Intestinal tissue homeostasis

The intestine is home to ~70% of the cells in the immune system.  It is also home to a large community of commensal microbes.  The commensal microbiota has significant roles in shaping the immune system and determining susceptibility to inflammatory bowel diseases.  Recently, we discovered that the necroptosis kinase RIPK3 has an unexpected protective role in mouse model of experimental colitis.  Surprisingly, this function of RIPK3 is due to cytokine expression rather than necroptosis.  We are currently examining the molecular mechanisms by which RIPK3 promotes cytokine expression.  Moreover, we are also interested in identifying the cell type that uses RIPK3 to promote cytokine expression.