Mathew Clement - Current Projects

CD8+ T-cells are fundamental in the success of removal of viral infections and tumours in an adaptive immune response. These T-cells express a cell surface glycoprotein co-receptor CD8. The CD8 co-receptor exists in either a homo or herterodimeric form (alpha/alpha or alpha/beta respectively) (Gao et al 2000). CD8+ T-cell recognition is mediated through the T-cell receptor (TCR), binding to the peptide binding platform of the major hiscompatability complex (pMHCI) (Laugel et al 2007). CD8 binds to invariant regions of pMHCI, at a different site but simultaneously to that of the TCR, recognising short peptide sequences 8-11 amino acid sequences in length. (Wooldridge et al 2006).

CD8 has been implicated with a range of different functions. It is known to stabilise the TCR/pMHCI interaction. CD8 is involved in TCR mediated cell signalling by binding to protein kinases which are involved with the phosphorylation of CD3. This then mediates the recruitment of TCR/CD3/pMHCI to lipid rafts which are preferential sites for cell signalling. (Wooldridge et al 2007).

CD8 plays an important role in CD8+ T-cell activation. Here we want to study this co-receptor as it has vital implications in how T-cells respond to cancerous and virally infected cells and therefore the success of the immune system to keep our bodies healthy.

Aims

CD8
  1. To Study the role of CD8 in T-cell activation
  2. To further identify novel functions of CD8 in T-cell activation
  3. To identify the functions of CD8 for its role in the killing of cancerous and virally infected cells