Respiratory diseases
Since its groundbreaking work on diphtheria and tuberculosis, the Pasteur Institute of Lille has established itself as a key player in respiratory disease research. The birthplace of the BCG vaccine against tuberculosis, our institute houses one of the largest research teams dedicated to this lung disease, as well as renowned experts working on modern respiratory illnesses such as asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and the effects of air pollution.
Respiratory diseases, a public health issue
Chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma (affecting young people) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (affecting the elderly), represent a major public health problem in France and worldwide. These are diseases of civilization. The progression of these pathologies is punctuated by the occurrence of infectious episodes. These diseases are responsible for high morbidity and mortality, affecting millions of people and resulting in significant costs for healthcare systems. Our research aims to play a crucial role in the fight against these diseases through innovative and integrated research strategies.
Respiratory diseases cause approximately 30% of deaths after age 65. At the Pasteur Institute in Lille, researchers are studying inflammatory lung diseases such as asthma, respiratory allergies, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD COPD is a disease that remains relatively unknown to the general public. It currently affects approximately 3,5 million people in France and is primarily linked to smoking. According to the latest estimates, COPD will be the fourth leading cause of death in France by 2030. Allergic asthma, common in children, affects 300 million people worldwide.asthma COPD affects 7% of the population in France and nearly 12% in the Hauts-de-France region. Each year, 17,500 people with COPD and 1500 asthmatics die.
What is a respiratory disease?
A respiratory illness is a condition that affects the respiratory system, particularly the lungs, trachea, and bronchi, making breathing difficult. These illnesses can be caused by viral infections (such as the flu), bacteria, allergies, or pollution. Symptoms often include shortness of breath, a persistent cough, and increased fatigue. Treatments vary depending on the illness, ranging from medications to respiratory therapies, to improve the quality of life for those affected.
The Pasteur Institute of Lille and respiratory diseases: a unique ecosystem
Our research areas
- Air pollution and lung infections: studies the impact of air pollution, which is found in enclosed spaces when windows are opened for ventilation, on susceptibility to lung infections.Learn more)
- Pollen of the future: The team anticipates the composition of pollen in the future under different atmospheres and various climate change scenarios in order to study the pulmonary sensitization and allergenic potential of these future pollens.Learn more)
- COPD and genetic predispositions: to study the genetic predispositions to developing COPD.Learn more)
- Pathophysiology of COPD: identification of new metabolic pathways for the development of new drugs.Learn more)
- Asthma and dust mites: The team has developed a new method to alleviate the effects of dust mite asthma. Ultimately, this work could lead to therapeutic applications. The researchers demonstrated that by inhibiting the activation pathway of a receptor involved in the detection of certain bacteria, it is possible to treat the disease.
Focus on asthma and COPD
asthma
Severe asthma (10% of asthma cases), which severely limits physical activity despite well-managed treatment, still lacks a truly effective therapeutic solution. Dr. Anne Tsicopoulos' team at the Center for Infection and Immunity in Lille (INSERM U1019 – CNRS UMR9017 – University of Lille), hosted by the Pasteur Institute of Lille, is working on the mechanisms involved in inflammatory tissue cells and lymphocytes (white blood cells involved in immunity). The researchers are analyzing how these cells and their mediators orchestrate the inflammatory response and tissue remodeling in order to identify new therapeutic targets.
Researchers are trying to identify the various factors that can contribute to the onset or worsening of this condition. First and foremost, they point to pollution as a critical factor in asthma exacerbation. "Infectious factors (70% of viral infections worsen asthma) and obesity are also aggravating factors," explains Dr. Anne Tsicopoulos. Current research is focused on personalized medicine to help everyone age well. "Each type of asthma could potentially have a corresponding biologic therapy," concludes Dr. Anne Tsicopoulos.
Dr. Philippe Gosset's team, also at the CIIL, is investigating the link between viral infections and childhood asthma. Viral infections, particularly during early childhood, can trigger the onset of allergic asthma. The condition can then progress, leading to exacerbations that may require hospitalization. "Our goal is to better understand these links and define markers that will allow us to identify patients developing severe forms of the disease and who are most resistant to current treatments," explains Philippe Gosset. Air pollution is also a significant factor in the progression of asthma. The teams are evaluating the impact of pollutants on the development and exacerbation of this disease.
For further : “Researchers from Lille identify biomarkers of allergic asthma in children”
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Often linked to smoking, COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide. No cure is currently available. COPD can lead to bronchitis, emphysema (destruction of the alveoli in the lungs), respiratory failure, and cardiac complications. The progression of this disease is characterized by episodes of exacerbation, very frequently triggered by respiratory infections.
Within the CIIL's "Opportunistic Infections, Immunity, Environment & Pulmonary Diseases" team, Muriel Pichavant and Philippe Gosset are working to understand the origins of the factors that explain this susceptibility to infections and the consequences of these episodes on COPD. "Patients very frequently develop bronchitis due to respiratory infections. These accelerate the progression of the disease and the deterioration of the patient's overall condition, leading to death in the medium term," the two researchers explain. The team is studying susceptibility factors to respiratory infections in a preclinical model of COPD and using cellular models. The involvement of other environmental factors, such as air pollution, and the patient's genetic factors are being investigated, particularly nicotine receptors, the element responsible for tobacco addiction. Finally, this team is evaluating the impact of new forms of smoking (e-cigarettes (vaping) and heated tobacco sticks) on respiratory health, especially in the long term. The team develops collaborations with teams from the University Hospital of Lille, teams from INSERM in Reims and from the Pasteur Institute in Paris and Lille.
For further : “Podcast episode #18: Muriel Pichavant – At full lungs”
