Presenting Author: Aylin Sanchez
, Student at Univ. of Texas, El Paso
Abstract:
The inflammatory response is necessary for effective clearance of pathogens. Francisella tularensis (Ft), is a zoonotic disease that causes human tularemia. Ft elicits a cytokine storm, in which the immune system over responds to the presence of the bacterium releasing massive amounts of proinflammatory and regulatory cytokines. The mortality rate of tularemia is between 30-60% with inhalation of as few as 10 colony forming units (CFU) inducing respiratory tularemia. High mortality in respiratory form has led to weaponization and bioterrorism applications. Natural killer T (NKT) cells are important immune cells capable of suppressing and promoting an inflammatory response. NKT cells are activated early following Ft infection, suggesting a critical role in the innate immune response in tularemia. NKT cells are categorized in two distinct subsets,Type I and Type II. The distinction between the subsets is their antigen recognition of CD1d-dextramers loaded with α-galactosylceramide (αGalCer-dex). In-vitro techniques performed in our lab have suggested opposing roles in suppressing and inhibiting suppression of the cytokine storm by type I and II NKTs respectively. However, studies must be done to understand the mechanism by which each individual subset influences cytokine storm. This project will lead better understanding of NKT mediated inflammation during Ft infection, and characterization of their involvement and potential for therapeutic targeting in NIH priority pathogens.
In-vitro characterization of type I and type II NKT cell regulatory effects on the cytokine storm
Category
Poster and Podium (Block Symposium)
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Date: May 4 Presentation Time: 11:30 AM to 12:45 PM Room: Exhibit Hall F1