The objective of the FLAMES team is to integrate stromal dynamics, inflammation and metabolism in the understanding of the loss of biological functions during aging to maintain and/or restore functional capacities. Our project aims to demonstrate that age-related chronic inflammation results from a defect of resolution of inflammation in tissues due to altered dialogue between macrophages and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC).
This project is based on the use of innovative animal models, in vitro 4D strategies to reproduce tissue heterogeneity, as well as in silico approaches to study the inflammatory response and their effects on tissue repair.
The goal of our research project is to contribute to the identification of potential therapeutic targets to restore the dialogue between MSCs and macrophages to promote the development of a pro-resolutive response.
Our group are looking at the modification of the phenotype and of the modification of the functional capacities of macrophages and MSC during aging in human and in mice. This will be done by using confocal microscopy, flow cytometry and single cell transcriptomic approaches, as well as functional assays. In addition, as the macrophages heterogeneity relies also on their origin, the modification of the macrophage origin during aging are studying using lineage tracing and animal models of hematopoietic reconstruction.
Our group is characterizing the receptors and soluble factors involved in the interaction between MSC and macrophages and how this MSC-macrophage communication is modified during aging. We currently focus on CD54 as a key molecule in the cross-talk between Macrophages and MSCs (Esapgnolle et al) and on ecosanoids that play a central role in resolution of inflammation (ref).
The targets involved in MSC-macrophage interaction are studying using murine and human experimental models of vascularized 3D culture systems that combine different cellular actors
Our group is also developing different therapeutic approaches to reduce “inflammaging”. Pharmacological, nutritional approaches and also cell therapy approaches will be developed.
This research is carried out in collaboration with university partners and private companies.
Macrophage polarization, infection and immunity, nuclear receptor, inflammation and its resolution
Innate immunity/macrophages; mesenchymal stromal cells, cell-cell interaction, cell therapy, inflammation
Mesenchymal stromal cells, organoids, Biomaterials, 3D modelisation, stroma
Inflammaging, SASP, mesenchymal stromal cell and macrophage cross-talk, senescence
Cellules stromales mésenchymateuses, ingenierie cellulaire et tissulaire, organoides, bioréacteurs, culture 3D
Myelome, 3D models
Basophil, Innate immunity, Dysimmunity, Resolution
