Team description

Keywords: antioxidant enzymes, NOXs, STATs, MSCs, chemokines, HIF

    Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors (blasts) with a reduced capacity to differentiate into mature cells. The leukemic hematopoiesis mimics the normal hematopoiesis (Leukemic Stem Cells (-LSCs-) – leukemic progenitors – leukoblasts). Interaction of normal and leukemic stem cells with their supportive microenvironment, the stem cell niche, is critical to sustain stem cell pools in tissues over long periods, and in AML, leukemic cell microenvironment interactions within niches have a role in leukemia cell survival and drug resistance. Several studies suggest that ROS levels must be managed to maintain LSCs quiescence and to control AML development.

    LNOx is actively focused on the role of the microenvironment in normal and pathologic hematopoiesis.

    More particularly this team developed an expertise in mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and in modelling normal and leukemic niche (MSCs, extracellular matrix, chemokines). It characterizes the abnormalities of the marrow microenvironment and their roles in the oxidative metabolism regulation of leukemic cells during AML development in order to develop new therapeutic strategies. Understanding and fight against LSCs are a major therapeutic target to reduce the risk of relapse of leukemia. More informations: http://www.lnox-team.org/

Collaborations

French cooperative groups:

- GOELAMS ("Groupe Ouest-Est des leucémies et Autres Maladies du sang") - 63 centers

- GFM ("Groupe Francophone des Myélodysplasies") - 83 centers

- CNRS GDR3697 Micronit: http://www.micronit.fr (Head: O.Herault)

International collaborations:

- IRIC ("Institut de recherche en Immunologie et en Cancérologie") - Montreal University - G Sauvageau

- Case Western Reserve university - Cleveland- K Bunting

- Ludwig Boltzmann Institut für Krebsforschung - Vienne - R Moriggl

CNRS ERL7001 LNOX

Faculté de Médecine de Tours

Bâtiment Dutrochet

10 Boulevard Tonnellé

BP3223

37032 Tours Cedex 1

France