Understanding the neuroimmune regulation of innate immunity

The discovery of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) has forced immunologists to rethink how the immune system provides tissue protection. Our pioneering work revealed that ILCs not only react to pathogens but also actively regulate the function of the organs in which they reside. In the gut, ILCs interact with neurons to sense food intake which promotes protective immunity against invasive micro-organisms, while at the same time fostering nutrient uptake (Seillet, Nature Immunology, 21(2), 168). This project aims to identify new neuronal regulators of ILCs and the environmental factors influencing these neuroimmune communications. This research will involve cutting-edge approaches in cellular culture, flow cytometry, 3D imaging and single cell RNA sequencing.