Monitoring subsecond neuron-immune communication in secondary lymphatic organs 3777

Abstract Description A comprehensive understanding of immunity necessitates a thorough exploration of the intricate interactions between immune cells and neurotransmitters, thereby revealing their impact on communication at the neuron-immune synapse. There is a critical need to study the mechanism and dynamics of neurochemical-regulated immunomodulation yet tools which enable real-time monitoring, within lymphatic organs, remains challenging. My lab has developed and adapted state-of-the-art tools traditionally used in neuroscience, to fill this critical gap. Specifically, we have pioneered the use of fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV), to measure subsecond fluctuations in neurotransmitters released both from sympathetic neurons innervating the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes ex vivo and neurochemical secretion from CD4+ T-cells. We have discovered spontaneous transient norepinephrine signaling and have quantitated the extent to which this signaling impacts downstream cytokine production and cell migration. Additionally, we have discovered CD4+ T cells can secrete neurochemicals on a subsecond timescale which shifted the paradigm for T cell signaling dynamics. The adaptation of FSCV to immunology has significantly widened the capabilities to monitor neuron-immune communication and to understand the dynamic immunomodulatory functions of neurotransmitters. This presentation will highlight some of our latest work identifying the mechanism by which neurochemicals regulate key immune functions. Funding Sources NIH/NIAID R01AI151552 NIH/NIA R21AG086735 Topic Categories Neuroimmunology (NEUR)