La phosphorylation est une modification post-traductionnelle modulant l’activité, la conformation ou la localisation d’une protéine et régulant divers processus. Les kinases et phosphatases sont responsables de la dynamique de phosphorylation et agissent de manière coordonnée. L’activation anormale ou la dérégulation de kinases peuvent conduire au développement de cancers ou de désordres métaboliques. Les récepteurs tyrosine kinase (RTKs) sont souvent impliqués dans des maladies et la compréhension des mécanismes régissant leur régulation permet de déterminer les effets anticipés sur leurs substrats. Dans ce contexte, le but de cette thèse est d’identifier les évènements de phosphorylation intervenant dans la voie de l’insuline chez la drosophile impliquant un RTK : le récepteur de l’insuline (InR). La cascade de phosphorylation déclenchée suite à l’activation du récepteur est conservée chez le mammifère. Afin d’étudier le phosphoprotéome de cellules S2 de drosophile, nous avons utilisé une étape d’enrichissement de phosphopeptides sur dioxyde de titane suivie de leur séparation par chromatographie liquide (LC) et mobilité ionique (FAIMS). Les phosphopeptides sont analysés par spectrométrie de masse en tandem à haute résolution. Nous avons d’abord démontré les bénéfices de l’utilisation du FAIMS comparativement à une étude conventionnelle en rapportant une augmentation de 50 % dans le nombre de phosphopeptides identifiés avec FAIMS. Cette technique permet de séparer des phosphoisomères difficilement distinguables par LC et l’acquisition de spectres MS/MS distincts où la localisation précise du phosphate est déterminée. Nous avons appliqué cette approche pour l’étude des phosphoprotéomes de cellules S2 contrôles ou traitées à l’insuline et avons identifié 32 phosphopeptides (sur 2 660 quantifiés) pour lesquels la phosphorylation est modulée. Étonnamment, 50 % des cibles régulées possèdent un site consensus pour la kinase CK2. Une stratégie d’inhibition par RNAi a été implémentée afin d’investiguer le rôle de CK2 dans la voie de l’insuline. Nous avons identifié 6 phosphoprotéines (CG30085, su(var)205, scny, protein CDV3 homolog, D1 et mu2) positivement régulées suite à l’insuline et négativement modulées après le traitement par RNAi CK2. Par essai kinase in vitro, nous avons identifié 29 cibles directes de CK2 dont 15 corrélaient avec les résultats obtenus par RNAi. Nous avons démontré que la phosphorylation de su(var)205 (S15) était modulée par l’insuline en plus d’être une cible directe de CK2 suite à l’expérience RNAi et à l’essai kinase. L’analyse des données phosphoprotéomiques a mis en évidence des phosphopeptides isomériques dont certains étaient séparables par FAIMS. Nous avons déterminé leur fréquence lors d’études à grande échelle grâce à deux algorithmes. Le script basé sur les différences de temps de rétention entre isomères a identifié 64 phosphoisomères séparés par LC chez la souris et le rat (moins de 1 % des peptides identifiés). Chez la drosophile, 117 ont été répertoriés en combinaison avec une approche ciblée impliquant des listes d’inclusion. Le second algorithme basé sur la présence d’ions caractéristiques suite à la fragmentation de formes qui co-éluent a rapporté 23 paires isomériques. L’importance de pouvoir distinguer des phosphoisomères est capitale dans le but d’associer une fonction biologique à un site de phosphorylation précis qui doit être identifié avec confiance. / Phosphorylation is a reversible post-translational modification that modulates protein activity, and can impart conformational changes and affect translocation of their protein substrates. Kinases and phosphatases are responsible for the dynamic of changes in protein phosphorylation and act in a coordinated manner. Abnormal activation or misregulation of kinase activity can lead to the development of cancers and metabolic disorders. Tyrosine kinase receptor (RTK) associated signaling pathways are often implicated in numerous diseases and the further understanding of mechanisms affecting their regulation is necessary to determine their activity and effects anticipated on their substrates. In this context, the primary objective of this thesis is to study the phosphorylation events arising from the activation of the insulin receptor (InR) following stimulation of drosophila S2 cells with insulin. The phosphorylation cascade triggered after InR activation is conserved in mammals. In order to study the phosphoproteome of drosophila S2 cells, we enriched phosphopeptides on titanium dioxide (TiO2) stationary phase prior to their separation by liquid chromatography (LC) and ion mobility (FAIMS) mass spectrometry (MS). Phosphopeptides were then analysed by tandem MS at high resolution. We first compared the benefits of FAIMS to conventional LC-MS, and observed a 50% increase in the number of identified phosphopeptides when using ion mobility. FAIMS enables the separation of phosphoisomers that are typically unresolved by LC, enabling high confidence assignment of modification sites via distinct MS/MS spectra. This approach was used to profile phosphorylation changes taking place between control and insulin-treated drosophila cells and enabled the identification of 32 phosphopeptides (out of 2 660 quantified) showing differential regulation. Interestingly, 50% of the regulated targets have a CK2 consensus site. These preliminary experiments were followed-up by RNAi mediated inhibition of CK2 and revealed that 6 phosphoproteins (CG30085, su(var)205, scny, protein CDV3 homolog, D1 and mu2) were positively modulated after insulin stimulation and negatively regulated after CK2 RNAi treatment. Using in vitro kinase assay, we identified 29 direct CK2 targets, of which 15 were correlated with results from the CK2 RNAi experiment. We demonstrated specifically that the su(var)205 (S15) is regulated by insulin and is a direct CK2 target based on RNAi and kinase assays. Our phosphoproteomics data also highlighted the presence of isomeric phosphopeptides, several of which could be distinguished using FAIMS. We developed two algorithms to determine the occurrence of phosphoisomers in large scale studies. The first algorithm based on differences in retention times between isomers identified 64 candidates in mouse and rat phosphoproteome datasets corresponding to less than 1% of all identified phosphopeptides. We also identified 117 isomer candidates in drosophila using a targeted LC-MS/MS approach with inclusion lists. The second algorithm is based on the presence of characteristic fragment ions present in MS/MS spectra of co-eluting or partially resolved species and allowed the identification of 23 isomeric pairs. The ability to distinguish phosphoisomers in large-scale phosphoproteome datasets is of significance to correlate phosphorylation events taking place on specific residues with biological activities.

O carcinoma epidermóide bucal (CEC) é uma neoplasia maligna com alta morbidade e mortalidade e de difícil tratamento. O tratamento convencional para o CEC inclui cirurgia e radioterapia, seguida ou não de quimioterapia. Apesar de serem amplamente difundidos, esses tratamentos podem ser ineficazes para alguns CECs resistentes. A terapia fotodinâmica (PDT) oncológica tem sido utilizada para o tratamento adjuvante do CEC bucal, principalmente nos casos menos invasivos e que necessitam de redução do tumor para a ressecção cirúrgica. Contudo, semelhantemente aos tratamentos convencionais, a PDT pode também induzir o aparecimento de populações celulares resistentes, fato já descrito para carcinoma cutâneo, adenocarcinoma de cólon e adenocarcinoma mamário. A hipótese de que células de CEC bucal possam desenvolver resistência à PDT ainda não foi testada. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar se células de CEC bucal (SCC9) desenvolvem resistência a ciclos repetidos de PDT mediada pelo ácido 5- aminolevulínico (5-ALA-PDT) e avaliar se nesse processo ocorre modificação da expressão de marcadores relacionados a sobrevivência celular (NF?B, Bcl-2, iNOS, mTOR e Akt). Foi utilizada linhagem de células de CEC bucal (SCC9), submetida às seguintes condições: 1) Controle - células cultivadas sem nenhum tratamento; 2) ALA - células incubadas com 5-ALA (1mM durante 4 horas); 3) LED - tratadas com iluminação LED (630nm, 5,86J/cm2, 22,5J, 150mW, 150s); 4) PDT - tratadas com 5- ALA-PDT, com os protocolos do grupo ALA e LED combinados, gerando dose letal de 90%. Inicialmente foi realizado somente um ciclo de PDT, sendo avaliada a viabilidade celular em todos os grupos após 24, 48, 72 e 120h da irradiação. Também foi realizado ensaio de detecção da fragmentação de DNA (TUNEL) e análise por imunofluorescência da expressão das proteínas NF?B, Bcl-2, iNOS, pmTOR e pAkt nas células viáveis. Como resultado desse primeiro tratamento com 5-ALA-PDT, observou-se que as células sobreviventes ao tratamento apresentaram intensa marcação para pmTOR e exibiram potencial de crescimento durante o período analisado. Após esses ensaios, as células que sobreviveram a essa primeira sessão foram coletadas, replaqueadas e novamente cultivadas, sendo então submetidas a novo ciclo de 5-ALA-PDT. Esse processo foi realizado 5 vezes, variando-se a intensidade de irradiação à medida que se observava aumento na viabilidade celular. As populações celulares que exibiram viabilidade 1,5 vezes maior do que a detectada no primeiro ciclo PDT foram consideradas resistentes ao tratamento. Os mesmos marcadores analisados no primeiro ciclo de PDT foram novamente avaliados nas populações resistentes. Foram obtidas quatro populações celulares resistentes, com viabilidade de até 4,6 vezes maior do que a do primeiro ciclo de PDT e irradiação com LED que variou de 5,86 a 9,38J/cm2. A população mais resistente apresentou ainda menor intensidade de protoporfirina IX, maior capacidade de migração e modificação na morfologia nuclear. As populações resistentes testadas exibiram aumento na expressão de pNF?B, iNOS, pmTOR e pAkt, mas não da proteína anti-apoptótica Bcl- 2. Ensaio in vivo foi também conduzido em ratos, nos quais CEC bucal foi quimicamente induzido e tratado ou não com 5-ALA-PDT. Houve intensa expressão imuno-histoquímica das proteínas pNF?B, Bcl-2, iNOS, pmTOR e pAkt em relação ao controle não tratado, nas células adjacentes à área de necrose provocada pela PDT. Concluiu-se que as células de CEC bucal tratadas com 5-ALA-PDT a uma dose de 90% de letalidade desenvolveram viabilidade crescente após ciclos repetidos do tratamento, bem como exibiram superexpressão de proteínas relacionadas à sobrevivência celular, tanto in vitro quanto in vivo. Esses fatos, aliados à maior capacidade de migração, sugerem a aquisição de fenótipo de resistência à 5-ALAPDT. Esse aspecto deve ser cuidadosamente considerado no momento da instituição dessa terapia para os CECs bucais. / Oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality rates, and it is difficult to treat. Conventional treatment for oral SCCs includes surgery and radiotherapy that may be followed by chemotherapy. Although these treatments are widely used, they are ineffective against some resistant tumors. Oncologic photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been used as an adjuvant treatment for oral SCCs, especially in less invasive cases that require tumor reduction before surgical resection. However, like conventional treatments, PDT can induce the occurrence of resistant cell populations such as cutaneous carcinomas and colon and breast adenocarcinomas. The hypothesis that oral SCCs develop resistance to PDT has not yet been tested. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate whether oral SCCs (SCC9) develop resistance to several cycles of 5-aminolevulinic acidmediated PDT (5-ALA-PDT) and to determine whether the expression of markers associated with cell survival (NF?B, Bcl-2, iNOS, mTOR, and Akt) is altered during this process. An oral SCC (SCC9) cell line was used, which was subjected to the following conditions: 1) Control: cultured without any treatment; 2) ALA: incubated with 5-ALA (1 mM for 4 h); 3) LED: treated with LED light (630 nm, 5.86 J/cm2, 22.5 J, 150 mW, 150 s); and 4) PDT: treated with 5-ALA-PDT (with the protocols of the ALA and LED groups combined) generating a lethal dose of 90%. Initially, only one cycle of PDT was administered, and cell viability was determined in all groups 24, 48, 72, and 120 h after irradiation. Subsequently, the DNA fragmentation detection assay (TUNEL) and immunofluorescence analysis of the expression of proteins NF?B, Bcl-2, iNOS, pmTOR, and pAkt were performed on viable cells. The fraction of cells that survived the first treatment with 5-ALA-PDT exhibited intense staining for pmTOR and growth potential during the testing period. After these assays, the cells that survived the first cycle were collected, plated, and cultured and were subjected to another cycle of 5- ALA-PDT. This process was repeated five times at various irradiation intensities, and cell viability gradually increased. The cell populations that exhibited 1.5-times higher viability than that detected after the first PDT cycle were considered to be resistant to treatment. The markers analyzed after the first PDT cycle were again assessed in the resistant populations. Four resistant cell populations were obtained with a viability of up to 4.6-times higher than that of the first PDT cycle and LED light treatment, which varied between 5.86 and 9.38J/cm2. The most resistant population exhibited lower intensity of protoporphyrin IX, higher migration capacity, and changes in nuclear morphology. The resistant populations tested showed increased expression of pNF?B, iNOS, pmTOR, and pAkt, but not of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein. Moreover, an in vivo assay was conducted in rats; oral SCCs were chemically induced and treated with 5-ALA-PDT. The intensity of the immunohistochemical expression of proteins pNF?B, Bcl-2, iNOS, pmTOR, and pAkt in cells adjacent to the area with necrosis caused by PDT was higher than that observed in the untreated control. In conclusion, oral SCCs treated with 5-ALA-PDT at a lethal dose of 90% exhibited increasing viability after several treatment cycles and overexpression of proteins associated with cell survival both in vitro and in vivo. These results, together with the higher migration capacity, suggest the acquisition of the phenotype of resistance to 5-ALA-PDT. This aspect should be carefully considered when initiating this therapy for oral SCCs.

A via canônica Wnt/beta-catenina regula várias funções em vertebrados, incluindo diferenciação de células T, bem como a proliferação, sobrevivência, morfogênese e migração de vários tipos celulares. As células T CD4+ é fundamental para a competência imunológica. Foi observado pelo nosso grupo que células T CD4+ humanas apresentam ativação da via Wnt/beta-catenina após tratamento com sais de lítio ou outros agonistas da via. A ativação desta via induziu a proliferação de células T CD4+ naive e de memória central. Em conjunto, estes dados sugerem um importante papel da via Wnt/beta-catenina na homeostase de células T CD4+ humanas. Seria importante avaliar o papel da via Wnt/beta-catenina nas células do sistema imune no modelo murino, já que pouco se sabe sobre seu efeito na homeostase de células T CD4+ murinas. A ativação da via Wnt/beta-catenina pode ser induzida com inibidores da proteína Glicogênio sintase quinase 3beta (GSK3beta), por exemplo, os sais de lítio (LiCl e Li2CO3) e inibidores específicos (SB, CHIR) em vários tipos celulares. Neste trabalho, avaliamos o efeito de inibidores de GSK3? na ativação da via Wnt/beta-catenina canônica em esplenócitos e células T CD4+, através da realização de experimentos in vivo e in vitro, avaliando a expressão de seus genes alvo HIG2, Bcl-xL, Ciclina D1 e c-myc. Verificou-se que o tratamento in vivo agudo (2-12 h após a administração) ou crônico (administração diária por 30 dias) de camundongos não é capaz de ativar a via Wnt/beta-catenina in vivo em células esplênicas e células T CD4+, embora o mesmo tratamento induza a expressão dos genes alvo da via no tecido cerebral (córtex e hipocampo). Além disso, também não foi possível verificar ativação da via em esplenócitos e células T CD4+ após tratamento in vitro das mesmas com LiCl ou os inibidores específicos de GSK3beta testados(CHIR99021, SB-216763), embora essa ativação tenha sido observada na linhagem celular HEK293. Nossos resultados sugerem que a via Wnt/beta-catenina (canônica) não é induzível em células T CD4+ murinas maduras, com os agonistas testados. Isso pode ter implicações fisiológicas, por exemplo sobre a homeostase de células T CD4+, já que a proliferação homeostática de células T, influenciada em humanos pela via Wnt/beta-catenina, é menos importante em camundongos / The Wnt/beta-catenin pathway regulates many functions in vertebrates, including T cell differentiation, as well as proliferation, morphogenesis and migration in different cell types. CD4+ T cells play is fundamental for immunological competence. Our group has observed that human CD4+ T cells present activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway after treatment with lithium salts or other pathway agonists. The activation of this pathway induced proliferation in naive and central memory CD4+ T cells. Together, these results suggest an important role for the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway in the homeostasis of human CD4+ T cells. It would be very important to evaluate the role of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway in T cells in the mouse model, since little is known about its effect in mice CD4+ T cell homeostasis. The activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway may be induced with Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3B (GSK3beta) inhibitors, i.e., lithium salts as mentioned above, and specific GSK3beta inhibitors (SB, CHIR) in different cell types. In this work, we evaluated the effect of GSK3beta inhibitors in the activation of the canonical Wnt/beta-catenin in splenocytes and CD4+ T cells, by conducting experiments in vivo and in vitro, evaluating the expression of its target genes HIG2, Bcl-xL, Cyclin D1 and c-myc. We verified that acute (2-12 hours after administration) or chronic (daily administration for 30 days) treatment of mice with lithium salts is not able to activate the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway in splenocytes and CD4+ T cells, although we could observe activation in brain tissues (cortex and hypothalamus). Besides, no activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway was observed in these cell types after in vitro treatment with LiCl or the specific inhibitors of GSK3beta (CHIR99021, SB-216763), while the pathway was activated by the same treatments in HEK293 cells. Our results suggest that the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway is not inducible in murine mature CD4+ T cells with the tested agonists. This may have physiological implications, for instance on the homeostasis of CD4+ T cells, where homeostatic proliferation - influenced the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway in human T cells - is less important in the maintenance of the murine peripheral T cell pool

Objectifs: Malgré leur grande hétérogénéité histologique et moléculaire, la prise en charge clinique des carcinomes ovariens de haut-grade (COHG) reste peu variable. Le pronostic sombre de cette pathologie implique un réel besoin des nouvelles thérapies. Au-delà des marqueurs pronostiques histologiques classiques et des enquêtes oncogénétiques, l’objectif de cette étude a consisté à rechercher des cibles moléculaires pharmacologiquement recrutables afin de pouvoir proposer aux patientes un accès à la thérapie innovante et personnalisée. Méthodes: Cette étude a été réalisée chez 53 patientes (pts) (âge moyen 58,9 ans, intervalle 25-87) de COHG histologiquement prouvés dont 45 pts de sous-type séreux. 19 pts ont fait l’objet d’une consultation et d’un test oncogénétique sur la base d’antécédents familiaux / personnel de cancer de sein/ovaire. chez. L’expression de P53 et de PTEN a été évaluée sur des tissus fixés au formol et inclus en paraffine par immunohistochimie. Les mutations somatiques de KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA et MET ont été recherchées par PCR-HRM (Polymerase Chain Reaction High Resolution Melting) puis vérifiées par NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) sur des extraits d'ADN préparés à partir d'échantillons de tumeurs congelés, prélevés au moment du diagnostic. Résultats: Des mutations germinales de BRCA1 / 2 ont été identifiées chez 7 pts, toutes atteintes des carcinomes séreux. Une mutation du gène KRAS (exon 2), 2 mutations du gène NRAS (exon 3), 6 mutations du gène PIK3CA (exon 5, 10 et 21) et 5 mutations du gène MET (exon 14 et 18) ont été identifiées chez les 53 tumeurs par NGS, dont deux mutations du gène NRAS et 2 mutations du gène PIK3CA détectées précédemment par PCR-HRM. Aucun profil mutationnel multiple n’a été retrouvé. La surexpression de P53 et la perte d’expression de PTEN ont été constatées chez 32 sur 53 (60%) et 19 sur 46 (41%) des tumeurs. L’analyse statistique n’a été réalisée que chez le sous-groupe de pts atteintes des carcinomes séreux à cause de l’effectif de l’étude. Avec un suivi médian de 38 mois (intervalle de 6-93), 35 pts ont eu une rechute de la maladie et 25 pts sont décédées. La survie sans progression à 2 ans est 28%, et la survie globale à 5 ans est 37%. La surexpression de P53 a été trouvée associée à une meilleure chimiosensibilité, une meilleure survie sans progression et une meilleure survie globale. Conclusion: Pour des COHG, au-delà des altérations de P53 et PTEN, des anomalies génétiques somatiques concernant les voies de signalisation PI3K et MAPK ne sont pas rares et peuvent être détectées par NGS. L’identification de ces anomalies somatiques pourrait offrir une possibilité des thérapies ciblées innovantes pour les patientes sur la base d’éléments diagnostics moléculaires. / Objectives: Despite the great histological and molecular heterogeneity, the clinical management of high-grade ovarian carcinoma remains univo-cal. As a major subgroup of ovarian carcinoma, high-grade ovarian carci-nomas (HGOC) need novel therapy. Additionally to conventional histolog-ical prognostic markers and oncogenetic investigations, molecular diag-nostic was performed using PCR-HRM (Polymerase Chain Reaction High Resolution Melting) and NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) to identify "druggable" targets that could provide access to innovative personalized therapy. Methods: This study was performed in 53 patients (pts) (mean age 58.9 years, range 25-87) with histologically proven HGOC of which 45 pts with serous carcinoma. BRCA1/2 germline mutations had been screened in 19 pts with familial/personal history of breast/ovarian cancer justifying on-cogenetic investigations. P53 and PTEN expression was assessed on for-malin fixed paraffin-embedded tissues using immunohistochemistry. So-matic mutations of KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA and MET were screened using PCR-HRM and then confirmed using NGS on DNA extracts from frozen tumor specimens taken at diagnosis. Results: Seven pts had BRCA1 / 2 germline mutations, all had serous carcinomas. One mutation of KRAS (exon 2), 2 mutations of NRAS (exon 3), 6 mutations of PIK3CA (exon 5, 10 and 21) and 5 mutations of MET (exon 14 and 18) were identified using NGS, of which 2 mutations of NRAS and 2 mutations de PIK3CA detected previously by PCR-HRM, no multiple mutation was detected. P53 overexpression and PTEN loss of expression was detected respectively in 32 of 53 (60%) and 19 of 46 (41%) of all the tumors. Because of the efffective of the study, statistical analyses were restricted to pts with serous carcinoma. With a median follow-up of 38 months (range 6-93), 35 pts had disease progression and 25 pts died during the follow-up. The 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 28% and 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 37%. Overexpression of mutant P53 was found to be associated with chemosensitivity and longer PFS and OS. Conclusion: In HGOC, beside P53 and PTEN alterations, somatic genetic abnormalities of PI3K and MAPK signaling pathways can be detected us-ing NGS and provide molecular rationale for targeted therapies, potential-ly offering new therapeutic opportunities to the patients.

Les carcinomes de la corticosurrénale (CC) sont des tumeurs malignes rares dont le pronostic est globalement sombre et les thérapeutiques encore limitées, la chirurgie étant le seul traitement efficace. Il est donc important de comprendre les mécanismes impliqués dans le développement et l'agressivité des CC. L’activation constitutive de la voie de signalisation Wnt/b-caténine est fréquente dans les CC (40%) et est associée à un caractère agressif. L’objectif de mon projet de thèse était d’étudier l’implication de la voie Wnt/β-caténine dans la tumorigenèse corticosurrénalienne. La lignée cellulaire humaine H295R, issue d’un CC présente une activation de la voie Wnt/β-caténine qui a pour origine une mutation activatrice de la β-caténine. Nous avons montré que l'invalidation de la β-caténine dans les cellules H295R inhibe l'activité transcriptionnelle de la voie Wnt/β-caténine, diminue la prolifération, augmente l'apoptose et bloque la progression du cycle cellulaire. De plus, nous avons montré que la voie Wnt/b-caténine est essentielle au développement tumoral de xénogreffes de ces cellules chez la souris. L’activation de la voie Wnt/b-caténine participe à la tumorigenèse de nombreux organes en régulant l’expression de gènes impliqués par exemple dans la prolifération, la survie cellulaire ou l'adhésion. Afin de mieux comprendre comment la voie Wnt/β-caténine participe à la tumorigenèse corticosurrénalienne, nous avons cherché à identifier les gènes cibles de cette voie dans les CC. L’analyse des transcriptomes de deux cohortes indépendantes de CC et des cellules H295R avec ou sans invalidation de la β-caténine a permis d’identifier des gènes dont l'expression est corrélée à l'activation de la voie Wnt/b-caténine. Nous avons montré que parmi ces gènes, AFF3 est essentiel pour transmettre les effets de l'activation de la voie Wnt/b-caténine dans les carcinomes de la corticosurrénale. En effet, AFF3 est un gène cible direct de la voie Wnt/b-caténine et son invalidation dans les cellules corticosurrénaliennes H295R diminue la prolifération cellulaire et déclenche l'apoptose à l'image de l'invalidation de la b-caténine. AFF3 est une protéine nucléaire, localisée au niveau des speckles qui sont impliqués dans l'épissage des ARNm. De plus, AFF3 interagit avec le P-TEFb (CDK9/CyclineT1/2) au sein du Super elongation complex (SEC) nécessaire à l’élongation de la transcription des ARNm par l'ARN polymérase II. Nous avons ainsi montré dans les cellules corticosurrénaliennes H295R, que la surexpression d'AFF3 altère l’organisation des speckles et la localisation de CDK9 et Cycline T1. En conclusion, ce travail a permis d'identifier une nouvelle cible transcriptionnelle de la voie de signalisation Wnt/b-caténine, AFF3, qui code pour un médiateur important des effets de l'activation de cette voie dans la tumorigenèse corticosurrénalienne. AFF3 agirait notamment en altérant la structure des speckles et en interagissant avec le P-TEFb qui sont importants respectivement pour l'épissage des ARNm et la transcription. Ces résultats conduisent à une meilleure compréhension de la tumorigenèse corticosurrénalienne et permettent d'envisager le P-TEFb et le SEC comme de nouvelles cibles thérapeutiques pour le traitement des CC. / Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and highly aggressive endocrine neoplasm, with limited therapeutic option. Currently, surgical resection is considered the only effective treatment. It is therefore essential to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in ACC development in order to improve their clinical management. Activation of the Wnt/b-catenin signaling pathway is frequent (40%) in ACC and is associated with poor prognosis. The aim of my thesis was to study the involvement of the Wnt/b-catenin signaling pathway in adrenocortical tumorigenesis. The human cell line H295R, derived from an ACC, carries the S45P β-catenin mutation which leads to constitutive β-catenin/TCF transcriptional activity. In the ACC cell line H295R we show that β-catenin silencing resulted in a decreased transcriptional activity of the Wnt/b-catenin signaling, cell cycle alterations, a decreased cell proliferation and an increased apoptosis. Moreover we show that β-catenin silencing abolish xenograft development of H295R adrenocortical cells. Aberrant activation of the Wnt/b-catenin signaling promotes tumorigenesis of several organs by enhancing expression of genes involved in proliferation, cell survival or cell adhesion. To better understand the role of the Wnt/b-catenin signaling in adrenocortical tumorigenesis, we wanted to identify target genes of this pathway in ACC. Combined transcriptomic analysis on two independent cohorts of ACC and on H295R adrenocortical cells with or without β-catenin silencing allow us to identify alterations of gene expression due to aberrant Wnt/βcatenin pathway activation. Among these genes, we show that AFF3 is essential to mediate the effect of the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in adrenocortical cancer. Indeed, AFF3 is a direct target gene of the Wnt/b-catenin and its silencing in H295R adrenocortical cells induces a decreased cell proliferation and an increased apoptosis similar to that induced by b-catenin silencing. AFF3 is a nuclear protein located in nuclear speckles, which serve as a reservoir of factors participating in mRNA splicing. Moreover, AFF3 interacts with P-TEFb (CDK9/CyclinT1/2) in the Super elongation complex (SEC) required for transcriptional elongation of mRNA by RNA polymerase II. In H295R adrenocortical cells, we show that strong overproduction of AFF3 altered the structural organization of nuclear speckles and the localization of CDK9 and Cycline T1. In conclusion, this study has identified a new transcriptional target of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, AFF3, which encodes an important mediator of this pathway in adrenocortical tumorigenesis. AFF3 might especially act by affecting the structural organization of speckles and interacting with the P-TEFb, which are respectively involved in mRNA splicing and transcription. These results provide a better understanding of the biological process involved in ACC development and suggest that P-TEFb and SEC could be new therapeutic targets for the treatment of ACC.

In vielen humanen Neoplasien findet sich eine erhöhte Aktivität des Raf-Mek-Erk-Signaltransduktionsweges. Zunächst wurde davon ausgegangen, dass diese erhöhte Aktivität hauptsächlich durch die Ras-Onkogene hervorgerufen wird. Doch mittlerweile konnten auch Mutationen der Raf Gene in humanen Neoplasien nachgewiesen werden. Gegen Raf und Mek konnten eine Anzahl von Enzyminhibitoren entwickelt werden. Der Nachteil vieler dieser Inhibitoren ist, dass sie nicht zwischen den einzelnen Kinaseisoformen unterscheiden können. In dieser Arbeit ist es nun das erste Mal gelungen, jede Komponente des Raf-Mek-Erk-Signaltransduktionsweges einzeln mittels RNA Interferenz effizient zu inhibieren. Dabei konnte die Rolle der verschiedenen Isoformen in der Proliferation, Morphologie und Genex-pression von transformierten Zellen definiert werden. In den NIH3T3-pEJ Zellen konnte A-Raf erstmals eine antiapoptotische Rolle zugewiesen werden. Diese Hemmung der Apoptose läuft möglicherweise über einen Mek2-abhängigen Weg und ist an die Mitochondrien gekoppelt. Für die beiden Mek Kinasen konnten unter-schiedliche Funktionen in der Signalweiterleitung gezeigt werden. Mek2 spielt die Hauptrolle in der Aktivierung der beiden Substratkinasen Erk1 und Erk2. Der Verlust der Mek1 Isoform wird dagegen möglicherweise durch eine erhöhte Expression von Mek2 kompensiert und wirkt sich nicht so stark auf die Phosphorylierung von Erk1/2 aus. Durch die Verwendung von Erk1 und Erk2 spezifischen siRNAs konnte eine Trennung zwischen der Proliferationsre-gulation und der Kontrolle der morphologischen Transformation herausgearbeitet werden. Durch die Verwendung von Mikroarrays ist es gelungen, beiden Phänotypen ein Genexpres-sionsprofil zuzuordnen. Neben Unterschieden zwischen den verschiedenen Kinaseisoformen konnten neue, potentielle Feedbacks beschrieben werden. / In many human neoplasia an increased activity of the RAF/MEK/ERK- signaling pathway is found. First it was assumed that this raised activity is caused primarily by the RAS onco-genes. However, meanwhile mutations in the RAF genes could be also proved in human neo-plasia. A number of enzyme inhibitors have been developed against the RAF and MEK pro-teins. The disadvantage of many of these inhibitors is that they cannot distinguish between the different kinase isoforms. In this work it has succeeded the first time to inhibit every compo-nent of the RAF/MEK/ERK- signaling pathway individually by means of interference RNA. Beside this, the role of the different isoforms in the proliferation, morphology and genetic profile of transformed cells could be defined. For the first time A-Raf could be assigned an anti-apoptotic role in NIH3T3-pEJ cells. This inhibition of the apoptosis possibly runs through a Mek2-dependent way and is coupled to the mitochondria. For both Mek kinases different functions could be shown in the downstream signaling. Mek2 plays the leading role in the activation of both downstream kinases Erk1 and Erk2. The loss of the Mek1 isoform expression is possibly compensated through an increased expression of Mek2 and does not affect the phosphorylation of Erk1 / 2 so strongly. A discri-mination between the regulation of proliferation and the control of the morphological trans-formation could be worked out by the use of Erk1 and Erk2 specific siRNAs. By the use of micorarray an expression profile of both phenotypes has assigned. Beside differences between the different kinases new, potential feedback pathways could be described.

Les genodermatoses sont des maladies génétiques rares à expression cutanée. Parmi elles, les dysplasies ectodermiques (DE) caractérisées par des anomalies du développement d’au moins deux structures ectodermiques (dents, ongles, glandes sudorales et poils), constituent un groupe hétérogène de genodermatoses de plus de 200 syndromes rares. Si la plupart de ces syndromes associent des anomalies des seuls dérivés ectodermiques, d'autres plus complexes, tels que le syndrome de Bazex-Dupré-Christol et l’Incontinentia Pigmenti, rassemblent en plus des manifestations disparates. Le syndrome de Bazex-Dupré-Christol (SBDC) associe une DE à la prédisposition aux carcinomes basocellulaires (CBCs) de survenue précoce. L’étude de 6 familles nous a permis d’identifier, chez 2 d’entre elles, une mutation tronquante dans le gène ACTRT1, codant la protéine Arp-T1. Dans l’épiderme, la protéine Arp-T1 est diminuée chez tous les patients atteints de SBDC, porteurs ou non de mutations dans le gène ACTRT1. Le séquençage à haut débit de la région candidate a permis d’identifier des mutations dans des régions transcrites, régulatrices du gène ACTRT1 chez les patients des 4 autres familles. Notant que la voie Hedgehog est dérégulée dans 70 % des CBCs, nous avons démontré qu’ACTRT1 est un nouvel inhibiteur de cette voie, en particulier par sa liaison au promoteur de GLI1 dont il inhibe l’expression. Enfin, ACTRT1 est un nouveau gène suppresseur de tumeur capable de réduire in vivo la progression tumorale de certaines lignées cancéreuses par la régulation de gènes impliqués dans la prolifération, la mort et la survie cellulaire, ou encore la migration. L’Incontinentia Pigmenti (IP) est une affection multisystémique caractérisée par une atteinte de la peau, des dents, des yeux et parfois du système nerveux central. Elle résulte de mutation dans le gène NEMO et l’abolition de l’activation de la voie NF-KB. L’étude d’une famille concernée par l’IP à permis d’identifier une nouvelle mutation d’épissage du gène NEMO aboutissant à l’expression d’une protéine tronquée. Cette protéine conserve l’intégralité des domaines fonctionnels de NEMO connus à ce jour. Sa caractérisation a révélé une perte d’interaction avec SHARPIN, composants du complexe LUBAC permettant l’ubiquitination linéaire. Il s’agit de la première mutation humaine de NEMO montrant l’importance de son ubiquitination linéaire dans l’activation de la voie NF-KB. Mes travaux de thèse ont ainsi mis en évidence de nouveaux mécanismes physiopathlogiques responsables de deux formes de dysplasie ectodermique. Ces mécanismes reflètent la complexité des voies moléculaires impliquées dans le développement de la peau et le maintien de son homéostasie durant la vie adulte. / Genodermatoses are rare genetic diseases with cutaneous expression. Among them, ectodermal dysplasia (ED) characterized by abnormal development of at least two ectodermal structures (teeth, nails, sweat glands and hair) constitute a heterogeneous group of genodermatoses of more than 200 rare syndromes. While most of these syndromes associate only abnormalities of the ectodermal derivatives, others more complex, such as Bazex-Dupré-Christol syndrome and Incontinentia Pigmenti, bring together disparate manifestations. Bazex-Dupré-Christol syndrome (BDCS) associates ED with predisposition to early basal cell carcinoma (BCCs). The study of 6 families allowed us to identify, in 2 of them, a truncated mutation in the ACTRT1 gene, encoding the Arp-T1 protein. In the epidermis, Arp-T1 protein is decreased in all patients with BDCS, carrying or not of mutations in ACTRT1 gene. High-throughput sequencing of the candidate region allowed to identify mutations in transcribed enhancer regions, regulating the ACTRT1 gene in patients of the remaining 4 families. Noting that the Hedgehog pathway is deregulated in more than 70% of BCCs, we have demonstrated that ACTRT1 is a novel inhibitor of this pathway, via its binding to GLI1 promoter and inhibiting its expression. Finally, ACTRT1 is a new tumor suppressor gene capable of reducing in vivo the tumor progression of certain cancer lines by the regulation of genes involved in proliferation, death and cell survival, or migration. Incontinentia Pigmenti (IP) is a multisystemic disorder characterized by involvement of skin, teeth, eyes and sometimes the central nervous system. It results from mutation in the NEMO gene and the abolition of activation of NF-KB pathway. The study of a family concerned with IP allowed to identify a new splicing mutation of NEMO gene leading to a truncated protein expression. This protein retains all the functional domains of NEMO known. Its characterization revealed a loss of interaction with SHARPIN, components of LUBAC complex allowing linear ubiquitination. This is the first human mutation of NEMO showing the importance of its linear ubiquitination in the activation of the NF-KB pathway. Thus, my thesis work revealed novel physiopathological mechanisms responsible for two forms of ectodermal dysplasia. These mechanisms reflect the complexity of the molecular pathways involved in the development of the skin and the maintenance of its homeostasis during adult life.

O PAWR (Prostate apoptosis response- 4) também conhecido como PAR-4 é um gene pró-apoptótico identificado em células de câncer de próstata quando expostas a estímulos apoptóticos. A expressão de PAR-4 pode aumentar a sensibilidade da célula a apoptose, incluindo células de câncer de mama. Ensaios de expressão gênica por transcriptoma foram realizados em nosso laboratório (dados ainda não publicados), com o objetivo de analisar genes diferencialmente expressos associados à quimiossensibilidade ao docetaxel em células MCF-7 transfectadas com o vetor de expressão para PAR-4 (MCF7pcPAR4) e o com vetor vazio (MCF7pcNEO) antes e após o tratamento com docetaxel. Para avaliar a interação entre os genes diferencialmente expressos foram geradas redes gênicas funcionais utilizando o programa IPA- Ingenuity®. Dentre as diversas redes gênicas geradas destacaram-se as que continham genes relacionados direta ou indiretamente com a via de sinalização WNT (Wingless-Type MMTV Integration 1). O presente estudo visa validar genes diferencialmente expressos identificados em células MCF-7 com diferenças de expressão de PAR-4 antes e após a exposição de docetaxel. Através da anotação manual dos genes mais diferencialmente expressos, foram selecionados os genes EGR1, XAF1, TARP e WNT5A para validação por PCR em Tempo Real (qRT-PCR). A plataforma Human WNT Signaling Pathway RT2 Profiler(TM) PCR Array (PCR Array) foi utilizada para avaliar o efeito da overexpressão de PAR-4 e do tratamento de docetaxel na expressão de genes das vias canônica e não canônica do WNT. A expressão positiva do gene WNT5A nas células MCF7pcPAR4 em relação a MCF7pcNEO foi confirmada por qRT-PCR na ausença e presença do tratamento com docetaxel. O gene EGR1 apresentou regulação positiva significativa na técnica de qRT-PCR na ausência de tratamento, porém não apresenta o mesmo perfil de expressão observado no ensaio de transcriptoma. O gene XAF1 apresentou regulação negativa nas células MCF7pcPAR4 quando comparadas com as células MCF7pcNEO na ausência e presença de docetaxel, com tendência a validação na ausência de tratamento e de não validação na presença de docetaxel. Foi observado o aumento significativo da expressão de TARP nas células MCF7pcPAR4 por qRT-PCR na ausência e presença de docetaxel, porém esses achados não confirmam os resultados obtidos no transcriptoma. Em nossos dados de PCR Array na comparação MCF7pcPAR4 vs MCF7pcNEO antes do tratamento, encontramos diferença de expressão significativa (p < 0,005) em 9 genes. Sendo que, os genes CDKN2A, EGR1, FGF7, IL6 e TWIST apresentaram expressão positiva e os genes NTRK2, SOX2, SOX9 e WISP1 tiveram expressão negativa. Na comparação na presença de docetaxel observamos que os genes CACNAD2A3, GDF5, IL6, FGF7, LEF1 e TWIST apresentaram regulação positiva e FST apresentou regulação negativa com significância estatística (p < 0,005). Dos 84 genes da plataforma PCR array foram observados 21 e 14 genes comuns entre ambas às técnicas na ausência e presença de docetaxel, respectivamente. Na ausência de docetaxel 16 genes apresentaram o mesmo perfil de expressão, dentre estes a regulação positiva de GJA1, IGF1, IGF2, LEF1, MMP2, PDGFRA, PTGS2 e TWIST, associadas á regulação negativa de CDH1, JAG1, NTRK2 sugerem ativação da via WNT/?-catenina. Enquanto, a expressão de DAB2, WNT5A, FZD7 e RUNX2 indica inativação dessa via. Na presença do tratamento 6 genes apresentaram o mesmo perfil de expressão. Dentre estes, a regulação positiva de CTGF, DAB2 e EGR1 sugerem inativação da via WNT/beta-catenina. Por outro lado, a expressão positiva de FGF20, LEF1 e PDGFRA sugerem que via WNT/beta-catenina estaria ativa. Neste estudo, podemos mostrar que PAR-4 modula genes da via de sinalização WNT. Porém, mais experimentos serão necessários para verificar quais mecanismos estão envolvidos e de que forma isso reflete na quimiossensibilidade a drogas / PAWR (Prostate Apoptosis Response-4) also known as PAR-4 is a pro-apoptotic gene identified in prostate cancer cells when exposed to apoptotic stimuli. PAR-4 expression can increase sensitivity of cells to apoptosis, including breast cancer cells. Our laboratory performed transcriptome profiling (unpublished data), with the aim of analyzing differentially expressed genes associated with chemosensitivity to docetaxel in transfected MCF-7 cells with PAR-4 expression plasmid (MCF7pcPAR4) and with empty vector (MCF7pcNEO) before and after treatment with docetaxel. To assess the interaction between the differentially expressed genes functional gene networks were generated using the IPA Ingenuity® software. Networks generated containing genes directly or indirectly related with the WNT signaling pathway (Wingless-Type MMTV Integration 1) were highlighted. The present study aims to validate the differentially expressed genes identified in MCF-7 cells with different PAR-4 expression before and after exposure of docetaxel. By manual annotation of the genes most differentially expressed, the genes EGR1, XAF1, TARP and WNT5A were selected to be validated by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR). The platform WNT Signaling Pathway Human RT2 Profiler (TM) PCR Array (Array PCR) was used to evaluate the effect of PAR-4 overexpression and docetaxel treatment in gene expression of canonical and noncanonical WNT pathways. The positive expression of WNT5A in MCF7pcPAR4 cells relative to MCF7pcNEO was confirmed by qRT-PCR in the presence and absence of docetaxel. The EGR1 gene showed significant upregulation in the qRT-PCR in the absence of treatment, but showed a different expression profile of the one observed in the transcriptome assay. The XAF1 showed a negative regulation in MCF7pcPAR4 cells when compared with MCF7pcNEO cells in the absence and presence of docetaxel, showing a similar trend in the absence of treatment but opposed trend in the presence of docetaxel. It was observed a significant increase in TARP expression in MCF7pcPAR4 cells by qRT-PCR in the absence and presence of docetaxel, but these findings do not confirm the results of the transcriptome. PCR Array data of MCF7pcPAR4 vs MCF7pcNEO comparison before treatment, showed a significant expression difference in nine genes (p < 0.005). The genes CDKN2A, EGR1, FGF7, IL6 and TWIST showed positive expression and the genes NTRK2, SOX2, SOX9 and WISP1 had negative expression. In the presence of docetaxel it was observed that the genes CACNAD2A3, GDF5, IL6, FGF7, LEF1 and TWIST showed upregulation and FST downregulation with statistical significance (p < 0.005). From 84 genes of the platform PCR array we observed 21 and 14 common genes between both techniques in the absence and presence docetaxel, respectively. In the absence of docetaxel 16 genes showed similar expression profile, among them the upregulation of GJA1, IGF1, IGF2, LEF1, MMP2, PDGFRA, PTGS2 and TWIST, together with downregulation of CDH1, JAG1, NTRK2 suggest activation of the WNT/beta-catenin pathway. While the expression of DAB2, WNT5A, FZD7 and RUNX2 indicates inactivation of this pathway. In the presence of treatment six genes showed the same expression profile. Among these, the upregulation of CTGF, DAB2 EGR1 suggest the inactivation of Wnt/beta-catenin pathway. On the other hand, positive expression of FGF20, LEF1 and PDGFRA suggests that Wnt/beta-catenin would be active. In this study, we show that PAR-4 modulates genes of the WNT signaling pathway. However, more experiments are needed to clarify the role of WNT canonical and non-canonical pathways and how this reflects on drug chemosensitivity

O carcinoma epidermóide bucal (CEC) é uma neoplasia maligna com alta morbidade e mortalidade e de difícil tratamento. O tratamento convencional para o CEC inclui cirurgia e radioterapia, seguida ou não de quimioterapia. Apesar de serem amplamente difundidos, esses tratamentos podem ser ineficazes para alguns CECs resistentes. A terapia fotodinâmica (PDT) oncológica tem sido utilizada para o tratamento adjuvante do CEC bucal, principalmente nos casos menos invasivos e que necessitam de redução do tumor para a ressecção cirúrgica. Contudo, semelhantemente aos tratamentos convencionais, a PDT pode também induzir o aparecimento de populações celulares resistentes, fato já descrito para carcinoma cutâneo, adenocarcinoma de cólon e adenocarcinoma mamário. A hipótese de que células de CEC bucal possam desenvolver resistência à PDT ainda não foi testada. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar se células de CEC bucal (SCC9) desenvolvem resistência a ciclos repetidos de PDT mediada pelo ácido 5- aminolevulínico (5-ALA-PDT) e avaliar se nesse processo ocorre modificação da expressão de marcadores relacionados a sobrevivência celular (NF?B, Bcl-2, iNOS, mTOR e Akt). Foi utilizada linhagem de células de CEC bucal (SCC9), submetida às seguintes condições: 1) Controle - células cultivadas sem nenhum tratamento; 2) ALA - células incubadas com 5-ALA (1mM durante 4 horas); 3) LED - tratadas com iluminação LED (630nm, 5,86J/cm2, 22,5J, 150mW, 150s); 4) PDT - tratadas com 5- ALA-PDT, com os protocolos do grupo ALA e LED combinados, gerando dose letal de 90%. Inicialmente foi realizado somente um ciclo de PDT, sendo avaliada a viabilidade celular em todos os grupos após 24, 48, 72 e 120h da irradiação. Também foi realizado ensaio de detecção da fragmentação de DNA (TUNEL) e análise por imunofluorescência da expressão das proteínas NF?B, Bcl-2, iNOS, pmTOR e pAkt nas células viáveis. Como resultado desse primeiro tratamento com 5-ALA-PDT, observou-se que as células sobreviventes ao tratamento apresentaram intensa marcação para pmTOR e exibiram potencial de crescimento durante o período analisado. Após esses ensaios, as células que sobreviveram a essa primeira sessão foram coletadas, replaqueadas e novamente cultivadas, sendo então submetidas a novo ciclo de 5-ALA-PDT. Esse processo foi realizado 5 vezes, variando-se a intensidade de irradiação à medida que se observava aumento na viabilidade celular. As populações celulares que exibiram viabilidade 1,5 vezes maior do que a detectada no primeiro ciclo PDT foram consideradas resistentes ao tratamento. Os mesmos marcadores analisados no primeiro ciclo de PDT foram novamente avaliados nas populações resistentes. Foram obtidas quatro populações celulares resistentes, com viabilidade de até 4,6 vezes maior do que a do primeiro ciclo de PDT e irradiação com LED que variou de 5,86 a 9,38J/cm2. A população mais resistente apresentou ainda menor intensidade de protoporfirina IX, maior capacidade de migração e modificação na morfologia nuclear. As populações resistentes testadas exibiram aumento na expressão de pNF?B, iNOS, pmTOR e pAkt, mas não da proteína anti-apoptótica Bcl- 2. Ensaio in vivo foi também conduzido em ratos, nos quais CEC bucal foi quimicamente induzido e tratado ou não com 5-ALA-PDT. Houve intensa expressão imuno-histoquímica das proteínas pNF?B, Bcl-2, iNOS, pmTOR e pAkt em relação ao controle não tratado, nas células adjacentes à área de necrose provocada pela PDT. Concluiu-se que as células de CEC bucal tratadas com 5-ALA-PDT a uma dose de 90% de letalidade desenvolveram viabilidade crescente após ciclos repetidos do tratamento, bem como exibiram superexpressão de proteínas relacionadas à sobrevivência celular, tanto in vitro quanto in vivo. Esses fatos, aliados à maior capacidade de migração, sugerem a aquisição de fenótipo de resistência à 5-ALAPDT. Esse aspecto deve ser cuidadosamente considerado no momento da instituição dessa terapia para os CECs bucais. / Oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality rates, and it is difficult to treat. Conventional treatment for oral SCCs includes surgery and radiotherapy that may be followed by chemotherapy. Although these treatments are widely used, they are ineffective against some resistant tumors. Oncologic photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been used as an adjuvant treatment for oral SCCs, especially in less invasive cases that require tumor reduction before surgical resection. However, like conventional treatments, PDT can induce the occurrence of resistant cell populations such as cutaneous carcinomas and colon and breast adenocarcinomas. The hypothesis that oral SCCs develop resistance to PDT has not yet been tested. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate whether oral SCCs (SCC9) develop resistance to several cycles of 5-aminolevulinic acidmediated PDT (5-ALA-PDT) and to determine whether the expression of markers associated with cell survival (NF?B, Bcl-2, iNOS, mTOR, and Akt) is altered during this process. An oral SCC (SCC9) cell line was used, which was subjected to the following conditions: 1) Control: cultured without any treatment; 2) ALA: incubated with 5-ALA (1 mM for 4 h); 3) LED: treated with LED light (630 nm, 5.86 J/cm2, 22.5 J, 150 mW, 150 s); and 4) PDT: treated with 5-ALA-PDT (with the protocols of the ALA and LED groups combined) generating a lethal dose of 90%. Initially, only one cycle of PDT was administered, and cell viability was determined in all groups 24, 48, 72, and 120 h after irradiation. Subsequently, the DNA fragmentation detection assay (TUNEL) and immunofluorescence analysis of the expression of proteins NF?B, Bcl-2, iNOS, pmTOR, and pAkt were performed on viable cells. The fraction of cells that survived the first treatment with 5-ALA-PDT exhibited intense staining for pmTOR and growth potential during the testing period. After these assays, the cells that survived the first cycle were collected, plated, and cultured and were subjected to another cycle of 5- ALA-PDT. This process was repeated five times at various irradiation intensities, and cell viability gradually increased. The cell populations that exhibited 1.5-times higher viability than that detected after the first PDT cycle were considered to be resistant to treatment. The markers analyzed after the first PDT cycle were again assessed in the resistant populations. Four resistant cell populations were obtained with a viability of up to 4.6-times higher than that of the first PDT cycle and LED light treatment, which varied between 5.86 and 9.38J/cm2. The most resistant population exhibited lower intensity of protoporphyrin IX, higher migration capacity, and changes in nuclear morphology. The resistant populations tested showed increased expression of pNF?B, iNOS, pmTOR, and pAkt, but not of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein. Moreover, an in vivo assay was conducted in rats; oral SCCs were chemically induced and treated with 5-ALA-PDT. The intensity of the immunohistochemical expression of proteins pNF?B, Bcl-2, iNOS, pmTOR, and pAkt in cells adjacent to the area with necrosis caused by PDT was higher than that observed in the untreated control. In conclusion, oral SCCs treated with 5-ALA-PDT at a lethal dose of 90% exhibited increasing viability after several treatment cycles and overexpression of proteins associated with cell survival both in vitro and in vivo. These results, together with the higher migration capacity, suggest the acquisition of the phenotype of resistance to 5-ALA-PDT. This aspect should be carefully considered when initiating this therapy for oral SCCs.

Mathematical models of signal transduction pathways are characterized by a large number of proteins and uncertain parameters, yet only a limited amount of quantitative data is available. The dissertation addresses this problem using two different approaches: the first approach deals with a model simplification procedure for signaling pathways that reduces the model size but retains the physical interpretation of the remaining states, while the second approach deals with creating rich data sets by computing transcription factor profiles from fluorescent images of green-fluorescent-protein (GFP) reporter cells. For the first approach a model simplification procedure for signaling pathway models is presented. The technique makes use of sensitivity and observability analysis to select the retained proteins for the simplified model. The presented technique is applied to an IL-6 signaling pathway model. It is found that the model size can be significantly reduced and the simplified model is able to adequately predict the dynamics of key proteins of the signaling pathway. An approach for quantitatively determining transcription factor profiles from GFP reporter data is developed as the second major contribution of this work. The procedure analyzes fluorescent images to determine fluorescence intensity profiles using principal component analysis and K-means clustering, and then computes the transcription factor concentration from the fluorescence intensity profiles by solving an inverse problem involving a model describing transcription, translation, and activation of green fluorescent proteins. Activation profiles of the transcription factors NF-κB, nuclear STAT3, and C/EBPβ are obtained using the presented approach. The data for NF-κB is used to develop a model for TNF-α signal transduction while the data for nuclear STAT3 and C/EBPβ is used to verify the simplified IL-6 model. Finally, an approach is developed to compute the distribution of transcription factor profiles among a population of cells. This approach consists of an algorithm for identifying individual fluorescent cells from fluorescent images, and an algorithm to compute the distribution of transcription factor profiles from the fluorescence intensity distribution by solving an inverse problem. The technique is applied to experimental data to derive the distribution of NF-κB concentrations from fluorescent images of a NF-κB GFP reporter system.