Molecular dissection of siglec-mediated regulation of neutrophil inflammatory responses. (360G-Wellcome-103744_Z_14_Z)

Our bodies are continuously under threat of attack by infectious organisms. One of our key immune defences are cells called neutrophils which constantly circulate in the blood. When a tissue such as the lung becomes infected, neutrophils rapidly leave the blood, enter the tissue and destroy the invading pathogens. It is essential to regulate this process since neutrophils can cause severe damage if too many of them enter the infected tissue, resulting in diseases such as acute lung injury. My r esearch is focussed on proteins found on neutrophils called siglecs that recognise sugar molecules on our cells. We have discovered that they are able to control the entry of neutrophils into the lung tissues as well as detect bacteria like haemophilus influenzae. We aim to use a powerful method called mass spectrometry to work out in molecular detail how these proteins are able to regulate these critical functions in our immune system. We expect that our research will reveal new molecules and signalling pathways that will help us understand disease better and may also help us to develop improved medicines for infectious diseases and septic shock.