Projects
Diagnostic and therapeutic consequences of mucosal lymphoid accumulation and local IgE in the nose Ghent University
The local production of immunoglobulin’s are dependent of mucosal lymphoid accumulations and determine the severity of nasal polyposis. The role of receptor revision and local class switching are investigated. The diagnostic and therapeutic relevance will be assessed by in-vivo scintigraphy with 99mTc-labled anti-CD20 (B-cell) and 99mTc-labled IL-2 (T-cell) after surgery or specific therapies (anti-IgE, anti-IL-5 and anti-CD20).
Cystic fibrosis as a modulable model for mucosal and systemic immunity in airway disease. Ghent University
CFTR modulation equilibrates airway inflammation and systemic immune responses in CF patients. Blood and sputum samples are collected pre-/post-CFTR modulation into our prospective biobank. We will assess the role of CFTR in airway microenvironment and host immune response. CF patients will serve as the basis to study airway inflammation and host–microorganism interactions in the context of chronic microbial exposure.
Mucosal wound healing and regeneration in chronic upper airway diseases. Ghent University
Wound healing and scar formation is a frequent problem encountered after functional endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps. In this project we will identify negative factors influence epithelial regeneration and based on this findings develop therapeutic strategies, using an in vitro model tissue engineering of epithelium and cartilage and a pharmacologic trial.
Neuro-immune mechanisms of visceral and respiratory hypersensitivity KU Leuven
T-cell plasticity in chronic inflammatory airway diseases. Ghent University
In this study, T cell plasticity and survival and the role of different damage-associated molecular patterns, prostaglandins, and bacterial superantigens in chronic rhinosinusitis will be studed. The role of the specific mucosal milieu on T cell plasticity will be analyzed in vitro, in vio in Rag2-/-γc-/- knockout mice transplanted with human inflamed mucosa, and ex vivo in human nasal mucosal tissue.
Harnessing Single-Cell and Spatial Transcriptomics to Uncover Novel Insights into Intestinal Barrier Breach in Cirrhosis KU Leuven
Interaction of alphaherpesviruses with the type III interferon system in the upper respiratory tract Ghent University
Many alphaherpesviruses invade their host via mucosae of the upper respiratory tract. Interferons are
the most powerful antiviral cytokines, and prevent alphaherpesviruses from causing aggravated, life-Â
threatening disease. The project will investigate the interaction of alphaherpesviruses with type III interferons in respiratory epithelia, since increasing evidence indicates that these most recently
described interferons ...
Unravelling the mechanism of single time vaccination strategy (SinTimVaS) Hasselt University
Targeting epithelial receptors to switch the cross talk between enterocytes and antigen-presenting cells from tolerance to immunity. Ghent University
The intestinal immune system responds to soluble antigens with tolerance, although some antigens can induce protective immunity. Key to the oral immunogenicity of these rare antigens is receptor-mediated transcytosis. We intend to elucidate the function of the transcytosis process in the induction of intestinal immunity and how this process can be modulated to improve mucosal vaccines targeted to transcytotic receptors.