Investigators at University of Oxford, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine target immunology
2007 NOV 20 -- Researchers detail in 'A closer look at CD1d molecules: new horizons in studying NKT cells,' new data in immunology. "Recent findings have highlighted the ability of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells to recognize microbe-derived glycolipids and have demonstrated the role of these cells in several disease states, from autoimmune disease to cancer. It has also become clear that iNKT cells can rapidly mature dendritic cells and licence them to prime antigen-specific T-and B-cell responses," scientists in Oxford, the United Kingdom report. "The use of CD1d tetramers to monitor iNKT cell frequency and phenotype has moved the field forward at a fast pace. To harness iNKT cells for therapeutic purposes and to understand their role in vivo, it is essential to characterize the molecular events that contribute to iNKT cell activation," wrote V.S. Stronge and colleagues, University of Oxford, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine. The researchers concluded: "Here we review new reagents and novel protocols that are facilitating a closer look at lipid presentation by CD1d molecules and their recognition by iNKT cells." Stronge and colleagues published their study in Trends In Immunology (A closer look at CD1d molecules: new horizons in studying NKT cells. Trends In Immunology, 2007;28(10):455-62). For more information, contact V.S. Stronge, Cancer Research UK, Nuffield Dept. of Medicine, The Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK. Publisher contact information for the journal Trends In Immunology is: Elsevier Science Ltd., the Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, Oxon, England. Keywords: United Kingdom, Oxford, Immunology. This article was prepared by Life Science Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Life Science Weekly via NewsRx.com.
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