Connection | Profiles RNS

Search Result Details

Back to Search Results

This page shows the details of why an item matched the keywords from your search.

Search Results

Ortiz, Benjamin

One or more keywords matched the following properties of Ortiz, Benjamin

Property	Value
overview	T cells are the major organizers of the adaptive immune response, and a target of viruses such as HIV and HTLV-1 that cause currently incurable diseases. T cells can also be targeted to eliminate cancer cells in an organism by equipping them (through genetic engineering) with known antigen receptor genes. Such known receptors now exist targeting various cancers including those of prostate, skin and blood cell origin. T cells develop from hematopoeitic stem cells that reside in the bone marrow. This process is governed by incompletely understood gene regulatory mechanisms that execute the T cell genetic program. Our laboratory investigates gene regulation during T cell development. We use both in vivo transgenic mouse models as well as newly developed technology for in vitro T cell development from embryonic stem cells. Our focus has been on the regulation of the gene locus encoding the alpha chain of the T cell receptor (TCRa), particularly its locus control region (LCR). Appropriately regulated expression of the TCRa gene is essential for the development of virtually all of the circulating T cells in the body. The TCRa LCR has powerful properties that provide a linked gene with a predictable pattern of gene expression, in terms of level, developmental timing and cell-type distribution. It also bears a strong, but poorly understood, insulation capacity that provides LCR-linked transgenes with integration site-independence when inserted into the genome. Our work to date has identified numerous sub-sequences of the TCRa LCR that support its various properties. Molecular investigations of these sequence elements (and their interactions) are expected to reveal components required for generating proper TCRa gene regulation in vivo and completion of T cell development. Through our translational research collaborations, our work will also provide tools to establish robust, predictable and specific therapeutic gene expression in T cells via eventual gene therapy applications targeted at specific cancer cell types and T cell viral diseases. Our lab’s reagents and technologies have enabled us to additionally contribute to collaborations with other groups investigating important aspects of T cell development and function.

Property

Value

overview

T cells are the major organizers of the adaptive immune response, and a target of viruses such as HIV and HTLV-1 that cause currently incurable diseases. T cells can also be targeted to eliminate cancer cells in an organism by equipping them (through genetic engineering) with known antigen receptor genes. Such known receptors now exist targeting various cancers including those of prostate, skin and blood cell origin. T cells develop from hematopoeitic stem cells that reside in the bone marrow. This process is governed by incompletely understood gene regulatory mechanisms that execute the T cell genetic program. Our laboratory investigates gene regulation during T cell development. We use both in vivo transgenic mouse models as well as newly developed technology for in vitro T cell development from embryonic stem cells. Our focus has been on the regulation of the gene locus encoding the alpha chain of the T cell receptor (TCRa), particularly its locus control region (LCR). Appropriately regulated expression of the TCRa gene is essential for the development of virtually all of the circulating T cells in the body. The TCRa LCR has powerful properties that provide a linked gene with a predictable pattern of gene expression, in terms of level, developmental timing and cell-type distribution. It also bears a strong, but poorly understood, insulation capacity that provides LCR-linked transgenes with integration site-independence when inserted into the genome. Our work to date has identified numerous sub-sequences of the TCRa LCR that support its various properties. Molecular investigations of these sequence elements (and their interactions) are expected to reveal components required for generating proper TCRa gene regulation in vivo and completion of T cell development. Through our translational research collaborations, our work will also provide tools to establish robust, predictable and specific therapeutic gene expression in T cells via eventual gene therapy applications targeted at specific cancer cell types and T cell viral diseases. Our lab’s reagents and technologies have enabled us to additionally contribute to collaborations with other groups investigating important aspects of T cell development and function.

One or more keywords matched the following items that are connected to Ortiz, Benjamin

Item Type	Name
Grant	Translating TCRa locus control region activity to T cell gene therapy vectors
Grant	Chromatin based gene regulation in T lymphocytes
Grant	Chromatin based gene regulation in T lymphocytes
Academic Article	Ectopic T cell receptor-a locus control region activity in B cells is suppressed by direct linkage to two flanking genes at once.
Academic Article	A novel TCR transgenic model reveals that negative selection involves an immediate, Bim-dependent pathway and a delayed, Bim-independent pathway.
Academic Article	A role for autophagic protein beclin 1 early in lymphocyte development.
Academic Article	Complete TCR-a gene locus control region activity in T cells derived in vitro from embryonic stem cells.
Academic Article	Derivation of T cells in vitro from mouse embryonic stem cells.
Academic Article	Adapting in vitro embryonic stem cell differentiation to the study of locus control regions.
Academic Article	The 3'-Ja Region of the TCRa Locus Bears Gene Regulatory Activity in Thymic and Peripheral T Cells.
Academic Article	Factors binding a non-classical Cis-element prevent heterochromatin effects on locus control region activity.
Academic Article	Function and factor interactions of a locus control region element in the mouse T cell receptor-alpha/Dad1 gene locus.
Academic Article	The TCRalpha locus control region specifies thymic, but not peripheral, patterns of TCRalpha gene expression.
Academic Article	CTCF-independent, but not CTCF-dependent, elements significantly contribute to TCR-alpha locus control region activity.
Concept	B-Lymphocytes
Concept	Cells, Cultured
Concept	Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Concept	Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
Concept	T-Lymphocytes
Concept	Gene Rearrangement, alpha-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor
Concept	CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes
Concept	T-Lymphocyte Subsets
Concept	Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
Concept	CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes
Concept	Genes, T-Cell Receptor alpha
Concept	NIH 3T3 Cells
Concept	Embryonic Stem Cells

Search Criteria

T Lymphocytes