Projects
Molecular determinants of Bcl–2 and Bcl–Xl binding to the IP3R channel and regulation of its activity at the molecular and functional level in normal and apoptotic cells KU Leuven
B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and B-cell lymphoma-extra-large (Bcl-Xl) are major anti-apoptotic proteins, members of the Bcl-2 family, which have a key role in the regulation of cell-fate decisions. Bcl-2 and Bcl-Xl share all four B-cell homology (BH1-4) domains, with an N-terminal BH4 domain and a hydrophobic cleft formed by the BH3-BH2-BH1 domains. Bcl-2 and Bcl-Xl also possess a C-terminal trans-membrane domain (TMD), which is responsible for ...
Role of connexin channels in the transfer of apoptotic signals Ghent University
Gap junctions allow the passage of molecules less than 1,5 kDa between neighbouring cells. They are important in the expansion of apoptotic cell death, in which hemichannels, 'half of a gap junction channel', also could contribute via paracrine signaling. The goal is to investigate the role of both channels in apoptosis as well as to identify the modulating apoptotic signals.
Inhibition of basophil and mast cell activation by CD300a: is there a role for apoptotic signals? University of Antwerp
Study of phagocytosis of apoptotic cells in human atherosclerotic plaques. University of Antwerp
Interaction of apoptotic, necrotic and autophagic cells with innate immune system: a comparative study Ghent University
This project is aimed to investigate in a comparative way the interaction and communication of different types of dying cells (apoptotic, necrotic and autophagic) with the innate immune system. In particular we will analyze mechanisms of their recognition, interaction and sensing by the innate immune system and will perform identification of molecules involved in their immunomodulatory properties.
IRE1 as a regulator of apoptotic cell engulfment in macrophages. Ghent University
Macrophages (Macs) in our body are facing the daunting task of adapting their own metabolism to the influx of excess metabolites from the corpses they engulf. How this is achieved remains as yet largely unanswered. Over the past few years several individual key components have been identified, but whether there is an overarching pathway orchestrating this response remains unclear. Previous data from my host lab revealed that in dendritic ...
Revealing the role of macrophage-associated immune-checkpoints in the sensing of apoptotic cancer cells to guide cancer chemoimmunotherapy KU Leuven
Therapeutic targeting of immune cell surface-tethered immune-checkpoints that inhibit anti-cancer immunity, via antibodies-based immune-checkpoint blockers (ICBs), has revolutionized the clinical oncological practice in recent years. Regrettably, only a subset of cancer patients tend to respond to these ICBs. Biomarker-guided, multimodal therapeutic regimen, are predicted to vastly improve the clinical efficacy of ICBs. Therein, one of the ...
Enhancing Engulfment of Apoptotic cells: basic biology to Therapy - EATing morge - Marie curie individual fellowship - Caitlin Gillis Flanders Institute for Biotechnology
Necroptotic proteins in diseases: targeting RIP kinases in inflammatory disorders and exploring the role of MLKL in melanoma development Ghent University
RIPK1 and RIPK3 are both kinases that belong to the subfamily of Ser/Thr Receptor-Interacting Protein Kinases (RIPK) within the tyrosine kinase-like family. These kinases are crucial mediators of inflammation, regulated cell death (necroptosis and apoptosis) and survival. Two aspects of RIPK1 will determine cellular fate: RIPK1 kinase activity initiates apoptosis or necroptosis upon activation, the latter occurring in caspase-8 deficient ...