Back to search

POS-ERC-Støtte til ERC søkere som oppnår god evaluering

Adaptive immunity without MHC-II and CD4+ T cells – understanding the intriguing immune system in cod (gadus morhua) (CODimmune)

Awarded: NOK 0.50 mill.

CD4+ T cells are key players of adaptive immunity. In humans, loss of CD4+ T cells, such as during HIV infection, is a life-threatening condition. Nevertheless, Atlantic cod, an ecologically and economically important teleost species, completely lacks CD4+ T cells and the associated antigen-presenting molecules encoded by the MHC-II genes. However, studies show that cod is able to mount specific immune protection after vaccination. As an immunologist studying CD4+ T cells, I am intrigued by how cod combats infection without an essential adaptive immune pathway. I will use my expertise in single-cell receptor sequencing and single-cell RNA-seq, to generate essential and fundamental knowledge of the cod adaptive immune system. • In AIM 1, we will generate cod-specific antibodies in order to develop better toolbox for studying cod. • In AIM 2, we will identify key cell subsets, genes and pathways that are involved in specific cod immune response. We will use single-cell RNA-seq to follow in vivo immune responses to immunisation, booster-immunisation and infectious bacterial challenge. • In AIM 3, we will sequence cod immune receptors at the population and single-cell level. We will map repertoire diversity, specificity and responses to immune challenges. Our data will uncover mechanisms of antibody diversification in cod. Based on TCR specificity mapping, we will generate pMHC tetramer reagents. • In AIM 4, we will establish a CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system in cod in vivo, to test hypotheses generated in the immunisation and challenge studies. This will delineate the relative role of cytotoxic T cells, B cells and antibodies in specific immune responses. Overall, we will bring new insight into the field of comparative and developmental immunology, and uncover novel adaptive immune solutions useful for cod aquaculture. Discoveries made in this unique immunological system may likely generate novel insights into other vertebrate immune systems, including humans.

Publications from Cristin

No publications found

No publications found

No publications found

No publications found

Funding scheme:

POS-ERC-Støtte til ERC søkere som oppnår god evaluering

Funding Sources