Host Response in Tuberculosis

Keystone Symposia, Silverthorne CO

Investigators

Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Support is requested for a Keystone Symposia meeting entitled Host Response in Tuberculosis, organized by JoAnne L. Flynn and Willem A. Hanekom. The meeting will be held in Santa Fe, New Mexico from January 22- 27, 2015. Tuberculosis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Control of the epidemic is hampered by limited understanding of basic processes underlying disease and protection. This symposium will focus on basic science in humans and the major themes will include immune processes that have emerged as important for pathogenesis or protection (rather than focusing on classical compartments of the immune system). Translation of basic science advances into novel strategies to prevent and manage human tuberculosis will also be discussed. While preclinical progress will be addressed throughout the meeting, we will require an emphasis of direct relevance to human tuberculosis in each presentation. The meeting will be held jointly with a Keystone Symposia meeting on Granulomas in Infectious and Non- Infectious Diseases. Granulomas are a pathologic hallmark of tuberculosis, so the pairing of these two meetings will enhance opportunities for interdisciplinary interactions. The meetings will also foster learning about other granulomatous systems and provide insights into how this knowledge may be applied to our understanding of tuberculosis. The specific aims for this meeting are: 1) to gather scientists interested in basic pathogenesis and immunologic responses in tuberculosis to present and discuss cutting edge tuberculosis research; 2) to integrate basic and clinical research findings with a view to improving treatment and prevention of disease in humans; 3) to provide mentoring opportunities for junior scientists with senior scientists interested in tuberculosis research; and 4) to focus on gaps in knowledge about the events in natural infection, as well as vulnerability points for intervening in the infection proces. The general topic of this meeting is relevant to the wide range of NIAID programs in TB research, including immunology, vaccine development, and host-pathogen interactions.