THE BIOLOGY OF HUMAN DEC-205: A POTENTIAL ANTIGEN LOADING RECEPTOR FOR DENDRITIC CELLS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$227,017.00
Summary
Dendritic Cells (DC) represent a unique subset of white blood cells which play a critical role in initiating the immune response. Foreign material from bacteria-viruses and potentially cancer cells are recognised by DC, taken inside, processed and presented with other signals to T and B Lymphocytes for a response. Several DC surface molecules may beinvolved in the recognition of foreign material. We have cloned human DEC-205, a molecule which is predicted to bind the sugar groups associated with ....Dendritic Cells (DC) represent a unique subset of white blood cells which play a critical role in initiating the immune response. Foreign material from bacteria-viruses and potentially cancer cells are recognised by DC, taken inside, processed and presented with other signals to T and B Lymphocytes for a response. Several DC surface molecules may beinvolved in the recognition of foreign material. We have cloned human DEC-205, a molecule which is predicted to bind the sugar groups associated with bacteria-viruses and to act as a foreign material recognition and loading receptor. This project seeks to synthesise components of DEC-205 to test the binding capacities of its different components to different sugars and other molecules. We will also establish its expression pattern and how this is regulated on different white blood cell types. It is also possible that DEC-205 transmits signals which activate the DC, and we will test for that possibility. Finally, we will attempt to exploit this knowledge for loading cancer target molecules into DC via DEC-205 to initiate a cancer vaccine response.Read moreRead less
HLA-E, a protein expressed by all cells regulates both innate and adaptive immune responses by binding to receptors found on white blood cells. This project will examine different ways that lymphocytes recognise this protein and its role in infection and transplantation.
The Role Of Proteinase Inhibitor 9 In Cytotoxic Lymphocyte Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$820,136.00
Summary
Cytotoxic lymphocytes eliminate virus-infected or cancerous cells from the body. This is achieved by the release of powerful cytotoxins that kill the abnormal cell. Unless carefully targeted these cytotoxins can damage surrounding normal tissue or the cytotoxic lymphocyte itself, and lead to autoimmune disease. One of the most important cytotoxins is a protease called granzyme B. We have discovered a natural inhibitor of granzyme B that is present in cytotoxic cells and testis. Our studies are a ....Cytotoxic lymphocytes eliminate virus-infected or cancerous cells from the body. This is achieved by the release of powerful cytotoxins that kill the abnormal cell. Unless carefully targeted these cytotoxins can damage surrounding normal tissue or the cytotoxic lymphocyte itself, and lead to autoimmune disease. One of the most important cytotoxins is a protease called granzyme B. We have discovered a natural inhibitor of granzyme B that is present in cytotoxic cells and testis. Our studies are aimed at understanding the role of the inhibitor in human immune and reproductive function. We will also design and evaluate synthetic compounds based on the natural inhibitor that will enable us to easily measure granzyme B levels and control its activity.Read moreRead less