Novel immune GTPases regulating lymphocyte apoptosis/survival

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.

Mature T and B lymphocytes are the essential mediators of specific immunity and immunological memory in vertebrates. Characteristic features of these cells are their long life (months to years) and their relative quiescence, which is maintained unless and until they encounter a ‘cognate’ substance (an antigen) that can activate them to respond and to initiate a protective immune response. The maintenance of the long lifespan and quiescence of lymphocytes is now recognised to require the active engagement of several signalling pathways. It is also appreciated that a healthy and diverse lymphocyte repertoire can contribute significantly to healthy ageing. Our work is focussed on one family of proteins, the GIMAP GTPases, some of which are required for lymphocyte survival. By using unbiased approaches to identifying proteins which interact with members of the GIMAP family we aim to understand more about the mechanisms underlying lymphocyte survival in general and to uncover new ways whereby lymphocytes may be manipulated to enhance or to suppress immune responsiveness, where desirable.

unavailable