Role of secreted phospholipase A2 in the activation of human CD1-restricted T cells

NARRATIVE Inflammation is central to many chronic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, atherosclerosis and inflammatory skin disease. Increased levels of secreted phospholipase A2 are observed in these conditions, resulting in cleavage of membrane phospholipids into lysophospholipids and fatty acids. In this proposal, we investigate the recognition of these phospholipid breakdown products by T cells, which will open up avenues of investigation into the functions of lipid-specific T cells in the context of inflammation.