A5004901685- Immune responses and vaccinations
- Immune cells in cancer
- German History and Society
- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- Literature and Cultural Memory
- Plant and animal studies
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
- European history and politics
- COVID-19 Impact on Reproduction
- Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
- German Literature and Culture Studies
- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
- Intensive Care Unit Cognitive Disorders
- German Colonialism and Identity Studies
- Diabetes and associated disorders
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Immunotherapy and Immune Responses
- Gut microbiota and health
- Infectious Diseases and Tuberculosis
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Ion Channels and Receptors
- Fern and Epiphyte Biology
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
Queen's University
2023-2025
McGill University Health Centre
2017-2025
Kingston General Hospital
2025
McGill University
2018-2023
Christie (Canada)
2019-2021
Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen
2011-2018
Paul Ehrlich Institut
2016
Goethe University Frankfurt
2001-2006
Goethe Institute
2004
Humboldt State University
1991
β-glucan is a potent inducer of epigenetic and functional reprogramming innate immune cells, process called "trained immunity," resulting in an enhanced host response against secondary infections. We investigate whether exposure confers protection pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. induces trained immunity via histone modifications at gene promoters human monocytes, which accompanied by the production proinflammatory cytokines upon Mtb challenge inhibition growth. Mice...
A greater understanding of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) regulation is required for dissecting protective versus detrimental immunity to pathogens that cause chronic infections such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). We have shown systemic administration Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) or β-glucan reprograms HSCs in the bone marrow (BM) via a type II interferon (IFN-II) interleukin-1 (IL1) response, respectively, which confers trained against Mtb. Here, we demonstrate that, unlike BCG...
Since the vast majority of species solely rely on innate immunity for host defense, it stands to reason that a critical evolutionary trait like immunological memory evolved in this primitive branch our immune system. There is ample evidence vaccines such as bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) induce protective responses (trained immunity) against heterologous pathogens. Here we show while BCG vaccination significantly reduces morbidity and mortality influenza A virus (IAV), fails provide...
Viral infections can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), systemic inflammation, and secondary cardiovascular complications. Lung macrophage subsets change during ARDS, but the role of heart macrophages in cardiac injury viral ARDS remains unknown. Here we investigate how immune signals typical for affect subsets, health, inflammation.
Dysregulation of the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory macrophages has a key function in pathogenesis Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), fatal genetic disease. We postulate that an evolutionarily ancient protective mechanism against infection, known as trained immunity, drives pathological inflammation DMD. Here we show bone marrow-derived from murine model DMD (mdx) exhibit cardinal features consisting transcriptional hyperresponsiveness associated with metabolic...
Pulmonary macrophages have two distinct ontogenies: long-lived embryonically-seeded alveolar (AM) and bone marrow-derived (BMDM). Here, we show that after infection with a virulent strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Rv), primary murine AM exhibit unique transcriptomic signature characterized by metabolic reprogramming from conventional BMDM. In contrast to BMDM, failed shift oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) glycolysis consequently were unable control an avirulent (H37Ra)....
Evolution has created complex mechanisms to sense environmental danger and protect tissues, with the nervous immune systems playing pivotal roles. These work together, coordinating local systemic reflexes restore homeostasis in response tissue injury infection. By sharing receptors ligands, they influence pathogenesis of various diseases. Recently, a less-explored aspect neuroimmune communication emerged: release neuropeptides from cells cytokines/chemokines sensory neurons. This article...
Disease tolerance is an evolutionarily conserved host defense strategy that preserves tissue integrity and physiology without affecting pathogen load. Unlike resistance, the mechanisms underlying disease remain poorly understood. In present study, we investigated whether adjuvant (β-glucan) can reprogram innate immunity to provide protection against influenza A virus (IAV) infection. β-Glucan treatment reduces morbidity mortality IAV infection, independent of resistance. The enhanced...
ABSTRACT Background COVID‐19 has been associated with both respiratory (diaphragm) and non‐respiratory (limb) muscle atrophy. It is unclear if SARS‐CoV‐2 infection of skeletal plays a role in these changes. This study sought to: 1) determine cells comprising tissue, particularly myofibres, express the molecular components required for infection; 2) assess capacity direct its impact on atrophy pathway genes myogenic cells; 3) an animal model COVID‐19, examine relationship between viral...
We recently showed that a bacterial infection can break oral tolerance to food and lead IgE-dependent mast cell activation food-induced abdominal pain, which could constitute an important pathogenic mechanism in post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Here, we investigated whether similar immune mechanisms response psychological stress food-evoked pain signaling, thus potentially explain the pathophysiology larger group of patients with IBS. Mice were exposed ovalbumin (OVA) during...
ABSTRACT Vagal sensory neurons convey sensations from internal organs along the vagus nerve to brainstem. Pruriceptors are a subtype of that transmit itch and induce pruritus. Despite extensive research on molecular mechanisms itch, studies focusing pruriceptors in vagal ganglia still need be explored. In this study, we characterized pruriceptor by their responsiveness pruritogens such as lysophosphatidic acid, β -alanine, chloroquine, cytokine oncostatin M. We discovered lung-resident...
Parasitic helminths cause significant damage as they migrate through host tissues to complete their life cycle. While chronic helminth infections are characterized by a well-described Type 2 immune response, the early, tissue-invasive stages not well understood. Here we investigate pathways activated during early of Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri (Hpb), natural parasitic roundworm mice. In contrast response present at later infection, robust 1 signature including IFNg production was...