Project: Neuroimmune regulations and viral infection
About
The host response to pathogens is orchestrated by the immune system and the nervous system, both present in barrier tissues exposed to the environment. A growing number of studies highlight the crucial role of peripheral sensory neurons in modulating immune responses of peripheral tissues in various pathological conditions. The sensory nervous system can have pro- or anti-inflammatory properties, depending on the type of pathogen involved and the immune responses triggered. These responses of different, and sometimes opposing, nature are probably related to the great heterogeneity of sensory neurons innervating tissues and their activation patterns. The function of the sensory nervous system in regulating the host response to viral infections remains poorly understood, particularly at the molecular level. Our project is to explore the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms.