BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Talks.cam//talks.cam.ac.uk//
X-WR-CALNAME:Talks.cam
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:How pathogens reprogram their host: re-wiring of hematopoietic dev
 elopment during acute infection - Dr Alexandre Potocnik\, National Institu
 te for Medical Research
DTSTART:20110126T123000Z
DTEND:20110126T133000Z
UID:TALK28705@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Sue Griffin
DESCRIPTION:We are interested in the question of lineage specification and
  commitment in the lymphoid system. We are focusing in particular on the a
 spect how adhesion molecules compartmentalise haematopoietic and lymphoid 
 progenitors and how these alterations affect the developmental potential a
 nd mircoanatomical localisation of progenitors and lymphocytes. \n\nRemark
 ably\, beta1 integrin is not absolutely required for the migration of adul
 t lymphoid progenitors but seems to exert some functions in the induction 
 and regulation of an immune response. In conjunction with our studies on t
 he alpha4 integrin we hope to define the different requirements for these 
 adhesion molecules in lymphopoiesis and during an immune response by vario
 us genetical approaches including the generation of humanised mouse models
  for integrin expression.\n\nWhile the relationship between haematopoietic
  stem cells and progenitor populations has been extensively investigated u
 nder steady state conditions\, the dynamic response of the haematopoietic 
 compartment to acute infection is largely unknown. To gain further insight
 s into this process we analysed the alterations of haematopoietic differen
 tiation and migration of progenitors in mice with acute of malaria. \n\nIn
  addition to a profoundly impaired generation of myeloid and erythroid cel
 ls we observed the cessation of lymphopoiesis combined with the transient 
 emergence of a novel subsets of early progenitors. The generation of these
  infection-induced progenitors was critically dependent on IFN-gamma signa
 lling and might be part of an early host defence mechanism for the control
  of pathogens. We are currently extending these studies focusing on the ro
 le of integrins for the dynamic changes of haematopoiesis in infection.\n\
 nIn summary\, we believe that a better understanding for the compartmental
 isation and the physiological or pathological mobilisation of haematopoiet
 ic cells can directly lead to more informed therapies and drug design.\n
LOCATION:Lecture Theatre\, Department of Pathology\, Tennis Court Road
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR