Zhenpeng Dai, PhD

T lymphocytes cells have been implicated in mediating some aspects of skin autoimmune inflammation such as alopecia areata, vitiligo and psoriasis. Therefore, approaches that effectively halt the pathogenic T cell response are predicted to have therapeutic benefit for T-cell mediated autoimmune disease treatment. T cells rely on a duality of TCR and gamma chain cytokine signals for development, activation and peripheral T cell homeostasis. Our research focuses on using antibodies or small molecular compounds to deplete the pathogenic T cells, suppress their function, or inhibit their migration into the skin for treatment of T-cell mediated autoimmune disease such as alopecia areata and other skin autoimmune inflammation.