PhD SCIENCE REPORT SIEGFRIED KOHLER

SIEGFRIED KOHLER

A number of soluble factors and the interaction between dendritic cells, T cells and other cell types of the immune system determine the magnitude and quality of the individual’s response to vaccination. Knowledge about this complex interplay is especially important for experimental therapies using dendritic cells, e.g in cancer patients with a disturbed immune system due to previous therapeutic administration of anti-proliferative drugs.
We have analysed different aspects of the initiation of immune responses by dendritic cells:

1.In cooperation with R. Geiger / F. Sallusto (DC-THERA, Bellinzona) we have used the “T-cell amplification method” to quantify the TCR repertoire in two subsets of naïve T cells that can be distinguished in human blood. This analysis should allow us to determine the importance of these T cell subsets for DC vaccinations, possibly leading to the identification of factors that influence the low response to vaccination that is often observed in elderly people.

2.In cooperation with the RKI Institute in Berlin we have determined processes taking place during vaccination and factors that predict strong immune responses. Interestingly a peak of dendritic cells at day7 in the blood can be observed in all vaccinees. This analysis and further studies will give us new insights into the complex interplay that determines the outdome of immune responses in humans and help to identify persons with a high potential to respond to DC vaccination therapies.

3.We have continued the cooperation with T.Saito, RIKEN, Yokohama examining the generation of TCR microclusters as part of the interplay between dendritic cells and T cells. We have analysed the impact of specific molecules expressed on DC on this microcluster formation. Further knowledge on this interaction might give the opportunity to modulation the T cell stimulation capacity of DC.

4.A cooperation with Kris Thielemans (Brussels, Belgium) has been started in order to establish the RNA trannsfection of dendritc cells permitting presentation of nearly any antigen on dendritic cells for T cell stimulation. Within this cooperation another PhD student from our lab has visited Kris Thielemans (see below)

Until the predicted finish of the PhD in the beginning of 2010 we will continue the above-mentioned projects and hopefully shed light on new aspects of the interaction of dencritic cells with T cells.

created over 14 years ago (16 April 2010)    last modified over 13 years ago (28 September 2011)   [ RDF ]   [ RelFinder ]