T_cell_exhaustion_RNAseq

The exhaustion of the T cells in cancer is a critical factor associated with the therapeutic response and development of the disease, due to the lack of functional activity. Currently, the success of some immunotherapies is based on the blockage of factors mediating exhaustion. Therefore, there is an increasing need of a model to study exhaustion driven by tumours, in vitro and in vivo. The aim of this project is to develop this model, with an induction of exhaustion in vitro, using T cells specific for an antigen that is present in tumour cells. Then, we will perform further comparisons with infiltrated lymphocytes in tumours growing In vivo expressing the same antigen. This model could potentially be used for testing drugs that inhibit or decrease the exhaustion state on T cells, facilitating the evaluation of the immune response from the T cells level to the outcome related to tumour growth and survival.