Gamma delta T cells and naturally acquired immunity to malaria in neonates

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Sarina Ravens
• Subject Area: Medical Microbiology and Mycology, Hygiene, Molecular Infection Biology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 461611774

γδ T cells are a set of T cells characterized by their expressed surface γδ T cell receptor (TCR), by showing features of the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system and by developing during early ontogeny. There is evidence that γδ T cells have protective effector capabilities in various in utero and early childhood infections, including malaria. We recently reported an immediate microbial-driven expansion of fetal-derived human γδ T cells within the first weeks of life that persist until childhood. These microbial-responsive early neonatal γδ T cells can have cytotoxic, but also interleukin 17 production capabilities placing them as important players in the neonate’s immune system.In this project we aim at strengthening our research collaboration and to support young African researchers to pursue a scientific career. Workshops and student exchanges shall ensure the knowledge transfer of cutting-edge technologies like next-generation sequencing of TCRs and multi-color flow cytometry to study T cells at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research in Ghana. Setting-up a unique and highly valuable birth cohort of neonates that will be consecutively followed within the first 2-years of life for malaria morbidity and other infectious disease occurrence, will enable us to jointly understand the impact of (placental) malaria on the postnatal adaptation of neonatal γδ T cell subsets that range from naïve to cytotoxic and Th17-like effector cells. TCR repertoire analysis shall identify disease-induced γδ TCR clones that are of interest to explore TCR-ligand interactions in future studies. Moreover, we will decipher the interplay between parasite diversity, anti-malarial antibody generation and γδ T cells and their potential synergistic effects on the acquisition of natural immunity to malaria that will finally be important to guide development of new therapeutic approaches.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Ghana
• Major Instrumentation: System for Quality Control of DNA/RNA Samples
• Instrumentation Group: 1410 Elektrophoresegeräte (analytisch und präparativ)
• International Co-Applicant: Bright Adu, Ph.D.