Th2 balanceado. Q. brasiliensis promoveu uma forte resposta imune celular do tipo Th1 caracterizada por uma robusta reação de hipersensibilidade celular tardia (DTH) e pela produção de IFN- e IL-2. A resposta imune induzida pelos ISCOMs produzidos a partir de saponinas de Q. brasiliensis foram superiores às respostas induzidas pelas saponinas solúveis. Os testes in vivo mostraram que as saponinas de Q. brasiliensis promovem um ambiente imunocompetente no local da inoculação e nos linfonodos drenantes. Esse ambiente foi caracterizado pelo intenso influxo celular (neutrófilos, células NK, células dendríticas, linfócitos T e B), além da expressão diferencial de genes relacionados à ativação do sistema imune. Em suma, os resultados mostraram que saponinas de Q. brasiliensis são seguras e seus potencial adjuvante foi equivalente a saponinas com ação imunoadjuvante conhecida de Q. saponaria. / Effective vaccine formulations frequently require addition of adjuvants able to optimize the cellular and humoral immune responses. With the goal to contribute to the development of new classes of adjuvants, this work was developed in order to achieve deep knowledge on the imunoadjuvant mode of action for Quillaja brasiliensis saponins incorporated into immunostimulant complex (ISCOM). The toxicity of saponins is a critical factor for its usage as vaccine preparations. At first, in vivo and in vivo citoxicity assays were carried out to compare to the effects between saponins extracted from Quillaja brasiliensis and the immunostimulant saponins already known from Quillaja saponaria (Quil A). Imunoadjuvant potential of soluble saponins from Q. brasilienis was evaluated using preparations of two antigens: ovoalbumin (OVA) and bovine viral diarrhea (BVD). As a next step, imunoadjuvant activity of ISCOMS prepared with Q. brasiliensis saponins was evaluated using two routes of administration. The immunomodulatory potential of these saponins was tested during in vivo cell recruitment assays and gene expression related to immune system. Our results demonstrated that Q. brasilienis saponins are less toxic than those from Quil A and presenting similar adjuvant activity, characterized by a Th1/Th2 balance profile. Q.brasiliensis induced a strong Th1 cell-mediated immune responses indicated by a robust delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) as well as IFN-у and IL-2 production. The immune response induced by ISCOMs from Q. brasiliensis saponins was higher than the one induced by soluble saponins. In vivo experiments indicated that saponins from Q. brasiliensis generate an immunocompetent environment at the injection site and draining lymph nodes. This environment was characterized by an intense cell influx (neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, B and T cells) as well as differential gene expression related to immune system activation. In essence, the results showed that saponins from are safe and their adjuvant potential was equivalent to saponins with imunoadjuvant activity of Q. saponaria.

A formulação de vacinas efetivas frequentemente requer a adição de adjuvantes capazes de otimizar as respostas imunes humoral e celular. Com o objetivo principal de contribuir para o desenvolvimento de novos adjuvantes, este trabalho foi desenvolvido buscando aprofundar o conhecimento do mecanismo de ação imunoadjuvante de preparações de saponinas de Quillaja brasiliensis e suas formulações em complexos imunoestimulantes do tipo ISCOM. Como a toxicidade das saponinas é um fator crítico para seu uso em preparações vacinais, inicialmente foram realizados ensaios visando comparar a toxicidade in vitro e in vivo de saponinas extraídas de Quillaja brasiliensis com saponinas de ação imunoestimulante reconhecidas, extraídas de Quillaja saponaria (Quil A). O potencial imunoadjuvante das saponinas solúveis de Q. brasiliensis foi avaliado utilizando preparações com dois antígenos: ovalbumina (OVA) e vírus da diarreia viral bovina (BVDV). Numa etapa seguinte, a atividade imunoadjuvante de ISCOMs preparados com saponinas de Q. brasiliensis foram avaliadas em duas vias de administração. O potencial imunomodulador dessas saponinas foi verificado em experimentos de recrutamento celular in vivo e expressão de genes relacionados ao sistema imune. Os resultados mostraram que saponinas de Q. brasiliensis são menos tóxicas que as de Quil A e apresentam atividade adjuvante similar, caracterizada por um perfil Th1/Th2 balanceado. Q. brasiliensis promoveu uma forte resposta imune celular do tipo Th1 caracterizada por uma robusta reação de hipersensibilidade celular tardia (DTH) e pela produção de IFN- e IL-2. A resposta imune induzida pelos ISCOMs produzidos a partir de saponinas de Q. brasiliensis foram superiores às respostas induzidas pelas saponinas solúveis. Os testes in vivo mostraram que as saponinas de Q. brasiliensis promovem um ambiente imunocompetente no local da inoculação e nos linfonodos drenantes. Esse ambiente foi caracterizado pelo intenso influxo celular (neutrófilos, células NK, células dendríticas, linfócitos T e B), além da expressão diferencial de genes relacionados à ativação do sistema imune. Em suma, os resultados mostraram que saponinas de Q. brasiliensis são seguras e seus potencial adjuvante foi equivalente a saponinas com ação imunoadjuvante conhecida de Q. saponaria. / Effective vaccine formulations frequently require addition of adjuvants able to optimize the cellular and humoral immune responses. With the goal to contribute to the development of new classes of adjuvants, this work was developed in order to achieve deep knowledge on the imunoadjuvant mode of action for Quillaja brasiliensis saponins incorporated into immunostimulant complex (ISCOM). The toxicity of saponins is a critical factor for its usage as vaccine preparations. At first, in vivo and in vivo citoxicity assays were carried out to compare to the effects between saponins extracted from Quillaja brasiliensis and the immunostimulant saponins already known from Quillaja saponaria (Quil A). Imunoadjuvant potential of soluble saponins from Q. brasilienis was evaluated using preparations of two antigens: ovoalbumin (OVA) and bovine viral diarrhea (BVD). As a next step, imunoadjuvant activity of ISCOMS prepared with Q. brasiliensis saponins was evaluated using two routes of administration. The immunomodulatory potential of these saponins was tested during in vivo cell recruitment assays and gene expression related to immune system. Our results demonstrated that Q. brasilienis saponins are less toxic than those from Quil A and presenting similar adjuvant activity, characterized by a Th1/Th2 balance profile. Q.brasiliensis induced a strong Th1 cell-mediated immune responses indicated by a robust delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) as well as IFN-у and IL-2 production. The immune response induced by ISCOMs from Q. brasiliensis saponins was higher than the one induced by soluble saponins. In vivo experiments indicated that saponins from Q. brasiliensis generate an immunocompetent environment at the injection site and draining lymph nodes. This environment was characterized by an intense cell influx (neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells, B and T cells) as well as differential gene expression related to immune system activation. In essence, the results showed that saponins from are safe and their adjuvant potential was equivalent to saponins with imunoadjuvant activity of Q. saponaria.

Recruitment of mural cells, i.e. pericytes and smooth muscle cells (SMC), is essential to improve the maturation of newly formed vessels. One of the major factors involved in this process is the endothelial cell-secreted Platelet-Derived Growth Factor BB (PDGF BB). Sonic hedgehog (Shh) has also been suggested to promote the formation of larger and more muscularized vessels, but the underlying mechanisms involved have not yet been elucidated. We first identified Shh as a target of PDGF BB and found that SMC respond to Shh not only by upregulating the Gli1-dependent canonical pathway, but also by activating ERK1/2 and PI3K-dependent non-canonical pathways. Moreover, we found that PDGF BB-induced SMC migration, involves Shh-dependent PI3K, ERK1/2 and Gli1 activation. In the mouse model of corneal angiogenesis, PDGF BB and Shh were expressed by endothelial cells and mural cells of VEGF-induced newly formed blood vessels, respectively. PDGF BB inhibition reduced Shh expression, confirming that Shh is a target of PDGF BB, as demonstrated by in vitro experiments. Finally, we found that inhibition of either PDGF BB or Shh signaling reduced NG2+ mural cell recruitment into neovessels and subsequently reduced the neo-vessel lifespan. In this work, we demonstrate, for the first time, that Shh is a key mediator of PDGF BB-induced mural cell migration and recruitment into neo-vessels and elucidates the molecular signaling pathway involved in this process. / Recruitment of mural cells, i.e. pericytes and smooth muscle cells (SMC), is essential to improve the maturation of newly formed vessels. One of the major factors involved in this process is the endothelial cell-secreted Platelet-Derived Growth Factor BB (PDGF BB). Sonic hedgehog (Shh) has also been suggested to promote the formation of larger and more muscularized vessels, but the underlying mechanisms involved have not yet been elucidated. We first identified Shh as a target of PDGF BB and found that SMC respond to Shh not only by upregulating the Gli1-dependent canonical pathway, but also by activating ERK1/2 and PI3K-dependent non-canonical pathways. Moreover, we found that PDGF BB-induced SMC migration, involves Shh-dependent PI3K, ERK1/2 and Gli1 activation. In the mouse model of corneal angiogenesis, PDGF BB and Shh were expressed by endothelial cells and mural cells of VEGF-induced newly formed blood vessels, respectively. PDGF BB inhibition reduced Shh expression, confirming that Shh is a target of PDGF BB, as demonstrated by in vitro experiments. Finally, we found that inhibition of either PDGF BB or Shh signaling reduced NG2+ mural cell recruitment into neovessels and subsequently reduced the neo-vessel lifespan. In this work, we demonstrate, for the first time, that Shh is a key mediator of PDGF BB-induced mural cell migration and recruitment into neo-vessels and elucidates the molecular signaling pathway involved in this process.

Tithonia diversifolia Hemsl. A. Gray (margaridão, Asteraceae) é uma planta medicinal com propriedade anti-inflamatória bastante promissora, embora tenha sido parcialmente investigada do ponto de vista químico e farmacológico. Neste trabalho, a partir de suas folhas foram obtidos um infuso (chá), um extrato de lavagem foliar em acetona rico em lactonas sesquiterpênicas (LSTs), um extrato em metanol-H2O das folhas livres de tricomas (ELT) e o óleo essencial, incluindo das inflorescências. Pela primeira vez os constituintes polares das folhas de T. diversifolia foram identificados e o seu mecanismo de ação anti-inflamatório foi investigado. Através dos perfis químicos dos extratos obtidos por CLAE-UV-DAD e CG-EM, comparação com dados da literatura e de uma biblioteca de padrões, juntamente com a identificação de alguns constituintes isolados, foi possível identificar mais de 20 substâncias desta planta e efetuar a caracterização química de todos seus extratos. O sucesso na obtenção de extratos que refletem diferentes classes de metabólitos secundários de T. diversifolia, avaliados por ensaios anti-inflamatórios in vivo (tópico e oral) e in vitro, permitiu concluir que as LSTs não são as únicas substâncias que contribuem para atividade anti-inflamatória da planta como se acreditava anteriormente. O extrato polar (ELT), rico em ácidos clorogênicos (ACGs) e livre de LSTs, apresentou atividade anti-inflamatória superior à do extrato contendo LSTs, do fármaco de referência (indometacina) e do fitoterápico Acheflan®. Muito similar quimicamente ao ELT, o infuso não apresentou atividade anti-inflamatória interessante, o que nos leva a desestimular seu uso popular. Ainda foi possível demonstrar que a forma de preparar cada extrato causa influência na atividade farmacológica. O estudo do óleo essencial das folhas e inflorescências permitiu observar que seus mono e sesquiterpenos também apresentam atividade anti-inflamatória. Os mecanismos de ação propostos através dos ensaios in vivo e in vitro permitiram definir que as LSTs e/ou flavonas e os ACGs de T. diversifolia são bons anti-inflamatórios, inclusive sem apresentar os efeitos colaterais comuns aos anti-inflamatórios não esteroidais atuais. Além disso, foi possível observar que a toxicidade de todos os extratos testados por via oral foi menor que aquela apresentada pelo fármaco de referência (indometacina) correntemente utilizado na terapêutica. Com base nos resultados obtidos, pode-se afirmar que a T. diversifolia brasileira possui diferentes substâncias com propriedades anti-inflamatórias que agem por diferentes mecanismos de ação. Em pelo menos um destes mecanismos, os extratos demonstraram agir sinergicamente. Embora o emprego de seu infuso não seja recomendado como anti-inflamatório, esta planta é promissora para o desenvolvimento de novos fitofármacos ou como fonte de substâncias anti-inflamatórias. / Tithonia diversifolia Hemsl. A. Gray (Mexican sunflower, Asteraceae) is a very promising anti-inflammatory medicinal plant, although so far it has been partially investigated from the chemical and pharmacological point of view. In this work, an infusion, a sesquiterpene lactone (STL)-rich leaf rinse extract in acetone, a methanol-H2O extract from trichome-free leaves (TFL), and the essential oil were obtained from the leaves of T. diversifolia, including the essential oil from its inflorescences. The main polar constituents were identified in the leaves of T. diversifolia and its anti-inflammatory mechanism of action was determined for the first time. More than 20 compounds from this plant were identified and all extracts were chemically characterized based on chemical profiles obtained from HPLC-UV-DAD and GC-MS analyzes, comparison with literature data,data from our pure compounds library, and on the identification of isolated compounds. The success in obtaining extracts with different classes of secondary metabolites of T. diversifolia allowed, after in vivo (topic and oral) and in vitro anti-inflamatory assays were carried out, to show that the STLs are not the only class of compounds that contribute to the anti-inflammatory activity of this plant as previously believed. The TFL extract, which was proved to be rich in chlorogenic acids and free of LSTs, demonstrated better activity and better mechanism of action than those displayed by the LSTs, the reference drug (indomethacin) and Acheflan® (a phytomedicine). The infusion, which is chemically very similar to the TFL extract, did not show any interesting anti-inflammatory activity, therefore discouraging its popular use. Additionally, it can be stated that the way the extracts are prepared exert influence in their pharmacological activity. The study of the essential oil allowed to observe that its mono e sesquiterpenoids also present anti-inflammatory activity. The mechanisms of action proposed after in vivo and in vitro assays were carried out allowed us to define that the STLs and/or flavones and chlorogenic acids from T. diversifolia are good anti-inflammatory agents; it should also be mentioned that these compounds do not present the side effects which are common to the current non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Furthermore, it was possible to observe that the toxicity of all extracts tested orally was lower than that presented by the reference drug (indomethacin) commonly used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. These results altogether allowed us to conclude that the Brazilian T. diversifolia presents different classes of secondary metabolites with anti-inflammatory properties that act through different mechanisms of action. These extracts also displayed a synergistic mechanism. Although the use of the infusion is not recommended as anti-inflammatory remedy, this plant is promising for the development of new phytomedicines or as a source of anti-inflammatory compounds.

La peste porcine africaine (PPA) est une maladie hémorragique contagieuse dévastatrice pour l’élevage porcin pour laquelle aucun traitement ni vaccin ne sont disponibles. Cette infection est due à un virus à ADN, unique membre de la famille des Asfarviridae, qui se transmet directement entre suidés ou via un vecteur, la tique du genre Ornithodoros. Le rôle de ces tiques dans le cycle épidémiologique de la PPA consiste principalement à maintenir le virus dans les populations de suidés sauvages en Afrique. Elles ont aussi été identifiées à l’origine de certains cas de résurgence de la maladie dans des bâtiments d’élevage porcin, notamment dans la péninsule ibérique, lors des années 1970-80. La PPA, éradiquée fin des années 1980 en Europe (à l’exception de la Sardaigne), a été de nouveau introduite en 2007 d’abord en Géorgie pour progresser jusqu’à atteindre l’Est de l’Union Européenne. La question de la compétence vectorielle des tiques Ornithodores pour le virus de la PPA et des déterminants qui influencent cette compétence est posée dans l’évaluation des risques d’endémisation et/ou de dispersion de la maladie en Europe et ailleurs. Le premier chapitre de cette thèse vise à caractériser la compétence vectorielle des tiques Ornithodores pour le virus de la PPA et faire ressortir les patrons généraux qui la qualifient. Pour cela, a été réalisée une revue systématique des études ayant testé la compétence vectorielle d’une ou plusieurs espèces de tiques pour une ou plusieurs souches virales de PPA durant ces 50 dernières années. Au final, il en ressort une forte variabilité de résultats selon les couples tique-virus. En outre, il semble difficile de comparer ces résultats et d’établir des « profils types » du fait de l’évaluation partielle de la compétence vectorielle pour de nombreux couples tique-virus et de la diversité des méthodologies utilisées pour tester et mesurer la compétence. Pour autant chaque modalité d’étude révèle une partie des mécanismes et des adaptations auxquels sont soumis les couples tique–virus et suggère l’effet de certains déterminants dont deux sont traités dans les deux autres chapitres de la thèse. Le second chapitre de la thèse traite de l’adaptation tique-virus, par l’étude expérimentale de l’infection des tiques O. erraticus, O. porcinus et O. moubata à l’aide de deux souches de génotype II du virus de la PPA, et par un essai de transmission du virus des tiques aux porcs. Des souches du génotype II ont été choisies car ce génotype circule actuellement en Europe et risque d’infecter les tiques européennes O. erraticus s’il se propage jusqu’en péninsule ibérique. Alors qu’O. erraticus est capable de s’infecter et de transmettre différentes souches virales du génotype I, sa compétence à transmettre la souche Georgia2007/1 (génotype II) n’a pour l’instant pas été démontrée. Toutefois, nos études suggèrent que les résultats de compétence dépendent aussi des conditions d’expérimentation telles que la nature des colonies de tiques utilisées ou encore le titre viral utilisé pour infecter les tiques. Le dernier chapitre de la thèse porte sur l’effet de la salive de tique sur l’étape de transmission du virus de la PPA par la tique au porc. Durant le repas de sang, la salive est un élément essentiel qui va permettre l’accroche et le gorgement durable de la tique sur son hôte, avec des propriétés immuno-modulatrices importantes agissant directement sur l’hôte. Ainsi a été réalisée une étude expérimentale in vivo faisant intervenir la tique O. porcinus et le virus Ambat02 (génotype II) et testant l’effet local et systémique chez le porc d’un extrait de glandes salivaires de tique co-inoculé ou non avec le virus de la PPA, versus la piqûre naturelle de tiques non infectées. Les résultats de cette expérience nous montrent que la salive de tique est capable de moduler au niveau local le recrutement de cellules immunitaires dans la peau du porc et potentiellement influencer l’infection locale chez le porc. / African swine fever (ASF) is a contagious hemorrhagic disease with disastrous financial consequences for pig industry, as no vaccine or treatment exists. This infection is caused by a DNA virus, only member of the Asfarviridae family that can be directly transmitted between swine or by a non-compulsory vector, the Ornithodoros tick. Ornithodoros ticks play a role in the persistence of the disease within wild and domestic suids in Africa. They were also involved in resurgences of outbreaks in some pig farms in the Iberian Peninsula in 1970-1980. ASF, eradicated in Europe at the end of the 1980’s except in Sardinia, was reintroduced in Georgia in 2007 then spread towards the Eastern European Union. The question of the tick vector competence for ASF virus (ASFV) and its related determinants is of importance in the risk assessment of endemisation/spread of the disease in Europe or elsewhere.The first chapter of this thesis aims to characterize Ornithodoros tick vector competence for ASFV and to highlight a common pattern to qualify it. For this purpose, a systematic review of the studies carried out on the vector competence of one or more tick species for one or more ASFV, was performed on the last 50 years publications. A high variability of the results obtained for different couples “tick-virus” was highlighted. As most of the papers describe partial evaluation of the vector competence and because of the high number of methods used to perform these assessments, it was definitively very difficult to compare these results, and to propose common patterns. However, each of these studies revealed a part of the mechanisms that participated to the adaptation in the couple “tick-virus”, and suggested the importance of different determinants, out of them, two were experimentally assessed as described in the two other chapters.The second chapter of this thesis describes the adaptation “tick-virus” through the experimental infection of three different ticks, O. erraticus, O. porcinus and O. moubata by two ASFV strains belonging to the genotype II. O erraticus’s competence is known for ASFV strains belonging to the genotype I but has never demonstrated the ASFV Georgia 2007/1 strain (genotype II) and currently circulating in Europe. However, the experiments we performed, suggest that many experimental conditions could influence the results obtained on vector competence as the tick colony or the virus dose used for the tick infection.The third chapter describes the effect of the tick saliva on the ASFV transmission from the tick to the pig. Tick saliva contains important immunomodulatory molecules that interfere with the pig immune system permitting complete engorgement of the tick on its host. The host-vector and pathogen interactions were studied through an in vivo experimentation involving pig, O porcinus tick and ASFV Ambat02 strain (genotype II). The local and systemic effects on the pig immune responses were assessed with the ASFV alone or combined with tick gland extract, versus a healthy tick bite. Data analysis highlighted the tick saliva role on skin immune cell recruitment and its potential effect on local infection.

Tithonia diversifolia Hemsl. A. Gray (margaridão, Asteraceae) é uma planta medicinal com propriedade anti-inflamatória bastante promissora, embora tenha sido parcialmente investigada do ponto de vista químico e farmacológico. Neste trabalho, a partir de suas folhas foram obtidos um infuso (chá), um extrato de lavagem foliar em acetona rico em lactonas sesquiterpênicas (LSTs), um extrato em metanol-H2O das folhas livres de tricomas (ELT) e o óleo essencial, incluindo das inflorescências. Pela primeira vez os constituintes polares das folhas de T. diversifolia foram identificados e o seu mecanismo de ação anti-inflamatório foi investigado. Através dos perfis químicos dos extratos obtidos por CLAE-UV-DAD e CG-EM, comparação com dados da literatura e de uma biblioteca de padrões, juntamente com a identificação de alguns constituintes isolados, foi possível identificar mais de 20 substâncias desta planta e efetuar a caracterização química de todos seus extratos. O sucesso na obtenção de extratos que refletem diferentes classes de metabólitos secundários de T. diversifolia, avaliados por ensaios anti-inflamatórios in vivo (tópico e oral) e in vitro, permitiu concluir que as LSTs não são as únicas substâncias que contribuem para atividade anti-inflamatória da planta como se acreditava anteriormente. O extrato polar (ELT), rico em ácidos clorogênicos (ACGs) e livre de LSTs, apresentou atividade anti-inflamatória superior à do extrato contendo LSTs, do fármaco de referência (indometacina) e do fitoterápico Acheflan®. Muito similar quimicamente ao ELT, o infuso não apresentou atividade anti-inflamatória interessante, o que nos leva a desestimular seu uso popular. Ainda foi possível demonstrar que a forma de preparar cada extrato causa influência na atividade farmacológica. O estudo do óleo essencial das folhas e inflorescências permitiu observar que seus mono e sesquiterpenos também apresentam atividade anti-inflamatória. Os mecanismos de ação propostos através dos ensaios in vivo e in vitro permitiram definir que as LSTs e/ou flavonas e os ACGs de T. diversifolia são bons anti-inflamatórios, inclusive sem apresentar os efeitos colaterais comuns aos anti-inflamatórios não esteroidais atuais. Além disso, foi possível observar que a toxicidade de todos os extratos testados por via oral foi menor que aquela apresentada pelo fármaco de referência (indometacina) correntemente utilizado na terapêutica. Com base nos resultados obtidos, pode-se afirmar que a T. diversifolia brasileira possui diferentes substâncias com propriedades anti-inflamatórias que agem por diferentes mecanismos de ação. Em pelo menos um destes mecanismos, os extratos demonstraram agir sinergicamente. Embora o emprego de seu infuso não seja recomendado como anti-inflamatório, esta planta é promissora para o desenvolvimento de novos fitofármacos ou como fonte de substâncias anti-inflamatórias. / Tithonia diversifolia Hemsl. A. Gray (Mexican sunflower, Asteraceae) is a very promising anti-inflammatory medicinal plant, although so far it has been partially investigated from the chemical and pharmacological point of view. In this work, an infusion, a sesquiterpene lactone (STL)-rich leaf rinse extract in acetone, a methanol-H2O extract from trichome-free leaves (TFL), and the essential oil were obtained from the leaves of T. diversifolia, including the essential oil from its inflorescences. The main polar constituents were identified in the leaves of T. diversifolia and its anti-inflammatory mechanism of action was determined for the first time. More than 20 compounds from this plant were identified and all extracts were chemically characterized based on chemical profiles obtained from HPLC-UV-DAD and GC-MS analyzes, comparison with literature data,data from our pure compounds library, and on the identification of isolated compounds. The success in obtaining extracts with different classes of secondary metabolites of T. diversifolia allowed, after in vivo (topic and oral) and in vitro anti-inflamatory assays were carried out, to show that the STLs are not the only class of compounds that contribute to the anti-inflammatory activity of this plant as previously believed. The TFL extract, which was proved to be rich in chlorogenic acids and free of LSTs, demonstrated better activity and better mechanism of action than those displayed by the LSTs, the reference drug (indomethacin) and Acheflan® (a phytomedicine). The infusion, which is chemically very similar to the TFL extract, did not show any interesting anti-inflammatory activity, therefore discouraging its popular use. Additionally, it can be stated that the way the extracts are prepared exert influence in their pharmacological activity. The study of the essential oil allowed to observe that its mono e sesquiterpenoids also present anti-inflammatory activity. The mechanisms of action proposed after in vivo and in vitro assays were carried out allowed us to define that the STLs and/or flavones and chlorogenic acids from T. diversifolia are good anti-inflammatory agents; it should also be mentioned that these compounds do not present the side effects which are common to the current non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Furthermore, it was possible to observe that the toxicity of all extracts tested orally was lower than that presented by the reference drug (indomethacin) commonly used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. These results altogether allowed us to conclude that the Brazilian T. diversifolia presents different classes of secondary metabolites with anti-inflammatory properties that act through different mechanisms of action. These extracts also displayed a synergistic mechanism. Although the use of the infusion is not recommended as anti-inflammatory remedy, this plant is promising for the development of new phytomedicines or as a source of anti-inflammatory compounds.