Dans les thérapies anticancéreuses, les traitements anti-angiogéniques agissant sur l’axe VEGF/VEGFR ont une place importante en clinique. Dans ce contexte, nous avons conçu et évalué l’activité de nouveaux inhibiteurs de l’interaction VEGF/VEGFR. Une première approche a été la conception de molécules antagonistes du VEGFR1. Différents analogues hétérocycliques dérivant d’un composé de type (3-carboxy-2-ureido) thiophène ont été synthétisés. Des réactivités chimiques intéressantes ont été mises en évidence, mais l’activité biochimique de ces molécules ne s’est pas révélée concluante. Une seconde approche reposant sur la conception de peptides ciblant le VEGF a alors été initiée. A partir d’un peptide cyclique connu de 19 résidus ayant une affinité submicromolaire pour le VEGF, de nouveaux peptides et peptidomimétiques ont été développés.L’objectif a été de concevoir des composés de structures chimiques potentiellement plus simples et plus stables en milieu biologique, tout en optimisant l’affinité pour le VEGF. L’interaction de ces peptides avec le VEGF a été étudiée in vitro par ELISA et ITC, ainsi que par cristallographie pour le composé le plus affin. En parallèle, nous avons étudié l’effet du cuivre et d’autres métaux divalents sur l’interaction VEGF/VEGFR1. Au travers d’expériences réalisées au laboratoire ainsi qu’en collaboration, nous avons montré que certains métaux étaient capables non seulement d’inhiber l’interaction VEGF/VEGFR1 mais également d’induire une dimérisation non classique du domaine 2du récepteur. Sachant que les métaux, et en particulier le cuivre, sont connus pour jouer un rôle important dans l’angiogenèse, cette découverte apporte de nouveaux éléments de réponse sur leur mécanisme d’action. Ce travail de thèse s’inscrit donc non seulement dans une démarche de développement de nouveaux composés anti-angiogéniques mais également de compréhension du mécanisme de régulation de l’angiogenèse. / Inhibiting angiogenesis is an effective strategy of targeting therapy against cancer. In thiscontext, we develop an antiangiogenic strategy consisting in the design and evaluation of compoundsblocking the VEGF/VEGFR interaction. The first approach was the conception of antagonists of theVEGFR1. Starting from a (3-carboxy-2-ureido) thiophene hit, a variety of heterocyclic analogs wasdeveloped. Interesting chemical observations were made during the synthesis, but no optimization ofthe biochemical activity was achieved. The second approach was the design of peptides that bind tothe receptor-recognition surface of the VEGF. Starting from a cyclic peptide known to bind to theVEGF with a sub-micromolar affinity, new peptides and peptidomimetics were developed. Thestrategy was to design simplified and potentially more stable compounds, and to improve at thesame time the VEGF affinity. The interaction of VEGF with these ligands was studied in vitro by ELISAand ITC experiments, as well as X-ray diffraction for the best compound. Moreover, the investigationof the effects of copper and other divalent metals on the VEGF/VEGFR1 interaction was undertaken.Experiments realized in the laboratory and in collaboration showed that metals were able to displacethe VEGF/VEGFR1 interaction and to induce the dimerisation of the domain 2 of the receptor. Metalsare well known to play an important role in angiogenic phenomena, but their specific targets are stilla matter of debate. In this context, this discovery brings new response elements regarding theirmechanisms of action. Therefore, the objectives of this PhD thesis were the development of newantiangiogenic compounds, as well as the understanding of some aspects of the regulation of angiogenesis.

Angiogenesis is the process of new blood vessel growth from preexisting vessels. This process relies on the activity of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) and occurs in both normal and pathological tissues. Angiogenesis is often dysregulated in diseases such as cancer and many efforts have been made to treat such diseases by targeting the VEGFR-2 pathway. VEGFR-2 is activated upon ligand binding and subsequent autophosphorylation of tyrosine residues in the kinase domain, which leads to endothelial cell survival, proliferation, and growth – all of which are required for angiogenesis to occur. It was previously demonstrated that methylation of VEGFR-2 at Lys1041 enhanced its tyrosine autophosphorylation and is required for VEGFR-2 mediated angiogenesis in zebrafish and tumor growth in mouse. However, the Lysine Methyltransferase (KMT) involved in the methylation of VEGFR-2 remains unknown. This study aimed to identify the KMT involved in the methylation of VEGFR-2. We have identified Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) as the KMT likely responsible for catalyzing methylation of K1041 on VEGFR-2. Over-expression of EZH2 was found to increase phosphorylation of Tyr1054, one of the required phosphorylation sites for VEGFR-2 activation, in whole cell lysates and VEGFR-2 purified by immunoprecipitation. The effect of over-expression of EZH2 in the phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 at Tyr1054 was dose-dependent - increasing concentrations of EZH2 resulted in increasing phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 at Tyr1054. Moreover, we determined that EZH2 physically interacts with VEGFR-2 as demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitation in vitro GST-pulldown assays. The C-terminus of EZH2 (amino acids 371-746), physically interacted with VEGFR-2. Taken together, we have identified EZH2 as a candidate KMT involved in the methylation of Lys1041, which increases phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 at Tyr1054. / 2020-07-03T00:00:00Z

Yes / Extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) is critical for normal cardiovascular development. Previous studies have defined a canonical pathway for ERK5 activation, showing that ligand stimulation leads to MEK5 activation resulting in dual phosphorylation of ERK5 on Thr218/Tyr220 residues within the activation loop. ERK5 then undergoes a conformational change, facilitating phosphorylation on residues in the C-terminal domain and translocation to the nucleus where it regulates MEF2 transcriptional activity. Our previous research into the importance of ERK5 in endothelial cells highlighted its role in VEGF-mediated tubular morphogenesis and cell survival, suggesting that ERK5 played a unique role in endothelial cells. Our current data show that in contrast to EGF-stimulated HeLa cells, VEGF-mediated ERK5 activation in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs) does not result in C-terminal phosphorylation of ERK5 and translocation to the nucleus, but instead to a more plasma membrane/cytoplasmic localisation. Furthermore, the use of small-molecule inhibitors to MEK5 and ERK5 shows that instead of regulating MEF2 activity, VEGF-mediated ERK5 is important for regulating AKT activity. Our data define a novel pathway for ERK5 activation in endothelial cells leading to cell survival. / This research was funded by grants from: North West Cancer Research (NWCR): M.J.C. and A.K.M.; Medical Research Council (MRC DiMeN PhD): M.J.C. and K.A.; Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC DTG Studentship): M.J.C., C.E.P.G., B.W. and G.N.N.; and Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Fund: M.J.C. and A.K.M.

No description available.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-01T14:16:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 6645115 bytes, checksum: deca0339070b70563febd2b8fada82ec (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-08-14 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Snakebites are and global endemic problem and the study of its components is important to understand and prevent them. Among its components, phospholipase A2 have been strongly studies as Lys49 myotoxins. However, understanding the molecular mechanisms of its pharmacological effects remains controversial until now. This work studied the Lys49 myotoxins pharmacological structural determinants, emphasizing cytotoxic and myotoxic effects. Protein sequence analysis as well as molecular docking with myotoxin Bn IV and VEGFR-II receptor and different anionic molecules, such as phosphate, heparin and lipopolysaccharide were performed. Sequence analyses showed defied regions within Lys49 myotoxins group, especially cationic regions. In accordance with this, molecular dockings performed in this work observed the presence of anionic non-specific sites, also a heparin recognition site. Molecular dockings between myotoxin Bn IV and VEGFR-II were satisfactory and indicated C-terminal tail as an important interactive region. Our results determine cationic regions as important for cytotoxic effects and bring a new molecular approach to the myotoxic effects, via VEGFR-II. In additional, molecular cytotoxic and myotoxic models for myotoxic Lys49 were presented / Acidentes ofídicos constituem um problema endêmico global, e o estudo de seus componentes é importante para compreender e preveni-los. Dentre seus componentes, fosfolipases A2 têm sido fortemente estudadas, bem como as miotoxinas Lys49. Contudo, o entendimento dos mecanismos moleculares que promovem seus efeitos farmacológicos permanece controverso até hoje. O presente trabalho buscou estudar os determinantes estruturais dos efeitos farmacológicos das miotoxinas Lys49, enfaticamente seus efeitos citotóxicos e miotóxicos. Foram realizados testes de análise de sequências entre tais proteínas, bem como dockings moleculares entre a miotoxina Bn IV e o VEGFR-II e diferentes moléculas aniônicas, como fosfato, heparina e lipopolissacarídeo. As análises das sequências apresentaram regiões bem definidas dentro do grupo das miotoxinas Lys49, notadamente regiões catiônicas. Em concordância com isto, os dockings moleculares realizados neste trabalho apontam para a presença de um sítio não-específico para cargas aniônicas, bem como um sítio de reconhecimento para heparina. Já os dockings moleculares entre a miotoxina Bn IV e o VEGFR-II foram satisfatórias e apontaram a cauda C-terminal como uma importante região de interação. Tais resultados determinam regiões catiônicas importantes para a realização dos efeitos citotóxicos, através do reconhecimento de fosfolipídios aniônicos, e trazem uma nova abordagem molecular para os efeitos miotóxicos, via VEGFR-II. Além disso, são apresentados modelos moleculares para os efeitos citotóxicos e miotóxicos das miotoxinas Lys49

O fator de crescimento vascular endotelial (VEGF) desempenha um papel importante na angiogênese, induzindo a proliferação da célula endotelial, migração e sobrevivência. Com o intuito de promover a formação de novos vasos, e obter uma melhora na circulação colateral, VEGF tem sido utilizado para o tratamento de áreas de isquemia cardíaca, na doença cardiovascular. A manutenção da vitalidade pulpar com VEGF pode melhorar o prognóstico dos dentes que sofreram avulsão, prevenindo a perda precoce do dente. O propósito deste estudo foi desenvolver um modelo para se estudar o processo de revascularização da polpa dentária e avaliar o efeito do VEGF- 165 na angiogênese da polpa humana e na apoptose. Fatias de dente humano foram mantidas in vitro (cultura) com e sem VEGF (50ng/ml) durante 7 dias. Coloração de imuno-histoquímica para o Fator de Von Willebrand (Fator VIII) foi utilizada para quantificar o número de vasos sangüíneos no tecido pulpar. O número de vasos sangüíneos foi significantemente mais alto no grupo do VEGF (média -67.87) comparado ao grupo controle (média- 46.25, p< .05). O teste do Tunel foi usado para determinar o número de células apoptóticas nos grupos com e sem VEGF. Análises da expressão de VEGFR-2 por RT-PCR foram realizadas nas células endoteliais da microvasculatura da derme humana (HDMECs), células pulpares indiferenciadas (OD-21), células tipo odontoblasto de camundongo (MDPC-23) e macrófagos. A expressão de VEGFR-2 foi detectada nas HDMECs, mas não nas outras 3 linhas celulares. Quatro fatias de dente humano por camundongo imunodeprimido foram implantadas na região dorsal, subcutaneamente, pelo período de 7 dias. A vitalidade pulpar foi determinada pelas análises microscópica e imuno-histoquímica. O teste do Tunel foi usado para determinar o número de células apoptóticas. O modelo de angiogênese pulpar utilizando camundongos imunodeprimidos (SCID mouse model of pulp angiogenese) demonstrou ser um modelo viável para se estudar o processo de revascularização da polpa dentária humana. Levando-se em consideração os resultados obtidos neste estudo, sugere-se que o VEGF possa ter um efeito positivo na revascularização de dentes avulsionados. E que o modelo de angiogênese pulpar desenvolvido nesta pesquisa possa ser útil para responder a inúmeras novas questões experimentais na área de Endodontia. / The Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays na important role in angiogenesis by inducing endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and survival. To promote new vessel formation and improve collateral circulation, VEGF has been used to treat ischemic heart areas in cardiovascular disease. Maintenance of pulp vitality with VEGF may improve the outcomes of avulsed teeth, preventing premature tooth loss. The purpose of this study was to develop a model system to study the process of dental pulp revascularization, and assess the effect of VEGF-165 in the human pulp angiogenesis and apoptosis. Human tooth slices were maintained in vitro for 7 days +/- VEGF (50ng/mL). Immunohistochemistry staining for Von Willebrand?s factor (Factor VIII) was used to quantify the number of vessels in pulp tissues. There was a significantly higher number of blood vessels in the VEGF group (67.8 Mean) compared to the control group (46.2 Mean, p<0.05). Tunel Assay was used to determine the number of apoptotic cells in +/- VEGF groups. RTPCR analyses of VEGFR-2 transcripts were used on human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs), undifferentiated pulp cells (OD-21), mouse odontoblast-like cells (MDPC-23), and macrophages. VEGFR-2 expression was detected in HDMECs but not in the other 3 cell lines. Four tooth slices per mouse were subcutaneously implanted in the dorsal region for 7 days. Pulp vitality was determined by histological and immunohistochemical analysis. Also, Tunel Assay was used to determine the number of apoptotic cells. SCID mouse model of pulp angiogenesis demonstrated to be a good model system to study revascularization of human dental pulps. Taking into account the findings of this study, it is suggested that VEGF could have a positive effect in the revascularization of avulsed teeth. It is hoped that this pulp angiogenesis model be useful to answer a number of new experimental questions in the area of Endodontics.

O fator de crescimento vascular endotelial (VEGF) desempenha um papel importante na angiogênese, induzindo a proliferação da célula endotelial, migração e sobrevivência. Com o intuito de promover a formação de novos vasos, e obter uma melhora na circulação colateral, VEGF tem sido utilizado para o tratamento de áreas de isquemia cardíaca, na doença cardiovascular. A manutenção da vitalidade pulpar com VEGF pode melhorar o prognóstico dos dentes que sofreram avulsão, prevenindo a perda precoce do dente. O propósito deste estudo foi desenvolver um modelo para se estudar o processo de revascularização da polpa dentária e avaliar o efeito do VEGF- 165 na angiogênese da polpa humana e na apoptose. Fatias de dente humano foram mantidas in vitro (cultura) com e sem VEGF (50ng/ml) durante 7 dias. Coloração de imuno-histoquímica para o Fator de Von Willebrand (Fator VIII) foi utilizada para quantificar o número de vasos sangüíneos no tecido pulpar. O número de vasos sangüíneos foi significantemente mais alto no grupo do VEGF (média -67.87) comparado ao grupo controle (média- 46.25, p< .05). O teste do Tunel foi usado para determinar o número de células apoptóticas nos grupos com e sem VEGF. Análises da expressão de VEGFR-2 por RT-PCR foram realizadas nas células endoteliais da microvasculatura da derme humana (HDMECs), células pulpares indiferenciadas (OD-21), células tipo odontoblasto de camundongo (MDPC-23) e macrófagos. A expressão de VEGFR-2 foi detectada nas HDMECs, mas não nas outras 3 linhas celulares. Quatro fatias de dente humano por camundongo imunodeprimido foram implantadas na região dorsal, subcutaneamente, pelo período de 7 dias. A vitalidade pulpar foi determinada pelas análises microscópica e imuno-histoquímica. O teste do Tunel foi usado para determinar o número de células apoptóticas. O modelo de angiogênese pulpar utilizando camundongos imunodeprimidos (SCID mouse model of pulp angiogenese) demonstrou ser um modelo viável para se estudar o processo de revascularização da polpa dentária humana. Levando-se em consideração os resultados obtidos neste estudo, sugere-se que o VEGF possa ter um efeito positivo na revascularização de dentes avulsionados. E que o modelo de angiogênese pulpar desenvolvido nesta pesquisa possa ser útil para responder a inúmeras novas questões experimentais na área de Endodontia. / The Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays na important role in angiogenesis by inducing endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and survival. To promote new vessel formation and improve collateral circulation, VEGF has been used to treat ischemic heart areas in cardiovascular disease. Maintenance of pulp vitality with VEGF may improve the outcomes of avulsed teeth, preventing premature tooth loss. The purpose of this study was to develop a model system to study the process of dental pulp revascularization, and assess the effect of VEGF-165 in the human pulp angiogenesis and apoptosis. Human tooth slices were maintained in vitro for 7 days +/- VEGF (50ng/mL). Immunohistochemistry staining for Von Willebrand?s factor (Factor VIII) was used to quantify the number of vessels in pulp tissues. There was a significantly higher number of blood vessels in the VEGF group (67.8 Mean) compared to the control group (46.2 Mean, p<0.05). Tunel Assay was used to determine the number of apoptotic cells in +/- VEGF groups. RTPCR analyses of VEGFR-2 transcripts were used on human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs), undifferentiated pulp cells (OD-21), mouse odontoblast-like cells (MDPC-23), and macrophages. VEGFR-2 expression was detected in HDMECs but not in the other 3 cell lines. Four tooth slices per mouse were subcutaneously implanted in the dorsal region for 7 days. Pulp vitality was determined by histological and immunohistochemical analysis. Also, Tunel Assay was used to determine the number of apoptotic cells. SCID mouse model of pulp angiogenesis demonstrated to be a good model system to study revascularization of human dental pulps. Taking into account the findings of this study, it is suggested that VEGF could have a positive effect in the revascularization of avulsed teeth. It is hoped that this pulp angiogenesis model be useful to answer a number of new experimental questions in the area of Endodontics.

Οι όγκοι εγκεφάλου αποτελούν μια ομάδα όγκων με ιδιαίτερα χαρακτηριστικά. Η ογκογένεση έχει συσχετισθεί σε αρκετούς όγκους, ανάμεσά τους και ορισμένοι όγκοι εγκεφάλου, με την πρωτείνη θερμικού σοκ 90 (Hsp90). Σε πρόσφατες μελέτες, έχει αποδειχθεί η η συμμετοχή της Hsp90 στην αποδόμηση της ογκοκατασταλτικής πρωτείνης pVHL, η οποία είναι απαραίτητητη για την αποδόμηση του μεταγραφικού παράγοντα που ενεργοποιείται στην υποξία (HIF-1α). Επιπλέον, έχει βρεθεί πως οι ανταγωνιστές της Hsp90 μειώνουν τα επίπεδα έκφρασης του VEGFR-3. Στόχος της παρούσας μελέτης ήταν η εκτίμηση των επιπέδων έκφρασης των μορίων Hsp90, pVHL, HIF-1α και VEGFR-3 στους όγκους εγκεφάλου και οι πιθανές συσχετίσεις μεταξύ τους. Εξετάσθηκαν συνολικά 89 óγκοι εγκεφάλου με την ανοσοϊστοχημική μέθοδο. Στους αστροκυτταρικούς όγκους, η Ηsp90 φαίνεται πως οδηγεί στη σταθεροποίηση του HIF-1α μέσω της σύνδεσής της με τη pVHL. Στα μυελοβλαστώματα από την άλλη, ο HIF-1α ρυθμίζεται από τη Hsp90 με τρόπο ανεξάρτητο από τη pVHL. Βρέθηκε συσχέτιση της έκφρασης του VEGFR-3 με τη Hsp90 αλλά και τον HIF-1α σε ομάδα όγκων του εγκεφάλου, η βιολογική συμπεριφορά των οποίων θα πρέπει να διερευνηθεί. / Brain tumors constitute a special group of tumors. In many tumors, including brain tumors, tumorigenesis has been associated with heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). ). Recent studies have demonstrated that Hsp90 is essential for the degradation of tumor suppressor protein, pVHL, which is essential for the degradation of Hypoxia Induced Factor 1α (HIF-1α). In addition,it has been proved that Hsp90 antagonists, reduce the expression VEGFR-3. the aim of the current study was to estimate the levels of expression of Hsp90, pVHL, HIF-1α and VEGFR-3 in brain tumors and the possible correlations among them.89 human brain tumors were studied immunohistochemically. In astrocytic tumors, Hsp90 seems to stabilize HIF-1α, through binding to pVHL. On the other hand, in medulloblastomas, HIF-1α seems to be regulated by Hsp90, in a way that seems to be independent from pVHL. We found a correlation between the expression of VEGFR-3 and Hsp90 and HIF-1α in a group of brain tumors, the biological behavior of which must be studied.

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

<p>Angiogenesis can be defined as the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones. Angiogenesis is required for development and maintenance of our vascular system and thus of fundamental importance to our existence. The endothelial cells that line the inside of the vessels de-differentiate, migrate, proliferate and re-differentiate during angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is tightly regulated, controlled by several angiogenic factors of various classes that promote angiogenesis but also by anti-angiogenic factors that counteract the effect of the pro-angiogenic factors. We have examined three factors involved in angiogenesis regulation, Vascular endotelial growth factor (VEGFR) -3, the matrix protein laminin-1 and the collagen XVIII derived fragment endostatin. </p><p>Five tyrosine phosphorylation sites in the cytoplasmic tail of VEGFR-3 were identified by phosphopeptide mapping (PPM). The data was confirmed by PPM using point-mutated receptors generated by site-directed mutagenesis.</p><p>Laminin-1 was found to promote angiogenesis in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane assay and in a synergistic fashion together with suboptimal levels of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) in embryoid bodies. Laminin-1 also promoted endothelial tubular morphogenesis in vitro, and upregulated the expression of the endothelial differentiation marker Jagged-1. </p><p>Endostatin was shown to affect endothelial FGF-2-induced cell survival and morphogenesis. This was a result of direct binding to endothelial cells and induction of tyrosine phosphorylation of many proteins including the adaptor protein Shb. The apoptotic and morphogenic responses induced by endostatin was shown to be dependent on Shb. Further, endostatin inhibited endothelial migration and affected molecules implicated in migration. In particular, FGF-2 induced actin reorganization, and β-catenin regulation was modulated by endostatin. </p>