REJOINT

Regeneration and pathophysiology of joints

This team is composed of 43 people (33 full-time equivalent) including 13 senior researchers with Research Supervisor Qualifications (HDR). The team is headed by J. Guicheux and F. Blanchard as deputy head.

The REJOINT team is a translational and transdiciplinary team that focuses on the pathophysiology and aging of the joints from their basic aspects (cell fate, tissue modeling, senescence, autophagy, inflammation) to more applied aspects (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, disc degenerative disease, osteochondral defects). The REJOINT team studies the fundamental processes of stem cell fate and differentiation during development and growth of cartilage and intervertebral disc. This team will also support the development of (i)
bio-inspired hydrogels for drug delivery systems and bioprinting, and (ii) strategies to exploit the properties of extracellular vesicles, mesenchymal or pluripotent stem cells for the regenerative medicine of cartilages and discs. To address this ambitious research program REJOINT is organized around 6 groups

Leader: A. Camus

This theme involves 1 senior scientist (A. Camus-DR2 CNRS), 1 PhD Student (E. Balissat)

Important questions in embryology and stem cell biology are when and how precursor cells are specified, differentiate along a specific lineage and acquire tissue-specilized functions. Today, our understanding of intervertebral disc (IVD) morphogenesis and cell phenotypes is far from complete. Our research focuses on the characterization of basic cellular and molecular mechanisms (gene regulation, growth factor control, cell-cell communication, cell-matrix interaction) that control the proliferation, differentiation and maturation of the notochordal cells, which are together precursors and regulators of the core of the IVD, where degenerative changes first take place. Our projects combine (i) fundamental studies using mutant mouse models, (ii) innovative human stem cells differentiation systems making use of 3D scaffolds with tunable physico-chemical properties mimicking relevant microenvironments, and (iii) transcriptomic approach and imaging analysis at the single cell level. Our major aim is to translate fundamental knowledge of developmental biology and morphogenesis to properly address the biological causes of disc degeneration and to inspire future regenerative strategies.

Leader: Claire Vinatier

This group involves 2 senior scientist (C. Vinatier MCU), A. Fouasson-Chailloux (PHU), 1 senior postdoc (R. Guiho), 2 junior postdoc (A. Marano, A Rousseliere), 2 PhD student (L. Danet, M. Raji), 1 M2 student.

Program 1. Age-related mechanisms and metabolism dysregulation in osteoarthritis (leader: C. Vinatier)

Osteoarthritis, the most prevalent inflammatory joint disease with no cure to date, is multifactorial and heterogeneous. Aging is one of the main risk factors for osteoarthritis (OA). Paradoxically, the role of aging on chondrocyte homeostasis and alterations in their metabolism are only partially known. Our main goals are, (i) to decipher the role of aging-associated mechanisms in the appearance of OA, (ii) to explore the role of anti-aging factors in articular cartilage aging and OA pathophysiology (iii) to identify new molecules that target chondrocytes homeostasis and mitochondrial metabolism.

Program 2. Cellular senescence in spinal OA (leader: R.Guiho)

Like peripheral OA, the pathophysiology of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration (IVDD) remains not yet fully understood and only palliative treatments exist to limit pain. Recent studies have suggested a central role for the senescent disc cells and their associated secretory phenotype in IVDD onset and perpetuation. Our objectives are (i) to better understand the influence of this cellular state in IVDD, (ii) to decipher the mechanisms involved in senescence occurrence, in order to (iii) consider senescence targeting as a new therapeutic avenue in IVDD.

 

Leader: F. Blanchard

This group involves 1 senior scientist (F. Blanchard DR2 Inserm), 2 University/Hospital Professors (B. Le Goff PU-PH, C. Darrieutort PU-PH),1 PhD students ( B de Maleprade), 1 research engineer (P. Humbert), 1 M2 student (C. Vialle)

Program 1. Therapeutic targets in synovitis (leaders: F. Blanchard and B. Le Goff)

Inflammation of the synovial membrane is the hallmark of many chronic inflammatory rheumatisms such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS). Macrophages and fibroblasts play key roles in synovitis, but their crosstalk is still unclear. Our goals are (i) to better characterize synovial cells in rheumatisms, (ii) to identify pathogenic inflammatory versus protective macrophage and fibroblast subsets, and (iii) bring the in vivo proof of concept that targeting specific synovial cells or pathways may be of therapeutic potential.

Program 2. Therapeutic targets in tendinopathies (leader: C. Darrieutort)

Tendinopathies are a common medical problem occurring in and around tendons in response to overuse. Since the tendon has low vascularization and low cellularity, its natural regeneration/repair capacities are limited. Our goals are (i) to better characterize the different cells (tenocytes, macrophages etc) involved in tendon healing, (ii) their interaction in space and time and (iii) novel therapeutic targets

Leader: M.A. Boutet

This group involves 1 ATIP-Avenir junior group leader (M-A. Boutet), 3 PhD student (N. Gaigeard, M Le Mercier, N Vercellino), 1 postdoc (A. Cardon), 1 IE (J De Lima).

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a very heterogeneous disease driven by a large variety of factors, but this variability remains poorly considered in OA translational and clinical research. Importantly, OA synovial tissue presents significant changes, even before cartilage degradation. Synovitis has been correlated with OA severity and therefore represents a relevant target for therapeutic intervention. Our aims are (i) to characterize the synovial heterogeneity and define a relevant human and canine patients stratification, (ii) validate innovative tools to efficiently modulate innate immune cells, such as macrophages, for personalized treatment of OA, and (iii) understand the broader involvement of the immune system at both the local and systemic levels in the context of OA.

Main collaborators: C. Pitzalis and A. Nerviani, A. Mantovani and B. Bottazzi, I. Mattiola and A. Diefenbach

Leader: V. Delplace

This theme involves 1 junior scientist (V. Delplace CRCN Inserm), 1 University/Hospital Professors (Y. Maugars), 2 postdoc (Y. Kan, J Babilotte) and 3 PhD students (G Saint-Pe, L Terriac, H Tewari).

Biomaterials are now considered key elements in the success of innovative therapies and modeling approaches. In particular, researchers are progressively unravelling the major role of cell-material interactions on cell behavior, properties and fate. While it paves the way for material-guided therapies and advanced tissue engineering, it calls for the development of tunable material platforms and application-specific scaffold design. In the BIOMAX group, we are dedicated to tackling major challenges in the field of biofabrication and drug/cell delivery, with the development of innovative biomaterial concepts. Our research is centered on the use of new material chemistry tools for the design of "4-D bioinks", anisotropic materials, and mechanically resilient scaffolds, strongly inspired by the biological needs in the context of articular diseases.

Leader: C. Le Visage

This group involves 1 senior scientist (C. Le Visage DR2 Inserm), , 1 invited scientist (P. Nakielski), 6 University/Hospital Professors (J Clouet (PU-PH)), M Fusellier (PU ONIRIS), A. Hamel (PU-PH), C. Decante (PHU), N. Bouhsina (MC Oniris), F. Nativel (AHU)), 2 research engineer (C. Boyer, F. Etienne), 2 post-doctoral scientist (M. Chaaban, H Genedy), and 1 PhD student (B. Laoulaou).

We develop injectable carriers of biologics for cartilage and intervertebral (IVD) regeneration, with an emphasis on i) paracrine effect of exogenous Mesenchymal Stem/stromal Cells (MSCs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs), and on endogenous repair using soluble molecules (cytokines, miRNA). The carriers include nano- and micro-sized alginate hydrogels (collab. INRAE, Nantes), electrospun fibers (collab.  IBMM, Montpellier), and lipid nanocapsules (collab. MINT, Angers). The efficacy of these different strategies is evaluated in vitro using human cell lines, or primary chondrocytes and disc cells. We recently set up an ex vivo culture of sheep IVDs, and we also develop a bioprinted model of IVD (collaboration AO Foundation, Switzerland) as an alternate ex vivo model. Evaluations are then conducted in various animal models (Vet school ONIRIS), with an emphasis on innovative imaging tools (MRI, microCT), before embarking on clinical trials (EU-H2020 IPSPINE project, Region DISCODOG project, ANR NEMESIS project).

Leader: J. Nizard

This group involves 3 University/Hospital Professors (J. Nizard, PU-PH), A Levesque (PH), S. Acapo (AAU, PhD) and 2 PhD student (M. Brier, E. Eden)

Program 1.
Improve the methods used to evaluate therapies for acute and chronic pain.                                              
Improve the efficacy of pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies for pain associated with osteoarticular diseases, including specific syndroms such as complex regional pain syndrom and pelvic and perineal pain.

Program 2.
Improve the consideration of ethical aspects in research, in connection with the Master’s program Ethics at Nantes University (The leader of group 7 is responsible for the “Health track” of this Master’s program.
Implement research projects on the ethical aspects of pain management in humans (particularly concerning their decision-making autonomy and access to expert care facilities, and in animals.