I am interested in signalling in Neutrophils

I am a regular reviewer for various journals (Journal of Immunology, Journal of Leukocyte Biology, Journal of Biological Chemistry, Blood ...) providing my expertise in Leukocyte Biology.

I also review grant proposals for UK-based funding bodies (MRC, BBSRC and The Wellcome Trust).

I lead a research group in Leukocyte Biology with a particular interest in neutrophils. We made the following discoveries:

1- By using VASP KO mice, we found that VASP was a key regulator of Rap1 in neutrophils and platelets.  The regulation of Rap1 was controlled by phosphorylation of VASP by both cGMP-dependent kinases (cGKI) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). In platelets, we idenfied the docking protein CrKL (which recruits C3G, a GEF for Rap1) as a novel binding partner of VASP. This finding challenged the concept of an exclusive calcium/CalDAG-dependent activation of Rap1 in platelets. We demonstarted that phosphorylation of VASP by PKA regulated the association between VASP and CrKL thus providing an explanation for the inhibition of Rap1 and platelet aggregation by agonists acting through PKA activation.

2- We identified a novel protein interacting with L-selectin cytoplasmic tail, namely, the medium chain of the trans-Golgi network clathrin-associated protein complex AP1-mu1A. This protein is one of the four adaptin subunits of the adaptor-protein 1 (AP-1) complex. We proposed that phosphorylation of L-selectin tail on serine 364 (which occurs during in the inflammatory response) blocks AP-1-dependent retrograde transport of L-selectin (EE to TGN route of transport). Hence accumulation and clustering of L-selectin in endosomes and subsequently on the tips of microvilli to facilitate leukocyte tethering and rolling along the inflammed endothelium. This work was supported by the 7th Framework programme for Research of the European Commission (individual award).

 3- My group opened-up a new field of investigation by the discovery of a functional histamine four receptor (H4R) in human neutrophils with anti-inflammatory properties. This seminal work has been instrumental in securing an MRC-industry Asset Sharing Initiative grant to investigate whether bacterially produced histamine could represent a previously unappreciated evolutionarily conserved molecular dialog between bacteria and the host, whereby production of histamine would help infecting bacteria to counteract neutrophil anti-microbial functions. By using a cystic fibrosis animal model of disease, we are investigating whether blocking the H4R with a specific antagonist improves bacterial clearance in lungs.

I teach Immunology for various course programmes.

I am the coordinator of the SSC module entitled " conversational and Medical French". I teach medical students to take a medical history in French and to discuss medical articles in French.

I am running practical classes in Immunology (ELISA, Western Blot, Immune cell isolation).