DF/HCC Program Affiliation

Cancer Immunology
Angiogenesis, Invasion, and Metastasis

Research Abstract

Research in my lab uses a combination of cellular and molecular approaches in the analysis of T cell responses to bacterial pathogens. Many virulence factors have been identified which allow bacteria to survive and replicate within the mammalian host. Our research focuses on the immune consequences of these survival strategies, particularly the recognition of bacterial antigens by CD8+ T cells. Some of the pathogens we are using as models are Chlamydia trachomatis and Salmonella typhimurium. These intracellular pathogens share the ability to survive and replicate within vacuoles. However, the finding that CD8+ T cells recognize these pathogens suggests that a subset of bacterial proteins is translocated to the cytoplasm of the host cell. The translocation of these proteins may aid the organism in its intracellular life style, yet it may also subject the infected cell to immune recognition. Another focus of the lab is the development of novel strategies to prime T cell responses.

Publications

• Starnbach MN, Roan NR.Conquering sexually transmitted diseases.Nat Rev Immunol 2008 Feb 29.
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• Roan NR, Starnbach MN.Immune-mediated control of Chlamydia infection.Cell Microbiol 2008 Jan;10(1):9-19.
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• Loomis WP, Starnbach MN.Chlamydia trachomatis infection alters the development of memory CD8+ T cells.J Immunol 2006 Sep 15;177(6):4021-7.
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• Roan NR, Gierahn TM, Higgins DE, Starnbach MN.Monitoring the T cell response to genital tract infection.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2006 Aug 8;103(32):12069-74.
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• Shaw CA, Starnbach MN.Stimulation of CD8+ T cells following diphtheria toxin-mediated antigen delivery into dendritic cells.Infect Immun 2006 Feb;74(2):1001-8.
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• van der Velden AW, Copass MK, Starnbach MN.Salmonella inhibit T cell proliferation by a direct, contact-dependent immunosuppressive effect.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2005 Dec 6;102(49):17769-74.
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