This study investigated whether oxLDL and/or angiotensin (Ang) II signaling pathways mediate traffic-generated air pollution- exposure induced alterations in blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and permeability in a healthy wild type (C57Bl/6) mouse model; additionally, whether these outcomes are exacerbated by a high fat-diet investigated. An environmentally relevant concentration of a mixture of vehicle engine exhaust (MVE) was used. To investigate the hypotheses, 12 wk old male C57Bl/6 mice on either a high fat (HF) or low fat (LF) diet were randomly assigned to inhalational exposure of either filtered-air (FA) or 30 µg PM/m3 diesel exhaust + 70 µg PM/m3 gasoline exhaust (MVE) for 6 hr/day for 30 days. Additionally, we examined mechanisms involved in MVE-mediated alterations BBB integrity using a novel BBB co-culture in vitro model, consisting of mouse primary cerebral vascular endothelial cells on an apical transwell and astrocytes in the basal compartment, which was treated with plasma from the mice on our exposure study. Our in vivo exposure study results showed that MVE inhalation resulted in increased circulating plasma oxLDL and Ang II, compared to FA controls. Additionally, we observed increased cerebral microvascular expression of oxLDL receptors, LOX-1 and CD-36, and Ang II receptor subtype 1 (AT1) in MVE-exposed C57Bl/6 mice, which was further exacerbated with consumption of an HF diet. Increased signaling of both Ang II and oxLDL was associated with decreased BBB integrity, as evidenced by the concurrent reduction in expression of tight junction (TJ) protein claudin-5 and increased permeability of sodium fluorescein (Na-F) from the blood into the cerebral parenchyma. Our results suggest that possible mechanisms involved in oxLDL and/or Ang II-mediated alterations in BBB integrity include oxidative stress and upregulated expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, which is associated with degradation of TJ proteins in the BBB. Our in vitro BBB co-culture results confirm our in vivo findings, as we observe increased BBB permeability (TEER) and decreased integrity (decreased expression of TJ proteins) in the endothelial (apical) layer when treated with plasma from MVE-exposed mice, which was further exacerbated when treated with plasma from MVE-exposed mice on an HF diet. Pre-treatment of the endothelial cells with the AT1 receptor antagonist, Losartan, prior to applying plasma, resulted in attenuation of the alterations observed in endothelial integrity in the BBB co-culture treated with plasma from either MVE+LF or MVE+HF animals. These results suggest Ang II – AT1 signaling mediate, at least in part, the alterations in the BBB integrity observed after exposure to MVE. Moreover, we observed that treatment of the endothelial (apical) layer with plasma from MVE-exposed animals resulted in increased production of inflammatory mediators interleukin-6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor-β in the astrocyte media (basal compartment). Additionally, these same astrocytes also displayed increased production of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and also AT1 receptor mRNA expression, while showing decreased expression of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Collectively, these results suggest that exposure to the ubiquitous environmental air pollutant, vehicle engine emissions, results in increased oxLDL and Ang II signaling in the cerebral microvasculature, which is associated with decreased vessel integrity and increased oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling in the CNS. The observed detrimental outcomes are even further exacerbated when coupled with the consumption of an HF diet.

Le système lymphatique joue un rôle clé dans le transport du cholestérol hors de la paroi artérielle et une dysfonction lymphatique précède l'apparition de l'athérosclérose. Cette dysfonction est associée à une diminution de l’expression du récepteur des lipoprotéines de faible densité (LDLR) et est à priori indépendante des taux de cholestérol circulant. Il a été démontré que les souris dépourvues de la proprotéine subtilisine/kexine de type 9 (PCSK9), une proprotéine qui mène à la dégradation du LDLR, ont une fonction lymphatique améliorée, tandis que les souris dépourvues de LDLR développent une dysfonction lymphatique. Nous visons maintenant à mieux comprendre les mécanismes par lesquels la présence de PCSK9 dans la lymphe ou la modulation du LDLR sur les cellules endothéliales lymphatiques (CEL) affecte la fonction lymphatique. Les CEL sont incubées avec du PCSK9 ou traitées avec un ARN inhibant spécifiquement l’expression du LDLR afin d’évaluer comment la présence de PCSK9 ou la modulation du LDLR affecte l'intégrité des CEL. Nos résultats démontrent que le PCSK9 n’induit pas la sécrétion de cytokines inflammatoires et n'affecte pas l'expression des marqueurs lymphatiques. L’inhibition de l’expression du LDLR entraîne une diminution des marqueurs lymphatiques membranaires endothéliaux. La diminution du LDLR a aussi entrainé une diminution des taux de certains lipides intracellulaires et en particulier des phospholipides, des sphingolipides et des triglycérides. Ces résultats suggèrent qu'une perte du LDLR, mais pas la présence de PCSK9 en circulation, pourrait induire à une altération de l'endothélium lymphatique causée par une diminution de l’expression de protéines membranaires essentielles au bon transport de la lymphe. / The lymphatic system plays a key role in the removal of cholesterol from the artery wall and lymphatic dysfunction is known to occur prior to the onset of atherosclerosis. This dysfunction is associated with reduced expression of the low-density-lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and is first independent of circulating cholesterol levels. It has been shown that mice lacking proprotein subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a proprotein that degrades LDLR, have improved lymphatic function while mice lacking LDLR had a lymphatic dysfunction. We now aim to better understand the mechanisms by which the presence of PCSK9 in lymph or the modulation of LDLR on lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) affects lymphatic function. Incubation of LECs with PCSK9 and specific targeting of LDLR expression with silencing RNAs were used to further evaluate how PCSK9 or modulation of LDLR affect the metabolism and integrity of LECs. Our results demonstrate that PCSK9 does not induce the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and does not affect the expression of lymphatic markers. LDLR silencing RNA leads to a decrease of membrane-bound lymphatic endothelial cell markers. A decrease in LDLR expression also led to a decrease in the content of some intracellular lipids and particularly phospholipids, sphingolipids and triglycerides. These results suggest that loss of LDLR expression, but not circulating PCSK9, could lead to alterations in the lymphatic endothelium caused by loss of membrane integrity which could in turn affect lymph transport.

The liver regulates inflammation during sepsis, and most liver functions are carried out by hepatocytes. Bacterial lipids, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA), can be cleared by hepatocytes, but the underlying mechanisms are uncertain. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) regulates uptake of LPS by hepatocytes, but it is unknown whether LTA uptake is similarly regulated. Therefore, our objectives were to characterize the PCSK9-regulated pathway of bacterial lipid uptake by hepatocytes by identifying whether low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (LDLR) and LDLR-related protein 1 (LRP1) are the target receptors, and by determining which lipoproteins are involved. To study this pathway, we assessed the uptake of fluorescently-labeled LPS or LTA by human HepG2 hepatocytes using flow cytometry. We pre-treated HepG2 cells with PCSK9, alone or in combination with anti-LDLR or anti-LRP1 antibodies, in order to identify the PCSK9-regulated receptors that are involved, and utilized media containing normal serum or lipoprotein-deficient serum to investigate the lipoprotein- dependence of this pathway. We also determined the roles of LDL and HDL in bacterial lipid uptake through a series of add-back experiments to lipoprotein-deficient serum, and blocked LDLR to confirm that LDLR mediates LDL-dependent uptake. The HepG2 cell response to variable degrees of bacterial lipid uptake was also assessed in a subset of experiments by measuring several cytokines and extracellular alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity in the cell culture supernatant. We found that PCSK9 regulates LDLR-mediated uptake of both LPS and LTA through an LDL-dependent mechanism, while LRP1 is not involved. Increased bacterial lipid uptake did not result in any hepatocellular injury or cytokine production, as measured by ALT activity and interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-17 concentrations. In conclusion, we completed our objective of characterizing the PCSK9-regulated pathway of bacterial lipid uptake, and provide supporting evidence for targeting PCSK9 as a novel therapeutic avenue in sepsis. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Bacterial compounds stimulate inflammation that can be overwhelming during sepsis. Understanding the processes behind uptake and clearance of these compounds may lead to better sepsis treatments. Therefore, our goal was to understand how uptake of two bacterial compounds, lipopolysaccharide and lipoteichoic acid, occurs by liver cells called hepatocytes. Hepatocytes are naturally equipped to clear foreign compounds, so understanding their role in clearing bacterial compounds is important. Another goal was to identify the role of the protein PCSK9 in this uptake process, as treatments targeting PCSK9 could be applied to sepsis once we understand its role in this disease. Our research demonstrates the negative role of PCSK9 in regulating uptake of lipopolysaccharide and lipoteichoic acid through a lipoprotein receptor called LDLR, and identifies the role of lipoproteins in this process. These findings further our understanding of the hepatocyte response to bacterial compounds in relation to sepsis, and identify PCSK9 as a potential target for new sepsis therapies.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Estudos demonstram a associação de alterações da apolipoproteína E (ApoE) e do receptor do LDL (RLDL) com a ocorrência de doenças cardiovasculares e dislipidemia. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi investigar a associação entre genótipos diferenciais da ApoE e do RLDL com a persistência de alterações de variáveis lipídicas em indivíduos jovens acompanhados há 28 anos no Estudo do Rio de Janeiro (ERJ). Através de um estudo longitudinal, tipo coorte, investigou-se 56 indivíduos (35M) em três avaliações. Em A1 (13.301.53 anos), A2 (22.091.91 anos) e A3 (31.231.99). Nas três ocasiões foi realizada avaliação clínica. Em A2 e A3 foram dosados colesterol total, HDL, LDL e triglicerídeos. Em A3 acrescentou-se o estudo dos polimorfismos genéticos da ApoE e do RLDL. Os fragmentos de interesse neste estudo foram amplificados por PCR (polymerase chain reaction) e os genótipos foram identificados através de reações de restrição. As frequências genotípicas de ApoE foram ε3/ε3 (62,5%), ε3/ε4 (25%), ε2/ε3 (5,4%) ,ε2/ε4 (5,4%) e ε4/ε4 (1,8%) e para os genótipos de RLDL foram AA (85,7%), AT (12,5%) e TT (1,8%). O genótipo ε2/ε2 não foi observado. A análise da distribuição dos genótipos de ApoE segundo a permanência de dislipidemia mostrou que todos os indivíduos com genótipo de ApoE dos tipos ε2/ε4 e ε4/ε4 mantiveram pelo menos um lípide alterado em A2 e A3 entretanto, todos os indivíduos com genótipo de ApoE do tipo ε2/ε3 não apresentaram lípides alterados em A2 e A3. Para o genótipo do RLDL não houve diferença significativa. Quando analisadas isoladamente, não foi identificado nenhum resultado significativo em A2 e/ou A3 associado a estes genótipos. O polimorfismo do gene da ApoE esteve associado à permanência de dislipidemia em indivíduos jovens acompanhados em estudo de seguimento longitudinal / Studies have shown the association of changes in the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and LDL receptor (LDLR) with the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases and dyslipidemia. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between different ApoE genotypes and LDLR with the persistence of changes in lipid variables in young individuals followed-up 28 years in the study of Rio de Janeiro (ERJ). Through a longitudinal study cohort, 56 subjects (35M) in A1(13.30 1.53 years), A2(22.09 1.91 years) and A3(31.23 1.99) were investigated. On all three occasions clinical evaluation was conducted. In A2 and A3: total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides. In A3 was added to the study of genetic polymorphisms of the ApoE and LDLR. The fragments of interest in this study were amplified by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and the genotypes were identified by reaction with the restriction enzyme HhaI and HaeIII for ApoE and LDLR polymorphisms, respectively. ApoE genotypes were identified as ε3/ε3 (62.5%), ε3/ε4 (25%), ε2/ε3 (5.4%), ε2/ε4 (5.4%) and ε4/ε4 (1.8%) and the LDLR genotypes identified as AA (85.7%), AT (12.5%) and TT (1.8%). ε2/ε2 genotype was not observed. The analysis of the distribution of ApoE and LDLR genotypes according to the permanence of the dyslipidemia in the study sample showed that all individuals with the ApoE genotype ε2/ε4 and ε4/ε4 kept at least one lipid changes in A2 and A3 and all individuals ApoE genotype ε2/ε3 had not altered lipids in A2 and A3, while for RLDL genotype no difference was found. When analyzed individually, no lipid variable altered in A2 and/or A3, associated with these genotypes, were found. The ApoE gene polymorphism was associated with the permanence of dyslipidemia in young individuals in a longitudinal follow-up study

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Estudos demonstram a associação de alterações da apolipoproteína E (ApoE) e do receptor do LDL (RLDL) com a ocorrência de doenças cardiovasculares e dislipidemia. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi investigar a associação entre genótipos diferenciais da ApoE e do RLDL com a persistência de alterações de variáveis lipídicas em indivíduos jovens acompanhados há 28 anos no Estudo do Rio de Janeiro (ERJ). Através de um estudo longitudinal, tipo coorte, investigou-se 56 indivíduos (35M) em três avaliações. Em A1 (13.301.53 anos), A2 (22.091.91 anos) e A3 (31.231.99). Nas três ocasiões foi realizada avaliação clínica. Em A2 e A3 foram dosados colesterol total, HDL, LDL e triglicerídeos. Em A3 acrescentou-se o estudo dos polimorfismos genéticos da ApoE e do RLDL. Os fragmentos de interesse neste estudo foram amplificados por PCR (polymerase chain reaction) e os genótipos foram identificados através de reações de restrição. As frequências genotípicas de ApoE foram ε3/ε3 (62,5%), ε3/ε4 (25%), ε2/ε3 (5,4%) ,ε2/ε4 (5,4%) e ε4/ε4 (1,8%) e para os genótipos de RLDL foram AA (85,7%), AT (12,5%) e TT (1,8%). O genótipo ε2/ε2 não foi observado. A análise da distribuição dos genótipos de ApoE segundo a permanência de dislipidemia mostrou que todos os indivíduos com genótipo de ApoE dos tipos ε2/ε4 e ε4/ε4 mantiveram pelo menos um lípide alterado em A2 e A3 entretanto, todos os indivíduos com genótipo de ApoE do tipo ε2/ε3 não apresentaram lípides alterados em A2 e A3. Para o genótipo do RLDL não houve diferença significativa. Quando analisadas isoladamente, não foi identificado nenhum resultado significativo em A2 e/ou A3 associado a estes genótipos. O polimorfismo do gene da ApoE esteve associado à permanência de dislipidemia em indivíduos jovens acompanhados em estudo de seguimento longitudinal / Studies have shown the association of changes in the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and LDL receptor (LDLR) with the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases and dyslipidemia. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between different ApoE genotypes and LDLR with the persistence of changes in lipid variables in young individuals followed-up 28 years in the study of Rio de Janeiro (ERJ). Through a longitudinal study cohort, 56 subjects (35M) in A1(13.30 1.53 years), A2(22.09 1.91 years) and A3(31.23 1.99) were investigated. On all three occasions clinical evaluation was conducted. In A2 and A3: total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides. In A3 was added to the study of genetic polymorphisms of the ApoE and LDLR. The fragments of interest in this study were amplified by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and the genotypes were identified by reaction with the restriction enzyme HhaI and HaeIII for ApoE and LDLR polymorphisms, respectively. ApoE genotypes were identified as ε3/ε3 (62.5%), ε3/ε4 (25%), ε2/ε3 (5.4%), ε2/ε4 (5.4%) and ε4/ε4 (1.8%) and the LDLR genotypes identified as AA (85.7%), AT (12.5%) and TT (1.8%). ε2/ε2 genotype was not observed. The analysis of the distribution of ApoE and LDLR genotypes according to the permanence of the dyslipidemia in the study sample showed that all individuals with the ApoE genotype ε2/ε4 and ε4/ε4 kept at least one lipid changes in A2 and A3 and all individuals ApoE genotype ε2/ε3 had not altered lipids in A2 and A3, while for RLDL genotype no difference was found. When analyzed individually, no lipid variable altered in A2 and/or A3, associated with these genotypes, were found. The ApoE gene polymorphism was associated with the permanence of dyslipidemia in young individuals in a longitudinal follow-up study

Orientador: Joyce Maria Annichinno-Bizzacchi / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-08T02:29:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Mello_TayanaBezerraTeixeira_D.pdf: 2343820 bytes, checksum: be3d8e4b057cd84ec6771c67b8b1407d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: Nos últimos anos tem sido demonstrada uma associação entre níveis elevados de certos fatores da coagulação e risco de tromboembolismo venoso (TEV). Entretanto, o número de estudos é pequeno e a maioria estão restritos a populações caucasóides. Neste estudo caso-controle emparelhado por idade, sexo e etnia investigamos os níveis plasmáticos do fibrinogênio, FVII, FVIII, FIX, FX, FXI, FvW e grupo sanguíneo (GS) ABO no risco trombótico. Foram analisados 175 pacientes com TEV (122 mulheres e 53 homens), com idade mediana de 36 anos (13-63), acompanhados no Ambulatório de Hemostasia da Unicamp no período de julho de 2002 a julho de 2005. Na análise univariada, níveis elevados de FVIII (OR: 5,3 IC95% 2,9-9,6), FvW (OR: 4,9 IC95% 2,7-8,9), FIX (OR: 2,4 IC95% 1,3-4,4), FXI (OR: 2,1 IC95% 1,1-4,0) e GS não O (OR: 3,0 IC95% 1,9-4,6) foram fatores de risco para TEV. O FVIII, FvW e GS não O foram associados ao risco tanto em membro inferior como em sítio incomum da doença. A análise de todas estas variáveis, segundo critério de seleção ¿stepwise¿, mostrou o FVIII (OR: 3,1 IC95% 1,6-6,0), FvW (OR:2,8 IC95% 1,4-5,4) e o GS não-O (OR:2,2 IC95% 1,3-3,5) como fatores de risco independentes para TEV e que o FIX e FXI agiram sinergicamente a estas variáveis no acréscimo do risco trombótico. Risco de recorrência foi conferido por elevações do FIX (OR: 4,7 IC95% 1,8-11,9) e FXI (OR: 3,4 IC95% 1,8-8,7). Os determinantes dos níveis plasmáticos do FVIII não estão totalmente esclarecidos. Como a LRP (Low density lipoprotein receptor related protein) tem um papel no catabolismo do FVIII, foram pesquisados os polimorfimos C200T, o A775P e o D2080N no gene codificador dessa proteína, como fator de risco para TEV e a influência dos mesmos sobre os níveis do FVIII e FvW. Não houve diferença nas prevalências destes polimorfismos entre pacientes e controles. No entanto, no grupo-controle, o genótipo DN, do polimorfismo D2080N, foi associado a menores concentrações do FVIII (77,4 UI/dl) e FvW (70,2 UI/dl), quando comparado ao genótipo DD (127 UI/dl e 108,4 UI/dl, respectivamente p<0,05). Em conclusão, nesta população brasileira miscigenada, o FVIII, FvW , FIX, FXI e GS não O foram associados ao risco de TEV e o polimorfismo D2080N, no gene da LRP, interferiu com os níveis plasmáticos de FVIII e FvW / Abstract: During the last years an association between high levels of certain coagulation factors and the risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) has been demonstrated. The number of studies, however, is small, and most of them are restricted to Caucasian populations. In this case control study, matched for age, sex and ethnicity, we investigated the plasma levels of fibrinogen, FVII, FVIII, FIX, FX, FXI, vWF and the ABO blood group (BG) in the thrombotic risk. It was analyzed 175 patients with VTE (122 women and 53 men), median age 36 years (13-63), followed at the hemostasis outpatient clinic at the State University of Campinas ¿ UNICAMP, between July 2002 and July 2005. In univariate analysis, elevated levels of FVIII (OR: 5.3 95%CI 2.9-9.6), FvW (OR: 4.9 95%CI 2.7-8.9), FIX (OR: 2.4 95%CI 1.3-4.4), FXI (OR: 2.1 95%CI 1.1-4.0) and non O BG (OR: 3.0 95%CI 1.9-4.6) were risk factors for VTE. FVIII, FvW and non O BG were associated with the risk both in lower limbs and unusual sites of disease. Analysis of all these variables by stepwise selection criteria showed FVIII (OR:3.1 95%CI 1.6-6.0), FvW (OR:2.8 95%CI 1.4-5.4) and non O BG (OR:2.2 95%CI 1.3-3.5) as independent risk factors for VTE, and FIX and FXI increased synergistically the risk of thrombosis of these variables. Risk of recurrence was conferred by FIX (OR:4.7 IC95% 1.8-11.9) and FXI (OR:3.4 IC95% 1.8-8.7). The FVIII plasma levels determinants are not well established. Since LRP (Low density lipoprotein receptor related protein) has a role in the catabolism of FVIII, we evaluated the C200T, A775P and, D2080N polymorphisms in the gene coding of this protein, as risk factor for VTE and their influence upon the levels of FVIII and vWF. There was no difference regarding the prevalence of these polymorphisms between patients and controls. However, in the control group, the DN genotype, of the D2080N polymorphism, was associated with lower concentrations of FVIII (77.4 UI/dl) and vWF (70.2 UI/dl), when compared to DD genotype (127 UI/dl e 108.4 UI/dl, respectively p<0.05). In conclusion, in these Brazilian miscigenous population, increased levels of FVIII, FvW, FIX, FXI and non O BG were associated with VTE risk and the D2080N polymorphism, in the LRP gene, influenced plasma levels of FVIII and vWF / Doutorado / Biologia Estrutural, Celular, Molecular e do Desenvolvimento / Doutor em Fisiopatologia Medica

Atherosklerotisch bedingte Herz-Kreislauferkrankungen zählen weltweit zu den häufigsten Todesursachen. Die vorliegende Arbeit befasst sich in einem Mausmodell mit der Identifikation neuer Genorte, welche die Ausprägung der Atherosklerose und deren Kofaktoren beeinflussen. Zu diesem Zweck wurde eine Kopplungsuntersuchung in einer Kreuzung Atherosklerose-empfindlicher C57BL/6 und BALB/c Mäuse auf dem LDL-Rezeptor defizienten Hintergrund durchgeführt. Außer der Größe der atherosklerotischen Läsionen wurden 61 weitere Phänotypen bestimmt. Als Hauptergebnis konnte ein neuer Genlocus auf dem proximalen Chromosom 2 identifiziert werden, welcher einen Einfluss auf die Größe der atherosklerotischen Läsionen an der Aortenwurzel hat. Des Weiteren zeigte sich eine Co-Segregation von Lipoproteinen (Very-Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) Cholesterin und High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterin mit diesem Locus sowie eine Korrelation dieser Lipide mit der Läsionsgrösse. Diese Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass der Effekt des Chromosom 2 Lokus auf die Atherosklerose durch genetische Faktoren des Fettstoffwechsels bedingt ist. Weitere Experimente sind notwendig um den QTL weiter einzuengen und die verantwortlichen Gene zu identifizieren.

La thérapie cellulaire pourrait représenter une alternative à la transplantation hépatique dans certaines pathologies comme les maladies métaboliques sévères. Toutefois, la pénurie de donneurs d’organes implique la nécessité de trouver de nouvelles sources de cellules hépatiques comme les cellules souches pluripotentes qui peuvent être amplifiées extensivement et différenciées en tout type cellulaire. Les cellules souches embryonnaires humaines (hESC) et les cellules souches pluripotentes induites humaines (hiPSC) générées à partir des cellules somatiques de patients puis différenciées en hépatocytes représentent une source potentielle d’hépatocytes. Ces cellules permettent en outre d’envisager la transplantation d’hépatocytes autologues génétiquement modifiés comme alternative à la transplantation hépatique pour le traitement de certaines maladies génétiques du foie. L’hypercholestérolémie familiale (HF) est une maladie autosomale dominante due à des mutations dans le gène codant le Récepteur aux Low Density Lipoproteins (RLDL) qui est à l’origine d’un taux élevé de cholestérol sanguin de patients HF. Les patients homozygotes doivent épurer leur sérum par LDL-aphérèse en moyenne deux fois par mois dès le plus jeune âge pour éviter les infarctus mortels survenant dès l’enfance. Les hépatocytes différenciées à partir des iPSC de patients et leur correction in vitro, permettent d'évaluer la faisabilité de la transplantation d'hépatocytes autologues génétiquement modifiés pour le traitement de l’hypercholestérolémie familiale.Au cours du développement du foie, des hépatocytes et des cholangiocytes, les deux types de cellules épithéliales hépatiques, dérivent de progéniteurs hépatiques bipotents (les hépatoblastes). Bien que les cholangiocytes formant les canaux biliaires intrahépatiques ne représentent qu'une petite fraction de la population cellulaire totale du foie (3%), ces cellules régulent activement la composition de la bile par réabsorption des acides biliaires, un processus qui est important dans des maladies choléstatiques du foie. Dans la première partie de cette étude nous avons mis au point une approche de différenciation des cellules souches pluripotentes (hESC et hiPSC) en cholangiocytes fonctionnels. Ces cellules serviront à la modélisation des maladies génétiques touchant les cholangiocytes formant des canaux biliaires. Dans la deuxième partie, nous avons généré des iPSC spécifiques de patients HF (HF-iPSC), différenciées en hépatocytes et corrigé le défaut phénotypique par transfert lentiviral de l’ADNc codant le LDLR dans les HF-iPSC. / Cell therapy can be an alternative to liver transplantation in some cases such as severe metabolic diseases. However, the shortage of organ donors implies the need to find new sources of liver cells such as hepatocytes derived from pluripotent stem cells that can be amplified and differentiated extensively into any cell type. Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) generated from somatic cells of patients and then differentiated into hepatocytes represent a potential source of transplantable hepatocytes. These cells now make it possible to consider the transplantation of genetically modified autologous hepatocytes as an alternative to liver transplantation for the treatment of genetic diseases of the liver.Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding the receptor for Low Density Lipoproteins (LDLR), which is the cause of high blood cholesterol in these patients. Homozygous patients should purify their serum LDL-apheresis on average twice a month starting at a young age to avoid fatal myocardial infarction occurring in childhood.Human hepatocytes differentiated from patient’s induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) allow assessing the feasibility to transplant genetically modified autologous hepatocytes as treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia.During the liver development, hepatocytes and cholangiocytes, the two types of hepatic epithelial cells, derive from bipotent hepatic progenitors (hepatoblasts). Although cholangiocytes, forming intrahepatic bile ducts, represent a small fraction of the total liver cell population (3%), they actively regulate bile composition by secretion and reabsorption of bile acids, a process that is important in cholestatic liver diseases. In the first part of this study we developed an approach to differentiate pluripotent stem cells (hESC and hiPSC) into functional cholangiocytes. These cells could be used for the modeling of genetic biliary diseases. In the second part, we generated FH patient specific iPSCs (HF-iPSC), differentiated them into hepatocytes and tried to correct the disease phenotype by lentiviral introduction of LDLR cDNA cassette in HF-iPSC.

La barrière hémato-encéphalique (BHE) protège le système nerveux central (SNC) des fluctuations plasmatiques des molécules endogènes, mais aussi exogènes, et notamment des molécules à potentiel thérapeutique. L’imperméabilité de la BHE est compensée par la présence de mécanismes qui assurent le transport transendothélial des nutriments nécessaires au tissu nerveux, parmi lesquels la transcytose relayée par différents récepteurs. Dans le but d’améliorer le transfert d’agents thérapeutiques à travers la BHE, nous développons des « vecteurs » qui se lient à certains de ces récepteurs. Au cours de notre thèse, nous avons développé et optimisé des modèles in vitro de BHE et barrière sang-moelle épinière (BSME) syngéniques de rats et souris, basés sur la co-culture de cellules endothéliales microvasculaires (CEMs) cérébrales (CEMCs) ou spinales (CEMSs) et d'astrocytes. Parmi les récepteurs étudiés, nous montrons que le LDLR est exprimé à la membrane plasmique apicale des CEMCs et qu’il est impliqué dans la transcytose du LDL tout en évitant le compartiment lysosomal, confirmant l’intérêt de son ciblage dans nos approches. Nous montrons que nos vecteurs, conjugués à une molécule organique ou à un cargo protéique, sont endocytés par les CEMCs de façon LDLR-dépendante, évitent le compartiment lysosomal et franchissent la monocouche de CEMCs. Nous avons également mis en place des modèles in vitro de BHE et BSME enflammés, sachant que l’inflammation des CEMs est associée à de nombreuses pathologies du SNC. Ces modèles seront utiles pour évaluer des stratégies de vectorisation ciblant préférentiellement les structures du SNC en situation pathologique. / The blood-brain barrier (BBB) protects the central nervous system (CNS) from plasma fluctuations of endogenous, but also exogenous molecules, including therapeutic molecules. The BBB’s restrictive properties are compensated by the presence of different mechanisms that provide transport of nutrients across the BBB, including transcytosis of endogenous ligands mediated by receptors. Our objective is to improve drug delivery across the BBB and we developed “vectors” that target different recpetors. During our thesis we developed and optimized cellular tools and approaches, in particular syngeneic in vitro models of the BBB and blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) from both rat and mouse, based on the co-culture of brain (BMECs) or spinal cord (SCMECs) microvascular endothelial cells (MECs) and astrocytes. Among the receptors we studied, we show that the LDL receptor (LDLR) is expressed at the apical plasma membrane of BMECs and confirmed that it is involved in transcytosis of LDL through the vesicular compartment, while avoiding the lysosomal compartment, further establishing its interest as a target receptor. We show that our vectors conjugated to an organic molecule or to a protein cargo are endocytosed by BMECs in a LDLR-dependent manner, avoid the lysosomal compartment and cross the BMEC monolayers. Finally, we developed BBB and BSCB in vitro models in inflammatory conditions, considering that MECs inflammation is associated with many CNS lesions and pathologies. These models will be useful to better understand the inflammatory processes of CNS endothelial cells and to evaluate vectorization strategies preferentially targeting CNS structures in pathological condition.