The Role of Nkg7 in Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity of Cancer and Virally Infected Cells

The Role of Nkg7 in Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity of Cancer and Virally Infected Cells

Advisor/s

Margaret Jordan, Alan Baxter

College or Research Centre

College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Science

Summary of Project

NKG7 is a poorly characterised membrane protein component of the cytotoxic synapse and the cellular interaction responsible for cell mediated cytotoxicity. We have produced Nkg7-/- mice and found they have functional changes in both NKT and NK cells, including a decrease in NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity on a per cell basis in-vitro. This project dissects the role of NKG7 in granule trafficking, killer-target conjugation and cytotoxicity. It will generate novel reagents for the characterisation of NKG7 and the identification of its ligand, while also examining the functional effects of NKG7 deficiency on CD8 T cell and NK cell cytotoxicity, and NKT cell immunoregulation.

Key Words

immunology; cell killing; natural killer cells; autoimmunity; immunogenetics; mouse models; genetics; Nkg7 protein

Would suit an applicant who

Has knowledge of immunology and experience with molecular biology techniques (such as DNA/RNA hybridization, in situ hybridization, polymerase chain reaction) and/or tissue culture techniques and is familiar with statistical analyses.

Updated: 07 Apr 2020