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
