Education

Ph.D. in Biology, Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva, Switzerland, 2010

Current position

Scientific collaborator, Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva, Switzerland

Publications

1. Benkhoucha M, Molnarfi N, Kaya G, Belnoue E, Bjarnadóttir K, Dietrich PY, Walker PR, Martinvalet D, Derouazi M, Lalive PH. Identification of a novel population of highly cytotoxic c-Met-expressing CD8+ T lymphocytes. EMBO Rep. 2017 Sep;18(9):1545-1558 
2. Molnarfi N, Bjarnadóttir K, Benkhoucha M, Juillard C, Lalive PH. Activation of human B cells negatively regulates TGF-β1 production. J Neuroinflammation. 2017 Jan 19;14(1):13 
3. Chavez-Galan L, Vesin D, Uysal H, Blaser G, Benkhoucha M, Ryffel B, Quesniaux VFJ, Garcia I. Transmembrane Tumor Necrosis Factor Controls Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cell Activity via TNF Receptor 2 and Protects from Excessive Inflammation during BCG-Induced Pleurisy. Front Immunol. 2017 Aug 25;8:999. 
4. Bjarnadóttir K, Benkhoucha M, Merkler D, Weber MS, Payne NL, Bernard CC, Molnarfi N, Lalive PH. B cell-derived transforming growth factor-β1 expression limits the induction phase of autoimmune neuroinflammation. Sci Rep. 2016 Oct 6;6:34594. 
5. Derouazi M, Di Berardino-Besson W, Belnoue E, Hoepner S, Walther R, Benkhoucha M, Teta P, Dufour Y, Yacoub Maroun C, Salazar AM, Martinvalet D, Dietrich PY, Walker PR. Novel Cell-Penetrating Peptide-Based Vaccine Induces Robust CD4+ and CD8+ T Cell-Mediated Antitumor Immunity. Cancer Res. 2015 Aug 1;75(15):3020-31 
6. Nicolas M, Benkhoucha M, Funakoshi H, Nakamura T, Lalive PH. Hepatocyte growth factor: A regulator of inflammation and autoimmunity. Autoimmun Rev. 2014 
7. Benkhoucha M, Molnarfi N, Dunand-Sauthier I, Merkler D, Schneiter G, Bruscoli S, Riccardi C, Tabata Y, Funakoshi H, Nakamura T, Reith W, Santiago-Raber ML, Lalive PH. Hepatocyte growth factor limits autoimmune neuroinflammation via glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper expression in dendritic cells. J Immunol. 2014 Sep 15;193(6):2743-52 
8. Molnarfi N, Benkhoucha M, Juillard C, Bjarnadóttir K, Lalive PH. The neurotrophic hepatocyte growth factor induces protolerogenic human dendritic cells. J Neuroimmunol. 2014 Feb 15;267(1-2):105-10 
9. Benkhoucha M, Molnarfi N, Schneiter G, Walker PR, Lalive PH. The neurotrophic hepatocyte growth factor attenuates CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activity. J Neuroinflammation. 2013 Dec 17;10:154. 
10. Lalive PH, Benkhoucha M, Tran NL, Kreutzfeldt M, Merkler D, Santiago-Raber ML. TLR7 signaling exacerbates CNS autoimmunity through downregulation of Foxp3+ Treg cells.Eur J Immunol. 2014 Jan;44(1):46-57. 
11. Bonal CB, Baronnier DE, Pot C, Benkhoucha M, Schwab ME, Lalive PH, Herrera PL. Nogo-a downregulation improves insulin secretion in mice. Diabetes. 2013 May;62(5):1443-52 
12. Molnarfi N, Benkhoucha M, Bjarnadóttir K, Juillard C, Lalive PH. Interferon-β induces hepatocyte growth factor in monocytes of multiple sclerosis patients. PLoS One. 2012;7(11):e49882. 
13. Benkhoucha M, Molnarfi N, Santiago-Raber ML, Weber MS, Merkler D, Collin M, Lalive PH. IgG glycan hydrolysis by EndoS inhibits experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. J Neuroinflammation. 2012 Sep 3;9:209. 
14. Huard B, Tran NL, Benkhoucha M, Manzin-Lorenzi C, Santiago-Raber ML. Selective APRIL blockade delays systemic lupus erythematosus in mouse. PLoS One. 2012;7(2):e31837. 
15. Lalive PH, Neuhaus O, Benkhoucha M, Burger D, Hohlfeld R, Zamvil SS, Weber MS. Glatiramer acetate in the treatment of multiple sclerosis: emerging concepts regarding its mechanism of action. CNS Drugs. 2011 May 1;25(5):401-14. 
16. Lalive PH, Molnarfi N, Benkhoucha M, Weber MS, Santiago-Raber ML.J Neuroimmunol. Antibody response in MOG(35-55) induced EAE. 2011 Dec 15;240-241:28-33. 
17. Huber V, Benkhoucha M, Huard B. Evidence for a Repertoire of Functional Untolerized CD4(+) T Cells Specific for Melanoma-Associated Antigens. Scand J Immunol. 2011 Jul;74(1):80-6. 
18. Weber MS, Benkhoucha M, Lehmann-Horn K, Hertzenberg D, Sellner J, Santiago-Raber ML, Chofflon M, Hemmer B, Zamvil SS, Lalive PH. Repetitive pertussis toxin promotes development of regulatory T cells and prevents central nervous system autoimmune disease.PLoS One. 2010 Dec 30;5(12):e16009. 
19. Irla M, Küpfer N, Suter T, Lissilaa R, Benkhoucha M, Skupsky J, Lalive PH, Fontana A, Reith W, Hugues S. MHC class II-restricted antigen presentation by plasmacytoid dendritic cells inhibits T cell-mediated autoimmunity. J Exp Med. 2010 Aug 30;207(9):1891-905. Epub 2010 Aug 9. 
20. Benkhoucha M, Santiago-Raber ML, Schneiter G, Chofflon M, Funakoshi H, Nakamura T, Lalive PH. Hepatocyte growth factor inhibits CNS autoimmunity by inducing tolerogenic dendritic cells and CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010 Apr 6;107(14):6424-9. Epub 2010 Mar 23. 
21. Burger D, Molnarfi N, Weber MS, Brandt KJ, Benkhoucha M, Gruaz L, Chofflon M, Zamvil SS, Lalive PH. Glatiramer acetate increases IL-1 receptor antagonist but decreases T cell-induced IL-1beta in human monocytes and multiple sclerosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Mar 17;106(11):4355-9. Epub 2009 Mar 2.
22. Borel P, Benkhoucha M, Weber MS, Zamvil SS, Santiago-Raber ML, Lalive PH. Glatiramer acetate treatment does not modify the clinical course of (NZB x BXSB)F1 lupus murine model. Int Immunol. 2008 Oct;20(10):1313-9. Epub 2008 Aug 6. 
23. Lalive PH, Kantengwa S, Benkhoucha M, Juillard C, Chofflon M. Interferon-beta induces brain-derived neurotrophic factor in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of multiple sclerosis patients. J Neuroimmunol. 2008 Jul 15;197(2):147-51. Epub 2008 Jun 13.
24. Kantengwa S, Weber MS, Juillard C, Benkhoucha M, Fellay B, Zamvil SS, Gougeon ML, Chofflon M, Lalive PH. Inhibition of naive Th1 CD4+ T cells by glatiramer acetate in multiple sclerosis. J Neuroimmunol. 2007 Apr;185(1-2):123-9. Epub 2007 Feb 15.