Coraline Radermecker: The long-term effects of neutrophils on pulmonary endothelial function

Coraline Radermecker, PhD in Immunology, has just been awarded a mandate by the F.R.S.-FNRS to continue her research into the role of pulmonary neutrophils in the regulation of blood vessels in healthy and diseased lungs. Although neutrophils are known to be essential cells in the human immune response, their presence and role in healthy lung tissue remain largely unknown.

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very day, a healthy adult produces around 100 billion neutrophils. Surprisingly, a large proportion of these immune cells (up to 50%) accumulate in the pulmonary capillaries, forming what is known as the "pulmonary margin pool". However, the mechanisms behind this phenomenon, particularly in healthy individuals, remain unclear. In preliminary experiments, it was discovered that neutrophils present in the lungs could regulate the function and dynamics of blood vessels, even in the absence of infection. Coraline Radermecker's project proposes to explore these interactions in two phases. In the first phase, the study will focus on how neutrophils regulate lung blood vessels in healthy individuals, with the aim of discovering the mechanisms responsible for this regulation. The second phase will analyse how interactions between neutrophils and endothelial cells evolve in pathological contexts, in the hope of identifying new therapeutic targets for restoring vascular function in diseases where it is impaired.

While there is growing interest in the role of neutrophils in inflammatory processes, their function in maintaining homeostasis (the regulation of the body's physiological constants) is still largely unknown. Yet these cells are present in large numbers in healthy individuals. The project will focus on the precise characterisation of the pulmonary marginated pool: where exactly is it located in the lungs? Do neutrophils interact with specific types of endothelial cells in the pulmonary capillaries? What mechanisms attract these neutrophils to the pulmonary blood vessels and sequester them there?

A better understanding of the heterogeneity of neutrophils and their influence on the endothelial cells of blood vessels, whether in healthy individuals or as part of inflammatory processes, could open up numerous therapeutic prospects. By distinguishing between 'harmful' and 'beneficial' neutrophil subtypes, researchers could develop targeted treatments for a wide range of diseases. These therapies could inhibit or promote certain neutrophil functions, opening the way to treatments for conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders or excessive inflammation, for which current therapeutic options are limited. Coraline Radermecker's innovative project marks a major step forward in our understanding of the complexities of neutrophil biology and their implications for lung health and related diseases.

About Coraline Radermecker

Coraline Radermecker has a degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Liège. After graduating in 2012, she was quickly drawn to the world of research, a passion that came to the fore when she met Professor Fabrice Bureau, a specialist in Cellular and Molecular Immunology. During her studies, although she initially intended to pursue a career in equine medicine, her curiosity for basic sciences such as physiology, biology and immunology led her to explore the field of research.

It was during an internship in Professor Bureau's laboratory that she discovered a real vocation for scientific research. This experience led her to undertake a PhD in Immunology in the same laboratory.

After spending four years working on her doctoral thesis, she joined Professor Thomas Marichal's Immunophysiology laboratory, where she continued her research. In 2024, she was appointed a qualified researcher by the F.R.S.-FNRS to continue her research on pulmonary neutrophils.

Throughout her career, Coraline has combined her passion for basic science and applied research, while making a significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge in immunology and physiology.