Neurodegeneration and regeneration
Understanding the physiopathology of central nervous system (CNS) disorders and injuries using animal and cell models Development of imaging & blood biomarkers
Charles NICAISE Group leader University of Namur Faculty of medicine Department of medicine Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS) Molecular Physiology Research Unit (URPhyM) Laboratory Neurodegeneration and Regeneration (LNR)
Neurodegeneration and regeneration
About the PI
Charles Nicaise obtained his PhD in 2010 from the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB). His doctoral research aimed at developing effective strategies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) repair using neural precursor cell transplantation (derived from adult neural stem cells or human induced-pluripotent stem cells) and characterizing the blood-brain barrier of the SOD1G93A rat model of ALS. He then completed a postdoctoral training in Dr. Lepore’s laboratory (Philadelphia, USA), investigating astrocyte glutamate transport dysfunction in spinal cord injury (SCI). Since September 2013, Charles Nicaise has been Professor of Histology at the Faculty of Medicine of the UNamur, and head of the Laboratory Neurodegeneration and Regeneration (LNR). His research interests include molecular and cellular neurosciences, CNS trauma (contusion/compression/hemisection SCI), neurologic disorders (ALS, AD, ODS), cell therapy (iPSC, neural stem cells and glial precursor cells), neurosurgery and behavioral analysis in small animal models and in vitro modelling using iPSCs-derived neurons and brain organoids.
Charles NICAISE
Email
PubMed
ResearchGate
LinkedIn
Research Portal UNamur
Neurodegeneration and regeneration
Research
Our group has an interest in examining the in vivo role played by glial cells and their function in glutamate homeostasis during osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) and spinal cord injuries (SCI). We recently focused on System Xc-, a cystine/glutamate antiporter, involved in both antioxidant defense and glutamate neurotransmission regulation. Employing a multidisciplinary approach that includes animal models, transgenic and knockout mouse models, stem cell transplantation (glial-restricted precursors cells or iPS-derived neural precursors), intraspinal viral vector-based manipulation of glutamate transporter levels and extensive histological, biochemical, behavioral and in vivo physiological analyses, their goal is to both characterize the roles played by these glial glutamate transporters in clinically-relevant models of ODS or SCI.Our team has developed a broad expertise in generating rodent models of cervical contusive spinal cord injuries. In this context, another topic-of-interest is the characterization of innovative non-invasive imaging modalities aimed at quantifying neuronal or synaptic loss following spinal cord injury e.g. synchrotron x-ray phase-contrast tomography, SV2A PET imaging using [11C]UCB-J.
Role of cystine/glutamate antiporter (xCT/Slc7a11) on motor outcomes following spinal cord injury
Characterization of PET SV2A radiotracers for quantifying neuronal/synaptic loss following spinal cord injury
Relationship between CNS trauma and tauopathies
Investigating the autoimmune-based origin of long-COVID with neurologic sequellae
Neurodegeneration and regeneration
Ongoing projects
Projects
Completed projects
From the identification of pathogenic autoantibodies in patients with post-acute neurological sequelae of Covid-19 to the mechanisms underlying the production of neuronal neoantigens. Ongoing PhD thesis by Margaux Mignolet (Jan 2023 - ...)
In vivo imaging of synaptic and white matter integrity as noninvasive biomarkers for spinal cord injury and repair. Ongoing PhD thesis by Claudia Schrauwen (Sep 2022 - ...) Joint PhD at UAntwerp (Dr. Daniele Bertoglio) and UNamur (Prof. Charles Nicaise). Supported by the “Wings for Life” Foundation.
Tau pathology in repetitive mild spinal cord injuries. Ongoing PhD thesis by Nicolas Halloin. (Sep 2020 - ...)
System Xc− as a novel therapeutic target for spinal cord injuries. Ongoing PhD thesis by Lindsay Sprimont. (Feb 2019 - ....)
Quantification of neuronal loss and lesion extension following experimental spinal cord injury using Synchrotron X-ray phase-contrast tomography. Research collaboration between UNamur (Prof. Charles Nicaise) and IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia in Italy (Dr. Michela Fratini). (2017 - ...)
Unraveling the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2-induced autoimmunity. Collaborative research project between Prof. Charles Nicaise and Prof. Nicolas Gillet. (2022-2023)
In vivo evaluation of [11C]UCB-J for PET imaging of synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) following spinal cord injury. Research collaboration between UNamur (Prof. Charles Nicaise) and UAntwerp (Dr. Daniele Bertoglio, Prof. Steven Staelens).
Study of astrocytic dysfunction in a mouse model of osmotic demyelination syndrome PhD thesis defended by Joanna Bouchat on 16/09/2019. Thesis summary
Neurodegeneration and regeneration
All publications on
Selected publications
Astrocyte alterations during Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome: intermediate filaments, aggresomes, proteasomes, and glycogen storages. Gilloteaux J, Charlier C, Suain V, Nicaise C. Ultrastruct Pathol. 2025 Mar 10:1-46.
Thalamic Neuron Resilience during Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome (ODS) Is Revealed by Primary Cilium Outgrowth and ADP-ribosylation factor-like protein 13B Labeling in Axon Initial Segment. Gilloteaux J, De Swert K, Suain V, Nicaise C. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Nov 17;24(22):16448.
Viral Entry Inhibitors Protect against SARS-CoV-2-Induced Neurite Shortening in Differentiated SH-SY5Y Cells. Mignolet M, Gilloteaux J, Halloin N, Gueibe M, Willemart K, De Swert K, Bielarz V, Suain V, Pastushenko I, Gillet NA, Nicaise C. Viruses. 2023; 15(10):2020.
Loss of Ephaptic Contacts in the Murine Thalamus during Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome. Gilloteaux J, De Swert K, Suain V, Brion JP, Nicaise C. Ultrastruct Pathol. 2023 Jul 21:1-26.
Cystine-glutamate antiporter deletion accelerates motor recovery and improves histological outcomes following spinal cord injury in mice. Sprimont L, Janssen P, De Swert K, Van Bulck M, Rooman I, Gilloteaux J, Massie A, Nicaise C. Sci Rep. 2021 Jun 9;11(1):12227.
1 / 2
Neurodegeneration and regeneration
All publications on
Selected publications
Blood-brain barrier permeability towards small and large tracers in a mouse model of osmotic demyelination syndrome. Scalisi J, Balau B, Deneyer L, Bouchat J, Gilloteaux J, Nicaise C. Neurosci Lett. 2021 Feb 16;746:135665.
The osmotic demyelination syndrome: the resilience of thalamic neurons is verified with transmission electron microscopy. Gilloteaux J, Bouchat J, Brion JP, Nicaise C. Ultrastruct Pathol. 2021 Jan 3:1-31.
Ultrastructural Analysis of Thalamus Damages in a Mouse Model of Osmotic-Induced Demyelination. Bouchat J, Gilloteaux J, Suain V, Van Vlaender D, Brion JP, Nicaise C. Neurotox Res. 2019 Jul;36(1):144-162.
Regional oligodendrocytopathy and astrocytopathy precede myelin loss and blood-brain barrier disruption in a murine model of osmotic demyelination syndrome. Bouchat J, Couturier B, Marneffe C, Gankam-Kengne F, Balau B, De Swert K, Brion JP, Poncelet L, Gilloteaux J, Nicaise C. Glia. 2018 Mar;66(3):606-622.
2 / 2
Neurodegeneration and regeneration
Team
Charles Nicaise
Lindsay Sprimont
Claudia Schrauwen
Margaux Mignolet
Nicolas Halloin
Group leader
PhD student
PhD student
PhD student
PhD student
Kathleen De Swert
Valéry Bielarz
Jacques Gilloteaux
Research technician
Research technician
Scientific collaborator - Emeritus professor
Charles Nicaise
Université de Namur
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Transcript
Neurodegeneration and regeneration
Understanding the physiopathology of central nervous system (CNS) disorders and injuries using animal and cell models Development of imaging & blood biomarkers
Charles NICAISE Group leader University of Namur Faculty of medicine Department of medicine Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS) Molecular Physiology Research Unit (URPhyM) Laboratory Neurodegeneration and Regeneration (LNR)
Neurodegeneration and regeneration
About the PI
Charles Nicaise obtained his PhD in 2010 from the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB). His doctoral research aimed at developing effective strategies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) repair using neural precursor cell transplantation (derived from adult neural stem cells or human induced-pluripotent stem cells) and characterizing the blood-brain barrier of the SOD1G93A rat model of ALS. He then completed a postdoctoral training in Dr. Lepore’s laboratory (Philadelphia, USA), investigating astrocyte glutamate transport dysfunction in spinal cord injury (SCI). Since September 2013, Charles Nicaise has been Professor of Histology at the Faculty of Medicine of the UNamur, and head of the Laboratory Neurodegeneration and Regeneration (LNR). His research interests include molecular and cellular neurosciences, CNS trauma (contusion/compression/hemisection SCI), neurologic disorders (ALS, AD, ODS), cell therapy (iPSC, neural stem cells and glial precursor cells), neurosurgery and behavioral analysis in small animal models and in vitro modelling using iPSCs-derived neurons and brain organoids.
Charles NICAISE
Email
PubMed
ResearchGate
LinkedIn
Research Portal UNamur
Neurodegeneration and regeneration
Research
Our group has an interest in examining the in vivo role played by glial cells and their function in glutamate homeostasis during osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) and spinal cord injuries (SCI). We recently focused on System Xc-, a cystine/glutamate antiporter, involved in both antioxidant defense and glutamate neurotransmission regulation. Employing a multidisciplinary approach that includes animal models, transgenic and knockout mouse models, stem cell transplantation (glial-restricted precursors cells or iPS-derived neural precursors), intraspinal viral vector-based manipulation of glutamate transporter levels and extensive histological, biochemical, behavioral and in vivo physiological analyses, their goal is to both characterize the roles played by these glial glutamate transporters in clinically-relevant models of ODS or SCI.Our team has developed a broad expertise in generating rodent models of cervical contusive spinal cord injuries. In this context, another topic-of-interest is the characterization of innovative non-invasive imaging modalities aimed at quantifying neuronal or synaptic loss following spinal cord injury e.g. synchrotron x-ray phase-contrast tomography, SV2A PET imaging using [11C]UCB-J.
Role of cystine/glutamate antiporter (xCT/Slc7a11) on motor outcomes following spinal cord injury
Characterization of PET SV2A radiotracers for quantifying neuronal/synaptic loss following spinal cord injury
Relationship between CNS trauma and tauopathies
Investigating the autoimmune-based origin of long-COVID with neurologic sequellae
Neurodegeneration and regeneration
Ongoing projects
Projects
Completed projects
From the identification of pathogenic autoantibodies in patients with post-acute neurological sequelae of Covid-19 to the mechanisms underlying the production of neuronal neoantigens. Ongoing PhD thesis by Margaux Mignolet (Jan 2023 - ...)
In vivo imaging of synaptic and white matter integrity as noninvasive biomarkers for spinal cord injury and repair. Ongoing PhD thesis by Claudia Schrauwen (Sep 2022 - ...) Joint PhD at UAntwerp (Dr. Daniele Bertoglio) and UNamur (Prof. Charles Nicaise). Supported by the “Wings for Life” Foundation.
Tau pathology in repetitive mild spinal cord injuries. Ongoing PhD thesis by Nicolas Halloin. (Sep 2020 - ...)
System Xc− as a novel therapeutic target for spinal cord injuries. Ongoing PhD thesis by Lindsay Sprimont. (Feb 2019 - ....)
Quantification of neuronal loss and lesion extension following experimental spinal cord injury using Synchrotron X-ray phase-contrast tomography. Research collaboration between UNamur (Prof. Charles Nicaise) and IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia in Italy (Dr. Michela Fratini). (2017 - ...)
Unraveling the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2-induced autoimmunity. Collaborative research project between Prof. Charles Nicaise and Prof. Nicolas Gillet. (2022-2023)
In vivo evaluation of [11C]UCB-J for PET imaging of synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) following spinal cord injury. Research collaboration between UNamur (Prof. Charles Nicaise) and UAntwerp (Dr. Daniele Bertoglio, Prof. Steven Staelens).
Study of astrocytic dysfunction in a mouse model of osmotic demyelination syndrome PhD thesis defended by Joanna Bouchat on 16/09/2019. Thesis summary
Neurodegeneration and regeneration
All publications on
Selected publications
Astrocyte alterations during Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome: intermediate filaments, aggresomes, proteasomes, and glycogen storages. Gilloteaux J, Charlier C, Suain V, Nicaise C. Ultrastruct Pathol. 2025 Mar 10:1-46.
Thalamic Neuron Resilience during Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome (ODS) Is Revealed by Primary Cilium Outgrowth and ADP-ribosylation factor-like protein 13B Labeling in Axon Initial Segment. Gilloteaux J, De Swert K, Suain V, Nicaise C. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Nov 17;24(22):16448.
Viral Entry Inhibitors Protect against SARS-CoV-2-Induced Neurite Shortening in Differentiated SH-SY5Y Cells. Mignolet M, Gilloteaux J, Halloin N, Gueibe M, Willemart K, De Swert K, Bielarz V, Suain V, Pastushenko I, Gillet NA, Nicaise C. Viruses. 2023; 15(10):2020.
Loss of Ephaptic Contacts in the Murine Thalamus during Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome. Gilloteaux J, De Swert K, Suain V, Brion JP, Nicaise C. Ultrastruct Pathol. 2023 Jul 21:1-26.
Cystine-glutamate antiporter deletion accelerates motor recovery and improves histological outcomes following spinal cord injury in mice. Sprimont L, Janssen P, De Swert K, Van Bulck M, Rooman I, Gilloteaux J, Massie A, Nicaise C. Sci Rep. 2021 Jun 9;11(1):12227.
1 / 2
Neurodegeneration and regeneration
All publications on
Selected publications
Blood-brain barrier permeability towards small and large tracers in a mouse model of osmotic demyelination syndrome. Scalisi J, Balau B, Deneyer L, Bouchat J, Gilloteaux J, Nicaise C. Neurosci Lett. 2021 Feb 16;746:135665.
The osmotic demyelination syndrome: the resilience of thalamic neurons is verified with transmission electron microscopy. Gilloteaux J, Bouchat J, Brion JP, Nicaise C. Ultrastruct Pathol. 2021 Jan 3:1-31.
Ultrastructural Analysis of Thalamus Damages in a Mouse Model of Osmotic-Induced Demyelination. Bouchat J, Gilloteaux J, Suain V, Van Vlaender D, Brion JP, Nicaise C. Neurotox Res. 2019 Jul;36(1):144-162.
Regional oligodendrocytopathy and astrocytopathy precede myelin loss and blood-brain barrier disruption in a murine model of osmotic demyelination syndrome. Bouchat J, Couturier B, Marneffe C, Gankam-Kengne F, Balau B, De Swert K, Brion JP, Poncelet L, Gilloteaux J, Nicaise C. Glia. 2018 Mar;66(3):606-622.
2 / 2
Neurodegeneration and regeneration
Team
Charles Nicaise
Lindsay Sprimont
Claudia Schrauwen
Margaux Mignolet
Nicolas Halloin
Group leader
PhD student
PhD student
PhD student
PhD student
Kathleen De Swert
Valéry Bielarz
Jacques Gilloteaux
Research technician
Research technician
Scientific collaborator - Emeritus professor