Research Faculty

Erdyni Tsitsikov, PhD

   Department Immunology
   Hospital Title Assistant in Immunology
   Academic Title Assistant Professor
   Phone 617-919-2477
   Fax 617-730-0528
   Email Erdyni. Tsitsikov
   Location 300 Longwood Avenue
Karp-10
Boston MA 02115

Research Overview

Erdyni Tsitsikov's research examines the molecular basis of inflammatory responses, with an emphasis on tumor necrosis factor. TNF plays a major role in a wide array of biological processes, including the acute phase response of inflammation, cell growth and apoptosis ("natural" cell death), and lymphocyte activation. His research should lead to a better understanding of the development of local and systemic T cell immune responses and, as a result, to greater insights into inflammatory and autoimmune disease such as asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, and type-1 diabetes.

His lab is exploring the role of TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 1 (TRAF1), an intracellular molecule which is involved in signal transduction by the two TNF receptors--TNFR1 (CD120a/p55) and TNFR2 (CD120b/p75. The group has developed an animal model, TRAF1-deficient mice, in which to investigate the physiologic role of TRAF1. These mice are viable and have the normal numbers and distribution of lymphocytes in the lymphoid organs. However, their T cells proliferate more aggressively than those of normal mice when stimulated with TNF or with monoclonal antibodies directed at CD3, suggesting that TRAF1 suppresses TNF signaling in T cells.

Tsitsikov and colleagues are also investigating TRAF1's role in activating B cells, which is critical to EBV-mediated B cell transformation and the generation of EBV-induced B cell cancers, including Burkitt's lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Hodgkin disease, and AIDS-related non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

About Erdyni Tsitsikov

Erdyni Tsitsikov received his PhD from Gabrichevski Research Institute in Moscow, Russia.

Key Publications

  • Tsitsikov EN, Laouni D, Dunn IF, Sannikova TN, Davidson L, Alt FW, Geha RS. TNF Receptor Associated Factor (TRAF) 1 is a negative regulator of TNF signaling: Enhanced TNF signaling in TRAF1- deficient mice. Immunity 2001;15: 647-57
     
  • Dunn IF, Sannikova TY, Geha RS, Tsitsikov EN. Identification and characterization of two CD40-inducible enhancers in the mouse TRAF1 gene locus. Molecular Immunology 2001; 37: 961-973.
     
  • Dunn IF, Geha RS, Tsitsikov EN. Structure of the murine TRAF1 gene. Molecular Immunology 1999; 36: 611-617.