L’épithélium intestinal est une monocouche de cellules qui tapisse la lumière intestinale, constitué d’un compartiment différencié, les villosités dans l’intestin grêle et les plateaux épithéliaux dans le colon, et d’un compartiment prolifératif, les cryptes de Lieberkühn. Ce tissue se renouvelle de façon rapide et continue tout au long de la vie de l’individu, grâce à la présence de cellules souches adultes dans le fond des cryptes. Ces cellules s’autorenouvellent et donnent naissance à des progéniteurs prolifératifs (capables d’engendrer les différents cytotypes épithéliaux) qui se différencient tout en migrant vers le compartiment différencié. Mon travail de these a porté sur l’étude d’une marqueur putatif de ces cellules souches épithéliales intestinales: Musashi1 (Msi1).Dans ce contexte, mon premier axe d’étude s’est focalisé sur l’isolement et la caractérisation des cellules souches épithéliales intestinales chez la souris. Pour cela, nous avons généré des souris transgéniques exprimant la protéine fluorescente GFP sous le contrôle du promoteur de Msi1. Les cellules souches intestinales de ces souris coexpriment donc Msi1 et la GFP. Ce modèle a été validé et nous à permis de isoler les cellules GFP/Msi1 positives dans l’intestin. A l'aide de différentes approches cellulaires et moléculaires, nous avons confirmé leur nature de cellules souches et nous avons apporté des nouvelles données sur la composition de la zone proliférative de l’épithélium intestinal murin.Le second axe de mes travaux de thèse a porté sur l’étude de la fonction de Msi1 dans l'homéostasie de l’épithélium intestinal chez la souris, par son sur-expression tous au long de l’épithélium. Nous avons montré que la sur-expression de cette protéine, qui est un régulateur des voies Wnt et Notch, perturbe l’architecture intestinale, a propriétés pro-prolifératives et un potentiel tumorigènique. / The intestinal epithelium is a monolayer of cells surrounding the intestinal lumen. It consists of a differentiated compartment, the villi in the small intestine and a flat surface in the colon, and a proliferative compartment, the crypts of Lieberkühn. This tissue self-renews rapidly and continuously throughout life, due to the presence of adult stem cells in the bottom of the crypts. These cells are capable of self-renewing and give rise to proliferating progenitors (capable of generating all the different epithelial cytotypes) that differentiate and migrate toward the differentiated compartment. My thesis focused on the study of the intestinal epithelial stem cells marker Musashi1 (Msi1).In this context, the first part of my thesis work focused on the isolation and characterization of the intestinal epithelial stem cells that express Msi1 in the mouse. For this, we generated transgenic mice expressing the fluorescent protein GFP under the control of the promoter of Msi1. The intestinal stem cells of these mice co-express Msi1 and GFP. This model has been validated and allowed us to isolate GFP+/Msi-expressing cells in the intestine. By using different cellular and molecular approches, we confirmed their nature of stem cells and provided new data on the composition of the proliferative zone in the murine intestinal epithelium.The second part of my thesis has focused on the study of the function of Msi1 in the intestinal epithelium homeostasis in the mouse, by its over- and ectopic expression all along the epithelium. We have shown that the over-expression of this protein, which is a regulator of the Wnt and Notch pathways, perturbs the intestinal architecture, has pro-proliferative properties and tumorigenic potential.

La cellule musculaire lisse (CML) a un rôle pivot dans la physiopathologie de l’asthme. Dans ce travail de thèse nous avons pu mettre en avant l’implication du récepteur de type 2 activé par les protéases (PAR-2) dans une composante majeure du remodelage bronchique : la prolifération musculaire lisse. Dans le premier travail, nous avons montré une augmentation de l’expression du PAR-2 au niveau des CML bronchiques d’asthmatiques in vitro. La réponse calcique est dépendante du niveau d’expression du récepteur, mais n’influence pas la réponse proliférante. La stimulation répétée du PAR-2 augmente la prolifération des seules CML d’asthmatiques, par un mécanisme dépendant de la voie ERK. Dans le second travail, nous avons montré que la production basale d’un épithélium reconstitué entraine une prolifération plus importante des CML d’asthmatiques comparée aux CML de témoins. Une augmentation supplémentaire de la prolifération des seules CML d’asthmatiques a été observée, après activation par le surnageant d’épithélium stimulé par des acariens de maison comparé au surnageant épithélial non stimulé. Ce mécanisme est dépendant du PAR-2 épithélial, qui induit la production de leucotriènes C4, sur des CML dont l’expression du récepteur (CysLTR1) est augmentée chez l’asthmatique. Ces résultats apportent de nouvelles connaissances dans le remodelage musculaire lisse bronchique de l’asthmatique et met en avant le PAR-2 comme cible thérapeutique potentielle. / Smooth muscle cells (SMC) play an important role in asthma pathophysiology. In this thesis, we have highlighted the involvement of protease activated receptor type-2 (PAR-2) in SMC proliferation, which is a major component of airway remodeling. In the first study, we have shown an increased expression of PAR-2 in asthmatic bronchial SMC in vitro. Calcium response is dependent on the expression level of PAR-2, which does not affect the proliferative response. Repeated stimulation of PAR-2 increases the proliferation of asthmatics SMC only, by an ERK-dependent mechanism. In the second study, we have demonstrated that the basal production of reconstituted epithelium leads to a greater proliferation of asthmatics SMC compared to controls. Increased proliferation of asthmatics SMC only was observed, after stimulation with supernatant of the epithelium stimulated by house dust mites (HDM) compared to unstimulated epithelial supernatant. This mechanism is epithelial PAR-2-dependent, which induces the production of leukotrienes C4, whose receptor expression (CysLTR1) is increased in asthmatics SMC. These results provide new insights into bronchial smooth muscle remodeling in asthma and highlights the PAR-2 as a potential therapeutic target.

Les épithéliums jouent le rôle fondamental de barrière physique et chimique chez les Métazoaires. Les jonctions adhérentes, par le biais de la protéine transmembranaire E-cadhérine (E-cad), assurent une grande partie de l’adhésion intercellulaire. Malgré cette robustesse, les épithéliums peuvent subir des remodelages considérables pendant l’embryogenèse ou la cicatrisation. Lors de la gastrulation de l’embryon de Drosophile, l’épithélium ventro-latéral (la bandelette germinale) subit une élongation le long de l’axe antéropostérieur induite par l’intercalation cellulaire. Le remodelage polarisé des jonctions cellulaires est à la base de ce phénomène: les jonctions parallèles à l’axe dorsoventral (DV) rétrécissent et forment de manière irréversible de nouvelles jonctions parallèles à l’axe antéropostérieur (AP). Ce remodelage dépend de l’enrichissement du moteur moléculaire Myosine II (MyoII) dans les jonctions DV, qui induit une anisotropie de tension. Les protéines des jonctions adhérentes (E-cad, β-catenin) sont, elles aussi, polarisées : elles sont enrichies dans les jonctions AP. Néanmoins, nous ne savions pas si cette polarité de l’adhésion avait un rôle dans le remodelage des jonctions, et nous ne connaissions pas les mécanismes contrôlant cette localisation asymétrique. L’un des mécanismes les mieux connus de la modulation de l’adhésion cellulaire est l’endocytose des protéines d’adhésion. A ce titre, je me suis intéressé au rôle de l’endocytose Clathrine dépendante (ECD) pendant l’intercalation cellulaire. J’ai ainsi pu montrer que l’ECD de E-cad est régulée à la hausse dans la bandelette germinale au niveau jonctionnelle, plus particulièrement au niveau des jonctions DV (qui rétrécissent). L’ECD d’E-cad est nécessaire à l’intercalation et à la distribution polarisée d’E-cad. Elle est régulée par l’organisation de l’actine: la formine Diaphanous ainsi que le moteur moléculaire Myosine II accélèrent le recrutement de la machinerie d’endocytose (AP2 et Clathrine) et régulent la polarité de l’ECD dans l’embryon. Elles sont contrôlées par RhoGEF2, qui est enrichie dans les jonctions DV, et induisent l’endocytose par un mécanisme de clustering latéral d’E-cad. Dans la seconde partie de ma thèse, je me suis intéressé au couplage entre E-cad et la dynamique de MyoII. En effet, l’intercalation dépend aussi de flux contractiles de MyoII qui ont lieu préférentiellement en direction des jonctions DV. J’ai ainsi pu montrer que la direction des flux est induite par les anisotropies de forces d’ancrage de MyoII. Les faibles niveaux d’E-cad et le fort taux d’endocytose dans les jonctions DV augmentent la probabilité de générer une anisotropie d’ancrage et induisent davantage de flux de MyoII vers les jonctions DV. Ce projet met en lumière le rôle fondamental du couplage entre E-cad et MyoII dans la régulation de la morphogenèse. / Epithelia build up strong mechanical and chemichal barriers in Metazoans. Adherens junctions, through the adhesion provided by the transmembrane protein E-cadherin (E-cad), are essential for the mechanical integrity of the tissue. Yet, epithelia can be dramatically remodeled during embryogenesis or wound healing. During gastrulation of Drosophila embryo, the ventrolateral epithelium (the germ band) undergoes a massive elongation along the anteroposterior (AP) axis, driven by cell-cell intercalation. This is based on the polarized remodeling of intercellular junctions whereby junctions parallel to the dorsoventral axis (DV) shrink and form new junctions along AP axis. This remodeling is mediated by the planar polarized enrichment of Myosin II (MyoII) in DV junctions, which generates high tension. Adhesion proteins are also planar polarized, E-cad is enriched in AP junctions, but we did not know if this polarity contributed to cell-cell intercalation and the mechanism driving this polarity. As such, I have studied the role of Clathrin mediated endocytosis (CME) during germ band extension. I have shown that E-cad CME is specifically upregulated at the junction plane in the germ band, and planar polarized (enriched in DV shrinking junctions). It is required for cell-cell intercalation and the planar polarized distribution of E-cad. E-cad CME is regulated by the concerted action of the Formin Diaphanous and Myosin-II, which accelerates CME through the lateral clustering of E-cad. They are controlled by RhoGEF2, which is also enriched in DV junctions. In the second part of my PhD, I have studied the coupling between E-cad and MyoII dynamics. Indeed, planar polarized contractile flows of MyoII are required for DV junction shrinkage, but we did not know the mechanism driving the polarity of these flows. I have shown that the transient anisotropy of anchoring forces between two facing junctions triggers flow. As such, the low steady state amount of E-cad and the high rate of CME in DV junctions trigger more anisotropy and polarize the flow. These results outline the strong crossregulation between E-cad and MyoII and their concerted action in morphogenesis.

Un tissu épithélial est composé de cellules polarisées, étroitement liées les unes aux autres par des jonctions adhérentes. La perte de ces jonctions adhérentes est la première étape dans le développement des cancers au niveau des tissus épithéliaux. Il est donc important de comprendre les mécanismes d’attachement inter-cellulaire. Pour étudier ces interactions, nous utilisons comme modèle l’embryon de drosophile, où une fine régulation des jonctions adhérentes est requise pour l’une des étapes précoces de développement. Durant cette étape du développement, les cellules épithéliales changent de voisines le long de l’axe antéro-postérieur sans perdre leur adhérence cellulaire. Ce processus d’intercalation cellulaire est dû au recrutement polarisé du moteur moléculaire Myosine II au niveau des jonctions qui se désassemblent. Il a été mis en évidence qu’au cours de ce processus la perte de fonction de la voie JAK/STAT perturbe la localisation de la Myosine II. Au cours de ma thèse, j’ai réalisé un crible génétique dans un contexte mutant pour le ligand de la voie JAK/STAT pour me permettre d’identifier des interacteurs potentiellement impliqués dans le contrôle spatial de Myosine II. J’ai pu mettre en évidence plusieurs gènes pouvant être impliqués dans cette intercalation. Parmi ces candidats, je me suis focalisée sur celui montrant le plus fort phénotype : le gène CG13992. La caractérisation de ce gène a fut la seconde étape de mon travail de thèse (car seules les séquences nucléotidiques et protéiques étaient connues). Les résultats obtenus ont permis de mettre en évidence l’implication de ce gène dans la localisation de la Myosine II mais ils restent à confirmer. / Epithelial tissue is composed of polarized cells, which are closely attached to each other by adherens junctions. The loss of adherens junctions is often a key step in the development of cancer in epithelial tissues. It is therefore important to understand the mechanisms of attachment between the cells. To study such epithelial plasticity, we use the Drosophila embryo as a model system, where a fine regulation of adherens junctions is required for one of the early processes of development: germ band elongation. During this process, epithelial cells change their neighbors along the anterior-posterior axis (cell cell intercalation) without loss of cell adhesion. Polarized recruitment of the molecular motor Myosin II at the junctions, that disassemble and reassemble, underlies the intercalation process. In part, intercalation relies on the normal activity of the the JAK / STAT pathway that is crucial for the spatial control of Myosin II. During my PhD, I conducted a genetic screen, in a mutant for the ligand of the JAK / STAT pathway, designed to identify second site interactors for Myosin II control. I identified several genes that appear to be involved in the intercalation process. Among these candidates, I focused on one with the strongest phenotype: the gene CG13992. The functional characterization of this gene was the second stage of my thesis (because only the nucleotide and the protein sequences were known). Preliminary results highlight the involvement of this gene in the localization of Myosin II that remain to be confirmed.

La Protéine Cellulaire du Prion (PrPc), isoforme non pathogène de la Protéine Scrapie, est une protéine ubiquitaire qui a été impliquée dans de nombreux processus cellulaires tels que la prolifération, la migration, l’adhésion, la différenciation et l’apoptose, par des mécanismes qui restent en grande partie à élucider. L’épithélium intestinal est en constant renouvellement et son homéostasie repose sur une régulation fine et coordonnée de l’ensemble de ces processus. Notre équipe s’est intéressée au rôle de la PrPc dans l’épithélium intestinal et a mis en évidence son expression dans le type cellulaire majoritaire de cet épithélium, les entérocytes, et sa double localisation selon leur état de différenciation. En effet, dans les cellules différenciées, la PrPc est majoritairement présente au niveau des desmosomes, alors que dans les cellules prolifératives, elle est principalement nucléaire. Nous mettons en évidence que la PrPc desmosomale est impliquée dans le maintien et l’intégrité de l’ensemble des jonctions intercellulaires (jonctions serrées, adhérentes et desmosomes) et contribue à la fonction de barrière de l’épithélium intestinal. La PrPc nucléaire, quant à elle, interagit avec plusieurs effecteurs de la voie de signalisation Wnt : la -caténine, la -caténine et le facteur de transcription TCF7L2. Dans ce contexte, nous révélons la capacité de la PrPc nucléaire à moduler l’expression de gènes cibles de la voie Wnt canonique. L’ensemble de ces travaux permet de révéler la PrPc comme un nouvel élément clé de l’homéostasie de l’épithélium intestinal – du maintien de la fonction de barrière jusqu’à la régulation de l’expression de gènes – et de définir la PrPc comme un nouveau membre de la famille des protéines NACos. / The cellular Prion Protein (PrPc), the normal conformer of the Scrapie protein, is a ubiquitous protein, which has been involved in several cellular processes such as proliferation, migration, adhesion, differentiation and apoptosis, through mechanisms that are not fully characterized. Intestinal epithelium is renewing constantly and its homeostasis requires a fine and coordinated regulation of all these processes. Our team has focused on PrPc functions in this tissue and has demonstrated that it is expressed in enterocytes, the major cell type in the intestinal epithelium, with a dual localization depending on the differentiation state of the cells. Indeed, in differentiated cells PrPc is localized in desmosomes while being mostly in the nucleus in proliferative cells. We demonstrated the involvement of desmosomal PrPc in the maintenance and integrity of all the intercellular junctions (tight, adherens junctions and desmosomes) and its requirement for the intestinal barrier function. PrPc in the nucleus interacts with key effectors of the Wnt pathway: -catenin, -catenin and the transcription factor TCF4/TCF7L2. In this context, we revealed the ability of nuclear PrPc to modulate the expression of a subset of Wnt target genes. Altogether, this work highlights the role of PrPc as a new key element of the intestinal epithelial homeostasis – from the barrier function to gene regulation – and allows considering PrPc as a new member of the NACos family proteins (proteins associated with the Nucleus and Adhesion Complexes).

Le processus de formation des cils mobiles multiples (multiciliogénèse) est composé de nombreuses étapes. Récemment, nous avons démontré que les microARNs de la famille miR-449 contrôlent plusieurs de ces étapes. Au cours de mon travail, je me suis concentré sur le rôle joué par miR-449 dans deux aspects du développement de l'épithélium multicilié. Dans les cellules multiciliées, un réseau dense d'actine sous-jacent l'aspect apicale de la membrane cellulaire (coiffe d'actine) est nécessaire pour l'ancrage des multiples corps basaux, et donc pour une ciliogenèse approprié. Dans le cadre de mon travail, j'ai participé à l' identification de la petite GTPase R-Ras comme une des véritables cibles de miR-449. J'ai démontré que la réorganisation de la coiffe d'actine et l'ensemble du processus de multiciliogénèse étaient compromis lorsque l'ARN messager de R-Ras se trouve protégé de la liaison avec miR-449. J'ai aussi contribué à identifier une nouvelle cible de miR-449, le gène Steel, qui code pour le ligand du récepteur transmembranaire à tyrosine-kinase KIT. La repression de Steel par miR449 est impliquée dans le processus par lequel les cellules multiciliées atteignent leur position finale dans l'épiderme embryonnaire de Xenopus. STEEL, qui agit probablement comme une molécule de guidage pour les cellules multiciliées qui expriment KIT, doit être réprimé par miR-449 dans ces mêmes cellules en cours de migration pour assurer leur deplacement directionnel approprié. En conclusion, mon travail a contribué à élucider le rôle complexe joué par le miARN miR-449 dans le processus de multiciliogénèse chez les vertébrés. / The process of multiple motile cilia formation (multiciliogenesis) is composed of many different steps. Recently, we demonstrated that microRNAs of the miR-449 family control several of these steps. During my work, I focused on the role played by miR-449 in two aspects of the development of the mucociliary epithelium. In multiciliated cells, a dense actin network underlying the apical aspect of the cell membrane (actin cap) is required for the anchoring of the multiple basal bodies, and therefore for proper ciliogenesis. Small GTPases play important role in the formation of the actin cap. In the course of my work, I took part in the identification of transcripts coding the small GTPase R-Ras as bona fide targets of miR-449. I demonstrated that apical and subapical actin network reorganization and multiciliogenesis were impaired when R-Ras mRNA was protected from miR-449 binding. Moreover, the actin cap formation and multiciliogenesis were rescued when the translation of protected R-Ras transcripts was prevented. I also contributed to the finding that a new miR-449 target, the KIT receptor tyrosin kinase ligand STEEL, is involved in the process through which the multiciliated cells reach their final position within the developing frog epidermis. STEEL, which likely acts as a guidance molecule for the KIT-expressing multiciliated cells, needs to be repressed by miR-449 within the migrating cells to ensure their proper directional migration. Altogether, my work contributed to elucidate the complex role played by the miR-449 miRNA in the process of vertebrate multiciliogenesis.

O epitélio pulmonar é formado por uma grande diversidade celular, que incluí: células secretoras, ciliadas, basais e neuroendócrinas (NE). A distribuição balanceada destes tipos celulares é crucial para a função pulmonar e pode ser dramaticamente alterada em doenças como a asma. Neste trabalho, estudamos o papel de Notch no pulmão em desenvolvimento ao inativar condicionalmente Rbpjk ou Pofut1, componentes críticos da sinalização Notch. Pulmões mutantes apresentaram-se superpopulados por células ciliadas e NE, além da ausência de células de Clara. Nossos dados sugeriram que Notch suprime os programas de diferenciação de células ciliadas e NE para permitir a diferenciação de células de Clara, através de um mecanismo de inibição lateral. Identificamos também genes associados com a diferenciação de células secretoras e ciliadas através de microarrays. A heterogeneidade no padrão de expressão gênica sugeriu que a via de sinalização Notch estabelece múltiplos subtipos de células ciliadas e secretoras no epitélio pulmonar em desenvolvimento. / The airway epithelium comprises a diverse population of secretory, ciliated, basal and neuroendocrine cells (NE). The proper balance of these cell types is critical for normal lung function and can be altered dramatically in conditions, such as asthma. We studied the role of Notch in airway progenitor cell fate by conditionally inactivating Rbpjk or Pofut1, two critical Notch pathway components in mouse mutants. This resulted in airways overpopulated with ciliated and NE cells and absence of secretory Clara cells. We found that Notch suppresses the ciliated and the NE cell programs to allow secretory cell differentiation through a lateral inhibition mechanism. We also identified genes associated with the differentiation of secretory and ciliated cells through a microarray gene profiling experiment. The great heterogeneity of gene expression patterns suggested that Notch plays a role in establishing multiple subsets of secretory and ciliated cells in the developing lung.

Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar o efeito da aplicação subcutânea do cloridrato de papaverina no processo de reparação de feridas cirúrgicas abertas no dorso de ratos e avaliar pelos métodos histomorfológico, histomorfométrico e imunoistoquímico eventos biológicos do processo de reparação. Foram realizadas feridas dérmicas padronizadas com punch, 5mm de diâmetro e 2mm de profundidade, no dorso de ratos. Os animais foram divididos em dois grupos conforme o tratamento realizado: no grupo controle, 25 ratos foram tratados através da injeção de cloreto de sódio 0,9% e no grupo teste, 25 ratos foram tratados através da injeção da solução de cloridrato de papaverina a 50mg/mL de cloreto de sódio a 0,9%. Em ambos os grupos foi aplicado subcutâneo (por quadrante da ferida), 0,25mL da solução correspondente aos frascos do grupo teste ou grupo controle totalizando 1 mL da solução. Os 50 espécimes foram processados para as análises macro e microscópica. Para análise do cálculo do edema, foram utilizados 10 ratos (5 animais do grupo teste e 5 animais do grupo controle). Fragmentos de pele padronizados (3cm2) foram removidos da área da ferida e pesados no período de 6 horas. Para análise morfométrica do fechamento da ferida/formação de cicatriz, 10 ratos foram utilizados (5 animais do grupo teste e 5 do grupo controle). As feridas cirúrgicas padronizadas foram fotografadas nos períodos de 0h, 3,7,14 e 21 dias pós-cirúrgico e as imagens foram analisadas por software de morfometria (ImageLab2000®) quanto a área, perímetro e fator de forma. Pela técnica de coloração da hematoxilina e eosina, a análise histomorfológica (análise qualitativa descritiva) e histomorfométrica (análise quantitativa em relação à reepitelização, formação do tecido de granulação, edema, celularidade e matriz colagênica) foram realizadas nos períodos de 6h, 3,7,14 e 21 dias e analisadas sob microscopia de luz. Reações de imunoistoquímica com o anticorpo anti-actina de músculo liso foi realizada para identificação e contagem do número de miofibroblastos nos períodos de 3, 7, 14 e 21 dias. A partir do modelo experimental avaliado, comprovou-se a ação vasodilatadora da papaverina. Os fragmentos padronizados do grupo teste apresentaram maior peso em relação ao grupo controle (p= 0,047). As feridas do grupo teste mostraram um fechamento maior e menor formação de cicatriz quando comparado ao grupo controle no período de 21 dias. No grupo teste, uma maior quantidade de edema (p = 0,028) e uma menor quantidade de matriz colagênica (colágeno) (p = 0,028) foram encontradas no período de 6 horas. Houve maior reepitelização no grupo teste no período de 7 dias e menor formação de tecido de granulação nos períodos de 14 e 21 dias para o mesmo grupo. No grupo controle, um maior número de miofibroblastos foi encontrado quando comparado ao grupo teste nos períodos de 14 e 21 dias (p=0, 016). Dentro dos limites deste estudo, a aplicação subcutânea do cloridrato de papaverina parece acelerar o processo de reparação de feridas cirúrgicas abertas no dorso de ratos. Sua aplicação promove vasodilatação e um maior exsudato inflamatório no início do processo de reparação. Tal efeito parece estar relacionado com a maior velocidade de reparação observada macro e microscopicamente. / The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of subcutaneous administration of papaverine hydrochloride in the process of open surgical repair of wounds in the back of rats and evaluate the methods histomorphological, immunohistochemical and histomorphometric biological events of the repair process. Standardized wounds were inflicted by dermal punch, 5mm in diameter and 2mm deep, in the backs of rats. Animals were divided into two groups according to treatment: control group, 25 rats were treated by injection of sodium chloride 0.9%) and test group (25 rats treated by the injection of papaverine hydrochloride 50 mg / mL sodium chloride 0.9%). In both groups was administered subcutaneously (by quadrant of the wound), 0.25 mL of the solution corresponding to bottles of the test group or control group, totaling 1 mL of the solution. The 50 specimens were processed for macro and microscopic analysis. For analysis of the calculation of edema, we used 10 rats (5 animals in the test group and 5 control animals). Standardized skin fragments (3cm2) were removed from the wound area and heavy during the 6 hours. For morphometric analysis of the closure of the wound / scar formation, 10 rats were used (five animals in the test group and 5 in the control group). Surgical wounds were photographed in standardized periods of 0h, 3,7,14 and 21 days after surgery and the images were analyzed by morphometry software (ImageLab2000 ®) as area, perimeter and form factor. By staining with hematoxylin and eosin, the histomorphologic analysis (descriptive qualitative analysis) and histomorphometric (quantitative analysis in relation to reepithelialization, formation of granulation tissue, edema, cellularity and collagen matrix) were recorded at 6h, 3.7 , 14 and 21 days and analyzed under light microscopy. Immunohistochemical reactions with anti-smooth muscle actin was performed to identify and count the number of myofibroblasts at 3, 7, 14 and 21 days. From the experimental model evaluated, proved the vasodilator papaverine. The fragments of the standardized test group had a higher weight in the control group (p = 0.047). The wounds of the test group showed a greater closing and less scarring compared to control group within 21 days. In the test group, a greater amount of edema (p = 0.028) and a smaller amount of collagen matrix (collagen) (p = 0.028) were found within 6 h. A greater reepithelialization in the test group after 7 days and less formation of granulation tissue during periods of 14 and 21 days for the same group. In the control group, a greater number of myofibroblasts was found when compared to the test group during the periods of 14 and 21 days (p = 0, 016). Within the limits of this study, subcutaneous administration of papaverine hydrochloride appears to accelerate the repair of surgical wounds opened in the back of rats. Its application promotes vasodilation and a greater inflammatory exudate in the early repair process. This effect appears to be related to a faster repair observed macroscopically and microscopically.

La BPCO (bronchopathie pulmonaire chronique obstructive) est un problème majeur de santé publique et représentera la 3ème cause de mortalité dans le monde en 2030. L’âge, le tabagisme, ainsi que la pollution atmosphérique via l’exposition aux particules de diesel mais également la pollution domestique – majoritairement représentée par la combustion domestique de biomasse – sont des facteurs de risque bien identifiés d’apparition d’une BPCO. Il n’existe à ce jour aucun traitement curatif pouvant interférer avec l’histoire naturelle de la maladie.Les cellules souches pluripotentes, et notamment les cellules souches humaines pluripotentes induites (hiPSCs), sont définies par deux propriétés fondamentales : l’auto-renouvellement et la capacité à se différencier en tous les types cellulaires de notre corps. Elles offrent une opportunité sans précédent de modéliser le développement humain normal et pathologique de l’appareil respiratoire.Ce projet de recherche a pour objectif de modéliser in vitro les trajectoires de la BPCO, en lien avec une origine développementale (racines pédiatriques) et/ou une susceptibilité au tabac. Afin d’élucider les mécanismes qui sous-tendent la pathogénie de la BPCO et de la susceptibilité au tabac, nous avons constitué deux groupes caricaturaux : i) 4 patients atteints d’une forme sévère de la BPCO, constituant le groupe « hautement susceptibles », ii) 4 patients fumeurs indemnes de BPCO ou tout autre comorbidité liée au tabac « hautement résistants » au tabac.Nous avons utilisés deux modèles de culture cellulaires in vitro : les hiPSCs et la culture de cellules épithéliales primaires bronchiques humaines (HBECs) cultivées en ALI (interface air liquide).Dans un premier temps, nous avons généré des lignées hiPSCs par reprogrammation cellulaire à partir du sang périphérique d’un sujet sain (contrôle), et de trois patients BPCO sévères hautement caractérisés. Dans un second temps, la différenciation dirigée des hiPSCs a permis de récapituler le développement pulmonaire précoce (génération de progéniteurs bronchiques NKX2.1) par la mise au point d’un protocole de différenciation dirigée robuste et reproductible sur plusieurs lignées hiPSCs. La maturation de ces progéniteurs bronchiques en culture 2D ou 3D a permis d’obtenir des structures épithéliales exprimant les marqueurs de cellules basales (KRT5), de cellules Club (CCSP), et ciliées (FOXJ1). Dans un second temps, ces épithélia seront exposés au tabac (CSE- cigarette smoke extract) afin d’induire un phénotype « BPCO-like ». Enfin, la culture des HBECs cultivées en ALI des patients BPCO sévères a été réalisée en condition exposée (CSE) et non exposée. La résistance transépithéliale, la motilité ciliaire, le profil sécrétoire et la diversité ARN ont été collecté.Ce travail a permis de mettre en place les outils nécessaires pour reproduire les trajectoires in vitro de la BPCO et élucider les origines de la pathologie. Les outils de séquençage à haut débit (transcriptomique dans notre étude), permettront de découvrir de nouveaux candidats, représentants de potentielles cibles en vue d’un criblage pharmacologique. / COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a major public health problem and will be the 3rd leading cause of death in the world in 2030. Age, smoking, and air pollution through the exposure to particulate matter but also domestic pollution - mostly represented by domestic biomass combustion - are well-identified risk factors for the development of COPD. To date, there is no cure that can interfere with the natural history of the disease.Pluripotent stem cells, including induced pluripotent human stem cells (hiPSCs), are defined by two fundamental properties: self-renewal and the ability to differentiate into all cell types in our body. They offer an unprecedented opportunity to model the normal and pathological human development of the respiratory system.This research project aimed to model in vitro the trajectories of COPD, related to a developmental origin (pediatric roots) and / or susceptibility to tobacco. In order to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of COPD and tobacco susceptibility, we established two extreme groups: i) 4 patients with a severe form of COPD, the "highly susceptible" group, ii) 4 patients who are free of COPD or other tobacco-related comorbidity despite heavy smoking, called as "highly resistant" to tobacco.We have used two different but complementary in vitro cell culture models: hiPSCs and human bronchial primary epithelial cell cultures (HBECs) grown in ALI condition (Air Liquid Interface).First of all, we generate hiPSCs cell lines by reprogramming cells from peripheral blood of a healthy subject (control), and three highly characterized severe COPD patients. In a second step, the directed differentiation of hiPSCs allowed to recapitulate the early pulmonary development (NKX2.1 generation of bronchial progenitors) by the development of a robust and reproducible directed differentiation protocol of several hiPSCs lines. The maturation of these bronchial progenitors in 2D or 3D culture allows the generation of epithelial structures expressing markers of KRT5 + basal cells , CSSP + Club cells and FOXJ1 + ciliated cells. In a second step, these epithelia will be exposed to tobacco (CSE-cigarette smoke extract) in order to induce a "COPD-like" phenotype. Finally, ALI culture of HBECs of severe COPD patients was performed in unexposed and exposed condition (CSE). Transepithelial resistance, ciliary motility, secretory profile, and RNA diversity were collected.This work allowed to put in place the necessary tools to reproduce the in vitro trajectories of COPD and to clarify the origins of this pathology. The high throughput sequencing tools (transcriptomic in our study), will allow the discovery of new candidates, that represent potential targets for future pharmacological screening.

Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar o efeito da aplicação subcutânea do cloridrato de papaverina no processo de reparação de feridas cirúrgicas abertas no dorso de ratos e avaliar pelos métodos histomorfológico, histomorfométrico e imunoistoquímico eventos biológicos do processo de reparação. Foram realizadas feridas dérmicas padronizadas com punch, 5mm de diâmetro e 2mm de profundidade, no dorso de ratos. Os animais foram divididos em dois grupos conforme o tratamento realizado: no grupo controle, 25 ratos foram tratados através da injeção de cloreto de sódio 0,9% e no grupo teste, 25 ratos foram tratados através da injeção da solução de cloridrato de papaverina a 50mg/mL de cloreto de sódio a 0,9%. Em ambos os grupos foi aplicado subcutâneo (por quadrante da ferida), 0,25mL da solução correspondente aos frascos do grupo teste ou grupo controle totalizando 1 mL da solução. Os 50 espécimes foram processados para as análises macro e microscópica. Para análise do cálculo do edema, foram utilizados 10 ratos (5 animais do grupo teste e 5 animais do grupo controle). Fragmentos de pele padronizados (3cm2) foram removidos da área da ferida e pesados no período de 6 horas. Para análise morfométrica do fechamento da ferida/formação de cicatriz, 10 ratos foram utilizados (5 animais do grupo teste e 5 do grupo controle). As feridas cirúrgicas padronizadas foram fotografadas nos períodos de 0h, 3,7,14 e 21 dias pós-cirúrgico e as imagens foram analisadas por software de morfometria (ImageLab2000®) quanto a área, perímetro e fator de forma. Pela técnica de coloração da hematoxilina e eosina, a análise histomorfológica (análise qualitativa descritiva) e histomorfométrica (análise quantitativa em relação à reepitelização, formação do tecido de granulação, edema, celularidade e matriz colagênica) foram realizadas nos períodos de 6h, 3,7,14 e 21 dias e analisadas sob microscopia de luz. Reações de imunoistoquímica com o anticorpo anti-actina de músculo liso foi realizada para identificação e contagem do número de miofibroblastos nos períodos de 3, 7, 14 e 21 dias. A partir do modelo experimental avaliado, comprovou-se a ação vasodilatadora da papaverina. Os fragmentos padronizados do grupo teste apresentaram maior peso em relação ao grupo controle (p= 0,047). As feridas do grupo teste mostraram um fechamento maior e menor formação de cicatriz quando comparado ao grupo controle no período de 21 dias. No grupo teste, uma maior quantidade de edema (p = 0,028) e uma menor quantidade de matriz colagênica (colágeno) (p = 0,028) foram encontradas no período de 6 horas. Houve maior reepitelização no grupo teste no período de 7 dias e menor formação de tecido de granulação nos períodos de 14 e 21 dias para o mesmo grupo. No grupo controle, um maior número de miofibroblastos foi encontrado quando comparado ao grupo teste nos períodos de 14 e 21 dias (p=0, 016). Dentro dos limites deste estudo, a aplicação subcutânea do cloridrato de papaverina parece acelerar o processo de reparação de feridas cirúrgicas abertas no dorso de ratos. Sua aplicação promove vasodilatação e um maior exsudato inflamatório no início do processo de reparação. Tal efeito parece estar relacionado com a maior velocidade de reparação observada macro e microscopicamente. / The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of subcutaneous administration of papaverine hydrochloride in the process of open surgical repair of wounds in the back of rats and evaluate the methods histomorphological, immunohistochemical and histomorphometric biological events of the repair process. Standardized wounds were inflicted by dermal punch, 5mm in diameter and 2mm deep, in the backs of rats. Animals were divided into two groups according to treatment: control group, 25 rats were treated by injection of sodium chloride 0.9%) and test group (25 rats treated by the injection of papaverine hydrochloride 50 mg / mL sodium chloride 0.9%). In both groups was administered subcutaneously (by quadrant of the wound), 0.25 mL of the solution corresponding to bottles of the test group or control group, totaling 1 mL of the solution. The 50 specimens were processed for macro and microscopic analysis. For analysis of the calculation of edema, we used 10 rats (5 animals in the test group and 5 control animals). Standardized skin fragments (3cm2) were removed from the wound area and heavy during the 6 hours. For morphometric analysis of the closure of the wound / scar formation, 10 rats were used (five animals in the test group and 5 in the control group). Surgical wounds were photographed in standardized periods of 0h, 3,7,14 and 21 days after surgery and the images were analyzed by morphometry software (ImageLab2000 ®) as area, perimeter and form factor. By staining with hematoxylin and eosin, the histomorphologic analysis (descriptive qualitative analysis) and histomorphometric (quantitative analysis in relation to reepithelialization, formation of granulation tissue, edema, cellularity and collagen matrix) were recorded at 6h, 3.7 , 14 and 21 days and analyzed under light microscopy. Immunohistochemical reactions with anti-smooth muscle actin was performed to identify and count the number of myofibroblasts at 3, 7, 14 and 21 days. From the experimental model evaluated, proved the vasodilator papaverine. The fragments of the standardized test group had a higher weight in the control group (p = 0.047). The wounds of the test group showed a greater closing and less scarring compared to control group within 21 days. In the test group, a greater amount of edema (p = 0.028) and a smaller amount of collagen matrix (collagen) (p = 0.028) were found within 6 h. A greater reepithelialization in the test group after 7 days and less formation of granulation tissue during periods of 14 and 21 days for the same group. In the control group, a greater number of myofibroblasts was found when compared to the test group during the periods of 14 and 21 days (p = 0, 016). Within the limits of this study, subcutaneous administration of papaverine hydrochloride appears to accelerate the repair of surgical wounds opened in the back of rats. Its application promotes vasodilation and a greater inflammatory exudate in the early repair process. This effect appears to be related to a faster repair observed macroscopically and microscopically.