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

Professor Christine Le Maitre
Professor Christine Le Maitre
Profile picture of Professor Christine Le Maitre
c.lemaitre@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 215 9010

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 1st 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

Journal articles

All publications

Journal articles

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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Le Maitre C (2022) REGENERATIVE MEDICINE APPROACHES TO INTERVERTEBRAL DISC, IMPORTANCE OF PATHOLOGY. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 28 (pp S14-S14) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download
  • 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) RIS download Bibtex download

Preprints

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.

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 2020-2024: H2020 Marie Currie ITN: Disc4All. Consortia lead Noailly J, UoS PI: Le Maitre CL. €3,996,776 (£ 3,575,796)
  10. 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
  11. 2019-2025: H2020, iPSpine, Consortia lead Tryfonidou M. UoS PI Le Maitre CL. €15,396,030 (£13,600,000)
  12. 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
  13. 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
  1. iPSPINE: https://ipspine.eu/
  2. Disc4All: https://disc4all.upf.edu/