The Immunology Podcast

Guests: In this special episode, Brenda and Jason chat with Drs. Daylon James and Arun Sharma, the hosts of the Stem Cell Podcast. Recorded in-person and led by Dr. Nicole Quinn from STEMCELL Technologies, the four hosts discuss the impact that podcasting has had on their careers and how it can make science and scientists more accessible. They also talk about the future of science communication and advice for young scientists pursuing careers in academia and industry. Featured Products and Resources: Register for IMMUNOLOGY2023 taking place May 11-15 in Washington, DC. Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

Guest: Dr. Miriam Merad is a Professor of Cancer Immunology and Director of the Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Her research focuses on dendritic cells and macrophages.  She talks about tissue-resident macrophages in COVID-19 and cancer. She also discusses her new role as President of the International Union of Immunological Societies and bringing the international immunology community together at their upcoming meeting in South Africa. Featured Products and Resources: Early-Bird Registration Is Open for IMMUNOLOGY2023! Free Wallchart: SARS-CoV-2 Structure and Life Cycle The Immunology Science Round Up NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation – Researchers used cryo-EM to identify the structure of the active NLRP3 inflammasome disk. How the BCG Vaccine Induces Trained Immunity – The BCG vaccine triggers epigenetic modifications on alveolar macrophages via an intestinal microbiota-mediated pathway. Immunotherapy for Type 1 Diabetes – Scientists examined the mechanism of action of low-dose interleukin-2 immunotherapy and identified a long-lived gene expression signature associated with potential anti-inflammatory effects. pH Affects Interleukin-2 Anti-Tumor Activity – Researchers identified an interleukin-2 variant that retains its binding affinity in low pH environments. Image courtesy of Dr. Miriam Merad Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

Dr. Jie Sun, a professor at the University of Virginia specializing in respiratory immunology and long COVID, dives into the intricate world of respiratory viral infections. He compares long COVID with other post-viral conditions while elucidating his lab's groundbreaking research on mucosal immunity from mRNA vaccines. The conversation also highlights emerging strategies for enhancing immunity against evolving strains, alongside the pressing public health implications of recent viral surges, including the complex challenges posed by long-term health effects.

Guest: Dr. Arthur Liesz is a Professor of Experimental Neurology at the University of Munich. The Liesz lab is interested in the interplay between the brain and the immune system after stroke. He talks about the inflammatory response to stroke, including T cell-modulated microglial activation. He also talks about stroke aftermath, including T cells that remain in the brain and the redistribution of function during recovery. Featured Products and Resources: Keep Current with the Latest in Neural Cell News. Explore Free Immunology Wallcharts. The Immunology Science Round Up The Microbiome and Metabolome – Researchers dissected the interplay between the gut microbiome and host genome. Personalized T Cell Therapy – Scientists isolated and cloned multiple T cell receptors recognizing mutational neoantigens. An Ancestral Tuberculosis Effector Promotes Dissemination – Researchers linked an unusual tuberculosis outbreak with high rates of dissemination and skeletal disease to a specific effector. A Broadly Neutralizing Influenza Vaccine – Co-immunization with hemagglutinin stem immunogens derived from influenza A viruses elicited cross-group protection. Image courtesy of Dr. Arthur Liesz Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

Dr. Vijay Kuchroo, the Samuel L. Wasserstrom Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, delves into the fascinating interplay of autoimmunity and cancer immunotherapy. He highlights the essential conditions for differentiating Th17 cells and their critical roles in autoimmune diseases. A significant revelation includes his lab’s discovery of Tim-3, a novel T cell inhibitor receptor now being leveraged for cancer treatments. The conversation is enriched with insights on the impacts of anti-CTLA-4 antibodies on the tumor microenvironment, making it a must-listen for immunology enthusiasts.

Dr. Kristin Patrick, an Assistant Professor studying innate immune regulation, and Dr. Robert Watson, an Associate Professor focused on bacterial infections, delve into the dynamics of immunity and mentorship. They discuss gasdermin D's role in cell death during tuberculosis and how their joint lab enhances collaborative research. Insights on immune gene variations connected to Black Death survival reveal links to modern health. They explore their personal experiences and challenges of balancing life and science, advocating for teamwork in academia.

Guest: Dr. Henrique Borges da Silva is an Assistant Professor at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. His main research focus is determining how extracellular nucleotides affect transcriptional, metabolic, and functional mechanisms of CD8+ T cells in response to viral infections and cancer. He talks about where extracellular ATP comes from, and how there could be a link between ATP and ADP immunological signaling and the powers of caffeine. Featured Products and Resources: Win $300 worth of refreshments to fuel your immunology journal club! Keep current with the latest in Human Immunology News. The Immunology Science Round Up Telomere Transfer in T Cells – An interaction between T cells and antigen presenting cells early in the immune response to viruses may determine how fast T cells decline. APOE and COVID-19 Outcomes – APOE variants associated with Alzheimer’s disease are also associated with a reduced immune response and increased mortality from COVID-19. Protecting the Brain from Infection – Scientists identified a new blood-endothelial barrier that separates olfactory mucosa from circulating antibodies. Bacterial Colonization in the Intestine – An oral bacterium associated with inflammatory bowel disease uses nitrate respiration to colonize the intestine. Image courtesy of Dr. Henrique Borges da Silva Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

Guest: Dr. Indira Mysorekar is a Professor of Medicine and Chief of Basic and Translational Research at Baylor College of Medicine. Her lab studies host–microbial interactions in the urinary bladder and the placenta. She discusses the role of the microbiome and the aging immune landscape in recurrent urinary tract infections. She also talks about her research on Zika and SARS-CoV-2 in the placenta. Featured Products and Resources: Win $300 worth of refreshments to fuel your immunology journal club! Prepare for your next conference with this toolkit. The Immunology Science Round Up Gut Bacteria and Cancer Pathogenesis – Some commensal bacteria promote the development of retrovirus-induced leukemia. Generating Tolerance to Microbiota – RORγ-expressing cells are responsible for the induction of Tregs in the gut. Antigen-Presenting Cells Promote Treg Generation – New research reveals parallel pathways for establishing tolerance to self and foreign antigens in the thymus and periphery. Tissue Destruction in Sjögren’s Syndrome – Sjögren’s syndrome may be caused by self-reactive CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. CAR T Therapy for Lupus –  Anti-CD19 CAR T cell treatment led to remission of systemic lupus erythematosus in a trial of five patients. Image courtesy of Dr. Indira Mysorekar Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe

Dr. Ruth Ley, a microbiome science expert, and Dr. Sara Clasen, a postdoctoral fellow, dive into the fascinating co-evolution of humans with their gut microbiomes. They discuss how gut microbes adapt to human biology and the silent recognition of flagellins by TLR5, crucial for immune regulation. The conversation also explores the interplay between intestinal IgA and circadian rhythms, as well as innovative CAR T-cell therapies using CRISPR. Together, they illuminate the mutual adaptations that impact health and the future of microbiome research.

Guest: Dr. Leonardo Ferreira is an Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the Medical University of South Carolina. The Ferreira lab uses CARs and other engineered immune receptors to dissect how specificity, affinity, and signaling modulate the function of different T cells subsets in tolerance and immunity. He talks about how CAR Tregs could prevent transplant rejection and treat Type 1 diabetes. He also discusses mixing and matching immune cells, the freedom to pursue multiple ideas in academia, and science outreach in Bolivia. Featured Products and Resources: Stay up-to-date with the latest in cell therapy news. Download a free wallchart on the production of CAR T cells. The Immunology Science Round Up T Cell Nutrient Use – CD8+ T cells preferentially consume lactate over glucose in response to Listeria infection. Blocking Malaria Transmission – A stabilized malaria antigen induces transmission-blocking antibody responses. A New Metabolic Pathway in Inflammatory Macrophages – Research suggests that L-ornithine could improve LACC1-associated immunological dysfunctions such as arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease. T Cell Receptor Avidity – Scientists studied how T cell receptor avidity of tumor-specific T cells affected their anti-tumor capabilities using mouse modeling and two melanoma patients. Image courtesy of Dr. Leonardo Ferreira Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe