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Phone
313-578-4339
Department
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Biochemistry Microbiology and Immunology, Oncology
Laboratory Address
421 East Canfield Street, Detroit, MI 48201
Laboratory Web Site
Research Description
Immune system and cancer
We want to understand the immunopathogenic processes of cancer, including alterations of systemic and local immune environments in cancer initiation, growth and metastasis. We are also interested in the pathogenesis of certain hematological malignancies.
Antibody dysfunction in immunodeficiency and lymphoma
We apply a diverse array of cellular, histological and molecular techniques to elucidate mechanisms that regulate antibody maturation and production by B lymphocytes, including immunoglobulin heavy chain class switching and somatic hypermutation. These processes are critical for the diversification of the antibody repertoire to generate effective immune protection. When out of control, they can result in immunodeficiency, autoimmunity and lymphoma.
Immune regulation of reproduction and reproductive disorders
A large number of reproductive disorders have an immunological basis. Leveraging our immunological expertise, novel and original diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive strategies are being developed to reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes and the associated infant mortality and disability.
Recent Publications
Zhou JZ, Huang B, Pei B, Sun GW, Pawlitz MD, Zhang W, Li X, Hokynar KC, Yao F, Perera MLW, Wei S, Zheng S, Polin LA, Poulik JM, Ranki A, Krohn K, Cunningham-Rundles C, Yang N, Bhagwat AS, Yu K, Peterson P, Kisand K, Vuong BQ, Cerutti A, Chen K (2024). A germinal center checkpoint of AIRE in B cells limits antibody diversifcation. bioRxiv 2024.01.10.574926. doi: 10.1101/2024.01.10.574926.
Chen K, Hao Y, Guzman M, Li G, Cerutti A. Antibody mediated regulation of basophils: emerging views and clinical implications. Trends in Immunology 2023;44:408-423 (cover story).
Chen K, Giuliana M, Grasset E, Cerutti A. Rethinking mucosal antibody responses: IgM, IgG and IgD join IgA. Nature Reviews Immunology 2020,20:427-441
Shan M, Carillo J, Yeste A, Gutzeit C, Garzon DS, Pybus M, Grasset EK, Yeiser JR, Matthews DB, van de Veen W, Comerma L, He B, Boonpiyathad T, Lee H, Blanco J, Osborne LC, Siracusa MC, Akdis M, Artis D, Mehandru S, Sampson HA, Berin MC, Chen K, Cerutti A (2018). Secreted IgD Amplifies Humoral T helper 2 responses by Activating Basophils through Galectin-9 and CD44. Immunity 2018;49:709-724.
Zhou JZ, Way SS, Chen K. Immunology of the uterine and vaginal mucosae. Trends in Immunology 2018;39:302-14.
Huang B, Faucette AN, Pawlitz MD, Pei B, Goyert JW, Zhou JZ, El-Hage NG, Cols M, Lin J, Yao F, Jassal JS, Dewar RS III, Dai J, Shen C, Polin LA, Nichols RA, Jones TB, Deng J, Bluth MH, Puder KS, Gonik B, Nayak NR, Puscheck E, Wei W-Z, Cerutti A, Colonna M, Chen K. Interleukin-33-induced expression of PIBF1 by decidual B cells protects against preterm labor. Nature Medicine 2017;23:128-35.
Selected publications
For a selected list of publications, please refer to http://chenlab.wayne.edu/publications.html.
Education/Training
PhD, Weill Cornell Medicine and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
BSc with First Class Honors, National University of Singapore
Awards and Honors
2023 American Association of Immunologists Travel Grant
2020 College Teaching Award, Wayne State University School of Medicine
2017 College Teaching Award, Wayne State University School of Medicine
2016 Research Excellence Award, Wayne State University School of Medicine
2015 Invited expert, Global Maternal Vaccination Landscape Consultative Meeting, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Vancouver, Canada
2014 Burroughs Wellcome Fund Investigator in Preterm Birth
2013 National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Mucosal Immunology Studies Team (MIST) Young Investigator Award
2013 American Association of Immunologists Early Career Faculty Travel Award
Research Description
Specifically, we study the regulation and function of B cells, the cells that produce antibodies in our immune system. Dysfunction of B cells and antibody production is associated with a variety of disorders, such as HIV infection, lupus, arthritis, diabetes and cancer.
During reproduction, impaired production of antibodies increases the susceptibility of the mother, the fetus and the newborn to infections. Conversely, uncontrolled production of antibodies against paternal fetal antigens and the ensuing inflammation are major risks of reproductive failure.
We want to understand the activation and antibody production of maternal B cells during pregnancy and how mechanisms regulating the normal behaviors of B cells break down in pathological pregnancy, and whether the restoration of these mechanisms can alleviate or prevent diseases.
Immunological concepts and technologies are integral to our research. We employ a comprehensive approach encompassing molecular, cellular, histological and immunological methods and the use of animal models and human samples to address questions relevant to human diseases in a mechanistic way.
Students who participate in the research in our lab will not only learn the various experimental techniques, but also (and more importantly) learn the ideas behind project design and technical communication. We believe that teaching these skills to undergraduate students at an early stage is critical to their learning and development in a competitive scientific environment.
Past students who have worked in our lab have won awards and co-authored publications, and successfully moved on to the next stage of our career.