Les infections bactériennes touchant la circulation sanguine conduisent à un vaste éventail de graves pathologies, comme les chocs septiques ou les infections locales (endocardites et méningites). Neisseria meningitidis colonise avec succès l’endothélium vasculaire et cause des sepsis sévères. Ces infections résultent de la colonisation des cellules endothéliales de l’hôte, étape clef de la pathophysiologie à laquelle les travaux présentés dans ce manuscrit se sont intéressés. La colonisation de l’endothélium par N. meningitidis est un processus complexe qui implique l’adhésion et la multiplication des bactéries à la surface des cellules endothéliales dans le contexte particulier de la circulation sanguine, où des forces mécaniques sont générées par le flux sanguin sur les objets circulants. Bien que de nombreuses études se soient intéressées à l’interaction entre les cellules endothéliales et N. meningitidis, plusieurs aspects demeurent incertains comme par exemple l’impact des contraintes générées par le flux sanguin et la participation relative des deux partenaires de l’interaction dans la colonisation de l’endothélium par N. meningitidis.L’adhésion de la bactérie à la surface des cellules endothéliales est dépendante de facteurs bactériens (les pili de type IV, PT4) et induit une réponse de la part de la cellule hôte, qui se traduit par un remodelage de la membrane plasmique et une réorganisation du cytosquelette d’actine sous les microcolonies. Dans un premier temps, ces travaux de thèse montrent que la réponse cellulaire induite par N. meningitidis participe activement à la colonisation. En effet, la formation de projections membranaires permet à chaque bactérie de la microcolonie d’établir des contacts avec la cellule hôte, nécessaires à la résistance des microcolonies face aux forces mécaniques générées par le flux sanguin. De plus, nous montrons que la protéine PilV, composant des PT4, est impliquée dans le remaniement de la membrane plasmique et la réorganisation du cytosquelette. Nous avons développé une méthode combinant vidéo-microscopie et analyse de fluorescence pour décrypter les événements précoces prenant place lors du contact entre les bactéries et la surface des cellules hôtes. Nous avons alors montré que le remodelage de la membrane induit par N. meningitidis ne dépend pas de la réorganisation du cytosquelette d’actine au site d’infection mais plutôt des propriétés intrinsèques de la bicouche lipidique.Dans un second temps, nous nous sommes intéressés aux étapes tardives de l’infection, c'est-à-dire à l’initiation d’un nouveau cycle de colonisation. Bien que solidement ancrées à la surface des cellules par l’intermédiaire des projections membranaires, quelques bactéries se détachent des microcolonies pour coloniser des nouveaux sites au sein de l’hôte. Nous avons démontré l’importance de modifications post-traductionnelles de la piline majeure dans cette étape de l’infection et caractérisé les mécanismes impliqués.Cette étude a permis d’affiner les mécanismes impliqués dans l’induction de la réponse cellulaire induite par N. meningitidis et son impact sur la colonisation efficace de l’endothélium par ce pathogène. / Bacterial infections targeting the bloodstream lead to a wide array of severe clinical manifestations, such as septic shock or focal infections (endocarditis and meningitis). Neisseria meningitidis colonizes successfully the vascular wall and causes severe sepsis. Such infections result from an efficient colonization of host endothelial cells, a key step in meningococcal diseases which has been the subject of the work presented here. Endothelium colonization by N. meningitidis is a complex process implying bacterial adhesion and multiplication on the endothelial cell surface in the specific context of the bloodstream, where mechanical forces generated by the blood flow are applied on circulating bacteria. Even though many studies focused on the interaction between N. meningitidis and the endothelial cell, many aspects remain elusive, such as the impact of shear stress generated drag forces and the relative contribution of the two partners involved in this interaction.Adhesion to the endothelial cell surface is dependent on bacterial factors called type IV pili (Tfp) and leads to induction of a host cell response, characterized by a local remodeling of the plasma membrane and reorganization of actin cytoskeleton underneath bacterial microcolonies. First, we have shown that the cellular response induced by N. meningitidis actively participate in the colonization process. Indeed, membrane deformation allows contact with every bacterium inside the microcolony, which is necessary for microcolony resistance to mechanical forces. Additionally, we have demonstrated that the PilV protein, a Tfp component, is involved in plasma membrane remodeling and actin cytoskeleton reorganization. We designed a method combining high resolution live-cell fluorescence video-microscopy and fluorescence quantification to decipher the early events induced on contact of bacterial aggregates with the host cell surface. Using this technique we have shown that membrane remodeling does not rely on actin cytoskeleton reorganization but rather on intrinsic properties of the lipid bilayer. Second, we focused on latter steps of the infection process when initiation of a new colonization cycle is initiated. While firmly attached to the host cell surface through the membranous projections, some bacteria can detach from the microcolony to disseminate throughout the host. We have demonstrated the importance of post-translational modification of the major piline in this step and characterized the underlying mechanisms.This work allows refinement of the molecular mechanisms involved in the induction of the cellular response induced by N. meningitidis and its impact on successful endothelium colonization by this pathogen.

Le carcinome hépatocellulaire (CHC) est une des principales causes de mortalité par cancer dans le monde. Dans environ 50% des tumeurs, on observe les signes d’une activation de la voie Wnt/β-caténine, causée par une mutation de l’exon 3 du gène CTNNB1 ou par stimulation du récepteur FRZD. Des études transcriptomiques du CHCs ont montré que ces deux modes d’activation étaient associés à des sous-types de tumeurs différents. Nous avons cherché à mieux comprendre les caractéristiques cliniques et le phénotype moléculaire de ces deux sous-types de CHCs. Dans un premier temps, nous avons fait le lien entre l'activation Wnt extracellulaire, un phénotype de cellules cancéreuses souches ou progénitrices et la présence de foyers de fibrose discrète intra-tumorale, observable par examen histopathologique, que nous avons appelés "nids fibreux". Nous avons également mis en évidence HAPLN1, une protéine de la matrice extracellulaire dont l’expression est stimulée par Wnt3a dans un modèle de cellules hépatiques progénitrices HepaRG, comme un nouveau marqueur d’agressivité du CHC. Ces résultats montrent une association entre l’activation Wnt extracellulaire et une agressivité tumorale passant par un remodelage matriciel. Dans un second temps, une Méta-analyse de données publiques de transcriptomique a permis de mettre évidence 4 sous-types de CHCs. La mutation CTNNB1, prédite par l’expression de 5 marqueurs par une méthode développée durant la thèse, était associée à un de ces sous-types et à un bon pronostic clinique. Nous avons également isolé un nouveau sous-type de CHC de bon pronostic exprimant un phénotype de tumeur différenciée et des signatures de métabolisme hépatique périportales. Ce sous-type a probablement été un facteur confondant dans les études précédentes mesurant l’association de la mutation CTNNB1 avec un bon pronostic. Enfin, nous avons mis en évidence une forte association négative entre la mutation CTNNB1 et l’inflammation ainsi que la fibrose tumorale dans trois cohortes indépendantes. Cet effet pourrait être provoqué par une inhibition de NF-κB par la β-caténine mutée, comme suggérée par des résultats préliminaires issue d’un modèle in vitro d’HepaRG mutés T41 stimulés par LPS. Nos résultats suggèrent donc que les deux modes d’activation de la voie Wnt/β-caténine sont associés à des mécanismes moléculaires, des profils d’expression, des phénotypes et des pronostics cliniques très différents. / Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Half of them show activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway, caused by activating CTNNB1 exon 3 mutation of by stimulation of FRZD receptor. Transcriptomic based HCC classifications showed that this two types of activation were associated with distinct tumor subtypes. We tried to better understand the molecular phenotypes and the clinical features associated with these subtypes. In a first part, we linked extracellular Wnt activation with a stem/progenitor phenotype and with fibrous hotspot in HCC. Fibrous hotspot, which were called “fibrous nest”, can be detected by routine anatomic pathology analyses. We also showed that HAPLN1, an extracellular matrix protein induced by Wnt3a in progenitor HepaRG cells, was a new marker of stemness and bad outcome in HCC. Those results shows the associations between extracellular Wnt activation, extracellular matrix remodeling and tumor aggressiveness. In a second part, a transcriptome meta-analysis of 1133 HCCs highlighted 4 robust subclasses. CTNNB1 mutation, predicted by a 5-genes score based method, was associated with one of these subclasses and with good clinical features. We also highlighted a new subclass of CTNNB1 wild type HCCs associated with tumor differentiation, signatures of periportal metabolism and good outcome. This subclass was probably a confounding factor in survival studies comparing HCCs carrying mutant versus those carrying wild-type CTNNB1. Finally, we highlighted strong negative associations between CTNNB1 mutation and inflammation as well as tumor fibrosis in three independent cohorts. Preliminary results of in vitro HepaRG cells mutated for CTNNB1 in T41 and stimulated by LPS suggest an inhibitory effect of β-caténine on NF-κB. In conclusion, our results show that the two types of Wnt activation in HCC are associated with very distinct molecular phenotypes and clinical features.

Pendant longtemps, la chromatine a été uniquement décrite comme un moyen de compacter près de deux mètres d’ADN dans un noyau de quelques micromètres de diamètre. On sait aujourd’hui que la chromatine représente en fait un élément majeur de régulation de toutes les fonctions nucléaires impliquant l’ADN. Dans le contexte de dommages de l’ADN induits par irradiations UV, la chromatine endommagée subit une décondensation rapide et transitoire qui l’amène à occuper un volume 1,5 fois plus grand que son volume initial. Cette relaxation chromatinienne est associée à une plus grande accessibilité de l’ADN. Néanmoins, le lien entre ces deux effets découlant de la présence de dommages, n’a pas été établi, ni caractérisé. En couplant l’imagerie de cellules vivantes à l’induction de dommages ciblés au sein de noyaux cellulaires par micro-irradiation laser, ces travaux ont permis de mettre en évidence le rôle majeur de PARP1 dans la réponse chromatinienne aux dommages de l’ADN. En effet, certaines conclusions contradictoires présentes dans la littérature scientifique concernant l’action de PARP1 sur la chromatine ont été réconciliées en démontrant que PARP1 seul peut se lier à la chromatine et entraîner une plus forte compaction de celle-ci, tandis que son activité catalytique de PARylation va, quant à elle, conduire à une décompaction de la structure chromatinienne. Cette étude s’est aussi intéressée à la dynamique particulière de l’histone H1 suite aux dommages de l’ADN. En effet, celui-ci est rapidement exclu des zones de dommages par un mécanisme encore inconnu, et les éléments apportés ici suggèrent que H1 pourrait jouer un rôle dans la décondensation de la chromatine suite aux dommages de l’ADN. Pour finir, des techniques de photo-perturbation et de spectroscopie de corrélation de fluorescence ont été employées pour comprendre et caractériser l’environnement moléculaire que constitue la chromatine endommagée et décondensée. Bien qu’une augmentation significative des interactions entre la chromatine et certains de ses partenaires d’interactions soit observée au sein des zones endommagées, aucun changement en termes d’encombrement moléculaire n’a pu être mis en évidence à ce niveau qui pourrait expliquer une plus grande accessibilité de l’ADN. / For a long time, chromatin was only described as a mean to fit the two-meters long DNA molecule into a nucleus of only a few microns. It is admitted today that chromatin actually represents a key element in the regulation of all nuclear functions dependent on DNA. In the context of UV-induced DNA damage, chromatin undergoes a rapid and transient relaxation which leads to an expansion of the damaged area to 1.5 times its original size. While this chromatin response to damage is associated with a higher DNA accessibility, the link between those two phenomena, as well as the mechanisms driving them, are still poorly understood. Using live-cell imaging and laser micro-irradiation to induce DNA damage on specific nuclear areas, this work allowed to gain hindsight on the predominant role played by PARP1 in the DNA damage-induced chromatin relaxation. Indeed, showing that PARP1 at DNA damage sites can both induce chromatin compaction through its recruitment at DNA breaks or chromatin decondensation through its PARylation activity helped reconcile its apparent opposite effects described in the literature. A focus was also made on the linker histone H1, as it displays a peculiar behavior upon DNA damage, being rapidly released from the site of DNA lesions. Even if the driving force behind H1 release from damaged chromatin areas has not been identified yet, its behavior suggests that H1 might play a part in chromatin relaxation or in increasing DNA accessibility upon DNA damage. Lastly, combining photo-activation techniques and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, experiments were performed in order to understand the physical environment that damaged, relaxed chromatin constitutes. We report here that, while enhanced binding of random DNA binding factors is observed in the damaged chromatin area, no significant change is observed in the macromolecular crowding levels that could potentially explain this enhanced binding, as well as a higher DNA accessibility.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The objective of this study was to investigate the factors controling the expression of angiotensin II (AngII) receptors and to determine the physiological role of AngII in granulosa cells. The AGTR2 receptor was localized in granulosa (and theca) cells from follicles of different sizes. Bovine ovaries were collected at a local abattoir and small follicles (2-5mm) were isolated for harvesting granulosa cells. The cells were cultured in free medium serum in non-luteinizing conditions without FSH (control group) or with graded doses of FSH or IGF1. In other cultures, cells were cultured with or without IGF1 and bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7), and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2). Treatment with FSH, IGF1 and BMP-7 increased (P<0.05) estradiol secretion and AGTR2 mRNA expression relative to control cultures. In contrast, none of these treatments affected AGTR1 receptor expression. Addition of FGF-2 significantly decreased estradiol secretion but did not affect AGTR1 or AGTR2 expression. Cells were cultured with FSH plus graded doses of FGF-7 or FGF-10, and the effects of these factors on AGTR2 protein levels were measured by Western blot. AGTR2 protein levels decreased in the groups treated with FGF-7 (10 and 100ng/ml) and FGF-10 (all concentrations; P<0.05), and estradiol secretion was significantly inhibited by the highest dose of each FGF (P<0.05). Bovine follicles greater than 5 mm diameter were dissected and granulosa and theca cells were separated for RNA extraction, and follicle fluid assayed for estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) content. Non-atretic follicles (P less than 100ng/ml) were classed as estrogenic (E2 greater than 100ng/ml) or non-estrogenic (E2 less than 40ng/ml). There were no differences in AGTR1 receptor expression in theca and granulosa cells between estrogenic and nonestrogenic follicles. Likewise, there were no changes in AGTR2 receptor expression in theca cells with follicle state. However, AGTR2 receptor mRNA levels were significantly higher in granulosa cells of estrogenic compared to non-estrogenic follicles (P<0.01), and AGTR2 receptor mRNA was correlated with E2 concentrations in follicular fluid. To determine the physiological consequences of AT activation in granulosa cells, cells from small (2-5mm) bovine follicles were cultured in serum-free medium with FSH ± AngII. The addition of AngII had no effect on estradiol or progesterone secretion, but significantly inhibited protease nexin-1 (PN-1) mRNA levels and protein secretion (P<0.05). PN-1 is an inhibitor of proteases involved in extracellular matrix remodeling and follicle rupture. Bovine granulosa cells from large (>10 mm) follicles were cultured for 6h, 12h and 24h with LH (100ng/ml) or AngII, with or without angiotensin receptor blocker (losartan for AGTR1 and PD123,319 for AGTR2). These cells expressed Ptgs2 under basal culture conditions, which was not upregulated by either LH or AngII alone. However, LH and AngII in combination significantly enhanced Ptgs2 (P<0.05) mRNA and protein accumulation. Similarly, expression of the proteolytic enzymes uPA and tPA, and their inhibitor, PN-1, were upregulated by the combination of LH and AngII but not by either factor alone. The addition of AGTR blockers inhibited the effect of AngII. In conclusion, AGTR2 receptor is present in granulosa bovine cells, and mRNA and protein are regulated by FSH, IGF-1, BMP-7, FGF-7 and FGF-10 in bovine granulosa cells in vitro, AGTR2 but not AGTR1 receptor mRNA levels are regulated during follicular growth in cattle, and that AngII regulates granulosa PN-1 secretion. These data suggest that AngII is a physiological co-factor necessary for the expression of genes in granulosa cells that are critical for ovulation. / O objetivo deste trabalho foi estabelecer o controle de expressão dos receptores de angiotencina II (AngII) e determinar a ação fisiológica da AngII em células da granulosa (CG) cultivadas in vitro. Os receptores de AngII tipo 1 (AGTR1) e tipo 2 (AGTR2) foram localizados em folículos de bovinos de diferentes tamanhos. Verificouse que as CG de bovinos provenientes de folículos entre 2- 5 mm e cultivadas com FSH, IGF-1, BMP-7 apresentaram aumento na expressão do receptor AGTR2 (P<0,05) em relação ao grupo controle (GC), bem como aumento da secreção de estradiol (E2; P<0,05). Em contraste, as CG tratadas com 10 ng/ml de FGF-2 ou 10 e 100 ng/ml de FGF-7 e FGF-10 apresentaram uma redução na secreção de E2 (P<0,05), porém somente os grupos FGF-7 e 10 nas doses 10 e 100 ng/ml reduziram (P<0,05) a expressão do receptor AGTR2. Para os dois experimentos, não houve diferença na expressão do receptor AGTR1 entre o GC e os grupos tratados. As CG e células da teca (CT) foram coletadas de ovários provenientes de abatedouro para extração de RNA e o fluido folicular para dosagem de E2 e progesterona P4. Esses folículos foram classificados como dominantes (FD; P4<100ng/ml e E2>100ng/ml) e atrésicos (FA; P4>40ng/ml). A expressão dos receptores AGTR1 e AGTR2 foi mensurada por RTPCR. Não houve diferença na expressão do receptor AGTR1 entre FD e FA. No entanto, o receptor AGTR2 apresentou um aumento (P<0,05) na expressão em CG de FD em relação a FA. A expressão do receptor AGTR1 se manteve constante em CG e CT de FD e FA. Para determinar os afeitos da AngII através da ativação de seus receptores CG foram cultivadas em meio livre de soro com FSH e/ou AngII. A AngII não apresentou efeito na secreção de E2 ou P4, mas inibiu (P<0.05) mRNA e proteína para a protease nexin-1 (PN-1). Considerando a redução de expressão da PN-1 envolvida no controle do remodelamento da matriz extracelular (RME), é possível especular um efeito de AngII sobre RME durante o desenvolvimento folicular. Em um terceiro experimento, as CG de folículos grandes (>10mm) foram cultivadas durante 6h, 12h e 24h na presença de Ang (10-5) com ou sem LH (100ng/ml). A combinação de AngII e LH aumentou significativamente (P<0,05) a expressão de mRNA e proteína para COX-2, ativador do plasminogênio tipo U e T, bem como para PN-1. Entretanto, AngII ou LH não aumentaram a expressão de COX-2. O aumento da expressão destes gene indica uma função de AngII no processo de ovulação através das CG. Em um segundo momento, verificou-se através de qual receptor a AngII atua para controlar a expressão desses genes. As CG foram cultivadas por 6h com LH e/ou AngII com ou sem inibidores específicos para o receptor AGTR1 (losartan) e AGTR2 (PD123,319). Os resultados demonstraram que a presença do inibidor de AGTR2 bloqueou o efeito da associação de LH e AngII em relação ao grupo controle (P<0.05), demonstrado que a ação da AngII é mediada pelo receptor AGTR2 em CG. Em conclusão, o receptor AGTR2 está presente nas células da granulosa de bovinos e o mRNA para o receptor AGTR2 é regulado durante o crescimento folicular. Além disso, a expressão do mRNA e a tradução da proteína para o AGTR2 são reguladas por FSH, IGF-1, BMP-7, FGF-7 e FGF-10 em CG de bovinos cultivadas in vitro. Os dados também sugerem que AngII regula a proteína PN-1 em CG e age como um co-fator fisiológico necessário para a ovulação.

Abstract Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), especially dioxin-like chemicals, have been shown to have adverse effects on skeleton and these effects are likely to be mediated via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). In spite of the extensive research, the characteristics of developmental effects of POPs are poorly known and the role of AHR in POP bone toxicity and skeletal development in general. In this project changes in bone morphology and strength as well as tissue matrix mechanics are studied by applying state of the art biomedical engineering methods. This allows understanding of the effects of dioxins exposure and AHR activity on the development and maturation of extracellular matrix in musculoskeletal tissues from a completely new perspective, and thereby improving the health risk assessment of POPs. In the present study skeletal properties of rats exposed maternally to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), Northern Contaminant Mixture (NCM) and Aroclor1254 (A1254) were studied for cross-sectional morphometric and biomechanical properties, and data were analysed with benchmark dose modelling. In addition, extracellular matrix properties were analysed using nanoindentation. Similar measurements were performed for adult wild-type and AHR-null mice after TCDD exposure. The same animals were also analysed for microstructural changes using micro-computed tomography and their bone cell activity was estimated from serum markers and gene expression. Analyses show decreased bone length and cross-sectional properties with consequently decreased bone strength. On the other hand, an increased trabecular BMD in response to NCM and A1254 was observed. In addition, bone matrix properties indicated delayed maturation or early senescence after maternal or adult exposure, respectively. The AHR is mainly responsible for bone toxicity of dioxin-like compounds and plays a role in bone development. This is likely due to disturbed bone remodeling as indicated by altered serum markers and gene expression. Overall these results indicate that POPs decrease bone strength, but the interpretation is difficult as there is more trabecular bone within cortical bone with compromised quality and increased porosity. / Tiivistelmä Altistumisen pysyville orgaanisille ympäristökemikaaleille on todettu heikentävän luustoa. Dioksiinien ja dioksiininkaltaisten yhdisteiden vaikutusten on havaittu välittyvän aryylihiilivetyreseptorin (AHR) välityksellä. Huolimatta pitkään kestäneestä tutkimuksesta POP-yhdisteiden sikiönkehityksen aikaisen altistuksen vaikutukset ja etenkin niiden mekanismit ovat edelleen huonosti tunnettuja, samoin kuin AHR:n osuus POP-yhdisteiden luutoksisuudessa ja luuston kehityksessä ylipäätään. Tässä työssä tutkittiin luuston rakenteellisia ja mekaanisia ominaisuuksia niin perinteisillä kuin uusimmilla biolääketieteen tekniikan menetelmillä. Tutkimuksen tavoitteena on saada uutta tietoa POP-altistuksen ja AHR-aktiivisuuden vaikutuksista luuston kehitykseen ja luukudoksen ikääntymisprosesseihin, mikä edesauttaa kyseisten yhdisteiden riskinarviointia. Tutkimuksissa altistettiin kantavia rottaemoja 2,3,7,8-tetraklooridibenzo-p-dioksiinille (TCDD), pohjoiselle saasteseokselle ja kaupalliselle Arokloori 1254 PCB-seokselle. Sikiönkehityksen aikana altistuneiden jälkeläisten luuston poikkileikkausen morfologia ja biomekaaniset ominaisuudet mitattiin ja tulokset mallinnettiin vertailuannoksen määrittämiseksi. Lisäksi TCDD-altistettujen rottien luustomatriisin ominaisuuksia selvitettiin nanoindentaatiomenetelmällä. Samaa menetelmää käytettiin myös aikuisiässä TCDD:lle altistettujen villityypin hiirten ja AHR-poistogeenisiten hiirten tutkimiseen. Näiden hiirten luuston hienorakennetta mitattiin myös korkean resoluution mikro-tietokonetomografialla ja niiden luusolujen aktiivisuutta tutkittiin seerumin biomarkkerien ja luun muodostumiseen osallistuvien geenien ekspressiotasojen avulla. Sikiönkehityksen aikainen altistuminen pohjoiselle saasteseokselle ja Arokloori 1254:lle hidasti luiden pituuskasvua. Lisäksi luiden poikkileikkauspinta-alat olivat pienentyneet ja mekaaniset ominaisuudet heikentyneet. Toisaalta hohkaluun määrä oli lisääntynyt altistumisen seurauksena. Myös sikiönkehityksen aikainen altistuminen TCDD:lle hidasti luukudoksen kypsymistä ja johti aikuisiällä luukudoksen ennenaikaiseen vanhenemiseen. AHR:llä oli päärooli ainakin aikuisiän vaikutusten ilmenemiselle ja reseptorilla vaikutti olevan rooli luuston kehityksessä ylipäätään. Seerumin biomarkkereiden ja geeniekspression muutosten perusteella nämä vaikutukset johtuvat todennäköisesti luuston uusiutumisen häiriöistä. Yhteenvetona voidaan todeta, että POP-yhdisteet heikentävät luustoa, mutta tämän ilmiön diagnosoiminen on hankalaa, koska huonolaatuisen kuoriluun sisällä hohkaluun määrä on lisääntynyt.

Abstract Ischemic heart disease is one of the leading cause of death in the Western world. There is convincing evidence that stem cell therapy improves cardiac function and reduces the scar formation following an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The mechanisms involved in the recovery remain partly unknown. Direct injection of stem cells into myocardium is a widely used transplantation technique though there are few details available about the behavior of cells after transplantation. A cardiac explant culture model simulating tissue stress was developed in this study to examine in detail the properties of the stem cells after their transplantation. The migration range in myocardium and the number of adherent stem cells increased with time. In vitro and in vivo studies revealed that after their administration, the stem cells became localized in the slit-like spaces, such as in the capillaries. Even though the study outcomes regarding the impact of stem cell therapy in recovery after AMI have been largely promising, the results of the clinical studies have proved to be more controversial. If one wishes to evaluate the true contribution of the stem cell therapy to the recovery, it is essential to devise a reliable study method for cell targeting. Here, iron labeled stem cells in combination with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used. The MRI data corresponded to the histological results. Thus, it is concluded that MRI is a feasible method for monitoring the effectiveness of cell targeting. Stem cell treatment was shown to increase cardiac function at three weeks after AMI. If there was a high number of stem cells in cardiac tissue after transplantation, this predicted a greater improvement in cardiac function. Improper stem cell injection may lead to leakage of the stem cells out of the myocardium, leading to unreproducible study results. Inflammation modulating factors secreted by the stem cells are considered as key mechanisms in the recovery after AMI. There were differences in the cytokine levels between the stem cell treated and control groups in a clinical and in vivo animal study i.e. stem cell therapy exerted a balancing effect on the inflammatory process, a crucial component in the optimal recovery after AMI. The present study reveals many properties of stem cells, importance of cell targeting and the influence of stem cell therapy on cytokine levels after AMI. / Tiivistelmä Iskeeminen sydänsairaus on yksi yleisimmistä kuolinsyistä länsimaissa. Tutkimusten mukaan kantasoluterapia parantaa sydämen toimintakykyä ja pienentää akuutin sydäninfarktin jälkeen sydämeen muodostuvan arpikudoksen määrää. Paranemiseen liittyvät mekanismit ovat edelleen osittain tuntemattomia. Kantasolujen ruiskutus suoraan sydämeen on paljon käytetty menetelmä, vaikka solujen käyttäytymistä ei tunneta tarkkaan.Tutkimuksessa kehitetyn kudoksen stressitilaa simuloivan sydänkudoksen kasvatusmenetelmän avulla tutkittiin siirrettyjen kantasolujen toimintaa yksityiskohtaisesti. Kantasolujen vaeltaman matkan sydänkudoksessa ja kiinnittyneiden kantasolujen lukumäärä havaittiin kasvavan ajan kuluessa. In vitro ja in vivo tutkimuksissa havaittiin kantasolujen sijaitsevan ruiskutuksen jälkeen rakomaisissa paikoissa kuten pienissä verisuonissa. Vaikka tutkimustulokset kantasoluterapian hyödyistä paranemisen suhteen ovat pääosin lupaavia, kliinisten tutkimusten tulokset ovat ristiriitaisia. Todellisen kantasoluhoidon vaikutuksen arvioimiseksi tarvitaan luotettava menetelmä varmistamaan kantasolujen hakeutuminen vaurioalueelle. Tässä tutkimuksessa rautaleimattujen kantasolujen paikantamisessa käytetty magneettikuvantaminen vastasi histologisia löydöksiä. Magneettikuvantaminen todettiin käyttökelpoiseksi menetelmäksi solujen paikallistamisessa. Kantasoluhoidon osoitettiin parantavan sydämen toimintakykyä kolme viikkoa akuutin sydäninfarktin jälkeen. Suuri kantasolumäärä sydänkudoksessa siirron jälkeen ennusti parempaa toipumista. Puutteellisesti suoritettu kantasoluruiskutus voi johtaa kantasolujen vuotamiseen pois sydänkudoksesta aiheuttaen vaihtelevuutta tutkimustuloksiin. Kantasolujen erittämiä tulehdusta sääteleviä tekijöitä pidetään tärkeimpänä mekanismina paranemisprosessissa. Tutkimus osoitti eroavaisuuksia kantasoluhoidetun ja kontrolliryhmän välillä. Kliinisessä ja koe-eläintutkimuksessa kantasolusiirrolla todettiin tulehdusreaktiota tasapainottava vaikutus, mikä on tärkeää optimaalisen sydänlihaskudoksen paranemisen kannalta akuutin sydäninfarktin jälkeen. Tutkimus toi esiin monia kantasolujen ominaisuuksia, solujen paikantamisen tärkeyden ja kantasoluhoidon vaikutuksen sytokiinipitoisuuksiin akuutin sydäninfarktin jälkeen.

Les effets des agents anti-ostéoporotiques sur le tissu osseux sont évalués au niveau de la crête iliaque (CI) mais les réponses aux traitements peuvent varier selon le site osseux. Le but de cette étude était de comprarer les effets de l’acide zolérodronique (ZOL) et du tériparatide (TPTD) au niveau de la crête iliaque et de la vertèbre lombaire L1 (VL1) chez la brebis âgée. Le ZOL a induit une forte diminution du remodelage osseux et une augmentation des microendommagements au niveau des deux sites et une modification des crosslinks du collagène surtout au niveau de l’os cortical de la CI. Trois mois de TPTD ont augmenté le remodelage osseux uniquement au niveau de la VL1. En conclusion, les délais et les amplitudes de réponses au ZOL ou au TPTD diffèrent entre la CI et la VL1 chez la brebis. Ces résultats montrent l’importance de prendre en compte le site osseux pour évaluer les effets des agents anti-ostéoporotiques / The effects of anti-osteoporotic agents on bone tissue are evaluated on iliac crest (IC) but the answers to treatments may vary according to the skeletal site. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of zoledronic acid (ZOL) and teriparatide (TPTD) on IC and lumbar vertebrae (LV1) in ewes. ZOL has induced a high decrease of bone remodeling, an increase in microdamages in both sites and a modification of collagen crosslinks mainly in cortical bone of IC. Three months of TPTD has increased the bone remodeling only in LV1. In conclusion, the delays and the magnitudes of responses to ZOL or to TPTD differ between IC and LV1 in ewes. These results show that the distinction of bone sites to study the early effects of antiosteoporotic therapies appears meaningful

La drépanocytose est une hémoglobinopathie essentiellement connue pour ses répercussions hématologiques, hémodynamiques et vasculaires chez les patients homozygotes (SCA). Bien que ces sujets présentent une intolérance à l'effort, la littérature est très pauvre concernant les répercussions musculaires de la maladie. Ce travail doctoral nous a permis de caractériser pour la première fois les répercussions structurales, énergétiques et microvasculaires du muscle d’hommes (étude 1) et de femmes (étude 2) drépanocytaires par rapport à des sujets SCT et contrôles (CON). Nos analyses histologiques et biochimiques ont mis en évidence chez les sujets SCA masculins une amyotrophie qui explique au moins en partie la diminution de l’IMC des SCA au dépend de la masse maigre. Nous avons également observé l’altération de plusieurs indices du métabolisme oxydatif (CS, β-HAD et COx) qui pourrait relever de la restriction d’approvisionnement et d’utilisation tissulaire en O2 et expliquer en partie l’intolérance à l’effort. Enfin, un remodelage microvasculaire caractérisé par une raréfaction, une moindre tortuosité et une fragilisation des microvaisseaux a également été démontré. Ce remodelage microvasculaire pourrait contribuer à limiter le risque d’enclavement des hématies falciformées et ainsi réduire les risques de vaso-occlusions. La recherche de ces différents stigmates dans le muscle de la population féminine homologue a rapporté un remodelage musculaire similaire à celui observé chez les hommes SCA, mais ce dernier semble atténué, suggérant un effet genre / Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a hemoglobinopathy particularly known for its hematologic, hemodynamics and vascular repercussions. Although SCA patients are exercise intolerant, no studies have looked at muscle repercussions. We assessed repercussions of sickle cell anemia on skeletal muscle and its microvasculature in men (study 1) and women (study 2) for the first time. Our results showed that men with SCA displayed an amyotrophy which can at least partly explain the decrease of BMI at the expense of lean muscle mass. We also pointed out a decrease in muscle oxidative capacities (CS, β-HAD and COx) which could result from O2 supply and utilization disorders and partly explain their exercise intolerance. Finally, a microvascular remodeling characterized by a rarefaction, a decrease in microvessel tortuosity and a microvessel weakening was also highlighted. This remodeling could contribute to maintain local blood flow and reduce risks of entrapment of sickle red blood cells in the microvasculature, hence reducing vaso-occlusive risks. Muscle repercussions on a similar female population testified of the same muscle remodeling as the one observed in men with SCA, but this latter seemed to happen at a lesser extent in women with SCA, suggesting a gender effect

INTRODUCTIONThis research investigates the assessment for the rehabilitation of the Pretoria State Garage (PSG) for the purpose of accommodating the Pretoria Technology Park (PTP). The Pretoria State Garage courtyard is comprised of industrial type of buildings, most of which stand obsolete due to a shift in the manufacturing process. These buildings are structurally sound and historically significant. They offer a major opportunity for conversion to attract business through providing relatively inexpensive commercial and industrial spaces to small and medium sized companies. The site is located in the southwest quadrant of Pretoria Central in which a number of sites and buildings are currently being downgraded in the urban revitalisation process, due to preferred, other technologies of construction. The assessment for the rehabilitation of the site evaluates the spatial qualities and the physical forms of buildings in relation to the new user, while the establishment of the PTP focuses on maintaining, elongating and innovating the industrial manufacturing tradition of the site. The incorporation of the PTP on the PSG site is implemented through the fitting process. RESEARCH AREAThe research focuses on the three main areas dealing with: <ul><li> Programming and planning of the Pretoria Technology Park </li><li>Rehabilitation assessment of the Pretoria State Garage</li><li> Architectural fitting process <br></li></ul> 1. Programming and planning of the Pretoria Technology Park The development methodology is employed for the establishment of a sustainable Pretoria Technology Park, which stems from local technology demand, supply and transfer. As a result, different centres are established to provide accommodation and services to major activities of the park dealing with administration, provision of advanced technology services and accommodation for technology-based firms. Individual centres are discussed according to their envisaged spatial qualities and design specifications. 2. Rehabilitation assessment of the Pretoria State Garage The rehabilitation assessment explores the historic significance and architectural values of the PSG. The outcome of the rehabilitation assessment defmes the manner and the degree in which various rehabilitation interventions could be executed. The process includes proposals for the demolition of unwanted structures and elements, investigating the long-term resilience of buildings to be retained and assessing negative physical features of the site. 3. Architectural fitting process Specific dimensions and spatial requirements of both the PSG (physical) and the PTP (intellectual) respectively are compared for the purpose of mutual fitting. / Dissertation (MArch)--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Architecture / unrestricted

Estudos sugerem que o exercício de força e a suplementação de aminoácidos de cadeia ramificada apresentam potencial anabólico e anti-proteolítico, exercendo de forma sinérgica efeitos positivos sobre o remodelamento muscular. Diante disso, esse estudo teve como objetivo comparar os efeitos da suplementação de aminoácidos de cadeia ramificada (BCAA) e leucina isolada sobre as vias de síntese proteica muscular após uma sessão de exercício de força. Foi conduzido um estudo transversal, randomizado, duplo-cego e controlado por placebo. Dezoito sujeitos do gênero masculino, sedentários e com idade entre 18-30 anos foram divididos em três grupos experimentais: BCAA (BCAA: 3,3 g leucina + 2,4 g de isoleucina + 2,4 g de valina), leucina (LEU: 3,2 g de leucina + 4,8 g de alanina) e placebo (PLA: 8 g de alanina). Os grupos foram submetidos a uma sessão exercício de força (extensão de joelho) composta por 8 séries de 8-10 repetições (85% de 1RM ) com 2 minutos de intervalo entre as séries e receberam intervenção nutricional imediatamente após o término da sessão. Imediatamente antes, imediatamente após, 30, 60, 90 e 120 minutos após o término da sessão os voluntários realizaram coletas de sangue. Os voluntários foram submetidos a biópsias musculares para análises de expressão proteica proteica (p-p70S6KThr389, p-4E-BP1Thr37/46, p-peIF4E Ser209) no período basal (pré), 1 e 2 horas após o término da sessão de exercício. As amostras de sangue foram utilizadas para medir os níveis plasmáticos de insulina, glicose, perfil lipídico e citocinas (TNF-, IL-1, IL-4, IL-6 e IL-10). Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os grupos para o perfil lipídico e os níveis plasmáticos de glicemia. A concentração plasmática de insulina aumentou significativamente nos grupos BCAA e LEU 60 minutos após a ingestão em comparação ao PLA. Para os valores de citocinas musculares, foi encontrada diferença significativa entre BCAA e Estudos sugerem que o exercício de força e a suplementação de aminoácidos de cadeia ramificada apresentam potencial anabólico e anti-proteolítico, exercendo de forma sinérgica efeitos positivos sobre o remodelamento muscular. Diante disso, esse estudo teve como objetivo comparar os efeitos da suplementação de aminoácidos de cadeia ramificada (BCAA) e leucina isolada sobre as vias de síntese proteica muscular após uma sessão de exercício de força. Foi conduzido um estudo transversal, randomizado, duplo-cego e controlado por placebo. Dezoito sujeitos do gênero masculino, sedentários e com idade entre 18-30 anos foram divididos em três grupos experimentais: BCAA (BCAA: 3,3 g leucina + 2,4 g de isoleucina + 2,4 g de valina), leucina (LEU: 3,2 g de leucina + 4,8 g de alanina) e placebo (PLA: 8 g de alanina). Os grupos foram submetidos a uma sessão exercício de força (extensão de joelho) composta por 8 séries de 8-10 repetições (85% de 1RM ) com 2 minutos de intervalo entre as séries e receberam intervenção nutricional imediatamente após o término da sessão. Imediatamente antes, imediatamente após, 30, 60, 90 e 120 minutos após o término da sessão os voluntários realizaram coletas de sangue. Os voluntários foram submetidos a biópsias musculares para análises de expressão proteica proteica (p-p70S6KThr389, p-4E-BP1Thr37/46, p-peIF4E Ser209) no período basal (pré), 1 e 2 horas após o término da sessão de exercício. As amostras de sangue foram utilizadas para medir os níveis plasmáticos de insulina, glicose, perfil lipídico e citocinas (TNF-, IL-1, IL-4, IL-6 e IL-10). Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os grupos para o perfil lipídico e os níveis plasmáticos de glicemia. A concentração plasmática de insulina aumentou significativamente nos grupos BCAA e LEU 60 minutos após a ingestão em comparação ao PLA. Para os valores de citocinas musculares, foi encontrada diferença significativa entre BCAA e Estudos sugerem que o exercício de força e a suplementação de aminoácidos de cadeia ramificada apresentam potencial anabólico e anti-proteolítico, exercendo de forma sinérgica efeitos positivos sobre o remodelamento muscular. Diante disso, esse estudo teve como objetivo comparar os efeitos da suplementação de aminoácidos de cadeia ramificada (BCAA) e leucina isolada sobre as vias de síntese proteica muscular após uma sessão de exercício de força. Foi conduzido um estudo transversal, randomizado, duplo-cego e controlado por placebo. Dezoito sujeitos do gênero masculino, sedentários e com idade entre 18-30 anos foram divididos em três grupos experimentais: BCAA (BCAA: 3,3 g leucina + 2,4 g de isoleucina + 2,4 g de valina), leucina (LEU: 3,2 g de leucina + 4,8 g de alanina) e placebo (PLA: 8 g de alanina). Os grupos foram submetidos a uma sessão exercício de força (extensão de joelho) composta por 8 séries de 8-10 repetições (85% de 1RM ) com 2 minutos de intervalo entre as séries e receberam intervenção nutricional imediatamente após o término da sessão. Imediatamente antes, imediatamente após, 30, 60, 90 e 120 minutos após o término da sessão os voluntários realizaram coletas de sangue. Os voluntários foram submetidos a biópsias musculares para análises de expressão proteica proteica (p-p70S6KThr389, p-4E-BP1Thr37/46, p-peIF4E Ser209) no período basal (pré), 1 e 2 horas após o término da sessão de exercício. As amostras de sangue foram utilizadas para medir os níveis plasmáticos de insulina, glicose, perfil lipídico e citocinas (TNF-, IL-1, IL-4, IL-6 e IL-10). Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os grupos para o perfil lipídico e os níveis plasmáticos de glicemia. A concentração plasmática de insulina aumentou significativamente nos grupos BCAA e LEU 60 minutos após a ingestão em comparação ao PLA. Para os valores de citocinas musculares, foi encontrada diferença significativa entre BCAA e LEU comparado ao PLA para a concentração de IL-10 entre o momento 60 e 120 minutos após. Nesse mesmo período de tempo, também foi encontrada diferença significativa entre LEU e BCAA para a concentração de IL-1. Para os valores de citocinas plasmáticas, não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os grupos em todos momentos analisados. A suplementação de BCAA e LEU aumentou significativamente a expressão p-4E-BP1Thr37/46 120 minutos após comparado ao PLA no mesmo tempo. A expressão de p-p70S6kThr389 foi significativamente aumentada nos grupos BCAA e LEU 60 e 120 minutos após quando comparado com o PLA no mesmo tempo. A expressão de p-eIF4ESer209 encontrou-se significativamente aumentada após 60 minutos apenas no grupo LEU quando comparado ao PLA. Porém, 120 minutos após encontrou-se significativamente elevada em ambos grupos comparado ao PLA. Por meio dos resultados, podemos concluir que a suplementação de BCAA e leucina associadas ao exercício de força possuem efeitos semelhantes sobre o balanço inflamatório e sobre as vias de sinalização de síntese proteica muscular aumentando a fosforilação de efetores da cascata de sinalização da via Akt/mTOR / Studies suggest that resistance exercise and branched chain amino acids supplementation have potential anabolic and anti-proteolytic, synergistically exerting positive effects on muscle remodeling. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of branched chain amino acids (BCAA) and leucine isolated supplementation on muscle remodeling pathways after a resistance exercise. A cross-sectional, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Eighteen male sedentary subjects were aged 18-30 years were divided into three experimental groups: BCAA (BCAA: leucine + 3.3 g 2.4 g 2.4 g isoleucine + valine), leucine (LEU : 3.2 g of leucine + alanine 4.8 g) and placebo (PLA: 8 g of alanine). Both groups underwent a session of resistance exercise (knee extension) that consists of 8 sets of 8-10 repetitions (85% of 1RM) with 2 minutes rest between sets and received nutritional intervention immediately after the session. Immediately before, immediately after, 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after the end of the session the blood samples were assessed. Muscle biopsies were collected for analysis of protein expression (p-p70S6KThr389, p-4E-BP1Thr37/46, p-peIF4ESer209, MAFbx and MURF-1) at baseline (pre), 1 and 2 hours after end of the exercise session. The blood samples were used to measure serum levels of insulin, glucose, lipid and cytokine (TNF-, IL-1, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10). No significant differences between groups were observed for the lipid profile and plasma glucose. The plasma insulin increased significantly in the groups BCAA and leucine 60 minutes after ingestion compared to PLA. For values of muscular cytokines, significant difference was found between BCAA and LEU compared to PLA for the concentration of IL-10 between the time 60 and 120 minutes after. In that same time period, also found significant differences between LEU and BCAA for the concentration of IL-1. For values of plasma cytokines, no significant differences between groups were observed at all time points analyzed. BCAA and LEU supplementation significantly increased the expression of p-4E-BP1Thr37/46 120 minutes after the resistance exercise compared to PLA at the same time point. The expression of p-p70S6KThr389 was significantly increased in BCAA and LEU groups 60 and 120 minutes after resistance exercise compared to PLA at the same time point. The expression of p-peIF4ESer209 p70S6KThr389 was significantly increased after 60 minutes only on LEU group compared to PLA at the same time point. However, 120 minutes after the expression was significantly elevated in both groups compared to PLA. Through the results, we can conclude that the BCAA and leucine supplementation associated with strength exercise have similar effects on the balance of inflammatory and signaling pathways of muscle protein synthesis by increasing the phosphorylation of effectors of the signaling cascade of Akt / mTOR