Yvette van Kooyk

Dendritic Cell Immunobiology    

Professional antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells (DC) and Langerhans cells (LC) form a link between first line host-defence and cellular immunity. As sentinels in tissues, DC/LC express a range of innate receptors, such as Toll-like receptors and C-type lectins that recognize a variety of pathogens and self-antigens. We study how binding of carbohydrates by glycan binding receptors on immune cells regulate tumor growth and pathogen recognition and inflammation. Glycan binding receptors (C-type lectins and siglecs) on DC influence antigen presentation, T cell differentiation, signalling and adhesion. We unravel how glycosylation in (tumor)tissue or pathogens dictates specific DC activating and inhibiting programs that exert their effect on T cell and NK(T) cell function. We modify antigens with specific glycans to alter DC directed immune responses. We design cancer vaccines that have immune stimulating anti-tumor immunity, alternatively immune inhibitory vaccines for treatment of auto-immune diseases. Through fundamental discovery we aim to apply knowledge on glycan-DC modifying processes to be implemented in the treatment of cancer and auto-immune diseases.  

Key Publications

RodrÍguez E, Schetters STT, van Kooyk Y. The tumour glyco-code as a novel immune checkpoint for immunotherapy. Nat Rev Immunol. 2018 Feb 5. doi: 10.1038/nri.2018.3.

Li RE, van Vliet SJ, van Kooyk Y. Using the glycan toolbox for pathogenic interventions and glycan immunotherapy. Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2017 Nov 22;51:24-31. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2017.11.003.

Perdicchio M, Ilarregui JM, Verstege MI, Cornellissen LAM, Schetters STT, Engels S, Ambrosini M, Kalay H, Veninga H, den Haan JMM, van Berkel LA,Samsom J,Crocker PR, Sparwasser T, Berod L, Garcia Vallejo JJ, WWJ Unger and Y.van Kooyk. Sialic-acid modified antigens impose tolerance via inhibiton of T cell proliferation and de novo induction of regulatory T cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2016 Mar 3. pii: 201507706.

Perdicchio M, Cornelissen LA, Streng-Ouwehand I, Engels S, Verstege MI, Boon L, Geerts D, Unger WW, Kooyk Yv. Tumor sialylation impedes T cell mediated anti-tumor responses while promoting tumor associated-regulatory T cells. Oncotarget. 2016 Jan 5. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.6822.

Unger WW, Mayer CT, Engels S, Hesse C, Perdicchio M, Puttur F, Streng-Ouwehand I, Litjens M, Kalay H, Berod L, Sparwasser T, van Kooyk Y. Antigen targeting to dendritic cells combined with transient regulatory T cell inhibition results in long-term tumor regression. Oncoimmunology. 2014 Oct 31;4(8):e970462.

Overview of publications of Yvette van Kooyk Group: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=van+Kooyk

Contact details: Email y.vankooyk@vumc.nl; Phone 020-4448084 of 4448080 (secr.)