Le mercredi 2 juillet 2025, Madame Emeline BEQUET, titulaire d'un Diplôme de docteur en médecine et d’un Certificat de formation à la recherche en sciences médicales, présentera l'examen en vue de l'obtention du grade de Doctorat en sciences médicales, sous la direction de Monsieur Edouard LOUIS.

Cette épreuve consistera en la défense publique d'une thèse intitulée : «Natural History and characterization of intestinal fibrosis in pediatric Crohn’s Disease». 

La défense sera également accessible sous forme de visioconférence via le lien suivant. 

ID de réunion : 325 389 339 915

Code secret : dA76W9Wu

Le jury sera composé de :

Philippe DELVENNE (Président), Joan SOMJA (Secrétaire), Patrick BOMTEMS (ULB), Arnaud DE ROOVER, François JOURET, Edouard LOUIS, Marie-Alice MEUWIS, Xavier TRETON (Institut des MICI)

Résumé de la thèse

This thesis investigates pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), focusing on the incidence, phenotype, and fibrosis in Crohn's disease (CD). A population-based study compared very early-onset IBD (VEO-IBD, <6 years) and early-onset IBD (EO-IBD, 6–16 years), finding a stable incidence of VEO-IBD and a significant increase in EO-IBD over time. This difference suggests a genetic basis for VEO-IBD, while the rise in EO-IBD may be linked to environmental factors. VEO-IBD present higher rates of rectal and colonic involvements,  distinguishing it from EO-IBD.

Intestinal fibrosis, a major complication of pediatric CD, contributes to long-term morbidity through strictures, requiring surgical intervention even in children. Despite its clinical importance, fibrosis remains poorly characterized in pediatric CD. Hence, four ER stress protein disulfide isomerases distributions have been characterized in association with inflammation and fibrosis within the intestinal epithelium. AGR2, BiP, and ERP44 show different associations with inflammation and fibrosis, with potentials as biomarkers or therapeutic targets. PDIA6 is upregulated in CD but not correlated with fibrosis, suggesting a different role in the disease process.

By combining epidemiology, phenotypic characterization, and molecular mechanisms, this thesis documents pediatric IBD fibrosis and ER stress proteins, with potential implications for improving disease management and interventions.