Projects
B cell responses to tumor-derived extracellular vesicles
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) carry antigens in a particulate form. We have demonstrated for the first time that native tumor EVs drain into sentinel lymph nodes. It is widely known that lymph nodes handle particulate antigens differently from small, soluble ones: particulate antigens like viruses, bacteria and immune complexes are captured by sub-capsular sinus macrophages and relayed to B cells. In this project, we study how B cells respond to tumor antigens carried by EVs.
Immune response to senescence-associated extracellular vesicle
Senescent cells accumulate with age and are linked to tissue disfunction and disease. Senescent cells have profound non-autonomous effects upon immune cells, which can ultimately tip the balance toward chronic inflammatory conditions. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a significant role in non-autonomous signaling. In this project, we employ genetic tools to functionally study native senescence cell-derived EVs and how they promote removal of senescent cells and restoration of tissue homeostasis.