Immune

Discover the fascinating world of regulatory T cells, which recently garnered a Nobel Prize for their role in preventing autoimmunity. The hosts dive into the history of suppressor T cells, the pivotal findings of FOXP3 mutations in mice, and how these discoveries relate to human diseases like IPEX syndrome. They also discuss the challenges of identifying true regulatory T cells and the mechanisms through which they exert their influence. Tune in for a compelling exploration of immunology's breakthroughs and ongoing mysteries!

In this engaging discussion, Professor Susan Schwab from NYU Grossman School of Medicine shares her journey from environmental advocacy to pioneering research in immunology. She dives into how sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) directs T cell movement, deciding when they should leave tissues. Susan also reveals intriguing findings about S1P's role in leukemia migration and highlights the use of optogenetic tools to track T cell behavior. Plus, she shares a hilarious travel tale involving flying cockroaches!

Discover how cross-reactive antibodies may offer protection against avian influenza. Learn about gut-derived T cells in the brain that influence eating behaviors. Delve into their roles in steady-state regions like the subfornical organ and how diet changes impact these T cells. The discussion also highlights the intricate connection between the gut microbiome and brain immunity, revealing the complexities of T cell trafficking and their potential effects on behavior. Packed with cutting-edge research and intriguing insights!

Kristian Andersen, a professor at Scripps Research Institute, specializes in viral evolution and immunology, with a focus on high-profile viruses like Ebola and SARS-CoV-2. He discusses how the immune system influences virus adaptation and the emergence of variants like Omicron. Andersen also emphasizes the connection between urbanization and increased spillover risks, advocating for better pandemic preparedness through surveillance and regulation. He underscores the importance of vaccines in broadening immunity and reducing disease severity, while sharing personal insights on creativity and outdoor hobbies.

Cindy and Steph discuss a paper that challenges the textbook dogma that B cells must first bind to an antigen for antibody affinity maturation to occur, and a snippet on dysfunctional T cells during bacterial vaginosis. Hosts: Cindy Leifer and Steph Langel Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of Immune! Links for this episode MicrobeTV Discord Server Somatic hypermutation in non-specific B cells (Immunity 2025) Dysfunctional T cells during bacterial vaginosis (J Clin Invest 2025) Time stamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Music by Tatami. Immune logo image by Blausen Medical Send your immunology questions and comments to immune@microbe.tv Information on this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.

Cindy sits down with Bali Pulendran at the AAI 2025 meeting where he told the story of how a childhood fascination with the cosmos grew into a career addressing fundamental questions about the human immune response, and how when an antigen enters the body it is like the big bang in how it initiates immune responses. Host: Cindy Leifer Guest: Bali Pulendran Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of Immune! Links for this episode MicrobeTV Discord Server Systems vaccinology determines antibody responses and durability (Nature 2025) World's largest immunology experiment (Sem Immunol 2024) Systems Vaccinology Review (Immunity 2010) Time stamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Music by Tatami. Logo image by Blausen Medical Send your immunology questions and comments to immune@microbe.tv Information on this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.

Elizabeth Marnik, also known as Science Whiz Liz, grew up unvaccinated, yet she is now an immunologist, science communicator, and advocate for vaccines–this is her story. Host: Cindy Leifer Guest: Elizabeth Marnick Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of Immune! Links for this episode MicrobeTV Discord Server More about Liz on her webpage ScienceWhizLiz on Instagram From the Science Classroom with Science Whiz Liz on Substack Time stamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Music by Tatami. Logo image by Blausen Medical Send your immunology questions and comments to immune@microbe.tv Information on this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.

Immune discusses the potential future of delivering vaccines by flossing your teeth and how antibodies in human milk shape the normal immune responses in newborns. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Cindy Leifer, Steph Langel, and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of Immune! Links for this episode MicrobeTV Discord Server Floss-based vaccination (Nat Biomed Engineering 2025) Press article on Floss-based vaccine paper (Sci News) Human milk IgA promotes immune development (PNAS 2025) Time stamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Music by Tatami. Immune logo image by Blausen Medical Send your immunology questions and comments to immune@microbe.tv Information on this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.

Cindy speaks with Aimee Pugh Bernard from University of Colorado about her career and her passion for teaching and communicating immunology to the public. Host: Cindy Leifer Guest: Aimee Pugh Bernard Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of Immune! Links for this episode MicrobeTV Discord Server More about Aimee on her webpage Funsizeimmuninja on Instagram Fun Size Science video partnership with Unbiased Science Funsizeimmuninja Substack Society for Leukocyte Biology Time stamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Music by Tatami. Logo image by Blausen Medical Send your immunology questions and comments to immune@microbe.tv Information on this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.

Cancer cells are hijacking mitochondria from nerve and T cells, boosting their growth while weakening immune responses. The podcast dives into how this mitochondrial manipulation informs cancer treatment strategies, revealing a complex dance between immune evasion and T cell dynamics. Additionally, there's exploration of mitochondrial transfer's evolutionary roots, plus insights into the effectiveness of checkpoint inhibitors in managing cancer and autoimmune conditions. Listeners will find both scientific advancement and community engagement at the heart of this discussion.