Team 1- Genetics and pathophysiology of neuromuscular disorders linked to the extracellular matrix and to the nucleus

Co-team leaders : GisÚle Bonne & Valérie Allamand

The team research topics focus on 2 groups of neuromuscular disorders (NMD): myopathies due to defects of the Myomatrix [collagen type VI & ECM-related disorders (Allamand et al. 2011, Skelet Muscle); V Allamand’s group] and of the Myonucleus [Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophies (EDMD) & other striated muscle laminopathies (SML) due to mutations of the LMNA gene encoding A-type lamins or genes encoding related nuclear envelope components (Bertrand et al. 2011, Biochem Soc Trans.; Azibani et al. 2014, Semin Cell Dev Biol); Group G Bonne/ AT Bertrand]. These myopathies with prominent contractures or ‘contractural myopathies’ share some clinical features, and may be differentially diagnosed.

These diseases are highly heterogeneous, both clinically and genetically, and no treatment is available yet. Our previous activities have led to the identification of genetic defects, the development of tools (cellular and animal models) and the deciphering of pathophysiological clues for a better comprehension of the molecular bases and the identification of therapeutic targets. Many unresolved issues remain: 1) absence of molecular diagnosis for a subset of patients, 2) precise function of implicated proteins and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms
 Several common points (contractile dysfunction, mechanobiology defects, fibrosis
) have been and are still being addressed transversally through pooling of our specific expertise (nuclear envelop, nucleoplasm, extracellular matrix
).

The team’s project revolves around 3 axes:
1) defining the genetic and clinical spectrum and the natural history of these NMDs;
2) investigating the pathophysiological mechanisms of gene mutations that induce these cardiac and/or skeletal muscle affections with the overall goal
3) to identify and test therapeutic avenues for these disorders. This is carried out on biological material from patients (DNA, RNA, cultured cells and biopsies) as well as various animal models we have developed.

 

 

Team members

G Bonne, DR1
V Allamand, DR2

A Bertrand, CR
M Leconte, PhD student
A Garnier, IE
P Maurissens, IE
I Nelson, IR
C Gartioux, IE
A Gomis, IE
D Kourtzas, PhD Student
L Benarroch, Post-doc

Activités Transversales

Expertise clinique
Dr F Leturcq, PH
Dr C MĂ©tay, PH
Dr T Stojkovic, PH

Registres et bases de données
Dr R Ben Yaou, PH
K Chikhaoui, IE
A Atalaia, Post-doc

Histopathologie
T Evangelista, PH

Filnemus – Section recherche
G Palma, IE

 

Contacts

GisÚle Bonne  (g.bonne@institut-myologie.org)
Valérie Allamand (v.allamand@institut-myologie.org)
Anne Bertrand (a.bertrand@institut-myologie.org)

 

Projects axes

The specific projects we develop are:

  • Clinical and genetic spectrum of Myomatrix and Myonucleus-related diseases: using state of the art medium to high throughput techniques (WES, WGS, RNA-seq) we pursue the identification of new genes and variants for patients orphan of molecular diagnosis in close interaction with the NMD reference center Paris-Nord/Est/Ile de France (B Eymard), the Filnemus network, the ERN Euro-NMD as well as the European consortium Solve RD (H2020 grant 2018-2022). The goal of this axis is ultimately to transfer the knowledge acquired to diagnostic procedures in reference laboratories (e.g., Cardio-& Myogenetic Functional Unit, Hospital PitiĂ©-SalpĂȘtriĂšre; Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Institut Cochin).
  • Natural history of these diseases via national and international patient registries: we further expand the patient recruitment/inclusion in national and international registries and explore in depth the natural history of our disease of interest in order to identify diagnosis and prognosis readouts and biomarkers.
  • Deciphering the structure & function of Myomatrix and Myonucleus in health and disease: using the different cellular and animal models available as well as novel models when needed, we aim to decipher further the structure and function of proteins currently known but also of new candidates identified through our investigations, i.e. A-type lamins and related nuclear envelope components, Collagen VI and related extracellular matrix components. In particular, signaling pathways and molecular pathomechanisms are investigated in order to identify relevant and innovative therapeutic targets.

Regarding translation and patient benefit, these different research axes allow us to identify and characterize new genes, phenotypical spectra, related pathomechanisms and therapeutic targets.

 

Last publications