RenéI received my Ph.D. from the University Louis Pasteur, ULP, Strasbourg, in 1984 and I integrated numerous pharmaceutical or biotech companies (Transgene, Orgenics…) as a researcher in molecular biology before funding my own company (Parogène) in 1995. This company was actively engaged in basic research and in clinical trials in Parodontology with strong interactions with former INSERM U595 and the Dental Faculty. Since the 1st January 2013, as an associate professor, I joined the UMR 1109 “Osteoarticular and Dental Regenerative Nanomedicine” leaded by Dr Benkirane-Jessel, more specifically in the group headed by Prof. H. TENENBAUM.

SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY

In recent years, a number of authors have suggested that chronic periodontitis, in which the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) is a major causative agent, affects not only the dentition but may impact more widely on general health. Indeed, patients suffering from severe forms of periodontitis possess increasing risk for number of systemic disorders such as cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, pre-term low birth weight, myocardial infarction, etc. More specifically, we are investigating the molecular links between periodontitis and two others diseases, atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Concerning atherosclerosis, we are working to highlight the molecular basis of the pathogenicity of Pg when infecting different primary human cell lines derived from the gingiva (epithelial, fibroblasts.) or the vessel (endothelials). Specifically, we are studying the biological responses induced by the host cells notably during the process of inflammasome formation or by the role of the lysosomial enzymes, the cathepsins.

Concerning Rhumatoid Arthritis, we have initiated a research program using human chondrocytes to detail the role of the Pg infection in the citrullination of various proteins known to generate auto-antibodies used as clinical biomarkers in rheumatoid arthritis.

Finally, we are also interested by studying applications of nanostructured systems for the development of effective long-term systems to release antibiotics or anti-inflammatory compounds to block Pg infection in Periodontitis or Rhumatoid Arthritis.