Research Laboratories

Inserm Unit U1234 (PANTHER)
Pathophysiology, Autoimmunity, Neuromuscular diseases and regenerative THERapies


Head


Pr Olivier Boyer, Director
Pr Sophie Candon, Deputy Director
Chantal Barou, Administrative Officer


Contact


Research unit 1234 Inserm/University
Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy
22 Boulevard Gambetta
76183 Rouen Cedex
Phone: +33 235 14 8535

chantal.barou@inserm.fr
olivier.boyer@chu-rouen.fr


Research Topics


  • Immuno-regulation
  • Physiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and biotherapies
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Cell and gene therapy

Composition


  • 25 scientists, professors, engineers, technicians
  • 9 PhD students
  • 6 Master students

Facilities


  • Flow cytometry core facility
  • Virus-mediated gene transfer
  • In vivo experimental models
  • Development of immunological bioassays

Activity


The research program of Inserm U1234 focuses on the immunopathology and the biotherapy of autoimmune diseases. Autoimmunity and its regulation are studied in physiological and pathological contexts, through murine models and clinical studies in the field of neuromuscular (myositis, multiple sclerosis) and skin (pemphigus) diseases.

The program is divided into two thematic areas (A)
A1. The first one centers on the immuno-regulation by ectonucleotides (ATP, NAD) or by neuropeptides (VIP, PACAP), and pathophysiological mechanisms of autoimmune diseases (myositis, multiple sclerosis, pemphigus). It is based on the development and analysis of murine models (transgenic, knock-out, viral gene transfer) and clinical studies. Focus is put on inflammatory mechanisms, oxidative stress, pathogenicity of auto-antibodies from patients and autoreactive B cell responses at a single-cell level. Immuno-assays are developed and translated to the clinic.
A2. The second area has a therapeutic goal through the translation of cell and gene transfer strategies to clinical trials. This includes myoblast cell therapy, adipose-derived stem cell therapy, corneal tissue/cell transplantation and olfactory stem cells for neural regeneration.

Inserm U1234 is a founding member of the FHU SURFACE and part of the LARC neuroscience network.


Main Contributions


  • Development of unique immuno-assays for quantification of anti–SRP, anti-HMGCR and anti-TIF1gamma autoantibodies for improving patient diagnosis and understanding autoantibodies pathogenicity.
  • Demonstration of the immune-regulatory role of extracellular nucleotides (ATP, NAD).
  • First detailed report on the genetic safety profile of clinical-grade human myoblasts and proof-of-principle of myoblast therapy for experimental striated sphincter insufficiency.
  • First randomized placebo-controlled myoblast clinical trial demonstrating efficacy of this cell therapy in fecal incontinence.
  • Evaluation and detailed immune-monitoring of B cell targeted therapies that changed the therapeutical strategies in autoimmune blistering skin diseases.

Main Publications