Molecular analysis of CD44 on cell adhesion and migration

CD 44是一种细胞粘附分子，在您体内的许多细胞上表达，但我们感兴趣的是它在白色血细胞上的功能。 这些是免疫系统的细胞，我们对T细胞上的CD 44的功能特别感兴趣，T细胞是控制免疫反应的细胞。 CD 44是一种分子，其参与帮助白色血细胞到达感染部位、解决炎症反应、伤口愈合和导致转移的肿瘤细胞迁移。 我们的假设是，这种分子在细胞-细胞和细胞-细胞外基质相互作用中的功能是与其配体相互作用，然后向细胞发出信号，让细胞留下或离开。我们感兴趣的是确定CD 44与其配体的相互作用如何影响T细胞粘附和迁移，以及CD 44如何向细胞骨架机制发出信号以介导这些效应。 我们打算确定负责将信号从CD 44传递到细胞骨架的分子信号。我们已经启动了这一过程，并发现了一种与细胞内CD 44相关的酶。我们现在正在寻找这种酶的底物，以跟踪下游的信号通路。这是使用免疫化学和生物化学技术进行的。此外，我们将确定CD 44与其配体的相互作用如何改变T细胞粘附或迁移，并将确定这种调制的分子基础。通过了解调节细胞粘附和迁移的信号，我们将更好地了解免疫系统的功能和调节方式。我们依赖这些细胞在正确的时间出现在正确的地方，以有效地保护我们免受疾病的侵害。这种关于什么使细胞停止和什么使细胞前进的基础研究在细胞生物学中具有根本的重要性。 在分子水平上理解什么调节免疫细胞粘附和迁移是朝着未来开发旨在促进、模拟或防止细胞运动或细胞粘附的新生物技术的重要一步。 通过投资于这一基础研究，加拿大人正在确保科学发现和进步为子孙后代继续下去。

CD44 is a cell adhesion molecule expressed on many cells in your body, but we are interested in its function on white blood cells. These are cells of the immune system and we are particularly interested in the function of CD44 on T cells, the cells that control immune responses. CD44 is a molecule that has been implicated in helping white blood cells get to the site of infection, in resolving an inflammatory response, in wound healing and in the migration of tumor cells that results in metastasis. It is our hypothesis that the function of this molecule in cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions is to interact with its ligand, then signal to the cell to either stay or go. We are interested in determining how the interaction of CD44 with its ligand affects T cell adhesion and migration and how CD44 signals to the cytoskeletal machinery to mediate these effects. We intend to identify the molecular signals responsible for transmitting the signal from CD44 to the cell cytoskeleton. We have already initiated this process and have found an enzyme that is associated with CD44 inside the cell. We are now looking for substrates of this enzyme, to follow the signaling pathway downstream. This is being done using immunochemistry and biochemical techniques. In addition, we will determine how the interaction of CD44 with its ligand modifies T cell adhesion or migration and will identify the molecular basis for this modulation. By understanding the signals that regulate cell adhesion and migration we will better understand how the immune system functions and is regulated. We depend on these cells to be at the right place at the right time to effectively protect us against disease. This basic research into what makes a cell stop and what makes a cell go is of fundamental importance in cell biology. Understanding at the molecular level what regulates immune cell adhesion and migration is an important step towards the future development of new biotechnologies designed to facilitate, mimic or prevent cell movement or cell adhesion. By investing in this basic research, Canadians are ensuring the continuation of scientific discovery and progress for future generations.