Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection elicits both protein and lipid antigen-specific T cell responses. However, the incorporation of lipid antigens into subunit vaccine strategies and formulations has been under-explored, and the properties of vaccine-induced Mtb lipid-specific memory T cells have remained elusive. Mycolic acid (MA), a major lipid component of the...
Stimulation of the cGAS-STING (cycle GMP-AMP synthase-Stimulator of Interferon Genes) pathway increases T cell activation and tracking into the tumor and reverses the immunosuppressive phenotype of myeloid cells. Direct targeting of the STING receptor using synthetic cyclic dinucleotide (CDN) ligands represents an attractive immunotherapeutic strategy for the treatment of lymphocyte-depleted...
Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, necessitating continued study to explore and unravel its complex etiology. For example, there has been a shift of focus in cancer treatment from surgery and radiotherapy to targeted chemo- and immunotherapies as we gain more knowledge on the hallmarks of cancer (e.g.,...
Infection with the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, results in pneumonia and other respiratory symptoms as well as pathologies at diverse anatomical sites. An outstanding question is whether these diverse pathologies are due to replication of the virus in these anatomical compartments and how and when the virus reaches those sites. To...
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis (HSE) is the most common cause of sporadic fatal encephalitis, and despite targeted antiviral therapy, outcomes remain poor. While rare in adults, neonates are significantly more susceptible to severe HSV disease. Understanding both the host and viral factors that contribute to pathogenesis is critical to...
Tissue-infiltrating neutrophils (polymorphonuclear neutrophils [PMNs]) are a prominent feature of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC), where these immune cells can promote cytotoxicity or exacerbate disease outcomes. We recently showed that in acute colon injury, PMNs can increase DNA double-strand break (DSB) burden and promote genomic instability via...
The airway epithelial cells (AECs) lining the conducting passageways of the lung secrete a variety of immunomodulatory factors. One interesting pair of molecules produces by AECs is IL-6 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). PGE2 limits lung inflammation and promotes bronchodilation. By contrast, IL-6 drives intense airway inflammation, remodeling, and fibrosis. The...
In the United States, allergic disease affects approximately 60 million people and impacts more people every year. While prevalence of allergic disease has steadily increased, there has concurrently been an increase in rates of metabolic syndrome—characterized by increased abdominal girth, decreased sensitivity to insulin, and higher levels of circulating blood...
CD99-Like 2 (CD99L2) is a 52 kDa type I glycoprotein expressed on leukocytes and endothelial cells as well as other cell types in mice. It is related to CD99, although it shows only 32% sequence identity. CD99L2 has been shown to play a role in leukocyte extravasation in mice under...
Vaccines, such as those against smallpox virus, polio virus, and yellow fever virus, have saved millions of lives. However, many infectious diseases, such as HIV-1, still lack a preventive vaccine. In addition, various vaccines, such as those against Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 require boosters and may not confer 100% lifelong protection...