Le cancer du sein est marqué par une grande hétérogénéité. C´est une maladie complexe, fortement influencée par l´environnement pourtant, elle dépend aussi d´une accumulation de mutations génétiques associées à la dérégulation épigénétique des voies clés. Les altérations présentes dans le profil d´expression génique observées dans la tumeur, peuvent être le résultat de mécanismes de régulation des gènes à différent niveaux, comme des modifications post-transcriptionnelles menées par le mécanisme d´ARN d´interférence sous forme de microARN (miARN). Ce mécanisme peut conduire au début et développement du cancer aussi bien qu’à la résistance aux thérapies. Les miARN font partie d’une classe d´ARN non-codants qui ont émergé ces dernières années comme l'un des principaux régulateurs de l'expression des gènes par sa capacité à réguler négativement l'activité des ARN messagers (ARNm). L´importance de cette régulation a été observée par la présence de ce type de contrôle dans plusieurs processus biologiques, parmi eux, des voies liées à la prolifération, différentiation et apoptose. Afin de mieux comprendre les mécanismes d’initiation et progression tumorale dans le cancer du sein, nous avons fait une analyse globale de l´expression des miARN, par la technique de microarray, dans la série de lignées cellulaires 21T. Cette série est un modèle in vitro de la progression tumorale, comprenant la lignée 16N, obtenue à partir de l’épithélium normal infecté par des virus HPV-16, les lignées 21PT et 21NT, qui correspondent au carcinome in situ et les lignées 21MT1 et 21MT2 obtenues à partir d´une effusion pleurale métastatique à l’endroit de la métastase. Etant donné que les miARN jouent un rôle dans la régulation de l´apoptose et d´autres mécanismes de réponse aux dommages fait à l´ADN et que l´irradiation dans des formes différentes est couramment utilisée comme outil diagnostique, par exemple dans des mammographies, nous avons évalué l´expression de miARN après avoir soumis les cellules à des irradiations de haute et basse énergie, et au traitement avec de la doxorubicine. Les tests ont été faits sur les lignées non tumorales (MCF-10A et HB-2) et sur les lignées tumorales (MCF-7 et T-47D). On a pu observer que le rayon X de basse énergie est capable de causer des cassures double brin à l´ADN et de conduire les cellules à l´apoptose. Une légère altération dans les profils d´expression des miARN impliqués dans cette voie, comme let-7a, miR-34a et miR-29b, a aussi été remarquée. En ce qui concerne la réponse aux dommages fait à l´ADN, une upregulation dans l´expression de miR-29b, qui sous des conditions physiologiques normales est régulée négativement, a été observée après les traitements. Le microARNome de la série 21 montre une importante sous-expression de miR-205, un enrichissement du facteur pro-métastatique ZEB-1 et une réduction conséquente dans les niveaux d’e-cadherine, observée par western blot, seulement dans les lignées métastatiques (21MT). L´ensemble des résultats, suggèrent que miR-29b peut être un bio-marqueur potentiel du stress génotoxique et que miR-205 peut participer du processus de transition épithélium-mésenchyme et, en outre, quand il est sous-exprimé, peut augmenter le potentiel métastatique des cellules de la série 21T. / Breast tumors are characterized by their high heterogeneity. Breast cancer is a complex disease, which has its development strongly influenced by environmental factors, combined with a progressive accumulation of genetic mutations and epigenetic dysregulation of critical pathways. Changes in gene expression patterns may be a result of a deregulation in epigenetic events as well as in post-transcriptional regulation driven by RNA interference endogenously represented by microRNA (miRNA). These mechanisms are capable to promote the initiation, maintenance and progression of carcinogenesis and are also implicated on the development of therapy resistance. miRNAs form a class of non-coding RNAs, which have emerged in recent years as one of the major regulators of gene expression through its capacity to silence messenger RNAs (mRNAs) containing a partially complementary sequence. The importance of regulation mediated by miRNAs was observed on their ability to regulate a wide range of biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis.To gain insights into the mechanisms involved in breast cancer initiation and progression we conducted a miRNA global expression on 21T series that are an in vitro model of breast cancer progression, comprising cell lines derived from the same patient, which include a normal epithelia (16N), primary in situ ductal carcinoma (21PT and 21NT) and cells derived from pleural effusion of lung metastasis (21MT-1 and 21MT-2). Considering the importance of miRNAs in the regulation of apoptosis, and that irradiation in different spectra is commonly used in diagnostic procedures, as mammography and on radiotherapy, we evaluated the miRNA expression after cell low and high energy irradiation and doxorubicin treatment to determine whether miRNAs are useful biomarkers to detect cell response after DNA damage. The experiments were done on the non-tumoral cell lines MCF-10A and HB-2 and on the breast carcinoma derived cell lines MCF-7 and T-47D. We observed that low energy X-rays is able to promote DNA strand breaks and apoptosis and to slightly change the expression of miRNAs involved on this pathway, such as let-7a, miR-34a and miR-29b. Regarding DNA stress response pathways, an upregulation on miR-29b expression, that in normal conditions is downregulated in tumor cell lines could be observed after all treatments. The microRNAome of 21T series revealed a significant downregulation of miR-205, an enrichment of the pro-metastatic factor ZEB-1, potential target for miR-205 and the consequent reduction of e-cadherin levels in 21MT cells checked by western blot. Our results indicate that miR-29b is a possible biomarker of genotoxic stress and that miR-205 can participate on the metastatic potential of 21T cells.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Os tumores de mama são caracterizados pela sua alta heterogeneidade. O câncer de mama é uma doença complexa, que possui o seu desenvolvimento fortemente influenciado por fatores ambientais, combinada a uma progressiva acumulação de mutações genéticas e desregulação epigenética de vias críticas. Alterações nos padrões de expressão gênica podem ser resultado de uma desregulação no controle de eventos epigenéticos, assim como, na regulação pós-transcricional pelo mecanismo de RNA de interferência endógeno via microRNA (miRNA). Estes eventos são capazes de levar à iniciação, à promoção e à manutenção da carcinogênese, como também ter implicações no desenvolvimento da resistência à terapia Os miRNAs formam uma classe de RNAs não codificantes, que durante os últimos anos surgiram como um dos principais reguladores da expressão gênica, através da sua capacidade de regular negativamente a atividade de RNAs mensageiros (RNAms) portadores de uma seqüencia parcialmente complementar. A importância da regulação mediada por miRNAs foi observada pela capacidade destas moléculas em regular uma vasta gama de processos biológicos incluindo a proliferação celular, diferenciação e a apoptose. Para avaliar a expressão de miRNAs durante a progressão tumoral, utilizamos como modelo experimental a série 21T que compreende 5 linhagens celulares originárias da mesma paciente diagnosticada com um tumor primário de mama do tipo ErbB2 e uma posterior metástase pulmonar. Essa série é composta pela linhagem obtida a partir do tecido normal 16N, pelas linhagens correspondentes ao carcinoma primário 21PT e 21NT e pelas linhagens obtidas um ano após o diagnóstico inicial, a partir da efusão pleural no sítio metastatico 21MT1 e 21MT2. O miRNAoma da série 21T revelou uma redução significativa nos níveis de miR-205 e nos níveis da proteina e-caderina e um enriquecimento do fator pró-metastático ZEB-1 nas células 21MT. Considerando a importância dos miRNAs na regulação da apoptose, e que a irradiação em diferentes espectros é comumente usada em procedimentos de diagnóstico como mamografia e na radioterapia, avaliamos a expressão de miRNAs após irradiação de alta e baixa energia e do tratamento doxorrubicina. Para os ensaios foram utilizados as linhagens não tumorais MCF-10A e HB-2 e as linhagens de carcinoma da mama MCF-7 e T-47D. Observou-se que raios-X de baixa energia são capazes de promover quebras na molécula do DNA e apoptose assim como, alterar sensivelmente miRNAs envolvidos nessas vias como o let-7a, miR-34a e miR-29b. No que diz respeito à resposta a danos genotóxicos, uma regulação positiva sobre a expressão de miR-29b, o qual em condições normais é regulado negativamente foi observada uma regulação positiva sobre miR-29b expressão após todos os tratamentos em células tumorais. Nossos resultados indicam que miR-29b é um possível biomarcador de estresse genotóxico e que miR-205 pode participar no potencial metastático das células 21T. / Breast tumors are characterized by their high heterogeneity. It is a complex disease, which has its development strongly influenced by environmental factors, combined with a progressive accumulation of genetic mutations and epigenetic dysregulation of critical pathways. Changes in gene expression patterns may be a result of a deregulation in epigenetic events as well as in post-transcriptional regulation driven by RNA interference endogenously represented by microRNA (miRNA) these mechanisms are capable to promote the initiation, maintenance and progression of carcinogenesis; they are also implicated on the development of therapy resistance. miRNAs form a class of non-coding RNAs which have emerged in recent years as one of the major regulators of gene expression through its capacity to silence messenger RNAs (mRNAs) containing a partially complementary sequence. The importance of regulation mediated by miRNAs was observed on their ability to regulate a wide range of biological processes including cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis.To gain insights into the mechanisms involved in breast cancer initiation and progression conducted a miRNA global expression on 21T series that are an in vitro model of breast cancer progression comprising cell lines derived from the same patient which include a normal epithelia (16N), primary in situ ductal carcinoma (21PT and 21NT) and cells derived from pleural effusion of lung metastasis (21MT-1 and 21MT-2). Considering the importance of miRNAs in the regulation of apoptosis, and that irradiation in different spectra is commonly used in diagnostic procedures as mammography and on radiotherapy, we evaluate the miRNA expression after cell low and high energy irradiation and doxorubicin treatment to determine whether miRNAs are useful biomarkers to detect cell response after DNA damage. The experiments were done on the non-tumoral cell lines MCF-10A and HB-2 and on the breast carcinoma derived cell lines MCF-7 and T-47D. We observed that of low energy X-rays is able to promote DNA strand breaks and apoptosis and to slightly change the expression of miRNAs involved on this pathway such as let-7a, miR-34a and miR-29b. Regarding DNA stress response pathways an upregulation on miR-29b expression, that in normal conditions is downregulated in tumor cell lines could be observed after all treatments. The microRNAome of 21T series revealed a significant downregulation of miR-205, an enrichment of the prometastatic factor ZEB-1, potential target for miR-205 and the consequent reduction of ecadherin levels in 21MT cells checked by western blot. Our results indicate that miR-29b is biomarkers of genotoxic stress and that miR-205can participate on the metastatic potential of 21T cells.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Os tumores de mama são caracterizados pela sua alta heterogeneidade. O câncer de mama é uma doença complexa, que possui o seu desenvolvimento fortemente influenciado por fatores ambientais, combinada a uma progressiva acumulação de mutações genéticas e desregulação epigenética de vias críticas. Alterações nos padrões de expressão gênica podem ser resultado de uma desregulação no controle de eventos epigenéticos, assim como, na regulação pós-transcricional pelo mecanismo de RNA de interferência endógeno via microRNA (miRNA). Estes eventos são capazes de levar à iniciação, à promoção e à manutenção da carcinogênese, como também ter implicações no desenvolvimento da resistência à terapia Os miRNAs formam uma classe de RNAs não codificantes, que durante os últimos anos surgiram como um dos principais reguladores da expressão gênica, através da sua capacidade de regular negativamente a atividade de RNAs mensageiros (RNAms) portadores de uma seqüencia parcialmente complementar. A importância da regulação mediada por miRNAs foi observada pela capacidade destas moléculas em regular uma vasta gama de processos biológicos incluindo a proliferação celular, diferenciação e a apoptose. Para avaliar a expressão de miRNAs durante a progressão tumoral, utilizamos como modelo experimental a série 21T que compreende 5 linhagens celulares originárias da mesma paciente diagnosticada com um tumor primário de mama do tipo ErbB2 e uma posterior metástase pulmonar. Essa série é composta pela linhagem obtida a partir do tecido normal 16N, pelas linhagens correspondentes ao carcinoma primário 21PT e 21NT e pelas linhagens obtidas um ano após o diagnóstico inicial, a partir da efusão pleural no sítio metastatico 21MT1 e 21MT2. O miRNAoma da série 21T revelou uma redução significativa nos níveis de miR-205 e nos níveis da proteina e-caderina e um enriquecimento do fator pró-metastático ZEB-1 nas células 21MT. Considerando a importância dos miRNAs na regulação da apoptose, e que a irradiação em diferentes espectros é comumente usada em procedimentos de diagnóstico como mamografia e na radioterapia, avaliamos a expressão de miRNAs após irradiação de alta e baixa energia e do tratamento doxorrubicina. Para os ensaios foram utilizados as linhagens não tumorais MCF-10A e HB-2 e as linhagens de carcinoma da mama MCF-7 e T-47D. Observou-se que raios-X de baixa energia são capazes de promover quebras na molécula do DNA e apoptose assim como, alterar sensivelmente miRNAs envolvidos nessas vias como o let-7a, miR-34a e miR-29b. No que diz respeito à resposta a danos genotóxicos, uma regulação positiva sobre a expressão de miR-29b, o qual em condições normais é regulado negativamente foi observada uma regulação positiva sobre miR-29b expressão após todos os tratamentos em células tumorais. Nossos resultados indicam que miR-29b é um possível biomarcador de estresse genotóxico e que miR-205 pode participar no potencial metastático das células 21T. / Breast tumors are characterized by their high heterogeneity. It is a complex disease, which has its development strongly influenced by environmental factors, combined with a progressive accumulation of genetic mutations and epigenetic dysregulation of critical pathways. Changes in gene expression patterns may be a result of a deregulation in epigenetic events as well as in post-transcriptional regulation driven by RNA interference endogenously represented by microRNA (miRNA) these mechanisms are capable to promote the initiation, maintenance and progression of carcinogenesis; they are also implicated on the development of therapy resistance. miRNAs form a class of non-coding RNAs which have emerged in recent years as one of the major regulators of gene expression through its capacity to silence messenger RNAs (mRNAs) containing a partially complementary sequence. The importance of regulation mediated by miRNAs was observed on their ability to regulate a wide range of biological processes including cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis.To gain insights into the mechanisms involved in breast cancer initiation and progression conducted a miRNA global expression on 21T series that are an in vitro model of breast cancer progression comprising cell lines derived from the same patient which include a normal epithelia (16N), primary in situ ductal carcinoma (21PT and 21NT) and cells derived from pleural effusion of lung metastasis (21MT-1 and 21MT-2). Considering the importance of miRNAs in the regulation of apoptosis, and that irradiation in different spectra is commonly used in diagnostic procedures as mammography and on radiotherapy, we evaluate the miRNA expression after cell low and high energy irradiation and doxorubicin treatment to determine whether miRNAs are useful biomarkers to detect cell response after DNA damage. The experiments were done on the non-tumoral cell lines MCF-10A and HB-2 and on the breast carcinoma derived cell lines MCF-7 and T-47D. We observed that of low energy X-rays is able to promote DNA strand breaks and apoptosis and to slightly change the expression of miRNAs involved on this pathway such as let-7a, miR-34a and miR-29b. Regarding DNA stress response pathways an upregulation on miR-29b expression, that in normal conditions is downregulated in tumor cell lines could be observed after all treatments. The microRNAome of 21T series revealed a significant downregulation of miR-205, an enrichment of the prometastatic factor ZEB-1, potential target for miR-205 and the consequent reduction of ecadherin levels in 21MT cells checked by western blot. Our results indicate that miR-29b is biomarkers of genotoxic stress and that miR-205can participate on the metastatic potential of 21T cells.

No description available.

L’arthrose est la pathologie articulaire la plus répandue et, avec l’allongement de l’espérance de vie, sa prévalence ne cesse d’augmenter. Elle se caractérise par une dégénérescence du cartilage articulaire associée à une inflammation synoviale et un remodelage anormal de l’os sous-chondral, qui résultent en une perte progressive de mobilité et des douleurs très handicapantes. Dans le cartilage, le chondrocyte est le seul type cellulaire et il est responsable de la synthèse des composants de la matrice extracellulaire (collagènes, protéoglycanes). Au cours de l’arthrose, le phénotype du chondrocyte est altéré et la balance synthèse/dégradation des composants matriciels est déséquilibrée en faveur de la dégradation du cartilage. Il n’existe actuellement aucun traitement permettant de ralentir efficacement l’évolution du processus arthrosique, de sorte que la recherche de biomarqueurs pertinents et de cibles thérapeutiques potentielles est en pleine effervescence depuis l’explosion de l’étude des microARNs. Les microARNs sont des petits ARNs non codants régulant négativement l’expression des gènes. On estime que 50% des gènes sont potentiellement régulés par les miARNs. Les miARNs semblent impliqués dans tous les processus biologiques majeurs tels que la différenciation cellulaire, l’apoptose ou encore la cancérisation. Ces petits ARN non codants sont donc des biomarqueurs potentiels très intéressants. Au cours de ces travaux de thèse l’implication des miARN dans la régulation du phénotype chondrocytaire a été étudiée. A partir d’un modèle de perte du phénotype chondrocytaire différencié, provoquée par des repiquages successifs ou une stimulation par l’IL-1β les variations du profil d’expression des miARNs ont été analysées par l’utilisation de puces dédiées. Ces données ont permis de mettre en évidence 43 miARNs candidats dont le cluster miR-23~27b~24-1 et miR-29b. L’étude de la régulation de la production différentielle des miARNs de ce cluster a été entreprise, sans que nous parvenions toutefois à apporter une réponse formelle sur les mécanismes impliqués. Néanmoins, nous avons identifié miR-29b comme un régulateur négatif de l’expression du gène codant Col-IIa1 au cours de la perte du phénotype différencié, ainsi que chez les chondrocytes « arthrosiques ». Enfin, comme il a été montré au laboratoire que l’équilibre entre les concentrations extracellulaires de pyrophosphate/phosphate inorganique (ePi/ePPi) était essentiel au maintien du phénotype chondrocytaire différencié, nous nous sommes intéressés à la régulation des gènes codant les acteurs protéiques impliqués dans cette balance (ANK, PC1, Pit-1 et TNAP). A partir de prédictions de cibles par analyse in silico, un panel de 4 miARNs candidats a été établi : let7e, miR-9, miR-188 et miR-219. Nos travaux avec des systèmes rapporteurs ont démontré l’implication de miR-9 en tant que régulateur négatif de l’expression des gènes PC-1, Pit-1 et TNAP, de façon cohérente ou non avec les prédictions bio-informatiques. / Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most frequent joint disease and its prevalence still grows with the increase in lifespan. OA is characterized by articular cartilage degeneration, together with synovitis and abnormal subchondral bone remodeling, leading to progressive loss of mobility and pain. Chondrocyte is the unique cell type in cartilage which accounts for the synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) components (collagens, proteoglycans). During OA, chondrocyte phenotype is altered and the balance between ECM synthesis and degradation is impaired towards cartilage degradation. To date no treatment can efficiently reduce OA progression so that the search for reliable biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets is very active, particularly since the discovery of microRNAs. miRNAs are estimated to regulate 50% of cellular genes. They contribute to major cellular processes such as cell differentiation, apoptosis or tumorigenesis. Therefore, miRNAs are interesting putative biomarkers. During this PhD thesis, we studied the contribution of miARNs to the control of chondrocyte phenotype. Using a model of chondrocyte differentiated phenotype loss induced by extensive subculturing or IL-1β challenge we studied changes in miRNAs profile with microarrays. We determined a panel of 43 varying miRNA including the miR-23~27b~24-1 cluster and miR-29b. The differential production of miRNAs from this cluster has been investigated, but we didn’t succeed in identifying the underlying mechanisms. However, we identified miR-29b as a negative post-transcriptional regulator of Col-IIa1 during differentiated phenotype loss and OA. Finally, as equilibrium between extracellular levels of inorganic phosphate and pyrophosphate (ePi/ePPi) was previously shown in the laboratory to be crucial for the maintenance of a differentiated chondrocyte phenotype, we studied the regulation of the genes encoding the 4 proteins regulating this balance (ANK, PC1, Pit-1 and TNAP). From in silico analysis, we selected a panel of 4 miRNAs: let7e, miR-9, miR-188 and miR-219. Using reporter assays, we showed that miR-9 was a negative regulator of PC-1, Pit-1 and TNAP, according or not to bioinformatics prediction