Natural killer cells (NK) are granular lymphocytes capable of producing inflammatory cytokines and killing malignant, infected or "stressed" cells. We recently observed a new role for NK cells in controlling the proliferation of CD4+ helper T cells under persistent antigen stimulation. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the control of alloreactive CD4+ T cells by NK cells could regulate the process of allograft rejection. Our project is divided into two specific aims: (1) Defining the mechanisms used by NK cells to control the expansion of alloantigen-specific CD4+ T cells and (2) Determining whether therapies stimulating the activity of NK cells can be used for the inhibition of alloreactive responses.

Principal investigator: Michel BRAUN (PhD)
PhD student: Magali NOVAL RIVAS, Kathleen WEATHERLY
Technical assistant: Florence GAUDRAY

Government of the Walloon Region
GSK Biologicals
The Fund for Scientific Research (F.R.S - FNRS) and the Télévie Programme