Gene therapy is a potential strategy for treatment of diseases caused by a gene defect. Recent studies are involved particulary in the cure of diseases caused by single gene defect (cystic fibrosis, haemophilia, muscular dystrophy etc.). Our work is part of a project aiming at developing ex vivo non-viral gene delivery systems that could be used for the treatment of ocular and cardiovascular diseases. The gene vectors are biodegradable polymeric carriers based on poly-α-amino acids. These polyplexes should transfect target cells which are supposed to be seeded on polyimide membranes. The biodegradable polymer membrane will be implanted into the retina or used as a coating for cardiovascular prosthesis. As a cover of the implantable membranes we used polymerized methacrylamide-modified gelatin forming hydrogels and mediating a growth support for transfected cells. We focus on material bio- and immunocompatibility/immunoacceptability. The results indicated a very good bio- and immunocompatibility of the gelatin B hydrogel both in vitro and in vivo. The gelatin B hydrogel did not cause erythrocytes lysis, stimulation of proliferation (spontaneous or mitogen-induced) of mouse or human lymphoid cells, neither production of cytokines or NO in vitro. Histological examination following subcutaneous...

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Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The endothelium is a single layer of cells lining the arteries and is involved in many physiological reactions which are responsible for vascular tone. Free radicals are important participants in these chemical reactions in the endothelium. Here we quantify free radicals, ex vivo, in biological tissue with continuous wave electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). In all of the experiments in this thesis, we use a novel EPR spin trapping technique that has been developed for tissue segments. EPR spin trapping is often considered the ‘gold standard’ in reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection because of its sensitivity and non-invasive nature. In all experiments, tissue was placed in physiological saline solution with 190-mM PBN (N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone), 10% by volume dimethyl-sulphoxide (DMSO) for cryopreservation, and incubated in the dark for between 30 minutes up to 2 hours at 37°C while gently being stirred. Tissue and supernatant were then loaded into a syringe and frozen at -80°C until EPR analysis. In our experiments, the EPR spectra were normalized with respect to tissue volume. Conducting experiments at liquid nitrogen temperature leads to some experimental advantages. The freezing of the spin adducts renders them stable over a longer period, which allows ample time to analyze tissue samples for ROS. The dielectric constant of ice is greatly reduced over its liquid counterpart; this property of water enables larger sample volumes to be inserted into the EPR cavity without overloading it and leads to enhanced signal detection. Due to Maxwell-Boltzmann statistics, the population difference goes up as the temperature goes down, so this phenomenon enhances the signal intensity as well. With the ‘gold standard’ assertion in mind, we investigated whether slicing tissue to assay ROS that is commonly used in fluorescence experiments will show more free radical generation than tissue of a similar volume that remains unsliced. Sliced tissue exhibited a 76% increase in ROS generation; this implies that higher ROS concentrations in sliced tissue indicate extraneous ROS generation not associated with the ROS stimulus of interest. We also investigated the role of ROS in chronic flow overload (CFO). Elevation of shear stress that increases production of vascular ROS has not been well investigated. We hypothesize that CFO increases ROS production mediated in part by NADPH oxidase, which leads to endothelial dysfunction. ROS production increased threefold in response to CFO. The endothelium dependent vasorelaxation was compromised in the CFO group. Treatment with apocynin significantly reduced ROS production in the vessel wall, preserved endothelial function, and inhibited expressions of p22/p47phox and NOX2/NOX4. The present data implicate NADPH oxidase produced ROS and eNOS uncoupling in endothelial dysfunction at 1 wk of CFO. In further work, a swine right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) model induced by pulmonary artery (PA) banding was used to study right coronary artery (RCA) endothelial function and ROS level. Endothelial function was compromised in RCA of RVH as attributed to insufficient endothelial nitric oxide synthase cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin. In conclusion, stretch due to outward remodeling of RCA during RVH (at constant wall shear stress), similar to vessel stretch in hypertension, appears to induce ROS elevation, endothelial dysfunction, and an increase in basal tone. Finally, although hypertension-induced vascular stiffness and dysfunction are well established in patients and animal models, we hypothesize that stretch or distension due to hypertension and outward expansion is the cause of endothelial dysfunction mediated by angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor in coronary arteries. The expression and activation of AT1 receptor and the production of ROS were up regulated and endothelial function deteriorated in the RCA. The acute inhibition of AT1 receptor and NADPH oxidase partially restored the endothelial function. Stretch or distension activates the AT1 receptor which mediates ROS production; this collectively leads to endothelial dysfunction in coronary arteries.

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Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease with worsening respiratory symptoms and physiological impairment. Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic lung disease characterized by forming scar tissue (fibrosis) in the lungs. Alternatively activated macrophages (M2) known as pro-fibrotic are known to contribute to the fibrotic remodeling of the lung. In addition to the polarization of slices from naïve to pro-fibrotic, the addition of anti-fibrotic therapeutics reprogram slices back to a naïve condition. To polarize the slices, naïve slices are incubated with a previously investigated method in the lab known as the polarization cocktail. The polarization cocktail can be achieved by adding of IL-4, IL-6 and IL-13 to naïve(M0) slices in the Precision Cut lung slice (PCLS) model. For the therapeutic model, slices are incubated with the polarization cocktail and subsequently with the therapeutic. Our results have shown that the precision cut lung slice model can mimic previously investigated in-vivo experiments with the polarization cocktail. Secondly, the addition of therapeutics result in the slices exhibiting lower amounts of M2 markers and arginase activity concluding the model is suitable for the polarization and reprogramming of macrophages. / Thesis / Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MSMS)

La leucémie lymphoïde aiguë (ALL) est le cancer pédiatrique le plus fréquent. Une proportion importante de ces cas sont des leucémies lymphoïdes aiguës à cellules T (T-ALL). Présentement, le traitement implique l’utilisation d’une chimiothérapie hautement toxique pour une durée s’échelonnant sur plusieurs années. Bien que la rémission soit possible, les séquelles physiques et psychologiques peuvent être dévastatrices, particulièrement dans un contexte pédiatrique. Des rechutes sont également possibles à long terme. Des approches génétiques, cellulaires et moléculaires ont permis d’identifier le thymocyte au stade DN3 comme étant la cellule à l’origine de la leucémie. En effet, dans les cas où la leucémie est induite par l’expression aberrante de SCL/TAL1, des données ont démontré que les thymocytes au stade DN3 sont reprogrammés en cellules souches pré-leucémiques (pré-LSCs) par l’action du complexe SCL-LMO1. Ces cellules acquièrent par la suite une mutation activatrice de NOTCH1, qui accélère le développement de la leucémie. Le stade DN3 est le point de convergence de signaux collaborant pour favoriser survie, différentiation et prolifération cellulaire. Les deux voies de signalisation principales sont celles de NOTCH1 et du pré-TCR. Ces deux signaux sont connus pour jouer un rôle tant au stade pré-leucémique qu’en progression au stade leucémique. Alors qu’il était connu que NOTCH1 était en mesure d’augmenter la fréquence des pré-LSCs, nos travaux révèlent que le pré-TCR favorise leur expansion clonale. Nous démontrons également que les effecteurs de NOTCH1 et du pré-TCR dans les pré-LSCs sont la voie mTOR et la voie de ERK, respectivement. Ces voies de signalisation peuvent être ciblées pharmacologiquement par le Trametinib (inhibiteur MEK1) et le Dactolisib (inhibiteur PI3K/mTOR), menant à un effet additif avec la chimiothérapie (VXL : Vincristine, Dexaméthasone et L-asparaginase) sur les pré-LSCs en essais ex vivo. Nous démontrons également que le Trametinib est synergique avec VXL contre des blastes humains de T-ALL en essais ex vivo. Les résultats de cette même association sont encourageants en essais in vivo de xénogreffe de blastes humains de T-ALL chez des souris immunosupprimées. / Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer. T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) accounts for a significant portion of these cases. The current standard of care unfortunately involves the use of highly toxic chemotherapy over multiple years. In spite achievement of high remission rate, the life-long physical and psychological sequalae are devastating and cannot be overlooked, especially in the pediatric setting. Genetic, cellular, and molecular approaches have identified thymocyte at the DN3 stage of differentiation as the cell of origin of leukemia. When leukemia is induced by aberrant expression of SCL/TAL1, data show that DN3 cells are reprogrammed into self-renewing pre-leukemic stem cells (pre-LSCs) by the action of the SCL-LMO1 complex. Then, reprogrammed cells gain a NOTCH1 gain-of-function mutation that speeds up development of leukemia. Interestingly, the DN3 stage is a point at which multiple collaborating signals converge to drive cell survival, differentiation, and proliferation. The two main signaling pathways operating at the DN3 stage are NOTCH1 and the pre-TCR. Both signals are recognized for playing a role in leukemogenesis, both at the pre-leukemic stage and in the transition to acute leukemia. While it was known that NOTCH1 increases pre-LSC frequency, we demonstrate herein that pre-TCR promotes pre-LSC clonal expansion. Additionally, we provide evidence that the mTOR pathway and the ERK pathway are effectors of NOTCH1 and pre-TCR signaling, respectively. These pathways can be targeted pharmacologically with Trametinib (MEK1 inhibitor) and Dactolisib (PI3K/mTOR inhibitor), leading to additive effects on pre-LSC viability when combined with chemotherapy (VXL: Vincristine, Dexamethasone and L-asparaginase) in ex vivo assays. We also demonstrate that association of VXL with Trametinib is synergistic against primary human leukemic blasts in ex vivo assays. Results from in vivo testing of this association through patient-derived xenografts (PDX) conducted on immunocompromised mice look promising.

Dendritische Zellen (DZ) sind essentiell für die Aktivierung von Immunantworten. Drei Flt3-abhängige DZ Populationen aus dem Blut bestehend aus konventionellen (kDZ) BDCA1+ DZs und BDCA3+ DZs und plasmazytoide DZs wurden bereits beschrieben. Hier wurden zum ersten Mal sich aus Monozyten entwickelnde DZ (moDZ), genauer BDCA1+CD14+ pro-inflammatorische DZ (pro-iDZ) aus periphärem Blut unter homöostatischen Bedingungen identifiziert. Isolierte pro-iDZ sekretierten spontan große Mengen an pro-inflammatorischen Zytokinen, die kDZ reifen ließen und T Zell Proliferation unterstützten. Sie waren BDCA1+CD14- DZ und CD14+CD16- Monozyten in der TH17 Zell Induktion überlegen. Pro-iDZ ähnliche BDCA1+CD14+ Zellen konnten durch imaging cycler microscopy in Geweben von Patienten die an Psoriasis, Dermatomyositis oder entzündetem Halonävus erkrankt waren identifiziert werden. Ihr Fehlen in gesunder Haut deutete eine Rekrutierung von pro-iDZs in entzündetes Gewebe an. Eine Verwandtschaftsanalyse von pro-iDZ zwischen Monozyten, kDZ des Blutes und in vitro generierten moDZ auf genomweiter Ebene wies auf einen monozytären Ursprung hin. Anylse mittels funktioneller Annotation auf differentiell exprimierten Genen zwischen pro-iDZ und Monozyten zeigte eine DZ spezifische Gensignatur auf. Diese Gene waren insgesamt in der gleichen Weise wie in kDZ und moDZ reguliert, das eine Entwicklung von Monozyten nach DZ nahelegte. Dieses Entwicklungskonzept wurde insofern unterstützt, indem unter entzündlichen Bedingungen kultivierte CD14+CD16- Monozyten BDCA1 Expression und DZ Funktion erlangten. Da pro-iDZ sehr ähnlich zu BDCA1+CD14+ Zellen aus entzündeter Haut waren und beide große Konvergenz mit zuvor beschriebenen BDCA1+CD14+ inflammatorischen DZ (infDZ) aus entzündeten Geweben aufwiesen, können pro-iDZ als direkte infDZ Vorläufer angesehen werden. Dadurch und wegen ihrer monozytären Herkunft können pro-iDZ als Beweis für die humane Differenzierung von Monozyten nach DZ in vivo betrachtet werden. / Dendritic cells (DCs) are critical for the activation of immune responses. Three Flt3-dependent blood DC populations including conventional BDCA1+ DCs and BDCA3+ DCs (cDCs) and plasmacytoid DCs were described previously. This work identifies for the first time human peripheral blood monocyte derived BDCA1+CD14+ pro-inflammatory DCs (pro-iDCs) during steady state. Isolated pro-iDCs spontaneously secreted high amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which matured cDCs and promoted T cell proliferation. They were superior in priming TH17 cells when compared to BDCA1+CD14- DCs and CD14+CD16- monocytes. BDCA1+CD14+ cells resembling blood pro-iDCs as identified by imaging cycler microscopy were found in samples from patients suffering from psoriasis, dermatomyositosis and inflamed halo nevus. Their absence in healthy donor’s skin indicated a recruitment of pro-iDCs to sites of inflammation. Analysis of the developmental relationship of pro-iDCs between monocytes, blood cDCs and in vitro generated monocyte derived DCs (moDCs) on whole genome level strongly suggested a monocytic origin. Functional annotation analysis of differentially regulated genes between monocytes and pro-iDCs revealed a DC specific gene signature. In addition, these genes were overall regulated in the same way in blood cDCs and moDCs, indicating an ongoing development of pro-iDCs from monocytes towards DCs. This developmental concept was supported as CD14+CD16- monocytes cultured under inflammatory conditions gained BDCA1 expression and DC function. Since pro-iDCs were highly similar to BDCA1+CD14+ cells found in inflamed skin and as both showed a marked convergence with BDCA1+CD14+ inflammatory DCs (infDCs) present in inflamed tissues described previously, pro-iDCs can be regarded as immediate precursors of infDCs. Thus, in respect of a monocytic origin and a presumably inflammatory DC fate, pro-iDCs may constitute a missing link to prove human moDC differentiation in vivo.

Les pyrrolodiazépinones ont des activités biologiques intéressantes sur différents récepteurs biologiques, ce qui en font une cible de choix pour développer de nouvelles petites molécules biologiquement actives. Une méthodologie en solution a été développée pour synthétiser des pyrrolo[3,2-e][1,4]diazépin-2-ones, qui utilise la réaction de Pictet-Spengler pour former le cycle diazépinone, comme réaction clé. Il a été démontré que le pyrrolo[3,2-e][1,4]diazépin-2-one mime un tour-γ inverse par l’analyse de cristaux par rayon X. Cette méthodologie a été transposée sur trois types de support, soit la résine de Merrifield, de Wang et un support soluble (TAP). Le système urotensinergétique joue un rôle dans certaines pathologies du système cardiovasculaire, comme l’hypertension artérielle, l’insuffisance cardiaque et l’athérosclérose. Le système urotensinergétique est exprimé dans le système circulatoire, extractoire et le système nerveux central et comprend l’UII, l’URP et le récepteur UT. L’UII et l’URP humains sont composés respectivement des séquences d’acides aminés : H-Glu-Thr-Pro-Asp-c[Cys-Phe-Trp-Lys-Tyr-Cys]-Val-OH et H-Ala-c[Cys-Phe-Trp-LysTyr-Cys]-Val-OH. L’UII est le peptide vasoconstricteur le plus puissant connu à ce jour, dont l’URP est son isoforme. Les deux peptides ont des effets biologiques différents et on peut supposer qu’ils jouent un rôle distinct dans certaines pathologies. Il a été démontré que la partie active de l’UII est composée du tripeptide : Trp-Lys-Tyr. Dans l’URP, il a été démontré que ce tripeptide forme un tour-γ inverse, ce qui fait du récepteur UT une bonne cible biologique pour tester une librairie de pyrrolo[3,2-e][1,4]diazépin-2-ones, reprenant le tripeptide Trp-Lys-Tyr. Dernièrement, l’équipe du professeur David Chatenet a mis au point un peptide, l’urocontrin en remplaçant le segment Trp par un groupement biphénylalanine, qui a démontré un comportement spécifique comme antagoniste du récepteur UT. La Librairie de pyrrolo[3,2-e][1,4]diazépin-2-ones est basée sur la séquence TrpLys-Tyr de l’UII et de l’URP et de la séquence Trp-Lys-Bip de l’urocontrin. La synthèse de la librairie est faite sur la résine de Wang. La chaîne latérale de Tyr est mimée en utilisant la tyramine, Lys et Orn sont utilisés et la chaîne latérale de Trp a été reproduite II en utilisant le biphényle (comme dans l’urocontrin), le 1-naphthyle et le 2-naphthyle, sont introduits en employant les aldéhydes respectifs dans la réaction de Pictet-Spengler, ce qui donne les pyrrolo[3,2-e][1,4]diazépin-2-ones insaturés et les saturés S- et R-. L’évaluation de l’activité biologique des pyrrolo[3,2-e][1,4]diazépin-2-ones obtenues sur le récepteur UT se fait par des tests in vitro et ex vivo. Les tests in vitro consistent en un essai de liaisons sur des cellules CHO exprimant le récepteur UT en employant hUII-125I, comme contrôle radiomarqé. Les tests ex vivo sont effectués sur des aortes de rats pour mesurer la capacité à induire des contractions ou de moduler les contractions induites par hUII et URP. Certains R-pyrrolo[3,2-e][1,4]diazépin-2-ones causent une réduction de 50% du signal radioactivité du hUII-125I. Les pyrrolo[3,2-e][1,4]diazépin-2-ones ne montrent guère d’activité ex vivo, mais ils ont la capacité de moduler les contractions induites par l’hUII et l’URP. Par exemple, l’analogue Lys R-saturé avec le biphényle inhibe toutes les contractions de l’aorte à 14 µM avec un pKb de 5,54 à 4 µM, sans influencer les contractions de l’aorte induites par l’URP. Les pyrrolo[3,2-e][1,4]diazépin-2-ones ont une sélectivité pour le système urotensinergétique et sont inactifs sur le récepteur de l’endotheline-1. Les pyrrolo[3,2-e][1,4]diazépin-2-ones sont les premières petites molécules qui peuvent moduler l’activité biologique de l’UII et URP et offrir un potentiel intéressant comme outil pour étudier le système urotensinergétique. / The pyrrolodiazepinones have interesting biological activities on various biological receptors, which makes them a prime target for developing new biologically active small molecules. A methodology in solution had been developed for synthesizing pyrrolo[3,2-e][1,4]diazepin-2-ones, which utilized the Pictet-Spengler condensation as the key reaction to form the diazepinone ring. Pyrrolo[3,2-e][1,4]diazepin-2-ones were found to mimic an inverse γ-turn conformation by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The methodology was subsequently implemented on three types of support: Merrifield resin, Wang resin and the soluble TAP support. The urotensinergic system plays a role in certain diseases of the cardiovascular system, such as hypertension, heart failure and atherosclerosis. The urotensinergic system is expressed in the circulatory system, excretory and central nervous systems and includes the endogenous ligands urotensin II (UII) and urotensin II-related peptide (URP), and the urotensin receptor UT. The ligands UII and human URP are composed of the respective amino acid sequences: H-Glu-Thr-Pro-Asp-c[Cys-Phe-Trp-Lys-Tyr-Cys]-Val-OH and H-Ala-c[Cys-Phe-Lys-Tyr-Trp-Cys]-Val-OH. The peptide UII is the most potent vasoconstrictor known to date. The two peptides have different biological effects and may exhibit distinct roles in certain diseases. Their common Trp-Lys-Tyr sequence is believed to play an important role in the activity of UII and URP, and has been suggested to adopt an inverse γ-turn conformation. Notably, the laboratory of Professor David Chatenet developed the UT receptor antagonist peptide urocontrin by replacing the Trp residue by biphenylalanine (Bip) in URP. A library of pyrrolo[3,2-e][1,4]diazepin-2-one analogs was thus designed to mimic the inverse γ-turn sequence and targeted against UT. The pyrrolo[3,2-e][1,4]diazepin-2-one library was designed based on the Trp-Lys-Tyr sequence of UII and URP, and Trp-Lys-Bip sequence of urocontrin. The synthesis of the pyrrolo[3,2-e][1,4]diazepin-2-one library was achieved on Wang resin. The side chain of Tyr was mimicked using tyramine, Lys and Orn were used as the basic amino acid component, and the side chain of Trp was replicated using biphenyl (as in urocontrin) 1-naphthyl and 2-naphthyl groups that were introduced by employing their respective aldehydes in a Pictet-Spengler reaction, which furnished unsaturated and saturated S- and R-pyrrolo[3,2-e][1,4]diazepin-2-ones. Evaluation of the biological activity of the pyrrolo[3,2-e][1,4]diazepin-2-ones on the UT receptor was performed in vitro and ex vivo. Tests in vitro measured binding in CHO-cells which expressed UT by employing hUII-125I as radiolabeled control. In rat aorta, ex vivo tests measured capacity to induce contraction, or modulate the contractions induced by hUII and URP. Certain R-pyrrolo[3,2-e][1,4]diazepin-2-ones caused an up to 50% reduction of the radioactive signal of hUII-125I. Pyrrolo[3,2-e][1,4]diazepin-2-ones exhibited little activity ex vivo; however, they modulated contractions induced by hUII and URP. For example, the saturated R-analog possessing lysine and a biphenyl side chain inhibited completely hUII-induced contractions of the aorta at 14 µM with a pKb of 5.54 at 4 µM, without influencing URP-induced contractions. Pyrrolo[3,2-e][1,4]diazepin-2-ones were selective for the urotensinergic system and inactive on the related receptor endothelin-1. Pyrrolo[3,2-e][1,4]diazepin-2-ones represent the first small molecules that can differently modulate the biological activities of UII and URP, and offer interesting potential as tools for studying the urotensinergic system.

Background: Pembrolizumab and cetuximab are antibodies under investigation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) either as single agents or combined with cisplatin and other chemotherapeutic drugs, e.g., 5-fluorouracil and/or docetaxel. However, also the combination of both antibodies may have potential in recurrent/ metastatic (R/M) HNSCC, in particular in cisplatin-resistant or -refractory cases or patients with comorbid disease, e.g. patients with impaired renal function. Methods: To clarify potential benefit that may result from such combination, we used the FLAVINO assay, a short-time ex vivo assay to compare responsiveness of HNSCC to pembrolizumab, cetuximab and both combined regarding colony formation of epithelial cells of biopsy-derived tumor samples and their cytokine production within three days either without or with stimulation with 10 ng/mL interferon gamma (IFN-g). Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1 or CCL2), interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, IFN-g, and interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10 or CXCL10) in supernatants were measured by ELISA. Results: We detected huge heterogeneity in response to cetuximab, pembrolizumab and both combined with and without IFN-g stimulation. Moreover, we detected a link between IFN-g induced IP-10 release and improved outcome in those HNSCC patients who were capable to respond to IFN-g and pembrolizumab, cetuximab and both combined with a further increase in IP-10 production. We derived an “IP-10 score” that independent from clinical characteristics of HNSCC patients and therapy regimens applied was able to predict their outcome. Conclusions: The heterogeneity in the ex vivo response of cetuximab, pembrolizumab and both combined with and without IFN-g stimulation identifies subgroups of HNSCC patients with deviating OS.