Regulation of immunity in the intestine We are investigating the mechanisms that regulate unconventional T cell functions in intestinal immunity. Through this work we have identified a novel cellular crosstalk controlling the activation of NKT cells and explored the mechanisms by which NKT cells control the intestinal microbial populations and contribute to the establishment of intestinal homeostasis. We are currently investigating novel mechanisms by which NKT cells regulate intestinal inflammation.
Immune responses to infection Populations of unconventional T cells are strategically situated in the tissues ready for a rapid response to an infectious challenge. The precise regulation of the location and interactions of immune cells with their tissue environment controls their activation and preserves the balance between health and disease. Our studies seek to define how, where and when unconventional T cells find pathogens in vivo and to understand how their activation controls the outcome of immune responses.
Immune responses in the skin The skin is a complex immunological niche containing high numbers of immune cells that regulate skin homeostasis and protect from external insults. Unconventional T cells are present in the skin where they play a central role in the pathogenesis of skin diseases including psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. We aim to address how the interplay between unconventional T cell and the skin microbiome regulates skin health.