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
Discovering new altered signalling pathways leading to Richter syndrome in patients affected by chronic lymphoid leukaemia via whole genome sequencing.
- Project holders: Basile Stamatopoulos and Laurence Lagneaux
- Collaborations: Pr Anna Schuh, Oxford University Molecular Diagnostic Centre, Oxford, UK.
- Funding: Les Amis de l'Institut, Fonds IRIS Recherche, Fondation Lambeau-Marteaux, FNRS-Télévie
Project 2
Phenotypical Characterization and functional Impact of extracellular vesicles from mesenchymal stromal cells on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia B-cells.
- Project leaders : Basile Stamatopoulos, Emerence Crompot, Laurence Lagneaux
- Collaborations : Pr David Perez-Morga, Center for Microscopy and Molecular Imaging, IBMM, Gosselies, Belgium
- Funding : Les Amis de l'Institut, FER, FNRS-Télévie
Project 3
Proteome, miRNome and immunobiological properties of mesenchymal stromal cells of different origins and of extracellular vesicles derived from these: influence of an inflammatory and infectious environment.
- Collaborations :
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Center for Pharmaceutical Research, VUB (De Kock J-Rogiers V)
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Molecular Immunology, Faculty of Sciences I, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
- Laboratory of Pediatric Hepatology and Cell Therapy, Institute of Experimental & Clinical Research, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium (Pr E. Sokal, Dr M. Najimi)
- Funding : FNRS-Télévie, Fonds Lambeau-Marteaux
Project 4
Chronic lymphoid leukaemia:
- Prognostic factors (cellular and molecular) of CLL
- Role of microenvironment microvesicles
- Predictive molecular markers for Richter transformation
- Project leader : Basile Stamatopoulos
- Financement : Télévie, FNRS
Project 5
Medullary microenvironment
Immunomodulation by mesenchymal stem cells
- Project leader : Medhi Najar (PhD)
- Funding : Télévie, FNRS
Project 6
Medullary microenvironment
Differential potential of mesenchymal stem cells
- Project leader : Nathalie Meuleman (MD, PhD)
- Funding : Les Amis de l'Institut
Our team
Laboratory head
Laurence Lagneaux, PhD
The team
Basile Stamatopoulos, PhD
Medhi Najar, PhD
Emerence Crompot, PhD
Karlien Pieters, technologue de laboratoire
Scientific publications
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
Immunological modulation following bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells and Th17 lymphocyte co-cultures.
Authors : Najar M, Fayyad-Kazan H, Faour WH, Merimi M, Sokal EM, Lombard CA, Fahmi H
Year : 2019
Journal : Inflamm Res
Volume : 68
Pages : 203-213
Aldehyde dehydrogenase activity of Wharton jelly mesenchymal stromal cells: isolation and characterization.
Authors : Najar M, Crompot E, van Grunsven LA, Dollé L, Lagneaux L
Year : 2019
Journal : Cytotechnology
Volume : 71
Pages : 427-441
Reciprocal immuno-biological alterations occur during the co-culture of natural killer cells and adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells.
Authors : Najar M, Fayyad-Kazan M, Merimi M, Meuleman N, Bron D, Fayyad-Kazan H, Lagneaux L
Year : 2019
Journal : Cytotechnology
Volume : 71
Pages : 375-388
