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Martin Olivier

Academic title(s): 

Professor

Martin Olivier
Contact Information
Address: 

Research Institute of the Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Health Center
1001 boul. Décarie,ÌýSite Glen Pavilion E / Block EÌýEM33220
Montréal, QC ÌýH4A 3J1
Mail Drop Point: IDIGH (EM33211 (cubicle C ))
Office: (514) 934-1934 ex.76356
Lab: (514)Ìý934-1934 ex.76291

Fax number: 
514-398-7052
Email address: 
martin.olivier [at] mcgill.ca
Division: 
Faculty Members
Location: 
MUHC Research Institute, 1001 Boul. Decarie
Graduate supervision: 

Currently not accepting students.

Awards, honours, and fellowships: 
  • Member ofÌýMcGill International TB Centre (RI-MUHC)
Current research: 

1. Immune evasion by parasitesÌý
Integrity of IFN-gamma-induced signaling pathway (e.g. JAK2-STAT1alpha) regulating immune functions such as IL-12, MHC class I and II, is primordial for the development of effective host protection against infections involving protozoan parasites of Leishmania genus. However, once mononuclear phagocytes become infected with Ld several important macrophage functions involved in innate protection (e.g. Nitric oxide, oxygen radicals) and in the development of protective immune responses (e.g. IL-12 secretion, antigen processing and presentation through MHC class I and II) are inactivated to some extent. We recently reported that the IFN-gamma-inducible JAK2-STAT1alpha pathway was abnormal in Leishmania-infected cells. We further highlighted the importance of PTP SHP-1 in JAK2 inactivation that we showed to be rapidly triggered following parasite/macrophage interaction. In vitro and in vivo experiments performed with mice being deficient for the PTP SHP-1 have permitted to firmly establish that the PTP SHP-1 plays a pivotal role in Ld-induced macrophage dysfunctions and in installation and propagation of this parasite within its host. In parallel, we performed experiments representing the first demonstration that signaling inhibitors such as the PTPs inhibitors peroxovanadium compounds represent potential new therapic agents to modulate host immune response favoring a better control over different types of infection including leishmaniasis. Our present interest is to further our investigations to discover other negative regulatory mechanisms (e.g. Proteasome, phosphatases, surface receptors) modulated by Leishmania or other pathogens (Mycobacteria, Trypanosoma, Malaria, HCV) to subvert the innate immune response of the host and thus favoring pathogens installment and propagation. A better understanding of these mechanisms could conduct to the development of new therapy to control infectious agents.Ìý

2. Malaria pigment (hemozoin) and inflammatory responseÌý
Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria, is one of the major killer of the infectious world affecting over 200 million people with more than 2 million death per year in tropical and sub-tropical area of the world. Of interest, we recently reported that hemozoin -an inert metabolic waste produced by plasmodium-digested hemoglobin and released in circulation while erythrocytes lysed- is avidly engulfed by macrophages bringing about their activation and released of inflammatory molecules (eg Chemokines, MRPs, IFN-gamma-induced nitric oxide). As nitric oxide and chemokines have been reported to play a critical role in development of some pathological events related to malaria infection, hemozoin in this context seems to play an unexpected role. Undertanding about signaling mechanisms regulating these cellular modulation may permit to better monitor inflammatory events that are detrimental for the host as it can favor the development important malaria pathologies such as cerebral malaria, hepatosplenomegaly and anemia.

Selected publications: 
  • K. Hassani and M. Olivier.Ìý Immunomodulatory impact of Leishmania-induced exosomes: A comparative proteomic and functional analyses. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 7(5): e2185. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0002185 (2013).
  • M. Olivier, V.D. Atayde, A. Isnard, K. Hassani and M.T. Shio. The Leishmania Zinc-Metalloprotease GP63: A Critical Virulence Factor. Microbes and InfectionÌý Jun 6. [Epub ahead of print] (2012).
  • M. Jaramillo, M.A. Gomez, O. Larsson, M.T. Shio, I. Toposorovic, I. Contreras, R. Luxenburg, A. Rosenfeld, R. Colina, R.W. McMaster, M. Olivier*, M. Costa-Mattioli* and N. Sonenberg*. Leishmania repression of host translation through mTOR cleavage is required for parasite survival and infection.ÌýCell Host & MicrobesÌý 9(4):331-41 (2011).Ìý* Equal co-corresponding authors.
  • K. Hassani, E. Antoniak, A. Jardim and M. Olivier.Ìý Temperature-induced protein secretion by Leishmania mexicana modulates macrophage signaling and function. PLoS ONEÌýÌý Epub April 21st (2011).
  • M. Olivier.Ìý Host-Pathogen InteractionÌý: Culprit within a culprit. NatureÌýÌýÌý 471: 173-174Ìý (2011).
  • I. Contreras-Garcia, M.A. Gomez, O. Nguyen, M.T. Shio, R.W. McMaster and M. Olivier. Leishmania-induced inactivation of the macrophage transcription factor AP-1 is mediated by the parasite metalloprotease GP63. PLoS PathogensÌý E-pub Oct 15th (2010).
  • M.T. Shio, F.H. Kassa, M.-J. Bellemare and M. Olivier.Ìý Plasmodium Hemozoin: Potential Role in Malaria Inflammatory-Mediated Pathologies. Microbes and InfectionÌýÌý E-pub ahead of print July 15thÌý (2010).
  • M.T. Shio, S.C. Eisenbarth, M. Saravia, M.-J. Bellemare, A. Vinet, K.W. Harder, S. Sutterwala, D.S. Bohle, A. Descoteaux, R.A. Flavell and M. Olivier.Ìý Malarial pigment-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation depends on Lyn and Syk kinases.ÌýPLoS PathogensÌý E-pub Aug 21;Ìý 5(8):e1000559 (2009). (Selected as Featured Article)
  • M.A. Gomez, I. Contreras, M. Halle, M.L. Tremblay, R.W. McMasterand M. Olivier. The major surface protease of Leishmania is implicated in the modulation of macrophage protein tyrosine phosphatases. Science SignalingÌýÌý 2 (90), ra58. Pages 1-12 (2009).ÌýÌý (Faculty of 1000; Must read (6.0))Ìý IF:20, 2012
  • I. Abu Dayyeh, M. Tiemi Shio, S. Sato, S. Akira, B. Cousineau and M. Olivier. Leishmania induced IRAK-1 inactivation is mediated by SHP-1 interacting with an evolutionarily conserved KTIM motif. PLoS Neglected Tropical DiseasesÌý 2(12): e305Ìý (2008).ÌýÌý(Selected as Featured article)

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