The influence of glucocorticoid hormones in T cell development and function

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The defence of the body to disease is a very complex process involving multiple interactions between subsets of white cells, in particular lymphocytes. This immune system, however, does not act in isolation but is subject to constant regulation by a variety of other cells and soluble factors. Particularly important in this regard is the impact of glucocorticoids which are normally associated with stress conditions. These steroids have been proposed to act at several levels in the immune system, usually causing suppression but they can also modify in a positive sense. Defining the targets of glucocorticoids and their precise functional impact will thus have very important implications for not only understanding the regulation of the immune response but also in the clinic. This project will make use of mice which have had the receptor for glucocorticoids genetically deleted. Focussing on T cells (the most important cells of the immune system) these mice will be examined in detail for alterations in the development of T lymphocytes and their function in defending the body against virus and tumours and their involvement in self destruction (autoimmune) diseases including multiple sclerosis.