Projects
The neuroregenerative effect of human dental pulp stem cells is enhanced by inflammatory preconditioning with soluble factors contained in Leukocyte- and Platelet Rich Fibrin Hasselt University
Dipeptidyl-peptidase 9 in human leucocytes. University of Antwerp
Quantification of leukocyte chemoattractants to identify specific drug targets for chronic rejection in lung transplantation KU Leuven
Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocytes in the human blood circulation and mediate a fast immune response to infection and tissue damage. Directional leukocyte migration throughout the body is meticulously regulated by chemokines, which are small and structurally conserved chemotactic proteins. Notably, chemokine activity is spatiotemporally controlled at multiple levels, including through post-translational modifications such as ...
Bloedplaatjes CD40 co-stimulatie: een sterke leukocyt en endotheel activator in vasculaire inflammatie. KU Leuven
Platelets are critically involved in cardiovascular disease. As a result of atherosclerotic plaque rupture, the exposure of debris instigates arterial thrombosis causing myocardial infarction or stroke. Beyond the hemostatic employment of platelets, recent studies revealed immunological properties of platelets affecting atherosclerosis. We showed that platelet CD40L, an important co-stimulatory molecule, plays a pivotal role in platelet ...
Biochemical and functional study of post-translationally modified CXC chemokines in the tumor microenvironment KU Leuven
Solid tumors not only include tumor cells but also connective tissue cells, blood vessels and inflammatory cells (white blood cells or leukocytes), all of which are interposed between the malignant cells and normal host tissue. This stroma is required to reach tumor sizes beyond 2 mm, as it provides oxygen, nutrients and growth factors which promote proliferation, invasion and metastasis of the malignant cells. Thus, a detailed understanding ...
Cystic fibrosis as a modulable model for mucosal and systemic immunity in airway disease. Ghent University
The pathophysiology of inflammatory airway diseases and their exacerbations is determined by a continuous interplay of local and systemic immunity, and micro-organisms residing in the airways. The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene encodes for an ion channel involved in the pathogenesis of many chronic airway diseases. In cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive trait in CFTR leads to thick and sticky mucus, a ...
Credit for participation at a congres: TERMIS European Chapter Meeting 2019 - Griekenland: 27/05/2019 - 31/05/2019 Hasselt University
The marginal zone B cel in concordant xenograft rejection: critical help signals in the T cel-independent type II xenoantibody response and possible targets for xeno-immunosuppression. KU Leuven
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
(HSCT) and posttransplant adoptive cell therapy with donor leukocyte infusions
(DLI) are known to exert potent graft-versus-leukemiaeffects and convincing
evidence is emerging that this approach can also elicit responses against solid
tumors. Graft-versus-leukemia effects specifically after DLI largely rely
on ...
Neutrophil migration and activation in auto-inflammatory diseases: role of the chemokine network and of posttranslational modification of chemokines KU Leuven
Leukocyte migration is crucial during inflammation. It is regulated by a network of molecules including adhesion molecules, leukocyte attractants such as chemokines and their receptors. Although most leukocyte attractants have been identified, posttranslational modifications affecting their activity are still being discovered. These modifications may increase or decrease the activity of attractants and may even result in the generation of ...