No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Carcinoma mucoepidermóide (CME) é o tumor maligno de glândulas salivares mais comum, representando cerca de 30% dos tumores malignos. O tratamento do CME é a ressecção cirúrgica com eventual radioterapia. Assim, o tratamento do CME pode levar a varias complicações estéticas e funcionais. A quimioterapia tem sido utilizadas apenas em casos recorrentes ou com metástases à distancia. Vários relatos na literatura tem mostrado que o tratamento com drogas isoladas ou combinadas possuem uma resposta insatisfatória e de curta duração em grande parte devido a aquisição de resistência a quimioterapia. Recentemente, a quimiorresistência tem sido relacionada com a presença de Células-Tronco Tumorais (CTT). Essa resistência tem sido associada ao fato de que as essa células são quiescentes e possuem altos níveis de proteínas associadas ao reparo do DNA e baixos níveis das proteínas que levam a apoptose. Recentemente mostrou-se que a resistência a quimioterapia tem sido relacionada com modificações de histonas, uma vez que as células quimiorresistentes possuem núcleo pequeno e baixos níveis de acetilação de histonas, adicionalmente as células sensíveis são relacionadas com núcleo aumentado. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do tratamento com IHDAC e cisplatina sobre a população de CTT de CME. Inicialmente analisamos os níveis de acetilação do histona através da expressão imuno-histoquímica de acetil histona H3 em casos de CME, sendo encontrado altos níveis de acetilação de histona principalmente nas células epiteliais do ducto excretor. Adicionalmente, demonstramos que o tratamento com SAHA (inibidor de histona deacetilase) impacta diretamente a população de CTT, de uma maneira mais eficiente do que a cisplatina ou da combinação de SAHA e cisplatina. É interessante que o tratamento com cisplatina resultou no acúmulo de uma subpopulação especifica de CTT em um processo que inclui o aumento na expressão da via de sinalização do mTOR. Estes achados sugerem que o uso de IHDAC constitui uma forma eficiente de tratamento de CME através da depleção da população de CTT , porém mais estudos são necessários para validar estes achados para uso clinico. / Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common malignant salivary tumor compromising about 30% of all salivary malignances. Managing MEC patients remain challenging especially due to the heterogeneous response of tumor cells to available therapy. For this reason clinical outcome remains unpredictable. Current treatment of MEC encompasses surgical resection with eventual adjuvant radiotherapy, which frequently leads to functional and aesthetic complications. The use of chemotherapy is often reserved for recurrent and metastatic tumors. Administration of single-agent or combination therapy has showed activity, however overall response rates are unsatisfactory and of short duration. Emerging evidences suggest that the modest response of tumor cells to therapy resulting in high recurrence rates and poor survival, are associated with the presence of cancer stem cells (CSC). Quiescence of CSC is achieved by the reduced levels of transcription in a process that requires tight folding of DNA driven by core histone proteins. Changes in DNA folding are responsible for different cellular phenotypes mediated by a cell type-specific chromatin organization. Of interest, we also found that acetylation of HNSCC tumor histones driven by histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors abrogate tumor resistance to chemotherapy. We investigate the effects of HDACi and cisplatin in the population of CSCs of MEC. Initially, we found that MEC tumors are composed by a heterogeneous population of squamous-like and mucous-like cells presenting distinct acetylation levels of histone 3 (Lys9). Tumor cells where treated with cisplatin and SAHA, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved histone deacetylase inhibitor. Surprisingly, we found that administration of SAHA resulted in complete depletion of MEC CSCs. In facts, SAHA alone surpassed the inhibitory therapeutic effects of cisplatin and the combined therapy using SAHA and cisplatin over the population of CSCs. We also found that administration of cisplatin to MEC tumor cells result in unexpected accumulation of a sub population of CSC (paraclones), suggesting a correlation between the administration of intercalating agents such as cisplatin to the development of resistance of MEC cells to chemotherapy.

Carcinoma mucoepidermóide (CME) é o tumor maligno de glândulas salivares mais comum, representando cerca de 30% dos tumores malignos. O tratamento do CME é a ressecção cirúrgica com eventual radioterapia. Assim, o tratamento do CME pode levar a varias complicações estéticas e funcionais. A quimioterapia tem sido utilizadas apenas em casos recorrentes ou com metástases à distancia. Vários relatos na literatura tem mostrado que o tratamento com drogas isoladas ou combinadas possuem uma resposta insatisfatória e de curta duração em grande parte devido a aquisição de resistência a quimioterapia. Recentemente, a quimiorresistência tem sido relacionada com a presença de Células-Tronco Tumorais (CTT). Essa resistência tem sido associada ao fato de que as essa células são quiescentes e possuem altos níveis de proteínas associadas ao reparo do DNA e baixos níveis das proteínas que levam a apoptose. Recentemente mostrou-se que a resistência a quimioterapia tem sido relacionada com modificações de histonas, uma vez que as células quimiorresistentes possuem núcleo pequeno e baixos níveis de acetilação de histonas, adicionalmente as células sensíveis são relacionadas com núcleo aumentado. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do tratamento com IHDAC e cisplatina sobre a população de CTT de CME. Inicialmente analisamos os níveis de acetilação do histona através da expressão imuno-histoquímica de acetil histona H3 em casos de CME, sendo encontrado altos níveis de acetilação de histona principalmente nas células epiteliais do ducto excretor. Adicionalmente, demonstramos que o tratamento com SAHA (inibidor de histona deacetilase) impacta diretamente a população de CTT, de uma maneira mais eficiente do que a cisplatina ou da combinação de SAHA e cisplatina. É interessante que o tratamento com cisplatina resultou no acúmulo de uma subpopulação especifica de CTT em um processo que inclui o aumento na expressão da via de sinalização do mTOR. Estes achados sugerem que o uso de IHDAC constitui uma forma eficiente de tratamento de CME através da depleção da população de CTT , porém mais estudos são necessários para validar estes achados para uso clinico. / Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common malignant salivary tumor compromising about 30% of all salivary malignances. Managing MEC patients remain challenging especially due to the heterogeneous response of tumor cells to available therapy. For this reason clinical outcome remains unpredictable. Current treatment of MEC encompasses surgical resection with eventual adjuvant radiotherapy, which frequently leads to functional and aesthetic complications. The use of chemotherapy is often reserved for recurrent and metastatic tumors. Administration of single-agent or combination therapy has showed activity, however overall response rates are unsatisfactory and of short duration. Emerging evidences suggest that the modest response of tumor cells to therapy resulting in high recurrence rates and poor survival, are associated with the presence of cancer stem cells (CSC). Quiescence of CSC is achieved by the reduced levels of transcription in a process that requires tight folding of DNA driven by core histone proteins. Changes in DNA folding are responsible for different cellular phenotypes mediated by a cell type-specific chromatin organization. Of interest, we also found that acetylation of HNSCC tumor histones driven by histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors abrogate tumor resistance to chemotherapy. We investigate the effects of HDACi and cisplatin in the population of CSCs of MEC. Initially, we found that MEC tumors are composed by a heterogeneous population of squamous-like and mucous-like cells presenting distinct acetylation levels of histone 3 (Lys9). Tumor cells where treated with cisplatin and SAHA, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved histone deacetylase inhibitor. Surprisingly, we found that administration of SAHA resulted in complete depletion of MEC CSCs. In facts, SAHA alone surpassed the inhibitory therapeutic effects of cisplatin and the combined therapy using SAHA and cisplatin over the population of CSCs. We also found that administration of cisplatin to MEC tumor cells result in unexpected accumulation of a sub population of CSC (paraclones), suggesting a correlation between the administration of intercalating agents such as cisplatin to the development of resistance of MEC cells to chemotherapy.

Bnip3 is a BH3-only member of the Bcl-2 family of apoptotic proteins. Our laboratory has previously shown that Bnip3 induces a unique pathway of cardiac myocyte cell death, characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction, cytochrome c release and DNA fragmentation. Bnip3 is induced by hypoxia and the death pathway is activated by concurrent acidosis. We have shown that hypoxia-acidosis creates an environment that is permissive to calpain but not caspase activation and is characterized by enhanced DNase(s) activity as evidenced by genomic DNA fragmentation. This dissertation describes the nuclear consequences of Bnip3 activation by hypoxia-acidosis. Chapter 3 presents my evidence that hypoxia with progressive acidosis in cardiac myocytes results in a biphasic activation of DNases. In phase 1, [pH]o 6.9-6.7, apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) is released from the mitochondria and translocates to the nucleus. AIF release coincided with the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and with the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria. In Phase II, [pH]o 6.3-6.0, DNase II translocates from the cytoplasm to the nuclear compartment. Nuclear localization of DNase II was associated with the collapse of endosomal pH gradients, indicated by diffuse Lysotracker Red staining and with single strand DNA nicks. Both phases of DNase release were independent of Bnip3, the mPTP and calpains. Neither phase involved activation of caspase-dependent DNases. Chapter 4 describes a unique role for Bnip3 in the modulation of histone acetylation. I found that hypoxia with acidosis in cardiac myocytes but not hypoxia alone stimulated a global increase in the acetylation of histones H3 and H4. Acetylation was initiated at [pH]o ~ 6.8 and increased as the pH declined. Histone hyperacetylation was associated with an increase in histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity but no change in deacetylase (HDAC) activity. Knockdown of Bnip3 protein expression with siRNA dramatically reduced both histone H3 and H4 acetylation levels and HAT activity indicating an essential role for Bnip3 in this process. Components of the hypoxia-acidosis death pathway including the mPTP and calpains are not required for Bnip3-mediated histone hyperacetylation. These results reveal a novel role for Bnip3 in regulating HAT activity and histone acetylation which may lead to altered cardiac gene expression.

No description available.

L’initiation de la transcription chez les eucaryotes nécessite le recrutement de l'ARN polymérase II (Pol II) et des facteurs de transcription généraux sur les promoteurs de gènes formant le complexe de préinitiation (PIC). Des activateurs se lient en amont du promoteur et stimulent l’ouverture de la chromatine et la formation du PIC en recrutant des complexes coactivateurs. SAGA est un tel coactivateur, conservé chez les eucaryotes, connu pour modifier les histones de tous les gènes et impliqué dans la transcription par Pol II. Dans ce travail, j’ai analysé l'organisation moléculaire de SAGA par microscopie électronique. J'ai (i) étudié l'architecture et les interactions des sous unités du module d’acétylation des histones et l’ai localisé dans SAGA; (ii) obtenu la première carte cryo-EM du complexe SAGA chez la levure et analysé sa flexibilité; (iii) défini le site d'interaction entre TBP et SAGA et montré que le complexe subit un changement conformationnel lors de cette liaison. / Transcription initiation in eukaryotes requires the recruitment of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) and general transcription factors to the promoters of protein coding genes in order to form a PreInitiation Complex (PIC). Sequence specific activators bind up stream of the promoter, stimulating chromatin opening and PIC formation via recruitment of coactivator complexes. SAGA is such a coactivator, conserved in all eukaryotes, known to modify the histones on all expressed genes in yeast and human and involved in Pol II transcription. In this work I have analyzed SAGA’s molecular organization mostly by electron microscopy. I have (i) studied the architecture and sub unit interactions of SAGA histone acetylation (HAT) module and localized it in the full SAGA complex; (ii) obtained the first cryo-EM map of yeast SAGA and analyzed its flexibility; (iii) defined the interaction site of SAGA with TBP protein and shown that the complex under goes a large conformational change upon TBP binding.

L’insuffisance rénale aiguë (IRA) est une dysfonction d’organe fréquente. Alors que la fonction rénale récupère le plus souvent, on sait depuis 2009 que le pronostic rénal est malgré tout engagé à long terme. L’objectif de ce travail est d’étudier les mécanismes de réparation pathologique de l’épithélium tubulaire afin de mieux comprendre les conséquences à long terme d’un épisode d’IRA.Le parcours des patients après IRA a été transposé dans un modèle à deux agressions (souris C57Bl6/J) : ischémie-reperfusion rénale, suivie à distance par l’administration continue d’angiotensine 2. L’agression aiguë a été calibrée pour obtenir une récupération fonctionnelle et une histologique (microarchitecture normale à la fin du processus de réparation). La fibrose rénale sous angiotensine 2 était plus importante après un antécédent de nécrose tubulaire ischémique résolutive. En isolant les cellules du tube proximal différenciées, une reprogrammation durable du métabolisme et une probable compartimentalisation de la fibrogénèse ont été mises en évidence.L’hypothèse d’un mécanisme épigénétique, faisant le lien entre ischémie-reperfusion et fibrose à distance, a été explorée. Des modifications d’acétylation des histones dans les cellules tubulaires ont été constatées sur des biopsies des greffons humains en post-IRA. Ces modifications ont été reproduites chez la souris et modélisées in vitro après hypoxie-réoxygénation sur une culture primaire de cellules tubulaires. L’acétylation du locus du gène du micro-ARN miR21, dont les cibles sont impliquées dans la progression de la fibrose, est augmentée après ischémie-reperfusion et associée à son induction. / Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent organ dysfunction. While renal function generally recovers, it has been shown since 2009 that AKI carries a poor long-term renal prognosis. The objective of this study was to investigate the maladaptive repair of the tubular epithelium in order to better understand the long-term consequences of AKI. The course of patients after AKI was transposed into a two-hit animal model (C57Bl6/J mice): renal ischemia-reperfusion, followed by continuous administration of angiotensin 2. AKI was calibrated so as to obtain full functional recovery and normal microarchitecture after ischemic tubular necrosis. There was greater renal fibrosis under angiotensin 2 after a history of resolving ischemic tubular necrosis. By isolating differentiated proximal tubular cells, sustained metabolism reprogramming and compartmentalization of fibrogenesis were highlighted. The hypothesis of an underlying epigenetic mechanism, linking ischemia-reperfusion to fibrosis, was explored. Histone post-translational modifications (H3K18 acetylation) in tubular cells were found in human graft biopsies. These changes were reproduced in mice and modeled in vitro after hypoxia-reoxygenation on a primary culture of tubular cells. Histone acetylation peaked at the locus of the miR21 microRNA gene, whose targets are involved in the progression of fibrosis, and was implicated in miR21 expression following our model of AKI.