Immunopharmacology - Bourquin Group

Innovative therapies for inflammatory diseases and cancer

Our group investigates the fundamental mechanisms that shape immune responses and explores promising pharmacological targets for inflammatory diseases and cancer. Our objective is to facilitate the translation of fundamental immunopharmacology into clinical applications by promoting the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.

The immune system is an extraordinary network that protects our body from a wide range of threats. However, this powerful defense system needs to be tightly regulated to prevent excessive activation, which can result in harmful inflammation and chronic disease. Our research group is dedicated to understanding how this balance is achieved and how it can be therapeutically improved. To do so, we combine cellular assays and preclinical models, using state of the art techniques to deeply characterize immune cell phenotypes and functions.

Because the immune system is remarkably complex, our projects span a wide scientific landscape. We study the roles of diverse immune cells — including dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and eosinophils — in initiating, sustaining, and regulating inflammation. We also specialize in cancer immunopharmacology, examining how immunomodulatory molecules such as gasotransmitters influence the immune response against cancer. A particular focus of our work is cellular metabolism: how metabolic pathways in both cancer cells and immune cells shape their interactions, and how metabolic interventions can improve therapeutic outcomes.

Research Projects

Project leader: Prof. Carole Bourquin

Novel gasotransmitters and antitumor immune responses

Gasotransmitters are small gaseous molecules that are produced endogenously in mammalian cells and regulate key biological processes. This family is composed of nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S), which exhibit similar biochemical and pharmacological properties. Notably, gasotransmitters are featured with bell-shaped effects, with different or even opposite effects at different concentrations. However, the effects of these molecules on the immune system remain poorly characterized. Our project aims to investigate the effects of gasotransmitters, particularly hydrogen sulfide, on the immune compartment. The ultimate goal is to identify the roles of these gasotransmitters in the pathogenesis of cancer and diverse inflammatory diseases.

Image HighResolution

Project leader: Prof. Carole Bourquin

Obesity-derived estrogens and cancer immunotherapy

Obesity is associated with increased cancer incidence and mortality. However, recent studies suggest that obese patients often respond better to cancer immunotherapy. In our recent work, we demonstrated that obese male mice showed enhanced responses to PD-1 blockade, and that this benefit is driven by the increased estrogen synthesis within the adipose tissue. Complementing these findings, preliminary analysis of a cohort of melanoma patients suggested that higher circulating estrogen levels in men were associated with improved clinical outcomes. Building on these observations, we aim to further investigate how obesity-derived estrogens shape the antitumor immune response and the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.

Image HighResolution

Project leader: Prof. Carole Bourquin

Lymphatic-vascular interplay in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, an organ-on-chip approach

The vascular and lymphatic systems are vital for organ homeostasis, ensuring fluid balance, immune surveillance, and tissue repair. However, in the context of inflammatory disorders, blood and lymphatic vasculatures undergo functional and morphological changes. This can lead to vascular hyperpermeability, impaired lymphatic drainage, and a continuous recruitment of inflammatory cells into the inflamed tissue, thus exacerbating disease progression. In this project, we aim to characterize the immunoregulatory mechanisms involved in this dynamic interplay between blood and lymphatic vessels in the context of inflammatory disorders, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Using a vasculature-on-chip model, we aim to identify whether and how immune cells contribute to vasculature dysfunction and disease progression.

News: SNF grant

Image HighResolution

Project leader: Dr. Nikita Markov

Interplay between metabolic processes and macrophage functions

Metabolism governs virtually all cellular processes and has therefore emerged as the main scope through which modern biology interprets cell functions, adaptations and responses. In this context, immunometabolism focuses on how metabolic programs shape immune cell activation and function. A core idea of the field is that targeted manipulation of immune cell metabolism can modulate their activity, offering opportunities to suppress pathological inflammation or enhance immune responses, for example, in cancer. Our research focuses on how specific metabolic pathways, particularly mitochondrial function, regulate macrophage phenotype and activity. We investigate how dysregulated macrophage metabolism contributes to pathological inflammation and aging. By identifying actionable metabolic nodes, we aim to develop novel strategies for therapeutic intervention in inflammatory and age-associated diseases.

Image HighResolution

Project leader: PD Dr. Darko Stojkov

Neutrophils in rare metabolic diseases

Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cells and serve as a first line of defense in the innate immune system, playing a critical role in the body’s response to infection. Their ability to rapidly migrate to sites of infection and mount effective antimicrobial responses depends on exceptional metabolic adaptability and energy production. In inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs), disturbances in neutrophil differentiation and function are frequently observed. Disruptions in glucose metabolism, redox homeostasis, and mitochondrial pathways can severely impair neutrophil function, thereby increasing susceptibility to infections in affected individuals. Our project aims to unravel the metabolic defects underlying neutrophil dysfunction in IMDs and to identify essential metabolic pathways that may serve as therapeutic targets. By deepening our understanding of neutrophil metabolism in the context of rare metabolic diseases, we hope to facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies to restore effective immune defenses in these vulnerable patient populations and improve their clinical outcomes.

Image HighResolution