De part leurs propriétés physiques et chimiques, les nanoparticules de silice mésoporeuses (MSNs) sont de bonnes candidates pour la délivrance de principes actifs. Cependant, leurs toxicités et leurs devenirs intracellulaires sont largement méconnus. Au cours de ces travaux, nous avons étudié la cytotoxicité et l’endocytose de MSNs. Nous avons montré que les MSNs peuvent être endocytées par une variété de lignées cellulaires et par des astrocytes de rat en culture sans signe apparent de cytotoxicité importante. Ces nanoparticules ne présentent pas une toxicité observable in vivo chez des souris. Après avoir montré que l’endocytose des MSNs s’effectue par la voie des puits de clathrines, nous avons procédé à la délivrance intracellulaire d’une protéine. Nous avons montré un échappement des lysosomes de cette protéine grâce aux MSNs. En couplant l’acide folique aux MSNs, les cellules tumorales ont été ciblées. Lors de ces études, nous avons également montré que l’un des tests les plus utilisés en toxicologie surestime la cytotoxicité des MSNs. Cette surestimation est due à une modification du trafic intracellulaire. Nos travaux ont montré que les MSNs sont endocytés sans nuire à la viabilité cellulaire, ce qui nous a permis de réaliser les premiers essais de délivrances de principes actifs avec nos nanoparticules. / Due to their physical and chemical properties, the mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are good candidates for drug delivery applications. However, their toxicity and their intracellular trafficking remain unclear. During these works, we studied the cytotoxicity and the endocytosis of MSNs. We showed that the MSNs can be internalised by a variety of cell lines and rat astrocytes in culture without visible sign of important cytotoxicity. These nanoparticles did not present an observable in vivo toxicity in mice. Then we showed that the endocytosis of the MSNs was made by the clathrines coated pits and we proceeded to the intracellular delivery of a protein. We showed an escape of the lysosomes of this protein due to MSNs. Such an internalised protein escaped from lysosomes under the effect of MSNs. After linking folic acid to MSNs, we are able to target tumoral cells with these nanoparticles. During the preceding studies we observed that one of the most used tests in toxicology overestimated the cytotoxicity of MSNs because the latter nanoparticles modified intracellular traffic. Our works showed that the MSNs are internalized without damaging the cellular viability and we made the first experiments of drug delivery using our nanoparticles.

Ankyrin B (AnkB) is a scaffolding protein, acting as a bridge between ion channels and cytoskeleton networks. AnkB variants are associated with cognitive disorders including autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy. In the brain, AnkB interacts with Cav2.1, the pore-forming subunit of P/Q type voltage gated calcium channels. However, how AnkB regulates Cav2.1 is not fully understood. Using HEK293T cells, we discovered that AnkB increases Cav2.1 expression levels but does not change Cav2.1 surface levels. AnkB p.S646F increases Cav2.1 to an even greater level of expression, again without impacting Cav2.1 surface levels. Looking at a partial loss of AnkB in glutamatergic neurons, overall Cav2.1 levels decreased at P30 but the synaptosomal fraction was not impacted. Our findings indicate that AnkB plays a role in regulating an intracellular pool of Cav2.1 but does not affect the surface or the synaptosomal pools of Cav2.1. This intracellular pool of Cav2.1 may play an important role in neuronal function and homeostasis, suggesting a mechanism for neuronal pathogenicity of AnkB variants. / Graduate / 2020-08-06

RALF é um peptídeo hormonal de aproximadamente 5kDa presente em diferentes espécies do reino vegetal regulando negativamente a expansão celular. AtRALF1 é uma isoforma específica de raiz das 37 presentes em Arabidopsis thaliana que regula negativamente o crescimento de raízes seguido de uma mobilização de Ca+2 intracelular e inibição na secreção de prótons (H+). Neste trabalho foi caraterizado a localização e tráfego intracelular do peptídeo AtRALF1. / RALF is a 5kDa peptide hormone ubiquitous in different species of the plant kingdom that regulates cell expansion. AtRALF1 is a root-specific isoform of 37 present in Arabidopsis thaliana that negatively regulates root growth by intracellular calcium mobilization and inhibition of proton secretion (H+). In this work was studied the localization and intracellular trafficking of the AtRALF1 peptide.

No presente estudo, analisamos a regulação das etapas iniciais da ação insulínica através de imunoprecipitação e imunobloting do tecido hipotalâmico, hepático, adiposo e músculo esquelético de ratos idosos tratados cronicamente com melatonina. O tratamento crônico com melatonina induziu aumento da sensibilidade à insulina acompanhada de regulação positiva das etapas iniciais da ação do hormônio em hipotálamo, fígado, músculo esquelético e tecido adiposo de ratos com 13 meses de idade. Os efeitos da ação da melatonina sobre a sinalização insulínica também ocorreu de forma tecido-específica, de maneira semelhante aos efeitos pleiotrópicos da insulina. Nosso estudo reafirma o papel da melatonina como um fator regulador da ação insulínica e permitem a conclusão de que a reposição desse hormônio pode contribuir com a reversão da resistência à insulina e redução do peso corporal que acompanha o processo normal de envelhecimento. / Melatonin can negate several morphological and metabolic aged-induced changes. Although, this has been known for some time, the mechanism underlying melatonins actions are unclear. As suggested by some studies, a putative interaction between insulin and melatonin could be involved. In the present study, we have examined the regulation of the insulin signaling pathways by using immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting in hypothalamus, liver, adipose tissue and skeletal muscle of aged rats chronically treated with melatonin. Melatonin treatment promoted increase in insulin sensitivity and a reduction of visceral fat. These modifications were accompanied by the increased phosphorylation of insulin signaling downstream compounds associated with food ingestion in hypothalamus, glucose homeostasis in liver and adipose tissue (e.g. IRS-1) and mitogenic action on insulin in skeletal muscle (e.g. ERK-1/2). These results indicate that, in aged rats, melatonin regulates insulin signaling downstream components in a tissue-specific manner.

Ling, Yick Hin. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 72-77). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts also in Chinese.

The intracellular Ca2+ handling system in a cardiac myocyte is of crucial importance. It regulates the contraction and relaxation of the myocyte during the excitation-contraction (EC) coupling. A normal intracellular Ca2+ handling system keeps the contraction of the heart orderly, which represents a powerful force to pump blood to the whole body. However, disarrayed or remodelled cellular structure associated with the intracellular Ca2+ handling system at the subcellular level, such as loss of T-tubule network in diseased conditions, may promote abnormal cardiac EC coupling, leading to genesis of cardiac arrhythmias impairing cardiac mechanical functions. Up to date, it is still incompletely understood how the intracellular Ca2+ handling system is altered by changes in subcellular structures of Ca2+ handling systems. In this thesis, biophysically detailed computational models for the intracellular Ca2+ handling system of a cardiac cell were developed, providing a powerful platform to investigate the spatio-temporal complexity associated with the intracellular Ca2+ handling, and its role in generating abnormal cardiac EC coupling. First, a well-validated single cell model was used to investigate how the diastolic and systolic Ca2+ concentration responded to alterations in the model parameters related to the Ca2+ handling system, from which the mechanisms underlying the rate-dependence of EC coupling were analysed. Then, a novel single cell model, with a 2D presentation of the spatial structures of subcellular Ca2+ handling and membrane action potential, of a sheep atrial myocyte was developed for simulating the abnormal intracellular Ca2+ regulation system due to the loss of T-tubules during atrial fibrillation. Variant scenarios of T-tubule loss were considered to investigate the role of the T-tubule in affecting the intracellular Ca2+ regulation. Furthermore, membrane currents' alterations due to the electrical remodelling arising from atrial fibrillation were considered together with the loss of T-tubule. Three typical types of abnormal Ca2+ cycling phenomenon, namely intracellular Ca2+ alternans, spontaneous Ca2+ sparks and intracellular Ca2+ waves were observed in AF conditions. The relationship between T-tubule loss, AF-remodelling and the genesis of delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs) was also investigated. It was shown that the loss of T-tubule in AF condition played an important role in disturbing the Ca2+ regulation system, which increases the risk for a cell to generate impaired contraction.

Neurotrophins are a family of growth factors necessary for the development and maintenance of the nervous system. They produce their effects through receptor mediated signaling mechanisms that are highly regulated by sophisticated intracellular transport networks. The impairment of intracellular trafficking of neurotrophins in motor neurons has been identified as one possible factor in the development of motor neuron diseases, but remains inadequately studied. Aided by advances in imaging technology and the development of more powerful and sensitive detection tools for in-vitro studies, the dynamics of intracellular transport of neurotrophins are beginning to be unraveled. However, a primary limiting factor in the study of neurotrophin-transport dynamics in motor neurons has been the lack of alternative and easily available in-vitro systems able to substitute the often difficult and costly primary motor neuron cultures. The aim of this project was to develop a suitable motor neuron model using the NSC-34 cell line for the study of receptor mediated trafficking events through endosomal transport pathways. Successful evaluation and characterization of NSC-34 cells for motor neuron specific markers would result in the investigation of the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) trafficking pathways in the presence of exogenous neurotrophins, with a variety of confocal imaging techniques. Chapter 3 describes the optimisation of NSC-34 cell culture conditions through media modification and the development of a suitable growth substrate matrix, which significantly improved cell adhesion, differentiation and the ability to culture the cells for extended time periods in serum free conditions. Quantitative measurements of cell proliferation, culture viability, cell-body size and neurite length are described to highlight the increased value of the cell line for long-term culture and experiments examining a broad range of issues relevant to motor neurons. In Chapter 4, multiple experimental approaches were used to extensively screen the NSC-34 cell line for the presence of motor neuron-specific markers, neurotrophin receptors and proteins involved in regulation of endosomal transport. This characterization established the presence of a developing motor neuron-like neurotrophin receptor profile (p75NTR, TrkB and TrkC), a genetic marker of developing motor neurons, cholinergic markers, proteins regulating transport within the endosomal pathway, and additional proteins previously shown to directly interact with neurotrophin receptors, including sortilin, and the lipid raft associated ganglioside GT1b. Furthermore, evidence is provided that NSC-34 cells undergo apoptosis in response to exogenous nerve growth factor (NGF) or neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), but not brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or neurotrophin-4 (NT-4). In addition characterization of mouse specific p75NTR antibodies is presented to establish their suitability for internalization studies without altering the binding of exogenous neurotrophins to the receptor. Subsequent confocal microscopy examination focusing on p75NTR trafficking in Chapter 5 revealed that internalization and intracellular transport of this receptor is regulated by exogenous neurotrophins at the cell surface where ligand binding and internalization occur, and in endosomal compartments where the bulk of receptors and ligands are targeted to their specific destinations. Evidence is provided showing that p75NTR internalization is altered in the presence of NGF, NT-3, or NT-4, but not BDNF, and the receptor is diverted into non-clathrin mediated endosomal pathways in response to NGF but not BDNF. Immunofluorescence confocal microscopy suggests that p75NTR recycles to the plasma membrane in a Rab4 GTPase dependent manner in the absence of neurotrophins. Addition of neurotrophins diverted p75NTR from the recycling Rab4 positive pathway, into EEA-1 positive sorting endosomes in the presence of NGF or NT-3, or lysosomal degradation in the presence of BDNF or NT-4. This study clearly demonstrates the suitability of the NSC-34 cell line as an alternate in-vitro system for the study of motor neuron biology, particularly the study of neurotrophin receptor trafficking. Taken together the results represented in this study suggest for the first time, that the fate of the p75NTR receptor depends on which neurotrophin is bound. These findings have important implications for understanding the dynamic mechanisms of action of p75NTR in normal neuronal function, and may also offer further insight into the potential role of neurotrophins in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

<p>The lungs and upper airways are mucosal surfaces that are common site for infection with an enormous variety of inhaled pathogens. Therefore, induction of immune responses in the respiratory tract is crucial for protection against respiratory diseases.</p><p>One of the pathogens infecting the host via the respiratory tract is <i>Mycobacterium Tuberculosis</i>. The reported efficacy of the currently used Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine against tuberculosis is highly variable, ranging from 50% against pulmonary tuberculosis to 80% against disseminated tuberculosis. Recently, the current route of vaccination (intradermal) has been considered as a possible factor influencing the protective capacity of the BCG vaccine. In this regard, intradermal route most likely induces protective systemic responses while it fails to induce optimal responses in the lungs. Therefore, our working hypothesis is that vaccination should be directed towards the respiratory mucosal immunity in order to improve the degree of host protection in the lungs.</p><p>In this thesis we studied the effect of the route of immunization as well as of different mucosal adjuvants on the induction of mucosal immune responses against the mycobacterial surface antigen PstS-1. We found that, the intranasal (i.n.) route of immunization was a more favorable route inducing strong local immune responses, than intraperitoneal (i.p.) route. Indeed, i.n. route immunization, unlike the i.p. route, elicited strong IgA responses in the lungs accompanied by a major influx of CD4⁺ T cells and a significant local production of IFN-gamma.</p><p>IgA, being the predominant Ig isotype at mucosal tissues, is considered a major effector molecule involved in defense mechanisms against viral and bacterial pathogens at these sites. Therefore, we investigated the possible role of IgA in the protection of the respiratory mucosa against mycobacterial infections, using mice deficient in IgA and in the polymeric Ig receptor. We show that, deficient mice are more susceptible to mycobacterial infections than wild type mice, thereby demonstrating a role for IgA in protection against mycobacteria. Importantly, our studies revealed a reduced production of protective factors, such as INF-gamma and TNF-alpha in the lungs of deficient mice that was associated with the higher susceptibility seen in these mice compared to wild-type mice. We also conducted challenge experiments against another respiratory pathogen, <i>Chlamydia pneumoniae</i>, using IgA deficient mice. Likewise to mycobacteria, our data support a role for IgA in the protection of the respiratory tract against <i>C. pneumoniae</i> infection.</p><p>Finally, we investigated the possible mechanisms explaining the reduced pro-inflammatory responses in IgA deficient mice. Our data indicated that IgA deficient mice present a defective response to stimulation with LPS or 19kDa which appears to be both, essentially due to suboptimal stimulation of macrophages and restricted to the lungs.</p>

Blood was obtained from 5 adult horses and 16 juvenile horses (foals) at the time of birth and subsequently at 2-, 4-, and 8-weeks of age. Neutrophils from adult horses were purified and incubated for 2 h and 4 h with media, avirulent R. equi, virulent R. equi, or recombinant-human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF). Neutrophils from foals were purified and incubated for 2 h and 4 h with media or virulent R. equi. Total RNA was extracted from both adult and foal neutrophils immediately after purification to measure baseline expression levels (0 h), and immediately after each of the prescribed incubation times. For each sample, 1 µg of total RNA was reverse-transcribed and analyzed for differential gene expression using real-time PCR. After 2 h and 4 h incubation with virulent or avirulent R. equi, neutrophils from adult horses expressed significantly (P< 0.05) greater TNFα, IL-12p40, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-23p19 mRNA relative to expression by unstimulated neutrophils, but not IFNγ or IL-12p35 mRNA. Furthermore, virulent R. equi induced significantly greater IL-23p19 mRNA expression than avirulent R. equi. Stimulation with rhGM-CSF of adult equine neutrophils failed to induce significant changes in cytokine expression. In foal neutrophils, stimulation with virulent R. equi induced significantly greater expression of IFNγ, TNFα, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12p40, and IL-12p35 mRNA relative to expression by unstimulated neutrophils. Furthermore, there were significant effects of age on expression of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-12p40 mRNA. Neutrophil mRNA expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in newborn foals was significantly greater than expression at 2-, 4-, and 8-weeks of age. There was no significant difference between unstimulated and R. equi-stimulated neutrophils from newborn and 2-week-old foals in expression of IL-12p40; however, expression of IL-12p40 by R. equi-stimulated neutrophils from 4- and 8-week-old foals was significantly greater than expression by unstimulated neutrophils. These results demonstrate that R. equi-stimulated neutrophils are a source of many pro-inflammatory cytokines, and that the magnitude of this expression with respect to IL-6, IL-8, and IL-12p40 mRNA expression was influenced by age. Collectively, the data presented indicate a non-phagocytic role for neutrophils that may influence the type of adaptive immune response to R. equi.

Francisella tularensis is a highly infective, intracellular bacterium. It is capable of infecting a wide range of mammals and causes the disease tularemia in humans. As a result of its high infectivity there have been a lot of efforts made to create a generally available vaccine against this pathogen. One potential vaccine candidate is the FSC043 strain, a spontaneous mutant that has acquired mutations making it attenuated for replication both in vitro and in the experimental mouse model. However, it was noted that it afforded protection against challenge with a highly virulent F. tularensis strain. The aim of this thesis has been to delineate the mechanisms of its attenuation to better understand F. tularensis pathogenesis and to obtain a better knowledge about the prerequisites of protective immunity against this potent pathogen. Microarray and whole-genome sequencing revealed four mutations in the attenuated FSC043 strain that were not present in the virulent SCHU S4 isolate. One of these mutations has been described earlier as it results in a fusion protein also found in other attenuated strains. Among the other differences, two mutations were identical nonsense mutations in a duplicated gene region known as the Francisella pathogenicity island (FPI). The affected gene, pdpC, is coding for PdpC (pathogenicity determinant protein C). We found that these mutations resulted in a truncated form of PdpC, and also that the downstream gene was severely downregulated due to these mutations. Further, our studies revealed that the intracellular phenotype of the FSC043 strain differed from other tested strains in that a small portion of the intracellular bacteria were able to escape the phagosome and multiply within the host, while the majority of intracellular bacteria stayed confined to the phagosome. We wanted to study the specific function of pdpC and therefore deleted both copies of it in the virulent SCHU S4strain as well as the Live Vaccine Strain, an empirically attenuated strain often used as a model for the virulent strains of F. tularensis. The resulting mutants showed an attenuated phenotype; no intracellular growth in murine cells, and no virulence in mice. When studying the intracellular localization of the LVS Δpdpc mutant, we found that it was uniformly located adjacent to phagosomal membrane-like structures but that the membrane was markedly disrupted. Further, this mutant induced an MOI-dependent cytotoxicity, measured by LDH release, and also the release of IL-1β, an inflammatory cytokine not induced by phagosomally contained mutants. Studies on markers for host cell death revealed that the LVS ΔpdpC mutant induced mitochondrial instability, phosphatidylserine (PS) presentation, and TUNEL-specific DNA fragmentation in infected cells, rather similar to the wild-type strain, despite its lack of replication. This study reveals that the pdpC gene is an important gene required for F. tularensis virulence. We also show that non-replicating intracellular bacteria can induce host cell death, hypothesizing that release of bacterial components in the host cell cytosol is required for this induction. The FSC043 mutant showed a unique phenotype where a small subset of bacteria was able to escape the phagosome and replicate in the host cell. This was also seen in the pdpC deletion mutant of SCHU S4, but not with the LVS ΔpdpC. However, regardless of genetic background, the ΔpdpC mutant had an effect on phagosomal escape; either by affecting the phagosomal membranes in a unique way or by allowing phagosomal escape of a small proportion of the bacteria.