FundaÃÃo de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Cearà / A leucemia linfocÃtica crÃnica (LLC) à a leucemia mais freqÃente nos paÃses ocidentais, ocorrendo em cerca de 30% de todas as leucemias do adulto, acometendo principalmente a populaÃÃo acima de 65 anos de idade. à caracterizada pela proliferaÃÃo clonal de linfÃcitos tipo B CD5 positivos. Do ponto de vista epidemiolÃgico, raramente à vista entre os orientais e a sua incidÃncia nÃo sofre influÃncia de agentes ambientais como substÃncias tÃxicas ou radiaÃÃes ionizantes. Os pacientes com LLC podem apresentar evoluÃÃo clÃnica variÃvel desde indolente a forma mais agressiva e rapidamente fatal. Na Ãltima dÃcada, houve um grande avanÃo no conhecimento da fisiopatologia desta doenÃa e fatores de prognÃstico de maior impacto foram estabelecidos e, do ponto de vista terapÃutico, novos medicamentos com maior eficÃcia surgiram. Desta forma à interessante conhecer a real situaÃÃo desta doenÃa com caracterÃsticas epidemiolÃgicas, clÃnicas e de prognÃstico muito peculiares. Nesse trabalho traÃamos o perfil (demogrÃfico, clÃnico e laboratorial) dos pacientes com LLC atendidos no serviÃo de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Cearà (HEMOCE) do HUWC, correlacionando a expressÃo dos marcadores de prognÃstico (CD38 e ZAP-70) com algumas variÃveis e com o tratamento farmacolÃgico. Foram utilizadas amostras de sangue de 55 pacientes com LLC confirmados atravÃs de imunofenotipagem, em tratamento ou nÃo. Os marcadores CD38 e ZAP-70 foram analisados por citometria de fluxo e a dosagem de β2-microglobulina obtida atravÃs de mÃtodo imunoenzimÃtico (ELISA). Os dados obtidos foram analisados atravÃs de programa estatÃstico. Observamos um leve predomÃnio de pacientes do sexo masculino (1,4:1), 78% acima de 65 anos de idade e 60% eram procedentes da capital. Quanto ao estadiamento, 50,9% pacientes foram classificados como de baixo risco, segundo classificaÃÃo de Rai. Quanto a evoluÃÃo clÃnica, mais de 30% dos pacientes nÃo apresentavam sinais clÃnicos, nem no momento do diagnÃstico nem no final do estudo. Em relaÃÃo aos marcadores, 22,2% dos pacientes apresentavam expressÃo do ZAP-70 e 24,13% do CD38. NÃo houve diferenÃa estatÃsticamente significante entre os marcadores ZAP-70 e CD38 e as variÃveis hematolÃgicas (Hb, Ht e Plaquetas). Houve correlaÃÃo entre o estadiamento clÃnico de Rai e o tratamento farmacolÃgico e com os marcadores de prognÃstico (ZAP-70 e CD38). O perfil foi caracterizado por pacientes em estÃgios clÃnicos, segundo Rai, de baixo risco, com ausÃncia da expressÃo dos marcadores de prognÃstico (ZAP-70 e CD38) e com ausÃncia de tratamento especÃfico. / Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is the most frequent leukemia on western countries, responding for 30% off all leukemia cases, reaching, specially, the under 65 years old population. It is characterized by accumulation of neoplasic mature B lymphocytes positives CD5. Concerning epidemiology, it is barely seen among eastern people, and its incidence is not influenced by environmental agents, such as toxic substances or ionizing radiation. CLL-B patients may present a variable clinical evolution, which goes from indolent to aggressive and rapidly fast cases. On last decade, there have been great advance on biology knowledge of this disease, and greater impact prognostic factors have been established. In relation to treatment, new medication, with better efficacy, appeared. Therefore, it is interesting to know the real situation of this disease, which has singular epidemiological, clinical and prognostic characteristics. In this work we trace the demographical, clinical and laboratorial profile of patients with CLL-B, at a state hemocenter (HEMOCE). We correlate prognostic markers expression (CD38 e ZAP-70) with some variable and with pharmacological treatment. We used 55 blood samples from patients CLL-B confirmed by their immunophenotypes; these patients may or may not be in treatment. CD38 and ZAP-70 were analyzed by flow cytometry and β2-microglobulin dosage, obtained through ELISA. Results were treated by statistic program. We see a discrete prevalence of male patients (1,4:1), 78% are under 65 years old and 60% live at CearÃâs capital. In relation to Rai staging system, 50,9% were classified as low risk patients. Concerning clinical evolution, more than 30% of the patients did not show clinical signs, neither at diagnose moment nor at the end of this study. In relation to the markers, 22,2% of the patients show ZAP-70 expression, and 24,13% show CD38 expression. There was no significant statistic difference between ZAP-70 and CD38 markers and hematological variable (Hb, Ht and platelets). There was correlation between Raiâs staging and pharmacological treatment and with prognostic markers. CONCLUSION: The profile was characterized by low risk patients, according Raiâs staging, it lacks prognostic markers expression and it also lacks specific treatment.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a cancer of B cells and is the most common leukemia in North America. Current therapies are fraught with challenges, and drug resistance and disease relapse remain common occurrences. Therefore, novel therapies and novel therapeutic strategies are needed to improve CLL therapy. Better yet, therapies targeted at specific weaknesses of CLL cells will ensure maximum efficacy and minimum adverse toxicity. To this end, this thesis focuses on targeting the susceptible BCR pathway and lysosome-mediated cell death pathway using gefitinib and lysosomotropic agents, respectively. Firstly, the novel use of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib was explored. This drug was most effective in aggressive ZAP-70+ CLL cells and cell lines. A similar inhibitor, erlotinib, had no effect in CLL. Gefitinib inhibited phosphorylation of Syk and ZAP-70, prevented downstream kinase activation, and supressed the pro-survival BCR response. ZAP-70 is implicated in the mechanism of action of gefitinib as introduction of ZAP-70 into a B cell line increased their sensitivity to gefitinib. Secondly, the novel strategy of targeting lysosomes was explored. The lysosomotropic drugs siramesine, nortriptyline, desipramine, mefloquine, and tafenoquine were all found to induce cytotoxicity and lysosome permeabilization. Lysosome permeabilization was accompanied with lipid peroxidation and followed by loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Compared with healthy B cells, CLL cells were more sensitive to this cell death pathway. This was potentially due to the overexpression of SPP1 and overproduction of sphingosine, which destabilized lysosomes. Lastly, this thesis explored the clinical utility of these targeted therapies. Both gefitinib and siramesine were more effective in CLL cells than patient T cells. Furthermore, they retained efficacy amid protective stromal cells. Clinical correlations revealed that gefitinib and siramesine were effective in CLL cells with poor prognostic features. Siramesine was more effective in male cells and in previously-treated cells. Gefitinib was most effective in young patients. Overall, work presented herein demonstrates the efficacy of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib and lysosomotropic agents in primary CLL cells. This work investigates the altered biology of the BCR pathway and lysosomes in CLL cells, and takes advantage of these weaknesses using targeted therapies. / October 2016

Signals via the T cell receptor (TCR) are critical for the development of T cells in the thymus, maintenance of a self-tolerant peripheral T cell repertoire and the activation of T cells in secondary lymphoid organs. A dynamic balance between tyrosine phosphorylation and dephosphorylation is essential for the maintenance of homeostasis and proper regulation of the immune system. The cytoplasmic phosphatase, PTPN22 (protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 22) is involved in negative modulation of signal transduction through the TCR and plays a central role in regulating lymphocyte homeostasis. Genome wide association studies reveal that point mutations in PTPN22 confer an increased risk of developing multiple autoimmune diseases in humans. The precise function of PTPN22 and how mutations contribute to autoimmunity is controversial. Loss-of-function mutations in PTPN22 are associated with elevated T effector cell expansion and autoreactive B cells in both humans and mice. A thorough dissection of the molecular involvement of PTPN22 and its allelic variant R619W is important to delineate its role in autoimmunity, to this end we utilised the Ptpn22-/- mice generated in our laboratory. In order to address whether R619W allelic variant is a gain- or loss-of-function mutation, we expressed both PTPN22WT and PTPN22R619W constructs in primary activated Ptpn22-/- T lymphocytes using lentiviral transduction. Surprisingly expression of either wild type or variant phosphatase showed no affect on cytokine production. Preliminary results from bone marrow chimeras generated by retroviral expression of PTPN22WT and PTPN22R619W in Ptpn22 deficient mice showed reduced T cell activation compared to Ptpn22-/- T cells. PTPN22WT appeared to be more suppressive of T cell responses than variant PTPN22R619W. Consistent with studies conducted in comparable knock-in mouse models, our data point to the variant PTPN22R619W as being a partial loss of function allele. To elucidate the mechanism of PTPN22 action in context of an autoimmune disease, we investigated the effect of Ptpn22 deficiency on the phenotype of SKG mice. The SKG mouse harbours a point mutation (W163C) within the carboxyl terminal SH2- domain of ZAP-70, which results in decreased TCR signalling and impaired thymocyte development with defective positive and negative selection. These mice are prone to developing CD4+ T cell mediated autoimmune arthritis that closely resembles rheumatoid arthritis in humans. We found that thymus differentiation was partially restored in SKG Ptpn22-/- thymocytes and Ptpn22 deficiency enhanced TCR mediated signalling in SKG Ptpn22-/- thymocytes relative to SKG thymocytes. Consistent with increased signalling observed in the thymocytes, there was improved in vitro proliferation and IL-2 production of CD4+ T lymphocytes from SKG Ptpn22-/- mice compared to SKG mice. By contrast to SKG mice, SKG Ptpn22-/- mice developed less severe mannan-induced arthritis and showed decreased proportions of Th17 and higher numbers of regulatory T cells. These results show that removal of PTPN22 can compensate, at least partially, for the deficient ZAP-70 activity in the SKG mouse, thus linking PTPN22 and ZAP-70 to the same signalling pathway. This study advances our understanding of how manipulating TCR signals impacts on downstream T cell functions, suggesting PTPN22 may be a valuable target for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Further studies to determine physiological role of the phosphatase and its disease-associated variants could provide insight into mechanism of immune activation, tolerance and autoimmunity.

Les déficits lymphocytaires T peuvent être corrigés par l'administration en intraveineuse (IV) de cellules souches hématopoiétiques (CSH) provenant d'un donneur. Dans un modèle d'immunodéficience lié à l'absence de la protéine kinase ZAP-70, notre équipe avait précédemment montré que l'injection intrathymique (IT) de CSH histocompatibles conduit à une reconstitution du compartiment T plus robuste et plus rapide que dans le cas où les CSH sont administrées par voie IV. Au cours de ma thèse, je me suis intéressée à l'approche IT dans un contexte non-histocompatible, où j'ai montré que l'injection de CSH semi-allogéniques directement dans le thymus permet le développement d'une thymopoièse à long-terme, même en absence de conditionnement. De plus, j'ai également montré la persistence de progéniteurs thymiques précoces (ETP) provenant du donneur dans le thymus des souris transplantées. De façon remarquable, ces ETP retiennent un potentiel de différenciation plus divers que ceux rencontrés dans le thymus d'une souris sauvage, et leur fréquence est significativement élévée après IT, ce dernier suggérant une disponibilité accrue des niches thymiques. De façon intéressante, j'ai également montré que les progéniteurs déficients en ZAP-70 pouvaient se différencier de façon importante vers le lignage CD8 lors d'une activation constante de la voie de signalisation Notch couplée à la présence d'interleukine 7 (IL-7). Après la greffe de CSH par voie IV de souris ZAP-70-/-, en absence de conditionnemt, j'ai également identifié l'accumulation d'une population de CSH présentant un phénotype particulier (Lin- Sca 1+ c-kit-), nommée LSAPT. Ces cellules LSAPT présentent un biais de différenciation vers le lignage T γδ ainsi qu'une production élevée d'IL-17, ce qui suggère que les fonctions effectrices d'une cellule T γδ sont dépendantes de leur origine progénitrices. L'ensemble de mes résultats apporte à la fois de nouveaux éléments concernant l'identification de progéniteurs T et démontrent de l'influence/coopération entre voies de signalisation et facteurs environnementaux dans la modulation de la différenciation T et de leur fonctions effectrices. / T cell deficiencies can be corrected by the intravenous (IV) injection of donor hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Using a murine model of ZAP-70-/- deficiency, our group previously showed that the intrathymic (IT) administration of histocompatible HSCs leads to a more robust and long-term thymopoiesis as compared to that achieved by the classical IV route. During my PhD, I found that the direct IT administration of semiallogeneic HSCs results in a sustained donor-derived thymopoiesis, overcoming histocompatibility barriers, even in the absence of conditioning. Furthermore, I found that donor-derived early thymic progenitors (ETPs) persist in the thymi of ZAP-70-/- transplanted mice, and present increased multi-lineage potential as compared to wild-type ETPs. Importantly, the frequency of donor-derived ETPs was augmented following IT transplantation, indicative of an increased progenitor niche. Interestingly, ZAP-70-deficient HSC could themselves be driven to a CD8 lineage fate in an environment where IL-7 potentiates continuous activation of the Notch pathway. Following IV transplantation of donor HSC into non-conditioned ZAP-70-/- mice, I determined that there is an accumulation of lineage-/Sca1+ donor progenitors lacking expression of the stem cell marker c-kit, termed LSAPT. These LSAPT show a biased differentiation towards the γδ T cell lineage with high IL-17-producing effector function, suggesting that progenitor origin regulates γδ T cell fate. The ensemble of my experiments provide new insights into the identity of T lineage progenitors and demonstrate how signaling pathways as well as environmental factors modulate T cell differentiation and effector function.

L’expression de ZAP-70 dans la leucémie lymphoïde chronique (LLC) est associée à une hypersignalisation du BCR et à la survenue de cytopénies auto-immunes (CAI). Les LB non tumoraux expriment aussi ZAP-70, expression corrélée à celle dans les LB tumoraux et aux CAI. Nous avons montré que ces LB non tumoraux ZAP-70+ sont polyclonaux, sans lien moléculaire entre eux ni avec le clone tumoral et qu’il n’existe pas de stéréotypie de leur BCR. Ces LB présentent par contre un enrichissement en BCR autoréactifs. Notre modèle murin knock in Zap-70+/- // Mb1-Cre+/- a montré qu’une forte expression précoce de ZAP-70 dans les LB est associée à un avantage sélectif médullaire, un enrichissement en cellules potentiellement autoréactives de type zone marginale, à un blocage partiel de la maturation et de la différentiation périphérique, ainsi qu’au développement de caractéristiques de la LLC : hypogammaglobulinémie, enrichissement en auto-anticorps circulants, hyperactivation et prolifération cellulaires augmentées. Ces résultats ouvrent de nouvelles perspectives impliquant ZAP-70 dans la compréhension du développement B et de la physiopathologie de la rupture de tolérance et de la transformation néoplasique. / ZAP-70 expression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is associated with BCR hypersignalling and autoimmune cytopenia (AIC) occurrence. Non tumoral B cells also express ZAP-70, which is correlated with those in tumoral B cells and AIC. We have shown that these non tumoral B cells ZAP-70+ are polyclonal, without molecular link between each other and tumoral B cells, and without BCR stereotypy. These cells are however enriched in autoreactive BCR. Our mouse model knock in Zap-70+/- // Mb1-Cre+/- revealed that a high and early ZAP-70 expression is associated with medullar selective advantage, enrichment in potential autoreactive B cells of marginal zone subtype, partial block for peripheral maturation and differentiation, along with some LLC characteristics: hypogammaglobulinemia, enrichment in circulating auto-antibodies, increase in cellular activation and proliferation. These results open new opportunities involving ZAP-70 in the understanding of B cell development and physiopathology of tolerance breakdown and neoplastic transformation.

La leucémie lymphoïde chronique (LLC) est particulièrement associée aux cytopénies auto-immunes (AIC). L’expression de ZAP-70 dans la LLC est un facteur pronostique,due à une forte signalisation par le BCR. Nous décrivons une nouvelle population B normale (LyBn) qui exprime ZAP-70. Ces LyBn ZAP-70+ ne semble pas appartenir à une sous-population LyB particulière, et elles n’ont pas un phénotype activé. L’expression de ZAP-70 dans les LyB naïves suggère que ce phénomène est précoce. Il y a une bonne corrélation dans le niveau de ZAP-70 entre les LyBn et les LyB de LLC. Les LyBn ZAP-70+ ont été retrouvé dans tous les cas de AIC associée à la LLC.L’analyse des anticorps monoclonaux prévenant de LyB ZAP-70+ et des souris ZAP-70KI, réalisés pendant ce travail, définiront les conséquences de la surexpression de ZAP-70 dans les LyB dans la pathogénèse de l’auto-immunité et de la lymphoprolifération. / Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is particularly associated with autoimmune cytopenia (AIC). The expression of ZAP-70 in CLL cells is a prognostic factor, through increased BCR signaling. We described a novel normal B cell population (LyBn) that expresses ZAP-70. ZAP-70+ LyBn do not seem to belong to a certain subset of B cells, nor seem to have an activated phenotype. The presence of ZAP-70 in the naïve B cell subset suggests that this is an early process, which probably occurs before malignant transformation. There is a good correlation in the level of ZAP-70 expression, between normal B cells and CLL B cells. We found a significant percentage of ZAP-70+ LyBn in all AIC-associated CLLs. Analysis of monoclonal antibodies and of conditional ZAP-70KI mouse model synthesized in this work will clarify the consequences of aberrant ZAP-70 expression in B cells on autoimmunity and lymphoproliferation.

Les lymphocytes T sont caractérisés par l’expression d’un récepteur à l’antigène des cellules T (TCR), soit le preTCR, soit le γδ TCR et le αβ TCR clonotypique, associé à un complexe de transduction formé du CD3 et de la chaîne ζ. La signalisation du complexe TCR:CD3:ζ est cruciale pour le développement des cellules T et pour leur activation spécifique par l'antigène. Ces signaux déclenchent la prolifération, la différentation, les fonctions effectrices et l’apoptose des cellules T. Les évènements proximaux de la signalisation du TCR:CD3:ζ impliquent des protéines tyrosine kinases (PTK) des familles CSK, SRC, SYK et TEC dont les acteurs principaux sont CSK (C-terminal SRC kinase), LCK (lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase), ZAP-70 (ζ chain-associated protein tyrosine kinase of 70 kDa) et ITK (interleukin-2-inducible T cell kinase). Après stimulation du complexe TCR:CD3:ζ, les PTKs sont activées et déclenchent une cascade de phosphorylation sur tyrosine dont la phosphorylation des motifs activateurs ITAM (immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif) du CD3 et de la chaîne ζ, et la phosphorylation des protéines adaptrices. Celles-ci conduisent à l’assemblage du signalosome LAT:SLP-76, lequel contrôle en grande partie la diversité des signaux associés au complex TCR:CD3:ζ, dont le flux calcique, l’activation de la cascade des MAP kinases, l’activation des facteurs de transcription NF-κB, NFAT et AP-1 ainsi que la réorganisation du cytosquellette d’actine, l’adhésion cellulaire et la motilité. Pendant les cinq dernières décennies, le système immunitaire a été analysé extensivement in vitro et à l’aide de modèles animaux comme la souris. Par ailleurs, l’étude des déficits immunitaires héréditaires chez l’homme a permis aussi des avancées importantes et novatrices dans la compréhension du système immunitaire humain que les modèles animaux ne permettaient pas d’appréhender. Dans ma thèse de doctorat je rapporte le premier cas de déficit humain en LCK de transmission autosomique récessive et l’identification de nouvelles mutations autosomiques récessives provoquant un défaut humain de ZAP-70 et un défaut humain d’ITK. Je rends compte des phénotypes cliniques et immunologiques associés à ces immunodéficiences et je caractérise les défauts biochimiques de la signalisation TCR:CD3:ζ associés à ces déficits. Enfin, je compare mes observations avec les modèles murins déficients Lck-/-, Zap-70-/- et Itk-/- déjà bien établis. / T lymphocytes express either a preTCR, or a clonotypic γδ TCR or αβ TCR together with the CD3-complex and the associated ζ-chain. TCR:CD3:ζ-signalling is crucial for T cell development and antigen-specific activation including proliferation, differentiation, effector functions and apoptosis of mature T cells. Protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) cascades lie at the heart of proximal TCR:CD3:ζ-signalling. The CSK-, SRC-, SYK- and TEC-family members C-terminal SRC kinase (CSK), lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (LCK), ζ-chain associated protein tyrosine kinase of 70 kDa (ZAP-70) and interleukin-2-inducible T cell kinase (ITK), respectively, are the major T cell players. After TCR:CD3:ζ-complex triggering, activation of PTKs results in tyrosine phosphorylation signals. These include phosphorylation of immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAMs) of the CD3 and ζ-chains, and adaptor proteins that nucleate the proximal LAT:SLP-76-signalosome controlling almost all TCR:CD3:ζ-induced signalling events. These events initiate Ca2+-flux, activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), activation of nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells (NF-κB), activation of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) and activator protein 1 (AP-1) as well as actin reorganization, cell-adhesion and motility. Throughout the last five decades, the immune system has been extensively investigated in vitro and in animal models such as the murine system. Additionally, studying and taking care of human primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) has been seminal for our understanding of the human immune system as animal models not always recapitulate the subtleties found in men. In my doctoral thesis I report the first case of autosomal recessive human LCK-deficiency, a novel autosomal recessive mutation leading to human ZAP-70-deficiency and a novel autosomal recessive mutation leading to human ITK-deficiency. I provide detailed clinical, immunological and biochemical analyses especially of TCR:CD3:ζ-signalling and compare my findings to the well-established Lck-/-, Zap-70-/- and Itk-/- murine models.

La protéine Nef du VIH-1 joue un rôle important dans la pathogenèse du VIH-1 en modulant les voies de signalisation de la cellule hôte. La signalisation par le TcR est essentielle à la sélection positive pour générer les cellules simples positives (SP) CD4+ et simples positives (SP) CD8+, processus largement dépendant de l’activité de la Src kinase Lck et de son habileté à lier la queue cytoplasmique des corécepteurs CD4 et CD8. Nous avons précédemment trouvé que l’expression de Nef dans le VIH ou VIS peut induire une sévère déplétion des thymocytes et une baisse d’expression du corécepteur CD4 à la membrane. Nous avons également montré que Nef bloque la génération des thymocytes doubles positifs (DP) CD4+ CD8+ en plus d’altérer la transition des cellules DP vers CD4+ SP. Par contre, ce phénotype est récupérable par plusieurs approches dont le croisement d’une souris transgéniques exprimant Nef avec une souris exprimant la forme constitutivement active de Lck Y505F. Les résultats indiquent que la maturation des cellules CD4+ est altérée par le dysfonctionnement de la signalisation CD4-Lck. Toutefois, les mécanismes moléculaires par lesquels Nef contribue au bloc de la génération des cellules CD4+ dans le thymus demeurent très imprécis. Dans cette étude, en utilisant des approches biochimiques et de microscopie confocale, nous avons trouvé que les thymocytes transgéniques Nef+ expriment plus de Lck que les thymocytes Nef-. Malgré cette augmentation, une partie significative de Lck est incapable d’atteindre la membrane plasmique. Cette fraction était significativement accumulée dans un compartiment intracellulaire des thymocytes transgéniques exprimant Nef. Également, en utilisant la technique d’essai kinase in vitro, nous avons trouvé que l’activité kinase de Lck est significativement augmentée dans les thymocytes transgéniques mais demeure stable suite à une stimulation par un α-CD3ε + α-CD4. Également, comparativement aux thymocytes Nef-, la kinase Lck dans les thymocytes transgéniques était résistante à la dégradation suite à une stimulation. En examinant le statut de c-Cbl, le principal régulateur négatif de Lck, nous avons montré que c-Cbl colocalise faiblement avec Lck, malgré son hyperphosphorylation constitutive. Ceci pourrait expliquer l’échec de la dégradation de Lck. En plus, nous avons trouvé que suite à une stimulation par un α-CD3ε + α-CD4, la phosphorylation de Zap-70 en tyrosine 493 par Lck est diminuée, résultant d’une importante baisse de l’activité kinase de Zap-70 et d’un bloc des premiers évènements de la voie de signalisation par le TcR. Ces données indiquent que la signalisation CD4-Lck est interrompue par la présence de Nef. / HIV-1 Nef protein plays an essential role in the HIV-1 pathogenesis by modulating the host signaling transduction pathways. TcR signalling is important for the thymic selection process to CD4 and CD8 single positive T cells and is greatly dependent on the activity of Src kinase Lck and its ability to bind to CD4 and CD8 cytoplasmic tail. We previously found that expression of HIV or SIV Nef can induce severe thymocytes depletion and downregulation of CD4 expression in Nef+ mice. We also recently showed that Nef blocks generation of double positive thymocytes and impairs DP to CD4+ SP T cells transition. The reversal of this phenotype was accomplished by several approaches, among them by crossing Nef+ mice with mice expressing constitutively active Lck Y505F. These results imply that the maturation of CD4+ T cells is disrupted due to impairment of Lck-mediated CD4 receptor signaling. However, the molecular mechanisms by which Nef contributes to the impairment in thymic CD4 generation remains largely unclear. In this study, using confocal microscopy and biochemical approaches, we found that Nef+ thymocytes express more Lck than the Nef- control. Despite of this increase, a significant portion of Lck molecules were unable to reach to the plasma membrane. It was significantly accumulated in the intracellular endosomal compartment of the Nef+ thymocytes. Moreover, using IVKA we found that the activity of Lck is significantly increased in Nef+ thymocytes but was not further increased upon stimulation by α-CD3ε, α-CD4 or α-CD3ε + α-CD4. Moreover, compared to Nef- controls, Lck kinase in Nef+ thymocytes was resistant to degradation upon stimulation. Examining the status of c-Cbl, the main negative regulator of Lck, showed that c-Cbl localized with Lck poorly, despite his constitutive hyperphosphorylation. This explains the failure of Lck degradation. In addition, we found that upon stimulation, Zap-70 phosphorylation at tyrosine 493 by Lck is decreased, resulting by a decrease of Zap-70 kinase activity and TcR proximal event block. These data indicate that CD4-Lck signaling was interrupted by the presence of Nef.

La protéine Nef du VIH-1 joue un rôle important dans la pathogenèse du VIH-1 en modulant les voies de signalisation de la cellule hôte. La signalisation par le TcR est essentielle à la sélection positive pour générer les cellules simples positives (SP) CD4+ et simples positives (SP) CD8+, processus largement dépendant de l’activité de la Src kinase Lck et de son habileté à lier la queue cytoplasmique des corécepteurs CD4 et CD8. Nous avons précédemment trouvé que l’expression de Nef dans le VIH ou VIS peut induire une sévère déplétion des thymocytes et une baisse d’expression du corécepteur CD4 à la membrane. Nous avons également montré que Nef bloque la génération des thymocytes doubles positifs (DP) CD4+ CD8+ en plus d’altérer la transition des cellules DP vers CD4+ SP. Par contre, ce phénotype est récupérable par plusieurs approches dont le croisement d’une souris transgéniques exprimant Nef avec une souris exprimant la forme constitutivement active de Lck Y505F. Les résultats indiquent que la maturation des cellules CD4+ est altérée par le dysfonctionnement de la signalisation CD4-Lck. Toutefois, les mécanismes moléculaires par lesquels Nef contribue au bloc de la génération des cellules CD4+ dans le thymus demeurent très imprécis. Dans cette étude, en utilisant des approches biochimiques et de microscopie confocale, nous avons trouvé que les thymocytes transgéniques Nef+ expriment plus de Lck que les thymocytes Nef-. Malgré cette augmentation, une partie significative de Lck est incapable d’atteindre la membrane plasmique. Cette fraction était significativement accumulée dans un compartiment intracellulaire des thymocytes transgéniques exprimant Nef. Également, en utilisant la technique d’essai kinase in vitro, nous avons trouvé que l’activité kinase de Lck est significativement augmentée dans les thymocytes transgéniques mais demeure stable suite à une stimulation par un α-CD3ε + α-CD4. Également, comparativement aux thymocytes Nef-, la kinase Lck dans les thymocytes transgéniques était résistante à la dégradation suite à une stimulation. En examinant le statut de c-Cbl, le principal régulateur négatif de Lck, nous avons montré que c-Cbl colocalise faiblement avec Lck, malgré son hyperphosphorylation constitutive. Ceci pourrait expliquer l’échec de la dégradation de Lck. En plus, nous avons trouvé que suite à une stimulation par un α-CD3ε + α-CD4, la phosphorylation de Zap-70 en tyrosine 493 par Lck est diminuée, résultant d’une importante baisse de l’activité kinase de Zap-70 et d’un bloc des premiers évènements de la voie de signalisation par le TcR. Ces données indiquent que la signalisation CD4-Lck est interrompue par la présence de Nef. / HIV-1 Nef protein plays an essential role in the HIV-1 pathogenesis by modulating the host signaling transduction pathways. TcR signalling is important for the thymic selection process to CD4 and CD8 single positive T cells and is greatly dependent on the activity of Src kinase Lck and its ability to bind to CD4 and CD8 cytoplasmic tail. We previously found that expression of HIV or SIV Nef can induce severe thymocytes depletion and downregulation of CD4 expression in Nef+ mice. We also recently showed that Nef blocks generation of double positive thymocytes and impairs DP to CD4+ SP T cells transition. The reversal of this phenotype was accomplished by several approaches, among them by crossing Nef+ mice with mice expressing constitutively active Lck Y505F. These results imply that the maturation of CD4+ T cells is disrupted due to impairment of Lck-mediated CD4 receptor signaling. However, the molecular mechanisms by which Nef contributes to the impairment in thymic CD4 generation remains largely unclear. In this study, using confocal microscopy and biochemical approaches, we found that Nef+ thymocytes express more Lck than the Nef- control. Despite of this increase, a significant portion of Lck molecules were unable to reach to the plasma membrane. It was significantly accumulated in the intracellular endosomal compartment of the Nef+ thymocytes. Moreover, using IVKA we found that the activity of Lck is significantly increased in Nef+ thymocytes but was not further increased upon stimulation by α-CD3ε, α-CD4 or α-CD3ε + α-CD4. Moreover, compared to Nef- controls, Lck kinase in Nef+ thymocytes was resistant to degradation upon stimulation. Examining the status of c-Cbl, the main negative regulator of Lck, showed that c-Cbl localized with Lck poorly, despite his constitutive hyperphosphorylation. This explains the failure of Lck degradation. In addition, we found that upon stimulation, Zap-70 phosphorylation at tyrosine 493 by Lck is decreased, resulting by a decrease of Zap-70 kinase activity and TcR proximal event block. These data indicate that CD4-Lck signaling was interrupted by the presence of Nef.

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