Dr. Alegre leads a research laboratory focused on T cell responses in the contexts of transplantation, autoimmunity, and cancer, with a strong foundation in mouse models and a growing emphasis on clinical translation. A primary focus of the lab is on T cell tolerance in transplantation and the ways in which infections and inflammatory events influence the induction and maintenance of that tolerance.
Dr. Alegre’s work has demonstrated that transplantation tolerance exists along a spectrum of robustness, depending on how many mechanisms of T cell tolerance are activated. Importantly, infections and inflammation can compromise these mechanisms and erode tolerance. This line of investigation has also revealed that bacterial infections not only impact transplant outcomes directly but also modulate immune responses through the microbiota. Dr. Alegre's team has shown that manipulating the microbiota can enhance graft survival, offering new therapeutic opportunities.
On the clinical side, Dr. Alegre has led studies examining the immunology of transplant recipients and patients infected with bacteria that influence transplant outcomes. In collaboration with other investigators, Dr. Alegre has extended this research to explore how the microbiota affects the responsiveness of melanoma patients to immunotherapy, bridging fundamental immunology with translational and clinical applications.
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
- Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Immunology
1998
Universite Libre de Bruxelles
Brussels, Belgium
- Clinical Intensive Care Fellowship
1995
Universite Libre de Bruxelles
Brussels, Belgium
PhD - Medical Sciences
1994
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
PhD - Immunology
1993
Universite Libre de Bruxelles
Brussels, Belgium
- Clinical Internal Medicine training
1989
Universite Libre de Bruxelles
Brussels, Belgium
MD - Medicine
1985
Universite Libre de Bruxelles
Brussels, Belgium
BS - Science
1981
Best practices of heart transplantation in mice.
Best practices of heart transplantation in mice. Am J Transplant. 2025 Apr 17.
PMID: 40252924
Liver-targeted allergen immunotherapy rapidly and safely induces antigen-specific tolerance to treat allergic airway disease in mice.
Liver-targeted allergen immunotherapy rapidly and safely induces antigen-specific tolerance to treat allergic airway disease in mice. Sci Transl Med. 2025 Apr 16; 17(794):eadl0406.
PMID: 40238914
CAR Treg synergy with anti-CD154 promotes infectious tolerance and dictates allogeneic heart transplant acceptance.
CAR Treg synergy with anti-CD154 promotes infectious tolerance and dictates allogeneic heart transplant acceptance. JCI Insight. 2025 Apr 08; 10(7).
PMID: 40197364
Delivery of butyrate to the lower gut by polymeric micelles prolongs survival of distal skin allografts.
Delivery of butyrate to the lower gut by polymeric micelles prolongs survival of distal skin allografts. Am J Transplant. 2025 Apr; 25(4):695-705.
PMID: 39566659
CAR Treg synergy with anti-CD154 mediates infectious tolerance to dictate heart transplant outcomes.
CAR Treg synergy with anti-CD154 mediates infectious tolerance to dictate heart transplant outcomes. bioRxiv. 2024 Oct 28.
PMID: 39386649
Contribution of tryptophan and its metabolites to transplant outcome: a mini-review.
Contribution of tryptophan and its metabolites to transplant outcome: a mini-review. Front Immunol. 2024; 15:1395421.
PMID: 39474416
Pregnancy dedifferentiates memory CD8+ T cells into hypofunctional cells with exhaustion-enriched programs.
Pregnancy dedifferentiates memory CD8+ T cells into hypofunctional cells with exhaustion-enriched programs. JCI Insight. 2024 May 21; 9(13).
PMID: 38771643
Coordinated elimination of bacterial taxa optimally attenuates alloimmunity and prolongs allograft survival.
Coordinated elimination of bacterial taxa optimally attenuates alloimmunity and prolongs allograft survival. Am J Transplant. 2024 Sep; 24(9):1573-1582.
PMID: 38519004
Tiny heroes: Microbiota-modified bile acid metabolites protect against drug-induced gut damage.
Tiny heroes: Microbiota-modified bile acid metabolites protect against drug-induced gut damage. Am J Transplant. 2024 Jul; 24(7):1105-1107.
PMID: 38508318
Low-affinity CD8+ T cells provide interclonal help to high-affinity CD8+ T cells to augment alloimmunity.
Low-affinity CD8+ T cells provide interclonal help to high-affinity CD8+ T cells to augment alloimmunity. Am J Transplant. 2024 Jun; 24(6):933-943.
PMID: 38228228
Elected Council Member
American Association of Immunologists
2023 - 2030
Named Distinguished Fellow
American Association of Immunologists
2023
Associate Editor
Journal of Clinical Investigation
2022 - 2027
Elected Fellow
American Association for the Advancement of Science
2022
International Lecturer Chaire Francqui-Collen
Vrijje Universiteit Brussels
2021
Member, CMIB study section (renamed AI in 2024)
NIH
2021 - 2025
Chair, Nominations Committee
American Association of Immunologists
2020 - 2021
Elected to AAP
Association of American Physicians (AAP)
2020
Elected Fellow
American Society of Transplantation
2020
Established Investigator Award
American Society of Transplantation
2019
Paul S. Russell Visiting Professor
Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School
2018
Chair, Community of Basic Scientists
American Society of Transplantation
2016 - 2018
Section Editor
American Journal of Transplantation
2014 - 2020
Chair
Autumn Immunology Conference
2013
Member, AITC study section
NIH
2012 - 2018
Basic Science Investigator Award
American Society of Transplantation
2011
Board of Directors
Autumn Immunology Conference
2009 - 2014
Board of Directors
American Society of Transplantation
2009 - 2012
Leif B. Sorenson Faculty Research Award
The University of Chicago
2008
Section Editor
The Journal of Immunology
2007 - 2011
Member, TTT study section
NIH
2006 - 2009
Elected
American Aociety for Clinical Investigation (ASCI)
2006
Basic Science Career Development Award
American Society of Transplantation
2005
Best PhD Dissertation
The University of Chicago
1994
Intensive Care Competence Summa Cum Laude
Universite Libre de Bruxelles
1994
MD Summa Cum Laude
Universite Libre de Bruxelles
1985