Analysis of phenotypic and functional profile of Natural Killer and CD8 + T cells in Lichen Planus

• Grant number: 11/21267-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): June 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): May 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Maria Notomi Sato
• Grantee: Gabriel Costa de Carvalho
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Lichen planus (LP) is considered a chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disease of unknown etiology. LP affects approximately 1% of the world population, being most frequent the mucosal manifestations. There are several histological alterations in LP features, which are accompanied by a lymphocytic infiltrate preceding the epithelial injury, either of CD4 + T cells or CD8 +. The CD8 + T cells are potential inducers of cytotoxicity against keratinocytes in LP, but the participation of Natural Killer cells (NK) is not well determined. In addition, there is no evidence of LP studies concerning the functional profile of NK cells and TCD8+ cell subsets, as the potential cytotoxic and / or secretory. The aim of this project is to evaluate in LP the involvement of NK cells and CD8 + T cells from peripheral blood as a representative of the innate and adaptive immune response, respectively, on the phenotype and the functional aspect of cytotoxicity. The functional profile of NK cells will be evaluated for potential activation via Toll-like receptors (TLR) TLR3 and NOD-like (inflamassome) and cytotoxic function against K562 tumor target cells by intracellular expression of cytotoxicity (CD107a, granzyme B , IFN-g, TNF-a). NK cell subtypes, will be assessed by the high or low surface expression of CD56 and CD16. As for CD8 + T lymphocytes, the assessment will occur as the expression of markers of homing and effector / memory (CLA, CD45RA, CCR7, CD127) and intracellular cytotoxicity. In addition, purified CD8 T cells will be assessed for the expression of cytokines / chemokines and receptors by PCR array method. The evaluation of these cells concerning the phenotype and cytotoxic profile are important immunological parameters to be elucidated in LP and can contribute to new therapeutic approaches.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

CARVALHO, Gabriel Costa de. Analysis of phenotypic and functional profile of Natural Killer cells and CD8 + T lymphocytes in Lichen planus. 2016. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina (FM/SBD) São Paulo.