Non-conventional T cells and HIV: role of NKT cells, MAIT cells, CD-1 restricted and gamma-delta T cells
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Project Leader
Professor Stephen Kent+61 3 8344 9939
Project Details
NKT cells are a small but very important lymphocyte population in blood that possess potent antiviral and antitumor activities. In collaboration with Dr Godfrey and colleagues, we recently showed NKT cells are depleted during SIV and SHIV infection of monkeys. 100 * We are investigating strategies to enhance the biologic utility of NKT cells in fighting HIV. 150 * We are also studying an interesting population of cells called Mucosal-associated Invariant T cells (MAIT cells)176 * and the effect of HIV and SIV on these important cells that fight bacterial infections. In collaboration with Dr Dan Pellici and colleagues, we are investigating the CD1-restricted T cells and their role in HIV and other infections.
Dr Juno and RA Kathleen Wragg are also studying different gamma-delta T cell subsets and their capacity to kill virus-infected cells.
Figure 1: NKT cell population in Macaca Nemestrina blood
* superscript number links to a specific publication in the chronological listing on Stephen's blog
Researchers
Professor Stephen Kent, Dr Jen Juno, Prof Dale Godfrey, Dr Dan Pellici, Ms Kathleen Wragg.
Funding
NHMRC Program and project grants.