Tumour necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family members are widely expressed in cells of the immune system and are essential for the development and function of many immune cell types. The TNFR associated factor (TRAF) family are signal adapter molecules that are recruited to various members of the TNFR family and are important for the transduction of signals downstream of these receptors. In these studies, gene targeting was used to create a mouse capable of undergoing conditional inactivation of the Traf3 gene. These mice were studied alongside previously generated mice that were similarly genetically modified with respect to the Traf2 gene. The mice produced lacked expression of either TRAF2 or TRAF3 in either B or T cells. In resting B cells TRAF2 and TRAF3 were shown to cooperate to negatively regulate the signalling of B cell activating factor of the TNF family (BAFF) and its receptor (BAFF-R), the TNF ligand and receptor pair that provide obligate survival signals to B cells. Thus, TRAF2- and TRAF3-deficient B cells displayed hyperactive NF-kB2 signalling, an increased ability to survive, and almost identical gene expression profiles, emphasizing the cooperative nature of their roles in resting B cells. Importantly, the survival of these B cells was completely independent of BAFF. In normal B cells, BAFF signalling was shown to lift the negative regulation of survival mediated by TRAF2 and TRAF3, by depleting TRAF3 from the cell. This process was shown to require TRAF2. T cells deficient in TRAF2 or TRAF3 also displayed hyperactivity of the NF-kB2 pathway, but they did not accumulate in vivo or show extended survival in vitro. Mice lacking TRAF2 or TRAF3 in their T cells did however display a decrease in the number of memory phenotype CD8+ T cells. These studies indicate that some of the roles of TRAF2 and TRAF3 are common between B and T cells. However, the consequences of loss of TRAF2 or TRAF3 in B and T cells differs considerably, presumably due to the differential TNFR expression and usage by each cell type.

Tumour necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family members are widely expressed in cells of the immune system and are essential for the development and function of many immune cell types. The TNFR associated factor (TRAF) family are signal adapter molecules that are recruited to various members of the TNFR family and are important for the transduction of signals downstream of these receptors. In these studies, gene targeting was used to create a mouse capable of undergoing conditional inactivation of the Traf3 gene. These mice were studied alongside previously generated mice that were similarly genetically modified with respect to the Traf2 gene. The mice produced lacked expression of either TRAF2 or TRAF3 in either B or T cells. In resting B cells TRAF2 and TRAF3 were shown to cooperate to negatively regulate the signalling of B cell activating factor of the TNF family (BAFF) and its receptor (BAFF-R), the TNF ligand and receptor pair that provide obligate survival signals to B cells. Thus, TRAF2- and TRAF3-deficient B cells displayed hyperactive NF-kB2 signalling, an increased ability to survive, and almost identical gene expression profiles, emphasizing the cooperative nature of their roles in resting B cells. Importantly, the survival of these B cells was completely independent of BAFF. In normal B cells, BAFF signalling was shown to lift the negative regulation of survival mediated by TRAF2 and TRAF3, by depleting TRAF3 from the cell. This process was shown to require TRAF2. T cells deficient in TRAF2 or TRAF3 also displayed hyperactivity of the NF-kB2 pathway, but they did not accumulate in vivo or show extended survival in vitro. Mice lacking TRAF2 or TRAF3 in their T cells did however display a decrease in the number of memory phenotype CD8+ T cells. These studies indicate that some of the roles of TRAF2 and TRAF3 are common between B and T cells. However, the consequences of loss of TRAF2 or TRAF3 in B and T cells differs considerably, presumably due to the differential TNFR expression and usage by each cell type.

Während die Rolle des tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor associated factor (TRAF)2 in der Signaltransduktion der TRAF-interagierenden Rezeptoren der TNF Receptor (TNFR)- Superfamily (TNFRSF) bereits in der Vergangenheit umfassend erforscht wurde, ist die Rolle und Funktion dieses Adapterproteins für die Signalgebung der Todesrezeptoren nicht vollständig aufgeklärt. Die unklare Funktion der Really Interesting New Gene (RING) E3 Ligase Domäne in TRAF2 und die Abhängigkeit von Caspasen für die Aktivierung des klassischen nuclear factor κB (NFκB)-Signalweges führten in dieser Arbeit zur Herstellung von CRISPR/Cas9 knockout (KO) Zellen, bei denen TRAF2 in der Kolorektalkarzinomzelllinie HCT116 als auch in den Fibrosarkomzellen HT1080 ausgeschaltet wurde. Diese Zellen wurden zuvor so modifiziert, dass die Apoptose „downstream“ der Caspase-8-Aktivierung nicht weiter induzierbar war. HCT116-Zellen exprimierten hierzu ein mutiertes Allel der Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) und HT1080-Bcl2-TNFR2 Zellen das anti-apoptotische Protein B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2). Im Fokus dieser Arbeit waren die Todesrezeptoren TNFR1, TNF-Related Apoptosis Inducing Receptor (TRAILR)1/2 und Cluster of Differentiation(CD)95. In den TRAF2-KO Zelllinien war der alternative NFκB Signalweg konstitutiv aktiv und der TNFR1-induzierte klassische NFκB-Signalweg inhibiert. Die proinflammatorische Signalgebung in Form der Interleukin (IL)8 Produktion war in den CD95-artigen Todesrezeptoren signifikant, aber nicht vollständig, reduziert und erfolgte Caspase-8-Aktivität unabhängig. Der Effekt der TRAF2-Deletion konnte durch eine Rekonstitution von TRAF2, jedoch nicht durch eine Überexpression von TRAF1 wiederhergestellt werden. Des Weiteren führte die TRAF2-Defizienz zu einer verstärkten Procaspase-8- Prozessierung nach Aktivierung von Todesrezeptoren, die überraschenderweise mit einer Reduktion der Caspase-8-Aktivität einherging. Die Prozessierung der Procaspase-8, jedoch nicht die Aktivierung des klassischen NFκB-Signalweges wurde vermutlich durch eine verringerte Rekrutierung von cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein (cIAP)1 an den TNFR1 erreicht. Die Expression der anti-apoptotischen Proteine FADD-like ICE (FLICE) Inhibitory Protein (FLIP)Long(L), FLIPShort(S) und cIAP1 wurde nicht von der TRAF2-Depletion beeinflusst. Somit konnte in dieser Arbeit ein nicht-obligatorischer Effekt von TRAF2 auf die Regulation der proinflammatorischen Todesrezeptor-vermittelten Signaltransduktion nachgewiesen werden, die durch TRAF1 nicht ersetzt werden kann. Des Weiteren wurde eine bisher nicht beschriebene, stabilisierende Wirkung von TRAF2 auf die Capsase-8-Aktivität gezeigt. / The role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor associated factor (TRAF)2 in signaltransduction of TRAF-interacting receptors of the TNF Receptor (TNFR)- Superfamily (TNFRSF) is well-studied during the last decades. The role and the function of this adapter protein for the signaling of death receptors, however, still remains largely unclear. Ambiguous E3 ligase function of their TRAF2-Really Interesting New Gene (RING) domain and the dependency from caspase-8 for classical nuclear factor κB (NFκB) activation resulted in this work in the generation of TRAF2-Knockout (KO) CRISPR/Cas9 cells both in the colorectal carcinoma cell line HCT116 and in the fibrosarcoma cell line HT1080. These cell lines were previously modified to gain apoptosis-resistance downstream the activation of caspase-8. Therefore, HCT116 cells expressed a mutated allele of the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) and HT1080-TNFR2 cells expressed the anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2). Focus of this study was the death receptors TNFR1, TNF-Related Apoptosis Inducing Receptor (TRAILR)1/2 and Cluster of Differentiation (CD)95. TRAF2-KO cells displayed a constitutive active alternative NFκB pathway and inhibition of the TNFR1-induced classical NFκB pathway. The stimulation of proinflammatory signaling in the form of upregulation of interleukin (IL)8 production was reduced partially but significantly in CD95-type death receptors and in a caspase-8-activity independent way. The reconstitution of TRAF2 but not an overexpression of TRAF1 was able to reverse the effects of TRAF2 deficiency. Additionally, the TRAF2-depletion increased DR-induced procaspase-8-processing, surprisingly resulting in the downregulation of caspase-8-activity. Processing of procaspase-8, but not the activation of the classical NFκB-pathway were presumably achieved by an inhibition of the recruitment of cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein 1 (cIAP1) to the TNFR1. Expression of the anti-apoptotic proteins FLICE Inhibitory Protein (FLIP)Long(L), FLIPShort(S) and cIAP1 were unaffected by TRAF2-depletion. Taken together, this work was able to show a non-obligate effect of TRAF2 in the regulation of DR-induced proinflammatory signaling, which was not restorable by TRAF1. Furthermore, we saw a stabilizing effect of TRAF2 on caspase-8 activity, which was not described previously.

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

Traffic efficiency applications over road networks have been investigated recently using VANETs. This area of research is primarily concerned with increasing the traffic fluency over road networks. In this thesis, we first propose an efficient and accurate protocol to detect congested road segments in a downtown area using VANETs. We refer to this protocol as the Efficient COngestion DEtection (ECODE) protocol. ECODE evaluates three different traffic characteristics of each road segment including traffic speed, traffic density, and the time required to travel the segment. Moreover, ECODE evaluates traffic characteristics and detects the congestion level in each direction of the road segment. In addition, we propose an intelligent, dynamic, distributed, and real-time path recommendations protocol. We refer to this protocol as Intelligent path reCOmenDation (ICOD) protocol. ICOD is the first path recommendation protocol that does not rely on a central database of gathered traffic data for each area of interest. Eliminating centralized behavior resolves bottleneck as well as single point of failure problems, which in turn minimizes congestion and collision problems in VANETs. Furthermore, ICOD selects the path towards each destination in a hop-by-hop manner, which makes the turn decision at each road intersection more accurate and real-time. Different variants of ICOD are introduced that consider travel time, travel distance, fuel consumption, gas emissions, and context-awareness of each road segment parameters. Moreover, two traffic balancing mechanisms are proposed in this thesis to distribute traffic over the road network evenly, namely Bal-Traf and Abs-Bal. These mechanisms eliminate the highly congested road segment scenarios that are caused by the path recommendation protocol. Bal-Traf detects and eliminates the highly congested output road segment at each road intersection. However, Abs-Bal aims to keep the traffic density balanced among all output road segments at each road intersection. Finally, we propose an Intelligent Traffic Light Controlling (ITLC) algorithm to schedule the phases of each traffic light at isolated road intersections. This algorithm aims to decrease the queuing delay time of competing traffic flows and to increase the throughput of each signalized road intersection. ITLC has also been adapted in this thesis to the Arterial Traffic Lights (ATLs) algorithm for arterial road network scenarios. In ATLs the expected platoons on the arterial street are considered in the scheduling algorithm of each traffic light located on the arterial street coordinates. Transmitting packets among these traffic lights report the main characteristics of each predicted platoon.

La protéine cIAP1 (cellular Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein-1) de la famille des IAP (Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein) est une E3 ubiquitine ligase qui présente des propriétés oncogéniques. Notre équipe s’intéresse aux processus permettant la différenciation des monocytes en macrophages. Au cours de la différenciation de nombreux modèles cellulaires (macrophages, cellules dendritiques, cellules épithéliales du colon, cellules souches hématopoïetiques, cardiomyocytes), cIAP1 sort du noyau pour se relocaliser dans le cytoplasme. La plupart des fonctions connues de cIAP1 sont liées à sa localisation cytoplasmique où elle est un régulateur important des voies de signalisation des récepteurs du TNFα et de NF-κB. Lors de la différenciation macrophagique, nous avons montré que cIAP1, une fois dans le cytoplasme, induit la dégradation de TRAF-2, un adaptateur moléculaire impliqué dans la transduction du signal des voies des récepteurs du TNFα et de NF-κB. Cette dégradation bloque la voie canonique de NF-κB et est essentielle à la différenciation terminale des monocytes en macrophages qui nécessite une activation transitoire de cette voie de signalisation. Cependant, cIAP1 est principalement exprimée dans le noyau de différents types cellulaires ce qui n’est pas en accord avec son rôle dans la signalisation cellulaire. Mon objectif a donc consisté à identifier les fonctions nucléaires de cIAP1 dans des cellules prolifératives ou lors de la différenciation macrophagique. Mon travail de thèse a permis d’identifier un rôle de cIAP1 dans la prolifération cellulaire. cIAP1 interagit avec le facteur de transcription E2F1 et favorise son recrutement sur les promoteurs des Cycline E et A impliquées dans les transitions G1/S et G2 du cycle cellulaire, ce qui augmente l’expression des transcrits et des protéines de ces deux cibles. Il semblerait que par cette activité, cIAP1 régule la prolifération des cellules et soit important dans l’équilibre entre la prolifération et la différenciation, deux mécanismes cellulaires étroitement liés. / The inhibitor of apoptosis protein cIAP1 (cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein-1) from the IAP family (Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that displays oncogenic properties. Our team is interested in the mecanisms that allow macrophagic differentiation from monocytes. cIAP1 is relocalised from the nucleus to the cytoplasm during the differentiation of many kind of cellular models (macrophages, dendritic cells, colon epithelial cells, hematopoietic stem cells, cardiomyocytes). The well-known functions of cIAP1 are associated with its cytoplasmic localisation, where it regulates the TNFα receptors and NF-κB signalling pathways. During macrophage differentiation, we show that cIAP1, once it is in cytoplasm, induces TRAF-2 degradation, a molecular adaptator of the TNFα receptors family and NF-κB signalling pathways. This degradation blocks the canonical pathway of NF-κB and is essential for the terminal differentiation into macrophages that needs a transitory activation of this pathway. However, cIAP1 is mainly expressed in the nucleus on many cell types which is not in accordance with its cell signalling activity. My objective was to investigate the nuclear function of cIAP1 in proliferative cells or during macrophage differentiation. My work identifies a function of cIAP1 in proliferation regulation. cIAP1 interacts with E2F1 transcription factor and favors its recruitment on Cyclins E and A promoters, both involved in G1/S and G2 phases of the cell cycle, which leads to high level of transcript and protein expression of these two targets. It seems that cIAP1 regulates the cellular proliferation and is important for the balance between proliferation and differentiation, two mechanisms tightly connected in cells.

Les cellules endothéliales progénitrices («Endothelial Progenitor Cells», EPCs) sont des précurseurs endothéliaux qui possèdent un potentiel considérable dans la réparation et la régénération vasculaire. Dans le contexte des maladies cardiovasculaires, la compréhension du rôle des EPCs dans la régulation de la thrombogenèse et la réparation endothéliale est pertinente et nécessaire pour comprendre leur potentiel thérapeutique. Nous avons rapporté que les EPCs interagissent avec les plaquettes via la P-sélectine et inhibent l’adhésion, l’activation et l’agrégation des plaquettes ainsi que la formation de thrombus. Plus récemment, nous avons démontré que les EPCs expriment le récepteur inflammatoire CD40 et il est bien connu que les plaquettes constituent la source principale de la forme soluble de son agoniste le CD40L («soluble CD40 Ligand», sCD40L). Ainsi, nous avons émis l’hypothèse principale que l’axe CD40L/CD40 dans les EPCs influence leurs fonctions anti-thrombotique et pro-angiogénique. Pour vérifier cette hypothèse, nous avons réussi à générer des «early» et «late» EPCs à partir de cellules mononucléaires du sang périphérique («Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells», PBMCs) en culture. Nous avons mis en évidence l’existence de l’axe CD40L/CD40 dans ces EPCs en démontrant l’expression des protéines adaptatrices, nommées les facteurs associés au récepteur du facteur de nécrose tumorale («TNF Receptor Associated Factors», TRAFs). Dans une première étude, nous avons investigué l’effet du sCD40L sur la fonction des «early» EPCs dans l’agrégation plaquettaire. En effet, nous avons démontré que le sCD40L renverse leur effet inhibiteur sur l’agrégation plaquettaire, et ce sans avoir un effet significatif sur la sécrétion de prostacycline (PGI2) et d’oxyde nitrique («Nitric Oxide», NO) par ces cellules. De plus, aucun effet du sCD40L n’a été noté sur l’apoptose et la viabilité de ces cellules. Par contre, nous avons noté une augmentation importante du stress oxydatif dans les «early» EPCs suite à leur stimulation avec le sCD40L. L’inhibition du stress oxydatif renverse l’effet du sCD40L sur les «early» EPCs dans l’agrégation plaquettaire. Ces résultats pourraient expliquer, en partie, la fonction réduite des EPCs chez les individus présentant des niveaux élevés de sCD40L en circulation. Dans une deuxième étude, nous avons étudié l’effet de sCD40L dans la fonction des «early» EPCs en relation avec l’angiogenèse. Nous avons identifié, dans un premier temps,les métalloprotéinases de la matrice («Matrix Metalloproteinases», MMPs) qui sont sécrétées par ces cellules. Nous avons trouvé que les «early» EPCs relâchent principalement la MMP-9 et que cette relâche est augmentée par le sCD40L. Le sCD40L induit aussi la phosphorylation de la p38 MAPK qui contribue à augmenter la sécrétion de MMP-9. Des études fonctionnelles ont démontré que le prétraitement des «early» EPCs au sCD40L potentialise la réparation endothéliale des HUVECs. En conclusion, l’ensemble de nos travaux, dans le cadre de ce projet de doctorat, nous a permis d’élucider les mécanismes responsables de l’action du sCD40L sur les effets inhibiteur et angiogénique des «early» EPCs dans l’agrégation plaquettaire et l’angiogenèse, respectivement. Ces résultats ajoutent de nouvelles connaissances sur le rôle des EPCs et pourront constituer la base pour des études futures permettant de corréler les niveaux élevés du sCD40L circulant et l’incidence des maladies cardiovasculaires, particulièrement l’athérothrombose. / Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are endothelial precursors which possess a considerable therapeutic potential in vascular repair and regeneration. In the context of cardiovascular diseases, the understanding of the role of EPCs in the regulation of thrombogenesis and endothelial repair is relevant and necessary to the understanding of their therapeutic potential. We have shown that EPCs interact with platelets via P-selectin and inhibit the adhesion, activation and aggregation of platelets as well as thrombus formation. Recently, we have shown that EPCs express the inflammatory receptor CD40 and it is well known that platelets are the main source of the soluble form of its agonist CD40L («soluble CD40 ligand», sCD40L). Hence, we have hypothesized that the CD40L/CD40 axis in EPCs influences the anti-thrombotic and pro-angiogenic functions of EPCs. To verify this hypothesis, we have successfully generated early and late EPCs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells in culture. We have demonstrated the existence of the CD40L/CD40 axis in EPCs by showing the expression of adaptor proteins, named tumor necrosis factor associated factors (TRAFs). In our first study, we investigated the effect of sCD40L on the function of early EPCs in platelet aggregation. Indeed, we have shown that sCD40L reverses their inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation without having an effect on prostacyclin (PGI2) and nitric oxide (NO) secretion by these cells. Moreover, no effect of sCD40L has been noted on the apoptosis and viability of these cells. However, we have shown a significant increase in oxidative stress in early EPCs following sCD40L stimulation. The inhibition of oxidative stress reverses the effect of sCD40L on early EPCs in platelet aggregation. These results could partially explain the decreased function of EPCs in individuals displaying higher levels of sCD40L in circulation. In our second study, we have studied the effect of sCD40L on the function of early EPCs in relation to angiogenesis. First, we have identified the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) which are secreted by these cells. We have found that early EPCs mainly release MMP-9 and that this release is increased by sCD40L. The sCD40L also induces the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK which contributes to increase the secretion of MMP-9. In functional studies, we have shown that pretreatment of early EPCs with sCD40L can potentialize HUVEC endothelial repair. In conclusion, our work in the context of this doctoral research project has allowed us to study the mechanisms involved in the role of sCD40L in the inhibitory and angiogenic function of early EPCs in platelet aggregation and angiogenesis, respectively. These results add new insights to the role of EPCs and could constitute the basis for future studies allowing for the correlation between high levels of sCD40L and the incidence of cardiovascular disease, particularly atherothrombosis.

Les cellules endothéliales progénitrices («Endothelial Progenitor Cells», EPCs) sont des précurseurs endothéliaux qui possèdent un potentiel considérable dans la réparation et la régénération vasculaire. Dans le contexte des maladies cardiovasculaires, la compréhension du rôle des EPCs dans la régulation de la thrombogenèse et la réparation endothéliale est pertinente et nécessaire pour comprendre leur potentiel thérapeutique. Nous avons rapporté que les EPCs interagissent avec les plaquettes via la P-sélectine et inhibent l’adhésion, l’activation et l’agrégation des plaquettes ainsi que la formation de thrombus. Plus récemment, nous avons démontré que les EPCs expriment le récepteur inflammatoire CD40 et il est bien connu que les plaquettes constituent la source principale de la forme soluble de son agoniste le CD40L («soluble CD40 Ligand», sCD40L). Ainsi, nous avons émis l’hypothèse principale que l’axe CD40L/CD40 dans les EPCs influence leurs fonctions anti-thrombotique et pro-angiogénique. Pour vérifier cette hypothèse, nous avons réussi à générer des «early» et «late» EPCs à partir de cellules mononucléaires du sang périphérique («Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells», PBMCs) en culture. Nous avons mis en évidence l’existence de l’axe CD40L/CD40 dans ces EPCs en démontrant l’expression des protéines adaptatrices, nommées les facteurs associés au récepteur du facteur de nécrose tumorale («TNF Receptor Associated Factors», TRAFs). Dans une première étude, nous avons investigué l’effet du sCD40L sur la fonction des «early» EPCs dans l’agrégation plaquettaire. En effet, nous avons démontré que le sCD40L renverse leur effet inhibiteur sur l’agrégation plaquettaire, et ce sans avoir un effet significatif sur la sécrétion de prostacycline (PGI2) et d’oxyde nitrique («Nitric Oxide», NO) par ces cellules. De plus, aucun effet du sCD40L n’a été noté sur l’apoptose et la viabilité de ces cellules. Par contre, nous avons noté une augmentation importante du stress oxydatif dans les «early» EPCs suite à leur stimulation avec le sCD40L. L’inhibition du stress oxydatif renverse l’effet du sCD40L sur les «early» EPCs dans l’agrégation plaquettaire. Ces résultats pourraient expliquer, en partie, la fonction réduite des EPCs chez les individus présentant des niveaux élevés de sCD40L en circulation. Dans une deuxième étude, nous avons étudié l’effet de sCD40L dans la fonction des «early» EPCs en relation avec l’angiogenèse. Nous avons identifié, dans un premier temps,les métalloprotéinases de la matrice («Matrix Metalloproteinases», MMPs) qui sont sécrétées par ces cellules. Nous avons trouvé que les «early» EPCs relâchent principalement la MMP-9 et que cette relâche est augmentée par le sCD40L. Le sCD40L induit aussi la phosphorylation de la p38 MAPK qui contribue à augmenter la sécrétion de MMP-9. Des études fonctionnelles ont démontré que le prétraitement des «early» EPCs au sCD40L potentialise la réparation endothéliale des HUVECs. En conclusion, l’ensemble de nos travaux, dans le cadre de ce projet de doctorat, nous a permis d’élucider les mécanismes responsables de l’action du sCD40L sur les effets inhibiteur et angiogénique des «early» EPCs dans l’agrégation plaquettaire et l’angiogenèse, respectivement. Ces résultats ajoutent de nouvelles connaissances sur le rôle des EPCs et pourront constituer la base pour des études futures permettant de corréler les niveaux élevés du sCD40L circulant et l’incidence des maladies cardiovasculaires, particulièrement l’athérothrombose. / Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are endothelial precursors which possess a considerable therapeutic potential in vascular repair and regeneration. In the context of cardiovascular diseases, the understanding of the role of EPCs in the regulation of thrombogenesis and endothelial repair is relevant and necessary to the understanding of their therapeutic potential. We have shown that EPCs interact with platelets via P-selectin and inhibit the adhesion, activation and aggregation of platelets as well as thrombus formation. Recently, we have shown that EPCs express the inflammatory receptor CD40 and it is well known that platelets are the main source of the soluble form of its agonist CD40L («soluble CD40 ligand», sCD40L). Hence, we have hypothesized that the CD40L/CD40 axis in EPCs influences the anti-thrombotic and pro-angiogenic functions of EPCs. To verify this hypothesis, we have successfully generated early and late EPCs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells in culture. We have demonstrated the existence of the CD40L/CD40 axis in EPCs by showing the expression of adaptor proteins, named tumor necrosis factor associated factors (TRAFs). In our first study, we investigated the effect of sCD40L on the function of early EPCs in platelet aggregation. Indeed, we have shown that sCD40L reverses their inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation without having an effect on prostacyclin (PGI2) and nitric oxide (NO) secretion by these cells. Moreover, no effect of sCD40L has been noted on the apoptosis and viability of these cells. However, we have shown a significant increase in oxidative stress in early EPCs following sCD40L stimulation. The inhibition of oxidative stress reverses the effect of sCD40L on early EPCs in platelet aggregation. These results could partially explain the decreased function of EPCs in individuals displaying higher levels of sCD40L in circulation. In our second study, we have studied the effect of sCD40L on the function of early EPCs in relation to angiogenesis. First, we have identified the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) which are secreted by these cells. We have found that early EPCs mainly release MMP-9 and that this release is increased by sCD40L. The sCD40L also induces the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK which contributes to increase the secretion of MMP-9. In functional studies, we have shown that pretreatment of early EPCs with sCD40L can potentialize HUVEC endothelial repair. In conclusion, our work in the context of this doctoral research project has allowed us to study the mechanisms involved in the role of sCD40L in the inhibitory and angiogenic function of early EPCs in platelet aggregation and angiogenesis, respectively. These results add new insights to the role of EPCs and could constitute the basis for future studies allowing for the correlation between high levels of sCD40L and the incidence of cardiovascular disease, particularly atherothrombosis.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) plays important roles in EBV-mediated B cell transformation, development of EBV-associated malignancies, and exacerbation of certain autoimmune conditions. LMP1 functionally mimics tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily member CD40, but LMP1 signals are amplified and sustained compared to those induced by CD40. CD40 and LMP1 rely on TNFR-associated factors (TRAFs) to mediate signaling, but use TRAFs differently. TRAF6 is important for CD40 signaling, and was implicated in LMP1 signaling in non-B cells. Here, we addressed the hypothesis that TRAF6 is a critical regulator of a subset of LMP1 signals in B cells. We found that TRAF6 was required for LMP1-mediated kinase activation and costimulatory molecule upregulation, and associated with the LMP1 TRAF1/2/3/5 binding site (TBS). Additionally, TRAF6 and the TBS contributed to LMP1-induced autoreactivity and antibody (Ab) production in vivo. Finally, in contrast to CD40, LMP1 required the TRAF6 receptor-binding domain to mediate TRAF6-dependent pathways. Thus, TRAF6 is critical for LMP1 signaling and requires LMP1 interaction to propagate signals. Importantly, TRAF6 associates with LMP1 in a manner distinct from CD40, raising the possibility of disrupting LMP1 functions while leaving normal CD40 signaling intact. We next investigated roles of the kinase TAK1 in TRAF6-dependent LMP1 functions. TAK1 was required for CD40- and LMP1-mediated JNK activation in B cells, leading to IL-6 and Ab production. Understanding mechanisms of CD40 and LMP1 signaling provides important insights into normal regulatory control of CD40 functions and how LMP1-mediated pathogenesis escapes or subverts these regulatory mechanisms. LMP1 itself may be a difficult therapeutic target, because it lacks an extracellular domain and is continually processed from the cell surface. Thus, it is important to elucidate similarities and differences between CD40 and LMP1 signals to identify therapeutic targets to block LMP1-mediated pathogenesis. Comparing and contrasting CD40 and LMP1 also increases our understanding of the critical mechanisms used to regulate normal CD40 signaling.

Suite à une stimulation de macrophages au LPS, TANK est phosphorylé en C-terminal et polyubiquitiné de manière non dégradative en N-terminal. Ces deux phénomènes sont indépendants mais dépendent tout deux des kinases IKKe/TBK1. TANK comme ces deux kinases est indispensable à l'activations des facteurs transcriptionnels IRF3/7. Le signalosome COP9/CSN semble aussi intervenir dans la régulation de cette activation via l'interaction TANK/IKKe/CSN5.