Developmental Programming of Muscle Health: Impact of a Maternal Fiber- and Polyphenol-Rich Diet on Microbiota, Immunity, and Epigenetics

The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis refers to the influence of environmental factors during both in utero and postnatal developmental stages on the risk of developing chronic diseases later in life. This hypothesis has been proposed to explain the current disease burden faced by our society from an evolutionary perspective.

More than 150 million EU citizens suffer from chronic allergic diseases, half of whom are underdiagnosed or poorly managed, highlighting a major public health issue that needs to be urgently addressed.

In this context, several dietary interventions, such as the Mediterranean diet, have been shown to prevent or manage allergies in adults, notably through their ability to modulate gut microbiota composition and immune responses. Polyphenols, in particular, are known to exert both microbiota-modulating and immunomodulatory effects.

We have previously demonstrated that polyphenols, at nutritional doses, can increase muscle mass and reduce chronic inflammation. In addition, offspring muscle metabolism is known to be influenced by maternal diet. Furthermore, alterations in the immune system, whether associated with dysbiosis or increased intestinal permeability, have recently been linked to musculoskeletal consequences. Since muscle health plays a central role in the prevention of many chronic diseases, it is essential to better understand the impact of a maternal Mediterranean diet rich in fiber and polyphenols (FP) on muscle metabolism and function in the offspring.

The main objective of this thesis is therefore to establish the impact and underlying programming mechanisms of an FP-enriched maternal diet on epigenetic regulation, neonatal immune development, and the prevention of muscle and metabolic alterations later in life.

We hypothesize that maternal FP intake induces long-term metabolic and immune programming through microbiota-mediated and epigenetic mechanisms affecting muscle function in offspring.

Le laboratoire de Physiologie et médecine expérimentale du cœur et des muscles PhyMedExp, est une unité mixte de recherche (INSERM, CNRS, Université de Montpellier) créée le 1 janvier 2011. C’est une unité pluridisciplinaire fédéré autour de la physiologie et physiopathologie des tissus contractiles (muscles cardiaques, lisses et striés), et de leurs interactions avec leur environnement. Il rassemble plus de 150 personnes sur 6 équipes et développe une stratégie de recherche allant des structures élémentaires (gènes et molécules), à l’organisme entier, en passant par les cellules et les tissus.

Les principaux objectifs de l’unité sont d’identifier par une approche intégrative , les mécanismes moléculaires associés à la fonction musculaire en condition normale ou pathologique (cardiovasculaire, héréditaire , maladies musculaires acquises et iatrogènes, respiratoires, digestives).

Le véritable atout de PhyMedExp est d’allier recherche fondamentale et recherche translationnelle au service du patient, un défi facilité par son implantation sur le site de le CHRU Arnaud de Villeneuve de Montpellier, et l’interaction dans chaque équipe de chercheurs fondamentaux avec les chercheurs cliniciens et leurs services cliniques associés.

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Molecular biology, Nutrition, Physiology, Health Biology, Sports Science with a specialisation in exercise physiology and energy metabolism.
• Technical skills: Proficiency in basic techniques in molecular biology and biochemistry (Western blot, RT-qPCR, histology). Experiences in bioinformatics or exercise physiology (exercise testing, calorimetry) are desirable. Skills in animal experimentation are a major asset.
• Analytical skills: Ability to process and analyse complex biological and physiological data.
• Personal qualities: Scientific rigour, intellectual curiosity, ability to work within a multidisciplinary team (researchers, clinicians, biochemists) and to manage various aspects of a research project. Good written and oral communication skills in French and English.