The expanding role of systems immunology in decoding the T cell receptor repertoire. Issue 12 (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Venturi, Vanessa; Thomas, Paul G.
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in systems biology. Issue 12(2018)
• Page Start: 37
• Page End: 45
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Systems biology -- Periodicals; 570
• DOI: 10.1016/j.coisb.2018.09.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2452-3100

Abstract

Abstract: T cells play a crucial role in the immune system's defense against many infectious diseases, including persistent infections for which no effective vaccines currently exist. The T cell component of the adaptive immune system is highly complex involving a constantly evolving landscape of various inter-related T cell populations. These T cell populations are characterized by their phenotypic and functional properties as well as the collection, or repertoire, of T cell receptors (TCR) that mediate T cell recognition of antigenic peptides derived from pathogens. Understanding the various processes and factors that impact the development and evolution of the broader T cell repertoire available to recognize and respond to pathogens and the characteristics of antigen-experienced T cell repertoires associated with effective immune control of pathogens is critical to the rational design of T cell-based vaccines and therapies. In this article we discuss, using examples of recent research, the promise that systems immunology approaches, involving quantitative analysis and mathematical and computational modeling of immunological data, hold for decoding the complex TCR repertoire system in the current era of advancing technologies. Highlights: Technological advances over the past decade, coupled with an increasing richness of accessible computational and data resources, provide exciting opportunities for systems immunology-focused investigations of the T cell repertoire. In recent years, computational analysis of large and complex data sets, and mathematical and computational models, have made significant contributions to advancing our understanding of the T cell repertoire. Close collaboration between immunologists and computational/mathematical researchers and an iterative dynamic between experimental- and modeling-based studies are crucial to accelerate the progress of T cell repertoire research.