Main Field(s) of Research, Abstract
T cells expressing chimeric T cell receptor constructs are called T bodies. So far, T bodies showed limited survival, proliferation and cytotoxic activity after adoptive transfer in vivo. Dendritic cells (DCs) are essential for the activation and maintenance of both naïve and memory T cells and their function depends on the maturation status. To efficiently prime T cells, mature DCs present both peptide-HLA complexes and appropriate co-stimulatory molecules on their surface. In contrast, immature DCs induce tolerance by presenting antigens to T cells without providing co-stimulatory signals. Cancer is associated with an environment disfavouring DC maturation suggesting silencing of tumor-specific T cells.
The aim of my project is to define DC subsets which give optimal co-stimulatory signals and polarise T bodies into cytotoxic T lymphocytes, effector and central memory CD8 T cells.

Main Fields of Research, Keywords
Immunotherapy, T bodies, DCs, retroviral transfer, T cell subsets

Special Techniques and Equipment
Retroviral transfer, T cell assays, Flow cytometry, cell culture, cloning, standard molecular biology and biochemical techniques

Publications
Saunderson SC, Schuberth PC, Dunn AC, Miller L, Hock BD, MacKay PA, Koch N, Jack RW, McLellan AD. Induction of exosome release in primary B cells stimulated via CD40 and the IL-4 receptor. J Immunol. 2008 Jun 15;180(12):8146-52.