Thesis
Implications of PSGL-1 expression in dendritic cells and their role in CD8⁺ T cell activation
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Nov 2024
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00010832
Abstract
P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL-1) is a cell adhesion molecule expressed by most immune cells, and is known to be involved in immune cell regulation. In the context of chronic activation, PSGL-1 has also been shown to drive T cell exhaustion. Dendritic cells, professional antigen-presenting cells and key initiators of adaptive immunity, play a critical role in shaping anti-tumor responses by activating T cells. However, the potential impact of PSGL-1 on these cells remains largely unexplored, despite the well-established importance of antigen-presenting cell-T cell interactions in facilitating a complete immune response. Given that PSGL-1 drives dendritic cells towards a tolerogenic state, we hypothesized that its expression or signaling in dendritic cells may attenuate CD8⁺ T cell activation. Using a PSGL-1^(-/-) mouse model, we analyzed the maturation and subset differentiation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells under various maturation stimuli and timepoints. Furthermore, we utilized an in vitro co-culture model to investigate whether the absence of PSGL-1 influenced the ability of dendritic cells to activate CD8⁺ T cells. Our results suggested that PSGL-1 expression or signaling does not influence the isolated interactions between dendritic cells and CD8⁺ T cells. These findings highlight the need for further investigation into clarifying the role of PSGL-1 in dendritic cells, and how this role broadly impacts the anti-tumor immune response.
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Details
- Title
- Implications of PSGL-1 expression in dendritic cells and their role in CD8⁺ T cell activation
- Creators
- Katherine Rose Hausman
- Contributors
- Jennifer L. Hope (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- vii, 100 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; College of Medicine; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991022019018904721