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Dr Isabelle Maridonneau-Parini
Activation and differentiation of phagocytes
Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale – CNRS UMR5089
205 route de Narbonne
31077 Toulouse Cedex 4
France
Tel : +33 (0)561-175-458
Fax : +33 (0)561-175-994
Email: isabelle.maridonneau-parini@ipbs.fr
Website (opens as pdf): http://www.ipbs.fr/english/pdf/maridonneau.pdf
Our research is focused on the molecular mechanisms that control the activation of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages. We have observed that the tyrosine kinase Hck, a non-receptor tyrosine kinase of the Src family, is a key regulator of phagocyte activation, mainly during phagocytosis when bacteria are captured, and also when lysosomes fuse with phagosomes. We are now investigating 1) the mechanisms of trans-matrix migration of phagocytes; 2) the regulation of lysosome mobilisation; and 3) the regulation of podosome dynamics. We design new imaging tools in order to observe these phenomena in living cells.
Podosomes in a migrating human macrophage. A human monocyte-derived macrophage was cultured on a glass cover-slip and stained for its nucleus (Blue) and filamentous actin (red). Single-dot podosomes are clustered at the leading edge of the cell.