Selected Research Projects Dendritic cells in innate and adaptive immunity
Dendritic cells (DC) are a special type of leukocytes able to alert the immune system for the presence of infections. They are extremely versatile antigen presenting cells involved in the initiation of both innate and adaptive immunity, but also in the differentiation of regulatory T cells required for the maintenance of self-tolerance.
The research activity of this group is focused on different aspects of dendritic cell functionality
Induction and maintenance of peripheral T cell tolerance
The immune system of vertebrate animals has the capacity to respond to perturbations (invading pathogens, stress signals) limiting self-tissue damage. Tolerance to tissue antigens is achieved through a combination of thymic and peripheral events that eliminate or inactivate potentially dangerous T cells. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the induction of tolerance in peripheral autoreactive T cells. Taking advantage of different transgenic and knock out mouse models the mechanisms through which dendritic cells induce T cell tolerance in peripheral lymphoid organs are investigated.
Intercellular and intracellular mechanisms of dendritic cell-mediated NK cell activation
Natural Killer (NK) cells exert a direct anti-tumor and anti-microbial effect and can influence the development of adaptive T cell responses. Activation of NK cells is regulated by accessory cells such as dendritic cells (DC). Following activation, NK cells accumulate at the lymph nodes draining the site of infection, the key place in which DC and NK cell interactions occur. Taking advantage of the two-photon intravital microscopy technology the capacity of activated NK cells to reach the draining lymph nodes is investigated together with the DC-derived signals necessary for NK cell priming in inflammatory conditions.
Signals induced by lipopolysaccharides through CD14
The vertebrate immune system has evolved to detect and control invasions of microorganisms. Such perturbations are perceived by cells of the innate immune system that express Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs). These receptors bind a number of microbial products collectively named Microbial Associated Molecular Patterns (MAMPs). Among PRRs, Toll Like Receptors (TLRs) and their co-receptors are the best characterized. The focus in on intracellular signals induced by smooth and rough lipolysaccharides through CD14, a well-characterized TLR co-receptor, in dendritic cells.
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