Characterization of a novel inhibitory immune receptor
Thursday 5 March 2009
Prof.dr. Linde Meyaard and drs. Tessa Steevels
Project
The human leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor (LAIR)-1 is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) that is expressed on the majority of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and thymocytes. Cross-linking of LAIR-1 by monoclonal antibodies (mAb) in vitro delivers a potent inhibitory signal that is capable of inhibiting cellular functions of several immune cells.
Humans encode several of these inhibitory immune receptors, each with its own distinct biological function. The Leukocyte Receptor Cluster (LRC) on human chromosome 19 is particularly rich in members of the IgSF, encoding approximately 30 members. Although many of these receptors are well characterized, we identified a novel immune receptor located in the LRC displaying homology to human LAIR-1. The biological properties of this putative receptor are completely unknown and will be subject of the here-proposed studies.
This student project aims at characterization of a novel inhibitory immune receptor, identification of its ligand and exploring its biological function.
Techniques
Cell-culture, RNA-isolations, RT-PCR, cloning, sequencing, FACS, Western blotting, immuno-histochemistry, immuno-precipitations, expression cloning, high-speed FACS cell sorting, several immune function assays
Duration
4 or 9 months
Contact
Linde Meyaard, l.meyaard@umcutrecht.nl
Dr. Kristin Denzer, k.denzer@umcutrecht.nl, 088 75 576 73
More info
Website UMC Utrecht - Dept. of Immunology
References
L. Meyaard et al. (1997) LAIR-1, a novel inhibitory receptor expressed on human mononuclear leukocytes. Immunity. 7:283-90
R.J. Lebbink et al. (2004) The mouse homologue of the leukocyte-associated Ig-like receptor-1 is an inhibitory receptor that recruits Src homology region 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP)-2, but not SHP-1. J. Immunol. 172:5535-43
R.J. Lebbink et al. (2006) Collagens are functional, high-affinity ligands for the inhibitory immune receptor LAIR-1. J Exp Med. 203:1419-1425
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