# Exploratory Study of T Cell Skin Trafficking and the Role of NKG2D Signaling; Implications in Vitiligo and Melanoma

> **NIH NIH R21** · H. LEE MOFFITT CANCER CTR & RES INST · 2023 · $407,770

## Abstract

Abstract
In the field of immunology, T cell migration is considered crucial for long-term host survival. However, the identity of the
players that participate and the mechanistic relationships in this complex network remain to be fully established, especially
in the context of vitiligo and melanoma. Our understanding of the T cell migratory properties and initiation ques may help
find clinically applicable treatments to vitiligo and melanoma. Based on novel preliminary data, we propose to study
NKG2D signaling as a contributor to T cell trafficking. The scientific premise of this study is derived from our work
demonstrating that lack of NKG2D reduces T cell tmigration and expression of CCR4. We hypothesize that NKG2D
controls CD8 T cell trafficking through a finely tuned DAP10PI3K/Grb2 signaling (as NKG2D cannot signal by itself instead
of using DAP10PI3K/Grb2 as signaling adaptor) that controls the expression of CCR4. This proposal will define the underlying
roles of NKG2D-DAP10PI3K and -DAP10Grb2 in CD8 T cell trafficking and the expression control of CCR4. Here we will
conduct experimental tests utilizing human and mouse models.
SA1. TO DETERMINE THE SIGNALING PATH FOR NKG2D-DAP10PI3K and/or -DAP10Grb2 THAT CONTROLS
CCR4 EXPRESSION.
SA2. TO DETERMINE THE SPECIFIC CONTRIBUTION OF NKG2D-DAP10PI3K and/or -DAP10Grb2
SIGNALING IN THE SKIN TRAFFIC OF CD8 T CELLS.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10608358
- **Project number:** 1R21AR081633-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** H. LEE MOFFITT CANCER CTR & RES INST
- **Principal Investigator:** Jose Alejandro Guevara-Patino
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $407,770
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-09-18 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10608358

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10608358, Exploratory Study of T Cell Skin Trafficking and the Role of NKG2D Signaling; Implications in Vitiligo and Melanoma (1R21AR081633-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10608358. Licensed CC0.

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