Littman explains that different commensal microbes in our gut elicit different T cell responses – either pathogenic or non-pathogenic. His lab is beginning to identify the pathogens and decipher the pathways that determines the host T cell response. This research has important clinical relevance since a cancer patient’s microbiota may help determine their response to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Microbiota that induce non-pathogenic Th17 cells and regulatory T cells are protective against autoimmunity but may decrease anti-tumor immunity, while microbiota that contribute to autoimmunity may enhance anti-tumor T cell responses.
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Th17 Cells and Innate Lymphoid Cells in Barrier Defense and Inflammatory Disease
Th17 cells are important in our protective immune response and their differentiation is guided by our intestinal microbiota. Th17 cells also can exist in a pathogenic form that causes autoimmune disease. (Talk recorded in December 2017)
- Part 1: Th17 Cells and Innate Lymphoid Cells in Barrier Defense and Inflammatory DiseasesAudience:
- Researcher
- Educators of Adv. Undergrad / Grad
Duration: 38:28 - Part 2: Shaping of Immune Responses by the MicrobiotaAudience:
- Researcher
- Educators of Adv. Undergrad / Grad
Duration: 45:16