Joseph Larkin III

My laboratory investigates the contribution of T lymphocyte subsets and functions in maintaining tolerance, with a specific emphasis on Tregs. We have examined the involvement of Tregs in the prevention of a number of animal models of human disease including type 1 diabetes, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. We are currently investigating mechanisms that control Treg function. One such mechanism could be the suppressors of cytokine signaling family of intracellular proteins (SOCS). SOCS proteins regulate cellular responsiveness to cytokines, which are proteins involved in cellular communication. Although it is known that certain cytokines are essential for Treg survival and function, how SOCS proteins contribute to this process are not well understood. One primary focus of our laboratory is to examine the interplay between Tregs and SOCS proteins.