Positions
- Professor
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Orthopedic Surgery
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, TX, US
- Professor
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Molecular and Human Genetics
Baylor College of Medicine
- Associate Director
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Center for Skeletal Medicine and Biology
Baylor College of Medicine
- Adjunct Associate Professor
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Department of Medicine
Vanderbilt University
- Member
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Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas, United States
Education
- Postdoctoral Fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine
- 01/2004 - Houston, Texas, United States
- Molecular and Human Genetics
- PhD from Claude Bernard University
- 12/1999 - Lyon, France
Professional Interests
- Mechanisms of bone development, remodeling, repair and cancer cell metastasis
Professional Statement
Our research aims at understanding how the skeleton forms, grows, mineralizes, ages, repairs and communicates with other tissues in health and diseases.
One main focus of the laboratory is on the etiology of the skeletal maladies observed in individuals with neurofibromatosis type I (NF1). We are particularly interested in the fracture non-union and dystrophic scoliosis observed in some of these patients. We use genetic and pharmacological strategies to identify both cells of origin and molecular abnormalities causing these orthopedic conditions, with the goal of designing and testing novel targeted therapeutic strategies to improve bone mass, bone strength and bone repair in children with NF1. These studies also provide critical insights into the role of neurofibromin, the RAS-GAP protein encoded by the NF1 gene, in endochondral bone formation, remodeling, repair and mineralization.
A second focus area of the laboratory is related to the interaction between the autonomic nervous system and bone cells. Our current emphasis is on determining the role of the endogenous sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems in the regulation of bone homeostasis, and on addressing the biological and clinical relevance of these preclinical findings. This leads us to study the role of the norepinephrine transporter and conditions including bone aging, depression and Alzheimer’s disease and their impact on bone remodeling.
A third active line of research in the laboratory revolves around the biology of chondrocytes, the cells of cartilaginous tissues that allow bone elongation during the development and protection of joint articular surfaces in adults. Through our focus on the transcription factor TonEBP/Nfat5, we investigate how chondrocytes survive and function in their hyperosmotic, avascular and low nutrient environment.
One main focus of the laboratory is on the etiology of the skeletal maladies observed in individuals with neurofibromatosis type I (NF1). We are particularly interested in the fracture non-union and dystrophic scoliosis observed in some of these patients. We use genetic and pharmacological strategies to identify both cells of origin and molecular abnormalities causing these orthopedic conditions, with the goal of designing and testing novel targeted therapeutic strategies to improve bone mass, bone strength and bone repair in children with NF1. These studies also provide critical insights into the role of neurofibromin, the RAS-GAP protein encoded by the NF1 gene, in endochondral bone formation, remodeling, repair and mineralization.
A second focus area of the laboratory is related to the interaction between the autonomic nervous system and bone cells. Our current emphasis is on determining the role of the endogenous sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems in the regulation of bone homeostasis, and on addressing the biological and clinical relevance of these preclinical findings. This leads us to study the role of the norepinephrine transporter and conditions including bone aging, depression and Alzheimer’s disease and their impact on bone remodeling.
A third active line of research in the laboratory revolves around the biology of chondrocytes, the cells of cartilaginous tissues that allow bone elongation during the development and protection of joint articular surfaces in adults. Through our focus on the transcription factor TonEBP/Nfat5, we investigate how chondrocytes survive and function in their hyperosmotic, avascular and low nutrient environment.
Selected Publications
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Couasnay G, Madel MB, Lim J, Lee B, Elefteriou F. " Sites of Cre-recombinase activity in mouse lines targeting skeletal cells.. " J Bone Miner Res. 2021 ;
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Ma Y, Gross AM, Dombi E, (...), Widemann BC, Rios JJ, Elefteriou F. " A molecular basis for neurofibroma-associated skeletal manifestations in NF1. " Genet Med.. 2020 ; 22 : 1786-1793.
Pubmed PMID: 32601387. -
Ma Y, Elefteriou F. " Brain-Derived Acetylcholine Maintains Peak Bone Mass in Adult Female Mice. " J Bone Miner Res. 2020 ; 35 : 1562-1571.
Pubmed PMID: 32282950. -
Zhu Y, Ma Y, Elefteriou F. " Cortical bone is an extraneuronal site of norepinephrine uptake in adult mice. " Bone Rep.. 2018 ; 9 : 188-198.
Pubmed PMID: 30581894.
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