Professor Christine Le Maitre

BSc (Hons). PGCert, FHEA, PhD

Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health

Professor of Musculoskeletal Cell Biology and Tissue Regeneration

c.lemaitre@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 215 9010

Room GU22, The Medical School

Full contact details

Professor Christine Le Maitre
Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health
Room GU22
The Medical School
Beech Hill Road
Sheffield
S10 2RX

Profile

For enquiries please contact - ClinMed-Operational@sheffield.ac.uk

I joined The University of Sheffield in 2022 as a Professor in the Department of Oncology and Metabolism, in the Medical School where I co-lead the Osteoarthritis and Disc Research Group in the Bone and Joint theme. I graduated with a 1^st class honours degree in Pharmacology from The University of Manchester in 2000, and went on to undertake a Wellcome funded PhD at The University of Manchester investigating the role of IL-1 in intervertebral disc degeneration. Following completion, I remained in Manchester for several postdoctoral positions investigating the cellular pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration. I moved to Sheffield Hallam University in 2008 as a Senior Lecturer to establish my own research group, I was promoted to Reader in 2014 and Professor in 2017. I recently moved to the Medical School at The University of Sheffield as Professor of Musculoskeletal Cell Biology and Tissue Regeneration in November 2022.

My research focuses on investigating the pathogenesis of musculoskeletal disorders and novel therapies targeting pathogenesis and regenerative approaches. Working collaboratively nationally and internationally with clinicians, scientists, engineers, industrial partners and patients to pursue an improved understanding of musculoskeletal conditions and utilise this knowledge to develop the next generation of therapies. My research to date has led to 2 patents, >100 publications with >8,600 citations a current H index of 43 and i10 index 78, with over £22 million in research grant income and £10 million in doctoral training grant income to date. I have been invited to present my research at several national and international meetings and am an elected committee member of Society of Back Pain Research, ORS Spine section, Musculoskeletal research advisory group for Versus Arthritis and DISCs Chairlady.

I am passionate to support the next generation of scientists and previously led postgraduate research student provision in my previous roles, I have supervised 16 PhD students to completion and currently supervise 16 further doctoral students, I have also received several accolades for my doctoral supervision and mentoring roles.

Qualifications: 2000 BSc (1st Class) Pharmacology, University of Manchester.
2003 PhD, University of Manchester.
2009 PGCert (Higher education teaching), Sheffield Hallam University.

Research interests: My research investigates the cellular pathogenesis of musculoskeletal conditions. Including intervertebral disc degeneration and its links to low back pain; osteoarthritis; and bone physiology; working in close collaboration with relevant clinical partners and collaborators nationally and internationally. With a particular interest in the interaction of cells, biomechanics and matrix biology. My research has provided key insights to the normal physiology of musculoskeletal conditions and identified dysregulated cellular mechanisms during pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration and osteoarthritis. Including the roles of inflammatory cytokines, cellular senescence and altered mechanotransduction pathways. I have a passion for developing alternative disease models, which utilise human 3D cell and tissue cultures within physiologically relevant environments. These systems are utilised to understand normal physiology, pathogenesis, and test new therapeutic strategies. I have developed 3D culture systems to maintain the phenotype of isolated chondrocytes, nucleus pulposus cells, annulus fibrosus cells, osteoblasts and osteocytes, or drive stem cell differentiation enabling cell and mechanobiology to be investigated using primary human cell sources. I have also developed several complex tissue culture systems enabling maintenance of cell/matrix interactions from osteochondral and IVD tissue explants to whole organ culture systems. Current PhD students under my supervision are also developing 3D printed models of cortical and trabecular bone and bone infection models. The improved understanding in pathogenesis of musculoskeletal conditions have led to strategies for next generation therapies involving stem cells, biomaterials and gene therapy approaches to inhibit disease processes and support regeneration. Investigating a range of potential cell sources to promote regeneration including bone marrow and adipose stromal cells; and induced pluripotent stem cells. My work has investigated these cell strategies either alone or in combination with smart biomaterials which can restore the biomechanical environment, whilst inhibiting catabolic signalling processes and supporting stem cell differentiation. I have also investigated the potential of gene therapy approaches to modulate abnormal cytokine signalling to inhibit cellular pathogenesis, providing the correct tissue niche to support repair and regeneration. My work on next generation therapies has led to patent generation, industry collaborations and potential commercialisation opportunities.

Publications

Show: Featured publications All publications

Featured publications

Journal articles

Basatvat S, Bach FC, Barcellona MN, Binch AL, Buckley CT, Bueno B, Chahine NO, Chee A, Creemers LB, Dudli S , Fearing B et al (2023) Harmonization and standardization of nucleus pulposus cell extraction and culture methods. JOR SPINE.
Paskins Z, Farmer CE, Manning F, Andersson DA, Barlow T, Bishop FL, Brown CA, Clark A, Clark EM, Dulake D , Gulati M et al (2022) Research priorities to reduce the impact of musculoskeletal disorders: a priority setting exercise with the child health and nutrition research initiative method. The Lancet Rheumatology, 4(9), e635-e645.
Le Maitre CL, Dahia CL, Giers M, Illien‐Junger S, Cicione C, Samartzis D, Vadala G, Fields A & Lotz J (2021) Development of a standardized histopathology scoring system for human intervertebral disc degeneration: an Orthopaedic Research Society Spine Section Initiative. JOR SPINE, 4(2).
Thorpe AA, Freeman C, Farthing P, Callaghan J, Hatton PV, Brook IM, Sammon C & Le Maitre CL (2018) In vivo safety and efficacy testing of a thermally triggered injectable hydrogel scaffold for bone regeneration and augmentation in a rat model. Oncotarget, 9(26), 18277-18295.
Thorpe AA, Dougill G, Vickers L, Reeves ND, Sammon C, Cooper G & Le Maitre CL (2017) Thermally triggered hydrogel injection into bovine intervertebral disc tissue explants induces differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and restores mechanical function. Acta Biomaterialia, 54, 212-226.
Phillips KLE, Cullen K, Chiverton N, Michael ALR, Cole AA, Breakwell LM, Haddock G, Bunning RAD, Cross AK & Le Maitre CL (2015) Potential roles of cytokines and chemokines in human intervertebral disc degeneration: interleukin-1 is a master regulator of catabolic processes. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 23(7), 1165-1177.
Phillips KLE, Jordan-Mahy N, Nicklin MJH & Le Maitre CL (2013) Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist deficient mice provide insights into pathogenesis of human intervertebral disc degeneration. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 72(11), 1860-1867.
Le Maitre CL, Frain J, Millward-Sadler J, Fotheringham AP, Freemont AJ & Hoyland JA (2009) Altered integrin mechanotransduction in human nucleus pulposus cells derived from degenerated discs. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 60(2), 460-469.
Le Maitre C, Freemont A & Hoyland J (2007) Accelerated cellular senescence in degenerate intervertebral discs: a possible role in the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration. Arthritis Research & Therapy, 9(3), R45-R45.
Le Maitre CL, Freemont AJ & Hoyland JA (2005) The role of interleukin-1 in the pathogenesis of human intervertebral disc degeneration.. Arthritis research & therapy, 7(4).
Snuggs JW, Bunning RAD & Le Maitre CL () Osmotic adaptation of nucleus pulposus cells: the role of aquaporin 1, aquaporin 4 and transient receptor potential vanilloid 4. European Cells and Materials, 41, 121-141.
Rustenburg CME, Snuggs JW, Emanuel KS, Thorpe A, Sammon C, Le Maitre CL & Smit TH () Modelling the catabolic environment of the moderately degenerated disc with a caprine ex vivo loaded disc culture system. European Cells and Materials, 40, 21-37.

All publications

Journal articles

Boyce S, Nichol T, Smith T & Le Maitre C (2024) PREVENTING PERIPROSTHETIC JOINT INFECTION: A NOVEL ANTIMICROBIAL SOL-GEL APPROACH. Orthopaedic Proceedings, 106-B(SUPP_19), 28-28.
Williamson A, Bateman L, LeMaitre C, Jones TH, Aberdein N & Kelly DM (2024) 8711 The Effect of Testosterone Therapy Upon Bone Remodelling in Testosterone Deficient APOE-/- Mice Fed a High Fat Diet. Journal of the Endocrine Society, 8(Supplement_1).
Mengis T, Bernhard L, Nüesch A, Heggli I, Herger N, Devan J, Marcus R, Laux CJ, Brunner F, Farshad M , Distler O et al (2024) The expression of toll-like receptors in cartilage endplate cells: a role of toll-like receptor 2 in pro-inflammatory and pro-catabolic gene expression. Cells, 13(17). View this article in WRRO
Compte R, Freidin MB, Granville Smith I, Le Maitre CL, Vaitkute D, Nessa A, Lachance G & Williams FMK (2024) No evidence of association between either Modic change or disc degeneration and five circulating inflammatory proteins. JOR SPINE, 7(1).
Bermudez-Lekerika P, Tseranidou S, Kanelis E, Crump KB, Le Maitre C, Wuertz-Kozak K, Alexopoulos LG, Noailly J & Gantenbein B (2024) THE METABOLIC ROLE OF IL-4 AND IL-10 IN INTERVERTEBRAL DISC DEGENERATION. Orthopaedic Proceedings, 106-B(SUPP_2), 93-93.
Jansen JU, Zengerle L, Greiner-Perth AK, Cicione C, Maitre CLL, Pandit A, VadalÀ G, Tryfonidou M & Wilke HJ (2024) A novel spine tester “to go” traveled for the first time abroad to perform an ex vivo study. Brain and Spine, 4, 102977-102977.
Cherif H, Li L, Snuggs J, Li X, Sammon C, Li J, Beckman L, Haglund L & Maitre CLL (2023) Injectable hydrogel induces regeneration of naturally degenerate human intervertebral discs in a loaded organ culture model.. Acta Biomaterialia.
Williamson A, da Silva A, do Carmo JM, Le Maitre CL, Hall JE & Aberdein N (2023) Impact of leptin deficiency on male tibia and vertebral body 3D bone architecture independent of changes in body weight. Physiological Reports, 11(19).
Lama P, Tiwari J, Mutreja P, Chauhan S, Harding IJ, Dolan T, Adams MA & Maitre CL (2023) Cell clusters in intervertebral disc degeneration: An attempted repair mechanism aborted via apoptosis. Anatomy & Cell Biology.
Snuggs J, Senter R, Whitt J & Le Maitre C (2023) PCRX-201, A NOVEL GENE THERAPY TREATMENT APPROACH FOR INTERVERTEBRAL DISC DEGENERATION. Orthopaedic Proceedings, 105-B(SUPP_9), 91-91.
Bermudez-Lekerika P, Croft A, Crump K, Wuertz-Kozak K, Le Maitre C & Gantenbein B (2023) IN VITRO CATABOLIC PHENOTYPE INDUCTION OF INTERVERTEBRAL DISC CELLS IN 3D ALGINATE CULTURE. Orthopaedic Proceedings, 105-B(SUPP_9), 64-64.
Williams R, Snuggs J, Schmitz TC, Janani R, Basatvat S, Sammon C, Benz K, Ito K, Tryfonidou M & Le Maitre C (2023) INJECTABLE BIOMATERIALS TO MAINTAIN NOTOCHORDAL CELL PHENOTYPE AS POTENTIAL THERAPY FOR INTERVERTEBRAL DISC DEGENERATION. Orthopaedic Proceedings, 105-B(SUPP_8), 90-90.
Dascombe L, Le Maitre C & Aberdein N (2023) MULTI-SPECIES BONE ANALYSIS USING HIGH RESOLUTION MICRO-CT FOR IN VITRO BONE MODEL DEVELOPMENT. Orthopaedic Proceedings, 105-B(SUPP_8), 89-89.
Williamson A, Bateman L, Kelly D, Le Maitre C & Aberdein N (2023) THE EFFECT OF TESTOSTERONE TREATMENT UPON BONE REMODELLING MARKERS IN APOE-/- MICE IN VIVO. Orthopaedic Proceedings, 105-B(SUPP_8), 85-85.
Nüesch A, Kanelis E, Alexopoulos L, Williams F, Geris L, Gantenbein B, Lacey M & Le Maitre C (2023) INTERVERTEBRAL DISC CELLS IN VIVO INTERNALIZE GRAM-POSITIVE BACTERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERVERTEBRAL DISC DEGENERATION. Orthopaedic Proceedings, 105-B(SUPP_8), 73-73.
Basatvat S, Braun T, Snuggs J, Williams R, Templin M, Tryfonidou M & Le Maitre C (2023) INVESTIGATING THE ANTI-CATABOLIC PROPERTIES OF NOTOCHORDAL CELLS IN DISC REGENERATION. Orthopaedic Proceedings, 105-B(SUPP_8), 52-52.
Boyce S, Le Maitre C, Smith T & Nichol T (2023) CHARACTERIZATION OF A NOVEL ANTIMICROBIAL SOL-GEL DEVICE COATING TO PREVENT PERIPROSTHETIC JOINT INFECTION. Orthopaedic Proceedings, 105-B(SUPP_8), 36-36.
Salzer E, Schmitz TC, Mouser VHM, Vernengo A, Gantenbein B, Jansen JU, Neidlinger-Wilke C, Wilke H-J, Grad S, Le Maitre CL , Tryfonidou MA et al (2023) Ex vivo intervertebral disc cultures: degeneration-induction methods and their implications for clinical translation. European Cells & Materials, 45, 88-112.
Faber BG, Frysz M, Hartley AE, Ebsim R, Boer CG, Saunders FR, Gregory JS, Aspden RM, Harvey NC, Southam L , Giles W et al (2023) A GWAS meta-analysis of alpha angle suggests cam-type morphology may be a specific feature of hip osteoarthritis in older adults. Arthritis & Rheumatology.
Basatvat S, Bach FC, Barcellona MN, Binch AL, Buckley CT, Bueno B, Chahine NO, Chee A, Creemers LB, Dudli S , Fearing B et al (2023) Harmonization and standardization of nucleus pulposus cell extraction and culture methods. JOR SPINE.
Jansen JU, Teixeira GQ, Williams R, Janani R, Sammon C, Maitre CL, Benz K, Vernengo A, Grad S, Neidlinger-Wilke C & Wilke HJ (2023) Hydrogels stay in the disc even with dynamic loading simulating daily activities after needle injection. An in vitro experiment. Brain and Spine, 3, 102376-102376.
Tang SN, Bonilla AF, Chahine NO, Colbath AC, Easley JT, Grad S, Haglund L, Le Maitre CL, Leung V, McCoy AM , Purmessur D et al (2022) Controversies in spine research: organ culture versus in vivo models for studies of the intervertebral disc. JOR SPINE, 5(4).
Laagland LT, Bach FC, Creemers LB, Le Maitre CL, Poramba‐Liyanage DW & Tryfonidou MA (2022) Hyperosmolar expansion medium improves nucleus pulposus cell phenotype. JOR SPINE, 5(3).
Paskins Z, Farmer CE, Manning F, Andersson DA, Barlow T, Bishop FL, Brown CA, Clark A, Clark EM, Dulake D , Gulati M et al (2022) Research priorities to reduce the impact of musculoskeletal disorders: a priority setting exercise with the child health and nutrition research initiative method. The Lancet Rheumatology, 4(9), e635-e645.
Bermudez-Lekerika P, Crump KB, Tseranidou S, Nüesch A, Kanelis E, Alminnawi A, Baumgartner L, Muñoz-Moya E, Compte R, Gualdi F , Alexopoulos LG et al (2022) Immuno-modulatory effects of intervertebral disc cells. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 10.
Poillot P, Snuggs JW, Le Maitre CL & Huyghe JM (2022) L-type voltage-gated calcium channels partly mediate mechanotransduction in the intervertebral disc. JOR SPINE, 5(4).
Mahbub AA, Le Maitre CL, Cross NA & Jordan-Mahy N (2022) The effect of apigenin and chemotherapy combination treatments on apoptosis-related genes and proteins in acute leukaemia cell lines. Scientific Reports, 12(1).
Paskins Z, Farmer CE, Jones RK, Clark A, Troeberg L, Pandit H, Richardson SM, Loughlin J, Brown CA, Taylor EJ , Le Maitre CL et al (2022) P100 Research priorities to reduce the impact of musculoskeletal disorders. Rheumatology, 61(Supplement_1).
Bach FC, Poramba-Liyanage DW, Riemers FM, Guicheux J, Camus A, Iatridis JC, Chan D, Ito K, Le Maitre CL & Tryfonidou MA (2022) Notochordal cell-based treatment strategies and their potential in intervertebral disc regeneration. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 9.
Lama P, Tewari J, Adams MA & Maitre CL (2022) Degenerative physiochemical events in the pathological intervertebral disc. Histology and Histopathology, 37(1), 11-20.
Williams RJ, Tryfonidou MA, Snuggs JW & Le Maitre CL (2021) Cell sources proposed for nucleus pulposus regeneration. JOR SPINE, 4(4).
Boyes VL, Janani R, Partridge S, Fielding LA, Breen C, Foulkes J, Le Maitre CL & Sammon C (2021) One-pot precipitation polymerisation strategy for tuneable injectable Laponite®-pNIPAM hydrogels: Polymerisation, processability and beyond. Polymer, 233, 124201-124201.
Dahia CL, Engiles JB, Gullbrand SE, Iatridis JC, Lai A, Le Maitre CL, Lotz JC, Masuda K, Séguin CA & Tryfonidou MA (2021) A perspective on the ORS Spine Section initiative to develop a multi‐species JOR Spine histopathology series. JOR SPINE, 4(2).
Le Maitre CL, Dahia CL, Giers M, Illien‐Junger S, Cicione C, Samartzis D, Vadala G, Fields A & Lotz J (2021) Development of a standardized histopathology scoring system for human intervertebral disc degeneration: an Orthopaedic Research Society Spine Section Initiative. JOR SPINE, 4(2).
Nichol T, Callaghan J, Townsend R, Stockley I, Hatton PV, Le Maitre C, Smith TJ & Akid R (2021) The antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility of a controlled gentamicin-releasing single-layer sol-gel coating on hydroxyapatite-coated titanium. The Bone & Joint Journal, 103-B(3), 522-529.
Poillot P, Le Maitre CL & Huyghe JM (2021) The strain-generated electrical potential in cartilaginous tissues: a role for piezoelectricity. Biophysical Reviews, 13(1), 91-100.
Baumgartner L, Wuertz-Kozak K, Le Maitre CL, Wignall F, Richardson SM, Hoyland J, Wills CR, González Ballester MA, Neidlin M, Alexopoulos LG & Noailly J (2021) Multiscale regulation of the intervertebral disc: Achievements in experimental, in silico, and regenerative research. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(2), 1-42.
Dahia CL & Le Maitre CL (2020) Improving reproducibility in spine research. JOR SPINE, 3(3).
Schmitz TC, Salzer E, Crispim JF, Fabra GT, LeVisage C, Pandit A, Tryfonidou M, Maitre CL & Ito K (2020) Characterization of biomaterials intended for use in the nucleus pulposus of degenerated intervertebral discs. Acta Biomaterialia, 114, 1-15.
Binch A, Snuggs J & Le Maitre CL (2020) Immunohistochemical analysis of protein expression in formalin fixed paraffin embedded human intervertebral disc tissues. JOR SPINE, 3(3).
Bateman L, Dalton C, Maitre CL, Jones TH & Kelly DM (2020) SAT-041 Testosterone Reduces Atherosclerosis and Plaque Specific Inflammatory Markers in the ApoE-/- Mouse Model. Journal of the Endocrine Society, 4(Supplement_1).
Mardling P, Alderson A, Jordan-Mahy N & Le Maitre CL (2020) The use of auxetic materials in tissue engineering. Biomaterials Science, 8(8), 2074-2083.
Silagi ES, Novais EJ, Bisetto S, Telonis AG, Snuggs J, Le Maitre CL, Qiu Y, Kurland IJ, Shapiro IM, Philp NJ & Risbud MV (2020) Lactate Efflux From Intervertebral Disc Cells Is Required for Maintenance of Spine Health. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 35(3), 550-570.
Palubeckaitė I, Crooks L, Smith DP, Cole LM, Bram H, Le Maitre C, Clench MR & Cross NA (2020) Mass spectrometry imaging of endogenous metabolites in response to doxorubicin in a novel 3D osteosarcoma cell culture model. Journal of Mass Spectrometry, 55(4), e4461-e4461.
Bach FC, Rooij KM, Riemers FM, Snuggs JW, Jong WAM, Zhang Y, Creemers LB, Chan D, Le Maitre C & Tryfonidou MA (2019) Hedgehog proteins and parathyroid hormone‐related protein are involved in intervertebral disc maturation, degeneration, and calcification. JOR SPINE, 2(4).
Mahbub AA, Maitre CLL, Haywood-Small S, Cross NA & Jordan-Mahy N (2019) Polyphenols enhance the activity of alkylating agents in leukaemia cell lines. Oncotarget, 10(44), 4570-4586.
Vickers L, Thorpe AA, Snuggs J, Sammon C & Le Maitre CL (2019) Mesenchymal stem cell therapies for intervertebral disc degeneration: Consideration of the degenerate niche. JOR SPINE, 2(2).
Dosh RH, Jordan-Mahy N, Sammon C & Le Maitre C (2019) Interleukin 1 is a key driver of inflammatory bowel disease-demonstration in a murine IL-1Ra knockout model. Oncotarget, 10(37), 3559-3575.
Snuggs JW, Day RE, Bach FC, Conner MT, Bunning RAD, Tryfonidou MA & Le Maitre CL (2019) Aquaporin expression in the human and canine intervertebral disc during maturation and degeneration. JOR SPINE, 2(1).
Dosh RH, Jordan-Mahy N, Sammon C & Le Maitre CL (2019) Long-term in vitro 3D hydrogel co-culture model of inflammatory bowel disease. Scientific Reports, 9(1).
Taylor-Whiteley TR, Le Maitre CL, Duce JA, Dalton CF & Smith DP (2019) Recapitulating Parkinson’s disease pathology in a three-dimensional human neural cell culture model. DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms, 12(4).
Dosh RH, Jordan-Mahy N, Sammon C & Le Maitre CL (2019) Use of l-pNIPAM hydrogel as a 3D-scaffold for intestinal crypts and stem cell tissue engineering. Biomaterials Science, 7(10), 4310-4324.
Smith LJ, Silverman L, Sakai D, Le Maitre CL, Mauck RL, Malhotra NR, Lotz JC & Buckley CT (2018) Advancing cell therapies for intervertebral disc regeneration from the lab to the clinic: Recommendations of the ORS spine section. JOR Spine, 1(4), e1036-e1036.
Thorpe AA, Bach FC, Tryfonidou MA, Le Maitre CL, Mwale F, Diwan AD & Ito K (2018) Leaping the hurdles in developing regenerative treatments for the intervertebral disc from preclinical to clinical. JOR Spine, 1(3), e1027-e1027.
Lama P, Le Maitre CL, Harding IJ, Dolan P & Adams MA (2018) Nerves and blood vessels in degenerated intervertebral discs are confined to physically disrupted tissue. Journal of Anatomy, 233(1), 86-97.
Thorpe AA, Freeman C, Farthing P, Callaghan J, Hatton PV, Brook IM, Sammon C & Le Maitre CL (2018) In vivo safety and efficacy testing of a thermally triggered injectable hydrogel scaffold for bone regeneration and augmentation in a rat model. Oncotarget, 9(26), 18277-18295.
Dosh RH, Jordan-Mahy N, Sammon C & Le Maitre CL (2018) Tissue Engineering Laboratory Models of the Small Intestine. Tissue Engineering Part B: Reviews, 24(2), 98-111.
Steinberg J, Ritchie GRS, Roumeliotis TI, Jayasuriya RL, Clark MJ, Brooks RA, Binch ALA, Shah KM, Coyle R, Pardo M , Le Maitre CL et al (2017) Integrative epigenomics, transcriptomics and proteomics of patient chondrocytes reveal genes and pathways involved in osteoarthritis. Scientific Reports, 7(1).
Dosh RH, Essa A, Jordan-Mahy N, Sammon C & Le Maitre CL (2017) Use of hydrogel scaffolds to develop an in vitro 3D culture model of human intestinal epithelium. Acta Biomaterialia, 62, 128-143.
Johnson ZI, Doolittle AC, Snuggs JW, Shapiro IM, Le Maitre CL & Risbud MV (2017) TNF-α promotes nuclear enrichment of the transcription factor TonEBP/NFAT5 to selectively control inflammatory but not osmoregulatory responses in nucleus pulposus cells. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 292(42), 17561-17575.
Mahbub A, Le Maitre C, Haywood-Small S, Cross N & Jordan-Mahy N (2017) Dietary polyphenols influence antimetabolite agents: methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine and 5-fluorouracil in leukemia cell lines. Oncotarget, 8(62), 104877-104893.
Thorpe AA, Dougill G, Vickers L, Reeves ND, Sammon C, Cooper G & Le Maitre CL (2017) Thermally triggered hydrogel injection into bovine intervertebral disc tissue explants induces differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and restores mechanical function. Acta Biomaterialia, 54, 212-226.
Daniels J, Binch AAL & Le Maitre CL (2017) Inhibiting IL-1 signaling pathways to inhibit catabolic processes in disc degeneration. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 35(1), 74-85.
Vo NV, Hartman RA, Patil PR, Risbud MV, Kletsas D, Iatridis JC, Hoyland JA, Le Maitre CL, Sowa GA & Kang JD (2016) Molecular mechanisms of biological aging in intervertebral discs. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 34(8), 1289-1306.
Thorpe AA, Boyes VL, Sammon C & Le Maitre CL (2016) Thermally triggered injectable hydrogel, which induces mesenchymal stem cell differentiation to nucleus pulposus cells: Potential for regeneration of the intervertebral disc. Acta Biomaterialia, 36, 99-111.
Dunn SL, Wilkinson JM, Crawford A, Bunning RAD & Le Maitre CL (2016) Expression of Cannabinoid Receptors in Human Osteoarthritic Cartilage: Implications for Future Therapies. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 1(1), 3-15.
Mader KT, Peeters M, Detiger SEL, Helder MN, Smit TH, Le Maitre CL & Sammon C (2016) Investigation of intervertebral disc degeneration using multivariate FTIR spectroscopic imaging. Faraday Discussions, 187, 393-414.
Thorpe AA, Binch ALA, Creemers LB, Sammon C & Le Maitre CL (2016) Nucleus pulposus phenotypic markers to determine stem cell differentiation: fact or fiction?. Oncotarget, 7(3), 2189-2200.
Mahbub AA, Le Maitre CL, Haywood-Small SL, Cross NA & Jordan-Mahy N (2015) Glutathione is key to the synergistic enhancement of doxorubicin and etoposide by polyphenols in leukaemia cell lines. Cell Death & Disease, 6(12), e2028-e2028.
Binch ALA, Cole AA, Breakwell LM, Michael ALR, Chiverton N, Creemers LB, Cross AK & Le Maitre CL (2015) Nerves are more abundant than blood vessels in the degenerate human intervertebral disc. Arthritis Research & Therapy, 17(1).
Mahbub A, Le Maitre C, Haywood-Small S, Cross N & Jordan-Mahy N (2015) Polyphenols act synergistically with doxorubicin and etoposide in leukaemia cell lines. Cell Death Discovery, 1(1).
Binch ALA, Cole AA, Breakwell LM, Michael ALR, Chiverton N, Creemers LB, Cross AK & Le Maitre CL (2015) Class 3 semaphorins expression and association with innervation and angiogenesis within the degenerate human intervertebral disc. Oncotarget, 6(21), 18338-18354.
Johnson ZI, Gogate SS, Day R, Binch A, Markova DZ, Chiverton N, Cole A, Conner M, Shapiro IM, Le Maitre CL & Risbud MV (2015) Aquaporin 1 and 5 expression decreases during human intervertebral disc degeneration: novel HIF-1-mediated regulation of aquaporins in NP cells. Oncotarget, 6(14), 11945-11958.
Phillips KLE, Cullen K, Chiverton N, Michael ALR, Cole AA, Breakwell LM, Haddock G, Bunning RAD, Cross AK & Le Maitre CL (2015) Potential roles of cytokines and chemokines in human intervertebral disc degeneration: interleukin-1 is a master regulator of catabolic processes. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 23(7), 1165-1177.
Le Maitre CL, Binch ALA, Thorpe AA & Hughes SPF (2015) Degeneration of the intervertebral disc with new approaches for treating low back pain. Journal of Neurosurgical Sciences, 59(1), 47-61.
Daniels J, Binch AL, Dunn S, Phillips KL, Chiverton N, Cole A, Michael AR, Breakwell L & Le Maitre CL (2014) Human Degenerate Discs Show Increased Activation of Intracellular Signalling Pathways of IL-1. Global Spine Journal, 4(1_suppl).
Binch AL, Phillips KL, Chiverton N, Cole A, Michael AR, Breakwell L, Cross AK & Le Maitre CL (2014) Role of Semaphorins in Angiogenesis and Innervation in Human Intervertebral Disc Degeneration. Global Spine Journal, 4(1_suppl).
Boyes V, Barthrop B, Chiverton N, Cole A, Michael AR, Breakwell L, Sammon C & Le Maitre CL (2014) Thermally Triggered Injectable Hydrogel Carrier System for Mesenchymal Stem Cell Delivery to Promote Intervertebral Disc Regeneration. Global Spine Journal, 4(1_suppl).
Gogate S, Johnson Z, Day R, Binch A, Markova D, Chiverton N, Cole A, Conner M, Shapiro I, Le Maitre CL & Risbud M (2014) Unique Regulation of AQP1 and AQP5 Expression by HIF-1 in Nucleus Pulposus Cells. Global Spine Journal, 4(1_suppl).
Le Maitre CL (2014) Role of Cytokines and Proteases in the Pathogenesis of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration. Global Spine Journal, 4(1_suppl).
Mader KT, Le Maitre CL & Sammon C (2014) Characterisation of Intervertebral Discs Using MID-IR Spectroscopic Imaging. Global Spine Journal, 4(1_suppl).
Daniels J, Binch AL, Chiverton N, Cole A, Michael AR, Breakwell L & Le Maitre CL (2014) Recombinant IL-1Ra Stimulation of Native NP Cells Inhibits a Multitude of Pathological Features. Global Spine Journal, 4(1_suppl).
LA Binch A, Cole AA, Breakwell LM, Michael ALR, Chiverton N, Cross AK & Le Maitre CL (2014) Expression and regulation of neurotrophic and angiogenic factors during human intervertebral disc degeneration. Arthritis Research & Therapy, 16(4).
Dunn SL, Wilkinson JM, Crawford A, Le Maitre CL & Bunning RAD (2014) Cannabinoid WIN-55,212-2 mesylate inhibits interleukin-1β induced matrix metalloproteinase and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase expression in human chondrocytes. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 22(1), 133-144.
Phillips KLE, Chiverton N, Michael ALR, Cole AA, Breakwell LM, Haddock G, Bunning RAD, Cross AK & Le Maitre CL (2013) The cytokine and chemokine expression profile of nucleus pulposus cells: implications for degeneration and regeneration of the intervertebral disc. Arthritis Research & Therapy, 15(6), R213-R213.
Mahbub A, Maitre C, Haywood-Small S, McDougall G, Cross N & Jordan-Mahy N (2013) Differential Effects of Polyphenols on Proliferation and Apoptosis in Human Myeloid and Lymphoid Leukemia Cell Lines. Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, 13(10), 1601-1613.
Wang H, Tian Y, Wang J, Phillips KLE, Binch ALA, Dunn S, Cross A, Chiverton N, Zheng Z, Shapiro IM , Le Maitre CL et al (2013) Inflammatory Cytokines Induce NOTCH Signaling in Nucleus Pulposus Cells. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 288(23), 16761-16774.
Kasaragod D, Lu Z, Le Maitre C, Wilkinson JM & Matcher S (2013) Investigation of polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography towards the study of microstructure of articular cartilage. Optical Coherence Tomography and Coherence Domain Optical Methods in Biomedicine XVII.
Wang J, Tian Y, Phillips KLE, Chiverton N, Haddock G, Bunning RA, Cross AK, Shapiro IM, Le Maitre CL & Risbud MV (2013) Tumor necrosis factor α- and interleukin-1β-dependent induction of CCL3 expression by nucleus pulposus cells promotes macrophage migration through CCR1. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 65(3), 832-842.
Dahlawi H, Jordan‐Mahy N, Clench M, McDougall GJ & Maitre CL (2013) Polyphenols are responsible for the proapoptotic properties of pomegranate juice on leukemia cell lines. Food Science & Nutrition, 1(2), 196-208.
Phillips KLE, Jordan-Mahy N, Nicklin MJH & Le Maitre CL (2013) Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist deficient mice provide insights into pathogenesis of human intervertebral disc degeneration. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 72(11), 1860-1867.
Lama P, Le Maitre CL, Dolan P, Tarlton JF, Harding IJ & Adams MA (2013) Do intervertebral discs degenerate before they herniate, or after?. The Bone & Joint Journal, 95-B(8), 1127-1133.
Phillips KLE, Chiverton N, Haddock G, Bunning R, Cross A & Le Maitre C (2012) Human Intervertebral Disk Degeneration is Associated with Increased Chemokine Expression. Global Spine Journal, 2(1_suppl).
Phillips KLE, Chiverton N, Haddock G, Bunning R, Cross A & Le Maitre C (2012) Regulation of Chemokine Expression by Interleukin-1 in Human Intervertebral Disk Degeneration. Global Spine Journal, 2(1_suppl).
Daniels J, Phillips KL, Chiverton N & Le Maitre CL (2012) Differential Intracellular Signaling Pathways Are Activated by Catabolic and Anabolic Factors in the Ivd, and these Could be Targeted in Selected Therapeutic Approaches. Global Spine Journal, 2(1_suppl).
Barthrop B, Boyes V, Sabnis S, Chiverton N, Breen C, Foulkes J, Sammon C & Le Maitre CL (2012) Injectable Hydrogel for Mesenchymal Stem Cell and Protein Delivery to the Degenerate Intervertebral Disk. Global Spine Journal, 2(1_suppl).
Thomas S, Colletta R, Phillips KL, Chiverton N, Cross A & Le Maitre CL (2012) Regulation of Neurotrophic Factor Expression in Nerve Cells and Intervertebral Disk Cells by Inflammatory Cytokines, Implications for Pain Pathways. Global Spine Journal, 2(1_suppl).
G. Zaini R, Brandt K, R. Clench M & L. Le Maitre C (2012) Effects of Bioactive Compounds from Carrots (Daucus carota L.), Polyacetylenes, Beta-Carotene and Lutein on Human Lymphoid Leukaemia Cells. Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, 12(6), 640-652.
Dunn SL, Wilkinson JM, Crawford A, Le Maitre CL & Bunning RAD (2012) Cannabinoids: novel therapies for arthritis?. Future Medicinal Chemistry, 4(6), 713-725.
Dahlawi H, Jordan-Mahy N, Clench MR & Le Maitre CL (2012) Bioactive Actions of Pomegranate Fruit Extracts on Leukemia Cell Lines In Vitro Hold Promise for New Therapeutic Agents for Leukemia. Nutrition and Cancer, 64(1), 100-110.
Zaini R, Clench MR & Le Maitre CL (2011) Bioactive Chemicals from Carrot (Daucus carota) Juice Extracts for the Treatment of Leukemia. Journal of Medicinal Food, 14(11), 1303-1312.
Le Maitre CL, Freemont AJ & Hoyland JA (2009) Expression of cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein in human intervertebral discs and its effect on matrix synthesis in degenerate human nucleus pulposus cells. Arthritis Research & Therapy, 11(5), R137-R137.
Le Maitre CL, Fotheringham AP, Freemont AJ & Hoyland JA (2009) Development of anin vitromodel to test the efficacy of novel therapies for IVD degeneration. Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, 3(6), 461-469.
Le Maitre CL, Baird P, Freemont AJ & Hoyland JA (2009) An in vitro study investigating the survival and phenotype of mesenchymal stem cells following injection into nucleus pulposus tissue. Arthritis Research & Therapy, 11(1), R20-R20.
Pockert AJ, Richardson SM, Le Maitre CL, Lyon M, Deakin JA, Buttle DJ, Freemont AJ & Hoyland JA (2009) Modified expression of the ADAMTS enzymes and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 3 during human intervertebral disc degeneration. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 60(2), 482-491.
Le Maitre CL, Frain J, Millward-Sadler J, Fotheringham AP, Freemont AJ & Hoyland JA (2009) Altered integrin mechanotransduction in human nucleus pulposus cells derived from degenerated discs. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 60(2), 460-469.
Ali R, Le Maitre C, Richardson S, Hoyland J & Freemont A (2008) Connective tissue growth factor expression in human intervertebral disc: implications for angiogenesis in intervertebral disc degeneration. Biotechnic & Histochemistry, 83(5), 239-245.
Le Maitre CL, Frain J, Fotheringham AP, Freemont AJ & Hoyland JA (2008) Human cells derived from degenerate intervertebral discs respond differently to those derived from non-degenerate intervertebral discs following application of dynamic hydrostatic pressure. Biorheology, 45(5), 563-575.
Heathfield S, Le Maitre C & Hoyland J (2008) Caveolin-1 expression and stress-induced premature senescence in human intervertebral disc degeneration. Arthritis Research & Therapy, 10(4), R87-R87.
Le Maitre CL, Hoyland JA & Freemont AJ (2007) Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist delivered directly and by gene therapy inhibits matrix degradation in the intact degenerate human intervertebral disc: an in situ zymographic and gene therapy study. Arthritis Research & Therapy, 9(4), R83-R83.
Lally S, Mackenzie P, LeMaitre CL, Freemont TJ & Saunders BR (2007) Microgel particles containing methacrylic acid: pH-triggered swelling behaviour and potential for biomaterial application. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 316(2), 367-375.
Le Maitre C, Hoyland J & Freemont AJ (2007) Catabolic cytokine expression in degenerate and herniated human intervertebral discs: IL-1β and TNFα expression profile. Arthritis Research & Therapy, 9(4), R77-R77.
Le Maitre CL, Pockert A, Buttle DJ, Freemont AJ & Hoyland JA (2007) Matrix synthesis and degradation in human intervertebral disc degeneration. Biochemical Society Transactions, 35(4), 652-655.
Le Maitre C, Freemont A & Hoyland J (2007) Accelerated cellular senescence in degenerate intervertebral discs: a possible role in the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration. Arthritis Research & Therapy, 9(3), R45-R45.
Saunders JM, Tong T, Le Maitre CL, Freemont TJ & Saunders BR (2007) A study of pH-responsive microgel dispersions: from fluid-to-gel transitions to mechanical property restoration for load-bearing tissue. Soft Matter, 3(4), 486-486.
Le Maitre C, Freemont A & Hoyland J (2006) Human disc degeneration is associated with increased MMP 7 expression. Biotechnic & Histochemistry, 81(4-6), 125-131.
Le Maitre CL, Richardson SMA, Baird P, Freemont AJ & Hoyland JA (2005) Expression of receptors for putative anabolic growth factors in human intervertebral disc: implications for repair and regeneration of the disc. The Journal of Pathology, 207(4), 445-452.
Le Maitre CL, Freemont AJ & Hoyland JA (2005) The role of interleukin-1 in the pathogenesis of human intervertebral disc degeneration.. Arthritis research & therapy, 7(4).
Le Maitre CL, Freemont AJ & Hoyland JA (2004) Localization of degradative enzymes and their inhibitors in the degenerate human intervertebral disc. The Journal of Pathology, 204(1), 47-54.
Le Maitre CL, Hoyland JA & Freemont AJ (2004) Studies of Human Intervertebral Disc Cell Function in a Constrained In Vitro Tissue Culture System. Spine, 29(11), 1187-1195.
Freemont AJ, Watkins A, Le Maitre C, Baird P, Jeziorska M, Knight MTN, Ross ERS, O'Brien JP & Hoyland JA (2002) Nerve growth factor expression and innervation of the painful intervertebral disc. The Journal of Pathology, 197(3), 286-292.
Freemont AJ, Watkins A, Le Maitre C, Jeziorska M & Hoyland JA (2002) Current understanding of cellular and molecular events in intervertebral disc degeneration: implications for therapy. The Journal of Pathology, 196(4), 374-379.
Freemont TJ, LeMaitre C, Watkins A & Hoyland JA (2001) Degeneration of intervertebral discs: current understanding of cellular and molecular events, and implications for novel therapies. Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine, 3(11), 1-10.
Le Maitre CL, Byers RJ, Liu Yin JA, Hoyland JA & Freemont AJ (2001) Dual colour FISH in paraffin wax embedded bone trephines for identification of numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities in acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplasia. Journal of Clinical Pathology, 54(9), 730-733.
Snuggs JW, Senter RK, Whitt JP, Jackson JD & Le Maitre CL () PCRX-201, a novel IL-1Ra gene therapy treatment approach for low back pain resulting from intervertebral disc degeneration. Gene Therapy.
Bermudez-Lekerika P, Crump KB, Wuertz-Kozak K, Le Maitre CL & Gantenbein B () Correction: Bermudez-Lekerika et al. Sulfated Hydrogels as Primary Intervertebral Disc Cell Culture Systems. Gels 2024, 10, 330. Gels, 10(10), 612-612.
Bermudez-Lekerika P, Crump KB, Wuertz-Kozak K, Le Maitre CL & Gantenbein B () Sulfated Hydrogels as Primary Intervertebral Disc Cell Culture Systems. Gels, 10(5), 330-330.
Chakraborty LS, Le Maitre CL, Chahine NO, Fields AJ, Gawri R, Giers MB, Smith LJ, Tang SY, Zehra U, Haglund L , Samartzis D et al () Impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the productivity and career prospects of musculoskeletal researchers. Journal of Orthopaedic Research.
Williams RJ, Basatvat S, Schmitz TC, Janani R, Sammon C, Benz K, Ito K, Tryfonidou MA, Snuggs JW & Le Maitre CL () Potential of Notochordal Cells within Injectable Biomaterials to Promote Intervertebral Disc Regeneration. European Cells and Materials, 47, 30-50.
Guarnerio S, Tempest R, Maani R, Hunt S, Cole LM, Le Maitre CL, Chapple K & Peake N () Cellular Responses to Extracellular Vesicles as Potential Markers of Colorectal Cancer Progression. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(23), 16755-16755.
Laagland LT, Bach FC, Riemers FM, Erdmann G, Braun TS, van den Akker GGH, Schmitz TC, Creemers LB, Sachse C, Le Maitre CL , Welting TJM et al () Notochordal cell-derived matrix inhibits MAPK signaling in the degenerative disc environment. European Cells and Materials, 46, 57-90.
Crump KB, Alminnawi A, Bermudez‐Lekerika P, Compte R, Gualdi F, McSweeney T, Muñoz‐Moya E, Nüesch A, Geris L, Dudli S , Karppinen J et al () Cartilaginous endplates: A comprehensive review on a neglected structure in intervertebral disc research. JOR SPINE.
Williams RJ, Laagland LT, Bach FC, Ward L, Chan W, Tam V, Medzikovic A, Basatvat S, Paillat L, Vedrenne N , Snuggs JW et al () Recommendations for intervertebral disc notochordal cell investigation: From isolation to characterization. JOR SPINE.
Martin JT, Asimakopoulos D, Hornung AL, Toro SJ, Le Maitre CL, Chahine NO, Fields AJ, Gawri R, Giers MB, Smith LJ , Tang SY et al () Bullying, harassment, and discrimination of musculoskeletal researchers and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: an international study. European Spine Journal.
Snuggs JW, Emanuel KS, Rustenburg C, Janani R, Partridge S, Sammon C, Smit TH & Le Maitre CL () Injectable biomaterial induces regeneration of the intervertebral disc in a caprine loaded disc culture model. Biomaterials Science.
Alaswad HA, Mahbub AA, Le Maitre CL & Jordan-Mahy N () Molecular Action of Polyphenols in Leukaemia and Their Therapeutic Potential. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(6), 3085-3085.
Snuggs JW, Tessier S, Bunning RAB, Shapiro IM, Risbud MV & Le Maitre CL () TonEBP regulates the hyperosmotic expression of aquaporin 1 and 5 in the intervertebral disc. Scientific Reports, 11(1).
Snuggs JW, Bunning RAD & Le Maitre CL () Osmotic adaptation of nucleus pulposus cells: the role of aquaporin 1, aquaporin 4 and transient receptor potential vanilloid 4. European Cells and Materials, 41, 121-141.
Rustenburg CME, Snuggs JW, Emanuel KS, Thorpe A, Sammon C, Le Maitre CL & Smit TH () Modelling the catabolic environment of the moderately degenerated disc with a caprine ex vivo loaded disc culture system. European Cells and Materials, 40, 21-37.
Lama P, Claireaux H, Flower L, Harding IJ, Dolan T, Le Maitre CL & Adams MA () Physical disruption of intervertebral disc promotes cell clustering and a degenerative phenotype. Cell Death Discovery, 5(1).
Thorpe AA, Creasey S, Sammon C & Le Maitre CL () Hydroxyapatite nanoparticle injectable hydrogel scaffold to support osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells. European Cells and Materials, 32, 1-23.
Hoyland JA, Le Maitre C & Freemont AJ () Investigation of the role of IL-1 and TNF in matrix degradation in the intervertebral disc. Rheumatology, 47(6), 809-814.
Le Maitre CL, Freemont AJ & Hoyland JA () A preliminary in vitro study into the use of IL-1Ra gene therapy for the inhibition of intervertebral disc degeneration. International Journal of Experimental Pathology, 87(1), 17-28.

Conference proceedings papers

Le Maitre C (2023) DEVELOPMENT OF ADVANCED REGENERATIVE APPROACHES FOR DISC DEGENERATION CONSIDERATION OF THE DEGENERATE NICHE. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 29(11-12) (pp 913-913)
Smith CL, Kelly DM, Le Maitre CL & Stafford P (2023) Developing a microfluidic model to investigate the crosstalk between Porphyromonas gingivalis and vascular endothelial cells. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 29(13-14)
Lekerika PB, Kanelis E, Croft AS, Crump KB, Kozak KW, Le Maitre C, Alexopoulos L, Rutsche D & Gantenbein B (2023) Sulfated hydrogels as primary intervertebral disc cell culture systems. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 29(13-14)
Basatvat S, Kanelis E, Braun T, Snuggs J, Williams R, Tryfonidou M, Templin M, Alexopoulos L & Le Maitre C (2023) Understanding the behaviour of Notochordal cells in healthy and degenerated disc environment and their anti-catabolic properties on degenerated Nucleus pulposus cells. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 29(13-14)
Alminnawi A, Crump KB, Lekerika PB, Croft AS, Geeroms C, Le Maitre C, Gantenbein B & Geris L (2023) Direction Dependent Mass Transport Through the Cartilage Endplate. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 29(13-14)
Hanson F, Chapple K, Lambert D, Le Maitre C & Peake N (2023) Friend or foe? Transglutaminase-2 and a complex role in the tumour microenvironment. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 29(13-14)
Dascombe L, Nichol T, Le Maitre C & Aberdein N (2023) Translating resolution: Altering micro-computed tomography outputs for 3D bio-printing. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 29(13-14)
Laagland L, Poramba-Liyanage D, Bach F, Creemers L, Le Maitre C & Tryfonidou M (2023) HYPEROSMOLAR EXPANSION MEDIUM IMPROVES CANINE NUCLEUS PULPOSUS CELL PHENOTYPE. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 29(11-12) (pp 1641-1641)
Basatvat S, Kanelis E, Braun T, Snuggs J, Williams R, Tryfonidou M, Templin M, Alexopoulos L & Le Maitre C (2023) Understanding the behaviour of Notochordal cells in healthy and degenerated disc environment and their anti-catabolic properties on degenerated Nucleus pulposus cells. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 29(13-14)
Hanson F, Chapple K, Lambert D, Le Maitre C & Peake N (2023) Friend or foe? Transglutaminase-2 and a complex role in the tumour microenvironment. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 29(13-14)
Williams R, Basatvat S, Binch A, Tryfonidou M, Sammon C, Snuggs J & Le Maitre C (2022) THERMORESPONSIVE INJECTABLE HYDROGEL FOR DELIVERY OF NOTOCHORDAL CELLS FOR INTERVERTEBRAL DISC REGENERATION. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 28 (pp S277-S278)
Le Maitre C (2022) REGENERATIVE MEDICINE APPROACHES TO INTERVERTEBRAL DISC, IMPORTANCE OF PATHOLOGY. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 28 (pp S14-S14)
Laagland L, Poramba-Lyanage D, Bach F, Creemers L, Le Maitre C & Tryfonidou M (2022) INVESTIGATING THE EFFECT OF CULTURE MEDIUM OSMOLARITY ON THE PHENOTYPE AND REGENERATIVE CAPACITY OF CANINE NUCLEUS PULPOSUS CELLS. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 28 (pp S483-S483)
Le Maitre C, Snuggs J, Beckman L, Cherif H, Partridge S, Breakwell L, Cole A, Chiverton N, Sammon C & Haglund L (2022) INJECTABLE HYDROGEL FOR DISC REGENERATION STUDY OF INJECTABLITIY AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES IN WHOLE HUMAN INTERVERTEBRAL DISCS. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 28 (pp S14-S14)
Janani R, Le Maitre CC & Sammon C (2022) INCORPORATION OF LAPONITE (R)-PNIPAM HYDROGEL INTO BIOACTIVE GLASS SCAFFOLDS FOR BONE REGENERATION. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 28 (pp S348-S349)
Owen D, Partridge S, Snuggs J, Michael A, Cole A, Chiverton N, Wilkinson M, Sammon C & Le Maitre C (2022) IMPROVING SPINAL FUSION WITH INJECTABLE HYDROGELS. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 28 (pp S34-S34)
Basatvat S, Williams R, Binch A, Laagland L, Medzikovic A, Batch FC, Liyanage DP, Ito K, Tryfonidou MA & Le Maitre C (2022) COMPARISON OF NOTOCHORDAL CELL MARKERS EXPRESSION BETWEEN 2D AND 3D IN VITRO CULTURE SYSTEMS. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 28 (pp S27-S27)
Snuggs J, Rustenburg C, Emanuel K, Partridge S, Mader K, Sammon C, Smit T & Le Maitre C (2022) A CAPRINE MODEL OF INTERVERTEBRAL DISC DEGENERATION: A TESTING PLATFORM FOR AN INJECTABLE HYDROGEL. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 28 (pp S118-S118)
Paskins Z, Farmer CE, Jones RK, Clark A, Troeberg L, Pandit H, Richardson SM, Loughlin J, Brown CA, Taylor EJ , Le Maitre CL et al (2022) RESEARCH PRIORITIES TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS. RHEUMATOLOGY, Vol. 61 (pp I69-I70)
Steinberg J, Ritchie G, Roumeliotis T, Jayasuriya R, Brooks R, Binch A, Shah K, Coyle R, Pardo M, Le Maitre C , Ramos Y et al (2017) Molecular phenotyping of patient chondrocytes reveals genes and pathways involved in osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, Vol. 25 (pp S209-S210)
Dahlawi H, Jordan-Mahy N & Le Maitre C (2015) Antiproliferative and induction of apoptosis by pomegranate's anthocyanidins (delphinidin, cyanidin and pelargonidin) on lymphoid and myelopid leukaemia cell lines. BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Vol. 169 (pp 72-73)
Zaini R, Small SH, Cross N & Le Maitre C (2015) Combination therapy with Falcarinol on human lymphoid leukaemia cell lines and increase the expression of cytochrome C, Bax and SMAC/Diablo. BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Vol. 169 (pp 72-72)
Sammon CS, Le Maitre C & Mader KM (2014) Novel pNIPAM/clay based hydrogels to tackle degenerative disc disease. JOURNAL OF TISSUE ENGINEERING AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, Vol. 8 (pp 151-152)
Mader K, Sammon C & Le Maitre C (2014) Characterisation of intervertebral discs using MID-IR spectroscopic imaging. JOURNAL OF TISSUE ENGINEERING AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, Vol. 8 (pp 112-112)
Smallwood T, Le Maitre C & Sammon C (2014) Characterisation of sterilised and aged IVD replacement candidate materials. JOURNAL OF TISSUE ENGINEERING AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, Vol. 8 (pp 472-473)
Daniels J, Phillips KLE, Chiverton N & Le Maitre CL (2012) INTRACELLULAR SIGNALLING MECHANISMS INDUCED BY IL-1 IN HUMAN NUCLEUS PULPOSUS CELLS. RHEUMATOLOGY, Vol. 51 (pp 145-145)
Thomas S, Colletta R, Phillips K, Chiverton N, Cole A, Michael AR, Breakwell L, Cross A & Le Maitre C (2012) Regulation of Neurotrophic Factor Expression in Nerve Cells and Intervertebral Disc Cells by Inflammatory Cytokines, Implications for Pain Pathways.. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Vol. 228 (pp S18-S18)
Dunn S, Crawford A, Wilkinson M, Le Maitre C & Bunning RAD (2012) The effects of cannabinoids on IL-1 induced matrix metalloproteinase expression. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY, Vol. 93(4) (pp A15-A16)
Dunn S, Crawford A, Wilkinson M, Le Maitre C & Bunning R (2012) THE EFFECTS OF CANNABINOIDS ON IL-1 INDUCED MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE EXPRESSION. RHEUMATOLOGY, Vol. 51 (pp 145-145)
Phillips KLE, Cross A, Chiverton N, Haddock G, Bunning RAD & Le Maitre CL (2012) ROLE OF CYTOKINES AND CHEMOKINES IN HUMAN INTERVERTEBRAL DISC DEGENERATION. RHEUMATOLOGY, Vol. 51 (pp 147-147)
Zaini R, Haywood S, Brandt K, Clench MR, Cross N & Le Maitre C (2012) Synergistic Action of Falcarinol on Induction of Apoptosis on Human Lymphoid Leukaemia Cell Lines. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Vol. 228 (pp S38-S38)
Mahbub A, Le Maitre C, Haywood-Small SL, McDougall G, Cross NA & Jordan-Mahy N (2012) The Anti-cancerous Potential of Polyphenols in the Treatment of Human Myeloid and Lymphoid Leukaemia. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Vol. 228 (pp S34-S34)
Phillips KLE, Chiverton N, Cole A, Michael A, Breakwell L, Haddock G, Bunning RAD, Cross AK & Le Maitre CL (2012) Interleukin-1 Regulates Chemokine Expression in the Human Intervertebral Disc. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Vol. 228 (pp S30-S30)
Estevao ACB, Phillips KLE, Chiverton N, Cole A, Michael A, Breakwell L, Cross AK & Le Maitre CL (2012) CXCL1, CXCL2 and CXCL3 in the Pathogenesis of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Vol. 228 (pp S30-S30)
Phillips KLE, Chiverton N, Cole A, Michael A, Breakwell L, Haddock G, Bunning RAD, Cross AK & Le Maitre CL (2012) Chemokines and their Receptors in the Human Intervertebral Disc. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Vol. 228 (pp S30-S30)
Barthrop B, Boyes VL, Sabnis S, Chiverton N, Cole A, Michael AR, Breakwell L, Foulkes J, Sammon C & Le Maitre CL (2012) Injectable Hydrogel Delivery System for Mesenchymal Stem Cell Delivery to the Degenerate Intervertebral Disc. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Vol. 228 (pp S17-S17)
Daniels J, Phillips KL, Cole A, Michael A, Breakwell L, Chiverton N & Le Maitre CL (2012) Differential Intracellular Signalling Pathways Induced by IL-1 and CDMP-1 in Human Nucleus Pulposus Cells, and their Potential as Therapeutic Targets.. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Vol. 228 (pp S17-S17)
Wilson A, Jordan-Mahy N, Haywood-Small S, Cross NA & Le Maitre C (2012) Extracts From Red and White Cabbage Contains Bio-Active Compounds Which Induce Apoptosis in Myeloid and Lymphoid Leukaemia Cell Lines. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Vol. 228 (pp S37-S37)
Phillips KLE, Chiverton N, Bunning RD, Haddock G, Cross AK & Le Maitre CL (2012) CYTOKINE AND CHEMOKINE EXPRESSION PROFILE IN HUMAN INTERVERTEBRAL DISC DEGENERATION. RHEUMATOLOGY, Vol. 51 (pp 147-147)
Dahlawi H, Jordan-Mahy N, Clench MR, McDougall GJ & Le Maitre C (2012) Impact of Anthocyanin Chemical Structure Found in Pomegranate Juice on Leukaemia Treatment. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Vol. 228 (pp S37-S37)
Dunn SL, Crawford A, Wilkinson M, Le Maitre C & Bunning RAD (2012) Cannabinoids Inhibit IL-1 Signalling Pathways in Human Chondrocytes. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Vol. 228 (pp S18-S18)
Le Maitre C, Covington J, Dove A, Bon S & Hoyland J (2008) Tailored lithographic fabrication of a cell-seeded polymeric intervertebral disc: A novel therapy for intervertebral disc degeneration. 8th World Biomaterials Congress 2008, Vol. 4 (pp 2284)
Pockert AJ, Le Maitre CL, Buttle DJ, Freemont AJ & Hoyland JA (2006) The expression of the aggrecanolytic ADAMTSs and their endogenous inhibitor TIMP-3 in human intervertebral discs. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Vol. 210 (pp 24-24)
Pockert AJ, Le Maitre CL, Buttle DJ, Freemont AJ & Hoyland JA (2006) Gene expression of aggrecanolytic ADAMTS and TIMP-3 in the human intervertebral disc. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY, Vol. 87(1) (pp A19-A19)
Richardson S, Le Maitre CL, Russell A, Rice J, Hunt J, Freemont AJ & Hoyland JA (2004) Human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells as a source of chondrocytes for tissue engineering of the human intervertebral disc. Transactions - 7th World Biomaterials Congress (pp 147)
Sharma P, El Haj A, Maffulli N, Hoyland J & le Maitre C (2003) Ion channel expresion in intervertebral disc cells. European Cells and Materials, Vol. 6(SUPPL. 2) (pp 50)
Richardson S, le Maitre CL, Russell A, Greenway E, Li Y, Freemont AJ & Hoyland JA (2003) Human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells as a source of chondrocytes for treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration. European Cells and Materials, Vol. 6(SUPPL. 2) (pp 20)

Preprints

Tseranidou S, Segarra-Queralt M, Chemorion FK, Le Maitre C, Piñero J & Noailly J (2024) Nucleus Pulposus Cell Network Modelling in the Intervertebral Disc, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
Faber BG, Frysz M, Hartley AE, Ebsim R, Boer CG, Saunders FR, Gregory JS, Aspden RM, Harvey NC, Southam L , Giles W et al (2022) Investigation of the genetic architecture of cam morphology, and its relationship with hip osteoarthritis, using alpha angle as a proxy measure, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
Mahbub AA, Maitre CLL, Cross NA & Jordan-Mahy N (2021) Effect of Combination Treatments of Apigenin and Chemotherapy on Apoptosis- Related Genes and Proteins in Acute Leukaemia Cell Lines, Research Square Platform LLC.
Paskins Z, Manning F, Farmer C, Le Maitre C, Clark E, Mason D, Wilkinson C, Andersson D, Barlow T, Bishop F , Brown C et al (2021) Versus Arthritis Musculoskeletal Disorders Research Advisory Group Priority Setting Exercise Protocol, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
Steinberg J, Ritchie GRS, Roumeliotis TI, Jayasuriya RL, Brooks RA, Binch ALA, Shah KM, Coyle R, Pardo M, Le Maitre CL , Ramos YFM et al (2016) Integrative epigenomics, transcriptomics and proteomics of patient chondrocytes reveal genes and pathways involved in osteoarthritis, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

Research group

Dr Joseph Snuggs
Dr Shaghayegh Basatvat
Miss Rebecca Williams
Miss Andrea Nueesch

Grants

Total Research Funding 2006-to date: £22,208,092.07. Plus £2,788,999 as a collaborator.

2023-2023: MRC-Arthritis Research UK Centre For Integrated Research Into Musculoskeletal Ageing / CIMA OMICS Award: Spatial Transcriptomics of human intervertebral disc tissue to understand the pathophysiological role of cellular senescence during ageing and degeneration. Le Maitre CL, Wilkinson M. £18,080
2023-2023: MRC-Arthritis Research UK Centre For Integrated Research Into Musculoskeletal Ageing / CIMA OMICS Award: Effect of RANK ligand inhibition on human osteoclasts in a randomised clinical trial: A bone tissue level spatial transcriptomics analysis. Wilkinson M, Le Maitre CL. £25,049.16
2022-2023: 2022 ISSLS Research Grant Award, sponsored by Taisho Pharmaceutical. The effect of notochordal extracellular vesicles on human and bovine nucleus pulposus explants. Bach F, van Maanen J, Tryfonidou M, Le Maitre CL, Ito K. £20,000
2022-2023: MRC Confidence in Concept. Breaking down barriers: repurposing anti-fibrosis agents to improve cancer drug delivery. Peake N, Le Maitre CL, Lambert D. £35,000
2022-2026: Sheffield Hallam University, BMRC Graduate Teaching Assistant. Matrix cross-linking – linking diabetes to increased bowel cancer risk. Peake N, Kelly D, Samrein A, Le Maitre CL. £92,000
2021-2025: Sheffield Hallam University, BMRC Graduate Teaching Assistant. Optimisation and development of 3D bone models using high resolution Micro-Computed Tomography. Aberdein N, Le Maitre CL. £92,000
2021-2025: Sheffield Hallam University, BMRC Graduate Teaching Assistant. Antimicrobial sol-gel coating: validation in a laboratory tissue model of orthopaedic implantation. Nichol T, Smith T, Le Maitre CL. £92,000
2021-2024: Sheffield Hallam University, BMRC Graduate Teaching Assistant. Role of periodontitis related platelet activation in vascular disease models. Stafford P, Kelly D, Le Maitre CL. £92,000
2020-2024: H2020 Marie Currie ITN: Disc4All. Consortia lead Noailly J, UoS PI: Le Maitre CL. €3,996,776 (£ 3,575,796)
2019-2022: Bowel and Cancer Research: Extracellular Vesicles: small packages with a big role in bowel cancer metastasis. Peake N, Cole L, Le Maitre CL. £74,659
2019-2025: H2020, iPSpine, Consortia lead Tryfonidou M. UoS PI Le Maitre CL. €15,396,030 (£13,600,000)
2019-2023: Sheffield Hallam University, BMRC PhD Studentship. Role of Hormones and Load on Trabecular and Cortical Bone Remodelling. Aberdein N, Le Maitre CL. £80,000
2019-2024: MRC: A mechanistic understanding of corneal pathobiology and the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of connective tissue disorders. Meek K et al., Collaborator: Le Maitre CL. £2,400,000

Teaching interests: My teaching interests include fundamental cell and molecular biology and the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of disease. Together with research design, execution, data presentation and statistical analysis. I am passionate about developing the next generation and have delivered teaching to UG, PGT and PGR students. I have supervised numerous PhD students to completion and won a number of accolades for my contributions to Mentorship and supervision.

Professional activities and memberships: My professional activities include serving on numerous society and journal boards and advisory committees. I have led the organisation of symposia and conferences including acting as the local host for the Society of Back Pain Research Conference which I hosted in Sheffield in 2019. I regularly review for journals and granting bodies nationally and internationally. I am passionate to communicate science to all levels and backgrounds and have been a STEM ambassador for ~15 years delivering public and school presentations, exhibitions and co-creation workshops.

Current projects

iPSPINE: https://ipspine.eu/
Disc4All: https://disc4all.upf.edu/