Final Report Summary - LYMPHOCYTECONTACTS (Regulation and outcome of immune cell interactions in vivo)
To fight cancer or infections, a variety of immune cells are engaged in a tremendously complex, yet highly coordinated sequence of cellular processes. The ERC project ‘LymphocyteContact’ relies on innovative in vivo imaging techniques to understand how the immune system fights cancer and pathogens and to improve existing therapies. Over the last five years, we have helped redefine the process of T cell activation in vivo. In the field of infectious diseases, we have offered the first demonstration that effector cytokines were acting over extended distances in the infected tissue to effectively control intracellular pathogens. Our laboratory also characterized a novel cellular pathway responsible for graft rejection. In the context of tumor immunity, we have identified the distinct roles of T cells and NK cells in tumor cell killing and uncovered the mode of action of anti-CD20 therapy, the most common immunotherapy used to treat B cell lymphomas. Finally, we have characterized the mode of action of the anti-HIV candidate vaccine MVA.
Thus, the project ‘LymphocyteContact’ has contributed to identify several key mechanisms regulating immune responses to cancer and infection. It has also helped delineate new strategies to treat these diseases.
Thus, the project ‘LymphocyteContact’ has contributed to identify several key mechanisms regulating immune responses to cancer and infection. It has also helped delineate new strategies to treat these diseases.