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Jean-Claude Sirard, INSERM U801, Interactions cellulaires et moléculaires des bactéries pathogènes avec l'hôte, Institut Pasteur de Lille

Summary

Toll-like receptors (TLR) play a key role in sensing microorganisms and in shaping host immune responses. J-C. Sirard and his group are interested in deciphering the mode of action of TLR in the early regulation of innate defenses following mucosal adjuvant administration and during infections, especially in the respiratory tract.

They use flagellin, a component of many bacterial pathogens that acts through TLR5, to address this issue. Their recent findings indicate a key role of airway epithelium in the induction of host immunity following mucosal delivery of flagellin (Nempont, 2008; Janot, 2009). Their current objective is to dissect the role of the airway epithelium and of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) interplay in pulmonary immunity in order to develop new intervention strategies in infection and vaccination.

Recent Publications:

Radioresistant cells expressing TLR5 control the respiratory epithelium’s innate immune responses to flagellin.
Janot L, Sirard JC, Secher T, Noulin N, Fick L, Akira S, Uematsu S, Didierlaurent A, Hussell T, Ryffel B, Erard F.
Eur J Immunol. 2009 Jun;39(6):1587-96.

Toll-like receptor 5- and lymphotoxin beta receptor-dependent epithelial Ccl20 expression involves the same NF-kappaB binding site but distinct NF-kappaB pathways and dynamics.
Sirard JC, Didierlaurent A, Cayet D, Sierro F, Rumbo M.
Biochim Biophys Acta. 2009 May;1789(5):386-94.

Deletion of flagellin’s hypervariable region abrogates antibody-mediated neutralization and systemic activation of TLR5-dependent immunity.
Nempont C, Cayet D, Rumbo M, Bompard C, Villeret V, Sirard JC.
J Immunol. 2008 Aug 1;181(3):2036-43.

Nod-like receptors: cytosolic watchdogs for immunity against pathogens.
Sirard JC, Vignal C, Dessein R, Chamaillard M.
PLoS Pathog. 2007 Dec 28;3(12):e152.

For more information: http://www.pasteur-lille.fr/fr/recherche/unites/trottein.html