COBRE PROJECT 2

Title:

NK Cell Activating Receptors on Effector Cells in Myeloma Patients Receiving Transplant

Project Leader:

Kenneth R. Meehan, MD

Mentors:

Michael Fanger, Ph.D.
James D. Gorham, M.D. Ph.D.
Paul Guyre, Ph.D.

Specific Aims
Aim 1: To identify and to elucidate the function and cytotoxicity of immune mobilized effector cells expressing NK cell activating receptors, especially NKG2D.

Aim 2: To define the kinetics of the in vivo "recovering" CD8+ effector cell populations and their corresponding expression of NK activating receptors following transplantation with immune mobilized cells. In addition, to elucidate the function and killing mechanisms used by the "recovering" CD8+ effector cell populations expressing NK activating receptors.

Aim 3: To establish the time to engraftment and toxicity of myeloma patients following transplantation using immune mobilized cells.