Description:

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Departmental Seminar Series presents:

Deyu Fang, PhD
Hosmer Allen Johnson Professor, Pathology
Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine

Autoimmune T cells in the peripheral lymphoid organs are tolerized upon recognition of self-antigens by their T cell receptors (TCRs), which is crucial to protect humans from autoimmune diseases. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remain as an immunological mystery for decades. We have discovered that the autoantigen-induced expression of Sirt1, a transcription suppressor, plays an important role to maintain T cell peripheral tolerance. Similar to a vehicle that can be slowed down by either tightening a brake or shutting off the gas, we posit that, in addition to upregulating suppressive genes such as Sirt1, tolerogenic signaling may downregulate certain activators of T cells to induce/maintain peripheral tolerance, which lead to our discovery of Hrd1 down regulation as another mechanism in T cell tolerance induction. This talk will highlight our efforts in studying T cell peripheral tolerance as well as how to combat autoimmune diseases or to enhance antitumor immunity through manipulation of T cell tolerance.