Dr. Mark Sangster
See Also: Curriculum Vitae
Major Research Interests
The major research focus of the laboratory is the B cell response to infection or vaccination. Two areas of particular interest are (i) mechanisms controlling the antibody isotype profile or quality of the B cell response, and (ii) the nature of long-term B cell memory. Studies are conducted using models of both acute and persistent virus infection of the respiratory tract.
A general feature of the antibody response to respiratory tract infection, in contrast to responses at non-mucosal sites, is the prominence of IgA production. This IgA response is of great physiological importance, since it leads to the rapid localization of IgA-producing plasma cells in sub-epithelial sites throughout the respiratory tract. IgA produced at these locations is transcytosed across respiratory epithelial cells to the mucosal surface where it contributes to viral clearance and provides a substantial barrier to reinfection. A specific goal of the laboratory is an understanding of the mechanism of IgA induction in the respiratory tract. This may lead to vaccination regimens that generate strong IgA responses and effective protection against mucosal pathogens, as well as agents that enter the body across mucosal surfaces.
The B cell response to a virus generates not only plasma cells producing copious amounts of virus-specific antibody, but also a population of virus-specific memory B cells that are a key element in host protection against reinfection. Upon re-exposure to a virus, memory B cells provide a rapid, high affinity antibody response that facilitates viral clearance and recovery. Studies in the laboratory are aimed at the systematic quantitation of B cell memory induced by virus infection of the respiratory tract, leading to the investigation of factors that may have important roles in the generation and maintenance of B cell memory. This work may provide insights into the profound and long-sustained resistance to reinfection that is generally a consequence of live virus infection.
Dr. Mark Sangster
Assistant Professor
Ph.D., 1991
University of Western Australia, Perth
M409 Walters Life Sciences Knoxville, Tennessee
37996-0845
Phone: 865-974-4028
Fax: 865-974-4007
Email: msangste@utk.edu