Development of MHC Class II Tetramer for Detection of Influenza Specific TCR
Author
Doig, Cassandra AnnIssue Date
2015Advisor
Frelinger, Jeffrey
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The University of Arizona.Rights
Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.Abstract
T cells play a critical role in adaptive immunity by utilizing genetic recombination to produce diverse TCRs that strongly recognize specific antigens. The TCR recognizes peptides presented by APCs via the MHC class II molecules on their surface. The recognition of a specific peptide stimulates the CD4+ T cell to signal downstream processes, which result in the mounting of an antigen specific immune response. With age the available naïve CD8+ T cell pool declines, making the aged population more vulnerable to infections and less responsive to immunotherapies such as vaccines. We hypothesize there is a similar decline in CD4+ T cells, further reducing response to pathogens, such as influenza, with age. To identify CD4+ T cells specific for influenza we engineered an HLA-DR class II tetramer presenting influenza peptide. DR4 was chosen due to the frequency in the Caucasian population. The tetramer reagent will not only allow us to study the changes in the diversity of influenza specific CD4+ T cells, but will also be a valuable tool for the analysis of effector functions for a variety of adaptive immune cell populations in response to influenza virus.Type
textElectronic Thesis
Degree Name
B.S.H.S.Degree Level
bachelorsDegree Program
Honors CollegePhysiology