Le traitement du cancer à l’aide d’une exposition aux radiations ionisantes peut mener au développement de plusieurs effets secondaires importants, dont un retard de réparation et de régénération du tissu hématopoïétique. Les mécanismes responsables de ces effets demeurent encore inconnus, ce qui limite le développement de nouvelles approches thérapeutiques. À l’aide d’un modèle murin de prise de greffe, nos résultats démontrent que l’endommagement du microenvironnement par l’irradiation a un impact limitant sur le nichage hématopoïétique. Parce que le microenvironnement est composé principalement de cellules dérivées des cellules souches mésenchymateuses (CSM), nous avons évalué le potentiel des CSM à régénérer le tissu hématopoïétique par la reconstitution de la niche osseuse. Cette thérapie a mené à une augmentation remarquable du nichage hématopoïétique chez les souris irradiées. Les causes moléculaires impliquées dans le nichage hématopoïétiques sont encore inconnues, mais nous avons remarqué l’augmentation de la sécrétion de la cytokine « granulocyte-colony stimulating factor » (G-CSF) dans l’espace médullaire suite à l’irradiation. Le G-CSF est impliqué dans la mobilisation cellulaire et est fort possiblement nuisible à une prise de greffe. Nous avons évalué le potentiel d’une thérapie à base de CSM sécrétant le récepteur soluble du G-CSF afin de séquestrer le G-CSF transitoirement et les résultats obtenus démontrent que le blocage du G-CSF favorise le nichage hématopoïétique. Globalement, les données présentées dans ce mémoire démontrent que le microenvironnement osseux et le niveau de G-CSF dans la moelle sont importants dans le processus de nichage hématopoïétique et que la baisse du potentiel de régénération du tissu hématopoïétique suite à l’irradiation peut être renversée à l’aide d’une thérapie cellulaire de CSM génétiquement modifiées ou non. / Cancer treatment using ionizing radiation may lead to significant side effects, including delayed hematopoietic tissue repair and regeneration. The mechanisms mediating these defects remain unknown, thus limiting the development of new therapeutic approaches. Using a mouse engraftment model, our results show that microenvironment damage by irradiation limits hematopoietic homing. Since the microenvironment is mainly composed of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-derived cells, we evaluated the potential of MSCs to improve hematopoietic tissue regeneration by bone marrow niche reconstitution. This therapy led to remarkable enhancement of hematopoietic homing in irradiated mice. The molecular causes involved in hematopoietic homing remain unknown, but we noticed an increased in “granulocyte-colony stimulating factor” (G-CSF) secretion within the medullary space after irradiation. G-CSF is involved in cellular mobilization and may possibly be harmful to engraftment. We evaluated the therapeutical potential of MSC genetically-engineered to secrete a soluble G-CSF decoy receptor that would transiently sequester G-CSF. Results obtained show that G-CSF blocking improved hematopoietic homing. Overall, the findings presented in this thesis indicate that bone marrow microenvironment and G-CSF levels are important in hematopoietic homing process, and that the decline in hematopoietic tissue regeneration potential following irradiation can be reversed by cellular therapy using MSC genetically modified or not.

The thesis deals with brownfields in the Podkletí micro municipalities cluster. In the theoretical part, the work focuses on the basic terminology associated with the topic of the thesis, describes the most significant obstacles to the brownfields revitalization and different approaches in addressing this issue in the Czech Republic and in the selected foreign countries. Additionally, an overview of financial instruments to support the revitalization of brownfields, or reconversion, and methods of work are included. The analytical part contains characteristics of all identified brownfield sites in the Podkletí micro municipalities cluster. Based on the brownfield analyses and the given microenvironment, the particular sites are assessed according to their chances of an easy and fast recovery and readiness for the revitalization carried out by the small businesses. All brownfields are also evaluated in terms of their potential for different types of small and medium enterprises.

Connaître en temps réel la réponse et le comportement des cellules et organismes modèles suite à des changements de leur environnement, ou à des modulations de leurs fonctions biologiques est devenu essentiel dans les sciences du vivant. Ces réponses nous permettent ensuite de comprendre les mécanismes qui régissent le fonctionnement des cellules vivantes, avec des implications en recherche fondamentale, appliquée et biomédicale. Un des plus gros défis technologiques reste le contrôle des paramètres environnementaux en microscopie haute résolution. De nos jours, aucun système ne permet de réguler un ensemble complexe de paramètres de manière précise, dynamique et simultanée tout en observant les cellules dans leur environnement. L’objectif de ma thèse est de mettre au point un tel dispositif permettant a minima une régulation fine de la température, de la composition du milieu, et notamment de la concentration de divers drogues. Ce système doit être compatible avec les applications les plus poussées en microscopie photonique. Mon approche au cours de ma thèse pour élaborer un tel système est l’utilisation de la microfluidique. En effet, c’est la seule technologie qui puisse de réaliser un tel multiplexage. Elle permet de manipuler des petites quantités de fluide à travers un système contenant des canaux de dimensions allant du micromètre au centimètre. Cet ordre de grandeur des canaux constitue un atout majeur (réduction de la consommation des réactifs, réduction des couts, cinétiques des réactions chimiques et biologiques élevées, temps de diffusion court, etc.) et permet d’allier les expériences biologiques à la microscopie. Mon objectif est de concevoir une puce microfluidique qui représentera un pas technologique majeur et ouvrira de nouvelles possibilités de recherche. / Monitoring in real-time the response of cells and model organisms to the changes in their environment or to modulations of their biological functions has become essential in life sciences. One of the main technical challenges for biologists is the precise and dynamic control of various environmental parameters while doing high-resolution microscopy. My thesis consists of building a robust and versatile system, dedicated to live-cell imaging that will be compatible with adherent and non adherent models, that could provide a precise and simultaneous control of 1) the temperature, 2) the media exchanges and 3) the drug concentration while doing photonic microscopy. My approach is to use microfluidics, which is the best candidate in order to achieve this system and provides all the necessary controls of micro-scaled volumes for culturing, maintaining or analyzing cells. It produces miniaturized systems used as tools for biological experiments, in which channels of a micro-scaled dimension are used for the fluid circulation. The laminar flow in these chips allows fast molecule diffusion as well as fast temperature diffusion. Because of the high surface to volume ratio, the consumption of reagents is reduced, and media switches can be fast. This system will represent a major technical and beneficial step and will open new possibilities of research in biology.

O câncer de ovário é uma importante causa de mortalidade. O subtipo seroso de alto grau é o mais frequente e caracteriza-se por comportamento agressivo, com crescimento rápido e metástase precoce. A falta de ferramentas para diagnóstico em estádios iniciais e a insuficiência de resposta à quimioterapia convencional são dois principais obstáculos para o manejo do câncer seroso de ovário. A detecção precoce neste tumor é complicada por sintomas inespecíficos e ausência de biomarcadores confiáveis. Além disso, o desenvolvimento de resistência à quimioterapia é um desafio para o tratamento, que é geralmente baseado na combinação de platina e paclitaxel. A influência do microambiente tumoral na resposta terapêutica ainda é pouco conhecida. No entanto, há evidências crescentes de que a resposta imunológica pré-existente pode estar relacionada com a variação da sensibilidade à quimioterapia. O microambiente imunorreativo foi associado à melhor prognóstico no câncer do ovário seroso de alto grau em recente estudo canadense. Proteínas da família de Transdutores de Sinal e Ativadores da Transcrição (STATs) participam da regulação de citocinas e são determinantes nas respostas imunes no microambiente tumoral, podendo promover ou inibir o crescimento tumoral. Dados recentes mostram que a expressão elevada de um dos reguladores de STAT, STAT1 atua na tumorigênese do câncer de ovário, facilitando a resposta imune e, potencialmente, alterando a resposta à quimioterapia. Para avaliar o papel da expressão de STAT1 como biomarcador preditivo em 65 pacientes brasileiras com câncer seroso de ovário, examinamos os níveis de STAT1 por imunoistoquímica, e analisamos se houve correlação entre expressão dessa proteína e resposta clínica. Alta expressão de STAT1 foi significativamente associada maior intervalo livre de doença (P=0,0256) e maior sobrevida global (P=0,0193). Estes achados da coorte brasileira, com tempo de seguimento maior que cinco anos, confirmam a associação entre alta expressão de STAT1 e melhor resposta à quimioterapia, e fornecem validação adicional desta proteína como um biomarcador preditivo. Além disso, estes resultados chamam atenção para a possibilidade de utilizar a via de STAT1 para o desenvolvimento de novos medicamentos imunomoduladores, que poderiam melhorar a resposta ao tratamento / Ovarian cancer is a major cause of mortality worldwide. The most frequent subtype is high grade serous, which is characterized by aggressive behavior with rapid growth and early metastasis. Lack of early diagnostic tools and failure of response to conventional chemotherapies are two major impediments to serous ovarian cancer management. Early detection in initial stages is complicated by non-specific symptoms and lack of reliable biomarkers. In addition, development of chemotherapy resistance is a challenge for treatment, which is generally based on combination of platinum and paclitaxel. The influence of the microenvironment of the tumor on therapeutic response is still unknown. However, there is increasing evidence that a pre-existing immunological response may be related to variation in chemotherapy sensitivity. The immunoreactive microenvironment has been shown to be associated with better prognosis in high grade serous ovarian cancer in a recent Canadian study. The Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) proteins regulate cytokines and are central in determining whether immune responses in the tumor microenvironment promote or inhibit cancer. Recent data show that high expression of one of the STAT regulators, STAT1, operates in ovarian cancer tumorigenesis, facilitating immune response and potentially altering response to chemotherapy. To evaluate the role of STAT1 expression as a predictive biomarker in 65 Brazilian serous ovarian cancer patients, we examined STAT1 levels by immunohistochemistry to determine if there was correlation between expression of this protein and clinical response. High expression of STAT1 was significantly associated with both improved disease-free survival (P=0,0256) and overall survival (P=0,0193). These findings from a Brazilian cohort after more than five years of follow up confirm the association of high STAT1 expression with better response to chemotherapy, and provide additional validation of this protein as a predictive biomarker. Moreover these results draw attention to the possibility of utilizing the STAT1 pathway for the development new immunomodulator drugs, that could enhance response to treatment

INTRODUÇÃO: O carcinoma ductal in situ da mama é o estágio final antes do carcinoma ductal invasivo (CDI) no processo de carcinogênese mamária. As semelhanças histológicas, moleculares e imunoistoquímicas do epitélio nestas duas lesões tornaram improvável que o epitélio fosse o único responsável pelo processo de invasão estromal. Ao mesmo tempo, foram identificadas importantes alterações nas características do microambiente mamário durante esta transição. As células mioepiteliais, componente do microambiente e cuja rotura determina o diagnóstico histológico do carcinoma invasivo, tem papel direto ou indireto neste processo. A fim de predizer esse risco de invasão, propomos que as características das células mioepiteliais sejam investigadas em conjunto com as características intrínsecas do epitélio neoplásico. OBJETIVOS: Determinar os fatores morfológicos e moleculares das células epiteliais e os marcadores das células mioepiteliais do microambiente em carcinomas ductais in situ da mama relacionados ao risco de invasão estromal. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados retrospectivamente 236 casos consecutivos com diagnóstico inicial de CDIS seguidos de ressecção cirúrgica na Divisão de Anatomia Patológica da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo no período de janeiro de 2000 a dezembro de 2009, divididos nos grupos 1 (CDIS puro, 90 casos) e 2 (CDIS associado a carcinoma invasor, 146 casos). Blocos de microarranjos de tecido foram construídos com áreas representativas dos CDIS e CDI que foram, então, classificados nos perfis moleculares de acordo com o seu perfil imunoistoquímico. Os marcadores mioepiteliais (vimentina, AML, calponina, p63, CK5/6, SMMHC, CD10) foram avaliados de acordo com a expressão imunoistoquímica baixa ou alta. RESULTADOS: Os perfis moleculares dos componentes in situ e invasivo da mesma lesão foram semelhantes. Os CDIS de baixo grau histológico, em comparação aos CDIS de alto grau, apresentaram maior número de casos com perfil molecular luminal (143 vs. 18) e menor proporção de casos luminal/HER2-positivo (6 vs. 11), HER2 (4 vs. 27) e triplo-negativo (3 vs. 22). Os CDIS no grupo 1, em relação aos CDIS no grupo 2, tiveram maior proporção de casos com expressão de receptores hormonais (84.4% vs. 71,2%) menor expressão de HER2 (76,7% vs. 81,5%), mais perfis moleculares luminal/HER2-positivo (12,2% vs. 4,1%) e menos perfis triplo-negativos (4,4% vs. 14,4%). A expressão de CK5/6 nas células epiteliais do CDIS teve maior proporção entre o subtipo HER2 (34,5%), seguido pelo triplo-negativo (25%), luminal/HER2- negativo (15,4%) e luminal/HER2-positivo (12,5%). A expressão de CK5/6 foi maior nas células epiteliais dos CDIS do grupo 1 em relação aos CDIS do grupo 2 (30,6% vs. 11,3%). A expressão alta de SMMHC nas células mioepiteliais associou-se mais frequentemente aos CDIS do grupo 1 (88,2%) em relação aos CDIS do grupo 2 (11,8%), e esta diferença manteve-se tanto nos CDIS de baixo grau (85,7%) quanto nos de alto grau histológico (92,3%). A expressão baixa de CD10 nas células mioepiteliais associou-se mais frequentemente aos CDIS do grupo 2 (95,6%) em relação aos CDIS do grupo 1 (4,4%), e esta diferença manteve-se tanto nos CDIS de baixo grau (96,4%) quanto nos de alto grau histológico (94,1%). Não houve diferença na expressão de marcadores mioepiteliais de acordo com o perfil molecular baseado na imunoistoquímica. CONCLUSÕES: O risco de invasão estromal em CDIS está associado ao perfil molecular triplo-negativo e à perda de expressão do marcador CD10 pelas células mioepiteliais e é inversamente proporcional à expressão de CK5/6 pelas células neoplásicas e à forte expressão do marcador SMMHC nas células mioepiteliais / INTRODUCTION: Ductal carcinoma in situ is the last step preceding invasive ductal carcinoma in breast carcinogenesis. Histologic, molecular and immunohistochemistry similarities in epithelium of these components make improbable that epithelial changes are sole responsible for the stromal invasion. At the same time important changes were identified in mammary microenvironment during this transition. Myoepithelial cells, components of microenvironment and which rupture is the histological definition of stromal invasion, have a direct or indirect role in this process. We propose an associated investigation of myoepithelial cells and intrinsic neoplastic epithelium caracteristics in view of predict the risk of stromal invasion. OBJECTIVES: To determinate morphologic and molecular factors of epithelial cells and microenvironment myoepithelial cell markers related to stromal invasion risk in ductal carcinomas in situ of the breast. METHODS: 236 cases with initial diagnosis of DCIS followed by surgical ressection were retrospectively selected from Division of Surgical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Sao Paulo University from january 2000 to december 2009, divided in groups 1 (pure DCIS, 90 cases) and 2 (DCIS associated with invasive carcinoma, 146 cases). Tissue microarrays were constructed with selected areas of DCIS and IDC and those were then classificated in molecular subgroups according to its immunohistochemistry profile. Myoepithelial markers (vimentin, smooth muscle actin, calponin, p63, CK5/6, SMMHC, CD10) were avaliated according to its high or low immunohistochemistry expression. RESULTS: Molecular profiles of in situ and invasive components of the same tumor were similar. Low-grade DCIS showed more luminal profiles than highgrade DCIS (143 vs. 18), and less luminal/HER2-positive (6 vs. 11), HER2 (4 vs. 27) and triple-negative (3 vs. 22) profiles. Group 1 DCIS, compared to group 2 DCIS, showed more cases with hormonal receptor expression (84.4% vs. 71.2%), less expression of HER2 (76.7% vs. 81.5%), more luminal/HER2-positive (12.2% vs. 4.1%) and less triple-negative profiles (4.4% vs. 14.4%). CK5/6 expression in epithelial cells was more frequent in HER2 (34.5%) subtype followed by triple-negative (25%), luminal/HER2-negative (15.4%) and luminal/HER2-positive (12.5%). Epithelial cells in group 1 DCIS showed more CK5/6 expression than cells in group 2 DCIS (30.6% vs. 11.3%). High expression of SMMHC in myoepithelial cells was more frequent in group 1 DCIS (88.2%) than group 2 DCIS (11.8%) and this pattern was also mantained in low-grade DCIS (85.7%) and high-grade DCIS (92.3%). Low expression of CD10 in myoepithelial cells was more frequent in group 2 DCIS (95.6%) than group 1 DCIS (4.4%) and this pattern was also mantained in low-grade (96.4%) and high-grade DCIS (94.1%). There was no significant difference in expression of myoepithelial cells according to molecular profile classified by immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSIONS: Stromal invasion risk in DCIS is associated with triple-negative profile, CD10 expression loss in myoepithelial cells and inversely correlated with CK5/6 expression in neoplastic cells and high expression of SMMHC in myoepithelial cells

Um dos temas modernos em fotoquímica em soluções aquosas é a observação de prototropismo de estados eletrônicos excitados. Resumidamente, moléculas orgânicas contendo grupamentos ácido-base quando excitadas, e cujo tempo de vida do estado excitado seja longo o suficiente, reações competitivas de transferência de prótons com as do processo de relaxação poderão ocorrer. No caso de aumento de acidez os compostos são denominados fotoácidos e no contrário fotobases. Este fenômeno é atribuído a um estado isoeletrônico da molécula no estado fundamental tendo sido descritos variações de até sete unidades de pKa. Do ponto de vista da investigação Físico-Química o estudo da circunvizinhança, na qual as espécies excitadas percorrem uma superfície de potencial seja na direção da reassociação seja na da ionização com posterior solvatação das mesmas, fornece uma importante ferramenta de análise de propriedades de micro ambiente. Esta possibilidade advém das excelentes propriedades espectrais dos grupos cromofóricos desta classe de compostos o que facilita o monitoramento das espécies transientes adicionado ao estágio técnico atual de medidas ultra-rápidas. Neste estudo enfocamos o estudo de derivados de quinolina (fotobase), contendo grupos passíveis de reação de polimerização. Os derivados 3-alil-2-metilquinolin-4-ol (HIQ) e 3-alil-4-cloro-2-metilquinolina (CLQ) foram preparados e as propriedades fotoprototrópicas determinadas. O primeiro monômero comporta-se como fotobase ou fotoácido dependendo do pH do meio que este se encontra e o CLQ como fotobase. Na seqüência tentamos obter polímeros do HIQ e CLQ, porém não se obteve um resultado positivo devido a dificuldade da polimerização de grupos alil inclusive por via eletroquímica. Em seqüência prosseguimos à determinação das propriedades fotoquímicas e fotofísicas de derivados de di-naftalimidas, devido às inúmeras aplicações destes compostos em novos materiais. Propriedades destas ftalimidas são em geral devidas à conjugação dos elétrons do grupo imida aos do anel naftalênico. Esta conjugação confere uma alto grau de planaridade aos derivados, de forma que a solvatação é dificultada. Observa-se via de regra espectros tanto de absorção como de emissão de fluorescência com alta resolução vibrônica seja nas transições S0-S1 ou S0-S2. Os efeitos espectroscópicos esperados de solventes devem ser função das cadeias laterais nos grupos imidas. Neste contexto foram preparados vários derivados para uso como sondas. Foram estudados sete compostos: N,N\'-n-butil-1,4,5,8-di-naftalimida (BUNDI); N,N\'-(2-cloro-etileno)-1,4,5,8-di-naftalimida (CLNDI); N,N\'-(2-bromo-etileno)-1,4,5,8-di-naftalimida (BRNDI); N,N\'-2-hidroxietileno-1,4,5,8-di-naftalimida (OHNDI); N,N\'-(N,N\'-dimetiletilenodiamina)-1,4,5,8-di-naftalimida (DMNDI); N,N\'-amino-1,4,5,8-di-naftalimida(DANDI) e N,N\'-1,4,5,8-di-naftalimida (NDI). Os derivados aqui estudados responderam de forma excelente às expectativas levando seja à formação de dímeros e agregados seja a alterações nas intensidades e relações das bandas vibrônicas (excitação e emissão) das transições S0-S1. Demonstra-se aqui a excelente qualidade destes compostos como repórteres do próprio estado de suas moléculas como do meio circunvizinho. / Excited state proto transfer reactions in aqueous media is among current themes in photochemistry research. Shortly, organic molecules having acid or basic groups and presenting excited state lifetimes long enough, competitive prototropic reactions can occur. This phenomenon is attributed to an isoelectronic state of the ground state molecule and up to seven units of pKa changes have been described. From the Physical Chemistry investigation viewpoint the study of the neighborhood where the excited species have a potential surface to describe either for the re association reaction or for the ionization followed by solvation, presents an important tool for the analysis of the microenvironment. This feature arises from the optimal spectral properties of the chromophoric groups of this class of compounds, which facilitates monitoring transient species as well by the current technology standards. In this work focused a photobase derivative from quinoline having a suitable polymerizable group. The 3-allyl-2-methylquinolin-4-ol (HIQ) and the 3-allyl-4-chloro-2-methylquinoline (CLQ) were synthesized and their photoprotrtopic behavior determined. The first compound shows both photoacid and photobase character as a function of the solution pH whereas CLQ is a photobase. Following attempts to obtain polymers were unsuccessful either using electrochemical routes. Given the several applications of di-naphthalimides as new materials, photochemical and photophysical of some derivatives were determined. The properties of these phthalimides arise from the conjugation of the imide electrons with vicinal naphthalic ring. This conjugation confers a high planarity degree and hindering the chromophore solvation. Accordingly high vibronic resolution is observed in both excitation and emission spectra either in the S0-S1 or S0-S2 transitions. Expected solvent spectroscopic effects are thus due to the radical N-imide groups. In this subject several di-imides derivatives were prepared for the use as medium probes. Seven compounds were investigated: N,N\'-n-butyl-1,4,5,8-di-naphthalimide (BUNDI; N,N\'-(2-chloroethylene)-1,4,5,8-di-naphthalimide (CLNDI); N,N\'-(2-bromoethylene) )-1,4,5,8-di-naphthalimide (BRNDI), N,N\'-2-hydroxiethylene-1,4,5,8-di-naphthalimide (OHNDI); N,N\'-(N,N\'-dimethylethylenodiamine)-1,4,5,8-di-naphthtalimide (DMNDI); N,N\'-amine-1,4,5,8-di-naphthalimide (DANDI) and N,N\'-1,4,5,8-di-naphthalimide (NDI). The derivatives studied fully satisfied the expectations leading to either a dimer and aggregate formation or to changes in the intensities or in the vibronic bands intensities relationships (excitation and emission) of the S0-S1 transitions. Here it is shown the excellent quality of these molecules as self and microenvironment probes.

No câncer de mama, o metabolismo tumoral, ação dos moduladores de estrógenos são fatores que podem influenciar as células dendríticas (DCs). Neste trabalho avaliou o fenótipo de DCs em amostras tumorais, a diferenciação de DCs a partir de células mononucleares do sangue periférico (PBMCs) das pacientes e comparou com voluntárias saudáveis. Os resultados mostraram que há alteração na capacidade de geração, no fenótipo, na capacidade aloestimuladora, maior produção de interleucina 10 e expressão de HSP27 nas DCs de pacientes, comparadas com as DCs de voluntárias saudáveis que produzem mais Interferon-gama. A via p38MAPK parece ser importante na diferenciação de PBMCs em DCs, entretanto, estímulos estressantes podem ativar esta via e induzir a síntese de HSP27 inibindo este processo. O tratamento com tamoxifeno parece modular a expressão de algumas moléculas de membrana. Desta forma, os resultados sugerem que as DCs diferenciadas de pacientes com câncer de mama apresentam alterações fenotípicas e funcionais causadas pelo microambiente tumoral. / In breast cancer, the tumor metabolism, the action of estrogens antagonists can influence dendritic cells (DC) generation. The aim of this work was to evaluate the frequency of DCs in tumor tissue and the differentiation of DCs derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and compared the phenotypic and functionally of these cells from healthy individuals and breast cancer patients. The results showed that patients PBMCs were unable to generate phenotypicaly, functionally mature DCs and presented larger production of interleukin 10 and higher expression of HSP27 when compared with healthy volunteers\' DCs, presented higher production of Interferon-gamma. The p38 MAPK signaling pathway seems to be important in PBMCs differentiation into DCs, and its activation by stress can induce the synthesis of HSP27, that inhibits DC generation. The tamoxifen treatment caused modulation of membrane DC markers expression. Therefore, these results show that patients\' DCs present phenotypic and functional alterations which can be caused by tumor microenvironment.

Das Knochenmarkmikromilieu produziert eine Reihe von unterschiedlichen Wachstumsfaktoren, die für das maligne Wachstum und die Medikamentenresistenz von Myelomzellen von grosser Bedeutung sind. Einer der wichtigsten Faktoren, der in manchen experimentellen Systemen sogar als essentiell für das Wachstum und Überleben von Myelomzellen beschrieben wurde, ist Interleukin-6. Aus diesem Grund könnte die Entwicklung von Substanzen, die die Wirkung von IL-6 oder dem IL-6 Rezeptor inhibieren von Bedeutung für die Therapie des Myeloms sein. In dieser Arbeit wurde die Wirkung des IL-6 Rezeptorantagonisten SANT7 auf das Überleben der IL-6 abhängigen Myelomzellinie INA-6 sowie primären Myelomzellen in Gegenwart oder Abwesenheit von primären humanen Knochenmarkstromazellen (KMSZ) untersucht. Von besonderem Interesse war hierbei die Frage ob SANT7 die wachstumsinhibitorische Wirkung von Dexamethson (Dex) und All-Trans-Retinolsäure (ATRA) verstärken kann. Keine der drei Substanzen, SANT7 eingeschlossen, konnte bei alleiniger Applikation in Gegenwart von primären humanen KMSZ eine nennenswerte Wachstumsinhibition induzieren. Wenn jedoch Dex und ATRA mit SANT7 kombiniert wurden konnte sowohl in INA-6 als auch primären Myelomzellen eine starke Wachstumsinhibition erzielt werden. Dieser Effekt beruht sowohl auf Apoptose als auch eines Zellzyklusarrests. / The bone marrow microenvironment produces a number of different survival factors that are important for the malignant growth and drug resistance of multiple myeloma (MM) cells. One of the main factors reported to be essential for survival and growth of MM cells in some experimental systems is interleukin-6 (IL-6). Therefore, the development and testing of substances that interfere with IL-6 or IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) function might have a potential therapeutic value for the treatment of multiple myeloma. In this work the effect of the IL-6 receptor antagonist SANT7 on growth and survival of the IL-6 dependent MM cell lines INA-6 as well as primary MM cells in the presence or absence of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) was analyzed. Of particular interest was the question whether SANT7 might enhance the growth inhibitory effects of dexamethasone (Dex) and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). None of the drugs, when tested as a single substance, including SANT7, induced major growth inhibition if MM cells were co-cultured with primary human BMSCs. However, if Dex and ATRA were given in combination with SANT7 a strong growth inhibition was achieved in INA-6 and primary MM cells. This effect is due to cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis.

Afin de mieux comprendre les bases physiopathologiques des tumeurs osseuses des mâchoires, nous avons étudié deux modèles de tumeurs associées à des mutations génétiques connues : la tumeur kératokystique odontogène (TKO), liée à la mutation de PTCH1, et le chérubinisme, lié à la mutation de SH3BP2. Au regard des travaux d’oncogénétique, nous formulons l’hypothèse que le développement des tumeurs ostéolytiques bénignes des mâchoires de l’enfant et leur agressivité repose sur un mécanisme génétique. Nous avons montré que la présence d’une mutation de PTCH1 (germinale avec syndrome de Gorlin) dans les TKO était un facteur de mauvais pronostic, stimulant un centre tumoral secondaire, responsable de lésions à distance, mais que cette agressivité pouvait aussi être liée à des mécanismes inflammatoires. Dans le chérubinisme, nous avons montré que la mutation était responsable du phénotype, mais que le type de mutation n’influençait pas le pronostic ni l’agressivité. L’agressivité tumorale est liée au phénotype des cellules géantes multinucléées (cellules myéloïdes à différenciation macrophagique ou ostéoclastique). Nous avons montré, que le modèle murin ne pouvait pas s’appliquer à la pathologie humaine, avec notamment un rôle très secondaire du TNF-α. Enfin nous avons démontré le rôle important de NFATc1 dans la physiopathologie du chérubinisme qui nous a permis de proposer, le tacrolimus, comme le premier agent thérapeutique efficace. Nos résultats suggèrent que les mutations induisent la pathologie et que les changements du microenvironnement (liés à la flore buccale ou à l’éruption dentaire) entretiennent la pathologie. / To determine pathophysiological bases of jawbone tumors, we studied two genetic models of jawbone tumors: keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KOT) associated to PTCH1 mutation and cherubism associated to SH3BP2 mutation. From oncogenetic theory, we postulate that genetic background controls the development of benign children jawbone tumors. From our work, we demonstrated that PTCH1 mutation (germline mutation in Gorlin syndrome) was an unfavorable prognosis factor for KOT, leading to distant and independent daughter tumors. Moreover, we showed, that chorionic inflammation was associated with a high recurrence rate. In cherubism, SH3BP2 mutation produced cherubism phenotype, but the type of mutation did not affect the aggressiveness of the disease. Cherubism aggressiveness was determined by the phenotype of giant multinucleated cells (whether osteoclasts or macrophages). Furthermore, we showed that murine model could not be transposed to human pathology; indeed it appeared that TNF- α did not play a critical role in human cherubism. On the other side, we showed that NFATc1 played a crucial role in cherubism pathophysiology; this observation allowed us to propose, the tacrolimus, as an effective treatment for this disease. Our results suggest that genetic background induced tumor development, and that microenvironment changes (due to flora of the oral cavity and to teeth eruptions) are responsible to the maintenance and the progression of the disease.

Au cours de ma thèse, je me suis intéressée à une population cellulaire rare et peu étudiée de l’épithélium intestinal ; les cellules tuft. La fonction de ces cellules fut longtemps débattue dans la littérature, jusqu’à ce que nous découvrions leur fonction dans l’initiation de la réponse immune de type II en réponse à une infection parasitaire. De manière intéressante, ces cellules sont présentes de manière massive et transitoire au sein des lésions adénomateuses précoces et certains groupes ont suggéré l’implication de ces cellules en tant que cellules souches tumorales. Les principaux objectifs de ma thèse ont été de déterminer le rôle des cellules tuft au cours de la tumorigenèse intestinale et colorectale.Nous avons montré que l’absence de cellules tuft impacte le processus de tumorigenèse à la fois dans l’intestin grêle, dans des souris de la lignée Apc14/+, et au niveau du colon, après traitement avec un agent carcinogène. Nos données indiquent que si les cellules tuft n’agissent pas en tant que cellules souches tumorales, leur absence impacte certaines populations de cellules immunitaires. Afin de déterminer les mécanismes permettant aux cellules tuft de moduler le microenvironnement immunitaire, nous avons identifié par analyse transcriptomique de cellules tuft isolées par cytométrie en flux, des gènes codant pour des médiateurs connus pour être impliqués dans la communication avec le système immunitaire. Des analyses in-vivo, permettront de valider d’un point de vue fonctionnel l’implication de ces médiateurs immunitaires dans la fonction immuno-régulatrice des cellules tuft ainsi que dans le développement tumoral.L’ensemble de ces travaux a permis d’identifier une fonction immuno-régulatrice des cellules tuft au cours d’une infection parasitaire, mais aussi très probablement lors du développement tumoral. La compréhension des mécanismes permettant aux cellules tuft de moduler certaines populations de cellules immunitaires permettra d’identifier des cibles d’intérêt thérapeutique potentiel pour le traitement de patients atteints d’un cancer colorectal. / I focused my PhD project on a scare epithelial cell population referred as tuft cells. Their function has been debated for decades in the literature, until we discovered their crucial role in the initiation of the so-called type-2 immune response following parasitic infection. Interestingly, tuft cells are present in early adenomatous intestinal lesions and literature suggested that these cells could act as cancer stem cells. The main objective of my PhD was to determine the tuft cell function during intestinal and colorectal cancer.We showed that tuft cells deficiency impacts both intestinal and colorectal tumorigenesis process, using Apc14/+ mouse strain and chemically induced carcinogenesis model, respectively. Our data indicate that tuft cells are not cancer stem cells, but that these cells are able to regulate immune cell populations. To get more insights into mechanisms allowing tuft cells to modulate the immune microenvironment, we identified, by transcriptomic analysis of FACS-isolated tuft cells, specific genes encoding mediators involved in the crosstalk with the immune system. Functional in-vivo validation of the most relevant candidates will identify tuft cells derived factors crucial for the immune-regulatory tuft cell function and for tumor development.This work allowed to highlight the immune-regulatory function of tuft cells during parasitic infection and likely during tumor development. A better knowledge of the mechanisms allowing tuft cells to shape either a pro- or an anti-tumoral microenvironment, will potentially paves the way for new therapeutic strategies regarding intestinal and colorectal tumorigenesis.