Our group is interested in studying the recognition of CD1d by iNKT lymphocytes from a molecular and structural point of view in order to understand and manipulate the essential function of these lymphocytes in the regulation of the immune response, with especial focus in immune tumor surveillance.
CD1d presents glycolipids that are recognized by iNKT cells, inducing the production of cytokines and the activation of effector cells, depending on the structural characteristics of the antigen, thus determining the development of the immune response. Different glycolipids and molecular analogs recognized by iNKT cells, modify, modulate and regulate their function and the subsequent activation of the immune response and may be used as immunotherapeutic reagents with anti-tumor, adjuvant or immune-modulator capabilities with application to cancer, microbial infections or autoimmune diseases. We are currently performing preclinical animal studies analyzing several synthetic analogs that induce potent anti-tumor immune responses able to control metastases establishment and tumor growth in different tumor models in order to dissect their mechanism of action and asses their therapeutic possibilities.
