CLEAR/CURES Research Seminar: Dr. Heather Gibson (Wayne State U) - October 16, 2025 скачать в хорошем качестве

CLEAR/CURES Research Seminar: Dr. Heather Gibson (Wayne State U) - October 16, 2025

October 16, 2025: Dr. Heather Gibson, Associate Professor and Research Educator, Department of Oncology at Wayne State University School of Medicine is presenting, "Using Genetically Diverse Animal Models to Study Immune Regulatory Mechanisms." This is a joint seminar by the Center for Urban Responses to Environmental Stressors (CURES) and the Superfund Research Center for Leadership in Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR) at Wayne State University. ABSTRACT Mercury (Hg) is a highly prevalent environmental hazard that is a potent immunomodulator in rodent models where it triggers inflammation and induces frank autoimmune disease. Development of autoimmunity in mouse models is strain-specific, depending in part on H2 genes within the MHC locus, as well as many additional genes that are as yet unidentified but that clearly contribute to immune dysregulation. In humans, the immuno-toxic response to Hg exposure is highly heterogeneous. At occupational exposure levels, Hg stimulates inflammation and contributes to autoimmunity in many, but not all, individuals. Non-occupational exposures to Hg increase the prevalence of common biomarkers of autoimmunity in a dose dependent manner. Significantly, it is apparent that some people respond to Hg exposure at levels below even the current EPA reference dose. To better understand the role of host genetics in immune dysregulation after Hg exposure, we are utilizing genetically heterogeneous Diversity Outbred mice. We find that splenic Hg retention varies by genetic background after administration of Hg in vivo. Furthermore, B and T cell signaling is differentially regulated in genetically unique mice after Hg exposure. Our results suggest that genetics regulate Hg sensitivity through both clearance/retention mechanisms and direct influence on immune cell signaling. Future studies will utilize genetic linkage analysis to identify genes and pathways associated with these phenotypes to better understand the mechanisms regulating immune hypersensitivity to Hg. ABOUT THE SPEAKER Dr. Gibson completed her Ph.D. in Immunology at Wayne State University. During her postdoctoral training, she studied responses to cancer vaccination in outbred animal models, which ignited her interest in the role the host plays in immune response and cancer immunotherapy outcomes. Her independent research program is primarily focused on the identification of resistance mechanisms to cancer immunotherapy utilizing heterogeneous mouse models and clinical samples from diverse patient cohorts. Recently, Dr. Gibson has begun to apply the same model systems to study the role of host genetics in immune dysfunction after exposure to environmental mercury. ABOUT CLEAR CLEAR is funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Superfund Research Program (SRP). The center is dedicated to understanding and mitigating adverse birth outcomes and serious developmental health problems that have been associated with urban environmental exposure to volatile organic chemicals or VOCs, a special class of pollutants found in the subsurface of post-industrial cities like Detroit MI. Sadly, Detroit has the highest preterm birth rate in the country (15.2%), and up to 37 of the 67 Superfund sites in Michigan must manage VOC contamination. Watch this video to learn more and subscribe to our channel. Check out our website www.clear.wayne.edu, or follow us on X at www.x.com/CLEARWSU.