Defining the consequences of innate immune training on protective versus pathogenic T cell responses in patients with tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis (TB) ranks alongside HIV as the world's most deadly infectious disease, killing 1.5 million people every year. It is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), which primarily infects people's lungs. Treating this disease is becoming more difficult due to antibiotic-resistant Mtb, therefore, scientists are developing ways to boost the immune system to kill Mtb more effectively. Two immune cells that play a prominent role in our ability to fight Mtb are alveolar macrophages (AM) and T cells. AM are the guardians of the lungs and encounter the bacteria first. They try to contain infection by eating and killing the bacteria, and then switching on T cells. However, Mtb can manipulate the AM and live inside it, causing TB disease. T cells are the generals of the immune system, helping to coordinate long term defence. However, in TB, these cells can be a double-edged sword; sometimes they can help clear the infection, but they can also cause collateral damage to the lungs. It was recently discovered that AM can be "trained" to increase their functions (similar to the way training improves an athlete's performance). This improves the AM's ability to kill bacteria. In addition, we have evidence to suggest this training will give clearer signals to the T cells, which will balance the immune response towards clearing the infection, rather than damaging the lungs. This project will compare different training regimens to see which best promotes the killing of Mtb and what affect the training has on T cell responses. By studying the different types of T cells that are activated during Mtb infection, we will determine which response may be harmful to the patient. By better understanding the human immune response during Mtb infection, we will be able to adjust it to help the patient recover from TB.
- Award Date
- 15 May 2019
- Award Value
- €€699,962.70
- Principal Investigator
- Dr Sharee Basdeo
- Host Institution
- Trinity College Dublin
- Scheme
- Emerging Investigator Awards