A major discovery opens new perspectives in understanding the immune system.

Researchers from the Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille Luminy (CIML) have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the development of regulatory T cells (Tregs), which are essential players in controlling our immune system. This discovery could have important implications for the treatment of various autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The team led by Dr. Magali Irla identified a new checkpoint that regulates the development of Tregs in the thymus, a crucial organ for the production of T lymphocytes, key players in our immune system. A molecule called lymphotoxin (LTα1β2) plays an unexpected role in limiting the production of these Treg cells. This inhibitory mechanism involves another molecule, interleukin-4 (IL-4), produced by thymic epithelial cells. This discovery helps us better understand how our body maintains a delicate immune balance. Treg cells are essential to prevent autoimmune reactions, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's healthy tissues.
Dr. Magali Irla, the study's author, explains: "Our discovery reveals a new natural 'brake' in the development of Treg cells. Understanding this mechanism could help us develop new therapies for diseases where the immune system is dysregulated, such as multiple sclerosis, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, type 1 diabetes or certain forms of arthritis." Researchers will now explore how this knowledge can be applied to develop new treatments. They hope that this discovery will pave the way for more targeted and effective therapies for certain autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, with potentially fewer side effects than current treatments.
This study, published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications, once again underscores the importance of fundamental research in improving our understanding of the human body and, ultimately, our health.

Inserm National Press Release

Does inflammation control intestinal healing? A new discovery identifies a promising therapeutic target for patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

A research team from the Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy (CIML), led by Dr. Achille Broggi, in collaboration with Dr. Ivan Zanoni from Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, has discovered a key mechanism that slows down intestinal tissue repair during chronic inflammation. This major discovery, published in the prestigious journal Cell, shows that interferon lambda protein (IFN-λ), normally useful against viruses, is produced in excess in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Through studies on intestinal organoids, researchers have demonstrated that this overproduction activates the ZBP1 protein in intestinal cells, which acts as a stress sensor and destroys intestinal stem cells, thus preventing the regeneration of the epithelial layer. This promising breakthrough paves the way for potential new treatments, not only for the 250,000 French patients with IBD, of whom only 50% achieve complete remission with current treatments, but also for people undergoing radiotherapy. The team will soon collaborate with clinicians and pharmaceutical companies to develop therapies specifically targeting this mechanism, hoping to significantly improve patients' quality of life.

Nouvelles perspectives thérapeutiques pour les Maladies Inflammatoires Chroniques de l’Intestin | CNRS Biologie

CIML Unveils the Mysteries of the Immune System during Science Festival

As part of the Science Festival, the Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy (CIML) successfully launched its educational campaign "Dive into the Heart of Our Immunity," offering high school students from Marseille a fascinating immersion into the world of our natural defenses.This innovative educational initiative allowed students from two schools in the Phocaean city to discover the secrets of the immune system, the protective shield of our organism. The program featured an engaging conference and interactive workshops that transformed complex scientific concepts into enriching and accessible experiences, guided by passionate researchers who shared their expertise and enthusiasm.
By opening its doors, CIML pursues two objectives: raising awareness among the younger generation about the crucial importance of immunology in our daily health and inspiring scientific vocations in students by allowing them to discover the exciting careers in research. L'Inserm et ses chercheurs mobilisés pour la Fête de la Science en région Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur - Inserm pro