Research activities

Our laboratory is specialized in the study of the proximal tubular cell by using and developing in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo experimental models. Our objective is to characterize proximal tubule function and cellular processes underlying renal pathologies as well as the cellular response to different stresses and/or pharmacological agents.

KIDNEY-HEALTH PLATFORM: FOCUS ON THE PROXIMAL TUBULAR CELL

Obesity / Metabolic Diseases

Kidney and the benefits of exercise
- Study of the renal ectopic lipid accumulation in a model of obesity-induced chronic kidney disease. Benefit of an exercise training.
- Kidney/Myokines. As part of the ‘Organ Crosstalk’ group, we aim to better characterize the role of key organokines on AMPK activity in a context of lipotoxicity in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTEC). [Coll. with the Physiology, Physiopathology and Respiratory Rehabilitation laboratory (UMONS) and the Experimental Medicine laboratory (ULB, CHU Vésale)].
Autophagy The project aimed to characterize the role of AMPK/SIRT3 axis on autophagic flux as well as on mitochondrial dynamic and function in obesity-related chronic kidney disease. (Coll. Pr. T. Arnould – URBC, UNamur).

Renal Senescence

Our laboratory recently developed a model of renal tubular cell senescence to study the impact of senescence on the development of chronic kidney disease.

Aristolochic acid Nephropathy (AAN)

Our lab has a long collaboration with the laboratories of Prof. J. Nortier (ULB), Prof. JM Colet (UMONS) as well as Prof. N. Caron and T. Arnould (UNamur) on a model of nephrotoxicity induced by Chinese plants, the aristolochic acids. In this work, we provide the expertise in AMPK and cellular metabolism as well as the experimental strategies to study the oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in AAN.

Biomarkers

This project, in collaboration with the Human Biology and Toxicology laboratory (Pr. JM Colet) and Dr. Frédéric Debelle, nephrologist at CH EpiCURA, aims to identify early markers of renal failure using a metabonomic approach. These markers are then compared to the analysis of conventional biomarkers of kidney damage.

THEMATIC OF THE INSTITUTE’S ORGAN CROSSTALK CONSORTIUM OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES our lab is involved in collaborative research between 7 laboratories of the Institute for Health Sciences and Technology (IHST) and Biosciences (IBS) at UMONS (Labs of Physiology and Respiratory Rehabilitation (LPRR), Histology, Neuroscience, Toxicology, the lab of Metabolic and Molecular Biochemistry (LMMB), the Mechanobiology and soft matter group, and the Proteomic and Microbiology) that is devoted to study organ crosstalk in a context of obesity. The consortium’s objective is to link key interorgan communication factors, so-called organokines, to alterations observed in organ function, morphology, and metabolism. In addition, we want to determine if this crosstalk is modified during physical activity. This will help to better understand cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying obesity and its related diseases, and therefore to develop new therapeutic targets. As part of the ‘organ crosstalk’ group, we provide the expertise in AMPK and cellular metabolism as well as the experimental strategies to study them in a context of obesity-related organ disorders.

MUSCLE PATHOLOGY: FOCUS ON the FACIO-SCAPULO HUMERAL DYSTROPHY

Our group is also addressing research that capitalize on the expertise gained by the lab regarding the molecular aspects of a muscular dystrophy, the FSHD, particularly the role of DUX4-mediated dysfunctions of signaling pathways involved in muscle proliferation and differentiation.

AMPK in FSHD

In this research, the expertise in AMPK and metabolism is combined with the expertise in FSHD pathophysiology to determine whether widely used pharmacologic AMPK activators could maintain mitochondrial function and integrity thus leading to an improved muscle function and regeneration.

Our unit is also associated with the following UMONS research institutes :