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Natural killer (NK) cells are Innate Lymphoid Cells involved in the immuno-surveillance of cancers and in the early control of infections by intracellular pathogens. They mediate their functions through target cell killing and IFN production. The display of these functions depends on: 1) the balance
Identification of virulence factors mediating hepatocyte invasion in the malaria parasite – MALINV
A potent strategy to prevent the initial liver stage infection is to interfere with host-parasite molecular interactions to prevent sporozoite entry into hepatocytes. We believe that elucidating the molecular interplay involved during Plasmodium sporozoite entry into hepatocytes is an absolute requi
A multi-scale and multidisciplinary analysis of the exact mechanisms of action of cell wall lipid virulence factors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Human tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem throughout the world, causing death, suffering and economic loss. Urgent action is therefore ne
The aim of vaccination is to generate memory cells endowed with enhanced or novel functional capacities capable of inducing an amplified and faster immune response to subsequent pathogen exposure. As such, immune memory can confer long-term protection of the host against microbial infections. Antibo
In recent years, the nematode C. elegans has been increasingly used as a genetically tractable model for the dissection of host-pathogen relationships. We have focused on the interaction between C. elegans and the obligate fungal pathogen Drechmeria coniospora to address the question, “How does an a
Several enveloped RNA viruses of the Arenaviridae, Bunyaviridae, Filoviridae and Flaviviridae families are associated with a syndrome known as viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF). VHF is characterized by fever, vascular leakage, coagulation defects and multi-organ failure. VHF is precipitated by excessive
T helper (Th) lymphocytes orchestrate the function of effector immune cells by producing specific sets of cytokines. They play a critical role in inflammatory diseases, such as allergy and autoimmunity. Since the Th1/Th2 paradigm, several levels of complexity have emerged: multiplicity of Th differe
Salmonellosis is one of the most common and widely distributed bacterial foodborne diseases. Since the beginning of the 1990s problems related to Salmonella have increased significantly and new concerns have been identified. Strains of Salmonella which are resistant to a range of antimicrobials, inc
Rational. The rise in bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a major threat to public health. Increasing evidence suggest that resistance selection and dissemination is mostly caused by antibiotics’ impact, in particular that of ß-lactam, on the intestinal commensal microbiota. They deeply disrupt t
MAIT cells (MAITs) are innate-like T cells that recognize a new class of antigen, derivatives of riboflavin (Rib) precursors present in > 85% of bacteria and yeasts in the gut. The absence of MAITs leads to increased bacterial load in several experimental infection models and MAIT blood numbers are
Persistent humoral immune memory against pathogens and vaccines is notably supported by two major long-lived players: plasma cells continuously secreting antibodies (Abs), and antigen (Ag)-watching memory B-cells. The latter are capable upon re-challenge by Ag to rapidly yield more abundant Abs, fun
Protection against pathogens requires a precise coordination between the innate and adaptive immune responses. The innate immune system represents the immediate first line of defense that is not specific for individual pathogens. The adaptive system provides a pathogen-specific, long lasting protect
Mechanisms underlying the transition between homeostasis, inflammation and tolerance at the intestinal level are far from being fully understood. In particular, how the portal of entry of microbes and antigens influences the type, the magnitude and spatial-temporality of host responses are key unans
Vitiligo is the most common skin depigmenting disorder, affecting 1% of the general population. This stigmatizing disease has major social and psychological impact with significant unmet treatment needs. However, despite its prevalence, no specific effective intervention has been reported so far. Vi
By suppressing immune-responses, regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg) expressing the transcription factor Foxp3 play a vital role in protecting the organism against autoimmune disease and other types of immunopathology. The high level of sophistication of control by Treg bestows them with substantial pot
The immune response is classically divided into innate or adaptive. Adaptive immunity specifically recognises a pathogen and builds immunological memory towards that specific pathogen. In contrast, current opinion holds that innate immune responses are non-specific and unable to build up immunologic
Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of hospital- and community- acquired infections largely due to the high rate of antibiotic resistance, making development of new treatments a major socio-economic objective. One target actively developed over several years is the fatty acid (FA) synthesis (FASI
Over the last century allergies have developed from a rare disease to a major health concern that affects 30%-40% of the world population today (WAO 2012). Due to sustained changes in personal lifestyle and environmental conditions this tendency is not ready to decline. Not only do allergies impact
Infectious diseases are responsible for ˜30% deaths worldwide. Interactions between phagocytes and lymphocytes are key to orchestrate efficient antimicrobial responses. Here, we focus on the cross-talk between infected macrophages and Natural Killer (NK) cells and on the central role of Interferon-g
The phylum Apicomplexa includes some of the most pathogenic parasites of men and animals, such as the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, responsible for half million human deaths per year. No efficient vaccine currently exists against malaria and parasites are becoming increasingly drug-resista
Allergic inflammation and type 2 immune responses mediated by T helper 2 (Th2) cells, eosinophils, mast cells, basophils and dendritic cells, and type 2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-13), play important roles in allergic diseases such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and allergic c
The Forkhead box O (Foxo) family of transcription factors appears to be particularly important in sensing the abundance of growth factors or the presence of stress and translating this information into specific gene expression programs controlling proliferation, survival and death in many different
Our objective is to identify epigenetic mechanisms sustaining tolerance in the gut. Tolerance is defined as a host defense strategy aimed at reducing or preventing immune–inflammatory inflicted damages. Tolerance requires mechanisms actively repressing inflammation and promoting tissue regeneration
Metazoans have developed highly conserved pathways to detect the proliferation of bacteria through the recognition of peptidoglycans (PG) shed from the bacterial cell wall. In mammals, the cytosolic receptors Nod1 and Nod2 recognize PG and activate an array of functions in the immune system. PG-medi
Cellular immunity relies on NK and T cell subsets producing cytokines such as IFN-g and TNF-a and is essential for the defense against intracellular pathogens and in the immunosurveillance of tumors. A network of transcription factors (TFs) shared between NK and T cells regulates the acquisition of