MRC PhD students
 Project title: Signalling and regulatory effects of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor
p55 (TNFRp55) in experimental model of murine tuberculosis infection
The aim of the project is to characterize the role/s played by membrane specific and soluble TNFRp55 in the host’s immune responses against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
The control of TNF concentrations and bioactivity in vivo is crucial due to its pleiotropic nature and its influence on the host response during tuberculosis. Although TNF has been shown to be important in controlling mycobacterial infections, excessive amounts lead to induction pathology and tissue necrosis (Bekker et al. 2000) and may clinically promote disease. Hence, selective control of TNF signalling that reduces tuberculosis associated pathology but induces an effective immune response may have significant impact on the outcome of disease.
The Experimental Tuberculosis and Immunology Research Group
Division of Immunology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine
Health Sciences Faculty, University of Cape Town
The main research focus of the group is to understand host immune function subsequent to challenge by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Areas of research include the following themes:
- investigating the role of Tumor Necrosis Factor signaling in protective immune responses,
- understanding pattern recognition receptor signaling in host immunity and
- investigating anti-mycobacterial properties of indigenous South African plants used in traditional medicine. The group is currently in collaboration with TB REACT, a European Union funded project in which the CNRS (France), Alexander Flemming (Greece), DRFZ (Germany), CMU (Switzerland) and UCT (SA) are participants of the FP6 program, and also part of the NIH funded program which include UWC (SA), UCT (SA), UKZN (SA), U. of Missourri (USA), Missourri Botanical Gardens, U. of Georgetown (USA), MRC (SA) and U. of Texas
Principle Investigator: Dr Muazzum Jacobs of the Experimental Tuberculosis and Immunology Research Group
Division of Immunology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine
Health Sciences Faculty, University of Cape Town |
