Life Sciences Seminar: Recall of Immune Memory To Fight Future Infections

Life Sciences Seminar
Improvise, Adapt, Overcome: Recall of Immune Memory To Fight Future Infections

Aizan Embong, MS (RIT '17)
Ph.D. Candidate
David H. Smith Center for Vaccine Biology and Immunology
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
University of Rochester Medical Center

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Humans constantly encounter microbial threats that we survive due to innate and adaptive immunity. Our team discovered that SARS-CoV-2 infection recalls populations of immune cells previously generated by infection with common-cold human coronaviruses. Our studies suggest that preexisting memory B cells are activated and adapted to respond to SARS-CoV-2 and these cells are likely to be durable for a lifetime.

Abstract:
Human populations constantly encounter constellations of microbial threats, yet we have survived hundreds of thousands of years due to the concerted efforts of two arms of immunity, innate and adaptive. In particular, the adaptive arm confers durable immunity against future reinfection in the form of immune memory. Our team discovered that SARS-CoV-2 infection recalls populations of pre-existing cross-reactive memory B cell (MBC) that were previously generated by infection with common-cold seasonal human coronaviruses. This recall phenomenon leads to the robust production of antibodies that could bind SARS-CoV-2 proteins, presumably recognizing conserved epitopes. By analyzing these unique populations of MBC, findings from our studies suggest that preexisting MBCs are activated and adapted to respond to SARS-CoV-2 exposure, and these populations are likely to be durable for a lifetime.

Speaker Bio:

• RIT class of ’17 (Biotechnology), international student from Malaysia

• Graduate student at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Immunology/Microbiology/Virology (IMV) program.

• PhD candidate in Topham Lab at the David H. Smith Center of Vaccine Biology and Immunology (CVBI).

• Currently a final year PhD candidate, defending thesis soon.

• Currently researching formation and maintenance of immune memory against respiratory viral infections (influenza and coronavirus).

Intended Audience:
Beginners, undergraduates, graduates. Those with interest in the topic.

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