INNATE_CROSSTALK · Innate immunity crosstalk in immunoregulation

Innate immunity is believed to protect mammalians from most infections. In the majority of cases, the quick responses by innate effector cells clear the infection before adaptive immunity develops. In recent years it has become evident that the early crosstalk between different innate immune cells also has a role in the development of adaptive immunity. In particular, NK-dendritic cell (DC) interactions have been identified as key events in shaping the adaptive immune response. However, the role of other innate cells in these interactions has been less characterized. In this project, we will study the interaction of activated neutrophils with NK cells and the impact of neutrophils on the crosstalk between NK cells and DCs, which is of importance for the development of the ensuing adaptive immune response. We also aim to identify the ligands for the two innate immunity receptors, IRp60, which is expressed by NK cells and neutrophils, and NKp30, an activating NK cell receptor that is of importance in the NK-DC crosstalk. The identification of these ligands would enhance our understanding of the interactions occurring between these different innate immunity cell types.