Description:

Seminar Title: Manipulating Pathways That Control the Effector Function of Type Two Innate Lymphoid Cells

Speaker: Omid Akbari, PhD, University of Southern California

Host: Booki Min, PhD

Topic:

Allergic diseases including asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis, and atopic dermatitis are common conditions worldwide. While type 2 immune responses induced by T-cells significantly cause allergic inflammation, the recently identified group two innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are emerging as critical players in the development of allergy. Upon allergen exposure, ILC2s are rapidly activated by cytokines released by epithelial cells. Activated ILC2s release various effector cytokines altogether contributing to the pathogenesis of allergy and can even cause inflammation in the absence of T-cells, as observed in asthma. Although the factors inducing ILC2 activation have been identified, evidence suggests that multiple factors can enhance or modulate ILC2 proliferation, immune-metabolism and cytokines production. We will discuss the positive and negative role of various costimulatory molecules, and highlight the effect of PD-1 agonist in allergic asthma. Finally, we will be discussing the role of autophagy in myeloid cells, and lymphoid cells and discuss their implications in lung inflammation and asthma. 

Zoom Meeting Link:

https://northwestern.zoom.us/j/95235381864?pwd=bzkrZWZZc2ZML0ZOSjZ5SlBYdzVCdz09

Meeting ID: 952 3538 1864
Passcode: 907704