Les bactéries Pectobacterium sont classées parmi les agents pathogènes les plus importants économiquement pour la culture de la pomme de terre. Au cours des dernières années, une augmentation des maladies dues à ces bactéries a pu être observée. Le but de ce travail de thèse était d'analyser certains aspects de la diversité liés aux Pectobacterium sp à savoir : (i) la diversité génétique liée aux régulateurs du pouvoir pathogène de la bactérie (ii) la diversité de virulence et d'agressivité des souches de Pectobacterium vis-à-vis de leurs hôtes et (iii). Le rôle et la diversité des effets induits par le lipopolysaccharides (LPS), composants de la surface bactérienne de bactéries phytopathogène ou non phytopathogène. Ce travail de thèse souligne également le rôle potentiel que pourrait jouer ces molécules LPS dans le biocontrôledes Pectobacterium sp. Différentes expérimentations cellulaires et moléculaires allant de l'identification de la bactérie à la compréhension des voies de signalisation ont été utilisées. Les résultats obtenus nous ont permis de montré, en premier lieu que, le séquençage du gène pmrA, gène connu pour être impliqué dans la régulation du pouvoir pathogène desPectobacterium, est un outil moléculaire complémentaire d'identification de sous espèces de Pcc et pourrait être aussi un moyen efficace d'évaluation de la diversité génétique intraspécifique. Dans un second temps, nous avons montré que les cultures cellulaires d'Arabidopsis thaliana pourraient être un modèle végétal d'évaluation de l'agressivité des Pectobacterium. Ceci a été obtenu par quantification des cinétiques de trois paramètres associés à la pathogénie de ces bactéries à savoir : l'activité des pectate-lyases, déterminant majeur du pouvoir pathogène des Pcc, la fuite des électrolytes, considérée comme un marqueur précoce de la mort cellulaire, et la mort cellulaire des cultures elle-même. Enfin nous avons également montré que les effets induits par les LPS chez les cellules d'Arabidopsis thaliana sont dépendant du type bactérien. En effet Les résultats obtenus nous ont permis de mettre en évidence trois types de réponses différentes aux LPS en fonction de leur origine: les réponses identiques (régulation des flux d'ions), des réponses communes mais présentant des intensités et de cinétiques différentes (production de ROS, induction de gènes de défense) et des réponses spécifiques (induction d'une PCD, alcalinisation du milieu). Ces résultats indiquent que différentes voies de signalisation pourraient être activées chez Arabidopsis thaliana. Ils nous ont permis également de mieux comprendre l'implication des LPS dans le biocontrôle contre les Pectobacterium sp.

Os objetivos principais desta tese foram avaliar parâmetros bioquímicos gliais, inflamatórios e comportamentais em pacientes com lesão medular (LM) submetidos a um protocolo de dança, e em ratos submetidos aos protocolos de exercício voluntário e forçado. Para tanto, foram realizados 4 experimentos. No primeiro, os ratos foram submetidos a 4 semanas de exercício moderado em esteira ergométrica (20 min por dia). No segundo, os animais foram submetidos à 4 semanas de exercício voluntário em rodas de correr (12 horas por dia). No terceiro experimento, os ratos foram expostos à esteira ergométrica durante 2 semanas (20 min/dia) e, após o último treino, receberam uma injeção intraperitoneal de LPS. Neste último, a memória e aprendizagem dos animais foram investigadas. Ao término do período de exercício, ou após a injeção de LPS, as análises bioquímicas do hipocampo foram realizadas. O quarto experimento foi realizado com indivíduos com LM que foram submetidos a 4 semanas de dança. Análises sorológicas e comportamentais foram efetuadas. Os resultados mostraram que o exercício forçado promoveu o aumento da glutamina sintetase (GS) e diminuição de proteína glial fibrilar ácida (GFAP) e óxido nítrico (NO) no hipocampo, além de aumentar os níveis de corticosterona, o que pode estar mediando os efeitos do exercício sobre os astrócitos. O exercício voluntário induziu o aumento da GS e BDNF. A aplicação de LPS promoveu aumento dos níveis de TNF-α no hipocampo dos animais, o que coincidiu com o aumento dos níveis de S100B no fluído cerebrospinal. Os indivíduos com LM submetidos à dança apresentaram melhora significativa nos escores da Medida de Independência Funcional, Índice de Barthel, Escala de Berg e Escala Hospitalar de Ansiedade e Depressão, e aumento dos níveis sorológicos de BDNF. A dança não teve efeito sobre os parâmetros gliais, metabólicos e inflamatórios periféricos. Estes resultados sugerem que diferentes tipos de exercício físico exercem diferentes efeitos sobre os astrócitos hipocampais, o que pode interferir na indicação de um ou outro dependendo do objetivo a ser alcançado. O exercício em esteira pode ser uma atividade indicada para prevenção de doenças que envolvem neuroinflamação, e a dança pode ser uma intervenção terapêutica eficaz para reabilitação de indivíduos com lesão medular uma vez que contribui para melhora física e psicológica desta população. Tomados juntos, os resultados desta Tese ressaltam a importância da prática de exercício físico para o metabolismo neural, e a relevância de estudar os astrócitos para compreensão dos mecanismos envolvidos no efeito do exercício físico no SNC. / The main aim of this Thesis was to evaluate the biochemical glial, inflammatory and behavioral parameters, in patient with spinal cord injury (SCI) submitted to a protocol of dance, and in rats submitted to voluntary and forced exercise. Four experiments were made. In the 1st, the rats were submitted to 4 weeks of moderate exercise on treadmill (20 min per day). In the 2nd, the animals were submitted to 4 weeks of voluntary exercise on wheel running (12 hours per day). In the 3rd experiment, the rats were exposed to treadmill during 2 weeks (20 min per day) and, after the last session, they received intraperitoneal injection of LPS. In this last experiment, the memory and learning were investigated. At the finish of the exercise period, or after the LPS injection, the biochemical analysis of the hippocampus was realized. The 4th experiment was realized with individuals with spinal cord injury that were submitted to 4 weeks of dance practice. Behavioral and serological analyses were performed. Data show that treadmill running increased glutamine synthetase (GS) activity and decreased hippocampal glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and nitric oxide (NO) , as well as increased corticosterone level, that can mediate the effects of the exercise on astrocytes. The voluntary exercise increased GS and BDNF. The LPS administration increased hippocampal TNF-α level in rats concomitantly with the increase in the S100B levels in cerebrospinal fluid. The individuals with spinal cord injury submitted to dance showed a significant improve in the scores of Functional Independency Measure, Barthel Index, Berg Scale and Ansiety and Depression Hospitalar Scale, and a increase in the serologic levels of BDNF. The dance had no effect on glial, metabolic and inflammatory parameters. These results suggest that different types of exercise exert different effects on hippocampal astrocytes, which may interfere with the appointment of one or the other depending on the objective to be achieved. The treadmill exercise can be a good strategy in the prevention of neuroinflammatory diseases, and dance can be an effective therapeutic intervention for rehabilitation of individuals with SCI as it helps to improve physical and psychological conditions in this population. Taken together, the present data highlight the importance of physical exercise for neural functions, and the relevance of studying astrocytes to understand the mechanisms involved in the effect of exercise on CNS.

Submitted by Automa??o e Estat?stica (sst@bczm.ufrn.br) on 2017-06-02T19:56:10Z No. of bitstreams: 1 AnaLauraOliveiraDeSaLeitao_DISSERT.pdf: 2567835 bytes, checksum: 8d09f5d4c4935ef58bb6215cd5a73b5f (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Arlan Eloi Leite Silva (eloihistoriador@yahoo.com.br) on 2017-06-06T00:09:33Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 AnaLauraOliveiraDeSaLeitao_DISSERT.pdf: 2567835 bytes, checksum: 8d09f5d4c4935ef58bb6215cd5a73b5f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-06T00:09:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AnaLauraOliveiraDeSaLeitao_DISSERT.pdf: 2567835 bytes, checksum: 8d09f5d4c4935ef58bb6215cd5a73b5f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-08 / Com o desenvolvimento da ind?stria biotecnol?gica, ? crescente o interesse por ant?genos recombinantes purificados para obten??o de vacinas. Por?m, para essa aplica??o esses ant?genos precisam apresentar um elevado grau de pureza, e por isso ? de grande relev?ncia o desenvolvimento de t?cnicas que permitam a redu??o do n?mero de opera??es unit?rias necess?rias ao processo de purifica??o, permitindo ainda uma elevada recupera??o e proporcionando uma maior economia na obten??o dos bioprodutos. A Adsor??o em Leito Expandido (ALE) vem se destacando como uma alternativa prop?cia para o downstream processing, pois ? uma t?cnica cromatogr?fica de modo simples e de baixo custo, que integra as etapas de clarifica??o, concentra??o, purifica??o em uma ?nica opera??o. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar os m?todos de rompimento celular e os diferentes metais imobilizados em resina Streamline chelating para purifica??o do ant?geno 503 de Leishmania i. chagasi por ALE bem como remover os lipopolissacar?deos (LPS) liberados durante a etapa de rompimento celular. Primeiramente, foi avaliado qual o melhor m?todo de rompimento celular para obten??o da prote?na intracelular. As estrat?gias estudadas utilizando lisozima, p?rolas de vidro, ureia e EDTA foram avaliadas atrav?s de quatro planejamentos experimentais. Em seguida, foram realizados testes de adsor??o em batelada, utilizando-se cinco ?ons met?licos (Cu2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Co2+ e Fe3+) nas concentra??es de 0,1, 0,5 e 0,8 mol/L acoplados na resina Streamline chelating, escolhendo-se o metal que apresentou melhor adsor??o do ant?geno para os ensaios usando ALE. Posteriormente, foi estimada a quantidade m?nima de tensoativo Triton X-114 necess?ria na etapa de lavagem da ALE para remo??o do LPS, a fim de obter-se o ant?geno 503 livre desse contaminante. E por fim, foram realizados ensaios de ALE visando recuperar e purificar a prote?na de interesse. Para os ensaios usando ALE utilizou-se uma coluna de 2,6 cm de di?metro por 30 cm de altura, acoplada a uma bomba perist?ltica. Com os planejamentos experimentais realizados para avalia??o do rompimento celular, observou-se que maiores quantidades de prote?nas totais e do ant?geno 503 liberadas foram obtidas para o m?todo da ureia e que o ?nico fator significativo para esse planejamento foi a concentra??o, correspondente a 8,0 M. Como resultado para a triagem do ?on met?lico, o cobre (Cu2+) foi o metal que apresentou maior capacidade de adsor??o do ant?geno 503, apresentando valores de capacidade de adsor??o de 0,102, 0,128 e 0,111 mg/mL de adsorvente para as concentra??es de 0,1, 0,5 e 0,8 mol/L, respectivamente. Tem-se ainda que para as tr?s condi??es analisadas (0,01, 0,05 e 0,1 % de Triton X-114) na etapa de lavagem da ALE o percentual de remo??o de LPS foi elevado e que a concentra??o m?nima utilizada (0,01 %) j? foi suficiente para a remo??o de 99,70 % deste contaminante. Para o teste de ALE utilizando elui??o isocr?tica (0,6 M de imidazol) os resultados obtidos mostraram baixa recupera??o (3,0 %) do ant?geno 503. Avaliou-se ent?o a elui??o em degrau, inicialmente em dois passos, aplicando-se 0,6 mol/L e, em seguida, 1,0 mol/L de imidazol. Por?m, esta estrat?gia ainda n?o foi eficiente para recuperar a prote?na de interesse. Um novo ensaio foi realizado, com um total de tr?s passos de elui??o, utilizando 0,3 e 0,6 mol/L. Esse ?ltimo teste mostrou uma recupera??o de 15,0 % da prote?na de interesse e um fator de purifica??o de, aproximadamente, 3,0. Portanto, a t?cnica cromatogr?fica de afinidade por ?ons met?licos imobilizados (IMAC) mostrou ser uma alternativa eficiente na recupera??o e purifica??o do ant?geno 503 a partir do homogeneizado de E. coli n?o clarificado. / Due to the development of biotechnology industry, there is a growing interest in purified recombinant antigens to obtain vaccines. However, for this application these antigens require a high degree of purity, thus, it is of great relevance the development of techniques that allow the reduction in the number of unitary operations required for the purification process, this would also allow a high recovery and a greater saving in obtaining bioproducts. The Expanded Bed Adsorption (EBA) has shown as a suitable alternative for downstream processing, once it is a simple and low cost chromatographic technique that integrates clarification, concentration and purification in a single operation. This study aims at evaluating the methods of cell disruption and the different metals immobilized in Streamline Chelating resin for purification of Leishmania i. chagasi 503 antigen by EBA as well as removing the lipopolysaccharides (endotoxin) released during the stage of cell disruption. Firstly, the best method of cell disruption to obtain intracellular protein was evaluated. The strategies studied using lysozyme, glass beads, urea and EDTA were evaluated through four experimental designs. Then, batch adsorption tests were carried out using five metal ions (Cu2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Co2+ and Fe3+) at concentrations of 0.1, 0.5 and 0.8 M coupled in the Streamline chelating resin, selecting the metal that showed the best adsorption of the antigen for the assays using EBA. Then, the minimum amount of Triton X-114 tensioactive required in the EBA wash stage for LPS removal was estimated in order to obtain the 503 antigen free of this contaminant. Finally, EBA assays were performed in order to recover and purify the protein of interest. EBA experiments were carried out using a column of 2.6 cm in diameter (30 cm height), coupled to a peristaltic pump. The experimental plannings carried out to evaluate cell disruption, showed that higher amounts of total proteins and 503 antigen released were obtained for the urea method and that the only significant factor for this planning was the concentration corresponding to 8.0 M. As a result of the metal ion screening, copper (Cu2+) was the metal with the highest adsorption capacity of 503 antigen, presenting adsorption capacity values of 0.102, 0.128 and 0.111 mg / mL of adsorbent at concentrations of 0.1, 0.5 and 0.8 M, respectively. For the three analyzed conditions (0.01, 0.05 and 0.1% Triton X-114) in the EBA washing stage, the percentage of LPS removal was high and the minimum concentration used (0.01%) was enough to remove 99.70% of this contaminant. For the EBA test using isocratic elution (0.6 M imidazole) the results obtained showed a low recovery (3.0 %) of the 503 antigen. The step elution was then evaluated, initially in two steps, applying 0.6 M and then 1.0 M imidazole. However, this strategy has not yet been effective in recovering the protein of interest. A new assay was performed, with a total of three elution steps, using 0.3 and 0.6 M. This test showed that a recovery of 15.0% of the protein of interest and a purification factor of 3.0. Therefore, the immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) technique has been shown to be an efficient alternative in the recovery and purification of the 503 antigen from the homogenized E. coli unclarified.

Os objetivos principais desta tese foram avaliar parâmetros bioquímicos gliais, inflamatórios e comportamentais em pacientes com lesão medular (LM) submetidos a um protocolo de dança, e em ratos submetidos aos protocolos de exercício voluntário e forçado. Para tanto, foram realizados 4 experimentos. No primeiro, os ratos foram submetidos a 4 semanas de exercício moderado em esteira ergométrica (20 min por dia). No segundo, os animais foram submetidos à 4 semanas de exercício voluntário em rodas de correr (12 horas por dia). No terceiro experimento, os ratos foram expostos à esteira ergométrica durante 2 semanas (20 min/dia) e, após o último treino, receberam uma injeção intraperitoneal de LPS. Neste último, a memória e aprendizagem dos animais foram investigadas. Ao término do período de exercício, ou após a injeção de LPS, as análises bioquímicas do hipocampo foram realizadas. O quarto experimento foi realizado com indivíduos com LM que foram submetidos a 4 semanas de dança. Análises sorológicas e comportamentais foram efetuadas. Os resultados mostraram que o exercício forçado promoveu o aumento da glutamina sintetase (GS) e diminuição de proteína glial fibrilar ácida (GFAP) e óxido nítrico (NO) no hipocampo, além de aumentar os níveis de corticosterona, o que pode estar mediando os efeitos do exercício sobre os astrócitos. O exercício voluntário induziu o aumento da GS e BDNF. A aplicação de LPS promoveu aumento dos níveis de TNF-α no hipocampo dos animais, o que coincidiu com o aumento dos níveis de S100B no fluído cerebrospinal. Os indivíduos com LM submetidos à dança apresentaram melhora significativa nos escores da Medida de Independência Funcional, Índice de Barthel, Escala de Berg e Escala Hospitalar de Ansiedade e Depressão, e aumento dos níveis sorológicos de BDNF. A dança não teve efeito sobre os parâmetros gliais, metabólicos e inflamatórios periféricos. Estes resultados sugerem que diferentes tipos de exercício físico exercem diferentes efeitos sobre os astrócitos hipocampais, o que pode interferir na indicação de um ou outro dependendo do objetivo a ser alcançado. O exercício em esteira pode ser uma atividade indicada para prevenção de doenças que envolvem neuroinflamação, e a dança pode ser uma intervenção terapêutica eficaz para reabilitação de indivíduos com lesão medular uma vez que contribui para melhora física e psicológica desta população. Tomados juntos, os resultados desta Tese ressaltam a importância da prática de exercício físico para o metabolismo neural, e a relevância de estudar os astrócitos para compreensão dos mecanismos envolvidos no efeito do exercício físico no SNC. / The main aim of this Thesis was to evaluate the biochemical glial, inflammatory and behavioral parameters, in patient with spinal cord injury (SCI) submitted to a protocol of dance, and in rats submitted to voluntary and forced exercise. Four experiments were made. In the 1st, the rats were submitted to 4 weeks of moderate exercise on treadmill (20 min per day). In the 2nd, the animals were submitted to 4 weeks of voluntary exercise on wheel running (12 hours per day). In the 3rd experiment, the rats were exposed to treadmill during 2 weeks (20 min per day) and, after the last session, they received intraperitoneal injection of LPS. In this last experiment, the memory and learning were investigated. At the finish of the exercise period, or after the LPS injection, the biochemical analysis of the hippocampus was realized. The 4th experiment was realized with individuals with spinal cord injury that were submitted to 4 weeks of dance practice. Behavioral and serological analyses were performed. Data show that treadmill running increased glutamine synthetase (GS) activity and decreased hippocampal glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and nitric oxide (NO) , as well as increased corticosterone level, that can mediate the effects of the exercise on astrocytes. The voluntary exercise increased GS and BDNF. The LPS administration increased hippocampal TNF-α level in rats concomitantly with the increase in the S100B levels in cerebrospinal fluid. The individuals with spinal cord injury submitted to dance showed a significant improve in the scores of Functional Independency Measure, Barthel Index, Berg Scale and Ansiety and Depression Hospitalar Scale, and a increase in the serologic levels of BDNF. The dance had no effect on glial, metabolic and inflammatory parameters. These results suggest that different types of exercise exert different effects on hippocampal astrocytes, which may interfere with the appointment of one or the other depending on the objective to be achieved. The treadmill exercise can be a good strategy in the prevention of neuroinflammatory diseases, and dance can be an effective therapeutic intervention for rehabilitation of individuals with SCI as it helps to improve physical and psychological conditions in this population. Taken together, the present data highlight the importance of physical exercise for neural functions, and the relevance of studying astrocytes to understand the mechanisms involved in the effect of exercise on CNS.

IL-12 family cytokines IL-23 and IL-27 play an important role linking innate and adaptive immunity, and regulating T-cell responses. The production of IL-12, a structurally similar cytokine, is decreased in chronic HIV infection; therefore IL-23 and IL-27 may also be influenced by HIV infection. I hypothesized that HIV inhibits LPS-induced IL-23 and IL-27 production in human MDMs by suppressing the activation of signalling pathways regulating their expression. In vitro HIV-infection of MDMs did not have any effect on basal secretion of IL-23 or IL-27; however, HIV inhibited LPS-induced production of IL-12/23 p40 and IL-23 p19, and IL-27 EBI3 and IL-27 p28 mRNA expression, and IL-23, IL-12/23 p40 and IL-27 secretion. In order to evaluate the molecular mechanisms by which HIV inhibits IL-23 and IL-27 in LPS-stimulated MDMs, the signalling pathways regulating their expression were evaluated. The PI3K, p38 MAPK, and JNK MAPK pathways were found to positively regulate LPS-induced IL-27 secretion. Interestingly, in vitro HIV infection inhibited LPS-induced p38 and JNK MAPK activation in MDMs. In summary, I have shown that HIV inhibits IL-23 and IL-27 production in LPS-stimulated MDMs and that HIV may inhibit LPS-induced IL-27 production through the inhibition of p38 and JNK MAPK activation. It is currently unknown whether PKCs regulate LPS-induced IL-23 or IL-27 in human monocytes/macrophages. I demonstrated that classical PKCs differentially regulate LPS-induced IL-23 and IL-27 secretion within THP-1 cells, primary monocytes, and MDMs. Classical PKCs were found to positively regulate LPS-induced IL-12/23 p40 and IL-27 p28 mRNA expression and IL-12/23 p40, IL-23, and IL-27 secretion in primary human monocytes. Similarly, the classical PKCs were found to positively regulate IL-27 p28 mRNA expression and IL-27 secretion in THP-1 cells. However, classical PKCs did not regulate LPS-induced IL-27 production in MDMs, or LPS-induced IL-23 production in THP-1 cells. Overall, this demonstrates that classical PKCs differentially regulate LPS-induced IL-23 and IL-27 production in different myeloid cells.

No description available.

Inhalative Partikel können gesundheitsschädigende Wirkungen im Respirationstrakt ausüben. Für Hartmetallstäube aus Wolframcarbidcobaltpartikeln wurden in epidemiologischen Studien Zusammenhänge mit dem Auftreten einer chronisch fibrotischen Lungenerkrankung aufgezeigt, der Hard Metal Lung Disease (HMLD). Zur Aufklärung ihrer Pathogenese wurden die biologischen Effekte mikroskaliger Wolframcarbidpartikel erforscht. Seit einigen Jahren werden zunehmend Pulver zur Herstellung von Hartmetall verwendet, deren Partikel Durchmesser im Nanometerbereich aufweisen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden daher in vitro die Effekte nanoskaliger Wolframcarbidpartikel an humanen Zellen untersucht. Dabei wurden Partikelsuspensionen mit unterschiedlichen Partikelgrößen und –zusammensetzungen verglichen. Beurteilt wurden die Aufnahme der Partikel in die Zellen, ihre toxikologische Wirkung und inflammatorische Mediatoren, die die exponierten Zellen als Reaktion auf die Partikel sezernierten. In Bezug zur Exposition durch Inhalation wurden eine Lungenepithelzelllinie, eine Monozytenzelllinie und primäre mononukleäre Zellen aus dem Blut untersucht. Es zeigte sich, dass die beobachteten Effekte sowohl partikelspezifisch als auch zelltypspezifisch variierten. Dabei wurden die Partikel in alle Zelltypen aufgenommen mit den stärksten Internalisierungsraten in humanen primären Monozyten. Die Wolframcarbidcobalt-Partikel wirkten im Allgemeinen am stärksten vitalitätsmindernd. Alle Partikelarten bewirkten in primären Monozyten eine stark erhöhte Produktion von Zytokinen und Chemokinen. Untersuchungen zum Mechanismus der Partikeleffekte wiesen auf die Beteiligung reaktiver Sauerstoffspezies hin. Es konnten in der vorliegenden Arbeit bestehende Erkenntnisse zur Toxizität von Wolframcarbidcobaltpartikeln bestätigt werden und Hinweise auf die Beeinflussung biologischer Effekte durch verschiedene Partikelgrößen und Oberflächeneigenschaften von Nanopartikeln gefunden werden.

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Salmonella enterica sérovar Typhi est une bactérie à Gram négatif qui cause la maladie systémique nommée fièvre typhoïde. Cette maladie affecte environ 9 millions de personnes par année et se propage par la voie fécale-orale par ingestion d’aliments ou d’eau contaminés. Ainsi, la fièvre typhoïde est particulièrement problématique dans les pays ayant des systèmes d’assainissement peu efficaces. Elle peut être traitée par des antibiotiques, mais comme pour de nombreuses bactéries, la résistance est de plus en plus commune. À la suite d’une infection aiguë, environ 5% des patients deviennent porteurs chroniques asymptomatiques grâce à la formation de biofilms dans la vésicule biliaire et excrètent la bactérie dans leurs selles continuellement. Étant le seul réservoir connu de S. Typhi, cet état constitue une source importante de persistance et de propagation de la maladie. L’état de porteur est intraitable par antibiotiques en raison de la haute tolérance aux stress des biofilms et une chirurgie pour enlever la vésicule biliaire est souvent la solution la plus efficace. Il est connu que les biofilms de Salmonella contiennent principalement de la cellulose, des fimbriae curli, de l'acide colanique et des protéines BapA. Cependant, S. Typhi a accumulé de nombreux pseudogènes au cours de son évolution humain-spécifique, dont certains sont impliqués dans la biosynthèse de composants communs de biofilm chez Salmonella, comme la cellulose et l'acide colanique. Il est également proposé que l'expression de curli soit dysfonctionnelle chez S. Typhi. La production de biofilms chez cette souche n'a jamais été caractérisée dans des conditions in vitro optimisées. Par conséquent, nous supposons que les biofilms de S. Typhi soient uniques dans leur production et leur composition. Cette étude caractérise la composition et la structure d’un biofilm de S. Typhi in vitro. Nous déterminons qu’aucun composant de biofilm communément identifié chez Salmonella ne joue un rôle majeur dans les biofilms de S. Typhi. Nous identifions un rôle important pour l’ADN extracellulaire et l’intégrité des LPS. / Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi is a Gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium that causes the systemic disease of typhoid fever. This disease affects about 9 million people per year and is spread through the fecal-oral route by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Thus, typhoid fever is particularly problematic in countries with poor sanitation systems. It is currently treatable by antibiotics but as with many other bacteria, resistance is becoming more and more common. Following acute infection, ~5% of patients become chronic asymptomatic carriers through biofilm formation in the gallbladder and continuously shed the bacteria in their feces. Being the only known reservoir of S. Typhi, this is an important source of persistence of the disease in endemic areas and propagation to new areas. The carrier state is untreatable by antibiotics due to the high stress tolerance of biofilms. Gallbladder-removal surgery is often the most efficient solution. Salmonella biofilms are known to primarily contain cellulose, curli fimbriae, colanic acid and BapA proteins. However, S. Typhi evolved to be human-specific over time and has accumulated many pseudogenes in the process, some of which are genes in the biosynthetic pathways of biofilm-related components of Salmonella, such as cellulose and colanic acid. It is also proposed that curli expression is dysfunctional in S. Typhi. Biofilm production in this strain has never been characterized in optimized in vitro conditions. Therefore, we hypothesized that S. Typhi biofilms are unique in their production and composition. This study characterizes S. Typhi biofilm composition and structure in vitro. We determine that no biofilm components commonly identified in other bacteria play a major role in S. Typhi biofilms. We identify an important role for extracellular DNA and lipopolysaccharide-layer integrity.

The global increasing problem of antibiotic resistance necessarily drives the pursuit and discovery of new antimicrobial agents. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) initially seemed like promising new drug candidates. Already members of the innate immune system, it was assumed that they would be bioactive and non-toxic. Their common trait for fundamental, non-specific mode of action also seemed likely to reduce resistance development. In this thesis, we demonstrate the ease with which two species of pathogenic bacteria, the gram-negative Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium), and the gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), can gain increased tolerance and stable resistance to various AMPs. By serially passaging each bacterial species separately under increasing AMP selection pressure we observed increasing AMP tolerance. Resulting in independent bacterial lineages exposed to four different AMPs (including a two-AMP combination) that exhibited 2 to 16-fold increases in MIC. Substantial cross-resistance between the AMPs was observed. Additionally, the S. aureus mutants were found to be cross-resistant to human beta-defensins 1, 2, 3, and 4. The LPS molecule, with mutations in the waaY, pmrB and phoP genes, was the principal target for S. typhimurium resistance development. The main target for S. aureus remained elusive. Reduced membrane potential was a common change for two of the mutants, but not for the others. All sequenced mutants had one or more mutations in various stress response pathways. Fitness of the resistant mutants was assayed by growth rate analysis and in vitro virulence factor testing (e.g. survival response to bile, superoxide, acidic pH). Furthermore an in vivo survival/virulence test involving a mouse competition experiment (S. typhimurium) and sepsis model (S. aureus) was performed. In the absence of AMPs there was often little or no fitness reduction in the mutants. Our results suggest that AMP resistance mechanisms do not irrevocably weaken either species with regard to virulence characteristics or survival within the host. In light of these findings, we suggest that the progression of therapeutic use of AMPs should proceed with great caution since otherwise we might select for AMP resistant mutants that are more resistant to our innate host defenses and thereby potentially more virulent.