Immune responses protect us from many pathogens and tumors. However, they can also be destructive when immune cells incorrectly attack our own bodies. This image depicts how immune cells organize in space to prevent these self-directed attacks but allow for efficient protection against potential threats.

We are mapping the location of self-activated conventional T cells, which cause autoimmunity, and regulatory T cells which prevent autoimmunity. For regulatory T cells to function they must locate and constrain self-activated conventional T cells. Disruptions to this localization process can cause long term breakdowns in immune control, ultimately leading to autoimmune disease. Our goal is to develop a mechanistic understanding of the spatial control integral to immune responses.