Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, characterized by deregulation of peripheral immunity as well as neuroinflammation involving, among others, microglial cells. These pathophysiological mechanisms not only lead to demyelinating lesions, but also to axonal degeneration, responsible for the accumulation of disability in patients. To date, there are no curative therapies nor therapies targeting neuroinflammation or remyelination in the central nervous system.
To this end, we have cell lines and patient samples of blood mononuclear cells, as well as cerebrospinal fluid and serum from MS patients, stored in our biobank.
From an immunological point of view, our more recent research is focusing on the phenotypic and functional characterization of atypical B lymphocytes, also implicated in autoimmune diseases other than MS, that may play a role in the pathophysiology of the disease.
We have also identified a network of microRNAs deregulated in MS patients. Their molecular targets and effects on oligodendrocyte precursor differentiation as well as on microglia in different experimental models is currently being analyzed.
Finally, we are collaborating with the Neuroinflammation and Imaging Lab (IoNS) in translational research involving novel biomarkers for MS such as Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) and their use in diagnosis, disease monitoring and association with chronic neuroinflammation.
Team members
Principal Investigator
- Vincent VAN PESCH, MD, PhD
PhD Students
- Matthieu DELTOMBE, PhD Student
Administrative and technical staff
- Anh DANG, MSc, Technician
- Zakia NASR, BSc, Technician
- Cathy FRIAND, Administrative assistant
Collaborations
- A. des Rieux, Advanced Drug Delivery and Biomaterials, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Brussels
- G. Muccioli, Bioananalysis and Pharmacology of Bioactive Lipids Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Brussels
- P. Maggi, Neuroinflammation and Imaging Lab, Institute of Neuroscience and Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc, Brussels
- N. Tajeddine, Physiologie cellulaire, Institute of Neuroscience, Brussels
- D. Vertommen, Biochimie – Recherche métabolique, de Duve Institute
Ongoing Projects
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, characterized by deregulation of peripheral immunity as well as neuroinflammation involving, among others, microglial cells. These pathophysiological mechanisms not only lead to demyelinating lesions, but also to axonal degeneration, responsible for the accumulation of disability in patients. To date, there are no curative therapies nor therapies targeting neuroinflammation or remyelination in the central nervous system.
To this end, we have cell lines and patient samples of blood mononuclear cells, as well as cerebrospinal fluid and serum from MS patients, stored in our biobank.
Involvement of atypical B cells and their cell surface markers in the pathogenesis of MS
Our more recent research is focusing on the phenotypic and functional characterization of atypical B lymphocytes, also implicated in autoimmune diseases other than MS, that may play a role in the pathophysiology of the disease.
Involvement of microRNAs in neuroinflammation and oligodendrocyte progenitor cell differentiation.
We have also identified a network of microRNAs deregulated in MS patients. Their molecular targets and effects on oligodendrocyte precursor differentiation as well as on microglia in different experimental models is currently being analyzed.
Translational research on novel blood biomarkers for MS diagnosis and monitoring.
We are collaborating with the Neuroinflammation and Imaging Lab (IoNS) in translational research involving novel biomarkers for MS such as Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) and their use in diagnosis, disease monitoring and association with chronic neuroinflammation.
Key publications
- O, Bottemanne P, van Pesch V. MicroRNAs dysregulated in multiple sclerosis affect the differentiation of CG-4 cells, an oligodendrocyte progenitor cell line. Front Cell Neurosci. 2024 Feb 29;18:1336439. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1336439.
- O, van Pesch V. MicroRNAs are dysregulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in multiple sclerosis and correlate with T cell mediators. J Neuroimmunol. 2024 Jan 15;386:578196. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2023.578196. Epub 2023 Sep 9. PMID: 38101084.
- O, van Pesch V. Molecular Mechanisms of Immunosenescene and Inflammaging: Relevance to the Immunopathogenesis and Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis. Front Neurol. 2022 Feb 25;12:811518. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2021.811518. PMID: 35281989; PMCID: PMC8913495.
- M, van Pesch V. Exosomal profiling should be used to monitor disease activity in MS patients: No. Mult Scler. 2023 Sep;29(10):1206-1207. doi: 10.1177/13524585231195859. Epub 2023 Sep 7. PMID: 37676045.
- C, Bousiges O, Bouvier D, Fillée C, Fourier A, Mondésert E, Nezry N, Omar S, Quadrio I, Rucheton B, Schraen-Maschke S, van Pesch V, Vicca S, Lehmann S, Bedel A. Neurofilaments contribution in clinic: state of the art. Front Aging Neurosci. 2022 Nov 1;14:1034684. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1034684. PMID: 36389064; PMCID: PMC9664201.