Presentation Title
Role of Slam/SAP signaling pathway in the regulation of γ𝛿T cells in the skin and psoriasis progression
Abstract
γ𝛿T cells are a major lymphocyte population in the skin that acts as an important mediator of the skin immune response. The mechanisms that regulate γ𝛿T cell function are still unclear. Previous work in the Boyson lab suggests that a family of signaling receptors called SLAM family receptors (Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family Receptors) play an important role in regulating their functions. Preliminary data suggests that in the absence of SAP (Slam Associated Protein) there is a decrease in IL-17 producing Vγ4 in lung. This study focuses on the investigation of a possible link between the SLAM/SAP signaling pathway and γ𝛿 T cell function in the skin. We used multiparameter single-cell analysis to analyze the T cell population in the skin of SAP deficient mice and compared them to wild-type C57BL/6 mice. One experiment showed a decrease in the Slamf1-single-positive Vγ4 T cells, which are the major IL-17 producers in skin, while the other three experiments showed an increase in the frequency of the subset. Interestingly, the increase in Slamf1-single-positive Vγ4 lymphocytes was correlated with spontaneous dermatitis development, which occurred only in males. As IL-17 producing γ𝛿T cells have previously been demonstrated to be critical in the development and progression of psoriasis, we also investigated the differences in the disease progression between C57BL/6 and SAP knockout mice using an imiquimod model of psoriasis. All imiquimod-treated SAP knockout males experienced much more severe symptoms compared to the wild-type and were euthanized prior to the end of the experiment. Females showed no significant difference in symptoms or disease progression. Future experiments will be focused on eliminating other factors that could have contributed to the spontaneous dermatitis development or increased sensitivity to the imiquimod treatment, which includes age and cage-specific microbiota.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Jonathan Boyson
Graduate Student Mentors
Somen Mistri
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Program/Major
Biological Science
Primary Research Category
Biological Sciences
Role of Slam/SAP signaling pathway in the regulation of γ𝛿T cells in the skin and psoriasis progression
γ𝛿T cells are a major lymphocyte population in the skin that acts as an important mediator of the skin immune response. The mechanisms that regulate γ𝛿T cell function are still unclear. Previous work in the Boyson lab suggests that a family of signaling receptors called SLAM family receptors (Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family Receptors) play an important role in regulating their functions. Preliminary data suggests that in the absence of SAP (Slam Associated Protein) there is a decrease in IL-17 producing Vγ4 in lung. This study focuses on the investigation of a possible link between the SLAM/SAP signaling pathway and γ𝛿 T cell function in the skin. We used multiparameter single-cell analysis to analyze the T cell population in the skin of SAP deficient mice and compared them to wild-type C57BL/6 mice. One experiment showed a decrease in the Slamf1-single-positive Vγ4 T cells, which are the major IL-17 producers in skin, while the other three experiments showed an increase in the frequency of the subset. Interestingly, the increase in Slamf1-single-positive Vγ4 lymphocytes was correlated with spontaneous dermatitis development, which occurred only in males. As IL-17 producing γ𝛿T cells have previously been demonstrated to be critical in the development and progression of psoriasis, we also investigated the differences in the disease progression between C57BL/6 and SAP knockout mice using an imiquimod model of psoriasis. All imiquimod-treated SAP knockout males experienced much more severe symptoms compared to the wild-type and were euthanized prior to the end of the experiment. Females showed no significant difference in symptoms or disease progression. Future experiments will be focused on eliminating other factors that could have contributed to the spontaneous dermatitis development or increased sensitivity to the imiquimod treatment, which includes age and cage-specific microbiota.