As coronárias derivam do proepicárdio, uma estrutura formada por precursores dos constituintes de vasos coronários, células endoteliais e musculares lisas (CoSMC). In vivo observa-se um marcante atraso entre a diferenciação endotelial e a integração de CoSMC à parede do vaso. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar os mecanismos que inibem a diferenciação a CoSMC in vivo. Baseados na perda progressiva da expressão de raldh2, a principal enzima de síntese de ácido retinóico (AR), nós exploramos a sinalização por AR como um possível inibidor da diferenciação a CoSMC. Através de um vetor adenoviral de expressão de raldh2 e da inibição in vivo da síntese de AR nós demonstramos que a sinalização por AR bloqueia a diferenciação a CoSMC dos precursores coronários. Nós também identificamos o VEGF como um fator chave no controle da diferenciação a CoSMC. Em conjunto, nossos dados suportam o modelo que a síntese de AR e VEGF durante o desenvolvimento cardíaco foi co-optada para o bloqueio da diferenciação a CoSMC até o estabelecimento de uma vasta malha vascular. / Coronary vessels derive from the proepicardium (PE), a structure formed by precursor of coronary vessels cells, endothelial and smooth muscle cells (CoSMC). In vivo there is a clear gap between the endothelial differentiation and the integration of CoSMC into the vascular tubes. The aim of this work was to understand the mechanisms controlling the delayed in vivo CoSMC differentiation. Based on the progressive loss of expression of raldh2, the main retinoic acid (RA) synthesizing enzyme, we explored the RA signaling as a possible candidate inhibitor of CoSMC differentiation. Using a adenoviral raldh2 expression system and in vivo inhibition of RA synthesis we showed that RA signaling act as a brake to slow CoSMC differentiation in PE-derived cells. We also identified VEGF as key factor acting on the control of CoSMC differentiation. Together our results support a model that AR and VEGF synthesis during cardiac development was co-opted to block the CoSMC differentiation of coronary precursors before an extensive endothelial network of tubes is established.

A penicilina G é um dos antibióticos mais importantes. Além de possuir um baixo preço e comprovada eficácia de tratamento, mostra inúmeras possibilidades para a redução da morbidade e mortalidade por doenças infecciosas em todo o mundo. Como eventualmente este medicamento causa sequelas no parênquima renal e estruturas associadas, e sendo que a secreção da rede tubular renal contribui para a excreção da penicilina G, onde cerca de 60% do antibiótico é eliminado pela urina, nos propomos a fazer um estudo das principais alterações que possam ocorrer na pelve renal de ratos normais e ratos induzidos à diabetes. Este projeto tem o propósito de descrever e analisar as fibras colágenas, musculares lisas e elásticas da pelve renal de ratos wistar observando alterações estruturais e ultraestruturais dos grupos experimentais quando comparados ao grupo controle com relação ao uso da penicilina G. Os ratos foram divididos em 4 grupos, ratos Wistar normais (N); ratos Wistar tratados com penicilina G (NP); ratos Wistar induzidos à diabetes (D); ratos Wistar diabéticos com penicilina G (DP). Os ratos dos grupos D e DP foram induzidos ao diabetes por aloxano. A região da pelve renal com representação das fibras foi coletada e reduzida em pequenos fragmentos. Os cortes obtidos foram utilizados para Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão e corados pelos seguintes métodos para Microscopia Óptica: Hematoxilina Férrica para evidenciação de fibras elásticas; Resorcina fucsina para evidenciação de fibras elásticas e elaunínicas; Resorcina fucsina após oxidação com solução aquosa a 1% de oxona para evidenciação de fibras elásticas, elaunínicas e oxitalânicas; Azan para evidenciação do componente colágeno e muscular lisa; Picrosírius para observação do componente colágeno (especificamente tipo I e III); e Hematoxilina e Eosina, para evidenciação do componente celular. A análise microscópica e a histomorfometria mostraram que a Penicilina G altera os componentes fibrosos da pelve renal, fazendo com que as áreas de fibras musculares lisas e de colágeno tipo III fossem aumentadas e as fibras elásticas maduras diminuídas (neste caso, apenas entre N e NP). O Diabetes mellitus mostrou-se como uma doença metabólica também capaz de alterar a morfologia da pelve, fazendo com que a área de fibras musculares lisas aumentasse, a área de colágeno tipo I e a quantidade de fibras elásticas maduras e elaunínicas diminuísse e as oxitalânicas aumentassem, além de um notável aumento na quantidade de mitocôndrias. Podemos inferir que a antibioticoterapia feita pela penicilina G e o diabetes, provocam diferenças estruturais e ultraestruturais na pelve renal dos ratos Wistar, principalmente na organização dos componentes fibrosos elástico, muscular e colágeno. / Penicillin G is the most important antibiotics. Besides having a low cost and proven effectiveness of treatment, it shows great possibilities for reducing morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases worldwide. As this medicine may cause sequelae in the renal parenchyma and associated structures, and since the net renal tubular secretion contributes to the excretion of penicillin G, where about 60% of the antibiotic is eliminated in urine, this study aims to investigate the main structural and ultrastructural changes occurring in the kidney of normal and diabetes rats. Thus, this project aims to describe and analyze the collagen fibers, smooth muscle and elastic fibers of the renal pelvis of Wistar rats, comparing control and penicillin G-treated animals. The animals were divided into 4 groups, normal rats (N), Wistar rats treated with penicillin G (NP); rats induced diabetes (D), diabetic Wistar rats with penicillin G (DP). The diabetes was induced in groups D and DP by alloxan. The fibrotic region of the renal pelvis was collected and reduced into small fragments. The sections were used for the transmission electron microscopy and stained by the following methods for optic microscopic: Iron Hematoxylin for disclosure of elastic fibers; Resorcin fuchsin for disclosure of elastic and elauninic fibers; Resorcin fuchsin after oxidation with 1% aqueous solution of oxone for disclosure of elastic, elauninic and oxytalan fibers; Azan evidencing the collagen and smooth muscle components; Picrosirius for observation of the collagen component (specifically type I and III); and Hematoxylin and Eosin, to show the cellular component. Microscopic and histomorphometry analysis showed that penicillin G alters the fibrous components of the renal pelvis, increasing areas of smooth muscle fibers and collagen type III deposition and decreasing mature elastic fibers (in this case, only between N and NP). Diabetes mellitus proved to be a metabolic disease also able to alter the morphology of the pelvis, leading to the augmentation of smooth muscle fiber area. Moreover, the area of type I collagen and the amount of mature elastic and elauninic fibers were diminished, while oxytalan fibers increased, together with a remarkable increase in the number of mitochondria. We can infer that the antibiotic therapy made by penicillin G and the diabetes, cause structural and ultrastructural differences in the renal pelvis of rats, mainly in the organization of elastic fiber, muscular and collagen components.

cAMP-elevating agents such as adenosine and epinephrine (after binding to beta-adrenergic receptor) contribute to local vascular dilation and some of these dilations are endothelium-dependent. Previous intracellular Ca 2+ imaging studies in mouse microvessel endothelial cells reported that addition of adenosine or epinephrine induced a Ca2+ influx which is blocked by CNG channel blockers such as L-cis-diltiazem or LY83583. Inside-out patch clamp studies confirmed the existence of a cAMP-activated current in endothelial cells, strongly suggesting a functional role of CNG, in particular CNGA2, channels in endothelial cells. The current study went further to show that similar Ca2+ influx in response to adenosine or epinephrine occurred in endothelial cells in freshly isolated mouse aortic strips and was again blocked by L-cis-diltiazem. By measuring the isometric force developed in mouse aortic strips, we showed that CNGA2 channel-mediated Ca2+ influx in endothelial cells contributed to the endothelium-dependent vascular dilatation in response to adenosine and epinephrine. / In conclusion, cyclic nucleotides playa vital role in the regulation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration in vascular cells and Jurket T cells. / In Jurkat T cells, cyclic nucleotides regulated Ca2+ mobilization in a different way. Fluorescence-imaging studies showed that cGMP inhibited store-operated Ca2+ influx and histamine-induced Ca 2+ rise in Jurkat T cells through activation of PKG. / Thromboxane A2 (TxA2)-induced smooth muscle contraction has been implicated in cardiovascular, renal and respiratory diseases. This contraction can partly be attributed to TxA2-induced Ca2+ influx, which activates the Ca2+-calmodulin-MLCK pathway. This study aims to identify the channels that mediate TxA2-induced Ca2+ influx in vascular smooth muscle cells. Application of U-46619, a thromboxane A2 mimic, resulted in a constriction in endothelium-denuded small mesenteric artery segments. The constriction relied on the presence of extracellular Ca2+, because removal of extracellular Ca2+ abolished the constriction. This constriction was partially inhibited by a L-type Ca2+ channel inhibitor nifedipine (0.5-1 muM). The remaining component was inhibited by L-cis-diltiazem, a selective inhibitor for CNG channels, in a dose-dependent manner, Another CNG channel blocker LY83583 [6-(phenylamino)-5,8-quinolinedione] had similar effect. In primary cultured smooth muscle cells derived from rat aorta, application of U46619 (100 nM) induced a rise in cytosolic Ca2+, which was inhibited by L-cis-diltiazem. Immunoblot experiments confirmed the presence Of CNGA2 protein in vascular smooth muscle cells, These data suggest a functional role of CNG channels in U-46619-induced Ca 2+ influx and contraction of smooth muscle cells. / Leung, Yuk Ki. / "August 2010." / Adviser: Yao Xiaoxiang. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-04, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 116-132). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

O dimorfismo sexual relacionado à hipertensão arterial surge na adolescência e persiste por toda vida adulta. Homens apresentam maior incidência de doenças cardiovasculares quando comparados a mulheres de mesma faixa etária. O mesmo perfil é observado em modelos animais de hipertensão, nos quais machos apresentam maiores níveis pressóricos quando comparados a fêmeas. Dessa forma, a testosterona é frequentemente relacionada à hipertensão arterial. Entretanto, os mecanismos pelos quais a testosterona exerce efeitos vasculares ainda não estão esclarecidos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar os efeitos da testosterona sobre a geração de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs), importantes mediadores do processo hipertensivo, em células da musculatura lisa vascular (CMLV) de ratos normotensos e espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR). Os receptores para andrógenos, as fontes de EROs (papel da NADPH oxidase), bem como os efeitos funcionais celulares (migração celular) relacionados aos efeitos da testosterona também foram analisados. Para tanto, CMLV do leito mesentérico de ratos Wistar (W), Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) e SHR foram isoladas, cultivadas e estimuladas com testosterona 10-7mol/L em diferentes tempos, de acordo com cada protocolo. Sempre que necessário, as células foram pré-incubadas por 30 minutos com inibidores específicos para o estudo dos mecanismos envolvidos, tais como: flutamida (inibidor do receptor clássico para andrógenos), apocinina (inibidor da NADPH oxidase), PP2 (inibidor da c-Src), actinomicina D (inibidor da transcrição gênica) e cicloheximida (inibidor da síntese protéica). Nossos resultados indicam que a testosterona induz a geração de EROs por mecanismos dependentes do tempo e da linhagem de ratos, de modo que células isoladas de animais SHR são mais sensíveis a testosterona. Esta geração ocorre por dois mecanismos principais: um mediado pelo receptor clássico para andrógenos (AR) e outro mediado pelo receptor de membrana para andrógenos (ARm), resultando em efeitos genômicos e não-genômicos, respectivamente. Enquanto os efeitos genômicos são comuns, isto é, são observados em células de animais normotensos e hipertensos, os efeitos não-genômicos são específicos, e ocorrem exclusivamente em células de animais hipertensos. A geração genômica de EROs, mediada pelo AR, depende da modulação da expressão de subunidades da NADPH oxidase. Por outro lado, a geração não-genômica, é mediada pelo ARm, independe de síntese protéica, e ocorre devido à ativação de vias de sinalização específicas, reguladoras do complexo enzimático NADPH oxidase. As EROs formadas a partir do estímulo com a testosterona tanto por mecanismos genômicos ou não-genômicos levam a migração celular por mecanismos mediados pelo RA. Nossos resultados sugerem que a testosterona tem papel importante na função de células da musculatura lisa vascular, o que pode contribuir para algumas alterações vasculares características do processo hipertensivo. Portanto, nosso trabalho é o primeiro a demonstrar que a testosterona regula vias de sinalização redox em CMLV levando a efeitos funcionais importantes, relacionados ao remodelamento vascular, os quais podem contribuir para o desenvolvimento e manutenção da hipertensão arterial. / Sexual dimorphism related to hypertension begins at childhood and persists through adulthood. The incidence of cardiovascular diseases is higher in men when compared to age-matched women. Although testosterone has been associated to the sexual dimorphism in hypertension, the mechanisms whereby testosterone acts in the vasculature remain unclear. The main objective of this study was to determine whether testosterone induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, key players on hypertension, in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) isolated from normotensive and hypertensive rats. The signaling pathways and the androgen receptors activated by testosterone, the role of NADPH oxidase in ROS generation and the cellular outcomes (cell migration) were also determined. Accordingly, VSMC isolated from the mesenteric bed of Wistar (W), Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats were stimulated with testosterone 10-7mol/L for different periods of time, according to each protocol. Whenever appropriate, cells were pre-incubated with specific inhibitors, such as flutamide 10-5mol/L (nuclear androgen receptor antagonist), apocynin 3x10-5mol/L (NADPH oxidase inhibitor), PP2 10-5mol/L (c-Src inhibitor), actinomycin D 10-5mol/L (inhibitor of gene transcription), and cycloheximide 10-5mol/L (protein synthesis inhibitor). Our findings demonstrate that testosterone induces ROS formation in a time and strain-dependent manner. Augmentation of ROS formation is higher in SHR-VSCMC, indicating an increased sensitivity of SHR-VSMC to testosterone stimuli. Testosterone-induced ROS production occurs by two main mechanisms: the first mediated through the classical androgen receptor (AR) and the second mediated through membrane-associated androgen receptor (ARm), leading to genomic and non-genomic effects, respectively. Whereas the genomic effects occur in VSMC from both strains, non-genomic effects are only observed in SHR-VSMC. The genomic ROS production is mediated through AR and depends on modulation of NADPH oxidase subunits. On the other hand, non-genomic ROS formation is mediated through RAm, does not rely on protein synthesis and occurs via specific signaling pathways that regulate NADPH oxidase. Genomic and non-genomic ROS production by testosterone leads to a common final effect: VSMC migration, indicating that testosterone plays a key role in VSMC function. These results indicate that testosterone signals through redox-sensitive pathways, important in c-Src-mediated migration of VSMCs in SHR. Such processes may contribute to vascular remodeling in hypertension.

Mutations in the gene encoding the bone morphogenetic protein type 2 receptor (BMPR2) are the most common genetic cause of heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, given the reduced penetrance of BMPR2 mutations in affected families, a major outstanding question is the identity of additional factors or pathways that are responsible for the manifestation of clinical disease. Furthermore, limited human tissue is available for study and usually only from patients with end-stage disease, making it difficult to understand how PAH is established and progresses. Alternative human models of PAH are therefore required. This thesis describes the characterisation of the first human iPSC-derived smooth muscle cell (iPSC-SMC) model of PAH and elucidates the role of BMPR2 deficiency in establishing PAH-associated phenotypes in iPSC-derived SMCs. To achieve this, I used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to generate wild-type and BMPR2+/- iPSC lines with isogenic backgrounds which were subsequently differentiated into lineage-specific iPSC-SMCs that displayed a gene expression profile and responses to BMP signalling akin to those present in distal pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Using these cells, I found that the introduction of a single BMPR2 mutation in iPSC-SMCs was sufficient to recapitulate the pro-proliferative and anti-apoptotic phenotype of patient-derived BMPR2+/- PASMCs. However, acquisition of the mitochondrial hyperpolarisation phenotype was enhanced by inflammatory signalling and required an interaction between BMPR2 mutations and environmental stimuli provided by exposure to serum over time. Furthermore, I showed that BMPR2+/- iPSC-SMCs had an altered differentiation state and were less contractile compared to wild-type iPSC-SMCs, phenotypes which have not been observed previously in PAH-derived PASMCs. Finally, RNA sequencing analysis identified genes that were differentially expressed between wild-type and BMPR2+/- iPSC-SMCs and may hence provide further insights into PAH pathobiology. The iPSC-SMC model described in this study will be useful for identifying additional factors involved in disease penetrance and for validating therapeutic approaches that target BMPR2.

Han, Jianguo. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 66-76). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Declaration --- p.i / Acknowledgement --- p.□ / Publication --- p.□ / Abstract (English) --- p.□xi / Abstract (Chinese) --- p.□ / Abbreviations --- p.ix / List of figures / tables --- p.x / Chapter Chapter 1. --- General Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Role of vascular smooth muscle cells in the control of coronary circulation --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Potassium channels in the coronary smooth muscle cells --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.1.1 --- Voltage -dependent potassium (Kv) channels --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.1.2 --- Inward rectifier K+ (Kir) channels --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.1.3 --- ATP-sensitive potassium (Katp) channels --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- BKCa channels in the regulation of vascular function --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.2.1 --- The structure of BKCa channels --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.2.2 --- Role of BKCa channels in the regulation of vascular function --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2 --- Functional alteration of the coronary SMCs during cardiac surgery --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Effect of ischemia on the function of SMCs in the coronary circulation --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Effect of cardioplegic/organ preservation solutions on the function of SMCs in the coronary circulation --- p.11 / Chapter Chapter 2. --- Materials and Methods --- p.14 / Chapter 2.1 --- Isometric force study in small coronary arteries --- p.14 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Preparation of porcine small coronary arteries --- p.14 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Experiment procedure --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1.2.1 --- Mounting of small coronary arteries --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1.2.2 --- Normalization procedure for small coronary arteries --- p.16 / Chapter 2.1.2.3 --- Precontraction and relaxation --- p.17 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Data acquisition and analysis --- p.17 / Chapter 2.2 --- Patch-clamp electrophysiology --- p.18 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Preparation of porcine coronary arteries --- p.18 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Enzymatic dissociation of coronary arterial SMCs --- p.18 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Primary cell culture --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Recording of BKca channel currents --- p.19 / Chapter 2.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4 --- Chemicals --- p.21 / Chapter Chapter 3. --- The Effect of Ischemia on BKCa channels in the Isolated SMCs of Coronary Arteries --- p.22 / Chapter 3.1 --- Abstract --- p.22 / Chapter 3.2 --- Introduction --- p.23 / Chapter 3.3 --- Experimental design and analysis --- p.25 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Isometric force study in small coronary arteries --- p.25 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Effect of ischemia on NS1619-induced relaxation in small coronary arteries --- p.26 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Effect of ischemia on smooth muscle BKca channel currents --- p.27 / Chapter 3.3.3.1 --- Preparation of porcine coronary artery --- p.27 / Chapter 3.3.3.2 --- Enzymatic dissociation of coronary arterial SMCs --- p.27 / Chapter 3.3.3.3 --- Recording of BKCa channel currents --- p.27 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Data acquisition and analysis --- p.28 / Chapter 3.4 --- Results --- p.28 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Electrophysiological studies --- p.28 / Chapter 3.4.1.1 --- Effect of IBTX on the whole cell outward currents --- p.29 / Chapter 3.4.1.2 --- Effect of ischemia on the IBTX-sensitive BKca currents --- p.30 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Relaxation studies --- p.30 / Chapter 3.4.2.1 --- Resting force --- p.30 / Chapter 3.4.2.2 --- U46619-induced contraction force --- p.31 / Chapter 3.4.2.3 --- Effect of IBTX on the NS1619-induced relaxation --- p.31 / Chapter 3.4.2.4 --- Effect of ischemia on the NS1619-induced relaxation --- p.31 / Chapter 3.5 --- Discussion --- p.32 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Functional changes of the coronary smooth muscle BKca channels after ischemic exposure --- p.33 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Role of BKca channels in SMCs during ischemia --- p.33 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Clinical implications --- p.35 / Chapter Chapter 4. --- The Effect of Hyperkalemia on BKCa channels in the Isolated SMCs of Coronary Arteries --- p.41 / Chapter 4.1 --- Abstract --- p.41 / Chapter 4.2 --- Introduction --- p.42 / Chapter 4.3 --- Experimental design and analysis --- p.44 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Isometric force study in small coronary arteries --- p.44 / Chapter 4.3.1.1 --- Effect of hyperkalemia on NS1619-mediated relaxation in small coronary arteries --- p.44 / Chapter 4.3.2. --- Effect of hyperkalemia on BKCa currents of SMCs --- p.45 / Chapter 4.3.2.1 --- Preparation of porcine coronary arteries --- p.45 / Chapter 4.3.2.2 --- Enzymatic dissociation of coronary arterial SMCs --- p.45 / Chapter 4.3.2.3 --- Recording of BKca channel currents --- p.46 / Chapter 4.3.3. --- Data acquisition and analysis --- p.46 / Chapter 4.4 --- Results --- p.47 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Effect of hyperkalemia on the iberiotoxin-sensitive BKCa channel currents --- p.47 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Relaxation studies --- p.48 / Chapter 4.4.2.1 --- Resting force --- p.48 / Chapter 4.4.2.2 --- U46619- and high K+-induced contraction force --- p.48 / Chapter 4.4.2.3 --- Effect of high K+ on the NS1619-induced relaxation --- p.48 / Chapter 4.4.2.4 --- Effect of IBTX on the NS1619-induced relaxation --- p.49 / Chapter 4.5 --- Discussion --- p.49 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Role of BKCa channels in the isolated SMCs in hyperkalemic solution --- p.50 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- Functional changes of BKCa channels in coronary SMCs in hyperkalemia exposure --- p.51 / Chapter 4.5.3 --- Clinical implications --- p.52 / Chapter Chapter 5. --- General Discussion --- p.58 / Chapter 5.1 --- BKCa channels in porcine coronary SMCs --- p.59 / Chapter 5.2 --- Alteration of BKCa function related to ischemia in porcine coronary SMCs --- p.60 / Chapter 5.3 --- Alteration of BKCa function related to hyperkalemia in porcine coronary SMCs --- p.61 / Chapter 5.4 --- Limitation of the study --- p.62 / Chapter 5.5 --- Future investigations --- p.63 / Chapter 5.6 --- Conclusions --- p.63 / References --- p.66

Atherosclerosis, characterized by the build-up of cholesterol, immune cells and cellular debris within arterial walls, is accelerated following myocardial infarction by poorly understood mechanisms. Ubiquitin, a small, well-studied intracellular protein involved in protein turnover via the proteasome pathway, has recently been shown to exert extracellular effects on cardiac myocytes, in vitro, and in mice undergoing myocardial remodeling. This study investigates the potential role of extracellular ubiquitin in atherosclerosis by determining its effects on two critical atherosclerotic processes: the migration of vascular smooth muscles cells and the uptake of modified LDL by monocyte/macrophages in foam cell formation. In the presence of ubiquitin, smooth muscle cell migration was accelerated and foam cell formation was enhanced, suggesting that ubiquitin has an active role in atherosclerosis.

La trans-différenciation des cellules musculaires lisses vasculaires (CMLV) vers un phénotype migratoire, prolifératif et sécrétoire joue un rôle clé dans la progression des lésions athéromateuses et l’hyperplasie intimale qui sous-tend la resténose post-angioplastie. Nos travaux suggèrent que la transition phénotypique des CMLV implique, chez le rat, la souris et l’Homme, l’expression de novo de l’Adénylyl Cyclase 8 (AC8), une enzyme catalysant la synthèse de l’AMP cyclique (AMPc) (Clément et al., 2006; Gueguen et al., 2010; Keuylian et al., 2012; résultats non publiés). Ce travail de thèse avait pour objectif d’appréhender le rôle de l’AC8 dans la trans-différenciation des CMLV en évaluant son impact sur la signalisation AMPc. L’étude des dynamiques de production du second messager avec le biosenseur T-Epac-VV montre que l’AC8 inhibe les hausses d’AMPc dans les CMLV trans-différenciées à l’Interleukine-1β. Cette fonction non canonique est assurée par de nouvelles isoformes d’AC8 que nous avons identifiées et clonées, les AC8E1 à 4, qui partagent une délétion des cinq premiers domaines transmembranaires. Des dosages de l’accumulation d’AMPc couplés à des expériences de co-immunoprécipitation et d’immunocytochimie révèlent que les AC8E exprimées de façon hétérologue dans des cellules HEK s’hétéro-dimérisent avec les AC en transit dans le réticulum, suppriment leur activité enzymatique et préviennent leur adressage à la membrane plasmique. L’induction des AC8E dans les CMLV trans-différenciées pourrait prévenir les effets vasculoprotecteurs de l’AMPc (Douglas et al., 2005; Katakami et al., 2010), favorisant ainsi l’acquisition et/ou le maintien du phénotype synthétique. / The phenotypic switch of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) towards a migratory, proliferative and secretory state plays a key role in atherosclerotic plaque expansion and intimal hyperplasia leading to post-angioplasty restenosis. Our previous results suggest that the trans-differentiation of rat, mouse and human VSMC involves the de novo expression of the Adenylyl Cyclase 8 (AC8), an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of cyclic AMP (cAMP) (Clement et al., 2006; Gueguen et al., 2010; Keuylian et al., 2012; unpublished results). The main goal of my PhD was to decipher the impact of AC8 expression on cAMP signaling in trans-differentiated VSMC. Using the FRET-based biosensor T-Epac-VV, we showed that the de novo expression of AC8 limits increases in cellular cAMP. This non-canonical function relies on a new family of AC8 isoforms that we have identified and cloned: the AC8E1 to 4. They share a common deletion of the first five transmembrane domains. The biochemical characterization of AC8E over-expressed in HEK cells allowed us to elucidate their functioning. cAMP accumulation assays, co-immunoprecipitation experiments and immunocytochemistry revealed that AC8E hetero-dimerize with functional AC during their maturation in the reticulum, suppress their enzymatic activity and prevent their traffic to the plasma membrane. Numerous studies have shown that increases in cAMP concentration within trans-differentiated VSMC antagonize pathological vascular remodeling (Douglas et al., 2005; Katakami et al., 2010). Thus, the induction of AC8E in trans-differentiated VSMC could prevent the vasculoprotective effects of cAMP and promote the acquisition of a synthetic phenotype.

Células de músculo liso vascular são capazes de perceber estímulos mecânicos do sistema cardiovascular, coordenando pressão sanguínea e perfusão tecidual por meio da modulação do tônus e do diâmetro vascular via resposta contrátil. O gatilho inicial à contração é um aumento na concentração intracelular de cálcio e diversas vias de sinalização têm sido descritas na sustentação deste sinal inicial. Evidências atuais indicam que adesões focais desempenham papel crucial na contração através da organização do citoesqueleto de actina e engajamento com o aparato contrátil. Nosso grupo demonstrou que a proteína rica em cisteína e glicina 3 (CRP3) interage com a quinase de adesão focal (FAK) em resposta a um aumento do estiramento mecânico e existem evidências de que CRP3 modula a dinâmica do citoesqueleto de actina. Neste trabalho testamos a hipótese de que a proteína CRP3 atua como uma proteína de adesão focal que regula a contração de células musculares lisas aórticas. Por meio de ensaios de imunoprecipitação e colocalização, verificou-se a presença de CRP3 nas adesões focais de células selvagens. Evidenciou-se que a ausência de CRP3 está associada a aumento no tamanho médio de adesões focais em células musculares lisas aórticas de forma independente do substrato. Entretanto, em resposta à angiotensina II, células nocaute para CRP3 apresentam incapacidade de maturação das adesões focais, um evento que está associado ao reduzido conteúdo proteico de FAK, paxilina e MLC2 (plataformas moleculares envolvidas na maturação de adesões focais) observada em células nocaute. Consistente com o maior tamanho médio das adesões focais, células nocaute são mais rígidas e, portanto, menos elásticas que células selvagens, sendo que a rigidez avaliada por citometria magnético-óptica de oscilação se reflete na reduzida capacidade contrátil, seja em condições basais, em resposta à angiotensina II ou ao inibidor de ROCK, como evidenciado no ensaio de contração em gel de colágeno. Em síntese, os dados deste trabalho mostram que CRP3 está presente nas adesões focais, regulando tamanho e sinalização, com reflexos na rigidez (viscoelasticidade) e capacidade contrátil, variáveis fundamentais ao correto funcionamento de células musculares lisas aórticas. Em conjunto, as evidências deste trabalho suportam a hipótese de que CRP3 é um modulador de contratilidade e mecanotransdução em células musculares lisas aórticas / Smooth muscle cells act also as mecanosensors of the cardiovascular system, coordinating blood pressure and tissue perfusion by means of vascular tone and diameter modulation via the contractile response. The trigger for contraction is a rise in the intracellular calcium concentration and several signaling pathways have been described to sustain the initial calcium signal. Recent evidences highlight the crucial role of focal adhesions to the contractile response, given its role in actin cytoskeleton assembly and engagement with the actomyosin contractile apparatus. We have demonstrated that the cysteine and glycine-rich protein-3 (CRP3) interacts with focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in response to increased hemodynamic stress. Additionally, it has also been shown that CRP3 modulates actin cytoskeleton dynamics. Here, we tested the hypothesis that CRP3 acts as a focal adhesion protein that regulates the contraction of aortic smooth muscle cells. Through colocalization and immunoprecipitation studies we found that CRP3 is a focal adhesion protein in aortic smooth muscle cells. Focal adhesion mean size evaluation showed that in the baseline, CRP3 KO smooth muscle cells display greater focal adhesion size. However, upon angiotensin II (a contraction-triggering molecule) stimulation, CRP3 KO cells fail to maturate focal adhesions, an event that might be related to the reduced protein levels of FAK, paxillin, and MLC2 (key signaling molecules involved in focal adhesion maturation) observed in KO cells. Consistent with the greater mean focal adhesion size, CRP3 KO cells exhibited increased stiffness and therefore, reduced viscoelasticity when compared to wild type cells. The reduced viscoelasticity of KO cells seems to influence cell contractility, as CRP3 KO cells also displayed reduced contractile response in the baseline and in response to angiotensin II. In summary, these data showed that CRP3 is present at focal adhesions, regulating their size and signaling. Thus, CRP3 at focal adhesions influences cell stiffness and contractile capacity, which are key features of smooth muscle cell physiology. Altogether, our findings support the idea that CRP3 is a key modifier of contractility and mechanotransduction in aortic smooth muscle cells

Chez les patients souffrant d'insuffisance rénale chronique, les calcifications vasculaires représentent la première cause de mortalité. Elles résultent de la trans-différenciation des cellules musculaires lisses (CMLs) en cellules de type ostéoblastique et/ou chondrocytaire, en réponse à des cytokines inflammatoires ou à une hyperphosphatémie. Les CMLs forment alors des cristaux par l'activité de la phosphatase alcaline non-spécifique du tissu (TNAP). A la lumière de résultats récents, nous avons émis l'hypothèse que la TNAP module la trans différenciation des CMLs. Nos objectifs étaient donc de déterminer l'effet de la TNAP dans la trans-différenciation des CMLs, et d'étudier les mécanismes impliqués dans son induction, avec un intérêt particulier pour les microRNAs. Nous avons observé que l'ajout de phosphatase alcaline purifiée ou la surexpression de TNAP stimule l'expression de marqueurs chondrocytaires en culture de CMLs et de cellules souches mésenchymateuses. De plus, l'inhibition de la TNAP bloque la maturation de chondrocytes primaires. Nous excluons un rôle des cristaux formés par la TNAP, puisque l'ajout de cristaux seuls ou associés à une matrice collagénique n'a pas reproduit les effets de la TNAP. Nous suspectons que la TNAP agit en hydrolysant le pyrophosphate inorganique (PPi). En effet, c'est la TNAP qui hydrolyse le PPi en culture de CMLs et de chondrocytes, et le PPi mime les effets de l'inhibition de TNAP en culture de chondrocytes. Enfin, nous rapportons le profil de microRNA des artères cultivées en conditions hyperphosphatémiques. Ces résultats pourraient être particulièrement importants dans le développement de nouvelles approches thérapeutiques / In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), vascular calcification represents the main cause of mortality. Vascular calcification results from the trans-differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) into cells similar to osteoblasts and/or chondrocytes, in response to inflammatory cytokines or hyperphosphatemia. Calcifying VSMCs form calcium phosphate crystals through the activity of tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP). In light of recent findings, we hypothesized that TNAP also modulates VSMC trans-differentiation. Our objectives were therefore to determine the effect of TNAP activity on VSMC trans-differentiation, and secondly to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in TNAP expression in aortas, with a particular interest in microRNAs. We first observed that addition of purified alkaline phosphatase or TNAP over-expression stimulates the expression of chondrocyte markers in culture of the mouse and rat VSMC lines, and of mesenchymal stem cells. Moreover, TNAP inhibition blocks the maturation of mouse primary chondrocytes and reduces mineralization. We exclude a role for crystals in TNAP effects, since addition of crystals alone or associated to a collagenous matrix fails to mimic TNAP effects. We rather suspect that TNAP acts through the hydrolysis of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi). Indeed, PPi is hydrolyzed by TNAP in VSMCs and chondrocytes and addition of PPi mimics the effects of TNAP inhibition on chondrocyte maturation. Finally, we report microRNA signature of aortic explants treated under hyperphosphatemic conditions that induce vascular calcification. These results could be of particular importance in patients with CKD