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Prions são definidos como partículas protéicas infecciosas compostas, quase que exclusivamente, por uma proteína conhecida como prion scrapie (PrPsc). O envolvimento dessas partículas na etiologia de doenças neurodegenerativas, tanto em homens como em animais, já está bem determinado. Acredita-se que o PrPsc seja sintetizado através de modificações pós-traducionais que ocorreriam na isoforma celular da proteína prion (PrPc), uma glicoproteína expressa constitutivamente na superfície de vários tipos celulares, principalmente de neurônios, ancorada na membrana plasmática por glicosil-fosfatidil inositol (GPI). Apesar de ser uma molécula conservada em várias espécies, a função de PrPc ainda permanece desconhecida. Interessados nos possíveis papéis fisiológicos desempenhados pelo PrPc, decidimos investigar certas interações que o PrPc poderia realizar com outras moléculas, na tentativa de se encontrar pistas sobre a função dessa proteína em células normais. Assim, nosso grupo identificou e vem caracterizando duas interações nas quais o PrPc está envolvido: com o seu receptor de 60-66 kDa e com a principal proteína não colagênica da matriz extracelular, a laminina (LN). Grande parte da caracterização dessas duas interações vem sendo desenvolvida graças ao uso de PrPc recombinante produzido em sistema heterólogo (em E.coli). O trabalho em questão trata principalmente da produção de PrPc recombinantes em sistema heterólogo e a utilização destes como importantes ferramentas para a melhor caracterização das interações identificadas. Alguns trabalhos na literatura vinham sugerindo a existência de um receptor para prions. Através da teoria da hidropaticidade complementar dos aminoácidos, nosso grupo foi capaz de identificar uma proteína de 60-66 kDa como sendo esse provável receptor. Ensaios de ligação in vitro utilizando PrPc recombinante, ou PrPc nativo (ancorado na superfície de células) confirmaram que a forma desse receptor presente na membrana (de 66 kDa) é capaz de se ligar ao PrPc. Com a ajuda de PrPc recombinante também foi possível verificar uma ligação específica, saturável e de alta afinidade (Kd da ordem de 10-8 M) entre PrPc e a LN. Através de ensaios de competição, utilizando peptídeos sintéticos correspondentes a domínios da LN já bem caracterizados e de funções estabelecidas, fomos capazes de mapear o sítio dessa molécula que se liga ao PrPc. A sequência identificada (RNIAEIIKDI) encontra-se na região C-terminal da cadeia γ1 da LN e, como demonstrado na literatura, esse domínio é responsável por estimular tanto a adesão celular, quanto o crescimento de neuritos em neurônios de cerebelo em cultura primária. De fato, resultados obtidos pelo nosso grupo indicam que a interação PrPc/LN participa no processo de neuritogênese. Experimentos de esquiva inibitória, realizados em colaboração com o grupo do Prof. Dr. Ivan Izquierdo (UFRGS) indicaram que a ligação PrPc/LN também desempenha um importante papel nos processos de memória e aprendizado. / Prions are defined as proteinaceous infectious particles that mediate the pathogenesis of certain neurodegenerative diseases, in humans and in animals. The prion particle is composed largely, if not entirely, by PrPsc (prion scrapie), a posttranslationaly modified isoform of the cellular host-encoded prion protein (PrPc). PrPc is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchored protein that is constitutively expressed by several cell types, mainly on neuronal cell surface. However, the physiological role of this conserved protein remains unclear. ínterested in this normal function of PrPc, our group decided to investigate some interactions that PrPc could be done with other molecules in order to find some clues about it. We have been identified and characterized two interactions that PrPc is involved: with its putative 60-66 kDa receptor and with laminin. In order to better characterize these interactions it was necessary to produce purified PrPc. In this work we will report the expression and the purification of mouse PrPc protein in heterologous system and its use as important tools to investigate the PrPc interactions. A specific cell surface receptor for PrPc has been predicted. Using the concept of complementary hydropathy, our group has identified a 60-66 kDa membrane protein in mouse brain, which seems to be a putative PrPc receptor. ln vitro binding assays using recombinant and native PrPc were able to confirm that the membrane receptor (66 kDa) binds PrPc. Recombinant PrPc was also useful to demonstrate a specific and high affinity (Kd around 10-8M) interaction between PrPc and laminin. In an attempt to map the PrPc binding site in this molecule, laminin peptides with established physiological functions were used in cornpetition binding assays. A peptide derived frorn C-terminal γ-1 chain of mouse laminin, RNIAEIIKDI, was the only one that was able to block the binding of laminin to PrPc, suggesting that this region comprises the PrPc binding site. It was reported in the literature that this peptide simulates the neurite outgrowth and cellular adhesion. In collaboration with Dr. Izquierdo\'s group (UFRGS) we demonstrated that the interaction characterized between this laminin\'s domain and PrPc is involved in the neuritogenesis process, as well as in learning and memory.

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Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:49:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-08-26 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / A candidíase nosocomial é grande preocupação em hospitais terciários em todo o mundo. A infecção ocorre geralmente em pacientes com doenças neoplásicas e degenerativas e é considerada a quarta causa mais freqüente de infecções sangüíneas. O diagnóstico da candidemia ou candidíase hematogênica tem sido problemático porque os sinais e sintomas clínicos são inespecíficos, o que conduz a atrasos no diagnóstico e, conseqüentemente, na terapia antifúngica apropriada. Desenvolvemos a técnica de ELISA de inibição para a detecção do antígeno de 65 kDa em modelo experimental de candidemia e para o diagnóstico de pacientes em UTI com suspeita de candidemia. Anticorpo monoclonal anti-65 kDa foi produzido e testado para a detecção do antígeno comum de 65 kDa produzido por C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis em modelos murinos candidemia. No modelo experimental o antígeno de 65 kDa foi detectado no soro do camundongos em concentrações variando de 0,012 a 3,25 μg / ml. Vinte pacientes com candidemia foram avaliados pelo teste de ELISA de inibição em soros seqüenciais. Dezesseis (80%) pacientes apresentavam o antígeno de 65 kDa em concentrações variando de 0,07 a 5,0 μg/ml. Os soros sequenciais de pacientes com candidemia apresentaram 3 diferentes padrões de antigenemia; 1 – clareamento total da antigenemia; 2-clareamento inicial e recidiva da antigenemia; e 3 – clareamento parcial da antigenemia. Nossos resultados indicam que a detecção da molécula de 65 kDa pode ser muito útil para o diagnóstico de candidemia por C. albicans, C. tropicalis e C. parapsilosis. Avaliamos também um possível papel biológico da molécula de 65 kDa. Os ensaios demonstraram que a proteína de 65 kDa tem ligantes de fibronectina de matriz extracelular, tendo um possível papel da adesão do fungo no hospedeiro. / Nosocomial candidiasis is a major concern in tertiary care hospitals worldwide. This infection generally occurs in patients with degenerative and neoplastic diseases and is considered the fourth most frequent cause of bloodstream infections. Diagnosis of candidemia or hematogenous candidiasis has been problematic because clinical signs and symptoms are nonspecific, leading to delays in diagnosis and, consequently, in appropriate antifungal therapy. We developed an inhibition ELISA for detection of a 65 kDa-antigen in an experimental model of candidemia and for diagnosis of patients in ICUs with suspected candidemia. An anti-65 kDa monoclonal antibody was tested for detection of the 65 kDa antigen produced by C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. parapsilosis in murine candidemia models. The 65 kDa-antigen was detected in sera at concentrations ranging from 0.012 to 3.25 μg/ml. A total of 20 human patients with candidemia were then evaluated with the inhibition ELISA using sequential sera. Sixteen (80%) patients had the 65 kDa-antigen in concentrations ranging from 0.07 to 5.0 μg/ml. Sequential sera from patients with candidemia presented 3 different patterns of antigenemia of the 65 kDa molecule; 1- total clearance of antigenemia; 2-initial clearance and relapse of antigenemia; and 3- partial clearance of antigenemia. Our results indicate detection of the 65 kDa protein may be a valuable tool in the diagnosis of candidemia by C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. parapsilosis. We also evaluated a possible biological role of the molecule of 65 kDa from C. albicans. The tests showed that the protein of 65 kDa is bound to fibronectin from extracellular matrix, and a possible role of the adhesion of the fungus in the host. / TEDE / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

Les travaux présentés dans ce manuscrit ont pour objectifs la synthèse chimique de nouveaux ligands de la protéine de translocation 18 kDa (TSPO), leur évaluation in vitro et le radiomarquage isotopique des candidats les plus prometteurs par l’émetteur de positons à vie brève fluor-18 (t1/2 : 109,8 minutes). Ce travail a pour finalité le développement de nouvelles sondes moléculaires ou biomarqueurs pour l’imagerie non-invasive et atraumatique par Tomographie par Emission de Positons (TEP) de la neuroinflammation, processus reconnu dans les maladies neurodégénératives telles la maladie d’Alzheimer, de Parkinson, la sclérose en plaque et certaines maladies psychiatriques.Le radioligand de choix pour l’imagerie de la TSPO est actuellement le [18F]DPA-714, une pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine marquée au fluor-18 récemment développée au laboratoire. Cependant, cette molécule subit in vivo la perte rapide de l’atome de fluor radioactif par rupture du motif fluoroalkoxy comme démontrée lors de l’étude de son métabolisme. Mon projet de thèse a donc visé à concevoir et développer de nouveaux dérivés structurellement proches de DPA-714 (analogues) pour lesquelles la liaison entre le squelette principal et le fluor-18 serait renforcée. C’est dans ce cadre que dix-neuf composés ont été préparés et évalués pour leur affinité pour la TSPO, et que deux candidats prometteurs, DPA-C5yne et CfO-DPA-714, ont été radiomarqués au fluor-18 avec de bons rendements radiochimiques (20-30 %) et de hautes radioactivités spécifiques (50-90 GBq/µmol). Ces radioligands ont également été évalués in vivo par imagerie TEP et présentent, chez l’animal, des performances équivalentes voire légèrement supérieures à [18F]DPA-714. / The work presented in this manuscript aims to describe the synthesis of new ligands of the translocation protein 18 kDa (TSPO), their in vitro evaluation and, for the most promising candidates, their isotopic radiolabelling with the short-lived positron emitter fluorine-18 (t1/2 : 109.8 minutes). The ultimate goal of this work consists in developing new molecular probes, or biomarkers, for imaging neuroinflammation in a non-invasive and atraumatic manor using Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Neuroinflammatory processes have been identified in Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases, MS and various psychiatric pathologies.The radioligand of choice for imaging TSPO is currently [18F]DPA-714, a pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine radiolabelled with fluorine-18 which has been recently prepared in our laboratories. However, [18F]DPA-714 undergoes a rapid in vivo loss of the radioactive fluorine by cleavage of the fluoroalkoxy chain as demonstrated in metabolic studies. Therefore, my PhD project aimed to design and develop new structurally related analogues of DPA-714 where the linkage between the main backbone and the fluorine-18 would be reinforced. To this extent, nineteen compounds were prepared and their affinity towards the TSPO was evaluated. Two promising candidates, coded DPA-C5yne and CfO-DPA-714, were radiolabelled with fluorine-18 with good radiochemical yields (20-30 %) and high specific radioactivities (50-90 GBq/µmol). These radioligands were also evaluated by PET imaging at the preclinical stage and displayed equivalent or slightly improved results when compared to [18F]DPA-714.

L’objectif de la thèse: À ce jour, il est admis que la TSPO joue un rôle important dans le processus inflammatoire, et qu’il est possible de suivre sa présence à l’aide d’une variété de radiotraceurs adaptés. Les impacts de l’inflammation touchent un grand nombre de personnes à travers le monde pour diverses raisons ; c’est pourquoi, quoique le [ ¹ ⁸F]DPA-714 est très prometteur, il est nécessaire d’aller plus loin pour explorer ses capacités et ses applications possibles. L’inflammation a une forte incidence sur différentes maladies, par conséquent, à impact social élevé (comme la maladie inflammatoire de l’intestin (IBD), la neuroinflammation, et le choc septique). Dans ces modèles nous analyserons et quantifierons les niveaux de d’expression de TSPO 18kDa par imagerie TEP que nous comparerons au niveau exprimé trouvés chez des sujets contrôles. L’objectif étant de déterminer si la TSPO peut constituer une cible biologique d’intérêt pour l’évaluation et la quantification d’un état inflammatoire chez l’individu en utilisant l’imagerie TEP avec le radioligand [ ¹ ⁸F]DPA-714.Aperçu sur le travail de recherche : L’étude entreprise dans cette thèse a fourni des informations conduisant à la conclusion suivante : la TSPO 18kDa peut en effet être utile comme biomarqueur pour l’évaluation d’un état inflammatoire dans plusieurs maladies. Nous avons pu illustrer par l’intermédiaire de deux modèles de la maladie inflammatoire de l’intestin, un modèle de la neuroinflammation et un modèle de choc septique, que la TSPO est un indicateur du niveau de l’inflammation dans la zone affectée. De plus, nous avons pu suivre, mesurer et quantifier l’évolution d’une zone inflammée en fonction du temps.Bien que le [ ¹ ⁸F]DPA-714 est le traceur utilisé pour déterminer la présence et le niveau de l’inflammation, d’autres traceurs sont constamment en cours de développement. Cela est démontré par le travail de collaboration effectuée avec l’équipe de radiochimie, dans lequel nous avons illustré le potentiel d’un nouveau radioligand de TSPO, le [ ¹ ⁸F]DPA-C5yne. / Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine the in vivo potential of the TSPO 18 kDa as a biomarker of inflammation, with the use of its radioligand [ ¹ ⁸F]DPA-714, to non-invasively quantify the inflammatory state within the scope of various pathologies. Procedure : Multiple animal models of various inflammatory diseases, to include : inflammatory bowel disease, neuroinflammation, and septic shock, were developed and put in place by adapted measures. The animals well-being and the subsequent inflammation was evaluated. The inflammatory state was measured using quantitative PET imaging with the TSPO radioligand [ ¹ ⁸F]DPA-714 and correlated to the expression of conventional inflammatory markers using microscopy. Results : Based on the observed data, we were able to distinguish control groups from treated groups when using [ ¹ ⁸F]DPA-714. This TSPO radioligand permitted us to quantify the inflammatory level and to observe evolutionary changes in the inflammatory state of the disease in multiple models. The PET results, using the [ ¹ ⁸F]DPA-714 signal was correlated with an increased TSPO expression at cellular level. Conclusion : Results indicate that [ ¹ ⁸F]DPA-714 is a suitable tracer for studying inflammation of multiple diseases.[ ¹ ⁸F]DPA-714 could be a good molecular probe to non-invasively evaluate the level and localization of inflammation. Moreover, in vivo imaging using this TSPO ligand is potentially a powerful tool to stage and certainly to follow the evolution and therapeutic efficiency at molecular level in inflammatory diseases.

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