Know more

Immunisation consists in stimulating the defence systems of the body and involves two complementary tactics. The first involves the development of immune defences, ensured by antibodies. These are produced by specialised cells called plasmocytes. Antibodies neutralise antigens, thus blocking the action of the pathogen responsible for infection. The second tactic is implemented by cytotoxic lymphocytes (or killer T cells), and consists in the destruction of the cells infected by the pathogenic agent in which it proliferates in the body.

Choosing the right defence strategy

The "conductors" of the immune defences against infection are dendritic cells. These cells belong to the immune system; they patrol different organs and direct the initiation of one or other of the defence tactics, depending on the identity of the aggressor.

Some of these cells have become specialised in activating the synthesis of antibodies, and others in stimulating killer T cells. Knowing how to differentiate between the two types of dendritic cells thus makes it possible to target one or other of the defence mechanisms. This strategic know-how has been acquired in the mouse, where it is now possible to "orient at will" the immune defences towards the production of antibodies or killer T cells, thus enabling stimulation of the most effective protective response.

Activating killer T cells

The scientists have identified the principal types of dendritic cells in sheep and pig skin, and notably those which induce killer T cells. Thanks to computerised genetic analyses, they have shown that the types of dendritic cells observed in sheep, humans and mice are similar. Using this approach, they have also identified molecular targets that will allow the development of novel vaccines to activate killer T cells. This work has enabled transposition of the results of "targeted immunisation" obtained in the mouse to species of agricultural interest, and highlights prospects for advances in veterinary vaccinology.

Towards new immunisation strategies

The objective of the immunologists in the INRA Molecular Virology and Immunology Unit in Jouy-en-Josas is now to develop vaccines that target the different types of dendritic cells in pigs and ruminants, so that they can propose potent vaccines designed for domestic species and generate convincing preclinical data with a view to human applications.

Scientific leaders:

Isabelle SCHWARTZ-CORNIL & Nicolas BERTHO

INRA

VIM Unité de recherche Virologie et Immunologie Moléculaires

78352 JOUY-EN-JOSAS

Information contact:

info-entreprise@inra.fr

Jacques LE ROUZIC

Industrial Relations Office

Publications:

Marquet F., Bonneau M., Pascale F., Urien C., Kang C., Meng X.J., Schwartz-Cornil I. Bertho N. Characterization of dendritic cells subpopulations in skin and afferent lymph in the swine model. Plos One. 2011 Jan 27;6(1):e16320.

Contreras V., Urien C., Guiton R., Alexandre Y., Vu Manh T.P., Andrieu T., Crozat K., Jouneau L., Bertho N., Epardaud M., Hope J., Savina A., Amigorena S., Bonneau M., Dalod M. and Schwartz-Cornil I. Existence of CD8alpha-like DC with a conserved functional specialization and a common molecular signature in distant mammalian species. Journal of Immunology. 2010 Sep 15;185(6):3313-25.

Crozat K, Guiton R, Contreras V, Feuillet V, Dutertre CA, Ventre E, Vu Manh TP, Baranek T, Storset AK, Marvel J, Boudinot P, Hosmalin A, Schwartz-Cornil I, Dalod M. The XC chemokine receptor 1 is a conserved selective marker of mammalian cells homologous to mouse CD8a dendritic cells. Journal of Experimental Medecine. 2010. 207(6):1283-92.