Andrew D. Weinberg, PhD
Primary Affiliation
Program Affiliation
The main focus of the
lab is to understand T cell activation during disease states. We have explored
ways to manipulate the fate of antigen-specific T cells to enhance
tumor-specific memory in hosts with cancer or downregulate antigen-specific
responses in autoimmune disease. A challenge for immunologists has been to
identify the antigen-specific cells within an inflammatory site and activate or
downregulate their function in vivo. We have found a cell surface marker OX40
(CD134) that is expressed on the activated antigen-specific T cells within the
site of inflammation, but not on peripheral T cells. This protein is a
TNF-receptor family member that has potent costimulatory properties when
crosslinked both in vitro and in vivo. We have used OX40 specific antibodies to
expand tumor-reactive T cells in mice with cancer, ultimately resulting in a
percentage of tumor-free mice. In contrast, we have used a deleting form of the
OX40 antibody to destroy detrimental T cells in autoimmune disease, which
ameliorates ongoing signs of clinical disease. By controlling the fate of
antigen-specific T cells during inflammatory events, we are able to reduce or
enhance T cell function in vivo, which ultimately alters the outcome of
antigen-specific immunity. Currently, the lab has been trying to understand the
intracellular mechanisms that lead to T cell survival once the OX40 receptor is
engaged. Our goal is to enhance effector T cell survival in order to increase
memory T cell development to maximize a long-term response to a particular
antigen. Future projects include enhancing T cell memory to tumor antigens via
OX40 agonists and performing immune-based analyses of a phase I clinical trial
in cancer patients treated with anti-OX40.
Preceptor Rotations
Dr. Weinberg has not indicated availability for preceptor rotations at this time.
Faculty Mentorship
Dr. Weinberg is available as a mentor for 2008-2009.
