Surface Mucin-1 does not play a role in dendritic cell migration

in Molecular Immunology (2009), 46(4), 738-742

Silencing of E7 oncogene restores functional E-cadherin expression in human papillomavirus 16-transformed keratinocytes

in Carcinogenesis (2008), 29(7), 1441-7

The cross-talk between dendritic and regulatory T cells: good or evil?

in Journal of Leukocyte Biology (2007), 82(4), 781-94

Immune responses against pathogens require fine regulation in order to avoid excessive inflammation, which could be harmful to the host. Moreover, the immune system must be tolerant to non-pathogenic ... [more ▼]

Immune responses against pathogens require fine regulation in order to avoid excessive inflammation, which could be harmful to the host. Moreover, the immune system must be tolerant to non-pathogenic antigens in order to prevent allergy, autoimmunity and transplant rejection. There is accumulating evidence that interactions between dendritic cells (DC) and regulatory T (Treg) cells play a crucial role in the balance between immune response and tolerance. Communications between these cells are complex, bi-directional and mediated by soluble or cell surface molecules. The maturation status of DC, which may be influenced by different microenvironmental factors, is considered as an important checkpoint for the induction of peripheral tolerance through modifications of the activation status of T cells. Moreover, several lines of experimental evidence suggest that different subsets or the functional status of DC are also involved in the promotion of Treg cell differentiation. A better knowledge of the regulatory mechanisms of the immune response induced or inhibited by DC via their interactions with Treg cells could be relevant for the development of new immunotherapeutic approaches. [less ▲]

Le cancer du col de l'utérus: du virus au traitement

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2007), 62(S1)

Squamous cell cancer of the uterine cervix is associated with a high morbidity and mortality worldwide and in Belgium. New therapeutic approaches have been recently proposed. The development of this ... [more ▼]

Squamous cell cancer of the uterine cervix is associated with a high morbidity and mortality worldwide and in Belgium. New therapeutic approaches have been recently proposed. The development of this cancer is related to the infection by oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) types. The link between cervical cancer and HPV has, in recent years, generated, a great interest for studies aiming to better understand the role of the immune system in the control of these infections and for the development of prophylactic anti-HPV vaccines. [less ▲]

Defensis induce the recruitment of dendritic cells in cervical human papillomavirus-associated (pre)neoplastic lesions formed in vitro and transplanted in vivo

in FASEB Journal (2007), 21(11), 2765-75

In addition to their direct antimicrobial activity, defensins might also influence adaptive immunity by attracting immature dendritic cells (DC). As these cells have been shown to be deficient in uterine ... [more ▼]

In addition to their direct antimicrobial activity, defensins might also influence adaptive immunity by attracting immature dendritic cells (DC). As these cells have been shown to be deficient in uterine cervix carcinogenesis, we evaluated the ability of -defensin (HNP-2, human neutrophil defensin 2) and ß-defensin (HßD2, human beta defensin 2) to stimulate their migration in human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated (pre)cancers. We first observed, using RT-PCR and immunohistology, that HßD2 is absent in HPV-transformed keratinocytes and that it is weakly expressed in cervical (pre)neoplastic lesions in comparison with normal keratinocytes. We next demonstrated that defensins exert a chemotactic activity for DC in a Boyden Chamber assay and stimulate their infiltration in an in vitro-formed (pre)neoplastic epithelium (organotypic culture of HPV-transformed keratinocytes). To evaluate the ability of defensins also to recruit DC in vivo, we developed a model of immunodeficient mice grafted with organotypic cultures of HPV+ keratinocytes, which form an epithelium similar to a high-grade neoplastic lesion, with tumoral invasion and neovascularization. Intravenously injected human DC were able to infiltrate grafts of HPV+ keratinocytes after administration of HNP-2 in the transplantation chamber. Taken together, these results suggest that defensins could reverse a frequent immune alteration observed in cancer development. [less ▲]