Karthik Sure
Pronouns: he/him
Research Mentor(s): Erin Janssen
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Pediatrics / Medicine
Program: UROPF
Session: Session 2 (10:00am – 10:50am)
Authors: Yoonjik Lee, Karthik Sure, Maria Beamer, Erin Janssen
Abstract
A study from Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) states that more than 16.5 million Americans have atopic dermatitis, with more than 6.6 million suffering from moderate-to-severe symptoms. DOCK8 deficient patient have severe atopic dermatitis, as well as recurrent infections and severe food allergies. DOCK8 is a crucial regulator of the actin cytoskeleton, and without DOCK8, patients’ immune cells are not able to effectively migrate and form stable interactions with each other. In addition, DOCK8 deficient cells have abnormalities in signaling via cytokine receptors (ex. IL-2 receptor) impacting lymphocyte function. We propose that DOCK8 and STAT5 directly interact, and in DOCK8 deficiency, the absence of this interaction leads to abnormal STAT5 activation. To study this interaction, HEK293T cells were utilized. HEK293T cells were transfected with DOCK8 and STAT5 expression plasmids. Protein expression was quantified using Western blotting. Next, we plan to examine the interaction of DOCK8 and STAT5 through immunoprecipitation experiments. Through these and additional experiments, we hope to gain a better understanding of this interaction, which will be useful when developing potential treatments for atopic dermatitis and food allergies.
