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Uncovering Novel Mechanism Of Immune Modulation Of Invariant Natural Killer T Cells By Liposomal Α-Galactosylceramide, Alexandra S. Flegle
Uncovering Novel Mechanism Of Immune Modulation Of Invariant Natural Killer T Cells By Liposomal Α-Galactosylceramide, Alexandra S. Flegle
Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)
Invariant Natural Killer T cells (iNK-T cells) are a powerful regulatory immune cell that can recruit both innate and adaptive immune cells. Unlike conventional T cells (CD4+ and CD8α+), they recognize glycolipid antigens via the MHC-class-I like molecule, CD1d. A synthetically derived glycolipid from the marine sponge, Agelas mauritianus, alpha-Galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) potently activates iNK-T cells. Within a few hours after activation, iNK-T cells produce high quantities of TH1 and TH2 type cytokines, thus shape subsequent adaptive immunity towards inflammation (TH1) or immune-suppression (TH2). Structural modification of α-GalCer’s phytosphingosine …
Adipocytes And Innate Immunity In Systemic Sclerosis, Nancy Wareing
Adipocytes And Innate Immunity In Systemic Sclerosis, Nancy Wareing
Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)
Systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) is a chronic systemic autoimmune and connective tissue disorder characterized by vasculopathy, autoimmune phenomena, and widespread fibrosis. Skin thickening and tightening is the cardinal feature of SSc and is responsible, in part, for the considerable morbidity of this disease. There are currently no targeted treatments for skin manifestations in SSc, primarily due to our fragmented understanding of its pathophysiologic mechanisms. In PART I, we report a previously unappreciated link between aberrant expression of the developmental gene sine oculis homeobox homolog 1 (SIX1) in skin-associated adipocytes in SSc skin and the early loss of dermal white adipose …