Function of novel human T cell subsets in host defence (360G-Wellcome-109965_Z_15_Z)

£1,650,000

Host defence in tissues requires specialised control of immunity. This is particularly true in the liver and gut, where a balance must be struck between robust defence against pathogens vs immunopathogenic responses against commensal organisms. Recently, novel T-cell subsets with distinct functionality have been identified which are abundant in humans at these sites and which may play a central role in tissue defence and inflammation. These include T-cell subsets expressing the C-Type lectin CD1 61 - CD161++ (or bright) Mucosal Associated Invariant T (MAIT) cells and related CD161+ (or mid) antiviral T-cell populations. Although we have learned much about the basic features of these cells in blood, we still do not understand how they are regulated in tissue and there remain many fundamental questions as to their protective and pathogenic roles. In particular we have uncovered common mechanisms that allow innate stimuli to induce triggering, alone or in concert with the T-cell receptor. The vision of my proposal is, therefore, that by identifying the mechanisms that regulate function of such human T-cell subsets, we can delineate and modulate host defence in the liver and gut. There are 3 research questions: 1. What are the protective and pathogenic functions of CD161++/MAIT cells in the human liver and gut and how are these regulated? 2. What are the origins and functions of related CD161+ T-cell memory pools in these tissues? 3. How are CD8+ T-cells induced by novel vac cines maintained in such tissues long-term?

Where is this data from?

This data was originally published by The Wellcome Trust. If you see something about your organisation or the funding it has received on this page that doesn't look right you can submit a grantee amendment request. You can hover over codes from standard codelists to see the user-friendly name provided by 360Giving.

Grant Details

Amount Awarded 1650000
Applicant Surname Klenerman
Approval Committee Science Interview Panel
Award Date 2015-12-02T00:00:00+00:00
Financial Year 2015/16
Grant Programme: Title Investigator Award in Science
Internal ID 109965/Z/15/Z
Lead Applicant Prof Paul Klenerman
Partnership Value 1650000
Planned Dates: End Date 2022-01-31T00:00:00+00:00
Planned Dates: Start Date 2016-08-01T00:00:00+00:00
Recipient Org: Country United Kingdom
Region South East