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La pathologie de l'obésité est définie comme un excès de masse grasse corporelle pouvant nuire à la santé. Elle constitue un véritable problème de santé publique dans de nombreux pays et à La Réunion. Dans l'organisme, c'est au niveau du tissu adipeux que le stockage de gras se localise, plus précisément dans les cellules adipeuses (adipocytes) provenant elles-mêmes de la maturation de cellules précurseurs appelées préadipocytes. Chez le sujet obèse, le tissu adipeux stockant un excès de gras est le siège d'un stress oxydatif et d'une inflammation chronique qui concourent à la résistance à l'insuline et au développement du diabète et de ses complications vasculaires. De nombreuses études montrent les propriétés antioxydantes et anti-inflammatoires des produits végétaux riches en polyphénols et soulignent leur intérêt dans le cadre de stratégies innovantes vis-à-vis de l'obésité et de ses complications. La Réunion présente une multitude de ressources végétales comme les fruits tropicaux et de nombreuses plantes à parfums, aromatiques et médicinales qui exerceraient des effets bénéfiques pour la santé. Toutefois, il manque encore des données scientifiques pour les valider. L'objectif du travail de thèse était d'évaluer l'impact d'extraits riches en polyphénols antioxydants issus du curcuma et de fruits tropicaux de La Réunion sur la réponse métabolique et inflammatoire de la cellule adipeuse, en situation de stress oxydatif dans le contexte de la pathologie de l'obésité. Pour ce faire, le curcuma et neuf fruits tropicaux de La Réunion, à savoir l'ananas Victoria, la banane (grosse et petite variétés), le fruit de la passion, le letchi, la mangue (Américaine et José) et la papaye (Solo et Colombo) ont été sélectionnés. Nos résultats ont mis en évidence une variabilité du profil glucidique et des teneurs en micronutriments de type vitamine C, caroténoïdes et polyphénols. Pour la plupart des extraits végétaux étudiés, les polyphénols représentaient les antioxydants les plus abondants et leur présence a conféré aux extraits végétaux diverses propriétés biologiques. Celles-ci ont été explorées sur le modèle in vitro de cellules adipeuses 3T3-L1 exposées aux extraits végétaux riches en polyphénols, en situation de stress oxydatif induit par l'agent H2O2 ou des acides gras de type acides linoléique et arachidonique. Nos résultats ont mis en évidence les propriétés antioxydantes et anti-inflammatoires des extraits végétaux, ainsi que leur capacité à améliorer la réponse à l'insuline des cellules en terme d'accumulation de gras. De plus, tous les extraits végétaux ont exercé un effet protecteur contre la sur-production de molécules pro-inflammatoires induites en situation de stress oxydatif. Plusieurs cibles moléculaires ont été identifiées, dont les enzymes antioxydantes superoxyde dismutase et catalase, les facteurs de transcription PPAR-γ et NF-κB, ainsi que les adipokines de type adiponectine, IL-6, TNF-α et MCP-1. En conclusion, ce travail de thèse a permis de mettre en évidence le potentiel bioactif d'extraits riches en polyphénols issus du curcuma et des fruits tropicaux sur la réponse métabolique et inflammatoire de la cellule adipeuse, en situation de stress oxydatif dans le contexte de la pathologie de l'obésité. L'utilisation des modèles expérimentaux développés au cours de ce travail de thèse permettra de poursuivre l'exploration des voies moléculaires impliquées et d'identifier de possibles cibles thérapeutiques.Obesity is defined as an excessive fat accumulation and has been related to several major complications such as type 2 diabetes and vascular disorders. In obese patients, adipose cells responsible for fat storage are the targets of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation which contribute to insulin resistance and the onset of diabetes. Here, our objective was to evaluate the impact of polyphenol-rich extracts from Curcuma longa spice and tropical fruits from Reunion Island in France on the metabolic and inflammatory response of adipose cells exposed to oxidative stress mediated by H2O2 or free fatty acids comprising both linoleic and arachidonic acids. Our data led to demonstrate the abundance of polyphenols from Curcuma longa spice and the tropical fruits selected, and their free radical-scavenging capacities. Polyphenol-rich plant extracts were also able to protect 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and adipocytes against oxidative stress, by regulating the production of reactive oxygen species and major adipocytokines, antioxidant enzymes and transcriptional factors involved in the metabolic and inflammatory response of the adipose tissue. Further work needs to be developed on animal models and then in obese subjects to identify and validate new therapeutic targets

Fruits and vegetables, as a source of nutritional compounds and phytochemicals: Changes in bioactive compounds during lactic fermentation

International audienc

Deciphering the Antifibrotic Property of Metformin

Fibrosis is a chronic progressive and incurable disease leading to organ dysfunction. It is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins produced by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiating into myofibroblasts. Given the complexity of its pathophysiology, the search for effective treatments for fibrosis is of paramount importance. Metformin, a structural dimethyl analog of the galegine guanide extracted from the “French Lilac” (Fabaceae Galega officinalis), is the most widely used antidiabetic drug, recently recognized for its antifibrotic effects through ill-characterized mechanisms. The in vitro model of TGF-β1-induced fibrosis in human primary pulmonary mesenchymal stem cells (HPMSCs), identified as CD248+ and CD90+ cells, was used to study the effects of metformin extracts. These effects were tested on the expression of canonical MSC differentiation markers, immune/inflammatory factors and antioxidative stress molecules using qRT-PCR (mRNA, miRNA), immunofluorescence and ELISA experiments. Interestingly, metformin is able to reduce/modulate the expression of different actors involved in fibrosis. Indeed, TGF-β1 effects were markedly attenuated by metformin, as evidenced by reduced expression of three collagen types and Acta2 mRNAs. Furthermore, metformin attenuated the effects of TGF-β1 on the expression of PDGF, VEGF, erythropoietin, calcitonin and profibrotic miRs, possibly by controlling the expression of several key TGF/Smad factors. The expression of four major fibrogenic MMPs was also reduced by metformin treatment. In addition, metformin controlled MSC differentiation into lipofibroblasts and osteoblasts and had the ability to restore redox balance via the Nox4/Nrf2, AMP and Pi3K pathways. Overall, these results show that metformin is a candidate molecule for antifibrotic effect and/or aiming to combat the development of chronic inflammatory diseases worldwide

Evaluation of core-shell Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles as radioenhancer in A549 cell lung cancer model

In radiotherapy, metallic nanoparticles are of high interest in the fight against cancer for their radiosensitizing effects. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of core-shell Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles to potentiate the irradiation effects on redox-, pro-inflammatory markers, and cell death of A549 human pulmonary cancer cells. The hybrid Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles were synthesized using green chemistry principles by the sonochemistry method. Their characterization by transmission electron microscopy demonstrated an average size of 8 nm and a homogeneous distribution of gold. The decreased hydrodynamic size of these hybrid nanoparticles compared to magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles showed that gold coating significantly reduced the aggregation of Fe3O4 particles. The internalization and accumulation of the Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles within the cells were demonstrated by Prussian Blue staining. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels measured by the fluorescent probe DCFH-DA were up-regulated, as well as mRNA expression of SOD, catalase, GPx antioxidant enzymes, redox-dependent transcription factor Nrf2, and ROS-producing enzymes (Nox2 and Nox4), quantified by RT-qPCR. Furthermore, irradiation coupled with Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles increased the expression of canonical pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, CXCL8, and CCL5) assessed by RT-qPCR and ELISA. Hybrid nanoparticles did not potentiate the increased DNA damage detected by immunofluorescence following the irradiation. Nevertheless, Fe3O4@Au caused cellular damage, leading to apoptosis through activation of caspase 3/7, secondary necrosis quantified by LDH release, and cell growth arrest evaluated by clonogenic-like assay. This study demonstrated the potential of Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles to potentiate the radiosensitivity of cancerous cells

Evaluation of nutritional quality and benefits of Victoria pineapple from Reunion island against obesity-related disorders

International audienc

Anti-Alphaviral Alkaloids: Focus on Some Isoquinolines, Indoles and Quinolizidines

The discovery and the development of safe and efficient therapeutics against arthritogenic alphaviruses (e.g., chikungunya virus) remain a continuous challenge. Alkaloids are structurally diverse and naturally occurring compounds in plants, with a wide range of biological activities including beneficial effects against prominent pathogenic viruses and inflammation. In this short review, we discuss the effects of some alkaloids of three biologically relevant structural classes (isoquinolines, indoles and quinolizidines). Based on various experimental models (viral infections and chronic diseases), we highlight the immunomodulatory effects of these alkaloids. The data established the capacity of these alkaloids to interfere in host antiviral and inflammatory responses through key components (antiviral interferon response, ROS production, inflammatory signaling pathways and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines production) also involved in alphavirus infection and resulting inflammation. Thus, these data may provide a convincing perspective of research for the use of alkaloids as immunomodulators against arthritogenic alphavirus infection and induced inflammation

Evaluation of curcumin content and antioxydant properties of Curcuma longa from La Réunion

International audienc

Complement Activation and Up-Regulated Expression of Anaphylatoxin C3a/C3aR in Glioblastoma: Deciphering the Links with TGF-β and VEGF

The complement (C) innate immune system has been shown to be activated in the tumor microenvironment of various cancers. The C may support tumor growth by modulating the immune response and promoting angiogenesis through the actions of C anaphylatoxins (e.g., C5a, C3a). The C has important double-edged sword functions in the brain, but little is known about its role in brain tumors. Hence, we analyzed the distribution and the regulated expression of C3a and its receptor C3aR in various primary and secondary brain tumors. We found that C3aR was dramatically upregulated in Grade 4 diffuse gliomas, i.e., glioblastoma multiforme, IDH-wildtype (GBM) and astrocytoma, IDH-mutant, Grade 4, and was much less expressed in other brain tumors. C3aR was observed in tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) expressing CD68, CD18, CD163, and the proangiogenic VEGF. Robust levels of C3a were detected in the parenchyma of GBM as a possible result of Bb-dependent C activation of the alternative C pathway. Interestingly, in vitro models identified TGF-β1 as one of the most potent growth factors that upregulate VEGF, C3, and C3aR in TAM (PMA-differentiated THP1) cell lines. Further studies should help to delineate the functions of C3a/C3aR on TAMs that promote chemotaxis/angiogenesis in gliomas and to explore the therapeutic applications of C3aR antagonists for brain tumors

Robust COX-2-mediated prostaglandin response may drive arthralgia and bone destruction in patients with chronic inflammation post-chikungunya

International audiencePatients following infection by chikungunya virus (CHIKV) can suffer for months to years from arthralgia and arthritis. Interestingly, methotrexate (MTX) a major immune-regulatory drug has proved to be of clinical benefit. We have previously shown that CHIKV can persist in the joint of one patient 18 months post-infection and plausibly driving chronic joint inflammation but through ill-characterized mechanisms. We have pursued our investigations and report novel histological and in vitro data arguing for a plausible role of a COX-2-mediated inflammatory response post-CHIKV. In the joint, we found a robust COX-2 staining on endothelial cells, synovial fibroblasts and more prominently on multinucleated giant cells identified as CD11c+ osteoclasts known to be involved in bone destruction. The joint tissue was also strongly stained for CD3, CD8, CD45, CD14, CD68, CD31, CD34, MMP2, and VEGF (but not for NO synthase and two B cell markers). Dendritic cells were rarely detected. Primary human synovial fibroblasts were infected with CHIKV or stimulated either by the synthetic molecule polyriboinosinic:polyribocytidylic acid (PIC) to mimic chronic viral infection or cytokines. First, we found that PIC and CHIKV enhanced mRNA expression of COX-2. We further found that PIC but not CHIKV increased the mRNA levels of cPLA2α and of mPGES-1, two other central enzymes in PGE2 production. IFNβ upregulated cPLA2α and COX-2 transcription levels but failed to modulated mPGES-1 mRNA expression. Moreover, PIC, CHIKV and IFNβ decreased mRNA expression of the PGE2 degrading enzyme 15-PGDH. Interestingly, MTX failed to control the expression of all these enzymes. In sharp contrast, dexamethasone was able to control the capacity of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β as well as TNFα, to stimulate mRNA levels of cPLA2α, COX-2 and mPGES-1. These original data argue for a concerted action of CHIKV (including viral RNA) and cytokines plausibly released from recruited leukocytes to drive a major COX-2-mediated PGE2 proinflammatory responses to induce viral arthritis