Elucidating the role of MARK2 in T cell activation

T cell activation must be controlled over time and the failure to regulate an immune response can lead to a breakdown in self-tolerance and the development of autoimmune diseases. There is emerging evidence that intracellular traffic plays an important role in regulating T cell receptor (TCR) signaling. Our lab identified the polarity kinase Par1b/Mark2 as associated with the trafficking of intracellular signaling molecules in T cells and related to T cell activation. Par1b/Mark2 was shown to be important for the establishment and maintenance of cell polarity by phosphorylating microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) that regulate microtubule stability. However, the role of Par1b/Mark2 in T lymphocytes is still unknown.

The goal of our research is to decipher the role of Mark2 in the regulation of T cell response. To do so we developed in vivo and in vitro models and are using different approaches proteomic analysis, flow cytometry, in vivo analysis of immune responses.