Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome is described as a series of mutations within the lamin A gene leading to the accumulation of progerin in the nucleus, contributing to premature aging and affecting the epigenetic control. Epigenetic control, such as DNA methylation, relies on DNA methyltransferase enzymes. In human cells, heat shock (HS) leads to the formation of nuclear stress bodies (nSBs); ribonucleoprotein aggregates of Sat III RNA and RNA-binding proteins. The objectives of this study were to determine if epigenetic status induces varying responses to HS and assess the variability of nuclear proteins in similar conditions. Results show epigenetic modifications do not prevent a stress response; however the extent may be affected. In addition the functions of most nuclear antigens were not affected. It is most likely the sum of interactions at the inner nuclear membrane and nuclear lamina interface that result in nuclear strength pertaining to lamin A.

Les maladies inflammatoires de l'intestin (MII) sont caractérisées par des réponses immunitaires incontrôlées dans l'intestin. Des études génétiques ont associé un polymorphisme dans le gène de l'IL23R à la résistance aux MII. IL23R code pour la protéine de l’IL-23r, une sous-unité du récepteur à l’IL-23 (IL-23R). Ce récepteur appartient à la famille de l’IL-12R, contenant plusieurs récepteurs hétérodimériques. D’ailleurs, IL-12R et IL-23R partagent la sous-unité IL12Rb1. Néanmoins, ces deux récepteurs favorisent des réponses immunitaires distinctes (Th1 vs Th17). Ce mémoire caractérise les dynamiques d’expression cellulaires de l’IL-23R et l’IL-12R, afin d’élucider leurs rôles dans l’inflammation. Nous avons établi qu’IL-23R et IL-12R ne sont jamais co-exprimés, malgré qu’ils partagent la sous-unité IL-12Rβ1. Parmi les cellules de rates de souris, la protéine IL-23r est trouvée dans certaines cellules T TCRγδ ou T CD4+, quelques cellules B et des cellules Lti-like. La protéine IL-12Rβ2 est exprimée par quelques cellules B. L’analyse de l’expression de l’IL-23R et l’IL-12R dans différents organes révéla que la plus grande proportion de cellules exprimant l’IL-23R se retrouve dans la lamina propria de l'intestin grêle, alors que les cellules exprimant l’IL-12Rβ2 ont été retrouvées en proportion équivalente dans tous les organes lymphoïdes. Ces observations appuient les études génétiques suggérant un rôle prédominant de l’IL23R dans les intestins. Finalement, des cultures in vitro suggèrent que l’IL-23R ou l’IL-12R avaient des réactions croisées à l’IL-12 ou l’IL-23. L’étude de l’IL-23R dans les MII devrait donc être complémentée par l’étude de l’IL-12R, car les deux récepteurs pourraient avoir des rôles complémentaires. / Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are characterised by uncontrolled immune responses in the gut. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified a protective polymorphism for IBD in the IL23R gene. IL23R codes for the IL-23r protein, one of the two subunits of IL-23R. IL-23R belongs to the IL-12R family, which contains many heterodimeric receptors. For example, both IL-12R and IL-23R share the IL-12Rβ1 subunit. Nevertheless, IL-12R and IL-23R are associated with different immune processes (Th1 vs. Th17). This thesis characterizes the cellular patterns of expression of both IL-23R and IL-12R, to further elucidate their roles in inflammation. We established that IL-23R and IL-12R were never co-expressed together, even though they share the IL-12Rβ2 subunit. Analysis of murine splenocytes revealed that IL-23R is expressed by some TCRγδ T-cells, a few B-cells, CD4+ T-cells and several Lti-like cells. IL-12R protein was found in a few B-cells. The analysis of IL-23R and IL-12R expression in different organs revealed that the lamina propria of the small intestine was the organ containing the largest proportion of IL-23r+ cells. IL-12R+ cells were found in constant numbers throughout the organs. Finally, in vitro cultures showed that IL-23R and IL-12R had crossed reaction to IL-12 and IL-23. Study of IL-23R in IBD should always be accompanied by IL-12R analysis, because both receptors could have complementary roles.

Els brassinoesteroides són fitohormones naturals que presenten un potencial molt prometedor per a ser aplicats a l’agricultura. L’elevat cost d’obtenció d’aquests compostos ha estimulat la recerca d’anàlegs que ofereixin una bona relació entre la seva activitat biològica i el seu cost. En aquest sentit, es creu interessant abordar la cerca de compostos d’estructura no esteroïdal amb activitat brassinosteroide mitjançant mètodes computacionals. Per assolir aquest objectiu s’han plantejat dos enfocaments: per una banda, buscar estructures totalment noves i, per l’altra, buscar estructures que puguin mimetitzar només l’esquelet esteroidal d’anàlegs brassinoesteroides androstànics actius per a, posteriorment, ancorar hi la cadena addient. Amb la primera aproximació s’han realitzat processos de virtual screening sobre bases de dades de screening compounds comercials mitjançant dues estratègies: un model de QSAR, desenvolupat amb descriptors independents de l’alineament amb el programa ALMOND, i l’aplicació de la metodologia FLAP. Després d’un procés de filtració, a partir dels dos mètodes s’han proposat una serie de candidats, l’activitat dels quals ha estat avaluada amb el test d’inclinació de la làmina d’arròs (RLIT). En total, s’han trobat 7 hits, 4 dels quals formen una sèrie en la que comparteixen l’estructura de N (2 hidroxietil)piperazina. Aquests compostos es plantegen com a nous referents per obtenir estructures no esteroidals amb activitat brassinoesteroide. Per altra banda, amb la segona aproximació, s’ha aplicat la metodologia de scaffold hopping amb el programa SHOP per trobar estructures que puguin mimetitzar esquelets androstànics brassinoesteroides. Aquesta metodologia s’ha aplicat sobre dues bases de dades: una de building blocks comercials i una disenyada ad hoc prenent com a referència estructures basades en coneixements previs. Després d’una etapa de selecció mitjançant alineaments flexibles efectuats amb el programa MOE, 11 estructures han estat proposades per a la síntesis d’anàlegs. S’ha intentat la síntesis de 3 compostos a partir d’estructures anàlogues de l’esquelet androstànic escollides preliminarment. Els grups protectors escollits i les condicions de reacció assajades no han rendit els compostos desitjats però han proporcionat informació per afrontar la síntesi de futurs anàlegs brassinoesteroides amb estructures no esteroïdals. / Los brasinoesteroides son fitohormonas naturales que presentan un potencial muy prometedor para ser aplicados en la agricultura. El elevado coste de obtención de estos compuestos ha estimulado la búsqueda de análogos que ofrezcan una buena relación entre su actividad y su coste. En este sentido, se cree interesante abordar la búsqueda de compuestos de estructura no esteroidal con actividad brasinoesteroide mediante técnicas computacionales. Para lograr este objetivo se han planteado dos enfoques: por un lado, buscar estructuras totalmente nuevas y, por el otro, buscar estructuras que puedan mimetizar solo el esqueleto esteroidal de análogos brasinoesteroides androstánicos activos para, posteriormente, anclar la cadena adecuada. Con la primera aproximación se han realizado procesos de virtual screening sobre bases de datos de screening compounds comerciales mediante dos estrategias: un modelo de QSAR, desarrollado con descriptores independientes del alineamiento con el programa ALMOND, y la aplicación de la metodología FLAP. Después de un proceso de filtrado, a partir de los dos métodos se han propuesto una serie de candidatos, la actividad de los cuales ha sido evaluada con el test de inclinación de la lámina de arroz (RLIT). En total, se han encontrado 7 hits, 4 de los cuales forman una serie que comparte la estructura de N (2 hidroxietil)piperazina. Estos compuestos se plantean como nuevos referentes para obtener estructuras no esteroidales con actividad brasinoesteroide. Por otro lado, con la segunda aproximación, se ha aplicado la metodología de scaffold hopping con el programa SHOP para encontrar estructuras que puedan mimetizar esqueletos androstánicos brasinoesteroides. Esta metodología se ha aplicado sobre dos bases de datos: una de building blocks comerciales y otra diseñada ad hoc tomando como referencia estructuras basadas en conocimientos previos. Después de una etapa de selección mediante alineamientos flexibles realizada con el programa MOE, 11 estructuras han sido propuestas para la síntesis de análogos. Se ha intentado la síntesis de 3 nuevos compuestos a partir de estructuras análogas del esqueleto androstánico escogidas preliminarmente. Los grupos protectores escogidos i las condiciones de reacción ensayadas no han rendido los compuestos deseados pero han proporcionado información para afrontar la síntesis de futuros análogos brasinoesteroides con estructuras no esteroidales. / Brassinosteroids are natural phytohormones that present a promising potential in agricultural applications. The high cost to obtain these compounds has promoted the research of analogues that offer a good relationship between their biological activity and their cost. Keeping this idea in mind, the search of compounds with non-steroidal structure with brassinosteroid activity using computational methods was considered an interesting goal. To achieve this objective two approaches has been proposed: on one side, to search completely new structures and, on the other, to search structures mimetic to the steroidal skeleton of active androstane brassinosteroid analogues, where the adequate side chain has to be anchored. With the first approach, virtual screening processes over commercial screening compound databases have been performed using two strategies: a QSAR model developed with alignment-free descriptors with the program ALMOND, and the application of FLAP methodology. After a filtering process, some structures have been proposed as candidates, whose biological activity in the Rice Lamina Inclination Test (RLIT) has been measured. Totally, 7 hits have been found, from which 4 form a series sharing the N (2 hidroxiethyl)piperazine. These compounds are proposed as new referents to find non steroidal structures with brassinosteroid activity. With the second approach, the scaffold hopping methodology has been applied with SHOP program to find structures mimetic to androstane brassinosteroid skeletons. This methodology has been applied over two databases: a commercial building blocks one and an ad hoc designed one, taking as reference structures based on previous knowledge. After a filtering step with flexible alignments performed with the program MOE, 11 structures have been proposed for the synthesis of new compounds. The synthesis of 3 new compounds has been tried starting from preliminary selected structures analogous to the androstane skeleton. The chosen protecting groups and the tested reaction conditions have not yielded the desired compounds but have given information to face the future synthesis of brassinosteroid analogues with non-steroidal structures.

Les maladies inflammatoires de l'intestin (MII) sont caractérisées par des réponses immunitaires incontrôlées dans l'intestin. Des études génétiques ont associé un polymorphisme dans le gène de l'IL23R à la résistance aux MII. IL23R code pour la protéine de l’IL-23r, une sous-unité du récepteur à l’IL-23 (IL-23R). Ce récepteur appartient à la famille de l’IL-12R, contenant plusieurs récepteurs hétérodimériques. D’ailleurs, IL-12R et IL-23R partagent la sous-unité IL12Rb1. Néanmoins, ces deux récepteurs favorisent des réponses immunitaires distinctes (Th1 vs Th17). Ce mémoire caractérise les dynamiques d’expression cellulaires de l’IL-23R et l’IL-12R, afin d’élucider leurs rôles dans l’inflammation. Nous avons établi qu’IL-23R et IL-12R ne sont jamais co-exprimés, malgré qu’ils partagent la sous-unité IL-12Rβ1. Parmi les cellules de rates de souris, la protéine IL-23r est trouvée dans certaines cellules T TCRγδ ou T CD4+, quelques cellules B et des cellules Lti-like. La protéine IL-12Rβ2 est exprimée par quelques cellules B. L’analyse de l’expression de l’IL-23R et l’IL-12R dans différents organes révéla que la plus grande proportion de cellules exprimant l’IL-23R se retrouve dans la lamina propria de l'intestin grêle, alors que les cellules exprimant l’IL-12Rβ2 ont été retrouvées en proportion équivalente dans tous les organes lymphoïdes. Ces observations appuient les études génétiques suggérant un rôle prédominant de l’IL23R dans les intestins. Finalement, des cultures in vitro suggèrent que l’IL-23R ou l’IL-12R avaient des réactions croisées à l’IL-12 ou l’IL-23. L’étude de l’IL-23R dans les MII devrait donc être complémentée par l’étude de l’IL-12R, car les deux récepteurs pourraient avoir des rôles complémentaires. / Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are characterised by uncontrolled immune responses in the gut. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified a protective polymorphism for IBD in the IL23R gene. IL23R codes for the IL-23r protein, one of the two subunits of IL-23R. IL-23R belongs to the IL-12R family, which contains many heterodimeric receptors. For example, both IL-12R and IL-23R share the IL-12Rβ1 subunit. Nevertheless, IL-12R and IL-23R are associated with different immune processes (Th1 vs. Th17). This thesis characterizes the cellular patterns of expression of both IL-23R and IL-12R, to further elucidate their roles in inflammation. We established that IL-23R and IL-12R were never co-expressed together, even though they share the IL-12Rβ2 subunit. Analysis of murine splenocytes revealed that IL-23R is expressed by some TCRγδ T-cells, a few B-cells, CD4+ T-cells and several Lti-like cells. IL-12R protein was found in a few B-cells. The analysis of IL-23R and IL-12R expression in different organs revealed that the lamina propria of the small intestine was the organ containing the largest proportion of IL-23r+ cells. IL-12R+ cells were found in constant numbers throughout the organs. Finally, in vitro cultures showed that IL-23R and IL-12R had crossed reaction to IL-12 and IL-23. Study of IL-23R in IBD should always be accompanied by IL-12R analysis, because both receptors could have complementary roles.

Designing mechanical products in a competitive environment can present unique challenges, and designers constantly search for innovative ways to increase efficiency. One way to save space and reduce cost is to use ortho-planar compliant mechanisms which can be made from sheets of material, or lamina emergent mechanisms (LEMs). This thesis presents principles which can be used for designing LEMs. Pop-up paper mechanisms use topologies similar to LEMs, so it is advantageous to study their kinematics. This thesis outlines the use of planar and spherical kinematics to model commonly used pop-up paper mechanisms. A survey of common joint types is given, as well as an overview of common monolithic and layered mechanisms. In addition, it is shown that more complex mechanisms may be created by combining simple mechanisms in various ways. The principles presented are applied to the creation of new pop-up joints and mechanisms, which also may be used for lamina emergent mechanisms. Models of the paper mechanisms presented in Chapter 2 of the thesis are found in the appendix, and the reader is encouraged to print, cut out and assemble them. One challenge associated with spherical and spatial LEM design is creating joints with the desired motion characteristics, especially where complex spatial mechanism topologies are required. Hence, in addition to a study of paper mechanisms, some important considerations for designing joints for LEMs are presented. A technique commonly used in robotics, using serial chains of revolute and prismatic joints to approximate the motion of complex joints, is presented for use in LEMs. Important considerations such as linkage configuration and mechanism prototyping are also discussed. Another challenge in designing LEMs is creating multi-stable mechanisms with the ability to have coplanar links. A method is presented for offsetting the joint axes of a spatial compliant mechanism to introduce multi-stability. A new bistable spatial compliant linkage that uses that technique is introduced. In the interest of facilitating LEM design, the final chapter of this thesis presents a preliminary design method. While similar to traditional methods, this method includes considerations for translating the mechanism topology into a suitable configuration for use with planar layers of material.