No / AQ4N (banoxantrone) is a prodrug that, under hypoxic conditions, is enzymatically converted to a cytotoxic DNA-binding agent, AQ4. Incorporation of AQ4N into conventional chemoradiation protocols therefore targets both oxygenated and hypoxic regions of tumors, and potentially will increase the effectiveness of therapy. This current pharmacodynamic and efficacy study was designed to quantify tumor exposure to AQ4 following treatment with AQ4N, and to relate exposure to outcome of treatment. A single dose of 60 mg/kg AQ4N enhanced the response of RT112 (bladder) and Calu-6 (lung) xenografts to treatment with cisplatin and radiation therapy. AQ4N was also given to separate cohorts of tumor-bearing mice 24 hours before tumor excision for subsequent analysis of metabolite levels. AQ4 was detected by high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry in all treated samples of RT112 and Calu-6 tumors at mean concentrations of 0.23 and 1.07 microg/g, respectively. These concentrations are comparable with those shown to be cytotoxic in vitro. AQ4-related nuclear fluorescence was observed in all treated tumors by confocal microscopy, which correlated with the high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry data. The presence of the hypoxic marker Glut-1 was shown by immunohistochemistry in both Calu-6 tumors and RT112 tumors, and colocalization of AQ4 fluorescence and Glut-1 staining strongly suggested that AQ4N was activated in these putatively hypoxic areas. This is the first demonstration that AQ4N will increase the efficacy of chemoradiotherapy in preclinical models; the intratumoral levels of AQ4 found in this study are comparable with tumor AQ4 levels found in a recent phase I clinical study, which suggests that these levels could be potentially therapeutic.

Lectin-saccharide interactions are involved in many biological processes essential for the survival and proper function of multicellular organisms. C-type lectin-like receptors, predominantly expressed by cells of the innate immune system, recognize saccharide structures on microbes and also aberrant glycosylation pattern of cancer cells. The NKR-P1 receptor family was among the first natural killer (NK) receptor families that were identified, however ligands for some of members remain still elusive. Recently, publications describing N-acetylglucosamine-terminated oligosaccharide structures as possible ligands for NKR-P1 receptor have been subjects for correction/retractions after investigation of the Ethical Committee of the Institute of Microbiology, ASCR, v. v. i. and Charles University in Prague. Re-evaluation of glycodendrimer effect, particularly effect of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine octabranched dendrimer on polyamidoamine scaffold (GN8P), revealed mostly indirect role of NK cells on modulation of immune responses. Properly folded soluble recombinant rat NKR-P1A and mouse NKR-P1C lack binding activity to neoglycoproteins modified with GlcNAc-terminated structures. Moreover, new possible target cell populations (NKT cells and macrophages) for saccharide binding were identified.

Das Neuroblastom ist der am weitesten verbreitete solide, extrakranielle Tumor im Kindesalter. Trotz intensiver Forschung sind die Überlebensraten von Patienten mit fortgeschrittenem Tumorwachstum nach wie vor schlecht. Die Idee, eine zelluläre, langanhaltende Immunantwort im Körper zu induzieren, vermittelt durch zytotoxische CD8+T-Zellen, die sich gegen den Tumor richten, scheint dabei besonders attraktiv. Als tumorassoziiertes Antigen (TAA) wurde zu diesem Zweck für diese Arbeit die murine Tyrosinhydroxylase (mTH), das Schrittmacherenzym der Katecholaminbiosynthese, gewählt, da sie in der Mehrzahl der Neuroblastome stark überexprimiert ist. Für die Impfexperimente wurden sog. DNA-Minigen-Vakzine, die für Peptide aus der mTH-Sequenz kodieren, konstruiert. Die Auswahl Minigen-Peptide erfolgte mit dem MHC-Klasse-I-Liganden-Vorhersageprogramm syfpeithi, welches drei vorhergesagte starke H2-Kk-Liganden lieferte (mTH3k). Außerdem wurden zwei weitere Vakzine hergestellt: als Negativkontrolle das Vakzin mTHlowest, dessen mTH-Peptide laut syfpeithi schlechte MHC-Klasse-I-Liganden darstellen und das Vakzin Ersatzepis, dessen Peptide auf der Oberfläche von murinen NXS2-Neuroblastomzellen aus MHC-Klasse-I-Komplexen isoliert werden konnten. Sowohl in prophylaktischen als auch therapeutischen Impfversuchen in Mäusen konnte das Tumorwachstum und die spontane Metastasierung in sekundäre Organe wie die Leber signifikant verhindert werden. Außerdem konnte gezeigt werden, daß der Antitumoreffekt auf der Induktion mTH-spezifischer, zytotoxischer CD8+T Zellen (CTLs) beruht. Zusätzlich und insbesondere interessant für eine eventuelle klinische Anwendung eines auf der TH basierenden DNA-Vakzins verursachte das mTH-Minigen-Vakzin zumindest in Mäusen keine Aktivierung selbst-reaktiver CD8+T-Zellen. Alles in allem lassen die in dieser Arbeit erhaltenen Ergebnisse den Schluß zu, daß sich die Tyrosinhydroxylase als TAA in Form eines DNA-Vakzins zur adjuvanten Therapie des Neuroblastoms eignet. / Therapeutic vaccination against tumor antigens without induction of autoimmunity remains a major challenge in cancer immunotherapy. Here, we demonstrate for the first time effective therapeutic vaccination followed by eradication of established spontaneous neuroblastoma metastases using a tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) DNA minigene vaccine. We identified three novel mouse TH (mTH3) derived peptides with high predicted binding affinity to MHC class I H2-Kk according to prediction program syfpeithi and computer modeling of epitopes into MHC class I binding groove. Subsequently, a DNA minigene vaccine based on pCMV-F3Ub encoding for mutated ubiquitin (G76 to A76) and mTH3 was generated. Prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of this vaccine was established following oral delivery using attenuated Salmonella typhimurium SL7207. Only mice immunized with mTH3 were free of spontaneous liver metastases. This effect was clearly dependant on ubiquitin and high affinity of the mTH epitopes to MHC class I. Specifically, we demonstrated a crucial role for minigene expression as a stable ubiquitin-Ala76 fusion peptide for vaccine efficacy. Interestingly, the unstable wild type ubiquitin-Gly76 vaccine was completely ineffective. The immune response following mTH3 DNA minigene vaccination was mediated by CD8+ T-cells as indicated by infiltration of primary tumors and TH specific cytolytic activity in vitro. Importantly, no infiltration was detectable in TH expressing adrenal medulla, indicating the absence of auto immunity. In summary, we demonstrate effective therapeutic vaccination against neuroblastoma with a novel rationally designed tyrosine hydroxylase minigene vaccine without induction of autoimmunity providing an important base line for clinical application of this strategy.

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No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Flávio Silva de Carvalho - 2011.pdf: 2542668 bytes, checksum: 8b150260143e835293c132099b3cbf68 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-03-02 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / As part of a line of research aimed at the pharmacological and toxicological evaluation of new candidates for antitumor drug prototypes, this work was conducted to evaluate pharmacological and toxicological compounds LQFM030, and LQFM031 LQFL032, drawn from nutlins prototypes. Additionally, we also evaluated whether the compounds LQFM004, LQFM005, and LQFM028 LQFM029 initially envisioned as candidates for prototypes of antipsychotic drugs, drawn from LASSBio579. Initially there was a cytotoxic screening all candidates, using the cytotoxicity test of exclusion of Trypan Blue in K-562 cells. Given this, it was observed that the best IC50 values were obtained with the candidates and LQFM030 LQFM029 (0.55 and 0.56 mM, respectively) and from then on had as starting point for these two molecules to a more detailed and thorough cytotoxicity, where it was observed that the molecule had the best LQFM030 cytotoxic profile in the test of exclusion of Trypan blue and the MTT reduction test, at intervals of 24, 48 and 72, compared with LQFM029 the molecule, using the cell line K-562. Given this, the candidate LQFM030 was the target of other studies conducted to study the survival, safety tests (Capture the Neutral Red dye, Acute Toxicity Oral), cell cycle, cell death mechanism of apoptosis and antioxidant activity. The data showed that the molecule LQFM030 increased life expectancy of the animals, and an IC50 value commensurate with the value of Nutlins found in literature, on the evaluation of acute toxicity, according to OECD 423, the molecule was rated 5 or non- classified according to the classification GSH, the cell cycle was observed an increase in G2 / M phase (73%) and sub-G1 phase (73.6%), and a decrease in S phase (40.9%) ; to assess the mechanism of cell death was characterized increased expression of Bax (8 times compared to untreated group), and a decrease of Bcl-2 (84%) as well as an increase in membrane potential and a decrease of ROS (reactive oxygen species), where there was not a change in protein expression of TNF and NFκβ; antioxidant activity did not show a significant effect, and before the candidate cyclic voltammetry showed only the presence of peak oxidation, not being characterized as a good redox system. When tested for safety in basal cell 3T3, the candidate presented a cytotoxicity with IC50 value of approximately 0.14 mM Thus, the candidate prototype antitumor drug LQFM030 presented as a good candidate for antitumor prototype with important data for such purpose, and the need for further detailed studies to better conceptualization. / No âmbito de uma linha de pesquisa que visa a avaliação farmacológica e toxicológica de novos candidatos a protótipos de fármacos antitumorais, foi realizado neste trabalho a avaliação farmacológica e toxicológica dos compostos LQFM030, LQFM031 e LQFL032, desenhados a partir dos protótipos nutlins. Adicionalmente, também avaliou-se os compostos LQFM004, LQFM005, LQFM028 e LQFM029, inicialmente idealizados como candidatos a protótipos de fármacos antipsicóticos, desenhados a partir do LASSBio579. Inicialmente realizou-se uma triagem citotóxica com todos os candidatos, utilizando o teste de citotoxicidade de Exclusão do Azul de Tripano, em células K-562. Diante disto, observou-se que os melhores valores de IC50 foram obtidos com os candidatos LQFM030 e LQFM029 (0,55 e 0,56 mM, respectivamente) e a partir de então teve-se como ponto de partida essas duas moléculas para um estudo mais detalhado e aprofundado da citotoxicidade, onde observou-se que a molécula LQFM030 apresentou o melhor perfil citotóxico no teste de Exclusão do Azul de Tripano e para o teste de Redução do MTT, no intervalos de tempo de 24, 48 e 72h, quando comparado com a molécula LQFM029, utilizando a linhagem celular K-562. Frente a isso, o candidato LQFM030 foi alvo dos demais estudos realizados visando estudo de sobrevida, ensaios de segurança (Captura do Corante Vermelho Neutro, Toxicidade Aguda Oral), ciclo celular, mecanismo de morte celular por apoptose e atividade antioxidante. Os dados mostraram que a molécula LQFM030 aumentou a expectativa de vida dos animais, e um valor de IC50 compatível com o valor dos Nutlins encontrado na literatura; diante da avaliação da toxicidade aguda, segundo a OECD 423, a molécula teve classificação 5 ou não-classificada de acordo com a classificação GSH; no ciclo celular observou-se um aumento da fase G2/M (73%) e da fase sub-G1 (73,6%), e uma diminuição da fase S (40,9%); para a avaliação do mecanismo de morte celular foi caracterizado um aumento da expressão da proteína Bax (8 vezes em relação ao grupo não-tratado), e uma diminuição de Bcl-2 (84%), assim como um aumento do potencial de membrana e uma diminuição de ROS (espécie reativa de oxigênio), onde não observou-se uma variação na expressão das proteínas TNF e NFκβ; porém um aumento da modulação da proteína citocromo-c de 85%; a atividade antioxidante não apresentou um efeito significativo, e perante a voltametria ciclica o candidato mostrou apenas a presença do pico de oxidação, não sendo caracterizado como um bom sistema de oxirredução. Para o ensaio de segurança, em célula basal 3T3, o candidato apresentou uma citotoxicidade com o valor de IC50 de 0,14 mM aproximadamente. Assim, o candidato a protótipo a fármaco antitumoral LQFM030 apresentou como um bom candidato a protótipo antitumoral com dados importantes para tal finalidade, e a necessidade de estudos ainda mais aprofundados para uma melhor conceituação.

L’Aminopeptidase-N (APN ou CD13) [EC.3.4.11.2] est une ectoenzyme homodimérique de nature glycoprotéique appartenant à la famille M1 des zinc-aminopeptidases. Elle est surexprimée à la surface des cellules endothéliales angiogéniques, ainsi que sur un certain nombre de cellules tumorales. Et il existe une corrélation étroite entre l’élévation de l’expression de l’APN, une activité enzymatique accrue et le pouvoir invasif de nombreux types de cellules tumorales. Des inhibiteurs puissants et sélectifs de l’APN, appartenant à la famille des composés de type amino-benzosubérone, ont été synthétisés au laboratoire. Ces composés ont été testés in vitro et in vivo, et il est apparu qu’ils présentaient une affinité variant du nano au picomolaire. En parallèle à ces essais, un nouveau projet a débuté il y a quelques années au laboratoire, visant à déterminer la structure tridimensionnelle de l’APN humaine. La connaissance de cette structure constitue un enjeu majeur car des co-cristallisations avec ces inhibiteurs permettraient de résoudre le mode de liaison de cette nouvelle famille de composés à l’APN. La difficulté de cette étude réside dans le fait que l’APN est une glycoprotéine membranaire particulièrement difficile à purifier à partir de tissus ; de plus, cette protéine étant ancrée dans la membrane de la cellule, sa cristallisation en est d’autant plus complexe. Plusieurs stratégies de clonage et de surexpression de l’APN humaine ont été envisagées, avec pour objectif final, l’obtention d’une protéine cristallisable, glycosylée ou non. / Aminopeptidase-N (APN or CD13) [EC.3.4.11.2] is a highly glycosylated type II membrane-bound ectoenzyme that belongs to the M1 family of zinc-dependent aminopeptidases. The members of this family have a thermolysin-like catalytic domain with the consensus HEXXH-X18-E zinc-binding sequence and an exopeptidase motif, GXMEN, in the active site. APN/CD13 is a widespread enzyme, located in many tissues, organs and cells, whose multiple functions dependent on its location. It is overexpressed on the endothelial cells of angiogenic, but not normal, vasculature, as well as on numerous tumor cells. As it was demonstrated that APN plays a critical role in tumor cell angiogenesis and metastasis, this protein was identified as a potential target for cancer therapy. In this context, highly potent and selective non-peptidic APN inhibitors, with Ki values ranging from micro to nanomolar, were previously designed and synthesized in the laboratory. In vitro and in vivo efficacy of these novel amino-benzosuberone derivatives was tested. In parallel to these works, a new project was started a few years ago which consists to solve the 3D structure of mammalian APN. Co-crystallizations with amino-benzosuberone derivatives would determine the binding mode of these novel inhibitors. Nevertheless solving the structure of a membrane protein like mammalian APN still remains a challenge. Therefore several cloning and expression strategies for human APN production were developed.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T12:59:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 parte1.pdf: 2329713 bytes, checksum: e401c1067441986762a3c9bcc4db01dc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-22 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The Asteraceae family has cosmopolitan distribution, including about 1.100 genus and about 25.000 species. Chemical and pharmacological studies are not yet known in the genus Pithecoseris. The family Solanaceae A. Juss. has a worldwide distribution, including about 150 genus and approximately 3000 species. The genus Solanum comprises about 1000 species. Many species of Solanum are known as "jurubeba", a word that comes from the Tupi-Guarani yu'beba, which is associated with the presence of thorns and is used in folk medicine for various purposes. This paper describes the isolation, structural identification and biological activities of some chemical constituents of the flowers of Pithecoseris pacourinoides Mart. (Asteraceae) and roots of Solanum rhytidoandrum Sendtn. (Solanaceae), with the objective of contributing to the knowledge chemotaxonomic of the genera Pithecoseris and Solanum, as well as families Asteraceae and Solanaceae. The chemical constituents were identified by analysis of data obtained by spectroscopic methods as Infrared, 1H and 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, with the add of two-dimensional techniques, Mass spectroscopy, and compared with values from the literature. Phytochemical study of the ethyl acetate phase of Pithecoseris pacourinoides Mart. resulted in the isolation of the steroids Sitosterol-3-O-b-D-glucopyranoside and Stigmasterol-3-O-b- D-glucopyranoside and flavonoids 5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavone, 3-O-methylquercetin and quercetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnoside, all first reported in the genus. Phytochemical study of the roots of Solanum rhytidoandrum Sendtn. resulted in the isolation of an alkaloid steroidal glycoside called xilosilsolamargina, first time reported in the species. The phases and extracts Pithecoseris pacourinoides Mart. were subjected to a bioassay with Artemia salina Leach which provided a direction for studies in search of new biologically active molecules in the other phases. The 3-O-methylquercetin and xilosilsolamargina were subjected to cytotoxicity assay against K562 line leukemia cell demonstrating that the analyzed constituents have excellent antitumor activity in vitro, concentration-dependent manner. The isolation of metabolites in species Pithecoseris pacourinoides Mart. and Solanum rhytidoandrum Sendtn. associated with biological assays showed a high potential of the study. / A família Asteraceae possui distribuição cosmopolita, incluindo cerca de 1.100 gêneros e aproximadamente 25.000 espécies. Estudos químicos e farmacológicos ainda não são conhecidos no gênero Pithecoseris. A família Solanaceae A. Juss. possui distribuição cosmopolita, incluindo cerca de 150 gêneros e aproximadamente 3000 espécies. O gênero Solanum é composto por aproximadamente 1000 espécies. Muitas espécies de Solanum são conhecidas como jurubeba , palavra originária do Tupi-guarani yu beba, que está associada a presença de espinhos, sendo empregadas na medicina popular para vários fins. O presente trabalho descreve o isolamento, identificação estrutural e atividades biológicas de alguns constituintes químicos das inflorescências de Pithecoseris pacourinoides Mart. (Asteraceae) e raízes de Solanum rhytidoandrum Sendtn. (Solanaceae), com o objetivo de contribuir para o conhecimento quimiotaxonômico dos gêneros Pithecoseris e Solanum, bem como das famílias Asteraceae e Solanaceae. Os constituintes químicos foram identificados através da análise de dados obtidos por métodos espectroscópicos como IV e RMN de 1H e 13C uni e bidimensionais, espectroscopia de massas, além de comparação com dados da literatura. O estudo fitoquímico da fase acetato de Pithecoseris pacourinoides Mart. resultou no isolamento dos esteróides Sitosterol-3-O-b-D-glicopiranosídeo e Estigmasterol-3-O- b-D-glicopiranosídeo e os flavonóides 5,7,4 -trihidroxiflavona (apigenina), 3-metoxi- 5,7,3 ,4 -tetrahidroxiflavona (3-O-metilquercetina) e Quercetina 3-O-α-L-raminosídeo, todos relatados pela primeira vez no gênero. O estudo fitoquímico das raízes de Solanum rhytidoandrum Sendtn. resultou no isolamento de um alcalóide esteroidal glicosilado denominado xilosilsolamargina, relatado pela primeira vez na espécie. As fases e extratos de Pithecoseris pacourinoides Mart. foram submetidas a um bioensaio frente Artemia salina Leach o qual forneceu um direcionamento para estudos em busca de novas moléculas biologicamente ativas nas demais fases. A 3- O-metilquercetina e a xilosilsolamargina foram submetidas ao ensaio de citotoxicidade frente células leucêmicas da linhagem k562 demonstrando que os constituintes avaliados apresentam excelente atividade antitumoral in vitro de maneira concentração-dependente. O isolamento dos metabólitos nas espécies Pithecoseris pacourinoides Mart. e Solanum rhytidoandrum Sendtn. associado aos ensaios biológicos evidenciou um elevado potencial do estudo.

En raison de l'efficacité pour délivrer des antigènes directement dans le cytoplasme des CAPs in vivo, les vecteurs bactériens atténués et basés sur les propriétés du système de sécrétion de type 3 (SST3) attirent de plus en plus l'attention grâce à leur potentiel dans le développement des vaccins contre le cancer. Pseudomonas aeruginosa est un pathogène opportuniste responsable d'infections graves chez les personnes immunodéprimées, les grands brûlés et les patients atteints de la mucoviscidose. Cette pathogénicité repose sur de nombreux facteurs de virulence dont le SST3. Dans nos travaux précédents, le potentiel de souches atténuées de P. aeruginosa dans le domaine de la vaccination anti-tumorale a été démontré. Dans ce travail, nous avons optimisé des vecteurs vaccinaux basés sur le SST3 de P. aeruginosa pour des applications cliniques. Dans un premier temps, la performance de ces vecteurs bactériens a été améliorée en utilisant différents modèles de tumeurs murines. Ceci par : 1) l'ajout d'un épitope spécifique des lymphocytes CD4+ Th aux vecteurs; 2) l'application d'un modèle d'expression bi-antigénique aux vecteurs; 3) la construction de vecteurs induisant une réponse humorale. Dans un deuxième temps, la performance thérapeutique du vecteur bactérien a été optimisée par la modulation de la fréquence des injections et l'intervalle qui les sépare. Cette performance a été confirmée dans des modèles différents de tumeurs murines. Dans un troisième temps, un candidat qui pourrait être appliqué en clinique a été généré par l'adaptation d'un mutant (CHA-OAL) de P. aeruginosa totalement avirulent dans un milieu chimiquement défini. La très faible infectiosité de cette souche a été surmontée par en vaccinant à des emplacements multiples. Par la suite, le potentiel du vecteur bactérien dans l'immunothérapie humaine a été également évalué- dans un premiers temps-dans un modèle de souris humanisées (HHD). Enfin, nous avons observé qu'une immunité anti-vecteur pré-existante n'a pas d'effet sur l'efficacité de la vaccination par le vecteur bactérien. L'ensemble de nos résultats a mis en évidence le potentiel de nos vecteurs vivants et atténués de P. aeruginosa pour des applications dans des essais cliniques pertinents. / Due to the endowed effective ability to deliver antigen to cytoplasm of APCs in vivo, T3SS based attenuated bacterial vectors attracted more and more attention for their potential interest in cancer vaccine development. Pseudomonas aeruginosa est un pathogène opportuniste responsable d'infections graves chez les personnes immunodéprimées, les grands brûlés et les patients atteints de la mucoviscidose. Cette pathogénicité repose sur de nombreux facteurs de virulence dont le système de sécrétion de type III (SSTT). In our previous work, the potential of attenuated P. aeruginosa strains as the carriers for anti-tumor vaccination purpose has been reported. In this work, we would like to strengthen P. aeruginosa T3SS based vaccine vectors and direct the development of these bacterial vectors toward clinical applications. First, the performance of these bacterial vectors has been improved in different murine cancer models by: 1) adding one CD4+ Th epitope to vectors; 2) applying bi-antigen expression pattern to vectors; 3) constructing potential humoral response inducing vectors. Second, the therapeutic performance of bacterial vector has been optimized by modulating injection frequency and interval and then be confirmed in murine tumor models. Third, one clinically applicable candidate has been generated by adapting one totally avirulent P. aeruginosa mutant (CHA-OAL) in a chemically defined medium and the poor infectivity of this new strain has been overcome by vaccinations at multiple loci. Fourth, the potential of bacterial vector for human immunotherapy has been further evaluated in one first level humanized mice (HHD) model. Finally, we observed that the pre-existing anti-vector immunity didn't impair the vaccination efficiency of bacteria vector. Taken together, our results highlight the potentials of our live attenuated P. aeruginosa vectors for applications in relevant clinical trials.

L’effet anti-tumoral d'un lipide A, l’OM-174 (partie lipidique des lipopolysaccharides) a été étudié dans un modèle de cancer mammaire chez la souris. In vivo, l’OM-174 augmente la survie de la souris alors qu’in vitro il n'est pas toxique pour les cellules cancéreuses. L’OM-174 se lie au récepteur TLR4 des cellules immunitaires induisant la production de cytokines comme l’IFNγ. In vitro, l’association de cette cytokine au lipide A est cytotoxique. L’objectif de cette thèse est d’en analyser les mécanismes moléculaires. Nous avons montré, aussi bien in vitro qu’in vivo, que la cytotoxicité du lipide A/IFNγ est dépendante du TLR4, du récepteur à l’IFNγ et de l’expression de la NOS II. Nous avons également montré que les espèces radicalaires, NO et anion superoxyde formant le peroxynitrite jouent un rôle crucial dans cette cytotoxicité. L’origine de ces espèces radicalaires se trouve être la NOS II selon un processus de découplage enzymatique. Nous avons également cherché d’autres mécanismes associés pouvant expliquer la cytotoxicité du lipide A/IFNγ. Nous avons ensuite montré que le NO est capable de réagir avec les résidus cystéine de certaines protéines, un processus appelé S-nitrosylation. Une analyse protéomique nous a permis d’identifier au moins une dizaine de protéines qui sont S-nitrosylées dans les cellules cancéreuses mammaires en réponse au lipide A/IFNγ. Nous avons étudié l’impact de cette modification sur la fonction d’une des ces protéines, l’enzyme de conjugaison E2 de l’ubiquitine Ubc13, une protéine impliquée dans la prolifération et la survie cellulaire. Nous avons confirmé la nitrosylation d’Ubc13 et identifié la cystéine 87 comme cible du NO. L’expression d’une forme mutée d’Ubc13 (remplacement de la cystéine 87 par une alanine) inhibe l’auto-ubiquitination de l’enzyme et sa capacité à ubiquitiner une de ses cibles IkBα. Nous avons montré que la S-nitrosylation d’Ubc13 induit sa migration vers le noyau et rend les cellules plus sensibles à l’effet cytotoxique du lipide A/IFNγ. En résumé, nos résultats révèlent un rôle majeur et insoupçonné de la NOS II et du NO dans l’effet antitumoral du lipide A OM-174 dans un modèle de cancer mammaire chez la souris ouvrant la voie pour la conception de nouveaux traitements anticancéreux. / The anti -tumor effect of a lipid A, OM -174 (lipid portion of LPS) was studied in a model of breast cancer in mice. In vivo, OM- 174 increases the survival of mice whereas in vitro it is not toxic to cancer cells. OM -174 binds to TLR4 immune cells inducing the production of cytokines such as IFNγ. In vitro, the combination of IFNγ to lipid A is cytotoxic. The objective of this thesis is to analyze those molecular mechanisms. We have shown both in vitro and in vivo that the cytotoxicity of the lipid A / IFNγ is dependent of TLR4 and of the receptor for IFNγ, and the NOS II expression. We also showed that the radical species, NO and superoxide anion forming peroxynitrite play a crucial role in this cytotoxicity. The origin of these radical species is being NOS II enzyme in a process of decoupling. We also looked for other associated mechanisms that may explain the cytotoxicity of lipid A / IFNγ. We then showed that NO is able to react with the cysteine residues of certain proteins, a process called S- nitrosylation. A proteomic analysis allowed us to identify at least a dozen proteins that are S- nitrosylated in breast cancer cells in response to lipid A / IFNγ. We studied the impact of this change on the basis of one of these proteins, the E2 conjugating enzyme UBC13 ubiquitin, a protein involved in cell proliferation and survival. We confirmed the UBC13 nitrosylation on cysteine 87 and identified as a target of NO. The expression of a mutant of UBC13 (replacement of cysteine 87 with alanine) forms inhibits the auto-ubiquitination of the enzyme and its ability to ubiquitinylated one of its targets IkBα. We have shown that S- nitrosylation of UBC13 induced its translocation to the nucleus and greater sensitivity to the cytotoxic effect of lipid A / IFNγ in cells. In summary, our results reveal an important and unexpected role of NOS II and NO in the antitumor effect of lipid A OM- 174 in a model of breast cancer in mice opening the way for the development of new cancer treatments.

Dans le cadre de cette thèse nous nous intéressons à la découverte de nouveaux ligands originaux de la tubuline ayant une activité inhibitrice de sa polymérisation. Pour ce faire, une étude rationnelle in silico est effectuée afin d’obtenir des molécules actives in vitro sur cette protéine. Lors de cette première année de thèse nous avons mis en place en collaboration avec l’équipe de modélisation de BioCIS – CNRS (Dr. G. Bernadat et Pr. T. Ha-Duong) un criblage virtuel sur une chimiothèque de plus de 3 millions de structures chimiques présentes dans la base de données ZINC en fonction de descripteurs structuraux. Ce criblage nous a permis de faire ressortir une trentaine de molécules potentiellement actives. Nous avons déjà synthétisé un quart de ces molécules qui sont actuellement en cours d’évaluation biologique en collaboration avec l’équipe de Biochimie et Chimie structurale des substances naturelles (Dr. J. Bignon et Dr. J. Dubois) de L’Institut de Chimie et des Substances Naturelles. Pour cette année, nous allons continuer la synthèse des molécules issues de ce criblage afin de pouvoir évaluer leurs activités sur la tubuline. En fonction des résultats biologiques, nous pourrons également effectuer des pharmacomodulations afin d’améliorer l’activité d’éventuelles touches. / As part of this work we are interested in discovering new ligands original tubulin inhibitory activity having its polymerization. To do this, rational in silico study is performed to obtain the active molecules in vitro that protein. During this first year of thesis we have developed in collaboration with the modeling team BioCIS - CNRS (Dr. G. Bernadat and Prof. T. Duong Ha.) A virtual screening a chemical library of more than 3 million chemical structures in the ZINC database according to structural descriptors. This screening allowed us to bring out thirty of potentially active molecules. We have already synthesized a quarter of these molecules that are currently being biological evaluation in collaboration with the team of Biochemistry and Structural chemistry of natural substances (Dr. J. Bignon and Dr. J. Dubois) of The Institute Chemistry and Natural Products. For this year, we will continue the synthesis of molecules from this screening in order to assess their activities on tubulin. Depending on the laboratory results, we can also perform pharmacomodulations to improve any potential ligands.

Optimization of biologic therapy in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) using modern biomarkers Abstract to thesis Study programme: Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry Introduction: In adults, infliximab (IFX) levels correlate with disease activity and antibodies to IFX (ATIs) predict treatment failure. We aimed to determine the association of IFX levels and ATIs with disease activity in paediatric population. Methods: This study was performed as a prospective observational study. We prospectively collected blood, stool, and clinical data from 65 patients (age 10.5-15.1 years) with Crohn's disease (CD) before IFX administration, and measured IFX trough levels, ATIs, and faecal calprotectin levels (CPT). We used multivariate analysis to identify the predictors of IFX levels. IFX and ATIs levels were meassured using ELISA. Results: Lower levels of IFX were associated with ATIs positivity (OR [odds ratio] 0.027, CI [confidence interval] 0.009-0.077). Higher C-reactive protein (CRP) level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and CPT levels were found in patients with lower IFX levels. The optimal combination of specificity (50%) and sensitivity (74%) for disease activity was calculated for IFX levels ≥ 1.1 µg/ml using CRP level < 5 mg/l as a marker of laboratory remission. In a model that used CPT ≤...