L’aluminium (Al) est le métal le plus abondant de notre environnement. Il est naturellement présent dans les sols, les roches, les minéraux, l’air, l’eau, et son utilisation pour la fabrication de produits de consommation courante n’a cessé d’augmenter de façon exponentielle dans les pays industrialisés. Durant les dernières décennies, la biodisponibilité de l’Al a fortement augmenté par l’activité humaine et les populations sont exposées quotidiennement à de multiples sources et doses d’Al, notamment par la voie orale. En se basant sur la description des effets toxiques et délétères de l’Al dans diverses pathologies ainsi que sur les doses d’Al ingérées, nous avons montré que l’Al pouvait participer à l’aggravation de l’inflammation intestinale, diminuer la cicatrisation muqueuse et le renouvellement cellulaire (Pineton de Chambrun et al., 2014).Dans le but de comprendre les mécanismes par lesquels l’Al perturbait l’épithélium intestinal, nous avons évalué la toxicité de l’Al sur la cellule épithéliale intestinale. Nous avons montré dans cette étude que l’Al diminuait la viabilité cellulaire, favorisait l’apoptose et perturbait le cycle cellulaire. L’Al avait également des effets pro-carcinogènes et pro-inflammatoires sur les cellules épithéliales intestinales. Ainsi, nous avons démontré que l’Al pouvait avoir des effets toxiques sur la muqueuse intestinale.Nous avons ensuite étudié les effets de l’Al sur la sensibilité viscérale chez le rongeur. Nous avons montré que l’ingestion d’une dose d’Al cohérente avec l’exposition humaine induisait une augmentation de la sensibilité viscérale chez le rat et la souris. Cette hypersensibilité induite par l’Al était persistante et exacerbée lors d’une nouvelle intoxication, indiquant ainsi qu’il n’y a pas de phénomène de tolérance. De plus, les femelles étaient plus affectées par l’hypersensibilité induite par l’Al que les mâles. Nous avons montré que les mécanismes impliquaient une augmentation de la perméabilité et étaient dépendants de la dégranulation des mastocytes et du récepteur aux protéases 2. Ces résultats sont pertinents avec la description des mécanismes observés dans la pathogénèse du syndrome de l’intestin irritable (SII). En effet, les malades présentent le plus souvent une hypersensibilité viscérale, une augmentation de la perméabilité intestinale, une altération du microbiote et une inflammation intestinale à bas grade. Les causes de cette maladie sont inconnues mais les facteurs environnementaux sont fortement suspectés. Ainsi, l’Al pourrait être un nouveau facteur de risque environnemental impliqué dans le développement du SII.En conclusion, ces résultats nous ont permis de démontrer la toxicité de l’Al sur le tube digestif et de mettre en avant un nouveau facteur de risque environnemental dans la physiopathologie des maladies intestinales telles que les maladies inflammatoires chroniques de l’intestin et le syndrome de l’intestin irritable. / Aluminium (Al) is the most abundant metal in our environment. Al naturally occurs in soils, rocks, minerals, air, water and its use in consumer products increase exponentially in industrialized countries. During last decades, human activities led to an increase in the bioavailability of Al and populations are exposed daily to multiple sources and doses of Al, including the oral route. Based on the description of toxic and deleterious effects of Al in various pathologies as well as ingested doses of Al, we showed that Al could participate in the exacerbation of intestinal inflammation, decrease mucosal healing and cell renewal (Pineton de Chambrun et al., 2014).In order to understand the mechanisms involved in the perturbations of the intestinal epithelium, Al toxicity was evaluated on intestinal epithelial cells. This study showed that Al decrease cell viability, promote apoptosis and disturb cell cycle. Al had also pro-tumorigenic and pro-inflammatory effects on intestinal epithelial cells. Thus, we demonstrated that Al could promote toxic effects on intestinal mucosa.Then, we evaluated the effects of Al on visceral sensitivity in rodents. We have demonstrated that currently ingested amounts of Al, in humans, induced in mice and rats a dose dependent increase of colorectal sensitivity. Al-induced hypersensitivity persists over time so that intoxication was arrested, and appears again when Al intoxication resumes, dismissing any tolerance phenomenon. Moreover, female gender was more affected by Al-induced hypersensitivity than male gender. Mechanisms involved an increased permeability and were dependent on mast cell degranulation and protease activated receptor 2. These results are relevant to the mechanisms observed in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Indeed, patients usually exhibit visceral hypersensitivity, increased permeability, impaired microbiota and low inflammation degree of the gastrointestinal tract. Causes of the disease remain unknown but environmental factors are strongly suspected to be involved in the pathogenesis. Thus, Al could be a new environmental risk factor involved in the development of IBS.In conclusion, these results demonstrate the toxicity of Al on the digestive tract and highlight a new environmental risk factor in the physiopathology of intestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases and irritable bowel syndrome.

L’industrie libanaise du raisin et de la viniculture acquit dans les quelques années passées une renommée internationale du fait de la bonne qualité du vin produit. Il a été démontré que les constituants suspectés d’être responsable des caractéristiques biologiques du raisin sont les composés phénoliques. Ces derniers sont des métabolites secondaires des plantes, impliquées dans la protection vis-à-vis des conditions extrêmes environnementales et dans la défense contre les parasites. Ces composés contribuent aussi au goût, à l’astringence et à la couleur des produits issus du raisin. De plus, ils exhibent un pouvoir antioxydant, de ce fait un large spectre d’effets pharmacologiques leur sont attribués i.e. des propriétés anti-inflammatoire, anti-carcinogène et antiallergique. Ils peuvent aussi réduire le risque des maladies cardio-vasculaires. La production des composés phénoliques dans les fruits peut être affectée par le microclimat et les caractéristiques du terroir.En premier lieu, nous avons optimisé l’extraction des composés phénoliques totaux et des anthocyanes du raisin cultivé au Liban. Un modèle statistique basé sur la méthodologie de la surface de réponses a été utilisé pour étudier les effets de paramètres tels que le temps, la température, le choix et ratio du solvant organique dans le mélange sur la procédure d’extraction et la determination des conditions optimales. La Chromatographie Liquide à Haute Performance ou HPLC a aussi été utilisée pour suivre l’évolution de quelques composés phénoliques en fonction de la modification des paramètres d’extraction.En second lieu, afin d’étudier l’impact des composés phénoliques sur la santé humaine, l’effet de l’extrait de raisin obtenu à paritir du cépage Cabernet Sauvignon (Vitis Vinifera L. Cv. Cabernet Sauvignon) sur les cellules d’adénocarcinome colorectal – HT-29 a été déterminé.La viabilité, la prolifération, l’apoptose et le cycle cellulaire ainsi que le potentiel de membrane mitochondrial en présence de l’extrait de raisin, ont été mesurés à l’aide des techniques de microscopie, de cytométrie en flux et d’histochimie.La technologie des puces à ADN a été utilisée pour détecter des changements au niveau de l’expression des gènes dans les cellules HT-29 et pour révéler les voies de signalisation impliquées dans la réponse cellulaire aux composés phénoliques. Cette étude couvre différents aspects de la biochimie des composés phénoliques et aide à mieux comprendre leur impact sur la santé humaine, surtout au niveau cellulaire. De plus, ce projet de thèse ajoute à la valeur de l’industrie libanaise du raisin et de ses produits en proposant des conditions optimales pour extraire, analyser les composés phénoliques et montrer leurs qualités à l’échelle cellulaire. / Due to wine high quality, the Lebanese grape industry and wineries became in the past few years a business of worldwide trust. The components proved to be responsible of the grapes biological characteristics are the phenolic compounds. These are secondary plant metabolites especially implicated in plant protection against environmental extremes and defense against parasites. They as well contribute to flavor, astringency and color characteristics of grape products. Moreover, they are powerful antioxidants and exhibit a wide range of biochemical and pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and anti-allergic properties. They can also reduce the risk of coronary heart diseases. The phenolic compounds production in fruits may be affected by microclimate and soil characteristics.Our study aimed first of all to optimize the extraction of total phenolic compounds and antocyanins from Lebanese planted grapes.Statistical experimental design based on the response surface methodology was employed to investigate the effects of parameters like time, temperature, organic solvent / water ratio on the extraction procedure, and the determination of optimum conditions.HPLC (High Performance Liquid chromatography) was also used to monitor the evolution of some phenolic compounds when modifying the extraction parameters.Second of all, to study the impact of phenolic compounds on human health, the effect of the extract obtained from Cabernet Sauvigon (Vitis vinifera L. Cv. Cabernet Sauvignon) grapes was determined on a colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line; HT-29. Cell viability/proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle and mitochondrial membrane potential in presence of the extracts, were measured using microscopy, flow cytometry and fluorescent staining.The DNA chips technology was used to detect changes at the gene expression level of the cell line used in this study after incubation with grape extracts, and to reveal certain pathways implicated in cellular response to phenolic compounds.This study covers different aspects in the biochemistry of phenolic compounds and helps in a better comprehension of their impact on human health at the cellular level. This also provides a better value to the Lebanese grape industry and products by proposing optimal conditions to extract, monitor the phenolic compounds and by showing their roles on the cellular level

BDNF/TrkB são descritos em diversas neoplasias onde iniciam sinais mitogênicos, facilitam o crescimento tumoral, previnem apoptose e regulam angiogênese e metástase. Outros fatores de crescimento também são importantes para tumorigênese, como GRP/GRPR e EGF/EGFR. O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi investigar o papel de BDNF/TrkB em câncer colorretal avaliando possíveis interações com GRPR e EGFR. Verificamos que BDNF e seu receptor, TrkB, estão presentes em amostras de pacientes com câncer colorretal esporádico, e os níveis de BDNF encontram-se mais elevados no tecido neoplásico que no tecido adjacente ao tumor. O tratamento com RC- 3095, um antagonista de GRPR, na linhagem celular de câncer colorretal humana, HT-29, causa diminuição nos níveis de NGF secretados pelas células e aumento de BDNF em relação ao controle não tratado. RC-3095 inibe a proliferação e viabilidade celular das linhagens HT-29 (EGFR positiva) e SW-620 (EGFR negativa), embora apenas em HT-29 ocorra um aumento significativo na expressão de mRNA de BDNF. Por isso, um anticorpo monoclonal anti-EGFR, cetuximabe, foi combinado a RC-3095, nas células HT-29, sendo capaz de prevenir tal aumento, sugerindo que este efeito seja mediado por EGFR. Os tratamentos com um inibidor de Trks, K252a (1000 nM) ou com cetuximabe (10 nM) também inibem a proliferação celular. Entretanto, a combinação de BDNF a cetuximabe previne este efeito, enquanto que a combinação de doses não efetivas de K252a (10 nM) à cetuximabe (1 nM) inibe a proliferação celular de HT- 29. Além disso, cetuximabe também causa aumento na expressão de mRNA de TrkB e BDNF, após 600 minutos de tratamento. Nossos resultados sugerem que a inibição da proliferação celular in vitro ou do crescimento tumoral in vivo devem acontecer através do bloqueio combinado entre GRPR e TrkB em células de câncer colorretal EGFR positivas, e que BDNF também esteja envolvido em mecanismos de resistência a fármacos. Por isso, o bloqueio de BDNF / TrkB pode emergir como potencial alvo antitumoral. / BDNF / TrkB are described in various cancers where they participate in tumor growth, apoptosis, angiogenesis and metastasis. Furthermore, other growth factors are also important to tumorigenesis as GRP/GRPR and EGF/EGFR. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of BDNF/TrkB in colorectal cancer evaluating the interactions with GRPR and EGFR. We found that BDNF and its receptor, TrkB, are present in samples from patients diagnosed with sporadic colorectal cancer, and BDNF levels were higher in tumor tissue compared to adjacent tumor tissue. Treatment with RC-3095, GRPR antagonist, in human colorectal cancer cell line, HT-29 caused a decrease in NGF levels secreted by cells, and generated increase of BDNF when compared to untreated control. RC-3095 inhibited the proliferation and cell viability in HT-29 (EGFR positive) and SW-620 (EGFR negative), but only HT-29 cells showed a significant increase in BDNF mRNA expression. Therefore, a monoclonal anti-EGFR antibody, cetuximab was combined with RC-3095 in HT-29 cells, and was able to prevent such an increase, suggesting that this effect is mediated by EGFR. The treatment with a Trk inhibitor, K252a (1000 nM) or cetuximab (10 nM), inhibited cell proliferation. However, the combination of BDNF with cetuximab prevented this effect, whereas the combination of ineffective doses of K252a (10 nM) with cetuximab (1 nM) still inhibited cell proliferation of HT-29. Furthermore, cetuximab also caused an increase in BDNF and TrkB mRNA expression, 600 minutes after treatment. In summary, our results suggest that inhibition of cell proliferation in vitro or tumor growth in vivo must occur between the combination of GRPR and TrkB in EGFR positive colorectal cancer cells, and that BDNF is also involved in drug resistance mechanisms. Therefore, blockage of BDNF / TrkB may emerge as potential antitumor target.

BDNF/TrkB são descritos em diversas neoplasias onde iniciam sinais mitogênicos, facilitam o crescimento tumoral, previnem apoptose e regulam angiogênese e metástase. Outros fatores de crescimento também são importantes para tumorigênese, como GRP/GRPR e EGF/EGFR. O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi investigar o papel de BDNF/TrkB em câncer colorretal avaliando possíveis interações com GRPR e EGFR. Verificamos que BDNF e seu receptor, TrkB, estão presentes em amostras de pacientes com câncer colorretal esporádico, e os níveis de BDNF encontram-se mais elevados no tecido neoplásico que no tecido adjacente ao tumor. O tratamento com RC- 3095, um antagonista de GRPR, na linhagem celular de câncer colorretal humana, HT-29, causa diminuição nos níveis de NGF secretados pelas células e aumento de BDNF em relação ao controle não tratado. RC-3095 inibe a proliferação e viabilidade celular das linhagens HT-29 (EGFR positiva) e SW-620 (EGFR negativa), embora apenas em HT-29 ocorra um aumento significativo na expressão de mRNA de BDNF. Por isso, um anticorpo monoclonal anti-EGFR, cetuximabe, foi combinado a RC-3095, nas células HT-29, sendo capaz de prevenir tal aumento, sugerindo que este efeito seja mediado por EGFR. Os tratamentos com um inibidor de Trks, K252a (1000 nM) ou com cetuximabe (10 nM) também inibem a proliferação celular. Entretanto, a combinação de BDNF a cetuximabe previne este efeito, enquanto que a combinação de doses não efetivas de K252a (10 nM) à cetuximabe (1 nM) inibe a proliferação celular de HT- 29. Além disso, cetuximabe também causa aumento na expressão de mRNA de TrkB e BDNF, após 600 minutos de tratamento. Nossos resultados sugerem que a inibição da proliferação celular in vitro ou do crescimento tumoral in vivo devem acontecer através do bloqueio combinado entre GRPR e TrkB em células de câncer colorretal EGFR positivas, e que BDNF também esteja envolvido em mecanismos de resistência a fármacos. Por isso, o bloqueio de BDNF / TrkB pode emergir como potencial alvo antitumoral. / BDNF / TrkB are described in various cancers where they participate in tumor growth, apoptosis, angiogenesis and metastasis. Furthermore, other growth factors are also important to tumorigenesis as GRP/GRPR and EGF/EGFR. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of BDNF/TrkB in colorectal cancer evaluating the interactions with GRPR and EGFR. We found that BDNF and its receptor, TrkB, are present in samples from patients diagnosed with sporadic colorectal cancer, and BDNF levels were higher in tumor tissue compared to adjacent tumor tissue. Treatment with RC-3095, GRPR antagonist, in human colorectal cancer cell line, HT-29 caused a decrease in NGF levels secreted by cells, and generated increase of BDNF when compared to untreated control. RC-3095 inhibited the proliferation and cell viability in HT-29 (EGFR positive) and SW-620 (EGFR negative), but only HT-29 cells showed a significant increase in BDNF mRNA expression. Therefore, a monoclonal anti-EGFR antibody, cetuximab was combined with RC-3095 in HT-29 cells, and was able to prevent such an increase, suggesting that this effect is mediated by EGFR. The treatment with a Trk inhibitor, K252a (1000 nM) or cetuximab (10 nM), inhibited cell proliferation. However, the combination of BDNF with cetuximab prevented this effect, whereas the combination of ineffective doses of K252a (10 nM) with cetuximab (1 nM) still inhibited cell proliferation of HT-29. Furthermore, cetuximab also caused an increase in BDNF and TrkB mRNA expression, 600 minutes after treatment. In summary, our results suggest that inhibition of cell proliferation in vitro or tumor growth in vivo must occur between the combination of GRPR and TrkB in EGFR positive colorectal cancer cells, and that BDNF is also involved in drug resistance mechanisms. Therefore, blockage of BDNF / TrkB may emerge as potential antitumor target.

BDNF/TrkB são descritos em diversas neoplasias onde iniciam sinais mitogênicos, facilitam o crescimento tumoral, previnem apoptose e regulam angiogênese e metástase. Outros fatores de crescimento também são importantes para tumorigênese, como GRP/GRPR e EGF/EGFR. O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi investigar o papel de BDNF/TrkB em câncer colorretal avaliando possíveis interações com GRPR e EGFR. Verificamos que BDNF e seu receptor, TrkB, estão presentes em amostras de pacientes com câncer colorretal esporádico, e os níveis de BDNF encontram-se mais elevados no tecido neoplásico que no tecido adjacente ao tumor. O tratamento com RC- 3095, um antagonista de GRPR, na linhagem celular de câncer colorretal humana, HT-29, causa diminuição nos níveis de NGF secretados pelas células e aumento de BDNF em relação ao controle não tratado. RC-3095 inibe a proliferação e viabilidade celular das linhagens HT-29 (EGFR positiva) e SW-620 (EGFR negativa), embora apenas em HT-29 ocorra um aumento significativo na expressão de mRNA de BDNF. Por isso, um anticorpo monoclonal anti-EGFR, cetuximabe, foi combinado a RC-3095, nas células HT-29, sendo capaz de prevenir tal aumento, sugerindo que este efeito seja mediado por EGFR. Os tratamentos com um inibidor de Trks, K252a (1000 nM) ou com cetuximabe (10 nM) também inibem a proliferação celular. Entretanto, a combinação de BDNF a cetuximabe previne este efeito, enquanto que a combinação de doses não efetivas de K252a (10 nM) à cetuximabe (1 nM) inibe a proliferação celular de HT- 29. Além disso, cetuximabe também causa aumento na expressão de mRNA de TrkB e BDNF, após 600 minutos de tratamento. Nossos resultados sugerem que a inibição da proliferação celular in vitro ou do crescimento tumoral in vivo devem acontecer através do bloqueio combinado entre GRPR e TrkB em células de câncer colorretal EGFR positivas, e que BDNF também esteja envolvido em mecanismos de resistência a fármacos. Por isso, o bloqueio de BDNF / TrkB pode emergir como potencial alvo antitumoral. / BDNF / TrkB are described in various cancers where they participate in tumor growth, apoptosis, angiogenesis and metastasis. Furthermore, other growth factors are also important to tumorigenesis as GRP/GRPR and EGF/EGFR. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of BDNF/TrkB in colorectal cancer evaluating the interactions with GRPR and EGFR. We found that BDNF and its receptor, TrkB, are present in samples from patients diagnosed with sporadic colorectal cancer, and BDNF levels were higher in tumor tissue compared to adjacent tumor tissue. Treatment with RC-3095, GRPR antagonist, in human colorectal cancer cell line, HT-29 caused a decrease in NGF levels secreted by cells, and generated increase of BDNF when compared to untreated control. RC-3095 inhibited the proliferation and cell viability in HT-29 (EGFR positive) and SW-620 (EGFR negative), but only HT-29 cells showed a significant increase in BDNF mRNA expression. Therefore, a monoclonal anti-EGFR antibody, cetuximab was combined with RC-3095 in HT-29 cells, and was able to prevent such an increase, suggesting that this effect is mediated by EGFR. The treatment with a Trk inhibitor, K252a (1000 nM) or cetuximab (10 nM), inhibited cell proliferation. However, the combination of BDNF with cetuximab prevented this effect, whereas the combination of ineffective doses of K252a (10 nM) with cetuximab (1 nM) still inhibited cell proliferation of HT-29. Furthermore, cetuximab also caused an increase in BDNF and TrkB mRNA expression, 600 minutes after treatment. In summary, our results suggest that inhibition of cell proliferation in vitro or tumor growth in vivo must occur between the combination of GRPR and TrkB in EGFR positive colorectal cancer cells, and that BDNF is also involved in drug resistance mechanisms. Therefore, blockage of BDNF / TrkB may emerge as potential antitumor target.