Projects
Enteric Neuro-Immune units (eNIu) as sensors of environmental factors, their role in gut homeostasis (health and disease) and their impact on brain-gut axis physiology University of Antwerp
Enteric glial cells: a new population of immunomodulators in the gut? KU Leuven
This project focuses on the interaction between the enteric glial cells and intestinal immune cells. The main topic of the study will involve the study of immunological mechanisms leading to intestinal immune homoeostasis. The intestinal immune system deploys a complex network of cells and lymphoid tissues mainly to protect the host and to prevent invasion of harmful microorganisms. Conversely, the immune system should be educated to tolerate ...
Interaction between enteric glia and immune cells as new players in intestinal homeostasis. KU Leuven
One of the main tasks of the immune system is to appropriately react to “danger” or “non-danger” signals. This is especially crucial in the gut, where immune cells are constantly presented with foreign substances as food. However, immune-mediated diseases are becoming more and more common in the developed world, where the immune system mounts an excessive inflammatory response to non-harmful substances, resulting in illnesses such as ...
Enteric glial cells: a new population of immunomodulators in the gut? KU Leuven
Uncovering Enteric GLIA-MACrophage communication in the intestinal homeostasis and inflammation. KU Leuven
Uncovering Enteric GLIA-MACrophage communication in the intestinal homeostasis and inflammation. The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a network of neurons and enteric glial cells (EGCs) organized in ganglia essential to control gastrointestinal physiology. Although EGCs have historically been described as supporting cells for enteric neurons, recent data from my previous work and from my host group demonstrated that enteric glia is ...
Study on the cross-talk between enteric neurons and macrophages KU Leuven
Intestinal neurodegenerative disorders, such as severe idiopathic constipation, chronic intestinal idiopathic pseudo-obstruction, and diabetic gastroparesis, are characterized by the loss of neurons of the enteric nervous system (ENS) and abnormal gut function. Despite the severe impact on quality of life, no efficient treatments are available for those diseases. Recently, we showed that the survival of enteric neurons strongly depends on the ...
The pro-tumorigenic crosstalk between enteric glia and macrophages in colorectal cancer KU Leuven
Once considered merely supportive cells for neurons in the Enteric Nervous System, enteric glial cells (EGCs) have emerged as crucial players in both health and disease. Particularly, they have recently been identified as a novel component of the colon tumor microenvironment. To date, while a few studies suggest their pro-tumorigenic effect during tumor progression, their full neoplastic potential remains unclear. Specifically, the impact of ...
Characterizing the cross-talk between tissue-resident macrophages and enteric neurons in intestinal neurodegenerative diseases KU Leuven
The enteric nervous system (ENS) plays a crucial role in the control of the gut function. However, it remains unknown which mechanisms are responsible for the health of enteric neurons, both during homeostasis and disease states. Recently, neuron-associated muscularis macrophages (NA-MMΦ) were identified, a tissue-resident macrophage population essential for the maintenance and survival of enteric neurons. These NA-MMΦ may also play a crucial ...