Location, Location, Location: Immune Protection by Tissue-Resident T Cells (Full Presentation)

Along with the production of antibodies and many other processes, our body's immune system deploys T cells, specialised cellular soldiers that directly fight pathogens, either killing infected cells or coordinating the attack. Following a successful battle against infection, a pool of "memory T cells" remains in the body to provide better and faster responses upon re-encountering an old enemy - they have been trained to recognise the specific fragments or components of familiar viruses, bacteria and other pathogens.

We've known that these memory T cells circulate in our blood stream like a night patrol for about sixty years now. However, only recently, we've discovered that some memory T cells permanently reside in the body's tissues at sites of infection, poised to mediate local immune responses should old enemies return. They are hence regarded as “tissue-resident memory T cells,” found like guards at the castle gates, the body's main interfaces with the outside world, such as the skin, intestines and lungs, where they lead site-specific responses.

Professor Laura Mackay a laboratory head ‪@doherty_institute‬ for Infection and Immunity. Her work has been instrumental in the discovery of these cells and their role, and here she shares recent advances in understanding the biological functions of these cells and their critical role in providing protection against infection and cancer. Laura’s work offers new insights to treatment and opportunities for the development of novel immunotherapies, including site-specific vaccines.

Produced with the support of the Inspiring Victoria program. A short digest is available at    • Location, Location, Location: Immune ...