Characterisaton of the ligands and physiological function of murine MICL. (360G-Wellcome-084428_Z_07_Z)

MICL is an inhibitory C-type lectin-like receptor which we identified and have shown to be expressed predominantly on myeloid cells. Characterisation of this molecule, which has only been performed in primary human cells and transfected cell lines in vitro, has demonstrated that human MICL functions as an inhibitory receptor and can control myeloid cell activity. This receptor is conserved across species, and we have demonstrated that the murine homologue has similar functions and expression p atterns. As the targeted deletion of inhibitory receptors has revealed the physiological functions for many of these molecules, particularly in the control of inflammation and autoimmunity, we propose to generate and characterise a MICL deficient mouse. These mice will be examined for any defects in homeostasis, such as the development of autoimmunity, as well for defects in the control of inflammation following induced autoimmunity and infection, for example. We have also detected the presence of endogenous MICL ligand(s) in a variety of murine tissues, and propose here to identify and characterise the nature of these molecule(s).