Introduction
Research group of Prof. J. Van Damme
Laboratory of Molecular Immunology
The Laboratory of Molecular Immunology has his roots in the study of interferon. This cytokine was produced at the laboratory in order to treat viral infections and cancer. As a consequence of the molecular heterogeneity of interferons (α, β, γ) a search for additional related cytokines was initiated leading to the discovery of interleukin-1β as a central mediator of the immune response by inducing a vast number of secondary cytokines, including the so-called IFN-β2. Through an intensive collaboration with other Belgian laboratories, this protein was re-identified as a pluripotent cytokine, now called IL-6. IL-1β further brought us to the identification of the chemotactic cytokine IL-8, inducing local inflammation and systemic granulocytosis. Along the same line additional related molecules attracting various leukocyte subtypes were identified and all belonging to the same family named chemokines and using the same type of seven transmembrane receptors. Some of these chemokines were found to be the natural ligands of the HIV-coreceptors CXCR4 and CXCR5. The current research is mainly focused on posttranslational modification of CXC and CC chemokines converting these inflammatory mediators into receptor antagonists, as well as on synergistic interactions between chemokines to enhance leukocyte migration. Alternatively, new genetic variants are investigated in the context of infection, immunity and cancer.
