Pigmentation plays a protective role against damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Humans with fair skin and light hair have a higher susceptibility to UV-induced DNA damage that can lead to the development of skin cancers. The melanocytes found in the skin and hair follicles depend on different signaling molecules for their proper development and pigment production. α-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (α-msh) binds to the Melanocortin 1 receptor (Mc1r) to regulate pigment production and the switch between eumelanin and pheomelanin. Lethal yellow mice (Ay) overexpress the agouti signaling protein, which inhibits the binding of α-msh, resulting in a yellow coat color phenotype. Endothelin 3 (Edn3) encodes for a ligand involved in melanocyte development by regulating the differentiation, proliferation and migration of melanocyte precursors. A tetracycline inducible transgenic mouse in which Edn3 was placed under the keratin 5 promoter (K5-tTA;TRE-Edn3-lacZ) displays a hyperpigmentation phenotype due to the accumulation of melanocytes in the skin and an increase in hair pigment. Comparative analysis of dorsal hairs from Ay and Ay; K5-tTA;TRE-Edn3-lacZ mice using high performance liquid chromatography showed that transgenic Edn3 expression significantly increased both eumelanin and pheomelanin. No significant difference in the number of follicular melanocytes between Edn3 transgenic and non-transgenic mice was evidenced by immunofluorescence using an antibody against Tyrosinase related protein 1. Gene expression analysis of hair follicles showed that Edn3 upregulates the expression of melanogenic genes. Deactivation of transgenic Edn3 is possible with doxycycline (dox) treatment. To test if transgenic Edn3 expression is required to rescue and maintain a dark pigmentation phenotype in Ay mice, dox was administered during embryonic and postnatal development to manipulate transgenic Edn3 expression. Results showed that transgenic Edn3 expression is required to maintain a dark pigmentation phenotype after birth but is independent of a developmental requirement. Transgenic Edn3 expression in Mc1re/e mice also resulted in a darkened coat color. Our results indicate that the paracrine expression of Edn3 from keratinocytes is capable of generating and maintaining a dark coat color by the regulation of melanogenic genes independent of Mc1r signaling. The results of this study may open new approaches to the treatment of hypopigmentation disorders.

Recombinant strategies are today dominating in thedevelopment of modern subunit vaccines. This thesis describesstrategies for the production and recovery of protein subunitimmunogens, and how genetic design of the expression vectorscan be used to adapt the immunogens for incorporation intoadjuvant systems. In addition, different strategies fordelivery of subunit vaccines by RNA or DNA immunization havebeen investigated. Attempts to create general production strategies forrecombinant protein immunogens in such a way that these areadapted for association with an adjuvant formulation wereevaluated. Different hydrophobic amino acid sequences, beingeither theoretically designed or representing transmembraneregions of bacterial or viral origin, were fused on gene leveleither N-terminally or C-terminally to allow association withiscoms. In addition, affinity tags derived fromStaphylococcus aureusprotein A (SpA) or streptococcalprotein G (SpG), were incorporated to allow efficient recoveryby means of affinity chromatography. A malaria peptide, M5,derived from the central repeat region of thePlasmodium falciparumblood-stage antigen Pf155/RESA,served as model immunogen in these studies. Furthermore,strategies forin vivoorin vitrolipidation of recombinant immunogens for iscomincorporation were also investigated, with a model immunogendeltaSAG1 derived fromToxoplasma gondii. Both strategies were found to befunctional in that the produced and affinity purified fusionproteins indeed associated with iscoms. The iscoms werefurthermore capable of inducing antigen-specific antibodyresponses upon immunization of mice, and we thus believe thatthe presented strategies offer convenient methods for adjuvantassociation. Recombinant production of a respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) candidate vaccine, BBG2Na, in baby hamster kidney(BHK-21) cells was investigated. Semliki Forest virus(SFV)-based expression vectors encoding both intracellular andsecreted forms of BBG2Na were constructed and found to befunctional. Efficient recovery of BBG2Na could be achieved bycombining serum-free production with a recovery strategy usinga product-specific affinity-column based on a combinatoriallyengineered SpA domain, with specific binding to the G proteinpart of the product. Plasmid vectors encoding cytoplasmic or secreted variants ofBBG2Na, and employing the SFV replicase for self-amplification,was constructed and evaluated for DNA immunization against RSV.Both plasmid vectors were found to be functional in terms ofBBG2Na expression and localization. Upon intramuscularimmunization of mice, the plasmid vector encoding the secretedvariant of the antigen elicited significant anti-BBG2Na titersand demonstrated lung protective efficacy in mice. This studyclearly demonstrate that protective immune responses to RSV canbe elicited in mice by DNA immunization, and that differentialtargeting of the antigens expressed by nucleic acid vaccinationcould significantly influence the immunogenicity and protectiveefficacy. We further evaluated DNA and RNA constructs based on the SFVreplicon in comparison with a conventional DNA plasmid forinduction of antibody responses against theP. falciparumPf332-derived antigen EB200. In general,the antibody responses induced were relatively low, the highestresponses surprisingly obtained with the conventional DNAplasmid. Also recombinant SFV suicide particles inducedEB200-reactive antibodies. Importantly, all immunogens inducedan immunological memory, which could be efficiently activatedby a booster injection with EB200 protein. <b>Keywords</b>: Affibody, Affinity chromatography, Affinitypurification, DNA immunization, Expression plasmid, Fusionprotein, Hydrophobic tag, Iscoms, Lipid tagging, Malaria,Mammalian cell expression, Recombinant immunogen, RespiratorySyncytial Virus, Semliki Forest virus, Serum albumin,Staphylococcus aureusprotein A, Subunit vaccine,Toxoplasma gondii

名古屋大学年代測定総合研究センターシンポジウム報告

<p>Recombinant strategies are today dominating in thedevelopment of modern subunit vaccines. This thesis describesstrategies for the production and recovery of protein subunitimmunogens, and how genetic design of the expression vectorscan be used to adapt the immunogens for incorporation intoadjuvant systems. In addition, different strategies fordelivery of subunit vaccines by RNA or DNA immunization havebeen investigated.</p><p>Attempts to create general production strategies forrecombinant protein immunogens in such a way that these areadapted for association with an adjuvant formulation wereevaluated. Different hydrophobic amino acid sequences, beingeither theoretically designed or representing transmembraneregions of bacterial or viral origin, were fused on gene leveleither N-terminally or C-terminally to allow association withiscoms. In addition, affinity tags derived from<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>protein A (SpA) or streptococcalprotein G (SpG), were incorporated to allow efficient recoveryby means of affinity chromatography. A malaria peptide, M5,derived from the central repeat region of the<i>Plasmodium falciparum</i>blood-stage antigen Pf155/RESA,served as model immunogen in these studies. Furthermore,strategies for<i>in vivo</i>or<i>in vitro</i>lipidation of recombinant immunogens for iscomincorporation were also investigated, with a model immunogendeltaSAG1 derived from<i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>. Both strategies were found to befunctional in that the produced and affinity purified fusionproteins indeed associated with iscoms. The iscoms werefurthermore capable of inducing antigen-specific antibodyresponses upon immunization of mice, and we thus believe thatthe presented strategies offer convenient methods for adjuvantassociation.</p><p>Recombinant production of a respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) candidate vaccine, BBG2Na, in baby hamster kidney(BHK-21) cells was investigated. Semliki Forest virus(SFV)-based expression vectors encoding both intracellular andsecreted forms of BBG2Na were constructed and found to befunctional. Efficient recovery of BBG2Na could be achieved bycombining serum-free production with a recovery strategy usinga product-specific affinity-column based on a combinatoriallyengineered SpA domain, with specific binding to the G proteinpart of the product.</p><p>Plasmid vectors encoding cytoplasmic or secreted variants ofBBG2Na, and employing the SFV replicase for self-amplification,was constructed and evaluated for DNA immunization against RSV.Both plasmid vectors were found to be functional in terms ofBBG2Na expression and localization. Upon intramuscularimmunization of mice, the plasmid vector encoding the secretedvariant of the antigen elicited significant anti-BBG2Na titersand demonstrated lung protective efficacy in mice. This studyclearly demonstrate that protective immune responses to RSV canbe elicited in mice by DNA immunization, and that differentialtargeting of the antigens expressed by nucleic acid vaccinationcould significantly influence the immunogenicity and protectiveefficacy.</p><p>We further evaluated DNA and RNA constructs based on the SFVreplicon in comparison with a conventional DNA plasmid forinduction of antibody responses against the<i>P. falciparum</i>Pf332-derived antigen EB200. In general,the antibody responses induced were relatively low, the highestresponses surprisingly obtained with the conventional DNAplasmid. Also recombinant SFV suicide particles inducedEB200-reactive antibodies. Importantly, all immunogens inducedan immunological memory, which could be efficiently activatedby a booster injection with EB200 protein.</p><p><b>Keywords</b>: Affibody, Affinity chromatography, Affinitypurification, DNA immunization, Expression plasmid, Fusionprotein, Hydrophobic tag, Iscoms, Lipid tagging, Malaria,Mammalian cell expression, Recombinant immunogen, RespiratorySyncytial Virus, Semliki Forest virus, Serum albumin,<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>protein A, Subunit vaccine,<i>Toxoplasma gondii</i></p>

In this thesis we use computational neural network models to examine the dynamics and functionality of the CA3 region of the mammalian hippocampus. The emphasis of the project is to investigate how the dynamic control structures provided by inhibitory circuitry and cellular modification may effect the CA3 region during the recall of previously stored information. The CA3 region is commonly thought to work as a recurrent auto-associative neural network due to the neurophysiological characteristics found, such as, recurrent collaterals, strong and sparse synapses from external inputs and plasticity between coactive cells. Associative memory models have been developed using various configurations of mathematical artificial neural networks which were first developed over 40 years ago. Within these models we can store information via changes in the strength of connections between simplified model neurons (two-state). These memories can be recalled when a cue (noisy or partial) is instantiated upon the net. The type of information they can store is quite limited due to restrictions caused by the simplicity of the hard-limiting nodes which are commonly associated with a binary activation threshold. We build a much more biologically plausible model with complex spiking cell models and with realistic synaptic properties between cells. This model is based upon some of the many details we now know of the neuronal circuitry of the CA3 region. We implemented the model in computer software using Neuron and Matlab and tested it by running simulations of storage and recall in the network. By building this model we gain new insights into how different types of neurons, and the complex circuits they form, actually work. The mammalian brain consists of complex resistive-capacative electrical circuitry which is formed by the interconnection of large numbers of neurons. A principal cell type is the pyramidal cell within the cortex, which is the main information processor in our neural networks. Pyramidal cells are surrounded by diverse populations of interneurons which have proportionally smaller numbers compared to the pyramidal cells and these form connections with pyramidal cells and other inhibitory cells. By building detailed computational models of recurrent neural circuitry we explore how these microcircuits of interneurons control the flow of information through pyramidal cells and regulate the efficacy of the network. We also explore the effect of cellular modification due to neuronal activity and the effect of incorporating spatially dependent connectivity on the network during recall of previously stored information. In particular we implement a spiking neural network proposed by Sommer and Wennekers (2001). We consider methods for improving associative memory recall using methods inspired by the work by Graham and Willshaw (1995) where they apply mathematical transforms to an artificial neural network to improve the recall quality within the network. The networks tested contain either 100 or 1000 pyramidal cells with 10% connectivity applied and a partial cue instantiated, and with a global pseudo-inhibition.We investigate three methods. Firstly, applying localised disynaptic inhibition which will proportionalise the excitatory post synaptic potentials and provide a fast acting reversal potential which should help to reduce the variability in signal propagation between cells and provide further inhibition to help synchronise the network activity. Secondly, implementing a persistent sodium channel to the cell body which will act to non-linearise the activation threshold where after a given membrane potential the amplitude of the excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) is boosted to push cells which receive slightly more excitation (most likely high units) over the firing threshold. Finally, implementing spatial characteristics of the dendritic tree will allow a greater probability of a modified synapse existing after 10% random connectivity has been applied throughout the network. We apply spatial characteristics by scaling the conductance weights of excitatory synapses which simulate the loss in potential in synapses found in the outer dendritic regions due to increased resistance. To further increase the biological plausibility of the network we remove the pseudo-inhibition and apply realistic basket cell models with differing configurations for a global inhibitory circuit. The networks are configured with; 1 single basket cell providing feedback inhibition, 10% basket cells providing feedback inhibition where 10 pyramidal cells connect to each basket cell and finally, 100% basket cells providing feedback inhibition. These networks are compared and contrasted for efficacy on recall quality and the effect on the network behaviour. We have found promising results from applying biologically plausible recall strategies and network configurations which suggests the role of inhibition and cellular dynamics are pivotal in learning and memory.

No description available.

5-Bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), a thymidine analogue, is genotoxic and teratogenic. The exposure of mouse embryos to BrdU at doses that cause malformations induces oxidative stress and an embryonic stress response characterized by an increase in c-Fos dependent AP-1 DNA binding. The goal of this thesis was to test the hypothesis that development is disturbed at sites where BrdU is incorporated into DNA, triggering oxidative stress and c-Fos induction. Gestation day 9 CD-1 mice were treated with BrdU and embryos were obtained for immunolocalization of BrdU, 8-oxoguanine, a biomarker for oxidative stress, and c-Fos. BrdU incorporation into DNA was dispersed throughout the embryo. In contrast, the staining for 8-oxoguanine and c-Fos were highest in the neuroepithelium. BrdU incorporation was not affected by the pre-administration of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), an anti-oxidant, although both 8-oxoguanine and c-Fos staining were decreased. Thus, the response of the embryo to insult is tissue specific.

New Zealand provides an excellent example of the effect of exotic predators on native reptile populations. Prior to human arrival, reptiles evolved in the absence of mammalian predators but are now sympatric with 11 introduced mammalian predators. New Zealand’s reptile populations have declined over the past millennium because they have few defensive behaviours against this new predator guild. However, relatively few studies have investigated the effects of introduced mammalian predators on skinks. In this thesis, I studied the life history of several skink species and the long-term demographic changes in these species to evaluate population trends. I evaluated the effectiveness of mammalian predator control in the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project (RNRP) for restoring skink populations and I investigated the potential sub-lethal effects of mammalian predators on skinks. Finally, I tested whether two skink species had developed behaviours to avoid the scent of introduced rats or hedgehogs. I estimated size at sexual maturity, birthing season and habitat preferences for speckled skinks (Oligosoma infrapunctatum) in the Nelson Lakes area. My research shows that skink populations are declining both inside and outside of the RNRP. The largest declines are seen in the rarer species and even within the predator-controlled area of the RNRP the speckled skink is nearing extirpation. In addition, the proportion of female northern grass skinks (O. polychroma) and larger individuals of both sexes has decreased since 1970; suggesting females and larger individuals are more vulnerable to predation. An investigation of three fitness surrogates (body condition, parasite load and prevalence of caudal autotomy) showed that for both northern grass and glossy brown skinks (O. zelandicum), body condition was significantly lower in populations with mammalian predators than without. This has serious conservation implications because it shows that lizard populations may not only be in decline from direct predation, but also additional stresses associated with predation that may lead to reduced reproductive output. Neither parasite load, nor the prevalence of caudal autotomy, appears to be good indicators of fitness for northern grass or glossy brown skinks. I found no evidence of substantial avoidance behaviours in glossy brown and northern grass skinks to either rat or hedgehog odour. Two hypotheses are suggested to explain this. Firstly, there may not have been enough time for these species to evolve avoidance behaviours, and secondly, there may be insufficient selection pressure due to the high efficiency of the alien predators, or because rats and hedgehogs are active foragers and thus scent gives the prey limited information on immediate predation pressure. This lack of evidence for the evolution of antipredator behaviour, in addition to reduced body condition and population decline in areas with mammalian predators present, highlights the importance of intensive mammalian predator control for the continued survival of skink species on mainland New Zealand.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Les anticorps monoclonaux (AcM) sont des protéines ayant une reconnaissance antigénique spécifique utilisée pour le développement de réactifs thérapeutiques et diagnostiques. La production commerciale est réalisée en cultivant des cellules hôtes dans des bioréacteurs spécifiques. La densité cellulaire et le métabolisme cellulaire sont des paramètres clés pour le rendement élevé des AcM. Bioréacteur à fibres creuses (HFB), une cartouche contenant des fibres poreuses emballées, est l'un des systèmes de production disponibles dans le commerce. Si la densité de cellules obtenue peut conduire à un rendement élevé, le coût de l'ensemble du dispositif, y compris les pompes et les cartouches très coûteuses, empêche son utilisation de petites unités. Comme une alternative économique, nous avons proposé ici d'étudier le potentiel des modules de dialyse de polysulfone du commerce, classiquement employés dans le traitement de l'insuffisance rénale en phase terminale. Cependant, la membrane de polysulfone native a démontré une adsorption de protéines non spécifique significative préjudiciable à la production d'AcMs. De plus des enjeux normatifs viennent se greffer à ces problématiques scientifiques et technico-économiques, avec le cas des normes (ISO 13485/ AC S99-104/ GMP FDA /BPF…) qui imposent des méthodes de travail normalisées. Ce travail de thèse consiste en la conception d’un bioréacteur jetable, sur la base d’une cartouche de dialyse médicale à fibres creuses. Ce système doit offrir toutes les garanties en termes de production, de facilité d’utilisation, de stérilité, et permettre de concentrer les produits de cytoculture. La méthodologie scientifique a été couplée à une démarche qualité. La gestion de ce projet a été couplé à l’analyse de risques. En effet ce projet a été divisé en ses 5 composantes élémentaires décrite par Ishikawa par la méthode des 5 M. L’analyse de risque a consisté au calcul d’indice de criticité par la méthode AMDEC de chacune de ses familles de risques. Cette approche nous a permis de formaliser deux axes de recherche : i) la mise en œuvre d’une oxygénation efficace du milieu de culture (chapitre 4) et ii) les moyens de limiter le colmatage dans le module à fibres creuses pour obtenir une culture cellulaire conforme aux objectifs (chapitre 5). Le taux d’oxygénation est un facteur à prendre en compte dans un processus de culture cellulaire. L’oxygène peut être supplémenté selon deux modes, le mode passif ou le mode actif [Ozturk et Palsson 1990; Zhang S. et al 1992]. Il existe 2 types de système d’oxygénation : les système dit passif ou les échanges se font a travers une paroi de silicone et un système actif par aération directe dans le milieu de culture. Ce système est de loin l'opération la plus simple pour fournir de l'oxygène. Cependant, lorsque celui-ci est utilisé pour apporter de l’oxygène à des cultures de cellules mammifères, cela peut engendrer des altérations cellulaires. Des agents protecteurs chimiques peuvent être utilisés pour réduire les dommages cellulaires et la formation de mousse [Kamase et Moo-yung 1990; van Der pol L.A et al 1993]. Nos études ont démontré que l'addition d'agents anti-mousse peut entraîner une diminution du coefficient de transfert de masse d’O2 en phase liquide (Kl) [Kamase et Moo-yung 1990]. Nous avons établi l’efficacité de l’utilisation d’un polymère silice/silicone pour éliminer la mousse sur des cultures bactériennes et de cellules mammifères. Afin de limiter ces phénomènes de colmatage, les fibres de polysulfone ont été traitées avec plusieurs tensioactifs (acide pluronique F127, D-limonen et différentes huiles de silicone) qui ont conduit à une diminution significative de l'adsorption protéique. L'effet de ces surfactants sur les performances de filtration et sur la cytotoxicité a été étudié. Certains d'entre eux n'ont pas influencé ces paramètres alors que d'autres ont présenté des effets négatifs. / Monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs) are proteins with specific antigen recognition used for development of both therapeutic and diagnostic reagents. Commercial production is achieved by growing host cells in specific bioreactors. Cell density and cell metabolism are key parameters for high yield of mAbs. Hollow fiber bioreactor (I-IFB), a cartridge containing packed porous fibres, is one of the system for production commercially available. If the cell density achieved can lead to high yield, the cost of the whole device, including pumps and very expensive cartridges prevents its use of small units. As an economical alternative, we proposed here to investigate the potential of commercial polysulfone dialysis modules, classically employed in the treatment of end stage renal failure. However, the native polysulfone membrane demonstrated a significant non-specific protein adsorption detrimental to mAbs production. Moreover normative issues are added to these scientific and techno-economic issues, with the case of standards (ISO 13485 / AC S99-104 / GMP FDA / BPF ...) which impose standard working methods. This thesis consists of the design of a disposable bioreactor, based on a hollow-fiber medical dialysis cartridge. This system must offer all the guarantees in terms of production, ease of use, sterility, and allow to concentrate the cytoculture products. Scientific methodology has been coupled with a quality approach. The management of this project was coupled with the risk analysis. Indeed this project was divided into its 5 elementary components describe by Ishikawa by the 5M method. The risk analysis consisted in the calculation of the criticality index by the AMDEC method of each of its families of risks. This approach allowed us to formalize two research axes: i) the implementation of an effective oxygenation of the culture medium (chapter 4) and ii) the means of limiting the clogging in the hollow fiber module to obtain a culture consistent with the objectives (Chapter 5). The rate of oxygenation is a factor to be taken into account in a cell culture process. Oxygen can be supplemented in two modes, passive mode or active mode [Ozturk and Palsson 1990; Zhang S. et al 19921. There are two types of oxygenation system: the so-called passive system or the exchanges are made through a silicone wall and an active system by direct aeration in the culture medium. This system is by far the simplest operation for providing oxygen. However, when it is used to supply oxygen to mammalian cell cultures, this can cause cellular damage. Chemical protective agents can be used to reduce cell damage and DKamase and Moo-yung 1990 foam formation; van Der pol L.A. et al 1993 Cl. Our studies have shown that the addition of antifoaming agents can lead to a decrease in the liquid phase (K2) mass transfer coefficient of D Kamase and Moo-yung 1990C]. We have established the effectiveness of using a silica / silicone polymer to remove foam on bacterial and mammalian cell cultures. In order to limit these adsorption phenomena, polysulfone fibers were treated with several surfactants (pluronic acid F 127, D-limonen, and different silicone oils) which led to a significant decrease in protein adsorption. The effect of such surfactants on the filtration performances and on cytotoxicity were investigated. Some of the them did not influence these parameters while some presented negative effects. Finally, different cell culture parameters (cells densities, production yield, flow properties, fouling) were studied, as well as the performance of the bioreactor in perfusion continuous mode. The bioreactor was maintained in continuous mode for fifteen days and the production yield per batch was 250 mg of AcMs. The results obtained in this work allowed us to define the next steps to be taken, and are the subject of the Perspectives section.