Jorge’s group is interested in the cellular and molecular events that mediate the interactions between immune cells and stromal cells that results in lymphoid tissue formation during embryogenesis, and in adults during immune responses and inflammation. For example, the group has demonstrated the function of the Lymphotoxin beta receptor and NF-kB signalling in the maturation of stromal cells during lymph node development (Carragher et al. 2004 J Immunol173:2271-9, White et al. 2007 Blood 110:1950-9, Benezech et al. 2010 J Immunol 184:4521-30). By studying the fat pads that surround lymph nodes they have also shown that interactions between stromal cells from adipose tissues and immune cells leads to the reprogramming of the former to become lymph node stromal cells that have the capacity to support T cell survival ex vivo (Benezech et al. 2012 Immunity37:721-734).

The recent work of the group has investigated the interactions between immune cells and adipocytes that result in the formation of a novel type of lymphoid tissue called Fat Associated Lymphoid Clusters (FALCs) located in the mesenteries, myocardium, and mediastinum. FALCs respond to inflammatory signals that result in an increase in the size and number of clusters (Benezech et al., 2015 Nat Immunol. 16:819-28). We have shown that innate and adaptive immune responses take place in FALCs.

By dissecting the cellular processes in stromal and immune cells during lymphoid tissue formation we would like to understand how to either prevent the formation of ectopic lymphoid tissues during autoimmune diseases and to induce their development to support local immune responses against tumors. This knowledge will aid us in the fight against inflammation, uncontrolled immune responses and cancer.

• PhD Biochemistry 1992 University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
• MSc Biochemistry 1987 University of Buenos Aires, Argentina