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The control of immunosenescence in CD8+ T lymphocytes

Reference	SAG10002
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Arne Akbar
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor Michael Salmon
Institution	University College London
Department	Department of Clinical Immunology
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	149,791
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	02/11/1998
End date	02/11/2001
Duration	36 months

Abstract

We have shown that generation of a CD8 memory pool is dependent upon the rescue of some clonally expanded effector cells from both apoptosis and senescence, as defined by telomere shortening. Although we have identified several mechanisms by which apoptosis can be prevented in these cells, no information is available on the signals which may upregulate telomerase and prevent immunosenescence in these populations. We propose to first investigate the ability of cytokines (type-1 interferon, IL-10 and IL-2 receptor common gamma chain signalling cytokines) and costimulation via CD28 or CD11a/CD1'8 (LFA-1) to regulate senescence in CD8+T cells. We will then investigate if CD8+T cells obtained from ageing individuals are responsive or refractory to signals which retard senescence. Characterisation of the rescue from senescence may enable the manipulation of homeostatic control of CD8+T cell populations leading to the enhancement of immune memory and immune function in ageing individuals.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Genes & Developmental Biology (GDB)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	Initiative on Science of Ageing (SAG) [1998]
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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