O sistema NADPH oxidase humano é responsável pela geração de reativos intermediários do oxigênio e defeitos neste sistema resultam na Doença Granulomatosa Crônica (DGC). Nesta tese de doutorado, investigamos o efeito do IFN-g sobre eventos pós-transcricionais em pacientes com DGC ligada ao X, ocasionada por defeitos de splicing. Os dados obtidos sugerem que o uso do IFN-g in vitro interfere no processamento da mensagem causando aumento da expressão de transcritos do gene CYBB e NCF1 em células B-EBV de indivíduos sadios e pacientes DGC analisados. Observamos também que o IFN-g dimunui a expressão dos genes THOC4 NONO, SF3A1, SRRM1 e UPF3A e promove aumento de expressão de SRSF10, SNRPA1 e C2 em células B-EBV de paciente X-DGC secundária a defeitos de splicing. Identificamos que o IFN-g e o TNF-α aumentam a expressão das proteínas envolvidas no processo do splicing. Concluímos que o IFN-g aumenta a expressão de genes importantes para uma resposta eficiente do sistema imunológico, incluindo os do sistema NADPH oxidase, além de promover aumento da expressão de genes e de proteínas relacionados ao processo de splicing, que podem estar relacionados aos efeitos benéficos observados no uso do IFN-g em pacientes com DGC ligada ao X, ocasionada por defeitos de splicing. / The human phagocyte NADPH oxidase is responsible for the generation of reactive oxygen intermediates and defects in this system result in Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD). In this PhD Thesis, we investigated the effect of IFN-g on post-transcriptional events in normal individuals and patients with X-linked CGD, caused by splicing defects. The obtained data suggests that the use of IFN-g in vitro interferes in the message processing causing an increase of expression of CYBB and NCF1 gene transcripts in B-EBV cells of healthy individuals and analyzed CGD patients. We also observed that IFN-g decreases the expression of THOC4, NONO, SF3A1, SRRM1 and UPF3A, and increases the expression of SRSF10, SNRPA1 and C2 genes in cells from X-CGD patients, due to splicing defects. We identified that IFN-g and TNF-α induce expression of proteins involved in the splicing process. We conclude that IFN-g increases the expression of important genes for an effective immune response, including the NADPH oxidase system genes, and promotes augment of gene and protein expression related to the splicing process, which may be related to the beneficial effects related to the use of IFN-g in CGD patient caused by splicing defects.

Les sphingolipides sont une famille de lipides membranaires dotés d'un rôle structural, influant sur les propriétés de la bicouche lipidique, mais ils agissent aussi comme des molécules effectrices au rôle essentiel dans de nombreux aspects de la biologie cellulaire. Les sphingolipides céramide, sphingosine et S1P ont des effets opposés: le céramide et la sphingosine inhibent la prolifération et promeuvent la réponse apoptotique à différents stimulus de stress, la S1P est un stimulateur de la prolifération et de la survie cellulaires. Le céramide peut être produit par la voie de synthèse de novo, et l'hydrolyse de la sphingomyéline membranaire catalysée par les sphingomyélinases. Ces deux voies peuvent être activées par la cytokine pro-inflammatoire TNFa, capable d’induire une perte musculaire et jouant un rôle crucial dans le développement de la cachexie. Nous avons fait l'hypothèse que le céramide, ou un de ses métabolites, peuvent être des médiateurs de la perte musculaire tumeur-induite. Nous avons examiné le rôle du céramide dans l'atrophie induite in vitro par le TNFa chez les myotubes, en utilisant des analogues de céramide et des inhibiteurs du métabolisme sphingolipidique. L'apport de céramides exogènes est capable de reproduire l'effet atrophique du TNFa, ce qui suggère que le céramide peut participer à l'atrophie musculaire. Pour vérifier si les céramides sont les médiateurs de l'atrophie induite par le TNFa, nous avons analysé l'effet d'inhibiteurs ciblant différentes étapes du métabolisme: l'inhibition de la voie de synthèse de novo est incapable de rétablir la taille des myotubes en présence de TNFa, alors que les inhibiteurs de sphingomyélinase neutre suppriment l'atrophie TNFa-induite. L’accumulation de céramide et de sphingosine augmente l’effet pro-atrophique, tandis que la S1P a un effet protecteur. Ces observations montrent que, dans les myotubes, le céramide, ou un métabolite produits par la voie de la sphingomyélinase neutre en réponse à une stimulation par le TNFa, participent à l'atrophie des cellules. Pour évaluer le rôle in vivo des sphingolipides, nous avons traité la souris BalbC porteuse d’un carcinome C26 avec myriocine, inhibiteur de la synthèse de novo, capable d'induire une déplétion du muscle en sphingolipides, Ce traitement protège partiellement les souris contre la perte de poids corporel et de poids des muscles induite par la tumeur, sans affecter la taille de celle-ci. De plus, la myriocine réverse significativement la perte de taille des fibres musculaires et réduit l'expression des atrogenes, ce qui montre qu'elle protège le muscle contre l'atrophie. Ces résultats suggèrent fortement que le céramide, ou un métabolite sphingolipidique en aval, est impliqué dans l'atrophie musculaire tumeur-induite. La voie des sphingolipides apparaît donc comme une nouvelle cible potentielle d'interventions pharmacologiques visant à protéger le tissu musculaire contre l'atrophie. / The sphingolipids are a family of membrane lipids with only a structural role, influencing lipid bilayer properties, but they also act as effector molecules with essential roles in many aspects of cell biology. The sphingolipids ceramide, sphingosine and S1P have shown opposite effects: whereas ceramide and sphingosine usually inhibit proliferation and promote apoptotic responses to different stress stimuli, S1P is known to stimulate cell growth, and promote cell survival. Ceramide can be produced through the de novo synthesis pathway, and by membrane sphingomyelin hydrolysis catalyzed by sphingomyelinases. Both pathways can be activated by the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFa. Because this cytokine has been shown to promote muscle loss and seems to be crucial in the development of cachexia, we hypothesized that the formation of ceramide, or a metabolite, can be involved in tumor-induced muscle wasting. We investigated the role of ceramide in the in vitro atrophic effects of TNFa on differentiated C2C12 myotubes, by using cell permeant ceramides and inhibitors of sphingolipid metabolism. We observed that TNFa atrophic effects, as evaluated by the reduction in myotube area, are mimicked by exogenous ceramides, supporting the idea that ceramide can participate in muscle atrophy. To verify if ceramide is a mediator of TNFa-induced atrophy, and to identify the metabolites potentially involved, we analyzed the effects of drugs able to block sphingolipid metabolism at different steps: the inhibition of de novo synthesis pathway was unable to restore myotube size in the presence of TNFa whereas the inhibitors of neutral sphingomyelinases reversed TNFa-induced atrophy. Moreover, an accumulation of ceramide and sphingosine induced pro-atrophic effects, whereas sphingosine-1-phosphate had a protective effect. These observations establish that in C2C12 myotubes, ceramide or other downstream metabolites such as sphingosine, produced by the neutral sphingomyelinase pathway in response to TNFa stimulation, participate in cell atrophy. To evaluate the in vivo role of sphingolipids, we treated BalbC mice carrying C26 adenocarcinoma woth Myriocin, an inhibitor of the de novo pathway of ceramide synthesis, that is able to deplete muscle tissue in all sphingolipids, was administered daily to the animals. This treatment partially protected animals against tumor-induced loss of body weight and muscle weight, without affecting the size of tumors. Moreover, myriocin treatment significantly reversed the decrease in myofiber size associated with tumor development, and reduced the expression of atrogenes Foxo3 and Atrogin-1, showing that it was able to protect against muscle atrophy. These results strongly suggest that ceramide, or a downstream sphingolipid metabolite, is involved in tumor-induced muscle atrophy. The sphingolipid pathway thus appears as a new potential target of pharmacological interventions aiming at protecting muscle tissue against atrophy.

Le muscle squelettique fait preuve d'une remarquable plasticité en réponse aux changements physiologiques, comme l’activité physique, et aux situations pathologiques. Il subit notamment une atrophie sévère lors de la cachexie qui accompagne diverses pathologies chroniques comme le cancer, le SIDA, etc. L’atrophie musculaire est aussi une composante de la sarcopénie qui survient lors du vieillissement normal, et se caractérise par un déclin de la force et de la masse musculaire. L'atrophie musculaire, qui entraîne une augmentation de la mortalité et diminue l’efficacité des traitements, constitue donc un problème de santé majeur.La fonte musculaire se caractérise par une altération de l’équilibre entre synthèse et dégradation protéiques dans les fibres adultes. Des taux particulièrement élevés de cytokines circulantes, dont le TNFα, qui affectent l’homéostasie du muscle via différentes voies de signalisation, semblent être à l’origine de l'atrophie. Les mécanismes de la réponse atrophique musculaire à ces taux circulants élevés sont cependant mal définis. Le TNFα a des effets complexes. Il peut activer de multiples voies de signalisation, parmi lesquelles l'induction de la synthèse de sphingolipides, et plus particulièrement de céramides, par la voie de novo et par l'activation des sphingomyélinases. Au niveau musculaire, les céramides sont connus pour leurs effets sur la signalisation de l'insuline, sur l'apoptose et sur la différenciation myogénique. Par contre, leur implication dans le cadre de l'atrophie n'avait jamais été prise en compte. L’objectif de ce travail a été dans un premier temps de démontrer le rôle des céramides dans l’atrophie. Dans un deuxième temps, nous avons caractérisé la voie de signalisation par laquelle l’augmentation intramusculaire de céramide induite par le TNFα aboutit à une chute de la synthèse protéique, couplée à une augmentation de la protéolyse. Dans ce but, nous avons mis au point des modèles in vitro d'atrophie, impliquant des myotubes traités par des concentrations physiologiques de TNF. Nous avons en parallèle étudié un modèle in vivo de cachexie induite chez la souris par l'implantation d’un adénocarcinome C26. L’analyse des sphingolipides nous a permis de montrer l’augmentation des taux de céramides concomitante à l’atrophie générée in vitro et in vivo. Le rôle des céramides dans l’atrophie a été démontré par l’effet protecteur des inhibiteurs de leur synthèse, dans les modèles in vitro et in vivo. Nous montrons de plus dans un modèle in vitro que les effets atrophiques des céramides sont dus à l’inhibition de la voie de signalisation Phospholipase D/mTOR/Akt. Nos résultats nous ont permis de prouver le rôle des sphingolipides dans le contrôle de l’homéostasie protéique du muscle. La modulation du métabolisme des sphingolipides apparaît donc comme une nouvelle cible thérapeutique prometteuse dans le traitement de la perte musculaire associée à diverses pathologies. / Skeletal muscle demonstrated a remarkable plasticity in response to physiological changes, such as physical activity, and pathological situations. He suffered such severe atrophy during cachexia that accompanies various pathologies such as cancer, AIDS, etc.. Muscle atrophy is also a component of sarcopenia that occurs during normal aging, and is characterized by a decline in strength and muscle mass. Muscle atrophy, which leads to increased mortality and decreased treatment efficacy, thus constitutes a health problem majeur.La muscle wasting is characterized by an impaired balance between protein synthesis and degradation in adult fibers. Particularly high levels of circulating cytokines, including TNF, which affect muscle homeostasis via different signaling pathways appear to be the cause of atrophy. Mechanisms of muscle atrophy response to these elevated circulating levels are however unclear. TNFa has complex effects. It may activate multiple signaling pathways, including the induction of the synthesis of sphingolipids, especially ceramides, for the de novo pathway and the activation of sphingomyelinases. In muscle, ceramides are known for their effects on insulin signaling on apoptosis and myogenic differentiation. By cons, their involvement in the context of atrophy was never taken into account. The objective of this work was firstly to demonstrate the role of ceramides in atrophy. In a second step, we characterized the signaling pathway by which increased intramuscular ceramide induced by TNF leads to a fall in protein synthesis, coupled with an increase in proteolysis. For this purpose, we have developed in vitro models of atrophy involving myotubes treated with physiological concentrations of TNF . We studied in parallel an in vivo model of cachexia induced in mice by implantation of adenocarcinoma C26. Analysis of sphingolipids we showed increased levels of ceramide concomitant atrophy generated in vitro and in vivo. The role of ceramide in atrophy has been demonstrated by the protective effect of inhibitors of their synthesis in the in vitro and in vivo. We show further in an in vitro model that atrophic effects of ceramides are due to inhibition of phospholipase D signaling pathway / mTOR / Akt. Our results allowed us to prove the role of sphingolipids in the homeostatic control of muscle protein. Modulation of sphingolipid metabolism appears to be a promising new therapeutic target in the treatment of muscle wasting associated with various pathologies.

A infecção por papilomavírus humano (HPV) é o principal fator de risco para o desenvolvimento de neoplasias intra-epiteliais cervicais, as lesões precursoras do carcinoma da cérvice uterina. O fator de necrose tumoral-α (TNF-α) é um dos principais mediadores da inflamação da pele e das mucosas. Esta citocina é capaz de inibir a proliferação de queratinócitos normais e imortalizados por HPV-16. Por outro lado, queratinócitos imortalizados por HPV-18 ou transformados por HPV 16 ou 18 são resistentes aos efeitos do TNF-α. Entretanto, a base molecular desta diferença ainda é pouco conhecida. No presente estudo observamos o aumento dos níveis do inibidor de quinases p21, diminuição dos níveis de ciclina A e a ativação do fator NF-κB após tratamento com TNF-α, apenas em células sensíveis à citocina. Por outro lado não foi observada alteração dos níveis de p16, p27, p65, ciclinas D1, E e CDKs -4 e -6 em nenhuma das linhagens estudadas. Culturas organotípicas (rafts) de queratinócitos normais apresentaram uma acentuada inibição da proliferação após o tratamento com TNF-α. Isso não foi observado em rafts de queratinócitos infectados com o genoma completo de HPV-18. Entretanto, as culturas organotípicas transduzidas com vetores retrovirais contendo o gene viral E7 apresentaram um fenótipo intermediário, indicando que a proteína E7 desempenha um papel na resistência a esta citocina. / Infection by Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the major etiologic factor in the development of cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia, the precursor of carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is one of the main mediators of skin and mucosa inflamation and has a potent anti-proliferative effect on normal and HPV16 immortalized keratinocytes. On the other hand, HPV-18 immortalized and HPV-16 or -18 transformed keratinocytes are resistant to TNF-α. However the molecular basis of this difference is not well understood. In the present study we observed and increase in the CDK inhibitor p21, reduced levels of cyclin A and activation of NF-κB factor only in cells sensitive to this cytokine. Conversely, no alterations in the p16, p27, p65, cyclins D1, E and CDKs -4 and -6 levels was observed in any of the cell lines analyzed. Proliferation of normal primary human keratinocytes (PHK) raft cultures was markedly inhibited after treatment with TNF-α. This was not observed in cultures transfected with HPV-18 whole genome. Cultures transduced retroviral vectors carrying the E7 viral gene showed an intermediate phenotype suggesting that this protein contribute to TNF-α resistance.

La polyarthrite rhumatoïde (PR) est le rhumatisme inflammatoire chronique le plus fréquent. Cette maladie est caractérisée par une auto-immunité et une synovite hypertrophique, responsables d'une destruction des articulations périphériques. Les macrophages contribuent aux phénomènes inflammatoires de la PR. Ces cellules peuvent présenter différents états d'activation ou " polarisation ", réversibles, dépendant de leur environnement, notamment cytokinique. Les biothérapies (bDMARDs) ont représenté une avancée majeure dans la prise en charge des manifestations inflammatoires des formes sévères de PR. Toutefois, peu d'études ont évalué si ce bénéfice était lié à une action spécifique sur le macrophage. L'objectif de ce travail de transversal était : (i) d'évaluer in vitro l'effet des principales biothérapies de la PR (anti-TNF : etanercept, adalimumab, certolizumab ; anti-IL- 6R : tocilizumab ; CTLA4-Ig : abatacept) sur la différenciation et l'activation de macrophages dérivés de monocytes issus de patients atteints de PR et de sujets sains, (ii) d'identifier des marqueurs de polarisation du macrophage, corrélés à l'activité de la maladie (DAS28). Parmi les bDMARDs évalués, seuls les anti-TNF ont montré une action sur la polarisation des macrophages. En contexte de différenciation avec M-CSF, les bDMARDs anti-TNF ont induit un biais vers une polarisation non inflammatoire dite alternative. En contexte d'activation inflammatoire, les bDMARDs anti-TNF ont induit une préservation sélective des marqueurs de polarisation liés à l'IL-10 (CD16, CD163, MerTK) et une inhibition des marqueurs inflammatoires (CD40, CD80). Nous avons montré que ce changement phénotypique s'accompagnait : (i) d'un changement fonctionnel concordant avec une polarisation induite par l'IL-10, (ii) d'une inhibition de la production des cytokines de l'inflammation (TNF, IL-6, IL-12), (iii) et d'une majoration de la phagocytose. Nous avons montré que ce mécanisme était dû à une production précoce d'IL-10 et dépendant de STAT3. De plus, nous avons pu montrer que le certolizumab, un anti-TNF, induisait une réponse anti-inflammatoire, impliquant le facteur de transcription NRF2 (nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2), un régulateur central dans la réponse au stress oxydatif. Enfin, nous avons observé que l'expression de CD16, à la surface des macrophages non activés, était corrélée négativement à l'activité de la PR. Ces travaux concourent à montrer l'intérêt du ciblage du macrophage dans la PR et nous ont d'identifier de potentielles cibles théranostiques dans le traitement de la PR par anti-TNF. / Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most frequent chronic inflammatory rheumatism. This disease is characterized by an auto-immunity and a hyperplasic synovitis, both responsible for peripheral joints destruction. Macrophages contribute to inflammatory aspects of RA. This cell type can present various states of activation or "polarization", reversible and dependent on its environment, notably cytokines. Biologics (bDMARDs) represented a revolution in severe RA treatment. However, data regarding their specific action on macrophage are scarce. The aim of our translational work was: (i) to assess the in vitro effect of RA bDMARDs (anti-TNF: etanercept, adalimumab, certolizumab; anti-IL-6R: tocilizumab; CTLA4-Ig: abatacept) on the phenotype of monocytes-derived-macrophages from RA patients and healthy volunteers, during differentiation and activation phases, (ii) to identify polarization markers correlated with disease activity (DAS28). Among bDMARDs, only anti-TNF modulated macrophage polarization. During differentiation, anti-TNF bDMARDs induced a bias toward the so-called alternative non-inflammatory polarization. In inflammatory context, anti-TNF bDMARDs induced a selective preservation of markers associated with IL-10 (CD16, CD163, MerTK) and an inhibition of inflammatory markers (CD40, CD80). We showed that these changes in phenotype were associated with changes in functions consistent with: (i) a polarization induced by IL10, (ii) a decrease in inflammatory cytokines production (TNF, IL-6, IL-12), (iii) and an increase in phagocytosis. We showed that this mechanism was dependant on early IL-10 production and STAT3 signaling. Moreover, we have showed that certolizumab, an anti-TNF agent, induced an anti-inflammatory response, implicating the transcription factor NRF2 (nuclear factor erythroid-2- related factor 2), a central regulator of the response to oxidative stress. We observed that CD16 expression on non-activated macrophages was negatively correlated with RA activity. This work contributes to demonstrate the relevance of macrophage targeting in RA, and enabled us to identify theranostic targets for RA treatment with anti-TNF bDMARDs.

Le lymphocyte B (LB) joue un rôle important dans la polyarthrite rhumatoïde (PR), en produisant des auto-anticorps qui ont un rôle pathogène, en activant les lymphocytes T, en sécrétant des cytokines pro-inflammatoires et en permettant la formation de centres germinatifs. Plus récemment, il a été montré que le LB pouvait également produire de l'interleukine (IL) 10, une cytokine anti-inflammatoire qui lui procure des fonctions régulatrices. Ces B régulateurs ont notamment la capacité de différencier les lymphocytes T en T régulateurs. De nombreux traitements sont actuellement disponibles dans la PR, notamment les anti-TNF alpha et les inhibiteurs du récepteur de l'IL-6 (tocilizumab). Dans la première partie de cette thèse, nous avons comparé les LB circulants de patients atteints de PR et de contrôles. Nous avons étudié l'influence de l'activité de la maladie et des traitements sur les LB. Nous avons montré qu'il existait une lymphopénie B globale chez les patients atteints de PR avec une répartition des différents sous-types de LB superposable à celle des contrôles. Les patients ayant une maladie active avaient significativement plus de LB mémoires totaux, pré- et post-switch, CD24hiCD27+ et double négatifs que les patients ayant une maladie peu active. Les traitements anti-TNF et le tocilizumab ne modifiaient pas la répartition des sous-types de LB. Nous avons également montré qu'un taux de plus de 26% de LB mémoires CD27+ avant l'instauration d'un traitement par anti-TNF était associé à la réponse clinique à 3 mois. Les LB mémoires semblent produire plus de TNF que les LB naïfs et par ce biais pourraient induire une réponse Th1. Dans la seconde partie de cette thèse, nous avons tout d'abord cherché à mieux définir les LB régulateurs. Nous avons ensuite étudié leur présence et leur rôle dans la PR. Chez les sujets sains, les LB CD24hiCD27+ et CD24hiCD38hi semblent produire plus d'IL-10 que les autres LB, qui peuvent néanmoins en sécréter. Il semble donc plus adapter de définir les B régulateurs comme B producteurs d'IL-10 ou B10. Les patients atteints de PR avaient significativement moins de B10 que les contrôles en pourcentage et en valeur absolue. Chez les patients ayant un facteur rhumatoïde (FR) positif, il y avait une corrélation inverse entre le pourcentage de B10 et le taux de FR. Il y avait une corrélation inverse entre l'activité de la maladie (DAS28) et le pourcentage de B10, qui était particulièrement marquée pour les PR évoluant depuis moins de 5 ans. Chez ces patients, il y avait également une corrélation inverse entre les B10 et l'inflammation biologique (protéine C réactive). L'instauration d'anti-TNF ou de tocilizumab ne modifiait pas le taux de B10. Les CD24hiCD27+ et CD24hiCD38hi induisaient plus de lymphocytes T régulateurs chez les contrôles que les autres LB (CD24lo/-) alors que ça n'était plus le cas chez les patients atteints de PR, montrant que ces sous-types ont perdu cette fonction régulatrice dans la PR. En conclusion, bien qu'il existe une lymphopénie B, la répartition des sous-types de LB ne semble pas différente entre les patients atteints de PR et les contrôles. Néanmoins, il existe des anomalies fonctionnelles avec notamment une perte de la capacité à produire de l'IL-10 et à induire des T régulateurs chez les patients atteints de PR. / B cells play an important role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), producing autoantibodies which have a pathogenic role, activating T cells, secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines and allowing the formation of germinal centers. More recently, it was shown that the B cells could also produce interleukin (IL)-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine which provides their regulatory functions. Those regulatory B cells have the ability to differentiate T cell into regulatory T cells. Many treatments are currently available in RA, including TNF-alpha inhibitors and IL-6 receptor inhibitor (tocilizumab). In the first part, we compared circulating B cells in RA patients and in controls, and we studied the influence of disease activity and treatment on B cells. We have shown that there is a global B cell lymphopenia in RA patients with a similar B cell subtype distribution as controls. Patients with active disease had significantly more pre- and post-switch, CD24hiCD27+ and double negative memory B cells than patients with low disease activity. Anti -TNF treatment and tocilizumab did not change the distribution of B cell subsets. We also showed than patient with more than 26% of CD27+ memory B cells prior TNF inhibitor initiation was associated with clinical response at 3 months. Memory B cells produced more TNF alpha than naive B cells and can potentially induce a Th1 response. B cell subtypes were not associated with response to tocilizumab. In the second part, we first sought to better define regulatory B cells. We then studied their presence and role in RA. In healthy subjects, CD24hiCD27+ and CD24hiCD38hi B cells seem to produce more IL-10 than the other B cells that can nevertheless rarely produce some. It seemed more acurate to define regulatory B cells as IL-10 producing B cells also called B10 cells. Patients with RA had significantly less B10 cells than controls in percentage and absolute values. In rheumatoid factor (RF) positive patients, there was an inverse correlation between the percentage of B10 and the rate of RF. There was an inverse correlation between disease activity (DAS28) and the percentage of B10, which was particularly significant for patients with a disease duration of less than 5 years. In these patients, there was also an inverse correlation between B10 and biological inflammation (C-Reactive Protein). TNF inhibitors or tocilizumab did not change B10 cell rate. The CD24hiCD27 + and CD24hiCD38hi induce more regulatory T cells in controls than other LB (CD24lo/-) while it was not the case in patients with RA, indicating that these subtypes have lost this regulatory function in RA. In conclusion, although there are B cell lymphopenia, the distribution of B cell subsets does not seem to differ between RA patients and controls. Nevertheless, there are functional abnormalities including a loss of the ability to produce IL -10 and induce regulatory T in patients with RA.

O objetivo do projeto foi desenvolver linhagens celulares para um anticorpo terapêutico anti-hTNFα e comprovar sua funcionalidade. Os genes anti-hTNFα foram clonados em células CHO para seleção da população estável mista, demonstrando expressão de anticorpo com reconhecimento de hTNFα em estrutura tridimensional. A população de transfectantes de maior produtividade específica foi escolhida para geração de linhagem monoclonal utilizando a tecnologia robótica ClonePix FL. Não houve diferença estatística entre o anti-hTNFα purificado e o produto de referência na cinética de ligação ao TNFα e reconhecimento diferencial por FcγRs em ensaios por SPR O ensaio de atividade funcional mostrou que o anti-TNFα desenvolvido pôde neutralizar a citotoxicidade induzida em células L929 e inibir a expressão de ELAM-1 em HUVEC. Os resultados finais permitiram identificar os três melhores clones, estáveis por 60 gerações. A comparabilidade entre o anti-TNFα desenvolvido e a referência permite admiti-lo como não inferior, um dos requisitos para o desenvolvimento de biossimilar. / The aim of the project was to develop a therapeutic anti-hTNFα antibody and evaluate its functionality. The anti-hTNFα synthezised genes were cloned into CHO cells and stable pools were selected, producing antibodies able to hTNFα three-dimensional structure recognition. The stable pools displaying higher antibody yields were the source for the generation of monoclonal lineage by ClonePix FL robotic technology. The clones selection proceeded using different criteria as cell density, specific productivity, fed-batch performance, kinetics measured by surface plasmonic resonance, hTNFα binding through ELISA, western-blotting and SPR, FcγRs binding by SPR. Besides, a small number of clones was tested in functional assays by the impairment of cytotoxicity of hTNFα over L929 cells and the inhibition of ELAM-1 expression by HUVEC. The long term stability testing allowed to finally select 3 top clones, not inferior to adalimumab reference by the above criteria.

Submitted by Daniella Santos (daniella.santos@ufma.br) on 2017-08-29T16:11:39Z No. of bitstreams: 1 MayaraSilva.pdf: 2720807 bytes, checksum: 1a7eeabdd7df89c4b7c0690e8136cb51 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-29T16:11:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MayaraSilva.pdf: 2720807 bytes, checksum: 1a7eeabdd7df89c4b7c0690e8136cb51 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-28 / CNPq / CAPES / FAPEMA / There is an increasing interest to find new products with therapeutic potential to the treatment of leishmaniasis, due the high toxicity and resistance of the majority of available treatments. Our aim was to formulate, characterise and evaluate the antiLeishmania amazonensis activity of babassu loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) – PLGA microparticles. The PLGA microparticles were loaded with the aqueous extract of babassu mesocarp (MMP) and evaluated for size, zeta potential, drug content, encapsulation efficiency in comparison to unloaded microparticles (CMP). The antiLeishmania effect was evaluated to promastigotes forms or to amastigotes in Balb/c macrophage cells infected with Leishmania amazonensis. Following macrophage treatment with MMP the percent of infected cells was determined by Giemsa staining and compared with cells treated with CMP or with free babassu extract (MESO). To find the potential mechanisms of the activity of MMPs, TNF -α, IL-6, IL-10, hydrogen peroxide, arginase and accumulated nitrite in the culture supernatants of the treated and untreated cells were also measured by ELISA, and by colorimetric assays, respectivelly. The size range of the microparticles was between 3 and 6,4 μm with an average zeta potential of −25 mV and encapsulation efficiency of 45%. The antiLeishmania activity of babassu-loaded microparticles was 10-fold higher than MESO. MMP showed an overall bioavailability and hence were more effective in eliminating intracellular parasites than the other formulations. Babassu microparticles also reduced the ex vivo parasite infectivity and this effect seems to be directly related to a polarization of macrophages to the M1 phenotype with an increased production of nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide and TNF-α. Interestingly, this overexpression of TNF-α didn’t impair cell viability, suggesting the anti-apoptotic effects of the MMP in infected macrophages. These findings indicate that babassu load microparticles may be useful for targeting for new drugs, due to the immunomodulatory effects of polarization to M1 macrophages, infected with L. amazonensis, and further provide motivations for future studies on human cels in vitro and in animal models of leishmaniasis in vivo. / A bioprospecção de produtos com potencial terapêutico no tratamento da leishmaniose tem despertado crescente interesse, pois as drogas atualmente utilizadas apresentam elevada toxicidade e, muitas vezes, os protozoários são resistentes, sobretudo nos tratamentos prolongados. Na perspectiva de desenvolver uma nova formulação com ação anti-Leishmania avaliou-se a atividade do extrato aquoso do mesocarpo de babaçu (Attalea speciosa Mart) encapsulado em micropartículas biodegradáveis de PLGA [poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid]. Inicialmente, foi realizado o estudo morfométrico e funcional das micropartículas. Em seguida foi avaliada a atividade anti-Leishmania por ação sobre as formas promastigotas, comparando os efeitos das micropartículas de PLGA carregadas com extrato do mesocarpo de babaçu (MMP) com o extrato livre (Meso) e com micropartículas sem o mesocarpo, utilizadas como controle negativo (CMP). Também avaliamos os efeitos de MMP em culturas de macrófagos peritoneais, de camundongos Balb/c, infectados ou não com formas amastigotas de Leishmania amazonensis. Os seguintes parâmetros foram investigados nos sobrenadantes das culturas de macrófagos: quantificação das citocinas IL-10, IL-6 e TNF-α por ELISA, detecção de peróxido de hidrogênio, óxido nítrico e atividade da arginase. Foi determinada a taxa de infecção e o percentual de células infectadas. O mesocarpo de babaçu apresentou forteinteração com antígenos de L. amazonensis. A caracterização das micropartículas mostrou que as MMP apresentaram diâmetro e potencial zeta compatíveis com as micropartículas controle (CMP) e a eficiencia de encapsulamento do extrato foi de 45%. As MMPs foram mais ativamente fagocitadas do que o extrato de babaçu livre, ocasionando aumento de 25% no índice fagocítico, após 24 horas de incubação. Além de baixa toxicidade para macrófagos peritoneais, o encapsulamento do mesocarpo de babaçu potenciou em quase 10 vezes a ação anti-Leishmania para as formas promastigotas de Leishmania amazonensis, quando comparado ao extrato livre. O tratamento com MMP reduziu o número de amastigotas e a taxa de infecção de macrófagos peritoneais, possivelmente por seu efeito imunomodulador na polarização de macrófagos para o fenótipo M1, resultando no aumento de TNF-α e óxido nítrico e na inibição da produção de IL-10. Concluímos que o microencapsulamento do mesocarpo de babaçu melhorou a ação anti-Leishmania do extrato, mas manteve o seu efeito imunomodulador o que contribuiu para o melhor efeito tanto sobre os protozoários como para as células infectadas, evitando a morte das células por necrose ou apoptose. Os dados em conjunto indicam que as micropartículas MMP podem ser fortes candidatas ao desenvolvimento de novos produtos, devido aos seus efeitos imunomoduladores na polarização de macrófagos infectados com L. amazonensis para um perfil M1 e, adicionalmente, estimulam novos estudos quanto ao seus efeitos sobre células humanas in vitro e em modelo animal da leishmaniose in vivo.

O parasita Schistosoma mansoni é um dos principais causadores da esquistossomose, doença que acomete 200 milhões de indivíduos no mundo. O parasita possui um complexo ciclo de vida composto de seis estágios evolutivos em dois hospedeiros. S. mansoni possui um sofisticado sistema de interação com seus hospedeiros de modo a escapar da resposta imune e interagir com moléculas produzidas por eles. Alguns trabalhos na literatura descreveram o efeito do TNF-α humano sobre o processo de ovoposição do parasita adulto. Nosso trabalho teve por objetivo analisar o perfil de expressão gênica do S. mansoni ao longo de seus estágios de desenvolvimento, avaliar o efeito do TNF-α humano sobre o perfil de expressão gênica do parasita em dois estágios de desenvolvimento e descrever o gene homólogo ao receptor de TNF-α humano em S. mansoni. Para isso, duas plataformas de microarrays distintas foram utilizadas: uma composta por 4000 sondas de cDNA dupla fita produzida pelo nosso grupo de pesquisa e a outra, composta por 44000 sondas de oligonucleotídeos desenhadas pelo nosso grupo e produzida pela empresa Agilent Technologies. Com estas plataformas foi detectada a expressão de 5798 genes em vermes adultos, sendo que 156 genes apresentavam a transcrição nas fitas senso e anti-senso; 6 destes tiveram confirmadas a transcrição nas duas fitas por transcrição reversa fita específica seguida de PCR em Tempo Real. Adicionalmente foram identificados 229 genes diferencialmente expressos entre vermes adultos machos e fêmeas. A análise de expressão gênica entre 5 estágios de desenvolvimento do parasita mostrou dois tipos de conjuntos de dados: (i) 1423 genes diferencialmente expressos entre dois estágios subseqüentes de desenvolvimento e (ii) 342 genes com expressão enriquecida em um estágio exclusivamente. 68 destes são transcritos intrônicos que não possuem potencial codificador de proteinas. Um gene ortólogo ao receptor de TNF-α humano (SmTNFR) foi clonado e sequenciado. O transcrito SmTNFR possui 1967pb e codifica uma proteína de 599 aminoácidos. Outros 9 genes codificando elementos conservados da via de sinalização de TNF-α também foram identificados no conjunto de ESTs público, revelando uma via completa de sinalização de TNF-α no parasita. Por fim, identificamos com microarrays o conjunto de genes com expressão alterada pela adição de TNF-α humano em esquistossômulos e vermes adultos. 340 genes tiveram expressão alterada em vermes adultos utilizando a plataforma de cDNA. 411 genes sofreram mudanças de expressão em esquistossômulos e 1093 genes em vermes adultos detectados na plataforma de oligonucleotídeos. Este trabalho representa uma importante contribuição no entendimento da relação parasita-hospedeiro em nível molecular. / The parasite Schistosoma mansoni is one of major causative agents of schistosomiasis, a disease which affects 200 million people in the world. The parasite has a complex life cycle with six developmental stages in two hosts. S. mansoni has a sofisticated system of interaction with the hosts, permitting it to escape the immune response and to interact with molecules produced by the hosts. The effect of human TNF-α on adult parasite egg-laying has been described in the literature. The present work intended to analyse the gene expression profile of S. mansoni among its developmental stages, to evaluate the effect of human TNF-α on gene expression profile in two different developmental stages and to describe a homologous gene to human TNF-α receptor in S. mansoni. Two microarrays platfoms were used: one comprised by 4000 cDNA probes and printed by our research group and another, comprised by 44000 oligonucleotide probes designed by our group and printed by Agilent Technologies Company. With these platforms, we detected the expression of 5798 genes in adult worms, of which 156 showed transcription in sense and anti-sense strands; 6 of them had their expression levels confirmed by strand specific Real Time PCR. 229 genes were identified as differentially expressed between male and female adult worms. Gene expression analysis among 5 parasite developmental stages identified two data sets: (i) 1423 differentially expressed genes between two subsequent developmental stages and (ii) 342 expressed genes enriched in one exclusive stage. 68 of them are intronic transcripts with no protein-coding potential. An ortologue to human TNF-α receptor (SmTNFR) was cloned and sequenced. SmTNFR transcritpt has 1967bp and encodes a 599-amino acid protein. Other 9 genes encoding conserved elements of the TNF-α signaling pathway were identified among the public S. mansoni ESTs dataset, thus revealing a complete TNF-α signaling pathway in the parasite. Finally, we identified with microarrays the set of genes that have an altered gene expression upon exposure of schistosomula and adult worms to human TNF-α. 340 genes were identified with altered expression in adult worms using the cDNA platform. 411 genes changed their expression pattern in schistosomula and 1093 genes in adult worms using the oligonucleotide platform. This work represents an important contribution to the understanding of host-parasite interaction at the molecular level.

O tratamento radioterápico continua aperfeiçoando-se, porém ainda pode estar associado com toxicidade pulmonar. Objetivo: Estudar os efeitos locais e sistêmicos provocados pela radioterapia conformacional torácica adjuvante em mulheres portadoras de câncer de mama, sem fatores de riscos prévios para desenvolvimento de alterações pulmonares. Por meio da tomografia computadorizada de alta resolução; identificar as possíveis alterações radiológicas no parênquima pulmonar. Se presentes, correlacioná-las com parâmetros obtidos da exploração funcional dos pulmões, com os efeitos sistêmicos, pela dosagem de mediadores inflamatórios, IL-1, IL-6 e TNF- , e suas repercussões sobre a qualidade de vida. Material e Métodos: Em 25 pacientes saudáveis foram coletadas amostras de sangue para serem utilizadas apenas como referência de normalidade da IL-1, IL-6 e TNF- . Em decorrência dos rígidos critérios de inclusão e exclusão estabelecidos, das 157 pacientes entrevistadas apenas 24 foram selecionadas para o estudo. A avaliação funcional pulmonar foi abrangente e constou de: medida dos volumes e capacidade dos pulmões, sendo o volume residual obtido pelo método de diluição do hélio em circuito fechado; estudo dos fluxos expiratórios máximos (curva fluxo x volume e curva volume x tempo) e medida da capacidade de difusão pulmonar pela técnica de respiração única do CO. A tomografia computadorizada de alta resolução (16 detectores) foi realizada no pré-planejamento da radioterapia conformacional do tórax, esta com dose total de 45-50 Gy em 25 frações. Para as dosagens de citocinas plasmáticas foram empregadas as técnicas de imunoabsorção enzimáticas (ELISA). Na avaliação da qualidade de vida foi aplicado o questionário Saint George´s Respiratory Questionnary traduzido e adaptado culturalmente ao Brasil. Todos estes procedimentos foram obtidos na fase pré e repedidos 3 meses após a radioterapia. Os resultados das duas fases foram comparados utilizando-se a versão exata do teste Wilcoxon e o teste de Correlação de Spearman, nível de significância p 0,05. Resultados: Entre parâmetros funcionais houve queda significativa apenas na difusão e no fluxo expiratório a 50% da capacidade vital forçada. Mesmo comportamento observou-se para citocina IL-6, já que os mesmos encontravam-se aumentados pré-RT. Não ocorreram mudanças significativas em nenhum dos domínios do questionário de qualidade de vida. As alterações tomográficas ocorreram 60,87% das pacientes na fase pós-radioterapia, em sua maioria de graus leves a moderados e não correlacionaram-se com as alterações observadas em outros parâmetros estudados. Conclusão: O aumento observado na IL-6 durante a fase pré-RT, parece ser um bom índice preditivo de alteração pulmonar. A capacidade de difusão foi a alteração mais evidente e parece ser o índice que melhor reflete as alterações pulmonares que afetam essas pacientes. Diante das discretas alterações tomográficas e funcionais observadas após a RT, é provável que para a redução observada na DLCO concorra uma combinação de fatores ao nível da membrana alvéolo-capilar. No conjunto, as alterações induzidas pela radioterapia conformacional nas pacientes estudadas foram de pequena monta, insuficientes para influenciar aspectos funcionais do pulmão e a qualidade de vida. / Radiotherapy continues to improve itself, but it may still be associated with pulmonary toxicity. Objective: To study the effects caused by local and systemic adjuvant thoracic conformal radiotherapy in women with breast cancer, without risk factors prior to the development of pulmonary alterations. Through high-resolution computed tomography, to identify the possible radiological alterations in the lung parenchyma. If positive identification occurs, correlates it with pulmonary functional parameters, its systemic effects, the dosage of inflammatory mediators IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-, and their impact on quality of life. Material and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 25 healthy patients to be used as a normal reference for IL-1, IL-6 and TNF- mediators. Due to the established strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, only 24 from the initial 157 interviewed patients were selected for this study. The evaluation of pulmonary function was comprehensive and included: Lung volume and capacity measurement through closed loop helium residual volume dilution method;Peak expiratory flow study (flow curve x volume and volume vs. time curve) and CO diffusing capacity measurement through single breath technique. High-resolution computerized tomography (16 detectors) was performed in the pre-planning phase of thoracic conformal radiotherapy where 45-50 Gy total dose was applied in 25 fractions. For cytokines plasma measurement, the enzymatic immunosorbent techniques (ELISA) were used. For quality of life assessment, the Brazil´s validated Saint George\'s Respiratory Questionnary was used. All these procedures were applied in the pre-phase and repeated three months later after radiotherapy sessions. The results of the two phases were compared using the exact version of the Wilcoxon test and Spearman correlation test with p 0.05 significance level. Results: Among the functional parameters, there were a significant decrease in dissemination and expiratory flow at 50% of forced vital capacity. The same behavior was observed for cytokine IL-6, since they were already high at pre-RT. There were no significant changes in any of the aspects of quality of life questionnaire. The tomographic alterations occurred in 60,87% of patients in the post radiotherapy phase, mostly having low to moderate degree and not correlated with the observed changes in other parameters. Conclusion: The IL-6 increase in the pre-RT phase appears to be a reasonable predictive index of pulmonary alterations. The diffusing capacity alterations were the most evident and seem to be the index that best reflects the pulmonary alterations that affect these patients. Given the discrete tomographic and functional abnormalities observed after RT, it is likely that for the observed reduction in DLCO compete a combination of factors occurring at alveolar-capillary membrane level. Overall, the conformal radiotherapy induced changes in the studied patients were not expressive, insufficient to influence the pulmonary functional aspects and the quality of life of the patients.