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Welcome to the Locci lab

ABOUT

The production of antibodies (Abs) with high affinity and pathogen neutralization potential is crucial for preventing and fighting pathogen infection. To produce such Abs, naïve B cells are activated in response to cognate antigen and subsequently undergo rounds of somatic hypermutation and selection in germinal centers, specialized microanatomical sites in secondary lymphoid organs. This process of affinity maturation is tightly regulated by a specialized subset of CD4 T cells named T follicular helper (Tfh) cells. Our laboratory is interested in dissecting the complex biology of Tfh cells. Understanding (1) how Tfh differentiation is regulated and (2) by what means Tfh cells enable effective B cell responses are two major research goals that our group seeks to address by using a multidisciplinary approach that combines cellular and molecular immunology, as well as transcriptomics.

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about
Research

RESEARCH

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Tfh Cell Differentiation and Function

Differentiation. The differentiation of Tfh cells is a complex multi-step, multi-factorial process that has not been fully elucidated yet. Our group is interested in characterizing the stimuli required for this process. We utilize in vitro differentiation assays with human primary naive CD4 T cells, in vivo mouse models of viral infection and mRNA vaccination, high parameter spectral flow cytometry and single-cell transcriptomics to uncover novel regulators of human and murine Tfh cell differentiation. Current projects include the study of cytokines and long noncoding RNA in Tfh cell differentiation.

Function. Fully mature Tfh cells provide ‘help’ to B cells via cytokines and membrane-bound costimulatory receptors. Thus far, the functional mediators utilized by Tfh cells to provide help to germinal center B cells are poorly understood. Studies on human memory Tfh cells revealed a high degree of functional heterogeneity in the Tfh cell population. Our group seeks to untangle the functional heterogeneity of human memory and bona fide Tfh and unmask crucial mediators of B cell help by performing single-cell transcriptional profiling coupled to gene editing and functional studies. 

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Regulation of Germinal Center responses by mRNA vaccines

Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines are a potent vaccine platform capable of conferring elevated protection against viral infections. Our group has demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2-encoding mRNA vaccines elicit robust Tfh and germinal center (GC) B cell responses in mice. By adopting a fine needle aspiration approach to probe GCs in vaccine draining lymph nodes, we have also uncovered a powerful induction of GC responses, associated with the production of neutralizing antibodies and memory B cells in humans. Current efforts are aimed at dissecting the mechanism by which mRNA vaccines drive such robust GC responses. By deploying cutting edge techniques and custom mRNA-lipid nanoparticle (LNP) reagents, we seek to deconvolute the sensing mechanism and the signals triggered by mRNA-LNP that, in turn, promote the differentiation of Tfh cells. We are also investigating the functional flavor of Tfh cells induced by mRNA vaccines in comparison to other vaccine platforms. Mechanistic studies are being performed in selected mouse models and, where possible, corroborated in human samples collected via fine needle aspiration.  

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Tfh Biology in Infectious and Autoimmune Diseases

Our laboratory is interested in unraveling the dysregulated pathways that lead to dysfunctional/aberrant Tfh differentiation and B cell helper function in infectious diseases such as post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). We study the phenotype, transcriptional profile and function of primary human Tfh cells by high parameter flow cytometry (25 colors), single cell transcriptomics and in vitro functional assays to unveil the contribution of aberrant Tfh cells and B cell responses to the pathogenesis of PASC. We are also interested in understanding what causes  altered Tfh cell responses in autoimmune  diseases characterized by autoantibody production, including Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Type I Diabetes. We have recently identified a cytokine playing a role in the aberrant Tfh cells responses associated with RA, and we are performing preclinical studies in mouse models where such cytokine is targeted for the therapeutic modulation of RA.

Publication

SELECTED

PUBLICATIONS

Activin A programs human TFH cell differentiation
Locci M, Wu J, Arumemi F, et al. (Nat Immunol. 2016)
contact

CONTACTS

Location

Department of Microbiology
Perelman School of Medicine

University of Pennsylvania

421 Curie Blvd, BRB 343
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Join Us

We are accepting applications for highly motivated postdoctoral fellows. Individuals with a strong background in cellular/molecular immunology or bioinformatics are encouraged to apply by submitting a CV and a cover letter by email.​

News
  • 02/01/2022: Our new article published in Cell is now live: Germinal center responses to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines in healthy and immunocompromised individuals

  • 01/10/2022: Welcome Hannah Sharpe joining the lab as a postdoctoral fellow.

  • 11/04/2021: Our new article published in Immunity is now live: Lipid nanoparticles enhance the efficacy of mRNA and protein subunit vaccines by inducing robust T follicular helper cell and humoral responses

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