Reactivation of memory T-cells

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Wolfgang Kastenmüller
• Subject Area: Immunology
• Term: from 2009 to 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 111942887

Cytotoxic CD8+ T-cells play a crucial role in adaptive immune responses. Because of their importance in protection against intracellular pathogens, current vaccination strategies against tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV target the induction of antigen specific CD8+ T-cells as an important component. Despite substantial progress in understanding the molecular and cellular events associated with naïve T-cell priming in the context of various lymphoid tissues, relatively little is known about the reactivation of memory T-cells. The aim of this study is to understand the specific reactivation requirements of memory T-cells. Of particular interest are the migratory behaviour of these cells within the body, their cellular interaction partners within lymph nodes and at peripheral sites, and how these processes ultimately regulate the T-cell activation process. Number and duration of the interaction of memory T-cells with dendritic cells will be analyzed and compared to naive T-cells. As a key methodology to complement more conventional immunohistochemical and flow cytometry techniques, two-photon intravital microscopy will be applied to directly visualize the dynamics of T-cell-antigen presenting cell interactions and tissue migration in wild-type and selected mutant mice. The long-term goal is the translation to a clinical immunotherapy, conceptually based on adoptive T-cell therapy combined with a vaccine for optimal in vivo reactivation.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Ronald N. Germain, Ph.D.