Platelet selectin promotes neutrophils immunogenic death and participates in systemic lupus pathogenesis.
Concept
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by a loss of immune tolerance which leads to unregulated tissue inflammation and organ damage. SLE patients are also burdened by elevated cardiovascular risk responsible for high morbidity and mortality, and which is incompletely explained by traditional cardiovascular risk factors. We, and other have identified that blood platelets link the immune and the hemostasis systems in SLE, and represents a potential therapeutic target.
Facts and Figures
Dr. Marc Scherlinger
Strasbourg University Hospital
marc.scherlinger@chru-strasbourg.fr
Meet the Team
Project Lead
Dr. Marc ScherlingerStrasbourg University Hospital
marc.scherlinger@chru-strasbourg.fr
Objectives
- Aim 1: Investigate neutrophil heterogeneity in SLE and their interaction with platelets in blood and tissues.
- Aim 2: Evaluate the effect of platelet interaction on neutrophil phenotype and functions.
- Aim 3: Investigate P-selectin as a therapeutic target in SLE.
Goals/Milestones
- April/May 2023: Recruitment of a full-time engineer (already funded).
- May-September 2023: order and set-up of the cytometry panel and first experiments from WP1
- September-July 2023–2024 (year 1): recruitment of one Master 2 student (9-month internship).
- WP 1: cytometry
- WP 2: RNAsequencing, signalling experiments.
- Year 2 (2024-2025): Recruitment of one PhD student
- Final experiments from WP1 and WP2
- setup of WP3 (mouse study).
- Year 3 (2025–2026): Finalizing WP3 and writing of at least one scientific manuscript.
Each year, our results will be presented and discussed at international scientific conferences (EULAR, EWWR, ACR...).
Patient Voice
Design of the clinical protocol to retrieve patient blood (only when a clinical blood sampling is necessary) and tissue (from medically justified kidney biopsy).
- Communication of the results and their significance.
- Discussion with PRP about perspectives of this project, especially a proof-of-concept study to evaluate P-selectin blockade in SLE.
- PRP will be involved in the conception, setup, proceedings and reporting of such study.