REGULATION OF IMMUNE CELL FUNCTION

Grant number: 1062706 | Funding period: 2014 - 2016

Completed

Abstract

White blood cells called cytotoxic lymphocytes destroy cancerous cells using special toxic molecules. One of them, perforin, eliminates dangerous cells by punching holes in their membrane. Some individuals that lack perforin become seriously ill in their infancy. Others, that retain some perforin in their lymphocytes can live longer and are at higher risk of developing cancer. We will investigate the causes of partial loss of perforin function and explore novel drug therapies, which should address the problem and restore immune function.

Related publications (2)

Regulation of perforin activation and pre-synaptic toxicity through C-terminal glycosylation

Imran G House, Colin M House, Amelia J Brennan, Omer Gilan, Mark A Dawson, James C Whisstock, Ruby HP Law, Joseph A Trapani, Ilia Voskoboinik

2017-10-01

Late-Onset Non-HLH Presentations of Growth Arrest, Inflammatory Arachnoiditis, and Severe Infectious Mononucleosis, in Siblings with Hypomorphic Defects in UNC13D

Paul Edgar Gray, Bella Shadur, Susan Russell, Richard Mitchell, Michael Buckley, Kerri Gallagher, Ian Andrews, Kevin Thia, Joseph A Trapani, Edwin Philip Kirk, Ilia Voskoboinik

2017-08-09