About us

The Laboratory of Rheumatology is part of the GIGA-Immunobiology Research Unit located at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) of Liège. Our team works on the physiopathology of rheumatic diseases, in particular osteoarthritis (OA), using several approaches. First, we use in vitro and ex vivo models based on primary cells and tissues (i.e., synovial membrane, cartilage, and skin) obtained from patients undergoing surgery. Second, biological fluids and tissues are collected from rheumatic patients with the help of rheumatologists and orthopedic surgeons. Such biobanking allows us to perform several translational proteomics studies using mass spectrometry. Finally, two OA mouse models generated by destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) or by intra-articular collagenase injection (CIOA) are also implemented in the laboratory, as well as an Ssc mouse model induced by subcutaneous injection of hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Thanks to all these complementary approaches, we study signaling pathways integrated within three themes developed below: (i) fibrosis, (ii) inflammation, and (iii) therapeutic strategies.