News and Publications
Year In Review - 2000
Richard J. Ulevitch, Ph.D., Chairman
oday, more than ever, the ability to manipulate the immune system assumes increasing importance to improved medical care throughout the world. Scientists in the Department of Immunology feel a responsibility to focus their research efforts on understanding the immune system in ways that will allow for practical and effective solutions to worldwide health problems, including cancer and infectious disease. Important research advances are making the possibility of immuno-therapy a reality for many types of tumors. New therapies include active cell-based immunotherapies based on novel methods to stimulate dendritic cells ex vivo.
Infectious disease is another area in which immunology may provide solutions to newly emerging medical problems. News reports are prevalent about E.coli-tainted food and water supplies, the devastating effects of HIV on the African continent, and the appearance of West Nile virus in urban centers in the United States. Solutions will depend on scientists' ability to effectively use the immune system to combat or prevent these types of infections.
FUNDAMENTAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE INNATE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Researchers in the department are addressing these challenges in many important ways. They continue to receive international recognition for their inquiries into the fundamental mechanisms of immune responses to pathogens. In recent years the department has built expertise in areas that directly impact our understanding of nearly all aspects of the innate immune system. Of particular importance this year was the recruitment of Bruce Beutler, M.D., Ph.D., who moved his research team to TSRI from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Beutler is credited with several major discoveries that have changed scientists' understanding of how the innate immune system recognizes and responds to pathogens.
The department's research teams have contributed many seminal findings that shape current concepts of operation of the innate immune system. Among the past accomplishments is the recognition of the importance of LPS binding protein and CD14 in pathogen recognition. These fundamental discoveries have provided the basis for a phase II clinical trial to test anti-CD14 monoclonal antibodies in septic shock.
The department is well recognized for the efforts of its faculty to better understand the basic biology of HIV infection and the immune response to HIV. A number of advances have been made that promise to have a positive impact in this area of research. In particular, studies using targeted dendritic cell immunization point to new opportunities in vaccine design for both infection and cancer.
A better understanding of how lymphocytes regulate antibody production is also essential for designing better approaches to manage infection. During the past year, the department has expanded its knowledge about crucial mechanisms involved in B cell development. This includes understanding the principles of receptor editing and peripheral immune tolerance.
In viral infection the T lymphocyte plays an essential role in eliminating infected cells and limiting the spread of virus. Understanding how T cell populations are selected in the thymus and proliferate in the periphery is a central and as yet unsolved issue. A number of scientists, working collaboratively with their colleagues in the Department of Molecular Biology, continue to uncover new structural information about essential receptor proteins of the immune system, adding to the body of knowledge of how T cells work at the most fundamental levels.
There are a number of very successful programs within the department performed in close collaboration with Novartis Pharmaceuticals. This is particularly important because of the immense potential for translating knowledge of the immune system into practical measures to control or eliminate serious human disease.
In addition, many professors in the department are active participants in the Graduate Studies Program. In the summer, the labs are filled with the presence of high school and college students working in internship programs. In addition to an active weekly seminar program under the auspices of the Immunology Affinity Group, the department continues to organize an annual symposium now in its 7th year. This program brings together internationally recognized scientists working directly or indirectly in areas important to immunology.
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