Origins of T Helper Cell Function in Adaptive Immunity

描述（由申请人提供）：T淋巴细胞功能是脊椎动物适应性免疫反应的核心。尽管所有的下颚脊椎动物都有所需的基本抗原受体，但对鲨鱼的研究表明，与哺乳动物相比，这一最古老的类群的T细胞功能并不理想。Flajnik实验室最近的数据表明，护士鲨的脾脏白色髓中可能有T细胞区。我假设鲨鱼T细胞确实激活了次级淋巴组织特定区域的B细胞，从而显示出与哺乳动物相似的T细胞解剖和生理特征。为了验证这一假设，我将用免疫组织化学方法识别护士鲨脾脏B细胞区附近区域的细胞。T细胞帮助的功能评估将通过半抗原载体结合实验进行。此外，通过对原发性和继发性淋巴组织中TCR转录本的分析，激光捕获显微解剖将进一步推进解剖学和功能目标。这些研究将极大地促进我们对适应性细胞免疫学系统发育基础方面的理解，包括T辅助细胞功能和T细胞介导的自身免疫的排除。同时，这项工作将为我自己的独立研究计划提供最后的准备。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): T lymphocyte function is central to the vertebrate adaptive immune response. Although all jawed vertebrates have the basic antigen receptors required, studies in sharks have suggested sub-optimal T cell function in this oldest such group compared to that of mammals. Recent data from the Flajnik lab suggest that the nurse shark may in fact have T cell zones in the spleenic white pulp. I have hypothesized that shark T cells do activate B cells in specific areas of secondary lymphoid tissue, thus displaying T cell anatomy and physiology akin to that of mammals. To test this hypothesis, I will identify the cells in the area adjacent to the B cell zones of the nurse shark spleen with immunohistochemistry. Functional assessment of T cell help will be conducted with hapten carrier conjugate experiments. In addition, laser-capture microdissection will further both the anatomical and functional aims with mapped TCR transcript analysis in primary and secondary lymphoid tissue. These studies will significantly advance our understanding of the phylogenetically fundamental aspects of adaptive cellular immunology, including T helper cell function and preclusion of T cell mediated autoimmunity. Concurrently, this work will provide the final step in preparation for my own independent program of research.