Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in men worldwide, with 10,000 new cases/year diagnosed in Sweden. In this context, there is an urgent need to identify new biomarkers to detect prostate cancer at an initial stage for earlier treatment intervention. Although how prostate cancer develops has not been fully established, the male sex hormone testosterone is a known prerequisite for prostate cancer development. High levels of transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) are prognostically unfavorable in prostate cancer patients. TGFβ is a multifunctional cytokine that regulates a broad range of cellular responses. TGFβ signals through either the canonical Smad or the non-Smad signaling cascade. Cancerous cells develop different strategies to evade defense mechanisms and metastasize to different parts of the body. This thesis unveils one such novel mechanism related to TGFβ signaling. The first two articles provide evidence that TGFβ receptor type I (TβRI) is ubiquitinated by tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) and is cleaved at the ectodomain region by tumor necrosis factor alpha converting enzyme (TACE) in a protein kinase C zeta type-dependent manner. After TβRI is shed from the ectodomain, it undergoes a second cleavage by presenilin 1 (PS1), a γ-secretase catalytic subunit, which liberates the TβRI intracellular domain (TβRI-ICD) from the cell membrane. TRAF6 promotes TGFβ-dependent Lys63-linked polyubiquitination and recruitment of PS1 to the TβRI complex, and facilitates the cleavage of TβRI by PS1 to generate a TβRI-ICD. The TβRI-ICD then translocates to the nucleus, where it binds with the transcriptional co-activator p300 and regulates the transcription of pro-invasive target genes such as Snail1. Moreover, the nuclear translocated TβRI-ICD cooperates with the Notch intracellular domain (NICD), a core component in the Notch signaling pathway, to drive the expression of invasive genes. Interestingly, treatment with g-secretase inhibitors was able to inhibit cleavage of TβRI and inhibit the TGFβ-induced oncogenic pathway in an in vivo prostate cancer xenograft model. In the third article, we identified that Lysine 178 is the acceptor lysine in TβRI that is ubiquitinated by TRAF6. The TβRI K178R mutant was neither ubiquitinated nor translocated to the nucleus, and prevented transcriptional regulation of invasive genes in a dominant negative manner. In the fourth article, we show that TGFβ utilizes the E3-ligase TRAF6 and the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase to phosphorylate c-Jun. In turn, the phosphorylated c-Jun activates p21 and Snail1 in a non-canonical Smad-independent pathway, and thereby promotes invasion in cancerous cells. In summary, we elucidate a new mechanism of TGFβ-induced oncogenic signal transduction in cancer cells in which TRAF6 plays a fundamental role. This opens a new avenue in the field of TGFβ signaling.

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factors (TRAFs) were initially discovered as proteins that inducibly interact with the intracellular region of TNF receptors (TNFRs). Because the TNFRs lack intrinsic catalytic activity, the TRAFs are hypothesized to orchestrate signaling activation downstream of the TNFR superfamily, however their mechanism of activation remains unclear (Inoue et al., 2000; Bishop, 2004). Originally, the TRAFs were compared to the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) protein family, due to their sequence homology, and the presence of multiple RING- and zinc-finger domains, suggesting that their function may be to regulate transcriptional activity (Rothe et al., 1994; Hu et al., 1994; Sato et al. 1995; Cheng et al., 1995). However, subsequent research focused predominantly on their cytoplasmic functions, and more recently on their function as E3 ubiquitin ligases (Pineda et al., 2007). In my research, I analyzed the subcellular localizations of the TRAFs following CD40 ligand (CD40L)-stimulation, and found that TRAF2 and 3 rapidly translocate into the nucleus of primary neurons and Neuro2a cells. Interestingly, similar analysis conducted in pre-B lymphocytes (Daudi cells) revealed a different response to CD40L-stimulation, with TRAF2 and 3 being rapidly degraded within 5-minutes of stimulation. These findings are significant because they demonstrate for the first time that the TRAFs translocate into the nucleus and suggest that they may function within the nucleus in a cell-specific manner. I next analyzed the ability of TRAF2 and 3 to bind to DNA, and found that they both bind to chromatin and the NF-kappaB consensus element in Neuro2a cells, following CD40L-stimulation. Similar analyses of the chromatin binding of TRAF2 and 3 in Daudi cells revealed that they were rapidly degraded, similar to the results from my analysis of their subcellular localization. These findings show for the first time that the TRAFs interact with DNA, and therefore support the hypothesis that the TRAFs may function within the nucleus as transcriptional regulators. Finally, I analyzed the ability of the TRAFs to regulate transcriptional activity by luciferase assay. Previous studies showed that overexpression of TRAF2 and 6 could induce NF-kappaB transcriptional activity; however researchers have not been able to determine the mechanism by which they do so. In my studies, I found that every TRAF can directly regulate transcriptional activity either as co-activators or co-repressors of transcription, in a cell- and target protein-specific manner. Additionally, I found that TRAF2 can act as a transcriptional activator, and that its ability to regulate transcription is largely dependent upon the presence of its RING-finger domain. In conclusion, these studies have revealed an entirely novel function for the TRAFs as immediate-early transcriptional regulators. Future research into the genes that are regulated by the specific TRAF complexes will further elucidate how the TRAFs regulate TNFR signaling, as well as whether dysfunctions in TRAF signaling may be associated with known disorders. If specific TRAF complexes are found to regulate specific genes, then pharmacological targeting of the individual TRAF complexes may allow for the highly specific inhibition of signaling events downstream of the TNFRs, without compromising overall receptor signaling, transcription factor pathways, or cellular systems.

No description available.

Le CD40 est une glycoprotéine transmembranaire de type I, appartenant à la famille des TNFRs, exprimée à la surface des cellules immunitaires, hématopoïétiques, vasculaires, épithéliales, et d’autres types de cellules, y compris les cellules tumorales. Le CD40 ne possédant pas de domaine kinase, pour induire un signal il interagit directement ou indirectement avec des protéines adaptatrices telles que les TRAFs et les JAKs. L’interaction du CD40 avec son principal ligand, le CD154, joue un rôle primordial dans la régulation de la réponse immunitaire et le maintien de l’homéostasie. L’activation du CD40 à la surface des cellules B augmente leur capacité de présentation d’antigène, en plus d’induire la prolifération, la commutation isotypique et l’apoptose. Les patients souffrant de mutations au niveau du gène codant pour le CD40 ou de son ligand sont immunosupprimés et sensibles à des infections opportunistes. Des études ont montré que le CD40 comme d’autres membres de la famille des TNFRs est capable de former des homodimères. Plus récemment, on a montré que la formation du CD40 homodimère est le résultat de son engagement sur les cellules B. En plus, cette homodimérisation du CD40 est importante pour la phosphorylation de l’Akt. L’interaction CD40/CD154 peut avoir un rôle direct dans l’immunothérapie par l’induction de l’apoptose de certaines cellules cancéreuses ou un rôle indirect en activant les cellules présentatrices d’antigènes (CPA) afin d'augmenter l’efficacité de l’activation des cellules T cytotoxiques. Nos résultats montrent que l’induction de la mort cellulaire par le CD40 requiert la perméabilisation du lysosome, la libération de la cathepsine B, la présence de ROS et une interaction avec le TRAF6, cette mort cellulaire programmée est plus importante en présence de la forme monomérique du CD40, muté au niveau de la cystéine 238. Par ailleurs, l’homodimérisation du CD40 requerrait sa translocation vers les radeaux lipidiques et nécessiterait la présence des ROS. Cette homodimérisation du CD40 semble être importante pour l’activation des cellules B par le biais de l’induction de l’expression du CD23, CD69 et CD80. De plus, nos résultats montrent pour la première fois une implication du CD40 homodimère dans l’induction du CD23 par le biais du TLR4. Nos résultats soulignent l’importance du CD40 homodimère dans certaines voies de signalisation. Ainsi, ils mettent en évidence le rôle de la Cys-238 dans la coopération entre des récepteurs de la réponse immunitaire innée et adaptative. Toutes ces données permettraient une meilleure compréhension de certaines voies de signalisation impliquées dans plusieurs maladies auto-immunes et faisant objet de plusieurs essais thérapeutiques. / CD40 is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the TNFRs family, which is expressed on the surface of immune, hematopoietic cells, vascular, epithelial, and other cell types, including a wide range of tumour cells. CD40 does not have a kinase domain. Thus, to induce a signal, CD40 interacts directly or indirectly with adapter proteins such as TRAFs and Jaks. The interaction of CD40 with its main ligand, CD154, plays an important role in regulating the immune response and homeostasis. The activation of CD40 on the surface of B cells increases its ability to promote antigen presentation, in addition to inducing proliferation, isotype switching, and apoptosis. Patients affected by mutations in the gene encoding the CD40 or its ligand are immunosuppressed and susceptible to opportunistic infections. Studies have shown that CD40, as other members of the family of TNFRs is capable of forming homodimers. More recently, it was shown that the formation of the CD40 homodimer is the result of the engagement of CD40 on B cells by CD154. In addition, the homodimerization of CD40 is important for the phosphorylation of Akt. The CD40/CD154 interaction can have a direct role in immunotherapy by inducing apoptosis of some cancer cells or an indirect role in activating antigen-presenting cells (APCs), thereby increasing the effectiveness of activation of cytotoxic T cells. Our results show that the induction of cell death by CD40 requires permeabilization of the lysosome, the release of cathepsin B, the presence of ROS and interaction with TRAF6, this programmed cell death is greater in the presence of the monomeric form of CD40, due to a mutation at the level of the cysteine 238. Moreover, the homodimerization of CD40 requires its translocation to lipid rafts and the presence of ROS. This homodimerization is necessary for the CD40 B-cell activation via the induction of expression of CD23, CD69 and CD80. In addition, our results show for the first time the involvement of the CD40 homodimer in the induction of CD23 expression via TLR4. Our results emphasize the importance of CD40 homodimer in signaling pathways and highlight the role of Cys-238 in the cooperation between receptors of the innate and adaptive immune response. All together our results will allow a better understanding of CD40 signaling pathways involved in several autoimmune diseases, which give a rise to a better therapeutic trial design.

Le CD40 est une glycoprotéine transmembranaire de type I, appartenant à la famille des TNFRs, exprimée à la surface des cellules immunitaires, hématopoïétiques, vasculaires, épithéliales, et d’autres types de cellules, y compris les cellules tumorales. Le CD40 ne possédant pas de domaine kinase, pour induire un signal il interagit directement ou indirectement avec des protéines adaptatrices telles que les TRAFs et les JAKs. L’interaction du CD40 avec son principal ligand, le CD154, joue un rôle primordial dans la régulation de la réponse immunitaire et le maintien de l’homéostasie. L’activation du CD40 à la surface des cellules B augmente leur capacité de présentation d’antigène, en plus d’induire la prolifération, la commutation isotypique et l’apoptose. Les patients souffrant de mutations au niveau du gène codant pour le CD40 ou de son ligand sont immunosupprimés et sensibles à des infections opportunistes. Des études ont montré que le CD40 comme d’autres membres de la famille des TNFRs est capable de former des homodimères. Plus récemment, on a montré que la formation du CD40 homodimère est le résultat de son engagement sur les cellules B. En plus, cette homodimérisation du CD40 est importante pour la phosphorylation de l’Akt. L’interaction CD40/CD154 peut avoir un rôle direct dans l’immunothérapie par l’induction de l’apoptose de certaines cellules cancéreuses ou un rôle indirect en activant les cellules présentatrices d’antigènes (CPA) afin d'augmenter l’efficacité de l’activation des cellules T cytotoxiques. Nos résultats montrent que l’induction de la mort cellulaire par le CD40 requiert la perméabilisation du lysosome, la libération de la cathepsine B, la présence de ROS et une interaction avec le TRAF6, cette mort cellulaire programmée est plus importante en présence de la forme monomérique du CD40, muté au niveau de la cystéine 238. Par ailleurs, l’homodimérisation du CD40 requerrait sa translocation vers les radeaux lipidiques et nécessiterait la présence des ROS. Cette homodimérisation du CD40 semble être importante pour l’activation des cellules B par le biais de l’induction de l’expression du CD23, CD69 et CD80. De plus, nos résultats montrent pour la première fois une implication du CD40 homodimère dans l’induction du CD23 par le biais du TLR4. Nos résultats soulignent l’importance du CD40 homodimère dans certaines voies de signalisation. Ainsi, ils mettent en évidence le rôle de la Cys-238 dans la coopération entre des récepteurs de la réponse immunitaire innée et adaptative. Toutes ces données permettraient une meilleure compréhension de certaines voies de signalisation impliquées dans plusieurs maladies auto-immunes et faisant objet de plusieurs essais thérapeutiques. / CD40 is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the TNFRs family, which is expressed on the surface of immune, hematopoietic cells, vascular, epithelial, and other cell types, including a wide range of tumour cells. CD40 does not have a kinase domain. Thus, to induce a signal, CD40 interacts directly or indirectly with adapter proteins such as TRAFs and Jaks. The interaction of CD40 with its main ligand, CD154, plays an important role in regulating the immune response and homeostasis. The activation of CD40 on the surface of B cells increases its ability to promote antigen presentation, in addition to inducing proliferation, isotype switching, and apoptosis. Patients affected by mutations in the gene encoding the CD40 or its ligand are immunosuppressed and susceptible to opportunistic infections. Studies have shown that CD40, as other members of the family of TNFRs is capable of forming homodimers. More recently, it was shown that the formation of the CD40 homodimer is the result of the engagement of CD40 on B cells by CD154. In addition, the homodimerization of CD40 is important for the phosphorylation of Akt. The CD40/CD154 interaction can have a direct role in immunotherapy by inducing apoptosis of some cancer cells or an indirect role in activating antigen-presenting cells (APCs), thereby increasing the effectiveness of activation of cytotoxic T cells. Our results show that the induction of cell death by CD40 requires permeabilization of the lysosome, the release of cathepsin B, the presence of ROS and interaction with TRAF6, this programmed cell death is greater in the presence of the monomeric form of CD40, due to a mutation at the level of the cysteine 238. Moreover, the homodimerization of CD40 requires its translocation to lipid rafts and the presence of ROS. This homodimerization is necessary for the CD40 B-cell activation via the induction of expression of CD23, CD69 and CD80. In addition, our results show for the first time the involvement of the CD40 homodimer in the induction of CD23 expression via TLR4. Our results emphasize the importance of CD40 homodimer in signaling pathways and highlight the role of Cys-238 in the cooperation between receptors of the innate and adaptive immune response. All together our results will allow a better understanding of CD40 signaling pathways involved in several autoimmune diseases, which give a rise to a better therapeutic trial design.