Deciphering the immunosuppressive functions of viral glycoproteins

Embedded in the surface of a virus, are different types of proteins that the virus uses to enter a host cell. These so-called viral glycoproteins are pivotal targets of the host antibody response to fight a viral infection. In recent decades, it has become clear that certain viral glycoproteins have evolved clever ways to suppress the immune activators on the host cell. Certain regions on viral glycoproteins directly contribute to immune evasion by misdirecting antibody responses, affecting intracellular signaling and hampering cytokine production. However, the molecular mechanisms that underlie these immunomodulatory functions of viral glycoproteins at initial stages of infection remain elusive. During his 9-month project, Bart will seek to elucidate how immunosuppressive motifs on viral fusogens from Ebola, HIV-1 and other retroviruses, are able to modulate immune activators present on the cell surface. Bart will focus on identifying the targeted immune cell populations and cell surface receptors that participate in immune suppression via binding to ISRs using flow cytometry, immunological assays to measure cytokine expression profiles and pulldown-MS work to decipher protein-protein interactions.

Faculty Supervisor:

Jeffrey E. Lee

Student:

Partner:

Leiden University

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Toronto

Program: