Faculty

Wendy Havran 
Professor
Immunology and Microbial Science
TSRI - 1991

Education 
Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1986

Awards & Activities 
Stohlman Scholar Award, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; Section Editor, Journal of Immunology; Editorial Board, Immunological Reviews

Research Focus 
Regulation Of Immune Responses At Epithelial Interfaces

We are interested in a unique subset of T lymphocytes that reside in epithelial tissues, are derived from fetal precursors, and express a tissue specific, invariant antigen receptor. These cells provide a sharp contrast to the vast majority of highly diverse T lymphocytes which are found in lymphoid tissues and are likely to have a distinct functional role. We are using cellular, biochemical, and molecular techniques to determine the antigen recognized by these epithelial T cells, the requirements for antigen presentation, and to identify additional molecules which may be required for antigen recognition. Additionally, we are investigating the role of these cells in tissue repair and in epithelial inflammatory diseases such as ulcerative colitis using patient samples as well as in vivo and in vitro model systems. Our results suggest that the role of the invariant epithelial γδ T cells may be to recognize damage-induced self antigens on neighboring cells and in response produce growth factors which stimulate tissue repair and secrete chemokines which recruit inflammatory cells to the site of injury. In this way the epithelial γδ T cells could provide protection from infection and malignancy in the tissue.

Selected References 
Witherden, D., Boismenu, R., Havran, W.L. CD81 and CD28 costimulate T cells through distinct pathways. J. Immunol. 165:1902-1909, 2000.

Jameson, J., Cauvi, G., Witherden, D., and Havran, W.L. A keratinocyte-responsive γδ TCR is necessary for dendritic epidermal T cell activation by damaged keratinocytes and maintenance in the epidermis.  J. Immunol., 172:3573-3579, 2004.

Jameson, J., Ugarte, K., Chen, N., Yachi, P., Fuchs, E., Boismenu, R., Havran, W.L. A role for skin γδ T cells in wound healing. Science 296:747-749, 2002.

Chen, Y., Chou, K., Fuchs, E., Havran, W.L., Boismenu, R. Protection of the intestinal mucosa by intraepithelial γδ T cells. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA, 99:14338-14343, 2002.