Hui Hu, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Immunology Program
215-495-6820, Office

Introduction

Research in the Hu laboratory focuses on understanding the transcriptional control of cell development and functional regulation in the immune system.

Research Summary

Research interests in the Hu laboratory include:

• Transcriptional regulatory networks in hematopoiesis/lymphopoiesis
• Transcription factor Foxp1 in early B cell development and mature B cell functions
• Transcriptional regulation of effector and memory T cell functions

Hematopoiesis engages hierarchical regulatory networks of key transcription factors that exert positive and negative impacts on gene transcription by changing chromatin status and structure, and determine cell “fate” at critical developmental and differentiation stages. Key transcription factors also participate in regulating important cellular functions and are regulated by external cell signals via specific signaling pathways.

Recently, Hu and coworkers identified transcription factor Foxp1 as a new essential player in B lymphopoiesis. They are using long-range chromatin structure analysis and BAC recombineering to study the transcriptional regulation and chromatin remodeling of two loci, the Rag locus and the Foxp1 locus, during hematopoiesis. They are also combining gene-targeting, in vitro and in vivo experimental models to explore the functions of Foxp1 in mature B and T cell responses.

Harnessing effective memory responses is essential for immune protection against many infectious diseases and for treating tumors. Immunological memory is also the basis of vaccination. Significant questions about the differentiation of activated T cells to become memory cells, be deleted (leading to tolerance), or become anergic still await conclusive resolution. From the aspect of transcriptional regulation, the Hu laboratory is interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying T cell effector functions, survival, homeostasis, and memory.

Rotation projects available for 2007-2008:

• Transcriptional control and chromatin remodeling of the Rag locus and the Foxp1 locus in hematopoiesis
• Molecular mechanism(s) of Foxp1 in early B cell development
• Transcriptional regulation of effector and memory T cell functions

Selected Publications

Hu H, Djuretic I, Sundrud MS and Rao A. Transcriptional partners in regulatory T cells: Foxp3, Runx and NFAT. Trends Immunol (Aug 2007) 28 (8): 329-332.

Hu H, Wang B, Borde M, Nardone J, Maika S, Allred L, Tucker PW and Rao A. Foxp1 is an essential transcriptional regulator of B cell development. Nat Immunol (Aug 2006) 7 (8): 819-826.

Ge Q, Hu H, Eisen HN and Chen J. Different contributions of thymopoiesis and homeostasis-driven proliferation to the reconstitution of naive and memory T cell compartments. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A (Mar 5 2002) 99 (5): 2989-2994.

Ge Q, Hu H, Eisen HN and Chen J. Naive to memory T-cell differentiation during homeostasis-driven proliferation. Microbes Infect (Apr 2002) 4 (5): 555-558.

Hu H, Huston G, Duso D, Lepak N, Roman E and Swain SL. CD4(+) T cell effectors can become memory cells with high efficiency and without further division. Nat Immunol (Aug 2001) 2 (8): 705-710.

Whitehurst CE, Hu H, Ryu CJ, Rajendran P, Schmidt T and Chen J. Normal TCRbeta transcription and recombination in the absence of the Jbeta2-Cbeta2 intronic cis element. Mol Immunol (Jan 2001) 38 (1): 55-63.

Swain SL, Hu H and Huston G. Class II-independent generation of CD4 memory T cells from effectors. Science (Nov 12 1999) 286 (5443): 1381-1383.

Hu H, Moller G and Abedi-Valugerdi M. Mechanism of mercury-induced autoimmunity: both T helper 1- and T helper 2-type responses are involved. Immunology (Mar 1999) 96 (3): 348-357.

Abedi-Valugerdi M, Hu H and Moller G. Mercury-induced anti-nucleolar autoantibodies can transgress the membrane of living cells in vivo and in vitro. Int Immunol (Apr 1999) 11 (4): 605-615.

Hu H, Moller G and Abedi-Valugerdi M. Non-responsiveness to mercury-induced autoimmunity in resistant DBA/2 mice is not due to immunosuppression or biased Th1-type response. Scand J Immunol (Nov 1998) 48 (5): 515-521.

Abedi-Valugerdi M, Hu H and Moller G. Mercury-induced renal immune complex deposits in young (NZB x NZW)F1 mice: characterization of antibodies/autoantibodies. Clin Exp Immunol (Oct 1997) 110 (1): 86-91.

Hu H, Moller G and Abedi-Valugerdi M. Major histocompatibility complex class II antigens are required for both cytokine production and proliferation induced by mercuric chloride in vitro. J Autoimmun (Oct 1997) 10 (5): 441-446.

Hu H, Moller G and Abedi-Valugerdi M. Thiol compounds inhibit mercury-induced immunological and immunopathological alterations in susceptible mice. Clin Exp Immunol (Jan 1997) 107 (1): 68-75.

Hu H, Abedi-Valugerdi M and Moller G. Pretreatment of lymphocytes with mercury in vitro induces a response in T cells from genetically determined low-responders and a shift of the interleukin profile. Immunology (Feb 1997) 90 (2): 198-204.

Hu H and Moller G. Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated events in B cell activation. Scand J Immunol (Aug 1994) 40 (2): 221-227.