Investigating the mechanism of cytotoxic lymphocyte resistance to perforin

Abstract

Cytotoxic lymphocytes are highly efficient killer cells of the immune system. They destroy cognate target cells by secreting highly toxic effector molecules, the pore-forming protein perforin and pro-apoptotic serine proteases granzymes, into the confines of the immune synapse. Despite both the lymphocyte and target cell plasma membrane being equally exposed to the perforin and granzymes, the lymphocytes invariably survive that encounter as they remain resistant to perforin pores. This project investigates the mechanisms behind this unique phenomenon.