Joseph J C Thome

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This study examined a type of immune cell called innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) in healthy human organ donors to understand how they are distributed in different tissues. The researchers found that human ILCs are more varied in their locations compared to those in mice, with significant differences in ILCs related to obesity and aging. Specifically, the ILC1 cells showed unique distribution patterns that depended on the tissue type, which may impact how the immune system functions in different health conditions. Who this helps: This research benefits doctors and scientists studying immune responses in humans, especially concerning obesity and aging-related health issues.

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Deceased organ donors represent a rare opportunity to study human immune cells directly from tissues rather than just blood. This paper shows that clinical factors during the donor's hospitalization—such as cause of death, infection, and time in the ICU—significantly alter immune cell profiles in organs and blood. These variations must be accounted for when using donor tissues for immunology research.

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This study looked at how B-cells, which are important for our immune response, are distributed throughout different parts of the human body. Researchers examined over 933,000 B-cell lineages from six organ donors and found that B-cells form two main groups: one group circulates through the blood and organs like the spleen and lungs, while the other is mostly found in the gastrointestinal tract. The GI-related B-cells showed a lot of shared genetic characteristics, indicating they frequently expand and adapt, which is important for fighting infections and diseases. Who this helps: Patients needing improved treatments for infections, autoimmune diseases, and cancer.

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This study looked at how our body’s immune T cells respond to a common virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV) in different parts of the body, not just in the blood. Researchers examined samples from 44 people with CMV and found that T cells specific to this virus were most concentrated in the blood and bone marrow, while they were also present in the lung where the virus could still be detected. This matters because understanding these immune responses in various tissues helps to better grasp how our bodies manage long-term infections like CMV and may inform future treatments. Who this helps: This research benefits patients with CMV and doctors treating viral infections.

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This study looked at how a type of immune cell called dendritic cells (DCs) changes and moves in different parts of the body as people age. Researchers examined samples from 78 individuals, discovering that a specific type of DC, known as cDC2, is most prevalent in lymph nodes related to the lungs and plays a key role in protecting mucosal tissues throughout life. This information is important because it helps us understand how the immune system monitors and responds to threats in different body tissues from childhood to old age. Who this helps: This research benefits patients by informing new treatments for immune-related conditions.

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This study looked at how T cells, a key part of the immune system, develop and function in young children compared to adults. Researchers found that in children under two, T cells in their tissues are mostly immature, while adult tissues have a lot of memory T cells. Notably, about 30-40% of the T cells in children’s tissues are regulatory T cells that help keep the immune system in check, compared to just 1-10% in adults. Understanding these differences is important because it shows how young children's immune systems learn to respond to new infections without overreacting. Who this helps: This helps pediatricians and researchers studying immune responses in infants and young children.

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This study looked at how human naïve T cells, which are important for fighting new infections, develop and stay in the body as we age. Researchers found that in people over 40, there's a sharp drop in the production of new T cells in the thymus, but T cells continue to be maintained mostly in lymph nodes. Surprisingly, they discovered that these T cells form unique groups that don’t easily mix between different lymphoid tissues. Who this helps: This research benefits patients by providing insights into how their immune system can remain effective throughout life.

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This research focused on understanding how specialized T cells in the body, called tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM), function and persist, especially outside of the blood. The study found that these TRM cells are widely distributed in various body tissues and are present in high numbers, which is crucial for rapid immune responses when the body encounters infections again. This knowledge matters because it enhances our understanding of how to improve vaccines and immunotherapies by targeting these key immune cells. Who this helps: This helps patients needing better vaccination responses and improved treatments for infections.

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This study examined how T cells, a type of immune cell, are organized and maintained in different parts of the body over six decades of life, using samples from 56 organ donors. Researchers found that the location and behavior of T cells depend significantly on their type and where they are located in the body, with key differences between CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that cannot be understood solely by looking at blood samples. This research is important because it helps us understand how T cells function and develop, which can lead to better treatments for immune-related diseases. Who this helps: Patients with immune disorders and doctors treating them.

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This study looked at different types of T cells, which are important for our immune system, in various human tissues rather than just in blood samples. Researchers found that certain types of T cells, like CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells, behave differently based on where they are in the body, with CD4(+) cells being more active in mucosal tissues and CD8(+) cells remaining mostly in a "naive" state in lymphoid tissues. This information is significant because it helps us better understand how our immune response is organized and can lead to improved treatments for diseases. Who this helps: This benefits researchers and doctors working on immune-related diseases and therapies.

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This study looked at a group of enzymes called polypeptide GalNAc transferases (ppGalNAc Ts) and how they add sugar molecules to proteins, which is important for many bodily functions. The researchers found that where the sugar is located on the protein—either at the beginning or the end—affects how effectively these enzymes work. Specifically, some enzymes prefer sugars at the end of the protein, while others like them at the beginning, and this could impact how proteins in our bodies are regulated. Who this helps: This research benefits scientists and doctors who study diseases related to protein function and sugar addition.