T cell development, aging, and thymus regeneration

Friday, November 08, 2013 — Concurrent Symposia Session IV
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.	FAES Academic Center lower-level Classrooms 6 and 7

Co-chairs

Nan-ping Weng, NIA
Paul Love, NICHD

Program

T cells play an essential role in the immune response to pathogens and tumor cells. Shaping of the T cell repertoire and immunological fitness are dependent upon events that take place during thymocyte development and homeostasis in periphery, and the proper enforcement of these maturational checkpoints is necessary to ensure T cell functionality while preventing autoimmunity. Reduction in thymic output and changes in T cell homeostasis occur following cancer chemotherapies and as a result of the normal aging process. An understanding of the causes underlying these alterations requires detailed knowledge of the molecular pathways regulating normal T cell development as well as an appreciation of aging and chemotherapeutic effects. Considerable progress has been made in elucidating key events in the thymocyte maturational program. New information also has emerged that provides rationale for clinical interventions aimed at reducing age- or chemotherapy-related T cell deficiencies or potentially even rejuvenating aged T cells.

New insights into the role of TCR signaling motif multiplicity in T cell development and T cell activation
Paul Love, NICHD

Role of Traf3 and costimulatory signals in thymic epithelial development
Joy Williams, NCI

Tbata regulates thymus function by controlling thymic epithelial cell proliferation
Frank Flomerfelt, NCI

Development of regulatory T cells in the thymus: Signals and consequences
Xuguang Tai, NCI

The balance between three types of T cells in regulation of tumor immunity; FARE Award Winner
Liat Izhak, NCI

Human TCRbeta repertoire and its change with age
Nan-ping Weng, NIA