PhD Defence An-Sofie Vanherwegen

September 27, 2018
We warmly congratulate An-Sofie Vanherwegen on the successful defense of the PhD thesis entitled “Molecular and Intracellular Actions of Vitamin D in the Immune System: Implications for Translation.” The work was carried out under the guidance of Chantal Mathieu (promoter), Conny Gysemans (co-promoter), and Gabriela Bomfim Ferreira (co-promoter). The examination committee was chaired by Annemieke Verstuyf (Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium) and included Martin Hewison (David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA Health, CA, USA), Zwi Berneman (University Hospital of Antwerp (UZA), Antwerp, Belgium), Max Mazzone (Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium), and Adrian Liston (Autoimmune Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium). This research provides important insights into the molecular and intracellular mechanisms of vitamin D in the immune system, with promising implications for the development of immune-based therapies. We celebrate this achievement and wish Dr. Vanherwegen continued success in her scientific career.
Share this post

PhD Research Summary - Dr. Vanherwegen

This PhD project investigated how vitamin D3 (1,25(OH)₂D₃) and its analog TX527 modulate dendritic cells (DCs) and T cells in the context of type 1 diabetes. While vitamin D deficiency is linked to increased T1D risk, her experiments demonstrated that an unliganded vitamin D receptor (VDR) does not alter the phenotype or function of dendritic cells, clarifying a long-standing discrepancy.

The work demonstrated that vitamin D can reprogram T cells from both healthy donors and T1D patients into stable, functional regulatory T cells (Tregs), supporting the therapeutic potential of adoptive Treg transfer. In addition, vitamin D was shown to induce tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDCs) through metabolic reprogramming. The glycolytic enzyme PFKFB4 was identified as a key regulator of this process, driving the expression of tolerogenic markers and cytokines essential for immune suppression.

These findings deepen our understanding of how vitamin D shapes immune tolerance and provide valuable insights to advance the clinical translation of Treg- and tolDC-based therapies for autoimmune diseases such as T1D.

More information can be found via the link.

‍

Support us

Choose to make a direct impact by contributing to a specific research project or by supporting the overarching goals of the Hippo & Friends Type 1 Diabetes Fund. 

By donating today, you enable early-career scientists to pursue groundbreaking research aimed at preventing and curing type 1 diabetes.
Every contribution moves us one step closer to breakthroughs that matter.

I want to make a direct donationI want to support Hippo & Friends