Lymphocytes are major cellular component of adaptive
immune system. Lymphocyte development, differentiation,
selection, and expansion occur throughout life. These
dynamic processes have to be tightly regulated in
order to generate and maintain the immune system;
otherwise lymphopenia, lymphoma, leukemia, or other
lymphoid diseases may occur. The basic-helix-loop-helix
(bHLH) proteins encoded by the E2A and HEB genes play
major roles in lymphocyte development. Mutations in
the E2A gene and aberrant expression of other related
bHLH genes are major genetic factors in human acute
lymphocytic leukemias. Our studies using animal models
showed that E2A and E2A related genes are not only
involved in leukemiogenesis but also autoimmune disorders.
The main focus of the lab is to understand gene regulation
mediated by these bHLH and related regulatory proteins
during normal and abnormal lymphocyte development.
Our long term goal is to gain better understanding
of the bHLH mediated molecular pathways underlying
lymphocyte development and to provide new therapeutic
strategies for lymphoid diseases such as leukemias
and autoimmune disorders
