Irene Heijink

Research

The main focus of my research is the damage and repair of the immunological mucosal barrier in lung disease. After my initial interest in the regulation of immune responses and interaction between T cells and the structural epithelial cells of the lung, my focus shifted towards the regulatory role of the epithelium in asthma and COPD. I studied a novel role of airway epithelial plasticity in these pathologies, showing that loss of epithelial barrier function is critical in the decision towards immunity and that epithelial-to-mesenchymal may drive tissue remodeling in these diseases. New concepts have emerged from these studies, e.g. on the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in abnormal airway epithelial responses in COPD. In addition, a crucial role has been proposed for epithelial damage and epithelium-derived danger signals in the pathogenesis of COPD.
My research is mainly performed using molecular approaches and cellular models in a highly translational setting. Close collaboration with clinicians and pathologists has enabled me and my team to create a unique biobank of lung epithelium and mesenchymal stromal cells for the use of patient-specific models, including the recently set-up human airway and alveolar organoid models. These advanced 3D models support our understanding of the mechanisms underlying abnormal lung epithelial repair and regeneration, in order to gain more insight in novel therapies to repair the damaged epithelium. This includes studies on mesenchymal stem/stromal cells. I have an extensive network, including ongoing collaborations with amongst others the University of Ghent, the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada) and the University of Sydney (Australia).