Congratulations Laylaa Ramos and Mercedes Gonzalez-Juarrero!

Key features of BCG neonatal immune responses and protective characteristics. Upon vaccination of a newborn, the BCG bacteria bind to and activate Toll-like receptors (TLR1, TLR2, TLR4, TLR6 and TLR9), leading to potent activation of innate immune responses. The antigens in the vaccine also activate monocytes and macrophages, and induce iron sequestration in these cells, which prevents pathogens from accessing this nutrient. BCG also elicits specific Th1, IFNγ-mediated, responses, along with non-specific B and T cell responses. The multiple layers of activation of innate and adaptive immunity elicited by BCG partly protect against TB. Moreover, BCG is now under study for its potential use as an adjuvant for other vaccines and for its capacity to stimulate trained innate immunity against common infant and childhood respiratory infections. The unique properties of BCG are also being studied in the context of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
Key features of BCG neonatal immune responses and protective characteristics.

Congrats to Laylaa Ramos (CMB MS 2016) and Mercedes Gonzalez-Juarrero on their recent review on Animal Models of Infant Immunity in Disease Models and Mechanisms. Laylaa is currently attending medical school at CU-Anschutz.