Phagocytes in health and inflammation

Description

The lab investigates eosinophils, monocytes and neutrophils as first responders in (sterile) inflammation. These phagocytes can quickly recognise and signal danger as well as combat pathogens. Diseases the lab focuses on are physical trauma, cancer, COVID, asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis and lung transplantation. A recent innovative research line studies the response of phagocytes to environmental microplastics. In order to understand how phagocyte dynamics change in disease it is pivotal to first understand their functions in homeostasis. The group uses cutting edge techniques such as deuterated glucose labeling in humans to determine phagocyte production, migration and death in blood, bone marrow and peripheral tissues in both health and inflammation. They also visualise human phagocytes in 3D matrices and microfluidics as well as longitudinally in living mice using 2-photon microscopy. Understanding the origin, dynamics and function of neutrophil, monocyte and eosinophil subtypes can potentially predict patients that will develop immune-mediated diseases. The lab can also use these fast responding cells to biomonitor the inflammatory status of the patient even at point-of-care. A fully automated flow cytometer called the AQUIOS enables the quick measurement of these cells without the requirement of trained personnel. These insights can predict the status of a disease, the susceptibility to infections and aid to personalise treatment. Description adapted from working group website: see link above. ​