The vast majority of microbial-immune encounters occur as a symbiotic relationship with the commensal microbiota. Despite this, the characteristics and properties of commensal-specific T cells, and their contribution to tissue homeostasis remain poorly understood. Recently, we have begun to explore the function and regulation of commensal-specific T cells resident within the skin. We have identified that commensal-specific T cells establish tissue residency, display an epigenetic and transcriptional landscape distinct from canonical T cell subsets that is poised to bolster skin barrier function by enhancing both protective immunity and wound repair.
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Dr. Oliver Harrison obtained his D. Phil in Infection, Immunology and Translational Medicine, in 2013, from the University of Oxford. As a student in the laboratory of Dr. Kevin Maloy, he investigated the role of IL-1 family cytokines in intestinal inflammation and immune regulation. Currently, as a post-doctoral fellow at the National Institutes of Health, USA, working with Dr. Yasmine Belkaid, his current research focuses on the genetic regulation of commensal-specific T cell responses during homeostasis and inflammation.