About our Department
What is the overall aim?
We aim to unravel physiological mechanisms involved in development and progression of pulmonary diseases. This knowledge allows us to continuously improve existing treatment and develop novel treatments for diseases that are currently incurable.
What are the focus areas of your research?
The research of the department of Pulmonary Medicine is organized in 8 research lines (see groups): pulmonary oncology, molecular immunology, interstitial lung diseases and sarcoidosis, immunoregulation and mucosal immunology, respiratory epidemiology, pulmonary hypertension, lung transplantation and pulmonary infectious diseases. Our clinical research is supported by our own research bureau.
- Prof dr. Joachim Aerts - Head of the department
- Prof. dr. Marlies Wijsenbeek - Deputy head of the department
- Prof. dr. Anne-Marie Dingemans
- Prof. dr. Rudi Hendriks
- Prof. dr. Bart Lambrecht
- Prof. dr. Guy Brusselle
- Dr. Ralph Stadhouders
Molecular Immunology of the Lung
Research in the Molecular Immunology of the Lung group aims to unravel the molecular circuits that underlie immune cell (dys)function, with a strong focus on chronic inflammatory diseases of the lung and (lung) cancer. To this end, we use a multi-disciplinary approach that combines classical immunology experiments and mouse models with state-of-the-art (spatial) omics technology and (epi)genome editing of primary human immune cells.
PIs:
- Prof. dr. Rudi Hendriks
- Dr. Ralph Stadhouders
- Dr. Mieke Metzemaekers
Interstitial Lung Diseases
Research in the ILD group focuses on the role of B and T lymphocytes in chronic inflammatory diseases of the lung, such as interstitial lung disease and sarcoidosis, and long COVID. Using (spectral) flow cytometry, in vitro functional assays and omics, we aim to identify triggers and signals that can lead to dysregulation of the immune system, and uncover mechanisms that reprogram immune cells in these chronic diseases.
PIs:
- Prof. dr. Rudi Hendriks
- Dr. Odilia Corneth
Thoracic Oncology
Cancer immunotherapies aim to generate novel or amplify existing anti-tumor immune responses in patients, but still the majority does not respond durably for reasons incompletely understood. At the Thoracic Oncology Research Rotterdam (THORR) group, we strive to unravel the prerequisites for effective anti-tumor immunity and the mechanisms behind resistance to immunotherapies. Our research primarily focuses on immune checkpoint blockade and vaccination in various types of cancer, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, pancreatic cancer and melanoma.
PIs:
- Prof. dr. Joachim Aerts
- Dr. Marcella Willemsen
- Dr. Floris Dammeijer
- Dr. Mandy van Gulijk
- Dr. Christianne Groeneveldt
Onrust-van Schoonhoven A, de Bruijn MJW, Stikker B, Brouwer RWW, Braunstahl GJ, van IJcken WFJ, Graf T, Huylebroeck D, Hendriks RW, Stik G, Stadhouders R. 3D chromatin reprogramming primes human memory TH2 cells for rapid recall and pathogenic dysfunction. Sci Immunol. 2023 Jul 14;8(85):eadg3917
Van Gulijk M, van Krimpen A, Schetters S, Eterman M, van Elsas M, Mankor J, Klaase L, de Bruijn M, van Nimwegen M, van Tienhoven T, van Ijcken W, Boon L, van der Schoot J, Verdoes M, Scheeren F, van der Burg SH, Lambrecht BN, Stadhouders R, Dammeijer F, Aerts J, van Hall T. PD-L1 checkpoint blockade promotes regulatory T cell activity that underlies therapy resistance. Sci Immunol. 2023 May 19;8(83):eabn6173.
Van Krimpen A, Gerretsen VIV, Mulder EEAP, van Gulijk M, van den Bosch TPP, von der Thüsen J, Grünhagen DJ, Verhoef C, Mustafa D, Aerts JG, Stadhouders R, Dammeijer F. Immune suppression in the tumor-draining lymph node corresponds with distant disease recurrence in patients with melanoma. Cancer Cell. 2022 Aug 8;40(8):798-799.
Cantini L, Laniado I, Murthy V, Sterman D, Aerts JGJV. Immunotherapy for mesothelioma: Moving beyond single immune check point inhibition. Lung Cancer. 2022 Jan 25;165:91-101.
