1.0INRShttps://dev.inrs.ca/en/inrsadminhttps://dev.inrs.ca/en/author/inrsadmin/rich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="0AIuF8WYTF"><a href="https://dev.inrs.ca/en/research/professors/jacques-bernier/">Jacques Bernier</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://dev.inrs.ca/en/research/professors/jacques-bernier/embed/#?secret=0AIuF8WYTF" width="600" height="338" title="“Jacques Bernier” — INRS" data-secret="0AIuF8WYTF" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); /* ]]> */ </script> https://dev.inrs.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Bernier_Jacques2.jpg900708The research field of our laboratory focuses on cell death by apoptosis, more specifically, DNA fragmentation by the endonuclease DFF40. Most human cells express DFF40 in a heterodimeric form with the protein DFF45. This subunit is involved both in the maturation and in the repression of the activity of DFF40. We aim to understand new mechanisms responsible for suppressing the activity of DFF40 and find other roles related to this protein in the maintenance of cell homeostasis. We have demonstrated that there is a post-translational control of the DFF40. Serine residues of DFF40 undergo phosphorylation and O-GlcNAcylation. These modifications influence the aggregation of DFF40, as well as its activity. In addition, the inhibition of DFF40 expression by the CRISPR-Cas9 technique produces significant disturbances in the response of cells to toxic or pharmacological agents used in chemotherapy. Cells no longer expressing DFF40 acquire resistance to xenobiotics. A link was established between DFF40 and mitochondrial activity to explain cell survival. Moreover, the absence of expression of this endonuclease influences genomic stability, which therefore suggests a role for DFF40 in neoplastic transformation. This project is essential to better understand the cancer resistance mechanism of DFF40 negative cells to chemotherapy, as well as on the development of specific therapy.  A second research theme of our laboratory regards the role of CD4 + T cells in inflammation. Our work focuses on the inflammatory state of severely burned patients and workers or populations exposed to environmental toxicants. We have an interest on the impact of different toxins interaction with the intracellular aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) on the development of CD4 + T lymphocytes subpopulations, acquiring an inflammatory (Th1, Th17) or an anti-inflammatory (Th2, Treg) potential. Thus, we have established a relationship between occupational exposure to xenobiotics, activation of the AhR receptor, and the establishment of an inflammatory profile. Our laboratory is also interested in the toxicity of nanoparticles on the functionality of T lymphocytes. These projects are relevant for understanding the impacts of environmental toxicants on the inflammatory status of individuals, and the possible development of pathologies. BiographyDr. Jacques Bernier received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in biology from the Université du Québec a Montréal. He then obtained Ph.D. degree in cellular biology from the faculty of medicine of the Université de Sherbrooke. Following postdoctoral studies at the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal in molecular immunology, he joined the research center of Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal as independent researcher, working on the effect of burn injury on the immune response.In 1997 Dr. Bernier became professor at INRS-Armand Frappier Institute while keeping an affiliation as an associate researcher with the Burn Research Center at the Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal.His background is on the immunomodulation induced either by a pathogen, a physical stress or a xenobiotic. He is working on the role of endocrine disruptors on the immune function.