The Lymphopoiesis Unit consists of three different research groups:

The group of Ana Cumano has reported that hematopoiesis, in the mouse embryo, is established from two populations independently generated in the yolk sac and in the intra-embryonic mesoderm.

The hematopoietic precursors generated in the intra-embryonic mesoderm are the only ones capable of hematopoietic stem cell activity. Hematopoietic cells generated in both sites are being studied for cell cycle analysis, for the expression of surface markers, transcription factors and interleukin receptors.

The group of Pablo Pereira studies the development of gd T cells.

They have identified and characterize a subset that expresses a very restricted T cell repertoire and that produces g-interferon, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-3. These cells with a restricted repertoire and expressed at different levels in different mouse strains can become an invaluable tool towards the identification of gd T cell ligand recognition.

The group of Rachel Golub studies the hematopoiesis and organogenesis processes in fetal spleen.

They study stroma-hematopoietic precursors interactions which control the fetal spleen hematopoiesis. They showed that hematopoietic stem cells early colonize this organ (E13.5 embryonic day). They are not able to expand and follow a unique myeloid committment. Now, they are studying the pathways involved during this differentiation (intrinsic and extrinsic factors). They also examine the different cellular types and their implications during the first stages of spleen structuration. The stromal factors that are responsible for its architecture are under detection.

Web site created by Marie-Christine Vougny (04/2004)