PD-L1 Signaling in Phagosomes

Host defense against microbial infection and pathology relies on immune responses that are activated by host receptors that recognize diverse microbial components and opsonins. Over the last 20 years remarkable progress has been made in developing this principle, and the body of literature documenting how receptors such as Toll-like receptors and C-type lectin receptors function is a testament to this progress. In this project, we are investigating how the process of phagocytosis by cells such as macrophages is a mechanism of innate sensing. Specifically, we have recently found that degradation of yeast in macrophage phagosomes reveals novel ligands for receptors including PD-L1. In this project, we will explore how this binding occurs and the identities of the ligand or ligands that are recognized.