ftakei@bccrc.ca

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Research Interests:

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Our research is concerned with lymphocyte surface molecules that play important roles in the immune system.

We currently study two groups of molecules. The first group of molecules is the Ly-49 family of natural killer (NK) cell receptors. NK cells are capable of killing a wide range of tumor cells and virus-infected cells, but spare normal cells. The precise mechanisms by which NK cells distinguish tumor cells from normal cells and kill the former are still unknown. Recent studies have shown that the Ly-49 family of receptors on NK cells interact with the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules on target cells and inhibit NK cell cytotoxicity, providing protection of normal cells expressing MHC molecules from NK cells.

Through gene cloning studies, we have demonstrated that Ly-49 is encoded by a highly polymorphic gene complex. We have also determined the ligand binding specificities and functions of some of the Ly-49 family members. We are currently investigating the molecular interaction between Ly-49 and MHC, and will further determine the role of Ly-49 in NK cell functions. These studies will help us understand how NK cells kill tumor cells but not normal cells.

The second group of molecules of our interest are cell adhesion molecules ICAMs and LFA-1. These molecules are expressed on the surface of lymphocytes and other cell types. They interact with each other and mediate direct cell-cell binding. These cell adhesion molecules are directly involved in the migration of lymphoid cells into inflamed tissues. They also mediate appropriate cellular interactions that are required for the activation of resting lymphocytes as well as effector functions of activated lymphocytes. The expression and functions of these cell adhesion molecules are strictly regulated, allowing lymphocytes to adhere to other cells only when it is needed.

Our goal is to elucidate the mechanisms that regulate the functions of these molecules. By introducing modified cDNA encoding these adhesion molecules into target cells, as well as by generating recombinant adhesion molecules, we are identifying genes and proteins involved in the regulation of these molecules. Our understanding of the regulation of these cell adhesion molecules will have important implications to the treatment of various immunological and inflammatory diseases.

See Also:

• BCCRC