UCLouvain, St-Luc
" We aim to characterize the reprogramming of structural cells of the lungs that are direct targets of the SARS-CoV-2, namely type 2 alveolar epithelial cells and endothelial cells, as well as their potential role in the induction of the (hyper)inflammatory phase of the disease leading to acute lung injury. The skills of our laboratory in lung and mucosal immunology research that are relevant to this field are (1) access to precious human lung tissue (e.g. from SARS-CoV-2 patients), (2) multiplex immunofluorescence staining and isolation of structural cells (e.g. alveolar epithelial cells, endothelial cells) from the human lung, as well as (3) their characterization using cell culture-based readouts and (in collab. with the UCL-CTMA) genetic sequencing. "
Funding: FNRS CUR, application submitted on 01-05-20.
Publication References: 1. Gohy ST, Hupin C, Fregimilicka C, Detry BR, Bouzin C, Gaide Chevronay H, Lecocq M, Weynand B, Ladjemi MZ, Pierreux CE, Birembaut P, Polette M, Pilette C. Imprinting of the COPD airway epithelium for dedifferentiation and mesenchymal transition. Eur Respir J 2015; 45: 1258-1272. IF: 7.125 2. Froidure A, Vandenplas O, D'Alpaos V, Evrard G, Pilette C. Persistence of asthma following avoidance of occupational allergens is associated with proTh2 myeloid dendritic cell activation. Thorax 2015; 70(10):967-73. IF (2015): 8.121 3. Froidure A*, Chong S*, Pilette C. *Joint first authors. Dendritic cells revisited in human allergic rhinitis and asthma. (Review) Allergy 2016; 71: 137-48 IF (2016): 6.028 4. Froidure A*, Mouthuy J*, Chanez P, Durham SR, Sibille Y, Pilette C. *Joint first authors. Asthma phenotypes and IgE responses. Eur Respir J 2016; 47:304-19. IF (2016): 10.569 5. Ladjemi MZ, Gras D, Detry B, Lecocq M, Dupasquier S, Garulli C, Fremmilicka C, Bouzin C, Gohy S, Chanez P, Pilette C. Bronchial epithelial IgA secretion is impaired in asthma: role of IL-4/IL-13. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2018; 197(11):1396-1409. Accepted 15-11-2017. IF (2017): 15.239 6. Ladjemi MZ, Martin C, Lecocq M, Aboubakar Nana F, Weynand B, Fregimilicka C, Bouzin C, Thurion P, Carlier F, Delos M, Detry B, Oçak S, Burgel PR, Pilette C. Increased IgA expression in lung lymphoid follicles in severe COPD. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2019;199(5):592-602. IF: 15.239. 7. Santos Ribeiro D, Godinas L, Pilette C, Perros F. The Integrated Stress Response System in Cardiovascular Diseases. Drug Discovery Today 2018 Feb 27. pii: S1359-6446(17)30362-. IF: 6.369 8. Aboubakar Nana F, Hoton D, Ambroise J, Lecocq M, Vanderputten M, Sibille Y, Vanaudenaerde B, Pilette C, Bouzin C, Ocak S. Increased Expression and Activation of FAK in Small-Cell Lung Cancer Compared to Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019;11(10) pii: E1526. IF: 6.162 9. Pilette C, Brightling C, Lacombe D, Brusselle G. Urgent need for pragmatic trial platforms in severe asthma. Lancet Respir Med 2018; Aug;6(8):581-583. (invited comment). IF 21.466 10. Gohy S, Hupin C, Ladjemi MZ, Hox V, Pilette C. Key role of the epithelium in chronic upper airways diseases. Clin Exp Allergy. 2020;50(2):135-146.
Contact: E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel 02/764 2866 (direct line) Address: UCL-IREC pole of pulmonology, Avenue Hippocrate 54 (tour Cl. Bernard +5), 1200 Brussels.