Intravital imaging of T cell responses in the brain during cerebral malaria infection

Project Details

Activated CD8 T cells play a critical role in murine experimental cerebral malaria associated with Plasmodium berghei infection. The mechanism underlying cerebral malaria pathogenesis is not well understood. To address this, we have developed a novel system to image the brain in live animals undergoing malarial infection using 2-photon laser scanning microscopy. This allows temporal assessment of the immune response occurring in the brain. Using tools including TCR transgenic mice generated by the Heath group, interactions between malaria-specific T cells and dendritic cells or endothelial cells can be observed in real time. This project is examining the role of malaria-specific CD8 T cells in disease and effects on the brain blood vessel endothelium that leads to damage, breakdown of the blood brain barrier and haemorrhages.

NB: this is a collaborative project with the Mueller group.

Researchers

Nazanin Ghazanfari
Julia Gregory
Dr Scott Mueller

Research Group

Heath laboratory: CD8 T lymphocytes, dendritic cells, self tolerance and immunity


Faculty Research Themes

Infection and Immunology

School Research Themes

Cellular Imaging & Structural Biology, Molecular Mechanisms of Disease


Key Contact

For further information about this research, please contact the research group leader.

Department / Centre

Microbiology and Immunology

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