Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 7, 2026

Microfluidic Co-Culture Models for Dissecting the Immune Response in in vitro Tumor Microenvironments
07:46

Microfluidic Co-Culture Models for Dissecting the Immune Response in in vitro Tumor Microenvironments

Published on: April 30, 2021

5.7K

IMMUNOLOGY. An interactive reference framework for modeling a dynamic immune system

Matthew H Spitzer1, Pier Federico Gherardini2, Gabriela K Fragiadakis2

  • 1Baxter Laboratory in Stem Cell Biology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. Program in Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. gnolan@stanford.edu matthew.spitzer@stanford.edu.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|July 11, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Researchers created a new immune reference map using graphical methods and mass cytometry data. This map helps visualize immune cell organization and identify deviations caused by genetics, environment, or disease.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Bioinformatics
  • Systems Biology

Background:

  • Immune cell function is a complex hierarchy influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
  • Understanding immune system organization is crucial for diagnosing and treating diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a graphical approach for creating an extensible immune reference map.
  • To visualize and compare immune cell populations across different samples and conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized mass cytometry data from various organs to construct the immune reference map.
  • Incorporated landmark cell populations as flags for comparative analysis.
  • Developed graphical approaches for data visualization and integration.

Main Results:

  • The immune map successfully recapitulated known cellular phenotypes.
  • Identified reproducible, tissue-specific deviations in immune cell organization.
  • Revealed the impact of genetic variation and circadian rhythms on immune structure.
  • Enabled direct comparison of murine and human blood cell phenotypes.
  • Integrated archival fluorescence-based flow cytometry data into the reference framework.

Conclusions:

  • The developed immune reference map provides a foundational framework for understanding systemic immune organization.
  • This approach allows for the integration of new data to identify deviations related to genetics, environment, or pathology.
  • The reference map serves as a valuable tool for comparative immunology and disease research.

More Related Videos

An Endothelial Planar Cell Model for Imaging Immunological Synapse Dynamics09:25

An Endothelial Planar Cell Model for Imaging Immunological Synapse Dynamics

Published on: December 24, 2015

9.5K
Identification of Mouse and Human Antibody Repertoires by Next-Generation Sequencing08:51

Identification of Mouse and Human Antibody Repertoires by Next-Generation Sequencing

Published on: March 15, 2019

13.2K

Related Concept Videos

Introduction to Innate and Adaptive Immunity01:21

Introduction to Innate and Adaptive Immunity

The human immune system is a complex defense mechanism that protects the body from harmful pathogens and foreign substances. It comprises two crucial components: innate and adaptive immunity.
Innate immunity is the body's natural, nonspecific defense system that acts quickly to protect against pathogens. It incorporates physical barriers like skin and mucous membranes and cellular elements such as phagocytes and natural killer cells. This part of our immune system provides an immediate,...
12.7K
What is the Immune System?01:38

What is the Immune System?

Overview
148.8K
Introduction to Lymphatic and Immune System01:23

Introduction to Lymphatic and Immune System

Immunity is a crucial biological concept about our body's inherent capacity to prevent infections and diseases. A complex network of cells and tissues collectively known as the immune system facilitates this natural defense mechanism. The immune system plays an integral role in maintaining our health and well-being, shielding us from potential health threats.
The immune responses can be categorized into two types: innate and adaptive. Innate immunity comprises nonspecific defenses we are born...
19.6K
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response01:23

Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response

The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...
10.1K
B Cell Activation and Differentiation01:24

B Cell Activation and Differentiation

The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
18.5K
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
2.6K