Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

Anaphylaxis is a rapid, life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction. Until recently, it was mainly attributed to histamine released by mast cells activated by allergen crosslinking (XL) of FcεRI-bound allergen-specific IgE. However, recent reports established that anaphylaxis could also be triggered by basophil, macrophage and neutrophil secretion of platelet activating factor subsequent to FcγR stimulation by IgG/Ag complexes. I have investigated the contribution of Fyn and Lyn tyrosine kinases to FcγRIIb and FcγRIII signaling in the context of IgG-mediated passive systemic anaphylaxis (PSA). I found that mast cell IgG XL induced Fyn, Lyn, Akt, Erk, p38 and JNK phosphorylation. Additionally, IgG XL of mast cells, basophils and macrophages resulted in Fyn- and Lyn-regulated mediator release in vitro. FcγR–mediated activation was enhanced in Lyn-deficient (KO) cells, but decreased in Fyn KO cells, compared to wild type cells. More importantly, Lyn KO mice displayed significantly exacerbated PSA features while no change was observed for Fyn KO mice, compared to wild type littermates. Intriguingly, this work establishes that mast cells account for the majority of serum histamine in IgG-induced PSA. Taken together, these findings establish pivotal roles for Fyn and Lyn in the regulation of PSA and highlight their unsuspected functions in IgG-mediated pathologies.

Exogenous and endogenous cannabinoids have been reported to modulate functional activities of macrophages. It is recognized that macrophages express primarily the CB2 cannabinoid receptor, but recent studies indicate that its expression is differential in relation to activation state with maximal levels occurring when cells are in "responsive" and "primed" states. The functional activities of macrophages when in these states of activation are the most susceptible to the action of cannabinoids, at least in terms of a functional linkage to the CB2. To assess the effect of cannabinoid treatment on macrophage chemotaxis and test the hypothesis that cannabinoids inhibit the chemotactic response of macrophages and microglia to endogenous and exogenous, pathogen-derived stimuli, primary murine peritoneal macrophages and neonatal rat microglia were used. Chemotaxis assays and scanning electron microscopy studies demonstrated that cannabinoids inhibit chemotaxis, a signature activity attributed to "responsive" macrophage-like cells, to the endogenous chemokine RANTES (Regulated upon Activation Normal T-cell Expressed and Secreted) and to Acanthamoeba conditioned medium containing secreted proteases. The partial agonist delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), administered in vitro, inhibited the chemotactic response of peritoneal macrophages to the chemokine RANTES and to Acanthamoeba conditioned medium. In vivo treatment with THC also resulted in inhibition of the in vitro chemotactic response of murine peritoneal macrophages to RANTES and amoebic conditioned medium. Pharmacological studies employing cannabinoid receptor agonists and antagonists demonstrated the involvement of CB2 in cannabinoid-mediated inhibition of peritoneal macrophage chemotaxis to RANTES and Acanthamoeba conditioned medium, implying that signaling through cannabinoid receptors may desensitize chemokine receptors. Treatment with cannabinoids had no apparent effect on chemokine receptor mRNA levels, but did enhance CCR5 protein phosphorylation. Macrophage migration to Acanthamoeba conditioned medium may involve activation and signaling through protease activated receptors (PARs), as pathogen-derived proteases have been shown to activate PARs and initiate cellular migration; however, further studies are required to demonstrate PAR activation by amoebic conditioned medium and to assess the effects of cannabinoids on PAR signaling. Acanthamoeba are opportunistic pathogens that cause Granulomatis amoebic encephalitis, an infection of the CNS that is often fatal. THC treatment has been shown to increase mortality to Acanthamoeba infections and is characterized by an absence of granuloma formation. We hypothesize that inhibitory effect of THC on macrophage migration may be a key factor in cannabinoid-mediated immunosuppression. To assess the effect of cannabinoids on microglial migration to Acanthamoeba conditioned medium, chemotaxis assays were performed using primary rat microglia treated with cannabinoids. These studies demonstrated that cannabinoids inhibit microglial chemotaxis to amoebic conditioned medium. Furthermore, the studies demonstrate that cannabinoids, acting through cannabinoid receptors, may cross-talk with a diverse array G-protein coupled receptors so as to modulate responsiveness of macrophage and macrophage-like cells.

Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that is essential in such processes as organ and tissue remodeling and maturation of hematopoietic cells. The clearance of apoptotic cells is essential to prevent autoimmune responses to sequestered antigens. This process is mediated by phagocytes of the monocyte lineage. Before phagocytosis can occur, macrophages must be recruited to the apoptotic cells through chemotaxis. Products of the reaction catalyzed by the phospholipases A2 (PLA2) have been shown to induce monocyte chemotaxis either directly or indirectly. Some investigators have implicated a cytosolic calcium-independent PLA2 (iPLA2) in the production of these products during apoptosis. However, a recent report suggests that the secreted group IIa (sPLA2) binds to surfaces of apoptotic cells. The "receptor" for this pool of sPLA2 is the rod domain of vimentin, an intermediate filament protein that is exposed by caspase activity when cells undergo apoptosis. Based on these observations, we hypothesize that the exposure of vimentin on apoptotic cells traps a pool of catalytically active sPLA2 that then generates the bioactive lipids that induce macrophage chemotaxis. In our methods, [3H]-oleate labeled E-coli is used as a substrate for sPLA2 and enzyme activity is quantified by scintillation counting of released radiolabeled oleic acid. Apoptosis is induced with anti-fas (CD-95) on Jurkat cells and monitored through annexin-V binding and propidium iodide(PI) staining followed by flow cytometric analyses. THP-1 monocytes are employed in chemotaxis assay with monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP-1) as a positive control. The preliminary data show equivalent group IIa sPLA2 association with anti-fas treated and control cells, and the enzyme remains catalytically active when bound. In line with the hypothesis, trapped sPLA2 generated soluble molecules that directly or indirectly induced migration of THP-1 monocytes. However, the similar binding effect observed with apoptotic or control cells is surprising and experiments are being planned to determine if the interaction between IIa sPLA2 and apoptotic cells is vimentin dependent.

Cell surface carbohydrates play an important role in a wide variety of biological processes such as inflammation, tumor metastasis, and viral and bacterial infection. The goal of our research has been two-fold. The first objective was the synthesis of antimycobacterial compounds. A mannose containing tetrasaccharide from the mannan core of lipoarabinomannan (LAM) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been synthesized using α-D-methylmannopyranoside as starting material and Koeings-Knorr reactions to couple saccharides. The synthesis was completed in nine steps and in 14% total yield. This compound should be useful in competitive inhibition studies with macrophages or as an immunological marker. We have successfully synthesized nonsulfated mimics of the aminosterol antibiotic from 5α-cholestan-3-one in two steps in 40-70% total yield. The critical step in this synthesis is the addition of the boronic acid functional group using 2-o-formylphenylboronic acid. It is hypothesized that the addition of boronic acids will improve the antibacterial and anti-angiogenic activity of these compounds. The second objective was the synthesis of a simple fluorescent receptor for simple carbohydrates. A receptor using anthracene as the fluorophore has been completed demonstrating an improved yield over previous methods. This receptor is the first to show selectivity for myo-inositol over other saccharides.

Thèse numérisée par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Les cellules dendritiques (DCs) jouent un rôle essentiel dans la réponse immunitaire. En effet leur fonction de présentation de l’antigène les place au cœur de l’induction de la réponse immunitaire adaptative. Ceci, les rends vulnérables aux attaques des agents pathogènes. En effet de nombreux agents pathogènes détournent la réponse des DCs. Je me suis donc proposé d’étudier la réponse des DCs à Tropheryma whipplei, Coxiella burnetii, Brucella abortus et Orientia tsutsugamushi. J’ai pu mettre en évidence un défaut de maturation des DCs infectées par C. burnetii et B. abortus, liée à un défaut de la voie de l’interféron (IFN) de type I et de secretion de l'IFN-b. La deuxième partie de ma thèse replace le système immunitaire inné dans le cadre de l’immunité tissulaire humaine. Je me suis premièrement intéressé aux macrophages placentaires. J’ai pu démontrer que la capacité des macrophages placentaires à former des MGCs est altérée lors d’une chorioamniotite, ce qui laisse supposer que ces cellules géantes jouent un rôle dans le maintient de la tolérance fœto-maternelle. Deuxièmement je me suis intéressé aux DCs placentaires (plaDCs). J’ai ainsi put démontrer que les plaDCs sont de véritables DCs myéloïdes conditionnées par leur environnement direct ou hormonal au cours de la grossesse. Mon travail illustre deux concepts, le premier démontre la nécessité d’utiliser des techniques à haut débit pour identifier les perturbations induites par plusieurs agents pathogènes. Le deuxième démontre que l’environnement des cellules immunitaires participe fortement à leurs réponses face à des agents pathogènes mais également sur leur phénotype et fonction. / Dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in the immune response. Indeed, their antigen presenting function allows them to be considered as the main inducers of adaptive response. This pivotal role also makes vulnerable to pathogen attacks. Indeed, numerous pathogens target DC response to avoid a microbicidal adaptive immunity to take place. To understand these mecanisms, I investigated the response of DCs to T. whipplei, C. burnetii, B. abortus and O. tsutsugamushi. I could highlight a phenotypic but not functional defect of maturation in DCs infected by C. burnetii and B. abortus, which was related to a defect in type I IFN response. Indeed, C. burnetii and B. abortus did not induce the production of IFN-b and induced an abnormal phosphorylation of MAPKs, known to participate to DC maturation. In this study, I could demonstrate that C. burnetii and B. abortus interfere with type I IFN response. The second part of my thesis dealt with innate immune system in the human tissue. First I interested myself in placental macrophages. I demonstrated that placental macrophages ability to form MGCs was altered in chorioamnionitis, suggesting that MGCs play a role in tolerance as they disappear in an infectious pathology. Second, I interested myself in placental DCs (plaDCs) for which I could conclude that plaDCs are true myeloid DCs that are polarized by their microenvironment. My work highlight two concepts, the first one demonstrate the necessity of high throughput methods for the analysis of cell response to several pathogens. The second concept demonstrates that direct environment or hormones can affect immune cells response to pathogen but also their phenotype and function.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a deadly infectious lung disease caused by the pathogenic bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The identification of macrophage signaling proteins exploited by Mtb during infection will enable the development of alternative host-directed therapies (HDT) for TB. HDT strategies will boost host immunity to restrict the intracellular replication of Mtb and therefore hold promise to overcome antimicrobial resistance, a growing crisis in TB therapy. Protein Kinase R (PKR) is a key host sensor that functions in the cellular antiviral response. However, its role in defense against intracellular bacterial pathogens is not clearly defined. Herein, we demonstrate that expression and activation of PKR is upregulated in macrophages infected with Mtb. Immunological profiling of human THP-1 macrophages that overexpress PKR (THP-PKR) showed increased production of IP-10 and reduced production of IL-6, two cytokines that are reported to activate and inhibit IFNy-dependent autophagy, respectively. Indeed, sustained expression and activation of PKR reduced the intracellular survival of Mtb, an effect that could be enhanced by IFNy treatment. We further demonstrate that the enhanced anti-mycobacterial activity of THP-PKR macrophages is mediated by a mechanism dependent on selective autophagy as indicated by increased levels of LC3-II that colocalize with intracellular Mtb. Consistent with this mechanism, inhibition of autophagolysosome maturation with bafilomycin A1 abrogated the ability of THP-PKR macrophages to limit replication of Mtb, whereas pharmacological activation of autophagy enhanced the anti-mycobacterial effect of PKR overexpression. As such, PKR represents a novel and attractive host target for development of HDT for TB, and our data suggest value in the design of more specific and potent activators of PKR.

Triptofano (TRP) é metabolizado por duas vias, a via serotonérgica e a via das quinureninas. Na via serotonérgica, TRP é metabolizado a serotonina (5-HT) e, em algumas células, à melatonina (MLT) que pode ser oxidada à N1-acetil-N2-formil-5- metoxiquinuramina (AFMK) e N1-acetil-5-metoxiquinuramina (AMK) por ação de peroxidases. Na via das quinureninas o TRP é diretamente metabolizado à N formilquinurenina (NFK) e em seguida a quinurenina (QUIN). A enzima indolamina 2, 3 dioxigenase (IDO) é uma das responsáveis por esta reação. Dada a importância da IDO na tolerância imunológica e pelo fato desta enzima ser induzível nos propusemos a avaliar a existência de uma regulação cruzada entre esta enzima e a via serotonérgica. Avaliando a interferência de AMK sobre a ação de IDO e a interferência de QUIN sobre a formação de AFMK por peroxidases, observamos uma possível interação entre as vias. AMK é um inibidor competitivo clássico de IDO e o Ki encontrado foi de 0,98 mM. QUIN é um inibidor acompetitivo linear simples da formação de AFMK e o Ki encontrado foi de 0,1 mM. A inibição da formação de AFMK também ocorre para a peroxidase humana (mieloperoxidase, MPO). Além de representarem uma regulação cruzada utilizada in vivo, as inibições encontradas podem ser relevantes para a proposta de novos inibidores de IDO e MPO na terapia imunomodulatória. Dado o nosso interesse pelas enzimas IDO e MPO, avaliamos ainda a localização intracelular destas enzimas em células de peritônio de camundongo, tanto residente como ativada com concanavalina A (Con A). O estímulo com Con A representa uma ativação de linfócitos T mediado por interferon gama (IFN-γ) e foi usado como modelo experimental para avaliar condições de localização em células ativadas. Por imunocitoquímica verificamos que IDO e MPO localizam-se próxima à membrana plasmática sendo que uma leve dispersão apenas de MPO foi observada em células ativadas com Con A. A localização intracelular das duas enzimas é no citoplasma, vesículas e núcleo. Curiosamente, verificamos MPO em células isoladas e também em agrupamentos celulares de duas ou mais células. Por citometria de fluxo identificamos macrófagos, linfócitos B1 e agrupamentos celulares como células que contém MPO. A mobilização de MPO durante a ativação celular, a presença de MPO em linfócitos e a presença de MPO e IDO em núcleos são informações novas que sugerem novas atividades para estas enzimas. / Tryptophan (TRP) is metabolized by two mains pathways, the serotoninergic pathway and the kynurenine pathway. In the serotoninergic pathway, TRP is metabolized to serotonin (5-HT) and, in some cells, to melatonin (MLT). The later can even be oxidized to acetyl-N1-N2-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine (AFMK) and N1-acetyl-5 -methoxykynuramine (AMK) by peroxidases. In the kynurenine pathway, TRP is metabolized to N-formylkynurenine (NFK) and to kynurenine (KYN). Indoleamine 2, 3 dioxygenase (IDO) is one of those responsible for this reaction. Since IDO is importat in immune tolerance and the fact that this enzyme is inducible by cytokines we proposed whether there is a cross regulation between this enzyme and the serotoninergic pathway. A possible interaction between MLT and TRP oxidation pathways was shown by the AMK influence on IDO activity and QUIN interference on AFMK formation by peroxidases. AMK was shown to be an IDO classical competitive inhibitor with a Ki of 0.98 mM. QUIN was a peroxidase (horseradish peroxidase, HRP) classical uncompetitive inhibitor and Ki was found to be 0,1 mM. AFMK formation inhibition was also found in human peroxidase (myeloperoxidase, MPO). Beyond the in vivo crosstalk, new IDO and MPO inhibitors in immunomodulatory therapy would be proposed by the compounds shown in this study. Given our interest in IDO and MPO, we also evaluated their intracellular localization in both resident and concanavalin A (Con A) activated mice peritoneum cells. Con A stimulation is a IFN-γ mediated T lymphocytes activation and was our experimental model to evaluate activated cells. In light microscopy we observed IDO and MPO localization near the membrane and MPO only had a dispersed localization in Con A activated cells. Cytoplasm, nucleus and vesicles were the intracellular localization of both enzymes. Interestingly, we found MPO in isolated cells and in cell clusters of two or more cells. MPO was founded on macrophages, B1 cells and cell clusters by flow cytometry. The MPO mobilization during cell activation, the presence of MPO in lymphocytes and the presence of MPO and IDO in nuclei are new informations to suggest new activities for these enzymes.

O processo de reparo ósseo depende de uma resposta inflamatória inicial e transitória, a qual envolve a participação de diversos leucócitos, como células da linhagem monócito/macrófago. O receptor CCR2 é importante para o recrutamento de macrófagos durante as respostas imunes, além de ter um papel na regulação da osteoclastogênese. Assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar papel de células CCR2+ no processo de reparo ósseo alveolar pós-exodontia em camundongos, por meio de análises microscópicas (MicroCT, histomorfometria, análise de birrefringência e imuno-histoquímica) e moleculares (PCRArray) comparativas entre as linhagens C57Bl/6 (WT) e CCR2KO, ao longo dos períodos de 0 hora, 7, 14 e 21 dias pós-exodontia do incisivo superior direito. Como resultado geral das análises microscópicas, constatamos que a ausência de células CCR2+ não afetou o resultado final do reparo ósseo alveolar em camundongos CCR2KO, mas levou a alterações transitórias e estatisticamente significantes (p<0,05) para quantificação de infiltrado inflamatório, vasos sanguíneos, fibroblastos, fibras colágenas, osteoblastos e osteoclastos. Além disso, a ausência de células CCR2+ resultou em diminuição (p<0,05) de células F4/80+ e CCR5+ no infiltrado inflamatório ao longo do processo de reparo ósseo alveolar de camundongos CCR2KO, demonstrando o papel do receptor CCR2 no recrutamento de macrófagos (células F4/80+), bem como sugerindo que as células F4/80+ apresentam dupla positividade para os receptores CCR2 e CCR5. Neste contexto, o receptor CCR5 seria o responsável pela migração remanescente, ainda que reduzida, de células F4/80+ nos animais CCR2KO. Considerando os resultados moleculares, a ausência de CCR2 resultou na alteração da expressão de diferentes marcadores em camundongos CCR2KO, tais como: o fator de crescimento TGF1, marcadores de matriz COL1, MMP1a, MMP2 e MMP9, marcadores ósseos RUNX2, DMP1, RANKL, RANK e CTSK, e marcadores de MSCs CD106, COT-4, NANOG, CD146 e CD105, bem como de marcadores imunológicos como as citocinas IL-6 e TNF-a, receptores de quimiocinas CCR1, CCR5 e CXCR1,e as quimiocinas CCL12, CCL20, CCL25 e CXCL12. Em conclusão, estes resultados indicam que células CCR2+ desempenham diferentes funções no reparo ósseo alveolar em camundongos, influenciando tanto a resposta inflamatória, como os eventos teciduais observados ao longo deste processo. / The bone repair process depends of an initial and transitory inflammatory response, which involves the participation of various leukocytes subsets, as of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. The CCR2 receptor is important to macrophage recruitment during immune responses, and play an active role in the regulation of osteoclastogenesis. Thereby, the purpose of this study was to investigate the role of CCR2+ cells in the alveolar bone repair process in mice, by means of microscopic (MicroCT, histomorphometry, birefringence analysis and immunohistochemistry) and molecular (PCRArray) comparative analysis between C57BL / 6 (WT) and CCR2KO mice during periods of 0 hour, 7, 14 and 21 days post-extraction of the right upper incisor. As a result of the microscopic analysis, we noted that the absence of CCR2+ cells did not affect in the overall outcome of alveolar bone repair in CCR2KO mice, but resulted in transient and statistically significant (p<0.05) alterations of inflammatory infiltrate, blood vessels, fibroblasts, collagen fibers, osteoblasts and osteoclasts counts. Furthermore, the absence of CCR2+cells resulted in a decrease (p<0.05) of CCR5+ and F4/80+ cells in the inflammatory infiltrate along the alveolar bone repair process in CCR2KO mice, demonstrating the role of CCR2 receptor in macrophages migration (F4/80+ cells), as well as suggesting that the F4/80+ cells are double positive for CCR2 and CCR5. In this context, CCR5 receptor could be responsible for the remaining (but reduced) migration, of the F4/80 + cells in CCR2KO mice. According to molecular results, the absence of CCR2 resulted in an altered expression of different markers in CCR2KO mice, such as: growth factor TGF1, the matrix markers COL1, MMP1a, MMP2 and MMP9, the bone markers RUNX2, DMP1 RANKL, RANK and CTSK, and MSCs markers CD106, OCT-4, NANOG, CD146 and CD105, as well as immunological markers as IL-6 and TNF-, chemokine receptors CCR1, CXCR1 and CCR5, and the chemokines CCL12, CCL20, CCL25 and CXCL12. In conclusion, these results indicate that CCR2+ cells have different functions in alveolar bone repair in mice, influencing the inflammatory response and also tissue events observed throughout the process events.