Washington University in St. Louis (WU)
I am interested in host and pathogen interactions that shape the outcome of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Communication between infected macrophages and CD4+ T cells is needed for orchestration of the adaptive immune response and effective restriction of Mtb growth. Interferon gamma is secreted by antigen-specific CD4+ T cells is required for intracellular control of Mtb by macrophages, however interferon gamma is not sufficient for optimal control and the mechanisms beyond this are poorly understood. Increased understanding of these early interactions between macrophages and T cells is needed in order to improve treatment and aid in the rational design of vaccines.