Graduate Program in Molecular Cell Biology:
Special Lecture/Course in: The important roles of CD4 T-helper cells in
protective and destructive immune responses
Lecturer:
Natascha Kleiter
Number:
Type:
VO
Semester hours:
1 SS
Character:
Time/Date: 14:15-16:00/Thursday 13.3., 20.3., 27.3., 3.4., 10.4., 17.4., 24.4.
Location:
Peter-Mayr Str. 1-1a, 2nd floor, PMS102
Limited number of places, number of places, registration necessary: NO
For registration or questions please contact: natascha.kleiter@i-med.ac.at
Aim:
The aim of this lecture is to illustrate the characteristic features and the specific roles of
different CD4 helper subsets (Th1, Th2, Th17, iTregs) in detail as well as during disease
(asthma, diabetes, HIV, immunodeficiency, lymphoma, autoimmunity, tumor) as well as
during medical applications (e.g. transplantation and graft versus host disease).
Description/contents:
Peripheral T cells – originating from the thymus - can differentiate into diverse and highly
specialized subpopulations that can clear off pathogens as diverse as parasites, bacteria, virus
or funghi. Upon antigen recognition, CD4+ T helper cells differentiate into Th1, Th2, Th17 or
iTreg subsets that produce their specific signature cytokines and strongly influence the
outcome of an immune reaction. How do naïve CD4 T cells develop in the thymus- how are
they activated and subsequently shut down in the periphery? – cytokine milieu and receptors
trigger different Th subset differentiation- characteristic features of the specialized Th subsets
versus plasticity – the role of chemokines and their receptors- different roles for different Th
subsets during disease (asthma, diabetes, HIV, immunodeficiency, lymphoma, autoimmunity,
tumor) as well as during medical applications (e.g. transplantation and graft versus host
disease) – in vivo and in vitro techniques an introduction into methods
Suggested reading:
Cellular and Molecular Immunology Abbas et al., 2011