Team 4 : Deciphering organ immune regulation in inflammation and transplantation (DORI-t)

Team 4 leaders: Dr. Sophie Brouard & Pr. Magali Giral

Research program

Team 4 has a long-standing expertise and interest in the analysis of immune responses in transplantation and autoimmune diseases. The contribution of adaptive cellular and humoral subsets is analyzed in the pathogenic response leading to allograft rejection and autoimmune diseases but also in the achievement of immune tolerance. Our research is focused primarily on human thanks to the tight connection with clinical departments, the establishment of large biocollection of human samples (Kidney and Lung allo-transplantation; Auto-immune hepatitis, Anca-associated vasculitis) and the large scientific expertise of Team4 researchers (B cell, CD4 and CD8 T cells, endothelial cells). DORI-t aims to integrate the knowledge from basic research studies into translational research programs to develop innovative healthcare strategies in solid organ transplantation (kidney, lung, liver) and in autoimmune diseases.

Basic research axis

We aim to decipher the dynamic equilibrium between effector and regulatory subsets of T cells (CD8, CD4), and B cells, endothelial cells (ECs) and their interactions in allo- and auto-immunity.

Deciphering the mechanisms and specificity of Bregs. PI: S. Brouard, H. Le Mai. Characterize and decipher the mechanisms of Breg in transplantation and AID to translate GZMB+ Breg into clinical cellular therapy testing different approaches: GZMB+ Bregs (polyconal and Ag specific) and extracellular vesicles secreted by Bregs.
Antigen-specific CD4 T cells in AutoImmune Liver Diseases (AILD). PI: S. Conchon, A. Renand. Determine if the CD4 T cell phenotype identified is disease-specific or if it is shared among hepatic autoimmune disorders, identify dominant epitopes from liver self-antigens to target autoreactive T cells, for the development of innovative specific therapeutic strategies, develop a blood immune biomarker based and to investigate the role of antigen-specific CD4 T cells in the transition between the natural tolerant liver environment and autoimmunity, with an original murine model.
CD8 Treg in allogeneic transplantation. PI: S. Conchon, S. Brouard. Identify and characterize the human counterpart of the murine CD8 Treg population that we have identified in the liver and that exhibits allogeneic tolerance properties.
Incidence of non-canonical, HLA-E-restricted, anti-HCMV CD8 T cell responses graft outcome. PI: B. Charreau. Decipher both the clinical input and the biology of the HLA-EUL40 CD8 T cells, an anti-HCMV CD8 T cell subset present in at least 30% of HCMV+ transplant recipients and represent up to >30% of total CD8 T cells post-infection.
TEMRA CD8 in Kidney Transplantation. PI: Nicolas Degauque. Obtain a comprehensive mapping of the immune social network in kidney biopsies from Kidney Transplant Recipients and patients with Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), define the regulation of pathogenic TEMRA (Effector Memory re-expressing CD45RA) CD8 by effector and regulatory B cells, and define the regulation of pathogenic TEMRA CD8 by neutrophils.

Translational research axis

To enter the translational prognostic tools we’ve built for many years, in clinical and routine practices: PI: M. Giral, S. Brouard.

Over the last decades and using large multicentric biocollection and using large multi centric bio collection and database DIVAT, we have identified biomarkers of high and low risk to graft failure. We now aim to implement these biomarkers in clinical and routine practices. The European AGORA project aims to cluster patients according to their chance of long-term graft survival using a stepwise algorithm based on minimally invasive blood biomakers and Kidney Transplant Failure Score (KTFS) and to perform a multicenter randomized open label trial of immunosuppression minimization (extra‐low Tacrolimus (TAC) vs standard of care) with stringent monitoring of TAC pharmacokinetics using finger‐prick test.
Validate the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of the Integrative Data System that we obtained in the first ongoing step of the KTD-Innov (RHU 2018-2023) project aiming to deliver precision diagnosis of kidney histology within the first year of transplantation. The validation of the product will be performed in a prospective open clinical study including 300 patients. This project is linked to the European H2020 EUTRAIN (PI A. Loupy).
Continue the development of improving the predictive abilities of the dynamic KTFS (DynPG) and study the contribution of other longitudinal variables and particular attention to non-adherence to immunosuppression treatment.

Research Scientists

Sophie Brouard DR CNRS	Magali Giral PU-PH	Sophie Conchon DR INSERM	Amédée Renand CR INSERM	Luc Colas PH
Richard Danger IH	Jacques Dantal PU-PH	Nicolas Degauque CR INSERM	Ludmilla Le Berre IH AH	Mai Lê Hoa IH
Antoine Néel PU-PH