Keira Mahoney L&S Biological Sciences
Understanding Robust T Cell Differentiation Without Exhaustion
Chronic infections occur when a pathogen persists in the body for a long period, requiring a sustained CD8 T cell response to control infection. During these infections, CD8 T cells must constantly differentiate from quiescent memory cells into functional effector cells. However, in most chronic infections, CD8 T cells become exhausted, which limits differentiation into functional effector cells. Toxoplasma gondii (T.gondii) is a pathogen that can establish a chronic infection in nearly all mammals, yet CD8 T cells avoid exhaustion, resulting in a well-controlled infection. The mechanisms enabling these cells to maintain differentiation and resist exhaustion have not been fully characterized.
This project aims to understand which immunological factors allow for continued CD8 T cell differentiation without exhaustion, focusing on the role of receptors that are upregulated during early infection and regulate immune response. Determining whether these targets help sustain a strong CD8 T cell response during chronic T. gondii infection will provide insight into how CD8 T cells remain functional and may identify potential therapeutic targets for preventing T cell exhaustion.
Message To Sponsor
The opportunity to conduct undergraduate research in immunology at UC Berkeley has been an immense privilege and I could not be more grateful that I can continue this work over the summer with your support. I have learned so much and have worked with such supportive and incredible mentors. I greatly look forward to researching more about persistent CD8 T cell differentiation during chronic infection and contributing to new knowledge about T cell biology. Thank you very much!