The induction of sterilizing T-cell responses to tumors is a major goal in the development of T-cell vaccines for treating cancer. Although specific components of anti-viral CD8+ immunity are well characterized, we still lack the ability to mimic viral CD8+ T-cell responses in therapeutic settings for treating cancers. Infection with the picornavirus Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TM...

Linker for activation of T cells (LAT) is a transmembrane adaptor protein that links TCR engagement to downstream signaling events. Although it is clear that LAT is essential in thymocyte development and initiation of T cell activation, its function during T cell expansion, contraction, and memory formation remains unknown. To study the role of TCR-mediated signaling in CD8 T cells during the c...

OBJECTIVE To investigate T cell and antibody immunity to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS Immunoglobulin G (IgG) immunity to EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) and viral capsid antigen was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays, and T cell immunity was assessed using enzyme linked immunospot assays to measure the frequency of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (...

It is known that TNF-alpha (TNF) exerts distinct tissue-protective or -destructive effects in the pathogenesis of T cell-dependent immunopathology, depending on the context and amount of cytokine produced. To better understand the cellular mechanisms underlying the regulation of T cells by TNF, we have analyzed the role of TNF in regulating various facets of the antigen-specific CD8 T cell resp...

Abstract Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular parasite, is estimated to chronically infect >25% of the world-wide human population. While generally kept in check by host immune system, reactivation infection can occur when individuals become immunocompromised, particularly with T cell deficiencies. Both CD4+ and CD8+ cells play significant roles controlling this parasite. The transcriptio...

Abstract CD73 is ubiquitously expressed and regulates critical functions across multiple organ systems. The combination of CD39 degrade ATP to adenosine that shifts ATP-driven pro-inflammatory immune cell activity toward an anti-inflammatory state. This immunological switch a major mechanism for Tregs control inflammation. In the Foxp3 +Treg deficient scurfy (SF) mouse, mouse model human IPEX s...

TNF is an important inflammatory mediator and a target for intervention. TNF is produced by many cell types and is involved in innate inflammation as well as adaptive immune responses. CD8 T cells produce TNF and can also respond to TNF. Deficiency of TNF or TNFR2 has been shown to affect anti-viral immunity. However, as the complete knockout of TNF or its receptors has effects on multiple cell...