Fei Fang Shih, M.D., Ph.D.

RESEARCH INTEREST

Basic Science: FoxP3 regulatory T cells (TR) are a specialized subset of CD4+ T helper cells that suppresses the reactivity of other lymphocytes. They are critical for controlling autoimmunity. Lack of TR results in systemic inflammation in multiple organs, including the colon. We are interested in various aspects of TR selection and function.

1. Using mice that express a FoxP3 as a chimeric protein with green fluorescence protein (GFP), TRs are easily identified. We will analyze their selection in the thymus in response to different doses of self-peptide in different immune settings.

2. We will compare how TR are activated antigenic stimuli in comparison to a conventional CD4+ T cell.

3. We have developed a colitis model where the mice are deficient in TR and we will add back TR with targeted defects to determine the role of cytokines and trafficking markers in controlling colitis.

4. Mice that lack TR developed multiple autoantibodies (e.g. to RBC and GAG) resembling systemic lupus erythematosus. We are in the process of evaluating the specificities of these autoantibodies.

Clinical translation: We are extending our study of autoantibodies in mice to include patients with arthritis and lupus to identify novel targets in autoimmune diseases.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS