The Institut Bordet Clinical Cellular Therapy Research Laboratory (LTCC) is dedicated to fundamental and translational research in the fields of haematology and immunology cellular therapy.
The LTCC’s main objectives concern:
- study of the interaction between leukaemic cells and their microenvironment;
- establishment of new prognostic factors;
- development of new therapeutic strategies.
Within the field of cellular therapy, the LTCC is studying the functional characterisation of mesenchymal stromal cells obtained from different tissues and their manipulation with a view to increasing their therapeutic potential.
The LTCC is seeking to improve understanding of the physiopathology of chronic lymphoid leukaemia. We have identified new cellular, molecular and epigenetic biomarkers that help to refine patient prognosis and to guide the direction of treatment. An important part of our research focuses on the interaction between leukaemic cells and their microenvironment (via direct contact or via extracellular vesicles), involved in the progression of the disease and on means of interrupting this dialogue.
In the context of cellular therapy, the LTCC has characterised mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from different tissue sources such as bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord, skin and muscle. The Laboratory’s key interest is the mechanisms involved in the regulation of the different actors of immune response by MSCs and is developing methods to improve the therapeutic effects of MSCs. Research is also aimed at developing acellular systems based on the capacity of MSCs to release extracellular vesicles capable of mimicking their effects. These extracellular vesicles will be characterised in terms of transcriptome, miRNome and proteome.
Cellular therapy pilot studies are also initiated in collaboration with clinical teams after agreement by the Institut Bordet ethics committee.
The LTCC is involved in training students from the Faculty of Medicine, of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and from the Hautes Écoles. Students are supervised as part of immersion courses, for their final dissertation and when completing a 4-year doctoral thesis. We are also involved in supervising theses by students from other universities.
Research projects
Project 1
IMPACT OF CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA-DERIVED EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES ON THE MICROENVIRONMENT IMMUNE LANDSCAPE / IMPACT DES VÉSICULES EXTRACELLULAIRES DÉRIVÉES DE LEUCÉMIE LYMPHOÏDE CHRONIQUE SUR LES CELLULES IMMUNITAIRES DU MICROENVIRONNEMENT
- Project leaders : Basile Stamatopoulos, Laurence Lagneaux
- Funding : Les Amis de l'Institut Bordet, Fondation Lambeau-Marteaux, FNRS-Télévie, Crédit de recherche FNRS
Project 2
Phenotypical Characterization and functional Impact of extracellular vesicles from mesenchymal stromal cells on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia B-cells
- Project leaders : Basile Stamatopoulos, Laurence Lagneaux
- Funding : Les Amis de l'Institut Bordet, FER, FNRS-Télévie
Project 3
Extracellular vesicles derived from umbilical cord-mesenchymal stromal cells for targeted therapy in pancreatic cancer
- Project leaders : Laurence Lagneaux, Basile Stamatopoulos
- Collaborations : Alain Hendlisz, Van Laethem JL
- Funding : Les Amis de l'Institut Bordet, FNRS-Télévie
Project 4
Immunosuppressive microenvironment in multiple myeloma: role of bone marrow-mesenchymal cell (BM-MSC) glycosylation
- Project leader : Laurence Lagneaux
- Collaboration : Nathalie Meuleman
- Funding : Les Amis de l'Institut Bordet, Intergroupe Francophone du Myélome
Project 5
The use of Adipose Tissue derived Stromal Vascular Fraction in a Platelet-Rich Fibrin scaffold within Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw treatment
- Project leader : Cyril Bouland
- Collaboration : Nathalie Meuleman, Isabelle Loeb
- Funding : Fondation Vésal
Our team
Laboratory head
Laurence Lagneaux, PhD
The team
Basile Stamatopoulos, PhD
Karlien Pieters, laboratory technician
Florian Draguet, PhD student Télévie
Nathan Dubois, PhD student Télévie
Cyril Bouland, MD, PhD student
Florent Corrillon, scientific collaborator
Scientific publications
Human Hepatocytes and Differentiated Adult-Derived Human Liver Stem/Progenitor Cells Display <i>In Vitro</i> Immunosuppressive Properties Mediated, at Least in Part, through the Nonclassical HLA Class I Molecule HLA-G.
Authors : Lombard CA, Sana G, LeMaoult J, Najar M, Ravau J, André F, Bouhtit F, Daouya M, Loustau M, Najimi M, Lagneaux L, Carosella ED, Sokal EM
Year : 2019
Journal : J Immunol Res
Volume : 2019
Pages : 8250584
The biological response of mesenchymal stromal cells to thymol and carvacrol in comparison to their essential oil: An innovative new study.
Authors : Bouhtit F, Najar M, Agha DM, Melki R, Najimi M, Sadki K, Lewalle P, Hamal A, Lagneaux L, Merimi M
Year : 2019
Journal : Food Chem Toxicol
Volume : 134
Pages : 110844
Triple negative breast cancer: microRNA expression profile and novel discriminators according to BRCA1 status.
Authors : Abdel-Sater F, Najar M, Fayyad-Kazan H
Year : 2019
Journal : J Cell Physiol
Mesenchymal stromal cells and natural killer cells: a complex story of love and hate.
Authors : Najar M, Fayyad-Kazan M, Merimi M, Burny A, Bron D, Fayyad-Kazan H, Meuleman N, Lagneaux L
Year : 2019
Journal : Curr Stem Cell Res Ther
Volume : 14(1)
Pages : 14-21
Empowering the immune fate of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells: gene and protein changes.
Authors : Najar M, Ouhaddi Y, Bouhtit F, Melki R, Afif H, Boukhatem N, Merimi M, Fahmi H
Year : 2019
Journal : Inflamm Res
Volume : 68(2)
Pages : 167-176