Dr Susana Flores Villalva, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP), Mexico - VALIDATE Fellow
Elucidating the microbicidal and regulatory functions of bovine neutrophils during a natural Mycobacterium bovis infection
Project Aims
Bovine tuberculosis, a major economic and public health concern in developing nations, is caused by Mycobacterium bovis. In Mexico, zoonotic tuberculosis has been increasing, leading to high rates of drug resistance. Vaccination has been proposed as an affordable solution, but its low efficacy in cattle prevents widespread use. It is essential for the development of new and potent vaccines to understand the immunological mechanisms that result in effective mycobacterial immunity. The crosstalk and immunomodulatory functions of other cell types, like neutrophils and γδ T cells, are an unknown area in vaccine development. Neutrophils are the first immune cells infiltrating the site of infection and the main phagocytes responsible for early pathogen clearance. γδ T cells are more prevalent in cattle in comparison to other species, although little attention has been paid to their role during natural infection. Examining these cells' cell biology and how they interact with mycobacteria will help us understand the pathophysiology of tuberculosis and provide new guidelines for the development of highly effective vaccines.
This project aims to characterize how a natural M. bovis infection influences bovine neutrophil phenotype and function by analysing neutrophil and γδ T cell subsets in naturally infected cattle. The results of these studies will contribute to the description of the transcriptome profile of these cells from healthy and naturally-infected cattle. The results will also help in understanding the consequences of a natural M. bovis infection on the responses of γδ T cells and bovine neutrophils. We will also investigate the regulatory interaction between γδ T cells and neutrophils, which will assist in identifying novel paths for modifying these cells' responses in vivo to enhance vaccination responses.
Find out more about Dr Susana Flores Villalva here.
