La différentiation des lymphocytes Th17 dépend fortement du facteur de transcription RORγt. RORγt a été identifié pour la première fois chez la souris comme un facteur spécifique des thymocytes, jouant un rôle important dans le développement du thymus. En effet, RORγt est exprimé sélectivement dans le stade double positif (DP) et il est ensuite réprimé dans le stade simple positif (SP) ainsi que dans les cellules CD4+ naïves périphériques. Les mécanismes moléculaires qui régulent l’expression transitoire de RORγt dans le thymus et en périphérie sont peu connus. Le but de ce projet est de définir les paramètres transcriptionnels et épigénétiques en corrélation avec l'expression de RORγt chez l’homme. Afin de caractériser les mécanismes moléculaires qui contrôlent l'expression de RORγt dans les thymocytes humains, nous avons effectué une analyse des modifications épigénétiques sur l’ensemble du locus RORC. Nos résultats montrent que le locus RORC subit un remodelage étendu, qui lui confère une conformation "permissive" lors de la transition du stade Double Négatif (DN) au stade DP (augmentation de H4ac et diminution de H3K27me3). Alors que, H3K4me3, qui est un marqueur de promoteurs actifs, est présente spécifiquement au niveau du promoteur RORC2, et uniquement dans les cellules qui expriment RORC2. Une analyse similaire des marqueurs épigénétiques pour les enhancers (H3K27ac) nous a permis d'identifier plusieurs régions avec une fonction potentiellement régulatrices de l'expression de RORC2. Nous avons démontré que certaines de ces régions avaient une fonction d'enhancer in vitro. Dans les cellules T humaines CD4+ naïves périphériques, nous avons observé que la stimulation du TCR en présence de TGFβ est suffisante pour induire RORγt et un remodelage du locus RORC. Nous avons également constaté que la cyclosporine A, un inhibiteur de la voie calcineurine/NFAT, inhibe fortement l'expression de RORC2. Cette inhibition est associée ˆ une diminution des marqueurs positifs de la chromatine. De plus, nous avons démontré que l’activation des cellules induit une activation de NFAT et sa liaison au promoteur RORC2 et aux enhancers. Cette liaison coïncide avec le recrutement de p300/CBP au promoteur qui est dépendant de la calcineurine, ce qui peut permettre le recrutement d'autres facteurs (tel que NFkB) importants pour la différenciation des Th17. Nous avons Également détecté la liaison de NFAT au locus RORC dans les thymocytes. Ces données démontrent un rôle central de NFAT dans la régulation Epigénétique et transcriptionnelle du locus RORC / Generation of inflammatory CD4+ Th17 cells is strongly dependent on the transcription factor retinoid-related orphan receptor, RORγt. RORγt was first identified in the mouse as a thymocyte-specific factor and was shown to play a critical role in the regulation of thymopoiesis. In the thymus RORγt is selectively expressed at the double positive stage (DP: CD4+ CD8+), and is down regulated in later stages of thymocyte development, as well as in naïve peripheral CD4+ T cells. The molecular mechanisms by which RORγt is transiently expressed during thymopoiesis and re-expressed in selected peripheral lymphocytes are poorly understood. The goal of this project is to define the transcriptional and epigenetic settings that correlate with RORγt expression. To start addressing the molecular mechanisms that control expression of human RORγt in thymocytes, we performed an analysis of epigenetic modifications at the RORC locus. Our findings show that the whole RORC locus undergoes extensive remodeling, assuming a more "permissive" conformation at the transition between the Double Negative and the DP stage (increase of H4ac and decrease of H3K27me3). However, H3K4me3, a mark of active promoters, is present specifically at the RORC2 promoter only at stages where RORC2 is expressed. A similar analysis of epigenetic marks for enhancers (H3K27ac) has allowed us to identify several regions with potential regulatory function on RORC2 expression, which displayed enhancer function in vitro. In human naïve peripheral CD4+ T cells we observed that TCR stimulation in the presence of TGFβ is sufficient to induce low levels of RORγt expression, and further remodeling of the RORC locus. We also found that cyclosporine A, an inhibitor of the calcineurin/NFAT pathway, strongly inhibited RORC2 expression, and was associated with a decrease in the positive chromatin marks at the RORC locus. Consistently, we demonstrated that cell stimulation induced NFAT activation, and binding to the RORC2 promoter and enhancers. This binding coincided with calcineurin-dependent p300/CBP recruitment and remodeling of the locus, which may allow binding of the transcriptional machinery and other factors (such as NFkB) important for Th17 differentiation. NFAT binding to the RORC locus could be also detected in thymocytes. These data demonstrate a central role for the NFAT pathway in the epigenetic priming the RORC locus for transcriptional competence.

The goals of this dissertation were to explore the role of the Ca2+-sensitive transcription factor NFAT in the regulation of smooth muscle contractility. We have identified a conserved NFAT binding site that overlaps an intronic SRF-binding CArG element that has previously been demonstrated to be essential for expression of smooth muscle α-actin. Transfection of a reporter construct containing the composite CArG/NFAT element, designated SNAP, into SMCs resulted in robust basal reporter activity that was sensitive to the calcineurin/NFAT pathways inhibitors FK506 and CsA. Mutations to either the NFAT or adjacent SRF binding site essentially abolished reporter activity, indicating that both were required. Co-immunoprecipitation assays revealed that NFATc3 and SRF formed a complex in solution, and that the formation of this complex was facilitated by the presence of the SNAP oligonucleotide. Inhibition of the calcineurin-NFAT pathway decreased α-actin expression in cultured SMCs, suggesting that NFAT plays a role in the expression of smooth muscle contractile proteins such as α-actin. To determine if NFAT transcriptional activity is involved in modulating urinary bladder smooth muscle contractility, we compared the contractile and electrophysiological properties of NFATc3-null mice to wild-type mice. UBSM strips taken from NFATc3-null mice displayed an elevated contractile response to EFS compared to strips from wild-type mice. This increased contractility was due to a decrease in IBTX-sensitive BK current and was supported at the molecular level by reduced expression of mRNA for the pore-forming α-subunit of the BK channel. Single-channel recordings revealed that the β-subunit of the BK channel, which modulates the sensitivity of the BK channel to voltage and Ca2+, was not altered. Interestingly, TEA-sensitive KV currents, and expression of the pore-forming KV2.1 subunit, were increased in the NFATc3-null myocytes. However, the increased contractile response of UBSM strips from NFATc3-null mice indicates that, at least in response to electrical field stimulation, the downregulation of BK current plays a more significant role than does the increase in KV current. Presumably, this is due to the prominent role that BK channels play in shaping the UBSM action potential. Thus, this dissertation provides evidence that NFAT plays a role in modulating smooth muscle contractility via its role in regulating the expression of contractile proteins and ion channels and, furthermore, lays the foundation for future investigations into the specific role of NFAT in the pathological response of the urinary bladder to outlet obstruction.

Ca2+-dependent transcription is a fundamental process by which neurons translate activation experience into cellular level adaptations. The nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) family of proteins comprise four Ca2+/CaN-dependent transcription factors that are widely expressed throughout virtually all tissues. Within neurons, NFAT dependent signaling is critical for axonal development, regulation of synapse number and efficacy, and survival. Furthermore, NFAT is implicated in activity dependent regulation of genes involved in synaptic transmission, learning and memory, mood, and pain sensation. NFAT is activated upon elevations in intracellular Ca2+, which results in CaN -dependent dephosphorylation of multiple serine residues within an N-terminal regulatory region. NFAT dephosphorylation permits NFAT translocation to the nucleus, where it can regulate gene expression, frequently co-operatively with other transcription factors, including AP-1 and MEF2. NFAT activation is opposed or terminated by several kinases, including CK1 and GSK3. Despite the importance of NFAT proteins as regulators of Ca2+-dependent transcription, little is known about the regulation and function of specific NFAT isoforms within neurons. In Aim 1 of this thesis I characterized the differential activation of NFATc3 and NFATc4 in DRG neurons. While NFATc3 rapidly translocates the nucleus upon Ca2+-influx through voltage-gated calcium channels, NFATc4 remained remarkably intransient. Modular substitution of NFATc3 regulatory elements increased the rate or retention of NFATc4, whereas converse substitutions of NFATc4 regulatory elements into NFATc3 decreased NFATc3 nuclear translocation. The activation of NFATc4 appears to be inhibited by preferential phosphorylation by kinases, such as GSK3, which counteract CaN-dependent dephosphorylation. In Aim 2 I investigated the role of NFATc3 in hippocampal neurons. While the majority of NFAT reports in neurons have focused on NFATc4, my data suggest that NFATc3 is the predominantly expressed isoform in hippocampal neurons and is critical for depolarization-induced NFAT target gene expression. I further characterized NFATc3 KO mice in a battery of behavioral assays to test whether loss of NFATc3 expression would affect the baseline anxiety/depression state of the animal, or if NFATc3 was critical for learning and memory. Taken together, my data suggest that NFATc3 is important for NFAT-dependent gene expression in central and peripheral neurons and that distinct regulation of NFAT isoforms within neurons may underlie isoform-specific effects on gene expression.

Myocyte hypertrophy is the major compensatory response of the heart to chronic stress. It is induced by the activation of a network of interdependent, intracellular signaling pathways.1 An important pathway activated during the hypertrophic response is the calcineurin Abeta-NFATc transcription factor pathway.2 Our laboratory has recently discovered that calcineurin Abeta and NFATc transcription factors can associate with the scaffold protein mAKAPbeta.3 mAKAPbeta is a scaffold protein that forms a multimolecular signalosome located to the nuclear envelope of cardiac myocytes. Preliminary data demonstrate that calcineurin Abeta binds to a specific site on mAKAPbeta that lacks any of the consensus calcineurin binding sequences previously described. In this report, it is shown that a peptide, which contains the mAKAPbeta -calcineurin Abeta binding domain, associates with calcineurin Abeta in a calcium/calmodulin dependent manner. In addition, the binding of this mAKAPbeta peptide to calcineurin Abeta has no effect on calcineurin?s phosphatase activity. In fact, calcineurin Abeta bound to this mAKAPbeta peptide is catalytically active and capable of dephosphorylating NFAT. This is novel since other scaffold proteins that associate with calcineurin Abeta have been reported to inhibit its phosphatase activity. Furthermore, in our laboratory it has been shown that mAKAPbeta is required for both the nuclear translocation of NFATc and the induction of myocyte hypertrophy in vitro.4 In this report it is demonstrated that inhibition of calcineurin Abeta association to mAKAPbeta affects NFATc phosphorylation state and attenuates the norepinephrine induced hypertrophic response in primary neonatal cardiac myocytes. This study supports the hypothesis that the formation of multimolecular signaling complexes, like the mAKAPbeta signalosome, is necessary for the integration and fidelity of signal transduction involved in physiological processes like hypertrophy. Although hypertrophy is an adaptive response; it is often accompanied by maladaptive remodeling of the heart that can result in heart failure, a leading cause of death in the United States. Research in the signaling complexes involved in myocyte hypertrophy, like the mAKAPbeta signalosome, may lead to the development of novel treatments for pathologic hypertrophy and heart failure.

Our immune system must be able to rapidly fight against pathogens, but at the same time be tightly regulated to prevent harmful autoimmune and inflammatory responses. This intricate balance is controlled in part by T lymphocytes. Therapies targeting T cells have the potential to revolutionise the ways in which inflammation and autoimmune diseases are treated. However, before this can be achieved, a better quantitative understanding of the molecular processes controlling the functions of these cells is required. T cell signalling is tightly regulated by a series of complex molecular networks, which converge on key transcription factors, including Nuclear Factor-κB (NF-κB), Nuclear Factor of Activated T cells (NFAT), and Activator Protein 1 (AP-1). Using a combination of single-cell time-lapse imaging, and genome-wide assays probing for chromatin accessibility and gene expression, this study provides a better understanding of the mechanisms underpinning T cell activation and signalling. One central tenet of T cell activation is that activation-associated gene expression is triggered by the binding of the cognate antigen to the T cell receptor (TCR), and enhanced by co-stimulatory receptors, including CD28, which act to augment TCR signalling. This study shows that activation- associated gene expression programmes (induced by calcium ionophore ionomycin and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) in Jurkat T cells) are closely associated with specific chromatin landscapes. Further to this, data shown here indicate that the integration between TCR and co- stimulatory receptor signalling occurs at the chromatin level, and plays a pivotal role in regulating T cell activation. Using live-cell imaging, this study also shows that information about the diverse external signals received by T cells could be encoded within the dynamic nuclear translocations of key transcription factors. In particular, TCR signals appear to be processed by the duration of NFAT nuclear occupancy. TCR stimulation in the presence of a co-stimulatory signal resulted in the rapid nuclear import and export of NFAT proteins. In contrast, when TCR stimulation was applied without a co-stimulatory signal, prolonged nuclear occupancy of NFAT was observed. Further investigation suggested that the sustained activity of NFAT could confer a ‘signal memory’ within the TCR signalling network, thus providing a potential mechanism for preventing premature T cell turn-off during transient T cell-Antigen presenting cell interactions. This new detailed picture of T cell biology moves the field towards better therapeutic strategies for numerous diseases.

Les variations de la concentration cytosolique de Ca[indice supérieur 2+] contrôlent divers processus biologiques tel la contraction, la division cellulaire et la transactivation de gènes. Chez les cellules non excitables, la stimulation de certains GPCRs (G protein coupled receptor) ou récepteurs tyrosine kinase mène à l'activation d'une phospholipase C qui produit de l'inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP[indice inférieur 3]). L'IP[indice inférieur 3] active un récepteur-canal au niveau du réticulum endoplasmique (RE) et permet une relâche de Ca[indice supérieur 2+] du RE. Il existe trois isoformes distinctes d'IP[indice inférieur 3]R (IP[indice inférieur 3]R-1 à -3) différemment exprimées dans les tissus. Dans ces travaux, nous avons étudié un mode de régulation de l'IP[indice inférieur 3]R-2 par la PKC, une kinase elle-même activée lors de la réponse calcique. Nous avons aussi vérifié l'implication de chaque isoforme d'IP[indice inférieur 3]R dans l'activité transcriptionnelle des facteurs de transcription sensibles au Ca[indice supérieur 2+] NFAT et CREB.Les cellules AR4-2J expriment principalement l'IP[indice inférieur 3]R-2 (86%), ce qui en fait un bon modèle d'étude pour les mécanismes de régulation de l'IP[indice inférieur 3]R-2. Dans la première étude, nous avons vérifié si la PKC influençait l'activité calcique de l'IP[indice inférieur 3]R-2. D'abord, nous avons montré que l'IP[indice inférieur 3]R-2 est majoritairement exprimé dans les cellules AR4-2J. Nous avons montré par phosphorylation in vitro et in cellulo que l'IP[indice inférieur 3]R-2 est phosphorylé par la PKC. Nous avons montré que le traitement par la PKC réduit la réponse calcique induite par l'IP[indice inférieur 3] sur des cellules perméabilisées. Finalement, nous avons démontré que la réponse calcique induite par le CCh ou l'EGF sur des cellules entières était réduite avec l'activation de la PKC. Ces résultats indiquent que l'IP[indice inférieur 3]R-2 est une autre cible de la PKC permettant de contrôler l'intensité de la réponse calcique. Dans la deuxième étude l'objectif était de déterminer l'implication des isoformes d'IP[indice inférieur 3]R sur l'activité des facteurs de transcription sensibles au Ca[indice supérieur 2+] NFAT et CREB. Par l'approche des gènes rapporteurs de l'activité de NFAT ou CREB, nous avons montré que NFAT était activé par la voie de la calcineurine et que CREB par les voies de CamKII et de la calcineurine dans les cellules HEK 293A. Nous avons démontré que l'invalidation de l'IP[indice inférieur 3]R-2 diminuait la réponse calcique induite par le CCh et que la costimulation avec le VIP pouvait la restaurer. Nous avons montré que l'activité transcriptionnelle de NFAT était affectée, contrairement à celle de CREB, par l'invalidation de l'IP[indice inférieur 3]R-2. Finalement, nous avons montré que l'IP[indice inférieur 3]R-2, et aussi l'IP[indice inférieur 3]R-1, semblent jouer un rôle secondaire, différent de celui de transporteur de Ca[indice supérieur 2+], dans le mécanisme d'activation de NFAT. Ces résultats laissent envisager que l'IP[indice inférieur 3]R serait impliqué dans la formation d'un complexe protéique facilitant l'activation de NFAT.

Ca2+-mediated regulation of gene expression plays an important role in neuronal plasticity. NFAT (Nuclear Factor of Activated T-cells) is a Ca2+/calcineurin (CaN)-dependent transcription factor that has been implicated in a number of neuronal functions including axon outgrowth, presynaptic remodeling and neural survival. NFAT is activated by Ca2+/CaN-dependent dephosphorylation, whereas re-phosphorylation by glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) and several other protein kinases deactivates NFAT and triggers its export from the nucleus. In addition to electrically-mediated Ca2+ signals, neurotrophins can potently regulate NFAT function in neurons as well. However the mechanisms of NFAT activation by electrical activity and neurotrophins are not completely understood. In aim 1, I found that electrical stimulation produced a mitochondrial Ca2+ cycling-mediated prolonged [Ca2+]i elevation (plateau), which profoundly affected NFAT activity. The elimination of the [Ca2+]i plateau by blocking mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake or release strongly reduced nuclear import of NFAT. Furthermore, preventing Ca2+ mobilization from mitochondria diminished NFAT-mediated transcription. In aim 2, I found that NGF, a family of neurotrophins, potentiated NFAT-dependent transcription triggered by electrical activity through the TrkA-PI3K-Akt-GSK3β pathway and this effect was mediated primarily by NFATc3. Monitoring NFATc3 movement in DRG neurons in real time showed that NGF slowed the rate of NFATc3 nuclear export, which was mimicked by inhibiting GSK3β, whereas blockade of PI3K prevented this effect. Taken together, I proposed that mitochondrial Ca2+ cycling functions as a novel regulatory mechanism for NFAT activation and NFATc3 serves as an integrator of electrical activity and neurotrophin signaling in the regulation of gene expression in DRG neurons.

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar como a expressão de WNK4 (With No Lysine Kinase 4) é modulada por NFAT através da modulação por AngII (Angiotensina II) e Ciclosporina A (CsA). WNK4 é uma cinase que tem papel fundamental na regulação do transporte iônico ao longo do néfron distal, pois fosforila outras cinases (SPAK Proline Alanine-Rich Kinase e OSR1 Oxidative Stress Responsive 1) que fosforilam, e assim ativam, o co-transportador sódio-cloreto sensível aos tiazídicos (NCC), o que acarreta no aumento da reabsorção de sódio, cloreto e água, transporte esse sabidamente regulado pelo hormônio Angiotensina II. O estudo genético que revelou que mutações no gene de WNK geravam um quadro de hipertensão, hipercalemia e hipercalcemia, denominado de pseudohipoaldosteronismo tipo II (PHAII) ou Sídrome de Gordon, foi crucial para a descoberta da importância das WNKs. Este quadro é revertido quando se utiliza diuréticos tiazídicos, mostrando a relação com o NCC. Interessantemente, um quadro similar ocorre quando pacientes transplantados recebem tratamento com CsA. Estudos comprovam que AngII interfere agudamente no conteúdo da proteína de WNK4, por ativação da PKC e fosforilação da Kelchl3 (Kelh-like 3), culminando com inibição do complexo Ubiquitina-Ligase-E3, importante no processo de degradação da WNK4. Ainda não se sabe qual o papel do NFAT sobre a regulação de WNK4 e como AngII e CsA modulação a transcrição gênica de WNK4. Através dos métodos de westernblotting verificamos que CsA aumenta o conteúdo de WNK4. Por RT-PCR observamos também que AngII e CsA são capazes de aumentar significativamente o mRNA-WNK4 após 24h de incubação. Por ensaio da atividade da luciferase utilizando um vetor que apresenta o gene da luciferase sob o controle de promotor contendo elementos para ligação com NFAT, observamos que AngII parece aumentar atividade de NFAT. Observamos que CsA inibe significativamente a atividade da calcineurina através de ensaio enzimático e AngII não teve efeito significativo. Além disso, amplificamos o promotor do gene de WNK4 por PCR do DNA genômico e seguimos com a clonagem deste fragmento no vetor pGL4.10 (que apresenta o gene de luciferase como gene repórter). Neste constructo, vimos que tanto AngII como CsA são capazes de estimular o promotor do gene de WNK4. Após mutações pontuais para elementos NFAT no promotor de WNK4, observamos que o NFAT pode se ligar em diferentes elementos e essa diversidade gera efeitos estimulatórios e inibitórios na síntese proteica de WNK4, pois os elementos apresentam comportamentos diferentes na regulação da transcrição do gene repórter regulado pelo promotor do gene de WNK4. Assim, concluímos que AngII é capaz de estimular a síntese proteica de WNK4 por via dependente de NFAT. / This work aimed to understand how WNK4 expression is modulated by NFAT through AngII and CsA. Wnk4 is a kinase which plays a significant role in ionic transport regulation in distal nephron by inducing phosphorylation of other kinases such SPAK and OSR1, which ultimately lead to NCC phosphorylation. WNK4 activation increases sodium, water and chloride reabsorption in this segment and it´s already know that AngII can modulate this pathway. Genetic mapping studies showed that mutations in WNK gene lead to a hypertension, hyperkalemia and hypercalcemia condition, called Pseudohypoaldosteronism type II (PAH II) or Gordons Syndrome. This finding was crucial for WNKs discovery. Interestingly, this disease is controlled with thiazide diuretics treatment, showing that NCC participates in its pathogenesis. Curiously, a similar condition occurs when transplant recipient are treated with cyclosporine A. AngII changes the WNK4 protein content, thought PKC activation and KLHL3 phosphorylation, leading to an inhibition of ubiquitin-ligase E3 complex, which is important to WNK4 degradation. It is still unclear how NFAT may modulate WNK4 gene expression. We show, by western blotting technique, that CsA increased WNK4 expression, but AngII had not significant effect. After 24h, AngII and CsA increased mRNA-WNK4 by RT-PCR. Using luciferase assay, we observed that AngII increases NFAT activity and CsA decreases NFAT activity, both significantly. AngII did not show effect on calcineurin activity but CsA was able to decrease it, after incubation during 4h. WNK4 gene promoter was amplified by PCR using genomic DNA as a template, and the sequence obtained was cloned in a recombinant vector which has a luciferase gene reporter. Using this recombinant vector cloned with WNK4 gene promoter, we observed that both AngII and CsA increase WNK4 expression. We made a mapping of genome sites for NFAT binding at WNK4 promoter and we identified four elements for NFAT binding. Point mutations in these sites were engineered in order to evaluate the NFAT action in WNK4 promoter activity. We could see that NFAT had an ambiguous behavior and this effect is dependent on which element NFAT is bounded. In summary, we conclude that AngII may increase WNK4 expression through activation of NFAT.

Die Ca2+/Calmodulin-aktivierte Serin/Threonin-Phosphatase Calcineurin ist ein Schlüsselmolekül des T-Zell-Rezeptorabhängigen Signalnetzwerkes. Calcineurin aktiviert die Transkriptionsfaktoren der NFATc-Familie durch Dephosphorylierung und reguliert darüber die Expression wichtiger Zytokine und Oberflächenproteine. Die Aktivität von Calcineurin wird durch zahlreiche endogene Proteine moduliert und ist Angriffspunkt der immunsuppressiven Substanzen Cyclosporin A und FK506. In dieser Arbeit wurde der alternative niedermolekulare Calcineurin-NFATc-Inhibitor NCI3 hinsichtlich seiner Effekte auf T-Zell-Rezeptor-abhängige Signalwege charakterisiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, daß das Pyrazolopyrimidinderivat NCI3 nichttoxisch und zellmembranpermeabel ist. In T-Zell-Rezeptor-stimulierten primären humanen TH-Zellen unterdrückt NCI3 die Proliferation und IL-2-Produktion (IC50-Wert ~4 µM), da die Dephosphorylierung von NFATc und die anschließende nukleäre Translokation gehemmt wird. NCI3 inhibiert die calcineurinabhängige NFAT- und NF-κB-, aber nicht die AP-1-kontrollierte Reprtergenexpression, in mikromolaren Konzentrationen (IC50-Werte 2 bzw. 7 µM). Im Gegensatz zu Cyclosporin A stört NCI3 nicht die Phosphataseaktivität von Calcineurin, sondern interferiert mit der Calcineurin-NFATc-Bindung. Ein wichtiges endogenes Modulatorprotein für die Calcineurinaktivität ist RCAN1, das vermutlich den Calcineurin-NFATc-Signalweg über einen negativen Rückkopplungsmechanismus reguliert. Hier wurde gezeigt, daß RCAN1 in humanen TH-Zellen exprimiert wird. Die Spleißvariante RCAN1-1 ist in ruhenden T-Zellen basal exprimiert und wird nicht durch T-Zell-Rezeptor-Stimulierung in seiner Expression verändert. RCAN1-4 dagegen ist in ruhenden Zellen kaum zu detektieren und wird stimulierungsabhängig induziert. Durch die Verwendung Calcineurin-NFATc-spezifischer Inhibitoren wie NCI3 wurde gezeigt, daß die RCAN1-4-Induktion durch diesen Signalweg limitiert ist. Die in dieser Arbeit gewonnenen Daten und Erkenntnisse tragen dazu bei, das Verständnis der Funktion und Regulation von Calcineurin in T-Zellen zu vertiefen. / The Ca2+/calmodulin dependent serine/threonine phosphatase calcineurin is a key molecule in the T cell receptor dependent signalling network. Calcineurin dephosphorylates and thereby activates the transcription factors of the NFATc family that, among others, control the expression of important cytokines and cell surface molecules. The activity of Calcineurin is modulated by several endogenous proteins and is inhibited by the immunosuppressants cyclosporine A and FK506. Here, the novel low molecular weight inhibitor NCI3 was characterized in respect to its effects on T cell receptor dependent signalling. The results of this work show, that the pyrazolopyrimidine derivate NCI3 is nontoxic and permeates the cell membrane. Upon TCR stimulation NCI3 suppresses T cell proliferation and IL-2 production of primary human TH cells with IC50 values of ~4 µM by blocking the dephosphorylation and subsequent nuclear translocation of NFATc. NCI3 conse-quently inhibits calcineurin dependent NFAT- and NF-κB-, but not AP-1-controlled reporter gene expression, in micromolar concentrations (IC50 values 2 and 7 µM, respectively). In opposite to cyclosporine A and FK506, NCI3 does not interfere with the phosphatase activity of calcineurin but rather disturbs the calcineurin-NFATc interaction. A major endogenous modulator of calcineurin is the protein RCAN1, which is supposed to regulate calcineurin-NFATc signalling in a negative feedback loop. The presented data show that RCAN1 is expressed in human TH cells. The splice variant RCAN1-1 is basally expressed in resting T cells, and its expression levels are not changed by T cell receptor stimulation. Expression of RCAN1-4, on the other hand, is nearly undetectable in resting TH cells and is induced upon cell stimulation. By using calcineurin-NFATc specific inhibitors such as NCI3 it could be shown that RCAN1-4 induction is limited by this pathway. This work provides a comprehensive characterization of the novel inhibitor NCI3 and insights into the regulation of calcineurin by RCAN1 in human TH cells.

Thesis advisor: Thomas C. Chiles / Elevating intracellular cAMP levels can result in a wide range of anti-inflammatory effects and growth arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells, marking phosphodiesterases (PDEs) as potential targets for inflammatory diseases and cancer treatment. PDE7A is proposed to be a new therapeutic target for its ubiquitous expression in proinflammatory and immune cells. A Barbituric acid based compound, BC12 was identified as an in vitro PDE7 inhibitor in fission-yeast-based high-throughput screen. Analysis of this compound on the activation of Jurkat T lymphocytes, mouse and human primary T cells reveals inhibition of IL-2 production, though cell viability is not significantly impacted. Real-time RT-PCR and mRNA stability assays indicate that the inhibition of IL-2 production by BC12 is attributable to transcriptional repression without accelerating IL-2 mRNA decay. By contrast, compounds of similar structure with that of BC12 exhibit varying effects on IL-2 production that does not correlate with their in vitro PDE7 inhibitory activity, suggesting that the in vivo target of BC12 responsible for these effects may not be PDE7. Our study further reveals that BC12 inhibits IL-2 transcription through targeting NFAT and NFkB-mediated pathways. Preliminary investigation on other T helper cell cytokine secretion indicates that BC12 has a potential to selectively inhibit Th2 cytokines. Our data suggest that BC12 may present a novel anti-inflammatory drug for its immunosuppressive and potential immunomodulatory effects. Analysis of BC12 on a human B-cell line and a monocytic cell line demonstrate its pro-apoptotic effects in a dose-dependent manner. Titration of BC12 on human diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), LY18 cells, and human primary B cells reveals that BC12 induces cell death more effectively in DLBCL LY18 cells than normal B cells, suggesting the anti-cancer potential of this compound. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2013. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Biology.