Children's Leukemia Research Association (CLRA) funds our research!
Dec 6, 2023
University of Pittsburgh
Wei Du Lab
CLRA funds our research to study a novel strategy of targeting stem cell-niche interaction for pediatric leukemia. Read the full story here
Our most recent study investigates niche-derived factors in hematopoiesis and identified LepR+ cells-derived AREG as an important factor in regulating HSC function under conditions of DNA damage repair deficiency and aging.
Overproduced AREG promotes HSC cycling and compromises HSC quiescence in LepR-Cre;Brca2fl/fl mice.
Read the paper here here<
Emily Wolff and Anthony Zhu are fresh Pitt graduates. They will be studying underlying mechanisms regulating hematopoiesis and HSC regeneration under stress conditions.
The immune receptor TREM1 (Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1) is a master regulator of inflammatory response. Compelling evidence suggests important pathological roles for TREM1 in various types of solid tumors. However, the role of TREM1 in hematologic malignancies is not known. Our observation uncover previously unknown expression and function of TREM1 in malignant stem cells, and identify TREM1 as a driver of leukemogenesis. Read the paper here here
The crosstalk between the BM microenvironment (niche) and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is critical for HSC regeneration. Here, we identified the paracrine Wnt5a/Prox1 signaling axis as a regulator of HSC regeneration under conditions of injury and aging. Read the paper here here
Chemoresistance posts a major hurdle for treatment of acute leukemia. There is increasing evidence that prolonged and intensive chemotherapy often fails to eradicate leukemic stem cells, which are protected by the bone marrow niche and can induce relapse. Our findings identify a small-molecule regimen that sensitizes AraC-mediated leukemia eradication and provide a potential therapeutic approach for better ALL treatment. Read the paper here here
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