Dr. Clémence Belleannée, Ph.D., is Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction and researcher at the Research Center of the CHU de Québec-Université Laval since 2014. After obtaining her doctorate at François Rabelais University from Tours in France, Dr. Belleannée completed two post-doctorates, one at Laval University and the other at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital where she received the Epithelial Transport Group Young Investigator award in 2009. In 2021, the important contribution of her work in andrology was highlighted by the prestigious Matthew P. Hardy Young Andrologist Award she received by the American Society of Andrology.
Reproductive and urogenital health is an important component of men’s overall health and well-being. Too often, men have been overlooked in discussions of reproductive health, especially when reproductive issues such as contraception and infertility have been seen as women related. However, three-quarters of men today want to have access to alternative male contraceptives to condoms and more than one in twenty men face infertility problems.
The research carried out by Dr. Belleannée’s team focuses on the study of biological mechanisms which, when dysfunctional, are the cause of male infertility problems or urogenital diseases such as prostate cancer. This work focuses on the ability of cells of the urogenital system to capture physio-pathological changes through cellular antennas called primary cilia.
Beyond improving our knowledge of the fundamental mechanisms associated with reproductive and urogenital functions, this research aims to develop a reversible male contraceptive that does not compromise male fertility as well as to propose new therapeutic approaches against prostate cancer, a disease that kills nearly 5,000 men every year in Canada. This research is supported by funds from CIHR, CRSN and FRQS.
1-Release mechanisms and functions of ciliary vesicles
In mammals, extracellular vesicles released by epithelial cells of the male reproductive system participate in sperm maturation through the transfer of molecular cargoes. This unique process of somatic cell-sperm communication occurs in the epididymis, and controls the acquisition of sperm motility and fertilizing power. We have identified in the epididymal fluid surrounding spermatozoa a new subpopulation of extracellular vesicles whose molecular and functional properties are still unknown. Since these vesicles display markers of cell extensions called primary cilia, we hypothesize that they derive from the ciliated cells located upstream of the epididymis and possess unique properties and functions in this system. This work will reveal the unique features and functions of ciliary vesicles in the soma-sperm communication system and may identify novel cellular mechanisms that control sperm maturation and male reproductive functions. NSERC grant.
2- Understand the role of primary cilia in the initiation and progression of prostate cancer
Our body consists of billions of cells that communicate with each other to allow the execution of the most complex activities and daily life. Over the past few decades, researchers have discovered that our cells use an “antenna” to sense and respond appropriately to changes happening around them. These sensory antennas called “primary cilia” control cell proliferation and, their absence or dysfunction leads to the initiation of cancer and its progression. By combining state-of-the-art equipment for the study of animal models and human biopsies, our research aims to determine the role and therapeutic potential of ciliary molecules in prostate cancer, one of the most diagnosed cancers in Canada. This research will provide important insights into the biology of prostate cancer, with implications for the prevention and treatment of this alarming disease which has more than 400,000 deaths worldwide. CIHR grant.
3- Define the role of primary cilia in the control of male fertility
Because more than 30% of cases of male infertility are of unknown origin, it is crucial to identify the molecular factors regulating male reproductive functions. The epididymis is a long tubule located downstream of the testicle responsible for acquiring the fertilizing power of spermatozoa. It is therefore an ideal model to study the sequential events that transform an immature sperm into a fully motile and fertilizing sperm. Recently, primary cilia have been found associated with epithelial cells of the epididymis. These organelles are unique antennae that emerge from the surface of cells and transmit messages controlling the functions of these cells. By combining complementary in vitro and in vivo approaches, our research aims to elucidate the role of primary cilia in the development and maintenance of epididymal functions. Considering the importance of the functions of this organ in controlling the fertilizing capacities of spermatozoa, our research could provide new leads for the development of male contraceptives. CIHR grant.
2705, boulevard Laurier
T3-48
Québec, Québec
Canada G1V 4G2
- Augière, CélinePostdoctoral fellowCHUL+1 418-525-4444, extension 42296celine-pascale-maryline.augiere.1@ulaval.caceline.augiere@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
2705, boul. Laurier
T3-67
Québec, Québec
Canada G1V 4G2 - Bernaquez, ArianeInternCHUL+1 418-525-4444, extension 42296ariane.bernaquez@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
2705, boulevard Laurier
R-00763
Québec, QC
Canada G1V 4G2 - Campolina Silva, Gabriel HenriquePostdoctoral fellowCHUL+1 418-525-4444, extension 42296gabriel-henrique.campolina-silva.1@ulaval.cagcampolina@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
2705, boulevard Laurier
T3-67
Québec, QC
Canada G1V 4G2 - Chazot Ferrier Tarin, ShirleyEmployeeCHUL+1 418-525-4444, extension 42296shirley.chazot@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
2705, boulevard Laurier
T3-67
Québec, QC
Canada G1V 4G2 - Fakhari, SepidehDoctoral studentCHUL+4 185-254-4444, extension 42296sepideh.fakhari@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
2705, boulevard Laurier
T3-67
Québec, QC
Canada G1V 4G2 - Irsenco, DinaMaster studentCHUL+1 418-525-4444+1 418-525-4444, extension 42296dina.irsenco@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
2705, boulevard Laurier
T3-67
Québec, QC
Canada G1V 4G2 - Préfontaine, FlorenceMaster studentCHUL+1 418-525-4444, extension 42296florence.prefontaine@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
2705, boulevard Laurier
T3-67
Québec, QC
Canada G1V 4G2 - Vinay, LudovicDoctoral studentCHUL+1 418-525-4444, extension 42296ludovic.vinay.1@ulaval.ca
2705, boulevard Laurier
T3-67
Québec, QC
Canada G1V 4G2 - Vinay, LudovicMaster studentCHUL+1 418-525-4444, extension 42296ludovic.vinay.1@ulaval.ca
2705, boulevard Laurier
T3-67
Québec, QC
Canada G1V 4G2
Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles (MISEV2023): From basic to advanced approaches
Journal ArticleJ Extracell Vesicles, 13 (2), 2024.
The estrogen signaling pathway reprograms prostate cancer cell metabolism and supports proliferation and disease progression
Journal ArticleJ Clin Invest, 134 (11), 2024.
Human efferent ductules and epididymis display unique cell lineages with motile and primary cilia
Journal ArticleAndrology, 2024.
ERK5 Cooperates With MEF2C to Regulate Nr4a1 Transcription in MA-10 and MLTC-1 Leydig Cells
Journal ArticleEndocrinology, 164 (9), 2023.
Hedgehog signaling regulates Wolffian duct development through the primary cilium†
Journal ArticleBiol Reprod, 108 (2), 2023.
Platelet activation by SARS-CoV-2 implicates the release of active tissue factor by infected cells
Journal ArticleBlood Adv, 6 (12), 2022.
Sperm Heterogeneity Accounts for Sperm DNA Methylation Variations Observed in the Caput Epididymis, Independently From DNMT/TET Activities
Journal ArticleFront Cell Dev Biol, 10 , 2022.
Expression of the pro-inflammatory P2Y14 receptor in the non-vasectomized and vasectomized human epididymis
Journal ArticleAndrology, 10 (8), 2022.
Arl13b controls basal cell stemness properties and Hedgehog signaling in the mouse epididymis
Journal ArticleCell Mol Life Sci, 79 (11), 2022.
EV duty vehicles: Features and functions of ciliary extracellular vesicles
Journal ArticleFront Genet, 13 , 2022.
Active projects
- Mechanisms of release and signaling functions of ciliary vesicles, from 2022-04-01 to 2027-03-31
- P.R.I.S.M.A: Programme de Recherche sur l'Infertilité et la physio-pathologie du Système Reproducteur MAsculin, from 2024-07-01 to 2028-06-30
- Platelets and neutrophils: the two culprits mediating pain in inflammatory arthritis, from 2020-04-01 to 2025-03-31
- Réseau Québécois en Reproduction, from 2024-04-01 to 2030-03-31
- Réseau Québécois en Reproduction (RQR), from 2017-04-01 to 2025-03-31
- Unraveling the role Motile and Immotile Primary Cilia in Efferent Ductule Homeostasis and Male Fertility, from 2024-10-01 to 2029-09-30
- Unravelling the role of primary cilia in prostate cancer initiation and progression, from 2023-04-01 to 2028-03-31
Recently finished projects
- Exploring A Novel Signalling Pathway in Cilia formation and Ciliopathies, from 2023-02-21 to 2024-02-21
- P.R.I.A.P.E*: Programme de Recherche sur l'Infertilité mAsculine et Physiologie de l'Epididyme, from 2020-07-01 to 2024-06-30
- Platelets and neutrophils: the two culprits mediating pain in inflammatory arthritis, from 2020-01-01 to 2022-12-31
- Unravelling the role of primary cilia in the control of male fertility, from 2018-10-01 to 2023-03-31