Team leader
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Véronique Witko-Sarsat |
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researcher-portrait_veronique-witko-sarsat
The research project of the team explores the biology of neutrophil which is a key cell in inflammation and in the defense against bacteria. However, if activated neutrophils are not properly eliminated, they can damage the host tissues. Our team studies neutrophils in autoimmune vasculitis because they play a pivotal role in the immune dysregulation and in the destruction of small vessels. The new mechanisms in the control of neutrophil activation that we uncover could be relevant in other diseases in which neutrophils are involved like in arthritis, pulmonary inflammation, septic shock and cancer. |
Autoimmune vasculitides associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (called ANCA) are examples of systemic inflammation in which the persistence of activated neutrophils at the site of inflammation hinders the resolution of inflammation leading to small vessel necrosis.
The team examines the biology of neutrophils to understand their effector mechanisms (particularly the oxidants and the proteinases) associated with the signalling pathways regulating different types of death (Léa Remy-Tourneur’s project) (Research project 1). Our work is also focused on the structural and functional study of proteinase 3, the target antigen of ANCA (Research project 2). The proteinase 3 expressed at the surface of apoptotic neutrophils is considered as a « danger signal » by macrophages thereby stimulating innate immunity (Nathalie Thieblemont’s projet)(Research project 3). Interactions between immune and vascular cells (endothelial cells, smooth muscle vascular cells) are involved in the inflammation and the vascular remodeling are also studied (Luc Mouthon’s project) (Research project 4).
The team benefits from the very specific recruitment of patients with systemic vasculitis of the “National reference center for systemic vasculitidis and systemic sclerosis” at Cochin Hospital. In addition the strong clinical interface with the Department of Internal Medicine at the Cochin Hospital as well the interactions with other clinical Departments, particularly with the Pneumology Department (CLIC : for our investigations of neutrophils in cystic fibrosis patients, are positive points to carry out our multidisciplinary project involving both basic and translational research.
International Meetings in 2019-2020
Véronique Witko-Sarsat is a speaker at the 52th annual meeting of the Society for Leukocyte Biology "Tissue specific immunity: translating our discoveries" (Boston, 2019, November 15-18).
Véronique Witko-Sarsat was an invited speaker at the Deutcher Rheumtologie Kongress 2020-virtuell (Munich, 9-12 September 2020).
The team is part of the Excellence Network Labex Inflamex since 2011
The team has obtained the prestigious label of the Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale (FRM). Guarantee of excellence, the "FRM team" label is awarded for three years and aims to fund innovative work in biology, with a high potential for application in human health.
The team is part of the Groupe Français Etude des Vascularites (GFEV)
Scientific societies :
Véronique Witko-Sarsat has been elected the Scientific Council of Fondation Arthritis (2020-2023).
Elected Member (Councillor) in the board of the Society for Leukocyte Biology (2015-2020).
Young researchers from the Institut Cochin awarded by the Society for Leukocyte Biology.
Véronique Witko-Sarsat : Member of the Conseil d’Administration of the Société Française d’Immunologie (2015-2018) ; GREMI (Groupe Recherche sur les Médiateurs de l’inflammation) : Vice-president; Committee; Councillor at the Society for Leukocyte Biology (2015-2020). Young researchers from the Institut Cochin awarded by the Society for Leukocyte Biology.
The 6th Institut Cochin Symposium : « From cell death to autoimmunity » December 15th 2015, Amphithéâtre Luton, Cochin Hospital
The Phagocyte Worshop at the 50th Annual Scientific Meeting of the European Society for Clinical Investigation Paris, France 27 – 29 May 2016 on the campus of the Cochin Hospital.
The 18th International Vasculitis & ANCA Workshop 2017, Tokyo, Japon (member of the scientific committee)
Véronique Witko-Sarsat is a speaker at the 52th annual meeting of the Society for Leukocyte Biology "Tissue specific immunity: translating our discoveries" (Boston, 2019, November 15-18). Meet the speakers here.
Editorial activities
Véronique Witko-Sarsat is member of the Editorial board of Journal of Innate Immunity
Since september 2020, Véronique Witko-Sarsat has been appointed Senior Associate Editor in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology (Wiley)
Recents Editorials
Inflammasome activation: Neutrophils go their own way.
Tourneur L, Witko-Sarsat V. J Leukoc Biol. 2019 Mar;105(3):433-436
From Starfish Oocytes to Inflammation: The Unforeseeable Destiny of Roscovitine in Cystic Fibrosis. J Innate Immun. 2016;8(4):327-9.
Autophagy and innate immunity. J Innate Immun. 2013;5(5):425-6.
Revues récentes