Development And Function Of NKT Cell Subsets In Humans
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$533,828.00
Summary
NKT cells are a type of white blood cell that help to control the function of the immune system. Many studies have reported an association between low NKT cell levels and increased rates of cancer and autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes (T1D). Unfortunately, NKT cells are a relatively recent discovery and their function is not well understood, especially in humans. For example, it has only recently been discovered that there are different types of NKT cells with different functions. This ....NKT cells are a type of white blood cell that help to control the function of the immune system. Many studies have reported an association between low NKT cell levels and increased rates of cancer and autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes (T1D). Unfortunately, NKT cells are a relatively recent discovery and their function is not well understood, especially in humans. For example, it has only recently been discovered that there are different types of NKT cells with different functions. This lack of knowledge has prevented us from understanding how NKT cells normally prevent disease, and how we should treat diseases associated with low NKT cell numbers. In this project, we will study human NKT cells to determine how many different subsets exist, how they develop, and what role they play in the immune system. Importantly, we will use our knowledge to compare NKT cells from healthy donors and patient groups with T1D and cancer to determine exactly what is wrong with the NKT cells in these people. While both diseases are already linked to low NKT cell numbers, we do not know how these problems arise, or if some types of NKT cells are more important than others. Our study will determine how different types of NKT cells develop and function in humans and therefore allow a much more detailed understandng of how to diagnose and treat NKT cell deficiencies associated with different diseases.Read moreRead less
NKT cells are a type of lymphocyte with the ability to prevent a broad range of diseases including cancer, autoimmunity, infection and graft rejection. Sometimes, NKT cells also cause diseases, including allergy and atherosclerosis. Therefore, the ability to modulate these cells an important health objective. This project will investigate how NKT cells become activated by studying their surface receptors and what these receptors interact with.
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) remains the most effect curative treatment for patients with a number of malignant conditions, especially leukemia. The ability to cure leukemia by this procedure relates to a process known as Graft-versus-Leukaemia effects (GVL) which ocurrs when the newly transplanted stem cells (which includes the immune system) recognises the leukemia as foreign and mounts an immune attack against it. These studies will focus on the effect of a cellular pathway invi ....Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) remains the most effect curative treatment for patients with a number of malignant conditions, especially leukemia. The ability to cure leukemia by this procedure relates to a process known as Graft-versus-Leukaemia effects (GVL) which ocurrs when the newly transplanted stem cells (which includes the immune system) recognises the leukemia as foreign and mounts an immune attack against it. These studies will focus on the effect of a cellular pathway invilving NKT cells that preliminary data suggests is critical to the development of GVL. Methods to augment this activation pathway will be studied in preclinical models that may then be studied in clinical trials with the aim of improving the outcome of patients transplanted for leukemias.Read moreRead less