The laboratory "Autoimmune Diseases" (LMA) of the Department IDMIT on the Campus of the hospital of Bicêtre, is interested in the pathophysiology, the epidemiology and the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), the Sjögren syndrome (SS), the lymphomas which occur in patients with autoimmune diseases and neuro-inflammations in children.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Regarding rheumatoid arthritis, we study the genetic markers of the response to anti-TNF drugs, as well as the molecular basis of immunogenicity against protein (antibody) treatments by determining the epitopes of CD4 T lymphocytes. We are currently studying the mechanisms of action of methotrexate to decrease the immunogenicity of the biological treatments of rheumatoid arthritis. In a Baff transgenic mouse model, we demonstrated the existence of an interaction between BAFF cytokine and methotrexate favourable to the production of Bregs (regulatory B cells) promoting tolerability. Due to the affiliation of our team to the UMR 1184/IDMIT, we are working to set up a model of rheumatoid arthritis in macaques. 

Sjögren syndrome

Vis-a-vis Sjögren syndrome, we study the genetic environment (genetic polymorphism & epigenetic modifications) and its influence on the development of Sjögren syndrome in patients. The important role of IL12/IL35 equilibrium through the genetic polymorphism of IL12 and the reduction of IL35 has recently been demonstrated.

Lymphomas associated with autoimmune diseases

In the field of lymphomas that occur in patients with autoimmune diseases, we are interested in identifying the molecular factors and/or abnormalities (somatic or genetic) associated with an increased risk of lymphoma in patients with Sjögren syndrome. This is particularly the case of chemokine CXCL13 and certain somatic or genetic anomalies of TNFAIP3 (A20), a gene controlling the activation of NF Kappa B.