Evolutionary immunology, a mucosal perspective

20 May 2022

Irene Salinas
Department of Biology
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

zoom recording

Abstract

Mucosal barriers are the communication interface between environment and animal hosts. During vertebrate evolution, the mucosal immune system has co-evolved with microbiota. Co-evolution not only enabled successful symbiosis with microbiota but also optimized defense against pathogens. During my talk, I will elaborate on two outstanding questions in the field of mucosal immunity during vertebrate evolution. First, I will review the anatomy of primary lymphoid organs in agnathans, elasmobranchs and teleosts and make a case for potential direct education of B and T cells by microbiota in these organs. Second, I will challenge the prevailing dogma in the field of mucosal immunity, which is that organized mucosa-associated lymphoid structures are an innovation of endotherms.

current theory lunch schedule