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1615 Poydras Street - Suite 1000
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 Qian-Jin Zhang, PhD
Louisiana State University Health Sciences – Shreveport Areas of Research: Cancer Immunotherapy Our laboratory is studying the mechanisms that govern the interaction of tumor cells with T cell-based system. Particularly, we are trying to enhance T cell-based immunity in the induction of effector phases of immune response. In the induction phase, we are focusing on genetic engineering of dendritic cells to increase specificity and capacity for cross-presentation of tumor antigens. In the effector phase, we are focusing on genetic engineering of the immunogenic and non-immunogenic tumor cells to present tumor specific antigens. We are trying to understand if genetic modified dendritic cells and/or tumor cells can generate a specific antitumor immune response without risk of autoimmunity. Finally, we want to develop new strategies that are suitable for therapeutic approaches. Establishment of an efficient anti-tumor immunotherapy requires a strong and specific T cell-based immune response against tumors. Generally, this associates with the following factors: A) generation and proliferation of tumor-specific T cells; B) augmentation of the tumor’s antigenicity and immunogencity; and C) reduction of auto-immunity. The difficulty of handling these factors in current tumor immunotherapy is due to the nature of the tumor antigens and the tumor itself. Self-proteins(s)-derived tumor antigens are either unable to induce an efficient immune response or generate an immune response accompanied with auto-immunity. In addition, defects of expression of the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) and the transport of antigen processing (TAP) proteins heterodimers often occur in tumors, leading then to prevent the presentation of tumor antigen(s), thereby the avoidance of T cell recognition. We hypothesize that TAP1 transports the peptide profile differing from that provided by TAP1 and TAP2 heterodimers and thus the TAP1-expressing tumors may provide “tumor specific antigens” which can be specifically recognized by the immune system. Based on this, increasing TAP1 and MHC-I expression in tumor cells and/or increasing TAP expression in antigen presenting cells, especially, dendritic cells. Selected publications Zhang, QJ., Seipp, R., Chen, S., Vitalis, T., Li, XL., Choi, KB., Jeffries, A., and Jefferies, W. TAP expression reduces IL-10 expressing tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and restores immunosurveillance against melanoma. International Journal of Cancer, (2007) |
