About LUMC— Mucosal and Systems Immunology Group
About LUMC

Mucosal and Systems Immunology Group

Our research focuses on the immunology of infections and vaccinations. We are particularly interested in co-infections and the effect of inflammation on immune responses to infection or vaccines, as well as understanding susceptibility and resistance to infections. We use systems immunology approaches and novel nasal mucosal sampling methods to understand these complex interactions at both the respiratory tract mucosa as well as in the circulation.

Main research themes

Understanding human mucosal immunity in the context of bacterial and viral respiratory tract infections
Analysis of differences in immunity in the circulation and mucosa of vulnerable populations (e.g. elderly, children, co-infections)
Application of high-dimensional tools and analyses to measure and predict responses to vaccinations or infections

Understanding human mucosal immunity in the context of bacterial and viral respiratory tract infections

We are using minimally-invasive sampling methods to collect human cellular and soluble1 and microbial material from the human upper respiratory tract. The application of miniaturized immunological tools has allowed the study of innate and adaptive mucosal immune populations and their involvement in viral and bacterial infections. Currently, we are  using these tools to understand local immunity in the setting of SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 infection2. This work is supported by a LUMC Gisela Thier Fellowship.

1. Novel Analysis of Immune Cells from Nasal Microbiopsy Demonstrates Reliable, Reproducible Data for Immune Populations, and Superior Cytokine Detection Compared to Nasal Wash
2. Prolonged activation of nasal immune cell populations and development of tissue-resident SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cell responses following COVID-19

Analysis of differences in immunity in the circulation and mucosa of vulnerable populations (e.g. elderly, children, co-infections)

Infections disproportionately affect certain risk groups, such as the elderly, young children, or individuals with co-infections (helminth, viral, bacterial). We found that children and elderly have clearly distinct mucosal immune profiles3, we are now further exploring the consequences of this on susceptibility to infections. We are also exploring how individuals in low-middle income countries have an altered immune system and the consequences this has for susceptibility to infection (collaboration Yazdanbakhsh)4. This work is supported by a LUMC Gisela Thier Fellowship and NWO.

3. Dynamic changes in innate immune and T cell function and composition at the nasal mucosa across the human lifespan
4. Differences in Bacterial Colonization and Mucosal Responses Between High and Low SES Children in Indonesia

Application of high-dimensional tools and analyses to measure and predict responses to vaccinations or infections

Using state-of-the-art immunological approaches (CyTOF, spectral flow cytometry, RNA-Seq), we can generate large amounts of data to discover new pathways and mechanisms of responses to infection and vaccination. We are applying such technologies to human mucosal and systemic samples and combine this with sophisticated data analysis approaches. This work is supported by the BMGF and MSCA (Horizon 2020).

Current team members:

  • Simon Jochems (PI)
  • Wesley Huisman (postdoc)
  • Dennis Hoving (postdoc)
  • Alicia de Kroon (technician)
  • Alexandre Marques (PhD student)
  • Beckley Nosoh (MSc student)