II Congrés Internacional sobre Traducció : abril 1994 : actes

Machine learning-based approach unravels distinct pathological signatures induced by patient-derived α-synuclein seeds in monkeys. Dopaminergic neuronal cell death, associated with intracellular α-synuclein (α-syn)-rich protein aggregates [termed "Lewy bodies" (LBs)], is a well-established characteristic of Parkinson's disease (PD). Much evidence, accumulated from multiple experimental models, has suggested that α-syn plays a role in PD pathogenesis, not only as a trigger of pathology but also as a mediator of disease progression through pathological spreading. Here, we have used a machine learning-based approach to identify unique signatures of neurodegeneration in monkeys induced by distinct α-syn pathogenic structures derived from patients with PD. Unexpectedly, our results show that, in nonhuman primates, a small amount of singular α-syn aggregates is as toxic as larger amyloid fibrils present in the LBs, thus reinforcing the need for preclinical research in this species. Furthermore, our results provide evidence supporting the true multifactorial nature of PD, as multiple causes can induce a similar outcome regarding dopaminergic neurodegeneratio

Hydrophobically Modified Sulfobetaine Copolymers with Tunable Aqueous UCST through Postpolymerization Modification of Poly(pentafluorophenyl acrylate)

Polysulfobetaines, polymers carrying highly polar zwitterionic side chains, present a promising research field by virtue of their antifouling properties, hemocompatibility, and stimulus-responsive behavior. However, limited synthetic approaches exist to produce sulfobetaine copolymers comprising hydrophobic components. Postpolymerization modification of an activated ester precursor, poly(pentafluorophenyl acrylate), employing a zwitterionic amine, 3-((3-aminopropyl)dimethylammonio)propane-1-sulfonate, ADPS, is presented as a novel, one-step synthetic concept toward sulfobetaine (co)polymers. Modifications were performed in homogeneous solution using propylene carbonate as solvent with mixtures of ADPS and pentylamine, benzylamine, and dodecylamine producing a series of well-defined statistical acrylamido sulfobetaine copolymers containing hydrophobic pentyl, benzyl, or dodecylacrylamide comonomers with well-controllable molar composition as evidenced by NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography.This synthetic strategy was exploited to investigate, for the first time, the influence of hydrophobic modification on the upper critical solution temperature (UCST) of sulfobetaine copolymers in aqueous solution. Surprisingly, incorporation of pentyl groups was found to increase solubility over a wide composition range, whereas benzyl groups decreased solubility—an effect attributed to different entropic and enthalpic contributions of both functional groups. While UCST transitions of polysulfobetaines are typically limited to higher molar mass samples, incorporation of 0–65 mol % of benzyl groups into copolymers with molar masses of 25.5–34.5 kg/mol enabled sharp, reversible transitions from 6 to 82 °C in solutions containing up to 76 mM NaCl, as observed by optical transmittance and dynamic light scattering. Both synthesis and systematic UCST increase of sulfobetaine copolymers presented here are expected to expand the scope and applicability of these smart materials

Approches multifactorielles et translationnelles dans la modélisation des synucléinopathies : implications mécanistiques et thérapeutiques

My thesis project was dedicated to the study of synucleinopathies. Synucleinopathies are neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the presence of alpha-synuclein positive intracytoplasmic inclusions which are present either in neurons for Parkinson’s disease (i.e. Lewy Bodies) or in oligodendrocytes for Multiple system atrophy (i.e. Glial Cytoplasmic Inclusions). The aim of my work was to establish a multifactorial and translational approach through modeling, mechanistic and therapeutic aspects associated with synucleinopathies. First, we focused on dissecting the underlying alpha-synuclein-mediated mechanisms of neurodegeneration using a non-human primate model of Parkinson’s disease. We confirmed the toxic role of alpha-synuclein in the pathology and highlighted unpredictable cellular processes involved in neurodegeneration. Using the same Parkinson’s disease model, we studied the hypothesis of a pathological propagation between the central and peripheric nervous systems in an attempt to decipher the initiation point and the direction of propagation of the associated pathology. We thus demonstrated a bidirectional route of propagation of alpha-synuclein between the CNS and the ENS and within the ENS. Finally, we focused on the restoration of the autophagic function as a potential common therapeutic target for all synucleinopathies. We demonstrated through a gene-based restoration of the autophagy, we efficiently reestablish alpha-synuclein physiological protein levels, while inducing neuroprotection in a Parkinson’s disease and Multiple system atrophy rodent models. Thus, this work corroborates the key role of alpha-synuclein in the etiology of synucleinopathy and offers new common therapeutic strategies for all synucleinopathies to decrease alpha-synuclein-induced toxicity into the central nervous system.Mon projet de thèse a été dédié à l’étude des synucléinopathies. Ces maladies neurodégénératives sont caractérisées par la présence d’inclusions intracytoplasmiques positives pour l’alpha-synucléine et contenues dans les neurones pour la maladie de Parkinson (i.e. les corps de Lewy) ou dans les oligodendrocytes pour l’atrophie multisystématisée (i.e. les inclusions cytoplasmiques oligodendrogliales). L’objectif de mon travail de thèse fut de proposer une approche multifactorielle et translationnelle en développant les aspects de modélisation, de mécanistiques et de thérapeutiques associées aux synucléinopathies. Nous nous sommes tout d’abord intéressés à disséquer les mécanismes sous-jacents à la neurodégénérescence induits par la protéine alpha-synucléine dans un modèle primate non-humain de la maladie de Parkinson. Nous avons ainsi souligné le rôle toxique de la protéine alpha-synucléine et mis en lumière de nouveaux processus cellulaires impliqués dans le phénomène de neurodégénérescence. Dans ce même modèle animal, nous avons étudié l’hypothèse d’une propagation de la pathologie induite par l’alpha-synucléine entre les systèmes nerveux centraux et périphériques. Nous avons ainsi pu démontrer l’existence d’une route bidirectionnelle de propagation et de neurodégénérescence de la protéine entre les deux systèmes nerveux, pouvant corroborer la présence de symptômes non moteurs précoces au cours de la pathologie. Enfin, nous nous sommes concentrés sur le rétablissement de la fonction autophagique comme cible thérapeutique commune aux synucléinopathies. Nous avons ainsi pu démontrer qu’une restauration de la machinerie de dégradation de la voie autophagie était suffisante pour rétablir les taux physiologiques de la protéine alpha-synucléine et induire une neuroprotection dans un modèle rongeur de la maladie de Parkinson et d’atrophie multi-systématisée. Ces travaux corroborent le rôle clé de la protéine alpha-synucléine dans l’étiologie des synucléinopathies et proposent de nouvelles stratégies thérapeutiques communes à toutes les synucléinopathies afin de rétablir les niveaux physiologiques cellulaires de la protéine et une neuroprotection au sein du système nerveux central

Multifactorial and translational approaches for modeling synucleinopathies : mechanistic and therapeutic implications

Mon projet de thèse a été dédié à l’étude des synucléinopathies. Ces maladies neurodégénératives sont caractérisées par la présence d’inclusions intracytoplasmiques positives pour l’alpha-synucléine et contenues dans les neurones pour la maladie de Parkinson (i.e. les corps de Lewy) ou dans les oligodendrocytes pour l’atrophie multisystématisée (i.e. les inclusions cytoplasmiques oligodendrogliales). L’objectif de mon travail de thèse fut de proposer une approche multifactorielle et translationnelle en développant les aspects de modélisation, de mécanistiques et de thérapeutiques associées aux synucléinopathies. Nous nous sommes tout d’abord intéressés à disséquer les mécanismes sous-jacents à la neurodégénérescence induits par la protéine alpha-synucléine dans un modèle primate non-humain de la maladie de Parkinson. Nous avons ainsi souligné le rôle toxique de la protéine alpha-synucléine et mis en lumière de nouveaux processus cellulaires impliqués dans le phénomène de neurodégénérescence. Dans ce même modèle animal, nous avons étudié l’hypothèse d’une propagation de la pathologie induite par l’alpha-synucléine entre les systèmes nerveux centraux et périphériques. Nous avons ainsi pu démontrer l’existence d’une route bidirectionnelle de propagation et de neurodégénérescence de la protéine entre les deux systèmes nerveux, pouvant corroborer la présence de symptômes non moteurs précoces au cours de la pathologie. Enfin, nous nous sommes concentrés sur le rétablissement de la fonction autophagique comme cible thérapeutique commune aux synucléinopathies. Nous avons ainsi pu démontrer qu’une restauration de la machinerie de dégradation de la voie autophagie était suffisante pour rétablir les taux physiologiques de la protéine alpha-synucléine et induire une neuroprotection dans un modèle rongeur de la maladie de Parkinson et d’atrophie multi-systématisée. Ces travaux corroborent le rôle clé de la protéine alpha-synucléine dans l’étiologie des synucléinopathies et proposent de nouvelles stratégies thérapeutiques communes à toutes les synucléinopathies afin de rétablir les niveaux physiologiques cellulaires de la protéine et une neuroprotection au sein du système nerveux central.My thesis project was dedicated to the study of synucleinopathies. Synucleinopathies are neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the presence of alpha-synuclein positive intracytoplasmic inclusions which are present either in neurons for Parkinson’s disease (i.e. Lewy Bodies) or in oligodendrocytes for Multiple system atrophy (i.e. Glial Cytoplasmic Inclusions). The aim of my work was to establish a multifactorial and translational approach through modeling, mechanistic and therapeutic aspects associated with synucleinopathies. First, we focused on dissecting the underlying alpha-synuclein-mediated mechanisms of neurodegeneration using a non-human primate model of Parkinson’s disease. We confirmed the toxic role of alpha-synuclein in the pathology and highlighted unpredictable cellular processes involved in neurodegeneration. Using the same Parkinson’s disease model, we studied the hypothesis of a pathological propagation between the central and peripheric nervous systems in an attempt to decipher the initiation point and the direction of propagation of the associated pathology. We thus demonstrated a bidirectional route of propagation of alpha-synuclein between the CNS and the ENS and within the ENS. Finally, we focused on the restoration of the autophagic function as a potential common therapeutic target for all synucleinopathies. We demonstrated through a gene-based restoration of the autophagy, we efficiently reestablish alpha-synuclein physiological protein levels, while inducing neuroprotection in a Parkinson’s disease and Multiple system atrophy rodent models. Thus, this work corroborates the key role of alpha-synuclein in the etiology of synucleinopathy and offers new common therapeutic strategies for all synucleinopathies to decrease alpha-synuclein-induced toxicity into the central nervous system

Autophagy in Synucleinopathy: The Overwhelmed and Defective Machinery

International audienceAlpha-synuclein positive-intracytoplasmic inclusions are the common denominators of the synucleinopathies present as Lewy bodies in Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, or glial cytoplasmic inclusions in multiple system atrophy. These neurodegenerative diseases also exhibit cellular dyshomeostasis, such as autophagy impairment. Several decades of research have questioned the potential link between the autophagy machinery and alpha-synuclein protein toxicity in synucleinopathy and neurodegenerative processes. Here, we aimed to discuss the active participation of autophagy impairment in alpha-synuclein accumulation and propagation, as well as alpha-synuclein-independent neurodegenerative processes in the field of synucleinopathy. Therapeutic approaches targeting the restoration of autophagy have started to emerge as relevant strategies to reverse pathological features in synucleinopathies

Addition-fragmentation reaction of thionoesters compounds in free-radical polymerisation (methyl, cyanomethyl and styryl): a theoretical interpretation

Pierre Mignon and Philippe Chaumont are acknowledged for helpful discussions.International audienceA joint experimental and theoretical study has been carried out on reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerisation (RAFT). We have performed density functional theory calculations at the (Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof) PBE/triple zeta plus polarisation level to analyse the RAFT mechanisms corresponding to these compounds. Global and local reactivity indices have been calculated to investigate the effect of the addition of methyl, cyanomethyl and styryl radicals on the double bond C=S of thionoester compounds producing an adduct radical. This mechanism is shown to be difficult when the cyanomethyl is used contrarily to the methyl and styryl radicals, in agreement with experimental results. The activation barrier of fragmentation of adduct radicals does not correlate well with the length of fragmented bond (O-C-alpha). The bond topological analysis of radical adduct predicts that the distance between the oxygen and a critical point (O-CP) in the fragment bond is a good parameter to estimate the activation energy of the fragmentation mechanism. It is shown that the nature of the free radicals is more selective than that of the thionoester compounds. With an overall large agreement with experiments, these theoretical results afford an explanation of the efficiency for the RAFT mechanism

A New Rise of Non-Human Primate Models of Synucleinopathies

International audienceSynucleinopathies are neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the presence of α-synuclein-positive intracytoplasmic inclusions in the central nervous system. Multiple experimental models have been extensively used to understand better the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of synucleinopathy. Non-human primate (NHP) models are of interest in neurodegenerative diseases as they constitute the highest relevant preclinical model in translational research. They also contribute to bringing new insights into synucleinopathy’s pathogenicity and help in the quest and validation of therapeutical strategies. Here, we reviewed the different NHP models that have recapitulated key characteristics of synucleinopathy, and we aimed to highlight the contribution of NHP in mechanistic and translational approaches for synucleinopathies

Monitoring α-synuclein aggregation

Synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease (PD), dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), and multiple system atrophy (MSA), are characterized by the misfolding and subsequent aggregation of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) that accumulates in cytoplasmic inclusions bodies in the cells of affected brain regions. Since the seminal report of likely-aggregated α-syn presence within the Lewy bodies by Spillantini et al. in 1997, the keyword “synuclein aggregation” has appeared in over 6000 papers (Source: PubMed October 2022). Studying, observing, describing, and quantifying α-syn aggregation is therefore of paramount importance, whether it happens in tubo, in vitro, in post-mortem samples, or in vivo. The past few years have witnessed tremendous progress in understanding aggregation mechanisms and identifying various polymorphs. In this context of growing complexity, it is of utmost importance to understand what tools we possess, what exact information they provide, and in what context they may be applied. Nonetheless, it is also crucial to rationalize the relevance of the information and the limitations of these methods for gauging the final result. In this review, we present the main techniques that have shaped the current views about α-syn structure and dynamics, with particular emphasis on the recent breakthroughs that may change our understanding of synucleinopathies

Dissolution and aggregation of a poly(NIPA-block-sulfobetaine) copolymer in water and saline aqueous solutions

Thermal properties of the novel, double thermosensitive block copolymer, poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide)block-poly(3- [N-(3-methacrylamido-propyl)-N,N-dimethyl]-ammonio propane sulfonate) (PNIPA-b-PSPP) have been studied in pure and saline (NaCl) aqueous solutions by dynamic laser light scattering. The block copolymer [M-n(PNIPA) = 10 800 g/mol and M-n(PSPP) = 9700 g/mol] exhibits both upper (UCST about 9 degreesC) and lower (LCST about 32 degreesC) critical solution temperatures in pure water. The addition of NaCl enhances the solubility of the zwitterionic block, PSPP, leading to the disappearance of the UCST. On the other hand, the solubility of PNIPA in water decreases as NaCl is added. At 20 degreesC, the copolymer shows a bimodal size distribution through the NaCl concentration range of 0-0.93 M above a certain limiting polymer concentration. The slow and fast components of the diffusion coefficients of the polymer have been calculated. A gradual addition of salt turns the mutual interactions from zwitterionic attractions between PSPP blocks to hydrophobic attractions between PNIPA blocks. The formation of the aggregates and the aggregate sizes at T LCST are influenced by polymer and salt concentrations. Below the UCST, the aggregates in saline polymer solutions are somewhat larger than those in pure polymer solutions. Above LCST, the aggregate size is determined by the salt concentration