The regulation of tissue resident lymphocytes by retinoic acid and HIC1

This thesis addresses the role for vitamin A in regulating newly discovered immune cells that uniquely reside long-term in tissues of the body. A role for vitamin A in immune function has been long appreciated, however the mechanisms that regulate tissue-resident immune cells remain poorly understood. This thesis shows that vitamin A has an important role in regulating such cells in mice, predominantly via the activation of HIC1, a protein that controls gene expression. Furthering the understanding of these cells will inform future therapeutic approaches aimed at modulating immune responses in a localised manner.