Phone: (205) 934-2472
E-mail: craman@uab.edu

Research/Clinical Interest Description: The major research interest of my laboratory is to elucidate the molecular mechanism/s by which lymphocyte co-receptors regulate lymphocyte activation and selection with focus on development of autoimmunity. Currently, our studies focus on the co-receptor CD5 that is expressed on all T cells and a subset of B cells, also described as CD5+ B cells. CD5 expressing B cell are also the major B cell population from which most B cell leukemias and autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren''s syndrome. Using CD5-transgenic and CD5-knock out mice, we have now demonstrated that signals transduced by CD5 have a direct effect on B cell selection and development of autoimmunity. Parallel studies from other laboratories and ours also show that CD5 is a key regulator of T cell selection and differentiation. The goal now is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which CD5 is able to exert its activity in T and B cells. To address these questions we are developing animal models that express mutant forms of CD5 as a transgene. These mutant CD5-transgenic mice will be used as a source of normal T and B cells to define signal transduction pathways recruited by CD5. We predict that by these approaches we will be elucidate molecular mechanisms that are important in regulating lymphocyte selection, activation and differentiation and provide novel approaches to control and treat autoimmune diseases and neoplasias.