Networks of interneurons within the spinal cord coordinate the rhythmic activation of muscles during locomotion. These networks are subject to extensive neuromodulation, ensuring appropriate behavioural output. Astrocytes are proposed to detect neuronal activity via Gαq-linked G-protein coupled receptors and to secrete neuromodulators in response. However, there is currently a paucity of evidence that astrocytic information processing of this kind is important in behaviour. Here, it is shown that protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1), a Gαq-linked receptor, is preferentially expressed by glia in the spinal cords of postnatal mice. During ongoing locomotor-related network activity in isolated spinal cords, PAR1 activation stimulates release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is hydrolysed to adenosine extracellularly. Adenosine then activates A1 receptors to reduce the frequency of locomotor-related bursting recorded from ventral roots. This entails inhibition of D1 dopamine receptors, activation of which enhances burst frequency. The effect of A1 blockade scales with network activity, consistent with activity-dependent production of adenosine by glia. Astrocytes also regulate activity by controlling the availability of D-serine or glycine, both of which act as co-agonists of glutamate at N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs). The importance of NMDAR regulation for locomotor-related activity is demonstrated by blockade of NMDARs, which reduces burst frequency and amplitude. Bath-applied D-serine increases the frequency of locomotor-related bursting but not intense synchronous bursting produced by blockade of inhibitory transmission, implying activity-dependent regulation of co-agonist availability. Depletion of endogenous D-serine increases the frequency of locomotor-related but not synchronous bursting, indicating that D-serine is required at a subset of NMDARs expressed by inhibitory interneurons. Blockade of the astrocytic glycine transporter GlyT1 increases the frequency of locomotor-related activity, but application of glycine has no effect, indicating that GlyT1 regulates glycine at excitatory synapses. These results indicate that glia play an important role in regulating the output of spinal locomotor networks.

Les récepteurs couplés aux protéines G représentent la plus grande famille de récepteurs membranaires. Parmi eux, nous avons choisi d’étudier deux récepteurs apparentés : les récepteurs de la prokinéticine 1 et 2. Ces deux récepteurs ont pour ligands des hormones de nature peptidique, divisées en deux sous-groupes : les prokinéticines 1 et 2. Ces deux prokinéticines sont impliquées dans plusieurs processus physiologiques en se liant à leurs récepteurs PKR1 et PKR2. Il a été récemment montré que la prokinéticine 2 pouvait stimuler la prolifération et la différenciation des cellules souches progénitrices cardiaques, via les récepteurs PKR1 et PKR2. Il a également été reporté que l’activation de PKR1 protège les cardiomyocytes et les cellules progénitrices cardiaques de l’apoptose. Afin d’étudier ces effets nous avons synthétisé des agonistes non-peptidiques du récepteur PKR1. Nous avons donc poursuivi les études de pharmacomodulation d’une première famille de composés et développé une seconde famille d’agonistes potentiels originaux, déterminée par des études de modélisation moléculaire. Une sonde fluorescente a été synthétisée afin d’évaluer la liaison de nouveaux composés. Au cours de ces travaux nous avons découvert une nouvelle réaction multi-composante permettant la synthèse d’un composé dihydropyrrole polyfonctionnel. Nous nous sommes alors intéressés à son mécanisme et à sa limitation chimique dans le but de former de nouveaux hétérocycles fonctionnalisés. / The G protein-coupled receptors represent the largest familly of membrane receptors. Among them,we choose to study two related receptors: prokineticin receptors 1 and 2. These two receptors have peptidic hormone ligands, divided in two sub-groups: prokineticins 1 and 2. Both prokineticins are involved in many physiological processes by binding to their receptors PKR1 and PKR2. It has recently been shown that prokineticin 2 could stimulate proliferation and differentiation of cardiac progenitor cells. It was also reported that activation of PKR1 protects cardiomyocytes and cardiac progenitor cells from apoptosis. To investigate these effects we synthesized non-peptidic receptor PKR1. We continued pharmacodulation studies of a first familly of compounds and developped a second familly of original potential agonists, determined by molecular modeling studies. A fluorescent probe was synthesized to access the binding of novel compounds. During this work we discovered a new multi-component reaction for the synthesis of a polyfunctional dihydrpyrrol compound. We then interested in the mechanism and its chemical limitation in order to form new functionalized heterocycles.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third commonest cancer worldwide. However HCC is considered to be highly resistant to chemotherapy. Gene therapies aimed to regulate Bd-2 proteins may sensitize HCC cells to chemotherapy. Studies have demonstrated that Bid/tBid are crucial in hepatocyte apoptosis. Bid also plays important roles in the development and chemotherapeutic sensitivity of HCC. The objective of this study is to test effect of Ad/AFPtBid and chemotherapeutic agents in combination on an orthotopic HCC model. / In conclusion, (1) Ad/AFPtBid can specifically target and effectively suppress the AFP-producing HCC. (2) Ad/AFPtBid can significantly sensitize HCC to 5-FU, their combination can significantly increase the anti-tumor effectiveness. (3) Ad/AFPtBid shows little toxicity in vivo. (4) The complementary effect of tBid and 5-FU on different phases of the cell cycle may explain the better therapeutic result if both are used to treat HCC. (5) The elucidation of phase specific effect of tBid points to a possible therapeutic option that combines tBid with different phase specific agents to treat HCC. / It is well established that many apoptosis inducers act in a cell cycle-specific fashion. This leads us to hypothesize that tBid might have phase specific effect. So, we tested the susceptibility of Hep3B cells at 00/01, S or G2/M phases to tBid. The results revealed that tBid significantly reduced Hep3B cells in G0/G1 phase, increased cells in G2/M phase. On the contrary, 5-FU arrested Hep3B cells in G0/G1 phase, and significantly reduced cells in G2/M phase. The levels of cell cycle-related proteins were altered in line with the result of the cell cycle. This suggests Hep3B cells in G0/G1 phase may be more susceptible to tBid. The complementary effects tBid and 5-FU on different phases of the cell cycle may explain the better therapeutic result if both are used to treat HCC. / The mice bearing orthotopic HCC tumors were treated with Ad/AFPtBid alone or in combination with 5-FU/Dox. Serum AFP levels were measured to mornitor tumor progression. The mice were killed four weeks after treatment. Liver tissues were subjected to immunohistochemical staining of proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and TUNEL staining. Another batch of mice was observed for survival rate over a six month period. In addition, possible side effects of Ad/AFPtBid were tested in BALB/c mice. Results demonstrated that Ad/AFPtBid significantly inhibited Hep3B tumor growth. The combination of Ad/AFPtBid with 5-FU was more effective in tumor regression than either agent alone. However, the combination of Ad/AFPtBid with Dox treatment failed to demonstrated better effect than Dox treatment alone because the mice that received Dox exhibited serious weight loss. Tumor tissues from Ad/AFPtBid alone or combination treatment groups showed a decrease in cells positive for PCNA, and an increase in apoptosis by TUNEL staining, indicating that Ad/AFPtBid induced tumor regression through its pro-apoptotic effect. Inflammatory cell infiltration was also increased. Furthermore, Ad/AFPtBid did not suppress the hepatic tumor formed by non-AFP producing SK-HEP-1 or DLD-1. Finally, Ad/AFPtBid and 5-FU in combination results in better survival rate. No acute toxic effect of Ad/AFPtBid was observed. / Ma, Shihong. / "December 2009." / Adviser: CHEN Gong George. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 72-01, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 114-138). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Les récepteurs couplés aux protéines-G (RCPGs) constituent la première étape d’une série de cascades signalétiques menant à la régulation d’une multitude de processus physiologiques. Dans le modèle classique connu, la liaison du ligand induit un changement de conformation du récepteur qui mène à sa forme active. Une fois activés, les RCPGs vont réguler l’activité d’une protéine membranaire cible qui peut être tant une enzyme qu’un canal ionique. L’interaction entre le récepteur et la cible nécessite l’intermédiaire d’une protéine hétérotrimérique appelée « protéine G », qui est activée pour favoriser l’échange du GDP (guanosine diphosphate) pour un GTP (guanosine triphosphate) et assurer la transduction du signal du récepteur à l’effecteur. Les mécanismes moléculaires menant à l’activation des effecteurs spécifiques via l’activation des RCPGs par les protéines G hétérotrimériques sont encore plutôt méconnus. Dans notre étude nous nous sommes intéressés aux récepteurs FP et PAF, à leurs ligands naturels, la PGF2α et le Carbamyl-PAF respectivement, et à des ligands à action antagoniste sur ces récepteurs. Des ligands considérés comme agonistes, sont des molécules qui interagissent avec le récepteur et induisent les mêmes effets que le ligand naturel. Les antagonistes, par contre, sont des molécules qui interagissent avec le récepteur et bloquent l’action du ligand naturel en prévenant le changement conformationnel du complexe, et ils peuvent avoir une action compétitive ou non-compétitive. Nous avons étudié aussi des ligands orthostériques et allostériques du récepteur FP des prostaglandines et du récepteur PAF. Un ligand orthostérique peut se comporter comme agoniste ou antagoniste en se fixant au site de liaison du ligand (agoniste) naturel. Un ligand allostérique est un agoniste ou antagoniste se fixant à un site autre que celui du ligand naturel entraînant un changement de conformation ayant pour conséquence soit une augmentation (effecteur positif), soit une diminution (effecteur négatif) de l'activité du ligand naturel. / G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are involved in the first step of most signalling pathways that regulate a variety of physiological events. The classical view of GPCR activation suggests that ligand binding to the inactive receptor will trigger a conformational change leading to an active conformation of the receptor. The GPCRs activated regulate the activity of a target membrane protein which can then activate other signalling proteins such as enzymes and ionic channels. The interaction between the receptor and the target requires an intermediary, in this case an heterotrimeric protein named « G protein », which is activated in order to facilitate the exchange of GDP (guanosine diphospate) for a GTP (guanosine triphosphate) and allow the transduction of the signal from the receptor to the effector. The molecular mechanisms leading to the activation of signalling effectors via the activation of GPCRs by its heterotrimeric G protein have not yet been well characterized. We focused our study on two GPCRs, the FP and PAF receptors, their natural ligands, PGF2α and Carbamyl-PAF respectively, and their antagonist ligands. Agonists are ligands that bind to the target receptor and trigger the same effects as the natural ligand of the GPCR. In contrast with agonists, antagonist ligands are molecules that prevent the effects of the natural ligand by keeping the GPCR from changing to its active conformation and can be competitive or non-competitive. We have also studied orthosteric and allosteric ligands of the FP and PAF receptors. An orthosteric ligand binds the same site as the natural ligand of the receptor and can act as an agonist or an antagonist. In the contrary, an allosteric ligand will rather have a different binding site then the natural ligand (agonist) and can positively or negatively modulate the effects of the natural ligand.

Le récepteur de la vasopressine de type 2 (V2R) joue un rôle crucial dans l’homéostasie hydrique. Exprimé principalement au niveau du rein, son activation par l’hormone antidiurétique arginine-vasopressine (AVP) favorise la réabsorption d’eau, participant ainsi à diminuer la diurèse. Plus de 200 mutations dans le gène du V2R ont été associées au diabète néphrogénique insipide congénital (DINc), une maladie causée par une perte de fonction du récepteur. À l’opposé, trois mutations découvertes récemment induisent un gain de fonction du V2R, et sont la cause du syndrome néphrogénique de l’anti-diurèse inappropriée (NSIAD). Les travaux de cette thèse visent à mieux comprendre les bases moléculaires responsables de la perte ou du gain de fonction des récepteurs mutants associés à ces deux maladies. Dans plus de 50% des cas, les mutations faux-sens affectent négativement l’adoption d’une conformation native par le V2R, provoquant la reconnaissance et la rétention intracellulaire des mutants par le système de contrôle de qualité du réticulum endoplasmique. Nos résultats ont démontré que l’interaction entre les récepteurs mutants et le chaperon moléculaire calnexine est dépendante de N-glycosylation et que sa durée varie en fonction de la mutation. De plus, l’importance de cette modification co-traductionnelle et des interactions lectines-sucres dans le processus de maturation d’un mutant donné s’est avérée une caractéristique intrinsèque, puisque l’absence de N-glycosylation n’a pas affecté le mutant Y128S (phénotype léger) tandis que la maturation du mutant W164S (phénotype sévère) a été totalement abolie. Nos résultats suggèrent aussi que l’action des chaperons pharmacologiques (CP), molécules favorisant la maturation des mutants du V2R, peut survenir à différentes étapes au cours du processus de maturation, selon le mutant réchappé. Ces différences entre muta nts suggèrent des processus biosynthétiques ‘personnalisés’ dictés par la nature de la mutation impliquée et pourraient expliquer la différence de sévérité des manifestations cliniques chez les patients porteurs de ces mutations. Bien qu’une récupération de fonction ait été obtenue pour les mutants Y128S et W164S par un traitement au CP, il n’en est pas de même pour toutes les mutations occasionnant un défaut conformationnel. C’est ce que nous avons démontré pour le mutant V88M, affligé de deux défauts, soit une faible efficacité de maturation combinée à une basse affinité pour l’AVP. Dans ce cas, et malgré une augmentation du nombre de récepteurs mutants la surface cellulaire, la diminution de l’affinité apparente du récepteur mutant pour l’AVP a été exacerbée par la présence résiduelle de CP à son site de liaison, rendant impossible l’activation du récepteur aux concentrations physiologiques d’AVP. Les mutants R137C et R137L ont une activité constitutive élevée et mènent au NSIAD tandis que la substitution de cette même arginine par une histidine (R137H) mène au DINc. Ces trois mutants se sont avéré partager plusieurs caractéristiques, dont une efficacité de maturation réduite et une désensibilisation spontanée élevée. La seule différence iden tifiée entre ces mutants est leur niveau d’activité constitutive. Le CP utilisé dans nos études possède aussi la propriété d’agoniste inverse, mais n’a pourtant pas diminué l’activité constitutive des mutants R137C/L, suggérant une conformation active ‘figée’. Seul l’effet chaperon a été observé, entraînant la hausse de récepteurs à la surface cellulaire, qui se traduit par une augmentation de la production de second messager. Nous avons par contre suggéré l’utilisation d’AVP puisqu’il favorise l’endocytose des récepteurs R137/L sans promouvoir leur activation, diminuant ainsi le nombre de récepteurs actifs à la surface cellulaire. Nous avons identifié la première mutation occasionnant un gain de fonction du V2R qui n’implique pas l’arginine 137. Le mutant F229V a une activité constitutive élevée et, contrairement aux R137C et R137L, il n’est pas sujet à une désensibilisation spontanée accrue. L’observation que des agonistes inverses sont aptes à inhiber l’activité constitutive de ce nouveau mutant est une découverte importante puisque l’insuccès obtenu avec les mutations précédentes suggérait que ces molécules n’étaient pas utiles pour le traitement du NSIAD. Considérés globalement, ces travaux illustrent le caractère particulier des formes mutantes du V2R et l’importance de bien cerner les conséquences fonctionnelles des mutations afin d’apporter aux patients atteints de DINc ou NSIAD une thérapie personnalisée, et de développer de nouveaux agents thérapeutiques adaptés aux besoins. / The vasopressin type 2 receptor (V2R) plays an important role in water homeostasis. Mainly expressed in the collecting ducts of the kidney, V2R activation by the antidiuretic hormone arginine-vasopressin (AVP) leads to water reabsorption, resulting in a decrease urine output. More than 200 mutations in the V2R gene have been link to the aetiology of the congenital form of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (cNDI), resulting from a receptor loss-of-function. In contrast, three recently identified mutations have been shown to cause a gain-of-function of the V2R leading to the nephrogenic syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (NSIAD). The work presented herein is focussed on a better understanding of the molecular determinants leading to the loss- or gain -of-function of V2R mutants. More than 50% of missense mutations affecting the V2R were shown to hamper the receptor’s ability to adopt its native conformation and to cause its intracellular retention by the endoplasmic reticulum quality control system. We thus looked at the role of N-glycosylation and calnexin (Cnx) in the maturation process of mutant V2R, and their importance for receptor rescue by pharmacological chaperones (PC). Our results have shown that N-glycosylation is required for Cnx binding to the receptors and that the duration of this interaction is correlated to the severity of the misfolded state of the mutant. The importance of N-glycosylation and to sugar-mediated interactions in the maturation process of a given V2R mutant was found to be an intrinsic property, as it had no significant repercussion on the mild phenotype-associated Y128S mutant, while it completely abolished maturation of the W164S mutant, associated with a severe phenotype. Moreover, we have shown that pharmacological chaperoning can occur at different steps during the maturation process, according to the mutant studied. These mutant-specific differences indicate that the biosynthetic processing of mutant V2R is highly influenced by the nature of the mutation itself and could partially explain the variations in the clinical outcome severity among NDI-causing mutant V2Rs. Although a functionality rescue of W164S and Y128S mutants was obtained upon exposure to PC, it is not the case for all V2R mutants with a maturation defect. The V88M-V2R was found affected both in its maturation and its affinity toward AVP. In this case, and despite a significant increase in maturation and cell surface expression, the PC treatment led to a further loss in the receptor’s affinity for AVP, preventing its activation at physiological AVP concentrations. The R137C and R137L mutants are endowed with a high constitutive activity leading to NSIAD. Stunningly, substitution of this arginine by histidine (R137H) was associated with cNDI. These three mutant V2R were found to share many characteristics, of which a compromised maturation and elevated spontaneous desensitization. The only difference between these mutants relies on their constitutive activity levels. The PC used in our studies is also an inverse agonist, but failed to reduce the constitutive activity of the R137C/L mutants, entailing a ‘locked’ active conformation. Instead, the chaperoning property of the compound led to an increase in the number of constitutively active receptor at the cell surface. We have thus proposed the use of AVP as a treatment, as it was shown to cause receptor’s endocytosis without promoting their activation, leading to a reduced active receptor number at the cell surface. We have identified a new gain-of-function mutation affecting the V2R, the first not involving arginine 137. The F229V substitution was shown to confer high constitutive activity to the receptor, but unlike the two other NSIAD-causing mutants, it does not undergo elevated spontaneous desensitization. The observation that inverse agonists are efficient at inhibiting the constitutive activity of the F229V mutant is an important discovery since the unfruitful attempts obtained with the other constitutively active mutants led some investigators to the erroneous conclusion that inverse agonists were not useful for the treatment of NSIAD. Taken together, these findings underline the ‘individuality’ of V2R mutants and the importance of their functional characterization in order to bring personalized therapeutic strategies for patients with cNDI or NSIAD, and to develop new therapeutics adapted to the patients’ needs.

Thesis by publication -- 8 co-authored articles. / Thesis (PhD)--Macquarie University, Division of Environmental and Life Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences. / Includes bibliographical references. / Preface -- Management issues of urban common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula): a loved or hated neighbour -- Effects of deslorelin implants on reproduction in the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) -- Brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in metropolotan Sydney: population biology and response to contraceptive implants -- Strategic survey for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) from urban Sydney, Australia -- Leptospirosis serology in the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) from urban Sydney, Australia -- Conclusions. / The common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is indeed a common inhabitant of many Australian citites, and one of the few marsupials that has adapted well to the urban environment. Their close proximity to people provides a great opportunity to experience native wildlife in the backyard, however, their utilization of house roofs, bold behaviour and appetite for garden plants often leads to conflict with householders. Population numbers are sufficiently high to require ongoing management to minimise negative impacts for humans and brushtail possums alike in a socially acceptable manner. The aim of this thesis was to identify current management issues and address the need for improved and novel management strategies. The potential of slow-release implants, containing the GnRH agonist deslorelin, as a contraceptive agent for brushtail possums was tested on a captive population. Males appeared resistant to treatment, but deslorelin was found to inhibit reproduction in female brushtail possums for at least one breeding season, making it a promising tool to control fertility in some wild populations. A further aim was to trial deslorelin implants on a wild urban population, to collect more information about the urban biology of this species and to point out issues which have previously not been addressed. Close proximity and interaction of urban brushtail possums with humans and their domestic animals can increase the risk of disease exposure and transmission and influence the health of wild populations. Serosurveys showed that animals were readily exposed to Leptospira spp. and Toxoplasma gondii. This thesis also provides the first data on brushtail possum dispersal in urban areas, knowledge which is highly relevant to the development of management strategies such as fertility control. The findings from this research broaden our knowledge about urban brushtail possums and should assist wildlife authorities in developing alternative or improved management procedures. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / xxv, 287 p. ill., maps

Type 2 diabetes is still rapidly on the rise today, affecting 10.5% of individuals in the United States between the ages 45 to 64 and 18.4% of those between the ages of 65 to 74. In the past two decades, type 2 diabetes has doubled in all age groups. Many adults with type 2 diabetes experience difficulty managing their blood sugars, which can result in a range of further complications. One of the newest treatment options on the market today is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, Bydureon. Similar to Byetta, Bydureon has a main ingredient of exenatide. It offers once a week dosing as opposed to twice-a-day, which may be more appealing to patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of a newly FDA released medication, Bydureon, once weekly dosage in adults with type 2 diabetes. A descriptive, comparative, retrospective study of 35 patients evaluated efficacy by examining Hgb A1C and body mass index in adults with type 2 diabetes at baseline and 3 months after Bydureon was prescribed. Data were collected by a chart review of records in a primary care practice. Results demonstrated a statistically significant difference between baseline to 3 month means in both Hgb A1C (t (34)= -3.05, p=.0044) and BMI (t (34) = -2.86, p = .0072) for patients using Bydureon. Health care providers need to individualize the patients’ plans of care to address multifactorial areas of their diabetes care and provide them with an opportunity to successfully meet their goals. Practitioners must be knowledgeable about the treatment options available, including the newer GLP-1 receptor agonist, Bydureon and its efficacy for adults with type 2 diabetes.

Le lymphome à cellules du manteau (LCM) est une hémopathie maligne B mature, appartenant à la famille des lymphomes non hodgkiniens. Le LCM est caractérisé par la translocation t(11;14)(q13;q32) qui provoque une expression aberrante de cycline D1. C’est une pathologie rare mais à haut risque de rechute, et qui reste le plus souvent incurable suite à l’apparition de clones chimiorésistants. L’acquisition de résistance est intimement liée aux interactions entre les cellules tumorales et leur microenvironnement. Afin de mimer de la manière la plus pertinente possible ces interactions, nous avons mis en place un modèle murin de xénogreffe en utilisant les lignées cellulaires de LCM JeKo1, REC1, Z138 et Granta-519 que nous avons modifiées afin qu’elles expriment un fluorophore (GFP ou m-cherry) et/ou le gène codant pour la luciférase. Après injection aux souris du substrat de la luciférase, la luciférine, nous sommes en mesure de suivre au cours du temps la progression tumorale. Nous pouvons également évaluer le degré d’infiltration tumorale dans la moelle osseuse, la rate, le cerveau et le sang après euthanasie des animaux, par des techniques de cytométrie en flux et d’immunocytochimie. Ce modèle nous a permis de montrer l’intérêt thérapeutique d’un inhibiteur de l’exportine 1 (XPO1) : le KPT 330 (ou selinexor) qui est capable de contenir cycline D1 uniquement au niveau nucléaire. Nous avons montré que la localisation subcellulaire de cycline D1, est retrouvée majoritairement cytoplasmique dans certaines lignées cellulaires de LCM (2/7) et chez un certain nombre de patients (6/42, 14%), et est associée à un fort potentiel d’invasion, de migration et à un phénotype agressif. Par ailleurs, grâce à ce modèle, nous avons pu objectiver le manque d’efficacité in vivo d’agonistes aux récepteurs aux œstrogènes de type β (ER β). Ces récepteurs, présents sur les lymphocytes B étaient supposés inhiber la prolifération cellulaire et provoquer la mort des cellules par apoptose. L’utilisation de deux agonistes des ER β, le diarylpropionitrile (DPN) et l’ERB-041 a montré une absence d’effet de ces molécules, lorsque les cellules tumorales sont au contact de leur microenvironnement. D’autre part, afin de mieux comprendre les mécanismes de résistance aux chimiothérapies, nous avons étudié la résistance de la lignée cellulaire REC-1 traitée par des agents génotoxiques. Nous avons montré que cette lignée présentait une anomalie de dégradation de cycline D1 associée à une activité diminuée du protéasome 26S. Enfin, nous avons montré dans des travaux préliminaires que la protéine fused in sarcoma (FUS) pourrait, lorsqu’elle est associée à cycline D1, être capable de réguler les voies de réparation des dommages à l’ADN. Des anomalies de ces voies induisent une grande instabilité génétique responsable de l’échappement des tumeurs aux traitements, le ciblage de FUS pourrait par conséquent présenter un intérêt thérapeutique.Pris dans leur ensemble, ces résultats permettent de renforcer ou d’infirmer l’intérêt de certaines cibles thérapeutiques dans l’espoir de pouvoir continuer à améliorer la prise en charge des patients. Ils fournissent également un outil pour l’évaluation de nouvelles molécules dans un modèle murin prenant en compte les interactions entre la cellule tumorale et son microenvironnement. / Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a mature malignant hemopathy, belonging to the non-Hodgkin's lymphoma family. The MCL is characterized by the translocation t(11;14)(q13;q32) which causes an aberrant expression of cyclin D1. It is a rare disease but at high risk of relapse, and it is most often incurable due to the appearance of chemoresistant clones. The acquisition of resistance is intimately linked to the interactions between the tumor cells and their microenvironment. In order to mimic, in the most relevant way, these interactions, we have implemented a mouse xenograft model using the MCL cell lines JeKo1, REC1, Z138 and Granta-519 which we have modified so that they express a fluorophore (GFP or m-cherry) and / or the gene encoding the luciferase. After injection to the mice of the luciferase substrate, luciferin, we are able to follow over time the tumor progression. We can also assess the degree of tumor infiltration in bone marrow, spleen, brain and blood after euthanasia of animals, by flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. This model allowed us to show the therapeutic interest of an inhibitor of exportin 1 (XPO1): the KPT 330 (or selinexor) which is able to contain cyclin D1 only on the nuclear level. We have shown that the subcellular localization of cyclin D1 is mainly cytoplasmic in some LCM (2/7) cell lines and in a number of patients (6/42, 14%), and is associated with a high potential Invasion, migration and an aggressive phenotype. Moreover, thanks to this model, we have been able to objectify the in vivo lack of efficacy of agonists to β-type estrogen receptors (ER β). These receptors, present on B lymphocytes, were thought to inhibit cell proliferation and cause cell death by apoptosis. The use of two ER β agonists, diarylpropionitrile (DPN) and ERB-041 showed an absence of effect of these molecules, when the tumor cells are in contact with their microenvironment. On the other hand, in order to better understand the mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapies, we studied the resistance of the REC-1 cell line treated with genotoxic agents. We have shown that this line has an abnormality of cyclin D1 degradation associated with decreased activity of the 26S proteasome. Finally, we have shown in preliminary work that the fused in sarcoma protein (FUS) could, when associated with cyclin D1, be able to regulate the repair pathways of DNA damage. Abnormalities of these pathways induce a great genetic instability responsible for the escape of tumors to treatments, the targeting of FUS could therefore be of therapeutic interest.Taken as a whole, these results reinforce or invalidate the interest of certain therapeutic targets in the hope of continuing to improve the management of patients. They also provide a tool for evaluating new molecules in a murine model that takes into account the interactions between the tumor cell and its microenvironment.

Tumor-induced immunosuppression can occur by multiple mechanisms, each posing a significant obstacle to immunotherapy. Evidence presented in this dissertation suggests that aberrant cytokine signaling, as a result of altered metabolism of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) cells, confers a selective advantage for tumor survival and growth. Cells from CLL patients with aggressive disease (as indicated by high-risk cytogenetics) were found to exhibit prolongation in Interferon (IFN)-induced STAT3 phosphorylation, and increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in these cells reflected these signaling processes. Changes in the relative balance of phospho-STAT3 and phospho-STAT1 levels, in response to combinations of IL-2 + Toll-like receptor (TLR)-7 agonist + phorbol esters, as well as IFN, were associated with the immunosuppressive and immunogenic states of CLL cells. In addition, immunosuppressive leukemic cells were found to express high levels of proteins with O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modifications, due to increased metabolic activity through the Hexosamine Biosynthetic Pathway (HBP), which caused impaired intracellular signaling responses and affected disease progression. A conclusion of the studies presented here is that the intrinsic immunosuppressive properties of leukemic cells may be overcome by agents such as Resveratrol that target metabolic pathways of these cells.

Tumor-induced immunosuppression can occur by multiple mechanisms, each posing a significant obstacle to immunotherapy. Evidence presented in this dissertation suggests that aberrant cytokine signaling, as a result of altered metabolism of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) cells, confers a selective advantage for tumor survival and growth. Cells from CLL patients with aggressive disease (as indicated by high-risk cytogenetics) were found to exhibit prolongation in Interferon (IFN)-induced STAT3 phosphorylation, and increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in these cells reflected these signaling processes. Changes in the relative balance of phospho-STAT3 and phospho-STAT1 levels, in response to combinations of IL-2 + Toll-like receptor (TLR)-7 agonist + phorbol esters, as well as IFN, were associated with the immunosuppressive and immunogenic states of CLL cells. In addition, immunosuppressive leukemic cells were found to express high levels of proteins with O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modifications, due to increased metabolic activity through the Hexosamine Biosynthetic Pathway (HBP), which caused impaired intracellular signaling responses and affected disease progression. A conclusion of the studies presented here is that the intrinsic immunosuppressive properties of leukemic cells may be overcome by agents such as Resveratrol that target metabolic pathways of these cells.