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Immunity and Infection Miguel López-Botet

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Characterization of NK cell receptors and their involvement in the response to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV).

Miguel López-Botet

HCMV is a highly prevalent and persistent herpesvirus which causes severe congenital neurological disorders and represents an important threat for patients with immunodeficiencies or undergoing immunosuppressive therapies. In 2004, the team reported the first evidence indicating that HCMV infection promotes to a variable extent the development of stable changes in the NK cell compartment, with features reminiscent of cytolytic T lymphocyte development. Our research is currently oriented to:

1. Identifying the mechanisms which drive this adaptive NK cell response pattern against the viral infection.
2. Exploring the role of adaptive NK cells in the control of HCMV, as well as their potential implications in other infections, tumors and chronic inflammatory disorders.

Different approaches are carried out at the experimental level and in collaboration with clinical teams, particularly the renal transplantation program developed by the Nephrology Dpt. at Hospital del Mar.