No description available.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Asthma is an inflammatory disease characterised by tissue remodelling. A prominent feature of this remodelling is an increase in the number and size of the blood vessels- formed from pre-existing capillaries – angiogenesis (Siddiqui et al., 2007; Wilson, 2003). This is triggered by many different endogenous angiogenic stimulators such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and inhibited by endogenous angiogenic inhibitors such as tumstatin. Tumstatin is the non-collagenous domain (NC1) of the collagen IV α3 chain which, when cleaved, inhibits endothelial cell proliferation and induces apoptosis. Experiments described in this thesis have for the first time demonstrated the absence of tumstatin in the airways of individuals with asthma and lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) as well as the functional responses to tumstatin as an angiogenic inhibitor, both in vitro and in vivo, in the airway. Although tumstatin was absent from the airways of asthmatic and LAM individuals it was present in the airways of individuals with no airways disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis. No significant difference was seen in the levels of the Goodpasture Binding Protein (GPBP), a phosphorylating protein responsible for the alternate folding of tumstatin, between asthmatic, LAM and individuals with no airways disease. The αvβ3 integrin, reported to be necessary for the activity of tumstatin, as well as the individual αv and β3 sub-units were shown to be equally expressed in the airways of all patient groups. Co-localisation of tumstatin, VEGF and the αvβ3 integrin was seen in the disease free airways, however, a different pattern of VEGF and the αvβ3 integrin expression was observed in asthmatic and LAM airways with minimal co-localisation. Tumstatin was detected in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL-f) samples from asthmatics and individuals with no airway disease, however there was no significant difference in the level of expression between the two groups. It was demonstrated that the tumstatin detected in the serum and BAL-f samples from asthmatics and individuals with no airway disease was part of the whole collagen IV α3 chain and not in its free and potentially active form. The ability of recombinant tumstatin to inhibit tube formation and proliferation of primary pulmonary endothelial cells was demonstrated for the first time. Further, the functional response of tumstatin was demonstrated in vivo in a mouse model of allergic airway disease. Tumstatin inhibited angiogenesis in the airway and decreased airway hyperresponsiveness. Whether there is potential for tumstatin, or a derivative thereof, to be of therapeutic value in airways diseases in which angiogenesis is a component should be the subject of future studies.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Asthma is an inflammatory disease characterised by tissue remodelling. A prominent feature of this remodelling is an increase in the number and size of the blood vessels- formed from pre-existing capillaries – angiogenesis (Siddiqui et al., 2007; Wilson, 2003). This is triggered by many different endogenous angiogenic stimulators such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and inhibited by endogenous angiogenic inhibitors such as tumstatin. Tumstatin is the non-collagenous domain (NC1) of the collagen IV α3 chain which, when cleaved, inhibits endothelial cell proliferation and induces apoptosis. Experiments described in this thesis have for the first time demonstrated the absence of tumstatin in the airways of individuals with asthma and lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) as well as the functional responses to tumstatin as an angiogenic inhibitor, both in vitro and in vivo, in the airway. Although tumstatin was absent from the airways of asthmatic and LAM individuals it was present in the airways of individuals with no airways disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis. No significant difference was seen in the levels of the Goodpasture Binding Protein (GPBP), a phosphorylating protein responsible for the alternate folding of tumstatin, between asthmatic, LAM and individuals with no airways disease. The αvβ3 integrin, reported to be necessary for the activity of tumstatin, as well as the individual αv and β3 sub-units were shown to be equally expressed in the airways of all patient groups. Co-localisation of tumstatin, VEGF and the αvβ3 integrin was seen in the disease free airways, however, a different pattern of VEGF and the αvβ3 integrin expression was observed in asthmatic and LAM airways with minimal co-localisation. Tumstatin was detected in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL-f) samples from asthmatics and individuals with no airway disease, however there was no significant difference in the level of expression between the two groups. It was demonstrated that the tumstatin detected in the serum and BAL-f samples from asthmatics and individuals with no airway disease was part of the whole collagen IV α3 chain and not in its free and potentially active form. The ability of recombinant tumstatin to inhibit tube formation and proliferation of primary pulmonary endothelial cells was demonstrated for the first time. Further, the functional response of tumstatin was demonstrated in vivo in a mouse model of allergic airway disease. Tumstatin inhibited angiogenesis in the airway and decreased airway hyperresponsiveness. Whether there is potential for tumstatin, or a derivative thereof, to be of therapeutic value in airways diseases in which angiogenesis is a component should be the subject of future studies.

No description available.

No description available.

Introdução: A linfangioleiomiomatose (LAM) está associada a HP e está incluída no grupo 5 da classificação atual (mecanismos multifatoriais desconhecidos). No entanto, os dados referentes à ocorrência de HP na LAM são escassos. Os objetivos do estudo foram avaliar a prevalência e as características da HP em pacientes com LAM em diferentes estágios de evolução, além de comparar as características clínicas, funcionais, do teste de caminhada de 6 minutos (TC6M) e da qualidade de vida das pacientes com e sem HP. Metodologia: Cento e cinco pacientes com LAM foram submetidos a ecocardiograma, prova de função pulmonar (PFP) e TC6M. Pacientes com suspeita de HP no ecocardiograma, definida pela presença de pressão arterial pulmonar sistólica estimada (PsAP) acima de 35 mmHg, ou PFP mostrando DLco abaixo de 40% do valor previsto, foram submetidos a cateterismo cardíaco direito para confirmar o diagnóstico de HP. Resultados: Oito pacientes (7,6%) tinham HP confirmada no cateterismo cardíaco direito, seis pacientes (5,7%) tinham padrão pré-capilar e dois pacientes (1,9%) tinham padrão pós-capilar. Apenas um paciente (1%) apresentou pressão média de artéria pulmonar (PAPm) acima de 35 mmHg. Os pacientes com HP apresentaram menor VEF1 e DLco em PFP e maior dessaturação de oxigênio e intensidade de dispneia durante o TC6M comparado com aqueles sem PH. Em 63% dos pacientes com HP confirmada, o cateterismo cardíaco direito foi realizado devido ao resultado do DLco. Conclusões: A prevalência de HP é baixa em pacientes com LAM. A hipertensão pulmonar é de pouca gravidade e significativamente associada ao envolvimento parenquimatoso pulmonar. A capacidade de difusão de monóxido de carbono foi bastante útil na identificação de HP em pacientes com LAM / Introduction: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is associated with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and is included in group 5 of the current classification (unknown multifactorial mechanisms). However, data regarding the occurrence of PH in LAM are scarce. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of PH in patients with LAM at different stages of evolution, as well as to compare the clinical and functional characteristics of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and the quality of life of patients with and without PH. Methodology: One hundred and five patients with LAM underwent echocardiogram, pulmonary function test (PFT) and 6MWT. Patients with suspected PH on the echocardiogram, defined as the presence of estimated systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (PsAP) above 35 mmHg, or PFT showing carbon monoxide diffusion (DLco) below 40% of the predicted value, were submitted to right cardiac catheterization to confirm the diagnosis of PH. Results: Eight patients (7.6%) had PH confirmed in right cardiac catheterization, six patients (5.7%) had a pre-capillary pattern and two patients (1.9%) had a post capillary pattern. Only one patient (1%) presented mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAPm) above 35 mmHg. Patients with PH had lower FEV1 and DLco in PFP and greater oxygen desaturation and dyspnea intensity during the 6MWT compared to those without PH. In 63% of patients with confirmed PH, right heart catheterization was performed because of the DLco result. Conclusions: The prevalence of PH is low in patients with LAM. Pulmonary hypertension is commonly mild and is significantly associated with pulmonary parenchymal involvement. The measure DLco has improved the identification of PH in patients with LAM

Introdução: A linfangioleiomiomatose (LAM) está associada a HP e está incluída no grupo 5 da classificação atual (mecanismos multifatoriais desconhecidos). No entanto, os dados referentes à ocorrência de HP na LAM são escassos. Os objetivos do estudo foram avaliar a prevalência e as características da HP em pacientes com LAM em diferentes estágios de evolução, além de comparar as características clínicas, funcionais, do teste de caminhada de 6 minutos (TC6M) e da qualidade de vida das pacientes com e sem HP. Metodologia: Cento e cinco pacientes com LAM foram submetidos a ecocardiograma, prova de função pulmonar (PFP) e TC6M. Pacientes com suspeita de HP no ecocardiograma, definida pela presença de pressão arterial pulmonar sistólica estimada (PsAP) acima de 35 mmHg, ou PFP mostrando DLco abaixo de 40% do valor previsto, foram submetidos a cateterismo cardíaco direito para confirmar o diagnóstico de HP. Resultados: Oito pacientes (7,6%) tinham HP confirmada no cateterismo cardíaco direito, seis pacientes (5,7%) tinham padrão pré-capilar e dois pacientes (1,9%) tinham padrão pós-capilar. Apenas um paciente (1%) apresentou pressão média de artéria pulmonar (PAPm) acima de 35 mmHg. Os pacientes com HP apresentaram menor VEF1 e DLco em PFP e maior dessaturação de oxigênio e intensidade de dispneia durante o TC6M comparado com aqueles sem PH. Em 63% dos pacientes com HP confirmada, o cateterismo cardíaco direito foi realizado devido ao resultado do DLco. Conclusões: A prevalência de HP é baixa em pacientes com LAM. A hipertensão pulmonar é de pouca gravidade e significativamente associada ao envolvimento parenquimatoso pulmonar. A capacidade de difusão de monóxido de carbono foi bastante útil na identificação de HP em pacientes com LAM / Introduction: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is associated with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and is included in group 5 of the current classification (unknown multifactorial mechanisms). However, data regarding the occurrence of PH in LAM are scarce. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of PH in patients with LAM at different stages of evolution, as well as to compare the clinical and functional characteristics of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and the quality of life of patients with and without PH. Methodology: One hundred and five patients with LAM underwent echocardiogram, pulmonary function test (PFT) and 6MWT. Patients with suspected PH on the echocardiogram, defined as the presence of estimated systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (PsAP) above 35 mmHg, or PFT showing carbon monoxide diffusion (DLco) below 40% of the predicted value, were submitted to right cardiac catheterization to confirm the diagnosis of PH. Results: Eight patients (7.6%) had PH confirmed in right cardiac catheterization, six patients (5.7%) had a pre-capillary pattern and two patients (1.9%) had a post capillary pattern. Only one patient (1%) presented mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAPm) above 35 mmHg. Patients with PH had lower FEV1 and DLco in PFP and greater oxygen desaturation and dyspnea intensity during the 6MWT compared to those without PH. In 63% of patients with confirmed PH, right heart catheterization was performed because of the DLco result. Conclusions: The prevalence of PH is low in patients with LAM. Pulmonary hypertension is commonly mild and is significantly associated with pulmonary parenchymal involvement. The measure DLco has improved the identification of PH in patients with LAM

The multisystemic tumors characteristic of the monogenic neoplastic diseases, tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), share common signaling aberrations upon the loss of heterozygosity in either the TSC1 or TSC2 genes. However, their physical manifestations are vastly different and can generally be classified as being either neurological (TSC) or mesenchymal (TSC & LAM; referred to herein as LAM for simplicity) in origin. In this study, I present a comprehensive stem cell model of LAM utilizing multiple TSC2 knockout (TSC2-/-) pluripotent stem cell lines differentiated to the putative cell of origin for mesenchymal tumors, neural crest cells (NCCs). TSC2-/- NCCs faithfully recapitulate LAM phenotypes and temporal RNA-seq analysis of neural and neural crest differentiation was performed to model disease pathogenesis. Analysis revealed immediate activation of stress response signaling resulting in protein aggregation and lysosome and autophagosome accumulation upon neuralization in TSC2-/- cells. This resulted in acute and lasting effects specific to neural progenitor cells (NPCs), that are transient and ameliorated in NCCs. These lineage-specific effects resulted in selective sensitization of NPCs to cell death via proteasome inhibition, suggesting a potential therapeutic avenue for neurological TSC, but not LAM. Thus, a genome-wide CRISPR knockout screen was performed in TSC2-/- NCCs. Analysis of synthetic lethal genes reveals pathways previously targeted for LAM, but provides gene-level resolution to the vulnerable nodes within these pathways. Importantly, 18 novel gene targets were identified that display synthetic lethality to TSC2-/- cells with high specificity. 3 genes within this list were targetable using commercially available small molecule inhibitors, one of which, FGFR1, shows highly selective lethal targeting of TSC2-/- NCCs. Importantly, this model system, paired with the expansive resource of transcriptomic and synthetic lethal data, serves as a foundation for the development of next generation treatment strategies for LAM, and potentially the entire spectrum of TSC manifestations.

BACKGROUND: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare disease characterized by cystic destruction of the lung. It occurs in 80% of people with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex disorder (TSC), a multisystem, autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in tumor suppressor genes TSC1 and TSC2. Spontaneous biallelic mutations in these genes can give rise to sporadic LAM. Mammalian target of rapamycin complex I (mTORC1), a master regulator of cellular anabolic metabolism is hyperactivated in LAM cells. Upregulation of protein synthesis and downregulation of autophagy creates a state of starvation stress that upregulates pathways of extracellular nutrient acquisition. Macropinocytosis, a form of clathrin-independent endocytosis, is upregulated in TSC2-deficient cells. We performed a high-throughput compound screen utilizing a repurposing drug library. We identified that ritanserin, a diacylglycerol kinase alpha (DGKA) inhibitor, synergizes with Chloroquine (CQ) to selectively inhibit proliferation of TSC2-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) compared to TSC2+/+ MEFs. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that TSC2-deficient cells rely on macropinocytosis to support their growth during the periods of stress and starvation and that ritanserin synergizes with CQ to inhibit proliferation in TSC2-deficient cells by inhibiting macropinocytosis. METHODS: Crystal violet-based proliferation assays were used to monitor the effect of pharmacological and genetic inhibition of DGKA on cell proliferation. Immunoblotting was used to measure the expression levels of TSC2, tS6R, pS6R, Cleaved PARP, Cleaved Caspase 3 and Actin. siRNA induced Htr2a knockdown and shRNA induced DGKA knockdown cell culture models were used to define the dual functions of ritanserin and observe their effects on macropinocytosis and cell proliferation. LC/MS was used to measure cell lipid content and how it changes in response to ritanserin. Fluorophore-labeled BSA and 70-kDa Dextran were used to measure macropinocytosis. Lysotracker was used to measure the number of lysosomes, while DQ-BSA was used to measure lysosomal functionality. RESULTS: TSC2-deficient cells express higher levels and show upregulated activity of DGKA. Genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of DGKA prevents TSC2-deficient cells from acquiring nutrients via macropinocytosis. Phospholipid metabolism is altered in TSC2-deficient cells, marked by the accumulation of phosphatidic acid and ceramides. Treatment with ritanserin leads to the accumulation of diacylglycerol and phospholipids, as well as a reduction in phosphatidic acid. CONCLUSIONS: TSC2-deficient cells rely on macropinocytosis to meet their metabolic needs. Diacylglycerol kinase alpha (DGKA) is required for macropinocytic nutrient uptake. Pharmacologic or genetic inhibition of DGKA creates metabolic stress in TSC2-deficient cells, which ultimately leads to increased apoptotic response to treatment with CQ. This project identifies a novel connection between mTOR signaling, lysosome metabolism and macropinocytosis, and a vulnerability that allows the selective targeting of LAM cells. / 2021-06-07T00:00:00Z

Contexte : La sclérose tubéreuse de Bourneville (STB) affecte approximativement une naissance vivante sur 6000. Les principales sources de morbidité chez les enfants sont des manifestations cliniques affectant le cerveau et le cœur. Quant aux adolescents et aux adultes, ils sont à plus haut risque de développer des angiomyolipomes rénaux (AML) et la lymphangioléiomyomatose pulmonaire (LAM). Objectif : Ce projet de recherche a pour principal objectif de déterminer la capacité du fardeau de la maladie chez l’enfant à prédire le développement futur d’AML et de LAM chez l’adolescent et l’adulte. Méthodes : Les données sur 2420 participants de la TSC (Tuberous sclerosis complex) Alliance Natural History Database ont été utilisées pour développer des modèles de régression logistique afin de prédire les AML et la LAM. Ces modèles comptaient comme variables dix manifestations cliniques de la STB en plus du sexe biologique et de la mutation génétique. Les modèles développés ont été convertis en scores de risque clinique et une validation interne a ensuite été effectuée avec rééchantillonage par bootstrap afin d’évaluer leur performance prédictive à l’aide de mesures de discrimination et de calibration. Résultats : 1000 participants ont été diagnostiqués avec un AML, alors que la LAM a été détectée chez 107 participants. Les scores de risque clinique les moins élevés prédisaient des risques d’AML et de LAM de 0 % et de 5 %, tandis que les scores les plus élevés pouvaient prédire des risques allant jusqu’à 96 % et 54 %, respectivement. La performance prédictive des modèles allait de bonne à excellente (C-Index variant de 0,75 à 0,85). Conclusion : Les scores de risque clinique développés indiquent une bonne capacité des manifestations cliniques sélectionnées à prédire le risque futur des tumeurs, principalement pour les AML. Une validation externe devra cependant être menée afin de confirmer les résultats obtenus dans la présente étude. / Background: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) affects approximately 1/6000 live births. The primary sources of childhood morbidity and mortality are manifestations affecting the brain and heart. Adolescents and adults, on the other hand, are at the greatest risk of developing renal angiomyolipoma (AML) and pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). Objective: The main objective of this research project is to determine the ability of the burden of TSC in children to predict the risk of developing AML and LAM in adults. Methods: Data from 2420 participants in the TSC Natural History Database were used to develop logistic regression models to predict AMLs and LAM. Variables used for the models included 10 clinical manifestations of TSC, in addition to biological sex and genetic mutation. The models were converted into clinical risk scores and were internally validated using bootstrap resampling to evaluate their predictive performance with the help of discrimination and calibration measures. Results: 1000 participants were diagnosed with AML, while LAM was seen in 107 participants. The lowest clinical risk scores predicted a risk of AML and LAM of 5% and 0%, while the highest scores predicted a risk of 96% and 54%, respectively. The predictive performance of the models ranged from good to excellent (C-Indexes of 0.75 to 0.85). Conclusions: The clinical risk scores indicated a good ability for the selected clinical manifestations to predict the future risk of tumours, particularly of AML. External validation of the risk scores will be important to confirm the robustness of our findings.