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Research | French LAB
Natural killer cells play a crucial role in
anti-pathogen host defense and are particularly important in
mediating resistance to viral infections. Abnormalities in either
NK cell numbers and/or function have also been consistently
identified in a number of autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid
arthritis. Our laboratory focuses on understanding in vivo NK
responses by studying NK cells during viral infections. Murine
resistance to two herpesviruses, murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) and
herpes simplex virus- type 1 (HSV-1), as well as to the poxvirus
ectromelia has been genetically mapped to the natural killer gene
complex on mouse chromosome 6 which encodes a substantial fraction
of the mouse NK cell receptors. Using MCMV as well as with HSV-1
and a prototypical poxvirus, vaccinia, we are addressing the
following research aims:1) Characterizing the in vivo
proliferative responses of natural killer (NK) cells during viral
infections with particular focus on the contributions of IFN?/?,
IL-15, and IL-18.2) Understanding the homeostasis of NK
cells in mice following viral infections.3) Exploiting the
immunoevasion of DNA viruses in immunocompromised hosts to
delineate novel innate immune responses including NK cell
interactions with viral encoded proteins. 4) Determining
the specific NK cell activation receptors involved in NK cell
mediated resistance to large DNA viruses such as vaccinia and
herpes simplex virus.
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SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
