Details
- Deadline
- Research Field
- Formal sciences
- Funding Type
- Funding
- Career Stage
- First Stage Researcher (R1) (Up to the point of PhD)
About
Keywords
iNKT cells, thyroid hormones, immune response, development
Profile and skills required
The candidate must have a strong background in Biology, especially in Immunology. In addition, the candidate must have skills in flow cytometry and cell culture.
The project requires animal experimentation, so the applicant must consent to this type of manipulation.
Candidates must be autonomous, and able to format and present their results clearly and rigorously. A solid ability to speak English will be particularly appreciated.
The project requires animal experimentation, so the applicant must consent to this type of manipulation.
Candidates must be autonomous, and able to format and present their results clearly and rigorously. A solid ability to speak English will be particularly appreciated.
Project description
Thyroid hormones, primarily triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), are produced by the thyroid gland and are involved in regulating various physiological processes in the body, including metabolism, growth, and development. Moreover, these hormones have been recently shown to participate in the regulation of the immune system. This can be explained by the expression of nuclear receptors (specific of various hormones including T3/T4) by various families of immune cells. For instance, T3 and T4 are implicated in the development and functions of immune cells, such as T cells, NK cells and dendritic cells.
Invariant Natural Killer T cells (iNKT) represent a population of innate T lymphocytes presenting hybrid features of innate and adaptive lymphocytes. These cells derive from the thymus in which they acquire a functional program prior establishing residency in non-lymphoid tissues, prominently in liver and at barrier sites including lungs. Thus, iNKT cells occupy a unique niche in the immune system by initiating and orchestrating the host responses in many pathological settings through the prompt secretion of various soluble mediators (cytokines/chemokines/cytolytic mediators). Based on the abundant literature in preclinical settings, they are also currently highly regarded as attractive targets for the development of innovative cell-based immunotherapies especially in cancer as well as for their adjuvant-like properties in vaccination.
Thus, this PhD project aims at 1) evaluating the implication of thyroid hormones on the functional development of iNKT cells in the thymus, 2) assessing the influence of thyroid hormones on iNKT cell functions during lung infections and 3) characterizing iNKT cell phenotype and functions in patients with hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
Invariant Natural Killer T cells (iNKT) represent a population of innate T lymphocytes presenting hybrid features of innate and adaptive lymphocytes. These cells derive from the thymus in which they acquire a functional program prior establishing residency in non-lymphoid tissues, prominently in liver and at barrier sites including lungs. Thus, iNKT cells occupy a unique niche in the immune system by initiating and orchestrating the host responses in many pathological settings through the prompt secretion of various soluble mediators (cytokines/chemokines/cytolytic mediators). Based on the abundant literature in preclinical settings, they are also currently highly regarded as attractive targets for the development of innovative cell-based immunotherapies especially in cancer as well as for their adjuvant-like properties in vaccination.
Thus, this PhD project aims at 1) evaluating the implication of thyroid hormones on the functional development of iNKT cells in the thymus, 2) assessing the influence of thyroid hormones on iNKT cell functions during lung infections and 3) characterizing iNKT cell phenotype and functions in patients with hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
References
1. Bendelac, A., Savage, P.B., Teyton, L. 2007. The biology of NKT cells. Annu. Rev. Immunol. 25, 297–336. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.immunol.25.022106.141711
2. Cerundolo, V., Salio, M. 2007. Harnessing NKT cells for therapeutic applications. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol. 314:325-40. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-69511
3. Baranek, T., Lebrigand, K., de Amat Herbozo, C., Gonzalez, L., Bogard, G., Dietrich, C., Magnone, V., Boisseau, C., Jouan, Y., Trottein, F., Si-Tahar, M., Leite-de-Moraes, M., Mallevaey, T., Paget, C. 2020. High Dimensional Single-Cell Analysis Reveals iNKT Cell Developmental Trajectories and Effector Fate Decision. Cell Rep. 2020 Sep 8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108116
4. Brent, GA. 2012. Mechanisms of thyroid hormone action. J Clin Invest. Sep;122(9):3035-43. https://doi.org/ 10.1172/JCI60047
5. Rubingh, J., van der Spek, A, Fliers, E, Boelen A. 2020.The Role of Thyroid Hormone in the Innate and Adaptive Immune Response during Infection. 2020. Compr Physiol. Sep 24;10(4):1277-1287. https://doi.org/ 10.1002/cphy.c200003
2. Cerundolo, V., Salio, M. 2007. Harnessing NKT cells for therapeutic applications. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol. 314:325-40. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-69511
3. Baranek, T., Lebrigand, K., de Amat Herbozo, C., Gonzalez, L., Bogard, G., Dietrich, C., Magnone, V., Boisseau, C., Jouan, Y., Trottein, F., Si-Tahar, M., Leite-de-Moraes, M., Mallevaey, T., Paget, C. 2020. High Dimensional Single-Cell Analysis Reveals iNKT Cell Developmental Trajectories and Effector Fate Decision. Cell Rep. 2020 Sep 8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108116
4. Brent, GA. 2012. Mechanisms of thyroid hormone action. J Clin Invest. Sep;122(9):3035-43. https://doi.org/ 10.1172/JCI60047
5. Rubingh, J., van der Spek, A, Fliers, E, Boelen A. 2020.The Role of Thyroid Hormone in the Innate and Adaptive Immune Response during Infection. 2020. Compr Physiol. Sep 24;10(4):1277-1287. https://doi.org/ 10.1002/cphy.c200003
PhD application space
Organisation
- Organisation name
- University of Tours
- Organisation Country
- More Information
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