Prof. Dr. Paul Steels  

Identification 

Name: STEELS
First name: Paul, Stanislas, Justin
Address: work: Departement Medische Basiswetenschappen
Hasselt University
Campus Diepenbeek
Agoralaan - Building D
B- 3590 Diepenbeek
Telephone work: 011-26.85.31
Fax work: 011-26.81.99

Academic title

Medical doctor, Catholic University of Louvain (K.U.L.) 1970 (Summa cum laude).


Functions

• Research assistant of the Belgian National Foundation of Scientific Research: 1970 - 1975.

• Lecturer in Physiology at the Institute for Nurses, Louvain 1971 - 1973.

• Assistant of the Faculty of Medicine, department of Physiology, K.U.L., Louvain 1976.

• Assistant Professor of Physiology: Hasselt University, Campus Diepenbeek 1976 - 1982.

• Associate Professor of Physiology, Hasselt University, Campus Diepenbeek, 1982 - 1983.

• Professor of Physiology, Hasselt University, Campus Diepenbeek, 1984.

• Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Hasselt University, Campus Diepenbeek, October 1987 - October 1991.

• President of the committee for medical Ethics, Hasselt University, Campus Diepenbeek, October 1987 - October 1991. Since November 1991: member.

• President of the Belgian Society of Physiology and Pharmacology (1992).

• Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Hasselt University, Campus Diepenbeek, October 1997 - October 2001.

Present functions

• Head of the Physiology section of the Department of Medische Basiswetenschappen (Medical Basic Sciences), UHasselt, Campus Diepenbeek

• Member of the FNRS, "Commission de Physiologie, normale et pathologique"

• Member of the V.L.I.R. "Deskundigencommissie-Ontwikkelingssamenwerking-Medische wetenschappen".

• Coordinator of the following courses: 
  in Medicine: Section "Respiration and Excretion" / Section "Gastro-intestinal system / Section Pathophysiology: "Ischemia"
  in Biomedical Science: "Homeostasis".

• Vice-dean of the Faculty of Medicine, UHasselt, Campus Diepenbeek, since October 2001.

• Vice-dean of the School for molecular Life Sciences, tUL, since November 2003.

Research themes

• Regulation of electrolyte transport in epithelial cells.

• Effects of ischemia on renal function, studied at the organ and cell level.

• Effects of heavy metals and cholesterol on solute transport processes in renal cells.

• Function and dysfunction of adult oligodendrocytes and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in the presence of ischemia/hypoxia in relation with the pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis.

Functions abroad

• Postdoctoral fellow in the department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Yale University,
  New Haven U.S.A., 1973 - 1975.

• Guest Lecturer at the University of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, May-June 
  1983: Renal Physiology.

• Guest Lecturer at the University of Malta: 
  January 1984: Gastrointestinal Physiology
  September 1984: Renal Physiology

• Visiting Professor at the University A. De Kom of Suriname
  January 1986: - Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiology
  - Pathophysiology of the Kidney
  - Exercise Physiology
  April 1997: - Respiratory Physiology
  - Gastrointestinal Physiology
  - Kidney Physiology

• Visiting Professor at the University of Kinshasa, Zaïre
  March 1988: - General Physiology: transport and contractility
  - Respiratory and Renal Physiology
  - Metabolism, Acid-Base Homeostasis
  March 1990: - General Physiology: transport and contractility
  - Metabolism.

Scientific Distinctions

• 1973: Grant of the Fulbright Hays Senior Program

• 1973: Research Associate Program grant of the K.U.L.

• 1974: Alexander Brown Coxe Fellowship of the Yale University

Memberships

• Member of the Belgian Society of Physiology and Pharmacology

• Member of the European Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry

• Member of the Belgian Council for Laboratory Animal Sciences

• Member of the Nederlandstalige Belgische Vereniging voor Nefrologie (N.B.V.N.)

• Founding member of the "Belgische Vereniging van Nefrologie - Société Belge de Néphrologie" 
  (BVN - SBN).

• Member of the International Society of Nephrology.

Promotor of Ph. D. Thesis

• Marita Granitzer, Dr. in de Wetenschappen 
  "Reactie op een alkalinizatie van de basolaterale membraanpotentiaal in de proximale renale cellen van Necturus. Mechanismen en functie."
  Diepenbeek, 27 november 1987.

• Reinhilde Weltens, Dr. in de Wetenschappen 
  "Urinevorming in geïsoleerde Tubuli van Malpighi (Formica, Hymenoptera). Beschrijving en mechanismen van het zouttransport."
  Diepenbeek, 9 december, 1988.

• Anne Leyssens, Dr. in de Wetenschappen
  "Cellular mechanisms of K⁺ transport in Malpighian tubules of Formica."
  Diepenbeek, 5 juli, 1993.

• Nadine De Decker, Dr. in de Wetenschappen
  "Regulation of fluid secretion in Malpighian tubules of Formica polyctena by exo- and endogenous factors."
  Diepenbeek, 30 augustus, 1993.

• Sandra Dijkstra, Dr. in de Wetenschappen
  "Cl^- transport and the role of H⁺ pumping in the KCl secretion of the isolated Malpighian tubules of the ant: an electrophysiological study."
  Diepenbeek, November 8, 1993.

• Bart Laenen, Dr. in de Wetenschappen
  "Purification, characterization and mode of action of endogenous neuroendocrine factors in the forest ant, Formica Polyctena."
  Diepenbeek, February 1, 1999.

• Sanda Despa, Dr. in de Biomedische Wetenschappen
  "Microfluorimetry of epithelial cells: lifetime-based sensing of Na⁺ concentration and the effects of chemical hypoxia."
  Diepenbeek, January 25, 2000.

• Ilse Smets, Dr. in de Biomedische Wetenschappen
  "Cellular defence mechanisms in renal distal tubular A6 cells facing metabolic inhibition. A study of Na⁺ handling, intracellular pH, cell volume regulation and their interrelationships."
  Diepenbeek, December 12th, 2001

• Robbert Bipat, Dr. in de Medische Wetenschappen
  "Renal function: Study performed on an isolated rabbit kidney perfused with autologous blood."
  Diepenbeek, January 9th, 2004

• Frank Jans, Dr. in de Medische Wetenschappen
  "Characterization of primary cultured rabbit MTAL cells and effects of metabolic inhibiton on intracellular pH."
  Diepenbeek, April 2nd, 2004.

Co-promotor of Ph. D. Thesis

• Mieke Buntinx, Dr. in de Biomedische Wetenschappen
  "Cytokine effects on T lymphocytes and oligodendrocytes in Multiple Sclerosis."
  Diepenbeek, 25 October 2002.

Publications
Articles

Forster J., Steels P., Boulpaep E.L. (1980) Organic substrate effects on and heterogeneity of Necturus proximal tubule function. Kidney International, Vol. 17, pp. 479-490.

Cuypers Y. and Steels P. (1981) The relation between the radioisotope test using I-131 labelled serum albumin and plethysmographic blood flow measurements in the study of the circulation in the foot.
Angiology, volume 32, Nr. 11, PP. 742-751.

Cuypers Y. and Steels P.(1983) Clinical significance of the radioisotope test using I-131 labelled serum albumin for evaluating the peripheral circulation in the foot during a period of reactive hyperemia.
Angiology, vol. 34, nr.3, pp. 91-101.

Charlier A.M., McConaghey P., Cuypers Y. and Steels P. (1983) Blood viscosity measurements.
Contactgroepen, Klinische Wetenschappen, F.G.W.O., pp. 16-26

Colemont L., Cuypers Y., Geerts H., Steels P. (1983) Blood flow measurements in the foot with the Laser Doppler method. Contactgroepen, Klinische Wetenschappen, F.G.W.O., pp. 3-15.

Steels P. and Boulpaep E.L. (1987). pH-Dependent electrical properties and buffer permeability of the Necturus Renal proximal tubule cell. J. Membrane Biol. 100, 162-182.

Granitzer M. and Steels P.(1988). Base induced hyperpolarization of the cell potential in HCO-3 free perfused Necturus renal proximal tubules. Pflügers Archiv., 412: 369-375.

Granitzer M. and Steels P. (1991). Role of Na+/K+-exchange and organic acids in base induced hyperpolarization of renal proximal amphibian tubule. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1066: 111-114

Leyssens A., Steels P., Lohrman E., Weltens R., Van Kerkhove E. (1992). Intrinsic regulation of K+ transport in Malpighian tubules (Formica): electrophysiological evidence. J. Insect Physiol, 38: 431-446

Weltens R., Leyssens A., Zhang S.L., Lohrmann E., Steels P., Van Kerkhove (1992). Unmasking of the apical electrogenic H-pump in isolated Malpighian tubules (Formica polyctena) by the use of barium.
Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry, 2: 101-116

Leyssens A., Van Kerkhove E., Zhang S.L.,Weltens R. & Steels P. (1993). Measurement of intracellular and luminal K+ concentrations in a Malpighian tubule (Formica). Estimate of basal and luminal electrochemical K+ gradients. J. Insect Physiol. 39: 945-958.

Leyssens A., Zhang S.L., Van Kerkhove E. & Steels P. (1993). Both dinitrophenol and Ba2+ reduce KCl and fluid secretion in Malpighian tubules of Formica: the role of the apical H+ and K+ concentration gradient.
J. Insect Physiol. 39: 1061-1073.

Cuypers Y., Mc Conaghey P. & Steels P. (1993). The direct renal tubular effect of angiotensin II in chicken.
Renal Physiology and Biochemistry 16: 325-332.

Dijkstra S., Lohrmann E., Steels P., Greger R. (1994) Electrical properties of the isolated, in vitro perfused Malpighian tubule of the ant, the Cl--pathway. Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry, 4: 19-30.

Zhang S.L., Leyssens A., Van Kerkhove E., Weltens R., Van Driessche W., Steels P. (1994). Electrophysiological evidence for the presence of an apical H+-ATPase in Malpighian tubules of Formica polyctena: intracellular and luminal pH measurements. Pflügers Archiv 426: 288-295.

Laurens W., Vanrenterghem Y., Steels P.S., Van Damme B. (1994). A new single nephron model of focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis in the Munich-Wistar rat. Kidney Int., Vol. 45 pp. 143-149.

Dijkstra S., Lohrmann E., Van Kerkhove E., Steels P., Greger R. (1994). Effects of dinitrophenol on active transport processes and cell membranes in the Malpighian tubule of Formica. Pflügers Archiv 428: 150-156.

Leyssens A., Dijkstra S., Van Kerkhove E., Steels P. (1994). Mechanisms of K+ uptake across the basal membrane of a K+ secreting insect epithelium. J. Exp. Biol. 195: 123-145.

De Decker N., Hayes T.K., Van Kerkhove E. and Steels P. (1994). Stimulatory and inhibitory effects of endogenous factors in head extracts of Formica polyctena (Hymenoptera ) on fluid secretion of the Malpighian tubules. J. Insect Physiol. 40: 1025-1036.

Ameloot M., Van den Bergh V., Boens N., De Schryver F.C., Steels P. (1993). A new calibration equation for ratiometric fluorescent ion indicators: application to FURA-2. Journal of Fluorescence, 3: 169-171.

Van den Bergh V., Boens N., De Schryver F.C., Ameloot M., Steels P. (1995). Photophysics of the Fluorescent Ca2+ indicator FURA-2. Biophysical Journal, 68: 1110-1119.

Dijkstra S., Leyssens A., Van Kerkhove E., Zeiske W., Steels P. (1995). A cellular pathway for Cl- during fluid secretion in ant Malpighian tubules: evidence from ion-sensitive microelectrode studies. J. Insect Physiology 41, 695-703.

Panyi G., Gaspar R., Krasznai Z., ter Horst J.J., Ameloot M., Aszalos A., Steels P., Damjanovich S. (1996).
Immunosuppressor inhibits voltage-gated potassium channels in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Biochemical Biophysical Research Communications, 221, 254-258.

Smets I., Zeiske W., Steels P., Van Driessche W. (1998). Na+ dependence of single-channel current and channel density generate saturation of Na+ uptake in A6 cells. Pflügers Arch.-Eur. J. Physiol. 435, 604-609.

Zeiske W., Smets I., Ameloot M., Steels P., Van Driessche W. (1999). Intracellular pH shifts in cultured kidney (A6) cells: effects on apical Na+ transport. American Journal of Physiology 277, C469-C479.

Laenen B., Verhaert P., Schoofs L., Steels P., Van Kerkhove E. (1999). Partial identification of a peptide that stimulates the primary urine production of single isolated Malpighian tubules of the forest ant, Formica polyctena. Journal of Insect Physiology 45, 173-753.

Despa S., Steels P., M. Ameloot (2000). Fluorescence lifetime microscopy of the Sodium indicator Sodium-binding Benzofuran Isophthalate in HeLa cells. Analytical Biochemistry 280, 227-241.

Despa S., Vecer J., Steels P., Ameloot M. (2000). Fluorescence lifetime microscopy of the Na+ indicator Sodium Green in HeLa cells. Analytical Biochemistry 281, 159-175.

Cuypers Y., Vandenreyt I., Bipat R., Toelsie J., Van Damme B., Steels P.(2000). The functional state of the isolated rabbit kidney perfused with autologous blood. Pflügers Arch. 440, 634-642.

Jans F., Vandenabeele F., Helbert M., Lambrichts I., Ameloot M., Steels P. (2000). A simple method for obtaining functionally and morphologically intact primary cultures of the medullary thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (MTAL) from rabbit kidneys. Pflügers Arch. 440, 643-651.

Laenen B., De Decker N., Steels P., Van Kerkhove E., Nicolson S. (2001). An antidiuretic factor in the forest ant: purification and physiological effects on the Malpighian tubules. J. Insect Physiol. 47, 185-193.

Smets I., Ameloot M., Steels P., Van Driessche W. (2002). Loss of cell volume regulation during metabolic inhibition in renal epithelial cells (A6): role of intracellular pH. Am. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol. 283: C353-C544.

Buntinx M., Ameloot M., Steels P., Janssen P., Medaer R., Geusens P., Raus J., Stinissen P. (2002). Interferon-g-induced calcium influx in T-lymphocytes of multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis patients: a complementary mechanism for T cell activation? Journal of Neuroimmunology 124, 70-82.

Buntinx M., Steels P., Ameloot M., Raus J., Stinissen P. (2002). Immune-mediated oligodendrocyte injury in multiple sclerosis: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic interventions. Critical Reviews in Immunology, 22 (5-6): 391-424.

Wiehart U.I.M., Klein G., Steels P., Nicolson S.W., Van Kerkhove E. (2003). K+ transport in Malpighian tubules of Tenebrio molitor: is a KATP channel involved? The journal of Experimental Biology, 206, 959-965.

Laenen B., Wiehart U., De Decker N., Steels P., Van Kerkhove E. (2003). Body extracts from the forest ant and honeybee: chromatographic comparison of factors affecting the ant Malpighian tubule .
Physiological Entomology 28, 306-314.

Buntinx M., Vanderlocht J., Hellings N., Vandenabeele F., Lambrichts I., Raus J., Ameloot M., Stinissen P., Steels P. (2003). Characterization of three human oligodendroglial cell lines as a model to study oligodendrocyte injury: Morphology and oligodendrocyte-specific gene expression. Journal of Neurocytology 32 (1): 25-38.

Naesens M., Steels P., Verberckmoes R., Vanrenterghem Y., Kuypers D. (2004). "Bartter's and Gitelman's Syndromes: From Gene to Clinic." Nephron physiology, 96: 65-78.

Smets I., Caplanusi A., Despa S., Molnar Sz., Radu M., vandeVen M., Ameloot M. and Steels P. (2004).
Ca2+ uptake in depolarized mitochondria is mediated via the reversed action of the mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger in metabolically inhibited MDCK cells. Am. J. Physiol. Renal Physiol. 286: F784-F794.

Buntinx M., Moreels M., Vandenabeele F., Lambrichts I., Raus J., Steels P., Stinissen P. and Ameloot M. Cytokine-induced cell death in human oligodendrogial cell lines: I. Synergistic effects of IFN-y and TNF-a on apoptosis. J. Neuroscience Res. 76: 834-845 (2004).

Buntinx M., Gielen E., Van Hummelen P., Raus J., Ameloot M., Steels P. and Stinissen P. Cytokine-induced cell death in human oligodendrogial cell lines. II: Alterations in gene expression induced by interferon-y and Tumor Necrosis factor-a. J. Neuroscience Res. 76: 846-861 (2004).

Two students have made the following publication under my direction. "The in vivo determination of the blood volume in the foot using a mercury strain gauge plethysmograph and I-131 labelled serum albumin." Luc Colemont and Philippe Decoutere. Cardiovascular Research 15, 1981, pp. 262-267.

Books

Boulpaep E.L., Steels P. (1977) Electrophysiological study of the Necturus proximal tubule:
Effect of organic substrates and segmental heterogeneity. Electrophysiology of the nephron. T. Anagnostopoulos, editor. INSERM, Paris, p. 127-135.

Steels P. (1984) Mikroelektroden voor pH en ionen. T-dag Medische Technologie, deel 2, pp. 141-142.

Steels P. and Granitzer M. (1988). Base induced hyperpolarization of the basolateral membrane potential of Necturus renal proximal tubule cells in the presence of Ba 2+ or in the absence of organic acids. 
CIBA foundation symposium No. 139: "Proton passage across cell membranes". Febr. 8-11, 1988, London, p252-253; editors: G. Bock and J. Marsh, A Wiley Interscience publication.

De Decker N., Weltens R., Hayes T.K., Steels P., Van Kerkhove E. (1993). Isolation of diuretic factors from head extracts of Formica polyctena. In Molecular Comparative Physiology: Vol. 12. Structure and Function of Primary Messengers in Invertebrates: Insect Diuretic and Antidiuretic Peptides. Ed. K.W. Beyenbach; Karger, Basel, pp. 100-114.

ter Horst J.J., Ameloot M., Gallay J., Vincent M., De Schrijver F.C., Steels P. (1995). Determination of the rate constant of the fluorescent probe C. SNAFL-1 in the excited state. In "Optical Biopsy and Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Imaging" Eds. R. Cibeddu, R. Marchesini S.R. Mordon, K. Svanberg, H.H. Rinneberg, G. Wagnieres Proceedings of S.P.I.E. Vol. 2324, p. 329-340.

Plasek J., ter Horst J.J., Ameloot M., Steels P. (1996). The effect of protein binding on the calibration curve of the pH indicator BCECF. In "Fluorescence microscopy and fluorescent probes." Ed. J. Slavik, Plenum, New York, p. 120-125.