Team 3- Cell and Molecular Orchestration in Muscle Regeneration, Ageing and Diseases

Head: Capucine Trollet and Vincent Mouly 

Our team is working on the molecular and cellular actors involved in human muscle regeneration, in muscle ageing and in muscular dystrophies including oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

More precisely we are working on RNA metabolism, muscle regeneration, muscle stem cells, and fibrosis, with the final aim of developing innovative therapeutic approaches.

We have a strong expertise on human cellular models (this includes the immortalization facility that we have initiated) – and xenotransplantation (this includes several immunodeficient mouse models and grafting procedures).

 

Themes currently developed in parallel and in synergy

  1. Dissection of the molecular mechanisms relevant to OPMD and muscle ageing
  2. Dissection of cellular communication during muscle ageing, fibrosis and regeneration
  3. Development of therapeutic approaches.

 

Team members

Vincent Mouly (DR1 CNRS, co-team leader)
Capucine Trollet (DR2 INSERM, co-team leader)
Nami Altin (IE)
Mona Bensalah (IR)
Anne Bigot (CR AIM)
Alexis Boulinguiez (postdoc)
Gillian S Butler-Browne (DR1 INSERM, Emeritus)
Ludovic Gaut-Serey (postdoc)
Valentine Hanique (IE)
Samuel Horita (PhD student)
Jean Lacau St Guily (PUPH, Emeritus)
Kamel Mamchaoui (IR AIM)
Rose Mouigni (PhD student)
Laura Muraine (PhD)
Elisa Negroni (CR AIM)
Jessica Ohana (Engineer)

 

Contacts

vincent.mouly@upmc.fr
capucine.trollet@upmc.fr

 

MyoLine: a platform for the immortalization of human cells

Our team has demonstrated some important differences between man and mouse, in the regulation of the proliferation of myogenic precursors. We have chosen to work on human precursors, either in vitro or in vivo, in xenograft models that we have developed in successive European networks. Therefore, in collaboration with W. Wright, we have developed an approach for the immortalisation of human muscle precursors that allows them to retain their ability to differentiate: this has enabled the generation of immortal cell lines derived from patient cells.

Exemples de quelques lignées de myoblastes humains immortalisés en différenciation, y compris une lignée DMD éligible pour le saut d'exon (DMD del 48-50)

This activity, developed with the full support of the AFM as well as the Dutch Duchenne Parent Project NL (DPP-NL) and the Jain Foundation, has resulted in the creation of a platform for the immortalisation of human cells.

This platform has generated over 85 different cell lines, from controls or pathological subjects. Over 20 different pathologies have been immortalised, some with several different mutations.

These cell lines are shared in collaboration with many international teams, either to study physiological or pathophysiological mechanisms, or to test innovative therapeutic approaches. Some of these cell lines have been shared with the pharmaceutical industry.

Figure legend: Examples of immortalised human myoblast cell lines in differentiation, including a DMD cell line suitable for exon skipping (DMD del 48-50)

 

Collaboration: France-Brazil International Associated Laboratory

Another specific aspect of our team is the development of international collaborations. In addition to numerous collaborations established over many years, we have set up an International Associated Laboratory between INSERM and Sorbonne University for France and FIOCRUZ and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro for Brazil.

 

The IAL aims to synergise the expertise in muscle and neuromuscular diseases of French teams and the expertise in immunology and inflammation of the Brazilian teams.

The IAL has already been renewed once, has resulted in 14 publications and a common patent, as well as the exchange of three long-term post-docs, 5 jointly supervised PhDs and many short term exchanges, including visiting professorships in both countries. A common training component (masters and / or doctoral program) is being developed and will involve innovative Biotherapies in the muscle environment.

Figure legend: Human myoblasts in the damaged muscle of an immunodeficient mouse, identified by species-specific antibodies

 

 

Key publications