Immunomeeting - Guest Presenter

Prof. Julia Esser-von Bieren, Université de Lausanne will present " From worms to mites - eicosanoids as regulators of type 2 immunity"

Abstract: Type 2 immunity is essential for host defense against many helminth parasites, but also drives chronic inflammation in diseases such as allergy and asthma. In our recent work, we have uncovered the persistent inflammatory reprogramming of macrophages as a hallmark of asthma in human patients and in experimental models. Here, I will present our recent insights into the mechanisms and functions of this “trained type 2 immunity” program. In addition, I will present our recent work related to the mechanisms by which worm parasites evade host type 2 immunity. In particular, we have identified a helminthic glutamate dehydrogenase (heGDH), which drives parasite chronicity by suppressing macrophage-mediated host defense. Combining RNAseq, ChIPseq and targeted lipidomics, we have identified prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) as a major immune regulatory mechanism of heGDH. Type-2 cytokines counteract suppressive effects of heGDH on host defense, showing that type 2 immunity can limit helminth-driven immune evasion. Thus, helminths harness a ubiquitous metabolic enzyme to epigenetically target type-2 macrophage activation and establish chronicity.

Meeting host: Carolyn King

Please note this meeting will be in person only and will not be avilable on zoom

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