/ Contact
Hang Korng EA
korng.ea@inserm.fr
Pascal RICHETTE
pascal.richette@aphp.fr
Hôpital Lariboisière
2, rue Ambroise Paré
75457 Paris Cedex 10
Microcrystal-related diseases
Our research on microcrystal-related diseases, including gout, calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD), and basic calcium phosphate, aims to identify molecular and cellular markers that regulate crystal formation, crystal-induced inflammation, and crystal-related comorbidities.
It integrates a bi-directional translation research approach, encompassing both bench-to-bedside and bedside-to-bench strategies. This strategy is based on well-phenotyped cohorts, including rare and severe phenotypes. It also utilizes biobanks of plasma and tissue coupled with functional tests, as well as in vitro and animal models. We utilize advanced technologies, including multispectral photon counting computer tomography, Raman spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy, to characterize different crystals in patients and biological samples.
/ Expertises
1. BIOSCAR and the rheumatology department are renowned for their expertise in crystal-related diseases.
We have coordinated the European and French national recommendations for the diagnosis and management of gout and CPPD diseases, as well as the annual meeting of the European Crystal Network. We characterized rare and severe forms of gout and CPPD, determining the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to tissue destruction, comorbidities, and inflammation.
2. Characterization of crystal-related diseases using high-skill technologies, patient cohorts, and a translational approach.
- Crystal characterization (Raman spectroscopy, FITR, electronic microscopy)
- Crystal characterization and deposition in patients (multispectral photon counting CT)
- Cell models and animal models that mimic crystal-induced inflammation (THP-1, PBMC, BMDM, air pouch model)
- Tissue (tophus, cartilages), synovial fluid, cell and plasma collection of rare and severe phenotypes (gout, CPPD)
/ Faculty
Agnès OSTERTAG – Engineer Researcher
Morgane BOURMAUD – Engineer
Mylène ZARKA – Engineer
Gwenaelle JAYAT – Technician
Sylvie THOMASSEAU – Technician
Hoang Anh BUI – PhD student
Finja LEHNHOFF – PhD student
Charles LEROY – PhD student
Subhalaxmi MOITRA – PhD student
Yasmine SEDJAI – PhD student
/ Selected Publications
JAMA Intern Med. 2026 1;186(3):342-343. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2025.7459.
Richette P, Latourte A, Ea HK.
Arthritis Rheumatol. 2026;78(2):449-462. doi: 10.1002/art.43367. PMID: 40884015
Pham CN, Castelli F, Finet F, Leroy C, Chollet C, Chirayath TW, Moitra S, Zarka M, Ostertag A, Brial F, Combes C, Latourte A, Bardin T, Fenaille F, Richette P, Ea HK.
Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2025;21(7):371-372. doi: 10.1038/s41584-025-01255-4. PMID: 40269318
Ea HK, Richette P.
Nat Commun. 2024 Sep 18;15(1):8179. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-52543-8. PMID: 39294178
Chirayath TW, Ollivier M, Kayatekin M, Rubera I, Pham CN, Friard J, Linck N, Hirbec H, Combes C, Zarka M, Lioté F, Richette P, Rassendren F, Compan V, Duranton C, Ea HK.
Ann Rheum Dis. 2024 Jun 12;83(7):945-956. doi: 10.1136/ard-2023-225305. PMID: 38373842
Ea HK, Kischkel B, Chirayath TW, Klück V, Aparicio C, Loeung HU, Manivet P, Jansen T, Zarka M, Lioté F, Latourte A, Bardin T, Gauffenic A, Vicaut E, Crișan TO, Netea MG, Richette P, Joosten LA.
Rheumatology (Oxford). 2023;62(12):3978-3983. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead118. PMID: 37021930
Bardin T, Ducrot YM, Nguyen Q, Letavernier E, Zaworski J, Ea HK, Touzain F, Do MD, Colot J, Barguil Y, Biron A, Resche-Rigon M, Richette P, Collet C.