Joosten L

Joosten, Leo
Name:
Dr. Leo Joosten

Function:
Associate Professor

Theme:
Infection & Inflammation


Profile

Leo Joosten is as pathobiologist interested in host defence mechanisms triggered by pathogenic microorganisms that results in chronic inflammation. Current projects explore the role of Toll-like receptors (TLR), Nod like receptors (NLR, and C-type lectin receptors (CLR) in recognition of pathogens, with emphasis on Borrelia burgdorferi. This latter pathogen is the causative agent of Lyme disease. In additional projects the role of the inflammasome and the autophagy machinery in the pathogenesis of Lyme disease is investigated. Apart from infectious diseases, he is working on metabolic related diseases like diabetes type 2, atherosclerosis and gouty arthritis. The current research projects uses primary cells (e.g. PBMC), murine models of infections, inducible transgenic mice and several gene deficient mice. He is head of the laboratory of experimental medicine and staff member of the department of medicine.

Recent key publications

  • van de Veerdonk FL, Lauwerys B, Marijnissen RJ, Timmermans K, Di Padova F, Koenders MI, Gutierrez-Roelens I, Durez P, Netea MG, van der Meer JW, van den Berg WB, Joosten LA. The anti-CD20 antibody rituximab reduces the Th17 cell response. Arthritis Rheum. 63:1507-16, 2011.

  • Heinhuis B, Koenders MI, van de Loo FA, Netea MG, van den Berg WB, Joosten LA. Inflammation-dependent secretion and splicing of IL-32{gamma} in rheumatoid arthritis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 108:4962-7, 2011.

  • Stienstra R, Joosten LA, Koenen T, van Tits B, van Diepen JA, van den Berg SA, Rensen PC, Voshol PJ, Fantuzzi G, Hijmans A, Kersten S, Müller M, van den Berg WB, van Rooijen N, Wabitsch M, Kullberg BJ, van der Meer JW, Kanneganti T, Tack CJ, Netea MG. The inflammasome-mediated caspase-1 activation controls adipocyte differentiation and insulin sensitivity. Cell Metab. 12:593-605, 2010.

  • Joosten LA, Netea MG, Mylona E, Koenders MI, Malireddi RK, Oosting M, Stienstra R, van de Veerdonk FL, Stalenhoef AF, Giamarellos-Bourboulis EJ, Kanneganti TD, van der Meer JW. Engagement of fatty acids with Toll-like receptor 2 drives interleukin-1β production via the ASC/caspase 1 pathway in monosodium urate monohydrate crystal-induced gouty arthritis. ArthritisRheum. 62:3237-48, 2010.

  • Netea MG, Simon A, van de Veerdonk F, Kullberg BJ, Van der Meer JW, Joosten LA. IL-1beta processing in host defense: beyond the inflammasomes. PLoS Pathog. 6:e1000661, 2010.




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