La spondyloarthrite (SpA) est une pathologie rhumatologique caractérisée notamment par une inflammation et par des ossifications excessives se formant au niveau des enthèses. Il s’agit de zones de fortes contraintes mécaniques où les tendons et ligaments sont ancrés dans l’os via une zone fibrocartilagineuse. La sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) est un lipide bioactif qui joue un rôle important à la fois dans le remodelage osseux et la réponse inflammatoire. Notre objectif était donc d’explorer le rôle de la S1P dans l’ossification excessive de la SpA. Nous avons observé que les taux sériques de S1P des patients atteints de SpA sont significativement supérieurs à ceux de donneurs contrôles. Nous avons utilisé comme modèle des cultures primaires murines d’ostéoblastes, de chondrocytes et de ténocytes et des cultures organotypiques d’enthèse de souris. Nous avons observé que les enzymes de synthèse de la S1P, les sphingosine kinases 1 et 2, contribuent à la minéralisation des ostéoblastes et des chondrocytes. L’effet pro-minéralisant de la S1P est partiellement médié par deux de ses récepteurs (S1P1 et S1P3). De plus, la production de S1P est stimulée suite à un étirement cyclique dans les ostéoblastes et les chondrocytes, et après un traitement avec les cytokines TNF-α et IL-17 dans les chondrocytes. Finalement, l’inhibition générale du métabolisme de la S1P par le Fingolimod conduit à une diminution de la minéralisation dans les ostéoblastes et encore davantage dans les chondrocytes. Ces résultats suggèrent que le métabolisme de la S1P participe à l’ossification excessive de la SpA. Des études in vivo sont maintenant nécessaires pour valider cette possibilité / Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a rheumatic disease characterized in particular by enthesis ectopic ossification and inflammation. Enthesis is a zone of concentration of mechanical stresses where ligaments and tendons attach to bone through fibrocartilaginous connections. Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lipid that plays an important role in both bone remodelling and in inflammatory response. Our aim was to explore the role of S1P in SpA excessive ossification. We observed that serum S1P concentrations in SpA patients are significantly higher compared to control donors. We used primary mouse osteoblasts, chondrocytes and tenocytes as cellular models and organotypic cultures of mice enthesis. We observed that S1P synthetizing enzymes, sphingosine kinases 1 and 2, stimulate osteoblasts’ and chondrocytes’ mineralizing process. S1P pro-mineralizing effect was partially mediated by two of the S1P receptors (S1P1 and S1P3). Moreover, S1P production was enhanced by cyclic strain in osteoblasts and chondrocytes and by pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-17) in chondrocytes. Finally, the inhibition of S1P metabolic pathway by Fingolimod reduced the mineralization in cultured osteoblasts and even more in chondrocytes. These results suggest that S1P metabolism participates in SpA excessive ossification. In vivo studies are now needed to validate this possibility

L’objectif principal de cette thèse est d’étudier l’efficacité d’un inhibiteur à base de phosphate, Na3PO4, sur l’amorçage de la corrosion des armatures du béton. L’étude a été réalisée moyennant des méthodes électrochimiques et d’analyse de surface associées à l’émission acoustique et à la technique de la cellule de diffusion. L’évaluation de l’efficacité de l’inhibiteur en milieu simulant le béton a été réalisée en utilisant une nouvelle méthode de prétraitement de l’armature et de suivi de la corrosion. Il apparaît qu’en présence de Na3PO4 le rapport critique [Cl-] / [OH-] d’amorçage de la corrosion par piqûre atteint une valeur (R=15) nettement supérieure à celle sans utilisation de Na3PO4 (R ~ 0,6). L’inhibition est due à la formation d’un film renfermant des composés phosphatés (FePO4, (PO4)2Fe3,8H2O) qui bloque les sites anodiques actifs de l’acier, et augmente de façon significative sa résistance à la corrosion localisée. Pour un rapport R > 15, la dépassivation est liée à la présence d’une forte teneur en chlorure dans le milieu et conduit à terme, à la destruction quasi générale du film formé au préalable sur la surface de l’acier.La technique de cellule de diffusion a permis d’étudier, principalement, la cinétique de diffusion des ions Cl- dans un mortier confectionné sans et avec Na3PO4. La présence du phosphate dans le mortier entraîne une réduction du coefficient de diffusion des ions chlorures, et un accroissement important de la période d’amorçage du processus de corrosion. Enfin, l’inhibiteur adjuvant engendre la formation de nouveaux produits à base de phosphate dans le mortier (principalement : Ca3H2(P2O7)2, H2O et CaHPO4, 2H20). La disparition des hydrates usuels du ciment entraine une légère diminution de la résistance à la compression du béton, et de son module d’élasticité. Néanmoins, la présence de ces composés phosphatés bloque les pores du mortier et freine la diffusion des chlorures. Il s’ensuit une amélioration de la résistance de la corrosion du mortier armé en milieu 3 % NaCl. L’ensemble de ces résultats a montré clairement que cet adjuvant demeure recommandé pour la protection des armatures contre la corrosion en milieu chloruré. / The main aim of this thesis is to study the effectiveness of a phosphate based inhibitor, Na3PO4, against steel reinforcement corrosion initiation. The study was carried out by means of electrochemical methods and surface analysis associated with the acoustic emission and the diffusion cell technique. The effectiveness evaluation of this inhibitor in medium simulating the concrete pore solution has been studied using new method for reinforcement pretreatment and the corrosion monitoring. It appears that in the presence of Na3PO4, the critical ratio [Cl-] / [OH-] which prevents the pitting corrosion initiation reaches 15. This value is significantly higher than that found in the case of the steel without Na3PO4 (R ~ 0. 6). The inhibition is due to the layer formation containing phosphate compounds (FePO4, (PO4)2Fe3.8H2O), resulting in a considerable reduction of the anode active sites in contact with the electrolyte. This reinforces the steel passivation and greatly increases its resistance to localized corrosion. For R > 15 ratio, the depassivation has been associated with the presence of a high chloride content in the medium and with the destruction of the film formed beforehand on the steel surface. The diffusion cell technique was used to study mainly the Cl- ion diffusion kinetics in a mortar without and with Na3PO4. The presence of phosphate in the mortar, leads to the chloride ions diffusion coefficient reduction and an important increase of the corrosion process initiation period. Finally, the adjuvant inhibitor causes the formation of new phosphate-based products in the mortar (principally: Ca3H2(P2O7)2.H2O et CaHPO4.2H20). The disappearance of usual cement hydrates induces a slight decrease of compressive strength of the concrete and its elasticity modulus. Nevertheless, the presence of these phosphate compounds blocks the mortar pores and restricts the chloride diffusion. It follows an improvement of the corrosion resistance of the reinforced mortar in 3% NaCl medium. All these results clearly show that this adjuvant is recommended for the reinforcement protection against corrosion in chloride medium.

<p>Ribose 5-phosphate isomerase (Rpi) is one of the major enzymes of the pentose phosphate pathway, where it catalyses the inter-conversion of ribose 5-phosphate (R5P) and ribulose 5-phosphate. Two forms of this isomerase with no significant amino acid sequence similarity exist, RpiA and RpiB. This thesis describes RpiB from the organisms <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> (<i>Mt</i>) and <i>Escherichia coli</i> (<i>Ec</i>) from a structural and functional point of view.</p><p>Since the <i>E. coli</i> genome encodes both an RpiA and an RpiB, which generally is not expressed, it has been proposed that <i>Ec</i>RpiB has a different role as an allose-6-phosphate isomerase. Activity measurements presented here show that <i>Ec</i>RpiB does have this second activity. </p><p>In the <i>M. tuberculosis</i> genome there is only a gene for RpiB. The crystal structure of <i>Mt</i>RpiB was solved in complex with several different inhibitors designed to mimic the reaction intermediate as well as with the substrate, R5P. The organisation of the active site in these structures could be used to derive the reaction mechanism for <i>Mt</i>RpiB and for other RpiBs in general. Activity measurements of <i>Mt</i>RpiB showed that it can catalyse the R5P isomerisation, but not the allose 6-phosphate reaction. Differences observed in the active site between <i>Ec</i>RpiB and <i>Mt</i>RpiB explain these kinetic results. </p><p>Activity measurements and a structure of an <i>Ec</i>RpiB mutant, where histidine99 was changed to asparagine, implies that RpiB catalyses the first step of the reaction in which the sugar ring must be opened, and gives a possible explanation for how this could occur. </p><p>Inhibition studies have uncovered a compound that selectively inhibits <i>Mt</i>RpiB over RpiA from spinach, which is homologous to the human RpiA. Differences in the inhibition patterns and active site residues of these two species’ Rpi may provide information for future virtual screening approaches, with the aim of discovering new anti-tuberculosis agents.</p>

Ribose 5-phosphate isomerase (Rpi) is one of the major enzymes of the pentose phosphate pathway, where it catalyses the inter-conversion of ribose 5-phosphate (R5P) and ribulose 5-phosphate. Two forms of this isomerase with no significant amino acid sequence similarity exist, RpiA and RpiB. This thesis describes RpiB from the organisms Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mt) and Escherichia coli (Ec) from a structural and functional point of view. Since the E. coli genome encodes both an RpiA and an RpiB, which generally is not expressed, it has been proposed that EcRpiB has a different role as an allose-6-phosphate isomerase. Activity measurements presented here show that EcRpiB does have this second activity. In the M. tuberculosis genome there is only a gene for RpiB. The crystal structure of MtRpiB was solved in complex with several different inhibitors designed to mimic the reaction intermediate as well as with the substrate, R5P. The organisation of the active site in these structures could be used to derive the reaction mechanism for MtRpiB and for other RpiBs in general. Activity measurements of MtRpiB showed that it can catalyse the R5P isomerisation, but not the allose 6-phosphate reaction. Differences observed in the active site between EcRpiB and MtRpiB explain these kinetic results. Activity measurements and a structure of an EcRpiB mutant, where histidine99 was changed to asparagine, implies that RpiB catalyses the first step of the reaction in which the sugar ring must be opened, and gives a possible explanation for how this could occur. Inhibition studies have uncovered a compound that selectively inhibits MtRpiB over RpiA from spinach, which is homologous to the human RpiA. Differences in the inhibition patterns and active site residues of these two species’ Rpi may provide information for future virtual screening approaches, with the aim of discovering new anti-tuberculosis agents.

This research is directed toward understanding the effect of nanoparticle attributes and polymer morphology on the properties of the nanocomposites with analogous nanoparticle chemistry. In order to develop this understanding, polymer nanocomposites containing calcium phosphate nanoparticles of different specific surface areas and shapes were fabricated and characterized through thermal and thermomechanical techniques. Nanoparticles were synthesized using reverse microemulsion technique. For nanocomposites with different surface area particles, the mobility of amorphous polymer chains was restricted significantly by the presence of particles with an interphase network morphology at higher loadings. Composites fabricated with different crystallinity matrices showed that the dispersion characteristics and reinforcement behavior of nanoparticles were governed by the amount of amorphous polymer fraction available. The study conducted on the effect of nanoparticle shape with near-spherical and nanofiber nanoparticles illustrated that the crystallization kinetics and the final microstructure of the composites was a function of shape of the nanoparticles. The results of this research indicate that nanoparticle geometry and matrix morphology are important parameters to be considered in designing and characterizing the structure-property relationship in polymer nanocomposites.

L'implantation de matériaux pour reconstruction osseuse par des techniques chirurgicales peu invasives nécessite des substituts osseux synthétiques, résorbables, injectables et radioopaques. C'est pourquoi le contrôle des propriétés de ces matériaux est primordial. Dans ce contexte, ce travail s'intéresse à la formulation de deux ciments, l'un uniquement à base de carbonate de calcium, le second composé d'un mélange de carbonate de calcium et de phosphate de calcium en quantités égales. Le traitement des phases solides pulvérulentes de ces deux ciments par les procédés de broyage et de co-broyage a été étudié. Ces procédés permettent entre autres de diminuer la taille moyenne des particules. Un mélange intime et homogène entre les constituants de la phase solide est obtenu grâce au co-broyage et les propriétés des ciments sont très significativement améliorées. Le temps de prise est diminué et l'injectabilité de la pâte est fortement augmentée (facteur 100). Cette dernière propriété a pu être évaluée grâce à la mise au point d'un dispositif et d'un protocole de mesure adaptés à un analyseur de texture. Dans le but de visualiser par radiographie aux rayons X l'introduction du ciment injectable dans le site osseux à réparer, du strontium a été introduit en tant qu'agent de contraste radio-opacifiant. Deux voies d'ajout à la formulation du ciment ont été étudiées : la première sous forme de SrCO3 dans la phase solide, la seconde sous forme de SrCl2 dans la phase liquide. Les études réalisées montrent que le co-broyage de la phase solide contenant du SrCO3 est intéressant pour homogénéiser la dispersion de l'agent de contraste et ainsi optimiser la quantité de strontium à incorporer pour atteindre le niveau de radio-opacité requis par la norme en vigueur. De plus, il a été observé que l'ajout de SrCl2 dans la phase liquide rend la pâte plus visqueuse et diminue son injectabilité. Par ailleurs, l'étude de la dissolution de ces ciments à pH physiologique a révélé une libération lente et prolongée du strontium. Enfin, des tests cellulaires in-vitro ont été réalisés sur ces ciments ; ils mettent en évidence l'excellent comportement de cellules ostéoprogénitrices vis-à-vis de ces formulations de ciment ainsi que l'intérêt d'utiliser le sel de SrCO3 plutôt que de SrCl2. La dernière partie de ce travail concerne l'étude de la cristallisation de l'aragonite, variété polymorphe du carbonate de calcium, en présence d'ions phosphate, connus pour inhiber la cristallisation du CaCO3. Grâce à une modélisation à l'aide de la technique de croissance cristalline à composition constante permettant de se placer dans des conditions proches de celles de la prise du ciment uniquement à base de carbonate de calcium in-vivo, il a été montré que la présence d'ions phosphate, même en très faible quantité (concentration &lt; 0,5 µM) diminue à la fois la vitesse de germination et la vitesse de croissance cristalline de l'aragonite. L'ensemble de ces travaux contribue à l'optimisation des propriétés de ces ciments biomédicaux et à mieux appréhender leur comportement que ce soit au moment de leur implantation in-vivo ou de leur évolution et suivi post-opératoires. D'un point de vue fondamental, ces travaux pluridisciplinaires menés dans des conditions modèles in-vitro mais également dans le cadre d'une expérimentation in-vivo ont mis en évidence l'intérêt de confronter ces deux approches pour identifier et comprendre les phénomènes et les réactions impliqués lors de la prise des ciments à base de carbonate de calcium in-vitro et in-vivo. / Implantation of bone substitute materials using minimally invasive surgical techniques requires specific properties for the material including resorbability, injectability and adequate radio-opacity. The control of such properties of the material is of prime importance to meet a surgeon's requirements. In this context, this study deals with two different mineral cements: the first one is only composed of calcium carbonate phases and the second one is a mixture of equal amount of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate phases. An original methodology involving complementary analytical techniques was implemented to thoroughly investigate the grinding mechanism of separated or mixed reactive powders constituting the solid phase and its effects on cement reactivity and properties. We show that co-grinding the solid phase decreases the mean size of the particles and favours both a homogeneous mixing and good contact between the components, leading to a decrease in the setting time. We also set two original protocols designed to evaluate paste injectability and phase separation during paste extrusion. Co-grinding leads to synergistic positive effects on cement injectability and radio-opacity. It allows maintaining a low and constant load during the extrusion of paste, which composition remains constant. Moreover, the cement's mechanical properties can be enhanced by lowering the L/S ratio because of the lower plastic limit. To be able to follow in situ the injection of the bone cement using X-ray radiography, strontium has been introduced as a contrast agent in the cement composition. Two different routes have been investigated: SrCO3 has been added to the solid phase or SrCl2 has been dissolved in the liquid phase. We show that co-grinding process permits to homogenise strontium distribution in the cement allowing us to optimise the minimum amount of strontium to add into the cement paste to reach the radio-opacity required by ISO 9917-1 standard. Moreover, adding SrCl2 in the liquid phase makes the cement paste more viscous and diminishes its injectability. Release tests performed on Sr-loaded cements show a sustained release of strontium at 37°C and pH 7.4. Finally, in-vitro cell tests have shown the excellent behaviour of osteoprogenitor cells, especially on cements including SrCO3. The last part of this work deals with the study of the crystallization of aragonite CaCO3 in the presence of phosphate ions, naturally present in biological fluids, to better understand the setting ability of calcium carbonate cements in-vivo. Using the constant composition crystal growth technique, we show that the presence of phosphate ions, even in very low amount (concentration &lt; 0.5 µM) diminishes both the nucleation and the crystal growth rates of aragonite. This work contributes to the optimization of the properties of calcium carbonate-based cements and a better understanding and control of their behaviours during implantation and their evolution in-vivo. From a fundamental point of view, this multidisciplinary work performed in model conditions in-vitro and completed by preliminary in-vivo experiments have underlined the interest in combining these two approaches to identify and understand the phenomena and the chemical reactions involved during the setting of biomedical cements.

Os solos brasileiros apresentam baixa disponibilidade de fósforo (P). Devido à natureza mineralógica desses solos, a adubação é uma tarefa difícil, em função dos processos de adsorção específica e precipitação, que causam baixa recuperação do P aplicado. Os fertilizantes totalmente acidulados (FTA), com praticamente todo P solúvel em água, são as fontes mais utilizadas no Brasil. Porém, a utilização dessas fontes, pode não ser o mais indicado para esses solos. Teoricamente, o fertilizante fosfatado ideal possibilitaria suprir a demanda inicial da planta, apresentando ainda liberação lenta durante o ciclo da cultura, resultando em cinética de liberação do P mais ajustada a demanda das culturas. Com base nessa premissa, objetivou-se com esse trabalho avaliar a eficiência de fertilizantes fosfatados produzidos por meio da mistura no mesmo grânulo de FTA, fosfato natural reativo de Bayóvar (FN) e enxofre elementar (S0). Os fertilizantes foram avaliados em experimentos de incubação, casa de vegetação e campo. O estudo de incubação foi conduzido com objetivo de avaliar a difusão, disponibilidade e produtos de reação do P e S dos fertilizantes: fosfato monoamônico (MAP), superfosfato triplo (SFT) e MES (MicroEssentials&reg;); e os fertilizantes produzidos: MAP+FN, MAP+FN+S0[2:1], MAP+FN+S0[1:1], SFT+FN e SFT+FN+S0[2:1], obtidos por meio da granulação dos FTA com o FN, na relação 1:1, com base no P total das fontes, com ou sem adição de S0 na composição. Os fertilizantes produzidos com MAP proporcionaram maiores difusões e disponibilidade do P, do que os fertilizantes com SFT. O S0 melhorou a difusão e disponibilidade do P dos fertilizantes produzidos, principalmente nos fertilizantes contendo MAP. Dois experimentos foram conduzidos em casa de vegetação, destacando-se como objetivos principais: estudar a proporção entre os FTA o FN e a presença do S0 na mistura; quantificar o efeito do S0 no aumento da absorção de P do FN, utilizando o 32P e avaliar os fertilizantes com S0 na composição em fornecer S para a cultura do milho, comparando-os com fertilizantes comerciais. Nos fertilizantes com 50% de MAP ou SFT, o aumento na absorção de P dos fertilizantes em função da adição do S0 foi de 26 e 18%, respectivamente. Os fertilizantes com S0 na composição foram menos eficientes no fornecimento de S para o milho do que o S0 aplicado em pó, mas, foram mais eficientes do que o fertilizante contendo S0 pastilhado com bentonita. O estudo de campo foi conduzido com a cultura da soja em um Latossolo Vermelho na região do Cerrado, município de Itiquira-MT. Os fertilizantes avaliados foram: MAP, FN, MAP+FN, MAP+FN+S0[2:1] e MAP+FN+S0[1:1], aplicados a lanço e localizado. Os fertilizantes MAP+FN[2:1] e MAP+FN[1:1] obtiveram eficiência agronômica superior à do MAP+FN e semelhantes à do MAP. Os fertilizantes produzidos com S0 na composição apresentam potencial para serem utilizados na agricultura, podendo ser fontes alternativas aos FTA, ainda com fornecimento de S. Este foi provavelmente o primeiro estudo de campo utilizando essa associação. Outros estudos, em outras condições de solo e clima, devem ser realizados para confirmar a viabilidade do uso dessas fontes. / Brazilian soils has low phosphorus (P) availability. Due to the mineralogical composition of these soils, fertilization is a challenge, because of the specific adsorption and precipitation processes, causing low P recovery from fertilizers. Fully acidulated P fertilizers (FAP), practically with all P soluble in water, are the most used sources in Brazil. However, they may not be the most appropriate sources for these soils. Theoretically, the ideal phosphate fertilizer would be the one which supplies the initial plant demand as well as releases slowly P during the crop cycle, allowing better synchronization between the plant demand and dissolution of P source. Based on this premise, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of phosphate fertilizers produced by mixture of FAP, Bayóvar phosphate rock (PR) and elemental sulfur (S0) in the same granule. The fertilizers were evaluated in incubation, greenhouse and field trials. The incubation study was carried out to evaluate the diffusion, availability and reaction products of P and S from the fertilizers: monoammonium phosphate (MAP), triple superphosphate (TSP) and MES (MicroEssentials&reg;); and the produced fertilizers: MAP+PR, MAP+PR+S0[2:1], MAP+PR+S0[1:1], TSP+PR and TSP+PR+S0[2:1], obtained by granulation of FAP with PR in the ratio 1:1, based on total P content, with or without S0 in the composition. Fertilizers with MAP in the composition resulted in better P diffusion and availability than the fertilizers with TSP. The S0 improved the P diffusion and availability mainly from fertilizers produced with MAP. Two experiments were carried out in greenhouse, with the objectives to: study the FAP and PR ratio and S0 presence in the mixture; quantify the S0 effect for increasing the P uptake from PR, using 32P; and evaluate the fertilizers with S0 in the composition to provide sulfur (S) for maize, comparing them with commercial sources. The S0 presence in the granule improved the P uptake on 26 and 18% from the fertilizers produced with 50 % from MAP or TSP, respectively. The fertilizers with S0 in the composition were less efficient than powdered S0 providing S to maize, but they were better than commercial fertilizer with bentonite+S0. The field trial was carried out with soybean in an Oxisol in Cerrado region, Itiquira-MT. The fertilizers evaluated were: MAP, PR, MAP+PR, MAP+PR+S0[2:1] and MAP+PR+S0[1:1] applied in band or broadcast. The fertilizers MAP+PR+S0[2:1] and MAP+PR+S0[1:1] were better than MAP+PR and similar to MAP on soybean yield and agronomic efficiency. Fertilizers produced by MAP+PR and S0 in the same granule can be potential sources to be used in agriculture, could be alternative sources for FAP, moreover can supply S to crops. Probably this was the first study using the abovementioned association. Other studies in others soils and weather conditions should be carried out to confirm the potential use of these sources.

Une distribution lipidique hétérogène est essentielle à l’identité et fonction des organelles, mais l’échange par trafic vésiculaire tend à annuler cette distribution. Il existe donc des mécanismes qui assurent l’homéostasie des lipides. Les protéines Osh (S. cerevisiae) et les OSBP-Related Proteins (ORP, H. sapiens), sont des transporteurs de lipides. Osh4 est capable d’échanger de l’ergostérol contre le phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI4P), présent sur l’appareil de Golgi. Utilisant des outils fluorescents mesurant avec une précision inégalée le transport de stérol et de PI4P, nous démontrons qu’Osh4 transporte du stérol contre son gradient de concentration en utilisant l’énergie d’un gradient de PI4P. Un couplage au métabolisme du PI4P permettrait à Osh4 d’alimenter le Golgi avec du stérol, ainsi créant le gradient de stérol entre ces organelles. La protéine OSBP participe, via sa capacité à connecter la membrane du RE à celle du trans-Golgi, à la création de jonctions entre ces organelles. Nous avons montré qu’OSBP, par échange stérol/PI4P, utilise le PI4P pour transférer du cholestérol au Golgi, mais également pour autoréguler sa capacité à former les jonctions. Osh6 lie la phosphatidylsérine, nous permettant d’étudier un nouveau mécanisme d’échange. Nous avons résolu la structure cristallographique d’un complexe Osh6/PI4P et avons pu observer l’échange de ces deux ligands par Osh6 entre deux membranes. Cette étude nous permet de suggérer que l’échange de PI4P avec divers lipides, via les protéines Osh/ORP, serait un mécanisme général permettant aux cellules de maintenir le gradient lipidique entre le RE et les membranes tardives de la voie sécrétoire. / An uneven lipid distribution is essential for the function of eukaryotic organelles. However, exchange of material by vesicular trafficking has a tendency to perturb this distribution; mechanisms must though exist to ensure lipid homeostasis. Osh proteins (S. cerevisiae) and OSBP-Related Proteins (ORPs, H. sapiens), are lipid transfer proteins (LTPs). Osh4 is capable of exchanging ergosterol for phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P), found on the Golgi. Using novel fluorescent tools to measure with unprecedented precision the transport of sterol and PI4P, we find that Osh4 can transport sterol against its concentration gradient using the energy of a PI4P gradient. Coupled to phosphoinositide metabolism, this allows Osh4 to transport sterol to the trans-Golgi and create the sterol gradients observed between these organelles. OSBP participates in the creation of membrane contact sites (MCSs) via its capacity to connect ER membranes to those of the trans-Golgi. We have shown that it uses PI4P for transporting cholesterol from the ER to the trans-Golgi by sterol/PI4P counterexchange, hence also autoregulating its tethering activity. Finally, the identification of phosphatidylserine as a ligand for Osh6 allowed us to analyze the possible extrapolation of the PI4P counterexchange mechanism. We have solved the crystal structure of Osh6 in complex with PI4P and have been able to follow counterexchange of PI(4)P and PS in vitro. Concluding, our studies allow us to suggest a general mechanism for ORP/Osh-mediated counterexchange of PI4P for other lipids to maintain lipid gradients between the ER and late membranes of the secretory pathway.

Myo-inositol is ubiquitous in nature and is found at the structural core of a diverse range of biologically important derivatives, including phosphatidylinositols, inositol phosphates and mycothiol. The synthesis of myo-inositol derivatives is notoriously difficult due to the need to control both regio- and enantioselectivity. As a result, synthetic routes to derivatives of this type are often lengthy and low yielding. The first biosynthetic step in the production of all myo-inositol metabolites is the isomerisation of D-glucose 6- phosphate to L-myo-inositol 1-phosphate as mediated by L-myo-inositol 1-phosphate synthase (INO1). For the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei, INO1 is essential for survival and its version of the enzyme (TbINO1) has a high turnover. This makes TbINO1 an attractive candidate for the biocatalytic production of L-myo-inositol 1- phosphate, and a potential starting point for drastically shortened syntheses of important myo-inositol derivatives. The production of L-myo-inositol 1-phosphate by TbINO1 has been optimised to achieve complete conversion in reaction conditions that facilitate product isolation. Due to problems with an in-batch process, the TbINO1 enzyme was immobilised and the process was transferred to a flow system. This has allowed for production of significant quantities of L-myo-inositol 1-phosphate with a high level of purity. L-myo-inositol 1- phosphate obtained from the flow system has been used to prepare mycothiol glycosylation acceptor, 1,2,4,5,6-penta-O-acetyl-D-myo-inositol, in a concise synthesis with a greatly improved yield over the literature.

Os cimentos de fosfato de cálcio apresentam uma série de vantagens de utilização em ortopedia e traumatologia, sendo as mais destacadas a sua biocompatibilidade e bioatividade, as quais permitem a osteocondução dos tecidos ósseos e o endurecimento “in situ”, permitindo maior facilidade de manipulação. Entretanto; através dos métodos convencionais de reação no estado sólido há uma grande dificuldade em se obter a fase α- fosfato tricálcico pura. Com o desenvolvimento deste trabalho foi possível sintetizar a fase α-fosfato tricálcico nanoestruturado com elevado grau de pureza, utilizando-se o método de síntese de combustão em solução. Após os estudos da influência do pH, da natureza do combustível (uréia ou glicina) e dos teores estequiométricos de combustível (0,75; 1,0; 1,5 e 2,0) foi possível definir os melhores parâmetros de síntese (pH 1,5 e combustível uréia em teor duas vezes maior do que o estequiométrico). Com a definição dos parâmetros ótimos de reação, estudou-se a viabilidade de sua utilização como cimento de fosfato de cálcio. Nesta etapa verificou-se a influência do tamanho de partícula através do tempo de moagem. Para tempo de moagem de 180 minutos foram obtidos valores de resistência mecânica à compressão de até 30,4 MPa. Porém após a imersão em solução de plasma sanguineo simulado (SBF) em tempos crescentes de até 28 dias, ocorreu a diminuição desta propriedade o que é indicativo da alta solubilidade dos pós de α-fosfato tricálcico obtidos via síntese de combustão em solução. O ensaio de citotoxicidade In Vitro demonstrou que o CFC sintetizado neste trabalho não apresentou efeito tóxico para as células. Na sequência do trabalho, investigou-se a viabilidade da aplicação do CFC como substituto ósseo e como carga cerâmica em criogéis poliméricos para utilização em engenharia de tecidos. Inicialmente utilizou-se o sistema dimetilaminoetil metacrilato (DMAEMA) com a adição de 5% de um ácido acrílico (ácido acrílico ou ácido metacrílico), porém tal sistema se mostrou muito instável e apresentou baixa reprodutibilidade. Dessa forma, substituiu-se o ácido acrílico pelo monômero hidroxietil metacrilato (HEMA), pelo fato de o último possuir maior estabilidade química e melhores propriedades mecânicas. Com o uso deste sistema foram obtidos arcabouços porosos através do método de criopolimerização com porosidade de até 75% e poros de até 1 milímetro de diâmetro. A adição de α-fosfato tricálcico às estruturas porosas pouco influenciou nas propriedades físicas da rede polimérica e nas propriedades mecânicas dos arcabouços porosos, porém aumentou significativamente a biocompatibilidade destes, permitindo a adesão e a proliferação de células tronco mesenquimais. A presença de colágeno do tipo I e de fosfatase alcalina são bons indicativos de que as células tronco mesenquimais estão se diferenciando em tecido ósseo e demonstram o potencial destes materiais para o seu uso como biomaterial e mais especificamente como substitutos ósseos. / The calcium phosphate cements have a large number of advantages regarding its use in orthopedics and traumatology, being the most prominent its biocompatibility and bioactivity, which allows the osteoconductive of bone tissue and in situ hardening, allowing greater ease of handling. However, the use of conventionals synthesis methods, e.g. solid state reactions, brings great difficulty to the obtainment of highly pure α- tricalcium phosphate phase. In this thesis, the use of the solution combustion synthesis method allowed to synthesize nanostructured α-tricalcium phosphate with high purity. Further studies on pHs influence, fuel natures (urea or glycine) and fuel ratio (0.75, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0) allowed to define the best synthesis parameters (pH 1.5 and urea fuel content in two times higher than the stoichiometric). After choosing the best paramaters to the obtainment of higly pure α-tricalcium phosphate, we studied the feasibility of their use as calcium phosphate cement (CFC) by studing the influence of particle size by increasing the milling time from 30 to 180 minutes. The better results were found for the milling time of 180 minutes. Compressives strength of up to 30.4 Mpa were obtained for this formulation. However, after soaking the calcium phosphate cements in simulated blood plasma (SBF) in growing times up to 28 days, a decrease in the compressive strenght was noticed, which is an indicative of the high solubility of the α-tricalcium phosphate powders obtained by solution combustion synthesis. After the obtainment of the calcium phosphate cements, its application as bone substitute and as ceramic load in polymeric cryogels for use in tissue engineering were studied. Initially, the system dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) with 5% of an acrylic acid (acrylic acid or methacrylic acid) was used, but due its great instability and lack of reproductbility this system was abandoned. Since it has greater chemical stability and good mechanical properties, the monomer hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) was chosen as pair to the DMAEMA monomer. With the use of this polymeric system, porous scaffolds with porosity of up to 75% and pores up to 1 mm in diameter were obtained by the method of cryopolymerization. The addition of α-tricalcium phosphate to the porous scaffolds did not showed a significant influence on physical properties of the polymer network nether on mechanical properties of porous structures. However, it increased significantly the biocompatibility of the scaffolds, allowing the adhesion and proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells. The presence of type I collagen and alkaline phosphatase are good indicators that mesenchymal stem cells are differentiating into bone tissue and demonstrate the potential application of these materials as biomaterials, more specifically as bone substitutes.