INFLAMMATION IN PEDIATRIC DISEASE ::   AE-KYUNG YI, PH.D.     ayi@utmem.edu
 
 
 Publications :: Associate Professor, Pediatrics

Dr. Yi’s interests are in determining molecular mechanisms that lead to the activation and deactivation of innate immune cells by CpG DNA, a newly discovered innate immune stimulator and a potent vaccine adjuvant. Her research is focused on four aspects: 1) investigating the biological function of each signaling modulator in the Toll-like receptor 9-signaling pathway in CpG DNA-induced innate immunity, including activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and the transcription factors AP-1, CREB, NF-kB, and STAT1 that lead to proto-oncogene expression and cytokine production; 2) investigating mechanisms by which CpG DNA induces the production of reactive oxygen species and activates protein kinase C; 3) determining molecular mechanisms that lead to the deactivation of innate immune cells after initial inflammation induced by CpG DNA; 4) investigating mechanisms by which CpG DNA induces B cell activation. We are determining how CpG DNA protects B cells from spontaneous or Ag-induced apoptosis, how CpG DNA- and B cell Ag receptor-mediated signals interact to synergistically induce gene expression, cytokine production, antibody production, cell proliferation, and apoptosis protection in B cells at different maturational stages, and how CpG DNA influences B cell differentiation.

Yeo SJ, Yoon JG, Yi AK: Myeloid differentiation factor 88-dependent post transcriptional regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 expression by CpG DNA: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptor-associated factor 6, a diverging point in the Toll-like receptor 9-signaling. J Biol Chem 2003; 278:40590-40600.

Lenert P, Yi AK, Krieg AM, Stunz LL, and Ashman RF: Inhibitory oligonucleotides block the induction of AP-1 transcription factor by stimulatory CpG oligonu-cleotides in B cells. Antisense Nucleic Acid Drug Dev 2003; 13:143-150.

Stovall SH, Yi AK, Meals EA, Talati AJ, Godambe SA, and English BK: Role of vav1 and src-related tyrosine kinases in macrophage activation by CpG DNA. J Biol Chem 2003; 279:13809-13816.

Suh GY, Jin Y, Yi A-K, Xiao Mei Wang XM, Choi AMK. 2006. CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein mediates carbon monoxide-induced suppression of cyclooxygenase-2. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2006; 35(2):220-226

Yi A-K, Yoon H, Park JE, Kim B-S, Kim HJ, Martinez-Hernandez A. CpG DNA-mediated induction of acute liver injury in D-galactosamine-sensitized mice: The mitochondrial apoptotic pathway-dependent death of hepatocytes. J Biol Chem 2006; 281(21):15001-15012.

Talati AJ, Yi A-K, Kim HJ, Yoon H, English BK. Role of bacterial DNA in macrophage activation by group B streptococci. J Immunol (under revision)
 
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