 Prof. Hideki Ueno
Professor in Department of Immunology
Kyoto University
Japan |
Title:
Multiple Roles of Antigen-Specific High-Avidity CD4+ T Cells in Humans
Abstract:
The signal strength via T cell receptors (TCR) and co-stimulatory molecules substantially affects the function and fate of T cells. High-avidity T cells respond more robustly than low-avidity T cells upon interactions with antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and, therefore, play key roles in various diseases such as infection, cancer, and autoimmunity. We have established an assay to assess the TCR avidity of antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells by analyzing the expression of the transcription factor IRF4. Our findings reveal that high-avidity CD4+ T cells specific for SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins display unique features and cross-reactivity, distinct from low-avidity T cells. The generation and maintenance of high-avidity T cells are significantly influenced by gender and age. Furthermore, our study demonstrates that high-avidity T cells play crucial roles in the robust immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, the efficacy of antibody responses in SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, and the pathogenesis of long-COVID.
Biography:
Dr. Hideki Ueno is a human immunologist with over 25 years of experience. He began his career at the Baylor Immunology Research Institute, where he focused on developing cancer vaccines using dendritic cells (DCs) and monitoring immune responses in patients receiving DC-based vaccinations. His work has spanned both basic and clinical research, with a particular emphasis on dendritic cell subsets and T follicular helper (Tfh) cells in humans. Dr. Ueno’s significant achievements include: 1. Defining functional differences among human skin DC subsets; 2. Discovering and characterizing human Tfh cell subsets; 3. Elucidating the roles of Tfh cell subsets in autoimmune diseases; 4. Establishing the differentiation pathways of human Tfh cells; and 5. Demonstrating the involvement of Tfh cells in antibody production following seasonal influenza vaccination.
Since joining Kyoto University in 2019, Dr. Ueno has led multiple innovative projects in human immunology. His recent research encompasses a wide range of topics, including the immune response to COVID-19 and vaccines, mechanisms underlying human liver diseases, and the complexities of tumor microenvironments.
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