Inflammation is a biological defence mechanism applied by living organisms against foreign invaders. In the response to DAMPs and PAMPs, organisms use inflammatory multi-protein complexes to fight the attackers. The most studied inflammasome proteins are NLRP3, ASC and Caspase-1. This study is aimed at understanding the role of NEK7 protein in the NLRP3 inflammasome’s activation, using CRISPR/Cas9 system. To determine the effect of CRISPR/Cas9 and transfection, mRNA expression was analyzed. The results obtained suggest that neither the transfection nor the NEK7 protein knockout have sufficiently worked. This study could not experimentally establish that NEK7 triggers NLRP3 inflammasome activation because ELISA was not conducted to verify the levels of cytokines emitted, due to there being no statistical differences between the samples. Above all, the research question in this thesis project was not answered because the instability of the ACTB reference gene negatively influenced the results. However, previous related studies conclude that NEK7 plays a crucial role in the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Interleukin 17F (IL17F) has been found to be involved in various inflammatory pathologies and has recently become a target for therapeutic purposes. In contrast to IL17F secreted by immune cells, the focus of this study is to describe the triggers of IL17F release in non-immune cells with a particular focus on IL17F-induced fibrosis. IL17F induction was examined in human lung epithelial (BEAS-2B) and myeloid cell lines as well as in peripheral blood mononuclear cells after in vitro exposure to aqueous cigarette smoke extract (CSE), inorganic mercury, cadmium or the apoptosis inducer brefeldin A. Fibrosis was examined in vitro, evaluating the transition of human primary dermal fibroblasts to myofibroblasts. We observed that all stressors were able to induce IL17F gene expression regardless of cell type. Interestingly, its induction was associated with cytotoxic/apoptotic signs. Inhibiting oxidative stress by N-acetylcysteine abrogated CSE-induced cytotoxic and IL17F- inducing effects. The induction of IL17F was accompanied by IL17F protein expression. The transition of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts was not influenced by either recombinant IL17F or supernatants of CSE-exposed BEAS-2B. In addition to IL17F secretion by specialized or activated immune cells, we underscored the cell type-independent induction of IL17F by mechanisms of inhibitable oxidative stress-induced cytotoxicity. However, IL17F was not involved in dermal fibrosis under the conditions used in this study.

L'inflammation joue un rôle clé dans de nombreuses pathologies, telles que les maladies inflammatoires chroniques, les désordres métaboliques et le cancer. L'un de ses médiateurs le plus puissant est l'interleukine-1β (IL-1β), qui est une cytokine pro-inflammatoire participant à tous les stades de l'inflammation et de l'immunité. Son activation est régulée par un complexe multi-protéique nommé inflammasome, dont la caspase-1 active en découlant est responsable du clivage et de la maturation de l'IL-1β. Huit types d'inflammasomes activant et clivant la pro-caspase-1 ont été identifiés et contiennent tous la protéine ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD). Les inflammasomes partagent un signal intracellulaire commun et le mécanisme menant à leur assemblage et leur activation n'est pas totalement élucidé. L'utilisation de la lignée cellulaire humaine monocytaire, THP-1, différenciée en macrophages grâce à un ester de phorbol, le TPA, a permis la mise en place d'un modèle d'étude de modulateurs de l'inflammasome en conditions stériles. Ce modèle a permis l'étude des mécanismes impliqués suite à des signaux issus de l'inflammation chronique, tels que l'ATP et les espèces réactives de l'oxygène (ROS). Ce travail montre qu'il existe une synergie entre ATP et ROS, qui agissent grâce à une boucle d'activation impliquant probablement plusieurs inflammasomes, dont NLRP3. Des donneurs de NO connus (trinitrine et isosorbide dinitrate) ou nouveau (dérivé de purine) ont montré une activité anti-inflammatoire. D'autres composés ont été identifiés comme de potentiels inhibiteurs d'inflammasome (extraits de dattes et dérivé de purine portant un acide lipoïque)

Over the past few years the NAD-related compounds nicotinamide (NAM), nicotinamide riboside (NR) and 1-methylnicotinamide (MNA) have been established as important molecules in signalling pathways that contribute to metabolic functions of many cells, including those of the immune system. Among immune cells, monocytes/macrophages, which are the major players of inflammatory processes, are especially susceptible to the anti-inflammatory action of NAM. Here we asked whether NAM and the two other compounds have the potential to regulate differentiation and LPS-induced biological answers of the monocytic cell line THP-1. We show that treatment of THP-1 cells with NAM, NR and MNA resulted in growth retardation accompanied by enrichment of cells in the G0/G1-phase independent of p21 and p53. NAM and NR caused an increase in intracellular NAD concentrations and SIRT1 and PARP1 mRNA expression was found to be enhanced. The compounds failed to up-regulate the expression of the cell surface differentiation markers CD38, CD11b and CD14. They modulated the reactive oxygen species production and primed the cells to respond less effectively to the LPS induced TNF-a production. Our data show that the NAD metabolites interfere with early events associated with differentiation of THP-1 cells along the monocytic path and that they affect LPS-induced biological responses of the cell line.

No description available.

No description available.

Over the past few years the NAD-related compounds nicotinamide (NAM), nicotinamide riboside (NR) and 1-methylnicotinamide (MNA) have been established as important molecules in signalling pathways that contribute to metabolic functions of many cells, including those of the immune system. Among immune cells, monocytes/macrophages, which are the major players of inflammatory processes, are especially susceptible to the anti-inflammatory action of NAM. Here we asked whether NAM and the two other compounds have the potential to regulate differentiation and LPS-induced biological answers of the monocytic cell line THP-1. We show that treatment of THP-1 cells with NAM, NR and MNA resulted in growth retardation accompanied by enrichment of cells in the G0/G1-phase independent of p21 and p53. NAM and NR caused an increase in intracellular NAD concentrations and SIRT1 and PARP1 mRNA expression was found to be enhanced. The compounds failed to up-regulate the expression of the cell surface differentiation markers CD38, CD11b and CD14. They modulated the reactive oxygen species production and primed the cells to respond less effectively to the LPS induced TNF-α production. Our data show that the NAD metabolites interfere with early events associated with differentiation of THP-1 cells along the monocytic path and that they affect LPS-induced biological responses of the cell line.

A β2-glicoproteína I (β2GPI) é uma proteína de fase aguda, produzida principalmente no fígado e intestino. Os efeitos dessa proteína sobre células mononucleares foram investigados tanto em monócitos humanos de sangue periférico quanto em células promonocíticas humanas da linhagem celular ATCC THP-1. As correlações entre sua concentração plasmática e a intensidade da inflamação sistêmica foram avaliadas em humanos e em um modelo experimental de infecção sistêmica, em ratos. Nenhum efeito da β2GPI foi observado sobre a resposta oxidativa de monócitos de sangue periférico durante a fagocitose de zymosan opsonisado ou de S. aureus, analisada respectivamente por quimiluminescência amplificada por luminol ou por citometria de fluxo. A β2GPI estimulou a viabilidade celular e estimulou a diferenciação dos promonócitos. As células THP-1 tratadas com β2GPI apresentaram adesão aumentada a placas de cultura bem como expressão aumentada de CD54 e CD14. A suplementação com β2GPI foi suficiente para manter a proliferação das células THP-1 em cultura sem a adição de soro por 72h. Não houve correlações entre a concentração plasmática da β2GPI e indicadores clínicos da resposta inflamatória aguda em pacientes sépticos. A concentração da β2GPI não correlacionou com as concentrações plasmáticas de IL-8, SAA e PCR, que foram encontradas elevadas no sangue de pacientes com sepse. A variação da concentração plasmática de β2GPI foi um fenômeno muito precoce no modelo experimental de sepse e translocação bacteriana. Nas primeiras três horas após a indução da sepse endovenosa, a concentração plasmática de β2GPI diminuiu de forma dependente da intensidade de infecção. Sugere-se que efeitos muito precoces de compartimentalização associados ao sangue portal medeiem esta regulação. As concentrações mais baixas de β2GPI foram observadas nos animais expostos à translocação bacteriana através da mucosa intestinal, associada a uma condição inflamatória leve. A derivação da linfa preveniu completamente a diminuição da concentração plasmática de β2GPI. Em conjunto, os resultados revelaram a relevância combinada de via e de intensidade da infecção para o controle da concentração plasmática de β2GPI no início na resposta inflamatória aguda. / The β2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI) is an acute phase protein, produced mainly in the liver and intestine. The effects of this protein upon mononuclear cells were investigated both in monocytes from human peripheral blood, and in the human promonocytic cells from the ATCC THP-1 cell line. The correlations between its plasma concentration and systemic inflammation intensity were evaluated in humans and in ad experimental model of systemic infection in rats. No β2GPI effects were observed upon the oxidative response of blood monocytes during the phagocytosis of opsonized zymosan or S. aureus as analysed by luminol amplified chemiluminescence and flow cytometry. β2GPI enhanced the cellular viability and stimulated the differentiation of the promonocytes. The THP-1 cells treated with β2GPI presented increased adhesion to the plastic of cell culture plates as well as increased expression of CD54 and CD14 antigens. The supplementation with β2GPI was sufficient to support the proliferation of THP-1 cells in serum free culture conditions for 72 h. There were no correlations between the β2GPI plasma concentration and clinical parameters of the acute inflammatory response in septic patients. The β2GPI concentrations didn\'t correlated with the plasma concentrations of IL-8, SAA and C reactive protein, despite these substances were found increased in the blood of patients with sepsis. The β2GPI plasma concentration response was a very early phenomenon in the experimental sepsis and bacterial translocation model. The β2GPI concentration decreased within the first 3h after endovenous sepsis induction, depending on the infection intensity. Very early compartment effects associated with the portal blood are suggested to mediate such regulation. The lowest β2GPI concentrations were found in the animals exposed to bacterial translocation through the intestinal mucosa, associated with a mild inflammatory condition. The lymph derivation completely prevented the plasma β2GPI decrease. Taken together, the results revealed the relevance of both the infection route and intensity to the control of plasma β2GPI concentrations during the acute phase response.

A β2-glicoproteína I (β2GPI) é uma proteína de fase aguda, produzida principalmente no fígado e intestino. Os efeitos dessa proteína sobre células mononucleares foram investigados tanto em monócitos humanos de sangue periférico quanto em células promonocíticas humanas da linhagem celular ATCC THP-1. As correlações entre sua concentração plasmática e a intensidade da inflamação sistêmica foram avaliadas em humanos e em um modelo experimental de infecção sistêmica, em ratos. Nenhum efeito da β2GPI foi observado sobre a resposta oxidativa de monócitos de sangue periférico durante a fagocitose de zymosan opsonisado ou de S. aureus, analisada respectivamente por quimiluminescência amplificada por luminol ou por citometria de fluxo. A β2GPI estimulou a viabilidade celular e estimulou a diferenciação dos promonócitos. As células THP-1 tratadas com β2GPI apresentaram adesão aumentada a placas de cultura bem como expressão aumentada de CD54 e CD14. A suplementação com β2GPI foi suficiente para manter a proliferação das células THP-1 em cultura sem a adição de soro por 72h. Não houve correlações entre a concentração plasmática da β2GPI e indicadores clínicos da resposta inflamatória aguda em pacientes sépticos. A concentração da β2GPI não correlacionou com as concentrações plasmáticas de IL-8, SAA e PCR, que foram encontradas elevadas no sangue de pacientes com sepse. A variação da concentração plasmática de β2GPI foi um fenômeno muito precoce no modelo experimental de sepse e translocação bacteriana. Nas primeiras três horas após a indução da sepse endovenosa, a concentração plasmática de β2GPI diminuiu de forma dependente da intensidade de infecção. Sugere-se que efeitos muito precoces de compartimentalização associados ao sangue portal medeiem esta regulação. As concentrações mais baixas de β2GPI foram observadas nos animais expostos à translocação bacteriana através da mucosa intestinal, associada a uma condição inflamatória leve. A derivação da linfa preveniu completamente a diminuição da concentração plasmática de β2GPI. Em conjunto, os resultados revelaram a relevância combinada de via e de intensidade da infecção para o controle da concentração plasmática de β2GPI no início na resposta inflamatória aguda. / The β2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI) is an acute phase protein, produced mainly in the liver and intestine. The effects of this protein upon mononuclear cells were investigated both in monocytes from human peripheral blood, and in the human promonocytic cells from the ATCC THP-1 cell line. The correlations between its plasma concentration and systemic inflammation intensity were evaluated in humans and in ad experimental model of systemic infection in rats. No β2GPI effects were observed upon the oxidative response of blood monocytes during the phagocytosis of opsonized zymosan or S. aureus as analysed by luminol amplified chemiluminescence and flow cytometry. β2GPI enhanced the cellular viability and stimulated the differentiation of the promonocytes. The THP-1 cells treated with β2GPI presented increased adhesion to the plastic of cell culture plates as well as increased expression of CD54 and CD14 antigens. The supplementation with β2GPI was sufficient to support the proliferation of THP-1 cells in serum free culture conditions for 72 h. There were no correlations between the β2GPI plasma concentration and clinical parameters of the acute inflammatory response in septic patients. The β2GPI concentrations didn\'t correlated with the plasma concentrations of IL-8, SAA and C reactive protein, despite these substances were found increased in the blood of patients with sepsis. The β2GPI plasma concentration response was a very early phenomenon in the experimental sepsis and bacterial translocation model. The β2GPI concentration decreased within the first 3h after endovenous sepsis induction, depending on the infection intensity. Very early compartment effects associated with the portal blood are suggested to mediate such regulation. The lowest β2GPI concentrations were found in the animals exposed to bacterial translocation through the intestinal mucosa, associated with a mild inflammatory condition. The lymph derivation completely prevented the plasma β2GPI decrease. Taken together, the results revealed the relevance of both the infection route and intensity to the control of plasma β2GPI concentrations during the acute phase response.

Après exposition par inhalation, les nanoparticules (NPs) peuvent atteindre les alvéoles pulmonaires, se retrouver au niveau de la barrière alvéolo-capillaire (BAC), et induire une toxicité locale et / ou franchir cette barrière pour se retrouver dans la circulation sanguine. Dans ce contexte, l’objectif de ce travail a été de développer des modèles de co-cultures in vitro simples à mettre en œuvre (utilisation de lignées cellulaires humaines), pour étudier les effets des NPs au niveau de la BAC. Dans un premier temps, des co-cultures de cellules épithéliales alvéolaires ou de phénotype proche (lignées A549 ou NCI-H441), et de macrophages (lignée THP-1), ont permis l’étude des effets pro-inflammatoires des NPs de SiO2 et de TiO2. Avec ces modèles nous avons montré l’importance de la coopération cellulaire mise en jeu lors des processus inflammatoires liés aux NPs, mais aussi le rôle du ratio cellulaire employé dans ces réponses. Dans un second temps, des co-cultures tridimensionnelles en chambres bicamérales associant des macrophages (lignée THP-1), des cellules épithéliales bronchiques (lignée Calu-3), et des cellules endothéliales pulmonaires microvasculaires (lignée HPMEC-ST1.6R), ont permis l’étude de l’impact de NPs fluorescentes de polystyrène sur l’intégrité de la BAC, et leur passage à travers cette barrière. Les cellules épithéliales Calu-3 permettent d’établir une barrière de qualité mais la membrane microporeuse servant de support aux cellules doit être optimisée pour ne pas être un frein au passage des NPs. Ce travail montre qu’un seul modèle ne permet pas d’étudier de façon optimale à la fois la toxicité et la translocation des NPs, et qu’une approche adaptée doit être envisagée en fonction du paramètre que l’on souhaite étudier. / After inhalation, nanoparticles (NPs) can reach the alveoli and the alveolo-capillary barrier (ACB), and consequently induce local toxicity and / or cross this barrier to reach the bloodstream. In this context, the aim of this work was to develop co-culture in vitro models simple to implement (using human cell lines), to study effects of NPs on the ACB. In a first time, pro-inflammatory effects of SiO2 and TiO2 NPs were studied on co-cultures of alveolar epithelial cells (A549 and NCI-H441 cell lines), and macrophages (THP-1 cell line). We demonstrated the importance of cell cooperation during inflammatory processes caused by these NPs, and the role of the cellular ratio in these inflammatory responses. In a second time, effects of fluorescent polystyrene NPs on the ACB integrity, and their translocation were studied on three-dimensional co-cultures in bicameral chambers involving macrophages (THP-1 cell line), bronchial epithelial cells (Calu-3 cell line), and micro-vascular pulmonary endothelial cells (HPMEC ST1.6R cell line). The use of Calu-3 has provided a good barrier, but further investigations on microporous membranes are still needed to not interfere with NPs translocation. Altogether, these results show that a tailored approach should be considered in order to study toxicity or translocation of NPs.