La maladie de Parkinson (MP) est caractérisée par la mort des neurones dopaminergiques de la substance noire et la présence de corps de Lewy. Son diagnostic reste sujet à des erreurs notamment aux stades précoces. Les cellules mononucléées sanguines périphériques (PBMC) jouent un rôle dans la cascade délétère et sont le reflet d'événements associés à la MP. Même si elles ne représentent qu'un faible pourcentage, les formes génétiquement déterminées permettent d'identifier des sujets à un stade précoce. Nous avons émis l'hypothèse que les PBMC pouvaient constituer un modèle d'étude reflétant certains mécanismes de la dégénérescence du vivant du patient. Nous avons réalisé des études du transcriptome chez différents groupes de sujets malades ou porteurs de mutations pour y déceler les gènes et voies de signalisation cellulaire dérégulés. Nous avons d'abord étudié le profil d'expression génique de sujets porteurs de la mutation G2019S de LRRK2. L'analyse des puces a permis d'identifier des perturbations de voies impliquées dans la MP comme l'oxydation mitochondriale, l'inflammation et la guidance axonale. Des altérations de la voie des MAPK, du cytosquelette d'actine et du transport vésiculaire ont été notées. La liste des gènes dérégulés permet de séparer les individus selon leur statut génétique. La mutation LRRK2 est associée à un profil d'expression génique dès les stades précoces identifiable dans les PBMC. Nous nous sommes ensuite intéressés à une autre forme de MP avec duplication de SNCA. Nous avons caractérisé la relation entre le génotype et le phénotype clinique des sujets de cette famille. La duplication s'étend sur 4,928 Mb, comporte 31 gènes et résulte d'une recombinaison homologue non allélique. L'analyse de l'expression des gènes présents dans la duplication dans les PBMC d'un sujet à un stade pauci-symptomatique a montré une surexpression de SNCA. Nous avons comparé nos analyses chez les porteurs des mutations LRRK2 et SNCA et chez des parkinsoniens sporadiques. Nos analyses montrent que les sujets LRRK2 et les sujets sporadiques présentent des dérégulations communes de voies de signalisation. En revanche, les voies dérégulées chez le sujet dupliqué reflètent la pathogénie de SNCA comme l'autophagie et les voies lysosomales. Nous nous sommes intéressés à l'expression des 4 isoformes de SNCA dans les PBMC de ces 3 groupes d'individus. Les patients sporadiques et LRRK2 montrent une diminution de l'expression des 4 isoformes de SNCA dans leur PBMC. Chez le sujet dupliqué, on observe uniquement une surexpression de l'isoforme 112. Nous avons ensuite identifié les voies moléculaires associée

Respiratory virus infections are associated with asthma pathogenesis and exacerbations in children and adults. Unfortunately, it remains largely unknown whether innate and adaptive T cell anti-viral immunity differs in allergic disease versus health. Here, we established a short-term primary cell culture system using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) optimized for measuring immune responses to reovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and metapneumovirus (MPV) based on virus-specific cytokine and chemokine production. The prevalence and intensity of innate and adaptive responses in children and adult populations was addressed. Using this in vitro model of human anti-viral immunity, we tested our global hypothesis that asthmatics mount anti-viral cytokine responses to respiratory viruses that differ from those of healthy individuals. MPV and RSV, although both ubiquitous and leading to very high levels of infection, seroconversion and clinically similar presentation in the population, evoke distinct innate and adaptive T cell-dependent cytokine responses. Reovirus induced exceptionally strong IFN recall responses concomitant with intense IL-10 production, which were independent of viral replication in PBMC. Surprisingly, despite Type 1 cytokine production dominated adaptive immune responses in both asthmatic and non-asthmatic individuals, asthmatics exhibited significantly stronger pro-inflammatory IFNγ and IL-10 production towards virus stimulation than non-asthmatic children and adults. Moreover, children with current AHR, regardless of asthmatic status, exhibit a greater frequency and intensity of IFNγ responses towards pneumoviruses than do non-AHR counterparts. Conversely, expression of chemokine CCL5 was substantially weaker in asthmatics, and was further decreased in children with AHR and familial history of asthma. This pattern of enhanced pro-inflammatory and deficient anti-viral CCL5 responses towards pneumoviruses in children with markers of symptomatic asthma or AHR may underlie the enhanced sensitivity of these children to experience breathing difficulties following infection with respiratory viruses. Furthermore, we have clearly demonstrated a gene by environment interaction, whereby ETS exposure in children with familial asthma results in suppressed anti-viral IFNγ and IL-10 production. Therefore, we have attempted to determine whether genetic variation affects the intermediate phenotype of anti-viral immunity, in the population and dependent on clinical status. In summary, we have demonstrated that asthma, childhood exposures and genetics shape anti-viral cytokine responses in human. These findings have a substantial impact for physicians deciding the contextually appropriate treatment for asthma symptoms in their patients and could have implications for experimentation relating to mechanisms of disease, clinical practice and development of appropriate therapeutics. / October 2007

Respiratory virus infections are associated with asthma pathogenesis and exacerbations in children and adults. Unfortunately, it remains largely unknown whether innate and adaptive T cell anti-viral immunity differs in allergic disease versus health. Here, we established a short-term primary cell culture system using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) optimized for measuring immune responses to reovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and metapneumovirus (MPV) based on virus-specific cytokine and chemokine production. The prevalence and intensity of innate and adaptive responses in children and adult populations was addressed. Using this in vitro model of human anti-viral immunity, we tested our global hypothesis that asthmatics mount anti-viral cytokine responses to respiratory viruses that differ from those of healthy individuals. MPV and RSV, although both ubiquitous and leading to very high levels of infection, seroconversion and clinically similar presentation in the population, evoke distinct innate and adaptive T cell-dependent cytokine responses. Reovirus induced exceptionally strong IFN recall responses concomitant with intense IL-10 production, which were independent of viral replication in PBMC. Surprisingly, despite Type 1 cytokine production dominated adaptive immune responses in both asthmatic and non-asthmatic individuals, asthmatics exhibited significantly stronger pro-inflammatory IFNγ and IL-10 production towards virus stimulation than non-asthmatic children and adults. Moreover, children with current AHR, regardless of asthmatic status, exhibit a greater frequency and intensity of IFNγ responses towards pneumoviruses than do non-AHR counterparts. Conversely, expression of chemokine CCL5 was substantially weaker in asthmatics, and was further decreased in children with AHR and familial history of asthma. This pattern of enhanced pro-inflammatory and deficient anti-viral CCL5 responses towards pneumoviruses in children with markers of symptomatic asthma or AHR may underlie the enhanced sensitivity of these children to experience breathing difficulties following infection with respiratory viruses. Furthermore, we have clearly demonstrated a gene by environment interaction, whereby ETS exposure in children with familial asthma results in suppressed anti-viral IFNγ and IL-10 production. Therefore, we have attempted to determine whether genetic variation affects the intermediate phenotype of anti-viral immunity, in the population and dependent on clinical status. In summary, we have demonstrated that asthma, childhood exposures and genetics shape anti-viral cytokine responses in human. These findings have a substantial impact for physicians deciding the contextually appropriate treatment for asthma symptoms in their patients and could have implications for experimentation relating to mechanisms of disease, clinical practice and development of appropriate therapeutics.

Respiratory virus infections are associated with asthma pathogenesis and exacerbations in children and adults. Unfortunately, it remains largely unknown whether innate and adaptive T cell anti-viral immunity differs in allergic disease versus health. Here, we established a short-term primary cell culture system using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) optimized for measuring immune responses to reovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and metapneumovirus (MPV) based on virus-specific cytokine and chemokine production. The prevalence and intensity of innate and adaptive responses in children and adult populations was addressed. Using this in vitro model of human anti-viral immunity, we tested our global hypothesis that asthmatics mount anti-viral cytokine responses to respiratory viruses that differ from those of healthy individuals. MPV and RSV, although both ubiquitous and leading to very high levels of infection, seroconversion and clinically similar presentation in the population, evoke distinct innate and adaptive T cell-dependent cytokine responses. Reovirus induced exceptionally strong IFN recall responses concomitant with intense IL-10 production, which were independent of viral replication in PBMC. Surprisingly, despite Type 1 cytokine production dominated adaptive immune responses in both asthmatic and non-asthmatic individuals, asthmatics exhibited significantly stronger pro-inflammatory IFNγ and IL-10 production towards virus stimulation than non-asthmatic children and adults. Moreover, children with current AHR, regardless of asthmatic status, exhibit a greater frequency and intensity of IFNγ responses towards pneumoviruses than do non-AHR counterparts. Conversely, expression of chemokine CCL5 was substantially weaker in asthmatics, and was further decreased in children with AHR and familial history of asthma. This pattern of enhanced pro-inflammatory and deficient anti-viral CCL5 responses towards pneumoviruses in children with markers of symptomatic asthma or AHR may underlie the enhanced sensitivity of these children to experience breathing difficulties following infection with respiratory viruses. Furthermore, we have clearly demonstrated a gene by environment interaction, whereby ETS exposure in children with familial asthma results in suppressed anti-viral IFNγ and IL-10 production. Therefore, we have attempted to determine whether genetic variation affects the intermediate phenotype of anti-viral immunity, in the population and dependent on clinical status. In summary, we have demonstrated that asthma, childhood exposures and genetics shape anti-viral cytokine responses in human. These findings have a substantial impact for physicians deciding the contextually appropriate treatment for asthma symptoms in their patients and could have implications for experimentation relating to mechanisms of disease, clinical practice and development of appropriate therapeutics.

A esclerose múltipla (EM), doença neurodegenerativa do sistema nervoso central (SNC) com característica auto-imune e inflamatória, com eventos iniciais, bem como a evolução da EM. É uma doença heterogênea (três principais formas clínicas) e multifatoriais. A imunidade inata demonstrou recentemente ser um fator importante na EM e as variantes genéticas dos componentes do inflamassoma têm sido associadas a doenças autoimunes e neurodegenerativas, com isso hipotetizamos que o inflamassoma e suas citocinas IL-1Beta e IL-18, podem representar importantes contribuintes na patogênese da EM e eventualmente explicar, pelo menos em parte, a heterogeneidade observada em pacientes com EM. Fizemos uma análise multivariada que foi realizada com base na forma clínica (recorrente remitente/RR, primária progressivo /PP ou secundário progressiva /SP, índice de gravidade (EDSS) e índice de progressão (IP). Os monócitos do sangue periférico (PBMC) dos pacientes foram examinados para ativação do inflamassoma (Produção de IL-1Beta e IL-18, clivagem de caspase-1). Com os objetivos de avaliar a contribuição do inflamassoma na EM, em termos de (a) efeito genético sobre o desenvolvimento, gravidade e / ou prognóstico, e (b) ativação complexa de células de sangue periférico como uma forma de avaliar a inflamação sistêmica. Para isso, utilizamos variantes genéticas funcionais em componentes do inflamassoma, que foram analisadas em uma coorte de pacientes com EM, pelo uso de ensaios específicos de alelos e qPCR. A analise multivariada resultou em associação com a variante -511C / T IL1B ganho de função, sendo essa mais frequente em formas progressivas (especialmente SP) do que em RR. A variante de ganho de função NLRP3 Q705K resultou mais frequente em pacientes com EDSS > 3 do que em pacientes com EDSS < 3 e, consequentemente, esse SNP está associado a um IP mais elevado. A análise de PBMC mostrou que as células de indivíduos EM, são mais propensas a responder a um estímulo NLRP3 clássico (isto é, LPS) do que as dos doadores saudáveis. Em conjunto, esses achados indicaram que os pacientes com EM apresentam uma desregulação no inflamassoma NLRP3, podendo ser avaliada no sangue periférico facilitando um prognóstico, e que esse perfil pode ser secundário a um mecanismo genético pró-inflamassoma / The multiple sclerosis (MS), neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS) with autoimmune and inflammatory characteristics, with initial events, as well as the evolution of MS, are heterogeneous (three main clinical forms) and multifactorial. Innate immunity has recently been shown to be an important factor in MS and the genetic variants of the components of inflammassoma have been associated with autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, thereby hypothesizing that the inflammassoma and its IL-1Beta and IL-18 cytokines may represent important contributors in the pathogenesis of MS and possibly explain, at least in part, the heterogeneity observed in MS patients. We performed a multivariate analysis that was performed based on clinical form (recurrent recurrent / RR, progressive primary / PP or progressive secondary / SP, EDSS and progression index.) Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients were examined for inflammatory activation (IL-1Beta and IL-18 production, caspase-1 cleavage). With the objectives of evaluating the contribution of inflammassoma in MS in terms of (a) genetic effect on development, severity and / or prognosis, and (b) complex activation of peripheral blood cells as a way of assessing systemic inflammation. For this, we used functional genetic variants in components of the inflammassoma, which were analyzed in a cohort of MS patients, through the use of specific allele and qPCR assays. For this, we used functional genetic variants in components of the inflammassoma, which were analyzed in a cohort of MS patients, through the use of specific allele and qPCR assays. Multivariate analysis resulted in association with the -511C / T IL1B function gain, which is more frequent in progressive forms (especially SP) than in RR. The gain variant of NLRP3 Q705K function was more frequent in patients with EDSS > 3 than in patients with EDSS < 3 and, consequently, this SNP is associated with a higher PI. PBMC analysis showed that cells from MS individuals are more likely to respond to a classical NLRP3 (ie LPS) stimulus than healthy donors. Taken together, these findings indicated that patients with MS have a dysregulation in the NLRP3 inflammassoma and can be evaluated in the peripheral blood facilitating a prognosis and that this profile may be secondary to a pro-inflammatory genetic mechanism

Ziel: war die Untersuchung, ob sich die Aktivität entzündlich rheumatischer Erkrankungen in ausgewählten Parametern des Energiestoffwechsels von PBMC (periphere mononukleäre Zellen des Blutes) reflektiert. Methoden: Es wurden die PBMC von 30 gesunden Probanden und von 28 Patienten (16 inaktiv; 12 aktiv) mit einer Rheumatoiden Arthritis, einem Systemischen Lupus Erythematodes oder einer Vaskulititis präpariert. Aktive Patienten wurden vor und 4-5 Tage nach Beginn einer hochdosierten Glukokortikoidtherapie untersucht. Es wurde der Sauerstoffverbrauch, der Verbrauch an Sauerstoff auf einen definierten mitogenen Stimulus und einzelne Hauptenergieverbrauchende Prozesse mittels der Clark Elektrode bestimmt. Ergebnisse: Für den Sauerstoffverbrauch konnte ein geschlechtsunabhängiger Normalwert von 3.84 +/- 0.1 (alle Werte in nmol O2/min pro 10^7 Zellen) ermittelt werden. Bei inaktiven Patienten war der Sauerstoffverbrauch mit 4.18 +/- 0.28 leicht, bei aktiven Patienten mit 4.82 +/- 0.33 jedoch deutlich und signifikant (p0.05). Desweiteren wurde in stimulierten PBMC von aktiven Patienten eine signifikante Verminderung des Sauerstoffverbrauches für Kationentransportprozesse und Proteinsynthese nachgewiesen. Unter einer 4-5tägigen hochdosierten Glukokortikoidtherapie normalisierten sich die genannten Parameter wieder. Zusammenfassung: In dieser Studie konnte zum ersten Mal gezeigt werden, dass sich Parameter des zellulären Energiestoffwechsels von PBMC zur Einschätzung von Aktivität und Therapieerfolg entzündlich rheumatischer Erkrankungen eignen. / Objective: To investigate whether the activity of rheumatic diseases is reflected by selected parameters of cellular energy metabolism of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Methods: PBMC were prepared from 30 healthy volunteers and from 28 patients (16 inactive; 12 active) with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus or vasculitis. Active patients were examined prior to and 4-5 days after starting, restarting or increasing the dose of corticosteroids. Cellular oxygen consumption (as a measure of ATP production), bioenergetic cellular response to a defined stimulus and main ATP-consuming processes were measured using a Clark electrode. Results: A sex-independent normal value for oxygen consumption of 3.84 +/-0.1 (all data in nmol O2/min per 10^7 cells) was found. In inactive patients the respiration rate was slightly increased at 4.18 +/- 0.28, but was significantly increased in active patients to 4.82 +/- 0.33 (p

A esclerose múltipla (EM), doença neurodegenerativa do sistema nervoso central (SNC) com característica auto-imune e inflamatória, com eventos iniciais, bem como a evolução da EM. É uma doença heterogênea (três principais formas clínicas) e multifatoriais. A imunidade inata demonstrou recentemente ser um fator importante na EM e as variantes genéticas dos componentes do inflamassoma têm sido associadas a doenças autoimunes e neurodegenerativas, com isso hipotetizamos que o inflamassoma e suas citocinas IL-1Beta e IL-18, podem representar importantes contribuintes na patogênese da EM e eventualmente explicar, pelo menos em parte, a heterogeneidade observada em pacientes com EM. Fizemos uma análise multivariada que foi realizada com base na forma clínica (recorrente remitente/RR, primária progressivo /PP ou secundário progressiva /SP, índice de gravidade (EDSS) e índice de progressão (IP). Os monócitos do sangue periférico (PBMC) dos pacientes foram examinados para ativação do inflamassoma (Produção de IL-1Beta e IL-18, clivagem de caspase-1). Com os objetivos de avaliar a contribuição do inflamassoma na EM, em termos de (a) efeito genético sobre o desenvolvimento, gravidade e / ou prognóstico, e (b) ativação complexa de células de sangue periférico como uma forma de avaliar a inflamação sistêmica. Para isso, utilizamos variantes genéticas funcionais em componentes do inflamassoma, que foram analisadas em uma coorte de pacientes com EM, pelo uso de ensaios específicos de alelos e qPCR. A analise multivariada resultou em associação com a variante -511C / T IL1B ganho de função, sendo essa mais frequente em formas progressivas (especialmente SP) do que em RR. A variante de ganho de função NLRP3 Q705K resultou mais frequente em pacientes com EDSS > 3 do que em pacientes com EDSS < 3 e, consequentemente, esse SNP está associado a um IP mais elevado. A análise de PBMC mostrou que as células de indivíduos EM, são mais propensas a responder a um estímulo NLRP3 clássico (isto é, LPS) do que as dos doadores saudáveis. Em conjunto, esses achados indicaram que os pacientes com EM apresentam uma desregulação no inflamassoma NLRP3, podendo ser avaliada no sangue periférico facilitando um prognóstico, e que esse perfil pode ser secundário a um mecanismo genético pró-inflamassoma / The multiple sclerosis (MS), neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS) with autoimmune and inflammatory characteristics, with initial events, as well as the evolution of MS, are heterogeneous (three main clinical forms) and multifactorial. Innate immunity has recently been shown to be an important factor in MS and the genetic variants of the components of inflammassoma have been associated with autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, thereby hypothesizing that the inflammassoma and its IL-1Beta and IL-18 cytokines may represent important contributors in the pathogenesis of MS and possibly explain, at least in part, the heterogeneity observed in MS patients. We performed a multivariate analysis that was performed based on clinical form (recurrent recurrent / RR, progressive primary / PP or progressive secondary / SP, EDSS and progression index.) Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients were examined for inflammatory activation (IL-1Beta and IL-18 production, caspase-1 cleavage). With the objectives of evaluating the contribution of inflammassoma in MS in terms of (a) genetic effect on development, severity and / or prognosis, and (b) complex activation of peripheral blood cells as a way of assessing systemic inflammation. For this, we used functional genetic variants in components of the inflammassoma, which were analyzed in a cohort of MS patients, through the use of specific allele and qPCR assays. For this, we used functional genetic variants in components of the inflammassoma, which were analyzed in a cohort of MS patients, through the use of specific allele and qPCR assays. Multivariate analysis resulted in association with the -511C / T IL1B function gain, which is more frequent in progressive forms (especially SP) than in RR. The gain variant of NLRP3 Q705K function was more frequent in patients with EDSS > 3 than in patients with EDSS < 3 and, consequently, this SNP is associated with a higher PI. PBMC analysis showed that cells from MS individuals are more likely to respond to a classical NLRP3 (ie LPS) stimulus than healthy donors. Taken together, these findings indicated that patients with MS have a dysregulation in the NLRP3 inflammassoma and can be evaluated in the peripheral blood facilitating a prognosis and that this profile may be secondary to a pro-inflammatory genetic mechanism

No description available.

B virus (Macacine herpesvirus 1, Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1, herpes B virus) is an Old World monkey simplex virus endemic in macaques. B virus infection in its natural host, macaque, is very similar to HSV-­‐1 infection in humans causing mild or asymptomatic infection. On the other hand, zoonotic infection in humans results in death in the absence of early initiation of antiviral drugs. Viruses evade host immune responses in order to survive and propagate. Most herpes viruses including HSV-­‐1 down-­‐regulate major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC class I) surface expression on infected cells in order to prevent CD8+ T-­‐cell recognition and subsequent cell lysis. MHC class I molecules bind to the inhibitory receptors of NK cells and prevent NK cell activity. Thus, this mechanism protects HSV-­‐1 infected cells from CD8+ T-­‐cell lysis, making them sensitive to natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity. To investigate if B virus pathogenicity is a result of novel immune evasion mechanisms employed by B virus, we determined NK cell regulation during B virus infection. To this end, our experiments demonstrate that B virus does not down-­‐ regulate MHC I expression as effectively as HSV-­‐1, leading us to hypothesize that B virus in-­‐ fected cells are resistant to NK cell activity. We examined the expression of MHC I chain related genes (MICA/ MICB), which are activation ligands to NKG2D receptors on NK cells. Our results show that there is no significant difference in MICA and MICB expression between HSV-­‐1 and B virus infected cells. Furthermore, we tested for the up-­‐regulation of cytokines and chemokines responsible for NK cell activation and migration. Our results indicate a significant up-­‐regulation of IFN-­‐α from PBMCs co-­‐cultured with HSV-­‐1 infected cells, which plays an important role in activating NK cells. NK cells within these PBMCs up-­‐regulate perforin release indicative of NK cell activity. PBMCs co-­‐cultured with B virus infected cells do not up-­‐regulate any cytokines or chemokines responsible for NK cell activity. As a result the NK cells within these PBMCs do not significantly up-­‐regulate perforin release. These results demonstrate that B virus employs a novel immune evasion mechanism to subvert NK cell activity.

Thesis (M.S.)--Miami University, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references.