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SUMMARY:Human NK cell activation and inhibition in vivo - Dr Graham Cook\,
  University of Leeds
DTSTART:20120201T123000Z
DTEND:20120201T133000Z
UID:TALK35123@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Sue Griffin
DESCRIPTION:Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in innate imm
 unity to infection and tumours.  NK cells have potent anti-tumour activity
  in vitro yet tumour cells clearly evade the action of NK cells and other 
 immune functions in vivo.  \n\nWe have analysed the mechanisms by which tu
 mour cells inhibit the activity of NK cells using in vitro culture models 
 and by analysis of NK cells from the human tumour microenvironment.  The i
 mmunosuppresive cytokine transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta is released
  by tumours and inhibits NK cells during chronic interactions.  In some sy
 stems\, TGF-B has pro-apoptotic activity.  However\, NK cells are inhibite
 d but remain viable allowing their activity to be enhanced via TGF-B block
 ade.\n\nNK cells are also important in the early immune response to viral 
 infection.  However\, studies of the very early events during human infect
 ion are difficult to achieve.  We have analysed NK cell responses in patie
 nts receiving large timed doses of oncolytic reovirus\, a dsRNA virus that
  infects but does not cause serious disease in humans.  NK cells are activ
 ated within 24-48hrs of infection.  However\, NK cells also appear to play
  a more durable role in the immune response\, expressing factors that help
  to shape adaptive immunity.  \n\nNK cells thus control the early stages o
 f infection via cytotoxic activity and help to shape the adaptive immune r
 esponse.\n
LOCATION:Lecture Theatre\, Department of Pathology\, Tennis Court Road
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