Multi-user equipment approved in grant 2024/05664-9: flow cytometer with full spectrum analysis technology

• Grant number: 25/15709-2
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program
• Start date: October 01, 2025
• End date: September 30, 2032
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Cellular Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Alexandre de Castro Keller
• Grantee: Alexandre de Castro Keller
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: São Paulo
• Associated research grant: 24/05664-9 - The plasticity of non-conventional lymphocytes in immunological responses: perspectives and alternatives, AP.TEM

Abstract

Classically, cells of the immune system are categorized into two large groups based on characteristics considered unique and exclusionary: innate cells, activated via pathogen-associated molecular pattern receptors (PAMPs) or tissue damage-associated molecular pattern receptors (DAMPs), and adaptive cells, which act through specific antigen receptors originating from post-somatic recombination, defining conventional T (TCR) and B (BCR) lymphocytes. The advancement in cellular characterization capacity has brought attention to lymphoid populations that exhibit characteristics of both innate and adaptive cells, known as non-conventional lymphocytes. These cells reside in various non-lymphoid tissues, acting at the interface between the innate and adaptive immune systems. Their unique plasticity positions them as important agents in modulating diverse immune responses and potential targets for immunotherapy. Examples of these lymphocytes include invariant Natural Killer T cells and B-1 cells. In the same way that the characterization of non-conventional lymphocytes expanded the boundaries between innate and adaptive immunity, the integration of vairous disciplines such as neurology, metabolism and microbiology has improved the understanding of the variables that influence the immune response. In this sense, we intend to study the impact of the stress response, cellular metabolism, and microbiota on the biological activity of iNKT and B-1 cells in inflammatory responses and immunoprophylaxis against emerging diseases. We plan to establish in vivo and in vitro experimental models, integrating flow cytometry and spectral microscopy alongside specific gene manipulation strategies (Cre-lox; CRISPR/Cas9) tailored to the sutdy objectives. This approach will enable real-time examination of cellular intractions in various tissues under different conditions.Moreover, we intend to incorporate bioinformatics into our research by analyzing public genomics and proteomics data to indentify key targets for the projects and foster deeper engagement with scientific literature among participating students. This integration will not only enhance our understanding of cellular interactions but also facilitate the dissemination of reseach findings, ultimately benefiting the professional development of students and researchs involved in the proposal. (AU)