BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Talks.cam//talks.cam.ac.uk// X-WR-CALNAME:Talks.cam BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:TLRs (Toll-like receptors)\, NLRs (Nod-like proteins) and RLRs (RI G-like receptors)\, pathogens sensors of innate immunity – 9th October 2 009 - The meeting chairs are Dr Martha Triantafilou and Dr Kathy Triantafi lou\, speakers are Professor Neil A.R. Gow\,Professor Dirk Werling\,. Pro fessor Steve Goodbourn\,Dr Helen S Atkins\,. Dr Clare Bryant\, Dr Nick Gay \,Dr Olaf Gross\,Dr Tom Monie DTSTART:20091009T080000Z DTEND:20091009T160000Z UID:TALK19008@talks.cam.ac.uk CONTACT:Speaker to be confirmed DESCRIPTION:"Significant advances in our understanding of the innate immun e recognition have been made in the last decade following the identificati on of three families of pattern recognition receptors: Toll-like receptors (TLRs)\, NOD-like receptors (NLRs) and RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs). TLRs are pattern recognition receptors that detect motifs or signatures from ba cteria\, viruses\, protozoa and fungi. NLRs detect mainly intracellular ba cteria and RLRs detect viral genome. These three families of pattern recog nition receptors comprise the front line of defence that the host possesse s against microbial pathogens. The aim of this meeting is to provide an ov erview of these three families of receptors and provide the most recent ad vances in the area of innate immune pattern recognition". Chairs: Dr Mart ha Triantafilou/Dr Kathy Triantafilou\, University of Sussex\, UK\n\nThe a genda includes: \nImmune recognition of fungal pathogens. Professor Neil A .R. Gow\, University of Aberdeen\, UK\nCandida albicans is the most common agent of life-threatening human disease due to a fungus. We have construc ted a series of mutant strains with alterations in C. albicans cell wall b iosynthesis and used these to explore the role of the glycans on fungal pa thogenesis. Cytokine production by mononuclear cells or dendritic cells results from the detection of multiple wall components\, singly and in com bination. Other cell wall components block of shield the fungus from immun e recognition by TLRs and lectin receptors. Therefore fungal recognition b y the immune system is a complex and dynamic process triggered by multiple signals and multiple receptor complexes. [Reference:Netea\, et al (2008) Nat Rev Microbiol 6\, 67-78\n\nStructure-function relationship of Toll-lik e receptor domains in different species and their potential impact on vacc ine design . Professor Dirk Werling\, Royal Veterinary College\, UK\nToll- like receptors (TLRs) are a family of pattern recognition receptors that a re an important link between innate and adaptive immunity. Many vaccines i ncorporate ligands for TLRs as an adjuvant and are developed in rodent mod els\, with the resulting data transferred to other species. Vaccine featur es can be improved markedly by emphasizing the biological relevance when e valuating other animal models for host-pathogen interaction and by taking greater advantage of the unique experimental opportunities that are offere d by large animal\, non-rodent models. In the present talk\, I will summar ize our current knowledge of species-specific TLR responses and briefly di scuss that vaccine efficacy in relevant host species might be improved by considering the species-specific TLR responses\n\nRIG-like helicases and v iral antagonists. Professor Steve Goodbourn\, University of London\, UK \ nThe RNA helicases\, RIG-I and mda-5\, recognise non-self RNA molecules ge nerated in the cytoplasm\, and signal through a common downstream adaptor to activate the transcription factors IRF-3 and NF-kappaB. These in turn s ignal the activation of an innate anti-viral program\, including the produ ction of type I interferon. In order to replicate efficiently\, viruses mu st counter this system. This talk will focus on the mechanism of activatio n of RIG-I and mda-5 by viral RNAs\, and their specific antagonism by vira l proteins such as the paramyxovirus V protein and the influenza A virus N S1 protein. \n\nDr Helen S Atkins\, Defence Science and Technology Laborat ory\, Porton Down\, UK – talk to be confirmed \n\nPattern recognition receptors and the host detection of bacterial infection. Dr Clare Bryant\, University of Cambridge\, UK \nBacterial infe ction continues to cause major disease problems despite the availability o f antibiotics. We work on determining which Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs) detect important bacterial pathogens (specifically Salmonella ente rica serovar Typhimurium and Streptococcus pneumoniae). Lipopolysaccharid e is a component of the Gram-negative bacterial cell wall and its detectio n by TLR4 and MD-2 drives protective immunity in the host. We work on how TLR-4 and MD-2 detects lipid A structures and our comparative cross speci es analysis correctly predicted how the active TLR4/MD-2 signaling complex was formed. This talk will focus on PRR recognition of Gram positive and Gram-negative bacteria.\n\nPathogen pattern rocognition by Toll-like rece ptors – 20 years on .Dr Nick Gay\, University of Cambridge\, UK\nIn my t alk I will describe the molecular mechanisms by which these conserved path ogen associated moecules are recognized by the TLRs with particular refere nce to lipo polysaccharide and single stranded viral RNAs. I will also pre sent new results which show how receptor activation is coupled to downstre am signal transduction and in particular the role played by oligomeric sig naling platforms assembled form adaptors and other signaling molecules inv olved in the pathway. I will discuss the potential for structural analysis to be used in the rational design of new drugs.\n\nITAM-coupled receptor signaling and the Nalp3-inflammasome in anti-fungal immunity. Dr Olaf Gro ss\, University of Lausanne\, Switzerland\n\nCARD tricks - more than just a magic show. Dr Tom Monie\, Wellcome Trust Career Development Fellow \, C ambridge\nHomotypic interactions between the effector domains of NLR prote ins are essential for the propagation of signal transduction and the activ ation of the inflammasome. This talk will discuss the mechanisms by which these interactions are mediated with a particular focus on the caspase act ivation and recruitment domain (CARD):CARD interactions of NOD1 and its si gnalling partner the serine/threonine kinase RIP2.\n\n\nThe Deadline for e arly registration is July 20th 2009. After this time the fees double\, so make sure you book early!\n\nThe Deadline for abstract submissions for ora l presentation is July 10th 2009\nAbstracts for poster presentation only c an be submitted up to two weeks before the event\n\nPlease note that there will be a best poster prize. All accepted abstracts will be published in the meeting proceedings\n\nIf you would like to book a place at the meetin g\, please visit : www.regonline.co.uk/TLR09\n LOCATION:The BioPark\, Hertfordshire\,AL7 3AX UK END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR