Abordagens atuais no desenho de vacinas contra o HIV-1 estão focadas em imunógenos que codificam proteínas inteiras do HIV-1 e visam induzir respostas citotóxicas específicas. É concebível que vacinas bem-sucedidas devem induzir respostas contra múltiplos epitopos do HIV-1, coincidindo com seqüências das cepas circulantes do vírus, conhecido por sua grande variabilidade genética. Sabe-se que células T CD4+ são necessárias para indução de respostas efetivas de linfócitos T CD8+ citotóxicos. Neste trabalho, nós avaliamos a imunogenicidade de uma vacina de DNA codificando 18 epitopos para linfócitos T CD4+, conservados e ligadores de múltiplas moléculas HLA-DR em camundongos BALB/c e em quatro linhagens de camundongos transgênicos para moléculas de HLA classe II. Os camundongos imunizados apresentaram respostas de amplitude e magnitude significativas com proliferação e secreção de citocinas por linfócitos T CD4+ e T CD8+. Onze dos 18 epitopos para linfócitos T CD4+ presentes na vacina foram reconhecidos pelas linhagens de camundongos transgênicos para moléculas de HLA classe II. Em suma, 17 dos 18 epitopos codificados pela vacina foram reconhecidos. As células induzidas pela vacina apresentaram um perfil polifuncional com tipo 1 de citocinas, incluindo produção de IFN- , TNF- e IL-2. A vacina também induziu células T CD4+ de memória central de longa duração, capazes de fornecer auxílio contínuo para células T CD8 +. Pela capacidade da vacina HIVBr18 de induzir respostas contra múltiplos epitopos de linfócitos T CD4+ conservados que podem ser reconhecidos no contexto de múltiplas moléculas de HLA classe II, esse conceito vacinal pode solucionar o problema da variabilidade genética viral assim como aumentar a cobertura populacional. Portanto, essa vacina, pode ser útil se utilizada isoladamente ou como fonte de auxílio cognato para células T CD8+ HIV-específicas induzidas por outros imunógenos gerando resposta em uma grande proporção dos vacinados / Current HIV vaccine approaches are focused on immunogens encoding whole HIV antigenic proteins that elicit cytotoxic CD8+ responses. It is conceivable that successful vaccines have to elicit responses to multiple epitopes, to match circulating strains of HIV, a virus known for its high genetic variability. It is known that CD4+ T cell responses are necessary for effective CD8+ antiviral responses. Here we assessed the immunogenicity of a DNA vaccine encoding 18 conserved, multiple HLA-DR-binding HIV CD4 epitopes in BALB/c and four strains of HLA class II-transgenic mice. Immunized mice displayed CD4+ and CD8+ proliferative and cytokine T cell responses of significant breadth and magnitude. Eleven out of the 18 encoded epitopes were recognized by CD4+ T cells from HLA class IItransgenic strain. Overall, 17 out of the 18 encoded peptides were recognized. The induced T cell response had a polyfunctional type 1 cytokine profile, including IFN- , TNF- and IL-2. The vaccine also induced long-lived central memory CD4+ T cells, which might provide sustained help for CD8+ T cells. By virtue of inducing broad responses against conserved CD4+ T cell epitopes that can be recognized in the context of widely diverse, common HLA class II alleles, this vaccine concept may cope both with HIV genetic variability and increased population coverage. The vaccine may thus be usefull either as a standalone approach or as a source of cognate help for HIV-specific CD8+ T cells elicited by conventional immunogens, eliciting responses in a wide proportion of vaccinees

Les cellules du système immunitaire sont capables de reconnaître et d'éliminer les cellules cancéreuses prévenant ainsi l'apparition de cancers. Parmi celles-ci, l'activité antitumorale est principalement attribuée aux lymphocytes T CD4 helper de type 1 (Thl). Les lymphocytes CD4 sont activés lors de la reconnaissance d'un antigène (Ag) de tumeur présenté par le complexe majeur d'histocompatibilité de classe II (CMH-II). Ils possèdent des propriétés cytotoxiques propres et activent les autres cellules immunitaires. Dans un premier temps, nous nous somme intéressés au mécanisme de présentation sur le CMH-II de la télomérase (hTERT). La protéine hTERT est capable d'interagir avec les HSPGs facilitant ainsi son internalisation par les DC. Elle emprunte ensuite les voies endolysosomale et cytosolique pour générer des peptides nommés UCP présentés dans le contexte HLA-DR. Cette découverte soutient son utilisation en immunothérapie associée aux chimiothérapies. Nous avons ensuite identifié quatre peptides dérivés de hTERT restreints HLA-DP4 puis comparé leur immunogénicité avec les UCP. Cette analyse a mis en évidence la supériorité des UCP en termes d'immunoprévalence et d'immunodominance. Enfin, nous avons étudié l'impact de l'acquisition d'une résistance à l'oxaliplatine sur le profil antigénique de lignées tumorales de cancers colorectaux (CCR). L'évaluation des réponses immunitaires de patients atteints de CCR nous a permis d'identifier des peptides immunogènes dérivés d'Ag surexprimés après une exposition à l'oxaliplatine. En conclusion, ces travaux pourront participer à l'amélioration des stratégies d'immunothérapie et d'immunomonitoring ciblant les lymphocytes CD4 Thl. / Immune cells are able to recognize and eliminate cancer cells to prevent from cancer development. Among them, antitumoral activity is mainly attributed to CD4 T helper 1 (Thl) cells. CD4 Thl cells are activated upon recognition of tumor antigen presented on the Major Histocompatibility Complex class II (MHC-II) molecules. These cells possess their own cytotoxic capacities and activate other immune cells. Firstly, we were interested in the mechanism of presentation of the catalytic subunit of telomerase (hTERT) which is an attractive tumor antigen target for immunotherapies. hTERT protein can interact with cell surface HSPGs facilitating its internalization by DC. Then, hTERT uses thé endo-lysosomal and cytosolic proteolysis pathways to generale immunogenic peptides named UCP (Universal Cancer Peptide) presented in HLA-DR context. This discovery is an additional argument in favor of using hTERT as a target for cancer immunotherapies. Then, we identified four novel hTERT-derived peptides presented by HLA-DP4 and compared their immunogenicity with UCP. This analysis highlighted the superiority of UCP in term of immunoprevalence and immunodominance. This stresses the importance of considering MHC-II locus for immunotherapy strategies stimulating CD4 T cells. Finally, we studied the impact of oxaliplatin treatment and/or oxaliplatin résistance acquisition on CRC antigenome. Evaluation of immune responses in CRC patients permitted the identification of immunogenic peptides derived from antigens upregulated after oxaliplatin exposition. In conclusion, this work could participate in the improvement of cancer immunotherapies and immunomonitoring targeting CD4 Thl cells.

La maladie cœliaque est une entéropathie inflammatoire chronique se développant chez des individus génétiquement prédisposés par l’expression des haplotypes HLA-DQ2 ou HLA-DQ8 et survenant suite à la consommation de gluten. Elle se caractérise par le développement d’une atrophie des villosités de la muqueuse intestinale débouchant sur un syndrome de malabsorption alimentaire. La seule thérapie actuelle est le suivi d’une diète sans gluten mais cette éviction totale du gluten n’est pas toujours efficace et est lourde en concessions. Il est par conséquent urgent de développer des thérapies alternatives mais ce domaine constitue un pipeline évoluant lentement, notamment suite à l’absence d’un modèle animal pertinent et complet sur le plan physiologique. L’objectif de cette thèse doctorale est de répondre à ce besoin crucial en développant un modèle murin capable de récapituler les caractéristiques de la maladie. Le chapitre 1 dresse le portrait de la maladie en quatre parties amenant progressivement le lecteur dans les détails de sa pathogenèse. Cette introduction débute par un rappel sur la physiologie et l’immunité intestinale puis elle définit la face clinique de la maladie. Ensuite, le lecteur évolue dans une partie plus détaillée de la pathogenèse aidant au discernement de ses acteurs cellulaires et moléculaires. Finalement, elle se termine par une revue de la littérature sur les actuels modèles animaux. Le chapitre 2 brossent les objectifs de la thèse sur base de données clés de la littérature, notamment, les patients présentent au minimum une copie de l’halplotype HLA-DQ2 ou HLA-DQ8 et plus des deux-tiers sur-expriment la cytokine pro-inflammatoire interleukine-15 au niveau de leur muqueuse intestinale. Il est donc raisonnable de penser qu’ensemble, le gluten, l’haplotype HLA et l’interleukine-15 contribuent activement à la pathogenèse. Bien que soupçonnés, leurs rôles et interactions nécessitent l’apport de preuves tangibles in vivo. Le chapitre 3 détaille ainsi ces interactions démontrées à l’aide du développement de notre nouveau modèle murin. Ce dernier est caractérisé par la surexpression de l’interleukine-15 dans l’épithélium et dans la lamina propria intestinale et par l’expression de l’haplotype HLA-DQ8. Ce travail démontre que l’exposition de cette souris au gluten s’accompagne d’une atrophie villositaire et de la signature complète de la maladie, tant sur le plan sérologique, cellulaire que transcriptionnel. Nous démontrons que la surexpression simultanée de l’interleukine-15 dans les deux compartiments de la muqueuse intestinale que sont la lamina propria et l’épithélium est une condition sine qua non au développement de l’atrophie. Aussi, cette étude permet de mettre en lumière la nécessité des cellules T CD4+ et de l’interféron-gamma dans l’activation des lymphocytes intraépithéliaux et le développement de l’atrophie. Finalement, cette recherche établit le rôle central joué par l’haplotype HLA-DQ8 et par l’enzyme transglutaminase II tissulaire dans la survenue de ces lésions. De manière générale, les résultats issus de ce modèle et présentés au chapitre 3 reflètent toute la complexité des interactions entre le gluten, la génétique et l’IL-15 dans le développement de la maladie cœliaque. Enfin, le chapitre 4 apporte une conclusion à ce travail et le chapitre 5 discute des futures directions envisagées pour ce modèle préclinique. Ce dernier va sans doute contribuer à une meilleure compréhension de la maladie cœliaque et permettre l’identification de potentielles cibles thérapeutiques. / Coeliac disease is a chronic inflammatory enteropathy characterized by autoimmune features. This disease occurs in genetically predisposed individuals expressing HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8 haplotypes and is triggered following gluten consumption. The disease is characterized by the development of intestinal villous atrophy leading to malabsorption. The only current therapy is the adherence to a gluten-free diet, but the diet is not always effective and is heavy in concessions. Therefore, the development of alternative therapies is urgent but is a slowly evolving pipeline, mainly due to the absence of a physiologically relevant animal model. The aim of this thesis is to answer this unmet need by developing an animal model capable of recapitulating the main characteristics of the disease. Chapter 1 depicts a portrait of the disease in four points, gradually leading the reader into the details of its pathogenesis. This introduction begins with a review of the physiology and intestinal immunity and then draws a clinical portrait of the disease. Third, the reader evolves in a more detailed part of the pathogenesis helping him to discern its cellular and molecular actors. Finally, the introduction ends with a review of the literature on current animal models. Chapter 2 outlines the thesis objectives based on key data from the literature, in particular, patients present at least one copy of the HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8 haplotype and more than two-thirds over-express the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-15 at the level of their intestinal mucosa. It is therefore reasonable to hypothesize that gluten, HLA haplotype and interleukin-15 together contribute to the pathogenesis. Although suspected, their roles and interactions still require the provision of tangible evidence in vivo. Chapter 3 details these interactions based on the proposed new mouse model. This model is characterized by the overexpression of interleukin-15 in the intestinal epithelium and lamina propria and by the expression of the HLA-DQ8 haplotype. This work demonstrates that the exposure of this mouse to gluten is accompanied by villous atrophy and the complete serological, cellular and transcriptional signature of the disease. We also demonstrate that simultaneous overexpression of interleukin-15 in both mucosal compartments is a prerequisite for the development of atrophy. This study also highlights the need for CD4+ T cells and interferon-gamma in the activation of intraepithelial lymphocytes and the development of villous atrophy. Finally, this research establishes the central role played by the HLA-DQ8 haplotype and the enzyme tissue transglutaminase II in the occurrence of these lesions. In general, the results from this model presented in Chapter 3 reflects the complexity of the interactions between gluten, genetics and IL-15 in the development of coeliac disease. Finally, chapter 4 concludes this work and chapter 5 discusses future directions for this powerful preclinical model that will undoubtedly contribute to a better understanding of coeliac disease and will allow the identification of new potential therapeutic targets.

Die niedrige Inzidenz chronisch-entzündlicher Darmerkrankungen (CED) in ostasiatischen Ländern im Vergleich zu Westeuropa und den USA könnte auf unterschiedliche Lebensstile und Ernährungsgewohnheiten zurückzuführen sein. Asiaten nehmen mit der Nahrung viel höhere Mengen an Isoflavonen zu sich als Europäer und US-Amerikaner. Diese sind in der Lage, wie natürliche Östrogene an Östrogenrezeptoren (ER) zu binden. Für das Östrogen 17β-Östradiol (E2) sowie selektive Liganden des ERβ sind antiinflammatorische Wirkungen im Darm bereits nachgewiesen worden. Diese Arbeit untersuchte in Modellsystemen für CED die antiinflammatorischen Eigenschaften von Isoflavonen, speziell von Genistein, und stellte einen Vergleich mit synthetischen ER-selektiven Liganden sowie E2 her, um die Involvierung der beiden ER-Subtypen zu evaluieren. In tierexperimentellen Studien wurde der Einfluss der Testsubstanzen auf Ausprägung und Verlauf einer Kolitis in zwei Nagermodellen (HLA-B27 transgene Ratte und TNBS-induzierte Kolitis) analysiert. Ein Ernährungsexperiment, in dem eine Gruppe der Tiere bereits in utero sowie postnatal über Muttermilch und Futter hohen Phytoöstrogenspiegeln ausgesetzt war, zeigte wider Erwarten keine antiinflammatorischen Effekte auf die akute Ausprägung der induzierten Kolitis. Stattdessen waren die untersuchten Parameter bei dieser Ernährungsform gegenüber prä- und postnatal normal ernährten Tieren verstärkt. Dagegen bewirkte oral verabreichtes Genistein in der chronischen Phase der TNBS-induzierten Kolitis eine Unterdrückung der Entzündungsparameter im Darm. Die subkutane Verabreichung von Genistein, eines steroidalen ERβ-selektiven Agonisten, oder von E2 führte hingegen zu keiner signifikanten Einflussnahme auf die untersuchten Parameter in der akuten Phase der Inflammation. Zur Charakterisierung der molekularen Grundlagen einer antiinflammatorischen Wirkung von E2, synthetischen ER-selektiven Agonisten und Genistein wurden in vitro Studien mit Kolonkarzinomzelllinien (HT-29 und Caco-2) durchgeführt. Hierzu wurden die Zellen mit Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) stimuliert, was eine Induktion der inflammationsassoziierten Gene Cyclooxygenase-2 und Interleukin-6 auf mRNA Ebene bewirkte. Bis auf Genistein konnten für die getesteten Substanzen keine antiinflammatorischen Effekte auf die mRNA-Expression der induzierten Markergene beobachtet werden. Genistein bewirkte in Caco-2 Zellen eine Hemmung der untersuchten Gene. Weitere Analysen ergaben, dass die beiden Zelllinien ER nur schwach bzw. gar nicht exprimieren. Eine Transfektion von HT-29 Zellen mit ERα führte zu einer deutlichen Hemmung der Expression der Markergene durch E2, während eine Transfektion mit ERβ lediglich einen schwach hemmenden Effekt bewirkte. Die Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Arbeit legen nahe, dass die niedrigen CED-Inzidenzraten in Ostasien wohl nicht allein auf dem dortigen hohen Isoflavonkonsum beruhen, sondern auch anderen Komponenten des Lebensstils zuzuschreiben sind. Dennoch deutet sich an, dass das Genistein, bei oraler Administration, die Regeneration des geschädigten Darmgewebes im chronischen Erkrankungsverlauf unterstützen und damit auch zur Prävention von Kolonkarzinomen beitragen könnte. Bei antiinflammatorischen Effekten von ER-Liganden spielt die Transaktivierung von ER eine entscheidende Rolle. Die Wirkung von Genistein in untransfizierten Caco-2 Zellen legt jedoch auch die Teilnahme weiterer Mechanismen nahe, die noch zu untersuchen sind. Vor diesem Hintergrund erscheinen weiterführende Untersuchungen zum Einsatz von steroidalen ER-Agonisten und Genistein bei CED und den zugrunde liegenden Mechanismen als sinnvoll.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Background: Bacterial adherence to the acquired dental pellicle, important in caries, is mediated by receptor-adhesin interactions such as Streptococcus mutans antigen I/II (I/II). Ten I/II epitopes from the A, V, P and C regions were chosen to determine their reactivity in human saliva. Underlying the body’s ability to immunologically respond to bacteria that lead to caries are the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes, specifically HLA class II (HLA-II) genes that control antigen presentation. Previous studies suggested that a specific HLA biomarker group (HLA-DRB1*04) may have differential control of immune responses to I/II. However, it was not known whether secretory IgA (SIgA) responses to the selected epitopes from HLA-DRB1*04 positive subjects were different compared to their non-biomarker counterparts (negative), or across other caries factors, since no study to date had thus assessed these questions. Methods: Per IRB approval, the study population was divided into age, sex and race matched DRB1*04 positive (n=16) and negative groups (n=16). SIgA-epitope (and whole cell) reactivity was determined using ELISA. Other caries factors were measured. Subjects received a clinical exam by a trained examiner. ix Differences between DRB1*04 positive and negative groups were examined using a two-sided, two-sample t-test. Results: DRB1*04 positive subjects had numerically, but not statistically, higher reactivity to 9 out of 10 epitopes, the exception being residues 834-853 from the V and P regions of I/II across multiple measures. Though statistically insignificant, DRB1*04 positive subjects also exhibited 25-30 μg mL-1 less total IgA (TIgA) than negative counterparts. All clinical caries data proved inconclusive when comparing groups, likely due to exogenous factors and sample size. Conclusion: DRB1*04 positive subjects showed a trend toward lower TIgA. Moreover, they also showed a lower SIgA response across multiple measures to 834-853, the I/II V and P region epitope. This region forms a sort of functional epicenter involved in collaboration between domains along the entire I/II antigen, and governs the region involved in initial attachment to the acquired dental pellicle. This region may be involved in an in vivo discontinuous conformationally specific immunogenic epitope that serves as an HLA-II binding motif which remains elusive.

La présentation de l’antigène est un mécanisme par lequel les cellules nucléées présentent un court peptide sur la molécule de classe 1 du Complexe Majeur d’Histocompatibilité (CMH-1) codée par les gènes « antigènes d’histocompatibilité humains ». Le terme “immunopeptidomique” est utilisé pour décrire l’ensemble des peptides associés aux molécules du CMH-1. Les cellules T CD8+ patrouillent l’organisme, s’attachent à la molécule CMH-1 par leur récepteur T et détruisent les cellules affichant un peptide atypique. Ce domaine présente un grand intérêt au niveau du traitement des infections virales et dans la conception de vaccins. Compte tenu que les coronavirus ont été à l’origine de trois épidémies durant les 20 dernières années, et que de multiples souches circulent chez l’humain ainsi que dans le règne animal, il est impératif de développer des vaccins universels qui pourrait prévenir de futurs événement épidémiologiques mondiaux reliés aux coronavirus. L’immunopeptidomique souffre d'un manque de protocoles normalisés et de contrôle et d’assurance de la qualité des échantillons afin de libérer tout son potentiel dans la recherche biomédicale. Dans le cadre de cette étude, la spectrométrie de masse, la cytométrie de flux et des approches bio-informatiques ont été utilisées pour développer des protocoles de contrôle de qualité pour la caractérisation de l’immunopeptidome de cellules infectées par les coronavirus. Nous avons isolé et analysé l’immunopeptidome de cellules MRC-5 avant et après infection par le coronavirus humain OC-43. En plus d’observer une forte baisse de l’abondance des molécules HLA et de la variété des peptides présentés après l’infection, 9 peptides viraux ont été isolés à partir des molécules du CMH-1. Ces peptides pourraient être utilisés afin de contribuer à formuler un vaccin pan-coronavirus qui élicite une réponse balancée entre la réponse humorale et la réponse cytotoxique. / Antigen presentation is a mechanism by which nucleated cells present a short peptide on the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC-1) class 1 molecule encoded by the “human histocompatibility antigen” genes. The term "immunopeptidomics" is used to describe the set of peptides associated with MHC-1 molecules. CD8+ T cells patrol the body, attach to the MHC-1 molecule through their T receptor and destroy cells displaying an atypical peptide. This field is of great interest in the treatment of viral infections and in vaccine design. Given that coronaviruses have been responsible for three epidemics in the last 20 years, and that multiple strains circulate in humans and animals, it is imperative to develop universal vaccines that could prevent future global epidemiological events related to coronaviruses. Immunopeptidomics suffers from a lack of standardized protocols and sample quality control and assurance to unleash its full potential in biomedical research. In this study, mass spectrometry, flow cytometry, and bioinformatics approaches were used to develop quality control protocols for characterizing the immunopeptidome of coronavirusinfected cells. We isolated and analyzed the immunopeptidome of MRC-5 cells before and after infection with human coronavirus OC-43. In addition to observing a strong decrease in the abundance of HLA molecules and in the variety of peptides presented after infection, 9 viral peptides were isolated from MHC-1 molecules. These peptides could be used to help formulate a pan-coronavirus vaccine that elicits a balanced response between humoral and cytotoxic responses.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 26-29, 1998 / Town & Country Resort Hotel and Convention Center, San Diego, California / Current changes in the way that large flight test systems are utilized have affected the industry’s methodology in both the early design phases and in the implementation of nextgeneration hardware and software. The reduction of available RF spectrum, the implementation of packet telemetry methods and systems, and a desire to implement commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware are only some of the considerations that telemetry systems integrators and product houses have to face. This paper describes how test methodology changes affect current large systems design at both government test ranges and at airframe/missile manufacturer test facilities. In addition, consideration is given to the area of increased processing power as it affects hardware and software design, the leveraging of such current and future telecommunications technology as network switch technology and compression, cross utilization, standardized technology, and the movement toward platform-independent software.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) refers to the testing of embryos produced through in vitro fertilization (IVF) in order to identify those unaffected by a specific genetic disorder or chromosomal abnormality. In this study, different methodologies were examined and developed for performance of PGD. Investigation of various whole genome amplification (WGA) methods identified multiple displacement amplification as a reliable method for genotyping single cells. Furthermore, this technology was shown to be compatible with subsequent analysis using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) microarrays. Compared to conventional methods used in this study to perform single cell diagnosis (e.g. multiplex PCR), WGA techniques were found to be advantageous since they streamline the development of PGD protocols for couples at high risk of transmitting an inherited disorder and simultaneously offer the possibility of comprehensive chromosome screening (CCS). This study also aimed to develop a widely applicable protocol for accurate typing of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region with the purpose of identifying embryos that will be HLA-identical to an existing sibling affected by a disorder that requires haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Additionally, a novel microarray platform was developed that, apart from accurate CCS, was capable of reliably determining the relative quantity of mitochondrial DNA in polar bodies removed from oocytes and single cells biopsied from embryos. Mitochondria are known to play an important role in oogenesis and preimplantation embryogenesis and their measurement may therefore be of clinical relevance. Moreover, real-time PCR was used for development of protocols for CCS, DNA fingerprinting of sperm samples and embryos and the relative quantitation of telomere length in embryos (since shortened telomeres might be associated with reduced viability). As well as considering the role of genetics in terms of oocyte and embryo viability assessment and the diagnosis of inherited genetic disorders, attention was given to a specific gene (Phospholipase C zeta) of relevance to male infertility. A novel mutation affecting the function of the resulting protein was discovered highlighting the growing importance of DNA sequence variants in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility.

The human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G has been considered to be an important tolerogeneic molecule playing an essential role in maternal-fetal tolerance, which constitutes the perfect example of successful physiological immunotolerance of semi-allografts. In this context, we investigated the putative role of this molecule in the allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation setting. The percentage of HLA-G+ cells in peripheral blood of healthy donors and allo-transplanted patients was evaluated by flow cytometry. Their immunoregulatory and immunotolerogeneic properties were investigated in in vitro immunostimulatory and immunosuppression assays. Immunohistochemical analysis for HLA-G expression was performed in skin biopsies from allo-transplanted patients and correlated with the occurrence of graft-versus-host disease. We identified a CD14+ HLA-Gpos population with an HLA-DRlow phenotype and decreased in vitro immunostimulatory capacity circulating in peripheral blood of healthy individuals. Naturally occurring CD14+HLA-Gpos cells suppressed T cell responses and acted immunotolerogenic on T cells by rendering them hyporesponsive and immunosuppressive in vitro. After allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, HLA-Gpos cells increase in blood. Interestingly, besides an increase of CD14+HLA-Gpos cells there was also a pronounced expansion of CD3+HLA-Gpos cells. Of note, CD3+HLA-Gpos and CD14+HLA-Gpos cells from transplanted patients were suppressive in in vitro lymphoproliferation assays. Furthermore, we found an upregulation of HLA-G expression in skin specimens from transplanted patients which correlated with graft-versus-host disease. Inflammatory cells infiltrating the dermis of transplanted patients were also HLA-Gpos. Here, we report the presence of naturally occurring HLA-Gpos monocytic cells with in vitro suppressive properties. HLA-G epressing regulatory blood cells were found in increased numbers after allogeneic transplantation. Epithelial cells in skin affected by graft-versus-host disease revealed elevated HLA-G expression. / Το ανθρώπινο λεμφοκυτταρικό αντιγόνο -G (HLA-G) θεωρείται ένα σημαντικό ανοσορρυθμιστικό μόριο, το οποίο κατέχει έναν πολύ σημαντικό ρόλο στην προαγωγή εμβρυο-μητρικής αντοχής, η οποία αποτελεί το ιδανικό παράδειγμα επιτυχούς φυσιολογικής ανοσοαντοχής του ημι-αλλομοσχεύματος. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό, στοχεύσαμε στη διερεύνηση του πιθανού ρόλου του μορίου HLA-G στην αλλογενή μεταμόσχευση αρχέγονων αιμοποιητικών κυττάρων (άλλο-ΜΑΚ). Το ποσοστό των HLA-G+ κυττάρων στο περιφερικό αίμα των υγιών ενηλίκων και των μεταμοσχευμένων ασθενών ελέγθηκε με κυτταρομετρία ροής. Ο ανοσορρυθμιστικός τους ρόλος και οι ανοσοκατασταλτικές τους ικανότητες ελέγθηκαν σε in vitro ανοσοδιεγερτικές και ανοσοκατασταλτικές δοκιμασίες. Ανοσοιστοχημική ανάλυση της έκφρασης του HLA-G πραγματοποιήθηκε σε δερματικές βιοψίες από άλλο-μεταμοσχευμένους ασθενείς και συσχετίστηκε με την εμφάνιση της νόσου του μοσχεύματος έναντι του ξενιστή(GvHD). Ένας CD14+HLA-Gθετ πληθυσμός με HLA-DRlow φαινότυπο και μειωμένη in vitro ανοσοδιεγερτική ικανότητα ανιχνεύτηκε στο περιφερικό αίμα των υγιών ενηλίκων. Τα φυσικώς εμφανιζόμενα CD14+HLA-Gθετ κύτταρα κατέστειλαν τον Τ λεμφοκυτταρικό πολλαπλασιασμό και είχαν ανοσοκατασταλτική επίδραση στα Τ κύτταρα, μετατρέποντάς τα σε υπο-απαντητικά και ανοσοκατασταλτικά κύτταρα in vitro. Μετά την αλλογενή μεταμόσχευση, τα HLA-Gθετ κύτταρα αυξάνουν στο αίμα. Είναι ενδιαφέρον το γεγονός ότι πέραν της αύξησης των CD14+HLA-Gθετ κυττάρων παρατηρήθηκε επίσης μια ιδιαίτερη αύξηση των CD3+HLA-Gθετ κυττάρων στο αίμα. Αξίζει να σημειωθεί ότι τα CD14+HLA-Gθετ και CD3+HLA-Gθετ κύτταρα των άλλο-μεταμοσχευμένων ασθενών ήταν ικανά να καταστέλλουν τον Τ κυτταρικό πολλαπλασιασμό in vitro. Επιπλέον ανιχνεύθηκε μια αύξηση της έκφρασης του HLA-G στις δερματικές βιοψίες των μεταμοσχευμένων ασθενών, η οποία συσχετίζονταν με τη νόσο GvHD. Τα φλεγμονώδη κύτταρα που είχαν διεισδύσει στο δέρμα των ασθενών ήταν επίσης HLA-G θετικά. Στη συγκεκριμένη εργασία αναφέρουμε την παρουσία φυσικώς εμφανιζόμενων HLA-Gθετ μονοκυττάρων με in vitro ανοσοκατασταλτικές ικανότητες. HLA-G εκφραζόμενα ρυθμιστικά κύτταρα ανιχνεύονται στο αίμα μετά τη μεταμόσχευση σε αυξημένους αριθμούς. Τα επιθηλιακά κύτταρα του δέρματος που είναι προσβεβλημένο από τη νόσο GvHD εμφανίζουν αυξημένη έκφραση του HLA-G.

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / An important capability that many modern 3D interactive training simulations lack is an After Action Review System (AARS) that helps both the trainer and trainee to conduct an After Action Review (AAR). Although AAR is not a new idea in the 3D simulation field, it is not widely used in training simulations. In real life training, AAR has been proven as one of the most important phases of the training procedure, sometimes taking the form of debriefing, or in other cases, by conducting a deeper analysis and discussion of the facts. In order to conduct an AAR, a well-designed system (AARS) must exist to keep track of the conditions and the actions during an exercise, so they can be available for review later. This thesis translates the idea of AAR for real training situations to the 3D interactive simulation domain and also develops an After Action Review System (AARS) using XML technology for capture, analysis, and interactive playback of an entire simulation training session. Users can change the point of view to any desired position and direction, something that is impossible in video streaming playbacks. / Lieutenant, Hellenic Navy