Studies of the metabolic regulation of the MICA, a ligand for the innate immune receptor NKG2D

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How the immune system recognizes diseased cells is not fully understood. In particular, we do not completely understand how the immune system identifies diseased cells, such as tumour or virus-infected cells, when it has not previously met this particular disease. We are born with this immunity, which is termed innate immunity and does not require previous exposure to the disease. Cancer cells and virus-infected cells display danger makers on their surfaces which flag them as diseased. The immune system can then recognize them and destroy them. We are studying these molecular flags that diseased cells display on their surfaces to identify themselves as diseased and in need of destruction. We have evidence that changes in the metabolism of a diseased cell can be sensed by the cell and cause the cell to put danger markers on its surface. We aim to understand this process in more detail and to identify the different molecules involved. The molecules involved may be useful targets for drugs. In particular, enhancing this immunity could promote the body‘s defence against cancers or infections or help to promote better responses to vaccines. Conversely, inhibiting this immunity could be helpful in autoimmune diseases or transplant rejection.