Immunity across the lifespan: defining immune development from hematopoietic stem cells
Dr. Anna Beaudin
Until recently, immune development was thought to occur in a linear progression from immaturity to maturity. We now recognize that immune development is considerably more complex, and involves the generation of distinct components of the immune system in waves, or layers, that serve unique functions at different stages of development. However, the cellular mechanisms regulating layered immune development are poorly understood, and the clinical relevance of immune cells generated in early life is ill defined because their specific function and contribution to adult immunity is unclear. In this seminar, I will present my recent efforts to define the origin of immune cells established during early life and describe my work to characterize the cellular mechanisms that drive developmental waves of immune cell production. I will also discuss ongoing work to characterize the unique function of developmentally restricted lymphocytes, as well as my future plans aimed at advancing our understanding of how early life events shape immune development and disease susceptibility throughout life.
