Objective Invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells are a heterogeneous T lymphocyte population that possess innate-like characteristics and contribute to host defense against pathogens. Due to their powerful effector properties, iNKT cells are targeted for immunotherapeutic and vaccination strategies. Their effector programs are acquired during thymic development, prior to microbial exposure, and are polarized into three distinct populations, similar to CD4 Th1, Th2 and Th17 lineages. Specification and subsequent polarization of the NKT lineage is regulated by the balance between the E protein family of transcription factors (TF) and their inhibitors, the ID proteins, which is pivotal in the bifurcation of adaptive and innate lymphoid lineages and is associated with human lymphomas. This application aims at defining the mechanisms by which the E/ID ratio enables the effector properties of innate-like T cells. We hypothesize that the E/ID pathway directly or indirectly regulates critical TFs and chromatin regulators that separately or in combination activate different arms of this effector program. This hypothesis will be tested through the following specific aims: 1) Determine target genes bound by E proteins,2) Determine the epigenetic chromatin states and3) Determine the role of chromatin modifiersin developing iNKT cells. While each aim can be accomplished independently, the data will be integrated to form gene regulatory networks that control the innate-like effector programs. The proposal is innovative because it explores the novel idea that the activity thresholds of a single TF dictate distinct cellular fates, while enhancing our understanding on lymphocyte effector programs and link specific chromatin regulators to these programs. The fellowship is rewarding, because the Applicant will gain knowledge in the implementation of high-throughput technologies to study the interplay between TFs-chromatin regulators-chromatin architecture in lymphocyte differentiation. Fields of science social scienceseducational sciencesdidacticsmedical and health scienceshealth sciencespublic healthmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncologyliver cancernatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsmedical and health sciencesbasic medicineimmunology Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2014-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2014 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-RI - RI – Reintegration panel Coordinator BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH CENTER ALEXANDER FLEMING Net EU contribution € 164 653,20 Address Fleming street 34 16672 Vari-athens Greece See on map Region Αττική Aττική Ανατολική Αττική Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
