Award details

The initiation and regulation of immune responses by antigen- presenting dendritic cells

Reference	BBS/E/E/0ME/2/98
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr David Tough
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Dr Ken Shortman
Institution	Edward Jenner Institute for Vaccine Res
Department	Scientific Head
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	20,000
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1999
End date	31/03/2001
Duration	24 months

Abstract

Dendritic cells play a key role in initiating immune responses. These rare cells collect foreign antigens (from invading bacteria or viruses) at interfaces with the external environment, such as the skin or the lung, then transport it to lymph nodes where they present the antigen to T lymphocytes and activate them to respond. Once activated, T lymphocytes have mechanisms for killing infected cells and also produce soluble products termed cytokines, which regulate other cells and are responsible for inflammatory responses. However, previous work from the Walter & Eliza Hall Institute (W&EHI) laboratory and other groups has shown that there are different types of dendritic cells of differing developmental origin. In addition, some of these dendritic cells not only activate T cells, but also determine both the nature and the extent of the immune response. Some dendritic cells appear able to halt or dampen down T cells, triggering their death or blocking their cytokine responses. Others may determine what type of cytokines the activated T cells produce. In this project the way particular types of dendritic cells regulate T cells will be investigated. This should lead to strategies to improve the effectiveness of vaccination, and to reduce excessive immune responses in inflammation or autoimmune disorders.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Animal Sciences (AS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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