Projects
Characterization and role of innate lymphoid cell subtypes in non-allergic asthma KU Leuven
Role of protein crystals in asthma? Ghent University
Since 1853 it is known that Charcot Leyden crystals are found in asthmatic airways, and here we propose they promote allergy. We combine immunology with structural biology to investigate the structure, function and evolutionary origins of these and related protein crystals. Through novel tool creation and multidisciplinary research, we envisage the unmasking of a novel drugable pathway in asthma.
Role of protein crystals in asthma Ghent University
Since 1853 it is known that Charcot Leyden crystals are found in asthmatic airways, and here we propose they promote allergy. We combine immunology with structural biology to investigate the structure, function and evolutionary origins of these and related protein crystals. Through novel tool creation and multidisciplinary research, we envisage the unmasking of a novel drugable pathway in asthma.
Suppression of asthma through education of airway epithelial cells by environmental microbial exposure Ghent University
The prevalence of allergic asthma rised significantly in the last 50 years. Epidemiological studies have shown that this trend might be caused by lifestyle changes in the Western world and by a reduction in the incidence of infectious diseases. Conversely, growing up on a farm or in a house with high endotoxin in the home environment has been shown to offer protection from allergy.
How these factors can influence the development of ...
Role of protein crystals in asthma? Ghent University
Since 1853 it is known that Charcot Leyden crystals are found in asthmatic airways, and here we propose they promote allergy. We combine immunology with structural biology to investigate the structure, function and evolutionary origins of these and related protein crystals. Through novel tool creation and multidisciplinary research, we envisage the unmasking of a novel drugable pathway in asthma.
Innate imprinting of resident alveolar macrophages by allergic airway inflammation: mechanism and consequences for asthma exacerbation Ghent University
In a mouse model of asthma, resident alveolar macrophages showed an increased inflammatory reactivity upon post-infection of the asthmatic lung. This project aims to elucidate the mechanism underlying the altered macrophage innate functionality and hereby to enable interference with asthma exacerbation.
Study of the interaction between external triggers and the airway barrier in asthma and study of the role of gradual introduction of food allergens for induction and/of maintenance of tolerance in food allergy KU Leuven
In the next 5 years I) I will focus on airway inflammation in (non-allergic) asthma. While the underlying mechanisms of the allergic asthma phenotype are well identified, the pathogenesis of non-allergic asthma phenotypes remains largely unexplored. We hypothesize that triggering of epithelial cells (EC) and subsequent activation of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are responsible for the pathophysiology of these non-allergic asthma phenotypes by ...
Role of lymphatics in asthma Ghent University
Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways which is increasingly observed in developed countries and which is characterized by airflow obstruction. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. The disease is driven by an exaggerated inflammatory response to inhaled allergens, such as house dust mites, pollen and animal dander. A crucial event in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma is ...
Elucidating the immunomodulatory role of sex hormones in asthma Ghent University
Before puberty, asthma prevalence is highest in boys but there is a sharp decrease during puberty. Two thirds of adult asthma patients are female, who typically have a more severe phenotype and a lower quality of life compared to men. In addition to genetic and environmental factors these data suggest a pivotal role of sex hormones, namely testosterone (T), in the pathogenesis of asthma.
While epidemiologic and observational studies ...