Aspects to T-cell phenotype during infection with HIV, CMV and Hepatitis C virus

Thesis

This work concerns itself with understanding the organisation of cellular immune responses to three major human pathogens - HIV, CMV and Hepatitis C (HCV). Each was studied to form three projects, each undertaken with a different approach - arrived at independently - and largely owing their origins to opportunity and circumstance as much as design. Each project led to exploration of a particular aspect of T-cell phenotype (that is the expression of particular molecular markers on T-cells) and its’ broader biological significance. I found that T-cell phenotype was strongly linked to the magnitude of T-cell responses (CMV) and the ability of T-cells to control infection (HIV). Finally I explored the significance of expression of a molecule known as CD161 on the surface of HCV specific CD8+ T-cells, indicating a phenotype of T-cell that may not follow the ‘normal rules’ applicable to T-cells in general.

Authors: Northfield, J

• Publication date: 2008
• DOI: 10.5287/ora-kqrvj4rvk
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: immunity; CMV; virus; T-cell; Hepatitis C; HIV
• Subjects: Cell Biology (see also Plant sciences); Infectious diseases; Microbiology; Biology and other natural sciences (mathematics); Biology; Immunology