Projects
Stress and herpes infections in the frigatebird (Fregata magnificens): an experimental evolutionary physiological approach. University of Antwerp
Maternal effects mediated by immunity: Sources of variation in maternal antibodies and effects on offspring in wild rockhopper penguins. University of Antwerp
Determining the role of hepatic and circulatory Immune Cells on a single cell level in the Onset and Treatment of severe Alcoholic Hepatitis: The DICOTAH study. KU Leuven
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a leading cause of liver-related mortality worldwide. ALD cirrhosis may suddenly develop into a lifethreatening and distinct clinical syndrome termed severe alcoholic hepatitis (sAH), reaching a short-term mortality of 20% at 1 month. sAH is hallmarked by a marked pro-inflammatory milieu in the liver and the systemic circulation, making it plausible that immunological changes are the main drivers of its sudden ...
The impact of glucocorticoid receptor-mediated signaling on the functioning of metabolically stressed mature human adipocytes Ghent University
Corticosteroids (glucocorticoid hormones) are used worldwide by at least 1% of the world population to combat inflammation and cancer. A typical corticosteroid-associated weight gain in patients, common with long-term systemic use, has since long been considered only psychologically burdening. However, this side effect is now regarded as potentially dangerous since increased abdominal fat is undoubtedly linked with increased risk of heart ...
Study of the molecular mechanism of corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Ghent University
The main goal is to gather insight into the molecular mechanism by which nuclear receptors mediate their anti-inflammatory activity, either separately or via a combinatorial cross-talk mechanism. In parallel, a study is carried out on the molecular mechanism of selective Glucocorticoid Receptor modulators, characterized by a maintained anti-inflammatory potential but an imroved side effect profile.
Improvement of risk stratification and treatment in acute myocarditis. University of Antwerp
Pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Role of cigarette smoke-induced macrophage reprogramming and the chemokine receptor-mediated adaptive immune response in an experimental COPD model Ghent University
Investigate cigarette smoke-induced macrophage reprogramming, which may be responsible for corticosteroid resistance in COPD patients. This innate imprinting can also neutralize the macrophage-mediated suppression of DC-function and -migration and contribute to the adaptive immune response in COPD. The adaptive immune response (including lymphoid neogenesis) will be further investigated using CCR7 deficient mice