WEBINAR: Lecture series Infection & Immunity: "Antigen-specific CD4 T cell responses in humans: SARS-CoV-2 and beyond"- Prof Alexander Scheffold
21/01/2021 11:00 to 21/01/2021 12:15 (Europe/Luxembourg)
Speaker
Prof Alexander Scheffold is Director Institute of Immunology, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel.
ABSTRACT
Our group is interested in the regulation of immunity and immune pathology by CD4 T cells. We have established sensitive tools for the analysis of human antigen-specific CD4 T cells, including regulatory T cells
and analyzed basic mechanisms of antigen-specific tolerance, immune pathology and protective immunity in humans. Recently we investigated the response to SARS-CoV-2. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) displays high clinical variability but the parameters that determine disease severity of COVID-19 are unclear. Pre-existing T-cell memory generated by frequent
infections with related “common cold” Corona-virus (CCCoV) has been hypothesized as protective mechanism, but conclusive evidence is lacking. We used antigen-reactive T cell enrichment (ARTE) a sensitive technology to characterize antigen-reactive T cells, to deeply characterize SARS-CoV-2 and CCCoV-specific T cells from healthy donors and COVID-19 patients, using multiparameter cytometry, single cell gene expression profiling and TCR avidity and cross-reactivity measurements. The data I will present suggest that pre-existing SARS-CoV-2 specific memory is not primarily induced by CCCoV and is not protective but mainly increased in the elderly. Preexisting memory may in fact contribute to severe COVID19 disease observed in this age group.
SCHEDULE
About the Lecture & Workshop series - Infection & Immunity
The LIH Lecture Series and Workshops in Infection and Immunity, supported by the FNR, are gathering internationally recognised speakers to address topics around Infection and Immunity. Lectures will be organised, 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.