![Uncovering Autoimmune Triggers]()
Dendritic cells, and the MHC II proteins they possess, play a crucial role in the body’s immune response. The MHC II bind peptides that dendritic cells then present to T cells. Depending on whether dendritic cells present “non-self” or “self” peptides, T cells will attack disease-causing microbes or cancer cells—or will cause autoimmune disease by attacking the body’s own tissues. Dendritic cells present different peptides depending on where the cells are located and whether resting or inflammatory conditions prevail. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has awarded Laura Santambrogio, M.D., Ph.D., a five-year, $4.1 million grant to determine how dendritic cells behave depending on where they originate, and under resting and inflammatory conditions. The study’s goal is to determine how the sets of MHC II-presented peptides presented to T cells maintain tolerance to self or instead lead to autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes. Dr. Santambrogio is professor of pathology and of microbiology & immunology at Einstein. (1R01AI137198-01A1)
Posted on: Wednesday, November 28, 2018