Julien Lesage Email & Phone Number

St. Louis, Mo, Us

St. Louis, Mo, Us

St Louis, Missouri, United States

St. Louis

Postdoc Research Associate in Longmore Lab / ICCE Institute

Research Unit Umr-S 903, Hôpital Maison-Blanche, Reims, France

Continuance of my PhD research project INVOLVEMENT OF ZONULA OCCLUDENS PROTEINS IN METASTATIC LUNG CANCER PROGRESSION.

Research Unit Umr-S 903, Hopital Maison-Blanche, Reims, France

My research activities have focused on INVOLVEMENT OF ZONULA OCCLUDENS PROTEINS IN METASTATIC LUNG CANCER PROGRESSION.In metastatic epithelial tumor conversion, cancer cells acquire new invasive and migratory capacities in association with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. During EMT, the junctional components are reorganized and the submembrane scaffolding protein zonula occludens (ZO)-1 relocates from tight junctions into cyto-nuclear compartment where it displays… Show more My research activities have focused on INVOLVEMENT OF ZONULA OCCLUDENS PROTEINS IN METASTATIC LUNG CANCER PROGRESSION.In metastatic epithelial tumor conversion, cancer cells acquire new invasive and migratory capacities in association with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. During EMT, the junctional components are reorganized and the submembrane scaffolding protein zonula occludens (ZO)-1 relocates from tight junctions into cyto-nuclear compartment where it displays pro-invasive functions during tumor progression. During this project, we have focused on functional involvement of cyto-nuclear pool of ZO‑1 on CXCL8/IL-8 regulation. In vitro, we have observed correlation between level of IL-8 protein, invasive capacities of lung cancer cells and ZO‑1 location. By overexpression of various ZO members, we have showed that ZO‑1 controls specifically IL‑8 expression and active CXCL8 gene transcription by NF-κB dependent mechanism in lung and breast cancer cells. We have also reported by in vitro assays that ZO‑1 activates NF-κB. Investigation of functional implication of this regulatory axis has next showed the pro-angiogenic activity of ZO‑1 in both ex vivo and in vivo angiogenesis assays. Finally, we have founded that non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) presenting a cyto-nuclear ZO‑1 pattern were significantly more angiogenic that those without detectable cyto-nuclear ZO-1 expression. Thus, this study have permited to exhibit a new role of ZO‑1 in establishment of pro-angiogenic tumor microenvironment through its capacity to modulate IL-8 expression via an NF‑κB‑dependent mechanism. Related publication : Zonula occludens-1/NF-κB/CXCL8: a new regulatory axis for tumor angiogenesisFASEB J April 2017 31:1678-1688 Show less

Faculty Of Sciences - University Of Reims Champagne-Ardenne

Contract from the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research - 192 hours per year dedicated to teaching activities. Tutorials, practical work and lectures at faculty of Sciences of Reims University (First degree): cell and molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics.

Faculty Of Sciences And Medical School - University Of Reims Champagne-Ardenne

Extended contract from the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research - 64 hours per year dedicated to teaching activities. Tutorials, practical work and lectures at faculty of Sciences and Medical school of Reims University (First degree): cell and molecular biology, genetics, molecular pharmacology, clinical pharmacy, neurodegenerative diseases.

Research Unit Umr-S 903, Hôpital Maison-Blanche, Reims, France

The objective of our work was to study in vivo and in vitro, the relationship between the CFTR chloride channel and the tumor suppressor FHIT in human respiratory epithelium. We analyzed their location and expression through immunofluorescence and Western blotting, as well as their possible interaction and / or inter-regulation by co-immunoprecipitation, proximity ligation (PLA) and the use of siRNA, respectively.

Faculty Of Sciences, University Of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, France

This internship work aimed to investigate the influence of the oncogene bcr-abelson (bcr-abl) on the adhesion of the human cell line NALM-6 of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).After confirming the expression and activity of the BCR-ABL protein in our cell model, we examined by RT-PCR and Western blot the expression of molecules involved in adhesion mechanisms such as subunits integrin and FAK (Focal Adhesion Kinase).We also initiated the transfection of shRNA directed against uPAR… Show more This internship work aimed to investigate the influence of the oncogene bcr-abelson (bcr-abl) on the adhesion of the human cell line NALM-6 of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).After confirming the expression and activity of the BCR-ABL protein in our cell model, we examined by RT-PCR and Western blot the expression of molecules involved in adhesion mechanisms such as subunits integrin and FAK (Focal Adhesion Kinase).We also initiated the transfection of shRNA directed against uPAR (urokinase-type Plasminogen Activator Receptor-) in NALM-6 bcr-abl + to obtain a long-term tool to study the role of uPAR in cell invasion and cell adhesion in the context of ALL. Show less

Faculty Of Sciences, University Of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, France

This internship within the research team MEDyC (Extracellular Matrix and Cellular Dynamics) has allowed me to discover how function a research laboratory and understand the tools and techniques used in standard scientific study.For six weeks I could master the culture of different nonadherent leukemic cells lines. With the RT-PCR, I characterized these cells lines on the expression of the oncogene bcr-abelson (bcr-abl) and key molecules of the extracellular matrix: matrix metalloproteinases… Show more This internship within the research team MEDyC (Extracellular Matrix and Cellular Dynamics) has allowed me to discover how function a research laboratory and understand the tools and techniques used in standard scientific study.For six weeks I could master the culture of different nonadherent leukemic cells lines. With the RT-PCR, I characterized these cells lines on the expression of the oncogene bcr-abelson (bcr-abl) and key molecules of the extracellular matrix: matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs). Show less

Phd Degree, Cell And Molecular Biology

Postgraduate Degree Following My Master (Research Master 2), Biology & Health: Cell-Microenvironment Interactions, With Honors (Rank 3/24)

Master’S Degree (Master 1), Biology - Chemistry - Health, (Rank 7/41)

First Degree (Licence), Cell Biology & Physiology