Diversity and catalytic potential of PAH-specific ring-hydroxylating dioxygenases from a hydrocarbon-contaminated soil.

International audienceRing-hydroxylating dioxygenases (RHDs) catalyze the initial oxidation step of a range of aromatic hydrocarbons including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). As such, they play a key role in the bacterial degradation of these pollutants in soil. Several polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods have been implemented to assess the diversity of RHDs in soil, allowing limited sequence-based predictions on RHD function. In the present study, we developed a method for the isolation of PAH-specific RHD gene sequences of Gram-negative bacteria, and for analysis of their catalytic function. The genomic DNA of soil PAH degraders was labeled in situ by stable isotope probing, then used to PCR amplify sequences specifying the catalytic domain of RHDs. Sequences obtained fell into five clusters phylogenetically linked to RHDs from either Sphingomonadales or Burkholderiales. However, two clusters comprised sequences distantly related to known RHDs. Some of these sequences were cloned in-frame in place of the corresponding region of the phnAIa gene from Sphingomonas CHY-1 to generate hybrid genes, which were expressed in Escherichia. coli as chimerical enzyme complexes. Some of the RHD chimeras were found to be competent in the oxidation of two- and three-ring PAHs, but other appeared unstable. Our data are interpreted in structural terms based on 3D modeling of the catalytic subunit of hybrid RHDs. The strategy described herein might be useful for exploring the catalytic potential of the soil metagenome and recruit RHDs with new activities from uncultured soil bacteria

Characterization of novel PAH dioxygenases from the bacterial metagenomic DNA of a contaminated soil.

International audienceRing hydroxylating dioxygenases (RHDs) play a crucial role in the biodegradation of a range of aromatic hydrocarbons found on polluted sites, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Current knowledge on RHDs comes essentially from studies on culturable bacterial strains while compelling evidence indicates that pollutant removal is mostly achieved by uncultured species. In this study, a combination of DNA-SIP labeling and metagenomic sequence analysis was implemented to investigate the metabolic potential of main PAH degraders on a polluted site. Following in situ labeling using (13)C-phenanthrene, the labeled metagenomic DNA was isolated from soil and subjected to shotgun sequencing. Most annotated sequences were predicted to belong to Betaproteobacteria, especially Rhodocyclaceae and Burkholderiales, consistent with previous findings showing that main PAH degraders on this site were affiliated to these taxa. Based on metagenomic data, four RHD gene sets were amplified and cloned from soil DNA. For each set, PCR yielded multiple amplicons with sequences differing by up to 321 nucleotides (17%), reflecting the great genetic diversity prevailing in soil. RHDs were successfully overexpressed in E. coli, but full activity required the co-expression of two electron carrier genes, also cloned from soil DNA. Remarkably, two RHDs exhibited much higher activity when associated with electron carriers from a Sphingomonad. The four RHDs showed markedly different preferences for 2- and 3-ring PAHs, but were poorly active on 4-ring PAHs. Three RHDs preferentially hydroxylated phenanthrene on the C-1 and C-2 positions rather than on the C-3, C-4 positions, suggesting that degradation occurred through an alternate pathway

Development of microencapsulation process without toxic solvent, application to sustained protein release.

La régénération tissulaire est une voie prometteuse de thérapie dans le cadre des maladies dégénératives. Dans ce but sont conçus les microcarriers pharmacologiquement actifs (PAM). Ce sont des microsphères fournissant un environnement adéquat à la survie et la différenciation de cellules souches par la libération d’un facteur de croissance protéique encapsulé.Pour potentialiser l’intérêt des PAM, les microsphères doivent (1) permettre la libération complète et prolongée de la protéine (2) être formulées sans solvant halogéné par un procédé transposable à l’échelle pilote.Deux stratégies sont menées afin d’améliorer la stabilité et la libération de la protéine. La première consiste à utiliser de nouveaux additifs. Une étude bibliographique révèle le potentiel d’additifs protéiques ; leur application a permis d’augmenter significativement l’activité biologique de la protéine libérée. La seconde stratégie consiste à moduler la matrice de copolymère PLGAP188-PLGA. La modification de ses propriétés physicochimiques (Mw, hydrophobie…) a permis d’accéder à la compréhension de la structure des microsphères et d’obtenir une libération continue.Le développement du procédé de fabrication des microsphères sans solvant toxique associe la technique du prilling avec le glycofurol comme solvant. Cette combinaison se heurte à de nombreux verrous technologiques. La mise au point du procédé a été réalisée à l’aide de plans d’expériences. Ils ont conduit à la production de particules grâce à la modélisation des propriétés physicochimiques du milieu de réception et à la prise en compte des différents paramètres du procédé.Pharmacologically active microcarriers (PAM) have been developed as innovative tools for tissue regeneration. This microspherical platform provided an environment for the survival and the differentiation of stem cells through the release of encapsulated protein growth factor. To improve the therapeutic efficacy of the PAM, the microspheres have to (1) provide the full and sustained release of the protein (2) be formulated without halogenated solvent by a process with an easy scale-up. The protein release has been studied through two strategies. The first one was to look for a preservation of the biological activity of the protein during the release. A literature review highlighted protein additives. Some of them were incorporated into the microspheres and increased significantly the protein release. The second one was the modulation of the matrix copolymer PLGAP188-PLGA. The modification of its properties (MW,hydrophobicity) permitted to reach a continuous release and to understand the structure of the microspheres. The prilling technique and the use of glycofurol provide an easy transferable process without toxic solvent. Experimental designs were performed to overcome the technological barriers. Through the modeling the physicochemical properties of the reception medium and the study of the process parameters, the formulation has been improved to produce acceptable particles

Développement d’une protéine à libération prolongée, mise au point du procédé d’encapsulation sans solvant halogéné et optimisation du profil de libération.

Pharmacologically active microcarriers (PAM) have been developed as innovative tools for tissue regeneration. This microspherical platform provided an environment for the survival and the differentiation of stem cells through the release of encapsulated protein growth factor. To improve the therapeutic efficacy of the PAM, the microspheres have to (1) provide the full and sustained release of the protein (2) be formulated without halogenated solvent by a process with an easy scale-up. The protein release has been studied through two strategies. The first one was to look for a preservation of the biological activity of the protein during the release. A literature review highlighted protein additives. Some of them were incorporated into the microspheres and increased significantly the protein release. The second one was the modulation of the matrix copolymer PLGAP188-PLGA. The modification of its properties (MW,hydrophobicity) permitted to reach a continuous release and to understand the structure of the microspheres. The prilling technique and the use of glycofurol provide an easy transferable process without toxic solvent. Experimental designs were performed to overcome the technological barriers. Through the modeling the physicochemical properties of the reception medium and the study of the process parameters, the formulation has been improved to produce acceptable particles.La régénération tissulaire est une voie prometteuse de thérapie dans le cadre des maladies dégénératives. Dans ce but sont conçus les microcarriers pharmacologiquement actifs (PAM). Ce sont des microsphères fournissant un environnement adéquat à la survie et la différenciation de cellules souches par la libération d’un facteur de croissance protéique encapsulé.Pour potentialiser l’intérêt des PAM, les microsphères doivent (1) permettre la libération complète et prolongée de la protéine (2) être formulées sans solvant halogéné par un procédé transposable à l’échelle pilote.Deux stratégies sont menées afin d’améliorer la stabilité et la libération de la protéine. La première consiste à utiliser de nouveaux additifs. Une étude bibliographique révèle le potentiel d’additifs protéiques ; leur application a permis d’augmenter significativement l’activité biologique de la protéine libérée. La seconde stratégie consiste à moduler la matrice de copolymère PLGAP188-PLGA. La modification de ses propriétés physicochimiques (Mw, hydrophobie…) a permis d’accéder à la compréhension de la structure des microsphères et d’obtenir une libération continue.Le développement du procédé de fabrication des microsphères sans solvant toxique associe la technique du prilling avec le glycofurol comme solvant. Cette combinaison se heurte à de nombreux verrous technologiques. La mise au point du procédé a été réalisée à l’aide de plans d’expériences. Ils ont conduit à la production de particules grâce à la modélisation des propriétés physicochimiques du milieu de réception et à la prise en compte des différents paramètres du procédé

Development of prilling process for biodegradable microspheres through experimental designs

International audienceThe prilling process proposes a microparticle formulation easily transferable to the pharmaceutical production, leading to monodispersed and highly controllable microspheres. PLGA microspheres were used for carrying an encapsulated protein and adhered stem cells on its surface, proposing a tool for regeneration therapy against injured tissue. This work focused on the development of the production of PLGA microspheres by the prilling process without toxic solvent. The required production quality needed a complete optimization of the process. Seventeen parameters were studied through experimental designs and led to an acceptable production. The key parameters and mechanisms of formation were highlighted.</p

Pharmacologically active microcarriers delivering BDNF within a hydrogel: Novel strategy for human bone marrow-derived stem cells neural/neuronal differentiation guidance and therapeutic secretome enhancement.

Stem cells combined with biodegradable injectable scaffolds releasing growth factors hold great promises in regenerative medicine, particularly in the treatment of neurological disorders. We here integrated human marrow-isolated adult multilineage-inducible (MIAMI) stem cells and pharmacologically active microcarriers (PAMs) into an injectable non-toxic silanized-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (Si-HPMC) hydrogel. The goal is to obtain an injectable non-toxic cell and growth factor delivery device. It should direct the survival and/or neuronal differentiation of the grafted cells, to safely transplant them in the central nervous system, and enhance their tissue repair properties. A model protein was used to optimize the nanoprecipitation conditions of the neuroprotective brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF nanoprecipitate was encapsulated in fibronectin-coated (FN) PAMs and the in vitro release profile evaluated. It showed a prolonged, bi-phasic, release of bioactive BDNF, without burst effect. We demonstrated that PAMs and the Si-HPMC hydrogel increased the expression of neural/neuronal differentiation markers of MIAMI cells after 1week. Moreover, the 3D environment (PAMs or hydrogel) increased MIAMI cells secretion of growth factors (b-NGF, SCF, HGF, LIF, PlGF-1, SDF-1α, VEGF-A & D) and chemokines (MIP-1α & β, RANTES, IL-8). These results show that PAMs delivering BDNF combined with Si-HPMC hydrogel represent a useful novel local delivery tool in the context of neurological disorders. It not only provides neuroprotective BDNF but also bone marrow-derived stem cells that benefit from that environment by displaying neural commitment and an improved neuroprotective/reparative secretome. It provides preliminary evidence of a promising pro-angiogenic, neuroprotective and axonal growth-promoting device for the nervous system