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Investigation

Immune Presentation and Regulation

Research Lines

Content with Investigacion Inmunobiología .

The Immunobiology group has been working for years on the following lines of research:
1) The mechanisms of haematopoietic cell generation throughout ontogeny and the influence that the first haematopoietic cells exert on the innate and adaptive immune system present in the adults. We have identified and characterised a new population of B lymphocytes called B1-Rel (B220lo), which produce high levels of natural IgG/IgA antibodies. We sought to understand their role in the immune response in animal models of infection, analysing their impact on immune cell populations and on the production of soluble mediators (cytokines and immunoglobulins). In this regard, we have evaluated the generation of embryonic megakaryocytes (and their differentiation niches), their functionality and that of platelets, and their influence on haematopoietic development. For lymphoid populations, we have carried out extensive characterisation by flow cytometry and single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) methodology. To carry out these cellomic studies, we have designed complex panels for use in multiparametric phenotypic analysis, and single cell cytometry and RNAseq omics technologies on purified cell populations.


In parallel, we are interested in understanding local immune responses in respiratory infections at times of particular susceptibility due to the fragility of the immune system (childhood and old age), both in mouse animal models, which allow their manipulation, and in humans. 

2) Mouse models studied during neonatal life, in which we evaluated the effect of antibiotic (AB) treatment and addressed the role of TLR receptors in innate, pseudo-innate and adaptive immune cell populations. In these models, we observed that AB administration was able to modulate B-lymphoid populations, as well as their ability to secrete proinflammatory cytokines in culture and their differentiation into plasma cells, with differentiated immunoglobulin repertoires. Furthermore. These effects were mediated through the Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR2).

3) Mouse models with accelerated senescence (SAMP8) and senescent animals (over 20 months of age) to map lymphoid populations and soluble mediators of the immune response (immunoglobulins and cytokines). In these models, the B lymphoid populations (B1Rel and marginal zone B lymphocytes) are observed to be altered, accompanied by an increase in IgG1 with great restriction of their VDJ repertoires.


4) Role of the B1Rel population in animal models of local or systemic infection. We analysed the response to Streptoccoccus pneumoniae (SPN) locally in the lung and systemically in the spleen, as well as the role of TLR4 in these responses.

5) In humans, we are studying immune responses in children with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) viral primo-infection. In this case we studied the immune response that occurs locally in the nasal mucosa (by analysis of nasal washings, NW) in a cohort of infected children versus healthy controls, stratified by age. We found that lymphomyeloid cells accumulate in these nasal washings in patients with diverse lymphocyte populations, as well as cytokines and immunoglobulins.

6) Analysis and characterisation of extracellular vesicles produced during respiratory infection both in lung supernatants from models of SPN infection and in LN in the case of children with RSV infection.

7) In parallel, we carry out studies of the genetic rearrangements of immunoglobulins and their use in the generation of chimeric receptors for possible use in immunotherapy.

Research projects

Content with Investigacion Inmunobiología .

-Project “Induction, differentiation and modulation of resident B lymphocytes in the lung in response to pneumococcus (NEUBLUNG)”. Ministry of Science and Innovation, PID2022-141754OB-I00 Call 2022 "Knowledge Generation Projects". 09/01/2023-08/31/2026. Financed by MICIU/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 and by ERDF, EU. PI: Belén by Andrés Muguruza. CoPI: María Luisa Gaspar Alonso-Vega.


 

-Project." Immune response of the nasal mucosa in childhood bronchiolitis” Instituto de Salud Carlos III-AESI. AESI-PI22CIII/00030 PI: Belén by Andrés Muguruza. CoPI Maria Luisa Gaspar Alonso-Vega. 01/01/2023-12/31/2025..

-Project. BenBedPhar. CA20121, European Union. Antonio Cuadrado. (CNM-ISCIII).10/19/2021-10/18/2025.

-Spanish Association Against Cancer Project “Novel comprehensive immunotherapy to specifically target the malignant clone in Sézary syndrome, an ultra-rare cancer of mature T lymphocytes”, number PROYE20084REGU. PI: José Ramón Regueiro, PI group Maria Luisa Gaspar. 01/01/2021-12/31/2023.

Project “The pulmonary immune system in homeostasis and infection: characterization and function of immature and pseudoinnate lymphoid populations.” MINECO-RETOS RTI2018-099114-B-100. PI: Maria Luisa Gaspar, CoPI: Belén de Andrés 01/01/2019-12/31/2022. Financed by MICIU/AEI /10.13039/501100011033/ and by FEDER A way of making Europe.


 

-Project “New B lymphoid populations: B1-rel pseudoinnate cells, homeostatic maintenance and their response under infection conditions.” MINECO-RETOS SAF2015-70880-R. PI: Maria Luisa Gaspar. 01/01/2016-12/31/2019.


 

-Project “Role of CD19+CD45R lymphocytes- in perinatal immune responses. Implications related to respiratory diseases in neonates. AESI PI14CIII/00049; PI Belén de Andrés. 2015-2018.

-Project “Study of the pseudo-innate population of CD19+CD45R- B lymphocytes in TLR-dependent infection models”. AESI PI11/01733FIS. PI Belén de Andrés. 2012-2015.

-Project." Cellular interactions in the establishment of B lymphoid differentiation niches: role of megakaryocytes and their implications in pathology. MINECO; SAF2012-33916. Maria Luisa Gaspar. 01/01/2013-12/31/2015.

-ISCIII Platforms Project to support R&D&I in Biomedicine and Health Sciences. PT23CIII/00006. 2023. Participating researcher: Isabel Cortegano.

-Research contracts between the Carlos III Health Institute and Inmunotek S.L. for the development of the Bactek-mv130 and Uromune-MV140 study in protection against S. pneumoniae infections. Immunotek. IP: Belen de Andrés 2019-2021.

-Research contract between the Carlos III Health Institute and Inmunotek S.L. “MV130 as a vaccine model based on trained immunity against respiratory infections due to pneumococcus and respiratory syncytial virus”, CAM Call. Industrial Doctorates. IND2023/BMD-27071. PI: Belén by Andrés Muguruza. 12/01/2023-11/30/2026.

Publications

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Emergence of cfr-Mediated Linezolid Resistance in a Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Epidemic Clone Isolated from Patients with Cystic Fibrosis.

4. Emergence of cfr-Mediated Linezolid Resistance in a Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Epidemic Clone Isolated from Patients with Cystic Fibrosis. de Dios Caballero J, Pastor MD, Vindel A, Máiz L, Yagüe G, Salvador C, Cobo M, Morosini MI, del Campo R, Cantón R; GEIFQ Study Group. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2015 Dec 14;60(3):1878-82.

PUBMED DOI

The dynamic changes of dominant clones of Staphylococcus aureus causing bloodstream infections in the European region: results of a second structured survey.

5. The dynamic changes of dominant clones of Staphylococcus aureus causing bloodstream infections in the European region: results of a second structured survey. Grundmann H, Schouls LM, Aanensen DM, Pluister GN, Tami A, Chlebowicz M, Glasner C, Sabat AJ, Weist K, Heuer O, Friedrich AW; ESCMID Study Group on Molecular Epidemiological Markers; European Staphylococcal Reference Laboratory Working Group. Euro Surveill. 2014 Dec 11;19(49).

PUBMED DOI

Peptidoglycan recycling contributes to intrinsic resistance to fosfomycin in Acinetobacter baumannii.

6. Gil-Marqués ML, Moreno-Martínez P, Costas C, Pachón J, Blázquez J, McConnell M.J.* Peptidoglycan recycling contributes to intrinsic resistance to fosfomycin in Acinetobacter baumannii. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 2018 Nov 1;73(11):2960-2968.

PUBMED DOI

Immunization with lipopolysaccharide-free outer membrane complexes protects against Acinetobacter baumannii infection.

7. Pulido MR, García-Quintanilla M, Pachón J, McConnell M.J.* Immunization with lipopolysaccharide-free outer membrane complexes protects against Acinetobacter baumannii infection. Vaccine. 2018 Jul 5;36(29):4153-4156.

PUBMED DOI

Inhibition of LpxC increases antibiotic susceptibility in Acinetobacter baumannii.

8. García-Quintanilla M, Caro-Vega JM, Pulido MR, Moreno-Martínez P, Pachón J, McConnell M.J.* Inhibition of LpxC increases antibiotic susceptibility in Acinetobacter baumannii. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. 2016 Jul 22;60(8):5076-9.

PUBMED DOI

Immunization with lipopolysaccharide-deficient whole cells provides protective immunity in an experimental mouse model of Acinetobacter baumannii infection.

9. García-Quintanilla M., Pulido M.R., Pachón J. and McConnell, M.J.* Immunization with lipopolysaccharide-deficient whole cells provides protective immunity in an experimental mouse model of Acinetobacter baumannii infection. PLOS One. 2014 Dec 8;9(12).

PUBMED DOI

Varicella-zoster virus clades circulating in Spain over two decades.

I. González; A. Molina-Ortega; P. Pérez-Romero; J.E. Echevarría; L. He; D. Tarragó. Varicella-zoster virus clades circulating in Spain over two decades. Journal of Clinical Virology. 110, pp. 17- 21. 2019.

PUBMED DOI

Human herpesvirus 8-associated inflammatory cytokine syndrome.

M. Prieto-Barrios; R. Aragón-Miguel; D. Tarragó-Asensio; A. Lalueza; C. Zarco-Olivo. Human herpesvirus 8-associated inflammatory cytokine syndrome. JAMA Dermatology. 154 - 2, pp. 228 - 230. 2018.

PUBMED DOI

Encephalitis associated with human herpesvirus-7 infection in an immunocompetent adult.

M. Parra; A. Alcala; C. Amoros; A. Baeza; A. Galiana; D. Tarragó; M.Á. García-Quesada; V. Sánchez-Hellín. Encephalitis associated with human herpesvirus-7 infection in an immunocompetent adult. Virology Journal. 14 - 1, 2017.

PUBMED DOI

Molecular epidemiology of enterovirus and parechovirus infections according to patient age over a 4-year period in Spain.

M. Cabrerizo; M. Díaz-Cerio; C. Muñoz-Almagro; N. Rabella; D. Tarragó; M.P. Romero; M.J. Pena; C. Calvo; S. Rey-Cao; A. Moreno-Docón; I. Martínez-Rienda; A. Otero; G. Trallero. Molecular epidemiology of enterovirus and parechovirus infections according to patient age over a 4-year period in Spain. J Med Virol. 2017 Mar;89(3):435-442.

PUBMED DOI

Viral epidemic outbreaks and public health alerts studied at the National Centre of Microbiology during a two-year period (2012-2013).

J.M. Echevarría Mayo; A.A. Avellón Calvo; M. Cabrerizo Sanz; I. Casas Flecha; J.E. Echevarría Mayo; Fd.eO. de Ory Manchón; A. Negredo Antón; F. Pozo Sánchez; M.P. Sánchez-Seco Fariñas; D. Tarragó Asensio; G. Trallero Masó. Viral epidemic outbreaks and public health alerts studied at the National Centre of Microbiology during a two-year period (2012-2013). Revista española de salud pública. 90, pp. E16 - E16. 2016

PUBMED

Application of a commercial immunoblot to define EBV IgG seroprofiles.

F. de Ory; E. Guisasola; D. Tarragó; J.C. Sanz. Application of a commercial immunoblot to define EBV IgG seroprofiles. Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis. 29 - 1, pp. 47 - 51. 2015.

PUBMED DOI

Molecular epidemiology of enterovirus 71, coxsackievirus A16 and A6 associated with hand, foot and mouth disease in Spain.

M. Cabrerizo; D. Tarragó; C. Muñoz-Almagro; E. del Amo; M. Domínguez-Gil; J.M.-S. Eiros; I. López-Miragaya; C. Pérez; J. Reina; A. Otero; I. González; J.E. Echevarría; G. Trallero. Molecular epidemiology of enterovirus 71, coxsackievirus A16 and A6 associated with hand, foot and mouth disease in Spain. Clinical Microbiology and Infection. 20 - 3, pp. O150 - O156. 2014.

PUBMED DOI

Molecular epidemiology of the first Spanish enterovirus A71 outbreak associated with severe neurological diseases, 2016.

R Gonzalez-Sanz*, D Casas-Alba, C Launes, C Muñoz-Almagro, M Ruiz-García, MJ Gonzalez-Abad, M Alonso, G Megias, N Rabella, M del Cuerpo, M Gozalo-Margüello, A González-Praetorius, A Martínez-Sapiña, MJ Goyanes-Galán, MP Romero, C Calvo, A Antón, M Imaz, M Aranzamendi, Á Hernandez, A Moreno-Docón, S Rey Cao, A Navascuences, A Otero, M Cabrerizo. Molecular epidemiology of the first Spanish enterovirus A71 outbreak associated with severe neurological diseases, 2016. Euro Surveill. 2019 Feb;24(7).

PUBMED DOI

Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance: challenges and opportunities from 18 years’ experience, Spain, 1998 to 2015.

J Masa-Calles, N Torner, N López-Perea, MV Torres de Mier, B Fernández-Martínez, M Cabrerizo, V Gallardo-García, C Malo, M Margolles, M Portell, N Abadía, A Blasco, S García-Hernández, H Marcos, N Rabella, C Marín, A Fuentes, I Losada, A Nieto, V García Ortúzar, M García Cenoz, JM Arteagoitia, Á Blanco Martínez, A Rivas, D Castrillejo, Spanish AFP Surveillance Working Group. Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance: challenges and opportunities from 18 years’ experience, Spain, 1998 to 2015. EuroSurveill 2018 23(47):pii=1700423.

PUBMED DOI

Recommendations for enterovirus diagnostics and characterisation within and beyond Europe.

H Harvala, E Broberg, K Benschop, N Berginc, S Ladhani, P Susi, C Christiansen, J McKenna, D Allen, P Makiello, G McAllister, M Carmen, M Sveinsdottir, K Zakikhany, T Gunnarsdottir, R Dyrdak, X Nielsen, T Madsen, J Paul, C Moore, K von Eije, A Piralla , M Strutt, M Carileir, L Vanoverschelde, R Poelman, A Anton, X López-Labrador, C Galli, K Keeren, M Maier, H Cassidy, S Derdas, C Savolainen-Kopra, S Diedrich, S Nordbø, P Minor, J Buesa, H Yu, Q Liao, JL Bailly, F Baldanti, A MacAdam, N Grossly, A Mirand, S Dudman, I Schuffenecker, S Kadamba, n Neyts, M Griffiths, J Richter, C Margaretto, S Govind, U Morley, S Krokstad, J Dean, M Salort, B Prochazka, H-R Honkanen, M Cabrerizo, M Majumdar, L Pellegrinelli, G Nebbia, M Wiewel, S Cottrell, P Coyle, O Adams, J Martin, S Midgley, P Horby, K Wolthers, B Hubert Niesters, P Simmonds and TK Fischer. Recommendations for enterovirus diagnostics and characterisation within and beyond Europe. J Clin Virol 101: 11-17 (2018).

PUBMED DOI

Molecular surveillance of norovirus, 2005-16: an epidemiological analysis of data collected from the NoroNet network.

4. J van Beek, M de Graaf, H Al-Hhello, DJ Allen, K Ambert-Balay, N Botteldoorn, M Brytting, J Buesa, M Cabrerizo, M Chan, F Cloak, I Di Bartolo, S Guix, J Hewitt, N Iritani, M Jin, R Johne, I Lederer, J Mans, V Martella, L Maunula, G McAllister, S Niendorf, HG Niesters, AT Podkolzin, M Poljsak-Prijatelj, L Dam Rasmussen, G Reuter, G Tuite, A Kroneman, H Vennema, MPG Koopmans, on behalf of NoroNet. Molecular surveillance of norovirus, 2005-16: an epidemiological analysis of data collected from the NoroNet network. Lancet Infect Dis 18:545-553 (2018)

PUBMED DOI

First Cases of Severe Flaccid Paralysis Associated with Enterovirus D68 Infection in Spain, 2015-2016.

M Cabrerizo*, JP García-Iñiguez, F Munell, A Amado, P Madurga-Revilla, C Rodrigo, S Pérez, A Martínez-Sapiña, A Antón, G Suárez, N Rabella, V Del Campo, A Otero, J Masa-Calles. First Cases of Severe Flaccid Paralysis Associated with Enterovirus D68 Infection in Spain, 2015-2016. Pediatric Infect Dis J; 36: 1214-1216 (2017).

PUBMED DOI

Outbreak of brainstem encephalitis associated with enterovirus-A71 in Catalonia, Spain (2016): a clinical observational study in a children’s reference centre in Catalonia

6. D Casas-Alba, M de Sevilla, A Valero-Rello, C Fortuny, JJ Garcia, C Ortez, J Muchart, T Armangue, I Jordan, C Luaces-Cubells, I Barrabeig, R González-Sanz, M Cabrerizo, C Munoz-Almagro, C Launes. Outbreak of brainstem encephalitis associated with enterovirus-A71 in Catalonia, Spain (2016): a clinical observational study in a children’s reference centre in Catalonia. Clin Microbiol Infect 23: 874-881 (2017)

PUBMED DOI

Molecular epidemiology of enterovirus and parechovirus infections according to patient age over a 4-year period in Spain.

7. M Cabrerizo*, M Díaz-Cerio, C Muñoz-Almagro, N Rabella, D Tarragó, MP Romero, MJ Pena, C Calvo, S Rey-Cao, A Moreno-Docón, I Martínez-Rienda, A Otero, G Trallero. Molecular epidemiology of enterovirus and parechovirus infections according to patient age over a 4-year period in Spain. J Med Virol 89: 435-442 (2017).

PUBMED DOI

Content with Investigacion Inmunobiología .

List of staff

Additional Information

El grupo está interesado en el estudio de la respuesta inmune desde una perspectiva multidisciplinar que incluye aproximaciones genómicas, bioquímicas, proteómicas, modelos in vivo y biotecnológicas encaminadas al diseño de estrategias terapéuticas frente a diversas enfermedades crónicas, infecciosas y raras que poseen un claro componente inmunológico en su etiología. Los objetivos concretos actuales se centran en: Presentación antigénica: Identificación de las reglas de presentación antigénica para su aplicación en el diseño tratamientos terapéuticos incluyendo vacunas. Estudio de la función CD69 y su regulación; su uso como diana terapéutica en la movilización de precursores hematopoyéticos y en la potenciación de la respuesta inmune mediada por CD69 con en la potenciación de vacunas utilizando como vector el virus vaccinia.

The group is interested in the study of the immune response from a multidisciplinary perspective that includes genomic, biochemical, proteomic, in vivo and biotechnological models aimed at the design of therapeutic strategies against various chronic, infectious and rare diseases that have a clear immunological component in their etiology.


The current specific objectives focus on:

 

  • Antigenic presentation: Identification of antigenic presentation rules for their application in the design of therapeutic treatments including vaccines.
  • Study of CD69 function and its regulation; its use as a therapeutic target in the mobilization of hematopoietic precursors and in the potentiation of the immune response mediated by CD69 with the potentiation of vaccines using the vaccinia virus as a vector.

The group is interested in the study of the immune response from a multidisciplinary perspective that includes genomic, biochemical, proteomic, in vivo and biotechnological models aimed at the design of therapeutic strategies against various chronic, infectious and rare diseases that have a clear immunological component in their etiology.


The current specific objectives focus on:

 

  • Antigenic presentation: Identification of antigenic presentation rules for their application in the design of therapeutic treatments including vaccines.
  • Study of CD69 function and its regulation; its use as a therapeutic target in the mobilization of hematopoietic precursors and in the potentiation of the immune response mediated by CD69 with the potentiation of vaccines using the vaccinia virus as a vector.

Content with Investigacion Inmunobiología .