Albert Bendelac MD, PhD

We focused on NKT cells, a prominent population of innate-like lymphocytes in mouse and human. NKT cells recognize key inflammatory and microbial lipids to trigger a cellular network that activates innate immunity, promotes adaptive immune responses and influences their T helper phenotype. Our studies seek an understanding of the cellular and molecular determinants of NKT lineage development, of their lipid antigens and the CD1 family of lipid-presenting molecules, and of their role in multiple diseases including allergic inflammation, infection, autoimmunity and cancer. We are also investigating synthetic NKT ligands as a new class of adjuvants for B cell vaccines, particularly against polysaccharide antigens, and CTL vaccines, for example against cancer.