The influence of antigen distribution on quality and repertoire of CD8+ T cell responses

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Thomas Brocker
• Subject Area: Immunology
• Term: from 2011 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 200114013

CD8+ T lymphocytes recognize specific peptide/MHC class I complexes in the context of costimuli on antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DCs). Thereafter they differentiate into effector and memory cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) able to confer protection against pathogen infection. Due to their central role in T cell “priming”, DCs are key candidates for antibody targeting and are used as cellular vaccines for clinical purposes. Using transgenic mice where only DCs can prime CD8+ T cells, we will analyse the quantitative and qualitative influence of selective DC-priming on CD8+ T cell effector and memory responses.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants