Erik Wambre, PhD
Background Information
Dr. Wambre was born and raised in France. He received his MS degree in Molecular Biology from the University of Lille in 2003 and his Master of Business Engineering (MBE) from the Ecole de Biologie Industrielle (Cergy) in 2004. He attended the University Pierre & Marie Curie (Paris 6) in 2008, receiving his PhD in Immunology. After his background in Europe, Dr. Wambre joined the Benaroya Research Institute in 2009 to complete a postdoctoral fellowship and subsequently became an Assistant Member.
Area of Research
The projects in Dr. Wambre’s laboratory are focused on providing in depth immune monitoring of antigen-specific T cell responses in allergy and cancer vaccine development. The primary objectives are to enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis, regulation and functions of the adaptive immune system in disease pathways. Further questions relate to the correlation between clinical responses and immunological changes in the course of immunotherapy. Translational and clinical applications include identification of biomarkers of clinical interest, and development of new vaccination strategies.
Figure: Blood samples are collected from patients and processed to allow detection of whole allergen-specific Th2 cells (Th2A subset), based on an allergic disease-related phenotype shared among these cells (CRTH2+ CD161+ CD27-). Enumeration of Th2A cells can then be applied as a clinically useful biomarker in allergy, while these cells can be purified for more molecular profiling and analysis in cell culture.
Translational Research Program
Featured Publications
A phenotypically and functionally distinct human TH2 cell subpopulation is associated with allergic disorders. Wambre E, Bajzik V, DeLong J.H., Obrien K, Nguyen QA, Speake C, Gersuk V, DeBerg H, Whalen E, Ni C, Farrington M, Jeong D, Robinson D, Linsley P, Vickery B.P, Kwok W.W., Science Translational Medicine. 2017. Aug 2;9(401):eaam9171. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aam9171.
Human Immune Monitoring Techniques during Food Allergen Immunotherapy. Rust B, Wambre E. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2017 Apr;17(4):22. doi: 10.1007/s11882-017-0689-y. Review.
Effect of allergen-specific immunotherapy on CD4+ T cells. Wambre E. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2015 Dec;15(6):581-7. doi: 10.1097/ACI.0000000000000216. Review.
Chronic cat allergen exposure induces a TH2 cell-dependent IgG4 response related to low sensitization. Renand A, Archila LD, McGinty J, Wambre E, Robinson D, Hales BJ, Thomas WR, Kwok WW. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2015 Dec;136(6):1627-35.e1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2015.07.031.
Biomarkers for antigen immunotherapy in allergy and type 1 diabetes. Odegard JM, Nepom GT, Wambre E. Clin Immunol. 2015 Nov;161(1):44-50. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2015.05.023. Epub 2015 Jun 27. Review.
Grass-specific CD4(+) T-cells exhibit varying degrees of cross-reactivity, implications for allergen-specific immunotherapy. Archila LD, DeLong JH, Wambre E, James EA, Robinson DM, Kwok WW. Clin Exp Allergy. 2014 Jul;44(7):986-98. doi: 10.1111/cea.12324.
Specific immunotherapy modifies allergen-specific CD4(+) T-cell responses in an epitope-dependent manner. Wambre E, DeLong JH, James EA, Torres-Chinn N, Pfützner W, Möbs C, Durham SR, Till SJ, Robinson D, Kwok WW. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014 Mar;133(3):872-9.e7. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2013.10.054.
Characterization of CD4+ T cell subsets in allergy. Wambre E, James EA, Kwok WW. Curr Opin Immunol. 2012 Dec;24(6):700-6.
Differentiation stage determines pathologic and protective allergen-specific CD4+ T-cell outcomes during specific immunotherapy. Wambre E, DeLong JH, James EA, LaFond RE, Robinson D, Kwok WW. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012 Feb;129(2):544-51, 551.e1-7.
Ara h 1-reactive T cells in individuals with peanut allergy. DeLong JH, Simpson KH, Wambre E, James EA, Robinson D, Kwok WW. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011 May;127(5):1211-8.e3.
Comparison between major histocompatibility complex class II tetramer staining and surface expression of activation markers for the detection of allergen-specific CD4⁺ T cells. Bonvalet M, Wambre E, Moussu H, Horiot S, Kwok WW, Louise A, Ebo D, Hoarau C, Van Overtvelt L, Baron-Bodo V, Moingeon P. Clin Exp Allergy. 2011 Jun;41(6):821-9.
Distinct characteristics of seasonal (Bet v 1) vs. perennial (Der p 1/Der p 2) allergen-specific CD4(+) T cell responses. Wambre E, Bonvalet M, Bodo VB, Maillère B, Leclert G, Moussu H, Von Hofe E, Louise A, Balazuc AM, Ebo D, Hoarau C, Garcia G, Van Overtvelt L, Moingeon P. Clin Exp Allergy. 2011 Feb;41(2):192-203.
Direct ex vivo analysis of allergen-specific CD4+ T cells. Kwok WW, Roti M, Delong JH, Tan V, Wambre E, James EA, Robinson D. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010 Jun;125(6):1407-1409.e1.
Activation of natural regulatory T cells by IgG Fc-derived peptide "Tregitopes". De Groot AS, Moise L, McMurry JA, Wambre E, Van Overtvelt L, Moingeon P, Scott DW, Martin W. Blood. 2008 Oct 15;112(8):3303-11.
Assessment of Bet v 1-specific CD4+ T cell responses in allergic and nonallergic individuals using MHC class II peptide tetramers. Van Overtvelt L, Wambre E, Maillère B, von Hofe E, Louise A, Balazuc AM, Bohle B, Ebo D, Leboulaire C, Garcia G, Moingeon P. J Immunol. 2008 Apr 1;180(7):4514-22.
Single cell assessment of allergen-specific T cell responses with MHC class II peptide tetramers: methodological aspects. Wambre E, Van Overtvelt L, Maillère B, Humphreys R, von Hofe E, Ferhat L, Ebo D, Moingeon P. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2008;146(2):99-112.
