Lecture - Novel Trigger and function of Type 2 immunity: Damage-associated host DNA and host defense against venoms - Dr Thomas Marichal - 21 April 2016
21/04/2016 13:00 to 21/04/2016 16:30 (Europe/Luxembourg)
Esch/Alzette,
Luxembourg
Speaker
Dr Thomas Marichal, PhD is Junior Principal Investigator - “Chargé de recherches” of the F.R.S.-FNRS (National Fund for Scientific Research),
University of Liège, Belgium
ABSTRACT
Allergic disorders, helminth infections and aluminium-adjuvanted vaccination have in common the so-called “type 2” immune response that is induced and that can exert either pathological or protective functions. The research I am undertaking aims to understand how type 2 immune responses are induced, and what physiological functions they may have. The first part of the talk will be dedicated to recent findings indicating that host DNA released from damaged cells can act as a potent inducer of type 2 immunity in aluminium-adjuvanted vaccination (Marichal et al, Nature Medicine, 2011), but also in virus-induced asthma (unpublished data). During the second part of the talk I will present you experimental evidence demonstrating that immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, which are mainly known in the context of deleterious allergic reactions, also enhance host protection against venoms (Marichal, Starkl et al., Immunity, 2013 & The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2016). This novel, beneficial function of IgE supports the “toxin hypothesis”, suggesting that allergic reactions act as immunological defenses against noxious substances (Profet, The Quarterly Review of Biology, 1991), and provides evidence for what may be the primary evolutionary benefit of IgE responses.
SCHEDULE
13:00 - 14:30 : Lecture
Lycée Technique d'Esch/Alzette - Salle de projection audiovisuelle
15:00 - 16:30 : Workshop
House of BioHealth
Room Françoise Barré-Sinoussi
Registration required for the workshop - send us an email.
About the Lecture & Workshop series - Infection & Immunity
The LIH lecture and workshops series in Infection and Immunity, supported by the FNR, are gathering internationally recognised speakers to address topics around Infection and Immunity. Twelve lectures will be organised in 2016, followed by workshops especially dedicated to early-stage researchers.
Attendance to the lectures and workshops are free of charge. Should you be interested in registering for the workshops, please feel free to do so by sending us an email.