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Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Background: Suture expansion is a very important clinical approach to correct maxillary width deficiency, but it has a high potential for treatment relapse. Accelerating bone formation and mineralization in the midpalatal suture during suture expansion is beneficial in preventing relapse of the arch width and reducing the retention period. Pyk2 is tyrosine kinase which has been shown to mediate signaling pathways that are involved in the process of bone remodeling. Pyk2 knock-out (KO) mice have augmented bone formation and increased bone mass, suggesting that therapeutic strategies that inhibit Pyk2 may be useful to enhance bone remodeling and prevent suture relapse during suture expansion. Objectives: To determine if Pyk2-deficiency affects midpalatal suture bone mass and bone remodeling with or without suture expansion in mice. Methods: Thirty-six Pyk2-KO and thirty-six wild type (WT) 6 week-old male mice were randomly assigned into three groups: receiving no expansion force (0 g), 10 g or 20 g force of rapid maxillary expansion for 14 days. Half of the mice in each group were used for histology analysis; the other half was assigned for fluorescence analysis. Suture width, maxilla width and bone volume/tissue volume around suture bone edges were measured using micro-CT. Histological analyses of osteoclasts (tartrate resistant acid phosphatase, TRAP), osteoblasts (alkaline phosphatase, ALP) and chondrocytes (alcian blue) were performed. Results: The BV/TV ratio was significantly higher in Pyk2-KO control mice compared to WT control mice. Suture expansion in WT and Pyk2-KO mice led to an increase in bone marrow spaces around the suture edge and significantly reduced BV/TV. Expansion also led to a significant increase in suture width, suture fibrous area, osteoclast number, cartilage area and hypertrophic chondrocyte number. However, BV/TV in Pyk2-KO mice was significantly higher than in WT mice at both the 10 g and 20 g force levels. In addition, Pyk2-KO exhibited reduced suture width, maxilla width, fibrous area and osteoclast number per bone surface (OC.S/BS) compared to WT mice under expansion forces. Cartilage area and hypertrophic chondrocyte number were increased by force but were independent of mouse genotypes. Conclusion: Pyk2-KO mice have higher BV/TV and narrower suture width compared to WT mice, which may be due to decreased osteoclast activity. The higher BV/TV of the midpalatal sutures of Pyk2-KO mice following suture expansion may suggest the presence of a more stable suture that has a reduced potential for relapse. Therapeutic strategies to inhibit Pyk2 during RME may be beneficial in increasing bone mass and preventing relapse of the suture.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

We investigated the role of Shc¡BPYK2¡BGrb2-sos binding complex¡BRas and Raf proteins at the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), the origin of sympathetic neurogenic vasomotor tone, in mevinphos (Mev) intoxication. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats anesthetized by sodium pentobarbital (45 mg/kg) and maintained by propofol (20-25 mg/kg/hr) were used. Bilateral microinjection of Mev (10 nmol) into the RVLM elicited two distinct phases of cardiovascular responses, designated Phase I (sympathoexcitatory) and Phase II (sympathoinhibitory) Mev intoxication. Pretreatment with microinjection of a phospho-Shc-tyrosine 317, phospho-PYK2-tyrosine 402, phospho-PYK2-tyrosine 579/580 antibody (1:20), Grb2-sos complex inhibitor (SH3b-p), Ras specific inhibitors (manumycin A or FTA) or Raf specific inhibitor (GW5074) into the bilateral RVLM blunted the magnitude of the Mev-elicited sympathoexcitatory cardiovascular effect without affecting the duration. The Mev-elicited sympathoinhibitory cardiovascular effect was not influenced. Our results suggest that signaling pathways that involve Shc, PYK2, Grb2-sos complex, Ras or Raf protein in the RVLM participate in the sympathoexcitatory phase of Mev intoxication.

T cells are central regulators of adaptive immunity in infectious and pathophysiological diseases. The activation of T cells is regulated by the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) and co-stimulatory receptors like toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). These receptors activate distinct and overlapping intracellular signaling pathways that ultimately shape T cell responses. Therefore, studies that elucidate the molecular mechanisms of signal transduction downstream of receptors like the TCR and TLR2 will highlight key pathways required for T cell activation. These pathways could then be clinically targeted to alter dysfunctional T cell responses that promote many human diseases. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) are two tyrosine kinases activated by multiple surface receptors expressed on T cells. FAK and Pyk2 signaling regulate cell morphology, migration, adhesion, proliferation, and survival in other cell types. However, their functions in T cells are not well-described. Because FAK and Pyk2 functions are dysregulated in many disease states, it is important to understand their function in human T cells so that clinicians can safely target these kinases to treat various disorders. The studies described in this dissertation aim to more fully elucidate how FAK and Pyk2 control T cell activation mediated by the TCR. We used recombinant microRNAs or kinase inhibitors to transiently suppress FAK and Pyk2's expression or enzymatic function in human T cells. In doing so, several novel functions of FAK and Pyk2 were uncovered. In Chapter III, we revealed that FAK is a negative regulator of TCR signal transduction and function. Interestingly, in contrast to its function in other immune cell lineages, the work described in Chapters III and IV demonstrates that FAK is not required to regulate actin cytoskeletal responses downstream of the TCR. The data presented in Chapter IV demonstrate that Pyk2 regulates TCR-mediated actin cytoskeleton reorganization. This function appears to be linked to Pyk2's scaffolding function and not its enzymatic activity. In Chapter V, we demonstrated that the catalytic function of Pyk2 controls phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) activation in human T cells. Together, these data revealed that FAK and Pyk2 serve distinct functions in TCR signal transduction, actin cytoskeletal rearrangement, and effector responses. TCR-driven cytokine production and proliferation are enhanced when T cells are concurrently activated via TLR2 ligands. In Chapter VI, we describe the signaling pathways that TLR2 activates in human T cells, and we characterize how TCR and TLR2 signals converge to augment T cell responses. In contrast to studies performed using isolated murine T cells, we demonstrated that TLR2 does not activate nuclear-factor kappa B in human T cells. Instead, we found that TCR and TLR2 co-ligation selectively augments extracellular signal-related kinase 1 (Erk1)/Erk2 and Akt activation in human T cells. Thus, TLR2 co-stimulates murine and human T cells via distinct signaling mechanisms.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

<p>The proline-rich tyrosine kinase (Pyk2) together with focal adhesion kinase (FAK) define a family of non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases that are regulated by diverse stimuli. Activation of Pyk2 has been implicated in multiple signaling events, including modulation of ion channels, activation of MAP kinase cascades and apoptotic cell death. This thesis investigates the role of Pyk2 in the regulation of mitogenic signals and cell cytoskeleton.</p><p>We identified a hematopoietic isoform of Pyk2 (designated Pyk2-H)that is generated by alternative RNA splicing and is mainly expressed in thymocytes, B cells and natural killer cells. In addition, we demonstrated that engagement of antigen receptors in lymphocytes leads to rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of Pyk2-H suggesting a potential role in host immune responses. These findings were corroborated by defects in B cell-mediated immune responses of Pyk2-/- mice. </p><p>Several reports have previously indicated that Pyk2 acts as an upstream regulator of ERK and JNK MAP kinase cascades in response to numerous extracellular signals. Which MAP kinase pathway is activated by Pyk2 depends on arrays of effector proteins associated with Pyk2. We proposed a model where the formation of Pyk2-Src complexes results in phosphorylation of Shc, p130Cas and Pyk2. This creates binding sites for the SH2 domains of adaptor proteins Grb2 and Crk, which in turn recruit exchange factors for Ras and Rho GTPases that specifically activate ERK or JNK.</p><p>Integration of signaling pathways initiated by receptor tyrosine kinases and integrins is essential for growth factor-mediated biological responses. We described neuronal cellular models where activation of both growth factor receptors and integrins is required for neurite outgrowth. In these cells, Pyk2 and FAK associate with integrin-linked complexes containing EGF receptors via their C- and N-terminal domains. Inhibition of Pyk2/FAK functions was sufficient to block neurite outgrowth and effectors of the C-terminal domain of Pyk2/FAK, including paxillin, were shown to regulate neurite outgrowth independently of ERK/MAP kinase in these cells. We thus proposed that Pyk2 and FAK play important roles in signal integration proximal to the integrin-growth factor receptor complexes.</p>

The proline-rich tyrosine kinase (Pyk2) together with focal adhesion kinase (FAK) define a family of non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases that are regulated by diverse stimuli. Activation of Pyk2 has been implicated in multiple signaling events, including modulation of ion channels, activation of MAP kinase cascades and apoptotic cell death. This thesis investigates the role of Pyk2 in the regulation of mitogenic signals and cell cytoskeleton. We identified a hematopoietic isoform of Pyk2 (designated Pyk2-H)that is generated by alternative RNA splicing and is mainly expressed in thymocytes, B cells and natural killer cells. In addition, we demonstrated that engagement of antigen receptors in lymphocytes leads to rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of Pyk2-H suggesting a potential role in host immune responses. These findings were corroborated by defects in B cell-mediated immune responses of Pyk2-/- mice. Several reports have previously indicated that Pyk2 acts as an upstream regulator of ERK and JNK MAP kinase cascades in response to numerous extracellular signals. Which MAP kinase pathway is activated by Pyk2 depends on arrays of effector proteins associated with Pyk2. We proposed a model where the formation of Pyk2-Src complexes results in phosphorylation of Shc, p130Cas and Pyk2. This creates binding sites for the SH2 domains of adaptor proteins Grb2 and Crk, which in turn recruit exchange factors for Ras and Rho GTPases that specifically activate ERK or JNK. Integration of signaling pathways initiated by receptor tyrosine kinases and integrins is essential for growth factor-mediated biological responses. We described neuronal cellular models where activation of both growth factor receptors and integrins is required for neurite outgrowth. In these cells, Pyk2 and FAK associate with integrin-linked complexes containing EGF receptors via their C- and N-terminal domains. Inhibition of Pyk2/FAK functions was sufficient to block neurite outgrowth and effectors of the C-terminal domain of Pyk2/FAK, including paxillin, were shown to regulate neurite outgrowth independently of ERK/MAP kinase in these cells. We thus proposed that Pyk2 and FAK play important roles in signal integration proximal to the integrin-growth factor receptor complexes.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The hormonal and cellular mechanisms controlling bone formation are not completely understood. The proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) is important for osteoblast (OB) activity and bone formation. However, female mice lacking Pyk2 (Pyk2-KO) exhibit elevated bone volume/total volume. Previously, our laboratory found ovariectomized Pyk2-KO mice supplemented with 17β-estradiol (E2) exhibited a greater increase in bone volume than WT mice treated with E2. The overall hypotheses of our studies are that Pyk2 regulates OB activity by modulating the E2-signaling cascade and that a Pyk2-inhibitor will promote OB activity and be suitable for bone regeneration applications. In Aim1, we determined the mechanism of action of Pyk2 and E2 in OBs. Pyk2-KO OBs showed significantly higher proliferation, matrix formation, and mineralization than WT OBs. In the presence of E2 or raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulator, both matrix formation and mineralization were further increased in Pyk2-KO OBs, but not WT OBs. Consistent with a role of Pyk2 in E2 signaling, Pyk2-depletion led to the proteasome-mediated degradation of ERα, but not ERβ. Finally, we found Pyk2-depletion and E2 have an additive effect on ERK phosphorylation, known to increase cell differentiation and survival. In Aim2, we developed a Pyk2-inhibitor loaded hydrogel and evaluated its viscosity, gelation time, swelling, degradation, and release behavior. We found that a hydrogel composed of PEGDA1000 plus 10% gelatin exhibited viscosity and shear-thinning behavior suitable for use as an injectable-carrier. Importantly, the Pyk2-inhibitor-hydrogel was cytocompatible, retained its inhibitory activity against Pyk2 leading to an increase in OB activity. In conclusion, therapeutic strategies targeting Pyk2 may improve systemic bone formation, while Pyk2-inhibitor loaded hydrogels may be suitable for targeted bone regeneration in craniofacial and/or the other skeletal defects.

L’apoptose des cellules endothéliales (CE) représente un évènement initial dans le développement de plusieurs pathologies fibrotiques telles que le rejet chronique d’allogreffe et la sclérose systémique. Nous avons démontré que les médiateurs issus des CE apoptotiques entraîne la différenciation myofibroblastique et la résistance à l’apoptose, deux mécanismes centraux à la fibrogénèse. L’activation de PI3K (phospatidylinositol-3 kinase) caractérise ces deux mécanismes. Un fragment C-terminal du perlécan (LG3) produit par les CE apoptotiques inhibe l’apoptose des fibroblastes. Les objectifs de ce travail étaient de : 1. définir les récepteurs et la signalisation impliqués dans la réponse anti-apoptotique et 2. caractériser les médiateurs fibrogéniques responsables de la différenciation myofibroblastique. En ce qui a trait à la réponse anti-apoptotique, l’inhibition des intégrines 21 ou des kinases de la famille Src (SFK) chez les fibroblastes prévient la résistance à l’apoptose et la phosphorylation d’Akt normalement induites par le milieu conditionné par des CE apoptotiques (SSC) ou le LG3. Ces résultats suggèrent que le LG3 produit par les CE apoptotiques initie un état de résistance à l’apoptose chez les fibroblastes par des voies α2β1integrines/SFK/PI3K dépendantes. Le LG3 n’induit cependant pas la différenciation myofibroblastique. Nous avons donc caractérisé le milieu SSC de façon à identifier les médiateurs responsables de la différenciation myofibroblastique. Les milieux conditionnés par des CE apoptotiques et non-apoptotiques (respectivement SSC et SSC-ZVAD) ont été analysés comparativement par chromatographie liquide bi-dimensionnelle, immunobuvardage et spectrométrie de masse. Le connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) est le seul facteur fibrogénique connu augmenté dans le milieu SSC. L’inhibition de la caspase-3 chez les CE prévient la relâche de CTGF. Au niveau du fibroblaste, l’inhibition de SFK ou de Pyk2 (proline-rich tyrosine kinase-2) prévient la différenciation myofibroblastique induite par le SSC ou le CTGF in vitro. L’anticorps neutralisant contre le TGF- (Transforming growth factor beta) n’est pas en mesure de bloquer la différenciation myofibroblastique induite par le SSC ou le CTGF. Des injections quotidiennes sous-cutanées de SSC chez la souris C3H pour 3 semaines entraîne une augmentation de l’épaisseur de la peau et des niveaux protéiques d’SMA, de vimentine et de collagène I. Cette réponse fibrogénique est réduite chez les souris qui ont reçu le SSC-ZVAD ou le SSC immunodéplété de son CTGF. Ces résultats apportent de nouvelles issues mécanistiques au niveau de la réponse fibrogénique activée par la mort des CE. L’activation des caspases chez les CE apoptotiques entraîne la production de LG3 et de CTGF qui, à leur tour, activent des voies de signalisation pro-fibrotiques SFK/PI3K dépendantes chez les fibroblastes, et ce indépendamment du TGF-. / Apoptosis of endothelial cells (EC) is an early event in various fibrotic diseases including chronic allograft vasculopathy and systemic sclerosis. We showed previously that mediators released by apoptotic EC activate myofibroblast differentiation and resistance to apoptosis, two mechanisms pivotal to fibrogenesis. PI3K (phospatidylinositol-3 kinase) activation was found to be central to these two mechanisms. A C-terminal fragment of perlecan (LG3) produced by apoptotic EC was found to inhibit apoptosis of fibroblasts. The aims of the present project were : 1. to define the receptors and pathways implicated in this anti-apoptotic response and 2. to characterize the fibrogenic mediators implicated in myofibroblast differentiation. Concerning the anti-apoptotic response, the inhibition of 21 integrin activity in fibroblasts exposed to either medium conditioned by apoptotic EC (SSC) or LG3 prevented resistance to apoptosis and was associated with decreased levels of Akt phosphorylation. Neutralizing Src family kinases (SFK) activity in fibroblasts produced the same effects. These results suggest that LG3 produced by apoptotic EC initiate a state of resistance to apoptosis in fibroblasts via an α2β1integrin/SFK/PI3K dependent pathway. LG3 did not induce myofibroblast differentiation. We went on to identify which mediators present in SSC are implicated in myofibroblast differentiation. Media conditioned by apoptotic and non-apoptotic EC (respectively SSC and SSC-ZVAD) were analyzed comparatively by 2-dimension liquid chromatography, western blotting and mass spectrometry. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) was the only known fibrogenic factor increased in SSC. Caspase-3 silencing of EC demonstrated that CTGF is released by apoptotic EC downstream of caspase-3 activation. In fibroblasts, blocking the activation of SFK or silencing the proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) blocked myofibroblast differentiation triggered by either SSC or recombinant CTGF in vitro. Exposure to a pan-transforming growth factor (TGF-β) neutralizing antibody failed to attenuate myofibroblast differentiation in fibroblasts exposed to either SSC or CTGF. Subcutaneous injection of mouse SSC to C3H mice daily for three weeks led to increased skin thickness, increased protein levels of αSMA, vimentin and collagen I. This fibrogenic response was blunted in mice injected with either SSC-ZVAD or SSC immunodepleted of CTGF. These results bring new mechanistic insights into the fibrogenic pathways activated by EC death. Caspase activation in apoptotic EC triggers the production of LG3 and CTGF which in turn activate SFK/PI3K dependant pathways in fibroblasts thus activating a TGF-β-independent fibrogenic response.