Bromley Laboratory: Shannon Bromley, PhD

Overview

Lymphocyte recirculation is a dynamic and tightly regulated process necessary for delivery of effective immune responses. While many memory T cells circulate through the blood, a specialized subset—tissue-resident memory T cells (T_RM) persists long-term within peripheral tissues. Localization of T_RM within barrier tissues, such as skin, provides rapid defense against invading pathogens. However, the local persistence of T cells may drive chronic, recurrent pathology when regulation fails.

We use mouse models of cutaneous infection (herpes simplex virus) and autoimmune skin inflammation (psoriasis and eczema) to dissect how T_RM cells migrate, differentiate, persist, and respond in the epidermal and dermal niches. Our goal is to modulate these immune responses, dampening autoimmune damage while preserving the protective immunity required for host defense. We aim to reveal new strategies to silence pathogenic immune response without compromising host defense.

Research Projects

Microenvironmental Regulation of T_RM Cell Persistence
Defining the influence of local cytokines and stromal interactions on long-term persistence, survival, and function of cutaneous T_RM.

Therapeutic Modulation of Immune Cells in Skin Autoimmunity
Testing methods to limit pathogenic immune cell activity while maintaining protective barrier immunity.

Meet Our Team

Principal Investigator

Shannon Bromley, PhD Principal Investigator, Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Postdoctoral Fellow

Fatemeh (Fatima) Tabatabaei, MD

Publications

View a list of Dr. Bromley's publications.

Research Positions

If you are interested in applying for postdoctoral position, please email your CV and a list of references to sbromley@mgh.harvard.edu.