Dept. of Physiology Research Seminar: Dr. Joseph Barbi - "Neuritin: An unexpected immune modulator and regulator of regulators"

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are major enforcers of immune homeostasis that prevent excessive or self-directed responses. These cells in the cancer setting, however, can hinder both the anti-tumor immune response and the effectiveness of anti-cancer vaccines. Therefore understanding the factors important for Treg maintenance and function is relevant to a wide range of diseases. We found that neuritin, a gpi-anchored molecule known for its role in the nervous system, was highly expressed by induced and natural Tregs. Neuritin expression was important for the maintenance of the Treg phenotype and the function of these cells in vivo. In a mouse model of colitis, neuritin ablation undermined Treg-mediated immune control evidenced by poor retention of Foxp3 expression by Tregs and elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Additionally, the growth of implanted tumors was strongly impeded in the absence of neuritin. In all these findings characterize neuritin as a Treg-derived factor important for immune tolerance and a potential therapeutic opportunity to modulate the Treg pool. Ongoing studies are exploring the mechanisms responsible for neuritin-mediated immune regulation and elucidating the molecule events and cells involved.

Location:	1425 Biomedical and Physical Sciences Bldg [map]
Price:	free
Sponsor:	Dept. of Physiology
Contact:	Chris Shaltry shaltryc@cns.msu.edu 884-5034
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