Epithelial Crosstalk and Innate Immunity

Symposium — Wednesday, April 25, 2024 — 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM — Convention Center, Room 23
The Physiological Society-UK (PHYSOC) — Chair: James Peter Garnett — Co-Chair:

The epithelium is much more than a selective barrier to ions and solutes, its role in host-microbiome crosstalk could provide innovative alternative approaches to overcome inflammatory diseases, in particular those affecting the intestinal and respiratory mucosa. New insights into the innate immune function and immunomodulatory capacity of epithelial cells could see epithelia classified in physiology textbooks of the future as a type of immune cell.  The aim of this cross-disciplinary symposium will be to explore the role of the epithelium beyond ion and solute transport capabilities.

Speakers

• Regulation of chronic intestinal pathology by autophagy.
  Kevin Maloy — Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford


• Antiviral innate immune signaling promotes bacterial biofilm growth during viral-bacterial co-infection.
  Jennifer Bomberger — Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh


• Mucin-neutrophil interaction and the respiratory epithelium.
  Jason Powell — Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University