 |
Yufang Shi
Professor
UMDNJ-RWJMS
Molecular Genetics. Microbiology
& Immunology
675 Hoes Lane
Piscataway. New Jersey. 08854
(732) 235-4501
FAX - 5223
shiyu@umdnj.edu |
Apoptosis
in lymphocytes. immune regulation. psychoneuroimmunology. and
bone-lymphocyte connection
Our group is interested in the
mechanisms regulating the immune system. with particular emphasis on the
role of apoptosis. With a model system. using a T-cell hybridoma. we
established activation-induced cell death (AICD) and found that AICD is
dependent on protooncogene. c-myc. Our recent studies have demonstrated
that c-myc is involved in the induction of FasL. through the activity of
cdc25A in a cell-cycle-dependent manner. Although Fas is also induced by
activation. its expression does not require c-myc; instead it requires
translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) via activation of the TDAG51 gene.
Since the expression and subsequent interaction of Fas and FasL are
absolutely required for AICD. the determination of the molecular
mechanisms of c-myc-mediated FasL expression and PKC-mediated Fas
expression will lead to a fundamental understanding of the regulation of
the immune system. In addition. we have recently shown that activation
through TCR in these cells also leads to the expression of other members
of the TNF family including RANKL. OX40L. Light. and TRAIL. providing us
with a unique opportunity to ask how multiple members of the TNF family
contibuting to the regulation of the immune system. We found that the
expression of these genes is controlled by distinct molecular mechanisms
with distinct kinetics. One of our recent findings is the differential
regulation of the expression of FasL and TRAIL during Th1 and Th2
differentiation and have revealed the importance of apoptosis in this
process. In addtion. we also found that Fas and FasL play a critical role
in stress- and opioid-meidated immune response. These studies will shed
new light on the understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which the
immune system is regulated through apoptosis. Since the expression of TNF
family molecules has been implicated in autoimmunity. allergy. arhtritis. tumor immunity. and the communication of immune system with skeletal and
neurol systems. the elucidation of the mechanisms regulating the
expression of these molecules will enable better management and prognosis
of diseases such as AIDS. cancer. allergy. and arthritis.
|
