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SUMMARY:Influence of the microbiota on immune system homeostasis - Profess
 or Dan Littman\, New York University\, USA
DTSTART:20130227T123000Z
DTEND:20130227T133000Z
UID:TALK41800@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Sue Griffin
DESCRIPTION:The constituents of the commensal microbiota that inhabit our 
 intestine have co-evolved with us for mutual benefit. They regulate matura
 tion of gut lymphoid tissues and the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory
  intestinal lymphocytes.  \n\nLymphocytes that produce the cytokines IL-17
  and IL-22 protect mucosal surfaces from damage inflicted by bacteria and 
 fungi\, but also have critical roles in multiple autoimmune diseases and i
 n inflammatory processes that impact diseases ranging from asthma to ather
 osclerosis and cancer.  Most prominent among these lymphocytes are the Th1
 7 cells\, a subset of CD4+ T-helper cells that mediate autoimmunity in mic
 e and humans.  Disruption of the balance between Th17 and anti-inflammator
 y regulatory T cells\, which is governed by signals from distinct commensa
 l microbes\, can predispose to autoimmune diseases that affect distal orga
 ns.  Inflammatory lymphoid cells share a genetic program dependent on expr
 ession of the orphan nuclear receptor RORgt\, a promising target for anti-
 inflammatory therapy. \n\nA genomic analysis of the Th17 cell transcriptio
 nal regulatory network is being used to identify additional key factors re
 quired for Th17-mediated inflammation and to uncover new therapeutic targe
 ts in autoimmune disease.  Microbiota-induced Th17 cells of unknown specif
 icity can mediate autoimmune disease at distal sites.  These results have 
 inspired studies of the gut microbiome in human autoimmune disease\, revea
 ling an association of specific commensal bacteria with new onset rheumato
 id arthritis.  \n
LOCATION:Lecture Theatre\, Department of Pathology\, Tennis Court Road
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