The current research interest of our laboratory is to define the mechanisms by which immune checkpoint proteins regulate anti-tumor immune responses and to develop rational therapeutics for cancer immunotherapy. Specifically, we focus on delineating the mechanisms by which a novel immune checkpoint protein, V-domain Immunoglobulin Suppression of T cell Activation (VISTA), modulates immune responses to tumors. Our research group has published a series of original research and review articles that address the inhibitory roles of VISTA during the development of anti-tumor immunity, autoimmunity, and inflammatory diseases. We have shown that VISTA is a critical immune checkpoint protein that controls myeloid cell- and T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity, therefore is a valuable target for cancer immunotherapy. Currently, we are committed to discovering novel inhibitory receptors that interact with VISTA and developing effective approaches that block VISTA-mediated immune checkpoint pathway and improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.
Coming soon.
Coming soon.
The current research interest of our laboratory is to define the mechanisms by which immune checkpoint proteins regulate anti-tumor immune responses and to develop rational therapeutics for cancer immunotherapy.
Specifically, we focus on delineating the mechanisms by which a novel immune checkpoint protein, V-domain Immunoglobulin Suppression of T cell Activation (VISTA), modulates immune responses to tumors. Our research group has published a series of original research and review articles that address the inhibitory roles of VISTA during the development of anti-tumor immunity, autoimmunity, and inflammatory diseases. We have shown that VISTA is a critical immune checkpoint protein that controls myeloid cell- and T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity, therefore is a valuable target for cancer immunotherapy.
Currently, we are committed to discovering novel inhibitory receptors that interact with VISTA and developing effective approaches that block VISTA-mediated immune checkpoint pathway and improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.
Figure 1. The B7 family co-signaling molecules regulate T cell responses. Co-inhibitory molecules, such as CTLA-4, PD-1, and VISTA are also called “immune-checkpoint proteins”. They play a critical role in maintaining T cell peripheral tolerance and controlling autoimmunity.
Figure 2. V-domain Immunoglobulin Suppression of T cell Activation (VISTA) is a novel immune-checkpoint protein that regulates both innate and adaptive immunity against cancer.
Figure 3. A VISTA-blocking monoclonal antibody synergizes with a cancer vaccine to eradicate tumor cells and improve host survival.
Our education and training programs offer hands-on experience at one of the nationʼs top hospitals. Travel, publish in high impact journals and collaborate with investigators to solve real-world biomedical research questions.
Learn MoreDrs. Mian, Gupta and Hwang—a multi-disciplinary team of researchers and clinicians—will look for ways to optimize immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, including testing novel combinatory treatments and identifying predictive biomarkers of treatment response.