Periodic Reporting for period 4 - HEDIMED (Human Exposomic Determinants of Immune Mediated Diseases)
Période du rapport: 2024-01-01 au 2025-06-30
Immune-mediated diseases (IMDs) such as type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, allergy and asthma are rapidly increasing in developed countries, creating a major medical, economic and societal burden. Genetics alone cannot explain this rise, highlighting the role of the exposome – the full spectrum of life-long environmental exposures.
HEDIMED (2020–2025) united 22 academic and industrial partners from 12 countries to identify exposomic determinants driving IMDs. The project combines unique data and samples from pregnancy, birth cohorts and clinical trials with advanced technologies, organoid models, and data mining tools. A special focus is placed on early life exposures, when IMD processes are thought to begin. Studying several IMDs together allows identification of common determinants and biological pathways, paving the way for widely applicable preventive strategies.
HEDIMED has also collaborated with the European Human Exposome Network (EHEN), the world’s largest initiative on the human exposome, amplifying scientific, societal and policy impact.
In conclusion, HEDIMED has generated new knowledge, tools and platforms for exposome research, and disease-related exposures as promising preventive targets.
HEDIMED (2020–2025) united 22 academic and industrial partners from 12 countries to identify exposomic determinants driving IMDs. The project combines unique data and samples from pregnancy, birth cohorts and clinical trials with advanced technologies, organoid models, and data mining tools. A special focus is placed on early life exposures, when IMD processes are thought to begin. Studying several IMDs together allows identification of common determinants and biological pathways, paving the way for widely applicable preventive strategies.
HEDIMED has also collaborated with the European Human Exposome Network (EHEN), the world’s largest initiative on the human exposome, amplifying scientific, societal and policy impact.
In conclusion, HEDIMED has generated new knowledge, tools and platforms for exposome research, and disease-related exposures as promising preventive targets.
HEDIMED studied major exposomic factors influencing IMDs, including viral infections, gut and environmental microbiome, toxicants, land cover, diet, stress and physical activity. Host immune responses were analyzed in parallel, and experimental models were used to test mechanisms.
Key achievements:
• Defined research priorities and mapped resources across 22 institutions.
• Characterized clinical cohorts and trials, creating a shared catalogue of data and samples.
• Developed new analytical methods and pipelines to assess exposomic impacts.
• Linked satellite data and land cover with disease incidence across multiple cohorts.
• Analyzed environmental and edible microbiomes, revealing effects on human microbiome.
• Applied organoid and cell models to dissect causal mechanisms of disease-associated viral exposures.
• Built models that can predict the effects of different T1D prevention scenarios and cost-effectiveness of different CD screening strategies.
• Launched a secure Research Data Analysis Platform and a Public Platform for dissemination.
• Organized a stakeholder event and contributed to EHEN activities.
• Disseminated findings via publications, conferences, social media, newsletters and blogs.
Main scientific results:
• Microbiome and virome patterns differed between children who developed IMDs and controls.
• Enterovirus infections linked with type 1 diabetes and celiac disease (celiac disease was associated also with parechovirus infections).
• Urban environments associated with higher risk of T1D, asthma and allergy (not CD).
• In utero exposures showed potential influence, with altered maternal cytokine patterns.
New technologies developed:
• Multiplex antigen array (Array-in-Well) for profiling antibody responses to >60 microbial antigens.
• Methods for volatilome analysis of stool samples.
• Secure Research Platform for data integration and Public Platform for knowledge sharing.
• Pipelines combining satellite data with cohort addresses.
• Organoid scRNA-seq workflows for studying effects of viral infections.
• Portable IgE reader for point-of-care diagnostics.
• Modelling tools for disease incidence prediction and screening design.
In summary, HEDIMED produced major scientific findings, novel technologies and platforms, and engaged in broad dissemination. While no single universal exposomic determinant was identified for IMD, certain exposures were shared between diseases, highlighting possible preventive targets.
Key achievements:
• Defined research priorities and mapped resources across 22 institutions.
• Characterized clinical cohorts and trials, creating a shared catalogue of data and samples.
• Developed new analytical methods and pipelines to assess exposomic impacts.
• Linked satellite data and land cover with disease incidence across multiple cohorts.
• Analyzed environmental and edible microbiomes, revealing effects on human microbiome.
• Applied organoid and cell models to dissect causal mechanisms of disease-associated viral exposures.
• Built models that can predict the effects of different T1D prevention scenarios and cost-effectiveness of different CD screening strategies.
• Launched a secure Research Data Analysis Platform and a Public Platform for dissemination.
• Organized a stakeholder event and contributed to EHEN activities.
• Disseminated findings via publications, conferences, social media, newsletters and blogs.
Main scientific results:
• Microbiome and virome patterns differed between children who developed IMDs and controls.
• Enterovirus infections linked with type 1 diabetes and celiac disease (celiac disease was associated also with parechovirus infections).
• Urban environments associated with higher risk of T1D, asthma and allergy (not CD).
• In utero exposures showed potential influence, with altered maternal cytokine patterns.
New technologies developed:
• Multiplex antigen array (Array-in-Well) for profiling antibody responses to >60 microbial antigens.
• Methods for volatilome analysis of stool samples.
• Secure Research Platform for data integration and Public Platform for knowledge sharing.
• Pipelines combining satellite data with cohort addresses.
• Organoid scRNA-seq workflows for studying effects of viral infections.
• Portable IgE reader for point-of-care diagnostics.
• Modelling tools for disease incidence prediction and screening design.
In summary, HEDIMED produced major scientific findings, novel technologies and platforms, and engaged in broad dissemination. While no single universal exposomic determinant was identified for IMD, certain exposures were shared between diseases, highlighting possible preventive targets.
Prior to HEDIMED, exposome research in IMDs focused on isolated exposures in single diseases, without mechanistic insights or cross-disease comparisons. HEDIMED advanced beyond this state by:
• Studying four IMDs simultaneously in the largest birth and pregnancy cohorts to date.
• Applying cutting-edge technologies (multi-omics, organoids, modelling, AI-based data integration).
• Testing causality through intervention trials and experimental systems.
• Identifying shared exposomic determinants and pathways across diseases.
This comprehensive approach enables recognition of exposures that act across IMDs, strengthening causal inference and providing new targets for prevention.
Expected impacts:
• New scientific knowledge on exposome–disease interactions.
• Potential targets for the development of preventive and therapeutic interventions.
• Tools and platforms for future exposome research and data sharing.
• Evidence-based insights to guide prevention and public health policy.
• Wider societal benefits through strategies to reduce the burden of IMDs.
HEDIMED leaves a legacy of datasets, tools and collaborations that will support science, healthcare, policy, industry and patients beyond the project duration.
• Studying four IMDs simultaneously in the largest birth and pregnancy cohorts to date.
• Applying cutting-edge technologies (multi-omics, organoids, modelling, AI-based data integration).
• Testing causality through intervention trials and experimental systems.
• Identifying shared exposomic determinants and pathways across diseases.
This comprehensive approach enables recognition of exposures that act across IMDs, strengthening causal inference and providing new targets for prevention.
Expected impacts:
• New scientific knowledge on exposome–disease interactions.
• Potential targets for the development of preventive and therapeutic interventions.
• Tools and platforms for future exposome research and data sharing.
• Evidence-based insights to guide prevention and public health policy.
• Wider societal benefits through strategies to reduce the burden of IMDs.
HEDIMED leaves a legacy of datasets, tools and collaborations that will support science, healthcare, policy, industry and patients beyond the project duration.