The role of proteinase inhibitor 9 in cytotoxic lymphocyte function

细胞毒性淋巴细胞清除体内的病毒感染细胞或癌细胞。这是通过释放杀死异常细胞的强大细胞毒素来实现的。除非小心地靶向，这些细胞毒素会损害周围的正常组织或细胞毒性淋巴细胞本身，并导致自身免疫性疾病。最重要的细胞毒素之一是一种叫做颗粒酶B的蛋白酶。我们已经发现了一种颗粒酶B的天然抑制剂，存在于细胞毒性细胞和睾丸中。我们的研究旨在了解该抑制剂在人类免疫和生殖功能中的作用。我们还将设计和评估基于天然抑制剂的合成化合物，这将使我们能够轻松测量颗粒酶B水平并控制其活性。

Cytotoxic lymphocytes eliminate virus-infected or cancerous cells from the body. This is achieved by the release of powerful cytotoxins that kill the abnormal cell. Unless carefully targeted these cytotoxins can damage surrounding normal tissue or the cytotoxic lymphocyte itself, and lead to autoimmune disease. One of the most important cytotoxins is a protease called granzyme B. We have discovered a natural inhibitor of granzyme B that is present in cytotoxic cells and testis. Our studies are aimed at understanding the role of the inhibitor in human immune and reproductive function. We will also design and evaluate synthetic compounds based on the natural inhibitor that will enable us to easily measure granzyme B levels and control its activity.