Wolkers M.C.: T cell effector function

We study how T cells responses are regulated to rapidly produce effector molecules, and at the same time preserving us aberrant production of these toxic molecules that would lead to immunopathology. We found that the pro-inflammatory cytokine Interferon gamma is strictly regulated through post-transcriptional events. While mRNA expression is maintained in memory T cells, the protein production is blocked unless T cells get reactivated. We recently found that this regulatory process also plays a critical role in the response to tumors and to infections. We observed that non-functional T cells are blocked to produce cytokines even though cytokine mRNA is prevalent. We are currently investigating the mechanisms that regulate these processes and explore whether post-transcriptional regulation can be altered to regain T cell responses against chronic infections, and against tumors.