Unravelling underrepresented immune cell complexity in MS

Summary

The immune system is finely balanced to allow for strong immune responses against foreign antigens (e.g. viruses) but controlled so that self-antigens do not trigger an immune response. In MS, the immune system is dysregulated, leading to immune attacks on self-antigens in the brain and spinal cord. Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are found on certain immune cells and help control immune responses. However, the KIR family is highly complex and variable among individuals making it challenging to study using traditional methods.

This project will investigate KIR expression from multiple levels, including which genes are present in an individual, when those genes are expressed and what cell types express them. It will compare this between people living with MS and people living without MS to understand the differences in the KIR repertoire in MS.

To date, the available technology has limited the study of KIRs, but recent advances in the understanding of the complexity of KIR and the development of innovative approaches will allow Dr Kaskow and her team to comprehensively characterise KIR expression and elucidate of the role of KIR in MS. Understanding how KIR impacts the balance of the immune system in MS will lead to better, more targeted immunotherapies for MS in the future.