Lipid antigens and CD1-reactive T cell discovery

Most T-cell immunology has focussed on recognition of gene products, but recent work shows that CD1 antigen presenting molecules, lipid antigens and CD1-reactive T-cells are abundant in human tissues and functionally associated with disease. As CD1 proteins are virtually monomorphic, solving the underlying rules and mechanisms provides biological and therapeutic implications for diverse populations. We comprise an interdisciplinary and highly collaborative team with the skills and expertise to enable advancement of the broader field to support any disease-focused investigator in study of lipid antigens. Through use of a novel lipidomic platform, lipid chemistry, structural biology and functional immunology in vitro and in vivo, we aim to define the nature and modes of lipid antigen presentation to T-cells in health and disease. We will provide the first open portals for CD1 antigen prediction and CD1-reactive T- cell receptors. Furthermore, the discovery of agonist and antagonist lipids will be progressed along the translational pathway towards therapeutic implementation.