L’acide valproïque (VPA) est un inhibiteur des histones désacétylases (HDACi), qui présente des propriétés anti-tumorales nsur différents types de cancers. Son utilisation depuis plusieurs décennies comme médicament antiépileptique a révélé des effets secondaires, notamment sur le système hématopoïétique. Dans la présente étude, nous nous sommes intéressés à l’effet du VPA sur les réseaux microARN (miR)/Facteurs de transcription (FT) spécifiquement impliqués dans la régulation des voies de différenciation érythro-mégacaryocytaires. Nous montrons que le VPA est capable d’inhiber la différenciation érythroïde dans les cellules érythroleucémiques humaines TF1 et K562 et dans les cellules souches hématopoïétiques (CSH) CD34+, stimulées par l’érythropoïétine recombinante (Epo) ou par l’aclacinomycine A. Cette inhibition se traduit par une diminution de l’expression de la glycophorine A, de la γ-globine, des miR-144/451 et du FT GATA-1. L’inhibition du pré-miR-144 suggère que le VPA est capable de réguler l’expression du gène miR-144/451 au niveau transcriptionnel, via GATA-1. Dans les cellules Epo/CD34+, le VPA induit l’augmentation du FT PU.1 en accord avec l’inhibition du miR-155 et favorise son interaction avec GATA-1 pour inhiber son activité. L’utilisation d’un analogue du VPA, sans activité HDACi (Valpromide) et d’un inhibiteur d’HDAC de classe I, le MS-275, a montré que l’activité HDACi du VPA n’est pas requise pour l’inhibition de la différenciation érythroïde. Le VPA affecte également la voie mégacaryocytaire issue d’un progéniteur commun aux cellules érythroïdes. Dans la lignée mégacaryoblastique Meg-01, le VPA induit des modifications morphologiques du type mégacaryocytaire, une augmentation du marqueur CD61, du FT GATA-2 et du miR-27a. En revanche, l’expression du FT GATA-1 et des miR-144/451 diminuent. L’augmentation du miR-27a coïncide avec la diminution de l’expression de l’ARNm du FT RUNX1, en accord avec l’induction de la voie mégacaryocytaire. En conclusion, le VPA est capable de moduler le programme de différenciation érythro-mégacaryocytaire, à travers un micro réseau de régulation miR/FT / Valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), exhibits anti-cancer properties against several tumor types. Its use as an anti-epileptic drug for several decades reveled side effects at the hematological level. In this study, we analyzed the effect of VPA on an erythro-megakaryocyte-specific miR/transcription factors network. VPA inhibited erythroid differentiation in the erythroleukemia cell lines TF1 and K562 as well as in CD34+/hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), induced by the recombinant erythropoietin (Epo) or aclacinomycin. This inhibition was characterized by glycophorin-A, γ-globin and GATA-1/miR-144/451 down-regulation. Inhibition of pre-miR-144 expression suggested that VPA regulates transcription of the miR-144/451 gene through GATA-1. In Epo-stimulated HSCs, VPA induced PU.1 expression in correlation with miR-155 inhibition and promoted GATA-1/PU.1 interaction. The use of valpromide, a VPA analogue without HDACi activity and the class-I HDACi MS-275, showed that HDAC inhibition by VPA was not required for its inhibitory activity on erythropoiesis. VPA also induced megakaryocyte features in Meg-01 cells, at both cellular and molecular levels. Notably, CD61, GATA-2 and miR-27a were over-expressed. RUNX1 mRNA expression and GATA-1/miR-144/451 axis decreased in accordance with megakaryocyte differentiation. In conclusion, VPA is able to modulate erythro-megakaryocytic differentiation program, through a regulatory micro-network involving miRs and TFs

Submitted by Franciele Moreira (francielemoreyra@gmail.com) on 2019-01-31T13:01:42Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Juliana Fracalossi Paes - 2018.pdf: 3499755 bytes, checksum: 913f34f36a97b5b7412e4eec7b1af1c1 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2019-02-01T10:04:10Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Juliana Fracalossi Paes - 2018.pdf: 3499755 bytes, checksum: 913f34f36a97b5b7412e4eec7b1af1c1 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2019-02-01T10:04:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Juliana Fracalossi Paes - 2018.pdf: 3499755 bytes, checksum: 913f34f36a97b5b7412e4eec7b1af1c1 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-09-27 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás - FAPEG / Introduction: MicroRNAs are small molecules of single-stranded non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression in the post-transcriptional phase and are being evaluated as prognostic and predictive markers in breast cancer. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of hsa-miR-205ab and hsa-miR-218a microRNAs and BRCA1 protein in breast cancer samples and their associations with the pathological and prognostic clinical aspects of tumors. Method: A group of 92 breast cancer cases was evaluated for clinical-pathological aspects, five-year survival, expression of BRCA1, hsa-miR-205ab and hsa-miR-218a. BRCA1 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and the quantification of the miRNAs by quantitative PCR in real time. The clinical-pathological aspects were compared in relation to the expression of BRCA1, hsa-miR- 205ab and hsa-miR-218a using the Mann-Whitney test. Survival curves were generated by the Kaplan-Meyer method and compared by the long-rank method. Results: The group of tumors comprised 56 cases of non-triple-negative breast carcinomas and 36 tumors with triple-negative phenotype. Hypoexpression of hsa-miR-205ab and hsa-miR-218a was associated with larger tumors (> 2 cm), presence of lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis, the highest histological grade, triple negative phenotype, absence of expression of BRCA1 and lower survival. (P = 0.044), more advanced stages (p = 0.005), lymph node involvement (p = 0.038), presence of distant metastasis (p = 0, 0008) and absence of BRCA1 expression (p = 0.039). Conclusion: The hypoexpression of hsa-miR-205ab and hsa-miR-218a was associated with factors of poor prognosis, absence of BRCA1 expression and the lowest survival rate in breast cancer patients evaluated in this study. / Introdução: Os microRNAs são pequenas moléculas de RNAs não-codificantes de cadeia simples, que regulam a expressão gênica na fase pós-transcricional e vem sendo avaliados como marcadores prognósticos e preditivos no câncer de mama. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a expressão dos microRNAs hsa-miR-205ab e hsa-miR-218a e da proteína BRCA1 em amostras de câncer de mama e suas associações com os aspectos clínico patológicos e prognósticos dos tumores. Método: Um grupo de 92 casos de câncer de mama foi avaliado quanto aos aspectos clínico-patológicos, a sobrevida em cinco anos, a expressão de BRCA1, hsa-miR-205ab e hsa-miR-218a. A expressão de BRCA1 foi avaliada por imuno- histoquímica e a quantificação dos miRNAs por PCR quantitativa em tempo real. Os aspectos clínicos-patológicos foram comparados em relação à expressão de BRCA1, hsa-miR-205ab e hsa-miR-218a, utilizando o teste de Mann-Whitney. As curvas de sobrevida foram geradas pelo método de Kaplan-Meyer e comparadas pelo método de long-rank. Resultados: O grupo de tumores compreendeu 56 casos de carcinomas de mama não triplo-negativos e 36 tumores com fenótipo triplo-negativo. A hipoexpressão de hsa-miR-205ab e hsa-miR-218a foi associada aos tumores maiores (> 2 cm), à presença de metástase linfonodal e de metástase a distância, ao grau histológico mais elevado, fenótipo triplo negativo, ausência de expressão de BRCA1 e menor sobrevida. A sobrevida das pacientes em função das características clínico patológicas foi influenciada pelo fenótipo triplo-negativo (p=0,044), estádios mais avançados (p=0,005), acometimento linfonodal (p=0,038), presença de metástase à distância (p=0,0008) e ausência da expressão de BRCA1 (p=0,039). Conclusão: A hipoexpressão de hsa-miR-205ab e hsa-miR-218a foi associada aos fatores de pior prognóstico, ausência de expressão de BRCA1 e à menor sobrevida nas pacientes com câncer de mama avaliadas neste estudo.

Les cellules tueuses naturelles (NK pour Natural Killer) sont une population lymphoïde dotées d’une activité cytotoxique contre les cellules infectées ou les cellules cancéreuses. Les cellules NK ont un potentiel thérapeutique considérable en tant que thérapie cellulaire anti-tumorale, particulièrement dans le cadre des leucémies. Ces approches sont basées sur une amélioration de la production de cellules NK à partir de cellules souches hématopoïétiques (quantitative et qualitative en améliorant leur activité lytique), mais aussi sur une manipulation de la sensibilité des cellules leucémiques à la lyse par les cellules NK. L’amélioration de ces approches nécessite une compréhension plus approfondie des différents mécanismes de résistance leucémique et leur relation avec la sensibilité à la lyse. Dans ce contexte, nous avons étudié le rôle de HOXB4 dans la différenciation des cellules NK et leur fonction lytique. Nous avons montré que les cellules CD34+ différenciées en cellules NK en présence de HOXB4 ont un potentiel lytique plus important par rapport aux cellules différenciées en l’absence de HIOXB4. Cette augmentation est associée à une augmentation de la dégranulation des cellules NK en présence de cellules cibles. L’analyse transcriptionnelle globale basé sur un microréseau d'ADN montre une régulation positive de l’expression de granzyme B par HOXB4. Ces résultats démontrent que HOXB4 est un régulateur crucial dans la différenciation et la fonction des cellules NK. Ils soulignent également l’intérêt de son utilisation dans la production de cellules NK fonctionnelles dotées d’un plus grand potentiel lytique pour les stratégies d'immunothérapie anticancéreuse. Nous avons également essayé de comprendre comment l'acquisition de la résistance aux chimiothérapies par les cellules de leucémie aigüe myéloïde (LAM) influence leur reconnaissance et leur sensibilité aux cellules NK. Nous avons montré que l'acquisition de la résistance in vitro des cellules AML à la cytarabine induit une augmentation de leur susceptibilité à la cytotoxicité dépendante des cellules NK. Cette sensibilité accrue est en corrélation avec l’induction d’ULBP (UL-16 binding proteins) 1/2/3, ligands des récepteurs NKG2D, sur les cellules leucémiques résistantes. Cette induction est régulée par un mécanisme impliquant l'induction de c-Myc. Le test d’immunoprécipitation de la chromatine (ChIP) a révélé qu’ULBP1 et ULBP3 sont des cibles directes de c-Myc. L’utilisation de cellules AML primaires résistants à la chimiothérapie comme les cellules cibles, combinée à l'inhibition de c-Myc a entraîné une diminution de l'expression des ligands NKG2D et l'altération de la lyse par les cellules NK. Les propriétés d’alloréactivité des cellules NK pourraient être utilisées pour améliorer les résultats de la transplantation de cellules souches hématopoïétiques allogéniques chez les patients atteints d’AML. Cependant, la résistance croisée (chimiothérapie et NK) des blastes AML reste un problème majeur. Nous avons étudié la relation entre résistance des cellules leucémiques à la daunorubicine, la susceptibilité de ces cellules à la lyse par les cellules NK et l'expression putative des micro-RNAs. Nos résultats indiquent que l'acquisition de la résistance à la daunorubicine par les lignées de cellules parentales induit une résistance croisée à la cytotoxicité naturelle à médiation cellulaire. L'analyse des microréseaux de microRNAs a révélé que cette résistance croisée est associée à une diminution du miR-181a et une augmentation des gènes de la famille tyrosine kinase (MAP3K10 et MAP2K1) et de la famille Bcl-2 (Bcl-2 et Mcl-1). La surexpression de miR-181a dans les blastes AML entraîne l'atténuation de leur résistance à la daunorobucine et à la lyse par les cellules NK. / Natural Killer (NK) cells are a lymphoid population with potent cytotoxic activity against virus-infected or cancer cells, and which hold considerable potential for cell based therapies targeting human malignancies. Potential approaches include not only enhancing the generation of NK cells in number and improving their lytic activity, but also manipulating the susceptibility of blast cells to NK-mediated killing. Pursuing these approaches will require a more thorough understanding of the different mechanisms of resistance and their relationship with susceptibility to NK-mediated killing. In this context, we studied the role of HOXB4 in NK cells differentiation and lytic function. We showed that HOXB4 transduced MS-5 cells as compared with GFP-transduced MS-5 cells induced highly differentiated cytotoxic NK cells. This difference was associated with an increased induction of granzyme B degranulation in response to stimulation with NK cell susceptible targets. DNA microarray-based global transcriptional profiling confirmed the upregulation of granzyme B. These findings provide further evidence that HOXB4 is a crucial regulator of NK function and that its use in generating functional NK cells with increased lytic potential may be significant for cancer immunotherapy. We attempted to elucidate how acquisition of drug resistance in AML cells influences NK cell recognition and the killing of drug-resistant blasts. We showed that the in vitro acquisition of AML cell resistance to cytarabine resulted in an increase in their susceptibility to NK-mediated cell cytotoxicity. The increased susceptibility correlates with the induction of UL-16 binding proteins (ULBP) 1/2/3 and NK group 2, member (NKG2D) ligands on target cells by a mechanism involving c-Myc induction. More importantly, chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed that ULBP1/3 are direct targets of c-Myc. Using drug resistant primary AML blasts as target cells, inhibition of c-Myc resulted in decreased expression of NKG2D ligands and the subsequent impairment of NK cell lysis. This study provides for the first time, the c-Myc dependent regulation of NKG2D ligands in AML. Manipulating NK-cell alloreactivity might improve outcomes after hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation; however, cross-resistance among blasts remains a drawback. We attempted to investigate the relationship between AML to daunorubicin, the susceptibility to NK cellmediated cell lysis and the putative expression of miRs. Our results indicate that the acquisition of resistance to daunorubicin by the parental cell lines resulted in the acquisition of a cross-resistance to natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity. miR microarray analysis revealed that this cross-resistance was associated with miR-181a down regulation and the subsequent regulation of the tyrosine kinase (MAP3K10 and MAP2K1) and the BCL-2 (BCL-2 andMCL-1) families. Overexpression of miR-181a in AML blasts resulted in the attenuation of their resistance to daunorobucin and to NK-cell-mediated killing.

A la suite d’un criblage pangénomique, nous avons montré que l’inhibition d’un miARN de la famille let-7, miR-98, entraîne une forte accélération de la différenciation musculaire avec hypertrophie des myotubes. Lors de ma thèse, j’ai cherché à comprendre comment miR-98 retarde la différenciation du muscle strié squelettique. Des analyses transcriptomiques dans des myoblastes où ce miARN a été inhibé ont montré la perturbation de l’expression d’environ 240 gènes. Parmi eux, j’ai montré que le répresseur transcriptionnel E2F5 est important pour la régulation de la différenciation musculaire via miR-98, et est directement ciblé par ce miARN. L’inhibition de E2F5 permet de rétablir un niveau de différenciation normal malgré l’inhibition de miR-98. E2F5 est un régulateur important du cycle cellulaire. Sa fonction dans le muscle n’avait pas encore été explorée. Mes résultats montrent que E2F5 accélère le processus de différenciation musculaire. J’ai ensuite montré que E2F5 peut réguler directement des gènes répresseurs de la différenciation musculaire, comme ID1 et HMOX1, et indirectement des répresseurs de la voie TGF-β, expliquant son action sur la différenciation. Au final, miR-98 régule la différenciation du muscle strié squelettique en agissant directement sur l’expression de E2F5, et indirectement sur ses multiples cibles. Mes résultats ont ainsi mis en évidence une nouvelle voie de régulation de la différenciation musculaire : la voie let-7 – E2F5. / A genome-wide screen had previously shown that knocking-down miR-98, a miRNA of let-7 family, leads to a dramatic increase of terminal myogenic differentiation, with myotube hypertrophy. My PhD project aimed to understand how miR-98 delays skeletal muscle differentiation. Transcriptomic analysis of human myoblasts with knocked-down miR-98 revealed that approximately 240 genes were sensitive to miR-98 depletion. Among these potential targets, I have identified the transcriptional repressor E2F5, which turned out to be important for miR-98 regulation of muscle differentiation. Knocking down E2F5 and miR-98 simultaneously had almost fully restored normal differentiation. I have subsequently shown that E2F5, an important cell cycle regulator, is a direct target of miR-98 in muscle, where its function had never been investigated before. My results show that E2F5 is a positive regulator of the muscle differentiation process. E2F5 can directly repress inhibitors of muscle differentiation, such as ID1 and HMOX1, and indirectly regulate TGF-β pathway family members. In conclusion, miR-98 regulates skeletal muscle differentiation by directly regulating E2F5 expression, and thus controlling the expression of multiple E2F5 targets. My results have highlighted a new regulatory pathway of muscle differentiation: the let-7 – E2F5 pathway.

Splicing é o processo de remoção de introns e ligação de exons em eucariotos. É realizado pelo spliceossomo, um complexo macromolecular composto por RNAs e mais de cem proteínas. Alguns introns possuem microRNAs, os quais devem ser processados para gerar moléculas maduras. O cluster intrônico miR-17-92 é composto por sete miRNAs que têm sido associados ao desenvolvimento de diferentes tumores em vários tecidos. Neste trabalho o splicing de dois miRNAs deste cluster foi analisado em células HeLa, BCPAP e TPC-I. Os resultados mostraram que introns com miR19a tem o splicing mais eficiente do que aqueles com miR18a em todas as três células analisadas. Além disso, a composição dos spliceossomos foi analisada por espectrometria de massas. Entre as principais proteínas encontradas, destaca-se a presença das hnRNPs, como hnRNP_A1 e hnRNP_A2/B1. Estes resultados são importantes para entender como esses miRNAs são processados, e quais são os principais componentes recrutados em diferentes tipos celulares. / Pre-mRNA splicing is the process of intron removal and exon ligation in eukaryotes. It is performed by the spliceosome, a multi-megadalton machinery composed of RNAs and more than a hundred proteins. Intronic miRNAs must be processed from the host gene to generate mature molecules. miR-17-92 is an intronic cluster composed of seven miRNAs which have been associated to the development of different tumors, in several different cells. In this work, we analyzed the splicing of two miRNAs belonging to this cluster in HeLa, BCPAP and TPC-I cells. Interestingly, we observed miR19a is more efficiently spliced than miR18a in all three cells. We also searched for specific proteins that can be involved in their respective splicing process. We observed hnRNP proteins are especially concentrated in spliceosomes assembled in introns containing these miRNAs, based on mass spectrometry data. These results are important to understand how these miRNAs are spliced and matured and also can explain their different expression levels in different cells.

O excesso de iodo inibe a proliferação celular e secreção hormonal, enquanto retarda os efeitos oncogênicos da ativação de RET/PTC3 na célula folicular tiroidiana. A mutação BRAF (T1799A) é a mais prevalente no câncer de tiroide, e modelo transgênico desenvolve câncer que progride para histotipo agressivo. Altos níveis de microRNAs (miRNAs) do cluster miR-17-92 estão associados a histotipos agressivos de câncer de tiroide e modulam a tradução de mRNAs alvo componentes de vias de sinalização oncogênicas. Neste estudo, avaliamos a influência da alta dose de iodo sobre miRNAs frente ativação do oncogene BRAF e seu efeito na biologia da célula folicular tiroidiana. A indução de BRAFT1799A ativa uma robusta expressão de miR-17-92 enquanto alta dose de iodo bloqueia este efeito na célula tiroidiana. miR-19 inibe a tradução de Smad4 e bloqueia a transdução do sinal de TGFb, efeito revertido pelo iodo. O iodo interfere na expressão de miR-17-92 por bloquear ativação da sinalização Notch induzida por BRAF. Estes resultados indicam que o iodo protege a célula folicular tiroidiana durante a indução de BRAFT1799A, revertendo a ativação dos miRNAs oncogênicos do cluster miR-17-92 e restaurando os níveis protéicos de Smad4 por interferir na via de sinalização Notch. / Iodine excess blocks cell proliferation and inhibits hormone synthesis, while delays oncogenic effects of RET/PTC3 activation in thyroid follicular cells. BRAF mutation (T1799A) is the most prevalent genetic alteration in thyroid cancer, and transgenic mice model for BRAF develops thyroid cancer that progress to aggressive histotypes. High levels of microRNAs (miRNAs) of miR-17-92 cluster are associated to aggressive thyroid cancer and modulate translation of target mRNAs in oncogenic signaling pathways. In this study, we evaluated the influence of high dose iodine in miRNAs under BRAF oncogene activation, and its effects in thyroid follicular cell biology. BRAF induction induces high expression of miR-17-92 while high dose iodine blocks this effect in thyroid follicular cells. miR-19 inhibits Smad4 translation and impairs TGFb signaling transduction, effect reverted by iodine. Iodine modulates miR-17-92 expression by interfering in BRAF-induced Notch signaling activation. These results indicate that iodine protects thyroid follicular cell during BRAF induction, reverting oncogenic miR-17-92 activation and restoring protein levels of Smad4 by Notch signaling modulation.

Durante a divisão celular as Aurora-quinases (AURKA e AURKB) participam da formação e controle das fibras do fuso mitótico enquanto as isoformas proteicas (DIDO1, DIDO2 e DIDO3), originadas do splicing alternativo do gene DIDO, auxiliam na junção dos microtúbulos aos cinetócoros. Portanto, ambas são relevantes na regulação do ciclo celular. Interessantemente, a superexpressão (ou o ganho de função) das AURKs ou a baixa expressão (ou perda de função) das isoformas de DIDO estão ambos associados com amplificação dos centrossomos e à instabilidade cromossômica (CIN), com consequente aneuploidia. Dentre as doenças hematológicas com registros de CIN, a leucemia linfoide crônica (LLC) pode apresentar amplificação dos centrossomos e alteração nos níveis de expressão das AURKs acarretando aneuplodias. Apesar disso, não existem estudos avaliando a potencial associação destes genes com CIN na LLC. Avaliando seus níveis de expressão gênica em amostras de LLC de pacientes com ou sem aberrações cromossômicas, mostramos que o aumento dos níveis de AURKA e AURKB e, inversamente, a redução dos níveis das variantes de DIDO, são significativamente associados com ganhos cromossômicos e com aumento da contagem de glóbulos brancos (WBC). Claramente, amostras de LLC sem qualquer anormalidade citogenética apresentam níveis de expressão semelhantes às amostras que contêm aberrações não-numéricas. O achado de que níveis de expressão de AURKs e variantes de DIDO são completamente opostos, mostrando um padrão discreto de inter-relação, levou-nos a investigar o potencial mecanismo regulatório por trás disso. Tendo em vista que outros, anteriormente, mostraram que o cluster oncogênico miR-17~92 é significativamente hiper-regulado em células de pacientes com LLC purificadas expressando genes IGHV não mutados (em comparação com células mutadas de pacientes) e, que o miR-17 é expresso em níveis significativamente mais elevados em células IGHV não mutadas ou ZAP-70 positivas (mau prognóstico geralmente associada à CIN), resolvemos investigar o potencial de regulação negativa dos microRNAs deste cluster sobre as variantes de DIDO. Além disso, com base no mecanismo regulatório já descrito pelo qual a superexpressão de AURKA induz a transcrição do cluster miR-17~92, mediada por E2F1 (com uma correlação entre as expressões de ambas as proteínas em diferentes tipos de câncer), decidimos investigar este eixo regulatório em LLC. Notavelmente, todas as variantes de DIDO apresentam-se preditas como fortes alvos de vários microRNAs deste cluster oncogênico. Mostramos, então, que amostras de LLC com baixa expressão de DIDO, além dos já mencionados níveis elevados de AURK, exibiram níveis significativamente mais elevados do fator de transcrição E2F1 e de seu alvo transcricional, o transcrito primário do miR-17~92 (MIR17HG). Além disso, por meio do uso da linhagem de celular NTERA-2, como modelo experimental, mostramos que o siRNA nocaute para AURKA (nos níveis transcricional e proteico, como confirmado por qPCR e western blot) é acompanhada por uma significativa redução de E2F1 e também de MIR17HG. Ainda, a transfecção de células NTERA-2 com sintéticos microRNAs miméticos do cluster miR-17~92 (ou seja, 19a-miR, miR-20a e miR-92a) resultou em uma clara e significativa redução dos níveis de transcrição de todas as variantes de DIDO. Por fim, a inibição do siRNA especifico para a variante DIDO3 (mas não às outras variantes) levou a uma redução significativa dos níveis de transcrição de todas as variantes de DIDO, indicando um mecanismo adicional contribuindo para a downregulação dos transcritos de DIDO. Ao todo, nossos resultados demonstram a existência de um potencial mecanismo regulatório interconectado entre AURK e DIDO, associado à CIN e maior contagem de WBC na LLC. Mais importante, os níveis de expressão elevada de AURKs e os baixos níveis associados das variantes de DIDO são especificamente relacionados com anormalidades citogenéticas apresentando ganhos cromossomais, com destaque para o mecanismo celular específico, subjacente à CIN, observado neste grupo distinto LLC. Dado o papel central da CIN na gênese e progressão do câncer, esses achados provavelmente terão um impacto importante no prognóstico ou tratamento da LLC. / During cell cycle division Aurora kinases (AURKA and AURKB) participate in the formation and control of mitotic spindle fibers, while, protein isoforms (DIDO1, DIDO2 and DIDO3), derived by alternative splicing of the DIDO gene, assist at the junction of microtubules to kinetochores. Thus, both are relevant to cell cycle maintenance. Interestingly, overexpression (or gain of function) of AURKs or low expression (or loss of function of DIDO) are both associated with centrosomal amplification and chromosomal instability (CIN), leading to aneuploidy. Among hematological diseases with CIN records, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) can display centrosome amplification and changes in AURKs expression levels leading to aneuploidy. Despite this, there are no studies evaluating the potential association of these genes with CIN in CLL. By evaluating their gene expression levels in CLL samples from patients with or without chromosomal aberrations, we show that increased levels of AURKA and AURKB and, conversely, reduced levels of DIDO variants, are both significantly associated with chromosomal gains and with increased white blood cell (WBC) counts. Clearly, CLL samples without any cytogenetic abnormality had expression levels similar to samples mostly harboring non-numerical aberrations. The finding that the expression levels of AURKs and DIDO variants are completely opposed, showing a discrete inter-related pattern, led us to investigate the potential regulatory mechanism behind this. Given that other have previously shown that the oncogenic miR-17~92 cluster is significantly upregulated in purified CLL patient cells expressing unmutated IGHV genes (as compared to mutated patient cells), and that miR-17 is expressed at significantly higher levels in unmutated or ZAP-70 high cases (bad prognostic cases generally associated with chromosomal instability), we investigated the potential negative regulation of DIDO variants by microRNAs from this cluster. In addition, based on the already described regulatory mechanism by which AURKA overexpression induces the E2F1-mediated transcription upregulation of the miR-17~92 cluster (with an observed expression correlation of both proteins in cancer specimens); we decided to investigate this regulatory axis in CLL. Notably, we found that all DIDO variants are predicted to be heavily targeted by several miRs of this oncogenic cluster. We show that CLL samples with low DIDO expression, in addition to the already mentioned AURK high levels, displayed significant higher levels of the transcription factor E2F1 and of its transcriptional target, the miR-17~92 primary transcript (MIR17HG). Moreover, by using the NTERA-2 cell line as a model, we show that siRNA knockdown of AURKA (at the transcript and protein level, as confirmed by qPCR and western blot) is accompanied by a striking significant reduction of E2F1 and also of MIR17HG. Furthermore, transfection of NTERA-2 cells with synthetic mimics of the miR-17~92 cluster (namely, miR-19a, miR-20a and miR-92a) results in a clear and significant reduction in the transcript levels of all DIDO variants. Finally, specific siRNA inhibition of the DIDO3 variant (but not the others) led to a significant reduction in the transcript levels of all DIDO variants, indicating an additional mechanism contributing to the downregulation of DIDO transcripts. Altogether, our results demonstrate the existence of a potential interconnected regulatory mechanism between AURK and DIDO, associated with CIN and higher WBC counts in CLL. More importantly, the high expression levels of AURKs and the associated low levels of DIDO variants are specifically associated with cytogenetic abnormalities presenting chromosomal gains, highlighting the specific cellular mechanism underlying the CIN observed in this distinct CLL group. Given the central role of CIN in cancer genesis and progression, these findings will likely have an important impact on prognosis or treatment of CLL.

L’immunologie anti-tumorale et l’immunothérapie ont connu dernièrement de grandes avancées avec la mise en évidence du processus d’immuno-surveillance et le développement de plusieurs approches vaccinales. Il n’en demeure pas moins que l’induction d’une réponse immunitaire anti-tumorale se traduit peu par l’éradication de la tumeur. Comme phénomène dynamique et interactif, la réponse cytotoxique anti-tumorale implique les effecteurs cytotoxiques et les cibles tumorales; pourtant, le microenvironnement tumoral et sa plasticité influent largement sur l’efficacité de celle-là. Avec l’appui de récentes données expérimentales, il apparaît crucial de prendre en compte la susceptibilité tumorale à la lyse par les effecteurs cytotoxiques anti-tumoraux, notamment les lymphocytes T cytotoxiques (CTLs), et plus particulièrement dans un contexte de plasticité cellulaire. Ainsi, le principal objectif de mes travaux de thèse est de saisir le rôle de la Transition Épithélio-Mésenchymateuse (EMT) dans la susceptibilité des cellules tumorales à la lyse par les CTLs dans des modèles cellulaires de cancer du sein. Nos résultats montrent que l’EMT est capable d’induire une diminution de la susceptibilité des cellules mésenchymateuses à la lyse spécifique. Elle engage de ce fait de multiples acteurs. Tout d’abord, dans les deux modèles d’étude, il s’avère que l’EMT est capable de réguler négativement l’expression de la molécule HLA-A2. Ensuite, dans le premier modèle expérimental, nous avons établi que l’EMT induit une altération de la signalisation au niveau de la synapse immunologique. De plus, le régulateur de l’autophagie, Becline 1, joue un rôle crucial dans l’induction de la diminution de la sensibilité à la lyse par les lymphocytes T-CD8+ suite à l’induction de l’EMT. Dans le deuxième modèle d’étude, le mécanisme mis en jeu par l’EMT pour réguler la susceptibilité des cellules mésenchymateuses à la lyse par les CTLs se manifeste dans l’induction du facteur de transcription inducteur des propriétés de cellules souches cancéreuses, le KLF4 ainsi que via la régulation négative de l’expression du miR-7. Ensemble, ces résultats élucident de nouveaux mécanismes d’échappement des cellules tumorales malignes à la lyse par les lymphocytes T-CD8+ suite à l’induction de l’EMT. Cette étude soutient ainsi l’importance du ciblage des facteurs de transcription inducteurs de l’EMT et responsables de la plasticité cellulaire afin de neutraliser leur fonction. Cela pourrait aider à construire une nouvelle stratégie pour mieux contrôler l’échappement des cellules tumorales invasives à la lyse spécifique et in fine pour garantir une immunothérapie plus efficace contre le cancer. / The anti-tumor immunology and immunotherapy have recently undergone major breakthroughs, with the identification of immune surveillance process and the development of several vaccine approaches. However, the fact remains that the induction of an antitumor immune response is still not effective enough. Certainly, the antitumor cytotoxic response is a dynamic and interactive phenomenon, involving cytotoxic effectors and tumor targets, but its effectiveness is considerably influenced by the tumor microenvironment and its plasticity. Recent studies support the importance of taking into account the tumor susceptibility to lysis by anti-tumor cytotoxic effectors, notably Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes (CTLs), especially in a context of cellular plasticity. On the grounds of these studies, this research aims at understanding the role of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in the susceptibility of tumor cells to CTLs mediated lysis in different models of breast cell carcinoma. Our results reveal that EMT is able to induce a decrease in the susceptibility of mesenchymal cells to specific lysis. It calls therefore multiple actors. First, in both study models, it turns out that the EMT is able to downregulate the expression of HLA-A2 molecule. Then, in the first experimental model, we show that EMT induces an alteration of signalling at the immunological synapse. Moreover, the regulator of autophagy, Beclin 1, plays a crucial role in the induction of reduced susceptibility to lysis by T-CD8+ lymphocytes following induction of EMT. In the second experimental model, we show that the mechanisms used by EMT to regulate the susceptibility of mesenchymal cells to lysis by CTLs involve the induction of the transcription factor inducing cancer stem cells properties, KLF4, as well as the downregulation of miR-7 expression. Together, these results shed light on new mechanisms used by malignant tumor cells to escape to lysis by T-CD8+ lymphocytes following the induction of EMT. Thus, this study advocates the importance of targeting transcription factors, which are inducers of EMT and responsible for cellular plasticity, in order to neutralize their function. These insights may prove useful for the development of new strategies aimed at better controlling the escape of invasive tumor cells to specific lysis, and ultimately ensuring a more effective immunotherapy against cancer.

A number of MIR sensing platforms and methods were developed in this research work demonstrating potential applicability of MIR spectroscopy for studying hydrocarbon systems in extreme environments. First of all, the quantitative determination of the diamondoid compound adamantane in organic media utilizing IR-ATR spectroscopy at waveguide surfaces was established. The developed analytical strategy further enabled the successful detection of adamantane in real world crude oil samples. These reported efforts provide a promising outlook for detection and monitoring of diamondoid constituents in naturally occurring crudes and petroleum samples. IR-ATR spectroscopy was further utilized for evaluating and characterizing distribution, variations, and origin of carbonate minerals within sediment formations surrounding a hydrocarbon seep site - MC 118 in the Gulf of Mexico. An analytical model for direct detection of 13C-depleted authigenic carbonates associated with cold seep ecosystems was constructed. Potential applicability of IR-ATR spectroscopy as direct on-ship - and in future in situ - analytical tool for characterizing hydrocarbon seep sites was demonstrated. MIR evanescent field absorption spectroscopy was also utilized to expand the understanding on the role of surfactants during gas hydrate formation at surfaces. This experimental method allowed detailed spectroscopic observations of detergent-related surface processes during SDS mediated gas hydrate formation. The obtained IR data enabled proposing a mechanism by which SDS decreases the induction time for hydrate nucleation, and promotes hydrate formation. Potential of MIR fiberoptic evanescent field spectroscopy for studying surface effects during gas hydrate nucleation and growth was demonstrated. Next, quantifying trace amounts of water content in hexane using MIR evanescent field absorption spectroscopy is presented. The improvement in sensitivity and of limit of detection was obtained by coating an optical fiber with layer of a hydrophilic polymer. The application of the polymer layer has enabled the on-line MIR detection of water in hexane at low ppm levels. These results indicate that the MIR evanescent filed spectroscopy method shows potential for in-situ detection and monitoring of water in industrial oils and petroleum products. Finally, quantification of trace amounts of oil content in water using MIR evanescent field absorption spectroscopy is reported. Unmodified and modified with grafted hydrophobic polymer layer silver halide optical fibers were employed for the measurements. The surface modification of the fiber has enabled the on-line MIR analysis of crude oil in water at the low ppb level. Potential application of MIR fiber-optic evanescent field spectroscopy using polymer modified waveguides toward in-situ low level detection of crude oil in open waters was demonstrated.

CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / A Lei nº 13.033/2014 estabelece a adição de 7 ± 0,5% (v/v) de biodiesel ao óleo diesel utilizado no sistema viário e proíbe a adição de óleos vegetais ou quaisquer solventes nesta mistura. No entanto, há casos de adição irregular de óleos vegetais e/ou residuais no diesel devido, principalmente, ao baixo custo destas matérias-primas em comparação com o produto final ou contaminado durante seu transporte e armazenamento. Assim, são necessárias análises que forneçam respostas imediatas e eficientes para garantir a qualidade dos combustíveis comercializados. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho propõe o monitoramento da qualidade das misturas biodiesel/diesel (7% de biodiesel e 93% de diesel) usando a Espectrometria no Infravermelho Médio associada a Cartas de Controle Multivariadas baseadas no sinal analítico líquido (NAS). Os biodieseis foram produzidos a partir de óleos de macaúba e algodão usando metanol e etanol. Para cada modelo, foram desenvolvidas três cartas (gráficos): a Carta NAS, que corresponde ao analito de interesse (nesse caso o biodiesel), a carta interferente, relacionadas às contribuições de outros componentes na amostra (diesel), e a carta resíduo correspondendo à variação não sistemática nos espectros (ruído instrumental). Foram analisadas 1508 amostras utilizadas na calibração e validação de seis modelos (biodieseis etílicos e metílicos de algodão, biodieseis metílicos da amêndoa da macaúba, biodieseis metílicos e etílicos do mesocarpo da macaúba, e também de B7 comercial). Na etapa de calibração foram usadas 103 amostras dentro das especificações de qualidade, amostras estas usadas para estabelecerem os limites estatísticos para cada carta. A etapa de validação se deu com amostras dentro e fora das especificações de qualidade (1405 amostras). A validação com amostras fora dos padrões de qualidade foi feita de duas maneiras: em relação ao teor de biodiesel no diesel e à presença de adulterantes no biodiesel, no diesel e na mistura. A presença de adulterantes se deu por substituição parcial do biodiesel por óleos de soja, milho e residual, substituição parcial do diesel por óleo lubrificante, querosene e gasolina e por adição direta dos adulterantes citados na mistura biodiesel/diesel (B7) na faixa de 3,5 a 43,5% (v/v) correspondendo a uma faixa de adulteração de 0,2 a 30% (v/v) na mistura. Assim, foi possível separar as amostras conformes e não conformes tanto em relação ao teor de biodiesel no diesel quanto à presença de adulterantes, uma vez que as amostras dentro das especificações ficaram dentro dos limites estabelecidos e as amostras fora das especificações saíram do limite em pelo menos uma das cartas. Desta maneira, os resultados mostraram que o método descrito neste trabalho é uma alternativa viável, eficiente e rápida no controle de qualidade de biocombustível. / The Law No. 13.033/2014 establishes the addition of 7 ± 0.5% (v/v) of biodiesel to the diesel used in the road system and prohibits the addition of vegetable oils or any solvents to this mixture. However, there are cases of irregular addition of vegetable and/or waste oils in diesel, mainly due to the low cost of these raw materials when compared to the final or contaminated product during transportation and storage. Thus, analyzes are necessary to provide immediate and efficient responses in order to ensure the quality of the marketed fuels. In this sense, the present study proposed the quality monitoring of biodiesel/diesel blends (7% biodiesel and 93% diesel) through the use of the Medium Infrared Spectrometry associated with Multivariate Control Charts based on the liquid analytical signal (NAS). Biodiesel was produced from macaúba (acrocomia aculeate) and cotton oils using methanol and ethanol. For each model, three charts were developed: the NAS Chart, which corresponds to the analyte of interest (in this case biodiesel); the interfering chart, related to the contributions of other components in the sample (diesel); and the waste chart, corresponding to non-systematic variation in spectra (instrumental noise). A total of 1508 samples were used for the calibration and validation of the six models (ethyl and cotton biodiesel, macaúba almond (acrocomia aculeate) methyl biodiesel, macaúba mesocarp (acrocomia aculeate) methyl and biodiesel, and also commercial B7 biodiesel). At the calibration stage, 103 samples were used within the quality specifications, these samples were used to establish the statistical limits for each chart. The validation step was carried out with samples within and out of the quality specifications (1405 samples). The validation with non-standard quality samples was carried out in two ways: in relation to the biodiesel content in diesel and the presence of adulterants in biodiesel, diesel and blend. The presence of adulterants was due to the partial replacement of biodiesel by soybean, corn and residual oils; the partial replacement of diesel by lubricating oil, kerosene and gasoline; and by direct addition of the adulterants mentioned in the biodiesel/diesel blend (B7) in the range of 3.5 to 43.5% (v/v) corresponding to an adulteration range of 0.2 to 30% (v/v) in the blend. Thus, it was possible to separate the conforming and non-conforming samples, both regarding the biodiesel content in diesel and the presence of adulterants, since the samples within the specifications were within the established limits, and the samples out of the specifications have exceeded the limit in least one of the charts. Thus, the results have showed that the method described in this study is a viable, efficient and fast alternative to the biofuel quality control. / Tese (Doutorado)