Stem cells have the ability to self-renew and to differentiate into a variety of cell types. Stem cells can be found naturally in the body, can be derived from the inner cell mass of blastocysts, or can be made by dedifferentiation of adult cells. Regenerative medicine aims to utilize the potential of stem cells to treat disease and injury. The ability to create stem cell lines from a patient's own tissues allows for transplantation without immunosuppressive therapy as well as patient-specific disease modeling and drug testing. The objective of this study was to use cellular dedifferentiation to create in vitro cell lines with which to study regenerative medicine. First, we used siRNA targeted against myogenin to induce the dedifferentiation of murine C2C12 myotubes into myoblasts. Timelapse photography, immunofluorescence, and western blot analysis support successful dedifferentiation into myoblasts. However, the inability to separate the myotubes and myoblasts prior to siRNA treatment confounded the results. This system has the potential to be used to study mechanisms behind muscle cell regeneration and wound healing, but a better method for separating out the myoblasts needs to be developed before this will be achievable. Second, we used a doxycycline-inducible lentiviral vector encoding the transcription factors Oct4, Sox2, cMyc, and Klf4 to create a line of naive-like porcine induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). This reprogramming vector was verified first in murine cells, the system in which it was developed. Successful production of both murine and porcine iPSC lines was achieved. Both showed alkaline phosphatase activity, immunofluorescence for pluripotency marker (Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog) expression, PCR for upregulation of endogenous pluripotency factors (Oct4, Sox2, cMyc, Klf4, and Nanog), and the ability to form embryoid bodies that expressed markers of all three germ layers. Additionally, we were able to create secondary porcine iPSC lines by exposing cellular outgrowths from embryoid bodies to doxycycline to initiate more efficient production of porcine iPSCs. The secondary porcine iPSCs were similar to the primary porcine iPSCs in their morphology, behavior, alkaline phosphatase expression, and Nanog expression with immunofluorescence. The porcine iPSCs were dependent on doxycycline to maintain pluripotency, indicating that they are not fully reprogrammed. Despite this dependence on doxycyline, this system can be used in the future to study the process of reprogramming, to develop directed differentiation protocols, and to model diseases. / Master of Science

Le diabète de type 2 résulte d’une diminution de la masse fonctionnelle de cellules bêta pancréatiques, possiblement liée à une dédifférenciation cellulaire : les cellules bêta restent présentes, mais leur production d’insuline s’effondre. Ce phénomène, s’il est avéré, ouvrirait la voie à de nouvelles recherches thérapeutiques. Mais s’il est démontré dans certains modèles murins, il n’existe que des arguments très indirects chez l’Humain. Notre objectif est d’apporter de nouveaux arguments pour ce phénomène chez l’humain en modélisant la dédifférenciation de cellules bêta humaines, en utilisant la lignée de cellules bêta pancréatiques humaines EndoC-βH1 et des îlots pancréatiques humains primaires. Nous avons découvert qu’un traitement par FGF2 effondrait la production d'insuline, et des études par RNA-Seq ont révélé un effondrement de plusieurs marqueurs spécifiques de la cellule bêta, incluant INS, MAFB, SLC2A2, SLC30A8 and GCK. Parallèlement, le traitement par FGF2 induisait l'expression de gènes normalement absents d’une cellule bêta, tels les facteurs de transcription MYC, HES1, SOX9 et NEUROG3. La dédifférenciation induite par le FGF2 était temps- et dose-dépendante, et réversible après wash-out. En outre, nous démontrons que la dédifférenciation modifie l’interaction de la cellule bêta avec son environnement : l'expression de TNFRSF11B (ostéoprotégerine), un récepteur tronqué pour RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand), est induite lors du traitement par FGF2, et les cellules β sont alors protégées contre la signalisation RANKL (TNFSF11) par inhibition de la phosphorylation de P38. Enfin, les analyses des données transcriptomiques ont révélé des niveaux accrus d'ARNm de FGF2 dans les cellules canalaires, endothéliales et stellaires dans les pancréas d’individus diabétiques de type 2, alors que les taux d'ARNm de FGFR1, SOX9 et HES1 sont augmentés dans les îlots pancréatiques d’individus diabétiques de type 2. Nous avons donc développé un modèle de dédifférenciation des cellules bêta humaines induit par le FGF2, identifié de nouveaux marqueurs de dédifférenciation, et trouvé des signes d'augmentation de FGF2, FGFR1 et des marqueurs de dédifférenciation au cours du diabète de type 2. / Clinical and experimental evidences indicate a reduced functional β cell mass in type 2 diabetes. A recent hypothesis implicates β cell dedifferentiation in this reduction of functional β-cell mass. The vast majority of data related to β cell dedifferentiation derive from rodent models, and only indirect evidences are available in human. Our goal was to model human β-cell dedifferentiation using the functional human pancreatic β-cell line, EndoC-βH1, and primary human pancreatic islets. By screening a number of molecules in EndoC-βH1 cells, we found that FGF2 treatment dramatically reduces insulin production and MAFA expression, a β cell specific transcriptional activator. RNASeq of EndoC-βH1 cells treated with FGF2 revealed the down-regulation of additional human β cell specific markers, including INS, MAFB, SLC2A2, SLC30A8 and GCK. In parallel, FGF2 treatment activated the expression of β cell disallowed genes. This is the case for transcription factors such as MYC, HES1, SOX9 and NEUROG3. This is also the case for hormones such as GASTRIN and PYY. Such data were further confirmed by qPCR and immunostaining on primary human islets, attesting that dedifferentiation process occurs in human primary β cells. FGF2-induced dedifferentiation was time- and dose-dependent, and reversible upon wash-out. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis revealed an increase of TNFRSF11B (osteoprotegerin) expression upon FGF2 treatment. TNFRSF11B is a decoy receptor for the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL). Our experimental data on EndoC-βH1 demonstrated that FGF2-induced TNFRSF11B protected β cells against TNFSF11 (RANKL) signaling by preventing P38 phosphorylation. Finally, analyses of transcriptomic data revealed increased FGF2 mRNA levels in ductal, endothelial and stellate cells in pancreases from type 2 diabetic patients, whereas FGFR1, SOX9 and HES1 mRNA levels increased in islets from type 2 diabetic patients. In conclusion, we developed a robust model to study β-cell dedifferentiation in a human context. We discovered SOX9, HES1 and MYC as positive markers of human β cell dedifferentiation, demonstrating evidence for dedifferentiation process in human β cell.

A l'origine de notre travail se trouve le constat selon lequel, lorsqu'on s'intéresse au vieillissement, les recherches sont partitionnées en une multitude de domaines, de paradigmes expérimentaux et de théories résultant en un large puzzle de connaissance. Pourtant, au niveau comportemental, malgré les apparentes différences entre tous les champs d'étude, il existe des résultats empiriques montrant des évolutions communes dans les comportements des différents systèmes fonctionnels au cours de l'âge. C'est le cas notamment pour les tâches cognitives et sensorimotrices. Par exemple, pour les tâches où la rapidité est le critère de performance, les personnes âgées sont plus lentes que les jeunes ; elles sont aussi plus variables et moins adaptables face à l'augmentation de la difficulté. On observe cela à la fois au niveau cognitif et au niveau sensori-moteur. Plus généralement, avec l'âge les corrélations entre les performances de différents domaines fonctionnels augmentent, notamment entre la cognition et la sensori-motricité (Schäfer et al., 2006 ; Lindenberger & Ghisletta, 2009). Nous avons donc voulu comprendre comment et pourquoi des phénomènes comportementaux communs étaient observés aussi bien dans la cognition que la sensori-motricité. Une hypothèse envisagée est qu'ils seraient dus à des modifications structurelles et fonctionnelles du système nerveux central qui deviendrait de moins en moins différencié au fur et à mesure de l'avancement dans la vie (Reuter-Lorenz & Park, 2010 ; Heuninckx et al., 2005). C'est cette hypothèse que nous avons voulu explorer. / The starting point of this work was to realize that, when looking at aging research, studies are split in a multitude of domains, paradigms and theories resulting in a vast puzzle of knowledge. However, at the behavioral level, despite obvious differences between field of studies, there are empirical results showing common evolution between functional systems during the aging process. It is notably the case for cognitive and sensorimotor tasks. For example, when speed is the performance criterion, elderly are slower than their younger counterparts; there are also more variable and less adaptable as difficulty increases. These phenomenons can be observed in both cognitive and sensorimotor domain. More generally, correlation between performance in different functional domain increases through aging, and most notably between the cognitive and sensorimotor domain (Schäfer et al., 2006 ; Lindenberger & Ghisletta, 2009). We thus wanted to understand how and why those common behavioral phenomenon were observed. A considered hypothesis is that there would come from structural and functional modifications of the central nervous system which would become less and less differentiated through the course of aging (Reuter-Lorenz & Park, 2010 ; Heuninckx et al., 2005). We wanted to explore this hypothesis. At the start of our work, to our knowledge there was no theoretical framework explaining the compression of the cognitive and sensorimotor system in one less differentiated.

Orientador: Orientador : Kleber Gomes Franchini / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-21T12:58:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Cardoso_AlissonCampos_D.pdf: 4487510 bytes, checksum: eec48cf16c52d89f7324a6a56476ca59 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: Durante os primeiros dias do desenvolvimento pós-natal, os miócitos cardíacos perdem a capacidade de proliferação, sendo o crescimento adicional do coração decorrente de hipertrofia e não hiperplasia dos miócitos cardíacos. No entanto, em situações de estresse os miócitos cardíacos diferenciados podem apresentar desdiferenciação e reestabelecimento do ciclo celular. Os mecanismos envolvidos nesse fenômeno são ainda pouco compreendidos. No presente estudo, demonstramos que a ativação do fator de transcrição MEF2C (Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2-C) tem papel crítico no processo de desdiferenciação de miócitos cardíacos. Essa conclusão foi obtida por meio de experimentos de ganho de função pela superexpressão de MEF2C em miócitos ventriculares de ratos neonatos em cultura (MVRNs). Demonstramos que a superexpressão de MEF2C em MVRNs induziu a desdiferenciação e a ativação de mecanismos envolvidos na progressão do ciclo celular. Esses resultados foram obtidos por meio de experimentos de microarranjo de DNA, PCR em tempo real, western blotting e análise do fenótipo celular por microscopias de luz, confocal e eletrônica de transmissão. Esses fenômenos foram atenuados pela superexpressão da quinase de adesão focal (FAK), uma proteína que reconhecidamente exerce efeitos pró-hipertróficos em miócitos cardíacos adultos. Experimentos in vivo e in vitro demonstraram a interação direta entre o fator de transcrição MEF2C e a FAK. Estudos com base em ensaios de reação cruzada associada à espectrometria de massas, dinâmica molecular, espalhamento de raios-X a baixos ângulos e mutação sítio dirigida, demonstraram que as hélices 1 e 4 do domínio FAT da FAK interagem diretamente com a domínio de ligação ao DNA do dímero de MEF2C. Estudos de afinidade e de gel shift demonstraram que a porção FAT da FAK desloca a interação MEF2C/DNA in vitro. Ensaios de gene repórter demonstraram que a FAK, mediada pela região C-terminal, diminui a atividade transcricional de MEF2C em células C2C12. O conjunto de dados demonstra que a ativação do fator de transcrição MEF2C em MVRNs induz a desdiferenciação e ativação de mecanismos de progressão do ciclo celular e que a FAK impede esses efeitos através da interação inibitória no domínio de ligação de MEF2C ao DNA / Abstract: During the first days of postnatal development, cardiac myocytes lose their ability to proliferate, and the further growth of the heart is due to hypertrophy and not hyperplasia of cardiac myocytes. However, in response to stress, cardiac myocytes may have dedifferentiation and re-establishment of the cell cycle. The mechanisms involved in this phenomenon are still poorly understood. In the present study, we demonstrated that activation of the transcription factor MEF2C (myocyte enhancer factor 2-C) plays a critical role in the process of dedifferentiation of cardiac myocytes. This conclusion was obtained by gain-of-function experiments through overexpressing MEF2C in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes in culture (NRVMs). We also showed that overexpression of MEF2C in NRVMs induced the dedifferentiation and activation of mechanisms involved on cell cycle progression. These results were obtained by DNA microarray experiments, real time PCR, western blotting and cell phenotype analysis by light microscopy, confocal and electronic transmission. These effects were attenuated by overexpression of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) protein known to exert pro-hypertrophic effects on adult cardiac myocytes. In vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated the direct interaction between the transcription factor MEF2C and FAK. A model based on crosslinking technology coupled with mass spectrometry, small angle X-ray scattering and the site directed mutation analyses indicated that alpha-helices 1 and 4 of FAK FAT domain interacts directly with the DNA binding domain of MEF2C dimer. Affinity studies and gel shift assay demonstrated that the FAK FAT domain displaces the MEF2C/DNA interaction in vitro. Reporter gene assays demonstrated that FAK, mediated by the C-terminal region, decreases the transcriptional activity of MEF2C in C2C12 cells. The data set shows that the activation of the transcription factor MEF2C in MVRNs induces dedifferentiation and activation of cell cycle progression and that FAK prevents these effects by inhibitory interaction with DNA binding domain of MEF2C / Doutorado / Biologia Estrutural, Celular, Molecular e do Desenvolvimento / Doutor em Ciências

La dédifférentiation du chondrocyte peut être provoquée par le stress mécanique ou cytokinique ainsi que la diffusion des facteurs de croissance dans le cartilage. C’est un élément-clé de la dégradation irréversible qui accompagne l’arthrose (ostéoarthritis, OA). Notre but est de rechercher des mécanismes moléculaires susceptibles d’être des cibles thérapeutiques originales contre cette affection. Or, il a été montré récemment que la voie des récepteurs Notch est fortement exprimée dans l’OA humaine. Objectifs: Etudier le rôle de la voie de signalisation Notch /Hes1/Hey1 dans les effets de l’Interleukine-1 β (IL-1β) et du FGF2 sur la dédifférenciation in-vitro des chondrocytes. Méthodes: Des chondrocytes de cartilage articulaire humain ou murin sont mis en culture primaire, puis traités par IL-1β ou FGF2. L’expression de Notch1-R/Hes1/Hey1 est étudiée par immunocytochimie, immunoblot et q-RT-PCR. L’implication de Hes1 dans les effets de l'IL-1β et du FGF2 a été étudiée au moyen d’un siRNA spécifique anti Hes1. Résultats: En normoxie, le marquage de Notch-R1 est localisé à la membrane et dans le cytoplasme des chondrocytes, sans effet des effecteurs. Notch1-R est en revanche nucléaire en hypoxie. L’hypothèse d’un contrôle de la localisation de Notch1-R par la pO2 est confortée par l’inhibition de l’expression de la Préséniline (γ-secrétase) en hypoxie. L’étude des effets des effecteurs sur Hes1 et Hey1 a été réalisée dans les conditions classiques de culture en normoxie. Hes1 est cytoplasmique mais passe dans le noyau sous l’effet de l’IL1β ou de FGF2, suggérant la possibilité d’effets transcriptionnels. Les ARNm de Hes1 sont augmentés d’un facteur de 2,5 avec l’IL-1β et de 7-8 avec le FGF2. Hey1 est insensible à l’IL-1β mais augmente de 4-5 fois sous FGF2. Ces effets sont transcriptionnels directement pour Hes1 (DRB-) et indirectement pour Hey1 (DRB+). Ils passent par la voie NF-κB pour les deux facteurs mais en plus par p38 MAP pour le FGF2. L’induction de Hes1 est insensible au DAPT, inhibiteur de la γ-sécrétase, donc indépendant d’une activation de novo du Notch-R1. L’utilisation d’un siRNA spécifique contre Hes1 montre que l’induction de Hey1 par FGF2 dépend de Hes1 et permet de vérifier l’influence de Hes1 dans la modulation des marqueurs phénotypiques. Hes1 est impliqué dans l’induction par IL-1β de l’expression de MMP13 et ADMTS-5. Hes1 est aussi le médiateur de l’induction par le FGF2 des messagers de la MMP13 (en partie) et de l’isomère Col2A. La protéine Col2A immature est normalement absente du cartilage de souris post-natale, où Col2B est l’isoforme essentielle du collagène de type 2. A l’inverse, le cartilage de souris vieillissante réexprime Col2A, comme cela a été montré dans le cartilage arthrosique chez l’homme. Conclusion: Hes1 est le médiateur des effets d’IL-1β et du FGF2 sur la dédifférentiation in-vitro des chondrocytes (Col2A, MMP13). La voie de Hes1 apparaît donc comme une cible valide pour de nouvelles thérapeutiques contre la dégradation chondrocytaire et donc les maladies dégénératives du cartilage. / Chondrocyte dedifferentiation is a key element of irreversible cartilage degradation induced by mechanical or cytokinic stress, or growth factors, as in degenerative osteoarthritis (OA). Our goal is to search for new therapeutical targets within this process, and Notch signaling has been reported to be strongly expressed during human OA. Objectives: To investigate the involvement of the Notch1/Hes1/Hey1 pathway as mediators of interleukin 1 β (IL-1β) and FGF2 in chondrocytes in vitro. Methods: Mouse or human articular chondrocytes were established in primary culture then challenged with IL-1β or FGF2. Notch-R1, Hes1/Hey1 and chondrogenic target genes expression was monitored by immunocytochemistry, q-rt-PCR, and immunoblotting. Hes1 involvement in IL-1β/FGF2 induced gene expression was investigated with a specific siRNA against Hes1. Results: In normoxia, Notch1-R labeling remained nuclear and stable in intensity in chondrocytes, irrespective of treatment. This suggested steady-state activation of this pathway. In contrast, Notch1-R labeling was located almost exclusively at the membrane or cytoplasm of chondrocytes in hypoxia, irrespective of treatment. Notch-R1 activation may thus be, at least in part, regulated by pO2 as supported by the inhibition of γ-secretase (Presenilin1) expression in hypoxia versus normoxia. In normoxia, addition of IL1β or FGF2 to the cells induced Hes1 translocation to the nucleus, suggesting the possibility of transcriptional effects. This was associated with a transient increase of Hes1 mRNA cyclic expression with mechanistic differences between the two effectors. Hes1 mRNA was increased 2.5-fold by IL-1β and 7-8-fold by FGF2. IL-1β elicited a loss of cyclicity in Hes1 expression while FGF2 conserved the cycles, akin to the effect of serum. These effects were transcriptional and occurred through NF-κB for both effectors but only through the p38 pathway for FGF2. Hey1 expression was not modified by IL-1β, while a 4-5 fold transient increase was observed with FGF2, always posterior to the Hes1 peak. Hey induction by FGF2 was transcriptional and depended on Hes1 expression (DRB). Hes1/ Hey inductions by IL-1β or FGF2 were insensitive to DAPT, a γ-secretase inhibitor, confirming the independence from novel activation of Notch-R. Hes1 expression was silenced by a specific siRNA, showing that the FGF2-induced Hey1 expression is under Hes1 control and ascertaining the role of Hes1 in chondrocyte phenotype modulations. Hes1 mediated IL-1β induction of MMP-13 and ADAMTS-5. Hes1 also mediated FGF2 up-regulation of MMP13 (partly) and Col2A isomer expression. Col2A is normally absent in post-natal mice cartilage, Col2B being the essential isoform of Type 2 collagen. Conversely, aging mice cartilage re-expresses Col2A abundantly as shown for human OA cartilage. Conclusion: Hes1 mediates IL-1β and FGF2 modulations of dedifferentiating chondrocyte phenotype (MMP13, Col2A). Thus the Hes1 pathway appears a valid target for therapeutical research on chondrocytes dedifferentiation, hence degradative cartilage diseases.

Le cartilage articulaire est un tissu conjonctif spécialisé recouvrant les surfaces osseuses et assurant, avec d’autres tissus comme la membrane synoviale, le bon fonctionnement des articulations. Le cartilage est composé d'un type cellulaire, le chondrocyte, qui assure la synthèse et la dégradation d’une matrice extracellulaire essentielle à ses propriétés mécaniques. Les articulations, en conditions physiologique et pathologique, sont soumises à deux stress principaux agissant sur l’homéostasie du cartilage : le stress mécanique et le stress inflammatoire. Le premier objectif de ma thèse était d’étudier l’effet d’un stress mécanique de type étirement sur le profil d’expression des gènes dans des chondrocytes articulaires de lapin en culture primaire en utilisant une approche à grande échelle (micro‐arrays). Nous avons identifié 36 et 57 transcrits répertoriés dans le génome de lapin et dont les taux d’expression sont respectivement augmentés et diminués par un étirement équibiaxial cyclique (5%, 1Hz, 20h). Certains gènes sont connus pour leur implication dans l’inflammation, la mort cellulaire et la dégradation matricielle. Parmi eux, celui de la relaxine (RLN) était le gène le plus induit par l’étirement. La relaxine, hormone peptidique de la superfamille de l’insuline/relaxine, est connue pour son implication dans la reproduction et la grossesse. En revanche son rôle dans le cartilage articulaire restait à étudier. Le deuxième objectif de ma thèse était, par conséquent, de caractériser la fonction de la RLN dans le cartilage. Mes résultats de RT‐PCR quantitative montrent pour la première fois que la quantité des transcrits de la RLN est augmentée par le stress mécanique et le stress inflammatoire (traitement par l’interleukine‐1) dans des chondrocytes articulaires de lapin. De plus, la quantité des transcrits de la RLN est diminuée au cours de la dédifférenciation des chondrocytes. Dans un modèle de gonarthrose induite chez la souris par déstabilisation du ménisque médial, j’ai montré par immunofluorescence que la RLN est principalement présente au niveau des couches superficielles du cartilage de genou et que son expression diminue dans le cartilage arthrosique par rapport au cartilage normal. De plus, le traitement par de la RLN de chondrocytes de lapin augmente l’activité de la métalloprotéinase MMP‐9 impliquées dans la dégradation du cartilage. En conclusion, cette étude montre que la RLN est sensible aux stress mécanique et inflammatoire et la dédifférenciation des chondrocytes. Elle suggère que cette hormone pourrait moduler l’homéostasie du cartilage. La RLN est donc une cible potentielle d’intérêt dans les pathologies ostéoarticulaires. / The articular cartilage is a specialized conjunctive tissue covering bone surfaces. It ensures, together with other tissues like the synovial membrane, the right functioning of the articulations. The cartilage is formed of one cellular type, the chondrocyte, which is responsible for the synthesis and degradation of the extracellular matrix required for its mechanical properties. The joints, under physiological and pathological conditions, are subjected to two main types of stress that affect cartilage homeostasis: mechanical stress and inflammatory stress. The first objective of my PhD thesisis is to study the effect of stretching, one type of mechanical stress, on the gene expression profile in rabbit articular chondrocytes in culture using a large scale approach (micro‐arrays). 36 and 57 transcripts of the rabbit genome which are up‐regulated and down‐regulated by equibiaxial cyclic tensile stretching (5%, 1Hz, 20h) respectively were identified. Some of these genes are known for their implication in inflammation, cell death and matrix degradation. Among them, the relaxin (RLN) gene is the most induced by stretching. RLN is a peptide hormone that belongs to the insulin/relaxin superfamily. It is known for its implication in reproduction and pregnancy. However, the role of RLN in cartilage is still to be studied. The second objective of my PhD thesis is, consequently, to characterize the function of RLN in cartilage. My qRT‐PCR results show, for the first time, that the RLN transcript levels increase upon mechanical and inflammatory (interleukin ‐1treatment) stress in rabbit articular chondrocytes. Moreover, RLN transcript levels decrease during cell dedifferentiation. In a model of gonarthrosis induced in mice by destabilization of the medial meniscus, I showed by immunofluorescence that RLN is mainly present in the superficial layers of the knee cartilage and that its expression decreases in osteoarthritic cartilage as compared to normal cartilage. Furthermore, treatment of rabbit chondrocytes with RLN increases the activity of the metalloproteinase MMP‐9 involved in cartilage degradation. In conclusion, this study shows that RLN is sensitive to mechanical and inflammatory stress and to chondrocyte dedifferentiation. It also suggests that this hormone could modulate cartilage homeostasis. Therefore, RLN is a potential target in osteoarticular pathologies.

Les Tumeurs NeuroEndocrines Pancréatiques (TNEPs), qui se développent à partir des cellules endocrines des îlots de Langerhans, sont des tumeurs de caractéristiques diverses, sur le point hormonal, fonctionnel ou encore moléculaire. Leur diversité complexifie les diagnostics et les traitements pour les patients atteints. Depuis quelques années, la plasticité cellulaire du pancréas endocrine commence à être bien documentée dans des pathologies comme le diabète et les TNEPs. Les facteurs de croissance de la famille TGF-beta, connus pour leur rôle en cancérologie, sont impliqués dans le contrôle de l'expression des marqueurs d'identité des cellules beta. Mes travaux de thèse ont consisté à étudier la place de la plasticité cellulaire dans le développement d'insulinomes et d'identifier un facteur TGF-beta, impliqué dans ce processus. J'ai ainsi démontré un mécanisme de dédifférenciation des cellules beta tumorales, invalidées pour le gène Men1 chez la souris. De plus, j'ai identifié un ligand de la famille TGF-beta, l'ActivinB, surexprimé dans les insulinomes et responsable de la plasticité cellulaire. Des études complémentaires sur le modèle murin RipTag2, développant également des insulinomes, combinées à des analyses in cellulo, m'ont enfin permis de montrer le rôle de Menin dans l'expression de ce ligand, grâce à la régulation épigénétique, notamment les modifications d'histones. Mes travaux ont ainsi permis de mettre en évidence l'ActivinB comme un nouvel acteur dans la plasticité des cellules beta endocrines, tumorales ou non. La détection d'ActivinB pourra être utilisée à des fins diagnostiques/pronostiques chez des patients atteints de TNEPs. Enfin, mes travaux démontrent que la diversité des TNEPs ne se restreint pas seulement à leurs caractéristiques hormonales, leur fonctionnalité ou leur capacité de prolifération, mais qu'elle est également due à leur origine cellulaire et les mécanismes de tumorigenèse, qui se mettent en place. Ainsi, une caractérisation moléculaire approfondie de ces tumeurs chez l'homme semble désormais essentielle pour affiner la classification, le diagnostic et enfin les thérapies pour les patients atteints des TNEPs / Pancreatic NeuroEndocrine Tumors (PNETs), which develop from endocrine cells in Langerhans islets, present a wide array of hormonal, functional or molecular characteristics. Their diversity complicates the diagnosis and the treatment of affected patients. In recent years, the cellular plasticity of the endocrine pancreas begins to be well documented in pathologies like diabetes or PNETs. Growth factors of TGF-beta family, known for their role in cancer, are involved in the control of beta cell identity marker expression. My PhD work was aiming at studying the role of cell plasticity in insulinoma development and identifying the potent contribution of a subset of members of the TGF-beta superfamily in this mechanism. Using mice model, I proved a mechanism of dedifferentiation in tumor endocrine beta cells, invalidated for Men1 gene. Moreover, I identified a TGF beta member, ActivinB, to be overexpressed in insulinomas and responsible of cellular plasticity. Using a combination of studies based on the RipTag2 mice, that also develop insulinomas, and in cellulo analyses, I further highlighted the role of Menin in the controlled-expression of ActivinB through an epigenetic mechanism, involving histone mark modifications. Therefore, my thesis works permitted to demonstrate that ActivinB represents a novel actor of endocrine beta cell plasticity. More importantly it highlights the possible use of ActivinB for diagnostic/prognostic purposes for PNETs patients. Finally, my work demonstrates that PNETs diversity is not only restricted to hormonal, functional or proliferative features, but shows that both the cell origin and mechanisms of tumorigenesis may actively contribute to the observed tumor heterogeneity. Thus, further molecular and cellular characterization of PNETs appears essential to refine the classification, diagnosis and therapeutics for patients

Background Immune-stimulatory agents, like agonists of the innate immune receptor RIG-I, are currently tested in clinical trials as an intratumoral treatment option for patients with unresectable melanoma, aiming to enhance anti-tumor T cell responses. Switching of melanoma toward a dedifferentiated cell state has recently been linked to T cell and therapy resistance. It remains to be determined whether RIG-I agonists affect melanoma differentiation, potentially leading to T cell resistance. Methods Patient metastases-derived melanoma cell lines were treated with the synthetic RIG-I agonist 3pRNA, and effects on tumor cell survival, phenotype and differentiation were determined. Transcriptomic data sets from cell lines and metastases were analyzed for associations between RIG-I (DDX58) and melanoma differentiation markers and used to define signaling pathways involved in RIG-I- driven dedifferentiation. The impact of 3pRNA-induced melanoma dedifferentiation on CD8 T cell activation was studied in autologous tumor T cell models. Results RIG-I activation by 3pRNA induced apoptosis in a subpopulation of melanoma cells, while the majority of tumor cells switched into a non-proliferative cell state. Those persisters displayed a dedifferentiated cell phenotype, marked by downregulation of the melanocytic lineage transcription factor MITF and its target genes, including melanoma differentiation antigens (MDA). Transition into the MITFlow/MDAlow cell state was JAK-dependent, with some cells acquiring nerve growth factor receptor expression. MITFlow/MDAlow persisters switched back to the proliferative differentiated cell state when RIG-I signaling declined. Consistent with our in vitro findings, an association between melanoma dedifferentiation and high RIG-I (DDX58) levels was detected in transcriptomic data from patient metastases. Notably, despite their dedifferentiated cell phenotype, 3pRNA-induced MITFlow/ MDAlow persisters were still efficiently targeted by autologous CD8 tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TILs). Conclusions Our results demonstrate that RIG-I signaling in melanoma cells drives a transient phenotypic switch toward a non-proliferative dedifferentiated persister cell state. Despite their dedifferentiation, those persisters are highly immunogenic and sensitive toward autologous TILs, challenging the concept of melanoma dedifferentiation as a general indicator of T cell resistance. In sum, our findings support the application of RIG-I agonists as a therapeutic tool for the generation of long-term clinical benefit in non-resectable melanoma.

Urodele amphibians have the remarkable ability to re-grow lost body parts. This regenerative response after injury in urodeles involves dedifferentiation of fully differentiated cells into proliferative cells. One well-studied example of this is the dedifferentiation of multinucleated muscle cells into mononucleate cells resembling their precursors, the myoblasts. To form these mononucleate cells the differentiated myotubes in vivo must re-enter and complete the cell cycle; they again proliferate and produce progeny. A key question is what factors induce the myotubes to re-enter the cell cycle and proliferate. Early events of cell cycle re-entry can be studied in the A1 cell line, a myogenic cell line isolated from the Notophthalmus viridescens hindlimb, which traverses cell cycle until G2 in response to serum. In particular, it was found that thrombin cleavage induces a factor in serum of all animals tested so far to promote S phase re-entry in A1 myotubes. We have used this S phase re-entry of the A1 cell line to purify the serum activity and developed a 5-step purification protocol that enriches the activity almost 2 000 fold over the starting material, or 40 000 fold over serum. To conveniently produce and test potential candidates for their ability to induce S phase re-entry in A1 myotubes, we also developed an overexpression- and purification system for emerging candidates. Candidates were then tested for this activity with or without prior incubation with thrombin. We identified Bmp proteins as the first pure molecules that were found in fractions across the purification of the activity and that could also induce cell cycle re-entry in a dose-dependent manner when recombinantly added to the A1 myotubes. Furthermore, this response could be blocked in a dose-dependent manner by the known bmp-inhibitor noggin. Finally, we showed that inhibition of Bmp signaling in vivo causes defects in axolotl tail regeneration.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第21999号 / 医博第4513号 / 新制||医||1038(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 高橋 淳, 教授 井上 治久, 教授 滝田 順子 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM