The influence of glucocorticoid hormones in T cell development and function

身体对疾病的防御是一个非常复杂的过程，涉及白细胞亚群之间的多种相互作用，特别是淋巴细胞。然而，这种免疫系统并不是孤立地起作用，而是受到各种其他细胞和可溶性因子的不断调节。在这方面特别重要的是糖皮质激素的影响，它通常与压力状况有关。这些类固醇被认为在免疫系统的几个层面上起作用，通常会导致抑制，但它们也可以在积极的意义上进行修饰。因此，确定糖皮质激素的靶标及其精确的功能影响将不仅对理解免疫反应的调节而且对临床具有非常重要的意义。该项目将利用基因缺失糖皮质激素受体的小鼠。以T细胞（免疫系统中最重要的细胞）为重点，这些小鼠将被详细检查T淋巴细胞发育的变化及其在保护身体免受病毒和肿瘤侵害的功能，以及它们在包括多发性硬化症在内的自我毁灭（自身免疫性）疾病中的作用。

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.