Immunology Research

Intravascular immunology

Intravascular immunity describes the immune response in the bloodstream, and its role is to fight and prevent the spread of pathogens. The immune system provides an essential defence against invading pathogens. However, bacteria have evolved numerous strategies to overcome this defence, many of which facilitate systemic dissemination of the pathogen. Nevertheless, the host has evolved many mechanisms to detect and protect against pathogens in the vasculature. Recent studies using new imaging approaches and new mouse models are revealing previously unappreciated functions of this intravascular aspect of the immune system. Components of intravascular immunity include the cellular immune response and the macromolecules secreted by these cells. It can result in responses such as inflammation and immunothrombosis.