Lecture Overview
In his first lecture, Dustin explains that adaptive immunity allows an individual to specifically recognize and respond to a vast number of molecules. B cells recognize intact antigens and produce neutralizing antibodies. T cells, on the other hand, have receptors on their surface that recognize very small antigen fragments bound to MHC on the surface of antigen presenting cells (APC). Dustin explains that T cells overcome the challenges of finding and binding to the APCs with the help of a multitude of adhesion molecules. Once the T cell receptor has bound a peptide antigen, an immunological synapse, with its typical bulls-eye structure, is formed resulting in T cell activation.
In Part 2, Dustin describes how a reconstituted system has allowed the immunological synapse to be studied in molecular detail. It is possible to visualize the localization of signaling molecules such as kinases, and determine the role of the actin cytoskeleton in regulating this localization. Dustin also touches on the role of the immunological synapse in autoimmune disease and cancer.
In his last lecture, Dustin presents work from his lab showing that T cell receptor enriched vesicles are generated in the immunological synapse. These vesicles can be transferred to B cells leading to activation of the B cells and, potentially, the production of higher specificity antibodies.
Speaker Bio
Michael Dustin is Professor of Immunology and Director of Research at The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology at the University of Oxford. Prior to joining the Kennedy Institute, Dustin was a faculty member at the Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine at New York University from 2001-2013 and at Washington University School of Medicine from 1993-2000. Dustin received his BA in Biology from Boston University and his PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology from Harvard University.
As described in his iBioSeminar, Dustin’s lab studies the molecular events that take place at the immunological synapse. Future research will focus on developing therapies targeted to the immunological synapse to cure chronic inflammatory illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Dustin is an active participant in the immunology community; he is a member of numerous grant review committees and journal editorial boards. His research has been recognized with many awards including the 2000 Presidential Early Career Award in Science and Engineering and the 2012 DART-NYU Biotechnology Achievement Award.
Medical and Patient education videos
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Title
Description
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Woodrow Maitland tells of his personal experience of having aspergillosis. Like most people he had never heard of aspergillosis when he was finally diagnosed and treated at the National Aspergillosis Centre, Manchester, UK
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A series of nasal endoscopies – before during and after surgery. Surgical endoscopy by Raphaella Migliavacca. A patient 12 years old with AML undergoes remission following chemotherapy (2 rounds), admitted several months later with high fever and neutropenia. Patient undergoes regime of antifungal therapy including fluconazole, AmpB and voriconazole. (see full case as powerpoint slides presented In Brazil In FocusVII Aug 2009 Raphaella Migliavacca.). Nasal endoscopy was performed both pre-operatively and surgery removed a fungal ball. Biopsy revealed suppurative acute inflammatory findings (middle turbinate) and angioinvasive fungal structures consistent with aspergillosis. Cultures revealed Aspergillus flavus. Eight weeks later another endoscopy post surgery revealed marked improvement and reduced inflammation. The patient was given 12 weeks voriconazole followinf the surgery, followed by 3rd chemotherapy. The patient had recovered and was in complete remission 4 months after the surgical endoscopy.
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Pre-operative endoscopy by Raphaella Migliavacca.
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Produced by David Denning and described by Dr Rob Bissett. With kind permission of Gardiner-Caldwell, funded by Janssen-Cilag. Copyright Aspergillus Website.
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This patient had a small hole in the bone at the base of the skull. He underwent endoscopy through the nose which shows the defect in the skull through which the brain is visible (pulsating). Kindly provided by Hesham Saleh, Consultant Rhinologist, Charing Cross and Royal Brompton Hospital .
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The Aspergillus Website maintains a collection of clinical videos published on Youtube. Click on the listing at the top to access all videos.
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Kindly provided by Hesham Saleh, Consultant Rhinologist, Charing Cross and Royal Brompton Hospital
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Removing fungal growth from the maxillary sinus via the use of an endoscope.
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This video shows the removal of the fungal ball through the left nasal passage
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Produced by Dr Mark Jones and David Denning. Copyright Aspergillus Website.
