Antibody-mediated Immune Response In Mucosal Surfaces
We study how antibody-forming cells entry respond to antigen delivered through the gut and air-way mucosa. As opposed to conventional vaccinations such as intra-dermal or intra-muscular, very little is known about the selection of B cells for germinal entry and affinity maturation in the intestinal and respiratory tract. Establishing immunity by oral or nasal delivery of immunogen is a very challenging process as the vaccine-specific B cells have to outcompete B cells that are specific for immense amount of gut-derived and airways antigens. We aim to understand whether a similar or different set of rules and regulations govern entry into the immune response in the gut when compared to the lymph node. Understanding this process may lead to the improvement of nasal and oral vaccinations.
