Objective
The genes coding for the alpha, beta, gamma and delta T cell receptor (TCR) chains were cloned over 20 years ago. However, still relatively little is known about T cells that utilize the gamma-delta TCR. Particularly the biological functions of gamma-delta T cells and the mechanisms that govern their homing to specific epithelial tissues remain enigmatic.
In the blood and in secondary lymphoid organs, only 1% to 3 % of the T cells are gamma-delta T cells. In contrast, gamma-delta T cells are disproportionately enriched in various epithelial tissues, where they often constitute the majority of the intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs).
Specific subsets of gamma-delta T cells with tissue-specific semi-invariant TCR repertoires reside in the epithelia of the skin, the small intestine, the vagina/reproductive tract, the decidua, the lung/respiratory tract, and in the nasal mucosa. In the proposed work we will investigate the function and tissue homing properties of the TCR gamma-delta + IELs found in various epithelial tissues.
To date, such analysis is hampered by two circumstances:
- First, the only gamma-delta T cell specific marker in the human or mouse system is the gamma-delta TCR itself. Therefore, detection of gamma-delta T cells with monoclonal antibodies (mAb) specific gamma-delta TCR for their will activate the cells and will obstruct further analysis.
- Second, activated gamma-delta T cells often down-regulate their TCR to non-detectable levels. To circumvent these obstacles, I have developed, during my Marie Curie fellowship in the laboratory of Dr.Bernard Malissen, a novel targeting approach that allows the direct identification of gamma-delta T cells in vivo without prior manipulation (Prinz et al., 2006, Nature Immunology, in press). I will use this model during the reintegration period to investigate the mechanisms that direct gamma-delta T cell homing and function.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences cell biology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP6-2004-MOBILITY-11
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
HANNOVER
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.