Antigen Processing & Presentation

We analyze the cellular and molecular events that transpire in APC when it takes up protein antigens, and that result in generation of processed peptides and class II-MHC molecules. Our focus now is examining presentation of antigens in autoimmunity.

Autoimmune Diabetes

The major investigations center on examining processing and presentation of the antigens responsible for autoimmune diabetes, and the biology of the autoimmune CD4 T cells. We mostly examine the mutant mouse NOD that spontaneously develops autoimmune insulitis with diabetes.

Immunology Projects on Listeria Monocytogenes

We study the early stages of Listeria infection focusing on the cellular events and the interaction between phagocytes and T cells. Three investigations examine different aspects of the immune response to Listeria.

Welcome to the Emil R. Unanue Lab

The long-term goal of the laboratory is to understand antigen presentation, both at the cellular and biochemical level, and to correlate antigen presentation events to the response of CD4 T lymphocytes. Our focus is on biochemical and biological parameters related to antigen selection, recognition and processing by antigen presenting cells (APC). The laboratory combines biochemical analysis of peptide binding to class II-MHC molecules, examination of the MHC-peptidome from APC using mass spectrometry approaches, cell biological analysis of presentation, and the examination and biological responses of CD4 T cells directed to the selected proteins and peptides. LEARN MORE