A quantitative analysis of signal integration by T-cells

• Antragstellerin: Dr. Mirja Hommel
• Fachliche Zuordnung: Immunologie
• Förderung: Förderung von 2004 bis 2007
• Projektkennung: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 5421049

The details of T cell activation and proliferation are complex and remain to be fully elucidated. The rate of growth, survival and differentiation of mature T cells is regulated by many variables including antigen (Ag) affinity, duration of antigen presentation and stimuli by accessory molecules or soluble cytokines. As expansion and contraction of responding T cell clones finally determine the outcome of antigen-specific immune responses (immunity vs. tolerance), monitoring the effect of each variable, alone and in combination, is a difficult but extremely important task for the future. Recently new methods based on the use of fluorescent division tracking markers have helped delineate quantitative descriptions of T cell behaviour. These methods have, for the first time, enabled exploration of how T cells simultaneously integrate co-stimulatory signals that affect proliferation and differentiation. Here, quantitative methods will be applied to determine the effect of cytokines, antigen affinity and dose as well as the duration of antigen presentation on T cell activation, proliferation and survival. This will help to understand what determines the decision between immunity and tolerance. We also will extend these concepts into an in vivo setting.

• DFG-Verfahren: Forschungsstipendien
• Internationaler Bezug: Australien