February 27,2019

Lectures for students in the graduate school of veterinary medicine and the graduate school of infectious diseases were given by Professor Katherine Kedzierska and Dr. Brendon Chua on February 27, 2019.  It was attended by 64 attendance including students, researchers and staff.

Date: 16:00-17:00 and 17:00-18:00 for 2 lectures, Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Venue: Lecture Hall, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University    　　                                       　　 (Kita 18, Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo)

Lecturer and Lecture Title:

1. Professor Katherine Kedzierska, The University of Melbourne

Human immunity to the seasonal, avian and pandemic viruses

Professor Kedzierska’s research is centered on understanding key factors driving generation of optimal immunity in viral infections, especially pandemic, seasonal and newly emerged influenza viruses such as A/H7N9.  Her work spans basic research from mouse experiments to human immunity, through to clinical settings, with a particular focus on understanding universal cross-strain protective T cell immunity to influenza viruses. Her studies aim to identify key correlates of severe and fatal influenza disease in high-risk groups, including young children, the elderly and Indigenous Australians.

2. Brendon Chua, The University of Melbourne, Global Station for Zoonosis Control Global Institution for Collaborative Research and Education (GI-CoRE), Hokkaido University

Development of TLR2-agonist-based immunostimulants against respiratory pathogens

The discovery of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-agonists provide the opportunity to rationally develop new interventions that can improve immunity against pathogens. Dr. Chua’s work has led to the development of Toll like receptor 2 (TLR2) agonist-based lipopeptides that have immunomodulating and vaccine adjuvanting properties. Immune responses induced by these lipopeptides involve the recruitment and activation of a diverse range of cell types involved in both innate and adaptive immunity. In this seminar, his work on the development of these lipopeptides and demonstration of their proof-of-concept to confer protection against respiratory pathogens has been presented and discussed.

Language: English

Professor Kedzierska’s lecture focused on unravelling new concepts in human immunity directed at the newly-emerging influenza viruses. The novel data on the broadly cross-reactive CD8⁺ T cells across all the influenza viruses capable of infecting humans (influenza A, B and C viruses) was presented. Further work on the clinical studies in patients hospitalized with the new avian H7N9 virus was discussed. While influenza-specific CD8⁺ T cells play a key role in recovery from new influenza viruses, it is the nature of human immune responses which affects both the duration and the outcome of severe influenza disease. The lecture raised a number of stimulating thoughts and questions on T cell-mediated vaccines, T cell memory generation and T cell receptor repertoire diversity and composition.

Dr. Chua’s seminar introduced to the students the concept of improving protective immunity against influenza virus by activating the pattern recognition receptor TLR2. The mechanisms by which this approach works to induce protection was discussed including how cytokines and cells of the innate immune response are activated to combat not only influenza but also secondary bacterial infections. An extension of this approach was also used with an influenza split virus vaccine to confer cross-protection against strains not covered in the vaccine.  Following the lecture, students were encouraged to ask questions which included how this approach would translate into a product as well as the longevity of protective responses. The lectures were stimulating, inspirational, and provided great opportunities for the students to expand their knowledge and create an awareness of how to develop an idea from the bench to take into development for human use.

For details, please contact:

GI-CoRE Global Station for Zoonosis Control

TEL: +81-11-706-9555
Mail: gsz@oia.hokudai.ac.jp