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Nucleotides, such as ATP and its derivatives, are released at high concentrations at sites of inflammation and modulate the immune response. When cultured in the presence of ADP or stable analogue ADP?S, DC surface expression of MHC-II and co-stimulatory molecules, CD40 and CD86 was unchanged. When DCs were pre-treated with ADP or ADP?S, there was no change in their ability to activate naïve CD4+ T cells. However, when CD4+ T cells were activated in the presence of ADP or ADP?S, activation and proliferation were significantly decreased. This correlated with a significant reduction in IL-2 secretion and CD25 surface expression, which may be due to decreased ERK and Akt phosphorylation. CD8+ T cell proliferation was unaffected by the addition of ADP or ADP?S, but secretion of IFN-? was significantly reduced. By demonstrating that ADP inhibits CD4+ T cell responses, we have identified a potential target of immune modulation by clinical intervention.

L'effet protecteur des HDL sur les pathologies cardio-vasculaires est principalement attribué à leur rôle central dans le Transport Retour du Cholestérol (TRC). Ce processus assure l'efflux du cholestérol excédentaire des cellules périphériques vers le foie, au niveau duquel il est éliminé dans les sécrétions biliaires. Dans ce contexte, notre équipe a identifié à la surface des cellules hépatiques la présence d’un complexe enzymatique, très proche de l’ATP synthase mitochondriale, comme étant un récepteur de haute affinité pour l’apoA-I (protéine majoritaire des HDL). Cette ATP synthase de surface, également appelée ecto-F1-ATPase, joue un rôle clé dans l’endocytose hépatique des HDL. En effet, la liaison de l’apoA-I stimule l’activité ATPasique de l’enzyme, entrainant la production d’ADP extracellulaire puis l’activation spécifique du récepteur nucléotidique P2Y13, aboutissant in fine à l’endocytose des HDL. Ainsi, l’équipe a montré le rôle clé de la voie ecto-F1-ATPase/P2Y13 dans l’endocytose hépatique des HDL et par conséquent dans les effets protecteurs de ces derniers dans l’athérosclérose.Les travaux de thèse présentés ici visent à déterminer les mécanismes de régulation de cette ecto-F1-ATPase. Compte tenu de l’importance de la régulation des taux d’ADP et d’ATP extracellulaires dans l’endocytose des HDL, nous nous sommes intéressés dans un premier temps aux acteurs moléculaires qui pourraient réguler le métabolisme nucléotidique à la surface cellulaire. Nous avons mis en évidence la présence, à la surface des cellules HepG2, de l’adénine nucléotide translocase (ANT), une autre protéine classiquement localisée à la mitochondrie. Nous avons montré que l’ecto-ANT est impliquée dans la régulation des taux des nucléotides adényliques ADP et ATP extracellulaires et que son fonctionnement est lui-même dépendant du taux de ces derniers dans le milieu extracellulaire. / The cardioprotective effect of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is mostly attributed to their metabolic functions in reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), a process whereby excess cell cholesterol is taken up from peripheral cells and processed in HDL particles, and later delivered to the liver for further metabolism and bile excretion. ATP synthase, classically known to be located in the mitochondrial inner membrane, has been unexpectedly found expressed at the plasma membrane of hepatocytes, as a receptor for apoA-I, playing a role in HDL-cholesterol uptake. On hepatocytes, apoA-I binding to ecto-F1-ATPase stimulates extracellular ATP hydrolysis into ADP, which subsequently activates a P2Y13-mediated HDL endocytosis pathway. The strict dependence of HDL endocytosis on extracellular ADP level led us to study first, whether other plasma membrane proteins than ecto-F1-ATPase could regulate extracellular ADP level. We highlighted the presence on hepatocytes cell surface of Adenine Nucleotide Translocase (ANT), another transmembrane protein of the inner mitochondrial membrane. We showed that ecto-ANT activity could increase or reduce extracellular ADP level, depending on the extracellular ADP/ATP ratio. Furthermore, we demonstrated that pharmacological inhibition of ecto-ANT activity increased extracellular ADP level when ecto-F1-ATPase was activated by apoA-I. This increase in the bioavailability of extracellular ADP accordingly translated into an increase of HDL endocytosis in human hepatocytes. We then sought to explore the molecular mechanisms involved in targeting ecto-F1-ATPase to the plasma membrane. Indeed, F1-ATPase ectopic expression at the plasma membrane has been described on several cell types and has been related to several physiological and pathophysiological processes however, the pathway involved in its transport to the cell surface remains unknown.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Visceral leishmaniasis is a neglected disease caused by Leishmania infantum in Brazil. The Ecto-NTPDase activities, described in various parasites including Leishmania, is involved in adhesion, infection and virulence of these parasites, functioning as a molecular mechanism able to modulate the host immune response and promoting the disease progression. E-NTPDases are enzymes that hydrolyze nucleotides tri and/or di-phosphate into monophosphate products. The extracellular metabolism of these nucleotides has an important role in infection by L. infantum and other intracellular pathogens. These nucleotides are powerful extracellular signals involved in various cellular processes, which are part of the purinergic signalling that modulates the immune response. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of ecto-NTPDase activities in adherence and infection of L. infantum in human macrophages. The ecto-NTPDase activities of parasites were evaluated in four different media or conditions: (1) purine-depleted, (2) adenosine-enriched, (3) with inhibitor of ecto-NTPDase activities, and (4) with anti-E antibody NTPDase 1. The effects of these treatments on the adhesion and infection of these parasites in human macrophages were investigated. Immunolocalization of the E-NTPDase in the membrane of L. infantum was also evaluated. The ecto-nucleotidase activity is modulated according to the availability of adenosine in the medium. Parasites cultivated in a purine-depleted medium showed increased hydrolytic capacity of nucleotides and higher infectivity. Parasites grown in adenosine-enriched medium had lower ecto-nucleotidase activity and infectivity. Growing parasites with an inhibitor of Ecto-NTPDase activities led to an increase in the adherence of Leishmania to non-phagocytic cells. E-NTPDase enzymes responsible for the hydrolysis of nucleotides are present in the membrane of L. infantum. The higher hydrolysis capacity is associated with increased adhesion capacity and infection of these parasites in human macrophages. / A Leishmaniose visceral é uma doença negligenciada causada, no Brasil, pelo protozoário Leishmania infantum. A atividade ecto-nucleotidásica descrita em vários parasitos incluindo Leishmania sp está associada à nutrição, adesão, infecção e virulência destes, funcionando como um mecanismo molecular capaz de modular a resposta imune do hospedeiro, favorecendo a progressão da doença. As ecto-nucleotidases da família E-NTPDases são enzimas capazes de hidrolisar nucleotídeos tri e/ou di-fosfatados em seus produtos monofosfatados. O metabolismo extracelular destes nucleotídeos tem um papel importante na infecção por L. infantum e outros patógenos intracelulares. Estes nucleotídeos extracelulares são potentes sinalizadores envolvidos em vários processos celulares, incluindo a sinalização purinérgica que está relacionada à modulação da resposta imune. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o papel da atividade ecto-nucleotidásica em L. infantum na adesão e infecção de macrófagos humanos. Avaliação da atividade ecto-nucleotidásica de parasitos crescidos em meio depletado de purina, meio enriquecido com adenosina, incubados previamente com inibidor da atividade NTPDásica, ou na presença do anticorpo Anti E-NTPDase 1 e investigar os efeitos desses tratamentos na adesão e infecção desses parasitos em macrófagos humanos. A atividade ecto-nucleotidásica dos parasitas foram avaliadas em quatro condições diferentes: (1) na meio depletado de purina, (2) meio enriquecido com adenosina, (3) com o inibidor da atividade ecto-nucleotidásica, e (4) incubada com anticorpo anti-E NTPDase 1. foram investigados os efeitos desses tratamentos sobre a adesão e infecção destes parasitas em macrófagos humanos. Imunodetectamos a presença de E-NTPDases presentes na membrana de L. infantum, e comparamos a atividade ecto-nucleotidásica de diferentes cepas de L. infantum. A atividade ecto-nucleotidásica, é modulada de acordo com a disponibilidade de adenosina do meio, parasitos cultivados em meio depletado de purina apresentaram o aumento da capacidade hidrolítica de nucleotídeos, e maior capacidade infectiva, os parasitos cultivados em meio suplementado com adenosina apresentaram uma menor atividade ecto-nucleotidásica e uma redução de 30% na capacidade infectiva. O aumento da atividade ecto-nucleotidásica levou a um aumento na adesão em células não fagocíticas. As enzimas E-NTPDases estão presentes na membrana de L. infantum. Concluímos que atividade ecto-nucleotidásica está associada a maior capacidade de adesão e infecção destes parasitos in vitro.

La signalisation purinergique participe à de nombreux processus physiopathologiques dans le système cardiovasculaire. Alors que les nucléotides extracellulaires sont considérés comme des « signaux de danger » ; la NTPDase1(CD39), ectonucléotidase à l’origine de leur hydrolyse, permet de maintenir l’homéostasie vasculaire par ses actions anti-thrombotiques etimmuno-modulatrices. Le rôle de CD39 dans la fonction vasculaire liée à l’hypertension artérielle(HTA) reste méconnu. L’HTA, facteur de risque majeur de complications cardiovasculaires, est caractérisée par un remodelage structurel(hypertrophie, fibrose) et fonctionnel (hypercontractilité, dysfonction endothéliale) des vaisseaux, causées notamment par un stress oxydatif et une inflammation périvasculaire. L’objectif de notre projet a consisté à étudier l’évolution de CD39 ainsi que son rôle potentiel dans la condition vasculaire pathologique de l’HTA. Nous mettons en évidence une diminution de l’expression et de l’activité du CD39 vasculaire dans l’HTA. Une diminution de l’activité ADPase du CD39 soluble a également été observée au niveau circulant. L’étude des éléments à l’origine de cette diminution montre une sensibilité du transcrit vasculaire de CD39 à certaines cytokinespro- et anti-inflammatoires, mais également à une tension mécanique. Une étude in vivo du potentiel rôle de CD39 (souris déficientes pour le gène de CD39 (Entpd1) et traitement à l’apyrase) dans un modèle d’HTA à l’Angiotensine-II a également été réalisée. L’ensemble de ces données suggère qu’une diminution du CD39 vasculaire et circulant pourrait contribuer à majorer les altérations vasculaires contemporaines de l’HTA. / Purinergic signaling is involved in numerous physiopathological processes in cardiovascular system. While extracellular nucleotides are considered as « danger signals » ; the NTPDase1(CD39), ectonucleotidase responsible for their hydrolysis, preserves vascular homeostasis by itsanti-thrombotic and immunomodulatory actions.The role of CD39 in vascular function related to arterial hypertension remains unknown. Hypertension, the major risk factor of cardiovascular complications, is characterized by structural remodeling (hypertrophy, fibrosis) and functional (hypercontractility, endothelial dysfunction) of vessels caused in particular by perivascular oxidative stress and inflammation.Our aim was to investigate the evolution of CD39 expression / function and its potential contribution in the pathological vascular condition of hypertension. We highlighted a decrease invascular CD39 expression and activity in the context of hypertension. A decrease in soluble ADPase activity specific to CD39 was also observed in blood circulation. Investigation of elements responsible for this decrease reveals asensitivity of vascular CD39 transcription to several pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and to mechanical tension. In vivo study of potential role of CD39 (mice deficient for CD39 gene (Entpd1) and treatment with apyrase) in Angiotensin-II model of hypertension was also carried out. All these data suggest that a decrease in circulating and vascular CD39 may contribute to vascular changes associated with hypertension.

La Fibrose Kystique (FK) est une maladie dégénérative qui entraine une dégénération des poumons dû au problème de clairance mucociliaire (CMC). Le volume de surface liquide (SL) couvrant les cellules pulmonaires est essentiel à la clairance de mucus et au combat contre les infections. Les nucléotides extracellulaires jouent un rôle important dans la CMC des voies aériennes, en modifiant le volume de la SL pulmonaire. Cependant, les mécanismes du relâchement de l’ATP et de leurs déplacements à travers la SL, restent inconnus. Des études ultérieures démontrent que l’exocytose d’ATP mécano-sensible et Ca2+-dépendant, dans les cellules A549, est amplifié par les actions synergétiques autocrine/paracrine des cellules avoisinantes. Nous avions comme but de confirmer la présence de la boucle purinergique dans plusieurs modèles de cellules épithéliales et de développer un système nous permettant d’observer directement la SL. Nous avons démontrés que la boucle purinergique est fonctionnelle dans les modèles de cellules épithéliales examinés, mis appart les cellules Calu-3. L’utilisation de modulateur de la signalisation purinergique nous a permis d’observer que le relâchement d’ATP ainsi que l’augmentation du [Ca2+]i suivant un stress hypotonique, sont modulés par le biais de cette boucle purinergique et des récepteurs P2Y. De plus, nous avons développé un système de microscopie qui permet d’observer les changements de volume de SL en temps réel. Notre système permet de contrôler la température et l’humidité de l’environnement où se trouvent les cellules, reproduisant l’environnement pulmonaire humain. Nous avons démontré que notre système peut identifier même les petits changements de volume de SL. / Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients suffer from respiratory problems associated with pulmonary infections and exacerbations, due to improper mucociliary clearance (MCC). The airway surface liquid (ASL) covering pulmonary epithelial cells plays a pivotal role in MCC and infection control. Extracellular nucleotides control MCC in airway epithelia by modulating ASL volume, ciliary beating and mucin secretion. The mechanism(s) of their release and dispersal within the ASL remain incompletely understood. Studies with A549 cells, a human alveolar type II cell model, have shown that mechanosensitive, Ca2+-dependent ATP secretion is strongly amplified by the synergistic autocrine/paracrine actions of released nucleotides. The aim of this study was to examine whether the autocrine purinergic loop operates in different lung epithelial cell models and to develop an imaging system allowing the direct monitoring of ASL height during purinergic stimulation. We demonstrated that the signaling loop is functional in all epithelial cells tested, with the exception of Calu-3 epithelial cells. With different purinergic signaling modulators, we demonstrated that ATP release and [Ca2+]i elevations evoked by hypotonic stress were strongly amplified by autocrine/paracrine effects in cells expressing the P2Y receptor family. To monitor ASL volume changes in real time, we developed a novel epi-fluorescence, side-view microscopy system to observe ASL height. During experiments, cell cultures grown on permeable filters were mounted in a custom-designed chamber that allows control of the temperature, humidity and air flow above the cell monolayer, mimicking the pulmonary environment. This system detects even small changes in ASL volume following purinergic stimulation.

La Fibrose Kystique (FK) est une maladie dégénérative qui entraine une dégénération des poumons dû au problème de clairance mucociliaire (CMC). Le volume de surface liquide (SL) couvrant les cellules pulmonaires est essentiel à la clairance de mucus et au combat contre les infections. Les nucléotides extracellulaires jouent un rôle important dans la CMC des voies aériennes, en modifiant le volume de la SL pulmonaire. Cependant, les mécanismes du relâchement de l’ATP et de leurs déplacements à travers la SL, restent inconnus. Des études ultérieures démontrent que l’exocytose d’ATP mécano-sensible et Ca2+-dépendant, dans les cellules A549, est amplifié par les actions synergétiques autocrine/paracrine des cellules avoisinantes. Nous avions comme but de confirmer la présence de la boucle purinergique dans plusieurs modèles de cellules épithéliales et de développer un système nous permettant d’observer directement la SL. Nous avons démontrés que la boucle purinergique est fonctionnelle dans les modèles de cellules épithéliales examinés, mis appart les cellules Calu-3. L’utilisation de modulateur de la signalisation purinergique nous a permis d’observer que le relâchement d’ATP ainsi que l’augmentation du [Ca2+]i suivant un stress hypotonique, sont modulés par le biais de cette boucle purinergique et des récepteurs P2Y. De plus, nous avons développé un système de microscopie qui permet d’observer les changements de volume de SL en temps réel. Notre système permet de contrôler la température et l’humidité de l’environnement où se trouvent les cellules, reproduisant l’environnement pulmonaire humain. Nous avons démontré que notre système peut identifier même les petits changements de volume de SL. / Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients suffer from respiratory problems associated with pulmonary infections and exacerbations, due to improper mucociliary clearance (MCC). The airway surface liquid (ASL) covering pulmonary epithelial cells plays a pivotal role in MCC and infection control. Extracellular nucleotides control MCC in airway epithelia by modulating ASL volume, ciliary beating and mucin secretion. The mechanism(s) of their release and dispersal within the ASL remain incompletely understood. Studies with A549 cells, a human alveolar type II cell model, have shown that mechanosensitive, Ca2+-dependent ATP secretion is strongly amplified by the synergistic autocrine/paracrine actions of released nucleotides. The aim of this study was to examine whether the autocrine purinergic loop operates in different lung epithelial cell models and to develop an imaging system allowing the direct monitoring of ASL height during purinergic stimulation. We demonstrated that the signaling loop is functional in all epithelial cells tested, with the exception of Calu-3 epithelial cells. With different purinergic signaling modulators, we demonstrated that ATP release and [Ca2+]i elevations evoked by hypotonic stress were strongly amplified by autocrine/paracrine effects in cells expressing the P2Y receptor family. To monitor ASL volume changes in real time, we developed a novel epi-fluorescence, side-view microscopy system to observe ASL height. During experiments, cell cultures grown on permeable filters were mounted in a custom-designed chamber that allows control of the temperature, humidity and air flow above the cell monolayer, mimicking the pulmonary environment. This system detects even small changes in ASL volume following purinergic stimulation.