Dr Nicolas Pionnier
Senior Lecturer in Immunology
My profile
Biography
I am a parasite immunologist exploring and dissecting immune responses to parasites with a keen interest in innate lymphoid cells and their role in metabolic diseases, immune memory, and resistance to infection.
Academic and professional qualifications
MSc in Parasitology
PhD in Immunology
SEDA Professional Development Award Professional Certificate in Supporting Learning
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
Postgraduate Certificate In Learning And Teaching in HE (PGCert LTHE)
Languages
English and French (fluent)
German and Romanian (basic knowledge)
Expertise Reviewing
Reviewer for: PLoS One, Parasitology, Scientific Report, the International Journal for Parasitology, GMS Infectious Diseases, PLoS Pathogens and Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology.
Membership of professional associations
Member of:
- the British Society for Parasitology (BSP)
- the British Society of Immunology (BSI)
- the Société Française de Parasitologie (SFP)
- the Société Française d’Immunologie (SFI)
Ordinary council member of the British Society for Parasitology
Interests and expertise
Topics: Immunology, innate immunity, helminth infections
Cells: Natural killer cells, macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, eosinophils
Techniques: Luminex, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, chemotaxis assays, Western Blots, adoptive transfers
Projects
Immunology and parasitology
These 2 topics are closely interlinked - parasites need to escape/avoid the host immune response to invade their host and the host immune system needs to recognize and eliminate the parasites. They both continually learn from each other and are trying to come up with new strategies to win the fight. This is a remarkable and fascinating example of coevolution - but not really a love story !
I am exploring this in more details, dissecting immune responses to helminth parasites infections. I am particularly interested in Natural Killer cells, which are not usually described as playing a crucial role in innate immune response to helminth infections but which might be more important that we thought…
Teaching
BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science
MSc Biomedical Science
MSc Clinical Science
Why do I teach?
I like to share my knowledge and my passion for immunology and parasitology.
How I will teach you?
Interactive lectures, tutorial group discussions, support and advices during practicals, quizzes… let’s find a way for learning immunology without getting a migraine.
Words of wisdom
Think creatively, think differently and keep believing
Research outputs
Recent publications:
Hegde S, Marriott AE, Pionnier N, Steven A, Bulman C, Gunderson E, Vogel I, Koschel M, Ehrens A, Lustigman S, Voronin D, Tricoche N, Hoerauf A, Hübner MP, Sakanari J, Aljayyoussi G, Gusovsky F, Dagley J, Hong DW, O’Neill P, Ward SA, Taylor MJ, Turner JD (2024) Combinations of the azaquinazoline anti-Wolbachia agent, AWZ1066S, with benzimidazole anthelmintics synergise to mediate sub-seven-day sterilising and curative efficacies in experimental models of filariasis. Front Microbiol. 1;15:1346068. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1346068
Pionnier N, Furlong-Silva J, Colombo SAP, Marriott AE, Chunda VC, Ndzeshang BL, Sjoberg H, Archer J, Steven A, Wanji S, Taylor MJ and Turner JD (2022) NKp46+ natural killer cells develop an activated/memory-like phenotype and contribute to innate immunity against experimental filarial infection. Front. Immunol. 13:969340. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.969340
Akumtoh D, Njouendou A, Metuge H, Sjoberg H, Pionnier N, Chunda V, Gandjui N, Ndzeshang L, Fombad F, Abong R, Enyong P, Fru-Cho J, Esum M, Ritter M, Taylor M, Turner J, Wanji S. (2021) Onchocerca ochengi male worms implanted in SCID mice and Gerbil: Relationship between microfilaridermia status of cows, nodular worm viability and fertility and worm survival in the rodents. Experimental Parasitology, 229 (108143), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exppara.2021.108143.
Gallego C, Vétillard M, Calmette J, Roriz M, Marin-Esteban V, Evrard M, Aknin M-L, Pionnier N, Lefrançois M, Mercier-Nomé F, Bertrand Y, Suarez F, Donadieu J, Ng LG, Balabanian K, Bachelerie F, Schlecht-Louf G. (2021). CXCR4 signaling controls dendritic cell location and activation at steady-state and in inflammation. Blood 2021; blood.2020006675. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2020006675
Furlong-Silva J, Cross S, Marriott A, Pionnier N, Archer J, Steven A, Schulte-Merker S, Mack M, Hong Y-K, Taylor M, Turner J. (2021) Tetracyclines improve experimental lymphatic filariasis pathology by disrupting interleukin-4 receptor-mediated lymphangiogenesis. Journal of Clinical Investigation. 10.1172/JCI140853
Ndzeshang L, Fombad F, Njouendou A, Chunda V, Gandjui N, Akumtoh D, Chounna P, Steven A, Pionnier N, Layland L, Ritter M, Hoerauf A, Taylor M, Turner J, Wanji S. (2020) Generation of Loa loa infective larvae by experimental infection of the vector, Chrysops silacea. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 14(8): e0008415. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0008415
Pionnier N, Sjoberg H, Furlong-Silva J, Marriott A, Halliday A, Archer J, Steven A, Taylor M, Turner J. (2020). Eosinophil-Mediated Immune Control of Adult Filarial Nematode Infection Can Proceed in the Absence of IL-4 Receptor Signaling. The Journal of Immunology ji1901244; DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1901244
Macfarlane C, Quek S, Pionnier N, Turner J, Wanji S, Wagstaff S, Taylor M. (2020). The insufficiency of circulating miRNA and DNA as diagnostic tools or as biomarkers of treatment efficacy for Onchocerca volvulus. Nature Scientific Reports 10: 6672. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-63249-4
Bakowski M, Shiroodi R, Liu R, Olejniczak J, Yang B, Gagaring K, Guo H, White P, Chappell L, Debec A, Landmann F, Dubben B, Lenz F, Struever D, Ehrens A, Frohberger S, Sjoberg H, Pionnier N, Murphy E, Archer J, Steven A, Chunda V, Fombad F, Chounna P, Njouendou A, Metuge H, Ndzeshang B, Gandjui N, Akumtoh D, Kwenti T, Woods A, Joseph S, Hull M, Xiong W, Kuhen K, Taylor M, Wanji S, Turner J, Hübner M, Hoerauf A, Roland J, Tremblay M, Schultz P, Sullivan W, Chu X, Petrassi M, McNamara C. (2019) Discovery of short-course anti-wolbachial quinazolines for elimination of filarial worm infections. Science Translational Medicine 11(491). doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aav3523
Pionnier N, Sjoberg H, Chunda V, Fombad F, Chounna P, Njouendou A, Metuge H, Ndzeshang B, Gandjui N, Akumtoh D, Tayong D, Taylor M, Wanji S and Turner J. (2019). Mouse models of Loa loa. Nature Communications 10(1): 1429. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-09442-0
Taylor M, von Geldern T, Ford L, Hübner M, Marsh K, Johnston K, Sjoberg H, Specht S, Pionnier N, Tyrer H, Clare R, Cook D, Murphy E, Steven A, Archer J, Bloemker D, Lenz F, Koschel M, Ehrens A, Metuge H, Chunda V, Ndongmo Chounna P, Njouendou A, Fombad F, Carr R, Morton H, Aljayyoussi G, Hoerauf A, Wanji S, Kempf D, Turner J, Ward S. (2019) Preclinical development of an oral anti-Wolbachia macrolide drug for the treatment of lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis. Science Translational Medicine 13;11(483). doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aau2086
Sjoberg H, Pionnier N, Al Jayyoussi G, Metuge H, Njouendou A, Chunda V, Wanji F, Tayong D, Gandjui N, Akumtoh D, Chounna P, Ndzeshang B, Lachaud S, Tekle F, Quirynen L, Engelen M, Baeton B, Steven A, Ward S, Taylor M, Wanji S and Turner J. (2019) Short-course oral flubendazole does not mediate significant efficacy against Onchocerca adults or Brugia microfilariae in mouse infection models. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 13(1):e0006356. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006356
Turner J, Pionnier N, Furlong-Silva J, Sjoberg H, Cross S, Halliday A, Guimaraes A, Cook D, Steven A, Van Rooijen N, Allen J, Jenkins S and Taylor M (2018). Interleukin-4 activated macrophages mediate immunity to helminth infection by sustaining CCR3-dependent eosinophilia. PLoS Pathogens 14(3): e1006949 doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006949
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Journal articles
Hegde, S., Marriott, A.E., Pionnier, N., Steven, A., Bulman, C., Gunderson, E., Vogel, I., Koschel, M., Ehrens, A., Lustigman, S., Voronin, D., Tricoche, N., Hoerauf, A., Hübner, M.P., Sakanari, J., Aljayyoussi, G., Gusovsky, F., Dagley, J., Hong, D.W., O'Neill, P., Ward, S.A., Taylor, M.J., Turner, J.D. (2024) 'Combinations of the azaquinazoline anti-Wolbachia agent, AWZ1066S, with benzimidazole anthelmintics synergise to mediate sub-seven-day sterilising and curative efficacies in experimental models of filariasis.' Frontiers in Microbiology, 15
Pionnier, N., Furlong-Silva, J., Colombo, S.A.P., Marriott, A.E., Chunda, V.C., Ndzeshang, B.L., Sjoberg, H., Archer, J., Steven, A., Wanji, S., Taylor, M.J., Turner, J.D. (2022) 'NKp46+ natural killer cells develop an activated/memory-like phenotype and contribute to innate immunity against experimental filarial infection.' Frontiers in Immunology, 13pp. 969340-969340.
Marriott, A.E., Furlong Silva, J., Pionnier, N., Sjoberg, H., Archer, J., Steven, A., Kempf, D., Taylor, M.J., Turner, J.D. (2022) 'A mouse infection model and long-term lymphatic endothelium co-culture system to evaluate drugs against adult Brugia malayi.' PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 16(6) pp. e0010474-e0010474.
Akumtoh, D.N., Njouendou, A.J., Metuge, H.M., Sjoberg, H.T., Pionnier, N.P., Chunda, V.C., Gandjui, N.V.T., Ndzeshang, L.B., Fombad, F.F., Abong, R.A., Enyong, P.A., Fru-Cho, J., Esum, M.E., Ritter, M., Taylor, M.J., Turner, J.D., Wanji, S. (2021) 'Onchocerca ochengi male worms implanted in SCID mice and gerbil: relationship between microfilaridermia status of cows, nodular worm viability and fertility and worm survival in the rodents.' Experimental Parasitology, 229pp. 108143-108143.
Gallego, C., Vétillard, M., Calmette, J., Roriz, M., Marin-Esteban, V., Evrard, M., Aknin, M.L., Pionnier, N., Lefrançois, M., Mercier-Nomé, F., Bertrand, Y., Suarez, F., Donadieu, J., Ng, L.G., Balabanian, K., Bachelerie, F., Schlecht-Louf, G. (2021) 'CXCR4 signaling controls dendritic cell location and activation at steady state and in inflammation.' Blood, 137(20) pp. 2770-2784.
Furlong-Silva, J., Cross, S.D., Marriott, A.E., Pionnier, N., Archer, J., Steven, A., Merker, S.S., Mack, M., Hong, Y.K., Taylor, M.J., Turner, J.D. (2021) 'Tetracyclines improve experimental lymphatic filariasis pathology by disrupting interleukin-4 receptor-mediated lymphangiogenesis.' Journal of Clinical Investigation, 131(5)
Macfarlane, C.L., Quek, S., Pionnier, N., Turner, J.D., Wanji, S., Wagstaff, S.C., Taylor, M.J. (2020) 'The insufficiency of circulating miRNA and DNA as diagnostic tools or as biomarkers of treatment efficacy for Onchocerca volvulus.' Scientific Reports, 10(1)
Ndzeshang, L.B., Fombad, F.F., Njouendou, A.J., Chunda, V.C., Gandjui, N.V.T., Akumtoh, D.N., Chounna, P.W.N., Steven, A., Pionnier, N.P., Layland, L.E., Ritterid, M., Hoerauf, A., Taylor, M.J., Turner, J.D., Wanji, S. (2020) 'Generation of loa loa infective larvae by experimental infection of the vector, chrysops silacea.' PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 14(8) pp. 1-15.
Pionnier, N., Sjoberg, H., Furlong-Silva, J., Marriott, A., Halliday, A., Archer, J., Steven, A., Taylo, M.J., Turn, J.D. (2020) 'Eosinophil-Mediated immune control of adult filarial nematode infection can proceed in the absence of IL-4 receptor signaling.' Journal of Immunology, 205(3) pp. 731-740.
Pionnier, N.P., Sjoberg, H., Chunda, V.C., Fombad, F.F., Chounna, P.W., Njouendou, A.J., Metuge, H.M., Ndzeshang, B.L., Gandjui, N.V., Akumtoh, D.N., Tayong, D.B., Taylor, M.J., Wanji, S., Turner, J.D. (2019) 'Mouse models of Loa loa.' Nature Communications, 10(1)
Bakowski, M.A., Shiroodi, R.K., Liu, R., Olejniczak, J., Yang, B., Gagaring, K., Guo, H., White, P.M., Chappell, L., Debec, A., Landmann, F., Dubben, B., Lenz, F., Struever, D., Ehrens, A., Frohberger, S.J., Sjoberg, H., Pionnier, N., Murphy, E., Archer, J., Steven, A., Chunda, V.C., Fombad, F.F., Chounna, P.W., Njouendou, A.J., Metuge, H.M., Ndzeshang, B.L., Gandjui, N.V., Akumtoh, D.N., Kwenti, T.D.B., Woods, A.K., Joseph, S.B., Hull, M.V., Xiong, W., Kuhen, K.L., Taylor, M.J., Wanji, S., Turner, J.D., Hübner, M.P., Hoerauf, A., Chatterjee, A.K., Roland, J., Tremblay, M.S., Schultz, P.G., Sullivan, W., Chu, X.J., Petrassi, H.M., McNamara, C.W. (2019) 'Discovery of short-course antiwolbachial quinazolines for elimination of filarial worm infections.' Science Translational Medicine, 11(491)
Taylor, M.J., Von Geldern, T.W., Ford, L., Hübner, M.P., Marsh, K., Johnston, K.L., Sjoberg, H.T., Specht, S., Pionnier, N., Tyrer, H.E., Clare, R.H., Cook, D.A.N., Murphy, E., Steven, A., Archer, J., Bloemker, D., Lenz, F., Koschel, M., Ehrens, A., Metuge, H.M., Chunda, V.C., Chounna, P.W.N., Njouendou, A.J., Fombad, F.F., Carr, R., Morton, H.E., Aljayyoussi, G., Hoerauf, A., Wanji, S., Kempf, D.J., Turner, J.D., Ward, S.A. (2019) 'Preclinical development of an oral anti-Wolbachia macrolide drug for the treatment of lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis.' Science Translational Medicine, 11(483)
Sjoberg, H.T., Pionnier, N., Aljayyoussi, G., Metuge, H.M., Njouendou, A.J., Chunda, V.C., Fombad, F.F., Tayong, D.B., Gandjui, N.V.T., Akumtoh, D.N., Chounna, P.W.N., Ndzeshang, B.L., Lachaud, S., Tekle, F., Quirynen, L., Engelen, M., Baeten, B., Steven, A., Ward, S.A., Taylor, M.J., Wanji, S., Turner, J.D. (2019) 'Short-course, oral flubendazole does not mediate significant efficacy against Onchocerca adult male worms or Brugia microfilariae in murine infection models.' PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 13(1)
Turner, J.D., Pionnier, N., Furlong-Silva, J., Sjoberg, H., Cross, S., Halliday, A., Guimaraes, A.F., Cook, D.A.N., Steven, A., Van Rooijen, N., Allen, J.E., Jenkins, S.J., Taylor, M.J. (2018) 'Interleukin-4 activated macrophages mediate immunity to filarial helminth infection by sustaining CCR3-dependent eosinophilia.' PLoS Pathogens, 14(3)
Aljayyoussi, G., Tyrer, H.E., Ford, L., Sjoberg, H., Pionnier, N., Waterhouse, D., Davies, J., Gamble, J., Metuge, H., Cook, D.A.N., Steven, A., Sharma, R., Guimaraes, A.F., Clare, R.H., Cassidy, A., Johnston, K.L., Myhill, L., Hayward, L., Wanji, S., Turner, J.D., Taylor, M.J., Ward, S.A. (2018) 'Erratum: Author Correction: Short-Course, High-Dose Rifampicin Achieves Wolbachia Depletion Predictive of Curative Outcomes in Preclinical Models of Lymphatic Filariasis and Onchocerciasis (Scientific reports (2017) 7 1 (210)).' Scientific reports, 8(1)
Karadjian, G., Fercoq, F., Pionnier, N., Vallarino-Lhermitte, N., Lefoulon, E., Nieguitsila, A., Specht, S., Carlin, L.M., Martin, C. (2017) 'Migratory phase of Litomosoides sigmodontis filarial infective larvae is associated with pathology and transient increase of S100A9 expressing neutrophils in the lung.' PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 11(5)
Aljayyoussi, G., Tyrer, H.E., Ford, L., Sjoberg, H., Pionnier, N., Waterhouse, D., Davies, J., Gamble, J., Metugene, H., Cook, D.A.N., Steven, A., Sharma, R., Guimaraes, A.F., Clare, R.H., Cassidy, A., Johnston, K.L., Myhill, L., Hayward, L., Wanji, S., Turner, J.D., Taylor, M.J., Ward, S.A. (2017) 'Short-course, high-dose rifampicin achieves Wolbachia depletion predictive of curative outcomes in preclinical models of lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis.' Scientific Reports, 7(1)
Tamarozzi, F., Turner, J.D., Pionnier, N., Midgley, A., Guimaraes, A.F., Johnston, K.L., Edwards, S.W., Taylor, M.J. (2016) 'Wolbachia endosymbionts induce neutrophil extracellular trap formation in human onchocerciasis.' Scientific Reports, 6
Pionnier, N., Brotin, E., Karadjian, G., Hemon, P., Gaudin-Nomé, F., Vallarino-Lhermitte, N., Nieguitsila, A., Fercoq, F., Aknin, M.L., Marin-Esteban, V., Chollet-Martin, S., Schlecht-Louf, G., Bachelerie, F., Martin, C. (2016) 'Neutropenic Mice Provide Insight into the Role of Skin-Infiltrating Neutrophils in the Host Protective Immunity against Filarial Infective Larvae.' PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 10(4)
Miest, J.J., Adamek, M., Pionnier, N., Harris, S., Matras, M., Rakus, K.T., Irnazarow, I., Steinhagen, D., Hoole, D. (2015) 'Differential effects of alloherpesvirus CyHV-3 and rhabdovirus SVCV on apoptosis in fish cells.' Veterinary Microbiology, 176(1-2) pp. 19-31.
Pionnier, N., Adamek, M., Miest, J.J., Harris, S.J., Matras, M., Rakus, K.L., Irnazarow, I., Hoole, D. (2014) 'C-reactive protein and complement as acute phase reactants in common carp Cyprinus carpio during CyHV-3 infection.' Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 109(3) pp. 187-199.
Pionnier, N., Falco, A., Miest, J.J., Shrive, A.K., Hoole, D. (2014) 'Feeding common carp cyprinus carpio with β-glucan supplemented diet stimulates C-reactive protein and complement immune acute phase responses following PAMPs injection.' Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 39(2) pp. 285-295.
Falco, A., Miest, J.J., Pionnier, N., Pietretti, D., Forlenza, M., Wiegertjes, G.F., Hoole, D. (2014) 'β-Glucan-supplemented diets increase poly(I: C)-induced gene expression of Mx, possibly via Tlr3-mediated recognition mechanism in common carp (Cyprinus carpio).' Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 36(2) pp. 494-502.
Falco, A., Miest, J., Pionnier, N., Pietretti, D., Forlenza, M., Wiegertjes, G.F., Hoole, D. (2013) 'beta-glucan supplemented diets induce high and broad expression levels of TLR3 what explains protection conferred by these additives against viral infections in fish.' FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY, 34(6) pp. 1706-1706.
Pionnier, N., Falco, A., Miest, J., Frost, P., Irnazarow, I., Shrive, A., Hoole, D. (2013) 'Dietary beta-glucan stimulate complement and C-reactive protein acute phase responses in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) during an Aeromonas salmonicida infection.' FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY, 34(3) pp. 819-831.
Falco, A., Frost, P., Miest, J., Pionnier, N., Irnazarow, I., Hoole, D. (2012) 'Reduced inflammatory response to Aeromonas salmonicida infection in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) fed with β-glucan supplements.' Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 32(6) pp. 1051-1057.
Miest, J.J., Falco, A., Pionnier, N.P.M., Frost, P., Irnazarow, I., Williams, G.T., Hoole, D. (2012) 'The influence of dietary β-glucan, PAMP exposure and Aeromonas salmonicida on apoptosis modulation in common carp (Cyprinus carpio).' Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 33(4) pp. 846-856.
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Conference papers
Pionnier, N., Sjoberg, H., Metuge, H., Chunda, V., Njouendou, A., Fombad, F., Ndzeshang, B., Taylor, M., Wanji, S., Turner, J. (2019) 'DEVELOPMENT, VALIDATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PRECLINICAL MODELS OF LOIASIS AND ONCHOCERCIASIS TO IDENTIFY CANDIDATE MACROFILARICIDAL DRUGS.' 113. OXFORD UNIV PRESS, pp. S122-S122.
Sjoberg, H., Pionnier, N., Steven, A., Alyyoussi, G., Quirynen, L., Engelen, M., Baeten, B., Ward, S.A., Taylor, M.J., Turner, J.D. (2017) 'LACK OF SIGNIFICANT MICROFILARICIDAL EFFICACY OF PARENTERAL OR ORAL BIOAVAILABLE FLUBENDAZOLE FORMULATIONS IN A BRUGIA MALAYI MICROFILARAEMIC MOUSE MODEL.' In 65th Annual Meeting of the American-Society-of-Tropical-Medicine-and-Hygiene (ASTMH). 95. Atlanta, GA, 13/11/2016 - 16/11/2016. AMER SOC TROP MED & HYGIENE, pp. 153-153.
Sjoberg, H., Pionnier, N., Metugene, H., Njouendou, A., Fombad, F., Ndongmo, P., Tayong, D., Ndzeshang, B., Steven, A., Cook, D., Alyaoussi, G., Ward, S., Taylor, M., Wanji, S., Turner, J. (2017) 'DEVELOPMENT OF MURINE MODELS OF LOIASIS TO ASSESS MICROFILARICIDAL ACTIVITY OF PRE-CLINICAL CANDIDATE ANTI-FILARIAL DRUGS.' In 65th Annual Meeting of the American-Society-of-Tropical-Medicine-and-Hygiene (ASTMH). 95. Atlanta, GA, 13/11/2016 - 16/11/2016. AMER SOC TROP MED & HYGIENE, pp. 600-601.