Inserm Unit U1239 |
Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differenciation and Communication
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DC2N
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HeadDr Youssef Anouar |
ContactInserm U1239 Faculty of Sciences University of Rouen 76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan Phone: +33 235 14 6743/6731/6661 youssef.anouar@univ-rouen.fr |
Research Topics
Pathophysiology of Neuroendocrine tumors Identification of novel actors of neuronal and neuroendocrine pathophysiology Molecular mechanisms of neurosecretion Identification of markers for the diagnosis and prognosis of neuroendocrine tumors
Effects of neurotrophic factors in the control of neuron survival, migration and differentiation Determination of therapeutic potential of the neuropeptides PACAP and ODN in models of cerebral ischemia Determination of therapeutic potential of stem cells expressing PACAP for the treatment of cerebral ischemia
Vasoactive peptides and neurovascular unit: potential implication in reactive astrogliosis and in post-hemorragic ischemia Impact of chemotherapeutics and targeted therapies on cognitive functions in animal models: role of cerebral neurovascular niche Interactions glia-endothelium in the mechanisms of migration/invasion of glial tumors
Characterization of the role of paracrine factors in the pathophysiology of the adrenocortex hyperplasias and tumors Characterization of the role of neuropeptides and their receptors in the pathophysiology of androgen-resistant prostatic carcinomas Identification of novel molecular targets for the therapeutic management of hypercorticisms and androgen-resistant prostatic carcinomas |
Composition
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Facilities
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ActivityThe central theme of the four research groups of the INSERM U1239 within IRIB is devoted to neuronal and neuroendocrine differenciation and communication. Several pathologies of the central nervous system (neurodegenerative diseases, lissencephaly, brain tumors) and the neuro-endocrine system (obesity, neuroendocrine tumors) are associated to abnormalities in cell differentiation, migration, survival and intercommunication. The research project of our Unit aims to contribute to the elucidation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neuronal and neuroendocrine differentiation and communication involving neuropeptides, in physiology and pathophysiology. Peptides such as PACAP, urotensin II and ACTH are implicated in cell growth and differentiation or neurotransmitter/hormone release, during development and in adulthood. Studies will be conducted to determine the role of trophic peptides, and certain genes involved in their effects (selenoprotein T, chromogranins, G protein-coupled receptors) as revealed by transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, in processes of cell differentiation, neuroprotection, and glial and neuro-endocrine tumorigenesis. Using a multidisciplinary approach of neuroscience and neuroendocrinology based on cell imaging, electrophysiology, neurotransmitter/hormone release assays, gene disruption, peptide characterization, etc, in vivo and in vitro, our research groups will contribute to the understanding of basic mechanisms underlying neuronal and neuroendocrine function of neuropeptides. Pre-clinical and clinical investigations will allow us to determine the pathophysiological implications of peptide-associated effects in animal models and human, respectively. Thus, beside the cognitive aspects of our research project, the ultimate goal is to identify, develop and validate therapeutic strategies (e.g. PACAP analogs) as well as diagnostic/prognostic tools (e.g. EM66 biomarker), in collaboration with Rouen CHU services, CIC and IRIB laboratories, national networks (COMETE, PGL-EVA, REHOS, Canceropole), partners in the pharmaceutical industry and numerous international research groups (LARC Neurosciences Network, TransChannel Neuroscience Network, ens@t, GDRI NeurO, Neuromed). |
Main Contributions
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Main Publications |