1. The role of lipid rafts in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice, we found that lipid raft clustering forms on surface of T cells and disrupted or accelerated lripid raft clustering delays or promoted lupus pathology progression. Our studies demonstrate that lipid rafts make an important contribution in the pathogenesis of SLE (Deng GM, et al. J Immunology, 2008). We are further determining the mechanism whereby lipid rafts regulate lupus pathology progression.
2. Functions of TNF receptor PLAD. PLAD has been found to exert a crucial role in TNFR signaling pathway. We have made recombinant PLAD protein and discovered that PLAD protein of TNFR1 and TNFR2 blocks effect of TNFa and TNFR1 PLAD inhibits inflammatory arthritis (Deng GM, et al. Nature Medicine, 2005). To further understand the function of TNFR PLAD, we are investigating the role of TNFR PLAD in the pathogenesis of SLE.
3. Pathogenesis and therapy of cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Skin disease is the second most common manifestation in patients with SLE. Skin injury also exists in the lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice. We have recently observed that signaling through tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor 1 is involved in the expression of skin injury in the lupus-prone mice. We are investigating how cutaneous lesions develop in SLE and whether inhibitor of TNFR1 inhibits skin injury in lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice.
Deng GM, Nilsson IM, Verdrengh M, Collins LV, Tarkowski A.Intra-articularly localized bacterial DNA containing CpG motifs induces arthritis. Nat Med. 1999 Jun;5(6):702-5.
Deng GM, Verdrengh M, Liu ZQ, Tarkowski A.The major role of macrophages and their product tumor necrosis factor alpha in the induction of arthritis triggered by bacterial DNA containing CpG motifs. Arthritis Rheum. 2000 Oct;43(10):2283-9.
Deng GM, Liu ZQ, Tarkowski A.Intracisternally localized bacterial DNA containing CpG motifs induces meningitis. J Immunol. 2001 Oct 15;167(8):4616-26.
Deng GM, Zheng L, Chan FK, Lenardo M.Amelioration of inflammatory arthritis by targeting the pre-ligand assembly domain of tumor necrosis factor receptors. Nat Med. 2005 Oct;11(10):1066-72.
Deng GM, Tsokos GC. Cholera Toxin B Accelerates Disease Progression in Lupus-Prone Mice by Promoting Lipid Raft Aggregation J Immunol. 2008 181: 4019-4026.
