Natural Killer cells in the modulation of cell-mediated immunity in humans.

Author(s)

Maria Alejandra Clavijo Salomon

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI)
• Defense date: 2016-08-17

Examining board members

Jose Alexandre Marzagao Barbuto; Alexandre Salgado Basso; Roger Chammas; Ana Paula Lepique; Maria Notomi Sato

• Advisor: Jose Alexandre Marzagao Barbuto

Abstract

Dendritic cells (DCs) are central components of cellular immunity, responsible for the priming of naïve T cells. The polarization of T cells is restricted to signals provided during antigen presentation. Besides such signals, the origin and nature of DCs that induce different T cell profiles is not fully understood. The ability of natural killer cells (NK) to modulate early stages of monocytes differentiation into DCs and to impact on DCs function to prime and polarize naïve T cells was investigated. DCs derived from monocytes co-cultured with NK cells support the priming of type Tc1/Tc17 CD8 T cells with potent IFN-γ production capacity. NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity triggered at early stages of NKp30-dependent long-lasting monocytes-NK-cells interactions, mediated the mechanism by which this phenomenon occurred. This interaction may have implications in the understanding of CD8 T cell-mediated immunity and can be exploited for immunotherapy in which IFN-γ production by CD8 T cells is required or exacerbated. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/23478-0 - Effect of Natural Killer cells on the in vitro differentiation of monocytes into dendritic cells in cancer patients: study of the mechanisms involved
• Grantee: Maria Alejandra Clavijo Salomón
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)