SAINBIOSE INSERM U1059OSTEOARTICULAR TISSUES

Research Team

“We develop strategies to understand and to treat Osteoarticular diseases”

INSERM team since 2003, the Lab of Biology of Tissues Osteoarticular (“LBTO”) gathers cell biologists, physiologists, clinician-researchers and surgeons, and bioengineers. We are dedicated to understand and cure osteoarticular disorders (including chronic inflammatory rheumatisms, osteoporosis, bone & mineral disorders associated to kidney and heart diseases, and cancers. Our Principal Investigators are scientists from INSERM and CNRS, faculty members from the Medical School of St Etienne University Jean Monnet, engineering scientists from Mines St Etienne, and clinicians-scientists sharing their time with clinical practice at the University Hospital. We have a broad expertise spanning from in silico to in vitro to in vivo, spanning from bone biochemistry to metabolism to the bedside. Our state-of-the-art equipments and supporting lab scientists maintain a cutting-edge research on the bone tissue and its links to the other tissues.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS / FACULTY

Team LeaderHubert Marotte, PU-PH

Deputy LeaderDavid Eglin, Professor EMSE

FacultyGuillaume Courbon, CRCN INSERM

FacultyFrédéric Coutant, MCU-PH

FacultyNathalie Douard, Associate Professor EMSE

FacultyJean Geringer, Professor EMSE

FacultyAlain Guignandon, MCU UJM

FacultyWoo-Suck Han, PhD

FacultyDonata Iandolo, CRCN INSERM

FacultyAlexandre Karkas, PU-PH

FacultyMarie-Hélène Lafage-Proust, PU-PH

FacultyLuc Malaval, CRHC INSERM

FacultyDavid Marchat, Associate Professor EMSE

FacultyJérôme Molimard, PhD

FacultyMarthe Rousseau, CR CNRS

FacultyMaura Strigini, MCU UJM

FacultyThierry Thomas, PU-PH

FacultyLaurence Vico, DR1 INSERM

FacultyFrédéric Farizon, PU-PH

FacultyBertrand Boyer, PH

RESEARCH AXES

PHYSIOPATHOLOGY

Aim

We decipher the regulations of the phosphate metabolism with inflammation, iron deficiency, and vascularization for a wide range of bone and osteoarticular inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis and renal osteodystrophy. A fully translationnal group, we integrate preclinical findings into the study of patient cohorts to identify potential novel biomarkers and pertinent therapeutic targets.

Faculty

Project Leader : Professor Hubert Marotte, PU-PH

Faculty :

Featured Projects

CardiOs: cardiovascular risk in osteoarticular diseases (Courbon, Fondation UJM). Patients with osteoarticular diseases exhibit a higher risk of cardiovascular events compared to age-matched control. CardiOs will screen osteoarticular biomarkers specific of the development of cardiovascular events.
Cardiovascular dysfunction in arthritis (Marotte, Courbon, French Society of Rheumatology). This preclinical study focused on the physiopathological mechanisms of the cardiovascular system in arthritis.
MineRA: bone loss and iron metabolism in rheumatoid arthritis (Courbon, Fondation Arthritis). The MineRA project aims to characterize the mineral metabolism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and identify mineral-based biomarkers and therapeutics.
MonitoRA: Biomarkers to predict resistance to methotrexate in Rheumatoid Arthritis (Marotte, INSERM MESSIDORE). Using numerical models for precision medicine, we aim to create a robust model for clinicians to predict proper treatment dose and timeline based on patients profiles.
PARKA: phosphate metabolism and SIBLING proteins in chronic kidney disease (Lafage-Proust, Malaval, ANR). Chronic kidney disease is a major renal disease with mineral alterations causing vascular calcification and osteodystrophy. In PARKA, we investigate mineral metabolism changes at the level of dietary absorption and bone remodeling. This study aims to identify the roles of proteins linked to mineral and matrix processes, in the development of osteoporosis and vascular calcifications associated to chronic kidney disease.
ROC-SPA: rotation of change of biotherapy after TNF-blocker treatment failure for axial spondyloarthritis (Marotte, PHRC-N). Anti-TNF are the most common biotherapy for patients with spondyloarthritis. However, if the first biotherapy fails there is no guideline on the switch of therapy. ROC-SPA evaluates the best strategy to adjust treatment .

Academic Collaborations

Lyon University, FR : Professor P Miossec
Leeds University, UK : Professor F Ponchel
Northwestern University, USA : Doctor A Martin
Nantes University, FR : Doctor L Beck

PREVENTION

Aim

We develop several approaches to counter bone loss, with nutritional, pharmacological, and physical counter-measures in preclinical and clinical measures to treat patients with osteoporosis and astronauts who lose bone mass during space flights.

Faculty

Project Leader : Doctor Marthe Rousseau, CR CNRS

Faculty :

Featured Projects

Anti-IL17 biologic effects on rotator cuff tendinopathy (Thomas, PHRC-N)
BoneOnISS: unsolved issues of space on the skeleton, metabolism & digital twin (Vico, Morin, Ollier, NASA/CNES/ESA). A precision medicine project, BONE on ISS aims to set up digital twins for astronauts during _ and after _ space flights.
BRACE: bedrest with artificial gravity and cycling exercise (Vico, Strigini, CNES/ESA). We study the deconditioning in skeletal and cardiovascular systems during long-term bedrest, with sophisticated image technologies for tissue structure and perfusion, metabolic health and biomarkers, with applications for patients with long-term hospitalizations and astronauts.
EDOS-2: Bone recovery and Impact exercise after Space Exposure (Vico, CNES/ESA/RosCosmos)
NEBULA: Preclinical effects of counter-measures against microgravity-induced musculoskeletal deconditioning (Vico, Strigini, CNES). We study the influence of physical fitness as prophylaxis for the musculoskeletal system, and the effects of combinations of dietary-based and activity-based counter-measures.
NutraNacre (Rousseau, PHRC-I) This study will evaluate the impact of nacre nutritional supplementation on the prevention of post-menopausal osteoporosis. It is a multicentre, double-blind randomized study and the positive comparator is calcium carbonate. Our hypothesis is that powdered nacre supplementation limits bone loss in postmenopausal women with risk of becoming osteoporotic.
NutriNacre: Using nacre in Nutrition & Health to fight against osteoporosis (Rousseau, Pack Ambition Recherche, AURA Region)
OhMyBone: (Strigini, ANR) Impact of obesity and mechanical (un-)loading on myeloma-associated bone disease.

Academic Collaborations

Centre national des études spatiales (CNES)
Clinique de l’espace, Toulouse (MEDES)
MATEIS, Lyon
Lab Hubert Curien, CRNS UMR, St Etienne
University of Waterloo, Canada: Pr RL Hughson

REGENERATION

Aim

We are a multidisciplinary group that takes a holistic approach to regenerative medicine for the study of the musculoskeletal system as well as for the repair and regeneration of musculoskeletal injuries and degenerations. We combine knowledge of orthopaedics, medical devices, biomaterials, bioengineering, as well as cell and molecular biology to study cell/tissue/organ-material interactions in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo. Biophysical cues such as electric fields, tissue and cell biomechanics are key to our work. We develop tools to study the musculoskeletal systems and to elaborate regenerative studies. Biosensors, Calcium phosphate-based materials, hydrogels/polymers-based 3D architectures are developed and adopted to this end. Mechanical characterization tests are also developed and run to assess the efficacy and design of biomedical implants. In vitro/in vivo studies are used to validate the effectiveness of the developed technical solutions and assess the potential for translation.

Faculty

Project Leader : Professor David Eglin, Professor EMSE

Faculty :

Featured Projects

BoneFix: A Paradigm Shift in Fracture Fixations via On-Site Fabrication of Bone Restoration Patches, 2020-2024 (Eglin, EU H2020 No 952150).

Bioelectricity as a physical trigger for osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (Iandolo, BBSRC UK)
Bridge: 3D electroactive scaffolds to study and modulate the behavior of bone cells (Iandolo, INSERM FirstStep)
Fate: control stem cells behavior by electrical stimulation (Iandolo, University Jean Monnet / Saint Etienne)
RoSIE: Role of Scaffolds macroarchitectures on Intra- and Extracellular biomechanics and ostegenesis of hMSCs: application to bioinstructive materials for large bone defects regeneration (Bouet-Chalon, Marchat).
SiBio: Sintering and Biodegradation of calcium phosphate-based bioceramics (Douard, ANR JC/JC). The SiBio project aims to develop and investigate the biodegradation of customized carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA)-based for the treatment of bone defects. SiBio is breaking the barriers of manufacturing limitations by exploring non-conventional fabrication processes.

Academic Collaborations

B3OA (UMR CNRS 7052 INSERM U1271), RMeS (UMR Inserm U1229), IMRB-U955 Inserm-EFS, LCMCP (UMR CNRS 7574), Pulsalys (project Stream)
Université du Minho
Université de Curtin-Australia
Université de Tours
École Centrale Lyon
Corin Group, SERF, HEF, ASTON Medical, Drive implants
Professor D. W. Grijpma, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
Professor M. Stoddart, AO Research Institute Davos, Davos, Switzerland
CHU Saint Etienne, ICL, CEFRACOR, Pôle des technologies médicales, CETIM, Université Jean Monnet, labex Manutech Sise.
Professor Jonathan Rivnay McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, USA
Professor Darius Widera, University of Reading, UK

NUMERIC MODELS

Aim

We develop numerical models in order to understand, predict, and optimize biomechanical behaviour of soft osteoarticular tissue in the context of medical contention in collaboration with industrial partners (Thuasne, L&R …). We focus specifically on in-silico clinical trials with numerical strategies (Statistical Shape Models, Analytical Elements Method, automatic segmentation) in order to speed up numerical code and render the subjects diversity.

Faculty

Project Leader : Professor Jérôme Molimard

Faculty :

Featured Projects

Biomechanical study of the lumbar belts during movement, 2020-2024, CIFRE Thuasne
INORA – Insole Optimization for Rheumatoid Arthritis patients, 2023-2027, (Molimard, Marotte, Pierrat, ANR PRC). In this study, we postulate that the internal joint loading (cartilage pressure) contributes to pain when the foot is inflamed. We use high-fidelity volumetric image segmentation and finite element analysis (FEA) to model patient-specific geometry. INORA will provide numerical tools to scientific, medical and industrial communities to better describe mechanical loading on diseased foot joints, such as for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Biophysical restoration of spinal discs, 2024-2027, Programme IMT Futurs&Ruptures

Academic Collaborations

Dr J. Pansiot, Dr. S. Pujades, INRIA Grenoble, France
Dr R. Bonnaire, IMT Albi, France

Innovative Exploration of Osteoarticular Tissues

Aim

We are a transversal group focused on bone and dental imaging. We conduct qualitative and quantitative studies, using X-ray, and fluorescence imaging. Our research computes bone quality and bone cells parameters of large 3D imaging, and guided superesolution enhancement for cochlear implants, bone loss kinetics.

Faculty

Project Leader : Doctor Alain Guignandon, MCF

Faculty :

Doctor Bertand Boyer, PH
Professor Frédéric Farizon, PU-PH
Professor Jean Geringer, PR
Doctor Alain Guignandon, MCF
Professor Alexandre Karkas, PU-PH

Featured Projects

Nanotrap: nanotexturation and exosomes (Guignandon, EUR Manutech-Sleight)
Luna: development of lightsheet microscopy for osteoarticular tissues exploration (Guignandon, CPER Lumex)
Confocal fluorescent microscopy before and after cochlear implantation (Karkas, CHU)

Academic Collaborations

EUR “Ecole Universitaire de Recherche” Manutech-Sleight 2017-2027
Doctor Virginie Dumas, ENISE St Etienne
Lab Hubert Curien (LabHC)