Description:

The Basic Research Seminar Series of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer of Northwestern University presents:

Mitochondrial dynamics orchestrate T cell anti-tumor responses

Ping-Chih Ho, PhD
Associate Professor 
Department of Fundamental Oncology, University of Lausanne  
Associate member
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research

The Ho lab explores how the metabolic environment inside tumors helps tumors evade immune clearance. The changed metabolic environment in tumors reduces the antitumor activity of tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TILs). These TILs accumulate depolarized mitochondria and show characteristics of being terminally exhausted. Forcing TILs to  accumulate depolarized mitochondria using inhibitors caused TILs to undergo epigenetic changes toward the terminal exhaustion program. In contrast, enhancing T cell mitochondrial fitness improved responsiveness to anti-PD-1 treatment in melanoma-engrafted mice. This talk will focus on how mitochondrial dynamics and quality orchestrate T cell antitumor responses.

The Basic Research Seminar series presents prominent basic science speakers weekly to inspire and promote ongoing cancer research at Northwestern University.