HS-MAIT

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), or Verneuil's disease, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects approximately 1% of the population. It is characterized by flare-ups of painful, purulent lesions located in skin folds. Although the exact pathogenesis of HS remains poorly understood, the current paradigm suggests an inappropriate immune response against the skin's microbial flora. Several studies have highlighted skin dysbiosis and a biased immune response (Th1/Th17) during flare-ups. Treatment with antibiotics and anti-cytokine agents is partially effective, although antibiotics appear to be associated with better control of flare frequency. This observation suggests that regulation of the skin microbiota is crucial in the development of HS flare-ups.

Axel Villani's team hypothesizes that MAIT cells, which play an important role in regulating the skin microbiota, are central to the development of HS when they become dysfunctional, thereby preventing control of skin dysbiosis. Their initial results show that the lesion skin of HS patients has hypofunctional MAITs and that the percentage of circulating MAITs is inversely correlated with clinical severity and frequency of flare-ups. In order to validate and further investigate these results, they will analyze the phenotype of MAITs (spectral cytometry and single-cell RNAseq) and their functions (adapted in vitro tests with bacteria of interest in HS and the metabolite riboflavin).

Finally, they will attempt to identify biomarkers that can be used to determine which HS patients are critically affected by MAITs, as well as to predict response to current treatments. This study will provide essential information on the pathogenesis of HS, particularly with regard to the early events that trigger flare-ups, and will pave the way for new therapeutic strategies.

More information about the EIA team.