Defining the microenvironment for maintenance of CD8+ memory T cells in the bone marrow

• Antragstellerin: Dr. Fanny Edele
• Fachliche Zuordnung: Immunologie
• Förderung: Förderung von 2009 bis 2013
• Projektkennung: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 151655463

The induction of immunological memory is the basis for vaccine efficacy and efficient protection of the host from re-infection. During first exposure to pathogens, lymphocytes recognize infectious agents, proliferate and differentiate into effector cells, the majority of which die after the infection is cleared. A small population of cells become memory cells that require survival signals between initial and subsequent antigen exposure for their maintenance. The microenvironment and the cells providing these signals are not well defined. For CD8+ memory T cells, a member of the Tumor necrosis factor receptor family, 4-1BB provides an important survival stimulus. Our preliminary results show that radio-resistant, non hematopoietic stromal cells in mice are the source of 4-1BB ligand, maintaining CD8+ T cell memory. In my study I will: 1. track the rate of entry and survival/retention time of memory T cells in bone marrow, 2. study the nature of cell/cell interaction between memory cells and bone marrow cells and 3. mimic conditions for maintaining CD8+ memory T cell survival in vitro. Understanding how memory T cells are maintained will help in the design of vaccines that could give rise to long term immune protection.

• DFG-Verfahren: Forschungsstipendien
• Internationaler Bezug: Kanada
• Gastgeberin: Professorin Dr. Tania H. Watts