Elena Tomasello (CIML, Marseille)

Elena Tomasello works on Natural Killer (NK) cells in Eric Vivier's group at the Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy (CIML).

Natural Killer (NK) cells can recognize, without any prior sensitization, transformed, microbe-infected or allogeneic cells, while sparing most of autologous healthy cells. Once NK cells have identified a potential target cell, they can eliminate it by diverse mechanisms and/or they can secrete a variety of cytokines and chemokines. Therefore, NK cells play a unique role in innate immune responses, as well as in the polarization of adaptive immunity.

Elena Tomasello and her team are focusing their work on two aspects of NK cell physiology: their functions and their anatomical distribution. They believe that a better knowledge of these aspects of NK cell biology is essential for both basic and clinical research. In particular, it should help to design novel therapeutic strategies aimed at activating specific NK cell functions, at the proper place and in due time, to fight cancer or infectious diseases.

Recent Publications:

Luci C, Reynders A, Ivanov II, Cognet C, Chiche L, Chasson L, Hardwigsen J, Anguiano E, Banchereau J, Chaussabel D, Dalod M, Littman DR, Vivier E, Tomasello E.
Influence of the transcription factor RORgammat on the development of NKp46+ cell populations in gut and skin.
Nat Immunol. 2009 Jan;10(1):75-82. Epub 2008 Nov 23. PMID: 19029904

Helming L, Tomasello E, Kyriakides TR, Martinez FO, Takai T, Gordon S, Vivier E.
Essential role of DAP12 signaling in macrophage programming into a fusion-competent state.
Sci Signal. 2008 Oct 28;1(43):ra11. PMID: 18957693

Vivier E, Tomasello E, Baratin M, Walzer T, Ugolini S.
Functions of natural killer cells.
Nat Immunol. 2008 May;9(5):503-10. Review. PMID: 18425107

Walzer T, Chiossone L, Chaix J, Calver A, Carozzo C, Garrigue-Antar L, Jacques Y, Baratin M, Tomasello E, Vivier E.
Natural killer cell trafficking in vivo requires a dedicated sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor.
Nat Immunol. 2007 Dec;8(12):1337-44. Epub 2007 Oct 28. PMID: 17965716

For more information:http://www.ciml.univ-mrs.fr/science/lab-eric-vivier/beginners