Projects
Does angiopoietin-Tie signaling affect podocyte integrity in kidney glomeruli? Ghent University
We recently discovered TIE1 and TIE2 receptor signaling on kidney glomerular podocytes, which are important cells of the glomerular filtration barrier. To investigate if TIE-receptors regulate glomerular integrity, we will investigate the role of this signaling system on podocyte function, i.e. survival, migration, proliferation and permeability. In addition, we will investigate the downstream
signaling pathways regulated by ...
Mechanism of podocyte damage in the development of sickle cell nephropathy KU Leuven
Several factors including genetic ones such as APOL1 risk variants (G1 and G2) and HMOX1 GT repeats have been shown to influence the development of sickle cell nephropathy (SCN). We have previously shown that APOL1 high risk genotypes are associated with SCN in our steady-state sickle cell disease (SCD) paediatric population from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (unpublished data). However, data on associations between these genetic ...
Novel insights into the pathogenesis of cystinosis Podocyte dysfunction and zebrafish modeling KU Leuven
Cystinosis is a rare, incurable autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease caused by mutations in the CTNS gene, which encodes the cystine transporter cystinosin, leading to lysosomal cystine accumulation in all cells of the body. Although cystinosis is a multi-systemic disorder, the kidneys are the first and the most severely affected organs. While cystinosis is an archetypal proximal tubular disorder, patients present with progressive ...
Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis risk: does imprinting of monocytes provide better explanations? Hasselt University
Single cell analysis of inflammasome-mediated IL-1ß secretion in primary human monocytes Ghent University
Dysregulated IL-1β signaling is implicated in the pathogenesis of auto-inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. However, how human monocytes – the main source of IL-1β in patients - activate the NLRP3 inflammasome and release IL-1β remains ambiguous. The ‘alternative’ NLRP3 inflammasome pathway has recently been proposed as an active secretion pathway of IL-1β primarily based on studies in the immortalized BLaER1 cell line. In this pathway, the ...
Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis risk: does imprinting of monocytes provide better explanations? Hasselt University
Epstein Barr-virus and multiple sclerosis: new tricks from an old dog. Does imprinting of inflammatory monocytes provide an answer? Hasselt University
The role of microRNAs in the regulation of inflammation and oxidative stress in monocytes during obesity and associated metabolic disorders. KU Leuven
Extracellular vesicles from follicular fluid are key for successful development of fresh and vitrified equine oocytes Ghent University
In vitro embryo production has become a popular breeding technique in horses, but suboptimal conditions for in vitro maturation and oocyte cryopreservation limit its full potential. When in vivo matured oocytes are used, high embryo development rates can be achieved with both fresh and vitrified oocytes, indicating the presence of crucial signaling factors in the natural environment, the growing follicle. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), present ...