Area of research
Immunology · Dermatology
Research interest
Research topics from publications: Novel small molecule IL-6 inhibitor suppresses autoreactive Th17 development and promotes Treg development; Regulation of effector function of CNS autoreactive CD4 T cells through inhibitory receptors and IL-7Rα; Distinct roles for Blimp-1 in autoreactive CD4 T cells during priming and effector phase of autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Representative work: Summary Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the leading cause of non-traumatic neurological disability in the United States in young adults, but current treatments are only partially effective, making it necessary to develop new, innovative therapeutic strategies. Myelin-specific interleukin (IL)-17-producing T helper type 17 (Th17) cells are a major subset of CD4 T effector cells (Teff) that play a critical role in mediating the development and progression of MS and its mouse model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), while regulatory T cells (Treg) CD4 T cells are beneficial for suppressing disease. The IL-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT-3) signaling pathway BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic CNS autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation, demyelination, and neuronal degeneration, where myelin-specific CD4 T cells play critical roles in the formation of acute MS lesions and disease progression. The suppression of IL-7Rα expression and the upregulation of inhibitory receptors (PD-1, etc.) are essential parts of the cell-intrinsic immunosuppressive program regulating T effector functions to prevent autoimmunity. However, little is known on the factors regulating IL-7Rα/PD-1 balance in myelin-specific CD4 T effector/memory cells during the development of CNS autoimmunity. METHODS: We analyzed the roles of the transcription facto