Dr. Fawzi Aoudjit is a senior scientist at the CHU de Québec Research Centre and a professor at the department of microbiology-infectiology and immunology of the Laval University School of Medicine. His research program seeks to understand the mechanisms controlling T cell activity in tissues during inflammatory/autoimmune diseases and cancer, with a focus on the role of the adhesion molecules that bind to extracellular matrix, the integrins. T cells play an important role in the adaptive immune response, but are also critical to the development of inflammatory diseases, and could become malignant and lead to cancer. Recent work by Dr. Aoudjit’s group significantly contributed to understand the importance of extracellular matrix-binding integrins in the regulation of T cell activation and the development of immune response. Along these lines, Dr. Aoudjit and his team have shown that the collagen-binding integrin alpha2beta1 is an important pathway in Th17 cell activation and in the development of arthritis. These studies were highlighted in the news bulletin ‘Immune regulation news’. Dr. Aoudjit received several acknowledgements for his work among which, the New Investigator Award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, in 2004.

The current objectives aim to

  1. understand how collagen receptors such as integrins and discoïdin domain receptors interact to promote the survival and migration of T cell subsets in inflammatory tissues; two critical T cell functions necessary to the development of inflammation, as well as to mounting an anti-cancer immune response.
  2. determine the role of integrins in the development of lymphoblastic leukemia by investigating their implication in the tissue dissemination of leukemic T cells, and in their resistance to chemotherapy; two cancer features that limit the efficacy of anti-cancer treatments.

The implication of these receptors in the development of inflammatory diseases and cancer is being investigated in human T cell models, in preclinical models of autoimmune diseases, leukemia, and in models of anti-cancer immunity, as well as at the clinical level with the collaboration of clinicians.

In addition to advancing knowledge, these studies aim at the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and treatments for autoimmune diseases and cancer.

CHUL
2705, boulevard Laurier
T-1-49
Québec, Québec
Canada G1V 4G2
+1 418-525-4444, extension 46071
+1 418-654-2765
fawzi.aoudjit@crchudequeb...

Latest news

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Defrene J, Berrazouane S, Esparza N, Page N, Cote MF, Gobeil S, Aoudjit F, Tessier PA

Deletion of S100a8 and S100a9 Enhances Skin Hyperplasia and Promotes the Th17 Response in Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis.

Journal Article

J Immunol, 206 (3), pp. 505-514, 2021, ISSN: 0022-1767.

Abstract | Links:

Gamara J, Davis L, Rollet-Labelle E, Hongu T, Funakoshi Y, Kanaho Y, Aoudjit F, Bourgoin SG

Assessment of Arf6 Deletion in PLB-985 Differentiated in Neutrophil-Like Cells and in Mouse Neutrophils: Impact on Adhesion and Migration.

Journal Article

Mediators Inflamm, 2020 , pp. 2713074, 2020, ISSN: 0962-9351.

Abstract | Links:

Bachsais M, Salti S, Zaoui K, Hassan GS, Aoudjit F, Mourad W

CD154 inhibits death of T cells via a Cis interaction with the α5β1 integrin.

Journal Article

PLoS ONE, 15 (8), pp. e0235753, 2020.

Abstract | Links:

Naci D, Berrazouane S, Barabe F, Aoudjit F

Cell adhesion to collagen promotes leukemia resistance to doxorubicin by reducing DNA damage through the inhibition of Rac1 activation.

Journal Article

Sci Rep, 9 (1), pp. 19455, 2019, ISSN: 2045-2322.

Abstract | Links:

Salem M, El Azreq MA, Pelletier J, Robaye B, Aoudjit F, Sevigny J

Exacerbated intestinal inflammation in P2Y6 deficient mice is associated with Th17 activation.

Journal Article

Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis, 1865 (10), pp. 2595-2605, 2019, ISSN: 0925-4439.

Abstract | Links:

Berrazouane S, Boisvert M, Salti S, Mourad W, Al-Daccak R, Barabe F, Aoudjit F

Beta1 integrin blockade overcomes doxorubicin resistance in human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Journal Article

Cell Death Dis, 10 (5), pp. 357, 2019.

Abstract | Links:

Cesaro A, Defrene J, Lachhab A, Page N, Tardif MR, Al-Shami A, Oravecz T, Fortin PR, Daudelin JF, Labrecque N, Aoudjit F, Pelletier M, Tessier PA

Enhanced myelopoiesis and aggravated arthritis in S100a8-deficient mice.

Journal Article

PLoS ONE, 14 (8), pp. e0221528, 2019.

Abstract | Links:

Abderrazak A, El Azreq MA, Naci D, Fortin PR, Aoudjit F

Alpha2beta1 Integrin (VLA-2) Protects Activated Human Effector T Cells From Methotrexate-Induced Apoptosis.

Journal Article

Front Immunol, 9 , pp. 2269, 2018, ISSN: 1664-3224.

Abstract | Links:

Kadiri M, El Azreq MA, Berrazouane S, Boisvert M, Aoudjit F

Human Th17 Migration in Three-Dimensional Collagen Involves p38 MAPK.

Journal Article

J Cell Biochem, 118 (9), pp. 2819-2827, 2017, ISSN: 0730-2312.

Abstract | Links:

El Azreq MA, Kadiri M, Boisvert M, Page N, Tessier PA, Aoudjit F

Discoidin domain receptor 1 promotes Th17 cell migration by activating the RhoA/ROCK/MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.

Journal Article

Oncotarget, 7 (29), pp. 44975-44990, 2016, ISSN: 1949-2553.

Abstract | Links:

54 entries « ‹ 1 of 6 › »
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Active projects

  • Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Subvention, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec - Université Laval, Centres de recherche affiliés, from 2017-01-01 to 2099-12-31
  • Expression and function of discoidin domain receptor 1 in T cells, Subvention, Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et génie Canada, Subventions à la découverte SD (individuelles et d'équipe), from 2017-04-01 to 2022-03-31
  • Role of discoidin domain receptor 1 in T cell migration and arthritis, Subvention, La société d'arthrite, from 2020-01-01 to 2022-12-31

Recently finished projects

  • Centre de recherche en arthrite de l'Université Laval, Subvention, Institutionnel - BDR, BDR - Entités de recherche en émergence, from 2019-01-01 to 2020-01-31
  • Elucidating the role of alpha2beta1 integrin in the chemoresistance of acute lymphoblastic leukemia., Subvention, Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada, Subvention de fonctionnement, from 2014-07-01 to 2019-06-30
  • Immunosuppressive function of S100A8 in arthritis., Subvention, Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada, Subvention de fonctionnement, from 2014-07-01 to 2019-06-30
Data provided by the Université Laval research projects registery