Events

Crosstalk between microbes and the immune system by macrophage metabolite presentation

Research seminar presented by:

Dr Hamish McWilliam
Senior Research Fellow
Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Doherty Institute

The MR1 protein mediates molecular communication between microbes and mammals by detecting metabolite by-products. MR1 is highly conserved, and present in most mammals – from humans to blue whales – and activates the innate-like MAIT cells that have diverse functions in immunity and homeostasis. However, the cells that use MR1 to mediate this crosstalk are poorly defined. Using a MR1-reporter mouse and conditional knock-out lines, Hamish’s team has found that macrophages are the key MR1-presenting cells in vivo. This microbe-macrophage-MAIT cell communication allows the maintenance of the pulmonary microbiota and protection from pathogens.