aEPEC é capaz de causar lesão A/E, provocada por proteínas codificadas na região LEE. Foi realizada a análise estrutural e funcional da região LEE de amostras de aEPEC que expressam os padrões ALL, AA e AD, e amostra não aderente (NA). O padrão de adesão característico e capacidade de causar a lesão A/E foram investigados em células epiteliais. As amostras mantiveram o padrão de adesão independentemente da origem da linhagem celular. A lesão A/E foi detectada em algumas linhagens celulares após o contato com as amostras ALL e AD. A presença da região LEE foi detectada intacta e ensaios de PCR em tempo real, microarray e imunodetecção, mostrando a funcionalidade da mesma em todas as amostras. Um plasmídio que expressa a proteína EspFu foi introduzido em todas as 4 amostras, demonstrando não influenciar nos padrões de adesão e nem na capacidade de causar a lesão A/E nas amostras ALL, AA e AD. Mas, a amostra NA expressou o padrão ALL e foi capaz de causar a lesão A/E. Assim, EspFu desempenhou papel na adesão celular além do estabelecimento da lesão A/E in vitro. / aEPEC is capable to cause A/E lesion, triggered by proteins encoded by LEE region. We analyzed structurally and functionally the LEE region of aEPEC strains displaying LAL, AA, DA, and one nonadherent (NA) strain. The adherence characteristics and ability to cause A/E were investigated in epithelial cells. The displayed adherence patterns were independent of the cell line origin. A/E lesion was detected in some cellular lines after contact only with ALL- and AD-strains. LEE region presence was detected intact and real time PCR, microarray and immunodetection, in all samples tested. An EspFu-expressing plasmid was introduced in all strains, demonstrating no influence of this protein neither in the adherence patterns nor in the capacity to cause A/E of the LAL-, AA- and DA-strains. But, NA-strain expressed the LAL pattern and was able to cause A/E. Therefore, EspFu was shown to play a role in cell adhesion in addition to the establishment of the A/E lesion in vitro.

Em caso de envenenamento ofídico, o tratamento no Brasil hoje é realizado pela administração de soros geralmente produzidos por equinos, que apresentam eficácia limitada: são úteis para os efeitos sistêmicos, mas não inibem efetivamente a evolução dos danos locais, podem causar reações adversas e apresentam alto custo de produção. De acordo com a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), trata-se de uma doença negligenciada pelas autoridades científicas mundiais. O presente projeto, em parceria com o Instituto de Pesquisas em Patologias Tropicais da Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Rondônia, propõe a produção por Escherichia coli de fragmentos de anticorpos de cadeia pesada de camelídeos, denominados VHH, contra as toxinas do veneno de Bothrops jararacussu, utilizando biorreator. Neste trabalho há interesse em produzir VHH, através da otimização do crescimento desta E. coli. A cinética do crescimento bacteriano foi realizada em shaker orbital sob diferentes condições, variando tamanho do frasco, rotação do shaker, composição do meio de cultura e concentração de substrato; e em biorreatores, alternando meios de cultura e modo de operação do reator (descontínuo e descontínuo alimentado), alterando a vazão de alimentação (linear e exponencial) O processo cinético é fortemente limitado pela formação de acetato, por condições auxotróficas da célula e pela transferência de oxigênio. Nos ensaios em frascos agitados, uma melhor condição de crescimento foi obtida utilizando frascos de 1 L, sob rotação a 270 rpm e 5,0 g/L de glicose. Nos ensaios em reator, quando operados em batelada obtiveram-se cerca 5,5 g/L de células finais, contra 9,3 g/L de células em batelada alimentada com vazão constante. Um maior crescimento foi ainda obtido em um reator de 2 L em regime de batelada alimentada exponencialmente. O biorreator varia a agitação do meio e mantém um nível pré-definido de oxigênio dissolvido, evitando a limitação de oxigênio e controlando a oferta de glicose para o crescimento celular. Neste processo, atingimos 25,6 g/L de células e 0,35 g/L de proteína total após purificação, utilizando meio M9 suplementado. / Nowadays in Brazil, the treatment for snakebite poisoning is carried out by the administration of horse sera, which have limited effectiveness: they are useful for systemic effects, but do not effectively inhibit local damage, cause adverse reactions, and present high production costs. According to the WHO, this disease is neglected by the world`s scientific authorities. This project, in partnership with the Institute for Research in Tropical Diseases of Oswaldo Cruz Foundation - Rondonia, proposes the production of heavy chain antibody fragments from camelids, called VHH, using Escherichia coli, to be used against the toxins from the Bothrops jararacussu poison, using a bioreactor. This work is interested in producing VHH through the use of E. coli. The kinetics of bacterial growth were performed in orbital shaker under different conditions, varying vial size, shaker rotation, composition of the culture medium and substrate concentration; and bioreactors, alternating culture media and operation mode of reactor (batch and fed-batch), changing feeding rate (linear and exponential). The kinetic process is statically bound to acetate formation, auxotrophic conditions of the cell and oxygen transfer. In assays in shaken flasks, an output of 270 rpm and 5.0 g/L of glucose. In reactor runs, when operated in a batch 5.5 g/L of final cells were obtained, against 9.3 g/L of final cells in fed-batch with constant flowrate. A larger value was obtained in an exponentially fed-batch reactor of 2 L. The bioreactor varies the agitation of oxygen and controls glucose addition for cell growth. In this process, 25.6 g/L cells and 0.35 g/L total protein after purification were reached, using supplemented M9 medium.

Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 causes haemorrhagic diarrhoea and potentially fatal renal failure in humans. Ruminants are considered to be the primary reservoir for human infection. Vaccines that reduce shedding in cattle are only partially protective and their underlying protective mechanisms are unknown. Studies investigating the response of cattle to colonisation generally focus on humoral immunity, leaving the role of cellular immunity unclear. To inform future vaccine development, the cellular immune response of cattle during EHEC O157:H7 colonisation was examined. Calves were challenged with either a phage type (PT) 21/28 strain possessing the Shiga toxin (Stx) 2a and Stx2c genes or a PT32 strain possessing the Stx2c gene only. T-helper cell associated transcripts at the terminal rectum were analysed by reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Induction of interferon (IFN)γ and T-bet was observed, with peak expression of both genes at 7 days in PT32 challenged calves, whilst up regulation was delayed, peaking at 21 days in PT21/28 challenged calves. Cells isolated from gastro-intestinal lymph nodes demonstrated antigen-specific proliferation and IFNγ release in response to type III secreted proteins (T3SPs); however responsiveness was suppressed in cells isolated from PT32 challenged calves. Lymph node cells showed increased expression of the proliferation marker Ki67 in CD4+ T cells from PT21/28, NK cells from PT32 and CD8+ and γδ T cells from both PT21/28 and PT32 challenged calves following ex vivo stimulation with T3SPs. Epitope mapping of rectal lymph node CD4+ T cell responses to 16 EHEC O157:H7 proteins, identified 20 CD4+ T cell epitopes specific to E. coli. The highly conserved N-terminal region of Intimin, including the signal peptide, was consistently recognised by mucosal CD4+ T cell populations from multiple animals of different major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II haplotypes. Studies investigating the impact of secreted bacterial proteins on bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) identified the ability of these proteins to cleave the surface molecule CD8 and that this phenotype was dependent on the ler virulence regulator but not the type III secretory system (T3SS) machinery. This effect was also observed in murine and ovine, but not human lymphocytes. Preliminary in vitro experiments suggest that this activity may reduce the efficiency of CD8+ T cell killing. This study demonstrates that cattle mount cellular immune responses during colonisation with EHEC O157:H7, the temporality of which is strain dependent, with further evidence of strain-specific immunomodulation.

Microorganisms are exposed to constantly changing environments, and consequently have evolved mechanisms to rapidly adapt their physiology upon stress imposition. These adaptive responses are coordinated through the rewiring of gene expression via complex networks that control the transcriptional program and the activity of post-transcriptional regulators. Although transcription factors primarily determine which genes are expressed, post-transcriptional regulation has a major role in fine-tuning the dynamics of gene expression. Post-transcriptional control is exerted by RNA-binding proteins and small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) that bind to mRNA targets and modulate their synthesis, degradation and translation efficiency. In Escherichia coli, sRNAs associated with an RNA chaperone, Hfq, are key post-transcriptional regulators, yet the functions of most of these sRNAs are still unknown. The first step in understanding the roles of sRNAs in regulating gene expression is to identify their targets. To generate transcriptome-wide maps of Hfq-mediated sRNA-mRNA binding, we applied CLASH (cross-linking, ligation and sequencing of hybrids), a method that combines in vivo capture of RNA-RNA interactions, high-throughput sequencing and computational analyses, in E. coli. We uncovered thousands of dynamic growth-stage dependent association of Hfq to sRNAs and mRNAs. The latter confirmed known sRNA-target pairs and identified additional targets for known sRNAs, as well as novel sRNAs in various genomic features along with their targets. These data significantly expand our knowledge of the sRNA-target interaction networks in E.coli. In particular, the Hfq CLASH data indicated 3'-UTRs of mRNAs as major reservoirs of sRNAs, and the utilization of these may be more common than anticipated. Our findings also provide mechanistic insights that ensue from the identification of tens of sRNA-sRNA interactions that point to extensive sponging activity among regulatory RNAs: many sRNAs appear to be able to interact and repress the functions of other base-pairing sRNAs. We validated and highlighted the biological significance of some of the CLASH results by characterizing a 3'-UTR derived sRNA, MdoR (mal-dependent OMP repressor). This sRNA emerges by processing of the last transcript of malEFG polycistron, encoding components of maltose transport system. We found MdoR directly downregulates several major porins, whilst derepressing the maltose-specific porin LamB via destabilization of its inhibitor, MicA, likely by a sponging mechanism. Physiologically, MdoR contributes to the remodelling of envelope composition and links nutrient sensing to envelope stress responses during maltose assimilation. MdoR is a clear example of how cells integrate circuitry through multiple networks as part of their adaptive responses and how the CLASH methodology can help expand our understanding of sRNA-based regulation.

Background Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157 causes severe gastrointestinal disease and haemolytic uremic syndrome, and has a major impact on public health worldwide with regular outbreaks and sporadic infection. Phage typing, i.e. the susceptibility of STEC O157 strains to a bank of 16 bacteriophages, has been used in the UK to differentiate STEC O157 for the past 25 years and the phage type (PT) can be an epidemiological marker of strains associated with severe disease or associated with cases that occur from foreign travel. However, little is known about the molecular interactions between the typing phages (TP) and STEC O157. The aims of this thesis were to use whole genome sequencing to elucidate the genetic basis for phage typing of STEC O157 and through this understand genetic differences between strains relevant to disease severity and epidemiology. Results Sequencing the STEC O157 TPs revealed that they were clustered into 4 groups based on sequence similarity that corresponded with their infectivity. Long read sequencing revealed microevolutionary events occuring in STEC O157 genomes over a short time period (approximately 1 year), evidenced by the loss and gain of prophage regions and plasmids. An IncHI2 plasmid was found responsible for a change in Phage Type (PT) from PT8 to PT54 during two related outbreaks at the same restaurant. These changes resulted in a strain (PT54) that was fitter under certain growth conditions and associated with a much larger outbreak (140 as opposed to 4 cases). TraDIS (Transposon directed Insertion site sequencing) was used to identify 114 genes associated with phage sensitivity and 44 genes involved in phage resistance, emphasising the complex nature of identifying specific genetic markers of phage susceptibility or resistance. Further work is required to prove their phage-related functions but several are likely to encode novel phage receptors. Deletion of a Stx2a prophage from a PT21/28 strain led to a strain that typed as PT32, supporting the concept that the highly pathogenic PT21/28 lineage I strains emerged from Stx2c+ PT32 strains in the last two decades by acquisition of Stx2a-encoding prophages. Conclusions This body of work has highlighted the complexity of bacteriophage interaction and investigated the genetic basis for susceptibility and resistance in E. coli. The grouping of the TPs showed that resistance or susceptibility to all members of a typing group was likely to be caused by one mechanism. IncHI2 was identified as one of the markers for the PT54 phenotype. The Stx2a prophage region was associated with the switch from PT32 to PT21/28, although PT32 strains containing both Stx2a and Stx2c-encoding prophages have been isolated and can provide insights into phage variation underpinning the susceptibility to the relevant typing phages. The TraDIS results indicated that susceptibility or resistance was governed by multiple genetic factors and not controlled by a single gene. The significance of LPS for initial protection from phage adsorption was evident and a number of novel genes controlling phage susceptibility and resistance identified including the Sap operon and stringent starvation protein A respectively. While SNP-based typing provides an excellent indication of the evolution and relatedness of strains, phage typing can provide real insights into short term evolution of the bacteria as PTs can be altered by mobile elements such as prophages and plasmids. This study has shown that, although complex, genetic determinants for PT can be mined from the genome and allow us to understand the evolution of this zoonotic pathogen between host species and during outbreaks.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-11T13:38:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao_Kariza_PDF.pdf: 850701 bytes, checksum: b37877619512bd71829e75c0c32ae9fd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-08-28 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas / Endophytic microorganisms can be utilized in distinct ways in Biotechnology science. Among them, one of most interesting uses is as heterologue gene carriers into plants, allowing the development of new Biotechnologic processes, which makes relevant the development of vectors from native plasmids from the endophytic bacterias itselves for genetic transformation of this kind of bacteria. Studies involving Enterobacter agglomerans, a endophytic bacteria isolated from Copaifera multijuga (copaiba tree), demonstrated the presence of a small, cryptic plasmid named pEA1. Based on this plasmid, the pEA1.0 and pEA2.4 plasmids were developed. pEA1.0 was built from a fragment of PstI (1000 bp), cloned in pUC18. pEA2.4 was developed from an amplified fragment (2415 bp), cloned in the vector pCR2.1TOPO (Invitrogen), which allowed, by primer walking, the determination of the complete sequence of the original plasmid (2545 bp), which had been previously recorded in GenBank (access DQ659147). The sequence analysis showed a GC level of 34% and an AT level of 66%. The restriction map was determined using NEBCutter2.0. Comparison between pEA1 sequence and the data bank revealed high similarity (62%) with the sequence of the pIGMS31 plasmid (2520 bp) from Klebsiella pneumoniae. Using the BlastX and ORF finder softwares, the result demonstrated the presence of two ORFs, one of them similar (E value=-98) to ORF2 of pIGMS31 (AY543072.1) isolated from K. pneumoniae. The pEA2.4 plasmid was used to genetically transform Escherichia coli and E. agglomerans by the Tris-calcium/thermal shock method. Besides the capability of pEA2.4 to genetically transform E. coli cells, it has showed itself capable of transforming E. agglomerans as well, which can actually acquire resistance to kanamicine. This reflects the bifunctional chacter of pEA2.4. The transformation efficacy of E. agglomerans using pEA2.4 extracted from E. coli was about 5 x 104 T/μg, while the same process with pEA2.4 extracted from E. agglomerans itself showed a ten times higher efficacy (5,1 x 105 T/μg), probably because of the avoidance of host restriction. The pEA2.4 plasmid will be used as foundation for the development of heterologue gene expression vectors in E. agglomerans. / Microrganismos endofíticos podem ser utilizados de diversas formas em biotecnologia. Dentre estas, se destaca o uso como carreadores de genes heterólogos para o interior de plantas possibilitando o desenvolvimento de novos processos biotecnológicos, o que torna relevante o desenvolvimento de vetores a partir de plasmídeos nativos das próprias bactérias endofíticas para transformação genética desse tipo de bactérias. Estudos envolvendo a Enterobacter agglomerans, uma bactéria endofítica isolada de Copaifera multijuga (copaíba) demonstraram a presença de um pequeno plasmídeo críptico denominado pEA1. Com base neste plasmídeo foram desenvolvidos os plasmídeos pEA1.0 e pEA2.4. O pEA1.0 foi construído a partir do fragmento de PstI (1000 pb) clonado em pUC18. O plasmídeo pEA2.4 foi desenvolvido a partir de um fragmento amplificado (2415 pb) clonado no vetor pCR2.1TOPO (INVITROGEN), o qual por primer walking permitiu a determinação da seqüência completa do plasmídeo original (2545 pb), que foi depositada no GenBank (acesso DQ659147). A análise da seqüência mostrou um índice GC de 34% e AT de 66%, e o mapa de restrição foi determinado utilizando a ferramenta NEBCutter2.0. Comparando a seqüência do pEA1 com o banco de dados, observou-se alta similaridade (62%) com a seqüência do plasmídeo pIGMS31 (2520 pb) de Klebsiella pneumoniae. Utilizando as ferramentas BlastX e ORF finder, o resultado demonstrou a presença de duas ORFs, sendo uma delas similar (E value = -98) à ORF2 do plasmídeo pIGMS31 (AY543072.1) isolado de K. pneumoniae. O plasmídeo pEA2.4 foi utilizado para transformar geneticamente bactérias Escherichia coli e E. agglomerans pelo método Tris-Cálcio/choque térmico. O pEA2.4 além de ser capaz de transformar geneticamente células de E. coli, mostrou-se também capaz de transformar geneticamente a E. agglomerans tornando-a resistente a canamicina, evidenciando seu caráter bifuncional. A eficiência de transformação da E. agglomerans com pEA2.4 extraído de E. coli foi de 5 x 104 T/μg, enquanto que a transformação desta bactéria com o pEA2.4 extraído da própria E. agglomerans, apresentou eficiência 1 ordem de grandeza maior (5,1 x 105 T/μg) provavelmente por ter sido, desta forma, evitado o processo de restrição da hospedeira. O plasmídeo pEA2.4 será utilizado como base para o desenvolvimento de vetores de expressão de genes heterólogos em E. agglomerans.

A expressão de proteínas na forma de corpos de inclusão em bactérias é uma alternativa muito interessante para obtenção de proteínas recombinantes. No entanto, a agregação é uma dificuldade frequentemente encontrada durante a renaturação dessas proteínas. Altas pressões hidrostáticas são capazes de solubilizar os corpos de inclusão na presença de baixas concentrações de reagentes desnaturantes, favorecendo a renaturação protéica com alto rendimento e redução de custos. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo a renaturação de proteínas recombinantes expressas em Escherichia coli sob a forma de corpos de inclusão usando altas pressões hidrostáticas. Três toxinas, todas apresentando cinco ou mais pontes dissulfídicas foram estudadas: NXH8, Naterina 2 e Bothropstoxina 1. Suspensões dos corpos de inclusão das três proteínas foram pressurizadas em 2000 bares de pressão durante 16 horas. Os tampões de renaturação foram otimizados para as três proteínas. O tampão utilizado no processo de renaturação da NXH8 foi Tris HCl 50 mM, pH 9,0 com proporção de 1GSH:4GSSG em concentração de 6 mM e 2 M GdnHCl. Foram utilizados corpos de inclusão em D.O.(A600nm) de 0,5. Após o processo de renaturação foi realizada diálise em pH 7,0. O rendimento final de recuperação de NXH8 solúvel foi de 40%, sendo obtidos 28,6 mg/L de meio de cultura. A renaturação de Bothropstoxina 1 foi obtida em tampão de renaturação Tris HCl 50 mM pH 7,5 na proporção de 2 GSH:3 GSSG em concentração de 3 mM e 1 M GdnHCl. Utilizamos uma suspensão com D.O.(A600nm) de 0,5. O rendimento final de recuperação de Bothropstoxina 1 renaturada foi de 32 %, obtendo-se 9,2 mg/L de meio de cultura. A renaturação de Naterina 2 foi obtida em tampão de renaturação com 20 mM de Tris HCl pH 9,0 na proporção de 2 GSH:3 GSSG e concentração de 10 mM e 1 M GdnHCl e corpos de inclusão na D.O. (A600nm) de 6,0. Foram obtidas 3,7 mg de Nateria 2 renaturada /L de meio de cultura (20% de recuperação a partir dos corpos de inclusão). O rendimento da Naterina 2 renaturada foi de 20 %. Para a análise e a comprovação da eficácia do processo de renaturação sob pressão foram utilizadas as técnicas de SDS-PAGE, western blot, microscopia eletrônica de varredura, ensaios biológicos in vivo e in vitro e estruturais. As análises físicoquímicas realizadas em NXH8 não mostraram nenhuma comprovação da sua renaturação. O ensaio in vivo realizado com a Naterina 2 mostrou uma leve atividade de contração de vênulas, indicando que ela esteja em sua conformação correta. Os ensaios in vitro com a Bothropstoxina 1 mostraram uma atividade citotóxica dose-dependente em células musculares. / The expression of proteins as inclusion bodies in bacteria is a widely used alternative for production of recombinante protein. However, the aggregation is a problem often encountered during refolding of these proteins. High hydrostatic pressure are able to solubilize the inclusion bodies in the presence of low concentrations of denaturant reagents, encouraging refolding protein with high efficiency and reduce costs. This work aims to refolding of recombinant proteins expressed in Escherichia coli from inclusion bodies using high hydrostatic pressure. Three toxins, all featuring five or more disulfide bonds were studied: NXH8, Natterin 2 and Bothropstoxin 1. Suspensions of inclusion bodies of the three proteins were pressurized to 2000 bars for 16 hours. The buffers were optimized for refolding of the three proteins. The buffer used in the refolding of NXH8 was 50 mM Tris HCl, pH 9.0 with proportion of 1GSH: 4GSSG at a concentration of 6 mM and 2 M GdnHCl. Inclusion bodies were used in O.D. (A600nm) of 0.5. After refolding process, dialysis was performed at pH 7.0. The final yield of obtaining soluble NXH8 was 40% (28,6 mg of soluble NXH8/L of culture medium). The refolding of Bothropstoxin 1 was obtained in refolding buffer of Tris HCl 50 mM, pH 7,5 with proportion of 2 GSH: GSSG 3 and concentration of 3 mM and 1 M GdnHCl. Use with a suspension of O.D. (A600nm) of 0.5. The final yield of recovery of Bothropstoxin 1 refolded was 32% (9,2 mg of refolded Bothropstoxin 1/L of culture medium). The refolding of Natterin 2 was performed in the refolding buffer: 20 mM Tris HCl pH 9.0 at a ratio of 2 GSH: 3GSSG and concentration of 10 mM and 1 M GdnHCl and inclusion bodies O.D. (A600nm) of 6.0. The yield of Natterin 2 refolded was 20% (3,7 mg/L of culture medium). Physico-chemical and biological analysis were performed by SDS-PAGE, western blot, scanning electron microscopy, biological tests in vivo and in vitro and structural. The analysis conducted in NXH8 did not show any evidence of refolding. An activity of contraction of venules was show by the in vivo test indicating a correct conformation of Natterin 2. Tests in vitro with Bothropstoxin 1 showed a dosedependent cytotoxic activity in muscle cells.

A expressão de proteínas na forma de corpos de inclusão em bactérias é uma alternativa muito interessante para obtenção de proteínas recombinantes. No entanto, a agregação é uma dificuldade frequentemente encontrada durante a renaturação dessas proteínas. Altas pressões hidrostáticas são capazes de solubilizar os corpos de inclusão na presença de baixas concentrações de reagentes desnaturantes, favorecendo a renaturação protéica com alto rendimento e redução de custos. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo a renaturação de proteínas recombinantes expressas em Escherichia coli sob a forma de corpos de inclusão usando altas pressões hidrostáticas. Três toxinas, todas apresentando cinco ou mais pontes dissulfídicas foram estudadas: NXH8, Naterina 2 e Bothropstoxina 1. Suspensões dos corpos de inclusão das três proteínas foram pressurizadas em 2000 bares de pressão durante 16 horas. Os tampões de renaturação foram otimizados para as três proteínas. O tampão utilizado no processo de renaturação da NXH8 foi Tris HCl 50 mM, pH 9,0 com proporção de 1GSH:4GSSG em concentração de 6 mM e 2 M GdnHCl. Foram utilizados corpos de inclusão em D.O.(A600nm) de 0,5. Após o processo de renaturação foi realizada diálise em pH 7,0. O rendimento final de recuperação de NXH8 solúvel foi de 40%, sendo obtidos 28,6 mg/L de meio de cultura. A renaturação de Bothropstoxina 1 foi obtida em tampão de renaturação Tris HCl 50 mM pH 7,5 na proporção de 2 GSH:3 GSSG em concentração de 3 mM e 1 M GdnHCl. Utilizamos uma suspensão com D.O.(A600nm) de 0,5. O rendimento final de recuperação de Bothropstoxina 1 renaturada foi de 32 %, obtendo-se 9,2 mg/L de meio de cultura. A renaturação de Naterina 2 foi obtida em tampão de renaturação com 20 mM de Tris HCl pH 9,0 na proporção de 2 GSH:3 GSSG e concentração de 10 mM e 1 M GdnHCl e corpos de inclusão na D.O. (A600nm) de 6,0. Foram obtidas 3,7 mg de Nateria 2 renaturada /L de meio de cultura (20% de recuperação a partir dos corpos de inclusão). O rendimento da Naterina 2 renaturada foi de 20 %. Para a análise e a comprovação da eficácia do processo de renaturação sob pressão foram utilizadas as técnicas de SDS-PAGE, western blot, microscopia eletrônica de varredura, ensaios biológicos in vivo e in vitro e estruturais. As análises físicoquímicas realizadas em NXH8 não mostraram nenhuma comprovação da sua renaturação. O ensaio in vivo realizado com a Naterina 2 mostrou uma leve atividade de contração de vênulas, indicando que ela esteja em sua conformação correta. Os ensaios in vitro com a Bothropstoxina 1 mostraram uma atividade citotóxica dose-dependente em células musculares. / The expression of proteins as inclusion bodies in bacteria is a widely used alternative for production of recombinante protein. However, the aggregation is a problem often encountered during refolding of these proteins. High hydrostatic pressure are able to solubilize the inclusion bodies in the presence of low concentrations of denaturant reagents, encouraging refolding protein with high efficiency and reduce costs. This work aims to refolding of recombinant proteins expressed in Escherichia coli from inclusion bodies using high hydrostatic pressure. Three toxins, all featuring five or more disulfide bonds were studied: NXH8, Natterin 2 and Bothropstoxin 1. Suspensions of inclusion bodies of the three proteins were pressurized to 2000 bars for 16 hours. The buffers were optimized for refolding of the three proteins. The buffer used in the refolding of NXH8 was 50 mM Tris HCl, pH 9.0 with proportion of 1GSH: 4GSSG at a concentration of 6 mM and 2 M GdnHCl. Inclusion bodies were used in O.D. (A600nm) of 0.5. After refolding process, dialysis was performed at pH 7.0. The final yield of obtaining soluble NXH8 was 40% (28,6 mg of soluble NXH8/L of culture medium). The refolding of Bothropstoxin 1 was obtained in refolding buffer of Tris HCl 50 mM, pH 7,5 with proportion of 2 GSH: GSSG 3 and concentration of 3 mM and 1 M GdnHCl. Use with a suspension of O.D. (A600nm) of 0.5. The final yield of recovery of Bothropstoxin 1 refolded was 32% (9,2 mg of refolded Bothropstoxin 1/L of culture medium). The refolding of Natterin 2 was performed in the refolding buffer: 20 mM Tris HCl pH 9.0 at a ratio of 2 GSH: 3GSSG and concentration of 10 mM and 1 M GdnHCl and inclusion bodies O.D. (A600nm) of 6.0. The yield of Natterin 2 refolded was 20% (3,7 mg/L of culture medium). Physico-chemical and biological analysis were performed by SDS-PAGE, western blot, scanning electron microscopy, biological tests in vivo and in vitro and structural. The analysis conducted in NXH8 did not show any evidence of refolding. An activity of contraction of venules was show by the in vivo test indicating a correct conformation of Natterin 2. Tests in vitro with Bothropstoxin 1 showed a dosedependent cytotoxic activity in muscle cells.

La maladie de Crohn (MC) est une maladie inflammatoire chronique de l’intestin (MICI), dont la physiopathologie résulterait d’une interaction anormale entre le microbiote intestinal et le système immunitaire de l’hôte sous l’influence de facteurs génétiques et environnementaux. Au sein de ce microbiote, les E. coli adhérents et invasifs (AIEC) colonisent la muqueuse iléale des patients atteints de la MC et sont capables de survivre et se multiplier à l’intérieur des macrophages. Par ailleurs, les objectifs thérapeutiques de la MC et notamment la cicatrisation muqueuse endoscopique nécessitent des endoscopies répétées, peu acceptables du point de vue des patients. Parmi les moyens alternatifs, la calprotectine fécale est le marqueur fécal de référence même si ses performances semblent diminuées dans certaines situations comme la maladie iléale pure. Le premier objectif de ces travaux étaient de comparer la capacité des macrophages dérivés de monocytes (MDM) issus de patients atteints de MC, de rectocolite hémorragique (RCH) ou de sujets sains à contrôler l’infection par les AIEC et d’identifier les facteurs associés à cette multiplication des AIEC et notamment le rôle des polymorphismes génétiques associés à la MC en lien avec l’autophagie. Les AIEC se multipliaient de manière plus importante que la souche non pathogène K12 dans les macrophages quel que soit leur origine. L’entrée des AIEC (1h post- infection) ne variait pas en fonction de la provenance des macrophages. La survie des AIEC était augmentée dans les MDM issus de patients MC comparés à ceux issus de RCH ou de sujets contrôles. En analyse multivariée, cette survie était positivement corrélée à la sécrétion d’IL1β mais était diminuée en présence des variants à risque pour ULK1 (p=0,046) et XBP1 (p=0,014). Les MDM issus de patients MC étaient incapable de contrôler la multiplication des AIEC contrairement à ceux issus de RCH ou de sujets contrôles d’autant plus en présence du variant à risque pour IRGM (p=0,045). L’infection des MDM de patients MC par les bactéries AIEC induit un profil de sécrétion cytokinique pro-inflammatoire. La deuxième partie de ces travaux avait pour but de comparer les performances de la chitinase 3-like 1 fécale (CHI3L1), une protéine de l’hôte interagissant avec un facteur de virulence des AIEC, et la métalloprotéase matricielle 9 (MMP-9) pour détecter l’activité inflammatoire endoscopique de la MC en comparaison du marqueur fécal de référence, la calprotectine. Les taux de CHI3L1, de MMP-9 et de calprotectine fécales étaient corrélés au ‘Crohn’s Disease Endoscopic Index of Severity’ (CDEIS) et étaient significativement augmentés en présence d’ulcérations endoscopiques. En cas d’atteinte iléale pure, la CHI3L1 fécale semblait mieux corrélée au CDEIS que la calprotectine fécale. Le seuil de CHI3L1 fécale de 15 ng/g présentait de meilleures performances que la calprotectine fécale pour détecter la présence d’ulcérations endoscopiques. La MMP-9 étaient un marqueur performant pour détecter la présence de lésions endoscopiques dans les MICI. En conclusion, nous avons montré qu’il existe un défaut des macrophages à contrôler l’infection par les bactéries AIEC chez les patients atteints de MC en rapport avec les variants à risque impliqués dans l’autophagie conduisant à un phénotype de macrophages pro-inflammatoires. La CHI3L1 fécale, connue comme une protéine de l’hôte interagissant avec un facteur de virulence des AIEC, tout comme la MMP-9 semblent être de bons marqueurs d’activité endoscopique dans les MICI. / Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) whose pathophysiology results from an abnormal interaction between the gut microbiota and the host's immune system under the influence of genetic and environmental factors. . Within this microbiota, adherent and invasive E. coli (AIEC) colonize the ileal mucosa of patients with CD and are able to survive and multiply within macrophages. Moreover, the therapeutic objectives of CD, and especially endoscopic mucosal healing, require repeated endoscopies, which are not acceptable from the patients' point of view. Among alternative means, fecal calprotectin is the fecal marker of reference even if its performance seems to be diminished in certain situations like pure ileal disease. The primary objective of this work was to compare the ability of monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) from patients with CD, ulcerative colitis (UC) or healthy subjects to control AIEC infection and to identify associated with this multiplication of AIEC and in particular the role of genetic polymorphisms associated with CD in connection with autophagy. AIEC multiplied more than non-pathogenic strain K12 in macrophages irrespective of their origin. The entry of the AIEC (1h post-infection) did not vary according to the origin of the macrophages. The survival of AIEC was increased in MDM from MC patients compared to those from HCR or control subjects. In multivariate analysis, this survival was positively correlated with the secretion of IL1β but was decreased in the presence of the variants at risk for ULK1 (p = 0.046) and XBP1 (p = 0.014). MDM from MC patients were unable to control the multiplication of AIEC, unlike those from HCR or control subjects, especially in the presence of the variant at risk for IRGM (p = 0.045). Infection of MDM from MC patients by AIEC bacteria induces a pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion pattern. The second part of this work aimed to compare the performance of faecal chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1), a host protein interacting with AIEC virulence factor, and matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP-9). to detect the endoscopic inflammatory activity of MC in comparison with the standard fecal marker, calprotectin. Fecal CHI3L1, MMP-9 and calprotectin levels were correlated with Crohn's Disease Endoscopic Index of Severity (CDEIS) and were significantly increased in the presence of endoscopic ulcerations. In case of pure ileal involvement, fecal CHI3L1 seemed better correlated with CDEIS than fecal calprotectin. The fecal CHI3L1 threshold of 15 ng / g showed better performance than faecal calprotectin in detecting the presence of endoscopic ulcerations. MMP-9 was a powerful marker for detecting the presence of endoscopic lesions in IBD. In conclusion, we have shown that there is a macrophage defect to control infection by AIEC bacteria in patients with CD related to atopic risk variants involved in autophagy leading to a pro-inflammatory macrophage phenotype . Fecal CHI3L1, known as a host protein interacting with AIEC virulence factor, as well as MMP-9 appear to be good markers of endoscopic activity in IBD.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 98-113).