posted on 2019-09-17, 03:12authored byLOUISA YEUNG
Migration of immune cells around the body is critical for effective immune and inflammatory responses. Tetraspanins are molecules on the surface of immune cells that contribute to immune cell function. In this thesis, we examined the role of one tetraspanin, CD53, in immune cell migration. We found that CD53 is particularly important in enabling immune cells to migrate out of blood vessels. The absence of CD53 resulted in delayed inflammation, but did not impact on system-wide autoimmunity. This thesis provides new information on the function of CD53 in development of the inflammatory response.