Hypoxia and CD8 T cells in cutaneous leishmaniasis

 

Monday, December 2, 2024 at 12 PM EST

Fernanda Novais, MCs, PhD
Assistant Professor, Microbial Infection and Immunity, Ohio State College of Medicine

ABSTRACT:

Cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania parasites exhibits a wide range of clinical manifestations. Although parasites influence disease severity, cytotoxic CD8 T cell responses mediate disease. While these responses originate in the lymph node, we found that cytotoxic CD8 T cells are restricted to Leishmania-infected lesions, suggesting that local cues within inflamed skin determine CD8 T cell function. Thus, our lab studies how Leishmania infection alters the skin microenvironment and influences the phenotype CD8 T cells exhibit during infection.

BIO:

Dr. Novais is an Assistant Professor at Ohio State University and co-director of the Host Defense and Microbial Biology Program at Ohio State’s Infectious Diseases Institute. Dr. Novais has over 20 years of research experience in immunology, studying the pathogenesis of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Her work integrates studies in mouse models and cutaneous leishmaniasis patients, identifying immune pathways leading to more severe disease and treatment failure.

WEBSITE:

https://www.novaislab.com/