(Lost-Tfh) Lost in space: How spatial dysregulation of T follicular helper cells impairs vaccine responses in ageing
Lead Research Organisation:
Babraham Institute
Department Name: Immunology
Abstract
A successful response to vaccination requires the cells of the immune system to get together at the right place, and at the right time. We have identified that in older bodies a particular type of white blood cell, helper T cells, does not get to the right place after immunisation. This proposal aims to determine why, and to identify what the consequences are of these lost-helpers for the immune response to vaccination and for the other cell types that they would normally interact with.
Publications
Foster W
(2025)
The cellular factors that impair the germinal center in advanced age
in The Journal of Immunology
Guillaume S
(2025)
Lung B cells in ectopic germinal centers undergo affinity maturation
in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Pankhurst TE
(2024)
Highlight of 2023: Advances in germinal centers.
in Immunology and cell biology
| Description | In 2024 we established a new collaboration with GSK that provides additional funding to investigate vaccine responses in older persons. This leverages the fundamental biology approaches developed for this project. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2024 |
| Sector | Healthcare |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | GSK Immunology network |
| Organisation | GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) |
| Country | Global |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Dr Michelle Linterman has joined the GSK Immunology Network. Made up of internationally recognised scientists, the programme bolsters connections between academic researchers and the pharmaceutical industry by embedding academics in GSK laboratories. Michelle will spend time in Stevenage at GSK's R&D hub advising on the development of immunology programmes. Dr Carolina Arancibia, GSK Immunology Network Scientific Director, said: "We are very excited to welcome Michelle to the Immunology Network in GSK. Michelle will be spending 20% of her time at our global R&D hub in Stevenage in close collaboration with our researchers. She brings invaluable expertise on how the immune system responds after immunisation or infection. We look forward to exchange ideas and to expand our knowledge this key area of immunology with the goal of developing new medicines for patients." |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration opportunities. |
| Impact | Ongoing |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Kourosh Saeb-Parsy |
| Organisation | University of Cambridge |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have established high-content imaging and flow cytometry systems to analyse human lymph nodes across the life span. this will be performed on the samples provided by the Saeb-Parsy team. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Providing human lung and gut draining lymph nodes for the analysis of germinal centre composition and structure across the lifespan. |
| Impact | Ongoing. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Babraham Institute School's day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Emily Watson and Helena Carslaw, both funded by this grant, set up and delivered a school's day project on the power of microscopy to high schoolers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Babraham Institute School's day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | We hosted school students in the laboratory to give them hands on experience of lab work, and to give some insight into research on the immune system. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | BioInspire Youth STEMM Award Researcher talk and Q&A |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Online event where 15-18 year olds from traditionally underserved backgrounds were engaged with immunology research. Students heard about the effect of ageing on vaccination response and the vital role the germinal center plays in adaptive immunity. They also heard about possible career routes before taking part in a lengthy question and answer session where students explored their understanding and views on some of the potential future applicaitons of this immunology research. This event also helped enable students to acheive a Youth STEMM Award which is formally recognised by UCAS and so this engagement had a tangible impact on their university applications. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Community talk by Theresa Pankhurst |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Theresa Pankhurst spoke about our research on vaccine development for older people on the Roma marae in New Zealand. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | GSK Immunology Summit presentation and participation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Participated in the GSK Immunology Summit meeting in Philadelphia. This involved giving a presentation of our work, meeting with key stakeholders in GSK, and participating in a formal discussion on scientific topics of interest to GSK. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | IUIS Day of Immunology Webinar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 2024 International Day of Immunology Webinar: Immunity Through the Ages: Navigating the Science of Aging and Immunology 1600 registered virtual attendees from 116 countries, watched four talks and panel discussion about the science of Aging and Immunology. There was a lively question session, and we did not have time to answer all questions posed by the audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://immunohub.iuis.org/iuis/2024/webinars/411459/faculty.presenters.2024.international.day.of.im... |
| Description | Te Wharekura Arowhenua talk by Theresa Pankhurst |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Te Wharekura o Arowhenua is a Maori high school located in Invercargill, New Zealand, teaching students from year 1-15. The school has 199 pupils, all of whom are Maori. Theresa Pankhurst spoke about her work on vaccine development, and met with students. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Theresa Pankhurst Radio Interview Waatea News NZ |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Radio Waatea is Auckland's only Maori radio station that provides an extensive bi-lingual broadcast to its listeners. Based at Nga Whare Waatea marae in Mangere, it is located in the middle of the biggest Maori population in Aotearoa. Theresa Panhurst spoke about our work on preclinical vaccine development for older persons. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://waateanews.com/2024/07/19/theresa-pankhurst-malaghan-institute-of-medical-research-preclinic... |