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Joonsoo Kang, Ph.D.Academic Role: Associate Professor
Faculty Appointment(s) In:
Other Affiliation(s):
Molecular and cellular mechanisms of T cell lineage commitment.
The central research aim in my laboratory is to decipher the molecular basis of T cell lineage commitment, an issue intimately linked to the nature of lineage fate decision processes in many other developmental systems. Understanding this process is central to solving how cancers of lymphocyte develop. Currently we are investigating how a common lineage-uncommitted T cell precursor (a T cell progenitor with limited “stemness”) gives rise to two distinct types of T cells: gamma delta and alpha beta; T cells. We have provided evidence for the existence of two lineage-biased precursor populations prior to the developmental stage at which T cell antigen receptors (TCRs) are expressed. These lineage-restricted precursor populations differentially express the receptor for interleukin-7 (IL-7), a critical growth and differentiation factor for T and B lymphocyte development. Significantly, IL-7R signaling specifically regulates TCRgamma locus chromatin architecture while IL-15 controls TCR gamma gene used predominantly by gut mucosal-specific gamma deltaT cells. We are identifying novel genes and genetic pathways important for T cell lineage commitment and IL-7/IL-15 receptor signaling by comparing global gene expression patterns in related but distinct developmental subpopulations by genome-wide gene expression analysis using high-density oligonucleotide microarrays. We are investigating functions of some of these genes in transgenic and/or knock-out (KO) animal model system. Our goal is to systematically identify molecular pathways dictating alpha beta versus gamma delta T cell versus other lymphocyte lineage differentiation from a common thymic precursor cell and how they are modified by extrinsic cues such as cytokines.
Office: S3-137
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55 Lake Avenue North Worcester, MA 01605