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Aqueous Phase Partitioning has a long history of applications to the analytical characterisation of biomolecules. However process applications have attracted the most interest in biotechnology where it has become widely recognized as a cost-effective technique. The main aim of this work was to explore the proposition that partition in Aqueous Two Phase Systems (ATPS) can be used as an analytical tool to detect protein isoforms and to assess the applicability of the method in clinical assays and for quality control in bioprocessing through examination of several analytical problems. The work also examined the development of automated methods of system preparation and sampling techniques to determine the partition coefficient in ATPS. The study demonstrated that the geometrical form of the phase diagram co-existence curve was of crucial importance since this directly affected the accuracy with which systems of defined Tie Line Length and Mass Ratio could be constructed. The TLL %Bias (accuracy) of a theoretical system range in the PEG1000-(NH4)2SO4 system at shorter TLL (12.2) was in the range +80.6% to -100% while at a longer TLL (53.1) the %Bias (accuracy) was reduced to +0.1% to -1.9%. At the same time the MR %Bias (accuracy) at shorter TLL (12.2) was in the range +59.5% to -21.3% while at the longer TLL (53.1) this was reduced to +2.7% to -2.6%. By contrast in the PEG8000-Dextran500 system the TLL %Bias (accuracy) at shorter TLL (13.1) was in the range +3.7% to -4.12%, while at a longer TLL (31.1) the range was +0.74% to -0.67%. The MR %Bias (accuracy) at the shorter TLL (13.1) was in the range +3.6% to -3% while at the longer TLL (31.1) the range was +1.1% to -1.4%. This illustrated that it is more difficult to work with a high degree of accuracy (e.g. %Bias <5%) close to the critical point in PEG-salt systems than in PEG-dextran systems. Two different approaches were taken to examine analytical phase partitioning. In the first approach the structure of the isoforms of a model protein (ovalbumin) were altered enzymatically. Analytical methods involving Strong Anion-Exchange chromatography were developed and applied to the separation of the ovalbumin isoforms. Removal of the phosphorylated groups (dephosphorylation of ovalbumin) was undertaken using alkaline phosphatase and de-glycosylation was attempted using neuraminidase and Endo-glycosidase F. However, both enzymatic approaches to deglycosylation were unsuccessful. Dephosphorylated isoforms were successfully produced and characterised. After partitioning in ATPS a clear difference was demonstrated between the behaviour of the native and dephosphorylated forms of ovalbumin. The mean % recovery in a PEG-salt ATPS was 99.8% (± 3.59) for the naive protein and 75.6% (± 4.03) for the dephosphorylated form. On the other hand, in a PEG3350-Dextran500 system, where solubility was maintained, a significant difference in the partition coefficient (K) of native and dephosphorylated ovalbumin was found. K for native ovalbumin was 0.85 while the partition coefficient of the dephosphorylated ovalbumin was 0.61. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) indicated that the regression coefficients of the respective partition isotherms were significantly different (p value < 0.05). In a second approach to examine analytical phase partitioning, chemical modification of a specific target surface amino acid of another model protein (serum albumin) was used to determine the degree of conjugation of the protein and also to determine its oxidative state. The method examined the reactivity of a free surface thiol to a wide range of labels ( (a) 2-methylsulfonyl-5-phenyl -1,3,4 oxidiazole reagent, (b) N-Ethylmaleimide (NEM) reagent, (c) 5, 5’-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoate)(DTNB) (Ellman’s reagent), (d) N-pyrenylmaleimide (NPM) reagent, (e) Fluorescein-5-maleimide (F-5-M) Reagent). Only DTNB was found to modify the surface free thiol of serum albumin in a highly specific and quantitative manner. In the course of the development of a partitioning assay for surface free thiols of serum albumin significant oxidative properties were found to be associated with poly(ethylene glycol) PEG solutions and several attempts were made to find an oxidatively safe partitioning system by including antioxidants and by removal of contaminants by freeze drying. PEG3350-Dextran500 was found to provide an oxidatively safe environment for the development of a partitioning assay for the determination of albumin free thiols. A phase partitioning assay system capable of quantitatively resolving protein associated free thiols and low molecular weight thiols from a mixture of the two was developed. Correlation coefficients (R2) for the regression of experimentally determined protein free thiols in the presence of different levels of added LMW free thiol on the known addition of protein ranged from 0.77 to 0.83. The results demonstrated that the assay could quantify and distinguish both types of thiol in a simple two-step procedure.

L'eczéma allergique de contact (EAC) est une pathologie inflammatoire cutanée de plus en plus fréquente. Il s’agit d’une sensibilisation vis-à-vis de substances chimiques, appelées haptènes, qui sont en contact répété avec la peau. A l’heure actuelle, le pouvoir sensibilisant d’une molécule est évalué principalement grâce à des modèles animaux. Cependant, dans un contexte européen exigeant le développement de méthodes alternatives, la compréhension et la reproduction in vitro des mécanismes de l’EAC permettent le développement de nouvelles stratégies. Le but de ce travail, réalisé sur des cellules dendritiques (DCs) et la lignée humaine U937, est de mettre en évidence les événements précoces de la signalisation intracellulaire à l’origine de l’activation des DCs induite par des allergènes, et notamment par le composé mercurique thimerosal. Les résultats obtenus démontrent que l’induction d’un stress oxydant par les allergènes est un mécanisme induit précocement. L’utilisation d’antioxydants montre que ce mécanisme participe de manière directe à l’initiation du processus d’activation des DCs (expression du CD86 et sécrétion d’IL-8) et de l’apoptose. Le stress oxydant, caractérisé par une production d’ERO associée à une chute du potentiel membranaire mitochondrial et une déplétion en glutathion intracellulaire, est un acteur majeur de la signalisation induite par les allergènes et notamment dans la réponse induite par le thimerosal et le DNCB. Plus particulièrement, ce travail démontre le rôle des groupements thiols dans l’initiation de la transduction du signal aboutissant à l’activation des DCs. Par ailleurs, une signalisation calcique, dépendante du stress oxydant, a également été mise en évidence en réponse aux allergènes. Ces résultats mettent en valeur l’importance de l’étude de la réactivité des allergènes vis-à-vis des groupements thiols et de la nécessité de tenir compte du potentiel oxydant (rédox) des haptènes ainsi que du métabolisme cellulaire dans la mise en place de modèles prédictifs in vitro. / Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD) resulting from skin sensitization is a frequent inflammatory skin disease linked to the use of chemicals, called haptens. At this time, the sensitizing potential of a new chemical is evaluated on animal models. However, new European legislation requires alternative methods for skin sensitization. In this context, a better knowledge of ACD and the capacity to reproduce in vitro its mechanisms lead to the development of new alternative methods. The aim of this study performed with human dendritic cells (DCs) and the human cell line U937 was to determine the early events involved in dendritic cell activation induced by contact sensitizers and especially by the mercury compound thimerosal. Data show that oxidative stress induced by sensitizers is an early signaling event leading to DC activation (expression of CD86 and IL-8 release) and to apoptosis. Using antioxidants, our data show that oxidative stress, characterized by ROS production in correlation with the depletion of the mitochondrial membrane potential and of intracellular glutathione, is a key player in signal transduction induced by sensitizers, especially in the response of DCs towards thimerosal and DNCB. More specifically, these studies demonstrate that thiol groups play a direct role in the initiating events leading to DC activation. In addition, calcium influx was detected in DCs exposed to sensitizers, in correlation with oxidative stress. These data highlight the great interest in the development of a hapten-protein binding assay based on thiol groups and the necessity to better understand the redox status of chemicals as well as cell metabolism for predicting skin sensitization.

L'objectif de ce travail était de sélectionner de manière rationnelle une bactérie probiotique par la mise en place d'un crible ainsi que d'étudier et de comprendre l'impact du potentiel d'oxydoréduction (Eh) et du bullage de gaz sur la survie de Bifidobacterium bifidum dans un produit laitier fermenté. Nous avons tout d’abord développé des techniques de sélection des bactéries sur des critères de viabilité / vitalité (analyse par cytométrie en flux) ainsi que sur des critères de fonctionnalité (pouvoir antioxydant). Nous avons pu sélectionner des souches d'intérêt industriel ainsi qu'une souche d'étude académique, Bifidobacterium bifidum.Nous avons ensuite étudié l'effet de la modification du Eh par bullage de gaz sur la survie de B. bifidum dans un produit laitier fermenté. Les laits fermentés conditionnés sous atmosphère anaérobie (Azote) et/ou réductrice (Azote-Hydrogène) permettent une meilleure survie de la souche au cours du stockage (28 jours – 4 °C) par rapport au Contrôle. Puis, nous avons analysé l'effet d'une croissance sous différents Eh sur la viabilité en milieu modèle et la fonctionnalité de B. bifidum. Une croissance en condition anaérobie et/ou réductrice permet d’améliorer à la fois la résistance aux stress (stress oxydant d’ordre physiologique, stress aux sels biliaires et stress côlon), le pouvoir réducteur (sels de tétrazolium), le pouvoir antioxydant (test KRL et test des comètes) et l’adhérence par rapport au Contrôle. Une modulation des propriétés biochimiques membranaires sous Azote et sous Azote-Hydrogène pourraient expliquer ces phénomènes. L’augmentation des composés thiols exofaciaux et l’augmentation des acides gras insaturés à longues chaines est observée pour des cellules produites sous conditions Azote et Azote-Hydrogène. Ainsi ces conditions de croissance présentent une amélioration majeure de l’effet probiotique de B. bifidum, à la fois d’un point de vue de sa résistance aux stress que d’un point de vue de sa fonctionnalité / The aim of this work was to select rationally a probiotic strain by setting up a screening method as well as study and understand the impact of the redox potential (Eh) and gas bubbling on the survival of Bifidobacterium bifidum in a fermented dairy product. In a first time, we have developed selection techniques of probiotic bacteria on the criteria of viability / vitality (flow cytometry analysis) and on the criteria of functionality (antioxidant). We were able to select strains of industrial interest as well as an academic strain, Bifidobacterium bifidum.Secondly, we have studied effect of modifying redox potential by gas bubbling on the survival of B. bifidum in a fermented dairy product. Thus, fermented milk manufactured under anaerobic condition (Nitrogen,) and/or under reducing one (Nitrogen-Hydrogen) allow a better survival of the probiotic strain during the storage (28 days) at 4 °C compared with the Control fermented milk. Yogurt starter strains are not impacted. Then, we have analysed the effect of a growth under various Eh on the viability in model medium and the functionality of B. bifidum. A growth under anaerobic and/or reducing condition thus improved resistance to stress (physiological oxidative stress, bile salts and intestinal stress) the reducing power (tetrazolium salts) and the antioxidant power (KRL test and comet assay) compared with the Control. The adhesion to Caco-2 cells under these conditions is also improvedModulation of biochemical membrane properties under Azote and Azote-Hydrogen conditions could explain these phenomena. An increase in the proportion of exofacial thiol groups and in the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids with long chain was observed for cells produced under Nitrogen and Nitrogen-Hydrogen. These growth conditions present a major improvement for the probiotic effect of B. bifidum, regarding its resistance to stress and its functionality

Parmi les bactéries lactiques, Lactococcus lactis est la plus utilisée en fabrication fromagère. Actuellement, les ferments lactiques sont majoritairement choisis pour leurs propriétés acidifiantes, protéolytiques et aromatiques. Un autre paramètre majeur est le potentiel redox (Eh). En effet, un Eh réducteur est souvent associé à une bonne qualité aromatique. L’activité réductrice de L. lactis pourrait donc être un nouveau paramètre à prendre en compte dans la maitrise du Eh dans la fabrication des produits laitiers fermentés. Néanmoins, les mécanismes impliqués dans l’activité réductrice de L. lactis demeurent encore inconnus. L’objectif de ce présent travail de thèse a été de les découvrir. Tout d’abord, nous avons développé des milieux de culture gélosé de discrimination redox utilisant des sels de tétrazolium pour cribler une banque de mutants aléatoires de L. lactis. Ceci a permis de démontrer la participation partielle de la chaine de transport d’électrons (Ménaquinones) dans l’activité réductrice de L. lactis. Ensuite, l’approche biochimique nous a permis de déterminer les composés biochimiques principaux contribuant à la diminution du Eh vers des valeurs très réductrices. La présence de groupements thiols exofaciaux est responsable du Eh réducteur atteint par L. lactis. Enfin, l’analyse protéomique utilisant un marquage spécifique des protéines thiols de surface a mis en évidence la présence d’une dizaine de protéines exposant des groupements thiols exofaciaux potentiellement impliquées dans l’activité réductrice de L. lactis. Les thiols sont connus pour être de très puissants antioxydants ce qui confère à L. lactis un intérêt supplémentaire à prendre en considération dans l’élaboration des produits laitiers fermentés. / Among the Lactic Acid Bacteria, Lactococcus lactis is the most used in cheese making. Nowadays, starters are used mainly for their acidifying, proteolytic and flavor properties. Another important parameter is the redox potential (Eh). Indeed, reducing Eh is often related to good flavor properties. The reducing activity of L.lactis should be therefore a new parameter to take into account in the monitoring of Eh during dairy fermented products making. Nevertheless, the mechanisms involved in the reducing activity of L.lactis are still unknown. The aim of this work was to understand them. First of all, we have developed tetrazolium salts agar plate media in order to screen a random bank of mutants of L. lactis on their redox capacities. These media allowed us to demonstrate the partial implication of the electron transport chain (Menaquinone) in the reducing activities of L. lactis. Secondly, we have determined the biochemical compounds involved in the decrease of Eh to very reducing values thanks to a biochemical approach. Exofacial thiol groups are mainly responsible for the reducing Eh reached by L.lactis. Lastly, a proteomical analysis using a specific staining of thiols surface proteins revealed the presence of about ten proteins displaying thiols exofacials groups. These proteins might be involved in the reducing activity of L.lactis. Thiols are known to be very strong antioxidants which confer to L. lactis an additional interest to consider in dairy products making.

Beneath glycation, oxidation reactions may take place at cereal proteins during production of malt. The extent of oxidative chemical changes at malt proteins has not yet been studied. In the present short communication, malt protein was characterized by the determination of free thiol groups and degree of methionine oxidation as well as the sites that are reactive to covalent modification by 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH, “protein carbonylation”). Protein carbonylation in pale malts was around 1.5 nmol/mg protein and increased with increasing malt colour. Investigations on the protein pellet isolated for determination of carbonylation revealed that solubility and colour may disturb the quantification of carbonyl sites in roasted malts. Free thiols decreased with increasing malt colour already in pale malts (EBC < 10). The formation of methionine sulfoxide (MetSO) was intensified with increasing malt colour. An amount of 7–20% of methionine was converted to MetSO in pale and dark malt, whereas nearly 60% of methionine was oxidized to MetSO in roasted malts. The formation of methionine sulfone was negligible. This study shows that malt proteins suffer from oxidation during kilning, and future studies will have to show whether this supports the pro- or antioxidant activity of malt.