La métalloenzyme multimérique membranaire NADPH oxydase du neutrophile (NOX2), est impliquée dans plusieurs fonctions physiologiques vitales incluant la réponse immunitaire, en contribuant fortement à la destruction des pathogènes ou autres envahisseurs du corps humain. Les fonctions physiologiques de NOX2 sont assurées par sa fonction chimique de catalyseur de la production d’anions superoxyde via la réduction monoélectronique du dioxygène à une face de la membrane, simultanément à l’oxydation biélectronique du NADPH à l’autre face de la membrane. L’étude des caractéristiques biochimiques de l’enzyme entière, incluant ses mécanismes d’activation et de régulation, en lien avec l’assemblage macromoléculaire, est réalisée in vitro en utilisant des fractions membranaires de neutrophile (FM), petites vésicules contenant NOX2, ainsi que les protéines cytosoliques recombinantes (p67phox, p47phox et Rac1/2) indispensables à sa fonction, en présence d’une molécule activatrice comme l’acide arachidonique (AA), un acide gras. La technique historiquement privilégiée de mesure de l’activité enzymatique de NOX2 implique la détection des anions superoxyde par une sonde protéique, le Cytochrome c (Cytc). Dans ce système, les anions superoxyde, dont la production est catalysée par NOX2 vers l’intérieur des vésicules de FM, sont détectés à l’extérieur. En corrélation avec la littérature, ces recherches montrent que l’activité enzymatique déterminée via la détection des anions superoxyde par le Cytc est plus faible que lorsqu’elle est déterminée via la mesure de la consommation du NADPH. L’origine du problème inclut potentiellement des contraintes de perméabilité membranaire, de structure de la membrane et des protéines, d’interactions des protéines entre-elles et avec les lipides membranaires, de pertinence de la sonde utilisée et de réactions secondaires. Ces hypothèses ont été testées par différents moyens incluant notamment des mesures de cinétiques globales et de l’activité de NOX2 dans différentes conditions et avec différentes observables (NADPH, Cytc, dioxygène), en présence de détergent ou d’ionophore, en faisant varier la température de mesure, la concentration en Cytc, la concentration en substrat, la concentration en AA ou le temps de préincubation. La présence de réactions secondaires a également été testée par électrochimie. Cette étude montre que la mesure de la production des anions superoxyde est limitée par la perméabilité membranaire et par les réactions secondaires. Il a aussi été mis en exergue que la concentration en Cytc usuelle pour ces mesures n’est pas saturante et de façon inattendue que les FM catalysent intrinsèquement la dismutation du peroxyde d’hydrogène à l’aide d’un composant thermolabile. Il est aujourd’hui très compliqué de mesurer de façon concomitante l’activité de la NADPH oxydase et son assemblage. Le deuxième objectif de cette thèse était donc la mise au point de vésicules géantes unilamellaires (GUV) intégrant NOX2 dans leur membrane, ce qui permettrait d’observer par microscopie de fluorescence l’assemblage du complexe NADPH oxydase et de simultanément mesurer la production des anions superoxyde par électrochimie sous microscope. La formation de GUV possédant des FM (FM-GUV) à leur membrane est un succès mais sans confirmation de l’intégration de NOX2 à la membrane des GUV. L’assemblage des protéines cytosoliques à la face externe de la membrane a été étudié sur GUV et sur FM-GUV, ce qui a permis de montrer que l’ancrage membranaire de ces protéines est possible seulement en présence d’AA et dû de façon prépondérante aux lipides et que NOX2 joue un rôle minoritaire. L’étude des interactions entre les protéines cytosoliques et la face interne de la membrane des GUV reste à optimiser. Il a été possible de détecter en GUV qualitativement une activité de NOX2 par électrochimie et par fluorescence (Amplex-Red), mais ce point reste aussi à optimiser. / The membrane multimeric metalloenzyme NADPH oxidase (NOX2) from neutrophil is implied in several essential physiological functions including the immune response, by strongly contributing to the destruction of pathogens or other invaders of the human body. Physiological functions of NOX2 are fulfilled by its chemical function of catalyst of superoxide anion production via the monoelectron dioxygen reduction on one face of the membrane, simultaneously to the NADPH bielectron oxidation on the other face of the membrane. Studies of biochemical features of the whole enzyme, including its activation and regulation mechanisms linked to the macromolecular assembly, is done in vitro by using neutrophil membrane fractions (MF), which are small vesicles containing NOX2, and by using the recombinant cytosolic proteins (p67phox, p47phox, p40phox and Rac1/2) essential for its function, in presence of an activator molecule such as arachidonic acid (AA), a fatty acid. The historical technics to measure the NOX2 enzyme activity is the superoxide anion detection by a protein probe, the Cytochrome c (Cytc). In this system, NOX2 catalyses the production of superoxyde anions towards the inside of MF vesicles and the superoxide anions are detected outside. In correlation with literature, the present research shows that the enzyme activity determined via the detection of superoxide anions by the Cytc is lower that the activity determined from NADPH consumption measurement. The source of the problem includes potentially constraints of membrane permeability, of membrane and protein structure, of protein-protein and protein-membrane interactions, of the relevance of the probe and of secondary reactions. These hypotheses have been tested by various means including notably global kinetics measurements and NOX2 activity measurements in various conditions with three different observables (NADPH, Cytc, dioxygen), in presence of detergent or ionophore, by varying temperature, Cytc concentration, substrate concentration, AA concentration or still preincubation time. Secondary reactions existence has also been probed by electrochemistry. This study shows that the measurement of the superoxide anion production is limited by membrane permeability and secondary reactions and that the usual Cytc concentration is non-saturating, and unexpectedly that the MF catalyses the disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide by a thermolabile component. It is currently very hard to measure simultaneously the NADPH oxidase activity and the assembly of the whole complex. The second objective of my thesis was consequently to develop giant unilamellar vesicles (GUV) with NOX2 integrated into their membranes. This to be able to observe the complex assembly by fluorescence microscopy and simultaneously to measure the superoxide anion production by electrochemistry under microscope. The development of GUV with MF at the membrane (MF-GUV) has been successful, but without confirmation of NOX2 integration in the GUV membrane. The assembly of cytosolic proteins on the external face of the membrane was studied on GUV and on MF-GUV, leading to the discovery that membrane anchor of these proteins is possible only in presence of AA and is mostly due to lipids, NOX2 playing a minor role. Study of interactions between cytosolic proteins and internal face of the GUV membrane must be optimised. It was possible in GUV to detect qualitatively NOX2 activity by electrochemistry and by fluorescence, (Amplex-Red), but this point should still be optimised.

Une des propriétés majeures de la thyroïde est de capter l’iode de la circulation sanguine grâce à la présence d’un transporteur d’iodure (NIS pour Natrium Iodide Symporter). Cette capacité d’accumulation d’iode par les thyrocytes joue un rôle clé dans la synthèse des hormones thyroïdiennes ainsi dans le diagnostic et le traitement des cancers de la thyroïde. Cependant, en raison d’une diminution ou de l’absence de l’expression du NIS dans certaines tumeurs et métastases, des patients deviennent réfractaires à la radiothérapie métabolique et présentent une radiorésistance, causant ainsi un problème de santé publique.L’oncogène BRAFV600E, un puissant activateur de La voie MAP kinase, est détecté dans 40 - 60% des cancers thyroïdiens de type papillaires (CPT) qui représentent 80% de la totalité des cancers thyroïdiens. La mutation BRAFV600E est associée aux tumeurs thyroïdiennes les plus agressives. Cependant l’inhibition pharmacologique de la voie MAP kinase induite constitutivement par l’oncogène BRAFV600E ne permet pas, à elle seule, de rétablir l’expression du NIS chez des patients atteints d’un cancer de la thyroïde muté BRAFV600E. Ceci suggère que d’autres mécanismes compensatoires peuvent contribuer à la radiorésistance. Une étude récente menée sur un modèle murin a montré que la régulation négative du NIS par l’oncogène BRAFV600E est médiée par la voie du TGF beta. Une autre a montré que l’expression du NIS serait dépendante de l’état redox de la cellule, suggérant un rôle des espèces réactives de l’oxygène (ROS). Dans les cellules les ROS peuvent être produites par les NADPH oxydases (NOX/DUOX). La thyroïde en exprime trois : DUOX2 nécessaire à la synthèse des hormones thyroïdiennes ainsi que DUOX1 et NOX4 dont le rôle physiologique reste inconnu. NOX4, surexprimé dans les CPTs, a été montré être un nouvel effecteur clé de la voie du TGF beta dans d’autres cancers.Dans mon projet de thèse, je me suis intéressée à l’étude du rôle de NOX4 dans la régulation négative du NIS dans les CPT mutés BRAFV600E. L’étude du mécanisme, réalisée à partir de deux lignées humaines issues de cancers papillaires mutés pour BRAF (BCPAP et 8505C), a permis d’établir que l’oncogène BRAFV600E contrôle l’expression de NOX4 au niveau transcriptionnel via la voie TGF-beta/Smad3. Ces résultats ont été validés sur une lignée de rat exprimant de manière conditionnelle BRAFV600E ainsi que sur des thyrocytes humains en culture primaire. De manière importante, l’utilisation d’antioxydants tels que le N-acetyl cystéine (NAC) ou l’inhibition spécifique de l’expression de NOX4 par ARN interférence permet de réinduire l’expression du NIS. Ces résultats qui montrent que les ROS produites par NOX4 inhibent l’expression du transporteur de l’iode (NIS) établissent un lien entre l’oncogène BRAFV600E et NOX4. Une analyse comparative de l'expression de NOX4 effectuée à partir de 500 cancers papillaires de la thyroïdes mutés ou non pour BRAF (données TCGA) confirme que NOX4 est significativement augmenté dans les cancers porteurs de la mutation BRAF et que ceci est corrélé à une diminution de l’ARNm du NIS. Par ailleurs, le niveau de NOX4 est inversement corrélé au score de différenciation thyroïdien, suggérant que NOX4 pourrait être impliqué dans le processus de dédifférenciation. Cette étude ouvre une nouvelle opportunité pour l’optimisation de l’utilisation de la radiothérapie métabolique dans le traitement des cancers thyroïdiens réfractaires à l’iode I131 et présente NOX4 comme une cible thérapeutique potentielle. / One of the major properties of the thyroid is iodine uptake from the bloodstream through an iodide transporter (NIS for Natrium Iodide Symporter). This capacity plays a key role in the thyroid hormones synthesis, but also in both diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer. However, due to a decrease or absence of the NIS expression in some tumors and metastases, patients become refractory to the metabolic radiotherapy and present a radioresistance, which cause a public health problem.The BRAFV600E oncogene, a potent activator of the MAP kinase pathway, is detected in 40-60% of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), which represent 80% of total thyroid cancers. The BRAFV600E mutation is associated with the more aggressive thyroid tumors. However, the pharmacological inhibition of the MAP kinase pathway, constitutively induced by the BRAFV600E oncogene, is not able to restore alone the expression of NIS in patients with BRAFV600E mutated thyroid cancer. This suggests that other compensatory mechanisms may contribute to the radioresistance. A recent study in a mouse model demonstrated that downregulation of NIS by BRAFV600E oncogene is mediated through the TGF beta activation. An other showed that the expression of NIS is dependent on the redox status of the cell, suggesting a role for the reactive oxygen species (ROS). In cells, ROS can be produced by the NADPH oxidases (NOX/DUOX). The Thyroid gland expresses three of them: DUOX2, which is necessary for the thyroid hormones synthesis, but also DUOX1 and NOX4 whose the physiological role remains unknown. NOX4, which is overexpressed in the PTCs, has been shown to be a new key effector of the TGF beta pathway.In my thesis project, I was interested in studying the role of NOX4 in the negative regulation of NIS in BRAFV600E mutated CPT. The study of the mechanism, made from two human cell lines derived from BRAF-mutated papillary thyroid cancers (BCPAP and 8505C), has revealed that the oncogene BRAFV600E controls the expression of NOX4 at the transcriptional level via the TGF-beta/Smad3 pathway. These results were validated on both a rat thyroid cell line conditionnaly expressing BRAFV600E and on human thyrocytes in primary culture. Importantly, the use of antioxidants such as N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) or specific inhibition of NOX4 expression by RNA interference allow reinduction of NIS expression. These results, which show that ROS produced by NOX4 inhibit the expression of iodine transporter (NIS), establish a link between the oncogene BRAFV600E and NOX4. A comparative analysis of the NOX4 expression, made from 500 papillary thyroid cancers mutated or not for BRAF (TCGA data), confirms that NOX4 is significantly increased in BRAF-mutated cancers and that this is correlated with a decrease of NIS mRNA. Furthermore, the level of NOX4 is inversely related to thyroid differentiation score, suggesting that NOX4 might be involved in the dedifferentiation process. This study opens a new opportunity for optimizing the use of metabolic radiotherapy in the treatment of thyroid cancers refractory to radioiodine I131and makes NOX4 as a potential therapeutic target.

Local production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and changes in the redox environment influence the metabolism and function of β cells of the Langerhans islets (LO). Changing the ratio between NAD(P)H / NAD(P)+ redox partners significantly affects sensitive proteins and ROS production. ROS are able to reversibly modify some amino acid residues (eg Cys, Met) of antioxidant enzymes and their interaction partners. Such a signaling cascade allows the transmission of a signal over longer distances and can also interfere with the influence of gene expression. The unique enzyme NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) is present on membranes within β cells and constitutively produces H2O2 depending on the presence of NAD(P)H. After glucose stimulation, both NAD(P)H and Nox4 mRNA levels increase. As previously observed in our laboratory, C57BL/6J mice with a specific Nox4 deletion in β cells have a disrupted biphasic insulin release and exhibit insulin resistance in fat and muscle tissue. We found that the absence of NOX4 in C57BL/6J mice affects LO architecture. Wildtype (WT) mice on a normal, predominantly carbohydrate diet (ND) have the majority of small LO with an area of up to 5 000 μm2 (measured on histological sections). High-fat diet (HFD) feeding of WT for 8 weeks leads to the development of diabetic phenotype and...

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is associated with defective function of the NADPH-oxidase system in conjunction with phagocytic defects which leads to granuloma formation and serious infectious complications. This is often associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The association of defective phagocyte function with other coincidental immune defects is unknown. Defects in innate pathways seen with CGD, including complement systems, and toll-like and dectin receptor pathways, have not been described before. We present the case of a 2-year old male patient hospitalized with recurrent pneumonia, a non-healing skin ulcer, necrotizing lung granulomas, and epididymo-orchitis. Defective neutrophil chemiluminescence was detected by dihydrorhodamine (DHR) testing. Further evaluation demonstrated characteristic molecular mutations of CYBB consistent with CGD. Immune evaluation demonstrated polyclonal hyperglobulinemia, but a greatly reduced mannose binding lectin (MBL) level. Six biallelic polymorphisms in MBL gene and its promoter were analyzed using Light Cycler™ Real-time PCR assay. The LXPA/LYPB haplotype of MBL was detected in our patient; the latter is the defective haplotype associated with low MBL levels. Due to the implications for innate immunity and the protection against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections provided by MBL, a deficiency of this protein may have disastrous consequences on the long term outcomes of CGD. MBL deficiency can also complicate other disorders affecting the immune system, significantly increasing the risk of infection in such patients. Further studies looking at the frequency and implications of MBL deficiency in CGD are needed.

<p>Although long known for their damaging effects to cell components and contribution to aging, cancer, and neurodegeneration, reactive oxygen species (ROS) have recently been found to have beneficial roles, such as mediating intracellular signaling and triggering regenerative inflammatory responses. While excessive ROS causes oxidative stress and cellular damage, an optimum ROS level is crucial for proper cell functioning, growth, and proliferation. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (Nox) is a major source of cellular ROS that has been linked to neuronal polarity, axonal growth, and nervous system development. However, the precise role of Nox-derived ROS in axonal regeneration after injury has remained unclear. Here, we tested a role for neuronal Nox in neurite regeneration following mechanical transection in cultured neurons. Using a novel hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-sensing dye, <em>p</em>-bispinacolatoboron-5’-phenylpyridylthiazole (BPPT), we found that H2O2 -levels are elevated in regenerating growth cones following injury. Increased Nox2 co-localization with p40phox in the growth cone central domain suggests Nox2 activation after injury. Inhibiting Nox with pharmacological Nox inhibitor, celastrol, or reducing ROS with the chemical antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine, reduced neurite regeneration rate. Higher level of H2O2 had negative effects on neurite outgrowth and regeneration. Growth cones treated with celastrol had reduced F-actin content in the growth cone periphery and T domain. Pharmacological inhibition of Nox also caused reduced activity of Src2, a redox modifiable protein that regulates actin organization and dynamics in the growth cone. Using a zebrafish larval spinal cord injury model, we found that pharmacological inhibition of Nox affects swimming behavior indicating impaired spinal cord regeneration due to the inhibition of Nox. Taken together, these findings indicate that the level of neuronal Nox-derived ROS is critical for neurite regeneration following injury. Identification of Nox downstream effectors in the growth cone is the next goal of this project to better understand the signaling pathway of Nox involved in neurite regeneration.</p>

No description available.

A migração de células musculares lisas (VSMC) da camada média do vaso para a íntima é essencial para vasculogênese e contribui para o processo de aterosclerose e estenose após lesão por cateter-balão, caracterizando-se como um importante alvo terapêutico. Diversos trabalhos já demonstraram que fatores de crescimento (como PDGF e FGF) estimulam a migração de VSMC, inclusive, muitos desses fatores de crescimento induzem sinalização redox associadas à geração de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS) (ex. Nox1 NADPH oxidase). Nosso grupo já descreveu interações físicas e regulação funcional da NADPH oxidase por uma chaperona redox do retículo endoplasmático, a Dissulfeto Isomerase Protéica (PDI). Contudo, tanto a relevância fisiológica como os mecanismos desta interação ainda não estão claros. O objetivo geral do presente trabalho é investigar por meio de experimentos de perda e ganho de função da PDI, a importância da PDI na migração celular associada à ativação do complexo NADPH oxidase, bem como possíveis mecanismos envolvidos na interação entre a PDI e esse complexo enzimático durante a migração celular. Os objetivos específicos são: i) avaliar o efeito do silenciamento da PDI, bem como da expressão forçada de PDI wild type na migração de VSMC in vitro; ii) analisar o efeito da transfecção de siRNA da PDI atividade e expressão de distintas isoformas da NADPH oxidase vascular e produção de ROS induzida por PDGF; iii) investigar o envolvimento de RhoGTPases na regulação do complexo NADPH oxidase pela PDI. No presente trabalho, mostramos que o PDGF induz redistribuição da PDI e aumento da produção de ROS. O silenciamento da PDI inibe a produção de ROS e a expressão do mRNA da Nox1, sem alterar a expressão do mRNA da Nox4. Mais ainda, o silenciamento da PDI reduz a migração celular induzida por PDGF, em diferentes modelos de migração, enquanto a super-expressão da PDI induz aumento espontâneo da migração na condição basal. Análise utilizando métodos de Biologia de Sistemas de redes de interação física proteína-proteína em bancos de dados e técnicas de análise de centralidade, topologia e ontologia gênica indicou forte convergência entre PDI e proteínas da família das pequenas RhoGTPases e seus reguladores. Em VSMC com silenciamento da PDI, a presença do PDGF induziu uma redução na atividade de Rac1 e RhoA, sem alterar a expressão total destas proteínas. Estudos mostraram que a PDI colocaliza com Rac1 na região perinuclear e co-imunoprecipita com Rac1 e RhoA, tanto na presença como na ausência de PDGF. Além disso, ocorreu a interação entre PDI e o regulador de GTPases RhoGDI (inibidor da dissociação da guanina) na condição basal (por microscopia confocal e co-imunoprecipitação), diminuída após estimulo com PDGF. O silenciamento da PDI induziu ainda alterações em estrutura de citoesqueleto: desorganização das fibras de estresse, e redução no número e tamanho de adesões focais e vesículas de adesão marcadas por RhoGDI e Rac1. Assim, os dados apresentados no presente trabalho sugerem que a PDI sustenta a migração de VSMC dependente de sinalização redox e RhoGTPases. Além disso, RhoGTPases podem ser um alvo proximal importante mediando a convergência entre PDI e o complexo NADPH oxidase / Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell (VSMC) migration into vessel neointima is a therapeutic target for atherosclerosis and post-injury restenosis. NADPH oxidase-derived oxidants synergize with growth factors to support VSMC migration. We described interaction between NADPH oxidases and the endoplasmic reticulum redox chaperone Protein Disulfide Isomerase (PDI) in many cell types. However, physiological implications as well as mechanisms of such association are yet unclear. The aim of the present work was to investigate, througth experiments of gain or loss of PDI function, the importance of PDI in VSMC migration associated to NADPH oxidase. The specific aims were: i) to evaluate effects of PDI silencing or PDI overexpression in VSMC migration in vitro; ii) to evaluate effects of PDI silencing on PDGF-induced NADPH oxidase isoform expression and ROS production; iii) to evaluate the involvement of RhoGTPases on NADPH oxidase regulation by PDI. We show here that PDGF promoted subcellular redistribution of PDI concomitant to ROS production and that siRNA-mediated PDI silencing inhibited such ROS production, while near-totally suppressing the increase in Nox1 expression, with no change in Nox4. Furthermore, PDI silencing inhibited PDGF-induced VSMC migration assessed by distinct methods, while PDI overexpression increased spontaneous basal VSMC migration. To address possible mechanisms of PDI effects, we searched for PDI interactome by PPPI networks, which indicated convergence with small GTPases and their regulator RhoGDI. PDI silencing decreased PDGF-induced Rac1 and RhoA activities, without change in their expression. PDI displayed small detectable points of perinuclear co-localization with Rac1 and co-immunoprecipitated with Rac1 and RhoA in a PDGF-independent way. Moreover, there was PDI association with RhoGDI at baseline (confocal and co-immunoprecipitation), decreased after PDGF. Of note, PDI silencing promoted strong cytoskeletal changes: branched stress fiber disorganization, markedly decreased number of focal adhesions and reduced number of RhoGDI-containing vesicular recycling adhesion structures. Overall, these data suggest that PDI is required to support redox and GTPase-dependent VSMC migration. Moreover, RhoGTPases are a potential upstream target mediating the convergence between PDI and NADPH oxidase

Dissulfeto isomerase proteica como a PDIA1 tem sido implicada na progressão do câncer, porém os mecanismos envolvidos ainda não foram claramente identificados. Previamente, nós demonstramos um importante efeito da PDIA1 induzindo a superexpressão da Nox1 NADPH oxidase, associada à geração de espécie reativas de oxigênio (ROS). Uma vez que a perda na regulação de ROS envolve o crescimento tumoral, nós propusemos que a PDIA1 atua como um mecanismo regulador proximal na produção de ROS em tumores. No presente estudo, nós focamos no câncer colorretal (CRC) com distintos efeitos na ativação de KRas. Resultados provenientes de bancos de dados de RNAsec e validação direta, indicam um significante aumento na expressão de PDIA1 em CRC com alta ativação constitutiva da Kras (HCT116) vs. ativação intermediária (HKE3) ou basal (Caco2). A PDIA1 sustenta a produção de superóxido dependente da Nox1 em CRC; entretanto, observamos pela primeira vez uma ação dupla da PDIA1 correlacionada ao nível de ativação da Ras: em células Caco2 e HKE3, experimentos de perda de função indicam que o PDIA1 sustenta a produção de superóxido dependente de Nox1; no entanto, em células HCT116, PDIA1 limita a produção de superóxido pela Nox1. Este comportamento da PDIA1 é associado ao aumento da expressão / atividade da Rac1. A transfecção do mutante constitutivamente ativo Rac1G12V em células HKE3 faz com que a PDIA1 se torne restritiva a produção de superóxido dependente de Nox1, paralelamente, em células HCT116 tratadas com inibidor da Rac1, PDIA1 se torna favorável à produção de superóxido. Um screening em importantes vias de sinalização celular em HKE3 mostrou que a perda de função da PDIA1 promove inativação da GSK3? em paralelo à diminuicão da ativacção de Stat3; em HCT116 em estado basal, GSK3beta é inativada enquanto Stat3 está ativa, já o silenciamento da PDIA1 não resulta em nenhum efeito adicional. As implicações funcionais do silenciamento da PDIA1 incluíram uma diminuição da proliferação e migração celular em HKE3, não detectável em HCT116. Além disso, a PDIA1 parece sustentar a transição epitélio-mesenquimal (EMT), uma vez que após o silenciamento da PDIA1, observamos um aumento da expressão da E-caderina em HKE3 e uma diminuição em HCT116. Assim, a superativação da Ras se associa a uma alteração no padrão de regulação da Nox1 pela PDIA1. A supressão do efeito regulador da PDIA1 pela Kras é provavelmente devido a uma ativação sustentada da Rac1. Portanto, PDIA1 pode exercer um papel redox-dependente adaptativo crucial relacionado à progressão tumoral / Protein disulfide isomerases such as PDIA1 have been implicated in cancer progression, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. We showed previously important PDIA1 effects enabling vascular Nox1 NADPH oxidase expression and associated generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Since deregulated ROS production underlies tumor growth, we proposed that PDIA1 acts as an upstream regulatory mechanism of tumor-associated ROS production. We focused on colorectal cancer (CRC) with distinct levels of KRas activation. Our results from RNAseq databanks and direct validation indicate significant increase in PDIA1 expression in CRC with constitutive high (HCT116) vs. moderate (HKE3) or basal (e.g. Caco2) Ras activity. PDIA1 supported Nox1-dependent superoxide production in CRC; however, we observed for the first time a dual effect correlated with Ras level activity: in Caco2 and HKE3 cells, loss-of-function experiments indicate that PDIA1 sustains Nox1-dependent superoxide production; however, in HCT116 cells, PDIA1 restricted Nox1-dependent superoxide production. This PDIA1 behavior in HCT116 is associated with increased Rac1 expression/activity. Transfection of Rac1G12V active mutant into HKE3 cells induced PDIA1 to become restrictive of Nox1-dependent superoxide; accordingly, in HCT116 cells treated with Rac1 inhibitor, PDIA1 became supportive of superoxide production. Screening of cell signaling routes affected by PDIA1 silencing showed induced GSK3beta inactivation and parallel decrease of active Stat3 in HKE3 cells; in baseline HCT116 cells, GSK3beta was inactivated and Stat3 active, whereas PDIA1 silencing had no further effect. Functional implications of PDIA1 silencing included a decrease of cell proliferation and migration in HKE3, not detectable in HCT116 cells. Also, PDIA1 may support epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), since after PDIA1 silencing, E-cadherin expression increased in HKE3 and decreased in HCT116. Thus, Ras overaction associates with a switched in PDIA1 pattern regulation of Nox1. Ras-induced PDIA1 bypass may involve direct Rac1 activation. Therefore, PDIA1 may be a crucial regulator of redox-dependent adaptive processes related to cancer progression

Dentre pacientes com imunodeficiências primárias, existem aqueles com defeitos de fagócitos e outros componentes da imunidade inata. A doença granulomatosa crônica (DGC) é uma imunodeficiência primária (IDP) causada por mutações em um dos componentes protéicos, gp91-phox, p22-phox, p47-phox, p67-phox e p40-phox, da nicotinamida adenina dinucleotídeo fosfato (NADPH) dos fagócitos. Pacientes com DGC apresentam maior susceptibilidade a infecções, assim como hiperinflamação e reação adversa à vacinas como à do Bacilo Calmette-Guérin (BCG), como consequência da atividade microbicida defeituosa dos fagócitos. Por outro lado, a susceptibilidade mendeliana a micobactérias (MSMD) é uma condição que predispõe os pacientes a infecções pelo gênero Mycobacterium sp, levando a infecções graves e por vezes à morte. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar o diagnóstico clínico e a análise genético-molecular de pacientes brasileiros com DGC e MSMD. A explosão respiratória de granulócitos foi avaliada pelo ensaio de dihidrorodamina (DHR). A dosagem de citocinas do eixo IL-12/IFN-&#947 foi realizada mediante o ensaio de ELISA após estimulo com lisado de micobactérias (LM), proteína purifica (PPD) e BCG. O DNA genômico dos pacientes foi extraído, amplificado e sequenciado pelo método de Sanger e seqüenciamento completo de exoma. Durante o período de 2014-2018, 181 pacientes com histórico clínico sugestivo de DGC e 75 pacientes com diagnóstico sugestivo de MSMD foram encaminhados ao nosso laboratório. Após avaliação clínica e bioquímica dos pacientes, 23 deles foram diagnosticadas com DGC e 16 com MSMD. A análise genético-molecular permitiu identificar mutações em 14 pacientes com DGC, nove deles com DGC ligada ao cromossomo X (DGC-X) e 5 com DGC autossômica recessiva (DGC-AR). Identificamos mutações em 5 pacientes com MSMD, sendo três delas no receptor de IL-12 e duas no receptor da IL-17. / Among patients with primary immunodeficiencies, there are those with defects in phagocytes and other components of the innate immunity. Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a primary immunodeficiency (PID) caused by mutations in one of the protein components, gp91-phox, p22-phox, p47-phox, p67-phox and p40-phox of the Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate (NADPH) oxidase of phagocytes. Patients with CDG are susceptible to infections, as well as hyperinflammation and adverse reactions to vaccines such as Bacilo Calmette-Guérin (BCG) as a consequence of defective phagocytes microbicidal activity. On the other hand, Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial diseases (MSMD) is a condition that predisposes patients to infections by the genus Mycobacterium sp , leading to serious infections and sometimes death. The main goal of this study was to perform the clinical diagnosis and genetic-molecular analysis of Brazilian patients with CDG and MSMD. The respiratory burst of granulocytes was evaluated by the dihydrorhodamine (DHR) assay. Cytokine dosing of IL-12 / IFN-&#947 axis was performed by the ELISA assay after stimulation with mycobacterium lysate (LM), purified protein (PPD) and BCG. Patients genomic DNA was extracted, amplified and sequenced by the Sanger method and whole exome sequencing. During the period of 2014 to 2018, 181 patients with a clinical history suggestive of CDG and 75 patients with a diagnosis suggestive of MSMD were referred to our laboratory. After clinical and biochemical evaluation, 23 of them were diagnosed with CDG and 16 with MSMD. Genetic-molecular analysis allowed the identification of mutations in 14 patients with CDG, of those 9 had X-linked DGC (X-CGD) and 5 had autosomal recessive CGD (AR-CGD). Mutations were identified in 5 MSMD patients, three in the IL-12 receptor and two in the IL-17 receptor.

The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on April 29, 2010). Vita. Thesis advisor: Grace Y. Sun. "May 2008" Includes bibliographical references.