Qing Yu, MD, Ph.D

 Research Interests

 We are interested in understanding T cell-associated immunological mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of several autoimmune and inflammatory diseases that primarily affect the oral cavity and digestive system, in order to develop effective and targeted therapeutic approaches for these diseases. One of our particular interests is T cell-related immunopathogenesis of Sjӧgren’s syndrome. Sjӧgren’s syndrome (SjS) is a systemic autoimmune disease that affects 2-4 million people in the U.S. and many more around the world. It is characterized by chronic inflammation and dysfunction of exocrine glands, which result in xerostomia (dry mouth) and keratoconjunctivitis (dry eyes). Furthermore, SjS also causes systemic inflammation and sometimes the development of B-cell lymphoma, thus severly compromising the physical and mental health of the patients. T cells and T cell-derived cytokines are key mediators or regulators of the complex autoimmune processes that lead to the onset of SjS.  By using a mouse model of primary SjS that closely resembles the human disease, we will investigate the regulation and function of T cells and T cell-associated cytokines in SjS pathogenesis, and develop strategies that target these immunological players to ameliorate this disease.  In addition to SjS, we are also interested in the regulation and role of T cells and T cell-associated cytokines in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease and periodontal disease. Our research will facilitate the development of effective novel therapies to treat these high-impact diseases.

Selected Publications

Yu Q, Sharma A, Ghosh A, Sen JM. 2011. T cell factor-1 negatively regulates expression of IL-17 family of cytokines and protects mice from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.  J. Immunol. 186(7): 3946-3952. 

Yu Q, Sharma A, Oh SY, Moon HG, Hossain MZ, Salay TM, Leeds KE, Du H, Wu B, Waterman ML, Zhu Z, Sen JM. T cell factor 1 initiates the T helper type 2 fate by inducing the transcription factor GATA-3 and repressing interferon-gamma. Nat Immunol. 2009 Sep;10(9):992-9.

Yu Q, Quinn WJ 3rd, Salay T, Crowley JE, Cancro MP, Sen JM. Role of beta-catenin in B cell development and function. J Immunol. 2008 Sep 15;181(6):3777-83.

Hossain MZ, Yu Q, Xu M, Sen JM. ICAT expression disrupts beta-catenin-TCF interactions and impairs survival of thymocytes and activated mature T cells. Int Immunol. 2008 Jul;20(7):925-35. Epub 2008 May 28.

Xu M, Yu Q, Subrahmanyam R, Difilippantonio MJ, Ried T, Sen JM. Beta-catenin expression results in p53-independent DNA damage and oncogene-induced senescence in prelymphomagenic thymocytes in vivo. Mol Cell Biol. 2008 Mar;28(5):1713-23.

Yu Q, Xu M, Sen JM. Beta-catenin expression enhances IL-7 receptor signaling in thymocytes during positive selection. J Immunol. 2007 Jul 1;179(1):126-31. 

Yu Q, Sen JM. Beta-catenin regulates positive selection of thymocytes but not lineage commitment. J Immunol. 2007 Apr 15;178(8):5028-34.

Yu Q, Park JH, Doan LL, Erman B, Feigenbaum L, Singer A. Cytokine signal transduction is suppressed in preselection double-positive thymocytes and restored by positive selection. J Exp Med. 2006 Jan 23;203(1):165-75. Epub 2006 Jan 3.

Yu Q, Erman B, Park JH, Feigenbaum L, Singer A. IL-7 receptor signals inhibit expression of transcription factors TCF-1, LEF-1, and RORgammat: impact on thymocyte development. J Exp Med. 2004 Sep 20;200(6):797-803. Epub 2004 Sep 13.

Park JH, Yu Q, Erman B, Appelbaum JS, Montoya-Durango D, Grimes HL, Singer A.Suppression of IL7Ralpha transcription by IL-7 and other prosurvival cytokines: a novel mechanism for maximizing IL-7-dependent T cell survival. Immunity. 2004 Aug;21(2):289-302.

Yu Q, Erman B, Bhandoola A, Sharrow SO, Singer A. In vitro evidence that cytokine receptor signals are required for differentiation of double positive thymocytes into functionally mature CD8+ T cells. J Exp Med. 2003 Feb 17;197(4):475-87.

Staff

Postdoctoral Fellows

Jun-O Jin