Background and Aim: CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells are important in the maintenance of self-tolerance, regulation of T cell homeostasis, prevention of allograft rejection and in the modulation of immune responses to pathogens. Several groups have recently reported an increased expression of fgl2 in Treg cells by microarray analysis. FGL2, a member of the fibrinogen-like family, was previously shown to act as an immunomodulator by inhibiting DC maturation and T cell proliferation. Based on these findings, the immunoregulatory role of FGL2 as a novel effector molecule of Treg cells was investigated. Results: In agreement with previous studies, high levels of fgl2 transcripts were detected in Treg cells by real-time PCR. In fgl2-/- mice, an increased number and percentage of Treg cells were found with a greater expression of Foxp3 compared with fgl2+/+ Treg cells; however, the suppressive activity of fgl2-/- Treg cells was significantly impaired. Antibody to FGL2 completely inhibited the activity of fgl2+/+ Treg cells in vitro. Consistent with FGL2 contribution to Treg cell activity, targeted deletion of the gene led to an increased immune reactivity of DC, T cells and B cells, and the manifestation of glomerular autoimmunity in aged fgl2-/- mice. The importance of FGL2 as an effector of Treg cells was also demonstrated in MHV-3-induced fulminant hepatitis. Uninfected susceptible BALB/cJ mice had increased numbers of Treg cells and expression of FGL2 compared to uninfected resistant A/J mice. Following MHV-3 infection, plasma levels of FGL2 in BALB/cJ mice were significantly increased, correlating with an increased percentage of Treg cells. Treatment with anti-FGL2 antibody completely inhibited Treg cell activity and protected susceptible BALB/cJ mice against MHV-3-induced liver injury and mortality. Adoptive transfer of fgl2+/+ Treg cells into resistant fgl2-/- mice increased their mortality following MHV-3 infection. Finally, FGL2 treatment led to prolonged skin graft survival in a murine allotransplant model. The suppressive activity of FGL2 was mediated through binding to the inhibitory FcγRIIB receptor expressed on APCs, resulting in inhibition of DC maturation and induction of B cell apoptosis. Conclusion: These studies indicate that FGL2 plays an important immunoregulatory role as an effector cytokine of Treg cells; targeting FGL2 may provide a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of patients with viral hepatitis, autoimmunity and transplant rejection.

No description available.

La peau est un « avant poste » fascinant du système immunitaire. Elle forme une barrière entre l'environnement extérieur et l’organisme. Elle est aussi le point d'entrée pour les agents pathogènes, contre lesquels le système immunitaire organise des réponses adaptatives. Les acteurs de l'immunité innée de la peau contrôlent l'invasion des pathogènes et perçoivent également des changements environnementaux physiques et chimiques directs. Plusieurs composants du système immunitaire, tels que des cellules dendritiques (DCs), les macrophages (MΦ) et les mastocytes (MCs), participent à l'éradication des pathogènes et à l'initiation des réponses mémoires adaptatives. Ce qui permet une mobilisation rapide des cellules T effectrices ainsi que la sécrétion des anticorps par les cellules B à la suite d’une seconde exposition aux agents pathogènes. Les MCs qui sont des cellules résidentes du derme, jouent un rôle déterminant dans la libération de signaux d’alertes et sont classiquement considérés comme des cellules effectrices de la réaction allergique cutanée liée à l'IgE. Plusieurs observations récentes indiquent que les MCs seraient aussi impliqués dans les processus immunorégulateurs lors de l'initiation des réponses immunitaires adaptatives, dans le maintien de la tolérance périphérique aux composants de la peau et dans la régénération de la peau au cours des processus de cicatrisation. Cependant, les interactions entre les MCs et d'autres cellules immunitaires innées et adaptatives recrutées dans des conditions inflammatoires cutanées n'ont pas été élucidées en détail. Dans ce travail, nous décrivons l'utilisation d'une nouvelle souris possédant des MCs fluorescents (RMB), dans laquelle nous avons marqué les MCs FcεRI+ avec un marqueur fluorescent rouge tomato (TdT) et avec un système d'ablation conditionnelle basé sur l'expression concurrente du récepteur de la toxine diphtérique (DTR). Avec ces souris RMB, nous avons visualisé la dynamique des MCs et nous avons suivi les interactions entre les MCs et les lymphocytes T régulateurs (Tregs) après l'activation des MCs par l'IgE, dans une réaction inflammatoire typique de l'anaphylaxie cutanée passive (PCA). Dans un second volet d’étude, nous avons évalué le rôle des MCs lors d'un modèle expérimental de la greffe de peau de l'oreille, afin de révéler leur influence dans la cinétique de rejet ou prise de greffe du transplant. Nous avons constaté que 1) l'activation et la dégranulation des MCs induites par le pontage du récepteur FcεRI via des IgE couplées à un antigène multivalent sont les seules responsables de la réaction de PCA, et induisent le recrutement de Tregs ayant une grande motilité sur le site de l'inflammation. Nous avons constaté dans ces conditions, que les MCs restent immobiles, et que les Tregs établissent des contacts dynamiques avec les MCs dans le derme. 2) En outre, nous avons mis en place un modèle pour identifier les paramètres moléculaires de l'interaction MC-Treg et avons constaté que le complexe de l'antigène avec l'IgE peut être présenté aux Tregs en association avec les molécules du complexe majeur d'histocompatibilité de classe II, permettant la formation des contacts stables MC-Treg. 3) En utilisant un modèle de transplantation de la peau in vivo, nous avons montré que l'ablation conditionnelle des MCs conduit à une accélération du rejet du greffon dans le cas d'une transplantation en présence d’une disparité d’antigènes d’histocompatibilité mineurs depuis une souris mâle sur une souris femelle. Nous avons également constaté un impact inattendu de l'ablation des MCs dans la greffe de peau en l’absence de disparité antigénique d'une souris femelle sur une souris femelle, conduisant à un rejet rapide. Les MCs semblent donc être essentiels pour la cicatrisation et la régénération tissulaire après greffe. (...) / The skin is a fascinating outpost of the immune system. It performs a barrier function between the outside environment and the inner body and is also a port of entry for pathogens against which the immune system mounts adapted responses. The skin innate immune defenses control pathogen invasion and perceive also direct physical and chemical environmental changes. Several component of the immune system such as dendritic cells (DC), macrophages (MΦ) and mast cells (MC) participate in initial pathogen clearance and in initiating adaptive memory responses, allowing rapid mobilization of effector T cells and secretion of B cellderived antibodies after secondary pathogen challenge. MCs residing in the dermis exert a determinant alert function through the liberation of various factors and are classically considered as effector cells in the IgE-mediated cutaneous allergic reaction. As emerging now, MC are also involved in immunoregulatory processes during the initiation of adaptive immune responses, the maintenance of peripheral tolerance to skin components and skin regeneration during wound healing. Yet, the crosstalks between MCs and other innate and adaptive immune cells recruited during cutaneous inflammatory conditions have not been elucidated in detail. Here, we report the use of a novel Mast cell fluorescent reporter mouse (RMB), in which we tagged FcεRI+ MCs, with red fluorescence marker tomato (Tdt) and with a conditional ablation system based on concurrent diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) expression. Using these RMB mice, we visualized MC dynamics and monitored MC interactions with regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) after IgE-mediated activation of MCs, in a typical passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) inflammatory reaction. Using another setting, we further assessed the role of MC during experimental ear skin grafting to reveal their potential influence in skin grafting and rejection. We found that 1) the activation and degranulation of MCs induced by FcεRI crosslinking by multivalent IgE is solely responsible for the PCA reaction and induces the recruitment of highly motile regulatory T cells (Tregs) to the site of inflammation. In these conditions, we found that MC remain sessile and Tregs establish dynamic contacts with MC in the dermis. 2) Further we set up a model system to reveal the molecular requirement for MC-Treg interaction and found that antigen complexed with IgE were able to be presented to Treg in association with major histocompatibility complex class II molecules allowing the formation of stable MC-Treg contacts. 3) Using in vivo skin transplantation model, we showed that conditional ablation of MCs leads to an acceleration of skin transplant rejection in sex-mismatched model (male skin transplant to female). We also found an unexpected impact of MC conditional ablation in sex-matched skin graft (female skin transplant to female) leading to rapid rejection, implying that MCs are essential for the wound healing reaction and the regeneration of tissue continuity after grafting. The aforementioned results point out to an important immunoregulatory role of MC beyond their classically described activator functions in inflamed tissues. The fact that MC constantly interact with Treg during inflammatory processes suggest that MCs could participate in skin homeostasis by exerting tolerogenic functions. These functions remain to be elucidated at the molecular level as presented in the discussion.

La peau est un « avant poste » fascinant du système immunitaire. Elle forme une barrière entre l'environnement extérieur et l’organisme. Elle est aussi le point d'entrée pour les agents pathogènes, contre lesquels le système immunitaire organise des réponses adaptatives. Les acteurs de l'immunité innée de la peau contrôlent l'invasion des pathogènes et perçoivent également des changements environnementaux physiques et chimiques directs. Plusieurs composants du système immunitaire, tels que des cellules dendritiques (DCs), les macrophages (MΦ) et les mastocytes (MCs), participent à l'éradication des pathogènes et à l'initiation des réponses mémoires adaptatives. Ce qui permet une mobilisation rapide des cellules T effectrices ainsi que la sécrétion des anticorps par les cellules B à la suite d’une seconde exposition aux agents pathogènes. Les MCs qui sont des cellules résidentes du derme, jouent un rôle déterminant dans la libération de signaux d’alertes et sont classiquement considérés comme des cellules effectrices de la réaction allergique cutanée liée à l'IgE. Plusieurs observations récentes indiquent que les MCs seraient aussi impliqués dans les processus immunorégulateurs lors de l'initiation des réponses immunitaires adaptatives, dans le maintien de la tolérance périphérique aux composants de la peau et dans la régénération de la peau au cours des processus de cicatrisation. Cependant, les interactions entre les MCs et d'autres cellules immunitaires innées et adaptatives recrutées dans des conditions inflammatoires cutanées n'ont pas été élucidées en détail. Dans ce travail, nous décrivons l'utilisation d'une nouvelle souris possédant des MCs fluorescents (RMB), dans laquelle nous avons marqué les MCs FcεRI+ avec un marqueur fluorescent rouge tomato (TdT) et avec un système d'ablation conditionnelle basé sur l'expression concurrente du récepteur de la toxine diphtérique (DTR). Avec ces souris RMB, nous avons visualisé la dynamique des MCs et nous avons suivi les interactions entre les MCs et les lymphocytes T régulateurs (Tregs) après l'activation des MCs par l'IgE, dans une réaction inflammatoire typique de l'anaphylaxie cutanée passive (PCA). Dans un second volet d’étude, nous avons évalué le rôle des MCs lors d'un modèle expérimental de la greffe de peau de l'oreille, afin de révéler leur influence dans la cinétique de rejet ou prise de greffe du transplant. Nous avons constaté que 1) l'activation et la dégranulation des MCs induites par le pontage du récepteur FcεRI via des IgE couplées à un antigène multivalent sont les seules responsables de la réaction de PCA, et induisent le recrutement de Tregs ayant une grande motilité sur le site de l'inflammation. Nous avons constaté dans ces conditions, que les MCs restent immobiles, et que les Tregs établissent des contacts dynamiques avec les MCs dans le derme. 2) En outre, nous avons mis en place un modèle pour identifier les paramètres moléculaires de l'interaction MC-Treg et avons constaté que le complexe de l'antigène avec l'IgE peut être présenté aux Tregs en association avec les molécules du complexe majeur d'histocompatibilité de classe II, permettant la formation des contacts stables MC-Treg. 3) En utilisant un modèle de transplantation de la peau in vivo, nous avons montré que l'ablation conditionnelle des MCs conduit à une accélération du rejet du greffon dans le cas d'une transplantation en présence d’une disparité d’antigènes d’histocompatibilité mineurs depuis une souris mâle sur une souris femelle. Nous avons également constaté un impact inattendu de l'ablation des MCs dans la greffe de peau en l’absence de disparité antigénique d'une souris femelle sur une souris femelle, conduisant à un rejet rapide. Les MCs semblent donc être essentiels pour la cicatrisation et la régénération tissulaire après greffe. (...) / The skin is a fascinating outpost of the immune system. It performs a barrier function between the outside environment and the inner body and is also a port of entry for pathogens against which the immune system mounts adapted responses. The skin innate immune defenses control pathogen invasion and perceive also direct physical and chemical environmental changes. Several component of the immune system such as dendritic cells (DC), macrophages (MΦ) and mast cells (MC) participate in initial pathogen clearance and in initiating adaptive memory responses, allowing rapid mobilization of effector T cells and secretion of B cellderived antibodies after secondary pathogen challenge. MCs residing in the dermis exert a determinant alert function through the liberation of various factors and are classically considered as effector cells in the IgE-mediated cutaneous allergic reaction. As emerging now, MC are also involved in immunoregulatory processes during the initiation of adaptive immune responses, the maintenance of peripheral tolerance to skin components and skin regeneration during wound healing. Yet, the crosstalks between MCs and other innate and adaptive immune cells recruited during cutaneous inflammatory conditions have not been elucidated in detail. Here, we report the use of a novel Mast cell fluorescent reporter mouse (RMB), in which we tagged FcεRI+ MCs, with red fluorescence marker tomato (Tdt) and with a conditional ablation system based on concurrent diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) expression. Using these RMB mice, we visualized MC dynamics and monitored MC interactions with regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) after IgE-mediated activation of MCs, in a typical passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) inflammatory reaction. Using another setting, we further assessed the role of MC during experimental ear skin grafting to reveal their potential influence in skin grafting and rejection. We found that 1) the activation and degranulation of MCs induced by FcεRI crosslinking by multivalent IgE is solely responsible for the PCA reaction and induces the recruitment of highly motile regulatory T cells (Tregs) to the site of inflammation. In these conditions, we found that MC remain sessile and Tregs establish dynamic contacts with MC in the dermis. 2) Further we set up a model system to reveal the molecular requirement for MC-Treg interaction and found that antigen complexed with IgE were able to be presented to Treg in association with major histocompatibility complex class II molecules allowing the formation of stable MC-Treg contacts. 3) Using in vivo skin transplantation model, we showed that conditional ablation of MCs leads to an acceleration of skin transplant rejection in sex-mismatched model (male skin transplant to female). We also found an unexpected impact of MC conditional ablation in sex-matched skin graft (female skin transplant to female) leading to rapid rejection, implying that MCs are essential for the wound healing reaction and the regeneration of tissue continuity after grafting. The aforementioned results point out to an important immunoregulatory role of MC beyond their classically described activator functions in inflamed tissues. The fact that MC constantly interact with Treg during inflammatory processes suggest that MCs could participate in skin homeostasis by exerting tolerogenic functions. These functions remain to be elucidated at the molecular level as presented in the discussion.

Dentre as infecções bacterianas, a tuberculose é responsável pelo maior número de casos no mundo. É uma doença freqüentemente fatal quando associada com cepas resistentes e extremamente resistentes às drogas, ao abandono de tratamento e imunossupressão. Dependendo da natureza e da magnitude da resposta do hospedeiro, uma inflamação excessiva, comumente não protetora nos indivíduos susceptíveis, acompanha a progressão da infecção. Nesse sentido, é de grande interesse identificar mecanismos que não somente caracterizem a evolução da infecção como também aqueles que participam no controle do dano tecidual. Neste estudo, nós usamos linhagens de animais com susceptibilidade distinta à infecção por M. tuberculosis com o objetivo de avaliar se a freqüência e a atividade das células T reguladoras são influenciadas por características genéticas do hospedeiro e se essas diferenças poderiam representar um fator de susceptibilidade durante a tuberculose experimental. Nossos resultados mostram que tanto a freqüência como a atividade supressora das células T reguladoras de animais BALB/c estava aumentada, inibindo a produção de IFN-g e IL-2 por células efetoras CD4+CD25-. Essa atividade supressora não parece ser dependente de IL-10 ou TGF-b. Do contrário, a freqüência e a capacidade supressoras das células T reguladoras de animais C57BL/6 diminuíram com a infecção e, como conseqüência, foi verificada uma resposta proliferativa mais intensa, maior produção de IFN-g e IL-17, e uma eficiente restrição no crescimento bacteriano em relação aos animais BALB/c. As células T reguladoras de animais C57BL/6 regularam positivamente a produção de TGF-b. No entanto, não regularam negativamente a produção de IFN-g. Além disso, a transferência adotiva de células T reguladoras de animais BALB/c tornou esta linhagem mais susceptível enquanto a transferência de células T reguladoras de animais C57BL/6 afetou discretamente o número de UFC nessa linhagem. Reforçando nossos dados, recentemente, foi descrito por Torcia e colaboradores (2008) que a deficiência funcional de células T reguladoras pode explicar a resistência distinta à malária em diferentes grupos étnicos da África. Nesse contexto, a ativação de células T reguladoras pode representar um importante aspecto a ser ressaltado no desenvolvimento de medidas profiláticas e de terapias imunológicas para doenças infecciosas em indivíduos susceptíveis. / Tuberculosis is responsible for the highest number of cases of bacterial infection in the world, which are frequently fatal, especially when associated with multiply drug-resistant and extremely resistant strains, treatment abandonment and immune suppression. Depending on the nature and magnitude of the host response, an excessive inflammation follows the progression of infection. In this way, it is of great interest to identify mechanisms that not only determine differences in infection outcome, but also those that are most influential in controlling host tissue damage. In this study, we used mouse strains with distinct levels of susceptibility to M. tuberculosis infection to test the hypothesis that the frequency and activity of Treg cells are influenced by genetic background and these differences might represent a susceptibility factor for tuberculosis. Our results show that either the frequency or the suppressor activity of BALB/c Treg cells was enhanced, inhibiting proliferation, IFN-g and IL-2 production by CD4+CD25- responsive cells. This suppressor activity seems not be dependent on IL-10 or TGF-b. In contrast, the frequency and suppressor capacity of C57BL/6 Treg cells decreased and, as a consequence, a more intense proliferative response, higher production of IFN-g and IL-17, and a more efficient restriction of bacterial growth compared to BALB/c mice were observed. C57BL/6 regulatory T cells up regulated TGF-b secretion. However, they did not down regulated IFN-g secretion. In addition, adoptive transfer of BALB/c Treg cells made this strain more susceptible to infection while the transfer of C57BL/6 Treg cells affected only discretely the CFU numbers in this strain. To reinforce our data, recently, it was reported by Torcia and coworkers that a functional deficiency of regulatory T cells may explain distinct resistance to malaria in different ethnic groups of Africa. In this context, activation of Treg cells may become an important issue to be addressed in the development of vaccines and immune modulators for the prophylaxis and therapy of infectious diseases in susceptible subjects.

Une immunité concomitante à long terme est mise en place lors d’infections persistantes avec des parasites protozoaires intracellulaires responsables, par exemple, de la leishmaniose et du paludisme. Dans un modèle murin de leishmaniose, il a ainsi été démontré que les cellules T régulatrices CD4+CD25+ sont impliquées dans la persistance des leishmanies aux sites d’infection cutanés et protègent l’hôte contre une ré-infection.Le protozoaire Toxoplasma gondii est également à l’origine d’une infection chronique liée à l’installation du parasite dans le cerveau et les muscles de l’hôte dans des formes kystiques. Il était donc pertinent de s’intéresser à l’implication des cellules T régulatrices dans l’installation et la persistance du toxoplasme.Pour atteindre cet objectif, nous avons utilisé l’anticorps monoclonal anti-CD25 dans des expériences de déplétion pendant la phase aiguë de la toxoplasmose après infection de souris non consanguines avec une souche de toxoplasmes de type II. Aucune différence significative que ce soit en terme de mortalité ou de charge parasitaire cérébrale n’a été observée entre les souris infectées et déplétées et les souris infectées non déplétées. En complément de ces expériences, nous avons pu montrer que les cellules régulatrices CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ (Treg) sont une cible potentielle de l’anticorps anti-CD25 ainsi que les cellules T effectrices CD4+CD25+Foxp3- (Teff); cellules qui expriment le marqueur CD25 en phase aiguë de l’infection. / Long term concomitant immunity is developed in case of persistant infections with intracellular protozoan parasites like for example in leishmaniosis and malaria. In a murine model of leishmaniosis, it has been demonstrated that CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells are involved in the persistance of leishmania parasites at cutaneous sites of infection and protect the host against re-infection.The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is also responsible for a chronic infection associated with the settlement of parasite in the brain and the muscles of the host in the form of cysts. It was therefore pertinent to know about the implication of Treg cells in the development and the persistance of toxoplasma. To attain this objective, we have used a monoclonal antibody anti-CD25 in depletion experiments during the acute phase of toxoplasmosis after infection of outbred mice with a type II toxoplasma strain. No significant difference was found in terms of mortality or in brain cyst load between depleted mice and non-depleted mice. In addition to these experiments, we have shown that not only the CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells but also the CD4+CD25+Foxp3- T effector (Teff) cells are a potential target of anti-CD25 antibody-depletion. These cells are induced to express CD25 during acute phase of the infection.

Dentre as infecções bacterianas, a tuberculose é responsável pelo maior número de casos no mundo. É uma doença freqüentemente fatal quando associada com cepas resistentes e extremamente resistentes às drogas, ao abandono de tratamento e imunossupressão. Dependendo da natureza e da magnitude da resposta do hospedeiro, uma inflamação excessiva, comumente não protetora nos indivíduos susceptíveis, acompanha a progressão da infecção. Nesse sentido, é de grande interesse identificar mecanismos que não somente caracterizem a evolução da infecção como também aqueles que participam no controle do dano tecidual. Neste estudo, nós usamos linhagens de animais com susceptibilidade distinta à infecção por M. tuberculosis com o objetivo de avaliar se a freqüência e a atividade das células T reguladoras são influenciadas por características genéticas do hospedeiro e se essas diferenças poderiam representar um fator de susceptibilidade durante a tuberculose experimental. Nossos resultados mostram que tanto a freqüência como a atividade supressora das células T reguladoras de animais BALB/c estava aumentada, inibindo a produção de IFN-g e IL-2 por células efetoras CD4+CD25-. Essa atividade supressora não parece ser dependente de IL-10 ou TGF-b. Do contrário, a freqüência e a capacidade supressoras das células T reguladoras de animais C57BL/6 diminuíram com a infecção e, como conseqüência, foi verificada uma resposta proliferativa mais intensa, maior produção de IFN-g e IL-17, e uma eficiente restrição no crescimento bacteriano em relação aos animais BALB/c. As células T reguladoras de animais C57BL/6 regularam positivamente a produção de TGF-b. No entanto, não regularam negativamente a produção de IFN-g. Além disso, a transferência adotiva de células T reguladoras de animais BALB/c tornou esta linhagem mais susceptível enquanto a transferência de células T reguladoras de animais C57BL/6 afetou discretamente o número de UFC nessa linhagem. Reforçando nossos dados, recentemente, foi descrito por Torcia e colaboradores (2008) que a deficiência funcional de células T reguladoras pode explicar a resistência distinta à malária em diferentes grupos étnicos da África. Nesse contexto, a ativação de células T reguladoras pode representar um importante aspecto a ser ressaltado no desenvolvimento de medidas profiláticas e de terapias imunológicas para doenças infecciosas em indivíduos susceptíveis. / Tuberculosis is responsible for the highest number of cases of bacterial infection in the world, which are frequently fatal, especially when associated with multiply drug-resistant and extremely resistant strains, treatment abandonment and immune suppression. Depending on the nature and magnitude of the host response, an excessive inflammation follows the progression of infection. In this way, it is of great interest to identify mechanisms that not only determine differences in infection outcome, but also those that are most influential in controlling host tissue damage. In this study, we used mouse strains with distinct levels of susceptibility to M. tuberculosis infection to test the hypothesis that the frequency and activity of Treg cells are influenced by genetic background and these differences might represent a susceptibility factor for tuberculosis. Our results show that either the frequency or the suppressor activity of BALB/c Treg cells was enhanced, inhibiting proliferation, IFN-g and IL-2 production by CD4+CD25- responsive cells. This suppressor activity seems not be dependent on IL-10 or TGF-b. In contrast, the frequency and suppressor capacity of C57BL/6 Treg cells decreased and, as a consequence, a more intense proliferative response, higher production of IFN-g and IL-17, and a more efficient restriction of bacterial growth compared to BALB/c mice were observed. C57BL/6 regulatory T cells up regulated TGF-b secretion. However, they did not down regulated IFN-g secretion. In addition, adoptive transfer of BALB/c Treg cells made this strain more susceptible to infection while the transfer of C57BL/6 Treg cells affected only discretely the CFU numbers in this strain. To reinforce our data, recently, it was reported by Torcia and coworkers that a functional deficiency of regulatory T cells may explain distinct resistance to malaria in different ethnic groups of Africa. In this context, activation of Treg cells may become an important issue to be addressed in the development of vaccines and immune modulators for the prophylaxis and therapy of infectious diseases in susceptible subjects.

Le système immunitaire joue un double rôle dans le cancer : il peut non seulement supprimer la croissance tumorale en détruisant les cellules cancéreuses, mais aussi promouvoir la progression de la tumeur en sélectionnant les cellules tumorales ou en créant un microenvironnement tumoral immunosuppresseur. Notre idée principale est de développer des stratégies pour mieux comprendre l’immunologie du cancer colique.Au cours de ma thèse, je me suis tout d’abord intéressée à une population du système immunitaire : les MDSC (Myeloïd Derived Suppressor Cells). Nous avons exploré des stratégies pour réduire le nombre de ces cellules au cours de la croissance tumorale. Nous avons pu découvrir que de petites doses de 5 fluorouracil sont capables d’induire spécifiquement une mort par apoptose des cellules myéloïdes suppressives. Nous avons ainsi caractérisé un effet immunologique positif nouveau du 5-fluorouracil. Cet effet immunologique contribue à l’effet antitumoral du 5-fluorouracil chez la souris. Dans une deuxième partie nous avons étudié le rôle pronostic des infiltrats immunitaires dans une série de patients présentant un cancer du côlon avec des métastases hépatiques. Nous avons étudié le rôle pronostic des infiltrats en cellules CD8, CD45R0 et Foxp3. Nous avons mis en évidence que la présence d’un fort infiltrat en cellules CD45RO et Foxp3 est un facteur de bon pronostic. L’association des 2 marqueurs permet de définir 3 groupes pronostics et ainsi d’individualiser un groupe de mauvais pronostic ne bénéficiant probablement pas de la chirurgie hépatique. / Immune system plays a dual role in cancer: it can not only suppress tumor growth by destroying cancer cells, but also promote tumor progression by selecting immunoresistant tumor cells or by establishing an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Our main objective is to foster on the context of immune response in colon cancer settingDuring my thesis, I focused on one population of the immunosuppressive cells immune system: MDSC (myeloid derived suppressor cells). In this work, we explored strategies to reduce the number of these cells during tumor growth. We have discovered that small doses of 5 Fluorouracil are able to specifically induce apoptotic death of MDSC. We have characterized a novel positive immunological effect of 5-fluororuracil. This immunological effect contributes to the antitumor effect of 5-fluorouracil in mice. In the second part we investigated the prognostic role of immune infiltrates in a series of colon cancers with liver metastases. We investigated the prognostic role of tumor infiltrates, by CD8, CD45R0 and Foxp3 cells. We found that the presence of a strong infiltrate of tumors by CD45RO and Foxp3 cells is a factor of good prognosis. The combination of the two markers could be used to define three prognostic groups and underline a poor prognosis group which may not benefit of liver surgery.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・論文博士 / 博士(医学) / 乙第13356号 / 論医博第2202号 / 新制||医||1044(附属図書館) / (主査)教授 生田 宏一, 教授 濵﨑 洋子, 教授 竹内 理 / 学位規則第4条第2項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

La peau est un « avant poste » fascinant du système immunitaire. Elle forme une barrière entre l'environnement extérieur et l’organisme. Elle est aussi le point d'entrée pour les agents pathogènes, contre lesquels le système immunitaire organise des réponses adaptatives. Les acteurs de l'immunité innée de la peau contrôlent l'invasion des pathogènes et perçoivent également des changements environnementaux physiques et chimiques directs. Plusieurs composants du système immunitaire, tels que des cellules dendritiques (DCs), les macrophages (MΦ) et les mastocytes (MCs), participent à l'éradication des pathogènes et à l'initiation des réponses mémoires adaptatives. Ce qui permet une mobilisation rapide des cellules T effectrices ainsi que la sécrétion des anticorps par les cellules B à la suite d’une seconde exposition aux agents pathogènes. Les MCs qui sont des cellules résidentes du derme, jouent un rôle déterminant dans la libération de signaux d’alertes et sont classiquement considérés comme des cellules effectrices de la réaction allergique cutanée liée à l'IgE. Plusieurs observations récentes indiquent que les MCs seraient aussi impliqués dans les processus immunorégulateurs lors de l'initiation des réponses immunitaires adaptatives, dans le maintien de la tolérance périphérique aux composants de la peau et dans la régénération de la peau au cours des processus de cicatrisation. Cependant, les interactions entre les MCs et d'autres cellules immunitaires innées et adaptatives recrutées dans des conditions inflammatoires cutanées n'ont pas été élucidées en détail. Dans ce travail, nous décrivons l'utilisation d'une nouvelle souris possédant des MCs fluorescents (RMB), dans laquelle nous avons marqué les MCs FcεRI+ avec un marqueur fluorescent rouge tomato (TdT) et avec un système d'ablation conditionnelle basé sur l'expression concurrente du récepteur de la toxine diphtérique (DTR). Avec ces souris RMB, nous avons visualisé la dynamique des MCs et nous avons suivi les interactions entre les MCs et les lymphocytes T régulateurs (Tregs) après l'activation des MCs par l'IgE, dans une réaction inflammatoire typique de l'anaphylaxie cutanée passive (PCA). Dans un second volet d’étude, nous avons évalué le rôle des MCs lors d'un modèle expérimental de la greffe de peau de l'oreille, afin de révéler leur influence dans la cinétique de rejet ou prise de greffe du transplant. Nous avons constaté que 1) l'activation et la dégranulation des MCs induites par le pontage du récepteur FcεRI via des IgE couplées à un antigène multivalent sont les seules responsables de la réaction de PCA, et induisent le recrutement de Tregs ayant une grande motilité sur le site de l'inflammation. Nous avons constaté dans ces conditions, que les MCs restent immobiles, et que les Tregs établissent des contacts dynamiques avec les MCs dans le derme. 2) En outre, nous avons mis en place un modèle pour identifier les paramètres moléculaires de l'interaction MC-Treg et avons constaté que le complexe de l'antigène avec l'IgE peut être présenté aux Tregs en association avec les molécules du complexe majeur d'histocompatibilité de classe II, permettant la formation des contacts stables MC-Treg. 3) En utilisant un modèle de transplantation de la peau in vivo, nous avons montré que l'ablation conditionnelle des MCs conduit à une accélération du rejet du greffon dans le cas d'une transplantation en présence d’une disparité d’antigènes d’histocompatibilité mineurs depuis une souris mâle sur une souris femelle. Nous avons également constaté un impact inattendu de l'ablation des MCs dans la greffe de peau en l’absence de disparité antigénique d'une souris femelle sur une souris femelle, conduisant à un rejet rapide. Les MCs semblent donc être essentiels pour la cicatrisation et la régénération tissulaire après greffe. (...) / The skin is a fascinating outpost of the immune system. It performs a barrier function between the outside environment and the inner body and is also a port of entry for pathogens against which the immune system mounts adapted responses. The skin innate immune defenses control pathogen invasion and perceive also direct physical and chemical environmental changes. Several component of the immune system such as dendritic cells (DC), macrophages (MΦ) and mast cells (MC) participate in initial pathogen clearance and in initiating adaptive memory responses, allowing rapid mobilization of effector T cells and secretion of B cellderived antibodies after secondary pathogen challenge. MCs residing in the dermis exert a determinant alert function through the liberation of various factors and are classically considered as effector cells in the IgE-mediated cutaneous allergic reaction. As emerging now, MC are also involved in immunoregulatory processes during the initiation of adaptive immune responses, the maintenance of peripheral tolerance to skin components and skin regeneration during wound healing. Yet, the crosstalks between MCs and other innate and adaptive immune cells recruited during cutaneous inflammatory conditions have not been elucidated in detail. Here, we report the use of a novel Mast cell fluorescent reporter mouse (RMB), in which we tagged FcεRI+ MCs, with red fluorescence marker tomato (Tdt) and with a conditional ablation system based on concurrent diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) expression. Using these RMB mice, we visualized MC dynamics and monitored MC interactions with regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) after IgE-mediated activation of MCs, in a typical passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) inflammatory reaction. Using another setting, we further assessed the role of MC during experimental ear skin grafting to reveal their potential influence in skin grafting and rejection. We found that 1) the activation and degranulation of MCs induced by FcεRI crosslinking by multivalent IgE is solely responsible for the PCA reaction and induces the recruitment of highly motile regulatory T cells (Tregs) to the site of inflammation. In these conditions, we found that MC remain sessile and Tregs establish dynamic contacts with MC in the dermis. 2) Further we set up a model system to reveal the molecular requirement for MC-Treg interaction and found that antigen complexed with IgE were able to be presented to Treg in association with major histocompatibility complex class II molecules allowing the formation of stable MC-Treg contacts. 3) Using in vivo skin transplantation model, we showed that conditional ablation of MCs leads to an acceleration of skin transplant rejection in sex-mismatched model (male skin transplant to female). We also found an unexpected impact of MC conditional ablation in sex-matched skin graft (female skin transplant to female) leading to rapid rejection, implying that MCs are essential for the wound healing reaction and the regeneration of tissue continuity after grafting. The aforementioned results point out to an important immunoregulatory role of MC beyond their classically described activator functions in inflamed tissues. The fact that MC constantly interact with Treg during inflammatory processes suggest that MCs could participate in skin homeostasis by exerting tolerogenic functions. These functions remain to be elucidated at the molecular level as presented in the discussion.