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International audience; The industrial development of active immunotherapy based on live-attenuated bacterial vectors has matured. We developed a microsyringe for antigen delivery based on the type III secretion system (T3SS) of P. aeruginosa. We applied the "killed but metabolically active" (KBMA) attenuation strategy to make this bacterial vector suitable for human use. We demonstrate that attenuated P. aeruginosa has the potential to deliver antigens to human antigen-presenting cells in vitro via T3SS with considerable attenuated cytotoxicity as compared with the wild-type vector. In a mouse model of cancer, we demonstrate that this KBMA strain, which cannot replicate in its host, efficiently disseminates into lymphoid organs and delivers its heterologous antigen. The attenuated strain effectively induces a cellular immune response to the cancerous cells while lowering the systemic inflammatory response. Hence, a KBMA P. aeruginosa microsyringe is an efficient and safe tool for in vivo antigen delivery.

Studies have shown that the clinical impact of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) inhibitors in primary myelofibrosis patients is due to the regulation of cytokine levels, suggesting that cytokine profiles might play a critical role in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) physiopathology. In this study, we compared the plasma cytokine profiles of polycythemia vera (PV) patients and essential thrombocythemia (ET) patients as a function of their JAK2 V617F status and the presence of thrombohemorrhagic complications. Using a multiplex cytokine assay, cytokine measurements were taken of the plasma of 17 PV patients and 21 ET patients. Twenty-two of these patients (10 PV and 12 ET) experienced at least one thrombohemorrhagic manifestation before diagnosis. We showed that cytokine levels were significantly increased in PV and ET patients compared with normal values and that several positive correlations existed between the cytokine concentrations and the biological parameters in each MPN. The comparison between the cytokine profiles of ET and PV patients showed a statistically significant increase of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-8, granulocyte macrophage–colony stimulating factor, interferon -γ, monocyte chemotactic protein -1, platelet derived growth factor-BB, and vascular endothelial growth factor in the ET group. Only tumor necrosis factor-α and platelet derived growth factor-BB were specifically impacted by the JAK2 V617F status of the PV and ET patients, respectively, suggesting that there are both JAK2 V617F–driven and JAK2 V617F–independent inflammatory responses in MPNs. We also showed that the subgroup of PV patients with vascular complications displayed significantly different concentrations of IL-12(p70) and granulocyte macrophage–colony stimulating factor compared with patients without vascular complications. Altogether, these data suggest that cytokine measurement might be useful for the clinical and therapeutic stratification of PV and ET patients.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa contains two superoxide dismutases (SOD), a Mn-containing SOD (Mn-SOD) and a Fe-SOD, which are encoded by sodA and sodB, respectively. We have cloned and sequenced a DNA fragment from P. aeruginosa, strain CHA, which contains the sodA gene and three other open reading frames (ORF). We report here that one of the ORFs upstream from sodA is fumC, which encodes the O ·− 2 resistant isoform of fumarase (or fumarate hydratase). It is shown that fumC and sodA belong to the same operon. By primer extension experiments, the transcription initiation site has been located at −413 from the ATG codon of the fumC gene. The fumC-sodA operon was found to be negatively regulated in presence of iron and the E. coli FUR protein was shown to bind to the 19-bp FUR consensus sequence present at the transcription start site of the operon.

Rhodobacter capsulatus transketolase (Tkt) protein has been isolated from strain B10 by heparin affinity chromatography. Oligodeoxyribonucleotides (oligo) constructed as based on the amino-acid sequences were used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification on total genomic DNA. Southern hybridization with the PCR product as a probe allowed the isolation of a 5-kb Pst I DNA fragment containing the structural Tkt-encoding gene (tktA) which was cloned and sequenced. The deduced tktA product of 671 aa (72 815 Da) shares 59% identity with Rhodobacter sphaeroides Tkt

International audience; Recently, due to their effective ability to deliver antigen to antigen-presenting cells in vivo, type III secretion system-based attenuated bacterial vectors have increasingly attracted attention for their potential interest in cancer vaccine development. We have previously developed live attenuated Pseudomonas aeruginosa type III secretion system-based vectors to deliver in vivo tumor antigens. In this work, we improved the performance of these bacterial vectors through several approaches in different murine cancer models involving non-self-antigens or self-antigens. First, by modulating injection frequency and interval, bacterial vaccination-activated immune response could be enhanced and the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of bacterial vaccines could be improved. The optimized vaccination scheme induced long-lasting CD8+ T cells' response. Second, a dual antigen delivery pattern was successfully applied in our bacterial vectors. Compared with a single antigen delivery vector, biantigen delivery vectors demonstrated several advantages including better tumor rejection efficiency, simplicity of use, and safety. Third, 1 more attenuated mutant-CHA-OAL strain that is totally avirulent in mice was further adapted to grow in a chemically defined medium to comply with current good manufacturing processes. The poor infectivity of this new strain could be overcome by vaccinations at multiple loci, yielding an efficiently improved vaccination performance. Taken together, our results highlight the potential of our live attenuated P. aeruginosa vectors for applications in relevant clinical trials.

International audience; BACKGROUND: Kidney transplant Chronic Allograft Dysfunction (CAD), a major cause of long-term graft failure, is currently diagnosed at a late and irreversible stage by graft biopsies. Our goal was to identify predictive urinary biomarkers of CAD before renal lesions appeared by analysis of the urine proteomic profile. METHODS/METHODS: Twenty-nine urinary samples withdrawn three months post-transplant were analyzed by SELDI-TOF technology. CAD development was evaluated by serum creatinine level and confirmed by allograft biopsy one year after transplantation. Comparison of protein profile of both groups revealed 18 biomarkers predictive of CAD occurrence. RESULTS: The biomarker demonstrating the highest diagnostic performance was a protein of 8860 Da that predicted CAD with a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 65%. Moreover combination of these biomarkers in two multivariate analyses improved the diagnostic potential of CAD. Relevance of these individual biomarkers and a decisional algorithm constituted of 3 proteins was confirmed in an independent cohort of patients with undetermined CAD status one year post-transplant. CONCLUSIONS: These non invasive biomarkers, detected as soon as three months post-grafting, allowed identification of patients who would develop CAD as late as 4 years after graft. Systematic measurement of these biomarkers would greatly improve the management of immunosuppressive therapy of kidney grafted patients.

International audience; The majority of proteins are unable to translocate into the cell interior. Hence for peptide- and protein-based therapeutics a direct intracytoplasmic delivery with the aid of transducing agents is an attractive approach. We wanted to deliver to the cell interior a putatively cytotoxic protein VPg. Protein transduction was achieved in vitro with three different commercial products. However, in our hands, delivery of various control proteins without known deleterious effects, as well as of protein VPg, always induced cell death. Finally, we used a novel transducing peptide Wr-T, which was not toxic to cultured cells, even in a quite large range of concentrations. Most importantly, control protein delivered to cells in culture did not display any toxicity while VPg protein exerted a strong cytotoxic effect. These data show that results obtained with cell-penetrating agents should be interpreted with caution.

International audience; Angiogenesis is a complex morphogenetic process regulated by growth factors, but also by the force balance between endothelial cells (EC) traction stresses and extracellular matrix (ECM) viscoelastic resistance. Studies conducted with in vitro angiogenesis assays demonstrated that decreasing ECM stiffness triggers an angiogenic switch that promotes organization of EC into tubular cords or pseudo-capillaries. Thus, mechano-sensitivity of EC with regard to proteases secretion, and notably matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), should likely play a pivotal role in this switching mechanism. While most studies analysing strain regulation of MMPs used cell cultured on stretched membranes, this work focuses on MMP expression during self-assembly of EC into capillary-like structures within fibrin gels, i.e. on conditions that mimics more closely the in vivo cellular mechanical microenvironment. The activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9, two MMPs that have a pivotal role in capillaries formation, has been monitored in pace with the progressive elongation of EAhy926 cells that takes place during the emergence of cellular cords. We found an increase of the zymogen proMMP-2 that correlates with the initial stages of EC cords formation. However, MMP-2 was not detected. ProMMP-9 secretion decreased, with levels of MMP-9 kept at a rather low value. In order to analyse more precisely the observed differences of EAhy926 response on fibrin and plastic substrates, we proposed a theoretical model of the mechano-regulation of proMMP-2 activation in the presence of type 2 tissue inhibitor of MMPs (TIMP-2). Using association/dissociation rates experimentally reported for this enzymatic network, the model adequately describes the synergism of proMMP-2 and TIMP-2 strain activation during pseudo-capillary morphogenesis. All together, these results provide a first step toward a systems biology approach of angiogenesis mechano-regulation by cell-generated extracellular stresses and strains.

OprF is a general outer membrane porin of Pseudomonas aeruginosa , a well-known human opportunistic pathogen associated with severe hospital-acquired sepsis and chronic lung infections of cystic fibrosis patients. A multiphenotypic approach, based on the comparative study of a wild-type strain of P. aeruginosa , its isogenic oprF mutant, and an oprF -complemented strain, showed that OprF is required for P. aeruginosa virulence. The absence of OprF results in impaired adhesion to animal cells, secretion of ExoT and ExoS toxins through the type III secretion system (T3SS), and production of the quorum-sensing-dependent virulence factors pyocyanin, elastase, lectin PA-1L, and exotoxin A. Accordingly, in the oprF mutant, production of the signal molecules N -(3-oxododecanoyl)- l -homoserine lactone and N -butanoyl- l -homoserine lactone was found to be reduced and delayed, respectively. Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS) production was decreased, while its precursor, 4-hydroxy-2-heptylquinoline (HHQ), accumulated in the cells. Taken together, these results show the involvement of OprF in P. aeruginosa virulence, at least partly through modulation of the quorum-sensing network. This is the first study showing a link between OprF, PQS synthesis, T3SS, and virulence factor production, providing novel insights into virulence expression.

We describe a method for rapid purification of the integration host factor (IHF) homolog of Rhodobacter capsulatus that has allowed us to obtain microgram quantities of highly purified protein. R. capsulatus IHF is an alpha beta heterodimer similar to IHF of Escherichia coli. We have cloned and sequenced the hip gene, which encodes the beta subunit. The deduced amino acid sequence (10.7 kDa) has 46% identity with the beta subunit of IHF from E. coli. In gel electrophoretic mobility shift DNA binding assays, R. capsulatus IHF was able to form a stable complex in a site-specific manner with a DNA fragment isolated from the promoter of the structural hupSL operon, which contains the IHF-binding site. The mutated IHF protein isolated from the Hup- mutant IR4, which is mutated in the himA gene (coding for the alpha subunit), gave a shifted band of greater mobility, and DNase I footprinting analysis has shown that the mutated IHF interacts with the DNA fragment from the hupSL promoter region differently from the way that the wild-type IHF does.

An IHF-like protein has been purified from a Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain isolated from a cystic fibrosis patient, by the rapid purification method described for the isolation of IHF from Rhodobacter capsulatus. The IHF of P. aeruginosa is an alpha beta heterodimer (subunits of 10 and 11 kDa) similar to IHF from Escherichia coli and from R. capsulatus; the N-terminal amino acid sequences of the isolated subunits share a high degree of identity with their homologs from E. coli. P. aeruginosa IHF is able to bind to the promoter of the hydrogenase structural genes (hupSL) of R. capsulatus as do the other two IHF proteins. It is also demonstrated by gel retardation assays that P. aeruginosa IHF forms a stable complex with the algD promoter in vitro, an indication that the protein is involved in the regulation of algD gene expression in P. aeruginosa.

Over the past decades, in spite of intensive search, no significant increase in the survival of patients with glioblastoma has been obtained. The role of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and especially the activity of efflux pumps belonging to the ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) family may, in part, explain this defect., info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Effects of time, temperature, and pH during the steam explosion of poplar wood were studied with the aim of optimize both pentoses recovery and enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency. Steam explosion of acid impregnated wood chips allowed the recovery of 70% of potential xylose as monomers (217 degrees C, 120 s) Enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated fiber with Trichoderma reesei CL-847 cellulase system increased progressively with the severity of the steam treatment conditions. The best yield in term of glucose recovery after 24 h of enzymatic hydrolysis was 70% of potential glucose (225 degrees C, 120 s). Deactivation by adsorption on lignin of Trichoderma reesei cellulases and inhibition of these enzymes by low-molecular-weight phenols and trihydroxybutyric acids were noticed.

The hupR1 gene from Rhodobacter capsulatus was cloned and sequenced. It can encode a protein of 53,843 Da which shares significant similarity with several transcriptional regulators and activates transcription of the structural hupSL genes of [NiFe]hydrogenase, as shown by the use of a translational fusion of lacZ with the hupSL promoter. A Hup- mutant having a point mutation in the hupR1 gene is described.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of steam explosion pretreatment on pore size distribution and enzymic hydrolysis of poplar wood chips under various conditions (duration and temperature of treatment, pH impregnation). The measurements showed an increase in the available surface area with the severity of treatment and a good correlation with the initial rate of enzymic hydrolysis. This increase in enzymic hydrolysis can be explained by the removal of the hemicelluloses, but also by the melting and agglomeration of the depolymerized lignin, as shown on electron micrographs of ultrathin cross-sections.

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International audience; The Pseudomonas aeruginosa type III secretion system (T3SS) is known to be a very important virulence factor in acute human infections, but it is less important in maintaining chronic infections in which T3SS genes are downregulated. In vitro, the activation of T3SS expression involves a positive activating loop that acts on the transcriptional regulator ExsA. We have observed that in vivo T3SS expression is cell density-dependent in a manner that does not need known quorum-sensing (QS) signals. In addition, stationary-phase culture supernatants added to exponential-phase growing strains can inhibit T3SS expression. The analysis of transposon insertion mutants showed that the production of such T3SS-inhibiting signals might depend on tryptophan synthase and hence tryptophan, which is the precursor of signalling molecules such as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), kynurenine and Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS). Commercially available tryptophan-derived molecules were tested for their role in the regulation of T3SS expression. At millimolar concentrations, IAA, 1-naphthalacetic acid (NAA) and 3-hydroxykynurenine inhibited T3SS expression. Inactivation of the tryptophan dioxygenase-encoding kynA gene resulted in a decrease in the T3SS-inhibiting activity of supernatants. These observations suggest that tryptophan catabolites are involved in the downregulation of T3SS expression in the transition from a low- to a high-cell-density state.

The Escherichia coli system is the system of choice for recombinant protein production because it is possible to obtain a high protein yield in inexpensive media. The accumulation of protein in an insoluble form in inclusion bodies remains a major disadvantage. Use of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa type III secretion system can avoid this problem, allowing the production of soluble secreted proteins.

International audience; OBJECTIVE: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a ubiquitous and opportunistic pathogen that uses the type III secretion system (TTSS) to inject effector proteins directly into the cytosol of target cells to subvert the host cell's functions. Specialized bacterial chaperones are required for effective secretion of some effectors. To identify the chaperone of ExoS, the representative effector secreted by the TTSS of P. aeruginosa, we analyzed the role of a postulated chaperone termed Orf1. METHODS: By allelic exchange, we constructed the mutant with the deletion of gene Orf1. Analysis of secreted and cell-associated fractions was performed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. Using strain expressing in trans Orf1, tagged by V5 polypeptide and histidine, protein-protein interaction was determined by affinity resin pull-down assay in combination with MALDI-TOF. The role of Orf1 in the expression of exoS was evaluated by gene reporter analysis. RESULTS: Pull-down assay showed that Orf1 binds to ExoS and ExoT. Secretion profile analysis showed that Orf1 was necessary for the optimal secretion of ExoS and ExoT. However, Orf1 had no effect on the expression of exoS. CONCLUSION: Orf1 is important for the secretion of ExoS probably by maintaining ExoS in a secretion-competent conformation. We propose to name Orf1 as SpcS for "specific Pseudomonas chaperone for ExoS".

The type III secretion system (TTSS) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is induced in vivo upon contact with eukaryotic cells and in vitro by calcium depletion in culture medium. We have observed a previously identified protein, PsrA, necessary for full activation of TTSS gene expression in P. aeruginosa . Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that recombinant PsrA could bind to the exsCEBA promoter region. A mutant with a deletion in the psrA gene was constructed. Using transcriptional fusions, we demonstrated that PsrA is required for the full activation of transcription of the TTSS regulatory operon exsCEBA and effector exoS , although the deletion mutant still responded to calcium depletion, to serum, and to host cell contact. The psrA mutant showed a marked decrease in the secretion of the type III effectors and weak resistance to phagocyte-like PLB-985 cells. The defect in TTSS transcription and secretion in the psrA mutant could be complemented by expression in trans of psrA . PsrA was previously identified as a transcriptional activator of RpoS, a central regulator during stationary phase. We confirmed with our strain that RpoS has a negative effect on TTSS gene expression. Taken altogether, these results suggest that PsrA is a newly identified activator that is involved in the expression of the TTSS by enhancing the exsCEBA transcriptional level.

The type III secretion system (TTSS) is a specialized cytotoxin-translocating apparatus of gram-negative bacteria which is involved in lung injury, septic shock, and a poor patient outcome. Recent studies have attributed these effects mainly to the ExoU effector protein. However, few studies have focused on the ExoU-independent pathogenicity of the TTSS. For the present study, we compared the pathogenicities of two strains ofPseudomonas aeruginosain a murine model of acute lung injury. We compared the CHA strain, which has a functional TTSS producing ExoS and ExoT but not ExoU, to an isogenic mutant with an inactivatedexsAgene, CHA-D1, which does not express the TTSS at all. Rats challenged with CHA had significantly increased lung injury, as assessed by the wet/dry weight ratio for the lungs and the protein level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) at 12 h, compared to those challenged with CHA-D1. Consistent with these findings, the CHA strain was associated with increased in vitro cytotoxicity on A549 cells, as assessed by the release of lactate dehydrogenase. CHA was also associated at 12 h with a major decrease in polymorphonuclear neutrophils in BALF, with a proinflammatory response, as assessed by the amounts of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-1β, and with decreased bacterial clearance from the lungs, ultimately leading to an increased mortality rate. These results demonstrate that the TTSS has a major role inP. aeruginosapathogenicity independent of the role of ExoU. This report underscores the crucial roles of ExoS and ExoT or other TTSS-related virulence factors in addition to ExoU.

Background TNF inhibitors (TNFi) are first-line treatments for patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA). However, it is currently impossible to predict response to Infliximab (IFX), Adalimumab (ADA) or Etanercept (ETN). Objectives To predict response to IFX, ADA and ETN in RA and SpA patients with insufficient response to disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs by measuring 8 biomarkers. Methods Serum levels of apolipoproteineA1 (ApoA1), Platelet Factor (PF4), Prealbumin, Haptoglobin (Hapto), C-reactive protein (CRP), transthyretin, α1 anti-trypsin (α1-AT), S100A12 and S100A8/A9 proteins were measured in a prospective French multicenter cohort before treatment with IFX, ETN or ADA. For RA patients, EULAR response was assessed at 6 months. A decrease 50% of BASDAI as a good response at 6 months for SpA patients. Mann Whitney tests evaluated differences in biomarker levels between a good response and a moderate/no reponse at 6 months. A multivariate analysis was conducted to characterize biomarker sets which predict response to TNFi at 6 months with the best sensitivity and specificity. Robustness of biomarker sets was assessed by a “bootstrapping” re-sampling approach. Results 101 patients (53 RA and 48 SpA) treated with TNFi (32 IFX, 30 ADA and 39 ETN) were included. RA patients consisted of 75% of women against 29% in the SpA group. The median age [interquartile range] was 54 [46-61] years in RA and 40 [33-78] years in SpA. At 6 months, the therapeutic response was good for 21 RA and 20 SpA patients, moderate in 18 RA and 11 SpA patients while 13 RA and 17 SpA patients did not respond. Univariate analysis showed that individual biomarkers had a moderate diagnostic value when taken separately: Levels of pre-albumin was lower among patients who responded to the ADA compared to patients with moderate or no response (223 [208-248] mg/l vs.260 [247-321] mg/l, p=0.02). ApoA1 level was lower in responders to ETN than in non responders (1.2 [1.1-1.4] g/l vs. 1.4 [1.3-1.6] g/l, p=0.02). Multivariate analysis identified several sets of 2 to 8 biomarkers predictive of therapeutic response at 6 months. Metrological properties of seven of these combinations are shown in Table 1. For female RA patients treated with IFX or ADA, female SpA patients treated with IFX or ADA and male RA patients treated with IFX, the numbers were insufficient to generate a set of biomarkers. Bootstrapping re-sampling approach suggested a good external validity of biomarker sets. Conclusions Sets of 2 to 8 biomarkers predicted of good clinical response at 6 months with a good sensitivity and specificity. Disclosure of Interest : A. Baillet Consultant for: Pfizer, C. Trocme: None declared, H. Marotte: None declared, M. Soubrier: None declared, J. Tebib: None declared, T. Thomas: None declared, P. Miossec: None declared, B. Pellot-Prades: None declared, L. Grange: None declared, B. Toussaint: None declared, R. Juvin: None declared, F. Morel: None declared, C. Drouet: None declared, P. Gaudin: None declared DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.5750

Plasma levels of PIIINP a marker of extracellular matrix metabolism activity have been linked to abdominal aortic aneurysm growth rate, but its relationship with thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) growth has never previously been studied. Objective To demonstrate the value of assay of "aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen" (PIIINP) to predict the growth of ascending TAA. Methods and results Thirty consecutive patients with asymptomatic ascending TAA were recruited and PIIINP was measured. The patients were then followed up in the usual way, by annual imaging tests. The patients were then divided into two groups: Group 1=patients with a stable TAA or with a slow growth rate (≤2mm/year) ( n =23) and Group 2=patients with a fast-growing TAA (>2mm/year) ( n =7). Mean age of the patients was 65.8±10.8years. At inclusion, the mean value for maximum aneurysm diameter was 44.6±3.4mm. The mean follow-up period was 1.6±0.8years. The patients presenting a significant increase in maximum aneurysm size have a significantly higher PIIINP level than those demonstrating no or limited growth in maximum aneurysm diameter (4.51±1.09 vs 3.38±0.96µg/l respectively, p =0.02). There is no difference between the two groups for the other clinical or laboratory parameters. Following multivariate analysis the PIIINP level remains significantly higher in Group 1 ( p =0.03). Conclusions Our results suggest that it may in the future be possible to monitor TAA growth by means of PIIINP levels.

Twelve Pseudomonas aeruginosa cystic fibrosis isolates that are not able to exert a type III secretion system (TTSS)-dependent cytotoxicity towards phagocytes have been further studied. The strains, although possessing TTSS genes and exsA , which encodes a positive regulator of the TTSS regulon, showed no transcriptional activation of the exsCBA regulatory operon. The expression of exsA in trans restored the in vitro secretion of TTSS proteins and ex vivo cytotoxicity.

Two-dimensional crystals of the histidine-tagged-HupR protein, a transcriptional regulator from the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus, were obtained upon specific interaction with a Ni2+-chelated lipid monolayer. HupR is a response regulator of the NtrC family; it activates the transcription of the structural genes, hupSLC, of the [NiFe]hydrogenase. The lipid (Ni-NTA-DOGA) uses the metal chelator nitrilotriacetic group as the hydrophilic headgroup and contains unsaturated oleyl tails to provide the fluidity necessary for two-dimensional protein crystallization. A projection map of the full-length protein at 18 A resolution was generated by analysing electron microscopy micrographs of negatively stained crystals. The HupR protein appeared to be dimeric and revealed a characteristic "propeller-like" motif. Each monomer forms an L-shaped structure.

The role of integration host factor (IHF) in the regulation of alginate synthesis was investigated in a mucoid strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (strain CHA) isolated from a cystic fibrosis patient. Escherichia coli strain BL21(DE3) was made IHF-deficient by inactivation of its chromosomal IHF genes, himA and himD, then used as host strain to overproduce P. aeruginosa IHF. The purified recombinant IHF protein was used to determine the affinity of IHF for the two IHF binding sites in the algD promoter. The Kd values were determined to be 130 nM for algD IHF site 2 and about 2 microM for algD IHF site 1. Two IHF-deficient mutants of P. aeruginosa strain CHA were constructed by insertional inactivation of the himA gene, and the activity of the algD promoter was determined using transcriptional fusion with xylE as reporter gene. The expression of algD, the structural gene for GDP-mannose dehydrogenase, was decreased three- to fourfold in the himA mutants under conditions of high salinity and nitrogen limitation. Assays of alginate production by cultures grown on agar plates indicated that the IHF-deficient mutants synthesized 50% less polymer than the mucoid parental strain. These results demonstrate clearly that although IHF is dispensable for alginate production, himA expression is required for full activation of algD expression.

International audience; The southern Kermadec-Hikurangi convergent margin, east of New Zealand, accommodates the oblique subduction of the oceanic Hikurangi Plateau at rates of 4-5 cm/yr. Swath bathymetry and sidescan data, together with seismic reflection and geopotential data obtained during the GEODYNZ-SUD cruise, showed major changes in tectonic style along the margin. The changes reflect the size and abundance of seamounts on the subducting plateau, the presence and thickness of trench-fill turbidites, and the change to increasing obliquity and intracontinental transpression towards the south. In this paper, we provide evidence that faulting with a significant strike-slip component is widespread along the entire 1000 km margin. Subduction of the northeastern scarp of the Hikurangi Plateau is marked by an offset in the Kermadec Trench and adjacent margin, and by a major NW-trending tear fault in the scarp. To the south, the southern Kermadec Trench is devoid of turbidite fill and the adjacent margin is characterized by an up to 1200 m high scarp that locally separates apparent clockwise rotated blocks on the upper slope from strike-slip faults and mass wasting on the lower slope. The northern Hikurangi Trough has at least 1 km of trench-fill but its adjacent argin is characterized by tectonic erosion. The toe of the margin is indented by 10-25 km for more than 200 km, and this is inferred to be the result of repeated impacts of the large seamounts that are abundant on the northern Hikurangi Plateau. The two most recent impacts have left major indentations in the margin. The central Hikurangi margin is characterized by development of a wide accretionary wedge on the lower slope, and by transpression of presubduction passive margin sediments on the upper slope. Shortening across the wedge together with a component of strike-slip motion on the upper slope supports an interpretation of some strain partitioning. The southern Hikurangi margin is a narrow, mainly compressive belt along a very oblique, apparently locked subduction zone.

Two contiguous mcp genes, mcpA and mcpB, transcribed from the same DNA strand and capable of encoding methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (Mcp) have been isolated from Rhodobacter capsulatus (Rc), sequences and overexpressed in Escherichia coli (Ec). The deduced proteins (McpA, 69 171 Da; McpB, 81 629 Da) show a structure similar to that of Ec Mcp. The products of mcpA and mcpB, overproduced in Ec, were recognized by anti-Ec Mcp (Trg) antibodies.

Histone-like proteins, such as HU and the integration host factor (IHF), are small, dimeric, DNA-bending proteins which play a role in maintaining constrained DNA structures and hence in regulating gene expression. Two different strategies were used to isolate the genes coding for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) HU and IHF, two proteins that we have previously isolated from a mucoid strain. By use of a PCR-based technique with oligodeoxyribonucleotides (oligos) designed from the N-terminal amino acid (aa) sequences of HU and the β-subunit of IHF, and Southern blot analyses, hupB and himD , encoding HU and IHFβ, respectively, have been cloned. The himA gene of Pa , encoding the α-subunit of IHF, was isolated using himA of Escherichia coli (Ec) as a probe in Southern blot analyses. The deduced hupB product (90 aa, 9 kDa) is 79% identical to HUβ and 61% to HUα of Ec . The predicted products of himA (100 aa, 11.5 kDa) and of himD (94 aa, 10.6 kDa) share 77 and 70% identity with IHFα and IHFβ of Ec , respectively. The promoter region of himD contains an IHF consensus sequence, as is the case for Ec himD

Photosynthetic bacteria contain various types of [NiFe]-hydrogenases. The most widespread are respiratory uptake hydrogenases that are usually co-synthesized with nitrogenase. Hydrogenase synthesis responds to environmental signals such as H2, O2, CO. In Rhodobacter species and Rhodopseudomonas palustris, a regulatory [NiFe]-hydrogenase, HupUV, is the direct H2 sensor of the H2 regulatory pathway. It transfers the signal to a two-component regulatory system, which comprises the soluble histidine kinase HupT/HoxJ and the response regulator HupR/HoxA. The transcription factor HupR/HoxA activates the transcription of hydrogenase genes in its nonphosphorylated form. In Rhodospirillum rubrum, the transcriptional regulator CooA, which senses CO and the redox state, activates the synthesis of a CO-tolerant hydrogenase under anaerobic conditions. In Thiocapsa roseopersicina, FnrT activates anaerobic induction of the Hyn hydrogenase. In Rhodobacter species and in Rhodopseudomonas palustris, hydrogenase synthesis is also under the negative control of the redox-responding global two-component regulatory system, RegB/PrrB/RegS-RegA/Prra/RegR.

The binding properties of the two IHF consensus sequences present in the promoter region of the hydrogenase structural operon, hupSL , of Rhodobacter capsulatus were studied by gel retardation assays using the heterodimeric IHF-like proteins isolated from R capsulatus , from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and from Escherichia coli . The three IHF proteins bound preferentially to the IHF consensus proximal to hupS . The three-dimensional structure of R capsulatus IHF was modeled using a computer-based amino acid replacement strategy and the known coordinates of crystallized HU protein (HBS) from Bacillus stearothermophilus . Double-stranded DNA and the interaction of IHF and DNA were then modeled using the molecular modeling package Quanta 3.3, and taking into account foot-printing data obtained with IHF-DNA complexes and the fact that the replacement of Arg8 by Cys8 in the α subunit, the product of himA , renders R capsulatus IHF ineffective in the activation of hydrogenase synthesis. In this model, IHF is shown to interact with DNA bent by 140°, and Arg8 of HimA capable of interacting with the phosphate-ribose backbone of DNA in the flanking region of the IHF binding site.

A 25 kbp DNA fragment from the chromosome of Rhodobacter capsulatus B10 carrying hydrogenase (hup) determinants was completely sequenced. Coding regions corresponding to 20 open reading frames were identified. The R. capsulatus hydrogenase-specific gene (hup and hyp) products bear significant structural identity to hydrogenase gene products from Escherichia coli (13), from Rhizobium leguminosarum (16), from Azotobacter vinelandii (10) and from Alcaligenes eutrophus (11). The sequential arrangement of the R. capsulatus genes is: hupR2-hupU-hypF-hupS-hupL-hupM-hu pD-hupF-hupG-hupH-hupJ-hupK-hypA- hypB-hupR1- hypC-hypD-hypE-ORF19-ORF20, all contiguous and transcribed from the same DNA strand. The last two potential genes do not encode products that are related to identified hydrogenase-specific gene products in other species. The sequence of the 12 R. capsulatus genes underlined above is presented. The mutation site in two of the Hup- mutants used in this study, RS13 and RCC12, was identified in the hypF gene (deletion of one G) and in the hypD gene (deletion of 54 bp), respectively. The hypF gene product shares 45% identity with the product of hydA from E. coli and the product of hypF from R. leguminosarum. Those products present at their N-terminus a Cys arrangement typical of zinc-finger proteins. The G deletion in the C-terminal region of hypF in the RS13 mutant prevented the expression of a hupS::lacZ translational fusion from being stimulated by H2 as it is observed in the wild-type strain B10. It is inferred that the HypF protein is a factor involved in H2 stimulation of hydrogenase expression.

A gene capable of encoding a protein sharing 45% identical amino acids with the alpha subunit of the integration host factor (IHF) of Escherichia coli was isolated from the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus strain B10 by complementation of a hydrogenase-deficient (Hup-) mutant, IR4. A DNA fragment of 274 base pairs containing an IHF binding consensus sequence, isolated from the promoter region of the hydrogenase structural genes (hupSL), was shown by gel retardation assays to bind the IHF protein from E. coli. The product of the R. capsulatus gene was shown to bind specifically to the 274-base-pair DNA fragment from the hupSL promoter. By analogy to the E. coli himA gene, which encodes the alpha subunit of IHF, the gene complementing the IR4 mutant was named himA of R. capsulatus. The wild-type himA gene, cloned in plasmid pBO2, was introduced into the IR4 strain and shown to restore, in trans, hydrogenase activity and autotrophic growth in the mutant. In IR4, a C----T transition mutation had replaced Arg-8 by Cys-8. Gel mobility shifts of the 274-base-pair DNA fragment, not observed with the himA gene product of IR4, were restored with extracts from IR4(pBO2) cells, containing the himA gene on the recombinant plasmid pBO2.

Chronic infection by alginate-producing (mucoid) Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading cause of morbidity among cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. In the lungs of CF patients, the bacteria are exposed to activated oxygen species produced by the phagocytes of the host or resulting from the metabolism of oxygen. Two isoforms of superoxide dismutase are synthesized by P. aeruginosa; they differ by the metal present at their active site, which is either iron or manganese. To evaluate the role of manganese-containing superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), encoded by sodA, we have isolated a sodA mutant of the mucoid P. aeruginosa strain CHA isolated from the bronchopulmonary tract of a CF patient. The sodA mutant exhibited an increased sensitivity to oxidative stress generated by paraquat and was less resistant to oxidative stress in the stationary phase of growth compared with its parental strain. It was observed that MnSOD was expressed in the parental strain solely during the stationary phase of growth and that cells of the sodA mutant taken at the stationary phase resumed growth with a longer delay than the sodA+ cells when reinoculated in a new medium, especially in the presence of paraquat. These results suggest that MnSOD may participate in the adaptation of mucoid strains of P. aeruginosa to the stationary phase of growth in the lungs of CF patients.

Chronic lung infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. a.) is considered as the leading cause of cysticfibrosis (CF) morbidity and mortality. During this persistent infection, the bacterium adapts to the typical lungenvironment of these patients and evolves within its host for decades. This adaptive evolution is driven byphenotypes, including a decrease in virulence and an increase in antibiotic resistance over time. Althoughseveral studies have attempted to elucidate the genetic mechanisms of this evolution, it remains difficulttoday to explain the relationships between the accumulated genomic mutations and the expression ofclinically relevant phenotypes, or to correlate these mutations with the patient’s health status.In this work, we propose to study the mechanisms underlying this adaptive evolution at a post-genomicobservation level: metabolomics. Metabolomics, the newest of the -omics disciplines, provides an instantview of the metabolic activities, and furnishes a vision as close as possible to the phenotype. To this end,we constructed a bank of evolutive clonal P. a. lineages sampled during chronic lung infection in patientswith CF. This bank was then clinically, phenotypically and metabolomically characterized. Integration ofthese different levels of information by multi-block statistical methods has allowed us to highlight metabolicpathways involved in within-host patho-adaptation of P. a. .Our results rise new hypotheses for the development of therapeutic and diagnostic tools with the aim ofimproving the management of these infections particularly resistant to antibiotics. In addition, our workdemonstrates the interest of metabolomics to study bacterial adaptive evolution under natural conditions.; L’infection pulmonaire chronique à Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. a.) est considérée comme la principalecause de morbidité et de mortalité liée à la mucoviscidose. Au cours de cette infection persistante, labactérie s'adapte à l’environnement pulmonaire caractéristique de ces patients et évolue avec son hôtependant des décennies. Cette évolution adaptative est portée par les phénotypes, avec notamment unediminution de la virulence et une augmentation de la résistance aux antibiotiques au cours du temps. Bienque plusieurs études aient tenté d’évaluer les mécanismes génétiques de cette évolution, il demeureaujourd’hui difficile d’expliquer les relations entre les mutations accumulées dans le génome bactérien etl’expression de phénotypes cliniquement pertinents, ou encore de corréler ces mutations avec l’état desanté du patient.Nous proposons dans ce travail d’étudier les mécanismes sous-tendant cette évolution adaptative à unniveau d’observation post-génomique : la métabolomique. Dernière-née des disciplines –omiques, lamétabolomique permet la prise de vue instantanée du métabolisme, et offre une vision au plus proche duphénotype. Pour cela, nous avons constitué une banque de lignées clonales évolutives de P. a. prélevéesau cours de l’infection pulmonaire chronique chez des patients atteints de mucoviscidose. Cette banque aensuite été caractérisée aux plans clinique, phénotypique et métabolomique. L’intégration de ces différentsniveaux d’information par des méthodes statistiques multi-tableaux nous a permis de mettre en évidencedes voies métaboliques impliquées dans la patho-adaptation de P. a. à son hôte.Nos résultats permettent de faire émerger de nouvelles hypothèses pour le développement d’outilsthérapeutiques et diagnostiques visant à améliorer la prise en charge de ces infections particulièrementrésistantes aux antibiotiques. De plus, nos travaux démontrent l’intérêt de la métabolomique pour l’étudede l’évolution adaptative bactérienne en conditions naturelles.

Chronic lung infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. a.) is considered as the leading cause of cysticfibrosis (CF) morbidity and mortality. During this persistent infection, the bacterium adapts to the typical lungenvironment of these patients and evolves within its host for decades. This adaptive evolution is driven byphenotypes, including a decrease in virulence and an increase in antibiotic resistance over time. Althoughseveral studies have attempted to elucidate the genetic mechanisms of this evolution, it remains difficulttoday to explain the relationships between the accumulated genomic mutations and the expression ofclinically relevant phenotypes, or to correlate these mutations with the patient’s health status.In this work, we propose to study the mechanisms underlying this adaptive evolution at a post-genomicobservation level: metabolomics. Metabolomics, the newest of the -omics disciplines, provides an instantview of the metabolic activities, and furnishes a vision as close as possible to the phenotype. To this end,we constructed a bank of evolutive clonal P. a. lineages sampled during chronic lung infection in patientswith CF. This bank was then clinically, phenotypically and metabolomically characterized. Integration ofthese different levels of information by multi-block statistical methods has allowed us to highlight metabolicpathways involved in within-host patho-adaptation of P. a. .Our results rise new hypotheses for the development of therapeutic and diagnostic tools with the aim ofimproving the management of these infections particularly resistant to antibiotics. In addition, our workdemonstrates the interest of metabolomics to study bacterial adaptive evolution under natural conditions., L’infection pulmonaire chronique à Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. a.) est considérée comme la principalecause de morbidité et de mortalité liée à la mucoviscidose. Au cours de cette infection persistante, labactérie s'adapte à l’environnement pulmonaire caractéristique de ces patients et évolue avec son hôtependant des décennies. Cette évolution adaptative est portée par les phénotypes, avec notamment unediminution de la virulence et une augmentation de la résistance aux antibiotiques au cours du temps. Bienque plusieurs études aient tenté d’évaluer les mécanismes génétiques de cette évolution, il demeureaujourd’hui difficile d’expliquer les relations entre les mutations accumulées dans le génome bactérien etl’expression de phénotypes cliniquement pertinents, ou encore de corréler ces mutations avec l’état desanté du patient.Nous proposons dans ce travail d’étudier les mécanismes sous-tendant cette évolution adaptative à unniveau d’observation post-génomique : la métabolomique. Dernière-née des disciplines –omiques, lamétabolomique permet la prise de vue instantanée du métabolisme, et offre une vision au plus proche duphénotype. Pour cela, nous avons constitué une banque de lignées clonales évolutives de P. a. prélevéesau cours de l’infection pulmonaire chronique chez des patients atteints de mucoviscidose. Cette banque aensuite été caractérisée aux plans clinique, phénotypique et métabolomique. L’intégration de ces différentsniveaux d’information par des méthodes statistiques multi-tableaux nous a permis de mettre en évidencedes voies métaboliques impliquées dans la patho-adaptation de P. a. à son hôte.Nos résultats permettent de faire émerger de nouvelles hypothèses pour le développement d’outilsthérapeutiques et diagnostiques visant à améliorer la prise en charge de ces infections particulièrementrésistantes aux antibiotiques. De plus, nos travaux démontrent l’intérêt de la métabolomique pour l’étudede l’évolution adaptative bactérienne en conditions naturelles.

Like embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) are characterized by their ability to differentiate into any cell type in an organism. However their use doesn't raise the ethical issue linked to the use of embryos. iPS are generated from somatic cells by overexpression of embryonic transcription factors. iPS are thereby very promising in fundamental and applied biology as well as for regenerative medicine.Most of the protocols used to generate iPS are based on the delivery of nucleic acid sequences encoding embryonic transcription factors responsible for the activation of the pluripotency gene network. In spite of their efficiency, these methods are associated with major safety concerns incompatible with clinical applications. The more rational path to safely produce iPS is to deliver the exogenic transcription factors under their protein form. Recently some protocols using protein delivery have been developed to produce iPS. However associated efficiencies are very low and protocols are quite fastidious.The aim of this Ph.D. project was to develop a new efficient and simplified protein delivery method for the safe generation of iPS compatible with clinical applications. Cell sources were selected depending of the final applications of iPS: (i) fibroblasts, extensively used and described in bibliography and allowing autologous therapies with many applications in the field of hematology; (ii) cord blood hematopoietic stem cells, one of the safest biomaterials, with the aim to generate red blood cells in vitro in order to respond to increasing needs for transfusion products, particularly for rare blood types.First, different protein vectors developed by the TheREx team of the TIMC-IMAG laboratory were compared for their efficiency of production and delivery as well as for the activity of associated factors. The selected vector is a natural micro-syringe expressed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, able to inject the transcription factors Oct4, Sox2, Nanog and Lin28a (Thomson combination) with c-Myc directly into the cytoplasm of target cells, without the need for any purification step. Once injected, transcription factors are addressed to the nucleus in less than 2 hours where they efficiently activate transcription of pluripotency genes, with significant responses observed as early as 24h after injection. We also highlighted the secured and controllable nature of this vector by completely eliminating the bacteria from the cultures in a few hours after injection with an antibiotic treatment. Optimizations of the reprogramming conditions were also made by adjusting many parameters such as the combination of transcription factors, the injection frequency and the bacteria : cell ratio.; Les cellules souches pluripotentes induites (iPS) partagent avec les cellules souches embryonnaires la capacité à se différencier en tous les types cellulaires d'un organisme, mais leur obtention ne nécessite pas l'utilisation d'embryons. Elles sont générées par la surexpression de facteurs de transcription embryonnaires au sein de cellules somatiques. Les iPS représentent un outil de choix en biologie fondamentale et appliquée ainsi qu'en médecine régénérative.La plupart des protocoles de génération d'iPS reposent sur un transfert des séquences nucléotidiques codant les facteurs de transcription embryonnaires impliqués dans la mise en place du réseau de pluripotence. Bien qu'efficaces, ces méthodes présentent des problèmes de sécurité majeurs, incompatibles avec une utilisation clinique des iPS générées. La voie la plus rationnelle pour produire des iPS de manière parfaitement sécurisée est d'apporter les facteurs exogènes directement sous leur forme protéique. Des protocoles de reprogrammation par transfert de protéines ont été récemment développés, mais les efficacités associées sont relativement faibles et les protocoles relativement fastidieux.L'objectif de ce projet de thèse était de mettre au point une nouvelle approche de transfert de protéines, sécurisée et simplifiée, pour la génération de cellules souches pluripotentes induites utilisables en clinique. Les cellules à reprogrammer ont été choisies en fonction des applications potentielles des iPS générées : (i) les fibroblastes, faisant référence dans la bibliographie et permettant d'envisager des thérapies autologues avec notamment de nombreuses applications en hématologie ; (ii) les cellules souches hématopoïétiques de sang de cordon, l'un des matériaux biologiques les plus sûrs, afin de générer des globules rouges in vitro, dans la perspective de répondre aux demandes croissantes en terme de transfusion, en particulier pour les groupes sanguins rares.Nous avons donc comparé les différents vecteurs de transduction de protéines développés par l'équipe TheREx du laboratoire TIMC-IMAG, en termes de facilité de production, d'efficacité de transfert ainsi que sur l'activité des facteurs de transcription associés. Le vecteur sélectionné est une micro-seringue naturelle portée par la bactérie Pseudomonas aeruginosa, capable d'injecter les facteurs Oct4, Sox2, Nanog et Lin28 (facteurs de Thomson) mais aussi c-Myc, directement dans le cytoplasme des cellules cibles, sans étape de purification nécessaire. Les facteurs de transcription injectés sont adressés jusqu'au noyau des cellules en moins de 2h, où ils activent rapidement la transcription des gènes de pluripotence, avec des réponses significatives mesurées dès 24h après injection. Nous avons également mis en évidence le caractère sécurisé et contrôlable du vecteur puisque nous sommes capables d'éliminer complètement les bactéries des cultures grâce à un traitement antibiotique, et ce dès quelques heures après l'injection. Des optimisations des conditions de reprogrammation ont été réalisées en modifiant les principaux paramètres que sont, le choix des facteurs de transcription, la fréquence des injections et le ratio bactéries : cellules.Ainsi, bien que nous ne soyons pas parvenus à générer des iPS à ce jour avec ce système, la micro-seringue naturelle que nous avons développé et optimisé se positionne comme un vecteur de choix pour le transfert de protéines dans l'optique de générer des iPS, en termes d'efficacité de vectorisation et d'induction transcriptionnelle, de sécurité mais aussi de facilité d'utilisation.

Like embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) are characterized by their ability to differentiate into any cell type in an organism. However their use doesn't raise the ethical issue linked to the use of embryos. iPS are generated from somatic cells by overexpression of embryonic transcription factors. iPS are thereby very promising in fundamental and applied biology as well as for regenerative medicine.Most of the protocols used to generate iPS are based on the delivery of nucleic acid sequences encoding embryonic transcription factors responsible for the activation of the pluripotency gene network. In spite of their efficiency, these methods are associated with major safety concerns incompatible with clinical applications. The more rational path to safely produce iPS is to deliver the exogenic transcription factors under their protein form. Recently some protocols using protein delivery have been developed to produce iPS. However associated efficiencies are very low and protocols are quite fastidious.The aim of this Ph.D. project was to develop a new efficient and simplified protein delivery method for the safe generation of iPS compatible with clinical applications. Cell sources were selected depending of the final applications of iPS: (i) fibroblasts, extensively used and described in bibliography and allowing autologous therapies with many applications in the field of hematology; (ii) cord blood hematopoietic stem cells, one of the safest biomaterials, with the aim to generate red blood cells in vitro in order to respond to increasing needs for transfusion products, particularly for rare blood types.First, different protein vectors developed by the TheREx team of the TIMC-IMAG laboratory were compared for their efficiency of production and delivery as well as for the activity of associated factors. The selected vector is a natural micro-syringe expressed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, able to inject the transcription factors Oct4, Sox2, Nanog and Lin28a (Thomson combination) with c-Myc directly into the cytoplasm of target cells, without the need for any purification step. Once injected, transcription factors are addressed to the nucleus in less than 2 hours where they efficiently activate transcription of pluripotency genes, with significant responses observed as early as 24h after injection. We also highlighted the secured and controllable nature of this vector by completely eliminating the bacteria from the cultures in a few hours after injection with an antibiotic treatment. Optimizations of the reprogramming conditions were also made by adjusting many parameters such as the combination of transcription factors, the injection frequency and the bacteria : cell ratio., Les cellules souches pluripotentes induites (iPS) partagent avec les cellules souches embryonnaires la capacité à se différencier en tous les types cellulaires d'un organisme, mais leur obtention ne nécessite pas l'utilisation d'embryons. Elles sont générées par la surexpression de facteurs de transcription embryonnaires au sein de cellules somatiques. Les iPS représentent un outil de choix en biologie fondamentale et appliquée ainsi qu'en médecine régénérative.La plupart des protocoles de génération d'iPS reposent sur un transfert des séquences nucléotidiques codant les facteurs de transcription embryonnaires impliqués dans la mise en place du réseau de pluripotence. Bien qu'efficaces, ces méthodes présentent des problèmes de sécurité majeurs, incompatibles avec une utilisation clinique des iPS générées. La voie la plus rationnelle pour produire des iPS de manière parfaitement sécurisée est d'apporter les facteurs exogènes directement sous leur forme protéique. Des protocoles de reprogrammation par transfert de protéines ont été récemment développés, mais les efficacités associées sont relativement faibles et les protocoles relativement fastidieux.L'objectif de ce projet de thèse était de mettre au point une nouvelle approche de transfert de protéines, sécurisée et simplifiée, pour la génération de cellules souches pluripotentes induites utilisables en clinique. Les cellules à reprogrammer ont été choisies en fonction des applications potentielles des iPS générées : (i) les fibroblastes, faisant référence dans la bibliographie et permettant d'envisager des thérapies autologues avec notamment de nombreuses applications en hématologie ; (ii) les cellules souches hématopoïétiques de sang de cordon, l'un des matériaux biologiques les plus sûrs, afin de générer des globules rouges in vitro, dans la perspective de répondre aux demandes croissantes en terme de transfusion, en particulier pour les groupes sanguins rares.Nous avons donc comparé les différents vecteurs de transduction de protéines développés par l'équipe TheREx du laboratoire TIMC-IMAG, en termes de facilité de production, d'efficacité de transfert ainsi que sur l'activité des facteurs de transcription associés. Le vecteur sélectionné est une micro-seringue naturelle portée par la bactérie Pseudomonas aeruginosa, capable d'injecter les facteurs Oct4, Sox2, Nanog et Lin28 (facteurs de Thomson) mais aussi c-Myc, directement dans le cytoplasme des cellules cibles, sans étape de purification nécessaire. Les facteurs de transcription injectés sont adressés jusqu'au noyau des cellules en moins de 2h, où ils activent rapidement la transcription des gènes de pluripotence, avec des réponses significatives mesurées dès 24h après injection. Nous avons également mis en évidence le caractère sécurisé et contrôlable du vecteur puisque nous sommes capables d'éliminer complètement les bactéries des cultures grâce à un traitement antibiotique, et ce dès quelques heures après l'injection. Des optimisations des conditions de reprogrammation ont été réalisées en modifiant les principaux paramètres que sont, le choix des facteurs de transcription, la fréquence des injections et le ratio bactéries : cellules.Ainsi, bien que nous ne soyons pas parvenus à générer des iPS à ce jour avec ce système, la micro-seringue naturelle que nous avons développé et optimisé se positionne comme un vecteur de choix pour le transfert de protéines dans l'optique de générer des iPS, en termes d'efficacité de vectorisation et d'induction transcriptionnelle, de sécurité mais aussi de facilité d'utilisation.

Despite cancer screening programs and the available therapeutic armamentarium, 8.2 million deaths worldwide were due to cancer in 2012 (data Globocan 2012, WHO). The antitumor immunotherapy is booming and aims at using the immune system of the host as a response against the tumor. The use of bacterial vectors, able to deliver an antigenic message and concomitantly stimulate innate immunity, is one of the most promising approaches to antitumor vaccination. Among these vectors, the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa developed by our laboratory has the advantage of being able to inject in vivo tumor antigens via its type III secretion system (T3SS) directly in the intracellular compartment of antigen-presenting cells. The MHC I presentation pathway is thus favored and allows the generation of a cytotoxic T lymphocytes response against antigen-expressing tumors. However, further preclinical and clinical studies remain difficult, because of the risk of infection related to a bacterial pathogen, even if attenuated. In this work, we have developed a new strain of P. aeruginosa Killed But Metabolically Active (KBMA) unable to replicate, but still able to play its role as a vector. An analysis of the antitumor immune response following immunization with different vectors, allowed to demonstrate a strong tumor infiltration by antigen-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes, but also a long-term protection related to the presence of a major pool of antigen-specific effector memory CD8+ T cells. Finally we are seeking to apply this technology to the tumor antigen carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9), expressed by many solid tumors in humans., Malgré les programmes de dépistage mis en place et le vaste arsenal thérapeutique disponible, 8,2 millions de décès dans le monde ont été attribués au cancer pour l'année 2012 (données Globocan 2012, OMS). L'immunothérapie antitumorale est en plein essor et consiste notamment à exploiter le système immunitaire de l'hôte pour obtenir une réponse contre la tumeur. L'utilisation de vecteurs bactériens, capables de délivrer un message antigénique et de stimuler de manière concomittante l'immunité innée, fait partie des approches de vaccination antitumorale prometteuses. Parmi ces vecteurs, une bactérie Pseudomonas aeruginosa mise au point par notre laboratoire présente l'intérêt de pouvoir injecter in vivo des antigènes de tumeur, via son système de sécrétion de type III (SST3), directement dans le compartiment intracellulaire des cellules présentatrices d'antigènes. La voie de présentation du CMH I est ainsi favorisée et permet la génération d'une réponse des lymphocytes T cytotoxiques vis-à-vis de la tumeur exprimant l'antigène. Cependant, la poursuite des études précliniques et cliniques paraît délicate, en raison du risque infectieux lié à une bactérie pathogène, quand bien même atténuée. Lors de ce travail, nous avons donc développé une nouvelle souche de P. aeruginosa Killed But Metabolically Active (KBMA), incapable de se répliquer, mais toujours apte à jouer son rôle de vecteur. Une analyse de la réponse immune antitumorale, suite à l'immunisation par différents vecteurs, a permis de mettre en évidence une forte infiltration de la tumeur par des lymphocytes T CD8+ spécifiques de l'antigène, mais également une protection à long terme liée à la présence d'un pool majoritaire de lymphocytes T CD8+ spécifiques effecteurs mémoires. Enfin nous avons cherché à appliquer cette technologie à l'antigène de tumeur anhydrase carbonique 9 (AC9), exprimé par de nombreuses tumeurs solides chez l'homme.

In recent years, the understanding of disease molecular mechanisms has led to the identification of genes and proteins that are altered in disease state and many therapeutic targets have been found located within cells. The protective and hydrophobic nature of plasma membrane prevents therapeutic drugs from entering cells. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) or protein transduction domains (PTDs) have emerged as a group of non-invasive delivery vectors for various hydrophilic macromolecules, and several in vitro and in vivo applications as pharmaceutical carriers have been reported. A novel cell-penetrating peptide deriving from the Epstein-Barr virus ZEBRA transcription factor has been recently characterized in our laboratory. A reductionist study of full-length ZEBRA protein has allowed to identify the amino acid region (named as Minimal Domain, MD) implicated in cellular uptake. This peptide is able to cross the mammalian cell membranes via a direct translocation mechanism even when fused to cargo molecules such as eGFP reporter protein. The direct penetration mechanism represents a great advantage for therapeutic applications as the cargo molecules can be directly delivered into cells cytoplasm in a biological active form. The aim of this thesis is to explore the cell-penetrating properties of the MD peptide and evaluate its applications as therapeutic protein delivery system. This work is structured in three parts.The first part describes the study on the optimization of MD peptide sequence by size-reduction and the evaluation of its amino acid composition role in the translocation process across the cell membrane. This study has led to the identification of a shorter MD sequence (MD11) with unvaried mechanism of translocation. The second section describes a MD11-based therapeutic approach aiming at repair a dysfunction of the protein synthesis identified in most cancers. The regulation of the protein synthesis has a crucial role in governing the eukaryotic cell growth and subtle defects in the translational machinery can alter the cellular physiology and lead to cell malignancy. Among the different factors intervening in the regulation of this process, the eukaryotic initiation factor 3 (eIF3) contributes to oncogenesis and maintenance of the cancer state. This complex is composed of 13 subunits (designated eIF3 a-m). The expression of eIF3 subunits is altered in several cancers, and in particular the f subunit (eIF3f) is significantly down-regulated in pancreas, vulva, breast, melanoma, ovary and small intestine tumors. The eIF3f ectopic expression by transient gene transfection inhibits cellular protein synthesis and induces apoptosis in melanoma and pancreatic cancer cells. Starting from these observations, we developed an innovative therapeutic approach for cancer treatment in which the missing eIF3f protein is produced in vitro in fusion to MD11, and delivered to cells. These results have demonstrated that the MD11- based eIF3f transfer system may represent a powerful strategy to suppress the tumor-cell proliferation. The last part of this thesis explores the cell-penetrating property of MD11 in yeast cells, and in particular in the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. The presented results demonstrate the versatility of MD11, functioning as vectors in both yeast and mammalian cells and as carrier for proteins with biological activity.The MD11 potential as protein delivery system is evident; however some improvements regarding the fusion protein formulation and in vivo studies should be realized to validate the effectiveness of its therapeutic application., La compréhension des mécanismes moléculaires de différentes pathologies a permis la caractérisation de gènes et de protéines impliqués dans la pathogénèse et l'identification de cibles thérapeutiques intracellulaires. La nature hydrophobique de la membrane cellulaire empêche le passage des médicaments dans les cellules. Les Cell-Penetrating Peptides (CPP) ou domaines de transduction protéiques (PTD) sont des peptides qui permettent l'internalisation de macromolécules hydrophiles in cellulo et in vivo. Un nouveau peptide issu du facteur de transcription ZEBRA du virus Epstein-Barr, et qui possède des propriétés de transduction a été caractérisé récemment dans notre laboratoire. Des études par mutagénèse de délétion de la protéine ZEBRA ont permis d'identifier la région d'acides aminés (nommé ainsi MD) impliquée dans la pénétration cellulaire. Ce peptide traverse les membranes des cellules de mammifères par un mécanisme de translocation directe, même lorsqu'il est fusionné à des molécules telles que la protéine reportrice eGFP. Le mécanisme de pénétration directe représente un grand avantage pour les applications thérapeutiques: les molécules cargos peuvent être internalisées directement dans le cytoplasme cellulaire sans dégradation et sous une forme biologiquement active. L'objectif de cette thèse est d'étudier les propriétés de pénétration cellulaire du peptide MD et d'évaluer ses applications thérapeutiques comme système de vectorisation des protéines. Ce travail est structuré en trois parties. La première partie porte sur l'étude de l'optimisation de la séquence peptidique MD par réduction de taille et l'évaluation du rôle de sa composition en acides aminés dans le processus de translocation à travers la membrane cellulaire. Cette étude a conduit à l'identification d'une séquence plus courte MD (MD11) possédant une efficacité et un mécanisme de translocation inchangés. La deuxième partie décrit une approche thérapeutique basée sur MD11 visant à la complémentation protéique d'un dysfonctionnement identifiée dans la plupart des cancers. Les cellules tumorales présentent des altérations dans la machinerie de traduction résultant dans une prolifération cellulaire incontrôlée. Parmi les différents facteurs intervenant dans la régulation de ce processus, le facteur eucaryote d'initiation 3 (eIF3) contribue à l'oncogenèse et au maintien de l'état cancéreux. Ce complexe est composé de 13 sous-unités, désignées eIF3 a-m. L'expression de certaines sous-unités est altérée dans plusieurs cancers, et en particulier la sous-unité f (eIF3f) est significativement diminuée dans le mélanome, les cancers du pancréas, de la vulve, du sein, de l'intestin et de l'ovaire. L'expression ectopique par transfection transitoire du gène eIF3f inhibe la synthèse protéique et induit l'apoptose dans le mélanome et dans les cellules cancéreuses pancréatiques. A partir de ces observations, nous avons développé une approche thérapeutique innovante pour le traitement des cancers dans lesquels la protéine manquante eIF3f est produite sous forme recombinante fusionnée à la séquence de MD11, et ensuite internalisée dans les cellules cibles tumorales. Ces résultats démontrent que le système de transfert de eIF3f basé sur MD11 représente une stratégie efficace pour supprimer la prolifération des cellules tumorales. La dernière partie de cette thèse explore la propriété de pénétration de MD11 dans les cellules de levure, et en particulier dans le champignon pathogène Candida albicans. Les résultats obtenus démontrent la polyvalence de MD11, qui fonctionne comme vecteur de protéines à activité biologique aussi bien dans la levure que dans les cellules de mammifères. Le potentiel de MD11 comme système de transport et de relargage des protéines a donc été établis, toutefois certaines améliorations en ce qui concerne la formulation des protéines de fusion et des études in vivo doivent être réalisées afin de valider son efficacité thérapeutique.

Thèse proposée pour un prix de thèse.; Recently, active immunotherapy (vaccine) was successfully used as a secondary treatment of hormone-independent prostate cancer on human (sipuleucel-T, Provenge®). Development of specific cellular immunity needs, in a first hand, antigen transfer in an antigen presenting cell (APC). In another hand, activation of APC is a necessary step to generate a T-cytotoxic response. TheREx laboratory has developed an innovative and effective approach to subcutaneously inject the antigen directly into APC with a live-attenuated bacterial vector. We observed a production of specific CD8+ T lymphocytes against tumor-antigen, in response to this treatment.People affected by cancer are frequently vulnerable. Thus, it seems complicated to use a live-attenuated bacterial vector. We have developed a new bacterial-vector, called KBMA vaccine (Killed But Metabolically Active), based on the same antigen injection mechanism through the type III secretion system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This new concept gives KBMA bacteria able to produce antigen and to transfer it into APC without the ability to replicate into the host. Therefore, the secondary effects of such treatment are reduced. This work demonstrates the efficiency of this new bacterial vector for cancer immunotherapy.; Récemment, la preuve de concept de l'immunothérapie active (vaccin) a été effectuée chez l'homme en traitement des cancers de la prostate métastatiques résistants à l'hormonothérapie (sipuleucel-T, Provenge®). Le développement d'une immunité cellulaire spécifique nécessite conjointement, d'une part, le transfert d'un antigène protéique dans une cellule présentatrice d'antigène et, d'autre part, son activation pour générer une réponse T cytotoxique. Le laboratoire TheREx a développé une approche innovante et hautement efficace en injectant directement par voie sous-cutanée, à l'aide d'une bactérie vaccin, l'antigène vaccinal dans les cellules présentatrices d'antigène in situ afin de générer des lymphocytes T cytotoxiques anti-tumoraux. Les personnes atteintes de cancers sont fréquemment fragilisées par leur traitement, ce qui rend délicat l'utilisation d'un vecteur bactérien vivant atténué. Nous avons donc mis au point une nouvelle souche de bactéries dit "tués mais métaboliquement actifs" reposant sur le même principe d'injection de l'antigène vaccinal, via le système de sécrétion de type III (SSTT) de Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Ce concept récent dit "vaccin KBMA" (Killed But Metabollically Active microbes) permet d'obtenir des bactéries "semi-vivantes", capables de produire la protéine antigénique et de la vectoriser mais incapables de se répliquer chez l'hôte, donc d'une utilisation à niveau de risque le plus bas. Nous avons pu démontrer au cours de ce travail que ce nouveau vecteur était capable d'engendrer in vivo une réponse immune spécifique vis-à-vis d'un antigène, en faisant un bon candidat pour l'immunothérapie antitumorale.

Due to the endowed effective ability to deliver antigen to cytoplasm of APCs in vivo, T3SS based attenuated bacterial vectors attracted more and more attention for their potential interest in cancer vaccine development. Pseudomonas aeruginosa est un pathogène opportuniste responsable d'infections graves chez les personnes immunodéprimées, les grands brûlés et les patients atteints de la mucoviscidose. Cette pathogénicité repose sur de nombreux facteurs de virulence dont le système de sécrétion de type III (SSTT). In our previous work, the potential of attenuated P. aeruginosa strains as the carriers for anti-tumor vaccination purpose has been reported. In this work, we would like to strengthen P. aeruginosa T3SS based vaccine vectors and direct the development of these bacterial vectors toward clinical applications. First, the performance of these bacterial vectors has been improved in different murine cancer models by: 1) adding one CD4+ Th epitope to vectors; 2) applying bi-antigen expression pattern to vectors; 3) constructing potential humoral response inducing vectors. Second, the therapeutic performance of bacterial vector has been optimized by modulating injection frequency and interval and then be confirmed in murine tumor models. Third, one clinically applicable candidate has been generated by adapting one totally avirulent P. aeruginosa mutant (CHA-OAL) in a chemically defined medium and the poor infectivity of this new strain has been overcome by vaccinations at multiple loci. Fourth, the potential of bacterial vector for human immunotherapy has been further evaluated in one first level humanized mice (HHD) model. Finally, we observed that the pre-existing anti-vector immunity didn't impair the vaccination efficiency of bacteria vector. Taken together, our results highlight the potentials of our live attenuated P. aeruginosa vectors for applications in relevant clinical trials.; En raison de l'efficacité pour délivrer des antigènes directement dans le cytoplasme des CAPs in vivo, les vecteurs bactériens atténués et basés sur les propriétés du système de sécrétion de type 3 (SST3) attirent de plus en plus l'attention grâce à leur potentiel dans le développement des vaccins contre le cancer. Pseudomonas aeruginosa est un pathogène opportuniste responsable d'infections graves chez les personnes immunodéprimées, les grands brûlés et les patients atteints de la mucoviscidose. Cette pathogénicité repose sur de nombreux facteurs de virulence dont le SST3. Dans nos travaux précédents, le potentiel de souches atténuées de P. aeruginosa dans le domaine de la vaccination anti-tumorale a été démontré. Dans ce travail, nous avons optimisé des vecteurs vaccinaux basés sur le SST3 de P. aeruginosa pour des applications cliniques. Dans un premier temps, la performance de ces vecteurs bactériens a été améliorée en utilisant différents modèles de tumeurs murines. Ceci par : 1) l'ajout d'un épitope spécifique des lymphocytes CD4+ Th aux vecteurs; 2) l'application d'un modèle d'expression bi-antigénique aux vecteurs; 3) la construction de vecteurs induisant une réponse humorale. Dans un deuxième temps, la performance thérapeutique du vecteur bactérien a été optimisée par la modulation de la fréquence des injections et l'intervalle qui les sépare. Cette performance a été confirmée dans des modèles différents de tumeurs murines. Dans un troisième temps, un candidat qui pourrait être appliqué en clinique a été généré par l'adaptation d'un mutant (CHA-OAL) de P. aeruginosa totalement avirulent dans un milieu chimiquement défini. La très faible infectiosité de cette souche a été surmontée par en vaccinant à des emplacements multiples. Par la suite, le potentiel du vecteur bactérien dans l'immunothérapie humaine a été également évalué- dans un premiers temps-dans un modèle de souris humanisées (HHD). Enfin, nous avons observé qu'une immunité anti-vecteur pré-existante n'a pas d'effet sur l'efficacité de la vaccination par le vecteur bactérien. L'ensemble de nos résultats a mis en évidence le potentiel de nos vecteurs vivants et atténués de P. aeruginosa pour des applications dans des essais cliniques pertinents.

Due to the endowed effective ability to deliver antigen to cytoplasm of APCs in vivo, T3SS based attenuated bacterial vectors attracted more and more attention for their potential interest in cancer vaccine development. Pseudomonas aeruginosa est un pathogène opportuniste responsable d'infections graves chez les personnes immunodéprimées, les grands brûlés et les patients atteints de la mucoviscidose. Cette pathogénicité repose sur de nombreux facteurs de virulence dont le système de sécrétion de type III (SSTT). In our previous work, the potential of attenuated P. aeruginosa strains as the carriers for anti-tumor vaccination purpose has been reported. In this work, we would like to strengthen P. aeruginosa T3SS based vaccine vectors and direct the development of these bacterial vectors toward clinical applications. First, the performance of these bacterial vectors has been improved in different murine cancer models by: 1) adding one CD4+ Th epitope to vectors; 2) applying bi-antigen expression pattern to vectors; 3) constructing potential humoral response inducing vectors. Second, the therapeutic performance of bacterial vector has been optimized by modulating injection frequency and interval and then be confirmed in murine tumor models. Third, one clinically applicable candidate has been generated by adapting one totally avirulent P. aeruginosa mutant (CHA-OAL) in a chemically defined medium and the poor infectivity of this new strain has been overcome by vaccinations at multiple loci. Fourth, the potential of bacterial vector for human immunotherapy has been further evaluated in one first level humanized mice (HHD) model. Finally, we observed that the pre-existing anti-vector immunity didn't impair the vaccination efficiency of bacteria vector. Taken together, our results highlight the potentials of our live attenuated P. aeruginosa vectors for applications in relevant clinical trials., En raison de l'efficacité pour délivrer des antigènes directement dans le cytoplasme des CAPs in vivo, les vecteurs bactériens atténués et basés sur les propriétés du système de sécrétion de type 3 (SST3) attirent de plus en plus l'attention grâce à leur potentiel dans le développement des vaccins contre le cancer. Pseudomonas aeruginosa est un pathogène opportuniste responsable d'infections graves chez les personnes immunodéprimées, les grands brûlés et les patients atteints de la mucoviscidose. Cette pathogénicité repose sur de nombreux facteurs de virulence dont le SST3. Dans nos travaux précédents, le potentiel de souches atténuées de P. aeruginosa dans le domaine de la vaccination anti-tumorale a été démontré. Dans ce travail, nous avons optimisé des vecteurs vaccinaux basés sur le SST3 de P. aeruginosa pour des applications cliniques. Dans un premier temps, la performance de ces vecteurs bactériens a été améliorée en utilisant différents modèles de tumeurs murines. Ceci par : 1) l'ajout d'un épitope spécifique des lymphocytes CD4+ Th aux vecteurs; 2) l'application d'un modèle d'expression bi-antigénique aux vecteurs; 3) la construction de vecteurs induisant une réponse humorale. Dans un deuxième temps, la performance thérapeutique du vecteur bactérien a été optimisée par la modulation de la fréquence des injections et l'intervalle qui les sépare. Cette performance a été confirmée dans des modèles différents de tumeurs murines. Dans un troisième temps, un candidat qui pourrait être appliqué en clinique a été généré par l'adaptation d'un mutant (CHA-OAL) de P. aeruginosa totalement avirulent dans un milieu chimiquement défini. La très faible infectiosité de cette souche a été surmontée par en vaccinant à des emplacements multiples. Par la suite, le potentiel du vecteur bactérien dans l'immunothérapie humaine a été également évalué- dans un premiers temps-dans un modèle de souris humanisées (HHD). Enfin, nous avons observé qu'une immunité anti-vecteur pré-existante n'a pas d'effet sur l'efficacité de la vaccination par le vecteur bactérien. L'ensemble de nos résultats a mis en évidence le potentiel de nos vecteurs vivants et atténués de P. aeruginosa pour des applications dans des essais cliniques pertinents.

P. aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen capable of infecting a wide host range. It possesses a large arsenal of virulence factors. The type III secretion system (TTSS) is a major virulence factor whose regulation is complex to allow the most accurate adaptation of the bacteria during infection. We were interested to determine the potential role of new actors in the adaptation of P. aeruginosa during infection. OprF represents the most abundant protein of the outer membrane of P. aeruginosa. This protein allows bacteria to assess the activation status of the host's immune system to adapt its virulence. In P. aeruginosa, tryptophan is the precursor of kynurenines that are also produced by the host from tryptophan and in the latter context, are immunomodulators. Little or no studies have been done to determine a possible role of bacterial kynurenines in immune modulation or virulence. Initially, we were interested in a signal previously discovered in the laboratory and which suppresses the expression of TTSS at high bacterial density. We have shown that this signal exerts a post-transcriptional regulation in addition to inhibition of TTSS genes transcription. The metabolism of tryptophan and anthranilate appears to be at the heart of this regulatory process. By inactivating pathways of tryptophan catabolism, we showed that production of this signal depends partly on the kynurenines pathway but does not depend neither classical ways of quorum sensing or phnAB operon involved in the synthesis of anthranilate. However, the phenazines pathway could be involved in the production of this signal. By HPLC coupled with mass spectrometry, we were able to separate molecular species suppressing the TTSS and which are contained in this signal, but accurate identification requires further investigation. In a second time, we were interested to kynurenines produced by the bacterium. We confirmed that P. aeruginosa produces kynurenines and KynA is the key gene in the synthesis of these metabolites. We showed that tryptophan and kynurenine upregulate the production of kynurenines by acting on the expression of key genes. Other shares, we found that the bacterium modulates the activity of the kynurenines pathway depending on its state of growth. We showed that during the dialogue bacteria / host, the pathway of kynurenines in P. aeruginosa is stimulated by certain immune system components. With an acute lung infection model, we proved that kynurenines produced by the bacterium are important to its virulence. We hypothesized that the kynurenines could have an effect on the immune response, but this remains to be determined. In a third time, we focused on the protein OprF. We showed that mutation ΔoprF is causing an alteration in production but probably not the secretion of TTSS exotoxins. One known ligand of OprF is the gamma interferon. It modulates the pathway of kynurenines. OprF could therefore have a central role in various aspects of the regulation of virulence. So, we produced monoclonal anti-OprF which recognizes specifically the protein OprF. To verify the effectiveness of these antibodies, neutralization experiments of the bacteria in vitro and in vivo will be realized., P. aeruginosa est un pathogène opportuniste capable d'infecter un large spectre d'hôtes. Elle possède un vaste arsenal de facteurs de virulence. Le système de sécrétion de type III (SSTT) est un facteur de virulence majeur dont la régulation est complexe pour permettre une adaptation la plus précise possible de la bactérie au cours de l'infection. Nous nous sommes intéressés à déterminer le rôle potentiel de nouveaux acteurs de l'adaptation de P.aeruginosa au cours de l'infection. La porine OprF qui représente la protéine la plus abondante de la membrane externe de P. aeruginosa lui permettrait d'évaluer l'état d'activation du système immunitaire de son hôte afin d'adapter sa virulence. Chez P. aeruginosa, le tryptophane est le précurseur des kynurenines qui sont également produites par l'hôte à partir du tryptophane et qui, dans ce dernier contexte, sont des immunomodulateurs. Peu ou pas d'études ont été réalisées pour mettre en œuvre un éventuel rôle d'immunomodulation ou dans la virulence des kynurénines bactériennes. Dans un premier temps, nous nous sommes intéressés à un signal anciennement découvert au laboratoire et qui réprime l'expression du SSTT à haute densité bactérienne. Nous avons montré que ce signal exerce une régulation post-transcriptionnelle en plus d'une inhibition de la transcription des gènes du SSTT. Le métabolisme du tryptophane et de l'anthranilate semble être au cœur de ce processus de régulation. En inactivant des voies du catabolisme du tryptophane, nous avons montré que la production de ce signal dépend partiellement de la voie des kynurénines mais ne dépend pas ni des voies classiques du quorum sensing ni de l'opéron phnAB, impliqué dans la synthèse de l'anthranilate. Cependant, la voie des phénazines pourrait être impliquée dans la production de ce signal. Par CLHP couplée à la spectrométrie de masse, nous avons pu séparer des espèces moléculaires réprimant le SSTT et qui sont contenues dans ce signal, mais l'identification précise nécessite plus d'investigations. Dans un second temps, nous nous sommes intéressés aux kynurénines produites par la bactérie. Nous avons confirmé que P. aeruginosa produit des kynurénines et le gène kynA est le gène clé de la voie de synthèse de ces métabolites. En utilisant des fusions transcriptionnnelles, nous avons montré que le tryptophane et la kynurénine régulent positivement la production des kynurénines en agissant sur l'expression des gènes clés. D'autres parts, nous avons remarqué que la bactérie module l'activité de la voie métabolique des kynurénines issue du tryptophane en fonction de son état de croissance. Nous avons montré qu'au cours du dialogue interrègne bactérie/hôte, la voie des kynurénines de P. aeruginosa est stimulée par certains composants du système immunitaire. Grâce à un modèle d'infection pulmonaire aiguë, nous avons prouvé que les kynurénines produites par la bactérie sont importantes pour sa virulence. Selon notre hypothèse les kynurénines pourraient avoir une action sur la réponse immune, mais cela reste à déterminer. Dans un troisième temps, nous nous somme focalisés sur la porine OprF. Nous avons montré que la mutation ∆oprF est à l'origine d'une altération de la production mais vraisemblablement pas de la sécrétion des exotoxines du SSTT. Un ligand connu d'OprF, l'interféron gamma, module la voie des kynurénines. OprF pourrait donc avoir un rôle central dans les différents aspects de la régulation de la virulence. Nous avons donc produit des anticorps monoclonaux anti-OprF. Ces derniers se sont révélés capables de reconnaître spécifiquement la protéine OprF. Afin de vérifier l'efficacité de ces anticorps, des expériences de neutralisation de la bactérie in vitro puis in vivo seront réalisées. Mots clés : Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Système de Sécrétion de Type III, régulation, catabolisme du tryptophane, kynurénines, OprF.