Receptors And Ligands Regulating Human NK Cell Proliferation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$692,040.00
Summary
A white blood cell called a Natural Killer (NK) cell is critical in the early control of viral infections and cancer. NK cells kill the diseased cells and secrete immunological hormones (cytokines) that alter how cells of the blood and immune systems respond. These functions of NK cells are markedly increased when NK cells are stimulated to divide. This project seeks to understand how NK cell proliferation is controlled. Receptors that recognise 'self' inhibit NK cell function and cell division ....A white blood cell called a Natural Killer (NK) cell is critical in the early control of viral infections and cancer. NK cells kill the diseased cells and secrete immunological hormones (cytokines) that alter how cells of the blood and immune systems respond. These functions of NK cells are markedly increased when NK cells are stimulated to divide. This project seeks to understand how NK cell proliferation is controlled. Receptors that recognise 'self' inhibit NK cell function and cell division thereby preserving self and destroying diseased cells. Yet many NK cells express both an inhibitory and activating receptor for this same 'self' protein. We will investigate what determines the outcome of this competing information. Many NK cell receptors remain to be identified and we will use a gene expression approach and monoclonal antibodies to identify these and determine how they affect NK cell proliferation. We will use molecular engineering to construct multimeric arrays of new NK cell receptors to search for the ligand molecules that they interact with on other cells. Identifying NK cell receptors and their ligands regulating NK cell proliferation and function will enable us to understand the role of these cells in health and in inflammatory diseases and cancer.Read moreRead less
CTL Avidity As A Determinant Of The Mature, Antigen-specific Immune Repertoire
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$241,527.00
Summary
Killer T lymphocytes are a diverse population which vary in their ability to recognise infected cells. This study aims to determine whether vaccine dose and frequency impact on the generation of highly sensitive killer T cells. This study will improve our basic knowledge of killer T lymphocyte selection during infection and have application to improved methods of vaccination.
Epigenetic Regulation Of CD8+ T Cell Function And Memory.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$578,171.00
Summary
Upon virus infection, a subset of white blood cells, called killer T cells, are recruited to fight the infection. This proposal aims to examine molecular changes that occur within killer T cells and impart their specific function. We also aim to understand how killer T cells are _programmed� as they establish immunological memory. This proposal will provide insights important for the design and improvement of vaccine strategies to fight pathogens such as influenza, HIV and even tumors.
NK Cell Subsets And Their Role In Immune Responses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$173,522.00
Summary
Natural killer (NK) cells are 5-10% of white blood cells of the immune system that represent one of our first lines of defense against microbes and cancer development. Recent evidence strongly suggests that NK cells are major cells of importance in the immune system, not only in acting as killers of cancer cells or virus-infected cells, but also in regulating the adaptive memory components of the immune response. Despite our greater knowledge of NK cell biology, we still know very little about t ....Natural killer (NK) cells are 5-10% of white blood cells of the immune system that represent one of our first lines of defense against microbes and cancer development. Recent evidence strongly suggests that NK cells are major cells of importance in the immune system, not only in acting as killers of cancer cells or virus-infected cells, but also in regulating the adaptive memory components of the immune response. Despite our greater knowledge of NK cell biology, we still know very little about the diversity that exists within the NK cell population. The development and maturation of NK cells requires far greater study and this proposal aims to examine this question in the best experimental model, the mouse. We have recently made an important breakthrough concerning the distinct functional behavior of newly discovered NK cell subsets. We now aim to develop a more integrated model of NK cell development, such that vaccines and adjuvants designed to prevent and ameliorate lethal and chronic infectious diseases and cancer can be more rationally designed.Read moreRead less
Studies On The Role Of The P101 Component Of The Class 1B PI 3-Kinase In Cell Migration And Activation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$457,267.00
Summary
This research will determine the biological role of a protein of unknown function that is likely to participate in movement of white blood cells through the body. The outcome of this research will increase our basic knowledge of how the immune system functions and could lead to alternate therapeutic strategies for the control of autoimmune diseases.