LMCB - Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology
Research Associate, Acton Lab
v.martinez@ucl.ac.uk
Europe PMC | PubMed | ORCID
In Acton lab, we are very interested in leukocyte-stromal interactions with special focus in how this interplay condition performance of the lymph nodes (LN). LNs comprise interconnected crossroads of blood and lymphatic vessels that house relevant physiological events such as generation of the adaptive immune response and metastasis. For this, LNs are constantly exposed to extensive changes in mass to accommodate and assist influx and proliferation of leukocytes, including also angiogenesis of lymphatic and blood vessels. Nevertheless, how the specific signals driving expansion and remodeling of LNs are delivered to the stroma and how the stroma exerts and regulates this plasticity remains unexplored. My current project aims to prove the role of stromal-leukocyte interactions in the regulation of the LN extracellular matrix and how these changes condition the outcome and resolution of the immune response. Ultimately, lessons learnt from the LN will be implemented to address the importance of stromal-mediated changes in the extracellular matrix during cancer progression and metastasis.
Cancer Research UK
Cytoskeleton and cell cortez, Polarity and cell shape, Signalling pathways, Cell-cell interactions, Membrane trafficking, Extracellular matrix