v anglickém jazyce NK cells represent a population of lymphocytes which are able to kill certain tumor cells or virally infected cells. The subject of the diploma thesis is a mouse NK cell receptor mNKR- P1CBALB and a human leukocyte receptor hAICL. The mNKR-P1CBALB belongs to the activating receptors and is able to activate the cytotoxic functions of NK cells. The hAICL receptor is a ligand to the NKp80 which is an activating receptor of NK cells. Interaction between these two proteins leads to the activation of effector functions of NK cells as well. The aim of this work was the preparation of the recombinant extracellular parts of receptors mNKR-P1CBALB and hAICL, the optimalization of their in vitro refolding and the characterization of proteins using mass spectrometry. The proteins samples will be used for further structural study of the extracellular parts of these leukocytes receptors.

NK cells are a component of innate immunity system, which is derived from lymphoid progenitor. By a sophisticated receptor repertoire, which is expressed on their surface, they provide a surveillance against pathogenic, virus infected or tumour cells. Simultaneously they produce cytokines, thereby are involved in adaptive immune response. This work is focused on the study of structure of mice soluble mNkr-p1a isoform. Recently this short isoform was identified at the transcriptional level by a member of our laboratory and it is designated as isoform 2. The aim was to produce mNkr-p1a iso2 protein in the prokaryotic expression system and to perform its renaturation and purification in vitro. In the next phase of work, the obtained product was analyzed by the mass spectrometry methods. Recieved results made us think about that our protein is in unfolded state. This assumption was refuted by following biophysical methods, nuclear magnetic resonance, circular dichroism and dynamic light scattering measurement. Keywords: NK cells Receptor mNkr - p1a Short isoform mNkr - p1a iso2 Alternative splicing Protein biosynthesis Recombinant protein production Protein purification Mass spectrometry Disulfide bond Chemical cross-linking NMR, CD, DLS 5

NK cells are innate lymphocytes which constitute the first line of organism's defence against infections through their receptor system. These cells represent an important part of antiviral and antitumor immunity, they also play a role in transplant immunity, autoimmunity and reproduction. This diploma thesis inquires into the structure of the transmembrane receptor NKR-P1B of mouse NK cells and the interaction with its ligand Clr-b. The aim was to prepare the expression vector coding the ligand-binding and whole extracellular region of the receptor NKR-P1B and to optimize its production and refolding in vitro. Purified protein samples were analyzed by size-exclusion chromatography, electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Interaction between NKR-P1B and Clr-b proteins was tested using biophysical (size-exclusion chromatography and surface plasmon resonance) and biological methods (labelling of cellular sample with NKR-P1B proteins marked with fluorescent dye). In vitro binding experiments have not confirmed mutual interaction between NKR-P1B and Clr-b despite the prepared proteins binding to the bone marrow cells.

Impact of NKR-P1 polymorphism on Ly49 receptors expression in hybrid mouse strains (C57BL/6 x Balb/c, F10-12) Abstract Natural killer (NK) cells constitute the subpopulation of large granular lymphocytes which mediate spontaneous immune response against infected, transformed or allogeneic cells and thus represent an important component of the innate immunity. NK cells express a wide repertoir of surface receptors which can be either activating or inhibitory and which mediate NK cell recognition and regulation of cytolytic activity. NKR-P1 and Ly49 receptor families belong to the most important murine NK receptors. Both NKR-P1 and Ly49 families are members of C-type lectin-like superfamily of receptors encoded by natural killer gene complex (NKC) on chromosome 6 and include both activating and inhibitory members. The aim of this diploma thesis was to elucidate the impact of Nkr-p1c gene divergence on Ly49 receptors expression and to find out whether the Ly49 and Nkr-p1 gene clusters (which are localized on opposite ends of NKC) are inherited independently or whether the NKC domain is inherited as a complex. The second research interest was to illustrate the influence of the above mentioned divergence on cytotoxic activity of NK cells and tumor growth. In this study, inbred mouse strains C57BL/6 and Balb/c...

Study of receptor-ligand pair NKR-P1F and Clrg Mouse NKR-P1F:Clr-g receptor:ligand pair is important component of the receptor "zipper" that occurs at the contact between natural killer cell and its target cell, and represents a recently discovered example of lectin-lectin interactions important for recognition among immune cell subsets. In order to study structure of these proteins and interactions between them, we have prepared pET-30a(+) bacterial expression vectors coding parts of extracellular domains of the two receptors. After induction of protein production with IPTG, the proteins precipitated into inclusion bodies, from which they could be refolded in vitro. Refolded proteins were purified using combination of ion exchange and size exclusion chromatography. NKR-P1F construct yielded only small amounts of soluble protein using standard refolding protocols. Furthermore we have experienced difficulties with reproducibility of the refolding results. In the case of Clrg the standard protocols for protein refolding were not sufficient. In order for the Clrg to fold properly, the odd cysteine which does not fit into the pattern usual for this family of receptors was substituted for serine and resulting C148S construct was shown to be more useful. Further, using (benzyldimethylammonio)propanesulfonate in...

S'ha establert un sistema experimental autòleg per a poder estudiar la resposta de les cèl.lules Natural Killer (NK) contra les cèl.lules dendrítiques derivades de monòcits (moDC), infectades pel Cytomegalovirus humà (HCMV). Els nostres resultats mostren que les cèl.lules NK responen contra les moDC infectades per HCMV, que presenten una expressió de les molècules MHC de classe I a superficie reduïda. Específicament, demostrem que la infecció per HCMV disminueix l'expressió en superficie d'HLA-E en les moDC, alliberant així la inhibició de les cèl.lules NK NKG2A+. Mostrem que els NKR anomenats NKp46 i DNAM-1 tenen un paper dominant en el reconeixement de les moDC infectades per HCMV i evidenciem la importància de la dinàmica dels mecanismes d'immunoevassió en la susceptibilitat a la resposta NK. Finalment, trobem que els interferons de tipus I i la IL-12 secretats en resposta a la infecció per HCMV, a més de participar en l'activació de la cèl.lula NK i en la secreció d'IFN-, inhibeixen l'expressió i la funció de NKG2D en les cèl.lules NK, com un mecanisme de regulació potencial per prevenir la reactivitat NK contra cèl.lules veïnes sanes. / Suitable experimental conditions have been established to dissect the role of NK cell receptors (NKR) and cytokines in the NK cell response against autologous human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infected monocyte derived dendritic cells (moDC). Our results reveal that NK cells are capable of responding to HCMV infected moDC that have down-regulated surface MHC class I molecules. In particular, we prove that HCMV infection decreases surface HLA-E expression on moDC, thus releasing NKG2A+ NK cells from inhibition. We show that NKp46 and DNAM-1 NKR play a dominant role in the recognition of HCMV infected moDC and we provide evidences stressing the importance of the dynamics of viral immune evasion mechanisms in NK cell susceptibility. Finally, we find that type I interferons and IL-12 secreted in response to HCMV infection, beyond their participation in NK cell activation and IFN- secretion, transiently inhibit the expression and function of NKG2D in NK cells, thus providing a potential regulatory feedback mechanism to prevent NK cell reactivity against bystander healthy cells.

Mouse NK cell receptors belonging to NKR-P1 family plays role in activation, inhibition and cytokine secretion by these cells. Aim of this thesis is preparation of extracellular parts of C57BL/6 mouse strain activating receptors mNKR-P1A and mNKR-P1C. Production vectors with coding sequences of both proteins were prepared. Next, optimization of production in E. coli was done and appropriate in vitro refolding and purification protocol were developed. Purified proteins were characterized by mass spectrometry and labeled by a fluorescent dye. Primary screening for potential ligand was performed. Further work will involve structural characterization of the receptors and identification of their ligands. These data may help to clarify the function of NK cells.

Protein Nkr-p1b is a surface receptor of cytotoxic NK cells, that mediates inhibitory signal toward the body's own cells. In this study, the ligand binding domain of the mouse protein receptor Nkr-p1b (mNkr-p1b LBD) was prepared by recombinant expression in E. coli cells. Isolated protein was subsequently used for NMR structural analysis. Prediction of protein secondary structures ratio was carried out using three different methods (CD, PSIPRED and TALOS). Results correlate well with the structure of CTLD domain, that plays a key role in ligand binding and thus to function of Nkr-p1b receptor. We managed to prepare this protein in a form suitable for NMR experiments. Based on the data obtained by NMR spectra analysis, a preliminary model of the mNkr-p1b LBD protein structure was created. However, for more precise learning of the 3D structure accurate positions of individual atoms need to be determined by other NMR spectra evaluation in the next phase. Explaining the structure of the ligand binding domain of mNkr-p1b protein could help to better understand the complex mechanism of activation of NK cell cytotoxic activity, thereby contributing to its controlled use as a therapeutic against some viral and tumor diseases.

Author Samuel Lavoie Thesis Diplomacy and Diplomatic Institutions of Unrecognized De Facto States Somaliland, Transnistria and Artsakh (2020) Abstract As a topic, international recognition has been increasingly studied over the past twenty years, particularly since Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008. This thesis attempts to advance our understanding of the underlying causes of the inability to gain political recognition by examining several factors that have been omitted from the academic literature. Specifically, it examines several key aspects of the diplomatic institutions, personnel, and approaches of three unrecognized de facto states that meet most of the criteria for statehood under international law, but have so far received no recognition recognized states. These entities are Somaliland, Transnistria, and Artsakh. This paper also draws on partially recognized states and finds that geopolitical and ideological factors generally prevail over diplomatic ones as the main drivers of political recognition. This is especially true when an entity is located in an area of fierce rivalry for influence, such as the PMR and the Republic of Artsakh. However, while remaining a secondary factor, diplomacy becomes more important for international recognition when the interests of...

Studies on interactions between NKR-P1D and Clrb membrane receptors Interaction between murine NKR-P1D and Clrb receptors was originally described as a novel type of "MHC class-I independent missing-self recognition" and was shown to confer protection from killing by natural killer cells.[1] However, further study brought conflicting results suggesting that NKR-P1D does not binds Clrb strongly if it does at all.[2] In order to address the issues arising from these conflicting results, we have recombinantly expressed the extracellular domains of both receptors in E. coli cells and refolded the proteins in vitro. The quality of refolding was confirmed both by determining the disulphide bonding pattern using FTMS and measuring 1 H/15 N-HSQC spectra. By means of size exclusion chromatography and analytical ultracentrifuge we were unable to provide convincing results for the interaction itself. However, using SPR technique, a weak, specific, pH-dependent interaction was observed. Interaction between the proteins in solution was immobilized using chemical cross-linking technique. Three cross-linking reagents, EDC, DSG and DSS were used. The reaction mixture was separated by means of SDS-PAGE and protein bands corresponding to dimers were digested in gel. Using FT-MS we were able to find peptides from both...