TLR9 And The Response To Foreign DNA

这个项目的基础是观察到哺乳动物的免疫系统可以区分自己的遗传物质(DNA)和细菌等感染性病原体的DNA。这对于理解免疫系统如何应对感染，以及设计新的疗法和疫苗具有重要意义。我们的中心目标是定义外来DNA识别系统是如何工作的。对外来DNA反应最强烈的细胞是被称为巨噬细胞的大型白细胞。我们正在研究这些反应所需的一种关键蛋白质是如何发挥作用的，以及它启动了哪些基因。由外来DNA引发的免疫反应类型可能在治疗过敏症和癌症以及改进疫苗接种方面有用。

This project is based upon the observation that the mammalian immune system can distinguish between its own genetic material (DNA) and the DNA of infectious agents such as bacteria. This has implications for understanding how the immune system copes with infection, and also for design of new therapies and vaccines. Our central aim is to define how the recognition system for foreign DNA works. The cells that respond most vigorously to foreign DNA are large white blood cells called macrophages. We are investigating how a key protein that is required for these responses functions and what genes it turns on. The type of immune responses initiated by foreign DNA may be useful in treatment of allergies and cancer, and for improving vaccinations.