Description:

Department of Microbiology-Immunology Seminar Series

"Although significant effort has been devoted to understanding the thymic development of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), the precise signaling pathways that govern their lineage commitment remain enigmatic. Our work has shown a novel role for the actin cytoskeletal remodeling protein, p21-activated kinase 2 (Pak2), in Treg development, homeostasis and function. We have reported that Pak2 was necessary for generating the high-affinity TCR- and IL-2–mediated signals that are required by developing Tregs for their lineage commitment. Furthermore, deletion of Pak2 in Tregs specifically resulted in a loss of the characteristic Treg phenotype and the onset of a lethal multi-organ autoimmune phenotype, suggestive of a loss in Treg function. Our findings are the first to link Pak2 as an essential regulator of Treg biology."

Kyle O'Hagan

Northwestern University Driskill Graduate Program

Host: Dr. Hyewon Phee