Francesca Di Cara — University of Alberta, Edmonton (Alberta, Canada), Research Associate

Peroxisomes are conserved ubiquitous organelles deputy to complex lipid metabolism and reactive species turnover. Since lipids and reactive species are pivotal signaling molecules in innate immunity, I investigated the unexplored role for peroxisomes in innate immune responses against microbial infection in Drosophila and in the mouse system. Using genetic, genomic and cell biology approaches, I show the requirement for peroxisomes in microbe engulfment, in fly and mouse. Both cultured macrophages and adult flies with impaired peroxisomes have a reduced capacity to respond to pathogens, defects in immune signaling (as NF-B and MAPK mediated responses) and reduced viability due to high microbial load and gut delamination. Metabolomic analysis demonstrates that peroxisomes produce lipid species (as docosahexaenoic acid) and reactive oxygen species (as NO) to induce phagocytosis and systemic immune responses. All together my finding demonstrate that functional peroxisomes are essential for the activation of, and defense by, the innate immune system.

Host: Hua Bai

Please join us for refreshments in 1652 Gilman Hall at 2:45 p.m. before the seminar.