Single chain antibodies against the 37 kDa/67 kDa laminin receptor as tools for prion diseases therapy

Prions are unconventional pathogens that cause transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). According to the "protein only" hypothesis, prions consist of an infectious protein that is capable of converting a normal host protein termed PrPc into a protease resistant form termed PrPSc. PrPSc is poorly degraded by the host and accumulates in the CNS. Normal biological functions of PrPc and mechanisms involved in neurodegeneration remain obscure. During the past two decades, considerable efforts have been made to elucidate prion diseases and in particular to identify PrP interactors for a better understanding in prion biology. A major break-through was the identification of the 37 kDa laminin receptor (LRP), which represents the precursor of the human 67 kDa high-affinity laminin receptor (LR), as the cell surface receptor for the cellular prion protein. We investigated the role of LRP/LR in the propagation of PrPSc in chronically infected cells by different approaches. Three strategies resulted in downregulation or blocking of LRP and prevented PrPSc accumulation in different scrapie infected neuronal cell lines (i) transfection with an antisense LRP RNA expression plasmid (ii) transfection with small interfering (siRNAs) specific for the LRP mRNA and (iii) incubation with the polyclonal anti-LRP antibody, W3. We observed that the treatment with W3 abolished PrPSc deposition and reduced PrPc levels after one week of incubation. PrPSc did not reappear in cells being cultured for 14 additional days without therapeutic antibody treatment. Taken together, these results indicate that LRP is not only required for PrPc metabolism under non-pathological conditions but also has a pivotal role in prion propagation in a cell culture model. LRP/LR appears then to be a promising potential target for the development of therapeutics for the treatment of prion disease. Due to these encouraging cell culture data, we decided to select single chain antibodies (scFv) encompassing a suitable format for therapy. ScFvs are composed of variable parts of heavy and light chains of an immunoglobulin that are connected by a peptidic linker. The antibodies were screened on recombinant GST::LRP employing a phage display strategy. Two scFvs termed N3 and S18 were screened and selected by ELISA. Both antibodies were further characterized by western blotting and FACS analysis: both N3 and S18 specifically recognized mouseLRP and humanLRP overexpressed in mammalian cells under denaturating conditions (western blot) and under native conditions at the cell surface (FACS). Epitope mapping revealed that as expected both scFvs are directed against the extracellular part of LRP: S18 and N3 recognized amino acid residues 225-233 and 273-278, respectively. The ability of N3 and S18 to interfere with LRP/PrP interaction was tested by pull-down assays. In contrast to the control scFv C9 directed against the pre-S1 coat-protein of hepatitis B virus, both anti-LRP scFvs were able to block the specific LRP/PrP binding. In order to investigate a potential curing effect of scFv S18 in vivo, this scFv was tested in a scrapie mouse model by passive immunization. The application of S18 by intra-peritoneal injection was able to reduce PrPSc deposition in the spleen in comparison to mice injected with PBS or C9. However the survival times of S18 treated animals was not increased. Anti-LRP scFv S18 seems to contribute to block prion propagation in the periphery but it is likely that this effect was not enough strong to have an impact on the CNS invasion. Thus, we hypothesized that a strategy targeting directly the brain should be more effective. In this context, an approach based on the expression of single chain antibodies as secretory molecules in the brain via an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector was initiated. To assure secretion of the scFv expressed in mammalian cells, a signal sequence was fused to the scFvs. Tranfection experiments demonstrated that neuronal cells were able to express and secrete high quantities of both scFvs. Furthermore, the generated scFvs were still functional as shown by western blotting. To find the appropriate AAV serotype for scFv expression, neuronal cells were transduced with varying serotypes carrying a GFP. AAV serotype 2 was chosen due to (i) its good transduction performance in two neuronal cell lines and (ii) the possibility of its purification by affinity chromatography. The sequences encoding for the scFvs N3, S18 and C9 have been cloned in an AAV-based vector. The AAV system was also able to drive high expression of scFvs into the supernatant by transfection or transduction. rAAV-scFv particles were produced and purifed for further stereotaxic injections into mice. Although the investigation of this therapeutic strategy is still in progress in a murine scrapie model, we already proved that a single injection of rAAV led to the expression of scFvs into the brain of mice 30 days post injection. This study represents the first gene therapeutic approach for the treatment of prion diseases

: Recueil de fiches pédagogiques du réseau MAPS

DoctoralLe réseau thématique MAPS «Modélisation multi-Agent appliquée aux Phénomènes Spatialisés » propose depuis 2009 des évènements scientifiques ayant pour but de diffuser les pratiques de modélisations multi-agents au sein des Sciences de l’Homme et de la Société (SHS). Ce collectif pluridisciplinaire de chercheurs, d’enseignants-chercheurs et de doctorants est labellisé en tant que ≪ réseau thématique » par le Réseau National des Systèmes Complexes (GIS RNSC) et bénéficie du soutien du CNRS au titre de la Formation Permanente. Depuis 2009, plusieurs modèles ont été développés au cours d'événements MAPS. Ces modèles ont fait l'objet de fiches pédagogiques détaillées destinées aux communautés éducatives et universitaires et en particulier aux enseignants qui souhaiteraient faire découvrir la modélisation à leurs étudiants, mais aussi à ceux qui envisagent d’approfondir certains aspects avec un public plus averti. Elles sont également destinées à tous les curieux qui souhaiteraient découvrir ce que la modélisation apporte aux SHS, du point de vue heuristique et du point de vue opérationnel. Enfin, elles sont aussi des supports pour toutes les personnes qui souhaiteraient diffuser les réflexions scientifiques sur la modélisation et la simulation qui ont présidé à la rédaction de ces fiches

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome associated with COVID-19: An Emulated Target Trial Analysis.

RATIONALE: Whether COVID patients may benefit from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) compared with conventional invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) remains unknown. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the effect of ECMO on 90-Day mortality vs IMV only Methods: Among 4,244 critically ill adult patients with COVID-19 included in a multicenter cohort study, we emulated a target trial comparing the treatment strategies of initiating ECMO vs. no ECMO within 7 days of IMV in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (PaO2/FiO2 <80 or PaCO2 ≥60 mmHg). We controlled for confounding using a multivariable Cox model based on predefined variables. MAIN RESULTS: 1,235 patients met the full eligibility criteria for the emulated trial, among whom 164 patients initiated ECMO. The ECMO strategy had a higher survival probability at Day-7 from the onset of eligibility criteria (87% vs 83%, risk difference: 4%, 95% CI 0;9%) which decreased during follow-up (survival at Day-90: 63% vs 65%, risk difference: -2%, 95% CI -10;5%). However, ECMO was associated with higher survival when performed in high-volume ECMO centers or in regions where a specific ECMO network organization was set up to handle high demand, and when initiated within the first 4 days of MV and in profoundly hypoxemic patients. CONCLUSIONS: In an emulated trial based on a nationwide COVID-19 cohort, we found differential survival over time of an ECMO compared with a no-ECMO strategy. However, ECMO was consistently associated with better outcomes when performed in high-volume centers and in regions with ECMO capacities specifically organized to handle high demand. This article is open access and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives License 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Etat nutritionnel des patients d'un centre de lutte contre le cancer et protocoles de prise en charge

REIMS-BU Santé (514542104) / SudocSudocFranceF

Le phénomène sectaire au Cameroun

Les années 80 ont été marquées au Cameroun par un phénomène aussi inattendu qu inexpliqué : l invasion des groupes à prétention spirituelle. Une confusion s en est suivie bousculant les habitudes dans un pays jusque-là dominé par les Églises traditionnelles introduites par la colonisation, l islam et les pratiques anciennes. Trois hypothèses de travail : la crise économique serait-elle responsable du phénomène ? Leur essor a-t-il été favorisé par l Etat à des fins de manipulation politicienne ? Le processus résulte-t-il de la reconsidération par les populations concernées de leurs repères spirituels dans un environnement déroutant et propice au désespoir ? Des informations diverses ont été collectées à partir d entretiens semi directifs auprès d un échantillon de populations cibles. Mais au-delà, ce sont en réalité les non-dits, les contradictions, les écarts entre théories et pratiques qui dévoilent la face cachée de ces groupes. Quelles conséquences le phénomène sectaire a-t-il eu sur la société ? Une comparaison des évangélisations de l époque coloniale et aujourd hui des sectes montre certes des similitudes, mais elle donne surtout à voir les limites et le caractère dangereux des sectes.The last twenty years of the 20th century were characterised in Cameroon by an unexpected and unexplained phenomenon : the invasion by supposedly spiritual groups dubbed prayer groups or sects. The ensuing sudden confusion rocked peoples habit in a country hitherto dominated by traditional Christian Churches introduced by colonisation, Islam and ancient practices. This raises three questions, which are also three working hypotheses: could the economic crisis be responsible for the phenomenon? Or could the State have encouraged the expansion for reasons of political manipulation? Or better still, is the situation a result of the peoples reconsideration of their spiritual bearings in such a deviating environment conducive to despair? A sample of the target population was constituted, surveys initiated and conducted among the sample, a significant mass of information collected from semi-directive interviews around the doctrines taught, the functioning of the groups, the motivations and new lifestyle of followers. But beyond this, it is the numerous unspoken comments, the contradictions observed and the differences noted between the theories and practices, which unveil the hidden face of such groups. With economic revival, their enrolments tend to dwindle, while they tend to shift their efforts towards rural areas. What are the consequences of the sect phenomenon on the Cameroonian society? A comparison of evangelisation of the colonial period and now by the sect reveals certain similarities no doubt, but above all it brings out the shortcomings and dangerous nature of sects.ST DENIS-BU PARIS8 (930662101) / SudocSudocFranceF

De novo transcriptome assembly for Tracheliastes polycolpus, an invasive ectoparasite of freshwater fish in western Europe

International audienceTracheliastes polycolpus is an ectoparasitic copepod that recently emerged in western Europe and that infects several freshwater fish species. Its recent successful spread might be due to its fascinating ability to shift to new host populations and/or species. Here, we present the first non-redundant and protein-coding de novo transcriptome assembly for T. polycolpus along with a quality assessment and reliable transcript annotations. This assembly was built from fifteen adult female parasites sampled from three different host species from a single river in southwestern France. Overall, 17,157 non-redundant contigs likely corresponding to protein-coding transcripts were identified, of which 13,093 (i.e., 76%) were successfully annotated. This assembly displayed good representativeness since 65.8% of the raw reads properly aligned back to the assembly. Similarly, 90.5% of the single copies of orthologues conserved across arthropods were retrieved in this assembly, which reflects a very good completeness. Finally, this transcriptome assembly gathered 7979 T. polycolpus specific transcripts when compared with the two closest referenced species (Lepeophtheirus salmonis and Caligus rogercresseyi), thus constituting an original genomic resource. This high-quality transcriptome is an important genomic resource for deciphering the molecular bases underlying host shifts in generalist parasites, and for studying the evolutionary biology of copepods that are major biological components of both freshwater and marine ecosystems

Physicians’ Opinion on Intraoperative Radiotherapy as a Therapeutic De-Escalation Option in Older Women with Early Breast Cancer

International audienceBackground: Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) is a therapeutic de-escalation option in older women with low-risk early breast cancer (EBC). A qualitative study was implemented to describe EBC physicians' points of view on IORT as a de-escalation option.Methods: Recorded face-to-face and telephone semi-structured interviews were conducted among diverse physicians from seven French comprehensive cancer centers. Interview transcripts were grouped as corpus to construct a typology. Thematic analysis was performed.Results: Positions toward IORT were contrasted between the 16 participating physicians. Five fully supported IORT as a de-escalation option, four were not in favor, and seven had a more reserved or neutral opinion. Points of divergence concerned treatment efficacy, treatment duration, side effects and sequelae, psychological impact, compliance with adjuvant endocrine therapy, logistical constraints, financial cost, and availability of other techniques of partial breast irradiation. Physicians in favor of IORT emphasized direct benefits for the patient, and those against pointed the lack of specific guidelines, risk of lost opportunity in older women with long life expectancy, and challenges of shared decision making.Conclusions: Despite national policies to preserve cancer patients' quality of life and increase their participation in medical decision making, therapeutic de-escalation using IORT is not consensual among physicians. Further efforts are needed to promote patient-centered care