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INSTITUTE FOR IMMUNOLOGY FACULTY
| Victoria Camerini, M.D. |
| Fields of Study: |
| Development and Function of Intestinal T cells |
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| Research Interests: |
| Research in our laboratory focuses on the development and function of T cells located in the lining of the intestine. These T cells, called intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) play key roles in protecting the body from invasion by harmful bacteria and viruses, minimizing immune responses to food and harmless bacteria and in promoting the repair of the intestinal lining. Despite their importance, the origin and life cycle of these T cells is not well understood. While the thymus gives rise to most T cells found in the circulation and lymph nodes, a subset of IEL may develop from stem cells in the intestine. We are using fluorescence activated cell sorting and laser-assisted microdissection to isolate progenitors of IEL from the intestinal lining and from unique cell clusters in the bowel wall called cryptopatch aggregates. Using mice harboring mutations or transgenes that selectively disrupt or restrict different stages of IEL development, we are constructing a biological-molecular map of T cell development in the intestine. Through these efforts, we hope to understand key differences in the development and education of T cells in the intestine as compared to the thymus and to identify the biological role that these T cells play in immune homeostasis in the intestine. |
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| Office Address/Phone: |
Center for Immunology
Hewitt Hall, Rm 3032
College of Medicine
Irvine, CA 92697-4120
(949) 824-1972 |
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| Lab Address/Phone: |
Hewitt Hall, Rm 3101E
(949) 824-1941 |
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| Email: vcamerin@uci.edu |
| Web Site: http://www.ucihs.uci.edu/microbio/index.html |
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