Statement of Problem Telomere dynamics in the three-dimensional (3D) space of the mammalian nucleus plays an important role in the maintenance of genomic stability. However, the telomere distribution in 3D nuclear space of normal and tumor cells was unknown when the study was initiated. Methods Telomere fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and 3D molecular imaging, deconvolution, and analysis were used to investigate telomere organization in normal, immortalized and tumor cells from mouse and human cell lines, and primary tissues. Results Telomeres are organized in a non-overlapping manner and in a cell-cycle dependant fashion in normal cells. In the late G2 phase of cell cycle, telomeres are assembled into a flattened sphere that is termed the telomeric disk In contrast, the telomeric disk is disrupted in the tumor cells. Moreover, telomeric aggregates (TAs) are found in tumor cells. Conditional c-Myc over-expression induces telomeric aggregation leading to the onset of breakage-bridge-fusion cycles and subsequent chromosomal abnormality. Conclusions Telomeres are distributed in a nonrandom and dynamic fashion in the 3D space of a normal cell. Telomeric aggregates are present in cells with genomic instability such as tumor cells and cells with deregulation of c-Myc. Consequently, TA can be a useful biomarker for research in cancer and other disease processes.

This thesis is focused on the development, preclinical evaluation, and optimization of radiotracers for the detection of gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR)-expressing tumors. The work is divided into three distinct parts: (1) the development of bombesin (BN) antagonist (RM26)-based imaging radiotracers for the detection of GRPR-expressing tumors using different positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) radionuclides (68Ga, 18F and 111In), (2) the establishment of a method to monitor the ligand-G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) interaction in real time without requiring purification and stabilization of the receptors, and (3) the evaluation of radiopeptide structure-related factors (length of mini-PEG linker and composition of chelator for metal labeling) affecting the in vitro and in vivo characteristics of RM26-based tracers. We demonstrated the possibility of high-contrast in vivo imaging of GRPR-expressing xenografts despite the physiological expression of GRPR in abdominal organs. Fast radioactivity clearance from the blood and healthy organs, including receptor-positive organs, and long retention in the tumors resulted in high tumor-to-background ratios. A novel real-time assay for measuring the kinetics of the radiotracers targeting GPCR was evaluated. Living cells were used instead of purified receptors in this technology, bringing the developmental work one step closer to the true target environment (imaging in living systems). The comparative study of 68Ga-labeled NOTA-PEGn-RM26 with di-, tri-, tetra- and hexaethylene glycol chains demonstrated that the addition of only a few units of ethylene glycol to the spacer is insufficient to appreciably affect the biodistribution of the radiopeptide. Finally, a comparative study of 68Ga-labeled PEG2-RM26 analogs N-terminally conjugated to NOTA, NODAGA, DOTA or DOTAGA highlighted the influence of the chelator on the targeting properties of the radiopeptide. The main conclusion that can be drawn from this thesis is that 68Ga-NOTA-PEG2-RM26 has favorable biodistribution properties, such as rapid clearance from blood and tissues with physiological GRPR expression levels and long retention in GRPR-expressing tumors, and that this radiopeptide is potentially suitable for initial clinical investigation.

The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in 20% of breast cancers (BCs) and confers an aggressive tumour phenotype with a poor prognosis. Trastuzumab (Herceptin®) is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) approved for treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer (BC), however many eligible patients do not respond. The hypothesis was that molecular imaging strategies that probe: i) the expression of HER2; ii) one of the mechanisms of action of trastuzumab or iii) evaluate the viability of tumour cells by their glucose utilization would be useful in predicting and monitoring the response of BC to treatment with trastuzumab. The relationship between tumour HER2 density, uptake of 111In-DTPA-trastuzumab and response to trastuzumab was evaluated by gamma camera imaging, biodistribution studies and monitoring tumour growth in mice implanted with BC xenografts. There was a non-linear relationship between HER2 expression and uptake of this radiopharmaceutical when tumour uptake was corrected for non-specific IgG accumulation and/or circulating blood radioactivity (r2=0.87-0.99). Tumour response corresponded better with the uncorrected tumour uptake of 111In-DTPA-trastuzumab. HER2 downregulation, a putative mechanism of action of trastuzumab, was noted as decreased tumour uptake on microSPECT/CT of mice bearing MDA-MB-361 xenografts administered 111In-DTPA-pertuzumab. Tumour uptake of 111In-DTPA-pertuzumab was reduced by 53% in mice treated for 3 days with trastuzumab (P<0.05) associated with an early molecular response to the drug. Furthermore, tumour uptake of 111In-DTPA-pertuzumab was reduced by 78% (P<0.001) in mice treated for 3 weeks, which corresponded with a reduction in HER2-positive tumour cells, indicating a therapeutic response. The relationship between changes in tumour uptake of 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG) and response to trastuzumab was examined in mice bearing MDA-MB-361 and MDA-MB-231 BC xenografts, with high or very low HER2 expression, treated with trastuzumab. MicroPET imaging and biodistribution studies detected a 43-60% (P<0.03) reduction in tumour uptake of 18F-FDG in mice with MDA-MB-361 xenografts, treated with trastuzumab compared to PBS-treated controls. In contrast, there was no change in 18F-FDG uptake in MDA-MB-231 xenografts, that did not respond to trastuzumab. I conclude that molecular imaging is a promising tool for monitoring response of BC to treatment with trastuzumab.

abstract: The goal of the works presented in this volume is to develop a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) probe for non-invasive detection of extracellular matrix (ECM) underlying fenestrated endothelia. The ECM is the scaffold that supports tissue structure in all organs. In fenestrated structures the such as the kidney glomerulus and the hepatic sinusoid the ECM serves a unique role in blood filtration and is directly exposed to blood plasma. An assessment of the ECM in fenestrated organs such as the kidney and liver reports on the organ's ability to filter blood - a process critical to maintaining homeostasis. Unfortunately, clinical assessment of the ECM in most organs requires biopsy, which is focal and invasive. This work will focus on visualizing the ECM underlying fenestrated endothelia with natural nanoparticles and MRI. The superparamagnetic ferritin protein has been proposed as a useful naturally-derived, MRI-detectable nanoparticle due to its biocompatibility, ease of functionalization, and modifiable metallic core. We will show that cationized ferritin (CF) specifically binds to the anionic proteoglycans of the ECM underlying fenestrated endothelia and that its accumulation is MRI-detectable. We will then demonstrate the use of CF and MRI in identifying and measuring all glomeruli in the kidney. We will also explore the toxicity of intravenously injected CF and consider other avenues for its application, including detection of microstructural changes in the liver due to chronic liver disease. This work will show that CF is useful in detected fenestrated microstructures in small animals and humans alike, indicating that CF may find broad application in detecting and monitoring disease in both preclinical and clinical settings. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Bioengineering 2012

Detection of enzyme activity has gained popularity in molecular imaging because increased activity of enzymes such as urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) can serve as biomarkers and assist in cancer diagnosis. Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive technique that can be utilized to detect enzyme activity; however, CEST MRI is not the only technique that can assess enzyme activity. Chapter 1 provides an overview of various imaging modalities that have been used to detect enzyme activity in vivo. Advances made in probe-design are discussed, in addition to advantages and disadvantages of each technique. Chapter 2 focuses on detection of uPA activity in a pancreatic cancer tumor model using a catalyCEST MRI contrast agent. Chapter 2 also discusses the importance of uPA in tumor biology, addresses the synthesis of the contrast agent, and evaluates the results of in vivo detection and ex vivo validation of uPA activity in response to therapy of pancreatic tumor models of Capan-2. The in vivo and ex vivo results showed no significant difference in uPA activity between chemotherapy-treated and non-treated mice. Additionally, no significant difference was observed between before and after chemotherapy-treated groups. Chapter 3 addresses some of the limitations of the study detailed in Chapter 2 and proposes improvements.

Des récepteurs de neuropeptides peuvent être fortement exprimés à la surface descellules tumorales offrant ainsi l’opportunité de les visualiser en imagerie par Tomographie d'Emissionde Positons (TEP) grâce à des analogues radiomarqués au 68Ga, 64Cu ou au 18F, mais également desélectionner des patients répondeurs à une radiothérapie métabolique à l'aide de ces mêmes analogues,radiomarqués au 177Lu ou 90Y. Un exemple phare a été le développement d’analogues radiomarqués dela somatostatine pour l'imagerie (68Ga-DOTATOC) et le traitement (177Lu-DOTATATE) des tumeursneuro-endocrines (TNE). Cette voie diagnostique et thérapeutique s’est récemment amplifiée avecl’identification d'autres neuropeptides et leurs récepteurs (sur)exprimés par les cellules tumorales. Cetravail de Thèse s'est donc déroulé selon plusieurs thématiques dont la première a été la mise en placed'une plate-forme de radiomarquage au 68Ga (une des premières en France) pour introduire l'imageriedes récepteurs somatostatine dans les TNE à Bordeaux (essai clinique GALTEP utilisant le 68Ga-DOTATOC) ou d'autres molécules innovantes (68Ga-PSMA dans le cancer de la prostate). Afind’envisager d'autres applications des récepteurs de la somatostatine nous avons recherché leurexpression dans des lymphomes de Hodgkin. Enfin, nous nous sommes concentrés sur ledéveloppement de deux autres familles de neuropeptides; les récepteurs de la bombésine (GRP-R etNMB-R) et de la neurotensine (NTR1). Nous avons finement caractérisé l'expression du GRP-R dansle cancer du sein et développé une nouvelle classe de radiopeptides pour le ciblage des récepteurs de labombésine. Enfin, nous avons étudié NTR1 dans diverses tumeurs pour fournir le rationnel nécessaireau développement d'analogues de la neurotensine. / Neuropeptide receptors can be highly expressed on the cell surface of tumor cells,paving the way to their visualization with Positron Emission Tomography (PET) using analoguesradiolabeled with 68Ga, 64Cu or 18F, but also to select patients who can benefit fromradiopharmaceutical therapy using similar analogues radiolabeled with 177Lu or 90Y. An example hasbeen the development of somatostatin radio-analogues for imaging (68Ga-DOTATOC) and therapy(177Lu-DOTATATE) of neuroendocrine tumors (NET). This concept has gained insight since thediscovery of other neuropeptides and their receptors (over)expressed on diverse tumors. This PhD hasbeen conducted according to several axis, the first being the establishment of a 68Ga-radiolabelingplatform (among the first in France) to introduce somatostatin receptor PET imaging of NET inBordeaux (clinical trial GALTEP using 68Ga-DOTATOC) but also other innovative molecules (68Ga-PSMA for prostate cancer imaging). Furthermore, to consider other applications of somatostatinreceptors we investigated their expression in Hodgkin's lymphomas. We then mainly aimed atinvestigating possibilities offered by two other families of neuropeptide receptors: bombesin receptors(GRP-R and NMB-R) and neurotensin receptors (NTR1). For the bombesin family, we have wellcharacterized GRP-R expression in breast cancer and developed a novel class of radiopeptide forbombesin receptors targeting. Finally, we studied NTR1 expression in various tumors (notably prostatecancer) to provide molecular basis necessary for the development of neurotensin analogues.

MRI is a powerful imaging method that offers several advantages including non-ionizing radiation, significant depth of penetration, and great spatial resolution. Current demand for precision medicine and the movement toward personalized medicine have encouraged researchers in the field of medical imaging to develop MRI-based techniques. Various techniques are now available for molecular imaging by MRI. MRI started by utilizing T1 relaxation properties of molecules but soon after other relaxation mechanisms such as T2 and recently Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) were developed. Each of those MRI techniques offers advantages and disadvantages such as differences in experimental procedures, complexity of the method, selectivity and specificity of signals, and translation into clinical applications. We have been developing MRI techniques and responsive contrast agents for CEST MRI in the Pagel laboratory (Contrast Agent and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, also called CAMEL) for the past decade. We have mainly utilized MRI techniques and responsive contrast agents to detect and measure cancer biomarkers. Detection of the activity of enzymes and measurement of pH have been our main focus, and we have developed catalyCEST MRI probes and techniques for the detection of the activity of enzymes and acidoCEST for the measurement of pH. My research started with investigation on paramagnetic agents as potential CEST MRI probes (paraCEST) and continued with an investigation on diamagnetic agents (diaCEST). I completed several projects in which I prepared and evaluated paraCEST and diaCEST contrast agents for the detection of DT-diaphorase, and alkaline phosphatase enzymes, respectively. Although CEST MRI was my main activity in CAMEL, I started a new direction in CAMEL after encountering a series of observations that were unexplainable with CEST MRI. Through my research, I introduced a new class of responsive contrast agents based on the T2-Exchange (T2-Ex) relaxation mechanism. I employed the T2-Ex mechanism to evaluate responsive contrast agents for the detection of nitric oxide biomolecule and nitroreductase enzyme. My research activities in the CAMEL group resulted in one review paper, one book chapter, two published research articles, and two submitted research manuscripts at the time of preparing my PhD dissertation. In addition to my projects, I was involved in another project that focused on nanocapsule drug delivery, which resulted in a second author publication.

A notable need exists for noninvasive tools to increase our mechanistic understanding of disease progression at a cellular and molecular level. Studying the functions of proteins in their innate in vivo tissue environment can provide useful information about pathology enabling appropriate treatment and early diagnosis. Chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI contrast provides real-time functional characterization of the biological landscape and can be used to detect multiple enzyme biomarker activities. A dual-enzyme catalyCEST contrast agent was developed as a proof-of-concept to demonstrate the potential of using a salicylic acid scaffold and control the CEST signal through enzyme activation. In addition, a straightforward route was designed to synthesize a diamagnetic catalyCEST MRI agent that is a substrate for β-galactosidase and β-glucuronidase enzymes. The synthesized agents generated two peaks in the CEST spectrum, at 4.25 ppm corresponding to a carbamate moiety and at 9.25 ppm corresponding to the salicylic acid moiety. Chemical exchange rates of liable protons were determined from a QUESP Hanes-Woolf plot. In the presence of the corresponding enzymes, the catalyCEST agent was activated via saccharide hydrolysis followed by a spontaneous disassembly to produce 4-aminosalicylic acid. This reaction converted the carbamate moiety into a free primary amine, and caused a loss of CEST signal at 4.25 ppm. The CEST signal at 9.25 ppm was unaffected by the enzyme catalysis, and therefore used as an internal control signal. Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics studies were performed with CEST MRI to verify that catalyCEST MRI could truly detect enzyme activity. The Michaelis-Menten kinetics constants from MRI studies were compared to the kinetics constants measured with UVvis results from the same contrast agent, demonstrating the quantitative potential of catalyCEST MRI with both contrast agents. These findings demonstrate that the newly synthesized modular agents have the potential to become reliable catalyCEST MRI imaging probes. In addition, the modular design of these agents facilitates the conjugation of other enzyme substrates to the carbamate spacer, so that this approach constitutes a platform technology for the detection of enzyme activity.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第22460号 / 工博第4721号 / 新制||工||1737(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科物質エネルギー化学専攻 / (主査)教授 近藤 輝幸, 教授 大江 浩一, 教授 中村 正治 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DGAM

Toutes les interfaces solide-liquide sont potentiellement propices à l’adhésion bactérienne et à la formation de biofilms. Comprendre les mécanismes d’organisation de cette vie sur les surfaces (bioadhésion) constitue un défi scientifique passionnant ; c’est aussi un impératif pour apporter des réponses pertinentes aux questionnements de la société et des industries sur la manière de minimiser les effets délétères des biofilms mais aussi exploiter leurs nombreuses potentialités pour différentes applications. Etudier la bioadhésion, c’est disséquer à l’échelle moléculaire l’ensemble des paramètres physico-chimiques et biologiques qui vont contrôler l’adhésion des cellules aux surfaces, leur prolifération, les interactions entre elles jusqu’à former une structure 3D. C’est dans ce contexte que s’inscrit ce travail de thèse où nous avons combiné des outils de la physique (imagerie de fluorescence, imageries électroniques) et de la chimie (nanoparticules fluorescentes de polystyrène fonctionnalisées avec des ammoniums quaternaires ou des groupements carboxylates leur conférant respectivement un caractère cationique ou anionique) pour visualiser et quantifier l’adhésion de deux souches bactériennes d’intérêt dans l’industrie alimentaire, Lactococcus lactis et Listeria innocua, un modèle non pathogène de Listeria monocytogenes. Nous avons pu mettre en évidence une microhétérogénéité de charge positive à la surface des bactéries qui joue un rôle significatif aussi bien dans l’adhésion des cellules au substrat que dans la formation des biofilms. / All solid-liquid interfaces are potentially conducive to bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. Understanding the mechanisms of this life organization on surfaces (bioadhesion) is an exciting scientific challenge; it is also imperative to provide relevant answers to questions of society and industry on how to minimize the deleterious effects of biofilms but also exploit their potential for different applications. Studying bioadhesion requires to dissect all the physico-chemical and biological parameters, at the molecular level, that control cell adhesion to surfaces, their proliferation, the interactions between them to form a 3D structure. It is the purpose of this thesis: physical (fluorescence imaging, electronic imaging) and chemical tools (polystyrene fluorescent nanoparticles functionalized with quaternary ammonium or carboxylate groups, conferring a cationic or anionic character respectively) were combined to visualize and quantify the adhesion of two bacterial strains of interest in the food industry, Lactococcus lactis and Listeria innocua, a non-pathogenic model of Listeria monocytogenes. The results highlight a positive charge microheterogeneity on the bacteria surface that plays a significant role both in cell adhesion to the substrate as in the biofilm formation.les in order to modulate them. Besides the impact on adhesion to glass, the effect on the resulting biofilm growth were also controlled, showing the importance of surface properties of bacteria in the process of bio-contamination of substrates.