Masopust/Vezys Lab

The Masopust laboratory studies T cell responses to viral and bacterial infections & candidate vaccines to help understand the development of immunological protection from re-infection. We employ a combination of flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, intravital microscopy, cellular, and genetic approaches to observe and manipulate pathogen specific T cell responses. We are currently dedicated to elucidating the developmental cues that govern T cell migration to different anatomical locations, commitment to the memory lineage, and the contribution of memory T cell differentiation state and location to protection from re-infection. Memory T cells that reside within the respiratory, intestinal, and reproductive mucosa, which collectively represent the most common portals of pathogen entry or infection, are of particular interest. By understanding these issues, we hope to contribute to the development of better vaccination strategies and therapies for chronic diseases.

The Vezys lab studies T cell tolerance to self-antigens and chronic infections to determine how persistent interaction with cognate antigen impacts T cell selection, differentiation and survival. We observe and manipulate the dynamics of T cell responses specific for chronic viral infections or host derived self-proteins using MHC tetramers, adoptive transfer of transgenic T cells, fluorescence flow cytometry and multi-photon microscopy for live cell imaging. We are interested in elucidating how tolerance is induced and maintained to intestinal protein, as breakdown of this can lead to diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. By understanding these processes, we can learn how to manipulate the immune system for eradication of cancer and persistent infections, as well as interfere with the development and progression of autoimmunity.