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| Introduction |
| The research efforts of the Cellular Immunology Section
are focused on the cellular activities of immune cells,
pathogenesis and the evaluation of vaccine candidate.
The ultimate goal of the section is to conduct researches
in the areas of pathogenic materials-immune cell interactions,
vaccine trials and immunological monitoring system. The
laboratory plans to provide the basis for the evaluation
of vaccine candidates for Translational Research Division
and Vaccine Development Department, where the goal is
to design and develop the immunologic strategies and new
vaccines for poor. |
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| Basic Aspect |
| Cellular Immunology Section devotes to (1) the analysis
of immunologic mechanisms and principles upon challenges
of infection or vaccination, (2) the define novel evaluation
technology to pre-exist and new vaccines, (3) analysis
of pathogen-immune cell interactions, (4) the discovery
of antigenic determinants expressed in target pathogen
(along with their function) as vaccine or monoclonal antibody
targets, (5) define cellular and/or cell surface markers
for (pre)clinical studies to human vaccine trials, (6)
cytokine biology as it integrates with infection/immunity/vaccines,
(7) collaborative clinical trials involving evaluation
of vaccine strategies with a range of animal/human diseases,
and (8) the development of new immunoassays to analyze
immune responses to vaccines from subjects enrolled in
vaccine trials. |
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| Ongoing project |
| One of the main goals in the Cellular Immunology Section
is to develop immunologic methods and immunoassays to
better define the efficacy of vaccine candidates for a
range of human infectious diseases. Further the section
is interest in the studying interactions of cytokines
on the different arms of the immune system to monitor
and optimize the responses to vaccines. It is also important
to study the role of the immune responses to human diseases
and vaccines and to further define and develop immunodominant
determinants and modifications of those determinants toward
the optimal activation of human immune responses to target
antigens and infection. At the same time we would like
to clarify the mechanisms to enhance the potency of antigen-presenting
cells in the activation and regulation of the immune response
for specific T cell activation and to study the mechanism
of the immune response mediated by various immunogens,
including conjugate vaccine, vector-based vaccines. Currently
we are trying to develop simple cell marker(s) to evaluate
cellular activities, which could be used in the clinical
trials. This work will be developed in conjunction with
Humoral Immunology Section and in parallel with response
of immunoglobulins. The laboratory devoted to develop
specific types of immunoassays to better evaluate immune
responses to target pathogenic antigens as a consequence
of vaccination.
The Cellular Immunology Section is trying to provide
precise and scientifically sounding mechanism behind
vaccination based on currently known and accepted concept
such as the role of memory cells. Rapid response to
produce neutralizing antibodies and enhancing cytotoxicity
are the best example phenomenon upon infection after
the vaccination or re-infection. Fundamental question
for this is what makes host to respond immediately?
It is very likely to have certain cells that recognize
specifically invading pathogens not through the ordinary
pathway (innate and antigen-presenting process) but
educated cells that are able to respond fast, for instance
MEMORY CELLS. Staining of phenotypes of these cells
has been set in the laboratory and can be monitored
in vaccinated subjects. Further activation markers,
which is simple to be used, are under investigation
for the evaluation of clinical vaccine trial.
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