Gut-lung Axis: understanding the effects of immunological scar for lung tumor development

• Grant number: 24/15712-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Cellular Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Denise Morais da Fonseca
• Grantee: Josiane Betim de Assis
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/06881-5 - Gut-lung axis: understanding the immune dialogue between barrier tissues in the development of disease, AP.JP2

Abstract

Infectious episodes can compromise tissue-specific immune responses for the long-term, particularly in the mucosa. At the Laboratory of Mucosal Immunology (ICB/USP), we study the long-term effects of acute episodes of infection in the gut and respiratory mucosa. After defined episodes of gastrointestinal infection (Y. pseudotuberculosis (YP), T. gondii and Citrobacter rodentium) there may be an increase in permeability and leakage of the contents of the lymphatic vessels that drain the gut (FONSECA et al., 2015). In fact, certain types of gut pathogens are capable to promote local lymphatic system remodeling and, subsequently and immunological scar, affecting the connection between the gut mucosa and draining lymphoid organs. This process impairs the proper development of gut canonical responses and drive the development of chronic inflammation. In parallel, the world has witnessed a substantial rise in the incidence of cancer and complex inflammatory diseases, such as IBD. Lung cancer is the amongst the most commonly diagnosed and leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Therefore, in this work plan, we will define how the changes in gut immune homeostasis induced by YP-infection interfere in lung immune surveillance.