The brain was once thought to be isolated from the immune system, but scientists now know that immune cells actively monitor and protect the brain. Unfortunately, brain tumors such as gliomas may exploit these protective mechanisms to suppress immune responses and evade attack.
Dr. Kim is uniquely trained at the intersection of neuroscience and immunology. His earlier work uncovered how specific synaptic molecules regulate brain function and behavior and provided new insights into neurodevelopmental disorders. He has now shifted his Relevance: toward understanding how immune cells regulate brain health and disease.
His fellowship centers on specialized immune cells called regulatory T cells, or Tregs, which help prevent harmful inflammation in the brain. Dr. Kim will investigate a recently discovered group of dendritic cells that may generate these Tregs in response to brain-related antigens. He believes that gliomas may hijack this normal immune-balancing process to create an environment that protects tumors from immune attack. Using advanced tumor models, he will determine whether blocking this pathway can improve anti-tumor immunity and enhance responses to immunotherapy.
This work could uncover a fundamental mechanism of immune regulation in the brain and identify new strategies for treating glioma while preserving the delicate immune balance required for healthy brain function.
Mentor
Dan Littman, PhD
Projects and Grants
The role of tolerizing dendritic cells in antigen-specific tolerance in the central nervous system and glioma immune evasion
