Our team investigates the mechanisms that sustain the steroidogenic functions of the adrenal gland and gonads, which regulate body homeostasis (via mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid hormones) and reproductive functions (via sex steroids), respectively. Although these endocrine glands share a common embryonic origin, they undergo distinct differentiation pathways leading to functional maturity: the adrenal gland reaches perinatal maturity with cortical zonation, whereas the gonads mature at puberty, with the development of supportive cells and active steroid-producing cells. We hypothesize that, due to this shared embryonic origin, common molecular pathways—specific to either adrenal or gonadal contexts—could activate or reveal the plastic potential of cells within the adrenal cortex and somatic compartments of the gonads.

Our objectives are to:
-Elucidate the fundamental mechanisms governing adrenal and gonadal homeostasis.
-Understand how disruptions in these mechanisms contribute to the development of pathologies, such as benign or malignant tumors, hypersecretion syndromes, or endocrine insufficiency.
-Identify new therapeutic targets based on these insights.

Our research leverages a diverse collection of cell lines and genetically modified mouse models, which are instrumental both for fundamental studies and as preclinical models to evaluate new treatments. To achieve these translational goals, our team is deeply integrated into national (COMETE) and international (ENS@T) clinical networks, as well as the rare disease network FIRENDO, and has established collaborations with research groups in France and abroad, particularly in the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States.

Within this framework, we explore the roles of cellular signaling pathways (WNT and PKA), epigenetic and post-translational mechanisms (PRC2 and SUMOylation), and the immune microenvironment (macrophages) in the development and maintenance of these endocrine glands, as well as their involvement in the formation of tumors in the adrenal cortex and gonadal somatic tissues. Finally, we seek to understand the higher prevalence of adrenal tumors in females by investigating the mechanisms underlying adrenal sexual dimorphism.

These studies are conducted under the guidance of three principal investigators and are supported by several complementary funded projects:

•ADREMAC (ANR 2022-25)
•OVARYPROTECT (ANR 2022-25)
•EQUIPE LIGUE (2020-25)
•WCR (2024-26)
•ADD-SEX (ANR 2024-26)
•GROUPAMA Rare Diseases