Role of the intestinal epithelium in shaping the immune response
The intestine is the largest barrier surface of the body with the outside world. As such, it needs to be able to mount quick, efficient immune responses...
Laboratory Ana Izcue
The immune system has evolved to fight pathogens while remaining tolerant to self and harmless antigens. The need for simultaneous immune vigilance and tolerance is particularly evident in the intestine, which is confronted to antigens coming not only from pathogens, but also from food and harmless commensals. Our group focuses on the induction and maintenance of immune tolerance, especially through the generation of CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg). Treg are produced in the thymus or the periphery and prevent misdirected immune responses. They are key to avoid autoimmune inflammation and intestinal inflammation in response to the flora.
We want to dissect the factors that control the generation and activity of antigen-specific Treg. We are especially interested in the interactions of intestinal epithelial cells with the immune system.
Group Leader
1974
Born in San Sebastian, Spain
Undergraduate studies in Biology at EHU-UPV, Bilbao, Spain
1997-2003
PhD studies in Molecular Biology at the Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa, Madrid, Spain
2004-2009
Postdoctoral fellow at the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, Oxford, UK
Since 2009
Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics and Centre of Chronic Immunodeficiency (University Hospital Freiburg)
Project Areas
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Mechanisms of Immune Tolerance
One population playing an important role in intestinal immune homeostasis are CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells (Treg). Treg are found not only in the lymphoid organs, but...
Recent Publications
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Immunology: Malnutrition promotes rogue bacteria.
Izcue, A., and Powrie, F. (2012)
Nature 487, 437-439 -
CTLA-4 promotes Foxp3 induction and T regulatory cell accumulation in the intestinal lamina propria.
Barnes, M.J., Griseri, T., Johnson, A., Young, W., Powrie, F., and Izcue, A. (2012)
Mucosal Immunol. -
Essential role of Mediator subunit Med1 in invariant natural killer T-cell development.
Yue, X., Izcue, A., and Borggrefe, T. (2011)
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 108, 17105-17110 -
Regulatory lymphocytes and intestinal inflammation.
Izcue, A., Coombes, J.L. and Powrie, F. (2009)
Annual Review of Immunology 27, 313-338 -
The Interleukin-23 axis in intestinal inflammation.
Ahern, P.P., Izcue, A., Maloy, K.J. and Powrie, F. (2008)
Immunol Rev 226, 147-159 -
Interleukin-23 restrains regulatory T cell activity to drive T cell-dependent colitis.
Izcue, A., Hue, S., Buonocore, S., Arancibia-Cárcamo,C.V., Ahern,P.P., Iwakura, Y., Maloy, K.J. and Powrie, F. (2008)
Immunity 28, 559-570 -
Special regulatory T-cell review: Regulatory T cells and the intestinal tract - patrolling the frontier.
Izcue, A. and Powrie, F. (2008)
Immunology 123, 6-10
Group Members
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Group Leader
Izcue, Anaphone: -495 / -325
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Postdoctoral Fellows
Powolny-Budnicka, Iwonaphone: -321
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Ph.D. Students
Bremser, Annaphone: -493
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Lupar, Ekaterinaphone: -493
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Rauf, Philippphone: -493
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Technicians
Brack, Mariaphone: -493
