L’imagerie par résonnance magnétique trouve depuis ces dernières années des applications notables dans le domaine de l’imagerie moléculaire, qui représente un atout considérable pour l’investigation et la compréhension des processus biologiques. Des agents de contraste dits « intelligents » et spécifiques du processus physiologique que l’on souhaite détecter (pH, température, concentration en ion métallique, métabolite, etc.) sont alors développés. Cette thèse se concentre sur le développement et l’étude de nouveaux agents de contraste conçus pour la détection spécifique de l’activité enzymatique. Ces agents consistent en un complexe de lanthanide paramagnétique de type LnDO3A couplés par le biais d’un espaceur (auto-immolable par exemple) au substrat spécifique de l’enzyme ciblée. Après coupure du substrat par l’enzyme, la structure chimique de l’agent de contraste est modifiée entrainant des variations significatives de la relaxivité et des propriétés paraCEST des complexes. La caractérisation physico-chimique de certains complexes de Ln³⁺ et de Mn²⁺ a été réalisée. Les complexes de Gd³⁺ étudiés ont eu des réponses enzymatiques T1 prometteuses et les complexes de Ln³⁺ paramagnétiques étudiés (autres que Gd³⁺) ont montré une possible détection paraCEST de l’activité enzymatique. Les paramètres influençant l’effet CEST (structure moléculaire du complexe, choix du lanthanide, etc.) ont également été mis en évidence. Cependant la coupure enzymatique de certains composés reste encore à améliorer. / Over the past years, Magnetic Resonance Imaging has found significant applications in the field of molecular imaging, which is a considerable asset for investigating and understanding biological processes. Towards this objective, smart or responsive contrast agents (CA) which are specific of the physiological phenomenon that we aim to visualize (pH, temperature, metal ion concentration, metabolites, etc.) have been widely explored. This thesis focuses on the synthesis and the investigation of novel CAs designed for specific detection of enzyme activities. These CAs consist of a DO3A-type lanthanide chelate coupled via a spacer (e.g. a self-immolative linker) to an enzyme-specific substrate. After cleavage of the substrate by the enzyme, the CA’s chemical structure is modified leading to significant variations in the relaxivity or the paraCEST properties of the complexes. In this context, the physical chemical characterization of several Ln³⁺ and Mn²⁺ complexes has been achieved. Some Gd³⁺ complexes showed promising T1 responses while other paramagnetic Ln³⁺ complexes (Ln³⁺ = other than Gd³⁺) exhibited interesting paraCEST properties for enzymatic detection. The parameters affecting CEST properties (e.g. molecular structure of the complex, choice of lanthanide, etc.) have also been widely investigated. Nevertheless, the enzymatic cleavage of some compounds still need to be improved.

Au cours des dernières décennies, l'électronique s'est développée de manière à répondre au besoin grandissant de stocker et traiter toujours plus d'information, et elle a évolué de manière incessante vers une miniaturisation extrême. Dans ce contexte, les molécules-aimants, qui sont des entités moléculaires magnétiques, présentent une bistabilité magnétique permettant de stocker l'information dans des unités de la taille d'une molécule. Le principal frein aux applications tient aux basses températures auxquelles ces molécules présentent de telles propriétés (< 15K). Il est donc important de comprendre les mécanismes mis en jeu au sein de ces entités afin d'augmenter les températures de fonctionnement. Un moyen prometteur est de ponter deux ions de lanthanides par un ligand radicalaire. Cette approche a conduit à la conception de la molécule-aimant ayant à ce jour la plus haute température de blocage (14 K). Ce travail de thèse est dédié à la conception et à la caractérisation des structures, ainsi qu'à l'étude des propriétés magnétiques et des relations magnéto-structurales par spectroscopie électronique de molécules aimants et d'aimants à base moléculaires. Ces systèmes sont élaborés à partir d'ions de lanthanides(III) ou de manganèse(II) et de radicaux libres organiques de types nitronyl-nitroxyde. Une attention particulière sera dirigée vers la réalisation de complexes dinucléaires de lanthanides pontés par un ligand radicalaire, et sur l'étude de la brique monomérique. Nous avons exploré la possibilité d'utiliser le radical NITBzImH comme ligand radicalaire pontant des briques moléculaires de type [Ln(β- dicétone)3] et [Ln(NO3)3]. Nous nous sommes intéressés au comportement magnétique inhabituel d'un polymère de coordination de manganèse(II) pontés par les radicaux NITIm, parent de NITBzImH, puis nous avons commencé à nous intéresser à l'effet produit en remplaçant les manganèses(II) par des lanthanides(III) / For the past decades, electronics have been developed in order to meet the increasing need of information storage, always evolving to the constant upgrade of their components: better, faster, smaller. Twenty-five years ago, the recently created field of molecular magnetism allowed designing entities responding to the aforementioned requirements: Single- Molecule-Magnets (SMMs). On the one hand, those are compounds showing magnetic bistability affording to stock information and on the other hand, they are the smallest entities available to design any information support. In spite of those remarkable qualities, they require very low temperature (< 15 K) to display their properties. Thus, it is of primary importance to understand underlying mechanisms in order to increase this temperature range. One promising route is to connect lanthanide dimer by a radical bridge. This method has led to the discovery of a SMM, whose blocking temperature is the highest known to date (14 K). This thesis work has been dedicated to the conception of SMMs and molecular-based magnets, as well as the characterization of their structures and magnetic properties, and their magneto-structural relationships by electronic spectroscopy. Those systems were mostly based on lanthanide(III) or manganese(II) ion and nitronyl-nitroxide organic free radicals. A special focus was made to the synthesis of dinuclear lanthanide complexes bridged by an organic free radical, and to the study of their mononuclear complex. We have studied the potential of NITBzImH radical as a bridge for [Ln(β-diketonate)3] and [Ln(NO3)3] molecular bricks. We also took interest to the unusual magnetic behavior of a manganese(II) coordination polymer, where each metal center is bridged by a NITIm radical, closely related to NITBzImH radical. Finally, we started to explore the changes induced by switching manganese(II) to lanthanide(III)

La haute sensibilité et l’analyse simultanée de plusieurs biomarqueurs (multiplexage) sont des enjeux essentiels pour permettre des avancées significatives pour le diagnostic médical. De telles avancées permettraient d’augmenter la précocité des diagnostics pour de nombreuses maladies comme le cancer ou des maladies cardiaques. Les immunodosages de FRET (transfer d’énergie par resonance de type Förster) sont basées sur la reconnaissance de biomarqueurs par des anticorps marqués avec des fluorophores et le FRET qui résulte du processus de reconnaissance immunologique. Aujourd’hui des telles immunodosages sont établis en utilisant des lanthanides comme donneurs de FRET et des fluorophores organiques comme accepteurs de FRET. Néanmoins, ils ne permettent pas de réaliser un multiplexage efficace car l’utilisation de plusieurs différents fluorophores organiques résulte dans un recouvrement spectral. Ce projet a pour but de mettre en application les propriétés optiques exceptionnelles des complexes de terbium (Tb) et des boîtes quantiques (QDs) pour parvenir à des analyses biologiques de FRET multiplexées et ultrasensibles. Nous avons également étudié les propriétés optiques et morphologiques de nouvelles nanoparticules à conversion ascendante de type coeur et coeur/coquille dopées à l'ytterbium (Yb) et des ions d'erbium (Er) comme donneurs de FRET. / Combining high sensitivity with simultaneous analysis of numerous biomarkers (multiplexing) is an essential requirement for significantly improving the field of biomedical diagnostics. Such progresses would allow earlier diagnosis, which is required for numerous diseases such as cancer or cardiac diseases. FRET-immunoassays are based on biomolecular recognition events that occur between biomarkers and two specific antibodies conjugated with different fluorophores. The spatial proximity of the two fluorophores can lead to Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), which can be detected for biomarker quantification. To date, such assays are established using lanthanide complexes as FRET donors and fluorescence dyes as FRET acceptors. However, these assays do not provide sufficient multiplexing capability due to spectral overlap, when several acceptor dyes are used. This project aims at exploiting the exceptional photophysical properties of terbium complexes (Tb) and semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) to provide ultrasensitive multiplexed FRETimmunoassays. We also studied the optical and morphological properties of novel core and core/shell upconverting nanoparticles doped with ytterbium (Yb) and erbium (Er) ions as possible FRET-donors for biosensing.

Dans le but de préciser les conditions, de formation des gisements de fluorine, des analyses de lanthanides ont été effectuées' dans une quarantaine d'échantillons provenant de coupes' transversales' de filons hydrothermaux de basse température (mines du Burc et de Montroc du district de l'Albigeois'dans le Tarn). Deux techniques complémentaires ont été utilisées: La Résonance Paramagnétique Electronique (RPE) et l'activation neutronique. Il est alors possible, par comparaison des mesures'de concentrations obtenues à partir de ces deux techniques, d'évaluer pour certaines terres rares ce que nous appelons'leur "défficit en spins'" . un tel déficit indique que la terre rare n'est pas seulement présente dans l'échantillon sous la (les) forme(s) paramagnétique(s) observée(s) par RPE. Notre mémoire est composé de quatre chapitres - Dans le premier chapitre nous décrivons de façon détaillée le cadre géologique de l'Albigeois en insistant plus particulièrement sur ce qui le distingue des autres districts fluorés du Massif Central. - Le deuxième chapitre est consacré à la présentation des deux gisements choisis (Montroc et le Burc) et à la description des différentes coupes que nous avons levées et échantillonnées. - Le troisième chapitre décrit tout d'abord les deux techniques utilisées. Il rend compte ensuite de l'étude expérimentale des variations des rapports, ( Gd3+ ) /(Gdtotal), (Eu2+) /( EUtotal) et (Ce3+- Fi) /(Cetotal) dans les filons de Montroc et du Burc et des interprétations que nous proposons. Il traite également du comportement de deux autres éléments: le néodyme (mine de Montroc) et l'ytterbium (mines du Burc et de Montroc). - Dans le quatrième chapitre nous proposons une interprétation de l'anomalie en europium des fluorines, ce qui nous permet d'apporter des précisions sur le modèle génétique du filon de Montroc (Deloule 1981 ) . Une grande partie des résultats consignés dans les chapitres trois et quatre fait l'objet de deux articles soumis à publication. En annexe, nous joignons deux autres articles - Le premier, "Nouvelle méthode d'étude des terres rares dans les gisements fluorés basée sur des corrélations RPE-Analyse par Activation Neutronique", représente en quelque sorte la genèse de notre travail. - Le second,"l'ion paramagnétique Tm2 dans la fluorine - Un témoin de la radioactivité dans le gisement" se situe dans le même axe de recherche.

In this thesis, luminescent lanthanide-doped nanocrystals, and lead-based quantum dots nanocrystals are explored as alternative bioimaging agents to fluorescent proteins and organic fluorophores for deep-tissue imaging. The first chapter gives a brief introduction on the aforementioned nanocrystals and their special optical properties. In chapter 2 the simple changes in the drying and baking temperature of the Yb3+ and Ho3+ doped LaF3 nanocrystals-silica sol-gel mixture aid in the explanation of the formation of two types of silica. The difference in the phonon energies of the two types of silica is found to control effectively the ratio of red to green emissions obtained from the upconversion process. However, the nanocrystals do not disperse in water making them unsuitable for bioimaging. Chapter 3 describe the synthesis of NaYF4 nanocrystals doped with Yb3+/Er3+ or Yb3+/Tm3+ ions followed by two surface modification strategies (intercalation and crosslinking) to disperse them in physiological buffers and biological growth media. Of the two methods, the crosslinked polymer coating of the nanocrystals alone exhibits stability in aforementioned media. In chapter 4 the applicability of lanthanide-doped NaYF4 nanocrystals are studied as bioimaging agents in two-photon upconversion laser scanning microscopy for deep-tissue imaging. Their performance as bioimaging agents was not better than fluorescent proteins and organic molecules. On the other hand with two-photon upconversion wide field microscopy (TPUWFM), brain blood vessels over a depth of 100 µm could well be separated. Furthermore, with the 800 nm emission from Tm3+ ions one can image twice as deep as the green emission with TPUWFM. In chapter 5, probing the NaYF4 nanocrystals with energy-dependent XPS shows that, the Y3+ ions on the surface of the nanocrystals are different from the ones present inside the nanocrystals. This chapter is concluded with a preliminary investigation of Yb3+ and Tm3+ doped NaYF4 with resonant XPS. Chapter 6 examines four different types of surface modification strategies to transfer hydrophobic lead-based quantum dots to physiological buffers and biological growth media. Of the four methods, the crosslinked polymer coating of quantum dots alone exhibits colloidal stability and the QDs retain their luminescence in aforementioned media over several months. The conclusions and future outlook for the work are elucidated in chapter 7. / Graduate

Compostos organolantanídeos têm sido descritos como reagentes e catalisadores em sínteses orgânicas. Muitos dos compostos organolantanídeos contendo o ânion ciclopentadienil como ligante apresentam atividade catalítica principalmente em reações de polimerização de olefinas. Para contribuir para a aplicação de organolantanídeos como catalisadores na polimerização de olefinas, estudou-se a síntese, a caracterização e a atividade catalítica dos compostos organolantanídeos [LnCpA2(PzA)4], Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb , Cp- = ciclopentadienil, A = cloreto (Cl-) ou metanossulfonato (CH3SO3-= MS-) e PzA = pirazinamida. A síntese dos compostos organolantanídeos foi feita em etapas, a partir dos sais de lantanídeos (Cl- ou MS-). Na primeira etapa os compostos de coordenação [LnA3(PzA)4], A= Cl- ou MS-, foram obtidos pela reação de LnCl3 ou Ln(MS)3 hidratados com pirazinamida em metanol. A segunda etapa envolveu a síntese de [LnCpA2(PzA)2], Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb e A = Cl-ou MS- pela reação de [LnA3(PzA)4] e NaCp em tetrahidrofurano, com razão molar apropriada. A análise elementar, a termogravimetria e o espectro na região do infravermelho indicaram que os compostos de coordenação e os compostos organolantanídeos podem ser formulados, respectivamente, como [LnA3(PzA)4] e [LnCpA2(PzA)2], A= Cl- ou MS-. As termogravimetrias e os espectros na região do infravermelho dos compostos organolantanídeos mostraram diferentes tipos de coordenações da pirazinamida aos íons lantanídeos. Para os compostos contendo o ânion metanossulfonato a pirazinamida se coordena através do O do grupo carbonil e para os compostos contendo o ânion cloreto pelo O do grupo carbonil e por um ou ambos N do anel da pirazinamida. Estas duas classes de compostos mostraram atividade catalítica da ordem de 4,0 a 6,4 g mmolLn-1h-1bar-1, na polimerização do etileno (3 bar, 70°C) com a relação Al/Ln = 2000, usando como cocatalisador o metilaluminoxano. O polietileno obtido apresentou baixo grau de cristalinidade (20%). / Organolanthanide compounds have been reported as reagents and catalysts in organic synthesis. Most of the organolanthanide compounds containing the anion cyclopentadienyl as a ligand display catalytic activity mainly in olefin polymerization reactions. In an attempt to contribute to the application of organolanthanides as catalysts for olefin polymerization, we report: the synthesis, the characterization and the catalytic activity of the organolanthanide compounds [LnCpA2(PzA)2], Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Cp- = cyclopentadienyl, A = chloride (Cl-) or methanesulfonate (CH3SO3- = MS-) and PzA = pyrazinamide. The synthesis of the organolanthanides compounds was performed in steps, from lanthanide salts (Cl- or MS-). In the first step the coordination compounds [LnA3(PzA)4], A = Cl- or MS-, were formed by the reaction of hydrated LnCl3 or Ln (MS)3 with pyrazinamide in methanol. The second step involved the synthesis of [LnCpA2(PzA)2], Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb and A = Cl- or MS- by the reaction of [LnA3(PzA)4] and NaCp in tetrahydrofuran, with appropriate molar ratios. Elemental analysis, thermal analysis and infrared spectra of the compounds indicated that the coordinated compounds and the organolanthanide compounds can be formulated, respectively, as [LnA3(PzA)4] and [LnCpA2(PzA)2], A= Cl- or MS-. Thermal analysis and infrared spectra showed different coordination modes of the pyrazinamide to the lanthanide ions in organolathanide compouds. For the methanesulfonate compounds the pyrazinamide is coordinated through the O atom of the carbonyl group and for the chloride compounds by the O atom of the carbonyl group and by one or both N atoms of the pyrazinamide ring. These two classes of compounds showed catalytic activity ca. 4,0 to 6,4 g mmolLn-1h-1bar-1, in ethylene polymerization (3 bar, 70°C) with ratio Al/Ln = 2000, using methylaluminoxane as cocatalyst. The resulting polyethylene presented low crystallinity (20%).

O desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias para produção de combustíveis é assunto de vital importância, principalmente quando se trata de combustíveis de fontes limpas e renováveis. Nesse aspecto, surge o hidrogênio (H2), tecnologia limpa, vindo de fontes renováveis, como o etanol. Para a obtenção do H2 a partir do etanol, destaca-se a reforma a vapor. No entanto, a reforma a vapor apresenta alguns desafios como maximização da conversão e seletividade em H2, além da minimização na formação de carbono e dos seus precursores (acetaldeído e acetona), uma vez que a formação de carbono pode levar a perda da atividade do catalisador. Nesse contenxto, a ideia deste trabalho é desenvolver catalisadore a base de níquel (Ni) suportados em céria (CeO2) dopados com os lantanídeos gadolínio (Gd), samario (Sm) e neodímio (Nd) para aplicação na reforma a vapor do etanol de modo a aumentar a conversão do etanol e a seletividade em H2, bem como minimizar a formação de carbono e de seus percursores. Para isso, fixou-se o teor de Ni em 5% e variou-se os teores do dopantes em 1%, 5% e 10%, também sintetizou-se o catalisador sem presença de dopante para comparação. A partir desses catalisadores, fez-se a caracterização e os testes catalíticos a 400, 500 e 600 °C. Percebeu-se a formação de solução sólida para todos os dopantes (Gd, Sm e Nd), por meio da expansão dos parâmetros de rede, na qual a expansão de rede aumentou com o aumento do teor de dopante e com o aumento do raio iônico do dopante. A adição de 1% de dopante para os catalisadores dopados com Sm e Nd levaram a um aumento significativo da área superficial, bem como a diminuição do tamanho do cristalito do suporte. A temperatura de reação na qual se observa os melhores resultados catalíticos é a 600 °C de modo que houve uma conversão máxima de etanol, seletividades em H2 acima de 2,80 molprod.molEtOHconv-1 e minimização na formação de espécies líquidas como a acetona e acetaldeído, bem como na formação de coque. A conversão do etanol nessa temperatura foi similar para todos os catalisadores, mas os catalisadores 5Ni_5GdCeO2 e 5Ni_5NdCeO2 apresentaram a maior seletividade a H2. No entanto, os catalisadores com a presença de Nd apresentaram as menores taxas de formação de coque. / The development of new technologies for fuel production is a vital issue, especially clean and renewable fuels. In this apect, hydrogen (H2), a clean technology, is highlighted when it comes from renewable sources, such as ethanol. To obtain H2 from ethanol, the steam reform is pointed out. However, steam reforming presents some challenges, such as maximizing conversion and H2 selectivity, as well as minimizing the formation of carbon and its precursors (acetaldehyde and acetone), since carbon formation can lead to catalytic activity loss. In this context, the idea of this work is the development of nickel (Ni) based catalysts supported in ceria (CeO2), doped with the lanthanides gadolinium (Gd), samarium (Sm) and neodymium (Nd), for ethanol steam reforming application in order to increase ethanol conversion and H2 selectivity, as well as to minimize the formation of carbon and its precursors. For this, the Ni content was set at 5% and the dopant contents varied in 1%, 5% and 10%, the catalyst was also synthesized without presence of dopant for comparison. From these catalysts, the characterization and the catalytic tests were carried out at 400, 500 and 600 °C. The formation of a solid solution for all dopants (Gd, Sm and Nd) was observed by means of the network parameters expansion , in which the network expansion increased with increasing dopant content and with increasing dopant ionic radius. The addition of 1% dopant, to the Sm and Nd doped catalysts, led to a significant increase in surface area as well as a decrease in the support crystallite size. The reaction temperature at which the best catalytic results are observed is at 600 °C, so that there was a maximum conversion of ethanol, H2 selectivity 2.80 molprod.molEtOHconv-1, and minimization of liquid species formation, such as acetone and acetaldehyde, as well as the coke formation. Ethanol conversion at this temperature was similar for all catalysts, but the catalysts 5Ni_5GdCeO2 and 5Ni_5NdCeO2 showed the highest selectivity to H2. However, the catalysts with the presence of Nd presented the lowest rates of coke formation.

Depuis les premières structures de protéines déterminées dans les années 1950, la cristallographie aux rayons X s’est imposée comme une méthode de choix pour l’obtention de données structurales à l’échelle atomique. Malgré les progrès technologiques qui ont révolutionné cette méthode (sources synchrotron, détecteurs pixel, programmes informatiques performants), l’obtention d’une carte de densité électronique permettant de modéliser la structure d’une macromolécule demeure toujours limitée par deux goulots d’étranglement qui sont, l’obtention de cristaux de la macromolécule d’intérêt et la résolution du problème des phases inhérent à l’enregistrement des données de diffraction.Cette thèse présente un nouveau complexe de lanthanide appelé « crystallophore » (Tb-Xo4). Cette molécule a été développé en collaboration avec Olivier Maury et François Riobé du laboratoire de chimie Matériaux Fonctionnels et Photonique (ENS –Lyon). La conception de ce nouveau complexe est basée sur quinze années de développement dans le domaine de la biologie structurale. Cette thèse présente les effets uniques induits par de Tb-Xo4 sur la cristallisation et sur la détermination des structures de macromolécules biologiques. L’ajout de Tb-Xo4 au cours de la cristallisation permet d’induire un nombre important de conditions de cristallisation exploitables dont certaines sont propres à la présence du crystallophore. L’analyse des structures atomiques de différentes protéines co-cristallisées en présence de Tb-Xo4 a permis à la fois de mettre en avant le pouvoir phasant élevé de Tb-Xo4 mais également de décrire finement l’interaction supramoléculaire du complexe avec la surface des macromolécules. Ce travail a conduit à la mise en place de protocoles de cristallisation et de phasage des macromolécules biologique assistés par Tb-Xo4. Sur la base de la compréhension du mode d’interaction de ce nouveau composé, cette thèse aboutit à la proposition d’un modèle expliquant les propriétés uniques de ce nouveau complexe de lanthanide. / Since the first protein structure determined in the 1950s, X-ray crystallography emerged as a method of choice to obtain structural data at atomic resolution. Despite technological advances such as new synchrotron sources, hybrid pixel detectors, and high-performance softwares, obtaining an electron density map of a biological macromolecule is always limited by two major bottlenecks namely, producing high quality single crystals and solving the phase problem.This thesis presents a new lanthanide complex called “Crystallophore” (Tb-Xo4). This compound has been developed in collaboration with Olivier Maury and François Riobé of the Laboratoire de chimie Matériaux Fonctionnels et Photonique (ENS –Lyon). The design of this new complex is based on fifteen years of development in the field of structural biology. This thesis highlights the effects of Tb-Xo4 on the crystallisation and the structure determination of biological macromolecules. Indeed, the addition of Tb-Xo4 to a protein solution induces a large number of new and unique crystallization conditions. The analysis of the structures of several proteins co-crystallized with Tb-Xo4 allowed both, to highlight the high phasing power of Tb-Xo4 but also to describe finely the supramolecular interaction of the complex with the macromolecules. This work led to protocols dedicated to crystallization and phasing assisted with Tb-Xo4. Finally, this thesis leads to a model explaining the unique properties of this new lanthanide complex.

L'objectif de ces travaux a été de mettre en pratique l'utilisation de nanoparticules multimodales (NPs) à base de lanthanides pour l'imagerie biomédicale en général et le suivi de cellules mésenchymateuses (MSCs) en particulier. Dans cette optique, deux types de NPs ont été utilisées, présentant toutes deux une matrice d'oxysulfure de gadolinium (Gd2O2S) permettant l'imagerie par résonnance magnétique (IRM) et la tomodensitométrie. L'ajout d'éléments dopants apporte des propriétés de fluorescence : l'europium (Gd2O2S :Eu3+), plus adapté à un examen in vitro et le couple ytterbium/thulium (Gd2O2S :Yb3+/Tm3+) à un examen in vivo grâce au phénomène de conversion ascendante de photons (up-conversion). Nous avons, dans un premier temps, démontré la possibilité de visualiser ces NPs au cours du temps au sein d'un organisme vivant par des méthodes complémentaires (IRM et fluorescence). L'étude complète de leur distribution et des voies d'élimination nous a permis de mettre en évidence une métabolisation hépatobiliaire associée à une lente excrétion dans les fèces. Le marquage d'un grand nombre de types cellulaires (lignées et cellules primaires d'espèces différentes) a également mis en avant leur potentiel en tant que traceur cellulaire universel. Nous avons par la suite concentré nos travaux sur le suivi de cellules mésenchymateuses dans un contexte de thérapie cellulaire. La biocompatibilité cellulaire à court, moyen et long terme a été validée par une série d'analyses (MTT, rouge neutre, wound healing, différenciation) et la fiabilité du traceur a été confirmée par l'étude approfondie du marquage cellulaire. Enfin, après mise au point d'un système personnalisé dédié à l'imagerie par up-conversion chez le petit animal, nous avons pu réaliser le suivi de ces cellules marquées, au cours du temps après injection dans un organe solide. Nous avons alors été en mesure de visualiser les MSCs par imagerie multimodale : IRM ; tomodensitométrie et fluorescence par up-conversion. L'ensemble de ces résultats met en avant le potentiel de ces nanoparticules pour l'imagerie à long terme dans des études précliniques et/ou cliniques. / The objective of these works was to put into practice the use of lanthanide-based multimodal nanoparticles (NPs) for biomedical imaging in general and mesenchymal cells (MSCs) tracking in particular. To that purpose, two types of NPs have been used, both presenting a gadolinium oxysulfide (Gd2O2S) matrix allowing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography. The addition of dopant elements brings fluorescence properties: europium (Gd2O2S :Eu3+) is more appropriate for an in vitro examination whereas the combination ytterbium/thulium (Gd2O2S :Yb3+/Tm3+) is more appropriate for an in vivo examination through the up-conversion process. First, we have demonstrated the possibility of visualizing those NPs over-time in a living organism with complementary methods (MRI and fluorescence). The complete study of their biodistribution and ways of elimination allowed us to highlight a hepatobiliary metabolization associated with a slow feces excretion. The labeling of a wide variety of cell types (lines and primary cells from different species) has also pointed out their potential as a universal cell tracer. Thereafter, we focused our research on mesenchymal cells tracking in a cell therapy context. Short, medium and long term biocompatibility was validated via a series of analyses (MTT, neutral red, wound healing and differentiation) and the reliability of the tracer was confirmed by detailed study of the cell labeling. Finally, after developing a custom-made system dedicated to up-conversion imaging in small animals, we were able to perform over-time tracking of those labeled cells after injection in a solid organ. We achieved multimodal imaging of the MSCs with MRI, computed tomography and up-conversion. Altogether, these results underline the potential of these nanoparticles for long term imaging in preclinical and/or clinical studies.

Nesta tese são descritos as preparações e caracterizações dos compostos de picratos de Ln (III) com o ligante N,N - Dimetilacetamida (DMA). Apresentaram a seguinte estequiometria: Ln(pic)3.3DMA, Ln = La(III) - Lu(III) e Y(III). A coordenação do ânion picrato foi sugerida pelo comportamento não-eletrólito em solução de acetonitrila e nitrometano e pelos modos vibracionais &#957;sNO2 e &#957;asNO2 na região do infravermelho, que indicaram a coordenação bidentada destes ânions ao íon metálico. A coordenação da DMA foi sugerida pelo deslocamento da &#957;CO para regiões de menor energia. Espectros de absorção na região do visível do composto de Nd(lll) sugeriram o envolvimento não-cúbico em torno do íon metálico e o caráter eletrostático da ligação metal - ligante. Os espectros de emissão do composto de Eu(III) indicaram a microssimetria de prisma trigonal triencapuzado em torno do íon metálico e o grupo de ponto D3h. O espectro de emissão do composto de Sm(III) mostrou a ressonância dos níveis eletrônicos 6H7/2 com a densidade fônon do composto através do aparecimento de picos satélites na transição 4G5/2 &#8594; 6H7/2. Os níveis de energia participantes do processo de transferência de energia foram estimados através de espectros de excitação e emissão dos compostos de La(III), Eu(III), Gd(III) e Lu(III). Os tempos de vida dos níveis 5D0 Eu(III), 4G5/2 Sm(III) e das emissões do ânion picrato foram medidos. Para algumas transições a eficiência quântica relativa foi calculada. Os estudos da difração dos raios - X pelo método do monocristal dos compostos de La(III) e Sm(III), confirmaram a coordenação do ânion picrato e sua ação bidentada e a coordenação da DMA. As curvas TG, DTG e DSC mostraram o comportamento térmico destes compostos. / The preparation and characterization of lanthanide picrate compounds with N, N - dimethylacetamide (DMA) are described in this thesis. The composition is: Ln(pic)3.3DMA, Ln = La(III) - Lu(III) e Y(III). The coordination of the anion, as bidentate, to the central ions was suggested by conductance data in acetonitrile and nitromethane solutions and by the vibrational I.R. modes of &#957;sNO2 and &#957;asNO2. The DMA coordination through the carbonyl oxygen was suggested by the &#957;CO shift to lower energies. Visible absorption Nd(III) spectra indicate a non cubic site around the central ion and an electrostatic character for metal ligands bonds. The Eu(III) emission spectrum suggested the existence of tricapped trigonal prism and D3h microsymmetry around the central ion. The Sm(III) emission spectrum showed a resonance of the 6H7/2 electronic levels with the phonon density of the compound, with appearance of satellite peaks in the 4G5/2 &#8594; 6H7/2 transition. The energy levels in transfer were estimated through the excitation and emission of La(III), Eu(III), Gd(III) and Lu(III). The lifetimes of the Eu(III) 5D0, Sm(III) 4G5/2 levels and the emissions of the picrate anions were measured. The relative quantum efficiency of some transitions were calculated. X - ray single crystal diffraction studies for La(III) e Sm(III) compounds confirmed the bidentate coordination of the picrates and the DMA coordination through the carbonyl oxygen. TG, DTG e DSC techniques were employed to study the thermal behavior of the compounds.