Investigator Award Renewed
for Moffitt Scientist

The recipient of a new investigator award from ASBMT and PDL BioPharma has submitted a mid-project progress report on his research concerning the function of Tregs and T-effector cells. 

Xue-Zhong Yu, MD, an assistant professor at the University of South Florida’s H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, is conducting research funded in part by an ASBMT/PDL BioPharma New Investigator Award.

His research focuses on the function of CD4+CD25+ T-regulatory cells (Tregs) – a subset of T-cells that can modulate alloresponses, with great potential as immunotherapy in bone marrow transplantation – and T-effector cells (Teffs).  Studies so far have yielded new insights into how the CD28 receptor and inducible T-cell co-stimulator (ICOS) influence the function of Teffs, as well as their impact on Treg development and function during the development of graft-versus-host disease.

In the study models, Treg induction and function are impaired when CD28 and ICOS are absent.  CD28 appears to play an essential role in the processes of Treg differentiation and Teff expansion:  it "fine-tunes" the balance between activation and suppression of the immune system.

The findings may lead to new approaches to preferentially targeting costimulation while preserving regulation.  In the upcoming year, Dr. Yu's team plans further studies of the combined effects on CD28 and ICOS on regulatory and conventional T-cells, including the effects of blocking CD28 and/or ICOS on T-cell activation and tolerance.

Based on his progress to date, the $25,000-per-year award for Dr. Yu’s research has been renewed for a second year.