The immune system is a complex interactive network of cells and molecules working together to maintain the homeostasis. It consists of two main lines of defence which can be distinguished by the specificity and speed of their reaction: the innate and adaptive immunity. The former is executed by myeloid cells and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). Moreover, it is quick and unspecific, while the adaptive immune response takes time to develop, and it requires T and B cells to work. Furthermore, unconventional T lymphocytes, such as Natural Killer T (NKT) cells and γδ T cells, are able connect the two types of immune responses. Recently, a novel unit of innate-like lymphocytes has been identified. It is comprising ILCs, αβ and γδ T cells in the liver, which display cytotoxic properties. We hypothesize that these cells share cytotoxic features and their location within a tissue-specific niche to cooperate as interconnected units and provide protection against potential threats. In this study, we characterize the cytotoxic unit of innate-like lymphocytes at different developmental stages in steady-state, as well as the factors which regulate their emergence and maintenance in tissue niches. By studying and analysing these cytotoxic units comprising several subsets of innate-like lymphocytes, it allows us to understand how to boost immune responses against infections and cancer, leading to new therapeutic options.
Il sistema immunitario è una complessa rete interattiva di cellule e molecole che lavorano insieme per mantenere l'omeostasi. Si compone di due linee principali di difesa che possono essere distinte per la specificità e la velocità della loro reazione: l'immunità innata e adattativa. Il primo viene eseguito da cellule mieloidi e cellule linfoidi innate (ILC). Inoltre, è rapido e non specifico, mentre la risposta immunitaria adattativa richiede tempo per svilupparsi e richiede i linfociti T e B per funzionare. Inoltre, i linfociti T non convenzionali, come le cellule Natural Killer T (NKT) e le cellule γδ T, sono in grado di collegare i due tipi di risposte immunitarie. Recentemente è stata identificata una nuova unità di linfociti innati. Comprende cellule LLC, αβ e γδ T nel fegato, che mostrano proprietà citotossiche. Ipotizziamo che queste cellule condividano caratteristiche citotossiche e la loro posizione all'interno di una nicchia specifica del tessuto per cooperare come unità interconnesse e fornire protezione contro potenziali minacce. In questo studio, caratterizziamo l'unità citotossica dei linfociti innati-simili alle fasi inerenti allo sviluppo differenti nello stato stazionario come pure i fattori che regolamentano la loro emergenza e manutenzione in nicchie del tessuto. Studiando e analizzando queste unità citotossiche che comprendono diversi sottoinsiemi di linfociti innati, ci permette di capire come aumentare le risposte immunitarie contro le infezioni e il cancro, portando a nuove opzioni terapeutiche.
Unità citotossiche di linfociti innati e cellule T innate come regolatori dell'immunità.
RALLO, ELISA
2022/2023
Abstract
The immune system is a complex interactive network of cells and molecules working together to maintain the homeostasis. It consists of two main lines of defence which can be distinguished by the specificity and speed of their reaction: the innate and adaptive immunity. The former is executed by myeloid cells and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). Moreover, it is quick and unspecific, while the adaptive immune response takes time to develop, and it requires T and B cells to work. Furthermore, unconventional T lymphocytes, such as Natural Killer T (NKT) cells and γδ T cells, are able connect the two types of immune responses. Recently, a novel unit of innate-like lymphocytes has been identified. It is comprising ILCs, αβ and γδ T cells in the liver, which display cytotoxic properties. We hypothesize that these cells share cytotoxic features and their location within a tissue-specific niche to cooperate as interconnected units and provide protection against potential threats. In this study, we characterize the cytotoxic unit of innate-like lymphocytes at different developmental stages in steady-state, as well as the factors which regulate their emergence and maintenance in tissue niches. By studying and analysing these cytotoxic units comprising several subsets of innate-like lymphocytes, it allows us to understand how to boost immune responses against infections and cancer, leading to new therapeutic options.È consentito all'utente scaricare e condividere i documenti disponibili a testo pieno in UNITESI UNIPV nel rispetto della licenza Creative Commons del tipo CC BY NC ND.
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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14239/17462